a call for you John 1:43-51

Jesus' ministry was no solo affair. He invited people to join him. Since early on the people Jesus called invited others along to come and follow too. Jesus' disciples were more than just students who came along for a week or a semester of great lectures. Jesus called them to walk along with him. Yes they got to know him as teacher but more than that they knew him as a true friend. They learned much more than information or philosophy from this great teacher. Jesus invited them to come and see God breaking in. They saw first hand what God was doing in our world. They were witnesses to the kingdom of God coming into the world.

With nearly all our Christmas and New Years celebrations wound down it's a very good time to talk abut Christmas. January, especially in places where it's cold and dark, is a great month to remember the heart of the Christmas celebration: God breaking into our lives. And now we hear Jesus inviting others to come and see how the Kingdom is coming close.

I'm borrowing a theme from Max Lucado. He said, in God's Story, Your Story: Part 1, When God's Story Becomes Your a phrase that really captures my imagination. “Your story indwells God's”. Lucado says God is writing a story that's summed up in John 3:16. God's story started with creation. It took a distinct turn at Christmas coming ever closer to our stories. God's story runs through a cross. And as we hear Jesus call his first follower to come and see we find our place in that same great story of God's love for the world.

Jesus came not just for one day 2000 years ago. He came for that day, for every yesterday since, for today, and for every tomorrow to come until we meet God face to face. Jesus comes today and will come tomorrow. He's writing a story today in history already knowing the end. He's writing a story that has a place for each believer to live out our stories of faith. You have a place in God's even greater story. Jesus' story the one that includes Bethlehem miracles, seaside calling to fishermen to put down their nets and follow includes your story. Jesus story of daemon defeats and disease healing includes the story of everyone saved by faith. Jesus the one who confronted hypocrites, was tempted by Satan, endured the cross, and the empty tomb is writing a story. And the story of every one who follows Jesus fits right inside. The promise is that each of our stories fit into this even bigger story. The way I see it God's writing a story that starts with love for the world, dropped to the depths of suffering in the cross, and rose to the heights of new life on Easter Sunday. And today he invites us to come and see.

Peace and thanks for reading, John.