David Bahn - Reflections

I have an answer for the angels' question. More important than that is the fact that Jesus is reigning at the right hand of God and interceding for us. Today is Ascension Day. Ascension Day occurs during the week rather than on Sunday. As a result, many people miss this feast and the great importance it has for the life of the believer. Remembering this day is of no apparent importance to the followers of Jesus. But perhaps I can ask a question of you: If Jesus is on the throne in heaven, is he also on the throne of your heart? Does his reign and rule bring comfort to you in times of difficulty? Do you need to celebrate that today?

When the disciples ask Jesus if this was to be the time he would restore the kingdom to Israel, he not only didn't answer. He told them it was not for them to know. A roadmap to the future would be a hindrance, not a help to faith. Jesus would supply a different sort of roadmap. Start in Jerusalem, go on to Judea, proceed to Samaria, and go to the ends of the earth. That's not a roadmap. But it is a plan they were to follow...one step at a time. He also promises the Holy Spirit to them as their source of power for their journey. 

Ours (yours and mine) may not be as daunting as the disciples in Jerusalem. But it is no less a calling, requiring the Holy Spirit's power and strength. There are no maps for this life's journey. But Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way. Wherever we go and however we serve him. 

There is a mystery here: we, like the Apostles, are to rest, wait, hope, trust, and prepare for this great work to which God is calling us. We are to engage fully as God gives us the opportunity in witnessing to Jesus' work in our lives. We are to devote ourselves fully to his work. And it is God who is at work in us to do all this. In other words we are to wait and rest in anticipation and preparation for our work in God's mission. But it is his work to bring people to himself.

I think I need to wait and ponder, and pray about all this. How am I to wait today, heavenly Father? Help me to see the opportunities you provide and act on them; for your glory, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in Jesus' name. Amen.

It could be a selfish desire to have things the way we want it with little care for the lost and dying. It might be fear of people we do not know or who will be difficult to love. Perhaps we just don't understand the Great Commission and how it applies to all of us. Some of us may just be ignorant of God's heart and mission.

Whatever the case, we must repent of anything that stands in the way of others learning about Jesus and being brought into fellowship with him, and do all we can to help others to learn of Jesus and believe in him. I'll be reflecting on this great challenge and awesome opportunity and honor this week. I hope you will too!

Jesus has moved hearts to love me, encourage us as a family, support us in mission work around the world, and center our lives on his love, grace, truth and mission. 

These are just the highlights of Jesus' work in my life. There are many more. And there will be many more, for Jesus' mission is not finished. Until the Great Last Day, Jesus will work in the world and in our lives for the sake of his kingdom. He wants all people to be saved, for he died for the sins of the world. Thanks be to God for Jesus' ongoing work!

John (the one to whom Peter has pointed, and who may or may not die before Jesus returns at this point) has a final word for us. He has already declared his intent for writing this biography of Jesus. "These things were written," he writes, "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31) Now he declares that this testimony is a reliable eyewitness account. He didn't write all that Jesus did; the world couldn't contain all the books that would be written if that were to be attempted. Jesus did a lot. A whole lot. Maybe you have something to say about that. Perhaps a testimony you wish to write. 

I'll share mine tomorrow. 

On this occasion, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" I believe this is because he wants Peter to think deeply about the question. This is not a throw-away question. Jesus wants to offer Peter the opportunity to consider the question from different three different angles. 

Certainly by the third time Jesus asks the question Peter catches on: this is not a throw away question. He needs to consider whether he loves Jesus and what that means. 

So do we. Do we love Jesus? What is his word to us who say, "Yes"? I think it's the same as to Peter, "Follow me."

The question at hand, in the end, isn’t about how much more we love Jesus than others do, or than the things of this world. It’s about whether or not we love Jesus. Period. To that we must answer, “Yes. But not perfectly. Not consistently. Not sufficiently. But that’s when Jesus’ love for us becomes evermore precious. And that engenders our love for him.

That’s why I love Jesus. He loves me. And you. His love is perfect and perpetual, steadfast and sacrificial. So, yes, Jesus, I love you because you loved me first and gave your life for me and sacrificed yourself for me and all who do not love you as we ought, but trust your promises. That’s the source of the true love for Jesus!

To love Jesus is to desire his presence, guidance, mercy, grace, truth, love, favor, and blessing above all things. It means that I recognize that Jesus and all he is and all he wants from me is my highest good. It means I deeply need and joyfully acknowledge his love for me, a lost and condemned sinner apart from his mercy and salvation. 

"Do you love me?" Jesus asks. Yes. Not as fully as I ought. Not perfectly. But I do love you more than... (How will you fill in that blank?)

As Jesus' disciples enjoy this time of fellowship and food, it is also a foretaste of an eternal feast that will never end. This day will have come and gone. The meal will be remembered and even reported to us centuries later through John’s witness. This third time Jesus appears is the last John will record. But one day he will appear for all to see. And he will take us to be with him in his heavenly banquet hall. And we will feast and commune like never before. And we will be deeply satisfied.