Daily Devotion, January 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:1-8.

Nicodemus was part of a group, many of whom did not believe in Jesus. As you read in the Gospel accounts, as well in the book of Acts, there were always differing opinions and interpretations on any subject or situation among the Pharisees and other religious leaders. That was certainly no different when discussions about Jesus came up.

I’m guessing Nicodemus was not the only one who saw something in Jesus that was intriguing. The healings and other miracles he was offering, along with his teaching, were obviously from God (though some still labeled them as coming from the devil). He could have chosen to just continue with the practice of everyone sharing their opinions and interpretations and left it at that. But he decided to go and seek Jesus for himself, to have a personal conversation with him.

Sometimes we let what others think and say overly influence us. Sure, we all have people we trust and seek their thinking and interpretation on various matters. The wise person will always be willing to listen to other ways of thinking. More importantly, they will seek out their own personal relationship with the Holy Spirit who is God and ask this Spirit to guide them in the midst of differing ways of thinking. Don’t let others do that for you. Do it for yourself.

Personal Worship Option:

Clara Scott wrote one of my favorite prayer hymns. Though some of the words are old English, consider the message they carry and let this be your prayer:

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou has for me;

place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear;

and while the wave-notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my eyes (and ears), illumine me, Spirit divine!