John 13 & 14 - Last Supper and Upper Room Discourse

LINK: John 13 & 14

BACKGROUND

The Sixth "I AM" Statement: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Thursday Sunset-9 pm

210. Jesus washes the disciples' feet: John 13:1-20

Satan had entered the heart (13:27) of one of His "trusted twelve," but Jesus knew all that. With this, Jesus' time had finally come after repeatedly saying it had not yet come (John 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 12:23, 27: 17:1). Jesus came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). So He proves this by humbly doing the work of a lowly servant (1 Samuel 25:41; Luke 7:40-50; 1 Timothy 5:10) by washing their dusty feet. (Even Judas, the one who would betray Him got his feet washed - think about that!) 

Peter could not handle this role reversal. I love the way Kenneth Wuest translates Peter's statement, "You shall by no means wash my feet, no, never" (The New Testament: An Expanded Translation, p. 247). but Jesus essentially said, "'Unless I wash your sins away by my atoning death (cf. Rev. 1:5) you have no real relationship to Me' (cf. 1 John 1:7)" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Volume 2, p. 320). Peter did not totally get it yet, but Judas did not get it at all. He was an unsaved man (John 6:64-71). 

Leonardo da Vinci [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

211. Jesus and the disciple share the Last Supper: Matthew 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, John 13:21-30

Leonardo da Vinci's painting did not get it right. They were all reclining and not sitting at a table (Matthew 26:20), but it is still a beautiful work of art!

John's account is the only one that mentions that Jesus was "troubled in spirit" (the Greek word, etarachthē, means stirred or agitated) when he identified that someone would betray Him. John, as the disciple Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus' bosom and would have been more able to sense Jesus' spirit at the time. Luke is the only one who records Jesus saying "woe" (judgment) on the man who does the betraying. How disconcerting to learn that one of their own would betray Jesus.

The Matthew, Mark, and John accounts record the betrayer as the one who dips together with Jesus in the bowl. John's account records Him doing this act and giving the morsel to Judas. It was a "final extension of grace to Judas. A host's giving a morsel of bread to a guest was a sign of friendship" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, John 13:25-27), but Judas did not take it as that, and Satan entered him (John 13:27). John is the only gospel writer that records this and that the disciples still did not know Judas was the betrayer. 

How astounding that Luke would record a dispute about who was the greatest after Jesus had just said that someone would betray Him (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus told them this talk was "pagan thinking." The way UP to greatness was DOWN through service. In fact, it is "lowly service" in Greek! Eventually, they would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes in His kingdom (Luke 22:30, Matthew 19:28). 

During the meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper where the wine would represent the blood of the covenant and the unleavened bread, His body. The John account does not record Jesus' words regarding this. The Lord's Supper is to be done in remembrance of this (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). It is to be a memorial feast where believers are reminded that Jesus gave His body and blood for the redemption of the world! It is also celebrated to look forward to the day when He will come again. Lastly, it is a time when we can look within, examine our hearts, and repent of known sin (1 Corinthians 11:27-32).  Jesus was the Passover lamb, sacrificed for us, let us celebrate the feast (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8)!

Here is the general order of the last supper in 13 steps [some books show more steps, others fewer steps, so this is a general guideline]:

1. The head of the company, Jesus in this case, opens with a prayer and
2. Gives the 1st cup of wine for everyone in the company to drink.
3. The head of the company washes his hands.
4. The head of the company dips some of the bitter herbs into the salt water or vinegar and speaks a blessing, eats some of the herbs, and hands them to the others.
5. The unleavened bread is broken into pieces, reserving half to be eaten after supper, called the after dish.
6. The 2nd cup is filled and the youngest in the company (John) is instructed to ask questions about the significance of the Passover.
7. Psalms 113 and 114 are sung.
8. The 3rd cup of wine is filled, followed by prayer, and they all drink the cup.
9. Everyone washes his hands.
10. Supper begins with eating the unleavened bread and bitter herbs and the lamb. Everyone in the group must eat at least an olive size portion of the lamb. All the lamb is to be consumed or destroyed. no bones of the lamb are to be broken.
11. The after-dish of the bread broken earlier is eaten. It is believed this is where Jesus said, "Take eat, this is my body."
12. The 4th cup of wine is the point when Jesus told them to all drink of it, this was his blood.
13. Conclude with hymns and prayers. Psalms 115-118 and the Great Hallel - Psalm 136.

212. Jesus predicts Peter's denial: Luke 22:31-38, John 13:31-38

John records that Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified (The Amplified says, "Now He has achieved His glory, His honor, His exaltation!"), and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately."  As I mentioned in a previous post, "glorify" is a keyword in the Upper Room Discourse section of the book of John. Now that Jesus' time had come, it will come without delay. He was going away, and they were to love one another as He loved them (John 13:34, 35 should be memorized!). 

Of course, Peter could not handle Jesus going away just as he could not handle Jesus washing His feet. Jesus knew that Peter would not, at first, lay down his life for Jesus, but Satan would be given permission to "sift him like wheat" (Luke 22:31). We see another example of this in the book of Job.  Jesus predicted perfecting in the sifting. Denial would lead to a strengthened man who would strengthen others, and Peter's epistles later on in life will reflect that. Stay tuned.

The Upper Room Discourse 

213. Jesus is the way to the Father: John 14:1-14

Jesus told His disciples to not be afraid and believe. The disciples still did not understand where Jesus was going and who He was. He told them He was going to prepare "rooms, abiding places" for them (not "manor houses" as some believe). They will be lovely places in His presence!

Jesus also said He was "the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (14:6). He also said, "He who has seen me has seen the Father" (14:9). This whole section affirms Jesus' deity. There is one way, and that is through belief (a key word in John) in Jesus. 

214. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit: John 14:15-31

Love for Jesus is revealed by obedience to His commands (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 2:3; 3:22, 24; 5:3). John 14:21 is a core verse to memorize. 

This is the first teaching on the Holy Spirit. He is our paraklētos:

PARAKLĒTOS (παράκλητος , (3875)), literally, called to one’s side, that is, to one’s aid, is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defence, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1 John 2:1, of the Lord Jesus. In the widest sense, it signifies a succourer, comforter. Christ was this to His disciples, by the implication of His word “another (allos, another of the same sort, not heteros, different) Comforter,” when speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16. In 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 He calls Him “the Comforter.” “Comforter” or “Consoler” corresponds to the name “Menahem,” given by the Hebrews to the Messiah. (Vine, W., & Bruce, F. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (2:208)

Jesus would not be physically present, but the Spirit of the Truth would guide them. The Spirit would be in them. This was in contrast to the Old Testament where the Spirit came and went in believers for special purposes. When Pentecost came (John 14:20, Acts 2), all believers became indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13). All believers have gifts of the Spirit too (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4). This Helper will teach us all things. 

Jesus said that "The Father is greater than I."  "The Father is greater in office or glory than the Son was in His humiliation" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament). Jesus had already stated His deity earlier in John 14, and read in its entirety, John made this clear (1:1-2; 10:30 14:9; 20:28).  

In addition to the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus assured them of peace that they could rest in. This was the Jewish way to say goodbye (šālôm). The Upper Room Discourse was His encouragement and last goodbye.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION 

A Passover celebration is a wonderful way to understand Resurrection Day!  Celebrate the Feasts by Martha Zimmerman is my favorite guide for this and other Jewish feasts. There are many online resources also. 

You also might like to follow this audio prayer exercise based on the Last Supper: Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given Examen.

God In All Things · Taken, Blessed, Broken, and Given: An Examen

    

You can also download it in written form.

It comes from the God in All Things Website

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that Christ is our Passover, and we can gladly join the feast. Amen.

John 12:20-50: A Grain of Wheat

LINK: John 12:20-50

BACKGROUND 

Monday of Holy Week

185. Jesus explains why he must die: John 12:20-36

John wrote this gospel for the world (John 1:29, 3:16, 4:42, 6:33, 8:12) and wanted to include the visit of these Greek seekers of truth. They were "other sheep" outside the Jewish fold (John 10:16, 11:51-52). Philip had a Greek name. Perhaps that is why they approached him. 

Jesus knew that His time had come, and things were moving very fast now. It was time for the Son of Man to be glorified. Glory is a keyword in the rest of the gospel of John, especially in the coming "Upper Room Discourse" (John 12:28; 13:31-32; 14:13; 17:1; 4-5, 22, 24).

Jesus uses the visual picture of the seed to illustrate that the path to glory involves death. The seed, by itself, is useless, but if it goes into the cold, dark earth. It must submit to this so that it might grow and sprout and bear fruit. We must surrender too, as Jesus did. We have a fruitful life when we follow Jesus Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. 

Jesus called men to "follow" Him (John 12:26). The Amplified Bible reads, "Cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying." WOW! 

Jesus was in turmoil about becoming sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21), but He needed to be lifted up on a cross to "draw all men unto Himself" (John 12:32), to glorify the Father (12:27), and defeat Satan (12:31).

The people were still confused: How could the Messiah die? Was He the Son of Man of Daniel 7:13-14? If He died, how could He have an eternal dominion?

Jesus encouraged them to put their intellectual musings aside and believe in the Light (John 1:4, 9; 8:12; 12:46) and become sons of Light while there was still time!

186. Most people do not believe in Jesus: John 12:37-43 

Most did not come to the Light! Isaiah had prophesied of it long ago in Isaiah 53. Many of John's metaphors and themes are from Isaiah. Compare Isaiah 61:1 with John 8:36; 58:8 and 42:7 with 9:39; 40:11 with 10:1-21; and 43:19 and 45:22 with 10:16. 

187. Jesus summarizes his message: John 12:44-50

A number of the basic themes in John’s Gospel run through this message: God sent the Son; to see the Son means to see the Father; Jesus is the Light of the world; His words are the very words of God; faith in Him brings salvation; to reject Him is to face eternal judgment. In fact, the very Word that He spoke will judge those who have rejected it and Him! (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Jn 12:37)

REFLECTION 

A Grain of Wheat and Discipler's Prayer

I cannot even remember why I flipped, but I did. It was the fall term of my senior year of college, and I had no idea about my future, and I was really stressed.  I flipped out on the phone with my discipler. I cannot even remember what triggered it. 

I thought, for sure, she would cut me out of her life, but I found this typed page in my mailbox later that night. I still have it framed and on my wall. It brings tears to my eyes even to read it today. It came from a heart that cared and wanted me to grow to be like Jesus, just as Jesus cares for us and gave His life for us so that we might conform to His image:

I want you to be one of the best [wo]men that ever lived—to see God and to reveal Him to men. This is the burden of my prayers. My whole being goes out in passionate entreaty to God that He will give me what I ask. I am sure He will, for the request is after His own heart.  

I do not pray that you may 'succeed in life' or 'get on' in the world. I seldom even pray that you may love me better, or that I may see you oftener in this or any other world—much as I crave for this. But I ask, I implore, that Christ may be formed in you, that you may be made not in a likeness suggested by my imagination, but in the image of God—that you may realise, not mine, but His ideal, however much that ideal may bewilder me, however little I may fail to recognise it when it is created.  

I hate the thought that out of love for me you should accept my presentation—my feeble idea—of the Christ. I want God to reveal His Son in you independently of me—to give you a first-hand knowledge of Him whom I am only beginning to see. Sometimes more selfish thoughts will intrude, but this represents the main current of my prayers; and if the ideal is to be won from heaven by importunity, by ceaseless begging, I think I shall get it for you.  

She wrote under this:

"The words belong to

--Forbes Robinson (of Cambridge) writing to a friend

but they express my heart's
desire for you –
and, I trust,

yours for me. 
I love you

because of Jesus,

Sheryl 
19 Nov. 1980  
5:25 p.m." 

What hit me more than anything was the picture she drew at the bottom of the page:

That simple grain of wheat falling unto the earth still gets me so many years later. 

APPLICATION

Die to live. 

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross to show us how to truly live. We surrender all. Amen. 

John 12:12-19: Palm Sunday

By Unknown publisher of Bible Card
(http://thebiblerevival.com/clipart46.htm)
 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

LINK: John 12:12-19

Palm Sunday, Spring A.D. 30

183. Jesus Rides into Jerusalem on a Donkey: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

BACKGROUND

Jesus is riding on to die. This is the start of the final days of Jesus' life. Jesus' death is emphasized in all four gospels. Matthew devotes 33 percent, Mark 37 percent, Luke 25 percent, and John 42 percent to the last seven days of Jesus' life. 

This event is often called the "Triumphal Entry."  Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time and the mood was celebratory for some but others plotted His death. 

Jesus rode on a donkey as a just and humble King and fulfilled the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, but He also rode on to die. All four Gospel accounts include this event, but Matthew 21:2 mentions a donkey and a colt.  Mark 11:2 and Luke 19:30 record the colt only. A simple explanation would be that a mother donkey would naturally accompany her colt. Apparently, Jesus rode on the colt so Mark and Luke did not add that his mother came along. Also, Matthew would often add more detail for his Jewish audience. John starts his narrative when Jesus enters Jerusalem and mentions nothing about the donkey or the colt.

The crowd spread out palm branches. The palm symbolized the beauty and righteousness of man (Psalm 92:12-14). It also represented the head of state and victory.  "Hosanna!" means "save now" in Hebrew, and they were asking the One who was coming in the "name of the Lord" (Psalm 118:25-26) to do just that!

When Jesus rides in, the crowd acknowledges Him as the Son of David, the Messiah they have waited for all these years. There are three different groups present:

1) Passover pilgrims (John 12:12,18)
2) Locals who had witnessed the raising of Lazarus (John 12:17)
3) Religious leaders who threatened He would start a revolution (John 12:19)

The religious leaders were threatened because Jesus' followers were proclaiming Him to be the Messiah or King and because Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem would someday fall (Luke 19:39-44). It did just that when the Romans destroyed it in A.D. 70. National acceptance of Him would have brought them peace, but they did not recognize the time of God's coming! So sad!

APPLICATION 

Worship and pray through Psalm 118:25-29 below and meditate on the Triumphal Entry through the lyrics of the song. 

"Ride On to Die" by Michael Card

Sense the sorrow untold, as you look down the road

At the clamoring crowd drawing near
Feel the heat of the day, as you look down the way
Hear the shouts of Hosanna the King

[Chorus:]
Oh, daughter of Zion your time's drawing near
Don't forsake Him, oh don't pass it by
On the foal of a donkey as the prophets had said
Passing by you, He rides on to die

Come now little foal, though you’re not very old
Come and bear your first burden bravely
Walk so softly upon all the coats and the palms
Bare the One on your back oh so gently

Midst the shouting so loud and the joy of the crowd
There is One who is riding in silence
For He knows the ones here will be fleeing in fear
When their shepherd is taken away

[Chorus]

Soon the thorn cursed ground will bring forth a crown
And this Jesus will seem to be beaten
But He'll conquer alone both the shroud and the stone
And the prophesies will be completed

[Chorus]

On the foal of a donkey as the prophets had said
Passing by you He rides on to die

PRAYER

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; 

We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. 

The Lord is God, and He has given us light; 

Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 

You are my God, and I give thanks to You; 

You are my God, I extol You. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; 

For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

(Psalm 118:25-29)

John 12:1 - 11: A Woman Anoints Jesus with Perfume

LINK: John 12:1-11 

If you are adjusting your reading to coincide with Easter of the year you are reading, you would read this the Friday before Palm Sunday.

Here are the dates for Palm Sunday in the coming years:

2024: March 24 (so you would read this chapter on March 22)

2025: April 13

2026: March 29

2027: March 21

2028: April 9

2029: March 25

2030: April 14

2031: April 6

2032: March 21

2033: April 10

2034: April 2

2035: March 18

 182. A Woman Anoints Jesus with Perfume: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-11

Chronologically, this event happened before Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, but the gospel accounts by Matthew and Mark place it here and can only be explained as a flashback. Some commentators believe it was put here in the Matthew and Mark accounts to contrast the worship of Mary with the hostility of the religious leaders or to show why Judas was so interested in obtaining more funds. John’s account is in the correct place chronologically (John 12:1-11).

This post draws Jesus' public ministry to a close. Mary's anointing of Jesus signified her anointing for the coming sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This is not to be confused with the account in Luke 7:36-50, where the sinful woman anointed Jesus in the house of Simon the Pharisee in Galilee. The anointing in this event is by Mary, probably the sister of Lazarus and Martha, a virtuous woman. Sometimes people are confused because both events happened in the home of a man named Simon, which was a common name in those days.  

It is six days before the Passover. Some gospel harmonies place this day as Friday and some as Saturday before Palm Sunday. People would arrive early because of the large number of pilgrims coming for ritual purification before the feast.  Jesus has just returned from Ephraim and is attending a dinner in Lazarus' honor at Simon the leper's house (Jesus had probably healed him). 

It was unusual for a woman to be at the table with guests. The flask contained .5 liter or a pint of pure nard imported from the mountains of East India. It was only opened on special occasions. Even though the anointing of special guests was customary at wedding feasts, the costly perfume would have been poured on the head of a king and not on the head (Matthew and Mark) and feet (John) of an upstart teacher like Jesus. 

Judas objected, but that was because he had been dipping in the money box! Jesus knew all that though (John 2:24, 25; 6:64). The Matthew and Mark accounts say it was "some disciples" and "some" who were indignant, but John says it was Judas specifically. 

Jesus told them to leave Mary alone because she was anointing Him for burial. There is an obvious contrast between Judas' secret greed and Mary's open and giving sacrifice. 

The John account adds that a large crowd gathered to see Jesus and Lazarus whom the religious leaders were also planning to kill. 

If you are reading this on Friday, tomorrow is a Sabbath day before Palm Sunday. Rest or start reading ahead because the next week will be quite a bit of reading.

REFLECTION

I once did something really crazy. I took my most expensive and favorite perfume and poured it over my feet. The fragrance was lovely, but I wanted to feel what it would be like to let go of something that cost me a lot. It was painful (because I am very frugal).

There is something even more costly than perfume. When I studied this passage on August 6, 1982, I wrote in the margin of my study:

 "Giving to God our most precious resource - our whole life." 

Then I wrote the words to a familiar hymn:

"Take my love, My God I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee

Ever, only, all for Thee."

(Francis Havergal, February 1874)

APPLICATION

Can you give Him your whole life?

PRAYER

Pray through the whole hymn:

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Here is the story behind the hymn: 

I went for a lit­tle vi­sit of five days (to Are­ley House). There were ten per­sons in the house, some un­con­vert­ed and long prayed for, some con­vert­ed, but not re­joic­ing Christ­ians. He gave me the pra­yer, “Lord, give me all in this house!” And He just did. Be­fore I left the house ev­ery one had got a bless­ing. The last night of my vis­it af­ter I had re­tired, the gov­ern­ess asked me to go to the two daugh­ters. They were cry­ing; then and there both of them trust­ed and re­joiced; it was near­ly mid­night. I was too hap­py to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and re­new­al of my own con­se­cra­tion; and these lit­tle coup­lets formed them­selves, and chimed in my heart one af­ter ano­ther till they fin­ished with “Ever, On­ly, ALL for Thee! Havergal Manuscripts

John 11 - The Resurrection and the Life

LINK: John 11

The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

The Fifth "I AM" Statement: I am the Resurrection and the Life

165. Lazarus becomes ill and dies: John 11:1-16

We are in the last few months of Jesus' ministry around A.D. 30. Jesus has been teaching about the kingdom and telling parables "beyond the Jordan where John was first baptizing" (John 10:40). It is believed this was Bethabara ("house of the ford") on the east bank of the Jordan, which is about twenty miles from Bethany in Perea. (It may be the ancient Beth-barah from Judges 7:24.). 

http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

Bethany was on the east side of the Mount of Olives (see map above). 

Lazarus was a prominent friend of Jesus and is not to be confused with Lazarus the Beggar in Luke 16:19-31. John tells us that Mary is the one who poured perfume on Jesus' feet. She is not the "sinful woman" of Luke 7:36-52. He is telling us of a future event that will occur in John 12:1-10 when she anoints Him in anticipation of His burial. 

Jesus waited two days. He knew His friend (John 15:13-14; James 2:23), Lazarus, was already dead (11:11, 39) anyway. Jesus says "sleep" but this means dead. He needed to perform a sign (attesting miracle) so that others would believe (11:15) and God would be glorified (11:4). Remember sign and believe are both keywords in the book of John.

It is interesting to note that Thomas was the forerunner in showing commitment to Christ here when he will later be doubting (John 20:24-25).

166. Jesus comforts Mary and Martha: John 11:17-37

There were many people at Bethany because it was only two miles away from Jerusalem, and it was traditional to mourn the dead and comfort the grieving family. 

Martha is the doer, and Mary is the contemplative personality. Note how this plays out in this passage as it did in Luke 10:39-42. Her statement in 11:21-22 really is a declaration of her faith in Jesus rather than a criticism for Him being late. Martha believes that Lazarus will be resurrected on the last day, but Jesus makes the fifth "I AM" statement: "I am the Resurrection and the Life." We may die a physical death, but when we believe in Him, we will never die spiritually. Note Martha's awesome statement of faith in 11:27: You are the Christ ("Messiah"), the Son of God (title for Messiah). Martha gets such a bad rap because of Luke 10:39-42, but this proves she does not deserve it! In contrast, Mary, again, falls at Jesus' feet (John 11:32, 12:3, Luke 10:39) and expresses her sincere but limited faith.  

Here is a little Wesley hymn that encapsulates the balance of Martha and Mary:

Faithful to my Lord’s commands, 
I still would choose the better part: 
Serve with careful Martha’s hands 
And loving Mary’s heart.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Jn 11:17)

I always say that we need a balance in a Mary-Martha Milkshake! 

Jesus shows His emotion which is in direct contrast to the Greek concept of God that was in vogue at the time. The Greek gods were apathetic and lacked emotions. They had no messy involvement in the lives of humans. There is much debate about what "deeply moved" and "troubled" Him in 11:33. Some believe it means He was "angry" because He was either troubled at their unbelief or angry at Satan. Others believe He was expressing His love and compassion. Isaiah 53:3 states He is "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." So, I prefer the latter. This is also seen in 11:35. "Jesus wept" is better rendered from the Greek as "shed silent tears" in contrast to the loud wailing of the mourners. 

167. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead: John 11:38-44

Supposedly Lazaurus' tomb in Israel. 
This was originally posted to Flickr by Marion Doss at
 http://flickr.com/photos/7337467@N04/2845250880

However you interpret "deeply moved," we know that Jesus performed this seventh sign (attesting miracle) so that others may believe. At the word of Jesus, Lazarus came forth from the grave (John 5:28, 10:16, 27). Lazarus would go on to be a living witness of the power of Jesus (John 12:9-11).

168. Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus: John 11:45-57

The response to this miracle was mixed. Many believed and also testified about Him (John 12:17-18), but others went to Pharisees and religious leaders to "report" Him. The Jewish council (Sanhedrin) wanted to keep their power. A Jewish insurrection would be crushed by the Romans, and they knew that they would lose something in the process. They did not understand that Jesus wanted to start a revolution of the heart.

Caiaphas, was a Sadducee (Acts 23:6-10), but Jesus united the Pharisees and Sadducees together in a common cause: kill Him. Little did they know that they were fulfilling prophecy by doing this (Isaiah 53:8) and fulfilling God's plan for the world to know Him (John 4:42, 10:16; Acts 2:23, Ephesians 2:14-18; 3:6).

After this, Jesus went with His disciples to Ephraim (fifteen miles north of Jerusalem) for more healing, teaching, and saving that are recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

REFLECTION

John 11 reveals the deity of Jesus Christ and the utter depravity of the human heart. The rich man in Hades had argued, “If one went unto them from the dead, they will repent” (Luke 16:30). Lazarus came back from the dead, and the officials wanted to kill him! Miracles certainly reveal the power of God, but of themselves, they cannot communicate the grace of God. (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Jn 11:41)

What would I have done if I were there at the raising of Lazarus? I would like to think that I would have believed in Jesus rather than reported Him to the Pharisees.

As I meditated on this chapter, my mind went back to September 1969, when I went to a camp where we sang, 

"I am the Resurrection and the Life 

(clap, clap, clap, clap). 

He who believes in Me will live a new life."  

I had never really understood who this "Lord Jesus" guy was until, later that weekend; I had a vision of Jesus waving His hand to come to Him. It was God's little sign (attesting miracle) for a 10-year-old girl who had been searching for a meaning to life for four years (I was an old soul).

I believed, and it was the beginning of my resurrection to a new life that weekend, and the vision was as real and sure as Lazarus being raised from the dead.

APPLICATION

Is Jesus your Resurrection and Life? Talk to Him about that right now. 

You might like to try this recorded Imaginative Contemplation on the Raising of Lazarus. 

PRAYER

We believe in You, Jesus. Amen. 

John 10 - The Door and the Good Shepherd

LINK: John 10

BACKGROUND 

The Third "I AM" Statement: I am the Door of the Sheep

The Fourth "I AM" Statement: I am the Good Shepherd

151. Jesus is the Good Shepherd: John 10:1-21 

The picture of a shepherd and his sheep was a perfect metaphor for Middle Eastern culture. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David were all shepherds in a literal and metaphorical sense. Kings, priests, and leaders were often referred to as shepherds of their sheep (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; 1 Chronicles 11:2; Psalm 78:71-78; Jeremiah 3:15) The Lord is referred to as our shepherd (Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:11). Throughout the book of Jeremiah (see especially 23:1-4), God condemns the shepherds of Israel, and Jesus is tying the good shepherd discourse in with the spiritually blind shepherds of Israel in John 9. The false shepherds had cast out the once blind man, but the good shepherd would take him into His flock through His door!

To protect sheep from thieves, bad weather, and wild animals, the shepherd would put them in pens. These pens were in caves or sheds or in open areas surrounded by stones or branches with an opening for the door. With this backdrop, Jesus made three declarations about Himself.

1) "I am the Door"  

In the sheep pen, the shepherd functioned as a door or gate for the sheep as they went in for protection. Jesus is the only way (door) to salvation. He was specifically stating that the sheep of Israel who were cast out of the synagogue (like the once blind man) would be able to come in through His door. The thieves and robbers were leaders of the nations who only cared for themselves. Jesus would protect His flock from enemies (saved or "kept safe") and provide for everything they needed giving them a "full/abundant" life (10:10).  

2) "I am the Good Shepherd" 

A hired man did not have the same care for the sheep as the shepherd who owned the sheep and had a personal interest in their welfare. The false prophets and ungodly kings of Israel were like those hired hands. The flock of God suffered under them throughout the Old Testament (Jeremiah 10:21-22; 12:10; Zechariah 11:4-17). Jesus was the good shepherd who would very soon lay down His life for these sheep (10:11, 15, 17-18) as a substitutionary sacrifice (Romans 5:8, 10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18) for their sins. In this passage, He predicts both his death and resurrection (10:17-18).

The "other sheep . . . not of this flock" that Jesus refers to in 10:16 are the Gentiles. I have been saying since the beginning of the Bible Book Club that God's plan was that the nations would be blessed through Abraham's seed (Genesis 12:1-3 - another essential passage to memorize), and that seed is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for ALL peoples from different sheep pens and who hear His voice and become part of one fold (Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:6)!

152. Religious leaders question Jesus at the Temple: John 10:22-42

These claims divided the people. Was Jesus divine or demon-possessed? This resulted in a final confrontation with the crowd (10:22-39) during the Feast of Dedication also called Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights. It is December, A.D. 29.

Hanukkah is the only feast not recorded in the Old Testament because it occurred during the time between the Old and New Testaments. It commemorates the reconsecration of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C. after Antiochus Epiphanes of the Hellenistic Syrians defiled it by sacrificing a pig on the altar of burnt offering in 168 B.C.

The Jews wanted to know if Jesus was the Christ. Jesus responded that the miracles He had performed were clear evidence (Isaiah 35:3-6; John 3:2; 9:32-33). They did not understand because they were not His sheep. If they were His sheep, they would know His voice, and they would have eternal life and never perish (10:27-28). 

Jesus claimed that He was one with the Father's purpose and nature. This infuriated the crowds, and they wanted to stone Him because He was claiming to be God. He responded in a way common in Rabbinical discussions by quoting Psalm 82:6 where the Israelite rulers and judges were called "gods" (See Exodus 4:16; 7:1) because they were agents of God's revelation. Jesus wondered how He could be blaspheming if He was merely fulfilling God's orders. The miracles were testimony enough that Jesus was fulfilling God's purposes, and the Father was in Jesus and Jesus was in the Father (John 3:2). 

This causes more hostility. Consequently, He escapes to Perea where John the Baptist had baptized (Bethabara) and prepared the people's hearts to be more receptive to Jesus. It is January, A.D. 30, and the beginning of His third and final year of ministry.

REFLECTION

I am so glad we have a Good Shepherd! My husband grew up in a farming community and has many funny stories about sheep. They can't even get up after falling down. They REALLY need a shepherd. So do we!!!

In her beautifully illustrated book All We Like Sheep, Mary Glynn Peeples gives a "practical guide for living the Christian life" by telling us about sheep who need full-time supervision because:

• they are not trainable
• they are afraid to drink running water
• they are led, not driven
• when they are on their backs they cannot right themselves
• they are not burden-bearing animals
• they must be sheared at the right time in the right season
• their vision is impaired when they are not sheared
• they are defenseless
• they need his daily touch

That sounds a lot like us, but some of us don't want to admit that we are like sheep (Isaiah 53:6). The sooner we can realize it, the better!

APPLICATION

Isaiah 53:6, Romans 5:8, and 1 Peter 3:18 are essential verses for memorization and relate to this passage. 

All We Like Sheep is an excellent book to read! 

PRAYER

Let the song from Handel's Messiah, "All We Like Sheep" send you into worship today!

You are the Good and Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us this day. We follow You as Your sheep. Amen.

John 9 - Spiritual Blindness

LINK: John 9

BACKGROUND

The Sixth Sign: Healing the Man Born Blind

148. Jesus heals the man born blind: John 9:1-12

149. Religious leaders question the blind man: John 9:13-34

150. Jesus teaches about spiritual blindness: John 9:35-41

This is the sixth sign that pointed to Him being the Messiah. Can you name the other ones? See the end of this post for the answer!

Jesus had just proclaimed Himself as the "the Light of the world" (John 8:12). Now He backed this up by bringing a man who had always been in physical darkness into the light! He used this sign to illustrate man's spiritual blindness (John 7:39-41; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3). He did this on the Sabbath which upset the religious leaders. 

It was a common Jewish belief at that time that all suffering and disabilities were a result of sin, but Jesus reminded them that the man's blindness was for God's glory (as He would later claim about the death of Lazarus in John 11:4). There were different reactions to the healing of the blind man:

1) The general population was divided and skeptical.

2) The Pharisees were divided, showed disbelief, and were upset because healing and the making of clay violated the Sabbath law.

3) The parents were afraid to commit to anything because they did not want to be kicked out of the synagogue by claiming Jesus was the Christ.

4) The blind mind bore bold witness to what had truly happened and progressed from believing Jesus was only a prophet (John 7:17) to believing Him the Son of Man (a title of Messiah - see Daniel 7:13; Mark 2:10)!

Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world" (7:39).  Yet Jesus said in John 3:17 that He did not come to judge the world. Although it is the same Greek word root in each verse, "judge/judgment" can mean "condemn" (John 3:17) or "render a decisive judgment" as in a court case (John 9:39). Jesus came to render decisions about the ungodly because the Father had given Him that authority (John 5:22, 27). 

Only those who admit they are helpless and ignorant and in the dark can have any possibility of coming towards the Light. Those who think they see but remain stubborn and prideful about their blindness only continue to blind themselves because they turn away from the true Light (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

REFLECTION (written in 2010)

As I have written this post, it has been dark; but light is dawning on the horizon. I had stumbled in the darkness of my kitchen to make my tea earlier this morning because I did not want to wake George who is sleeping on the couch due to a a bad cold. 

It is the start of a new day, and it reminds me that light has come into this dark world so that we might no longer stumble in the darkness. 

Hallelujah!

APPLICATION

Recount the story of how you came from darkness to light. Tell someone your story!

If you are still in spiritual darkness, let's talk!

PRAYER

Lord, I was wretched, miserable, poor, and blind (Revelation 3:17) until I met You. Thank You for dispelling my darkness by the Light of Christ! Amen. 

Answer to the question at the beginning of the post

A major part of the Gospel (2:1-12:50) contains seven "Signs" that point to Him as the Messiah: 

1) Changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana (2:1-11)

2) Healing the official's son in Capernaum (4:46-54)

3) Healing an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda (5:1-18)

4) Feeding the 5,000 near the Sea of Galilee (6:5-14)

5) Walking on the Sea of Galilee (6:16-21)

6) Healing a blind man in Jerusalem (9:1-7)

One more to go . . .

7) Raising Lazarus from the dead in Bethany (11:1-45)