THE MEETING AT THE WELL

I rarely deviate from writing about Jesus' love for humanity, strictly using Scripture. Sometimes I like to have fun and use the blessed imagination God gave me as a fresh way to teach deep truth.

The pages that follow recount a profound encounter at an ancient well, where I imagined myself in conversation with Jesus and His apostles. While this narrative is presented as a vivid and personal experience, it is important to understand that it is a literary device, not a literal event, vision, or dream. But how cool would it be?

My purpose in crafting this imagery is to reveal the depth of the Father’s unwavering love powerfully, poured out through Jesus, our Messiah and LORD. It is my sincere hope that this approach will make the timeless truths of the Gospel tangible and real for all who are searching the Bible to find Jesus.

A Divine Encounter on the Journey of Faith

The Invitation

I was sitting by the ancient well at Sychar, studying the diagram I'd sketched—trying to understand how all the pieces of the gospel fit together. The sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky in shades of amber and gold. I was so absorbed in the drawing that I didn't notice the figures approaching until a shadow fell across my paper.

"You've drawn something beautiful," a voice said, warm and full of authority.

I looked up, and my breath caught. Five men stood before me, their faces somehow both ancient and timeless. The one who had spoken stepped forward, and I knew Him immediately—not by having seen Him before, but by the presence that emanated from Him like light.

"Lord?" I whispered.

Jesus smiled. "Yes. And I've brought friends who have much to teach you." He gestured to the others. "You know them by their writings."

Peter, rugged and passionate, grinned at me. John, whose eyes held both the fire of youth and the depth of eternity, nodded gently. James, with the bearing of one who had suffered well, placed a hand on his brother John's shoulder. And Paul, intense and brilliant, clutched what appeared to be parchments under his arm.

"We've come," Jesus said, settling Himself on the stone wall of the well, "because you've drawn a map of the Kingdom. Now let us show you how to walk others through it."

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CHAPTER 1: THE STARTING POINT - GRACE

Jesus pointed to the outer edge of my diagram where I'd written "GRACE OF GOD."

"Tell me," He said, "why does it begin here?"

"Because..." I hesitated, "because that's where You begin. With us."

"Precisely." He looked at Paul. "Brother Paul, you've written much about this. Teach."

Paul stepped forward, his eyes alight with passion. He was a man who could never speak about grace without emotion flooding his voice.

Paul began: "Listen carefully. Everything—EVERYTHING—begins with grace. Not human effort, not human wisdom, not human religion. Grace."

He unrolled one of his parchments. "I wrote to the Ephesians:

'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.' (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"Do you see? By grace. Not by anything in us. Grace is God's unmerited favor—His goodness poured out on those who deserve the opposite. It's the love of the Father for the Son, flowing to us through the Spirit."

Jesus nodded. "Grace is My nature. I came full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Grace is not an attribute I possess; grace is the outflow of who the Triune God IS—perfect, self-giving love."

Peter interjected, his voice rough with emotion: "I know this personally. When I denied Him three times"—he glanced at Jesus with tears in his eyes—"He came to me on the beach. He didn't condemn me. He restored me. He asked, 'Do you love Me?' Three times, matching my three denials. That's grace. That's who He is."

Jesus placed His hand on Peter's shoulder. "This is where every gospel conversation must begin: GOD LOVES YOU. Despite your sin, despite your rebellion, despite everything—GOD LOVES YOU. This love is called GRACE."

I wrote in the margin: Start with love. Start with grace. This is who God IS.

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CHAPTER 2: THE RECEIVING - UNITY IN THE FAITH

Jesus pointed to the next phrase: "RECEIVE THE UNITY IN THE FAITH."

"John," He said, "tell us about receiving."

John, the beloved disciple, spoke with the authority of one who had laid his head on Jesus' chest: "I was there when the Word became flesh. I heard Him say it countless times: Receive."

He quoted from memory:

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12)

"Notice," John continued, "it doesn't say 'as many as achieved' or 'as many as earned' or 'as many as worked.' It says RECEIVED."

He looked at me directly. "When you share the gospel, you must make this clear: Salvation is not something humans DO. It's something humans RECEIVE. Like a gift at a feast—you don't pay for it, you don't earn it, you simply open your hands and take it."

Paul jumped in, unable to contain himself: "This is what I've been trying to tell the churches! The Galatians wanted to add works to grace. I wrote them sternly:

'Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?' (Galatians 3:3)

"If it begins with grace, it continues with grace. If it begins with receiving, it continues with receiving."

Jesus spoke, His voice carrying the weight of eternity: "And what do they receive? Unity in the faith. When you receive Me by faith, you receive ALL who are in Me. You're not just saved individually; you're brought into ONE BODY."

He touched my diagram where I'd drawn arrows flowing inward. "You've drawn it correctly—many streams flowing into one river. Every believer, from every tribe and tongue and nation, received by grace through faith, becomes part of ONE."

James, who had been silent, now spoke with quiet authority: "This is why I wrote:

'In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.' (James 1:18)

"Notice: HIS will. Not ours. He brings forth. He creates the unity. We receive it."

I scribbled furiously: Not something we create—something we receive. God does the uniting.

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CHAPTER 3: THE ONLY WAY - IN CHRIST

Jesus stood and walked to the center of my diagram where I'd written "IN FAITH, IN CHRIST" with the word "LION."

"Now we come to the most important part," He said, His voice both gentle and commanding. "There is only ONE way to the Father. Tell them what I said, John."

John recited, his voice trembling with the memory:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

Jesus continued: "When you share the gospel, you must be absolutely clear about this. It's not popular. It's not comfortable. But it's TRUE. All other religions, all other philosophies, all other paths lead to death. There is ONE way: IN ME."

Paul spoke up: "This is what I proclaimed in Athens, in Corinth, in Ephesus, in Rome:

'For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' (1 Timothy 2:5)

"ONE mediator. Not many. Not 'choose your own path.' ONE."

Peter added, his voice strong: "I told the Sanhedrin—the very men who crucified Him—

'And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.' (Acts 4:12)

"They threatened me. They beat me. But I couldn't deny the truth: JESUS ALONE."

Jesus knelt beside me, pointing to where I'd written "LION" next to "LAMB."

"I am both," He said quietly. "The Lion of Judah who conquered (Revelation 5:5), and the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:12). I conquered by being slain. I won by surrendering. I brought life through death."

He looked into my eyes. "When you share the gospel, you must tell them what I did:

'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.' (John 3:16)

"Tell them I died for their sins—

'Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.' (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

"Tell them I took their punishment—

'He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.' (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"Tell them I conquered death—

'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.' (John 11:25-26)

Paul could barely contain himself: "This is the gospel! This is the power of God for salvation! Everything depends on THIS—what Christ DID. His death, His burial, His resurrection. This is the foundation. Everything else flows from this."

I wrote with shaking hands: Jesus alone. His death. His resurrection. The ONLY way.

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CHAPTER 4: THE DIMENSIONS OF REST - JOY

Jesus stood and gestured to the top of my diagram where I'd written "JOY."

"Now," He said, "I want to show you what happens to those who receive My grace and come to Me in faith. They enter REST."

He pointed to the center circle. "You've called it the 'Spotless Bride' in REST. Good. This is the church, perfected, resting in Me. But look at the three dimensions you've drawn: JOY at the top, MY GLORY on the right, PEACE at the bottom. These three surround the REST. Let's explore each one."

He looked at me. "Start with JOY. What did I tell you about My joy?"

I flipped through my mental concordance: "You said, 'These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.'" (John 15:11)

"Yes!" Jesus exclaimed. "MY JOY in you. Not your joy that you manufacture, but MY JOY that I give to you. And look what you wrote around it."

I read from my diagram: "No fear, no self, His light, His glory, liberating, redeemed, reconciled, in us, in Christ."

Jesus nodded. "This is what My joy produces. First: NO FEAR."

John spoke up: "I wrote this after a lifetime of walking with Him:

'There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.' (1 John 4:18)

"When His joy fills you, fear cannot remain. Why? Because His joy comes from knowing the Father's love. And perfect love—the Father's love—drives out all fear."

"NO SELF," Jesus continued, pointing to my note. "What did you mean by this?"

"I think," I said hesitantly, "I meant no self-reliance, no self-righteousness, no self-effort?"

"Exactly," Paul said, stepping forward. "The flesh—SELF—produces nothing good:

'For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.' (Romans 7:18)

"In Christ, we die to SELF. We're crucified with Him. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)

"When you share the gospel, make this clear: They must come to the end of themselves. They must see that SELF has nothing—no righteousness, no goodness, no ability to save itself. Only when SELF dies can Christ live in them."

Jesus added, "And when SELF dies, what replaces it? MY JOY. A joy that doesn't depend on circumstances. A joy that exists even in trials."

James spoke: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. (James 1:2) This seems impossible—joy IN trials? But it's possible when it's HIS joy, not ours."

Jesus continued pointing to my diagram: "His light, His glory—that's what fills the space where SELF used to be. You become LIBERATING to others (no longer enslaving them), REDEEMED (bought back), RECONCILED (peace with God and others)."

Peter added: "And all this happens IN US, IN CHRIST. He in us, we in Him. This is the mystery Paul wrote about:

'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' (Colossians 1:27)"

I wrote: Joy = His joy given to us. Produces: no fear, no self-reliance, His light filling us, freedom for others.

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CHAPTER 5: THE DIMENSIONS OF REST - HIS GLORY

Jesus moved to the right side of my diagram. "Now look here: HIS GLORY. Tell me what you wrote."

I read: "No strife, no sacrifice, made righteous, exalted His rest, His mercy, fellowship/communion with Holy Spirit, filled by Holy Spirit, His faithfulness, His glory, partake of divine nature."

Jesus smiled. "You've captured something profound here. When you enter REST in Me, striving ceases. NO STRIFE, NO SACRIFICE."

Paul nearly leapt in: "This is what I battled the Judaizers over! They wanted to add works, add sacrifices, add rituals. I told the Galatians:

'It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.' (Galatians 5:1)

"The sacrifices are DONE. The striving is OVER. Christ's sacrifice was ONCE FOR ALL." (Hebrews 10:10)

Jesus nodded. "Instead, they are MADE RIGHTEOUS. Not through their works, but through My work."

Paul couldn't help himself: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"Made righteous! Not 'becoming' righteous, not 'trying' to be righteous, but MADE righteous by God's declaration. This is justification—God declaring the guilty innocent because Christ took their guilt."

Jesus continued: "And they EXALT MY REST. They proclaim that the work is finished. They announce that salvation is complete."

John spoke: "I heard Him say it from the cross: 'It is finished!' (John 19:30) Not 'to be finished' or 'almost finished.' FINISHED. The work of redemption is complete."

Jesus pointed to the next phrase: "HIS MERCY. This is why they can rest. Not because they're good enough, but because I am merciful."

James added: "Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13) Always. Forever. Mercy is His nature."

"Then," Jesus continued, "they experience FELLOWSHIP/COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Spirit dwelling in them, communing with them, filling them."

Paul: "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

"The Spirit doesn't just visit—He DWELLS. He makes His home in believers. This is communion, intimate fellowship with God Himself."

Jesus looked at me intently. "And here's something you must understand deeply: They PARTAKE OF DIVINE NATURE."

Peter spoke, his voice filled with awe: "I wrote this, but even I am still astounded by it:

'He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.' (2 Peter 1:4)

"PARTAKERS. Not spectators. Not distant admirers. PARTAKERS of God's own nature. We share in His holiness, His love, His life."

Jesus concluded: "This is what REST in Me looks like—HIS GLORY manifested in and through believers. They become bearers of divine glory, carriers of divine nature, temples of divine presence."

I wrote: Glory = His work finished, His righteousness given, His Spirit dwelling, His nature shared.

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CHAPTER 6: THE DIMENSIONS OF REST - PEACE

Jesus moved to the bottom of my diagram. "Finally: PEACE. What did I tell you about My peace?"

I quoted: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." (John 14:27)

"Yes. MY PEACE. Not the world's peace—which is merely absence of conflict and depends on circumstances. MY peace—which exists even in the storm."

He pointed to where I'd written "HIS PRESENCE."

"Peace is rooted in My presence. I told you: 'In Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.' (John 16:33)

"IN ME = peace. IN THE WORLD = tribulation. But because I've overcome, you can have peace even in tribulation."

Paul added: "This is the peace that surpasses all comprehension (Philippians 4:7). It doesn't make sense to the world. How can someone have peace in prison? How can someone have peace facing death? Because it's HIS peace, not circumstantial comfort."

Jesus pointed to the next phrase: "ONE SPIRIT, ONE BODY, ONE MIND, ONE PURPOSE."

Paul couldn't help but grin: "This is from my letter to the Ephesians! Chapter 4:

'There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.' (Ephesians 4:4-6)

"Seven 'ones'! Perfect unity. This is peace—not division, not competition, not strife, but ONE."

Jesus continued: "And this oneness results in ETERNAL FELLOWSHIP. They will be with Me forever."

He looked at me with such love it nearly broke my heart. "I prayed for this:

'Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.' (John 17:24)

"This is My heart—that they would be WITH ME. Forever. Seeing My glory. Experiencing eternal fellowship with Me and with all believers."

John added quietly: "And the glory will be revealed to us... to the world. I saw this vision:

'And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them."' (Revelation 21:3)

"The glory hidden now will be REVEALED then. And we are IN His glory—not just seeing it, but participating in it, dwelling in it, being transformed by it."

Jesus concluded: "This is PEACE—resting in My presence, unified in My body, assured of eternal fellowship, destined for revealed glory."

I wrote: Peace = His presence now and forever, unity in Him, eternal fellowship secured, glory coming.

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CHAPTER 7: THE CENTER - LOVE OF GOD

Jesus knelt beside me and placed His hand over the center of my diagram where I'd written "REST - Spotless Bride" with "LOVE OF GOD" in the middle.

"Everything," He said, "converges here. At the center of it all is LOVE."

John spoke, his voice filled with emotion: "This is what I learned after walking with Him for years:

'God is love.' (1 John 4:8)

"Not 'God has love' or 'God shows love,' but GOD IS LOVE. Love is His essential nature. Everything He does flows from love. Everything."

Jesus nodded. "The love of the Father for the Son, and the love of the Son for the Father—this love, proceeding as the Holy Spirit, is poured out on you. You are caught up IN this Triune love."

He looked at me intently. "When you share the gospel, you must help them see this: God doesn't love you because you're good. God loves you because HE IS GOOD. Because HE IS LOVE."

Paul added: "This is what I told the Romans:

'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' (Romans 5:8)

"WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS. Not after we cleaned up, not when we became worthy, but WHILE we were enemies. That's love."

Jesus continued: "And at the center, in REST, the bride is SPOTLESS. Not because she made herself spotless, but because I made her spotless."

Paul quoted himself: "That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:27)

"I wash her with the word. I cleanse her with My blood. I present her to Myself—spotless, glorious, holy, blameless. This is My doing, not hers."

Jesus placed both hands on my shoulders. "This is REST—when all striving ceases, when they finally understand they can't make themselves clean, and they receive My cleansing. When they stop trying to earn love and start receiving love. This is the REST I offer:

'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.' (Matthew 11:28-29)"

Peter wiped tears from his eyes: "I know this REST. After years of striving, of trying to prove myself, of failing and being restored, I finally learned to REST in His love. And I wrote:

'Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.' (1 Peter 5:7)

"Cast it ALL. He cares. This is rest."

James added: "And this rest produces righteousness:

'For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.' (James 1:20)

"Human striving produces nothing. But REST in His love produces everything—righteousness, peace, joy, glory."

I wrote: The center = Love of God. We rest in His love, cleansed by His work, spotless through His blood. Stop striving. Start resting.

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CHAPTER 8: THE RESULT - GLORY TO GOD

Jesus stood and pointed to the bottom of my diagram where I'd written in large letters: "GLORY TO GOD!"

"This," He said, "is the end of all things. The purpose of everything. GLORY TO GOD."

He looked at each of the disciples, then at me. "Everything I've done, every word I've spoken, every miracle, every act of love, and especially My death and resurrection—all of it has one purpose:

'I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.' (John 17:4)

Paul spoke passionately: "This is the goal of salvation:

'For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.' (Romans 11:36)

"Everything comes FROM God (He is the source), everything exists THROUGH God (He is the sustainer), everything returns TO God (He is the goal). All roads lead to His glory."

John added: "And I saw this in my vision—the final end of all things:

'And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."' (Revelation 5:9)

"All the redeemed, from every nation, singing ONE SONG: WORTHY. That's glory to God."

Jesus pointed to where I'd written "ONE PEACE."

"When all believers are unified—ONE SPIRIT, ONE BODY, ONE MIND, ONE PURPOSE—the result is ONE PEACE. Not many competing visions, not division, but ONE. And this unity glorifies the Father."

He quoted His own prayer: "'That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.' (John 17:21)

"Unity = witness to the world = glory to God."

Finally, Jesus touched the last phrase on my diagram: "SHINING LIKE STARS."

"Do you know where this comes from?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Daniel 12:3 - 'Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.'"

"Yes," Jesus said. "When you share this gospel with others, when you lead them to righteousness—My righteousness—you become a star. You reflect My light. You shine with My glory. And you do this FOREVER."

Paul added: "This is what I told the Philippians:

'Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.' (Philippians 2:14-15)

"Lights in the world! Stars in the darkness! This is what believers become when they rest in Christ and proclaim His gospel."

Jesus looked at me with blazing intensity: "This is what I'm calling you to. To shine. To lead many to righteousness. To proclaim the gospel. And in doing so, to bring GLORY TO GOD."

I wrote, my hand trembling: The end of all things: GLORY TO GOD. Unity. Peace. Shining like stars. Leading many to His righteousness. This is our calling.

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CHAPTER 9: HOW TO SHARE THIS GOSPEL

The sun was now low on the horizon, casting long shadows. Jesus sat back down on the stone wall, and the others gathered around Him.

"Now," He said, "you understand the gospel. You see the flow from grace to rest to glory. But how do you share this with others?"

Paul pulled out a fresh parchment. "Let me give you the simple framework I've used everywhere from Athens to Rome."

He began writing as he spoke:

THE GOSPEL IN FOUR MOVEMENTS:

1. THE PROBLEM - All Have Sinned

Paul: "Start here. Always. People must see they need a Savior before they'll want a Savior.

'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' (Romans 3:23)

'For the wages of sin is death.' (Romans 6:23a)

"Make it personal: 'You have sinned. I have sinned. We all have. And the consequence is death—separation from God, eternal and terrible.'"

James added: "Be gentle but truthful. Don't soften sin. But don't condemn either. Show them you're in the same boat—we're ALL sinners."

2. THE PROVISION - Christ Died and Rose

Jesus: "Then show them what I've done. This is the heart of the gospel."

Paul continued: "'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' (Romans 5:8)

'For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.' (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

"Tell them: 'Jesus, who was God in flesh, took your punishment. He died in your place. He was buried. Three days later, He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. He did this for YOU.'"

John added: "Show them it was motivated by love: 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.' (John 3:16)"

3. THE RESPONSE - Believe and Receive

Jesus: "Then tell them how to receive this gift."

Paul: "'But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 6:23b)

'If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.' (Romans 10:9)

"Tell them: 'Believe in Jesus. Trust that His death paid for your sins. Receive Him as your Savior and Lord. It's that simple. Not by works, not by being good enough, but by faith alone.'"

Peter interjected: "And emphasize this: 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' (Romans 10:13)

"WHOEVER. That includes them. That includes everyone. No one is too far gone. No sin is too great. WHOEVER calls on His name will be saved."

4. THE PROMISE - Eternal Life and Peace

Jesus: "Finally, assure them of what they receive."

John spoke: "'These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.' (1 John 5:13)

"Tell them: 'If you believe, you HAVE eternal life. Not 'might have' or 'could have,' but HAVE. Present tense. Right now. Immediate. Certain.'"

Jesus added: "And tell them what I promised:

'Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.' (John 5:24)

"Has eternal life. Does not come into judgment. Has passed out of death into life. All completed. All certain. All secure."

Paul concluded: "'Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' (Romans 5:1)

"PEACE WITH GOD. The war is over. They're reconciled. They're family. Forever."

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CHAPTER 10: THE FOLLOW-UP

Jesus stood. "But don't stop there. Once they believe, they need to know what comes next."

He pointed back to my diagram. "Show them they're now on the journey. They've received grace. They're in faith, in Christ. Now they begin the process of moving from the outer edge to the center—to REST."

Peter spoke: "Tell them they're part of the BODY now:

'For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.' (1 Corinthians 12:13)

"They're not alone. They're part of the family. They have brothers and sisters. They're in unity with all believers."

Paul added: "And tell them to grow in grace:

'But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' (2 Peter 3:18)

"Growth isn't optional. They're newborns. They need to grow. Through reading Scripture, through fellowship, through worship, through service."

James interjected: "And they need to DO something with their faith:

'Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.' (James 2:17)

"Not works to EARN salvation—that's done. But works as the EVIDENCE of salvation. True faith produces obedience."

John spoke gently: "And most importantly, tell them to abide:

'Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.' (John 15:4)

"Stay connected to Jesus. Remain in Him. Live in constant dependence on Him. This is how they move deeper into REST."

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CHAPTER 11: THE CALL TO SHARE

Jesus placed His hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes with burning intensity.

"Now you know the gospel. You understand the flow from grace to rest to glory. You see the unity we're building—ONE body, ONE faith, ONE Lord."

He paused. "What will you do with this knowledge?"

I stammered, "I... I want to share it. But I'm afraid. What if I mess it up? What if I forget the verses? What if they reject it?"

Jesus smiled gently. "Do you remember what I told My disciples before I ascended?"

I nodded: "'You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.' (Acts 1:8)"

"Exactly," He said. "You shall RECEIVE power. Not 'you must generate power' or 'you must be strong enough.' You RECEIVE power when the Spirit comes upon you."

Paul added: "And remember what I told the Corinthians:

'And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.' (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

"You don't need to be eloquent. You don't need to be clever. You need to know JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. That's it. That's the power."

Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, spoke with authority born of experience: "And don't let fear stop you:

'But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.' (1 Peter 3:14-15)

"They may reject you. They rejected Him. But you're blessed when you suffer for righteousness. And always be ready—ALWAYS—to share the hope you have."

James added: "And remember, you're not saving anyone. God saves:

'So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.' (Philippians 2:12-13)

"IT IS GOD who is at work. You're just the messenger. You're just the vessel. He does the saving."

John concluded: "And love them. Above all, love them:

'By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.' (John 13:35)

"Love authenticates the message. Without love, even the best theology is just noise."

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CHAPTER 12: THE COMMISSIONING

Jesus stepped back and gestured for all four disciples to gather around me. They laid their hands on my head, and Jesus spoke with the authority of the King of Kings:

"I commission you now, as I commissioned them:

'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' (Matthew 28:19-20)

"GO. Don't wait. Don't delay. Go into your world—your workplace, your family, your neighborhood, your online spaces.

"MAKE DISCIPLES. Not just converts, but disciples—followers who grow and obey.

"BAPTIZE THEM. Bring them into the community, into the body, into unity.

"TEACH THEM. Don't just get them saved and leave them. Teach them everything I taught you.

"And remember: I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. You're never alone in this. I'm with you in every conversation, every rejection, every victory."

Paul added one more commission:

"'I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' (Acts 26:17-18)

"You're an eye-opener. A light-bringer. A liberator. This is your calling."

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CHAPTER 13: THE FINAL WORDS

As the sun finally set and the first stars began to appear, Jesus took my diagram and held it up to the dying light.

"This," He said, "is the gospel in visual form. From GRACE (God's initiative), through RECEIVING (our response), IN CHRIST (the only way), into REST (the spotless bride), surrounded by JOY, GLORY, and PEACE (the three dimensions of life in Me), all flowing from the LOVE OF GOD (the center of everything), resulting in GLORY TO GOD (the purpose of all things), producing ONE PEACE (unity), and making us SHINE LIKE STARS (witnesses to the world)."

He handed it back to me. "When you share the gospel, you can use this. Show them the flow. Walk them through it. But always remember: the power is not in the diagram. The power is in the WORD OF GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT."

He touched my forehead. "The Spirit will bring to your remembrance all that I've taught you (John 14:26). Trust Him. Rely on Him. And watch Him work."

Peter hugged me. "Be bold. Be fearless. You carry the message of eternal life."

John embraced me. "Abide in Him. Let His words abide in you. You'll bear much fruit."

James gripped my shoulder. "Persevere. Don't give up. The harvest is coming."

Paul clasped both my hands. "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season. The time is short. Make it count."

And then Jesus spoke His final words to me:

"Remember: You're part of the UNITY OF FAITH. You're not alone. You're joined to every believer who has ever lived and ever will live. You're part of ONE BODY, serving ONE LORD, proclaiming ONE GOSPEL, moving toward ONE GOAL: GLORY TO GOD."

He smiled, and the warmth of His smile felt like sunrise.

"Now go. And as you go, remember: I am with you always."

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EPILOGUE: THE MISSION

I watched as they walked away into the gathering darkness, their forms eventually blending with the shadows until I could no longer see them. But I knew they weren't gone. Jesus had promised: I am with you always.

I looked down at my diagram, now covered with notes and Scriptures from our conversation. And I realized: this wasn't just a theological exercise. This was a MISSION.

I had been taught by the Master and His apostles. I had been given the message. I had been commissioned.

Now it was time to GO.

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APPENDIX: THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION GUIDE

For Quick Reference When Sharing the Gospel:

1. START WITH LOVE (GRACE)
- God loves you (John 3:16)
- This love is called grace (Ephesians 2:8)
- Grace means undeserved favor—God's goodness to those who don't deserve it

2. EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM (SIN)
- Everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23)
- Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2)
- The consequence of sin is death—eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23)

3. PRESENT THE SOLUTION (CHRIST)
- Jesus is God who became man (John 1:1, 14)
- He lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15)
- He died on the cross for our sins—taking our punishment (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- He was buried (1 Corinthians 15:4)
- He rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4)
- He conquered sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

4. CALL FOR RESPONSE (FAITH)
- Believe in Jesus (John 3:16)
- Receive Him by faith (John 1:12)
- Confess Him as Lord (Romans 10:9)
- Call on His name (Romans 10:13)

5. ASSURE THE PROMISE (SALVATION)
- Eternal life is a gift (Romans 6:23)
- It's received by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Once you believe, you HAVE eternal life (John 5:24)
- You're secure in Christ (John 10:28-29)
- You have peace with God (Romans 5:1)

6. EXPLAIN NEXT STEPS (DISCIPLESHIP)
- You're part of God's family now (1 John 3:1)
- You're part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
- Grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18)
- Connect with other believers (Hebrews 10:25)
- Read the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Share your faith (Matthew 28:19-20)

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A PRAYER FOR THE GOSPEL WITNESS

Lord Jesus,

You have taught me the gospel. You've shown me the flow from Your grace to rest in You to glory for the Father. You've commissioned me to go and share this good news.

Give me boldness like Peter.
Give me love like John.
Give me perseverance like James.
Give me passion like Paul.

But most of all, give me YOURSELF. Be with me always, as You promised. Let Your Spirit speak through me. Let Your love flow through me. Let Your light shine through me.

Make me a star in the darkness, leading many to Your righteousness.

Use this diagram, use Your Word, use my testimony—use whatever You will—to bring glory to Your name.

For it's all about You. It begins with Your grace. It flows through Your Son. It's empowered by Your Spirit. It results in Your glory.

ONE LORD. ONE FAITH. ONE BAPTISM. ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL.

Use me as You will.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

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NOW GO, SHINING LIKE STARS, PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!

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