We have an idea Jesus cried for Lazarus and mostly was Joyful. True. John 14, 15, 16 is Jesus telling us as the Son of God, He believes Life is Joyful and Good - yesterday, today and tomorrow. A firm and bold statement from our Savior who dies for you and me.
John 7 is an interesting Chapter. Jesus is sibling picked on by James, Jude and Joses. Perhaps even Jesus' sisters who receive so much anonymity. Don't we all need to know Jesus had frustrations?
Jesus goes to the Feast of Booths (which I think would make Excellent Vacation Bible Study for all ages) after brushing off sibling Bothering.
Jesus says this to the crowd looking for him:
John 7
28 So Jesus cried out, as he taught in the temple, “You know me,
and you know where I come from.
But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”
We live in the New Covenant. Just as we see the Disciples have glimpses of understanding and Heaven, we are the Easter People who know Jesus. We who innately Love Jesus - want to hear more and more and more about God's Love. We want to stand and be strengthened by God who says His Mission is to save the world in Jesus Christ.
We fully understand life has costs. And there are hard choices to make, but each day don't we long for Father God to pat us. I know I do.
And I want to think of John - the Loyal Disciple having the incredible view from Patmos. Having done the hard work - to hear of Tertullian's testimony (De praescript., xxxvi), John had been thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil before the Porta Latina at Rome without suffering injury. John was fortunate to be banished. Even if he was just utterly ruined. Yet... Instead history records him as alive and vital. Fighting Gnostics in the 2nd Century. Explaining Jesus to unruly Jews. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon c. 180 writes of John's very long life into the 2nd Century.
Revelation 1:9 states:
"I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation... was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
And just as interesting is:
1 John 1
John's Life and what he has amazingly seen:
1 That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we looked upon and have touched with our hands,
concerning the word of life—
2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life,
which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our
joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him
and proclaim to you,
that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Father, Abba, Lord God,
We want to walk in the Hope and Future You have for us. Your Plan and Path.
Walking as Jesus did. To see rain in the right season. To know fruitful crops and the fruit You have given. To have the Nourishment You'd have us want and to know peace and safety in our souls.
To live as boldly as Your Son. Granted peace internally. Lie down to sleep. Rise without fear. To know enemies are within our habits and thoughts we create. And have this fall away in Your Peace. All of our iniquities and sins, flaws and worries to fall away.
We want Your favor. Your fruitful gifts. Increase our numbers of Hope and Love. Knowing Your New Covenant covers in the Name of Jesus and Blesses us. The Abundance of Your Steadfast Love endures forever.
Remembering Jesus Walking among us. He is our God and we are His People. You are the Lord Father God, bringing Your people out of bondage in Egypt. With God, our burden is Light and our yoke easy. With You, You have enabled us to walk with heads held high.
Blessed by the Lord God Almighty.
His Son Jesus.
The Blessing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us this day and always.
To Have the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory to dwell in our Loved ones.
To know the Name of Jesus lives in and covers the people You have given us.
Blessing the Nation Trusting in You.
Giving us Your employments, Churches, Schools and Communities.
Asking Your Favor on all the Nations trusting in You.
Your Blessing upon the prayers of the faithful today.
The Works of God displayed increasing the faith, Joy and Love of Your Beloved.
In Jesus Always,
Amen.
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