John 14:15-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
I blow it sometimes. I mess things up and when I do, I need my Advocate … someone to speak on my behalf … someone to counsel me … someone to encourage me … someone to comfort me. That someone is the Holy Spirit.
I could hire a lawyer to speak for me, a psychiatrist to counsel me, find a pastor to encourage me or turn to my wife for comfort. There is nothing wrong with any of these options. In fact, they are gifted by God to perform their important roles.
Jesus promised something better. The Holy Spirit He promised has all the attributes of the Father and the Son. Most important, when you become a believer, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. You don’t have to seek Him out. He is always there. In good times and in times of trouble the Holy Spirit is present.
Three in One … Father … Son … Holy Spirit … the Divine Trinity.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
IN JESUS NAME
John 14:8-14
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Way to the Father
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
There is no separation between God’s name, His Word and His will. When we add ‘in Jesus name’ to the end of our prayers, should we automatically expect those prayers to answered in the affirmative? I believe that our prayers are answered affirmatively when they line up with God’s word and are submissive to His divine will. Let me give you an example.
I am a robber and I pray for forgiveness something like this:
“Lord, I robbed my neighbor. Forgive me and guard me from the consequences of my actions, in Jesus name, Amen.”
It is in God’s will, when we confess, for Him to forgive our sins but it is contrary to God’s Word to expect that the consequences will be removed. We shall reap what we sow. Adding, in Jesus name to this prayer does not obligate Jesus to do something contrary to God’s Word. Does saying this say that this scripture (John 14:8) is wrong? Absolutely not! This statement by Jesus must not be taken outside the context of the totality of God’s Word. His Word … His will … His name … cannot be separated.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Way to the Father
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
There is no separation between God’s name, His Word and His will. When we add ‘in Jesus name’ to the end of our prayers, should we automatically expect those prayers to answered in the affirmative? I believe that our prayers are answered affirmatively when they line up with God’s word and are submissive to His divine will. Let me give you an example.
I am a robber and I pray for forgiveness something like this:
“Lord, I robbed my neighbor. Forgive me and guard me from the consequences of my actions, in Jesus name, Amen.”
It is in God’s will, when we confess, for Him to forgive our sins but it is contrary to God’s Word to expect that the consequences will be removed. We shall reap what we sow. Adding, in Jesus name to this prayer does not obligate Jesus to do something contrary to God’s Word. Does saying this say that this scripture (John 14:8) is wrong? Absolutely not! This statement by Jesus must not be taken outside the context of the totality of God’s Word. His Word … His will … His name … cannot be separated.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
THE WAY
John 14:1-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Way to the Father
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
During my college days, I joined a fraternity. We have a history all pledges are required to learn. We also have secrets only members should know … a handshake … code words that reveal membership to other members.
During the days of the early church, because of persecution, Christians used signs and code words to reveal themselves to believers of like faith. One of the signs was the fish, drawn in the sand. One half of the fish was drawn by the first person. If the other person completed the drawing, they felt comfortable to share their common faith.
They also used the code words, ‘The Way’. The source of these words are right here when Jesus says, “I am the way…”. I can hear conversations where statements like, “I know the way” or “ I follow the way” or “Do you know the way?” are casually inserted to inform those speaking of ones faith in Jesus Christ.
Most of us do not have to speak with code words to share our faith. We can openly declared our Christianity. We can boldly proclaim that we follow Jesus Christ. This freedom allows us many opportunities to share our faith with others.
Purpose in your heart to show someone ‘The Way’ today.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Way to the Father
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
During my college days, I joined a fraternity. We have a history all pledges are required to learn. We also have secrets only members should know … a handshake … code words that reveal membership to other members.
During the days of the early church, because of persecution, Christians used signs and code words to reveal themselves to believers of like faith. One of the signs was the fish, drawn in the sand. One half of the fish was drawn by the first person. If the other person completed the drawing, they felt comfortable to share their common faith.
They also used the code words, ‘The Way’. The source of these words are right here when Jesus says, “I am the way…”. I can hear conversations where statements like, “I know the way” or “ I follow the way” or “Do you know the way?” are casually inserted to inform those speaking of ones faith in Jesus Christ.
Most of us do not have to speak with code words to share our faith. We can openly declared our Christianity. We can boldly proclaim that we follow Jesus Christ. This freedom allows us many opportunities to share our faith with others.
Purpose in your heart to show someone ‘The Way’ today.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
THE ROOSTER CROWS
John 13:31-38
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”
And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”
38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
I don’t get to hear it too often any more. When I was growing up, we would visit my grandmother. She always had a yard full of chickens. At dawn we would be greeted with the crowing of the rooster. Despite the fact that I don’t hear the rooster crow, like clockwork, I can still count on the dawning of a new day. God is faithful that way.
Jesus knew when He selected Peter and the other disciples, that these were not perfect men. They each had shortcomings … they each would fall short … one would even be the betrayer. As a future reminder for Peter, Jesus foretold his denial and it happened just as predicted.
I wonder what failure Jesus knows about in my life that will occur before tomorrow dawns? Despite Peter’s denial, Jesus loved him. And despite my sin (which Jesus hates), Jesus still loves me. Does this give me a license to sin? God forbid! It should only give me motivation to be more faithful … to do better each day that dawns … better each time the rooster crows.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”
And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”
38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
I don’t get to hear it too often any more. When I was growing up, we would visit my grandmother. She always had a yard full of chickens. At dawn we would be greeted with the crowing of the rooster. Despite the fact that I don’t hear the rooster crow, like clockwork, I can still count on the dawning of a new day. God is faithful that way.
Jesus knew when He selected Peter and the other disciples, that these were not perfect men. They each had shortcomings … they each would fall short … one would even be the betrayer. As a future reminder for Peter, Jesus foretold his denial and it happened just as predicted.
I wonder what failure Jesus knows about in my life that will occur before tomorrow dawns? Despite Peter’s denial, Jesus loved him. And despite my sin (which Jesus hates), Jesus still loves me. Does this give me a license to sin? God forbid! It should only give me motivation to be more faithful … to do better each day that dawns … better each time the rooster crows.
Monday, August 25, 2008
SO CLOSE
John 13:18-30
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah. 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”
22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23 The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” 25 So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night.
This brings to mind a gospel singer who did a monologue prior to one of her songs. She talked about playing church in the backyard with her little sister. Her sister got a little too carried away in the playing and the singer went and told her Mom that her sister was playing with Jesus. Her point was that there are those of us who go to church but are just playing church.
Judas was in the group closest to Jesus. He was trusted among the group to handle the finances. He sat so close to Jesus at the Passover table that Jesus could hand him the bread. He was so close, yet so far. Judas was ‘playing church’.
Ask yourself … do you go to church on Sunday but betray Jesus in your community … your workplace … your playground … your home? Is your attitude, conversation or activity during the week the same as it is on Sunday morning? I must confess that all too often, I look more like Judas than Jesus. So close, yet so far.
By the way, the little sister who was playing with Jesus, called His name one time too many. He showed up in her play and became real in her life.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah. 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”
22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23 The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” 25 So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night.
This brings to mind a gospel singer who did a monologue prior to one of her songs. She talked about playing church in the backyard with her little sister. Her sister got a little too carried away in the playing and the singer went and told her Mom that her sister was playing with Jesus. Her point was that there are those of us who go to church but are just playing church.
Judas was in the group closest to Jesus. He was trusted among the group to handle the finances. He sat so close to Jesus at the Passover table that Jesus could hand him the bread. He was so close, yet so far. Judas was ‘playing church’.
Ask yourself … do you go to church on Sunday but betray Jesus in your community … your workplace … your playground … your home? Is your attitude, conversation or activity during the week the same as it is on Sunday morning? I must confess that all too often, I look more like Judas than Jesus. So close, yet so far.
By the way, the little sister who was playing with Jesus, called His name one time too many. He showed up in her play and became real in her life.
Friday, August 22, 2008
FOOT WASHER
John 13:10-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Have you washed anyone’s feet lately? Jesus gave us an example. He said, “Do as I have done…”
Jesus took the position of the servant. As we follow Him, we will look for places where we can serve others. We won’t be reluctant to leave our gated communities. We won’t be too proud to get off our high horses. We won’t be ashamed to strip off our fine designer garments.
Because we follow Jesus, we will get up from our table … take off our robe … take up the towel … pour the water … wash feet.
Where will you serve someone in need this week? Go ahead! Purpose in your mind right now to ‘take up the towel’.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Have you washed anyone’s feet lately? Jesus gave us an example. He said, “Do as I have done…”
Jesus took the position of the servant. As we follow Him, we will look for places where we can serve others. We won’t be reluctant to leave our gated communities. We won’t be too proud to get off our high horses. We won’t be ashamed to strip off our fine designer garments.
Because we follow Jesus, we will get up from our table … take off our robe … take up the towel … pour the water … wash feet.
Where will you serve someone in need this week? Go ahead! Purpose in your mind right now to ‘take up the towel’.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
THE FOOT WASHER
John 13:1-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
During the time when Jesus walked the dusty streets of Jerusalem, it was the slave of the household who was responsible for washing the feet of the guests. It would have been a cultural break in etiquette if this act of hospitality and servanthood had not already been performed. When Jesus took up the towel, He was doing more than washing feet. He was teaching a lesson … making a point.
The relationship between Jesus and His disciples was different than the relationship between the slave and the guests of the household. When Jesus washes His disciples feet, He seals the bond between them. “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Have you been washed by Jesus? Has His blood, shed on Calvary washed away your sins and sealed your relationship? Do you belong to Him?
“Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
During the time when Jesus walked the dusty streets of Jerusalem, it was the slave of the household who was responsible for washing the feet of the guests. It would have been a cultural break in etiquette if this act of hospitality and servanthood had not already been performed. When Jesus took up the towel, He was doing more than washing feet. He was teaching a lesson … making a point.
The relationship between Jesus and His disciples was different than the relationship between the slave and the guests of the household. When Jesus washes His disciples feet, He seals the bond between them. “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Have you been washed by Jesus? Has His blood, shed on Calvary washed away your sins and sealed your relationship? Do you belong to Him?
“Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
THE SUMMARY
John 12:44-50
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Unbelief of the People
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
At verse 36 (After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them), the public ministry of Jesus has concluded. In chapter 13 we will find Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples, sharing the Passover Meal before His arrest and crucifixion. Here in verses 37-50 (yesterday ‘TOO SLOW’ and today’s Gospel Pearl), we have John’s summary of Jesus’ public ministry.
Jesus first coming was about salvation. “…I have come to save the world…” Jesus is coming back again. When He comes back, it will be judgment time. We know not when this second coming will be but we best have settled the salvation issue before Jesus returns. On the day of judgment, it will be TOO LATE.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Unbelief of the People
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
At verse 36 (After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them), the public ministry of Jesus has concluded. In chapter 13 we will find Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples, sharing the Passover Meal before His arrest and crucifixion. Here in verses 37-50 (yesterday ‘TOO SLOW’ and today’s Gospel Pearl), we have John’s summary of Jesus’ public ministry.
Jesus first coming was about salvation. “…I have come to save the world…” Jesus is coming back again. When He comes back, it will be judgment time. We know not when this second coming will be but we best have settled the salvation issue before Jesus returns. On the day of judgment, it will be TOO LATE.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
TOO SLOW
John 12:37-43
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Unbelief of the People
37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
“Lord, who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?”
39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,
40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts — so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.”
41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
Still today, two thousand years after Jesus was raised from the dead, there are those, both Jew and Gentile, who refuse to see the truth … refuse to believe. It would appear that there comes a time when God shuts the door. He hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh refused to see the plagues as the wrath of the One true God. He refused to hear Moses’ call to let God’s people go.
Rick Warren asked the question last Sunday night whether there was evil in the world. Both presidential candidates, in different ways, pointed to evil in their response. People have been too slow to see and believe. God has blinded eyes … hardened hearts, and we see the evidence of this in the evil that surrounds us.
Is there no hope? Absolutely not! The gospel message still has the power to change hearts, open eyes and save souls. Believers must remain diligent in sharing the good news, always remembering that Jesus is coming soon to set things right for all eternity.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Unbelief of the People
37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
“Lord, who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?”
39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,
40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts — so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.”
41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
Still today, two thousand years after Jesus was raised from the dead, there are those, both Jew and Gentile, who refuse to see the truth … refuse to believe. It would appear that there comes a time when God shuts the door. He hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh refused to see the plagues as the wrath of the One true God. He refused to hear Moses’ call to let God’s people go.
Rick Warren asked the question last Sunday night whether there was evil in the world. Both presidential candidates, in different ways, pointed to evil in their response. People have been too slow to see and believe. God has blinded eyes … hardened hearts, and we see the evidence of this in the evil that surrounds us.
Is there no hope? Absolutely not! The gospel message still has the power to change hearts, open eyes and save souls. Believers must remain diligent in sharing the good news, always remembering that Jesus is coming soon to set things right for all eternity.
Monday, August 18, 2008
WALK IN THE LIGHT
John 12:34-36
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
God has given each of us a free will and with it, the opportunity to make a choice. The Scriptures express this choice in varying ways.
Right or wrong … good or evil … the wide road or the narrow path … love or hate … heaven or hell … Jesus or the devil.
Jesus describes Himself as light and calls us to put our trust in the light. It is a choice we each make … stumble in the darkness or walk in the light.
Walk in the light, beautiful light;
Come where the dew drops of mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night;
Jesus, the light of the world.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
God has given each of us a free will and with it, the opportunity to make a choice. The Scriptures express this choice in varying ways.
Right or wrong … good or evil … the wide road or the narrow path … love or hate … heaven or hell … Jesus or the devil.
Jesus describes Himself as light and calls us to put our trust in the light. It is a choice we each make … stumble in the darkness or walk in the light.
Walk in the light, beautiful light;
Come where the dew drops of mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night;
Jesus, the light of the world.
Friday, August 15, 2008
LIFT HIM UP
John 12:27-33
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
There are many wonderful programs, ministries, departments or auxiliaries in our churches. They provide varying opportunities for people to get involved in the work of kingdom building. From the choir and ushers to the youth department; from the mission ministries to the custodial staff; from the office staff to the pastoral staff; all these and many more make the life of the church vibrant, relational and functional.
Jesus called his disciples from their prior occupations and asked them to “Follow me.” They walked from city to city and He taught them as they went. Jesus performed miracles before the people and His disciples. He went into the synagogues, teaching, worshiping and practicing the traditions of the Jewish faith. When the hour of His death was at hand, Jesus didn’t talk about all they had been doing over the prior three years. Jesus said, “…when I am lifted up … I will draw everyone to myself.”
In all our great church programming, let us never lose focus on lifting Jesus up!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
There are many wonderful programs, ministries, departments or auxiliaries in our churches. They provide varying opportunities for people to get involved in the work of kingdom building. From the choir and ushers to the youth department; from the mission ministries to the custodial staff; from the office staff to the pastoral staff; all these and many more make the life of the church vibrant, relational and functional.
Jesus called his disciples from their prior occupations and asked them to “Follow me.” They walked from city to city and He taught them as they went. Jesus performed miracles before the people and His disciples. He went into the synagogues, teaching, worshiping and practicing the traditions of the Jewish faith. When the hour of His death was at hand, Jesus didn’t talk about all they had been doing over the prior three years. Jesus said, “…when I am lifted up … I will draw everyone to myself.”
In all our great church programming, let us never lose focus on lifting Jesus up!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
NO OTHER WAY
John 12:20-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
If all you care about is what is on your plate for today, then you have no need to heed the message of this passage. If you are concerned about eternity, hear Jesus’ words.
If you follow Jesus, your eternity is sure … you will live on after this life … you will end up in the presence of Jesus … God will honor you for your service to the Kingdom.
And by the way, today will take care of itself. It will produce a plentiful harvest.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
If all you care about is what is on your plate for today, then you have no need to heed the message of this passage. If you are concerned about eternity, hear Jesus’ words.
If you follow Jesus, your eternity is sure … you will live on after this life … you will end up in the presence of Jesus … God will honor you for your service to the Kingdom.
And by the way, today will take care of itself. It will produce a plentiful harvest.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
PASS THE WORD
John 12:12-19
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”
Jesus had performed many miracles during His three years of ministry. Turning water to wine … healing the man born blind … feeding the five thousand … and many more. It appears that raising Lazarus from the dead was His ‘break out’ miracle. The people were passing the word and a crowd came to greet Jesus upon His arrival to Jerusalem for the Passover, proclaiming Him “King of Israel!”
Today, King Jesus is still raising those who are dead in their sins. PASS THE WORD!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”
Jesus had performed many miracles during His three years of ministry. Turning water to wine … healing the man born blind … feeding the five thousand … and many more. It appears that raising Lazarus from the dead was His ‘break out’ miracle. The people were passing the word and a crowd came to greet Jesus upon His arrival to Jerusalem for the Passover, proclaiming Him “King of Israel!”
Today, King Jesus is still raising those who are dead in their sins. PASS THE WORD!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
ACT OF WORSHIP
John 12:1-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
Martha is serving the meal. Lazarus is sharing the meal. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with oil, an act of preparation (she probably had done something similar a few days earlier when Lazarus died and had to be prepared for burial). With Jesus it was an act of worship.
Two thousand years after the fact, Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) can read this passage and use it to support claims of a relationship between Jesus and Mary that was never spoken of in the Scriptures. Not even Judas Iscariot, the betrayer and witness to the act, went where Brown did. Judas’ mind was only clouded by dollar signs.
We live in a time and society clouded by perversion, harassment and inappropriate relationships. In this environment, one can look at an act of worship and misinterpret it as something intimate or even dirty. God forbid that we make something out of Scripture that God never intended.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
Martha is serving the meal. Lazarus is sharing the meal. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with oil, an act of preparation (she probably had done something similar a few days earlier when Lazarus died and had to be prepared for burial). With Jesus it was an act of worship.
Two thousand years after the fact, Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) can read this passage and use it to support claims of a relationship between Jesus and Mary that was never spoken of in the Scriptures. Not even Judas Iscariot, the betrayer and witness to the act, went where Brown did. Judas’ mind was only clouded by dollar signs.
We live in a time and society clouded by perversion, harassment and inappropriate relationships. In this environment, one can look at an act of worship and misinterpret it as something intimate or even dirty. God forbid that we make something out of Scripture that God never intended.
Monday, August 11, 2008
THE ORDERS ARE GIVEN
John 11:53-57
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. 54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” 57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
The planning is done. The orders have been given. The priests and Pharisees have set in motion the circumstances which will bring an end to the threat to their positions … their authority over the people.
The amazing thing is that all their plans and actions fulfill the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah. When you look at it from this side of the Cross, from a God perspective, their action is not what is amazing. What is amazing is the accuracy of the prophesies. What they planned and executed was foretold years before it ever happened.
It was God’s plan from the foundation of the world for His Son to be the Savior … to be arrested … to be unfairly tried and beaten … to be hung on the Cross … to die for the sins of the world. And it was God’s plan that Jesus would rise from the dead and live. He is alive today and lives in the hearts of all believers. The priests and Pharisees plan failed while their actions fulfilled God’s plan.
You know what else? The orders have been given. He’s coming back again … just as the scriptures said!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. 54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” 57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
The planning is done. The orders have been given. The priests and Pharisees have set in motion the circumstances which will bring an end to the threat to their positions … their authority over the people.
The amazing thing is that all their plans and actions fulfill the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah. When you look at it from this side of the Cross, from a God perspective, their action is not what is amazing. What is amazing is the accuracy of the prophesies. What they planned and executed was foretold years before it ever happened.
It was God’s plan from the foundation of the world for His Son to be the Savior … to be arrested … to be unfairly tried and beaten … to be hung on the Cross … to die for the sins of the world. And it was God’s plan that Jesus would rise from the dead and live. He is alive today and lives in the hearts of all believers. The priests and Pharisees plan failed while their actions fulfilled God’s plan.
You know what else? The orders have been given. He’s coming back again … just as the scriptures said!
Friday, August 08, 2008
OUT OF THE MOUTH
John 11:45-52
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
You have probably heard the expression ‘out of the mouths of babies’. It speaks to the idea that there is no telling what a child will say. Children have been known to reveal that family secret, that thing which you wish had stayed behind the closed door of your home.
What is this we hear ‘out of the mouth of Caiaphas’? This high priest among the Pharisees, this enemy of Jesus, speaks a word of prophesy. God used even him to declare a word of truth. “Jesus would die for the entire nation.” The words from Caiaphas mouth indeed came to pass.
Who God uses to speak His truth is within His sovereign will. When and where you least expect it, have the antenna of your spirit up for a message from God. The Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer will witness to the truth of the Word, no matter the mouth it comes from. In like manner, the Holy Spirit will trouble the believer’s spirit when the word is not of God.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
You have probably heard the expression ‘out of the mouths of babies’. It speaks to the idea that there is no telling what a child will say. Children have been known to reveal that family secret, that thing which you wish had stayed behind the closed door of your home.
What is this we hear ‘out of the mouth of Caiaphas’? This high priest among the Pharisees, this enemy of Jesus, speaks a word of prophesy. God used even him to declare a word of truth. “Jesus would die for the entire nation.” The words from Caiaphas mouth indeed came to pass.
Who God uses to speak His truth is within His sovereign will. When and where you least expect it, have the antenna of your spirit up for a message from God. The Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer will witness to the truth of the Word, no matter the mouth it comes from. In like manner, the Holy Spirit will trouble the believer’s spirit when the word is not of God.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
COME OUT!
John 11:37-44
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
Lazarus was a dear friend to Jesus (12:3). Even though we know that Jesus knew what the outcome of this visit to his tomb would be (12:4), Jesus was angry when He arrived. Closed up in a tomb … bound up in graveclothes … face covered with a headcloth … this was no place for His friend.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bare…
Are you caught up in something that makes your friend angry? Bitterness … addiction … jealousy … depression … unfaithfulness … workaholic … laziness … pride. Whatever negative thing is your bondage, Jesus has two words for you. They are the same words He had for His friend Lazarus.
Come out!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
Lazarus was a dear friend to Jesus (12:3). Even though we know that Jesus knew what the outcome of this visit to his tomb would be (12:4), Jesus was angry when He arrived. Closed up in a tomb … bound up in graveclothes … face covered with a headcloth … this was no place for His friend.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bare…
Are you caught up in something that makes your friend angry? Bitterness … addiction … jealousy … depression … unfaithfulness … workaholic … laziness … pride. Whatever negative thing is your bondage, Jesus has two words for you. They are the same words He had for His friend Lazarus.
Come out!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
HUMAN EMOTIONS
John 11:28-37
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
28 Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” 29 So Mary immediately went to him.
30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the triune godhead, the Savior of the Cross was human. He experienced the same emotions you and I do. In this passage we see four of these human responses … anger … distress … sadness … and love.
Human emotion comes naturally. Have you ever been watching one of those movies they call a tear jerker? You know its not real but you find your eyes damp anyway. (You ladies may have had to do a mascara repair while we fellows just covered it up with the sinus drainage excuse – (-:)). This emotion and many others are a perfectly normal, natural response to the circumstances around us or within us.
We are told to control our emotions. Don’t let your highs get too high nor your lows too low. “Jesus wept.” Was that low, too low? “See how much he loved him!” Was that high too high for his own good? It is not for me to judge. We should not judge others as they experience these natural emotions. Our job is to rejoice with the joyful … weep with the down-hearted … with all the sincerity we can muster.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
28 Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” 29 So Mary immediately went to him.
30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the triune godhead, the Savior of the Cross was human. He experienced the same emotions you and I do. In this passage we see four of these human responses … anger … distress … sadness … and love.
Human emotion comes naturally. Have you ever been watching one of those movies they call a tear jerker? You know its not real but you find your eyes damp anyway. (You ladies may have had to do a mascara repair while we fellows just covered it up with the sinus drainage excuse – (-:)). This emotion and many others are a perfectly normal, natural response to the circumstances around us or within us.
We are told to control our emotions. Don’t let your highs get too high nor your lows too low. “Jesus wept.” Was that low, too low? “See how much he loved him!” Was that high too high for his own good? It is not for me to judge. We should not judge others as they experience these natural emotions. Our job is to rejoice with the joyful … weep with the down-hearted … with all the sincerity we can muster.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
ETERNAL LIFE
John 11:17-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
Martha had a good understanding of end times prophesy. Her statement here precedes Christ’s death and resurrection. It precedes the Revelation given to John in his old age. So what could have been the source of her understanding when she said “…he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day”?
It could have come from a conversation this family had with Jesus on an earlier occasion. They had a close relationship and they looked to Jesus as their Teacher (v.28).
It could also have come from her knowledge and understanding of Old Testament prophesy. Daniel wrote about “…the time of the end…” (Daniel 11:40) and said “…many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
The grave is not the end, praise God! For the believer, there is eternal life with Christ.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
Martha had a good understanding of end times prophesy. Her statement here precedes Christ’s death and resurrection. It precedes the Revelation given to John in his old age. So what could have been the source of her understanding when she said “…he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day”?
It could have come from a conversation this family had with Jesus on an earlier occasion. They had a close relationship and they looked to Jesus as their Teacher (v.28).
It could also have come from her knowledge and understanding of Old Testament prophesy. Daniel wrote about “…the time of the end…” (Daniel 11:40) and said “…many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
The grave is not the end, praise God! For the believer, there is eternal life with Christ.
Monday, August 04, 2008
THE THREAT WAS REAL
John 11:9-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
9 Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” 11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
The disciples perceived the threats on Jesus’ life to be real. Thomas feared that not only would Jesus be stoned to death if He returned to Judea, he also feared for his own life. Hanging out with Jesus was more than a stroll in the park. It was a walk “through the valley of the shadow of death.”
There are places in the world today where the Christian walk is a dangerous decision. Like Thomas, believers follow Jesus in spite of the very real threats to life and limb. In countries where religious freedoms are guaranteed, often Christians still face ridicule and persecution.
Our young people are preparing to return to school where prayer is restricted. Saying grace at the lunch table or living by Christian principles before their peers can mean a death sentence to their popularity. Let us pray diligently for them as they live out their faith, encouraging them to be like Thomas … willing to follow despite the threat.
Seek out a young person this week … in your home, church, family or community … and tell them about Thomas.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
9 Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” 11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
The disciples perceived the threats on Jesus’ life to be real. Thomas feared that not only would Jesus be stoned to death if He returned to Judea, he also feared for his own life. Hanging out with Jesus was more than a stroll in the park. It was a walk “through the valley of the shadow of death.”
There are places in the world today where the Christian walk is a dangerous decision. Like Thomas, believers follow Jesus in spite of the very real threats to life and limb. In countries where religious freedoms are guaranteed, often Christians still face ridicule and persecution.
Our young people are preparing to return to school where prayer is restricted. Saying grace at the lunch table or living by Christian principles before their peers can mean a death sentence to their popularity. Let us pray diligently for them as they live out their faith, encouraging them to be like Thomas … willing to follow despite the threat.
Seek out a young person this week … in your home, church, family or community … and tell them about Thomas.
Friday, August 01, 2008
IF ANY DOUBTERS REMAIN
John 11:1-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”
4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days. 7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
Jesus knew that despite His teaching, despite the good works, despite the miracles, there were still those in Judea who did not get it. They still doubted His deity. They still were calling Him a blasphemer. They still wanted to stone Him to death. Jesus hadn’t given up. He was willing to face these doubters hoping that they would see the light.
Jesus had healed a blind man and He had healed others who were sick. Jesus waited until everyone would know for certain that Lazarus was dead. Maybe they would see the glory of God and the Son if they would see a dead man walk out of his grave.
Jesus doesn’t give up on you and me. He still is showing us His glory every day, so that we might see and follow Him more diligently.
Where will you see His glory today? What will you fix in your life because you see His glory?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Raising of Lazarus
1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”
4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days. 7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
Jesus knew that despite His teaching, despite the good works, despite the miracles, there were still those in Judea who did not get it. They still doubted His deity. They still were calling Him a blasphemer. They still wanted to stone Him to death. Jesus hadn’t given up. He was willing to face these doubters hoping that they would see the light.
Jesus had healed a blind man and He had healed others who were sick. Jesus waited until everyone would know for certain that Lazarus was dead. Maybe they would see the glory of God and the Son if they would see a dead man walk out of his grave.
Jesus doesn’t give up on you and me. He still is showing us His glory every day, so that we might see and follow Him more diligently.
Where will you see His glory today? What will you fix in your life because you see His glory?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
