April 14 – Maundy Thursday – Drawing Closer

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”  John 12:32-33 (NASB)

Many of Jesus’ teachings during the days just before his crucifixion were given to His disciples. Other things He told the crowds of people. Today's verse is found in John's record. Jesus said that His soul was troubled because of the impending weight of what He was to do. God the Father in and audible voice confirms the glory that will result from the obedience of His Son Jesus. John records how Jesus was revealed the kind of death He knew He was going to suffer and what effect it will have on those who learn of it. Well, isn't it true that when we heard about Jesus dying on the cross for us it drew us to Him and we believed in Him as our Savior? And even today when we think of Him dying on the cross doesn't it draw us to Him in love. Let's think of Jesus dying on the cross. Let's think of Him often these days especially and each time we think of Him let's allow Him to draw us closer and closer to Himself.  That was His desire the day He died. It is His desire today. 

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April 12 – Essential Faith and Belief

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6  (ESV)

During this time approaching Resurrection Sunday (Easter)  when we are thinking so much about Jesus dying on the cross and then rising from the dead it is good to think about how because of that, we are able to approach God through faith.  The promise we focus on today is the promise that God rewards those who seek Him.  So how are we to seek God?  Just as our verse says, with faith and believing.  We must believe in God.  We must believe that He exists, that He is real, and He is there when we need him.  If we do not believe that God is real and that He exists, it is impossible to approach Him. He exists as something more “than the man upstairs” and He will respond to our belief when we call on him.  We trust that many of the followers of this blog do believe in God and through faith, have learned how to draw near to Him. For those who have not yet believed, now is the time, God is willing to receive all who believe and seek to draw near to him.   

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March 29 – Maudy Thursday – Drawing Closer

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”  John 12:32-33 (NASB)

Jesus taught many important truths during His last days in Jerusalem before He was crucified. Many of His teachings to His disciples during those days and some of the things He told the crowds of people, are recorded in John's gospel. Today's verse is included in John's record.  John explains that Jesus was showing the kind of death He knew He was going to suffer. Well, isn't it true that when we heard about Jesus dying on the cross for us it drew us to Him and we accepted Him as our Savior?  And even today when we think of Him dying on the cross doesn't it draw us to Him in love. Let's think of Jesus dying on the cross. Let's think of Him often these days especially and each time we think of Him let's allow Him to draw us closer and closer to Himself.  That was His desire the day He died. It is His desire today. Remember what He said in this verse.