Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 21, 2024

Date:   Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text:  John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So, the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”

So, the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So, they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today continues the exchange begun between Jesus and the crowd in Jerusalem that we read yesterday. Yesterday, Jesus proclaimed that whoever kept his word would be free. Today Jesus adds to that, “whoever keeps my world will never see death.”

Clearly, the crowd did not understand the realm of Jesus’ words. They considered only life and death as they had known it on earthly terms. Jesus is speaking instead of life in the LORD for eternity.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I accept Jesus’ death and resurrection as victories over sin and death? Do I believe with all my mind, heart, and soul, with all my being, that Jesus is LORD, Son of God? Do I believe that He has the words of everlasting life?

Praying:

LORD, You sent your beloved and only-begotten Son as our Savior. Your desire for our lives and our love, for our salvation, led You to send your Son. Send your Spirit to tenderize our whole being, body, mind, and soul, to be receptive to the salvation from You, through the Son, in the Spirit. Grant that we may see Christ as our Savior and proclaim Him to all through our words and deeds. Grant that we may turn back wholeheartedly to You and to your unfathomable love for us. Make of us true temples of your Spirit here on earth. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.