Week of 11/21/21 - Pages 413 - 437

In this section of our reading, I have always been drawn to Jesus’ prayer on pages 429-430.  First, he prays that God would glorify him so that he could bring glory to God.  To glorify means, “to honor with praise, admiration, or worship; extol.”  Jesus had an excruciating time in front of him, yet he was obedient to God.  He is looking forward to returning to the glory that was shared between Father and Son before the world began.  

He then prays for the disciples that he had spent years with during his time on earth.  His love for them comes out so clearly in his prayer for them.  He says, “now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we were.”  He prays that they would be kept safe from the evil one, and prays that God would, “make them holy by your truth, teach them your word, which is truth.”  Only through the sacrifice Jesus was about to make, would these disciples be made holy.  Jesus prays for their protection, unity as a family of God, and for their holiness, for them to be set apart, knowing, and obeying the Word of God.  His complete love for them just leaps off the page.  

Jesus even prayed for you and me that night, which moves me deeply.  What did he pray for us?  Unity.   Unity with each other as believers of Christ Jesus, unity with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The sharp contrast of unity against a world that is ever divided and fractured for so many different reasons will make us stand out.  When we are united in Jesus, we show a different loyalty, obedience.  Jesus prays, “may they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”  Our unity, with each other and with Jesus, act as a testimony, a light in this dark world of God’s love.  God’s love in us will be a beacon in this dark world.  Thank you, Jesus!

Week of 11/14/21 - Pages 397 - 412

Oh my gosh! This reading just nails what Christianity is. These chapters give you Jesus in a nutshell. I think I should read it once a month to remind me of Him from the beginning through his teaching that set the Pharisees (Jewish leaders) off, and caused them to conclude that he must be killed.

When I read this, Christianity is so simple. Do you believe Jesus is who he says he is in these chapters? If you answer yes, you are a Christian. If you answer no you are not. If you want miracles, there are miracles, if you want brilliant teaching there is brilliant teaching, if you want simplicity there is simplicity.

Several weeks ago, my niece made a simple decision. She decided that she believed that Jesus is who he said he was, and that she wanted to follow him. She is 16 years old, had done her own exploration and decided! It was a simple service where she answered two simple questions walked into the water and was baptized. For me this was one of the most moving spiritual moments of my life. Our Church of The Chimes community erupted in celebration when she came out of the water and she dissolved into Pastor Lee’s arms. It is as if she were born again. If you have ever witnessed a birth it is indescribable. This too was indescribable!

Oh how I wish more people saw the decision to follow Jesus as simple. A simple decision with implications for today and eternity.

God bless you as you read and learn about Him.

John Chapter 21

In the  last chapter of John, Jesus pointedly asks Peter 3 times “do you love me”.  An obvious connection to the 3 times, on the night of Jesus death, that Peter vehemently denied being associated with Jesus.  No doubt those 3 denials, predicted by Jesus, were eating away at Peter.  To desert a friend in their time of need, TO DESERT THE SON OF GOD IN HIS TIME OF NEED.  Jesus had forgiven Peter (grace is not a new thing), but I think Peter had to go through this exercise and convince himself that he was a true follower of Christ.

But, even in this time of absolution, Peter had to engage in a bit of one-upmanship.  The disciples were not above jockeying for position, and Peter was no exception.  Quite a footrace to check out the empty tomb after Christ had risen.  And again (and here my less than perfect knowledge of scripture fails me) there was a situation with concern about who sat where at the table with Jesus.  In this chapter, after Peter has this tremendous exchange with Jesus, he expresses concern about where does John fit in this.

I think, as devoted as he was to the Lord, Peter had times when he went through comparisons (is so-and-so the favorite disciple?, who does the Lord love best?).  Maybe I am all wet but that’s how I have read some of those passages.  Even if I am reading it correctly, what the heck.  Peter was just a man and those human traits show through in spite of his love and devotion to Christ.  Just gives me a reminder, if I am judging or comparing those around me, perhaps I have to re-focus my vision and attention where it should be, on my relationship with God and not on all that other noise.

John Chapter 20

I thank God and his disciples for the gift of the bible. As i read and study John 20 I realize what a loving and caring Abba Father God is. Always laying down all that we need to follow him and live a God centered life. As this scripture reveals, Jesus in the flesh was there to give some final support to the disciples as he was about to send them on their way to spread his word. He rose from the dead and left signs to help them to believe the Resurrection. His burial wrap was not ripped off but left as a cocoon to show them no ordinary person came in and took his body. Only he himself could have done this. He appeared to Mary so she could spread the word that he had risen. When Thomas (acting as I and so many of us have in the past) doubted the reports of the risen Lord, He in his loving and understanding self appeared to Thomas and showed his wounds and invited him to touch them. Jesus was not disappointed in Thomas but understood his skepticism. He knew this is what Tomas needed so he would be loyal to him and spread the Lord's word. And so he is still with us. Such a loving Dad. He welcomes our doubts as he knows that if we do not stop here and search out answers to our doubts, it will result in a stronger faith and a platform for us to go out and disciple others. So how does the Lord provide for us today? He lays the most powerful book into our hands. A book that is full of stories, parables and eye witness accounts of teaching that leads us to the Lord. Let us all put our hands out, accept the challenge and read this gift to us from the Lord, the Bible.

John Chapter 19

John 19:33-35    "But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.  Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water."

Whenever I read the story of Jesus' crucifixion and envision the pain and suffering he endured, I always need to be sure that instead of focusing on the gut wrenching visceral reaction I get inside of me on how he was treated,  but instead turn my attention to the reasons why Jesus sacrificed himself to pay for all of mankind's sins and what that means for me today.

The symbolism in the flow of blood and water from Jesus' body after death stood out so vividly to me in this verse because it is at the core of what all believers partake of through Christ; the taking of communion and the act of being baptized.  His blood for atonement and water for purification.

When we drink from the communion cup, we're told it symbolizes the blood of Christ. When Jesus was with his Disciples offering the cup, he did ask each to drink from it stating "this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people.  It is poured out to forgive the sins of many."  Jesus died to atone for our sins.

The sudden flow of water from his body symbolizes what baptism is about, the cleansing waters that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit.  It symbolizes the believers total trust and commitment to our Lord Jesus depending on complete reliance to him.

So when reading this verse and reflecting on its meaning, a deep sense of gratitude is felt.   He was pierced for our transgressions as he sacrificed himself and with his wounds, we are healed.

John Chapter 18

In John 18, Jesus was living some of his last hours before he was sentenced to death.  He was in a garden outside Jerusalem that he had frequented with his disciples.  Just hours before, Jesus with his disciples, including Judas, had sat together around a table to share bread and wine.   The scenes of Jesus’s life in these last hours of  irony and hypocrisy showed me how we need to continue in faith up to the end of our lives despite setbacks we may encounter.

When Jesus and his eleven disciples were approached by soldiers led by Judas, one of Jesus’s own disciples, Peter stepped forward in the garden, and in an act of what he thought was protection, pulled his sword to strike a blow against an officer of the high priest—only for Peter to learn that he was standing in the way of what God had orchestrated.   From our vantage point, we may have thought Peter was brave to take a stand, but God did not need Peter’s sword to protect Jesus and Peter had more to learn as a disciple than belief he could protect Jesus.

From the garden, Jesus was led as a captive to Annas and when questioned about his disciples and teachings, Jesus responded in a truthful and straightforward manner that his teachings were for all and spoken openly to the whole world, not in secret.   How ironic and tragic that Jesus, who was innocent, was physically struck at that point for speaking truthfully and respectfully about his ministry for all which was not a ministry to secretly overthrow the ruling government in Jerusalem. 

After Jesus was questioned by Caiaphus next, Jesus was led into the praetorium, the palace of the Roman ruler in the province, where Jews would not enter because it made them unclean for the upcoming Passover.   How hypocritical  for Jesus, the wholly clean and innocent, to be forced into a place considered unclean while the Jewish leaders who falsely accused him stood outside to remain in their opinion clean and guiltfree though they had condemned an innocent man to death.

These passages really highlighted to me how Jesus, the innocent one, was led to trial, falsely accused, sentenced to death by people who did not understand what God had intended even though it had been declared by the prophets and made clear in Isaiah and in Zechariah (7:9) to “render true judgements, show kindness and mercy each to his brother and do not oppress the poor and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.”

God’s son Jesus was given no true judgment and was oppressed by those in power though Jesus served God wholly and faithfully to the very end of his life.  All of these passages reminded me of Jesus’s words to “love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and your neighbor as yourself”   despite how those around me may respond or may judge my actions.  The outcome of my actions in His service and under His guidance and direction is in God’s hands and for that I am truly grateful. 

John Chapter 17

John 17 contains the most extensive and profound prayer of Jesus that we have.   We are given the privilege of slipping alongside Jesus and listening to his prayer that has been called the “last will and testament”. 

In his prayer, Jesus prays for himself and his disciples. He then he turns his attention to prayers to the distant horizon and to prayers for the future generations of followers---which is you and me!

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the disciples) message.” (verse 20)  Imagine that 2000 years ago Jesus prayed for us!  And what did he pray for??  He could have prayed for anything…He could have asked for health or prosperity but instead in the shadow of the cross he prays for our unity.  Verse 21 says, “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Our unity announces to the world that Jesus came from God.  How we live in unity is a walking advertisement of our faith and either it is attractive or it is not.  This is not to say that we must agree on everything.  We are all individuals with different opinions.  There will be disagreements in the church over music, ministry, preaching style etc.  We need to disagree without being disagreeable or divisive.  Our faith and heart and belief in Christ should transcend differences.

Verse 24 states “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”  He is referring to heaven and since we as believers will be altogether forever he is praying that we love each other now---that we get a head start on loving each other.  He prays that the love of God will reside in us, making this unity possible. 

In any community there will be differences, most certainly, we are called to love each other, support each other in our ultimate mission to impact the world for Christ.  Our unity on earth is a slice of heaven.

John Chapter 16

One of my favorite traditional Christian hymns is “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Reginald Heber, England, 1826), which begins:

“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!”

For me, this brings back fond memories of my childhood church, sitting on the same pew with my family, Sunday after Sunday. I simply love this hymn – it includes vivid imagery packaged in beautiful poetry, all praising the holiness of God and the blessed Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit).

Although the Christian doctrine of the Trinity is well-known today, certainly it was not well-understood by the disciples before Pentecost. In John 16:5-15, Jesus provided to the disciples foundational instruction regarding the Holy Spirit, preparing them for the events to come:

5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come.

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.”

The word “Advocate” in verse 7 is frequently translated as: Helper, Counselor, Comforter, Companion or even Friend – this is the Holy Spirit. No surprise here…but God’s plan was and is perfect. The disciples had Jesus (in person) to teach them up until this point. Without Jesus’ physical presence, God knew the disciples would need someone else (the Holy Spirit) to teach and guide them. God also knew that the world would need the Holy Spirit to convict (bring awareness) regarding sin and convince regarding righteousness, and once convicted and convinced, conversions could occur.

I have been a believer for more than three decades, and it still amazes me that our holy, holy, holy God graciously sent his only his Son, Jesus so that we can join into a relationship with God as His sons and daughters. This family relationship is not intended to be idle or boring; rather it is expected to be dynamic and fruitful!

Every day, in relationship with God, His Holy Spirit is here to guide you and me – and yes, to keep convicting and keep convincing as well! Are we listening? Do we sense the Spirit’s leading? And more importantly, are we following?

John Chapter 15

Since becoming a follower of Christ, I have been told that  bearing fruit meant witnessing and winning people to Christ.  I began asking myself, what if I didn’t “win” anyone to Christ?  What if when I tried, no one committed themselves to Christ?  Does “bearing fruit” mean soul winning?  What if bearing fruit ALSO meant “answered prayer”  (John 15:7)?  “Joy  (John 15:11)” “Love” (John 15:12)?  Galatians 5:22-23 mentions the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  Although Christian character is t=fruit, it ALONE does not cover the full meaning of my remaining connected to the vine (Jesus).  I know people who have good character but are not Christ followers – some are agnostics or atheists.  I also know people who call themselves Christians but show very little signs of the fruit of the Spirit or bearing fruit.  Are these the ones that this chapter  refer to as branches that will be cut off?

I Peter 3:15 says that when I am connected to the vine, I will be ready at ALL times to give an explanation (verbal) to those who ask for the reason I have hope in Christ.  I am reminded that the Holy Spirit, not me, that convicts, justifies, and judges.  In a similar way, bearing good  fruit in character brings glory to God (John 15:8).  I pray that I will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit today and every day to be able to hear and be open to any and all opportunity to bring lorry to God by my behavior and speech.

John Chapter 14

John 14, in my red-letter Bible, is almost entirely the words of Jesus.  The theme of verses 1-14 is that Jesus is the way to the Father; then of 15-31 is the promise of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus teaches the themes of love, trust, peace and faith throughout the chapter to the disciples whose minds are stretching to understand these new concepts.  For example, in verse 8 Philip said, “Master, show us the Father, then we’ll be content.”  Jesus replies gently, “…To see me is to see the Father.” (verses 9-10)  Did Philip ever become “content” that he could enter into this love, trust, peace and faith?  Do I?  Or do I ask for “one more thing” to be shown to me and “then I’ll be content”.

Do I really believe that the presence of God in my life is enough for me?  In 2 Cor. 9:8, it says “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:…”  It seems to me we have a fairly easy time seeing how the Lord has been present in our lives as we look backwards in time and recall how things worked out in the end.  More difficult for us, it seems, is having the same faith for our present and future concerns, those that have not been worked out yet.  As challenges arise, we question…what is this going to mean to me and my family?  What changes will be required of me?  Am I up to the challenge?    

If we knew the answers to those questions, we would need no faith.  In fact, there will come a day when we will know all of the answers to the questions that beset us today.  On that day, it will not be possible for us to have faith to believe God, trust in Him, have faith and be in peace for those concerns.  Instead, we can only trust God for our present and future concerns.  The best news to us this about this is that the Lord is there too because time does not constrain Him.  He will never leave us and the promised Holy Spirit even resides within us as we walk through the hills and valleys of this life.  As He does, He brings His promised gift of peace…not as the world gives but as only He can.  Let us walk, and encourage one another to walk, trusting in the truth that God has good plans for us, that the Comforter lives within us and He really does make His home in us.  We are not orphans but beloved children of God.  Let’s walk today, not doubting that in the least and experience God’s peace, from which springs joy, from which springs our very strength.