Gary

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Knowing Jesus - Seven Signs (Sign 4)

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“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

In the 20th chapter of John’s gospel, the Apostle gives us the reason for why he wrote. John writes that Jesus performed many other signs while he was here. He even goes so far at the end of the gospel to say that had every one of the things that Jesus did been written down, the world would not have enough room to contain all of the books that were written.

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Knowing Jesus - Seven Signs (Sign 3)

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“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

In the 20th chapter of John’s gospel, the Apostle gives us the reason for why he wrote. John writes that Jesus performed many other signs while he was here. He even goes so far at the end of the gospel to say that had every one of the things that Jesus did been written down, the world would not have enough room to contain all of the books that were written.

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Knowing Jesus - Seven Signs (Sign 2)

,

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

In the 20th chapter of John’s gospel, the Apostle gives us the reason for why he wrote. John writes that Jesus performed many other signs while he was here. He even goes so far at the end of the gospel to say that had every one of the things that Jesus did been written down, the world would not have enough room to contain all of the books that were written.

,

Knowing Jesus - Seven Signs (Sign 1)

,

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

In the 20th chapter of John’s gospel, the Apostle gives us the reason for why he wrote. John writes that Jesus performed many other signs while he was here. He even goes so far at the end of the gospel to say that had every one of the things that Jesus did been written down, the world would not have enough room to contain all of the books that were written.

Follow me where?

When Jesus issued the invitation to follow him he didn't tell them up front where he was going or leading them to. Which is amazing. They knew he was a Rabbi. They were honored they were being drafted by a Rabbi to follow him. Which would have been contrary to how an individual usually entered into a Rabbi/disciple relationship.

So they got up and started following.

They would have been impacted by the messages they were hearing. This Rabbi was teaching differently, as one who had authority. He was teaching about life in the kingdom of God now, not just for the age to come. He was raising the bar concerning thought life and motive and actions. Maybe not raising the bar but showing where it should have been all the time. 

Then they observed his actions. How he spoke to women. How he mixed company with unclean people, like those with leprosy. How he spoke to sinners and tax collectors. How he healed a variety of people. How he exercised authority over demons. How he raised Lazarus from the dead. How he spoke to the religious authority. He was different.

At times he had an edge, but it was not mean spirited. At times he was blunt, but not obnoxious. All the time he spoke truth. He was open about his agenda. 

People down through the ages have looked at the life and teachings of Jesus and have come to a variety of different conclusions as to what he was all about or what he was leading his disciples to become. He had a goal in mind. He still has a goal in mind.

Love. God and others. 

 

Follow me

Six times in the book of Matthew Jesus said, "come follow me." Each with a slightly different aspect to following Jesus. Meditate on what it means for you to follow Jesus.

1. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4.19

Observations: Following is voluntarily. Following requires leaving where I am presently. Following means giving leadership to another. Following results in learning.

2. But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."Matthew 8.22

Observations: Following requires us to leave things, important things, to others. Following means paying a price emotionally, relationally, and financially.

3. "As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." Matthew 9.9

Observations: Following means adapting to other environments. Following means adjusting to living in the light, rather than darkness.

4. "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10.37-38

Observations: Following Jesus is intended to be a priority. 

5. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16.24

Observations: Following is accomplished with full hands. We deny ourselves and we pick up a cross. 

6. "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. " Matthew 19.21

Observations: Following means we must release our grip on whatever was keeping us from following Jesus in the first place. Making this choice is often the hardest part of following.  

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is good news. The good news is a person, Jesus Christ. Why is Jesus Christ good news?

Because he came to make all things new. In order for all things to be made new he: lived a sinless life, died for our sins, overcame death and the grave by resurrecting from the dead, and invited men and women to follow him in to this new creation. 

Our part is to believe in Jesus. 

It seems simple and it is. When we believe, a whole chain of events are kicked into motion.

We are given a new identity. 

We are given a family. 

We are shown how to connect what we do with what God is doing.

We experience forgiveness.

We are given the Holy Spirit who guides us, reveals truth to us, and corrects us.

Following is proactive. You cannot follow Jesus and remain in the same place. I am not talking about moving geographically. I am talking about changing the way I think, act, work and relate to God and others.