Sister John Edward

 

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules4 of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-12 ESV).

 

My early education was in parochial schools. They were all staffed with nuns of the Sacred Heart Church of Galveston, Texas. I remember one that had a penchant for using her wooden ruler to remind me of any infraction of the rules. Her name was Sister John Edward. It might have been not paying attention during chapel and singing without the appropriate gusto that ended with a whack on the back of my neck; or, perhaps I was chewing gum in catechism class and the whack on the back of my head to make me immediately dispense of the offending element in my mouth. Somehow, I was always a target of her wrath and correction. At the time I thought she was at least ten feet tall; and I am sure she was without peer in meting out her “whacks.” Once as I was running up the stairs to the second floor classroom when she caught me at the top of the stairwell. Grabbing me by my shirt collar and lifting me so that my dangled above the floor, she said, “Mr. Emmitte, unless you wish to be boiled in oil and skinned alive, I suggest you walk up the stairs.” Well, I could only answer “yes, ma’am” with an appropriate tremble in my voice!

 

Later she would saunter by desk in class and whisper in my ear, “Just remember, God sees everything you do.” I thought: “He doesn’t have to watch me. You always catch me!” It was maddening having someone watching my every move, though it did help keep my actions in check. Thank God she could read my mind!  

 

That’s where the Scripture comes into play. The psalmist knows that he cannot see his faults by looking into a mirror. He looks instead into God’s law and asks God to forgive not only his visible sins but also his hidden faults. And the God of the Bible does forgive. Knowing the fact of God’s forgiveness assures the psalmist that he will be blameless in God’s sight. Not perfect yet, but blameless now. Oh… by the way… that forgiveness does not come at the end of a wooden ruler. Jesus has paid the debt I have earned; and, died the death I deserve!

 

My Rock

 

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. (Psalm 18:1-6 ESV)

 

David, who was anointed to become king of Israel, had many enemies, and he wrote the words of Psalm 18 at a time when God delivered him from those enemies, including Saul, the king he would replace (cf. 2 Samuel 22). At times David was so overwhelmed by his enemies that he felt as if “the cords of death entangled” him. He felt that his end was near. In response, David called on the only one who could help. “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”

 

David displayed great courage based on his trust in God, his rock and deliverer. David had been taught and had learned from experience that the Lord was always present for him. No enemy could separate him from the care of the Lord. There are those times when we feel the same way as circumstances seem to overwhelm us in a flood of trouble, pain, and hurt.

 

When we know that we depend on God for all good things, as David did, we know that calling on God will help to bring the solutions we need. This doesn’t mean we should ignore emergency services or other kinds of help that are available when we might need them. God provides those resources in our communities for the good of everyone. But realizing that we can rely on God to help us with all our needs is a great comfort today just as it was for David. Let’s be sure to call on God whenever we need help of any kind.

 

God will be your Rock and strong fortress through all of life, no matter how hopeless it may see. He will never fail you or forsake you (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6)

 

Bone-Tired

 

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:35-39 ESV).

 

Wednesdays are the most difficult days for me. I usually leave the house around 8:30 am for a schedule that begins at 10 am and ends at 8 pm. Many of those days don’t have any scheduled gaps for breaks. I know that’s completely within my control. I do the scheduling in my counseling; however, since I have chosen to do it this way, I also know that I have chosen to be “bone-tired” at the end of the day when I make the 45-minute drive home and finally collapse into my recliner!

 

Jesus knew this feeling very well. In the series “The Chosen,” one episode depicts Jesus returning to a camp where he and his disciples are staying for the night. It is late, and Jesus has spent the day healing crowds of people. He stumbles into camp, exhausted from the day’s ministry. The disciples can only watch him, surprised at how tired he is. His teaching and healing work must have been exhausting. Though he was fully God, Jesus was also fully human, so he got tired and needed sleep (cf. Mark 4:38; John 4:6).

 

Our reading for today explains that after a long day of teaching and healing, Jesus rose early in the morning to pray. Jesus needed time to connect with his Father in prayer, resting in his Father’s presence and focusing on his purpose. He had come to do much more than heal people in Capernaum, even though that was clearly important while he was there. When the disciples went out and found him, he said, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

 

Jesus spent time in prayer with his Father, and he remained focused on his purpose. If this was important to Jesus, it is certainly important for his followers too. Let’s be sure to spend personal time with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each day. It will refresh and renew your mind and body!

 

Fact Checking Life

 

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance6 to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:21-25 ESV).

 

We live in a culture that demands we check the veracity of the things we hear and read. Fact checking has become a part of our reality. There is great insight in our reading today concerning the determination of the truth. The words of Jesus to Peter here came soon after the faith-filled profession Peter had made when he said to Jesus, “You are the Messiah” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus was now teaching his disciples that he had come to suffer, be killed, and rise again. He would offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. That was not a truth they wanted to hear. So, denial became the choice of the moment.

 

Peter rebuked Jesus, saying, “Never, Lord! . . . This shall never happen to you!” (v. 22). So Jesus called Peter out and revealed that he had missed the main point of Jesus’ mission. From a human standpoint we can sympathize with Peter. We too would likely be shocked to hear that Jesus had come to suffer and die to rise again and give us new, abundant life.

 

Today, though, we know how important it is to discern truth from lies, listening for God’s Word rather than listening to the lies of false religions and false teachers around us. It should be clear to us that it takes effort and perseverance to prepare ourselves to discern properly. So until Jesus returns to make all things new, we must read the Bible and listen to Jesus, who died because he loved us, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven to make his abundant life available for all who believe in him. Trust the truth, the way, and the life.

 

Panias

 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20 ESV).

 

Mary and I have traveled to Israel. These trips were enhanced by the presence of Bill Tolar, former Professor of Biblical Archaeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has gone on to be with the Lord now; however, his knowledge was unmatched. He insisted that our trips include a stop at Banias in the northern part of the country. Banias was a settlement at the foot of Mount Hermon, and a spring from there makes a river that flows into the Jordan River. At the time of Jesus’ ministry, Banias was called Panias and was dedicated to the worship of the Greek god Pan. Since I had the privilege of being the “preacher” on these trips, he and I worked together at each stop to provide both historical and archaeological information and devotional Bible messages. Our reading today was always the passage I used when we got to this stop on the tour.

 

It is not surprising that as Jesus and his disciples went into that area, he asked them a defining question: “Who do you say I am?” In other words, “Do you recognize me for who I really am, or am I just another object of worship like you see here? How do you discern my person, my teaching, and my miracles?” Peter, inspired by God, responded by saying, “You are the Messiah”—that is, the Christ (“Anointed One”). Peter declared that Jesus was the anointed Son of God who came to bring the kingdom of God. Jesus came to restore all that is broken by sin.

 

Decidedly different from false Greek gods and the worship they were known for, Jesus is the true “Son of the living God.” Jesus is the real thing. We are faced with that same question today. Who do you say Jesus is?

 

Rand McNally

 

Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:22-25 ESV).

 

GPS in our vehicles may be one of the best things to happen for our family trips since air-conditioned vehicles! Before the advent of this marvelous technology, Mary would be the navigator while I was the pilot. It was not unusual to see her in the front passenger seat with a map unfolded trying to read both where we were and how we could best get to our next stop. Refolding those maps was always a challenge. But then, Rand McNally produced their book format of the United States roadways, and we were delighted. Still, we had the problem of knowing how far we had gone and how far it was to our next stop. The opportunity to use our mathematical skills was always present.

 

Today GPS services and electronic maps make those old maps nearly obsolete. The mapping service gives us options for the fastest route and some alternate routes, with and without tolls. Travelers soon learn that there is often more than one way to their destination. And, who knows? The one you choose might just become your favorite way. We have found some wonderful spots by taking the “scenic route”; and, we have found ourselves “lost” on some of those choices as well!

 

The Scripture is our Rand McNally in life showing us that there are right roads and wrong roads when it comes to recognizing and following God’s way. A discerning mind will seek to determine if an opportunity honors God or not. That opportunity might look good at first, but it could end up at a dead end spiritually, emotionally, and even physically.

 

The Spirit of God equips us with eyes to see and ears to hear what God says is the right way. If there is no confirmation of God’s approval, then it might be better to look for another route.

 

One Way

 

[Jesus said] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;1 believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6 ESV).

 

The Skybridge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America and remains one of the most incredible experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests can walk the full 680 feet across at their own pace, taking in the beauty of the surrounding area. The bridge itself is 140 feet high at its midpoint, and there are even glass panels scattered through the middle of the span so you can see down into the valley below. Mary and I have not taken advantage of this attraction. We don’t walk well on level ground, much less on a swaying bridge 140 feet in the air! Part of our trepidation is the fear that we might get halfway across and be paralyzed with fear and no other way but forward to get off! Once you start, there really is one way to finish!

 

This is like the bold claim of Jesus in our reading today. Jesus is saying he is the way, the truth, and the life. He’s the only one who can lead people to God the Father. Many people today disagree with this. They argue that it’s wrong to make such an exclusive claim because spiritual truth is ultimately unknowable for us.

 

In this passage, Jesus makes it hard to stand in the “middle” when it comes to Christianity. Each person who reads John 14 must make a decision to accept or reject Jesus’ claim. Following Christ is either the one true way to know God, or it’s not. For some of us, this either/or choice may seem extreme. But as we consider Jesus’ words, it’s helpful to remember that he makes this statement while he is preparing to go to the cross. He knows he will be arrested that very night and be crucified the next day. Jesus is comforting his disciples in the face of his impending death by reminding them of the truth. He will give up his life on the cross to open the way for us to have full life with God forever. No matter what happens over the coming days, he wants them to know that if they believe in him, they can trust that they will be with him forever.

 

Desire and Action

 

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:12-17 ESV).

 

If you have done any study of human nature as it relates to the motivation of others you will have come across the AIDA Model. The image I have attached to this devotional shows the progression of the highest possibility of success. As you can see, the first issue is to inform your target audience. Then by creating interest you will develop desire which will result in action.

 

Perhaps I can illustrate from my study of Biblical languages. When I began my seminary studies two languages were required: Hebrew and Greek. Knowing they were required courses for the successful completion of my degree, my attention was focused clearly on the need. However, when I understood how important a working knowledge of these languages would make my understanding of Scripture exponentially greater, I was then interested. That, in turn, created a heightened desire to master the languages. And, that resulted in my in depth studies throughout my seminary education and beyond.

 

In our reading today, Jesus tells his disciples to love one another because by doing so people will know they are his disciples. He follows the same steps in the model. Jesus knows that our actions reveal our true beliefs and motivations, and he encourages his followers to live out their faith by loving one another well. Jesus understands that it doesn’t do any good to preach a gospel of grace but to have a critical spirit toward the people around us. Further, it doesn’t help people to tell them that God loves them but to ignore their various needs. We are called to truly show the love of Jesus to the people around us, and by that they will know we really believe in God’s love and his good news for the world. As I evaluate my behavior toward others I must truly come to knowing that truth. We are to love all people. That’s His desire for us. Adopting that must then go on to produce the active love expressed toward all people. If you’re having trouble loving others, perhaps you really haven’t accepted the first two steps.

 

The Power of Humility

 

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that phis hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:1-9 ESV).

 

Even when we consider all of the surprising things that Jesus did in his teaching and healing ministry, this scene was likely one of the most shocking so far to the people around him. At that time, it was common for a servant to wash people’s feet as they entered a home. And as we might imagine, this was an important practice of hospitality. Most people wore sandals as they walked roads covered in dust, dirt, and animal dung. So we can easily imagine how unpleasant it would be to wash someone’s feet—and that’s why it was typically done by the lowest ranking slave or servant in a household.

 

But here Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of the gospel, the good news of the kingdom of God. Washing his disciples’ feet shows God’s love for sinners in a way that mere words cannot express. This act of service gave the disciples a preview of the cross, when Jesus laid down his very life to wash our sins away.

 

But Jesus didn’t stop there. He also told his disciples to go and do the same for others. We are called to communicate the gospel through a servant lifestyle, giving of ourselves so that others may experience life. This is where the real power comes from. It is not from position. Jesus was above all of creation. It is not from ability. Jesus was preeminent in His ability, Creator of all things. It was not even the act of service itself. Jesus drew no power from His behavior. Power came from His humility (cf. Philippians 2:1-11). We should ask ourselves how God is calling us to mimic Jesus’ example. Who can you serve today?

 

Politics

 

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. (John 12:12-16 ESV).

 

I hope the illustration I’ve attached did not alarm you. It was the only thing I found that even remotely reminded me of the destructive belief so common among people in our country today. I believe we have come to believe that our “freedom” is rooted in the political party that represents us. That simply is not true. I am not saying that we should not participate in government and vote with our convictions. I am saying that freedom comes solely from the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

 

Our reading today helps us with that truth. Many first-century Jews had hopes that their promised Messiah would be a political leader, someone who could lead Israel in a revolution against the Roman Empire. Their hope was that Jesus could lead the nation to independence again through a military solution. Therefore, we see Jesus is hailed as a hero on his way into Jerusalem: “Blessed is the king of Israel!” In fact, the crowd is so large and excited that the religious leaders despair that “the whole world has gone after him.”

 

We can understand why the Jewish people would want to return to their country’s glory days. But Jesus came to be a very different kind of king. He came not so much to wear a crown but to bear a cross. He came to break the curse of sin for our sake, laying down his own life in our place. And that’s how he would welcome all who believe in him to enter God’s kingdom in this broken world. Because he is God, Jesus is and always has been the King of kings and Lord of lords! Jesus’ coming teaches us that God is not interested in a political agenda, or just one nation, or just one people group. God loves the entire world, and his kingdom purposes are bigger than any of us. As followers of Christ, our citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven, first and foremost, and all our other goals and desires must fall into place with respect to that.

 

Come Forth!

 

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and ca stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this ion account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44 ESV).

 

Scholars describe the raising of Lazarus as the seventh and final “sign” or miracle in the book of John, and—as we can see—Jesus has saved the best for last. Even though Lazarus has been dead for several days, Jesus pulls him back from death’s grasp and restores him to life. All it takes is Jesus’ command. The voice that spoke creation into existence now calls him out of the darkness of death and into the light of life again.

 

In our skeptical, post­modern age, this may seem like a story that’s been embellished by John to help “sell” people on the idea of following Jesus. But this miraculous story is real. Like the other signs in the book of John, it is meant to point to a deeper truth about Jesus and his ministry.

 

Lazarus’ resurrection points us to the hope of resurrection and new life that we have in Christ. What Jesus did for Lazarus is also a promise for all who believe: in Jesus there is no ene­my of God—not even death itself—that can defeat us. If we are in Christ, we will have eternal life and victory over death, no matter what we face today.

 

When we have times in which we are struggling, anxious, or afraid, we can look to Jesus and remember his promises of life forever with him. Nothing is too big, and no problem is too difficult for Jesus to overcome. Not even death itself.

 

Good from Everything

 

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. (John 9:1-7 ESV).

 

In our reading today, the disciples see a man who was born blind, and they assume that his blindness is someone’s fault. This was a common way of thinking about suffering in those days. Sickness and disability were often believed to be a result of sin somewhere in the family line. If we think about it, we can see how people could fall into that kind of thinking. It has happened in many cultures. If a person has a disability or a terrible disease, or if they are down and out in some kind of hardship, it can be convenient to blame them or their family or even their friends or community. It calms our fears if we can state a reason or a cause for something we don’t understand, or don’t want to understand.

 

In this story Jesus complicates things even more by implying that God allowed the man to be blind so that his healing by Jesus could help people see the works of God being done. This is hard to understand. It simply doesn’t seem “fair.” Human suffering is a lot more complicated than we would like to believe. Sin has broken this world in ways that go beyond our understanding; however, we cannot deny that everything happens to us after it is filtered through the hands of our heavenly Father.

 

This allows us to understand the truth that God will bring good from it. That brings us comfort and hope. We can see that God is powerful enough and willing to work to bring good out of all things, even our challenges and suffering. God works for our good in all things (cf. Romans 8:28), and he has redeemed us in Christ. When the works of God shine through adversity, he shows in a unique way that he is good and loves us.

 

The Paleo Diet

 

About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I did sone work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:14-24 ESV).

 

After I had my first stents placed in my heart the cariologist told me I needed to lose some weight. I did. However, I was not very receptive to the way in which he informed me. Since I am somewhat stubborn about these things, he simply said, “Here’s your choices” lose weight or die.” That did get my attention. And I asked what he recommended. He said, “I think the best diet for you is the Paleo Diet Plan. Most people call it the “Caveman Diet.” The idea is that you eat the way cavepeople supposedly ate before agriculture was developed, focusing on meat and plants while avoiding carbs as much as possible.

 

For some people the side effects of this diet seemed to affect them negatively. They reported feeling crabby and sluggish. However, I liked all the things that were allowed on the diet and could develop a habit of staying away from those things that were prohibited. In fact, I lost 22 pounds in the first 6 weeks. The doctor was a bit astonished and accused me of being an overachiever. I simply agreed, knowing that it was his threat of dying that really did the trick.

 

I think sometimes we are tempted to treat Jesus’ voice like just another voice in the world giving advice about options for our diet, finances, or productivity. But in our reading today, we are reminded that Jesus speaks for God because his teaching is from God. Jesus’ instructions are not something we can pick and choose from. Every instruction he gave is in line with the way you and I were created to live. If we want to experience life as it was meant to be lived, we will find it by listening to Jesus and doing what he asks us to do!

Texas Mailbox Bread

 

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:25-35 ESV).

 

Perhaps you have seen the photo of Roberta Wright, a Texas grandma who lives in Montgomery County, Texas (photo attached). She is posing with a loaf of bread supposedly baked in her mailbox. This photo has gone viral, and the story seems impossible to believe, unless you happen to live in the heat, we are experiencing in Texas this summer. Well, the truth is that she did not bake the bread in the mailbox, though I’m tempted to try it. She is a local author and blogger who simply wanted to promote her newest book. When questioned she said, “I had no idea that the photo would gather such momentum. I’ve had call from people all over the world.” It did catch my attention when I saw it posted on the internet. However, like many things we read on social media and other internet sites it really is “fake news.”

 

It reminded me of today’s reading. Here Jesus was challenging people who wanted him to lead a revolution. Their nation was occupied by the Roman Empire, and many people were hoping that their promised Messiah, a leader specially appointed by God, would restore them as a political power. Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but he was not a political leader. We can understand why people would want things to change in their country. But Jesus wanted them to understand that he had come for an even bigger purpose. As we have seen earlier, Jesus has come to give people eternal life and bring them into the presence of God. If people would trust in him as the bread of life who would provide them full life with God, their deepest and greatest need would always be met.

 

In our busy world, we can easily get caught up in pursuing “food that spoils.” We want to take care of our family. We want to do well in our job. We may want to be involved in leading our community and our nation. These are all good things. But sometimes these good things can get in the way of the best thing. Follow Jesus. There’s nothing fake about His promises!

The Man on the Middle Cross

 

Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and tit is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (John 5:8-17 ESV).

 

Alistair Begg once preached a marvelous sermon where he used the image of the thief on the cross facing the angel at the gate to heaven. The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSgYyNO86w. It is just a minute and a half long, please take that moment and listen to it. It provides the backdrop of our truth today from the reading when Jesus heals a man on the Sabboth earning the ire of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They saw it as “working” on the Sabbath, the day on which people were commanded to rest from all kinds of work. The Sabbath was meant to be a good gift to God’s people. But unfortunately, that sense was lost under a mountain of rules against activities that counted as “work.” For example, the man who is healed in this story gets in trouble just for carrying his mat.

 

When Jesus heals on the Sabbath, the religious leaders get angry because their rules have become more important to them than love for their neighbor. But here Jesus reminds us that mercy is more important to God than rigid legalism. Jesus has an opportunity to heal, and he takes it because the Father is always working to build his kingdom, regardless of what day of the week it is.

 

This challenges us today to consider any “rules” we follow that may limit our ability to serve God. Are there places we are unwilling to go, people we are unwilling to help, or times when we make ourselves unavailable to others? If so, are we putting something in the way of showing God’s love and care? We are denying the work of Christ in the grace through His death. We get there only through grace! Share that grace with people everywhere and watch the Holy Spirit do His work!

 

Never Thirsty Again

 

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” (John 4:7-14 ESV).

 

Today (Friday, July 14^th) I had a few projects I wanted to get done before my time got away from me. I really needed to replace all the burner tubes and crossover tubes in my grill; then, I wanted to finish sanding one of the pieces of furniture I’m building for Faith; and, finally, I wanted to hop on the tractor and mow. It seemed a reasonable “list.” However, the grill project turned into a much bigger job than I thought it would be. After fighting with the screws holding the tubes in place, I surrendered to the necessity of grinding them off. That precipitated a trip to the big box hardware store for screws, washers, and nuts. All the while the temperature was climbing into triple digits. Even two bottles of water and one bottle of iced tea didn’t slake my thirst. That’s the picture we see Jesus use in our reading.

 

I am often accused of over-emphasizing “relationship” with the Lord. Yet, I find it true that it is so little spoken off correctly in today’s “Churchianity” that I’m not sure it can be over-emphasized. We have seen a version of faith that centers on the church as a social organization, rather than on our relationship with God. That will not ever end well. Church involvement is good, but it must never take the place of faith. When that happens, I am compelled to remind people of the greater gift that Jesus offers. Jesus did not come just to make us busy volunteers or to get us to donate to the church’s ministries. Jesus came to invite us into God’s presence.

 

Through Jesus, we are brought into a loving relationship with God. And it is in this relationship that we find forgiveness, healing, and purpose. Belonging to a church is an important part of being a disciple. But in this passage, we are reminded that the purpose of the church isn’t merely to make ourselves busy or to create a comfortable worship service. It’s to facilitate the presence of God — to give you and me the chance to drink the “water welling up to eternal life.” That’s the water that will never leave you thirsty again!

 

Water into Wine

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.  And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11 ESV).

 

In this story Jesus changes more than 120 gallons of water into wine for the guests at a wedding feast. And John tells us this was the first “sign” or miracle through which Jesus revealed his glory. But as readers today, we might find ourselves wondering why Jesus provided wine to drink. After all, the Bible includes many warnings against drunkenness. And today we know very well the dangers of consuming too much alcohol. So why does Jesus seem to encourage drinking here? And what do gallons of wine have to do with being the Savior of God’s people?

 

The answer comes from the Old Testament picture of wine as a symbol of God’s blessing (cf. Isaiah 25:6; Amos 9:13-15; Proverbs 3:9-10). Wine is often used to represent God’s abundant provisions for his people.

 

In this scene, Jesus has chosen to demonstrate the blessings of his coming kingdom by blessing a wedding celebration with this sign. The wine serves as a symbol of God’s provision in Jesus and of the generous love he will put on display. Signs like this are meant to build up his followers’ faith and help them to trust in Jesus. This is also an example of Jesus’ patience application of the balance between grace and truth. He gave grace in the provision of blessing; and, He also spoke the truth to Mary about His purpose being greater than hers. Perhaps we should practice this balance more in our lives.

  

Equal Parts Grace and Truth

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:14-18 ESV).

 

There are some who are primarily what we might call “truth people.” They tend to draw firm lines between right and wrong, and they feel that they have a responsibility to speak up when something doesn’t sound right. There are those times when God can use this directness to identify sin and injustice, urging people to bring about change. However, sometimes it hurts relationships because they can focus on the negative and be judgmental, pushing people away. There are also some people who may be identified as “grace people.” They gravitate toward the idea of God’s love and forgiveness, and they don’t like making a scene or creating conflict. Instead, they try to forgive others and move on. This too can be a gift because God can use them to bring harmony into tough situations. But they need to be careful not to ignore serious hurts and problems that should be addressed. The example of Jesus would teach us to balance grace and truth in our relationships with others.

 

In the Bible we learn what God is like in the life and teaching of Jesus. And we see how Jesus brings the practices of grace and truth together. Jesus is infinitely compassionate, willing to forgive all who place their faith in him. At the same time, he is not afraid to speak a hard word of truth to bring someone deeper into faith. We will examine some of these examples in the coming days.

 

At this time in your life, what do you need from God? Grace? Encouragement? Forgiveness? A word of truth to set you in the right direction? Whatever your need, there is one unfailing source that is full of both truth and grace. The Scripture is our only perfect source. Turn to the truth and encouragement you will find there.

 

God Walking Among Us

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, cand we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:14-18 ESV).

 

The Apostle John is writing this book from which our reading has been taken to clarify who Jesus is. In the years soon after Jesus’ ministry, some people doubted that Jesus was actually God. They argued that he was merely a prophet, or a teacher, or perhaps even a person who was out of his mind. So here John spells out some important things. Jesus, the one and only Son of God, is fully God, and he came to live among us and with us.

 

In the typical church jargon, we call this the incarnation: God came to live among us in human flesh. The God of the universe came to be born as a helpless human baby, and he was raised by relatively unknown, ordinary people in a small town in first-century Galilee (cf. Luke 2). This child, Jesus, came to suffer, die, and rise to life again for our sake. If the Christian story is a new story to you, you might wonder why the almighty, all-powerful God would do this. Why leave heaven and go to so much trouble for us? We might have expected God just to create the world and then step back, leaving people to figure things out for themselves. Instead, God became one of us because he loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Because he is God, Jesus could take our sins upon himself. And because he became human, Jesus could redeem every aspect of our humanity. By his sacrifice for us, Jesus cleansed us and made a relationship with God possible for us again.

 

If this is a new thought for you, I urge you to take it to heart and believe it. That becomes your only hope of eternal life. However, if this is “old news” to you, please spend some time today and celebrate this great good news. We certainly ought not wait until Christmas to celebrate the coming of God in human form for the sole purpose of redeeming His creation.

 

A Light in the Darkness

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV).

 

The book of John uses the image of light to help explain who Jesus is. Perhaps one of the most striking images of “light in the darkness” comes from the many times when a lighthouse pierces the darkness with its beam. I’m not sure what that sight would be like when the storms are threatening and navigational beacons are essential to guarantee safely landing in a port of call, however, I can imagine it is something like turning in the driveway after driving a long distance. There have been many times after a long day’s work when I’ve gotten to our driveway and see the outdoor lights on and thought, “Whew! I’m home!” They were such a relief for me.

 

Jesus Christ, the Word of God, created the world with God in the beginning. He also came into the world to save it, because it was broken by the curse of sin and death. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in Eden, they brought this curse on all of God’s creation (cf. Genesis 3). The world that God once called “good” has been afflicted with conflict, isolation, sickness, and grief ever since. And sin has estranged us from the God who created us. Even worse, no matter how hard we try, we cannot make things right. Our sin continually forms a barrier between us and our Creator. The darkness has taken so much from humanity.

 

Maybe you are reading these devotions because you are feeling sin’s effects in your life. Perhaps something has happened that has left you feeling lost or confused. Maybe you feel as if you are groping in the dark, looking for a light to guide your way. The Bible promises that the darkness you face—whatever it might be—will never overcome the light of Christ. Like a lighthouse on a rocky shore, Jesus offers us hope and a clear path to God.

 

There is no sin or enemy of God that is big enough to snuff out the light of Christ. He will always be victorious, and when we place our faith in him, he invites us to share in his victory. He is the light that is guiding us home!

 

Nagging Doubts and Fears

 

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:1-6 ESV).

 

There is a wonderful toy company that makes these cute little critters for putting fears and doubts at bay. I’ve attached a photo of some of them. I’m not sure they would be helpful for me, but I can understand their popularity. They are cute! Abraham had something much different for his doubts and fear though. Despite having great faith, Abraham could be unsettled by nagging fears and doubts. That is why, in the opening of Genesis 15, God says to him, “Do not be afraid… I am your shield, your very great reward.” Abraham was struggling to believe. God’s promise to make him the father of a great nation was now about ten years old, and he and Sarai did not have a child.

 

We all know the pain of promises unfulfilled; they can leave an aching void in our hearts and homes. Perhaps we follow God’s call and step out in faith. We risk something for his kingdom, but we don’t see the hoped-for results. At times like that, it can be hard to keep trusting in God. Like the psalmist we cry out, “How long, Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3).

 

The good news is that God understands our doubts and fears. He graciously responds to the prayer that says, “Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. Help me trust you more—even when I don’t see or understand your ways, even when it seems to be taking so long” (cf.  Mark 9:24).

 

God explains that his ways are higher than we can imagine (cf. Isaiah 55:9). And his timing is impeccable—never early, never late. Trusting in these truths allows us to experience God’s peace and rest.