Self or Him

John 18

Here we find a couple guys that I think we can relate to pretty well. Stay with me on this one.

It might be hard to actually defend Judas, and I understand that tension. By most accounts, he was a zealot, badly wanting to see Rome out of Israel’s business, looking for any sign of someone to come lead them out of that political and military mess. Jesus knew he would betray Him, He knew this was part of the plan, and yet the argument can be made that Judas had a choice. And I know the big picture, the messiah had to die, and His betrayal was part of that picture.

We know Judas was rather self-serving (good thing none of US can relate to that, huh?); he dipped into the group’s treasury, we are told, after he lamented the costly perfume “wasted” on anointing Jesus. He might have had the country in mind a bit, but he was in this for himself. And so, when it likely became evident to him, based on Jesus’ teaching, that this was not some military savior to free Israel from Rome, what did he have to lose? Why stick with this Jesus guy when He wasn’t even going to stand up to Rome after all.

Then we have Peter. The rock. The one who said he would never turn his back on Jesus. We know the story all too well. He openly and vehemently denies knowing Him, and one of the other gospel accounts even tells us that when the rooster crowed, Jesus looked at him across the crowd (Luke 22:61). If you have ever seen “The Passion of the Christ”, this scene is depicted in a haunting way, really helping the viewer feel Peter’s anguish at what he had just done.

My point in looking at these two men is that it is very easy to sit back and say, “yeah, I messed up”, or “yeah, I haven’t been living the Christian life I should”, because it’s easy to beat ourselves up. Sure, the other side is true as well, in that often we might think way too much of ourselves, and take our eyes off the Savior. But I sincerely pray that my goal in my own personal response to my shortcomings is that like Peter, as opposed to Judas.

Judas felt remorse, anguish, perhaps just plain guilt. He could have sought out the other disciples and tried to reconcile. I imagine they would have been less-than-receptive to him. He was used by Satan and then tossed aside. We know that from Matthew 27 and Acts 1 that Judas hanged himself from his remorse. Whether it was immediately before or after the crucifixion is not necessarily clear, but Judas had some sort of opportunity to seek forgiveness. We are never told if he did.

Peter also covered for himself in the course of his denial of Jesus, and we are told that he wept “bitterly” because of his refusing to take a stand for his Friend. We’ll see Peter again shortly as he seeks to set things right. He owns the responsibility and consequences of his actions, and will be used mightily for the Lord. Sure, he kept his strong personality, and he had his quirks, and we cannot read about him and ever question his heart for God.

It’s too simplistic to ask “Are you a Judas or a Peter?” I trust we all understand the implications of such a question. Each and every day we make choices as to who we follow, ourselves or the Lord. And we saw where each of these guys in John 18 chose themselves over God, realized it, and then made choices from there.

And my point is not to dwell on that self-centeredness, but rather to own the fact that we are so very self-centered, and so badly need to stay in touch with what Jesus desires for each of us, that which pleases HIM. We have His Word, and by it we can live for Him. I pray that we trust it enough to lean on it when we make good decisions, and that we turn to it when our decisions do not please God.

Time for Important Things - John 17

Do you think Jesus liked to pray? I mean the human Jesus. I know He in the flesh was 100% man/100% God; did the human form of Jesus like to pray? It is clear that prayer was important to Him. Maybe “liked” is the wrong word. And maybe even asking the question borders on sacrilege. So maybe it’s better to ask why, or how, or when, or for whom He prayed, because there can be no denying that He placed a huge priority on prayer. And He made time for it, because of its importance to Him.

John 17 is often referred to as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. If you recall, a main job of the high priest in Judaism was to present to God the prayers and sacrifices of the people. The high priest was in effect the representative of the people, the mediator between God and His people.

So how does that fit in with this chapter? Jesus, acting as mediator between God and His people, prays for His people, prays for us! Jesus, the Son of God, prayed for you, for me. Man, if that does not bring chills, I’m not sure what will! The Creator of the universe (as per Colossians 1:16), who allowed Himself to take on human form to save us (Phil. 2:6-8), prays for His people. Thus the “title” of His prayer.

And when you look at the overall picture, believers are seen as priests, able to approach God on a personal level, just as a high priest would, knowing that THE High Priest is still mediating on our behalf, right next to the Father (1 John 2:1-2). Try to get your head around that one!

I am deeply touched that Jesus asked the Father to “keep me”, to protect me, to allow truth to reign. If that was not enough, then He said that if I ever needed anything, I could go to the Father, and tell Him that I am doing so because of Jesus. This is why we tend to end our prayers by saying “In Jesus name…” It is because of Christ that we can even pray. And it is because of Christ that God will hear us. And so we ought to pray in His name.

SO WHAT…?

So, how important is prayer to us? We make time for important things.

So, when we pray, do we truly see prayer as worship, as being a priest who humbly comes before God’s Throne, striving to please Him, and reverently approaching Him who welcomes us with open arms?

So, look at what Jesus prayed about, and let’s allow that to shape our prayer lives.

How Do I Relate?

John 16

Wow! Those were some great games yesterday afternoon and evening! My predictions came true, I was dead on, in fact. I just knew a recent champ would reign in one of the games, and there would be some excitement and disappointment, though each temporary, on either side. I also predicted that in the other game there would be a great deal of talk on both sides, and that it really was anyone’s game, a game that could literally be decided by just a few ticks on the clock. I knew also that the team leader would ultimately be responsible for the success or failure of the team, and as soon as the leader relaxes and takes his focus off the field, he gets quickly pounced on.

So in honesty, as of this morning, I have no idea who won the NFL games yesterday. I have my guesses, and I’ll find out later, I’m sure. No, I predicted that the recent ski-jump champion in our house would prevail against any and all comers. And He (that’s me!) did. Oh, it was close, but try as they might, my family could not unseat me. Then there’s the tried-and-true obstacle course, a game left for the youth in our homes. Oh, dad tried it, and as usual, crashed and burned on the second section. And the boys, yeah, they took dad to school on that one. And the little one, just as predicted, when the leader (me) tried to rest his head on the floor, his back was too inviting, and OOOMMPH! My back became a landing zone for a 2-year-old. With all the places to sit, comfortably, on dad seems to be the choicest seat in our “stadium”. I just don’t have cup holders in the seat!

John opens chapter 16, quoting Jesus who is reminding us that all the instruction he just gave prior was intended to keep us from stumbling. Jesus wants us to keep from sin, from struggling through life. Sure, life can be difficult, and Jesus helps us through those times, and yet when we bring the calamity on ourselves, He is telling us it is because we have lost our focus on the Savior, with our fellow Christians and families, and our proper relationship with the world around us. And the world around us sees our families.

John then ends this chapter with one of the most re-assuring texts in Scripture, again with Jesus doing the talking. “…take courage: I have overcome the world.” In essence, God knows where we live, and He understands the times that we encounter. And He may have to wonder why it is we cling so desperately to the trappings around us, why we so love this world that He has overcome. He wants us so badly to spend our quality time with Him, with His people, and showing the world how the “different” life of the Christian is to be so joyful.

For me, that means family, and if I can bring up a strong one for Him, then maybe my kids will do the same when they have families of their own. Such is my daily prayer for them and for God to use them mightily for Him.

It could have been easy last night to feel like I “missed” something by not watching some football games, games that I would imagine were rather exciting by some standards. I knew my family wanted dad to play with them, and that was a “game” I could not turn my back on. Had I chosen to do something other than give them my time and energy, I could surely say today that I would have “missed” something, something far more important than anything else on which I could have spent that time and energy. To be honest, I haven’t watched football in years, exciting as it can be, so last night was not a big momentous decision to forego the lure of the NFL. And God continually reminds me of the importance of my family and how time is so fleeting, and thus the choice to spend the time with them and giving them my attention is something I strive hard to do, for Him. He gave this family to me to care for and nurture, and I pray I take that seriously enough.

Dads, we (should) step on that playing field every day, and as the leaders, if we take our focus off the game plan, our real opponents, this world and Satan and his followers, will score some decisive victories. And I guess I can’t help being preachy today. When I read John 16 this morning, and He opens with the caution from stumbling, and closes with a reminded of who really wins in the end, the challenge seems ever-so-present today to step up my game many notches. I’ll live and serve in this world, because my team needs a leader to show them how to live for the true Victor. The head of our house, Jesus Christ, handed that role to me.

Next game? Hmmmm, maybe Bingo or Yahtzee. Those tend to level the playing field, not so much skill involved. Game on!

A Simple (not easy) Life Plan

John 15

Our relationship to Christ
Verse 4: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”

One of the descriptions for “abide” is “not to depart”. More often than not, we address personal concerns, troubles, and trials of our own or others by being told to “stay close to Jesus”. Or we might offer to someone the advice to “stay in the Word”, or “remember that God loves you and is great to help you”. All true, very true. Yet, specifically, just how do we “not depart” from Jesus? He clearly tells us that we as Christians cannot bear fruit (for Him) if we indeed depart from Him. Basically, abide in Christ, bear fruit. Depart from Christ, not bear fruit.

Our actions are so indicative of our hearts, of our motives, and we can say all the right things (myself VERY included) and never quite find the way to put them into motion. With God’s help, I am the only one who can change my heart. You are the only one who can change yours.


Our relationship to Christians
Verse 17: “This I command you, that you love one another.”

OK, so I/you want to change something. Good. Now what? God has given us the church, the body of believers at-large to come alongside of us to give selflessly of ourselves to help each other “not depart” from Christ. Sometimes in the Greek language we look for “imperatives”, do this, don’t do that, etc. Jesus here makes it clear, this is a command; it’s not optional. No deep knowledge of ancient language necessary to see that our self-LESS attitudes are what He desires to see played out in what we call the Christian life.


Our relationship to the world:
Verse 26 and 27 (potions): “When the Helper comes…He will testify about Me, and you will testify also…”

I mentioned that we cannot do this by ourselves. God knew that. He never wants us to be in a place where we think we don’t need Him. God said He would help, and He did, He DOES! The believer has the Holy Spirit to help in each and every aspect of life, if we would only listen to Him more. So if He is telling us to pray more, read His Word more, stop doing this or that, start doing this or that, whatever that specific “thing” is or more likely, whatever those “things” are, ask Him to help. Let Him help. He said He would.


SO WHAT…?
So, it starts with your/my decision to follow and stay close to Christ. When we do that, we find brothers and sisters to help us, and who we can also help. And God does the majority of the helping, with His Spirit. If we could pattern our lives around the simplicity of God’s plan, we’d surely reflect much more of His glory that we do at present. Simple, not easy.

Ask your questions

John 14:5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?"

Thomas…I really like him, and know so very little about him. Tradition has it that he as an amazing church planter and such a faithful apostle. Maybe I like him because he exhibits a frail yet willing desire to know the truth. Skeptical, willing to challenge, asking the obvious questions that nobody else wants to, yet everyone wants to know the answers.

Jesus is describing the work He is about to complete, building that dwelling place for believers in glory. It sounds good, reassuring, good teaching and preaching, basically. And I can picture the disciples sitting and nodding, we might say “Amen” if we were sitting in on that session. Yet Thomas interjects with a sort of “Wait a minute, I have no idea where you are going, and if I don’t know where you are going, how in the world will I ever know how to get there?”

This is not a question of disbelief. No. Rather, he wants to follow Jesus wherever He goes! How can he do that if he has no idea “where” that is? I like that Thomas was bold enough to ask the question. We can sit back and say that he should have known the answer already, has he not been paying attention. But we know the end of the story, and I mean way beyond the gospel of John. And sure, we’ll see Thomas and his “doubting” reputation in a few chapters from now.

But meanwhile, think on this. Do you know Jesus, personally? Do you know where He is now? Do you know what He plans on doing next? Closer to home, assuming you know Him, do you know what God wants you to do for Him? Is He asking you to do something about which you are just not clear on the “how” or “why”? Do you need some help and are not sure where to turn? Would you like it to be clearer to see?

Try being Thomas. Ask the questions that need to be asked. Ask the question that so many others want to but are afraid to. If your motives are centered on Him, He’ll answer you, and I pray He does so in a clear manner. James tells us that if we lack wisdom, ask God for it, and He’ll provide it generously.

Thomas asked the simple question, and He gets one of the biggest answers in all of Scripture. “I AM THE WAY…” No rebuke, just the truth. Maybe not in the format that Thomas expected, but Thomas will take this and add it to the rest of the teaching he has heard, and will allow it to shape his life and eventual ministry.

Go ahead. Ask. He wants to hear from you.

Words, Actions, Heart

John 13:38 “Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.””

If I had to re-write this verse, which I would not, God has it the way He wants it, I would put “Will” in all caps, and then add “really” before lay. So often I have read this verse and jumped right to the rooster prophecy, knowing the story and how it ends. But read John 13, and slow down when you get near the end of the chapter. Look at the dialogue between Jesus and Peter.

OK, first, Jesus showed servant leadership with the washing of their feet. Then you have the precursor to the betrayal. All very worth noting and studying through. When I read this chapter, I could not help again but to see how Jesus responds to people when they ask Him questions or when they challenge Him.

Peter tells Him that he will lay down his life for Him. Jesus could have easily replied with the rooster prediction. But first, He gets right to the heart. “Will you really? Seriously?” (my paraphrase). I am as guilty as anyone for saying things and not following through (speaking of spiritual growth, specifically). It sounds so good to hear that I am going to change, do things better, and it is very easy to rest in the fact that I said it. I at least can feel good for a while. Then the reality of sin sets in, and I look back and see that I could have made better choices, I could have actively pursued what I said I wanted to.

Now Jesus knew Peter’s heart, just as He knows yours and mine. And He knows that the heart drives the actions, and time and time again when Jesus is teaching He is going for the heart. He knows that if the heart is right, what flows from that will reflect His glory. Alternatively, when we “perform” but do not take matters to heart, we only reflect ourselves.

We’ll read of Peter’s denial later. That is a well-known account. We’ll even see how Peter reacted to his own shortcoming, faced with his heart. This I can tell you here, tradition holds that Peter was executed for his faith, supposedly crucified upside down, as he felt it unworthy to be killed in the same manner of his Savior. So if Jesus had asked him “Will you (really) lay down your life for Me?” it appears Peter’s answer ultimately was “Yes”.

I’ve seen my reflection, I think people would rather see God’s. Who are you reflecting?

Truth Matters

John 12: 10-11 “But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.”

In an otherwise theology-rich chapter, involving some great teaching by Jesus, this verse seemed to me to reach right into our day and age. So forgive me if the verse itself seems a bit gloomy, rather it should be found encouraging. OK, I’ll explain my thinking.

Jesus is having a meal in Bethany, after having healed Lazarus and leaving for a while. He is back in town now, and Lazarus is there, eating with Him and the group including His disciples. It can almost be read as sort of “ho-hum” if we are not careful. Lazarus was dead for four days. Jesus raised him back to earthly life, and it’s not a secret. Friends, neighbors, relatives, and the disciples themselves know it. They can see Lazarus alive and well!

So could the chief priests. Never do they deny that Lazarus was dead and then alive again. Nor do they deny that Jesus was the reason. Rather, they want Lazarus dead, too, because there were Jews believing in Jesus as a result. When faced with the truth, Jesus’ opponents resort to plotting murder. They are so caught up in themselves and their lofty religious positions that they will inwardly deny the outworking of the Messiah. To these chief priests, concerned with stature, Jesus represents the opposite of them, and they cannot tolerate that option.

Friends, if you have taken a stand for the truth, or if you feel you need to do so, and if you can confidently say that you did or will go about that endeavor in the same manner as Jesus did, then be prepared for some pushback, some opposition from those who hate Christ. The world around us simply cannot stand the truth, even if it should be so very clear. Lazarus was living proof of the power of God, in the form of Jesus Christ, and the world around him responded by saying “yeah, yeah, kill him”.

Each and every day, Jesus calls all to come to Him (12:32), and when a lost soul accepts that call, a new life is created, and those around that new life should see the change. When Jesus gets the credit, some will believe, and others will scoff. Like in Lazarus’s day, things haven’t changed much.

Stay in the fight. Truth matters!

Day or Night Walking? John 11

John 11:9b-10 “ If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
I can only speak for myself, and I can find myself tripping over stuff, even in the daytime. As a kid I used to shuffle my feet when I walked, just to hear the noise, and inevitably I would hit a crack in the sidewalk, trip and fall down. Of course, I’d look at the crack like it was its fault, as well as looking around to see if anyone saw. Naturally, if I had been paying attention, I would not have fallen.

Jesus’ disciples here are asking Him if He is going to actually show up in a place where the Jews wanted to stone Him. He could have said, “Yes, I need to go for Lazarus’ family’s sake.” Rather, he answers by continually teaching, again using light and dark as metaphors of life’s options. Walk in the light, or walk in the dark.

If we walk in the dark, we will stumble. It’s not a maybe, we will stumble. Remember back in this book where Jesus explained that people did not want the light, they wanted to stay in the dark? Light exposes everything, and for those who wish to try to keep hidden from God, the light is very threatening. Light, Jesus, that is, exposes sin. Light exposes our need for a Savior, and that takes a humble heart to accept.

Track down to verses 49 and following. Caiaphas is speaking and reasoning why they must put Jesus to death. And this trip Jesus makes to help Lazarus is just prior to Him entering Jerusalem where He will be crucified. Caiaphas gets it. People around him think that killing Jesus will save their nation from this supposed prophet’s teaching and influence. He knows that the Pharisees and chief priests are threatened by Jesus’ ministry. They will lose their status if Jesus is really the Messiah. Caiaphas knows their motives, and yet still enters into their plan to kill Jesus. Yet note that Caiaphas had an ominous prophecy, (yes, apparently the high priest at that time, still prior to the personal indwelling of the Spirit to individual believers, had the power of the Spirit to prophesy) that Jesus would indeed die and gather God’s children (all those who will eventually accept Him as Savior) together.

God revealed a key portion of His plan to a man who was to be His high priest at the time. How right his prophesy was. Jesus did indeed die, he paid that penalty for all sinners, so that whoever would accept Him, believe in Him as John wrote in chapter 3, would then, as in chapter 1, become a child of God. I think Caiaphas missed those quotes by Jesus. Lots of people today miss those quotes by Jesus.

Praise God they are still true. But people still live and walk in the dark. Jesus tells believers that we are salt, we are light. People desperately need the Light that we can shine on this world, the Light that is Jesus Christ. Otherwise they will continue to stumble. They have no Light by which to “see”.

And for the believers, we, too, need to purposely walk in that Light. We, too, can stumble. Live for Jesus on purpose.