John 19 - Friends, Family & the Meaning of Life
Just a quick blog this morning as I’ve enjoyed some coffee and am getting ready to go to Church here in Lynchburg, Virginia. It’s interesting - I know my buddies and family members sometimes read my blog (I’m thankful for your encouragement!). But I generally don’t know who the 1,500 or so readers per month are worldwide (I just checked the Google status and the top countries over the last week were, US, China, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea). So whoever you are reading this blog, may God lavishly bless you as we read through Scripture together. I pray that we are all growing in Christ.
I was thinking this morning, and you may rightly say it's an oversimplification, that the meaning of this life is about accepting or rejecting God. He either is our Savior, our Lord and our King, or not. That is the rub; Jesus came to testify to the truth (John 18:37). It's been this way from creation - we either deny the truth or accept Him.
In John 19 we see and hear that Jesus fulfilled His mission. What about us and our mission? Jesus tells us what our mission is: "Jesus told them, 'This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.'" (John 6:29).
When we accept Jesus, believing in the Son of God who was lifted up on the Cross to die for our sins, we are then made new in Christ, born again with spiritual eyes to see and understand, to learn and grow in God. It is through faith that God makes us right with Him (John 1:12-13). As Galatians 3:26 says, “You are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.” The world calls us to give our affections to many things. God in His mercy not only commands us what to do but He gives us the church and church family as the how to live this life together. The responsibility is on us to do that as best we can in fidelity to Christ.
In John 19 we see loyalty and love in the Messiah’s darkest moment. Peter. John. Mother Mary. Jesus’ Auntie Mary (Clopas’ wife). Mary Magdelene. They stood before the cross of Jesus Christ as Jesus tasted the sour wine, bowed His head, and released His spirit after saying, “It is finished!” They showed their love, bravely, by the ministry of presence. They showed up at the darkest moment of mankind. Brave souls. Like them, let's be brave. Let's practice the ministry of being there for our friends in their every need (John 19:28-30).
Notice in this passage it is God’s people who are considered true family (Jesus asks John to look after His mom and He asks Mary to consider John her son (19:26-27). And then Jesus, as soon as He is risen from the dead, gives Mary Magdalene a message for His “brothers” (20:11-23). As believers in Jesus Christ we are God’s children, true family. May we act like it!
It was God who told Moses that there will be a great curse on the entire family of anyone who rejects Jesus Christ and unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love Jesus and obey His commands (Deuteronomy 5:1-10). That’s the truth, but for any members not trusting Jesus today, pray for them, don't condemn them.
It’s interesting who we see putting their faith into action immediately after Christ’s crucifixion. It is Joseph of Arimathea (a wealthy man) and Nicodemus (an old Jewish teacher famous from John 3). We are connected to these ancient men of faith in Christ. We are also "family" with the Apostles. Jesus found them, like troubled sheep, gathered in fear behind locked doors (20:19). And like He does with us Jesus gave them His peace and the Holy Spirit to commission them for the great tasks ahead.
Billy Graham, the famous evangelist from North Carolina, said in his later years that if he had to do it over again he would be an evangelical Anglican. As a long time Southern Baptist, at first that surprised me. But now after being part of a conservative Anglican church for the last few months, I find myself coming to the same conclusion as Billy for many reasons. This includes positive ones, where I see in the ancient reformed Anglican church spiritual beauty, order, wise organization, focus on Christ not men, Christian humility and community. But I also conclude this because I see in much of our modern churches a lack of love for and fear of God. Too often we see no shared responsibilities, few if any membership meetings, little fellowship, loneliness, scandals getting swept under the rug, the sin of compromise and complacency running rampant, lack of humility, a culture of hypocrisy, and celebrity worship. God's principles are eternal. Never will God approve of idol worship and those who love money as their God. The good news is that God is reforming His church as He sees fit and you can see evidence of revival in many, many places.
I believe in big tent Christianity, but in orthodox essentials we need unity. You know the saying: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
So yes to ecumenical efforts, but no to anything that makes us milk and water Christians. We shall not throw out the old. In fact, we are blessed by tradition. Look how God used men and women of faith to build His church and how he did so. Look how God has blessed the biggest denominations (the Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglicans) and how winds of revival are blowing all over the world as people praise Jesus, champion Jesus, and confess His name above all others.
We are not to make of ourselves kingdoms, but rather serve our King. Even though I am now over three decades into my discipleship in Christ, I remain yet a babe (my wife may suggest I’ve moved on to the toddler stage). Though I do desire maturity and I desire to be an elder in the church. God is patient with us. The Christian walk is one of more and more growth and responsibility as we ask God for it and as we prove ourselves utensils worthy of the occasion. God wants us to produce great spiritual fruit (John 15:8). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in one, is cheering us on as we race today. If you need prayer, please message me as it would be my honor to pray for you. Wherever you are, God's peace to you in the Name of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this season of Lent. Thank You for dying on the cross. And for loving all people. And for not wanting any person to perish. Thank You for your ancient words - ever true - and that by believing in You we will have life by the power of Your Holy Name. Thank You for Your Bride, the Church. Help the Church to produce amazing fruit today. Amen.
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