John 3:18, 36

March 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (3:18‬)

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (3:36)

Here, Jesus and John the Baptist share the same message.

While meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus explained that those who believe in Jesus will not be condemned, and those who do not believe are already condemned. (18)

While meeting with some of his disciples, John the Baptist explained that whoever believes in the Son (Jesus) has eternal life, and those who do not obey Jesus will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on them. (36)

The first thing I see is the consistency in messaging between Jesus and John. For example,

  1. Forgiveness

Those who believe in Jesus will not be condemned (Jesus). Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (JtB).

  1. Wrath

Whoever does not believe is condemned already (Jesus). Those who do not obey Jesus…God’s wrath remains on them (JtB).

The second thing I see is that in unbelief, man already lives in a state of condemnation.

The third thing I see is that those who believe in Christ already have eternal life. It’s not something we get only after we die. I think this is related to the indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in us.

The fourth thing I see is that the same God who offers eternal life to those who believe also serves eternal condemnation to those who don’t believe. Some think these two options couldn’t exist in the same being, and thus dismiss the God who presents himself through his word.

In contrast, I see more clearly the fullness of God’s nature. The fullness that is on display in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish (wrath) but have eternal life (forgiveness).”

Father, please help me to receive you as you have revealed yourself. Thank you for the hope offered in John 3:16. Please help me to live eternal life now. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Jesus Said, John, New Testament

John 2:16

March 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And he told those who sold the pigeons, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.’”

Jesus gave a corrective warning to those seeking to profit from the religious activities at the temple. These were people specifically targeting worshippers. In other words, their purpose was to make money off of those who came to worship.

This story always reminds me of the souvenir vendors at the Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem. Each morning, they start the day at the gate. As tourists enter, the vendors follow them, arms extended, displaying trinkets for sale. With each group, the vendors manage to go a little further into the property. Eventually, a nun will run them out of the gate and off the property. Then, the slow creep begins all over. Throughout the day, this routine is repeated several times.

As a business owner, this verse hits close to home. I have to guard my heart so that I don’t join a church for the financial opportunities that could come. Furthermore, I have to guard my heart so that I am not mentally angling for business while I am at church. I don’t believe this means I cannot provide my services to church members, but I need to guard my heart so that is not my motivation for being there.

I believe this warning also applies to pastors who must guard their hearts so that they are not mentally angling to make money beyond their salary from their congregants. To help avoid this potential heart conflict, some churches require their pastoral staff to sign a non-compete contract. In this age of the “side hustle,” this seems like a good idea.

Father, please help me have a pure heart focused on you when I gather with your people. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Integrity, Jesus Said, John, motivations, New Testament, pride

John 1:22-23

March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“So they said to him [John the Baptist], “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

What stands out to me is John’s clarity of his calling or purpose in life. We see here and elsewhere that John was completely settled in his role as the forerunner to Jesus. He shows no jealousy that he was not the light, but called to bear witness of the light.

This reminds me of a frustration I have at weddings. Often, the groomsmen intend to prank the groom and intentionally or unintentionally draw attention to themselves. Thus, rather than honoring the bride and groom, whose day it is, the groomsmen become the focal point.

John is a great model of humility, a model I want to embrace. He knows his role and plays it well.

Father, help me to be comfortable in the roles that you place me in, regardless of the role. Help me never – even unintentionally – to take your place or anyone else’s. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, humility, John, New Testament, pride

Luke 24:6-7

March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:6-7)

These verses raise an issue that is puzzling to me. Those closest to Jesus were surprised that he was crucified and that he had resurrected. Does that mean they had disregarded or forgotten the times (plural!) that he had told them about his coming death and resurrection? Were these concepts that they were unable to understand? Or, were they, for some reason, unwilling to believe?

To be clear, while Thomas is labeled the doubter (John 20:24-29) because of his demand to see Jesus’ wounds, when Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women reported the resurrection to the apostles, their words “seemed to [the apostles] an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”(10-11‬) Thomas was hardly alone in his disbelief.

Luke records that Peter immediately ran to the tomb to verify the women’s report, and the two on the Road to Emmaus had reported their experience with the resurrected Jesus. Still, when Jesus eventually appeared to the gathered saints, they were shocked, “startled, and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.” (37)

Jesus proceeded to show them the scars in his hands and feet. (39)

Here is my question: Why was it so difficult for them to believe?

I think the answer is provided in these words, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”(45‬) Believing the gospel is not merely a matter of examining the evidence and deciding to accept or reject the claims as we might when selecting a car or refrigerator. Deciding for Christ is spiritual business and requires the work of the Lord in our minds and hearts. No less than Jesus had “witnessed” to these people, yet they didn’t believe until Jesus opened their minds.

Notice what Luke writes in Acts 16:14 as he tells the story of Lydia’s conversion at Philippi: “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Even the witness of the apostle Paul required the Lord’s intervention to be effective.

My conclusion is pretty straightforward. I must take more seriously the need to pray for the Lord to accompany my witness to unbelievers. Their decision to believe is not dependent on how well-versed I am (though I should be well-versed) nor how well-spoken I am (though I should be clear and kind). I must recognize that handling the story of Jesus is holy business and treat it as such.

Father, please help me to keep in mind how dependent I am on you in all areas of my life, including conversations about Jesus. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Life of Christ, Luke, New Testament

Luke 23:39-43

March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43)

This scene is instructive about how people receive or reject Christ, and how Christ receives or rejects people.

First, we have three people. Jesus and two criminals. While we should not assume they were identical, we can conclude the two men’s offenses were similar in severity since they were receiving the same punishment.

Second, we should notice the different interactions with Jesus. The first, with no appreciation of Jesus, he demands that Jesus act on his behalf. The second, fully acknowledging his guilt and expressing appreciation for Jesus, humbly requested that Jesus remember him.

These two demonstrate the strangeness of this world. Two people in similar circumstances may respond very differently.

The second criminal does the footwork for us. Let’s notice what he says.

  1. He rebuked criminal 1, reminding him that all three were in the same situation.
  2. He acknowledged that the two criminals’ punishment is just.
  3. He recognized that Jesus was innocent.
  4. He humbly requested that Jesus remember him in his kingdom.

These steps resulted in his salvation: Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The absence of response to the first criminal’s demands suggests to me that he was not redeemed because he did not demonstrate humility or repentance.

Two people. Two responses. Two outcomes.

Father, please help me be humble before your son. Help me have a repentant heart. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, humility, Jesus Said, Life in Christ, Luke, New Testament
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