Key Thought

Jesus came on a mission. It wasn't a mission of his own initiative. He wasn't looking for honor for himself. He was sent to do the Father's work, to do the Father's mission, and to bring glory to the Father by completing his work. The cost was high: he gave his life to complete the Father's work. The mission was clear: to reveal the Father to us. The amazing thing about it, however, is that when Jesus leaves, he gives us a very similar mission. "Just as the Father sent me, I'm sending you!" (John 20:21). So let's live today following the example of our Savior, fully committed to represent the one who sent us and to reveal his glory and grace.

Today's Prayer

Holy God and loving Father, I confess that sometimes I see life as monotonous and predictable. I lose sight of the opportunities to do your work with each new day. Sharpen my focus God, so that I can seize the opportunities each day to help others see you more clearly. Give me passion as I face the challenges, opportunities, and yes even the monotony of each day. Empower me to live as one sent on a mission. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Then some of the people that lived in Jerusalem said, "This is the man they are trying to kill. But he is teaching where everyone can see and hear him. And no person is trying to stop him from teaching. Maybe the leaders have decided that he really is the Christ. But we know where this man's home is. And when the real Christ comes, no person will know where he comes from." Jesus was still teaching in the temple area. Jesus said, "Yes, you know me and you know where I am from. But I have not come by my own authority. I was sent by the One (God) who is true. You don't know him. But I know him and I am from him. He sent me." When Jesus said this, the people tried to get him. But no person was able to touch Jesus. It was not yet the right time {for Jesus to be killed}. But many of the people believed in Jesus. The people said, "We are waiting for the Christ to come. When the Christ comes, will he do more miracles than this man (Jesus) has done? No! {So this man must be the Christ.}" The Pharisees heard these things the people were saying about Jesus. So the leading priests and the Pharisees sent some temple police to arrest Jesus. Then Jesus said, "I will be with you people a little while longer. Then I will go back to the One (God) who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me. And you cannot come where I am." These Jews said to each other, "Where will this man go that we cannot find him? Will he go to the Greek cities where our people live? Will he teach the Greek people there? This man (Jesus) says, 'You will look for me but you will not find me.' He also says, 'You cannot come where I am.' What does this mean?"

Related Scripture Readings

Jesus said, "You are an important teacher of Israel (the Jews). But you still don't understand these things? I tell you the truth. We talk about what we know. We tell about what we have seen. But you people don't accept what we tell you. I have told you about things here on earth. But you do not believe me. So surely you will not believe me if I tell you about the things of heaven! The only one that has ever gone up to heaven is the One that came down from heaven—the Son of Man. "Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. It is the same with the Son of Man. The Son of Man must be lifted up too. Then every person that believes in the Son of Man can have life forever." Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that every person that believes in him would not be lost, but have life forever. God sent his Son into the world. God did not send his Son to judge the world guilty. God sent his Son so that the world could be saved through his Son.

It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. Jesus was in the temple area at Solomon's Porch. The Jewish leaders gathered around Jesus. They said, "How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, then tell us clearly." Jesus answered, "I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father's name. Those miracles show who I am. So why do you say that I am saying things that are against God because I said, 'I am God's Son'? I am the one God chose and sent into the world. If I don't do what my Father does, then don't believe what I say. But if I do the same things my Father does, then you should believe in the things I do. You might not believe in me, but you should believe in the things I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." The Jewish leaders tried to get Jesus again. But Jesus escaped from them. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan River. Jesus went to the place where John was baptizing before. Jesus stayed there, and many people came to him. The people said, "John never did a miracle. But everything John said about this man (Jesus) is true."

This is how God showed his love to us: God sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. True love is God's love for us, not our love for God. God sent his Son to be the way that God takes away our sins.

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