Author: Aaron Hufty

Aaron Hufty is the Associate Pastor for Worship and Music at FBCSA.

Try the Other Side

Re: Verse reading–John 21:1-25 (day two)
“Throw you net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” vs. 6a

Sure, because these men, many of whom had been career fishermen didn’t think to check where the fish would be, or how best to catch them. They probably never considered “the other side”. Well, although that’s a pretty tongue-in-cheek view of the story, it does paint another picture of our perception of God and how we go about our lives at work, home, or in the world. How willing are we to listen to God’s gentle suggestions? Remember, they had been fishing all night and had no success. Their experience probably gave them some idea as to how to best catch fish. With that in mind how well received do you think the suggestion was received to just, “try the other side”? But they did, and it was abundantly more productive than they could have imagined. Are you stuck in a rut? In a place where you know how to do things, or how they should go, and yet they aren’t working? Will you forego your pride and listen to God and just….try the other side?

Whom Do You Seek?

Re: Verse reading–John 20:10-31  (day two)
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” vs. 15

Mary came to the tomb with a purpose. She had a job to do and although she was emotionally a wreck, the body of Jesus needed to be cared for. As she walked towards the tomb she undoubtedly recounted with each step the sights and sounds of the past week. She likely had an horrific image of Jesus dying in front of her eyes. But she also thought of the promises, the wonder, the beauty of this man that was now gone. None of that mattered now, she had a job to do. It’s what you do for those who have died. So focused was Mary that she almost missed the miracle. When the body was gone her fear blinded her to what was right before her.

The frightening thing about this passage, for me, is that each of us can be so hyper-intent on doing good or finishing a task that we can miss the miracle. So, I suppose, that’s the point. What are we really seeking? Do you expect the Savior in the unexpected places and circumstances? Are you willing to set aside all your plans, as well-intentioned as they may be, and seek Jesus? It didn’t take long for Mary, but take care that we don’t miss him when he calls our name.

The Last Word

Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day two) 

Complete, finished. It is no coincidence that scripture records seven statements of Christ on the cross. Seven is the number of perfection, of completion. When Jesus uttered these words, it did not carry the weight of agony that he had cried earlier when he said “why have you forsaken me?” No, indeed, when the Savior of mankind uttered “It is finished”, he was unilaterally declaring that the goal of his incarnation was now completed. All the prophecy that had been written about the Messiah was now fulfilled. He came divinely, lived and suffered perfectly, and now the task was complete. With as much anguish as his previous thoughts carried, this word was one of absolute victory. Thanks be to God!

The Gardener

Re: Verse reading–John 15:1-17 (day two) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

I am a failure. Don’t try to come to my rescue. It’s a fact, I cannot garden. I tend to plant things that need sun in the shadiest spot in the yard and always vice versa. I over and under-water. I can’t seem to get it right what I’m supposed to prune and what is too much cutting. It’s not that I don’t like it, I just have never taken the time to really understand how it all should work. And it is work, constant care to protect, nurture, and give the plants what they need to live. No garden ever thrived on neglect. So for Jesus to call himself the vine and the Father the gardener is a statement of involvement. If we are to grow and flourish, we need tending to. This often means pruning. Cutting away the dead parts so that more life will grow. This active, nurturing God cares deeply about all that will abide and grow in him.

Focus

Re: Verse reading–John 14:1-14 (day two)
“That where I am, there you may be also.” vs 3

This Upper Room Discourse is filled with revelation, insight, and profound love. The disciples’ minds must have been reeling with taking it all in. This small section brings into focus who Jesus was/is and what he came to do. He must leave, but leave to prepare for us. This logically implies that we will see him again. The question of where he is going flows legitimately from Thomas, and Jesus is again able to bring our blurred concept of the Father into a clearer picture of their relationship. Re-read these few verses and examine how masterfully Jesus paints a picture of hope and assurance while at the same time establishing his perfect communion with God the father. Jesus is both the path and the destination.

Do you understand?

Re: Verse reading–John 13:1-17; 31-38 (day two)
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”

Have you ever had one of those moments when something outrageous happens and you don’t have time to react other than present shock? The disciples must have been mortified, as evidenced by Peter’s statement, at the mere suggestion of Jesus humiliating himself by washing their feet. Jesus, of course, knew this. He therefore finished, gathered himself and let it sink in. Can you just imagine the squirming silence that filled that room? Once he returned to his place he wanted to make sure they processed correctly what had just taken place. Jesus had just demonstrated for them a new type of love: a love by service. He would continue to demonstrate this through his death and resurrection. He demonstrates his love. That statement alone is a defining characteristic of our Savior, he puts his love into action. Let’s get moving.

Jesus Wept

Re: Verse reading–John 11:17-44 (day two) Jesus wept.

This wasn’t the initial design. Our communion with the Lord was to be perfect, unfettered by anything and eternal. Sin. Separation. Death. These painful consequences were not our intended purpose. Jesus looked at the suffering of his friends Mary and Martha, and it hurt him. He knew what he came to do, he knew that he would raise Lazarus as a demonstration of his power over death, but he still wept. He is not immune to our condition or plight. Our hurt is his hurt. His purpose is that none of us would be stung by death, and that we might live, truly live. The comfort that we can glean from this passage is not just that Jesus conquered death, but that he also understands and deeply feels our pain. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one.

Relational Shepherd

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day two)
“All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” (‭vs 8).

Jesus is very clear in this illustration about the sheep and their shepherd. Every shepherd must spend time with the animals. That time spent builds trust and familiarity. Anyone who would try to lead them astray would fail because there was no relationship. Jesus in his divine nature could stand apart from creation, but instead he has a deep desire to foster a loving relationship with those he came to save. Every other escape or path we may be tempted to follow will ultimately fail because that can be no greater intimacy and understandingthan with the the shepherd who knows us so well.

Rejoice

First Day of Christmas

Luke 2:8-20 ESV

8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.20And the shepherds returned,glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” vs. 19
Can you imagine what it would have been like to be Mary?
To have anticipated the birth of the Savior of the world?
To have seen how all of the events came to pass?
The Scripture tells us she treasured up these things and
pondered them in her heart. Aren’t we called to do the same?
Psalm 77:12 says, “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

What a blessing it is to ponder and meditate on the work
God has already done in our lives! It reminds us of His
goodness and faithfulness. It gives us strengh to
face the days ahead. When I struggle with trusting God, reflecting on the things he
has already done in my life and resting on His character keep me grounded.
Because of Jesus, we have hope for coming days.
This Christmas let’s remember and
rejoice in who God is and what He has done!

Lauren Wells

Re: Verse reading – John 8:31-47

Extra-Ordinary

Twenty-fifth Day of Advent

Luke 2:1 – 7 NIV

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

It sounds so . . . well, ordinary. A young woman gives birth to a boy baby. Perhaps a little unusual, even for the first century, in that the birth took place in a stable because all the town’s hotel rooms were booked. All the elements of a normal physical birth process were there . . . and yet this birth was anything but ordinary. The greatest miracle in the history of the world – the eternal Son of God taking on human flesh. . . the launch of God’s plan to provide redemption . . . the cure for mankind’s sin problem . . the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. “. . . and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger . . .” At the close of this day, Mary “pondered these things and treasured them in her heart” (v.19). Take time today to follow Mary’s example and praise God for His Son’s very extra-ordinary human birth.

Jean Nystrand

Re: Verse reading – John 8:31-47