Fishing

In John 21:1-9 we see a story that demonstrates the command of the commission.  We see a picture of how ministry should be and since our life is to be a ministry, we see how life should be.  We are to be fishers – fishers of men.  In this story we see Peter leading his group fishing.  They are doing the job that God has called them to do.  Interesting that they don’t catch any fish.  Then Jesus shows up and tells them to fish on the other side of the boat.  There is no magic on the other side of the boat – there is nothing about the technical aspects of fishing such that fishing off one side of the boat versus another should yield fish.  So, for the men to listen to Jesus they had to turn away from their own pride and rational thinking and trust Jesus.  Now they catch tons of fish.  When Jesus is followed and trusted and honored – there is abundance.  When Jesus is present in the work and leading the work, there are unimaginable results.  In contrast, when we do a work by ourselves, in our own power – nothing.  In other words, it is really God doing the work. 

Notice that the net was full but did not break.  God will enable what God will perform.  God will take care of what He calls you to do.  Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

In the rest of John 21 Jesus gives  a specific commission to Peter. 

That concludes our study of John - I hope that you enjoyed it and learned a lot.  Love to you all.

Doubting?

Look at the rest of chapter 20 today. 

I like the interaction between Thomas and Jesus.  I love that Jesus meets Thomas where he is and gives him what he needs to believe.  I love Thomas’ reactions, “My Lord and my God.”  Everyone has to make a personal decision about how they respond to the news of the resurrection.  We should come to Jesus with our doubts and ask Him to reveal Himself to us.  Hopefully our response is as Thomas’ was, “my Lord, my God.”  Is Jesus your Lord and your God? 

John 20:30-31 is written for each one of us.  The book of John was written “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; AND that believing you may have life in His name.”  I hope that through our study you have grown in your belief and understanding that Jesus is Christ, the son of God.  Think about what you have learned.  Think about how this can help you have LIFE – life now and life eternal. 

"Go"

Today look at John 20:19-23.  Here we see the commission.  The end of each gospel is not the resurrection of Jesus but the commission by Jesus.  Jesus didn’t just die to save us, He died to use us.  Here we see what God intends to happen after a person believes.   At the start of these verses we see the disciples scared and hidden indoors (in contrast to the women who are out trying to find Jesus J).  You wouldn’t think these cowardly men would be the ones to start the Christian church but then we see Jesus enter and do several things.  First He tells them to have Peace.  Then He says, “I send you.” There is a purpose for these disciples and this purpose is to tell the message of God – of the forgiveness of sins.  That is the ultimate purpose of all believers – to witness to the reality of Christ and His work on the cross.  Lastly, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit – the source in which to fulfill this commission.  Have you considered not just that Jesus died to save you but that He also died to use you?  Do you realize that the Holy Spirit has enabled you for a purpose?  Do you believe that “God’s will for your life” is really to declare Him and His message? 

Mary at the Tomb

Today look at John 20:1-18 and focus on Mary.   Mary is the first one to see the risen Christ.  In these verses we see that Mary Magdalene had several misconceptions.  She thought Jesus was still in the tomb.  Then when she found the tomb empty, she thought Jesus’ body was stolen.  Then when she sees Jesus, she thinks He must be a gardener.  She was taking the logic of her mind and coming to wrong conclusions.  We need to remember that it is easy to come to wrong conclusions about what Jesus is doing - especially when we use our human logic.  God may be doing something too big for us to imagine – just as Jesus was doing something so big that Mary couldn’t imagine. 

In Mary we can also see a beautiful picture of our relationship to God.  Mary was confused.  Mary had some errors in her thinking.  Mary was unhappy.  However, all of this dissipates when Jesus calls her name.  When Jesus calls her name, her eyes are opened and understanding is given her.  When Jesus calls her she responds.  When Jesus calls her she is overjoyed.  Think of how this parallels God calling us into a relationship with Him.  Think of how when Mary thought things were one way she weeps but when she sees the truth she rejoices.  Could you be “weeping” because you can’t see the truth? 

Last Week

Thanks Tammy.  Happy Spring Break to some of you.  I am sending this from Washington DC.  I agree about the “Passion of Christ” being a very difficult movie to watch but every few years I force myself to watch it so that I can be reminded of just how much Jesus endured for me.  Last year we even watched it with our children – I think it made a significant impact on them – they actually loved it and I think it brought them to a true understanding of salvation.  I encourage you to watch it if you haven't. 

I think the three words of “It is finished” encompass a great deal of theology.  What was finished?  Of course, Jesus’ life on earth was finished which meant that many other things were finished or brought to completion at the same time.  The wrath of God was satisfied.  The law was satisfied (the Old Testament was fulfilled, the penalty for all sin was paid through a blood sacrifice).  The distance between God and man that started with Adam’s sin was rectified.  Man was reconciled to God.  All of this was done through the love and obedience of a perfect and divine man.

This week we are going to finish John and I am going to do it a little differently.  For the next four days I will post some comments and questions on a part of John 20 or 21.  I encourage you to read those verses and reflect.  See if you can find a quiet time each day for those few verses and let God teach you through his Word.  Don’t stop with Jesus’ death last week – finish out with His resurrection and His commission.  Jesus’ death wasn’t an act of defeat, it was an act of victory.  Jesus wasn’t a victim, He was a savior.  He died, but then he rose again and after He rose, He gave the disciples and us some important instructions. 

John 19

The crucifixion is probably the hardest thing to read in the
Bible. I have never seen the entire movie "The Passion of Christ",
the sounds were enough to turn my stomach and make me stop watching. The
physical brutality is almost incomprehensible. In the chapter we read what
actually happened to Christ. He was totally innocent, but he did not argue,
debate, or fight the charges. He knew what he had to do to fulfill God's plan.
I also thought about the fear Pilate must of felt-he knew he was killing an
innocent man but he was afraid of the crowd and of what might happen to him if
he were branded an enemy of the emperor. I wonder what Pilate thought after he
heard about the Resurrection of Jesus.
I'm embarrassed to admit that until the past year or so, I didn't realize the
relationship between the Old and the New Testaments. When Jesus says "It
is finished" I'm assuming he is referring to the fulfillment of the Old
Testament scripture; the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation for us.
I also read this chapter thinking of what some of the witnesses must have felt.
My heart breaks for Mary. I cannot imagine watching my innocent son die in such
a horrible way. The soldiers-- especially when they realize what they have
done. His disciples--the despair they must have felt.
But as Christine wrote "Courage, power, love, obedience" was Jesus
reaction.

Week 8

Courage, power, love, obedience.  We don’t see a cowarding Christ, a running Christ, a hiding Christ.  We see a Christ who knows what is to come but moves toward it with courage.  Christ wasn’t tricked or fooled or trapped.  He could have escaped this end if He wanted – but He wanted to be obedient to God the Father and die for our sins.  His power was so strong that the soldiers and officials fell to the ground when He just spoke His name yet He set that power aside to be obedient and to love. 

This week we will focus on THE event in the bible – Jesus’ crucifixion as detailed in John chapter 19.  Read it several times and try to see it afresh.  What jumps out to you?  Maybe think of these things as you read.  1) Men do not suffer for what they do not believe.  2) Jesus was suffering for something He didn’t do – in fact, He had committed NO crime.  3) 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”   Think of how people treated Jesus and look at how He responded – even in the midst of extreme suffering.  Also, think about what Jesus meant when He said, “It is finished.” 

John 18

Recently I have been exposed to a variety of methods of studying the Bible. One method involves picturing yourself in the story and looking at the different people and how they must have felt at the time. So.... as I look at this chapter I'm thinking how the arresting soldiers must have felt. No doubt they knew there was something different about this man but they didn't feel they had a choice but to follow instructions. The High Priest and Pilate really didn't want anything to do with this situation. They knew Jesus was not a criminal. The guilt and confusion Peter must have experienced. The Jewish people-at one time they were followers of Jesus and now they were calling for his death. And lastly Judas-once he actually witnessed what he had done, I'm imagining the horrible feeling in his stomach. The reality of what he had done tha eventually caused him to take his own life.
As Christine wrote... lots of confusion, unease, disruption, conflict, and emotion. And at the center of it all was Jesus. However, he is the most calm and logical person in the story. And what I find even more amazing is ... he was the only one who actually knew everything that was going to happen!
I'm trying to apply this someway to my life. I think my goal this week is to stay calm, try to find peace, keep things in perspective and realize if Christ can maintain his composure in this situation surely I can handle the minor things that disrupt my life.

Week 7

Thanks Tammy, Julie and Erin - great thoughts. 

I think we often think of uniformity when we hear unity – we think unity means we are the same but that is not the case.  Unity means we are united – “to bring or come together in a single unit, to join in a common goal.”  We can be different and unified at the same time.   In unity our differences don’t keep us apart – or don’t affect our relationship.  Unity infers a common bond that is stronger than any difference.  As Christians, we have a common bond that should be stronger than any difference we may have.  God loves us equally.  We each have equal glory because of our position in Christ (verse 22). We each have equal responsibility and ability. We each are equally sinful and “all fall short of the glory of God.”  How can the world believe that God loves us when we can’t love each other – if we really believed that God loved the other person as much as He loves us would we treat them differently?  We don’t have to be unified in thought (other than the few absolute truths of the gospel) – we have to be unified in love – love for God and love for each other. 

This week we will do John chapter 18.  Here we see Jesus being arrested.  As I read this it seems that everyone is in turmoil – except for Jesus.  Look at the responses of the people around Jesus.  Judas.  The detachment of soldiers and officials (verse 6).  Peter.  Pilate.  Then look at Jesus and His response to what should have been a humiliating, degrading, scary experience. 

John 17

Two things that I touched me in this chapter are: 1) how much Jesus loved his disciples and how he prayed for their safety. He refers to "keeping them safe" and "guarding" them. 2) the call for unity not just from the disciples but from all of us. My church is going through a difficult time and there have been things said and done that have hurt people. Jesus calls for unity among his followers. Verses 21, 22, 23, 26 and the verses Christine referred to in Philippians. He tells us to "live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were one person." So many times I wonder if this is possible. It's discouraging to see so much dissention in the world, in our communities, in our families and even in our churches. This will only be possible through the Holy Spirit. It's difficult for human beings to avoid jealousy and pride. Why is that? Why can't we be more humble and considerate? I don't mean this in a judgemental way. I fall short of this myself. These verses give me a lot to think about and work on. The more like Christ I become then I think this will be easier and more natural for me. It's a goal : )

Week 6

Thanks Julie, Tammy and Allyson for your thoughts on the Holy Spirit.  I miss hearing from the rest of you. 

I love how John teaches us that the Holy Spirit lives WITH us and IN us FOREVER.  My “helper.”  It is reassuring to me that Jesus tells us that we will have the Holy Spirit right after He tells us that if we love Him we will obey Him – that seems impossible until we realize we have a helper.  I need a helper.  The Spirit can teach me, remind me, control me, produce fruit in me. But I need to acknowledge the Spirit, listen to the Spirit, yield to the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is one of those hard things to describe.  I think the analogy of the wind is so good – you can’t see the wind, but you can see the effects of the wind.  I can’t see the Spirit, I can’t understand the Sprit, I can’t even explain the Spirit to others – but I know when I see the effects of the Spirit.  I know when I feel the Spirit.  I know when I learn something that had to have only come from the Spirit.   I am so thankful for the verse in Galatians which lists the fruit of the Spirit so that we have something tangible to look for, to pray for and to see to attain. 

This week we will do John chapter 17.  Here we see Jesus praying – where else can you get a more intimate look into Jesus’ heart.  First Jesus prays for Himself, then He prays for His disciples and lastly He prayers for all other Christians (you and me included).  Let’s focus on the last part where Jesus prays for us.  Look at what Jesus prays – does this surprise you?  Think about the difference between uniformity and unity.  Think about unity – what is it, how is it possible, what is the result of it?  Look at Philippians 2:1-4.

John 16

The Holy Spirit has been a bit of a mystery to me. It probably goes back to as a child my church would sometimes refer to it as the Holy Ghost which was very confusing to a kid : ) I have a much better understanding of it as an adult but have to confess it still is sometimes hard for me to determine if what I am feeling is the Holy Spirit or something of my own making.

God made a promise to his disciples that although he will no longer be physically with them, he will be with them in spirit... the Holy Spirit.

He also introduces this concept of asking (praying) to the Father in his name (Jesus). I think many times we end a prayer with the words "in Jesus Christ" or "in the name of the your son, our Lord" and don't necessarily know why we say these words. Verses 23 and 26 help explain this. The way I understand it is Jesus is they way to God. He says "you will ask the Father in my name, and I won't have to ask him for you". We have direct access to God but only because Jesus made that possible. It is through the actions of Christ that we have this relationship with God and the gift of going directly to him.

The Holy Spirit is the way Christ communicates with us. The Father/Son/Holy Spirit. God is God, Jesus was made man, died and rose again to return to his Father. The Holy Spirit is with us constantly. The Holy Spirit provides our direction and inspirition.

Week 5

It is amazing to me how perfect this analogy is.  God (the gardener) plants, develops, cares for, uses and enjoys the entire plant.  He is active in the whole process.  He doesn’t just plant the seed and then leave and let happen what will happen.  And not only is He there during the process, but He IN the process – God is active in growing and changing me and you.  The pruning seems harsh at first but then you see the reason for the pruning – so that we can make more fruit.  God sees the things in our life that are getting in the way of us producing fruit and He removes them.  How?  I think this happens in many ways – through prayer, through reading of the bible, through other people, through trials.  Philippians 1:6 says, “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”  Then we have the vine – Jesus.  The vine can exist without the branches but the branches cannot live without the vine.  The sap flowing through the vine into the branches keeps them alive and bearing fruit.  Fruit is good and useful as should be the things that come from our lives. 

Remain or abide is a permanent, constant action.  A constant acknowledgment of God and His authority in our lives, a constant understanding of our position in Christ, and a constant reliance on the Holy Spirit.  Such a simple word but such a difficult reality.  Its one thing to do these things occasionally but to do them unremitting is a whole different thing.  But Jesus says that when we remain our “joy may be complete.” 

This week we are going to look at the Holy Spirit a little.  John is the gospel who talks most about the Holy Spirit.  In general the Old Testament focuses on God the Father, the gospels – Jesus and then the writings of Paul are where you really encounter the Holy Spirit.  However, John talks quite a bit about the Holy Spirit.  The word “trinity” is a contemporary word – you don’t find that word in the bible….but you do see the reality of the three in one throughout scripture.  You can see it clearly in John 14:16-17 where we see Jesus talking about God the Father sending the Holy Spirit.  I want us to look at some verses in John 14 and 16 this week plus a few verses outside of John to meditate on the Holy Spirit – who he is and what he does.  Read, dissect and contemplate John 14:16-19,26,27.  Think about what the purpose of the Holy Spirit is – notice that John calls the Holy Spirit a “he” – so, a "person."  What is the Holy Spirit?  Where is the Holy Spirit?  What does the Holy Spirit do?  Read some other verses about the Holy Spirit as you contemplate these things….examples, Romans 8:9-11, Romans 8:26&27, 1 Cor 2:6-16, 1 Cor 3:16, Galatians 5:22. 

After thinking about the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in the individual believer, we see how the Holy Spirit works on “the world” in John 16:7-11 through the believer and then how the Holy Spirit will inspire the other writings (truths) of the New Testament through the disciples in John 16:12-15.  God uses us but it is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings people to understand and accept Christ.  The Holy Spirit convicts people of the sin of unbelief, the Holy Spirit shows people what righteousness is and how they fall short and the Holy Spirit convinces people that there is such a thing as judgment – all of this points a person to Christ. 

John 15

In my Bible the word abide is replaced with the words "stay joined". I like these words "stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you" verse 4.
I'm in another Bible study and something that was brought to my attention is the idea of "promise" and "premise". For every promise in the Bible there is a premise-ex: God promises "this" and if I obey I will receive "that". I really see that here. Verse 5-If you stay joined to me, I will stay joined to you (promise), then you will produce lots of fruit (premise). Verse 7- stay joined to me and let me teachings become part of you (promise). Then you can pray for whatever you want, and you prayer will be answered (premise). Verse 10-If you obey me (promise), I will keep loving you, just as my father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him (premise). I like Christine's parenting example because this passage does not mean that God will stop loving us if we mess up. We can do nothing to earn or lose God's love but we can please him (and ourselves) by obeying him. Our obiedence enhances our relationship and our lives. I love my children unconditionally just like God loves me but.... I can love "on" them when they obey me and God. When they make good decisions I want to hug them and show them how proud I am of them. It enhances my relationship with them. That doesn't mean when they stray that I don't still know how important it is to support and love them. As parents we know our children are vunerable and will not always do what they know is best but neither do we. God is the best example of what parenting should be.
I also looked up the word "productive" or "fruitful" to try to better understand what God means by this. I found words like: "yielding positive results" (my favorite), profitable, rich, successful. Interesting.
Bottom line is we can do nothing by ourselves. We must trust, abide, stay joined, and remain in him.

Week 4

Thanks Julie and Tammy.  Many wonderful and also deep things in this chapter.  Thanks for thinking and for questioning.  I was just engaged in a conversation with someone about questioning.  I think questioning is wonderful especially when we question with a real attitude to understand.  When we acknowledge that our mind is limited and that God's ways are beyond our ways, then God can reveal Himself little by little to us.  Our lack of understanding doesn't change the character of God but the character of God can change our understanding.  This next week is a really fun passage - I hope you all get a chance to read and consider. 

Jesus is telling His disciples that His leaving has a purpose.  Jesus must die and rise again in order for His disciples (and us) to have eternal life in heaven with Him.  His leaving may produce pain but it has a great and wonderful purpose!  He isn’t asking the disciples to understand it – He is asking them to trust Him.  When the disciples ask “the way” there – Jesus doesn’t tell them the literal way but tells them that He is the avenue to get there.  Doesn’t this typify many events in our life?  There are times when things are scary – when we are confused or afraid.  Jesus doesn’t always allow us to understand but we must trust Him – trust that there is a purpose and trust that He would not leave anything undone.  Jesus knows things that I don’t and I need to trust Him – I may not know the literal way but I know THE WAY. 

I was really struck by the interaction between the words love and obedience.  It says that if I love God, I will obey and if I obey, I love Him…..then it also says that God will “show himself” to those who love and obey.  This is a little confusing to me….but I think being a parent helps me understand it a little more.   I feel loved when my children obey me – because they have faith in me, respect me etc.  And vice-versa – I can love (actively not emotionally) my children more when they obey me.  Of course I love them unconditionally when love is an emotion or a commitment but I can actively love on them or bless them or move to a new level of relationship with them when they obey me.  When I obey God I can experience much more of Him.   The path to knowing and experiencing God is to give up myself and obey God – to yield to Him, to obey Him, to trust Him etc.  Obedience requires me knowing what He is telling me – I can only know that if I am reading the bible, praying, listening to the Holy Spirit etc. 

This week we will do John chapter 15.  I love the Vine and Branches analogy and want to spend most of the time this week just thinking about the different characters mentioned and the first 4 verses of this chapter.  Think about the roles and the characteristics of the vine, the gardener and the branch.  Think about the fruit. 

A word about the cutting off of branches that have no fruit….these are not Christians who aren’t living a certain way.  These are non-Christians….or people who go through the motions of believing but don’t really believe…or as one commentary said, people who “profess” but don’t “possess.” 

Notice that the word “remain” or “abide” is mentioned 11 times in this chapter.  Think about what this word means. 

I really enjoyed Julie's thoughts. Thank you for your comments. I also found those verses to be particularly comforting. This entire chapter is so full of promises. Verse 2-preparing a place for us, verses 13 & 14 (see below), 18-he will not leave us like orphans, 25-the promise of the Holy Spirit, and 27 which is my favorite in this chapter " I give you a peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid." Many times I have experienced this peace but I long to feel it all the time. That's my goal.

Along with the promises there are two statements that really stood out to me. Verse 6-"I am the way, the truth, and the life!...Without me, no one can go to the Father." This is a statement, there is no vague, wishy-washy what does this mean feeling with this verse. Verse 23""if you love me, you will obey my commands......anyone who does not love me, will not obey". I completely agree with Julie. When we love Jesus, it is a natural extension to obey him. When we are "in Christ" then we need to try as hard as we can to be like Christ which means obeying him.

Julie's last thought was concerning ""Ask anything in my name and I will do it." and what does he mean to ask in his name. I'm not sure exactly what this means but I think that since Jesus is the one who made us right with God, wiped away our sins, and truly established our relationship with God then our prayers need to be in his name.......through him. Last week at our small group someone made the comment that they visualize Jesus sitting at the right hand of God leaning in and whispering in God's ear on our behalf. Telling God about us and how much he loves us. One struggle I have is that I have been praying for something for a few years and I haven't felt that God is answering my prayer, I guess God's timing is different than mine but I'm continuing to pray and trying to remember that he hears me and is working on the best solution. God is in control and he knows best and it will all make sense some day.

Comfort

Verse 1 and verse 27 of this chapter are a couple of the most comforting verses of scripture. I really love the words "don't let your heart be troubled". My heart has such a tendency to be troubled by my lack of belief. I fear all kinds of things and Christ is telling me I don't need to fear. He is leaving me a peace if I just believe. (Lord, help my unbelief.) He is assuring his disciples (and us) that we will not be left behind, that he is preparing a place for us that is beyond our wildest imagination, and that while we wait in this troubling and sinful world, he will give us his peace and his Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage us. It's such a cool thing to meditate on the fact that he is preparing our future, eternal home and will come fetch us and bring us there when the time is right. But he is letting them (and us) know that the ONLY way for this to occur is through him and our belief/relationship with him.

Verses 15 and 23 are also very good verses to sit on. "if you love me, you will obey my commands......anyone who does not love me, will not obey". This is not saying that we prove our love by obeying, or that we obey to gain his love, or even you WILL obey my commands because you love me. I think that what it's saying is that if we truly love him, meaning we believe and understand the sacrifice he has made and the way he unconditionally loves us no matter our own shortcomings, the what will flow from us is a natural obedience from the thankfulness that is overwheming.


"Ask anything in my name and I will do it." I am hoping that some of you will share thoughts on this verse. What does it mean, exactly, to ask "in his name", and how does he "do it" when we dont always see from our perspective the answer to prayer???

Week 3

Thanks Erin, Julie and Tammy for really helping me experience these scriptures and think about humility. 

I love how perfectly this act of feet washing symbolizes the acts that Jesus will do in a few days with His death and resurrection.  As Jesus lays down his robe and puts on the towel we see images of the divine Christ laying down his position.  We then see him take the towel and remove the dirt from the disciples’ feet just as he removes the filth/sin from man with His death on the cross.  Then after the act we see Him put the robe back on as He resumes His position – just as Christ does when he rises from the dead and ascends from heaven to sit at the right hand of God. 

It’s amazing how many times I read this story and missed the part about the body already being clean and the feet needing washed.  I remember being in a Sunday school a few years ago taught by my dad – he explained the meaning behind this and ever since then I have loved this scripture.  Our “bodies” are clean when we are saved – that never changes.  But, as we walk through the world we pick up dirt on our feet.  This dirt is sin.  We cannot bring that sin into our relationship with God.  As it says in verse 6 – unless we wash we can have no part with Him.  We need to present our feet, our sin to Jesus and let Him wash us – we need to confess and ask for forgiveness.  He then will forgive us. 

This week we will do John chapter 14.  I would like us to take a deeper look at the first 7 verses and then a more overall look at the rest of the chapter.  Remember that Jesus has been telling His disciples that He is leaving.  Think of how the disciples might feel?  Then start with verse 1 of chapter 14.  Do not disconnect verse 1 from the rest of that paragraph – connect verses 1-7 into one lesson.  What is Jesus telling His disciples, what is He asking of them, what is He not asking of them?   How can that relate to us? 

The rest of the chapter has several reoccurring themes and a few profound statements.  We will come back to the verses on the Holy Spirit in a few weeks so don’t focus on those as much.  Think upon one or all of the following….

·         “Believe me when I say…OR at least believe on the evidence of the miracles. 

·         Jesus says multiple times that faith and love for Him lead to obedience

·         “Ask anything IN MY NAME, and I will do it.”

·         “Because I live, you also will live.”

·         “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.”

I agree with Julie. I also participated in a foot washing service many years ago and it truly was an eye-opening activity. It was extremely humbling. Honestly, there was minute or two that I wasn't sure I could do it so to know that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples is inspiring.

Verses 14-15 emphasizes the example of Jesus has set for us. If he can humbled himself to do what he has done for me, then surely I can do right by others.

Julie also mentioned verses 34-35. This is a commandment given to us... We are to love one another, just as Christ loves us. Along those lines, think of the Lord's Prayer when we say "forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who have trepassed against us". If I want Jesus to love and forgive me then I must love and forgive others. mmmmmm............. much easier said than done : ) but I'm working on it!

I participated in a foot washing service and it truly was a humbling experience. To get down on the ground below a person and pick up their dirty feet into your hands a wash them is not only service, but real humility. The washing of the disciples feet is such a beautiful picture of Christ's ultimate act of servitude to us by his willingness to hang on the cross in our place for the sins that we have committed against him. He humbled himself (the God of the universe) even to death on a cross next to a couple of thieves. Completely mind boggling. It also symbolizes how our soul is cleansed by accepting this sacrifice

In response, we are asked to humble ourselves as well in servitude and attitude. Considering others before ourselves and following the example of Christ. That is such a hard thing to do sometimes when I am so focused on myself and my "needs". When v. 34-35 talks about our need to love others as he has loved us, I feel like it's an impossible task. But when I remind myself of Christ's willingness to die for me and that he loves me so much in spite of the ugliness of my heart, then how can I not be obedient and love others in turn out of thankfulness to him?

The definition of Humble.

Marian-Webster dictionary.  Humble=
1. not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive
2. reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
3. ranking low in a hierarchy or scale: insignificant, unpretentious.

By the definition of humble, I find it interesting that being 'humble' can be considered an inferior thing as stated in definition #3.  For Christians and as seen in these verses, someone who is 'humble' is a characteristic to always strive for.  It is never an inferior concept but shows great obedience to Jesus' teaches and truly following by example.
I really like verse 16 "no servant is greater than his master".  Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is a task that the lowliest (humble) servant would do when you came to someone's home.  Jesus never considered himself greater or even equal to God "...he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross" (Phil. 2:6-11). 
Being humble is indeed a 'significant' characteristic (unlike def. #3) that we should all strive for as Christians.  Being humble in all circumstances in life (a consistent thing) is truly 'living by example' and a powerful witness to nonbelievers.
 "...By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

Week 2

Thanks Julie, Tammy, Callie and Allyson!  Good questions and good answers.  I think the process of wrestling with the scripture is as important as finding the answer.  The more we do that and the more we try to look at the scripture as a whole, the more we will understand. 

With Mary we see an ultimate expression of her love for Jesus – a profound, lavish, extravagant, unimaginable love.  It almost seems silly at first but upon closer inspection you find a beautiful act - Mary not only gives her best to Jesus but she also gives it all.  She lays down her physical self, her emotional self and her spiritual self at the feet of Jesus.  She has no concern for what those around her might think – it’s as if she has no choice but to respond in this way.  She is moved entirely by her love for Jesus.  This is very convicting to me.  Do I have a profound, lavish love for Jesus?  Do I give my best and all to Jesus?  Does my love for Jesus move me to action?  I love Jesus’ response to Judas….Jesus cares more about one act of pure devotion than many “good” acts that aren’t motivated by love.  Again we see Jesus’ concern about the heart – not necessarily the action…..or in other words the faith and not the work. 

What does it mean for me to “hate my life in this world” and how does that lead to eternal life?  I think it has to start with me seeing the difference between this world and God’s world and then an attitude of really desiring God and His world over everything else.  It is amazing to me that Paul could say he “considers EVERYTHING loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus.”  I intellectually believe that but I can’t say my heart has truly embraced it.  I do know, however, that it is only when I give up my agenda that I can really see God at work….it is only when I let go of that which I am clinging to that God can really show Himself to me and bless me.   I have true life and life to the fullest when I die to myself. 

 This week we will do John chapter 13 – we will focus on verses 1-17 which is one of my favorite parts of scripture.  I think there are three main lessons to be found in these verses.  There is the most obvious lesson about how we should treat other people – that we should humble ourselves and serve others.  But there are two other important lessons – one about how God relates to us and one about how we should relate to God.  Spend some time reflecting on God’s call for us to serve others and then move on to look for the other two lessons (see below)

1.        How is this act symbolic to Jesus’ ultimate act for salvation?  Look at each action of Jesus in these verses and relate them to His future acts.  Read Philippians 2:6-11 to help think through this.

2.       Look at verse 10….what does the bath symbolize?  What does the washing of feet symbolize?  What does this verse mean?  Use 1 John 1:9 to help. 

After focusing on these first verses sit on verse 34 and 35.  What does it mean to love others as Christ has loved us?

John 12

After reading Tammy's posts with her questions, I think I read the chapter again with a new determination to understand it a bit more.

Specifically, I want to learn more about the "glory" references. Here is what I think....I think it is about Jesus' resurrection and ultimate return to heaven. In v. 16 I read "...but after Jesus had entered into his glory, they remembered that the scriptures had come true...". Since it uses a lowercase "h" for his, I assume that it is talking about Jesus and not God. In v. 23, the writing is the same, and the analogy that Jesus tells is essentially explaining the need for him to die. In v. 28, Jesus is asking to be saved from what lies ahead (death) but then says no, "bring glory to your name", which makes me think that he is saying his (Jesus) death will bring glory. V. 41 says Isaiah was "given a vision of the Messiah's glory." Admittedly, I am no pro at figuring this stuff out, this is my educated guess I suppose:)

John 12

I enjoyed Julie's insight on this chapter. I agree with her comment "We are sometimes caught up in the form and structure of Christianity". Mary was reacting to Jesus with her heart-although it may have seemed unconventional. Maybe we should learn to Not get caught up in the form and structure of Christianity but instead set our hearts on Christ.




Maybe I should know this (but I guess that's why I wanted to get into a Bible Study) but there are four references to "been given his glory". Verses 16, 23, 28, 41. Can someone help with this concept?


Also, do you ever think that some of the people didn't have a chance because they were "pre disposed" to God's plan. Did Judas have a choice or was his destined to this role in the killing of Christ? Or did God know he was the most likely to betray Jesus so he was who God picked? In verse 40 it states "that the people could not have faith because the Lord blinded the eyes of the people and made them stubborn so they could not see or understand so that they would not turn to the Lord and be healed" Why?



I guess I have more questions than comments on this chapter.

Happy New Year, everyone. It's nice to be back with you!

I love the utter devotion to Jesus (and the spontaneity of it) that is shown in this passage. The Lord knows Mary's heart and he completely accepts her offering to him, even if the perfume was to be saved for his buriel. Everything else in life needs to take a backseat to the worship, acknowledgement, awe, and love for Christ. We are sometimes caught up in the form and structure of Christianity, even if it is doing something very good (like for the poor- although with Judas it was for purely selfish gain-he wanted money for himself, but even if it was purely altrustic, Christ wants our hearts first), whereas Christ asks that our focus and priority be on him and our relationship with him. "You will always have the poor among you, but you won't always have me."

When reflecting on verses 23-27, I went back to our study in Phillipians. I think that when we are told to "hate" our lives it is referring to how we view it in comparison to eternity. We have to be able to "hate" it to a point of willingly sacrificing any wordly connections. However, we know that we are called to have joy in this life. I have been around Christians who are so morose about this world and their life here and justify it by verses like these. God has basically commanded us to be joyful as we recognize the love and grace extended to us.

Welcome Back!

We spent the first half of our John study learning about who Jesus is through multiple “I am” statements.  “I am….the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate, the good shepherd.” We also saw Jesus’ divinity and His power over all things – the physical world, demons, illness and death.  Now we will think about Jesus’ ultimate reason for coming to earth.  The last 12 chapters of John deal with the last 1 week of Jesus’ life.  I encourage you again to start by just reading the chapter several times and let it sit in your mind.  Make observations, consider certain things etc.  Then see what God highlights for you.  I was reading a book about the bible as literature this weekend and it said “we should read the bible with our imaginations as well as with our reason.”  I encourage you to read these stories with your imagination – imagine what the characters were like, what the setting was like – recreate the experiences and sensations and events.  I think you will be surprised at what you can learn and experience. 

We will start with chapter 12.  Remember that Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus showed his power over death physically and at the same time illustrated to us the need for us to “die” and be made alive again by Jesus.  The scene starts with Jesus at a dinner with some friends.  The key of this story is Mary and her response to Jesus.  Think about Mary…why did she do what she did?  What is significant about what she did?  What can this teach us about how we should respond to Jesus?  Compare her to Judas.  Look at Jesus’ response to Judas. 

Next we move into Palm Sunday and see Jesus starting to prepare His friends and disciples for what is to come.  Sit on verses 23-27 for awhile.  Especially think about what it means to hate your life in this world so that you may keep it for eternal life. Look at Philippians 3:7&8.