Wednesday, August 17, 2016

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Thirst Things First”

I admit—I love math.  I know, my cool exterior covers it well, but the truth is I am a ginormous numbers nerd.  I’ve noticed people are either lovers of math…or haters.  Which are you?  Go ahead and share with your family.  (Don’t worry haters—Jesus still loves you.)

Believe it or not, math can be found throughout Scripture.  No, really!  Check out our passage for the week, and see what I mean.


Did you see the math?  Seriously, it’s all over the passage.  I know, I know—it seems like a stretch, but hear me out.

There are two principles in math known as the Equality Principle and the Substitution Principle.  The Equality Principle says that if two things are equal, then they’re equal.  So if a = b, then b = a.  Seems pretty basic, right?  In language we’d call them synonyms: gigantic means huge and huge means gigantic.  

Going along with that, we have the Substitution Principle.  This one says that if two things are equal, you can substitute one for the other.  So if I have a math problem that says 4 + a = 10, and we already know a = b, then we can also say 4 + b = 10.  If they’re equal, we can choose to use either one.  

Just like I can either say, “Todd rode a gigantic llama up the hill,” or I can say, “Todd rode a huge llama up the hill.”  The words are equal, so I can choose either one.

Jesus is showing us that He and God use the Equality and Substitution Principles.  The Jews saw Him making Himself equal with God…and it made them mad, actually. (vs. 18)  Because of that, Jesus explained to the disciples how He and God do the same things.  

In math, it would look like this:      Jesus = God
God raises the dead and gives them life.  
Jesus raises the dead and gives them life.  (vs. 21)

People honor God.
People honor Jesus.  (vs. 23)

God offers eternal life through salvation.
Jesus offers eternal life through salvation. (vs. 26)

Jesus follows the will of God perfectly and is able to do that which God does.  Pretty cool! 

But what does that mean for you?  For me?  

Next time you’re in a scary situation and you’re wanting the almighty power of God to chase away your fears, you can call out to Jesus

Are you confused about some things going on in your life?  Would you like direction from God, who knows all things?  Ask Jesus, and He can guide you.

Searching for peace from God, maker of heaven and earth?  Go to Jesus!

Have you begun a relationship with Jesus, receiving His gift of grace and forgiveness?  You are now in relationship with God, who has forgiven you and wiped away your sins.

When we’re thirsty for God, we’re thirsty for Jesus. He’s all we need.  That one relationships can heal every hurt, calm every fear, meet every need, answer any questions.  Just Jesus.


Close with a time of prayer, praising Jesus for all He offers to you and your family, and thanking God for giving us the Son.

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