Joshua 5  Transitions are a part of life.  We move.  We graduate from high school or college. We get a job or change jobs. We marry.. or we retire.  Life as we know it brings many transitions.. ready or not.  To Israel.. this going across the Jordan.. changed everything. 

Just that event.. the Lord's power displayed as the Jordan River heaped up and the Israelites crossed over caused all the "kings of the Amorites.. and the kings of the Canaaites" to despair. "their hearts melted and there was no spirit in them any longer." 

Then the Lord commanded Joshua to reestablish the covenant that He began in Abraham.. the circumcision of all the males was the sign of that covenant.  With that accomplished Joshua led the people to observe the Passover,  a vivid reminder of God's deliverance from Egypt.  The Lord said, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you."  The place was named "Gilgal" - rolling.  The past was rolled away.. transition.. to a new life.. a new beginning in a new land began that day. 

The manna ceased and the people found grain with which to make unleavened bread and "...they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan that year." 

Joshua had led the army of Israel through battles on the east side of the Jordan, but now there would be greater battles to be fought. As he explored the land near Jericho,  he looked up "and behold a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand... "  Joshua met the "Captain of the host of the Lord" that day.  He bowed down and worshipped Him.. he removed the sandals from his feet.. for the place he was standing was "holy ground".   Many believe that this captain was the Lord Jesus.. Yeshua.. met Yeshua on a patch of earth near Jericho that day.  The Captain of the Lord of hosts would lead the battles.. now Joshua was ready for what  was ahead. 

Father in heaven, we have a Captain who has won the victory already.. our Lord Jesus!  Whatever today holds.. whatever battle we face tomorrow.. You have already won.. Whatever changes come our way, You will provide as we stay in covenant with You.  You have brought us into oneness with You in Jesus and You will never cast us out.  We praise and worship You!  Thank You Lord!  Lead on O King! We desire to serve You with hearts full of love and faith. Grant us the power to keep standing firm in the Name that is above all names, the name of Jesus.  Come and fill us now O Spirit of Love. Amen. 

 Joshua 4 The Lord commanded Joshua to appoint 12 men, one from each tribe, to take 12 stones across the Jordan River and set up a pillar as a memorial. It was a sign for the future generations.. so that they would know how God led His people across the Jordan and into the promised land.  Joshua also set up 12 stones in the center of the river for the same purpose. They would be under water during the flood stage season.. but seen when the river was calmer. 

Joshua set up the 12 stones at Gilgal.  The people of Israel set up their first camp inside the promised land right there. In this place the nation would begin the conquest of the land that God was giving them.  Here, the men of Israel were circumcised and Passover was celebrated for the first time in a long time.  The manna no longer came and the people ate from the produce of Canaan. When the priests carrying the ark stepped on the shore of the Jordan in this place, all the water of the river returned to its place.

 Gilgal became a starting place for the nation of Israel and "all the peoples of the earth" would know "that the hand of the Lord is mighty".  The memorial stones were a reminder to Israel of the greatness of their God so that they would "fear the Lord [their]  God forever."

We also have a memorial to remind us of the way God has provided for our salvation. As the Passover is a reminder for the Jewish people of how God brought them out of Egypt, the Lord's Supper.. what we call communion..  is a reminder to us of how Jesus Christ brought us out of darkness and into His glorious Kingdom.. It is a reminder of His death... His body broken and His blood poured out..  as well as a reminder that He is coming again.  As the people of Israel taught their children the meaning of the 12 stones... that God brought them into the land.. we must teach our children the true meaning of communion.  It is a sacred reminder of the Lord's greatness and love.. for He gave His one and only Son.. so that we will not perish but have eternal life.  

Father in heaven, only You can hold back the waters of the seas and the rivers.. only You can move mountains and valleys..  and only You can bring us out of death and into life.  We praise Your holy Name.. Yahweh, the Great I Am.  Be exalted forever O Lord.  Thank You for loving the world and sending Jesus Christ to purchase us by His shed blood on the cross.  Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.. to receive honor and glory and power.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior.  Empower us, Holy Spirit, to love others and to remind them of all that Jesus did.  Let hearts receive the good news.. Jesus Saves!  Amen 

 Joshua 3 The day had finally come.. Joshua sent out officers through the camp to tell the people to get ready.. the Ark of the covenant would be carried out to the edge of the Jordan River by the Levitical  priests.. and the people would cross over as the waters were heaped up "a great distance away at Adam.. " 

The instructions for crossing were given:

The people needed to stay 2000 cubits away from the Ark. 

They needed to consecrate themselves the day before they left. 

The priests who carried the Ark would come to the edge of the water and then "stand still". 

Joshua spoke the Word of the Lord, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hive, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite. Behold the ark of the covenant is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan." 

The priests moved out into the waters of the Jordan. As their feet touched the water the river stopped and "rose up in one heap". 

"And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan." 

They had all heard the story of the Red Sea crossing but now they experienced this new crossing for themselves. God Himself assured them through this that they would conquer the inhabitants of the land and that the "Living God" would be with them.

The Jordan River begins at Mount Hermon and flows 70 miles into the Dead Sea.  It goes from more than a thousand feet above sea level to almost 1300 feet below sea level.  It twists and turns so much that its actual length is closer to 200 miles.  It cuts through a valley and receives many tributaries on this long journey. The land was lush and fertile along its streams. Its banks were overflowing during the time of Israel's crossing.  This is the place that the Lord chose to bring His people into the promised land.  There would be no other way that all of these people could have gotten across the river except for the Mighty Hand of God. 

Father in heaven, You are amazing and Your ways are so far above anything we could ask or imagine.  You brought Your people into the land that You had promised to Abraham all those years before. We know that You are the same God and that You are at work in this world to bring Your children into the City built without human hands. Bring us through the waters, Lord God.. that we might always know Your Presence .. the Living God is with us! Thank you for such grace and love. Lead us on, King Jesus, we will follow You. Amen. 

 Joshua 2 Rahab lived "on the wall" of Jericho.  She was known to be a "harlot" but came to be known as a woman of faith. 

Hebrews 11:31 "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace."  and James 2:25 "And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?"  

The Lord chose Rahab.. a Gentile woman.. a woman known as a harlot.. to be His.  Rahab married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz.. the grandmother of Obed.. the great grandmother of Jesse, the father of David. 

Rahab had heard about the Lord.. and she believed.  She believed that the Lord had promised the land to the Israelites.  She confessed that "the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. " She believed and staked her own life on it.  

Rahab hid the spies. She tied the scarlet cord in her window. She gathered her family into her home so that they also could be saved from the destruction to come. Rahab sent the pursuers a different way.  James tells us that these actions were the "works" that testified of her faith. 

After the overthrow of Jericho, Rahab and her family were brought out. Joshua 6:23 tells us that Rahab's mother, father, brothers, and "all her relatives" as well as all her belongings.. were rescued and taken to the  the outside of the Hebrew's camp.   But, Rahab "lived in the midst of Israel"  for the rest of her life. 

This is an incredible picture of what God does for all of us.  He calls us out of darkness into light. He doesn't hold our pasts against us.  When we believe that God Is.. . that He is good, that He forgives.. and that He can use us if we act in faith.. He will save us from destruction.. and.. praise the Lord.. He will save those that we bring with us into that faith. 

Father in heaven, thank You for this lesson.. this picture of Your great love and mercy.  May we have faith like Rahab in Who You are.. and may we act in faith in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. Help us to share the love and mercy found in Jesus Christ the Savior with our families and others so that they can also be rescued from sin and shame.  Let the Light of the Lord shine through us who believe today. Spirit of Love, flood our hearts with the Love of God towards a world that needs salvation. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Joshua 1 Joshua was appointed leader of Israel after the death of Moses.  He was properly prepared for this position as he served Moses for those 40 years in the wilderness.  Born in Egypt, Joshua would have memories of slavery.. of the exodus.. and of the many wonders that God worked on their behalf.  He was also privileged to be a witness of God's presence on the mountain when the Law was given to Moses.. as well as in the tabernacle when Moses met with God.  Joshua was the right man for the job of taking the people Israel across the Jordan to conquer the promised land according to God's Word. 

The Lord spoke to Joshua with great promises.. all of which he received by faith.  Yet.. three times in this first chapter he is reminded.. "Be strong and courageous.. "  It was not going to be a walk in the park! This task that Joshua was assigned would be challenging on both sides.. against the enemy.. as well as dealing with his own people. These promises from God would be his foundation and strength. 

As God laid out the assignment, the first promise given was, " Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." 

God promised Joshua that He would not fail him.. think of that.  We know that we often fail the Lord, but the God of Israel pledged to not fail Joshua.  He never fails.  He doesn't abandon us.. He doesn't let go of us.. He doesn't drop us. He is not negligent, not slack, not feeble, and certainly not weak. Within His grasp we then can also be... "strong and courageous"! 

The one thing that the Lord required of Joshua and now requires of us is to  "Be careful to do according to all the law..  do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.. "    Knowing, meditating, and doing the Word of God is the only way for us to live successfully before the Lord. He is not talking about material success or the success of the world.. so let us not use this as a formula for that.  He is talking about success in doing what God has commanded you to do. He is talking about the success of living in obedience.. living in the power of God's Spirit.. living in strong, obedient, and courageous faith.. wherever we go. 

Father in heaven, You are great and glorious. You are faithful to us and Your promises are true.. You will not fail.  You are on our side and You have a plan for us.  We must have strength and courage to live in complete surrender and obedience to Your Word, so that we can be successful in this life that You have granted us. Hold us close to Your heart, Father, and fill us with Your Spirit so that we can be successful in a life of obedience to the command of Christ.. to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love others as You have loved us.  Have Your way in us today we pray.. in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen. 

John 21  John said that this was the third time that Jesus "manifested" Himself to the disciples.  According to verse 2 there were 7 of them present in Galilee at the lake.  Peter decided to go fishing and took the others with him in the little boat where they fished all night and caught nothing. It was in the early morning that Jesus appeared on the beach and called out to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?"   Sadly, they said "No".  

When Jesus told them to cast the net again on the "right" side of the boat they obeyed and instantly took in a haul of 153 big fish.  What a reminder!  Jesus had told them before that without Him they could do nothing... they were meant to catch more than fish. Jesus had made them fishers of men.. not just fish.  When John realized that it was Jesus on the shore, Peter jumped into the water to go to Him. The rest of the men brought the net full of fish onto the shore.  Although Jesus already had fish cooking on the fire He asked them to bring some that they had just caught.  Peter went back and helped haul in the rest of the fish. 

Jesus served the men some fish and some bread. Then He spoke with Peter what was on His heart. "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"  Three times He asks Peter to confess his love for Jesus.  Three times Peter says, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."  Three times Jesus gives Peter a commission : "Tend to My lambs.. Shepherd My sheep... Tend My sheep."   Peter was given the job of a Shepherd.. to feed the lambs... the young believers; to tend to and cherish the flock.. to serve those who belonged to Jesus.. to take the church forward caring for their spiritual welfare.. to keep them in the green pastures that God would provide. 

Peter would one day be led to a cross.  Jesus told him that morning on the beach.. but it would be when he had grown old.  Peter had nothing to fear and everything to live for.. Jesus had not left him, but entrusted him with His sheep. What assurance that must have been!  John, on the other hand, had a different path to follow.. it would not be the same as Peter's except for the fact that they would both be following Jesus.

Once again, John assures his readers that he saw and wrote all these things.. and that his witness is true. 

Father, lead us to follow Jesus.. in the path that He has for us. Whatever it is that You will for each of us.. may we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint! Thank You for the testimony of John and the others. For the Word of life that You gave to us through Jesus Christ, the Living Word who was with You, Who came to live among us in the flesh, and Who is now sitting at Your right hand. We will see You one day soon. How we long for that glorious day!  Yet, we long for those who are still lost in their sin and rebellion and pray that You would still be patient for their sakes.. turn their hearts to the Truth, Lord God, for we ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 John 20 John tells us that it was Mary Magdalene who first found the empty tomb.  She ran to Peter and John and told them what she had seen.  Peter and John wasted no time running to the tomb.  John was faster but it was Peter who went in. They saw the linen wrappings and the face-cloth laying there.  John writes that "he saw and believed." 

They still  "did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.."  It was not until that evening that Jesus entered the room where the disciples were meeting. They were locked in.. frozen in fear.. still not quite believing.. until Jesus stood in front of them and said, "Peace be with you."  It was a week later that Jesus returned to the room. Thomas had missed the first appearance.. but Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said.. "Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it in My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing." 

That was all Thomas needed to hear.  He recognized Jesus, "My Lord and my God."  Thomas needed to see to believe.  Yet, he was not the only one who needed to see.  John believed when he saw there grave clothes in the empty tomb.  The other disciples believed when Jesus entered the room the first time.  We would like to see too.. we often pray for our eyes to be opened. We long for the day when we will be face to face with our Savior and Lord. But.. we must not forget the Lord's precious words to Thomas.. "Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." 

John reminds his readers of the reason he wrote all of this, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name." 

From his first words of this book, John has carefully told what he witnessed, what he learned, and what he believed. The life that he received from believing in Jesus is the life he wanted to tell others about so that they also could have true life.  It is all in Jesus..who in the beginning was with God.. Who was God.  "All things came into being by Him.. In Him was life and the life was the light of men." The Word.. Jesus Christ .. became flesh and came to live with men.. and they saw His glory; "the glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."  This is what John saw that day when Jesus entered the locked room.  And he greatly rejoiced.. for the rest of his life. 

Father in heaven, how thankful we are for the witness and testimony of those who walked with Jesus.. They believed even when they didn't understand. They believed even more when they saw the risen Savior and heard His voice. When they received the Holy Spirit they were able to remember and write about the things that they saw and experienced. Someday, we will hear about all the rest of the things that John and the others couldn't fit into their books. Yet, we know that what is written is enough.. enough for us to believe that Jesus is the Christ.. that He came into this world according to Your will.. that He died on that cross so that our sins could be forgiven forever.. covered by the sacrifice of His broken body and shed blood. Yes, we believe even though we have not seen.. but we believe that one day soon we will see the fulness of His glory!  Praise the Lord, O my soul! That day may be soon!  Let us be ready. Let hearts and lives trust in the saving blood of Jesus Christ so that many more will find salvation before that last day. We ask this in the powerful Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 John 19:23-30   

The soldiers cast lots for His clothing.

He commissioned John to care for His mother. 

 Then He knew.. "that all things had already been accomplished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled."

He said, "I am thirsty".. took some sour wine,  said, "It is finished."  and then "bowed His head and gave up His spirit." 

v31-42

His side was pierced. 

His body was taken down from the cross. 

Joseph and Nicodemus took away His body and placed it into  "a new tomb". 

John testifies that he saw all of this with his own eyes.  He knew it to be true. 

John wrote everything in this book so that the Word would be made known to everyone who would seek the Lord.  I imagine that when it came to this chapter he wanted to make sure that Jesus would be honored.. but that he couldn't wait to get to the the next event!  I always find it hard to stop at the crucifixion and not rush into the resurrection story.  But.. I will stop here for today.  I want to meditate on this.. Jesus knew that everything had been fulfilled.. every prophecy.. every Word of the Father was spoken.. . every action that the Father asked of Him was completed. 

"It is finished"!  Hallelujah! Jesus paid it all.. all to Him we owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, but Jesus made it white as snow! Let us think on this wonderful Savior. Amen. 

 John 18:12-40; 19:1-22 

 The long night began in the garden.. Next, Jesus was taken before Annas and then Caiaphas. Finally He was brought before Pilate.  Through this study of the book of John we have been reminded many times that Jesus, the Living Word, only spoke that which came from the Father.  His Words and His actions have been given so that the Father is revealed.  When Jesus was questioned by the priests He testified that He had always spoken publicly and appropriately.. " I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret."  Jesus never tried to hide His message.. that would have been the opposite of His purpose.. for God sent Him to give the good news of the Kingdom. 

Before Pilate, Jesus continued to speak truth... " My  kingdom is not of this world.. not of this realm.. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness of the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." ( verses 36, 37)

Pilate's question is very important.. "What is truth?" It is a question that we each must answer.  Do we believe the witness of Jesus? Do we believe that the Word of God is the Truth?"  

We do not know what Pilate really believed. But, he did make an effort to release Jesus. He didn't want to crucify Jesus. And, even when he finally gave into the cries of the Jews, he insisted on that the sign say "Jesus, the Nazarene, The King of the Jews." 

Father in heaven, we bow before You and worship.  You sent Your son to reveal the Truth.. to reveal Your Kingdom, Your love, and the greatness of Your grace.  We desire to hear the voice of Truth, being filled by the Holy Spirit so that we can draw on the words and life that Jesus gives. Let us hear His voice today we pray. Draw us close. In the Name of the Lamb of God, slain for us, we pray. Amen. 

 John 18:1-11  John doesn't tell about the prayers that Jesus offered in the garden... but goes directly to the confrontation between Jesus and the Roman cohort.   Judas had brought them into the garden.. with their lanterns and torches and weapons.  John does not tell about the kiss of betrayal.  He records what Jesus says.. " Whom do you seek?" 

They were seeking "Jesus the Nazarene".  They didn't even know what He looked like! When He said, "I am He"  it took them by surprise.. so much so that they all fell to the ground. Then again Jesus asked them who they were looking for and again they said "Jesus the Nazarene."  Once again He identified Himself, "I am He..."  He then asked them to let the others go. 

But.. dear Peter.. takes his sword and swings it at a slave. Malchus suffered the loss of his ear... The soldiers suffered nothing.  Judas suffered nothing.  It had no effect on the situation. The other gospels tell us that Jesus touched the slave's ear and healed him. John just tells us what Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"

Peter wanted to be the rescuer.. He wanted to do something to change the outcome of that night.  He didn't want to be the one to desert Jesus.. to deny Jesus... or to fail Jesus.  But.. his efforts were useless against the Roman cohort.  His will was not the Father's will.  Jesus loved Peter greatly.  He knew Peter did not understand what was about to happen. But.. He also knew that Peter needed to go through this trial so that he would eventually be the man that God would make him to be. When the Holy Spirit came upon Peter on the day of Pentecost, Peter was ready to be the instrument of God's Hand.  He had been refined and tested.. and prepared for the role that God chose him for.  Not a savior with a sword.. but a preacher with the Word. 

Father in heaven, may we learn the things that You want to teach us.. those things that we need to lay at Your feet and surrender fully so that Your will is done and not our own. Open our ears to hear and our eyes to see.  Let Jesus be glorified in our lives...  in our words and in our actions.  Let the love of Christ fill us and overflow into a world that needs to hear about Jesus, the One true Savior who drank the cup that You gave Him so that we might find eternal life. Thank You for such a Savior as this. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. Let Your Name be honored.  Let the glory of Christ be seen in us who have become united with You by faith in Him. Hallelujah and Amen. 

 John 17  This prayer is truly the Lord's prayer..  a prayer that reveals His heart for the Father and His heart for us who believe in Him. 

The first thing that Jesus prays for at this final hour is that the Father would glorify Him so that He could glorify the Father.  Jesus said in verse 4 that He glorified  the Father on the earth, "having accomplished the work which" He gave Him to do. For that glory to be made manifest to us the Father gave the Son authority over all mankind. He gave the Son the authority to give eternal life.. "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." ( v3).  This is the work that Jesus came to do and this work glorified the Father. 

This glory that Jesus desires is found in the unity that He has with the Father.. a unity that He had before "the world was".  Jesus gives this glory to all who believe on Him. It is a glory found in "oneness" with the Father and the Son.

Jesus prays for the Father to guard His disciples. He prays that the Father would "keep them from the evil one."  He prays that they might be "sanctified in truth."  He prays for all those that come to believe through the word of the disciples would also be made one with the Father and the Son.  He prayed that the message of Christ, sent from the Father, would be heard and believed.  He prayed that those who believe would be "perfected in unity".  He prayed that through those who believe that the "world" would come to know Him.. that all would know the love of the Father who sent Him. 

"O righteous Father, although the world has not known Thee, yet I have known Thee; and these have known that Thou didst send Me; and I have made Thy name known to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them and I in them." 

Father in heaven, we have come to know You through the Word.. the Living Word who became flesh and dwelt on this earth. His Words have brought us, by faith, into the blessed unity with You.  We are made new in Christ Jesus. We are Yours and You are our God and Father. Fill us with Your Spirit and keep us in that oneness of love and glory through Jesus Christ the Son.  You have given us to Him and we will not be forsaken. You are righteous and faithful always. Your compassions never fail. We give You praise and thanksgiving. May Your Name be glorified in us always we pray. Amen. 

 John 16:23-33  "And in that day you will ask Me no question."   The disciples were always full of questions.. like us.. they want to know what God's plans are.. what is really happening.. what part do we play in all of this?  Jesus gave them a promise that was beyond anything they could imagine. "Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything. He will give it to you in My name." 

Jesus has given them this promise more than once.... (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23, 26.)   Ask.. ask in My Name.. ask that the Father will be glorified in the Son; ask so the fruit will remain; ask so that your joy "may be made full"; ask because the Father loves you! 

This asking and receiving happens in the context of this "oneness" that Jesus has brought His followers into by the revelation of the Father's love.  The Father loves those who have loved the Son.. have believed that He was sent by the Father into the world.. and that He left the world to return to the Father.  We believe in the birth, the life, the death, the resurrection, and the ascension  of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to save us from sin and death.  He came because "God so loved the world".. He spoke the Words that God gave Him to speak. He did the works that God gave Him to do.  He died on a cross just as the Father had asked Him to... so that we could live. And Praise the Lord... He rose again from the grave so that we can also have eternal Life.. with Him in heaven. 

Ask of the Father.. Jesus tells us. Ask, seek, and knock.  The Father hears us and He loves us.  We are included in His inner circle.. because of Jesus. Hallelujah! What a Savior. 

Father in heaven, we ask that Your Name would be glorified and hallowed.  We ask that Your Kingdom would come. We ask that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We ask that we would be fruitful branches staying connected to the True Vine. We ask You to fill us with Your great love that we might truly love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies.  We ask that You would give us love for one another.. and love for our enemies as well. We ask all these things in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen. 

 John 16:16-22  Jesus told His disciples that the Father gives "all things" to the Son.. and the Son  gives to the Spirit.. and the Spirit would disclose it to them. This connection.. this oneness.. is what He came to provide for all who would believe. There is nothing like this outside of God.   Jesus spoke and acted only what the Father said and did.  The Spirit would remind and teach His disciples these truths. He guides us into the fulness of the Word of God.  Let us wrap our minds around this and cling to this revelation that Christ has brought to us. 

Jesus spoke again to His disciples on that fateful night.. "A little while, and you will no longer behold Me; and again a little while and you will see Me. "   It was like a riddle to the disciples.  They couldn't figure out what He was talking about. They kept trying to solve the riddle, but were truly confused.  In a few hours they would understand the first part.. for He would go to His death and be laid in a borrowed tomb.  It would be three days later before they would experience the second part of the riddle..  "your sorrow will be turned to joy"!!!! 

Jesus illustrated this change by telling how a woman has "travail" in childbirth but as soon as that baby comes, she forgets all about the anguish "for joy that a child has been born".  In the same way, they were about to go through a sorrowful time.. the anguish would be real.  ".. but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you." 

One of the most joyful times in a woman's life is when she holds her newborn child in her arms. There is nothing like that feeling.. when a new love fills your whole body, soul, and spirit with a joy like no other. This kind of joy, Jesus told His followers, would be theirs in " a little while."  Imagine the disciples in that room when Jesus appeared!  When they finally realized that He was there in their midst.. what great joy!  It is hard for me to grasp how great that must have been.  We weren't there.  But.. one day.. Jesus will return.. and we will be with Him and we will rejoice for all eternity!  Yes, we are living in a world where there is trouble and anguish, and sorrow.. but in just " a little while" we will be with Jesus!  Joy is ahead.. let us not forget it!

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name!  May Your Kingdom come.. Your will be done!  May we enter into the joy of the Lord where we will serve You, singing praises and worshipping You with every breath.  What a day that will be!  Keep our eyes on Jesus.. holding on to these truths.  Spirit of truth teach us and guide us through the Word of Christ Jesus, to the glory of the Father. Amen. 

 John 16:1-15  "These thing I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling."  Jesus and His disciples left the upper room.. but they have not gone into the garden yet.  There are things that Jesus wants to say.. things that would prepare them as best they can for what is about to happen.  

He has talked about oneness.. with the Father and with Himself. He has talked about loving one another and being hated by the world.  Jesus does not want them to "stumble"... to trip up and be trapped by the things that are coming, so He warns them ahead of time.  They will be persecuted. They will be thrown out of the synagogue.  They will be killed.  "And these things they will do because they have not known the Father, or Me."  When this happens.. "remember"..  Remember that Jesus went before us.. He suffered persecution.. He died.. but that was not the end of the story! Hallelujah!

Jesus repeated His promise to the disciples that He would send the "Helper".. the "Spirit of truth".  The disciples didn't know exactly what that meant at the time.. but they clung to that promise.  

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit who would "convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgement."  He would guide them into "all the truth".  He would hear the Word and speak the Word, disclosing to them "what is to come".   He would glorify Jesus by taking what is His.. what is the Father's  and disclose it to them. 

We also have been given the Spirit of Truth, the Helper, who comes to disclose the Word of God to us.  He is the One who convicts of sin.. so that we can turn to Jesus Christ in faith for forgiveness of all sin.  He convicts of righteousness.. "because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me."  Righteousness is found in Christ alone.. He is the Redeemer who died and rose again so that we can be declared righteous when we are in Him.  The Spirit also will convict of "judgement".  Judgement is certain.. "the ruler of this world has been judged".  There is no escaping from God's righteous judgement.. there is only one Hope.. and that is in the glorified Son of God.  The Spirit guides us into these truths. 

Father in Heaven, open our ears to hear the Truth that we might not stumble but walk in the Light of Your Spirit who brings us the Word.  When we see the events of this world and know the hatred that comes upon Your children, may we stand firm by remembering all that Jesus spoke.. may we be ready, covered by His righteousness, filled with Your Spirit, and living in the power of Your Name. Direct our hearts into the greatness of Your Love we pray.  In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 John 15:18-27   Hatred.. such a hard word.. such a sad word.. a word that comes all too easy to some, but a word that I find hard to even speak.  Jesus did not hold back as He spoke to His disciples about hatred.  These were hard truths that they needed to understand. We need to understand it too. 

Verse 18 " If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you."  The "world"  speaks of  the earth and its inhabitants .. all those who have not been chosen "out of the world".. the godless, those who hate Jesus and hate the Father. These would "hate" the disciples just like they hated Jesus. 

This hatred would result in persecution. The disciples of Jesus are pursued, mistreated, harassed, and pressed toward a different end. The world will always try to turn believers away from the Truth and back into the darkness that it dwells in.  The world, Jesus says, does not know the One who sent Him and so they will seek to destroy those who do. 

Jesus said that those who heard His words and saw His works were and are "without excuse for their sin." 

 He also told His disciples that the Holy Spirit who is "sent to your from the Father" would bear witness of Him and that they would also be His witnesses.  They would share His words and tell of His works.. they would give opportunities to others so that they might love Him and love the Father.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way we can turn from hatred to love.  When we chose to believe and follow Jesus we find life.. a life of love and oneness.  When we turn away from the truth we remain in a world that hates.. a world that brings persecution and pain... a world without love, hope, and joy that come from fellowship with God. 

Father in heaven,  live in us and fill us with Your holy love.  We, who have believed in Jesus Christ.. who confess that He came in the flesh.. that He died on a cruel cross.. and that He rose again to victory and that He now awaits the day when He will call us to be with Him.. we love You and know that You are love.  Fill us Spirit of truth and remove all hatred and unbelief.. all sin from Your people.  Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, Holy Father.  Let Your love make us complete in Christ Jesus that we might show others the greatness of Your perfect love..  we pray this in Jesus' name. . Amen. 

 John 15:12-17  "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."  Love -  is the greatest commandment.  Jesus said, - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind, This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (Matthew 22:37-39 and Deuteronomy 6:5)

Jesus gives us a deeper picture of the love that He commands us to have for one another.  It is a "greater love" than what the world knows.  This love would enable a man to "lay down his life for his friends."  This is the kind of love that Jesus loves us with, for He was willing to go to the cross.. to take on all our sins.. to die for us. This is the kind of love that He desires and commands His friends to have.  

Jesus told His disciples that they were no longer slaves.  They were free to choose to love Him and to love the Father. He had chosen them for this very reason.. to make known to them the great love of the Father  so that they could love others with this greater love.. bearing fruit to the glory of His Name. 

John wrote more about this love in his letters.. 1st John 3 is especially focused on this kind of love.. the abundant love that the Father gave to us, His children.. and the love that we bestow on others. "Little children, let us not love with word or with the tongue, but in deed and truth. " v18  

Love.. abiding love .. is the essence of our oneness with our Father and with our Lord Jesus.  "No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (1st John 4:13-14) And verse 16 "And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love and the one who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him." 

Father in heaven, we thank You that we have  come to know Your great love... love  that You have manifested in us through Jesus Christ the only begotten Son who came into this world to give us life.. to reveal Your eternal Love.. to take away all fear.. By faith we receive the perfect love that You have bestowed on us.. and by faith we choose to love like You have made us able to  love.. with all our hearts and souls and minds.  Spirit of God fill us with understanding and strength that we might truly love one another as the Father and the Son have loved us.  We ask this is the Name that is above all names, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 

 John 15:1-11  Jesus gives us one of the most powerful  illustrations of what it means to be "one" with Him and the Father.  "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser..... I am the vine, your are the branches.. " ( v1,5)

The Father in heaven.. the Creator and Mighty God who spoke all of creation into being.. Jesus calls the "vinedresser" .. the "husbandman".. a farmer.. one who tills the soil and dresses the vines.  His "work"  is  centered around His crop... cutting off fruitless branches.. and pruning those that are bearing fruit so that they bear more. 

Jesus calls Himself the "true vine".  He is the genuine vine.. the real deal.. not counterfeit, imaginary, or pretend... but the True product of God's Hands.  He is the vine.. out of Him comes everything.  He is the root and the trunk.. Without Him there would be no branches..no leaves.. and no fruit. There can be no life without Jesus. 

Jesus calls His followers "the branches".  Jesus said that only as the branches abide in the Vine can they bear any fruit. There must be a vital connection between the Vine and the branch for fruit to be produced.  If the branch is fruitless.. then it shows that there is no connection and then the Vinedresser will cut it off and throw it into the fire.  But if the branch is connected and holding fast to the Vine, it will produce fruit. Not only that but the Vinedresser will "prune" it to allow it to bear more fruit.  

Pruning means cleansing. Purging all that is impure.. removing all that is unacceptable.. all that hinders more fruit from growing.  Jesus told His disciples that they had already been made "clean" by His Words, but they needed to keep abiding in Him.. staying present in their relationship with Him.. in order to keep bearing fruit to the glory of the Father. 

Apart from Jesus, He tells us, we can do nothing.  No fruit will grow on a dead branch.  Life flows only from the True Vine.  It is in abiding.. remaining.. continuing.. being present in this relationship with Jesus that Life continues to flow into us and we bear fruit to the glory of God.  We abide by staying in the Word of God, by asking and receiving His Life in us, by keeping His commandments, and resting in His love. 

The Father cares for the Vine and the Branches with great love. Love flows from the Vine, Jesus Christ, into us.. the branches that abide in His Love.   "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."  Jesus said. 

Father in heaven, cleanse us from anything that keeps us from bearing fruit to the glory of Your Name.  Keep us abiding in the Word, continually walking in the Lord Jesus, and giving our lives to do Your will. Keep us in Your Love and in the Love of Jesus the True Vine.  Help us to know the Truth of these words with all of our hearts.  May Your Will be done in us we pray .. in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 John 14:16-31 Jesus prepared His disciples for the coming days.  He said, "And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever."  

Jesus said that the Helper is the "Spirit of truth".  He said that they "know Him"...that He abides with them and "will be in " them.   The Helper.. the Comforter will "teach" them, Jesus said,  and He will "bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." 

Jesus speaks what the Father tells Him .. and He  is telling the disciples (and us) about this wonderful  Helper.. The Spirit will show them how the Father and the Son are going to come and dwell with them.. in them and they in Him. This deep and abiding relationship is given to all who keep His commandments.. who love Him and who abide in Him. 

".. because I live, you shall live also... .I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."  Love and obedience are the foundation of this blessed Oneness.. The Spirit helps us to know this and to live in these truths.   This is how we can keep letting our hearts rest in His peace and not in our troubles.  The Father and the Son are greater than any enemy, any fear, any trouble,  and we have the Helper to remind us and teach us what we need to live in this Truth.  Hallelujah!  Amen!

 John 14:7-17  Jesus makes His most profound statement here in the upper room. "He who has seen Me has seen the Father; "  He tells His disciples that they know the Father because they know Him.  To believe that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus had been proven to them over and over by His Words and by His works.  Everything that Jesus did and said came from the Father .. so to see Jesus is the same as seeing the Father. 

Just believe it.. Jesus tells them.  Believe it and let this truth work in you.  "Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these he shall do, because I go to the Father." 

The disciples were about to find out exactly what that means.  They would "ask" in His Name and He would do what they asked and the  Father would be glorified. They would love Him and keep His commandments.  They would join the Father and the Son.. they would receive the Spirit.. and their lives would never be the same. 

Oh how we long to see the Son and the Father in this way.. in the fulness of glory and power and holiness. Thankfully... we are not "orphans" either.. we have the same Spirit that Jesus gave His disciples.. He is with us forever.  We receive Him even though the world cannot.  We can know Him and He abides with us and in us. 

Father in heaven, help me to grasp the greatness of these Words.. help us to know You.. to know Jesus.. to receive all that Your Spirit has come to reveal to us as we abide in You. May we love You and keep Your commandments, Lord Jesus.. May we do the work of the Father through Your Spirit. We are Your servants and we desire to obey and give glory to You.  Let Your will be done in us today we pray, in Your Name.. Amen. 

 John 14:1-6  "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me."  

Jesus spoke to His disciples about leaving. He sent Judas on his way to betray Him.  He told Peter that he would deny Him.. there was a lot for them to be troubled about.  

There is a lot that we get "troubled" about in this world too.  The Thayer Lexicon defines the word "trouble" as agitated, disquieted, stirred up, anxious or distressed.. or even perplexed.  Yeah, that's easy for us to relate to.  We have all been there at one time or another.  The disciples weren't ready for what was about to happen. Just like we aren't ready when our lives are upended by "trouble".  Yet, we have the same word that Jesus gave them.. "believe". 

"Believe in God, believe in Me also". 

Believe that Jesus is preparing a place for us.  Believe that He is coming again for us. Believe that He is the "way and the truth and the life."  Believe that we come to the Father through Him.  Believe... and don't let trouble  overcome the Truth. 

Easier said than done, I know.  Yet.. it is what gets us through the troubles of life We often say, " I don't know what people do without the Lord."  To be troubled and have no Savior, no hope, no comfort, no promise of a place prepared for eternity.. No wonder there is so much anxiety, depression, agitation, and distress.  

We have a God who sees us, knows us, and loves us. Are we "troubled"?   Let us hold on to the Word.. hold on to Jesus.. cling to the Truth and BELIEVE!

Father in heaven,  You are the Giver of all things!  We believe Your word and all that You have revealed to us through Jesus Christ.  Help us to believe and keep believing especially in the times of trouble.   You are our Life, our Hope, our Help, and our God who has professed everlasting Love to all who call on You.  Thank You for such grace and mercy.  Keep us in Your perfect peace. Be in us and let us be in You through Jesus our Lord and Savior.  We ask this in His Name. Amen. 

 John 13:21-38  I really don't understand the idea of "reclining at the table".      How is it that the 12 disciples and Jesus gathered around a table, reclining or leaning.. close enough that John was able to lean back onto Jesus.. yet none of them knew what Jesus said to Judas or understood why he left? 

When Jesus said  "one of you will betray Me".. all the disciples looked at one another. They had no clue.  They even wondered about themselves!  Only Judas knew that he himself was the betrayer.  He must have been shocked that Jesus knew too. 

After Judas left Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; "  The time was at hand. Judas would betray Him. Peter would deny Him.. but those things were small in comparison of what Jesus said next.. "  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved You, that you also love one another."  This love would be the proof of discipleship.  Following Jesus means to love like  Jesus.. this is the service that we render to Him that glorifies Him and glorifies the Father. 

We have known this love.  A love that glorifies Jesus and glorifies the Father.  God's people lifting us up in prayer in a time of need.  Hearts and hands reaching out to encourage and care.. We are praising God for this display of His love in our family and in our church family.. Prayers were offered on our behalf this last week.. and prayers were answered!  We have hearts overflowing with thanksgiving for what God has done for us.  We praise the Lord that this commandment to "love one another" was displayed so wonderfully and God's name was glorified. 

Thank You Father for Your faithful servants have obeyed Your command to love like Jesus.. Amen

 John 13   Jesus knew "His hour had come".  He knew His disciples.  He knew about Judas. He knew about Peter. He knew He was going back to His Father.. and knowing all of that and more.. He got up, removed His robe, took a towel, and washed the disciples' feet. 

His purpose was to be an example to those He loved. How important was this lesson.. that Jesus would take these moments during the Passover meal.. on the last evening of His life in the world?  Vital! How often do we willingly take on the role of a servant?  "If you know these things, you are blessed to do them." Jesus said.  The disciples had yet to learn this lesson.. but they would.. except for Judas.  He had already turned away and allowed Satan to fill his heart.  He would not choose servanthood.  He wanted much more for himself. 

Jesus said, "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I am there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."  (12:26)  Servants obey the voice of their Master.  A servant loves and listens and serves.  Yes, we are made the children of God through Jesus Christ.. but we are called to serve Him.  Revelation 7:15 tells us that those who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of Jesus will be "before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them."  This place of servanthood is a place of honor.. a place of shelter.. a place where there is no hunger or thirst.. a place where tears are wiped away.  

Father, we are Your servants and we come to Your throne to serve You.  We bring worship and praise to the Lamb. We give You glory and honor.  May we be good and faithful servants, loving one another, praying for one another, washing the feet of one another. ..  lifting up the Name that is above all names. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. Equip us for every good work that You have planned for us and work in us all that delights You. We are Yours and You are our God. Amen. 

 John 12:12-50  Jesus came into Jerusalem, riding on the donkey, fulfilling Scripture and receiving the worship of the multitudes who believed.. for they had seen with their own eyes Lazarus brought out of the grave.  Even foreigners .. the Greeks.. wanted to see Jesus.. the whole city was looking for Him.

John recorded the words of Jesus on this occasion.. and it is not what we would have expected if we were  part of that great multitude  singing "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel."   No.. Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." 

Jesus had one prayer, "Father glorify Thy name," (v27)    He had been talking about life and death. He knew that the people would not understand.. that many would not believe. But there was a truth that He was about to live out in front of them that they needed to learn.. "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal."  Which life do we want more?  A life of self-love.. or a life that is eternal?  A life that serves and follows Jesus?  Or a life that only serves one's self?

Jesus desired a life that would glorify the name of the Father.  He wants His followers to have this kind of life too.  He was ready to demonstrate this kind of life by being "lifted up from the earth".  This is what would bring judgement upon the world and upon the "ruler of this world".   Jesus would willingly lay down His life so that He could "draw all men" to Himself.  This is what would bring glory to the Father. 

Jesus warned His followers to "walk while you have the light'.  It is a good warning for all of us continually.. walk in the light "in order that you may become sons of light."  Walking in darkness leads us nowhere. Walking in unbelief is walking in darkness.. blinded.. hard-hearted... lost.  But.. walking in the light.. in the Words that Jesus was speaking.. the Word of the Father.. this it what brings healing and salvation.. and eternal life. 

Jesus said "I have come as light into the world that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness." (v45)  His words brought light and life.. they were exactly what the Father wants us to hear and receive and walk in. These are the wonderful words of life. 

Father, may we hear Your word, receive Your word, and believe.  This important lesson that Jesus lived out before us is what we want to live by.. to choose Jesus.. to walk in His Light.. to glorify Your Name.. a life willingly laid down at Your feet.. surrendered to You..  Help us to fully understand what You desire of us.. hating our life in the world.. loving Jesus more than our own life.. so that Your name is glorified in us as it was in the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.  We can do nothing on our own Lord, so we seek Your Spirit to fill us with faith and love.. that the life of Jesus be in us and we in Him. Amen. 

 John 12:1-19  Six days.. Passover was coming.. His days were numbered. Jesus and His disciples went back to Bethany, to Lazarus's house. 

 Martha was serving. 

Lazarus was sitting at the table.  

Mary was worshipping... she took the costly nard  and "anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair."  

Judas complained.. even as he was "intending to betray Him."  

The multitude gathered..

... and the Pharisees plotted. 

The scene is set. We can picture that moment.. bring it to our minds and pause it for just a second.. knowing what lies ahead, but waiting to grab on to what Jesus is doing..

He receives both the service and the worship.. 

He celebrates His friends. 

He defends the actions of Mary. 

He rebukes Judas.. gently. 

He tells them that He will not always be with them.. that this is the way He is being prepared for His burial. 

Where would I be in this picture if I could be there?  Would I be in the background, serving a meal?  Would I have the courage to bring the expensive perfume and wash His feet with my hair?  Would I complain about the waste of money?  Or would I simply stay silent and watch the events happening before my eyes? 

Where would you be?

Father in heaven,  I want to be at the feet of Jesus.. giving all I have.. worshipping and anointing Him with oil. Yet.. I don't know if I would have been so brave.. so completely surrendered. Make me over.. transform me.. lead me..Spirit of God fill me today I pray. Jesus is all and is in all.  Let my life be Yours I pray, Amen. 

 John 11 When Lazarus became ill his sisters sent for Jesus, "Lord, behold he whom you love is sick."  They expected Jesus to come immediately.. or just say the word and Lazarus would be well.  They believed. They trusted. They prayed.  But.. Jesus did not come and Lazarus died.  They buried him.. they mourned him.. their lives would never be the same.  And still, Jesus did not come. 

For four long days, the sisters waited. 

Jesus had a different plan for Lazarus and for his sisters.  He knew that Lazarus would die.. but He knew that He was about to do something wonderful.. He would go and call Lazarus back to life.  He told His disciples.. " Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there so that you may believe; but let us go to him."  To Thomas, this was a call to their own deaths. But.. they chose to follow Jesus even then. They were learning that even death and life were in His Hands. 

Martha met Jesus on the way into town. She did not stop trusting Him.  But, she did not know what He could do.. Lazarus was dead and his body was decaying after 4 days in the tomb. She was willing to wait until the resurrection to see her brother again. But.. her heart was broken that Jesus had not come and healed Lazarus before it was too late.  Mary felt the same. Their tears were genuine and it broke His heart too... even knowing what He was about to do. 

When Jesus told them to open the tomb, they hesitated.  Jesus told them to just believe. ".. if you believe, you will see the glory of God."  And so they did.  Jesus spoke and Lazarus came out of the tomb. 

Many saw this miracle and believed.  The chief priests and Pharisees saw and plotted His death.  One cannot be any blinder.. to see God glorified in a resurrected life and still not give Him glory. 

Father in heaven, You are the giver of Life and the authority over death.  There is nothing that is out of Your control.  No sickness, no grief, no pain, and not even death can overcome.. You are Sovereign and You are glorified!  Lord God, You see the hurting, the sorrowful, the helpless and the hopeless in our world.. and You know our grief.  The tears of Jesus are genuine.. flowing down along with  our own when sorrow overflows.. but You have promised to wipe away every tear and we long for that glorious day!  Hold us close to Your heart, Father. May the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus fill our hearts and lives today we pray. Thank You. amen. 

 John 10:30 -42   Jesus said, " I and the Father are one."  The Jews really didn't like this and took up stones to throw at Him.  They considered Him a blasphemer, claiming to be God..   Yet, Jesus pointed them back to the Scripture.. to Psalm 82 where it said, "I said, you are gods.. " 

The psalmist was talking about the people of God, men who were set apart to serve Him as judges and rulers.. given divine authority to carry out the judgements of God.  They were supposed to  "vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.. "  But, they failed at doing the work of God.. the work of the "sons of the Most High.." 

Jesus said to the Jews, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?"  (v32)  He was doing what the "sons of God" were meant to do.  He was sent by the Father for this purpose.. "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father. " 

Jesus did the works of the Father.. those spoken about in Psalm 82.. those things that the rulers failed to do. The rulers of the Jews in His time were failing to judge justly.. they were failing to do the work of the Father too.. just like in the times of the Psalmist.  The proof of Jesus' statement, "I and the Father are One" is found in the "works of the Father" .. those very works that the "sons of God" were supposed to do..  He did. 

Jesus vindicated, or defended, the poor and fatherless. He showed justice to the poor and needy.  He delivered them from evil  and helped the helpless.  He was sent from the Father to do the work of the Father.. and He did it in complete unity with the Father.  

Though the Jewish leaders wanted to stone Him.  Others recognized the truth and followed Him.  "And many believed in Him there." 

Father in heaven, thank You for showing us Your works through the Life of Your Son, Jesus.  These are the precious works of God that are most glorious.. justice and mercy.. deliverance and help.. abundant lovingkindness..forgiveness and restoration.  We give You thanksgiving and worship.  You alone are God and Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son who has made a way that we might also be Your sons and daughters.. sanctified to do Your works among those around us.  Surround us and fill us Spirit of God that we might be faithful to do the Father's work today. We ask this in the Name of Jesus our King. Amen.

 John 10:1-30

  Jesus told a parable about sheep. There are two characters.. actually three.. that we need to recognize in this story...  First there is the doorkeeper.  He is the one who opens the gate for the shepherd.  Secondly, there is the shepherd. The shepherd goes to the doorkeeper and the door is opened. The shepherd calls his sheep and they follow him, knowing His voice. Thirdly, there is the stranger. the thief, the robber.. the one who comes to "steal and kill, and destroy." 

Jesus calls Himself the "good shepherd".  He also calls Himself "the door".   He came to give life to His sheep. He came to lay down His own life for His sheep.  Jesus tells us that He knows His sheep.. and that they know Him.  It is a relationship founded in the Father, Who loves the Son.. who gave the Son authority to lay His life down and to take it up again.. on behalf of the sheep. Jesus.. promises to bring "other sheep" to join His flock.. His flock will be all those who hear His voice and follow Him.  He knows His sheep, He tells us.. for the Father has given them to Him and "no one shall snatch them out of My hand."  -  the thief and robber cannot snatch those who belong to the Father for the Father is" greater than all".

To belong to the Father and to the Son is to have abundant life.. eternal life.. to be His sheep.. is the gift to all who will believe.  The Jews would not believe and Jesus told them that because they would not believe the witness of the works that He did in the Father's name.. they were not His sheep.  Those who don't hear His voice and follow Him.. those are the ones He does not know. They are the ones who will perish.. who will be snatched out of His hands... out of the Father's hand.. stolen by the great thief. 

Father, we pray to You.. to bring more sheep into the flock of Jesus Christ. More to hear His voice and follow Him.. more to believe so that they might not perish but have eternal life in Jesus.  Our hearts break to see so many who refuse to believe..who refuse the Truth. Oh Father of mercy and grace.. let Your Light shine through us, Your children, so that others might turn from unbelief and find life in Christ our Good Shepherd.. the only One to lead us to salvation .. Thank You for patiently waiting , for hearing our prayers. and for bringing others into the flock.. into the family of Heaven.  Amen. 

 John 9  It is interesting that John gives us a whole chapter about this amazing miracle.. and none of the other gospels cover it at all.   "And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth." 

We learn from this passage that this was not an ordinary blind beggar.  He was able to converse with the Pharisees clearly and boldly as they questioned him. He was kicked out of the synagogue without concern and worshipped Jesus joyfully.  The Words of Jesus had changed everything in his life. 

It was the disciples that thought the blind man was being punished for either his own sin or his parent's sins and that was why he was blind.  Jesus said, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him." 

Imagine being that young man. Perhaps all of his life he had felt the shame of his blindness. Perhaps he had known anger that this was his lot in life.. maybe even blaming his parents or himself.  The lies of Satan often cause us to blame sickness and disability on God.. it is not so!  No matter what situation we find ourselves in.. Jesus is ready to display the "works of God" in us.  It does not always mean we will be completely healed.. but it does mean that God can be glorified in every one of us when we open ourselves to His work. Father, do Your work in us today!

 Jesus took some dust from the ground, spit on it, and made it into clay.  Just as Adam was formed by the Lord's Hand in Eden, Jesus formed this clay and applied it to the eyes that had never seen. "Go wash in the pool of Siloam." He told the man.  He went, washed, and "came back seeing." !   Ever wonder how he knew where to go and how to get back?  This was an unusual man in many ways. 

We are never told his name, but his testimony is so powerful.. 

"The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed by eyes.. so I went away and washed, and I received sight." (v11)  he tells his neighbors. 

".. one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see." (v25)  he tells the Pharisees. 

" Lord, I believe." (v38)  he tells Jesus. 

He understood the Truth.  He believed the Truth. He chose to abide in that Truth.. a life changed by the Light of the world. 

The Pharisees wondered.. for a minute.. if they were blind. "We are not blind too, are we?" they asked Jesus.  If only they could have confessed the truth.  If only they would have received Him.  They would be able to see.. they would have no longer remained in their sin. 

Jesus said, " We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming when no man can work. While I am in the world I am the light of the world. " (v5)  His work is to open blind eyes. To bring light.. to give life.  His Words are life changing, light bringing, earth shaking.  We have those words to share with others.. Lord, help us to be faithful to share this with those still lost in the darkness. 

Father, we willing choose to abide in the Word.. in Jesus Christ.. Whom You sent to bring us Life.  Be glorified in us.. we are the work of Your hands. Amen. 

 John 8:31-59 "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." 

The key to everything.. to all Truth.. to all Life.. to all that is of God.. is the Word.  The Logos - the living voice.. the essential Word.. The Word who" became flesh and dwelt among us"  Jesus instructs us to "abide" in His Word.. abide in Him.. remain in Him, continually,  for in Him is true freedom. 

The Jews didn't even want to admit that they were not free!  They were living under the authority of the Romans.. they had been slaves for 400 years in Egypt..  They had been taken captive by Babylon.. and worst of all they were slaves to sin.  They lied straight into the face of Truth.. and lied to their own selves. Satan, the father of lies had them so blinded that they could not see the Truth, nor could they hear the Words of Jesus. Our world is much the same today.. who today would confess that they are slaves and not free?  America the land of the free and the home of the brave?  huh.  See the faces of those addicted to drugs..immorality.. money.. fame.. Will they admit that they are slaves and not free?  O Lord, help us! Open the blind eyes and the deaf ears!

Jesus said that they were not of God. That is why they could not hear or understand Him. There was only one hope for them.. they must come to know the One who alone knows the Father.  Not Abraham, not Moses, not the prophets.. only Jesus! 

"If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me."  Jesus was sent by the Father.. to honor the Father.. to speak the Words of the Father.. to do the work of the Father.. to be glorified by the Father.  He came to bring Truth, to set us free from sin and death, to fulfill the Father's will. 

This is the Word we abide in.. the word that makes us true disciples. The Word that is Life.. 

Father in heaven, once again I'm brought before this amazing Truth.. that You sent Your only Begotten Son so that we can believe on Him and be saved.. eternally alive with You.. I am  overwhelmed by the height and depth and width and breadth of Your great love for even me.  I will. I want to.. . I determine to .. abide in Your Word.. in Jesus Christ.. the Truth.. the One who has set me free from sin and death.. All glory and honor to Jesus Christ and to our Mighty God and Father forever and ever. Amen 

 John 8:12-30  Jesus tells them.. and us.. Who He really is. He speaks only what the Father has told Him to speak.. He acts according to what the Father has done.  The statements He makes in this passage are truth.. a foundation for our faith in Him.

 "I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (v12) 

 Light and darkness.. from the beginning this has been the work of God. Light is not produced by man's efforts.. it is from above.. from the Word of God.. spoken into being.  Jesus came from God and went back to God.. He was not on His own.. but sent from the Father.  The Father testified.. bore witness of Jesus.. by His Spirit upon Him.. by His Word spoken to them.  Jesus said that if they knew the Father they would also know Him.  But.. if they refused to listen to Him they were refusing the testimony of God the Father too. 

This is Truth that we need to hear.. really hear!  The unbeliever will "die in [his] sin".  There is not a clearer statement. An unbeliever cannot go where Jesus has gone. An unbeliever does not know God... and he does not know Jesus. This is darkness. 

Jesus spoke the Truth. He spoke what the Father wanted Him to say.  The Father sent Him to say these things so that people would believe and be saved.  "Abide in MY word.. "  He tells them.  Abide in Truth spoken by Jesus Christ and find life. Find freedom. Find the Father. 

This is my prayer, Father in heaven,  to know You, to abide in Jesus, and to follow Him always. Let the Light of Jesus Christ be my abiding place I pray.. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

John 8:1-11   Jesus spent the night on the Mount of Olives and went back to the temple early the next morning.  People began gathering to hear Him and He sat down to teach.  It is at that time that the scribes and Pharisees brought the "woman taken in adultery".  They claimed to catch her "in the very act"!  Amazingly they did not catch the man involved "in the very act"!

Their plan was to test Jesus. To "catch"  Jesus in the act of breaking the commandment of Moses.  Isn't it interesting that they credited Moses with making that Law and forgot that it was actually God Who gave the commandments.  They wanted the woman to be stoned.  Perhaps they wanted Jesus to throw the first one.  Instead, He stooped down and wrote something in the dirt on the ground.  When they continued to ask Him what He had to say.. He spoke, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 

Only Jesus was "without sin".. only He had the authority to judge her.  These self-righteous men recognized their own guilt in that moment. The power of Jesus' words pierced their hearts.  Everyone left.. one by one.. until only Jesus and the woman were left.  Jesus remained stooped over and writing on the ground until they had all departed from His Presence.  

When Jesus straightened up again He saw the woman still standing there.. all alone.  His words were for her.. "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"   She answered, "No one, Lord."  KJV says  "No man."  Not even one. none. nobody.. nothing.  She calls Him "Lord".. recognizing His authority, submitting to His supremacy.. she recognized that, even though no man condemned her, Jesus still could.  But.. He did not.. "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on, sin no more." 

This is one of the most powerful, personal, and precious displays of God's mercy found in the Word.  Remember John's premise in writing this account is to reveal that Jesus spoke only what His Father told Him to say and to do only what the Father does..  Jesus perfectly displayed the mercy and grace of our Father in heaven.. He reveals our sins. He chooses not to condemn us, but to forgive us, cleanse us, and lead us out of sin and into His righteousness.   His lovingkindness never fails.  Psalm 136 reminds us 26 times.. in every verse.. this truth.."For His lovingkindness is everlasting"! 

"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." (v26) Amen!

 John 7  There was so much controversy and confusion over Jesus during this time.  It was the Feast of Booths.  It was a time to celebrate the harvest.. a time of rejoicing and feasting.. a time of worshiping the King.  Jesus' brothers challenged Him to go to Jerusalem and let everyone see Him.  They  did not believe in Him.  Jesus sent them away on their own.  He went up later in private but eventually ended up teaching in the temple. 

Some people questioned Jesus. Some accused Him of having a demon.  Some argued with Him and some called Him good. 

Meanwhile,  Jesus just kept on proclaiming the Words of His Father. 

He testified of the evil deeds of the world. 

He sought to give glory to the Father. 

He exhorted them to judge with "righteous judgement" not "according to appearance.

He testified that He was sent by the Father. 

He told them that He was going to leave and wouldn't be seen by them because they could not go where He was going. 

He offered them, once again, living water. 

He left them in their division and confusion. Each to make the choice for themselves.. to believe or to reject His Words. 

We live in a world that is in the same state of confusion, division and controversy.  We have been offered  the Word of Life.. and the Living Water.. and we have to make the same choice that those before us had to make... will we believe in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.. or will we turn away.. never able to go where Jesus has gone?  

Jesus says that if we seek Him we will find Him. If we believe we will have Life.  If we trust in Him we will be held in His Hands and He will never cast us away.  The Father has set this course for mankind.  He sent Jesus for this purpose and given us the opportunity to find salvation through Christ.  If.. we will believe. 

But, if we refuse. If we let our hearts stay hard and broken. If we stay in our sin and confusion.. we will never see Him for we cannot go where He is. Not everyone will go to heaven.  Death will come to everyone.  The choice has to be made now. Tomorrow may be too late. 

Father in heaven, You are Holy and good. You offered up Your Son so that we might believe on Him and receive eternal life.  Thank You. Give us faith that is living and growing by Your grace and power. Help us to love as You have loved us.  Help us to walk in the Truth.  Help us to worship and celebrate every day the blessings that You have provided. Remove any confusion and cleanse us from all evil we pray. In Jesus'  name we come. amen

 John 6:41-71  Jesus has two answers for those who were grumbling because He said He had come from heaven.. 

First, " No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day." (v44)  and again in v65 "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father." 

Everything begins and ends with God.  He created everything and He is control of everything.  It is by His grace that Jesus was sent into the world to be the "bread of life."  It is the Father who opens our eyes to see and our ears to hear.. that we might come to Jesus and believe and receive Life. It is the Father that offers this precious Sacrifice.. flesh and blood.. given so that we might have eternal life.  If we don't believe the Father.. we cannot know the Son. 

Secondly, Jesus continues to use this illustration of eating bread and drinking blood to reveal the most vital truth.. His Life is the only food that feeds the spirit.  He invites us to consume Him.  He is the source of life and unless we partake of His sacrifice.. His body.. His blood.. we "have no life" in us. 

Jesus says that His words are "spirit and are life".  When others moved away from Jesus because these words "hard".. the disciples chosen by Jesus chose to stay. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." (v68)   They believed.  All except Judas.. for even though he stayed.. he was not granted life from the Father. 

These are hard words. They challenge our understanding.  We want faith to be as simple as just saying, "Jesus come into my heart.".  And, in some ways it is.. but, here we are faced with knowing that the Father doesn't always grant that "drawing" of people to Jesus.  Some people, like Judas, have the same opportunity to believe, but don't.  Some people, whom we pray for.. don't come to faith... ever.  It breaks our hearts. I have asked that question, "Why, Lord?"  But, even when we don't understand we still believe.. for there is no other way.. and we can trust Him still. 

It is hard to understand how.. how do we eat His flesh and drink His blood?  How do we go that far?  What does that mean, really?  We need the Spirit of God to give us the life of Jesus. We need the Father to draw us to Jesus.  We need the body and blood of Jesus to abide in Him and He in us.  

Father in heaven, holy and mighty God, grant us wisdom to comprehend Your Word and to go deeper with Jesus by the work of Your holy Spirit in us. You have given us Words of Eternal Life.  Fill us now with Your Presence.  We need You, Lord. Thank You for hearing our prayers.  May Your will be done in us this day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 John 6:30-40   Jesus told the people to stop working just for food for their bodies but to do the work of God -  get  food for their souls.. spiritual food.. "believe in Him whom He has sent." 

The same people who ate the multiplied loaves and fishes.. now wanted a "sign"?  Another "work"? Did they want manna?   Though their ancestors ate it and still failed to obey God's Word..did they think they needed to see it for themselves.?

Jesus told them that there was something better than manna.. it was "true bread out of heaven".. Himself. 

"I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."   He is the One who came down out of heaven to give life to the world. He is the One they must believe in so that they could have eternal life.  This "is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." 

 Jesus said,  "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who come to Me I will certainly not cast out..  ( v37)"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day."  (39)    What wonderful promises.. the Father gives us to Jesus and Jesus receives us who believe in Him.  He is the One who will raise us up.. from death to life.. from darkness to light.. from destruction to salvation!   He will not let us go.. He is able to do all that the Father wills.. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Thank You Father for bringing us into Your Kingdom through Your grace as we come to Jesus and find true Life.  Help us to believe and obey Your Word, wholly and completely surrendered to You.  May we continually find life in the Bread of Heaven.. who promised that He would never cast us out.  We hold on to these promises as we pray that our faith will grow stronger, deeper, and never falter.. for Christ is our Lord forever by Your great mercy and love. Thank You. amen. 

 John 6:15-29   Jesus sent the multitude away and then He sent His disciples away, while He went up to the mountain by Himself.  He knew that the people wanted to force Him to become the king.. and that they wanted Him to keep on doing miraculous things to satisfy their stomachs.  His purpose was altogether different than what the people thought. 

The disciples went into their boat and began to cross the sea. They had waited for Jesus but it was getting dark .  Matthew tells us that Jesus had told them to go ahead of Him.   "And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew."   This storm came out of nowhere and was slowing them down.  Then... they saw Jesus.  They were frightened by this sight until Jesus spoke, "It is I, do not be afraid." 

John omits the story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus.  He tells only that Jesus got in the boat and they "immediately" arrived on the shore where they were headed. 

The people who had been left on the other side of the sea realized that Jesus was gone and they found some boats to take them across to Capernaum.  They found Jesus already there and couldn't figure out how He got there without them seeing.  They were confused. All they wanted was more bread and more signs.  Instead Jesus gave them spiritual instructions.. 

"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal."   What work? they asked.  "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." 

To work means to be occupied - to do-- to be engaged in..  The "work of God"  Jesus said, is believing - trusting - having faith in God and the One who He sent.  Don't be occupied with the physical things.. be occupied with the spiritual things.. this is what God requires. This is why He sent Jesus.  There is a spiritual food that is so much more vital than bread that is here today and gone tomorrow.  Jesus goes on to tell them that He is that Bread.

Father in heaven, we tend to be just as confused and mistaken as the people who were following Jesus.. who had eaten the bread until they were satisfied and wanted more of the same.  We need Jesus.. we need to eat of the spiritual Bread.  Fill us today Lord that we might walk in this Truth and live for You in all we do.. Let us do our work.. having faith in Jesus.. with all of our being. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 John 6:1-14  Keeping in mind that everything that Jesus did was according to the Father's will.. revealing the Father to His people.. this miracle gives us a greater glimpse into the greatness of God. 

Jesus takes His followers across the Sea of Galilee and into a deserted area.  He then tests Phillip by asking him where he could buy some bread.  Impossible place and an impossible amount of hungry people! Phillip recognizes the futility of the situation.  But, Andrew brings a boy with a small lunch.. 5 loaves of barley bread and 2 small fish.  This is just what Jesus would use to feed over 5000 men, plus women and children..

He took the loaves and gave thanks. He distributed the loaves to His disciples and then the fish.  Everyone ate. Everyone was satisfied. The leftovers were more than the original amount they started with... 12 baskets full. 

We depend on God's provision for our daily bread.. there is no bread without grain.. there is no grain without soil and water and sunshine.  There are no fish except that God has provided.  We are as helpless to provide food for ourselves and our families as Phillip was for the multitude.  But.. God sees our need and has provided for us.. to satisfy us.. and to even provide more than we need so that we can help others. This is the greatness of our God. 

Psalm 145: 15-16 says, " The eyes of all look to Thee, and Thou dost give them their food in due time. Thou dost open Thy hand and dost satisfy the desire of every living thing,"   Jesus did what the Father does.  It was as plain as day that He was God.. the Son who came in the flesh to show us the Father.  Yet.. they still did not understand or believe. 

Father help us to see clearly.. that we might know Your greatness and the greatness of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh that we might know You and believe. Thank You for all that You have provided, we exalt and worship You.. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

 Amen

 John 5 : 25-32  Jesus is the Word and He speaks what His Father tells Him to speak. His work was to reveal the Father.. reveal the Truth about God's Kingdom.  In this passage Jesus reveals the Truth about life and death.  His statement in verse 25 is powerful.. "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live." 

Life.. is in the Father and in the Son.  Jesus received from the Father two things.. the authority to give life and the authority to pass judgement.  There will be a time, Jesus tells us, that "all who are in the tomb shall hear His voice." (v28)  Those who believed the Word would be resurrected into Life.  Those who refused to believe and remained in their sinful state.. would be resurrected to "judgement"....  A just verdict of condemnation and punishment will be rendered. 

Once again Jesus declared, "I can do nothing on My own initiative.  As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." 

God created everything and set up His plan for all the world according to His will.  He writes the story of history.. and he determines the rules.  Life and judgment are His to give as He chooses.  He decided to give Life to those who would listen to His Word and abide in it.  He sent Jesus to reveal this absolute Truth.. From the beginning of creation to the end.. this is His will.  It is a merciful and gracious gift. It is a priceless promise from His grace and love to His creation.. mankind.   He gave Jesus to fulfill all that was needed to complete the transaction according to His own will. 

Those who refuse to hear.. refuse to believe... and refuse to surrender and obey.. will be held accountable for that decision. They will be judged by Jesus and He will render a just judgement. 

Father in heaven, You are holy, righteous, and perfect.  You are gracious and merciful, full of lovingkindness and love.  You have revealed to us the Truth. You have offered us Life.  You have told us the penalty of rejecting the Truth and the Life.  Father, there are so many who have deaf ears and blind eyes. We plead for You to send forth Your Spirit into the world, once again anointing Your church with the power and love of Jesus Christ so that more will hear and  turn from unbelief and find salvation through the Son who died for them. Let the Name of Jesus be exalted and lifted up today so that the harvest will be great to the glory and honor of Your Name. Amen 

 John 5 : 25-32  Jesus is the Word and He speaks what His Father tells Him to speak. His work was to reveal the Father.. reveal the Truth about God's Kingdom.  In this passage Jesus reveals the Truth about life and death.  His statement in verse 25 is powerful.. "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live." 

Life.. is in the Father and in the Son.  Jesus received from the Father two things.. the authority to give life and the authority to pass judgement.  There will be a time, Jesus tells us, that "all who are in the tomb shall hear His voice." (v28)  Those who believed the Word would be resurrected into Life.  Those who refused to believe and remained in their sinful state.. would be resurrected to "judgement"....  A just verdict of condemnation and punishment will be rendered. 

Once again Jesus declared, "I can do nothing on My own initiative.  As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." 

God created everything and set up His plan for all the world according to His will.  He writes the story of history.. and he determines the rules.  Life and judgment are His to give as He chooses.  He decided to give Life to those who would listen to His Word and abide in it.  He sent Jesus to reveal this absolute Truth.. From the beginning of creation to the end.. this is His will.  It is a merciful and gracious gift. It is a priceless promise from His grace and love to His creation.. mankind.   He gave Jesus to fulfill all that was needed to complete the transaction according to His own will. 

Those who refuse to hear.. refuse to believe... and refuse to surrender and obey.. will be held accountable for that decision. They will be judged by Jesus and He will render a just judgement. 

Father in heaven, You are holy, righteous, and perfect.  You are gracious and merciful, full of lovingkindness and love.  You have revealed to us the Truth. You have offered us Life.  You have told us the penalty of rejecting the Truth and the Life.  Father, there are so many who have deaf ears and blind eyes. We plead for You to send forth Your Spirit into the world, once again anointing Your church with the power and love of Jesus Christ so that more will hear and  turn from unbelief and find salvation through the Son who died for them. Let the Name of Jesus be exalted and lifted up today so that the harvest will be great to the glory and honor of Your Name. Amen 

 John 5:18-24   John wrote in Chapter 1 verse 18 "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him."  Jesus came to "explain" or "declare" .. to unfold, recount...the Father, the Holy One, the God Who sent Him. 

In these verses from chapter 5 John records the Words of Jesus that explain and declare Truths regarding His Father.   Jesus said that the "Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and greater works that these will He show Him, that you may marvel." ( v19-20)   Things like raising the dead.. like judging.. separating those condemned to those given true life. 

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His Hands.. He expects His Son to be honored because He is His Son.. To honor the Son is to honor the Father, Jesus says.  To hear and believe the Words of Jesus .. to believe the Words of the Father Who sent His Son.. is the means of eternal life.  There is no other way but God's way. 

The Jews sought to kill Jesus because He called God His Father  "making Himself equal with God."  (v18)   They didn't know the Father or honor Him and would stand in condemnation from God Himself unless they repented and believed.  Jesus explained this relationship between Himself.. the Sent One. the Son.. and the Father, revealing and declaring that this was what the Father was doing.. The Father was working and the Son was that Work.. the Word.. the Life.  The oneness of the Father and the Son is revealed here and we are given the privilege to witness the Work of the Father in the life of the Son. 

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it." (1:4-5)

Father in heaven, we give You all praise and thanksgiving for the Life we have been given through the Beloved, Only Begotten Son.  Jesus Christ is our Lord and King, sent to speak Your Words, to do Your Works, and to deliver us from death into Life eternal.  We honor the Son and we honor You, our Father and God to whom all glory and power belongs. Amen.