Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In John’s Gospel at Chapter 16 and verse 27, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, explains to His disciples that God the Father loves you because you love Me. It is quite an extraordinary statement, but do check it out and find it to be true.
Then Jesus makes a statement that nobody else could make. Jesus speaks about coming from the Father and entering the world, and leaving the world and going back to the Father. This is not a riddle. He is the only one who could do those four things – came – entered – leaving – returning.
Verse 29 – The disciples are now beginning to understand. They are slowly beginning to see what it is all about. Sometimes we see and learn slowly too!
Verse 30 – We believe you came from God – and Jesus replied – at last! That is all right, but it is now the hour when you are going to run away like a wounded animal.
Jesus was never influenced by compliments or flattery. Jesus knew their weakness, and it was the weakness of the flesh. It is sad to discover at times just how weak our flesh is – when we discover that we are not the person we thought we were.
Jesus knew what was about to happen. In an hour they would have all gone!
Jesus was going to be all alone – to fight this spiritual battle on the cross. They were going to run away – desert – flee – and these were the only men Jesus Christ had. He would have the Father, but not for the entire time, and that is an experience which we need never experience.
Verse 33 – I have said all this to you that you might have peace. Here is the love of God being revealed in such a practical way. These men may let Jesus down in His time of suffering, but even in that hour Christ would not let them down.
There is profound love. There is loving loyalty. Cheer up. In the world you will have times of testing – various trials – the world will try to take advantage of you – and the world will not comfort you when you are down and sad and persecuted.
But, neither will the world overcome you, because I have overcome the world. It is not just, don’t let the world get on top of you. It is rather, the world will never get on top of you, because I have got on top of the world – and you are in Me, and with Me. This is one of the glorious parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and some people are totally unaware of its wonder.
Do you know what He is saying to His men, “If you let Me down – I will lift you up”.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.