The Bible in 2020

Today’s reading

Second Kings 9-11; John 5:1-24

Selected Verses

So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king's house. 2 Kings 11:20

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

Reflections

When Jehoash was crowned king at age seven, Jehoiada the priest, led the nation to renew their covenant with God to be His people. Certainly, Jehoiada was the real leader of Judah and he led well. The wicked queen Athaliah had been executed and the rightful heir to David’s throne, Jehoash, was inaugurated. There was joy in the land as long as Jehoiada lived.

Jesus ministry brought division and conflict in Jerusalem. He healed a man who had been an invalid for 38 years, but the Jews criticized Him for healing on the Sabbath, calling God His Father, and “making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Jesus made stupendous claims about Himself in this passage. He said He only did what the Father was doing. The Son was perfectly in sync with His Father. Jesus was giving life to whomever He would. He said the Father had given Him all authority to judge. Jesus said His word, if heard and believed, imparted eternal life and freedom from judgment and death.

Think about it

Jehoiada’s leadership brought joy to the land of Judah until his death. But neither the priest nor the revival he led would last forever. Someone greater was needed to lead the people to a permanent solution for the problem of guilt and sin. That One was Jesus. His word brings life. Do you have it? Trust Him. He and the Father give life to those who believe His word because through Him, and only through Him, we are reconciled to God. That is a basis for joy that lasts forever.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission

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