John 12:44-46 - Seeing the Son, Seeing the Father

John 12:44-46

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.

Message: Seeing the Son, Seeing the Father

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous lesson, I saw how John mentions that there were some rulers that believed in Him. Prior to this there was mention of some that despite the signs they were receiving they still did not believe and this unbelief was actually a fulfillment of prophecy. But there were some who believed, like rulers. Yet while believing, their external witness of their belief was still met with fear of being put out of the synagogue. It made me wonder first of all if their belief was real. It also made me wonder if believing in Jesus meant not being part of the synagogue, but some sort of different fellowship. But John mentions while believing they still sought the approval of men, which can be a problem still today, even with me. 

And so now the rest of this chapter will be Jesus speaking, from verse 44 through verse 50. These verses form a paragraph as recorded in my Bible (that division of words being a conclusion of the translators). In these words, Jesus will now again talk about His relationship to the Father and that union He has with the Father to the point that believing in Jesus is actually believing in God. Jesus is God's representative. 

Much of this chapter has been about believing - believing that Lazarus was risen from the dead, Following belief in Jesus should be a desire for the approval of God and yet people can still at times continue to seek the approval of man instead. 

At first, I am looking at verses 44-46 today and seeing a few different ideas:

(1) Believing in Jesus is actually believing in the Father who sent Jesus. As I saw previously in John 3:16, God loves us so much and therefore sent His son. It all starts with God's love or God's desire and I think Jesus is trying to communicate this idea to the Jewish people. Jesus has come on the scene and sort of upset their notion of God. Many were still learning about Jesus and many were not sure about who Jesus is and that it was important to believe in Him. Many felt like their belief in God was enough. Some are believing but some are not. And this will continue throughout history. As Jesus says in verse 44, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me."

(2) Jesus has a special union with God the Father for He states that Seeing Jesus is seeing God - verse 45, "He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me." Jesus is saying there is no difference. He is asking people not to choose Jesus over the Father. Jesus is not saying He is better than the Father. This is important because I think some future false prophets will proclaim themselves not only equal with God but better than God. It is hard to not then conclude that Jesus and God are the same in essence. I might live my life in a way to point it to God and give Glory to God through my life, but I would not say that seeing me is the same as seeing Father God. We are different than God and different Jesus. Man is different. 

(3) After establishing this union He has with God, Jesus remarks that He is the light of the world. Without believing in Jesus, people live in darkness or separation from God. And believing in Jesus transforms a person from darkness to light. "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." Jesus said this in John 8:12 previously, "I am the light of the world, he who follow Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." Something happens to a person when they are awakened by the Spirit of God and now walk in the Light. Darkness is still present in their life as they give in to sin or the ways of the world, but they now see life differently. There is a revelation that occurs, a sensitivity to the things of God, a recognition that we see our condition as sinners, in need of a Savior, not able to save ourselves, and live to Glorify God. It is a transformation that I notice. It is not simply a desire to go to church, but is deeper than that as this is a person that wants the things of God. 

None of these verses are unique to John. I think we have heard them before in what He has said. 

Summary: Believing in Jesus is believing in God who sent Jesus, and seeing Jesus is seeing God and believing in Jesus transforms people away from living in darkness. 

Promise: We must be insistent that the only way to see and to know God is to believe in Jesus alone for salvation.

Prayer: God, you have sent Jesus to this world and I believe that you sent Him and I believe in Him and by believing my life has been transformed. It is such a clear transformation that has occurred. Thank you for transforming me and yet it is is hard to be transformed while others are not - to see see that notion of darkness showing up in people's lives and them still living in it. Lord, I pray that you would transform lives and that you would transform people from darkness to light. Wake people up. Help them see You as never before. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 12:33-36a - Walking in the Light while There's Still Time

John 12:33-36a

33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, in order that you may become sons of light." 

Message: Walking in the Light while There's Still Time

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I begin these lessons, I always like to review as these lessons are often small little chunks of information, as I walk through these passages rather slowly at times. Thus far, this is lesson 8 in chapter 12. 

On the heels of Jesus rising Lazarus from the dead in Chapter 11, Mary anoints Jesus with an expensive bottle of perfume. This impacts some people while others are not impressed and want to see him and Lazarus put to death. Passover is near and Jesus is greeted in Jerusalem prophetically or in a similar way as kings have approached others, with palm branches yet with humility, riding on a donkey. The disciples continue to follow but still do not understand Jesus completely, but one day they will, we know this. Meanwhile, the Pharisees remain bothered. 

And then there are certain Greeks that are looking to Jesus and then Jesus begins to give some discourses or words of knowledge. He starts by speaking of his future death and how we need to lose our lives or hate our lives to find fruit and abundant life. Jesus admits he is troubled about future judgment coming before God and yet he knows God has a purpose for people, to give them assurance and Jesus is therefore willing to submit to this. The Father has a purpose at judgment and that is to cast out the prince of this world, Satan, and Jesus by his resurrection and ascension will draw men to Himself at an alarming rate. 

John is interesting and he offers commentary as Jesus is speaking. Like in verse 33 He says - "He was saying this (or these things) to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die." I just noticed the words in verse 32 in which Jesus said, "I be lifted up from the earth." I am sure it doesn't mean this, but as I think of a cross, I think of him being carried in on that cross and then it is lifted up and is upright and then He will die on that cross and He will bear the punishment for our sins. And He will conquer life by dying and then being resurrected. Perhaps this is what John's words are explaining. 

The multitudes are not pleased to hear this. They are not wanting a King or Messiah that will die. They don't see the rescue of them from that happening. They want a Messiah to be a political savior to them, to overthrow the Romans and restore the Jewish state to full independence. The people have read the Law (the entire Old Testament) and they see an everlasting reign for the Messiah: 

Psalm 89:29 - “So I will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven."

Ezekiel 37:25 - They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever.

But still a man can die for His people and then be raised to fulfill this eternal reign. But they ask Jesus in verse 34, "Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus continues to get this question. Many are believing but many are not, for Jesus is on a mission and has an objective and that objective continues to get in the way of what people naturally want from Jesus. 

This lesson concludes with Jesus stating that He is the Light and He is walking with people now and people need to believe in Him now. Tabletalk for this day remarks that "it will not be any easier to believe after Jesus is crucified and is resurrected from the dead." What better time is there to believe in Jesus than when he is walking right beside you? And yet once he dies on the cross and rises again, the impact from that will grow the church exponentially. In both instances, there is no better time to believe than right now.

Summary: Despite many expecting Jesus to solve a political agenda, they have, Jesus makes it clear that salvation is found in believing in him right now, while he is with them.

Promise: All of us must trust in Christ for salvation today, and we must continue trusting in Him tomorrow as well.

Prayer: Oh, God, as I read the Scriptures and hear how you had worked and been walking this earth. I do often think that there would be no better time to believe in you than when you were walking right beside me physically. And yet through your word, and through the actions of your death, burial and resurrection and ascension, we have the clear testimony, as well of you conquering sent on my behalf, and concluding the work that you intended for all people, to be our permanent and complete substitution, and I have eternal life with you.

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 9:1-7 - The Man Born Blind

John 9:1-7

1 And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind? 3 Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes. 7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated Sent). And so he went away and washed, and came back seeing.  

Message: The Man Born Blind

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: From the previous verse at the end of Chapter 8, Jesus has left the temple where he had spoken of his history - that He was before Abraham, and “I am” - he is equal with God. And so now here in verse 1 of chapter 9, Jesus is probably near a spot by the Temple, a place where beggars asked for alms. This beggar probably voiced to Jesus and to all that passed by his condition -  blind since birth. He probably announced this to gain more pity from those passing by and thereby bringing about greater sorrow and greater alms. 

In our culture, it seems we are living in a time when begging is very apropos and commonplace. It is difficult to drive in the city now and not see beggars at street corners or traffic lights, who are holding signs, pleading to those passing by for money. And their signs are being written in numerous ways in order to help people have this desire to give to them, to feel sorrow, to recognize the need. 

In this passage, the disciples see the disability of the man and automatically believe it is there not by accident. In the Bible, sicknesses and ailments like this can be the result of sin. Man is not in a perfect state and sickness and disease are signs of that imperfection. But a persons condition may not be a result of their own sin. It may, but it also may be the general result of all sin to mankind. The disciples asset that the beggars blindness is the result of some form of disobedience, either by the man himself while in the womb or even of the belief that this man had a past life and was now bearing the punishment of past indiscretions - either by himself or his parents. 

Jesus, however, corrects them. Jesus responds that this man's problem is not a problem at all and instead it is actually a good thing to result in God's glory. Genesis 50:20 echoes the promise, "and as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." This man, and we don't know his age, has been born blind in order to glorify God. This man's blindness will be cured (verse 6) and that cure will be an act of God showing us his glory and so Jesus is saying that he has what we term a handicap for the purpose of glorifying God. God did not make us only temporary people but eternal people and so we need to remember to look beyond circumstances to what God may be doing in a person’s entire life. 

In verse 4, Jesus mentions the importance of working, not simply laboring as in a job, but doing the work of the Father. This work that is done will be temporary (day) because at some point the work will no longer be needed (because of night). It is possible that the events of the Feast of Booths, which Jesus went to Jerusalem and was involved in (John 7:37 until this the time of John 10:21) constituted the same day and so maybe the day/night correlated with this verse. He has spoken a lot but He seems to still be in this same area of Jerusalem. But Jesus, in whatever work He is speaking about, includes the disciples in that work. He says, "We." While Jesus is the central focus of the gospel in calling people to an abundant life and living life to the fullest, the disciples are involved. We are also involved.

Either way, I suppose the encouragement here is to work hard while we can work. I think of this as I am getting older as the older I get the harder it will be to keep working. My body just won't keep up. Jesus then in verse 5 remarks, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Jesus has spoke of the day in the previous verse, the day being the time to the work, but the sun of the day is not what will illuminate us, He will illuminate us. He is the Light. Maybe this is more of a plead to the disciples that He is here now, in the world, they are to work hard to spread His message as He is in the world and He is a light to this world. 

And then Jesus spits on the ground, made clay, and wiped it on the man's eyes. And the man then saw. Jesus heals, not sure why he did it this way, but Jesus can heal any way he wants. 

Summary: Jesus is the light and in our world today and reveals that a man born blind is that way to bring glory to God. Jesus later heals this man.

Promise: Jesus reminds us that we do not need to look at others to try to determine why they are in the condition they are in, but rather we are to minister to them, and help them in their suffering. 

Prayer: God, you brought Jesus into the world to be our light, both then, now and forever. Thank you for helping me be more understanding of those that are suffering. Give me the strength to do this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 8:12-20 - The Light of the World

John 8:12-20

12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You are bearing witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true; for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from, or where I am going. 15 You people judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and He who sent Me. 17 Even in your law it has been written, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am He who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." 19 And so they were saying to Him, "Where is your Father? Jesus answered, "You know neither Me, nor my Father, if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, and He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come. 

Message: The Light of the World

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Now in verse 12, Jesus continues where we left off in chapter 7, verse 52. He is in Jerusalem, having arrived there for the Feast of Booths and then going to the temple to speak and teach, while also the Pharisees heard and questioned. But Jesus has been firm and clear - we are to seek Him. We are to believe in Him. In Him, our thirsts are quenched. Jesus is sent by God. And what I see Jesus doing over and over is adding more reason to do this, but also pronouncing more and more that He is the answer. 

I am constantly amazed at man's thirst to find answers that primarily include self as the answer. I see it as this training that occurs in our life that to achieve results we must perform. And Jesus here over and over is declaring that He is the answer, not obedience to a construct, like the Law and not obedience to a pattern of living. Our lives need right living that we are reminded of continually by the Law but this right living doesn't result in God's acceptance because as good as the design, we are broken and fail and not perfect, as such not Holy as He is. And so we must keep turning our necks to God and to Him and what He provides for us. 

And so Jesus does that again, here. He says, "I am the light of the world" which is really again a sort of audacious statement, as well as even pompous. He is stating He is it and the Pharisees respond with, "No, you are not." But Jesus is saying that He is the preferred contrast. He is the light to the darkness. 

What follows is what has continued to be consistent in this book - Jesus' defense for who He is - the Father sent Him. 

The complaint by the Pharisees was that Jesus could not self-proclaim Himself. Jesus states that the second witness is the Father. And Jesus mentions Deuteronomy 19:15 - "..on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed." It is interesting because that idea is a tie in to the last passage when the Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery. 

Summary: Jesus proclaims Himself as the Light of the World based upon two witnesses, Him and the Father. 

Promise: We are prone to look for light and guidance everywhere but in Christ. Let us turn from these attempts and seek only the light of Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, You are the light. You not only shine, but you are the contrast to the darkness and a contrast to the dark and dissatisfying world in which we live. I know You to be My Light. And I pray that You would lead me continually to uphold it and make You known. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.  

John 3:21 - Doing the Truth

John 3:21 

But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

Message: Doing the Truth

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Nicodemus has come to Jesus realizing that for Jesus to do signs and wonders He must be from God. Jesus quickly points him the past signs and wonders and tells him the real focus of why He is on this earth - to show people that they must be born again and to be born again is a move of the Spirit in people's lives. Jesus has come from heaven to earth to lift people and what people must do is believe in Him. And in this belief they will have eternal life. Jesus is here on this earth to save people from their darkness. He is the Light. But most people are concerned about being exposed for who they are so so they resist the Light because they can't see past themselves. 

And now we move to today's verse which seems to be the culmination of the thought. Christ followers are those who are born again by the act of the Spirit (born of the Spirit) and this is seen by other people in how they practice truth. It reminds me of the words of James. We are "show me" people. We show people our faith by our works (James 2:18). It is those that practice truth which come to the Light. And it is in these deeds that people will see we are wrought from God. Again, this is not how we are saved. Saving is done by Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection through His Love (John 3:16). But people get to that point by the Spirit of God and being born by Him. And all of these deeds that we do don't give us glory, but rather they give God the glory. 

It is so clear. If people can look past themselves and practice truth then they will see that exposing themselves will actually free themselves. They need to see that they are totally accepted by God. 

Practicing the truth is wrapped up in love. Romans 13:8-10, "8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT COVET” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

It is not practicing truth alone. It is practicing the truth and coming to the Light. Jesus sacrifices. The Spirit awakens. We practice truth. And we got toward the Light. 

This is a phenomenon to me. We are not saved by our works. Our works show that we are saved and that God has done a good work in us. We must never get wrapped up in works based righteousness for it can't be about us. Throughout this body of Scripture, it has never been about us. It is about Him. He creates. He lives. He is the one to get the Glory. Once we recognize that this is what we are about, seeing ourselves as sinner, life is never more free. "Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner." Oh, for us to really embrace this. For all people to embrace this simple fact that they are sinners. 

It is interesting we often think that people must voice the sinners pray. Actually, they are already saved and this prayer simple helps us know the work that God has already done in this person. Praise God. 

Summary: We must expose ourselves to God, admitting we are sinners and run to the Light, believing, and we are saved and God gets all the glory. 

Promise: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

Prayer: O God, Wow! Your word is so amazing. Thank you for John and bringing amazing clarity to the Word of God and truth and what salvation is and looks like. Lord, no idea why you did it but you get all the glory in saving me. You have shown me the light. Just keep working in me to get out of the way helping me to accept more and more each day that I am a sinner. Thank you for the joy of being your laborer. Get me off my butt and speaking truth to others. Expose people. I pray more and more would admit they are sinners. And then keep on repeating this all the way to Glory. 

John 3:19-20 - Loving the Darkness

John 3:19-20

19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 

Message: Loving the Darkness

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Found out yesterday in the Tabletalk reading that most commentators believe these red letter words are actually John's commentary on Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus. It makes sense as in John 1:4-5 John referred to The Word as The Light and we saw later this was referring to Jesus. 

As I look at and study these two verses they really speak to me about the condition of man. There is something very simple and yet profound about these verses and our condition that I find so illuminating. Maybe because it is so clear and easy to understand and hits me hard about the person I am. 

(1) These verses speak of a contrast between Light and darkness. Jesus is our Light. And he is a light towards people that love darkness. Why? Because their deeds are evil. 

I was fairly young when I trusted Christ as Savior, 1 month shy of 15th birthday and I am not sure if before I was saved that I understood my condition to be a sinner. I think I thought I was normal. I was in the middle of adolescence with my body changing and in that process of it changing and my sexual desires coming alive, I was exposed to pornography. And I really don't think I was awakened to it being wrong until I became a Christian. Before this I also at times had a poor mouth and cursed a lot. I remember this starting for me as early as 5th grade. 

Did I love these things? I'm sure a part of me did. Or I didn't find any problem with them. But after becoming a Christian I realized they were sins and they did not glorify God and I sought to change. And to this day, there are situations in my life that I know can be evil and about darkness. I have people in my life that I am honest with, but I am not completely honest with anyone about all of my thoughts. 

(2) And then also those that do evil do not come to the Light out of fear that their deeds will be exposed. 

As I have been discussing, in thinking about my thoughts and what they are and even acts of sin to this day, the fear that hits me the most is being exposed or being found out. I don't want anyone to see the true colors of who I am and often I go to a lot of effort to keep it a secret. Granted, I am noticing myself change, especially over the last several years. I'm finding that my temptations are not as strong. And I am thrilled of this but also it makes me embarrassed of my past. 

So, these verses are quite interesting to me because they are so true. I don't want anyone to expose the darkness in my life. I know Jesus knows. And I suppose I hope he ignores. But I know He knows. 

Dr. R.C. Sproul writes in his commentary John, “It is against the nature of a child of darkness to come to the light because he knows the light represents exposure and humiliation.”

These verses infer that in order for a person to be born again, then the Spirit needs to awaken them. It make sense: when we do evil, we don't want the light. What makes us change? Something must awaken in us for this change to happen. 

Summary: The Light has come into the world but people love evil and hate the Light for fear of being exposed. 

Promise: People do not believe in Jesus because they love their sin, not because God creates evil in their hearts. The Lord will not refuse anyone who turns from sin and runs to Christ. And salvation means trusting Christ not only once but for all of our lives.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for taking me from darkness to your Light. You did it all for me. I don't understand but I am thankful for you awakening me into new life. 

John 1:10-13 - The Right to be Children of God

John 1:10-13 

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His sown, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Message: The Right to be Children of God

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: I kind I ran through the last lesson. It was an important one, but I didn't give it the time it needed. The first 5 verses of the chapter served as an introduction, showing us all that Jesus while new to the people that are seeing Him is not new and was with God at creation. Quite the bold statement. And further more that the Word (Jesus) is God. In verse 6, John comes on the scene and yet all of the focus by the write John is not on John the Baptist but rather on Jesus. There really is only a short description of John: (1) sent from God; (2) a witness (though, verse 19 on will have a little more information about him). So of the two items that are mentioned both are about God. I've always sort of wondered, how is it that John knew about Jesus? I can't find it mentioned, but either way, like many of the prophets, we do not know much about them other than that they are "sent from God." 

The previous lesson, brief about John, introduces Jesus as the Light. And the Light is meant to be believed. All people are meant to believe through him. So the focus is not simply to believe, but believe through him. The light illuminates God and so we believe God through the Light, through Jesus. We are enlightened by this Jesus, this Light, the Word. There has never been someone like the Light, like Jesus and so for good reason, there is a forerunner. 

We learn much about the Light now in these verses of 1:10-13:

• He was in the world
• The world was made through Him 
• The world did not know Him

Not simply the World did He come, but also His own. There is a contrast between the World and His Own. His Own are a subset of those in the World. And yet even among His own there were those that did not receive Him. 

There is a tone of sadness now which hits us. There is the Light to the World, but they don't know Him and now to His own, some do not know Him. This seems to be a mark on the Jewish people. Many of His own, His called ones, do not know Him. Granted, one day they will, but for too long, many do not. 

But many do. And to these he gives them the right to become children of God. 

Followers of Jesus are just that followers or Christ-bearers or Christians and they are in contrast to those in the Word, the Secular. 

This own, these many are born of God. They have a foundation they have come from. A child does not choose His parents or choose to be born. A child is born. Interesting that John uses this language of being born. There are those born of blood; those born of the flesh, born of the will of man. Those are all present in our world, but there are some born of God. 

This is a very significant set of verses for it points us toward the idea that we are chosen. We do not choose God. He chooses His children. His own are given the right to be Children of God. 

Summary: God calls many of His own to be born of God, as his Children - those that receive Him. 

Promise: To be born again is an act of grace alone, and only God can bring us to new spiritual life. The evidence that we have been born again is that we believe in Christ.

Prayer: O heavenly father, Great is Your name. You God choose us and we are your children through receiving You. But I am born again, born anew because You being my Father. Thank you Father God. Thank you for the special birth You have given me. You have allowed me to Know You and so be with you for all eternity. It is sad Lord to see those in the World not born of You. I have sorrow for them and yet rejoice in those that are born of You God. Jesus is the Light. For God so loved the world. What a great gift has been given me. I don't understand, but remain so thankful for what You have done for me. 

John 1:4-5 - The Word of Life and Light

John 1:4-5

4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Message: The Word of Life and Light

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Yesterday, I started with a discussion introducing John. In that introduction, John takes us back to "in the beginning" to charge that Jesus was there, with God and was God and all things came into being through Him. John helps us better understand Jesus. In chapter 20:31, he states that his purpose in writing is to believe Jesus. And we are to have Life in Him. 

Today in verse 4, he brings this to my attention even more. In Him was life. It is an interesting word play because we all have life. We are breathing. We are walking the earth. We are living. And yet John calls attention still to this word "Life" and directs us to the idea that this life is different with Jesus. And the life that John is communicating He also says is the Light of men. In verses 1-3 John mentions Him as creator - God in Genesis 1 creates the world and everything we see with a Word and John characterizes Jesus as the Word and in creating life, Jesus now is shown as life. And He is also the Light for all. Light illuminates and shows us the Way. The morning light comes into our world and shows us the way. 

When I do a quick word study of life I see it is the Greek Word Zoe and it is speaking of everlasting or eternal life. Matthew 7:14 mentions us entering into life and few will find it. Matthew 19:16 is the rich young ruler asking about eternal life. Matthew 25:46 contrasts this eternal life with everlasting punishment. And so life is lasting and eternal and continuous. But, I think life is also speaking of breathing and Jesus is that. 

There is a peace we who believe in Jesus have about life that I don't think is present in this world. Often, I hear followers of Christ wonder how non-followers make it through life without Jesus. Jesus brings purpose and fulfillment to life. He is life and that life with Him is eternal. 

"...and the life was the Light of men." This life, this eternal life, this full life is what we want. It is what people want everywhere. It is what they are looking for. We work and yet in that work we want more. We want time off to enjoy and drink and be with people we love. We desire to have a family. We want to succeed in our vocations, as parents, as children. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the Life." And so this life lights our way. This is the same light that Jesus mentions is us. With Jesus in our Life as the Life then we also as His children are the light to all around us. 

And this light is in opposition to darkness. "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." When Jesus is not a person's Savior and Lord, the light, who is Jesus, is not fully comprehended. 

It is almost as if John is looking for those words to help us see and understand the fullness of Jesus and Him in our life. He is beginning. He is life. He is light. Before there was light there was darkness and Genesis 1:2 describes, "The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep." And then light happened by the Word of God. 

Summary: Jesus - the Word - is beginning, is eternal and complete life, is light to our way, which darkness cannot fully comprehend. 

Promise: Unbelievers benefit from life and truth even while failing to recognize that these things come from God alone. It is our job to remind those around us that life and light come from God and that the Lord calls us to repent and trust in Him to benefit from His life and light eternally.

Prayer: O Father, I love these words. They are simply and yet they are are full and complete. They are everything to me and to our World. You are life, full life, and eternal life. And you are light, coming out of the darkness and shining to me and to our world. Life and light is evident to all and yes, I need to help all understand that you are the Source of all life and light. 

John 1:1-3 - The Uncreated Word

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Message: The Uncreated Word

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Matthew's gospel begins with, "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah... (1:1)." Mark begins with, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ... (1:1)" and Luke begins in a similar way to Mark, though is more definitive of his time investigating the details of Jesus' life. John begins in a similar manner introducing John in verse 6, however in his introduction He does something the other writers did not do in that he speaks of The Word, states the Word was the pronoun He and then speaks of this special connection He had with God, the Light.  John goes beyond the message of the Gospel to link the Word, mentioned as the pronoun He to flesh that came with the same glory of God, "glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

And so as we follow what is being stated about this one that came, the Word, we see a connection with the Word, with Glory of God and only begotten from the Father.  

The Word was "in the beginning." Genesis 1:1 records, "In the beginning God..." and now John records the same sort of phrase to connect beginning with Word/Him/Jesus and God "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Yet, why the Word? If John is speaking of Jesus and it seems clear in following the rest of the text, then why did He start this discourse with the Word and Him and not state Jesus till verse 17? The name God is mentioned several times. And yet there is clearly a clever word choice that John uses to introduce Jesus. 

When I think of Jesus, I think of someone that came onto the scene but as I walked this earth, he was begin discovered by men for who He was, His purpose and His reason for being here. There was therefore some sort of mystery in Him or discovery ("the world did not know Him (1:10)"). And yet this Gospel writer wants to remove that mystery. And yet in removing it He uses language of discovery. 

God enters our world through words and connects us to Him through the words, "Let there be light (Genesis 1:3)." And these words are creation. And so John bridges Jesus to God with words of creation, with the Word of creation. 

Word is the Greek word Logos. It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word dabar. Dabar refers to God's creative as when He utters words He is creating. And there is a thought or principle with dabar that holds all things together and explains reality. And John states that this principle is Him, the Word, the Light. 

Thus, it may appear to be shrouded in mystery, but after reading there is no mystery and all is clear. 

There is a reason this text is rejected by Islam as scripture and a reason it gets changed by Jehovah's Witnesses - because it clearly states Jesus is God and created. For other paradigms, these words must be changed because it is clear what is being stated. He's the creator. 

Summary: Jesus, the Word, is at creation, with God and was God and was therefore uncreated. 

Promise: Jesus is not merely a good teacher or moral example. He is the very God of the universe who is owed all of our worship and praise.  

Prayer: O Father, thank you for revealing the truth of Jesus in these words and thank for John and the way He expresses Jesus to us. You are not mystery, but clear. Bring people to a recognition of this. Help people to see You as You are, creator, the Light, with God and God. Keep giving me understanding of You. 

John 12:41 - Glory and Purity

John 12:41 - These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.

Message: Glory and Purity

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: I continue my study of God's glory, how all of life is for His glory. It is a bright, shining light, it is divine, and there is an eternal weight or value to it. There is nothing more important than it. And there are also attributes that we share as humans while also attributes that are set apart. 

In today's verse, Isaiah saw His glory, Jesus' glory. Isaiah, who lived 700 years before Christ. Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord (Yahweh) sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." Isaiah saw the pre-incarnate Christ. How do we know this? Well, let's follow the process as this is a rather bold statement in John (a book that has many bold statements linking more directly Jesus as God). This is the only time in Scripture in which someone sees Yahweh and Jewish tradition is that Isaiah was put to death in support of Exodus 33:20, "But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”" John connects Isaiah's seeing of God with Isaiah seeing Jesus. In John 12:38, John quotes from Isaiah 53:1, "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" leading him to make the statement in verse 41 referencing Isaiah 6:1. In Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah proclaims the Lord Yahweh whom He saw as Holy -- “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"

As such our lesson today is this, that God's glory is Holy. God's glory is Holy and separate. Holiness is separating from what is common. Isaiah 42:8, "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another." In this context of His salvation, His glory is not to be shared. Glory is connected with God's holiness and in His holiness there is also purity. I John 1:5 mentions, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." Our God is perfectly pure. There is no darkness, no sin in Him at all. God cannot be tempted by evil -- James 1:13 -- Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone."

This is why Jesus came into the World. John 3:19, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil." Jesus, the Light, the pure light, came into the world, to expose people's Sin. Darkness cannot live with Light. Men loved darkness. Men love their evil and their evil ways. Jesus is separate. He is holy. 

And we circle back to Isaiah 6 again and what happens to Isaiah. His sin is atoned for. Isaiah 6:6-7, "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” The only way we see the Lord is through sanctification - Hebrews 12:14, "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."

It is all connected. Scripture connects Jesus with the Lord Yahweh, His holiness, being separate, being pure, with no darkness at all. Only light. Jesus is the Light of the World, exposing the darkness in every person, in order to bring that person before the presence of God. We cannot be with the Lord unless we are sanctified. Bold statements. 

This is the Gospel message. God redeems man in his sinful state, and restores Him to be with God for all eternity. 

Summary: In God's glory is holiness and purity or light. God is light. Jesus is light. Light exposes darkness. Jesus is holy and pure. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We will not love what is holy if God does not make us holy, and in Christ the Lord not only declares us righteous in our justification but He purifies us in our sanctification."

Prayer: Lord God, your scripture is rich. It is powerful and Lord in it you speak life to us and give us understanding of who You are. We have so much to discover in it. It is bold. Help me to be bold in my life to people. Jesus, You are the Light of the World, exposing in us the sin that we love. You are Holy and separate and pure. 

Exodus 34:29-35 - The Light of Glory

Exodus 34:29-35 - 29 It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them to do everything that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take off the veil until he came out; and whenever he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he had been commanded, 35 the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

Message: The Light of Glory

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas. 

What the Lord is Saying: What is most important? For God's glory to be revealed throughout creation. So we should make it our highest goal to exalt the glory of God. 

I notice that Glory is not a word that I use a lot, except in relation to giving God all the Glory. It is interesting to put "Glory" in a search engine and when I do the first 2 items that come up are: it's definition:

a. : praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : renown. b. : worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving. giving glory to God

And the next is a movie called "Glory" from 1989 with Denzel Washington about the Civil War. This is not a word that is mentioned in society. 

In the Bible, what is God's Glory then. Today's passage does not mention the word "glory" but it gives the idea that Moses upon seeing God was hit with a bright, refulgent ('shining brightly') light. After speaking with God his face shone. It is interesting because bright lights or lights often is the way God is portrayed even in movies. And if it isn't light, it is whiteness. 

Psalm 43:3 - O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.

Psalm 57:5 - Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Light is purity and it is fulness. So it points us toward this idea of completeness and reverence. 

Summary: One of the central aspects of divine glory is bright, shining brightly, light.  

Promise: God's glory is not full comprehensible to creatures. We won't ever be able to comprehend God entirely. 

Prayer: God, you are Holy and Your glory is set apart and distinct and bright and full. Give me greater understanding of You.  You are set apart from everything else in creation and your light lets me know. Continue to shine brightly and I pray that You would shine bright in people's lives, opening their eyes to You. 

Deuteronomy 29:29 - Defining the Will of God

Deuteronomy 29:29 - “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law."

Message: Defining the Will of God

Time: Moses wrote the Book of Deuteronomy. It is a collection of sermons given during the 40-day period prior to Israel’s entering the Promised Land. He restates the Law to a new generation and provides a discourse on how to live a blessed life in the Promised Land. The year was 1406 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: Last night, a friend asked me, "Why do things happen the way they happen on earth?" It was an interesting question and yet a question I responded we should ask right now. It speaks to today's lesson about the will of God on earth. Man looks at life and ponders. Why do things happen like they do? Is it all random? Or is there a plan or order? When the God dilemma is mention, most people tend to look at God and his/her own life with this idea of "what have you done for me?" It is natural. We are on this earth, living, and breathing. We are working and doing. But we are very "me" focused on this earth. And the question of God is much of the time about how He interacts with me and helps me. So when life messes up my life or works in a way I don't understand, we respond with, "Why?" 

The more I live life, the more I see that life is about God rather than life being about self. And yet we live in a very self-centered world. Often, we are fine with God as long as all of our needs are met. It is like there are two lines, one line being our life and another line our life with God and at various times those lines may intersect but overall we are living two lines. As I grow, I see that the lines should be on top of one another and the line of God should be on top at all times which means who He is and what He wants is of most important. 

In this passage of scripture, Tabletalk distinguishes between revealed will and secret will. The verse mentions "secret things" and "things revealed." More specifically, the will of God overall is being referenced here. Things revealed are things we know from scripture: God's commands, His gospel, His Law, His promises. In other words, what He has told us in Scripture. I need to always run back to scripture for it is God's letter to me. He has placed in the letter instructions and what I need to know. But I need to remember, it is all about Him so what He describes to Me is what is pleasing to Him. Yet He created me and this world, so I can trust in Him. 

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 143:10 - Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

The key to these verses is these ideas of God. His Word defines my path and the light. And my focus is to be on His will. And also the great promise that the Spirit will lead me. So life and living is from the framework of God - my lamp for my path led by the Spirit. He defines me. 

Beyond "things revealed," there are "secret things" or what God is doing throughout History or His eternal plan for creation. 

Ephesians 1:11 - In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will

God has a purpose and it His job to work all things according to His will. I think the hard part is His will includes things that He does not find pleasing. I think this is a hard thing for man to reconcile, that God allows suffering and evil to occur. To man, this is unfair. And also it is hard when good people don't do well at times in live while bad people prosper. Or why do two good people have different outcomes? Again, we stop and stare and wonder why does it seem to not make sense to me. Yet, God says in His word He has a purpose. He ordains these things throughout life so that He can work in and through them for our good and His glory, both of which He does find pleasing in themselves. 

In these verses, notice what is not mentioned: "what I want" or "my will." See, I think the important thing in life is over time to push out my desires so that my desires become what He wants. And then I am more than willing to trust Him for what I don't know. As a father and mother, we lead and provide a lamp to our children, but we are mostly their guide. They don't need to know all the details of how dad and mom earn and manage the household. They need to simply take care of that which has been revealed to them. At various times, the will of the child gets in the way and the father and mother will need to correct the child. The child is getting off course and must be steered back. The child is often in discovery mode and asking a lot of questions. Sometimes the parent will answer and provide explanations, but at other times, the parent will respond with, "Because I said so." As children we need to be able to trust all of these replies. Parent, "Do what I say and let me take care of the overarching plan." God says the same thing. 

One thing to remember is we are people focused on information. We want to know, but we must remember always we are God's children as His children what is important is our path. This is why I always go back to Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Summary: God has two wills in a way - a revealed will or what we can know for the path we walk on and his secret will, what He knows and we can trust Him. 

Promise: The right way to pursue the will of God for our lives is to ask, what is pleasing to Him? 

Prayer: O God, thank you again for the clarity of your word. Keep reminding me that I am always your child, at times only needing to know the path and the light of it, at times understanding, but always trusting. Keep my focus on You and help this world be defined by You, not me. You will still give me things I need and want and will provide me lots of enjoyment. There is so much goodness of this world that you have provided for me. Help me to others focus on what I have, never on what I don't have. Be glorified always. 

My Utmost for His Highest - March 23rd - Am I Carnally Minded?

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people? - 1 Corinthians 3:3 

No natural man knows anything about carnality. The flesh lusting against the Spirit, that came in at regeneration, and the Spirit lusting against the flesh, produces carnality. "Walk in the Spirit" says Paul, "and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)"; and carnality will disappear.

Are you contentious, easily troubled about trifles? "Oh, but no one who is a Christian ever is!" Paul says they are, he connects these things with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens petulance in you? That is a proof that you are yet carnal. If sanctification is being worked out, there is no trace of that spirit left. 

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He does not ask you to put it right; He asks you to accept the light, and He will put it right. A child of the light confesses instantly and stands bared before God; a child of the darkness says--"Oh, I can explain that away." When once the light breaks and the conviction of wrong comes, be a child of the light, and confess, and God will deal with what is wrong; if you vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone it is the most real thing imaginable. God will see that you have any number of opportunities to prove yourself the marvel of His grace. The practical test is the only proof. "Why", you say, "If this had happened before, there would have been the spirit of resentment!" You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.   

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

- carnality - of the flesh, material, worldly
- trifles - something of little value or importance
- petulance - impatient or irritable, especially over a petty annoyance 

Isaiah 45:7 - Sovereign over Evil

Isaiah 45:7
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.

Message: Sovereign over Evil

Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.

What the Lord is Saying:

Previously, I concluded in saying that God controls all things, this does not mean then that God does all things which would mean then that God does evil. God is over all. But man still has free will, free choices. But we are not to be deceived into thinking that God s evil for only good gifts from God, the father of lights. The light is only light and there is no darkness in it at all.

Again, what has been recorded and known is God controls all things, but does not do all things. But, to take this a step further, God is still sovereign over evil. While God is not the one doing the evil, like men condemning Jesus to death on a cross; Jesus and his death on the cross was necessary. Crucifixion was necessary for all men to be free. Jesus knew he would die before He actually died. He also knew he would rise from the dead before it happened. In good, only God is the author and for good God receives all the credit. But, for evil, only man receives all the credit. Thus, theologians have come up with the doctrine of concurrence to describe the concurrence or two events happening at the same time and those two events are God's sovereignty and man's free will. Man chooses to do right or wrong, but God controls all that occurs. God allows free will, thus choices, thus bad choices, thus evil -- and in the end controls all things. This would mean then that God is sovereign over evil.

Outcomes can be the same but the intent of getting to those outcomes can be different. God and Joseph's brothers wanted Joseph to go to Egypt, but Joseph's brothers wanted him there for evil purposes while God wanted him there for good purposes.

God is no less in charge of good as he is in charge of evil. Isaiah 45:7 says - The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. Thus, the idea here is that God does ordain good and He does ordain evil, but He is not responsible for the evil but rather man is responsible. Adam and Eve choosing to eat from the tree of knowledge and good evil was inevitable or ordained by God, but Adam and Eve are the one's that bear the responsibility. Thus, it is good that evil exists as good needs evil. By saying that the Lord created darkness and created calamity does not also say that he chooses darkness in people and chooses calamity. Man is still responsible for his/her choices. God created evil but man committed sin.

Promise: God is not pleased with evil in and of itself, but He does govern it so as to bring about greater good.

Prayer: Lord God you are over all. Your ways are not my ways. You only do good but You watch over all of life and take control. Lord, continue to help me to know You and trust You no matter what. I want to lean on You. Define my days. Thank you for love and what it means to love one another. Thank you for truth and thank you for being everything I need. Lord, as evil enters my life I ask that I continue to trust in You and not give into it.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.

James 1:16-17 - Sovereign Over Good

James 1:16-17
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Message: Sovereign Over Good

Time: James is thought to be the brother of Jesus. He did not follow Jesus while he was on the earth, but became a follower and leader of the church at Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection. It is written about AD 45-48. It is practical application of living a holy life. Faith produces a real change in a person.

What the Lord is Saying:

I have definitely slowed down this month in doing these devotionals on a daily basis. I think it is partly the subject matter: the sovereignty of God which says that God controls everything in life. While I have studied about man having free will it still remains difficult to see at times how they fit together. My conclusion is that man chooses and God works everything out for His good purpose based upon those choices. Yet there are physical laws that make things fall into place based upon those laws. And at times God has used miracles as well. Thus, to expand on this idea, God is first cause and He works through secondary causes. But, even as a sit here and describe this, it is hard to put it all together.

As I use this study and read these words from Tabletalk it continues to catch me off guard. Today's lesson starts with, "In affirming God's sovereign providence, we are careful to not that He is in full control of all that happens." Those words continue to make me stumble with the idea that there is free will. It says, "directing everything according to His purposes." Thus, is he directing our free will? This is supported from this verse in Ephesians 1:11 - we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will which I commented on in the previous study. My conclusion was this idea that "he is in full control of all that happens" means he has created man's position, namely the will of man to choose.

This is further clarified by asking the question - Can God do what is evil? Since he is in control of all things, does he then do what is evil which seems to be what people often think of God in statements such as - Why does God allow so much evil to occur in this world? My sense is that question can be further clarified to mean - Why does God allow so much human suffering if He is Love and He is Good? It seems that the world has concluded then that there is no God and also there is no good and evil. Good is only present because we have the contrast between good and evil. If there was no evil, then there would be no good.

I've never really struggled with this issue of good and evil because they must most be present in life. You can't have one without the other. The Bible supports continually the idea that God is good. It also supports that man is a sinner. Sinners are in need of God because sin separates man from God. This is supported by today's passage from James 1 - Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above. 

Now I am always amazed at how the Bible speaks often to present day issues. James 1:16 starts with Do not be deceived. Deception is the crux of the differences that people hold. Most people fall victim to this deceit, believing to be defined by human will rather than seeing that God designed human will and is the first cause. We read the words of God and sometimes they make sense to us, but when they do not we look to other solutions from man and in so doing, if we believe those words, we then can be deceived.

James 1 provides us warnings about the events that occur in life. He starts with trials and reminds us that those trials can be approached with joy because our faith is often tested in those trials. As we have faith through those trials it produces a good in us and every good thing is from above.

Contrary to the sun and the way it moves throughout the earth produces sunlight at times and shadows at others, thus variation and shifting shadow, the Father of lights has no variation or shifting shadow. John 3:19 records This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Darkness is evil. Men gravitate towards what is dark, our selfishness, our pleasing of self. Therefore, God is not evil and evil is not done by God. But our testing, our trials, our sufferings God can still use for good outcomes.

Promise: God only does what is good. He is the author only of good.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for thinking that you author evil and that evil comes from you. Thank you for reminding me and showing me that you are only the author of good. Yes, evil exists but it is the outcome of man's free will choices to please self. We are sinners and imperfect and sin results from this as does suffering. Keep reminding me that you are good and only good.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.

John 1:1-18 - God the Son

John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Message: God the Son

Time: While John does not admit to have written this gospel, there is ample evidence from others that he did. It was most likely written in Ephesus around 85-95 AD and is the fourth gospel. John provides a Jesus more clearly as the Son of God. John cites Jesus' seven "I Am" statements, mentions many miracles of Jesus, signifying Him as God's Son. He is the Son of Man and atoned for our sins and the Son of God with eternal implications in rising from the dead.

What the Lord is Saying:

This book opens up not with the story of the nativity scene. Like the Book of Mark, Jesus comes on the scene immediately, but John also takes us back to creation showing that Jesus is not a created one, but was in the beginning as creator and in the beginning with God. This is a text that some beliefs have changed the meaning of as it clearly shows Jesus as God (the Word was God) while those beliefs make it to read Jesus was a god.

John came to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus to get people ready in the belief that Jesus is the Light, sent from God, to witness of Him. It was true that some received Him and some did not. But to receive Him meant that they to would be children of God.

While the Law was duty and keeping commandments, Jesus was about grace and truth. The biblical narrative has always been about redemption. God has redeemed His people. They walk away or turn away and He brings them back. He restores His relationship with them. But, not all believe.

Jesus is God and there are many other examples of this throughout the scripture and gospel writings. For example, Mark 2:1-12 records Jesus claiming the authority to forgive sins. Even in Jude 5, Jesus saved a people out of the land of Egypt. The Old Testament attributes this to Yahweh but Jude attributes it to Jesus. He was God and was with God. While coming to live and walk the earth alongside us Jesus came to redeem and save people. God is still in the work of redemption.

Promise: Only those with hardened hearts ill deny that the Bible reveals Jesus as the Lord God Almighty, worthy of all our love and worship.

Prayer: O God, thank you for redeeming mankind, for continually bridging the gap. Our effort to come to You remain efforts but our attempts our always not sufficient, but you came to earth and saved us. I receive You and want to always receive You. Forgive me when I get to prideful and too concerned with my own name and ways and don't receive You. Thank you for bearing my sin and saving me. Thank you for being the light for all the world. I pray that people would continue to seek You and desire to know you. Help me to communicate that love to others in as many ways as I can.



Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Mark 9:2-4 - The Mount of Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-4
² Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; ³ and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. ⁴ Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

Message: The Mount of Transfiguration

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been in preaching mode of late. After Peter and the disciples declare Jesus as the Christ, Jesus states his goal of suffering, and Peter rebukes that. Jesus tells the disciples that suffering can be part of following Him and their old way of thinking that life is about them and meeting their needs is not the goal. Our goal is to follow Him, no matter the cost.

Jesus pauses for a moment here and takes Peter, James, and John to the high part of the mountain. And He was transfigured before them. His garments became radiant and exceedingly white. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses. Moses had been set apart for the work of God on Mount Sinah. Jesus now experiences something similar. 

I think once again Jesus is confirming to his disciples his unique nature. That nature has been on display continually but they continue to struggle to trust Him each step of the way. Here he simply wants to confirm his mission to them, perhaps in an exciting way. Yes, they probably still don't understand. But, he is more than a man. And while Moses and Elijah may have experienced God at key moments. Here Jesus is the one, like God had been to Moses, shining in light. So, this isn't just another mountain have an experience. No, there is something different about Jesus. He has the same radiance and brilliance and glory of God here. As it records, he is transfigured. He is not simply a witness to what has occurred. He is the occurrence.

But, overall, to me, it is unclear what is happening. Many things could be extrapolated from this or assumed to have occurred. But, at this moment, after 3 verses, I'm not sure what more can be assumed. Perhaps Jesus is simply wanting to confirm to his disciples that He has a special purpose and so he is continuing to ask them to trust Him through it all. Elijah and Moses are present to confirm the historical and central message of God to his people. 

Summary - After Jesus has spoken of his purpose of suffering many things, be rejected, killed, and rise again and then Peter rebukes him on this; Jesus then says to his disciples what it means to be a true follower of Him. And now he is transfigured before 3 of the disciples and confirms that his nature is different from Moses and Elijah and his mission is different as he is transfigured into the radiant whiteness that was ascribed to God the Father previously at appearances to men. 

Promise: One day we will Love as it is. 

Prayer:Lord, thank you for being different, for being real, for being all powerful. I am looking forward to being with You for all eternity. It is hard to fathom at this moment, but I'm confident in You. I continue to trust You this day and pray that my faith would continue to grow and I would trust You. Be glorified.

Luke 2:22-35 - Our Divine Vocation

Luke 2:22-35

22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Message: Our divine vocation

Time: The Gospel according to Luke was probably the last Synoptic Gospel to be written, thus penned around 60 AD. The words salvation are in Luke, though not in Matthew and Mark. Luke, a gentile physician, wrote more than any other NT writer, writing primarily of redemptive history.

What the Lord is Saying: There is a continuous theme in the Old Testament that is carried forward in the New Testament because it is a theme that occurs in the lives of Jews and Jewish Christians. That theme is cleanliness versus being unclean. Many of the sacrifices that were set up in Leviticus were for the purpose of someone becoming clean again. The most common source of uncleanness was the stain of sin in a person's life. But there are other things as well. One of those things is a woman giving birth. After the birth, they were considered unclean for 7 days and then would have to stay home 33 days more, and then for having a girl these periods were doubled. And then they were to present in the temple an offering of purification: a burnt offering of a lamb a year old, and a young pigeon or turtle-dove as a sin offering. But if someone is poor then the lamb can be replaced with a young pigion or turtle-dove. This is what Mary brought for Jesus (v. 24).

And then there was Simeon, who we know nothing about, but that he was waiting for the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit came upon him, perhaps for a moment, rather than continually; but he was clearly a holy man. At some point in Simeon's life he had been told by the Spirit that he would not die before first seeing the Lord's Christ. It would make sense then that Simeon was very old.

Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus into the temple to carry out the custom of the Law in making and Simeon takes the baby in his arms to thank or praise God (v. 28).Simeon here recognizes that in this infant something special. God had told him through His spirit to wait for this baby, and this is indeed a special moment in the temple where Simeon, an older and wiser man sees that he can now depart from this world because he has seen the salvation of God's people, namely Jesus. Jesus is a light to the Gentiles and a glory to Israel. Thus, Jesus covers all people.

Joseph and Mary hear this, amazed once again. If anything this is also for their benefit, what Simeon has voiced, for them to hear that this baby is indeed different. There have already been so many signs of Him being different but these words from Simeon are the clearest.

Simeon speaks to Mary and Joseph with a prayer or a command and blesses them. They are blessed to have the honor of being related to this child and were entrusted to bring Him up. Jesus will be a savior of death to some (unbelievers) and a savior of life to still others (believers). But these words had to be hard to hear by Mary and Joseph that this baby would be rejected by many, would receive lashings and be opposed, but all of this is ordered by Providence as Jesus will reveal the actions of men. Jesus' suffering would hurt Jesus but also hurt Mary. But his suffering is necessary, as is our suffering.

Here we have the prophecy of Jesus and his life, by a man, Simeon that is really not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture and Luke records him. Jesus is set apart. He is indeed unique.

Promise: Suffering is a necessary part of life. The reality is suffering hurts and it is hard, but we remember it is necessary.

Prayer: Lord, I have seen that suffering is real. It does indeed hurt for it to occur in our lives. We have suffered for pain that our children experience or hurt that comes upon us from their actions. It is tough to be a parent, to experience all of the sacrifice and the things that we do to help make our kids great and then along the way, we hurt for them. It is a joy but it is also a difficult part of life. God, I thank you for what you do in our lives and for bringing us along in life the way that you have. Keep our eyes focused on You. Thank you for the prophecy of Jesus and that he is salvation for all people. We need You and we need You every hour.