The hour has come. Jesus is speaking more directly about who he is and what he is doing.
Click here for an online Bible John 12:20-36
Jesus makes an interesting statement, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Many times prior to this, Jesus said that his hour had not yet come. Now he is in his last week and his death is only a few days away. The time has come.
He speaks in eternal terms. Don’t live just for your time on earth; live for eternity. There may even need to be unpleasant times on earth. If these are endured for the sake of Christ, then they are more than worthwhile. Jesus even talked of his own death. It would be worthwhile because it was part of God’s plan. God spoke from heaven and endorsed Jesus.
Jesus encouraged people to turn to the truth while there was still the chance. This is still a valid message for us. Turn to the truth while you can. We often just view this in terms of salvation. Turn to Christ now because you don’t know how long you have to live. You may die today and then it is too late to accept Christ. That is all true, but there is another aspect to consider. Turn to the truth now so that you can live for Christ and be part of his plan for the world. The sooner you turn, the more useful you can be in his plan.
Too often we view God’s plan is a very selfish way. God planned to save me before he created the world and I accept his salvation so that he can take me to heaven. That is true. But a better view is that God is holy and worthy of my worship and devotion. His plan is perfect and I have the opportunity to be a part of that plan.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday John 12:1-19
We begin the final week of Jesus’ life.
Click here for an online Bible John 12:1-19
Jesus came to the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. They held a party in his honor. They had already believed in Jesus, then he raised Lazarus from the dead. No wonder Mary was so extravagant in honoring Jesus with the expensive perfume.
Those who had a heart for Jesus were joyful when he healed people. They were overjoyed when he raised Lazarus from the dead. They probably viewed Mary’s extravagance as appropriate. However, those whose hearts were hard were upset when Jesus healed people and outraged when he raised Lazarus from the dead. I suspect that we get a glimpse of Judas’ heart when he objects to Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume.
People gathered around the house to see Jesus and Lazarus. Lazarus had become quite the local celebrity. Because of this, the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus. Talk about hard hearts.
The next day, Jesus went into Jerusalem. The people treated him as a king entering the city. They were waiting for the Christ. Now, Jesus seemed to fit the profile. You don’t get much more godly than raising people from the dead. Jesus even rode a colt into town fulfilling Old Testament scriptures.
The word about Jesus spread and more people believed. This really got to the Pharisees. They knew that they had better take more direct action.
The crowds accepted Jesus. But they accepted him based on what they were looking for. They wanted a national leader. That’s not a bad thing to want. It is also what their tradition trained them to expect.
As we share the gospel of Jesus, we need to understand what they are looking for. We need to understand what they are expecting. Then we can share Jesus in a way that they can understand.
Click here for an online Bible John 12:1-19
Jesus came to the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. They held a party in his honor. They had already believed in Jesus, then he raised Lazarus from the dead. No wonder Mary was so extravagant in honoring Jesus with the expensive perfume.
Those who had a heart for Jesus were joyful when he healed people. They were overjoyed when he raised Lazarus from the dead. They probably viewed Mary’s extravagance as appropriate. However, those whose hearts were hard were upset when Jesus healed people and outraged when he raised Lazarus from the dead. I suspect that we get a glimpse of Judas’ heart when he objects to Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume.
People gathered around the house to see Jesus and Lazarus. Lazarus had become quite the local celebrity. Because of this, the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus. Talk about hard hearts.
The next day, Jesus went into Jerusalem. The people treated him as a king entering the city. They were waiting for the Christ. Now, Jesus seemed to fit the profile. You don’t get much more godly than raising people from the dead. Jesus even rode a colt into town fulfilling Old Testament scriptures.
The word about Jesus spread and more people believed. This really got to the Pharisees. They knew that they had better take more direct action.
The crowds accepted Jesus. But they accepted him based on what they were looking for. They wanted a national leader. That’s not a bad thing to want. It is also what their tradition trained them to expect.
As we share the gospel of Jesus, we need to understand what they are looking for. We need to understand what they are expecting. Then we can share Jesus in a way that they can understand.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday John 11:38-57
Jesus performed the miracle of miracles in raising Lazarus from the dead. As usual, there were mixed reactions.
Click here for an online Bible John 11:38-57
Martha had faith in Jesus. When he arrived in town, she said that Lazarus would not have died if only Jesus had been there. Then she made an interesting comment in verse 22. She said that she knew that God would grant whatever Jesus asked. It seems like she still has hope for Lazarus. But when Jesus told them to open the tomb, she was the one that objected.
Lazarus came out of the tomb and many people believed in Jesus. How could anybody not believe in him? But yet there were some who ran to the Pharisees. The chief priests called an emergency meeting of the Sanhedrin to deal with this crisis. They had already decided that this Jesus guy was out of control what with healing blind men on the Sabbath and calling himself the Son of God. Now he is raising people from the dead. If he keeps doing this kind of stuff, everybody is going to believe in him. So they began plotting to kill Jesus and issued orders for his arrest.
It is interesting that Caiaphas the high priest had prophesied that Jesus would die for his people. His understanding was so that the trouble would go away. He had no idea.
It is amazing how we can miss what God is doing and even oppose it. The religious leaders were more concerned about their positions and what the Romans would do than what God was doing. We look down on them, but what do we get worked up about in our own churches. Most disputes in church are over buildings, budget, and whose ministry got what. Most complaints are “My needs didn’t get met” or “I’m not being fed.”
I want to see God at work. Miracles would be neat, but our greatest opportunities to see God at work is transformation in our lives and the lives of those around us. But it means we have to undergo a heart procedure, we need changed hearts. Instead of looking at how my needs can be fulfilled, I have to look at what needs God wants me to fulfill. Instead of looking for somebody to feed me, I have to learn to fed myself and help others feed themselves. I have to be willing to give up my plan.
Click here for an online Bible John 11:38-57
Martha had faith in Jesus. When he arrived in town, she said that Lazarus would not have died if only Jesus had been there. Then she made an interesting comment in verse 22. She said that she knew that God would grant whatever Jesus asked. It seems like she still has hope for Lazarus. But when Jesus told them to open the tomb, she was the one that objected.
Lazarus came out of the tomb and many people believed in Jesus. How could anybody not believe in him? But yet there were some who ran to the Pharisees. The chief priests called an emergency meeting of the Sanhedrin to deal with this crisis. They had already decided that this Jesus guy was out of control what with healing blind men on the Sabbath and calling himself the Son of God. Now he is raising people from the dead. If he keeps doing this kind of stuff, everybody is going to believe in him. So they began plotting to kill Jesus and issued orders for his arrest.
It is interesting that Caiaphas the high priest had prophesied that Jesus would die for his people. His understanding was so that the trouble would go away. He had no idea.
It is amazing how we can miss what God is doing and even oppose it. The religious leaders were more concerned about their positions and what the Romans would do than what God was doing. We look down on them, but what do we get worked up about in our own churches. Most disputes in church are over buildings, budget, and whose ministry got what. Most complaints are “My needs didn’t get met” or “I’m not being fed.”
I want to see God at work. Miracles would be neat, but our greatest opportunities to see God at work is transformation in our lives and the lives of those around us. But it means we have to undergo a heart procedure, we need changed hearts. Instead of looking at how my needs can be fulfilled, I have to look at what needs God wants me to fulfill. Instead of looking for somebody to feed me, I have to learn to fed myself and help others feed themselves. I have to be willing to give up my plan.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday John 11:17-37
Jesus has traveled to Bethany but Lazarus has already died.
Click here for an online Bible John 11:17-37
Both Martha and Mary said that if only Jesus had been there, then Lazarus would not have died. They believed in his power to heal, but raising someone from the dead was beyond their thinking. Jesus talked about the resurrection and Martha understood that those who believe will be resurrected in the end.
Jesus made some pretty strong statements here. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Martha agreed with him, but apparently, her understanding was as the Christ, Jesus is the source of the resurrection at the end of time.
The bystanders questioned why Jesus could not have prevented Lazarus from dying. Everyone has underestimated Jesus. His statement to Martha was declaring his power over life and death. He had purposefully waited for Lazarus to die, so that he could come and raise Lazarus from the dead. His purpose was to bring glory to God.
An interesting question comes up here. Why did Jesus weep? Is he grief-stricken by the death of Lazarus? Is he overwhelmed by the sadness the sisters and the other mourners? He knows that he is going bring Lazarus back to life in about five minutes. He knows that the mourners will be overcome with joy and praise God. I can’t say for sure, but I think the reason for Jesus’ tears is the fact of death. Death is due to sin. This is why Jesus came to earth – sin.
Two things we often lose sight of here. One is that we often think we have God figured out. In fact we give him advice all the time on how we think he ought to handle things. We should spend less time advising him and more time listening to him. Second, we don’t get how bad sin it. We think that our sins are little sins that don’t really matter much, but in reality, all sin is offensive to God. Sin required the death of Jesus to bring reconciliation between us and God.
Click here for an online Bible John 11:17-37
Both Martha and Mary said that if only Jesus had been there, then Lazarus would not have died. They believed in his power to heal, but raising someone from the dead was beyond their thinking. Jesus talked about the resurrection and Martha understood that those who believe will be resurrected in the end.
Jesus made some pretty strong statements here. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Martha agreed with him, but apparently, her understanding was as the Christ, Jesus is the source of the resurrection at the end of time.
The bystanders questioned why Jesus could not have prevented Lazarus from dying. Everyone has underestimated Jesus. His statement to Martha was declaring his power over life and death. He had purposefully waited for Lazarus to die, so that he could come and raise Lazarus from the dead. His purpose was to bring glory to God.
An interesting question comes up here. Why did Jesus weep? Is he grief-stricken by the death of Lazarus? Is he overwhelmed by the sadness the sisters and the other mourners? He knows that he is going bring Lazarus back to life in about five minutes. He knows that the mourners will be overcome with joy and praise God. I can’t say for sure, but I think the reason for Jesus’ tears is the fact of death. Death is due to sin. This is why Jesus came to earth – sin.
Two things we often lose sight of here. One is that we often think we have God figured out. In fact we give him advice all the time on how we think he ought to handle things. We should spend less time advising him and more time listening to him. Second, we don’t get how bad sin it. We think that our sins are little sins that don’t really matter much, but in reality, all sin is offensive to God. Sin required the death of Jesus to bring reconciliation between us and God.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday John 11:1-16
The religious leaders in Jerusalem where plotting to kill Jesus, so he left and spent some time on the other side of the Jordan river.
Click here for an online Bible John 11:1-16
Jesus received word that his friend Lazarus was ill. Mary and Martha knew that Jesus could heal him, so they sent the message about Lazarus to Jesus. Jesus announced that the sickness would not end in death, but that God would be glorified. Then he delayed leaving for two days. Then Jesus told them that Lazarus had died. They didn’t quite understand.
Why do you suppose that Jesus waited to leave? Remember Jesus’ purpose. His purpose is not to end sickness and suffering. He is seeking believers. He said to his disciples it was good that he was not with Lazarus so that they could believe. His purpose was the glory of God.
We often view God through our lives rather than living our lives in light of God’s revelation. From the sisters’ perspective, the most important thing in their lives was the healing of Lazarus. From Jesus’ perspective, the most important thing was God’s glory. The challenge for me is too live my life for His glory. I have to learn to think according to His word and make choices according to His word.
Click here for an online Bible John 11:1-16
Jesus received word that his friend Lazarus was ill. Mary and Martha knew that Jesus could heal him, so they sent the message about Lazarus to Jesus. Jesus announced that the sickness would not end in death, but that God would be glorified. Then he delayed leaving for two days. Then Jesus told them that Lazarus had died. They didn’t quite understand.
Why do you suppose that Jesus waited to leave? Remember Jesus’ purpose. His purpose is not to end sickness and suffering. He is seeking believers. He said to his disciples it was good that he was not with Lazarus so that they could believe. His purpose was the glory of God.
We often view God through our lives rather than living our lives in light of God’s revelation. From the sisters’ perspective, the most important thing in their lives was the healing of Lazarus. From Jesus’ perspective, the most important thing was God’s glory. The challenge for me is too live my life for His glory. I have to learn to think according to His word and make choices according to His word.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday John 10:22-42
Jesus came back to the temple for the next feast and encountered the religious leaders again.
click here for an online Bible John 10:22-42
Jesus has been very confusing for them. On the one hand, he heals people and performs other amazing miracles. He teaches with authority and draws crowds to himself. On the other hand, he breaks the Sabbath laws and treats the religious leaders with contempt. He keeps calling himself the Son of God which they consider blasphemy. So they ask him directly if he is the Christ.
They asked him a plain question. He answered but it wasn’t really a plain answer. Why didn’t he tell them plainly, “Yes, I am the Christ”? Then he could give them a convincing argument from the scriptures then perform a miracle to prove it all.
They had the same opportunity to believe that others had who had become believers. Their hearts were hard and not open to hear the truth. Jesus told them that the reason they did not believe was that they were not his sheep. But just to show his authority he calls himself the Son of God again, so the leaders were about to stone him.
They said that they were stoning him because he made himself out to be God. Jesus responds with an argument that is a little hard to follow. He quotes Psalm 82:6 (I said, “You are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High.”). In the Psalm God is pronouncing judgment upon the unjust judges of his people. He refers to the judges as gods. This follows some of the language from Exodus in the giving of the law of Moses. Exodus 22:9 and 21:6 tell parties to take their issues before judges. The Hebrew word used here is elohim which mean god. Most English translations of the Bible translate it as judges here, but look at the ESV Bible (click here).
So Jesus is questioning their interpretation of the law. If the law of Moses refers to men as gods, why are they wanting to stone him - particularly, since he is the God.
They had a little Christ. They believed that God would sent a Messiah (Christ) to deliver the people from the Romans. They saw deliverance the way it occurred many times in the Old Testament. God delivered the nation of Israel from their enemies. Jesus didn’t fit their picture of what a deliverer was supposed to look like. They didn’t even understand deliverance. Jesus did come to deliver his people. But his people were those who believed in him. He came to deliver them from slavery to sin.
Sometimes we are guilty of the same thing. We have a model that we think God has to fit into. We are afraid to obey God because we don’t have confidence in his plan or his power.
click here for an online Bible John 10:22-42
Jesus has been very confusing for them. On the one hand, he heals people and performs other amazing miracles. He teaches with authority and draws crowds to himself. On the other hand, he breaks the Sabbath laws and treats the religious leaders with contempt. He keeps calling himself the Son of God which they consider blasphemy. So they ask him directly if he is the Christ.
They asked him a plain question. He answered but it wasn’t really a plain answer. Why didn’t he tell them plainly, “Yes, I am the Christ”? Then he could give them a convincing argument from the scriptures then perform a miracle to prove it all.
They had the same opportunity to believe that others had who had become believers. Their hearts were hard and not open to hear the truth. Jesus told them that the reason they did not believe was that they were not his sheep. But just to show his authority he calls himself the Son of God again, so the leaders were about to stone him.
They said that they were stoning him because he made himself out to be God. Jesus responds with an argument that is a little hard to follow. He quotes Psalm 82:6 (I said, “You are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High.”). In the Psalm God is pronouncing judgment upon the unjust judges of his people. He refers to the judges as gods. This follows some of the language from Exodus in the giving of the law of Moses. Exodus 22:9 and 21:6 tell parties to take their issues before judges. The Hebrew word used here is elohim which mean god. Most English translations of the Bible translate it as judges here, but look at the ESV Bible (click here).
So Jesus is questioning their interpretation of the law. If the law of Moses refers to men as gods, why are they wanting to stone him - particularly, since he is the God.
They had a little Christ. They believed that God would sent a Messiah (Christ) to deliver the people from the Romans. They saw deliverance the way it occurred many times in the Old Testament. God delivered the nation of Israel from their enemies. Jesus didn’t fit their picture of what a deliverer was supposed to look like. They didn’t even understand deliverance. Jesus did come to deliver his people. But his people were those who believed in him. He came to deliver them from slavery to sin.
Sometimes we are guilty of the same thing. We have a model that we think God has to fit into. We are afraid to obey God because we don’t have confidence in his plan or his power.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday John 10:7-21
Jesus continues stake his claim that he is the only source of salvation.
click here for an online Bible John 10:7-21
Jesus is the true shepherd. Satan is the thief who seeks the destruction of the sheep. Jesus also cares deeply for the sheep. It is not a job, it is a relationship. He cares enough to die for his sheep. He looks ahead to his own death and tells the people that his death is not something out of his own control. Nobody will take his life, he lays down his life. But since he has authority over life and death, he will rise from the dead.
There was a division in the religious leaders. Some rejected his message and said he was crazy and demon-possessed. Others heard his message in light of the miraculous healing.
There are some elements of Jesus’ teachings that are difficult to understand, but the main message is pretty simple. He is the only source of life. He is the only path to God. We are separated from God because of sin and the only way to be reconciled to God is the forgiveness of Jesus.
Verse 16 gets some people wound up. Jesus is speaking to a Jewish audience. There were Jewish religious leaders there. It was unthinkable to them that Gentiles could have a relationship with God. In light of the rest of the New Testament, it appears that the other sheep Jesus was talking about are the Gentiles.
click here for an online Bible John 10:7-21
Jesus is the true shepherd. Satan is the thief who seeks the destruction of the sheep. Jesus also cares deeply for the sheep. It is not a job, it is a relationship. He cares enough to die for his sheep. He looks ahead to his own death and tells the people that his death is not something out of his own control. Nobody will take his life, he lays down his life. But since he has authority over life and death, he will rise from the dead.
There was a division in the religious leaders. Some rejected his message and said he was crazy and demon-possessed. Others heard his message in light of the miraculous healing.
There are some elements of Jesus’ teachings that are difficult to understand, but the main message is pretty simple. He is the only source of life. He is the only path to God. We are separated from God because of sin and the only way to be reconciled to God is the forgiveness of Jesus.
Verse 16 gets some people wound up. Jesus is speaking to a Jewish audience. There were Jewish religious leaders there. It was unthinkable to them that Gentiles could have a relationship with God. In light of the rest of the New Testament, it appears that the other sheep Jesus was talking about are the Gentiles.
Saturday (Sunday) John 10:1-6
Sorry for not getting this out on time. We have to read today’s passage in light of what has been going on in chapter 9.
click here for an online Bible John 10:1-6
The mood toward Jesus from the religious leaders has been hostility. Many of them have been wanting to kill Jesus for some time. A group of them actually took up stones to kill him earlier. Now the hostility is directed toward Jesus’ followers as well. The blind man’s parents were afraid to say what they knew to be true because of the threats. The blind man was excommunicated from the synagogue.
Jesus paints a word-picture of a shepherd with a flock to describe his relationship with his followers. It’s a tough world for a sheep. Wolves want to eat you. Thieves want to steal you. Left on your own you would fall off of a cliff, drown in a river, or starve to death. The sheep were left in a community holding pen overnight. A watchman guarded the pen at night. In the morning, the shepherd came to the gate and called for his sheep. Those that were his came to his call. The others ignored him. He saw that all of his sheep were present and took them out to the pastures. The only hope for the sheep was their shepherd.
Our only hope is Christ. The world wants to consume you and Satan wants to destroy you. Christ is our protection and our guide. The key is recognizing his voice. So, how do we “hear” Christ? First, we have to be part of his flock. That means we have to turn to him in faith and make him the Lord of our lives. His voice will always agree with his written word. We have to know our Bible. He speaks to individual sheep but also to the whole flock. We have to be in a healthy relationship with a biblical local church. There are no “lone ranger” sheep. Any sheep separated from the church is in dire danger.
As I look at this passage, I have to ask myself, “Am I even listening for the shepherd’s voice?” I get so busy doing things and am capable of doing it on my own that I can forget about the shepherd. I am munching on grass and looking at my reflection in the water, then another sheep elbows me in the ribs and points out that the shepherd is moving the flock and I need to get with the program.
click here for an online Bible John 10:1-6
The mood toward Jesus from the religious leaders has been hostility. Many of them have been wanting to kill Jesus for some time. A group of them actually took up stones to kill him earlier. Now the hostility is directed toward Jesus’ followers as well. The blind man’s parents were afraid to say what they knew to be true because of the threats. The blind man was excommunicated from the synagogue.
Jesus paints a word-picture of a shepherd with a flock to describe his relationship with his followers. It’s a tough world for a sheep. Wolves want to eat you. Thieves want to steal you. Left on your own you would fall off of a cliff, drown in a river, or starve to death. The sheep were left in a community holding pen overnight. A watchman guarded the pen at night. In the morning, the shepherd came to the gate and called for his sheep. Those that were his came to his call. The others ignored him. He saw that all of his sheep were present and took them out to the pastures. The only hope for the sheep was their shepherd.
Our only hope is Christ. The world wants to consume you and Satan wants to destroy you. Christ is our protection and our guide. The key is recognizing his voice. So, how do we “hear” Christ? First, we have to be part of his flock. That means we have to turn to him in faith and make him the Lord of our lives. His voice will always agree with his written word. We have to know our Bible. He speaks to individual sheep but also to the whole flock. We have to be in a healthy relationship with a biblical local church. There are no “lone ranger” sheep. Any sheep separated from the church is in dire danger.
As I look at this passage, I have to ask myself, “Am I even listening for the shepherd’s voice?” I get so busy doing things and am capable of doing it on my own that I can forget about the shepherd. I am munching on grass and looking at my reflection in the water, then another sheep elbows me in the ribs and points out that the shepherd is moving the flock and I need to get with the program.
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