Ears to Hear

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:1-13 ESV).

Seldom am I so far behind in the writing of Morning Devotionals that I am actually able to write with the most current events in mind. Today’s devotional is being written just the day before it is posted. So, my references will be contemporary to our situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, I will not reference any political issues or opinions. Frankly I cannot accept that this crisis is politically based or motivated. Some are trying to make it such; however, I believe it is completely rooted in the plan and purpose of God. Throughout the Gospels and in the first three chapters of the Revelation, Jesus warned us to have “ears that hear” (cf. Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9, 23; Revelation 1:1-3:22). When John begins his rendering of the story of Jesus, he uses this same principle. It is not until several paragraphs into his gospel account that he actually names who he is writing about (cf. John 1:17). But in his earlier sentences John does tell us a lot about Jesus. He declaresJesus was present in the beginning, from before there was time. He was not only in on every part of the creation of the universe, but he was also involved in ways beyond our imagining. Everything that came to be, even light, even life itself, owes its existence to him. He was and is God. Then this same beyond-our-imagination being came into the world as a part of his own creation. He came within the limitations of time and space and was born a flesh-and-blood human being. He came especially as a member of a struggling and politically oppressed nation, a people that the Father had chosen and had already guided for two thousand years. Then the strangest thing happened. When Jesus came into the world he had created, that world did not recognize him. Even his own people refused to receive him. In this crisis filled season, I pray we will remember Jesus’ work of grace on our behalf. Do not be so arrogant or merely remiss in rejecting the call of God in this time. Listen to him saying, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 ESV).