Weekly Ministry Tip #8 Fall 2013
The Disciples Remembered
There were times when Jesus revealed his ultimate plan while on this earth. Notice this conversation that Jesus had in John 2:18-22 with the Jews, after He had scattered the merchants and moneychangers away from the temple area:
18 “So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
This is the first time that Jesus is recorded talking about His death and resurrection. Many people during his three-year ministry, as recorded in the Gospels, did not fully understand this event, including His disciples! Jesus lived his time on earth knowing that He would be giving His life for the sins of many. We see this truth explained by Jesus in various ways as we continue reading through the Gospels. Today we fully understand His plan of salvation.
Here is how the apostle Paul explained this plan of salvation in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:
“3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…”
One of the things that helped the disciples was to remember the teachings of the Bible and prophecies about the Messiah, and of Jesus Himself. Notice the word “remember” in John 2:17 from last week’s devotional, “His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” Here in John 2:22, as you fast forward three years – “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this…”
The disciples had time to piece everything together to fully understand that they were in the presence of the Son of God, the Messiah, Him who would bring forgiveness of sins. Our hearts should be the same – to remember who Jesus is and that He is the most important message that we could share with others. When people accept Him and yield their lives completely to Him, they are never the same. Their lives are changed.
That is what God has called us to. Just yesterday on a plane from Denver to Orlando, I sat next to a police officer who had many questions about Jesus and religion. I shared the gospel message and encouraged him to read the book of John and find out what Jesus was all about. I pray that this is a positive step in him coming into a relationship with Christ someday. We simply need to continue to step out in faith to share the gospel message, and it’s up to the Holy Spirit to move in people’s heart.
The Music Of The Gospel
This week, in your weekly meetings and/or your Bible studies, consider studying this wonderful article by Keith Johnson on “Hearing The Music Of The Gospel”, http://crupressgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Music_of_the_Gospel.pdf . This article will give you an insightful and creative look at what the gospel is and how it is seen throughout the pages of scripture. You will be more encouraged to share the message of Christ after you read it and share it with your fellow believers.
Talk to you next week,
Ben with Cru
Orlando, FL