Thoughts for the Day

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, 'Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?' Jesus answered him, 'Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The second Judas, sometimes called the 'Son of James', perhaps to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, is a little confused. Why is it that Jesus who has said that all the world will see the Messiah in his glory (see Matthew 24.30*) cannot be seen by some people? Why, even today, do people not believe his words?

When we fall in love with someone and grow closer to them, we are let into their world. As we get to know more about them, we begin to see things from their perspective. It is just the same with God. As we come nearer to God, putting our trust in Him, we will begin to see things differently, and we will start to change. But loving God is also about obeying God, just as Jesus did, and not being afraid to let Him 'make his home' in us.

Many people cannot accept God into their life. They cannot open themselves to Him. But we need to remember that it is not a take-over, it is like a loving relationship, where we open ourselves to the loved one.

* See this link for Matthew 24.30: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24.30&version=NRSVA

Lord Jesus,
when we have doubts
about asking You into our life,
encourage us to move closer to You:
to ask for Your help,
to involve You in all that we do,
and allow you to mold us into
the people you wish us to be.
Amen.