2/23/14- Setting Our Hearts on Eternity

33Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. 34You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”

35The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” (John 7:33-36)

Thoughts: Jesus was teaching that he would go on, but not on this earth.  He was continually trying to get them to think beyond the temporary to the eternal.  They would still look for Jesus down on earth, but they would never be able to come to Him unless they started living for eternity.  Once again, the people were only thinking about this life.  If he was going where they could not come, then it must be Greece or maybe Africa or India?  But he was talking about going to heaven after being with them only three years in ministry.  Yet, to all who believe in Him, and set their hearts on God and eternity, holding onto the forgiveness and grace of Jesus seen on the cross, there is a way provided to go to Jesus.  Let us set our hearts on where Christ is, that we may go to Him.  

Prayer: Lord, lift up my heads to you.  Strengthen my heart that I might set my heart on eternity.  

(Ascension of Christ John Singleton Copley 1775)

2/17/14- Many Turn Away

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.65He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

70Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) (John 6:60-70)

Thoughts: It is a hard saying that Jesus is the Bread of Life- and that He is the One who gives eternal life.  He speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood- which is also a hard saying if you think it is gnawing Jesus' skin or sipping His blood through a straw.  Just as when Jesus said he was the Living Water- He wasn't talking of H2O, or when He spoke of being born again He wasn't talking of going back into the womb as an adult- He was speaking of spiritual feeding.  He hinted at this in vs. 63- when He said the Spirit gives life and the fleshly things count for nothing.
      From this point on many left.  Jesus also was very conscious that He would be betrayed (vs. 64, 70).  Jesus gave up being a popular hero when he refused to just keep providing physical bread, and refused a crown.  Perhaps it was because Jesus refused to be a popular political ruler who would stand against the Roman Empire that people left Him and Judas began to think of betrayal.  But the crowd's leaving and Jesus' talk of a betrayer solidified the eleven who remained with Him.  Peter's words are also our words.  In a skeptical world in which people are leaving Christ left and right in the West over some (often false) criticism of Christ or His followers, there is still no one else who offers life.  There is no other religious leader who offers real hope beyond the grave- thus giving meaning to this life.

Prayer: Lord, help me to cling to you, even if I do not fully understand.  Help me to believe in order to understand. Help me to believe in order to find eternal life.

2/9/14- Testimony about Jesus John 5:31-44

31“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

33“You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You study^c the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

41“I do not accept glory from human beings, 42but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:31-44) 

Thoughts: So who can tell us if Jesus is who He says He is?  Who will bear witness.  

Here are some answers:
1) Another- the Holy Spirit- The ultimate testimony to Christ is the Holy Spirit who draws people to believe and convicts people that what is being said about His divinity is true.  In the end, two people will hear the same argument and one will respond and the other will not.  The difference is not the argument, but the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes and hearts.
2) John the Baptist- John was the one who said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  John was the first man to testify when Jesus began his ministry.
3) The miracles, teachings and example of Jesus- No one taught, lived, or did miracles to back them up like Jesus.  He claimed to forgive sin, He claimed to be the judge.  He claimed to be one with the Father (10:30).  He claimed to be the I am (8:34).  His claims were tremendous.  He backed them up with a gentle and kind life- avoiding weapons and rebellion.  He backed them up by feeding 5,000, walking on water, calming the storm, raising Lazarus, and his own resurrection to name just a few.  In this passage Jesus claimed to be the glory that comes from the only God.  Amazing claims were made.  he did not accept anyone's testimony in particular for the testimony of human beings is fickle.  One minute a politician may be more popular than any other politician and the next they may be totally derided (compare George Bush after 9-11-2001 and after 2008's stock crash).  Jesus himself saw this from Palm Sunday's praises to the crowd's shouts to "crucify him." Yet the real testimony remains true, and we need to hear it. 

Prayer: Lord, give me ears to hear your speaking to my heart.