Bible Readings and Devotion for May 13, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 8:12-20

1 Corinthians 14:1-13

Psalms 29, 30, and 33

Ezekiel 33

 

Devotion for May 13, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Many years ago the son of an older friend of mine was in the foreign service.  He worked in a public position at one of the United States Embassies in an African nation.  After many years of service there was a new presidential administration.  This man started reflecting on his job.  He knew that he was expected to part of team which expressed the message and policy of the leadership of the nation.  With the previous president he had no difficulty doing this.  With the change of presidential administrations, he was now required to act and speak in a way which countered his deeply held convictions.  So, this man made the difficult choice to resign his position and head back home.

In our reading from John 8 we have a discussion between Jesus and some people, some of who are Pharisees.  In our reading in 8:19, we see this: “Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”’  This conversation notes a point which is revisited in John 14.

In John 14:7, we read, “If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Here Jesus is teaching us something quite significant.  Basically, if you want to know what God is like, pay attention to the ways and teachings of Jesus.  Let’s look at just a few things which Jesus did which show us things about God.  In a sense, these also point to Jesus being the Messiah.

Jesus lived righteously – he fulfilled God’s law

Jesus served others – and thus showed love in action

Jesus knew what people were thinking – as God is all knowing

Jesus had power of natural forces – such as calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee

Jesus cured illness – which brought greater life

Jesus had power of demons – for God and evil are not equals

Jesus had the power to raise the dead – for God is more powerful than death itself

Jesus had compassion on sinner – for God desires life and forgiveness for sinners

Jesus sought out those who were away from God – for God seeks out the lost

God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Father are, together with the Holy Spirit, are one.  What one presents or enacts is what is true for the other persons of the Holy Trinity.  In an even greater sense, Jesus is the ambassador for God and his ways.  Instead of sending someone else to serves in that role, God has taken on human flesh and lived among us in Jesus.  There is nothing inconsistent between what God the Father wills and what Jesus does or what the Holy Spirit teaches.  Unlike my friend’s son, there is no conflict of values between the leader and the embassy staff.  God is.  God is one God, whose self-revelation is known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer

God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the triune God: Author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us. Glory and praise to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen

 

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.