For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
1 John 5
Why did John write these things? What confidence did he want us to have? I’ve gotta admit – I have no idea what John was talking about when he said that Jesus is the one who came by water and blood. So of course I had to delve into a little research. What I gathered from that research is, first, that John’s primary mission with this letter was to spell out the proof that Jesus, the man, was indeed Christ, God’s son, the promised Messiah in whom we have our salvation. Therefore, John’s reference to water and blood here needs to be considered in the context of proving that Jesus was and is the Christ.
From that starting point, I then gathered that the prominent interpretation is that “water” is a reference to Jesus’ baptism and “blood” is a reference to Jesus’ death on the cross. The basis for this interpretation is that John was stressing that Jesus wasn’t simply a man inhabited by God’s Spirit for a time, but that He was both God and man through His entire life and death. The testimony of the Spirit started at Jesus’ baptism, when God’s Spirit descended on Him, declaring Him to be the Son of God. It then continued throughout His ministry on earth with the signs and wonders He performed. The Spirit also testified, however, at Jesus’ death through the miracles that took place while He hung on the cross. And all of this agrees with the promise that God laid out in His Holy Scriptures (the Law and the Prophets).
That’s a fairly simplified explanation, and it’s worth a deeper look if you have the time. But whether or not we have John’s meaning in these references nailed down, His conclusion is very clear. “The Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20). To believe anything less is paramount to idol worship.
2 Chron. 25-26
What lesson can you draw from Amaziah absorbing the loss he paid the Israelite troops (see v. 9)? What reasons are given for Uzziah’s success? I firmly believe that a big part of the Bible’s purpose is to teach us about our own human nature. If we don’t understand the hopelessness of our human condition, how will we know that we need God’s intervention? Amaziah and Uzziah are two among many great examples of the fickle faithless force that is the human heart. Both started strong but then fell flat. We don’t really know the state of their hearts at their deaths, but I don’t think that part is important. The lessons to learn lie in their falls.
For Uzziah, the problem was pride. God had blessed him so greatly and given him such success the he became presumptuous. And we see the tell-tale sign of his pride in his reaction to the priests who called him out for his misstep. Instead of humbly acknowledging his error, he became angry. Human nature at work!
Amaziah was different, though. We know that his downfall was in turning to other gods. We don’t really know, however, why he went so quickly from his courageous act of obedience to his faithless departure from God. The writer didn’t tell us this directly, but I think he did give us a clue. Amaziah courageously sent the Israelite troops away because the prophet told him that God could give him much more than the hundred talents he had paid for them. He chose to have faith and trust God’s word. But then the men Amaziah had sent away raided some towns of Judah. These men “killed three thousand people and carried off great quantities of plunder.” (2 Chron. 25:13b). So Amaziah now had a situation where he obeyed God in trust only to see things get worse. I can relate!!
Only God knows when and why He chooses to test our faith in such ways. But I am grateful that He gives us examples of those who pass and those who fail. Clearly, Amaziah’s faith failed. He never gave God the chance to show Himself faithful to His word. It seems he chose instead to believe that God had failed him. Thus we see the futility in such a perception. If Amaziah turned from God because he believed God had failed him, why, then, did he turn to gods “which could not save their own people from [his] hand?” (2 Chron. 25:15b). We don’t have to understand or even like the things God does. We simply need to know that turning away from God will never improve the situation.
Ps. 83
Do you know anyone who is an avowed enemy of God or His people? Pray v. 18 for them. “Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD – that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” I pray this not just for God’s enemies, but for His people. I believe that knowing and trusting in this simple truth with every fiber of our beings is what helps keep us wholeheartedly devoted to Him.
Had Uzziah held to this truth, he might not have been so quick to boast in his blessed position in God. He would have remembered that he was blessed because of God’s character and not his own. And had Amaziah held to this truth, he would have known that hardship from God is still far better than any perceived blessing from anywhere else. And if I can but hold onto this truth myself, though it may not keep me from wandering off God’s path from time to time, at least I might have the good sense to remain humble before Him so that He can restore my devotion.