Let Jesus in

Christmas has come and gone in the blink of an eye once again. Over the next few days we will be saying goodbye to 2015, and hello to a new year. Talk of fresh starts, resolutions, and "New Year, new me" have already begun.

Although Christmas is over, I find myself looking towards the New Year with a passage from the famous Christmas story still ringing in my ears.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Mary, Joseph, and little baby Jesus. A story we're all so familiar with. Mary and Joseph come to the town of Bethlehem, and they're looking for a place to stay as Mary is needing to give birth. They arrive at the inn, and they knock on the door...

Sorry, we've no room.

You've got to go some place else. 

We just can't fit you in right now.

This isn't just a story happening a thousand years ago. This is a story that happens every day. Today. Jesus is knocking at the door. He wants to be a part of our lives; to come in and live with us.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

But don't be fooled into thinking that this message isn't for you if you're already a Christian. In fact, I think this story speaks to me more now as someone who's been following Christ for 7 years. 7 years, and I still tell Jesus that I can't fit Him in right now. 

It's worth thinking about. From day to day, week to week, even throughout the year, do you fit Jesus in? Do you even bother letting Jesus in at all? Is He crammed in on a Sunday morning, if He's lucky, or is little baby Jesus squeezed in on Christmas day and that's all? 

As a serious follower of Christ, I read this passage and it hurts. Because I know that although my relationship with Jesus should be top of my priorities, it isn't. I know that when I give time to God, I am just fitting Him in where it suits me.

As I look to 2016, that's the challenge. To let Jesus in. To make Him the centre of the not only the year, but of every day in 2016. It's one thing to let Jesus in the front door, but will you let Him into every other part of your house too?

Will you send Jesus some place else? Or will you let Jesus in?

Missing Christ in Christmas

The presents. The turkey. The time off school. Family and friends. Christmas is an amazing time of the year without a doubt. But I think that every time it rolls round, I'm getting caught up in all of those things and actually missing the bigger picture. Missing the heart of Christmas. Missing Christ in Christmas.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 

- Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

In Matthew 21, we read about Jesus' triumphal entry in Jerusalem. Everybody is praising Jesus, throwing down their cloaks on the road and laying down palm leaves for him. But when someone asks, "Who is this", the crowds answered:

"This is Jesus, the prophet"

The prophet? Jesus was the Son of God. He Himself was God! He was their long awaited Messiah, coming to save everyone from their sins. Did they miss it? Do we still miss it?

This Christmas, don't just remember the reason for the season is Jesus. But remember why Jesus is the reason of the season! Don't let it be a happy thought in the back of your mind, but let that knowledge affect how you spend your time over the holiday period. 

Don't miss the Christ this Christmas.

Peter Peter Peter - part 3

The Blind Mice. The Little Pigs. Goldilock's Bears.

Hanson. Destiny's Child. The Bee Gees.

Rock Paper Scissors. Snap Crackle Pop. The tasty BLT.

By now you've maybe noticed the connection, that all of the above are famous trios!

Last week at YF, we looked at Peter's denial of Jesus. How many times did Peter deny Jesus? You got it. 3 times. This week we were looking another episode between Peter and Jesus, and again the number 3 is a key feature. Check it out in John 21 v 15 - 17...

"Do you love me?"

Was Jesus hard of hearing? Did He just not understand? Why did He ask Peter 3 times?! I'm sure the significance of repeating the question 3 times was no coincidence. Was it a reference to the 3 times Peter denied Jesus? Perhaps Jesus was just checking in on Peter's commitment. 

What do you think?

"Feed my sheep"

Why did Jesus keep telling Peter to feed sheep? Did Jesus own sheep? Were His pet sheep hungry? Well actually Jesus is described as the 'Good Shepherd', and His followers are His sheep. His flock. Before Jesus went back to Heaven, He was calling Peter to take care of His people. He wasn't telling Peter to feed people physically, but instead to feed them spiritually.

After I read this story, I tend to find myself thinking about two important questions for my own walk of faith:

1) Do I love Jesus?

2) What is Jesus calling me to do?

Big picture. Career. Vocation. Calling. 

What does Jesus want you to do with your life?

But also every day. What is Jesus calling you to do? To say? How to act? 

There's only one way you'll find the answer to this question... Ask Him! 

Pick up your Bible and read it. Ask God in prayer!

If you love Jesus, if you are His follower, if you are one of His sheep, then you need to ask yourself what Jesus is calling you to do?