Today is already Day 38 of the 40 days Jesus spent with his disciples before going home to his Father. The clock is ticking unbeknownst to this excited band of followers who are still getting accustomed to having him back. Even at this late hour, all are eagerly anticipating one final and definitive trick Jesus has up his sleeve which will accomplish what they believe he ultimately has come to do. And that is, of course, rid them of their Roman oppressors and re-establish the glory of the Kingdom of Israel.
Meanwhile, the group is basking in the Kingdom Shalom of the Master. It’s surreal as Jesus reiterates his teachings, stressing the power and presence of the Kingdom of God. He reminds them regularly of the work of the Spirit, but, for now, it seems, Jesus is content to focus his attention on them, not Jerusalem, not the huge crowds, but primarily on his closest friends.
They all know they were chosen despite, not because of, what they brought to the ministry. Each of them is still amazed at that. They’re even more amazed at the fact that even with the many times they’ve not measured up, not understood, even argued with him, he continues to invest in them, wholeheartedly believing them.
So, what do they know about this friend, their Messiah? Well, he lives by the highest standard, one no one has ever seen. He’s unimpressed with those in power, be they Jewish or Roman. Rather, he seems to prefer the less known, the less seen, the less privileged. His heart breaks for the sick and sorrowing and demon possessed. He openly and tenderly loves and cares for his mother. In fact, he treats every lady with the highest, heartwarming respect, even making space for them in every area of his ministry. And even as a widely known (some would say famous) teacher, he warmly welcomes little children to come to him, even sitting them up on his knee (the guys will always remember one embarrassing time of rebuke). He’s never hurried. He’s in constant communication with his Father in Heaven. His style of praying is refreshing, honest, unreligious, not showy. He’s happy, fun-loving, sociable, but filled with deep pain at the struggles of his ‘people.’ And he’s inviting the likes of them into his powerful and dangerous and costly mission as his representatives. Seriously, Jesus? PD
Don graduated from Regent University in 1988 and moved to France for seven years, coming back to the US briefly to marry Sue in 1990. The work in France included working in a Christian School and helping plant a church before returning in 1995. He’s been pastor of Peninsula Vineyard since 1999. He enjoys counseling, especially married couples, traveling back to France (with Sue), reading, doing Sudoku puzzles and sleuthing out good, dark chocolate. Don serves as the senior pastor of the Vineyard Church Peninsula, in Newport News, Virginia.