Desperate Presence - John 4:43-54
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Desperation - “a poison that turns off your hopes, motivations, and energy little by little.” - Valeria Sabater
John 4:47 - 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
John 2:23-25 - 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
John 4:48 - 48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders…you will never believe.”
John 4:49 - 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
John 4:50 - 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live…”
John 4:50 - 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
John 4:51-53 - 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
The Second Trust
Psalm 42:5 -
"Why are you downcast oh my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
hope in god; for i shall again praise him,
my salvation and my god."
Strahan Coleman - The writer of this Psalm knew all about grief. The opening lines tell the story of a desert-bound sojourner desperate for spiritual oasis. He long's for heavenly hydration like his life depends on it, but the only water he gets are the salted tears of continual despair…But just as we become convinced that the psalmist is giving up, he robs hopelessness of its victory by speaking back to his own soul…
John 20:29 - “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Strahan Coleman - It’s ok to be downcast, there's nothing unspiritual about that. It's how we allow ourselves to sit with God in that moment that will either give life or death to our difficulty. So don't hide your grief from him, don't forget the good things he has been and done for you already, and don't allow your soul to dictate to you the condition of your hope.
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Each Sunday we come together we offer an open invitation into the way of Jesus. An invitation to enter into sacred rhythms - to draw near to God through singing, giving, learning, and praying.
As a community that desires renewal in Des Moines as it is in Heaven, we recognize that we cannot offer what we ourselves do not have. We cannot lead where we ourselves have not been led; in turn, these questions aim at reflection. Reflecting on God’s word and making space for his leadership.
After watching or listening consider the following discussion questions as a large group or in groups of three to four:
What stood out from the teaching?
What does God’s choice to dwell among his people in the Exodus account tell us about God’s character?
How do we see God’s character on display (embodied) Jesus in John 2?
What changes because Jesus is the new temple (the new meeting place of heaven and earth)?
If we individually - as Jesus’ followers - and corporately - as Jesus’ church - are now the dwelling place of God, what does that mean for our relationships, homes, and industries? And what stands in the way?