TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 John 1:5-2:11
The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. - Isaiah 60:19b
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some things are so basic in life that it is virtually impossible to imagine existence apart from them. For example, can you imagine life apart from light? Scientists tell us that darkness would engulf the earth and life would cease in about eight minutes if the sun suddenly stopped shining.

It’s no wonder then that light is such a powerful image in Scripture. In fact, light both “opens” and “closes” the Bible. In Genesis 1:3–4 we read about God’s creation of light, and Revelation 22:5 tells us that created light will become unnecessary because the Lord Himself will be our light.

The Bible is filled with the imagery of God as light. Today’s verse from Isaiah also speaks about the time in God’s eternal kingdom when the light created at the beginning of the world will no longer be necessary: “Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light” (Isa. 60:20a).

The image of God as light speaks of His glory and His perfection. Darkness, on the other hand, indicates sin and evil.

This contrast is clearly shown in today’s passage from 1 John. Consider 1 John 1:5: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” John then goes on to show that those who walk in darkness (those who continually reject His ways) have no fellowship with Him or with other believers (vv. 6–7). Not only does walking in the light with Him enable fellowship, but it also brings us to the only source of cleansing for our sins–the blood of Christ.

Those who walk in the light will be characterized by the love they have for their brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 2:10). But those who hate are like those who try to walk in darkness–they stumble and do not know where they are going.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The imagery of light occurs over two hundred times in the Bible! If you have a concordance, (there might be one in your Bible) why not take a “light” tour though the Bible?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:15-23
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. - Hebrews 1:3a
TODAY IN THE WORD
How often have you heard it said that someone is the “spitting image” of a parent? When we see a baby, we sometimes comment that she has her father’s eyes or his mother’s nose. The resemblance between parents and children is often quite striking. This phenomenon makes Genesis 1:27 all the more amazing: “God created man in his own image . . . male and female he created them.”

Theologians don’t agree on what exactly this image is, but all agree that in some way humankind uniquely bears the image of God–in a way that no other part of creation does. We have been “stamped” with the image of God. Even after the fall, this image was not completely destroyed as Genesis 9:6 shows us.

We know that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. As a man, Jesus Christ is the perfect human being–and the perfect image of God (Heb. 1:3). When Adam fell, sin and death came upon the entire human race (Rom. 5:12). But with Jesus Christ, redemption and eternal life are now possible, as today’s passage from Colossians shows.

The biblical concept of “firstborn” has to do with prominence and privilege. For example, in Exodus 4:22, we read that Israel is God’s “firstborn son.” In Colossians 1:15, “firstborn over all creation” means that Jesus Christ has supremacy over all creation. Not only this, but He is the “firstborn from among the dead,” that is, He is supreme over all of resurrection life (v. 18).

John 1:18 tells us that Jesus has made known the Father whom no one has ever seen. Colossians 1:15 says the same thing–Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Understanding Jesus as the image of God is both rich and complex. Today’s passage from Colossians is a great passage to begin to understand this wonderful imagery.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Kings 4:42-44; John 6:25-59
I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. - John 6:35
TODAY IN THE WORD
Have you ever really considered how basic bread is? Nearly every culture has some form of bread that figures significantly in its daily diet. In fact, in some cultures giving bread is an expression of hospitality. We see a glimpse of this in Genesis 14:18, when Abraham brought out bread and wine to Melchizedek, king of Salem.

The Bible has many examples of God’s gift of bread to His people. After the people of Israel left Egypt, God sustained them in the wilderness for forty years with a special form of bread, manna. Today’s passage from 2 Kings records another miraculous provision of bread. Although Elisha faced a hungry crowd of a hundred men, God had told him that a mere twenty loaves would feed the men–with leftovers!

If you’re thinking that this story sounds familiar, you’re right. Many of Elisha’s miracles anticipated miracles later performed by Jesus. The gospels record two such miraculous feedings–one when five thousand were fed (Matt. 14:15–21; Mark 6:35–44; Luke 9:12–17; John 6:4–13) and another when four thousand were fed (Matt. 15:32–39; Mark 8:1–9). As one Bible dictionary notes, these are “acts of divine provision and hospitality on a grand scale”!

Today’s passage from John follows the feeding of the five thousand. Here we learn that the greatest gift of “bread” God ever gave was in the person of Jesus Christ. In fact this passage pulls together many biblical images of bread. Bread from heaven (vv. 32–33) would make people think of manna, and no doubt the five thousand who had just been fed would have thought of Elisha.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Most of us eat some form of bread daily. Why not use this staple as a powerful reminder of the Lord as the Bread of Life?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 10:1-10
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. - John 10:9a
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the classic children’s story, The Secret Garden,an orphaned girl named Mary accidentally discovers a long-forgotten gate in a wall outside the large English estate to which she has been sent. Upon opening the gate, Mary suddenly finds herself in “the sweetest, most-mysterious-looking place any one could imagine.” This “secret garden” becomes a place of protection, healing, and growth for the lonely girl.

For Mary, the old gate represented both entry to a very special place and protection from her pain once inside the garden. In a similar way, gates in ancient cities were essential for allowing access to a city and for protecting its residents from enemies and wild animals. During this time, the gatekeeper was an important individual who kept intruders from entering the city.

Jacob used gate imagery to describe the holiness of the place where the Lord had met him in his dream, and called the place “the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:17). The psalmist prayed that the Lord might open “the gates of righteousness” so that he might enter the presence of the Lord (Ps. 118:19).

The most powerful image of a gate comes from the lips of Jesus Himself. In today’s passage we see the idea of a gate applied to a sheep pen. Only the true shepherd enters through the gate; the one who enters by any other way is “a thief and a robber” (v. 1). Moreover, only the true shepherd is recognized by the watchman (v. 3).

Taking this familiar imagery, Jesus then applied it to Himself in a most amazing way. Not only is Jesus the Shepherd, but He is the very gate by which the sheep enter the sheep pen.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In The Secret Garden,Mary passed through a gate that led her to a place of great joy, for in it she discovered the beauty of creation and restoration.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 10:11-18
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. - Psalm 23:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Today’s verse is perhaps one of the most famous verses in the Bible. In the midst of pain and grief, millions have taken comfort in this verse.

The sense of care and protection found here only increases when we consider what an actual sheep requires from a good shepherd. Sheep need protection from thieves and wild animals as well as from disease and parasites. Sheep need shelter from cold weather and storms, and shade from intense heat. They need fresh water, good pastures, nutrients, and salt. Because sheep are prone to injury, they often need attention for wounds and bruises. In short, a good shepherd anticipates and meets the needs of the sheep.

From his own experience as a shepherd, it was easy for David to draw the parallel between his care for his sheep and the Lord’s care for him. Jesus applied this rich image of a good shepherd to Himself, as we read in today’s passage. Yesterday, we saw that Jesus used sheep imagery to reveal that eternal life was possible only through Him–the gate for the sheep (v. 7). Today’s passage will shift this image to Jesus as the actual Shepherd.

Notice the complete commitment that Jesus displays for His sheep. Whereas the hired help ran away from danger to seek their own protection, Jesus faced the danger directly and laid down His life for the sheep. What a powerful statement of our Lord’s willingness to sacrifice His own life on the cross so that we might be set free from the “wolf,” Satan, who sought to destroy our lives (vv. 11–12). (Peter makes this same point, referring to the evil one as a lion; 1 Peter 5:8.)
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller poses a series of questions that address this idea of belonging to and being identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. Take some time today to prayerfully reflect upon these penetrating questions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 15:1-17
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
You may not have thought about time travel in a while, but that’s just what we invite you to do for a few minutes. Imagine yourself riding on a donkey (an animal reserved for royalty!), journeying through first-century Palestine. At first you might notice the lack of man-made noises, such as cars and planes. Then you might notice the strikingly different vegetation–fig trees, date palms, and vineyards. In fact, parts of the land seemed to be covered with vineyards. As you ride along, you notice workers carefully pruning the vines in the warm spring sunshine.

Vineyards figured prominently in Jesus’ day–both as an important crop and a significant theological image. In Isaiah 5:1–7, the nation Israel was described as God’s vineyard, which He faithfully tended and protected. But sadly, Isaiah 5:2 tells us that this vineyard “yielded only bad fruit.”

Isaiah 5 sets the stage for today’s passage from John, where Jesus applies the vineyard image to Himself in an unexpected way. The image of the vineyard shifts to the kingdom of God and the vine image shifts to Jesus Himself (v. 1). Even more remarkable, Jesus’ disciples are described as branches attached to Jesus, the vine (v. 5).

The key to this imagery is the idea of “remaining.” The verb remain occurseleven times in these seventeen verses! Just as a physical branch must remain attached to the vine to bear fruit, so also Jesus’ disciples must remain in close fellowship with Him to grow in their relationship with Him and to be effective in ministry. This connection between remaining and fruitfulness in ministry becomes quite clear in verse 7. Only by remaining close to Jesus can we pray boldly to bring glory to the Father (v. .
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today might be a good day to consider more deeply the word remain.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 53:4-8; John 1:29-34
It was not with perishable things that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. -
TODAY IN THE WORD
If you hang out much with the five-and-under crowd, you know that baby lambs are especially popular at the local children’s petting zoo. Their gentle bleating, velvety noses, and soft wool make them irresistible. Perhaps this also explains why the song “Mary Had a Little Lamb” has remained in the Top Ten with this same crowd for so long!

This imagery is sometimes hard to reconcile with our understanding of the Exalted Christ, seated in victory at the right hand of the Father. It’s often easier for us to understand how we are like sheep than to grasp how He’s like a lamb.

On the one hand, the innocence and gentleness of a lamb accords well with our understanding of Jesus, but on the other hand a lamb’s dependence and vulnerability seem incompatible with the Risen Christ. A brief survey of the Bible, however, shows just how the powerful image of a lamb deepens our appreciation of Jesus Christ.

You may recall from the Exodus narrative how the Lord commanded each Israelite family to sacrifice a lamb in preparation for the departure from Egypt (Ex. 12). The lamb was to be roasted and completely consumed. Some of the blood from the slain lamb, however, was to be put on each family’s doorposts so that the destructive plague sent by the Lord would “pass over” its house. In a very dramatic way, the Passover lamb prefigured another sacrificial Lamb whose innocent blood was shed for those who believed in Him.

Isaiah drew upon this sacrificial understanding of a lamb when he wrote about the Suffering Servant. Notice how he described the Servant as One who took on our infirmities and sorrows (v. 4)? Like an innocent lamb led to slaughter (v. 7), He died to pay the price of our sin.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The book of Revelation contains the richest and fullest portrait of the Lamb who was slain and before whom all creation bows down!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 5
See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able toopen the scroll and its seven seals. -
TODAY IN THE WORD
At one time, lions roamed from India to modern-day Turkey and down through much of the Middle East. The many Hebrew words used for “lion” suggest that these fierce animals were common in Israel during Old Testament times. Historians tell us that a lion’s roar could be heard for miles! It’s no wonder many of the references to lions in the Bible speak of terror and destruction. Consider, for example, Psalm 22:13: “Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.”

Despite this fear factor, lions were a royal symbol due to their strength. Ramses II kept live lions in his palace, and Solomon incorporated lion imagery in the decoration of the Temple (1 Kings 7:29).

This blend of strength and dominion came together in Jacob’s blessing of his twelve sons. Judah was likened to a lion’s cub, cunning and feared; more importantly, the blessing given to Judah contained an important messianic prophecy. The scepter (a symbol of kingship) would not depart from the line of Judah “until he comes to whom it belongs”--a prophecy fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ (Gen. 49:9–10).

This passage from Genesis is the background to today’s passage. In John’s vision, before the throne of heaven, a sealed scroll suddenly appears, but there is no one worthy to open it–no one except the Lion of the tribe of Judah (v. 5)! The centuries-old prophecy concerning the scepter of Judah is at last fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

At the same time, another prophecy is fulfilled. You may recall that David was given a promise of an eternal kingdom (2 Sam. 7:16). The use of the title “Root of David” shows that this prophecy was also fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Fanny Crosby wrote this beautiful hymn, which we offer for your meditation and worship today.

“O the Lion of Judah hath triumphed forever / O the Lion of Judah is mighty and strong.

O happy, happy tidings, the kingdom now is opened / The seals are all broken; proclaim it afar;

From bondage and oppression by Him we are delivered / The Lion of Judah, the bright Morning Star.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5
Come to him, the living Stone . . . and [be] built into a spiritual house. - 1 Peter 2:4-5
TODAY IN THE WORD
The people of Israel needed water. They had been traveling in the desert for weeks and were thirsty. They complained bitterly against Moses who had led them into such a dry place. Moses cried out to God, and God heard; Moses struck the rock at Horeb and water gushed forth (Ex. 17:1-5). This rock literally proved to be a life-giving stone to the parched Israelites.

Peter calls Jesus a “living Stone.” What did he mean? Perhaps Peter is likening Jesus to the life-giving rock at Horeb. In the desert desperation of our lives, we come to Jesus for water, just as He invited us: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). Or perhaps Peter is recalling Jesus’ name-gift of Cephas to him, as well as Jesus’ promise to be the foundational Rock for His church (Matt. 16:18).

Indeed, the architectural metaphor is central. Believers are also likened to “living stones” that are being built into a holy temple. The stones are living because God does not build dead structures.

His church is not a fixed stone monument that gathers dust and tourists. Rather, His church is a temple of persons across time and space, a temple that grows, lives, expands. Peter’s metaphor of living stones captures the dynamism of the church growing across history as it participates in the being of Christ, its founder. Because He is a Living Stone, we who are in Him may be living stones, too.

The metaphor also captures the solidity and centrality of Christ’s role as cornerstone. The cornerstone determines the design and orientation of a building. The word also denotes rank or excellency in a person. A wise scholar may also be called a cornerstone.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Peter tells us how we may “grow up” in our salvation and be joined into the temple of living stones God is building. Specifically, he emphasizes the importance of truthful speaking (vv. 1--2). We cannot be built together if we are divided by lies. Ask God to show you if there is any deceit or slander you may be practicing in the church. Repent and resolve this day to speak truthfully to your brothers and sisters. Pray that God would be growing your local congregation into a “holy priesthood” that offers “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (v. 5).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:1-8; Jeremiah 31:31-34
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. - Hebrews 12:2a
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jesus of Nazareth is not typically regarded as an author. The Gospels report His one transient writing, content unknown: a sketch in the dirt before the woman caught in adultery. In the literal sense, Jesus of Nazareth never wrote a book. But in the figurative sense, He may be one of the most prolific “writers” in the history of the world, if we understand the faith of the church through history to be His magnum opus, His masterwork.

The author of Hebrews calls Jesus the “author . . . of our faith” and “salvation,” and Paul says the Corinthian church is a “letter from Christ.” Jesus authors the faith of individuals and whole churches through the efficacious and obedient action of His life, death, and resurrection. His incarnate life composed the script of salvation; His indwelling Spirit casts us as characters.

Paul describes the result of Jesus’ authorship among the Corinthians as a letter of recommendation, that is, a document addressed to a particular group of people aiming to commend. This letter, “read by everybody,” is open to all (v. 2). It is a public, not a private, letter.

Written on Paul’s heart (how he loves those Corinthians!), it is read wherever he goes. Jesus’ authorship of the Corinthians’ faith is all the recommendation Paul needs to justify his apostleship. He simply has to point at the visible evidence of God’s work among them–their faith.

Yet the letter is the Corinthians’ hearts as well. It not only commends Paul to the world; it commends the gospel and signals the arrival of the new covenant.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus rewrites the stories of our lives and gives us a commission to be living letters by Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:11-28
Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. - Hebrews 7:22b
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Tombs of Atuan,Ursula Le Guin tells the story of Tenar, priestess of the desert tombs. Chosen forcibly as a child for lifelong service in the tombs, Tenar knows no other way of life until Ged the mage appears. Ged rescues her from her dark duties and takes her to a new land, but Tenar struggles. In order to be free, she must let go of her entire understanding of the world, her previous way of life. Almost unable to do so, she attempts to kill her rescuer and return to the tombs. Old habits die hard.

Jewish converts to the gospel were often tempted to revert to Judaism, their previous way of life. The letter to the Hebrews was likely written to such an audience. Often called the “book of better things,” it argues that Christ’s covenant of grace surpasses the Mosaic covenant of law and that Christ’s priesthood is superior to Aaron’s.

Christ’s priesthood is superior in its permanence. Like the priest Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness” and “peace,” Christ has no beginning or end (Heb. 7:2-3). He is the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:. His reign as priest is permanent because He has the “power of an indestructible life” (7:16). Death has no hold on Him. His saving work has no expiration date. He can thus save forever those who come to God through Him.

Christ’s priesthood is superior in its perfection. Unlike the Levitical priests, He does not offer sacrifices for His own sins, since He is “holy, blameless, pure” (7:26). He does not offer continual sacrifices for us, either, since His sinless death made a complete, “once for all,” sacrifice (7:27). His power to save is perfect.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Holiday times are often marked by certain traditions and rituals. It is also a time when we are tempted to fall into old patterns of behavior.

What is your holiday rut?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:1-18
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. - John 1:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his poem “The Night,” Henry Vaughan contrasts the peacefulness of night with the hectic busyness of day. It’s no surprise that Vaughan comes out in favor of night. The poem ends with this daring suggestion: “There is in God (some say) / A deep, but dazzling darkness . . . / O for that night! where I in him / Might live invisible and dim.”

Vaughan’s sentiment has precedent in mystical Christian traditions, but it is not the language of Scripture. From Genesis 1 (“Let there be light!”) to Psalm 27 (“The Lord is my light and my salvation”) to John 1, the Bible associates God with light. With this precedent in mind, what does light tell us about God? What links light and life?

All living things need light to live. Plants and trees draw energy from the sun to grow. Animals pattern their sleeping habits by the cycle of light and dark. Human beings may grow depressed in the winter from lack of light. Our dependence on natural light to sustain biological life reminds us of our absolute need for God, the source of all life and the “Father of lights” (James 1:17).

Yet note the order that John puts these words in: The “life” of the Word brings “light” to men (v. 4). How does life bring light? Light is metaphor for understanding. (When a person understands something, we imagine a light turning on in her mind.) Jesus’ life brings understanding of who God is. His life on earth in the flesh reveals God’s glory to us (v. 14). His manner of living opens our eyes to God.

Jesus was a man overflowing with life: He loved fellowship with friends; He enjoyed children; He told stories with vigor; He sailed, walked, taught, healed; He raised people from the dead; and He Himself could not remain in the grave. He could not because He is life itself (John 14:6).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This night, as we celebrate the entrance of God’s light into the world, reflect on the nature and functions of light. How specifically are you thankful for light this December? If you have a candle handy, light it. Prayerfully reflect on how the candle scatters darkness, brings heat, warmth, visibility, color, and beauty. Give thanks to God for His gift of light to us, natural and supernatural. Read aloud today’s Scripture, John’s poem of light, as your prayer.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:11-16; Matthew 2:1-12
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. - Revelation 19:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Illustrated Jesus Through the Centuries,historian Jaroslav Pelikan compiled two hundred images of Jesus from different times and cultures.The variety of images is staggering. Almost “each age created Jesus in its own image,” depicting Him in ways to fulfill cultural needs. Given this human tendency, it is worth asking, what is my mental picture of Jesus? Does it match the person revealed in Scripture?

Today we are looking at two New Testament images of Jesus as King. One is quite familiar to us--Jesus as infant King who is visited by Magi from the east. The other is perhaps less familiar–Jesus as returning Warrior-Messiah-King who judges the nations.

Both images of Jesus as King involve the insight of faith. The Magi who saw in the baby Jew a king worthy of worship were full of faith, as was John, in his vision of Jesus in full and potent monarchy. For both, faith offered a glimpse of Jesus’ true stature. When they saw Jesus, they “saw heaven standing open” (Rev. 19:11). Are we seeing Jesus with eyes of faith?

The images of kingship are distinct. Jesus’ kingship during His lifetime on earth was veiled, mocked, contested. Herod tried to kill this “king of the Jews” in His infancy, and Jesus was crucified partly for claiming to be a king (John 19:19-22). Jesus’ future kingship is unveiled, awe-inspiring, certain. To look upon this rider with blazing eyes, many crowns, and sword-like tongue is to see the power and majesty of Jesus revealed (vv. 12-15). No longer mockingly called “king of the Jews,” He bears His true title, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” on His robe and body (v. 16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Advent, the preparatory season leading up to Christmas, literally means “coming.” It refers not only to this first coming of Jesus as an infant but His glorious return as triumphant king.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 3:1-17; Geneis 8:2-12
I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. -
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many poets have likened spirits, human and divine, to birds. English poet Percy Shelley begins his ode “To a Skylark” with the claim, “Hail to thee blithe Spirit! / Bird thou never wert.” John Keats imagines the nightingale as an “immortal Bird,” singing to men across time and space.

John saw the Holy Spirit “descending like a dove” on Jesus in His baptism (v. 16). John does not necessarily mean that the Spirit took the shape of a bird. His description addresses the Spirit’s motion more than His form. Perhaps the fast dive from the open cloud, the grace of motion, an impression of white, led John to liken this lightning-quick Presence to a dove.

The dove, of course, has Old Testament significance. A dove brought Noah an olive leaf plucked from a washed world, a symbol of God’s newly-made peace with man (Gen. . And doves, emblems of purity and meekness, were considered a clean bird, appropriate for temple sacrifices. Indeed, as a baby, Jesus was consecrated at the temple with the sacrifice of two doves or pigeons (Luke 2:22-24). How appropriate, then, for the Spirit to fall like a dove on Jesus, Himself peacemaker and truly pure sacrifice.

As an image of the Holy Spirit, the dove reminds us of God’s quickness to move, to act. Like a bird swooping suddenly from heaven, so God’s Spirit is prompt to fall and bless those who are obedient to His will, as He did at Jesus’ baptism.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we begin to reflect on the images of the Holy Spirit in Scripture, ask yourself what images you have of the Holy Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 3:5-8; Acts 2:1-13
The wind blows wherever it pleases . . . So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. - John 3:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Nineteenth-century Methodist leader Samuel Chadwick once commented about the Holy Spirit that “the Spirit is more than the minister of consolation. He is Christ without the limitations of the flesh and the material world.” What did Chadwick mean?

Unlike our incarnate Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit is not limited by a body to one place and time. Free as the wind, He comes and goes as He wills. This helps explain why Jesus said to His disciples that it is better if He goes and the Holy Spirit comes (John 16:7).

No phenomenon better captures the freedom of the Holy Spirit than the rushing wind of Pentecost. The Spirit came upon the assembled believers with the sound of a mighty wind. As they were praying, He suddenly blew in. Jesus says that people born of the Spirit are the same way (John 3:. Spirit-people, like the Holy Spirit, are not programmatic or predictable. Rather than following rules, they follow a still small voice, the Spirit.

Such a man was Paul, whose missionary travels unfolded not as a pre-set plan but under the guidance of the Spirit. (He had to explain this to the Corinthians who, on one occasion, understood his sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading as a breach of promise. See 2 Cor. 1:17.) The actions of those walking in the Spirit can seem as mysterious as the motion of the wind, especially to those who are not in God’s kingdom.

The Spirit is also like wind, says Bible commentator John Gill, because His workings are secret and invisible. In the depths of the heart the Spirit speaks and breathes.

In Greek, the word for wind is the same as the word for breath. God, in the indwelling of His Spirit in us, is as close to us as the very breath we draw. God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul; Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Gen. 2; John 20:22).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This month heralds both Christmas and winter winds. But while the winter wind is blowing, so is the wind of the Spirit.