An unlikely route to life

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 30TH

John 20:9 ESV NASB

For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

“An unlikely route to life”

The first Easter morning didn’t start out well for the disciples. The one thing they knew for sure, when they woke up that day, was that Jesus was dead. The precious Master and Friend they had followed for three years, hanging on His every word, was gone— having been brutally executed on a Roman cross. His death must have been a crushing blow. Imagine their emotions. Disbelief. Disillusionment. Despair.

Until that morning, the disciples had operated from the understanding that normally death was final. That’s the way the program worked. It wasn’t until the disciples saw the empty tomb that they finally ”believed” and understood “the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead” (John 20:9).

Suddenly, Old Testament passages such as Psalm 16:10, which predicted Christ’s death and resurrection, made sense. Weeks after Resurrection Sunday, on the day known as Pentecost, Peter quoted that very passage to a crowd in Jerusalem as he testified to the dramatic turn of events surrounding Jesus (Acts 2:22-32).

Speaking of His own impending death, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels” (John 12:24). In other words, death is the way to life.

Yes, it’s a paradox that death can be an unlikely route to life and joy. Only Jesus could lay down His life “as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Our path to experiencing His life involves daily crucifying anything that would lead away from Him.

Lord, help us to see what needs to die in us so that Your life can be our all. —Jeff Olson, Our Daily Journey

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Chutzpah

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 26TH

Matthew 15:28 ESV NASB

Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

“Chutzpah”

When I was growing up, my father kept one can of WD-40 in the house and another in his car. It seemed it was the be-all and end-all for almost every mechanical problem. But what is WD-40? It literally stands for Water Displacement 40th attempt.

In 1953, chemist Norm Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion—a task which is accomplished by displacing water. Larsen’s unyielding tenacity and persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.

Matthew introduces us to a Gentile woman who had this same kind of persistence. Her daughter was violently and cruelly demon-possessed (15:21). She had no hope of ever seeing her daughter normal again, until she heard that Jesus was in town. She had heard about Jesus’ power and the miracles He had worked in the lives of others, and she believed He could help her too. So she approached Jesus boldly and persevered with unyielding tenacity, even when everything and everybody seemed to be against her. Her race, religious background, gender, the disciples, Satan, and even Jesus seemed to be against her (v.24).

Despite these seeming obstacles, she did not give up, but pushed her way through the dark corridors of her desperate need. She had chutzpah (khoot-spuh), a Jewish/Hebrew word for headstrong persistence, unyielding tenacity, bold determination, and raw nerve. Jesus complimented her chutzpah and rewarded her faith by healing her daughter (v.28).

Sometimes we pray, and if we don’t get an answer the first time, we give up. That’s not chutzpah! Chutzpah is having the raw belief, the deep trust, and the confident hope to be persistent with God, believing that He is good, just, and loving, and that He desires what’s best for us. —Marvin Williams, Our Daily Journey

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Tattoos aren’t new

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 23RD

Romans 6:6 ESV NASB

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

“Tattoos aren’t new”

You might think that tattoos are a recent phenomenon. Not true. The ancient Romans would tattoo (or brand) slaves and criminals. Later, during the fourth century AD a Christian sect called the Montanists tattooed themselves as slaves of God (Revelation 7:2-3). And Coptic Christians have been tattooing crosses and other symbols on their hands for more than 1,200 years. Many Coptic (Egyptian) Christian villagers still sport cross tattoos today. For them, the tattoo reflects their commitment to Jesus, whose scars will forever be reminders of His sacrifice for us (John 20:19-28).

Paul, in Romans 6, reveals what should be the mark of a true believer in Jesus today. “We are no longer slaves to sin,” he wrote (v.6). Unlike the slaves branded by the Romans, giving them a permanent identity as a criminal, believers in Jesus choose to be “a slave of Christ Jesus” (1:1). Jesus transforms us from the inside out and calls us to “live new lives” that show “we were set free from the power of sin” (6:7).

As we turn from sin and embrace the holy life to which Christ calls us, we bring glory to Him and present a picture of what Christianity is all about. Paul put it this way: “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives” (v.6).

Whether or not tattoos of a cross are a good idea may be a disputable matter. But all of us who are true believers in Jesus will reveal our faith in Him by turning from sin. He has broken the power of sin over us, setting us free to live “for the glory of God” (v.10). You don’t have to get a tattoo to show your faith. A life of pure devotion to Jesus, radiating His power to resist sin, will show the world you belong to Him. —Tom Felten, Our Daily Journey

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Groundhog Day

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 15TH

Galatians 6:10 ESV NASB

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

“Groundhog Day”

Groundhog Day, one of my favorite movies, is a comedy featuring Phil Connors, a self-centered, arrogant TV weatherman. After being forced to take on a much-hated assignment—covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney—he suddenly finds himself caught in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again. At first, he pursues every hedonistic escape he can think of. But eventually he begins to reevaluate his priorities, to better himself, and to think of others’ needs.

Thousands of years earlier, Solomon had carefully observed the circular repetition of human activity. The sun rises, you wake up, have breakfast, send the kids to school, and then off to work you go. Many hours later, you leave the office and come home. And you repeat the same routine over and over again. For some people, this routine couldn’t be more mundanely repetitive and monotonous. The endless cycle never produces anything “truly new” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In frustration, Solomon concludes: “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless” (v.2).

Like Phil Connors, we need to reexamine our life and priorities. Instead of seeing himself as a prisoner of life’s repetitive cycles, Connors began to use his knowledge of how the day would unfold to help people. Knowing that a child would fall from a tree at a certain time, he made it a point to be there and catch the child every time. He befriended a dying, homeless man. In helping others, he found meaning and purpose in life. We too can find purpose and meaning in life. Who is one person we can help today? Solomon advises “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live” (Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV). Life may be monotonous at times. But it is never without purpose or meaning. —K.T. Sim, Our Daily Journey

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Adoption option

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 16TH

Matthew 5:16 ESV NASB

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

“Adoption option”

In his Apology (AD 197), Tertullian argued that the Roman government should stop persecuting its best citizens. He said that Christians not only prayed for the emperor and the empire, but they also sacrificed for the sake of their neighbors. He said they pooled their money “to feed the poor and to bury them; for boys and girls who lack property and parents; and then for slaves grown old and ship-wrecked mariners; and any who may be in mines, islands, or prisons.” They didn’t use their cash to fund lavish banquets as the Romans did.

This “trust fund of piety” was so successful that when a new emperor named Julian the Apostate wanted to return Rome to its pre-Constantinian, pagan ways a century and a half later, he discovered that paganism had been thoroughly discredited by the charity of the Christians. Julian complained that he could not turn people from the Christian faith when “the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well.”

A similar opportunity exists today. James 1:27 states, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” Christians are rightly known for opposing abortion. What if we were also known for supporting adoption?

What would happen if our churches were lovers of orphans; if our church directories were as diverse as the world; if we made disciples of all nations in part by adopting their most at-risk members; and if mothers considering abortion chose life because they knew they could give their child to any number of Christian homes?

We would be imitators of God, who has adopted us into His family, and we would generate praise from non-Christians who witness our good works. They just might become followers of Jesus; but if not, they would at least understand why someone would. —Mike Wittmer, Our Daily Journey

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Handle with care

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 13TH

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV NASB

and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“Handle with care”

Various vacations have taught me that jet skis and boulders don’t go together. Neither do 3-wheelers and thin ice.

My motorized mishaps began when, as a kid, my family spent the afternoon visiting friends. Willing to accommodate my need for speed, their son let me use his go-cart. He showed me the gas pedal but assumed I would find the brake. So when my friend and I realized we were headed for the highway at full throttle, we jumped off to avoid crashing into any cars. Ouch! It’s so important to be properly trained in how to use expensive recreation vehicles!

Much more important than just a means of entertainment, the Word of God is both a weapon and a tool. Just as a soldier is trained to use his weapons in battle and a builder learns how to use his tools, believers in Jesus must be trained in how to handle the Word.

In recounting the temptation of Jesus, Matthew demonstrates how even Satan used Scripture (4:1-11). Manipulative, the enemy was interested in his own selfish purposes and not in truth. Because God is serious about His Word, we need to understand:

• Keeping our hearts pure before the Lord enables us to receive instruction from the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8). • Wielding the sword includes accepting our inability to know everything, while being willing to learn (1 Timothy 4:12-16). • Learning how to handle the Word develops us as people who are unashamed and ready to share it (2 Timothy 2:15, 4:2-4).

Scripture tells us that in the end days, deception will grow stronger (Mark 13:22). God wants us to be master swordsmen, trained and ready to communicate His truth. Let’s do what it takes to learn. —Regina Franklin, Our Daily Journey

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No condemnation

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 12TH

Romans 8:1 ESV NASB

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

"No condemnation"

The Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery in the United States was ratified by the necessary number of states on December 6, 1865. So, how many slaves were there in the US on December 7? Technically, there were none. Although the law had been passed, there were many who did not know the truth and continued to live like slaves. There were many others who knew they were free but doubted the reality of their freedom.

This seems to be true of many believers in Jesus today. An “amendment of freedom” has been passed by the death of Jesus, but many doubt the reality of their freedom and continue to live like slaves to sin. This is precisely what Paul spoke of in Romans 8.

He begins the chapter with “So now,” a phrase that referred to the earlier themes of Romans: freedom from sin, justification by faith alone, friendship with God, and assurance of salvation and eternal life—all which were achieved through Christ.

Paul reminded his readers, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (v.1). This means that there is absolutely no eternal punishment or estrangement for those who place their trust in the finished work of Jesus. Their sins are forgiven and covered. The war is over and they are no longer enemies of God. No accusation against them will stand. In this verse, Paul communicated that we’re no longer condemned under the penalty of sin, and there’s no condemnation or peril that could ever separate us from the love of Christ (vv.31-39).

At times, sin and failure cause us to doubt the reality of the freedom that Jesus has provided for us. Let’s remember that He alone has secured and sustained our salvation. It’s all about Him, not our performance. —Marvin Williams, Our Daily Journey

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Ultimate allegiance

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 9TH

John 8:53 ESV NASB

“Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?”

“Ultimate allegiance”

Read the first 8 chapters of the gospel of John and you get the distinct impression that inaccurate views of two men—Moses and Abraham—stood in the way of many first-century Jews believing in Jesus. For instance:

• Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath (5:8-10). The Pharisees charge Jesus with breaking the Mosaic Law (vv.10,16,18). Moses remained their authority even though the Lord of the Sabbath had come (Luke 6:5). • Jesus calls the Jews to believe in Him (John 6:29). “Show us a miraculous sign,” they reply. Moses had given them manna from heaven—“What can you do?” (vv.30-31). They clung to the bread of Moses when the “bread of life” was right there (vv.32-36). • Jesus calls for followers whom He will set free (8:31- 32). “But we are descendants of Abraham,” the people reply. “We have never been slaves to anyone” and so need no release (v.33). • “Anyone who obeys My teaching will never die!” Jesus says a few moments later (v.51). “Are You greater than our father Abraham?” the Jews retort (v.53).

In case after case, misinterpretation and misunderstanding of Moses and Abraham blurred their vision to the One to whom these very heroes were pointing (5:46). Did you catch that? The two men were not the problem—Jesus commended their examples (8:39). But the inaccurate view of any religious hero can keep us from accurately seeing Jesus.

Who are your religious heroes? Lutherans might say Martin Luther. Methodists might say John Wesley. Reformed folks might say John Calvin. How many theological battles have been fought between the modern-day followers of each? When others are raised as ultimate heroes, Jesus is eclipsed.

Christian leaders are God’s gift to us (Ephesians 4:7-13), but wholehearted devotion belongs to Jesus alone. —Sheridan Voysey, Our Daily Journey

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“Enough for me”

Daily Devotional, April 8th

Matthew 14:20 ESV NASB
and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.

“Enough for me”

Author Peter Rollins offers a jolting retelling of Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000. Rollins recounts how the swarming crowds thwarted Jesus’ efforts to find solitude in a boat. As the crowds poured into this remote location, it became obvious that they needed food. The disciples could only scrounge up five loaves of bread and a few fish, Jesus miraculously multiplied the meager supplies, producing piles of food. Here Rollins turned the biblical story in a disturbing direction, concluding that “Jesus and His disciples ate like kings” and “what was miraculous . . . was that when they finished this massive banquet,” there wasn’t a crumb left for the starving people. Of course, this was not at all the way the story actually ended, which is precisely Rollins’ point. In the biblical telling, 5,000 men (plus women and children—probably 10- to12,000 in all) ate their fill; and with everyone stuffed, Jesus’ disciples gathered up “twelve baskets of leftovers” (Matthew 14:20). Nothing in the biblical story could be further from Rollins’ parable of selfishness and greed. At the beginning of the narrative, the gospel writer Matthew noted that Jesus felt intense compassion for the throngs that overwhelmed Him (v.14). This compassion moved Him to first “heal their sick” even before He began to fill their bellies (v.14). Rollins’ ending is not intended to raise questions of Jesus—but questions of us. If we consider it scandalous that Jesus and His disciples would hoard food from the hungry crowd, do we consider it just as scandalous if we do the same? While Jesus provided generous food for everyone, I’m often consumed with making sure there is just enough for me. I can’t say I follow Jesus if I hoard God’s generosity for myself. —Winn Collier, Our Daily Journey


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“The pilot seat”

Daily Devotional, April 7th

Deuteronomy 11:27 ESV NASB
the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today;

“The pilot seat”

An F16 fighter jet is an amazing aircraft with incredible capabilities. But there’s one thing that a jet pilot requires above all else: The F16 must respond to his control. God has much to say in Deuteronomy about why He must be at the controls of our life. The book is the story of Israel’s renewed covenant with God—one that would guide the nation to His blessings. In chapter 11, Moses outlined the motivations for obedience: • Obedience is the appropriate response for those who have experienced the discipline of the Lord and have seen His greatness (vv.1-7). • Obedience to God—and only obedience—leads to real life, helping us soar past empty pursuits (vv.8-12). • Obedience allows us to enjoy God’s blessings (vv.13-15). Next, Moses warns us to avoid flying headlong into the trap of thinking that . . . • There is no consequence for disobedience (vv.16-17). • There is no reward for being obedient (vv.18-21). • There is no one to watch over us, so we need to fight for our rights. Instead, Scripture reveals that God will “drive out” our enemies, “stretch” out the land before us, and “cause the people to fear and dread [us],” as we follow Him (vv.22-25). • There is little difference between choosing obedience or being disobedient (vv.26-32). A. W. Tozer wrote, “The true follower of Christ will not ask, ‘If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?’ Rather he will say, ‘This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!’ ” Obedience to the God who “pilots” our ways and days is the key to a life of joy and excellence. —Poh Fang Chia, Our Daily Journey

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“The new normal”

Daily Devotional, April 5th

1 Corinthians 15:1 ESV NASB
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,

“The new normal”

Life. You grow up, go to school, get a job and get married, have 2.4 kids, buy a house, save for retirement, and enjoy an occasional vacation and dinner out. Along the way you learn the rules. It takes money to get what you want, and that requires skill, preparation, and befriending the right people. If you play it smart—with timely moves—you can forge a career replete with promotions and a retirement right on schedule. And then you die, leaving a surprisingly sizable inheritance to your heirs. That’s life—the same for you as for everybody—as far as the eye can see. But what if we aren’t limited to our sight, but can hear a Word from God that teaches us a different way to live? Paul said that “faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the good news about Christ” (Romans 10:17). This Good News is that “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The good news is the great game changer. Jesus entered our world, died on the cross, and rose again to defeat sin, death, and Satan. After His resurrection, He was seen in a variety of places by hundreds of witnesses (vv.5-8). Due to Jesus’ world-changing words and existence, life as we know it has turned upside down. The rules have changed. Here’s our new life: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39); “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35); “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3); and when we return—and Christ’s resurrection means that we will return—“those who are humble . . . will inherit the whole earth” (Matthew 5:5). —Mike Wittmer, Our Daily Journey


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“Inside information”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 1ST

Posted to Luke 18:31 on Mar 31, 2010 at 02:58 PM

Luke 18:31 ESV NASB

Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

“Inside information”

Tiptoeing mischievously toward me, my son leaned down and placed something near the base of the chair where I was sitting and then scampered away. Looking down, I smiled at his childlike belief in my supposed ignorance. There on the floor was the homing unit to his spy gear listening device. Though he would hear little more than the turning of pages or tapping of the keyboard, he remained unaffected in his resolve to listen in and get some “inside information.” He simply loved the mystery of being able to be somewhere without really being there.

Preparing for His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus told the disciples some inside information pertaining to what was coming and how they were to respond (John 16:4). They tried to make sense of God’s plan based on what they could see, however, and “failed to grasp what He was talking about” (Luke 18:34). Even Peter—the one whom Jesus named “the rock”—boldly questioned the methods through which the Messiah would be revealed (Mark 8:31-33). The death of Jesus wasn’t in their plans.

If we’re honest, most of us want to see what’s ahead so we can be prepared. Desiring control, we want God to tell us where we’re going and when we’ll arrive. Jesus didn’t give the disciples the pieces of the puzzle ahead of time so they could be comfortable. He gave them inside information for a purpose outside of themselves. He knew they would be the ones who would turn the world upside down.

The gospel is indeed a great mystery, and God has placed us as believers at its core (Ephesians 1:9). We may not know tomorrow’s exact events, but God has revealed His heart to us. Likewise, our hearts are revealed by our response to the information He gives us. —Regina Franklin, Our Daily Journey

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