Our passage of scripture today is action-packed, as Jesus begins his ministry and starts to teach and gain followers as he moves through Judea and Galilee. The reading is bookended by two signs (of which there are 7 in the book of John): Jesus turning water into wine and healing the official’s son.
It’s interesting to compare the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with the temptations he faced in the wilderness. Jesus was tempted to exert his authority in a way that disregarded God. His obedience required humility.
Today, we read about him walking humbly in obedience, doing the will of the Father at a wedding feast, in the temple, and even in a Samaritan village. As he was walking in obedience, he was being elevated. He was shown to have authority over nature, teachers, the temple, and even death.
Like the actual signs themselves, the whole book of John is a book of witness. John is giving his eyewitness testimony, but he is also documenting how Jesus affected the lives of those around him. Each of these instances ends with “____ believed him.” I’ve heard it said that the book of John can be summed up with the phrase, ‘Come and See.’
As we read through the gospels, we are invited to ‘come and see’ the work of Jesus. Like the stories we read today, we can choose to believe in the words and signs of Jesus.
What is the right response to this belief?
John 3:21, “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
When we believe in Jesus, we are stepping into the light. We are choosing to live righteous lives in obedience to God as we imitate Christ and are made more like him. Belief in Jesus is the first step in a life obedience.
What is the outcome of this belief? The gospel of John is very clear about that.
Belief in the Son brings eternal life. John the Baptist sums this up in John 3:35-36, “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
We must echo him when we choose to follow Christ: Jesus must increase, and I must increase. That is the true path of life.
Cayce Fletcher writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. Check out the blog and other resources to help you create a life you love and cultivate your heart for God. This free resource here will help you take your Bible study one step further with a Bible reading tracker, Bible study reflection page, and more.
Reflection Questions
How do the miracles and signs we read today show the authority that God has given Jesus?
What is so important about belief? Why is belief in Jesus the cornerstone of our faith (as opposed to action or other traditions)?
How are you choosing the path of belief and obedience in your life? Is your life bearing witness to Christ?
The past year, I just celebrated the big 3-0. With every new decade, life speeds up, and the long stretch of the future that seems endless at 18 starts to look shorter and shorter.
I remember when I graduated from high school, I – and all my friends – wrestled endlessly with what to make of our lives. What college? What major? What city? What guy? It seemed like we needed to have it all figured out as soon as we walked across the graduation stage.
But, as anyone who has a little life experience knows, life rarely goes as planned. What we thought would make up our lives at 18 rarely fits with what our life actually looks like at 30, 40, or 50.
It always seemed strange to me that Jesus, with such a short life, waited to begin his ministry until 30. Here are some reasons why that could be.
Traditionally, 30 was the age in Jewish culture of full maturity. It matches up with the pattern of scripture: David was 30 years old when he became king, Joseph was 30 when he entered the service of Pharaoh, the Levitical priests were 30 when they started their service, and so on (Ezekiel, King Saul, and maybe even Paul the Apostle).
Jesus needed to wait to gain the experience and wisdom that comes with age. His authority and testimony depended on it.
When I was younger, it seemed like if I had not decided on a thing by age 22 that opportunity would have passed me by for the rest of my life. Whether that’s a career or a specific ministry, it seems like I’m already too set in my ways to be able to make a change and start doing the thing.
But, I’ve realized that is not how life works. Our lives are long and full of twists and turns. Joseph probably could not have dreamed of the many changes that would take place between his time among his flocks and entering the service of Pharaoh, but God knew and had a plan.
Sometimes, I find myself falling into this trap today. If someone has moved on from the church or a friendship is broken, I often give up. I feel as though this will be how this person, this relationship, or this work will be for the rest of my life.
We need to remember this: As long as we are willing to walk in obedience, it is never too late to start the work. God uses the time waiting and praying as preparation to help to mature our faith and grow our wisdom.
What can we do in the waiting?
We can pray, prepare, and trust – as we look to all those who had to wait to begin their ministry. We can trust that God, ‘who started a good work in us, will see it through to completion.’
Cayce Fletcher writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. Check out the blog and other resources to help you create a life you love and cultivate your heart for God. This free resource here will help you take your Bible study one step further with a Bible reading tracker, Bible study reflection page, and more.
Reflection Questions
Why do you think Age 30 was so significant in God’s plan? What is special about this age?
What thing do you feel is ‘too late to change’? It could be a job, a personality trait, a failed relationship, or a church ministry. How could you pray for change for this thing?
How can we ‘wait well’? What are some practical steps we can take to make the most of our time of preparation?
If you have been reading with us from the beginning of the year – welcome to the New Testament!
Devotion by Telva Elwell (SC)
Malachi had last spoken 400 years ago and had promised that the Messenger would come. “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” Surely Zechariah, as a priest, knew this well. But to put it mildly, God caught him off guard one day.
Zechariah was busy in the Holy Place offering incense, a duty Zechariah was permitted to do only once in his lifetime, when suddenly out of nowhere, the angel Gabriel stood by the altar. Of course, Gabriel had to calm Zechariah, because he was focused upon his task and not expecting Gabriel’s visit. “Fear not,” he said. Not only did Gabriel’s presence startle Zechariah, but the news he brought was also startling.
Gabriel told him that Zechariah and Elizabeth, his wife, were going to have a son! One would expect this to be good news for Zechariah because Elizabeth and Zechariah had been praying for a child for many years. Zechariah did not believe such a thing possible because he was an old man, and his wife was advanced in years as well. (Luke 1:18) This story was reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah, for God had also said that He would give them a son in their old age. “Abraham fell on his face and laughed.” (Gen 17:17)
Before he could even grasp the idea of having a son in his old age, Gabriel told him to name his son John, and that John would grow up to be God’s prophet to show Israel God’s son. “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (vs16-17) (Mal 4:5) I understand that this was a lot to take in. But none of it was new to him. He was well acquainted with the promises of God as told by Malachi and other Old Testament prophets. This was the day, the time, that Zechariah, the priest, was looking forward to. What a blessing and privilege to be the father of the much-anticipated Messenger who would turn the children of Israel to God. But something got in the way of that for Zechariah.
Instead of rejoicing, Zechariah demanded proof that this was even possible. Even though an angel, who stands in the presence of God, came to deliver this good news, Zechariah believed this was all nonsense. He wanted proof—not just a proclamation of an angel of the Lord. “How can I be SURE of this?” he asked. (vs18) Gabriel gave him proof in the form of punishment. “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words…” (vs19,20) Zechariah was struck dumb, (v20) and quite possibly deaf. (v62)
When Zechariah finished his priestly duties, he walked home to his faithful wife, and in time, she conceived. For nine months his words did not come, and his world was silent. Every waking moment of every day, Zechariah was reminded of his unbelief.
I would be remiss in not mentioning Mary. Gabriel also brought her unexpected news. Although young, a virgin, and unmarried, she was also going to have a son—God’s Son, the Messiah. Her response was unlike Zechariah’s. Instead of demanding proof that this could happen, she humbly submitted to God’s plan as His servant. “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (v38) While Zechariah sat silently with his thoughts running rampant in his head, Mary rejoiced in prayer and song. (vs.46-55)
In time, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Relatives and neighbors and friends heard the good news and rejoiced with her. Then something truly miraculous happened.
By custom Jewish boys were circumcised eight days after birth, at which time a name was given to the child. The expectation was that this child would be named Zechariah, after his father, but Elizabeth said his name would be called John, just as Gabriel had told Zechariah. It was unusual not to name the son after his father or another family member, so Zechariah was asked what he wanted the child to be called. Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote the words, “His name is John.” (v63) That name, John, means God is gracious. When Zechariah penned the baby’s name, “John” on his tablet, he was declaring his belief in God’s faithfulness and grace, and affirming Gabriel’s message to him concerning his son, John. A simple thing, yet profound. Because God is gracious, Zechariah’s tongue was immediately loosed. (v64) Because God is gracious, He did not forget or abandon Zechariah, even when he did not believe. That does not mean that it is okay to not believe. We need to believe God. But when we struggle, God is there.
Belief and unbelief are often at war with one another in our lives. Sometimes we struggle to believe, much like Zechariah, and then other times we simply believe without doubt or question, much like Mary. When we struggle, sometimes it is the small things that awaken our faith and cause us to believe—like a new baby named John
That same small baby, named John, awakened the faith of the children of Israel years later when as a man he “came as a witness, to bear witness about the light that all might believe through Him.” (John 1:7)
Reflection Questions
Question One: Why do you think God chose to make Zechariah a mute as punishment for his unbelief?
Question Two: Why do you believe Zechariah struggled to believe God? Are there times when you struggle to believe God? Why? When?
Question Three: Right now, where are you in your belief? More like Zechariah, the high priest, or more like Mary, the young virgin?
Question Four: In Mark 9:24, a man came to Jesus and said: “I believe; help me in my unbelief.” How can someone say, I believe, and at the same time ask for help in overcoming unbelief? Do you believe this was the situation with Zechariah? Is this your situation on occasion?
Sometimes (usually in the midst of a scuffle with technology) I wonder if living in 2025 is really for me. Maybe I would have been more suited for life in the 1800s, living life on the prairie. But then I remember how much I love indoor plumbing.
I kid, but in all seriousness I wonder, do you ever feel this way, too? Why are you placed in the here and now? For me, feeling equipped doesn’t always come easy. My guess is that you often feel the same. The world moves quickly and so much is happening…and sometimes I feel a bit helpless. What can I even contribute to the story? Where is my place here?
I bet this, in part, is what Esther wrestled with when Mordecai relays to her in chapter 4, verse 14, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
At first, she was in fear of her life, knowing that if she approached the king she would likely be put to death. In no way did she feel prepared to do what Mordecai asked of her – as if she was in a position to approach the king as anyone special. But, when Mordecai reminds her of what is at stake, she is convicted and courageously decides to take action.
I want to confront my insecurities and fears like Esther. Whether I’m facing a small task or a life-altering one, I want to show up for God. Because He told me, I know that I am made in His image, and He has placed me here, in this place and at this moment, for His purposes. I want to be an instrument He can use to further His Kingdom. How about you?
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever felt inadequate or out of place? What did you do in response to that?
Has there been a time in your life when you were called to be brave, like Esther, beyond your own strength? How did you experience God in that moment?
What is God calling you to do today? How can you be courageous and embrace what He has for you?
When was the last time you were faced with the question of readiness? Ready to make a career change, get married, have a baby, retire, begin a new ministry? When, if ever, are we 100% ready? If we’re honest, I’d say almost never. We can make the decision, though, to prepare ourselves and make progress every day towards that next step. Will we make mistakes? Yes. Will we stumble? Of course. But, if we commit our hearts, relying on God to guide us in the journey, we can trust that He will equip us for all we need. Like Paul reminds us in Romans, God works for the good of us in all things, as long as we are living for His purposes.
So today brings us again to Zechariah, and a similar question he asks the Israelites on behalf of God. He asks them if they are ready to be the kind of people ready to receive God’s Kingdom. The Lord says, “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely…” (Zech 8:16-17)
Like asking ourselves if we are ready for the next step in this earthly life, Zechariah’s question is one we can ask ourselves today regarding our Kingdom life. Are we ready to be the kind of people ready to receive God’s new Kingdom here on earth? Our hearts should be thankful for His guidance and pure in our intentions, desiring to obey God’s word and striving to be the kind of people He calls us to be.
Reflection Questions:
Are you ready to be ready for the Kingdom to come? Check your heart.
What can you do today to become more ready than you were yesterday?
Haggai is a short, two chapter book, but it packs a lot. Haggai was a minor prophet who urged the Israelites to do four things – reflect on their priorities, work in hope during hard circumstances, be humble and pure in their intentions and actions, and remain faithful for the coming kingdom.
Have you ever been in the midst of tackling a massive project? Perhaps a work, home improvement or church project? Sometimes these endeavors can feel so tedious, can’t they? Like you will never ever be done with the task and the finished product is hard to even fathom, a pinprick of light at the end of a long tunnel. In the midst of it all you’re likely very weary. You’re even considering taking some shortcuts just to get the thing done! If you’re solely relying on your human limits, you’re not seeing past the long days to the end result, which sounded so promising in earlier days.
The Israelites felt the same. Before they even began rebuilding the temple, they weren’t focusing on what God wanted from them, instead zeroing in on selfish endeavors. When they decided to rebuild, with Haggai’s prompting, it was a major undertaking. They felt like their efforts were fruitless and the days were difficult. They gave little effort to what they were told God wanted for them. They weren’t choosing to humbly submit to God and make the daily choice of obedience to Him. They just didn’t feel His vision anymore.
What Haggai is driving at is this – God has so much for us. But we need to do our part, too. Furthermore, our choices really do matter. Our heart matters. God doesn’t just want us to blindly “do,” He wants us to want to obey His word. That’s how His work is done in the world. We are His hands & feet, working in humility and obedience to our Father to establish His perfect Kingdom.
Reflection questions:
What are you doing for God right now, or what is He calling you to do? What is your attitude about it?
What is one way that you can recast your vision for what God has in store? What can you do today to be obedient to Him?
I don’t think that any child would say that they love rules. And yet, they subconsciously crave them. Rules from a loving parent show a child that someone loves them enough to guide them. Structure makes them feel reassured and gives a sense of stability. Without those directions and guidelines, children become stressed and tend to feel out of their depth.
Even as an adult, I like to have rules and guidelines that make logical sense. Structure eases my mental burden because it removes some of the many options that exist. In fact, research says that too many decisions and too many options are harmful to our mental health and can lead to mental fatigue and anxiety, causing us to either avoid making decisions or make harmful decisions that don’t align with our life goals.
If I know that by following wise guidelines I will avoid many mistakes, my mind and soul feel more at ease. How blessed are we, then, that we have a loving father who cares so much about us that he has set boundaries for his children to keep us safe?
The author of Psalm 119 clearly knows the value of God’s laws. His gratitude to God for providing wisdom and guidance is clear. When I first read through this passage my initial thought was, “How can someone go on this long about laws and rules!?” But the truth is that these verses aren’t proclaiming the glory of guidelines. They are testifying to the everlasting love God has for us.
We live in a sinful world that is full of deceit, pitfalls, and endless opportunities for mistakes. But Psalm 119:113-114 offers reassurance that though the world is wicked, our God loves us so much that he has provided all of the guidance we need to navigate life.
“I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”
What a beautiful reminder to bury ourselves in God’s commands. I pray that you find love, peace, and reassurance in his words written for you.
-Jenn Haynes
Reflection Questions
What are some decisions you are facing right now? What would God advise?
Many people find rules restricting. How do you feel about some of God’s rules for you? If you find them restricting, do some reflection to find out why. Is what God wants for you clashing with what you want?
Take some time to thank God for some specific rules he has set forth for you that you have found helpful. Revel in his love for you!
As I read through the first half of this Psalm, one thing that stuck out to me was the repetition of the thought of loving God’s law/commands/decrees or desiring to love them.
When we think about laws, we don’t usually think about loving them. We follow the laws so we don’t get punished. Some laws, we understand and agree that they are good, so it makes sense to follow them, and some, we don’t and the only reason to follow them is to not get in trouble (like prohibiting nursing homes from playing Bingo more than two times per week or not crossing state lines with a duck on your head).
The concept of loving laws makes much more sense when you consider a loving God that created them. Though we may not understand all of them, we can know that God put them into place for the good of people.
Though the requirements of the law were fulfilled in Christ and there wasn’t an expectation for the Gentiles to follow the law, we can still look at the law and see valuable guidance like washing your hands. You can see how the instructions on dealing with dead bodies or blood would have made sense, especially before more medical advances were made. And whatever doesn’t make sense to you at this time, if you believe that God is good and loving, you can trust that the laws were made with a reason.
When we look at the direction given by Jesus that went above and beyond the call of the law, we can also believe that he gave those directives because he loves people too and wants us to as well.
When we want to do good because it is good rather than because of a fear of punishment (or a promise of reward), we can live our lives differently than the world around us.
God, teach us to love your ways, to truly believe that your ways are good and trustworthy.
~Stephanie Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What are your favorite 3 verses in Psalm 119:1-88? Why did you choose each one?
What is the benefit of having good laws? What laws help your home, school or work environment run more smoothly?
Do you trust that God’s laws are good? Pick one of God’s good laws that God might want you to love more. What would that look like?
I picked just one Psalm today to write about (139), but I think you can grow and find comfort in all of them.
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
This is both comforting and frightening. God knows us fully, He knows all that we think and do. That can be scary when we think about how unruly our minds sometimes are. But it is also an amazing comfort and blessing to know that there is someone that knows you 100%.
Though we often try and hide aspects of our lives, I believe that most people do have a desire inside to be fully known. To have someone you can go to and have no façade and completely let your guard down. We search for that in people, but it isn’t something that we can find in them, only God. I think that desire can even cause us hurt and frustrations in our relationships with people because we want that other person to fully know us, and when they don’t [can’t], we can feel let down if we aren’t viewing them in the proper light.
I often wish my husband could read my mind when I say that I want a snack, but I don’t know what I want – I want him to know what I want. But other people weren’t made to know us fully. Only God gets to hold that position, and that is a good thing. People are imperfect, they can let us down by their imperfections, but God never does. And so thanks be to Him that He is the one that knows us completely.
The following verses continue a similar idea and expand into the fact that there is nowhere we can go that is away from God’s Spirit. I want to just copy all the verses and paste them here, but you can go read them.
Even when we try and run from God, there is no where we can go that He is not there. And not only is He there, but He loves you so fully and deeply.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Before you were even born, God knew you, and He loved you so fully and completely that our human minds cannot understand. But we can trust and know that that is true.
I’ve had the privilege to carry two children within me, and that concept of loving someone in an inexplicable way before you have even met them connects with me. And what is crazy to me is to think of how much deeper and wider the love God has for us – stronger than any earthly parent can have for their child, and I know, that love is already deep. And it humbles me and brings me to tears to know that God loves my children more than I ever could. And I am so thankful for that, and that He loves us all in that way.
~Stephanie Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What do you find most striking in Psalm 139?
In what ways do you desire to be known by others? How have you been disappointed when they have not met your expectations and desire?
How do you feel knowing God knows everything about you, and always has, and loves you still?
The decisions of our family members affect us. Growing up, I attended a public school where many teachers and staff knew my dad. Whether it was because he was working as a substitute, looking for a teaching position, or something else, they knew him and often told me something along the lines of, “You better be on your best behavior because I know your dad.” I’m sure my older brother heard this many times, and I’m not sure about my younger siblings. Regardless of that detail, my younger brother has been called by my older brother’s name before (maybe because of their similar competitive spirit or fast mile times in P.E.). Yet, my siblings and I know very well that if something bad were to happen at school, somehow or someway it would find its way back to our parents (even if it had to be via carrier pigeon). My siblings and I did/do very well at staying out of trouble, but we weren’t/aren’t perfect (and I’ll spare you from those details).
When my older brother signed up for the morning choir, it changed my school life and routine. I didn’t want to ride the bus, and I couldn’t drive, so the best option was to get up earlier and ride with my brother (and wait until the rest of my friends arrived). At that time, I disliked my brother’s decision very much. However, this eventually led me to become interested in morning choir, learn all the musical parts I could, somehow end up singing in the choir for the last two years of high school and being involved in two musicals/plays. After looking back at my older brother’s decision, I am grateful for it (even though I lost some sleep here or there). Our actions can dissipate and impact the lives of those around us (for better or for worse), and in today’s reading Eli’s actions are no different.
My parents taught us that our decisions and indecisiveness have consequences. As Laurie Buchanan said, “Whatever we are not changing, we are choosing.” Eli made a few poor decisions that resulted in the downfall of his family before God. We might think that Eli was innocent when we read 1 Samuel Chapter 2, but 1 Samuel Chapter 3 tells us the reality of his situation. He didn’t do anything about his son’s sins nor restrained them from sinning (3:13). He needed to hear from God, a friend, or his wife something along the lines of Proverbs 13:24 which states, “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Or, perhaps he knew this concept and simply continued his daily practices disregarding this information (though I think this is more unlikely). Whatever the case may be, Samuel (Hannah and Elkanah’s son) was dedicated to the LORD (1:28) and grew in stature and favor with the LORD and people (2:26). He was the result of his parents’ good decision(s) and didn’t follow in the ways Eli and his sons acted. His parents understood Proverbs 22:6 which states, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,” likely before it was written. It is important to know the words of God, obey them, and be an example to those around us (even when we think others aren’t looking or paying attention).
-Jeffrey Seiders
REFLECTION Q’s
Eli knew the words of the LORD and yet acted disobediently. Are there times when you’ve acted disobediently even though you knew what God’s word says? What happened as a result of your disobedience? How can you get “back on track?”
Eli’s sons acted as if their father wouldn’t correct them. How have you acted in a way that you thought God and/or your parents wouldn’t correct you? What are the consequences of your actions? In what ways can God teach you through your consequences?
Samuel grew in favor with the LORD and with people. How can you change your actions and mindset to grow in favor with the LORD and bring people closer to Him?
Seek Grow Love 