Time, Reflection, and Calling
We are beginning a new year—where did the time go? The older I get, the faster time seems to pass, and the shorter the remaining years feel. I have always had a desire to make the most of the time I have. As I see the sand in my life’s hourglass running lower each year, I feel compelled not to waste it.
One rhythm I have practiced for over 30 years is intentionally reflecting on what I have learned about the Lord, myself, and life—especially at the end of each year. I look for how God has been speaking and what He may be inviting me to focus on in the year ahead. Journaling has been a gift in this process, creating a record I can revisit. From that reflection, I chose a word to guide my focus and calling for the year. This year, that word is intentional.
Over the past few months, I have been studying the book of Luke, a book I have studied before. Yet God’s Word is life and active, revealing truth layer by layer. One central theme stood out to me: God’s intentionality. Nothing He does is by chance or insignificant.
Intentional in His Mission
First, we see that Jesus lived His life on mission. Everything He did was shaped by His ultimate purpose—being God, He became a man to give His life to pay the penalty of our sin. From His birth to His death and resurrection, He came to save us. He is the Messiah, the angels proclaimed to the shepherds at His birth—Emmanuel, God with us.
Jesus lived with purpose and walked with intentionality, yet He was never in a hurry. After telling His disciples what awaited Him in Jerusalem (Luke 18:31), He set His mind and heart to go to Jerusalem in time for Passover, knowing He would be the ultimate Passover Lamb. Though He knew the end, He still recognized each day and each person along the way—those God intended to heal, save, and set free. On His way to Jerusalem, He stopped in Jericho to restore sight to a blind man and allow Zacchaeus to encounter Him, which led to a changed heart and life, and dinner with the Savior.
Intentional in His Ministry
Second, we see Jesus’ intentionality in who He reached and how He carried out His ministry. He did not heal everyone. He did not travel more than about a 100-mile radius outside of Galilee during His earthly ministry. He did not reach the height of His followers while on earth. After ministering to large crowds, He often withdrew to pray and commune with the Father.
Jesus did the opposite of what the world says is necessary to grow influence and ministry. Yet Jesus went viral after His death and resurrection and continues to do so thousands of years later. He changed the world. The numbers did not matter to Jesus—individuals did. He understood that God’s plan was the long game. He focused on the person in front of Him and performed miracles that revealed His identity as the Messiah so that people would believe.
Among the many miracles Jesus performed, there were four that Jew tradition believed only the Messiah could accomplish.1 Each miracle pointed unmistakably to His identity as the Messiah.
- The cleansing of a leper (Luke 5:12–14) fulfilled the detailed Levitical requirements that had not been met before. 2
- The casting out of a mute demon (Luke 11:14–20), something Jewish exorcists were unable to do without knowing the demon’s name; Jesus accomplished this by the power of His word alone.
- The healing of a man born blind (John 9) was done publicly in Jerusalem. The Pharisees tried to discredit this never-before-done miracle, even calling the man’s parents to testify. They questioned the man about who Jesus was, and he replied, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25), pointing to Jesus’ messianic power alone.
- The raising of Lazarus after four days (John 11:1–43). Four days defied Jewish belief that resuscitation was possible only within three days, revealing Jesus’ authority over death itself. 3
Everything Jesus did was intentional, always pointing others to belief in Him.
Intentional Words, Perfect Timing
Lastly, we see Jesus’ intentionality in His words and timing. Prophecies spoken hundreds of years earlier were fulfilled in precise detail in His birth, death, and resurrection. Even on the cross, Jesus spoke words that illuminated truth for the Jewish people. They did not have access to Scripture as we do, so passages were memorized, and they would recognize His words and those surrounding them.
He said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34), as He fulfilled Isaiah 53:12: “He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.”
He cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” quoting Psalm 22:1, and as the crowd mocked Him and soldiers cast lots for His clothing, Psalm 22 unfolded before their eyes (vv. 7–8, 18). With every breath, Jesus pointed to Himself as the promised Messiah.
Even the perfect timing of the events shone a light on the truth. Jesus was crucified at 9 a.m., the time of the morning sacrifice, and gave His final breath at 3 p.m., the time of the evening sacrifice—daily offerings made with spotless lambs. Also being Passover, fulfilling the purpose of Passover, pointing forward to the Messiah as the perfect Lamb of God, paying the price for sin once and for all. (John 1:29)
His resurrection on the day of Firstfruits revealed Him as the beginning of a new covenant for all mankind (1 Corinthians 15:20).
God, in His great love, intentionally gave prophetic words as signposts to the Messiah—for the Jews of Jesus’ day and for all of us who would come after—so that many sons would be brought to glory.