John 16:16-19 - The Disciples' Confusion

John 16:16-19

16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’?

Message: The Disciples' Confusion

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: If anything, it seems Jesus is speaking to the disciples in simple ways in hopes that they will understand him, but despite this they remain confused as he gives this final discourse to them. And yet Jesus is not telling them clearly where He is going. Simple describes his vocabulary, but clearly describes specifics. He said to them in John 13:14, "Little children, I am with you a little while longer....Where I am going, you cannot come." Here he is speaking of being glorified in which He knows He will be ascending to God in heaven after dying on the cross for all sins. He will bear the punishment of all sin, being our atonement. In 13:36 He says, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow later." He is going to heaven and at some point the disciples will be with Jesus in heaven as well and then He mentions His Father's house in 14:2. 

It is normal for the disciples to want to know all the specifics when Jesus makes these statements. I am the same way today. We are the same way today. We want to know it all. We aren't ready to behold only some of the details. God wants us to trust him, but many don't want to trust God because they expect to know everything, to get every question answered. We know a great deal and we know that when we have faith in Him and believe in Him he hears us and saves us. We know these things. 

When I look at today's passage, Jesus is either talking about His death and resurrection or maybe He is simply speaking about His crucifixion from the time He is captured to seeing Jesus on the cross. I am not sure. Jesus is going to change before their eyes. And what we need to do is trust Him. Most likely based upon the next verses He is talking about His coming death on the cross. Coming alongside the disciples I need to trust Him. 

Summary: Jesus is telling the disciples He is departing to a place they cannot see Him, but they will see Him again another time, another place. And we can trust Jesus without knowing all the details.

Promise: In times of uncertainty, I need to come to God and let him know I am confused and ask Him to comfort, not necessarily to get all the answers, but to place our faith in Him. 

Prayer: Lord, I trust You and I thank you for giving me clarity often with the details of my life, but if I don't understand it all, then let me still trust You and believe in You. You have not let me down and You have promised me eternity and so therefore I can trust You for that. I am your follower and am grateful for things that I do know yet still. Thank you for speaking to me and revealing things to me. I remain close to You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 16:12-15 - The Spirit's Guidance

John 16:12-15 

12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Message: The Spirit's Guidance

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus continues to provide comfort to the disciples and encouragement and confirmation to their ears that while He is leaving to the cross, and eventually to be with the Father, the comforter, the Helper, our Holy Spirit will be with us. In the last passage, I learned the Holy Spirit will be with us and convict the world of sin, of Christ's innocence and of Christ being the victor over Satan. The Holy Spirit is there to convict sinners of their need for God. 

In verse 12 Jesus mentions He has more to say, but people are not ready to hear. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything appropriate in its own time." Some things we are to understand but some things we are not, possibly never, or possibly at another time. While Jesus was not communicating to them now, it is possible the Holy Spirit would in the future communicate with them the things that He was not ready to tell them from verse 12. Perhaps the Holy Spirit's communication to them would be over a period of time, as a Christian can handle what needs to be said. Verse 13 says, "He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth." What a wonderful word of encouragement. I think of where I am in my walk with God and it seems that each day that goes by I because more understanding of the things of God. I hope that I am always going forward and not back. But I appreciate the understandings of truth. I think I am on a lifelong journey to understand the things of God. 

Jesus says, "He will not speak on His own initiative." The Holy Spirit is guided by the Father. The Spirit receives from what the Father illuminates Him to speak. He reminds people of truths from Jesus. And in this verse we hear that His truth is directly in line with the Father. Again, John, is making something clear to the Jewish audience who is of the mindset that only God is their Father and their is no one else. He is letting them know that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in direct communication with God and so their are to both to be on the same plain or have the same level of significance regarding spiritual things.

Jesus has promised that despite Him leaving to be glorified, the Holy Spirit will be there and I think He lets them know here in the words, "He will disclose to you what is to come" that this means that the Holy Spirit will help give them understanding of the meaning of the days ahead when Jesus dies on the cross and then resurrects and then returns to the Father. Again, the Holy Spirit is speaking to us always and shedding light and truth into our lives.  

Verse 14 -- He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. Verse - The work of the Holy Spirit is toward Jesus. "The whole design of the Spirit's office is to glorify Christ" (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary). 

As a side note, I wonder if we pray to the Holy Spirit. It seems in my prayer life, it is most often to God which I know includes Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but I am also sometimes specific in my words to the Father, so am I also specific in my words to the Holy Spirit and Jesus. It seems it doesn't come natural, but it seems like I could and should at times. And maybe I should more because it is the Spirit that is speaking directly to me. But I think I pray like I do because of the words of Jesus in telling me how to pray through what we know of as the Lord's prayer. 

Verse 15 -- "All things that the Father has are Mine (Jesus Christ); therefore I (Jesus) said that He (Holy Spirit) takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." -- I've added those descriptors to denote who is speaking. This to me is a verse of conclusion for it confirms all that I have recorded previously. All the Father has are in Christ as well. Words of significance to the Jewish audience. And then to further multiple or carry out the work of the Father, the Holy Spirit takes of what is of Jesus and shares it with us. 

Summary: Jesus confirms that the Holy Spirit will speak of the truth of Jesus, glorifying Him, giving us more insight as days go by into the future, and the Holy Spirit is also from the Father. 

Promise: The Holy Spirit continues to guide the church into the understand that Jesus has provided us and even words Jesus was not ready to give to the Disciples, further comprehension of Jesus and His work. 

Prayer: Lord, it has taken me a few extra days to get through this lesson. I think some of it is my own doing and getting busy or distracted with things. My own brain I think has struggling concentrating, but also getting up on time, having time with my wife in the morning, getting on with other activities, these things have sidetracked me and yet as I return to this study and you, perhaps there is a new freshness and the ability of my now to concentrate. I am thankful for this morning and the rain that occurred last night and so the morning is wet and overcast, so that gives me rise as well to slow down and rest in You. I thank you for this. I am also hit hard this morning over a mistake I made yesterday with the car and feeling embarrassed and upset of that sort of freak accident. Yet, as I have been learning, these events, these tough situations of life, are to cause me to focus on my eternal home all the more. You are good, so good. And I do look forward to the day when I am no longer of this world. I thank you for these words today God you have sent me about the Holy Spirit speaking things of Jesus and also being sent by You to disclose truths to me. Lord, one thing that I am struggling with was words from Jesus in the last lesson about how the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of Christ being the victor over Satan, of Christ's innocence or his perfect life for us in atoning for us - it feels like that message Lord is not resulting in changed lives in America. It seems like the words of truth are not as compelling to people and instead we have people moving from You rather than moving close to You and Your ways. People leaving churches more than new people being added to churches. And our land seems to be conforming more to the ways of the world. What does this mean God in relation to this verse? Are you giving these people over to their sinful wants as Paul speaks of in Romans 1? Are we a nation now wandering in a wilderness and now expecting a future time of being restored to You? There are pockets of revivals that we hear but overall it seems we are remaining in exile - waiting for truth to be at the forefront again. Lord, change our nation, our world to surrender themselves to You. Selfishly I want you to come quickly, but for the sake of others I pray that people would be awakened to the Gospel and turn their lives over to You. May you be an active agent again in people's lives, guiding them into all the truth of who you are. Don't let me give up though. Keep me faithful and doing what you lead me to do in Your power. Thank you for the continuous joy of knowing You and learning of You and fellowshipping with the saints. 

 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 16:4b-11 - The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

John 16:4b-11

4b These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Message: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: The farewell discourse that Jesus gives in John 14-17 continues and for me I feel like he is giving comfort to the disciples - assuring them in him going away that this is the better outcome for everyone and also assuring them that everything will be okay for them, namely because the Holy Spirit, the Helper, will remain with them. 

The Helper or Holy Spirit's ministry purpose Jesus states, "convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." John 15:26 said the Spirit would testify of Jesus. John 14:26 says the Helper will teach you all things and bring remembrance all that Jesus said. The Spirit will work in the Christian's life teaching all things and bringing to the forefront of people's minds all that Jesus said. What an amazing and well needed attribute and benefit the Christian receives. 

And then the Spirit will convict the world in their sin, righteousness and judgment. I know in my conversations with people in other parts of the world, especially the African countries, even parts of the Middle East, and Indian countries that people are coming to faith and eyes are being opened and the so the Holy Spirit is at work in convicting. At times in America though I don't see this happening currently at a great rate. I think we have Christians recommitting lives, but it seems we have a lot of people leaving the church or young people not starting church after leaving the homes in which they have been raised. For the world, I wonder at times if many God has given over or allowed them to pursue their sinful ways since they seem to love those ways so much - as this is talked about in Romans 1:24-31. I say this because the Gospel does not seem to be penetrating. Now I also think the church has diminished their evangelism as well. Granted, it is hard to continue in these efforts when the audience continues to ridicule, ignore, or be indifferent to the message. 

I think verses 9, 10, and 11 are interesting:

concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 

concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 

concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Conviction for sin as people are not believing in Jesus so their sin needs to be exposed. That seems clear to me. Even more specifically it is rejecting the Lord Jesus. This is the chief sin people are guilty. People refuse to submit to him and instead choose to reign their own lives. This is the big regret that people will have as voiced by Zechariah 7:10, "And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and mourn." 

Second, the conviction concerning righteousness of Christ. The world would be convicted and convinced that He was indeed innocent for any crimes people have said he committed. And people will be amazed. His resurrection and ascension will show everyone that He is not an imposter. By Jesus being raised from the dead he would be shown to be innocent, and thus confirmed that He was sent by God. And Jesus will no longer be seen by them until he returns to judgment. 

Third, the conviction concerting the judgment or that God is just and He will execute judgment. By Jesus dying, Satan is judged or condemned. Jesus is victorious. Judgment will be executed on all of the foes of Jesus. 

And thus we have in these words the confirmation of the work of the Holy Spirit in converting man and woman. 

I am convinced of my sin and that Christ is perfect, not an imposter but the Son of God and Satan will be judged while Jesus will be victorious.  

Summary: Jesus confirms it is better for him to leave to the Father, as the Holy Spirit will be with us and convict the world of sin, Christ's innocence and Christ the victor over Satan. 

Promise: Great words from Tabletalk, "The Holy Spirit was active in the world before the ascension of Jesus, but the outpouring of the Spirit as the result of Jesus’ ministry has meant a mightier work of the Spirit among the nations. People around the world have been streaming into the kingdom of God as the Spirit has given them new hearts to believe in Christ. Because of the Spirit’s work, we can be confident that He will use our proclamation of the gospel to grow the kingdom of God."

Prayer: O Lord God, you are iindeed the great one and have lived the perfect life to be the perfect substitute and save me forever. You are coming again. Satan is vanquished. You are indeed King. O Praise the Name of Jesus. O thank you Holy Spirit for your comfort and reminding me always of my condition, my need for a Savior. Lord, I pray you would continue to awaken souls, especially in this land of America. Help your servants like me to be faithful to preaching Jesus and His gospel truth and turn hearts around to you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 16:1-4a - The Persecution to Come

John 16:1-4a

1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 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. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

Message: The Persecution to Come

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Well, onto Chapter 16. I am still in the middle of Jesus' farewell discourse with Chapter 15 having more of a focus on the relationship of believers in Christ, to each other, and to the world and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues to refer often to himself and then his position with His Father. Everything he says has a linkage to the Father to help us see that Jesus now is the Father's appointed sacrifice and from this point forward we must submit and surrender to Him, by faith. However, chapter 15 is specifically addressed to believers and so Jesus here in his message I think is speaking to believers in Christ. 

In Chapter 16 Jesus mentions that He is speaking these things in order that the disciple might be kept from stumbling. Stumbling is a reality. We hear things and we are not confident that they are always true, doubt creeps in and in the process we stumble. I think these things probably refers to the Holy Spirit and not necessarily the persecution words. 

In verse 2, Jesus says "they" in referring I think back to those who are persecuting and hating the disciples, again because of Jesus and believing in Him. Now Jesus seems to focus their minds more securely on the persecution that is coming. He mentions that those persecuting often believe they are doing God's work. The Pharisees are an example. It is tragic that much of the persecution that the church experiences is from other churches. I think there is a great tendency of competition between churches and even denominations. I think part of it simply how we are trained in society with the sports and even education and celebrating victors and not losers. In the process, people within the faith are competing against one another. I admit, at times it is an easier target and easier to think something we are better equipped in the Word of God than others. 

Now I don't think verse 3 necessarily applies to the attacks we often get within the church when it says, "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me." I do believe that many of these attacks are more of competition than asserting that people don't know Jesus or God as Father. But, there also attacks between faiths. 

Jesus concludes in verse 4 that the words He speaks are to be an encouragement, to provide comfort to them. But not necessarily today, but in the future, "when their hour comes." We need to tap into these promises that the Lord gives and let them remind us so that when these difficult times come we can remember He is there with us. 

Summary: Persecution is coming, within the church and outside of it; Jesus encourages us to not stumble and remember the words of comfort He continues to speak. 

Promise: We need to stand firm in God's word, remembering God's promises, so that as difficulties and persecutions happen, we will stand firm. 

Prayer: Lord, you are with us at all times and I pray we would remember better and tap into that comfort that you provide and not react to tough situations but respond appropriately, trusting You. Lord, open the eyes of the blind and even those persecuting so that they will see the evil of their ways. Mend us, your church and all of its different colors and systems. Teach us how to disagree. Teach us how to love one another in all situations. I pray that the world would not receive wrong messages about us in seeing us disagree with one another. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:26-27 - The Witness of God’s Spirit and People

John 15:26-27
26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, [that] is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Message: The Witness of God’s Spirit and People

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I previously studied and looked at the promise of the Helper Jesus mentioned to the disciples upon his departure, providing them that comfort they would have now that Jesus was physically gone from their preference. This is something the world does not offer. The Helper or Holy Spirit, "whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." 

Jesus repeats this idea in verse 26 of today's passage. Jesus adds another purpose of the Holy Spirit - to testify about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will be sent to us ("I will send to you") and in the midst of the inevitable persecution and hatred that the disciples will receive from the World. that Holy Spirit will reside in us as believers and followers in Christ. Again, on one hand the disciples have this confidence and assurance of the comfort they will have, to have the Holy Spirit walking with them throughout all of life. The Holy Spirit is there to help us continue to hold fast to the gospel. 

But with God in us, the world won't like this or us. And we see this in our world today - that Jesus remains offensive and the Christian remains offensive. But, again, we can hold fast with the Spirit of truth with us. 

In verse 27, Jesus says, "and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." The disciples had been with Jesus for 3 years at the start of His public ministry (Matthew 4:17-22), seeing his works and so they can testify about Jesus as well, of his character and doctrines. Like them, we as Christ's followers bear witness of what God has done in our lives and we also testify of Him. So it is the Helper testifying of Jesus and His followers, here the disciples, testifying of Jesus. And in that process though not stated here we have community with one another. We can encourage one another for we are living together in this path. 

Summary: Jesus sends the helper to testify of Jesus and His followers, the disciples, testify of Jesus as well, having been with him since beginning of His ministry. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Christ is with His people in the power of the Spirit in order to guard us and make us effective witnesses to Him." 

Prayer: O God, you were right, the world knocks us down and you knew this would happen as we have trusted You and know that Your way is the only way. You have sealed me for eternity with You in heaven, clearing me of all charges against me by God of the sin that entangled my life. The world often does not understand, but I do testify of You. But I am not alone and I thank you for sending me the holy spirit to walk with me through all of life's challenges and joys, providing me the comfort of Christ. Thank you God for the truth that pervades our lives and speaks to us. Keep me on the straight and narrow. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:22-25 - Inexcusable Sin

John 15:22-25

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But [they have done this] to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.'

Message: Inexcusable Sin

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Interesting, at first glance Jesus seems to sort of washing his hands at the inevitable outcome of the world. He is giving the outcome it would seem of the world. Again, I think of this man I have been speaking with. He says he believes and prays to God, but Jesus was only a good person, not the Son of God. Jesus is saying however that if you reject Him you are also rejecting the Father. I can see that this is quite a claim. I have shared the gospel multiple times with this man, in many different ways, but he has been firm in stating He does believe in God and prays to God, but he does not believe in Jesus and only thinks he is a good person. Overall he thinks his good deeds is enough. But Jesus and John in this gospel is making the strong statement over and over - and speaking to primarily a Jewish audience - stating that when a person rejects Jesus that person is also rejecting the Father. In other words, once God has sent His son on the earth, things change. 

Jesus continues his worlds toward the world that he mentioned in verse 18. Verse 22 begins with another "if" statement. The verse makes me think that since Jesus showed up and was resurrected in AD 33, everyone is now accountable to him. This verse has some funny language - "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin.'  The sin that Jesus was referring to here was hate (v. 18) and persecution (v. 20). I think the idea is if Jesus had not come and they had not seen his miracles and heard His words, they would not be accountable to Him. But Jesus did come and He did testify and they were given an opportunity to hear of Him, "but now they have no excuse for their sin." Jesus did come to this earth and so people are accountable. I think that's a key idea I have been sort of searching for or wondering. Now that Jesus has come and died and been resurrected and shed his blood, all are accountable to Him. There is no other gospel. We can't simply say I believe in God only. 

Therefore, "He who hates Me hates My Father also."  A person has to accept Jesus. A person can't just hang on the Father now and the Father only. He repeats these same ideas and closed in verse 25 with a quote from the Old Testament. In this quote, Jesus is mirroring a situation that happened to David (Psalm 35:19). Albert Barnes (1798-1870) comments, "David was conscious that he had done them no wrong, or that he had given no occasion for their conduct toward him, and hence, his prayer is simply a request that justice might be done." And Jesus says, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.' They have had the opportunity. Jesus has given people the opportunity. Like David, there is no cause for them to hate him as He has been true to himself. 

Summary: Jesus remarks that no one has a reason to curse Him by hatred or persecution because He has presented Himself as the Son of Man who is equal to the Father. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, " As we meet people who claim to love God without serving Christ, we must be clear that they cannot love God unless they are servants of Jesus the Savior."

Prayer: Jesus you are true. You have been sent by God. Lord, I believe now and understand that when people hear you and hear you preached they are accountable to You. There are no other options. Thank you for these truths and help me be a faithful witness of You always, helping people rightly understand You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:18-21 - The World's Hatred

John 15:18-21 

18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, "A slave is not greater than his master." If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake. Because they do not know the One who sent Me. 

Message: The World's Hatred

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I continue to press on with these lessons. On the side, I'm talking to people online and sometimes get discouraged because people don't understand the Gospel. And now I read this verse with Jesus talking about the world hating us Christians at times with Jesus reminding us it has hated Him more. In my Bible this section from verse 18-25 is about the 'Relationship of Believers to the World.' 

At first glance these words seem like a surprise. Jesus I think still is comforting His disciples after announcing his glorification or return to the Father and reminds them He is with and the Holy Spirit will help. But he also then starts to speak of abiding in Him and that love He has for us and we are to have for him and faithful obedience to His commands follows this. But now this abrupt turn to those that hate us. We have been talking about loving one another. 

There definitely seems to be a difference in how Christians think and how the world thinks. I see this in conversations and must admit it is challenging to help people understand truth. The struggle I have most of the time is when someone says they believe in God or even says that they pray. So there is something there as far as acknowledging but then getting them to the place of them surrendering to God seems hard or hard for them to figure out. Even as I present the gospel it is like something is not registering. 

But when looking at those that are opposed like another man I'm talking to then the words are much stronger and clear in people's disdain. Jesus is clearing speaking of a difference - believers and those of the World. That is another tough concept to the non-Christian who I think somewhat believe at the end of the day everyone will end up in the same place. And it is interesting that the Bible so clearly talks about two different type of people - followers/believers/disciples and then the World. The fact that there is opposition to the church and the gospel is clear and evident. There is no intention for all to be accepted by God and we see this portrayed as well. 

Also, the word "if" is used often, not previously but here. "If the world hates you" or "If you were of the world" or "If they persecuted me" or "If they kept My word." The "if" is not a definite situation but a possibility. Suppose this happens. And maybe the "if" refers to the fact that not all will experience this because not all will know Jesus the way He intended. 

Verse 19, 20, 21 continues the same information stated a little differently regarding disciples not being greater than their teacher, the Messiah. We are not of the world, but if we subscribe to the world and its ways, they will love us. But we are not of the world or we are not to be of the world.  Verse 20 mentions that a slave or servant is not greater than its master simple means that the disciple can expect the same treatment that Jesus receives. And all things will be done to the disciples for the sake of Jesus. 

Summary: Like Jesus, the disciples will be persecuted and hated by the world, but this hate is first directed at Jesus. 

Promise: The world cannot help but hate us, because those who are in rebellion against God hate everything that is not also in rebellion against Him. 

Prayer: God, you bore the punishment for me and have saved me from eternal separation from you. You are all I need in my life ultimately. Keep reminding me of this. I thank you for the community of the church that provides me encouragement amidst the tough times in our world. Help me to have the negative words towards me bounce off and yet I do know they are rejecting You first, but this still remains hard to accept. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:14-17 - Friends of the Savior

John 15:14-17

14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another. 

Message: Friends of the Savior

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus continues this long discourse with his disciples. I am taking these words slow, breaking them apart, and yet this is a discourse that is not lasting long in time, though Jesus is speaking a lot. A lot of what I have read and see in these words are words of comfort and encouragement that Jesus is sharing with His disciples. But there are also words of responsibilities we have as believers and followers. 

I use the devotional Tabletalk, a ministry of Ligonier, to guide me through these lessons. It is interesting because I have seen recently in the lessons that speak of commands and appear to give these conditional statements like today in verse 14, "If you do what I command you" and verse 7, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you" and verse 4-6, "Abide in Me, and I in you" to bear fruit or Jesus will cast us out -- as those conditional statements are made, Tabletalk makes a point to say - now don't think these statements are conditional. I don't necessarily disagree with this, though I find it interesting that these statements must be made because it tells me there is potential for misunderstanding. 

And yet on a high level, Jesus is communicating a responsibility that believers have living in Christ. There is a responsibility they have with themselves towards Christ, with how they relate to others, and even the world at large which I will get to later. 

In this passage, Jesus says we are His friends, but says we are to do what He commands as He has previously mentioned the importance of keeping His commandments (v.10) and that the commandment is to love one another (v.12).  We are friends, not slaves any longer. And Jesus speaks of the special-ness or the intimacy that we now have with Him as His friends knowing what He is doing. Jesus receives from the Father and has shared with us. We are close to Him. 

Then in verse 16 and 17 is another summary that Jesus gives and these words do make us think those previous words that appear to be conditional are not. He says, "I chose you." We did not choose Him. This is correct. He called the disciples, the followers of Him and they responded, but Jesus did the choosing. And with that choosing is a task to go and bear fruit. I've been remembering the words of God in Genesis 1:28 when God says to Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." God created and God called. He says He chose us to bear fruit. That we are to ask of Him so that He will provide. He wants to provide. Again He says, "Love one another." Here it is again - (1) Believe, (2) Ask, (3) Obey, (4) The Helper helps and maybe I could add to love one another but I think that is part of obedience. 

Summary: We are Jesus' friend, no longer slaves. He chose us to bear fruit, and we can ask Him in His name and He will give it. We are to love one another. 

Promise: Though we are friends with Jesus, we still receive commands from Him that we are to obey. 

Prayer: Lord, you have called me your friend, choosing me, being transparent with me by telling me what You have done and done for me and will do. Thank you God for your honesty toward me and helping me throughout my days and my life. You keep me close to You always. Give me that strength to love one another and encourage them always to live for You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:12-13 - Christian Love Defined

John 15:12-13

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 

Message: Christian Love Defined

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I think the word 'commandment' is an interesting one. It showed up I believe for the first time in John 12:49-50, "the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, what to speak, and I know that His commandment is eternal life." Commandment is singular but refers to the Father speaking to Jesus. Then in 13:34 once Jesus mentions He will be going to a new place (glorified from verse 32) is "A new commandment I give you to you, that you love one another." In many ways up to this point John has really emphasized eternal life in his gospel. But here shifts to our relationship with others. 

Then in 14:21 commandments is plural and so more encompassing, "He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me." Commandments is more comprehensive now and is speaking to all the different ways we show love for God and others. 15:10, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love." Commandment keeping moves from loving to abiding. 

And now in verse 12, the singular commandment is mentioned again, repeating the same idea from John 13:34 and only in verse 13 now is the elevation of this love when Jesus says it is more than loving, but to "lay down his life for his friends." 

I think only Jesus has laid down his life for all of his friends, but people still have done this. I think of a secret service agent taking a bullet for the president or not even a secret service agent, but perhaps someone else doing this, like a husband for his wife. When we see this in a movie, it is an incredible act of sacrifice. This was Jesus' purpose in going to the cross - to lay down his life so that other could live. The gospels showed the principle, but the cross made it permanent for all. I just don't think any other faith systems makes this prominent in their doctrines - the need to love others. 

But laying down my life can simply be done in laying down what is important to me in order to serve others. Like visiting people that need a word of encouragement, discipling someone, serving my dad or family member or wife or children. Many times coming home from work I didn't do this and was caught up in myself with my kids, not playing ball, not talking to them, not sitting alongside them to get to know their world - I regret those times because they are gone, but I can keep trying today and even today it requires sacrifice. 

Summary: Christ-like love is passed on from Him to us to us to others and as He would lay down His life for all of us, I can practice the same sort of sacrifice though in different ways toward others. 

Promise: Whatever our station in life, we should look for ways to spend our lives for the sake of others. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for challenging us in this way to love others. I thank you for the emphasis this has been in my life. I love others and yet I struggle with this at times in not seeing something in others I want to see - often selfless work or sacrifice for me. Help me to love others in a real way and not look for something in return. You paid the ultimate sacrifice for me in dying for me on the cross, shedding your blood for me. Help me to be more giving toward others. I thank you for John and what he emphasizes to us and the joy of reading and studying Your word. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:9-11 - Abiding in the Love of Christ

John 15:9-11

9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full. 

Message: Abiding in the Love of Christ

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Verse 9 is a command by Jesus to "abide in My love." This reminds of the traditional wedding vows people will take - "I [Name] take you [Name] to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow." A no-matter-what promise is made. 

Jesus shows a relationship between 'keeping commandments' and 'abiding in His love. 'If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love' --  This is a natural part of the Christian's life, to follow in the commands, whatever they may be. In abiding, there is fruit (v.4), there is asking Him to do anything and He will do it (v. 7).  He continues to clarify that abiding in Him results in keeping commandments. It is all linked together. 

Yesterday, I focused on the Father being glorified. As I have seen in John He continues to mirror Christ with God the Father showing that all that Jesus has done is because of the Father. They are united in their mission, but the mission also seems to come from the Father. Here Jesus shows how he has kept His father's commandments and in turn will abide in His Father's love -- just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905) stated, "Because the Son loved the Father, therefore He kept His commandments, and in this love He abode in the Father’s love. Because we love God we necessarily keep His commandments, and in this love is the receptive power which constitutes abiding in the divine love." We love, we keep commands, we abide. Love produces a desire to keep commandments and this is turn shows us abiding in Him. And this was no different for Jesus toward the Father. 

Jesus concludes these verses - I think possibly all going back to verse 1 of chapter 15 or maybe even verse 23 of chapter 14 - confirming that the words He has spoken and given are for our comfort - more specifically that His Joy, Jesus' joy, may be in us -- and that this joy will be full - "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be made full." I think Jesus is continuing to give His disciples comfort upon telling them that He is leaving to be glorified (13:31). 

Summary: We love Jesus, we keep His commandments and we abide in His love, just like he showed in His relationship with God the Father. 

Promise: Abide in Love and our joy will be made full. 

Prayer: O God, you are great in mercy and You bestow on me the ability to love. And I do love your and what you have done for me in saving me. I live now my life to glorify You, living by being obedient to Your commands and thank you for abiding in me as I abide in You. Keep me anchored in You in this way always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 15:8 - Proving Our Discipleship for God's Glory

John 15:8

By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 

Message: Proving Our Discipleship for God's Glory

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: What is the purpose of all things? That the Father be glorified. I think this is hard for us to reconcile and accept at times. I was speaking to someone recently that said God couldn't be a part of our lives today because we are suffering so much. The focus from this person is on us, and how we are doing, not on the Father and Him being glorified. But that seems to be what is most important for most of us humans - taking care of ourselves. It is normal I suppose, but Jesus reminds us in this statement today that "By this is My Father glorified." All that he has been speaking about with Him being the vine, the Father pruning, abiding in Jesus, Jesus in us, the Father in us, to bear fruit, to be obedient, to receive what we ask, to have the Holy Spirit help - it is really all for the Father to be glorified. What is most important to Him. That is the key. And I don't think we understand this because we naturally think it is all about us and we are trained in this sort of thinking everyday. 

In addition to God being glorified, He is glorified when we bear much fruit. God does desire outcomes and fruit. He does want to be known everywhere. He gets glory as I bear fruit. All the good that I can do - in being obedient, in asking Him by praying, in believing - it is all fruit and all for His glory -- "that you bear much fruit." 

And in this process of our lives bearing fruit and the Father being glorified, we show that we are Jesus' disciples. I mean, God sent Jesus to this earth to provide salvation for all, to be the true vine (v. 1). Why? For His glory, for people to know Jesus as being sent, to have eternal life in Him - and so we are therefore His disciples. We are His followers doing His business. 

The reality is I am trained in this world to be all about Me. God wants to train me that it is all about Him. And that in all I do, He also wants me to know that He is wanting to work through me. This is why He sends His Spirit - to help me and work in me. I have what I need always in Him. How I need to figure this out more. 

Summary: Our purpose on earth is to be called Jesus' disciples, bearing fruit, and all for one purpose - the Glory of God. 

Promise: We do not do good works merely to do good works, our good works have as their end goal the glory of our Creator.  

Prayer: Thank you for helping me see yesterday that through the walk of my life, I am to turn to You. I am to seek You and seek Your help in my life. Even in my walk sometimes Lord, I think I do it by my own strength, but You are in me, giving me strength. Help me to help others see that it is about You. That all in life is for Your Glory. Yes, you have saved me and provided for me, but take the focus off of me. Place it on you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 15:7 - How We Bear Fruit

John 15:7

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. 

Message: How We Bear Fruit

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: As I look in my Bible, verses 1-11 in my Open Bible outline this section as "The Relationship of Believers to Christ." Verse 4 seems to be a key verse -- "Abide in Me, and I in you." Jesus states He is the true vine. Looking at other verses like Hosea 10:1 gave the idea that Israel is a vine. But maybe not this vine context? Not sure. But, it does seem like Jesus is fulfilling something now in the vine that Israel did not - being salvation to all. 

But moving from that is the "branches" that come forth from the vine and the need for them to bear fruit. In Chapter 14 I saw Jesus leaving and the disciples concerned over this, but Jesus giving them the promise that he would always be with his people and would send His Spirit to help. The key idea was believing in Jesus. Words of abiding did show up. Jesus speaks because of the Father abiding in Him (v. 10). In Jesus works result (v. 11) and by believing the Christian also does works (v. 12). We pray (v. 13) and we are obedient to God's commands (v. 15) and the Helper is with you and Jesus says is abiding with us (v. 17). Jesus abides with us (v. 25). 

Interesting verses as they speak of the special and abiding relationship the Father has with Jesus and Jesus has with us: his followers that believe in Him. 

Much of the Gospel John I believe has centered on gaining eternal life. But Jesus is now mentioning fruit as well and receiving what we ask. Jesus seems to be repeating ideas using slightly different language. By abiding with Jesus our prayers for God to work in fruitful ways naturally results. The Father was abiding with Jesus and good works resulted so it seems reasonable to see the same thing in our lives. It seems these are simply overarching commands with significant results. 

I am not yet describing those results though. At the moment, I am staring at the theory of it all. And the promise. 

Summary: As the Father was abiding in Jesus and Jesus did good works, the same thing occurs for us as we abide in Jesus and He in us and good works will done as we ask for them to be done. 

Promise: We pray according to His will. 

Prayer: Lord God, you want to do great things through me and I am saying thank you. Keep me close to You, trusting in You throughout my days, abiding with you, obeying You. Teach me all that this means, not only with the words I say, but the words I think. Be at the center of my life. Help me to have joy and be happy. I want to be more like You, doing things the right way. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 15:6 - Burning Branches

John 15:6

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

Message: Burning Branches

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: That lesson yesterday was interesting and the idea that I looked at later that Jesus is the true vine of Israel and the branches are now us, His followers. He starts to shift His focus to abiding in Him and the importance of this. Verse 3 I looked at yesterday, "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you" is an interesting verse I didn't comment on. Looking at the commentators, I saw this from theologian Matthew Poole (1624-1679):

Now that the traitor is gone out from you, ye are all clean; not by any works which you do, much less upon the account of any legal and ceremonial rites and purifyings; but through my word, your believing and obeying, Ephesians 5:26 1 Peter 1:22. Our cleansing is in holy writ attributed sometimes to the blood of Christ, sometimes to the Spirit, sometimes to the word. By the blood of Christ we are made clean as to justification, washed; but yet we had need wash our feet, contracting soil every day in a sinful world, from which we are cleansed by the purifying virtue of the Holy Spirit, working by and together with the word, which purgeth us of our dross, and maketh us obedient to the will of God.

What an interesting take on this, The words spoken to the disciples and speaking to their state of being clean, purified. They are clean because of the Word spoken by Jesus. The blood justifies us, but still in our daily life we are cleansed by the Holy Spirit working with the Word of God to make us obedient to the will of God. It is only the blood that justifies us and makes us clean. 

But now here in verse 6 seems to be a further explanation possibly of verse 2, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away." That verse spoke of bearing fruit and in verse 6 Jesus mentions, "not abiding in Me." Abiding to me is simply the conclusion now of every believer once justified by faith. Abiding starts with faith and then continues with praying, obedience with the Holy Spirit as our purifying agent in the world to make us obedient to the will of God. To me, the Christian without works is a dead faith. I don't think this means though works justify us, but the works are a result of our salvation and the true Christian does work. 

As I was speaking to my wife we were thinking of a friend recently that has cut herself off from any interaction with her parents because of years of being offended by them, of feeling oppressed and in response she has purged these people from her life. But those people are believers in Christ. She has simply decided that their presence in her life is against her nature. It seems odd. I mean it is one thing for the Christian to want to not embrace the cares of the World, but to take this position toward people of faith. The question arose of whether she is a Christian and if she ever was if she can take this continual position of not having love for her neighbor, her provider, her father/mother. It has created now an animosity and a tit-for-tat by her sister and family. Now, I don't believe that is right either. I think the parent and sister must continue to display themselves as wanting the relationship and opening their arms back up to her the moment she comes back. It is simply sad to see this stubbornness that is present. 

I mention this in wonder of this idea of abiding and what it looks like in the life of a Christian and how it needs to look and display itself. As people of faith, we need to have a desire to be purified completely by God's word, not simply in part. And yet the way this friend is displaying herself is similar to the dogmatic view that many of faith hold in regards to their own understanding of scripture and fettering out all others that do not hold to the same conviction. 

My point is the point that I think is addressed in this scripture and it is one whereby the Christian is always and constantly seeking for ways to better conform themselves to the way of Christ. We want to be people that bear fruit and so we need to constantly make sure our lives our working in this direction. 

As learned previously, sometimes people are simply wanting to be acknowledged as a member of the visible church, the church that they believe they should be rather than surrendering themselves completely to God and His word and be a member of God's invisible church. We are not simply to be counted as accepting by a person, but counted as being accepted by God. 

I have a person that has been asking me a question recently of whether him committing suicide will result in God banishing him to hell. He is looking for my opinion and I want him to look to God for His opinion, not mine. Let God define this in His life, not me. 

Summary: In abiding, we need to be people that our lives look like our faith. In trusting in Christ, abiding in Him is a life of living, asking God to prune, so that our lives are marked by fruit. 

Promise: Professing Christians who are not bearing fruit, even meager fruit, have no warrant to believe they are actually saved. 

Prayer: O God, you are good. You are glory and you are perfect and you are my ideal. You have chosen Me for some reason I do not know, but I do know as I surrender to You and yield my life to You, good things happen and You do indeed bear fruit in my life. It is not because of me, but because of You in me. I am marveled by this. It is easy for me to think that I am the one that is doing the great work, but let me keep the glory on You. And I pray that I continually have this desire to bear fruit. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 15:1-5 - Vine and Branches

John 15:1-5

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Message: Vine and Branches

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Now to start chapter 15, I immediately notice that Jesus continually mentions the Father as He also mentions Himself. He speaks to a Jewish audience and he seems purposely in His statements to link Himself with the Father. 

While Jesus mentions Himself as the Vine, he states that the Father is the vinedresser or the one who prunes, tends, or cultivates grapevines. He remarks that the branch that does not bear fruit gets taken away. But the branch that bears fruit gets pruned in order to bear more fruit. Hmm. Seem harsh. No fruit, no branch. But the pruning seems reasonable. Fruit is good, but more fruit if better. 

Verse 3 states that you are clean because of the Word. Interesting verse. And so Jesus gives the command in verse 4 to "Abide in Me, and I in you." Branches can only bear fruit when they are with the vine. But not simply with the vine, but abiding with the Vine (verse 4). The conclusion comes in verse 5 - "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

I should focus on what I know in these verses and that is the command to "Abide in Jesus." And I am given that promise when I do that Jesus is in Me. In my previous lesson from the end of chapter 13 through chapter 14 I saw these ideas still of Believe, Pray, Obey, Help. And so beyond the Comfort of chapter 14 of the assurance that we have help, that God is providing us Help with the Holy Spirit is now my understanding that I follow through in staying close to Jesus, abiding in Him and as this process continues, good things will result. 

Going back now to the vine, the significance of Jesus as the vine is that He is the instrument now through which all people will be saved. Originally, it was Israel that was the vine. 

Psalms 80:8, "You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it." 

Jeremiah 2:21, "Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?" 

Hosea 10:1-2, "1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars."

With Jesus calling Himself the vine, He is now carrying out the work Israel was supposed to do in sharing the message of salvation with all. But, I don't think Israel failed, it is simply that Jesus has always been the complete fulfillment of all that God will accomplish for people. The goal remains to bear fruit and for God to see His people be with him. God loves people. God wants people to be with Him for all eternity. He loves us and wants us. But there are also rules and standards. There is a mission and a process and we must adhere to His plan. And not ignore Him or run off and invent our own plan. Jesus says He is it. So we must remain with Him, abiding in Him. 

Verse 2 - He took away Israel's way and Jesus is the true Israel. Jesus is it now. Jesus has always been it, but really Jesus is clearly God's means for people to bear fruit and live lives of fruit. 

Abiding in trusting and being close to Jesus. Fruit is really more salvation than obedience, but simply our need to be with Jesus -trusting in Jesus. Jesus continues to give comfort and direction to the disciples, reminding them that He is the answer now and forever more.  

Summary: Jesus confirms that He is the true vine of Israel to bear the fruit of salvation now to all. Our response is to trust in Him (abide). 

Promise: Jesus is the true vine, but this vine has branches, and we who love and serve Christ are those branches.

Prayer: Thank you God for the great gift of Your Word and sealing Yourself with me and being the answer. You love people God and want to be with people always and you will always do whatever is necessary to yield the fruit of followers and people to be with You. I trust in You God. I abide in You. Thank you for the full life I have in You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

TABLETALK - August 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 
• February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation
• March 2018 (August 13, 2023 - September 30, 2023) John 4:1 - 5:29 - Christ is the incarnate Son of God
• April 2018 (October 1, 2023 - November 6, 2023) John 5:30 - John 7:36 - Jesus is as necessary to our souls as food is to our body; Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths
• May 2018 (November 7, 2023 - December 22, 2023) John 7:37 - John 9:41 - Jesus experiences opposition and there is a sin-motivated resistance people have toward being enslaved to sin.
• June 2018 (December 23, 2023 - January 21, 2024) John 10:1 - 11:57 - Jesus as our shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep, but some won't hear Him. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in order to impact the faith of the disciples. 
• July 2018 (January 22, 2024 - March 14, 2024) John 12:1 - 13:20 - Jesus as Savior and Judge; salvation comes to Jesus' disciples and the judgment comes to all who reject Him. 
• August 2018 (March 15, 2024 - April 12, 2024) John 13:21 - John 14:31 - Warnings Jesus gave on the night of the Last Supper and the blessed promise of the Holy Spirit. 

Chapter 13 (continued)

The Betrayal of Christ (John 13:21-30) - Jesus identifies the one who will betray Him, though the disciples don't understand the significance of this at the time. 

The Glorification of the Son of Man (John 13:31-33) - History to date culminates in Jesus being glorified when the Son of Man fulfills His mission for mankind with God receiving Glory and Jesus returning to the Father in Heaven. 

A New Commandment from Christ (John 13:34-35) - Jesus tells us to love one another as He has loved us so that all will know that we are His disciples. 

Peter's Overconfidence (John 13:36-38) - Simon wants to follow Jesus and go where He goes when He is glorified, but Jesus lets him know that He will come later, but first Peter will deny Jesus 3 times. 

Chapter 14

A Place Prepared for us (John 14:1-3) - Jesus to Peter and disciples promises that though He is leaving, He is preparing a place for them and He will return and they will be where He is going. 

The Only Way to the Father (John 14:4-6) - Like Peter, Thomas does not know where Jesus is going when He says is going away, but Jesus confirms He is the only way to the Father. 

The Father Revealed in the Son (John 14:7-10) - Jesus continues to try to help his disciples understand completely Himself, namely that seeing Jesus is seeing Father and that the Father is in Him. 

The Works We Will Do (John 14:11-14) - Jesus tells his disciples once again the importance of believing in Him and through His words He brings them comfort, letting them know he will work as they ask Him.  

Showing Our Love for Christ (John 14:15) - Christ gives us a simple admonition to show our love for Him by being obedient to His commandments. 

The Promise of Another Helper (John 14:16-17) - Jesus is leaving, but He is sending to those who believe in Him a Helper and this Helper will always be with those that believe in Jesus. 

The Coming of Jesus (John 14:18-20) - Jesus continues to comfort His disciples promising that He will come again. He lives and we will live and like He is in the Father, we will always be in Christ. 

The Indwelling of the Father and the Son (John 14:21-24) - Disciples are to love Jesus and in the process, Jesus will disclose Himself to us, the Father and the Son, growing in closeness to God. 

Our Teacher the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26) - Jesus reminds His disciples He abides with them and the Holy Spirit will be out teacher, reminding us always of Jesus' promises to us. 

Peace from Jesus (John 14:27-28) - Jesus leaves his disciples with His peace, asking them also to rejoice because Jesus goes to the Father. They are to have no trouble or fear. 

Sovereign over Satan (John 14:29-31) - Jesus comforts His disciples, assuring them of His ongoing commitment to them and His decree to die for man, once for all. The ruler of the world is coming, but God's purposes are still clear.

Various Scriptures - The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is one person of the Trinity, empowering us for ministry, equipping us but also working in us to create works of beauty. We are given courage by the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit changes hearts towards redemption as the Father draws. Upon conversion, we never lack the Holy Spirit, but as New Testament believers we not only are regenerated but we are progressing in holiness, sanctified by the Spirit. 

The Great Shepherd - Characteristics of a shepherd: guardian, protector, gentle, strong, tender and courageous, caring and fierce. They can also be skilled hunters and warriors. Jesus in John 10:14 says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me."  This reading reminds me of ways the shepherd protects His flock. A sling was used by David to stop predators at a distance, but a rod was also used to throw at close predators or even the sheep. The staff could pull them away from a rock or thickets. As such discipline may be necessary. We may need to be corrected. Sheep will wander and the Shepherd brings them back. The shepherd is our protector. 

The Psalm of David the Shepherd - David began as a shepherd, but then became king over Israel, his new flock, despite being the youngest of his brothers. As one of the oldest occupations, shepherd is a metaphor often for leading people. God is called a shepherd and elements of a shepherds life are attributed to God's activity. His life as a shepherd impacted his ongoing life, such as leading people, and depending on God when he fought Goliath. A shepherd is constantly caring for a flock, watching, but also caring for needy sheep, and the environment. As a shepherd he was responsible for providing sheep with water, often not easy to come by, and food, locating grass for them. They kept their flocks together, guiding them without the use of fences. He would protect them from predators as well, also gathering them as they would flee to hills or mountains to avoid prey. Thus, there was a close bond between shepherd and sheep, sheep learning to trust and listen to his voice, and his leading. As Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want - As a boy, seeing the book of David as shepherd, painted as the model child, was not what the author represented. And yet a boy did not write Psalm 23, as the words of this Psalm represent a well-tested believer. Psalm 23:1 echoes words from Genesis 48:15-16 when Jacob blessed Joseph and his two sons, "The God who has been my shepherd all my life." God pursued Jacob, like a shepherd pursuing sheep. And the words of 'not lacking' or 'shall not want' are present elsewhere in Scripture, like Deut. 2:7 Moses said, "These 40 years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing."  The Father provides for all of our needs. And Jesus would give everything one day for His sheep so that we have everything we need, lacking nothing ("I shall not want"). 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters - Shepherd is a metaphor for kingship in the ancient Near East. Getting to green pastures or grass was an often dry (needing water) and difficult terrain to cross. But getting there is a glorious ending after a hard trek. And the Shepherd makes the sheep lie down, providing their refuge. The ultimate place of rest for God's people is with God, is being in Christ. In God, in Christ, we have really everything we need. 

He restores my soul - In Ezekiel 34, the Lord condemns the shepherds of Israel for not bringing back sheep that have strayed (v.4). It is the task of the shepherd to bring them back. We were dead in our trespasses and sins and He brought us back. He turns our mourning into dancing. He restores the individual, but he restores also the entire flock. It takes time. He restores us and we can restore the soul of others. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake - We rest in green pastures, but then we keep walking. In Luke 15:5 Jesus speaks of a shepherd rescuing a lone sheep and carrying it home. Jesus is intent on leading us away from evil, out of peril, into safe paths. God never gives up and He is always pursuing. I do not boast (Romans 3:27) as every act of salvation is His doing, but I still walk in the path of righteousness. He leads. I walk. And I remain on the path. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me - The journey to the Promised Land is fraught with dangers and perils, thus we need a Shepherd. The Shepherd-Ruler tradition goes as bar back as written history. Like Hammurabi (1750 BC) called himself the Shepherd. God himself speaks of this in Hosea 4:16. The valleys have been applications - chronic physical and mental anguish and disease, economic hardship, worry and anxiety about loved ones, enemies, betrayal and loss - and we have the comfort that God is with us, with me. 

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me - The rod and staff is what the shepherd use to govern his flock. The rod warded off predators; the staff was a tool to hook onto the sheep to bring them back. Christ watches over us. Jesus has compassion on His people as they were sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34), possibly thinking of Zechariah 11:10 and the termination of a previous covenant. The Word is our light (Ps. 119:105) and the Spirit is with us, we have leaders (pastors) speaking truth and helping guide us - all instruments (rod/staff) that God uses to comfort us. 

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies - Now we have the best for the end. David's enemies are observers at the feast. Often in our world, the Christian thinks God has forgotten him, like suffering and bad times are winning. Sheep receive their reward while enemies are cast out into darkness, but here are watching. Jesus has promised us to welcome us into His kingdom on the last day, to feast, but not alone but with everyone else He has gathered. The enemies can only watch. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows - David at times has to treat diseases in his flock. We have been purchased and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The 2nd time a lamb wanders away the shepherd breaks one of its legs and the lamb would be carried. The lamb was hurt but for the benefit of the lamb, to stay close. Oil smooths troubled water and nourishes. Despite all that Christ suffering on the cross, His cup was overflowing and He had unshaken peace. May oil always bring us peace. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - The goodness and mercy of God are following his children every step of life. 'Surely' means there is no doubt of this. God is perfectly good in His character and flawlessly good in all His actions. His mercy is His unconditional love. Goodness and Mercy are constantly following us. There will not be a single day that He is not close to us. We go astray but He is always near. We can never escape His love. 

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever - Psalm 26:8, "O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells." God's house is the journey's end. But the Shepherd is our host taking care of us. And we will be in a place more glorious than Eden. 

Blessings of Repentance - Repentance is changing our minds about sin and turning our lives back to God, through faith in Jesus Christ. We turn and are confident in Christ because of faith. Jesus' perfect life and sacrificial death reconciles us to God. Our Father loves us. The Holy Spirit makes our hearts new. We have faith, we have repentance. The blood wipes our sin as far as east from the west and we are free. After faith when we sin, we confess, not to restore our righteous status for that cannot be changed, but it removes the stain on our spirit. We are refreshed. 

Where Do You Find Your Identity - Author mentions that in Luke 16 Jesus talks of a rich man and Lazarus and how the rich man's name is not identified. Lazarus carried to Abraham's side (in heaven); rich man to Hades. Doesn't mean that rich men go to Hades as Jesus mentions what is impossible with man is possible with God. In Germany, author notices that many in the community where he started a church, people identity themselves based upon their wealth. With wealth they are good; when things go sour there isn't much to the person. Perhaps this is why Jesus doesn't mention the man's name in Luke because wealth is all the person is. But our identity should be first in Christ, anything else and we are utterly forsaken. Trusting in Jesus is eternal, an idol temporary satisfaction. We are complete by God's grace, as children of God. 

The Theater of Glory - The fingerprints of God are everywhere. God gave us brilliant colors and stunning variety in creation, from the Milky Way to the millipede. May it ignite our hearts with worship. 

Scars of Sanctification - Scars are often with us for life. Something that happens at a young age can remain with us for life. They remind us of healing that has occurred. And yet scars often bring pain as some always hurt. They give us lessons. In heaven, our scars will be gone (Eph. 5:27). The only scars in heaven are Christ's. 

Becoming What We Behold - Each Christian longs to be more like Christ, to constantly be different and this is prompted by the Holy Spirit, who gives new birth (John 3:5-8) and fills us to walk not by the flesh but by the Spirit. We become like Jesus as we worship Jesus. Genesis 1:27 shows us that we are designed to be His image bearers, reflecting either our Creator or something else in creation. In the OT, God's people turn to idols -- Israel bows down to the golden calf, elsewhere they go after false idols. Whatever we worship will reap ugly vices in our lives. So we need to be conformed to the image of Christ. Submit to the Spirit and allow Him to speak to you through His word. How to worship: 1. Contemplate/Meditate - ponder His goodness; think on the Lord; read His word thoughtfully. 2. Praise/thanksgiving/singing - Sing and make melody to the Lord, lightening the heart and engaging the body. 3. Obedience/action/service - find tangible expressions in works of merciful neighbor-love. Be empowered by the Spirit and become like Him. 

New Covenant Worship: Lift Up Your Hearts - In corporate worship, believers are united with God in heaven (Heb. 12:22). "Sursum Corda" is a liturgical assertion that God, by His Word and Spirit, lifts the hearts of believers into His heavenly presence. But this presence is not gained by our performance of communion, but rather by God dwelling with us, by the sending of His Spirit. Worship is a union the believer has with the presence in Christ. Jesus offers Himself and we draw near to God. In Hebrews, we learn that Mount Sinai was a temporary place of worship and the tabernacle a shadow of things eternal. Mount Zion is a better covenant with permanent promises (8:6). We don't need to go to a specific place to worship because we are in His presence now. But still in both covenants is our need to offer acceptable worship. So let us set our hearts on things above (Col. 3:2) and prioritize our meeting together (Heb. 10:25). We are redeemed to proclaim God both now and forever (I Peter 2:4-5, 9-10). 

Why We Don't Share the Gospel - No one loves rejection, but maybe it is not bad as we think. Two primary fears for not sharing Christ with others: (1) Fear of rejection - The gospel is offensive to many people. But we can learn during times of rejection and it can help us grow. It is part of the path of following Christ. The reality is when we talk to others about Jesus, we don't know where the conversation will go and we have to trust the Holy Spirit. So we need to replace our fear of rejection of people with a proper fear of God. (2) Fear of failure - We are called to be faithful, not win every task. Even when people do not come to faith, we please our Father. The gospel, not our answers, is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). 

Finding a Pastor - 1. Prepare. 2. Agree. 3. Lead. 4. Search. 5. Propose. 6. Preach, pray, and talk. 7. Recommend. 8. Consider. 9. Vote. 10. Welcome. 11. Encourage.