Re: Verse reading–John 13:1-17; 31-38 (day one)
“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end”–v 1. It is a strange sentence (in Greek, if not in English). Theologically evocative. The NASV translates it, “He loved the to the end”. End of time? End of His life? The word actually means the end of God’s plan and purpose. “Telios” means finished product or completed project. So, the NIV translates it “He loved them to the full extent”, never surrendering any part of His goal for His people. Hebrews 7:25 uses a form of the same noun. “Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost (telios–completely, in accordance with all that He planned) those who come to God through him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Wow! A love that never quits. Never retreats. Never makes concessions. He keeps loving us until His perfect purpose is achieved in us! He loves us to the end.
Tag: NIV
Extra-Ordinary
Twenty-fifth Day of Advent
Luke 2:1 – 7 NIV
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
It sounds so . . . well, ordinary. A young woman gives birth to a boy baby. Perhaps a little unusual, even for the first century, in that the birth took place in a stable because all the town’s hotel rooms were booked. All the elements of a normal physical birth process were there . . . and yet this birth was anything but ordinary. The greatest miracle in the history of the world – the eternal Son of God taking on human flesh. . . the launch of God’s plan to provide redemption . . . the cure for mankind’s sin problem . . the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. “. . . and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger . . .” At the close of this day, Mary “pondered these things and treasured them in her heart” (v.19). Take time today to follow Mary’s example and praise God for His Son’s very extra-ordinary human birth.
Jean Nystrand
Re: Verse reading – John 8:31-47
Choosing the Best
I hope you are reading John 12. ( The “Re Verse” design for Bible Study is one of the things about FBC that I really appreciate.) In this week’s chapter, we see the hard work that prayer often is. In verse 27, Jesus says, “Father, save me from this hour”. (NIV makes it a question. I think a statement is a better translation. Similar to Jesus in the Garden when his first prayer was “let this cup pass from me”.) It is understandable that all of us want to avoid pain when we can. However, the Lord knew immediately that the better prayer was, “Father, glorify your name”. I’ve been there. Have you? The first thing you feel/want is NOT the best thing. The higher aspiration can only be born as you set aside the lower. Prayer, including the honest use of the Lord’s Prayer, is hard work. It requires me to choose the best, even when my first desire if something else.