Comfort

II Cor. 1:3-7

The word mentioned most frequently in this section of Scripture is “comfort”. How many times do you find it in these verses? We first see that our Heavenly Father is the “God of all comfort”. God loves us dearly and desires that we have eternal peace in our lives. He knows we will go through difficulties and He wants us to trust Him to see us through those times and to rely on Him for comfort.

Notice that He comforts us in all our afflictions. One reason He does that is so that we may comfort others. I can recall several times in my life when other Christians have come along side me in difficult times and been a source of comfort. I recall as a 14 year-old my Dad having to have major surgery in another city and living with aunts and uncles while Mom was with him. I am thankful for Christian relatives and friends who help me through those days. My Dad died when I was 22 and had recently moved away from home. My wife and Christian friends were of great comfort to me then as well as years later when my Mom suffered for years with dementia. I also had great comfort in knowing that they had placed their faith in Christ and that we would be reunited for eternity. I I recall the joy my grandchildren brought into my life as I walked through those difficult days of my Mom’s death.

Verse five says that our comfort is “abundant in Christ”. I have found that especially true when I’ve gone through difficult times in my life. I’ve been drawn to the Scripture to be reminded of how God loves me, of all He’s done for me and all the promises He has shared with us. How do we realize Christ’s comfort? I think it is based on our knowledge of Him. Through study and memorization of Scripture the Holy Spirit works in our life to bring to our remembrance passages that comfort us. Through prayer we realize that He hears us and responds to us in a way that is best for us. Through communication with other Christians and their prayers we receive comfort and encouragement.

As you face struggles and difficulties in your life, I pray that you may realize God’s comfort.

II Corinthians

Now that we have completed our study the book of John I thought we might look at the book of II Corinthians. Paul wrote this book to the Corinthian Christians urging them to live for God’s commendation, to stay on guard against Satan and to rejoice at who they were in Christ. To begin our study I’ve first turned to Acts 18:1-17 which reveals that Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

One of the methods I use in studying a book is to chart it so that I can see the forest as well as the trees. I’ve attached a copy of the chart I developed in an effort to help your study.

I trust our devotions in this book will be a blessing to you.

Joe

 
 
 
 
 

 

One Final Lesson

John 21:18-25

As we come to the end of this book the Lord engages Peter and John in one final lesson. He shares with Peter about his aging process and then about his death (v. 8-19) and closes with the statement “Follow Me!” That is the real key to the Christian life. Although we will never be able to lead the sinless life Jesus did, we certainly can follow his teaching and example. Matthew (16:24) quotes a conversation Jesus had with His disciples “if anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

I believe Peter and John had a very close relationship. They were very opposite in personalities and often opposites are attracted to each other. John obviously was present during this conversation and Peter is curious about his future. So he asks the question, “what about this man?” Jesus basically says, that is between Me and him; and reiterated the important thing for you is to “follow Me!”

How do we follow Christ? The first step, of course is to believe in Him as our Savior realizing that through His death on the cross He paid the price for our sins and through His resurrection we have eternal life. The second, and extremely important step, is to allow Him to be the Lord of our life; that is a moment by moment process. We study His Word and then be obedient to His teaching. When we sin, we quickly recognize it and confess it (I John 1:9). Communication with Him through prayer and meditation becomes a consistent habit.

Finally we fellowship with other Christians who love Him. I’ve found it to be important to find mentors that I can learn from as I have matured. Those mentors are men and women who have lived through experiences before me and whose example I can follow. We must realize, however, that all of us are sinners and our friends and mentors will disappoint us at some point. That doesn’t mean that we can’t love them, respect them, and learn from them. Look for Christians who are mature in the faith and whom you can trust to be a good example.

God bless!

The Love Motivation

John 21:15-17

Jesus next has a conversation with Peter about love in a text that is very familiar and one on which we have heard many sermons. He asks Peter three times about his love for Him. Some think that Jesus is doing this to remind Peter that he denied Him three times so that Peter may understand the measure of grief our Lord felt in the denial. I don’t personally think that is the case. Retribution doesn’t seem to be our Lord’s pattern.

I think Jesus was impressing Peter with the need for love in service. He deeply wanted Peter to reflect His love to those with whom he came in contact and ministered. Jesus desires that we also minister to others through the motivation of love, not obligation. Yes, it is our responsibility to use our gifts to serve others, but not grudgingly or under compulsion but lovingly.

Notice the difference in instruction after Peter’s response. First, Jesus said “Tend (feed) my lambs”, then “Shepherd My sheep”, and finally “Tend My sheep”. Jesus divides the flock in two different categories; lambs and sheep. He also seems to distinguish between feeding and caring for them in other ways. I’m reminded that caring for our own children is much different when they are babies than when they are grown. We feed babies differently, supervise them more closely, and protect them more carefully. As children grow and mature our role changes as they gain independence. Then we take on more of a counseling responsibility. Rather than make decisions for them, we give guidance and suggestions. They become prepared to feed and shepherd.

Consider the difference between the terms feed and shepherd. One is much broader than the other. When the word shepherd is used we all think of Psalm 23 for there the effective shepherd is described. I would encourage you to read that Psalm today as we close our devotional time.

An Epilogue

John 21

The end of chapter 20 seems very climactic but John continues. Consider what the disciples had been through in the last few days. They had participated in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the expectation of a new kingdom. They had seen the Lord betrayed by a trusted friend and also been most likely surprised by the denial of Jesus by one of their own (Peter). They had witnessed the agonizing crucifixion of their Lord and then been amazed at His resurrection and manifestation to them.

I can imagine that they were exhausted and almost in a state of shock. Peter, as many of us would do, said “I’m going fishing”. We often return to the familiar when we face difficulties or need rest. Interestingly, several of the disciples were fisherman and they went with Peter.

Jesus takes this opportunity to teach another lesson. He appears to them again and from the shore suggests they cast their nets on the other side of the boat. Apparently they had spent a great part of the night fishing without catching anything. When they tried the other side of the boat their nets filled up and they drug the net to the shore containing 153 fish. It is interesting to note that fishermen then, just as now, counted and measured their fish. It is also interesting that many years later John remembered the exact number. Peter also remembered this event several years later as he tells us in Acts 10:41 that he ate and drank with Jesus after He rose from the dead.

There is a spiritual lesson we can learn from this scene. As we follow God’s will our efforts will be blessed. That blessing may not always occur in a physical sense; it could be emotional or it could be spiritual, or any combination of those three. We can be confident of blessing as we follow God’s revealed will for our lives.

Reflections on the Resurrection

John 20

The first thing that impresses me about the resurrection is the fact the first person who realized something had happened was Mary Magdalene. She came early in the morning, I’m sure to mourn the death of the one she loved and discovered the tomb was open and empty. Notice that she was the first person that Jesus appeared to and obviously was chosen to share the fact of the resurrection with the disciples. Of all the people Jesus encountered and disciples during His life on earth, she was chosen to announce His resurrection.

John’s reaction in verse eight also caught my attention. He had spent much time with Jesus and had been taught many things. Although much may have registered intellectually, there was still a lack of spiritual perception. Notice his own testimony as he said “he saw, and believed”. It appears that all he had been taught came together at that point and he now really understood who Jesus was.

I can imagine how the disciples rejoiced as Jesus revealed Himself to them. Notice how He shared that just as He had been sent to the earth by the Father, He now is sending them on a mission to the world (v. 21). He is not doing this, however, without preparing them and equipping them. They have spent much time learning from Him for the last several months. Now He is empowering them by giving them the Holy Spirit (v. 22). You may recall that He had shared with them earlier how the Holy Spirit would be active in their lives. He not only gives them this power He gives them authority (v. 23).

I’m impressed with His patient reaction to Thomas and reminded of His patience with me. I’m not sure that Thomas doubted any more than the other disciples before He appeared to them.

Notice that this chapter closes by stating the purpose of the book, and really the rest of the Bible: “these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and believing you may have life in His name.” We should thank God continually for preserving His Word for us so that we may come to know Him and grow in our relationship with Him.

Jesus’ Attitude

John 18:1-19:30

As I read and reflect on this passage discussing Jesus trial and crucifixion I’m impressed by His attitude we see mentioned several times. First, notice in 18:7-8 His concern for His disciples during this extreme time of testing. As soon as He encountered the Roman soldiers He asked them to clarify their purpose and then to not involve His disciples.

Secondly, notice when Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave, Jesus rebuked him and healed the man’s ear (Luke 22:51). Jesus expressed love and care during this difficult time not only for His disciples but also for those who were His enemies. Certainly, we wouldn’t act this way if we were under the threat of imminent death.

Shortly after his show of support Peter denied our Lord three times during the crucifixion. Luke 22:61 tells us the “Lord turned and looked at Him”, I’m sure revealing sadness and compassion. Apparently, as the eyes of the two met, Peter must have been significantly impacted. Scripture tells us he wept bitterly because of his failure.

Notice in 18:19-23 Jesus reaction to the officer who struck Him. He questions his motive, but remains calm and composed. He doesn’t shout, argue, or attempt to defend Himself physically in any way.

Consider also Jesus’ attitude toward Pilate as He was being questioned. There was no fear except on the part of Pilate. Jesus even told Pilate (19:11)that he had no power over Him unless it was given to Him by God. Although Jesus didn’t look forward to the burden of the weight of the sins of the world, He knew that was the Father’s plan and accepted It willingly.

Although Jesus attitude toward the two men who were crucified with Him isn’t mentioned by John, the other gospels show one of compassion toward the one who recognized Him as His Savior.

Finally, just before His death remember his attitude toward His Mom. He loved her deeply and assigned John the responsibility of caring for her.

Throughout this awful scene Jesus exhibited continuing love and care for those around Him. It is amazing to contemplate that He has that same love for you and I today.