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20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is in you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

 

When I started at the church, I was initially bewildered at our staff meetings. We would Dwell in the Word each Monday morning, and I was told we would be using a single text for the upcoming months. I am certain I scoffed at the idea of reading the same paragraph for months and being able to come up with new things to talk about each week. I was sorely wrong. Each week that same bit of scripture brough out fifteen to twenty minutes of conversation.

 

When I read this text from John’s gospel, I am overwhelmed on what to write. From my initial read I came up with numerous topics I could delve into in a devotion or sermon:

· Jesus’ ministry reaching out the Gentiles.

· The spoken message from the heavens was for the people and not Jesus.

· The humanity of Jesus played out with a simple statement of “Now my soul is troubled.”

· What is glory and why is it all for God?

· What does Jesus proclaiming he will “draw all people to myself” mean? Then? Now?

I could go on. But the point I am getting to in this devotion is the beauty of studying the world of God. It is the same written words, yet it is also the Living Word of God. As we change in our walk with God, the Living Word of God will also change in its meaning for us. This is why we need to wrap scripture around our hearts and minds. As we grow in experience and understanding, so grows our connection to God’s Word. But only if we take the time to dwell inside the Living Word.

 

Loving Creator, thank you for the gifts of prayer and scripture. Help us to bind these gifts into our lives so that we can hear your Will. Amen.

 

Chad Ryberg Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: Humility in all things.