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Read Matthew 27: 57-66 “The world has known Christ and has turned its back on him, and it is to this world that the church must now prove that Christ is the living Lord” (from Ethics by Dietrich Bonhoeffer). The day of the Christian era in north America is fast coming to an end.  Not only does much of the world now leave Christ in the tomb, but with him any influence he might have on life. How can the world know how much it needs Christ, if we don’t show the world how much we need Christ? Maybe Christ will only become important to others when he becomes important to us.

Printable version of this week’s devotional.

Read John 18:1-19:42. “Whom are you looking for?….I am he.”  Three times in the first eight verses Jesus asked and affirmed that he was the one being looked for.  Some stepped back, some fell to the ground and some moved forward to arrest him.  How do we respond when we see Jesus and he ask for whom or what we are looking? How do we respond when Jesus answers us and declares that he is what we are looking for?  Do we believe he is the answers to our searching?  Maybe the search is over and the only question left is how we will respond to Christ.

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Read John  13:1-7. “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Jesus is God who is infinite and people are human who are not infinite. Why then must we insist on having all the answers right now? Why do we think we could understand the answers even if we had them? And why do we think our answers would be God’s answers? Christians who have all the answers are scary, not holy. Maybe faith means living with as much hope as it does with answers.

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Read John 13:21-32. “Do quickly what you are going to do.”  It troubled Jesus’ spirit what Judas was about to do because Jesus knew what was going to take place. Indeed, Jesus even instructed Judas as to when to move on the betrayal. This is a Jesus who has come for purpose, lived for that purpose and now begins the process of dying for that purpose, all by foreknowledge and choice. When was the last time you made the tough choice for your faith?  Maybe a little more intention in our choices would yield a lot more Spirit.

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Read John 12:20-26. “Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.” Outsiders (non Jew) wanted to see (stay with) Jesus. That would change everything! The inner circle of “us” would be breeched and after all, Jesus was “our” Christ. Have you considered that might be God’s intention or desire? Maybe your God is too small if he can’t handle diversity in the body.

Printable version of this week’s devotional.

Read John 12:1-11. “You always have the poor, but you don’t always have me.” The task is great because the mission is huge, but in the midst of the work, don’t forget the celebration of Christ’s presence. Have you let your faith become a burden? Is the joy of Jesus gone? Maybe it is time to splurge a little on the celebration side of the life you share in Him.

Sing ‘Hymn of Promise’ #707
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection, at the last, a victory
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Read John 12:31-33. Remember that the word translated as ‘lifted up’ can also be translated as ‘exalted’. His offer of salvation is universal. The only limitations placed on Jesus’ love and offer of salvation, kingdom life today and for eternity, are those we place there. Write a few of those limitations on a piece of paper. Offer them to Jesus in prayer. In a symbolic act destroy the paper containing your limitations.

Read John 12:27-33. The ‘prayer of the hour’ is “ Father, glorify your name.” Jesus turns toward the will of God, and leans into his ministry. Courage has been defined as being afraid, and doing what you ‘have’ to do anyway. The ‘human’ Jesus chooses obedience. “He…lays down his life of his own free will and embraces ‘his hour’ as an expression of his love for God. The ‘hour’ is the ultimate purpose of his ministry, the final revelation of his relationship with God.” [NIB] In imagining this act of love, how can we continue to live ‘our own life’?

Read John 12:25-26. The Message says: “In the same way , anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal. If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.” Letting go of our agendas, our plans, our expectations….and giving ‘it’ over to God brings abundant life to us. Where are the ‘things’ in your life that you do not wish to ‘give over’? Consider a prayer asking for God’s grace and guidance.