[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
JOHN 8:7-9
"So when they continued asking
Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you,
let him throw a stone at her first.’ And again He stooped down and wrote on the
ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out
one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left
alone, and the woman standing in the midst."
Think about the power of conviction
wrought to them by Jesus. It was a hostile crowd. It was a hypocrite crowd. It
was a sinful crowd! It was a justice-crying crowd. They were all put to silence
by the presence of Jesus. It's easier to identify ourselves with the crowd, but
what about seeking to identify with our Lord? Have we silenced any sinful mob
by our presence? Have some people said, "I really want to... but I
controlled myself because he/she was there"?
When Mahatma Gandhi was fasting
unto death for the peace of India, some radicals were shouting, "Death to
Gandhi!" Jawaharlal Nehru ran down from his home and challenged the crowd
to kill him before they kill Gandhi. The crowd responded in silence, convicted
and ashamed! When we are people of integrity, maybe even our mere presence
could convict people of their dishonesty. Indeed, we are the salt and the light
of the world!
JOHN 9:8, 34
8 Therefore the neighbors and those
who previously had seen that he was blind said, ‘Is not this he who sat and
begged?’
34 They answered and said to him,
“You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him
out.
The neighbors looked down on him.
They were surprised, yes jealous, yes angry, to see him receive such a blessing!
A story is told about friends of an
SDO of Nungba when they were in college. His friends did not want to respect
him and often narrated the story of the past saying, "He was our waiter.
We ordered him to go and fetch whatever we liked, why would we respect him
now?"
Not to look down on less privileged
people (in needs, wisdom, or anything).
And not to be jealous of them when
they are prosperous, even if they achieve through corruption, or with God's
blessing. O, my Father, tune my heart to Thee, Amen!
JOHN 10:10
"The thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they MAY HAVE
LIFE, and that they may have it MORE ABUNDANTLY"
Many think the Christian life is
boring and bitter because it's so demanding and costly. Actually, this verse
reveals to us that true life is only found in Christianity. Life without Christ
is a zombie, spiritually dead man walking, wow!
The worldly lifestyle (its
philosophy and temptations) and the false religions only deceive us and
ultimately lead us to death. Jesus came to give true life. Wow! It's like
zombies becoming human beings again through anti-dote like in a sci-fi movie.
Not only to give life but life in
abundance! Very wow! Not only life in abundance but life more abundantly. Could
anyone with a brain say that a Christian life is boring!?😇
I like the language of the Good
News Bible Translation of John 10:10, it reads this way: "The thief
comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you
might have life— life in all its fullness."
Hmm! Rejoice!
JOHN 11:32
“Then, when Mary came where Jesus
was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had
been here, my brother would not have died.’”
Mary was utterly right that Lazarus
wouldn't have died, had Christ been there. The disciples knew it, and even we
know it.
But Mary was absolutely wrong to
have said it in that manner. When she said those words, she was saying, in actuality,
"It's unfortunate! It's a mistake that You were not able to be here! If
you had been here, this would not happen!"
It wasn't a mistake. Jesus
purposefully let it happen (v4-6). It was not to torture Mary or Lazarus, of
course. It was to strengthen their faith by restoring life to Lazarus.
A thousand years ago, Abraham was
asked to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham didn't think it to be a
mistake. He decided to kill him knowing God can raise Him again (Heb.12:19).
God confirmed his faith.
I'm rereading JOHN 11 and 12
thinking through the character of Mary.
Mary's devotion to
Christ is culturally defying, not like the feminist movement of our time, but
in her devotion to God.
First, she anointed Jesus' feet
with expensive perfume. It is often said that most women look for a rich guy to
marry for a stable secured life. Mary emptied all her savings at Jesus' feet,
she would rather adore Christ with what she had than live wealthy without
Christ.
Second, she was also the Mary who
would rather choose to eat God's word than physical food. She would rather be
commended by Christ than even by her family members or the world. She chose to
sit at Jesus' feet while Martha was in the kitchen. Martha was upset with her.
Mary wasn't lazy btw; she was hardworking and industrious. If not, how did she
save up for that perfume? It was one year's worth of work.
According to modern financial
experts, it's commendable to have 3-6 months' salary available to use anytime.
Mary had 12 months' salary at her disposal to serve Christ anytime.
JOHN 12:10
"But the chief priests plotted
to put Lazarus to death also"
Why would they attempt to kill
someone who cannot be dead? 😂
He was dead and raised up recently. They should have a better plan.
Sin makes us illogical. With sin in
one's life, it's difficult to think straight.
JOHN 13:35
"By this all will know that
you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This verse looks obvious and easy,
but very difficult to practice in all dimensions of our Christian relationship.
If it is easy and obvious, the Lord would not have commanded so.
Sometimes fellow ministry workers
are the people whom leaders keep most distant. I, myself, have no contact with
our Rongmei Theological Society. They didn't contact me, and I didn't contact
them too! Another Seminary friend of mine never called me up, and I also don't
bother to give a call! Are we jealous of one another? Hopefully not! Are we
doubtful of one another's intention/theology? Maybe! But love trusts all things
and must practice trusting one another.
Lord, to trust my fellow believers
in Christ and support each other, cause my heart to be humbled by your grace,
Amen!
JOHN 14
John 14 is fascinating!
First,
This World Is Not Our Home. There's a better place prepared for
us (v3). Let's invest our time, money, and energy into that coming kingdom.
However, we aren't supposed to stay
idle here on earth because He who prepares a place for us yonder also lives in
us (v20) We aren't abandoned orphans (v18). We have all the resources we need,
we just need to ask (v14)
Thus, second,
This World Is More Homely To Us Than For Those Who Do Not Know God.
After all, it's our God who created this world, and He is still in control.
Even the Devil is God's Devil. Let us be courageous and faithful in doing good
deeds and gospel works!