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Monday, February 8, 2021
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” —John 17:22-23
A couple years ago, I went with family on a tour of Wrigley Field. We got to stand on the right field warning track, got to sit in the press box, and got to try to avoid hitting our heads in the dugout. As we were walking out of Wrigley, Jade and I paused to take a look at the 2016 World Series trophy. It’s a beautiful piece of work featuring 30 gold-plated flags and a silver baseball. But the real beauty of it is the way it brings back memories of watching the Cubs win Game 7 of the Series, of not even trying to hold back tears of joy, of celebrating with my family. The trophy symbolizes victory and triumph and—even more powerfully—family and community. In some ways, it’s a glorious item that points beyond itself to glorious events and glorious memories.
When I think of “glory,” I tend to think of something like that trophy—of victory over opponents, of triumph, of something or someone standing out as better than the things or people to which they might be compared. I think of the celebration that comes when we know we’re on the victorious side.
What I don’t think about often enough when I think about “glory” is love. Today’s Daily Text verse from John’s Gospel is from Jesus’ prayer to the Father just before he is to face arrest and execution. In verse 22 Jesus says this amazing thing, that he has given to those who believe in him the glory that the Father has given Jesus. When I read this, my mind immediately goes to glory on the world’s terms—victories and status and riches. But that’s not the heart of what Jesus describes as glory. Glory in Jesus’ view is about unity and love.
Of course.
In Jesus we see with crystal clarity that the nature of God Almighty is eternal love. For all eternity the Father has loved the Son and the Son has loved the Father. Now Jesus, in communication with the Father, lets it be known to his disciples listening in that his people are, in being united to Jesus, also brought into that divine love. And in being brought into the divine love of God, we’re able to have complete unity with one another in that love.
This is one of the most lofty statements in all of Scripture about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The glory of divine love is now available to us by following Jesus. So may we be encouraged to participate in that love more fully, in complete unity and purpose and joy. Amen.
Friday, February 5, 2021
Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.
“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists.” —Acts 12:7
When I think of the apostles, especially Peter and Paul, who were willing to risk imprisonment to spread the gospel, I can’t help but feel a little bit ashamed. I don’t have anyone threatening to throw me in prison for telling people about Christ, and yet I find I can sometimes be hesitant to do so if I sense that the person I am talking to might react badly. I have no problem talking about Christ with other Christians, but what about strangers? Or even non-believing friends and acquaintances? I sometimes find myself falling back to “well, they will know I am a Christian by my actions” when I could be sharing about Jesus.
But if I really want the light of Christ to shine through to all people, I need God to help me break out this self-made prison I have created. This place where I have locked up God’s message inside of me, hiding it from others. I need God to tap me on my side and wake me up. I need God to use me as a mirror so that when he shines his light on me, I can reflect it back on others.
So, dear God, break me out of my self-made prison and make me courageous and fearless to spread your word. Shine your light upon me, release me from my chains, and set me on your path. For surely your message of salvation, love, and grace are worth sharing! Amen.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. —1 John 5:20
I’m so thankful that the New Testament contains letters from the early church. Realistically, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) would have been enough. Actually, based on how well the Christian movement grew in the time right after the resurrection we know that even one gospel would have been enough! What I appreciate about the letters in the New Testament is that they build on the good news of Jesus by providing encouragement to followers of Jesus as they live out their faith. The early Christian letters regularly encourage followers to persist in their belief and trust in what God has done through Jesus. 1 John 5:20 is the perfect example of this.
John uses the word “true” three different times when talking about Jesus:
The truth of Jesus is that he shows us God’s true character.
The truth of Jesus is that he is the Word made flesh.
That truth of Jesus is that he has defeated sin and death.
John knew Jesus personally. John saw the resurrected Jesus! John wants us to know that anything we believe about Jesus that is contrary to the truth he outlined is a lie that comes from the enemy. To believe the enemy’s lies will not only rob us of eternal life, but of life right here and right now. Satan knows the truth of Jesus and knows how the story ends. John wants to make sure we know it too.
So today, may each of us find encouragement from John, offer encouragement to fellow believers, and trust in the truth of Jesus.
