Episode 101 - The Adovocate will teach you all things - John 14:25-26

John 14:25   “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

These two verses are usually taken with the following verses through verse 31. But, I would like to focus purely on this statement concerning the Holy Spirit. Jesus had just promised to request the Father to send “another Helper” who would be with them forever. The Greek word translated “Helper” in both these verses can also mean “Advocate.” Personally, I like that term better. Maybe I’m reading too much into this. But, it appears to me that “Advocate” connotes the idea the Advocate has the interest of maintaining a relationship between multiple parties; in this case ourselves and the Father. 

Jesus explains how this works. The Father will send the Spirit in Jesus’ name and the Spirit will teach Jesus’ disciples all things. Jesus has been teaching them “all things” for the past few years. What Jesus has been teaching them has been from the Father hasn’t it. Jesus asserted that he was not teaching or doing anything on his own authority but what he saw and received from the Father.  Now, the Spirit would be picking up the job of teaching Jesus’ disciples. Is it not awesome that God wants to teach us His truths? God could just be a power that created and sustained the universe. But, God actually wants us to learn and has made sure that Jesus’ disciples would not stop learning what He wanted them to learn. 

Secondly, the Spirit would “bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” You and I have actually benefitted from the fact that this came true. Back in John 2, Jesus told the religious rulers who demanded a sign for his cleansing the temple “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” They thought he was talking about the temple building. But John records, “21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” 

Do you see? God, Father and Son, and the Spirit understood those men would not understand at the time what Jesus meant by his response. Yet, the message was given by the Father to the Son who spoke them in space and time to humans. Now that Jesus was going back to the Father from where he came, the Father would send the Spirit to cause Jesus’ disciples to remember these things and understand more fully what God was communicating. 

We are often in such a hurry. We want to know more and we want to know it now. But, God has perfect timing. In His all-wise perfect plan, God is patient and will lovingly reveal things to those He loves without expecting us to understand it all. Then, at the right time, His Spirit will open our minds to what He has said and we will understand what He wants us to understand. The Holy Spirit is the one advocating our needs to the Father and the Father’s truth and patient care to us.

Episode 100 - "In that day you will know that I am in my Father . . ." John 14:18-24

John 14:18   “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

So far in this discussion, Jesus has had with his disciples he has made it clear that he is going away. Yet, he will not leave them alone. He is going to send them the Holy Spirit who will be a helper and comforter. Furthermore, he tells them that they will do the works he has done and even greater ones. Also, they can ask anything in his name and he will do it. In other words, he will always be cognizant of their needs and be able to hear them and act upon their requests. He has also emphasized the importance of their need to obey his commands.

The encouragement continues as he promises them, “I will come to you . . . in a little while.” (vv. 18-19) People speculate on exactly when this will be. Will this be on Easter morning after the resurrection? Is it speaking of his second coming? Is it speaking of his presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Personally, I’m inclined to interpret this as his appearing to them shortly after his resurrection. Why? For one, he says, “a little while.” I suspect that he fully understands the shock and despair they are about to experience when he is hanged on the cross and laid in a grave. All sense of reason would extinguish any hope of seeing him again soon. He’s dead, right? The one person who had the ability to raise Lazarus from the dead is now dead himself. What hope would there be? I think Jesus tells them, “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (v. 19) so that when he does appear to them, their hope will not only be restored, but their faith in his words and promises will be strengthened. This is part of Jesus preparing them for the mission he is assigning them. They will need to know and be convinced that he is alive and is with them all the way. This explains why he follows that up with, “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (v. 20) 

Again, Jesus repeats the importance of them obeying his commandments. Doing so is evidence of their love for him. The Father and the Son love those who keep Jesus’ commands and Jesus promises that he will manifest himself to those he loves. 

This “other Judas” asks a great question. He asks, “How is it that Jesus will manifest himself to them but not to the world?” (v. 22 my paraphrase) Jesus’ response is that the Father and the Son will come to those who keep Jesus’ commands and make their home with him/her. (v. 23) There again is the theme that appears so frequently throughout the Scriptures: God actively moves to dwell with those He loves. God fellowshipped with Adam and Eve, God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle so God could dwell in the midst of His people. John wrote in John 1:14 “the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us.” And John also wrote in the apocalyptic book Revelation that at the end of time the heaven and earth will be destroyed and a new heaven and earth will be created and it will be an eternal dwelling place for God with man. “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” (Revelation 21:3)

This section concludes with Jesus saying that those who don’t keep his words are revealing that they really don’t love him. He adds that this message (warning) is from the Father himself. 

What do you think? Is it important to love one another? Is it critical that we humble ourselves to serve others? It is if we want to experience God’s fellowship. Is it not?

Episode 99 - "He will give you another Helper" - John 14:15-17

John 14:15   “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

In the previous episode, Jesus made two promises that are rather amazing. The first was that Jesus’ disciples would do the works Jesus was doing and even greater works. The second was that they could ask him anything in his name and he would do it. The big question in light of both of these promises is, How is this possible? The answer lies in the text of these verses.

Back in chapter seven, John gives an account of Jesus teaching at the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles,  “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:37-39, ESV) Back then Jesus was promising to give the Holy Spirit to those who believed in him. But, it would only occur after Jesus had been glorified.

Now Jesus is making this promise again to his disciples because that time was drawing very near. Here Jesus is giving them more information about the Holy Spirit for the purpose of encouraging them that he was not abandoning them. Jesus’ statement in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” is not disconnected with everything else he has told them. Jesus had been teaching them and showing them how he expected them to serve each other. The idea of them being able to work the works Jesus did and for him to hear their requests and answer those requests is connected with their love for him and their love for him is demonstrated by keeping the commandments he gave them. 

Jesus then told them that the Father would answer his request and send “another Helper” who would “be with them forever.” (v. 16) This Helper is the “Spirit of truth.” I can’t help but stop and ponder this. In our present age and culture, people at large don’t believe in truth. In some ways I cannot blame them. During this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, information is continually disseminated from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other experts that contradict the information from the others or even are contradictory to their earlier statements. People are weary of not knowing who or what to believe. But, concerning what God wants us to know, the Spirit will truthfully lead us when our love for Christ is manifest and we are dependent and focused upon his will and on of our own self-centered ways. 

We should not be surprised when people do not understand or believe the same things we do about Jesus and God. Why? Jesus explains that the “world” cannot receive the Spirit of truth because the world neither sees or knows him. 

How can we know the Spirit and his leading? Jesus explains to the disciples that “he dwells with you and will be with you.” (v. 17) Here again is the idea that God wants to dwell and be with His people. John had said of “the Word” (Jesus) who was with God and was God “became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us.” (John 1:14) 

Just as God had dwelt with the Israelites in the tabernacle and the temple and God dwelled with people through the Incarnation of His Son Jesus, now God would dwell forever with His people through the third person of the Trinity. He is our Helper. He is the living water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

Trust in Jesus. God will never abandon you. 

Episode 98 - "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it." - John 14:12-14

John 14:12   “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus seems to have a way of saying things that cause us to stop and say, “Really?” In these short three verses, he makes at least two of these “Really” statements. The first is his promise the disciples will do the works that Jesus himself has done and will do even greater works.  The second is “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” 

I don’t know about you, but my thoughts in response to these promises are more like Sarah laughing when the divine visitors told Abraham that Sarah would have a child in her old age. To be quite frank, my faith is tested when reading these promises. I have difficulty fully accepting that these are true for me. 

Some folks have suggested that these promises were to the apostles and do not extend to believers beyond the apostles. But, I find myself convicted when tempted to rationalize that they don’t really apply to me or other believers around me. I get this voice in my head that says, “No. Take it for what it says.” So, as I examine it, I notice that if we read it and take it for what it all says, there is a great encouragement to be found in these verses.

First, Jesus begins by saying, “Truly, truly.” It’s his way of getting their attention so that what follows is emphasized to them and they cannot reason it away even if they don’t understand it. They know he means what he says. 

Secondly, it’s important to see that this promise is to “whoever believes in” Jesus. That’s us as well as the apostles. But, what does it really mean to “believe in” Jesus? Think about when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and John recorded that many believed in him. But some returned to the Pharisees. The implication is that the latter group did NOT believe in Jesus. Wait a minute! People who knew that Lazarus had really died and that heard Jesus call him by name and watched Lazarus walk out of the tomb alive didn’t believe that really happened? No, I don’t think so. I think they understood all of that. But, they weren’t responding by placing their faith in Jesus. There’s a difference between understanding with our brain and responding by valuing the reality of those facts and realigning your whole way of thinking in light of this revelation. 

So, if this promise is only true for true believers in Jesus Christ, then our hearts, our values are going to be informed by following Jesus and seeking to do what God wants us to do. That’s what Jesus did, right? He only did what he saw the Father doing. Likewise, Jesus was about to return to the Father, and he wants his followers to continue the works that he did. 

How is it possible that we could do works greater than what Jesus did? Stop for a moment and consider what that could possibly be. Can we do something that would be greater than restoring life to a dead person? I cannot think of what that might be. So, how could our works be greater? I suspect that they are greater in the sense that none of us are perfect. None of us are God-incarnate. Furthermore, we are broken through our sin. Therein lies the answer. I think that Jesus is saying that our works are greater relatively speaking because we are simply creatures who “believe in” Jesus. He says the believer will work greater works “because I am going to the Father.” (v. 12) In other words, he would no longer be physically present for everyone to look to when they wanted a miracle. His antagonists would initially think that they got rid of their problem. But, now his followers would be performing miracles and it would make a profound impact on the world. How would they do this? As the Gospel of John reveals when Jesus would soon return to the Father, he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them and be the power that would work the miracles. This sending of the Holy Spirit would occur on the Day of Pentecost as we read in the first chapter of Acts. In the New Testament Scriptures there are numerous accounts of miracles performed by Jesus’ followers through the power of Jesus’ name and the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is no greater miracle however than a person receiving eternal life when believing in the good news of Jesus. They have moved from a state of death even though their physical heart may be beating to receiving eternal life when they believe the gospel. We do not have the power within ourselves to make people believe it. But, we have the responsibility and privilege to share the gospel and pray that people will believe it and receive eternal life. That is a great miracle when it happens.

Moving onto the next promise Jesus gave his followers, Jesus twice promised in verses 13-14, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.” Between the repeated promise he explains the reason why he will do what we ask in his name: “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” This is important because the priority is not about us getting what we want. The priority is that the Father is glorified in the Son. Do you think “anything” includes that which does not glorify the Father? I don’t think so. There is a strong connection between asking something in Jesus’ name and what honors the Father. What is important is that truly having faith in Jesus will keep our minds focused upon doing what the Father wants as Jesus did. Furthermore, we can have confidence that as God leads us, we can make requests in keeping with that, desiring that the Father and the Son are glorified in answering that prayer. This means that we have divine power available to us. We are not alone. God is with us and hears us and desires to answer our requests that will lead to His glory. 

What about when we feel God is not answering our prayers? Perhaps we are not truly asking in Jesus’ name. Perhaps we’re just using the words hoping to get what we want or think is right. Perhaps what we are asking for would not bring glory to God. Perhaps God has answered the prayer, but not exactly as you might expect or maybe we are just not aware that the prayer has been answered.

The primary thing is to accept these promises at face value and trust Jesus that he can and will hear us and answer our prayers for the glory of the Father.

Episode 97 - "I am in the Father and the Father is in me." John 14:8-11

John 14:8   Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

If I were to give this section a title, I might be tempted to call it “Weird stuff Jesus said.” What is this “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” stuff? Even for us seminarians, processing statements like this can be frustrating. We ask, “How can this be?” We want to be able to compartmentalize the details as if it were a mathematical formula. My suspicion why we can’t is that it’s not supposed to be completely understood in the limited capacities of us humans. We are speaking about God. God is the Creator and we are the creature and we’re broken through our sin. So, what do we do with this?

Let us focus first on the request by Philip which appears to be on behalf of the others with him. He said, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (v. 8) This is simple enough to understand I think. Philip is saying, “Lord, show us God and then we’ll trust you.” I think a lot of people say this exact thing today. “If I could have just seen Jesus work some miracles, I would believe.” 

The first problem with this line of thinking is it is not true. People will not necessarily believe if they could see Jesus work miracles. Why? Because John has already demonstrated this truth in this very book hasn’t he. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many believed in him. That’s great! BUT . . .John also records that instead of believing in Jesus, some returned to the Pharisees (the religious leaders who consistently rejected Jesus). (John 11:45-46) The man born blind reminded the Pharisees that never before had anyone born blind received their sight and that Jesus must be from God in order to make that happen. The religious leaders cast him out in rejection. (John 9:32-34) 

The second problem with this line of thinking is it is not true. Are you smiling? Wasn’t that the first problem? Yes. But, I want to emphasize the point by leading us to Jesus’ response to Philip’s request. Jesus said, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”(v.9)  Ouch! Jesus is saying, I have shown you the Father. All the miracles I’ve done and everything I have taught you is from the Father and it reveals that I’m not just another prophet bringing a message. I am the unique Son who has the same essence or nature of God and I have come to be present with you so that you can see God. (My paraphrase) This is why Jesus repeats and emphasizes, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (vv. 10,11) This is foundational for the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Some people think that this doctrine teaches there are three gods. That is not accurate. Christianity strongly holds to a belief in one God. However, it also believes that this God is “three in person; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The three persons of the trinity are said to be in one essence. They have different roles. But, there is no difference in their nature. 

Notice that Jesus does NOT say, “I am the Father and the Father is me.” God does NOT change from one person to the next. There are three distinct persons within the Godhead but remain one God. 

Bringing this back to Jesus’ response to the Philip and the disciples and what we can learn from this is that when we listen to Jesus’ teaching and consider the things he did, we should ask ourselves, “What does this reveal about Jesus?” The answer we should arrive at is, “It reveals that Jesus truly is God and we can trust him.” 

A few other Scripture verses that may help us better, if not fully, understand Jesus divinity are:

John 12:45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.

Colossians 1:15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  (Note: “The firstborn of all creation” means that he has the authority from the Father God over all creation.)

Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Episode 96 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-7

John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus has told his disciples that he is going away and they cannot follow him at this time. In this section, he offers them words of comfort. I believe the message is one that should comfort us as well. Just like Jesus’ group of twelve disciples, we’ve learned what Jesus has taught. We’ve been amazed by his miracles. But, when trials come and when death comes, we can become “troubled.”

Jesus understands their concerns and says, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” In other words, “Don’t worry!” His next statement, “Believe in God; believe also in me” could be translated “Trust in God and trust in me.” He is not suggesting that he is not God. In fact, I would suggest that he is telling them that his word, ability, and intent are equal with God. The disciples, and ourselves, can trust that Jesus’ promises are true and good.

In verses 2-3 Jesus offers a logical argument that it would not make sense for him to tell them he was preparing a place for them if he were not going to come back and take them to that place. It’s a promise which should encourage them that this separation from him will not be forever.

In verse 4, even though Jesus has said he would return to take them to be with him, he says, “And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas’ response makes a lot of sense to me. It sounds like the same kind of statement I’d make. Essentially, he is saying, “We don’t really know where you are going. So, how could we possibly know how to get to this mystery place.”

Jesus answers this question in reverse. He tells them the way first, then the destination. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The destination is with God and the way to get there is through Jesus. Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “I am a way.” Jesus’ claim to be the exclusive “way” to the Father and Heaven is perhaps one of the single most “offensive” tenets of Christianity. But, that’s what the Scriptures record Jesus saying. This is consistent with Jesus’ earlier claim to be the Good Shepherd. Anyone else trying to get into the place of protection and provision any other way than the door to the sheep pen is a “thief and a robber” and is not welcome. (John 10:1) Any perceived ambiguity with Jesus’ saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life” should be cleared with the qualifying statement, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Have you ever stopped to ask why that is the case? Is God just being mean? The answer lies in the fact that acting contrary to God’s character and law leads to death. We learn this in the early chapter of the Scriptures. Since the first humans violated God’s law, and the rest of humanity are offspring from those first humans, we are all corrupted by their disobedience and we think, speak, and act in keeping with that brokenness ourselves. But, God doesn’t want us to suffer the eternal death that we deserve through our disobedience. So, Jesus the Son of God who “became flesh,” perfectly obeyed the Father and suffered death on our behalf. Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirement for our sin. He was the only one who could do it since he had no sin himself. The question then is how do we appropriate the benefit of his sacrificial death on the cross? If someone offers you a gift and you refuse to accept it, do you have any benefit from the gift? Of course not. You have not received it. Therefore, it does not benefit you at all. The benefit potential of you trusting in Jesus and his death on the cross is that you are made “right” with God and you have been forgiven of your sins. 

Jesus isn’t just the way, and the truth. He is also the life. Jesus conquered death and came back to life and has promised to raise up to eternal life those who have placed their trust in him. The free gift offered to us is eternal life with God and in a relationship with him is no longer corrupted by our rebellious ways. Things will be the way God designed them to be in the beginning of time. Do you want that gift? If not, don’t expect to receive the benefits of the gift if you reject the gift itself.

Episode 95 - Would you lay down your life for Jesus? - John 13:36-38

John 13:36   Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

There are three primary things that jump out to me in this short segment of John’s narrative. John turns from Jesus talking with his disciples to personal interaction with Peter. Peter is clearly distressed at Jesus’ words that he is going away and they cannot follow him. 

The first thing is that Jesus gives Peter a little more information, “you will follow afterward.” (v. 36) In our previous episode, I suggested that the destination Jesus is going where they cannot follow is first, the cross followed by the grave, and then to the Father in Heaven. Why can they not suffer and die with him now and be with him in heaven? The reason is that he has a mission for them. Jesus wants them to teach others what he taught them so that more people would become followers of Jesus. So, when Jesus says, “you will follow afterward,” it suggests that Peter will suffer and die on a cross in the future. Later Jesus will apparently make this more clear to Peter (John 21:18). But first, Peter will need to follow the Lord in obedience and fulfill God’s purpose and mission for him. 

The second thing that jumps out to me is Peter’s assertion that he is willing to lay down his life for Jesus. (v. 37) Peter thinks he tough. Peter thinks that he is fully able on his own power and wisdom to make things right for Jesus. Peter doesn’t have a clue. I wonder how often we do that. How often do we think we understand what is best for God instead of trusting that God knows what is best for us?

Finally, after Peter makes this assertion that he will die for Jesus, Jesus reveals to him “the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” (v.38) In other words, before the break of dawn, Peter’s self-proclaimed total allegiance to Jesus will be completely shattered and Jesus tells him this. Can you imagine what Peter felt like when Jesus told him this? It must have felt like a punch in the gut. It must have hurt. Peter may have even experienced anger that Jesus would so strongly suggest he would do that. But, this was the same Peter who told Jesus, “You alone have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Was Peter experiencing fear and insecurity wondering how this might possibly happen? It must have been extremely unsettling. In spite of Jesus stating this as fact, Jesus has not disowned Peter. On the contrary, he’s already said, “you will follow afterward.” 

Jesus has a purpose and mission even for Peter who would deny that he knew Jesus at the most critical hour. I find great encouragement that Jesus knows where we are at. He understands our weaknesses. Yet he never abandons us. He has a purpose for us. Will we, by his grace, accept that he knows what is good and right and desire for him to enable us for the mission of sharing the good news of Jesus to others?

Episode 94 - "You must love one another as I have loved you" - John 13:33-35

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus, addressing his disciples as “little children,” was not demeaning to these adult followers. It was a manner with which a rabbi would have addressed his students. This is similar to Proverbs where the sage addresses his recipient as “My child” or “My son.” The “son” is not necessarily the biological or adoptive parent of the one to whom he is imparting wisdom. In fact, as we read the Proverbs, each of us is “the son” who needs to learn the wisdom shared. This address from Jesus to his disciples is affectionate but authoritative. It reminds them that he is their teacher and he is about to teach them something important and they need to pay attention. 

He tells them that he will only be with them a little while longer before he goes away. Furthermore, they will not be able to follow him. They didn’t understand it then and, as we’ll see, Peter does not want to accept this as certain. But, they would not be able to follow him to the cross, to the grave, or back to the Father in heaven. Why is that? 

Jesus explains the reason. He intends for them to remain for the purpose that the world recognizes that they are Jesus’ disciples. Why is that important? Clearly, the Father wants the world to understand his love for mankind. The world cannot thwart God expressing His love toward mankind. His disciples would be so impacted by Jesus that they would risk their own lives to carry on this message from the Father through the Son to the world. How were they supposed to do that?

Jesus told them they must show the same kind of love toward each other that he was showing to them. What did that kind of love look like? He had just given them the example of washing each other’s feet. But, he was about to take it much farther by laying down his life for the sins of the world. These men could not lay down their lives for others’ sins. But, Jesus was telling them that their attitudes and actions would need to become such that they would even lay down their lives for the interest of others. That is the kind of love Jesus said would cause the world to take notice and they would understand that these were disciples of Jesus. The implication of this is that Jesus was planning on his disciples making an impact upon the world by drawing others to faith in Jesus through this kind of love. This principle continues to this day and the command to love others with the same kind of love Jesus showed applies to us. 

As I reflect on this, I think to myself how great it is to love others and how wonderful a privilege it is to tell others about the good news of Jesus. But, if I honestly ask myself if I want to love other believers with that sacrificial kind of love that Christ showed me, I can easily think of people who I don’t want to love that deeply. This is why we need to remember Jesus. Each of us needs to be reminded of the quality and depth of his love and that he wants us to show that to others. 

Episode 93 - "Now is the Son of Man glorified" - John 13:31-32

John 13:31   When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 

To be clear, “When he had gone out” refers to Judas Iscariot who was going out to betray Jesus to those who wanted to kill Jesus. We saw how even though Satan had put it into his mind, he didn’t do it until Jesus had told his whole gang that one of them would betray him. Then he told John that the betrayer would be the one to whom he gave a piece of bread after dipping it in the wine. He then gave that bread to Judas and told him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (v. 27) Let’s stop and process this for a minute.

As we’ve studied this gospel, we’ve seen some consistent themes and patterns. One theme is “hour(time) for glory.” This was first hinted at in the Prologue when John wrote, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) In the next chapter, Jesus is at a wedding with his disciples and his mother is there. When she tells him the bride and groom have run out of wine, he responds, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”(John 2:4) Jesus is saying that this wedding is about someone else’s glory/honor and he is foretelling that there is a coming hour for him to be glorified. Even still, Jesus miraculously provided wine for the wedding and John writes afterwards that this first “sign” “manifested his glory.” (John 2:11) It speaks of his unique power, authority, and interest in the needs of mankind.

Another repeating revelation throughout this book is that Jesus does nothing on his own authority but only what he sees and hears from the Father. He only does what God the Father wants him to do when the Father wants him to do it and how the Father wants it done. Furthermore, nothing can happen to Jesus that is not willed by the Father. How many times did people attempt to apprehend or harm him and they couldn’t despite significantly outnumbering him? 

When Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on the donkey fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah of the Messianic King coming into Zion on a young donkey as a peaceful king (Zechariah 9:9-10) he was informed that there were Greeks seeking Jesus. This was a sign to Jesus the Father was bringing “the world” to him and he understood this indicated the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified (John 12:23) and he continues by speaking about the necessity for him to die. In this we see how the Father’s will is communicated to the Son, the Son recognizes that the time is near for him to be glorified. But, his glorification will be on a cross. What is not happening is that Jesus’ enemies have finally figured out a way to get him and to overcome him. It is only now that the Father is allowing them to fulfill their evil desires. But, just as Joseph told his brothers, “You meant it (their actions of selling him into slavery) for evil. But, God meant it for good,” this is what is now happening with Jesus. All of it is within God’s permissive will. 

What we need to learn from this is maintaining a healthy perspective of what we call “free will” and God’s providence. God gives us so much liberty and freedom. But, we also need to remember that our actions are never beyond the authority and ultimate will of God. It is a mystery and we cannot fully comprehend or appreciate this. But, it’s an opportunity to humble ourselves before God and pray that He would guide us to making choices that most align with His will. That’s where we experience God’s blessings the most.  

Jesus would very soon be arrested, unjustly tried, convicted, tortured, and hung on a cross. This hardly seems as “glorious.” But, what the cross represents is God’s perfect love toward the world manifested through Him sending His own Son to satisfy the just and righteous penalty for the sins of the world. In this, both the Son and the Father are glorified. The Father sends His own Son in love and the Son faithfully obeys the Father with the same love for the world. That is Jesus’ point here. Furthermore, Jesus will defeat death. Again, the Father and Son are glorified through it. We must glorify God through thankfully trusting in Jesus for our salvation over sin and death.

Episode 92 - "One of you will betray me" John 13:21-30

John 13:21   After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at the table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

Throughout this entire book, John drops little pieces of information that should cause us to stop and reflect on why that information might be important. For instance, in verse 21, John mentions that Jesus “was troubled in his spirit.” It would appear the reason he was troubled is his awareness that one of his disciples would betray him. But, this raises some questions. 

First, why was it important for John to mention that Jesus was troubled within his spirit? What does this detail communicate to the reader? If Jesus has this foreknowledge, why doesn’t he prevent it? He’s raised the dead back to life and performed many other miracles. There is no need to be troubled because he could prevent his would-be betrayer from doing that. 

Second, why is there a need to say “one of you” and not specify who is the betrayer? It’s obvious from the context that he not only knows that he is going to be betrayed by one of the twelve, but he knows who it is. Yet, he does not announce that to the group. 

My answers to these questions will be at least in part based on my speculation. But, I will try to defend them within the context of this book.  My answer to why Jesus was troubled within his spirit and why John shares it with us is due to both his humanity AND his deity. Let me explain. Jesus was human in every way except without sin. The author of Hebrews makes that point in Hebrews 4:15. But, John is emphatic about communicating that Jesus is both divine and human. In John’s prologue, he wrote of the Word who was God, “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) John did not understand this reality for quite a while. In fact, Jesus had made John one of his closest friends. John saw and heard things being near Jesus that many others did not. But, later when he records his own entrance into the empty tomb, he “believes.” Believes what? He doesn’t tell us specifically. But, I think it’s when he first believed that his friend Jesus was God in human flesh. As this understanding settled in, he realized that the Incarnate Son of God had chosen to hang out with him, teach him, and love him. This is why I think he doesn’t refer to himself in this book by name, but as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” John is not bragging. John lived the rest of his life humbled by the immense grace God showed to him in having this uniquely privileged place and role in human history. He is in complete and continual awe of Jesus. Therefore, it is his passion that you and I also understand the significance of the Incarnation of the Son of God. So, he shows us the humanity of Jesus alongside his deity. He shows us Jesus weeping at Lazarus’ tomb with full knowledge that the Father will have him raise Lazarus back to life. Now in this passage, Jesus has a human response of being troubled in spirit knowing that one of his friends will betray him. Who among us would not be troubled with that kind of knowledge? So, if we understand how such treachery would cause us pain, why would a loving, holy, and just God not be troubled by our betrayal? I think John wants us to see how our own sin troubles Jesus. It should cause us to consider our priorities and seek the Lord’s help in our faith and faithfulness to Him. 

This brings us to the second question and why I think Jesus said to the whole group “one of you will betray me.” In fact, all of them would betray him in one manner or another. Yes. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus into the hands of his enemies leading to his arrest and crucifixion. But, Peter denied even knowing Jesus three times when he was under pressure and the rest of the disciples ran. Jesus told them this before any of it happened. I cannot imagine that any of them ever forgot it. 

Why didn’t he stop it? Because this was all within the Father’s will and plan and Jesus was perfectly faithful to his Father and to us. 

There is another important truth within this passage that I want you to see.  If you recall at the beginning of this chapter, John writes that “the Devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot . . . to betray him.” (John 13:2) But, in verse 27 after Jesus had given Judas the piece of bread dipped in the cup, John informs us that Satan entered into him(Judas). What is going on here? What happens in verse 2 is the work of the Devil to influence Judas. But, John is recording Jesus telling “the disciple who Jesus loved” a.k.a. Himself that he would reveal who his betrayer is by giving that person the morsel of bread dipped in the cup. Then, he did it and once Judas took that bread from Jesus, THEN Satan entered Judas. The point is that while Satan has the power to influence people, his power is limited and completely subject to God’s will and timing. We learn this lesson in the book of Job as well. Satan and Judas both have culpability. But the extent of what Satan can do and when he can do it is under the sovereign will of God. That’s deep stuff there, isn’t it. Understand that there are mysteries regarding God and we cannot fully understand everything He is doing. 

I believe our “takeaway” from this lesson is knowing that God is in complete control and that means things will happen that may trouble us. But, we should pray that the Lord will sustain us in being faithful to Him.

One last observation before stopping. Did you notice John pointing out in verse 30 when Judas went out to betray Jesus, that he adds, “and it was night?” That’s when Nicodemus came to Jesus. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night when he was in as much spiritual darkness as he was physical darkness. The disciples were in a boat in the middle of a stormy Sea of Galilee “and it had become dark and Jesus had not yet come to them.” Now Judas, who has been with “the Light of the world is departing into darkness.” How tragic! May the Lord sustain us in His truth and Light.

Episode 91 - "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." John 13:16-20

16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

This is another case of where do we begin and when do we stop. These few verses have so much to say to us. Allow me first to draw your attention to the fact that in these five verses, there are two “Truly, truly” statements. When Jesus says that, it means “Listen up!” The first is to make the point that “a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Jesus is not bragging. He’s calling attention to what they have acknowledged themselves. In this context, he reinforces the need for the disciples to be humble towards each other and serve each other. If Jesus can humbly serve others, then we have absolutely no excuse to think of ourselves as superior to others around us. In fact, Jesus doesn’t stop there with that exhortation. In verse 17, he recognizes the potential for them to understand this truth in their mind, but fail to act upon it. He encourages them to let what they know translate into what they do. If they know they should be humble and serve others, then they should do it. It is too easy for us to placate ourselves by acknowledging what is good and right. But, it can be harder to turn those beliefs into actions.

Once again, Jesus indicates that this will not apply to everyone; only to those who truly belong to him. He quotes Psalm 41:9 as a prophetic word regarding Judas Iscariot who would betray Jesus. Then, he explains that he is telling them this now, even though they don’t understand it, in order that they will put the pieces together later and realize that Jesus knows everything. They will ultimately understand that he has divine knowledge and they will truly understand and value that he is God.

In verse 20 we have the second of these “Truly, truly” statements: “whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” On the surface, this may sound like Jesus is changing subjects. But, it is no coincidence that Jesus has just given his disciples a lesson on serving others, and information that will help them understand that he really is the unique Son of God and is now speaking of those he will send. Who could that be? His disciples of course. He will send them to serve others and to tell people who Jesus is. This statement is to encourage them that there will be people who will listen to their message about Jesus and believe them. Furthermore, they are not just believing the disciples, but also the Son who sent them and the Father who sent the Son. 

What would you think if someone told you that you could tell other people that a man named Jesus is the Son of God, that he willingly died on a cross to accept the punishment for our sin against God, that he conquered death and will someday return to raise us from the dead . . .  and that people would believe you? That would be hard to believe. It’s an amazing claim. 

In our society today there are many people who deny or at least question the existence of God. That’s not to mention the number of people who believe in a god or gods, but don’t know about or believe the God in the Bible is the only or true God. Yet, that is the mission for which Jesus will soon send his disciples and within a matter of a few hundred years, it would become a world religion. 

The only explanation that people would believe us is the power of the good news of Jesus. It is a divine message that has changed the hearts and minds of countless people regardless of how crazy it might seem on the surface.

The challenge to us is whether we will carry that torch and communicate the message of Jesus to others.

Episode 90 - "You also ought to wash one another's feet" - John 13:12-15

John 13:12   When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Before I begin discussing the interpretation of this text, I want to discuss an important principle with respect to the process of interpretation. Sometimes people treat the Bible as though it were some magic book and randomly open it and read some area and then make an attempt to glean some mystical meaning that addresses some problem, concern, or question in their life. But, is that appropriate?

If you were to open a letter written by one of your parents to the other, would you point your finger at some statement in the middle of the letter and think to yourself, “those words must mean that I should find another job?” Of course not! The letter’s author had no intention of secretly hiding some wisdom for your employment decisions in what was likely a love letter to their future or current spouse. Neither the type of literature, the intended recipient/audience, or even the message of that literature support that kind of use(abuse) of their purpose in that letter. So, we shouldn’t do that with the Scriptures either. As we seek to understand the whole message of the letter, we may discover principles from the ideas expressed in the letter that may be valuable for our lives as well. However, we need to use caution how far we take the text itself.

This brief text demonstrates how Scripture interprets Scripture. It helps us rely on other indicators within the Biblical text that help us understand the intended meaning. It also demonstrates the limitations of potential interpretations that should keep us from interpreting the Bible according to our feelings, rather than sound principles which apply to writings of all kinds. Let’s take a look at it.

Jesus had just finished washing his disciples’ feet and one of the things from this text that catches my attention is that Jesus indicates he had a purpose in washing their feet beyond just making their feet clean. Were their feet dirty? Did they need washing? Sure. People wore sandals and they often walked on dirt roads, not clean pavement. Jesus did something for them that was pragmatic. But, this text gives us more information about his purpose. The text itself tells us that purpose. Jesus was teaching them a lesson. He was making it clear that if he, their teacher, could humble himself to serve others, they had no excuse to not humble themselves to serve others. 

Now, there are some traditions within the Christian faith that practice foot-washing of others in their church. They interpret this text as a mandate. I can see how they might arrive at that conviction if they focus purely on the last part of verse 14, “you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” The problem is that interpretation ignores the surrounding context. First, Jesus establishes the fact that they recognize his authority over them as their teacher. Yet, he demonstrated humble service to them, thereby removing any excuse they could conceive to protect their own egos and not humbly serve others. That is an important point of why John includes this detail. Secondly, Jesus explains that what he has done by washing their feet is an example of how they should treat each other. It’s an example, not a law. 

Does that make it wrong for people to practice foot-washing today? Of course not. It was a very good example of humbly serving another person through a practical need in that culture and time. Since we do not commonly walk around on dirt paths in sandals today, it’s not as much of a need as other things. We are free to consider the example and humbly serve others through needs of our own time and culture.

The point of the text is the importance that disciples of Jesus must humble themselves to demonstrate service to others. We cannot think of ourselves more highly than others. Our actions must demonstrate this. 

The secondary point is the lesson of interpretation. Seek to interpret the Scriptures (and other literature) from its own contexts. First, we look at the immediate context; the phrases before and after to see if they shed light on the question at hand. Then, we look more broadly at the whole letter, story, or book and see if the overall context of that piece of literature helps inform our interpretation. Then, we can move on to other works perhaps by the same author to find if a similar idea is communicated through another writing that helps develop our understanding. Then we look more broadly at the Scriptures as a whole to see how our interpretation fits within those other literary works.

Episode 89 - "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me" - John 13:6-11

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

In the last episode, I described the significance of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Earlier in this book, John the Baptist had told people who recognized he had some divine authority that he was not even worthy to be called a slave of Jesus. Now at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus is intentionally serving his disciples as though he was their slave. 

As we look at this interaction between Peter and Jesus, we understand why Peter reacted as he did. It sheds light on why Peter responds in the manner he does. He is not about to let Jesus condescend to washing his feet. I love Jesus’ response in verse 7, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”  I don’t know about you. But, at 57 years of age, I’ve had plenty of experiences in my life in which I did not understand what was happening; experiences that seemed outside of my control. In reflecting, later on, it was easier to see what God was doing for my good and His glory.

When Peter insists he will not allow this, Jesus’ response seems a bit extreme. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Seriously? Why does Jesus appear to react so strongly to Peter not wanting Jesus to wash his feet? Couldn’t he just say, “OK. Have it your way” and move on to the next disciple? The answer lies not so much in the foot-washing as it does the cross. This is indeed an amazing act of humility and servitude, but nothing compared to what he is about to do by laying down his own life for them. If Peter or any of the other disciples would not accept this gracious act of love from Jesus, how could they possibly accept his ultimate act of love in laying down his life for them?

When Jesus gives Peter this ultimatum, Peter’s emotions swing to the other extreme by telling Jesus to wash his whole body. Jesus’ response is to continue by using this tangible demonstration to teach his disciples a spiritual principle. The point is simple and logical: If a person has bathed recently and only been walking around, they don’t need to bathe again because they are clean and only need their feet washed. Keying off the idea of one’s body being clean through bathing, Jesus declares that all but one of them  is “clean.” He’s not saying that they’ve all had a bath recently. He is saying that they are spiritually clean, with the exception of the one who would betray him. 

I find this an interesting assessment. Peter had not yet denied him and Jesus had not yet died on the cross. Yet. Jesus knows who is clean and who isn’t. Evidence has already been displayed of this, hasn’t it? When Jesus was telling people that he had miraculously fed that they needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood, many people weren’t interested in following Jesus anymore and left. But, Peter expressed uncompromising trust; “Lord! Where do we have to turn? You alone have the words of eternal life.” 

It would not be long before, in fear, Peter would deny three times that he even knew Jesus. Yet, Jesus has already declared Peter “clean.” It would appear that God knows who is clean despite our moments of weakness and failure and those who have turned away from Jesus in betrayal and rebellion. I find it reassuring to know that my weaknesses and failures are met by God’s omniscience and mercy. Can we accept that Jesus, the Son of God, has come to serve us by dying on the cross in our place? We must in order to be clean.

Episode 88 - He loved them to the end - John 13:1-5

John 13:1   Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

As I read this text, I’m reminded of my childhood when occasionally I would have a sheet of paper or a book with “connect the dots.” By using a pen or pencil and beginning at the dot with the number ‘1’ and drawing a line to each successively numbered dot, an image would appear. This book has a number of “dots” that are to be connected and it reveals a picture of Jesus and God’s plan for sending him into the world.

First, John mentions that once again they are nearing the Passover Feast. The feast commemorated the first Passover when the ancestors of these Jews were in bondage in Egypt and the Lord was bringing judgment upon the nation. The final plague was that the Lord would kill the firstborn of every family and animal because of their evil and rebellous ways. In order to avoid this, the Jews were instructed to sacrifice a lamb without blemish, apply some of the blood to the outside of the door frame of their homes, then enter into their homes, and eat the roasted flesh of the lamb. (See Exodus 12) What significance does this have with respect to Jesus and the events that are unfolding?

Well, early in John’s gospel, John the Baptist points to Jesus and declares that he is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) It would seem that by John pointing out that the Passover is near and the context of Jesus (the Lamb of God) knowing that he will soon die seems to connect the dots that the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover is about to happen in Jesus’ imminent death.

Second, John mentions that Jesus knew his hour had come. We read that happened when it was reported to him that there were Greeks seeking him. (John 12:20-23) John adds here that Jesus had loved “his own.” Do you remember that? John 1 records, “he (the Word) came unto his own. But, his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11-12) He didn’t just come to them. John says here that he “loved them.” Now, he builds on that by saying that even though he knew they were about to kill him, “he loved them to the very end.” Is that not amazing? Jesus never stopped loving the people who would take part in rejecting him and killing him.

Now we get some specific detail when John tells us about this meal Jesus and his closest disciples were sharing and John tells us that the devil had already put the idea into Judas Iscariot’s heart to betray Jesus. This detail is helping us understand that it’s not just antagonists who were after Jesus. But, even one of Jesus’ own disciples would betray the one who would love him to the end.

John then explains that Jesus knew that God had handed all authority to him and that he had come from God and was going back to God. This would seem to suggest that John understood that Jesus could have done so many things in response to the knowledge he had. But, what he did was to get up from the table where he had been reclining, took off his outer garment, wrapped a towel around his waist, took a towel and bowl of water, and began washing his disciples’ feet.

Why is this detail important? If you recall from John chapter one, John the Baptist tells people that there is someone else in their midst whom they didn’t recognize, “the straps of his sandals I am not worthy to unloosen.” (John 1:27) The disciple of a teacher in that day was considered on a similar level of a slave and might be expected to do anything for their teacher that a slave would do except one thing. Foot care was considered so low that only a slave was expected to do that. John the Baptist was saying that he was not worthy to even be called a slave of Jesus. But, here in this text, Jesus is taking on the role of a servant to his own disciples. This helps us see how Jesus was loving his own. Shortly, we’ll learn more about what Jesus is teaching his disciples and us through this act of love. 

As you meditate on this, I hope you will not miss the point that you are included among Jesus’ “own” whom he has loved to the end. The question is whether you receive it. 

Episode 87 - "I know that his commandment is eternal life" John 12:44-50

John 12:44   And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Throughout this book, Jesus’ primary antagonists have been the religious leaders. But, in this context which I’ve been covering these past few episodes, many people are ultimately refusing to trust Jesus despite the evidence of the miracles he has worked. Conversely, John adds that some of the leaders did believe in him, but refused to confess it before others because they were more concerned about what others thought over what God thought of them. The picture John gives us with these details is that in Jesus’ life and ministry, there has been ample evidence to demonstrate his identity and authority. Yet people, in general, found a reason to not trust Jesus. 

In this segment, Jesus is concisely expressing God’s message that John has reported to us throughout this book. That message is God’s offer to mankind for eternal life. As he has emphasized before, Jesus reiterates that he came to speak God’s message and gracious offer of eternal life. So, to not trust Jesus is to reject God. To believe Jesus’ works and words is to trust God. Jesus is the “light” that shines into the darkness which we are in by nature. He reveals God’s love and power to give us abundant and eternal life. 

Christian faith is not understanding everything in the Bible perfectly. Faith that leads to eternal life is simply saying, “God - I am trusting you that Jesus is the Way to eternal life.”

In my fifty-seven years of life, I am finding it valuable to reaffirm that trust each day. It’s not that I think that somehow I lost eternal life by something I did or didn’t do. No. I believe when God gave me eternal life it was . . . eternal. What I find is that being reminded of who Jesus is and why he came into this world and simply saying in my mind “I believe that” has a way of helping drive out the darkness of the world around me and how it can so easily impact me when I’m not careful.

Episode 86 - "Do you believe what Jesus' miracles say about him?" John 12:36-43

36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” 

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

John 12:39   Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

John 12:40   “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

lest they see with their eyes,

and understand with their heart, and turn,

and I would heal them.”

John 12:41   Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

I begin this episode with verse 36 which has Jesus speaking, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John began this letter by saying that Jesus was the true light coming into the world. It’s important to recognize this invitation Jesus is giving to these people who are expressing their doubt even after all these things he has done; even after raising a dead man back to life.

Now in verse 37, we read that Jesus “departed and hid himself from them.” What happens when light is hidden? It’s dark. John seems to emphasize how tragically illogical their response in not believing him even though Jesus had “done so many signs before them.” (v. 37)

John draws the connection of this reality to the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah was allowed to see the glory of God and told to tell it to others. But, God warned him that they would not believe. What happened then happens again when Jesus comes into the world and reveals glimpses of his glory through his signs. 

At this point, John’s teaching gets uncomfortable because he says in verse 39, “Therefore, they could not believe.” He continues by quoting Isaiah 6:10 speaking of God, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart . . . “ (v. 40) We might be inclined to slam on the breaks and say, “Wait a minute! Why would God do that?” It sounds like God doesn’t want people to believe. 

The problem is that response goes completely against what we’ve seen through this entire gospel. Even in the introduction, John writes, “He came unto his own. But, his own did not receive him. But, as many as have received him, he gave the right to become God’s children. (John 1:11-12, my paraphrase) So what is going on?

When we look at the context here, Jesus has been working the signs the Father has given him and invited them to believe in him. But, through all the signs and teachings they have not believed him. So, at this point, it may be that God has brought judgment upon them so that they could not believe and repent. But, why would God do that? The answer I believe is in what is about to happen. Their rejection of Jesus will lead them to be a party to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. This was the Father’s will and Jesus knew it. Through his death on the cross many more people would have the opportunity for forgiveness of sin and hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus. 

We cannot fully understand everything God does. But, what we should learn through this whole book and reinforced through this text is that we just respond to the message of Jesus and the cross while we have a chance. When that light shines in our hearts and minds, we should walk in that light and believe in Jesus. Otherwise, if we reject the light, it may become hidden and we will be forever in the darkness in which we were born.

Another question this text brings to us is, “If we believe in Jesus, do we confess him before others, or do we prefer glory from mankind rather than glory from God?”

It seems that our daily prayer needs to seek the Lord’s help in letting the light in our life shine upon others.

Episode 85 - God demonstrated His love toward us - John 12:27-36

John 12:27   “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

In our previous episode, we saw how Jesus recognized that his “hour had come” when he was informed there were Greeks seeking Jesus. Then, he gives a parable to those around him about a grain falling to the earth and dying in order to bring abundant fruit. It becomes clear that he is that grain. He is prophesying about his death. He adds that those who love him will also be willing to forfeit their life in this world for the eternal life he promises. Then he adds that those who do so will be with him in eternity and the Father will honor him. This does not mean that every Christian will be martyred for their faith. It does mean that our perspective toward our life should lead to an attitude of forfeiting our interests in this life to the point that we would die for our faith.

As we read this next section, it’s important to understand that Jesus is saying he is about to die. He asks the question of whether He should ask the Father to save him from this hour. Then, he answers that question himself by saying, “But for this purpose, I have come for this hour.” (v. 27b) He prayerfully speaks “Father, glorify your name.”

In response, a voice from heaven says, “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.”(v.28) I am inclined to agree with other Bible scholars who suggest that the first time He glorified His name was at the Incarnation; when Jesus was born. Now, He will glorify it again in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to the Father’s side in Heaven.

This voice was audible to those around him. However, the message appears to have been understood by few if any. Some said that it was thunder. Some believed an angel had spoken to Jesus. I wonder how the author of this book, John, could confidently give us the message. Maybe John heard it clearly. Maybe others heard it clearly too, but their minds did not want to believe at the moment what they had heard. That Jesus tells them the voice was for their own benefit suggests to me that maybe they had all heard it clearly, but they reasoned it away. I wonder how often I might do that. When reading God’s clearly revealed message in the Scriptures, do I let my mind reason away the implication for me?

The next thing Jesus says is, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (v. 31) That’s a message many people may not want to hear. Not only the idea of judgment but the fact that it is coming “now.” What does this mean? It means that Jesus’ death on the cross is the most significant event in the history of the world. God had judged the world with a flood that we read about in Genesis and spares one man and his family. But, we recall that while God considered him “righteous,” he was not perfect. There are other times that God brings judgment upon people for their rebellion against Him. But, His perfect judgment is brought at the cross upon His own Son Jesus who took the divine justice in our place and then conquered death; the penalty, and the effect of sin. The defeat of the ruler of this world, the devil, was accomplished at the cross of Jesus. As we continue in the Christian Scriptures we learn that God is demonstrating His grace and love toward mankind that others would have a chance to hear the good news of Jesus and also receive the forgiveness of their sin and the hope of eternal life. But, the event of Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection is the single historical event that makes certain the promises Jesus is offering those who forfeit their love of this life.

Verse 32 records Jesus’ words, “ And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” In John 3 we read, “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” Now, Jesus is clearly speaking of himself as the Son of Man. Furthermore, as is recorded in verse 33, he said this to indicate how he was going to die. The people get the message. But, they don’t want to buy into it. They want a Messiah who will deliver them from the Romans oppressors. They don’t want to believe this Messiah will die.

Jesus continues with his message that the light of the world will only be with them a little longer. I had the privilege of taking 10-day backpacking treks with each of my sons in the lower Rocky Mountains. Prior to going out into this rugged backcountry, each group is given very clear rules. One of them is to never hike in the dark. Why? Because it’s dangerous. You can fall down or off a mountain. You can run into a mountain lion or a bear. No one may ever find you. Jesus is saying that if you don’t walk in the light he provides, you will be walking in darkness and will fall into danger of losing the eternal life he offers. 

It seems to me that the challenge from this Scripture is whether we are willing to submit our own ideas, feelings, ambitions, and desires that are natural in this life and follow Jesus. He is the true light that came into the world. When we walk in His light, we are safe eternally regardless of what may happen to us in this life.

Episode 84 - The Whole World is Going After Him - John 12:12-26

John 12:12   The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

John 12:15   “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

John 12:16   His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

John 12:20   Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

It would be easy to handle this Scripture in multiple sections. However, I have a purpose in treating this as a whole. That purpose is to help you see the consistency of prophecy given to prophecy fulfilled. When we see how often God reveals something that will happen and then later fulfills it, it should increase our confidence and trust in the God of the Bible. 

The historical context is the very first Palm Sunday. We celebrated that a few weeks ago. But, it is worth reviewing in order to see what unfolds from that event. Jesus has recently raised Lazarus from the dead and the report of this sign is spreading among people in and around Jerusalem as they arrive for the Passover celebration. It’s created excitement and faith in Jesus among many. But, it’s also fueling the hatred and rejection of his antagonists. 

John records that people are coming out to see Jesus as he enters the city because of this miracle. Furthermore, they are waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (v. 13) Why is this important? First, the palm branches were symbolic of the nation of Israel. As a people who are under the thumb of the Roman Empire, they are looking for hope of deliverance from that. The cry “Hosanna!” is a verbal expression meaning “Save us!” The cry is the crowd citing Psalm 118:25-26. Then, they add, “even the King of Israel!” This is not from the psalm. But, just like the crowd who had been miraculously fed and wanted to make Jesus the king, so this crowd wants Jesus to be their Messianic King. In this, we see how the people understand Jesus’ miracle as evidence that he is the One who God has sent to fulfill His prophetic promises from long ago. 

Jesus’ response also fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 which says, “Zech. 9:9   Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

What’s important is that Jesus is not coming into Jerusalem riding on a horse like a conquering king, but one who is humble, righteous, and bringing salvation. It’s not what they expect. Even John records that his disciples did not understand the significance of what he was doing until later. But, God is fulfilling His promises.

In response to the crowd that was going to see Jesus, the Pharisees (his antagonists) respond, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” (v. 19) I love how John records people saying things out of their own evil motives, yet God superintends the words to reveal a significant truth. In this case, this statement reveals that all the efforts of mortal mankind against God’s purposes will “gain nothing.” Furthermore, in the greater context of this book, their hyperbole that “the world has gone after him” is proof that God is accomplishing his purpose. Earlier in John’s gospel we read, “For God so loved the world . . . “ (3:16) That was the point in sending His own Son into the world is for the world to come to him. So, is it true? Is that prophecy fulfilled? Look at the beginning of the next paragraph.

In verses 20-23 John records that there were some Greeks at the feast requesting to see Jesus. The Greeks represent “the world.” They are not Jews. They are not among “his own” as suggested in John 1. However, they are representatives of the outsiders who God is making His own. John records this to help us see that everything is falling into place of God’s plan and promises. We know this because when Jesus is told that these Greeks are seeking him, he recognized the significance and says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (v. 23) Jesus is telling us that the Father is fulfilling his word. He understands that the Father’s time for him to go to the cross is very near. 

In view of this, Jesus speaks his prophecy about his own death that will soon happen and the significance to those who follow him. To summarize Jesus’ point in this teaching, he is not calling his followers to be suicidal. When he says, “whoever hates his life in this world” is drawing a comparison of our attempts to seek fulfillment in this life/world compared to the eternal and perfect life he calls us to. In that respect, our priorities upon God’s plan and God’s eternal kingdom and the eternal life he offers us should negate our desire and obsession to only find pleasure in this short, mortal life. 

When we realize that the God of the Bible has revealed His plans and consistently does what He says, it should give us confidence and awe, and desire to serve Jesus and align our priorities with His eternal plans. 

Episode 83 - Stopping at nothing to stop Jesus - John 12:9-11

John 12:9   When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The scene is the dinner in Jesus’ honor for having raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days, and Jesus called him back to life. This is not according to one person’s story, but the testimony of many witnesses who knew that Lazarus had indeed died, was buried, and that Jesus had called him by name while he was in the tomb and that Lazarus came out alive. 

At this dinner, John records that Jesus is speaking of his own imminent death because he tells Judas Iscariot (his disciple who would soon betray him) not to bother Mary regarding the expensive ointment she used to anoint Jesus’ feet because she would also use it for his burial. 

We’ve already learned that when the Jewish leaders, including the high priest, learned of this miracle, they conspired to have Jesus killed. Many who had witnessed this miracle believed in Jesus, which made the leaders uncomfortable.

In this section, John adds some more detail. Obviously, the news about this miracle is spreading, and people are going out to the location of this dinner to see Jesus (the miracle worker) and Lazarus (the miracle). You can imagine how this must have looked like a circus sideshow. People wanted to see a man who had died and come back to life and the one who made it possible. John mentions again that many people were going away and believing in Jesus “on account of” Lazarus. 

This fact led the high priest and leaders to expand their plan to also kill Lazarus. In earlier attempts to arrest or stone Jesus to death, the leaders had justification for their actions based upon their own reasoning that Jesus had violated the Sabbath or had made himself equal with God. But, how could they justify this murder when Lazarus had not done either. They couldn’t. But, they are so consumed with their jealousy they don’t recognize or care about the problem with this plan. They will stop at nothing to hinder the work and mission of Christ.

My question to you in light of this fact is, “Why should we expect people to act any differently today than they did then?” We should expect people to stop at nothing to impede or stop anything we are doing for the purpose of the Lord.

Episode 82 - Mary anoints Jesus' feet - John 12:1-8

John 12:1   Six days before the Passover, Jesus, therefore, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Once again, we find Jesus back in Bethany, a rural suburb of Jerusalem. His friends Martha, Mary, and their resurrected-from-the-dead brother Lazarus are among the participants at a dinner. Martha is cooking. Lazarus is at the table with other guests, and Mary is doing something that is in sharp contrast with one of Jesus’ twelve disciples named Judas Iscariot. 

John mentions that this Judas Iscariot was the one who was about to betray Jesus. John did not know this at the time of the dinner. However, he adds this to clarify who this person is and to show his character.

What Mary is doing is anointing Jesus’ feet with a very expensive and aromatic ointment or perfume. John records Judas’ words which may have even reflected what some others were thinking in response to this act. In verse 5, he says, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” In these words, we learn two things: first, the value of the ointment (300 denarii) appears to be understood by everyone, and second, that Judas is voicing a belief that something more righteous and good could have been accomplished with the value of this ointment.

Let’s break this down. What is the value of denarii in Jesus’ lifetime? In Matthew 20:2, we learn that one denarius was offered and accepted as a day’s wage. If a denarius was a daily wage of the average working person of Jesus’ time, then 300 denarii were equal to approximately a year’s wages. Wow! That is significant, and we can begin to understand perhaps the shock in the mind of Judas and possibly others as well. 

Looking at the context, however, we get a more accurate picture of what is happening. The first thing we need to come back to is that not only has Mary taken the precious ointment and began anointing Jesus’ feet with it, but she is also using her hair as the towel. This is a picture of great personal sacrifice and humility on behalf of Mary. Why would she do this? The answer must be in the fact that Jesus has restored the life to her brother’s dead body, and she is responding in extreme gratitude for this act and overwhelming awe of Jesus’ power and authority. This is worship.

Contrasted with this is Judas Iscariot, who John tells us was about to betray Jesus. Then, John informs his readers about Judas’ true motives in making this statement about selling the ointment and giving it to the poor. Would it have been a good thing to sell it and give it to the poor? Certainly! Throughout the Scriptures, we see God desiring His people to take care of the poor, the widows, and the orphans, those who could not reasonably take care of themselves and had no one immediately connected to them with the ability to care for their needs. 

However, that was not Judas’ true motives. John tells us that Judas kept the money bag for Jesus and his followers, and he was “a thief.” He would help himself to what he wanted. Judas, in all likelihood, had witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. He was undoubtedly aware of it and now in Lazarus’ presence. Yet he was not thankful or in awe of Jesus’ power and authority. He was only interested in serving himself.

Jesus not only defends Mary but adds that she will use some of this for his burial. He also explains that throughout their lives, they will have ongoing opportunities to serve the poor. But, they will not be able to dine with him, listen to him teach, watch him perform miracles, or tangibly show him gratitude in his presence because he will not be there. He is prophesying about his imminent death and ascension to the Father’s side. 

It seems to me that the application to us couldn’t be more obvious. Are our motivations that drive our actions more like that of Mary or more like that of Judas? Do we have such overwhelming gratitude and awe of Jesus that we might sacrifice something valuable to the world to honor the Lord? Are we so humble before the Lord that we do not care what others might think? OR . . . Are we more like Judas, self-serving thieves who say and do things to make others believe we are selfless and righteous?

Our priority must first be to honor the Lord. When we do that, our motives to serve the needs of others will be right as well.