Aug 20

One instance of Jesus' accountability to the Father is found in John 17:12, where Jesus accounts to the Father for the loss of Judas to the Devil:

"No one has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled."

"So that Scripture may be fulfilled . . ." That phrase explains much of why the almighty God of the universe stood bound before a feeble human being who thought to judge the Judge of all mankind. This took place because God had decreed it to take place in eternity past, just as he had predicted only hours before that Peter would deny him. In both cases, he spoke the truth. He knew that truth long before the others involved did. But he knew that they needed to know it as well.

The Scripture reading for today reflects this graciousness of God in making known to us the workings of the invisible realm. Jesus did not need to hear the Father's voice audibly with his physical ears because he already heard Him speak to him in his spirit. But God graciously made his voice known audibly to the others with Jesus, so that they could know the truth, the reality, of what was taking place at that moment.

When we read God's Word, that same voice speaks to us and reveals to us what we need to know for the moment before us.

Scripture for today: John 12:28-33
Thought for today: God speaks to us in his Word.
Prayer for today: Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.

AUG 20