Today’s scripture: John 14:1-14 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Jeff Miner):
Four ministers were discussing the merits of various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version because of its simple, beautiful English. Another preferred the New Revised Standard Version because it’s more literal and comes closer to the original Hebrew and Greek. Still another advocated The Message Bible because of its simple, colloquial language.
The fourth minister sat in silence. When pressed for his opinion, he said, “I like my mother’s translation best.” The others were dumbfounded.
“We didn’t know your mother was a Bible scholar!”
“She wasn’t,” the fourth minister said, “but she translated it into her everyday life — and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”
Jesus is saying essentially the same thing in today’s Scripture passage. In verse 7, Jesus says, “If you know me, you will know my Father.” Philip doesn’t get it. He says, “Show us the Father.” Jesus says, “I am! Watch me, and you will see God shine through — the best, the most powerful picture you’ve ever seen.”
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He goes on to says that we who follow him will be able to do the same things he does and even greater things. It follows, therefore, that if people could see the Father through Jesus, then they also ought to be able to see the Father shining through someone like you or me.
Do they?
Can I, like Jesus, say, “The words that I speak to you are not my own, but from my Father”? Can I, like Jesus, say, “Believe in God because of the works you see me do”? How compelling is the picture of God I am painting with my everyday life?
Thought for the day: If I am the only Bible some people read today, will the message be clear?
Today, let’s join together in prayer, asking God, “What did You think of this past week? Where could I have done better, or allowed more of Your light to shine?”
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.