Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 29, 2021
Read John 10:22-30
22 The time came for the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple, walking in the covered porch named for Solomon. 24 The Jewish opposition circled around him and asked, “How long will you test our patience? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, but you don’t believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you don’t believe because you don’t belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life. They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them from my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Good Morning! Jesus calls us by name!
As I walk around the theme parks this week, I enjoy watching the people. One of the new trends is for groups of people to have matching shirts, especially shirts documenting the park and why they are there. My daughter-in-law, Jessica, made us a set of creative shirts to wear as we walk around the theme park. It is entertaining to read all of the different shirts and see a group of visitors as a family. These groups range from a typical immediate family to large extended family groups. One perk of this practice is that it is easier to find your own group within the seas of people who fill the grounds. As I watch and listen, I notice that each group has a unique familiarity among its members even with all of the residual noise, family members seem to hear each other and understand.
The Pharisees were challenged by every facet of this Jesus who suddenly appeared as was prophesied, but Jesus wasn’t doing things the way they expected. Jesus didn’t come to them, the leaders, and introduce himself. He wasn’t wearing a special shirt to let everyone know that He is the Messiah. In fact, everything that Jesus did seemed in opposition to everything that the Pharisees expected. They struggled with the new world order that Jesus proclaimed. Each time, Jesus destroyed one of their preconceived ideas, ideas that had been passed down for generations, their doubt or disbelief grew. Do you remember the old adage, seeing is believing? The Pharisees were struggling to believe in Jesus as the Messiah when He was right before their very eyes. We might want to be hard on the Pharisees and ask, “What more could Jesus do to help you understand and believe?” Before we gang up against the Pharisees, let’s consider our own struggles with recognizing God in our lives. How many distractors do we allow to get in the way of seeing or hearing God? What if God was wearing a family shirt, would that help us?
In verse 27, My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me, I am reminded of Mary seeing only the gardener at the tomb. Only when Jesus called her by name, Mary, could she see Jesus standing before her. So maybe seeing isn’t believing. When we hear our name called, we immediately stop to listen. I’m always amazed how a mom or dad in a huge, noisy place hears when their own child calls to them. From the jumbled noise of all of the children calling out, they recognize the call of their child, and they immediately seek the source of the call.
Jesus is calling us to follow Him, each of us by name. Are you listening, or is the call masked by the noise with which you surround yourself. Do you have preconceived notions as to how you will recognize your Lord and Savior? Jesus continues to turn our earthly values upside down, so cast off all you think you know and listen for your name. Jesus is calling you to join Him. Jesus wants to be in a relationship with us. Do you have room in your heart, can you open your ears, will you recognize Him when He calls your name?
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We are so busy living our lives, that we forget to live for You. May we open our hearts, eyes, and ears so that we may hear and see you working in our lives. Please continue to call our names until we answer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will listen for God’s voice.
Listen with your heart! Pastor Liz
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