BIBLE
READING
PRAISE
THE LORD
Suffering Persecution
Read John 19:1–42
Verse 11: "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no
power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:
therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater
sin."
Yesterday, we discussed how there are tragedies in our lives
that happen because we live in a fallen world, but God can use
them for His glory as we hold on in faith. Today, we see from
this verse that Jesus didn’t even fear the one who could
sentence Him to death because He knew He was under God’s
protection. God’s protection will only let in the tragedies
that He will help us through.
Whom or what do you fear? What motivates you to say what you
say or do what you do? Jesus’ only motivation was to please
God. He knew that sometimes what He said may offend a Jew. He
said it anyway because He knew He needed to be pleasing God. He
knew that His actions would cause people to doubt that He was
the son of God (eating with sinners or healing on the Sabbath).
He did it anyway because it was what God wanted Him to do. His
goal was not to save His own skin or His own reputation! How are
many American Christians motivated today? How carefully do we
twist words as to be pleasing to the ears that are listening?
When was the last time you did something in obedience to God
that you knew ahead of time would cause you a little heat from
others?
If we will please God, He will take the heat with us just as
He was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
If we please man, we will be at man’s mercy. Where would you
rather be when you come to the throne in prayer?
