John’s gospel, written to believers who would remain after the one remaining apostle’s death, is a gospel directed to us today. In Jesus’ absence it would be the disciple’s responsibility, and by extension our responsibility, to carry on the work that Jesus had started. In the closing chapter of the gospel of John, the author has an encounter with Peter that reveals 3 things; 1) Jesus’ calling for each of us is personal, 2) His calling is costly, 3) It is Jesus’ word through us that accomplishes His intention, not His physical presence.

Scripture: 2 Pet 1:13-14; John 20:2; 20:8; 20:25; 20:29; 21:3; 20:17; 21:15-17; 21:20-22; 21:18-19; 21:6; 2:7, 8; 4:50; 5:8; 9:7; 11:43

“Follow Me” preached by Steve Ebsen on July 20th, 2019 at the Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mount Vernon, Washington