Jesus then left the Temple. As he walked away, his disciples pointed out how very impressive the Temple architecture was. Jesus said, "You're not impressed by all this sheer size, are you? The truth of the matter is that there's not a stone in that building that is not going to end up in a pile of rubble.''

MATTHEW 24:1-2

The destruction of the Temple was spiritual urban renewal

-getting rid of an inadequate physical structure so that a

"God-made, not handmade" one could be constructed in its place (2 Corinthians 5:1).

What was the purpose of the Temple?

God Almighty, I don't want to become so attached to what m ancestors built in obedience to you that I miss the firsthand opportunities of participating in the new things you are doing in my generation. Amen.

Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?"

MATTHEW 24:3

The view from where they sat was impressive: Jerusalem panoramic before them, with the magnificent Temple in the foreground. But it is not what religious people build that makes the kingdom, but how and when a gracious God comes.

Do you spend most of your time looking at religious sights, or listening to Jesus' words?

Lead me into asking the right questions, Lord God of truth, and train me in a careful listening to your answers. I don't want to stand around looking at the religious scenery; I want to be alert to the new word you are speaking to me in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah. They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming."

MATTHEW 24:4-8

A lot of people have franchises these days on predicting the future; it is one of the blue chip businesses in religion. The only thing worse than the crassness of the sellers is the gullibility of the buyers. Jesus warned us well and in detail there is no excuse for any of us being deceived by these people.

Who has tried to deceive you by pretending to know

God's timetable?

It is hard not to be impressed by these people who speak so urgently and convincingly about the future, Jesus; they all claim a direct commission from you. But then I return to these words of warning and their deceit is exposed. I am again content to be obedient at your feet. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:17 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

Freedom is of the Lord!

What areas of your life do you want freedom?

Lord, I want godly, full freedom in you!

Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus said, "Why do you question me about what's good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you." The man asked, "What in particular?" Jesus said, "Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself." The young man said, "I've done all that. What's left?"

"If you want to give it all you've got," Jesus replied, "go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me." That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let go.

MATTHEW 19:16-22

The young man thought that he had kept the Levitical command, "Love your neighbor as you do yourself," but it had never occurred to him that his neighbor might be the poor man and that love had something to do with how he spent his money.

Who are some of the unseen "neighbors" in your life?

I know the commands, O God, but I need your help in seeing the people and circumstances where my obedience is commanded.

Open my hands that have been clutching possessions; open my eyes too long blind to certain neighbors. Amen.

As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a Roman captain came up in a panic and said, "Master, my servant is sick. He can't walk. He's in terrible pain." Jesus said, "I'll come and heal him." "Oh, no," said the captain. "I don't want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine. I'm a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, 'Go, and he goes; to another, 'Come, and he comes; to my slave, 'Do this, and he does it." Taken aback, Jesus said, "I've yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God's kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up 'in the faith' but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened." Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, "Go. What you believed could happen has happened." At that moment his servant became well.

MATTHEW 8:5-13

The captain did what he knew best; he used everyday experience (his military training) to gain access to the operations of God. Faith, in this case, is not an extraordinary leap into the unknown, but a commonplace step into what is clear and present in Jesus

Whom do you want Jesus to help?

Christ, there are so many paralyzed people around, so many servant-children helpless apart from you. Help them. I can't help them; I only run to you and announce the "terrible pain" to which you are neither impotent nor indifferent. Amen.

Amen.

With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: 'Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are."' 

MATTHEW 6:9 

"Our" is the operative word. We cannot come to God as if he were a private deity, a household god. He is no personal idol we manufacture to our specifications. In prayer God is not reduced to our requirements; we are expanded to the dimensions of his majesty. 

 Why is "Father" such an important name for God?

Our Father: reveal yourself to me not as I have imagined you and not as others have stereotyped you, but as you really are: creator of all that is, loving redeemer of all your people. Amen. 

"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic--what a find! and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it."

MATTHEW 13:44-46

The two stories have one word in common: "everything." There must be no equivocation, no hesitation, no calculation before God's offer of new life. All we have is traded in for all that God has for us.

What, for you, is included in the "everything"?

O God, I don't want to bring a bookkeeper's mind to the life of faith, anxiously adding up columns of what I must give, columns of what I might get. I give all and accept all. Amen.

"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows. The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark.

They knew nothing until the flood hit and swept everything away. The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill

one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he 

would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up."

MATTHEW 24:36-44

Jesus warned against getting anxiously upset by announcements of the end. Now he warns against complacently missing the signs of his arrival. In prayer we must be alert, but not gullible.

Do you have a lively sense of expectancy?

I never, O God, want to live in complacent sloth, soggy in religious routine, smug in pious satisfaction. I want to be expectant and ready for the new thing that you are doing today, and again tomorrow. Amen.

"Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you. It won't be long before the Master will put this person in charge of the whole operation. But if that person only looks out for himself, and the minute the Master is away does what he pleases-abusing the help and throwing drunken parties for his friends-the Master is going to show up when he least expects it and make hash of him. He'll end up in the dump with the hypocrites, out in the cold shivering,teeth chattering."

MATTHEW 24:45-51

The ignorance of all of us (including the angels!) regarding the schedule of the coming again of Christ sets us free to go about our work of love without forever nervously checking the clock or calendar.

Do the predictors ever distract you from your work?

My curiosity, Lord, sometimes consumes me: I want to know when. And you draw me back into the fullness of this now, in which I can live by faith, content to receive what you give at the right time, and be steady at my work. Amen.

"God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!' The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil, They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own. They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked. Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying,'Master, we're here. Let us in. He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you. So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive."

MATTHEW 25:1-13

The story asks, "What's smart?" rather than "What's right?" Our minds as well as our morals are to be put to proper use in expectation of Christ's coming. Silliness is as much to be avoided in kingdom matters as wickedness.

How do you watch?

Dear God, vou have given me careful teaching that you are coming, but not when. Keep me ever alert so that I am ready for whatever you have for me to do, whenever you choose to command me. Amen.

"It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money. After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner' The servant with the two thousand dollars showed how he also had doubled his master's

investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.' The servant given one thousand said,

'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.' The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have 

been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most.

And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness."

MATTHEW 25:14-30

All of us have times when it appears that everyone else has more than we do. We covet the more that others have, instead of devoting ourselves to use what we do have. Jesus has no patience with us at such times; his story is a prod to live our lives, just as they are, to the glory of God.

Do you ever use your inadequacy as an excuse to do nothing?

Help me to accept my status, Lord, and be thankful for what you have given me. And help me to boldly participate in the exchanges of love that will make a profit for your kingdom. Amen..

"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne.

Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father!

Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me. Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.' Then he will turn to the 'goats, the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. 

And why? Because I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, sick and in prison, and you never visited. Then those 'goats' are going to say,

'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth:

Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me you failed to do it to me.' Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."

MATTHEW 25:31-46

The great acts of judgment are not arbitrarily imposed from the outside, they develop out of the ordinary actions of everyday life. The final kingdom has all its seeds in the acts of love and compassion of each day.

Do you think you will be surprised at the last judgment?

Thank you for this story, Jesus; now I know that everything counts.

I will never again suppose that what I do is insignificant. I will look for your presence in every person I meet and serve you through each one. Amen.

When Jesus finished saying these things, he told his disciples,

"You know that Passover comes in two davs. That's when the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion." At that very moment, the party of high priests and religious leaders was meeting in the chambers of the Chief Priest named Caiaphas, conspiring to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him. They agreed that it should not be done during Passover Week. "We don't want a riot on our hands," they said.

MATTHEW 26:1-5

Hosanna means "Save now!" It is a cry for help in the context of assured response. The Savior has arrived!

Salvation is at hand! Everyone's life is at the point of change for the better. That which none of us can do for ourselves is done for us in Jesus.

Read Psalm 118:25-26 for the source of this cry.

Lord Jesus Christ, how grateful I am that you have entered the arena of suffering and hurt and evil. If all I had were words spoken from a quiet hillside, I would not have what I need most-_-your victory over the worst, your presence in time of need. Amen.

When Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper, a woman came up to him as he was eating dinner and anointed him with a bottle of very expensive perfume. When the disciples saw what was happening, they were furious. "That's criminal! This could have been sold for a lot and the money handed out to the poor." When Jesus realized what was going on, he intervened. "Why are you giving this woman a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have poor with you every day for the rest of your lives, but not me. When she poured this perfume on my body, what she really did was anoint me for burial. You can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she

has just done is going to be remembered and admired."

MATTHEW 26:6-13

Devout living is not tightfisted stinginess, but something flaming, with alabaster extravagance. We do not grow in faith by hoarding and saving, but by pouring out generous acts of sacrifice in love.

Are you generous?

Save me, Lord Jesus, from the spirit that calculates and resents.

Release me for a life that pours itself out without counting the cost, even as you poured yourself out for me. Amen.

That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the cabal of high priests and said, "What will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They settled on thirty silver pieces. He began looking for just the right moment to hand him over. ... After sunset, [Jesus] and the Twelve were sitting around the table. During the meal, he said, "I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators." They were stunned, and then began to ask, one after another, "It isn't me, is it, Master?" Jesus answered, "The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man-better never to have been born than do 

this!" Then Judas, already turned traitor, said, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" Jesus said, "Don't play games with me, Judas."

MATTHEW 26:14-16, 20-25

It is difficult to comprehend that this act of betrayal could be committed by a man associated personally with Jesus, surrounded by peers in a common meal and intimate conversation. But any of us is capable of it: "It isn't me, is it?" is an honest question to ask ourselves.

Why did Judas do it?

Forgive me, Father, for the times that I have suddenly left the way of faith and gone off to execute a plan that I thought would bring me some short-term benefit. Amen.

During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: "Take, eat. This is my body." Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them: "Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, God's new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins.' I'll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I'll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father."

MATTHEW 26:26-29

The common elements of the meal, through Jesus' words and prayer, became the signs of our eternal salvation. The deepest spiritual truths are represented in the everyday material of bread and wine.

What does the Lord's Supper mean to you?

I receive what you give to me, Lord Jesus Christ your life and your salvation.

As I receive it, I live in hope, anticipating the full life of the kingdom, even as I am participating in it now by your grace. Amen.

They sang a hymn and went directly to Mount Olives. Then Jesus told them, "Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says, 'I'll strike the shepherd; helter-skelter the sheep will be scattered. But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee." Peter broke in,

"Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't." "Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times." Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing.MATTHEW 26:30-35

Stumbling was a way of life for Peter, as it is for us. Optimism in our capacity for faithfulness is not the basis of our salvation. Our trust is in the resurrection.

When was the last time you stumbled?

I am grateful, God, that your plans do not depend upon my loyalty, that your salvation is not contingent on my steadfastness. Your resurrection takes place anyway. All praise to you, O God. Amen.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray.".

.. Going a little ahead,

he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this.

But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?" When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." He then left them a second time.

Again he prayed, "My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I'm ready. Do it your way." When he came back, he again found them asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the sameground one last time. When he came back the next time, he said, "Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let's get going! My betrayer is here."

MATTHEW 26:36, 39-46

sleeping, we slip into a private world, unconscious of God's action. Praying, the opposite of sleeping, explores every detail in the drama of existence, draws us into participation in Christ's passion.

What are some contrasts between sleeping and praying?

Live in me, Holy Christ; create a new Adam, a new Eve, to live to your glory in this garden. Teach me the freedom that lives your will instead of asserting my own. For Jesus' sake. Amen

The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one-seize him." He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, "How are you, Rabbi?" and kissed him. Jesus said, "Friend, why this charade?" Then they came on him-grabbed him and roughed him up. One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the Chief Priest's servant, cut off his ear. Jesus said, "Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords.

Don't you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies-more, if I want them-of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready? But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?" Then Jesus addressed the mob: "What is this-comingout after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You've done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings." Then all the disciples cut and ran.

MATTHEW 26:47 -56

Rome and religion conspired against Jesus and seized him, but he feared no evil. He was so sure of God's "shepherd's crook" (Psalm 23:4) that he was confidently dismissive of all "swords and clubs."

Where are you in this crowd?

You lived, Jesus, not by sword but by Scripture. Yet I continue to use violence, even when I am attempting to do right things. Teach me to do it your way- your goals, yes, but also your methods. Amen.

The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled. Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest's courtyard. . .. The high priests, conspiring with the Jewish Council, tried to cook up charges against Jesus in order to sentence him to death. But even though many stepped up, making up one false accusation after another, nothing was believable. . .. Jesus kept silent. Then the Chief Priest said, "I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus was curt: "You yourself said it. And that's not all. Soon you'll see it for yourself: 'The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One, arriving on the clouds of

heaven."" At that, the Chief Priest lost his temper, ripping his robes, yelling, "He blasphemed! Why do we need witnesses to accuse him? You all heard him blaspheme!

Are you going to stand for such blasphemy?" They all said, "Death! That seals his death sentence."

MATTHEW 26:57-60, 63-66

Caiaphas and Peter are mentioned in successive sentences. The high priest and the chief apostle both centered their attention on Jesus. Earlier, Peter had said

"You're the Christ" (Matthew 16:16). Here, Caiaphas says it. The content of the gospel stays the same but how different it sounds on the lips of Caiaphas and of Peter.

Why was Jesus silent?

A striking scene, Lord! The torture and mocking intended to reduce you to insignificance only reveal your strength. Out of this suffering your love appears with immense dignity and beauty. Thank you. Amen.

The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word.

JOHN 1:1

John and Genesis both fix our roots in God-reality: Our origins are in the God who speaks (and is therefore intelligible to us and whose speech

(Word) makes the very stuff of our existence.

Compare John 1 with Genesis 1.

God of creation, let all my "firsts" be in you: every thought, every act, every desire, every purpose, every plan. I want to be rooted and grounded in you, and you only. Amen.

The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.

Everything was created through him; nothing- not one thing! came into being without him.

JOHN 1:2-3

It is impossible to separate what we know of God from who God is, what God has said from his very being. Everything that is made is a clue leading to God, and God, of course, is the truth of everything.

How did creation take place?

Thank you, Lord, for this gloriously intricate, put-together, held-together universe. Everywhere I look I find evidence of what you have done. Everything I see gives me another reason to marvel and praise. Amen.

What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live

by.

JOHN 1:4

Our ability to see anything and understand it is because of God. Even our questions about God are evidence of God. Our enlightened minds, which we may use to deny God, are a gift of the God who gives us life

What are some characteristics of light?

Father of lights, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, I thank you that "every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven" (James 1:17). Amen.

The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put

it out.

JOHN 1:5

In a contest between light and dark, light always wins. Darkness never smothers light; light always dissipates darkness. Darkness has no initiative and no energy. It is helpless against the pulsating radiance of the light.

What are some characteristics of darkness?

"This is the day of light: let there be light today; O Dayspring, rise upon our night and chase its gloom awa)." (26] Amen.

There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light, he was there to show the way to the Light.

JOHN 1:6-8

The contrast is abrupt: Our minds are drawn from the wide, cosmic sweep of creation to the rough Judean wilderness, where a man was calling particular attention to God's work and word in Jesus Christ.

What do you know about John?

By your word, God, the heavens were created, and by that same word, I am addressed. What is going on in the heavens and in my home are equally your interest. Make the connection in my faith between your grand purposes and your specific involvement in my life. Amen

The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into

Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn't even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn't want him. 

JOHN 1:9-11

That which is obvious in revelation and faith is not obvious to mere cleverness or doubt. "Think of it! The Word was made flesh and not one of the journalists of those days even knew it was happening!" [27]

Why was Jesus not recognized and not received?

Dear Lord, help me not to overlook the obvious--through carelessness miss the great signs of your saving love, through sloth have my eyes closed to the flashing lights of eternity, in Jesus Christ. Amen.

But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, he made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.

But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty."

JOHN 1:12-13

New birth is a theme that recurs throughout John's

Gospel. All that we know of birth, naturally, is a kind of story of what God wills for us supernaturally.

Compare this with John 3:1-15.

Create, shape, and bring to maturity, Mighty God, the new life that you will for me in Jesus Christ. I want to be known as your child, be recognized as your child, and grow up into eternity as your child. Amen.

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. 

JOHN 1:14

The "Word" by which God made all things (see verses 1-3) became an actual flesh-and-blood person, Jesus of Nazareth. A most astounding event, scarcely imaginable, but impressively documented in our Gospels by those who saw it take place ("we saw the glory").

Compare this with Galatians 4:4-5.

Father, open my eyes to see all that you reveal in Jesus Christ. I don't want to miss a single instance of grace, nor overlook one item of truth. I want to see it all, your glory in Jesus. Amen.

We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift. We got the basics from Moses, and then this exuberant giving and receiving, this endless knowing and understanding all this came through Jesus, the Messiah. 

JOHN 1:16-17

God does not carefully calculate his stores of grace and truth and then cautiously dole them out in bits and pieces. He is lavish and extravagant as he reveals and shares himself in Jesus Christ.

How has God been generous to you?

God, what a change from what I was used to, living hand to mouth on morsels of law! Every day now is a banquet, grand and abundant!

Thank you for this new lifestyle of "gift after gift after gift." Amen.

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love. Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."MATTHEW 18:15-20

We would get on better if we could ignore or dismiss offending people. A private religion would be much more to our taste. But God will not permit it: We must learn God's forgiveness and love among people whom we forgive and love.

Who has hurt you?

Give me the courage, Lord Jesus, to face the people today who have displeased or hurt or troubled me. Help me to forgive them, not condemn them. By your grace draw me into a community with them where together we experience your presence. Amen.