Tag: Jesus

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

I am so thirsty

Posted on by William Douthwaite

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37,38)

What a contrast with the nasty stuff Jesus said comes out of the heart:

[Jesus said,] “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:18, 19)

You don’t know how spiritually thirsty you are until some of that sludge comes out of your mouth. That’s when you realize you could use a nice, long drink of Jesus. When we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” (Psalm 51:10), it’s like saying, “I am so thirsty.”

Good news. Trusting Jesus is like draining a 64 ounce jug of water in one gulp. More than you can handle. Getting it all over yourself. Plus splashing some on others.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What are you looking for?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Amir Geshani on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 9.

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39).

After giving sight to a man born blind, Jesus runs into those who cannot see how he could be the Messiah. After all, he healed this man on the Sabbath. But how could he do that if he weren’t from God?

This man has his eyes opened, but others shut them, refusing to see.

When does my sight fail me?

  • A horn honks and I hit the brakes. I checked twice but never saw the car coming.
  • The homeless guy at a busy intersection every day becomes part of the landscape. I hardly notice him at all.
  • Important information gets lost in the torrent of email newsletters that fill my inbox every day. I didn’t see the meeting announcement.
  • I thought I had cleaned up all the dog poop in the back yard. Of course I stepped in the only pile I didn’t see.

In what ways does Jesus help my vision?

  • I see people around me in a different way. I see people with stories not just issues.
  • I recognize how much I have rather than just the things I lack.
  • I think back and see how God has brought me to this time and place.
  • I see reminders of God’s provision in every flower and bird.

There’s so much to see. And so much I don’t. A great question to ask is, “What are you looking for?” God did say, “If you seek me, you will find me.” If I choose to notice him, it’s amazing how much of him I will see!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

He is the light

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 8.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

Jesus’s words made me think about sources of light.

In the bible, your source of light would be the sun or from a flame, like a candle or torch.

In addition to those, my house is filled with LED lightbulbs on tables, inside appliances, hanging from ceilings, and in nightlights. The nighttime world is lit by street lights, headlights, phone lights, and motion-sensor lights.

It’s hardly every really dark.

So what different does Jesus’s light make in a not-so-dark world?

Well, darkness isn’t always about the absence of light, is it? I can be “in the dark” when I don’t have enough information about something. Books and movies may be “dark” when they involve evil or sinister topics. Dark humor uses death or pain to get a laugh. When a lot of bad things happen, we might find ourselves in a “dark place.”

Light has a lot of metaphors, too. We might say, “Enlighten me,” when someone alludes to some information we don’t have. To “shed some light” is to explain what’s going on. “Light at the end of the tunnel” expresses optimism.

All of that adds a lot of meaning to Jesus’s simple statement, “I am the light of the world.” He brings understanding, wisdom, and hope. Darkness cannot rule because it always gives way to the dawn and a new day. He invades the darkness of the grave with restored life and light.

And when there are shadows? They are created by the light. Difficult moments are from his hand to strengthen us and cultivate a mature faith.

Jesus is the light in so many ways!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

More than a snack

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Gaining Visuals on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 6.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).

Jesus goes on to explain, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (6:51)

Of course, “The Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (6:52)

The sixth chapter of John isn’t the easiest to figure out. Volumes have been written about interpreting and applying Jesus’s words. I’m still working it out in my own mind.

The image of eating and drinking is a metaphor for taking something into your innermost being. Other forms of this metaphor sound like

  • Drink the Kool-aid
  • Hook, line, and sinker
  • All in
  • Swept up
  • Buy-in
  • On board
  • Jump on the bandwagon

In other words, fully absorbing everything Christ is and does. Manna in the desert? That was about Jesus. Psalm 23’s “A table in the presence of my enemies?” Yep, about Jesus. A land flowing with milk and honey? Ultimately it’s Jesus. Elisha’s abundance of bread for a hundred people (2 Kings 4:42-44). Another image of Jesus.

Food sustains physical life. Jesus nourishes our spiritual lives. Without him you’ll starve. We’re dead in our sins (Eph. 2:1). With him, we have eternal life (John 6:51). With him we’re full – of life.

Jesus spoke of this before he instituted the Lord’s Supper. John wrote about it much later. Is that what Jesus was talking about? Plenty of theologians have written about this, and they don’t all agree.

Having said that, I certainly think Jesus should be more than a snack you read for when you’re worried, sad, or struggling. He ought to be at the bottom of your food pyramid. His word ought to be a the most substantial part of your daily consumption of news and entertainment

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

How can I help?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo from Gospelimages

These “through the bible” thoughts are from Luke 18.

As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind beggar cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38)

Jesus stops and asks the man, “What do you want me to do for you?” (18:41) In other words, “How can I help you ?”

I believe that’s an interesting moment. And it’s also a very good question. What does mercy look like in that context?

Beggars beg for money. Spare change. A couple of bucks. Anything helps, right?

But this is three years into Jesus’s public ministry. The talk on the street is that Jesus of Nazareth can teach, can heal, and might be the Christ. As the man cries out, “Jesus, Son of David,” he acknowledges Jesus’s claim to the throne. There’s a new king in town, someone who can make things happen.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

A blank check? Three wishes from a genie? A “What do you want for Christmas?” moment on Santa’s lap? Or a moment of complete faith and trust?

“Lord, let me recover my sight.”

That’s a big ask. Huge. Had the man prayed for that in the past? Perhaps. But it’s one thing to ask the unseen all-powerful God for a miracle. It’s another to ask it of a man named Jesus.

Do your prayers consist of huge favors or small requests? Are you bold enough to pray for the miraculous? Or do you only petition for what you think God will give?

Jesus said, “Ask…seek…knock” (Luke 11:9). We might as well go big. To do so not only acknowledges our need but also God’s ability to provide. It’s an expression of faith and trust in a Father who is able to do more than we ask or imagine. Who knows? You might get a miracle. You might get something better.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What are you doing here?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 24.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

We do it all the time:

  • Turn the key one more time, even though the starter won’t even click because the car battery is dead.
  • We search around through containers of fuzzy leftover food in the refrigerator, hoping to find something edible.
  • Birds build a nest in a flower pot near my front door. I went out to see the eggs every day, until the day when there weren’t any. I don’t think they hatched. I think a lizard ate them. But I still peeked in every day or so, just to make sure I didn’t miss new ones.
  • When I need some help shopping in a big box store, I futilely scan every aisle to find someone in a blue or orange vest. Not a single soul to be found.
  • I show up at someone’s house for a visit. I called ahead to set up a time. Upon arrival, no one answers the doorbell and then a knock. I peer in the windows around the door. No lights are on. No one is home. They forgot.
  • Why do many return to cemeteries after the burial of a loved one? To complete unfinished conversations? To have the last word? To keep memories alive?

Just like the women who showed up at to tomb at early dawn on the first day of the week, we go to places of death. The angels who appeared are surprised to see the women. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Don’t you remember what he told you? Don’t you remember how the prediction of his crucifixion was followed by the promise of resurrection? What are you doing here?

We can’t help it. Death is the end of the story for leftovers, batteries, and human life. Until Jesus rewrites the ending. Until we encounter an empty tomb. Until we remember what he said.

Where will you look for life today?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Looking down, looking up

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 18.

 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable…” (Luke 18:9)

I hate this parable. It’s addressed to me, or people like me, who look down on others. It is so easy to look down on someone else.

Why? Because I seek out those who aren’t as good as me, who have more problems than me, who need a lot more help than me, and whose lives are messier than mine. All that makes me look great. Until I look at the holiness, the righteousness, and the justice of God Suddenly, my opinion of myself means nothing. His evaluation means everything.

We all look down on someone. Someone younger, smaller, or less experienced than us. Someone less talented, less experienced, and less skilled. Don’t we love to elevate ourselves?

That works great, until someone else better comes along. They put us in their place. They look down on our talent, experience, skill, and ideas.

iI’s so much better to look up. Look up to what God had done. Remember what he has done for you,

 

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions, Travel

How much do you really need?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
 Photo by Totte Annerbrink on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 9 and 22.

Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics” (Luke 9:3).

 Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:35,36).

So should you pack light, or take everything you need?

Those who aspire to international mission work in our world must raise enough support to last three years. The sending organization wants to make sure they have enough funding for housing, food, transportation, and health insurance. Support comes from family, friends, churches, and church groups. It can take as long as a year raise enough support to embark on the mission.

Does anyone go with nothing but the clothes on their back, a bible, and a zeal to reach the unsaved? I suppose. But to travel to and stay in another country usually requires a visa, passport, cash for those who enforce entry points and transport your from one place to another.

Jesus was sending out the twelve to other towns in Israel, to Jewish communities where hospitality was the rule rather than the exception. They spoke the language, shared a heritage, and would know someone who knew someone who would have a place for them to stay.

Later, the apostles would face the same opposition Jesus did. So they needed to be prepared to fend for themselves in a hostile world. They would be hated and rejected just like Jesus. Equip yourselves with a sack for money, extra clothes, and a weapon. It’s going to be rough.

When my wife first went to Haiti just weeks after the 2010 earthquake, she followed instructions to pack as lightly as she could. Upon arrival, she watched people unpack ginormous luggage packed with clothing, food, fans, and other first-world comforts. The definition of “minimal packing” varies greatly from person to person.

We learn a lot about what we need with every trip we take. Basically, lay out everything you think you’ll need. Put half of it back in the closet, and pack the other half in the suitcase. You’ll still have packed way more than you need.

Spirit Airlines charges extra for carry on bags as well as checked luggage. You can bring on personal item, no more than 18x14x8 inches in size. I bought a backpack exactly that size, and am amazed at how much I can pack in there. I love the challenge of traveling that lightly!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Let me see some identification

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 1.

In the first chapter of his gospel, John identifies Jesus as

  • The Word
  • God
  • The Light
  • The Lamb of God
  • The Son of God
  • The Messiah
  • The son of Joseph
  • A rabbi
  • The King of Israel
  • The Son of Man

Identifying yourself is a big deal.

  • I have to show a driver’s license to visit a doctor or dentist, to travel, or to vote.
  • Everyone who sees me in the doctor’s office confirms my identity by asking my birthdate.
  • I’ll often have to complete two-step verification, with a password plus a code sent to my phone, to identify myself to a website.
  • A fingerprint or facial recognition grants you access to your phone.

After waiting a short while to see a doctor, a nurse came out and said, “William?” Three of us stood up. With a smirk, she said, “Just a minute,” and disappeared until she had found a last name.

I’ll be preaching at the church from which I retired three-and-a-half years ago. Enough time has passed that many will have no idea who I am, other than a preacher. Should I identify myself? Or just let them ask someone else, “Who’s this guy?” Or better yet, “Where’d they get this guy from?”

It’s not long into Jesus’s ministry that people begin to ask, “Who is this?” Who is this who forgives sin? Who is this that the wind and the sea obey him? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Who is this riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Are you a king? Are you the Christ?

All those IDs didn’t do him much good, I guess.