Today Daily Devotional

He chose us . . . for adoption . . . through Jesus Christ . . . the One he loves.
— Ephesians 1:4-6

My daughters and I enjoy romantic comedies. We view these love stories with our popcorn and our sappy smiles, waiting for that satisfying moment when the main characters declare their love for one another. We are drawn to these stories because we are made for love. But stories like these are just shadows—wispy imitations of the real and eternal thing.The Bible tells us that God is love. From the depths of eternity the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has been and is love, delighting in and glorifying one another. God is one, and yet, mysteriously, God is also three persons in a perfect, loving relationship.So when John declares that “God is love,” he means that the triune God did not need to create anyone or anything in order to love. God has always been abounding in love. This begins within the Godhead and extends to everything God does.At Jesus’ baptism, and again at his transfiguration, the Father’s voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). And what is so amazing is that, in Jesus, God has extended his love to us! Even more, the Beloved, our Lord Jesus, did far more than getting down on one knee to declare his love. He laid down his life for us, becoming the “atoning sacrifice for our sins.”And when we receive him, relying on the love God has for us, God lives in us, and we live in him. Amazing!

Triune God, thank you for loving us and giving us new life in Jesus, the One you love. Fill us with your life and love, and help us to share your love everywhere. Amen.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
— John 1:1-2

Daily I’m surrounded by words, reading lots of them in my work as an editor. Words can be influential and powerful; they give shape to thoughts and express inner ideas. It has often been said that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” and I think that’s because words can help to change minds, while swords and other weapons will mainly threaten and harm.Though human words may be powerful at times, they are like nothing compared to God’s words. God spoke, and his words created our universe (Genesis 1). God’s word can be like fire, or like a hammer that breaks rocks (Jeremiah 23:29). God’s word goes out and accomplishes his purposes (Isaiah 55:10-11). “The word of God is alive and active. . . . It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s words are not idle; “they are your life” (Deuteronomy 32:47).John 1 tells us even more: the living and active Word of God is one with God. The Word is a person, and “through him all things were made.” The Word even took on human flesh and moved into our world to come and live with us, walking our streets and breathing our air. And his name is Jesus.As the living Word of God, Jesus gives all who believe in him “the right to become children of God.” Are you a part of God’s family through this Word, his Son, our Savior?

Word of God, fill us with your life and your love. By your Spirit, guide us to receive you and believe in your name. Amen.

“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. . . .”
— Mark 14:62

Jesus often used the name “Son of Man” to refer to himself.What does this name mean?On the surface, “Son of Man” seems simple enough to understand. This name shows that Jesus is a human being. But for Jesus this name had a meaning that pointed to something deeper and bigger.In the Old Testament the prophet Daniel describes a vision in which he saw a “son of man” who came “with the clouds of heaven.” That person went into God’s presence and received “authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is . . . everlasting . . . and his kingdom . . . will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).And when Jesus stood on trial before the religious rulers of his day, and the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus applied Daniel’s vision to himself, saying: “I am. . . . And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62).Wow! The name “Son of Man” shows us that Jesus shares our humanity—with our scraped knees, fingerprints, and belly buttons—and that he is also the One with all power and authority (see Matthew 28:18).Jesus, the Son of Man, is fully human and fully God—Savior and Lord of all!

Who is like you, Lord Jesus? We lift up our hearts to you. May we honor and worship you faithfully. In your name, Amen.

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
— John 8:58

We can often see how weighty a statement is by how listeners react. Some words prompt a smile; others a scowl; others a glance at the watch. But what about words that make people reach for stones to throw?When Jesus said, “I am,” in our passage for today, his listeners were shocked. Then they tried to kill him. Why? Because he was taking on the name of God to identify himself.God had revealed this name when he called Moses to lead his people out of slavery: “I AM WHO I AM. . . . Say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” . . . This is my name forever” (Exodus 3:14-15).The name “I AM” is heavy with meaning. It means God is complete in himself, eternal, and worthy of all worship. When Jesus called himself “I am,” he was saying he is the God who spoke to Moses. His audience understood, and that’s why they were ready to stone him.When we hear Jesus’ claim that he is God, what is our response? C. S. Lewis noted that either Jesus is lying and knows it, which would make him evil. Or Jesus just thinks he is God but is mistaken, which would make him delusional. Or Jesus is telling the truth, meaning he really is the eternal God of the universe.If Jesus is a liar or deluded, we should reject him. But if he is God, we should trust him completely and worship him. What is your response?

Lord Jesus, you are God. Forgive us for treating you as anything less. Help us to live faithfully for you as the Lord of our lives and, indeed, the Lord over all. Amen.

“The bride belongs to the bridegroom.”
— John 3:29

An old Algonquin folktale (a sort of Cinderella story) goes something like this:Once there were three sisters. The two oldest were beautiful, proud, and mean. Their youngest sister was weak and often ill. Her sisters were cruel and scarred her face with hot coals. She became known as the “rough-faced girl.”A powerful and unseen being, known as the Invisible One, said he would marry the girl who could truly see him. So the older sisters put on fine feathers and beads and went to his camp by the Big Water. But he didn’t reveal himself.The rough-faced girl wanted to visit the Invisible One too. She had no beads to wear—only a birch-bark dress and old moccasins. Her sisters and the villagers laughed at her. But she went to meet the Invisible One, and she could see him— or, rather, he saw her. He loved her, and she was changed. She washed in the Big Water, her rough scars disappeared, and she became as beautiful on the outside as the love she had received.In some ways this story reminds me of Jesus’ love for his bride, the church. Ephesians 5 shows that Jesus’ love changes us, cleansing and healing us. His love is all that is needed to transform the “rough-faced” church. His love is what makes her beautiful.Let’s not give up on the “rough-faced” church. Jesus, our perfect Bridegroom, won’t.

Lord Jesus, we are in awe of you. Thank you for your washing, beautifying, faithful love for your church. Amen.