Promise

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

“This sickness will not end in death.”  Jesus fulfilled all the roles of the redemptive work of God among his people: Prophet, Priest, King.  But his statement is less a prophecy and more a promise.  We will see people die; we will see their bodies stop working, we will have their funerals, and we will live life without them.  But they themselves will not have known death.  No one who counts on Jesus will ever see death.  This pathogen-borne disease will not end in death.  This mental illness will not end in death.  This congenital problem will not end in death.  This accident will not end in death.  We will see death come for those we love, but what we understand as death will not end their lives.  No one could ever have made this promise but Jesus.

Jesus Wept

Re: Verse reading–John 11:17-44 (day two) Jesus wept.

This wasn’t the initial design. Our communion with the Lord was to be perfect, unfettered by anything and eternal. Sin. Separation. Death. These painful consequences were not our intended purpose. Jesus looked at the suffering of his friends Mary and Martha, and it hurt him. He knew what he came to do, he knew that he would raise Lazarus as a demonstration of his power over death, but he still wept. He is not immune to our condition or plight. Our hurt is his hurt. His purpose is that none of us would be stung by death, and that we might live, truly live. The comfort that we can glean from this passage is not just that Jesus conquered death, but that he also understands and deeply feels our pain. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one.

Prevent?

Re: Verse reading–John 11:17-44 (day one) 
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”—v 21.

It was as high as she could think.  The highest stretch of her imagination.  Prevent death!  Like a football team using a “prevent” defense.  Martha’s hope consisted largely of avoiding the reality.  Even the Lord’s reminder of the coming resurrection (v 23) seemed like cold/distant comfort to her.  We are often like her.  Eat healthy!  Exercise!  Pray for healing!  Avoid death as long as you can!  That’s our approach.  Jesus has a higher vision.  Defeat Death!  Restore life!  His own resurrection will prove the power to do so.  Lazarus’ resuscitation will include all of us in the promise.  “An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice and shall come forth. . .to a resurrection of life. . .(or) to a resurrection of judgment”—John 5:28-29.  Prevent death?  Yes, when possible, but the Lord has a higher goal– defeat it entirely!

HWJL?

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day seven)
“I am the good shepherd”–v 14.

He was a brilliant leader, not shy about declaring the truths that govern all leaders.  Notice that He didn’t speak any of the trite clichés that are often communicated.  He didn’t say that we don’t need a shepherd (that we were semi-autonomous and self-sufficient).  He didn’t say that the “church” is always right (that if a person has an official title he/she should be trusted and obeyed without question).  He claimed that He was the GOOD shepherd of His people and that all those who come after Him in any capacity of leadership are qualified only in so far as they are like Him in concern and courage.  The GOOD shepherd is the standard of measure for all other leaders!  “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching”—1 Timothy 5:17.  HWJL?  How would Jesus lead?

The subject is leadership

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day six)
“The THIEF comes only to steal and kill and destroy. . .the HIRED HAND. . .runs away because he cares nothing for the sheep”–v 10, 12.

The subject is leadership.  There are many, says Jesus, who claim to lead the people of God (have authority over or responsibility for the sheep) who are not qualified to do so.  Either through active selfishness (thieves) or passive cowardice (hired hands) they fail to protect and promote the welfare of God’s people.  Not so with Jesus.  Not so with the leaders that He calls and sends to us.  Unselfish–motivated by love.  Courageous–even in a costly fight.  God-called leaders exhibit these characteristics.  Why do you think Jesus takes the trouble to make this clear?  What responsibility do sheep have in recognizing and responding to God-called leadership?  Sheep are helpless, but not so helpless that we cannot hear His voice (or not) in the leaders He sends to us.  We must discern.

“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”.

Green Pastures

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day four)
Happy New Year!  If you planned to do something in 2014, you are too late!  New Year’s is traditionally a time to start over…to do new things…to make course corrections.  John tells us in chapter 10 that good things happen when the sheep follow the shepherd.  Anyone other than the shepherd is there to steal, kill, and destroy.  The shepherd protects the sheep, provides for the sheep and lays down his life for the sheep.  Jesus says that if His sheep enter through His door, they will be saved…they will find rest and provision.  Jesus has the authority to bring about these new things in our lives.  Only our shepherd can do them.  As you consider those New Year’s resolutions, allow the Good Shepherd to direct your steps.  He will give you protection and find you green pastures.  Only He can do it.

Mind

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day three)
“He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”  A not-for-profit organization years ago used the slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  That’s for sure.  God gave human beings a mind, and its unused potential is one of the great stewardship failures of a sinful human race.  The religious leaders confronting Jesus demonstrated this abdication of responsibility when they refused to engage Jesus on the merits of his claims, and instead resorted to name-calling and diversionary tactics.  When you are spiritually bankrupt, that’s all you’ve got.  God gave you a mind as well.  Jesus says to you, “Follow me.”  Do you enter into conversation with the Savior, or do you change the subject?

Relational Shepherd

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day two)
“All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” (‭vs 8).

Jesus is very clear in this illustration about the sheep and their shepherd. Every shepherd must spend time with the animals. That time spent builds trust and familiarity. Anyone who would try to lead them astray would fail because there was no relationship. Jesus in his divine nature could stand apart from creation, but instead he has a deep desire to foster a loving relationship with those he came to save. Every other escape or path we may be tempted to follow will ultimately fail because that can be no greater intimacy and understandingthan with the the shepherd who knows us so well.

The leaders we need

Re: Verse reading–John 10:1-21 (day one)
“He who does not enter by the door. . .is a thief and a robber”–v 1.  Jesus had harsh words for the so-called leaders of the Jewish nation.  He was constantly puzzled by their low-insight, low-impact lives.  In John chapter 10, the Lord uses two metaphors.  First, He is the door into the sheep fold (v 7).  Then, He is the good shepherd (v 11).  Confusing?  In both instances, Jesus is setting the standard for leadership in God’s family.  First, leaders must come to the church THROUGH Jesus.  Sent to us by His assignment and will.  Those who don’t come through the door, are thieves.  Secondly, they must be LIKE Jesus in moral quality.  He is the GOOD SHEPHERD.  Others are “under shepherds”  (See 1 Peter 5)  If Jesus is sacrificial and courageous, our leaders must be as well.  No question, the LORD shepherds His people.  And one of the ways He does so is by choosing and sending us leaders.