Tuesday: Hearing or Not Hearing the Word
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 15th of October 2024
Read John 1:9-13. What harsh reality is John depicting here about how people respond to Jesus?
The Prologue, John 1:1-18, describes not only who Jesus Christ, the Word (logos), is but also how people in the world related to Him. In John 1:9, He is called the true Light, who enlightens every person coming into the world. That light illumines the world, making it understandable. As C. S. Lewis puts it, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”—“Is Theology Poetry?” (n. p.: Samizdat University Press, 2014), p. 15, originally presented in 1944.
Image © Justinen Creative from GoodSalt.com
Also, look at the implications of what John 1:9 is saying. Light comes to everyone, but not everyone welcomes the light. As we will see in tomorrow’s study, a major theme in the Gospel of John is how people receive or reject Jesus. That theme begins here. The sad litany is that the Messiah came to His own people, the people of Israel, and many did not receive Him as the Messiah.
In Romans 9:1-33; Romans 10:1-21; Romans 11:1-36, Paul deals with the same tragic theme, of many Jews rejecting Jesus. But Paul doesn’t end on a negative note, saying in fact that many Jews, along with Gentiles, will accept Jesus as their Messiah. Indeed, he warns the Gentiles not to boast against the Jews. “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?” (Romans 11:24, NKJV).
In a similar vein, John says that all who do receive Jesus as their Savior will become the children of God. This happens by believing on His name. (See John 1:12-13.)
Here is the connection between the prologue and the conclusion of the Gospel. In John 20:31, the apostle presents why he wrote—that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life by His name. Thus, the introduction and conclusion form a kind of unity. They are related concepts that enclose all that occurs between them. This linkage points to the overarching goal of the Gospel of John—that people will be saved by believing on Jesus Christ as their Savior.
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How has your life changed by becoming a son or a daughter of God? |
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As a daughter of God, I know that when I see Jesus face to face, we will share a hug, even with all those other people who will be wanting to be near Him, He will have time for me, personally.
Also, I know my home is in Heaven, so it's not as difficult living here as a disabled elderly person in a cabin without plumbing, a completed floor, or interior walls. God gave me a roof over my head, and a kind person who lets me use his WiFi every so often, so how can I complain?
"My home's in heaven
Just waiting for me
And when I get there
How happy I'll be
My home's in heaven
The rent is free
My Jesus paid it
On Calvary!"
Oh Yes. How beautiful Heaven must be.
I think that most of us are used to playing electronic games. Typically you are challenged to achieve several goals. And every time you achieve one you are rewarded with an electronic equivalent of bells and whistles. It's fun to play and you can tell you are on a winner because you are rewarded with lots of noise.
The game of spiritual life does not play like that. No bell tolls to let you know you have just found another gem of truth. Further, we all carry quite a bit of baggage that skews or obscured the truth.
We need to remember that as we read the 1st chapter of John. His discussion is descriptive rather than predictive. Why is it that some people will hear the word and not be impressed? The answer is a complex one but sometimes we dismiss the question with rather simplistic answers.
In this context there are a few points we should consider:
Amazing! Can we change a status that was given to us by birth? We were created to be sons and daughters of the Creator, but we indeed chose otherwise. Since we were born from the flesh on this fallen planet, we were entitled to death as a destiny. But God, in His infinite love, came to rescue us. By believing in Jesus's sacrifice, we inherit the path of eternal life and become members of God's family. Amazing Grace!
I was put up for adoption at birth and placed into a loving home when I was 8 months old. My adoptive parents were older and unable to have biological children. Growing up, I always longed to fit in and searched for ways to connect with my new family. Society often reminded me that I was different, focusing on outward appearance, and I felt out of place, especially at family gatherings. However, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, the struggle to fit in disappeared. Through spiritual adoption, I found eternal belonging and a relationship with God that transcends this life, while my family adoption provided a loving home and care here on earth. I am blessed to experience both—a family here and a spiritual family forever.
Sister Myrtice, you're so blessed. God loves you more ❤️. His love can find in many ways, yes our thoughts must be in heaven He prepares for His people. God bless you more, keep faith 🙏
Do we hear the Word and not respond, hardly even knowing? A personal question. It is human to go with the crowd, unless we are in tune with the One who helps us listen, comprehend, and use His power to put what we hear into action.
2 Corinthians 13:4 ESV
[4] "For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God." Can I accentuate the words, "for we also"?
The Second Chance.
"Christ's ascension His enthronement in His mediatorial kingdom was signalized by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was given. Christ's witnesses proclaimed the power of the risen Saviour. The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had been deceived by the enemies of Christ. They now saw Him exalted to be "a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. They saw Him encircled with the glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in His hands to bestow upon all who would turn from their rebellion COL 118.3"
How many of us have been given a second chance because by choice we again hear, comprehend, and take action by the power of our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord?
I love the C.S. Lewis quote. It is so true. For authentic Christians, that "Light" becomes their way of navigating through life, their worldview. It becomes the lens and filter through which all of life is processed.
Sadly not everyone to whom the "Light" has appeared chooses to let that "Light" guide their lives. Just as there are "Rinos" (Republicans in name only), and "Dinos" (Democrats in name only) in the American political world, there are what I call "Chinos" (Christians in name only) in the Church. It is a tragic betrayal of the Lord to wear His Name and yet be no different than the non-Christian world. (Ex. 20:7) We must walk in that light as He is in the light, because He is the "Light of the world".
(1 John 1:7, John 8:12) His "Light", lived out through us could lead others out of darkness.
How has your life changed by becoming a son or daughter of God?
I think it's a continuous process of believing the truth while God eradicates the lies I have believed while growing up in this world.
By believing that God loves me like a healthy, loving father (and with maternal love as well), and even more than an earthly father.
Believing that He loves me like a loyal friend, more than any friend on this earth.
Believing that He is like a kind teacher, patiently teaching me all things.
Believing when God said, 'Your Maker is your Husband.' It is a sacred, committed, covenantal relationship—more tender, loving, faithful, and intimate than any marriage on earth.
As a daughter of God, I have started to believe the truth about others, about myself, and about this world. I can respond to joy, trials, difficulties, and people's kindness in truth. It is a transformative experience of freedom, peace, joy, and hope.
May God bless you all today! God has a special plan for you today. 🙂
John 1:12-13 NKJV – ”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
God gives His Light so man can ‘see’ Him. This ‘Light’ with which to see Him is a downpayment symbolizing the right to become children of God onto Eternal Life – Eph.1:14. Being given His Light gives man a choice; either one starts walking by His Light on the road less traveled, or not - Matt.7:13-14.
Having received this right, meant to decide which direction to go from there. I made the choice; it was the beginning of my life lived by God’s Grace through Faith. If I would have rejected to be guided by the Light of the Holy Spirit, my path would have still been lighted by the light of this world.
I know the difference between spiritual darkness and His Light in my life now. I knew that, though I had a close relationship with my heavenly Father, I still needed to sincerely repent and change my life's direction 180 degree. I accepted Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior; His Word resides in my heart as my life is in Him and His Righteousness.
It saddens me to see that so many people calling themselves Christians are still not able to fully enjoy a life lived illuminated by His Light only. They might know about the ‘does and don'ts of the Christian religion, but are still uncertain about what would happen if they let go of the ‘indulgences’ the spirit of this world offers them - Rev.3:14-16.
Amen
My life has changed becoming the daughter of God is that God has shown me that He can, and will take care of me no matter what. God has shown me by accepting Him in my life is that I have nothing to fear. He Is my comforter in every situation. That His love is without number, without expression that I can’t comprehend and I find much comfort in that.
The plan of salvation is so beautiful! Through it God delivers us from eternal death and recreates us to enjoy eternity with Him. All we have to do is believe, confess, and submit to the Holy Spirit. Why would anyone not embrace this plan? Why would a person who is drowning refuse to grasp the hand that is reaching to save him or her? Choice! So glad I made surrendered!