Today’s reading: John 13:1-30

Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. - John‬ ‭13:3‬

These are the truths that Jesus understood about His identity. There was no one greater, no one who had lived a better life on earth. There was nothing that was not subjected to his rule and reign (see Hebrews 1:13). Everyone was (and is) beneath Him.

Yet the knowledge of His identity doesn’t drive Him to demand that the disciples serve Himself (though you could see why He especially might demand that of Judas). His identity drove Him to serve the disciples.

Who are we?
We are forgiven (Acts 3:19). We are children of God (1 John 3:1). We have been baptized and thus clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27). We are saved (Romans 10:9-10). We have the Holy Spirit residing in us (Acts 2:38). We are residents of heaven (Philippians 3:20).

Does this make us elitists, expecting special treatment?

No, it drives us to be servant-leaders, thankful to wash feet.

Today’s reading: John 12:20-50

“And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself.” - John 12:32

We know from Jesus’ earlier teaching that not “everyone” will be saved (see Matthew 7:13-14), but we do see here that everyone is invited. Below is a greater unpacking of this teaching, a scene from the end of time in Revelation. It describes those that will be with Jesus in the end.

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” - Revelation 17:14

Called 👉 Everyone is invited (or drawn)

Chosen 👉 Some will accept the invitation (will be saved and sealed)

Faithful 👉 Every authentic Jesus follower will endure to the end of their life (Matthew 24:13)

If everyone is loved by Jesus and has been invited/drawn by Him, what is keeping us from sharing that with those who haven’t yet said yes to the call?

Maybe it is time we beautify and ready our feet (Romans 10:14-15).

Today’s reading: John 11:55-57, 12:1-19

“Mary took a twelve ounce jar of expensive perfume...” - John 12:3

Does it make you cringe to read passages like this in the Bible?

Just like that, Mary has poured every drop of these fragrant twelve ounces on Jesus’ feet. 300 days of wages used up in a single moment of time. This was non refundable. She wasn’t getting this back. Jesus (in verse 7) seems to indicate that she bought this for his actual burial. Apparently she scrapped that plan in order to do this before his crucifixion and burial! It couldn’t wait.

This was an act of extravagant and sacrificial worship.

When was the last time you worshiped like this at the feet of Jesus, giving until it hurt?

Can you almost smell the fragrance of the perfume filling the room as Mary worshiped? The moment and the money wasn’t wasted, it was eternally invested.

Jesus, give us the faith in order to make the same eternal investments day in and day out as we live our lives for you and not for our own agendas.

Today’s reading: John 11:1-54

You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed. - John‬ ‭11:49-50‬

Caiaphas’ words are demeaning, literally “you brainless and witless creatures” — everything to him is so obvious. Their ultimate goal as Jewish leaders was to protect their religious freedom from the juggernaut known as Rome. He wanted to reign everyone in, to control the situation. In his mind, Jesus had to die to protect them from Rome. Little did he know that his prophecy was for a much larger scale: the entire world. God is always thinking larger than we are. The ironic thing about these comments is that, in AD 70, Rome would invade Jerusalem to completely destroy the city and their beloved Temple.

The more that we attempt to gain control, the more that we lose control.

This is why a surrendering faith in Jesus is so important. He is always planning for something much larger and more effective!

Today’s reading: John 10:22-42

“and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” - John‬ ‭10:28‬

There is no shortage of material that has been written about this verse. Some have taken it to mean that when you become a Christian, you can live however you want and still be saved. This seems to be a pretty limited view, and it may miss what John (the Holy Spirit) is actually trying to communicate. Actually, Jesus may be saying the opposite of that. 

Once we become Christians, we deeply believe that the safest place to be is in the hands of Jesus. It will not be for a lack of God’s power if we were to ever turn our backs on Jesus. It would be due to a moment of complete insanity. It is like Peter said earlier, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life!” (John 6:68)

There is no safer, more secure place to be than in the hands of Jesus.

May we choose to live under His protective strength every day. This is the best life possible.

Today’s reading: John 10:1-21

“...they follow him because they recognize his voice.” - John 10:4

Can someone be a Christian without reading their Bible? What about prayer?

This passage should answer those two questions for us. It is imperative that we know the voice of our Shepherd. This can only happen with a daily listening to His voice. It is too easy today to become lazy and depend on others to tell us what Jesus’ voice sounds like. Yet there is no replacement for a firsthand hearing of His voice. Second or thirdhand is fine for affirmation and encouragement, but they aren’t sufficient for the one who really wants to know the voice of their Shepherd.

John 10:10 gives us urgency with this idea of knowing Jesus’ voice. We want to be able to differentiate His voice from our enemy’s voice. The Devil wants to destroy us, and he will do whatever it takes to deceive us.

The most motivating in all this is that Jesus knows OUR name as well (10:3). He lovingly calls to a daily walk with Him, a listening to His voice.

Today’s reading: John 9

“Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from?” - John‬ ‭9:30‬

The Jewish religious leaders spend almost all of John 9 examining and cross examining this man. At first, they deny that this is the same man. The parents confirm that he is. At that point, they really have no way to cope with what happened. So they resort to an attempt at shaming the man born blind and Jesus as well.

We might imagine the man saying this to the Pharisees: “Um, I’m new to this religious stuff, but blind people seeing doesn’t happen. You don’t seem to know anything, even though you’re supposed to know everything. Me? I can, for the first time, see, and I think my heart is also starting to see.”

We cannot control God.
We cannot manipulate Him into doing and acting like we want Him to.
Our job is to believe.
Our job is to bow at Jesus’ feet in worship.

Jesus, there is nothing You cannot do. Thank you for changing this man’s life and ours as well.

Today’s reading: John 8:31-59

“You are truly my disciples if...” - John 8:31

This last section in John 8 has to be the greatest rebuke that Jesus lays down on the Jewish leaders. He calls into question all of their unfounded confidence.

What speaks volumes are the the proofs that Jesus says are present in the lives of those who believe in Him. We would do well to take note and inventory in our own lives.

1) Faithfulness is proof (vs 31-32) >> This is getting up every day ready to take our orders from Jesus.

2) Freedom from sin is proof (vs 36) >> We aren’t perfect, but we are redeemed. We are set toward sanctification.

3) Craving the truth is proof (vs 44) >> We do not take the bait of lies. We know our enemy’s ways.

4) Listening to God’s words is proof (vs 47) >> There is no replacement for being teachable at Jesus’ feet.

5) Eternal life is proof (vs 51) >> We look forward with confident assurance.

6) Jesus being from before time existed is proof (vs 58) >> Jesus is our ultimate confirmation and defense. ✝️

Today’s reading: John 8:21-30

“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not. That is why you will die in your sins...” - Jesus, John 8:23

Later, Jesus will affirm this teaching as being in reference to His followers as well. Though we were born here, we may have a sneaking suspicion that we don’t belong here (John 15:18-19). We may look around and see others that are blending in, trying to set up kingdoms here. We may even envy their contentedness.

Jesus is calling us into something better, deeper. It is a reality that will long outlive this one we are in. 

The following quote says it well:

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd.” - Flannery O’Connor

Feel odd? Feel like so many around you are thinking you’ve taken your faith in Jesus too far? Stop listening to their voices and zero in on the voice of Jesus.

Let’s not die in our sins. Let’s die in freedom, wholly surrendered to our Lord and Savior.

In this case, Jesus saw “many” believe! How encouraging to see fruit.

Today’s reading: John 8:1-20

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” - John‬ ‭8:12‬

Before Jesus came in the flesh, there had been 400 years of silence. No fresh revelation. Only darkness. Even in the 1700-ish years from Abraham to Malachi, darkness was heavy.

Notice Jesus doesn’t say the darkness would be vanquished around us (that will happen at the end of time). Yet he does say that if we follow him, we won’t stumble through the darkness. He will light the path of the narrow way (Matthew 7:13:14), giving us affirmation and assurance that we are going the right way, His way.

Darkness? It can’t cope with the light (John 1:5).

Light shining into darkness seems to be God’s preferred language in showing us what living with Him is all about. Check these out to catch a glimpse:

Psalm 18:28

Psalm 119:105

Matthew 4:16

Isaiah 42:7

Jesus, by You we can finally see the path. 🔦