In this familiar story, Jesus and His mother are attending a wedding in Cana. Mary is aware that the celebration wine has run out, and she has come to her Son to help the newlywed couple avoid embarrassment. Mary, of all people, knew Jesus the very best. And while she might not have known exactly what He would do…she had the ultimate trust in Jesus to do the right thing.
Tag: jesus
Ephesians 2:5 ” It is by grace you have been saved.”
The simple definition of grace is unearned, unmerited favor. There is absolutely nothing you can do in and of yourself to gain this favor…it’s accomplished only by the atonement of your sins by Jesus Christ dying on that Cross in your place. God’s unwarranted favor…His abundant, extravagant grace… is available to all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Luke 9: 61-62 ” Still another said, ‘ I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘ No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ “
The man was making excuses for delaying Jesus’ call in his life…But how many times do we do the very same thing. I’ll follow You Lord, but first I must do this, or I’ll follow you Lord, but this must happen first. We want to feel in control, but sometimes God wants us to take that leap of faith without reservations, all the while demanding that our priorities be in perfect alignment with His.
Luke 9: 59-60 ” He said to another man, ‘Follow Me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘ Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.’ “
At first glance, Jesus would seem cold and uncaring to this grieving man who had just lost his father. But Jesus’ vision was eternal…His focus far-reaching. Jesus was calling this man to greater things…things everlasting and imperishable.
Luke 9:57-58 ” As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, ‘ I will follow You wherever You go.’ Jesus replied, ‘ Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’ “
Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for the final time when a Teacher of the Law approached Him professing his faith. The crowds followed Jesus to watch the miracles and listen to His parables. The Disciples followed Jesus because they had been called by Him. But others followed Him because they were seeking the Messiah.
Matthew 28: 5-6 ” The angel said to the women, ‘ Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.’ “
Are you looking for Jesus just like those women that early Easter morn? He wasn’t where they expected Him to be…the grave couldn’t keep Him…the devil couldn’t restrain Him…the world couldn’t contain Him. No, He had risen just like He promised. If you’re looking for Jesus today…don’t bother to look among the dead…for He’s alive!
Luke 23: 52-53 ” Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in whom no one had yet been laid.”
Jesus was dead. The Disciples had fled into hiding. The World was in disbelieving silence. But Sunday was coming.
His body was hidden behind a rock. His Followers were in mourning. The World waiting. But Sunday was coming.
If you find yourself today as good as dead. If you’re searching for answers. If life has handed you more than you can handle. Sunday is coming.
If the world is closing in – grieve and pain over whelming. If life is getting too hard to continue on, and you’re thinking of ending your life. Sunday is coming…and with it peace, healing, and restoration for your mind, body, and soul.
Sunday is coming!
Mark 14: 22-24 ” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, giving thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘ Take it; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘ This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.’ He said to them.”
This was the first Communion Service…or Eucharist. The Greek word actually means thanksgiving, and that’s what we should be doing each and every time we celebrate Communion. Thanking Jesus for His sacrifice – His shed blood, and broken body for all. Jesus didn’t have to come to earth and die an unspeakable death…but He did… and every time we hold those elements in our hands we need to thank Him for that obedience. For without Him, we’d be lost. This Passion week, celebrate your own personal Eucharist of thanksgiving.
John 13:37 ” Peter asked, ‘ Lord, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.’ “
Jesus had just told the Disciples that where He was going, they couldn’t go with. Was Simon Peter hurt, or smugly contending that he would proudly die along side Jesus when he asked why? Peter was one of Jesus’ closest Disciples, a big, loud man who had a habit of speaking first and thinking later. Was his outburst a show of hurt feelings, or brash vibrato…of concerned protection, or a foot in the mouth quip?
John 13: 5 “…He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.”
At a wedding recently, the couple washed each others feet in a lovely symbol of unconditional love and servant hood in their new marriage. The difference between the two Greek words for wash and bathe have great significance in our walk with God. Louo, means to bathe the entire body and is done by God when we’re made right before Him…justified, once for all. Where, Nipto, means to wash part of the body, symbolizing our daily, ongoing journey of sanctification. Jesus washed the disciple’s feet to not only demonstrate humility, love , and holiness…but then He dried them with the towel tied around Him…the towel tied around God.
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