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John 3:16-17
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Christianity Today once reported that at a major missions conference, 8,000 people signed commitment cards indicating a desire to serve in overseas missions. But when the organizers reported the follow-up three years later, they found 1,000 had actually gone. As I read the statistic, I thought about how I had tried to be a good neighbor in an impoverished part of Boston. But the cost was too high, and I moved out less than a year later.
John 16:25-33
"I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father." His disciples said, "Look, now you're speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. Now we know that you know everything and don't need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God." Jesus responded to them, "Do you now believe? Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
Jesus knows that he will not only be crucified and buried, but raised and ascend to heaven. But whether he explains his plan plainly or in riddles, his disciples cannot make sense of what he's saying. Finally, he says something so directly they think they understand: He came from the Father into the world, and now he is leaving the world to return to the Father. They respond in faith: "We believe you came from God!" Notice that they're merely restating what he just said. Their belief is sincere and accurate, but it's not enough. Jesus is not searching for affirmation. After predicting his future, he predicts theirs: they will abandon each other and him. Immediately after calling his disciples "friends," he foresees loneliness. But neither does Jesus panic. Even when everyone he loves has run away, he knows the Father will be with him. Once more, Jesus gives peace to the disciples. He is promising them that he is not angry with them. They may fail him, but he will not fail them. Their relationship is secure because Jesus will conquer the world. When I started Uncommon Pursuit, I had to pick a name. I'd just worked for a ministry named after a person that had imploded. Instead of advocating for the women that the founder had harmed, people scattered. We ended up naming our organization after God's uncommon pursuit of us. Suffering often leads to scattering. So why does Jesus give his disciples peace? Because he knows we need to be secure in his love if we are going to be courageous.
When have you avoided following Jesus because doing so would be too costly?
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to be courageous if he knows they are about to fail him?
What would change if you knew Jesus wasn't angry with you for failing him, but still offering you his peace?
This week, take a walk with a trustworthy friend. Tell them about one place where you feel like running away from God. Be specific about the situation that scares you. Ask each other: What would you do differently if you knew you were at peace with God?
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