SUPER. NATURAL V

                                                     John 14:5-14

Thomas, the disciple’s, question is in response to what Jesus had just told his followers, Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust in me…I AM going to prepare a place for you.  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I AM.  And you know the way to where I AM going (John 14:1-3).

This is one of the most important scriptures in the Bible.  How do we know the way to God?, Through Jesus.  Jesus is the way because, the Word (God) became human and made his home among us…And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son  (John 1:14). This is John’s the narrative of Jesus’ birth.  John 14 records some of the last teachings of Jesus before he was arrested and crucified.  There is a similar theme between John 1 and 14. 

As Jesus united his life with ours, taking on a human body, so as we unite with Jesus, we are united with God.  Jesus is saying:  “Trust me and I will take you to the Father.  All the benefits of being God’s child will be yours.  Some people say that “Jesus is the only way to God is too narrow.”  In reality is so wide that whole world, if they choose to follow Jesus, will know the way to God.  Let us thank God for providing a sure way into his God’s presence.

The disciple Philip says:  Show us the Father, and we will be satisfied. Jesus responded:  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.  Don’t you believe that IAM in the Father and the Father is in me?  The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me and does his work through me…Believe because the work you have seen me do (vs. 8-11).  Jesus is the visible, tangible image of the invisible God.  (Colossians 1:15-23)  He is the complete revelation of what God is like.  To know Jesus is to know God.  Those searching for God, truth and reality need only look to and follow Jesus.

Jesus says:  I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works.  This verse is used as the theme of this Advent.  The disciples did what they had seen Jesus do, heal a lame man and raising someone from the dead.  It was the “Promised Holy Spirit” who lead them into truth and empowered them.

Jesus gives us the same message and promised Holy Spirit.  As we tell Jesus’ story and how he has impacted our lives, the Holy Spirit will help us to know what to say.  When we see a need, we are invited to pray for God’s healing, direction, forgiveness or provision for the person or situation.  Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.  (vs. 14)              

Question:  Jesus said:  I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life … Follow me.   Have you ever tried going your own way, rather than following Jesus?  What were the results?  In troubled times what promises of God give you hope and courage?  

Prayer:  Ever-loving God, you came into this world clothed in our garments of flesh.  Clothe me in your Spirit, that others will recognize you in me and receive your greatest gift of love.  I pray in the name of Jesus, your greatest gift. Amen.   

SUPER. NATURAL IV

                                                              John 10:25-30

People were asking for proof that Jesus was the Messiah.  How long will you keep us in suspense?     If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly (vs. 24).  This was a similar question to John the Baptist’s question to Jesus. (See yesterday’s Devotional.)  Jesus gave the people an answer that sounded like that given to John.  The proof is the work that I do in my Father’s name. (vs. 25)

This week, Jewish people are celebrating Hanukkah, the “Feast of Dedication” (vs. 22), recalling the miracle of one day of oil for the Menorah lasting for eight days.  This occurred after the Maccabean revolt against the Greeks and the rededication of the “defiled” Temple.  Jews today, as in Jesus’ day, are waiting for the Messiah to come.  Thus feelings about Roman domination might have surfaced,
prompting the question.   

Most people asking for “proof/sign” that Jesus is who he said he was, do so for the wrong reasons.  In Jesus’ day, the questioners did not want to follow Jesus, especially if it meant submitting to his leadership.  The same is true today.  People were hoping Jesus would declare himself Messiah for their own reasons.  They were looking for someone to drive out the Romans.  Today, people may be looking for Jesus to do … (add whatever topic).  Others were hoping Jesus would identify himself so they could accuse him of telling lies. Today, some are looking for Christians to say Jesus can do … (add action) and when it doesn’t happen, it is “proof” to them that Jesus was only a historical person who did not do miracles.

Jesus’ response to the question was:  You don’t believe me because you are not my sheep.  My sheep hear my voice and follow me (vs. 25-26). Just as a shepherd protects his sheep,   Jesus protects those who follow him.  This does not mean that we, who follow Jesus, will not experience suffering on earth.  We live in a “broken world,” and are not exempt.  We can know, we are never alone, God is with us, and will bring us through pain.  Jesus said:  I give eternal life, and they will never parish.

No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me… No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one (vs. 28-30).  This is clearest statement of who Jesus is.  He is divine.  Jesus and the Father are One, not the same person but same in essence and nature.  Jesus was not merely a good teacher—he is God!  His claim is unmistakable.  The people wanted a Messiah to overthrow Rome.  The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because of Jesus’ claim of being God.  Verse 31 records how the Jews reacted.  Jesus questions:  I have shown you many great miracles/signs from the Father.  For which of these do you stone me?  Note the response:  for your blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.  That is the question.  Who is Jesus?

Question:  Read John 10:34-42.  What is Jesus’ response to those who wanted to stone him?  What accounted for the difference of reception across the Jordan as compared to Jerusalem?  (vs. 41)  Who is Jesus to you?  Are you following him?  If so how?  Advent (Coming) is preparing and anticipating.  Maybe we can appreciate our Jewish friends, who are reading Isaiah 35 and still waiting for the Advent of the Messiah , as they celebrate Hanukka, recalling God’s miraculous provision.    

Prayer:  Loving God, what joy it is recalling your promise to come.  What peace I have knowing you came in the form of a human baby, so that we would know who you were, and lived on this earth experiencing everything I do.  Your coming brought new life, hope and direction.  Come, O Come live with me and reign within me now and forever.  Amen.

SUPER. NATURAL III

                                                                             Luke 7:18-23

                                  Are you the Messiah we have been expecting,
                                  or should we keep looking for someone else? (vs. 19) 

That was the question John the Baptist wanted to ask Jesus.  He sent two of his disciples to inquire of the Lord.  Yesterday we read that John was in prison for speaking against Herod, (See yesterday’s Devotional.)  He was confused about the reports he received about Jesus.  John’s questions were natural.  Jesus wasn’t condemning, speaking against Roman abuse or “bringing God’s wrath” (3:7).

There is Danger of following a dream that is only a dream.  Had John misunderstood what he was called to do?  He gave his life in preparing the Way, had it been in vain?  Was he only following a dream?

John had expected a military take over!  Judgment had not come!

Jesus answered: Go back and report to John what you hear and see.  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor.  (Note First Devotional and read again Isaiah 35:3-5.)

John, “you are not following just a dream.  You are following me.”  Jesus was the only person who could ever demand, without qualification and condition, to be judged not by what he said, but what he did. 

Jesus said, after John’s disciple left, I tell you, of all who ever lived, none is greater than John.  Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! (vs. 28) That includes you and me.  How is that possible?  They, (we) have heard and have a clearer knowledge of the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  John was the last to function as an Old Testament Prophet in preparing people for the coming of the Messiah.  Jesus was contrasting life before his coming with the fullness of life in Christ’s Kingdom lead by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, which he promised to send after he left this earth and returned to God the Father.  

Today, Jesus says:  Look at what I can do for you.   See what I have done for others.   

What Jesus did in Galilee he still does today.  Dr. Springs in Denver, Colorado said:  “I can heal no one.     I have studied and learned the skills of being a surgeon.  All I can do is identify and remove a tumor or repair a torn organ.  God does the healing.  God gave us humans, curiosity and desire of finding plants and minerals that may lead to healing.  We crush and blend them, but God is the One who gives wisdom

I can help a patient find a specialist who can remove cloudy eye lenses and replace them other lenses, resulting in people being able to see.”  Wherever Dr. Springs does surgery, he does in the name of and gives to glory to Jesus for the privilege of “Demonstrating God’s Healing Love to all, especially the poor.”

Question:  How did John receive information about Jesus?  Why could he not get if first hand?   What six things characterize Jesus’ ministry?  How would that answer John’s question?  (Isaiah 35:3-5)

Prayer:  Thank you God, for the Good News awaiting me today and always.  Thank you for your grace and mercy which you promised, in my life, when I experience disappointments or fear that hinder my journey toward your kingdom.  Thank you for using me as a living oracle of Good News for all living in darkness and crying in despair.          

SUPER. NATURAL II.

                                                                             Luke 1:57-80

This scripture picks up the Story of John, son of Elizabeth and Zachariah, which starts in Luke 1:5.   An angel promises Jewish Priest, Zachariah that his wife Elizabeth would have a son and He is to be called JOHN.  (vs.13-17) Zachariah asked: How can I be sure (sign) this will happen?  I am an old man now, and my wife is well along in years.  The angel said:  “I am Gabriel!  I stand in the very presence of God.  It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!  But since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born.”  (The sign for which you asked.) (18-20)

Now you understand why the people spoke to Zachariah in sign language, (they may have thought he could not hear them since he couldn’t speak) to confirm that the baby’s name was John (vs. 67-80). Zachariah praised God with his first words after months of silence.  This song has been called Benedictus, Latin for Praise the Lord.  He then prophesied    that the coming of the Savior/Messiah, who would save (redeem) them from their enemies. He predicted that his son,  John’s mission was to Prepare the Way for that Messiah.  All the Old Testament prophesies were coming true.   It is no wonder that Zachariah praised God! 

Zachariah recalled hundreds of years of God’s sovereign work in history.  He began with God’s Convent with Abraham, maintained through his descendents, affirmed with his baby being circumcised, as a sign of that continuing Covenant.  The baby was named John, as the angel had instructed.

Zachariah then, tenderly, personalized the story.  His son would bear a key role in the drama of ages.  Although God had ultimate power, God chose to work through frail human beings who     were as helpless as babies.  (John and Jesus were born months apart.  Thirty years later, John and Jesus met again.)   We don’t know what Jesus did before coming to his cousin John,  known as the Baptizer, asking for baptism.   We Know …        

John lived a life of strict discipline. He rebuked evil wherever he saw it.  His message was:  Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.   He had nothing to lose, especially after baptizing Jesus.  His career ended in disaster.  He fearlessly and defiantly  spoke against Herod Antipas of Galilee, who during a trip to Rome had seduced his sister-in-law.  Returning home he dismissed his wife, and married his sister-in-law whom he lured away from  his brother.  John publically and sternly rebuked Herod.  Herod took revenge and had John  thrown into the dungeon of the fortress Machaerus near the Dead Sea.  For anyone that  would be a terrible fate, but for John, a child of desert; where all his life he had lived in open space, with wind blowing on his face and the spacious sky for his roof; being confined by four walls in an underground dungeon must have been almost un-bearable. 

Thus John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question, which we will read tomorrow.

Question:  How did John’s birth fulfill what the angel said to Zachariah?  List all the things for which Zachariah praises God.  Compare his song with that of Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat (vs.46-55). 

Prayer:  Gracious God as you sent John to prepare the way for your son, Jesus, you sent your Own Son to prepare the way for our salvation.  Give me grace to heed His word and accept His forgiveness of my sins as I prepare for his Advent (Coming.)

SUPER. NATURAL

                                                             Isaiah 35:1-10                                                               

One year from now we will know who will be the next President of the United States.  Some will be excited and hopeful while others fearful.  Seven years ago our current president promised Hope and Change.  Some are happy about the change and others not.  My purpose is not to raise a political issue, but to illustrate that placing hope in anyone or anything, other than God, is False Hope.

Advent is four weeks focused on the Hope of the One who came and promises to come again. The Advent Candles remind us of the hope of the Prophets.  Isaiah 35 is a message of hope, an oasis between the wasteland of chapters 1-34 and 36-39, which are messages of judgment, on all nations including Israel and Judah and a history of war and sickness, for rejecting God.

God Never Allowed His People to Go Without Hope or Comfort.

The same is true for us.  God Will Never Leave Us Without Hope.

When our hands are feeble, and our knees give way.
When our hearts are filled with fear-Disease, Death, Age. 
God says: Be strong, do not fear, I will Come, AM With You!

                                                                     As time drew near for the Israelites to return to their homeland after being held as captives for 48 years in Babylon, it was important for them to remember the lessons of their ancestors.  The coming Exodus would be greater than the first when they were liberated from Egypt.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, in chapter 34, Isaiah exhausts the picture of a stricken earth, shrouded in smoke from the smoldering ruins, haunted by wild beasts, empty of all human life, the stench of the slain, clinging to the very soil drenched with rotten death. In Contrast, Chapter 35, One passes from a sense of despair to hope, thanksgiving, beauty and joy, “oracle of divine redemption.”   The homecoming would be glorious, traveling on the Kings Highway.  God’s Coming makes the desert blossom.  The King’s Highway would take the pilgrims from the desert of suffering to Jerusalem.  The way was found only by following God.   The theme of this Advent is Super. Natural. In this week’s Devotional:  Sign, note that God doesn’t simply point the way.  God is the Way and always beside us.   The One we anticipate during Advent said: I AM the Way, I AM With You!

 QUESTION:  What pressures are causing your hands and knees to tremble?  How might the message of verse 4 bring strength to you?  When you were ready to “give up,” how did God come to you?   

PRAYER:  Gracious God, I put myself before you with a waiting heart and expectant desire.  Open my eyes that I may see your promise fulfilled; open my ears that I may hear your word whispered to my deepest being.  Strengthen my hands and trembling knees while I await your coming anew.