This is one of the stories from John that reminds us that Jesus comes to us in order to change our thinking…in order to change us! This story is so important because Jesus is calling us to understand our faith in Him through this story. Technically this could be “Encountering Jesus in Pride”…because He shows our prideful-selves what true humility looks like. The Lord of Glory…bending low. The Lord of Glory…stooping to serve. The Lord of Glory…washing filthy feet. And then The Lord of Glory saying “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” John 13:15. Let’s remember today that He does meet us in our pride but He also meets us in our humility. Said a little bit differently? He clears away our pride and empowers us for humility! He gave us an example of true humility, but He also gives us the power to live the example! Thank you Jesus for meeting us where you want us to be…in humility!
Encountering Jesus in Our Self-Centeredness
August 7, 2022 • Pastor Joe Meyer
Encountering Jesus in Our Need
August 28, 2022 • Pastor Joe Meyer
We’re ending this tour through John with what is perhaps the most obvious of encounters with Jesus and that’s Him meeting us in our need…our need for forgiveness. Peter had denied Christ. Peter had gone back on his word. Frankly, in the garden with Jesus, Peter had bold face lied to the Lord. And yet what does Jesus do? Does He act like we would, kicking Peter to the curb and walking away? Nope. Jesus reaches out to Peter. Jesus seeks Peter. Jesus comes to Peter in His need and speaks the word of forgiveness He so desperately needed. He does the same for us. Thank you Jesus that when we sin…when we run…when we deny…You come to us in our need!
Encountering Jesus in Our Need
August 28, 2022 • Pastor Ben Johnson
We’re ending this tour through John with what is perhaps the most obvious of encounters with Jesus and that’s Him meeting us in our need…our need for forgiveness. Peter had denied Christ. Peter had gone back on his word. Frankly, in the garden with Jesus, Peter had bold face lied to the Lord. And yet what does Jesus do? Does He act like we would, kicking Peter to the curb and walking away? Nope. Jesus reaches out to Peter. Jesus seeks Peter. Jesus comes to Peter in His need and speaks the word of forgiveness He so desperately needed. He does the same for us. Thank you Jesus that when we sin…when we run…when we deny…You come to us in our need!
Encountering Jesus in Our Doubt
August 21, 2022 • Pastor Ben Johnson
We are people of faith. We trust that God exists. We trust that Jesus died and rose for us. We trust, we live in faith, every single day. For a long time therefore, the Church berated and shunned those who doubted. They were called, from our story in John today, “Doubting Thomases” and thought to be less than the best Christian. Amazingly however, Jesus doesn’t act like us! Oh…that’s not amazing is it? He always shows us the way and in this instance He reminds us that while He knew all about Thomas’s doubting and unbelief, He came for Him, not once, but twice. He knew and yet He spoke “peace”. He knew and yet He did what He needed to do to bring faith into the heart of Thomas and perhaps, make him even stronger than he was before. And so He does with us…but so He also does through us to others! Thank you Jesus for coming to us in our doubt!