Scripture: John 15:18-25
Observation: Jesus explains the world's hatred to His disciples. Those who reject Him are referred to as "the world", the ones who want no part of Him. Jesus' disciples are not part of this world because they have not rejected Him, therefore they are hated (v.18-19). The world hated Jesus first (v.18) and the disciples must expect the same treatment, as they are not greater than their Master (v.20). Therefore the disciples would be persecuted because of the name of Jesus (v.21). By rejecting Jesus Christ, the world has also rejected the Father (v.23). What the world doesn't realize, is that rejection of Jesus makes them guilty of sin; Jesus has shown us the Father by His words and miracles, therefore there is no valid excuse for denying His identity (v.22,24). The Lord is not surprised by the world's actions; it is to fulfill Scripture (v.25).
Application: Jesus' words are meant to encourage us in times of our own rejection. There are different levels of persecution - we know Christians who are suffering physically because of the Gospel, while others are oppressed by family and friends, mocked and teased or called intolerant because of their stand for Christ. We can take heart when these things happen, because Jesus experienced it too. We are not greater than our Lord, therefore we can expect to be treated no better than He. We should be honored to suffer for the name of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, You know the troubles I face. No, I'm not in a country that prohibits worship of You, as many of my Christian brothers and sisters. Still, there are those who want to see me give up what they consider my "craziness" or "silliness". I know to expect this, though it still hurts when loved ones reject You. Help me to be patient, and to pray for those who would quiet me. May I show them the same love and compassion You have shown to me. In Christ Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
John 15, Part 2
Scripture: John 15:7-17
Observation: Jesus goes deeper into His explanation of abiding in Him. First, Jesus explains that He will abide in those who keep His commands (v.10). Obedience to God's commands and doing God's will is necessary, and it guarantees that God will hear our prayers and answer them (v.7). Next, Jesus says His disciples must love one another (v.12). This is not any kind of love; it is a sacrificial love, as Jesus has for His disciples (v.13). Jesus then refers to His disciples with a new name. Jesus no longer calls His disciples servants, He calls them His friends (v.15). This doesn't mean that Jesus' followers no longer have to obey Him. It means the relationship is more intimate. Unlike a slave/master relationship, where there is no love or intimacy, Jesus' relationship to His disciples is one of friendship, of love and sharing. Jesus has kept nothing hidden; He has made everything known (v.15).
Application: The idea of obedience is not typically a pleasant one. We think of obedience as following rules and having to do what others want instead of what we want. Obedience means loss of freedom, right? Wrong. Obedience to a God of love means experiencing the greatest freedom. It means experiencing God's goodness, His grace, and joy. Jesus loves as His Father loves. He commands us to do the same. When we do, we are in communion with God the Father, His Son, His Holy Spirit, and all His disciples. It is a love that is divine.
Prayer: Father, each day I experience Your love, and I'm amazed at the great love You have for me. I am a sinner, another of many on this earth. I am not worthy of Your grace. Yet still the sun shines for me; still You provide food, water, and shelter daily. As if that weren't enough, You give many things I don't really need just to make my life more pleasant. May I never stop loving You or take Your blessings for granted. Help me to love others with the love You have. May those around me see You in me. In Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.
Observation: Jesus goes deeper into His explanation of abiding in Him. First, Jesus explains that He will abide in those who keep His commands (v.10). Obedience to God's commands and doing God's will is necessary, and it guarantees that God will hear our prayers and answer them (v.7). Next, Jesus says His disciples must love one another (v.12). This is not any kind of love; it is a sacrificial love, as Jesus has for His disciples (v.13). Jesus then refers to His disciples with a new name. Jesus no longer calls His disciples servants, He calls them His friends (v.15). This doesn't mean that Jesus' followers no longer have to obey Him. It means the relationship is more intimate. Unlike a slave/master relationship, where there is no love or intimacy, Jesus' relationship to His disciples is one of friendship, of love and sharing. Jesus has kept nothing hidden; He has made everything known (v.15).
Application: The idea of obedience is not typically a pleasant one. We think of obedience as following rules and having to do what others want instead of what we want. Obedience means loss of freedom, right? Wrong. Obedience to a God of love means experiencing the greatest freedom. It means experiencing God's goodness, His grace, and joy. Jesus loves as His Father loves. He commands us to do the same. When we do, we are in communion with God the Father, His Son, His Holy Spirit, and all His disciples. It is a love that is divine.
Prayer: Father, each day I experience Your love, and I'm amazed at the great love You have for me. I am a sinner, another of many on this earth. I am not worthy of Your grace. Yet still the sun shines for me; still You provide food, water, and shelter daily. As if that weren't enough, You give many things I don't really need just to make my life more pleasant. May I never stop loving You or take Your blessings for granted. Help me to love others with the love You have. May those around me see You in me. In Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
John 15, Part 1
Scripture: John 15:1-6
Observation: Jesus speaks to His disciples with an allegory, a metaphor. Jesus says He is the true vine, the Father is the vinegrower, and the disciples are the branches. The significance is in the relationship each has with the other, primarily the fact that the disciple is totally dependent upon the vinegrower and the vine. Just as a vinegrower tends to his vines, so the Father tends to the true vine by removing branches that bear no fruit, and pruning those that do bear fruit so that they may be more fruitful (v.2). Jesus makes clear that the branch cannot survive separate from the vine (v.4), and to be able to bear fruit the branch must abide in the vine. It is not simply seeing the vine or knowing about the vine; the true disciple abides in the vine. Those that do not abide are gathered and thrown in the fire (v.6).
Application: Any gardener will confirm that, to keep a vine growing, branches must be tended. The dead ones are removed, but even the good branches are pruned to make them stronger. I know there are areas in my life that God needs to prune. My sinful nature is still with me, urging me in a different direction from the one God has prepared. So He takes out His scalpel and cuts away at the places that are preventing my spiritual growth. I admit I don't like it very much. I'd rather be left alone. But I also know this pruning is necessary to make me a woman after God's own heart, and will lead to a more productive and fruitful life.
Prayer: Father, much as I know the surgeries You perform in my heart and soul are needed for spiritual health, I hate going through the pain of admitting I even need You to work in me. Yet afterwards, when I see the results, I'm thankful for the work You've done. Please help me to accept Your pruning as coming from my loving Father, who never hurts me except to make me a better person, the woman You created me to be. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.
Observation: Jesus speaks to His disciples with an allegory, a metaphor. Jesus says He is the true vine, the Father is the vinegrower, and the disciples are the branches. The significance is in the relationship each has with the other, primarily the fact that the disciple is totally dependent upon the vinegrower and the vine. Just as a vinegrower tends to his vines, so the Father tends to the true vine by removing branches that bear no fruit, and pruning those that do bear fruit so that they may be more fruitful (v.2). Jesus makes clear that the branch cannot survive separate from the vine (v.4), and to be able to bear fruit the branch must abide in the vine. It is not simply seeing the vine or knowing about the vine; the true disciple abides in the vine. Those that do not abide are gathered and thrown in the fire (v.6).
Application: Any gardener will confirm that, to keep a vine growing, branches must be tended. The dead ones are removed, but even the good branches are pruned to make them stronger. I know there are areas in my life that God needs to prune. My sinful nature is still with me, urging me in a different direction from the one God has prepared. So He takes out His scalpel and cuts away at the places that are preventing my spiritual growth. I admit I don't like it very much. I'd rather be left alone. But I also know this pruning is necessary to make me a woman after God's own heart, and will lead to a more productive and fruitful life.
Prayer: Father, much as I know the surgeries You perform in my heart and soul are needed for spiritual health, I hate going through the pain of admitting I even need You to work in me. Yet afterwards, when I see the results, I'm thankful for the work You've done. Please help me to accept Your pruning as coming from my loving Father, who never hurts me except to make me a better person, the woman You created me to be. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
John 14, Part 4
Scripture: John 14:22-31
Observation: Judas (not Iscariot) is confused; why would Jesus show Himself only to His disciples, instead of making a huge appearance that would convince the world He is the Messiah? But Jesus explains that those who keep His word will receive the love of the Father. God the Father sent His Son, so anyone who loves the Son is loved by the Father. Jesus realizes His disciples don't fully understand all He is telling them, so He promises to send the Holy Spirit to teach and remind them of all He has said (v.26). Jesus also gives His disciples another precious gift: His peace. This isn't to be understood as a ceasing of troubles; instead it is the peace that comes in knowing Jesus is with His disciples. Jesus displayed this peace even though He knew what was coming. His disciples would also experience this peace that comes from faith in Christ. Jesus tell His disciples these things in advance of what awaits Him, so that at the appropriate time they may believe (v.29). The prince of the world is coming, who has no hold on Jesus, but God's will must be done.
Application: Here we see how Jesus takes care of those who love Him: He sends the Holy Spirit to abide in them, and He gives them His peace. Without these, it would be difficult to continue in God's truths. The enemy, the prince of this world, attacks constantly to destroy our relationship with God as he did with Adam and Eve. But we have the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us, and we have the Lord's peace, assuring us even in the worst circumstances that God is in control and our future in Him and with Him is secure.
Prayer: Father, the world can't understand Your peace. The world's view of peace is defeating the enemy, but we know our enemy is as good as defeated, since he cannot overpower or defeat You. This is my peace, Lord, the knowledge that no matter what the enemy does, You already have the victory, and I have victory in You. Thank You Lord Jesus for obeying and dying on the cross for my sins. May I live a life of victory, because the victory is Yours! In Your precious name Jesus I pray, Amen.
Observation: Judas (not Iscariot) is confused; why would Jesus show Himself only to His disciples, instead of making a huge appearance that would convince the world He is the Messiah? But Jesus explains that those who keep His word will receive the love of the Father. God the Father sent His Son, so anyone who loves the Son is loved by the Father. Jesus realizes His disciples don't fully understand all He is telling them, so He promises to send the Holy Spirit to teach and remind them of all He has said (v.26). Jesus also gives His disciples another precious gift: His peace. This isn't to be understood as a ceasing of troubles; instead it is the peace that comes in knowing Jesus is with His disciples. Jesus displayed this peace even though He knew what was coming. His disciples would also experience this peace that comes from faith in Christ. Jesus tell His disciples these things in advance of what awaits Him, so that at the appropriate time they may believe (v.29). The prince of the world is coming, who has no hold on Jesus, but God's will must be done.
Application: Here we see how Jesus takes care of those who love Him: He sends the Holy Spirit to abide in them, and He gives them His peace. Without these, it would be difficult to continue in God's truths. The enemy, the prince of this world, attacks constantly to destroy our relationship with God as he did with Adam and Eve. But we have the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us, and we have the Lord's peace, assuring us even in the worst circumstances that God is in control and our future in Him and with Him is secure.
Prayer: Father, the world can't understand Your peace. The world's view of peace is defeating the enemy, but we know our enemy is as good as defeated, since he cannot overpower or defeat You. This is my peace, Lord, the knowledge that no matter what the enemy does, You already have the victory, and I have victory in You. Thank You Lord Jesus for obeying and dying on the cross for my sins. May I live a life of victory, because the victory is Yours! In Your precious name Jesus I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
John 14, Part 3
Scripture: John 14:15-21
Observation: The primary message in these verses is love. To love Jesus is to obey His commands. Those who obey His commands will be loved by the Father (v.15, 21). We need love and faith to obey these commands, but Jesus knew we would need more; therefore He promised to send a Counselor, a Helper, an Advocate (greek parakletos - means "called alongside"). This Helper is sent by Jesus to His disciples and He is to abide in the disciples. The world can't know Him because He is a Spirit of Truth, and the world has rejected the Truth (14:6). The Counselor witnesses through believers and glorifies Christ through them (v.16, 17). The Counselor will abide with the disciples forever, while Jesus will leave for a short time. He promises union between Himself and the Father, and Himself and His disciples. While He is not seen with human eyes, yet His presence is felt by His disciples - He lives in them, and they see Him.
Application: As believers, we are never alone. We don't have Jesus physically present as the first disciples did, but we have an even closer relationship: Jesus is in us (v.20). What's more, the Holy Spirit abides in us also (v.17). We don't have to see Jesus standing in front of us to know He is with us every moment of our lives. This is reassuring, especially in today's world where Jesus is rejected more and more each day. It's unpopular to be a Christian, and to some it can seem like a lonely life. But far from loneliness, believers are filled with God's presence, and are secure in His love.
Prayer: Father, even in a world filled with people, it's easy to feel alone. People shy away from us because we don't go with the flow and accept what is commonly acceptable. It is comforting to know we are never alone, that You are with us at all times, and that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to help and comfort us. Thank You for Your provisions. Thank You for always being with me, no matter the hour or the day. I love You Father. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Observation: The primary message in these verses is love. To love Jesus is to obey His commands. Those who obey His commands will be loved by the Father (v.15, 21). We need love and faith to obey these commands, but Jesus knew we would need more; therefore He promised to send a Counselor, a Helper, an Advocate (greek parakletos - means "called alongside"). This Helper is sent by Jesus to His disciples and He is to abide in the disciples. The world can't know Him because He is a Spirit of Truth, and the world has rejected the Truth (14:6). The Counselor witnesses through believers and glorifies Christ through them (v.16, 17). The Counselor will abide with the disciples forever, while Jesus will leave for a short time. He promises union between Himself and the Father, and Himself and His disciples. While He is not seen with human eyes, yet His presence is felt by His disciples - He lives in them, and they see Him.
Application: As believers, we are never alone. We don't have Jesus physically present as the first disciples did, but we have an even closer relationship: Jesus is in us (v.20). What's more, the Holy Spirit abides in us also (v.17). We don't have to see Jesus standing in front of us to know He is with us every moment of our lives. This is reassuring, especially in today's world where Jesus is rejected more and more each day. It's unpopular to be a Christian, and to some it can seem like a lonely life. But far from loneliness, believers are filled with God's presence, and are secure in His love.
Prayer: Father, even in a world filled with people, it's easy to feel alone. People shy away from us because we don't go with the flow and accept what is commonly acceptable. It is comforting to know we are never alone, that You are with us at all times, and that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to help and comfort us. Thank You for Your provisions. Thank You for always being with me, no matter the hour or the day. I love You Father. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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