Jesus comes to us because he loves

Listen here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2a5f6616/jesus-comes-to...

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And yet again, I wonder . . .

I wonder about Jesus' comings and goings after he walked out of the tomb days before. As a mother and a grandmother who has wielded Bactine and many a bandaid in my day, I wonder how Jesus' hands and feet and side were healing. Did anyone put ointment on his wounds? And Mary, did she kiss her precious son's hands? I wonder.

Ohhhh, and I wonder about his heartache - to think that Judas, one of his own disciples, had given Jesus over to the Roman authorities--betrayal on another level, to be sure.

I wonder how his heart ached over Peter - one of his three main men - Peter, who he had warned that he would be sorely tempted to deny him... aye, Jesus cautioned him he would deny him three times in a number of hours. And even with the warnings, even though Peter had been in his inner circle along with James and John, up close and personal with the Lord Jesus, Peter did deny him. How it must have grieved Jesus!

And as one familiar with the Land, (say, would you like to go to Israel in 2026?) I sure wish I could have traveled with Jesus the 80 miles from Jerusalem back to the Galilee. The gospel accounts do not tell us he traveled alone, yet somehow it seems so. I wonder 'Did people he passed recognize Jesus?' Did they speak to Him, seek his healing or hand of blessing? Hmmm... there is so much that we just do not know, and yet I wonder.

In another glimpse of Jesus, we see that 

"At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach... on the Sea of Galilee, (a beautiful fresh water lake actually). “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus invited his men. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

Jesus comes because he loves.

From the Lord’s coming to us as a helpless baby to the preaching of a radical new life filled with love rather than laws, to the cross, to the tomb and now to a beach on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus comes because he loves.  As we open our Bibles to the end of John’s gospel, chapter 21, we see the Lord coming to the disciples who have returned to the familiar—their fishing nets. 

Scripture link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John 21.1-19&versi...

The disciples have apparently fished all night, but caught nothing.  Jesus comes to them at dawn, calling to them from the shore.  The scene harkens back to another time when Jesus tells them to cast their empty nets on the other side of the boat, bringing them great success.  It is Peter who first recognizes Jesus, which is significant.  The truth is, if Jesus comes to anyone that day, he comes to Peter.  And Peter seems to have returned to his impetuous self as he jumps in the water to get to Jesus as quickly as he can, longing to be near Jesus!  

Jesus comes to the disciples that morning, but he especially comes to Peter.  Jesus seeks out Peter to restore him, to make things right.  Jesus comes to extend forgiveness to Peter—Jesus knew the plans, the destiny he had in mind for this son of his!  Peter had denied Jesus three times and accordingly Jesus asks Peter three times, in three slightly different ways if he loves him, each time making the space between them smaller and the grace greater.  Jesus comes with the offer, Peter responds and is restored, and made ready for greatness.

~Jesus comes to us to extend himself to us … 

to show us love when we need it more than food or drink. 

~Jesus comes to us to extend his grace to us when only grace will do because only grace will cover the wretchedness of who we really are inside.  

~Jesus comes to us in the wonders of creation all around us—why, look up, look outside!  Consider closely the rays of sunshine that make the raindrops falling from soaked limbs and leaves look like liquid silver … the perfect milky white skin of a newborn babe and the sparkle in his innocent shining eyes … the pouncing puppy that brings laughter to a home and love to the lap of a hurting man … the deeds of a doting husband caring for the sentimental details of his beloved wife … all of these are but glimpses of the Savior who comes … how he loves.

And of the One who is yet to come again in the splendor of the clouds leaving no mistake of his grand arrival. 

Yes, Jesus comes to the shore that morning because he loves; Peter and the disciples respond in love, and go to meet him.  Consider the myriad of ways Jesus comes to you in love . . . go out and meet him! Grab ahold of the hand he extends to you. 

I'm so grateful Jesus loves because if he didn't - well, it sure would be different if it was up to me!

Listen! Brand new song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT8kyYOgWYI

Jesus comes because he loves,

Christine

PastorWoman.net