With this final post our "Journey to the Cross" Lent/Easter devotions comes to a close. Thanks for reading and thanks for posting your insights! Now that I have this blog set up, it will be easy to make use of it in the future. I don't like to make commitments I can't keep, so I'll let everyone know when I decide to post things in the future. Obviously there are lots of possibilities ranging from additional devotions to comments about current events to posting about mission or servant trips to reflecting on happenings at church. So, we'll see where God leads.
We end our devotions with a wonderful, clear statement by John as to why he wrote his gospel. It wasn't to provide an historical record of the life of Jesus. It wasn't to chronicle our Lord's every activity. It wasn't to make a case to prove just who Jesus was. No, his purpose was much simpler. It was "so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." This was John's written witness to Jesus. It was written so that others might believe and discover the same abundant life John had discovered.
What a great reason to write about Jesus! What a great reason for us to bear witness as well! We do so that others might believe, and that through believing, they may have life in his name.
John says he could have included other signs Jesus did on earth. There were more, to be sure. But he chose to include the ones about which he wrote. These are more than enough to lead others to faith. When I first began to learn about Jesus and take faith seriously as a teenager, I remember being told that a good place to start is by reading John's gospel. How true this is. John's whole purpose was to share the good news of Jesus, that others might believe. I really don't think too much about what has not been included in the life of Jesus in the gospels. For what has been included is more than enough. He journeyed to the cross for us. He was raised in victory over sin and death. He lives on in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. That's more than enough for me. Thanks for reading and blessings to all of you as you continue with your daily walk of faith!
I am always curious, with all the billions of people on this earth and all of creation, how it is the Lord can care about me, how is He able to do this? I know that He loves me, I have experienced His love first hand, but it is the devils toy with me. I Praise Jesus for letting me know of His presence by His miracles in my own life. This faith frees me to see the many miracles He is performing today, which keeps me smiling and singing His praises. Thank you, Pastor Jeff, for sharing your devotions. This has been a great journey. I look forward to walking further with you, and everyone at OSLC, into a closer relationship with Jesus!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pastor Jeff, for the beautiful way you expanded on each day's reading. I have been blessed. I have been further blessed by Julie's comments. she has a gift for seeing things in an eternal perspective. God bless you both!
ReplyDeleteThank you both for you regular postings and participation. I think we've all grown spiritually as a result!
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