Today’s reading is John 11:1-12:50.

“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment–what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me” (John 12:49-50).

Imagine that. Jesus, God in the flesh, God the Son, incarnate deity, would not speak on His own authority. That is,  unless He had authority from the Father, He did not speak. He did not go out on a limb saying, “The Father is silent about this, I will speak.” He did not cross the Father saying, “The Father has spoken against this, but I will speak for it.” He did not say, “The Father has spoken for this, but I will speak against it.” He spoke only what the Father authorized.

How much more should we?

But why?

Because what the Father has authorized is eternal life. Jesus was not trying to be legalistic here. He was simply recognizing that what the Father had taught and said was the way that worked for those who wanted eternal life. When we go out on our own authority that won’t lead to life. That way leads to death. God’s way works. Ours does not.

Today, I want to simply speak where God speaks and be silent where God is silent. I don’t want to step out on my own authority. I want to be like Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 19:1-20:47.

“The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable agaisnt them, but they feared the people” (Luke 20:19).

How sad. Jesus had not told this parable “against them” to attack them, but to warn them. It could have saved their eternal lives. Instead of letting it save them, they fought against it and let it be a means to condemn them.

But that leaves me with a question. How do I respond when God’s word says something “against me”? Do I listen humbly and let the warning and direction save my life? Or do I turn against the messenger somehow? Do I figure out why that part of the Bible doesn’t really apply to me?

I have two choices today. I can either surrender to Jesus and what He warns me and directs me or I can keep fighting against Him. But where will that second option take me? Better to just give up the fight and gain the victory.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What did you get out of today’s reading?