John 20:24-31, Jesus appears to a doubting Thomas

It wasn't till after Jesus' resurrection that pieces started to come together for the disciples. Jesus is going to appear suddenly to Thomas who is still unconvinced that his master is alive. His picture of Jesus is about to change dramatically.

Luke 22:39-46, Jesus in the Garden

Jesus wrestled in anguish with what was soon to become of him. It was thursday night as he prayed to God a prayer that went unanswered. "If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." But God's plan was to push through the pain for a far greater purpose that would be accomplished. Sometimes we forget that Jesus was 100% human. That he felt the depths of pain just as we do. We talk so much about Jesus being God that we often forget he was also human JUST LIKE US. yes, just like us. In perhaps his weakest hour, Jesus was all alone. His closest friends couldn't even stay awake with him that night. His prayer to God did not come true. And the next thing he knew, he was betrayed with a kiss, arrested, and saw his disciples run away scared.

But Jesus knew the pains of Friday would be worth the purposes that were accomplished on Sunday! And so it is the same in our own lives. Jesus knows your pain better than you think he does. But what is amazing is that just as jesus walked through the pain for a greater purpose, so it must happen in our own lives. God could have chosen not to put Jesus through the pain of the cross. God can also choose to remove pain from our lives if he so desires. But often times it is through great pain that great purposes are accomplished.

Jesus prepares to leave, John 13-17

No one saw it coming. His disciples had not picked up on the hints. Jesus was preparing to go away. The cross was before him but no one but him anticipated it. If you keep your mind in the first century you would have never anticipated it either. What is Jesus supposed to say? what are the right words when you are preparing to leave quite unexpectedly?

Immediatley following the washing of the disciples feet, Jesus begins to explain his departure. He encourages the disciples to love each other, to know that he is going off to prepare a place for them and will return, and that he is going to send another Counselor in his absence. Yet, the disciples are numb. They cannot understand what this all means. Where could Jesus possibly be going where they could not follow?

Slip on the sandals of the disciples this week and wrestle with this question, "why did Jesus have to leave?". Read these 5 chapters in John over the course of the week and consider how you would've felt. It simply doesn't make sense that Jesus is going to leave. And it will soon take the disciples by surprise.