Jesus Daily seeks to provide a wider sweep of the gospels than is often presented in quick devotionals. The notion is that we find more representative understandings of Jesus in the fuller narratives of scripture, rather than one-shot, proof-texting nuggets. The full context provides a better understanding of what’s going on and thus, what might happen.
For instance, a single word can be widely interpreted without more context. Take for example, love. It’s one thing to just talk about love. But that conversation can go any number of directions. But if we expand from one word - love - to several more, we find more meaning - No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends.
Well goodness, that’s a bit more nuanced than just talking in general about love. Right? We weren’t talking about a kind of love like that for puppies or even for a spouse. We were talking about sacrificial love.
But then if we expand it further to the wider narrative of Jesus, we discover that there’s even more to the story. First off, it’s Jesus speaking in that verse (“No one has greater love…”). And he’s not talking about someone defending his friend in the streets or the battlefield. Rather, he’s describing the nature of his disciples and how they live together, following what he has commanded them.
So anyway, this is turning out to be a longer intro than was intended. But it’s all to say that it’s preferable to read passages of scripture above and beyond snippets and proof-texts that fit my desires for any given situation.
That said…
On this day between gospels in our journey, one verse has been chosen for us. The wider context of John 14 is helpful (even more so, John 11-17!). But take these words from Jesus to heart today.
John 14:1
Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me.
Prayer
God,
It’s unsettling when the path in front of us can’t be completely seen. It’s particularly so when the path is completely unknown or unfamiliar. It’s not that the turn that took me here feels wrong, just that by doing so, the territory is completely new. So today, I lean into these words from Jesus.
Don’t be troubled.
Trust in you.
Trust also in him.
I really don’t have much else to say. So help me, God.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
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