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John 17:1-16 (NKJV) Jesus Prays for Disciples, Part 1

7/10/2020

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​1  Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2  as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4  I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5  And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. 6  "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7  Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8  For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. 9  I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10  And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11  Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13  But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Why do you think that Christians tend to be the target of persecution around the world?
  2. How you felt under attack from the enemy?  (What measures are you taking to protect yourself when under attack?)
  3. Jesus mentions Judas as "the son of perdition."  Do you think it would have been possible for Judas to repent and receive forgiveness from Jesus?
  • v.1 Jesus was fully aware of the events that were to come.  He would be betrayed, arrested, put on trial, brutalized, crucified, and take on the sins of the world.  What is remarkable about Jesus' prayer is that it was not prayer centered on Him.  He was the one facing an extreme personal crisis and yet His focus was on the well-being of His disciples.  Jesus prays that the Father will "Glorify" Him so that He will in turn "Glorify" the Father.  I think that the resurrection is the fulfillment of this prayer.
  • v.2  Once again Jesus is identified as the "way" to salvation.  He is the one mediator between God and man.  He is the only way that people are able to come to the Father.  He has the one name synonymous with salvation.  There is no other name but the name of Jesus.
  • v.4 This verse reminds me of the words, "It is finished" that Jesus spoke while on the cross.  Jesus came to complete a very specific mission when He left heaven.  The mission was to be completed just as the Prophet Isaiah had predicted.  Refer to Isaiah, Chapter 53.
  • v.8 Jesus expressed faith in His disciples.  They had gone from a group of men who followed Jesus around, into a group of men who were Believers in Jesus; and soon they would be leading the Church, with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone and the Holy Spirit empowering them to fulfill God's purposes.
  • v.9-11 Jesus is concerned for His disciples.  He realized that they will remain behind in the world which will challenge them in many of the same ways that the world had challenged Him.  Persecution from the religious leaders from the Jews would continue to be an issue.  Attacks from the Enemy.  The desertion of some, such as Judas.  It would not be easy for the disciples after Jesus left them.  
  • v.14 Do you find it hard to understand why the "world" would hate followers of Christ.  Is does seem a bit illogical and unreasonable.  (Followers of Christ are to be people who express the spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.  Honestly--it is hard to find anything on that list that is offensive)  
  • v.15 Jesus prayed that His followers would be protected from the evil one.  The enemy that goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  If you are a followers of Christ, that fact alone will put you into a place of enmity with the devil.  We must always remain steadfast and on guard.   
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John 16:16-33 (NKJV) ​Jesus foretells of His Resurrection

6/9/2020

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16  "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father." 17  Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?" 18  They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying." 19  Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'? 20  Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21  A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22  Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23  And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24  Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25  "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26  In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27  for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28  I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." 29  His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30  Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God." 31  Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32  Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Questions to Consider:
  1. I believe that everything that Jesus did, He was deliberate.  Why do you think He spoke to His disciples in seeming riddles and figures of speech?
  2. Even after the resurrection, the disciples were asking Jesus about His plan to set up an earthly kingdom.  Why do you think it was so seemingly difficult for the disciples to grasp the idea that Jesus' Kingdom was not of this world?
  3. ​What do you think the disciples must have felt when they realized that they scattered just as Jesus had predicted?
The phrase, "A little while," is used seven different times v.16 through v.19.  Jesus gives the disciples a riddle to solve.  "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me."  The disciples are confused.  What does Jesus mean?  Is Jesus going on a vacation?  Is Jesus going to disappear until the leaders of the Jews stop trying to kill Him?  The disciples simply could not make sense of what Jesus was saying to them.
The disciples were more hopeful with this news.  Jesus would be gone for a short time, but He was planning to come back.  Would this mean that they could continue to walk with Jesus and receive training and instruction from Him? v.19 The disciples wanted some clarification, but were afraid to ask Jesus about the specifics.  The disciples did not want to contemplate the negative possibilities, or ask questions where they received unwanted answers.
v.20 Jesus foretells of the great sorrow that the disciples are going to feel.  Which indeed the disciples felt at the time when Jesus was dying on the cross.  Then Jesus suggests that their mourning will turn into joy.  He predicts that the disciples will be so happy that they will forget the sorrow of Jesus' death.  This too is exactly what happened.  On the morning of the 3rd day after Jesus' crucifixion, the tomb was empty and He revealed Himself to the disciples. 
v.21 Jesus compares this emotional turn around the disciples would experience at His resurrection to a woman who quickly forgets the pain of childbirth for the joy of having a baby. 
v.25 Jesus tells the disciples that, up to that point in time, He had been speaking to them in figurative language as opposed to speaking plainly.  Having the advantage of hind-sight, we understand Jesus prophetic words concerning His death and resurrection; however, this idea was inconceivable to the disciples.  After Jesus was resurrected the disciples finally began to understand what Jesus had been communicating to them from (almost) the very beginning of His public ministry.  John 2:19 (NKJV)  Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
Jesus reiterated the idea concerning His close relationship with the Father.  v.28 That He came into the from the Father, and that He would leave the world to be with the Father.  v.30 The disciples responded to Jesus by telling Him that they believed that He came from the Father.  In spite of this expression of faith in Jesus, their faith was about to be put to the test.
The case could be made that every disciple failed the test with perhaps the only exception being John.  Judas betrayed Jesus.  Peter denied knowing Jesus.  All the rest of the disciples scattered after Jesus was arrested.  This fulfilled Jesus' words (v.32).  
In spite of this dire prediction of a difficult, challenging future, Jesus tells His disciples to have peace and to be of good cheer.  Then He tells them why: "I have overcome the world."  The proof was in evidence when they found that the tomb where the body of Jesus had been placed was empty.
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John 16:1-15 (NKJV) The Spirit of Truth

6/3/2020

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1  "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2  They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3  And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4  But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5  "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' 6  But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9  of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10  of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11  of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12  I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15  All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
​Question to Consider:
  1. How does the Holy Spirit bring conviction of sin to people?  (Is it a brain function; an emotional response; a supernatural work?)
  2. What is Jesus doing at the right hand of the Father?  (Why is this role essential?)
  3. Can you explain the idea of God being "in us" by the Holy Spirit?
Jesus was headed to the cross and He was preparing His disciples for what was to come.  When Jesus was gone the disciples would become the focal point for persecution.  v.2 Predicts the exact thing that would happen to Stephen.  (Acts 7)  Stephen was stoned by the Jews and a man by the name of Saul (who was later was converted and became known as the Apostle Paul) watched over the outer garments of those who did the stoning.
v.7 Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, but made it clear that He would need to go away before the Holy Spirit could come.  The theological question is why was this so?  In my opinion there are three reasons: 1) It was the Father's plan.  2) At this point in time Jesus had not died, been resurrected or ascended to heaven to make intercession for the saints.  All of these things were prerequisites for the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.  3) The work of Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit is of greater importance in establishing the Church than Jesus being with us in the flesh.  This is why Jesus referred to this as being to the "advantage" of the disciples.
The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world is 1) To convict of sin.  2) To establish an understanding of right and wrong in humanity.  3) To make humanity aware of God's judgment of sin.  The little "g" god of this world (Satan) would have people believe that there is no right or wrong and that there are no consequences to our actions.  The Holy Spirit refutes this wrong notion.
v.13 Jesus calls the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth.  The Holy Spirit is not a separate god.  He is God, the third person of the Holy Trinity.  As such, He does not speak or act on His own authority, but with the full authority of the Father and Son.  
v.14 The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son.  He glorifies the Son by continuing the work of the Son through the followers of Christ.  The Holy Spirit acts as the administrator of the Church, establishing the Church through the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23) and through Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 12) 
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John 15:18-27 (NKJV) Hated Without a Cause

6/2/2020

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18  "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19  If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20  Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21  But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23  He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24  If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25  But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.' 26  "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27  And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Have you personally faced much persecution as a believer in Christ?  (Do you feel that you are prepared to face increased persecution, which may include a threat against your life?)
  2. There were carnal reasons that Jesus was hated by the religious leaders of the Jews, but the hatred had no logical basis.  Jesus was the Messiah and it would have made more sense to embrace the Messiah rather than kill Him and face the consequences.  Would you consider evil misguided or insane to hate without cause, and why?
  3. Severe persecution of the early church drove them to extreme fellowship and cloistering.  Do you think that history might repeat itself in our time or the time of our children and grandchildren?
The key to understanding this passage is captured in v.25 where Jesus quotes the law: 'They hated Me without a cause.'  As the persecution of the Church accelerates around the world, this short sentence encapsulates the hubris that is headed our direction.  It is hatred without reason or cause.
In Nazi Germany, the Jews experienced this kind of evil insanity.  Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I, which was a ludicrous accusation, and proceeded to commit genocide against a whole group of people without a "true" or "real" cause.  It simply was an act of extreme hubris that made no sense whatsoever.
Jesus was trying to impress upon His disciples that if the "world" hated Him; if the world killed Him; the people of the same mind-set would turn on Christ's followers.  The world would not be relying on any evidence that those who follow Christ pose any threat.  They would persecute without a true reason to do so.  Blinded by hatred (the same demonic inspired mindset that crucified Jesus) they would come after the disciples as well.
Life without persecution should be the exception for followers of Christ.  We should not be caught unaware or surprised as the Church comes under fire for teaching the truth of the Bible and for standing up for the rights of unborn children.  The same spiritual forces of evil that came against Jesus will indeed come against the people of God in our time.  Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) 10  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ​
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John 15:1-17 (NKJV) The True Vine

6/1/2020

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​1  "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9  "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14  You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16  You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17  These things I command you, that you love one another.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. What does it take on our part to abide in Christ?
  2. As you examine your life do you feel that you are producing spiritual fruit?  (What does it mean to produce fruit?)
  3. ​Do you consider yourself a friend of Jesus?  (Why or why not?)
I believe we live in a time of appease-ment.  What I mean by that is that too often, Bible teachers have a tendency to water-down some of the harsher teaching in the Bible to make it more appealing to both those we are trying to reach with the Gospel message and those who are critics of the Church.  This happens to be one of those passages that gets manipulated so that it does not offend.  Note: When we manipulate God's Word by either adding, subtracting or changing it; it is no longer God's Word; it is a man's opinion.
Let's take an honest look at this analogy.  v.1 Jesus is the true vine (John 14:6) and the Father oversees the vineyard.  v.2 Every branch that does not bear fruit, the Father takes away.  Every branch that is fruitful, the Father prunes. 
v.3 Scholars are not sure which "word" Jesus was referring to that made the disciples clean.  Some believe it is the totality of His teaching.  It might be Jesus' emphasis on obeying His commandments in Chapter 14.  Most likely He is referring to the idea that He further explores in v.4.  "Abide in Me, and I in you."  Certainly, post the atoning work of Christ, it is in Christ that we find the forgiveness of sin and are clothed in His righteousness.
v.5 If we do not abide in Christ we will not be able to bear fruit.  Jesus makes this clear with His declaration: "Without Me you can do nothing."  v.6 Those who do not abide in Christ, wither, die and are gathered together and burned.  (Now you know why there is a temptation to water-down this teaching)
The word "abide" is the key to understanding what Jesus is communicating.  Jesus uses the word "abide" or the plural "abides" nine times in the first 10 verses of chapter 15.  What comes from abiding in Christ?  (Fruit, Answers to Prayer, Love, Joy and ultimately, Salvation)
v. 12 Jesus reemphasizes the need for His disciples to love one another.  This is a continuing theme from John 13:34,35.
Jesus talks about the great love that would cause someone to lay down their life for friends; and then He calls the disciples His friends.  This had to be a somber moment.  Jesus is about give this teaching a real life example.  In a matter of hours Jesus will indeed be giving His life in order to "save" His friends.
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John 14:15-31 (NKJV) ​Promise of the Holy Spirit

5/27/2020

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15  "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19  "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20  At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21  He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." 22  Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23  Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24  He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. 25  "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28  You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. 29  And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30  I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Why do you think that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a "Helper?"
  2. ​What was the definitive difference that the coming of the Holy Spirit made in the disciples? 
  3. Why would it have been in Satan's best interest for Jesus not to die on the cross?  (Do you think that Satan understood the ramifications that were associated with Jesus' death on a cross?  Why or why not?)
The Key verse in this portion of scripture has to be v.18.  "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."  Jesus has made it abundantly clear that He is leaving His disciples.  They are apprehensive about His imminent departure from their company; and they have good reason to be apprehensive.  Without Jesus, they are vulnerable, leaderless and powerless.  However, Jesus was not going to leave them to tough it out on their own.  He was going to "pray the Father" to send another Helper.  (The Holy Spirit)  Through the person of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, "I will come to you."
The coming of the Holy Spirit meant that rather than having God with them, they would experience God in them.  Rather than being powerless, they would be filled with the power to be witnesses.  (Acts 1:8)
The other important theme in these verses deals with obedience.  Jesus ties the concept of walking in obedience to that of loving Christ.  Jesus repeats this idea a number of times. v.15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.  v.21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me."  v.23 "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word."  v.24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words..."
What Jesus is doing by tying obedience and love together is defining what authentic Christianity should look like.  "Real" Christianity does not claim one thing and live another.  Jesus vilified the Pharisees for their toxic hypocrisy and He was making sure that His followers would follow Him both in word and in deed.   Note: This is not a call to perfection, but it defines Christianity as something more than a philosophical concept; it is in fact a life that is transformed and being transformed by the power of God.
v. 26 Jesus identifies the "Helper" as the Holy Spirit.  This verse also identifies a specific function of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is our "teacher."
v.27-29 Jesus is referring to His resurrection.  Jesus is telling His disciples, ahead of time, what is going to happen to Him, so that after He overcomes death, they will finally and conclusively believe in Him.
v. 30 This is an interesting verse, where Jesus refers to the "ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me."  I believe that Jesus is referring to Satan; that Satan is bringing his "A" game against Jesus, but Satan had nothing to offer and no power to dissuade Jesus from drinking from the cup that the Father had prepared for Him.
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John 14:1-14 (NKJV) Preparing a Place

5/26/2020

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1  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4  And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5  Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7  "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 8  Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." 9  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13  And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. What emotions do you think the disciples would have been wrestling with when Jesus told them that He was going to be leaving them?
  2. How would you describe Jesus in terms of "being" the way, the truth and the life?"
  3. ​What are some of the "greater works" that have been accomplished through the work of the Church?
It is impossible to fully understand the intent of Jesus' words to His disciples if we do not consider the circumstances.  Jesus utters the words: v.1 "Let not your heart be troubled..."  Jesus was speaking words of comfort to His disciples because of all the activity that was swirling around them.  1) Judas had left the group.  2) Jesus had given a sober prophetic word to Peter.  3) Jesus was sharing that the time of His ministry with the disciples had come to an end.  All this information was overwhelming and confusing.  Throughout the last evening Jesus shared with His disciples He continued to encourage them.  (John 16:33)  "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world."
Jesus assured His disciples that although He was leaving, His departure from them was temporary.  Jesus was going to prepare a place for them and He was going to come back for them.  v.2,3.  
Most people want to know the details of "the plan."  Thomas was no exception: v.5 "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"  It seems that Thomas is not operating on the same wave length as Jesus.  Jesus is talking about mansions in His Father's house and Thomas is looking for a road map to get there.
Jesus tells Thomas about the way to get the place that He is preparing: v.6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me."  Jesus make it clear that He is the only way to the Father, the Father's house, and the place He is preparing for His disciples.  "The Way" is a personal relationship with Jesus, not something that is plotted on a map or stumbled upon with carnal effort.
Philip follows Thomas' question with an outrageous request: v.8 "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."  (You Think?)  If Jesus had fulfilled Philip's request and revealed the Father in His full glory the disciples would have all died.  Jesus gently chastised Philip with the following truth: Jesus taught and did miracles in the authority of the Father.  v.11 Jesus was God in the flesh and if for no other reason, they should believe in Him on the basis of the works (miracles) themselves.
​v.12 Jesus declares that those that believe in Him will do the works that Jesus did and even greater works.
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John 13:31-38 (NKJV) The New Commandment

5/25/2020

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31  So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32  If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you. 34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 36  Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward." 37  Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake." 38  Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
​Question to Consider:
  1. What are some of the characteristics associated with the love Christ has for us?
  2. What do you think the impact would be from a church who fulfilled the new commandment of loving one another with the love of Christ? 
  3. Why do you think Jesus would choose "love" as the sign that identifies us as His disciples?
Judas left the Last Supper to fulfill his "deal" with the leaders of the Jews.  Knowing that Judas has betrayed Him, Jesus lets His disciples know that the time of His journey with them on earth has come to an end.
In light of what is about to happen Jesus gives them a significant commandment to follow.  Jesus demonstrated this new commandment by washing the feet of the disciples; now He fortified His actions with a clear directive.  v.34,35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you...by this all will know that you are My disciples."
We must never forget the significance that Jesus gave to this new commandment.  It is the "sign" that tells the world that we are disciples that belong to Jesus. 
Peter blew right past the significance of the new commandment and asked Jesus, "Lord, where are You going?"  Jesus tells Peter that where He is going Peter cannot follow Him.  Obviously, God had other plans for Peter to fulfill and dying with Jesus was not in-line with God's purposes.
Peter declares his intention of following Jesus, even if it means his own death.  It was a brave thought, and when the temple guard came to arrest Jesus, Peter did defend Jesus with a sword; but, later Peter would deny any relational connection to Jesus, just as Jesus prophesied. v.38.
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John 13:18-30 (NKJV) The Tragic Story of Judas​

5/23/2020

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18  I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' 19  Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20  Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." 21  When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." 22  Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24  Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25  Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26  Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27  Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." 28  But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29  For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. 30  Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. ​
​Questions to Consider:
  1. How would you feel about serving with or working beside a person who does not have your best interests in mind?
  2. Have you ever been betrayed by someone who posed as a friend?  (How did you cope with it?)
  3. We know that ultimately Judas was filled with remorse over his actions of betrayal.  In the final analysis, was Judas doomed from the beginning, or could he have repented and been restored, even after betraying Jesus?
​In the time of Jesus' public ministry, the name of "Judas" was a popular name.  Judas is a Greek variation of Judah, and it means "praised."  No less than two of the original disciples were named Judas.  The actions of betrayal by one Judas Iscariot has forever left a dark stain on this name.  Unless a person is either ignorant or has some animus towards Christianity, they generally avoid giving this name to their children.The disciples are sharing what is popularly known as the "Last Supper" with Jesus.  v.18 Jesus makes it known that one of the disciples He chose will come against Him; but Jesus also acknowledges that He chose this particular disciple to fulfill a prophetic word found in Scripture.  What this means is that the behavior of Judas did not blind-side Jesus.  Jesus, from the very beginning of including Judas in the circle of the 12 disciples was aware of Judas' duplicitous heart.  
v.21 Jesus tells His disciples: "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."  This had to be a troubling revelation.  If Jesus was to be believed it meant that one of their number was a traitor.  "Who is it?"  They all wanted to know.
It must have been a chaotic scene, because even after Jesus told them that the guilty party was the one to whom He would give a piece of bread that He had dipped, and then gave it to Judas Iscariot; the disciples thought that Judas left the room to buy something for the group.
In terms of timing, when taking in to account the story of Judas' betrayal of Jesus found in Luke 22, it is possible that Judas had already struck a deal with the leaders of the Jews to betray Jesus before the "Last Supper."  When Judas left  Jesus and the disciples during supper that night it was to complete his part of the dubious bargain.  Judas knew where Jesus was going after the super was completed and he was going to bring the temple guard to that place to arrest Jesus.
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John 13:1-17 (NKJV) Jesus Washes Feet

5/22/2020

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1  Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2  And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, 3  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4  rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6  Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7  Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8  Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9  Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10  Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11  For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12  So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16  Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. There was a stench that smelled as if something died, the smell filled the entire room.  It was a gathering of around 50 youth and we discovered that the smell was coming from Mark's old sneakers.  Washing feet is not a high status job.  How about the job of cleaning up the mess created by sin--what do you imagine Jesus felt when He washed away the sins of the world?
  2. Why do you think Jesus treated Judas with graciousness all the way up to the point of betrayal?
  3. How does the idea of serving the needs of others go against the natural inclination of human nature?
Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is a picture of God bowing before humans doing the work of a servant.  This confirms something that we should know; Jesus has not called us to do works that He was not willing to do.  As Jesus washed the disciples feet He was demonstrating what a servant's heart looks like.  It was a living example of His teaching.  Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.   Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Jesus washed the feet of the one who would betray Him.  (The washing of the disciples' feet happens just prior to Judas leaving to sell Jesus out)  Jesus washed the feet of the one who would deny knowing Him.  In fact, Peter made a big scene when Jesus prepared to wash his feet.  v.8 "You shall never wash my feet!" Peter declared.  Jesus corrected Peter, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me."  Once again we have a foreshadowing of things to come.  The old Hymn asks the question, "What can wash away my sin?"  And then the answer responds, "Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"  We all need Jesus to wash us.  It is the job of a servant, but became the mission of the King.  According to the Apostle Paul, (Philippians 2:7,8) Jesus made Himself of no reputation, took the form of a bondservant, came in the likeness of man, and humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 
When Jesus completed the task of washing the feet of His disciples, He asked them if they understood the implication of what He had done.  No-one ventured an answer.  Jesus filled the void of silence.  v.14 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."
What does this mean for us today?  It means that we serve the needs of other people.  We are not busybodies, but when we see a need or hear a call for help, we respond.  In the words of Jesus, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them!"
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    RJ Dugone

    Lead Teaching Elder:
    ​Believers Church Leander

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