Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church Wichita, Kansas, United States - Daily Devotional for Tuesday, 24 March 2015
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Chaplain, Galicia Heart Hospital
Wichita West District
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Albion First UMC
Loretto UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
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Pender United Church
Rosalie UMC
Walthill First UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
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Today please be in prayer for:
Today please be in prayer for:
Today please be in prayer for:
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Fifth Sunday in Lent-COLOR: Purple
Lectionary Texts:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Lectionary Scriptures:
Jeremiah 31:31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. 32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”
34 (35) This is what Adonai says,
who gives the sun as light for the day,
who ordained the laws for the moon and stars
to provide light for the night,
who stirs up the sea until its waves roar —
Adonai-Tzva’ot is his name:
Psalm 51: (0) For the leader. A psalm of David, 2 when Natan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bat-Sheva:
3 (1) God, in your grace, have mercy on me;
in your great compassion, blot out my crimes.
4 (2) Wash me completely from my guilt,
and cleanse me from my sin.
5 (3) For I know my crimes,
my sin confronts me all the time.
6 (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil from your perspective;
so that you are right in accusing me
and justified in passing sentence.
7 (5) True, I was born guilty,
was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me.
8 (6) Still, you want truth in the inner person;
so make me know wisdom in my inmost heart.
9 (7) Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
10 (8) Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness,
so that the bones you crushed can rejoice.
11 (9) Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my crimes.
12 (10) Create in me a clean heart, God;
renew in me a resolute spirit.
Hebrews 5:5 So neither did the Messiah glorify himself to become cohen gadol; rather, it was the One who said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”[a]
6 Also, as he says in another place,
“You are a cohen forever,
to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”[b]
7 During Yeshua’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness. 8 Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. 9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, 10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.[Footnotes:
Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4]
John 12:20 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greek-speaking Jews. 21 They approached Philip, the one from Beit-Tzaidah in the Galil, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Yeshua.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Yeshua. 23 Yeshua gave them this answer: “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest. 25 He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life! 26 If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now I am in turmoil. What can I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I will say this: 28 ‘Father, glorify your name!’” At this a bat-kol came out of heaven, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!” 29 The crowd standing there and hearing it said that it had thundered; others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Yeshua answered, “This bat-kol did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged, now the ruler of this world will be expelled. 32 As for me, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Jeremiah 31:31-34
Verse 31
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Behold — And not only with the Jews, but all those who should be ingrafted into that Olive. It is not called the new covenant, because it was as to the substance new, for it was made with Abraham, Genesis 17:7, and with the Jews, Deuteronomy 26:17,18, but because it was revealed after a new manner, more fully and particularly, plainly and clearly. Nor was the ceremonial law any part of it, as it was to the Jews, a strict observance of that. It was likewise new in regard of the efficacy of the spirit attending it, in a much fuller and larger manner.
Verse 32
[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Not according — The covenant which God made with the Jews when they came out of the land of Egypt, was on God's part the law which he gave them, with the promises annexed; on their part (which made it a formal covenant) their promise of obedience to it.
Verse 33
[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
With — That is, with those who are Jews inwardly.
And write it — The prophet's design is here to express the difference betwixt the law and the gospel. The first shews duty, the latter brings the grace of regeneration, by which the heart is changed, and enabled for duty. All under the time of the law that came to salvation, were saved by this new covenant; but this was not evidently exhibited; neither was the regenerating grace of God so common under the time of the law, as it hath been under the gospel.
Verse 34
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
I will forgive — God makes the root of all this grace to be the free pardon, and the remission of their sins.
Lectionary Texts:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Lectionary Scriptures:
Jeremiah 31:31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. 32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”
34 (35) This is what Adonai says,
who gives the sun as light for the day,
who ordained the laws for the moon and stars
to provide light for the night,
who stirs up the sea until its waves roar —
Adonai-Tzva’ot is his name:
Psalm 51: (0) For the leader. A psalm of David, 2 when Natan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bat-Sheva:
3 (1) God, in your grace, have mercy on me;
in your great compassion, blot out my crimes.
4 (2) Wash me completely from my guilt,
and cleanse me from my sin.
5 (3) For I know my crimes,
my sin confronts me all the time.
6 (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil from your perspective;
so that you are right in accusing me
and justified in passing sentence.
7 (5) True, I was born guilty,
was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me.
8 (6) Still, you want truth in the inner person;
so make me know wisdom in my inmost heart.
9 (7) Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
10 (8) Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness,
so that the bones you crushed can rejoice.
11 (9) Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my crimes.
12 (10) Create in me a clean heart, God;
renew in me a resolute spirit.
Hebrews 5:5 So neither did the Messiah glorify himself to become cohen gadol; rather, it was the One who said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”[a]
6 Also, as he says in another place,
“You are a cohen forever,
to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”[b]
7 During Yeshua’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness. 8 Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. 9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, 10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.[Footnotes:
Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4]
John 12:20 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greek-speaking Jews. 21 They approached Philip, the one from Beit-Tzaidah in the Galil, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Yeshua.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Yeshua. 23 Yeshua gave them this answer: “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest. 25 He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life! 26 If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now I am in turmoil. What can I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I will say this: 28 ‘Father, glorify your name!’” At this a bat-kol came out of heaven, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!” 29 The crowd standing there and hearing it said that it had thundered; others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Yeshua answered, “This bat-kol did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged, now the ruler of this world will be expelled. 32 As for me, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Jeremiah 31:31-34
Verse 31
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Behold — And not only with the Jews, but all those who should be ingrafted into that Olive. It is not called the new covenant, because it was as to the substance new, for it was made with Abraham, Genesis 17:7, and with the Jews, Deuteronomy 26:17,18, but because it was revealed after a new manner, more fully and particularly, plainly and clearly. Nor was the ceremonial law any part of it, as it was to the Jews, a strict observance of that. It was likewise new in regard of the efficacy of the spirit attending it, in a much fuller and larger manner.
Verse 32
[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Not according — The covenant which God made with the Jews when they came out of the land of Egypt, was on God's part the law which he gave them, with the promises annexed; on their part (which made it a formal covenant) their promise of obedience to it.
Verse 33
[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
With — That is, with those who are Jews inwardly.
And write it — The prophet's design is here to express the difference betwixt the law and the gospel. The first shews duty, the latter brings the grace of regeneration, by which the heart is changed, and enabled for duty. All under the time of the law that came to salvation, were saved by this new covenant; but this was not evidently exhibited; neither was the regenerating grace of God so common under the time of the law, as it hath been under the gospel.
Verse 34
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
I will forgive — God makes the root of all this grace to be the free pardon, and the remission of their sins.
Psalm 51:1-12
Verse 4
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Thee only — Which is not to be, understood absolutely, because he had sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, and many others; but comparatively. So the sense is, though I have sinned against my own conscience, and against others; yet nothing is more grievous to me, than that I have sinned against thee.
Thy sight — With gross contempt of thee, whom I knew to be a spectator of my most secret actions.
Justified — This will be the fruit of my sin, that whatsoever severities thou shalt use towards me, it will be no blemish to thy righteousness, but thy justice will be glorified by all men.
Speakest — Heb. in thy words, in all thy threatenings denounced against me.
Judgest — When thou dost execute thy sentence upon me.
Verse 5
[5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold — Nor is this the only sin which I have reason to bewail before thee; for this filthy stream leads me to a corrupt fountain: and upon a review of my heart, I find, that this heinous crime, was the proper fruit of my vile nature, which, ever was, and still is ready to commit ten thousand sins, as occasion offers.
Verse 6
[6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Truth — Uprightness of heart; and this may be added; as an aggravation of the sinfulness of original corruption, because it is contrary to the holy nature and will of God, which requires rectitude of heart: and, as an aggravation of his actual sin, that it was committed against that knowledge, which God had wrote in his heart.
Verse 7
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Hyssop — As lepers, are by thy appointment purified by the use of hyssop and other things, so do thou cleanse me a leprous and polluted creature, by thy grace, and by that blood of Christ, which is signified by those ceremonial usages.
Verse 8
[8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Joy — By thy spirit, seal the pardon of my sins on my conscience, which will fill me with joy.
Rejoice — That my heart which hath been sorely wounded may be comforted.
Verse 10
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Create — Work in me an holy frame of heart, whereby my inward filth may be purged away.
Right — Heb. firm or constant, that my resolution may be fixed and unmoveable.
Spirit — Temper or disposition of soul.
Verse 12
[12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
The joy — The comfortable sense of thy saving grace, promised and vouchsafed to me, both for my present and everlasting salvation.
Free — Or, ingenuous, or liberal, or princely. Which he seems to oppose to his own base and illiberal and disingenuous and servile spirit, which he had discovered in his wicked practices: a spirit, which may free me from the bondage of sin, and enable me chearfully to run the way of God's precepts.
Verse 4
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Thee only — Which is not to be, understood absolutely, because he had sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, and many others; but comparatively. So the sense is, though I have sinned against my own conscience, and against others; yet nothing is more grievous to me, than that I have sinned against thee.
Thy sight — With gross contempt of thee, whom I knew to be a spectator of my most secret actions.
Justified — This will be the fruit of my sin, that whatsoever severities thou shalt use towards me, it will be no blemish to thy righteousness, but thy justice will be glorified by all men.
Speakest — Heb. in thy words, in all thy threatenings denounced against me.
Judgest — When thou dost execute thy sentence upon me.
Verse 5
[5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold — Nor is this the only sin which I have reason to bewail before thee; for this filthy stream leads me to a corrupt fountain: and upon a review of my heart, I find, that this heinous crime, was the proper fruit of my vile nature, which, ever was, and still is ready to commit ten thousand sins, as occasion offers.
Verse 6
[6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Truth — Uprightness of heart; and this may be added; as an aggravation of the sinfulness of original corruption, because it is contrary to the holy nature and will of God, which requires rectitude of heart: and, as an aggravation of his actual sin, that it was committed against that knowledge, which God had wrote in his heart.
Verse 7
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Hyssop — As lepers, are by thy appointment purified by the use of hyssop and other things, so do thou cleanse me a leprous and polluted creature, by thy grace, and by that blood of Christ, which is signified by those ceremonial usages.
Verse 8
[8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Joy — By thy spirit, seal the pardon of my sins on my conscience, which will fill me with joy.
Rejoice — That my heart which hath been sorely wounded may be comforted.
Verse 10
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Create — Work in me an holy frame of heart, whereby my inward filth may be purged away.
Right — Heb. firm or constant, that my resolution may be fixed and unmoveable.
Spirit — Temper or disposition of soul.
Verse 12
[12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
The joy — The comfortable sense of thy saving grace, promised and vouchsafed to me, both for my present and everlasting salvation.
Free — Or, ingenuous, or liberal, or princely. Which he seems to oppose to his own base and illiberal and disingenuous and servile spirit, which he had discovered in his wicked practices: a spirit, which may free me from the bondage of sin, and enable me chearfully to run the way of God's precepts.
Hebrews 5:5-10
Verse 5
[5] So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
So also Christ glorified not himself to be an high priest — That is, did not take this honour to himself, but received it from him who said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee - Not, indeed, at the same time; for his generation was from eternity. Psalms 2:7.
Verse 6
[6] As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Psalms 110:4.
Verse 7
[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
The sum of the things treated of in the seventh and following chapters is contained, Hebrews 5:7-10; and in this sum is admirably comprised the process of his passion, with its inmost causes, in the very terms used by the evangelists.
Who in the days of his flesh — Those two days, in particular, wherein his sufferings were at the height.
Having offered up prayers and supplications — Thrice.
With strong crying and tears — In the garden.
To him that was able to save him from death — Which yet he endured, in obedience to the will of his Father. And being heard in that which he particularly feared - When the cup was offered him first, there was set before him that horrible image of a painful, shameful, accursed death, which moved him to pray conditionally against it: for, if he had desired it, his heavenly Father would have sent him more than twelve legions of angels to have delivered him. But what he most exceedingly feared was the weight of infinite justice; the being "bruised" and "put to grief" by the hand of God himself. Compared with this, everything else was a mere nothing; and yet, so greatly did he ever thirst to be obedient to the righteous will of his Father, and to "lay down" even "his life for the sheep," that he vehemently longed to be baptized with this baptism, Luke 12:50. Indeed, his human nature needed the support of Omnipotence; and for this he sent up strong crying and tears: but, throughout his whole life, he showed that it was not the sufferings he was to undergo, but the dishonour that sin had done to so holy a God, that grieved his spotless soul. The consideration of its being the will of God tempered his fear, and afterwards swallowed it up; and he was heard not so that the cup should pass away, but so that he drank it without any fear.
Verse 8
[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Though he were a Son — This is interposed. lest any should be offended at all these instances of human weakness. In the garden, how frequently did he call God his Father! Matthew 26:39, etc. And hence it most evidently appears that his being the Son of God did not arise merely from his resurrection.
Yet learned he — The word learned, premised to the word suffered, elegantly shows how willingly he learned. He learned obedience, when be began to suffer; when he applied himself to drink that cup: obedience in suffering and dying.
Verse 9
[9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
And being perfected — By sufferings, Hebrews 2:10; brought through all to glory.
He became the author — The procuring and efficient cause.
Of eternal salvation to all that obey him — By doing and suffering his whole will.
Verse 10
[10] Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Called — The Greek word here properly signifies surnamed. His name is, "the Son of God." The Holy Ghost seems to have concealed who Melchisedec was, on purpose that he might be the more eminent type of Christ. This only we know,-that he was a priest, and king of Salem, or Jerusalem.
Verse 5
[5] So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
So also Christ glorified not himself to be an high priest — That is, did not take this honour to himself, but received it from him who said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee - Not, indeed, at the same time; for his generation was from eternity. Psalms 2:7.
Verse 6
[6] As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Psalms 110:4.
Verse 7
[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
The sum of the things treated of in the seventh and following chapters is contained, Hebrews 5:7-10; and in this sum is admirably comprised the process of his passion, with its inmost causes, in the very terms used by the evangelists.
Who in the days of his flesh — Those two days, in particular, wherein his sufferings were at the height.
Having offered up prayers and supplications — Thrice.
With strong crying and tears — In the garden.
To him that was able to save him from death — Which yet he endured, in obedience to the will of his Father. And being heard in that which he particularly feared - When the cup was offered him first, there was set before him that horrible image of a painful, shameful, accursed death, which moved him to pray conditionally against it: for, if he had desired it, his heavenly Father would have sent him more than twelve legions of angels to have delivered him. But what he most exceedingly feared was the weight of infinite justice; the being "bruised" and "put to grief" by the hand of God himself. Compared with this, everything else was a mere nothing; and yet, so greatly did he ever thirst to be obedient to the righteous will of his Father, and to "lay down" even "his life for the sheep," that he vehemently longed to be baptized with this baptism, Luke 12:50. Indeed, his human nature needed the support of Omnipotence; and for this he sent up strong crying and tears: but, throughout his whole life, he showed that it was not the sufferings he was to undergo, but the dishonour that sin had done to so holy a God, that grieved his spotless soul. The consideration of its being the will of God tempered his fear, and afterwards swallowed it up; and he was heard not so that the cup should pass away, but so that he drank it without any fear.
Verse 8
[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Though he were a Son — This is interposed. lest any should be offended at all these instances of human weakness. In the garden, how frequently did he call God his Father! Matthew 26:39, etc. And hence it most evidently appears that his being the Son of God did not arise merely from his resurrection.
Yet learned he — The word learned, premised to the word suffered, elegantly shows how willingly he learned. He learned obedience, when be began to suffer; when he applied himself to drink that cup: obedience in suffering and dying.
Verse 9
[9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
And being perfected — By sufferings, Hebrews 2:10; brought through all to glory.
He became the author — The procuring and efficient cause.
Of eternal salvation to all that obey him — By doing and suffering his whole will.
Verse 10
[10] Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Called — The Greek word here properly signifies surnamed. His name is, "the Son of God." The Holy Ghost seems to have concealed who Melchisedec was, on purpose that he might be the more eminent type of Christ. This only we know,-that he was a priest, and king of Salem, or Jerusalem.
John 12:20-33
Verse 20
[20] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
Certain Greeks — A prelude of the Gentile Church. That these were circumcised does not appear. But they came up on purpose to worship the God of Israel.
Verse 21
[21] The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
These came to Philip of Bethsaida in Galilee — Perhaps they used to lodge there, in their journey to Jerusalem. Or they might believe, a Galilean would be more ready to serve them herein, than a Jew.
Sir — They spake to him, as to one they were little acquainted with.
We would see Jesus — A modest request. They could scarce expect that he would now have time to talk with them.
Verse 23
[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified — With the Father and in the sight of every creature. But he must suffer first.
Verse 24
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Unless a grain of wheat die — The late resurrection of Lazarus gave our Lord a natural occasion of speaking on this subject. And agreeable to his infinite knowledge, he singles out, from among so many thousands of seeds, almost the only one that dies in the earth: and which therefore was an exceeding proper similitude, peculiarly adapted to the purpose for which he uses it. The like is not to be found in any other grain, except millet, and the large bean.
Verse 25
[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
He that loveth his life — More than the will of God; shall lose it eternally: and he that hateth his life - In comparison of the will of God, shall preserve it. Matthew 10:39.
Verse 26
[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Let him follow me — By hating his life: and where I am - In heaven.
If any man serve me — Thus, him will the Father honour.
Verse 27
[27] Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Now is my soul troubled — He had various foretastes of his passion.
And what shall I say? — Not what shall I choose? For his heart was fixed in choosing the will of his Father: but he laboured for utterance. The two following clauses, Save me from this hour - For this cause I came - Into the world; for the sake of this hour (of suffering) seem to have glanced through his mind in one moment. But human language could not so express it.
Verse 28
[28] Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Father, glorify thy name — Whatever I suffer. Now the trouble was over.
I have glorified it — By thy entrance into this hour.
And I will glorify it — By thy passing through it.
Verse 29
[29] The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
The multitude who stood and heard — A sound, but not the distinct words - In the most glorious revelations there may remain something obscure, to exercise our faith.
Said, It thundered — Thunder did frequently attend a voice from heaven. Perhaps it did so now.
Verse 31
[31] Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Now — This moment. And from this moment Christ thirsted more than ever, till his baptism was accomplished.
Is the judgment of this world — That is, now is the judgment given concerning it, whose it shall be.
Now shall the prince of this world — Satan, who had gained possession of it by sin and death, be cast out - That is, judged, condemned, cast out of his possession, and out of the bounds of Christ's kingdom.
Verse 32
[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Lifted up from the earth — This is a Hebraism which signifies dying. Death in general is all that is usually imported. But our Lord made use of this phrase, rather than others that were equivalent, because it so well suited the particular manner of his death.
I will draw all men — Gentiles as well as Jews. And those who follow my drawings, Satan shall not be able to keep.
Verse 20
[20] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
Certain Greeks — A prelude of the Gentile Church. That these were circumcised does not appear. But they came up on purpose to worship the God of Israel.
Verse 21
[21] The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
These came to Philip of Bethsaida in Galilee — Perhaps they used to lodge there, in their journey to Jerusalem. Or they might believe, a Galilean would be more ready to serve them herein, than a Jew.
Sir — They spake to him, as to one they were little acquainted with.
We would see Jesus — A modest request. They could scarce expect that he would now have time to talk with them.
Verse 23
[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified — With the Father and in the sight of every creature. But he must suffer first.
Verse 24
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Unless a grain of wheat die — The late resurrection of Lazarus gave our Lord a natural occasion of speaking on this subject. And agreeable to his infinite knowledge, he singles out, from among so many thousands of seeds, almost the only one that dies in the earth: and which therefore was an exceeding proper similitude, peculiarly adapted to the purpose for which he uses it. The like is not to be found in any other grain, except millet, and the large bean.
Verse 25
[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
He that loveth his life — More than the will of God; shall lose it eternally: and he that hateth his life - In comparison of the will of God, shall preserve it. Matthew 10:39.
Verse 26
[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Let him follow me — By hating his life: and where I am - In heaven.
If any man serve me — Thus, him will the Father honour.
Verse 27
[27] Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Now is my soul troubled — He had various foretastes of his passion.
And what shall I say? — Not what shall I choose? For his heart was fixed in choosing the will of his Father: but he laboured for utterance. The two following clauses, Save me from this hour - For this cause I came - Into the world; for the sake of this hour (of suffering) seem to have glanced through his mind in one moment. But human language could not so express it.
Verse 28
[28] Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Father, glorify thy name — Whatever I suffer. Now the trouble was over.
I have glorified it — By thy entrance into this hour.
And I will glorify it — By thy passing through it.
Verse 29
[29] The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
The multitude who stood and heard — A sound, but not the distinct words - In the most glorious revelations there may remain something obscure, to exercise our faith.
Said, It thundered — Thunder did frequently attend a voice from heaven. Perhaps it did so now.
Verse 31
[31] Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Now — This moment. And from this moment Christ thirsted more than ever, till his baptism was accomplished.
Is the judgment of this world — That is, now is the judgment given concerning it, whose it shall be.
Now shall the prince of this world — Satan, who had gained possession of it by sin and death, be cast out - That is, judged, condemned, cast out of his possession, and out of the bounds of Christ's kingdom.
Verse 32
[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Lifted up from the earth — This is a Hebraism which signifies dying. Death in general is all that is usually imported. But our Lord made use of this phrase, rather than others that were equivalent, because it so well suited the particular manner of his death.
I will draw all men — Gentiles as well as Jews. And those who follow my drawings, Satan shall not be able to keep.
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Upper Room Ministries, a ministry of GBOD
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004 United States
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Sermon Story "The Torah Written On Our Hearts" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 22 March 2015 with Scripture Text: Jeremiah 31:31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. 32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”
34 (35) This is what Adonai says,
who gives the sun as light for the day,
who ordained the laws for the moon and stars
to provide light for the night,
who stirs up the sea until its waves roar —
Adonai-Tzva’ot is his name:
What does it meanfor God giving His Torah to the Jews and they failed to live up to the Torah in their lives as we go through this Lenten Season as we prepare for Passover, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday? We come to realize as the Jews or the Israelites were being punished by being conquered by the Babylonians for their sins against God, God gives them a promise. The promise is that He will not forget them and no longer will you have to teach your children the Torah because the Torah will be written on their hearts and they will know how to live and know the Torah for themselves and desire to live the Torah in all their lives. I am reminded of a story about a young man who was struggling with his own life and really was not that faithful in attending church, giving his tithes, and reading his Bible, but this young man realize what was right and wrong as though this Spirit was within Him as the Torah being written on his heart. This young man respect the Torah and the laws of the government through this promise of God to the Jewish people and all the people of the world. How did this happen other than God's promise being fulfilled? How do you relate to this story and Promise? Where in your life has this happened? As we come forward in remembering this Promise as well as the Promise through the Passover Meal as we partake of the Eucharist singing the Hymn "Spirit of God, descend upon my heart" by George Croly (1854)
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844
Upper Room Ministries, a ministry of GBOD
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004 United States
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Sermon Story "The Torah Written On Our Hearts" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 22 March 2015 with Scripture Text: Jeremiah 31:31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. 32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”
34 (35) This is what Adonai says,
who gives the sun as light for the day,
who ordained the laws for the moon and stars
to provide light for the night,
who stirs up the sea until its waves roar —
Adonai-Tzva’ot is his name:
What does it meanfor God giving His Torah to the Jews and they failed to live up to the Torah in their lives as we go through this Lenten Season as we prepare for Passover, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday? We come to realize as the Jews or the Israelites were being punished by being conquered by the Babylonians for their sins against God, God gives them a promise. The promise is that He will not forget them and no longer will you have to teach your children the Torah because the Torah will be written on their hearts and they will know how to live and know the Torah for themselves and desire to live the Torah in all their lives. I am reminded of a story about a young man who was struggling with his own life and really was not that faithful in attending church, giving his tithes, and reading his Bible, but this young man realize what was right and wrong as though this Spirit was within Him as the Torah being written on his heart. This young man respect the Torah and the laws of the government through this promise of God to the Jewish people and all the people of the world. How did this happen other than God's promise being fulfilled? How do you relate to this story and Promise? Where in your life has this happened? As we come forward in remembering this Promise as well as the Promise through the Passover Meal as we partake of the Eucharist singing the Hymn "Spirit of God, descend upon my heart" by George Croly (1854)
1. Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
and make me love you as I ought to love.
2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no opening skies;
but take the dimness of my soul away.
3. Did you not bid us love you, God and King,
love you with all our heart and strength and mind?
I see the cross there teach my heart to cling.
O let me seek you and O let me find!
4. Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unceasing prayer.
5. Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove;
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.
_____________________________Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844
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Today's Devotional:
The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “The Old Pink Chair" for Tuesday, 24 March 2015 - Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3 I give thanks to God, whom, like my forbears, I worship with a clean conscience, as I regularly remember you in my prayers night and day. 4 I am reminded of your tears, and I long to see you, so that I might be filled with joy. 5 I recall your sincere trust, the same trust that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice had first; and I am convinced that you too now have this trust.6 For this reason, I am reminding you to fan the flame of God’s gift, which you received through s’mikhah from me. 7 For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and self-discipline. 8 So don’t be ashamed of bearing testimony to our Lord or to me, his prisoner. On the contrary, accept your share in suffering disgrace for the sake of the Good News. God will give you the strength for it, 9 since he delivered us and called us to a life of holiness as his people. It was not because of our deeds, but because of his own purpose and the grace which he gave to us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He did this before the beginning of time, 10 but made it public only now through the appearing of our Deliverer, the Messiah Yeshua, who abolished death and, through the Good News, revealed life and immortality.
11 It was for this Good News that I was appointed a proclaimer, emissary and teacher of the Goyim; 12 and this is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know him in whom I have put my trust, and I am persuaded that he can keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound teachings you have heard from me, with trust and the love which is yours in the Messiah Yeshua. 14 Keep safe the great treasure that has been entrusted to you, with the help of the Ruach HaKodesh, who lives in us.
Paul wrote, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.”[2 Timothy 1:5 (NRSV)]
My biological mother struggled with drug addiction throughout her life. I was raised by my grandmother. She took me to Sunday school and church, and she held on to the hope that I would become a pastor. In my youth, I made bad choices that put me on the path of drugs, gangs, and crime. Every morning, my grandmother sat in her old pink chair, reading her Bible and her copy of The Upper Room. On some mornings, I was just coming in from the night before. She sat up entire nights waiting, worrying, and praying for my safe return. She never gave up hope for me. Ultimately, through my grandmother’s love and witness, I found Christ and became a pastor.
A couple years ago, my teenage daughter decided she would run away. I found myself powerless and sick with worry. I discovered that I too have “an old pink chair”; I sat reading my Bible and The Upper Room, praying for my daughter’s safe return. She did return home, and today she seems to be inheriting the faith that I learned from my grandmother. I will never forget my grandmother’s old pink chair and the great faith it represented.
The Author: Michael Adam Beck (Florida, USA)
Thought for the Day: How are we living a legacy of faith for our children?
Prayer: Dear God, help us to live our faith in such a way that our children will see and believe. Thank you for the witness of those who have gone before us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Wayward Children
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Today's Devotional:
The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “An Unlikely Offering" for Wednesday, 25 March 2015 - Scripture: Psalm 142: (0) A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer:2 (1) With my voice I cry to Adonai,
with my voice I plead to Adonai for mercy.
3 (2) Before him I pour out my complaint,
before him I tell my trouble.
4 (3) When my spirit faints within me,
you watch over my path.
By the road that I am walking
they have hidden a snare for me.
5 (4) Look to my right, and see
that no one recognizes me.
I have no way of escape;
nobody cares for me.
6 (5) I cried out to you, Adonai;
I said, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
7 (6) Listen to my cry,
for I have been brought very low.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
The psalmist wrote, “I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”[Psalm 142:2 (NIV)]
One day while on break at work, I was worrying about some health problems I was facing. Angry about these problems, I realized that I had been complaining. I considered giving these concerns to God but then had second thoughts. Several scriptures make it plain that God doesn’t want to listen to a complaining spirit. (See Num. 11:1, Phil. 2:14, 1 Pet. 4:9.) However, I started unloading my concerns to God anyway. No one else was there to hear my complaints, and I needed release.
Then a strange thing happened. I had expected to feel God’s displeasure, but instead I felt peace. The tension I had experienced just a few minutes before had disappeared. I felt God was pleased, not with my complaining but with my willingness to trust God enough to express even the unpleasant things in my life.
Before this experience, I thought of an “offering” as money I put into a collection plate at church. That particular day at work the only “offering” I had to give to God wasn’t pleasant. But God — in grace, mercy, and compassion — accepted it and showed me that my offerings of trust are valued.
The Author: Peggy Booher (Pennsylvania, USA)
Thought for the Day: God wants to hear the good and bad of our lives.
Prayer: O God, we thank you that in trusting you with the difficult things in our lives we find peace, hope, and healing. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone Facing A Health Problem
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Today's Devotional:
The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Our Father’s Strength" for Thursday, 26 March 2015 - Scripture: Job 42:1 Then [at last,] Iyov gave Adonai this answer:2 “I know that you can do everything,
that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 “[You asked,] ‘Who is this, hiding counsel,
without having knowledge?’
Yes, I spoke, without understanding,
of wonders far beyond me, which I didn’t know.
4 “Please listen, and I will speak.
[You said,] ‘I will ask questions; and you, give me answers’ —
5 I had heard about you with my ears,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I detest [myself]
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”[Job 42:1-2 (NIV)]
From the time I was five, wrestling with my dad was our ritual. He’d pin me; sometimes he let me win. As I grew, the struggles got more intense. When I was 13 I beat him, and I could tell that he had used all of his strength. I was elated — for about 30 seconds. As Dad walked quietly away, a feeling of sadness washed over me. I’m stronger than my dad. That’s not supposed to happen. If Dad’s not stronger than me, how can he be my authority and my protector?
Since the Garden of Eden, we’ve yearned to be smarter than God. In his desperation, Job came to that point. (See Job 10.) Job didn’t want to be greater than God, any more than I wanted to actually pin my dad. If I was stronger than Dad, then it seemed to me that my 13-year-old’s strength was all I had to rely on.Job wanted God to be his ultimate resource with the assurance that he was a child of God. “Before, you were only a theory to me,” Job was saying. “Now, I know that you are my ultimate reality.”
How reassuring it is to discover that our salvation does not lie in our own cleverness and strength! God’s power is a loving power in which we, like Job, become free to experience a peace and comfort that only God can give.
The Author: George A. Nye (Oregon, USA)
Thought for the Day: When we acknowledge God’s power, we can experience peace.
Prayer: O God, help us to remember that our achievements matter only when your power resides in us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Fathers And Sons
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Today's Devotional:
The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Things I Take for Granted" for Friday, 27 March 2015 - Scripture: John 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.12 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!
18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world — on the contrary, I have picked you out of the world — therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours too. 21 But they will do all this to you on my account, because they don’t know the One who sent me.
Paul wrote, “Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.”[2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV)]
I sat in my cozy chair and read my Bible. Then I scanned Facebook. My attention was captured by a memorial to William Tyndale carved with a statement that Tyndale was convicted of heresy and on October 6, 1536 was executed for translating the Bible into English.
This memorial made me think of how often I take things for granted. I have freedom to attend church, to read my Bible, and to share my beliefs. My family honors God and supports my faith. I don’t have much money, but I’m rich in freedom. Jesus died to save me from my sin. Soldiers died defending my freedoms. William Tyndale died so I can read the Bible in English. While I enjoy these privileges, some people today face rejection and death threats from their own families for following Jesus Christ. Others are persecuted, imprisoned, or killed for their faith.
Knowing all this, I now pick up my Bible with renewed reverence. I sing with a grateful heart and pray for fellow believers in other countries who are suffering for their faith.
Read more from the author, here."Things I Take for Granted"
I flew to southern Africa with my parents and two older brothers when I was six weeks old. My parents served as missionaries in South Africa and Botswana with Africa Evangelical Fellowship (now merged with SIM). It wasn’t until I became an adult that I fully appreciated the amazing experiences I had as a child: walking on Table Mountain; hearing the cascading thunder of Victoria Falls; watching animals like lions, elephants, springbok, and wildebeests in their natural habitats; experiencing the generosity of people who had basically nothing but the food in their hut and the clothes on their back; riding behind my dad on his Honda motorcycle as he travelled sandy paths to villages where he shared Bible studies; watching craftsmen carve chunks of wood into candlesticks, sugar bowls, and images of animals; hearing the complex harmonies in A cappella singing.
My family and I also experienced the agony of saying goodbye to friends and family, the confusion of culture shock when we returned to North America, and the pain of racial discrimination.
All of these experiences have helped make me the person God wants me to be. I tend to be hyper aware of newcomers and how I can help them feel welcome because I know what it’s like to be a stranger. I pray for missionaries and their children because I know how much the prayers of our supporters meant. I volunteer in my church and community because I understand that others will help me when I need it.
I still find myself taking things (like my Bible written in English) for granted, but I make a point of thanking God for the many blessings He has given me. Gratitude has a way of keeping our focus on God and clarifying our perspective.
What are you grateful for today? [Ruth L. Snyder]
The Author: Ruth L. Snyder (Alberta, Canada)
Thought for the Day: We have freedom to pursue our faith today because of choices people made yesterday.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the gifts of salvation, the Bible, and freedom. Be with our brothers and sisters who are suffering for you. Amen.
Prayer focus: Believers Suffering For Their Faith
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Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
_____________________
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