"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." -- John 17:18-19

Jesus is praying to God in this text for those he will soon leave behind.  He realizes that his time is coming to an end here, but only physically.  To say he was leaving a legacy would be tremendously short of the mark.  While he would no longer be present in body, his presence would be known and experienced through others for thousands of years... and will be, even to eternity.  We carry that presence in us today.  Whenever we give of ourselves sacrificially, and whenever we love unconditionally, we are sharing that which Jesus taught-- we're sharing even Jesus himself.  Give thanks today for those who sacrificed everything that you and I might have freedom.   Give thanks for the life you know because of them.

Readings:  2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7

A Story: 2 Samuel 12:1-7

The Lord sent Nathan to David.  When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in  a certain town, one rich and the other poor.  The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought.  He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children.  It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms.  It was like a daughter to him.
Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him.  Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."


David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!  He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." 


Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!" ...

David couldn't believe it.  Nathan had been referring to him the whole time.  This was because of what David had done to Uriah the Hittite-- sent him to the front lines to be killed, then took his wife, Bathsheba, to be his own.

Times don't change much.  We still become severely indignant over other people's wrongdoings, while remaining blind to our own.

Readings:  2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -- John 15:5

Everything we do is a reflection, an outcome if you will, of the values we hold and the influences in our lives.  If we immerse ourselves in politics, we will be political.  If we immerse ourselves in sports, we will be competitive.  If we immerse ourselves in violence, we will have violent tendencies.  Our output is determined by our input.  If you want peace in your life, immerse yourself in the peace that passes all understanding.  If we are to be Christ to the world, we must be so bound to him that when the world sees us, they see him.  To what branch or branches have you been grafted?  What does the world see when they look at you?  What changes do you need to make in terms of the input in your life?  

Readings:  2 Samuel 9:1-11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -- John 14:27

Do you ever feel like life changes so much and so fast that you can't seem to get a handle on it?  Like having a child graduate and prepare to leave the nest... sometimes it keeps you up at night.  You stare at the ceiling fan.  You know that it's good and right, but you've lived the last 18 years having some sense of control.  Then you find yourself at a turn where things are in motion and you can't direct and control them like you once could.  Life can be like that when it changes on you.  But here in John we have the words of Jesus... he was getting ready to leave in a different way... he wanted to reassure his friends and disciples that they could be confident that it was all part of the plan... they couldn't control it... they couldn't stop it.  As much as they didn't want life to change for them in that way, it had to in order for the greater, more lasting change to occur.  Sometimes it's hard to see beyond the corner we're turning.  But we have to have faith that around that corner is something better yet to come.  So I should listen to these words and trust in them... but why can't I sleep?

Readings:  2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." -- John 13:34-35

One of the most important verses in the New Testament in my opinion.  This is a radical departure from what had been considered belonging-- birthright and race.  Now, the mark of belonging to this tribe was the love each would have for one another.  No longer would righteousness be measured by adherence to the unending list of religious laws, but rather, it would be marked by the nature of one's relationships and the presence of love in them.  As you present yourself to the world, do the people in it know your faith by tattoos, bumper stickers, and symbols on jewelry?  Or do they see Christ in you as you show that love to them?

Readings:  2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." -- Proverbs 15:30

A "cheerful look", and "good news"... sounds like new age "positive thinking", that ever-popular teaching that if you just change your viewpoint and see the positive in your situation, you'll live happier and healthier.  Well, it's true.  Apparently, this isn't so new age after all.  It's something that's been around for thousands of years.  The writer of this proverb knew the power of a happy countenance and positive words.  So if it's true, then why don't we practice it?  Even science has shown that forced smiling releases chemicals in our brain that turn our mood from dark to light.  And socially, who likes to be around Debbie Downer?  It's official:  positive thinking does have power.  Exercise that power today.  Don't let the dark clouds envelop you.  Walk in the light.

Readings:  2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30

"Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it...'" -- John 12:35-36

Later in the chapter, Jesus says, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.  When he looks at me, he see the one who sent me.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one  who believes in me should stay in darkness." (12:44-45)

Light is a curious thing.  It can be warm, reassuring, and safe.  It can make our path clear before us so that our steps are sure.  It is a wonderful thing.  But as comforting and as reassuring as it is, it can also be harsh and revealing.  There's nowhere to hide in the light.  Many prefer the shadows so as not to be seen.  But to live in the light is to live in Christ.   We have a choice as to where and how we live.  Darkness will overtake all of us at the time of death, so why would we want to walk in the shadows of death all of our lives?  While you still have it, choose the path of light today, not the road of death.

Readings:  2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28