Today’s Reading: John 19:19-20 (NIV)
19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
Good morning!
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all speak the same language! I’ve noticed that we often struggle to understand and comprehend the words and thoughts of others, even when we are speaking in our own native tongue. How do we learn to truly hear and understand our neighbor? Why do we struggle to read the printed words and not comprehend its true meaning?
Last fall, I took a philosophy of religion class and I struggled to read and understand the deep thoughts of our world’s prolific thinkers. Brilliant minds, amazing perceptions, strong convictions – some of these people were labeled as heretics; others completely adopted their point of view and promoted it in the communities where they live. Are you a deep thinker?
I get frustrated and amused at some of my conversations with family, especially with my spouse. We speak the same language and we live under the same roof, but we don’t always understand each other. Whoever said that opposites attract was really not kidding! God has wired each of us so completely different. We think and act in unique ways. We perceive life in its kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and hues. We have flesh and bone, hearts and souls; yet we are as varied as the tiny snowflakes falling to the ground this morning. How can we ever fully understand God’s universal language of love?
Pilate posted a prophetic sign above Jesus’ head that day. God was raised high above the city, on a hill for all to see. The people who gathered to gawk and mourn were able to read the words, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Do you think they understood the real meaning behind the words?
Lord, open our minds and melt our hearts of stone so that we can hear and understand Your Word today, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
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