I have recently started to get back into running. Granted, it has been a slow process. My first couple of runs have been eye opening. I've realized my 40 year old body isn't operating like my 30 year old body did. Go figure. I have had to learn that I am going to have to put up with a degree of pain while I am jogging to get to where I want to be physically. It starts with being a little bit out of breath. Then I have to adjust my breathing patterns a little bit. Then there are times when I can feel a cramp in my side coming on. I have to push through that to keep going. There are a variety of aches and pains that I experience along the way. I have found that the key to pushing through all of that is to find an amount of joy in the journey. It doesn't mean that I really enjoy the pain. That would make me...a sicko! Instead I find things about the run (the scenery, the end result, the overall experience) that I can find joy in.
In the Book of James chapter 1 verse 2, James (the half brother of Jesus), writes that we need to "consider it all joy...when you encounter trials". I don't think he wants us to find actually pleasure in the pain we are going through. For instance, if you hear that someone you love has been admitted to the ER, you don't want to be the guy that says "Yippee!!!! How awesome is that?" Because God also says we need to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). I think he is saying, the joy we should find in it is that it will produce character in us and change us more into the likeness of Christ. We should not be happy that bad stuff is happening to us or others but take confidence in the fact that God is doing something in us and through it.
The question is, "What is He doing in us through the bad stuff?" He is producing endurance. Now I want to be careful here because sometimes we can get pretty self centered here. Like "The only reason God made that (whatever the trial is) happen is to produce that inside of me?" The Bible is clear that God is mysterious and that He does as He pleases. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to guess God's motives for things. Just know, that a by product of trials and suffering is endurance (v3). The more you trust God with your circumstances, the more you will develop endurance in life. You won't get there by blaming God or saying "I tried this Christianity thing, and it doesn't work." That's not perseverance. Perseverance is trusting God enough to say "despite my circumstances and despite other people, I will keep trusting You."
If you live like that, if that is your default, the end result is "perfection" (v4). Not that you will be perfect in this life but you will stand strong until you make it to heaven where you will be perfect (v12). Along the way, if you need wisdom in navigating that or knowing how to persevere, you can ask God for help (v5-6). Ask Him for wisdom. When you ask for it, know that God will give it to you. It may not be what you want to hear or the result you wanted but that is a part of trusting God with the outcome.
What bad stuff are you facing this week? What has come your way that is unexpected and excruciatingly difficult? Whatever it is, know that there is the opportunity for joy amidst the angst and worry of facing tough decisions. Know that by trusting God through it, your faith will be stronger and you will persevere.
Pastor Matt
Friday, February 10, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
John 21
You did it! You read all of the way through John in January. Great job! Jesus has just appeared to the disciples for the first time since His crucifixion (Ch20). This would be the second time Jesus appears to them and it is a really interesting meeting. Peter had decided to go fishing (v3). He took some of the disciples with him and they went out at night. It was one of THOSE days. If you have ever been fishing and just sat there without the slightest tug on your fishing line. Only they were using fishing nets, so that they could catch a bunch of fish. Peter has probably gone back to fishing to provide for his family and is taking the others with him. When they get out to sea, they hear a voice "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." The disciples did what they were told and the net almost exploded with fish!
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, made the connection. He remembered when Jesus had told them to do the very same thing and the result was the same (Luke 5:4). Jesus had also told them that He would make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17). The result of their fishing expedition? A catch so big they had trouble bringing in the net! The disciples were a part of this Gospel movement Jesus had begun. They would tell the good news of Jesus' life, miracles, death, burial and resurrection to the world and it would be turned upside down! The amount of lives they would impact would be greater than the amount of fish caught that day but it was a picture of the magnitude of the Church.
After John has this realization, Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore! He is excited to see his friend and Savior! He can't wait to see Jesus face to face. This is probably not the first time Peter has seen Him but he can't wait to spend more time with Him. I love what Jesus says next. "Let's have breakfast." (v12) I LOVE breakfast! Okay, maybe not fish for breakfast but I'm sure it was good. I mean Jesus was able to turn water into wine, multiply the fishes and love, I'm sure He could make a mean Mahi Mahi!
During the breakfast, Jesus asks Peter a question "Simon, do you love me?" I bet that Peter looked down at the fire that was cooking breakfast when Jesus asked this question. I'm confident that he didn't make eye contact with Jesus when He asked him this question. Remember, Peter denied Christ three times. Peter responds, "Yes Lord; You know that I love you." Jesus then responds, "Tend to my lambs". Jesus then asks Peter the same question, TWO MORE TIMES! Peter is not the most patient person on the planet, so he responds on the third time "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." You can sense Peter's frustration. "Look, I know I messed up but You KNOW I love you despite myself!" These three questions, mirror the three denials that Peter gave at the time of Christ's capture. Peter's three denials of Christ were far overshadowed by His commitment to the Gospel and the Christ's church that was about to explode! He would lead the movement fearlessly and would pay the ultimate price for His devotion. Jesus alludes to this in the following verses by saying "when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old...someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Peter would die for His faith.
I love Peter's story because it reminds us, that no matter how badly we fail, regardless of the circumstances behind our sin, there is always hope. There is always room for God to use us as broken people. Let's be honest, it is all that God has to choose from...broken people. Just know that God is the God of the comeback. Jesus was tortured and crucified as a criminal. He then came back from the dead victorious. COMEBACK! The church is then persecuted and oppressed. Disciples are killed and imprisoned. The church then explodes in growth. COMEBACK! God is the God of second chances and the God of hope. Remember that today.
COOL FACTS:
History tells us that Peter was crucified upside down, per his request, because he felt unworthy to die the way Jesus did. What a devoted follower of Jesus. Even after a huge failure like his denial, he was able to have hope in Christ and help build the church and be an active player in changing history! What a comeback!
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, made the connection. He remembered when Jesus had told them to do the very same thing and the result was the same (Luke 5:4). Jesus had also told them that He would make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17). The result of their fishing expedition? A catch so big they had trouble bringing in the net! The disciples were a part of this Gospel movement Jesus had begun. They would tell the good news of Jesus' life, miracles, death, burial and resurrection to the world and it would be turned upside down! The amount of lives they would impact would be greater than the amount of fish caught that day but it was a picture of the magnitude of the Church.
After John has this realization, Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore! He is excited to see his friend and Savior! He can't wait to see Jesus face to face. This is probably not the first time Peter has seen Him but he can't wait to spend more time with Him. I love what Jesus says next. "Let's have breakfast." (v12) I LOVE breakfast! Okay, maybe not fish for breakfast but I'm sure it was good. I mean Jesus was able to turn water into wine, multiply the fishes and love, I'm sure He could make a mean Mahi Mahi!
During the breakfast, Jesus asks Peter a question "Simon, do you love me?" I bet that Peter looked down at the fire that was cooking breakfast when Jesus asked this question. I'm confident that he didn't make eye contact with Jesus when He asked him this question. Remember, Peter denied Christ three times. Peter responds, "Yes Lord; You know that I love you." Jesus then responds, "Tend to my lambs". Jesus then asks Peter the same question, TWO MORE TIMES! Peter is not the most patient person on the planet, so he responds on the third time "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." You can sense Peter's frustration. "Look, I know I messed up but You KNOW I love you despite myself!" These three questions, mirror the three denials that Peter gave at the time of Christ's capture. Peter's three denials of Christ were far overshadowed by His commitment to the Gospel and the Christ's church that was about to explode! He would lead the movement fearlessly and would pay the ultimate price for His devotion. Jesus alludes to this in the following verses by saying "when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old...someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Peter would die for His faith.
I love Peter's story because it reminds us, that no matter how badly we fail, regardless of the circumstances behind our sin, there is always hope. There is always room for God to use us as broken people. Let's be honest, it is all that God has to choose from...broken people. Just know that God is the God of the comeback. Jesus was tortured and crucified as a criminal. He then came back from the dead victorious. COMEBACK! The church is then persecuted and oppressed. Disciples are killed and imprisoned. The church then explodes in growth. COMEBACK! God is the God of second chances and the God of hope. Remember that today.
COOL FACTS:
History tells us that Peter was crucified upside down, per his request, because he felt unworthy to die the way Jesus did. What a devoted follower of Jesus. Even after a huge failure like his denial, he was able to have hope in Christ and help build the church and be an active player in changing history! What a comeback!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
John 20
Have you ever had something really bad happen to you and then the day or a few days after, you ask yourself the question "Did that really happen?" For some reason the event is so bad that it is unbelievable that it actually happened. It is sometimes mind boggling. I'm pretty sure the disciples felt this way. After years of following Jesus and watching Him perform miracles and debate the Pharisees, it seemed to all end in an instant. The movement that Jesus had started seemed to have come to a screeching halt and now it was time to pick up the pieces and go back to life as it was before Jesus. Only now they were living in fear of the powers that be.
It was in this aftermath that Mary Magdalene, someone who had benefited from the ministry of Jesus, came to the tomb to visit. She probably came only to be close to the One whom she had grown to love so much. It was the beginning of the week. It was Sunday. It was time for a new beginning. When Mary came to the tomb, she saw that the stone had been rolled away and it was empty!!! She ran to Peter and the rest of the disciples to tell them what she saw. Mary does not yet fully understand what is happening. There does seem to be some speculation that the body had been stolen and so Mary is not yet celebrating.
When Peter and "the other disciple" run to the tomb, the find that Mary is telling the truth. They also find the linen wrappings that contained Jesus, neatly folded and placed in the tomb. Something that would not have happened if thieves had stolen the body in a hurry. They would be scattered everywhere. The other disciples leave and Mary stays behind. She then goes into the tomb and talks to angels who are there. They comfort her, and tell her that Jesus has risen from the dead.
While in the tomb, Mary talks with Jesus. Another interesting part of this story is that Mary doesn't recognize Him. The text doesn't specifically say why. It could be that she is so grief stricken about His death that she doesn't recognize Him. It could be that it is Christ's glorified body, His resurrection body, that He looks very different. The passage doesn't say. But it is only when Jesus calls her name that she recognizes Him! That is true of all of us. Until Jesus calls our name, we don't respond to Him. Until He calls us to Himself we will remain in the dark and far from God (John 10:3).
News travels fast! Especially when you friend comes back from the dead! Mary tells the disciples. But it is hard to take the word of one person on something that miraculous. Jesus knew this. So at a time when the disciples were hiding for fear of their lives (v19), Jesus appeared to them and then to Thomas and then to many of His disciples outside of the twelve. With the doors locked and everyone cowering in fear, Jesus appeared among them. He showed them His pierced side and hands, verifying that it was really Him and that He had come back from the dead. It was also to prove He wasn't a ghost or some sort of apparition.
Jesus then gives the disciples a great gift: the presence of the Holy Spirit. It says that Jesus breathed on the disciples. Don't worry, Jesus' breathe probably smelled like mints and lilacs! He was Jesus after all. But it is significant because it reminds us of Genesis where God breathed life into Adam. The word for Spirit there is also pneuma which carries the implication of breathe or God's breathing life.
This act was to temporarily prepare the disciples for the job ahead of them. Jesus was alive! The movement had survived! The church was about to explode!
Cool Facts:
In other Gospels, it is said that seven demons were exorcised from Mary Magdalene. She was so in love with Jesus because she had saved from such a desperate situation (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2).
In verse 2 it says that Mary ran to "Peter and to the other disciples". It is significant that Peter is mentioned first. Remember, he denied Christ three times and was probably impacted the most.
In verse 31, the purpose of this Gospel is stated. "but these have been written so that you may belive that Jesus is the Christ."
Friday, January 27, 2012
John 19
Have you ever been bullied? Jesus knows just how you feel. You know what's funny about bullying? Nothing really. Its terrible! People in position of power pushing people around that don't have power. It's pretty cowardly. The awful thing about bullying is that it doesn't necessarily end when you get out of school. There are adults who have never really grown up. Bullying is an epidemic problem. Jesus willingly submitted Himself...to bullies. A terrifying thought. The Son of God knew that the only way to pay the penalty for sin, to clear us of judgment from it was to put Himself in the hands of cruel, Godless men.
In verses 1-3 it says that He was scourged. There were 3 types of scourging that a prisoner could experience. If it were a light crime, it would be beaten lightly. This was for petty crimes. The second form was a little more severe and the third was brutal. Apparently, at this time He received the first or second form and after His sentencing He experienced the third! I won't go into the gory details of it but if you watch the Passion of the Christ, you'll get the picture. Not only that but they mocked Him! They put a crown of thorns on His head, because He said He was a king, and a purple robe and mockingly honored Him as king. How humiliating!!!
Even after all of this, Pilate finds him not guilty AGAIN! (v6) He had done the same thing in John 18:38. Jesus, who was completely innocent of sin much less, any crime was abused and then taken to die. Just know that if you are at school, at work or wherever you are and you are being mistreated and you've done nothing to bring that on, Jesus knows how you feel.
After this ridiculous abuse of authority, and they had made a mockery of their own judicial system, they took Jesus to the cross. It says in Luke that Jesus carries His own cross to the place where He would be crucified. It was typical to make the prisoner carry His own beam. It was so heavy that at one point another man steps in to carry it for Him (Simon of Cyrene). When He arrives to Golgotha (literally "place of the skull") He is nailed to a cross and was left there to die. Typically prisoners would not die from blood loss or the injuries inflicted but suffocation from their lungs filling with fluid. It was a painful and slow death. While on the cross, in typical Jesus fashion, He thinks of others. He talks to His mother and says "Woman, behold, your son!" Mary must have been in utter anguish. Losing your son is terrible but losing Him the way Mary did was unthinkable. Jesus, thinking of her made sure she was taken care of. He then tells His close friend, "Behold, your mother!" Being a woman that was alone in this culture was a very hard thing. Jesus took care of her.
Jesus then dies on the cross. Before He does He cries "IT IS FINISHED!" His work on this earth had been successfully completed. He had lived a perfect life, started a movement known as "The Kingdom", poured into the lives of the 12, performed miracles to authenticate His deity and now He had paid the ultimate price for our sin and separation from God and would conquer death and the power of sin. WOW!!! What an amazing Savior we have! What a loving God and a merciful God we serve that He would go through hell to give us heaven and glorify the Father!
COOL FACTS:
In verse 12 the Jewish authorities were trying to get Jesus arrested for treason. They couldn't get Him for anything else. The angle they took was to say to the Roman authorities "Everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar." They also said in verse 15,“We have no king but Caesar.”The irony in the statement is that they hated the Romans!
Not only that but when Pilate had a sign created to be put on the cross "King of the Jews" they objected. They wanted it to say "He thought He was king". But Pilate wouldn't allow it.
In verses 1-3 it says that He was scourged. There were 3 types of scourging that a prisoner could experience. If it were a light crime, it would be beaten lightly. This was for petty crimes. The second form was a little more severe and the third was brutal. Apparently, at this time He received the first or second form and after His sentencing He experienced the third! I won't go into the gory details of it but if you watch the Passion of the Christ, you'll get the picture. Not only that but they mocked Him! They put a crown of thorns on His head, because He said He was a king, and a purple robe and mockingly honored Him as king. How humiliating!!!
Even after all of this, Pilate finds him not guilty AGAIN! (v6) He had done the same thing in John 18:38. Jesus, who was completely innocent of sin much less, any crime was abused and then taken to die. Just know that if you are at school, at work or wherever you are and you are being mistreated and you've done nothing to bring that on, Jesus knows how you feel.
After this ridiculous abuse of authority, and they had made a mockery of their own judicial system, they took Jesus to the cross. It says in Luke that Jesus carries His own cross to the place where He would be crucified. It was typical to make the prisoner carry His own beam. It was so heavy that at one point another man steps in to carry it for Him (Simon of Cyrene). When He arrives to Golgotha (literally "place of the skull") He is nailed to a cross and was left there to die. Typically prisoners would not die from blood loss or the injuries inflicted but suffocation from their lungs filling with fluid. It was a painful and slow death. While on the cross, in typical Jesus fashion, He thinks of others. He talks to His mother and says "Woman, behold, your son!" Mary must have been in utter anguish. Losing your son is terrible but losing Him the way Mary did was unthinkable. Jesus, thinking of her made sure she was taken care of. He then tells His close friend, "Behold, your mother!" Being a woman that was alone in this culture was a very hard thing. Jesus took care of her.
Jesus then dies on the cross. Before He does He cries "IT IS FINISHED!" His work on this earth had been successfully completed. He had lived a perfect life, started a movement known as "The Kingdom", poured into the lives of the 12, performed miracles to authenticate His deity and now He had paid the ultimate price for our sin and separation from God and would conquer death and the power of sin. WOW!!! What an amazing Savior we have! What a loving God and a merciful God we serve that He would go through hell to give us heaven and glorify the Father!
COOL FACTS:
In verse 12 the Jewish authorities were trying to get Jesus arrested for treason. They couldn't get Him for anything else. The angle they took was to say to the Roman authorities "Everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar." They also said in verse 15,“We have no king but Caesar.”The irony in the statement is that they hated the Romans!
Not only that but when Pilate had a sign created to be put on the cross "King of the Jews" they objected. They wanted it to say "He thought He was king". But Pilate wouldn't allow it.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
John 18
Have you ever been backstabbed? Has anyone ever talked about you behind your back? Have you ever had someone who you thought was a friend, betray you? Jesus knows exactly how you feel! In this chapter, Jesus is delivered into the hands of Roman soldiers by someone who had followed Him, befriended Him and been a part of the movement that Jesus started. If you have been tracking with us, you'll see that Jesus knew this all along and in the last chapter, gave Judas permission to go and do what he had plotted and schemed to do. “What you do, do quickly.”(John 13:27).
Jesus is then kissed on the cheek by this traitor (a sign of respect/ customary greeting). Jesus, even in this moment doesn't lose His cool “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48). Judas was so close to Jesus that he knew where to go when the soldiers wanted to find Him.
"Judas...knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples."(John 18:2) Peter, being...well...Peter, takes his sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's slave. This act will actually come back to bite him later when he is recognized by a relative of this person in the courtyard. What Peter didn't understand, is that this was God's will. Jesus had explained this in previous chapters but apparently he was checking his iphone.
The guards then seize Jesus, the disciples flee and He is delivered into the hands of the Jewish officials. Jesus had been sold out by one of His own for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. The movement, seemingly, had been stopped and all of His followers had deserted Him. The Kingdom had been crushed before it ever really got started. In later chapters, it is written that Judas was in such despair that he hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). Apparently he had realized, all too late, what he had done and the scope of his greed.
Not only was Jesus betrayed in this moment but one of His avid followers, one who promised never to leave His side, denied Him three times (v17,v25,v27). As a matter of fact, it says in other passages that a relative of Malchus (slave with detachable ear) recognized him. Peter not only denies Jesus but he curses to make his point (Mark 14:71). This too was not a surprise to Jesus since He had already told Peter it would happen when a rooster crows three times (John 13:38).
I'll be honest with you. This chapter is DEPRESSING!!! I could keep going with the officials slapping Jesus in the face, mocking Him by asking if He was "King of the Jews" and even choosing a low life criminal to be released instead of Him. He had been betrayed by a friend, deserted by the disciples and now is on trial for treason. His movement seems to be a failed experiment.
Ugh. How do you get over something like that? How can you endure betrayal on that level? Jesus was resolute in His focus. He never took His eyes off of the Father. Even in His darkest moments, He keeps His eyes on the prize. When asked if He is a king, Jesus responds "Yes but not the kind you are thinking, otherwise it would be on like Donkey Kong!!!" Okay, I paraphrased the King of Kings. Sorry. He goes on to say, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”Pilate's response? "What is truth?" Great question right? Also, very revealing of Pilate's heart. Jesus just said if you are mine you recognize truth. Pilate essentially says, "I don't know you." However, at the same time he says "I find no guilt in Him." Wow! Jesus is faithful and true till the very end.
Cool Facts:
When the servants ear is cut off at His capture, Jesus puts His ear back on. COOL! Luke 22:51
A theologian once noted, that Peter's denials was the result of the following things:
overconfidence Mark 14:29,31; Prayerlessness Mark 14:37, 40-41; not listening to Christ Mark 14:47/ Luke 22:49-51; associating with the wrong crowd Mark 14:54; reverting to old habits Mark 14:71; then denial v71. (Ryrie)
Jesus is then kissed on the cheek by this traitor (a sign of respect/ customary greeting). Jesus, even in this moment doesn't lose His cool “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48). Judas was so close to Jesus that he knew where to go when the soldiers wanted to find Him.
"Judas...knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples."(John 18:2) Peter, being...well...Peter, takes his sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's slave. This act will actually come back to bite him later when he is recognized by a relative of this person in the courtyard. What Peter didn't understand, is that this was God's will. Jesus had explained this in previous chapters but apparently he was checking his iphone.
The guards then seize Jesus, the disciples flee and He is delivered into the hands of the Jewish officials. Jesus had been sold out by one of His own for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. The movement, seemingly, had been stopped and all of His followers had deserted Him. The Kingdom had been crushed before it ever really got started. In later chapters, it is written that Judas was in such despair that he hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). Apparently he had realized, all too late, what he had done and the scope of his greed.
Not only was Jesus betrayed in this moment but one of His avid followers, one who promised never to leave His side, denied Him three times (v17,v25,v27). As a matter of fact, it says in other passages that a relative of Malchus (slave with detachable ear) recognized him. Peter not only denies Jesus but he curses to make his point (Mark 14:71). This too was not a surprise to Jesus since He had already told Peter it would happen when a rooster crows three times (John 13:38).
I'll be honest with you. This chapter is DEPRESSING!!! I could keep going with the officials slapping Jesus in the face, mocking Him by asking if He was "King of the Jews" and even choosing a low life criminal to be released instead of Him. He had been betrayed by a friend, deserted by the disciples and now is on trial for treason. His movement seems to be a failed experiment.
Ugh. How do you get over something like that? How can you endure betrayal on that level? Jesus was resolute in His focus. He never took His eyes off of the Father. Even in His darkest moments, He keeps His eyes on the prize. When asked if He is a king, Jesus responds "Yes but not the kind you are thinking, otherwise it would be on like Donkey Kong!!!" Okay, I paraphrased the King of Kings. Sorry. He goes on to say, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”Pilate's response? "What is truth?" Great question right? Also, very revealing of Pilate's heart. Jesus just said if you are mine you recognize truth. Pilate essentially says, "I don't know you." However, at the same time he says "I find no guilt in Him." Wow! Jesus is faithful and true till the very end.
Cool Facts:
When the servants ear is cut off at His capture, Jesus puts His ear back on. COOL! Luke 22:51
A theologian once noted, that Peter's denials was the result of the following things:
overconfidence Mark 14:29,31; Prayerlessness Mark 14:37, 40-41; not listening to Christ Mark 14:47/ Luke 22:49-51; associating with the wrong crowd Mark 14:54; reverting to old habits Mark 14:71; then denial v71. (Ryrie)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
John 17
Welcome back everybody! This is day 17 and chapter 17 of our challenge. If you have made it this far, go ahead and give yourselves a pat on the back AND don't forget to let me know if you are tracking with us. I would love to know how being in the word for these 17days has impacted you.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who knew they were going to die? It is a pretty somber thing. When you've had those conversations or if you do in the future, you know that those last moments are sacred. The individual that has their end in mind, has a totally different outlook on the world than you or I do. They will talk about the things that are of the utmost importance. Not the weather, latest reality T.V. show or who is going to win the Superbowl. Nope, they will talk about the things that are nearest to their hearts. This is what Jesus is doing in this chapter. The very next chapter in John, Jesus will be betrayed and delivered into the hands of evil men.
Jesus knows this, He even says "the hour has come"! If you remember, in previous chapters Jesus has said "my hour has not yet come." Jesus knows that the time to die for the sins of the world, and to glorify the Father's name through the crucifixion and resurrection, has come. Remember, that Jesus is not surprised by this act of treason, He is not a victim but that He willingly lays down His life for His people and He does it with joy (John 10:11-15; John 15:13; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 John 3:16). This one act will give eternal life for all of those who believe and a close relationship with God (v2-3).
I love the following verses in this chapter. Jesus, knowing He is going to the cross (a fate that is reserved for murderers, thieves and insurrectionists), prays for His disciples. He is others focused! He shows that He is thankful for their belief in Him (v6-8) and that they would stay in God's name (v11). Jesus repeatedly in this chapter asks God to keep them from "the evil one" or to remain in God's will. To accomplish this, He isn't asking that they be isolated from people that aren't Christ followers or to treat those people as less than human, He asks that they stay "in the world but not of it" (v15). He wants His followers to be people of the truth but also relational and loving toward the outside world. He asks this not only of His 12 but also on behalf of all of those who will follow Him afterwards (v20).
This is a great reminder that God wants a few things from us when we follow Jesus. He wants us to be people of the truth. The truth is what God has given us in Scripture. It is not just knowing a bunch of facts about the Bible or storing up knowledge for the purpose of knowing it BUT instead it is knowing and living it out (James 1:22). It doesn't just end there though. If you are someone who lives out the truth in Scripture, you will want to be around those who don't know Him. Not for the purpose of condemning them, not for the purpose of showing everyone what a good person you are but because you love them and want them to know the same joy that you know. Pretty cool that Jesus has this in mind in His final moments right? How are you doing in being person in the world but not of it?
Cool Facts:
The concept of "my hour has not yet come" appears several times before this chapter in John (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 16:32).
Jesus mentions in v5 that He wants the Father and Himself to be glorified in the same manner that they were before the existence of the world. This shows that Jesus existed before His earthly ministry here and that He existed before the world even began (Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Peter 1:20)!
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who knew they were going to die? It is a pretty somber thing. When you've had those conversations or if you do in the future, you know that those last moments are sacred. The individual that has their end in mind, has a totally different outlook on the world than you or I do. They will talk about the things that are of the utmost importance. Not the weather, latest reality T.V. show or who is going to win the Superbowl. Nope, they will talk about the things that are nearest to their hearts. This is what Jesus is doing in this chapter. The very next chapter in John, Jesus will be betrayed and delivered into the hands of evil men.
Jesus knows this, He even says "the hour has come"! If you remember, in previous chapters Jesus has said "my hour has not yet come." Jesus knows that the time to die for the sins of the world, and to glorify the Father's name through the crucifixion and resurrection, has come. Remember, that Jesus is not surprised by this act of treason, He is not a victim but that He willingly lays down His life for His people and He does it with joy (John 10:11-15; John 15:13; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 John 3:16). This one act will give eternal life for all of those who believe and a close relationship with God (v2-3).
I love the following verses in this chapter. Jesus, knowing He is going to the cross (a fate that is reserved for murderers, thieves and insurrectionists), prays for His disciples. He is others focused! He shows that He is thankful for their belief in Him (v6-8) and that they would stay in God's name (v11). Jesus repeatedly in this chapter asks God to keep them from "the evil one" or to remain in God's will. To accomplish this, He isn't asking that they be isolated from people that aren't Christ followers or to treat those people as less than human, He asks that they stay "in the world but not of it" (v15). He wants His followers to be people of the truth but also relational and loving toward the outside world. He asks this not only of His 12 but also on behalf of all of those who will follow Him afterwards (v20).
This is a great reminder that God wants a few things from us when we follow Jesus. He wants us to be people of the truth. The truth is what God has given us in Scripture. It is not just knowing a bunch of facts about the Bible or storing up knowledge for the purpose of knowing it BUT instead it is knowing and living it out (James 1:22). It doesn't just end there though. If you are someone who lives out the truth in Scripture, you will want to be around those who don't know Him. Not for the purpose of condemning them, not for the purpose of showing everyone what a good person you are but because you love them and want them to know the same joy that you know. Pretty cool that Jesus has this in mind in His final moments right? How are you doing in being person in the world but not of it?
Cool Facts:
The concept of "my hour has not yet come" appears several times before this chapter in John (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 16:32).
Jesus mentions in v5 that He wants the Father and Himself to be glorified in the same manner that they were before the existence of the world. This shows that Jesus existed before His earthly ministry here and that He existed before the world even began (Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Peter 1:20)!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
John 16
Good mornin! Thanks for keeping up the good work! Today is John 16 and Jesus continues His discussion with His friends about His departure. If you read through the chapters 14 till now you'll realized Jesus has started this discussion about how He will die. They seem to really struggle with this news, and rightfully so, due to their expectations about what Christ's Kingdom would look like.
You see their version of victory and success was totally different that the one Jesus was telling them about. They had no idea that Jesus was going to die this way and thought they maybe His ministry would end with Him as King and the Roman rulers bowing at His feet. But that wasn't the type of kingdom Jesus was leading. His Kingdom was a revolt against dead religion, point earning and judging others. His Kingdom was one of grace and mercy but also obedience. His death on the cross was necessary to put God's plan into action.
This Kingdom comes at a price though. Not only Christ's death on the cross but also at the expense of public opinion. Jesus tells them "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God." YIKES!!! Jesus is saying that people at some point in history will say, "I did the right thing, I killed a Christian today!" What? Pretty messed up right?
This really gives me a different perspective on what I would consider "persecution" in my neck O' tha woods. When someone makes a Christian look stupid in the movies, if I get a weird look from someone when I tell them I'm a believer or if the conversation suddenly ends when I tell them that I am a pastor! None of that is real persecution but even then, I can take confidence in the fact that they treated Jesus and the early church in the same way AND it is an honor to experience that for the sake of Christ (James 1:5)!
Jesus mentions something else about this Kingdom and about His death. That His death on the cross accomplishes 3 things through the Holy Spirit. It will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin that is being talked about is the sin of unbelief. Not believing in Jesus Christ is the ultimate sin and must be dealt with. The only way for that to happen is to believe in Jesus. The world will be convicted of righteousness in that they will see that anything they do that is "good" will not stand up against the greatness of Christ's righteousness (or good deeds, pure motives, close relationship with God). Finally the last word there is judgement. That evil will ultimately be dealt with and was dealt with on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross Satan was defeated. The power of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was so great that Satan has no response (Colossians 2:15). "In the world you have tribulation (trouble) but take courage; for I have overcome the world.
I would like to leave you with this thought, no problem that you are facing right now, is more powerful than Christ. No situation that you are struggling with is too big for the Gospel (good news of Jesus). Go to God in prayer today and ask Him to take control of it. Trust Him through it and your faith will grow stronger!
Cool Fact:
This is one of the chapters that details what is called "the upper room discourse" where Jesus talks about some important facts concerning His death, burial and resurrection. This chapter ends this "discourse" (13:31-16:33).
In verse 25 Jesus says that He has been speaking about His death in riddles and mysterious sayings. He did so to avoid telling the disciples something that just may blow their minds! He was looking out for their well being.
You see their version of victory and success was totally different that the one Jesus was telling them about. They had no idea that Jesus was going to die this way and thought they maybe His ministry would end with Him as King and the Roman rulers bowing at His feet. But that wasn't the type of kingdom Jesus was leading. His Kingdom was a revolt against dead religion, point earning and judging others. His Kingdom was one of grace and mercy but also obedience. His death on the cross was necessary to put God's plan into action.
This Kingdom comes at a price though. Not only Christ's death on the cross but also at the expense of public opinion. Jesus tells them "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God." YIKES!!! Jesus is saying that people at some point in history will say, "I did the right thing, I killed a Christian today!" What? Pretty messed up right?
This really gives me a different perspective on what I would consider "persecution" in my neck O' tha woods. When someone makes a Christian look stupid in the movies, if I get a weird look from someone when I tell them I'm a believer or if the conversation suddenly ends when I tell them that I am a pastor! None of that is real persecution but even then, I can take confidence in the fact that they treated Jesus and the early church in the same way AND it is an honor to experience that for the sake of Christ (James 1:5)!
Jesus mentions something else about this Kingdom and about His death. That His death on the cross accomplishes 3 things through the Holy Spirit. It will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin that is being talked about is the sin of unbelief. Not believing in Jesus Christ is the ultimate sin and must be dealt with. The only way for that to happen is to believe in Jesus. The world will be convicted of righteousness in that they will see that anything they do that is "good" will not stand up against the greatness of Christ's righteousness (or good deeds, pure motives, close relationship with God). Finally the last word there is judgement. That evil will ultimately be dealt with and was dealt with on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross Satan was defeated. The power of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was so great that Satan has no response (Colossians 2:15). "In the world you have tribulation (trouble) but take courage; for I have overcome the world.
I would like to leave you with this thought, no problem that you are facing right now, is more powerful than Christ. No situation that you are struggling with is too big for the Gospel (good news of Jesus). Go to God in prayer today and ask Him to take control of it. Trust Him through it and your faith will grow stronger!
Cool Fact:
This is one of the chapters that details what is called "the upper room discourse" where Jesus talks about some important facts concerning His death, burial and resurrection. This chapter ends this "discourse" (13:31-16:33).
In verse 25 Jesus says that He has been speaking about His death in riddles and mysterious sayings. He did so to avoid telling the disciples something that just may blow their minds! He was looking out for their well being.
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