John Chapter 7

I love this chapter in the book of John as it shows a glimpse of the human side of Jesus. It begins with a conversation between Jesus and His disciples, as they try to coax Him into attending a big Jewish party/festival. Jesus plays it cool and tells them He’s not coming and that they should go ahead without him. 

But then, Jesus decides the party might be too-good-to-miss and snuck out and followed his mates to the festival, albeit out of the public view so that no one would recognize him. Mid way through the festival, Jesus jumps on on stage and starts teaching, sharing truth which then turns to outright rebuking the people over their love of the “law”.  

So much for staying incognito Jesus. lol.  

On the last day of the festival in verse 37, it says that Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!" 

We’ve gone from… in the shadows, to light teaching, then rebuking, all the way to SHOUTING. It makes me wonder why? What would cause Jesus to get so riled up that he jumps on the stage to get the mic? 

The answer is simple: Love and compassion. The festival was full of people believing lies, building their lives upon rules and rituals handed down from religious rulers who sought to control and manipulate them. So Jesus, in His love and compassion couldn’t sit there in the shadows and watch people wither in their souls. He got up and declared the truth to people who would listen and that truth set many of them free. 

I love at the end of this chapter, the Pharisees are mad when the soldiers failed to arrest Jesus because they were mesmerized by his teaching. Then Nicodemus, one of the most respected Pharisees steps up to defend Jesus and is ridiculed by the rest. Footnote: Nicodemus appears later in scripture with Joseph as he tenderly helps wrap and bury the body of Jesus. The truth sets people free!  

As believers we carry this message of truth. I’m remind that I should have the same love and compassion as Jesus did and should boldly share the message of the Gospel so that others my find the freedom and forgiveness that I’ve been given. I hear Jesus’ words echo in my heart “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!”.  

May we lead the thirsty to Jesus!

John Chapter 6

I love this story.  I love the story where Jesus feed the five thousand.  Every time I read this story I feel like I am struck in a different way. This morning I spent some time thinking about the reasons that I love this story so much.  I came up with a few.  

This passage flies in the face of what I think many of us are frequently tempted to feel and believe.  I don’t know about all of you but there are frequently times when I feel like I am ill-equipped to really make a difference.  When I feel like I don’t have the tools, finances, or influence to really make an impact.  Jesus takes the offering of a young boy, “five barley loaves and two fish”, and feeds more than 5,000 people.  In verse 10 it says that there were 5,000 men alone not counting women and children.  Then it says everyone ate as much as they wanted. It was an all you can eat buffet! 

I spent some time thinking about the boy.  I’m sure when he offered his lunch to Jesus, he was not thinking, “How can I impact the world?”  He was simply taking the things he had to offer and humbly giving them to Jesus.  Jesus then took that gift and used it to influence more than 5,000 people.  This boy’s lunch causes thousands of people to turn to Jesus in worship.  Verses 14 and 15, explain that when the people saw the miracle they said, “Surely he is the prophet we have been waiting for.”  The people were ready to make Jesus their king.  When Jesus saw this he slipped away.  

My question is this, “What gifts can I humbly offer to Jesus?” How can I serve him in worship with the things He has given me?  When we feel the temptation to think we have nothing to offer, remember that Jesus took a boy’s lunch and used it to draw over 5,000 towards himself.  Every single one of us is called to be a world changer in and through Christ! 

John Chapter 5

John 5:39-44                                                                                                                                                             You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.

It’s an amazing and paradoxical reality that one can know the Scriptures, be heavily involved in religious work, and yet neither know nor love God.  Here Jesus calls out the religious leaders for their hypocrisy.  Religion was their disguise.  Instead of humbly dying to themselves, seeking God, and serving others, they used religion as a way to prop up their own ambition, and the agenda of Self – all the while appearing holy and righteous.

Jesus’ own disciples struggled with this early on – vying for position and prestige – arguing over “who was the greatest,” the most important, the most loyal, the most effective, etc.…(Luke 9:46; 22:24).  This has always been a sobering passage for me.  It has served as a measure of accountability that I go to often, checking and examining my motives for why I do what I do.  I’ve been a pastor for 32 years.  Have I done that for His glory or my own?  Have I desired His approval, or the praise of others?  The truth is a mixed bag of honorable and selfish motives.  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has, and continues to help me sort through them all – teaching me the daily work of ridding myself of Self, and allowing only Christ and His agenda to reign in my heart.  It’s a humbling experience to say the least.  It is also an essential and unavoidable process that each of us should enthusiastically embrace if we desire an authentic relationship with God and our fellow man.  Let your prayers echo David’s desire – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24).

John Chapter 4

John 4 is a very rich chapter packed with the miracles of mercy, grace, and healing.  So much teaching and gleaning surrounds the history of the Samaritan woman at the well, healing the official's son, and an immediately available harvest.  But what caught my attention were the Samaritan people whom the woman at the well reported back to.  After hearing her speak of the Man she had met and how He knew everything about her and what He offered her, they believed in Jesus because of what she had told them.  After inviting Jesus to stay, He lingered for two days.  Then in verse 41, they told the woman, "We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world."  Getting confirmation on something you think is true is exciting and powerful!  First of all, when she returned to tell them her experience, there must have been a change in her spirit and countenance that went along with all the "facts".  I know for sure, because of my own meeting and seeing other's meeting of Jesus, that once someone truly meets this "Man", He changes everything!  When you know He has changed you, so does everyone else around you.  So the people believed in Jesus because of this woman's testimony, but then had the opportunity to hear Him for themselves and was further convinced He was the Savior of the World.  What would that day have been like to hear and see her life changed before your eyes and then to get confirmation from the Truth Himself?

John Chapter 3

One of the most important verses by far in the Bible is in chapter 3, 3:16.

The first time I was ever exposed to John 3:16 was back in the 70’s. There was this crazy guy that would show up at sporting events all over the world, he would strategically place himself where TV cameras would spot him. He always wore a rainbow wig and held a JESUS SAVES or John 3:16 sign (for anyone under the age of 40 Google the name Rollen Stewart). Sadly, as a kid, I would ask what was John 3:16 but all I was told was that it was a Bible verse. I never bothered to look up the verse, not until 3 decades later.

The chapter opens with a Pharisee named Nicodemus who comes to visit Jesus at night. I Love how Nicodemus starts off the conversation by telling Jesus things that he already knows but Jesus knows the heart of Nicodemus and hits Nick with “unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Like Nick, I was confused by what Jesus meant . Nicodemus’ question is silly, but I thought that if I was a good person and did more good than bad that maybe just maybe God would let me into Heaven. Now, if anyone could have made it by works or by the law, it would have been Nicodemus. If anyone could present his righteous credentials before God, it would be Nick.

Thankfully Jesus gives Nicodemus and everyone reading this verse the way to heaven! Can it really be that simple? That if we believe in Him that we will not perish but have eternal life; I will never forget the first time that a believer broke it down for me, how the significance of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me and believing in that sacrifice meant eternal life or eternal death. He said that its like we are in prison being asked whether or not we will accept a pardon. That is the gospel. It is not telling a man that he is on trial. He is already condemned. He is already in prison waiting for execution. But the gospel tells him a pardon is offered to him. The point is will you accept the pardon? The gospel is to save those who are already lost.

And finally probably because of the significance of 3:16 the chapter ends with the selfless dedication of John the Baptist. What I learned was that in verse 34-36 John basically confirms John 3:16. “For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

This chapter is so rich I have only scratched the surface! Take the time to really study the words in Chapter 3 you will be blessed over and over again!

John Chapter 2

In John 2 the interaction and dialog between Jesus and his mother is at two levels.  The first level is the pragmatic one.  The host for this wedding celebration and is out of wine.  A crisis for any host with guests.  Jesus gives a strange answer, “My hour has not come.” For a 21st century reader with a historical  context of Jesus death on a cross and resurrection it is easy to see in his answer Jesus is thinking about something else and doesn’t want to be bothered. 

Jesus mother doesn’t seem to blink an eye on Jesus response. She directs the servants to follow Jesus instructions.  Jesus’s matter-of-fact directions to the servants involves using the materials available to him. The jars, the water source, the servants to do the work. It’s notable that Jesus instructs them to fill it to the brim with water.  The bridegroom is struck by the quality of what now has become exceptional wine.  

The writer John tells us this is “…the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”   This supernatural event, water that is turned into wine happens in wedding celebration.  Jesus willingness to help in this moment, the generosity in the amount of wine created and the extremely high quality show us what he is able to give. 

The setting shifts after some traveling time to Jerusalem.  At the Jewish Passover celebration another side of Jesus character is displayed. Many Jew’s from the surrounding towns, cities and nations would trek to Jerusalem to remember their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt under Moses as a celebration.  Jews would gather at the temple court to purchase what they needed for the celebration.  Jesus was appalled by what he saw as a misuse of the sacred space of the court temple for commerce.  Jesus anger translated into overturning of tables and scattering the people, animals and money.  It must have been wild with a lot of shouting!  The the physical activity matches up with a parallel spiritual track. Jesus actions fulfilled an attribute from the ancient Hebrew texts.  “His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

The Jews present want an explanation.  They ask in an indirect manner.  Where does your authority come from to behave this way? A strange answer. “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”  A spiritual answer about Jesus own purpose for being here. 

The Jews continue to discuss the physical temple and are incredulous at Jesus statement. John the writer explains the gap of understanding.  “But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.” 

These two dramatic stories, moments in history associated with Jesus, caused people who were watching or following to believe in Him.  One story is birthed from hospitality, generosity and kindness and the other from anger about the misuse of God’s sacred space.

John Chapter 1

In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices to repent for the sins of man.

In the New Testament, Jesus, Son of God, becomes that sacrificial lamb for all of humanity.

He willfully sacrifices Himself as atonement for our sins.  Imagine Jesus the Messiah, Son of God, coming to earth to live amongst us in a fallen sinful world.  He showed us all that salvation was available to us through His grace, only if we are willing to receive it.

What kind of king is this?  One who was able to endure all the pain, hardships, torture, unjust treatment while here on earth, while showing us love, grace, forgiveness, kindness.  Through Him we could receive eternal life with God.

Jesus didn't live a perfect life, while here on earth, but he lived a sinless life.  It often makes me think of that saying "what would Jesus do?" whenever I face any kind of adversity in my life.  Although I fall short of the high standards set by Jesus, it forces me to make better decisions than I would've made without Jesus.

Mark Chapter 16

It is hard to imagine the extreme emotional experiences for the followers of Jesus those last days.  I envision many of these emotions and experiences were complete surprises from anything they would have ever expected.  In this last chapter of Mark, we see those emotional extremes continue to play out.  While still experiencing the pain and loss of what had just happened several days ago, Mark 16 starts the story of several of those followers continuing their mourning process by heading to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices.  

The first surprise.  The tomb entrance had been opened.  What are all the questions that started coming to their minds? Who rolled the rock away? Is anyone else in the tomb right now, is Jesus’s body still there, who would want to take away his body from us? We know from scripture, that even though Jesus explained his mission on earth was to save all people from their own sins through his sacrifice, even his closest followers still had visions of Jesus building an earthly kingdom to save them from other nations.  I wonder if at that point if the only question they might not be asking is:  Is Jesus alive?  

The second surprise.  Meeting an angel in the tomb.  Not only did the angel tell them they would not find Jesus’ body there, but that he was indeed alive and they should go tell the disciples and they would be able to meet him again.  Filled again with joy and excitement at the incredible news, imagine the frustration as they shared with the disciples this news to only be met with disbelief.

The last surprise.  Seeing Jesus ascending into heaven.  Saying goodbye to Jesus had to be a bittersweet experience.  I am sure it seemed such a short time in which they could again experience life with him here on earth after the resurrection.  While knowing he was alive had re-created the joy and excitement they had first experienced, I expect there would still be sadness that they would not be able to continue life with him on earth.

It is difficult to imagine any of those experiences or extreme emotions were expected from Jesus’ followers.  How many of us have expectations of experiences for our lives and see things turn out so differently from those expectations?  God has great things in store for those who follow him.  Although there is no assurance of life being easy or without pain as a follower of Jesus, but we can look forward to being part of God’s bigger story and carrying the joy that comes from knowing we serve a risen Savior!

Mark Chapter 15

Most of us are familiar with the details of Jesus’s last hours: it plays out in our mind’s eye in a medley of films we’ve seen, sermons we’ve heard.

What I read makes me angry; it makes me squeamish and heartbroken. But this chapter is almost all narrative, with just a little dialogue. What am I to glean from it to apply to my life, what truths does God whisper to me through these words?

I find plenty to satisfy my intellectual reading: the rich elements that could only be provided by eyewitnesses—the actions of the soldiers, the play-by-play of events. Then there are details such as the names of the sons of Simon the Cyrene and the name and translation of Golgotha, the hill where the crucifixion takes place—details that anchor the narrative in facts.

I see that the crowd is whipped up and responds exactly the way chief priests want them to. Pilate even sees the chief priests’ motivations for what they are, yet he still gives them what they want. But Jesus does the unexpected—he doesn’t defend himself. Jesus isn’t manipulated, goaded, or controlled. He’s surrounded by frenzy, accusations, interrogation, mockery, yet he is stalwart. It’s incredible to me that he knows what agony and torture he faces, yet he still moves forward. I wonder what his mind was fixed on? On his Father—on doing his will, carrying out the plan they’d agreed upon? On his expectations of the morning two days later, when all the torture would be behind him and the power of sin and death would be broken? On the surety of seeing those he loved enter into eternal life because of his own sacrifice?

What is my mind fixed upon? The hope of seeing God’s will being done, his plans coming to fruition? How much do I waver in my path, get manipulated and bullied? How often do I focus on the small, the taunts, the injustice, the pain and forget that I am part of a bigger picture?

Lord, help me to fix my mind on the hope, on the resurrection and the life.

Mark Chapter 14

The story of Peter’s denial of knowing Christ v. 66—72 is one that tugs at my heart for the sadness that Peter must have endured. Here was a man chosen to lead and was called to be a “fisher of men” by the Lord himself.  What might have changed his ideas about standing up for the Lord? 

Peter’s denial was just the result of being human.   Fear of harm was no doubt the reason he denied knowing Christ.  Yet how many of us would not have the same fears as he?  Considering that millions of Christians have been killed worldwide as a result of their profession of faith, this story illustrates that even the most solid believer can have weakness. Peter found that he was not prepared to face persecution and the ridicule that Jesus was suffering. 

In the past I have wondered how I would respond if I was threatened with death as a result of a confession for Christ.  Of course until the actual test came, I do not know how I would respond.  Self preservation is a strong motive for us and there are many factors that need to be considered in making a life or death decision.  Alone, I may have difficulty in admonition of Christ, with His strength upon me I may be brave enough to die for His sake. 

The conclusion of Peter’s denial story is continued in Luke 22. Why did Jesus predict and allow Peter to fail so miserably? God allowed it to strip away his self confidence and vanity which allowed Peter to gain humility and to eventually serve his Church with a new determination. 

What can we learn about ourselves from Peter’s failure?  We will fail and continue to disappoint ourselves and God.  Whether we carry guilt from something we said or didn’t speak up for, something we did and know we shouldn’t have, thinking evil about someone, take heart because Peter felt like us as well.  Did we walk away from God and feel far from him? There is hope for us all.    Praise God!