Page 39 - Living Light Spring 2024

Wednesday April 10 - Chosen to know God
“No-one knows the Son except the Father, and no-one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Mt 11:27
Salvation is not simply a matter of avoiding hell and living eternally in a place called heaven – it’s about ‘knowing the Father’ and living according to that knowledge. God the Father is revealed to us not only through creation and Scripture, but essentially and uniquely through his Son, Jesus Christ. The more we pray and abide in Jesus, the more we will know the Father.
Jesus fully understood his identity in declaring, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus spoke and did only what he saw his Father saying and doing (John 5:19 & 12:49). These scriptures underpin the doctrine of the Trinity, namely that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are distinct but co-equal and co-eternal, sharing the same essence.
Friends, if you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you are truly blessed. You are blessed because God has sovereignly chosen you; you have been hand-picked by God! This is amazing. What’s more, you have been chosen for a purpose, that purpose being that God would reveal himself to you through his Son. It is Jesus who chooses and reveals – it’s not us, but 100% the grace of God. Let’s take this opportunity to come to Jesus and behold the Father’s love and embrace!
Father, we thank you for revealing yourself through your Son, through whom we can see and experience the fulness of your love, grace and mercy. Amen.
Thursday April 11 - Chosen to come to Jesus
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
What a wonderful promise: Jesus ‘will give you rest’. Surely, no-one in their right mind would refuse such an offer! The Greek word for ‘rest’ means to be put ‘at ease’. A soldier, when commanded to be ‘at ease’, stands feet apart with hands behind his / her back, resting from self-effort, gaining renewed strength and awaiting instruction.
So how does this happen? There is a condition – we must move from where we are and come to Jesus, openly confessing our need. We live in a stressful and broken society. Right now, many of you will be feeling the weight of life and responsibility bearing down on you. The good news is that you are not meant to carry these concerns and stresses alone. There is one who continues to call you by name: “Move from the place of struggle and come to me; I will set your mind and heart at ease.” This is not just for a select few but for all who cry out. These past few months have been difficult for me, but time and time again Jesus has set me at ease.
Jesus says, “I will give you rest”! This is not to be worked up or even merited, but simply to be found in the embrace of Jesus. Jesus isn’t saying that weariness is a sin, but refusing the rest Jesus offers is folly.
Father, thank you that I can come to you today and cast all my cares on you, knowing you care for me (1 Peter 5:7). Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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