Chapter 1
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. John 1:40-42a – This is our calling. To follow Jesus and then to bring others to Him. How amazing is this, Andrew heard about Jesus and began following Him. Yet did Andrew just settle there? Settle in the fact that at least he was following Jesus like he should be? No, immediately he reached out to his brother to tell him about all he had found and brought him to meet Jesus. Let this be our story. I hope today you are following Jesus, and if so, ask who can you invite to follow Him as well? Think ahead to all that then happened in Andrew’s brother’s life, in Peter’s life, all because Andrew brought him to Jesus. We can be the person that shows Jesus to someone who will share the gospel to the world. It all starts with an invite. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1393
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 – As we step into the Gospel of John, let’s look at the theme. It was made clear to John through his life with Jesus that Jesus truly was the Son of God and in Christ alone was life and light. As we see in our passage today, in Jesus alone is our life, for He is our life. And the light of man is found in Christ alone for Jesus is the true light. Without Jesus, we would be dead and in the dark. Without Jesus, we would be the same as dry bones in an old coffin. No medicine, no doctors, nothing in this world can bring life back to dead, dry bones…only the source of life and the light of the world can do that. As we then take our first step into the Gospel of John, remember we are reading the story of when God Himself stepped foot on earth with us, bringing life and light to where there was only death and darkness. While the enemy will seek to convince you that death is all you can know and that darkness is all there is, Christ comes to defeat that lying enemy and reveal Himself to you. Know today that Christ is here in your story. He stepped into the world in the days of John, and know His Spirit has stepped into your world today too. The true light has come into the world, and from Him comes grace upon grace. And any who look upon Him and receive Him will become children of God. The promises in this book, even just this chapter alone, are beyond wonderful. Thank you Jesus for coming into our world to bring life and to be our life! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2751
Chapter 2
But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John2:21-22 – It may take sometime for us to fully understand what God has spoken to us within our story. As with the disciples here, it wasn’t until after the resurrection that they grasped what He was speaking on that day. So as we hear things like “God works all things for the good of those who love Him” yet we are drowning in a mess of confusion currently, it may take some time before we fully see what He meant by that in our story. Be then patient with God. He’s proven trustworthy in our lives so even if we don’t fully grasp in the moment what He is speaking over us, trust His lead. Even if it takes till we are in Heaven with Him to understand what He is saying, know He knows what He is doing and has a purpose for what He says. Rest in the truth that He deeply loves you and is invested in your best. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1394
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. John 2:23 – In our chapter we read about the time when Jesus turned the water into wine and when he cleared the temple of money changers. As people began to see what He was doing, scripture says, “many believed in his name.” These were wonderful signs, and likely we today would long to see such things ourselves for we believe it would solidify our faith so deeply. Yet, imagine being one of those servants at the wedding, or someone in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, but also knowing about the future things Jesus would do. About all the healings, the exorcisms, the raising of the dead, and His own resurrection. Imagine them knowing everything we know about Jesus Christ. Their faith would be through the roof! And we, who know all about such things…wish for seeing water turned into wine. Let us remember how blessed we are by being on this side of the resurrection. God has blessed us with His word that opens ours eyes to see Jesus in such rich ways and to know our God in wondrous ways. While yes, seeing firsthand some of the signs we’ll read about in John would be amazing, let us praise the Lord that He has revealed Himself to us through the life of Jesus and His written word. The question is how deeply are we seeking out our Lord who has revealed Himself to us? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2752
Chapter 3
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized. John 3:23 – Sometimes finding where you are to plant yourself to do your calling isn’t that hard. Like with John here, why was he baptizing at Aenon? Because he prayed for weeks on where to go? Because a light from heaven shone on it one morning? I mean I guess those things could have happened because it doesn’t say it didn’t, but what does it say? He chose there because there was a good amount of water and people were going there. Maybe it’s that easy. Ask where is God providing me “water” to do what I need to do and where are people at that I can love? Maybe your calling then is in the deep dark jungles of the Amazon if that’s where He is providing, yet maybe your “water” is being provided in the break area at work. Find your water, find where people are going, and start there doing what God has told you to do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1395
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 – So context, I’m writing this devotion around midnight after hanging with the high schoolers all day at camp so I can post early the next morning before the craziness begins. And this passage, while a favorite of mine and has been so impactful to my walk over the years, today stood out in a unique way. There is about 550 students here at camp and I’m seeing just how deeply our culture has taught them the opposite of John’s words. They are striving to “increase” and make people notice them, want them, and accept them. It’s honestly so sad to see young people (and older people) caught up in this hopeless spiral of seeking glory in this life. Thankfully there are camps and student pastors pouring into our kids helping see that the only glory we should be after is Jesus’. Let’s be honest with ourselves though. Are we about making Jesus’ name increase, or our’s? Would we be ok if our glory diminished if through it Jesus’ increased? Would we be ok to lose followers if they left to follow Jesus? Are we content if no one remembers our name once we die, but because of our life they knew about Jesus’ name? Pray for these students to be about God’s glory increasing more than theirs. Pray for God to reveal in your heart if you are more about your glory than His. He must increase, and if that means our decrease…amen Lord, let it be. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2753
Chapter 4
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?” John 4:10-11 – God doesn’t hold back what He is offering to us if we don’t fully
understand it. Here clearly the woman was completely lost when Jesus spoke to her of living water, yet that didn’t hold Him back from showing her compassion and offering her forgiveness. Maybe today it’s still a struggle for you to grasp how God could love someone who’s messed up or why He’d want to use someone like them. Especially when those people are us. Yet, just because we don’t fully get it, God still offers us love and offers us an opportunity to follow Him. We may not get His compassion, patience, love, and care, but we still get it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1396
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:39-42 – Each step of the way people believed in Jesus, but look at the steps of the passage in reverse. It’s ends with them believing because they found extended time in Jesus’ presence listening to His own words being spoken to them. Before that though people believed because one lady shared her one experience with Jesus with everyone she could. We see many people placing their faith in Jesus, seeking to stay with Jesus longer, and believe deeply in His words to them, all because one person shared their story boldly and endlessly. I believe Jesus is calling us today to do the very thing He called His disciples to do in verse 35…look, lift up your eyes, the fields are white for harvest. Many people can turn to Jesus like they did in our passage, and it just takes one person sharing the gospel like they did in our passage. How special would it be to know many people in your workplace, church, or city believed in Jesus first because they heard your story. Let them hear your story and point them to the Jesus they can pursue forever. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2754
Chapter 5
So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’”John 5:10-11 – Who would you listen to? The ones who are standing there only seeing the wrongs you’re doing or the One who has healed you? Likely you’d say in this situation to follow the lead of Jesus of course. Yet, how often do we not have that same attitude when it comes to the same sort of thing in our story? Where God heals you from an addiction or harmful mindset and as you are taking the first few steps into this newfound freedom you get stopped. Stopped by someone who doesn’t believe the change in you, is jealous of the change that’s been made in you, or even you stop yourself because you get in your own head. If Jesus has told you to stand and walk, then stand and walk. Don’t let anyone else, including the voice in your head, stop you from what God has told you to do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1397
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 – Jesus, while doing the Father’s work and speaking the truth, was making Himself some enemies with the religious leaders of His day. Then Jesus begins to speak to the very ones plotting to kill Him some harsh, but needed to be spoken truths. Here in our passage above Jesus tells them that their search for eternal life from following the words and laws of scripture would always come up empty. That instead those same scriptures speak of a Messiah that will bring salvation and eternal life, and that Messiah was He that was speaking to them. The source to the eternal life they strived for was right in front of them, and they wanted to kill Him. While the religious leaders sought out obedience to the law to earn them eternal life, what are you seeking eternal life from? If you are seeking eternal life from anything other than Jesus, know that pursuit is as foolish as plotting to kill the source of eternal life. Jesus, and only Jesus, can offer you Heaven, salvation from sin, and the Holy Spirit. If then you do not yet have a relationship with Jesus, know the eternal life you’re seeking comes only from Him. If you have found your eternal life in Jesus, how are you speaking into the life of others so they know where to find eternal life? Praise the Lord that we have a Savior that can save all and who is worthy of all! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2755
Chapter 6
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. John 6:66 – Sometimes the words we hear from God are hard to follow. Yet the question really isn’t how hard are the words, it’s will you follow them regardless? Of course, when we hear things like come to me and rest, we can easily get behind that. Yet what about letting go of what so easily entangles us or to show love to those that hurt us or even to let go of the anger we’ve held against someone for so long? That’s just the beginning, some of the things God asks us costs much more than that and are even heavier to accept. Yet the question remains, will you follow where He leads regardless of how hard the word is? Don’t wait to make up your mind to that question until the difficult command is right in front of you. Settle now that whatever He says goes in your story. His path is your path, even if it’s a path rougher than you ever imagined. Take courage knowing that no matter how rough it may get, when He’s in the boat with you, you’ll always get to where you need to be. (See proof of that in verse 21). I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1398
For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” John 6:55-58 – For us who exist post-crucifixion and post-resurrection, we understand far better what Jesus was speaking of in this passage than those listening in His day. If we were to take His words as a straightforward command to literally begin eating His flesh and blood, that would be a hard and confusing message to hear from the one we are following. We though know Jesus is speaking of spiritual, eternal life, not ending our fleshly hunger with His literal flesh. If we then were to feed on what Jesus offers us, His death and resurrection, making those things the very things we trust our life in, there we will find life and find ourselves abiding with God. To say this even more plainly, make Jesus the source of your pursuit of your needs. For peace, look to Jesus. For direction, look to Jesus. For salvation, look to Jesus. Feed on Him, consume only Him in your life and no more of the junk of the world. And when we find ourselves finally only taking in our Savior, and no longer taking in the things of this world, there we find the satisfying of our souls that we are longing for. Jesus alone is more than enough to fill us up within this life, we don’t need a side order of the world to sustain us. If then you have been feeling empty in life, ask yourself, what have you been filling yourself up with? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2756
Chapter 7
Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” John 7:31 – Jesus wasn’t enough for them. In order for them to believe He really was the Messiah they needed more proof from Him. We never are like this right? We take what He’s done for us already in the resurrection and what we see in scripture as proof enough He’s worth giving our life up to follow Him. We never doubt His love for us because He didn’t move like we asked Him to. Or we never question His presence because something horrid happened in our story. Hopefully you know I’m joking here, we all struggle with these things at times. What can help us remain faithful in our walk even in these sort of times is to take what He’s given already as proof of His power and goodness as proof. Unlike how the people in our passage needed more, let’s truly look at what Jesus has already done in our life to show us He loves and cares about us. Let that be enough, and when we truly seek out all the ways God has shown us He loves us through scripture and our life already, I have confidence we’ll have more than enough proof for the rest of our life to lean on. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1399
When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. John 7:40-43 – As a pastor, a church being divided over something always breaks my heart, yet being divided over Jesus is uniquely heartbreaking. This group had seen His signs and heard His words about Himself. Some believed He truly was the Messiah, others thought He was a hoax because He didn’t line up with their interpretation of scripture. Others, like we see in verse 42, rightfully examined scriptures concerning the Messiah, but hadn’t drawn close enough to Jesus yet to discern He fulfilled the prophecies of scripture concerning the Messiah. Whether it was simply following Jesus because they had been feed or because they hadn’t learned enough about Jesus yet, division came between the people over Him. Let us today be willing to take all this in and firm up our pace of following. Let us read and examine all the wonderous signs Jesus performed in Scripture. Let us learn from His teachings within scripture. Finally, let us learn all we can about the person of Jesus to see how He fulfills ever prophecy concerning the Messiah. When we together put Jesus as our focus, and allow scripture to guide our steps, division doesn’t have the be the end result within the church. I truly believe the most vicious division within the body comes with the body takes their eyes off of Jesus and off of scripture. Let our story be one where we are unified in Christ as one body under His leadership. Let our eyes be on the Savior, let our ears listen to His words, and let our hearts be one with one another. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2757
Chapter 8
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. John 8:1 – Even Jesus knew the value of stepping away from all the craziness of life to spend time with the Father alone. If you read a few verses before this one, crowds were torn as to who Jesus was. There was yelling, accusations, and hate being thrown all around. Sometimes we too can find ourselves in situations just like the one Jesus found Himself in here, possibly even at a recent family dinner. So how do you keep your focus on God strong after finding yourself in the middle of such disruption? Follow Christ’s lead and find time alone with God to reset. Maybe it’s in your room alone, maybe it’s a hike outside, maybe it’s just waking up a little early before everyone else. Wherever and however you find that time alone take it because it is so essential to your walk with God. Step away from the craziness to reset your focus and purpose back on Him. Once there though don’t stay there. While one-on-one time with God is key to your spiritual health, so is stepping back into the craziness and being that light we’re called to be. Either way, do what you have to to keep your focus on God; He’s the only thing that will keep you going properly. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 396
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” John 8:31-33 – This here is a perfect example of the deceiving sense of freedom sin gives to those who are in it. They here thought they needed no freeing because they weren’t a slave to anything. Sin wants you to believe that as you follow its lead you’ll find true freedom. Freedom from what parents say, from what society says, and from your longings. But many who have followed sin’s path long enough realizes it isn’t freedom at the end of it all. Sin though never wants you to see the chains it’s putting on you every step deeper you get onto it’s path. Maybe you look free right now as you pursue your sin, know though you aren’t seeing everything behind the curtain sin has put up. Find the freedom only Jesus gives, the freedom these people in our story were to stubborn to step into. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1400
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. John 8:47 – To seek to then sum up the chapter, Jesus is speaking with His critics. They see Him as a liar, a fraud, and demon possessed. Jesus though says He is from God and that He is God and that He is doing the will of the Father. How can there be such a vast disconnect between their understanding and the truth about Jesus? Our passage above answers that clearly, that can’t understand the words of Jesus because they are not of God. They don’t see Jesus for who He truly is, nor do they believe the words coming from Him, all because they are not of God. They have the superficial, religious actions down and they have the right family tree, but they are not true followers of God. If they were, they’d know they had the Messiah right in front of them. Let us then give grace to those around us that don’t embrace the gospel or God’s words to them immediately after hearing it if they are not followers of Jesus yet. If someone does not have the Holy Spirit within then helping them, the words of God are confusing, overwhelming, and can even appear false. We need the Lord helping us understand His word, and if they don’t have the Lord within their life yet, how can we expect them to understand? So again, give grace when they don’t follow immediately, and even when they reject the message. Pray the Holy Spirit will give them understanding and that they will have a desire for the Lord. Finally, continue to live a faithful life of following Jesus in front of them. They may not understand, but they won’t be able to deny the reality of God’s works within your life when you display it in front of them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2758
Chapter 9
Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” John 9:37 – Mic drop. What power is there in what Jesus just said. A guy who once was blind but now has been healed by Jesus asks who the Son of Man is and Jesus replies, “You have seen him.” Because of what Jesus did in his life he was able to know God in ways that were impossible to him before. It’s the same with us. Until we had our chains of sin broken we never could have known God as someone who approaches Him freely. Until God adopted us as His own we’d never be able to understand Him as a Father. And it’s only because of what God has done within our story that allows us to connect with Him in these new ways. Let’s take some time today to thank Him for opening our eyes so we can see Him and thank Him for restoring us so we can come to Him. We only have what we have with God because of what God has done in our story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac- Daily DEVO 1401
The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. John 9:30-34 – What we see here in our chapter is a story of Jesus giving sight to a blind man, but also a story of men who were blinded to the reality they too were blind. At the surface level of the story, we see Jesus giving sight to a man who was born blind. Jesus even Himself says this miracle was done so that God’s work might be displayed. Yet the religious leaders who saw and conversed with this newly-seeing man rejected that Jesus was from God. When the man that was healed tried to convince them that Jesus was from God, they cast him out and declared him to be in utter sin. Sadly, what they refused to acknowledge was they too were born in sin and needed to given sight. The man that was blind, now sees, but the men who could see physically remained blinded spiritually. Today, open your eyes and see. See that God is the one to be worshipped. See that you have sin in your life that needs forgiven. See that God is the only one that can save. See that He loves you. God is calling us out of the darkness and into the light. If your eyes have been opened to the truth, how are you helping others see what you see? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2759
Chapter 10
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. John 10:1 – Somebody wants you. Now if you’re single and you just got excited at that news, sorry to crush your excitement, but I’m not meaning it like that. We see here there is a thief seeking out to take some sheep. There is a thief in our story trying to take us far away from the safety of God’s flock and care. Let’s not be naïve then when it comes to those who step into our story. While we have a God, and have those that God uses in our life, that come into our care and guide us, we also have some that come in to do the opposite. Be wise then about who you let into your “sheep pen.” Watch how and where people enter into your life. Don’t live in fear of every person that steps into your story, just don’t assume everyone is there to help you in your walk. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1402
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16 – In our chapter, Jesus has just established that He alone is the means by which all people will find reconciliation with the Father. He is the gate and He is the Good Shepherd. Only through Jesus can we become a part of the flock of God. Now the Jews listening to Him that day would have accepted the idea that some are a part of God’s flock, and some aren’t, for they were God’s chosen people. Yet in our passage Jesus says the unthinkable to this Jewish audience…other sheep that are not of this fold are going to be brought into the flock of God. Gentiles would be allowed in, even their Roman enemies would have the ability to become a part of God’s flock. While disturbing and shocking to this crowd, this message is a message of life to us Gentiles today! Let us though embrace this message of “other sheep” even still today as we think about who is allowed to become a part of God’s flock. Maybe, like the Jews in our passage, you too have individuals or people groups that you think are unworthy of being a part of God’s people. Likely you wouldn’t actually say that, but in your heart you know that’s where you’re at. If you were honest with yourself and God and there are people you feel shouldn’t be allowed to be a part of God’s people, let today be your day of repentance of such a heart. Bring this to the Lord, ask Him to forgive and to change your heart towards that person or that people group. No one deserves to be a part of God’s flock, not even you. Each of us who have been called by name by our Good Shepherd to be a part of His flock are unworthy, but eternally blessed to be welcomed into His flock. Don’t reject someone that God is calling to Himself. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2760
Chapter 11
If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. John 11:48 – They were nervous that if Jesus has His way and kept on moving forward like He was they were going to lose everything. Sometimes that can be a fear we even have within our own story. That as Jesus keeps moving forward in our life and having His way with more of it that we’ll lose some of the things we hold onto so dearly. The truth is, you’re right. God’s not interested in leaving us the way we are right now. Meaning the more He has His way in our life the more things will be changing. Habits will break, mindsets will change, and sin will be brought into the light. So as with the passage, know as Jesus moves in our lives things are going to change. That though is a blessing, not something to fear. Let’s praise Him that He is going to work in our story to make us better than we are today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1403
Jesus answered, “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. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” John 11:9-10 – Chapter 11 is all about the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In the verses prior to 9-10, Jesus tells His disciples that His plans were to head back to Judea. Knowing though that this was a place filled with people seeking to kill Jesus, the disciples tried to convince Jesus to not return. Jesus’ response was our verses above. He knew the Father’s will was for Him to return to Judea and raise Lazarus from the dead to give the Father glory. And if He was walking in the Father’s will, He would be walking in the light, with no need to fear any stumbling. Yet, if He refused to walk as the Father told Him to, He would be walking in the night, out of the Father’s will and stumbling in the night. Let us then today walk in the daylight while there is still time. Let us know what God’s will is for us and walk in it. For there will be a time ahead for all of us where the choice to live for God is gone and our earthly life is over. Don’t wait to live for Jesus for you may find yourself stumbling in the dark because you waited too long. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Live and love like Jesus did. There is still light for you today, don’t waste the time in the light with games you play only in the dark. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2761
Chapter 12
So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. John 12:10-11 – Honestly I’m still trying to work through these verses myself. While I’ve read them many times in the past they hit me uniquely this morning. That they were willing to go as far as murder to stop people from drawing close to Jesus. Whether it’s was for selfish reasons because they didn’t want to lose their glory or good reasons in their own mind in wanting to help people not turn away from the law, they were willing to take drastic steps to keep people from Jesus. Let’s not be naive in thinking this doesn’t happen today. In all our efforts to share the gospel we have an enemy who is willing to go the distance to keep people away from Jesus. Willing to crush the miracles that have happened in our story and silence our story. That’s said, we must then never let up on our pursuit to show people what Jesus has done in our story. Yes the enemy will be doing his best to silence that message, we must just speak louder. Keep striving, keep sharing, and trust God to make your witness seen by those that need to see it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1404
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” John 12:17-19 – This passage here is probably one of my favorite evangelism passages! Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead and is entering Jerusalem. As He enters the city, hoards of people come to Him to worship and proclaim His praises. Yet why? How did such a crowd know He was coming and know about His wonderous works? Verse 18 tells us that answer, those who saw what Jesus did shared what they saw with those that didn’t see it. Now, because of such sharing, those that hadn’t yet seen Jesus and His power are now drawing close to Him to see Him and worship Him. If then we today want to see people who don’t know Jesus yet begin approaching Jesus, we who have seen must start sharing what we have seen of Jesus. Share of His love, grace, and goodness. Share how He changed your life and saved you from your pits of despair. Let them see through you who Jesus is. They may have never experienced Jesus in their life before, but you can help them know Jesus through your sharing. Share so often that our enemy acknowledges he has lost the world for it has gone after Jesus. Find somehow today to somehow share with someone something about our Jesus with them. Let the message of Jesus find its way into every conversation, especially when you’re talking with those who don’t know Him yet. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2762
Chapter 13
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 – There’s value in knowing God’s Word and there’s blessing if you do it. Here Jesus is speaking into His disciple’s life by first setting an amazing example of humility and love for them, then telling them to follow His example. To live humble and live loving the people around them. Jesus was sharing some amazing words to them and they were taking them in. What we see from our verse though reminds us that just taking in the words isn’t enough. There must be action that follows the taking in. We can know the Word inside and out yet if that knowledge isn’t being transformed into action then it’s power is greatly stifled. Show it, express it, and live the Word out in your story. That’s when we begin stepping into our blessing and are able to invite others into their own. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1405
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. John 13:37-38 – Imagine the scene, Jesus is sitting with His disciples having supper with them. He’s just washed their feet and dismissed Judas to do his evil work. He’s just announced to the group that one of them will betray him, and Peter boldly says he’d never do such a thing and he would follow Jesus even till death. We then get our familiar passage above about Peter’s three denials of Christ. Jesus asked Peter a heavy question, will you lay down your life for me? Likely, like Peter, our response would be a quick yes to Jesus if asked this question. Yet, like Peter, would we fully understand all that it meant to full lay down our life for Jesus? This may look like choosing Him over our life being spared if that sort of situation arose, but how about today? Will you lay down your life of sin? Will you lay down your life of pursuing your own goals and desires? Will you lay down your life that puts you at the center? To follow Christ means our old life of self and sin is put to death and laid in the grave. Our life is no longer ours but given fully over to Jesus for His purposes alone. Will you lay down your life for Jesus? When put in this context, it’s a little more all-consuming than maybe our first understanding of what the passage is saying. Know though that Jesus is worth dying for…and worth living for. He is worth giving up this world for. Let the Savior that gave up all for you have all of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2763
Chapter 14
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 – Sometimes scripture doesn’t take much digging or studying to fully grasp what God is wanting us to hear from His Word. This is one of those times. If we love Jesus, we’ll follow what He tells us to do. Simple as that. Now while the message is simple to understand, the execution isn’t as simple. Always following Jesus’ commands isn’t easy, but it is our way to show Jesus back we do love Him. He showed us how deeply He loves us by what He did on the cross, now we get the opportunity to show Him how much we love Him. Today then make it overly clear to God that you love Him by how you follow His commands. Let this change the reason behind why you do what you do for God. It’s not about doing it because you have to, but because every time you say yes to God’s lead you are also telling Him you love Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1406
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by the Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 14:21 – In this chapter, Jesus is speaking some important truths to His close disciples to ready them for His departure from this world. He tells them the key to how we can demonstrate to God how much we love Him. What is the key? Keeping the commands that He has given us. What we see being promised here is that as we faithfully follow what God has established in His word to do, we will find ourselves experiencing the love of God and seeing more clearly His presence with us. Note that nowhere is this saying that our good following of the commands earns us God’s love and salvation, but our faithfulness to God’s commands after we’ve received the Lord is our way of demonstrating our love for God. Jesus then promises here that when we show our love to the Lord, we see more clearly the love that God has for us and even more clearly see Him. Let not a passage like this fuel the legalistic side of our faith where we begin this hardcore following of the rules of scripture to earn something or because of a “have to” attitude. That’s not what God is teaching here. Yes, follow His commands fully, but for the purpose of showing God your love for Him. Our life with God is about us experiencing God’s love and God receiving our love. Through Jesus we have received God’s love, and through Jesus we have learned how to show God our love. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2764
Chapter 15
If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. John 15:24 – I had to do some research on this so I understood what it was saying because at first it seems to say if Jesus never came they wouldn’t be guilty of sin. Well, in a way, that is what it’s saying. See if Jesus never came and never did the works He did and never said what He said, they would have never had the opportunity to reject Him or reject what He said. So as a result they would have never had the chance to sin that way. Now that doesn’t cancel out all the other sinful things they did in their life, but they at least wouldn’t have rejected the Word and person of Jesus. Thankfully for us He did come and He did speak and He did move in power. Let’s then not commit the same sin the people Jesus was speaking of made in rejecting Him. Let’s abide in His love as He spoke on earlier in the passage. Accept who Jesus says He is, accept His love, and accept His lead in your life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1407
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 –“Abiding” is a key word in these verses and in this chapter. Understand it as Jesus saying we need to be connected spiritually to Him through a saving faith and to be pursuing this connection wholeheartedly by following of His commands. When we follow what He says, we will abide with Him and see much fruit being produced from our life. We see that apart from Jesus, fruit like peace, joy, love, and patience are impossible to produce. When we though find ourselves connected to Jesus and pursuing that connection with Jesus through obedience, there we begin to see fruit being produced. Are you then searching for fruit that only Jesus can provide? Things like peace, patience, and joy? First you must ask are you connected to Him. Have you placed your faith in Jesus yet? Once that has been firmly established, ask yourself the next question…are you pursuing that relationship you have with Jesus? For only in a relationship with Christ that is actively serving Him and following Him will there be such fruits. Abide with Him, and find the fruit you need. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2765
Chapter 16
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 – This was a scary, big change for them. Jesus was leaving them yet He did share with them that as a result of this change the Helper, the Holy Spirit, would come to them. This is something for us to keep in mind about the big changes God is making within our own story. That He has a reason within the change for us. Possibly this change will bring the new perspective on life we need or bring a new person into our story to help us along. As with what Jesus said, if this change then didn’t come along in our journey then the help wouldn’t come either. Trust God then in the changes He brings about. While some things may leave, He has plans to add to your story what you need. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1408
And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me… John 16:8-9 –Jesus is still speaking with His disciples and has told them that once He leaves the Holy Spirit will come. We learn from our verse that one of the things the Holy Spirit will do when He comes is He will convict the world concerning sin. He will be the one to help the non-believing world realize and acknowledge they have sin in their story. It will be the Holy Spirit that will be the one that will make the lost world realize they are in a state of sin against God. Meaning, it’s not our role to convict or condemn. Yes, our role as carriers of the Gospel is to shine the light on the sin within the world and help others realize the sin within their life. We are also called to help them realize what sin has caused, a separation between them and God. Let us understand though that it is the Holy Spirit that will open their eyes to the gravity of their sin, not us. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t move and doesn’t open their eyes of the lost to their sin, there will be no repentance of sin taking place. So be praying that the Spirit will move within the life of the lost around you like this. That He will open their eyes to their sin and soften their heart to the message of the gospel. Let us remember or role is to share the message of good news. We can’t save them, we can’t change their heart, and we can’t change their mind. We though can come before the Lord in prayer that His Holy Spirit will begin the work in their life in the ways only He can. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2766
Chapter 17
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. John 17:15 – Why? Why would Jesus not ask to take us out of the world with Him? Obviously He knows there is evil in the world trying to tear us down and keep us from coming to Him. Why wouldn’t He just ask the Father to also take all those who believed in Him to go with Him then? Because then you and I wouldn’t know anything about Jesus. They needed to remain to share the message of Jesus with those around them and to write it all down for generations to come. This is why Jesus hasn’t taken you yet as well. If we still have breath in our lungs, we still have the mission to tell the lost about Jesus. You are alive today to carry out that purpose. Trust God is going to continue to keep us safe from the evil one along the journey. Let’s just make sure today we are actually taking the path He’s called us to walk down. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1409
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 – Jesus is about to go through the worst pains a person could physically, emotionally, and even spiritually experience …the cross. Yet, before those events unfold, we find Jesus Himself turning His eyes to the Father and praying for the disciples that have followed Him within His ministry. In our verse, we see Jesus first asking the Father to sanctify them, to set them apart and make them holy, and to do this setting apart by and in the truth. Jesus then makes the statement that the Lord’s “word” is truth. The Greek word is “logos” for “word,” just like in John 1:1. And who was John speaking of as the “word” in John 1:1? Jesus. Jesus, the logos, is truth. In Jesus, through Jesus, and through Jesus’ word alone is how we find our sanctification. If this is sounding too wordy and churchy, just understand this as saying Jesus is the one who can make us holy before the Father. It’s only through our believing in Him, the Word, that we can be set apart from this world for God. Do you then believe in the Word? Have you been set apart and made holy by Jesus? Know today can be the day your life is forever set apart for the Lord. If you have questions or would like to chat about this, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2767
Chapter 18
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. John 18:1-2 – Our enemy knows the places we go to find our fill. The relationships we lean on for help, the activities we do to get our mind off of things, and the places of stillness we go to. Our enemy knows about them. See he wants to keep us running on empty because on empty its very hard for us to pour out on others the joy and love we’re called to. So be aware that he is going to seek to disrupt those relationships you have with people that help you. Be aware he is going to try to find ways to weave sin into the activities that bring you rest. Know he wants you empty and will do all he can to keep you empty. Fight then for the health of those relationships and the purity of those activities. Don’t allow the things that fill you become drains just because the enemy has his way with them. Keep them holy so they can remain places you go to find your fill. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1410
When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:6 – Context of our verse is Jesus has just left the dinner space with the disciples that we’ve been studying about the last few days and is now in the garden praying. Judas, with a band of solider and officers, arrives at the garden in search for Jesus. After announcing they are looking for Jesus, we find our verse above. Jesus powerfully answers them like He has a few times in then book, and answers them like the Father told Moses to declare His name…I am. From Bibleref, it says this about our verse, “This overt demonstration of power is the last fully active deed in His earthly ministry. From this point forward, Jesus will submit to His own fallible creations as they condemn and murder Him.” As we read the rest of this chapter, and into the following chapters about Jesus’ beating and crucifixion, allow yourself to remember the power demonstrated in this moment. A band of soldiers, armed with weapons and torches, fell to the ground in terror at simply the announcing of His name. So when we read and see what happened to Him, remember He had the power still and He had the power to shut things down if that’s what He chose to do. He didn’t choose though to shut down all the brutality that came His way, and do you know why? Us. While standing before the soldiers, officials, the high priest, and Pilate, what He saw was us and He saw the Father. Praise Jesus that He was willing to go through all He did for our sake and willingly humbled Himself so we could be raised to new life. What a mighty God we serve! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2768
Chapter 19
There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. John 19:18 – You can be found doing the most holy of things stuck in the middle of sin all around you. Jesus, in between two criminals, was doing the most holy of things, dying for the sins of the world. I feel like we can find ourselves avoiding places of sinfulness due to the fear of ourselves falling into the sinfulness, yet Jesus showed us here that doesn’t have to be the case. We can remain faithful even when sin is all around us and in order to help some people see Jesus we’ll have to step into these places of sin. Be wise as you step into these places because our enemy wants to trip you up and be sure to lean on the other faithful followers around you to help you remain standing. Just know you don’t have to fall into it even if you find yourself surrounded by it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1411
They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:15 – Likely even if you didn’t read along with me the chapter, you can guess the context of this passage. Jesus is about to be crucified. Pilate, the Roman governor at this time, pressured by the Jewish people and leaders, is asking what exactly to do with this “king” of the Jews. As we see in our passage the chief priests, the ones who would speak on behalf of the whole of the people, declare Jesus is no king of theirs and a worldly man is instead. Such a verse echoes of Israel in 1 Samuel 8:7 when they reject God as their King and choose a man instead. ”And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.“ Whether it was with Saul, Caesar, or self, the story of humanity is choosing a different king of their life than the Lord. Our call is to make a different choice and to guide others into a different choice. Jesus raising from the dead has established Him as King of Kings seated on the throne of Heaven. And while crowned with all majesty, power, and splendor, we can still choose to submit and bend our knee to another king. When in your choosing of your king, remember where King Saul and Caesar are today, and then remember where Jesus is today. Two are buried in the dirt, One is seated in glory. Praise King Jesus He has made our choice an easy one! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2769
Chapter 20
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. John 20:23 – Interesting verse huh? After reading it and it even sparking my curiosity I tried to dig a little deeper to fully understand what’s its saying and here’s a little of what I found. One, don’t take this as if we go around declaring one person forgiven, they are now forgiven of all their sins. Or the other way around with being unforgiven. That’s not a power any of us have or should have. Yet we can keep someone in an unforgiven state if we who have the gospel truth refuse to forgive them ourselves of the wrong they’ve done to us and hold back the truth from them. I think that’s what this passage is getting at. Those you choose to forgive and actually share the gospel truth to, they’ll have the truth of forgiveness opened to them. Those you hold back your forgiveness from at the same time won’t have the truth opened to them. Be sure then to forgive so they can have the opportunity to seek forgiveness from God. Don’t let your hurt be what keeps someone from finding Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1412
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:20-21 – Throughout His ministry Jesus was prepping His disciples for this send out. He told them multiple times that He was readying them to be the light of the world and salt of the earth carrying the message of His gospel to the world. Yet dwell for a moment on the image the disciples are seeing and the message they are hearing. They just witness Jesus crucified, and now they are seeing Him in front of them. They see the holes in his hands and side which likely remind them of the brutal scene they witnessed just days ago. Now, this same Jesus, is telling them that as He was sent, He was sending them. Jesus wasn’t sending them to rainbows and roses, He was sending them to carry their cross daily and even be willing to hang on it for Him too. In that moment likely fears, worries, and anxieties would strive to take point of the situation, which is why Jesus’ first word to them was “Peace.” He knows this is a big call, but He knows in His power and His ability to keep them. If He could defeat death, He can do anything. Know today this same call is being placed on our life today as disciples of Jesus. As Jesus was sent, we are sent. Let go of this world, live holy for Jesus, and make the message of His good new the message your life proclaims. Will this sending out result in your seeing for yourself some of the pains Jesus felt? Likely, but know He is worth it and He is able to bring peace even in those spaces. Jesus is alive, let’s give our life over to sharing that message, even if it means giving up our life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2770
Chapter 21
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:3 – As we get to know the goodness of Jesus more, the more the things from our past seem to not bring in the fulfillment they used to. For the disciples, fishing was their whole life and they gained everything from it. Purpose, money, food, security; all from this way of life. Yet now, after all this time they spent with Jesus, they return to their old way of life and can’t find the return they used to. As we spend more time with Jesus we to will find a lacking in the fulfillment of the old, not so healthy ways of life we used to entertain. This isn’t a bad thing, it just means we’ve tasted and seen what is good and our lives long for that instead. Lean then into your life with God today without looking back. Those old ways you used to live don’t even come close to bringing in for you what Jesus can for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1413
(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:19 – This final chapter of John is all about Jesus and His disciples after His resurrection. One disciple in particular that is focused on is Peter, who just recently in our chapters denied Jesus three times. We read about the seaside breakfast Jesus set up for the disciples and Himself. We read about the “do you love me” conversation between Peter and Jesus, and our chapter closes out that conversation with the verse, and more specifically the final two words, above. Follow me. Let this be a refresher for you today if you’ve found yourself in the same spot as Peter. Where you are a believer in Christ, but you’ve allowed things of this world to distract you and strip away your passion for the Lord like you once had. Maybe it’s the busyness of life that has done this, maybe it’s your worries over finances, or maybe its because something heavy has happened in your life and it has spurred questions within you about the Lord that you’ve never had before. Know even in those spaces where we may feel like we’ve drifted away from the Lord, know Jesus is looking at you seeking to have the same conversation with you He had with Peter. “Do you love me? If so, then follow me.” Jesus is giving each follower of His the choice today to restart their pursuit of Him if it has laxed or stopped. Praise Jesus that even when we find ourselves in a season where our pursuit of Him isn’t what it ought to be, He still invites us to follow Him again. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2771
Daily DEVO 