We are in a season of disruption. We all feel out of rhythm. Most of our routines have been wrecked. We can no longer depend on “normal” things to keep us connected to Jesus and strong in our faith. But Jesus made it very clear: apart from him, without intimacy with him, we could do nothing of any significance.

This message from Matt Smith is packed with challenging and actionable ways to remain in constant, intentional relationship with Jesus so that we can experience the fruit of living and loving like Him even when life is full of the unexpected.

Judas hoped for a messiah, a king, a revolution, and restoration for Israel. His hope was in an outcome and when Jesus didn't fit the mould of his idea of what a king should be, Judas sold him out for the price of a slave. We are quick to criticize and condemn Judas for this betrayal, but we are guilty of doubting or turning our back on Jesus when he doesn't meet our self-created expectations of what a Savior should do. It is vital that we understand who Jesus through the lens of scripture so that we do not misunderstand what he is doing in our circumstances.

In the span of two days, Jesus is worshipped by Mary at His feet and adoring crowds lining the streets. The crowds would soon demand for his crucifixion, but the one who served at his feet would be honored forever. Jesus tells his disciples that following him requires sacrifice: a loss of one’s status, position, possessions, even one’s very life. Many will believe, but love their own life too much to confess his name. Some will believe and worship, but only alongside a crowd. Few will give everything they have to serve at his feet.

The tension of our faith lies in the space between what we know God can do and what we experience him not do. We know Jesus raised people from the dead but also allowed John the Baptist to be beheaded. We doubt God when we see him doing for everyone else what we wish he would do for us.

As believers, we must continually address this tension so that instead of being prisoners of our momentary struggles, our hearts are open to the greater story that God is writing in our lives.

In His explanation of the Good Shepherd, Jesus lays out what He has succeeded in doing that which we could not accomplish on our own. Being the “under shepherds,” we have frequently failed in pointing people to a full relationship with the Father. Becoming a living example to us, Jesus shows us how to live and love, and enter into relationship with the Father. The Good Shepherd is dedicated to His sheep; we must become dependent on Him.

The disciples witnessed Jesus walking on water, mere hours after he multiplied meager provisions to feed bread and fish to thousands, and, not recognizing or expecting him, the disciples were full of fear. This is the work every disciple must do: learn to recognize, expect, and trust Jesus, so that in the face of hard times, we don't let the uncomfortable and uncertain overshadow what we know to be undeniable.

The story of the woman at the well is one we often read through the lens of our own experience, culture, and judgement. In this message, we take a step back and consider this story through the lens of what we know to be true about Jesus. A Samaritan woman, wrecked by rejection and shame, meets Jesus: the One who knows us best and loves us most. God redeems the rejected and we watch their stories spark revival.