For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
John 12
Jesus drew a big crowd pretty much everywhere He went. When He was at Bethany, with Lazarus and his sisters, however, John says that the crowds also came to see Lazarus. “For on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in Him.” (Jn. 12:11). That’s quite the statement! Can the same be said of me? Like Lazarus, I was dead but now live. Thus, my life should be the same kind of testimony that draws people in and turns them to Jesus. I just need to be sure that, like Lazarus, I have invited Jesus to come stay with me.
Hag. 1-2
What was it costing the people to put building their own homes before the Lord’s temple? What is the effect in your life when you put something else before God? Some thoughts on Haggai’s four messages:
- His first word made me think of what I wrote about yesterday concerning our choice to be obedient to God or to trust in our own human reasoning. The thought of getting somewhat settled and established before taking on such a big project as rebuilding the temple makes sense to me. Perhaps it did to the people as well. As it turns out, though, it is better to put God first and let Him worry about taking care of your needs. When we get our priorities wrong, even when it seems the sensible thing to do, we find ourselves living empty lives.
- God sent Haggai’s second message to encourage the people. They had set their priorities straight but were discouraged with the results of their work. God acknowledged that, in comparing this new temple to the original, “Does it not seem to you like nothing?” (Hag. 2:3b). Boy, do I feel that way with my life sometimes! I desire to live obedient to God, but my efforts just seem to fall flat. But God encourages them to simply keep working, promising, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” (Hag. 2:9a). My life is part of God’s new Temple. And though it doesn’t seem like much to me, God has promised to fill it with His glory and peace.
- Haggai’s third message highlights for me the contrast between the Law of Moses and Jesus. Under the Law, when something consecrated and something defiled made contact, both became defiled. Consecrated things had no power to consecrate defiled things. Not so with Jesus. Jesus has the power and authority to consecrate anyone who comes in contact with Him, even if they are dead. We are a defiled people. But from the day God laid the foundation of His new Temple in Jesus Christ, “From this day on [He] will bless [us].” (Hag. 2:19b).
- Haggai’s final message confirms Zerubbabel as the one through whom God would continue His chosen line from David’s throne to the Messiah. And indeed, we see him in Jesus genealogy, laid out for us by Matthew.