LookingtoJesus

April 22

Bible Reading: John 17:1-5

John 17:1, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said…”

Too often, my prayers failed to ascend to the heights to which they should, and I’m reminded again of what it says in Romans 8:26, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.” Jesus’ prayer offers much encouragement and instruction regarding how and why we ought to pray.

In his devotional study on the Gospel of John, John G. Mitchell shares these thoughts regarding Jesus’ magnificent prayer, “Now He brings us right within the holiest of all, and we are permitted to sit down in the presence of God.  We are allowed to sit there and witness this fellowship, this communion, this bond, this oneness, this equality between the Father and the Son.  How much do we really know about coming within the veil of the holiest of all, and being perfectly at home in the presence of the Father and the Son?  From the depths of the very heart of Jesus, this prayer invites us to listen in to the loftiest of all prayers.  We are herein privileged to hear of God’s plan for the ages, whereby His glory is unveiled to all through His redemptive work.”

John G. Mitchell

So, what do we find Jesus praying about?  The prayer divides into three parts.  In the first five verses, Jesus prays for Himself.  Then in verses 6 through 19, Jesus prays for the apostles who were with Him.  In the remaining verses of the chapter, He prays for all His people throughout history.  There is a common theme running through the entire chapter.  In verse one, He prays, “glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You.”  In verse 10, He prays regarding His apostles, “I am glorified in them.”  And again, in verse 22, He prays over every believer throughout time, “The glory You have given me I have given to them.”

Jesus’ prayer serves not just as an example to us in how we should pray but also a reminder of our need to pray.  John MacArthur comments on this: “He gives us the most magnificent example of our need for prayer. If the Son of God who controls all things, who is the ruler over all things, who is sovereign over all things, if the Son of God who knows all things, who has all power depends upon God to fulfill all His words, how much more are we dependent on God?”

John MacArthur

What mattered to Jesus in His praying should matter to us in ours!

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

April 19

Bible Reading: John 16:25-33

John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

There is no place you can go in this world to avoid trouble.  Even if you were to travel to some far away to some deserted island, there’d still be troubles because you’d be there.  Troubles come our way for a variety of reasons.  At the root of them all is sin.  We face troubles of various kinds simply because we live in a sin-cursed world (Romans 8:20-21).  Some troubles come our way because of personal sin we’ve committed (Galatians 6:7).  Still, other troubles are unique to those who suffer persecution for Jesus’ sake (1 Peter 4:14).  That was the particular focus of Jesus here in verse 33.

In that context, Jesus promised to his disciples two things.  Peace amidst their troubles.  And triumph over them.  As long as you live on this planet, there is nothing you can do to avoid facing troubles.  But in Jesus we’ve a Savior who avails to us an inner peace that transcends our circumstances.  He bids us to bring our concerns to Him, that He might garrison our hearts against despair (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7). And, since He has triumphed at the cross, there is no trouble on earth than can work to separate us from His love.  Indeed, because of Him, we are “more than conquerors” in spite of them all (Romans 8:35-39)!

I came across this quote from John MacArthur the other day: “Do not expect everything in life to be good.  It will not happen.  Do not expect everything in yourself to be good.  That will not happen either.  But what you can expect is this: God will weave everything together for His own beloved children to produce a good result both in time and for all eternity.”

John MacArthur

In this world, we have tribulation, but in Jesus, we find a true and lasting peace and an ultimate triumph over all our troubles.  And God will even use all the troubles we face to accomplish His good purpose in our lives (Romans 8:28)!

Troubles are an inevitable part of life, but in Jesus, we possess a present peace and future triumph!

WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

Refrain:
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God has not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He has not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God has not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

April 18

Bible Reading: John 16:16-24

John 16:19-20, “Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, “A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me”? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

I’ve witnessed it many times.  First comes the hospice referral, when a physician has determined that there’s nothing to be done to remedy the patient’s condition.  Then it’s left for the family and patient to come to terms with that sad reality.  The hospice team then works to provide help, focusing primarily on alleviating pain, but also assisting the family in a variety of ways.  It’s a team effort, involving a nurse, nurse’s aide, social worker, volunteer coordinator, volunteers, and a chaplain (me).  Understandably, there’s a lot of sorrow associated with work we do.  Hearts are troubled.  Tears are shed.  There is grief in the anticipation of the inevitable.  Neither my coworkers nor I can change the prognosis, so we are tasked with providing compassionate comfort and care.  Until the moment comes when they are compelled to say their sad goodbye to those they love.

Sorrow filled the hearts of Jesus’ disciples as He spoke to them of His pending “goodbye” (John 16:6).  Alluding to the cross, Jesus foretold of how they would “weep and lament” (John 16:20).  Noteworthy, in juxtaposition, the world would rejoice.  But the sorrow of the disciples would be turned to joy because they would see Him again.  How and when was that to happen?

In verse 19, two different Greek words are translated as “see.”  Jesus told His disciples in “a little while you will not see me.”  The Greek term used here speaks of physical sight.  Then Jesus told them, “And again in a little while and you will see me.”  The Greek term here speaks of mental or spiritual perception.  What was Jesus saying?  He was soon to die on a cross and they would no longer see Him physically.  But then, risen from the dead, He would leave, paving the way for the Spirit to come (John 16:7).  They would thenceforth “see” Him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:14).

Why does all this matter?  We can’t see Jesus with our eyes.  He is not here with us in that sense.  But we behold Him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  And it is by the Spirit that we experience the joy of fellowship with Him, a joy that is ministered to our hearts and is independent of our circumstances. It is as the Apostle Peter declared in his first epistle to those persecuted believers: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).  Amidst our sorrows, however overwhelming they might be, the Spirit is ever working to impart true and lasting joy!  We experience that joy to the extent that we keep our focus on Him!

It is in beholding Jesus, through the ministry of the Spirit, that our sorrow is turned to Joy.

OUT OF MY BONDAGE
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my sickness into thy health,
Out of my want and into thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my self to dwell in thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of thy home,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
Ever thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to thee.

April 17

Bible Reading: John 16:12-15

John 16:14, “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

“He shall glorify me.” These four words speak to the primary purpose and intent of the person of the Holy Spirit in this age.  His ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ.  Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “It is the chief office of the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ.  He does many things, but this is what he aims at in all of them, to glorify Christ.”

The term translated “glorify,” means “to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged.”  His ministry, therefore, is to manifest the dignity and worth of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is what He is ever endeavoring to do. 

J. I. Packer used the analogy of a floodlight to describe this aspect of the Spirit’s work: “This perfectly illustrates the Spirit’s new covenant role.  He is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior.  Or think of it this way.  It is as if the Spirit stands behind us, throwing light over our shoulder, on Jesus, who stands facing us.  The Spirit’s message to us is never, ‘Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me,’ but always, ‘Look at Him, and see His glory; listen to Him, and hear His Word; go to Him and Have His life; get to know Him, and taste of His gift of joy and peace’.”

J. I. Packer

The Spirit of God works in our lives to accomplish this purpose.  He is ever working to open our eyes to the glory of Christ.  It was He who first unveiled to us the truth regarding the glory of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).  He has ever since been working to make Him better known to us.  It is He who opens our eyes to “the hope to which he has called (us), “the riches of his glorious inheritance,” and “the immeasurable greatness of his power” (Ephesians 1:18-19).  Only by His working can we “comprehend… what is the breadth and length and height and depth and… know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:15, 18-19).  It is He who causes us, “in the beholding the glory of the Lord,” to be “transformed into the same image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Glorious Christ-like virtues are borne in us by Him (Galatians 5:22-23).

Praise God for the Christ-revealing and Christ-exalting work of the person of the Holy Spirit!  If our endeavor is to behold the glory of Jesus, we find, in the Helper, one who is preeminently qualified and appointed to that very task!  We do well to look where He is pointing and to follow His lead if we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus!

“Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me” – Hymn “More About Jesus.”

MORE ABOUT JESUS
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me. [Refrain]

More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in ev’ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine. [Refrain]

More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of peace. [Refrain]

April 16

Bible Reading: John 16:8-11

John 16:8-11, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

It was the summer of 2016 when my wife, Laura, began to experience back pain.  As is typical in such cases, the physician prescribed physical therapy.  Though she dutifully attended the recommended exercises, things got worse instead of better.  It wasn’t until January 2017 that imaging tests revealed that cancer was at the source of her troubles.  A correct and timely diagnosis would have availed a quicker response to the cancer and saved her from much unnecessary pain.

We are all born into this world as sinners (Romans 3:23).  Sin is at the root of our troubles.  Salvation is availed to through the finished work of Christ on the cross.  But for any of us to turn to Jesus, it is necessary that we first understand the depth of our need.  It is the Holy Spirit who works to bring that need to light through a correct diagnosis.

His essential ministry of convicting is necessary because we lack the ability to evaluate ourselves correctly (Jeremiah 17:9).  Likewise, we are incapable on our own to seek out the Savior, being blinded by Satan to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) and incapable of understanding spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14).

George Whitefield was a student at Oxford University and a member of the “Holy Club” together with the Wesley brothers.  Though very religious, he was not saved.  But the Spirit was at work.  George was so burdened for his soul that he could not work or attend school.  He experienced many sleepless nights and became ill and bedridden.  He reached an end of himself and had his eyes opened to Jesus through the working of the Spirit.  He was born again and went on to preach that gospel to thousands in revivals across England and America.

In a sermon entitled “The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment,” George Whitefield spoke of the Spirit’s convicting ministry: “We have seen how the Holy Ghost convinces the sinner of the sin of his nature, life, duties, and of the sin of unbelief; and what then must the poor creature do? He must, he must inevitably despair, if there be no hope but in himself… Now the sinner begins to see, that though he has destroyed himself, yet in Christ is his help; that, though he has no righteousness of his own to recommend him, there is a fullness of grace, a fullness of truth, a fullness of righteousness in the dear Lord Jesus, which, if once imputed to him, will make him happy forever and ever.”

George Whitefield

The Spirit alone can open our eyes both to the depth of our need and the glory of the Savior.

I KNOW WHOM I BELIEVED
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
to me is daily shown,
nor why, with mercy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.

Refrain:
But “I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his word
wrought peace within my heart. [Refrain]

I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing us of sin,
revealing Jesus through the Word,
creating faith in him. [Refrain]

I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noon-day fair,
nor if I’ll walk the vale with him,
or meet him in the air. [Refrain]

April 15

Bible Reading: John 16:1-7

John 16:7, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

Advantageous (adjective): “involving or creating favorable circumstances that increase the chances of success or effectiveness; beneficial.”

Imagine the shock of the disciples when they heard from Jesus that His departure would be advantageous for them!  How would His leaving be in any way beneficial?  They had been blessed by His presence and experienced many amazing things together.  Day after day, their hearts rejoiced in His teachings and marveled at His miracles.  They relied on Him and loved Him and couldn’t imagine life without Him.  The news of His pending departure had brought sorrow to their hearts.  But then He said they’d be better off without Him. How could that be?

Arno C. Gaebelein explained it this way: “The presence of the Holy Spirit is a greater comfort and advantage to us than the presence of Christ in the flesh.  Christ’s bodily presence was comfortable, but the Spirit is more intimately a Comforter than Christ in His fleshly presence; because the Spirit can comfort all believers at once in all places, while Christ’s bodily presence can comfort but a few, and that only in one place at once.  The benefit of Christ’s presence was great, but the advantage of the Spirit’s renovation and holy inspiration is much greater.”

Arno C. Gaebelein

As a believer, you now stand in this advantageous position.  Jesus is not physically present with you.  “Though you do not now see (Jesus)” (1 Peter 1:8), you are indwelt by the Spirit who is mediating His presence to you, in you, and through you (John 16:14)!  He is there no matter where you go and will be so always!  How blessed you are to have such a loving and patient helper!  His presence in you is most advantageous! Let Him lead in each step of the way!

“The Spirit of God indwells us because He wants to make Christ known to us” – John G. Mitchell

THE COMFORTER HAS COME
O spread the tidings ‘round
Wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound:
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heaven, the Father’s promise given;
O spread the tidings ‘round wherever man is found:
The Comforter has come!

The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come! [Refrain]

Lo, the great King of kings with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliverance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings;
The Comforter has come! [Refrain]

O boundless Love divine! how shall this tongue of mine
To wondering mortals tell the matchless grace divine:
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come! [Refrain]

April 12

Bible Reading: John 15:26-27

John 15:26, “But when the Spirit comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.  And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

It was a “by the Spirit” work when you trusted in Jesus for salvation.  You were convicted “by the Spirit” of your sins.  Someone was led “by the Spirit” to share the truth with you.  “By the Spirit” your eyes were opened to the glory of Jesus.  That is the way it works.

“I will build My church,” said Jesus, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). So, the Spirit came on Pentecost, as Jesus had promised, and Christ’s church building work began.  He set forth His simple plan to His disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  Jesus purposed to empower ordinary men with the Spirit to declare His extraordinary message.

Who were these men Jesus used at the start of His church building plan?  Ordinary people.  “Uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13).  They held no Bible college or seminary degrees and had received no training in apologetics or church growth methodology.  They were men who had just recently abandoned or even denied Jesus.  Lacking courage, they had even hidden out behind closed doors, “for fear of the Jews,” after the resurrection (John 20:19, 26).  They had no elaborate plan or methodology.  No building or budget.  They were ordinary people like us.  But once indwelt by the Spirit, they went on to boldly and faithfully declare the truth about Jesus.  And the rest, as they say, is history. 

Albert Barnes commented on this: “Within the space of thirty years after the death of Christ the gospel had been carried to all parts of the civilized and to no small portion of the uncivilized world…Within thirty years it had settled the point that it would overturn every bloody altar, close every pagan temple, bring under its influence everywhere men of office, rank, and power, and ‘the banners of faith would soon stream from the palaces of Caesars.’ All this would be accomplished by the instrumentality of Jews—of fishermen—of Nazarenes.  They had neither wealth, armies, nor allies.  With the exception of Paul, they were men without learning.  They were taught only the Holy Ghost, armed only with the power of God, victorious only because Christ was their captain, and the world acknowledged the presence of the messengers of the Highest and the power of the Christian religion.  Its success never has been, and never can be accounted for by any other supposition than that God attended it.” 

Albert Barnes

It was a BY THE SPIRIT work.  And it is so to this day.  It is the Spirit of Truth that leads and emboldens us to be effective witnesses as Christ’s ambassadors.  Apart from the Spirit, we’ve no power to do that.  By the Spirit, God can work through us in a manner that is exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

An effective witness is one that is led and empowered by the Spirit of Truth.

LET IT BE SAID OF US
Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion,
That with gladness we bore every cross we were given;
That we fought the good fight, and we finished the course;
Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord.

CHORUS:
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song!
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song!
Till the likeness of Jesus be through us made known.
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song.

Let it be said of us, we were marked by forgiveness;
We were known by our love and delighted in mercy;
We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity’s call,
Joined as one body that Christ would be seen by all.

Written by: Steve Fry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

April 11

Bible Reading: John 15:18-25

John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”

Their only crime?  They were Christians telling others about Jesus.  A group of Hindus gathered to teach them a lesson.  They stripped the husband and wife of all their clothing, then they compelled the husband to carry his wife, piggie-back style, down a path.  Along the way, the tormentors goaded the couple with sticks and shouted derogatory and angry words at them.  Eventually, the husband grew weary and collapsed to the ground, so they demanded that the wife then carry her husband on her back.  The crowd laughed as the wife struggled to bear her husband’s weight.  She managed to carry him for a short distance until she collapsed too.  In being persecuted for Jesus’ sake, they both walked along a well-worn pathway.

Jesus warned His disciples that they would face persecution.  And with all that Jesus taught, what He said was born out in their experience.  From its earliest days, the church met with opposition and persecution.  Of the eleven who heard Jesus’ warning, ten suffered martyrdoms.  The writer of this gospel account was himself exiled to the isle of Patmos, as an elderly man, “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).  Despite such opposition, the message of gospel continued to spread.  Indeed, as Tertullian (an early church father), once said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

According to Open Doors ministry, “More than 365 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.”  In 2023, persecutors murdered nearly 5,000 Christians and attacked 15,000 churches and Christian properties.  The persecution has been and will be just as Jesus foretold.  But its loving devotion of Jesus that leads His followers to follow in His steps.

Echoing Jesus’ words, the Apostle Peter said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).  He also offered these words of encouragement to those suffering persecution: “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” -2 Timothy 3:12

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follow’r of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of vict’ry through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.

April 10

Bible Reading: John 15:12-17

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Ernest Gordon was one of many British soldiers captured by the Japanese in the battle for Singapore in WW2.  Ultimately, he and thousands of other captives ended up being taken to Banpong, Thailand.  The Japanese forced the prisoners into hard—sunrise to sunset—labor in building a 258-mile railway to further their war effort.  Severely mistreated, many prisoners died due to torture, beatings, and disease.

Gordon was not a Christian, but during his captivity, he witnessed things that caused him to consider Christ.  One such occasion was when a soldier helped to save his best friend when he became ill, giving up all his own rations for the benefit of his friend.  His sick friend recovered, but he later died of starvation.  On another occasion, at the end of a day’s work, a guard declared that a shovel was missing.  In a fit of uncontrollable rage, he yelled, “All die!  All die!”  Just as the guard was about to shoot the captives, a man stepped forward.  “I did it,” he said.  The Japanese guard slammed the stock of his rifle onto the captive’s head.  The captive sank to the ground, dead.  When the shovels were counted afterwards, they were all there.  The guard had been mistaken.  The captive laid down his life for the sake of the others.

God ultimately drew Gordon into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus.  Other prisoners also trusted in Jesus.  The prisoners held worship services.  They created a Bible-lending library.  They shared their faith with others.  On Christmas day in 1943, over 2000 men attended a service.  Though held captive in a camp, Jesus worked to set them free to worship Him!

Years following his rescue and release, Ernest Gordon wrote his great spiritual classic, “Miracle on the River Kwai.”  The book includes this quote, “I know the depths to which men could sink and the heights to which they could rise.  I could speak from the experience of despair, but also of hope; of hatred, but also of love; of man without God, but also of man sustained by God.  God in Christ has shared man’s suffering…even that experience which seems to defeat us all, namely, death.”  The book ends with this sentence, “He comes into our Death House to lead us through it.”

Ernest Gordon

The activity of sacrificial love by the Spirit-led believer flows ultimately from the One who died on Calvary (1 John 4:19; Romans 5:5).  Its presence in one’s life gives testimony to the Risen Christ and the greater love He has showed in laying down His life for us (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).  That we might replicate His self-sacrificial manner is a mysterious and wonderful work of His grace.  Apart from Him, we can do no such thing (John 15:5), but by His gracious presence, His love can indeed flow through us.  What loving word or deed, in obedience, does God have planned for you and me to express this day?  May it be done with a finger pointing towards Calvary!

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” -1 John 3:16

I’M TRUSTING, ONLY TRUSTING
I’m trusting, only trusting
In Jesus day by day;
I feel His presence nearer,
While pressing on my way;
My soul is full of glory,
And this my song shall be:
I love my blessed Savior,
Because He first loved me.

Refrain:
I love Him, I love Him,
Because He first loved me;
I trust Him, I trust Him,
Wherever I may be.
My soul is full of glory,
I sing because I’m free;
I love my blessed Savior,
Because He first loved me.

I’m trusting, only trusting
In Jesus every hour,
Who saves me by His mercy,
And keeps me by His pow’r;
I’ll publish His salvation
Wherever I may be;
With all my heart I love Him,
Because He first loved me. [Refrain]

I’m trusting, only trusting
My Savior’s hand to guide;
I know His grace sufficient,
And ask for naught beside;
My soul is on the mountain,
My home beyond the sea;
O bless the Lord! I love Him,
Because He first loved me. [Refrain]

April 9

Bible Reading: John 15:6-11

John 15:8, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

April 9^th, 2024.  My Dad is 93 years old today!  He’s doing well at 93.  Until recently, he was bowling in a league.  He still grows a garden every year.  And he takes care of a small orchard of fruit trees.  He sprays his trees and prunes them and waits expectedly every year for harvest time.  One year, his fig tree was so productive that he invited neighbors to come pick some and even set some fruit out by the sidewalk for the neighbors.  His goal, of course, is to do everything necessary so that his trees will be as fruitful as possible.  God has the same goal for us in our Christian lives.  This passage holds the key to how that is possible.

Note the use of repeated terms in this passage. The term “abide” appears 11 times; the term “fruit” appears 8 times; “branch(es)” 6 times; and “vine” 3 times. The passage obviously has to do with fruit-bearing.  It speaks of bearing fruit (John 15:4), more fruit (John 15:2), much fruit (John 15:5), and lasting fruit (John 15:16).  So, this is the key.  God wants us to bear fruit—the fruit of obedience (John 15:10), showing love for one another (John 15:12), doing good works to the glory of God (Colossians 1:10), and blessing others with our gifts (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). But in order to bear much fruit, we (the branches) must abide in close fellowship with Jesus (the Vine).

The one simple thing that lies at the root of bearing much fruit is “abiding” in Christ.  When my dad prunes his tree, he removes those branches that are unlikely to bear fruit and that impede the more productive branches.  Once cutoff from their life-source, they cannot bear anything anymore.  It’s the same when the Christian, as Jesus made clear when He said, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  Put simply, it is the vitality of our connection to Jesus that makes all the difference in us doing those things that are pleasing to God.

The word “abide” is the simple word, “remain.” It speaks of staying with and remaining close to Jesus. It involves the practice of spiritual disciplines, three of which are spoken of in this context. Abiding in Christ requires that we “abide in (his) word” (John 15:7). Abiding in Christ involves loving one another in the context of fellowship (John 15:12). And abiding in Christ necessitates prayer (John 15:16). The practice of these disciples does not equate to abiding in Christ, but is essential to the maintenance of an intimate and growing personal knowledge of Him.

Kenneth Wuest put it this way: “In John 15, the abiding of the Christian in Christ refers to his maintaining unbroken fellowship with Him. He makes his spiritual home in Christ. There is nothing between himself and his Savior, no sin unjudged and not put away. He depends upon Him for spiritual life and vigor as the branch is dependent upon the vine.”

Kenneth Wuest

He is the vine. We are the branches. God wants for you to bear much lasting fruit in your Christian life.  And that’s possible to the extent that you abide in Jesus.

The key to bearing much fruit is to remain in close connection to Christ!

ABIDING IN JESUS
Abiding in Jesus,
Oh refuge so sweet,
No trials can move me,
My rest is complete;
Tho’ dangers surround me
And tempests may rage,
There’s naught but His presence
My thoughts can engage.

Refrain:
Abiding in Jesus,
Oh, sweet is the rest;
Abiding in Jesus,
I’m happy and blest.
Abiding in Jesus,
Oh, sweet is the rest;
Abiding in Jesus,
I’m happy and blest.

Abiding in Jesus,
There’s fullness of joy,
No trouble or sorrow
His peace can destroy;
His will is my pleasure,
My sweetest delight;
His presence my sunshine,
Eternally bright. [Refrain]

Abiding in Jesus,
Oh, refuge divine,
How sweet on His dear,
Loving breast to recline;
Thro’ clouds and thro’ sunshine,
He leadeth me still,
And daily my life
With His blessings doth fill. [Refrain]