February 16
Bible Reading: John 7:40-52
John 7:46, “The officers answered, ‘No one ever spoke like this man!’”
Research suggests that the average person hears between 20,000 and 30,000 words during the course of a 24-hour period! It’d be interesting to view a pie chart delineating the various themes and topics of conversation! Undoubtedly, there would be some untruths and some unloving words in the mix, for that is the way of the world.
The temple guards came back empty handed from their mission to arrest Jesus, so the Pharisees asked them why (John 7:32, 45). Their explanation? “No one ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46)! They’d never heard a man speak like that before. They didn’t realize it, but the reason was simple. Jesus was no mere man! No one ever spoke like him, and no one ever did the things he was capable of doing!
Remember what was said of Jesus back in the beginning of our study: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He was full of grace and truth, and he spoke accordingly. He, the Truth, spoke only truth. He, who was full of grace, always spoke with grace, according to the need of the particular moment and audience.
We are, in our day, confronted with so much information. A cacophony of voices vies for our attention. We can easily get distracted, like Martha in the Mary and Martha situation. While Martha was occupied with much serving, Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening. Jesus said of her, “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). What did she hear? Words of grace and truth directly from the Son of God himself. Mary gave her undevoted attention to the words of Jesus. He speaks today by the Spirit through the Word. His words are always truthful. And they come from a heart full of love! Hearken to His Words!
You’ll hear no better word today than what you hear Jesus saying, by the Spirit, through His Word!
SPEAK, O LORD
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory
Teach us, Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow’r that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity
And by grace, we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith, we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, ’til Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory
Songwriters: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend.
LookingtoJesus 