OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for October 2021

November 1, 2021

John 8:39, 40 – They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would to the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God: this did not Abraham.

Thought: Jesus had told the Jews that His Father and their father were different beings. The Jews responded, saying: “Abraham is our father.” The prided themselves in their link to the great patriarch. However, the father of the Jews to whom Jesus had reference was not Abraham. If they had been of Abraham, they would have done the works of Abraham. If they were of Abraham, they would not be seeking to put a man to death who told them the truth. Who, then, was the father Jesus referenced?

Genesis 12:1-3

November 2, 2021

John 8:41 – Ye do the deeds of you father. They said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Thought: Jesus affirms that the Jews were doing the deeds of their father. These Jews did not comprehend Jesus on a spiritual level. Their reply indicates that were thinking in physical terms. “We be not born of fornication.” They seemed to think that Jesus was referring to them as a mixed race of people. They were very clear that they were not. They were of Abraham’s seed. As Abraham’s seed, they had “one Father, even God.” Sadly, they could not see that their deeds manifested another Father.

Exodus 4:21-23

November 3, 2021

John 8:42 – Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Thought: The Jews were sure God was their Father. Jesus denied their affirmation because they did not love Him. Jesus came from the Father and was by sent Him into the world. Jesus was here doing His Father’s will. If they rejected Him, they were rejecting the Father. The Jews, however, could not comprehend the nature of Jesus. They only saw Him as a man. His claims to be the Son of God were unfathomable. Thus, they rejected Him as a deceiver. To reject Jesus is to reject God.

Luke 10:16

November 4, 2021

John 8:43 – Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Thought: The Jews had much trouble understanding Jesus’ message. His message, however, was simple. In fact, He often used physical things to describe what He was saying. Why, then, couldn’t they understand? Jesus told them. “…even because ye cannot hear my word.” Barnes says: “The word “hear” in this place is to be understood in the sense of bear or tolerate…” (e-sword). They despised the message. When anger and hatred fill our hearts, it is difficult to actually hear the truth.

Jeremiah 6:10

November 5, 2021

John 8:44 – Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Thought: Jesus had told these Jews that neither God nor Abraham was their father. He now reveals who their father is. “Ye are of your father the devil.” The proof of this accusation lay in the fact that the Jews desired to kill Jesus who was an innocent man. Their father, Satan, was also a murderer from the beginning. The Jews also rejected “the truth,” that is, Jesus Himself. In this, they followed Satan as well. He did not abide in the truth. In addition, these Jews yielded to the lusts of their father.

I John 3:8

November 6, 2021

John 8:45 – And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Thought: Parents exhorts their children to always tell the truth. They will give them this affirmation: “Truth is the best policy.” Or, “If you tell the truth you never have to cover a lie.” Yet, when it comes to spiritual truth, there are many people who do not desire it. Jesus told the Jews the truth, but they did not believe Him. Today, there are still many individuals who refuse the truth. It could be because truth convicts. It could also involve the fact that truth demands change. Do you believe the truth?

Proverbs 23:23

November 7, 2021

John 8:46, 47 – Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Thought: The Jews rejected the man, Jesus. They also rejected the message of Jesus. They did not reject Him because of any sin He committed. They did not reject Him due to any falsehood He proclaimed. They just did not want to hear the words of God. Thus, they proved that they were not of God. Jesus made a simple proclamation about identity. “He that is of God heareth God’s words.” If you do not hear them, you are not of God. Dear reader, are you of God? Or, are you not of God?

I John 4:6

November 8, 2021

John 8:48 – Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

Thought: When individuals are not able to deal with the facts, they turn to name-calling. The Jews charged Jesus with being a Samaritan. These were the mixed race that lived in between Judah and Galilee. They were part Jew and part foreigners. The Jews despised them. Since Jesus charged the Jews of having the devil as their father, they looked upon Him as one like unto the Samaritans. They also charged Him with having a devil. This is how they accounted for His message.

Matthew 12:24

November 9, 2021

John 8:49, 50 – Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

Thought: In this debate, Jesus had the upper hand. The charges the Jews made against Jesus were not true, nor did any of them measure up. Jesus could boldly say: “I have not a devil; but I honour my Father.” His words and works clearly proved His claims. Unfortunately, the Jews dishonored the Son. In so doing, they rejected the Father who was seeking them. One day, they will be judged by Him. What about you, dear reader? What is your view of Jesus? Is He God’s Son? Or, does he have a devil?

I Corinthians 1:28-31

November 10, 2021

John 8:51 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Thought: The Bible teaches that all men will die (Heb. 9:27). Yet, Jesus said: “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” Is this a contradiction? No. It is called an “apparent contradiction.” There is a way to harmonize the two passages. Jesus does not have reference to physical death. Even He would experience physical death. Jesus had reference to the second death. The second death involves one’s being cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Those obedient to Jesus will escape this death.

Revelation 20:14

November 11, 2021

John 8:52, 53 – Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Thought: It is difficult for men to think spiritually. Jesus had told the Jews that whoever keeps His sayings would not taste of death. The Jews could only think in physical terms. They knew that Abraham, their father, and the prophets, the great servants of God, were dead. The Jews did not view Jesus as being greater than these greats of old. Thus, they ask Him: “Whom makest thou thyself?” They did not comprehend that Jesus was God. Yes, Jesus was greater than Abraham and the prophets.

Matthew 12:41-42

November 12, 2021

John 8:54 – Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God.

Thought: The Jews accused Jesus of seeking to honor Himself. Jesus denied this. If He honored Himself, His honor was nothing. The one who truly honored Him was the Father. This should have carried a great deal of weight for the Jews because they claimed the Father to be their God. If they truly followed God, then they would have accepted Jesus whom God honored. Here we find the close relationship that existed between the Father and Son. If you reject the Son, you reject the Father.

II Corinthians 10:17-18

November 13, 2021

John 8:55 – Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

Thought: Jesus knew that He knew the Father. If He said He did not know Him, He told the Jews: “I shall be a liar like unto you.” The Jews claimed to know God, but they did not. They proved they did not know Him by rejecting His commandments and by rejecting His Son. This is a challenging thought. The Jews who were God’s chosen people claimed to know God, but they did not. What about us? Are we like the Jews? Could Jesus say of us: “Yet ye have not known him”?

Jeremiah 4:22

November 14, 2021

John 8:56 – Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Thought: Abraham had been told that through his seed all families of the earth would be blessed. He understood that this did not apply solely to his son Isaac. He knew it applied to someone in the distant future. It applied to a Messiah, a Savior. It applied to one who would bless the world. Abraham had no doubts about this promised. Jesus said that Abraham even rejoiced to see the day when Jesus came into the world. Abraham had great faith. Sadly, the Jews did not follow in their father’s footsteps.

Hebrews 11:13

November 15, 2021

John 8:57 – Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Thought: Jesus spoke as if He knew Abraham intimately. He had said of him: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day.” The Jews wondered: “How could Jesus possibly know this?” Thus, they ask Jesus the question: “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” Again, the Jews did not know the identity of Jesus. They just could not comprehend that He was the Son of God. Therefore, they continued to make ignorant comments and judgmental remarks. Ignorance is not bliss.

Numbers 4:1-3

November 16, 2021

John 8:58 – Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Thought: Jesus now tells the Jews that He existed long before Abraham. “Before Abraham was, I am.” The words, “I am,” are important. They take one back to the call of Moses. God had told Moses to tell Israel that “I AM has sent you to them.” The words, “I am,” involve a present tense verb. Jesus, therefore, was expressing the idea that He has always existed. In other words, He is an eternal being. Note that only God is eternal. This is how He knew of Abraham’s desires.

Exodus 3:13-14

November 17, 2021

John 8:59 – Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Thought: When people do not like the message, what do they want to do? They want to get rid of the messenger. It doesn’t matter if the message is true. It doesn’t matter if the messenger is sent from God. It doesn’t even matter if the messenger is God. Yes, the Jews were as Jesus described, children of the devil. Now, however, was not the time for Jesus to die. He still had work to be done for His heavenly Father. Therefore, on his occasion, He escaped from their hands. God protects His faithful.

Luke 4:28-29

November 18, 2021

John 9:1, 2 – And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Thought: When a person has an infirmity, we often think the individual has sinned and that God is punishing him. This was the thinking of Jesus’ disciples on this occasion. Seeing a man who was blind, they asked Jesus: “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents?” Could there be reasons other than sin that would cause a person to be blind? Absolutely! Genetics might play a role. Something could have happened during the development in the womb. Could there have been another reason?

Luke 13:1-2

November 19, 2021

John 9:3 – Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him.

Answer: Jesus debunked the idea that people always suffer afflictions due to sin. He stated plainly: “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents.” There was another reason this man had been born blind. The reason had to do with the purposes of God. Jesus said this man was born blind “that the works of God should be manifest in him.” Dear readers, there have been times when God has chosen certain people in order for His will and His glory to be manifested. Such was true of this blind man.

Romans 9:12-14

November 20, 2021

John 9:4 – I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Thought: Jesus understood the urgency of His mission. There was a window of opportunity that He could use to fulfill His Father’s will. It was during this time that He needed to muster all of the effort He could to accomplish His task. He knew the night was coming. He knew there would be a time when He could not work. Do we feel the same urgency Jesus felt in our lives? Are we using the seconds we have on earth wisely? Do we understand that the night is coming and our work will cease?

Ephesians 5:14-17

November 21, 2021

John 9:5 – As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Thought: Jesus’ claims were unbelievable many times. Listen to His words again: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Here is a man from Nazareth who claims to be the light of the world. Here is an uneducated man who claims to be the light of the world. Here is a carpenter who claims to be the light of the world. How could He make such boast? How could He claim that He would enlighten the world? He knew who He was. He was not just a man. He was the Son of God!

Luke 2:29-32

November 22, 2021

John 9:6 – When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with clay.

Thought: Can you imagine what those around were thinking as Jesus spit on the ground and made a patty of mud to put on the eyes of the blind man. Spit, dirst, and mud are nasty. Then, Jesus “anointed the eyes of the blind man with clay.” Was the anointment necessary? Apparently, Jesus thought it was. Was there any healing power in the mud itself? Absolutely not! What, then, was its purpose? This will become evident as we continue to read. Remember, Jesus often tested a person’s faith.

Mark 7:31-33

November 23, 2021

John 9:7 – And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Thought: Jesus gives this man some very simple instructions to follow in order for him to receive his sight. Remember, his eyes have a mud pack on them. Now, he is to “go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” Some questions are in order. Was there power to heal in the pool of Siloam? No. If this man had gone to another pool to wash, would have received his sight? No. Did this man “earn” his eyesight by following the instructions of Jesus? No. This is a wonderful illustration of God’s plan of salvation.

Acts 22:16

November 24, 2021

John 9:8, 9 – The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

Thought: When something amazing happens to another person, the reaction of others is both interesting and diverse. The “blind” man’s neighbors saw him after he was healed and were perplexed. “Is not this he that sat and begged?” Some said, “Yes,” to the question. Others said: “He is like him.” They never thought this man would be healed. When he came seeing, they could not believe their eyes. Jesus was the foremost miracle worker. His miracles always produced wonder.

Ruth 1:19-21

November 25, 2021

John 9:10 – Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

Thought: The blind man said to his neighbors that he was the one who had been blind. As they marveled, they asked: “How were thine eyes opened?” When marvelous things are done for another, individuals always want to know the “how.” Sometimes the explanation is easily comprehended. At other times, the explanation is beyond comprehension. This man’s story is definitely unique. When he explained the “how” to his neighbors, would they believe it? Remember, things can be hard to believe.

Acts 3:9-11

November 26, 2021

John 9:11 – He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

Thought: The blind man gives a detailed account of what he did to receive his eye sight. There are two interesting points to be considered. First, the blind man never mentions faith. Second, he had to do something in order to receive his sight. Did the blind man exhibit faith? Yes. When he obeyed Jesus, he demonstrated great faith. Did this man “work” to receive his sight? Or, was it a gift from Jesus? He obeyed the conditions and was given sight. No work was involved. His sight was a gift from Jesus.

Acts 2:37-38

November 27, 2021

John 9:12 – Then said they unto him. Where is he? He said, I know not.

Thought: The man healed of blindness noted that “a man that is called Jesus” is the one who healed him. His friends and neighbors immediately want to know: “Where is he?” Wonderful, out of the ordinary things cause humans to wonder. They want to see the person responsible. They want to see more marvelous feats. They want to know whether this is genuine or fake. Whether they will use the miracle for its intended purpose, however, is not known. Some people just enjoy being wowed.

Matthew 2:2

November 28, 2021

John 9:13, 14 – They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

Thought: We are not always aware of what makes a person do the things he does. Why did the neighbors of this healed man feel the need to bring him to the Pharisees? Did they want to get into the good graces of these Jewish leaders? Were they truly concerned about the restrictions of the Sabbath Day? Did they know the Pharisees had a conflict with this man named Jesus? The Bible does not tell us. One thing is for sure. They knew the Pharisees would react. Could this have been their motive?

John 11:56-57

November 29, 2021

John 9:15 – Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

Thought: The Pharisees were sharp when it came to investigations. They had the ability to look into situations deeply enough in order to expose violations of the law. As soon as the healed blind man was in their presence, they started the interrogation. “Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight.” They were not impressed with the fact this man who was born blind could now see. They were not in awe regarding the power it took to heal this man. They were looking for flaws.

John 9:30

November 30, 2021

John 9:16 – Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was division among them.

Thought: The Pharisees found the flaw. Jesus had healed this man on the Sabbath. Thus, they reasoned: “This man is not of God.” Some of them, however, knew they could not overlook the miracle that had been performed. Thus, they asked: “How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?” There was division among these Jewish leaders. Division is not a positive thing. It leads to strife. It means that goals cannot be accomplished. Surely this frustrated the Pharisees even more.

Acts 28:23-29

Read devotionals for December 2021