Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him. — John 11:55-57

This is the third Passover mentioned by John. The first was in AD 28, and the last one is here in AD 30. So basically, John's gospel tells the story of a little over two years of Jesus's ministry. That's it. And in these short two years of Jesus's life, He is going to leave a mark on history that affects all of history.

This topic gives me a moment to address an issue I see a lot of men facing today — and that's regret.

I think so many men look back on life with so much regret. Some more than others. Too many carry the burden of past failures, haunted by the mistakes they've made as husbands, fathers, leaders, and men. Therefore they allow past regret to poison their minds and convince them that future redemption is impossible.

And if you are that guy, and you are a believer in Jesus, I want you to know that you are wrong. If you are indwelled by the Spirit of God, the redemption of the future, even in the shadow of your regrets, is possible. And this is not me teaching you the power of positive thinking. This is because the Spirit of God is greater than the spirit of regret that comes from the world.

Get this. Jesus only actively ministered for two years. Yet, His life profoundly affected twelve men whose message is still changing the world. These men, the disciples, were not perfect. They were lost, confused, doubters, and sellouts, just like you and me. They had their own shortcomings, failures, and regrets, but still, Jesus poured His life into them. And somehow, despite their imperfections, they played a significant role in advancing the Gospel. Today, I am holding a book in my hand that chronicles the impact these two short years with Jesus had on the entirety of their lives.

So if you are living with a lot of regrets today, maybe it's time to give them over to God. There are some of you who have been holding onto them for too long, and they have been holding you back. Note this, two great years with Jesus can have a more positive and spiritual impact than a lifetime of bad years and countless regrets. But living in regret is only going to keep you shackled to the past. What you need to do is come to Jesus. Let him purify you — your life, your mind, and your past so that you can get busy making the most of the time you have now. And it begins by living without regret because two good years with Jesus can affect you and the generations that lie ahead.

ASK THIS:

1. How has carrying the burden of regret affected your ability to embrace your true potential as a man?
2. What steps can you take today to surrender your regrets to God and actively pursue a life free from the shackles of past mistakes?

DO THIS: Give up your regrets.

PRAY THIS: God, give me the strength to release the weight of regret that I carry, and guide me towards a future filled with purpose, resilience, and unwavering faith as I embrace the man You have destined me to be. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Greater Than All My Regrets.