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Follow Me!

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Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”        John 21:21

As Jesus and Peter walked along the beach in conversation about God’s will, Peter turned around and saw his friend John following close behind. Maybe John just wanted to see if Jesus would talk with him also or maybe like a younger sibling he was simply eavesdropping!

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When Peter saw John suddenly the question came to him that often comes to us all: “What about him? Why won’t he have to experience the same things I do? ” Lovingly Jesus turned Peter’s focus back to where it needed to be: “Follow Me!

As Americans we are raised on fairness. We grow up with it in the home, we hear and see it in the media and it is almost written into our DNA! But our God in his grace does much better than being fair with us: He gives us His grace. What a wonderful rest will enter into the DNA of our soul once we settle the matter of His grace and His will. What others will or won’t have to do will fade away and the eyes of our heart will begin to see Jesus clearly as we hear His plain message; “Follow Me!”

The Sweetest Name

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While the song says, “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I know” in everyday life people respond most when you call their name. This was never more evident than the day Jesus rose from the grave.

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if  You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  John 20:16

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Mary never recognized who Jesus was until he used her name. In the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” one of the turning points in the relationship between Toula (played by Nia Vardalos) and Ian (John Corbett)  is when he suddenly realizes that he has met her before. “I remember you!” Ian exclaims. She is both flattered and embarrassed. On one hand she hoped he wouldn’t remember because she had tried to leave that part of her life behind. But on the other hand she discovers that she is loved not for who she is trying to be but for who she really is.

 

We need to remember names in a world that increasingly denies people’s eternal worth all the while demanding that they produce results that satisfy temporary needs. While Jesus always remembers our names it is a lot harder for many of us to do that sometimes even for our children or grandkids.

 

Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you and begin to greet by name, your neighbor, your cashier at the store or the nurse at your medical clinic. The moment their name leaves your lips watch how they turn to look at you and smile. With their name you’ve opened a door; next ask God how to go through it

Resting By the Well

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When we think of the story of the woman at the well most of us picture a bucolic scene by some quiet spot among the lovely hills of Samaria. But more likely the scene at the well was busy with people coming and going because water is something that everyone needs. Often the case is made that the well was deserted at noontime and the woman was alone but it could have been a scene more like the pool of Bethesda with people crowding around on every side. Yet in that busy place Jesus chose to rest and wait for a single woman to come.

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Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” John 4:6-7

 

In our own life our day may seem cluttered and overcrowded. There may appear to be no place to rest. Jesus reminds us that our outward circumstances need have nothing to do with our ability to pause, rest and wait. It is not only possible but desperately necessary for us to rest at a well at what may seem to be the most inopportune times. While we push forward in our activities with another cup of coffee or another shot of our favorite energy drink, Jesus is calling us to come to rest both physically and spiritually. You will need to rest and to wait by the well because someone is passing by who needs a drink of water that only He can give but only you are holding the cup.