Month: January 2019

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day seven)

Jesus does two extraordinary turnabouts in this text. They seem out of character and unlike the Jesus we often imagine.  For one, Jesus seems to ignore the Greeks who have asked to speak to him.  He never acknowledges them through this discourse. Then, in verse 36 Jesus hides himself from the unbelievers.

He could have at least spoken to the Greeks or stuck around to try to save some of the unbelievers, both of which seem more noble than this account in John 12.  Why did he leave all of them out in the cold?

We find the answer in verse 27: “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.”

God’s plan rarely includes all the good we think it should.  We think Jesus could have talked to the Greeks or hung around a little bit longer, when, in fact, it was time for Jesus to head towards the cross.  God plans often diverge from our best intentions, and when they do we follow God anywhere and everywhere He goes, even when we have to give up good opportunities.

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day six)

“…they still did not believe in Him.” John 12:37

Don’t be discouraged. That’s one of the messages of John 12. After all Jesus had done, they still did not believe; His own people rejected Him. Those closest to Jesus had to feel defeated and discouraged. This is why John includes Isaiah 53:1 and 6:10; it serves as a reminder that nothing or no one can thwart the plans of God.

When the seemingly unexpected happens, rest assured it is not out of God’s control. When the whole world seems to be falling apart, do not lose heart. When the church seems to be losing ground, and the world advancing, do not forget God’s promises.

Nothing can stop God.

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day five) Jesus had hard but honest words for the Greeks.  Same honest and hard words for us.  The christian life is difficult, counter cultural and counter intuitive.  The illustrations He chooses are not the feel-good pictures that would be considered market friendly-  dying like a grain of wheat, hating our life in this world, following Jesus on a path to suffering, and becoming a servant. However, these pictures are not the end of the story.  Jesus also has glorious promises for those that will die, devalue their own life, follow, and serve.  They will bear fruit, find eternal life, be near and close to Jesus, and will be honored by God.

What we learn is that the christian life is not easy, but it is productive,  intertwined with the presence and power of Jesus, and eternal.  Anyone want to live that kind of life (now and in eternity)?

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day four)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could always say what Jesus said in verse 45?  “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.”  When people looked at us, we would hope that they would see Jesus…His character, His love, His obedience.  What can we do to insure that we are giving a clear and accurate picture of Christ to others?

We must first be familiar with the character of Christ.  This comes from spending time with Him…in Scripture, in prayer, in meditation, in practice.  If we don’t know the character of Christ, there is no way we can accurately paint a picture of it with our lives.  To intimately know Christ takes time.  If we want to have a firm, expansive knowledge of Scripture 10 years from now, we need to be deeply invested in study and daily practice now!  Many of the spiritual giants we read about now, got that way after a lifetime of faithful living.

Colossians 1 says, “I ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day three)

“I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.”

Indeed, why would Jesus judge anybody when we can take care of that job ourselves?  I’m kidding. Or am I? Seriously, though, who’s up for a little more immediacy when it comes to bad people getting their comeuppance? Do you really want to go there, though? God’s slowness has some good things going for it. Consider the composer of Psalm 139 who prayed, “God, slay the wicked,” then turned around and said, “Wait a minute, you better check my heart first and forgive my sin before you do that.” Or consider Peter’s words telling us that what seems like a delay in God’s justice actually allowed you the interval you needed to come to Christ. There will be a time for judgment. Right now, we need a Savior.

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day two)

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. vs. 32

What is our job in regards to evangelism? How are we to reveal the deep truths of the gospel to people who don’t know, have never heard, or who are hostile to the church.

Look up. The work has been done for us. Tell the story of Jesus and the cross. He will draw people to him. He has done all that is necessary. Aren’t you grateful for that? The image is so powerfully drawn. Jesus gives the parameters even before the event. He will be lifted up, and we must look to the cross. It is only through the cross. Jesus knew this, and he didn’t want them to miss it, and didn’t want us to miss it either.

Confused? Lift you heads, look to the cross. He will draw all to him.

Re:Verse passage – John 9:1-7, 13-41 (day seven)

Healing this blind man seems like an odd choice for Jesus. For one, there is no record of this man inquiring for healing (v.1, 6).  Jesus just seems to heal him.  Then, this blind man calls Jesus a prophet (v. 17), which is an honorific title, but falls short of Jesus’ true identity.  Then, when questioned further on Jesus’s life, the blind man claims that he has no idea if Jesus is sinless (v.25), and even when Jesus asks him about believing in the Son of Man, the blind man questions Jesus (v.36).

This blind man seems to know nothing about Jesus Christ. Things we are taught in the earliest stages of Sunday School are lost on him, but he had an experience with our Lord and Savior.

He (the blind man) then answered, “Whether (Jesus) is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”(John 6:25)

In two interactions with Jesus Christ this man’s life was changed forever.  He ignored all those outside, doubting voices.  He ignored his own ignorance, and he obediently followed Jesus Christ.

And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. (John 6:38)

May we make such a statement of belief through all doubt and ignorance.

Re:Verse reading–John 9:1-7, 13-41 (day five) Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him…  John‬ ‭9:35‬ ‭

It may be the sweetest part of this interaction with Jesus, the second encounter  between Jesus and the man who was formerly blind. The first interaction resulted in physical healing, courage, and boldness. That encounter also caused stress, trouble, and conflict. The scripture says “they put him out”.  Do you sometimes feel it too?  See John 15.  “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

So in the midst of the difficulty and isolation Jesus finds him (again).  Sound familiar? “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”Psalm 46:1   “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Maybe an encounter with the Living God (again) is just what we need today. Whatever the need or circumstance, ask Him to come near and find you to continue that work in your heart and mind!

Re:Verse passage – John 9:1-7, 13-41 (day four)

This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture.  I love it when the former blind man reveals his spiritual insight to the Pharisees who were completely blind to the truth.  Rather than listen to this second-class beggar in his newfound spiritual wisdom, they reviled him for trying to teach them…the spiritual giants of Israel.

Actually, this story is very sad.  I love the irony of how God exalts the humble, but it is sad that the Pharisees just didn’t get it.  They were so set in their self-exalted wisdom and their grasp of power and influence, they could not understand the God whom they proclaimed to serve.

We can celebrate the victory of the lowly beggar, but we don’t want to do so at the cost of celebrating the darkness of the Pharisees.  May God give us His eyes to see the lost as He sees them.  May we grieve over their lostness and ask God to use us to lead them to the light!