To access the JOHN 14:15-17 PODCAST, click here
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ~ John 14:15-17
In v.15, we discover the logic of love, and, it is irresistible. If I love God, I will obey Him. Obeying God is smart. The alternative is not too smart. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 6, the alternative, feeding the flesh, brings with it corruption and death.
In addition, obeying God without loving God results in joyless legalism. Work minus the engagement of our hearts magnifies our will power not God's worth. If we try to do things for God without delighting in Him, we bring dishonor upon God.
The Lord Jesus is not saying that love and keeping God's commands are the same thing. Some say that keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus is the definition of loving Him. But consider a similar sentence: "If you take this medicine, you will get well." Is taking the medicine the same as getting well? No. Getting well is one thing and taking the medicine is another thing. The one leads to the other, and in fact brings about the other. Loving Him brings about obeying His commandments.
In our text, the Lord Jesus introduces "another advocate" who will "help you and be with you forever." According to v.16, the Holy Spirit is "another" separate Person to the Lord Jesus. Here is a clear reference to the mystery of the Trinity; three persons in one, Father, Son and Spirit, all distinct, separate one from another, yet forming One.
The Greek work translated "advocate" is parakletos, which literally means, "One called alongside." The reason for one being called alongside is to give aid and help. So its literal meaning is, "one called alongside you to give aid to help."
The word in Greek contains a heavy emphasis on judicial advocacy, as in a court. You have someone who is there to argue on your behalf. This is why, in many places, and many Bibles, the term parakletos is translated as "Advocate." If you have an advocate in court, it is someone who speaks for you in the trial. We know them just as lawyers these days. But, that is what an advocate is—one who speaks in your place for you, on your behalf, for your defense.
Whereas the Lord Jesus had been with the disciples physically for three plus years, the Holy Spirit, now, will abide in the believer, forever. In Hebrews 13:5, we read, "'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The strongest negative in the Greek language is used meaning here, "I will never, under any circumstances, ever leave you nor forsake you." The believer who has been "born again" can never lose his right standing before God because God has made him holy through His abiding presence in his life.
The Lord Jesus, in v.17, refers to the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of Truth." This means we can trust Him, and He will not contradict God's word. He will never tell us to do something which is not consistent with His written word.
In addition, according to v.17, the Lord informs us, "The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him." The Holy Spirit is only accessible to those who have entered into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. This explains why there are times when we find ourselves wondering to ourselves why people do not recognize God's involvement in this world. "Many will say to Him in that day, 'Lord.' And He will say to them, 'I never knew you.'" Notice He doesn't;t say, "you never knew me."
In addition, according to v.17, the Lord Jesus discloses the Holy Spirit will be a resource that is available within the believer. "You know him," He says, "for he lives with you and will be in you." Old Testament believers had the Spirit dwell "with" them but not "in" them. When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost He came to dwell in the believer and we do not find that relationship in the Old Testament. And, "He will never leave us nor forsake us."
Friday, December 13, 2019
Thursday, December 12, 2019
John 14:11-14
To access the JOHN 14:11-14 PODCAST, click here
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. ~ John 14:11-14
The Lord Jesus was not only having to convince the religious leaders of His identity, He also is having to still convince His disciples. This opens a can of reality we know to exist in our souls. We, at varying times, struggle with believing in the Lord Jesus. This life of faith in the Lord Jesus is hard.
Part of the reason living by faith in the God of the Bible is so difficult is this: doubt is involved. We think doubt is our enemy, yet it is the shadow cast by faith. Where there is certainty there is no room for faith. The flip side of this is: uncertainty welcomes faith. I have discovered even failure has been known to be an important ingredient in the growth of our faith in Him.
As we jump back into John 14, the disciples are now struggling with their faith and their future. On the heals of this, in v.12 we have the greatest promise the Lord Jesus ever made. "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Literally, the Lord Jesus says, "Whoever is believing in me." To a group of men who had left everything to follow Him, He says these words.
"Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." In the book of Acts these words were literally fulfilled: Peter and John healed a man who was lame from birth: Peter raised Dorcas from the dead; Paul delivered people from demonic oppression and healed the sick. Even the very shadow of Peter walking through the streets healed people.
But he goes on to a second promise, "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." No one can perform greater miracles than the miracles the Lord Jesus performed. What could be greater than raising a man who had been dead four days, healing someone who had been ill for 38 years, or restoring instant sight to blind eyes? So, when the Lord Jesus speaks of "greater things" He meant "greater" in a spiritual dimension.
Through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, our works of love and our message of life will aid people in believing in the risen Son of God. The impact of eternity is much greater than the impact of the temporal. This will be greater than the Lord Jesus’ earthly miracles because this is what He came to accomplish by His death, burial and resurrection.
On the day of Pentecost, forty days after the Lord Jesus said the words, Peter preached and 3,000 became followers of the Lord Jesus, in one day. That never happened during Jesus' ministry. This was the "greater things" that the Lord Jesus promised in today's text.
At the end of v.12, the Lord Jesus says, "because I am going to the Father. " After He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell His followers. You and I are benefactors of this great phenomena, and it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who works these greater things.
In v.13 the Lord Jesus connects all of this to prayer. When we pray in His name, when we ask in concert with God's will, what the Father wants, the Lord Jesus says, "I will do it." Twice He says this. Whatever you ask. "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."
Some time ago, I was having breakfast with a guy who considered himself an Atheist. As the conversation moved along, I felt more and more like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. We came to a point when my friend made an excellent point, and I quickly asked the Lord to give me an answer. Just then an answer came to my mind and I shared it with my friend. Months later, my friend told me the answer I gave him was the turning point in his life of faith.
By the way, you're probably wondering what the answer from the Lord that I gave my friend. The answer was, "what is love?" My friend answered, "it's a chemical reaction in the brain." I said, "seriously, it's a chemical reaction in the brain?" I then told him, "there must be an ultimate source for love, and I believe that the ultimate source for love is God."
The promise in v.13-14 is to all believers. There is no exclusion here if you are a Christian. It is not only for pastors, mature Christians, or highly spiritual Christians, or missionaries, or elders, or evangelists, or highly gifted Christians. No, “whoever believes in me.” Will you enter into the realm that matters for eternity in the lives of people who are not yet ready to spend eternity in heaven?
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. ~ John 14:11-14
The Lord Jesus was not only having to convince the religious leaders of His identity, He also is having to still convince His disciples. This opens a can of reality we know to exist in our souls. We, at varying times, struggle with believing in the Lord Jesus. This life of faith in the Lord Jesus is hard.
Part of the reason living by faith in the God of the Bible is so difficult is this: doubt is involved. We think doubt is our enemy, yet it is the shadow cast by faith. Where there is certainty there is no room for faith. The flip side of this is: uncertainty welcomes faith. I have discovered even failure has been known to be an important ingredient in the growth of our faith in Him.
As we jump back into John 14, the disciples are now struggling with their faith and their future. On the heals of this, in v.12 we have the greatest promise the Lord Jesus ever made. "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Literally, the Lord Jesus says, "Whoever is believing in me." To a group of men who had left everything to follow Him, He says these words.
"Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." In the book of Acts these words were literally fulfilled: Peter and John healed a man who was lame from birth: Peter raised Dorcas from the dead; Paul delivered people from demonic oppression and healed the sick. Even the very shadow of Peter walking through the streets healed people.
But he goes on to a second promise, "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." No one can perform greater miracles than the miracles the Lord Jesus performed. What could be greater than raising a man who had been dead four days, healing someone who had been ill for 38 years, or restoring instant sight to blind eyes? So, when the Lord Jesus speaks of "greater things" He meant "greater" in a spiritual dimension.
Through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, our works of love and our message of life will aid people in believing in the risen Son of God. The impact of eternity is much greater than the impact of the temporal. This will be greater than the Lord Jesus’ earthly miracles because this is what He came to accomplish by His death, burial and resurrection.
On the day of Pentecost, forty days after the Lord Jesus said the words, Peter preached and 3,000 became followers of the Lord Jesus, in one day. That never happened during Jesus' ministry. This was the "greater things" that the Lord Jesus promised in today's text.
At the end of v.12, the Lord Jesus says, "because I am going to the Father. " After He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell His followers. You and I are benefactors of this great phenomena, and it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who works these greater things.
In v.13 the Lord Jesus connects all of this to prayer. When we pray in His name, when we ask in concert with God's will, what the Father wants, the Lord Jesus says, "I will do it." Twice He says this. Whatever you ask. "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."
Some time ago, I was having breakfast with a guy who considered himself an Atheist. As the conversation moved along, I felt more and more like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. We came to a point when my friend made an excellent point, and I quickly asked the Lord to give me an answer. Just then an answer came to my mind and I shared it with my friend. Months later, my friend told me the answer I gave him was the turning point in his life of faith.
By the way, you're probably wondering what the answer from the Lord that I gave my friend. The answer was, "what is love?" My friend answered, "it's a chemical reaction in the brain." I said, "seriously, it's a chemical reaction in the brain?" I then told him, "there must be an ultimate source for love, and I believe that the ultimate source for love is God."
The promise in v.13-14 is to all believers. There is no exclusion here if you are a Christian. It is not only for pastors, mature Christians, or highly spiritual Christians, or missionaries, or elders, or evangelists, or highly gifted Christians. No, “whoever believes in me.” Will you enter into the realm that matters for eternity in the lives of people who are not yet ready to spend eternity in heaven?
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
John 14:5-10
Click here for the JOHN 14:5-10 PODCAST
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ~ John 14:5-10
The disciple commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" enters the discussion. A better name for him would be, "Honest Thomas." He is as authentic as they come. He is the type of guy who would not pull the wool over anyone's eyes. From this oft questioned man, we learn a valuable lesson: the greatest heights of despair is not being who you actually are.
Thomas honestly makes it known to the Lord Jesus that he is not getting what He is saying. In response, the Lord Jesus replies with the greatest revelation that we are given in the Gospel of John. It is found in v.6, where we read, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." Unlike all of the other "leaders" of "religions" He did not say, "I will show you the way." No, He said, "I am the way."
In v.7, we read, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.." Thomas did not realized that one knows the Father by knowing the Lord Jesus. As the Lord Jesus points out in v.7 "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well." The Lord Jesus, with these words, encourages Thomas, he does not discourage his honest seeking.
In v.8 Philip interrupts the Lord Jesus by saying, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Philip was not known for being verbose, he hardly ever said anything. His request echoes the cry for God in every human heart, yet it shows that Philip was not satisfied with what he saw in the Lord Jesus, nor with what He had received in Him.
Like Philip, we are not convinced Jesus is enough sometimes. This is the crux of all of my problems. Granted, it is hard to trust someone you have never shaken hands with, but there is a deeper level we often miss. And, this is the point behind spirituality ... learning to believe without seeing.
We often see life situations with “unsaved” instead of “saved” eyes! There are many situations in life that we are like Phillip and can only see the “impossibility of the situation.” For most of us the natural laws of this world are so firmly implanted in our minds that we can’t see the truth that God’s providence has no boundaries and, as such, through His power we can do anything He asks of us!
In v.9, the Lord Jesus responds by saying, "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" Of course, the Lord Jesus knew the answer before Philip verbalized it. He asks Philip the question to get Philip to probe deeper. This is the Lord Jesus fueling the desire of this brother.
In addition, the Lord Jesus points out here that He has been with all of them for a long time. It has been about three years since He first began His public ministry and began to call them to follow Him. The correction here is for Philip who has not yet understood what Jesus had taught about the relationship He had with the Father.
Notice the Lord Jesus twice says, "I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me." The Lord Jesus addresses Philip directly that He is in the Father and that the Father is in Him. From this point on the Lord Jesus expands to address all of the disciples and not just Philip. Here He asserts that what He has said to them has not come from Himself, but rather from the Father who abides in Him and who does His work through Jesus.
In v.10, we read, "The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work." The very words the Lord Jesus had been speaking to His disciples supports what He has been saying about the oneness that He enjoyed with His Father. This oneness translated into the bowing of His will to the Father, as indicated in this verse. And, like us, when good comes through us, it is the performance of the Lord Himself. This is the key to seeing His kingdom: oneness resulting from an intimacy produced through the bowing of our will to Him.
Note that the word "know" is used through today's text. In fact six times. When Thomas uses know in v.5, he uses the Greek word oida which is the greek for seeing and recognizing something or someone. The Lord Jesus uses the Greek word gnosko which is experiential knowledge, a knowledge involving the heart. With oida, we see then we believe. With gnosko, we believe then we see.
Subtly, the Lord Jesus is taking these disciples deeper into their experience with Him, and what they will see, is He will be closer to them when He is gone from their presence. The shaken of the heart is necessary for this. Through the Holy Spirit, we discover He is closer. Learning to practice His presence in this way is critical for our intimacy with Him.
A quote from Mike Yaconelli will suffice as I close: "It's not about perfection; it's about our intimacy with God, or our connection, our relationship with God. Once we get through that, once we realize that we can be imperfect, flawed, broken; those kinds of things are the ingredients of spirituality."
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ~ John 14:5-10
The disciple commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" enters the discussion. A better name for him would be, "Honest Thomas." He is as authentic as they come. He is the type of guy who would not pull the wool over anyone's eyes. From this oft questioned man, we learn a valuable lesson: the greatest heights of despair is not being who you actually are.
Thomas honestly makes it known to the Lord Jesus that he is not getting what He is saying. In response, the Lord Jesus replies with the greatest revelation that we are given in the Gospel of John. It is found in v.6, where we read, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." Unlike all of the other "leaders" of "religions" He did not say, "I will show you the way." No, He said, "I am the way."
In v.7, we read, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.." Thomas did not realized that one knows the Father by knowing the Lord Jesus. As the Lord Jesus points out in v.7 "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well." The Lord Jesus, with these words, encourages Thomas, he does not discourage his honest seeking.
In v.8 Philip interrupts the Lord Jesus by saying, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Philip was not known for being verbose, he hardly ever said anything. His request echoes the cry for God in every human heart, yet it shows that Philip was not satisfied with what he saw in the Lord Jesus, nor with what He had received in Him.
Like Philip, we are not convinced Jesus is enough sometimes. This is the crux of all of my problems. Granted, it is hard to trust someone you have never shaken hands with, but there is a deeper level we often miss. And, this is the point behind spirituality ... learning to believe without seeing.
We often see life situations with “unsaved” instead of “saved” eyes! There are many situations in life that we are like Phillip and can only see the “impossibility of the situation.” For most of us the natural laws of this world are so firmly implanted in our minds that we can’t see the truth that God’s providence has no boundaries and, as such, through His power we can do anything He asks of us!
In v.9, the Lord Jesus responds by saying, "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" Of course, the Lord Jesus knew the answer before Philip verbalized it. He asks Philip the question to get Philip to probe deeper. This is the Lord Jesus fueling the desire of this brother.
In addition, the Lord Jesus points out here that He has been with all of them for a long time. It has been about three years since He first began His public ministry and began to call them to follow Him. The correction here is for Philip who has not yet understood what Jesus had taught about the relationship He had with the Father.
Notice the Lord Jesus twice says, "I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me." The Lord Jesus addresses Philip directly that He is in the Father and that the Father is in Him. From this point on the Lord Jesus expands to address all of the disciples and not just Philip. Here He asserts that what He has said to them has not come from Himself, but rather from the Father who abides in Him and who does His work through Jesus.
In v.10, we read, "The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work." The very words the Lord Jesus had been speaking to His disciples supports what He has been saying about the oneness that He enjoyed with His Father. This oneness translated into the bowing of His will to the Father, as indicated in this verse. And, like us, when good comes through us, it is the performance of the Lord Himself. This is the key to seeing His kingdom: oneness resulting from an intimacy produced through the bowing of our will to Him.
Note that the word "know" is used through today's text. In fact six times. When Thomas uses know in v.5, he uses the Greek word oida which is the greek for seeing and recognizing something or someone. The Lord Jesus uses the Greek word gnosko which is experiential knowledge, a knowledge involving the heart. With oida, we see then we believe. With gnosko, we believe then we see.
Subtly, the Lord Jesus is taking these disciples deeper into their experience with Him, and what they will see, is He will be closer to them when He is gone from their presence. The shaken of the heart is necessary for this. Through the Holy Spirit, we discover He is closer. Learning to practice His presence in this way is critical for our intimacy with Him.
A quote from Mike Yaconelli will suffice as I close: "It's not about perfection; it's about our intimacy with God, or our connection, our relationship with God. Once we get through that, once we realize that we can be imperfect, flawed, broken; those kinds of things are the ingredients of spirituality."
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
John 14:1-4
For the JOHN 14:1-4 PODCAST, click here
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” ~ John 14:1-4
The Apostle Peter vowed to love Jesus to death, and the Lord Jesus knew that Peter would fail at his attempt. As a result, Peter learned that with God, failure isn't the opposite of success.
Aware that the religious community wanted to kill the Lord Jesus, the disciples were troubled. This is why the Lord Jesus says in v.1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
The disciples were confused and discouraged by the sudden exodus of Judas. More than that, they were petrified of losing the Lord Jesus.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled." These words were not just for the first disciples, there are meant for you and me. There are times when the Lord's will includes some scary moments for us. It is during these times that our faith is shaken, which is a good thing, because this is part of the process of the development of our heart's ability to see and trust God.
On the heels of such, our vision of the Lord is honed and developed. And, as a result, we discover that we can trust in the darkest of moments in a God who is true to His promises. We discover that we have no need to fear, for the Lord will deliver us from all that frightens us. Think of it, what option do we have but to trust Him.
We are told that the number one mental disorder for women and the number two for men in the U.S. is linked to anxiety. Some say the United States is now the most anxious nation in the world. Stress-related ailments are at an all time high. Yet, there is a positive side to this reality.
When fear has gripped us, we are in the position to turn to the Lord Jesus, much as it did these early disciples. They had left all to follow the Lord Jesus, and now, it looks pretty disheartening. The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. They say, "Ninety percent of life is how we respond to the ten percent that happens to us." The trials are inevitable, but we do not have to be shackled by them. Trials are the green lights of life which God allows or causes to get us to run to Him. The question is, "Do we run to Him and do we stay with Him?" One day, we will be relieved of this choice.
In John 14:1, the Lord Jesus places Himself on an equal plane with our Father in heaven. And, in v.2, He begins to reveal to His disciples the things that had been kept secret since the foundation of the world. The Lord Jesus is saying, "I have come to correct the erroneous concepts, the false thinking that have held you hostage. There are many rooms in my Father's house and they are being built for you."
The word in Greek for "rooms" appears but twice in the New Testament, here and in v.23, where we read, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." Each room will be the dwelling place of God.
Yeah, I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that, too. He is saying, "we will never be alone, and that which we have frantically been trying to find to satisfy us all of our lives, His presence, will be with us for eternity." God desires to be our dwelling place. And, one day, will come this reality. On that day, there will be no separation. And, our anxieties will puff into inexistence.
In v.3, we read, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." The Lord Jesus is comforting these, His first followers, knowing that He is about to die. His death will not be the end, just the beginning, because He did return and He will forever indwell His followers through the work of His Holy Spirit.
Finally, in v.4, the Lord Jesus says, "You know the way to the place where I am going." In our text today, we have seen contrasted what we once thought was the way: Our good efforts earning God's favor. Good luck with that! As this passage so subtly shows, the way is the Lord Jesus, Himself. It is by His life, death, burial, and resurrection that we are made right before our all righteous God. The Lord Jesus is our way to God.
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” ~ John 14:1-4
The Apostle Peter vowed to love Jesus to death, and the Lord Jesus knew that Peter would fail at his attempt. As a result, Peter learned that with God, failure isn't the opposite of success.
Aware that the religious community wanted to kill the Lord Jesus, the disciples were troubled. This is why the Lord Jesus says in v.1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
The disciples were confused and discouraged by the sudden exodus of Judas. More than that, they were petrified of losing the Lord Jesus.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled." These words were not just for the first disciples, there are meant for you and me. There are times when the Lord's will includes some scary moments for us. It is during these times that our faith is shaken, which is a good thing, because this is part of the process of the development of our heart's ability to see and trust God.
On the heels of such, our vision of the Lord is honed and developed. And, as a result, we discover that we can trust in the darkest of moments in a God who is true to His promises. We discover that we have no need to fear, for the Lord will deliver us from all that frightens us. Think of it, what option do we have but to trust Him.
We are told that the number one mental disorder for women and the number two for men in the U.S. is linked to anxiety. Some say the United States is now the most anxious nation in the world. Stress-related ailments are at an all time high. Yet, there is a positive side to this reality.
When fear has gripped us, we are in the position to turn to the Lord Jesus, much as it did these early disciples. They had left all to follow the Lord Jesus, and now, it looks pretty disheartening. The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. They say, "Ninety percent of life is how we respond to the ten percent that happens to us." The trials are inevitable, but we do not have to be shackled by them. Trials are the green lights of life which God allows or causes to get us to run to Him. The question is, "Do we run to Him and do we stay with Him?" One day, we will be relieved of this choice.
In John 14:1, the Lord Jesus places Himself on an equal plane with our Father in heaven. And, in v.2, He begins to reveal to His disciples the things that had been kept secret since the foundation of the world. The Lord Jesus is saying, "I have come to correct the erroneous concepts, the false thinking that have held you hostage. There are many rooms in my Father's house and they are being built for you."
The word in Greek for "rooms" appears but twice in the New Testament, here and in v.23, where we read, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." Each room will be the dwelling place of God.
Yeah, I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that, too. He is saying, "we will never be alone, and that which we have frantically been trying to find to satisfy us all of our lives, His presence, will be with us for eternity." God desires to be our dwelling place. And, one day, will come this reality. On that day, there will be no separation. And, our anxieties will puff into inexistence.
In v.3, we read, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." The Lord Jesus is comforting these, His first followers, knowing that He is about to die. His death will not be the end, just the beginning, because He did return and He will forever indwell His followers through the work of His Holy Spirit.
Finally, in v.4, the Lord Jesus says, "You know the way to the place where I am going." In our text today, we have seen contrasted what we once thought was the way: Our good efforts earning God's favor. Good luck with that! As this passage so subtly shows, the way is the Lord Jesus, Himself. It is by His life, death, burial, and resurrection that we are made right before our all righteous God. The Lord Jesus is our way to God.
Monday, December 09, 2019
John 13:31-38
Click here for the John 13:31-38 PODCAST
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! ~ John 13:31-38
And now, in v.31, we read some of the most important words ever spoken: "Now the Son of Man is glorified." The Lord Jesus did not say this until Judas had decided to betray Him. How painful that must have been, to have a friend betray Him with a kiss. Further, in v.32, the Lord Jesus says "God is glorified in him" which is a reference to the fact that Judas' rejection of Him would begin the process ending at the cross.
In v.33, the Lord Jesus addresses the remaining eleven disciples by a new name: "My children." It was traditional then for the father to act as the host for the family and invite the children to ask questions that revealed the meaning of what was going on during the Passover meal. The youngest child was the one who began by asking, "What do these things mean?" and the father explained. This is what the Lord Jesus is doing here. He is the head of the family and the disciples are the children.
Then, in v.33, we read, "Where I am going, you can not come." Within twelve hours He will be hanging on a cross. Less than twenty hours from this He will be dead in the grave. This, then, is a time for some last instructions.
The disciples could not follow Jesus that night because they were unable to die for the forgiveness of mankind's sins. Only the Lord Jesus could do that. Jesus is telling us that we cannot glorify God by paying the penalty for anyone’s sin. No one gets to heaven by assisting the Lord Jesus in any way or by imitating Him. We only go to heaven through the Lord Jesus performance on our behalf. Our eternity is solely dependent on His death, burial and resurrection.
In v.34-35, He says, 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The Greek word used for "love" is agape. This is commitment love, the type of love which causes us to lay down our lives for another. Everyone has always agreed that this is exactly what we need to do to solve mankind's problems.
It is most difficult to love unlovely people. "As I have loved you," the Lord Jesus says in v.34. As in many places in Scripture, the word "as" here can better be translated "since": "Since I have loved you in order that you might love one another." His love for us, first and foremost, must define us. As a result, we discover that when His love defines us, we are positioned to feel loved. Then, we are stimulated by His love to be others minded. Essentially, in that context, He enables us to love others, despite our inefficient ability to love others.
His love is without respect of persons, and He loves unconditionally. His love chooses to love the unlovely, the rejected, the difficult to love. His love loves us who are unlovely, rejected, and difficult to love. It is those who learn to enjoy and be defined by His love are the ones who are able to pass it on to others regardless of whether they respond in kind or not.
In v.36-38, there is an exchange between Peter and the Lord Jesus. Peter's words prove that he thought he was thoroughly committed to the Lord Jesus. Peter believed he would lay down his life for the Lord Jesus who knew that Peter would fail miserably. The Lord Jesus knew that Peter was full of brotherly affection for Him, but brotherly affection is not the type of love which causes us to die for the Lord Jesus.
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! ~ John 13:31-38
And now, in v.31, we read some of the most important words ever spoken: "Now the Son of Man is glorified." The Lord Jesus did not say this until Judas had decided to betray Him. How painful that must have been, to have a friend betray Him with a kiss. Further, in v.32, the Lord Jesus says "God is glorified in him" which is a reference to the fact that Judas' rejection of Him would begin the process ending at the cross.
In v.33, the Lord Jesus addresses the remaining eleven disciples by a new name: "My children." It was traditional then for the father to act as the host for the family and invite the children to ask questions that revealed the meaning of what was going on during the Passover meal. The youngest child was the one who began by asking, "What do these things mean?" and the father explained. This is what the Lord Jesus is doing here. He is the head of the family and the disciples are the children.
Then, in v.33, we read, "Where I am going, you can not come." Within twelve hours He will be hanging on a cross. Less than twenty hours from this He will be dead in the grave. This, then, is a time for some last instructions.
The disciples could not follow Jesus that night because they were unable to die for the forgiveness of mankind's sins. Only the Lord Jesus could do that. Jesus is telling us that we cannot glorify God by paying the penalty for anyone’s sin. No one gets to heaven by assisting the Lord Jesus in any way or by imitating Him. We only go to heaven through the Lord Jesus performance on our behalf. Our eternity is solely dependent on His death, burial and resurrection.
In v.34-35, He says, 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The Greek word used for "love" is agape. This is commitment love, the type of love which causes us to lay down our lives for another. Everyone has always agreed that this is exactly what we need to do to solve mankind's problems.
It is most difficult to love unlovely people. "As I have loved you," the Lord Jesus says in v.34. As in many places in Scripture, the word "as" here can better be translated "since": "Since I have loved you in order that you might love one another." His love for us, first and foremost, must define us. As a result, we discover that when His love defines us, we are positioned to feel loved. Then, we are stimulated by His love to be others minded. Essentially, in that context, He enables us to love others, despite our inefficient ability to love others.
His love is without respect of persons, and He loves unconditionally. His love chooses to love the unlovely, the rejected, the difficult to love. His love loves us who are unlovely, rejected, and difficult to love. It is those who learn to enjoy and be defined by His love are the ones who are able to pass it on to others regardless of whether they respond in kind or not.
In v.36-38, there is an exchange between Peter and the Lord Jesus. Peter's words prove that he thought he was thoroughly committed to the Lord Jesus. Peter believed he would lay down his life for the Lord Jesus who knew that Peter would fail miserably. The Lord Jesus knew that Peter was full of brotherly affection for Him, but brotherly affection is not the type of love which causes us to die for the Lord Jesus.
Friday, December 06, 2019
John 13:18-30
To access the John 13:18-30 PODCAST, click here
18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ 19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. ~ John 13:18-30
The Lord Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9, written by David 1,000 years before these events. In doing so, the Lord Jesus is showing He is in control, though for a few hours it will seem that He is not. Psalm 41:9 predicted that one would betray the Messiah. Judas did not have to betray Him. Judas could have turned away from his betrayal. Judas was not forced into being a betrayer. He chose to be the betray by the day-to-day choices which he made.
In v.20, we read, "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." The reason Judas betrayed the One whom he had never believed in and received as Messiah. He had never bowed his will to the Lord, but had pursued his own definition of life, regardless of God's definition of life.
The Lord Jesus was "troubled in spirit." We see His human side through these words. He was troubled because He knew that Judas was about to betray Him. It is comforting to realize that, as a human, the Lord Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us right now.
It was difficult also for the disciples to believe this. The other gospels tell us they began to look at one another and say to the Lord, "Lord, is it I?" This response is one of the greatest signs of spiritual health in us. We are spiritually healthy when we do not point the finger.
This response is a commentary on the fact that we do know ourselves very well. All of us at times have done things that shocked us, things we did not know we were capable of doing, or said things we did not realize we could have said. The disciples feel this. Filled with self-distrust they ask, "Lord, is it I?"
An amazing statement is given to us through Matthew's gospel, and it reveals why Judas was the one who betrayed the Lord Jesus. We read in Matthew 26:25, in response to the Lord Jesus' announcement that one of the disciples would betray Him, "Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Did you catch that? Contrary to the other disciples' response, Judas said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Judas saw the Lord Jesus as his servant rather than seeing himself as the servant of the Lord Jesus.
We find it amazing that after three and a half years of living with the Lord Jesus, Judas came to this conclusion. Of course, Judas probably expected the Lord Jesus to be a political power, and he turned out to be so different. As v.25-26 makes clear, when Jesus identified him, he did so only to John.
In v.26, the Lord Jesus gave the bread to Judas who reclined to the left of the Lord Jesus. The one who reclined to the left of the Lord Jesus had the honored position. One last time the Lord Jesus reached out to Judas. Interestingly, according to v.23, John was reclining on the Lord Jesus right side. Judas reclined away from the Lord Jesus and John reclined toward the Lord Jesus.
John 13:27-30 refers to more than simply the darkness of night. Judas consistently refused the help of the Lord Jesus to choose differently. He consistently refused to surrender his will and let the Lord Jesus into his heart. As a consequence, Judas rendered power over his life to Satan and closed the door to the One who could open his eyes to real reality. When Judas closed the door of his heart to the Lord Jesus, he opened his heart to Satan.
John's gospel began with the words in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Only the Lord Jesus can remove us from the control of the darkness. Only we can keep the seal of darkness upon our hearts. There are two choices: darkness or light, Satan or the Lord Jesus.
18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ 19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. ~ John 13:18-30
The Lord Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9, written by David 1,000 years before these events. In doing so, the Lord Jesus is showing He is in control, though for a few hours it will seem that He is not. Psalm 41:9 predicted that one would betray the Messiah. Judas did not have to betray Him. Judas could have turned away from his betrayal. Judas was not forced into being a betrayer. He chose to be the betray by the day-to-day choices which he made.
In v.20, we read, "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." The reason Judas betrayed the One whom he had never believed in and received as Messiah. He had never bowed his will to the Lord, but had pursued his own definition of life, regardless of God's definition of life.
The Lord Jesus was "troubled in spirit." We see His human side through these words. He was troubled because He knew that Judas was about to betray Him. It is comforting to realize that, as a human, the Lord Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us right now.
It was difficult also for the disciples to believe this. The other gospels tell us they began to look at one another and say to the Lord, "Lord, is it I?" This response is one of the greatest signs of spiritual health in us. We are spiritually healthy when we do not point the finger.
This response is a commentary on the fact that we do know ourselves very well. All of us at times have done things that shocked us, things we did not know we were capable of doing, or said things we did not realize we could have said. The disciples feel this. Filled with self-distrust they ask, "Lord, is it I?"
An amazing statement is given to us through Matthew's gospel, and it reveals why Judas was the one who betrayed the Lord Jesus. We read in Matthew 26:25, in response to the Lord Jesus' announcement that one of the disciples would betray Him, "Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Did you catch that? Contrary to the other disciples' response, Judas said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Judas saw the Lord Jesus as his servant rather than seeing himself as the servant of the Lord Jesus.
We find it amazing that after three and a half years of living with the Lord Jesus, Judas came to this conclusion. Of course, Judas probably expected the Lord Jesus to be a political power, and he turned out to be so different. As v.25-26 makes clear, when Jesus identified him, he did so only to John.
In v.26, the Lord Jesus gave the bread to Judas who reclined to the left of the Lord Jesus. The one who reclined to the left of the Lord Jesus had the honored position. One last time the Lord Jesus reached out to Judas. Interestingly, according to v.23, John was reclining on the Lord Jesus right side. Judas reclined away from the Lord Jesus and John reclined toward the Lord Jesus.
John 13:27-30 refers to more than simply the darkness of night. Judas consistently refused the help of the Lord Jesus to choose differently. He consistently refused to surrender his will and let the Lord Jesus into his heart. As a consequence, Judas rendered power over his life to Satan and closed the door to the One who could open his eyes to real reality. When Judas closed the door of his heart to the Lord Jesus, he opened his heart to Satan.
John's gospel began with the words in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Only the Lord Jesus can remove us from the control of the darkness. Only we can keep the seal of darkness upon our hearts. There are two choices: darkness or light, Satan or the Lord Jesus.
Thursday, December 05, 2019
John 13:12-17
Click here for the John 13:12-17 Podcast
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. ~ John 13:12-17
One of the biggest mistakes we make when reading Scripture is that we read it as spectators. We mistakenly think of the Scripture as a collection of stories and events that took place thousands of years ago. We must view the ancient stories as our stories, because they are our stories. We are in the narrative. We are Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Rebekah, Moses, Isaiah, Ruth, Peter, Paul, and John. The scriptures are our story. To read them as a mere spectator looking on is to miss the point. Scripture is our story. As we read it, we must enter into it.
Their questions are our questions which are fuel to our pursuits and our passions. A fair count of the questions the Lord Jesus used in the Gospels renders at least 100. Questions are most often unwanted. Yet, questions are essential to our walk with the Lord. Questions are designed to make us think and seek.
In today's text, the Lord Jesus asked, "Do you understand what I have done for you?" The Lord Jesus is saying there is more to the washing your feet than you realize. The application of the Lord Jesus previous statement was quite different for each disciple, especially Judas. He was at the crossroads of betraying the Lord Jesus. The washing of the feet of the disciples was a symbol of something far more important, a vital principle in the kingdom of God.
In v.15 we read, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." The word "as" is a translation of the Greek word kathos, which means "according as." If He were establishing footwashing as a pattern of ritual to be practiced in the church, He would have used the Greek word ho, which means "that which." Then He would have been saying, "I have given you an example that you should do what I have done to you."
He is not saying "Do the same thing I have done"; He is saying, "Behave in the same manner as I have behaved." The example we are to follow is not the washing of feet, it is His humility. The humility of the Lord Jesus is the real lesson in this passage.
The result of that kind of humility is always loving service—doing the humiliating tasks for the glory of Jesus Christ. That demolishes most of the popular ideas of what constitutes spirituality.
In addition, the Lord Jesus was teaching His disciples this principle: "real authority comes from loving service.” A true leader will always be engaged as a servant.
Years ago, when I was teaching Bible to eleventh graders at a local Christian school, I asked the class what a leader was. A young Chinese student who did not talk much in class blew us all away with one simple word. He said, "empathy." I was silenced. Then we had a great discussion about leadership which begins with feeling with those who are following.
Sadly, we live in a culture which is preoccupied with self, which will always prevent us from being others minded. The Lord Jesus taught he who serves wins the hearts of others. They will obey the servant leader, because he loves them and serves them.
Notice what the Lord Jesus said in v.16-17. "16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." The emphasis is on doing. It is not enough to teach it, to hold it as a mental principle, but to do it, to serve.
To be fulfilled and happy, we must develop a servant's heart. This begins with being His servants first, otherwise, we will quickly get exhausted. The Lord Jesus reminds us that "the servant is not greater than his master." The Lord Jesus stepped down from a position of deity to become a man, humbled Himself to be our servant. He is the servant of undeserving sinners. His choice emanated out of His relationship with the Father. So must ours, as well.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. ~ John 13:12-17
One of the biggest mistakes we make when reading Scripture is that we read it as spectators. We mistakenly think of the Scripture as a collection of stories and events that took place thousands of years ago. We must view the ancient stories as our stories, because they are our stories. We are in the narrative. We are Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Rebekah, Moses, Isaiah, Ruth, Peter, Paul, and John. The scriptures are our story. To read them as a mere spectator looking on is to miss the point. Scripture is our story. As we read it, we must enter into it.
Their questions are our questions which are fuel to our pursuits and our passions. A fair count of the questions the Lord Jesus used in the Gospels renders at least 100. Questions are most often unwanted. Yet, questions are essential to our walk with the Lord. Questions are designed to make us think and seek.
In today's text, the Lord Jesus asked, "Do you understand what I have done for you?" The Lord Jesus is saying there is more to the washing your feet than you realize. The application of the Lord Jesus previous statement was quite different for each disciple, especially Judas. He was at the crossroads of betraying the Lord Jesus. The washing of the feet of the disciples was a symbol of something far more important, a vital principle in the kingdom of God.
In v.15 we read, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." The word "as" is a translation of the Greek word kathos, which means "according as." If He were establishing footwashing as a pattern of ritual to be practiced in the church, He would have used the Greek word ho, which means "that which." Then He would have been saying, "I have given you an example that you should do what I have done to you."
He is not saying "Do the same thing I have done"; He is saying, "Behave in the same manner as I have behaved." The example we are to follow is not the washing of feet, it is His humility. The humility of the Lord Jesus is the real lesson in this passage.
The result of that kind of humility is always loving service—doing the humiliating tasks for the glory of Jesus Christ. That demolishes most of the popular ideas of what constitutes spirituality.
In addition, the Lord Jesus was teaching His disciples this principle: "real authority comes from loving service.” A true leader will always be engaged as a servant.
Years ago, when I was teaching Bible to eleventh graders at a local Christian school, I asked the class what a leader was. A young Chinese student who did not talk much in class blew us all away with one simple word. He said, "empathy." I was silenced. Then we had a great discussion about leadership which begins with feeling with those who are following.
Sadly, we live in a culture which is preoccupied with self, which will always prevent us from being others minded. The Lord Jesus taught he who serves wins the hearts of others. They will obey the servant leader, because he loves them and serves them.
Notice what the Lord Jesus said in v.16-17. "16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." The emphasis is on doing. It is not enough to teach it, to hold it as a mental principle, but to do it, to serve.
To be fulfilled and happy, we must develop a servant's heart. This begins with being His servants first, otherwise, we will quickly get exhausted. The Lord Jesus reminds us that "the servant is not greater than his master." The Lord Jesus stepped down from a position of deity to become a man, humbled Himself to be our servant. He is the servant of undeserving sinners. His choice emanated out of His relationship with the Father. So must ours, as well.
Wednesday, December 04, 2019
John 13:6-11
To access the John 13:6-11 PODCAST, click here
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. ~ John 13:6-11
Peter was aghast that Jesus was about to wash his feet, so he tried to prevent Him from doing so. The Lord Jesus doesn't rebuke Peter, rather He gives him a promise: "but later you will understand." This is the adventure of the Christian life. This is what makes it so fascinating. We do not know how the events of this day will impact eternity.
This summer I spoke at a camp in the mountains in North Carolina. Two weeks later I received an online message from a young man who attended that camp. I had no idea that he was contemplating suicide. In his words, "your messages changed my mind." Wow, I had no idea, and I suspect when we get to heaven, we will be amazed of how the Lord used our yielded lives for the good of others.
Peter's reaction to this promise is typical: "You shall never wash my feet!" He's so sure he's right, and so totally unaware of his pride, self-righteousness, and ignorance wrapped up in his response. The response of the Lord Jesus comes with a warning: "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." The Lord Jesus is talking about Peter's progression in his relationship with Him. The Lord Jesus is saying, "your walk with me will be stunted."
In typical fashion, Peter seeks to demonstrate his love for the Lord Jesus. Peter says, "Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Like many Christians Peter did not have good doctrine. He seems to say all the wrong things, yet his heart seemed to always be right. And, the Lord Jesus saw Peter's heart.
In v.10-11, the Lord Jesus responds to Peter again. He says to Peter, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean."
The Lord Jesus brings attention to the fact that people take baths in the morning, and thus were "clean." But as they went about the dusty streets their feet became dirty. This didn't mean they needed another bath, however, they only needed to wash their feet. The Lord Jesus explains to the disciples, "You are clean." They were born again, and that only occurs once.
At the end of v.10, the Lord Jesus brings attention to the fact that Judas was not clean, he was not right with God. But the eleven are clean. They have bathed and they are clean. That is, they are born again. They had believed in the Lord Jesus. Only Judas is excluded. Peter is clean, even though he messes up often.
The first year of my Christian experience, I walked the isle at the end of almost every message that was preached. My Pastor one day said to me, "Bobby, you do not have to come down here every time I preach." To which I responded, "But, Frank, I sinned this week." Afterwards, we had a good discussion and Frank corrected my bad theology.
In 1 John 1:8–9, we read, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is a picture of Peter’s and my mistake. What we failed to realize is, even though we are “completely clean” (John 13:10), that is, even though we were born again, there were sins that needed daily confession but not for forgiveness. These sins were forgiven the moment we became believers in Christ. This daily confession of sin is spiritual foot-washings. The purpose for confession of sin for the Christian is for a clear conscience, that our walk with the Lord would not be impeded by a distracted conscience.
Believers of the Lord Jesus know our true, unshakable standing with God as “completely clean” and we do not claim that we have no sin, but we know how to deal with our ongoing sins. We confess our forgiven sin and we receive daily cleansing of our consciences. We do this for the sake of our fellowship with God which is different than our relationship. Our relationship gets us into heaven, whereas our fellowship gets heaven into us now. When the Lord Jesus offers to wash our feet, we say, "yes," so that our fellowship with God will deepen.
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6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. ~ John 13:6-11
Peter was aghast that Jesus was about to wash his feet, so he tried to prevent Him from doing so. The Lord Jesus doesn't rebuke Peter, rather He gives him a promise: "but later you will understand." This is the adventure of the Christian life. This is what makes it so fascinating. We do not know how the events of this day will impact eternity.
This summer I spoke at a camp in the mountains in North Carolina. Two weeks later I received an online message from a young man who attended that camp. I had no idea that he was contemplating suicide. In his words, "your messages changed my mind." Wow, I had no idea, and I suspect when we get to heaven, we will be amazed of how the Lord used our yielded lives for the good of others.
Peter's reaction to this promise is typical: "You shall never wash my feet!" He's so sure he's right, and so totally unaware of his pride, self-righteousness, and ignorance wrapped up in his response. The response of the Lord Jesus comes with a warning: "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." The Lord Jesus is talking about Peter's progression in his relationship with Him. The Lord Jesus is saying, "your walk with me will be stunted."
In typical fashion, Peter seeks to demonstrate his love for the Lord Jesus. Peter says, "Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Like many Christians Peter did not have good doctrine. He seems to say all the wrong things, yet his heart seemed to always be right. And, the Lord Jesus saw Peter's heart.
In v.10-11, the Lord Jesus responds to Peter again. He says to Peter, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean."
The Lord Jesus brings attention to the fact that people take baths in the morning, and thus were "clean." But as they went about the dusty streets their feet became dirty. This didn't mean they needed another bath, however, they only needed to wash their feet. The Lord Jesus explains to the disciples, "You are clean." They were born again, and that only occurs once.
At the end of v.10, the Lord Jesus brings attention to the fact that Judas was not clean, he was not right with God. But the eleven are clean. They have bathed and they are clean. That is, they are born again. They had believed in the Lord Jesus. Only Judas is excluded. Peter is clean, even though he messes up often.
The first year of my Christian experience, I walked the isle at the end of almost every message that was preached. My Pastor one day said to me, "Bobby, you do not have to come down here every time I preach." To which I responded, "But, Frank, I sinned this week." Afterwards, we had a good discussion and Frank corrected my bad theology.
In 1 John 1:8–9, we read, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is a picture of Peter’s and my mistake. What we failed to realize is, even though we are “completely clean” (John 13:10), that is, even though we were born again, there were sins that needed daily confession but not for forgiveness. These sins were forgiven the moment we became believers in Christ. This daily confession of sin is spiritual foot-washings. The purpose for confession of sin for the Christian is for a clear conscience, that our walk with the Lord would not be impeded by a distracted conscience.
Believers of the Lord Jesus know our true, unshakable standing with God as “completely clean” and we do not claim that we have no sin, but we know how to deal with our ongoing sins. We confess our forgiven sin and we receive daily cleansing of our consciences. We do this for the sake of our fellowship with God which is different than our relationship. Our relationship gets us into heaven, whereas our fellowship gets heaven into us now. When the Lord Jesus offers to wash our feet, we say, "yes," so that our fellowship with God will deepen.
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Tuesday, December 03, 2019
John 13:1-5
To access the John 13:1-5 PODCAST, click here
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ~ John 13:1-5
John's Gospel has two main sections: John 1-12 eternal life is offered, John 13-21 eternal life is explained. The Lord Jesus came to earth as a man in order to deliver eternal life. In John 10:10, we read, "I have come that they might have life. and that they might have it more abundantly."
With the first section of John completed, we turn to the second half. In John 13 the Lord Jesus is in the Upper Room with his disciples. They are there to celebrate the Passover, and the Lord Jesus takes the opportunity to teach His followers about His cross. This would be a different Passover for this Passover was the ultimate Passover, bringing to an end the sacrifice. The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus would be once and for all.
Before doing so, the Lord Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. He knew His cross was imminent. From the beginning of His ministry He knew He was to be the "Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world." He also knew when it would occur. It would occur when the nation was gathered to offer the Passover lamb.
At the end of v.1, we read, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." He dreaded separation from the Father, but, He loved His own. He was separated from the Father so that you and I would not have to be. Within twelve hours from this Upper Room meal, He will be hanging on the cross. He loved us to the end of His life here on earth.
In v.2, we read, "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus." The Lord Jesus was always aware of the powers of darkness. He knew that the devil was positioning Judas to betray Him. And yet, He loved Judas, too.
In v.3, we are reminded of the three identity questions of all of mankind: where did I come from?, where am I going? why am I here? When we know the answers to these three questions, we will be the most secure and potentially selfless people on the planet.
At the beginning of v.3, we read, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power." He knew the sovereignty of His Father. He was not a helpless victim of the scheming of the Jewish leaders and Roman authorities to put Him to death. He knew what He had to do, and He Himself would see that it was carried out.
In the second half of v.3, we read, "He had come from God and was returning to God." He knew exactly who He was. He knew His origin: He was "secure." Throughout this account the Lord Jesus never panicked.
We read in v.4, "so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist." We can only imagine what went through the minds of the disciples as the Lord Jesus assumed the position of the servant of the house. Knowing who He was enabled Him to do this. He lacked nothing, therefore He could embrace humility at its worse.
In v.5, "After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." It is evident the disciples ought to have done this. In those days it was customary for the servant of the house to wash the feet of anyone entering from the dusty roads.
According to Luke 22, the disciples began to argue among themselves who was the greatest. Then, without a word the Lord Jesus arose, took off His outer clothing, and, kneeling in front of each disciple in turn, including Judas, He washed their feet and dried them with a towel. They were shocked, stunned, and embarrassed. They didn't know what to make of this.
Only absolute humility can generate absolute love. Love's nature is to be selfless and giving. Christ's love and His humility are inseparable. He could not have been so consumed with a passion for serving others if He had been primarily concerned with Himself.
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1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ~ John 13:1-5
John's Gospel has two main sections: John 1-12 eternal life is offered, John 13-21 eternal life is explained. The Lord Jesus came to earth as a man in order to deliver eternal life. In John 10:10, we read, "I have come that they might have life. and that they might have it more abundantly."
With the first section of John completed, we turn to the second half. In John 13 the Lord Jesus is in the Upper Room with his disciples. They are there to celebrate the Passover, and the Lord Jesus takes the opportunity to teach His followers about His cross. This would be a different Passover for this Passover was the ultimate Passover, bringing to an end the sacrifice. The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus would be once and for all.
Before doing so, the Lord Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. He knew His cross was imminent. From the beginning of His ministry He knew He was to be the "Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world." He also knew when it would occur. It would occur when the nation was gathered to offer the Passover lamb.
At the end of v.1, we read, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." He dreaded separation from the Father, but, He loved His own. He was separated from the Father so that you and I would not have to be. Within twelve hours from this Upper Room meal, He will be hanging on the cross. He loved us to the end of His life here on earth.
In v.2, we read, "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus." The Lord Jesus was always aware of the powers of darkness. He knew that the devil was positioning Judas to betray Him. And yet, He loved Judas, too.
In v.3, we are reminded of the three identity questions of all of mankind: where did I come from?, where am I going? why am I here? When we know the answers to these three questions, we will be the most secure and potentially selfless people on the planet.
At the beginning of v.3, we read, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power." He knew the sovereignty of His Father. He was not a helpless victim of the scheming of the Jewish leaders and Roman authorities to put Him to death. He knew what He had to do, and He Himself would see that it was carried out.
In the second half of v.3, we read, "He had come from God and was returning to God." He knew exactly who He was. He knew His origin: He was "secure." Throughout this account the Lord Jesus never panicked.
We read in v.4, "so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist." We can only imagine what went through the minds of the disciples as the Lord Jesus assumed the position of the servant of the house. Knowing who He was enabled Him to do this. He lacked nothing, therefore He could embrace humility at its worse.
In v.5, "After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." It is evident the disciples ought to have done this. In those days it was customary for the servant of the house to wash the feet of anyone entering from the dusty roads.
According to Luke 22, the disciples began to argue among themselves who was the greatest. Then, without a word the Lord Jesus arose, took off His outer clothing, and, kneeling in front of each disciple in turn, including Judas, He washed their feet and dried them with a towel. They were shocked, stunned, and embarrassed. They didn't know what to make of this.
Only absolute humility can generate absolute love. Love's nature is to be selfless and giving. Christ's love and His humility are inseparable. He could not have been so consumed with a passion for serving others if He had been primarily concerned with Himself.
To help BYM, click here
Monday, December 02, 2019
John 12:42-50
To access the John 12:42-50 PODCAST, click here
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” ~ John 12:42-50
Many believed in the Lord Jesus but were fearful to let others know of their faith in Him. Their fear was hindered by potential rejection. They valued the itinerary of man more than that of God, thus their faith was not lasting. God gave to all of them what they absolutely needed to believe, yet they chose not to believe. In this way “He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is so central to history that no one can afford to ignore Him. In v.44, John writes, “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” These are the last words the Lord Jesus says before He eats the Last Supper with His disciples.
On many occasions, the Lord Jesus said He and the Father were one. Like a pot of boiling water, the steam is the same as the water in the pot, just different expressions. In order to be our savior, the Lord Jesus must be God, and vice versa. And, if He isn't our Savior, God is not our Father. The Lord Jesus came to reveal things as they really are, real reality. The last reference in this Gospel of the Lord Jesus as the light of the world is found in v.46.
Again, in v.47-48, the Lord Jesus reiterates the fact that He came into the world to save the world, not to condemn it. When we hear His words and ignore them, He does not punish us for that. He gives us the opportunity to hear, again and again, that we might turn to Him. Though judgment does not come immediately, it will come, if we reject His free offer.
God does not condemn us for what we have not heard, but for ignoring what we have heard. The final judge is the word we have heard, the sayings of Jesus we already know. This means that those who are condemned on that day are self-condemned. They will stand silent before the One who will sits on His throne, rendered speechless by their guilty knowledge of truth they have not received and believed.
According to v.49-50 we all have a capacity for faith, we all can believe truth when we hear it and know it to be truth, but unused faith gets weakened. When we insist on some compromise, we cover our eyes and we turn away from His definition of things, our faith clings to another source which does not and will not deliver that life we truly desire.
The reality the Lord Jesus leaves us with is this: Will we experience true life? Will we experience His life? Or, will we be unable to live by the great promises of the gospel that highlights the fact that God chooses to inhabit our believing lives? Where we close our eyes to truth, eventually leads us to a life He died to free us from. Ours is that daily choice.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” ~ John 12:42-50
Many believed in the Lord Jesus but were fearful to let others know of their faith in Him. Their fear was hindered by potential rejection. They valued the itinerary of man more than that of God, thus their faith was not lasting. God gave to all of them what they absolutely needed to believe, yet they chose not to believe. In this way “He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is so central to history that no one can afford to ignore Him. In v.44, John writes, “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” These are the last words the Lord Jesus says before He eats the Last Supper with His disciples.
On many occasions, the Lord Jesus said He and the Father were one. Like a pot of boiling water, the steam is the same as the water in the pot, just different expressions. In order to be our savior, the Lord Jesus must be God, and vice versa. And, if He isn't our Savior, God is not our Father. The Lord Jesus came to reveal things as they really are, real reality. The last reference in this Gospel of the Lord Jesus as the light of the world is found in v.46.
Again, in v.47-48, the Lord Jesus reiterates the fact that He came into the world to save the world, not to condemn it. When we hear His words and ignore them, He does not punish us for that. He gives us the opportunity to hear, again and again, that we might turn to Him. Though judgment does not come immediately, it will come, if we reject His free offer.
God does not condemn us for what we have not heard, but for ignoring what we have heard. The final judge is the word we have heard, the sayings of Jesus we already know. This means that those who are condemned on that day are self-condemned. They will stand silent before the One who will sits on His throne, rendered speechless by their guilty knowledge of truth they have not received and believed.
According to v.49-50 we all have a capacity for faith, we all can believe truth when we hear it and know it to be truth, but unused faith gets weakened. When we insist on some compromise, we cover our eyes and we turn away from His definition of things, our faith clings to another source which does not and will not deliver that life we truly desire.
The reality the Lord Jesus leaves us with is this: Will we experience true life? Will we experience His life? Or, will we be unable to live by the great promises of the gospel that highlights the fact that God chooses to inhabit our believing lives? Where we close our eyes to truth, eventually leads us to a life He died to free us from. Ours is that daily choice.
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