What Will He See?

Daily Reading: John 7

Scripture Focus: He also went up, not publicly but in private. (John 7.10)

Devotional Thought: Jesus was challenged by his brothers to go to a feast in Jerusalem: "You need to get in the spotlight more!"  I wonder what their motives were for wanting Jesus to go with them.  Perhaps, they were hoping for a little attention and celebrity status just by being seen with him.  We are not sure, but one thing we do know: Jesus declines to go with them, planning to go later with much less fanfare than they were evidently seeking.

I often pray – and I urge my people to pray – for Jesus to make his presence known in our church services.  We want him to “show up at the feast”!  But, what is our motive for wanting Jesus to “show up”?  Is it for his glory or for our own status?  Is it for Kingdom purposes or our own plans? Is it so that we can know and do his will or so that he will give us our desires?  Is it to love him better or to show off that we know him?

As the saying goes, "Be careful what you ask for.  You may get it."  Jesus will come.  But, he will show up on his own terms and for his own purposes.  As he did with his brothers, Jesus will come “secretly” at first – so that he can see us and examine our motives.  He will then choose the right time and circumstances to reveal his presence.  We simply need to be ready to recognize him and respond accordingly.

Are you expecting to see Jesus?  At church?  At work?  At home?  He will come, but remember, he shows up secretly…  When he does, what will he see?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, are you here now, secretly?  Are you here to search me and discover my motives?  Search me and show me and change me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 34.15-22

15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.