Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? (John 3:10)

Nick at night! This comes from the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus, at night, about all Jesus was doing. Nick didn't understand, especially when Jesus spoke about being born again. Nick thought it was a literal thing; Jesus is speaking spiritually. And the question puts Nick on the spot, for he was a teacher of Israel, a spiritual man, and he did not understand.

There is much we still don't understand, but we continue to ask and seek the answers, with Jesus being the first and main answer to and for our lives. May our quest to grow closer to Him and to know more about Him not get us in a situation where Jesus would ask us: Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

Lord, I seek to know more.

Comments

If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? (John 21:22)

If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Image from bandofbrothersdevotional.com Peter asked Jesus a question about "the beloved disciple," who was John. Peter wanted to know what would happen to John. Jesus replied with the question: If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? And the question was immediately followed by a command, "Follow me!" We can preoccupy ourselves with matters about other people, but the question Jesus asks is about us and what we are doing. And the same command follows that: Follow me! We have barely enough time to worry about our spiritual life, why spend too much time worrying about those for whom we can probably do nothing for? It's like the airline procedure; make sure you're first, then help out. But, Jesus still says, "Follow me!" Dear friends, thank you for reading these points. This was the last question asked by Jesus and so this ends this blog. I have...

And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) What a scary thought to have, that faith might die because of our lack of prayer! This question comes in the same passage as yesterday's question about prayer and our need to pray. Would the day ever come when you or I would stop praying, or has that day already come? Jesus lives a life of prayer. He prayed so often that His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus taught about prayer, because He knew prayer and was blessed and strengthened by it. Yet, the danger is real; the life of one who no longer prays dies a spiritual death. And Jesus is so concerned about it He has to ask: And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? May our answer start now as we pray: Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who t...

Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16) This question follows a declaration from Jesus about how we live our lives and the fruit we may or may not be bearing. "You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?" While He was talking about false prophets, and I pray none of us fall in that category, it also applies to those who say they are people of faith but have nothing to show for it. Growing up in Kingsville and spending most of my childhood shoeless, I know about thorns and nothing, I mean absolutely nothing close to grapes come from thorns. The great vocabulary my grandfather showed me through Maldiciones 101 (Spanish curse words) was put to extensive use whenever my foot encountered a thorn. I would have preferred grapes. The same for thistles. It is a plant that does not produce figs. What we have inside our hearts and how we live our lives produces either good fruit or bad fruit. Thos...

Questions Jesus Asked

Search This Blog