When we feel rejected, even by Jesus himself, we can find confidence in Christ's unwavering love. The apostle John's experience in John 21 shows how he maintained his identity as 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' even when seemingly overlooked. This confidence comes from remembering we are among the beloved community, recalling past experiences of God's love, and embracing the mystery of faith. With confidence in Christ's love, we can face rejection without questioning our worth, knowing we're hastening toward complete happiness in the One whose opinion truly matters.

One of the great post-resurrection texts is the very end of Matthew where Jesus tells his disciples what has come to be known as “The Great Commission.” Yet, what we see in his words is the reiteration of the great covenants of Scripture: The one true God who has authority, working through his people and their obedience to him to bring a blessing to his world. To be the people of God has always been to be a missionary people, a people who live in light of what God has done for them for the sake of the world and his glory in it. To go and make disciples has always been the way of our Missionary God and his missionary people.

Being a community of the resurrection, means that we are a (re)storied people because of the restoring work of Christ in the cross and resurrection. We see in John 21 that Jesus invites us into an honest assessment of our past - our shame, sin and family stories - a present participation in his healing work, and then a life and death like his. We are taken, healed and then made to be a cruciform and therefore Christ-like people.