Faith in Jesus (Lent Devotion 2021)
[JESUS SAID]: "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 ESV)
Jesus came into this world to offer peace. Satan the accuser, on the other hand, offers despair. Sadly, too many people allow despair to lead them to end their own lives. This is an all too often reality here in northeast Nebraska and beyond.
Two of Jesus' disciples battled with the despair of their sins. The first allowed greed and Satan to lead him to betray the Son of Man. Jesus warned him but he did not heed the warning. When Judas realized that he had betrayed innocent blood, he was seized with remorse. He went to the chief priests and the elders and admitted his sin.
These spiritual leaders did not offer him forgiveness but responded to him, "That's your responsibility." Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The second disciple also battled with the despair of his sin -the sin of swearing to God that he never knew the man Jesus. When Simon Peter realized what he had done, he wept bitterly.
Both of these men were in despair. Jesus did not come to judge them but to rescue them. Jesus offers mercy to each and every person who ever lived. Jesus knew the outcome for each one. He died for both of them but He did not force them to trust in Him.
Jesus said of Judas, 'But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." This was not because Judas ended up taking his life, that is not the unforgivable sin, no - it was his refusal to place his faith in Jesus.
Jesus spoke these words to Peter, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32). By the grace of God and the gift of faith of the Holy Spirit, Simon Peter turned back and was forgiven. Jesus offers life, everlasting life!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you know all things, you knew the utter despair we are in through no fault of you or your heavenly Father. Thank you for coming the first time and offering to remove every thought of hopelessness. Fill us with your Spirit so that with faith in You we have peace. Amen.
Pastor Ricky Jacob
Winnebago, Nebraska