OUR DAILY BREAD DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FEBRUARY 9, 2023 (SEEING JESUS)
TOPIC : SEEING JESUS
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 6–7 ; Matthew 25:1–30
Memory Verse: John 14:9
Anyone who has seen me has seen the father.
Today’s Scripture & Insight: John 14:1–11
As we think about the nature of the universe, “heaven” is the upper part of the physical world represented by the sky where the sun, moon, and stars are found and where birds fly (Genesis 1:6–8, 14–17, 20). Theologically, heaven is God’s sanctuary, His dwelling place (Psalm 33:13–14; 150:1). Christ promised a “paradise”—a place of blessedness—to a dying thief (Luke 23:43).
At His incarnation, Jesus descended from heaven to earth to save us from our sins (John 3:13). Here in John 14, Jesus tenderly speaks of heaven as “my Father’s house” (v. 2). After completing His work as Savior, He returned to heaven, promising to come back again (Acts 1:11).
By: K. T. Sim
MESSAGE
At four months old, Leo had never seen his parents. He’d been born with a rare condition that left his vision blurred. For him, it was like living in dense fog. But then eye doctors fit him with a special set of glasses.
Leo’s father posted the video of Mom placing the new glasses over his eyes for the first time. We watch as Leo’s eyes slowly focus. A smile spreads wide across his face as he truly sees his mom for the first time. Priceless. In that moment, little Leo could see clearly.
John reports a conversation Jesus had with His disciples. Philip asked Him, “Show us the Father” (John 14:8). Even after all this time together, Jesus’ disciples couldn’t recognize who was right in front of them. He replied, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” (v. 10). Earlier Jesus had said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (v. 6). This is the sixth of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements. He’s telling us to look through these “I am” lenses and see who He truly is—God Himself.
We’re a lot like the disciples. In difficult times, we struggle and develop blurred vision. We fail to focus on what God has done and can do. When little Leo put on the special glasses, he could see his parents clearly. Perhaps we need to put on our God-glasses so we can clearly see who Jesus really is.
Reflect & Pray
What are some ways in which your vision of Jesus may have become cloudy? How can you look to Him again with clear vision?
Our Daily Bread 2023 Devotional is written by Kenneth Petersen and published by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
