The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day seven)

We often talk about Jesus’ miraculous birth this time of year.  Born of a virgin, celebrated by angels, and marked by the stars, Jesus’ birth was unlike any other.  The story is told and celebrated year after year.  Remarkably, there is another miraculous birth we often overlook.

John 3:4 notes the overlooked miraculous birth like this:  Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

Your rebirth is a miraculous gift of God.  Sometimes we downplay the life we have in Christ, but to be born of the Spirit is to be born of heaven.  Just as many still have trouble believing Christ was born in a manger, so too Nicodemus could not believe that you have been reborn.  It just isn’t possible.

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day six)

When do you visit with Jesus? We give Nicodemus a hard time because he came to Jesus under the cover of night to keep his reputation in tact. Jesus was a threat to the establishment, but he also could be the messiah, so Nicodemus thought. Jesus seemed not to be put out by Nicodemus’ timing; he didn’t make a big deal out of it or give him a hard time. No, Jesus didn’t waste one moment with Nicodemus; he pressed him to believe.

So, timing isn’t the issue, nor are the motives. Jesus can make the most of any moment as long as you come to him.

So, let me ask again. When do you visit with Jesus?

 Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day five)

I still remember the words of a college professor, “If you never understand how lost you were, you’ll never appreciate how saved you are.”  Jesus’ words in John 3 sound similar. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:17-18

We are ALL already condemned. Lost. Separated from God. That’s where we start from. A place of non-belief. We don’t move from a neutral  indifferent place in our hearts to God or away from God. We ALL start away from God, already condemned. That’s how lost we were. But when we trust and believe in Jesus, we are no longer condemned. How safe and saved is that?  We should celebrate even more, God’s love, grace, and generous gift.

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day four)

It is probably the best known verse in the Bible…John 3:16.  Many of us memorized it as a child and have repeated it many times since.  John 3:16 is such a simple verse, yet it contains the very essence of the gospel.  It was out of God’s vast love that salvation was offered to us…not because of any merit or deed that man had done.  It is a gift of grace.  God loves us…how can we not return that love?

What is our motivation when we do a good deed?  Is it out of an obligation or strict obedience to a command?  Is it out of an ulterior motive for personal gain?  Following God’s example, we can be guided by love.  By spending extended time with God…by reading His Word daily…and through time invested in prayer, we can know the heart of God…a heart of love! His love is (or should be) the only genuine motivator in our lives.   Let God’s overflowing love direct your every path.

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day three)

“Whosoever believeth” 

The most amazing thing about God is not his exclusivity. That’s simply a function of how God designed the universe to operate logically: Two competing truth claims cannot both be correct.  But the most amazing thing about God is his radical inclusivity.  “Whosoever will may come.”  Who gives invitations like that?  Everybody excludes somebody.  You’ve never planned a party for which you’ve said absolutely anybody can attend.  Life eventually breaks it to you that there’s an “A” list out there somewhere that you’re not on.  In the grand old English of the King James translation, we read, “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  And the grand old lyrics of a long-forgotten hymn remind us: “Whosoever Meaneth Me”.  Yes, when Jesus says “whosoever”, that means you.  And if it means you, then it means everybody.

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day one)

“You must be born OF the Spirit.”–v 7

Small word.  Often ignored.  Important truth.  We must be born OF the Spirit.

The word in Greek is “ek”.  It meant “out of” (note EXodus–when God lead the people of Israel “out of” slavery).

It speaks of origin.  Life that comes “out of” the Spirit.  The unlimited creation-power of Heaven acting on persons, inaugurating them into a new life, both in dimension and usefulness.   The agent of this new birth is the Holy Spirit.  We are to be born OF Him.

It speaks of likeness.  Those who are born OF the Spirit will necessarily reflect His character and nature.  As children “look like” their parents, we must “look like” the Spirit in humility and holiness.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this season, we should make this connection.  The Lord was born OF Mary so that we would be born OF the Spirit.

Re:Verse reading–John 2:1-22 (day seven)

The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:18-19

Jesus, literally turning the Jewish world upside down, was flipping tables to reveal a new way under the Christ.  Naturally, those gathering Jewish leaders utilized their perceived authority to card Jesus, “we need to see your i.d.”.  They thought they were keeping order, but they were peons interfering with the work of the King.

Later in the book of John a similar scene occurs: So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above…John 19:10-11a

Neither the Jewish religious leaders nor the reigning politicians could demand anything from Jesus.  Jesus was their superior whether they acknowledged it or not.  May we fully submit our lives to Christ and his Kingdom above any kingdom of this earth.

Re:Verse reading–John 2:1-22 (day five) And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 

Why the harsh words to his mother?  Especially since Jesus was going to do what she had asked. It points to a deeper question, “Why does God give us what we ask for?”  Is it because we asked? Kind of.  More specifically, it is because we asked for the right thing (God’s will). Jesus was clearly stating that God is not like a genie in a bottle- granting us whatever we ask. Do you see the danger?  For us?  For others? He is protecting (pride/ego) and also teaching (a bigger/better perspective) to look and ask for God’s will.  “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.”  Does this perspective sound familiar? ‘Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Re:Verse reading–John 2:1-22 (day four)

This is the first of seven ‘sign’ miracles that John writes about.  In John, a sign is an event that symbolizes a meaning greater than itself.  Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist and has begun His public ministry.  He is just setting out to proclaim His deity and to tell of His mission of salvation.

When Jesus appeared on the scene, Judaism was an empty religion.  The Jews had drifted so far from the truth of God’s Word that they not only didn’t recognize God’s Son, the Messiah, but they would also soon seek to kill Him.  Into this emptiness and void (no more wine), Jesus brought abundant hope (180 gallons of wine).  Commentator William Barclay said no wedding party could possibly drink that much wine.  Jesus’ abundant blessing and provision was above and beyond the recognized need.

Have you ever experienced God’s rich provision?  Maybe to a need that you didn’t even know about?  Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:19)  Give God the glory!