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!

The Testimony of Lazarus

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)

Day 139: John 10:22-42

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:28 ESV

We, as a culture, are obsessed with what others think of us.

Do they think I'm legit? Do they think I'm fat? Do they think I'm stylish? Do they think I'm boring? Then it shifts to a more serious tone: Do they think I'll be unsuccessful? Do they think I'm close-minded? Do they think I'm insane for believing Jesus rose from the dead? Do they think I'm a horrible person for believing the ENTIRE Bible?

What Jesus says in our reading today should set all of those fears to rest. Once He sets us into an eternal life reality (which began when we committed ourselves to follow Jesus and will culminate when we die and are raised imperishable), we are secure in every way. Though we may listen to the opinions of others, we know they are not our ultimate authority. Other people do not have the ability to snatch us out of Jesus' hand. It isn't their call.

Again, this is why it is vital to take our lead based on what Jesus says about us. He says we are forgiven (Romans 3:23-26). He says we are His treasured possession (1 Peter 2:9). We are the ones He wants to spend eternity with (John 17:3). I mean, that is saying something.

Take a deep breath.

Jesus has you in His hand.

"This verse does not say that it is impossible to run away—only that no one can come and take you away. This is a comparison of the power of God and the power of Satan or any other power opposing God. No one has the power to steal a person from the fold. One must be aware, however, that he can remove himself. Unless a person remains loyal to Christ and His teaching, he has no promise of care within the fold." - Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 117)

Day 138: John 10:1-21

"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." - John 10:16 ESV

Every human being on earth was skillfully crafted by God and was made in His image. This means that all people are to be treated with dignity and respect, even those living lifestyles that are in opposition to biblical teaching. Just because they are other sheep currently does not mean that they will not someday enter through the gate and be saved.

Jesus is the trusted Shepherd. He proved this by His sacrificial death and powerful resurrection. He has set Himself apart from the fake shepherds.

Our passage for today makes us wonder who Jesus is targeting with his strong language. Many believe it is yet another way of Jesus' deconstruction of the Pharisees' religious system. They were frauds, and it wasn't even close. They were not going to protect the sheep when it came down to it.

We need to know today that Jesus is always motivated by protective love.  What a great message to bring to the other sheep we are working to reach. One Shepherd protects our one flock, and there is no one else that will fight for us like Him.

Eugene Peterson did a great job paraphrasing verse 10 of our reading to say that "A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."

Day 137: John 9:1-41

“Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”' - John 9:39 ESV

It isn't hard to become enamored with the miracle that Jesus performed on this man who had been born blind in our reading for today. I mean, in a matter of moments, this man was given a completely different life. He went from begging to boasting, not in himself but in a man he didn't even know.

As was Jesus' custom, His miracles were never about showing off. He wasn't insecure and didn't need affirmation from people (see John 2:25). This miracle was, of course, to help this man, but it was also about Jesus making a statement about what it really means to see.

Being religiously elite and esteemed apparently doesn't guarantee a 20/20 Kingdom-of-God-vision.

This (formerly) blind man started to truly see not after he washed off the mud. He started to see when he began to believe (trust) in who Jesus was.

Proverbs 26:12 sums up the state of the Pharisees:  “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

May we remain ready for Jesus to teach us the best way to live. There is no bottom to this kind of learning. It is a lifetime of drinking deeply.

"Jesus openly affirms that his ministry causes a judgment or a division among the people. Some believe and some don’t. Now he reveals the true significance of his claim to be the 'Light of the World.' He is the spiritual Light. Some gain sight (faith) because of him. Others end up with no spiritual sight (unbelief) because of him." - Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John (Jn 9:39)

Day 136: John 8:31-59

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" - John 8:31-32 ESV

Truth isn't constricting, as many in our world claim today. It doesn't make you narrow-minded to follow the narrow way of Jesus.

Truth is liberating; it sets us free from the enslavement of sin. It opens us up to become the person Jesus always intended for us to be, even before our births (see Psalm 139:16).

The best friends we have will not hesitate to tell us the truth. They know that lying to us will not help. Going the route of deception in the name of flattery leads us away from eternal life.

Jesus is your best friend. The truth He has to offer will confront all of our failures and let the light of His love (via His blood) do what it does best: cleanse (see 1 John 1:9).

Verse 44 of our reading today is one of the most revealing places in the Bible regarding our enemy, the devil. The "lie" originated with him (the nachash) in Genesis 3:4 when he told Eve, "You will not die."

The devil will always lie to us, but it will be in a way that parades as truth.

Choose freedom. Listen to Jesus.

"The way to freedom is set forth step by step. Before one is set free, he must know the truth. Before he will know the truth, he must be Jesus’ disciple. Before he can be Jesus’ disciple, he must hold to His teaching. Before he holds to His teaching, he must be a believer." - Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 100)

Day 135: John 21-30

“I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” - John 8:24 ESV

The more days we accumulate on planet earth, the easier it can get to write people off that are currently making bad decisions. We think (as Jesus said) they are doomed to die in their sins, and so we move on to the next individual who may seem more open to the idea of faith in Jesus.

Can you remember a time in your life when you weren't open to the way of Jesus? Perhaps it was a tragedy or hypocrisy among Christians that drove you away. Aren't you glad you had people who didn't consider you a lost cause?

Even with the stubbornly bent-on-evil Pharisees, Jesus knew there was still an opportunity for them to repent (return to God). If anyone could have been given up on, it would have been these men. Yet, Jesus still holds out an invitation to them.

Beating hearts in our chests and breath in our lungs prove that there is still hope for us not to die in our sins.

What do you know, at the end of our reading, John records that "many believed in Him." (verse 30)

Jesus died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3) to prevent us from dying in them."Jesus teaches that his time with the Jews is brief, and that he will go back to where he came from, to God (13:3). They are prevented from following him because of their sin. ‘Sin’ is singular here (v. 21), because Jesus is speaking of the primary sin that disqualifies them, the sin of unbelief (v. 24)." - Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John (Jn 8:21–24)

Day 134: John 8:1-20

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”' - John 8:12 ESV

This is the second of seven "I am" statements John records in his Jesus biography. The first was in 6:35: "I am the bread of life."

This second "I am" statement being made within the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) backdrop is significant. At the end of each day during this feast, a great candle-lighting ceremony would take place in the evening. Light would flood the night sky. Jesus had a physical illustration happening as He declared Himself to be the light of the world.

It wouldn't have just been the candles that got the people's attention; it also would have reminded them of three key prophecies from the book of Isaiah (42:6, 49:6, 51:4) in which Israel is promised to be a "light for the nations."

Jesus is declaring Himself to be that light. Without our Savior, this world would be dark. Many would like to think Jesus is removable from culture. Yet, if we were able (which we are not) to remove Him, this would not be a place in which anyone would want to dwell; picture hell.

The Apostle Paul drove it home as he wrote: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Colossians 1:13-14 ESV

Want your life to be flooded with light and hope for tomorrow? Follow Jesus, and He'll take care of the illumination.

"The pure light walks the earth; the darkness, received into the heart of Deity, is there swallowed up. Where, except in uncreated light, can the darkness be drowned?" - C.S. Lewis. Joyful Christian. (pg. 52)