Genesis Chapter 2 reveals that after God created the first man from the dust of the ground, “no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs…Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man” (Genesis 2:20-22 NIV). The Lord created human beings in his image and likeness. During their earliest days in the Garden of Eden, human beings had a special fellowship with God that included trust, flourishing in God’s care, with nothing to hide or be ashamed of because sin had not yet caused division, brokenness, and death.

 

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, connects his gospel account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to the creation account in Genesis 1 & 2. In the Gospel According to John, the beloved disciple includes Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2). During the wedding celebration, “when the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine’” (John 2:3 NIV). Jesus responded to her in a very interesting way. Instead of saying “mother,” he said “Dear woman” (John 2:4). Within John’s gospel Mary is mentioned again when Jesus is dying upon the cross. The gospel writer shares, “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son’” (John 19:26 NIV). At the cross Jesus was establishing a new order for family and his followers who are also known as disciples. Although Mary had other children, Jesus’ siblings, one of Jesus’ closest followers was given the responsibility of caring for his widowed mother. The gospel writer shares this in regards to Jesus’ mother and the beloved disciple, “From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:27 NIV).

 

Jesus intends for his disciples to care for widows as if they were their own mother. He also established that through the cross and our faith in Christ, we are a family in and through faith in Christ, united with our fellow believers. One time during his ministry Jesus stated, “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50 NIV). The Church is the new family of God that was established in and through Jesus. Our faith in Christ connects all of us to our heavenly Father and to one another as sisters and brothers.

 

*For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

 

Today I am going to offer God ______________________________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed _______________________________________________________________________________________.

 

I am going to respond by _______________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 and Psalm 19.

Listen to “Indescribable” by Chris Tomlin either using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IlVfkY5q54

Pray in response to the verses and song.

 

Read John 1:1-17.

Listen to “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship either by using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube:

Pray in response to the verses and song.

 

Read John 2:1-11.

Listen to “New Wine” by Hillsong Worship either by using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbJaM_EneMw

Pray in response to the verses and song.

 

Read Matthew 12:46-50 and Matthew 6:5-15.

Pray the prayer Jesus taught his disciples from Matthew 6:9-13.

 

Read John 19:23-27.

Read some of the “Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly” hymn lyrics below by Roland Ford Palmer:

Sing of Jesus, son of Mary, in the home at Nazareth.

Toil and labor cannot weary love enduring unto death.

Constant was the love he gave her, though it drove him from her side,

forth to preach, and heal, and suffer, till on Calvary he died.

Pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ, Christians who are part of our congregation, as well the believers throughout the world.

 

Listen to “They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love” sung by Justin Unger using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube:

Read James 1:27.

Pray for widows and orphans, and that the world will know we are Jesus’ followers because they see and experience his love through us.

Consider observing the Sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

Who are the widows I know that God wants me to help? How can I help them?

Who are the children, including orphans and children in foster care, that need my help and support? How can I help them?

 

 

*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.