As I have been reading through John this past week I couldn’t just settle for one chapter. The story got intense and I didn’t want to put it down.
I have heard of scripture being called a Love Letter. As I was reading I was thinking about Jesus’ death in the context of a love story. The great news is that this story doesn’t end tragically. He died while hanging on a wooden cross with nails in his hands and a nail in his feet, because he loves us.
Even while in extreme pain he took care of his mother and told his disciple to look after her and care for her. He didn’t leave her alone with Mary Magdalene and her sister. I wonder if that is because women in that culture needed a man to help care for women. We know that he certainly loved Mary.
While meditating what Jesus’ death meant I believe I heard the Lord say, “Even if it was only for you, I would have done it.” – Isn’t that hard to fathom? If you were the only one that needed saving he would still die on the cross!
Jesus fulfilled at the prophesies including the one that said “not a single bone would be broken.” Jesus died before the soldier came around and broke the legs of those hanging on the cross so it would speed up their death.
The body of Jesus was carefully laid in a tomb. On the first day Mary Magdalene came to the tomb while it was still dark. I love that. I love that she couldn’t wait to get back to Jesus. I wonder if she fretted the whole weekend and if she couldn’t sleep. She was certainly a passionate woman. She then RAN to Peter and John.
Jesus wasn’t in the tomb and later revealed himself 3 different times! The last time he showed up on the shore while a few disciples were fishing. He miraculously provided a huge catch of fish and they ate breakfast together. After they ate Jesus talked to Peter. He asked Peter 3 times if he loved him to restore Peter after he denied Jesus three times. He asked Peter if he loved Jesus more than his job and then to shepherd and tend to His sheep. He finally said to follow me.
I really like the verse, John 21:18 – “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
When we are young Christians we have a little bit more freedom to do what we want as we learn what it means to follow Jesus. Then at some point God requires more of us. We may not want to do what God is asking, because it is scary or seems stupid. As a mature Christian we are required to be lead by Jesus no matter what. So let’s keep following Jesus!
- On that note I prayed about this blog and I feel like the Lord is asking me to continue it. I don’t know why, but I will be obedient. It could just be a test to see if I will do what He says. Who knows. So I will continue to post here every Wednesday.
- I am going to be blogging about the book of Acts next. I will be blogging about a few chapters at a time instead of one book a week.
See you next week after I have dived into Acts! Can’t wait.
