Author Archives: jsjdevotions

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May 24, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Trusting God

If Jesus is the Answer, What is the Question?

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. [Matthew 20:32 (NIV)]

It appears that Jesus asked anywhere from one hundred to over three hundred questions in the Gospels, the number varying because of the many different Bible translations. Let it suffice to say that Jesus asked a lot of questions and didn’t give those many answers. He certainly didn’t ask questions because he needed an answer. Since He was God, he knew all the answers! He asked questions because he wanted us to know the answers.

Those questions were not just for the disciples or the people of Galilee and Judea; those questions are for us today. They are as relevant in the 21st Century as they were 2,000 years ago. Whenever we come upon one of His questions in the Gospels, we need pause to consider our own personal answer before reading the rest of the passage. What do we want Jesus to do for us? What are our concerns and why are we filled with doubt? How much faith do we have?

He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” [Luke 24:38 (NIV)]

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. [Luke 8:25 (NIV)]

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May 23, 2014

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Bible Stories, Forgiveness, Obedience

Casting Stones

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” …

[Jesus] said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” …

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” [John 8:4-5,7,10b-11 (NIV)]

Because none of the Pharisees or scribes were without sin, none dared to lift a stone against this woman. There was one person present that day, however, who was completely without sin: Jesus. Yet, he didn’t cast a stone; instead, he was filled with mercy. Lack of condemnation on his part, however, doesn’t mean that Jesus condoned or excused her sin; in fact he tells her to sin no more. We must never confuse God’s forgiveness and absolution of our sins with toleration of them.

Lord, remind us all to reflect on our sins before condemning others. May we always remember that you expect us to change our lives and leave our sinful ways so that we can walk in your holy way.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [John 3:17 (NIV)]

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May 22, 2014

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Bible Stories, Obedience, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

What Will it Be: Dust or Ink?

Lord, hope of Israel, those who leave you will be shamed. People who quit following the Lord will be like a name written in the dust, because they have left the Lord, the spring of living water. [Jeremiah 17:13 (NCV)]

 “…This woman was caught having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband. The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this. What do you say we should do?” …

But Jesus bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he raised up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her.” Then Jesus bent over again and wrote on the ground. [John 8:4-5, 6b-8 (NCV)]

I’ve always wondered why and what Jesus was writing on the ground that day when the adulterous woman was brought to him. What is the reason for the inclusion of this detail? The IVP New Testament Commentary Series sheds some light on this incident. It was unlawful to write on a Sabbath or holy day (and this was likely the last day of the Feast of Shelters.) One could, however, write in the dust. By writing only in the dusty ground, Jesus showed that he knew religious law.

That tells me why Jesus was writing in the dirt, but what could he have been writing? The IVP Commentary speculates that Jesus could have been writing the words of Jeremiah and/or the names of the woman’s accusers. Since they were Pharisees and teachers of religious law, they would all have been familiar with Jeremiah’s warning. They knew they were sinners and that those who sin against the Lord would soon be forgotten; their names would blow away like the dust. We will never know why or what Jesus was writing that day but, as for me, I want indelible ink (not dust) used to write my name in God’s book.

But you should not be happy because the spirits obey you but because your names are written in heaven. [Luke 10:20 (NCV)]

The glory and the honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing unclean and no one who does shameful things or tells lies will ever go into it. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter the city. [Revelation 21:26-27 (NCV)]

 

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May 20, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Plan, God's Promises

What Does Tomorrow Bring?

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. [Isaiah 46:10 (NLT)]

If we could see everything that was to happen in the future, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and defeats as well, would we ever get out of bed in the morning? God doesn’t just see tomorrow or next week; he sees the whole picture. I, for one, am glad that it’s God and not me who knows what that future holds. If we had known about the grief and pain or the betrayal, heartbreak, and disappointment of our lives would we ever have loved, committed, cared, taken a risk or strived? Looking back, however, I wouldn’t trade any moment of my life for someone else’s; any of the pain I endured was worth it.

Lord, when I feel bogged down by the challenges of this day and the next, help me trust you with my future.

Our suffering is not worthy the name of suffering. When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death, thinking what are they in comparison of the sufferings of my blessed Savior Christ Jesus. [Martin Luther]

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May 19, 2014

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Holy Spirit, Obedience

Don’t Be an Idiot

I am in Christ, and I am telling you the truth; I do not lie. My conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and it tells me I am not lying. [Romans 9:1 (NCV)]

When I learned to drive, my car had warning lights that would alert me to potential engine problems. My driver’s ed instructor called them “idiot lights” because “anyone who ignores them is an idiot.” Our conscience is led by the Holy Spirit and is our own personal warning system. Whenever we hear that voice saying, “I really shouldn’t…,” we immediately should heed that warning!

So be careful and do not refuse to listen when God speaks. [Hebrews 12:25a (NCV)]

 

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May 18, 2014

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God's Grace & Love

Our Travel Companion

Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was at home, he asked the disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road?” They were silent. On the road they had argued about who was the greatest. [Mark 9:33-34 (GW)]

Even for the best of friends, traveling together can be challenging, if not downright difficult. The twelve disciples traveled with Jesus for about three and a half years. What was that like? Mark tells us they bickered among themselves. This probably was not the first time and certainly wasn’t the last time there was discord among the disciples. Matthew and Thomas may have been a bit jealous that Peter, James and John seemed to be Jesus’ favorites. Peter may have argued with Judas about the way he handled their treasury. For all we know, Simon might have complained that Philip snored. The disciples were twelve ordinary men with the same weakness we all have: impatience, jealousy, gossip, pride, anger, etc. One of the twelve, in fact, would betray their leader. The gospels never say the disciples were without sin; only Jesus was!

It’s good to know that we have a traveling companion in Jesus who always knows the way, won’t complain, and never asks, “Are we there yet?” We walk with the one who knows when we’re tired and hungry, who provides for our needs, and both loves and forgives us. He leads us on the one true road to life. Thank you, Jesus, for being with us wherever we go.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way?” Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. [John 14:5-6 (GW)]