Written That You May Believe

We’ve been reading the Gospel of John for 2 months, and reading the Gospels since January 1. This is why:

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

— John 20:30-31

May God use your reading to bring you life in 2020!

P.S. I’m not going to write a post on John’s epilogue, which we read on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Check back Wednesday for our 1st post in reading Genesis,

Today’s Scripture

John 20:19-31

Why I Love Simon Peter

When Mary Magdalene tells Simon Peter and the beloved disciple that she’s seen the Risen Jesus, he doesn’t believe her—would you?—but he runs to the tomb anyway.

That’s why I love Peter: if there is even the smallest chance it could be true, he wants to investigate it for himself.

Today’s Scripture

John 20:1-18

Christmas and the Cross

Jesus was born to die. Christmas was always going to end on the Cross.

For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, my thoughts on the Gospel of John are summed up in the sermon below.

Merry Christmas, everyone. May the knowledge Christ came to die make your Christmas celebrations all the more precious.

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Scripture Readings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

John 19

Barabbas

The Greek word that John uses in 18:40 to describe Barabbas can mean “robber,” but it can also mean “revolutionary” or “insurrectionist.” We learn from Mark and Luke that Barabbas was a murderer as well. In other words, Barabbas had been arrested by the Romans because he was trying to overthrow Roman rule.

And what happens? Barabbas is freed, and Jesus is crucified.

Pontius Pilate releases a murderer and crucifies an innocent man.

Today’s Scripture

John 18:28-40

Jesus Walked Here The Last Night of His Life

I filmed the video below earlier this year by the excavations of the high priest’s house in Jerusalem. Jesus actually walked on these stones!

(By the way, I’m going to be taking another trip to Israel in January-February 2021. [In an earlier version I wrote 2020!] Stay tuned for more info.)

Today’s Scripture

John 18:19-27

Why Are We Surprised?

Jesus warned us it would happen, so why are we so surprised when it does?

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“‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”

— John 15:18-25

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Don’t be surprised when you face opposition because of your commitment to Christ, and don’t believe the lie that if you were just more winsome they would accept you. Remember: they crucified Jesus, and he loved people perfectly.

When you face opposition, know that you are being conformed to the image of Christ and being given the gift of tasting—just barely—the sufferings of Christ himself.

And never forget that Christ was vindicated in the Resurrection, and you will be, too.

Keep going.

Today’s Scripture

John 15:18-16:15

Branches Don't Need Management Consultants

[Sorry about the delay in posting and sending today’s post—I just forgot to do yesterday! —AF]

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At the Last Supper, Jesus speaks to his disciples about vines, branches, commitment, connectedness, and fruitfulness.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower.… Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.… If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” —John 15:1-8

The branches don’t strain and they don’t strategize; the branches produce fruit naturally, effortlessly, because they are connected to the vine. Jesus promised his disciples that if they stayed connected to him, then their ministry would be fruitful.

My responsibility: to stay connected to the Lord.

His responsibility: producing cool stuff in my life.

I find that to be a life-giving idea: all I need to do is stay connected, and he will do the rest.

How can you let go of some of your stress today and let God do his work?

Today’s Scripture

John 15:1-17

Why Did Some People Accept Jesus, and Others Reject Him?

I anticipate many of us are troubled by John 12:37-42.

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37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
    nor understand with their hearts,
    nor turn—and I would heal them.”

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

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Why didn’t more of the Jews believe in Jesus?

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When Isaiah the prophet was called by God (around 700 B.C.), God tells him to expect constant rejection from his people. So, when John reflects on the ministry of Jesus, he remembers that Isaiah was also rejected. In fact, the rejection was so complete that it was as if God had hardened the hearts of the Israelites to make it impossible for them to respond. Now, why would God set Isaiah up to fail? That’s the wrong way to think about it; it’s not that God set Isaiah up to fail, but that God knew that Isaiah’s ministry would be very difficult, and that though Israel would not listen, Isaiah is to preach to them anyway.

In the same way, Jesus came performing many signs and many people still refused to accept him. It’s as if God has hardened their hearts—why else would they refuse to believe?

But, John also tells us that the rejection was not total; actually, there were many people who believed, and some believed secretly.

So, John wants us to understand that the mighty works of Jesus were not enough to convince everyone of his identity. Some people were so stubborn that nothing would make them believe: it was as if God made their hearts hard and eyes blind.

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I think this means 2 things for us:

1. We should not be surprised when people in our day reject Jesus.

2. But, we should also expect people to accept him in our day.

How can you tell which group is which?

You can’t—you have to sow the seed as widely as possible with the expectation that though it might not take root everywhere, it will take root somewhere.

Today’s Scripture

John 12:20-50

Worship Must Always Be First

When Mary of Bethany—sister of Lazarus—uses priceless perfume to anoint Jesus, Judas complains that the money should have been spent on the poor instead of “wasted” in worship. In reply, Jesus rebukes him and tells him that what Mary did was right.

The temptation for us to ignore worship and move to “practical” and “important” matters is always with us, and always wrong.

Worship must always be first, because God is always first. To care more for the created things than we do for praising the Creator is to get things exactly backwards. In fact, the surest way to honor and care for the things of this world is to make worship our first priority. When God is first, then everything has a place, and everything will be “very good.” But, when we decide what we think is most important and should be first, then the world becomes disordered and broken. The reason the world is the way it is is precisely because we decide that we know better than God that which should be first.

Put God first, and the rest falls into place.

How do you need to re-order your world today?

Today’s Scripture

John 12:1-19

He Had No Idea What He Was Saying

Jerusalem was under Roman occupation at the time of Jesus, but the Jews were permitted a degree of autonomy with regard to religious matters. So, the Jewish leaders are nervous at the crowds’ enthusiasm for Jesus, because they are worried he will upset the delicate balance they had achieved with the Romans. That’s the background for this comment from Caiaphas, the high priest:

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“Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. [This is Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and John is referring to the raising of Lazarus. —AF] But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. [John 11:45-52]

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He had no idea what he was saying and he didn’t mean it in the way it happened, but that’s exactly what Jesus did: one man died for the people.

Amazing.

Today’s Scripture

John 11:45-57

No Good Options

Here’s what you need to understand about Jesus and Lazarus:

Jesus has just had to flee Jerusalem and take refuge out in the wilderness, beyond the Jordan River, because the people in Jerusalem tried to stone him. (See the immediately preceding chapter, John 10:31-39).

Then, he gets word that Lazarus, who lives right outside Jerusalem, is sick to the point of death. Here’s the problem:

• If he goes to Lazarus, he will be going to his own death;

• If he doesn’t go to Lazarus, then Lazarus will die.

It’s one or the other.

So, this is why John says:

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “‘Let us go back to Judea.’

“‘But Rabbi,’” they said, “‘a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?’”

He waits two days, but then decides to go anyway, knowing he’s going to his death.

Which prompts this reaction from Thomas:

“Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’”

At the Last Supper, Jesus will tell his disciples that the greatest love one person can show another is to lay down his life for him. With Lazarus, Jesus demonstrates the principle: he saves Lazarus, but ensures his own death.

Today’s Scripture

John 11:1-44

Good Shepherd or Hireling?

Jesus says that the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, whereas the hireling flees at the first sign of danger, since he was never there for the sheep, but only to receive his wages.

Jesus is obviously The Good Shepherd, but I think the distinction he makes here is a useful one for us also.

Good leaders are like good shepherds—they give of themselves for their people.

Bad leaders are like hirelings—they are only in it for the position.

Today, keep your eyes open—is this or that person a good shepherd, or a hireling?

Today’s Scripture

John 10:1-21

One of the Coolest Guys in the Bible

You read this and tell me how it’s possible to NOT love this unnamed man, born blind and healed by Jesus at age 38.

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A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

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What a cool guy! May we all have his stubborn, commonsense courage.

Today’s Scripture

John 9:24-41

1 Personal Note and 2 Quick Thoughts on Today's Reading

Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the things I’m thankful for is that you folks actually read these little posts every day. There’s just one month left—let’s finish strong!

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“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

-John 8:31-32

Notice the reoccurring theme?

1. True disciples are those who actually do what Jesus said;

2. If you do what he says, then you’ll know the truth.

Obey first, and gain insight second.

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“‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”

-John 8:58

The reason they get so angry is because “I Am” is how God identifies himself to Moses on Exodus chapter 3. Jesus is here claiming to be Israel’s God, which the Jews take to be blasphemy.

Here’s the question:

If you had been a devout Jew at the time of Jesus, how would you have responded to him?

Today’s Scripture

John 8:31-59

"Go and Sin No More"

Jesus’s words to the woman caught in the act of adultery remind me of John 3:17:

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Jesus knows that if the woman persists in sin, it will go badly for her, and his desire is that she would have eternal life.

He wants the same thing for you, which is why he also wants you to turn away from sin and toward him.

What sin can you turn aside from today?

Today’s Scripture

John 7:53-8:11

The Pharisees Should Come to Munger on Xmas Eve

Some quick geographic notes. Galilee is the northern part of Israel; Jerusalem is in Judea, which is separated from the Galilee by Samaria. Bethlehem is a little town near Jerusalem.

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The Old Testament prophets had foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem; Jesus, however, was raised in Nazareth in Galilee, and did much of his ministry there. So, this is why the Pharisees are sure that Jesus can’t be the Messiah—since he’s from Galilee. But, we know what they don’t: that he was raised in Galilee, but born in Bethlehem.

The Pharisees should come to Munger on Christmas Eve, and then they would hear the Christmas story:

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. [Luke 2:1-7]

Today’s Scripture

John 7:45-52

Rivers of Living Water

It’s a dramatic scene: on the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles, after keeping a low profile, Jesus stands up in the midst of the crowds in the Temple Courts and shouts:

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” —John 7:37-38

What a beautiful image of life in the Holy Spirit—when he is at work in your life, it feels as if an inexhaustible source of refreshment and joy is flowing through you.

Yes, Lord!

Today’s Scripture

John 7:32-44

The Only Way to Know If What Jesus Says Is True

Jesus says that there is only one way to know if what he says is true:

You just have to do it.

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” —John 7:17

We wish it were vice versa, but it isn’t. We wish we could somehow find out if what he says is true before trying to actually do what he says, but that’s not how it works.

Just do it. And then you’ll know.

Today’s Scripture

John 7:14-31

Tent Camping in the Bible

A little background on today’s passage:

When the Lord brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before eventually entering the Promised Land. During that 40 year period, they lived in tents, and at the center of the encampment was the tabernacle, the place where God’s presence manifested itself. (You can read about this in the Book of Exodus.)

As the Lord prepared the people to enter the Promised Land, he gave them a series of laws to guide their national life. One set of laws dealt with religious holidays. The last holiday mentioned was the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles, which was meant to remind the Israelites of their time wandering in the desert:

“‘So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’”

Leviticus 23:39-43

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Even today, Jews in Jerusalem will move out of their houses and apartments for a week and live in temporary shelters, in observance of The Festival of Tabernacles.

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Today’s Scripture

John 7:1-13

"Where Would We Go?"

Somehow we enlightened modern Americans think we’re the only ones who’ve ever been offended by Jesus.

In fact, Jesus has always been offensive.

Now, it’s true that Jesus offends different cultures in different ways. But, it’s very clear that Jesus has been offensive since the very beginning.

(Why else would they have wanted to kill him?)

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After Jesus has driven off lots of his followers because of his offensive statements on eating his body and drinking his blood (seriously, he said that!), he turns to the Twelve and asks,

“Are you going to leave, too?”

I love Simon Peter’s response:

“Where would we go?”

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What else is there? Where would we go, if we left?

Politics?

Socialism?

Hedonism?

Commercialism?

Career success?

New Age philosophy?

Eastern spirituality?

Where would we go?

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Jesus is life. And there’s nothing else.

Today’s Scripture

John 6:60-71