May 3, 2013
Jesus tried to explain being born of the Spirit to Nicodemus by comparing the Spirit to the wind. But Nick didn’t get it. At least not at first. Jesus often used “earthly things” to help explain heavenly ones. Earthly things like: sheep, soil, weeds, wheat, chaff, farmers, sons, coins, fields, barns, houses, rocks, virgins, lamps, banquets, weddings, etc. These things represented greater things. Scientists describe things by subtraction, by autopsy they identify down to the inanimate and unintelligent parts. Earthly things lose their wonder on the mortician’s table. Yet, when Jesus speaks of earth and heaven, those of us who believe, become wide-eyed like a child at God’s creation again.
May 1, 2013
This is what Jesus told his newest follower, Nathaniel, after the disciple expressed amazement at Jesus over a little thing. Jesus was essentially saying, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” (Forgive the slang, but wanted to drive home the point). Jesus used unusual language in this prophecy: “angels ascending and descending…” The reference would’ve been easily recognized by his Jewish disciple though, as it clearly refers to Jacob’s ladder vision (Gen.28:12). Jesus was saying, “I am the ladder between heaven and earth,” follow me and you’ll see it.
April 30, 2013
Many of His own people did not receive Jesus, “but” those who did were born again as children of God. We recognize many races and cultural differences among humanity, but to God, we are either His children through Christ, or children of Adam. All of Adam’s kids are born spiritually dead due to the sin nature that they inherit. But to those who “receive” Christ, there is a new nature imparted, reconciling them to God and bestowing on them eternal life. The question that matters is not, “what have you done with your life?” but “whose child are you?” Have you been born again through receiving Christ?
June 2, 2012
Peter learned that loving Jesus means more than words. Singing love songs to Jesus is good. But the worship that Jesus calls us to means that our love for Him looks like love for His sheep. Jesus still asks, “Do you love me?”
June 1, 2012
Jesus commended Thomas for seeing and believing. He blesses us today even more for believing without seeing. Do you know this blessing of believing in Jesus?
May 30, 2012
How Jesus answered Pilate’s questioning. Pilate’s response: “What is truth?” We live in a relativistic age that questions the idea of absolute truth too. But those who “love truth” will see the truth revealed in Jesus.
May 28, 2012
The night before Jesus was crucified, He prayed not only for the Twelve, but also for all of us who would believe the gospel message.
May 26, 2012
Christians are not called to imitate Christ. They are called to abide in Him, so that His life is manifest in theirs. Our effort is not to do Christlike things, but to tenaciously cling to the Vine, so that His life flows through us to produce spiritual fruit.
May 22, 2012
Wake up sleeper. Come into the Light and walk no longer in darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world. Wake up!
May 21, 2012
Others may not understand, but Jesus defends the one who expresses extravagant and sacrificial love to Him.