Jesus IS God incarnate. The God who created humans became a Human in order to save what He had created. Save us from sin. Save us from death. But mostly to save us from ourselves. Day 13 called “Authority,” gives us another for instance where Jesus proclaims His Deity. We talked yesterday how He plainly told His townsfolk that He is the Messiah they had been waiting for. In today’s devotional, when questioned by whose authority He spoke, we hear Jesus call Himself “I AM” and the religious leaders go crazy. The authors say, “His answer was simple, but would seal His fate: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). And there it was. The claim that made both the way Jesus spoke and the reaction He received make sense. ‘I AM’ was the name God gave Himself when He sent Moses to free the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3), and the way He continually referred to Himself in the book of Isaiah – and His listeners were well versed in the Scripture He referenced. Simply put, Jesus spoke by His own authority.” (p62) Who else but the Creator of everything can have that kind of authority?
We humans have always had a problem with authority. I mean, it happened right there in the beginning of Humanity, right? We insist on following our own manmade gods, or worse, we want to pretend to be our own god. Creation worshipping the created instead of the Creator. This has always been, and continues to be, a matter of Pride. Why won’t many accept that Jesus IS God? Because then they’d be admitting that He has authority over their lives and they don’t want to give up the false control they think they have over how to live “their” lives. Then, of course, there are those who won’t even admit there is a Creator God. Oh Lord, forgive and help us!
Authority. It is only when we acknowledge the authority of Jesus that we have a fighting chance at the Abundant Life we truly desire. Only when we daily submit to Him as Lord that we will know the truth and be set free. What truth? That we cannot have, enjoy nor share the good life apart from the One who created it. Set free from what? Set free from the futile attempts at having a fulfilling and lasting life apart from the One who created it. We need Jesus. And thank God, that is thank Jesus, that He is always and only a heartbeat away. Surrender to His Love. Submit to His authority. And obey His command to love Him with all you’ve got and love your neighbor as you love yourself. That is life and life in abundance.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
<>< Peace, Diane
