Read Today's Passage
Read the first section over again. Does it say that Jesus is preparing a mansion for you in heaven? No. What we fail to understand is that Jesus was speaking of a Jewish tradition of building on a room to an existing house for a new member of the family. (As in weddings. A man would build onto the house to give himself and his bride a place to live for at least the first year). Jesus is telling us that our union with Him on the other side of death will be one of being close, not separation. Not everyone gets their ow space and can hide from others. But a relationship of closeness. Why do we have to feel the need to change what Jesus says here?
Again Jesus is bold and states that the only way to gain this relationship is through Him. Not works. Not Hinduism. But through Jesus Christ, by accepting Him and making Him Lord. Not just praying a prayer, but allowing Him to run our lives. We forget this item when we become Christians. It is a free gift, but it takes a lot on our part to accept because we have to give ourselves up completely to His rule. "If you love Me you will obey what I command." You can't get any clearer than that.
Now, I could go on for days blogging about what the relationship between Loving God, accepting the free gift of salvation and obedience to God's commands is. But I want to hear your thoughts. So tell me, how do these all work together?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
John Chapter Thirteen - August 22, 2008
Read Today's Passage
There is so much symbolism in Jesus' washing His disciples' feet. Not only is it a common practice physically in that time, but it is a symbolic act of what He does for our souls on a regular basis. He cleanses us. We have already been washed clean by His sacrifice, but from time to time we need Him to clean us up so we can start walking again. When was the last time that you allowed Jesus to "wash your feet?" Also, when we are commanded to wash the feet of others, Jesus broke with tradition and societal norms to wash His disciples' feet. He lowered Himself to and beyond the disciples' status in society to serve them. We are to do the same, to serve those who we might consider beneath us. When was the last time that you served someone you couldn't stand?
It is refreshing to see John balance Jesus' godhood and His humanness at the same time. Jesus is troubled in His spirit by the betrayal He is about to experience. But He knows what Judas is to do in order to betray Him, and He commands Judas to go ahead and do it. For as we have read up to this point, He knows that He has come to the city to be killed for our reconciliation to God.
What are your thoughts?
There is so much symbolism in Jesus' washing His disciples' feet. Not only is it a common practice physically in that time, but it is a symbolic act of what He does for our souls on a regular basis. He cleanses us. We have already been washed clean by His sacrifice, but from time to time we need Him to clean us up so we can start walking again. When was the last time that you allowed Jesus to "wash your feet?" Also, when we are commanded to wash the feet of others, Jesus broke with tradition and societal norms to wash His disciples' feet. He lowered Himself to and beyond the disciples' status in society to serve them. We are to do the same, to serve those who we might consider beneath us. When was the last time that you served someone you couldn't stand?
It is refreshing to see John balance Jesus' godhood and His humanness at the same time. Jesus is troubled in His spirit by the betrayal He is about to experience. But He knows what Judas is to do in order to betray Him, and He commands Judas to go ahead and do it. For as we have read up to this point, He knows that He has come to the city to be killed for our reconciliation to God.
What are your thoughts?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
John Chapter Twelve - August 21, 2008
Read Today's Passage
And here we come to the final week of Jesus' life here on earth. We have read it before in two other Gospels this summer. It is different reading it from John's perspective. I especially enjoy Jesus' imagery that He gives the disciples about the wheat needing to fall to the ground in order to produce more plants. And His imagery of being the light and His commands to walk in the light while it is there... wow. It just really grabs me.
When I get to verse 43 I really see that we have come such a little distance in the past 2,000 years. People today still refuse to proclaim God's name because they are afraid to lose the praise of men. What dose that make those that follow through on this process? Those who like Jesus, but won't follow Him because it means they lose their status amongst others? And when He says that one who believes in Jesus has to believe in God. Wow. It really is all or nothing to follow Christ, isn't it?
What grabbed you?
And here we come to the final week of Jesus' life here on earth. We have read it before in two other Gospels this summer. It is different reading it from John's perspective. I especially enjoy Jesus' imagery that He gives the disciples about the wheat needing to fall to the ground in order to produce more plants. And His imagery of being the light and His commands to walk in the light while it is there... wow. It just really grabs me.
When I get to verse 43 I really see that we have come such a little distance in the past 2,000 years. People today still refuse to proclaim God's name because they are afraid to lose the praise of men. What dose that make those that follow through on this process? Those who like Jesus, but won't follow Him because it means they lose their status amongst others? And when He says that one who believes in Jesus has to believe in God. Wow. It really is all or nothing to follow Christ, isn't it?
What grabbed you?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
John Chapter Eleven - August 20, 2008
Read Today's Passage
I really love this account of Lazarus. Jesus is close enough with the family that they send word for Him to come. And His statement about how the sickness will not end in death is amazing. True, Lazarus did die. But it was not the end. Jesus came even after 4 days and death was not the end. I just love that statement. And It is true, that death does not have to be the end for us either. We can continue living alongside Jesus after death. Our sicknesses do not have to end in death.
And is it not amazing that when we read John's account here we see that the Priests and Pharisees thought that they were going to crucify Jesus to bring the Jewish nation together? It was them trying to do what they thought right... or was it. Did Caiaphas' prophecy merely happen because he wanted to get Jesus out of the picture so HIS will could guide the Jews?
What do you think?
I really love this account of Lazarus. Jesus is close enough with the family that they send word for Him to come. And His statement about how the sickness will not end in death is amazing. True, Lazarus did die. But it was not the end. Jesus came even after 4 days and death was not the end. I just love that statement. And It is true, that death does not have to be the end for us either. We can continue living alongside Jesus after death. Our sicknesses do not have to end in death.
And is it not amazing that when we read John's account here we see that the Priests and Pharisees thought that they were going to crucify Jesus to bring the Jewish nation together? It was them trying to do what they thought right... or was it. Did Caiaphas' prophecy merely happen because he wanted to get Jesus out of the picture so HIS will could guide the Jews?
What do you think?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
John Chapter Ten - August 19, 2008
Read Today's Passage
Jesus once again is bold, simple... and confusing. All at the same time. I sometimes wonder if He truly ever got tired of His disciples just not getting it? I know that at one point He kind of went off on them, asking them if they were really that slow (paraphrased), but think about it. Sharing earth-shattering Truth with them each and every day that they just don't get? That had to be frustrating! I especially love verse 10. Note that Jesus says that He came that we might have life to the full. Not the perfect life. Not so that we can have everything that we want. But to have life to the full. What do you suppose that means? And did you catch the subtle reference that the Jews were not the only people God cared about in verse 16? Such a powerful metaphor, using sheep. Even further on in the chapter when He talks about how God the Shepherd holds all the sheep in His and and no one can take them from Him. Are you a sheep? Or do you follow a thief?
Jesus once again is bold, simple... and confusing. All at the same time. I sometimes wonder if He truly ever got tired of His disciples just not getting it? I know that at one point He kind of went off on them, asking them if they were really that slow (paraphrased), but think about it. Sharing earth-shattering Truth with them each and every day that they just don't get? That had to be frustrating! I especially love verse 10. Note that Jesus says that He came that we might have life to the full. Not the perfect life. Not so that we can have everything that we want. But to have life to the full. What do you suppose that means? And did you catch the subtle reference that the Jews were not the only people God cared about in verse 16? Such a powerful metaphor, using sheep. Even further on in the chapter when He talks about how God the Shepherd holds all the sheep in His and and no one can take them from Him. Are you a sheep? Or do you follow a thief?
Monday, August 18, 2008
John Chapter Nine - August 18, 2008
Read Today's Passage
I find it very interesting that the disciples assumed that the man could be blind because of sin passed on from his parents. (There is a Biblical precedent for them to expect this). Or he might be blind as a result of his own sins. There are so many instances in Scripture where sin had a negative effect on a person's physical body. Why do we here in America simply assume that someone has physical limitations simply because of nature? And why do so many of us assume that physical problems are not set in place to see God's glory revealed? There are a few who do see this, but why do we pray for healing, but so rarely ask that in this instance God reveal His glory?
And from there, this man takes some of the Pharisees' own words about how a sinful man cannot perform such miraculous signs and throws it back at them! And they refuse to listen to him! The truth is so simple to see, yet impossible or these Pharisees to accept because it would necessitate them stepping aside and admitting that they have been wrong about Jesus. They would have to swallow their pride, and that is something that they are not willing to do. Humility es not grace the Pharisees.
I love how this chapter wraps it all up. Jesus tells the Pharisees that they claim to see, which in fact makes them blind because they do not see who He really is. Wow. So bold again. Jesus certainly was not here to make friends, eh?
What d you walk away from this passage with?
I find it very interesting that the disciples assumed that the man could be blind because of sin passed on from his parents. (There is a Biblical precedent for them to expect this). Or he might be blind as a result of his own sins. There are so many instances in Scripture where sin had a negative effect on a person's physical body. Why do we here in America simply assume that someone has physical limitations simply because of nature? And why do so many of us assume that physical problems are not set in place to see God's glory revealed? There are a few who do see this, but why do we pray for healing, but so rarely ask that in this instance God reveal His glory?
And from there, this man takes some of the Pharisees' own words about how a sinful man cannot perform such miraculous signs and throws it back at them! And they refuse to listen to him! The truth is so simple to see, yet impossible or these Pharisees to accept because it would necessitate them stepping aside and admitting that they have been wrong about Jesus. They would have to swallow their pride, and that is something that they are not willing to do. Humility es not grace the Pharisees.
I love how this chapter wraps it all up. Jesus tells the Pharisees that they claim to see, which in fact makes them blind because they do not see who He really is. Wow. So bold again. Jesus certainly was not here to make friends, eh?
What d you walk away from this passage with?
Sunday, August 17, 2008
John Chapter Eight - August 17, 2008
Read Today's Passage
- Go now and leave your life of sin. Such powerful words to forgive this woman, yet so simple.
- People still don't listen to Jesus, and continue to question Him.
- I laughed out loud when I read that the people were asking if Jesus was going to commit suicide.
- "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." How true, especially today.
- Again Jesus does not sugar-coat anything and tells the people who are not listening to Him that the belong to the devil. How many churches would run their pastors out of town today if a message like this was given?
- I like how Jesus keeps saying the same thing over and over about who He is to the people. But they still don't get it. And I can't get over how the people just can't get past Jesus' age and claims (that have been backed up).
- Jesus avoids death before His predestined time at the hands of an angry mob yet again.
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