READ JOHN 14:8-21
In the previous verses Jesus gave a promise that He will return. In these verses Jesus is give us two more promises:
Promise of answered prayer: Ask in Jesus name and it will be done. It is by the authority of Jesus that our prayers are listened to and answered. Jesus takes our prayers and presents them to the Father. (See also John 15:16)
Promise of a helper: I will not leave you orphans, but give you a helper, the Spirit of Truth. One who will abide with us and be in us.
Why can Jesus make these promises? Because He is one with the Father. He is the evidence that God exists and if you, Philip, do not believe my words than believe my works. But what is more amazing: His works will increase:
1) He will represent us before the Father with our prayers.
2) He will help us keep His commandments through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
3) He will bring all of us, chosen in Him, into eternal life.
4) He discloses Himself to us and those whom He loves will be loved by the Father as His own possession.
THANK YOU MOST GRACIOUS AND LOVING FATHER FOR YOUR SON, WHO IS ONE WITH YOU AND CAN BE FULLY TRUSTED, LOVED AND BELIEVED. HIS WORKS ARE MARVELOUS! AMEN
Monday, February 18, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
JESUS, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE
READ JOHN 14:1-1-7
1-7) Jesus continues His discourse with His disciples in this chapter. His emphasis here: don't be troubled, don't worry, don't be scared, don't lose heart! BELIEVE IN THE GOD AND IN ME! You have a place in heaven, a place that I am preparing for you and I will return to receive you to Myself. What good news and encouraging words!
Jesus Himself is going to prepare that place for us. What is about to take place on the cross is just a beginning to the wonderful resurrection when Jesus returns to the Father and believers, through Him, are able to enter into the very abode of God. In the Old Testament, God dwelt among His people in the tabernacle or temple, but only the High Priest one day a year could enter into the very presence of God, the Holy of Holies. Now through Jesus we can not only enter into the very presence of God, but abide, make it our home. The old way was good and a shadow of what was to come, but the new way is much better.
The best news is that He is coming again. Right now we spiritually abide in Christ and God, but there will come a time when we will also physically abide in the presence of Jesus and the Heavenly Father. Best of all it is forever!
Where is the evidence, you may ask as Thomas did? Look at Me, Thomas, I am the Way the Truth and the Life. I am the evidence!
FATHER, IT IS BECAUSE OF JESUS THAT WE CAN HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY. HELP US KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED UPON HIM, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH. AMEN
1-7) Jesus continues His discourse with His disciples in this chapter. His emphasis here: don't be troubled, don't worry, don't be scared, don't lose heart! BELIEVE IN THE GOD AND IN ME! You have a place in heaven, a place that I am preparing for you and I will return to receive you to Myself. What good news and encouraging words!
Jesus Himself is going to prepare that place for us. What is about to take place on the cross is just a beginning to the wonderful resurrection when Jesus returns to the Father and believers, through Him, are able to enter into the very abode of God. In the Old Testament, God dwelt among His people in the tabernacle or temple, but only the High Priest one day a year could enter into the very presence of God, the Holy of Holies. Now through Jesus we can not only enter into the very presence of God, but abide, make it our home. The old way was good and a shadow of what was to come, but the new way is much better.
The best news is that He is coming again. Right now we spiritually abide in Christ and God, but there will come a time when we will also physically abide in the presence of Jesus and the Heavenly Father. Best of all it is forever!
Where is the evidence, you may ask as Thomas did? Look at Me, Thomas, I am the Way the Truth and the Life. I am the evidence!
FATHER, IT IS BECAUSE OF JESUS THAT WE CAN HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY. HELP US KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED UPON HIM, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH. AMEN
Friday, January 25, 2008
WHAT I LEARNED FROM CHAPTER 13
TIME OF REFLECTION:
The Book of John gives us a portrait of Jesus as God/Diety. In Chapter 13 this theme is very important to notice.
For it is only God:
1) Who can serve with a pure motive. (Washing the disciples feet)
2) Who knows the heart and mind of man. (the purpose and plan of Judas)
3) Who has authority over Satan's plan. (v27-31)
4) Who institutes the New Commandment, which is a new aspect of the Old Commandment (see Lev. 19:18) (v33-34)
5) Who knows the future. (Peter is told that he would deny Jesus)
6) Who is love and through Him we can love others. (washing another's feet and loving one another)
WHAT DID YOU REFLECT ON THIS CHAPTER? FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO REDEEM FOR YOURSELF A PEOPLE. AMEN
The Book of John gives us a portrait of Jesus as God/Diety. In Chapter 13 this theme is very important to notice.
For it is only God:
1) Who can serve with a pure motive. (Washing the disciples feet)
2) Who knows the heart and mind of man. (the purpose and plan of Judas)
3) Who has authority over Satan's plan. (v27-31)
4) Who institutes the New Commandment, which is a new aspect of the Old Commandment (see Lev. 19:18) (v33-34)
5) Who knows the future. (Peter is told that he would deny Jesus)
6) Who is love and through Him we can love others. (washing another's feet and loving one another)
WHAT DID YOU REFLECT ON THIS CHAPTER? FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO REDEEM FOR YOURSELF A PEOPLE. AMEN
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
THE LAST SUPPER
READ JOHN 13:21-38
21-30) The time has come for the last supper with the disciples. He has washed their feet, is now sending Judas on his way to do his evil deed, and has come to the greatest work for which Jesus has been called to do. Judas is here signaled out as the betrayer by our Lord, yet the disciples seem ignorant of what was happening. It isn't until the crucifixion that the full realization of Judas' act penetrates their minds.
31-38) In His death the Father will be glorified (v31). In the resurrection and exaltation the Father will glorify Christ and make valid all His claims. In verse 33Jesus addresses the disciples as little children, not to belittle them, but to show the intimate kindness and love that He has for them. How do we continue to show that love now? Verse 35, by loving one another! Our mutual love would be the strongest possible argument for the Christian faith.
FATHER, HELP US TO LOVE WHEN IT IS HARD TO LOVE. LOVE THROUGH US. AMEN
21-30) The time has come for the last supper with the disciples. He has washed their feet, is now sending Judas on his way to do his evil deed, and has come to the greatest work for which Jesus has been called to do. Judas is here signaled out as the betrayer by our Lord, yet the disciples seem ignorant of what was happening. It isn't until the crucifixion that the full realization of Judas' act penetrates their minds.
31-38) In His death the Father will be glorified (v31). In the resurrection and exaltation the Father will glorify Christ and make valid all His claims. In verse 33Jesus addresses the disciples as little children, not to belittle them, but to show the intimate kindness and love that He has for them. How do we continue to show that love now? Verse 35, by loving one another! Our mutual love would be the strongest possible argument for the Christian faith.
FATHER, HELP US TO LOVE WHEN IT IS HARD TO LOVE. LOVE THROUGH US. AMEN
Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
SERVANTHOOD
READ JOHN 13:1-20
Here is a picture of the Hands of God reaching down and washing the dirty feet of the disciples. There are two Greek Words for washing, 1) nipto which donates "washing of the feet and hands," 2)louo which denotes a "complete washing." "In speaking to Peter, Jesus used both nipto and louo to convey these two different kinds of washings. The two washings, one initial and the other continual, are very important to the Christian life...According to customs of those times, once a person had "bathed" his body, he needed only to "wash" his feet before partaking of a meal. Jesus was going around to all the disciples washing their feet until Peter protested. In His response to Peter, Jesus appropriately used both words, in order to advance a precious truth; as he who has been "bathed" needs only to "wash" his feet daily, so he who has been "bathed" by the Lord, needs only to "wash" himself day by day from the filth and defilement which he accumulates by his contact with the world. All the disciples except Judas, the betrayer, had been cleansed by Jesus. This cleansing probably indicates the washing of regeneration through Jesus' Spirit and word (John 15:3; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:25-26). All true believers have received the same cleansing." (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words.) He who is greatest among you will be willing to serve others in the same manner as Jesus did. This calls for discipling and point others to Jesus who "washes away" the defilement of the world they live in, whether it be the complete washing through salvation or through daily washing as a believer.
What is the key to Servanthood? HUMILITY - willing to humble yourself and obey God.
1) A true servant does not wait to be asked - there is a sensitivity to the needs of others and volunters to serve.
2) A true servant does not critize others for not serving.
3) A true servant serves without expectation of a blessing in return - content with the joy of giving.
4) A true servant learns to receive as well as give.
5) A true servant IS willing to serve those who will reject them. (See Col. 3:22-24)
6) A true servant lets the Lord choose who is to be served.
FATHER THANK YOU THAT WE CAN SERVE OTHERS, BECAUSE YOU SERVE US! AMEN
Here is a picture of the Hands of God reaching down and washing the dirty feet of the disciples. There are two Greek Words for washing, 1) nipto which donates "washing of the feet and hands," 2)louo which denotes a "complete washing." "In speaking to Peter, Jesus used both nipto and louo to convey these two different kinds of washings. The two washings, one initial and the other continual, are very important to the Christian life...According to customs of those times, once a person had "bathed" his body, he needed only to "wash" his feet before partaking of a meal. Jesus was going around to all the disciples washing their feet until Peter protested. In His response to Peter, Jesus appropriately used both words, in order to advance a precious truth; as he who has been "bathed" needs only to "wash" his feet daily, so he who has been "bathed" by the Lord, needs only to "wash" himself day by day from the filth and defilement which he accumulates by his contact with the world. All the disciples except Judas, the betrayer, had been cleansed by Jesus. This cleansing probably indicates the washing of regeneration through Jesus' Spirit and word (John 15:3; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:25-26). All true believers have received the same cleansing." (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words.) He who is greatest among you will be willing to serve others in the same manner as Jesus did. This calls for discipling and point others to Jesus who "washes away" the defilement of the world they live in, whether it be the complete washing through salvation or through daily washing as a believer.
What is the key to Servanthood? HUMILITY - willing to humble yourself and obey God.
1) A true servant does not wait to be asked - there is a sensitivity to the needs of others and volunters to serve.
2) A true servant does not critize others for not serving.
3) A true servant serves without expectation of a blessing in return - content with the joy of giving.
4) A true servant learns to receive as well as give.
5) A true servant IS willing to serve those who will reject them. (See Col. 3:22-24)
6) A true servant lets the Lord choose who is to be served.
FATHER THANK YOU THAT WE CAN SERVE OTHERS, BECAUSE YOU SERVE US! AMEN
Monday, November 26, 2007
WHY DID THEY NOT BELIEVE HIM?
READ JOHN 12:37-50
37-43) Quote from Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah 53 is a prophecy about Jesus and His death on the cross. John was reminding the readers of what had been prophesied and yet the Jews did not listen or believe; a fulfillment of prophecy. The second quote, Isaiah 6:10, is the vision Isaiah had of God on His throne. Isaiah heard the call of God, but Isaiah was to realize that the people would not listen and will refuse to see. For this cause, because they have refused to believe the Old Testament, they are also now doomed not to believe in Jesus. v. 41 gives a look into some who did believe, but kept it to themselves in fear of the rulers of their day. Why? Because they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
44-50) HEAR JESUS CRY! BELIEVE IN ME! The Jews did not believe the fathers and the prophets and now they were gulty of not believing Jesus. The cause and effect here is if you reject Him, you will be judged. The very Word that they refused to believe well be there judge on the last day. Jesus spoke with authority: He was given commandment of what to speak and the commandment is eternal life, therefore He spoke just as God had commanded Him.
FATHER, MAY WE HEAR YOUR WORDS AND DRAW THEM TO OUR HEARTS IN BELIEF. HELP US TO HERE THE CRY OF JESUS TO BELIEVE UPON HIM FOR ETERMAL LIFE. AMEN.
37-43) Quote from Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah 53 is a prophecy about Jesus and His death on the cross. John was reminding the readers of what had been prophesied and yet the Jews did not listen or believe; a fulfillment of prophecy. The second quote, Isaiah 6:10, is the vision Isaiah had of God on His throne. Isaiah heard the call of God, but Isaiah was to realize that the people would not listen and will refuse to see. For this cause, because they have refused to believe the Old Testament, they are also now doomed not to believe in Jesus. v. 41 gives a look into some who did believe, but kept it to themselves in fear of the rulers of their day. Why? Because they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
44-50) HEAR JESUS CRY! BELIEVE IN ME! The Jews did not believe the fathers and the prophets and now they were gulty of not believing Jesus. The cause and effect here is if you reject Him, you will be judged. The very Word that they refused to believe well be there judge on the last day. Jesus spoke with authority: He was given commandment of what to speak and the commandment is eternal life, therefore He spoke just as God had commanded Him.
FATHER, MAY WE HEAR YOUR WORDS AND DRAW THEM TO OUR HEARTS IN BELIEF. HELP US TO HERE THE CRY OF JESUS TO BELIEVE UPON HIM FOR ETERMAL LIFE. AMEN.
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