John 18:25-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Peter’s Second and Third Denials
25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”
26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.
The rooster crows to announce the dawning of a new day. He rules the roost … he struts tall arrayed in beautiful color … he looks over and after the hens … and he crows at daybreak.
The rooster’s crowing this morning did something else. He reminded Peter what Jesus had told him. “I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” – (John 13:38).
God used a common barnyard animal to get Peter’s attention. What thing or circumstance will God use to call us back to Him the next time we walk away … fail to be a good witness … miss the mark … deny Him?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
ILLEGITIMATE PROCESS
John 18:19-24
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. 20 Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. 21 Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.”
22 Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?”
24 Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.
In Jewish law, sentencing and trials were required to be held on separate days. These two high priestly examinations, Annas – a former high priest disposed years earlier by the Roman authorities and Caiaphas, the current high priest, may have been conducted to legitimize an illegal process being carried out against Jesus.
Despite the illegitimate process, the plans of the Jewish leaders or the Roman authorities, we know that all this was carried out under the sovereignty of God. These Jewish leaders and Roman authorities – even Judas – were only pawns in God’s divine plan for the salvation of mankind. There was no illegitimacy in God’s plan.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. 20 Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. 21 Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.”
22 Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?”
24 Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.
In Jewish law, sentencing and trials were required to be held on separate days. These two high priestly examinations, Annas – a former high priest disposed years earlier by the Roman authorities and Caiaphas, the current high priest, may have been conducted to legitimize an illegal process being carried out against Jesus.
Despite the illegitimate process, the plans of the Jewish leaders or the Roman authorities, we know that all this was carried out under the sovereignty of God. These Jewish leaders and Roman authorities – even Judas – were only pawns in God’s divine plan for the salvation of mankind. There was no illegitimacy in God’s plan.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Friday, September 26, 2008
NO! NOT ME
John 18:15-18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Peter’s First Denial
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?”
“No,” he said, “I am not.”
18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.
Don’t be so quick to judge Peter. Better that we judge ourselves.
How do we deny Jesus? Is it through our actions which are not exemplary of Christ? Is it through our secret conversations which we would never want made public? Is it through those thoughts which were jealous, revengeful or filled with lust? Or maybe it was just inaction … when we failed to serve … failed to love … failed to be a witness for Jesus.
In all these, do we say “No, … I am not” one of His disciples? Before we give Peter a hard time, let’s check our own record.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Peter’s First Denial
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?”
“No,” he said, “I am not.”
18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.
Don’t be so quick to judge Peter. Better that we judge ourselves.
How do we deny Jesus? Is it through our actions which are not exemplary of Christ? Is it through our secret conversations which we would never want made public? Is it through those thoughts which were jealous, revengeful or filled with lust? Or maybe it was just inaction … when we failed to serve … failed to love … failed to be a witness for Jesus.
In all these, do we say “No, … I am not” one of His disciples? Before we give Peter a hard time, let’s check our own record.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
HOW TRUE!
John 18:12-14
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus at the High Priest’s House
12 So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”
When Caiaphas spoke, he had no idea how profound his statement was. Nothing better has ever happened since mankind was created and God blew in him the breath of life. God gave the initial life. Then God sent His Son to die on the Cross so that we can have new life.
This non-believer, Caiaphas, spoke the truth … “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus at the High Priest’s House
12 So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”
When Caiaphas spoke, he had no idea how profound his statement was. Nothing better has ever happened since mankind was created and God blew in him the breath of life. God gave the initial life. Then God sent His Son to die on the Cross so that we can have new life.
This non-believer, Caiaphas, spoke the truth … “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
IT WAS IN THE CUP
John 18:10-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Arrest and Betrayal of Jesus
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
Peter was ready for a fight. He would put his own life on the line for Jesus. This was not God’s plan. This was not God’s way. Jesus was to drink the ‘cup of suffering’ but no one around Him was to suffer. Not even those arresting Him.
What was so special about this ‘cup of suffering’? When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said, “…if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – (Matthew 26:39).
The Savior had come to take away the sin of the world. Jesus came to pay the price for your sin … my sin … the sin of whosoever would accept the free gift of salvation. The ‘cup of suffering’ is all that sin. “Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
In exchange, you and I receive grace.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Arrest and Betrayal of Jesus
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
Peter was ready for a fight. He would put his own life on the line for Jesus. This was not God’s plan. This was not God’s way. Jesus was to drink the ‘cup of suffering’ but no one around Him was to suffer. Not even those arresting Him.
What was so special about this ‘cup of suffering’? When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said, “…if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – (Matthew 26:39).
The Savior had come to take away the sin of the world. Jesus came to pay the price for your sin … my sin … the sin of whosoever would accept the free gift of salvation. The ‘cup of suffering’ is all that sin. “Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
In exchange, you and I receive grace.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
SURRENDER VS. SACRIFICE
John 18:1-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
1 After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.
4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.
“I Am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
8 “I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”
You might call it semantics but I see a significant difference between surrender and sacrifice. You surrender in the face of a more powerful and overwhelming opponent. No way does that fit the contingent Judas brought to the garden. With the spoken Word, they found themselves flat on their backs.
Jesus sacrificed Himself that night so that His disciples would not be taken. It was these to whom Jesus was passing the torch, to carry on the ministry of grace He was bringing to the world. Jesus arrest was part of the plan, as was the disciples freedom. This night was the first step toward the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on the Cross.
There was no surrender to Satan … only sacrifice for humankind.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
1 After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.
4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.
“I Am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
8 “I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”
You might call it semantics but I see a significant difference between surrender and sacrifice. You surrender in the face of a more powerful and overwhelming opponent. No way does that fit the contingent Judas brought to the garden. With the spoken Word, they found themselves flat on their backs.
Jesus sacrificed Himself that night so that His disciples would not be taken. It was these to whom Jesus was passing the torch, to carry on the ministry of grace He was bringing to the world. Jesus arrest was part of the plan, as was the disciples freedom. This night was the first step toward the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on the Cross.
There was no surrender to Satan … only sacrifice for humankind.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A PRAYER FOR UNITY
John 17:20-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Prayer of Jesus
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
If I was commissioned to do a study and write a report on unity within the Body of Christ … The Church … I believe I would find us well short of this portion of Jesus’ prayer. “I pray that they will all be one…” We can’t look at the Church and find much unity, not doctrinally or culturally. We put our pet doctrines, none which are necessarily wrong … baptism … tongues … healing … end times prophesy … etc., ahead of unity in Christ. We would rather cling to our culture … nationality … race … tradition … etc., than cling to each other.
Jesus prayed that the same unity which exists in the Trinity, would live in the Church. When Jesus comes back, will He find us loving one another or still divided? Let us put away childish things (1st Corinthians 13:11) and become the mature Church, the unified Church, Jesus prayed we would be.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Prayer of Jesus
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
If I was commissioned to do a study and write a report on unity within the Body of Christ … The Church … I believe I would find us well short of this portion of Jesus’ prayer. “I pray that they will all be one…” We can’t look at the Church and find much unity, not doctrinally or culturally. We put our pet doctrines, none which are necessarily wrong … baptism … tongues … healing … end times prophesy … etc., ahead of unity in Christ. We would rather cling to our culture … nationality … race … tradition … etc., than cling to each other.
Jesus prayed that the same unity which exists in the Trinity, would live in the Church. When Jesus comes back, will He find us loving one another or still divided? Let us put away childish things (1st Corinthians 13:11) and become the mature Church, the unified Church, Jesus prayed we would be.
Friday, September 19, 2008
NO SURPRISES
John 17:9-19
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Prayer of Jesus
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
Just as Jesus knew what Judas would (betray Him) before it happened, Jesus also knew how the world would regard the church. The disdain for the church we see today was known by Jesus before He even went to the Cross. The wonderful thing to know is that Jesus has already prayed about this, asking the Father to keep us safe. Jesus did not send us into the world, on our evangelistic mission, without the coverage of prayer.
Jesus not only has prayed for us, He became the holy sacrifice. We are covered in prayer and we are covered by the blood. Amen!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Prayer of Jesus
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
Just as Jesus knew what Judas would (betray Him) before it happened, Jesus also knew how the world would regard the church. The disdain for the church we see today was known by Jesus before He even went to the Cross. The wonderful thing to know is that Jesus has already prayed about this, asking the Father to keep us safe. Jesus did not send us into the world, on our evangelistic mission, without the coverage of prayer.
Jesus not only has prayed for us, He became the holy sacrifice. We are covered in prayer and we are covered by the blood. Amen!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
THE MESSAGE
John 17:1-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Prayer of Jesus
1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
God gave Jesus the message. Jesus was faithful – He completed His mission – He gave glory to His Father. Jesus delivered the message.
What is this message? “… this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
The key to eternal is knowing God and the pathway to that knowledge is through His Son, Jesus Christ … the One who brought the message.
Jesus brought the message and that message is recorded and preserved in the holy scriptures. We weren’t alive when the message was delivered but because we have the Bible, the message which the apostles believed is the same message which will save you and I, if we believe. The message is complete … acceptable … believable … powerful … and gives glory where glory is due, to the Father and the Son.
Read your Bible every day. Immerse yourself in the Message.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Prayer of Jesus
1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
God gave Jesus the message. Jesus was faithful – He completed His mission – He gave glory to His Father. Jesus delivered the message.
What is this message? “… this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
The key to eternal is knowing God and the pathway to that knowledge is through His Son, Jesus Christ … the One who brought the message.
Jesus brought the message and that message is recorded and preserved in the holy scriptures. We weren’t alive when the message was delivered but because we have the Bible, the message which the apostles believed is the same message which will save you and I, if we believe. The message is complete … acceptable … believable … powerful … and gives glory where glory is due, to the Father and the Son.
Read your Bible every day. Immerse yourself in the Message.
Monday, September 15, 2008
TAKE HEART
John 16:25-33
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
When Jesus spoke to His disciples, He often used stories or parables to convey the message He was trying to get over to them. In the parables, Jesus would use circumstances they could easily understand and also remember for future reference. It would appear that some, if not all of the disciples did not make the connection between these “…figures of speech…” and what they were observing before their eyes. Jesus had to give them some ‘plain talk’.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” You don’t get much plainer than that. You only have to live awhile to know the truth of that statement.
I praise God that was not the end of the lesson … the closing statement … the final Word. Jesus ends this session with words of encouragement.
“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
There is nothing this world can throw at us that God can’t handle. That’s why I place my trust, not in myself, but in the One who has overcome.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
When Jesus spoke to His disciples, He often used stories or parables to convey the message He was trying to get over to them. In the parables, Jesus would use circumstances they could easily understand and also remember for future reference. It would appear that some, if not all of the disciples did not make the connection between these “…figures of speech…” and what they were observing before their eyes. Jesus had to give them some ‘plain talk’.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” You don’t get much plainer than that. You only have to live awhile to know the truth of that statement.
I praise God that was not the end of the lesson … the closing statement … the final Word. Jesus ends this session with words of encouragement.
“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
There is nothing this world can throw at us that God can’t handle. That’s why I place my trust, not in myself, but in the One who has overcome.
Friday, September 12, 2008
I’VE GOT JOY
John 16:16-24
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Things can make you happy. I love my big boy toys (computer, cellphone, home entertainment center, etc.) and when they work like they are supposed to work, it makes me happy. Let one of they start messing up and happy disappears quick. Happy is an emotion which can be fleeting.
Joy is a much deeper. Joy is rooted in the core of your being. “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”- (Nehemiah 8:10)
This fun song is so theologically correct:
I’ve got joy, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
J – O – Y, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
Jesus put it there and nothing can de-stroy … -stroy … -stroy … HUMPH!
I’ve got joy, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Things can make you happy. I love my big boy toys (computer, cellphone, home entertainment center, etc.) and when they work like they are supposed to work, it makes me happy. Let one of they start messing up and happy disappears quick. Happy is an emotion which can be fleeting.
Joy is a much deeper. Joy is rooted in the core of your being. “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”- (Nehemiah 8:10)
This fun song is so theologically correct:
I’ve got joy, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
J – O – Y, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
Jesus put it there and nothing can de-stroy … -stroy … -stroy … HUMPH!
I’ve got joy, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
WHO’S AT WORK
John 16:5-15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
In youth group last night, we discussed Jeremiah 17:9 where the prophet speaks of the wickedness of the human heart. I asked the group if they felt like their hearts were wicked and if not, why not? Their answers generally spoke to what God was doing in their lives and what Jesus had done for them on the Cross. Good answers! What I found interesting that their was no reference to the Holy Spirit.
It seems we are comfortable with God and Jesus but the Holy Ghost, we are not so sure about. The fact is, it is the Advocate … the Encourage … the Comforter … the Counselor … it is the Holy Spirit who is at work in the world today. When you feel convicted because of sin in you life, it is the Holy Spirit working. When you are drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus or God’s righteousness is blooming in your life, it is the Holy Spirit working. When judgment for sin is meted out, it is the Holy Spirit working.
Call Him what you want, it is the Paraclete (Greek), the Holy Spirit who’s at work.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
In youth group last night, we discussed Jeremiah 17:9 where the prophet speaks of the wickedness of the human heart. I asked the group if they felt like their hearts were wicked and if not, why not? Their answers generally spoke to what God was doing in their lives and what Jesus had done for them on the Cross. Good answers! What I found interesting that their was no reference to the Holy Spirit.
It seems we are comfortable with God and Jesus but the Holy Ghost, we are not so sure about. The fact is, it is the Advocate … the Encourage … the Comforter … the Counselor … it is the Holy Spirit who is at work in the world today. When you feel convicted because of sin in you life, it is the Holy Spirit working. When you are drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus or God’s righteousness is blooming in your life, it is the Holy Spirit working. When judgment for sin is meted out, it is the Holy Spirit working.
Call Him what you want, it is the Paraclete (Greek), the Holy Spirit who’s at work.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
CERTAIN FUTURE
John 16:1-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The World’s Hatred
“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
The disciple’s future was certain and Jesus did not sugar-coat it. He told them just like it was. Their days were numbered.
You may say that all our days are numbered. That’s true. What was the fate of these apostles?
THE TWELVE APOSTLES:
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The World’s Hatred
“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
The disciple’s future was certain and Jesus did not sugar-coat it. He told them just like it was. Their days were numbered.
You may say that all our days are numbered. That’s true. What was the fate of these apostles?
THE TWELVE APOSTLES:
- Andrew - crucified
- Bartholomew - beaten then crucified
- James, son of Alphaeus - stoned to death
- James, son of Zebedee - beheaded
- John - exiled for his faith; died of old age
- Judas (not Iscariot) - stoned to death
- Matthew - speared to death
- Peter - crucifed upside down
- Philip - crucified
- Simon - crucified
- Thomas - speared to death
- Matthias - stoned to death
(source: Fox's Book of Martyrs)
As they faced their deaths, I can imagine that these words of warning … these words of encouragement sprang up in their spirit. Despite their certain future they did not abandon their faith.
For most of us, we will never face death for our faith. Our challenge is to have the courage to daily face life and not abandon our faith.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
NO EXCUSE
John 15:18-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
We like to make excuses. When we mess up, instead of stepping up and taking responsibility, we are quick to find someone or something else where we can lay the blame. Adam and Eve did it in the garden and we have been doing it ever since.
Last week, I was late picking someone up. I found myself thinking of excuses before I arrived and had to face the music. The traffic … a train … the phone call just as I was walking out the door … and so on. The truth is I was doing something I didn’t need to be doing and I lost track of time. I was late and I had no excuse.
Jesus says we have no excuse for our sin. Jesus came to take care of our sin problem. When we sin, it’s on us. We have no excuse. We are guilty.
Thank God for grace!!!!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
We like to make excuses. When we mess up, instead of stepping up and taking responsibility, we are quick to find someone or something else where we can lay the blame. Adam and Eve did it in the garden and we have been doing it ever since.
Last week, I was late picking someone up. I found myself thinking of excuses before I arrived and had to face the music. The traffic … a train … the phone call just as I was walking out the door … and so on. The truth is I was doing something I didn’t need to be doing and I lost track of time. I was late and I had no excuse.
Jesus says we have no excuse for our sin. Jesus came to take care of our sin problem. When we sin, it’s on us. We have no excuse. We are guilty.
Thank God for grace!!!!
Monday, September 08, 2008
REQUISITION FOR THE MISSION
John 15:9-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the True Vine
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
We often hear that we can ask God anything, in Jesus name, and He will give it to us. Carefully reading this promise, in the context of the passage, reveals that the requisition … the asking … is related to our appointment. “I appointed you to go…”
Followers of Christ are loved … are obedient … are filled with joy … love each other … are friends of Jesus … are free (no longer slaves) … are chosen.
They are appointed for the mission … to produce fruit … and are promised anything they need to complete that mission.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the True Vine
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
We often hear that we can ask God anything, in Jesus name, and He will give it to us. Carefully reading this promise, in the context of the passage, reveals that the requisition … the asking … is related to our appointment. “I appointed you to go…”
Followers of Christ are loved … are obedient … are filled with joy … love each other … are friends of Jesus … are free (no longer slaves) … are chosen.
They are appointed for the mission … to produce fruit … and are promised anything they need to complete that mission.
Friday, September 05, 2008
SPIRITUAL PRUNING
John 15:1-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the True Vine
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
During the days of the early church, most families raised their own food. Pruning is a gardening or farming process that everyone would understand. When Jesus spoke to them about pruning as applied to their spiritual lives, it was a concept which they could easily grasp.
The grapevines had major branches which could produce large bunches of grapes. It also grew little, weak branches which only drained nourishment away from the major branches. They produced no good fruit. The gardener would inspect his vines and prune those branches which produced little fruit. This allowed the good branches to produce more fruit.
In our faith lives, there are things which distract us from the mission God has given us. Jesus says we need to prune those distractions. These things may be the busy activities that invades our to-do lists. They may be the sins that cause us to fall. Whatever gets us off focus on the mission needs to be pruned. The fruit … lives brought into the Kingdom of God … is too important, too precious to let anything draw us away from the mission.
Be pruned … stay on mission … produce much fruit!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the True Vine
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
During the days of the early church, most families raised their own food. Pruning is a gardening or farming process that everyone would understand. When Jesus spoke to them about pruning as applied to their spiritual lives, it was a concept which they could easily grasp.
The grapevines had major branches which could produce large bunches of grapes. It also grew little, weak branches which only drained nourishment away from the major branches. They produced no good fruit. The gardener would inspect his vines and prune those branches which produced little fruit. This allowed the good branches to produce more fruit.
In our faith lives, there are things which distract us from the mission God has given us. Jesus says we need to prune those distractions. These things may be the busy activities that invades our to-do lists. They may be the sins that cause us to fall. Whatever gets us off focus on the mission needs to be pruned. The fruit … lives brought into the Kingdom of God … is too important, too precious to let anything draw us away from the mission.
Be pruned … stay on mission … produce much fruit!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
ON MISSION
John 14:27-31
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
The Father had dispatched the Son on a mission which was about to bring Him face-to-face with the ruler of this world. When Jesus refers to Satan as the ruler of this world, He lets us know that while the devil exercises power and influence in the earthly realm, that power … that influence … is no match for the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. “He has no power over me.” Jesus was not about to let Satan defer Him from the mission the Father had sent Him to do. The Cross … the salvation of the world was too important.
Likewise, God has dispatched all believers on a mission and He does not send us out powerless. Our mission is to spread the Good News of what Jesus Christ did at Calvary. As we to stay on mission, the One who said Satan has no power over Him has promised to be with us (Matthew 28:18-20).
In the words of Jesus, “Come, let’s be going.” Brothers and sisters, stay on mission!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
The Father had dispatched the Son on a mission which was about to bring Him face-to-face with the ruler of this world. When Jesus refers to Satan as the ruler of this world, He lets us know that while the devil exercises power and influence in the earthly realm, that power … that influence … is no match for the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. “He has no power over me.” Jesus was not about to let Satan defer Him from the mission the Father had sent Him to do. The Cross … the salvation of the world was too important.
Likewise, God has dispatched all believers on a mission and He does not send us out powerless. Our mission is to spread the Good News of what Jesus Christ did at Calvary. As we to stay on mission, the One who said Satan has no power over Him has promised to be with us (Matthew 28:18-20).
In the words of Jesus, “Come, let’s be going.” Brothers and sisters, stay on mission!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
JESUS SAID ALL
John 14:22-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
While he had the same name, this Judas was not the betrayer. He was still seeking the truth. He was still trying to understand the teaching that Jesus was laying on His disciples.
In this brief interchange between Jesus and Judas, we can see something about his character. He was not self-centered. Judas wanted the world to know Jesus, not just his little, small group. Judas understood their mission was not just to be about “…us…”. His heart was focused on the “…world at large…”.
I love the inclusiveness of Jesus’ response. “All who love me … My Father will love them … we will come and make our home with each of them.” The love of the Father, the saving grace of the Son, the aid of the Holy Spirit is available to “All…”, not just to any small group. Here (and everywhere else in scripture) we find that the gospel message is open to all. Nowhere do we find in scripture that God’s love is restricted by nationality, race, creed, culture, gender, party or any other grouping we want to create. We only find that kind of thinking in the world.
Jesus said “All…”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
While he had the same name, this Judas was not the betrayer. He was still seeking the truth. He was still trying to understand the teaching that Jesus was laying on His disciples.
In this brief interchange between Jesus and Judas, we can see something about his character. He was not self-centered. Judas wanted the world to know Jesus, not just his little, small group. Judas understood their mission was not just to be about “…us…”. His heart was focused on the “…world at large…”.
I love the inclusiveness of Jesus’ response. “All who love me … My Father will love them … we will come and make our home with each of them.” The love of the Father, the saving grace of the Son, the aid of the Holy Spirit is available to “All…”, not just to any small group. Here (and everywhere else in scripture) we find that the gospel message is open to all. Nowhere do we find in scripture that God’s love is restricted by nationality, race, creed, culture, gender, party or any other grouping we want to create. We only find that kind of thinking in the world.
Jesus said “All…”
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