Scripture
Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” John 10:31-32

Observation
This is a classic Jesus moment. An enraged crowd are screaming and waving heavy rocks. The situation is just a hair-trigger away from becoming a public lynching. Just then, Jesus has the presence of mind to ask a disarming theological question.

Who would have the poise under pressure to think of a comeback like Jesus did? The argument was, how could God bless Jesus’ ministry with miracles unless his claims were true?

How did Jesus do it? How Jesus lived every moment of his life is revealed in the moments when he almost died and eventually gave his life. Jesus lived every moment with a consciousness that his entire ministry was dependent on his Father. So in a moment of crisis that was his first thought. How he died was how Jesus lived, that is why he knew how to handle pressure.

Application
My motives are unseen until I’m backed into a corner. That is why I must be ruthless with my intentions. What I will die for will be revealed in what I’m living for. I want to think well under pressure, but that requires me to live well in every moment.

Prayer
Father, think through my mind and remind me when my motives are not worth living for, let alone dying for. And in the moments I need, give me words that reveal you best. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Jeremy Camp sing “Give Me Jesus”

Scripture

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. John 6:37

Observation

To make the claim that I can know Jesus is as audacious as to say, “I am entitled to a meeting with the President in the Oval Office.” And yet it is as simple as phoning my own son.

“Come to Jesus,” the pastor says. Hands go up. People walk forward. Prayers are prayed. Lives are changed. It can seem as if it is we who are going to Christ. But in fact, it is always the other way around. Jesus comes to us. We don’t deserve him. We are blind to him. The door is locked….

…unless the Father opens the door for us. In our rush to have a personal relationship with Christ, I think many of us have forgotten that we have nothing to do with starting that relationship. Our salvation is all God’s idea. The fact that we are moved to turn to Christ, is because the Father wants us. He puts the desire into our hearts for Christ because he desires us.

Salvation starts and ends with the Father. This should change the way that I pray. There should be a humility in my knowing of Jesus. Instead of assuming that I know him well enough, I should start each and every day with humble prayers like this:

Father draw me to Jesus.
Father I listen to you and learn from you.
Father, grant that I may come to Jesus.
Father I believe Jesus is the Christ.

These are the kinds of prayers Jesus had in mind for us to pray. (See John 6:29, 37, 44, 45, 65.)

Application
I believe in Jesus as the Messiah, chosen by God and long awaited by the people, the focus of all the human race and all human history.

I need to come to Jesus Christ again. Every day, I need to come to Jesus. I cannot take Jesus for granted. I don’t know him well enough. I don’t have the ability to know him more. That’s all Papa’s doing. He’s waiting to see if I will make my life purpose to believe on the one he has sent. Then he will open heaven for me to know just a little more of him.

Prayer
Father, I come to you knowing that the relationship you have with your Son is the the most intimate, personal and private thing in all the universe. And yet, I ask to be included in that. I have nothing to give you for it. But I have everything to receive from it. Grant today that I may come to Jesus. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Jared Anderson’s song “Glorified.”

Scripture
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. John 3:27

Observation
I heard a friend pray the other day, “Father, what you want to be done, let it be done.” We were praying about a future decision. At first, his prayer seemed passive to me. It did not have direction, I thought. But as I reflected on his prayer, it seemed perfect for the situation.

There is so much pushing, shoving, stretching and clutching to grasp what seems just beyond our reach. There are times this kind of effort seems to please God, and he rewards it greatly. But more often, he is pleased with a settledness in his purposes, even when they involve our deepest aspirations.

John the Baptist could have wanted more for himself. He had a communication gift. He could draw a crowd even in a deserted place. Young men left their plans just to live near him and to learn from him. But John was happy with what the Father gave him for that moment. For a little season he had a crowd, then that crowd followed the Messiah. His disciples did not understand because they were looking at all the things that flattered John. But the rustic prophet was looking instead at what glorified the Messiah.

Application
My eyes need to be turned away from all of the tools and opportunities that the Lord gives me to glorify him. Instead, my eyes need to be fixed, like John, on the Messiah. It does not matter what I get out of serving Christ. All that matters is that the Lamb is glorified.

Prayer
Father, sometimes I forget and get things inverted. I choose today to remember that this is not about me. It is about you. Amen.