Monday, March 18, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

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

Monday, March 18, 2013   I Again Spoke of My Impending Death   

Page 245-246         John 12: 20-50

The Greeks, in Jerusalem for the Passover, were curious onlookers. They had heard about the wondrous deeds of Jesus and wanted to meet him in person. Perhaps if they had come to him sooner, Jesus may have taken the time to chat with them. However, the festival of Passover was Jesus’ time and he was fully focused on fulfilling the final steps in his Messianic mission. He had no time for casual debates on the philosophies of the day. It was the time for commitment.

On Easter Sunday, congregations sing ‘Christ the Lord has risen today’, and the faithful feel tears rolling down their cheeks. Others mumble the words. While many in the congregation open their hearts to drink in the majesty and mystery of the celebration, still others respond with ‘ho hum.’ Such is human nature. As you meditate on today’s passage, remember the signs and miracles that revealed Jesus as the Messiah. (The seven signs in the Gospel of John: Changing water into wine in John 2:1-11; healing the royal official's son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54; healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-18; feeding the five thousand in John 6:5-14; healing the man blind at birth in John 9:1-7; raising of Lazarus in John 11:1-45; and the Cross & the Resurrection in John 19-20.) Because of these signs, many people believed in Jesus as the Messiah; many did not, and some believed but wanted to keep it a secret. How do you explain the differences? The reference to God closing hearts and minds is figurative, not literal. Jesus used this expression to emphasize how remarkable his miracles were, and how much more remarkable it was that some still did not believe.

Jesus’ comments in this passage help us understand the connection between faith and signs. Last night when I went to bed, I did so believing the sun would rise this morning. It did, not because I believed it would, but because that is the nature of the sun. It rises and sets each day. My believing opens the possibility for me benefiting from the warmth and light the sun will bring.

The Prophet Jeremiah writes, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). My believing this passage does not make it real. God’s mercies are new every morning whether I believe it or not. My believing opens the opportunities for me to experience God’s mercy anew every day.

Many people did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Nevertheless, Jesus was the Messiah, and he continued with his mission to birth God’s New Creation. Those that chose to believe benefited greatly. They still do.

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.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  In addition to this BLOG they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The second edition of my book, First Think – Then Pray has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

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

Tuesday, March 19, 2013  I Revealed the Future to My Disciples - Part 1 

Page 246-248         Matthew 24: 1-31