You are officially done with the Gospels!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
John 20:24-21:25 - Doubting, Fishing, Following, and Feeding
LINK: John 20:24-21:25
BACKGROUND
Eight days later
245. Jesus appears to Thomas: Mark 16:14, John 20:24-31
Thomas is often called "Doubting Thomas" because he had to see to believe. When he saw, he acknowledged Jesus' deity by exclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said that we are blessed if we can believe without having to see.
The purpose of the book of John is stated in John 20:31:
Again, we see the keyword "believe" in the book of John.
Two weeks later
246. Jesus appears to seven disciples: John 21:1-14
Jesus manifested Himself for the seventh time since His resurrection to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee. This is the third appearance to the apostles. The angel had promised they would see Him in Galilee in Matthew 28:7. They did not recognize Him until the miracle of the 153 fish. Again, Peter did something impulsive.
They all ate a breakfast of fish (giving credence to the bodily resurrection). In Acts 10:41, Peter speaks of eating and drinking with Him after He arose from the dead.
247. Jesus challenges Peter: John 21:15-25
This is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Peter denied Jesus three times beside a fire (John 18:18, 25-27). Again, by a fire, Jesus reinstates him three times!
In response to the question, "Do you love Me more than these?" in which Peter responds with a "Yes" every time, Jesus says, "Tend My lambs" (John 21:15), "Shepherd My sheep" (21:16), and "Tend My sheep" (21:17).
In 21:15-16, Jesus uses the Greek word, agape, for the highest kind of love; unselfish and sacrificing that is divine in nature; but Peter responds by saying He loves Jesus with phileo love, which is love and fondness for a friend. In 21:17, Jesus uses phileo which can be translated as, "Are you even my friend, Peter?"
Jesus had said in the Upper Room: "He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father; and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him" (all of these uses of love are agape, John 14:21). Jesus was to shepherd the sheep of Jesus into believing, loving, and obeying Him.
Jesus said to Peter, "Follow Me!" Love for Jesus means following His commandments in obedience-based discipleship, not because we have to but because we love (agape) Him. Moving to unselfish love like this can only be wrought by the Holy Spirit working inside of us. What blessings follow for those who do too!
Peter would give his life in love for the LORD. Jesus predicted that Peter would have his hands stretched out, and later in life, Peter died on a cross with outstretched hands (1 Clement 5:4; 6:1; Eusebius The Ecclesiastical History 2. 25).
Peter wondered about John's future, but Jesus did not want Peter to be distracted by other people's journeys but to simply follow Jesus. That is a good word for all of us! By the way, John lived the longest of all the disciples and witnessed the Lord's return in the visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation!
John's gospel ends by affirming that the testimony is true (even though it may have been added later by someone other than John) and that many other miracles could have been recorded.
John had accomplished his stated goal:
Thank you, John!
Here are the events that happened between the ending of John and the beginning of Acts:
248. Jesus gives the great commission: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18
249. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem: Luke 24:44-49
250. Jesus ascends into heaven: Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-12
251. Pentecost: Acts 2
Read about it in Acts 2 of the Bible Book Club, and join me for the rest of the New Testament!
REFLECTION/APPLICATION
Once I got serious about following Jesus, I was surrounded by people who took seriously the command of Jesus to follow Him in obedience-based discipleship (John 14:21; 21:19, 22). It all has to be based on love for the Lord and love for the lambs that He gives us to shepherd.
So, I have a two-part application for you today.
1) LOVE
Do you really love Jesus? Are you really His friend?
I want to recommend something that may help You with that love relationship with the Lord, encouraging you to walk with Him day by day, 24/7/365, loving Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him. I know it sounds simple, but that is it.
More Than Ordinary: Enjoying Life with God by Doug Sherman (turns out I know the man that discipled him!).
The principles in this book are super simple. You might think they are too elementary; but if every believer followed them, lives would be transformed! Sadly, most of us do not.
2) FEED
The second part of this whole thing is about those lambs that God may give you to feed out of that love relationship You want the whole world to experience! It cannot be withheld. It has to be shared and reproduced in your life. It is not a chore. It is a delight, and you only benefit from giving your life away (John 12:24). I think it is an important part of everyone's growth to shepherd others in their relationship with God.
These simple studies can help you with seeking non-believers, new believers, and believers who need to take the next step in helping others grow. Do you know anyone in one of those three categories?
The goal is simply helping others (and yourself) to follow Him in obedience-based discipleship. They are not time-consuming, and you do not need a Bible degree for them.
These are the three studies I recommend:
Discovering God - Outlines the processes of Scripture used to help communities of lost people discover God through His Word while embedding the DNA of church into the group.
BACKGROUND
Eight days later
245. Jesus appears to Thomas: Mark 16:14, John 20:24-31
Thomas is often called "Doubting Thomas" because he had to see to believe. When he saw, he acknowledged Jesus' deity by exclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said that we are blessed if we can believe without having to see.
The purpose of the book of John is stated in John 20:31:
These things I have written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Again, we see the keyword "believe" in the book of John.
Two weeks later
246. Jesus appears to seven disciples: John 21:1-14
Jesus manifested Himself for the seventh time since His resurrection to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee. This is the third appearance to the apostles. The angel had promised they would see Him in Galilee in Matthew 28:7. They did not recognize Him until the miracle of the 153 fish. Again, Peter did something impulsive.
They all ate a breakfast of fish (giving credence to the bodily resurrection). In Acts 10:41, Peter speaks of eating and drinking with Him after He arose from the dead.
247. Jesus challenges Peter: John 21:15-25
This is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Peter denied Jesus three times beside a fire (John 18:18, 25-27). Again, by a fire, Jesus reinstates him three times!
In response to the question, "Do you love Me more than these?" in which Peter responds with a "Yes" every time, Jesus says, "Tend My lambs" (John 21:15), "Shepherd My sheep" (21:16), and "Tend My sheep" (21:17).
In 21:15-16, Jesus uses the Greek word, agape, for the highest kind of love; unselfish and sacrificing that is divine in nature; but Peter responds by saying He loves Jesus with phileo love, which is love and fondness for a friend. In 21:17, Jesus uses phileo which can be translated as, "Are you even my friend, Peter?"
Jesus had said in the Upper Room: "He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father; and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him" (all of these uses of love are agape, John 14:21). Jesus was to shepherd the sheep of Jesus into believing, loving, and obeying Him.
Jesus said to Peter, "Follow Me!" Love for Jesus means following His commandments in obedience-based discipleship, not because we have to but because we love (agape) Him. Moving to unselfish love like this can only be wrought by the Holy Spirit working inside of us. What blessings follow for those who do too!
Peter would give his life in love for the LORD. Jesus predicted that Peter would have his hands stretched out, and later in life, Peter died on a cross with outstretched hands (1 Clement 5:4; 6:1; Eusebius The Ecclesiastical History 2. 25).
Peter wondered about John's future, but Jesus did not want Peter to be distracted by other people's journeys but to simply follow Jesus. That is a good word for all of us! By the way, John lived the longest of all the disciples and witnessed the Lord's return in the visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation!
John's gospel ends by affirming that the testimony is true (even though it may have been added later by someone other than John) and that many other miracles could have been recorded.
John had accomplished his stated goal:
These have been written so that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and
that believing you may have life in His name.
(John 20:31)
Thank you, John!
Here are the events that happened between the ending of John and the beginning of Acts:
248. Jesus gives the great commission: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18
249. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem: Luke 24:44-49
250. Jesus ascends into heaven: Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-12
251. Pentecost: Acts 2
Read about it in Acts 2 of the Bible Book Club, and join me for the rest of the New Testament!
Once I got serious about following Jesus, I was surrounded by people who took seriously the command of Jesus to follow Him in obedience-based discipleship (John 14:21; 21:19, 22). It all has to be based on love for the Lord and love for the lambs that He gives us to shepherd.
So, I have a two-part application for you today.
1) LOVE
Do you really love Jesus? Are you really His friend?
I want to recommend something that may help You with that love relationship with the Lord, encouraging you to walk with Him day by day, 24/7/365, loving Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him. I know it sounds simple, but that is it.
More Than Ordinary: Enjoying Life with God by Doug Sherman (turns out I know the man that discipled him!).
The principles in this book are super simple. You might think they are too elementary; but if every believer followed them, lives would be transformed! Sadly, most of us do not.
2) FEED
The second part of this whole thing is about those lambs that God may give you to feed out of that love relationship You want the whole world to experience! It cannot be withheld. It has to be shared and reproduced in your life. It is not a chore. It is a delight, and you only benefit from giving your life away (John 12:24). I think it is an important part of everyone's growth to shepherd others in their relationship with God.
These simple studies can help you with seeking non-believers, new believers, and believers who need to take the next step in helping others grow. Do you know anyone in one of those three categories?
The goal is simply helping others (and yourself) to follow Him in obedience-based discipleship. They are not time-consuming, and you do not need a Bible degree for them.
These are the three studies I recommend:
Discovering God - Outlines the processes of Scripture used to help communities of lost people discover God through His Word while embedding the DNA of church into the group.
(This first set is also on the Discover App with multiple languages.)
Discovering Obedience - Covers the process of discipling communities of new believers as they discover and obey the commands of Christ.
Discovering Leadership - Guides believers to discover and obey principles of leadership modeled by Jesus in the book of Matthew.
The passages for each of these are on this handout:
Discovering Obedience - Covers the process of discipling communities of new believers as they discover and obey the commands of Christ.
Discovering Leadership - Guides believers to discover and obey principles of leadership modeled by Jesus in the book of Matthew.
The passages for each of these are on this handout:
DISCOVERY STUDY PROCESS
PRAYER
Help us to grow in agape and phileo love for You and for the sheep around us. Show us the sheep you want us to invest in. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
PRAYER
Help us to grow in agape and phileo love for You and for the sheep around us. Show us the sheep you want us to invest in. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
John 20:1-23 - Resurrection!
LINK: John 20:1-23
Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb crying and after seeing two angels, she saw Jesus (even though she did not recognize Him at first)! It is interesting to note that "no Jewish author in the ancient world would have invented a story with a woman as the first witness to this most important event" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, John 20:10-14). Jesus tells Mary to "stop clinging/do not hold on." This does mean He did not want to be touched because He would have not allowed the other women to touch Him in the next event. He told her this so she would hurry and tell the disciples that He had risen! The clause in Greek implies it was His disciples (followers) in general and not just the Eleven. It is so sad that they refused to believe her report.
Three events occurred after this that are not recorded in John but are important for understanding the chronology of events:
BACKGROUND
Sunday at Sunrise
239. Jesus rises from the dead: Matthew 28:1-7, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10
Try a recorded Imaginative Contemplation of the Resurrection.
He is RISEN! This proves the Kingship of Jesus Christ! He fulfilled His claim that He would lay down His life and take it up again (John 10:17-18).
The order of events can sometimes be confusing when looking at all four accounts. I will try to explain it all in order.
Before sunrise, an earthquake happened and an angel rolled away the stone and frightened the guards of the tomb (Matthew 28:2-4).
At early dawn, the women who followed Jesus brought spices to anoint His body. The women mentioned were Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9), the "other" Mary who was the mother of James and Joses and wife of Clopas (Mark 15:40; John 19:25), Salome (Mark 16:1), and Joanna (Luke 24:10). We do not know who the "other women" included (Luke 24:9). Since women bring people into the world, it was only appropriate that at least two mothers would be the first to discover the empty tomb!
Mary left to go and tell Peter and John (John 20:1-2). While she was gone, the other women saw two angels who told them Jesus had RISEN (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-8). The Matthew and Mark accounts focus on only one angel.
Mary came back with Peter and John to tell them that Jesus was not in the tomb, but she did not know that He had risen (John 20:2). Isn't it funny that John, the author, would say that he beat Peter in a foot race back to the tomb (John 20:4)? They saw the linen wrappings but still did not understand that Jesus had risen (John 20:9). So, they went back to their homes.
Many commentators believe that Mark ended his gospel here and an anonymous writer added Mark 16:9-20. They believe this was done shortly after A.D. 100.
240. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene: Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18
Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb crying and after seeing two angels, she saw Jesus (even though she did not recognize Him at first)! It is interesting to note that "no Jewish author in the ancient world would have invented a story with a woman as the first witness to this most important event" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, John 20:10-14). Jesus tells Mary to "stop clinging/do not hold on." This does mean He did not want to be touched because He would have not allowed the other women to touch Him in the next event. He told her this so she would hurry and tell the disciples that He had risen! The clause in Greek implies it was His disciples (followers) in general and not just the Eleven. It is so sad that they refused to believe her report.
241. Jesus appears to the women: Matthew 28:8-10
242. Religious leaders bribe the guards: Matthew 28:11-15
Later in the Day
244. Jesus appears to His disciples: Luke 24:35-43, John 20:19-23
While Cleopas and his friend (or wife) were excitedly telling the disciples about their experience, Jesus appeared in the shut room (John 20:19). They were afraid even though some of them had already seen Jesus. He greeted them in peace and calmed their fears by showing them His hands and feet and eating. He really was bodily there and not just a ghost. This was just too good to be true (Luke 24:41). Jesus really was alive!
And with that, He commissioned them to go out and tell the world that He was alive! He said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This is reminiscent of how God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7). They had been given "breath" for their spiritual life. The full baptism of the Spirit would come at Pentecost (Acts 2)!
John 20:23 is confusing. It does not mean that the disciples were the only ones who had the authority to forgive sins, but they "proclaimed forgiveness on the basis of the message of the Gospel" (The New Testament: An Expanded Translation). As they went out, they announced the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ that if a sinner repented and believed in Jesus Christ, their sins would be forgiven! If they believed, the messenger could proclaim, with authority, that their sins were forgiven by God.
APPLICATION
If you have not done so, consider the Imaginative Contemplation linked above.
PRAYER
Thank You for planning long ago to redeem us and cause those who believe to rise with You! Amen
Thank You for planning long ago to redeem us and cause those who believe to rise with You! Amen
Friday, March 29, 2013
John 18:25-19:42 - The Passion Hours of Good Friday
LINK: John 18:25-19:42
BACKGROUND
It is just before dawn, and these denials occurred either during Jesus's trial with Annas (John 18:12-24) or Caiphas (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65). The three denials are in such contrast to his boast to lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37) and the cutting off of Malchus' ear during the arrest (John 18:10). How ironic that a relative of Malchus would ask the final question that prompted the final denial! Don't lose hope on Peter though. Those three denials will be followed by three affirmations by Peter in John 21. Stay tuned!
The dividing of His garments fulfilled Psalm 22:18 (John 19:24). Pilate continued the game with the Jews by writing that Jesus was "KING OF THE JEWS" so that all languages could read it (John 19:19-22). As He hung there, He was mocked by people passing by, the religious leaders, soldiers, and even the robbers being crucified with Him (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39). The Luke account adds that one of the robbers defended Jesus and asked to be remembered in paradise, and Jesus told him this would happen (Luke 23:39-43). Notice that the Luke account was the only one that recorded Jesus asking the Father to forgive them. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "Luke's purpose . . . was to show that Jesus was the forgiving Messiah even as He died" (Comments on Luke 23:32-43).
These events (and the fact that Jesus had the energy to cry out at the end of His crucifixion) caused the Roman centurion to exclaim that Jesus was the innocent (righteous) Son of God (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47) and the multitudes to beat their breasts (Luke 23:48) while the women who followed Jesus looked on from a distance. These women included Mary Magdalene who had been delivered of seven demons (Luke 8:2), Mary the mother of James and Joses who also was at the tomb on Resurrection morning (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1), and Salome, the mother of James and John, who had asked for special thrones for her sons (Matthew 20:20-21). The only disciple recorded as being at the cross was John (John 19:25, 35).
APPLICATION
Warren Wiersbe likens the six hours for Jesus being hung on the cross to His death (9 am-3 pm) to the six days of creation. God finished the work of the "old Creation" in six days. Then, He rested from all His work (Genesis 2:1-3). Jesus finished the work of the "new Creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) and rested on Saturday.
BACKGROUND
Early Friday Morning before Dawn (when the "cock
crowed")
227. Peter denies knowing Jesus: Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-65, John 18:25-27
It is just before dawn, and these denials occurred either during Jesus's trial with Annas (John 18:12-24) or Caiphas (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65). The three denials are in such contrast to his boast to lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37) and the cutting off of Malchus' ear during the arrest (John 18:10). How ironic that a relative of Malchus would ask the final question that prompted the final denial! Don't lose hope on Peter though. Those three denials will be followed by three affirmations by Peter in John 21. Stay tuned!
 |
| From: The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 84 |
Civil (Roman Trials)
There is a second Roman trial before Herod Antipas, but it is only recorded in Luke 23:6-12.
232. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified: Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:38-19:16
Trial Six (Third Roman)
Pilate wanted to punish and release this innocent man (Mark 23:16), but the crowd was stirred up by the religious leaders, and he was pressured to release Barabbas, an insurrectionist (John 18:40) and murderer (Mark 15:7) instead.
John is the only writer that covers the flogging (leather whip with bits of metal at the ends which often killed people), the crown of thorns, purple robe, ridicule as King of the Jews, and beating.
Pilate wanted to release Him but the Jews convinced him that if Jesus claimed to be king he was opposing Caesar. Their cry was for crucifixion, and Pilate took water and washed his hands symbolizing that he wanted to absolve himself of putting an innocent man to death (Deuteronomy 21:6-9). Then he released the murderer and handed the innocent Jesus over to be crucified.
The events leading up to the crucifixion are more detailed in the Matthew, Mark, and Luke accounts, but the actual crucifixion is more detailed in John's gospel account.
230. Jesus' trial before Pilate: Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:1-5, John 18:28-37
Trial Four (First Roman)
John's account is the most detailed of the four gospel accounts.
Even though the religious leaders had passed judgment on Jesus, only the Romans could exercise capital punishment. So, the case was brought to Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator (governor) of Judea and Samaria from A.D. 26-36 (Luke 3:1), who was in Jerusalem because of the Passover feast. During the great feasts, rioting, and insurrection were more common, especially during Passover when the Jews remembered their deliverance from bondage to the Egyptians.
Pilate and the Jews obviously had a hostile relationship. Pilate refused to do anything with just a charge of blasphemy. The Jews could not execute Him by stoning because a prophecy had already said that no bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20). Also, He had foretold that He would be "lifted up" like a "snake in the desert" (John 3:14; Exodus 21:9). Jesus had to die by crucifixion and only the Romans could do that.
The religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate with three accusations, but Pilate only concerned himself with the third: Jesus' claim to be king. This was the only one that would be any threat to Rome, but after questioning, Jesus assured Pilate that He was a king, but of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:33-37). Pilate declared Jesus guiltless (Luke 23:4); when he found out He was a Galilean, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to be tried.
Trial Four (First Roman)
John's account is the most detailed of the four gospel accounts.
Even though the religious leaders had passed judgment on Jesus, only the Romans could exercise capital punishment. So, the case was brought to Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator (governor) of Judea and Samaria from A.D. 26-36 (Luke 3:1), who was in Jerusalem because of the Passover feast. During the great feasts, rioting, and insurrection were more common, especially during Passover when the Jews remembered their deliverance from bondage to the Egyptians.
Pilate and the Jews obviously had a hostile relationship. Pilate refused to do anything with just a charge of blasphemy. The Jews could not execute Him by stoning because a prophecy had already said that no bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20). Also, He had foretold that He would be "lifted up" like a "snake in the desert" (John 3:14; Exodus 21:9). Jesus had to die by crucifixion and only the Romans could do that.
The religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate with three accusations, but Pilate only concerned himself with the third: Jesus' claim to be king. This was the only one that would be any threat to Rome, but after questioning, Jesus assured Pilate that He was a king, but of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:33-37). Pilate declared Jesus guiltless (Luke 23:4); when he found out He was a Galilean, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to be tried.
There is a second Roman trial before Herod Antipas, but it is only recorded in Luke 23:6-12.
232. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified: Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:38-19:16
Trial Six (Third Roman)
Pilate wanted to punish and release this innocent man (Mark 23:16), but the crowd was stirred up by the religious leaders, and he was pressured to release Barabbas, an insurrectionist (John 18:40) and murderer (Mark 15:7) instead.
John is the only writer that covers the flogging (leather whip with bits of metal at the ends which often killed people), the crown of thorns, purple robe, ridicule as King of the Jews, and beating.
Pilate wanted to release Him but the Jews convinced him that if Jesus claimed to be king he was opposing Caesar. Their cry was for crucifixion, and Pilate took water and washed his hands symbolizing that he wanted to absolve himself of putting an innocent man to death (Deuteronomy 21:6-9). Then he released the murderer and handed the innocent Jesus over to be crucified.
The events leading up to the crucifixion are more detailed in the Matthew, Mark, and Luke accounts, but the actual crucifixion is more detailed in John's gospel account.
234. Jesus is led away to be crucified: Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:17
Jesus is on His way to Golgotha. Just as Isaac carried his own wood for the sacrifice in Genesis 22:1-6 and the sin offering was taken outside the camp or city (Hebrews 13:11-13), the John account says that He carried His own cross. The other accounts state that Simon of Cyrene carried the cross part way. Here is an interesting perspective on why that happened:
Jesus is on His way to Golgotha. Just as Isaac carried his own wood for the sacrifice in Genesis 22:1-6 and the sin offering was taken outside the camp or city (Hebrews 13:11-13), the John account says that He carried His own cross. The other accounts state that Simon of Cyrene carried the cross part way. Here is an interesting perspective on why that happened:
It was a part of the prisoner’s humiliation that he carry his own cross to the place of execution, so when Jesus left Pilate’s hall, He was carrying either the cross or the crossbeam (John 19:17).
Apparently, He was unable to go on, for the soldiers had to “draft” Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Him. (This was a legal Roman procedure. See Matt. 5:41.) When you consider all that Jesus had endured since His arrest in the Garden, it is not difficult to imagine Him falling under the load. But there is something more involved: carrying the cross was a sign of guilt, and our Lord was not guilty! Thousands of Jews came to Jerusalem from other nations to celebrate the feasts (Acts 2:5–11), and Simon was among them. He had traveled over 800 miles from Africa to celebrate Passover, and now he was being humiliated on a most holy day! What would he say to his family when he got home?
What looked to Simon like a catastrophe turned out to be a wonderful opportunity, for it brought him in contact with Jesus Christ. (By the way, where was the other Simon—Simon Peter—who had promised Jesus to go with Him to prison and to death?) Simon may have come into the city to attend the 9 a.m. prayer meeting in the temple, but the soldiers rearranged his schedule for him.
We have good reason to believe that Simon was converted because of this encounter with Jesus. Mark identified him as “the father of Alexander and Rufus” (Mark 15:21), two men that Mark assumed his Roman readers would know. A Christian named Rufus was greeted by Paul in Romans 16:13, and it is possible that he was the son of Simon of Cyrene. Apparently Simon and his two sons became well-known Christians who were held in honor in the church.
Before Simon met Jesus, he had religion and devotion; but after he met Jesus, he had reality and salvation. He did both a physical and spiritual “about face” that morning, and it transformed his life. God can still use unexpected and difficult situations, even humiliating situations, to bring people to the Saviour. (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Lk 23:26)On the way to Golgotha, the Luke account records His warning to the people of the persecution that was to come (Hosea 10:8; Revelation 6:15-17).
The Third Hour (between 9 am and noon)
235. Jesus is placed on the cross: Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:25-32; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27
Crucifixion was widely practiced by the Phoenicians and Persians but Roman law permitted its use only on slaves and non-Romans. In Israel this shameful and excruciating punishment was inflicted for crimes of robbery and sedition and served as a public reminder of the Jews' servitude to Rome. (The Daily Walk, October 9, 2008, p. 14)
Mark 15:25 says Jesus was placed on the cross at the third hour which starts at 9 a.m. (Mark 15:25). While John 19:14 says He was handed over by Pilate "about noon." Josh McDowell offers two possible explanations:
The night was divided into four watches, each consisting of three hours (see Mark 13:35), and the day was to some extent likewise divided into periods. In light of this, we can imagine that Mark’s statement about the “third hour” simply meant that Jesus was crucified sometime during the third hour (between nine o’clock and noon), while John’s statement that the trial ended about noon can mean before noon.
Another possibility is that John is using a different method of reckoning time than Mark. We know for a fact, from Plutarch, Pliny, Aulus Gellius, and Macrobius, that the Romans calculated the civil day from midnight to midnight, just as we do today.
Thus John’s “sixth hour” would be six o’clock in the morning. This would make 6 a.m. the time of the last of the trials of Jesus, and of His sentencing, giving adequate time for the events leading up to the crucifixion which, in Mark, was at 9 a.m. or afterward.
There is good evidence that John used this method of computing time. This is not unusual in Scripture to have different authors use different methods of measuring time and determining dates. (From http://www.josh.org/resources/)
He had two criminals on each side (Luke 23:33). He said seven things as He was crucified, and I will summarize them at the end, but His first prayer was that the Father would forgive them for what they were doing (Luke 23:34).
The dividing of His garments fulfilled Psalm 22:18 (John 19:24). Pilate continued the game with the Jews by writing that Jesus was "KING OF THE JEWS" so that all languages could read it (John 19:19-22). As He hung there, He was mocked by people passing by, the religious leaders, soldiers, and even the robbers being crucified with Him (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39). The Luke account adds that one of the robbers defended Jesus and asked to be remembered in paradise, and Jesus told him this would happen (Luke 23:39-43). Notice that the Luke account was the only one that recorded Jesus asking the Father to forgive them. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "Luke's purpose . . . was to show that Jesus was the forgiving Messiah even as He died" (Comments on Luke 23:32-43).
12-3 pm
At the end of that time, Jesus cried out to the Father that it was finished (Psalm 31:5), and He gave up His spirit. Papyri tax receipts during that time had this Greek word for finished written across them, and it meant "paid in full." He had paid the debt for our sin in full (2 Corinthians 5:21)!
236. Jesus dies on the cross: Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37
There was darkness from the "sixth to the ninth hour" or noon to 3:00 p.m. (Mark 15:33). How appropriate that Jesus would become the sin-offering for all mankind (John 1:29; Romans 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18) during this time of darkness. Just as there were three days of darkness before the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23), this Lamb of God died for our sins so that the righteous wrath of God would "pass over" those who put their faith in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26).
He was forsaken by the Father (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) because He took on the world's sin. The Holy Father could not look upon His Son who had become sin and been made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).
When Jesus cried, they thought Jesus was calling for Elijah because the Greek word for "Elijah" sounds like "Eloi" (Mark 15:34-35).
At the end of that time, Jesus cried out to the Father that it was finished (Psalm 31:5), and He gave up His spirit. Papyri tax receipts during that time had this Greek word for finished written across them, and it meant "paid in full." He had paid the debt for our sin in full (2 Corinthians 5:21)!
Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the curtain of the temple being torn in two. This curtain was between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies in the temple (Hebrews 9:2-3). This curtain was 15 by 15 feet with a linen curtain during the time of the Tabernacle but was 20 feet wide by 60 feet long and 4 inches thick in Herod's temple during Jesus' time. Needless to say, it was a very thick curtain and ripped from top to bottom signifying God did it rather than men (who would rip it from the bottom if they even could). If you have been studying in the Bible Book Club, you know that only the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies once a year (Leviticus 16:1-35). This event signified that everyone had access into God's presence all the time (Hebrews 10:14-26) without the aid of temples, priests, altars, or blood sacrifices! It truly was finished! Our debt was "paid in full"! WOOHOO!
Matthew records that there was an earthquake (Matthew 27:51). This was probably for his Jewish audience. This earthquake recorded at the cross was similar to what happened on Mount Sinai when God gave Moses the Law that included all the regulations for the Tabernacle and its sacrifices (Exodus 19:16-31:18). Hebrews 12:18-24 implies that the earthquake at the cross signified that Christ met the demands and curse of the Law and that He, as the mediator of a new covenant, abolished it forever. WOOHOO!
The New International Version suggests that the bodies of the saints were raised immediately, but the New American Standard Bible (literally interpreting the Greek word for word) directly says they were raised after the resurrection (Matthew 27:51).
These events (and the fact that Jesus had the energy to cry out at the end of His crucifixion) caused the Roman centurion to exclaim that Jesus was the innocent (righteous) Son of God (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47) and the multitudes to beat their breasts (Luke 23:48) while the women who followed Jesus looked on from a distance. These women included Mary Magdalene who had been delivered of seven demons (Luke 8:2), Mary the mother of James and Joses who also was at the tomb on Resurrection morning (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1), and Salome, the mother of James and John, who had asked for special thrones for her sons (Matthew 20:20-21). The only disciple recorded as being at the cross was John (John 19:25, 35).
John's gospel was the last to be recorded, and at that time Gnosticism and Docetism were a problem. Both these ideologies denied the reality of the Incarnation (God coming in the flesh) and His death. The details about His unbroken bones (usually Romans broke bones to speed up the death), blood, and eyewitnesses probably helped with these false ideologies. In addition, the true Passover Lamb did not have any of its bones broken (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20), and the piercing of His side by the Roman soldier fulfills Zechariah 12:10.
Here is a summary of Jesus' sayings on the cross:
1) Prayer of forgiveness (Luke 23:34)
2) Promise to the repentant criminal (Luke 23:43)
3) Provision for His mother (John 19:26-27)
4) Cry of separation from the Father (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
5) Acknowledgement of thirst (John 19:28)
6) Cry of accomplishment (John 19:30)
7) Cry of resignation (Luke 23:46) (The Harmony of the Gospels, p. 242)
3 pm - Sunset
237. Jesus is laid in the tomb: Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42
Luke records Joseph of Arimathea (a secret believer, Luke 23:51; John 19:38) asking for Jesus' body, but John is the only one who records the involvement of Nicodemus (John 3). This is significant because the bodies of criminals were usually discarded. The linen and spices followed the burial customs of the time.
The preparation and placing of the body in the tomb were probably done quickly since it would have to be completed before the Sabbath at sundown on Friday. It was also the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Note that the women followed Him all the way to burial, but the disciples had all abandoned Him (Matthew 26:56). Let's hear it for the women! :)
Warren Wiersbe likens the six hours for Jesus being hung on the cross to His death (9 am-3 pm) to the six days of creation. God finished the work of the "old Creation" in six days. Then, He rested from all His work (Genesis 2:1-3). Jesus finished the work of the "new Creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) and rested on Saturday.
I hope you can go to a Good Friday service somewhere. They are usually very beautiful. Then, I hope you can rest and reflect tomorrow.
You might want to watch one of these movies:
The Passion - I do not usually recommend an "R" rated movie (for graphic blood), but I think this is very sobering and makes you so thankful for what Jesus did for us. This is not for young children.
The Jesus Film - This is much less graphic but almost word for word from the book of Luke.
The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John - This is word-for-word from the book of John. It is excellent.
Tears now. Blessings to you!
Remember: "It is Friday, but Sunday's Comin'!" (Tony Campolo)
PRAYER
Pray through Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 today.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
John 15:1-18:24 - Abiding (Always Being in Divine Encounter), Holy Spirit, and High Priestly Prayer
LINK: John 15-17 & John 18:1-24
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The Seventh "I AM" Statement: I am the True Vine
Thursday after Dinner and before 9 pm
After 9 pm until Pre-Dawn
224. Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-11.
Judas brings a large crowd, and John's account explains it was not only from the Jewish religious leaders but also from the Roman cohort (about 600 soldiers).
REFLECTION
John 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because I believe it is at the heart of everything when it comes to walking with Jesus!
215. Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches: John 15:1-17
216. Jesus warns about the world's hatred: John 15:18-16:4
This is one of the most important chapters in all of Scripture. So, I wanted to start it with prayer:
Lord God, I pray that You would teach us, by Your Holy Spirit, the truth about abiding in Christ so that we might abide the rest of our days. Help us to prayerfully meditate on the truths of this chapter so they sink deeply into our souls. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You might like to start with a guided Lectio Divina in John 15:1-5:
Consider John 15:5 in The Message:
I am the Vine, you are the branches.
When you’re joined with me and I with you,
the relation intimate and organic,
the harvest is sure to be abundant.
Separated, you can’t produce a thing
We know from our study of the Old Testament that Israel was God's
beloved, chosen vine, but it only produced worthless fruit (Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm
80:7-16, and Ezekiel 15:1-5). Therefore, Jesus as the "true vine"
came to fulfill the vinedresser/gardener's purpose of bearing fruit.
Fruit-bearing is accomplished when the branches (true believers)
abide in the vine. What does it mean to "abide"? The Greek word for
abide means “to remain in or with someone, i.e., to be and remain united with
Him, one with Him in heart, mind and will. To be vitally united
to"
To be vitally united means to have His words "in" You as
the life-giving energy source (15:7-8) and to confess sin so nothing hinders
intimate communion and the flow of energy (15:3, 9-10, 14:21). When we
are in this communion, we will bear fruit, experience His pruning (so we can
bear more fruit, 15:2; Hebrews 12:1-11), experience answered prayer (15:7),
love for other believers (15:9, 12-13), and joy (15:11); but we will also
experience the world's hatred and persecution (15:18-16:4; 1 Peter
4:12-13). Jesus was preparing His disciples for the persecution and even
death they would face (Acts 7:59; Acts 12:2, 9:1-4), and abiding in Him would
be so key through all of that!
Deadwood (some branches not in vital union with God) will be cut
off and thrown in the fire. Some commentators interpret this verse as meaning
that these branches are believers who have lost their salvation, but this
contradicts other verses (3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:28-29; Romans 8:1). Other
commentators believe these are "professing believers," like Judas,
who look like believers on the outside but have not totally believed in Jesus.
Fruit (karpos)
can mean:
1) Winning others to
Christ (Romans 1:13)
2) Growing in obedience
and holiness (John 4:35-38)
3) Giving of money
(Romans 15:28)
4) Displaying Christian
character (Galatians 5:22-23)
5) Exhibiting good works
and service (Colossians 1:10)
6) Giving glory to God
in praise (Hebrews 13:15)
217. Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit: John 16:5-15
Jesus' departure was necessary, but His disciples were sad. He
told them that His leaving was to their benefit so that the Helper/Counselor
(Holy Spirit) would come. As I mentioned before, the word in Greek is paraklētos. It was a term used for legal assistants or advocates who pleaded
or presented a case. It literally means, "called to one's side, i.e. to
one's aid." Jesus is our intercessor, advocate, and comforter. The Holy
Spirit would convict ("to present or expose facts, to convince of the
truth") the minds of the unsaved so that they might see the truth of God
regarding God's righteous Servant, Jesus.
Since John 14-16 are key chapters in developing an understanding
of the Holy Spirit, now might be a good time to go through those chapters again
and make a list of all that you have learned about Him (see also 1:32-33;
3:5-6,8,34; 4:23-24;7:37-39; and 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
218. Jesus teaches about using his name in prayer: John 16:16-33
With all this teaching, the disciples did not totally understand.
He did not attempt to clarify because He knew that everything would become
clear in a very short time. He would be dying hours from that time!
They were still confused, but all would become clear in that they
would see Him rise from the dead after three days and rejoice. It would all
become clear. He used the illustration of a woman in childbirth (to a bunch of
men!) to drive home this point.
Then, Jesus talked about the changed relationship they would have
with God as a result of all of this. Previously, people approached God through priests. After Jesus' resurrection, all believers were now priests and they
could approach God directly (Hebrews 10:19-23; Romans 5:2). We do this through
the merit of Jesus and in His name which makes us acceptable to God. Ponder
this for a moment and praise! See other references to "in Jesus'
name" in John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:24, 26. With this the disciples believed
that Jesus "came from God," but Jesus knew that there would be
testing in this area of belief as they would be scattered to their homes as
they deserted (Matthew 26:56) and denied Him (John 18:17, 25-26).
In the meantime, He comforted them and assured them that their
sorrow would be turned to joy and that they would have peace because He had
overcome the world by defeating Satan (Romans 8:37). This statement leads
perfectly into the prayer that followed.
219. Jesus prays for himself: John
17:1-5
220. Jesus prays for his disciples: John 17:6-19
221. Jesus prays for future believers: John 17:20-26
Jesus concluded the Upper Room Discourse with what is often
referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer." Jesus had accomplished the
Father's will and had manifested the Father to the world so that they might
have eternal life through the Son. Jesus would now suffer, be sacrificed,
resurrected, and return to His previous glory with the Father. We are also to
glorify God (John 17:10; Romans 11:36; 16:27; 1 Cor. 10:31; Ephesians. 1:6, 12,
14, Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 1). Glory is
used eight times in this chapter and is a keyword.
The prayer is particularly for the remaining eleven disciples, but
He also prayed it for all believers in the future (John 17:20). He prayed that
His chosen believers would be 1) safe from Satan's power and the world, 2) set
apart in holiness and purity, and 3) united through His truth.
After 9 pm until Pre-Dawn
224. Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-11.
Judas brings a large crowd, and John's account explains it was not only from the Jewish religious leaders but also from the Roman cohort (about 600 soldiers).
When they said they were looking for Jesus the Nazarene, John records that Jesus responded by saying, "I am." The NASB adds He in italics indicating that this word is not in the original Greek. If you are reading this in many other versions (including the NIV) they say “I am he” without italics and a very important thing is lost in the translation. Jesus was asserting His deity by saying “I am” (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58)! I think this is why the people fell to the ground!
Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss. John mentions Peter's brash act of cutting off the slave's right ear and even mentions his name! Jesus was arrested willingly and without any harm to His disciples fulfilling His prayer in John 17:2 (John 18:9).
 |
| The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 84 |
Religious (Jewish) Trials
225. Annas questions Jesus: John 18:12-24
Around 11 pm
Religious Trial One (see map above for location in ESSENE QUARTER)
Annas was Caiaphas' father-in-law and former high priest. He was appointed high priest by Quirinius, governor of Syria, in A.D. 6, but he was deposed by Valerius Gratus in A.D. 15. The office of the high priest was a lifetime position, but the Romans often deposed them. Annas was succeeded by five sons and then by his son-in-law, Caiaphas, who was the current high priest (John 11:49-52).
 |
| By José de Madrazo Agudo (1781-1859) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
Around 11 pm
Religious Trial One (see map above for location in ESSENE QUARTER)
Annas was Caiaphas' father-in-law and former high priest. He was appointed high priest by Quirinius, governor of Syria, in A.D. 6, but he was deposed by Valerius Gratus in A.D. 15. The office of the high priest was a lifetime position, but the Romans often deposed them. Annas was succeeded by five sons and then by his son-in-law, Caiaphas, who was the current high priest (John 11:49-52).
John 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because I believe it is at the heart of everything when it comes to walking with Jesus!
Kay Arthur, in the book of John Precept Upon Precept Bible
Study, writes:
This could be one of the most profitable chapters you'll ever
observe in your study of the Word. The main truth of this chapter is the root
of all truly successful Christian living. . . To understand and to
appropriate this truth is the difference between living and serving God in the
flesh and living and serving God in the Spirit.
Amen, Kay! Back in the
80s, I discipled a group of women through their college years, I could not
think of a more appropriate way to send them out their senior year than
studying the Upper Room Discourse of John 13-17. I titled it "Abiding
Discipleship." We lingered the longest in John 15. At the end of the
study, I had them synthesize what they learned through prose, poetry, or song.
One of the funniest
women (they were ALL funny - we laughed our way through 2 1/2 years of study
together), Sue, made up a song and had us all sing this tagline over and over:
I really wanna do do do
do do do do do do do do do do do do do (as we snapped our fingers to the beat)
While she started out
singing:
"Just Be in Me
Like a branch is in a
tree
Let my words abide in
you
And you abide in me
Just love from the heart
like I loved you from
the start
So love to the end
Like I first loved you, my friend"
Then, she ended it by
abruptly singing "Just BE!" We all stopped our tagline then also because we no longer wanted to DO.
The song is so simple,
but that is how it is with Jesus. Our walk with Him is not about doing anything. It is about being IN Jesus. The doing comes
out of the being. We developed an acrostic for the word abide:
Always
Being
In
Divine
Encounter
That is the goal of my
life. How about you?
APPLICATION
Remove the head coach, and the team flounders; break the fuel
line, and the car won’t run; unplugged, the electrical appliance has no power;
without the head, the body dies. Whether for leadership, power, or life,
connections are vital! (The Life Application Bible, p. 2156)
In our walk with Christ
and the fruit-bearing ministry He gives us, our connection to Him, the life-giving Vine, is the only thing that will give us power for living.
I read a story about an
elderly church janitor who was going deaf and losing his mental faculties. One
day, the head pastor found this janitor furiously working, with sweat on his
brow, as he finished up vacuuming the sanctuary carpet. The only problem was
the man had forgotten to plug the vacuum into the outlet and had not realized
it. His labor had been fruitless!
I grieve for that dear
old man. I grieve for us sometimes too. How often do we labor so diligently in
our lives and ministries without being plugged into our true Source of power?
Abide means “to
remain in or with someone, i.e., to be and remain united with Him, one with Him
in heart, mind and will. To be vitally united to" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, p. 960). Are
you vitally united with Christ? How does this manifest itself in your life?
Where is your power source? I relied on my capable, hard-working self for years until I came to the end of my self-effort. What about you? Wherever
we are in our relationship with Jesus, we can always go deeper. Prayerfully
evaluate your life and ministry and journal about it.
(This APPLICATION is part of a Five Meditations for Cultivating the Abiding Life by me)
One last thing: Warren
Wiersbe once said, "Once you have begun to cultivate this deeper
communion with Christ, you have no desire to return to the shallow life of the
careless Christian." This is so true!
If you are reading
according to the Bible Book Club schedule, you are
reading these three meaty chapters of the
Upper Room Discourse. Remember, the group mentioned above spent a whole year in John 13-17 back in the 80s. So, take your time and linger longer in them. You are never behind in the Bible Book Club!
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