Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

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

Tuesday, January 15, 2013          The Jewish Leaders Tried to Kill Me      

Page 164-165         John 10:22-42

In Jerusalem for Hanukkah, Jesus’ words reach new heights of controversy. Approximately 200 years before Jesus’ ministry, Israel had been overrun by an invading army. The army occupied Israel, desecrated the Temple, and put the people under oppression. A man named Judas Maccabaeus led a revolt against the foreign army and defeated them. The people made Maccabaeus their king, and his family ruled Israel until the Roman invasion 100 years later.

Maccabaeus led the people to purify the Temple, and to hold a festival every year to commemorate the rededication of the Temple. This festival, Hanukkah, which means dedication, is held at a time on the Jewish calendar that is close to our December 25^th date. Against this backdrop, Jesus continues to confront the people with the truth that he and the Father are one and that he has been sent by the Father to be the true Messiah King of Israel. Jesus tells the people if they will not believe him because of his teachings, then believe because of the miraculous signs of his authority.

In the midst of Jesus’ proclamation about being the Good Shepherd, Jesus gives his followers the assurance they will live eternally with him. Jesus’ followers can rest in the absolute assurance that they are safe and secure in his grasp. Jesus says that when we choose to follow him, the Father gives us to him, and because the Father and Jesus are one, we now find ourselves safely in the Father’s hand.

Brennan Manning, writing in his book, Ruthless Trust, says, “Faith in the person of Jesus and hope in his promise means that his voice, echoing and alive in the Gospels, has supreme and sovereign authority over our lives.” You are now at a jumping off point for such a life of faith. You can gloss over Jesus’ assertion that he is our Good Shepherd, or you can choose to make the Good Shepherd the supreme and sovereign authority over your life.

Choose this day whom you will serve!

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/)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013     I Taught My Disciples about Prayer       

Page 171      Luke 11:1-13