TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. - Daniel 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1877, a group of Cambridge University students began to study the Bible, pray, and witness to their classmates. This InterVarsity student movement spread across England to Canada, and in 1938 the first U.S. chapter opened at the University of Michigan. Today, more than a thousand InterVarsity staff members work on more than 550 campuses, publish books and training materials, and facilitate events such as the Urbana missions conference.

Like InterVarsity at secular universities, Daniel and his friends in the Babylonian palace stood out by contrast. They were God's lights in a dark place. From a human perspective, though, they were in no position to be leaders. They were young and inexperienced. They were exiles from a conquered nation, taking part in a highly competitive three-year imperial education program for a shot at a civil service job. The training rules were strict; the punishments for violations dire. This was a power-deficit situation if there ever was one!

Yet God called Daniel to be a leader, and Daniel knew that God's sovereign control (see v. 2) actually gave him the upper hand. He resolved not to accept the royal food and wine, and influenced his friends to do the same, probably because the prescribed food would have been offered to idols (v. 8 ). Instead, he boldly requested a special diet. Given the reality of the situation, he chose a non-confrontational approach: He asked permission from the proper authority and was ready with a ten-day-trial plan when the man (not unexpectedly) balked. God honored these steps of faith, and after the ten days their request was granted. In the end, Daniel and his friends graduated with honor. God gave them success in their studies and even gave Daniel an ability to interpret dreams (vv. 17-20).

This is how Daniel began his career, leading by tact and example and saturating everything he did with faith in the Lord. It wasn't flashy, but it was highly effective. and it honored God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles to obedience in his life, Daniel tallied up the advantages on his side and stepped out in faith. Servant leadership or witness may seem to you like similar impossibilities. But have you counted the advantages you have? We all have a God who is sovereign over your bosses. You may also have favor in a supervisor's eyes, access to professional training, or whatever your circumstances may offer. You can approach your workplace challenges in the spirit of Daniel and his friends.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Nehemiah 5:1-13
Follow justice and justice alone. - Deuteronomy 16:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Illinois, was gearing up for a capital building campaign when its new pastor proposed a different project—a homeless shelter. He convinced the congregation to support putting one in the church basement, persuaded union leaders to donate labor, and also prevailed upon government and local businesses to contribute. The Compassion Center opened in March 2004. Those in need can find job search and housing resources, GED classes, a sick bay, clothing, food, phones, computers with Internet access, and even washers and dryers for doing laundry.

Showing such practical compassion for the poor was precisely what was needed in the situation in today's reading. The Israelites who had returned from exile were in the middle of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. They were also in the middle of an economic crisis. Times were tough and the poor were suffering. Those without land had no way to farm for food. Those with land had been forced to mortgage it. Others had been driven to borrow money from loan sharks or even compelled to put their children into temporary slavery in order to pay their debts.

The most fundamental problem was that the oppressors were fellow Jews! They were giving their enemies a stick to beat them with and cause to slander God's name. When Nehemiah heard what was happening, he was righteously angry. The Law guaranteed justice for the poor; God's love and compassion for them are evident throughout Scripture. Nehemiah and other leaders had set a positive example by loaning money without interest (v. 10), thus following the Law's model of borrowing and lending as primarily a form of economic sharing.

Despite the urgent work going on, Nehemiah called a public meeting, charged the greedy financiers with wrongdoing, and ordered them to do the right thing. Perhaps under conviction of sin, they offered no defense of their actions, but swore an oath to give back their ill-gotten gains immediately.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometime this month, volunteer to reach out to the poor. You might work at a food pantry, become a “big sibling” for a troubled teen, join in building houses with Habitat for Humanity, or offer someone who needs it an interest-free loan. These projects often get more attention around holiday times, but of course the poor need food, clothing and shelter all the time. There are never enough hands to help, so those in charge will be glad to receive your call and find you a place of service.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Micah 3:1-12
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice. - Jeremiah 22:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Silk Alley used to be a prime tourist attraction in Beijing, but in 2005 the Chinese government tore down the famous market, claiming it was a fire hazard. Next door a new, modern Silk Alley opened. The rents were too high for the original merchants, who were driven out of business. The land developers obtained the prime location from the government at a low price, and the shareholders “just happened” to include Communist Party and government officials. “It's quite typical,” one Chinese economist said. “The government has the power and the investors have the money. They join up and together extract all the benefits.”

When leaders use their power for personal gain, it's a blatant case of social injustice. Those Chinese officials sound much like the leaders indicted in today's reading by the prophet Micah. He ministered around the same time as Isaiah and Hosea, during the reign of Hezekiah but prior to the king's reforms and the nation's spiritual revival. Framing the charges as a long rhetorical question and a series of shocking epithets (vv. 2-3), Micah accused the Israelite leaders of injustice and greed. They should have known better, and now God would hold them accountable. God viewed their corrupt and exploitative behavior on a par with cruelty and cannibalism! The Lord had in fact already judged them and passed sentence (v. 4). He would hide His face from them, a picture indicating the withdrawal of His covenant love—the worst punishment imaginable. As a result, Jerusalem would become a “heap of rubble” (v. 12).

Micah brought a similar message of condemnation against the false prophets. They had led the people astray by prophesying whatever their financial patrons wanted to hear, a serious sin given that they claimed to offer guidance from God. Despite their presumption that He would rubber-stamp anything His “chosen people” did, they would suffer the same fate as the leaders.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The bad example of Israel's leaders in today's reading should encourage you to check your finances. Here are some questions to consider: Do you honor the Lord by giving Him the “firstfruits” of your paycheck? Are you invested in your local church and missionaries? Is there room in your budget for generosity? What percentage of your income goes toward recreation and comfort? Would an objective outsider clearly see principles from “another kingdom” at work in your spending?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 10:24-48
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jesus People USA (JPUSA) is a Christian community located on the north side of Chicago. About 500 people share their goods and property in common in order to minister more effectively with their resources to their urban neighborhood. For example, JPUSA has a women's and children's shelter, a senior citizen's home, and an outreach to local school children, among other ministries. The community is self-supporting, with businesses including a roofing supply company and a record company.

Born out of the “Jesus movement” of the late 1960s, JPUSA is an example of committed discipleship that is clearly countercultural. Sometimes leaders must go against the grain of culture to follow the Lord, as Peter learned in today's reading. The apostle's ministry was going well, and common leadership wisdom says you don't fix what isn't broken. But God's ways are different, and He wanted to shake things up a bit by pushing Peter to cross ethnic and cultural boundaries and share the gospel with the Gentiles. He had been preaching to Jews only—the possibility of evangelizing non-Jews had never crossed his mind. The vision of the sheet and the “unclean” animals (earlier in chapter 10, explained in v. 28) had directly challenged this blind spot.

Peter obeyed God and jumped a huge hurdle just by entering a Gentile home. Cornelius, a Jewish proselyte but also a Roman centurion, confirmed that God had guided from both sides. Peter was so struck by the (newly perceived) inclusiveness of God's redeeming love that even before he preached the gospel he made a point of mentioning that God didn't play favorites and sought followers from among all nations (vv. 34-35). As further corroborating evidence, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the new believers (vv. 44-46)—the Lord made sure that Peter's “astonished” companions also got the point and were fully persuaded of the reality of what they were witnessing. From a Jewish point of view, the gospel had gone global!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Reflect on your relationship to culture today. Are you living out the gospel message in ways that are “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16)? Perhaps you've gotten a little too comfortable, compromised, or ceased to care about some values. Pick a current issue on which Christian values run counter to the cultural or legal mainstream, for example, homosexuality or entertainment. Ask God what He would have you do—which boundaries to cross, when, how, and why.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 9:33-37
If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. - Mark 9:35
TODAY IN THE WORD
One billion children—half of all children in the world—live in poverty. Half a billion are trying to live on less than one dollar per day. Two million children under age 15 are HIV-positive, and millions more, especially in Africa, are being left orphaned by AIDS. Wars have killed more than 1.5 million children since 1990. Some 246 million children are exploited as laborers, 130 million have no access to education, and at least eight million are trapped in various forms of bondage and prostitution. Thirty thousand children die every day from preventable diseases.

These dramatic facts show the powerlessness of children. Powerlessness is what Jesus had in mind when He urged His disciples to be like children. If this notion shocks you, you're not alone—it certainly shocked the disciples. If you read these verses and imagined an apple-cheeked young innocent, think again. Neither the cultural nor textual contexts justify such a reading. Jesus meant that the disciples should not seek to exalt themselves.

On the road, they had been arguing about who was the greatest, that is, who would rank highest and be the Messiah's right-hand man when the kingdom came. Perhaps they spent their free time daydreaming of their high-flying futures (see March 15). Caught in their pride by their Teacher, they were at least embarrassed enough by His question to remain silent rather than try to respond defensively.

Jesus tried to teach them the real nature of His kingdom, beginning with a principle: The last shall be first (v. 35). As they puzzled over this reversal, He added the object lesson of a small child (vv. 36-37; cf. Luke 9:46-48). The disciples' hopes about the kingdom were grand and powerful—their idea of welcoming the Messiah no doubt included a victory parade. Where was the payoff in welcoming a child? Yet Jesus said that doing so was the key to entering God's kingdom. They were thunderstruck. To this day we still wrestle with the truth that humility is the key to leadership (cf. Luke 14:7-11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As you know, our overall theme through this year of Today in the Word devotions is “We've Come This Far By Faith.” You may have heard the song, “We've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His holy Word, He's never failed me yet.” As today's application, we encourage you to reflect on the links between this month's topic and our year's theme. Go beyond a basic observation such as “Leaders need faith” to more substantial connections.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Corinthians 11:2–12
The head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. - 1 Corinthians 11:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
While many Christians have concluded that head coverings for women were specific to the culture of Paul's day, some denominations, including Mennonites and Plymouth Brethren, believe the commands found in 1 Corinthians 11 apply to this day. One catalog, for example, offers bonnets, snoods (similar to hair nets), traditional pleated coverings, prayer coverings, and veils, as well as sewing patterns for making one's own head coverings. The company's slogan says, “Proclaim the plain & simple truth that you are a woman of God.”

Whichever way your church leans, head coverings in today's passage were a symbol of headship. Leadership and headship are connected in Scripture, though the latter has proved to be a difficult and controversial topic. “Head” (v. 3) has several implications or connotations, including “source,” “leader,” “honor,” “authority,” and “primacy.” Leadership is also clearly intended in the term's uses elsewhere in the New Testament—for example, when Christ is identified as the “head” of the church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18).

A trio of observations will help us get a handle on this aspect of servant leadership. First, there's no shame or dishonor in being under a “head.” Even God the Son has a head, that is, God the Father. If Christ can submit to the Father's authority and leadership (cf. John 5:19; 1 Cor. 15:28), then surely we can be submissive without feeling victimized.

Second, having a “head” doesn't mean inequality. The Father may be the head of the Son, but they are both fully God and equal members of the Trinity. Both men and women are made in God's image and stand on equal ground before the Lord (Gen. 1:27; Gal. 3:28). Third, although God has rooted the order of submission from creation (vv. 8-9; 1 Tim. 2:13-14), God's design is for the two to be interdependent (vv. 11-12). In other words, “headship” must never lead to swelled heads or tyranny.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage raises knotty questions of culture and contextualization in biblical interpretation and current practice. For a look at these kinds of issues, read Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Missions, by Dean Flemming (InterVarsity Press, 2005).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 1:5-9
Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless. - Titus 1:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Gift of the Stranger: Faith, Hospitality, and Foreign Language Learning, by David Smith and Barbara Carvill, proposes hospitality as the foundation for our “encounters with strangers,” that is, for cross-cultural relationships. We should view a short-term missions trip, for instance, as an opportunity to receive hospitality, and getting to know an immigrant neighbor as a chance to offer hospitality. Biblical hospitality includes a pattern of showing humility and respect when interacting with others, and Smith and Carvill apply this pattern to foreign language learning in ways that should encourage and convict both students and teachers.

The virtue of hospitality doesn't get much attention today, yet it is in the list of qualifications for eldership. Neither this list nor the one we'll study tomorrow are exhaustive or definitive. Both were written to pastors at relatively new churches— Titus in Crete and Timothy in Ephesus—so they could organize the local congregations and develop godly leadership teams.

One interesting principle that emerges is that marriage, parenting, and home life are seen as proving grounds for church leadership (v. 6). Elders must be faithful and monogamous (if married), not engaging in any form of sexual immorality. They must have obedient, believing children whose characters have been shaped by their parents' godly training and discipline. And they must practice hospitality, which literally means “loving strangers” (cf. Lev. 19:34). Those who do so might even entertain angels unaware (Heb. 13:2).

Another key principle is the importance of character. Most of the other attributes on this list, whether stated positively or negatively, have to do with moral actions and habits (vv. 7-8). This is instructive, given our culture's emphasis on abilities and achievements. Elders should be upright and self-controlled, not proud, angry, hurtful, dishonest, greedy, or self-pleasing. Spiritually speaking, their faith should be strong and they should be able to teach and defend sound doctrine (v. 9).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you aware of the leadership policies and procedures at your church or in your denomination? If not, try to find out how leaders are chosen. Who is eligible? Is there any kind of leadership development program? How are leaders held accountable or disciplined when necessary? What authority, responsibilities, and privileges do leaders have? What is the history of the leadership structure currently in place? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Finally, commit to pray for the leaders in your church, and for their families.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7
If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. - 1 Timothy 3:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Annaiah Ramesh of Mangalore University in India set a world record last spring for nonstop teaching. He lectured on applied botany for 98 hours (including only two-and-a-half hours in allowed breaks), eclipsing by a good ten hours the previous record held by a South African professor. He had been aiming for 101 hours, but his mother and others persuaded him to stop when his speech became largely incoherent. After setting the record, Ramesh was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was sedated and kept under observation. Doctors said he was fine, just disoriented from lack of sleep.

One might be justified in questioning how much of that 98 hours was truly “teaching.” Certainly the teaching ability required for eldership is about much more than stamina and perseverance. The criteria for church leadership on today's list have several similarities with yesterday's from Titus. Again, elders should be “able to teach” and practice hospitality. Again, a good marriage (if married) and family are prerequisites or demonstrations of leadership capabilities. Elders shouldn't be recent converts, as that might tempt them to pride. They should be above reproach and respectable, meaning “righteous” or “blameless,” including in their reputation in the community (v. 7). Since to some extent the world will never understand the church, we can presume that Paul was talking here about general moral issues.

Many of the character qualities listed relate to self-discipline: being self-controlled, temperate, and able to resist the “devil's trap” of temptation, as well as not being quarrelsome, violent, greedy, or given to drunkenness. Interestingly, there's no mention of certain leadership qualities valued in American culture, such as public speaking skills or an entrepreneurial spirit.

To aspire to church eldership is have the desire to prepare for or grow into a “noble task” (v. 1). In fact, the only other positive New Testament use of this verb is with reference to heaven (Heb. 11:16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Whether or not you're currently in a position of leadership, the checklists of godly qualities in yesterday's and today's readings create a good opportunity for checking your spiritual growth. From these lists, identify one specific area in which you know you need to grow. Lay this area before the Lord in prayer, asking for the grace and power of His Holy Spirit to do a work in you. Persist in prayer daily about it, and God will be pleased to give you this desire of your heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Timothy 3:8-13
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. - 1 Timothy 3:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
For many jobs, the annual performance review includes questions such as how many projects have been completed or the rate of productivity, and with how much profit to the company. What skills have been learned or developed? How are the customer service or satisfaction ratings? How about good working relationships with colleagues? Is the employee on time, dependable, hard-working, and honest?

As we've seen, the leadership criteria for elders are certainly less utilitarian and more character-centered than in the mainstream business world. The same is true for “deacons” (meaning simply “those who serve”), the only other church leadership office described in the New Testament. Acts 6 narrates how this office grew out of a practical problem and conflict. Resources needed to be distributed fairly, but the apostles needed sufficient time for prayer and preaching, so seven deacons were chosen for this other important task. They included such memorable ministers as Stephen and Philip.

While still treating church leadership seriously—after all, it is “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (v. 15)—the standards listed in today's reading are less comprehensive and less stringent than those for eldership. For example, it doesn't say that they need to be able to teach or defend doctrine, but only that they must “keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (v. 9). And they must manage their children and household well (v. 12), but the wording sounds less demanding than for elders. Generally speaking, the emphasis remains on issues of self-control; for instance, they should be trustworthy and not addicted to wine, money, or gossip.

How deacons should be “tested” is not specified, but a process of examination and approval is implied. The requirement to pass this test is that nothing can be found against the candidate (v. 10). The servant-leadership offered by deacons will also help them grow in their own personal walk of faith (v. 13).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you're not in a position of church leadership, but feel you meet the qualifications for elder or deacon, make an appointment to meet with your pastor or a member of your church's pastoral staff. Discuss with them your desire to serve in leadership, and how God has laid this on your heart through our month's study. Humbly answer their questions and listen to their observations. Wait on the Lord's timing. Don't seek position for pride's sake, but do aspire to the “noble task” of godly leadership!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 3:7-12
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. - Ephesians 3:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a recent Veggie Tales production, “Lord of the Beans,” the main character, Junior Asparagus, was given a magic bean and sent on a perilous journey of discovery. Junior had to sort out among competing possibilities what the bean could do and what he should do with it. In the end, he learned that gifts are given so that we can employ them to help others. He then used the magic bean to provide for the needs of a desperate community.

Paul used the gifts of leadership and the gospel to reach out to the world with God's grace. How did he become a leader? Did the early church hire a consultant to headhunt and recruit him? Hardly. He became a leader only by God's grace and through God's power. In a dramatic confrontation on the road to Damascus, Christ rescued His chosen apostle—as He rescues us today—from being God's enemy. When Paul called himself “less than the least” (v. 8 ), it's not a crisis of confidence or a wallowing in self-pity, but an accurate assessment of who receives the credit and glory for Paul's life.

Paul defined “leadership” simply: to be a leader means to be “a servant of the gospel” (v. 7). Leaders obey their callings, in his case, to preach to the Gentiles. The overall calling of the church is to bear witness to God's plan for history, the mystery now revealed in Christ (v. 9).

Paul also clearly identified the purposes or goals of leadership. The point was not his personal reputation or even the number and size of churches planted (though God had given him a passion for unreached places). Instead, it was ultimately all about the good news of Jesus Christ, the redemption He bought with His blood, and the growth of His kingdom (vv. 10-11). All leadership roads, or at least all the holy and worthwhile ones, lead to and from these central truths.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Among the many ways in which Paul helped lead the early church, he saw his most basic role as being “a servant of the gospel.” That's a leadership role open to all of us! In fact, we're commanded to share the good news of Christ to all who will listen. As one pastor put it, “I want to talk to dead people. The people around me are spiritually dead—Christ can make them alive. But if I don't talk to them, how will they hear?”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 13:7-8
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Research conducted by the National Civic Literacy Board and the University of Connecticut has found that after four years of undergraduate education, seniors know scarcely more about American history, government, and foreign affairs than freshmen—only 1.5 percent more, according to a survey of 14,000 seniors and freshmen. Seniors could answer only 53.2 percent of 60 multiple choice questions correctly (a failing grade on most exams!). The survey even revealed that at certain highly ranked institutions seniors graduate knowing less than freshmen about these matters.

The surest barrier to learning from history is not knowing it. When the writer of Hebrews urged his readers to learn from past leaders (cf. Heb. 6:12), he assumed they already knew about them. “Remember” (v. 7) doesn't just mean “don't forget,” but rather “consider” or “meditate on” and eventually “imitate.” (Literally, the verb means “call to mind” or “make mention of.”) In context, he meant past leaders—not that we can't learn from leaders who are still alive, but with those whose lives have ended one can more accurately assess the “outcome of their way of life.” “Outcome” doesn't seem to be defined in terms of results, since God has sovereign control over that, but instead in terms of faith and obedience, of how they “spoke the word of God to you.”

The best example to imitate, of course, is Jesus Christ (v. 8 ). As God Incarnate and God's Final Word, He “spoke the word of God” through words and deeds with a consistency and to a depth that has never been and never will be matched. The “outcome” of His way of life was our salvation—that was once-for-all, but we can imitate His “life of love” and self-sacrificial attitude (Eph. 5:1-2). Jesus' faith and obedience never wavered, despite temptations from Satan, hypocrisy from the Pharisees, and muddleheadedness from His disciples. What's more, He's not a dead leader, but a living one, “the same yesterday and today and forever.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Often called “Faith's Hall of Fame,” Hebrews 11 offers biographical summaries of Old Testament heroes and the faith that filled their thoughts and actions. Studying this chapter would be an excellent way to learn from the example of godly leaders in light of our 2007 theme, “We've Come This Far By Faith.” One way to extend your study might be to write similar biographical summaries for additional biblical heroes (men or women), including those studied this month.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:1-18
The Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. - John 1:1, 14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Ancient Christians often identified each of the Gospels with one of the four creatures described in Revelation 4:7. One typical arrangement was to identity the lion with Matthew, which depicts Jesus as a royal king; the human form with Mark, the simplest of the Gospels; and the sacrificial ox with Luke, which portrays Jesus in a priestly light. The fourth image, the eagle, was traditionally ascribed to John because the eagle, like the Gospel, could rise to great heights, even looking into the blinding sun.

When one reads the opening verses of our text for this month, it is no surprise that early Christians identified the Gospel of John with the soaring eagle. Unlike the other three Gospels, which begin with Jesus' birth or His early ministry, John opens with a lofty discussion of the Word (Logos in Greek). In ancient Greek thought, Logos was the abstract principle that brought order and harmony to the universe. John embraces this familiar concept, but transforms it. That impersonal force in the world, Scripture declares, is none other than the personal, creative God of the universe (v. 1). Echoing the first verses of Genesis in which God creates by speaking a word (e.g. “Let there be light”), that Word is now identified as Christ Himself who was active and present from the beginning (vv. 3, 10). Christ, the Word, is fully God; yet, the drama does not end there.

John soars higher when he announces the astonishing news that this Word, which is none other than the world-creating God, has become a part of that very creation (v. 14). Christ, the Word, became fully human. And in the Son's taking on our humanity, the glory of God the Father is made known to the world in a new way (vv. 14b, 17-18), providing the opportunity to become a child of God (v. 13). Today's passage proclaims a major theme of John's Gospel: the mystery of Christ in both his full divinity (God the Logos) and his full humanity (God in the flesh).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
With our busy schedules and long to-do lists, how often do we pause to reflect on the mystery of our God and Savior? Yet this is precisely what Scripture calls us to do. Before presenting the activity of Jesus, John presents us with the nature of Jesus: fully God and fully human. Take time today to pray that God would use this month's study to raise your mind to the soaring heights of seeing Jesus in glorious ways as God's full expression of Himself to His creation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:19-51
Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Easy Company” of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment was one of the most respected companies of the Second World War, playing a crucial role in the victorious European campaign against Hitler. One decorated veteran from that company, Major Dick Winters, described a scene in which his grandson asked, “Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?” Winters paused and then humbly responded, “No . . . But I served in a company of heroes.”

Today's passage describes a similar scene in which a worthy man deflects our attention to someone else. Like Winters, John the Baptist points all glory and attention away from himself to something greater: Jesus. From one perspective, John was an impressive and important figure. Consider what Scripture says of John the Baptist: he was “a man sent from God” (John 1:6); he was “great in the sight of the Lord” and “filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth” (Luke 1:15); and he was chosen by God to be a prophet to prepare the way of Christ (Luke 1:17, 76).Although a “hero” of faith, John knew his identity. When asked if he was the Christ, or Elijah, or the Great Prophet to come, he unhesitatingly responded, “No” (vv. 20-21). When asked his identity, John's response was less about himself and more about the One who is to come (vv. 23-26).

When Jesus finally shows up on the scene, the Baptist immediately draws our attention to Christ and the sacrificial work He will perform: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (vv. 29, 35). John was an important figure in God's plan of salvation, but he understood that nothing was more important than Jesus and His sacrificial death. In fact, John is willing to lose his own disciples so that they might follow Christ (vv. 25-37), and Jesus gains certain disciples because of the work of John the Baptist pointing the way to Him (vv. 40-50). In an age when ambition and self promotion are valued (even among some believers), John the Baptist provides a model of true humility which seeks only the glory of Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage reminds us that there is nothing more important than Jesus. No matter how much success, talent, or ability God may have granted us, our real calling should be to use those gifts not as a means to attract the praise and attention of others to ourselves, but to glorify our Savior. Consider how you might use your talents and abilities today to point people to the One who matters, bringing him glory and honor through your actions and words towards others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 2:1-11
He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. - John 2:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
It has often been said that the best test of who you are is what you do when no one is watching, for in those moments we gain a glimpse into our true character. Speaking kindly to your whining child when alone in your home says a lot more than doing so while surrounded by fellow church-goers.

Today's passage gives us a similar “private” glimpse into the heart of Jesus as we witness His first miracle: turning water into wine at a wedding. Perhaps it strikes us as a little odd that Jesus' first miracle should take place in some remote village among a few family and friends. But it is precisely the setting that gives us a profound window into the person of Jesus.

First, our passage tells us something about Christ. Jesus could have chosen any venue for His first miracle: the temple courts, the center of Jerusalem, a large crowd. Instead, Scripture tells us that Christ “revealed his glory” (v. 11) in some remote village in Galilee with none but a wedding party around. Further, He performs this miraculous act only by request of His mother (v. 3), and nearly in secret (vv. 8-10). In doing so, Christ demonstrates that our conceptions of what or how God should act may not always match His own purposes. Nonetheless, His glory will always be revealed, calling us, like His disciples, to put our faith in Him.

Second, our passage tells us something about Christ's view of this world. Here we have the remarkable scene of the world's Creator celebrating the good things of His creation: marriage, abundance (wine), and social festivity. The Christian life is not one of constant solemnity and sour faces. Rather, Christ's incarnation and first miracle underscore the pronouncement that God's creation is “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Not only does Jesus attend the wedding, He brings His disciples and provides refreshments—up to 180 gallons of quality wine for the guests (vv. 6, 10)! Christ's miracle here demonstrates not only His divine power, but a love for His creation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage urges us to reflect on our view of God. What is your perspective of Him? Do you see Him as a staunch killjoy who robs Christians of any real enjoyment in life? Or do you see Him as a joyous Lord who delights in his creation, and in us? Try something different today. Offer God your praise in celebration of His good gifts while you reflect on a beautiful painting, listen to a piece of music, observe a stunning sunset, or enjoy a delicious piece of dessert.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 2:12-25
His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” - John 2:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Jewish temple in the first century a.d. would have been a bustling scene. Pilgrims traveling on major feast days would need a proper animal for sacrifice. Because Jewish law forbade paying the temple tax with coins inscribed with Caesar's image, worshipers had to acquire acceptable currency. Merchants and money-changers were available outside the temple to assist with worship needs. They did not always deal fairly in their business exchanges, often exacting a hefty profit for their services.

Today's passage takes us to this scene and provides us with a disturbing view of Jesus in His expression of zeal and anger. Scripture tells us that near the Passover Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem. That is not so surprising. What unsettles us is what Jesus does in the temple. Constructing a whip, Jesus drives the merchants and money-changers from the temple courts, pouring out their coins and overturning their tables (vv. 14-16). Why? Because godly worship was being tainted with personal greed and economic oppression. Jesus' zeal is for the purity of worship in His Father's house (vv. 16-17). His action is one of cleansing.

Like the prophets of the Old Testament, Jesus performs a living parable: a physical action conveying an important truth about God or His Law. In this case, it is not a prophet of God, but God Himself who performs that action, fulfilling the words of Malachi: “The Lord you are seeking will come to his temple. . . . Who can stand when he appears” (3:1-4)? And like many parables, this one moves beyond the plain sense. A discussion of the temple shifts to Christ's prediction of His death and resurrection (vv. 19-22).

The zeal of Jesus here leads Him to action in the temple; that same zeal will also eventually lead Him to the cross. Whether confronted with outrage (v. 18) or accolade (v. 23), Jesus allowed nothing to prevent Him from accomplishing His saving purpose (vv. 24-25).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy expresses concern over meeting the lion, King Aslan. “Is he—quite safe?” she asks. The disturbing response: “Safe? . . . ’Course he isn't safe. But he's good.” Are you disturbed by today's picture of Jesus in the temple? Have you domesticated God into your own image so He is “safe”? Then allow today's passage to unsettle you. Welcome our zealous, good king into your daily life that He may accomplish His cleansing, saving purposes anew.