Wed., 12/14/16 Devotion (Jn. 4:22)

Today's encouragement comes from John 4:22, where we find our Lord Jesus saying these words:

"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."

This is a very bold and highly politically-incorrect assertion the Messiah makes here. He is basically teaching that all who worship false gods (or con-coctions of the true God—as was the case with the Samaritan to whom Jesus spoke these words)—were blind in their devotion, and did not know their de-ity. Then, Christ has the audacity to affirm that "salvation is of the Jews." It does not come from any other ethnicity—because the Person of salvation (Jesus) came from the Jews.

Do we have this kind of courage; or are we reduced to saying inane things like, "All roads lead to heaven"? Let us follow our Master's lead; and let us do it with love and grace, as His holy church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ.” —James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]