MAY 23, 2020

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 
― Nelson Mandela

1 CHRONICLES 8-10

The death of Saul is described...

13Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

JOHN 8:37-59

The Jews still are blind in understanding what Jesus is talking about...they refuse to believe he is the Messiah.

48The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

49“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

52At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

57“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

58“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

JOURNAL 

This interaction with the religious leaders is fascinating. Some of the things Jesus says, taken on the surface, are confusing. Yet I believe Jesus is speaking in spiritual terms not physical human terms. He is possessed by God's spirit which existed before the creation of the world. He cannot taste death because the spirit goes beyond the physical. This is why the Pharisees were so confused and why they failed to understand Jesus. They were looking for a physical Messiah...one that would redeem them within the Roman empire. Yet Jesus was a spiritual Messiah, who came to redeem all mankind from the the empire of sin. 

This is as true today as it was when Jesus proclaimed it. Too often my thoughts are on the physical rather than the spiritual. Jesus redemption and his kingdom surpasses anything in this world. It fuels me and compels me to look beyond the trials and the adversity of today. It gives me strength to persist and endure for his spirit has conquered it all. 

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 ROMANS 12:9-