Scripture Union Discovery 12th February 2025 Devotional Message for Wednesday
TOPIC: Crossing Over
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, fill my mind and heart with truth today. Enable me to walk in the freedom that is mine in Christ, to fully embrace my relationship with him.
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Read JOHN 5:16–30
The Authority of the Son
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Reflect
Is there anything that you have thought, said, or done that is bothering you? If so, tell Jesus that you are sorry, and know that you are forgiven.
For some years I practiced as a lawyer and so I have seen trials at first hand. Typically, there is a judge, a defendant, witnesses, and lawyers arguing for the defense and prosecution. You see similar elements in today’s passage. The charge against Jesus is Sabbath breaking and blasphemy, two of the most serious offenses in Jewish law. The prosecutors are out for a conviction.
Then the scene changes. Jesus is no longer the defendant but the judge. Because Jesus is the judge, the One who gives eternal life (vv. 24–27), those who meet him are given a choice. They can believe his words and live eternally, or turn from him and be condemned. Those prosecuting Jesus now find themselves placed on trial!
For followers of Jesus this is good news. Sometimes we can feel like we are the defendants. We are aware of the things we have done wrong and feel guilty. We can sometimes feel that the world is condemning us and we don’t know how to respond. Jesus tells us that we need not fear because we have crossed over from death to life. We are forgiven and acquitted.
Apply
Do you feel forgiven in every area of your life, or are there still parts of your past that make you feel guilty? Imagine walking out of court with all charges dropped against you. You are free!
Closing Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, that in you, confession brings acquittal and freedom; when I come to you in sincere repentance, you remove my guilt. Help me to live in the light of your forgiveness.
Scripture Union Discovery 12th February 2025 Devotional © 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved
