Lenten Devotion – Put Jesus First
Day 6 – 11 Mar 2025
“For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.” John 5:22-23
Jesus healed a man who had been invalid for thirty-eight years on a Sabbath which was taboo to the religious Jews. Their self-made laws forbade them to do any work on a Sabbath. They were so blinded by their obsession to comply with their laws that they were unable to see the power of God working through Jesus Christ.
In modern terms I would describe this approach as being more concerned about “form” rather than “substance”.
Can this happen too in our modern day churches? Could we be more concerned about having a fantastic worship experience and hear a good sermon rather than honour God?
This brings me back to a conversation which I had some years ago with a Christian friend. He enthusiastically told me he was very happy in his church because the worship was fantastic and the pastor always gave good sermons. Yet he did not mention anything about God. I then wondered if emotional experiences equates with the true worship of God and building up our faith in Him?
In this passage, Jesus says that a God-centered church is one which understands that Jesus is the center of its existence and all focus and worship must be directed to Him and not ourselves. God has given all judgment to the Son so that “that all may honour the Son, just as they honour the Father” (v 23).
As we observe the season of Lent, let us be reminded that we go to church primarily to honour Jesus. He made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life to atone for our sins so that all of us who truly believe in Him will have eternal life. Putting Jesus first is worshipping God truly.
Lawrence Teo🙏✝