Every Day with Jesus

It’s a simple instruction – and yet one of mind-blowing magnitude. ‘Follow Me!’ What does that mean, Jesus? For the first disciples it meant a complete life change. In this passage we read of them giving up their businesses, their lifestyles, leaving it all behind to follow Jesus. 

Right at the start of His ministry, Jesus had an encounter with the devil – the adversary. This was a real encounter with a living, spiritual being, who tried to destroy Jesus’ ministry before it had even begun. He had tried, through Herod’s murderous acts (Matt. 2:16), to rid the world of Jesus when he was born, but now, he changed tack and tried to stop the work of God through temptation. 

The book of Ruth is a beautiful story of love, loyalty, commitment, and lives redeemed. Naomi and her family leave their home in Judah, during a famine, and go to live in Moab. Naomi’s husband dies, and her sons marry local girls. There’s further sorrow as both Naomi’s sons pass away too. 

Disciples Priscilla and Aquila are in Ephesus when they meet Apollos. Apollos is ‘learned’ and has ‘great fervour’, but his understanding of the gospel is limited. He needs a wider understanding (vv24–26). It is interesting here to read that Priscilla is active in helping; in fact, her name comes before Aquila’s. 

Jeremiah has been called – but he believes he’s not up to it! He thinks he’s too young to do what God is asking. God replies that he shouldn’t say that; after all, the Lord Himself has called the young man, and so Jeremiah must obey, and not be afraid (v8)! God is with him, and will look after him. 

What an extraordinary person Caleb is! He is strong, even at eighty-five years of age (v10), describing himself as ‘just as vigorous’ (v11) as when he was younger! 

Moses was ‘eighty years old’ when he began his work for God! At a time when most people would be thinking of taking it easy and contemplating doing very little, Moses was stepping into his life’s calling. He’d seen the oppression of his captive people when he was young, but in his own strength could do nothing to help.

Moses had been so keen to help his people, the Hebrews, that he had murdered one of their oppressors (Exod. 2:11–14), and had to flee from his adopted home in Egypt. Living in the wilderness then seems to dull his ambitions, because when the time comes for him to do what God has called him to do, in God’s own power rather than his own, he seems very reluctant.

Jonathan was the son of Israel’s first king, Saul, and a real man of God. He had great faith, which is in evidence in today’s passage; he also became a good friend and support for David, the second king of Israel.

Here, Jesus is speaking about His followers being salt and light in this world. He Himself is the ‘light of the world’ who gives us the ‘light of life’ (John 8:12). John 1:9 tells us that when Jesus came into this world, He was ‘The true light that gives light to everyone’, and we, as His followers, must also reflect His light.

When being questioned over the issue of bread, Jesus gives people an answer they don’t expect. It seems the people are hoping He will perform another miracle for them, following the feeding of the thousands of people. But the conversation takes an unexpected turn!

In this story of delays and faith, Jesus is about to perform a great miracle. On hearing Lazarus is ill, He doesn’t go to help his friend straight away. When He does arrive at his home, Lazarus is dead and his sisters are deep in grief. And yet, all is not lost. Jesus tells the grieving Martha, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.

In this poignant yet powerful story, Jesus hears of a friend’s illness, but delays going to help. By the time He gets there, Lazarus is dead and buried. How disappointed Lazarus’ sisters are that Jesus didn’t arrive in time to save their brother!

Peter makes so many mistakes, but it seems that he is the only disciple in the boat to want to take the risk and walk on water when invited to do so! Many of us can probably relate to this hot-headed disciple; he makes extreme statements, such as the one found in Matthew 26:33 where he swears he will never fail Jesus.

You would think that being anywhere in the company of the Son of God, His followers would never be afraid. But the terrible storm that springs up in today’s reading frightens these seasoned fishermen. And where’s Jesus? He’s asleep!

In this passage, we encounter Jesus spending time with his friends. Elsewhere in the Gospels we read this is the home of ‘Simon the leper’ (Matt. 26:6; Mark 14:3; see also John 12:1–3), but here we see that it is Martha – possibly Simon’s daughter or wife – who is opening up her home to Jesus and His disciples.

What a great picture this parable paints of who God really is! The son leaves home, effectively wishes his father dead by taking his portion of the inheritance, throws his money away on wild living and fickle friends, then the wealth runs out and so do his options. He’s feeding pigs, and thinking fondly of home.

In this passage, Jesus is calling Himself the Good Shepherd, an excellent picture of love and provision. He is the Shepherd who looks after the sheep. Anyone who doesn’t genuinely care won’t stick around; but if it’s the Shepherd’s own flock, then He will protect them.

It’s obviously a trap. A woman has been caught in the act of adultery, but interestingly, the man concerned has not also been brought forward for punishment! At any rate, it’s a clear indication that the leaders of the Jewish community want to force Jesus’ hand in a difficult situation, as they bring the woman to Him.

In the famous story of the feeding of thousands of men, women and children, we see how a small amount of food went a long way in Jesus’ hands! The disciples are concerned about feeding so many people, and all they have is two fish and some barley loaves – a boy’s lunch.

In John 3 we read about a secret believer. It appears that the Pharisee Nicodemus was meeting Jesus at night, away from his fellow religious leaders. We can guess his reasons for doing so! We see him speaking with Jesus and learning about the change that needs to be made to a heart, if someone wants to live in right communion with the Lord.

John calls Jesus’ works ‘signs’ regarding His identity. The things He does point to who He is (v11). In the first of His signs, which we are reading about today, we see that He is able to turn the very elements of the universe into something completely different – and why not?

What amazing words we find here, echoing the first words found right at the start of the Bible – see Genesis 1:1–2! In the beginning, there was God, the Word and the Spirit in the work of creation. These verses in John are breathtaking in their awesomeness, as they tell us Jesus is the Word: the One who comes to communicate who God is to a broken world.

Have you ever felt ‘not seen’? Hagar must have felt that, when she ran away into the wilderness, away from her mistress, Sarai (later Sarah). While attempting to work God’s plan out themselves, Abram and his wife had come up with a plan: Abram would have his much-wanted child by the slave Hagar, circumventing God’s agenda.

Abraham has some visitors! He welcomes them with a generous spirit. But these visitors are no ordinary travellers. One of them makes an astounding promise. Sarah – Abraham’s wife – is, like her husband, elderly, and the times of childbearing are well past. And yet a promise is made.