Calling and Purpose 34--JESUS
In John 8:14, Jesus says “I know where I came from and where I am going.” He is clear about His origins and His future. That leaves Him to focus His energies on His purpose on earth.
Many Scripture passages tell us—in Jesus’ own words—about that earthly purpose:
--He came to do God’s will, to call people to belief in Him and thus give them eternal life (John 6:35-40).
--He was to fulfill the prophecies about the Messiah—including arrest, death, and resurrection (Luke 18:31-34).
--He was to bring God glory by finishing the work He was given to do (John 17:4).
John 12 and 19 detail that Jesus’ work was difficult, He remained resolute in spite of temptation to do otherwise, and that He was in charge of the timing—when His work was “finished,” Jesus bowed His head and willingly gave up His Spirit.
All of His actions and activities while here fit that overarching purpose to call people to Himself and to die and rise that we might live eternally with Him. Some of those things included:
· Teaching.
· Preaching.
· Traveling.
· Discipling.
· Correcting.
· Loving.
· Praying.
· Confronting.
· Giving sight to the blind.
· Making the lame walk.
· Cleansing lepers.
· Changing water into wine.
· Giving hearing to the deaf.
· Casting out demons.
· Raising the dead.
All of these fit His ultimate purpose. Each of these helped gather a following, train disciples who became the ones to carry on His ministry, spread the good news to those who most needed it, and, in just three years’ time, influenced humanity for eternity.
Genesis 1:26-28 tells us that we also have an origin—we are from God, created in His image. John 5:24-27; Romans 8:1-4; 37-39; and John 6:43-51 confirm for us that we have a future—with God, through Jesus, for eternity. Like Jesus, our origins and our future are settled.
Knowing this, we can then focus our energies on our earthly purpose.
Job 42:2, Isaiah 46:9b-11, and Proverbs 19:21 all tell us that God can do all things—that His purposes will overcome any other purpose—and will succeed.
· How do these truths impact your thinking?
· What clues do you have as to your purpose--the reason for which you are uniquely designed and placed here on earth for this season?
· How does thinking about Jesus’ origins, purpose, and future help you in understanding your own?
· What does it look like for you to bring God glory by finishing the work you’ve been given?
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years. Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999. She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S. Contact Shirley.
© 2019