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Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

No Greater Love

“Ya see, God loves this world so much, that He gave His one and only Son to die, so that every man, woman, boy and girl who believes in Him will not die, but will be a-livin’ forever” John 3:16 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

It’s one thing for a man to offer up his life on behalf of others. Some through history have done that. Given the right circumstance, you or I might be willing. In fact, Jesus at one point told His disciples “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

But, to give up one’s own son? Now that’s an altogether different thing. I might be willing to lay down my life, but to voluntarily lay down the life of my son for the sake of others, even perhaps for my enemies; that would be a difficult, maybe even an impossible choice.

There is one who from ancient Biblical history knew about such a choice. On Mt. Moriah, Abraham placed his son on an altar, his son of promise. And within a millisecond of fatally plunging a knife into Issac, God stayed his hand and offered-up a substitute instead.

Years later, on another mount, outside the city of Jerusalem, A Father stood by as His only Son was nailed to a cross as a sacrifice for all mankind. This time the sacrificial hand was not stayed. But sin, death and Satan were allowed to do their worst to the Son of God so that the best might be done for us.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

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Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

Painting by Jeff Segler

An Appointment to Keep

“Jesus figured it was gettin’ ‘bout time to move on to Galilee. So He cleared on out of Judea for the time bein’. He was of a mind to follow the trail through Samaria, so they lit out” John 4:3-4 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

When Jesus and His disciples left Judea to travel to Galilee, John made this interesting note of His traveling plans: “He was of a mind to follow the trail through Samaria.” The KJV has it, “He must needs go through Samaria.”

There were other routes to Galilee other than through Samaria, But Jesus determined, “He must needs go through Samaria.” Some orthodox Jews determined not to go through Samaria. But Jesus, Himself being a Jew had no such reservations. He said, “I must needs go through Samaria.”

But why go through Samaria? Well, the simple answer is, Jesus had an appointment to keep; an appointment that was made in eternity past, even before the foundations of the world were laid. She didn’t know it, but Jesus did. He must go through Samaria,  meet with a woman at an ancient well and offer her the gift of a lifetime, “Living Water” so she would never thirst again.

Did you know that Jesus has made an appointment with you? And like with the woman of Samaria, He offers you the most wonderful gift of all, “A well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:10).

And here is the amazing thing. He makes the appointment. He must needs find you. The woman of Samaria was at a well. I was in my backyard. It really doesn’t matter where you are. With overwhelming love He searches for you and finds you. And like with the “Woman of Samaria,” He offers to you the gift of eternal life.

Yam Sing, when presenting himself for membership in a Bible believing Church was asked by the Pastor, “How did you find Jesus?” Answered in his broken English, “I no find Jesus at all, He find Me.”

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Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

The Lamb of God

“He looked up, ya see, and there was Jesus walkin’ past at that very minute. ‘Look yonder!’ said John. ‘The very Lamb of God Himself!’ John’s men (called dee-sie-puls); well they knew exactly what John was a sayin’. They lit out after Jesus” John 1:36-37 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

When John called Jesus the “Lamb of God,” well he plumb said a mouthful. You see, there were some fellows years before in the Old Testament, like the prophet Isaiah who referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” In fact, something like 700-years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Isaiah had this to say about Jesus . . .

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

And generations before that, when Issac was climbing Mt. Moriah,carrying with him all the necessary ingredients for a sacrifice; everything except the sacrificial animal, he asked his father, Abraham, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:7-8). And sure enough God did provide the sacrificial animal (a ram caught in a thicket) in place of Issac.

But the ultimate answer to Issac’s question happened on another mountain years later when God provided the Lamb, His very own dear Son to die on an old rugged cross as the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of all mankind.

You see, John was absolutely right that day, when standing with his disciples, he pointed to Jesus and proclaimed for folks of all generations, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

And because of the sacrifice of that one true Lamb of God, we will join the chorus of saints as we gather around the throne some future day in heaven and with loud voice proclaim . . . 

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

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Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

“So John told ‘em, ‘I baptize in  water, but there is a Fella who stands amongst us that y’all ain’t met yet. I ain’t even worthy to unbuckle His spurs off His boots for Him’” John 1:26-27 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

John the Baptist was one tough dude. He had lived his entire life (at this time he was about 30-years old) in the wilderness. His clothing was rough and rugged, certainly not store-bought and his diet consisted of locust and wild honey. He probably is best compared to a tough-as-nails-wrangler who rode tall in the saddle and could shoot the head off a rattler at thirty paces.

But ol’ John had a tender side. He loved God and lived his whole life for Him. In fact when God got ready to send His only Son to the world to preach the Gospel, He sent for John and told him to introduce Him to all the folks around. And that’s exactly what John did. He even started getting them ready by preaching a message of repentance and baptizing those who repented in the Jordan River (that’s how he got his nickname of Baptist).

Now, John had his own following of disciples. And he couldn’t wait for them to get to know Jesus. So one day when they were all together, he saw Jesus walking nearby. John got all excited, pointed toward Him and just plain yelled it out, “Look yonder! The very Lamb of God Himself!” John 1:36 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

John’s job of introducing Jesus to the folks around there was pretty important. But he knew that Jesus had a more important job to do; in fact was the very savior of the world. So, John told his disciples that when he lined himself up next to Jesus, he didn’t feel worthy enough to even pull off Jesus’ boots or to unbuckle his spurs.

You know, Jesus has called all of us to do a pretty important job, too, to tell folks about Him. But when we see His goodness and His holiness next to ours, well I guess we begin to feel pretty much like ol’ John did. All we can do is bow our heads and cry Holy! Holy! And one day “cast our crowns at His feet” Revelation 4:10.

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Fence Post Devotional “Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

“Before time was ever started, Jesus was there. Jesus was with God and Jesus was surely God. Before ever any woods or prairies or herds, He was there. At the very first rodeo when the chute opened He was right there with God” John 1:1-2

How long has Jesus existed? Well, the down-home honest truth is, Jesus has always existed. Even before the beginning of time, before anything else, before any planets or stars or moons or galaxies, Jesus was already there!

And besides that, He has always been with God. In fact, He and God are One. There was a time when Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus answered Philip, “Son, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9).

And the Apostle Paul, talking about Jesus said, “He is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) . . . “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in boldly form” (Colossians 2:9).

Isn’t that something, that God loves us so much that He actually revealed Himself to us in the person of His own dear Son. How can anyone possibly refuse such love and sacrifice as that?