For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
John 5
God entrusted all judgment to Jesus. Yet He says that anyone who trusts Him and thus believes in God will not be judged. He knows our guilt. But because we choose to trust in Him, He chooses to take our guilt on Himself rather than laying down accusations against us. The Jewish religious leaders, however, refused to trust Him. Instead, they sought eternal life in the Scriptures, ignoring the One to whom those Scriptures point. Ironically, the Law does not have the authority to judge or not judge. Thus, the very thing these leaders hung their hopes on is the thing that accuses them before the Judge. That’s what I call a serious case of misplaced trust! If we desire life, the only way to get it is to trust the only one who can give it.
Jonah 3-4
Jesus told the religious leaders that if they did not believe Him, they did not believe the One who sent Him. Having just read that, I couldn’t help but notice that when Jonah preached his message to Nineveh, it says, “The Ninevites believed God.” (Jon. 3:5a). God sent Jonah to preach God’s message of repentance, just as He sent Jesus for the same purpose. That’s why Jesus said, “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.” (Lk. 11:32, Matt. 12:41).
Ps. 145
List what David says God has done in this beautiful psalm of praise. Then use the list to reflect on what God has done in your life and give him praise. “The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made.” (Ps. 145:9). I think that is one of the most amazing things about God. He is good to ALL. It does not matter if they love Him, serve Him, or even acknowledge Him. “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45b). It is sad that so many reject His goodness and compassion.
It is also sad that some who claim to love God begrudge His goodness and compassion towards those they don’t think deserve it. We see that in Jonah’s story. If God’s love truly dwells in us, then we, too, should, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:44-45a).