John 5:19-24
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 5:19-24 noting any questions or thoughts that come up as you read.
In this important text, Jesus gives a clear explanation of how he moves through life doing the work he came to do. Jesus is the only human whose communication with God is completely uninterrupted by rebellion against God’s good and perfect way. In unbroken loving relationship, Jesus watches for the work of God and listens for God’s promptings. He lives the way God intended all humans to live - he does nothing apart from God.
Pause to imagine what it would be like to be in perfect communication with God for a whole day of your life. How would that day differ from your normal day? Sit with these thoughts for a moment.
Read John 5:19-24 again focusing on Jesus’ words about the source of life and the authority to judge.
Jesus is God in the flesh, but as we considered previously, when he came to the earth as a human he laid aside his right to be God (Philippians 2:5-8).
Consider for a moment the magnitude of what Jesus “laid aside” to walk the earth and experience life the way we do. Talk to Jesus about anything you are thinking or feeling.
Because of Jesus’ unbroken relationship with God, and because Jesus had a rock-solid belief in the goodness and love of God, he was able to entrust himself to God. He demonstrated how to live in faith.
As Jesus entrusted himself to God, we can entrust ourselves to Jesus and be led by his Spirit, the Holy Spirit. But we are only able to do this if we believe that Jesus is good and that Jesus loves us.
Do you believe that Jesus is completely good, completely loving and completely trustworthy? How do you demonstrate this belief in the way you trust Jesus during the day? Take some time to talk with Jesus about this.
Re-read these words of Jesus: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life.”
Jesus is the source of life both now and for eternity. For the remainder of your time, read these words of Jesus at least three times more, pausing to talk with him between each reading.
If you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you toward an action of any kind, take a step in that direction today.
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
