John 11:25

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 11:25

“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies,” – John 11:25  

Over the next few weekdays, we will be looking at seven verses where Jesus declares “I AM”, and then gives a metaphor regarding what He is.  Today, we will look at the fifth of these, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

This chapter tells the story of the death of Lazarus and his eventual resurrection.  His sisters Martha and Mary knew Jesus from a past meeting.  “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.” John 11:1-2. And because they knew Him, they sent for Jesus to come because their brother Lazarus was extremely sick.  When Jesus received the message, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” John 11:4b.

However, though He loved the three of them, He stayed where He was for two additional days.  This was done for the purpose of revealing Himself to them in a way they had not seen and heard before.  Then He tells the disciples it is time to go to Judea.  “The disciples said to Him, Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” John 11:8.  However, Jesus answers them by saying, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.” John 11:9.  This statement refers to a comment He made in chapter nine.  “We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5.  What He was saying is that His time was drawing near, and He must do the work He was sent to do prior to His death.  Now, in speaking of Lazarus Jesus said that he was asleep, and He needed to go and wake him up.  When He said this, the disciples thought He meant He was asleep and said He would recover and wake up.  However, Jesus then came out and said, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” John 11:14b-15.

When Jesus arrives in Judea, Martha goes out to Jesus and said, “Your brother shall rise again.” John 11:23.  Martha responds, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” John 11:24.  She believed in the resurrection in the last day, but Jesus was referring to the present.  Then our focus verse, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies,”  following up with “and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26. She then answers, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” John 11:27.

She believed He was the promised Messiah.  And Jesus shows her that neither Death nor time is an obstacle to Him. While standing outside the tomb with the stone rolled away, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, Come Forth.” John 11:43. And Lazarus came out  He came forth after being dead for four days. Jesus proved that with Him, death is but sleep. Paul says the following, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. Death has no dominion over Him who is Life itself, nor does death have dominion over those who are in Him. “For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting.” 1 Corinthians 15:53-55.

Jesus’ statement that He is the resurrection and the life provides a Godly perspective on several spiritual matters. Martha believed that the resurrection is an event; Jesus showed her that the resurrection is a Person. Martha’s knowledge of eternal life was an abstract idea; Jesus proved that knowledge of eternal life is a personal relationship. Martha thought victory over death was a future expectation; Jesus corrects her, showing that victory is a present reality. And we must learn the same lesson Martha did.  He is the resurrection, and all who are dead and followers of Christ will rise again from temporary “sleep” to an eternal life.  He is the resurrection and the life.  He essentially said, “I [and no other], regarding the future resurrection, is not an impersonal fate that is to take place at some future time, but a personal effect proceeding from Me who is present with you. It is even now present and active in Me.  And the life in the absolute sense will awaken both the body and the spirit.  If your body has died, in the resurrection you will have a new body for your spirit will still be alive.  And if the body does not die, then you will receive a new body which is eternal, just as the those whose body has died. 

Therefore, we are not to attach a merely spiritual meaning to the two propositions, just because Jesus is speaking of faith. For instance, he that believes on Christ shall rise again spiritually, and he that hath received life shall retain it forever, which would, again, involve the idea of the resurrection.  And He makes this happen because e is the resurrection and He is the life. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

John 10:11

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” – John 10:11  

Over the next few weekdays, we will be looking at seven verses where Jesus declares “I AM”, and then gives a metaphor regarding what He is.  Today, we will look at the fourth of these, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

Immediately after declaring that He is “the door” in the previous verse of the day, Jesus declares “I am the good shepherd.” He describes Himself as not only “the shepherd” but the “good shepherd.” What does this mean? It should be understood that Jesus is the good shepherd, not simply a good shepherd, as others may be, but He is unique in character.  The Greek word kalos, translated “good,” describes that which is noble, wholesome, good, and beautiful, in contrast to that which is wicked, mean, foul, and unlovely. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly in character but also that which is attractive outwardly. It is an innate goodness. Therefore, in using the phrase “the good shepherd,” Jesus is referencing His inherent goodness, His righteousness, and His beauty as in the way He carries Himself. As shepherd of the sheep, He is the one who protects, guides, and nurtures His flock.

Jesus here, again, is making a big distinction between Himself and the Jewish religious leaders.  He uses the idea of one who is hired to take care of the flock, which is an interesting way to see the Jewish religious leaders.  They are more concerned about doing their tasks rather than caring for the sheep.  “He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. He  flees because he is a hireling and is not concerned about the sheep.” John 10:12-13.  In verse eight, He refers to them as thieves and robbers. “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” John 10:8. He who is a “hireling” works for wages, which are his main consideration. His concern is not for the sheep but for himself. Interestingly enough, the shepherds of ancient times were not usually the owners of the flock. Nevertheless, they were expected to exercise the same care and concern the owners would. This was characteristic of a true shepherd. However, some of the hirelings thought only of themselves. As a result, when a wolf appeared—the most common threat to sheep in that day—the hireling abandoned the flock and fled, leaving the sheep to be scattered or killed.

In our verse of the day yesterday in verse nine, I spoke of the shepherd being the door to the sheepfold when in the wilderness.  He would lay at the opening as he slept so as to protect them from wild predators. He put his life on the line to protect the flock.  Likewise, Jesus gave His life on the cross as “the Good Shepherd” for his own. He who would save others, though He had the power, did not choose to save Himself. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28. Through His willing sacrifice, the Lord made salvation possible for all who come to Him in faith. In proclaiming that He is the Good Shepherd, Jesus speaks of “laying down” His life for His sheep. Jesus’ death was divinely appointed. It is only through Him that we receive salvation. “Jesus’ death was divinely appointed. ”I  am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15. 

Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine.  So much so, that as a shepherd lays down his life for his flock, Jesus laid down His life for His sheep, His people, Christians.  All who accept what He did will be saved. The Jewish religious leaders would not sacrifice their lives for God’s people.  They were not good shepherds but merely hirelings. Jesus sacrificed everything to save His people thus becoming our Savior, otherwise known as the good shepherd.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

John 10:7

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 10:7 

“Jesus therefore said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” – John 10:7  

Over the next few weekdays, we will be looking at seven verses where Jesus declares “I AM”, and then gives a metaphor regarding what He is.  Today, we will look at the third of these, “I am the Door.”

In this “I am” statement, Jesus clearly points out the exclusive nature of salvation by saying that He is “the door,” not “a door.” However, He does not stop there.  For He adds that He is not only our shepherd who leads us into the sheepfold, but He is the only door by which we may enter and be saved. And as we read earlier in John, He is the only way we have of attaining eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

To get a clear picture of what He is saying, it is helpful to understand some of the history within the culture of the time of Christ, especially where it concerns sheep and shepherding. Of all domesticated animals, sheep are the most helpless and they will spend their entire day grazing, wandering from place to place, never looking up. As a result, they often become lost. But sheep have no “homing instinct” as other animals do. They are totally incapable of finding their way to their sheepfold even when it is in plain sight. By nature, sheep are followers. If the lead sheep steps off a cliff, the others will follow. 

Also, sheep are easily susceptible to injuries which makes them helpless against predators. If a wolf enters the pen, they will not defend themselves. They will not try to run away or spread out. On the contrary, they huddle together and are easily slaughtered. Also, if sheep fall into moving water, they will drown, because , sheep fear moving water and will not drink from any stream or lake unless the water is perfectly still. This gives some clarity to what David wrote in Psalm 23, when he said “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:1-2.

Thus, sheep rely completely upon their shepherd who compassionately cares for them. Shepherds were the providers, guides, protectors, and constant companions of their sheep. So close was the bond between shepherd and sheep that to this day Middle Eastern shepherds can divide flocks that have mingled at a well or during the night simply by calling their sheep, who know and follow their shepherd’s voice. Shepherds were inseparable from their flocks. They would lead the sheep to safe places to graze and make them lie down for several hours in a shady place. Then, as night fell, the shepherd would lead the sheep to the protection of a sheepfold.

Now there were two kinds of sheepfolds or pens back in that day. One kind was a public sheepfold found in the cities and villages. It was large enough to hold several flocks of sheep. This sheep pen would be under the care of a porter/doorkeeper, who was responsible to guard the door to the sheep pen at night. Then when morning came, would let the shepherds in to claim their sheep. The shepherds would call their sheep, each of which knew their shepherd’s voice, and would lead them out to pasture.

The second kind of sheep pen was in the countryside, where the shepherds would keep their flocks in good weather. This type of sheep pen was nothing more than a rough circle of rocks piled into a wall with a small open space to enter, where the shepherd would drive the sheep at nightfall. Since there was no gate to close—just an opening—the shepherd would keep the sheep in and wild animals out by lying across the opening. He would sleep there, in this case literally becoming the door to the sheep.

What Jesus was saying is He was both the shepherd and the door to the sheepfold. He is contrasting Himself with many of the Jewish and religious leaders in His day whom He categorized as thieves and robbers. “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly.” John 10:8-10.  And because when the shepherd leads His flock to sheep pens in the countryside at night with no doors and would lay at the door to keep them in and safe, this is a great picture of the next verse where it says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

In closing, everyone who believes Jesus is the Messiah, repents of their sins and gives their lives fully to Him is assured of being in the sheep fold of Christ and of entering in by the door.  As Christians, Jesus is our shepherd and the door to the sheep fold.  And He provides all our needs including complete protection, for there are many in this world who hate and desire to get rid of us.  We must rely completely on Him in everything, and we must follow where He leads us. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

John 8:12

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 8:12 

“Again, therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – John 8:12 

Over the next seven weekdays, we will be looking at seven verses where Jesus declares “I AM”, and then gives a metaphor regarding what He is.  Today, we will look at the second of these, “I am the Light of the World.”

Just prior to this verse, Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and was approached by scribes and Pharisees who brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, interrupting His teaching. It is understood that adultery was exceedingly common at this time, so common that they had ceased to put the law in force against it. The waters of jealousy were no longer drunk, the culprits or those suspected of this crime, being so very numerous; and the men who were guilty themselves dared not try their suspected wives, as it was believed the waters would have no evil effect upon the wife, if the husband himself had been criminal.  However, at this time, the Jewish leadership decided to test Jesus regarding the Mosaic Law.  “And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” John 8:4-5.  They asked Him several times about this, and so Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger.  However, they persisted in asking, so He stooped again, writing in the dirt with His finger and said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7b. At this point, every one of her accusers left and only the woman remained. While they could not trap Him, He trapped them in their hypocrisy.  He then asked her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” John 8:10. Then He told her He also does not condemned her and therefore she is to go and sin no more.

So, resuming His teaching in the temple He proclaims a powerful statement regarding Himself. In our focus verse He says, “Again, therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.  Now, this was a powerful statement that probably caught the people’s attention. Jesus’ words of announcement in this context would have sounded like an outrageous claim to the ears of the Pharisees. He went beyond the usual religious assertions of enlightenment and claimed to be the luminary itself. The Pharisees probably knew that the coming one would be called a light, and this would not have been taken well.  “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7. Thus, in His claim to be the light of the world, He was claiming to be the ‘sent one’ who would be a light to the nations. We also see in the Psalms, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Who shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Who shall I dread?” Psalm 27:1. 

There are two types of light in the world. We can perceive one, both, and neither! When we are born into this world, we perceive physical light, and by it we learn of our Creator’s handiwork in the things we see. However, although that light is good, there is another Light, a Light so important that the Son of God had to come to both declare and impart it to men. When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.’” The allegory used by the Lord in this verse speaks of the light of His Truth, the light of His Word, the light of eternal Life. Those who perceive the true Light will never walk in spiritual darkness.

And when He left at His ascension, He kept the light shining, through His disciples.  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. His light has not gone away, it still shines from Him, however it is reflected off us into the world.  Through our lives, the world can see the truth as opposed to deception, and the light of life as opposed to the darkness where many still reside. And through our witness, all who see and hear will be able to join us in the light by accepting Christ as their Savior and Lord. It is our job to spread this light, as Jesus did, showing all the truth of the gospel which leads to life in the light for all who believe.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

John 6:35

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 6:35 

“Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35 

Over the next seven weekdays, we will be looking at seven verses where Jesus declares “I AM”, and then gives a metaphor regarding what He is.  Today, we will look at the first of these, “I am the Bread of Life.”

Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.  And everyone was filled and satisfied.  Jesus had left them and took a boat to Capernaum. The crowd eventually followed Him there. When they found Him, they asked Him when He arrived there. However, Jesus did not address their question, but their purpose in asking. “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled.” John 6:26b. Jesus then continues. “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal.” John 6:27. He was essentially telling them they were following Him simply because He fed them, all five thousand with bread and fish. They were not to focus on physical food which strengthens their bodies, but spiritual food which goes beyond this life but endures to eternal life.

But what they say next shows they did not understand completely what He said for they asked what works they must do to live forever. Jesus then told them what the work of God was.  “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:29b.  Jesus set them straight: God did not require works but faith. And that faith is in the one He sent which was Christ.  They understood Jesus was speaking of Himself, so they answered, “What then do You do for a sign, that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” John 6:30-31. Because they understood Jesus was speaking of Himself, they asked Him what sign He has performed to prove He was sent by God.  As an example, they said Moses gave them Manna, which was a bread directly from heaven.  So, what did He have to offer as proof? Jesus’ hearers have just experienced the impressive miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. How then could they demand a greater sign that legitimizes Jesus? John, however, is not offering a deep psychological analysis of the reaction of the hearers. The Jewish demand for a sign shows, on the one hand, how difficult it is for men to understand the signs they have witnessed as such. On the other hand, John thereby creates the transition to the real theme at which he is aiming: the bread from heaven.

Jesus then takes advantage of what they said to explain what bread He was speaking of.  “Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33. He started out by saying it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven to them, but God the Father.  And the bread He speaks of is not a food item, but a person. Note the wording, “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven”. Then in the next verse they ask for this bread. “They said to him, Sir, give us this bread always.” John 6:34. They were thinking of the Manna that God gave the Jews previously in the Old Testament. 

Then Jesus answers in a way that makes what He has been trying to say clear to them.  Jesus said to them in our focus verse, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35. This claim assumes that the world can never satisfy man. Everything that the world has to offer (in modern terms: fast cars, beautiful houses) is unsatisfying, alienating, or better, makes one restless. Man is afflicted with dissatisfaction,  boredom, anxiety, and care. He is unable to find that authentic rest, that true peace, that goal for which it is rewarding to live and strive. And these things can only provide satisfaction in this life, but Jesus who is the Bread of Life not only provides it in this life, but also eternally in our future everlasting life. When we eat regular bread we will hunger again, and when we drink fluids, we will eventually thirst again. This is saying that the world can never satisfy us. Everything that the world has to offer is unsatisfying. However, what God offers, through Christ, there is no longer that core emptiness because Jesus is complete satisfaction for man.  The consummating satiation occurs when those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and stand before the throne of God   and experience what John expresses in Revelation.  “I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.” Revelation 7:14-16. What a beautiful picture of those who come to Jesus and believe Him to be the Son of God and the Savior of Mankind.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:1

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Ephesians 4:1  

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” – Ephesians 4:1 

In this verse, Paul is laying out to the Christians in Ephesus the kind of walk he desires and encourages them to walk.  In our focus verse we read, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” Ephesians 4:1.  This is the basic encouragement Paul was now giving to those who followed his teachings in the prior three chapters.  And the general idea here is unity in the Body of Christ.

In those chapters he has taught them what this Christian life is about.  He told them about the spiritual blessings they have received in Christ; that they have been saved by the grace of God on their behalf through Christ’s blood being shed for their redemption.   They were dead in their sins; however, God provided the way their transgressions were removed, through accepting, by faith, the sacrifice of Christ who did not sin and therefore was able to pay for theirs and bring life to them once again.  And through everything, He shows His mercy and love to them.  There is much more that was said; however, this is the core of what Paul presented to them.

And because of this, he entreats them to walk in a manner worthy of Him and the sacrifice He made.  There are four foundation stones that are used to build Christian unity.  “ With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another, in love,” Ephesians 4:2.  In this verse, He starts with humility.   Humility, or lowliness of mind, was much despised in the ancient world. The Greeks never used their word for humility (tapeinotēs) in a context of approval, and even less in admiration.  Instead, it was used in the context of an abject, servile, subservient attitude in the crouching submissiveness of a slave.  When Christ came, He exhibited a true humility, for He humbled Himself.  And among all the world’s religious figures and ethical teachers, only He set the model we were to follow, as of a little child.  

Next there is gentleness, also referred to as meekness. This was warmly applauded by the philosopher Aristotle because he hated extremes and leaned more toward moderation, which here refers to the middle of being too angry and not being angry at all.  We see this idea from Paul later in this chapter where He said, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Ephesians 4:26.  As theologian John Stott says, “So ‘meekness’ is not a synonym for ‘weakness’. On the contrary, it is the gentleness of the strong, whose strength is under control. It is the quality of a strong personality who is nevertheless master of himself and the servant of others. Meekness is ‘the absence of the disposition to assert personal rights, either in the presence of God or of men’. It is particularly appropriate in pastors who should also use their authority only in a spirit of gentleness.”

The next quality is patience, which is the idea of bearing with one another.  Patience is essentially longsuffering in difficult situations, which may include difficult people. And we should exhibit it in the same way Christ showed toward us.  It is forbearing one another with tolerance without which no group people can live together in peace.  And lastly, doing all these things within the bounds of love.  Everything we do must be covered in love.  “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. his is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.  Remember, our neighbor is anyone we come into contact with.

God calls us all to walk in unity.  Paul tells the Ephesians this in a later set of verses.  “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-13. 

In closing, let me add one more quote from John Stott.  “Here, then, are the foundation stones of Christian unity. Where these are absent no external structure of unity can stand. But when this strong base has been laid, then there is good hope that a visible unity can be built. We may be quite sure that no unity is pleasing to God which is not the child of charity.” Let us pursue unity in our faith in all we do.  When this becomes the norm, we will be amazed how much we can accomplish for Him. And this is what it means to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” Ephesians 4:1b.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Revelation 3:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Revelation 3:14 

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:” – Revelation 3:14

Over seven days, I will be looking at what John wrote, by the inspiration of God, to the seven major churches in Asia Minor.  In these seven letters, God gives a message that is specific to each and speaks of issues that could fit the Churches throughout history.  It is important to look at these and examine our church and ultimately ourselves to see where we stand regarding these. 

Now Jesus writes to the last Church in this list, the Church of Laodicea.  Laodicea was in the Lycus Valley about sixty miles southeast of Philadelphia and a hundred miles west of Ephesus. It was situated where a major east-west route from Ephesus intersected other roads going north to Philadelphia and Sardis and south to the Mediterranean coast. Founded by the Seleucids in the mid-third century B.C. on the site of older settlements, it came under the control of Pergamum in 188 BCE and then Rome after 133 BCE. Laodicea was home to Greeks and Roman businesspeople. Like many of the cities in in this list, it was an administrative center where court cases were heard during the Roman period. The city’s relations with Rome were strong. Laodicea competed for the honor of building a provincial temple to the emperor Tiberius in 23 A.D., although permission was given to Smyrna. In 79 A.D. a statue at Laodicea honored Titus as “son of god,” since he was the son of the deified Vespasian. Laodicea was formerly called Diospolis, or “city of Zeus.” In Roman times there was a statue and altar to Zeus, who was often called the Savior, along with other dedications to Zeus and sometimes Hermes his messenger. A coin from the city shows Domitian on one side and Zeus on the other.

In our focus verse, we read the introduction to this letter.  “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:” Revelation 3:14. In this verse, AMEN is a title referring to ‘the faithful one’. It also refers to Christ as “the beginning of the creation of God.”. This is reiterated by John in his gospel when he says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” John 1:1-3.  Then, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” John 1:10.  And finally, the person is alluded to in verse 14 as Jesus. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

Then, He states the issue He has with them. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16.  Notice that both cold and hot are understood as being positive states, in comparison to tepidness, or being lukewarm.  Theologian Craig Koester puts it like this.  “The message addresses readers whose wealth made them comfortable, and the writer turns images of wealth into a critique that is designed to make them uncomfortable. Banquets were occasions for displaying wealth, when people would be served fine foods with chilled or heated wine. To challenge them, the message invokes the banquet images of hot, cold, and tepid to critique the congregation’s complacency before the risen Christ and to call for the repentance that will allow him to eat with them in true friendship.”

The Laodiceans became complacent in their faith, and Jesus would rather them passionate.  The Lord is describing the “lukewarm” heart attitude of those in the Laodicean church, an attitude manifested by their deeds. The Laodiceans were neither cold nor hot in relation to God, just lukewarm. Hot water can cleanse and purify; cold water can refresh and enliven. But lukewarm water carries no similar value. The Laodiceans understood the Lord’s analogy because their city drinking water came over an aqueduct from a spring six miles to the south, and it arrived disgustingly lukewarm. Laodicean water was not hot like the nearby hot springs that people bathed in, nor was it refreshingly cold for drinking. It was lukewarm, good for nothing. In fact, it was nauseating, and that was the Lord’s response to the Laodiceans—they sickened Him, and He said, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  This is essentially what Jesus is saying to them.  You do not care about your faith.  There are many that witness to people to be saved by helping them understand the truth or point out errors within their brothers and sisters; getting them to repent (Hot).  Then there are those who encourage believers in their faith, building them up to be stronger and more perseverant (Cold). They did neither of these, for they were more attached to their wealth, and along with their ‘semblance’ of true religion, led them to a false sense of security and independence.  They cared more about their wealth than their faith. 

He finishes this idea with, “Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17.  Jesus has no good words for them.  He says they are wretched and miserable people, and that they are not all that rich or wise, but poor. Blind and naked.  They had nothing going for them that was useful in the kingdom of God.  This is harsh, but it seems this Church was more interested in physical wealth that spiritual passion. Then He tells them to repent.  “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. “ Revelation 3:18.  He is calling on them to give up their love for earthly riches and replace them with spiritual riches.  Then they will wear the white robes promised to all believers so that their nakedness will not be seen, and they can begin to see more clearly, as one who applies medicine to their weak eyes can regain their sight. He then closes this section out by declaring that He loves them, for He would not have reproved or disciplined them if He had not. “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. 

He then closes this out with a positive ending.  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:20-21.  He is calling them to come to Him, give themselves to Him, repent and relinquish their love for physical wealth, looking for spiritual, never ending wealth.  Jesus is saying that His authority is extended to His followers, “as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21:b.

The Laodiceans enjoyed material prosperity that, coupled with a semblance of true religion, led them to a false sense of security and independence. The expression “I am rich; I have acquired wealth” stresses that the wealth attained came through self-exertion. Spiritually, they had great needs. A self-sufficient attitude and lukewarm faith are constant dangers when people live lives of ease and prosperity. In summary, the church at Laodicea had become apathetic in their love for Christ. They were allowing “the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things [to] come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Christ called them to repent and live zealously for Him. “And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15.   The Lord Jesus called the Church in Laodicea to choose who they will serve, Him or wealth. And the same call is made to those who say they follow Him today.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Revelation 3:7

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Revelation 3:7 

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens, and no one will shut, and who shuts, and no one opens, says this:” – Revelation 3:7

Over seven days, I will be looking at what John wrote, by the inspiration of God, to the seven major churches in Asia Minor.  In these seven letters, God gives a message that is specific to each and speaks of issues that could fit the Churches throughout history.  It is important to look at these and examine our church and ultimately ourselves to see where we stand regarding these. 

Next, Jesus writes to the sixth Church in this list, the Church of Philadelphia.  This was located southeast of Sardis. It was founded by Attalos II, the king of Pergamum in the second century B.C. Philadelphia’s population was mixed and included people from Lydia and Mysia, along with Macedonians and Roman businesspeople. During this time, the city was the administrative center for many of the nearby towns, although the judicial center was in nearby Sardis.  The soil was very fertile and wine production flourished.  Some of the industries were textile and leather goods.  The city had a good relationship with Rome, and as Sardis when their city was devastated by the earthquake of 17 C.E., Emperor Tiberius granted tax exemptions along with workers for the following five years while the city was being rebuilt.

The principal deity of Philadelphia was Anaitis, a goddess of  Persian origin.  Her identity blended with that of the Anatolian mother goddess Meter as well as the Greek god Artemis.  Philadelphia had its own local cult of Augustus and Rome by 27–26 B.C.  There was also a Jewish community in Philadelphia as in many other Asian cities. 

This starts with our focus verse, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens, and no one will shut, and who shuts, and no one opens, says this:” Revelation 3:7.  It declares two attributes which Jesus is known by; He who is holy and He who is true.  These attributes are essential attributes of God in the Old Testament.  “Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from Him.” Isaiah 1:4. And, “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;” Exodus 34:6.  Also, to have the ‘key of David refers to having control and authority:  therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, i.e., Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel. 

Next, we read, “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8.  The open door means access to God. Readers already have access to God through prayer, and in the future, they have the hope of resurrection to life in God’s presence. The idea is that the Church in Philadelphia need access to God’s presence because Christians are being heavily pressured to deny their faith. If Christians at Philadelphia had been questioned by a Roman magistrate, they might have been pressured to deny Jesus’ name to escape punishment.  However, they have stayed true to Christ and were unwilling to deny their Lord and Savior. 

Then He follows this with, “Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.” Revelation 3:9. The idea here is like what we see in Isaiah.  “And the sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, and all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; And they will call you the city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 60:14. This verse speaks of the adversaries of Christians eventually to bow at their feet. Note, this is not their idea.  ‘I will make them to come and bow down at your feet.” They will be forced to bow in subjection before them, in humility before those they despised, those who were followers of the God they hated, and declare them the people of God.  And because of this, they will know that the Lord loves them.

Next in verse ten, “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10.  This is like a verse found in John’s gospel, and I feel they communicate the same basic idea. “I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15-16. The related expression can also mean protection from evil for those living in the middle of evil.  And this is promised because they fervently kept His word that was the cause of their suffering and persecution.

He then finishes this letter with words of encouragement. “I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” Revelation 3:11-12. The word ‘crown’ comes from the Greek word for ‘laurel wreath’. A laurel wreath was given to those who won a victory in an athletic contest or military battle, as well as those honored for public service. Here, it is given to those who win victory through faithfulness to God and Christ in the face of opposition. It signifies resurrection to life in the New Jerusalem. As for the pillar, this metaphor is based on the image of a temple with pillars in it. Revelation uses pillar imagery to show that the faithful constitute God’s temple and have a permanent place in God’s presence, which was a great blessing in the first century. And as for the writing of His name and the New Jerusalem, this was something done often in this time. Readers would have been familiar with the practice of inscribing pillars and monuments with the names of donors, gods, and cities. For example, a first-century inscription on a column at Ephesus commemorated the building of the imperial temple during Domitian’s reign. It named both the city of Teos and the emperor. Columns in the temples of Artemis at Ephesus and Sardis were inscribed with the names of donors, and similar practices are attested in other cities. This was done in honor of the one who’s name was written.

This Church had no negativity written about them.  They stood strong for Christ and did not turn from God.  So, those who struggled with weakness Jesus makes everlasting pillars in the house of God. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Jesus’ words of comfort certainly would have been a blessing to the Philadelphians who had faithfully stood for Christ in their pagan culture. His words continue to serve as an encouragement to faithful believers today.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Revelation 3:1

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Revelation 3:1 

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” – Revelation 3:1 

Over seven days, I will be looking at what John wrote, by the inspiration of God, to the seven major churches in Asia Minor.  In these seven letters, God gives a message that is specific to each and speaks of issues that could fit the Churches throughout history.  It is important to look at these and examine our church and ultimately ourselves to see where we stand regarding these. 

Next, Jesus writes to the fifth Church in this list, the Church of Sardis.  Sardis was located about forty miles southeast the Thyatira and around fifty miles east of Smyrna.  It had been the capital of the kingdom of Lydia in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C.  Following the conquests of Alexander the Great, the city came under Hellenistic rule and was the capital of the Seleucid kingdom in the third century BCE. After 133 BCE Sardis became part of Roman Asia, where it was a judicial center. Because they were part of the area ruled by the Seleucids, they have a Greek bent in their religious lives which focused on Greek gods including Artemis of Sardis and Zeus Polieus, the guardian of civic welfare. Sardis had a cult of the goddess Roma, a female deity who personified the Roman state before the end of the second century BCE.

Note the first part of our focus verse.  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, says this:” Revelation 3:1a. Only Jesus has the seven spirits (or “seven-fold Spirit,” meaning the complete or perfect Spirit of God), and only Jesus holds the seven stars, i.e., the seven angels (or pastors) of the seven churches. “As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:20.  He then says, “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” Revelation 3:1b.  This church had a good reputation; however, they did not live up to that reputation.  The church appeared to be full of people, but the majority of those coming probably were not Christians but were simply going through the motions.  As Jesus had said when discussing this issue, “He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat and went away.” Matthew 13:24-25. 

He then tells the Church, “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.” Revelation 3:2. Jesus then calls for them to repent of their sin. The idea of wake up is they need to start paying attention to what is going on there and stop pretending to be Christians but make it real; to turn from the sins and live as God desires. They needed to stop looking carelessly about what their real situation was before God. And if they do not repent, then things will not go well for them. “Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason, you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Matthew 24:42-44.

After this He adds.  “But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4. The idea of soiled garments are clothes that were defiled, physically unclean and ritually unsuitable to be worn in God’s presence. “The LORD also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash their garments:” and then “So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.” Exodus 19:10, 14. The promised reward accords with the character of those to be rewarded: keeping their garments undefiled and white through the blood of the Lamb now, they shall walk with Him in white hereafter.  

Then in closing His message to the Church in Sardis He writes this.  “He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5. Here He reiterates the idea of walking in garments of white, denoting being clean before God.  But then He adds two additional blessings.  First, they will not have their names removed from the Lambs book of life.  This is interesting wording.  This denotes the idea of condemnation, but in a way that people could understand. Our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life from the foundations of the world.  “And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.” Revelation 13:8. God knew who would accept His Son from the foundations of the earth. Jesus, through John uses this idea to urge the Church of Sardis to remain faithful and true, using a method or idea they would understand. And not only will their name remain in the Book of Life, but Jesus also acknowledges their name before the Father and His angels.  Acknowledging someone means affirming a relationship with that person in a way that shows loyalty and favor. Since Jesus has a place of honor before the Father and the angels, those he acknowledges share in the honor that belongs to Him. And this refers to someone who does not shy away from acknowledging Christ.  “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33. 

Therefore, never shy away from declaring Jesus in this world, and acknowledging your relationship with Him.  He loves you more than you can know, and is worthy of all the honor we can give Him.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Revelation 2:18

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Revelation 2:18 

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:” – Revelation 2:18

Over seven days, I will be looking at what John wrote, by the inspiration of God, to the seven major churches in Asia Minor.  In these seven letters, God gives a message to each that is specific to each and speaks of issues that could fit the Churches throughout history.  It is important to look at these and examine our church and ultimately ourselves to see where we stand regarding these. 

We now come to the fourth church, the Church of Thyatira.  Thyatira was a wealthy town on the Lycus River in the Roman province of Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey.  This is the only one of the messages to the seven Churches where the Jesus is called the Son of God. Its wealth no doubt came from the various industries that is found in the city, those being textile and clothing, coppersmiths, potters, tanners, leather cutters and bakers.  It was also a regional center in the Asian slave trade network.  An inscription mentions a slave trader who oversaw the public market at Thyatira and funded festivities for the imperial cult.  Worship in the city centered on the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis, the protectors of civic welfare.  They were originally Anatolian deities who were identified with Apollo and Artemis in the Greek pantheon.  In fact, the Greek gods were given great remembrance and honor among the people, which probably brought much difficulty to the Church in their work. 

The letter starts by, as in all the letters, declaring the good found in the Church.  “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.”  Revelation 2:19.  The works of the congregation are specified in four ways: “Love (agape)” which includes love for God and acts of compassion for others.  It means giving oneself for others as Christ did.  “Faith”, which includes faith in God and Christ and faithfulness to God and his people. The faithful bear public witness to God in the face of conflict.  “Service” which probably included actions ranging from witnessing to the lost and providing for the needy.  And He adds that they have grown in the works they do, in that the works they do now are greater than when they started.

However, He has an issue with them as well.  “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bondservants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” Revelation 2:20. Jezebel is a nickname that John gives to the woman at Thyatira in order to compare her to Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel. “And it came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians and went to serve Baal and worshiped him.” 1 Kings 16:31.  This woman refers to herself as a prophetess, but her teachings are far from truth, specifically she seduces the servants of God to immoral conduct and to the eating of meats that had been sacrificed to idols.  He gave her opportunities to repent, but she did not. “And I gave her time to repent; and she does not want to repent of her immorality.” Revelation 2:21.  And since she did not repent of leading many astray with her evil teachings, “Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” Revelation 2:22-23.  And as it says in the above verse, “I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of their ways.” Revelation 2:22b.

And to those who do not follow the ways of Jezebel but remain true to God He says, “I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless, what you have, hold fast until I come.” Revelation 2:24b-23. The faithful believers did not fall into Satan’s trap, and they only needed to remain faithful until Christ’s return.

Then Jesus lists His promises to the believers in Thyatira. “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my father. and I will give him the morning star.” Revelation 2:26-28. At Christ’s coming the saints shall possess the kingdom over the whole earth.  These blessings include along with authority over the earth, victory over all the enemies, and the morning star.  And since Jesus is the morning star, this means He will give Himself to His Church, and be in fellowship with them forever. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16.  Is not this a wonderful blessing to us who remain true to Christ and oppose the ways of Satan and his followers?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.