{"id":21456,"date":"2023-12-11T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-11-december-2023"},"modified":"2023-12-11T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T06:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-11-december-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-11-december-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion 11 December 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday, 11 December 2023<\/span><\/strong>
 <\/p>\n

St John 5:19-24<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus said to them, \u2018Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.  Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes.  The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son,  so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.  Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today we\u2019ll consider the role of judgement in the everyday decisions we make by learning from what Jesus teaches in the Gospel According to John. This Gospel was probably the last of the four Gospels to be written. It was probably composed long after all the Apostle Paul\u2019s letters were written. This might explain why the theology in the John\u2019s Gospel seems to have undergone a distinctive development. For example, in Paul\u2019s early letters and in Mark\u2019s Gospel there is an expectation that Jesus\u2019s second coming in glory to signal the Last Judgement is imminent. By contrast, in John\u2019s Gospel the expectation that the Last Judgement is imminent seems to have receded, and judgement has a more contemporary meaning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever heeds what I say and trusts in God who sent me has eternal life; such a person does not come to judgement but has already passed from death to life.\u201d (5:24) Heeding what Jesus says and trusting God in the here-and-now are indications that a transition has occurred: a new birth by the Spirit to eternal life. Eternal life is the life by which God himself lives. Jesus as Light of the world offers eternal life to those who believe in him. However, Jesus as Light prompts two contrasting reactions from people: they either come into the Light and experience salvation or hide from it and experience condemnation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Judgements or assessments of what is better or worse, or what is wise or foolish, are necessary in daily life. If we never made judgements, we would be passive or apathetic. I think the \u2018Don\u2019t judge me!\u2019 reactions to the judgements of others often mean: \u2018Don\u2019t condemn me!\u2019 Condemnation has a finality about it. But if Jesus is God\u2019s gift who was sent not to condemn the world but to save it, then the judgements we make about others ought to be provisional. Jesus\u2019s teaching that \u2018the first shall be last and the last shall be first\u2019 suggests we may be surprised!<\/span><\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

O God our Father, <\/span>
who sent your Son Jesus<\/span>
not to condemn but to save,<\/span>
give us grace in our judgements<\/span>
so that we become more aligned <\/span>
with your great purpose of salvation,<\/span>
and more open to your surprises.<\/span>
Amen<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monday, 11 December 2023  St John 5:19-24 Jesus said to them, \u2018Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; … <\/p>\n

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