Jesus Election Promises

In this season of promises and pledges, we inevitably grow cynical to what people say they will do. We must not allow that to apply to Jesus.

He speaks with the authority of the Heavenly Father and what he promises happens. As Jesus’ followers, we will:

hear his voice,

be intimately known by him,

be guided in life,

be given unending life,

be saved from eternal destruction,

be protected from evil,

have full access to heaven,

know eternal security,

And be a member of the heavenly family.

If Jesus were standing for election, he would get my vote... hang on... Jesus IS already King of Kings and Lord of lords. Great! Whoever is elected as a lord in the UK, Jesus remains THE Lord. What’s more, Jesus has elected US to be his subjects, citizens, children and co-heirs. It looks like we have got Jesus’ vote!

Charcoal Fires and Full Nets

St John gives us poignant details in his account of the risen Jesus meeting the disciples out fishing. The first is the echo of the first time Peter and Jesus met. Then Jesus called to Peter to try fishing on the other side and they caught a miraculous catch of fish - so big the nets broke. They were unprepared. Following the resurrection, Jesus calls to Peter again in the same way and there is a second fabulous catch but unbroken nets. Peter is recalled to follow the Master.

The second detail is the charcoal fire. The first such fire was mentioned in Pilate’s courtyard where Peter denied knowing Jesus. At this resurrection fire he has the chance to declare his love to Jesus afresh.

What an amazing God we serve in Jesus. He calls us and recalls us - taking us back to the place where we stopped. If we have compromised our obedience to God, it is not finished. Go back to that place and seek the risen Jesus there. If we have denied him, recall the event and recognise that Jesus is waiting for us there with the question ‘do you love me?’

Believing is seeing

What a great bible reading we have this morning. Thomas missed out on the first resurrection appearance of Jesus and demands proof so he can believe. A week later Jesus gives Thomas all the proof he needed. (Note that Jesus did this on his time agenda). Thomas is upbraided for not trusting his friends report.

This is a key nugget for us. We can come to faith in the risen Lord Jesus through the report of the first disciples and through the testimony of those know him today. The life of Jesus is transmitted to us through the Holy Spirit. He testifies in our hearts to the truth of the verbal report. Thomas had access to this inner spiritual witness but opted for the physical. Jesus clearly states to us that we are going to be blessed by believing without seeing. Listen to the word and your heart and so grow in faith.