Acceptance

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 33
NT: John 13
W&W: Psalm 72

Today’s Reflection:
In John 13, we encounter Jesus teaching his disciples in a very intimate setting. It was the evening before his crucifixion, and Jesus was preparing his followers for his departure. He reassured them with these words: “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” (v. 20).

After he rose again from the dead, Jesus indeed sent them: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28.18-20).

It gives me great confidence to know I am sent by God. I enter every assignment with the realization that Jesus has “entrusted [me] with the secret things of God” (1 Corinthians 4.1). Those who accept me don’t do so because I am a great orator, a powerful leader, an effective administrator, or even a compassionate shepherd. They accept me because Jesus has sent me.

I need to remember that the people I serve could find – without much trouble – someone who could preach better or someone who could lead more authoritatively or someone who could organize more efficiently or someone who could pastor with more empathy. I want to do the best I can do – by God’s help – at those things, but the really important thing to me is that Jesus has sent me. Jesus brings pastor and people together for purposes of his kingdom, and sometimes we don’t understand until much later why it all makes sense in God’s plan.

Praise God! The authority I have for ministry has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Jesus. That, my friends, is freedom!

“Oh, Jesus, your Spirit must speak; your will must prevail; your way must be followed; your love must fill everything I do!”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.