Life Source - Week 12 - Day 3 ** Conclusion

We have come to the end of our journey through the gospel of John.  And I can close where I began ... I love this book!  For me, it paints the most beautiful picture of Jesus, Messiah ... my Lord and my God. 

I love to see again His compassion on people in pain.  It genuinely cares about the hurting and the suffering that exist in this old fallen world.  And it reminds me that He has that same compassion toward me ... in the places of hurt ... in the inflicted wounds which I suffer.  I find comfort there.  I find strength there.  That is my Lord!

It thrills me to watch His interactions with the ones closest to Him.  Those interactions are personal, intimate and non-judgmental.  Those interactions are focused on Jesus leading His followers into growth ... maturity ... God-likeness.  And it reminds me that He has has the same desire for me.  He directs me toward growth.  He shows me what it looks like for a human being to behave in God ways.  And He tells me to follow in His footsteps.  Imitate ... imitate as I become.  Copy until those behaviors are as natural as breathing.  That is my Lord!

I am sobered again at the cost He paid to have intimacy and restoration of relationship with humanity ... with me.  It leads me deeper into the place of gratitude and love.  That is my Lord!

As we close this study, it is April, 2011.  Easter will be here in 2 weeks.  This particular blog spot will rest for the remainder of the month.  The next study will be announced later in May.  But I have a suggestion for us for these next 3 weeks.  I plan to read John through again before this month ends ... join me?  There are 21 chapters ... and, beginning today, there are 23 days before the month ends.  Easter is late this year ... so we will be in the middle of the Passion of our Lord when our churches are reflecting on the same life-altering event.  Immerse yourself in the Lord ... let His words wash over you ... let His strength hold you up ... let His love encourage you ... let His gift of Himself save you. 

He came that we might have life ... and have it to the full, abundantly.  (John 10:10)  Jesus truly is the source of life ... the spring from which living water flows ...

His offer is life ... unending and full ... so, LIVE!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life, and that life was the light of me.  The light shines in the darkness ...
To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1: 1 - 3, 12 - 14)

Life Source - Week 12 - Day 2 ** John 21: 15 - 25

Read John 21: 15 - 25

Have you ever failed at something?  Have you ever failed at something when you were dead certain that you would never fail at that?  Well, Peter knew such failure.  You read of it in John 18: 1 - 27 and we looked into that failure in Week 9, Day 2 of our study.  So many questions come to my mind as I read John 21.  Did Peter go back to fishing because he knew, after his failure, that he had no place as a disciple of the Lord?  Was he more subdued?  He was willing to go fish alone (John 21:3).  Did he think he only deserved to be alone?  But the others went with him.  Peter did have God-given leadership gifts!  People followed.  I wonder if that scared him now - post failure? 

In our reading today ... other questions surface.

Question #1:  Why did Jesus ask the same question 3 times?  There are different words used for "love" in this exchange.  Jesus uses agapao first ... then agapao again ... then phileo.  In Greek agapao is the word for God-like love ... the most supreme form of love ...  the selfless kind of love.  Phileo means love for brothers ... love for others ... brotherly kindness.  Peter uses phileo in all three of his responses to Jesus.  Commentators are divided about the significance of such word analysis.  In Greek you see these differences ... in Aramaic, the common language of the day ... there were no such differences.  So perhaps the questioning 3 times has another significance.  Perhaps Jesus asked Peter the same question 3 times to take him back to the the 3 times he had denied his Lord.  Perhaps it was Jesus giving Peter 3 opportunities to heal, to confirm his loyalty and faith.  Peter responded to the first question with boldness ... typical Peter ... "of course I love You!"  Same response second time.  At the third question, Peter submits himself, finally, to the wisdom and knowledge of God.  His SELF-CONFIDENCE had to be exchanged for GOD-CONFIDENCE.  Now he is ready.  Now the Lord can commission him to the task of church building. 

There are two possible responses to our failures ... we can wallow in self-pity over the failure ... or we can arrogantly deny that it happened or take any responsibility for its happening.  God wants neither response from us.  He would have you confront the failure, in all its pain, and allow the Lord to heal and bring relief.  Do you need to talk to Him about a failure in your past that is coloring your present?  If you do not allow His healing touch ... it will spread its ugly colors into your future.  Take it to Him today ... now.  No more waiting or hiding.

Question #2:  The second question that interests me from these verses is the question Peter asks Jesus.  After Jesus explains to Peter some things about his future, Peter wants to know about John ... "what about him?"  Was it just ordinary curiosity?  Perhaps it was a competitive spirit that existed between the two of them?  Jesus' answer is so enlightening!  In essence, Jesus says, "It's none of your business."  The lesson that screams from the page at me is ... Stop wasting time speculating about others!  Stop comparing yourself ... or your ministry ... or your circumstances to others!  That includes others that you love.  Stop comparing! 

Jesus' message to Peter ... and to me ... and to you ... is:

Your business, Peter ... your business, Gail ... your business, (your name) ... is to follow Me!
Your business, Peter ... your business, Gail ... your business, (your name) ... is to be faithful to Me! 

May you and I pay more attention to "our business" today.

There will be one final posting to conclude our study of John.  It will be Week 12 - Day 3. 

Life Source - Week 12 - Day 1 ** John 21: 1 - 14

We have moved into the final chapter of this splendid gospel of John - John 21.

It is interesting to note that some commentators believe that this chapter was not penned by John himself.  They believe that John died before his gospel was circulated to the churches.  In their view, the prologue (John 1: 1 - 18) and John 21 were added to John's gospel record by John's disciples.  And that John closed his writing with the words from 20:30 - 31 "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  Maybe so ... maybe no.  What we do know is that the prologue and Chapter 21 have been attached to the earliest manuscript fragments that we have.  And they do bookend this gospel account beautifully!

Chapter 21 has two primary foci:  first is the apostolic mission of the church and second is the restoration of Peter. 

Today we will consider the first.  Read John 21: 1 - 14.

In Palestine, on the Sea of Galilee, the best time for fishing was in the wee morning hours ... before sunrise.  Usually the fishermen would use two nets:  a trammel net or compound net.  This net had cork floaters on top and stone or metal sinkers on the bottom.  It would be cast into the sea.  Once a school of fish was surrounded, the men would then throw a cast net.  This net was about 10 feet across with lead sinkers.  It would settle over a school of fish and the fishermen would then tighten the net around the school and begin to haul the catch to the boat.  If in shallow enough waters, a fisherman might dive into the water to help manipulate the cast net.  (Could be why Peter did not have on his outer cloak.)  Very often, in the pre-dawn light, a school of fish would be visible to someone farther away than to the men right on top of the scene.  Perhaps that is why we don't find Peter and his companions questioning the stranger on the shore when he suggested that they try the other side of the boat. (verse 6) 

Was the catch miraculous?  Perhaps God pulled that school of fish together at that place and that time.  What we know is that it was abundant!  In Judaism, an abundant catch was a sign of God's favor and blessing.  I think Jesus was having a good time watching all this happen!  I can imagine him laughing out loud as the fishermen strained to manage the huge catch of fish - thoroughly enjoying the enormity of the blessing for these men.

Have you seen abundance in your own life?  You most likely are one of two kinds of people:  those who view the world through the lens of abundance and those who view the world through the lens of scarcity.

 O, Lord, how I want to be able to see the abundance You have provided in my life!  Help me, help us, never to focus on what we think is "missing" and focus on the plenty, the blessedness of "enough" that is from Your hand.

If there is symbolic significance in the number 153 (verse 11), its meaning has been lost.  There is speculation ... but no one is certain of any significance. 

And we watch our risen Lord cooking a breakfast for ones that He loves.  Such an ordinary task.  Such a daily task.  Can we watch Him doing this mundane thing and learn anything?  How do you view the food prep that you do for your family?  I want to transform my view from "burden" to "privilege".   It is a precious privilege ... to help provide sustenance for people you love.  Let's learn from the example of Jesus. 

I see a primary lesson in this first section of chapter 21.  And that lesson is:  "Church, cast the net ... let God draw in the fish."  Have you ever been guilty of pre-deciding who will be receptive to the message of Jesus and who will not?  Sometimes we prejudge people on appearance or lifestyle or demographic or a myriad of other criteria.  Let's commit ourselves to just casting the net ... always remembering what we learn from Isaiah 52:7 ...

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Have beautiful feet this week!  And that has nothing to do with pedicures!! 

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 ...

Life Source - Week 6 - Day 3 ** John 14

Have you ever felt totally confused by a conversation that you are a part of?  I mean, you hear the words ... but you cannot grasp the meaning.  It is so frustrating!  That is exactly the scene in John 13 that we have read this week.  There is so much confusion in the room.  Jesus washes their feet and then says - now you do it, too.  When?  Right now?  Jesus keeps talking about leaving and they can't go.  Why not?  They have been everywhere with Him for 3 years.  One of them is going to betray Him?  Surely not!  Who in the world?  Judas gets up and leaves and no one knows why.  And then Jesus even tells Peter that he will deny knowing Him or having any kind of relationship with Him.  Peter?  No way!  Their world seems to be spinning out of control.

VERY TROUBLING, INDEED!

Read John 14.

I suspect your world has troubling things in it as well.  Do you feel at times as if your world, as well, is spinning out of control?  We all have times like that - times we would rather crawl in a hole than face the day.  Times when we wonder ... "what's the point?" 

Jesus steps into the swirling confusion with gentle encouragement.  And it is encouragement that you and I can claim as well.  Warren Wiersbe notices 6 assurances in this chapter to claim when you are tempted to loose yourself in troubling, anxious thoughts. 

1.  You are going to heaven.  There is a place for you there.  History is not random.  It is going someplace ... and you are a part of that destiny.  And, believe it or not, you even know the way there.  It is Jesus Himself.  He is the Way!  He is the path.  Don't forget ...

2.  You can know the Father right now.  Mankind has a longing to know God.  And Jesus tells you that you can know God.  You can see Him.  All you have to do is look at Jesus.  God is the perfect Father.  Some of you reading may have had tremendous dads ... and others may have had horrific ones.  Some of you may have had no dad at all.  But all of that falls away in the face of the knowledge of the perfect Father that wants me as His child.  When you are secure in the arms of that Father ... He will handle the troubling things!

3.  You have the privilege of prayer.  And a precious privilege it is.  It must be in faith - believing.  It must be in obedience.  And it must be in the character and the will of the Lord Himself.  That's what it means to be "in Jesus' name".  The Lord is allowing you the privilege of "using His name" as you approach the throne of grace.  Carry that privilege carefully! 

4.  You have the Holy Spirit.  Translations of verse 16 are interesting.  The King James uses the word "comforter".  New American Standard uses "helper".  NIV uses "counselor".  The Greek word is parakletos and is hard to translate.  It literally means "one called in to help".  The Holy Spirit provides the strength when you are weak.  He provides wisdom when you feel at a loss.  He provides the courage when you are afraid.  You have Him ... He has been "called in" to help you!

5.  You have the Father's love.  This goes deeper than the knowing of the Father.  He actually loves you.  Even when you see yourself as a bit of a mess!  He loves you ... and will not stop.

6.  You have His gift of peace.  This peace is deep within the heart.  It is like the Hebrew word, shalom.  It has everything to do with wholeness - with well being - will a settled spirit.  It has everything to do with the best for you.  The world strives after peace ... and usually fails.  The child of God receives this incredible quality as a gift.  You can be at peace. 

In particularly troubling times ... you may need to remind yourself of these assurances quite often.  You may even need to repeat them to yourself every morning before you face the day.  But when you do ... when these anchors of the soul are secure in your own mind and heart ... then ..

Let not your heart be troubled ...



Life Source - Week 6 - Day 2 ** John 13: 18 - 38

Let's finish John 13 today.  Read John 13: 18 - 38.

I am amazed by the way Jesus treated Judas.  And we see Him trying to break through Judas' cold heart in this passage.  Jesus loved Judas.  There is no greater test of agape love than the way you treat your enemies. 

Picture this scene ... the disciples gathered around a meal together.  William Barclay describes the custom of the day.

The Jews did not sit at table; they reclined.  The table was a low solid block, with couches round it.  It was shaped like a U and the place of the host was in the center.  They reclined on their left side, resting on the left elbow, thus leaving the right hand free to deal with the food.  Sitting in such a way, a man's head was literally in the breast of the person reclining on his left.  Jesus would be sitting in the place of the host, at the center of the single side of the low table.  The disciple whom Jesus loved must have been sitting his right, for as he lent on his elbow at the table, his head was in Jesus' breast.  It is quite clear that Jesus could speak to Judas privately without the others overhearing.  If that be so, there is only one place Judas could have been occupying.  He must have been on Jesus' left, so that, just as John's head was in Jesus' breast, Jesus's head was in Judas'.  The revealing think is that the place on the left of the host was the place of highest honor, kept for the most intimate friend.

Jesus evidently placed Judas close so that He could talk with him without the others hearing.  What a gracious protection for Judas.  I wonder what Peter would have done had he realized Judas' plan.  Then there is the piece of bread mentioned in verse 26.  For the host to offer a tid-bit personally to one of the guests was a sign of special friendship.  Time after time Jesus appeals to Judas ... and time after time Judas ignores the appeal.  Why?  I think it was because Jesus was not the kind of Messiah that Judas wanted.  He was disappointed in Jesus.  He wanted political power.  He wanted Rome gone.  Jesus could have accomplished that ... but Jesus did not accomplish that ... and Judas was horrifically disappointed. 

Have you ever been there - knowing that God could do something - but did not do it?  What do you do with those disappointments?  It is in those times of bitter disappointment that our faith is tested the hardest.  It is in those times of bitter disappointment that we are faced with a core question:  Can God be trusted, or not?  Judas chose not.  I pray that you and I will choose trust.  God is God ... and there is no other.  God is love ... and there is no deeper.  God is wise ... and there is none wiser.  So when I am disappointed in the outcome of something, a healing not happening, a circumstance not resolving like I wanted it to ... I stand in the same place as Judas ... Judas chose darkness.

I choose trust.  And you? 

It is only after Judas departs that Jesus begins His final discourse with His disciples.  There are no more precious words in all of scripture than the next 4 chapters.  I am praying for you ... that God will minister to your heart as we read them.