Belonging (S2) : WK 3 - FRI
(John 2:11 NLT) This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
What must it have been like for the disciples in this moment when they believed in Jesus? This is such a pregnant statement. Jesus revealed His glory through this astounding miracle, and they believed in Him.
The theme and entire purpose of the Gospel of John is to believe. To believe in Jesus. To believe everything about Jesus and what He said, did, and offers to all of humanity. John is the book containing all of the “I Am” statements of Jesus. I Am the Bread of Life. I Am the Light of the World. I Am the Door for the sheep. I Am the Good Shepherd. I Am the Resurrection and the Life. I Am the True Vine.
During COVID, my mother was in an assisted living facility nearby where I live. It was a tough time for all of us. She was a very active member of the last two churches I served as a Lead Pastor. Let's just say she was one of my biggest fans. During this time, she would watch my sermons online. She was struggling with her purpose at the age of 91. For many decades, she devoted her life to serving and caring for others. She would take people meals when they needed them, visit those in the hospital, and visit those who couldn’t leave their homes. Since she couldn’t get out and was growing more frail, she felt she wasn’t making a difference.
One week, I had preached a sermon on John chapter 11 about Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave. With the thrust of John’s writing being to believe in Jesus and what God was doing through His life, death, and resurrection, the story of Lazarus emphasizes this. The word “believe” is used eight times in this chapter. This was the thrust of my sermon. My mother, of course, watched my sermon. She called me later that day, and I sensed excitement in her voice. She said, “Jon, I have found what God wants me to do!” I asked her what it was, and I was also excited that she had found relief from the ache of not knowing what God wanted her to do. She said, “Believe! I’m supposed to keep believing in God and that He loves me and has not abandoned me.” I was so happy for her.
Unfortunately, six months later, she would contract COVID and not be able to fight it off. I realized how good God was in that moment. That God was giving her what she needed to continue believing and trusting Him in the final stages of her life.
The very first verse of this story we have been looking at says, “The next day there was a wedding celebration.” (NLT) Unfortunately, this is not a very good translation of what the original Greek says. It actually says, “On the third day.” With everything John writes serving as a signpost to point to Jesus and all that God is doing through Him to put everything back to right and make all things new again, what do you think John was pointing to when he mentions that all this happened on “the third day?”
What must it have been like for the disciples in this moment when they believed in Jesus? This is such a pregnant statement. Jesus revealed His glory through this astounding miracle, and they believed in Him.
The theme and entire purpose of the Gospel of John is to believe. To believe in Jesus. To believe everything about Jesus and what He said, did, and offers to all of humanity. John is the book containing all of the “I Am” statements of Jesus. I Am the Bread of Life. I Am the Light of the World. I Am the Door for the sheep. I Am the Good Shepherd. I Am the Resurrection and the Life. I Am the True Vine.
During COVID, my mother was in an assisted living facility nearby where I live. It was a tough time for all of us. She was a very active member of the last two churches I served as a Lead Pastor. Let's just say she was one of my biggest fans. During this time, she would watch my sermons online. She was struggling with her purpose at the age of 91. For many decades, she devoted her life to serving and caring for others. She would take people meals when they needed them, visit those in the hospital, and visit those who couldn’t leave their homes. Since she couldn’t get out and was growing more frail, she felt she wasn’t making a difference.
One week, I had preached a sermon on John chapter 11 about Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave. With the thrust of John’s writing being to believe in Jesus and what God was doing through His life, death, and resurrection, the story of Lazarus emphasizes this. The word “believe” is used eight times in this chapter. This was the thrust of my sermon. My mother, of course, watched my sermon. She called me later that day, and I sensed excitement in her voice. She said, “Jon, I have found what God wants me to do!” I asked her what it was, and I was also excited that she had found relief from the ache of not knowing what God wanted her to do. She said, “Believe! I’m supposed to keep believing in God and that He loves me and has not abandoned me.” I was so happy for her.
Unfortunately, six months later, she would contract COVID and not be able to fight it off. I realized how good God was in that moment. That God was giving her what she needed to continue believing and trusting Him in the final stages of her life.
The very first verse of this story we have been looking at says, “The next day there was a wedding celebration.” (NLT) Unfortunately, this is not a very good translation of what the original Greek says. It actually says, “On the third day.” With everything John writes serving as a signpost to point to Jesus and all that God is doing through Him to put everything back to right and make all things new again, what do you think John was pointing to when he mentions that all this happened on “the third day?”
- How is Jesus asking you to believe Him?
- Take some time to linger over the “I Am” statements Jesus uses to say Who He is for humanity. Which one connects with you the most in this moment? Why do you think so?
- How might Jesus desire to come to life in you during this season of life?
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