What Does God Look Like?

Then Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in Me believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness. John 12:44-46 HCSB

As an educator, I was taught that when a child draws a picture of something and you are not sure what the child has drawn, it is best to say to the child, “Tell me about your picture.” This gives the child the opportunity to tell you what he has drawn rather than you guessing incorrectly and making the child feel as though he or she has not drawn a beautiful picture.

Jesus has drawn for us a good picture of what God looks like. Many people say they do not believe in God because they cannot see Him, but Jesus clearly says, “the one who sees Me sees Him (God) who sent Me.” If you want to know what God is like, study the person and words of Jesus. God is loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, and forgiving. He cares for the outcasts and the underprivileged. God is more concerned with one’s heart and mind than with outward appearances. If you know Jesus, you know God.

Challenge: God wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to reveal Himself to you through His Son, Jesus. Take time to study the life of Jesus and you will discover God, who loves you more than you can imagine.

Children of Light

Jesus answered, The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them. John 12:35-36 HCSB

As a former student pastor, I have observed two teenagers who have been brought up in the same home with the same standards and with loving parents who have tried to take them to church and teach them what is right and wrong by God’s standards. Yet, one child will seemingly be compliant and can do no wrong, makes good grades in school, goes on mission trips, gets along easily with others, and has a pleasant personality while the other child seemingly can do nothing right. He is frequently in trouble at school, makes poor grades, rebels against his parents, makes poor life choices, and runs with the wrong crowd. We all want our children to grow up to make us proud.

Jesus challenges us in these verses to be children of light. There is a recurring theme of light and darkness throughout the book of John (see John 1:4-5; 8-9; 8:12; 9:34-41). Jesus is the illuminator, or the light of the world. He is calling us to follow Him. He will show us the way so that the darkness does not overtake us. When we get away from the light (Jesus) we can stumble and fall. When we walk in the light (Jesus), we can become children of light and show the way for others.

Challenge: How bright is your light shining? How closely are you walking in the light of Jesus Christ? Are you a child that Jesus is proud of? Let your light shine before men, so they will see Jesus. What can you do today to light the way for someone else?

Satan, Ruler of the World

“Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die. John 12:31-33 HCSB

One just has to watch the evening news to see the results of evil in our world. We live in an age where suicide bombers cause the deaths of innocent people and radicals enter a mall with the intent to kill and harm unassuming bystanders. Satan is alive and well and he is on the prowl in our evil, sinful, world.

But there is Good News! As powerful as Satan is, there is One who is even more powerful and has defeated Satan – Jesus. Our Savior died on the cross so the ruler of the world, Satan, will someday be judged and cast out into an eternal lake of fire. Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that He could draw all people to Himself and bring them into a perfect and eternal world where there is no more pain, suffering, or death. Jesus has paid the price for our sin. Through Him we are forgiven and through Him we will have eternal life.

Challenge: Jesus has the power to defeat Satan and all the evil of the world. In order to belong to Him, you must admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for your sins and lives today. Confess Him as your personal Lord and Savior and receive the power to defeat Satan.

How Do You See Jesus?

“Now My soul is troubled. What should I say – Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I cam to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!” John 12:27-28 HCSB

Humor me for a moment and get an image of Jesus in your mind… Now, where is He? What is He doing? What is He wearing? Who is around Him? Is He talking? If so, how does He sound? What is He saying? After you have this mental image, how divine is He and how human is He? This might seem like trick question because we all know that Jesus was “fully human and fully God.” But if you were to draw a line with divine on one end and human on the other, where would your image of Jesus reside?

If you are like me, my image of Jesus is often more of a divine God-man that is somehow devoid of true human qualities. My image of Jesus often has a “divine presence” that is seemingly untouched by reality in the way that “normal people” would be affected. The image I often have is formed by the pictures that hung on the wall in my Sunday School class when I was a child… Jesus was depicted wearing white with children gathered around Him and with His arms gracefully outstretched…

If we are not careful, we can mentally create an image of Jesus that is void of His humanity. But let me ask you this question – If we can not identify with our idea of Jesus, then how can we be like Him? No one can be mostly divine with a few human qualities sprinkled on top. Why? Because we are human. We can not replicate, much less understand an angelic Jesus. But there is Good News. The Gospels often surprise us with passages that portray the humanity of Jesus. It is often these passages that hit us like a cold bucket of water and wake us up from our dreamed up versions of Jesus.

Challenge: The passage today is saturated with the humanity of Jesus. Take a moment and read this passage as if you are someone in the crowd around Jesus. As you read, start from the perspective of seeing Jesus’ humanity. What emotions do you see in His face? What tone do you hear in His voice? What are His eyes communicating? What is His body language communicating? Is He surprised, energetic, sullen, happy, angry, or determined? After re-creating this scene in your mind, talk to Jesus about His humanity. What does He want to teach you about His humanity? As you go through today, meditate on the humanity of Jesus… Follow Him in His humanity, for He is the perfect example of what it means to be truly human.

Note: Today’s devotional was written by guest writter, Jonathan Moore.

Live Selflessly, Suffering as Grace

“I assure you. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop. The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant will also live. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. John 12:24-26 HCSB

Suffering is a state of being that no one willingly chooses. Instead, we seek to maximize our comfort, pleasure, and happiness. We seemingly stop at nothing to make as much money as possible and climb the professional ladder in order to gain more power, influence and control… But at the end of it all, what is the value in all of this? To be comfortable? To gain material possessions? To be respected by our peers? At the end of life will how much comfort, pleasure, happiness, and acclaim really be the measure of a life well spent? It is not that these pursuits are negative… but if the pursuit of such is our primary goal, then we have fallen far short of that for which we were created – which is communion with God.

Though suffering is not naturally chosen, it can be a means of God’s grace in a person’s life. For it is through suffering and trials that one is stripped of the superficial pursuits of our world. Jesus’ paradoxical teachings in our passage today call people into something illogical in order to keep them from following what is human nature and “natural.” Jesus calls his followers to be like a head of wheat – falling to the ground – losing their lives in order to find what life really is. As previously mentioned, it is the counter-intuitive nature of this message that holds the power to prevent people from falling into the natural pursuit of things that stop at less than God… You see, Jesus was calling His followers to willingly choose to lay down their humanly pursuits for the sake of pursuing Him… The pursuit of God, though often very difficult and sacrificial, is where true life is found. Because each of us were created for Him, anything less is not abundant life.

Challenge: Suffering can be a beautiful condition that purifies us from the tendency to settle for anything less than God. How might you embrace suffering rather than seeking to minimize it or avoid it? How can suffering be a means of God’s grace in your life?

Note: Today’s devotional was written by guest writter, Jonathan Moore.

First Things First Correction

Note: I had reconstructive ear surgery on Monday and in my pain and confusion I mistakenly sent out the same First Things First for Thursday and Friday. I apologize for the confusion. This is the devotional that you should have received on Thursday. I appreciate your support of First Things First and your prayers for me as I recover.

“Remove the stone, “ Jesus said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told Him, “Lord, he’s already decaying. It’s been four days.” Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” John 11:39-40 HCSB

In Bible times it was common for a deceased person to be placed in a natural cave or a cave made by men carved out of the side of a rock. A stone would then be placed over the entrance to the cave to keep grave robbers out and to conceal the odor of a decaying body. Having no technology to embalm a body, spices, herbs, and oils were applied to counteract the odor. After four days, Lazarus’ body would have begun the decaying process, the smell of which would have been overpowering.

Just imagine the surprise of everyone present when Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” That would have been the same as someone saying today, “Dig up the grave, I want to see the dead body.” Yet when they believed and did as Jesus had commanded, they saw the glory of God. Jesus had waited two days before beginning His journey to Lazarus, and then traveled two more days before reaching Lazarus’ home town of Bethany. Therefore, Lazarus died the day Jesus received word of his sickness. Jesus waited before leaving for Bethany so there would be no question that Lazarus was actually dead. Through Lazarus’ death, Jesus was able to bring glory to God by bringing him back to life and proving that He had ultimate power over death.

Challenge: Believe in Jesus and you will receive power over death. In Jesus Christ there is no death, only abundant life. As you believe and follow Jesus’s plan for your life, you will bring glory to God.

Loose Him and Let Him Go

After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go.” John 11:43-44 HCSB

In preparing a body for burial in Bible times it was common practice to use one linen strip that went from the feet, up the back, and then over the head and back down the front of the body to the feet. Linen strips were then put around the body at different intervals and tied in place. Additional strips were usually tied across the mouth and eyes. Often herbs, spices, and oils were placed on and around the body to help counteract the odor of decaying flesh.

This is the reason Lazarus was bound hand and foot with linen strips. This burial method would have been the same method used when Jesus was put in the tomb. The Sabbath was coming and they quickly put Jesus’ body in the tomb bound with the linen strips. The women got up early on Sunday morning to go to the tomb to anoint the body and properly prepare it for burial, but when they arrived the body was gone and the linen clothes were folded and lying on the stone inside the tomb. Resurrection for Jesus happened just as he had promised.

In today’s Scripture reference Jesus then commanded them, “Loose him and let him go.” We read this and we celebrate that Lazarus was brought back to life. But can you imagine the joy of being in heaven for a few days, radiating in the beauty and majesty of God’s glory and having to come back to this earth? That would have been a let down, but all of this was done to bring honor and glory to God and to prove that Jesus was who He claimed to be – the Son of God.

Challenge: Only Jesus can release us from the bondage of sin and death. He alone has defeated death on the Cross. If you believe in Him you will receive power over death and live with Him in heaven for all eternity.

Glory to God

After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go.” John 11:43-44 HCSB

In preparing a body for burial in Bible times it was common practice to use one linen strip that went from the feet, up the back, and then over the head and back down the front of the body to the feet. Linen strips were then put around the body at different intervals and tied in place. Additional strips were usually tied across the mouth and eyes. Often herbs, spices, and oils were placed on and around the body to help counteract the odor of decaying flesh.

This is the reason Lazarus was bound hand and foot with linen strips. This burial method would have been the same method used when Jesus was put in the tomb. The Sabbath was coming and they quickly put Jesus’ body in the tomb bound with the linen strips. The women got up early on Sunday morning to go to the tomb to anoint the body and properly prepare it for burial, but when they arrived the body was gone and the linen clothes were folded and lying on the stone inside the tomb. Resurrection for Jesus happened just as he had promised.

In today’s Scripture reference Jesus then commanded them, “Loose him and let him go.” We read this and we celebrate that Lazarus was brought back to life. But can you imagine the joy of being in heaven for a few days, radiating in the beauty and majesty of God’s glory and having to come back to this earth? That would have been a let down, but all of this was done to bring honor and glory to God and to prove that Jesus was who He claimed to be – the Son of God.

Challenge: Only Jesus can release us from the bondage of sin and death. He alone has defeated death on the Cross. If you believe in Him you will receive power over death and live with Him in heaven for all eternity.

Jesus Wept

Jesus wept. John 11:35 HCSB

There have been times in my life when I have been moved to tears, such as when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I cried with joy when each of my children was born. I have blinked back tears watching a special needs child overcome his handicaps to compete in the Special Olympics and win. I wept when my father died.

Jesus was also moved with emotion and wept. Today’s Bible passage is the shortest verse in the Bible. It only has two words but it says so much. This verse shows that Jesus expressed His emotions. Other times when Jesus expressed His emotions may be found in Matthew 23:37-39, Mark 13:33-38, Luke 13:34-35, and John 12:27-28. It seems that in our world it is not acceptable for a man to express his emotions with tears. Some men teach their sons to be tough and not to cry. Jesus however, was not afraid to express His emotions.

Challenge: God created you with the ability to cry. Do not be afraid to express your emotions. Weep over the sins and unbelief of those you encounter each day. Weep over those who have heard the Good News of Jesus Christ but have rejected Him. Give yourself permission to weep when you have feelings of joy and happiness.

Is It Okay to be Angry?

When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved. John 11:33 HCSB

I am sorry to report that in the course of my life I have become angry for various reasons. Disobedience from my children in days gone by occasionally resulted in anger. A poor shot on the golf course might still generate my anger. I easily become angry at the injustice I see in our world.

This verse helps us to understand that Jesus had emotions just like we do. God created our emotions, but it is important that we express them in appropriate ways. It is natural for us to become angry, however our anger should be focused toward the sin in our world.

Jesus was possibly angry due to the absence of faith from the people. He might have been angry at their unwillingness to grasp His power and omniscience. Another possible explanation for His anger was the participation of professional mourners who would come to cry and mourn with the relatives and family members. These were imposters who were not sincere mourners. We are not sure why Jesus was angry, but we do know that Jesus became angry.

Challenge: How do you handle your anger? It is acceptable to become angry, but it is important to keep your anger under control and express it in appropriate ways.