The Hope of EasterSample

Way More

Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” -John 13:7

George had a passion for telling others about Jesus. He organized a gospel crusade in his high school. In college, he recruited two of his friends to distribute the Bible in Mexico. George Verwer later founded the international ministry Operation Mobilization.

Successful though he was, Verwer was aware of mistakes he made. In his book Messiology, he wrote, “I believe history will show that God was doing way more in the midst of our messes than we realized at the time.”

Jesus said something to Peter on the evening of the Last Supper that would affirm Verwer’s contention.

About to wash Peter’s feet, Christ said, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will” (John 13:7). Intriguingly, Peter’s “mess” hadn’t happened yet: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (v. 38).

But it was a much bigger mess that Jesus was referring to: the sin of all mankind. The disciples didn’t know that God was doing something far greater than they realized.

In living for Jesus, we may find ourselves in our own “messiology.” Even in our best work, we make mistakes, mess things up, and fall into despair.

But Jesus tells His disciples, “I am the Messiah” (v. 19). That gives us real hope. We may not know what God is doing, but we should trust in who He is. He’s way more than what we understand.

Kenneth Petersen

What in your life is hard to understand? How are God’s purposes confusing to you?

Dear God, please help me accept that Your ways are not always known to me.