Sunday, May 29, 2022

I, JESUS

Today’s Reading: Revelation 22 

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Underground rivers surface at Caesarea Philippi in northern Israel. This is one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here that the Apostle Peter began to, as today’s reading says, drink “of the water of life freely.” Here Peter’s thirst was quenched as he confessed to Jesus, “You are the Christ (Messiah), Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). One of the reasons for this blog is to encourage people everywhere to do as God’s final invitation in the Bible says, “Let him (or her) who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17b)!!!”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Revelation 22:12

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

 

Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…

Bernard of Clairvaux wrote:

“Jesus the very thought of Thee

With Sweetness fills my breast,

But sweeter far Thy face to see,

And in Thy presence rest!

Jesus our only joy be Thou

As Thou our prize wilt be:

Jesus, be Thou our glory now,

And through eternity.”

This concluding chapter of Revelation is one of invitation. After giving a few more details about the new Jerusalem (verses 1-5), the vision crystalizes into the expectation of Christ’s return (verses 7, 12, 20) and the awesome offer to “whoever wishes” to “take the free gift of the water of life” (verse 17). It is a great invitation, and it is still possible to say “Yes” to God.

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” is the climactic statement of all Scripture. God has invited you! God has invited me! We can come to the wedding banquet. We can come to the new Jerusalem.

We can come because the Lord Jesus is coming…soon! The whole impetus of Revelation, and of history, is focused on that coming. His re-entry into space and time is the absolute pinnacle of the Church’s great hope.

As I wrote in my book, Theology for Non-Theologians,

“Suddenly the most sublime words of all come rolling out of the heavenlies. A divine invitation just for you…the whole point of the Bible suddenly becomes clear. A cry from deep within the heart explodes out on us, ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’”

Indeed, “Thou our prize wilt be…”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I have heard Your invitation to drink of that “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” I am drinking now as I meditate on today’s reading. I am experiencing an inner “washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26b). It is an absolute necessity for life that I drink from Your “pure river” every day, without fail. I pray that I will not dehydrate spiritually, becoming a shrivelled up soul who fails to keep on drinking consistently! I ask for this blessing in the Name of Jesus Who cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37, 38). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have two supplemental readings to suggest. Is it possible for a 21st century person to enter the mind space of Jewish people, who for over 600 years had been waiting for the Messiah (Ezekiel’s time to the time of Jesus)? I’ve tried to imagine the people who were worshipping God in the Temple and hearing the priests read the required Scripture on “The great day of the feast.” Read Ezekiel 47:1-12. Then read what Jesus did and said. He would have interrupted the liturgy with His loud cry! Read John 7:37-39! The priest had read of the living waters flowing out from under the doors of the Temple, and to the Jewish mind there was no mistaking the fact that Jesus, Himself, claimed to be those very waters prophesied about by Ezekiel.

Revelation 22:17a says, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘COME!'” That’s us. We, who believe in Jesus, are His bride! Make no mistake, you and I are to offer, in the power of the Spirit, that greatest invitation ever heard by human ears. Let’s get to it!!! Amen???

Also I cannot finish my personal words about the last chapter in the New Testament without referring to the last words of the Old Testament. In Malachi 4:6b God says, “Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse!” God did strike the earth with a curse. But it is written in Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ – see Deuteronomy 21:23). Because of the cross (the tree), the New Testament ends with the words of Jesus, “Surely I am coming quickly!” and we can respond, “Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!!!” And John gives us his final benediction, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) be with you all. Amen!!!” (the last two verses of the Bible).

Yours because it’s all about Jesus Who said, “I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16b),

David

P.S. My most heartfelt thanks to all who have helped me complete this two-year journey through the Bible. Today is my son Ron’s birthday. He has formatted each day’s blog and I’ve simply filled in the blanks. Ann, Ron’s wife, has read each blog before it is posted for accuracy, punctuation, etc. It’s also their daughter, Andrea Patterson’s birthday. She has recently obtained her PhD in bio-medial research, specializing in the field of cancer research and immunology, particularly in blood-related cancers. Happy birthdays from a very proud Dad, Grandfather, and from my sweetheart Norma-Jean, a proud Mom and Grandmother.

Over the next four days, until we start the next two-year reading period, I’ll be thanking others by name who have helped. The biggest thanks goes to God and to His people who’ve participated, reading with me daily for two whole years (or who have started along the way). Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!!

Several large reservoirs contain water from snow-capped Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the Middle East. The sources of the Jordan flow from underground streams that come from this mountain. On one occasion I travelled by a ski lift to the top. The borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel converge there. I witnessed an amazing sight. Just for fun the soldiers were exchanging snowballs across the border. They were all enjoying the fun in very good humour.

7 thoughts on “Sunday, May 29, 2022

  1. Thank you for continuing to post 100 words by David. I’ve just completed the 2 year journey for the 2nd time. I find 100 words an excellent tool for my daily devotions, and thank the Lord for David Mainse and 100 Huntley.
    I will continue to read the Bible using 100 words.

  2. Happy Birthday to Ron and Andrea!! What a family!!
    God’s blessings on all dear saints this and each day of our years.

    • Wonderful (to start the 2 year journey again)! Looking forward to it. Thank you all who contribute and, especially, those who set it up I never miss a day. Blessings all.

  3. I too am very thankful for 100 Words and David’s understanding of God’s word.I have been on 100 Words every day since Sept 2013.Thank you again to all involved,especially Ron who gets up bright and early to send each separate group.Also Happy Birthday to Ron and (Dr.) Andrea.God bless

  4. Yes, Happy Birthday Ron and to your daughter, Andrea! Thanks so very much for keeping the blog going. It’s my daily routine, along with three of my friends to read and study the passages. We are blessed…and have been blessed throughout. My husband went to be with the Lord at the end of January, 2012 and that June, David started the blog. It was/is a lifeline for me and many others. May God richly bless the Maine’s family and all followers of this blog and of course all followers of Jesus! Also want to thank David and Norma Jean for leading the tour to the Holy Land at this very time of the year in 2005 which my husband and I, my sister and her hubby were privileged to be part of. Praise the Lord!

  5. Thank you , thank you, thank you just like David would of said. My passed husband and I have been following David’s blog since conception 2012, and remember the day David said at Chapel meeting on a Tuesday morning he was going to start a blog and said, but I don’t know what a blog is, it was very comical, such Faith David. I must say a big thank you also to Ron, Anne, Reynold, Kathy and dear Norma – Jean and big thank you to Andrea for learning about the blood in cancer, congratulations Andrea with God’s help you will find an cure.

    Love you all, Carole

  6. Wow! I am totally in agreement with above comments. I’m so looking forward to doing another two years in the bible readings and prayers. Thank you God for the wonderful legacy David left us. I would be so at a loss if I couldn’t start my day with this blog.

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