Again My Cousin Testified about Me & is Arrested

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

October 29, 2012    Again My Cousin Testified about Me & is Arrested     

Page 58-59   John 3: 22-36; Luke 3:19-20

Our human nature invariably compares our lives with the lives of others. The world’s culture teaches people to determine their worth on the basis of how well they compare to others. C.S. Lewis said that one of the challenges for the followers of Jesus is to learn to play great parts without pride, and small parts without shame.

God is working His plan of redemption and has a part for every one of His children. From God’s perspective, each part is essential. As John the Baptist models for us, our response is to accept our part, and do our very best to fulfill God’s role for us.

Our roles in God’s play change over time. John the Baptist spent many years as a student, preparing for his role. The day came when he was the only voice for God in Israel. The scriptures tell of masses of people making pilgrimages out into the wilderness to hear John, and to be baptized by him. Then the day came when God revealed the Messiah to John, and John’s role changed as he passed the torch to Jesus. John’s message to Israel diminished, while Jesus became the voice for God in Israel.

I believe we all have similar experiences in life. For parents, there was a time when we were the voice of authority for our children. When our children became adults our role changed to that of counselor or advisor – when asked. As a pastor, there was a time when I was casting God’s vision for the congregation, when I was God’s voice to the congregation. Then a time came when my role diminished, and I passed the torch to the next pastor to carry on the work of God.

Our passage today is an invitation to reflect on our lives. How well are we flowing with God’s plans for our lives? Are we following His plan, His agenda, or are we pushing forward with our own agenda?

Even though one of the underlying themes of our culture is pain avoidance, we all know that pain and suffering are a fundamental part of life. As much as we might hope that serving God would exempt us from pain and suffering, the witness of the Bible, as well as our own experience, teaches us that God allows His servants to be persecuted. The fact that God’s saints, such as John the Baptist, the Apostles Paul, James, John and Peter, Martin Luther, John Wesley and Mother Teresa, keep stepping up to say, “Here I am Lord, send me” is our affirmation that God’s promises are faithful and true.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39)

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/) 

 October 30, 2012         A Woman at Jacob's Well 

Page 63-64   Matthew 4:12, Mark 1:14a, John 4:1-42