The United States Library of Congress in Washington, D. C. is said to be the largest library in the world, according to the Guiness Book of World Records. It contains over 118 million items, and has more than 500 miles of shelving. That’s one seriously big library!

John didn’t say there wouldn’t be a library big enough to hold all the volumes that Jesus could fill. He said that even the whole world would not be big enough! Was he speaking literally? Perhaps he was, perhaps not. But he got his point across, don’t you think?

It has taken me, with the help of friends, eight months to write this overview of Christ’s life. Together, we’ve written five entries a week. And we’ve left out a whole lot more than we’ve included.

Friends, I have loved discussing my Lord with all of you! I’ve loved exploring different points of view, and finding things about Jesus that I never knew, or never thought about. But John was right. Jesus is incomprehensible, and though we might dedicate our entire lives to knowing Him, we will never fully know Him. He is too wonderful, too awesome, too amazing for our limited minds to comprehend.

Yet, when it comes to knowing Christ, the blessing is in the pursuit as much as in the attainment! For each new thing we learn about Him teaches us something new about ourselves. We were created in His image. We can love, because He is love. We are more than conquerers in this life, because He has overcome the world.

Though this study of Christ’s life has reached an end, I shall continue on! I hope you will join me in the pursuit of the One who loves you, who loves me so very much that He created us, He died for us, and He lives for us.

And now I shall do my best to live for Him. Will you join me?

Dear Father, Thank You for Your Son, Jesus.

Amen

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Several years ago, when I began seriously writing, I had a mentor. A woman by the name of Chip Ricks came alongside me. She had authored many books, and had taught writing classes at the college level. Chip encouraged me, showed me my strengths, and helped me to improve my weaknesses. Without her help, I don’t know if I’d have ever gotten published.

Before I graduated from college, I was required to complete my student teaching. Just as Chip worked with me as a writer, a 2nd grade teacher named Kathy Warren helped me learn how to teach. She taught me methods of classroom management, ways to spot learning disabilities, and gave me endless encouragement and tips.

In both of those situations, I had someone to work alongside me. Had I been thrown into the classroom without that help, I’d have surely failed. Had I continued seeking publication without Chip’s guidance, I’d probably have given up long ago. It helps to have an expert come alongside us, to offer wisdom and encouragement.

Isn’t it great that we have a mentor? His name is the Holy Spirit! He doesn’t just give us our daily assignments and send us out to be eaten by the wolves. He works with us! He guides us, encourages us, strengthens us and gives us wisdom. He provides help when we need it, and confirmation when we are doing His will. He gives us the ultimate on-the-job training. And with a mentor like that, we are surely destined for success in each and every assignment that comes our way.

So, what is your assignment for today?

Dear Father, Thank You for being my helper, my mentor, my friend.

Amen

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Can you imagine what it must have been like on the mountain that day? Glorious. Frightening. Awesome and scary.

But the thing that strikes me most is the blessing. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Jesus’ last thoughts, His last words on this earth were words of blessing to His followers.

According to my dictionary, a blessing is help from God. That blessing, we know, was the Holy Spirit. He is our helper, our comforter, our friend. The Holy Spirit is present with every single believer. Every single one – not just the super spiritual ones.

Friends, when Jesus blessed his disciples that day, He was blessing you. He was blessing me. He left a part of Himself behind – a wonderful part of Himself that could actually be present with all believers at once, Who wasn’t limited by a physical body.

Isn’t that great news? We are not alone! The One Who created us and knows us more intimately than anyone – He loves me! He will never leave me, He will never reject me or betray me. Though I may turn my back on Him, His love is tough, and He will stick around. And the moment we call out to Him, He is right there.

He helps me. He helps me find my keys and study for tests and deal with difficult people. He helps me grieve the loss of a loved one. He helps me through the most challenging moments of my life. He sees every tear, hears every sigh, feels every beat of my heart. And He helps me.

I am blessed.

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Some doubted? Some doubted? You’ve got to be kidding me. After all that had happened, after Jesus had fulfilled his promise of dying and then living again, after he had come back from death to spend time with them – how on earth could they doubt?

But then, I might have done the same thing. They may have doubted whether or not Jesus was really alive. Or, they may have doubted themselves, and their abilities to carry on His work. Jesus’ last words to his disciples remind me a bit of a coach, giving his players a pep talk before the big game. The coach has prepared his team, and they have worked hard. But in those moments before the game, they get a little nervous. Can we do this? That other team is pretty tough. And I’m not sure we’re ready. Some members of the team may have doubts, just before game time.

But the coach builds up his team. He says, “You can do this. I have trained you, and I’ve taught you everything you need to know. Now, go do what I’ve taught you to do!”

Jesus’ disciples had a case of the pre-game jitters. They doubted themselves. Their coach was leaving, and they weren’t sure they were up to the task. That’s why Jesus gave them a pep talk.

He said, “I rule over heaven and earth, and you go forth on my authority. Don’t be afraid; you can do this! I have taught you all you need to know, and when I leave, I’ll send my Holy Spirit to be with you. You will never be alone. Now, go do what I have taught you to do!”

That little pep talk extends beyond the men on the mountain that day. Those words were meant for every believer. We are to go and tell others, making disciples of every nation. For some of us, that means going to other countries, but for most of us, it simply means going next door. We are to tell the world of God’s goodness. And sure, it’s a little scary. But God has given us everything we need. And His Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way. We will never be alone.

So, team, are you ready? Set? Go!

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Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Many years ago, I taught school in Houston. Sixth grade English. And my principal, Miss Wooten, had the reputation for running one tight ship. She was tough, but fair. If a teacher did a good job, she noticed. But heaven help the teacher who messed up. As I said before – she was tough.

One day, I messed up. Big time. I forgot to turn in a very important administrative paper. When she called me into her office, my heart was pounding. I just knew my teaching career was over, at the ripe old age of 23.

I walked into her office, and she shut the door behind me. I had heard stories of colleagues – older, more experienced, tougher colleagues – leaving that office in tears. And in case you didn’t know, it doesn’t take much to make me cry. I braced myself for the worst.

And then, Miss Wooten surprised me. She leaned against her desk and said, “Do you understand that you really needed to turn in that paper by the deadline?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I squeaked.

“Give me your hand,” she said.

My hand? Why does she want my hand? I obeyed.

She took my hand, gave it a gentle slap, and then handed me a peppermint candy. “Don’t let it happen again.”

She nodded, and I knew I was dismissed. I almost felt like I’d been told, “Go, and sin no more.”

As I walked down the hallway, I felt the curious stares of my colleagues. When I returned to my classroom, one of them popped her head in the door. “You okay?” she asked.

Soon, the other teachers were swarming. They wanted to know what happened. And I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut. “I won’t make the same mistake twice,” I told them.

And I didn’t.

My point? Miss Wooten knew her staff. She knew how to deal with me. She knew I was young and sensitive. And she knew that a small pat on the hand was all I needed. She didn’t want to break me. She just wanted me to be the best teacher I could be.

And the way she chose to deal with me was really no one else’s business.

We may look at other people’s lives and wonder, “What about them? How is God going to deal with them? Why does my own life seem harder, my own trials seem harsher?”

But God made us each unique. He won’t give any of us more than we can bear, and that load is different for different people. Some of us, like Peter, are rocks. We can withstand a lot of pressure, and in fact, we may thrive under pressure. Just like Peter.

Others of us, like John, have a different type of strength. We are gentler and more sensitive. And though it may seem like God is just slapping someone on the hand and offering them a peppermint, we must understand that God knows each of us intimately. A slap on the hand may break one person’s heart, while an iron skillet over the head may not even put a dent in another’s skull. He deals with us differently, based on our unique personalities. And the way God deals with one person is really no one else’s business.

Peter, of all the disciples, was the one who could handle the pressures that came his way. John, on the other hand, became known as the disciple of love. Just read 1 – 3 John, and you will see what a gentle soul he was. God had different plans for John. He faced his own unique trials and pressures.

Friends, the important thing for Peter to understand was that God had a special plan for his life. Peter’s life. Peter, the rock. And all Peter needed to worry about was himself. He just needed to follow orders.

God has a unique plan for your life, and for my life. And those plans are tailor-made for each of us. We don’t need to get distracted by what anyone else is or isn’t doing. We just need to follow orders, and know that God won’t give any of us more than we can handle.

Dear Father, Thank You for having a special plan for my life. Please help me to focus on You, and no one else.

Amen

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We all know of Peter’s shame. He promised Jesus to follow Him always, to never leave His side. Then, he broke that promise. He denied even knowing Christ. Not once. Not even twice. Three times, he denied Christ.

And he was ashamed.

But Jesus – oh bless Him! – He gave Peter another chance. Oh, it wasn’t going to be easy. Jesus told Peter right up front. He said, “You think it was hard to follow me before? Just wait. Because of Me, you will die a horrible death.”

I wonder if Peter’s failure didn’t help to prepare him for the road he would walk, later. After all, Peter knew what it was like to cave in to peer pressure. He was a strong man, but at least three times, he had been weak. Very weak.

And that weakness brought regret. Sadness.

Shame.

Peter failed miserably on that night of Jesus’ death. He wouldn’t do it again.

Jesus’ words may have seemed like a warning. But to me, I see those words as a vote of confidence. “Peter, you will face some terrible things, but you’ll face them with strength. Next time, you won’t run.”

It makes me wonder about some of the failures in my own life. Oh, they are my own failures, the results of my own choices. But God, who works all things for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), can use those failures. If I let Him, He will take my shame and turn it into strength. Where I’ve failed, He’ll help me to flourish.

Peter went on to spend the remainder of his life doing exactly as Jesus had asked. He fed the sheep. He made disciples. He committed himself to preaching and teaching and writing letters and doing all he could to establish a firm foundation for us, the church.

Peter was crucified upside-down. The upside-down part was at his own request, because he didn’t feel worthy of dying the same way his Lord had died. Though he had every right to be afraid about his future, he didn’t fail.

Like Peter, we may be uncertain of the future. We may have reason to be afraid. But like Peter, we can go forward with confidence, knowing God is in control.

Dear Father, Thank You that Peter’s failure eventually made him strong. Please use my own failures to make me into the person You want me to be. Please help me to succeed in Your will.

Amen

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“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.”

Whew. What a powerful passage. I can feel the intensity, just reading it. But the English language doesn’t actually do the conversation justice. Our word for love was actually represented by two different words in Greek. The word agape means unconditional, self-sacrificing love. The word phileo means friendship, or brotherly love. It is not nearly as powerful as agape love.

Let’s take another look at that passage, as it was actually spoken: (My own paraphrase.)

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me without conditions?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know I’m your buddy.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me enough to sacrifice for me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I’m your friend.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, are you even my friend?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Are you even my friend?” He said, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Well. That makes it even more intense, don’t you think? Jesus was cornering Peter. He needed to get Peter’s attention, for the future of the church depended on Peter’s loyalty. After all, hadn’t Jesus told Peter that he was the rock on which the church would be built? Peter, or Petras, meant rock. Jesus needed to make sure Peter was ready for the task before him.

And the task? Feed the sheep. Make disciples. Love people, and point them to God.

No matter what.

I wonder, if Jesus were sitting next to me, what He might ask. Would He ask, “Renae, do you love me?”

Of course I’d say, “Yes, Lord, You know I love You.”

And His response?

Feed my sheep.

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John 20:26-29  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Here we see where the phrase, “doubting Thomas” came from. Jesus had appeared to all his disciples previously, but Thomas was absent. He heard from the other disciples that they had seen Jesus raised from the dead. But Thomas refused to believe it unless he saw it with his own eyes.

Have you ever been that way? I know I have. I’m a physicist, so it’s natural for me to want “hard proof” about things.

But notice what happens in this passage. Yes, Thomas had doubts. But Jesus came and revealed himself to Thomas, challenging his doubts and encouraging him to believe. Then He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Wow. Doesn’t that put a new twist on things? To believe, in spite of any doubts or fears we may have. And yet, I believe that is what He wants us to do . . . just simply trust him, to take him at his word, even when we can’t see or understand. After all, He had told them that he would be crucified. He had promised that he would be brought back to life. But the disciples didn’t understand that until after it happened.

This is a lesson I have to constantly be reminded of. I see all the great and wonderful things God does, but when times get tough I tend to revert to worrying about things instead of just simply letting go, and letting God work.

Father God, please forgive me for the many times I fail to believe and let doubts and fears take over. Please help me to just simply trust and believe you will do what you say. Amen

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He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.”

Boy. This is some powerful dialogue. It’s the stuff great stories are made of. I can just see these guys, walking along, sad and dejected over the loss of their beloved Messiah. But there He was, walking with them, and they didn’t even recognize Him!

How could they not recognize Him? After all, He had said He would come back to life. They should have been looking for Him, instead of shuffling along in defeat.

And did you notice, they were headed to Emmaus? That’s the opposite direction from Jerusalem, where most of Jesus’ followers were congregated. You’d think they’d have wanted to be near others who believed as they did.

But no. They were sad and depressed, so they separated themselves. They looked only at their feet. They had lost hope, when hope was right in front of them. All they had to do was look up.

I’ve done that, though. When things don’t go the way I want them to, when my plans seem dashed, I just get depressed. I lose hope, and I stop looking for God. I separate myself from others who might encourage me.

Why do I do that?

Why do I pull away from people who can help me through the tough times? That’s what our Christian brothers and sisters are for. When we find friends who love the Lord and love us, we should do all we can to build those friendships! We should cling to them in the hard times, and let them cling to us when they need to. We should stay close, so we can laugh and cry and live together. It sure beats being alone.

And no matter how difficult things may seem, I never have reason to lose hope. Jesus always keeps His promises. He has promised to never leave me. He has promised to give me strength and peace and abundant life. He’s promised to come back and get me someday.

Quite often, all I need to do is quit focusing on myself and my losses or failed plans, and look up! There, I will find that Jesus hasn’t left me at all. There, I’ll find hope.

Dear Father, Thank You for keeping Your promises. Thank You for putting up with me, even when I forget those promises, even when I get so caught up in myself that I don’t see You standing there. Help me to remember to look up.

Amen

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Matt 28: 11-15 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

A plan of fools. With Jesus’ missing body and rumors that he rose from the dead, the guards keeping watch ran to seek advice from the chief priests. Chief priests then turned to the elders. Fear gave way to secrecy and conspiracy, which evolved into a devious scheme involving bribery. The age-old exchange of money to cover the truth.

“Blame the disciples,” the elders instructed the soldiers. “Say they stole him away while you were sleeping, and we’ll cover your tracks.” No harm done, Jesus gets no credit as the Messiah he claimed to be, and the priests and elders maintain control and authority.

What strikes me about this passage is the soldiers’ unfortunate response. With an empty grave, they immediately ran to the chief priests. The supernatural was right in front of their eyes and they missed it. These soldiers – possibly young men with heroic dreams of service to the Roman army – had no idea what a monumental event they were privy to. Of all the world’s generations and cities and occupations, these unnamed soldiers were at the precise time and place to play a role in the story that turned all the world upside down for eternity. They were a living, breathing component to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And they missed it. To live in that place in that moment, and they missed the miracle for the mundane.

I understand the need for soldiers to follow orders. They were trained to heed authority and I don’t blame them for following their chain of command. But upon meeting with the priests and elders, I’m guessing they knew something wasn’t quite right. The urgency and secrecy with which the following events were handled reveals a layer of fear among the priests and elders that Jesus really might be who he said he was. Yet the soldiers buried those inklings of wrongdoing in their conscience and plodded on with the lies and cover up.

Incidentally, none of this plan in Matthew 28 benefitted the soldiers. While Scripture doesn’t reveal the outcome of these particular men’s fate, history recounts that a Roman guard falling asleep on the job would result in death.

It makes me consider how in times of uncertainty and fear I petition my earthly chain of command – friends and family – rather than going directly to my Father. What am I missing as I bypass His directives and communication? Furthermore, what if my family and friends happen to respond with emotion and fear and impartiality – do I blindly go along or stop and really seek out TRUTH? I don’t want to miss the supernatural the Lord has before me.

Heavenly Father, you know us and created us. You know how to communicate and reveal yourself and your supernatural truth in our lives, in our own language, in ways we can hear and understand. Please give us eyes to see and ears to listen. We don’t want to miss out!

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