Not everyone comes to Jesus the same way. Matthew, the tax collector, was sitting at his booth when Jesus walked by and said two words — "Follow me" — and Matthew got up and left everything behind. No questions. No conditions. Something in Matthew recognized something in Jesus, and that was enough. It happened in an instant.

Nathanael's story is different, and the Gospel writer John seems to want us to notice that. When Philip tells Nathanael that they have found the Messiah — Jesus of Nazareth — Nathanael's response is immediate and honest: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" He is not a cynical man. He is a careful one. He has his doubts, and he says so plainly. But then Philip says something that changes everything. He doesn't argue. He doesn't push. He simply says, "Come and see." And Nathanael does just that.

That decision to go — to put his skepticism to the test rather than clinging to it — is the most important thing Nathanael does in this story. He moves. He leaves his prayers under the fig tree and takes action. A cynic stays home. A cynic has already decided. Nathanael hasn't decided anything yet, and that honesty, that willingness to be proven wrong, is precisely what Jesus sees in him as he approaches.

Jesus names it before Nathanael even opens his mouth. "Here is a true Israelite," he says, "in whom there is no deceit." That is a remarkable thing to say. The name Israel belongs to Jacob, and Jacob was a man whose greatest failing was deception — he deceived his brother, his father, and others throughout his life. Jesus looks at Nathanael and says: here is someone who has none of that. Here is someone who deals in truth, even when the truth might challenge what he already believes.

And Nathanael's reward for that integrity is extraordinary. Jesus promises him that he will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This is the image from Jacob's dream in Genesis — the ladder between heaven and earth. Jesus is telling Nathanael that the connection between God and humanity that Jacob only glimpsed in a dream, Nathanael will see with his own eyes. Because he was willing to come and see, he will see everything.

Most of us are more like Nathanael than we are like Matthew. We have our questions. We have our doubts. That is not a failing. What Jesus asks of us is not the absence of doubt but the willingness to move toward him anyway — to come and see, to be honest enough to risk being wrong. And what we discover, as Nathanael discovered, is that Jesus already knows us. He saw us before we came to him. And he has greater things in store for us than we can yet imagine.

Our Father, give us the honesty to name our doubts and the courage to move toward you anyway. Thank you for seeing us as we are and for meeting us where we are. Help us always to be willing to come and see. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Jim Stovall.

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/.

It must have been dark in that place of tombs when Mary Magdalene went very early on that Sunday morning and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance to the tomb. Simon Peter and the other disciple, who also came very early, had already gone home. But Mary stayed outside the tomb crying. She thought someone had taken his body. She wanted to know where he had been taken.

Not knowing who they were, she told this to the two angels who were seated inside the tomb. But finding no answer, she turned to go. That's when she saw Jesus standing there outside the tomb – but she didn't recognize him.

He asked why she was crying. Thinking he was the gardener, she assumed he had carried Jesus' body away. She said, if you have moved him, tell me where you have put him, so I can get him. At this point, Jesus spoke and called her name – "Mary"!

She recognized him then and called out in surprise – Rabboni! Teacher!

He told her in verse 18, to go and tell his brothers, the other disciples, that he was returning to the Father, my God and your God. And she did just that!

His first witness! A woman who had lived a sinful lifestyle. She had been forgiven much. She was loved and accepted by Jesus! We, too, are forgiven much, no matter our sins or lifestyles. We just need to call his name – Rabboni, Teacher, Jesus, Lord – help me! Forgive me! Show me the way I should go! I believe!

Thank You, God, that You forgive our sins and love us. Thank You for coming to live among us and for teaching us by your example. Help us to walk in your footsteps, to forgive others as you forgive us. And help us to spread this good news to the world, by telling ALL your brothers and sisters! In Jesus' name we pray…Amen!

This devotional was written and read 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/.

There was a natural spring on our small farm where I grew up. It was always one of my favorite places to hang out. It was fascinating to watch the clear, pure water bubble up through the sand. My father decided to enlarge the spring to increase the flow of water to give the cattle better access to the downstream pool. That process formed a natural bathtub-sized rock basin around the spring. It was a great place to get a drink on a hot summer day. It is a good memory.

All through the scriptures, there are stories and spiritual analogies involving water. Genesis 1:2 refers to the "Spirit of God moving over the surface of the water," and Revelation 22:17 "...let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."

The first miracle that Jesus performed was at a wedding where he turned water into wine. John 2:1-11. Matthew 3:13-17 tells the story of Jesus's baptism by John in the Jordan River.

The Old Testament also contains numerous accounts of the significance of water. The story of Noah's ark, and Moses striking the rock twice, once in obedience and once in anger.

Psalm 1:3 speaks of the righteous man: "He will be as a tree firmly planted by the streams of water which yields fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and whatever he does he will prosper."

My mother made sure that my brothers and I, beginning at a young age, went to church. At the church we attended, Vacation Bible School was held during the summer. I remember that our class, on occasion, was visited by the pastor. On one such visit, we learned about baptism. After discussing this with my parents, I was baptized. I have never regretted it.

I have enjoyed fly fishing for many years. I appreciate the beauty of clear, flowing streams and find that they are good places for reflection and to find peace. The water falls especially.

There are many spiritually significant aspects concerning water, and it would be redundant to say life itself depends on it. So, whatever we do that involves water, even if it means washing the dishes, getting a drink, watering flowers, or something else, it might be a great time to say a prayer of thanksgiving for this essential element of life, water.

Thank you, Father, for water and all the healing and physical necessities it provides. And may we be aware of the spiritual analogies associated with water and those life lessons we find in your word. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Stephen Hankal

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/.

As a tax collector, Matthew most likely had a fairly lucrative business. And yet, at the request of Jesus, he left his tax booth and followed.

Similarly, Peter went ashore, laid down his nets, and followed Jesus when summoned. And their lives would never be the same. All of his disciples left their well established lives to follow Jesus throughout his ministry and beyond.

Have you ever received such a call that would drastically change your life's trajectory and chose to follow that call? Such a call is usually a clear summon to go in a very different life direction. Such a call involves an unmistakable choice and requires an action on our part.

But what about the more subtle spirit nudges that we encounter on a regular basis. These don't involve pivotal life choices but are still a beckoning to action. When we see the person at the gas pump next to us who only puts $10 worth of gas in their car because that's all they can afford. Or someone who has to choose groceries to put back when they discover that they can't afford everything they've hoped to purchase. Or the friend that we hear about who is having a rough time and could use a call or a text or a visit. Responding to these nudges won't necessarily change our life paths but could have a significant impact on others.

Too often these opportunities present themselves in a moment that I have let pass without taking action and I instantly regret not responding. My cousin Bobby is one who is attuned to nudges. When he sits down with the young homeless man and says "Would you mind telling me your story?" When visits the table of elderly veterans in a restaurant to thank them for their service and pick up their check. Or packs up food from a restaurant and takes it to the homeless person on the sidewalk outside. It is those moments that he recognizes and doesn't let pass that may not turn his life around but can make a world of difference to the recipients of his kindness.

The big calls are important, they demand our attention and response and can make a tremendous difference in our lives; but they come ever so seldom. However, it's those spirit nudges that we receive in our daily lives that, if we recognize and respond, can make a significant difference for someone else's day. As Pastor Jonathan admonishes us, "Stay alert!"

Heavenly Father, sometimes we need the courage to respond to the big calls in our life. You have plans for us that may take us in a totally different direction but they offer the reward of knowing that we are following your will. But help us to always be attuned every day to the nudges to respond when we see your children in need of our resources, our attention, and our care. Help us not to let those opportunities to share your love pass us by. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Charlie Barton.

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/.

Picture a lawyer — sharp, well-trained, an expert in the Torah — approaching Jesus with what he thinks is a test question. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He probably expected Jesus to wade into the theological debates of the day, maybe pick a side in some ongoing rabbinic argument. What he got instead was Jesus reaching straight into the lawyer's own Bible and pulling out a verse from Leviticus.

Leviticus. The book of priestly codes, purity laws, and detailed instructions for grain offerings. Not exactly where you'd go looking for the heart of the gospel.

But there it is, tucked into chapter 19 between commands about paying workers fairly and not cursing the deaf: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

In its original context, that command had a specific audience in view. The verse itself makes this clear — "any of your people." Leviticus 19:18 is addressed to the community of Israel, about how they treat each other. It's a profound command, but it has a fence around it. Leviticus even circles back, just sixteen verses later, to say that same love should extend to the outsider and the stranger — which tells you something. You don't need to add that verse unless the original one had limits.

So the fence was real. And people are remarkably creative when it comes to finding the edges of a command they'd rather not keep.

In Matthew 22, when Jesus calls this the second greatest commandment — alongside loving God — he's already signaling that something larger is at stake. But it's in Luke 10 where the full weight lands. A legal expert asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus turns it back on him — what does the law say? The man quotes Leviticus 19:18 correctly. Good. But then comes the hedge: "And who is my neighbor?"

That wasn't an innocent clarifying question. It was a search for the boundary line. Define neighbor precisely enough, and you can also define who doesn't qualify.

Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan, where the hero is the last person his Jewish audience would have expected. He didn't just move the fence — he removed it entirely. You don't get to ask who counts as a neighbor. You ask instead: to whom can I be a neighbor?

That's what makes this so quietly astonishing. The most radical love ethic in the New Testament wasn't new. It had been sitting in Leviticus for over a thousand years, waiting for someone to finally mean it without looking for the exit.

And now it lands on us. The difficult neighbor. The different one. The one we'd rather not count.

The command was always clear. The question was always whether we'd let it be.

Father, thank you for a love command that refuses to stay inside the lines we draw. Give us the courage to stop asking who qualifies and start asking how we can serve. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney.

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/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast.

Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week.

If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again.

We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love.

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/.

Believe, Believe, Believe! Search engine results show that word used 98 times in John alone! The other Gospels of Mark show nine uses of believe, 14 in Matthew and nine in Luke.

Jesus continues in verse 29 in his revelation to Thomas with, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

That includes you and me. We have not seen Jesus' wounds or his miracles, but we believe. Maybe we believe because we went to Sunday School as a child, maybe because a parent took the time to read Bible stories to us, or maybe someone in our lives modeled the love that Jesus commands us to do.

There are any number of reasons to believe. Jairus of Capernaum believed, and it saved his daughter's life.

Mark 5:22 to 24 tells us, "Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came to Him, and when he saw Him, fell at his feet and begged Him repeatedly, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live. So He went with him."

As continued in Mark 5:35 to 36: While He was still speaking some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further? But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to Jairus, "Do not fear, only believe."

Jesus also said in Luke 18:16, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs."

Believe! Believe as a little child. Don't try to analyze it all. Believe! Believe and walk the walk that demonstrates your love for your neighbor. Do not live the hate and violence that makes the headline and leads the latest media story. Love! Jesus commands us to love!

God above, fortify us to demonstrate that we believe in You by sharing our love for others through our actions. Actions that we take NOW, and hurry up as Mark tells us to over 40 times! Amen.

This devotion was written and recorded by Sam Barto.

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/.

Need vs want is a common lesson that adults try to instill in the young, especially teenagers. We try to teach them to focus on what is most important. We suggest they focus on developing their skills and education and not worry about having the latest phone or the nicest car. We suggest they work on being a better person, learn healthy habits to improve their diet, and to exercise. We shake our heads when they make the wrong choices.

If we as adults are disciplined then we pat ourselves on the back for eating healthy, exercising, saving for retirement, and not chasing after the Jones' latest vacation. But what if these things are really only more ways for us to chase idols? What if these are actually the wants of the self proclaimed superior? If our desire to prove we are worthy focuses on our physical and financial success, aren't we really continuing a long tradition of putting our self interests before others?

Now I am not saying you shouldn't take care of yourself. I am not saying anything goes. I am not saying you should stop all planning and efforts for your financial and physical health. But are we making them the point instead of a means of better reaching what should be the point? When we see these as the end goal, when we see these as the only goal, then aren't we forgetting that they are a means to an end.

If we listen to the teaching of Jesus, there is one true need and everything else is a want. If we work to be closer to God by following the path of Jesus and loving all of God's creation, this will lead us to a closer relationship with God. Everything else is trust and faith come what may. If we are honest with ourselves diet and exercise are better than not, but they do not guarantee good health. They are good choices, but they do not offer us a relationship that promises anything. If we work hard, we hope to be financially stable and have a decent standard of living, but that is not a guarantee either. Come what may in a life of uncertainty, the teachings of Jesus are very clear. Love God and all of his creation with all of your heart. Everything else is a want.

Prayer and worship focused on loving God builds a relationship. And as with all healthy relationships human and holy, our desire is to be loved, to be trusted, and to reciprocate. Cares about clothes, money, fame, possessions and admiration of all kinds will all fade no matter how much we wanted them. If we take care of ourselves and our health as a means of being better able to help our neighbors then we are meeting the one need that has been asked of us.

Lord, please help us to place Your command to love our neighbors as ourselves at the heart of all we do. Help us to understand that everything we do, think, and say is possible because You have given us the ability to do, think and say. May we show our love and understanding of Your command by helping our neighbors and sharing what we have been given, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

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/.