The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

The Disruptive Truth

Tom Graves

no comments

August 3, 2026

The disruptive truth was the reality of Saul’s ministry as He proclaimed the Gospel. His transformation was undeniable. Once a fierce opponent of the Gospel, he now boldly proclaimed Jesus as Lord. Acts 9:23 After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 24 They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. 25 So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall. [1]

Unfortunately, the same pattern followed him to Jerusalem, where truth spoken with clarity stirred hearts, but it also stirred anger. This reminds us of a sobering reality: people do not always receive the Gospel with joy. It confronts pride, exposes sin, and demands surrender. That disruption often leads to resistance. We should not be surprised when sharing our faith meets pushback. The enemy does not want to hear the truth, nor does he want us to speak it.

God Intervenes in the Midst of Opposition


Twice in these passages, Saul’s life was in danger, and twice God provided a way of escape. In Damascus, friends lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. In Jerusalem, the believers sent him away to safety. These are not coincidences but divine interventions. God had a plan for Saul, and no opposition could stop it.

This same truth echoes throughout Saul’s later writings, especially in his discussion of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6. These verses remind us that our real battle isn’t against people but against spiritual forces of evil. Because of this, we need to rely on God’s strength and fully equip ourselves with His spiritual armor so we can stand firm against the enemy’s schemes.[2] The battles he faced were not merely physical; they were deeply spiritual.

Yet in every instance, God preserved him for His purposes. When we look at our own lives, we can see similar moments when God protected, guided, or redirected us. Sometimes His intervention is dramatic; other times it is quiet but no less real. The greatest intervention, of course, is the cross, where Jesus secured our salvation. If God has done that for us, we can trust Him to sustain us through every challenge.

Move Forward in Strength, Not Fear

Saul refused to let fear silence him. Even after threats and narrow escapes, he continued to proclaim the Gospel. His confidence was not in his own ability but in God’s strength. The disruptive truth of the Gospel still challenges the world today and will continue to meet resistance. But God does not call us to retreat; He calls us to move forward.

Discouragement may come, but it need not define us. God’s strength is sufficient, and we can’t thwart His purposes. Like Saul, we are part of a greater story, shaped by divine intervention and sustained by grace. So speak the truth, even when it is difficult. Trust God when opposition arises. And remember: the same God who carried Saul through danger is at work in your life today.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/from-enemy-to-emissary

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 9:23–25). Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Ephesians 6:11-12 Summary from the Holy Bible

Preaching That Jesus is the Son of God

Tom Graves

no comments

August 2, 2026

Shortly after his conversion, Saul began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. But what led up to that? Before his conversion, Saul was on his way to persecute believers when God suddenly interrupted him. A blinding light stopped him in his tracks, and he heard the voice of Jesus calling him by name. In that moment, Saul realized that his actions were not just against people; they were against God Himself. Humbled and shaken, he received a simple instruction: get up, go, and wait for direction.

God had a plan for Paul’s life, and it required His intervention for that plan to unfold. Like many of us, we can go astray along life’s journey. In His grace, God intervenes to save us spiritually and to empower us through the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus. Acts 9:20 And immediately Paul began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” [1]   Paul had not believed that Jesus could be the Messiah for numerous reasons. Now, he knew what it was like to walk in spiritual darkness and was inspired by God to share with others how He had changed him.

The Holy Spirit Transforms Us

Paul’s encounter with Jesus was deeply personal. The man who opposed Jesus now saw Him clearly as the Son of God, the promised Messiah. Through his conversion, this new understanding of who Jesus’ identity completely reshaped Saul’s life. This experience transformed His beliefs, identity, and purpose in life. 1 Corinthians 5:17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [2]

The good news of the Gospel is that no one is beyond the reach of our Savior Jesus. Neither Paul’s past nor ours disqualifies us from sharing the Gospel. Our past and the way the Lord has transformed our hearts make a powerful testimony. This reminds us that the Gospel on the move starts with changed hearts. Paul’s transformed heart enabled him to begin preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. There was no waiting period, no advanced training, no polished strategy. Paul simply shared with others what God had revealed to him.

God’s Work is Amazing

God’s work in the life of Saul was profound! All who heard him were amazed. Acts 9:21“Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” [3] The same God who worked in Saul can also change the course of your life.

Today, you may have come to the end of yourself, unsure of what to do. It’s not too late to cry out to God! He specializes in taking what seems broken, lost, or even opposed to Him and turning it into something that glorifies Him. What looks like an ending in our eyes is often the very place where God begins something new. His work is amazing because it goes beyond what we can imagine, transforming lives in ways only He can accomplish.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/from-enemy-to-emissary

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Growing into Wholeness

Paula K. Graves

no comments

August 1, 2026

Our journey of faith is one of growing into wholeness through Jesus. As we saw yesterday, Peter could only commit to a brotherly love for Jesus. Earlier, he had boasted of his agape love for Jesus, only to fail by denying Jesus three times. Now, by the Sea of Galilee, Peter did not trust himself to declare that he would love Jesus sacrificially.

Jesus met him where he was with a brotherly love. But then Jesus prophesied that Peter would die a martyr’s death. John 21: 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” [1]

This always seemed like a disconnected part of the story until I considered what kind of love it would take to be a martyr. You must have agape love, a committed sacrificial love, to die for someone. Jesus knew that Peter could only commit to brotherly love at this point, but that he would grow into an agape love as he followed Him.

Restored for a Purpose

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Once for each time Peter denied Him. Each time Jesus told Peter to care for the flock, which would be the church. God had a job for Peter: to lead the church. But he should be a shepherd and care for them, not just give them orders to follow. But to be a caring, effective leader, the rest would need to trust Peter.

All the disciples knew Peter had publicly denied knowing Jesus. Most of the time, correcting someone should be done in private to avoid embarrassment. In this case, Jesus did it publicly in front of the other disciples. Why? Jesus knew that persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom were ahead for believers. If Peter had denied Jesus, the others might have worried that Peter would betray them. The believers would need to trust Peter for him to lead well. Thus, Jesus publicly reinstated Peter to the task ahead.

A Restoration for a Renewed Call

Three years earlier, Jesus had given Peter a great catch of fish and a command to follow Him. Now, Jesus renewed that call. For Peter and us, following Jesus isn’t a one-time thing. It becomes a lifelong journey of faith. “Follow Me” is a present-tense imperative meaning “Keep on following.”[2] Peter would be growing into wholeness as he followed Jesus’ way. It is the same for us.

Jesus had a task for Peter, and He has a task for each of us as we walk this earth. He will call and recall us to this if necessary. For even if we are not where we need to be spiritually, as we follow Jesus, He will enable us to grow in faith. He died for our sins. When we repent and confess, He forgives us. This restores our relationship with God and allows us to grow and work in His Kingdom. Our purpose from God is not to bring us glory on this earth but to bring God glory in His Kingdom. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 21:19). Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Barton, B. B. (1993). John (p. 408). Tyndale House.

Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

Paula K. Graves

no comments

July 31, 2026

In John 21, we can see that Jesus meets us where we are. This is especially true of Peter. Jesus had tried to warn Peter that he would deny Him, but Peter didn’t believe Him. Luke 22: 33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” [1] I think at this point, Peter really did think this was true.

Luke 22: 54 So they arrested him (Jesus) and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.[2] It was around that fire that Peter denied Jesus three times.

Now, by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus cooked breakfast for His disciples. John 21: 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. [3] Smells bring memories back, and often when memories come, so do the emotions attached to them. So, here is Peter, smelling the same smell he did when he denied Jesus.

Loving Jesus

We say we love lots of things: pizza, flowers, family, and, of course, the Lord. It is important to understand that more than one Greek word is translated as ‘love’ in English. We are interested in two of these. Phileo is brotherly love. It is where we get the name Philadelphia. Agape is the ultimate, unconditional, self-sacrificing love.

Both these terms are used in our story. But unless we are reading from the amplified version or an interlinear Bible, we can’t see this in English. I’ve taken the liberty of substituting the terms for the Greek word for love in the following passage.

Jesus Restores Peter

John 21: 15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you have a committed sacrificial love for me, even more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you as a brother.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you have a committed sacrificial love for me ?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you as a brother.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me like a brother?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you like a brother.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. [4]

Jesus Can Heal and Strengthen

Peter knew he had failed when he denied Jesus. He didn’t want to repeat his mistake. Jesus mirrored the same word for love as Peter used. Jesus knew his heart, even if this admission hurt. Jesus also gave Peter direction for the future. He was to feed the lambs and take care of the sheep. Peter would become a leader in the church.

So, we can see that Jesus meets us where we are. But He doesn’t leave us there. He can heal and strengthen us for His service. Psalm 34: 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. [5] To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

The Urgency of a Restless Heart

Tom Graves

no comments

July 30, 2026

Peter couldn’t wait for the boats to reach Jesus, but, driven by the urgency of a restless heart, he swam to shore. At first, the disciples did not recognize Jesus. John 21: 7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.[1]

Why the urgency? Peter was not just eager; he was burdened. This was the same Peter who had boldly promised to stand with Jesus to the death, only to, in a moment of fear, deny Him three times. Though he had seen the risen Lord, something likely still weighed heavily on his heart. Perhaps he longed for a personal moment, a chance to draw near and make things right.

His actions reveal something deeply human. When we are aware of our failure, the distance from Jesus feels unbearable. Being made whole in Jesus begins with this honest recognition. We need Him, and we need Him now. Peter’s leap into the water is not polished or calculated; it is raw and urgent. And that is exactly how many of our approaches to Jesus begin.

Imperfect People, Direct Access

Peter had always been impulsive. He stepped out of a boat to walk on water, spoke boldly on the mountaintop, resisted Jesus from washing his feet, drew a sword in the garden, and faltered in the courtyard. His life was marked by both deep love and deep missteps.

Yet here is the beauty: none of that disqualified him from running to Jesus. If anything, it propelled him forward. We often think we need to compose ourselves before approaching the Lord, to clean up our failures, to find the right words, to prove we’ve learned our lesson. But Peter shows us a different way. He goes straight to Jesus, dripping wet, likely out of breath, carrying his regret and love at the same time. 

This is the heart of the gospel. Faith in Jesus as our Savior gives us direct access to Him. Wholeness doesn’t begin when we fix ourselves; it begins when we bring our brokenness to Him. Spiritually, He forgives. Emotionally, He restores. Even physically, He meets us in our weariness. There is no barrier too great when Jesus has already made the way.

From Distance to Restoration

Peter may have felt that a gap still existed between him and Jesus. His denial had been real, painful, and public. But Jesus had not come to reinforce that distance, but to remove it. By heading to Jesus first, Peter positioned himself for restoration.

The same is true for us. When we carry guilt, shame, or regret, our instinct is often to withdraw. But healing doesn’t happen at a distance. Jesus invites us closer. He meets us not with rejection, but with grace. He restores our identity as children of God, reconnects us to His presence, and renews our purpose.

Peter’s story doesn’t end in failure; it moves toward restoration and calling. But it begins here, with a splash in the water and a desperate swim toward Jesus. Are you carrying something that makes you feel distant from Him? Don’t wait. Don’t linger in the boat. Head to Jesus first.

In Him, the urgency of a restless heart can be healed. Jesus can make you whole, not because you never failed, but because He restores you completely. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 21:7–8). Tyndale House Publishers.

Nourished to be Whole

Tom Graves

no comments

July 29, 2026

Nourished to be whole is what Jesus does for us because He loves us. After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were unsure what to do next. Peter suggested they go fishing, and several of them did, but their nets were empty after a hard night’s work. When they reached the shore after a long, fruitless night, Jesus met them with something unexpected: a charcoal fire, fish already laid on it, and bread prepared. Jesus had everything ready before they even arrived.    

What a picture of His care. The disciples had labored all night with empty nets, likely feeling the weight of failure and uncertainty. Yet Jesus didn’t greet them with correction or demands. He welcomed them with provisions. As Jesus makes us whole, we discover that He sees us completely and meets us there. We often think we must first fix ourselves, prove ourselves, or find our own way back. But Jesus is already waiting, the fire already burning, the meal already prepared. Before you even ask, He knows what you need.

The Gift of His Presence

This moment marks the third time the risen Jesus appeared to His disciples. But there is something especially tender about this encounter. It is not dramatic or overwhelming, it is relational. John 21: 12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.[1]

Around that simple meal, something deeper is happening. Meals have always been places of connection, trust, and belonging. Sitting together, sharing food, and being present are the rhythms of a relationship. Jesus uses this ordinary act to restore something extraordinary: their sense of being with Him.

The disciples had been uncertain. Was Jesus still near? What did their future look like? Had they failed Him? Around this fire, those questions begin to settle—not through a lecture, but through His presence. Being made whole in Jesus means more than receiving help; it means being restored in relationship. He doesn’t just meet our needs; He invites us into fellowship. In His presence, our fears quiet, our identity is renewed, and our hearts are steadied. You are not meant to walk alone. Jesus draws near and says, “Come sit with Me.”

Sustained for the Journey Ahead
 

Jesus didn’t just provide a meal; He provided what the disciples needed to move forward. Their bodies were nourished and their spirits were lifted. Their hearts were reminded of who He is. And soon, they would receive renewed direction and purpose. This is how Jesus makes us whole. When we are drained from serving, weary in our work, or discouraged by what feels like failure, He doesn’t push us harder. He restores us.

Are you tired? Discouraged? Unsure of what comes next? Jesus is not distant. He has prepared a place for you. There is a gracious welcome waiting. From that place of nourishment, He rekindles your purpose. He reminds you who you are: His child, called and loved. He reconnects you to His presence and His people. And then, strengthened by His grace, you are sent forward again. Wholeness in Jesus is not something we achieve—it is something we receive. So come to the fire. Sit with Him. Be nourished to be whole. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 21:12–13). Tyndale House Publishers.

Jesus Calls Us Again

Tom Graves

no comments

July 28, 2026

Jesus called the disciples back with a great catch, and Jesus calls us again during our spiritual journey. God does not give up on us but continues to pursue us even when we fail or are unsure of what our future holds. After everything the disciples had witnessed, the cross, the empty tomb, the risen Lord, they returned to fishing. It raises the question. Were they abandoning their calling or simply trying to process it all? Perhaps it was both human and understandable. When life overwhelms us, we often drift back to what we once knew, not out of rebellion but out of weariness.

 Yet Jesus does not meet them with rebuke. He meets them with His presence. Standing on the shore, He calls out to them amid their ordinary work and quiet confusion. This is the good news: even when we pull back or lose our way, His call on our lives is not canceled. Being made whole in Jesus begins with the assurance that our identity is not lost when we falter. We are still His. He still comes to us. Sometimes we wonder whether we’ve gone too far back, made too many missteps, or lost our purpose. But Jesus doesn’t stand at a distance waiting for us to figure it out. He steps into our ordinary, even our uncertainty, and calls us again.

The Echo of the First Call

 John 21: 6 Then he (Jesus) said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it… 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. [1]  This moment would not have escaped them. It echoes their first calling, when Jesus filled their nets to overflowing (Luke 5:4–7). Back then, the nets strained and broke under the weight. Now, the abundance remains, but the net holds.

This is more than a miracle; it is a reminder. Jesus is intentionally bringing them back to the beginning, not to repeat the past but to deepen it. The same Lord who first called them “fishers of men” reaffirmed that call. Only now, something has changed. They have seen the cross and have encountered the resurrection. They are not the same men. Neither are we. Being made whole in Jesus means our calling is not erased by failure but refined through it.

Called Forward in Wholeness

Jesus’ repeated call is not just about returning to a task, but about restoring a life. He is drawing them forward into their true purpose, now anchored in His finished work. Their identity is no longer just that of fishermen, but of followers sent to gather others into the kingdom.

This is what Jesus does for us. He makes us whole. Not only by forgiving our sins, but by renewing our hearts, healing our weariness, and reestablishing our purpose. Spiritually, He calls us back to faith, and then He sends us. When you find yourself in emptiness or uncertainty, listen closely. The voice that first called you has not gone silent. Jesus calls us again, not to go backward, but to move forward in Him. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 21:6–11). Tyndale House Publishers.

The Comfort of the Familiar

Tom Graves

no comments

July 27, 2026

Trying to get back to normal and seeking the comfort of the familiar is what the disciples experienced. It is what we also desire when our world has been turned upside down. After the whirlwind of the cross and the empty tomb, the disciples found themselves in a strange place. They were caught between fear and hope, uncertainty and belief. Jesus had risen, yet life did not feel settled. So, they did what many of us do when life feels overwhelming: they tried to return to normal. They returned to Galilee as instructed, but instead of waiting expectantly, they went fishing. It was familiar, safe, and something they understood.

We can relate. When life unravels—when grief, confusion, or unexpected change disrupts us—we often retreat to what feels controllable. We bury ourselves in work, routines, or responsibilities, hoping to regain stability. The disciples’ return to fishing wasn’t wrong, but it revealed something deeper. They were trying to move forward without fully processing the resurrection’s transformative power.

Empty Nets and Honest Limits

John 21:3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.[1] That simple verse carries the weight of frustration and failure. These were experienced fishermen. They knew the waters and understood the rhythms of the sea. Yet their efforts produced nothing.

How often does that describe our own lives? We work hard, try to fix what’s broken, and give our best in parenting, ministry, relationships, or careers, and still come up empty.

But what if the empty nets are not a sign of failure but an invitation? The Lord sometimes allows us to experience lack, not to punish us, but to redirect us. Our self-reliance can only take us so far. When our strength runs dry, we are reminded that true wholeness doesn’t come from our competence but from Christ’s sufficiency.

In those moments, Jesus is not absent. He is near, preparing to speak. Emotional fatigue, spiritual dryness, and even physical exhaustion can become the very places where He meets us. Being made whole in Jesus means acknowledging our limits and letting Him fill what we cannot.

Listening for His Voice

At daybreak, Jesus stood on the shore. The disciples didn’t recognize Him at first, but He saw them, and He spoke. Before the miracle of overflowing nets, there was a simple invitation: listen and obey. When we feel tired and empty, our instinct is to push harder or retreat further. But Jesus calls us to something different. He invites us to pause, listen, and trust His direction, even when it doesn’t make immediate sense.

Wholeness begins with faith. That means trusting that Jesus is who He says He is and that His voice leads to life. The disciples’ story didn’t end with empty nets—and neither does yours. When “normal” fails, Jesus offers something better: a life made whole in Him. So, when you feel worn out and empty, don’t just seek the comfort of the familiar. Listen. He is speaking.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 21:3). Tyndale House Publishers.

A Need for Wholeness

Paula K. Graves

no comments

July 26, 2026

John 21 shows us that the disciples had a need for wholeness after the resurrection. Consider the rollercoaster of emotions they must have experienced since entering Jerusalem just before Passover. On Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem to the shouts of “hosanna” from the Passover crowds. They borrowed a custom from the fall Festival of Tabernacles, the waving of palm branches, and the familiar words of Psalm 118 to declare that Jesus was the Messiah.

The problem was that they thought Jesus would be a political ruler like King David. Earlier, the disciples had argued over who would sit at Jesus’ right and left side. Basically, they assumed they would help Jesus rule over the renewed nation of Israel when the Romans no longer ruled. Even though Jesus had told them multiple times that He would go to Jerusalem to suffer and die and then rise again three days later, they didn’t understand.

A Confusing Week

They had celebrated the Passover meal together. There, Jesus, their leader, washed their feet. That was something only the lowest slave did. Then Jesus used the liturgy of that meal in a new way. He applied the broken unleavened bread to His body and the wine to His blood as He spoke of a new covenant.

Then, during the meal, Jesus warned that one of them would betray Him, and Judas left. Jesus also warned Peter that he would deny Him three times before morning. Then had sung a Psalm as they went to pray in Gethsemane. This was something that Jesus did routinely. There, they were interrupted by troops with torches and weapons to arrest everyone. Jesus went with the authorities without resisting, and the disciples ran away.

Peter had followed Jesus to His trial at the High Priest’s home but denied knowing Jesus three times. Then Pilate ordered Jesus to be crucified like a common criminal. He was buried in a borrowed tomb and then, to their surprise, rose on the third day. Jesus did exactly what He had said. He had appeared to them twice in Jerusalem. Now, they were in Galilee because Jesus told them to go there.

Jesus Restores the Broken

The events of the past few weeks had torn apart the disciples’ world and broken them. They were confused, unsure, and without direction for the future. Many times, life can do the same for us. Our plans don’t come to fruition, and we don’t know how to go forward. This could be due to a job loss, a failure of a relationship, or even the death of a loved one. Yet just as Jesus knew how the disciples felt, He knows how we feel and that we have a need for wholeness.

Jesus surprised the disciples with another great catch of fish, a meal, and his directive to follow Him. Jesus will do the same for us. He may come at an unexpected time and in an unexpected way. But as He does so to nourish us and give us direction for our lives. John 10: 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (Jesus’) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.[1] To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 10:10). Tyndale House Publishers.

Jesus is the Cure for Bitterness

Tom Graves

no comments

July 25, 2026

Jesus is the cure for bitterness. This is the healing news of the Gospel! As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem to give His life for us, He encountered some Pharisees and teachers of the Law once more. They saw Jesus as a threat to their power, and many were bitter towards Him. They themselves needed spiritual healing, so Jesus told them a parable.

Jesus began with a story: a father had two sons. The younger one, showing little concern for his father, asked for his inheritance early. The father granted his request, and soon the son went off to a distant country and wasted his wealth. When a famine hit the land, he hired himself out to feed pigs. In the midst of this misery, he came to his senses and confessed his sins to God. He returned to his father, admitted his sin, and asked to be just a servant.

Filled with love and compassion, the father ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son admitted his sins. The father told servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and sandals. With great joy, the father gave a party for his son who had returned.

The Danger of Unresolved Anger

The older son heard the music and asked one of the servants what was happening. He learned that his brother had returned. Instead of feeling overjoyed like his father, he was filled with resentment and refused to join the party. But his father pursued him. Luke 15:31His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours’.[1]

These words from the father to the elder son are full of tenderness, reassurance, and truth. However, the elder son can’t receive them because his heart is clouded by bitterness. This reflects the wisdom found in Scripture. Ephesians 4:26 Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. [2] When bitterness takes root, it produces a condition far more subtle and dangerous than momentary offense.

The Call to Rejoice in Grace

    Luke 15:32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ” [3] The father pointed to a greater truth: the kingdom of God is marked by celebration over repentance. The younger son’s return is not a loss to the elder brother—it is a gain for the entire family. Yet bitterness can blind us to this reality. It tempts us to resent God’s generosity toward others rather than rejoice in it.

This passage encourages deep self-reflection. How do we respond when others are shown grace? Do we rejoice, or do we compare? Do we give thanks for what we have received, or do we focus on what we think we deserve?

The story remains unfinished, leaving us with an open question: will the elder brother join the celebration? Will reconciliation occur? In many ways, we are writing the next chapter of our lives. Wholeness begins with faith in Christ as Savior. However, it continues as we allow Him to heal every part of us—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. His death and resurrection ensure not only our forgiveness but also our restoration.

Bitterness has no place in a heart made whole by Him. Today, the invitation still stands: step into the joy of the Father. Let go of bitterness. Receive grace—and rejoice when others do too. To learn how Jesus is the cure for bitterness, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/made-whole-through-repentance

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Powered by WordPress.com.