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Our key verse for this devotional is:
“Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.”2nd Cor. 5:17 (NKJV)
Hello Gailee-Life Family,
Have you ever paused to reflect on what this verse means and what it
entails for YOU?
First of all, “It’s Good News”! I love the caterpillar’s life
and how it turns into a beautiful butterfly. It’s kind of like our lives. I
heard recently that when the chrysalis is in the cocoon, it is in
“darkness”. Just as we were in spiritual darkness before we gave our hearts to Christ
Jesus.
When we gave our YES, he rescued us from the darkness and brought us into the Kingdomof Light!
Do you know where Jesus was standing when he proclaimed he
was the Light of the world? He was standing in the temple in the
exact spot where the treasury was located and where the candles were
burned. These candles represented the “pillar of fire“
that led the Israelites through the desert.
What happens when you shine a flashlight? It begins to reveal an object or objects
that are hidden. When we are walking in a dark area, things are hidden, and our
perspective is not very good. We may become confused and
disoriented. When we drift away from Jesus, we can find ourselves in
isolation. This is not a good place to be, because the enemy can attack
us.
“Throughout the Bible, “blindness’ is used metaphorically to represent the human
condition of corruption and falling away and the inability to comprehend God
and divine Truth.*
This is why it’s so important for us as believers to walk with Jesus.
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
Another symbolism between the caterpillar transforming into a butterfly and our
salvation is, the fact that the caterpillar once crawled on the ground but now
has wings and can fly. When we give our hearts to Christ, we are no longer
slaves to sin, but we are FREE indeed!
“Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 (NKJV)
I am in awe that our Father created an insect that can be transformed! Now, the
butterfly lives a very different life from the caterpillar! The butterfly has a
NEW purpose; it now pollinates flowers.
“For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do
the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10 (NLT)
Have you ever heard the term “Lord of All“? Jesus is truly my Lord
of All; He is my everything.
I surrendered to Jesus later in my life. What held me back from giving my
heart over to Jesus was “fear”. I only saw God as too big to
reach. However, I couldn’t deny the fact, I needed a Friend.
This reminds me of a song I used to sing
years ago, ‘You Got a Friend” written by Carole King in
1971. In my personal opinion, this song could be about Jesus. We
can call on Him day and night.
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you
servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have
called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made
known to you. John 15:14-15 (NKJV)
In other versions, the Bible uses the word “love” in harmony with
“friendship”. I believe this is because the Love that
Jesus has for us is Agape Love. In Greek, this type
of love refers to “brotherly love and charity.
This love refers to selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial. It is accompanied with
empathy, compassion, and a desire for the other person’s well-being.
Did you know that there are similarities of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and
Jesus as the True Grapevine? In Psalm 23, the “rod and staff“
are mentioned. The purpose of the rod is for the shepherd to push back
predator animals, direct the flock, and to count them. The purpose of the
staff was to gently lead the sheep and redirect them away from danger.
Also, the crook or curved end of the staff could be used to assist the shepherd
in rescuing any lost sheep or sheep that are stuck. The shepherd is
responsible for making sure the sheep is fed and do not get dehydrated.
Furthermore, sheep need access to water to maintain their health; they need fresh,
clean water for their growth and production.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1 (NLT)
In John chapter 15, Jesus refers to himself as the vine. Jesus would often speak
to the people about everyday things of their day so they could relate to his
message. A vine is very important to the grape branch. The vine provides
the structural support and nutrients necessary for the branches to grow and
develop. The branch cannot survive, thrive, and bear fruit unless it is
connected to the vine.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.” John
15:1 (NLT)
As we look at the sheep and the branch, we can see the importance for us as
believers to stay close to Jesus. The sheep would probably have trouble
finding food or staying safe without the shepherd. The sheep only know and
listen to the shepherd’s voice. Jesus is our Good Shepherd: “his
sheep hear his voice. Jesus is our guide and compass, and he is the Way.
If we listen to his voice, follow, and obey, he will keep us on the right path.
Just as the shepherd’s tools provide comfort and safety for the sheep, Jesus
comforts us and invites us to lie down and rest with him by the streams.
He is the Bread of Life, that we can partake spiritually and never be hungry
again. He is the Living Well that refreshes us and never runs dry. In
John chapter 15, Jesus tells his disciples “To remain in me”, or
“abide” in me. Again, he invites his people to stay close
to Him and live in union with Him. Through Him, we will bear good fruit.
The analogies between the shepherd and sheep and the vine and
branches point out the importance of dependence.
We, as followers of Christ, should depend on, rely on, lean on, and trust Jesus.
Prayer: Thank
you, Jesus, for rescuing us from the darkness. Thank you for being our friend
and for always being with us. Thank you, Jesus, for being our Good Shepherd.
You lead, guide, and take care of us. Thank you, Jesus, for being the True
Grapevine and extending the invitation to remain in you. Thank you,
Jesus, for being the Bread of Life and the Well of Living Water. You comfort,
nourish, and refresh us. Help us each day to be still enough to hear your
voice and to be led by our spirit and obey. Amen.
John MacArthur of Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, CA
The Hopelessness of the Stubbornly Blind
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/43-51/thehopelessness-of-the-stubbornly-blind
