Jesus calls us by name!
We draw close to the end of the 21 day reflection. We would try to make a quick pointer and reminder of the critical issue of our reflection before the final day. We tagged the reflection: Lighting Experience; this is so because at the end of the reflection we hope that no one would remain as they started. We hope that many would be brought out of darkness into the light. We believe that many would have been enlightened enough to share the light of God to others.
Today we commence our reflection with a little exposition of John’s Gospel Chapter 20. You can click below to read the full text of the gospel.
21 Day Lighting Experience – John Chapter 20
20
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance. 2 She went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb. 4 The two of them were running, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and saw the linen cloths, but he did not go in. 6 Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there 7 and the cloth which had been around Jesus' head. It was not lying with the linen cloths but was rolled up by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed. (9 They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.) 10 Then the disciples went back home.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Mary stood crying outside the tomb. While she was still crying, she bent over and looked in the tomb 12 and saw two angels there dressed in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 “Woman, why are you crying?” they asked her. She answered, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!” 14 Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who is it that you are looking for?” She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, “If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (This means “Teacher.”) 17 “Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” 18 So Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to them what he had told her.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!”
The Purpose of This Book
30 In his disciples' presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. 31 But these have been written in order that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.
The gospel chapter give us an account of the post burial story of Jesus. This is not usual because after a person dies we usually do not have much to say about the activities carried out by the person. The event that follows is directed towards the family members. However, this wasn’t the case for Jesus and indeed the disciples didn’t expect what was going to happen. They did not really understand what he meant by his: being raised from the dead.
Actually, we often do not understand fully the words of God, we do not know what they really imply, or how they would play out: but our disposition to follow God’s word leads us to the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of the word of God in our lives. This was the experience of the disciples, what about you, what is your experience with God and his word.
Does the word of God gloss over your head? Do you fully comprehend the message that pertains to you when you hear the word? The words we read from the scripture about death, resurrection, judgement, eternal life, heaven and hell; what do they mean to you? Do you believe on the account of other peoples witnessing or expect to see and touch by ourselves before we believe?
But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.
Are you waiting to encounter Jesus personally before you believe him? But let’s not forget, these were disciples who had challenges in believing in some certain realities about Jesus Christ. This is the same thing that happens in the church today. Not every member in church is equally gifted in faith, so we must pray for one another and be patient with others. And yes, each of us can experience an individual encounter with Jesus if we truly desire it to help our faith, just ask – Oh God help my unbelief!. And yes, the Lord would locate you and call you by name.
Today, we are called by the name of Christ – Christian. We are called to a higher standard and calling. While God calls us by name individually, the world calls us by name – as a body of Christ. When we are called by God, we are expected to respond, like Thomas, – My Lord and My God! When we are called by God we are expected to act, like Mary Magdalene, by going to other to proclaim the good news. We are expected to share a lighting Experience. When God calls us by name, he sending us out to be Christ to our world. But when the world calls us by the name of Christ (Christian) do we really measure up to the role we have taken? Do we really believe in this name and role that we have taken? Do we realize that we are now to appear to others with the light of God and encouraging their faith and hope in God, like Jesus did after the resurrection? We are the witness to the living written gospel. Our lives must reflect why the gospel was written and proclaim the good news.
This would quickly bring our minds to the last paragraph of that chapter verse 30 and following, which clarifies the reason why the gospel was written. In verse 31 it states that, But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life. What should strike your mind is, how do you give life to what appears to already have life. You may go to the reflection of Day 6 and Day 10 as this symbolic use of Life is explained in Jesus being the Bread of Life and giving Life in its fullness. This takes us to our Psalm for reflection
Click below to read the full text of Psalm 36
21 Day Lighting Experience – Psalm 36 (GNT)
Human Wickedness
Sin speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; they reject God and do not have reverence for him. 2 Because they think so highly of themselves, they think that God will not discover their sin and condemn it. 3 Their speech is wicked and full of lies; they no longer do what is wise and good. 4 They make evil plans as they lie in bed; nothing they do is good, and they never reject anything evil.
The Goodness of God
5 Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the skies. 6 Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea. People and animals are in your care. 7 How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find[b] protection under the shadow of your wings. 8 We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness. 9 You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light. 10 Continue to love those who know you and to do good to those who are righteous. 11 Do not let proud people attack me or the wicked make me run away. 12 See where evil people have fallen. There they lie, unable to rise.
As we conclude today’s reflection we draw our attention to Psalm 36:8 that tells us that God feast us with abundant food, fills us with goodness to nourish us and more importantly that God is the source of all life and because of God’s light we see the light. John explained in the gospel of today that the reason for Jesus coming is that through our faith in him we may have life. Without food we lose sustenance, become weak and die. The psalmist understands this and presents God as the source of our sustenance and life. It cannot be overemphasized that Jesus is the source of this sustenance and life – eternal life – life with God.
Kindly share your thoughts on your understanding of eternal life.
Join us tomorrow, 11th February for Lighting Experience – Day 11
Speechlesswaters