Life Source - Week 11 - Day 3 ** John 20: 19 - 31

Read John 20: 19 - 31.

When Jesus appeared in the room with the disciples ... His first greeting ... "Peace".  We see that repeated 3 times: verses 19 and 21 and then in verse 26 when Jesus came to them a second time when Thomas was also present.  Jesus knew "peace" was their greatest need.  The had locked themselves away because they were afraid of the authorities.  Their world had crumbled ... their hope was gone ... I can only imagine the confusion, the anxiety, the hopelessness they must have felt.  And Jesus, risen, enters the room with the word, peace.  The Greek word used in all three instances is the word eirene.  Listen to the description of this word from "Practical Word Studies in the New Testament":


The word means peace, harmony, agreement; to bind together; to join and weave together. It means order instead of chaos. It means that one is bound, woven, joined together with himself and with God and with others. The Hebrew word is shalom. It means freedom from trouble and much, much more. It means experiencing the highest good, enjoying the very best, possessing all the inner good possible. It means wholeness and soundness. It means prosperity in the widest sense, especially prosperity in the spiritual sense of having a soul that blossoms and flourishes. ... There is the peace of Christ and of God. This is a bosom peace, a peace deep within. It is a tranquility of mind, a composure, a peace that settles and strengthens the believer even through the most terrible circumstances and situations. It is more than feelings, even more than attitude and thought.



What a word!   Jesus ... offering these confused, frightened disciples ... peace.  How in the world do you have 'peace' in the midst of wretched circumstances?  These folks were afraid for their very lives.  Did you see the source?  Jesus says the words ... then He gave them the Holy Spirit so that the source would be available.  He gave His Spirit through His breath.  He breathed on them ...

At the creation of the world when God formed man from the dust of the earth ... man was not "alive" until God breathed on him.  (Genesis 2:7)  Likewise ... man/woman can have no spiritual life, cannot be truly "alive" until the breath of God through the person of the Holy Spirit indwells his/her own spirit. 

How can we experience that "breath of God"?  Acts 2: 38 - 39 says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call."  We can experience the "breath of God".  And there is peace ...

Don't leave this chapter without noticing the movement here. 

In verses 1 - 18 ... Mary moves from despair to joy.  Why?  Because of the presence of Jesus.  Do you need that same movement in your life?  It's the presence of Jesus ...

In verses 19 - 23 ... the disciples move from fear to courage.  How?  By the presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Do you need that same movement in your life?  It's the presence of Jesus ...

In verses 24 - 28 ... Thomas moves from unbelief to confidence.  How?  By the presence of Jesus.  Do you need to move from doubt to faith?  Pray ... ask that God, through the Holy Spirit, confirm to you as He did to Thomas, that the presence of Jesus is real ... as real as the hand at the end of your arm. 

In verses 29 - 31 ... ALL can move from death to life!  How?  By the presence of Jesus.  Life is in His name.  Do you need to move out of the walking dead into the forever alive?  Jesus. 

And then ... let there be peace!

Life Source - Week 11 - Day 2 ** John 20: 11 - 18

We are in John 20.  Today focus on verses 11 - 18.

This is one of my favorite scenes in all of scripture.  I love the tenderness of it ... the incredulity of it ... the overwhelming love that is portrayed.  Rather than share any of my own limited observations ... I want to share a reading with you today.  In 1986 Mary Lou Carney wrote a little book titled: "Heart Cries - Prayers of Biblical Women".  In that book, Ms. Carney takes a few verses that set up a scene involving one of the women of the Bible ... and then creatively imagines a prayer that woman could possibly have prayed to God in the midst of the circumstance or crisis.  My favorite is the prayer she created for Mary Magdalene in this very scene.  May it speak to your heart today ...

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the tone had been removed from the entrance.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tome, and we don't know where they have put him!" (John 20: 1 - 2)

O God -----
          when will this nightmare end!
          Is there no limit to the cruelty of the Romans ... the treachery of the Sanhedrin?
          Now they have taken his body!

The spices I have brought to anoint him lie at my feet in mocking silence.
          Isn't it enough they scourged him ... humiliated him ... crucified him?
          Did they then have to steal his mangled body from Joseph's tomb, denying him even the rites of burial?
          But what do they hope to gain?
                    This makes not sense ... no sense at all ...
          But then nothing in Jerusalem has made sense these last few days.

Only a week ago Jesus rode into the city while the people waved palm branches and pledged
          their allegiance, shouting
                    'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'

Such allegiance!

Those are the same people who only a few days later clamored for the release of that scum Barabbas -
          and demanded that Jesus be crucified.

I cannot bear to think my Master will not have the simple rituals of death!

God ... I HATE THEM ALL --
          those pious, scheming priests ... that self-centered Sanhedrin.
          They are all hypocrites ... whose mouths mumbled scripture while their hearts planned murder!

O, to be a man ... a man with the courage and strength of Samson!
          Then I would rip out the hearts of those cowardly dogs who cluster in the Temple
                    licking their chops ... savoring their victory.
          And my laughter would drown the sounds of their death groans.
          How my mouth waters for the taste of vengeance!

But even as my anger burns, O God,
          I hear the voice of my gentle Jesus saying, 'Love your enemies,'

Love?!  How is that possible?

Standing here in the garden, I feel the flush of rage on my face ...
          the rush of blood that leaves my hands tingling for revenge.

I can't do it.

I can't love those enemies ... the very ones who nailed my Rabboni to the cross!

O God, you whom Jesus called Father, free me from this consuming hatred
          as once your son freed me from Satan's evil spirits.
God of all power, allow me -- somehow -- to complete this last act of devotion.
Teach me anew to trust you ...
          or my hopes and dreams will remain as dead as the crucified Christ.

Mary stood outside the tomb crying.  As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.  They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"  "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."  At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.  "Woman," he said, "Why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?"  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."  Jesus said to her, "Mary."  She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!"  Mary of Magdala went to the disciples with the news:  "I have seen the Lord!"  (John 20: 11 - 16, 18a)

Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance was to a woman ... a woman with a past.  May you see the Lord today ... in a person or an event or the world around you ... He is there, the risen Lord is there ... waiting for us to see Him, to acknowledge His presence.  And He calls you by name ...

Life Source - Week 11 - Day 1 ** John 20: 1 - 10

As we continue to relish "the story" ... today read John 20: 1 - 10.

I want us to consider the three primary players in these verses today - Mary, Peter and John.

But to set the scene consider these historical and cultural insights:
First ...

"It was the custom in Palestine to visit the tomb of a loved one for three days after the body had been laid to rest.  It was believed that for three days the spirit of the dead person hovered round the tomb; but then it departed because the body had become unrecognizable through decay.  Jesus' friends could not come to the tomb on the Sabbath, because to make the journey then would have been to break the law.  So it was on Sunday morning that Mary came to the tomb."  (William Barclay: Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John)

Second ...
Tombs in ancient times did not ordinarily have doors.  There was a groove cut into the ground and in that groove a large stone was wheeled into position for closure.  Matthew even tells us that the authorities had "sealed" the stone so that no one would move it. (Matthew 27:66) 

Mary Magdalene:

Mary was one of the little band of women who followed Jesus all the way to the cross.  We learn from the other gospel accounts that they had determined to go to the tomb on Sunday to properly anoint the body.  After all, Joseph and Nicodemus had been forced to work hastily on Friday because Sabbath arrived at sundown and they certainly could not work on Sabbath.  We observe Mary getting to the tomb early.  In fact, the Greek word indicates the last of the 4 watches of the night which would make her early visit between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. - early indeed!  However, it is no surprise.  Mary loved much.  She had been forgiven much ... she had been accepted by the Lord completely ... and that translated into a deep, abiding love for Jesus.  Nothing would have kept her from the sacred duty of caring for His body.  When she found the tomb open ... she could not face it alone.  Scripture does not tell us what was in her mind at the time, but we can know that she needed help and support ... so she runs to get it.  She runs to Peter and John. 

Any lessons for us?  Have you been forgiven 'much'?  Do you love 'much'?  How do you demonstrate that love?   Remember ... "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Peter:

Are you surprised that Peter is still an acknowledged leader of the disciples?  He has failed miserably.  He has run away and wept in remorse and disgrace.  And yet he is the one to whom Mary runs.  There is much talk and writing about Peter's failures ... his impetuousness ... his tendency to speak before thinking.  But do not miss his God-given gifts of leadership.  In the wake of the failure at the arrest and trial of Jesus ... it is Peter who still is perceived as the leader of the band. 

Any lessons for us?  God gives gifts ... spiritual gifts ... to His followers.  Our failures, when confessed and repented of, do not negate the gifts.  Are you refusing to use any God-given gifts because you have failed in the past?  I love the movie "Apollo 13" ... and I particularly love the line from that movie when the engineers and PhDs are frantically trying to figure out a way to get the space craft back home, "Failure is not an option!"  Well, my friends, failure is not an excuse either.  Learn from Peter ...

John:

John outruns Peter ... a little testosterone perhaps causes John to write that into his account of the happenings!  But John is the reflective one ... he pauses ... he contemplates ... he analyzes ... and he sees.  The immediate assumption was most likely grave robbers ... but John does not let immediate assumptions color his mind.  The grave clothes would not have been left ... the body had not been unwrapped ... it was just gone.  And then John's love leads him to "believe" ... The veil is lifted and John "believes". 

Lessons for us?  Don't always jump to conclusions without thinking things through.  Assumptions are dangerous things ... whether we are making them about people or about circumstances.  Take some time ... think ... pray.  Learn from John ...

My prayer for myself and for you today ...

Our Lord ... I want to love like Mary.  Help me, through Your Spirit, know and exhibit that kind of love.  I want to use my God-given gifts to bless others.  I don't want to close myself off because of past failures.  Give me, through Your Spirit, the eyes to see those gifts and the courage to use them.  I want to be wise like John.  Forgive me when my impulsiveness has led me to wrong conclusions and hasty actions.  Give me, through Your Spirit, the wisdom to slow down and ask to see things through Your eyes.  We love You LORD. 

Life Source - Week 10 - Day 3 ** John 19: 28 - 42

Read John 19: 28 - 42

And Jesus gives up His spirit.  It is not taken from Him.  He is not a victim.  He is a willing sacrifice.

Jesus says, "It is finished", and I used to think that it was a resigned sigh and statement that His physical life was over and He knew it.  It happens often when people are near death.  My family experienced that phenomenon with my own grandmother.  She had spent her entire life as a seamstress ... supporting eight children on her own ... a lifetime of sewing and pleating, of gathering and stitching.  In her last days she would unconsciously pick up the edge of the sheet covering her and her fingers would begin to pleat that fabric.  When a section was "pleated" and her hands could hold no more, she would straighten it out and begin again ... constantly pleating, straightening, pleating.  Finally came the day when she straightened out her pleated work, laid the sheet edge down, and said, "I'm finished".  Not many hours later she breathed her last on this earth. 

Because of that experience, I think I have viewed Jesus' words through that lens.  And I think I have been totally wrong!  This was no resigned finality.  This was a shout of victory ... with the last breath that His abused and tormented body carried.  It was finished!  The plan for the redemption of man was completed - done.  The debt for sin that you and I, indeed all of mankind, owed was paid.  Books closed.  Justice satisfied. 

We learn in Matthew 26:39 that Jesus had prayed to His Father that there be some other way for this particular task to be accomplished.  He knew the importance of the task.  He knew that there was no hope for man/woman unless this astronomical debt be settled.  But, surely there was some other way to do it.  And the answer was ... no ... this is the only path.  So Jesus set His head and heart and body to the task. 

Have you ever dreaded doing something that had to be done?  And our "dreaded things" pale to nothingness in the light of this thing facing Jesus.  Do you remember how it felt when you faithfully completed the task?  If you can relate to those kind of feelings at all ... I think you may have a glimpse into these words from Jesus on the cross. 

"IT IS FINISHED" ... a cry of victory ... a dreaded task fulfilled ... done ...

You do know that the task He completed that day was for you, don't you?  It was love for you that gave Him the desire and the strength to face the dreaded road in front of Him.  If - or should I say when - you feel unloved and unwanted - when you feel undesirable and alone - hear again that shout of victory.  Look again at the cross and the cost.  See His eyes ... they are looking at you.

Life Source - Week 10 - Day 2 ** John 19: 17 - 27

As we continue with Jesus' story ... today, read John 19: 17 - 27.  Since we are not covering very many verses, read slowly, carefully, meditatively.  After reading ... come back.

The soldiers took Jesus' clothes.  I have read such horror stories from concentration camp experiences during WWII about people being stripped, humiliated, violated.  We don't even want to be screened at airports because it feels like our privacy is being violated.  I can't imagine ... and yet the prophet Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 50:7 when speaking of the coming Messiah, "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced."

The symbolism is powerful.  Jesus, Son of God, took off His righteousness and put on my sin.   You and I have nothing ... Isaiah 64:6 tells us that "our righteous acts are like filthy rags."  We learn in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 

Jesus was disrobed ... He willingly laid aside His own righteousness and spotlessness.  Why?  What in the world would motivate anyone to do such a thing?  For love ... He so desires that we have the freedom to take off our filthiness and put on His righteousness ... so He was willing.  Have you accepted the fact that Jesus wants to clothe you?   He wants you to put on Himself so that you can wear His righteousness ... so that God will look on you through the lens of Jesus.  Don't stay in your old clothes, your old self.  Jesus is waiting for you with a new self ... a new creation ... Listen to the apostle Paul in Colossians 1:21 - 22:

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Amazing! 

As we close our thoughts today ... consider this little band of women in verse 25.  Scripture tells us that they were "near the cross".  I am moved by their faithfulness.  I am touched by their willingness to walk all the way to the end with their Lord.  I want to be like them.  I want to stay "near the cross".  I don't want to ever forget the price paid for my redemption so that I can be with God ... so that I can be in that family. 

In 1840, a woman by the name of Sarah Adams wrote these words:

Nearer my God to Thee

Nearer to Thee!

Even though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be

Nearer my God to Thee

Nearer to Thee.

Lord, that is our song today - nearer to Thee.  Hold us there.  Even when it means walking through difficult and dark places ... even when it means carrying our own crosses ... even when it means being in places that may be scary ... if it takes us nearer to Thee ... then so be it!  Ever nearer to You ...

Life Source - Week 10 - Day 1 ** John 18: 28 - 19:16

We are in the midst of Jesus' trial before Pilate.  To get the flow of this encounter with Pilate ... go back into chapter 18 and read John 18: 28 - 19:16.  Our focus today will be on the verses in chapter 19.

I am intrigued by Pilate.  William Barclay, in his commentary on John, explains the role held  by Pilate.  He says,

"Smaller provinces in the Roman Empire, provinces of the second class, were governed by a procurator.  The procurator was in full control of the military and judicial administration of the province.  He visited every part of the province at least once a year, and heard cases and complaints.  He superintended the ingathering of taxes but had no authority to increase them.  He was paid a salary from the treasury and was strictly forbidden to accept either presents or bribes; and, if he exceeded his duties, the people of his province had power to report him to the Emperor."

Pilate's track record with the Jews and with Jerusalem was not good.  He had been reported to the Emperor, Tiberius, on a previous occasion and the emperor supported the people, not Pilate.  He was not a popular procurator.  The Jewish leaders who carried some authority within Jerusalem knew the system well ... and they were about to work the system.

Pilate knew that Jesus had committed no crime.  He wants to release Him ... he had the power to release Him ... but rather than exercising the courage to act on what he knew to be ... he tries to manipulate the situation and the Jewish people clamoring at his gate.

1.  First ... he tries to pass the buck ... place the responsibility on someone else.  (18:31)  Ever been there?  Ever tried to get someone else to make a decision for you because you just didn't want to make it?  You didn't want the responsibility? 

2.  Second ... he tried to escape the decision by using the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover time.  (18:39)  This is pure avoidance.  It is hiding from one issue by focusing on another.  It is cowardice.  Ever been there? 

3.  Third ... he tried compromise.  Scourge the man ... make mockery of Him ... surely that twisted form of humor will diffuse the hatred and volatility of the scene.  (19:1 - 5)  Appeal to the emotions of the Jews ... surely when they see the beaten, pathetic figure before them ... they will be moved by some latent pity.

All the attempts of Pilate to free himself of this decision failed.  So Pilate admits defeat and turns Jesus over.  I think he is afraid that the Jews will report the whole scene to the emperor.  He is afraid that they will report to Tiberius that Pilate is no friend of Caesar or of Rome.  Can't have that ... so what's the life of one poor, Jewish rabbi. 

Does the "fear of your fellow man" or the "fear of those in authority" ever lead you to abdicate decisions that you know to be right?  I want to learn from Pilate.  I want to observe him so that I NEVER follow his example.

The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Pilate, addressed this very issue.  Listen ...

Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts:  Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults.  For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool.  But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.   Isaiah 51: 7 - 8

I pray for the strength of character to stand for what is right - to make decisions based firmly on the Word of God and not on what my culture says is smart or expedient.    Let's close our reflective time together with words from Jesus ...     

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So do't be afriad; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.      Matthew 10: 28 - 32

Life Source - Week 9 - Day 3 ** John 18: 18 - 40

Jesus' time before Pilate, the Roman Governor begins in John 18:28 and continues through John 19:22.  As you read these verses over the next few days ... let your mind consider the man, Pilate.  Place yourself in his shoes.  Notice how many times he makes attempts to free Jesus.  They may seem to be feeble attempts ... but attempts they were.   Watch him ... listen to him. 

Today, read John 18: 18 - 40.

Verse 28 stuns me.  Did you catch it?  "To avoid ceremonial uncleanness, the Jews did not enter the palace..."  These Jewish leaders were intent on killing Jesus - they rigged a phony trial with paid off witnesses - they so desperately wanted him dead that they were willing to bring in Roman authority - but they did not want to be ceremonially unclean.  Staggering.  It amazes me how powerful religious ritualism can be.  Rituals that began with the most beautiful symbolism and the highest goals turn into something that have life on their own and become totally disconnected with the event they were created to commemorate and immortalize.  They become irrelevant to life. 

I am reminded of Jesus' scathing words in Matthew 23:25 - 28

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.



In their mission to have Jesus killed, these religious leaders did not want to violate any of their rituals.  It did not matter that they were violating the sixth of the Ten Commandments, the bedrock, the core of Jewish law ... "You shall not murder" (Exodus 22:13)  In fact, I am quite sure they saw no connection between the sixth commandment and what they were about that night.  That is what frightens me.  I really do not think they saw any connection.  They believed they were doing the will of God ... keeping Judaism protected from this troublesome 'rabbi'. 

That is what can happen to us!  We can become so fixated on the rituals and ceremonies and traditions of our faith that we loose the intent and the heart.  We can become blinded to God's hand in our own lives and our own world.  I think of the rituals of faith that have such powerful symbolism ... water baptism, the Lord's Supper, hymn singing, prayer together.  Remember, water baptism is to signify your death with Christ ... it means that when you rise from the water you are a new person ... Christ lives His life through you!  You will live differently - not just belong to a church!

The Lord's Supper is the reminder that you are taking Christ's very life into yourself ... so that you can live out His life in your little world.  You will live differently - not just take communion however often you choose to take it!

Singing hymns and spiritual songs together with fellow believers is testimony of your belief in the person and the work of Jesus.  It is not about the technicalities of music or harmonies.  You will live differently - not just come away from a service either uplifted or critical of the music!

Praying together is joining hearts with a brother or a sister and going before the throne of God.  It is not about impressive words or the right formula to get what you want.  You do it to "commune" with God and hear Him.  You will live differently - not just watch to see if your prayer is "working" (translation - you are getting what you want)! 

My prayer for myself today ... and for you ... is that we be ever alert to our love of ritualism more than our love of God.  That we be aware of our own tendencies to whitewash the outside and ignore what is going on inside. 

Blessed are the pure in heart ... for they shall see God

(Matthew 5:8)

Life Source - Week 9 - Day 2 ** John 18: 1 - 27

Jesus has finished his final discourse and conversation with his disciples ... He has prayed for them, allowing them to hear His prayer so that they could know His desires for them. Therefore, it is now time ... I can almost imagine Jesus taking a deep breath ... and walking out to let it begin.

Read John 18: 1 - 27

Some observations ...

1.  From the arrest:  A Roman cohort is a company of 300 - 600 Roman soldiers.  Now add a number of Pharisees and representatives of the high priest ... we have quite a crowd coming against Jesus and His small band of followers.  Don't let the absurdity of the scene slip past you.  This scene erases any doubt that Jesus' arrest and coming death was voluntary on His part.  His majesty dropped this crowd of soldiers to their faces.  Another thing that impresses me here is the courage of Peter.  Visualize the crowd ... visualize the hopelessness of the physical odds ... and watch Peter draw a sword and attack.  So the arrest takes place ... Jesus is bound ... and led away. 

2.  From the 'trials':  At this time, there was a small inner circle of high priests, headed by Annas and Caiphas, who ruled Jerusalem and were allowed that power by Rome.  As long as there were no uprisings or rebellions, they got to keep their power. 

3.  From Peter's 'denials':  My heart aches for Peter.  Can you imagine the turmoil, the anxiety, the confusion that must have tormented him?  Why had Jesus let them take Him?  Peter had watched Him do amazing, powerful, earth-shattering things in the past 3 years.  And He just walked away with them?  When Jesus was riding high in popularity, it was great to be one of His closest followers ... but now?  After being willing to die with Jesus in the Garden at the arrest, what happened to Peter?  I think it had to do with confusion ... I think it had to do with fear ... I think it had to do with our natural tendency toward self-preservation.  And Peter failed His Lord.  And a rooster began to crow ...

What do you and I take from these verses?  For me ... I want to learn from Peter.  Jesus had warned him about this denial ... and I don't think Peter thought it was at all possible.  We must stay ever alert to our own weaknesses.  I don't think we obsess over them ... that is not healthy ... but we must stay aware of their ability to hurt us.  What would cause you to deny your Lord?  Would fear for personal safety do it?  Would lack of understanding about the ways of God do it?  Would the crises that occur in our world do it?  What about earthquakes and tsunamis?  What about hurricanes and tornadoes?  What about wars and man's inhumanity to man?  What about the death of godly people ... those prayed over ... intensely? 

In the face of the confusing, the unfair, the wretched things in our world ... I rest in one thing ...

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say: My purpose will stand. 

Isaiah 46: 9 - 10 

If you find yourself in a time of confusion ... when perplexity seems to take precedence in your mind ... stand in front of your mirror and repeat these words from Isaiah.  And choose to trust ... again.

Life Source - Week 9 - Day 1 ** John 17: 20 - 26

Today, we will finish our thinking about Jesus' prayer in John 17.
Read John 17: 20 - 26.  As you read, identify the key theme.  It is hard to miss!  

In verse 20 we hear Jesus shift from praying for His individual disciples to praying for the believers that will follow in years and centuries to come.  Those believers constitute Christ's church.  So when you read the pronoun "them" in these verses ... it refers to Jesus' church.  She cannot be ignored as unimportant, as unnecessary.  She is Christ's body on this earth ... and He spent time in prayer for her before He went to the cross.   I have heard some folks say, "I will take Jesus but I want nothing to do with the church."  Can't be done.  She is His bride, His treasure.  Instead of walking away from her because of the mess that we humans make, why not become a part of one and make a difference there.  Keep calling your own part of the church back to the fact that we are to be His body on earth ... that means we are to be doing what Jesus' body did when He walked and taught here. 

Jesus was not subtle in His prayer for His church.  He did not hide His desires for her behind mysterious language that is hard to understand.  It is like being hit by a two-by-four!  You can't miss it.  Jesus' desire for His church is that she be unified ... that her members experience the same kind of unity that Jesus and His Father enjoy.  Notice ... He does not pray that she experience uniformity ... in thinking, in looks, in actions, in worship ... not sameness ... unity. 

And there is an incredibly important reason why this matters.  It has nothing to do with comfort or feeling good.  The reason this matters is that unity in the midst of diversity is the testimony before the world that Jesus is who He said He was!  It is the path to belief! 

Oh, my friends, when I read these words from Jesus I want to fall on my face in confession before God for the mess we have made!  Even looking inside one congregation of believers in one denomination of believers ... we find factions and fighting, hatred and ugliness, division and exclusions.  Then when we expand our observations to Christianity at large, the picture becomes sobering indeed.  Jesus said it was unity that would fuel belief.  Is the corollary then true?  That our lack of unity fuels unbelief? 

Before you close your reflection time today ... spend some time with the Lord.  There may be room for confession on your part.  Also, ask Him to show you where you have been part of the problem rather than the solution.  Ask Him to reveal, through the Holy Spirit, how you can better exhibit unity with other believers ... not just those that look and think like you.  It was Jesus' primary desire for His future followers.  It is Jesus' primary desire for us.

Life Source - Week 8 - Day 3 ** John 17: 6 - 19

We continue Jesus' "high priestly prayer" today ... read John 17: 6 - 19.

Jesus' attention now turns to His disciples.  He is getting ready to pass the mantle of His work onto the shoulders of these few disciples who have faithfully believed, followed and obeyed Him.  The task will be arduous.  The hatred from the "world" will be palpable.  As we read this portion of Jesus' prayer ... notice the things for which he prays ... the things that are of utmost importance to Him as He intercedes for His followers ... notice! 

And as we look at these 1st priority things from Jesus ... who would be your "disciples"?  Whom do you intercede in prayer for?  Is it your children?  What about your spouse?  Other family members?  Close friends?  Have those dear ones in your mind as you listen to Jesus pray ...

He prays for their protection from the evil one.  This world system is in the hands of the evil one.  That is the source of hatred and violence, of destruction and pain.  It also is the source of temptation and destructive pleasures.  Jesus knew that His followers did not belong here ... His followers today do not belong here either.  We must live here and work here ... but we do not belong here.  We will suffer direct attacks from the evil one as we focus on living to bring glory to God - living to do His work in this world.  While under attack ... Jesus prays for your protection! 

Jesus prays that they will know the full measure of His joy!  In the midst of the battle ... they can know the joy that is life in Christ.  This joy is deep within the soul of a person.  It does not depend on circumstances.  It is not pain-free or problem-free.  But it is settled.  It cannot be taken from the one that anchors her soul in the life of Christ.  Jesus' joy is what enabled Him to do what He had to do.  Jesus' joy gave Him the strength to walk where He had to walk.  And He wants His followers to know that joy ... to experience it and to feel it.  So He prays ... Jesus prays for you to know the fullness of His joy!

And Jesus prays for their holiness ... and for our holiness.  The process of sanctification is intimately wrapped up in life in the Spirit.  The process of sanctification is intimately wrapped up in the Truth ... found in His Word.  I am so thankful to God for you and your desire to know Truth ... that is what keeps you in Bible study.  It is the desire to know Truth that keeps you starting over even when you fail to be consistent yet again!  Believe me ... I know the 'start over' syndrome!  But remember ... holiness, sanctification is a process that will last your entire life time.  When you accept Christ as your Lord, when you bow your knee to Him in obedience ... you are declared "holy" by the blood of Jesus.  Now ... your life is a process to become what God has declared you to be.  It is a miracle ... of astronomical proportions!  Jesus wants that for you ... He prays for you to become truly sanctified. 

Amazing ... now, it's our turn.  Those individuals I asked you to bring to mind when we began this day's study ... pray for them ... intercede for them today ... but use Jesus' priorities ...

• protect them from the evil one
• fill them with joy deep in their spirits
• sanctify them in Your truth ... give them a desire to know You and Your Word

Life Source - Week 8 - Day 2 ** John 17: 1 - 5

As Jesus finishes the final conversation with His disciples ... He turns His eyes to heaven and to the Father in prayer.  This prayer - which seems so intimate and personal that we feel we are eavesdropping - was meant to be heard.  It was meant to be heard by Jesus' disciples at the time and by us this many generations removed from the moment.  I want to spend quiet, reflective time in this "high priestly prayer".  Let's move slowly ... carefully ... thoughtfully ... as we read these verses.  And, let's turn Jesus' words and heart into our own.  There are three areas of focus in the prayer.  The first is Jesus' prayer for Himself.  In the second, He moves to prayer for the disciples that were with Him at the time.  And in the third section ... we are privileged to hear Jesus pray for His church ... the coming believers.

Today, consider the first focus ... read John 17: 1 - 5.

So many of the current translations of our Bible have these subheadings that divide the chapters.  They are designed to help organize the thoughts in the chapter ... almost like outlining a paper.  And they are helpful ... sometimes!  It intrigues me that the subtitle used by the NIV translators for these five verses is "Jesus prays for himself".  Indeed, Jesus is praying for Himself ... but did you catch the focus of this "self" prayer?  It is all about the glory of God!  Jesus does not pray for ease or comfort or freedom from  pain.  He was not naive about what He was facing ... but His eyes were on the glory of God.  His longing was that God receive glory as Jesus finished His work.  This is by far the most "selfless" praying for self that I've ever read! 

What was that work?  In these few verses we get to see how Jesus viewed His work ... it was to bring eternal life to those who would receive it.  We have already heard Jesus talk about bringing "abundant life" in John 10:10.   I am thankful that Jesus goes on to define eternal life ... it is to know God and His Son.  The word translated "know" means so much more than factual knowledge.  It has to do with intimacy ... with closeness ... will full knowing.  It is similar to the "knowing" that exists between a husband and his wife.  Jesus wants that for you!  For me. 

Are there any lessons that you and I can claim for ourselves from the beginning of this prayer?  I wish I could hear what they say to your heart!  A couple that come to my mind ... I want to be more aware of my own prayers for myself.  I want to be on the alert that they not become (or stay!) self-centered.  Listen to your own.  Do our personal prayers for ourselves only reflect our desire that our lives look like we want them to?  Do I spend any time thinking about how I can bring glory to God?  About my work glorifying Him? 

Also ... how I want to KNOW Him!  Really know ... not factual, but personal ... not on the surface, but deep, intimate.  Eternal life is knowing the Father and the Son. 

Close your reflection today in prayer ...

Lord, may I bring glory to Your Name.  The work that I must do today ... may it glorify You.  The words that I will speak today ... may they glorify You.  The interactions that I will have with people today ... may they glorify You.  You are my life ... my 'all in all' ... glorify Your Name.  And Lord, I long to know You better ... deeper ... more fully.  Open my eyes that I may see You in the circumstances, the people, the events that surround me.  Open my ears that I may hear Your voice in the world and in Your Word.  Eternal life is all about You.  I bow before You again ... today ...

Life Source - Week 8 - Day 1 ** John 16: 16 - 33

Jesus is still in His final conversations with His disciples - wanting to prepare them for the coming trauma as well as to encourage them.

Today, read John 16: 16 - 33.

The disciples still struggle with confusion over the things that Jesus is saying.  I can relate to that!  Until you experience something, often the descriptions just don't make sense.  People try to prepare you for child birth.  But ... you know ... until you have done that ... the descriptions just don't communicate!  When you face a major surgery ... people try to prepare you for what it will be like ... but until you have walked there ... the descriptions just don't communicate!  That seems to be where the disciples are ... and Jesus gently continues to describe and define. 

Are you in a place of confusion right now?  Perhaps with a marriage ... or a child ... or some circumstance over which you have little to no control.  Let's hear some of Jesus' words in this chapter with those things in mind. 

First ... Jesus says that while mourning and grieving occur, grief can turn to joy.  (verse 20)  It reminds me of Psalm 57:1 which says, "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."  I have used that particular image and thought when walking through disastrous times in my own life.  Disasters always pass.  Jesus wanted His disciples to know that ... and that joy will come.  I need to remember that as well!  Psalm 30:5 - "weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning." (NRSV) 

Second ... even in the midst of trauma and crisis ... we have the incredible privilege of prayer.  (verses 23 - 24)  Prayer is the communication from your heart to God.  And when you have no words of your own to pray ... when your heart is too heavy for words ... remember what Paul tells us in Romans 8: 26 - 27:
" ... the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
So pray ... with words or without ... pray.

Third ... know that the end brings victory ... even when you cannot see the end with your human sight and eye.  The Lord gives us the spirit of His peace with that knowledge.  (verse 33)  There is victory.  He has already overcome the world - this system of hate and violence, of pain, separation and death.  He has already overcome ... and He invites you to walk behind Him ... in assured victory. 

Peace and Joy ... the gifts from the Father to His own ... even in the midst of trauma and confusion. 

Peace and Joy ... available to you in Christ. 

Lord ... help us know how to walk in those beautiful words.  Help us know how to walk in peace and joy even when our worlds may be spinning crazily around us.  Your Spirit ... alive in us ... can do it! 

Life Source - Week 7 - Day 3 ** John 16: 5 - 15

We are still in the middle of Jesus' final conversation with His disciples.  So, keep our reading in context, and remember that Jesus is sharing some of the "most important" things He wants His followers to know.

Today, read John 16: 5 - 15

The disciples are struggling with confusion and grief.  They don't understand all that Jesus is telling them but they are well aware of the finality of Jesus' mood, tone and words.  In these verses, Jesus again assures them that they will not be left alone.  He again promises the coming Holy Spirit.  And He succintly summarizes the Holy Spirit's work.  Have you even been confused about what it is the Holy Spirit does in our lives?  Jesus seems to describe four different things ...

First, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin.  Think about the mobs that were so hungry for the crucifixion and death of Jesus.  They did not think they were committing sin.  They thought they were doing what was right ... get rid of this trouble maker, this blasphemer.  Then we read in Acts 2:37, many of these same people were convicted that they had crucified the Son of God.  How did that change happen?  It was the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  What about you?  Whenever you have that conviction in yourself of some behavior or attitude that you begin to recognize as sin ... the Holy Spirit is at work in you.  Thank God for that!  Only when there is conviction of sin does a person begin to deal with it ... only then can confession come ... and only then can forgiveness flow!  Is the Holy Spirit at work convicting you of something today?  Will you cooperate with Him and deal with it? 

The second thing Jesus mentions is more along the lines of convincing.  The Spirit convinces us of righteousness.  We begin the see the righteousness of God and our Lord in juxtaposition to our own lack thereof.  Thank God for that!  As I am convinced of the righteousness of God, I become convinced of my desperate need for a righteousness that is not from myself.  That sends me to the Father ... in faith. 
Galatians 3:6  "Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

The third work of the Holy Spirit as defined by Jesus is the work of convincing us of judgment.  How do you know for certain that there will be judgment ... and that men will stand before the throne of God?  It is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Thank God for that!  We can know that history is going someplace ... that there will be an end to space-time history as we know it.  Therefore, I stay prepared.  (Read the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25: 1 - 13)

Finally, in these verses, Jesus tells His followers that the Holy Spirit will "guide you into all the truth".  This is the work of revelation.  It is a progressive process.  As we submit to our Lord, the Spirit continues to reveal to us deeper truths.  Thank God for that!  Are you allowing the Spirit of God to reveal truth to  you?  It requires a listening ear ... and a willing heart.

I want to close our thoughts today with words from William Barclay in his commentary of John.  Place yourself in the words ...

Revelation is the taking  of the things of Jesus and revealing their significance to us.  Part of the greatness of Jesus is his inexhaustibleness.  No man has ever grasped all that he came to say.  No man has fully worked out all the significance of his teaching for life and for belief, for the individual and for the world for society and for the nation  Revelation is a continual opening out of the meaning of Jesus.
There we have the crux of the matter.  Revelation comes to us, not from any book or creed, but from a living person.  The nearer we live to Jesus, the better we will know him.  The more we become like him, the more he will be able to tell us.  To enjoy his revelation we must accept his mastery.

Lord ... today ... I accept again Your mastery over my life. 

Life Source - Week 7 - Day 2 ** John 15:18 - 16:4

Read John 15:18 - 16:4

This teaching from Jesus is on the heels of His message to His disciples about remaining in Him ... abiding always attached to Him.  He tells them that their lives will bear fruit if they abide in Him.  It is the beautiful up-side of living in Christ!  Now, He turns His attention to another result of remaining in Him.  Jesus was always honest with His followers.  He always told them to "count the cost" of discipleship.  These verses remind the disciples about counting the cost.  And He would remind us as well.  The true follower of Jesus will not be popular in the world. 

By "world" ... Jesus was, of course, not referring to the crated world.  Jesus is referring to the "human society organizing itself without God".  That system will never be at peace with the people of God.  That system will never applaud the people of God.  Why not?  Because we are to be the ones shining light into the darkness that is in this world.  Remember the words of Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3: 19 - 20:

This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Jesus reminds His followers again of that reality.  When they remain in Him, walk as He walked, strive to do as He did ... the world will hate it and hate them as well.  After all ... the "world" is about to kill Jesus!  That is hatred run to its extreme end.

Jesus is warning them so that it will not come as a surprise.  It should come as no surprise to us either.  It's not that we deliberately antagonize the "world" ... but we do not court its favor.  We march to a different drummer ... and that drummer is our Lord. 

The warning that I see for us is this:  Let's be sure that any antagonism and hatred we reap from the world is because of our Christ-likeness ... and not because we are being self-righteous, or judgmental, or exclusive.  We are to be Christ's body ... living out His life in our own places and circles.  When that reaps hatred from the world ... so be it!  When antagonism from the world comes because of our pride and/or arrogance, Lord forgive us! 

Lord, I pray that we will have the eyes to see when our behaviors and attitudes are a reflection of You and when they are an extension of our own self pride.  Our desire is that our lives be a true testimony to who You are ... and through Your Spirit ... may it be.

Life Source - Week 7 - Day 1 ** John 15: 1 - 17

Let's slow down.  There are such treasures to be gleaned from the remaining chapters in this book and I don't want to feel like we are flying through them.  I want us to have time to savor the flavors, to reflect on the truths and how they impact our lives, and to be still so that God can speak to our spirits.  So ... we are not going to read John in 8 weeks (which was the stated plan in the introduction of our study).  We are going to take more time than that.  Keep your journal or notebook close by ... and stay ready to "hear a word from the Lord" ...

Today read John 15: 1 - 17

Remember the context of our passage.  Jesus has moved into the last week of His life on earth ... and He knows it.  Therefore He is sharing His final words with His followers.  What would yours be?  If you knew  this was to be your last week on earth ... who would you want to talk to?  What would you want to tell them?  Wisdom would tell us to get on with it!  Are there important things you want your children to know?  Let them know ... now (age appropriate of course!)  Your spouse ... your parent ... your friend?  Jesus is taking the opportunity to speak of the "most important things" to those that He loves before He leaves.  So remember that as we read ... these are the "most important things" ...

First, Jesus wants His disciples to know that they MUST remain in Him.  It is not optional.  It is the only place for life and growth.  It is the only way to have a fruitful life.  The Greek word translated "remain" in the NIV and "abide" in the NASB has everything to do with "staying put, clinging to."  One interesting slant on the word is that it also means "to nest".  I love that image!  We women love to make our nests.  When we move, the first thing we want to do is get the nest set up.  Then we can go on to other things.  Jesus is telling us in this passage that we must make our nest, our home, in Him ... first.  When we do that ... we can always be "at home" ... regardless where life takes us. 

I love turtles ... they are funny-looking, interesting creatures.  One of the things that I love the most is the fact that their home goes with them wherever they go.  That is the image that comes to mind when I read these verses in John 15.  When I remain in the Lord ... my nest goes with me wherever I go.  I am NEVER away from home.  Is the Lord your "home"?  Father, help us know how to 'stay home' with you every day, through every circumstance.

The second thing Jesus tells His disciples they MUST do is ... love each other.  How can that be so simple to say, so simple to write ... and so difficult to do!  And it cannot be like the world loves - loving those individuals who love me back or who are lovable in my eyes - it must be like He loves.  I just can't do it!  Wait ... if I am remaining in Christ ... that means my nest is in Him ... so I can just curl up in Him and He can do the loving.  After all, He's really good at it!  Can we allow Jesus to love others through us?  I think it will require getting big "self" out of the way ... Father, help us get our own egos out of the way so that You can love people through us.  And as we submit to that, Lord, begin to put the desire to love in our spirits.

And then, my friends ... fruit comes!  I don't have to work so hard to develop the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22 - 23) because fruit is the natural overflow of the vine.  I don't have to stress out about 'evangelism' because my life becomes a testimony to the love of God.  And fruit comes ...

May you see fruit in your life this day ... fruit that lasts ... fruit that comes from the Source ...