December 17, 2020 -- John 17:25-26 -- Mining the Bible for Treasure

O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you,

I know you, and these know that you have sent me.

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known,

that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John 17:25-26 English Standard Version

How do you know anything about the Father? How do you know the Father loves you and loves believers? Jesus, in this chapter of John, is fervently praying for believers—His followers then, today, and all those who are appointed to eternal life. It is the the Father Who has sent the Son to be His Witness. It is the Father Who has given Jesus so that the world will know God in heaven is righteous. There are no examples in our world today of righteous men or women. Sin has so infected the ground, the heart, and the cosmos that true righteousness is beyond the comprehension of anyone unless the righteousness of the Father in heaven is revealed by the Son, through the Spirit’s witness in the Word.

Jesus, Who is the exact representation of the Father, made the Father known to those first disciples. Jesus, Who is the radiancy of the Father’s glory, continues to make the Father known to believers today. The love of the Father and the love of the Son are poured into the heart of believers by the powerful presence of the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Everyday my inbox with filled with breathless emails, tweets and messages about this conspiracy and that corrupt official’s actions. There are stinking piles of things to read in order to be informed about this or that. Let me reassure you this is just devil-directed-distraction—all of it. Believers are called to look to Jesus Christ.

With the same enthusiasm that would otherwise have been used to research conspiracy theories, read the Bible. Mine the Bible for its rich truth. The Bible, which the Spirit uses to lead you to Jesus, will reveal to your heart and mind the Truth. Knowing Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, will cause you to instantly know counterfeits. Don’t spend all your time researching counterfeits, because the Truth is will farther away from you. Gaze at the Truth. Admire the Beauty of Jesus, the Desire of All Nation. As you dig deep into the Bible Jesus will continually make His Father known to you. This is how believers know the Father. Jesus is the Radiant Witness to the Father’s love and the Spirit will continually speak to your heart and mind so that you declare: “Abba—Father, my Father!”

I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music.

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh, when will you come to me?

I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.

I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Today’s prayer is Psalm 101:1-3; 103:1 English Standard Version.

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