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By Mike Caton

John 8:2, At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives last night to rest, that is an excellent lesson for us as well. If Jesus needed rest, so do we! But Jesus knew there was still work to do, so at dawn he is again in the temple courts, teaching the people. Jesus was in tune with the father’s plan for his life, not only did he know what God wanted from him, he was willing to do it. Think about it, he appeared at dawn. So Jesus had to get up before then, wash his face, brush his teeth, shower, shave, eat breakfast, and still walk into Jerusalem. What time did he get up? What alarm did he have? Why not sleep in, just for once, rest is important, after all. But Jesus was that committed to his father’s plan for his life.

And all the people gathered around him. Did they know he was coming? This takes place once the festival is over, people would be going back home, going back to work, getting ready for their trips to wherever they lived. Did they really have time to go wait in the temple to see who would show up to teach? Maybe once the first person realized Jesus was there, he hurried off to tell others before he came back to listen. And maybe those folks told folks where they were going and why. But they wanted to hear Jesus.

I see two clear lessons for me, and maybe for you as well. One, we need to be as committed to God’s will as Jesus was. Most of us live in an easy world; we have plenty of food, clothes, a house, a car or two, TV, internet, and so forth. And we far too often take things for granted. As twelve year old Jesus said, We must be about our father’s business. And two, what if we were as interested in hearing Jesus teach as we were to hear the latest on Fox News or CNN, or whichever you prefer? What if we were willing to give up the things that seem so pressing to do the thing that was really important. Those things make me think.

Father, strengthen my faith. In Jesus’ name amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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