Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 7:25-36 (NLT)

Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.”

While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.

Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”

When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”

The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is he planning to go?” they asked. “Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?”
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Morning Reflection:

The controversy surrounding Jesus continues – is he, or isn’t he, the Messiah? Many who hear him believe, while the Jewish leaders continue to plot his demise.

In the middle of it all, Jesus shouts out:

“I’m not here on my own.
The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him.
But I know him because I come from him,
and he sent me to you.” – John 7:28-29

In essence Jesus is telling the Jewish leaders and people, “I know God and you don’t, but God has sent me here to straighten you out.” Can you imagine how that would play out today at the Western Wall in Jerusalem? Jesus would be mobbed and arrested immediately, unless God intervened.

“Sent from God” revealed Jesus’ origins, authority, and destiny –

+ Jesus is the eternal Word of God made human being.

+ Jesus’ preaches, teaches, and heals under the full authority of God.

+ Jesus’ physical safety is determined by the purpose of God.

Questions for consideration –

Some churches have a purpose statement that can be applied to all believers –

“To know Christ, and to make him known.”

• Is that true of you? How does that work out in your life?
• What helps you know Christ better? What hinders you?
• What helps you to make Christ known? What hinders you?
• With God’s help, what next step can you take?

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You have revealed yourself to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Show us how we can know him more; and transform our lives, through the power of your Word and Spirit – that we might love you with our all, and love those around us as he has loved us. All to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“All I once held dear” – Robin Mark

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen