Tag Archives: the book of John

May 29
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“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26, NIV)

The world as we know it “whistles through the graveyard”; that is, it ignores all evidence that we, too, shall die. 

Our Lord offers us the only hope of life through death.  He, alone, is the resurrection and the life. 

Our Lord’s question: “Do you believe this,” is the litmus test. To answer in the affirmative does not keep us out of the graveyard but, because of Jesus, the graveyard to the believer becomes a passageway, not a destination. 

Live each day as one going from life to life.  – Luther

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May 27
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“They said, ‘Though John [the Baptist] never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (John 10:41-42, NIV)

It is not necessary to be a worker of signs and miracles to be at the heart of the plan of God for this world. 

John the Baptist only proclaimed the truth — and because of his testimony, many believed in Jesus. 

It is worth noting that telling the truth is not always an easy task: Speaking the truth — in love — is hard when we’re personally frustrated; the truth is often at odds with “conventional wisdom” or with the “politically correct”; and the truth is often — as the proverb says — “just getting its shoes on while a lie has run half-way around the world.” 

However, according to scripture, it is knowing the truth that makes us free. (John 8:32) 

Not many of us will work miracles, but all of us can strive to know the truth intimately; to live the truth faithfully; and to speak the truth in love. In doing so, many around us will come to believe in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.  – Luther

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May 26
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“’Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'” (John 9:3, NIV)

As difficult as it may be to face the fact that God allows his creatures to suffer hardship and pain; it would be infinitely more difficult if it were true that God was indifferent to human hardship and pain.  

We may not always know the reason why we or others must suffer; and today’s scripture cautions us against drawing conclusions about the reasons behind suffering. However, we may be confident in knowing that God both cares and is engaged.

The disciple of Jesus has the added benefit of knowing that “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Do not be discouraged when you encounter hardship or pain — whether in your life of in the life of others. Remain faithful in all that God has given you to do, and you will experience both grace and peace.  – Luther

Special note: If you are interested in reading another, expanded, treatment of this topic; I am happy to send to you the manuscript of the sermon I delivered yesterday in the Historic Main Post Chapel on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.  It was titled: “Suffering for Good.” If interested, please request through the comment box with your e-mail address; or/and send an e-mail to me at luther_alexander@yahoo.com with “Suffering Sermon” in the subject line.  Thank you! – L

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