The disciples understood who he was— “the Messiah, the son of the living God.” The Father had revealed this to them. He deserved respect. He deserved honor. He deserved hospitality. As his apostles, they felt they deserved these things, too.
When we think of our suffering as increasing our joy in God and our eternal happiness, it puts our present pain in the proper perspective.
Jesus is quite confident in the power of the Holy Spirit to make you like him. When he extends an invitation to discipleship, he’s not inviting you to a once-a-week church service or occasional volunteering. He is expressing his confidence in the power of grace to make you 100% like him.
For years, I’ve heard about Shepherd’s Global Classroom and seen their books. But until my recent trip to the Philippines with President Timothy Keep, I didn’t understand the scope of their vision, the urgent need they are working to address, or the impressive network they have already developed in countries across the world.
When repentance becomes specific, spiritual expectation rises too (Luke 3:15). Repentance is not the goal; Jesus is! Repentance makes the heart ready for the coming of Jesus (Luke 3:16-17).
