Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

The emptiness of evil

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

1 John 2:18-21, John 1:1-18 within the text
Children, it is the last hour ... I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do.

Jesus spoke to his disciples in this kind of apocalyptic language, and now in his own last days John shares that same tone with those in his flock. Spirited away in an island prison, he can communicate only through a few words scratched out and handed to secret messengers. Perhaps his own death is near. But Jesus, where is Jesus?

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.

Jesus left the disciples with the idea that he was returning soon. Just as they did before his crucifixion, they thought he would claim the earth as his kingdom and restore justice, righteousness, order, and grace. Jesus showed them that God's love was the only force with any substance, that the power of evil and self was empty.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory.

In Jesus the man they discovered the naturalness of goodness and love. He allowed the evil that threatened to swallow him up to empty itself upon itself. In the midst of the self-protective pride that generates evil, Jesus saw and helped them see that there was nothing there. Evil is only the absence of good. Only my fear thinks it sees the evil. Only my need to save myself believes its lie.

From the core of his being Jesus repeated over and over, "Do not be afraid." And Jesus refused to save himself.

From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

Will Jesus return one day, sword by his side, and kill the dragon? Or has that great feat of spiritual strength already been accomplished? Already, not yet. Already, not yet. And now we have this treasure to hold in our earthen vessels, always looking up.

It's true, Lord, that the angel asked the disciples, as they were overcome with the departure of Jesus, "Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?" But how can we not look up? Perhaps I look up because I trust that God's love is more predictable and available than the love of those around me.

Of course that's true. But you're not asking me to gauge others' love for me, Lord. They are the ones you are calling me to love. And how can I do that if I don't even look into their eyes?

Devotions Archive

The emptiness of evil

Tuesday, December 31, 2013