October 23, 2012
I typically read the chapter(s) in all three versions (NIV; KJV; NCV) on one day and write about it the next. After reading Chapter 7 yesterday, I kept thinking about how Jesus endured so much from his own family, the leaders, and people in general. He was misunderstood, falsely accused, wrongly judged, viewed with suspicion, and disliked. He knew it would be dangerous for him to go to Judea because there were people there who wanted to kill Him. So, what does his brothers say? "You should leave here and go to Judea." They were jealous of Him and they wanted Him harmed.
Hard to believe family would do that, yet I'm living that right now. Jesus' brothers didn't believe Jesus was about His Father's business. They were sure Jesus wanted fame, honor, and glory for himself. They continued to egg him on. "Anyone who wants to be well-known does not hide what he does, show yourself to the world." Jesus responded by saying what he repeated three times in this chapter. "The right time for me has not yet come." He endured the ridicule, the accusations, the threats. He endured it all for you and me because His time had not yet come.
I spent yesterday and last evening thinking about all he endured out of His love for us. This morning I awoke to an old, old hymn running through my mind. The only words I remembered were from the chorus. I googled the lyrics. The name of the song is: Jesus Loves Even Me
I typically read the chapter(s) in all three versions (NIV; KJV; NCV) on one day and write about it the next. After reading Chapter 7 yesterday, I kept thinking about how Jesus endured so much from his own family, the leaders, and people in general. He was misunderstood, falsely accused, wrongly judged, viewed with suspicion, and disliked. He knew it would be dangerous for him to go to Judea because there were people there who wanted to kill Him. So, what does his brothers say? "You should leave here and go to Judea." They were jealous of Him and they wanted Him harmed.
Hard to believe family would do that, yet I'm living that right now. Jesus' brothers didn't believe Jesus was about His Father's business. They were sure Jesus wanted fame, honor, and glory for himself. They continued to egg him on. "Anyone who wants to be well-known does not hide what he does, show yourself to the world." Jesus responded by saying what he repeated three times in this chapter. "The right time for me has not yet come." He endured the ridicule, the accusations, the threats. He endured it all for you and me because His time had not yet come.
I spent yesterday and last evening thinking about all he endured out of His love for us. This morning I awoke to an old, old hymn running through my mind. The only words I remembered were from the chorus. I googled the lyrics. The name of the song is: Jesus Loves Even Me
Jesus Loves Even Me
By Philip Bliss 1838-1876
I am so glad that our Father in heav'n
Tells of His love in the Book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
Tho I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
O if there's only one song I can sing
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
"Oh what a wonder, that Jesus loves me!"
Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!
If one should ask me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God's Holy spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing, Jesus loves me.
In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blessed;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.
Chorus:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.
Listen to Jesus Loves Even Me here.
Thank you, Jesus for loving me. Thank you, for enduring the ridicule and rejection until the "right time." Thank you, for suffering death on a cross and your Father's rejection for me.
Next Entry: God's Amazing Love
Next Entry: God's Amazing Love
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