Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day five). So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
‭‭I love this conversation and interaction between Jesus and Peter. It reminds me that Jesus is not intimidated or hesitant to call out or confront sin. What may seem awkward or uncomfortable to us, is not to Jesus. He just dives in, “Do you love Me more than these?”  Peter knew exactly what Jesus was doing. And Jesus knew exactly what Peter needed- confrontation and restoration (often, so do we). Just a few earlier, Peter had blown it. Failed in spectacular fashion. And yet, Jesus both reminds and restores. Doesn’t let Peter off the hook. Leads Peter to “grieve” the sins of his denial, pride, and comparison. And in the midst of grief, restores and commissions him to obedience (ministry for Peter).  As the Lord continues that work with us- please remember the outcome of conviction, confession, and repentance (need all of these) is obedience. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”‭‭ John‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬ ‭

Re:Verse passage – John 21:1-14 (day five) This weekend close to a hundred teenagers from FBCSA and their friends will gather in homes around San Antonio to study God’s Word, worship in Spirit and Truth, and to fellowship with one another. As they take part in Freedom Weekend over the next couple of days, may they (like these 7 disciples) encounter and recognize the Risen Savior “near and waiting for them” -asking them questions (to soften their hearts and challenge their pride) – giving them instructions on how to navigate life and their current circumstances- providing moments and indicators that He can and will take care of them to include meeting both their physical and spiritual needs. And, may they (like Peter) “jump in” with passion and confidence to be near Him, and may they (like the disciples) trust and obey His commands and instruction.

Will you pray for our Youth Ministry this weekend? Will you pray for yourself in the same ways?  Encounter, Obedience, Passion.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:24-29 (day five) “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” Thomas “was not with them”(physically, emotionally, spiritually). Grief had flooded his heart and mind. He was devastated at the loss of his Rabbi. He had chosen to be alone. Yet the other disciples don’t leave him to be alone. They go and find him. Spend enough time with him to talk and share what they have experienced. They listen to his skepticism. They invite and welcome him back into their community (gathering). All the while, just saying what they have seen and experienced. Not arguing. Not condemning. And after eight days, he comes back. Maybe it was their joy. Maybe it was their consistent testimony. Maybe it was their kindness. Maybe it was their determination to not let him drift away from the faith. Maybe it was simply their concern for him. Maybe some of “all of the above”. May we love and encourage others like this. Concern. Testimony. Inviting. Listening. Know anyone who is lost or struggling with their faith? Let’s be intentional to love like these disciples.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day five)  Make no mistake, the disciples were afraid. Not just scared, but terrified to the point of being paranoid and debilitated. Trapped behind locked doors (not only keeping Jewish leaders out, but keeping them shut in). Their minds were racing as to the potential dangers they could be facing. A perfect picture of what unhealthy fear does to the heart and soul.

Yet Jesus comes and places Himself in their “midst”. Not on the periphery but among them. What happened to them/in them is amazing. They were filled with joy. With the joy came courage and peace.  With the joy came hope and clarity. With the joy came mission and purpose.

It was a life changing moment brought about by joy. Was there still fear? I suppose. But their joy was greater, and that made all the difference. Oh Lord, fill us with joy.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬

Joy is the serious business of heaven. – C. S. Lewis

Re:Verse passage – John 20:1-18 (day five)  One of beautiful things about the scriptures is that they portray people as ”normal” people. Even the heroes. They say and do things just like us. They fail. They argue. They miss the point. They succeed. They are afraid. They have courage. They sin. They celebrate. They worship. Just like us. And what we read in our Re:Verse passage this week, is that the disciples and women followers of Jesus are extremely grief stricken. (Just like we would be) It’s further evidence that Jesus really died and was buried. Some saw it and talked about it. The others sensed it from the way people were speaking and acting. And they were filled with grief, shock, and fear.
We all process and discover events and truth differently. Peter sees the empty tomb and grave clothes and is still in a state of grief. John see the same thing and “believes”. Mary sees the same thing and is overcome with grief and confusion.
Yet, all of these people mentioned will come to the point of believing. The Lord will immediately begin to work and speak in ways to convince, convict, and encourage His followers.
How might He do that with us (His followers today)?  Oh Lord, please help us to believe with greater confidence and to follow You with greater clarity and courage!!  Show us!!  Speak to us!! Come near to us!!  Help your people!!

Re:Verse passage – John 19:38-42 (day five)

This morning,  a longer quote by Gavin Ortlund. Wonderful questions and an amazing truth-True obedience is never wasted  .  May we all desire to faithfully serve and follow Christ in obedience (like Joseph and Nicodemus)!!

“One wonders: how would the events of Easter weekend look different apart from the courage of Joseph and Nicodemus? Obviously God could have raised Jesus’s body from another location. Or he could have transported it to the tomb by other means. But God honored the loyalty and sacrifice of these men by having them play a critical role in the gospel narrative.

Joseph and Nicodemus didn’t know that. As Saturday was dawning (Luke 23:54), it would have been easy for them to think that their life was over. They had spent their money and lost much of their status. Their future did not look particularly bright in that moment. But through this very act, God prepared the conditions for the turning point of all history. God took what seemed like a dismal ending and turned it into a glorious beginning.

Friend, does the path of obedience feel to you dark and difficult? Are you in the midst of a long Friday night or lonely Saturday of your own?

Remember that the ultimate Sunday morning — the restoration of all things — is still to come. Like Joseph and Nicodemus, we don’t know what God may do tomorrow with our efforts today. True obedience is never wasted. Who knows what glory might still be reverberating on the new earth, a trillion years from now, because of your difficult obedience today?”

Re:Verse passage – John 19:31-37 (day five)

“And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.”
He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that thought I was blind, now I see.”

What is it that you know about Jesus, or that you have seen God do in your life?  What experiences have you had with Jesus that have shaped and changed your life?  We call these testimonies. Just simply telling the truth of what has happened in your heart and life. (It’s what John has done in his gospel) Share what you have seen and experienced- things God has done in your life and the lives of others.

Talk about those things early and often. Talk about what you have seen and experienced (what you know). Tell those stories when you get opportunity. They are your testimony. No one can take them away from you. Share so that others might believe too.

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day five) “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.”

The days right before and after the new year are often filled with introspect and evaluation. As a result, many will make resolutions for the next year- to get back on track or stay on track. One of the remarkable things about Jesus’ earthly life was His ability to keep focused on the mission and purpose for His coming to live on earth. I believe that for Him (and for us) a life centered on and constantly engaged in the Scriptures provided His clarity and courage. (Notice the reference to the scriptures in verse 28) When He says, “It is finished”, He is making a statement regarding His mission and purpose.

May we be resolved to have that same kind of awareness and commitment to God’s mission and purpose for our lives! May we be resolved to be deeply engaged in and dependent on the scriptures to find God’s mission and purpose for our lives!