Jewels from John and Lessons from the Kings

Devotion # 30  The Call to Make Disciples For the Audio Versio of this devotion, click here -  The Call to Make Disciples After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. John 21:15 (NLT)  Read John 21: 1- 17 for the entire account When Jesus first called Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John as recorded in Luke 5:1-11 , they had toiled all night, caught no fish and when Jesus commanded them to throw the net into the deep, they caught such a huge haul of fish that the nets were breaking and their boats almost sinking. On witnessing such an astounding miracle, they recognized Jesus as Lord, left everything and followed Him. Jesus then said to them, “from now on you will catch men."  After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples were now back to square one, and Simon Peter along with six other disciples,

No Turning Back For the Audio Version of this devotion, click here -  No Turning Back “ Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the  sons  of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”  John 21:2-3 (NKJV) The trial, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, was probably one of the most traumatic times for the disciples of Jesus and for all those who loved Him and followed Him closely. After having given up their all, and after having Jesus their Master, live with them, teach them, provide for them, protect them, pray for them and love them for three and half years, the absence of Jesus’ physical presence must have certainly devastated the disciples. Even though Jesus predicted His death, burial and His rising from the dead on the third d

Devotion # 28 All Authority Comes From Above For the Audio Version, click here -  All Authority Comes From Above (Read John 18: 28 -40 and John 19: 1-16 for the detailed account) “ Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered,  “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”   John 19: 10-11 (NIV) Pilate was in a major dilemma when the Jewish leaders, who, not wanting blood on their hands, passed the buck on to Pilate to sentence Jesus to death. When Pilate asked Jesus if He was ‘ the King of the Jews? ’ Jesus stunned him by replying that His Kingdom was not of this world, and hence there were no earthly followers to fight on His behalf.   When the Jews told Pilate that Jesus also claimed to be the ‘Son of God’ it terrified Pilate even more.   Pilate knew deep down that Jesus was not guilty, and as he continued to question Jesus, He was not willing to

Devotion # 27 So Close Yet So Far For the Audio Version of this devotion, click here  -  So Close, Yet So Far “Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman Governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.” John 18:28 (NLT)  The time when Jesus was arrested, was the exact time when the people of Israel were celebrating the Passover Festival. Every year as they celebrated the Passover, in remembrance of their freedom from slavery in Egypt, little did they realize that it was only the sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, who could truly set one free from their bondage to sin.  In John Chapter 11, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and many commenced to put their faith in Him, it agitated the Pharisees and the Chief Priests so much that they planned to put Jesus to death. When the matter was brought t

Devotion # 26 Do They Know Who We Are?   For the Audio Version click here:  Do They Know Who We Are? ' The woman asked Peter, "You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No," he said, “I am not.”' John 18:17 (NLT)  Read John 18:15-18; 25-27 Most of us are familiar with the incident of Peter denying Jesus. However, have you wondered what made it so obvious to everyone that Peter was indeed a disciple of Jesus? He and John entered the courtyard of the High Priest, but somehow, the servant girl and the others identified Peter, even though it was dark. Two of the Gospel’s mention that someone recognized him as a Galilean, just like Jesus. His close association with Jesus for three and half years left such an indelible mark that even a stranger said, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Matthew 26:71  (NKJV). Sadly, at that point however, Peter was so fearful and fainthearted, that he thrice denied knowing Jesus.  There was an am

Devotion # 25 The Power of Being ‘One’ For the Audio Version click here:  The Power of Being 'One' “I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.” John 17:20-21 (GNT) If we as the Body of Christ, deeply desire for the world to believe that Jesus is indeed the Saviour whom the Father sent down from heaven, and if we aspire to make that huge impact on those around us, the secret is Unity. Jesus knew this was of utmost importance, and that’s why He prayed, not only for His disciples but for all of us who have heard and believed the message of the Gospel, that we all be One.  One of the crafty tools in the hands of Satan is disunity. Once the seeds of dissension are sown by the enemy, his work is almost fully done. Many are not aware of his evil schemes

Devotion # 24 Expect to be Unaccepted For the Audio Version click here:  Expect to be Unaccepted Jesus said, “ If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”  John 15:18  (NLT) Read John 15:18-25 When we read of all that Jesus taught and did while here on earth, it would make us wonder for which of His truthful teachings and wonderful deeds did so many hate Him. Jesus however, was not alarmed by this reaction. On the contrary, He told His disciples, that for those who chose to follow Him, this was what they too should expect from the world.  Jesus clearly explained the reasons why He was disliked by many; Firstly, He was not of this world and so His teachings and the standards He put forth, were in contradiction to what people chose to live by. Secondly, many did not recognise that Jesus was truly the Saviour of the world, sent by the Father to save all of mankind from their sins. Thirdly, they saw and experienced all the signs and wonder

Devotion # 23 Abounding in Fruitfulness For the Audio Version of this devotion click here -  Abounding in Fruitfulness Read John 15:1-8   “ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 (NKJV) When Jesus told His disciples, that He was the true Vine, His Father, the Gardener and they, the branches, it was an analogy that they could relate with. For those of us who are interested in gardening, we understand the importance of trimming the branches and also cutting off those branches which sometimes are completely dry. That’s exactly what the Father has to do when there is no fruit in our lives. Just like a gardener who invests his time, energy and resources on a plant and expects to see the fruit, so also, God who has given us everything we ever need, including Salvation, which is the greatest gift, anticipates a life of fruitfulness. In order to bear f

Devotion # 22 Peace That Prevails For the Audio Version click here:  Peace That Prevails “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV) Many have the misunderstanding that when they come to Jesus, life will transform into a bed of roses, but the truth of the matter is, the life that Jesus invites us to is not a cushy one. The reason is, we live in a fallen world and so the consequences of sin and the fall are many; that is why there is so much of poverty, pain, suffering, sickness and death. Being part of this system then makes us also vulnerable to all of the above.  Moreover, when Jesus called people to follow Him and be His disciples, He was categorical that those who came after Him were most assuredly going down the hard and narrow way that Jesus walked. Jesus never painted a rosy picture for His disciples but here’s what He assured th

Devotion # 21 The Gift of Life For the Audio Version click here:  The Gift of Life Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the Truth and T he Life .   No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus is not only the Way and the Truth but He is also The Life. At the beginning of creation when God made man Genesis 2:7 says, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (NKJV). It is of fundamental importance to understand that God is the Creator and Sustainer of our lives. That is why the birth of every baby is of utmost value.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, one of the serious consequences that they, and everyone after them had to face, was death – one that was physical, the other spiritual and eternal.  All of man’s sacrifices could not free him from the pangs of death, and that is why Jesus came down to earth to live a

Devotion # 20 Truth That Sets Us Free For the Audio Version click here:  Truth That Sets us Free Jesus said to him, “I am the way, T he Truth and the life.   No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus not only claimed He was the way to the Father but He also affirmed that He was also The Truth. In John 8:32,  when Jesus said to the Jews, “ And you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free, ” they were perplexed.   As the descendants of Abraham they believed that they had never been in bondage to anyone.   However, what Jesus was talking about was a bondage to sin that no one but He alone could liberate one from.   He went on to explain to them in John 8:36 , “ If the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (NLT).   The point Jesus was making was that He is indeed the embodiment of truth that can truly set one free. One of the greatest struggle for most of us is to be a truthful people. The situations and the pressure to co

Devotion # 19 Know The Way – Go His Way For the Audio Version click here:  Know The Way - Go His Way Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, “ I am The Way , the truth and the life.   No one comes to the Father except through Me. ” John 14: 5-6 (NKJV) When Jesus told His disciples that heaven had many mansions and that He himself was going ahead to prepare a place for them, Thomas asked the pertinent question ‘ Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’   He must have been astonished when Jesus replied “ I am The Way ” and no one can come to the Father except through me. Today there are countless ways and options that people are being offered to get to God, and this has left many confused and bewildered, not knowing which way to choose. Jesus was categorical to His claim that He was The Only Way. Throughout His life here on earth Jesus established this fact by the man

Devotion # 18 A Faithful Friend For the Audio Version click here:  A Faithful Friend Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and He exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” John 13:21 (NLT) Let's for a moment, put ourselves in the place of Jesus to try and understand the pain and heartache He must have gone through, knowing that one of His 12 chosen disciples - Judas Iscariot, was conspiring to betray Him for a measly 30 pieces of silver. Judas'  association and friendship with Jesus was for three and a half years; he stayed with Jesus, ate with Him, heard all His teachings, experienced first-hand, all the miracles and wonders He performed, was in-charge of the group’s finances, had his feet washed by Jesus and was the recipient of Jesus’ unconditional love. No wonder Jesus was deeply troubled and sorrowful at the thought that His friend to whom He had entrusted so much had turned his heel against Him. Some of us may have been through a

Devotion # 17 Let’s Get Down to Serving For the Audio Version click here:  Let's Get Down to Serving Jesus said, “You call me. ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,' and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet.” John 13: 13-14 (NLT) (Read John 13:1-15 for the entire narrative) That day, when Jesus took a basin of water and stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples He did so, fully aware of several things. He knew His hour had come to depart from the world, that Judas Iscariot was conspiring to betray Him, that the Father had handed over all authority into His hands and that He came from God and was going back to God. (John 13:1-3). So what was it that prompted Jesus to go down on His knees and wash all of His disciples’ feet including that of Judas? There were a few key reasons mentioned; the first one was His immense and unconditional love for His disciples. J

Devotion # 16 Why Not Believe? For the Audio Version click here:  Why Not Believe? “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” John 12:44 (NIV) (Read John 12:37-50 for the entire account) While Jesus was here on earth, he performed so many mighty miracles. He healed people with various infirmities, cast out demons, raised the dead, fed thousands, calmed the sea and even walked on water. However, in spite of the multitudes having witnessed these astounding signs and wonders, John 12:37 says “...they still would not believe in Him.” This was a group of people, who as the Prophet Isaiah described in Isaiah 6:10 , were blinded by unbelief and whose hearts were so hardened that there was no way they could perceive and understand God’s ways or His thoughts, and were therefore unable to receive God’s healing. There was another group of Jewish leaders who did believe in Jesus, but they were so fearful of th

Devotion # 15 When Death Brings Life For the Audio Version click here:  When Death Brings Life Jesus replied, “ The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:23, 24 (NKJV) In the above mentioned verse, it seems, at first glance, that Jesus is talking about two contradictory subjects.   He is speaking about the Son of Man being glorified and in the same breath also talking about His death. Strange as it may sound, it is a reality that only when a seed is buried into the ground, and dies can it actually produce a good crop. Have we ever pondered on all that Jesus had to give up when He came down to earth?  Philippians 2:6-9 spells out a few of the things that Jesus gave up – His equality with God, His divine privileges, His exalted position, His divine form and all the power and authority that were d