January 14, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for January 14th: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51; Theme: Come and Follow Me John: John’s purpose is to show everyone that Jesus is the Messiah. The main question of John is what are you looking for? The messiah can meet the needs of all that you are seeking. Very early in the story of Jesus, is the story of the disciples. Jesus seeks each one and persuades them to come and follow him. He shows them that he can give their life a purpose. And they do indeed follow. This is the follow story of Philip. Philip persuades Nathaniel to follow. When Jesus speaks to Nathaniel, he says that Jesus is the King of Israel. He also says that he is the one that the scriptures talked about. Jesus tells them both that if they follow him they will see great things. They will understand what it means for Jesus to be the King of the Jews. Samuel: This is the call story of Samuel. Samuel’s mother left him in the care of Eli. Samuel was much younger than the sons of Eli. It did not take long for him to see that they were training to be priest, but they were not very nice people. One night Samuel hears a voice calling him in the night, Eli tells him that it is God calling and that he should listen. Samuel grows up to become one of the most influential priest of Israel. He grows up to consecrate David as King and to advise him on how God speaks to the world. God always speaks in unexpected ways to unexpected people. That is why it is important to hear the background stories of the key people in the bible. Questions: What are you looking for in a savior? What will Jesus need to say to get you to follow? How is God speaking to you? What is God calling you to be in your life? Are those who are ordained sincerely representing the word of God for you?