Devotion
God So Loved The World
Frances Taylor
This passage from John's Gospel is probably the best known by chapter and verse. It is posted on billboards, on signs in ball parks, but I'm not sure Jesus meant it to be a free ticket to paradise. People forget the part about believing and what that means. It's not just lip service. As this Easter season has progressed, we keep hearing about the way to follow Jesus that witnesses to what we believe. As Baptism isn't a one day affair, and neither is just saying that we are believers enough. "Actions speak louder than words" is a phrase that reaches into many areas of life. Jesus expects more of his disciples than mere words. We are called to live our faith. That's not always easy but it's what Jesus wants. And just as Jesus wasn't sent to judge, neither are we to judge. Our job is to spread the message of God's saving love. If he came to save the world, then that means salvation is for all. In Isaiah, we hear, "how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." It is still true that we need messengers of peace and salvation and we have so much more to proclaim than those in Isaiah's time. We have the good news that salvation has come. God has sent his Son so that all may be saved. He needs you and me to bring the good news to those who may not have heard it.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for sending your Son Jesus to bring salvation to the world. Give me the courage I need to be a worthy messenger of the good news. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
