Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

31 May 2025

Reading From John 12:1-26

“Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

—John 12:20-26

     Jesus had to give His life in order for the spiritual seeds of the Gospel to be scattered around the world and to see the beautiful harvest of the millions of lives who have been redeemed from the darkness of sin and death and brought into the brilliant Kingdom of Light to enjoy the warmth of His love.  To me, the Greeks who had come to worship at the festival in Jerusalem and wanted to see Jesus provided a foreshadowing of the expansiveness of the New Covenant.  Salvation came through the Jews to the entire world.  Redemption was never meant to be a commodity enjoyed by an exclusive few.  The Apostles Peter and Paul were particularly instrumental in the work of spreading the Gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles around the ancient world. Their inspired words echo to us today from across the centuries.

     The Deliverer had to come from somewhere and someone and according to His plan, Yahweh chose the Jews.  Still today, His love and freedom have come to the hearts of countless believers all over planet Earth who have been given the honor and privilege of sharing His compassion with their spheres of influence no matter how great or small.  This is what it means to serve and follow the Lord, and if we do so, the Father will honor us with eternal life.  If each of us would yield to the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the world will be a brighter place until that glorious Day when the Bright Morning Star rises and brings eternal sunshine and healing in His wings.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan to bring love and light to all the world.  I pray that those of Your children who have fallen asleep at their post would wake up and begin sharing the truth in love.  Move us with Your love to show compassion to our fellow humans in practical ways.  Empower us to put our faith into action.  Show us by the guidance of Your Holy Spirit the opportunities You have laid out before us to communicate the Good News of Jesus with simplicity and power.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, Amen.”

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

—Romans 1:16, KJV

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give youthis testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

—Revelation 22:16