Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”

 John 18:19-24

Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” John 18:23

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 18:19-24, where Jesus - now arrested and in custody - is questioned by Annas, the father in law of Caiaphas.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus does not hide anything about the Truth and seeks to expose those who mean him harm for no other reason than He threatens their power.  He is asked about His disciples and teaching - v19 - and Jesus rightly asks his accuser(s) why they ask about these things when He has been very open about His teaching and about what He is doing with His disciples.  This is a valid question as they could have just as easily done their own homework and "investigation" to more fully understand Jesus' teaching and His work with the disciples. Jesus asks the right questions to expose people's heart condition.  This scene echoes scripture where Paul writes in Romans 7:7-13 how "if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin." Jesus is then struck in v22 for being "confrontational" yet Jesus is really challenging each of us to understand (and confess and repent from) our own sin. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Those who arrested and question Jesus do not seek truth - instead they seek their own selfish gain (and self-preservation).     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid glory of self - love God then love others.  Claim the promise that Jesus is the way, truth, and the life.  No Word from God will ever fail - Luke 1:37 (NIV).  Follow the example of Jesus to speak the Word of God boldly.  Put on the whole armor of God.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You are the way, the truth and the life and no Word from You will ever fail - God's Word is faithful and inerrant.  Thank You for my salvation and Your Word so that I can know, love and be transformed by You into more of Your image.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin.  Help me turn towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

 John 18:12-18

The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. John 18:17-18

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 18:12-18, where Jesus is arrested and brought before the high priests.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus could have stopped His arrest but He did not - go back to v11 (post yesterday) where Jesus understands and knows all that is to happen to Him, and it must happen according to God's will.  Jesus is now bound and led to Annas - the father in law of Caiaphas who was led by God to prophecy that Jesus should die for the people - v14 (see also John 11:49-52). All that is happening is to fulfill prophecy and scripture. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Peter and another unnamed disciple follow the the soldiers and officers of the Jews who arrested Jesus - v15 - and this other disciple was known to the high priest so he is let inside the courtyard of the high priest.  Peter does not go in initially but the other disciple secures Peter's entrance.  The servant girl at the door questions Peter about his association with Jesus and he denies knowing Jesus - v17.  Additional details and accounts of Peter's denial are found in vv25-27 and in Matthew 26:69–75, Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:55–62.  Note the contrast of Jesus being bound and in custody vs Peter who is comfortable (warming himself) in his denial of Jesus.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid discomfort in our faith by hiding it or denying it - Peter's comfort is clearly a case of loving self vs God - which we must avoid.  Claim the promise that Jesus fulfills prophecy and scripture and the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and perfect.  Follow the example of Jesus who willingly followed God's will despite the harm He knew He would face.  Deny oneself.  Share in Christ's sufferings.  Love God and love others.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that willingly surrendered Your life so that I could life to the full now and for eternity in Heaven. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a sacrifice.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”

 John 18:1-11

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” John 18:9

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 18:1-11, where Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested in the garden at Gethsemane.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus goes to a place he and the disciples know well - v2.  He knew all details of what would happen to Him - v4, including the betrayal by Judas, His arrest, and Peter's reaction.  Jesus then asks the soldiers and temple officers (and Judas) twice the same question - vv4,7 - "whom do you seek?"  Contrast this with how Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and how many during Jesus' ministry sought Jesus - for His healing power. V8 shares how Jesus sought to fulfill scripture spoken by Him in John 17:12. Jesus does not lose any of those He adopts into His family of believers - a great promise to claim.  We also see in v11 that - again - nothing can stop God's plan to die on the cross as He stuck to the plan and willingly laid down His life as the final atonement for all sin across redemptive history.  Jesus' response to Peter's defensive act again shows how He stuck to the plan - His own death on the cross. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Judas' betrayal is described in more detail as he "procured" the band of soldiers and officers to arrest Jesus and stood with them - vv3,5.  This group is described as acting as a unit when Jesus identifies Himself in v6 as "they drew back and fell to the ground" in response.  This is curious because on one hand they arresting Jesus and on the other we see an apparent act of worship.  Perhaps this was the Holy Spirit drawing them back and knocking them to the ground getting them to understand the gravity of what they are doing - arresting the Son of God as a precursor to killing Him.  Peter on the other hand does not draw back but moves to prevent the arrest.  We see from Luke 22:50-51 how Jesus then heals the servant struck in the ear - an act of great forgiveness and mercy to one who was seeking harm to Jesus.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): All sin is a betrayal of Jesus - seek forgiveness and reconciliation to God.  Claim the promise that Jesus does not lose those He adopts into His family of believers - eternal life. Follow the example of Jesus to understand and follow God's will for your life.  Do not attempt to thwart God's will.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

 John 17:20-26

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 17:20-26, where Jesus completes the High Priestly Prayer and in the text for today, Jesus prays for all believers who will believe in Him through the disciples and through the church to follow.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus wraps the High Priestly Prayer (before He is arrested and crucified) with a prayer for those attending future church(es) and the resulting future believers who will hear the gospel through the disciples and subsequent church leaders.  Jesus hammers home the importance of church unity - as He prays for this three times in vv21-23, including for "perfect unity."  Of course unity is important as Jesus explains "so that (emphasis added) the world may know that you sent me (also important see v21) and loved them even as you loved me."  Hence, unity serves a greater purpose - that the world knows Jesus was sent by the Father and loved the world ("even as the Father loved [Jesus]").  This is key because the mission God gives all believers - the Great Commission - can only succeed through unity.  If believers are unified in God's will and purpose, we will accomplish the Great Commission.  Jesus' then moves in v24 to pray for future churches and future believers that they "be with [Him], to see [His] glory."   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Jesus knows that all people, including believers, are prone to sin such as pride, envy, etc. and these sins lead to conflict and disagreement within the church.  Hence Jesus prays for unity and previously for sanctification in truth (vv17,19) such that hearts and minds are renewed and transformed to align with His desires and will (Romans 12:2). 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid pride, envy, and other sins that result in church conflict and disagreement.  Claim the promise that all believers will see God's glory face to face.  Follow Jesus' example to pray for unity and to deny oneself such that God gets the glory for all that we do.  Share the gospel and in all that we do do it for the glory of God so that the world knows about Jesus, that He was sent by the Father, and that He loves the world (His creation). 

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My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and gives me Your Word, the church, the Holy Spirit, prayer, etc. so that I can be in unity with You and believers.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

 John 17:6-19

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:15-18

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 17:6-19, where Jesus continues with the High Priestly Prayer and the text for today, Jesus prays for the disciples.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God loves the disciples, as He loves all those who have been adopted into His family through faith, and here we see Jesus praying for the disciples.  Jesus prays for the disciples to be "[kept] in [the Father's] name" (v11), "that they may be one, even as [He and the Father] are one" (v11), "that they may have joy fulfilled in themselves" (v13), that "[the Father] keep them from the evil one" (v15), and that "they also may be sanctified in truth" (vv17,19).  These themes are critical.  Jesus emphasizes and prays for them to abide in Him (John 15:1-17), for unity among the disciples and believers, joy (in service of God and others, regardless of circumstances, including persecution - 1 Thessalonians 5:8, James 1:2-4), to be protected from Satan, and to submit to God's pruning and sanctification (John 15) as He makes us more like Him.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Believers are in the world, but not of the world (vv11,14,16).  As citizens of Heaven and God's Kingdom, our allegiance is first and foremost to Him.  We are also ambassadors sent by Him into the world (v18) to seek and save the lost just as He did.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid being a friend of the world and falling prey to the dark forces of this world.  Claim the promise that we belong to Jesus (v6) and we can never be separated from His love.  Follow the example of Jesus to abide in the Word and Him just as He followed the will of the Father and fulfilled scripture.  Love God, love others, and seek and save the lost.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - You give me Your Word and arm me to have refuge from the evil one and You sanctify me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 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.

 John 12:20-26

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 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. John 12:25-26

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:20-26, where Jesus has made has made his (Triumphal) entry to Jerusalem at the start of Passion (Holy) Week, there are Greeks who are seeking Jesus, and here we see Philip and Andrew approach Jesus to entreaty Him on behalf of the Greeks.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus knows that many want to spend time with Him, and scripture documents how He carefully manages to His mission and timeline.  V23 is telling in that He does not respond directly to the request made by Andrew and Philip (on behalf of the Greeks) but instead shares how it is time for Him "to be glorified."  While Jesus' arrest and crucifixion is not imminent based on John's account of the gospel, Jesus does have to ensure that He will be arrested and crucified.  Jesus then uses the account to speak in parables so that people can begin to understand what is about to happen.  In vv24-25, He uses the analogy of a grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying but in turn producing more wheat and a greater harvest.  So....for believers of today reading this gospel, we can say that Jesus is talking about Himself laying down His life for others to be saved.  Vv25-26, Jesus pivots away from the parable to bring home the point that believers in Him must be prepared to lose their life by surrendering it in love and service to Him and others...for the sake of the gospel and saving as many as possible.  Jesus then makes both a negative and a positive promise first by sharing that if you love your life, you will lose it - implying eternal condemnation while at the same time, if you "hate" your life or deny yourself, you keep your life by gaining honor and favor from Him and eternal life. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: At this point in the gospel Jesus is sought after in John's gospel, He has just raised Lazarus from the dead (see John 11), and the Pharisees are very concerned (John 12:9-11, 17-19) about the attention Jesus was getting based on this miracle. Vv20-22 describe how there were Greeks who were coming up to worship for the Passover, they sought Jesus (by telling Philip), and Andrew and Philip approach Jesus. Other than this, it is difficult to infer or discern an application from vv20-26 other than Jesus wants those who seek to believe and follow Him to understand that there is a cost to following Him.  It is reasonable to assume that many wanted to spend time with Jesus if for anything else because He has performed these miracles that are now hard to ignore if you have spent anytime in Jerusalem - the city is buzzing with conversations about Him and who He might be.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid loving your life or the world.  Claim the promise that hating your life or denying oneself and surrendering it to Jesus in love and service to Him will result in eternal life. Follow the example of Jesus who laid down His life (hating His own life) in service of the Father.  Love God and love others.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for Your obedience to the Father and for accomplishing the work the Father gave You.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

 John 17:1-5

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 17:4-5

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 17:1-5, where Jesus pauses speaking to the disciples to pray what is referred to as the High Priestly Prayer.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus sticks to His mission and plan given to Him by the Father - to seek and save the lost through His ministry on earth then to die on the cross and to rise again claiming victory over sin and death as the perfect sacrifice for all sin throughout redemptive history.  Jesus shares how the "hour has come" given He has completed what He was sent to do on earth (vv1, 4) and He is now ready for His arrest and crucifixion which we see comes next in John 18-19.  Jesus prays that He and the Father are glorified - v1.  In v2, He supports His prayer in v1 by sharing that He is worthy of glory Himself and worthy of bringing glory to the Father because the Father has given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him (adopted into His family). V3 is not a prayer per se but a definition and set of conditions of eternal life for those that will receive it - you must know God the Father and Jesus (and of course that they are One - both persons of the Triune God).  In v5, Jesus repeats His prayer that He be glorified - in the Father's presence (similar to Jesus' baptism) - with the glory Jesus shared with the Father since the beginning.  The Triune God has existed since the beginning and will exist through the end - Alpha and Omega.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People exist for the glory of God just as Jesus existed for the glory of God the Father.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega and that for those that believe He gives them eternal life.  Follow the example of Jesus to know the will of God and to follow it - accomplish the work given to you.  Bring glory to God in all that you do.  We exist to   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for Your obedience to the Father and for accomplishing the work the Father gave You.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.