MY VERSE(S): John 12:32 – “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”
MY REFLECTION: I have a long-standing fascination with this verse. It all stems from the interpretation of one Greek word. If you interpret the original language one way, the verse reads, “I … will draw all men to myself” the way it is presented here. But if we interpret it a bit differently it reads, “I … will draw all to myself.”
If you go with the latter, you see Jesus as a redeemer not just of souls, but of all creation; His creation. I like that, especially as we are about to embark on our first Jazz Vespers service. The body of Christ is a redemptive body, not just of souls, but of the world and the culture. One of the great things about Jazz Vespers is the redemption of music used for the glory of God.
But the other thing that grabs me is the completeness of Jesus’ mission. Notice His language: “I will draw ALL men to myself.” All men. Everyone. There are no exceptions. No exclusions. There is no chosen few. Jesus is not a Messiah for Jew only. He is not the exclusive Savior of North American believers. He is Redeemer of all and for all. No one is beyond His reach or outside of His concern.
MY PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you for loving all people, all creation. Thank you for loving me.
1 comments:
My verse is John 12;10-11 "So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him, many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him."
Because of the change in Lazarus' life---a new life, literally raised from the dead---he was now the target of the religious community. Somehow he made the hit list, and it wasn't for wrong doings. In fact, he listened to Jesus, obeyed His command and was released from his grave clothes. Lazarus' new life is the reason for others putting their faith in Jesus.
I can do things right-put my faith in Jesus, obey his commands, even come forth from spiritual death into life while being released from my graveclothes and still have persecution. However, my story can cause others to also put their faith in Jesus. May I freely tell my story.
I once was dead and now I'm alive. I once was lost but now I'm found. Amazing grace. By the way, we sang that song at Grandma's memorial.
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