I started in a new ministry a few weeks ago. I moved back home to be with Dad. I left a church I love, a youth group that challenged me, a youth group I loved. I left a wonderful group of friends. And while I miss them terribly - I don't regret my decision to return home.
Tonight, we begin our Wednesday night ministries. We offer a meal at 5:30 and then split to our classes for an hour. The youth will be starting a study on the book of Mark tonight. It's about a 10 week series (technically it's 11, but we're watching 2 of the videos tonight, combining two lessons into one) that simply walks through Mark's gospel. Francis Chan teaches in the videos from various spots in Israel - spots that were significant in Jesus' ministries. The Jordan River, the synagogue in Capernaum, a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
The first couple videos are emotionally intense...at least Francis Chan is emotionally intense. He gets so excited talking about who Jesus is - he can't contain himself. So many times in these videos his says things like, "just try to understand..." or "try to wrap your mind around this..." as he describes the reality of God in the flesh.
Can we really wrap our minds around this? The idea that God...OUR CREATOR...gave up everything to become one of us...to become one WITH us?? I can barely comprehend the kind of love that would require!
I've never been in love...not the romantic kind, but I know love fierce enough that I'd be willing to give up my life for it. I have that love for my family.
I have that love for Jesus.
See, when Jesus came to Earth - He became the very embodiment of that love. He was the physical manifestation of a love that would give up everything if it meant He could know us and we could know Him.
And it makes me sad to think that there are people that simply can't and/or won't accept this truth! That there a people who want nothing to do with it.
When Jesus came to Earth - he came at a time when the Jewish people were looking for a savior. They were looking for someone to come in and physically overthrow the Roman government. They were tired of being overtaxed. They were tired of the oppression. They were looking for a revolution - a person who could change everything for their nation so that God could rule the nations through them.
Imagine the disappointment they must have felt when Jesus showed up. Their expectations were completely dashed.
Tonight, I'm going to be asking my kids tonight, "What would you expect of Jesus?"
Imagine never hearing the name of Jesuse before. You have no idea who He is. But for the first time, you're being told he's the Messiah - he's the Son of God.
What would you expect of him?
I've learned that I can't fit Jesus in a box. Whatever my expectations may be, Jesus always takes me by surprise.
Tonight, we begin our Wednesday night ministries. We offer a meal at 5:30 and then split to our classes for an hour. The youth will be starting a study on the book of Mark tonight. It's about a 10 week series (technically it's 11, but we're watching 2 of the videos tonight, combining two lessons into one) that simply walks through Mark's gospel. Francis Chan teaches in the videos from various spots in Israel - spots that were significant in Jesus' ministries. The Jordan River, the synagogue in Capernaum, a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
The first couple videos are emotionally intense...at least Francis Chan is emotionally intense. He gets so excited talking about who Jesus is - he can't contain himself. So many times in these videos his says things like, "just try to understand..." or "try to wrap your mind around this..." as he describes the reality of God in the flesh.
Can we really wrap our minds around this? The idea that God...OUR CREATOR...gave up everything to become one of us...to become one WITH us?? I can barely comprehend the kind of love that would require!
I've never been in love...not the romantic kind, but I know love fierce enough that I'd be willing to give up my life for it. I have that love for my family.
I have that love for Jesus.
See, when Jesus came to Earth - He became the very embodiment of that love. He was the physical manifestation of a love that would give up everything if it meant He could know us and we could know Him.
And it makes me sad to think that there are people that simply can't and/or won't accept this truth! That there a people who want nothing to do with it.
When Jesus came to Earth - he came at a time when the Jewish people were looking for a savior. They were looking for someone to come in and physically overthrow the Roman government. They were tired of being overtaxed. They were tired of the oppression. They were looking for a revolution - a person who could change everything for their nation so that God could rule the nations through them.
Imagine the disappointment they must have felt when Jesus showed up. Their expectations were completely dashed.
Tonight, I'm going to be asking my kids tonight, "What would you expect of Jesus?"
Imagine never hearing the name of Jesuse before. You have no idea who He is. But for the first time, you're being told he's the Messiah - he's the Son of God.
What would you expect of him?
I've learned that I can't fit Jesus in a box. Whatever my expectations may be, Jesus always takes me by surprise.