I’m so excited! “God’s Intriguing Questions: 60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’s Nature” has received a second award!

It had already been a finalist for a Selah Award and now recently, it was awarded second place in the devotional category for the Golden Scroll Awards from AWSA, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

This has been so encouraging to me to have it recognized. Yes, even writers called by God can begin to wonder if their work is making any difference. I feel like God just gave me a little pat of encouragement. Thank you for rejoicing with me.

Here’s one of the devotionals from God’s Intriguing Questions: 60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’s Nature. (And can I be so bold to ask that if you read it and like it, would you write a review on whatever source you bought it? Reviews really make a difference!)

Our (yes, it’s co-authored with my husband, Larry) is a book exploring the questions God (and Jesus, who is God), asked in the Bible. It’s a fascinating theme since God knows everything! Why did Jesus ask questions? The answer is primarily two-fold: He wants to help us explore our hearts and He reveals Himself through the questions He asks.

Because Larry and I wrote it together, our desire is that couples can use it for their devotional time. And yet, it’s intended to be used by anyone and everyone, even teenagers.

Here is one of devotionals with one of the questions Jesus asked of His disciples. Let me know what you think and if it speaks to you. Jesus’s question may sound like he’s insecure but be assured he isn’t! TWEET THAT!!!!!

 

Do you want to go away as well?

John 6:67

Without background information, we could easily think Jesus is expressing insecurity. He seems to need reassurance his disciples will remain with him and not reject him. But since he knows everything, he knows Judas will indeed betray him and Peter will deny him so his question is not one of needing assurance. His question is intended to help his disciples examine their own hearts—as usual.

A fascinating fact is how John includes Jesus’s comment identifying their small group as “the twelve” for the first time. Just envision this group on a mission like those portrayed in The Lord of the Rings. “The Twelve” are becoming more solidified yet there’s always the possibility of people stealing the ring for their sinful purposes. In John 6:67, in essence, Jesus is asking, “What seeds of doubt are you watering and fertilizing? Is there anything whispering in your heart why you should go away?”

Peter, brave Peter, speaks for the group (at least he thinks) and declares, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69).

We would love to be a fly on the wall hearing his tone. Is his voice communicating concern for Jesus because he doesn’t want Jesus to think of himself going away? Or in awe, realizing he is indeed speaking the truth and no one else has ever given him what Jesus has? Or is he trying to be convincing to the others in case a man is doubting? We can’t know his tone or motive, but we know intense Peter always speaks with great passion and bravado.

Peter calls Jesus the “Holy One” and one commentator points out how the identity refers to God’s transcendence.

Transcendence is the idea of beyond the normal or physical. Synonyms are superiority, supremacy, predominance, and preeminence. TWEET THAT!!!!!

Peter is declaring and testifying Jesus is above and beyond, transcending everything. And in this specific situation, Jesus’s transcendence anchors his security. Human rejection doesn’t diminish his union with his transcendent Father and his place in the Trinity. He is God and nothing will change that, especially the beliefs of people he has created.

Of course, the word “holy” is used a lot in the Bible, but the title, “Holy One” is used far less than we might expect. The title refers to transcendence because holiness, the absence of sin, applies to God alone. Curiously, the title is used by a demon (Mark 1:24 and Luke 4:34) who verbally accuses Jesus yet Jesus confidently rebukes him and casts him out. No lack of security there.

We can grow in Christian strength because Jesus is secure. His security is “above” and “beyond” with an eternal perspective and in total control. We don’t need to feel insecure if we are committed to our “above and beyond” God, who knows what is going on, controls what is going on, and originally created the whole plan.

• How would you contrast the difference between Jesus’s security and human insecurity?

• Right now, what situation is creating insecurity in you? How will meditating on Jesus’s transcendent security help you?

Supreme Lord, I praise your transcendency which secures your total control. Thank you for strengthening me to base my security upon your transcendent nature.

Interested in checking out God’s Intriguing Questions? It is available in Kindle, Audio, and Print. Click HERE!