John 3-9.13.22
Scripture
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Observation
Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death..” Although we deserve condemnation, Jesus did not come to earth to condemn us and it was not how he responded in his interactions with people.
Understanding
I read a “Dear Abby” type of article today where someone wrote in asking if they should allow their daughter to play with a neighbor girl because the parents are evangelicals. The writer explained that when they first moved to the neighborhood, these neighbors were very friendly to them and so they pictured having a relationship between the families. That was until the writer and her husband refused their invitation to come to church. Since then, the neighbors have been polite, but distant.
I have to admit that at first the article shocked me. But, if I try to look from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know God, I realize that the writer feels targeted and used. They don’t feel loved and accepted. They feel that any friendliness shown to them by a Christian has an ulterior motive.
Jesus didn’t condemn people – he met them where they were. He ministered to them and healed them and showed them love. We need to learn to love people, regardless of their opinions and life choices. We need to love them regardless of whether or not they decide to follow Jesus. We need to love them because they are our neighbor.
Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Life Application
Jesus, help me to love people like you do. Help me to accept people where they are. It is not my job to change people, it is my job to follow You and lead a life that points others to You.
-Debbie Dunn
John 2-9.12.22
Scripture
John 2:16 NLT
“Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!””
Observation-What does it say?
It was almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration. So Jesus made his way to Jerusalem. He headed towards the Temple, only to find many merchants selling livestock and exchanging foreign currency there. The merchants were trying to capitalize on the Jewish celebration by selling goods to the people who were heading to the Temple to worship and celebrate Passover. They turned this house of worship into a marketplace! And Jesus was not happy about it one bit. Jesus then drove out all the livestock, merchants, and turned over the merchants’ tables in his anger over what they did to God’s Temple.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Have the fire and desire to stand up for what is right.
Jesus was angry. Why shouldn’t he be? People were making a mockery of His Father’s House.
“He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!””-Matthew 21:13 NLT
The merchants were taking advantage of the people who were going to the Temple to worship by selling them the sacrificial animals that were used in Passover celebration. And I think it’s safe to say that they weren’t selling them at bargain prices either. They probably bumped up their prices and doubled their profit. I can picture it now, a vendor yelling “Get your sacrificial lamb right here!” “Two for one deal!” “Can’t go into God’s House until you get one of these fine, unblemished animals!” And you know the Pharisees were getting their piece of the action too! Why else would they be so angry with Jesus when Jesus began driving these merchants out?
But Jesus just about had enough! His love for the Father would not allow His Father’s House to be desecrated. It was an injustice to God and it was an injustice to His people. Jesus’ love for God caused him to stand up for Him even if it was an unpopular decision and caused him to gain enemies. Jesus knew what was right and he wasn’t going to stand idly and let this pass.
And as Christ Followers we should do the same. We should have that same fire and desire and love that Jesus had to please God. Even if it is an unpopular decision or causes people to hate us, it’s about pleasing God, not pleasing others and ourselves.
““Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”-Matthew 10:32-33
Life Application
Live to please an audience of One.
I know, it seems so hard to do sometimes. To have the whole crowd turn against you. To be ridiculed and made fun of because of your faith. To have “friends” turn their backs on you because of it. To be shunned out of society because we choose to live by God’s standards. But take heart! Know that Jesus went through all of it and know that Jesus overcame all of it too! And we too will do the same. So stand firm in your faith. Be bold and courageous! Live and focus our lives on pleasing God because at the end of the day, He is all that matters.
“Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”-John 16:31-33 MSG
-Moses Gaddi
John 1 - 9.9.22
Scripture
John 1:41-42
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
Observation – What does it say?
Andrew was hanging out with John the Baptist when Jesus passed by. John told him, “Look, the Lamb of God!” In that moment Andrew became a follower of Jesus. He literally caught up with Jesus and was following behind him, when Jesus turned around and welcomed him. After spending the afternoon together, the first thing Andrew did was to find his brother and bring him to Jesus.
Understanding – What does it mean?
The first thing we should do when we start following Jesus is to bring others to him.
After one afternoon with Jesus, Andrew was already reaching people and bringing them to him. The same day he chose to follow Jesus, he was bringing others with him! Andrew recognized the simple response we should have to discovering Jesus: Bring other people to him, starting with those you have close relationship with.
Life Application
I long to bring more people to Jesus!
When I first discovered Jesus, I did what Andrew did. I was so excited about God and the way he changed my life, I wanted everyone to know and experience him like I had. So I shared my story with everyone I had relationship with – family members, friends, old friends I used to party with, neighbors. After that initial wave, whenever I’ve had opportunity to form new relationships at work or the gym or wherever, I have had opportunity to share with people my story and encourage them toward Jesus.
But the rate at which I am forming new relationships with people who don’t know Jesus is very slow. My prayer is that God would bless me, and bless us his church, with new connections and relationships with people who don’t yet know him. And, that we would experience the joy of bringing them to Jesus! To the one who loves them, longs to save them, longs to satisfy them and give them life, who will change everything in their lives, in the best way.
-Levi Thompson