Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church Wichita, Kansas, United States - Daily Devotional for Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Today please be in prayer for:
District Superintendent
Elkhorn Valley District
| 
Beemer UMC
West Point Trinity UMC-UCC
Wisner UMC of Christ
Elkhorn Valley District
| 
Beemer UMC
West Point Trinity UMC-UCC
Wisner UMC of Christ
Elkhorn Valley District
|
Tuesday of Holy Week
Isaiah 49:1 Coastlands, listen to me;
listen, you peoples far away:
Adonai called me from the womb;
before I was born, he had spoken my name.
2 He has made my mouth like a sharp sword
while hiding me in the shadow of his hand;
he has made me like a sharpened arrow
while concealing me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,
Isra’el, through whom I will show my glory.”
4 But I said, “I have toiled in vain,
spent my strength for nothing, futility.”
Yet my cause is with Adonai,
my reward is with my God.
5 So now Adonai says —
he formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Ya‘akov back to him,
to have Isra’el gathered to him,
so that I will be honored in the sight of Adonai,
my God having become my strength —
6 he has said, “It is not enough
that you are merely my servant
to raise up the tribes of Ya‘akov
and restore the offspring of Isra’el.
I will also make you a light to the nations,
so my salvation can spread to the ends of the earth.”
7 Here is what Adonai,
the Redeemer of Isra’el,
his Holy One, says to the one despised,
whom the nations detest, to the servant of tyrants:
“When kings see you, they will stand up;
princes too will prostrate themselves,
because of Adonai, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Isra’el, who has chosen you.”
Psalm 71:1 In you, Adonai, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me;
and help me to escape.
Turn your ear toward me,
and deliver me.
3 Be for me a sheltering rock,
where I can always come.
You have determined to save me,
because you are my bedrock and stronghold.
4 My God, help me escape from the power of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
5 For you are my hope, Adonai Elohim,
in whom I have trusted since I was young.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
7 To many, I am an amazing example;
but you are strong protection for me.
8 My mouth is full of praise for you,
filled with your glory all day long.
9 Don’t reject me when I grow old;
when my strength fails, don’t abandon me.
10 For my enemies are talking about me,
those seeking my life are plotting together.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him;
go after him, and seize him,
because no one will save him.”
12 God, don’t distance yourself from me!
My God, hurry to help me!
13 May those who are opposed to me
be put to shame and ruin;
may those who seek to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 But I, I will always hope
and keep adding to your praise.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message about the execution-stake is nonsense to those in the process of being destroyed, but to us in the process of being saved it is the power of God. 19 Indeed, the Tanakh says,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent.”[a]
20 Where does that leave the philosopher, the Torah-teacher, or any of today’s thinkers? Hasn’t God made this world’s wisdom look pretty foolish? 21 For God’s wisdom ordained that the world, using its own wisdom, would not come to know him. Therefore God decided to use the “nonsense” of what we proclaim as his means of saving those who come to trust in it. 22 Precisely because Jews ask for signs and Greeks try to find wisdom, 23 we go on proclaiming a Messiah executed on a stake as a criminal! To Jews this is an obstacle, and to Greeks it is nonsense; 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, this same Messiah is God’s power and God’s wisdom! 25 For God’s “nonsense” is wiser than humanity’s “wisdom.”
And God’s “weakness” is stronger than humanity’s “strength.” 26 Just look at yourselves, brothers — look at those whom God has called! Not many of you are wise by the world’s standards, not many wield power or boast noble birth. 27 But God chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise; God chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the strong; 28 and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important; 29 so that no one should boast before God. 30 It is his doing that you are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He has become wisdom for us from God, and righteousness and holiness and redemption as well! 31 Therefore — as the Tanakh says — “Let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai.”[b][Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
1 Corinthians 1:31 Jeremiah 9:23(24)]
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.
34 The crowd answered, “We have learned from the Torah that the Messiah remains forever. How is it that you say the Son of Man has to be ‘lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Yeshua said to them, “The light will be with you only a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you; he who walks in the dark doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, put your trust in the light, so that you may become people of light.” Yeshua said these things, then went off and kept himself hidden from them.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for:
Isaiah 49:1-7
Verse 1
[1] Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Listen — God turns his speech to the Gentiles, and invites them to hearken to those counsels and doctrines which the Jews would reject.
Me — Unto Christ: Isaiah speaks these words in the name of Christ.
Verse 2
[2] And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
A sword — As he made me the great teacher of his church, so he made my word, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
Hath he hid — He will protect me from all mine enemies.
Made me — Like an arrow, whose point is bright and polished; which therefore pierceth deeper.
Verse 3
[3] And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
O Israel — As the name of David is sometimes given to his successors, so here the name of Israel may not unfitly be given to Christ, not only because he descended from his loins; but also because he was the true and the great Israel, who, in a more eminent manner, prevailed with God, as that name signifies, of whom Jacob, who was first called Israel, was but a type.
Verse 4
[4] Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
Then said I — Lord, thou sayest thou wilt be glorified by my ministry; but I find it otherwise.
In vain — Without any considerable fruit of my word and works among the Israelites.
My judgment — My right, the reward which by his promise, and my purchase, is my right.
Verse 5
[5] And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
To bring — To convert the apostate Israelites to God.
Not gathered — Not brought home to God by my ministry.
Yet — God will not despise me for the unsuccessfulness of my labours, but will honour and glorify me.
My strength — To support and strengthen me under this and all other discouragements.
Verse 6
[6] And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
He — The Lord.
It is — This is but a small favour.
The tribes — That remnant of them which shall survive all their calamities.
My salvation — The great instrument and author of that eternal salvation which I will give to the Gentiles.
Verse 7
[7] Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
His Holy One — The Holy One of Israel.
To him — To Christ, to whom, in the days of his flesh, this description fully agrees: for men, both Jews and Gentiles among whom he lived, did despise him from their hearts; and the nation, of which he was a member, abhorred both his person and his doctrine; and he was so far from being a temporal monarch, that he came in the form of a servant, and was a servant of rulers, professing subjection and paying tribute unto Caesar.
Kings — Though for a time thou shalt be despised, yet after a while thou shalt be advanced to such glory, that kings shall look upon thee with reverence.
Arise — From their seats to worship thee.
Faithful — Because God shall make good his promises to thee.
Chuse thee — And although thou shalt be rejected by thine own people, yet God will manifest to the world, that thou, and thou only, art the person whom he hath chosen to be the Redeemer of mankind.
Psalm 71:1-14
Verse 7
[7] I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
A wonder — For my many and sore calamities.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Verse 18
[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
To them that perish — By obstinately rejecting the only name whereby they can be saved.
But to us who are saved — Now saved from our sins, and in the way to everlasting salvation, it is the great instrument of the power of God.
Verse 19
[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
For it is written — And the words are remarkably applicable to this great event. Isaiah 29:14
Verse 20
[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Where is the wise? etc.-The deliverance of Judea from Sennacherib is what Isaiah refers to in these words; in a bold and beautiful allusion to which, the apostle in the clause that follows triumphs over all the opposition of human wisdom to the victorious gospel of Christ. What could the wise men of the gentiles do against this? or the Jewish scribes? or the disputers of this world? - Those among both, who, proud of their acuteness, were fond of controversy, and thought they could confute all opponents.
Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world — That is, shown it to be very foolishness. Isaiah 33:18
Verse 21
[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For since in the wisdom of God — According to his wise disposals, leaving them to make the trial.
The world — Whether Jewish or gentile, by all its boasted wisdom knew not God - Though the whole creation declared its Creator, and though he declared himself by all the prophets; it pleased God, by a way which those who perish count mere foolishness, to save them that believe.
Verse 22
[22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
For whereas the Jews demand of the apostles, as they did of their Lord, more signs still, after all they have seen already; and the Greeks, or gentiles, seek wisdom - The depths of philosophy, and the charms of eloquence.
Verse 23
[23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
We go on to preach, in a plain and historical, not rhetorical or philosophical, manner, Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock - Just opposite to the "signs" they demand.
And to the Greeks foolishness — A silly tale, just opposite to the wisdom they seek.
Verse 24
[24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
But to them that are called — And obey the heavenly calling.
Christ — With his cross, his death, his life, his kingdom. And they experience, first, that he is the power, then, that he is the wisdom, of God.
Verse 25
[25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Because the foolishness of God — The gospel scheme, which the world judge to be mere foolishness, is wiser than the wisdom of men; and, weak as they account it, stronger than all the strength of men.
Verse 26
[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
Behold your calling — What manner of men they are whom God calls.
That not many wise men after the flesh — In the account of the world.
Not many mighty — Men of power and authority.
Verse 28
[28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Things that are not — The Jews frequently called the gentiles, "Them that are not," 2 Esdras vi. 56, 57. In so supreme contempt did they hold them.
The things that are — In high esteem.
Verse 29
[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
That no flesh — A fit appellation. Flesh is fair, but withering as grass.
May glory before God — In God we ought to glory.
Verse 30
[30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Of him — Out of his free grace and mercy. Are ye Engrafted into Christ Jesus, who is made unto us that believe wisdom, who were before utterly foolish and ignorant.
Righteousness — The sole ground of our justification, who were before under the wrath and curse of God.
Sanctification — A principle of universal holiness, whereas before we were altogether dead in sin.
And redemption — That is, complete deliverance from all evil, and eternal bliss both of soul and body.
Verse 31
[31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Let him glory in the Lord — Not in himself, not in the flesh, not in the world. Jeremiah 9:23,24
John 12:20-36
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 34
[34] The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
How sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? — How can these things be reconciled? Very easily. He first dies, and then abideth for ever.
Who is this Son of man? — Is he the Christ? Psalms 110:4.
Verse 35
[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Then Jesus said to them — Not answering them directly, but exhorting them to improve what they had heard already.
The light — I and my doctrine.
Verse 36
[36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
The children of light — The children of God, wise, holy, happy.
____________________________
Today's Devotional:Isaiah 49:1-7
Verse 1
[1] Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Listen — God turns his speech to the Gentiles, and invites them to hearken to those counsels and doctrines which the Jews would reject.
Me — Unto Christ: Isaiah speaks these words in the name of Christ.
Verse 2
[2] And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
A sword — As he made me the great teacher of his church, so he made my word, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
Hath he hid — He will protect me from all mine enemies.
Made me — Like an arrow, whose point is bright and polished; which therefore pierceth deeper.
Verse 3
[3] And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
O Israel — As the name of David is sometimes given to his successors, so here the name of Israel may not unfitly be given to Christ, not only because he descended from his loins; but also because he was the true and the great Israel, who, in a more eminent manner, prevailed with God, as that name signifies, of whom Jacob, who was first called Israel, was but a type.
Verse 4
[4] Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
Then said I — Lord, thou sayest thou wilt be glorified by my ministry; but I find it otherwise.
In vain — Without any considerable fruit of my word and works among the Israelites.
My judgment — My right, the reward which by his promise, and my purchase, is my right.
Verse 5
[5] And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
To bring — To convert the apostate Israelites to God.
Not gathered — Not brought home to God by my ministry.
Yet — God will not despise me for the unsuccessfulness of my labours, but will honour and glorify me.
My strength — To support and strengthen me under this and all other discouragements.
Verse 6
[6] And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
He — The Lord.
It is — This is but a small favour.
The tribes — That remnant of them which shall survive all their calamities.
My salvation — The great instrument and author of that eternal salvation which I will give to the Gentiles.
Verse 7
[7] Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
His Holy One — The Holy One of Israel.
To him — To Christ, to whom, in the days of his flesh, this description fully agrees: for men, both Jews and Gentiles among whom he lived, did despise him from their hearts; and the nation, of which he was a member, abhorred both his person and his doctrine; and he was so far from being a temporal monarch, that he came in the form of a servant, and was a servant of rulers, professing subjection and paying tribute unto Caesar.
Kings — Though for a time thou shalt be despised, yet after a while thou shalt be advanced to such glory, that kings shall look upon thee with reverence.
Arise — From their seats to worship thee.
Faithful — Because God shall make good his promises to thee.
Chuse thee — And although thou shalt be rejected by thine own people, yet God will manifest to the world, that thou, and thou only, art the person whom he hath chosen to be the Redeemer of mankind.
Psalm 71:1-14
Verse 7
[7] I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
A wonder — For my many and sore calamities.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Verse 18
[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
To them that perish — By obstinately rejecting the only name whereby they can be saved.
But to us who are saved — Now saved from our sins, and in the way to everlasting salvation, it is the great instrument of the power of God.
Verse 19
[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
For it is written — And the words are remarkably applicable to this great event. Isaiah 29:14
Verse 20
[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Where is the wise? etc.-The deliverance of Judea from Sennacherib is what Isaiah refers to in these words; in a bold and beautiful allusion to which, the apostle in the clause that follows triumphs over all the opposition of human wisdom to the victorious gospel of Christ. What could the wise men of the gentiles do against this? or the Jewish scribes? or the disputers of this world? - Those among both, who, proud of their acuteness, were fond of controversy, and thought they could confute all opponents.
Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world — That is, shown it to be very foolishness. Isaiah 33:18
Verse 21
[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For since in the wisdom of God — According to his wise disposals, leaving them to make the trial.
The world — Whether Jewish or gentile, by all its boasted wisdom knew not God - Though the whole creation declared its Creator, and though he declared himself by all the prophets; it pleased God, by a way which those who perish count mere foolishness, to save them that believe.
Verse 22
[22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
For whereas the Jews demand of the apostles, as they did of their Lord, more signs still, after all they have seen already; and the Greeks, or gentiles, seek wisdom - The depths of philosophy, and the charms of eloquence.
Verse 23
[23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
We go on to preach, in a plain and historical, not rhetorical or philosophical, manner, Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock - Just opposite to the "signs" they demand.
And to the Greeks foolishness — A silly tale, just opposite to the wisdom they seek.
Verse 24
[24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
But to them that are called — And obey the heavenly calling.
Christ — With his cross, his death, his life, his kingdom. And they experience, first, that he is the power, then, that he is the wisdom, of God.
Verse 25
[25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Because the foolishness of God — The gospel scheme, which the world judge to be mere foolishness, is wiser than the wisdom of men; and, weak as they account it, stronger than all the strength of men.
Verse 26
[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
Behold your calling — What manner of men they are whom God calls.
That not many wise men after the flesh — In the account of the world.
Not many mighty — Men of power and authority.
Verse 28
[28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Things that are not — The Jews frequently called the gentiles, "Them that are not," 2 Esdras vi. 56, 57. In so supreme contempt did they hold them.
The things that are — In high esteem.
Verse 29
[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
That no flesh — A fit appellation. Flesh is fair, but withering as grass.
May glory before God — In God we ought to glory.
Verse 30
[30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Of him — Out of his free grace and mercy. Are ye Engrafted into Christ Jesus, who is made unto us that believe wisdom, who were before utterly foolish and ignorant.
Righteousness — The sole ground of our justification, who were before under the wrath and curse of God.
Sanctification — A principle of universal holiness, whereas before we were altogether dead in sin.
And redemption — That is, complete deliverance from all evil, and eternal bliss both of soul and body.
Verse 31
[31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Let him glory in the Lord — Not in himself, not in the flesh, not in the world. Jeremiah 9:23,24
John 12:20-36
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 34
[34] The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
How sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? — How can these things be reconciled? Very easily. He first dies, and then abideth for ever.
Who is this Son of man? — Is he the Christ? Psalms 110:4.
Verse 35
[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Then Jesus said to them — Not answering them directly, but exhorting them to improve what they had heard already.
The light — I and my doctrine.
Verse 36
[36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
The children of light — The children of God, wise, holy, happy.
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The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Renovations" for Tuesday, 31 March 2015 - Scripture: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.24 Moreover, those who belong to the Messiah Yeshua have put their old nature to death on the stake, along with its passions and desires. 25 Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day.
O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.[Isaiah 64:8 (NRSV)]
My daughter-in-law walked past some old houses that were being renovated. She told me how messy they looked during the process and wondered how they would look when they were finished. She was anxious to see the renovations completed — the final result of all the hard work.
This conversation reminded me of our spiritual renovation process through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. As the Spirit works in our lives, God brings to the surface areas that need healing, attitudes that need changing, sins that need repentance, and relationships that need restoring.
Like the house renovations, the process can be messy and sometimes painful. However, God deals with us lovingly and gently. God is the Master Builder with perfect timing. We are works in progress, and we become more like Jesus during our spiritual transformation.
When we lean on God and persevere, God will transform and sanctify us. How exciting it is to know that God is in the process of renovating us so that we are becoming the children we were created to be!
Read more from the author, here."Basket of Blessings"
I enjoy painting with oils as a hobby. This is a relatively new pastime for me and I thoroughly enjoy myself when I find the time to paint. I recently felt inspired to paint this picture which is entitled – ‘From a Can of Worms to a Basket of Blessings’.
I had been praying for a friend. At the time there were things in her life that were worrying, painful and messy. I could relate to what she was experiencing. Inspired by the Holy Spirit I asked God to turn her can of worms into a basket of blessings. She commented at the time about the picture that phrase had created in her mind and how helpful it had been. It gave me the idea for a painting.
Our lives can resemble a can of worms – we all fall short and become entrapped in sin. The poor decisions others make can hurt and wound us. We can look back at our past and find plenty of ‘cans of worms’ to dig up if we so choose. We can look at our lives now and wonder how things turned out so differently from what we had imagined. But God can turn our suffering, our selfishness, our sickness, our poor choices, and our weaknesses into something beautiful and good. That’s grace!
The wriggly, rather ugly worms are what the fisherman uses to catch the fish that will become a delicious and wholesome meal. Likewise God can use the difficult and often rather ugly things in our lives to produce goodness and blessings. That’s his refining grace! As it says in Romans 8: 28 – ‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’ (NLT)
How does God do this? Have a close look at the painting and see if you can see what God uses to turn our can of worms into a basket of blessings. Did you see the cross? It’s subtle but it’s there. Sometimes we can miss the cross. However, along with the resurrection, the cross is central to our faith. On the cross Jesus took all our pain, all our sickness, all our weaknesses, all our ‘mess’ and exchanged them for the blessings of forgiveness, peace with God, abundance, health, wholeness, righteousness, eternal life. What an amazing work Jesus did. He became the ‘can of worms’ that we might inherit a ‘basket of blessings’. He was obedient and self sacrificing. He went to the cross where he experienced the incredible suffering and pain that should have been ours. He did this so that you and I can be restored to a right relationship with him and receive the inheritance of the righteous. That’s amazing grace! That’s immeasurable love!
The work was completed on the cross – there is nothing we can add to it. However becoming the people God wants us to be is an ongoing process as we allow our wonderful Saviour to work in our lives and use even the suffering and ‘mess’ to restore us, refine us and bless us.[Ann Stewart]
The Author: Ann Stewart (South Australia, Australia)
Thought for the Day: Today I will strive to be all that God wants me to be.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the work of your Holy Spirit in us. May we reach our full potential as your children and serve you well and with joy. Amen.
Prayer focus: Builders
Thought for the Day: Today I will strive to be all that God wants me to be.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the work of your Holy Spirit in us. May we reach our full potential as your children and serve you well and with joy. Amen.
Prayer focus: Builders
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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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