Passion Week – Tuesday – What Was Jesus’ Mission?
Yesterday we talked about how Jesus showing up as Messiah was different than what the people expected. So what was His mission? If He didn’t come to rule as an earthly King, why did He come?
I like how John 12:46 puts it, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”
What does it mean to be in the dark, or remain in the dark?
Have you ever heard of someone say they felt like they were “kept in the dark” when everyone else knew something and somehow, they were not in the loop?
I felt like that before on a cruise we went on. The idea that all the restaurants were available at no extra cost seemed too good to be true. But then, when we went, we found it was literally true. The buffet was available all day, and they kept changing what was offered. There were also multiple types of restaurants that were also all free. The pizza by the pool…free. It was like a little taste of heaven.
We were so blessed and refreshed, and it fueled our souls.
We didn’t;t even know we needed it.
Our spirits need to be refreshed too.
Sometimes the idea of a “free” pass for forgiveness feels too good to be true. It’s like we are “in the dark” about all the goodness available for us if we choose the Jesus way.
He paid for our sins to be forgiven (more on that later this week). He paid for us to have peace in any situation. He paid for us to be blessed and refreshed.
But here’s the thing, we only get it if we ask for it. We only ask if we know we need it. We only receive it if we actually go to the buffet or restaurant and eat it.
Let’s break that down a bit. Jesus said, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent” (Luke 5:32).
Do you know you need him? Without Jesus, we may be nice or kind, but we are not forgiven not on our way to heaven and totally missing the mark of what life on earth could be like.
Maybe you have truly repented and asked for forgiveness. Did you know connection with God is not just a one-off?
Certainly, we need him initially for salvation, but do you keep needing Him?
He has plenty available. He is very much like the buffet – there is always more and He keeps adding to the offerings.
If you have eaten well, how long are you good for? A day? Two maybe?
Jesus’ mission was not only to offer us forgiveness and salvation, but to journey with us and offer us abundant life!
In John 6:35, “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”
Come back to the table! Refresh yourself often! He paid our way!
Prayer: Jesus, WOW, you paid for so much for me! I want to receive all you have paid for. Help me to come to the table and enjoy the food and fellowship there.
Activate: What’s your banqueting schedule like? Would you like to feast more? How could you find ways to take in what Jesus is offering?
Want More? Read Psalm 23. Look for all that God offers.