Bartholomew's (Nathanael's) first statement as recorded in the Bible is the bigoted comment: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46) Jesus took this bigot, transformed him into an apostle, and wrote his name on a foundation stone of the new Jerusalem (Rv 21:14).
"You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tm 1:15). Jesus takes extreme cases (1 Tm 1:16) to prove He can change even the hardest heart. He can change abortionists, death-row prisoners, terrorists, rapists, me, and you.
We shouldn't give up on anyone. Our stubbornness does not cancel out God's power; rather, His power overshadows all opposition. Jesus has changed the hearts of well over a billion people. His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9), His blood has paid the price, and the hardest heart is about to repent. Do you believe this?
| PRAYER: | Father, give me Your attitude toward the person I believe is the least likely to change. |
| PROMISE: | "You will see much greater things than that." –Jn 1:50 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus told St. Bartholomew: "You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (Jn 1:51). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College