“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

John 14

“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." v23

In the context of the previous verses below, it is greatly encouraging that Jesus provides us with the Holy Spirit...that He is always with us.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. v15-18

To keep Jesus' commands I must of course know them...and this means reading His word, studying it, reflecting on it, and applying it.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - You created the universe and everything in it...You created me, and all of humanity that we can love and support one another with our unique giftings.  What an amazing design!  You certainly don't need me but You love me and suffered and died for me.  You left me the Holy Spirit that is You always with me.  I just need to be more mindful of this. Yet often times I am not as I worry too much, or sin in other ways.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for such sin and help me turn away from sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me keep Your commands.

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

John 14

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." v13-14

The above verses are in the context of what Jesus is explaining to Phillip who is seeking evidence of God the Father. 

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. v9-14

In the verses to come in chapter 14 Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit - which will provide us the same power as Jesus Christ Himself.

The key is of course believing in Jesus, trusting in Jesus, and being obedient to Jesus, particularly in respect to submitting to His will, which implies that we understand His will.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You are always with me and that You provide the Holy Spirit.  I know that You give me access to great power...I just need to believe, trust, and act (be obedient).  Yet often times I don't.  For many reasons that are just stupid excuses.  I know You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

John 14

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." v3

As Jesus shares the news of his impending death (and resurrection), He comforts His disciples as a father comforts His child.  This is greatly comforting...particularly when we feel surrounded by dark influences and we need the peace that only Jesus Christ can provide.

See also here and here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of my praise and worship because You are always with me...as You have promised all Your children and You promise to me.  That You are always with me...despite how I disappoint You (often)....and that You never break Your promises...is amazing.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry far too much about far too many things.  I'm not even supposed to worry - You tell me not to.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin.  Help me instead turn towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.

“Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"

John 13

“Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" v38

In response to Peter's claim that he would lay down his life for Jesus, Jesus' response highlights Peter's arrogance and it highlights a warning for those of us, including myself, who write checks often that we cannot cash...

James warns us against arrogant boasting also: 

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.  If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.  James 4:13-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know our character flaws and all of the sin we have ever done and all of the sin we will ever do...yet You still love us....amazing!  Even more amazing what You have done for me and what You continue to do for me...You bless me well beyond what I deserve.  I am selfish, prideful, arrogant, discouraging/critical with my words, etc.   Please forgive me from such sin and help me turn from such sin and instead towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” v34-35

This is not a new command (see Matthew 22:47-40)...yet as the MacArthur commentary points out:

....However, Jesus’ command regarding love presented a distinctly new standard for two reasons: it was sacrificial love modeled after His love (“as I loved you”)....

MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 46576-46577). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  

 I desperately seek to know You better so I can love as You do.
 
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your love is beyond description as its width, depth, and breadth is too big for me to measure or fathom.  I know no house, building or church can hold You or Your love.  I feel and have felt Your love in my life many times over in terms of blessings I don't deserve.  I rely too much on myself.  I know this is sinful.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my arrogance.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do (not as I love others!).  Help me grow in my faith.

" Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

John 13

" Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." v17

After Jesus washes His disciples feet at the Last Supper, he implores them to serve others as a reflection of their love for others and as an expression of Jesus' command from Matthew 22:37-40 to "[l]ove your neighbor as yourself".    Today's study builds on yesterday's post to act on your faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and it is amazing how wide and deep Your love is for me.  I am sinful person yet You love me, and You even suffered and died for me.  You want me to serve others as You do yet I often don't for all kinds of stupid excuses.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive my selfishness.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day."

John 12

“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day."  v47-48

Head and heart understanding of God's Word is critical, yet action is equally critical - notice John's words of warning for those who do not "keep" God's Word.  Keeping of the Word is to not only understand what is being sent in terms of meaning in a general sense but also in a personal sense - what is God saying to You specifically in this moment of your life?  Keeping also implies scripture memorization as this as means to defend yourself against sin and evil influences...and of course as means of encouragement to yourself and others.  And, lest we not forget, application of God's Word is also critical - we must act according to God's Word.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  James 1:22-25

My Prayer: Lord, You are pure, holy and blameless, and Your Word is perfect.  You are all I need as You provide everything I have and will ever need.  Your presence and provision is an amazing blessing...even more so given my sin.  I am selfish, angry, arrogant, impatient, critical, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as myself.  Help me grow in my faith.

"Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

John 12

"Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” v36

Many people will say that Jesus' patience is unlimited and I don't believe this to be true...we only have the time we are living to live as Jesus commands us to live and then all believers are held accountable for their life.  If you are not a believer then unfortunately (what an understatement) you are eternally damned to hell.

God is patient of course more so than we can ever be, but He does not guarantee us that His patience will never run out.

Ultimately, as Billy Graham points here on page 21 of this PDF:

"Believers will not be judged for their sin, for Christ dealt with our sin on the cross at Calvary.   Instead, at the judgment seat, our work on earth for Christ’s Kingdom will be evaluated and rewarded according to God’s perfect righteousness and justice".

The Bible is clear elsewhere that our days are numbered - see here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You have enormous patience for me and You have already provided more 2nd chances than I deserve.  I am weak, lazy, selfish, etc.  Thank You for Your patience and for loving me no less - despite my sin.  Please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?

John 12

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? v27

Jesus knows everything about us and He knows everything we experience.  He not only understands (sympathize) but He experienced first hand (empathize) what we experience in terms of trials and suffering.  We can come to Him with anything and everything knowing with confidence that He understands exactly what we are going through as He has gone through the same circumstances.  His ability to empathize combined with His presence at all times is a gift beyond what we deserve.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - for too many reasons for me to list.  You are always available to us and You know everything that we have and will experience.  We can come to You because You will always have answers, truth, comfort, guidance, gentleness, compassion, etc.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I continue to worry, be selfish, anger too quickly, not listen enough, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for such sin.  Help me turn from such sins and help me instead turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and help me love others as myself.  Help me grow in my faith.

"See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

John 12

"See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” v17

What is interesting about this statement is the extent to which the Pharisees misunderstood Jesus and what Jesus wants us to do to glorify Him.   The Pharisees focused on their own power and the threat that Jesus posed - yet Jesus was focused on servant leadership and humility so that we can allow God to work through us. 

For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

...

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

My Prayer: Lord, You are great and I have witnessed with my own eyes Your strength when I submit to You and allow You to work in my heart and life.  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve...I am poor in spirit but rich in blessings due to Your love.  Yet I continue to sin...I worry, I am lazy, impatient, quick to anger, and slow to listen...among my many sins.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for these sins and help me turn from them and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

...for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

John 12

 ...for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. v11

The New Testament chronicles how people are drawn to Jesus...He serves, He loves, He teaches, etc.  Of course, He performs miracles but everything else about who He is serves a critical end as well - servant leadership and teaching of scripture...these things draw people to Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord You are indeed a great God and You came to earth then left us with The Holy Spirit to help us be Jesus to others.  The Holy Spirit is indeed a great gift to us Jesus.  I have see the Holy Spirit moving in my life and I thankful.  I don't deserve such a gift because of my sin - impatience, anger, pride, arrogance, etc. - but You provide this gift anyway.  Thank You.  Please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from such sin...help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

John 11

So from that day on they plotted to take his life. v53

Critical to this passage is the following: 


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. v49-52

Caiaphas of course was not the only person to prophesize about the coming of Jesus.  John of course did and so did many of the Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah.  The chief priests, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc. knew this also but denied Truth...to their own peril.  The implication for me is - to what extent do I know and understand truth yet sin in direct conflict with this truth?  It happens that is for sure...I am no less guilty than those who put Jesus to death.

My Prayer: Lord, that You love me is amazing because indirectly or directly I caused Your death.  My actions necessitated Your death on the cross...all because You love me.  I am not worth such love Jesus.  I am selfish, greedy, impatient, angry, etc.  Yet You love me anyway.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for these sins and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as myself...and help me grow in my faith.
 

"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.”

John 11

"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.” v47-48

The chief priests, the Pharisees, and the Sanhedrin all got together and despite having a very good understanding of Jesus' power and having a very good sense of who He was, decided that THEIR power was more important than belief in Jesus and the blessings available to those who believe in Him.  To me, the implication is clear: do I also hold on to aspects of my life where I want control and power vs complete submission to Jesus?...I hope and pray not.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and all knowing and powerful.  You also love me, despite knowing everything about me - good and bad.  You are constantly blessing me and showing me kindness, patience, gentleness, etc.  You bless me beyond what I deserve Jesus!  I continue to be quick to anger, slow to listen, and I am impatient.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me for these sins and help me instead turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and help me love others as myself.  Help me also grow in my faith.

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.

John 11

 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. v38-39

In John 11 it says that Jesus was "moved" twice...once "moved" and then again "deeply moved".  For me, this demonstrates not only Jesus compassion but also demonstrates the definition of compassion in terms of how I should be compassionate in my life.  It's more than a thought.  It is an action.  I must have the thought and act on the thought of being moved...the use of the word "move" implies action!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all of the fruits of the spirit and then some!  You are great beyond what I can attain in terms of my ability to demonstrate these fruits of the spirit...however...I CAN demonstrate these things by allowing the Holy Spirit to move within and through me.  This would be amazing and I know this is what I want...I want to demonstrate compassion more in my life...to the point where I act.  Yet I continue to hesitate or be lazy...or selfish.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

“Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

John 11

“Let us also go, that we may die with him.” v16

Thomas expresses pessimism that a visit back to Judea with Jesus will put them in harm's way.  He is often referred to as "Doubting Thomas".  I too am too often pessimistic and I need encouragement and peace that God can see me through all circumstances, regardless of my circumstances.

Give thanks in all circumstances because that is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My Prayer: Lord, You are all powerful and able to do anything.  Yet I often do not have faith.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as myself.  Help me grow in my faith.

There he stayed, and many people came to him.

John 10

There he stayed, and many people came to him. v40-41

I have recently been assisted by the Holy Spirit in my understanding of leadership - specifically in terms of me being the spiritual leader of the household.  Bottom line, people were drawn to follow Jesus because of who He was, including what He said.  I certainly cannot expect what I say to be enough for people to follow me.  It's what I do AND say!  This may seem like a no-brainer but I notice more and more how I am out of alignment with regards to who I am and who I need to be to have my family follow me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate leadership coach - and of course my God and the greatest gift of all time.  You bless me well beyond what I deserve.  I am full of anger, lust, selfishness, impatience, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

"Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

John 10

"Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” v37-38

Jesus is responding to His Jewish opponents and urging them to focus on Jesus' motivation - to submit to the will of His Father.  In the same way, there is a motivation to all we do and if we are truly followers of Jesus and Jesus is in our heart, then our actions will always speak louder than words.  It's not that we won't sin it's the totality of our actions, including our response to our own sin.  Jesus must be in our heart - scripture, prayer, silence (listening), worship, service, etc.- and the spiritual disciplines are key.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the BEST!  You are the Name above all Names and the Highest of Most High!  You are Great - I have witnessed in my own eyes Your works and Your hand in my life and in the life of others.  I am not worth all of Your love and blessings....I remain full of anger, impatience, selfishness, etc.  Yet You love me anyway.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 10

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." v10

Jesus promises us much...freedom from sin, eternity in heaven with Him and of course if we truly have Jesus in hearts - the fruits of the spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23.

All of these things are indeed blessings beyond what we can imagine and expect in our lives...heart and life transformation - the greatest gift of all time.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God because of who You are and that You came to earth for me specifically, then suffered and died a gruesome death...again all for me.  And You provided Your spirit for me so that I could have Your presence in my life daily - all of the time.  How amazing!  I am not worthy of such blessings!  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, prideful, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You. Help me love others as myself and help me grow in my faith.

 

 

"...but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

John 9

"...but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." v3

God works in mysterious ways and we (I know I do!) often don't understand why God is doing what he is doing. John 9:3 offers as good an explanation as any to why He does what He does.  Perhaps another way of saying this would be that God does what He does so that He can bring others to Him as believers.

We as believers often have many questions - we may not have all of the answers but we do have certainty in what Jesus says and in Jesus Himself.  We should focus on where we do have certainty and believe and trust in Jesus for the rest.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are great...worthy of my love and attention, worship and thanks...and so much more.  Yet I often neglect You and what You ask of me.  I am not worthy of the love and blessing You provide me.  I also am full of anger, lust, selfishness, pride, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as myself.  Help me grow in my faith.

"Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death."

John 8

"Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” v51

If there ever was a single verse that could provide hope even in the darkest of places...this is it.  Jesus says that even when faced with death, we too can beat death by believing in Him.  We will of course lose our earthly self but find ourselves in Heaven with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God full of love and compassion...even for me.  This is true despite my sin...I am not worth such love and blessing because of my sin - my impatience, my anger, my selfishness, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as myself.  Help me grow in my faith.

"I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin."

John 8

"I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin." v21

I am well aware and understand how those who do not believe are condemned to Hell when they die.  What I have not understood well is how those who do not believe will die in their sin TODAY.  What Jesus does for us is break the cycle of sin-shame-sin.  Unless we believe in Jesus and daily seek His forgiveness from our sins, we WILL die in sin.

 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience...etc - all of the fruits of the spirit!  You don't need me yet You suffered and died for me...and You continue to bless me - well beyond what I deserve.  I continue to be selfish, arrogant, lazy, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin towards You and help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and help me love others as myself.