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

Joel 3:1-2

January 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land” (Joel 3:1-2).

These two verses prompt 2 different and opposite responses from me. First, I say hallelujah to the idea that God will restore Judah and Jerusalem. 

Second, I say yikes to the idea that God will gather the nations for judgment because they have scattered the people and divided the land. The US is currently pushing a two-state solution to the conflict. This is a peace plan that divides the land and will bring judgment on all the nations involved. 

Father, thank you for your kindness and your faithfulness. There is none like you. Amen. 

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Joel, Land Promises, Old Testament

Joel 2:25

January 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25).

This is one of my favorite verses, offering hope of restoration. Here, the Lord is offering to undo the damage done by the locusts in chapter one. Chapter one focused on Israel’s disobedience. Chapter two focuses on repentance. Notice the order: Chapter one is bad news. Chapter two is good news. 

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬)

Through Joel, God is calling Judah to turn their hearts back to him. I believe this call to repentance demonstrates consistency between the OT and NT. 

Two happy reminders from Joel chapter two:

1. God restores sinners who repent. 
2. God is consistent. 

Father, thank you for offering restoration and for being consistent. These things give me hope and encouragement. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Israel, Joel, Restoring Israel

Joel 1:2-4

January 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation. What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten” (Joel 1:2-4).

Joel opens his letter with a call to the elders and everyone else to listen. So often, we think it is someone else’s job to listen to God’s word. Here, Joel calls on everyone to listen. Then, he used a historical event to make a spiritual truth/warning that should be passed on from generation to generation. 

During our first winter in Missouri, the weather forecast called for ice/sleet over the course of a few days. We weren’t alarmed by the weather forecast. We were alarmed by the reaction to it. Chatter started around town about the bad weather coming and that everyone should be prepared. The stores started running low on essentials, and every generator in town was purchased. Finally, we were told about the cause of the panic: Nine years before our arrival, an ice storm came through Springfield, taking down trees and power lines. Some parts of the city were without power for three weeks … in January! No wonder people were panicked. Now, 20 years after the initial ice storm, people still react to ice warnings because the story has been passed down, generation to generation. 

Joel reminded the people of an event they had passed, in which the locusts took it all:

“What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten.”

He is using the locust event to encourage the people to repent and walk with the Lord lest his judgment come. And God’s judgment will be far worse than a locust plague. 

Father, please help me to see my own heart and repent of any sin that lingers. I feel like I’m in the middle of the locust swarm right now, so this word picture hits close. Please, Father, bless me with strong faith and a pure heart. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Joel, Old Testament, Word Pictures