Category Archives: The Gospel of John

Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 27th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 52-59. Morning Psalm-22; Evening Psalm-105

Text: I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. (6:53, Today’s Living Bible)

No matter what bible translation or paraphrase you read, this verse strikes a discordant note upon our ears.

A few days ago I was leading a bible study of senior adults and the question of literalism came up. I told them that while my theological tradition does not believe in scriptural literalism, we do believe that scripture is the divinely inspired word of God. Cannibalism is one of the rumors that haunted the early Christian communities, especially John’s.

What the gospel writer in John is really saying is that unless we make the teachings of Jesus a part of our very being, like the food eat and the water we drink, we cannot fully experience the life that Christ intends for us. This text is a challenges us to take Jesus seriously! 

It is easy for us to try to “tame” Jesus and explain away his more challenging teachings; forgive and pray for  your enemies, lose your life for the Gospel’s sake, pick up you Cross, humble yourself to the point of washing another’s feet, care for the Least, the Last and the Lost–all of these things are very very hard. They are counter-cultural.

Perhaps for Lent we shouldn’t give something up. Maybe we should pick something up, like the Cross.

Lord, Give us the strength to be living reflections of your Love, Grace and Mercy. Draw us closer to you each day. Give us comfort in hearing you voice whisper in our ears, especially when we are afraid, “Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.” 

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Christian, devotion, Lenten Devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Gospel of John, Ugali, Uncategorized, Young Adult Volunteer in Mission

Glimpses of Grace for the 26th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 41-51. Morning Psalm-27; Evening Psalm-126

Text: I am the bread of life. (v. 46)

    My youngest daughter spent a brief time in Kenya as a Young Adult Volunteer in Mission for the Presbyterian Church (USA). When she returned, shortly before Christmas, she insisted that we include an African food, ugali, in the holiday menu. A few years later I traveled to East Africa and ate ugali that was prepared in a more “traditional” way.  Ugali is a staple food with the consistency of mashed potatoes. In non-touristy areas it is served with every meal. It fills the stomach and takes away hunger.

In the Devotional Reading Jesus said that he is the Bread of Life. This is one of the seven or eight “I Am” statements of Jesus in John’s gospel. By saying the He is the Bread of Life, Jesus told his listeners, then and now, that He can fill a deep nagging spiritual hunger that resides deep inside our hearts. He can give us a clearer vision and add real meaning to life.  Like great advertisers, the world is very skilled at telling us that we are “not enough”. The Bread of Life, though, tells us that we are “enough.” We are enough because God says that we are.

In these waning days of Lent, let us consider how we have been fooled by the “wisdom” of the world into thinking that we are “not enough” and that we need to “have more.” Reflect, instead, upon God’s daily blessings and give thanks.

Lord, please remind me over and over again that Jesus is the Bread of Life. You  lead me not only beside still waters, but your are with me in life’s darkest valleys. And best of all, You set a table of Infinite Love before me every day. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Doug Coe, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Tim Kreutter, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for 25th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading for the Day: John 6: 27-40. Morning Psalm-5; Evening Psalm-27

Text: They said, “What does God want us to do?” Jesus replied, “This is the work of God, believe in the One whom God sent.” (verse 28)

    C.K. Chesterton once said that Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it simply hasn’t been tried.  Neither belief nor faith is an intellectual exercise. The Letter of James says that our faith is seen in our works–in the things that we do and the “why” that lies behind them.

Tim Kreutter of Cornerstone Development in Kampala, Uganda recently wrote a moving tribute to his spiritual mentor, Doug Coe. “Doug was a revolutionary teacher that challenged and stretched me. … All of his theology was built around Jesus. He taught me to call myself a ‘follower of Jesus’ and not a Christian. The first term describes a life-style and the second describes mere membership in a group. …He also taught that we should spend more of our time reading the 4 Gospels and coming back to the simple teachings of Jesus. … (There is) one (more) thing I learned from him … if we are not a bit revolutionary we are likely to be irrelevant.”

Earlier in John’s Gospel when Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” He was inviting us to live life in a bold new way. In this season of Lent, let us consider this New Way. Let’s be a bit revolutionary–for the glory of God.

Lord, show me the way of Jesus but more importantly give me the courage to embark upon that way. Show me how to put others above self and You above all. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 24th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Text: John 6: 16-27. Morning Psalm 34; Evening Psalm 25

Text; I tell you the truth, you come looking for me not because you saw signs but because you had your fill of bread.  (Jesus, v. 26)

    What motivates you? Is it the promise of success and wealth and some preachers say that Jesus can give? Or it is because you want to experience God more fully? Is it because of what you want Christ to do for you, or because you want to do more for Christ?

Before I became a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) I had a brief career as a salesman. My agency manager encouraged me to join a particular church, not because he was concerned for my spiritual welfare but because of the business connections I could make. It seemed that his spirituality was based more on ROI (Return of Investment) than anything else.

The crowd met Jesus on the other side of the Sea of Galilee not because they wanted to know more about Him, but because He gave them bread. Bread and circus kills the spirit. You will never know Jesus–really know Him–until you quit asking what He will do for you, and start asking what you can do for Him. It’s all about losing our lives for the gospel’s sake.

Lord, let me put selfish desires aside and listen to Your voice as You lead me in serving Your Kingdom. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 23rd Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 1-15. Morning Psalm-145; Evening Psalm 121

Text: When He looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards Him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test them, for He knew what He was going to do. (vss. 5&6a)

This is Jesus feeding of the 5000 in John’s gospel. In response to Jesus’ question, Philip took an inventory of the resources available to them. The disciples then turned over to Jesus those resources, meager though they were. And a miracle occurred.

No one has all of the talents that a person could possess, nor does any community have all of the resources that could be had. But each person and each community has the talents and resources necessary to do the work of the Kingdom before them. Too often we look at our lack–at what we do not have–and say to ourselves that we cannot make a difference. But that is simply not true. We must look at the gifts God entrusts to us and then be willing to return them–dedicate them–to the work of the Lord. When we do this, miracles happen, situations are transformed and lives are forever changed.

Lord, today I will inventory the resources that You have given me–my time, my abilities and my worldly possessions. I dedicate these things to You and to the work of Your Kingdom. Amen.

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Bragging, Christian, devotion, faith, Glory, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 22nd Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 8: 47-59. Morning Psalm-43; Evening Psalm-31.

Text: Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing.” (v. 54a)

    In the midst of Jesus’ theological discourse in John’s gospel, Jesus said something that made be stop and reflect. It wasn’t about death and eternity. It was a life lesson about now. “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing.”

When I was growing up there was a kid in my neighborhood who was always bragging about himself. Sometimes his braggadocio had its intended affect upon me and made me feel inferior. It was then that my mother would say to me, “If you have to brag on yourself, you can’t be very good.”  Her words were guiding wisdom that I see bear out on a nearly daily basis. It is also true of “glory”. Seeking glory for ourselves is nothing. Yet many people spend the better part of their lives doing just that in the vain hope of achieving some kind of renown or immortality. Living a life that glorifies God, though, is everything.  A God-glorifying life is the only thing that truly lasts into eternity.

So, let this be your compass, Seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness… (Jesus, Matthew 6:33)

Lord, let your Kingdom be my goal, on earth as it is in heaven. Let me know in the very depths of my soul, the vanity of glorifying myself. To Thine be the glory, the true glory, forever. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 21st Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 8: 33-47. Morning Psalm-22; Evening Psalm-105

Text: Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the Son does. (John34 & 35)

I’ve always felt awkward using the biblical metaphor of slavery. In the early days of my ministry I felt awkward because in my part of the world we do not have slaves, except for the kind that is underground that I never knew about until recently. More recently I felt awkward because none of my ancestors were slaves. They may have been indentured servants, but that is not the same thing. I believe that a better image is that of “being owned”, of having a Boss. Who’s your boss?

At this point in the gospel Jesus and the “rulers” are in an argument about just who Jesus is. When Jesus said that they were “slaves” they were indignant. They are nobodies slave. Nobody owned them. But, in truth, they were owned: by their traditions. Tradition  blinded them to the presence of God in their midst. Tradition blinded them from recognizing the works of God in their very midst, the works of Jesus–the Son.

Like the rulers of Jesus’ day we, too are owned. Tradition was their Boss, not God. Their Boss lived in their position, money and status. Those same Bosses exert the same influence over us today. Christian Educator and seminary president C. Ellis Nelson once wrote that it takes the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God to from the chains our various Bosses. Jesus Christ is that in-breaking. Jesus Christ is the Boss.

Today and in the rest of the days of Lent look for God’s in-breaking in the day to day activities of your life. Carry a 3×5 card and write one or two down. Reflect upon the card as your day draws to a close.

Lord, give me a discerning heart so that I can see those things that  are my “Boss”, that”own” me. Show me how to move from this temporal ownership to freedom in Christ. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Guidance, Lenten Devotion, Prayer, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 20th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 8: 21-32.  Morning Psalm 27. Evening Psalm 126

Text: I do nothing on my own. (vs. 28b)

    As I read John’s gospel the text jumped out at me;  I do nothing on my own. I remembered that a little later Jesus said,  “The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things” … (John 14, The Message) In our communion liturgy I note Jesus’ words, “I am the vine, you are the branches, cut off from me you can do nothing.” Just as Jesus did nothing on “his own”, neither can we.

That is why it is so important to begin our day with some time with Jesus. I believe that it can be a little or a lot, depending upon your personality. It can be formal or very informal, in a settled spot or on the fly, in the shower or in the study or in a favorite familiar corner. (I’ve tried them all with varying degrees of success.) The most important thing, though, is to listen for the “marching orders” of the day. “Lord, here is what I want to do (get done) today, but what do YOU want me to do?” You may be amazed at how often the two do not match up. I’ve also learned not to look upon “interruptions” as “interruptions” but as opportunities for Divine encounters. Both Abraham and Moses were minding their own business when God interrupted. Two disciples walking to Emmaus were interrupted when a “Stranger” joined them on the way. Saul experienced a Divine interruption on his way to Damascus.

Conscious of this, I pray over my schedule in the morning and tell God to feel free to interrupt at anytime (God will do it anyway, with our without permission). Then, when an interruption  occurs (as it will), I silently ask God if this is a “God-moment” (actually, every moment is a God moment). I also ask the Almighty what my best course of action is, as well as for strength, wisdom and guidance. It has never failed.

Blessings on your continued Lenten journey.

Lord, like Jesus we can do nothing apart from you. Bless our day. Guide us in our daily activities. Sensitize us to Your interruptions and when this day draws to a close, grant to us sleep and the whisper of Your voice saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen. 

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 19th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 8: 12-20. Morning Psalm-5; Evening Psalm-27

Text:  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (v. 12)

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”  So begins John’s gospel. In John 8 Jesus identified Himself as the True Light–the One that gives life, real Life; Life that lasts not only a lifetime but beyond.  Sadly, John also says that the world “preferred darkness.” (3: 19)

As we look at what is going on around us–war, famine, corruption, stupid poverty* and the like–yes, all around us there seems to be a veil of darkness. The world is a broken place. It seems as if we have each gone to our own little corner and tried to shut out the pain of the world. Yet, we must not forget, that in the beginning God created Light. (Genesis 1). The writer of John’s gospel is very aware of this and that is why he wrote that Jesus is the Light in human form; divine revelation. Later in today’s reading Jesus tells his inquisitors that if they only knew Him, they would also know the Father. (vs. 19)

We who call ourselves followers of Jesus know Him. In this season of Lent, we follow who Jesus must be bearers of His Light. It has been said that the Church is the best hope of the world**. It is time that we left the security of our various corners and became involved in the world around us. We do not need press coverage, we simply need to plant mustard seeds–do the simple things the bring light to the world of another. Be persistent, look out for others and be willing to lose yourself lfor the glory of God.

Lord, in this season of Lent give me the courage to be a bearer of Jesus’ Light.  It only takes a candle to dispel the darkness of a room. Let me be that candle. Amen.

 

 

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Amy Grant, Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 17th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 7:14-36. Morning Psalm—119: 73-80; Evening Psalm—121

Text: Don’t judge by appearance. Judge by what is right. (John 7: 24, Contemporary Translation)

When I was in third grade my mother was a “room mother”— a stay at home mom who volunteered to help at the local grade school. Each year at Halloween we would bring our costume to school and change into them for the last half hour of the day. The younger grades—third included—would then parade through the upper grade’s rooms—grades 5-8. We’d then return to our room and feast on Halloween treats—cupcakes and milk. On this particular year there was a young boy in my classroom, Harry, who sat by himself at the back of the room. He did not have a costume. It was not because the family was poor. They just didn’t want their son to participate. With his head silently bowed, a tear rolled down his cheek. My mother noticed. Without saying a word to anyone she went out to her car, pulled an “Indian” blanket out of the back seat, took Harry to the restroom, draped the blanket over his shoulders and put three red stripes on each cheek with her lip stick. Harry now had a costume. He joined in the parade and had a smile on his face that made the angels in heaven sing.

The next day my teacher called my mother to tell her that Harry’s father was very upset. He did not send his son to school to have someone put lipstick on him. I don’t know what my mother said to the teacher but I know that she never apologized. I also know that she told my father that she didn’t care if Harry’s father didn’t like, what she had done but no one, absolutely no one, was going feel left out on her watch!

I thought of Harry’s Halloween as I read the text. “Don’t judge by appearances. Judge by what is right,” Jesus said. I don’t know if my mother was right or wrong. She was clearly in the wrong, at least by school policy. But at the same time, I think that she did the right thing.  I’m pretty sure that Jesus would agree with me. But, I don’t really know.  In any event, during this season of Lent, let’s dedicate ourselves to not judging by appearances but by what is right…in the sight of God.

Lord, give us our Father’s eyes; “eyes that find the good in things when  good is not around; eyes that find the source of help, when help just can’t be found. Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain; knowing what you’re going through and feeling it the same.* Amen.

*Lyrics to “Father’s Eyes” by Amy Grant

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