#167 JESUS DOES 9-21-26

We try. We struggle. We fail. We try again.

And then we discover something wonderful. Jesus does.

When we cannot save ourselves, Jesus saves. When we cannot carry the burden, Jesus carries it. When we cannot find our way, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Christianity is not fundamentally the story of what we do for Jesus. It is the story of what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do for us.

Jesus does what sin cannot undo. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). The cross was not merely an example of love. It was the great demonstration of love accomplishing redemption. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Jesus does what our weakness cannot accomplish.

Paul pleaded three times for his thorn to be removed. The Lord did not give him the answer he expected. He gave him something better: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Sometimes Jesus changes the circumstance. Sometimes He changes us in the circumstance. Either way, His grace is sufficient.

Jesus does what our fears cannot prevent.

The disciples were terrified on the storm-tossed sea, but Jesus stood and said, “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39). The waves obeyed Him. The wind ceased. The One who could command the storm could also calm the hearts of those inside the boat. His presence did not mean there would never be a storm. It meant the storm would never be greater than the One who was with them.

Jesus does what our past cannot erase.

Zacchaeus had a reputation, but Jesus called him down from the tree and went to his house (Luke 19:5-10). The woman at the well had a complicated history, but Jesus spoke to her about living water (John 4:7-14). Peter denied Him, yet Jesus restored him (John 21:15-19). The gospel does not pretend the past never happened. It announces that the past does not have to be the final word.

And Jesus still does.

He forgives. He restores. He strengthens. He leads. He intercedes. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

So stop looking only at what you can do.

Look at Jesus.

Your hands may be weak. His are strong. Your understanding may be limited. His wisdom is perfect. Your faith may tremble. His faithfulness does not.

We do what He calls us to do. We obey. We trust. We walk. We serve. But beneath every faithful step is a deeper reality:

Jesus does.

And because Jesus does, we can go forward.

BDD