Human Knowledge

John 7:14–36

Human Knowledge

“Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, ‘Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where be comes from.’” John 7:25-27 (New Living Translation)

The limits of human knowledge are pushed on nearly every front every day. We explore the tiniest particles and the vast expanses of the universe. We’ve cracked the human genome and have engineered an electronic system for sharing ideas and information that was utterly unimaginable even twenty-five years ago. On an exponential scale we know more than people ever have.

But all that we know - and that which we claim to - can overshadow and confuse the astounding truth that confronts us. As Jesus spoke in the temple, people argued with him, plotted to capture and kill him, and talked amongst themselves. Worldly rules and expectations governed their thoughts. The Messiah, they said, couldn’t be before them.

If we only watch and listen, Christ’s unrelenting message of love and service will appear before and around us. If we quiet our minds and mouths, we can, and will, notice. Our human achievements are noteworthy but they are God-given. They pale in comparison to the wonder of God’s promise and the power of his sacrifice. Let him appear. He will.

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Prayer: Lord in Heaven, please help me. Help me to see Christ. Help me to seek you. Allow me to tune to you and your plan for me. Equip me to appreciate and celebrate your gift to me so I can return it through my life. In your name, Amen.

Wade Whitehead

Blinded by the light

Mark 5:1–20

Blinded by the light

“When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.” Mark 5:15 (NIV)

As human beings, we are unpredictable. Take, for instance, this story in Mark 5—Jesus heals a man from an impure spirit, a man who could not be controlled by any chain or power. The healings story spreads, and people from the nearby town come to see what has happened. It is indeed true! There sits said man, clothed and stable. Their reaction? Fear!

And how about us? Plato once said, “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” How do we explain humanity’s instances of fearing the light?  Maybe the answer lies in the challenge posed when we see and experience goodness—we must react.  The townsfolk asked it and we ask it today: how will we respond to acts of kindness, unwavering love, and radical transformation?  Yes, we may first be afraid, but what do we do with this fear?  Do we accept the challenge and take up the task?  Do we enlist our means of support—our church community, our prayer life, the Spirit’s constant presence? Let us answer those challenges, despite our fear, with a resounding, “Yes,” followed by, “with God’s help!”.

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Loving God, give us courage to responsibly embrace our holy challenges with enduring resolve. Amen

Dirk Labuschagne

Challenging God

John 7:1–13

Challenging God

“So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret.’”  (NRSV)

Oh how like little children we are—so limited, so immature, and so self-centered.  We insist on things going our way, on our timeline.  Why is it so difficult for us to wait...to wait for things to be revealed to us by God, in His time.  To be patient, silent, faithful.  For God is at work in our lives, but still we stamp our feet and demand proof!  “Show yourself!” we shout.  We want to “SEE the works you are doing”!  We cannot understand how God does not want fame and recognition as we define and glorify them and why he won’t cooperate with our demands.

We challenge God for our own gain, rather than trusting that God will reveal Himself and His plan for us in His own time and way.

We should know this by now.  For look how he came into the world, in Jesus—counter to everything one would expect from the Messiah.  Yet we continue to buck what our faith requires from us, instead preferring immediate gratification.  Perhaps this Lenten season is the time to renew our effort to trust God, to be faithful and not doubtful that He is at work and His plan is being worked our through our lives.

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Gracious God, may we worship and glorify you this Easter season and put away the childish ways we tend toward, in challenging you to reveal yourself on our terms.  Forgive us for our limitations and strengthen our faith.  Help us to wait, to wait on you, Lord.  Amen.

Anne Travers

Honor

John 5:30-47

Honor

“No wonder you can’t believe!  For you gladly honor each other but you don’t care about the honor that comes from God alone.”  John 5:44 (NLT)

Dear Lord, you know I have times when I ask these questions.  Do you really love me?  Do you care about what happens to me or those I love?  Are you always willing to forgive?  Do you still hear and answer prayer”  Are your promises still effective for us?

Seeking more light, I’ve asked my friends, neighbors, teachers, preachers, and anyone else who listens.  They give me a lot of advice; sometimes they have as many doubts as I do.

All of us want to be loved and honored by others, but all of us tend to try to control each other.  I want to serve you, Lord, but I find my life being shaped by other people.  Where do I turn?

I decide to turn to your book.  These great biblical men and women looked to you for direction.

David was a great warrior, but he asked God to direct his actions.  I can’t imagine Paul asked Luke or Mark what he should do next.  Mary didn’t say to the angel Gabriel, “What will the neighbors say?”.

Jesus said, “Abide in me and ask what you will”.  My heart tells me this is truth.  In abiding we find love, peace, and honor.  What greater honor could we find than having God as our Father.

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May we love people and be obedient to God.  Amen.

Lois Jones