DAILY BIBLE READING:
2 Samuel 1:1–2:11
John 12:20-50
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 15:27-28
BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:
John 12:43 (CSB) "For they loved human praise more than praise from God."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):
While reading John 12 this morning, I was struck by one of the themes of this text - dying to live.
John 12:25 (CSB) "The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
If we desire to live this life as an end in itself, we will lose it and eternity. But, if we die to this life and live for the life to come, we will demonstrate that we are a true Jesus-follower.
John 12:32 (CSB) "As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself."
In this verse, Jesus talked about his own death. He was calling His followers to do only what He was willing to do. His literal death on the cross illustrated the death in our heart that must take place - we must live for eternity and not for this life.
And when we come to John 12:43, our Verse for Today, we see that part of dying to this life involves who we seek affirmation from. The previous verse said that there were people who were choosing to believe in Jesus but they wouldn't make it public for fear of being banned from the synagogues (their places of worship). It is in this context that John 12:43 is given - people cared much more for the assessments of others rather than God and they acted accordingly.
John 12:42-43 (CSB) "Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than praise from God."
So, friend, are you living the one life you've been given as an end in itself? Or are you living this one life for eternity? The answer to that question can be determined by whose affirmation you seek - people or God's.
May we desire to live appropriately in this life ("growing in favor with people" [Luke 2:52]) but only crave Heaven's applause ... and act accordingly.
TODAY'S BIBLE READING:
Numbers 8:1-9:23
Mark 13:14-37
Psalm 50:1-23
Proverbs 10:29-30
BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:
Mark 13:26-27 "Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world - from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):
The verses for today are exciting! They tell us of the time when Jesus come back - the temporal ends and the eternal begins.
But, there is something else I want you to notice ...
As a pastor, I have been with many folks as they walked through death's door. Those moments are filled with great sadness. What once was a life is reduced to a lifeless body. Relationships are suspended. A new chapter has begun.
But, there is something that happens in that moment that many Christians may not realize - angels were in the room!
Now, I realize that many people make up their own theology. They fabricate all sorts of things (not found in Scripture) to comfort the hurting.
As a Christian, we should commit to never make up our own theology. We should always have the question on the tip of our tongues: "What does the Bible say about it?"
When we look at the verses for today, we realize that the Lord "will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world..." Clearly, angels are present when the Lord's chosen ones are taken from earth to Heaven.
This verse tells us that angels will perform this act at a future time ... when eternity officially begins. But, what about now? What about when our loved ones pass away? Are angels in the room to escort them to their Heavenly home?
All we need do is read the story that Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). Listen to what Jesus said when Lazarus, a follower of the Lord, died.
Luke 16:22 "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham..."
Did you get that? Jesus said that angels came to get Lazarus! They were in the room!
Friend, I believe that the Bible presents this as normative. It's the way things happen. When a follower of the Lord dies, if you are in the room, then you are in the presence of angels. They have been instructed by Almighty God to safely escort His loved ones to their Heavenly home.
What a wonderful, loving God we serve!
DAILY BIBLE READING:
