Postscript: Duck Dynasty

I didn't expect to add any more postings to this blog, but the Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty patriarch) controversy over his GQ interview comments on homosexuality concerns me in many ways.

I could comment on the political correctness issues or the attacks on religious liberty or the liberal/conservative tensions, but those things have been around for years and have received plenty of comments.

What caught my eye was the official Duck Dynasty response found at www.duckcommander.com. Included in that response is the following statement:  Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Let me begin by saying Robertson's interview is a strange expression of "Love your neighbor as yourself."

I suppose he thought he was doing a loving thing by witnessing to the interviewer and saying Americans should repent of their sin and accept Jesus as Savior. When asked what he thought was sinful, Robertson responded, "“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." Considering all that the Bible says, I found this a strange and generally unhelpful way to explain sin.

How different things might have gone if Robertson's response had defined sin as something other than sex. Suppose he had talked about pride or materialism or prejudice? Surely that would have been less like preaching and more like a heart-to-heart talk.

Discussing the prejudice with which we all struggle, however, would almost certainly not have come easily to Robertson. When asked about growing up in the south during the pre-civil rights era, he commented that he had never seen the mistreatment of any black person. Those he saw during this "pre-entitlement, pre-welfare" era "...were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

The naiveté of these comments on race relations and the harshness of some of his other statements in the interview reflect little grasp of either the depth of sin or the breadth of grace. 

I believe Phil Robertson's family when they speak of the central role God plays in his life; I also believe he has a long way to go in his spiritual journey, especially if he keeps trying to convert those he hasn't bothered to understand at all with a gospel he hasn't bothered to understand much either. 

Perhaps this time in Phil Robertson's life will give him a unique opportunity to grow in grace and become more like Jesus. And perhaps it will give all of us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to "love your neighbor as yourself."

Epilogue

On September 1, our “90-Day ‘Love Your Neighbor’ Adventure” began. Yesterday was Day 90. Many have contacted me to let me know they appreciate these daily devotionals. I have to admit, I did them as much for my own benefit as anyone else’s. Indeed, I have been greatly blessed by the "neighbors" God has brought into my life during these past three months.

Now a new chapter begins and I want to let you know about two things that might interest you:

1. In early January, I expect to begin a new “Love God” series of devotionals in a similar format to what these have been. I think this will be the prequel to the Love Your Neighbor series. Taking December off lets me prepare for the new series. It also lets some readers catch up with devotionals they have put away to read later. :-)

2. By Easter, I hope to have the Love Your Neighbor studies revised and published in book form for small group use. Such a format, I suspect, will allow for the kind of discussion and interaction that will deepen the impact of these Scriptures.

Thank you for being part of this Love Your Neighbor Adventure. If God has used this material in your life in some special way, please let me know. I would especially like to know if God has led you to reach out and touch the life of someone else during these past 90 days.

As we enter the season of Advent, I have no doubt God will give you many opportunities to Love Your Neighbor in the incredible, extravagant way that God has loved you!

Dave Nichols

dnich1803@gmail.com

 

Day 90: Beloved Community

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Comments

After Pentecost and with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the early church grew rapidly. It’s growth was natural; it’s growth was supernatural.

It is hard to read the Acts 2 description of the church without noting the love they had for one another:

· They learned together, fellowshipped together, ate together, prayed together, worshipped together

· They shared their meals, their homes, their property, their possessions, their lives

Reflections

Christian faith is not about me preparing for heaven some day; it’s about the beloved community living for God right now. In what way has this been (or not been) your church experience?

How will you come together with others to love your neighbors, showing God’s love in tangible ways to each other and to a world that is desperate to know that someone cares?

Prayer

Dwell in our midst, Lord, as we seek to share our lives as your people now and always.

 

Day 89: Abiding

John 15:5-10

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Comments

Jesus uses the grapevine as a vivid image of what it means to be his disciple. The vine draws its life from the branch and produces fruit as a result.

“Remain” appears seven times in this short passage. Other translations have Jesus saying, “abide” in me or “live” in me or “dwell” in me. All of these point to the same intimate, life-giving connection.

Reflections

What part of your day or week is given over to abiding in Christ? Do you set aside a block of time or find that several brief periods work better?

Most importantly, are you experiencing the life-giving nourishment and producing the love-bearing fruit of that connection?

Prayer

Help me never think of myself as being so busy, Lord, that I can’t find time to stay connected to your love and life every day.

 

Day 88: Spirit Power

Acts 1:3-8

He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Comments

The crucifixion dashed the disciples’ hope that Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel and make all things right. The resurrection gave them new hope, but Jesus made it clear that the Second Coming was not immediately on the agenda.

The true and immediate hope of the disciples was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would empower their witness and bring God’s kingdom in a different way.

Reflections

Many people become obsessed with figuring out when Jesus will come again even though Jesus clearly discouraged such thinking about "times and dates." In what way has the teaching of any such “prophecy expert” helped you become more like Jesus?

Have you experienced the promised power of the Holy Spirit in your life and witness?

Prayer

Fill me with your Spirit, Lord, that my life and witness might be, not in my power but in your power, and not for my glory, but for your glory.

 

Day 87: Promised Spirit

John 14:23-27

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Comments

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey me.” He doesn’t say, “If you obey me, you will love me.” Unlike the chicken and the egg, this is a case where what comes first truly matters.

Loveless obedience is common in legalistic churches. Such an approach, unfortunately, leaves a trail of frustration and destruction wherever it goes.

The key to obeying in love is the Holy Spirit, whose presence in our lives reminds us of Jesus’ teachings. The fruit of the Spirit’s work in our life is peace and a noticeable lack of fear.

Reflection

Was there a time in your life when obedience came out of a sense of obligation rather than out of love? What was that like? What changed things for you?

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for promising us your Spirit and giving us your peace. In our hectic, harried world, these are priceless treasures.

 

Day 86: Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Comments

The crucifixion of Jesus was such a devastating turn of events that, even after the resurrection, some of the disciples still doubted. What Jesus said next, though, was addressed to all the disciples, even those who had doubts.

The Great Commission, to “go and make disciples of all nations,” focused on teaching new disciples to obey. Jesus emphasized orthopraxis (correct living) rather than orthodoxy (correct doctrine). The commands at the heart of correct living centered on love: love God, love your neighbor, love your enemy, do not love the world.

The disciples were not left on their own to fulfill the Great Commission; Jesus promised to be with them always.

Reflections

To what extent is the Great Commission central to your life and the life of your church?

Jesus told the disciples to go into the world, not to wait until the world came to them. How much of your time is given to “go and make disciples” versus “go to church?”

Prayer

Show me, Lord, what I can do to fulfill the Great Commission, and reassure me that you are with me every step of the way.

 

Day 85: Sabbath Reflections

 

I rarely have trouble falling asleep at night, but I often wake up early, sometimes in the middle of the night. A doctor treating me for an ulcer long ago told me not to worry about not sleeping because that would only make it worse. Now I see it more as an opportunity to spend quiet time with God.

This week I had one of these episodes and I began to reflect on my prayer life, which is certainly not one I would lift up as a model for others to follow. I struggle the most with intercessory prayers. When I pray for God to heal someone or fix some problem in a person’s life, I sometimes feel like I’m just complaining or demanding: “Come on, God. How could you let this happen? Get to work and make it right!”

When I get in this frame of mind, I realize I need an attitude adjustment and God helps me put things in fresh perspective. When I pray for God’s intervention, I realize that God knows what I want even before I ask, and the message I hear from God is often “In time” or simply “Trust me.”

What I was thinking about this week in the middle of the night were other prayers for which God’s answer is an immediate “Of course!” These prayers invite God to shape my life, making me into the person I was created to be, someone more like Jesus. Such prayers often begin with short phrases: “Humble me. Encourage me. Remind me. Lead me. Teach me. Use me. Stop me. Help me. Embolden me. Convict me. Forgive me. Empower me.”  

Almost always these prayers lead to another prayer that begins: “Thank You!”

--

 

Day 84: Prayer Challenge #12

This is the final prayer challenge in the 90-Day “Love Your Neighbor” Adventure. If not the greatest challenge, it is perhaps the greatest opportunity because it is such a privilege to invite someone to follow Jesus.

I suppose it would be possible to become the follower of almost any well-known historical figure. For instance, you could become a follower of George Washington if you read what he wrote, learned as much about him as you could, and then tried to be like him.

Following Jesus is very different for one simple reason: God raised Jesus from the dead. You might emulate George Washington, but you can’t really have much of a relationship with him. With Jesus you can. Not only can you talk to Jesus, but he can talk to you and even fill you with power through the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

This final challenge begins with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead me to someone who is already sensing your call. Through your Holy Spirit, give me the words to say to invite them to follow you.”

Here is one way you might go about this. Read Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not a Fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus.” Then ask God to show you someone to whom you can give the book. After the person has read at least the prologue, just ask, “What do you think?” It should be the beginning of a wonderful conversation!

Day 83: Back to Work

John 21:3-6

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Comments

The weeks between the resurrection and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost had to be difficult ones for the disciples. For three years they had followed Jesus, but now he was no longer with them in the way he always had been.

Uncertain what to do next, Peter decided to go back to what he had been before: a fisherman. Fishing was a business for him, not a leisure activity. He may have followed Jesus for three years, but he had never gotten rid of his boat and nets.

Peter went back to what he knew well, but it didn’t exactly work out for him; he was now a fisherman who was catching no fish.

Reflections

Do you remember what your life was like before following Jesus? Could you go back to that life again? Would it work out better now than it did then?

Prayer

Help me realize, Lord, that even when I become discouraged following you, I can’t go back to what I was. Keep me moving forward, encouraged by your grace.

 

Day 82: God's Sheep

John 10:1-6

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

Comments

Still today, shepherds in the Holy Land are likely to have a sheepfold in which several herds are gathered for overnight protection and to give the shepherds a much needed break. When the new day dawns, each shepherd calls his sheep to follow and they do so.

Jesus used this imagery to explain the importance of disciples being able to recognize their master’s voice and follow wherever he leads.

God never intended any church to be rooted in place by its sacred traditions and survival instincts. Every church is to be on mission, recognizing God’s voice and following God’s call.

Reflections

How do you distinguish between God’s voice and your own thoughts and feelings or the influence of friends and family?

To what extent does God speak to you in prayer or when meditating on Scripture? Are there people who help you confirm what God is saying to you?

Prayer

Help me, Lord, to know your voice, follow your call, and trust in your goodness.

 

Day 81: Levi's Call

Luke 5:27-32

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Comments

Jesus wasn’t the only one to see the tax collector, but he was the only one to see him as a potential disciple.

When Jesus said, “Follow me,” he gave no indication who he was or where he was going, and yet Levi “got up, left everything and followed him.”

The Pharisees and religious experts were not upset that Jesus ate with sinners, but that he ate with unrepentant sinners. Jesus extended grace and expected repentance to follow; the Pharisees demanded proof of repentance before grace could even be considered.

Reflection

Levi’s response to Jesus’ invitation was immediate and total. Are there ways in which your own response to Jesus has been more hesitant and partial?

To what extent do you require people to act properly before you extend grace to them?

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for loving me beyond all reason and for challenging me to love others in the same, extravagant way.

 

Day 80: Zacchaeus

Luke 19:2-7

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

Comments

Tax collectors were despised as traitors because they were Jews who collected taxes on behalf of Rome. They were also considered to be crooks because they purchased their positions with the understanding that they could keep whatever taxes they collected above what Rome demanded. The tax collector’s profit was thus the tax payer’s loss.

As chief tax collector, Zacchaeus would have profited greatly from the entire, corrupt system.

Reflections

Zacchaeus was a man who wanted to meet Jesus. He had no idea how much Jesus wanted to meet him. Do you think of your own story as one of finding Jesus or of being found by Jesus?

Jesus asked to visit Zacchaeus at his home and found a warm welcome there. Has Jesus been warmly welcomed into your home or do you connect with him mainly at church?

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for loving me long before I came to love you. Help me welcome you into every part of my life and home.

 

Day 79: Follow Me

Matthew 4: 17-22

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Comments

After being baptized by John and tempted by the devil, Jesus began to proclaim  the nearness of God’s kingdom. He also began to call people to follow him as disciples.

There was urgency in his call and immediacy in their response.  Peter and Andrew left their nets; James and John left their boat and their father.

Reflections

The first disciples knew little about where Jesus would lead them, other than that they would now be “fishing for people.” Do you need to know where Jesus wants to take you before agreeing to follow him?

Is there any urgency or immediacy in following Jesus today? Do you sense that God is doing something new and inviting you to be part of it?

Are you ready to follow?

Prayer

As I hear your call, Jesus, help me overcome any hesitation or procrastination, and follow wherever you lead.

 

Day 78: Learning and Unlearning

Today is Sunday, a good day to practice Sabbath by resting in ways that allow God to renew your spirit and feed your soul.

Give thanks today for the lessons you have learned. Take some time to reflect on people and situations God has used to show you what is truly important in life. Here's a list of lessons learned to get you started:

1. Life goes on even if your favorite team loses.
2. God loves you in spite of the foolish choices you have made.
3. Greater satisfaction comes from giving than from receiving.

 Give thanks today as well for being able to unlearn ideas that have been harmful to you. Make a list of the lies you have been taught by the world. I'm pretty sure you can include these on your list:

1. Some people are more important than others.
2. Success means making lots of money.
3. If you look good, you are good. 

Day 77: Prayer Challenge #10: Making Disciples

The call to discipleship is a call to new life. It is about learning the ways of Jesus and unlearning the ways of the world. It is about embracing truth and integrity while turning away from deceptive words and practices. It is the path to life as God intended it to be.

The Eleventh Challenge:

Making Disciples

Pray as you begin: “Lord, show me one or two people who yearn for a closer walk with you. Make me bold and keep me humble as I offer to walk alongside them on their journey of discipleship.”

As you pray, do not be surprised if God brings names to mind. If that happens, arrange to meet with them one at a time and say something like this:

I was praying to find people who wanted a closer walk with God and your name came to mind. Does that surprise you? Is there a desire in your life to draw closer to God? Would you consider coming together with me and one or two others to explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in today’s world?

When people respond positively, be in touch with me and I’ll see that you get some resources to move forward in your discipleship journey together.

 

 

Day 76: Come and Die

Luke 9:22-25

And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

Comments

Jesus had no trouble attracting followers. Whether out of curiosity or great need, people came to see him heal the sick, give sight to the blind, cleanse the lepers, and make the lame walk again.

When the crowds following Jesus became hungry, he even fed them through a miraculous multiplication of bread and fish.

Jesus emphasized that God’s kingdom offered much, but also that it asked much. He was willing to give his life and challenged his disciples to do the same.

Reflections

People evaluate churches according to the quality of preaching, music, worship, children’s programs and a host of other criteria. What would happen if people began evaluating churches according to how well they challenged people to costly discipleship?

Where do you see prejudice, violence, greed, sexism and other dehumanizing forces at work in our world today? How prepared are you to follow Jesus if it means coming into conflict with such forms of evil?

Prayer

Give me boldness, Lord, when it comes to putting your kingdom and the welfare of others ahead of my own.

 

Day 75: Know and Do

John 13:12-17

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Comments

Jesus walked everywhere he went in a dry and dusty land that had neither sidewalks nor paved roads; by the end of the day, it was impossible not to be dirty.

Washing a guest’s feet was a sign of hospitality. This would not be done, by the host or hostess, but by the lowliest of servants.

Reflections

Jesus used an action-reflection method of teaching here by doing something and afterward explaining what he had done. Many people say, “I let my actions speak for themselves.” Can you think of a time when someone saw the good news of God’s love expressed in your actions without any explanation by you?

By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus showed that no act of service was beneath his dignity. In what ways do your pride and sense of dignity interfere with serving those in need?

Jesus said we are blessed not in what we know, but in what we do. Are you experiencing this blessing?

Prayer

Help me find meaning and purpose, Lord, in humble acts of service and in humble explanations of the grace that moves me to care for those in need.

 

Day 74: Transformed

Acts 16:27-34

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Comments

The fear in the jailer was well-founded: the escape of prisoners under his charge meant certain death for him.

The transformation in this man from jailer to servant was remarkable. He bathed the prisoners’ wounds that had not only gone untended before, but were likely the result of abuse the jailer himself had inflicted on Paul and Silas. Then the jailer took them to his home, showing them gracious hospitality and serving them with a heart full of joy.

Reflection

In an instant, the jailer turned his back on the life he had known and embraced a new life in Jesus. What kind of instant or gradual transformations have taken place in your life as a result of being a disciple of Jesus?

Prayer

Give me the courage, Lord, to bathe the wounds of those I have hurt, and the grace to serve them in whatever way I can.

 

Day 73: A New Mind

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Comments

It is not a simple matter to be a nonconformist. Fashion trends, for instance, begin with someone doing something unique or unusual such as being tattooed, wearing baggy pants or having a bared midriff. For a while, its new and different, but it usually doesn’t take long before lots of people are doing it. Then it’s no longer an example of being nonconformist.

The Apostle Paul says the only way to break free from conformity to the world is through a new mind, a new way of looking at things. The kingdom of God is a good example of this, because in it the patterns of the world are broken.

Reflections

Do you think of yourself as a conformist? Are your views in the following areas shaped more by the world or by God?

· Having a good job and being successful

· Love, romance, sex, marriage

· Smoking, drinking, drugs

· Honesty, integrity, self-denial, generosity

Prayer

Show me, Lord, ways in which the world shapes my life without me even being aware of it. Teach me how to know what is truly important and honestly good.

 

Day 72: Come and See

John 1:35-39

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Comments

John the Baptist had been preparing his disciples for the day they would no longer follow him, but would move on to become disciples of Jesus. As soon as John pointed out Jesus to them, they began to follow him.

They asked where Jesus lived in order that they might come and visit him whenever they wanted. Jesus told them to come right then and see for themselves.

Reflections

Who in your life was instrumental in preparing you to follow Jesus? Who are you preparing now to do the same?

Jesus doesn’t often make appointments, telling us the time and place where he is going to be, and letting us fit him neatly into our lives. Have you ever encountered Jesus at a time and place you didn’t expect? What was that like?

 

Prayer

Help me, Lord, not try to fit you into my life whenever I have the time and energy, but to fit my life into yours even when everything around me and within me is going crazy.

 

Day 71: No News?

For as long as I can remember, my daily routine has included reading the morning paper. Several years ago, the Detroit Free Press stopped daily delivery and I made the transition to reading the paper online. Last week my digital subscription ended and I am in a bit of a quandary about renewing it.

Now that we have moved to southwest Michigan, I haven’t decided which paper to read. The only paper that is truly local comes out weekly and is free. I love its emphasis on our area and its notable absence of national and international news that is often so disturbing.

This is my quandary: to be informed often means to be disturbed. I want to know what’s happening, but I also don’t want to know what’s happening.

I also know the answer to my quandary: read the Bible and newspaper hand in hand. I don’t mean this in the way some say they can see prophecies being fulfilled daily in current events. Most of these self-proclaimed “Bible scholars” have little grasp of either the Bible or current events.

The bottom line for me is to focus on the kingdom of God and work with God on the redemption of the world. I can’t ignore what’s happening in the world, but neither can I just read about it. God wants me to be involved. And you too!