Jesus' Authority

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Thoughts:  Thomas doubted until he saw Jesus, then he fell and worshiped at his feet.  Here we see that some saw him but some doubted.  Some worshiped, and some remained in their skepticism.  Jesus then said, He has all authority- meaning He is worthy of respect and belief (not doubt and skepticism).  Would you doubt someone who had all authority in heaven and earth?   Would you be skeptical in the presence of an admiral in the midst of his fleet?  If we understand Jesus' power, we would not doubt Him but would trust Him.  It is because of this power that we do not need to be ashamed of Him or afraid to spread the good news about Him.  His power also confirms His teaching.  Therefore we are to spread around the world the teaching of the One whose power goes around the world (heaven and earth).  We are to be taught to obey the One who has all the authority too  Jesus authority is over all, His teaching is to be spread over all, His obedience is to be called out to all, and then we are reminded He is with us all over the world to the end of the world.  The power of the resurrected Jesus inspires us to be bold.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to understand your power, and to trust in your power.  

Waiting on the Spirit

 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4,5)

Thoughts: It is often hard to listen to the Lord.  For the Lord will tell us to wait.  We would rather not just hang around.  We want God to come on our terms and at our beck and call.  This is why prayer is so hard for impatient production-oriented Americans.  But God tells us to wait on His gift.  He has a gift- the great gift of Himself- His Spirit coming to live inside of us.  Christ came to baptize us- seal us- identify us- call us- cleanse us- by the Holy Spirit.
      Waiting on the Holy Spirit is like waiting for the gas to go into the car (or the electric car to get charged up).  Without the waiting- there is no going forward.  Waiting and receiving the power of God is a part of the process of living and doing God's will.  It is poor thinking that living only means doing stuff or being visibly productive.  The person who prays is doing important work. The person who waits on God maybe answering the call of God.  We do not need to criticize the person who is better at waiting than us.  Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isa. 40:30).
    In times of trouble, it is important to pray, wait, and hope.  It is such a time now.  

Prayer: Lord, teach me to wait.  Give me the patience and grace to wait on you.  

Giving Proof

Acts 1:3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

Thoughts: Jesus wants us to listen and believe.  He did not have to present Himself to them.  But He did.  He presented Himself and tried to convince them because so much depends on their faith.  If they were not convinced, we would not be here today.  He wants us too to know that He is alive.  Jesus didn't just appear one day, but 40.  It is enough for them to put faith in them. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, convince me.  Help me to listen and believe. 

Listen and not comparing

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. (John 21)

Thoughts; We compare.  That is what we do.  We compare the way we dress, the hair styles we have, the cars we drive, and the blessings we have.  Peter had just been told he would die a martyrs death.  His response is, "What about him?"  John had been with Jesus early on.  Jesus never gets into comparison.  His call to each person is as an individual.  We live and die as individuals each responsible for our own lives and actions.  The communal life is very important, but God deals with us not as a cosmic blob, but as individuals who are accountable.  Peter was not responsible for John nor John for Peter.  Our call is to keep our eyes on Jesus and be content with our call from Him.    As we keep our eyes on Him we will have little room for covetousness.  

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to be content with what you give me in life.  Keep me from covetousness and comparing eyes.
     

The Call of Restoration

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18Very truly I tell you, 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.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 20)

Thoughts: Peter had denied Christ three times.  Even after the resurrection, Peter was in dismay and had gone back to fishing.  He not only needed to know Jesus was alive, he needed to know he was forgiven.
       To teach Peter well, Jesus calls his name three times and asks Peter if he loves him three times.  After Peter's response that he loves Jesus, Jesus gives him a purpose/mission- to feed his sheep.
        Jesus, seeks us to restore us to Himself as well.  He calls us to love Him and then He gives us a mission.  God doesn't just call us to love Him. He then calls us to a mission.  In Peter's case it was to feed the sheep.  

Prayer: Lord, let me hear you voice calling to me by name.  Then let me respond in love and willingness to do your will.  

Listening to Christ Brings Fruitfulness

1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.^a It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus^b ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^c 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. (John 21)

Thoughts: When our efforts are dry and fruitless, Jesus calls us to make a change.  Instead of working, try trusting.  Sometimes just casting your net on the other side doesn't make sense.  But when it is Jesus asking you to make a change, then you should listen.  When they trusted Him and obeyed Him- amazing fruitfulness happens.  Only God can give meaning that cannot be taken away by death.  The Risen Christ calls to them to listen.  We too should have listening ears. 

Prayer: Lord, Help me hear your voice directing my steps.  Give me the grace to listen to you.

Observing the Resurrected Christ

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. (Luke 24)

Thoughts: What we will be like is not completely known.  As Calvin indicated, heaven is our home but we don't know much about the furniture of heaven.  Yet, the hint of what we will be like for eternity is found in the resurrected Christ. We shall be like Him.  What will we be like in heaven?
       First, what Jesus was not like should be observed.  Jesus was an individual- not a simply part of a cosmic blob.  We keep our individuality and personality in heaven.  Jesus did not just become a spiritual ghost- with no body.  He was insistent on telling us he was not a ghost.  
     Jesus had flesh and bones.  Thomas could tough his wounds. He was touchable.  He wanted something to eat here.  He ate again with Peter on the seashore. Jesus could appear- going through a locked door (Jn. 20), and could talk and communicate.   But perhaps more than all the physical stuff- Jesus had peace and offered peace to everyone.  The Peace of God was full in Jesus. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me hope.  Help me to learn from you in so many new ways.