July 27, 2024 Devo

July 27th, 2024

“It’s All About Jesus!”
Jesus and the Jewish Leaders (John 5:16-47)
“And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in Himself, and He has granted that same life-giving power to His Son.” – John 5:25-26 (NLT)
“A Voice That Can Wake the Dead!”

I’ve been in Northeast Ohio preaching a campmeeting this week. The mornings here are beautiful and cool, perfect to walk and pray. This morning was actually so chilly I had to wear a jacket! As I walked and praised God for this incredible day, I thought of Psalm 8. So I got my phone out and read that Psalm to God as a prayer and praise. That psalm tells about how WE are the greatest part of His creation and how He crowned us with glory and honor. God took a piece of dirt, breathed into it the Breath of Life, and shaped it into a Child of The King. What an AMAZING God!
Jesus picks up this idea here in our passage today. As He continues to draw parallels between His Father’s work and His own, He says, “The Father has life in Himself, and He has granted that same life-giving power to His Son.” Where God breathed into a lifeless lump of clay, Jesus breathes into our dead, lifeless souls, and gives life to US! What an AMAZING Savior!
As I walked this morning, tears flowed down my cheeks as I thought of the incredible, restorative, life-giving power of Jesus. I thought about how, despite all my sin, all my failures, and all the “dirt” that I have wallowed in, He has picked me up, cleaned me off, and brought me back to life. Not only that, but He has taken my life and used me in ways I never dreamed possible. He has crowned me with glory and honor—Me, a piece of self-serving clay, not worthy of His grace and mercy. I was overwhelmed today and lost in the wonder of it all.
And He can do that for you, too, my friend. No matter who you are. No matter where you’ve been. No matter how much mud, muck, or dirt you have wallowed in. If you will listen to His Voice, He will speak into YOU the life that only He can give. And no matter how far gone you may think you are, He will bestow upon you glory and honor and make your life more than you ever thought possible. From dirt and death to life and royalty. Now that’s a voice that can wake the dead! That’s God’s Word for you today.