The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
John 7-9
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 2: Christ’s Ministry; God’s True King Manifests His Kingdom
Background Information: John 7-9
Much of Jesus’ public ministry given in the gospels is centered around the Jewish festivals. This is another way of connecting Jesus with the great events that foreshadowed him. The feast of tabernacles was given to remind the people of God’s provision during the time of the Exodus. John began his gospel using the word tabernacle, or tent, to describe the incarnation of Jesus. “The Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us.” The timing of the Lord’s birth was set before the foundation of the world. In the same way, the Lord’s short three-year public ministry was set on his Father’s strict timeline. Nothing about his life was random; it was all planned and driven with purpose. His brothers, thinking they were more marketing savvy than Jesus, wanted him to go on a public miracle tour. This is the way, they reasoned, to really draw a following. However, Jesus was out to change the world, not to impress it. He knew how hearts were really changed, as well as how fickle hearts could be temporarily impressed. He had just seen many of those who were following him leave when they didn’t like what he said. He didn’t lie to his brothers; he wasn’t going to the festival at the time and in the way that they wanted him to go. He went on his own time and for his own purposes. Jesus was modeling what he taught. His brothers did what they wanted, when they wanted. Jesus operated according to the will of his Father. If we are to live in the freedom of Christ, we must live in the will of Christ. The Lord’s saying that the truth will set you free has been frequently quoted out of context. The truth, as an abstraction, will do nothing for anyone. To know the truth and refuse to obey it will not lead to freedom. Freedom is found in obedient relationship with Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We do not belong to ourselves; we belong to Christ. We must not see our time as being our own. Time is the stuff our lives are made of, and we must spend it carefully. How we spend our lives must demonstrate that Christ is king of our lives.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Jason & Lisa serving in Central Asia. Ask God to direct their steps to people whose hearts are seeking Him.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.