Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” – Acts 1:9

What a moment!!! Can you imagine it? The disciples had probably gotten used to the idea of the resurrected Jesus suddenly appearing amongst them, teaching them, and explaining their future. He’d been doing it for weeks. Then this happened… Jesus rose up to heaven right before their eyes!!! As He rose, a cloud reminiscent of God’s presence on earth surrounded Him and takes Him from their sight. Incredible!

Think about this moment as you think about Jesus today. This event was witnessed by many people who went to their (early) graves swearing to its truth. Jesus not only rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven right in front of people’s eyes. Wow! Hopefully that thought makes you want to break into worship and praise of King Jesus! Go ahead and worship Him right now if it does…

Jesus is there in heaven right now, ruling and reigning at the right hand of God the Father. He is alive. He is in authority. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was Slain. Praise Him and #FollowJesus!

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:30-31

It’s very nice of John to tell us exactly why he wrote his Gospel. Out of all the stories he could have told about Jesus, the ones in John’s Gospel are meant to give us certain, confident faith and knowledge that Jesus is the anointed Christ, the eternal King descended from David, AND the Son of God. More importantly, John wrote his Gospel so that we will receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

The miracles recorded in John’s gospel are such “wow” moments that we must understand and embrace that Jesus is God come in the flesh to rescue us from our sins. Changing water to wine! Healing from a great distance! Healing a man who’d been handicapped for decades! Feeding the five thousand! Walking on water! Healing a man born blind! Raising someone who’d been rotting in a tomb for four days back to life! Rising from the dead Himself!

Jesus has comprehensive power over nature, illness, disability, and death. Jesus is not merely a teacher, prophet, example, or holy man. He is the anointed one of God! He is the eternal Son of God come to earth in the flesh! His death and resurrection break open the doors death and hell to set everyone free who believes in Him! Believe in Him! Tell others about Him so they will also believe and have eternal life in His name. #FollowJesus

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” – Matthew 28:18

This is a critical part of what it means when you call Jesus “Lord”. Lord isn’t merely a title like “Mr. or Sir”. “Lord” acknowledges this particular truth about Jesus. He has ALL authority both in heaven and on earth. He received it through His death and resurrection. Jesus doesn’t just have some authority. He doesn’t just have a lot of authority. He has ALL AUTHORITY. Jesus has absolute authority over the entire created universe and everything and everyone in it. Jesus IS King.

Think about that for a moment. Jesus has 100% authority over every aspect of your life. Do you believe it? Do you live like you believe it? Most of us prefer a “split-model” of authority. There are parts of our lives we’re happy to hand over to Jesus and other parts we want to firmly hold onto ourselves. If Jesus is Lord, then He has all authority over every aspect of your life.

Does Jesus have authority over your dreams? Your hopes? Your plans? Your relationships? Your family? Your friends? Your finances? Your time? Your music? Your entertainment? Your ambitions? Your education? Your career? Your retirement? Does Jesus have authority over the most intimidate details of your life (your health, your wealth, your sexuality, your identity)?

Jesus has that authority, but are you still fighting Him for it? Have you yielded every bit of your life to Him? It’s OK to be honest – most Christians struggle with this. As you’ve reflected on the authority of Jesus in your life, take time in prayer to turn over to Jesus whatever it is you’ve been trying to hold onto. Tell Him, “Jesus, you have authority over _____. Your knowledge is perfect. Your wisdom is perfect. Your power is perfect. Help me to respect your authority and stop fighting you for it.” #FollowJesus

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’” – John 18:36

As a follower of Jesus, it’s crucial that you understand His Kingdom. After all, you’re a citizen and ambassador of that Kingdom here on earth! How can you represent what you don’t understand?!? As Jesus explains to Pilate, His Kingdom is IN the world but it isn’t OF the world. What does that mean???

It means that Christ’s Kingdom isn’t like earthly Kingdoms. It doesn’t have political or geographical boundaries. It isn’t restricted to one particular part of the world. It doesn’t expand by force or violence. It doesn’t have an earthly government (it has a King!) and doesn’t seek political power on earth. It shouldn’t be seeking to control national politics. You will hear Christians today speaking of Christ’s Kingdom taking authority over the politics and government of this country. This is false teaching!!!

Christ’s Kingdom is a kingdom of changed hearts and transformed lives. Christ’s Kingdom transcends every border, boundary, language, and ethnicity. Christ’s Kingdom exists wherever Jesus is praised and worshipped. Christ’s Kingdom absolutely influences the earthly nations because Kingdom citizens love their neighbors, work for the common good, seek to influence government for the good, and bear witness to Jesus in public and private. But it is a Kingdom of influence, persuasion, and love, not power, force, and hate. Christ’s Kingdom must never be tainted by the ways of the world (it certainly has in the past). His Kingdom is marked by radical obedience to His commands that leads others to want to enter His Kingdom.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, take His Kingdom seriously but work to advance His Kingdom HIS way, not in the way of the world. #FollowJesus

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” – John 13:3-5

The power of this moment isn’t just that our Lord and Savior willingly did a yucky job before commanding us to do the same for each other. It isn’t just that Jesus voluntarily did work that was beneath the lowest slave of the day. It isn’t just that the teacher washed the feet of His students and said because I did this, there’s nothing “beneath” you. It’s that Jesus did it confident in the knowledge that everything had been given into His hands. Jesus washed grimy feet because He knew He’d come from God and soon would be back in heaven with God. He had no concerns for how other people thought of Him and He had no pride He needed to protect from indignity.

It’s because Jesus was absolutely confident in His authority that He was able to be humble and vulnerable in serving His disciples. As His followers, we need to humbly work from that same confidence. We’re also headed to be with the Father one day. We also have blessings and honor bestowed upon us. We are in union with Christ, indwelt by God’s Spirit, and given authority to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. With that confidence, we’re empowered to do all sorts of work that’s “beneath” us. We’re empowered to be vulnerable and humble in loving and serving others.

As a follower of Jesus, your exalted status sets you free to minister in the darkest, lowest situations and to love those who are most neglected, abused, and ignored. As an heir of God the Father, you don’t need to concern yourself with displays of status. You can simply love and serve others. Whatever it takes, wherever it leads. What is the “foot-washing” work that Jesus has called you to? Are you doing it? Or are you holding back out of fear for your reputation, status, or cleanliness? In Christ, you’re already clean, so go ahead and get dirty for Jesus! #FollowJesus