What Is Greater Than God?
Good Morning Friends,
The love of God is greater than we can imagine. Here we explore the privileged partnership we have with something greater than ourselves. God’s goal is greater than our human pleasures. We learn that God is always available to us and that He is a power greater than anything of the world. We learn that the self-controlled life is living in submission to something that is greater than self. Friends, God is greater than our worried hearts. God knows more about us that we know our selves. What Is Greater Than God?
Scripture: One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’–this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Mark 12:28-34 (NRSV)
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”
John 13:1-20 (NRSV)
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness. They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:1-7 (NRSV)
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
John 14:12-14 (NRSV)
Message: Well the answer to the riddle is “Nothing.” God is bigger than any problem we face and causes all things to work together for good. Everything happens for a reason and if we love God and walk according to the Spirit we will grow in sanctification and the promises of God and realize just how great it is to be conformed to God’s purposes. It is then that God reveals through His Son just how great God is. God reveals His omniscience exemplified by Jesus teaching and amazing the crowds with His knowledge. God reveals His omnipotence when Jesus performs miracles and mighty works. God reveals His omnipresence exemplified by Jesus walking the earth and ascending to heaven. But we see the greatest of the greatness of God in the gospel of Jesus as He powerfully conquered sin and death. That is true greatness…not to hold on to it but to give it away.
Pray our pride is never greater than our compassion. Pray we are engaged in something greater than ourselves. Pray we appreciate that the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts. Pray our faith is greater than the challenges of life. Pray we realize we are made in the image of God and are designed to reflect God’s greatness in acts that glorify God. Pray we put it all together. Pray we realize that there is no end to God’s greatness. Pray we realize that God has both revealed His greatness and shared it with humanity. Pray we appreciate that not only is God great but also that God is good.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 