Are there not twelve hours in the day?

In John chapter 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. His disciples question the wisdom of returning to the Jerusalem area, after the religious leadership committed themselves to His death. Jesus responds with this proverb. He had a mission, and until it was finished He was still on the clock.

That drive and commitment came from a deep understanding of several things that we forget or never grasped in the first place:

He had a clear sense of purpose.

We often wander through life, doing okay, but without a mission. A mission, or a purpose, or whatever you call it, doesn't have to be a big, complicated, 'move to the jungles of Africa' kinda deal. I believe my mission is a teaching mission. Right now, it's primarily raising my kids, instilling God's truths in them, modeling the up and downs in this walk. I also teach some at church and I believe writing is an extension of that.

He had an intimate relationship with the Father.

This takes time and effort to cultivate. Being a Christian for thirty years doesn't necessarily qualify. It comes from seeking God's heart, and laying ours completely bare. I struggle with this one, I admit. I know a lot about God. Sometimes, I wonder how well I know HIM. I believe it's a progressive thing, an ever-deepening relationship. The key is active pursuit.

He knew that timing is in God's hands.

Until the moment He gave up the ghost, Jesus seized every ministry moment. He wasn't sidetracked by opposition, threats or setbacks. I am easily sidetracked, slowed down or stopped by little things.

He knew the results were in God's hands.

God never holds us responsible for how others respond to His message. Was Jesus a failure because the Pharisees never believed? Of course not. In a few more chapters, we'll hear Jesus pray, "I've done what You gave me to do."

What about you? Are you doing what God has given you to do? Take heart. It's still daylight.

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We do not fit in. We will be misunderstood. Period. End of discussion. Jesus experienced the same thing and promised it for us.

(John 15:19) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

(John 17:14-16) I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

This is hard to take. We naturally crave being liked and accepted. I know it’s going to happen, but when it does, I get defensive and angry. Truth is, now GOD accepts me, and I cannot be accepted BOTH by God and the world. It’s one or the other.

The summary of our camp lessons is that each of us is chosen and uniquely gifted by God to serve Him and carry His gospel. In spite of our weaknesses, God asks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Will you, will I, jump up and say “Here am I, send me!” or will I, will we, walk on by?

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So what’s our mission? Jesus spells it out at least 4 times in the New Testament-
(Matthew 28:18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(Mark 16:15-16) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

(John 21:15-17) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

(Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

A witness is someone who tells what he knows. We don’t need lots of experience or training to tell what we know. Did Jesus change my life? Does He matter to me? How are my daily activities different because of Jesus? How is my outlook affected? Does He make any difference?

Then here’s the ‘great responsibility part-
(Ezek 33:8) When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

The character of God hasn’t changed. If He held an Old Testament prophet responsible for not doing His job, He’s going to hold us New Testament saints responsible as well. Our responsibility is limited to the “speaking out” part. We ARE NOT held accountable for someone’s rejection of the warning.

Today and everyday, I need to remember I am a superhero with a mission to fulfill.

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