We encourage you to read this devotion three times a
day. Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection
question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon
question for reflection. For the evening, take time to ponder how this
has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening
question. We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we
invite you to pray what is in your heart.
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for revealing to me your character through the person and teachings of Jesus. Help me to follow you in a way that is personal. Help me when I don’t understand you. Forgive me when I don’t take the time to nourish my relationship with you. Amen.
John 14:6-14
John 14:6-14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
John 14:6-14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know[a] my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me[b] for anything, I will do it.
Reflection:
Have I been with you this whole time and you still do not know me?
On Twitter, people have “followers”. If you follow someone on Twitter, you get information from them about their lives and whatever else they want you to know. Some would say that the quality of followers is more important than the quantity of followers. Regardless, following someone doesn’t mean that you necessarily “know” the person. You just get to know their social or virtual persona. It’s important for us to remember that Jesus was with the disciples night and day for three years. You would think that they would truly know him and they would understand that “he was in the Father and the Father was in him.” But God was walking in their midst, and even those closest to Him didn’t understand the fullness of the revelation. The Gospel of John centers on the fact that Jesus was God from the very beginning…that Jesus embodied the fullness of God. If you’ve ever wondered what God is like, look no further than the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. How many times have we worshipped Christ without truly knowing Him? How many times have we asked Him to walk with us without slowing down to walk with Him? The disciple Philip says to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.” And Jesus pretty much replies, “I’m standing right here!” Jesus is both earthly rabbi and heavenly redeemer. If you have chosen to follow Him, maybe now is the time to get to know Him.
Reflection Questions:
Reflection:
Have I been with you this whole time and you still do not know me?
On Twitter, people have “followers”. If you follow someone on Twitter, you get information from them about their lives and whatever else they want you to know. Some would say that the quality of followers is more important than the quantity of followers. Regardless, following someone doesn’t mean that you necessarily “know” the person. You just get to know their social or virtual persona. It’s important for us to remember that Jesus was with the disciples night and day for three years. You would think that they would truly know him and they would understand that “he was in the Father and the Father was in him.” But God was walking in their midst, and even those closest to Him didn’t understand the fullness of the revelation. The Gospel of John centers on the fact that Jesus was God from the very beginning…that Jesus embodied the fullness of God. If you’ve ever wondered what God is like, look no further than the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. How many times have we worshipped Christ without truly knowing Him? How many times have we asked Him to walk with us without slowing down to walk with Him? The disciple Philip says to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.” And Jesus pretty much replies, “I’m standing right here!” Jesus is both earthly rabbi and heavenly redeemer. If you have chosen to follow Him, maybe now is the time to get to know Him.
Reflection Questions:
Morning: As you look forward to this day, ask God to help you find ways to know Him personally.
Noon: Who have you followed today? How did they lead you? What does it mean to you to be a follower of Christ?
Evening: Before you sleep tonight, focus on the character and nature of God. How well do you truly know God? How do the promises of God bring you comfort?
Noon: Who have you followed today? How did they lead you? What does it mean to you to be a follower of Christ?
Evening: Before you sleep tonight, focus on the character and nature of God. How well do you truly know God? How do the promises of God bring you comfort?
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for revealing to me your character through the person and teachings of Jesus. Help me to follow you in a way that is personal. Help me when I don’t understand you. Forgive me when I don’t take the time to nourish my relationship with you. Amen.
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