“Earlier this morning in my journaling time,” Stan commented during breakfast, “I saw a simple statement in John’s gospel about some people in one context that reminded me of the importance of the same thing in another.”
“From one context to another? What’d you see?”
“In a verse about Jesus going to Galilee, it says that He was received by the Galileans who had seen what He did in Jerusalem. That’s the first context.”
“They had received Jesus because they had seen the signs or miracles He had done?”
“That’s it,” Stan agreed. It’s what they saw Him do in Jerusalem.”
“If that’s the first context,” I asked, “what’s the other contest you think is important?”
“What Jesus did when He was in Jerusalem going to the cross, dying, being buried, and rising up on the third day. That’s the important part for all to know in receiving Jesus and what He accomplished by His finished work on the cross.”
“So,” I responded, “don’t focus on receiving Jesus for the signs or miracles He did then or does today, but focus on what He accomplished in going to the cross. Is that it?”
“That’s it,” Stan replied. “I’m to focus on receiving what Jesus accomplished in Jerusalem in giving me life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever. If I just focus on the signs Jesus did and does, I will miss truly receiving Him and His finished work.”
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Bible verses to consider:
So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves went to the feast. John 4:45.
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, beholding the signs which He was doing. John 2:23.
So when Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. John 19:30.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often I focus on what you do — and what I want you to do — for me today, rather than on what you did for me in Jerusalem. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in focusing on what you accomplished by going to the cross to give me a new life to live here before I step into eternity. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what Jesus accomplished by His finished work on the cross, namely giving you life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with focusing on what Jesus already accomplished by His finished work on the cross rather than on what you want Him to accomplish for you today? Is His finished work on the cross enough for you to live for Him the new life He provided? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to focus on what He accomplished by His finished work on the cross, rather than constantly focusing on what you want Him to do for you today? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?