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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Friday, May 10, 2024
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :I Did Not Come to Judge the World Bible Verse:John 12:44-50 (ESV) "[Editor’s Note: We are going to pause our study of John’s Gospel here for a few months. The problem is that we are just about to hit his account of the events leading up to the crucifixion, which we just finished studying during the Easter season. I find studying the crucifixion emotionally draining. So let's resume at Chapter 13 in September or so.]" Message:
And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Notes on the Scripture
Most of the scripture for today is a recapitulation of earlier teachings in John. One sentence, which bears particular study, is that Christ did not come to judge the world, but to save it. (See John 3:17.) Of the things we learn from the New Testament, this is one of the easiest to forget, even though it is one of the most basic truths of Christianity.
Mosaic of Jesus Christ, from Ravenna, Italy
Christ seems, at many points, to be teaching a new law; in fact, it is impossible to say that he did not at least reinterpret much of the Mosaic law. For example, his message of complete forgiveness differs from the Mosaic law; his attitude towards worldly goods, at the very least, changes the emphasis of religious behavior. Christ does not teach that his followers will be rewarded while on earth, but he preaches a revolutionary doctrine, that the rewards for the faithful will be eternal life.
In short, Christ teaches victory over death rather than victory over the world. In fact, he teaches that the only purpose of the law is that, by telling us what we have to do in order to satisfy God, we will discover that it is impossible. We will not find heaven on earth. He reveals that the law is not and cannot be a means of salvation. Having taught us the difference between right and wrong, we have learned that we are simply incapable of the moral perfection that God demands.
Christ's role on earth was, rather than condemning us for falling short, to forgive us. Thus, for us to condemn others for their “un-Christian” conduct is nonsensical. Christ’s emphasis was not to create a new moral code; his lesson was for us to love him and believe in him, to love our fellow man, and to forgive as we have been forgiven.
In loving Christ and forgiving others, our conduct will change itself.
Meditation : Prayer : Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made me one with your saints in heaven and on earth. Grant that in my earthly pilgrimage I may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know myself to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. I ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever....Amen |
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