Day 149: John 18:1-24

"After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with His disciples..." - John 18:1

This may be a verse we would normally pass by on our way to the Garden scene, but it has a ton of significance in regards to it being the time of Passover. The following quote gives us vivid imagery of the scene:

“All the Passover lambs were killed in the Temple, and the blood of the lambs was poured on the altar as an offering to God. The number of lambs slain for the Passover was immense. On one occasion, thirty years later than the time of Jesus, a census was taken, and the number was 256,000. We may imagine what the Temple courts were like when the blood of all these lambs was dashed onto the altar. From the altar there was a channel down to the brook Kidron, and through that channel the blood of the Passover lambs drained away. When Jesus crossed the brook Kidron, it would still be red with the blood of the lambs which had been sacrificed; and as he did so, the thought of his own sacrifice would surely be vivid in his mind.”  - Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of John (Vol. 2, p. 258)

Some also say that the bed of the Kidron Valley was permanently stained by the blood of the lambs that were sacrificed. In verse four, we see that Jesus "fully realized all that was going to happen to Him" -- this is all starting to sink in. This is after he has prayed, "not my will, but yours be done" in the Garden.

What Jesus did for us on the cross was not just intense physically, it was also intense mentally. He had known the plan, but now he was going to experientially know the plan, which was more painful than anyone could have ever imagined. 

This gives a new feel to the following verses (also written by John): 

“These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” - Revelation 7:14

“They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb.” - Revelation 12:11

Jesus, thank you for being our sacrificial Lamb, doing for us what we could never do on our own.

Day 148: John 17:1-26

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” - John‬ ‭17:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus’ high priestly prayer here in John 17 should make us emotional. He prays for His disciples, He prays for us, and He prays for the entire world.

The thing that broke my heart as I read this chapter is the insistence Jesus had on us remaining ONE. You don’t have to talk to Christians for five minutes to see that we haven’t done an excellent job of staying together.

Why do you think Jesus saw this as being so important?

He knew that this would be one of the main ways our enemy, the devil, would work to disrupt our mission of spreading the good news about Jesus.

How can we do a better job at being unified as a church? Listen more. Talk less. Cry with people and work to understand their perspective instead of choosing to slander.

Our knee-jerk reaction will always bend towards pride and a desire to be right. May God help us to shift toward being teachable and humble in all our interactions with fellow Jesus followers. 

There is always more going on than we can see and hear in people’s lives. We just have to stop for a bit to pay attention.

The fruit that follows unity is unmatched.

"The spiritual union of Christendom in its one faith, hope, and character, is, notwithstanding the divergence of some of its forms of expression, the most stupendous fact in the history of the world. The élite of all Churches are drawing more and more into a visible unity."  - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. John (Vol. 2, p. 351)

Day 147: John 16:1-33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 ESV

In this farewell discourse (John 14-17), Jesus' goal was to prepare His disciples for what was coming. Any time we step into a new season, it can be easy to start panicking about all the unknowns. In their case, they were understandably disturbed at His insistence on the fact that He was going away, yet coming back, then going away (again).

Jesus wanted his disciples to have peace (eirene), literally, perfect calm. Yet He says they should have an expectation of tribulation (other translations read trouble). How can these two things co-exist? It is obvious that Jesus is saying that this is the reality for anyone who wishes to follow Him.

It isn't going to be easy. Actually, many will die for their faith in Jesus. Yet, at the same time, this is going to give you a deep-down peace that no one can come close to replicating or administering. Only God can consistently calm our souls.

Expect trouble.

Expect peace.

Walk with Jesus, led by the ever-present help of the Holy Spirit.

Live the good life.

"The Greek verb translated overcome is νικάω (nikaō). It is related to the name of Nike, the Greek winged goddess of victory. It means to “win a victory” or to “conquer.” “Overcome” conveys this idea, but on a smaller scale than the Greek verb suggests. This is the word of triumphant generals and emperors, of world conquerors. It is a word for the Julius Caesars and the Alexander the Greats of the world. And it is directed against the current king of the hill, the “prince of this world” (Satan, v. 11). By cheating death Jesus demolishes the chief stranglehold of fear that Satan maintains over humanity (see 1 Cor 15:26)." - Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John (Jn 16:33)

Day 146: John 15:1-27

"Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." - John 15:2 ESV

When we first read this verse, we may be a little disappointed. Why would a fruitful branch (us) of the vine (Jesus) be pruned by the gardener? The following quote from Bryan/Krause's commentary hits deep:  "If left untrimmed, a grapevine will use its available energy to grow long woody branches and extend its territory, while producing a few meager bunches of grapes."

God isn't interested in us spanning into a less fruitful season after He's done so much in and through us. Instead, He is looking to trim us back so that we can produce even more fruit as we remain in Him. Jesus is the only one who truly knows all our capabilities.

The word remain is used seven times in the first eight verses of our reading for today. It is the Greek word menō, and it can also be translated as stay or abide. I love the imagery of staying. 

There is no other place we can go where we can become who we are truly meant to be. 

Remaining with Jesus means that we can maximize our influence in this world.

Don't be alarmed by the trimming. It may be painful or inconvenient, but God knows what He is doing. The proof will be in the fruit that follows for years to come.

Day 145: John 14:15-31

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever." - John 14:15-16 ESV

These two verses are some of the most powerfully practical that you'll find in all of John's Jesus biography. Three things immediately jump out as we look a little deeper:

#1 LOVE - Relationship needs to precede right living. Before we step into a life of obedience to Jesus, we need to establish a healthy relationship with Him. We love and trust Jesus first and foremost. We can depend on Him! How has your prayer life been lately?

#2 OBEY - Obedience isn't optional; it is to be expected. As we love and interact with Jesus, our lives will be transformed. This is manifested in the way that we serve our families and those around us. It is even shown in the way we love our enemies. The Apostle Paul described it as, "...the obedience that comes from faith." (Romans 1:5, NIV)

# 3 THRIVE - Does this seem daunting? Feel inadequate to accomplish what God is asking you to do? Never fear. The Holy Spirit is our Helper (parakletos - advocate). Where we are insufficient, He is more than enough to make us adequate.

Don't you love how intentional Jesus was in using these final moments to prepare His disciples for what was to come? He is doing the same for us today. May we move forward with the God of all creation on our side. We can't lose.

"It is somewhat startling to find the great promise that follows conditionated by loving obedience, seeing that love and obedience in any sinful man, love to Christ itself, are elsewhere made the work of the Holy Spirit. But we here come across that which often perplexes the student, viz. the contrast between the general idea of the constant and continuous work of grace in human hearts, and the special manifestation in personal glory and Divine activity of the Holy Ghost on Pentecost." - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. John (Vol. 2, pp. 225–226)

Day 144: John 13:31-38, John 14:1-14

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35 ESV

This is the first of three instances where Jesus commands His disciples to love one another (13:34, 15:12, 17), but this one is unique in the fact that He calls it a new command.

What was so new about this command? The Law of Moses commanded them to love their neighbor as themselves (Leviticus 19:18), but Jesus ratchets the expectation way up. He is asking His disciples (and us) to love each other in the way that He loved them. A love that serves. A love that gives. A love that self-sacrifices for the good of others. A love that forgives. A love that confronts injustice.

We soon realize that this kind of love will not be something that we can master in 20 years of practice. We will always be working on it.

Also, Jesus said that it should be our main signifier to the outside world that we know and follow Him. Unfortunately, this isn't what we are known for most in the world today. But the result of certain Christians obeying this command over the past 2,000 has literally changed the world in more ways than we have room to talk about here.

From the abolition of slavery to gender equality to care for the poor, Christians have always led the way in loving and caring for all.

Your turn.

"The new commandment was love for one another. It would hold them together and mark them as disciples of Jesus. Even so are we bound together and marked today." - Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 151)

Day 143: John 13:1-30

“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 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 also should do just as I have done to you.” - John 13:13-15

We all have our own menial tasks that we dread doing. What's yours? Cleaning toilets? Unclogging drains? Doing dishes? Scraping gum off the underside of bleachers? Changing diapers? There is something deep inside of us all that resists doing tasks that we think are beneath us.

Washing feet at a Passover meal wasn't done by those participating in the meal, especially not the one who was presiding over their time together. This was, instead, the job of a slave. When Jesus told His disciples to go and prepare a place, He never asked them to make accommodations for a slave to be there to serve them.

Many believe there was a moment of awkwardness when the disciples were looking around wondering who would perform the task of a slave by washing their feet. Jesus stepped forward to do the menial task, which was shocking, especially for Peter (see verse 6).

Earlier, Jesus had said this:  "...and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:27-28

Now he was giving them yet another example of how to serve. In what ways is Jesus challenging you to do the same today?

"It was because Peter recognized Jesus as teacher and Lord that he was at first unwilling to allow Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus said the disciples were right to regard him as their teacher and Lord, and his humble act had not changed that. That he had adopted a servant role did not change the fact that he was their teacher; he was just a different sort of teacher. - Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 4, p. 279)

Day 142: John 12:20-50

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”' - John 12:27-28 ESV

Many (if not all) of us have struggled at some point with extreme anxiety or depression. When I've experienced them, it seems to have been brought on by either a moment that seemed too big for me or through regret of a mistake.

John records that Jesus' soul (literally: life) was troubled. The word he uses for troubled is tarassō, which can also be translated as disturbed or to cause a riot. 

Ever felt like there was a riot going on inside of you?

The following quote is so helpful:  “Jesus is saying more than that he is emotionally troubled. He is saying that the very core of his human person is naturally resistant to the coming pain and death. This is a spiritual battle, a battle between survivalistic instincts God has purposely built into humans, and the course of obedience that calls Jesus to the cross.”- Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John (Jn 12:27–28)

It is wild to think that committing to see our life's purpose being to glorify God can help settle our souls and reduce anxiety, allowing us to take a deep, confident breath.

May we hear the Father's voice to us as well. If it was enough for Jesus to make it to and through the experience of the cross, it will also be sufficient for us to face whatever seems insurmountable.

Father, use our lives to glorify Your name!

Day 141: John 11:55-57, 12:1-19

“So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” - John 12:10-11 ESV

When we read the beginning of Holy Week (the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion on Friday, resurrection on Sunday), we may wonder what buzz created such a reaction from the crowd that was waving palm branches, tossing their coats, and yelling out Messianic praise. On the one hand, we have the overarching prophecy that is being fulfilled, but by what means did God use to generate this kind of response?

If we read this in its context, we see that Lazarus' resurrection from the dead caused quite the stir in Bethany and Jerusalem (just two miles down the road).

Lazarus and his two passionate sisters (Mary and Martha) played a key role in the events leading up to Jesus' ultimate act of rescue and defeat of death. We can see why. Jesus had resurrected all three of them (in some sense), giving them new and focused reasons to live.

It seems like this is how evangelism (sharing your faith) is supposed to work even today. Jesus transforms our lives, and then we can't help but want that transformation for others as well. May we get to hear these words again in our generation:  "Look, the world has gone after him." (12:19)

"It was no long trip from Jerusalem to the town just on the other side of the Mount of Olives. People came from the city, people en route to Jerusalem stopped along the way, people who were already settled early for the coming Passover now hurried to Bethany. All were coming to see Jesus and also Lazarus. After all, Lazarus was living proof of resurrection after death. He had been in the grave for four days, but now was alive and well." - Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 135)

Day 140: John 11:1-54

“‘Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.’ He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” - John 11:50-52 ESV

God's plan never seems to happen in a vacuum, insulated within a select group of people. When God starts to do something, He seems to involve everyone, even those against His plans and purposes.

It is mindblowing that the High Priest, a Jew with the maximum amount of power and influence during this particular year, is even prophesying about the rescue plan that is about to occur. Soon, this entire group of religious leaders will be on this High Priest's own property, trying to convict Jesus of crimes He didn't commit.

All of us have a decision to make. Will we be used by God willingly to advance his plans and purposes, or will we stubbornly resist (like Pharaoh) and still find ourselves in the middle of what God has wanted to do the entire time? To be sure, we all have a choice. We can decide to follow Jesus.

May we stay in the flow of His will both now and forever.

"John sensed that God was at work in the words of the high priest, in spite of himself. If any human words in history could be described as an ex cathedra statement (words coming from the throne or ‘seat’ and representing the mind of God), it was these words of Caiaphas, who John indicated ‘did not say this on his own’ (11:51). It was for the evangelist a prophetic act, but it was laced with irony because Caiaphas did not realize the vast import of his own words." - Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 365)