Devotion - May 20

[Psalms 96-100 / Proverbs 20 / John 6:67-69]

Ravi Zacharias was called home to the Lord this week. Ravi's life work articulated the truth of the gospel for the sake of inviting faith. In his book Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message he wrote:

“I came to Him because I did not know which way to turn.
I remained with Him because there is no other way I wish to turn.

I came to Him longing for something I did not have.
I remain with Him because I have something I will not trade.

I came to Him as a stranger.
I remain with Him in the most intimate of friendships.

I came to Him unsure about the future.
I remain with Him certain about my destiny.

I came amid the thunderous cries of a culture that has 330 million deities.
I remain with Him knowing that truth cannot be all-inclusive.”


I love the cadence of this testimony: "I came to Him ... I remain with Him".

I wonder what caused you to come to Jesus?
I wonder why you remain with him?

It reminds me of Peter's words to Jesus in John's Gospel -- "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life ... and we have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." John's Gospel loves this idea of remaining. In the early chapters Jesus invited his disciples to "come and see" -- and they remained with him. At the end of the Gospel Jesus' parable describing himself as the vine and disciples as the branches commands that we remain in him. Between coming to Jesus in those early days, and remaining with him, they came to believe and to know ...

 Discovering new true things about who Jesus is and why we remain with him is essential. It's a sign that our faith is a growing relationship with Jesus who is the truth, who surprises and challenges, who leads and teaches.

Maybe take a few moments today to pray and reflect on why you came to Jesus, and why you remain.

To quote Ravi Zacharias again, in light of his life well finished:

“Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing.”
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