In the church we are often reminded that Jesus only had three years of ministry.

Those three years are still being thought about and talked about because they brought about such astounding changes in the lives of so many people over the years.
Over the years . . . most of the people who have been impacted by Jesus’ three years of ministry have been impacted by them after his death, after his resurrection and after his ascension.
Those three years were the last three years of his life. He was only 33 when he was crucified and forgave his abusers because of their ignorance. Personally, I think sometimes we have placed too much emphasis on two pieces of his ministry and not enough on his entire ministry.

Some people it seems put so much emphasis on the miracles that are recorded in the Scriptures. Not that the miracles weren’t or aren’t important or completely holy and awesome, but Jesus said the reason the miracles were performed were not to give him fame for being a miracle man of sorts, they were performed so that some people would come to believe in him, in who he was, who he is and who he always will be – The Son of God, God made man, to save mankind.

Sometimes it seems we place too much emphasis on the gift of forgiveness pronounced on the cross. Don’t misunderstand me. I know the power of the message of the cross, but there is as much power in all the other messages he delivered during his three years of ministry.

All the messages Jesus delivered, the ones delivered while performing miracles and the other ones delivered on the cross were just as powerful. In fact, without the full three years of all the other messages Jesus delivered, the miracles and the message of the cross would have much less impact and significance on our lives.

They were about relationship, they were about balance in life, they were about kindness, they were about caring for those who are unable to care for themselves, they were about admonishing people in loving ways, they were about valuing life, they were about not judging other people too harshly, they were about taking time to judge yourself before you judge someone else, they were about repentance and reconciliation and amendment of life, they were about freeing people up to become the person God intended them to be instead of what their family heritage said they were to be, they were about sharing the Scriptures with all people, not a select few. To sum it up I would say that Jesus’ three years of ministry were about bringing the essence of God’s love to all people.

Maybe a one year plan of reading the bible is right for you – but if that seems too fast, why not try a three year plan? There is a three year reading plan in the back of the Book of Common Prayer. Perhaps you’d like to try something like that so you can take time and develop an appreciation for the full three years of Jesus’ Ministry in and to the world.

Let Us Pray,

Lord God, we often ask for you to open the minds and hearts of people to your message. Today Lord, we are asking that you would give all people a desire to open up their Bibles and begin reading, studying and inwardly digesting all your messages to us. We ask this so we may align our lives according to your will, plans and purpose for our lives. May glory be given to you as Your Word lights up and renews our lives. AMEN