What Jesus Did : John 8:29 - Always? Always!
by Phil Ware
Always? Always! - John 8:29
"The One (God) who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases him. So he has not left me alone." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
The premarital counselor gave me this advice: "Never say 'you never,' 'you always,' or 'you're just like your mother'" None of us does "always" very well! We usually use it to exaggerate and emphasize something or we use it as a put down. But for Jesus, "always" fits. He does what is pleasing to God no matter the public response or the price there is to pay. He is obedient, submissive, and sacrificial in doing God's will. And Jesus is our model, our goal, and the perfect one toward whom the Spirit leads us. While we may not make "always" stick, let's shoot to always do what pleases our heavenly Father!
Today's Prayer
Righteous Father, please forgive my sins. I know they disappoint and disgust you. Thank you for providing your forgiveness for me through Jesus' atoning sacrifice for my sins. Be with me and empower me through your Holy Spirit as I seek to always please you, not out of a sense of guilt or fear, but out of a deep sense of joy, appreciation, and praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Again, Jesus said to the people, "I will leave you. You will look for me, but you will die with your sin. You cannot come where I am going." So the Jewish leaders asked themselves, "Will Jesus kill himself? Is that why he said, 'You cannot come where I am going'?" But Jesus said to those Jews, "You people are from here below. But I am from above. You belong to this world, but I don't belong to this world. I told you that you would die with your sins. Yes, you will die with your sins, if you don't believe that I AM. " The Jews asked, "Then who are you?" Jesus answered, "I am what I have told you from the beginning. I have many things I could say to judge you. But I tell people only the things I have heard from the One that sent me. And he speaks the truth." These Jews did not understand who Jesus was talking about. Jesus was telling them about the Father (God). So Jesus said to them, "You will lift up (kill) the Son of Man. Then you will know that I AM. You will know that these things I do are not by my own authority (power). You will know that I say only the things that the Father has taught me. The One (God) who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases him. So he has not left me alone."-- John 8:21-29 (ERV)
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