The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 10:31,
"Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
Jesus Christ came into the world to offer life. Eternal and abundant life. "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it." John 5:21.
However, Jesus was strongly opposed by those who rejected his offer of life. They were consumed with just the opposite: death. All they wanted to do was to kill him. Jesus did many wonderful things, healing people, giving sight to the blind, feeding them miraculously, and so on. He ultimately gave his life to pay for all mankind's sins, yet all his opponents wanted to do was to destroy him.
This is the outlook of those who oppose Jesus Christ.
"At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds." John 8:59. "'But Rabbi,' they said, 'a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?'" John 11:8.
Ultimately, his enemies had him killed. However, when they did so, they merely carried out what he came to do, to offer his life as a ransom for all mankind.
That hatred continues today toward those of us who follow Jesus, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him." 1 John 3:12-15.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
Jesus Christ came into the world to offer life. Eternal and abundant life. "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it." John 5:21.
However, Jesus was strongly opposed by those who rejected his offer of life. They were consumed with just the opposite: death. All they wanted to do was to kill him. Jesus did many wonderful things, healing people, giving sight to the blind, feeding them miraculously, and so on. He ultimately gave his life to pay for all mankind's sins, yet all his opponents wanted to do was to destroy him.
This is the outlook of those who oppose Jesus Christ.
"At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds." John 8:59. "'But Rabbi,' they said, 'a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?'" John 11:8.
Ultimately, his enemies had him killed. However, when they did so, they merely carried out what he came to do, to offer his life as a ransom for all mankind.
That hatred continues today toward those of us who follow Jesus, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him." 1 John 3:12-15.
We live among those who pursue a culture of death. This is why we see the imperative to slaughter babies in their mother's wombs so insistently demanded. This is why we see Marxist states slaughter millions of their own people. Death and destruction reign within the hearts of the people of this lost and fallen world.
However, hope, joy, love and life reign in Jesus Christ! This is what he offers to each and every one of us.
What a contrast!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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