In plain sight
This fresh set of Daily Devotions is being provided for our LCA/NZ family, friends and visitors to help us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we face unsettling times. They can be used by families and individuals as part of the LCA/NZ’s Church@Home resources to encourage us and build trust in our Heavenly Father during this season of uncertainty and physical isolation.
by Pastor Matt Bishop
Click here for your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘Sir… we would like to see Jesus!’ (John 12:21b)
Read John 12:20-36
How are you going to see Jesus this Holy Week? Will you be joining the new virus-facilitated phenomenon of binge-watching worship from Lutheran congregations across Australia and New Zealand as it gets linked, streamed and downloaded to your lounge chair? Or maybe you have set aside some additional quiet time with your favourite devotions books and sacred music.
‘We would like to see Jesus’ is a fitting request for Holy Week. It was first uttered by some Greeks who were in Jerusalem to attend the same Passover at which Jesus would become the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world. It is the same request that been made ever since by seekers, believers and even (especially) sceptics.
At its heart is seemingly a desire to see something of God’s glory. Perhaps it’s God’s power, healing, majesty, joy or comfort.
Yet God tells us that his glory is most seen, quite simply, in Jesus. The Father’s booming voice says, ‘I have glorified [my name] and will glorify it again’ (John 12:28). God was saying that his glory had been on show in the ministry of Jesus and would be seen again in Jesus’ death and resurrection to follow.
But it’s not just the knowledge of Jesus in history that matters here, as important as that is. To really see Jesus is to receive by faith the benefits of his work. Enter the Holy Spirit!
This Easter, as we read the Passion narrative, receive from the great theologians of the ages and sing our favourite Easter songs, we can be sure the Spirit will be doing the Spirit’s central work of taking what is Christ’s and making it known to us (John 16:14,15) – big-ticket items, like bearing our burdens, banishing shame, lifting guilt and handing us life. And out of these promises, equipping us for service of Christ and his world – service where you might be surprised to see Jesus, but should expect to. For Jesus says, ‘Where I am, my servant also will be’ (John 12:26b).
Lord Jesus, thank you that in your death and resurrection you are in plain sight for us. Just as you have served us, bring our selfishness to die like the kernel of wheat so that many seeds of service for you and the world can spring up. Through your Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
