5.5.25 ~ 40 Days after His resurrection (Pt. 11)
Good morning!
It's never been about flawlessness, it’s always been about proximity! Proximity, with the Lord, as well as with any human being, creates a problem! The problem is exposure! The closer you get to someone the more they are able to see your flaws. Just ask Peter, when he was in the boat with Yeshua (Lk. 5:1-8).
"When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Yeshua's knees, saying, depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (Lk. 5:8)
There's two ways we can respond to the word of God being shared, offended ((Matt. 15:12; 24:10) and those who recognize I am a sinful man and I need more of His light in my life (Lk. 7:23). Maybe that's why we put up artificial barriers towards one another that are built on preconceived notions, which stem from past hurts and fears (I have resembled those words too many times on this journey).
After the resurrection, Peter found out that not even denial could cancel the call so if you failed, fallen or forgotten who you are. Remember that Yeshua still makes breakfast, he still calls your name, and the same grace that pulled Peter out of shame can still pull you back into purpose.
There Peter stood, dripping wet on the Galilee shore, called again into destiny, but it wasn’t the old Peter. The risen Christ was gathering all his disciples who had been restored, humbled, empowered and commissioned for the greatest purpose on the face of the planet: Unite the two houses of Israel under the (re)new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Acts 1:6).
Before Yeshua ascends, after the 40 days of personal appearances, History will have been made! The stone had been rolled away. 40 days of private appearances, public revelations, broken hearts made whole again and doubt silenced. The touch of nail pierced hands, and now this moment, the final words before Ascension (Acts 1:1-9). Not a farewell speech, but a commissioning; a declaration that would echo throughout every generation.
Yeshua took them to a mountain, the very place that he told them he would meet them. Some worshiped, some still doubted, but to all of them both bold and hesitant he gave the same charge:
"All authority in heaven, and on earth has been given to me. therefore go and make Disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all the things that I've commanded. And know that I am always with you even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18–20
This wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t a 'when you feel led' kind of instruction, it was a command from the King of kings, a Savior who had conquered sin, crushed the grave and stood victorious over all creation. He didn’t say go to church, he said, 'go into the world'. He didn’t say get people to agree with your beliefs, He said make disciples, followers, students, image bearers of the kingdom. Isn’t that what He’s been doing through three years of walking, teaching, correcting, healing, and showing them what the father was like? Now, with fears and doubts resolved, they were being sent to replicate that process. Not just preach sermons, but live a life that invites others. The command is literally to do this as you're going, make disciples...This isn’t just about missionaries in far away countries. This is about moms raising kids to know Yeshua. Business leaders praying over financial decisions. High schoolers starting Bible studies in their locker rooms. Grandparents blessing generations with truth. College students changing their campuses.
Every believer, wherever you are, as you are going make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the father end of the son and of the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t just a ritual. It was an identification. It was an immersion, not for church membership, but a lifestyle decision that marked the death of the old and the birth of the new. It declared publicly what Christ had done privately in the heart, a resurrection. Then He said, teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you. Not just teaching them what I said, but teaching them to obey. Why? Because in the kingdom of God, transformation doesn’t come from information, it comes from obedience; from aligning our lives with the Word of the One who loved us.
First, what makes this even more powerful is the backdrop at the time Jesus said these words, Rome was still in control. His followers were still under threat. They had no budget, no building, no legal recognition, just a message, comission and a promise. And what a promise it was and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age (Matt. 28:20).
On this 23rd day of counting the omer, I want to rechallenge you with Peter's reality: Get close enough to where your flaws are exposed. Know that, when they are, His presence is inviting, not repelling. If you're struggling with obedience to His commands of counting the omer, ask Him, "why"? Once that's resolved and your fears are alleviated, you'll be commissioned! He won't send anyone out to battle who's afraid of men (Deut. 20:8; Gal. 1:10). And frankly, God's okay with your fear. He made provision for that in the Torah. The courage will come. He's not casting you off. Yeshua's words are still as real today as they were nearly 2,000 years ago.
Shalom!
Alan
Zoom call tonight: "How do I move forward after such a big mistake?" (Lev. 16).
"When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Yeshua's knees, saying, depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (Lk. 5:8)
There's two ways we can respond to the word of God being shared, offended ((Matt. 15:12; 24:10) and those who recognize I am a sinful man and I need more of His light in my life (Lk. 7:23). Maybe that's why we put up artificial barriers towards one another that are built on preconceived notions, which stem from past hurts and fears (I have resembled those words too many times on this journey).
After the resurrection, Peter found out that not even denial could cancel the call so if you failed, fallen or forgotten who you are. Remember that Yeshua still makes breakfast, he still calls your name, and the same grace that pulled Peter out of shame can still pull you back into purpose.
There Peter stood, dripping wet on the Galilee shore, called again into destiny, but it wasn’t the old Peter. The risen Christ was gathering all his disciples who had been restored, humbled, empowered and commissioned for the greatest purpose on the face of the planet: Unite the two houses of Israel under the (re)new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Acts 1:6).
Before Yeshua ascends, after the 40 days of personal appearances, History will have been made! The stone had been rolled away. 40 days of private appearances, public revelations, broken hearts made whole again and doubt silenced. The touch of nail pierced hands, and now this moment, the final words before Ascension (Acts 1:1-9). Not a farewell speech, but a commissioning; a declaration that would echo throughout every generation.
Yeshua took them to a mountain, the very place that he told them he would meet them. Some worshiped, some still doubted, but to all of them both bold and hesitant he gave the same charge:
"All authority in heaven, and on earth has been given to me. therefore go and make Disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all the things that I've commanded. And know that I am always with you even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18–20
This wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t a 'when you feel led' kind of instruction, it was a command from the King of kings, a Savior who had conquered sin, crushed the grave and stood victorious over all creation. He didn’t say go to church, he said, 'go into the world'. He didn’t say get people to agree with your beliefs, He said make disciples, followers, students, image bearers of the kingdom. Isn’t that what He’s been doing through three years of walking, teaching, correcting, healing, and showing them what the father was like? Now, with fears and doubts resolved, they were being sent to replicate that process. Not just preach sermons, but live a life that invites others. The command is literally to do this as you're going, make disciples...This isn’t just about missionaries in far away countries. This is about moms raising kids to know Yeshua. Business leaders praying over financial decisions. High schoolers starting Bible studies in their locker rooms. Grandparents blessing generations with truth. College students changing their campuses.
Every believer, wherever you are, as you are going make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the father end of the son and of the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t just a ritual. It was an identification. It was an immersion, not for church membership, but a lifestyle decision that marked the death of the old and the birth of the new. It declared publicly what Christ had done privately in the heart, a resurrection. Then He said, teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you. Not just teaching them what I said, but teaching them to obey. Why? Because in the kingdom of God, transformation doesn’t come from information, it comes from obedience; from aligning our lives with the Word of the One who loved us.
First, what makes this even more powerful is the backdrop at the time Jesus said these words, Rome was still in control. His followers were still under threat. They had no budget, no building, no legal recognition, just a message, comission and a promise. And what a promise it was and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age (Matt. 28:20).
On this 23rd day of counting the omer, I want to rechallenge you with Peter's reality: Get close enough to where your flaws are exposed. Know that, when they are, His presence is inviting, not repelling. If you're struggling with obedience to His commands of counting the omer, ask Him, "why"? Once that's resolved and your fears are alleviated, you'll be commissioned! He won't send anyone out to battle who's afraid of men (Deut. 20:8; Gal. 1:10). And frankly, God's okay with your fear. He made provision for that in the Torah. The courage will come. He's not casting you off. Yeshua's words are still as real today as they were nearly 2,000 years ago.
Shalom!
Alan
Zoom call tonight: "How do I move forward after such a big mistake?" (Lev. 16).
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