John 8:51-52

March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ (8‬:‭51‬-‭52‬)

The confusion here is somewhat understandable. There are two meanings of death or die in the Bible. Both are referenced in these verses.

Appearing first in the Bible is spiritual death, the death of the soul. We see this referenced in Genesis 2:17, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭17, emphasis added‬)

We can conclude that this refers to spiritual death because Adam didn’t fall over dead at the moment or on the day he ate. Genesis 5:5 says he lived a long 930 years. Of course, we don’t know how long Adam and Eve lived outside of the garden, but we can surmise it was a lengthy period since they bore children there. The main point is that Adam’s soul died immediately.

The second type of death in the Bible is physical death. We already mentioned that in relation to Adam. But we can see the phrase “see death” used by both man and God in reference to physical death in Luke 2: “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬)

In the John passage, Jesus is using “see death” in the spiritual sense. The Pharisees, like Simeon, are thinking of physical death.

In the case of Adam, and in the case of us, spiritual death leads to physical death. Unfortunately, most people in the world don’t make this connection and focus solely on physical death because, as they say, “The only two things guaranteed in life are taxes and death.”

Paul explained to Timothy how spiritual death can be reversed in 2 Timothy 1:10, “and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬). “Through the gospel” explains why we should be adamant in sharing the gospel. While the gospel doesn’t reverse the curse of physical death, it can bring eternal spiritual life.

Two important things we can see in these verses are 1) the importance of understanding how a person is using a word/phrase, and 2) our need to recognize that the gospel is our gateway to eternal life.

Father, help me to have a greater burden to help people see their need for the gospel. Amen.

Filed Under: Death, devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Jesus Said, Joel, John, Life in Christ, New Testament

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

Jonah 4:1-2

January 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster’” (Jonah 4:1-2).

Jonah wears his feelings openly. My first reaction is to criticize Jonah. In this story, He received mercy. Yet, he wants to deny such to the Assyrians. Who does he think he is?

How can I criticize him, though? Aren’t there people I prefer who would not be forgiven? I hate to admit it, but yes, there are. What about all those people whom I fail to share Christ with because I’m busy, or afraid, or I’m just not interested at the moment? I’m not actively saying, “they can go to hell.” However, my actions surely say, “I don’t care if they do.”

In the end, how am I different than Jonah? 

Father, forgive me for being so selfish. I have received so much mercy, yet I do not do much to see others have the same mercy. Please help me to grow out of this selfishness. Amen. 

Filed Under: Assyria, devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Jonah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Ezekiel 39:1-3

November 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment

““And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand.” (Ezekiel 39:1-3)

The first thing mentioned here is that God is against Gog. That is obvious. What may be less obvious is that God will drive Gog toward Israel. And what may be less obvious is the self-deception of Gog to think he is destined to defeat Israel, only to find out that he will be divinely disarmed and defeated.

How many folks live in the deceived mindset today? They think they are living their best life now in opposition to God. They appear to be winning, but will one day be disarmed, defeated, and judged.

Father, please help me to have a greater heart for the lost. Help me be more faithful in sharing Christ. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Prophecy, Thinkers

Ezekiel 33:6

November 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” (Ezekiel 33:6)

This is an interesting statement from the Lord. He is clarifying for Ezekiel the function and responsibility of the watchman. The watchman is to watch for danger and to warn the people if he sees or hears something. Thus, giving the people a chance to find safety. At that point, each person is solely responsible for himself. However, if the watchman does not sound the alarm, the blood of those who were not warned will be on the hands of the failed watchman.

It seems with Ezekiel, the watchman has two roles: 1) to warn of physical danger, and 2) to warn of spiritual danger.

In the case of those who were not warned of spiritual danger, it seems that their blood will be charged twice. First, to themselves because they are sinners. Second, their blood will be upon the failed watchman.

While I don’t believe anyone will be able to point a finger at someone else and say, “I’m a sinner because of him,” I also believe I have an obligation to behave as a watchman who warns sinners of the need to repent.

Father, please forgive me when I fail as a watchman due to indifference or fear of man. Help me to care enough for others that I sound a clear trumpet. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Warnings
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