You may have caught yourself asking the question, “Is this it? Is this all there is?” What you hoped would bring you true satisfaction hasn’t turned out the way you believed it would. You have begun to lose hope. Those same feelings can be seen in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. But then something happened that brought them out of deep discouragement. It radically change their lives, their perspective, convictions and give them a renewed hope. That something was nothing less than personally encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ.

Good Friday 2020, Let's reflect on Christ and His sacrifice for us.

John 10 records the claims of Jesus and the varying responses of the Jewish religious leaders. All through history, God is eager to reveal Himself to whoever is seeking. Even in dark times like this current coronavirus pandemic, if we pay attention we will hear God’s invitation to draw closer. How we respond to this invitation makes all the difference!

Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This is the promise of Jesus to all the sheep in His flock. Our circumstances do not negate the promises of God. Do not allow anything to rob you of the gift of abundant life you have received from Christ!

All through the ages, Christians have turned to an imagery of God in the Bible in seasons of difficulty. In moments of distress, this image of God is calming and reassuring. It is this beautiful picture in the Bible of God as our Shepherd. Our security lies in knowing the Good Shepherd who watches over His sheep!

Matthew 4:23-25 demonstrates the passion of Jesus to reach out to those who are outside of his spiritual family. Through His teaching, preaching and healing ministries Jesus advanced His mission. The task Jesus assigns to his spiritual family is to seek and save the lost. Anytime the church loses this passion it is bound to decline. Spiritual families continue to make a difference by serving together in unity and shine the light of Jesus in the midst of darkness.