Week 9 ~ Readings in John's Gospel

"The Father HIMSELF loves YOU!"

Intro: John wrote his gospel account of Jesus' life around 50-60 years after Christ died and rose from the dead. He had had many years to experience the truth of what he was writing, and the depth of fellowship with the Father which he describes in these chapters is from his own intimate knowledge. In John's first letter, he writes, "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full!" 1 John 1:3,4.

Joy in close relationship with the Father and with Jesus because of the Holy Spirit, is John's theme. Don't be concerned that you may not fully grasp what it all means. Relationship takes time to grow and mature, and that is what we will read about now.

Day 1: John 15:1-8

            "I AM the true Vine!"  If you are a gardener, you will understand Jesus' use of the vine, as he describes our union with Him, and how the Father cares for us as the Master Gardener.  To abide in the vine is about receiving a steady flow of life and every blessing of God from Jesus Himself. Without the life-giving sap a tree cannot flourish or bear fruit. Notice that Jesus is the true vine. There are other vines, the main one being the vine of this world and its culture. A branch cannot change around from tree to tree! Consider Who you belong to today. AGAIN there is the promise in verse 7 that we can ask whatever we desire and it will be done for us. This asking is from that position of knowing we are secure in Jesus, rooted, grounded in His love, and will result in glory to Father and more fruit in our lives!

Day 2: John 15:9-17

            Why does Jesus choose a vine rather than say an olive tree? A vine produces grapes from which wine is made – wine is the symbol of JOY in the Bible. Jesus is telling us these things so that HIS joy may be in us, and that OUR "joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing". (verse11 Amplified version) This joy flows because we know our Father's love and will flow out into loving others. And being friends of Jesus; friends, to whom He tells His Father's secrets;

                  asking whatever we want in His name and receiving from our Father! Chosen and appointed by Jesus! Bearing lasting fruit of love and joy. Fruit is not what we do, but is what grows in our lives as we live every day with Jesus. Read Galatians 5:22,23. What does it mean to you to be Jesus' friend?

Day 3: John 15:18-27

            Jesus reminds us that we will experience rejection and hate in this world. BUT He is sending the promised Holy Spirit. He will witness to Jesus through us and for us. When Jesus finally leaves the disciples after His resurrection, He tells them they will be His witnesses – but only AFTER the Holy Spirit comes – see Acts1:8.  Whenever it is hard to tell others about Jesus and your love for Him, remember the Holy Spirit is with you – and because He is with you, your life and love and joy will show Him to others!

Day 4: John 16:1-7

            "These things have I spoken" – again Jesus is comforting His disciples at this traumatic juncture in their lives. He wants them to know that even though hardship and persecution will come, His Father is faithful to His Word. In many parts of the world today, Christian believers risk being killed for their faith. And in our country, more and more we will have to stand for God's truth in a way that is unacceptable to the world culture, and contrary to media and government thinking! God cares that we should not stumble or fall. He has provided the Holy Spirit, our STRONG Helper.

                     Rom 5:5 "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Day 5: John 16:8-15

            The Holy Spirit's role – to convict! Notice there are 3 separate categories here. First He convicts the unbeliever of sin. Remember when you knew His working in your hearts to bring you to receive forgiveness of sins through what Jesus did on the Cross. Pray for your friends and family today – that the Holy Spirit will convict of sin, and bring them to know Jesus. Second He convicts of righteousness! This means He keeps on demonstrating the forgiving, loving, healing nature of the Father to us and through us, as Jesus Himself is no longer on earth to do it, always affirming to us our right standing with the Father. The Holy Spirit wants us to walk in that certainty and assurance of our complete wholeness in Christ. It is finished! Jesus has done it all on the Cross! Thirdly He convicts the devil and all his minions and will commit them one day to judgement.  What a comfort as we witness the terrible evil in the world today. Consider the mission of the Holy Spirit in verses 13 -15. The Holy Spirit is God, and glorifies Jesus and speaks the Father's words to us.

Day 6: John 16:16-24

            Sorrow turned to Joy. Jesus is trying to prepare his friends for His approaching death. "I will see you again", He says. How hard it is when we are disappointed to  believe for the impossible – Jesus is putting His words in their hearts, and believing they will come through into joy. How many times has He said it – "ASK ….."? When we ask in His name, then our joy will be full. The very best thing we can ask, considering all this chapter has been teaching us, is for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives more and more, because He will be our Teacher, showing us more of Jesus, teaching us how to live and how to pray.  Ask, and you WILL receive! Read also Luke 11:13.

Day 7: John 16:25-33

            "For the Father HIMSELF loves you!" What a statement. Why does the Father love us? Is it because we are coming to church, or reading our Bibles, or helping at Alpha – NO! All these things happen because we are following Jesus – BUT Father loves us because we love Jesus and believe that He is One with the Father. It is all about LOVE and FAITH! Father's love poured into our hearts is His response to our love and faith in Jesus His Son! It is a circle – we love Him because He first loved us, and He loves us because we love Him! The chapter ends the same as it began with Jesus encouraging our hearts, and promising His peace. Jesus has overcome the world – its temptations, trials and pain. What does this mean for you in your situation today?

 Summary: It is impossible to absorb everything these two chapters are telling us. As we grow in the knowledge of God and His Son Jesus – as we stay close to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us more and more – we will bear His fruit in our lives. It is a process. Do not get disheartened. It is not about who is a better Christian than someone else. It is about being rooted in God's love, growing up in Him, making mistakes, but having the Holy Spirit as our constant Helper and Encourager, Teacher and Friend. 

Week 8 ~ Readings in John's Gospel

Jesus: "I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life."

Intro: The theme of this week's readings is the 'vital union' and total harmony between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In chapter 14 Jesus mentions "Father" 23 times in 31 verses. He models His Father in everything. Jesus IS the way – as we love, trust and obey Him, we will discover the Father and experience His presence with us! Also Jesus begins His teaching about our Helper, the Holy Spirit. The readings are short as there is so much to take in and absorb. Over the next couple of weeks, you could make different lists as you read – 1) the promises Jesus makes to us as we believe and obey Him, 2) all the different ways the Holy Spirit helps us, 3) how many times Jesus talks about Him and the Father abiding, dwelling, living in and with us.

Day 1: John 13:31-35

            Jesus must be full of emotion as Judas goes off into the night. He realises that NOW is the time for Him to be glorified, and He knows that means His death. He speaks lovingly to his other 11 disciples, calling them "little children". He knows His time with them on earth is almost finished, and so tells them ONE important "new" command – that they should love one another.  With what sort of love? The sort that He has for us – sacrificial 'laying down of self' love! No less! The world will know that we are Jesus' followers, when we practice His faithful, unchanging, forgiving, blessing, healing type of love.  As we read on, we will find out how we can do this – NOT on our own! Let Jesus speak to you right now, calling you, "My little child ….!"

Day 2: John 13:36 - 14:6

            Peter has vowed his loyalty to Jesus, but Jesus, knowing his human weakness, tells Peter he will deny him. (We will see more about this in days to come). Jesus follows this by speaking peace to Peter and the other disciples: "Let not your heart be troubled …" He knows that we will fail Him, so here He brings that amazing wonderful assurance that He is going to prepare a place for us in His Father's house. AND He is coming back to take us there one day! Thomas, the doubtful one, (don't the disciples show us our own characteristics!), asks Jesus how they will ever find the way if Jesus is leaving them. "I AM the WAY," says Jesus. And He is the Truth and the Life. Jesus says that believing in Him is the one and only way to come to the Father, and to know freedom and life.

Day 3: John 14:7-11

            "Lord, show us the Father!" In His reply to Philip, Jesus states that He looks like His Father, He speaks like His Father and He acts like His Father! As we spend time getting to know Jesus, we will be discovering our Father's love and kindness – and His thoughts towards us. Jesus and the Father are ONE, and they love us as ONE.  Jesus tells His disciples again, that if they find it hard to believe in Him, then look at the miracles His Father does through Him. Often it is testimony of God's healing or salvation or answered prayer that strengthens and deepens our trust and believing, and helps to convince others of Who Jesus is.  Let's be ready to share the great things He does for us with one another, to encourage and affirm joyful trust in Jesus and our loving heavenly Father!is Father! He and the Father are ONE> And as we get to know Jesus, so we will becHi

 Day 4: John 14:12-14

                  What amazing verses! Re-read and ponder what Jesus is promising. Speak these verses out loud, putting in your own name. Look at the "whatevers" and "anythings"! Believe and ask – that is all that is required of us. The secret of our doing greater works than Jesus is in the teaching He gives later about the Holy Spirit. Can you step out and believe God for ANYTHING you ask! There is a big key here – the words "in MY name". This means within the whole character and personality of God Himself. Jesus shows us the Father, and we can ask anything within His righteous character of love and healing and provision and joy-giving! You can also use the "I AM" names Jesus gives Himself.  Ask Him something very specific today, write it in your notebook, and then wait and see His answer and breakthrough for you! It will bring honour and glory to Jesus and the Father.

Day 5: John 14:15-18

            “If you love Me…” It is LOVE for Jesus that produces a life in tune with His word. Obedience to God’s word is not about following a set of rules and laws – it is about a heart so full of love and thanks for Who Jesus is to us, that our whole desire is to please HIM! And it is possible because "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." Jesus promises His disciples will never be alone. The Father will send the Holy Spirit to live in them constantly and forever! The Amplified Bible translates “another Helper” as "Comforter, Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby". Because the Holy Spirit is in us, we can love others like Jesus does, and do the things He asks us to! Think of a situation in your own life or someone you care about, and ask the Holy Spirit to come alongside and help, counsel, comfort, strengthen and stand close.

Day 6: John 14:19-24

            Again Jesus says that if we LOVE Him, we will keep His Word. It is all about intimacy and relationship. Because of the Holy Spirit, God the Father and Jesus the Son will make their home in our lives as we love and obey HIM! Think about that – your heart the home of the Lord – open up every room to Him today. See Revelation 3:20.

Day 7: John 14:25-31

            What does verse 26 tell us about the Holy Spirit? What confidence we can have as we seek to understand God’s word, and as we learn more of God’s truth, that we can call on the Spirit to help us. This chapter began with Jesus assuring us we need not be afraid or troubled, and here it is again. The world is full of fear, panic, distress, confusion and war. Jesus says. “MY peace I give to you!” Read Isaiah 26:3, and quietly receive the peace that the world cannot give. In the midst of any struggles or opposing forces, Jesus is here. He says, “Peace I leave with you.”

 Summary:

                 Untroubled hearts …… peace ……. A Lord close to us all the time because He lives in us …… a Father who wants communion and relationship with each one of us … so that we can pray His word and in His Name, asking ANYTHING and watching God answer … doing the same things Jesus did …this is all attainable with the Holy Spirit living in us,

                                    through our Lord Jesus Christ,

                                                          the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!

Week 7 ~ Readings in John's Gospel

“The time has come for the Son of Man to be exalted”

 Intro: On several occasions Jesus has answered His disciples by saying that His time has not yet come. Now we read in ch12v23 that His time has come. Jesus is preparing for His death – and He is preparing His friends and followers for all that will follow – explaining not only the reason why He has to die, but also what it means to follow Him through His death into His resurrection and life. We are more than half way through John. Congratulations for getting this far! As we press on with the final chapters and some amazing, life-changing teaching from Jesus, let’s open our hearts afresh to hear Him – the One Who speaks only what the Father speaks!

Day 1: John 11:47-57

            Jealousy, fear and hate take hold. The religious leaders decide to kill Jesus! They see Him as a threat to their control and authority over the people. In the face of antagonism and murderous threats, Jesus quietly withdraws. And His disciples go with Him. Let us be those who quietly wait with Jesus, seeking His way, when we face antagonism or difficult situations.(Read Isaiah 40:29-31 to see the results of waiting on the Lord!) Caiaphas prophesies one man will die for all people; he has God’s anointing upon him in his office as high priest, but it is not in him! He later is a major part of the trial condemning Jesus. However, the truth is here: one MAN did die for the nation and for all God’s scattered people everywhere (us!). Thank Him again and also please pray for the Jewish nation today to come to know their Messiah!

Day 2: John 12:1-11

            “The whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume”. Mary’s love and worship begins the preparation for Jesus death and burial. Here is Jesus with His friends at the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is lovingly preparing and serving dinner, whilst Mary is finding the most precious thing she owns and pouring it out on Jesus, wiping His weary feet with her hair. Lazarus, who was dead and buried a few days before, is reclining at the table, talking and laughing with Jesus. This is a home full of love – all except for Judas, who is angry and critical of Mary’s outpouring of worship, and we learn also that he is a thief. Here is a glimpse of the open door that Judas is giving to deception and bitterness. Judas has followed Jesus with his feet and his mind, even having an important responsibility within Jesus’ close team, but he does not have heart faith and love. Let’s ask Jesus to purify our thoughts and actions, and bring Him our hearts and lives in love and worship, filling the house with fragrance – bringing the presence of Jesus everywhere we go!

Day 3: John 12:12-23

            “Look, the whole world is running after Him!” The people crowd into the streets to shout “Hosanna” as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on an untrained colt. They are greeting Him with praise as their longed-for King! John also quotes from the Scriptures to show how prophecy is being fulfilled – he wants to give even stronger evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. “Do not fear …rejoice greatly…” (Zech 9:9). When our King comes, then fear has to go and rejoicing comes! He has come to save, to heal, to deliver from death. Greeks come also and want to see Jesus. The disciples tell Jesus and His answer is surprising. “The time has come …” He says! These Greeks represent the civilised but lost nations, and Jesus is announcing His coming death and the glory of His resurrection for all people. Let us rejoice and praise and sing to our King Jesus today!

Day 4: John 12:24-36

            “Unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground…” Some will remember Pastor Phil passing round grains of wheat one Sunday morning. In fact, mine were still falling out of my Bible case weeks later!! But they didn’t grow! No, they had to be planted to grow. Jesus is talking here about laying down our own way, our own thoughts and opinions, letting our hopes, aspirations and dreams die, surrendering our whole lives over to Him, to be planted in the ground of His love. HE will raise up all He has created us to be, with His gifts and anointing, and produce a great harvest of joy, peace and righteousness! (Romans 14:17) Many others will come to know Him through our lives representing Christ lifted up on the Cross. God’s voice thunders from Heaven to affirm His Son, and affirm His glory through Him. Jesus is calling us to walk in His light, to follow and serve Him, thus gaining honour from our Father!

Day 5: John 12:37-50

            Many still did not believe. John quotes here from Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:9,10. It is interesting that the apostle, Paul, in his last recorded words, also speaks out this scripture in Acts 28:26,27. Paul faced the same responses as Jesus did. ”Some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.” Acts 28:24. Watch what Jesus does – he continues to call out for the people to believe, trust in and cleave to HIM. Look at His promises reiterated in verse 45 and 46. Let us be those who love God’s approval rather than men’s – let us press on speaking the words of the Lord even when there is opposition. Even though hearts are hardened in sin and pride and stubborn tradition, the Father still calls each one. Jesus never judges – He keeps on loving and calling with Father’s words of love and promise of eternal life. Let us learn from Jesus, to be those who “just as the Father has told me, so I speak.”

Day 6: John 13:1-17

            “I have given you an example …” Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. Feet were hot, dusty and very weary after tramping the unmade surface of those roads and country paths. Servants would wash the feet of guests as they entered the house. Here is Jesus doing the most lowly and menial of tasks – washing smelly dirty feet! First He demonstrates to us that, once we have been cleansed by the forgiveness of His blood, we do not need repeated washing all over – but we do need refreshing as we get the dust and dirt of the world on us. He is always there to cleanse and refresh and encourage our hearts. Then He asks us to do this for others; to be those who, without criticism or judging, are going to be those who refresh and strengthen our brothers and sisters. Read Philippians 2:1-8. This is the way of blessing, the way of joy, fulfilment and peace in God.

Day 7: John 13:18-30

            ”It was night.” Jesus has taught much about the light and that He is the Light. But here is Judas walking in darkness – he goes out to betray the Lord Jesus. Sin has taken hold of his heart. We see the opposite in the one leaning up against Jesus as they recline at the table. This is John himself, the writer of this Gospel. (See ch21:20,24). John is close enough to Jesus to hear His whispers, and to learn His secrets. Peter is close enough for John to relay his question to Jesus. Let us be those leaning on the Lord, trusting Him intimately, listening and learning, walking in His light, in close fellowship with others who love Jesus, receiving revelation together from HIM.

Summary: Serving, loving, obeying, listening to His voice, speaking His Word – this is the example Jesus has given us to follow – refreshing and encouraging others without criticism and judgement. And all this only as we learn to surrender all that we consider precious to Jesus, and to love and worship Him with our whole life! Jesus has died for us – He calls us to lay down our lives for Him.

Week 6 ~ Readings in John's Gospel

Jesus says: "I AM the Resurrection and the LIFE!"

Intro: "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." John 1:11-12. We read this verse our first week. It is good to remind ourselves of what it says and how it clarifies who belongs to the Father and who does not! And it is the difference between receiving and not receiving, believing or not believing.  This week we will be finding out more about that word, "believe".  We can use the word lightly, even saying something like "I believe there is a barbecue on Sunday", meaning we don't know whether there is or not! That is NOT the sort of believing Jesus talks about! I will use the Amplified version of the Bible in these notes to give a clearer picture of what it means to believe in Jesus.

Day 1:  John 10:19-30

            "My Father is greater than all!" Jesus is talking about His Father in relation to His sheep. The Father will never let us go. No evil person or circumstance or happening can ever remove those who believe from Father's care! The Pharisees cannot deny Jesus' miracles, but they do not believe, "trust" and "rely on" HIM. They have head-knowledge of who they think God is. To believe in Jesus is heart-knowledge! Verse 27 shows us what believing means for His sheep. This is a developing faith. It does not happen overnight. It is not a mental acquiescence, but daily hearing and listening to our Shepherd's voice, to find His way in every circumstance of life. He knows us, and loves and cares for us just as we are. Make a note of all that Jesus and the Father do for their sheep. Our great and mighty God is FOR us!

Day 2:  John 10:31-42

            Jesus has demonstrated His Father's glory and mercy through His healing miracles, and yet the hard-hearted unbelieving Jews still want to stone Him. They can't help but acknowledge His deeds, but do not want HIM. There is always a choice. Even to believe in His works will produce faith in Jesus as being one with GOD the Father. He offers these people a doorway to faith. Perhaps there is a situation in your life where it is difficult to believe that God will help you. Think of what He has done for you before or read the testimony of someone else and let that be your doorway to saying "Yes, Lord, I remember the miracles you have already done. Please help me adhere to and trust in and rely on You and on Your word in this circumstance."

                  (nb: In verse 34, Jesus is quoting from Psalm 82:6. Men do have authority and are like 'gods' on this earth, but unless our lives are governed by the LORD Jesus, we will still walk and rule in darkness.)

Day 3:  John 11:1-16

            The next few days takes us through one of the most wonderful stories in the Bible. First we meet the family, 2 sisters and their brother – Mary, Martha and Lazarus! This family were close friends of Jesus – He could always be sure of a good meal in Martha's house! When Jesus is told Lazarus is sick, they say, "He whom you love." Jesus has special friends and those He can be Himself with, and He wants to be at home in our hearts in the same way. Why did Jesus delay 2 whole days before going to see his sick friend? The reason the disciples didn't want to go was their fear of being arrested with Jesus, and killed! But Jesus had a different reason – v 4 and 15. Are there some issues in your life, where it seems the Lord is not in a hurry to answer your prayers, nor come to help you? Keep believing Him, trusting and relying on His word and promises – He will come. The outcome will be for God's glory and that we might trust and love Him more! And that others will believe also!

Day 4: John 11:17-27

         "I AM the Resurrection and the Life!"  Martha hears Jesus is coming – and runs out to find Him. Her greeting is a mixture of faith and disappointment. Her brother has died by this time, and Jesus didn't come – He wasn't there when they needed Him! Look at each of Martha's declarations in verse 21, 22, 24 and then 27. Now put yourself in Martha's place, running to meet Jesus. If you have disappointments and failure and sadness you are still coping with, put your own words into these verses, telling Jesus that He is the anointed Son of God, the One Who can bring LIFE where there is death and restoration where there is loss. Like Martha, say "I KNOW…" and "I believe…" (have faith in, cleave to and rely on) You, Lord Jesus!"

Day 5: John 11:28-37

          "The Lord is here and is calling for you!"  What amazing words to one who is shut up in her grief! Look back at verse 20.Maybe that is a word right now for someone reading this. "The Lord is here and calling for YOU!" Mary jumps up and runs to meet Jesus. Her first words are identical to Martha's! The sceptics have the same question in verse 37. But what a difference! Martha and Mary, despite their grief, speak out of faith and love – these others are scorning the fact that He didn't seem able to heal Lazarus before he died. It is perfectly alright to have questions for Jesus, when they come from a heart of love for Him and a need to hear Him, and to understand. Jesus knows the outcome, which He has already told Martha in v 23, and yet He weeps with those who weep, and He tenderly loves His friends.

Day 6:  John 11:38-40

            Martha, the ever practical one, objects strongly to Jesus' order to roll away the boulder. In hot countries, the stench of a dead body would be overpowering! Jesus rebukes her – "Did I not tell you …?" He has promised – He will see it through! But the boulder must be removed first. There are boulders often in our lives hiding issues and experiences of the past. Jesus asks us to roll the boulder away and give Him access into our lives, so that He might cancel out despair and death, and bring His resurrection life! One of the keys to getting rid of a boulder in our lives is forgiveness. Pastor Phil has been teaching us on the healing power of forgiving and releasing those who have harmed and hurt us. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us get rid of boulders and obey Jesus. He has promised that "if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God"!

             

Day 7:  John 11:41-46

            Jesus thanks His Father. Notice that, as with the miracle of the loaves and fishes, He thanks His Father before the miracle takes place, and He knows His Father hears Him. He has absolute confidence in Him. Can we praise God when the miracle hasn't happened yet? This is believing. Praise literally opens the gates of Heaven! Jesus SHOUTS to Lazarus to come out. He has been stone dead for 4 days! And he walks out, still wrapped in all the burial bandages! What a sight! How absolutely dumbstruck everyone must have been! Jesus has to tell them to release him! There must have been a huge amount of emotion and joy. Many joyfully put their trust in Jesus, the Son of God. Turn to God in praise, thanks and worship today, speak out your thanks for the promises you know He will fulfil for you!

Summary:  

   Jesus is our RESURRECTION and LIFE!

    When we believe in JESUS,

         walking and talking with Him, listening to Him, loving Him, receiving from Him,

putting our whole weight of trust on HIM, thanking and praising Him, 

                      speaking out His Word,

THEN He will show us God's glory – His marvelous joyful amazing salvation, healing, release and power in our lives!