Devotion • August 3
Today's Scripture
John 5:30–47
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” (NRSV)
Reflection
As far as many were concerned, the Messiah was supposed to be a strong, military figure sent to save the Israelites from the oppressive rule of the Romans. Jesus was not that. Yet despite the prophecy of Moses, the testimony from John the Baptist, and the miracles performed by Jesus himself, many just could not accept the idea that Jesus was the Messiah. He wasn’t who the Messiah was supposed to be.
The whole concept of “supposed to” has societal value, when it means things like obey the law, take turns, wear your seat belt, etc. But it can also be dangerous when it sets up unrealistic or unhealthy expectations and ignores the nuance or context of a particular person or situation. If you grow up with the idea that you’re “supposed to” go to college, hold down a 9–5 job, get married, and have kids, any deviation from that can feel like you’re letting people down or failing in some way. It can prevent people from being the beautiful, unique individuals God created them to be.
In this passage, Jesus is urging people to believe he is who he says he is. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It’s a common refrain and something many are urging, begging, pleading, and fighting for — for others to believe they are who they say they are instead of who they’re supposed to be. A family member recently shared they identify as a man. As I was processing this information with another family member, I shared that I don’t understand. And in that moment, it dawned on me that I don’t need to understand. I need to love and support him and believe he is who he says he is.
Prayer
Lord, you called on people to believe you are who you say you are. May we extend that same radical acceptance to our brothers and sisters and show love to each of your children. Amen.
Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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