Day 23 There is probably no Christian to whom God has not given the uplifting and blissful experience of genuine Christian community at least once in her or his life. But in this world such experiences remain nothing but a gracious extra beyond the daily bread of Christian community life. We have no claim to such experiences, and we do not live with other Christians for the sake of gaining such experiences. It is not the experience of Christian community, but firm and certain faith within Christian community that holds us together. We hold fast in faith to God’s greatest gift, that God has acted for us all and wants to act for us all. This makes us joyful and happy, but it also makes us ready to forget all such experiences if at times God does not grant them. We are bound together by faith, not by experience. Biblical Wisdom Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called․that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9 Questions to Ponder - Why is “the uplifting and blissful experience of genuine Christian community” somewhat rare?
- What is the “firm and certain faith” that holds Christians together even when there is conflict and tension between them?
- What does it mean to say: “We are bound together by faith, not by experience”?
Psalm Fragment How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes. Psalm 133:1-2 Journal Reflections - Write about an “uplifting and blissful” experience of genuine Christian community in your life.
- Write about a time when faith kept you in community even though the experience of community wasn’t so good at the time.
Intercessions Think about your community of faith. If there is any conflict or tension in the community, pray that faith in the unity given by Christ would sustain the community as it seeks to resolve the conflict. If the members of your community of faith are presently at peace with one another, thank God for the experience of unity. Prayer for Today Lord, I need Christian community. Help me to be there for others in the same way I need others to be there for me. | | | Bible Gateway Recommendations | | |           
Day 19: The Way, the Truth, the Life Today's reading is drawn from John 14:1-6. THE UPPER ROOM DISCOURSE, found in John 13 through 16, is filled with glorious sayings that Jesus spoke to His disciples during His final hours with them. These are His "last words." These are the things He wanted them to know and remember. In the discourse we find these wonderful words: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). In the first of these statements, "I am the way," Jesus was saying, "I am the road. I am the path that leads away from all your sinfulness and leads to the Father and the glories of heaven." The Jewish philosopher Philo called philosophy "the royal way." Confucius called his teaching the Tao, also meaning "the Way." But Jesus said, "I am the way." Not His teaching, but He Himself is the Way. The Way is a Person. His followers would later come to be known as people of "the Way." In the book of Acts, there are two references to this title, which people had picked up from Jesus' words. Before his conversion, Saul was going after Christians, so he "requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains" (Acts 9:2). Later, as Paul was ministering in Ephesus, his teaching started a riot, and "serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way" (Acts 19:23). Imagine that you have a friend who has never been to the place where you live. Your friend wants to come visit you and see the sights. You have three options in helping him: You can tell him over the phone how to find his way around the city, you can send him a map, or you can say, "Let me show you around!" If you show him around, you become "the way." You don't tell him how to get around. You don't just give him a path to follow. You say, "Stick with me. As long as you're with me, I'll show you the way." Jesus didn't hand out maps. Jesus didn't simply talk about the journey. He said to His followers, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me" (John 14:1). What Jesus promised in the first century is still true today. Jesus doesn't say, "I am one way among many." He says, "I am the way. If you want to know how to get there, you have to know Me." Jesus then said to His disciples, "I am the truth." Truth is a person. Jesus is saying, "Just as I am the path to God, I am also the truth. I am the end of the search." Jesus Himself is the full expression of the truth about life, the universe, and God. Finally, Jesus added, "I am the life." Jesus came to give life abundant and life eternal. Every other path leads to death. Only Jesus gives eternal life. The assurance that Jesus is who He says He is does three things for my troubled heart when I read or speak His name. First, because He is the Way, His name relieves my fear of getting lost. Second, because He is the Truth, His name removes my need to continue searching. Third, because He is the Life, His name reinforces my hope for a home in heaven. [call out text: These are the things Jesus wanted His disciples to know and remember.] | | | | | | | | Bible Gateway Recommendations | | | 
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