WE LIVE in a world of mysteries.
Have you ever wondered why we call this alphabet 'W'—double-u and not double v?
Why do we call certain television shows soap operas when no one sings in them?
Why do women take so much time to find things in their purses?
There are many mysteries around us—and the bible is full of them.
The Narrative
SINCE THE BABYLONIANS seized Judah in 586 BC, Jews had endured one foreign occupier or another.
They longed for a time when they'll throw out the Romans and rule themselves.
Then Jesus came, and some thought he was just the man for the job—but that was far from the truth.
And when he told them that he was the bread of life, they grumbled silently.
"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven?" (John 6:42)
They thought he was not the One because they knew his parents.
The people had a picture of what he was supposed to look like in their heads—and he was far from it.
They didn't know that he was not there to report to them.
What picture do you have of him?
WHEN CHRIST said that unless they eat the son of man's flesh and drink his blood, they had no life in him.
They took him literary, but his statement was a figure of speech.
Many of his disciples saw it as a hard saying. They left—and when he asked if the others wanted to go too.
Peter replied, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)
What do you believe of Jesus?
WHILE IN CAPERNAUM, Jesus posed a question to his disciples.
Who do people say the son of man is?
"Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-20)
The way to build love and friendship is to meet people where they are
Who is Jesus to you?
THE DISCIPLES couldn't imagine the gruesome death that Jesus would die. And as he began to talk about it, Peter couldn't take it.
He said, "No, Lord! Never! These things that You are saying—they will never happen to You!
"Get away from me, Satan," Jesus replied. (Matthew 16:22-23)
Peter had moved from being a stepping-stone to becoming a stumbling block.
What are you becoming?
THINGS WERE confusing and difficult for Peter, and he denied Jesus three times. (Luke 22:54-62)
After the resurrection, for want of what to do, Peter and four other disciples went fishing. (John 21:3)
The way to build love and friendship is to meet people where they are—and that was what Jesus did.
Peter knew that Jesus was at the beach for him. He remembered that he had denied him—and he lived a story that he needed to give up.
When Jesus asked if he loved him, it hurt Peter because he asked him a third time. But Jesus wanted him to reaffirm his love for him. (John21:15-18)
Do you live in a story that you need to give up? If Jesus were to ask you the same question, what would you say?
Jesus left his throne in heaven to die for you.
His death was not the end; he rose from the grave. This gesture is the reason we celebrate Easter.
For God so loved the world, he gave his only son who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
God wants you to state your love for him by confessing your sins and asking for his forgiveness.
Invite him into your heart; tell him to become your Lord and Saviour. (Romans 10:10)
If you have done this, you are now a born-again Christian.
Bringing it Together
ON THE NIGHT of his denial, Peter was smeared with fear. But after he met with Jesus, he was covered in grace.
Change done to us is exasperating, but when we do it to ourselves, it is exhilarating.
And these are the questions for you:
Who is Jesus Christ to you?
What picture do you have of him?
Do you live in a story you need to give up?
What are you becoming?
Happy Easter!
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