OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for March 2022
April 1, 2022
John 12:28 – Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Thought: Barnes’ comments on the words: “Father, glorify thy name,” are wonderful: “The meaning of this expression in this connection is this: ‘I am willing to bear any trials; I will not shrink from any sufferings. Let thy name be honored. Let thy character, wisdom, goodness, and plans of mercy be manifested and promoted, whatever sufferings it may cost me.’ Thus Jesus showed us that God’s glory is to be the great end of our conduct, and that we are to seek that, whatever sufferings it may cost us.”
Psalm 115:1
April 2, 2022
John 12:29 – The people therefore that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake unto him.
Thought: When Jesus prayed for the Father’s name to be glorified, the Father immediately spoke saying that He had and that He would glorify it again. Those who heard the powerful words were confused. Some said it was only thunder. Others affirmed that “an angel spake unto him.” Why is it that men so often miss significant things in life? Rather than investigate the true meaning of this event, they passed it off with false explanations. Knowing who spoke on this occasion was important.
Acts 12:12-15
April 3, 2022
John 12:30 – Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Thought: When Jesus prayed, God the Father spoke from heaven. Many heard the voice, but were confused about it. Jesus asserts: “This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.” As the hour of Jesus’ death drew closer, there were still many who were doubters or who completely disbelieved the claims of Jesus. God took this opportunity to provide another means to instill faith into the Jewish people. Evidence that Jesus was the anticipated Messiah was abundant. How would the people use it?
Acts 2:22-23
April 4, 2022
John 12:31 – Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Thought: When Jesus came to earth, He explained some things that were happening in the unseen realm by His ministry. Up to this point in time, Satan had ruled over the world. Sins, even those of the Jews, remained unforgiven. The world, however, was about to be judged. All would be condemned. Jesus, however, would pay the price for the sins of the world. Too, He would cast out the prince of this world. A new ruler would be enthroned. It was none other than Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Hebrews 2:14-18
April 5, 2022
John 12:32, 33 – And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Thought: Jesus was not hesitant to speak of His death. Here, he describes His death in these words: “…lifted up from the earth.” Long before the event transpired, Jesus knew He would die by crucifixion. His death would be an action of love toward all. He would be executed in a horrible fashion and shed His blood for the sins of the world. This act that would tug at the heartstrings of humanity. This display of love would create love in the hearts of men, and they would come to Jesus.
I Peter 2:24
April 6, 2022
John 12:34 – The people answered him, We have heard out of our law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
Thought: The Jews understood that Jesus referred to His death when He said He must be lifted up. This idea conflicted with their understanding of the law. They believed the Messiah would “abide for ever.” If their idea of the Son of man involved perpetuity, who was the Son of man about which Jesus spoke? This is an interesting concept presented by the Jews. One wonders if it involved a complete misunderstanding of Old Testament passages, or, whether it involved willful ignorance of the Law?
Isaiah 53:7-9
April 7, 2022
John 12:35 – Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Thought: Light is essential to safe travels. Spiritually, all of us are on a journey, a journey through a very dark and treacherous world. Foes lurk at every turn. Obstacles cross our path. It is easy to get lost. Fortunately, Jesus provides us with His light. The means by which it is projected into the world today is through the Word of God. Those who use it can easily see the path from this life to the next. Those who do not are described by Jesus: “He that walketh in darkness knoweth not wither his goeth.”
Psalm 119:105
April 8, 2022
John 12:36 – While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Thought: Jesus exhorted the Jews to “believe in the light, that ye may be children of light.” Light involves knowledge, understanding, purity, and protection. Notice, He begins His exhortation with the words: “While ye have light…” The manifestation of light can come to an end. When it does, it is too late. One may long for light, but he will be lost in eternal darkness. Jesus was urging them to take advantage of their opportunities while they were available. After this, He hid Himself from them.
I Thessalonians 5:4-8
April 9, 2022
John 12:37 – But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.
Thought: One miracle should have been enough to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. One miracle should have been enough to prove that He was “that prophet” Moses foretold. One miracle should have been enough to prove that Jesus was the Son of God. Sadly, Jesus had done many miracles before the Jews, “yet they believed not on him.” Some will not believe regardless of the evidence. This happens even today. One can produce verse upon verse proving a point, but people will not believe.
Matthew 11:20-24
April 10, 2022
John 12:38 – That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Thought: God knows the end from the beginning. Thus, He is able to accurately predict the future. Sometimes words that applied in the past can also be applied to the future. Such was the case with Isaiah’s prophecy. The Jews rejected his message in time past. When God looked forward to the Jews of Jesus’ day, those same words applied. Thus, there was a dual fulfillment. When the gospel is preached today, Isaiah’s words still ring true. Ministers question: “Who hath believed our report?”
Isaiah 53:1
April 11, 2022
John 12:39, 40 – Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Thought: There are some who see the doctrine of predestination in these words. In other words, God created these individuals so they “could not believe.” Yet, doesn’t the Bible teach that God created man with the ability to choose? Absolutely! The way God blinded their minds and hardened their hearts was through the teaching and miracles of Jesus. It has been said: “The same sun that melts the ice hardens the clay.” The same word that produces faith in one causes another to harden his heart.
Isaiah 6:9-10
April 12, 2022
John 12:41 – These things said Esaias when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Thought: There are many individuals who would love to erase the past. They fail to understand the contributions of the past to the present. Isaiah saw the glory of God. It is recorded for us in Isaiah 6:1-7. It was at that time that he also spoke the words Jesus applied to the Jews of His day. What if that past had been forgotten? What if the Jews tried to erase it as if it never happened because they did not appreciate it contents? My friends, if we lose the past, we will lose things that can benefit us greatly.
Isaiah 6:1-7
April 13, 2022
John 12:42, 43 – Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Thought: The proofs of Jesus’ deity were many and were powerful. They were difficult to deny. Here, we learn that many of the chief rulers believed on Jesus. However, they would not openly confess their heart-felt belief. Why? It was because such a confession came with consequences. They would no longer be able to hold their powerful, prosperous, and popular positions. They would be cast from the synagogue. As John reveals: “…they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Galatians 1:10
April 14, 2022
John 12:44 – Jesus cried and said, he that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
Thought: Jesus understood His submission to the Father in heaven. He also understood the fact that He represented the Father while He carried out His mission on earth. Since the Father had sent Him, those who believed on Him believed also in the Father. On the other hand, those who rejected Him rejected the Father also. A person cannot have God without Jesus. Too, a person cannot have Jesus without having God the Father. Dear reader, it is an all or nothing proposition.
I Peter 1:21
April 15, 2022
John 12:45 – And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Thought: Jesus was the perfect human manifestation of the Father. Many were fortunate to actually see Him and experience Him in their lives in the first century. Sadly, many failed to see what should have been seen. They saw only a carpenter. They saw a blasphemer. They saw one with a devil. How sad! They had God in their midst and missed him. We have not seen Jesus personally, but we have seen Him through the testimony of witnesses. If we have truly seen Him, we have seen the Father.
Hebrews 1:3
April 16, 2022
John 12:46 – I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Thought: Jesus affirms that He came as a light into the world. In fact, He is the “true light.” There is no light more pure and brilliant than His. To appropriate His light, however, one had to believe on Him. Belief involves trust and acknowledgement of His claims, His words, and His works. Those who believed were greatly benefited. They would no longer “abide in darkness.” Unfortunately, the Jews believed they were in the light. They, like some today, did not realize they were groping in darkness.
Luke 2:27-32
April 17, 2022
John 12:47 – And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Thought: When Jesus first came into the world, He came with a very specific mission. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He did not come into the world to be its judge. The Jews who rejected Jesus during His earthly ministry were fortunate. Instead of being judged by Jesus, they could still be saved by Him if they would simply hear and His words and believe. There is coming a day, however, when Jesus will return to judge the world in righteousness.
Acts 17:30-31
April 18, 2022
John 12:48 – He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Thought: Jesus’ words should have struck deep concern into the hearts of the Jews. Judgment is coming. The standard by which all will be judged is the word of the Son of God. Those who accept Jesus’ words now will be accepted on the Day of Judgment. Those who reject them now will be rejected on that day. Dear readers, we know the test before we stand before God. All men need to live in harmony with Jesus words. Yes, Jesus’ words should strike deep concern into the hearts of all.
Romans 2:16
April 19, 2022
John 12:49 – For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
Thought: Jesus was fully aware of His mission. He was completing the will of His heavenly Father. Part of God’s will involved the revelation of divine truth. The Father had given Jesus a command what He should say and what He should speak. His message, therefore, sprang from the ultimate authority. They were not just His words; they were the words of God the Father. To understand the authoritative nature of the New Testament, we must look to their original source. The words came from God!
John 17:8
April 20, 2022
John 12:50 – And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Thought: Jesus is revealing what some have referred to as “the chain of authority.” The revelation of God’s will began in the mind of God. When Jesus came to earth, He spoke the commands of God to men. When He left the earth, He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to His appointed ambassadors. These men would speak and write the things the Holy Spirit revealed to them. Ultimately, divine revelation was recorded in the Bible. My friends, it contains “life everlasting.”
I John 5:20
April 21, 2022
John 13:1 – Now before the feast of passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Thought: Jesus had called twelve men to His side to be His apostles. These men were with Him over three years during His earthly ministry. Here, we learn that He “loved his own,” and, that, He “loved them unto the end.” Jesus taught them, trained them, rebuked them, warned them, and would ultimately die for them. All of these things were proofs of His love for these men. His love for them never failed, even when their love for Him came up short. Jesus taught love and manifested it.
John 15:9-10
April 22, 2022
John 13:2 - And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Isacriot, Simon’s son, to betray him.
Thought: Jesus knew that His hour had come. Sadly, one of his own apostles was going to help bring that hour to pass. The apostle was none other than Judas Iscariot. This verse also reveals that Satan was involved in the process. It was Satan who brought temptation into the life of Judas. Satan knew of Judas’ covetous heart. Thirty pieces of silver tempted Judas enough to cause him to bring the Jewish officers into Gethsemane to arrest his Master. The consequences for Judas were devastating.
James 1:13-16
April 23, 2022
John 13:3 – Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God.
Thought: This verse seems almost out of place in light of the event that follows. Jesus is about to wash the disciples’ feet. What does this verse have to do with that? This verse elevates the Christ to a lofty position. He had come from God. All things had been given into His hands. He was going to return to God. Because we see Jesus as a man, we often forget who He really is. He himself is deity. It is He who has all authority. He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Yet, He was willing to condescend to man.
Ephesians 1:20-23
April 24, 2022
John 13:4, 5 – He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Thought: Here, Jesus manifests a servant’s heart. First, He saw a need. Second, He humbly and willingly took it upon Himself to address the need. Third, He took action. Watch Jesus as “he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel.” He was submissive to His disciples. He was doing a dirty job. He was not griping and complaining. He did the job well and to completion. He did not allow criticism to deter Him. Jesus was truly a servant.
Philippians 2:7
April 25, 2022
John 13:6, 7 – Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Thought: Peter was humbled by the actions of Jesus. He wondered if it were really necessary for the Lord to wash his feet. Peter knew he was the disciple and that Jesus was his Master. Jesus answered: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” After this act was completed, Jesus would teach the disciples a lesson. Then, as they labored in their fields of service the practical application of the lesson would be revealed day after day. Servants are not born; servants are made.
John 12:16
April 26, 2022
John 13:8 – Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Thought: Peter was adamant that he did not want Jesus to wash his feet. He said: “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” This statement may have issued forth from the most heart-felt sincerity. Peter may have truly realized his inferiority to the Christ. He may have been ashamed to have his Lord to wash his feet. Jesus’ response, however, put Peter into a dilemma. Jesus said: “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” How would Peter answer? He, like we, was put into a position to make a choice.
Matthew 16:21-23
April 27, 2022
John 13:9 – Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my feet.
Thought: Peter was a good man. Peter also longed to be a faithful servant of Jesus. He did not want to be separated from the Christ. If his decision not to be washed would cast him out of the Lord’s good pleasure, he did not want that. Therefore, he responded to the Lord, saying: “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my feet.” Peter responded with too much zeal, but he revealed the sincerity of his heart. If only all men were as willing to submit to the Lord’s will as was Peter on this occasion!
II Corinthians 10:5
April 28, 2022
John 13:10 – Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Thought: Jesus always took advantage of common situations to teach spiritual lessons. When Peter heard he would be separated from Jesus if his feet were not washed by the Master, he asked for all his body to be washed. Jesus explained that such was not necessary. Only their feet were dirty from walking the dusty roads. That was all that needed washing. Then, Jesus makes an interesting comment. “…and ye are clean, but not all.” He now refers to them spiritually. Who was not clean?
John 13:2
April 29, 2022
John 13:11 – For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
Thought: The words, “for he knew,” are powerful words. The disciples did not know. Judas did not know He knew. This was a foreknowledge that only God possesses. It is one of the evidences that Jesus was not just a man. He was also God. Before the betrayal, Jesus proclaimed: “Ye are not all clean.” Having thus spoken, when Judas actually betrayed Him, Jesus would prove Himself to be a prophet. Sometimes, simple lines from the Bible reveal to us profound truths.
Isaiah 46:9-10
April 30, 2022
John 13:12 – So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Thought: One of the best ways to test knowledge and understanding is to ask questions. Jesus had just washed the feet of all the disciples. He, then, asked: “Know ye what I have done to you?” His actions were intended to be an object lesson. Once He explained what He had done to them, they would never forget how their Master knelt before them to wash their feet. It was an act of humility. It was an act of service. When pride and haughtiness entered their hearts, Jesus’ example would convict them.
Matthew 13:51
Read devotionals for May 2022
