Jesus said this to those who believed in him. Those who did not believe declared that they were never slaves, so why did they need set free. But Jesus told them that whoever sins is a slave to sin. This “truth” that Jesus offered is more than the light that exposes sin. It is the Person that both reveals and redeems us from sin. Truth is more than a concept. Truth is embodied in a Person. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).
What David said to Goliath as they closed for battle revealed his heart and passion for God’s Name. It was this same David who inspired of the Holy Spirit wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). We can depend on God’s Name for victory in our lives too. The Name of Jesus is given to us to call upon. We can ask anything in Jesus’ strong Name and the Father hears us. What giant are you facing today? Call upon Jesus. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
Jesus mediated between the adulteress and her accusers, yet still called her out of her sinful lifestyle. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). He is the expression of God as both Light and Life. He neither condemns nor condones our sin. As Light, He exposes our sin. As Life, He dies in our place for our sin and offers to abide in those who believe in Him to make them holy and give them eternal life.
It’s difficult to read the stories about King Saul, Israel’s first king. Although he reigned for 40 years, his leadership style was fraught with short-sighted and ill-conceived tactics, blustering, macho-inspired dictates, people-pleasing priorities, and most of all – a failure to seek God first in all things. In spite of this, God used Saul to lead Israel and in many ways he was one of its better kings. It’s just so tragic to watch from a distance though, because Saul may have been one of Israel’s greatest kings if only he would’ve feared God more than man. And sought God’s pleasure more than pleasing people. Saul’s kingship is a study in leadership failure.
Jesus had four younger half-brothers named James, Joses, Judas and Simon and several unnamed sisters (Mark 6:3) by his mother, Mary and his adopted father, Joseph. Prior to Christ’s resurrection his brothers didn’t believe in him. We don’t read much about them, but here John records how they gave Jesus sarcastic advice about how to become more famous. Jesus calmly replied to them that they didn’t understand God’s timing nor purpose for him. Often the hardest people to live out your faith in front of is your own family. They have expectations of you and when you don’t live up to them, they punish you with biting comments. Yet, Jesus was obedient to God’s will for him. And after they saw him suffer and rise again, his family finally believed. James and Judas (Jude) both authored NT books. James, who became the lead pastor of the first church of Jerusalem, opened his little book with “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Can you think of a more convincing testimony for Jesus than this?
The Psalmist wrote of the Lord’s redemption of Israel throughout history. He instructed the people to “give thanks” to the Lord for his “faithful love.” This love is described by the Hebrew word חָ֫סֶד, “chesed” (kheh’-sed), which could also be translated “steadfast, faithful, or covenantal love.” While the people were unfaithful, some found themselves as wandering, imprisoned, suffering from their own sin. Yet, God’s faithful love was always ready to answer when he heard their cry for help. When you look back over the history of your life, are you thankful for God’s faithful love?
Jesus rebuked the crowd that followed him for free food. The feeding of the 5,000 was a sign meant to point to Jesus, not the bread. But the people were more concerned for their stomachs than their souls. Do you come to Jesus for bread? Or because he is the Bread of Life? Most of us have come to Jesus for some physical or relational need or hurt. We came seeking the temporal. Yet, having our needs met, some now follow just for Jesus. We come wanting only Jesus. We come saying, “Give me Jesus.” We now know that all we need is Him.
Do you ask for a box for your leftovers? Jesus did. I wonder why. Was it to show that when He holds a banquet everyone eats their fill with food to spare? Was it to draw attention that even the leftovers were much greater than the original 5 loaves and 2 fish? And why record the basket count of 12 baskets full? Did this show that each disciple got a packed lunch to eat while Jesus slipped away into the hills? I can only speculate as to why Jesus commanded the leftovers to be saved. But certain things can be known for sure from this story: 1)When we trust Jesus with our small offering, He can multiply it to feed a multitude. 2)When Jesus feeds the hungry, they eat their fill with food leftover. 3) With Jesus nothing is wasted.
While young Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle he was awakened a fourth time by the voice of the Lord calling him. The first three times he ran to Eli, thinking his old master was calling him. He didn’t yet recognize God’s voice. After the third time old Eli realized that God must be calling to Samuel, so he instructed him on how to answer. When Samuel replied as Eli instructed, God spoke to him. From that day forward Samuel was confirmed as a prophet. Throughout Israel he was respected as a prophet of God whose word was reliable. Samuel had to learn to hear God’s voice and respond. Have you learned to hear from God? Are you willing to get up in the middle of the night to hear from Him?
In contrast to Eli’s grown sons, young Samuel served the Lord. Samuel was given to Eli to raise as his own by his mother Hannah. She had been barren and promised to give the Lord her firstborn son if He allowed her to conceive. Eli was a permissive and passive father. His sons were evidence of his parenting failure. Yet, like many today, he was a better grandfather to Samuel than he was a father to his own sons. Hannah gave her son to the Lord. He grew up in God’s presence. From his youth until his death, Samuel was faithful to God. He was the last of Israel’s judges. He was a transitional figure who acted with all three titles of prophet, priest and judge, before anointing the first two kings of Israel.