August 27, 2024

Passage Read: John 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:23-25

Thought

A proverb says, "Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man, who can find?" Jesus knows what's in the hearts of men. They believe in Him because of the signs and miracles, but who will truly follow Him? Who will listen to Him and do as He commands? While things are good and easy, many will believe in Him. While there is no apparent cost, many will follow Him. But when His teachings become too challenging, most will turn away. In the end, how many of these who "believe in Him" will be crying, "Crucify Him!"?

Application

It is not wise to become overly excited at the number of people who "follow" me, who say kind things about me. They may mean it in the moment, but when push comes to shove, will they follow me? Sure, if I do everything expected of me, people will like me. But if I ask too much of them, how many will ignore me or turn against me. Many of Jesus's followers turned back from following Him, because His teachings became to difficult to accept. If I faithfully preach and teach God's Word, the same will be true of me. Ah, but what about myself? Will I remain faithful to Jesus when His teachings become too demanding, when He asks too much of me? Do I have a limit? Or will I surrender that much more to Him when He turns up the heat?