Posts with important questions and answers

Children, do you have any food? John 21:5

After Jesus' resurrection, after seeing the risen Christ, a group of the disciples headed back to Galilee. Unsure what else to do, they went with the familiar, fishing. After a night's labor, their nets were empty. To make things worse, the question from the man on shore drew attention to their failure.

Empty Nets – Why did they fail and why does it matter?
1. You can't go back again – These guys were chosen, set apart by Jesus Christ for a specific kingdom work. Once they accepted that call to be 'fishers of men', their lives would never be the same. Of course, this didn't mean they'd never catch another fish again, but that way of life was history.

2. You can't operate by your own agenda anymore – Jesus's mission would come first. He set the priorities, and they were to follow them.

3. Your resources are limited at best – Depending on your own skill, your own experience or judgment will ultimately fail.

Jesus' question, kind of a 'how's that fishing thing working for you?' gave His disciples a chance to think. Do you want to feel that frustration? Do you want to labor at something-even if it's worthwhile- only to have nothing to show for it?

Bursting Nets – Why did they succeed and why does it matter?
Jesus told them to cast on the other side of the boat and they couldn't haul the fish in, there were so many. The results were always in His hands, independent of their efforts.

Jesus operates under a new set of rules, remember?
Jesus did a miracle similar to this after He called the disciples. That time, He proved His omniscience and His divinity. This time, He reminded them they were much more than fishermen. They were wasting their call goofing around with fish. If Jesus could fill their nets, how much more could He do through them?

What about your net?
What has Jesus called you to? Are you working at it? Or are you working at something close, but a little more familiar, a little more comfortable? What so you have to show for it?

Are you speaking for yourself about this or did others tell you this concerning Me? John 18:34

Jesus answers Pilate's question, "are you the King of the Jews?" with this question: Is this your question? Or are you simply parroting what you've been told?

Jesus doesn't want us to depend on hearsay.
Our relationship with Him depends on our own personal affirmation, our own experience. With Pilate, with His disciples, with those He healed, the interaction always circled back to the core question: "Who do YOU believe I am?"

There is no shortage of opinions floating around about Jesus, but He requires that you decide for yourself, and then your actions will reflect that decision. If Pilate truly believed Jesus was the King of the Jews, perhaps he would have been threatened. Perhaps he would have been relieved NOT to have to deal with Herod anymore. But his actions showed he thought Jesus was harmless, an annoyance at worst. Eventually, he caved in to the religious leaders demand for blood.

What do you believe about Jesus?
Is He your Savior, or have you just been told that? Do you know what He saved you from? Do you ACT like He's your savior? Sometimes we live with defeated apathy for this One we claim delivered us. That says either we're not certain we're free of sin, guilt and punishment OR maybe HE wasn't the One who accomplished it.

Is He your Lord? What does that even mean, "Lord"? And if He is, what weight should His instructions have?

Is He your Rock? Your Fortress? Your Shepherd? What do those mean and how does your daily life reflect that?

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If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why do you strike Me? John 18:23

At one point in His interrogation, one of the temple guards slapped Jesus across the mouth for His perceived insolence and disrespect to the High Priest. Jesus responded with this challenge and question. "If I'm wrong, prove it. Show me. Otherwise, why are you lashing out?"

Deep down, we don't like the truth. It's convicting. It's unflinchingly points out where we fall short.

Jesus is the embodiment of Truth. Naturally, He becomes the lightning rod for all our self-protective tactics. He gets the full measure of our defensive anger.

He won't back down. Truth is still Truth.

Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me? John 18:11

Jesus stops His disciples from trying to fight their way out of the Garden of Gethsemane with these words.

The Sword
Peter's sword is a symbol of our feeble attempts to work our way into God's favor. With that one little sword, Peter envisioned taking on a cohort of Roman soldiers (200 -600 men, probably 600 during Passover season) plus the full retinue of temple police. I don't need Jesus' help. I am strong and brave. I can fight my out.

In the end, he cut one man's ear. And Jesus fixed that. Peter had nothing to show for attempt to deliver himself and his friends.

The Cup
Sometimes the cup is a symbol of God's provision – my cup runneth over. Other times, it's a symbol of God's wrath, or at least some type of difficult trial. Jesus faced both.

The Substitute
There is a cup with my name on it. Shall I drink the cup the Father has given me? Can I face the wrath and judgment of God for my sins? I can't.
God made an offer. If HE will die, if HE will take the punishment, I will be satisfied.

Jesus said, I will.

God has ordained that I take on the full fury of His wrath. Shall I not complete that mission?
God has determined that I take your place. Shall I not do that for you?
God has asked Me to submit. How can I refuse Him?

There is no easy way out. This cannot be done on any other terms. The full brutality of man must be displayed. The holiness of God must be vindicated. His wrath must be satisfied. The effects and terrible cost of sin must be shown with unflinching frankness.

Every word, every action since man's fall has drawn us to this moment. I must see it through.