Grace and Truth 3

John 1:40-51

I’d like to be like Andrew, but I know I’m more like Nathanael.

Andrew had been a follower of John the Baptist, but he believed John’s teaching that Jesus was the Messiah, and he left John to follow Jesus.

The first thing Andrew did was go get his brother Peter and tell him about Jesus. That’s so great. I want that to be the first thing I do.

Peter ended up being the more famous of the two brothers, but I don’t get the feeling from the Bible that Andrew let that bother him.

He believed in Jesus, and the first thing he did was go tell his brother and bring him to Jesus. That’s the example I want to follow.

Philip did the same thing. As soon as Jesus called him, he went and told Nathanael they’d found the one God promised, Jesus of Nazareth.

And what did Nathanael say?

From verse 46: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

That’s who I am. Like doubting Thomas, we have doubting Nathanael. Doubting Kathy.

But Jesus took the time to teach Nathanael. He proved to Nathanael who he was. And when Nathanael accepted him as the Son of God, Jesus promised him that he would see so much more.

Verses 50-51: Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

Yes, I have so many doubts. I ask so many questions. But God is okay with that.

He takes the time to answer our questions and show us who he is. Then we can become like Andrew, and Philip.

Verse 46: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

The Joy of Good Friday

Isaiah 53:5: But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

I have always been depressed by Good Friday, and Isaiah 53 holds so much sorrow.

I never want to stop learning of Jesus’ suffering, or value it less. However, I am choosing to look at the joy of Good Friday today.

Hebrews 12:2: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My husband Murray often prays, “Jesus, thank you that when you knew there was no other way to save us, thank you that you jumped up on the cross for us.”

I’ve argued with Murray about this. I say I’m not sure we should say that Jesus jumped up on the cross. It’s not like he was happy about it.

And yet, isn’t that what Hebrews 12 is saying?

Because of the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross and scorned the shame of it. The joy set before him. That’s us, the joy of our salvation.

Yes, he was punished, but that’s what brought us peace. He was wounded, but that is how we were healed.

Jesus saw the joy in that, so I will too.

Thank you, Jesus, for being willing to jump up on the cross for me.

Not in the Heart

By the time I read Not In The Heart, I had already met Chris Fabry as an author through DOGWOOD and June Bug. I expected to be impressed with this book.

Truman and Ellen have been estranged in their marriage for a long time. Truman is a gambling addict. He is out of work and can’t pay their rising bills. Add to that, their son needs a heart transplant, and their daughter is angry and takes dangerous chances.

Ellen has found hope and peace through faith in Jesus. Truman sees that her faith has helped her, but he cannot accept it. He is filled with turmoil of guilt, self-loathing, hopelessness.

I am impressed at an author’s ability when I catch myself praying for a character in a book I’m reading. That happened to me with the people in this book.

I have not had the same problems Truman had, and yet I can relate to him. Truman is shown in an amazing picture as a troubled man, gripped by an addiction, loving his family, sorrow and regrets and determination.

And as the book progresses, Truman recognizes that God is pursuing him.

Both as a reader and writer, the thing that struck me hardest in this book was a shocking surprise. After working through the shock, I was encouraged to take risks as a writer.