Tag: Jesus saves
Jesus’ Words will be our judge!
Scripture reading for November 8th: Ezekiel 34-36, Psalm 86, John 12
John 12: 44-48 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”
Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly mission and He made clear that His mission was from God and His Words were absolute truth that was to be received and obeyed. His mission was to reveal the Father to people in darkness and to provide a “way” back to God’s family through the sacrifice of His own body and blood. He was not on earth to judge people or condemn them, but to save them from the penalty of their sins–eternal death. He was there to reverse the curse of sin and death and provide grace for eternal life. His mission would be continued by those who believed His Word and received Him. The gathering of God’s people had begun and their cleansing with the clean water of repentance and faith.
Ezekiel 36: 23-26 “And I will vindicate the holiness of My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate My holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.”
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for having mercy on me when I was in the darkness of sin and headed for death. Thank You for those who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me that I might be gathered into Your forever family. Thank You for the ultimate sign of Your favor, the blessed Holy Spirit, Who marks me as belonging to You and leads me to know and obey Your eternal Word. I will praise You for eternity!
Psalm 86:17 “Show me a sign of Your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”
A Walk on Water!
Scripture reading for January 21st: Matthew 14:22-36, Psalm 16, Proverbs 4:1-4
Right after the 5000 were fed, Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee by boat. He dismissed the crowd and then went up on the mountainside to spend time in prayer alone. It was this time alone with His Father that Jesus always made time for. Despite the joy of seeing people healed and delivered and preaching to crowds of people that flocked to see Him, Jesus felt it necessary to maintain close contact with the Father. He wanted to fully obey Him and complete the mission that they had designed before the foundation of the world!
About three in the morning, Jesus decided to catch up with the disciples by taking a direct route across the lake. He walked on the water towards where they were rowing against the wind and waves. “When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage, It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:26-27)
These disciples weren’t sure that it was Jesus even though Jesus spoke to them over the wind to encourage them. “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got out of the boat , walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:28-30) Peter’s bold request and quick obedience brought him the distinction of having walked on water. All things are possible when we obey the Lord and act in faith! It’s when we get our eyes off Jesus and His word that we all begin to sink! Jesus scolded Peter for his little faith and lifted him out of the water as He helped him into the boat!
As you contemplate this story, how do you think you would have responded to Jesus’ call to “come”? Do you find yourself giving the “wind and waves” more attention than the Lord and His simple commands? Are you living a life of faith or fear of potential failure? Jesus always honors faith and this story encourages us to obey the Lord’s commands no matter what the circumstances confronting us! Who knows, you may be known for “walking on water!”