Not unlike last week’s theme, we remember today that when we’re hurting God can seem far away. Jesus Himself cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). Today we remember however that when Mary and Martha were hurting over their brother Lazarus, Jesus was right there. To be sure, He was there in His timing and according to His plan and purpose, but He was there. More than that however, He was not just there for them, but He was there with them. In fact, in an amazing twist, though Jesus knew what He would do for Lazarus, He nonetheless “wept”. Jesus was grieved too. And when you see that truth, when you grieve, you’ll be able to remember that Jesus comes to you in your grief and He shares your grief too. Thank you Jesus for coming to us when we grieve!
Encountering Jesus in Our Grief
July 24, 2022 • Pastor Ben Johnson
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!