Sunday Reading: John 12:37-43
Key Verse: John 12:42
42 Still, however, even out of the rulers, many did believe on Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
Devotion:
It certainly does take all types to make up this world, but it only takes one type to ignore God. We can come up with all manner of excuses about how we should not go to church or how we should be doing other things, but when push comes to shove it is a choice about whether we want to do things for ourselves of for God on the day we set aside for Him. We do not have the luxury of being face to face with Christ so that we can believe Him, but would we even if we were there?
Many of the people that heard Christ speaking still chose to not believe in Him because they did not see what they wanted to see or because they were too frightened of other people rather than thinking of God’s wrath. We get so tied up in things we do for man that we forget about the things that we should be doing – we forget about the simple love that Christ would have us show Him and others. What sorts of things have taken you away from worshipping God in your life?
The people around Jesus had seen Him perform miracles and yet they still chose not to believe in Him. They chose not to believe Him because they were either too entrenched in their own lives and religious ways to give them up or they did not want to give up their ways. Both of these were their own choices not to follow Christ. Both would result in the same situation – being eternally separated from Christ. Unless we are willing to let go of the sand castles we build around ourselves and grab hold of the rock that is Jesus, we will continue to be dashed every time a storm comes our way. We do not have to have all the trimmings and we do not have to perform all manner of duties; Christ simply wants us to love God above all. If we do love Him we will do things for and with Him...
Points to Ponder:
What excuses have you used in the past to get out of church?
Where is your love focused?
