"Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast! Today we’re diving into part three of our series, 'Investigating Jesus: How We Know and Why We Follow.' We’re exploring a powerful idea: how the choices we make—like accepting or declining an invitation—can change the course of our lives. Think about it—have you ever said 'no' to something and regretted it later, or said 'yes' to an obligation and ended up amazed at what you would’ve missed?
Our speaker shares a personal story from his late teens when his brother dragged him to a Youth for Christ event. He didn’t want to go, but he did—and met his future wife of 48 years. That’s the thing about invitations: you never know what’s at stake. This ties into why we’re investigating Jesus. Why does this obscure figure from a backwoods village in the Roman Empire matter today? Simple: the credibility of Christianity hinges on Him.
We’re zooming in on Luke’s Gospel this week. Luke wasn’t just writing religious stories—he was a firsthand investigator, talking to eyewitnesses to give an orderly account of Jesus’ life for his friend Theophilus. He didn’t know he was writing the Bible; he was just documenting what he saw and heard. And it’s gritty—especially as we head into Holy Week, the last week of Jesus’ life. It’s brutal, but it ends with hope.
Take Peter’s story in Luke 5. Jesus hops into Peter’s boat, teaches a crowd, and then tells him to fish again after a night of catching nothing. Peter’s like, 'Master, we tried all night—nothing. But because you say so, I’ll do it.' And boom—nets overflowing with fish. Peter’s response? He falls at Jesus’ feet, overwhelmed, realizing he’s in the presence of something divine. Jesus says, 'Don’t be afraid; from now on, you’ll fish for people.' Peter drops everything and follows.
Here’s the takeaway: saying 'yes' to Jesus isn’t about obligation—it’s an opportunity. It’s not always easy, but it’s the invitation of a lifetime. Our speaker reflects on another 'yes'—attending a talk by astronaut Charlie Duke in the '80s. Duke walked on the moon, but his real story was how Jesus transformed his life. That night stuck with our speaker, proving eyewitness accounts—like Luke’s—carry weight.
So, what’s your next step? What’s Jesus asking you to do, even if it feels inconvenient? Luke and Peter would say: trust Him, take that step, and you won’t regret it. Next week, we’ll keep digging into Luke’s account. Until then, let’s pray: 'Jesus, intersect our stories with yours. Help us say yes to your invitation.' See you next time!"
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