Day 26: Who Is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

Chapters 8, 9, and 10 are some of the most thought provoking chapters in the book of John. There is this common idea contained within these passages dealing with who Jesus is. Here in chapter 8 Jesus sets down the central theme. Who are you going to follow?

The three chapters are divided into at least four parts.

Part one deals with Jesus the Light. Here Jesus teaches us that he is the light of the world, sent from God to call people out of the darkness of sin. It is always true that we can see much better in the light than in the darkness. What Jesus does in our lives is illuminate our darkness so we can see our sin and turn toward Him.

Part two deals with Jesus as the Truth. Jesus teaches that when we sin we become slaves to sin. Yet, when we know the truth we will be set free. Sin enslaves. His truth sets us free. Here is the beauty of this part. Jesus says of Himself, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Part three states that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are reminded that those who know His voice He calls by name and leads them out. What a wonderful picture of Jesus caring for each of us individually and as a total flock. He knows us each by name, because we are in relationship with him, we know His voice. He leads us because He is the Shepherd and in Him we are safe.

Part four is my favorite. Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is clear about this. He has come to do the will of His Father. In fact, He says that He and the Father are one--0ne in purpose, one in eternity, and one in love. Everything about Jesus is also about God. What does this mean for us? Jesus answers that in Chapter 10:28, 29. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Day 25: The Food that Endures

The Food that Endures

What is it that Jesus wants to do in your life? Great question; however, I think when we examine it deeply there are three things that stand out in the Christian walk which Jesus calls us to.

The first is dependency. We are called not to go it on our own but to learn a life of total dependency upon God. This has been one of the most difficult lessons for me to learn. I am a can-do-type-of-guy. I think I have the ability and capacity, yet more often than not I fall short. Learning to be dependent upon God has been a challenge; yet the value of Him in me has and continues to be worth the journey.

The second is discipline--another area, which I don’t do well. Most of my life is un-disciplined. All I have to do is look at my desk. Discipline is a lifelong journey to be conformed into the image of Christ so that I might show forth the beauty of Christ in me. Disciplines are learned and practiced over and over again. It’s like working out at the club. The first week my muscles are sore, but eventually the soreness goes away and muscle grows. In my daily walk with Christ, I have found it to be difficult at first but as I continue to walk with Jesus that discipline is growing strong.

The third is surrender. My will is my will. It contains all I am and all I want to be. The problem with my will is that God does not control it. I control it. That’s the problem with the will. It needs to be controlled. Control is a choice. I can choose to live according to the law of God and live life full and free, or I can choose to live outside God’s will and live life empty. Each day I must choose to be controlled by Christ, so that I might live a life that is filled with His grace and love.

Jesus in His teaching today invites us not to labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life. His food is worth the effort of all that we are so that we may become children of Him who has called us to follow.

Let’s eat that food today.

Day 24: They Believed

The Gospel of John is one of my favorites. I marvel at the word pictures painted throughout and the themes of life, light, and word, which are found in numerous places.The Gospel begins with God creating all things through His Word whom we understand to be Jesus. In Jesus is Life, and this life is the Light for us.

So it is by design that the disciples proclaim in Chapter 2:22 --

His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

I love that idea. They believed because of the words of Jesus and because of the scriptures--not only because of what Jesus did but also because of what He said and what was written about life in the scriptures.

My meditation today is on; “What makes the Scriptures so important in our life?” I know this list is not exhaustive, but these are the ideas I wrote down today.

1. The Scriptures are the recorded spoken (verbal/non-verbal) words of God. That means when I read Scripture I am reading the inspired words of God. This is God’s message to and for me.
2. The Scriptures are truth. God cannot lie and His words, which are recorded, can be trusted. He proves that through His actions and through His purpose.
3. The Scriptures hold the gift of life. The promise is if you put into practice the teachings of scripture, you will have life and it will be abundant and free.
4. The Scripture is powerful. It is like a two-edged sword, able to divide truth and error.
5. The Scriptures challenge. Every time I read the word of God I am faced with something new in my life that God’s word deals with.
6. The Scriptures heal. Forgiveness found in scripture restores my soul and my salvation.
7. The Scriptures transform. You cannot read the Bible and not be changed.

My hope is that you will allow the Scriptures to speak to you today.

Day 23: Adoration

As I was reading the scriptures on my journey today, this song was playing in the background: “Adoration” by Benton Brown. I have included a link in case you would like to listen in as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wflL-qs-VpM&feature=related

The words that touched me were “receive my adoration.” I was reading the passage pertaining to Jesus on the cross, and I sat in awe at how much He gave to us. All I can offer is my adoration in return. “How wonderful you are” are words that speak of all He gave for us. That all He asks in return is surrender of our will to Him.

It is interesting to note as well that in the closing sentence of 1^st John, the words describe some of this wonderment:

And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened,

and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Today I want to invite you to worship God--to pause and think of all He has done. May He receive our adoration! Amen.

“Adoration” by Benton Brown

(Verse 1) We bow our hearts, We lift our hands We turn our eyes to you again. And we surrender to the truth That all we need is found in You.

(Chorus) Receive our adoration Jesus Lamb of God Receive our adoration, How wonderful you are

(Verse 2) We choose to leave it all Behind and turn our eyes towards the prize The upward call of God in Christ You have our hearts, Lord take our lives



(Bridge) Every soul you've saved sings out Everything you've made resounds All creation's standing now
 Lifting up your name We're joining in the angel's song We’re gathered to your ancient throne Children in our Father's armsShouting out your praise

Day 22: Simplicity

The simplicity of so many of Jesus' answers is amazing to me. When asked difficult questions in today's reading, Jesus' response was most often than not, very direct and yet very simple. An example of this is found in the passage Luke 21:21-26. "Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" They said, "Caesar’s." He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s."

The beauty of this response is that it left the hearers speechless. I like things that are simple. That means it is easy for me to understand what I am supposed to do and how I am to act. However, I have found in my life that sometimes the answers are not easy or simple. I try under my own understanding to work things out and to make it happen on my own initiative. I was reminded in a message yesterday of the simplicity of this statement from Proverbs 3:7, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.”

Again I am stirred by Jesus words that when you look deeply into all that He said, we are instructed that there are actually only two things, which everything else hinges upon--Love God and Love your neighbor.

Simple living is the goal of "The Jesus Walk.” Everyday trying to discover simple truths that we can rely upon for our journey in faith. I have discovered that I don't need to figure everything out before I act. I can trust God to go before me and prepare the way. My task is to follow. Sounds easy enough!