This short passage is enigmatic and raises more questions than it answer. How do we interpret these words of Jesus and his exchange with his disciple John? I confess that I do not have many answers and will continue thinking about this scripture for a while.

One thing seems to be clear. John and his colleagues want to stop people from exercising the authority of Jesus. Their actions and attitudes are based on the fact that the people who are doing these things are not a part of their group. They want to maintain the power of Jesus exclusively.

But Jesus does not have that attitude at all. While those who are with him all the time are special to him and he treats them as such, he understands that his mission on earth is much broader than these twelve men. Jesus is not challenged when others outside his circle speak and act in his name. He see value in those efforts and confident in their outcomes.

How often do we get caught up on our groups and seek to devalue and even prevent the good works of other people? Like little children, we want what we think is ours, and we don’t want others to have it. We forget that the good things we have and the opportunities to do good some from God, and we should always consider them gift. And we should remember that God gives to others as He does to us.

Our Father, help us to be more open to the good works that others may do and to never forget that your gifts are freely given. We have no special privilege and ownership in your kingdom. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jim Stovall and read by Donn King.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.

This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

We invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

The book of Daniel also tells us the story of King Nebuchadnezzar II, an extremely powerful King of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, known for conquering Judah, destroying Jerusalem, and exiling many Israelites to Babylon. He was a powerful and ambitious ruler who built a great empire. He became proud and boastful, causing God to send a judgment upon him, causing him to lose his sanity and be driven away from people.

For seven years, Nebuchadnezzar lived alone in the wilderness, eating grass like the cattle and enduring a state of madness. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of acknowledging God’s sovereignty.

My grandmother used to warn us kids of “getting too big for our britches” or “too big for our boots” or “getting a swelled head, too big for our hats.” All these idioms and sayings from my grandmother warned us that being swollen with pride and filled with arrogance would lead to no good end.

Both Daniel the prophet and my wonderful Christian grandmother were saying the same thing about pride.

We can all think of people who are swollen with pride and filled with arrogance. Let’s pray that we are not one of those swollen this way, and that those who are swollen with pride will have a change of heart before it is too late, and YOU, God, humble them “as You please by the powers of heaven.”

Dear God, keep me humble, keep my ego in check and help me to LOVE you, God, and to LOVE my neighbors – all of them on the whole earth. Forgive me when I judge others and lead me in the way I should go. We pray for those who are proud and boastful and who need your LOVE in their hearts. Help them, Lord, and forgive us for our feelings of resentment and judgment. Help us to leave the judgment up to you and to pray for our enemies and those we find hard to LOVE. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

This episode was written and record by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.