Scott Lane

Important Word

Re: Verse reading–John 21:1-25 (day five)

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” There is uncertainty among scholars about the word “these”. Did “these” refer to the other disciples? Did “these” refer to the fish, boats, and nets? Maybe the more profound answer to the clear up this question is “YES”. What if the most important word in the question was “MORE” ? Then we filled in the blank “do you love Me more than ______________”.

Jesus challenges that our love and devotion to Him needs to be “more” than our earthly relationships, occupation, priorities, and security. Is it fair or wise for Him to ask/demand that loyalty? Again the answer is “YES”! What Jesus knows, is that loving Him MORE than ___________________, results in us becoming better spouses, parents, workers, students, friends, disciples, and church family. We gain a clearer understanding and have constant encounters of grace, forgiveness, patience, devotion, and sacrifice.

Whatever & Wherever

Re: Verse reading–John 20:10-31 (day five)
John 20:28Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Profound statement. Revolutionary words. Do they sound familiar? John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

What we need to remember is that Thomas spoke those words days after the Resurrection. The words in John 1:1 were penned some 60 years later.

There is great hope in understanding the sequence of these verses. Thomas, in the midst of doubt, fear, stress, tension, and grief is able to gain a new and supernaturally revealed insight into the nature and character of Jesus. God was working in Thomas’ heart and mind.

So, whatever the circumstances, tensions, doubts, and fears we face, the hope of God’s continued work in the human heart and mind are possible to the soul that would seek, ask and knock. (see Luke 11). Will you spend time in prayer and reading/searching the scriptures? God is at work in whatever and wherever!!

Living in Tension

Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day five)
John 19 “And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” Luke 9 ⁵⁸ “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

In Luke Jesus says the phrase “lay His head”. John uses the phrase “Jesus bowed His head”. Same Greek words in both verses. No doubt John remembers Jesus’ words in Luke as He taught about the sacrifice and realities of knowing and following Jesus on the earth. Mission and Ministry are more important than earthly comforts and treasures.

John observes that Jesus found the place that He did not have during His life on earth, when He gave up His life. Culture and earthly desires fly in the face a soul that loves the Lord and yearns for Heaven. We live constantly in this tension- To embrace the mission and journey on earth, and also to be in a place of ultimate peace and rest. Jesus models the perfect pattern for holding onto both ends of this rope.

Asking

Re: Verse reading—John 15:1-17 (day five)

Vs. 7- If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

What a strange statement. “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you”. Is God some sort of genie granting any and all wishes to people? Answer- NO!! Can these words be true? Yes, because they are only a part of this verse and teaching of Jesus.

Jesus and scripture certainly do teach a confidence and boldness to our prayers and petitions. (I am SO glad) The first part of this verse frames 2 truths as the context for His promise. (Abide in Me, My words abide in you) Both have to do with what shapes the human heart and causes it to become supernaturally focused and aware. First, is the promise that a close, strong, and vibrant relationship with Jesus shapes the human heart to desire the things of God. Second, is the power of the scripture to influence and affect our thoughts, desires, and priorities. Thank You Father for Your Promises and Power!!

New Chapters

Re: Verse reading–John 14:1-14 (day five)
I see it every year as Youth Minister- parents and students processing and adjusting to new coming chapters (graduation, middle school, high school). I also see people entering new chapters at weddings, funerals, retirements, and hospitals. Some chapters are welcomed and needed while other are intruding and life altering. Our reaction and struggle with change more often than not, is one of stress and angst. Aversion to change is not just unique to Baptists; it is a common human response, regardless of age.

Jesus’ words in John 14 address His disciple’s anxiety about the news of His departure. “Do not let your heart be troubled”. Present faith in the living God (believe in God/believe in Me) and certainty for the future (that where I am, there you may be also) are the key components of His instruction. Listen to His reminder for their trust and confidence, “If it were not so, I would have told you”.

We navigate new chapters and changes by faith and trust in the “Unchanging One”.

Deep and Wide

Re: Verse reading–John 13:1-17; 31-38 (day five)

John 13 is closely connected to the prayer in Ephesians 3. “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”. John describes the exact actions and attitude of Jesus that the apostle Paul prays the believers in Ephesus would understand and appreciate. The hope is that those early Christians would be filled, inspired, and strengthened.

John 13:1 “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

Jesus’ love for His disciples is “wide”- Loving His disciples completely and perfectly during His three years of ministry and teaching. Through times of questioning, unbelief, slow progress, and stubbornness, His love for them never falters or runs out.

Jesus’ love for them is “deep”- Loving His disciples with intensity and determination in the moments of service, suffering, and sacrifice. Jesus’ love is not lessened by humility, pain, or sorrow. In fact, His love remains sturdy and visible.

May God give us grace to become more aware and in awe of His love for us!

Jesus Believed…

Re: Verse reading–John 11:17-44 (day five)

When Jesus walked the earth, his actions and attitudes are worth noting and following. By becoming flesh (human), Jesus affords us opportunities to see His Wisdom, Strength, and Authority. There are great insights to be gained as we are presented with occasions to understand what Jesus really believed about: scripture, eternity, heaven, a relationship with His Father (to name a few).

John 11: 41 – Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”

Jesus believed that not only was He able to hear from God, but also that God heard Him. He really believed that God hears and responds to the prayers of His children. He really believed that in a relationship with God, communication was not only possible, but also essential.

What would a real and honest conversation sound like between each of us and the Living God this day, this moment? What would we say? More importantly, what would God say?

“It’s Me”

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day five)

Ever answer a phone call (without caller ID) and the person on the other end says just two words, “It’s Me”? Based on the ability to recognize the voice, the listener immediately is in a state of confusion or comfort.

John 10 vs 3 “and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ” vs 4 “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

This scripture teaches at least two amazing truths. 1) Jesus calls to His sheep by name. 2) His sheep have the opportunity and capacity to recognize His voice.

When Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd, He is promising to faithfully call and lead His sheep. Are we (His Sheep) ready and willing to listen and follow?

Challenge for 2015: Every day we would spend time faithfully praying and meditating on the scripture so that we could understand and recognize the voice of Jesus.

The goal- We might find peace and comfort when the conversation begins by Him saying, “It’s Me”.

“What Did You Get?”

Re: Verse reading – John 8:31-47 (Day Five)
It is a question that floated around yesterday at our house. From instagram to text messages, from facebook to phone calls, I looked and listened with curiosity as my kids answered the question “What did you get?” Their responses revealed their evaluation of importance, significance, and relevance.

Jesus teaches that the ability and capacity to hear, understand, and apply the Word of God is invaluable. Look at verse 47- “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” It is a gift given to every true believer. Do we perceive its importance, significance, and relevance? R.C Sproul says, “There is no greater gift we could ever receive from God than to have our ears opened, to have the scales taken from our eyes, to have our stony hearts softened so that they become beating, pulsating, responding hearts of love as we hear the Word of God.”

Farming Lessons

Re: Verse reading–2 Timothy 1:6-14; 2:1-15 (day five)

6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

Paul uses the image of a farmer as a picture/example to teach Timothy (and us) lessons about the Christian Life. What is it about the farmer that helps us better understand that Christian Life? Hard Work? Yes! Certainly effort and energy are required. But consider Paul is also illustrating a blueprint for growth and strength in the relationship between God and each believer.

Jerry Bridges writes, “Farming is a joint venture between the farmer and God. The farmer cannot do what God must do (sunshine, germination, rain), and God will not do what the farmer should do (plow, fertilize). We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on His own part”.