2/25/24 – 3/2/24

Last week we began reading 1 John, a New Testament treatise, homily, and/or tract about the God of light and love who revealed himself in and through Jesus the Christ. This week we will finish reading 1 John, then read 2 John and 3 John, which are believed to have been written by a student of the apostle John known as “John the Elder.” The reading for Friday will be a short document within The Bible from one of Jesus’ brothers known as The Letter of Jude, which warned first-century Jewish Christians about false teachers within their church(es).

 

In the Gospel According to Mark and the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus’ siblings are mentioned, including his brother “Judas,” whose name is also translated as “Judah” and “Jude” in English (Mark 6:1-3; Matthew 13:54-58). Jesus’ brother is not to be confused with the two disciples known as “Judas son of James; and Judas Iscariot” who were part of the twelve disciples/apostles of Christ (Luke 6:16 NRSV). In John’s Gospel it is noted that “even Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in him” during his three-year ministry, which means that Jude did not believe that his brother was the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of the world (John 7:5 NIV). Yet that changed after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In his short letter to Christians that is included in the New Testament of The Bible, Jesus’ brother describes himself in this way, “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” (Jude 1:1 NRSV). James is mentioned in the letter from Jude because he was a prominent leader within the church in Jerusalem during the earliest decades of Christianity (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 1 Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19; 2:9). Some Biblical scholars believe that Jesus’ brother, Jude, became a missionary traveling with his wife, who was also a believer, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:5. Not only did Jude see himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ,” but he believed that his brother, Jesus, was “our only Master and Lord” (Jude 1:4 NRSV). Are you submitting to Jesus as the master and boss of your life? Do you see him and believe in him as Jude did, that Jesus is the Messiah, as well as God in flesh and blood? Expect the God of light and love revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior to use the New Testament documents of 1, 2, 3 John and Jude to speak to the people of Jesus’ Church this week, including to you.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read the portion of God’s message from the prophet Jeremiah
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read The Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Listen to and/or Sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus

 

DAILY MESSAGE:

Each day read the message about forgiveness to begin your time set apart to be with and encounter the living God revealed in and through Jesus Christ:

 

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

– Colossians 3:13 NIV

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verse. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – John 13:34-35 (Jesus’ command to love one another)

Monday – 1 John 2:28-3:24

Tuesday – 1 John 4

Wednesday – 1 John 5

Thursday – 2 & 3 John (Read the introductions to the letters in a Study Bible before reading them.)

Friday – Jude (Read the introduction to the letter in a Study Bible and watch the video before reading it.)

Saturday – Matt. 11:27-12:13 (The Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP & REST.”)

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

You are invited to watch the Books of 1-3 John Summary video on Monday using the link provided if you didn’t watch it last week:

Books of 1-3 John Summary by The Bible Project (on Monday)

 

You are invited to watch the Book of Jude Summary video on Friday using the YouTube link. You can also watch the video on The Bible

Book of Jude Summary by The Bible Project (on Friday)

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

What is the biblical author saying in this chapter?

 

What does their message reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

 

What does this message reveal about people who are either part of Jesus’ Church or they are not?

 

What is God’s message for me from what I read?

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message today and this week?

 

In Matthew 11 Jesus extends this invitation to us, “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 CEB). Are you struggling from a heavy load? Go to Jesus. Tell him your worries and concerns. Receive the rest he is offering you. Offer him your burdens. Seek to live his ways.

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of rest this weekend?

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a Worship Song or Hymn to help you respond to God to express your gratitude for the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some or all of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

PRAY reading The Bible verse(s) again as you allow scripture to guide your prayer. You may feel the Holy Spirit guiding you to lift up joys and concerns too. Try not to worry about tomorrow but focus on today (Matthew 6:34). You may find it helpful to pray through your day, including what you are scheduled to do, or have already done, as well as for the people you will be with, or have already been with.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.