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John

John 
Day 
Day 341

John 20:19-31 "IF THE DISCIPLES WERE TO SUCCEED IN THE MINISTRY"

Day 341 – John 20

IF THE DISCIPLES WERE TO SUCCEED IN THE MINISTRY

What would it take to succeed in the ministry? Jesus had gloriously succeeded in His calling! On the other hand, the Disciples appeared to have failed miserably! In the post-resurrection ministry of Jesus, the focus was to help the Disciples learn from their mistakes and to prevent them from repeating the same errors!

A STRONG AND STEADFAST FAITH WOULD BE NEEDED

This was one of the most important lessons that Jesus sought to impress upon His Disciples- right from the beginning! They did not possess a strong and steadfast faith! Thus they could not cope with the stresses and strains of life and ministry!

The Disciples had to learn the following lessons:-

1. Knowledge does not equal a strong and steadfast faith

a) The Disciples had been taught much.
b) For three wonderful years they heard Jesus preach to the multitudes.
c) He would always take time to explain things at a deeper level to His Disciples.

2. Experience in life and ministry does not equal a strong and steadfast faith either

a) The Disciples had “hands on” experiences in the ministry.
b) They were even able to subdue demons in ministry.

3. Knowing even the love of Jesus does not equal a strong and steadfast faith too!

a) They experienced the deep love of Jesus.
b) Their hearts must have been touched, but that did not mean that they would have a strong faith automatically.

4. Having a strong personal affection for Jesus does not equal a strong and steadfast faith!

a) The disciples were deeply devoted to Jesus.
b) They loved Him dearly, and would have given their lives for His sake.
c) However, if that love were not supported by a good strong faith, it would avail them nothing!

Jesus had to appear to His Disciples again and again, so that He could help them establish a good and strong faith! The above were just building blocks for the development of a strong faith! Whatever doubts there may be must be cleared!

The Disciples needed to truly and fully believe! If their faith was not strong and steadfast, they might well stumble badly again!

STRONG FAITH ALWAYS COMMENDED

There were people whose faith Jesus commended! A quick recall would reveal that Jesus always took time to commend those who displayed a strong faith.

1. The Faith of the Roman centurion

There was an example of one who had a great faith. Jesus’ commendation of his faith must have struck a chord somewhere in their hearts.

“I say to you, I have not found such great faith,
not even in Israel.”
Luke 7:9

2. The faith of the woman who suffered a blood flow problem for 12 years

For twelve long years, this woman had suffered terribly. All that she had was spent on seeking medical treatment (Luke 8:43). In desperate but genuine faith she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed. Jesus commended her faith with these words.

“Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made
you well.”
Luke 8:48

WEAK FAITH REBUKED!

There was really no reason at all why the Disciples should have a weak or anemic faith! They were in the Presence of Jesus the Messiah! They were taught by Him daily! Yet, the fact was that from time to time, the Disciples showed evidence of weak faith. The unexpected circumstances in life have a habit of exposing the true state of a person’s faith.

1. Weak faith in the midst of a storm

On one occasion, Jesus and the Disciples were caught in a terrible storm. Terrified, the Disciples woke Jesus up from His sleep and appealed to Him for help. Calmly, He got up and stilled the storm with a word. He then turned to His Disciples and said,

“Where is your faith?”
Luke 8:25

These simple but penetrative words of Jesus said everything! The Disciples lacked that dynamic faith that He would have loved to see in them!

2. The recent fiasco of deserting Jesus

The recent event of cowardly running away from Jesus in His hour of greatest need confirmed the fact that the Disciples needed to work hard at developing their faith! How humiliating it was to be so utterly defeated! How their enemies must have laughed at them for running away from their Master! What kind of Disciples had they proven themselves to be?

ANOTHER CHANCE?

What was Jesus doing when He sought out the Disciples? He couldn’t be giving them another chance, could He? Who could trust them after what they had done? Could they ever develop their faith at all? It was unbelievable but true. Jesus still loved them!