Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Churched

Home
Evangelical
What Would YOU Write Down? A Letter to West Franklin

What Would YOU Write Down? A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: January 8, 2022 at 7:49 am by Matt Pearson

What Would YOU Write Down? A Letter to West Franklin 2022-01-08T07:49:30-05:00 Matt Pearson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

West Franklin Family,

Tomorrow morning we will begin a four month journey through the Gospel of John. In the very last verse John writes: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25) In other words, John was super choosy about what he included in the 21 chapters. John saw Jesus do so many remarkable things that were they all written down, the earth would run out of room. Whoah. That is amazing. Now consider that John was only with Jesus for three years. Three. Years. Oh my.

When I read the four Gospels, I don’t get the impression that Jesus was busy. Active, yes. Intentional. Focused. But not busy. Not stressed. Not hurried. Full schedule. But not rushed. I don’t get the idea Jesus was frantically trying to do a bunch of good things in order to fill a library with his works. I do, however, get the idea Jesus was always working. Not in a “workaholic” sense. But in a “in tune with the Father” sense. The way Jesus lived and talked and walked and acted was constantly rich and full and whole and loving and truth-revealing. To be sure, I believe John meant that Jesus’ works were many and often and lavish and extravagant. But I wonder if John also meant that – if we will but look – Jesus is always at work? In other words, I wonder if John’s final verse had sort of a double meaning? Yes, while Jesus walked the earth the things He did were vast and numerous. This is, without a doubt, what John meant. But Jesus always acted and is always acting now. I wonder if this is John’s subtle way of encouraging us to constantly be looking for how Jesus is still working today? Can you imagine the amount of books needed if everything Jesus did for the last 2,000 years were recorded? Whoah.

What if you were tasked with writing down what Jesus did in and around you today? Are you looking? Seriously. If, like John, you were tasked with writing down things you noticed Jesus doing – what would you write?

What is Jesus saying to you as you look at the snow?

What is Jesus doing when He allows you to play with your kids?

What is Jesus doing when He prompts you to check on someone who might be stuck at home?

What is Jesus allowing when you are able to get some extended rest?

Where is Jesus meeting you when you are sad, or sick, or mad, or frustrated?

How, specifically, do you need the mercy and grace and love of Jesus right now?

How, specifically, do you need to crash again into the reality that He came, died, was buried, and rose again?

When you laugh, what is Jesus saying? Or allowing? Or blessing you with?

How is Jesus meeting you in a conversation with a friend?

When the COVID surge is overwhelming, where is Jesus calling you to trust? What is He leading you to say to Him?

Who is Jesus prompting you to pray for?

When did you last hear from Jesus – very vividly – from His Word?

How is Jesus addressing your soul as you read that book by the fire?

What would Jesus want to say to you as you stress about work or getting out of the house or???

If you, like John, were tasked with writing right things down things Jesus did – what would you write? Are you listening? Are you paying attention?

When Jesus walked the earth with John He did so many things all the libraries in the world couldn’t contain them. He is still working. What’s He doing in and around your life?

I can’t wait to see you in the morning with my Bible open to John 1:1-4.

Because He is Alive and Active,

Pastor Matt

God willing, all three services will be on tomorrow: 8 AM (choir room); 9 & 10:30 AM in the fellowship hall.

Make sure you have access to our weekly bulletin. Text “bulletin” to 623-623 and it will go straight to your phone every Sunday morning.

Letters to West Franklin

Previous Post

January 5, 2022

That Time Tom Brady Took Me to Church

Next Post

January 15, 2022 Shedding the Messiah Complex: A Letter to West Franklin

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Peter, what did the prophets search intently and with great care about?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow The end times The day of the Lord The salvation of Israel