Friday: Receiving and Rejecting the Good News

Reading: John 12:44-50 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.””

Devotional: There are two responses to good news: 1) RECEIVE IT or 2) REJECT IT.  In this particular true story of 2 Kings 7, the lepers received it and lived; the captain rejected it and died. Both heard the same prophecy from Elisha. One believed and was blessed; the other doubted and was trampled. Jesus makes the stakes even clearer—receiving or rejecting Him determines eternal destiny.

Reflection: The captain's tragedy wasn't just physical death, but dying while surrounded by abundance he refused to believe in. How heartbreaking to perish at the gate of provision.

Response: Today, examine your heart honestly. Have you truly received the good news of Jesus, or are you still carrying the bad news of trying to save yourself? Salvation is a gift, not a wage. Stop striving and start receiving. And if you've already received it, live like someone who has been rescued from death into abundant life.

Song of the Day: Phil Wickham - Living Hope (Official Music Video)