he took the towel

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

20181223

John 13:4-6

Joh 13:4 He was roused up from the meal, and put aside his outer clothes, took a towel, and tied it around himself.

Joh 13:5 He poured water into a receptacle and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

Joh 13:6 That was why he came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you washing my feet?”

he took the towel

Peter’s first reaction to the idea of Jesus washing his feet leaps off the page. It is like he was asleep until the moment when he realized what was going on. He pauses only to think “What is going on here?” Then he asks the question.

Behind the question may be a stubborn self reliance. This is, after all, the same bloke who jumped out of the boat to walk on the water to his master. He may have thought that if there was any cleaning needed, he could do it himself.

Or, he may have thought that he was not worthy to be helped by Jesus. Surely the right protocol is that the lesser man gets that Job. Obviously, if there is any washing to be done, Peter should grab the towel.

Either of these motivations is a possible explanation for Peter’s reaction, and he might have had both thoughts as he emerged into full consciousness. My point is that both ideas prevent people from coming to faith in Christ. Whether you think you can save yourself or you think you are not worth saving, you need to reject those thoughts, because they keep people from accepting God’s grace. Jesus took the towel.

Lord, thank you for taking the towel.

Posted in dependence upon God, grace | Tagged | Leave a comment

Exit hour

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
black and white photo of clocks

Photo by Andrey Grushnikov on Pexels.com

John 13:1-3

Joh 13:1 Before the Passover Festival, Jesus, having known that his hour came to exit from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the last.

Joh 13:2 Now when the meal was happening, the slanderer had already put it into the heart of Judas, of Simon Iscariot, to hand him over.

Joh 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God.

Exit hour

John is giving his readers a glimpse into the mind of Jesus, as he sets up the narrative for the foot-washing. Notice that twice John says that Jesus knew something. He knew who he was: the Son sent from the Father God, and that he was going back to God. But he also knew that his exit hour had come. He knew that this would be his last Passover before his crucifixion.

What would you do differently if you knew you were in your exit hour?

Lord, help us to stay focused – to make each moment count, because our time is limited.

Posted in mortality, time | Tagged | Leave a comment

judgment criteria

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
close up court courthouse hammer

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

John 12:47-50

Joh 12:47 If anyone hears my statements and doesn’t keep them, I am not judging him; because I did not come to judge the world but to rescue the world.

Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my statements has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Joh 12:49 Because I have not spoken on my own, but my Father/Sender himself has given me a command which I should say and which I should speak.

Joh 12:50 And I know that his command is permanent life. That is why I am speaking the things that I am speaking just as the Father has said to me.”

judgment criteria

The plan of God is being carried out by Jesus as he speaks the words he has heard from the Father, and submits to the cross. His mission is not judgment of others. But the gospel he preaches will be the criteria for the judgment on the last day. The same gospel which brings life to believers will be the criteria for the death penalty for unbelievers.

Sometimes it is hard to share the gospel without being judgmental toward those who are rejecting it. As Christians we do not always get it right. But we cannot stop sharing what to us is the most important news ever.

Lord, give us the wisdom to share the gospel of permanent life to those around us.

Posted in evangelism, gospel, judgment | Tagged | Leave a comment

Obeying the light

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
man kneeling in front of cross

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

John 12:44-46

Joh 12:44 Jesus screamed out, “The believer in me believes not in me, but in my sender.

Joh 12:45 And the one who experiences me experiences my sender.

Joh 12:46 I have come as light into the world, so that every believer in me would not stay in the darkness.

Obeying the light

The darkness Jesus speaks of here is the lack of awareness of the Father’s desire and plan. Jesus came to expose those things. Many claimed a special relationship with God in Jesus’ day. But only those who had a true faith in Christ were walking in his light, and thus experiencing his sender.

We who talk about the gospel make much of following Christ as a way to God. Jesus came to die for our sins, but he also came to show us a way to the Father. In fact, those two missions are parts of the same one plan. Those who trust in the cross of Jesus are also inclined to obey the teachings of Jesus. Doing so not only makes us “happy in Jesus” but gives us confidence that we will inherit the permanent life he promised.

Lord, give all of us who trust you the courage to obey you.

Posted in gospel, obedience, the cross | Tagged | Leave a comment

Cowardly attraction or steady faith

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
six woman standing and siting inside the room

Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

John 12:41-43

Joh 12:41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke about him.

Joh 12:42 At the same time, actually, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they were not admitting it, so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue.

Joh 12:43 Because they loved human glory more than the glory of God.

Cowardly attraction or steady faith

The word for “believe” (πιστεύω) is sufficiently general that it actually refers here to the cowardly attraction the crowds had to Jesus. They were not committed enough to stand up for Jesus to the peer pressure of the religious elite, who had turned against him.

Do you believe in Jesus, my friend? Don’t answer in the sanctuary of your church. Answer that question in the halls of your school, or the break table at work.

Lord, give us a strong and steady faith which affirms faith in you wherever the question is raised.

Posted in commitment, faith | Tagged | Leave a comment

unable to believe

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
alone calm faith light

Photo by Garon Piceli on Pexels.com

John 12:38-40

Joh 12:38 So that the word of the prophet Isaiah would be fulfilled, which said: “Lord, who has believed what we heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”1

Joh 12:39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah said again:

Joh 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would cure them.”2

unable to believe

The crowds had no problem believing that Jesus was a miracle worker, but they were unable to believe the gospel which he preached. John explained this by referring back to Isaiah’s words. Isaiah was able to believe because God had revealed his glory to him. What people need in order to be converted is a vision of who God is. Otherwise, they will remain blind no matter what they see. Their hearts will not soften unless exposed to the presence of God.

Lord, show us how to pray unbelievers into your presence, so that they catch a glimpse of your glory.

1Isaiah 53:1

2Isaiah 6:10; 29:10

Posted in evangelism, prayer, relationship with God, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Burning daylight

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
woman walking on grass field

Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com

John 12:35-37

Joh 12:35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you until only a brief time. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t catch up with you. The one walking in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.
Joh 12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these words, then went away and concealed himself from them.
Joh 12:37 Even though he had performed so many sign miracles in their presence, they did not believe in him.

Burning daylight

When we were hiking the Appalachian Trail, my wife and I usually woke up while it was still dark, so that we could get our breakfast, break down and pack up, and be ready at first light for the day’s hike. We understood the value of the those daylight hours. If we didn’t get up and go quickly, we would be burning daylight. We depended on our being able to see the trail clearly so that we could make progress on it.

The people in Jesus’ day stared fully into the brightness of God’s Messiah. The saw his miracles, heard his divine words, experienced his guidance. But most of them failed to commit themselves to walking according to the gospel he preached. In this passage, he warned them that he was about to go away. The light which they had taken for granted was limited, and they had failed to go in the direction he had revealed.

Get up and go, friends. We’re burning daylight.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, obedience | Tagged | Leave a comment

escape plan

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
close up of computer keyboard

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

John 12:31-34

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be expelled.

Joh 12:32 And me, when I am lifted up from the ground I will draw all people to myself.”

Joh 12:33 He said this indicating what kind of death he was about to die.

Joh 12:34 Then the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will stay permanently. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man has to be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

escape plan

The cross was an unexpected event. The people were looking for the Messiah to stay permanently. They expected someone who had the power to raise the dead to overcome death himself. And Jesus did just that. But, first, he would have to die. Because he did not have to die for his own sins, he was the only one who could die for ours. God’s gospel plan was an escape plan. But in order for believers to escape permanent death, Jesus had to forego his right to permanent life.

Lord, thank you for making our escape possible.

Posted in eternal life, gospel, the cross | Tagged | Leave a comment

Why the voice came

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
hands people woman girl

Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com

John 12:27-30

Joh 12:27 “Now my soul has been agitated. And what should I say– Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour.

Joh 12:28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from the sky: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Joh 12:29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder that happened. Others said, “An angel had spoken to him.”

Joh 12:30 Jesus answered, and this is what he said, “This voice came, not for me, but for you.

Why the voice came

Understand this – my friend. You will have times like this. You will have times of deep soul agitation, and you will long expectantly for a response from God. All you will need is assurance from your creator that he has not forgotten you, and all this trouble is somehow part of his divine plan. Jesus cried out for God to glorify himself in the mess that was his life at that time. The voice came.

The Father reassured the Son that everything was happening according to the divine plan. The same God who parted the waters in Egypt was orchestrating the terrible events that would lead him to the cross. Both events would eventually be seen to glorify God.

But notice what Jesus said after that. When the people asked about the voice, he said it came not for him, but for them. For Jesus, the prayer alone would have sufficed. The child of God does not always need an audible answer. But it does help to make the request.

Lord, give us the wisdom to seek your presence daily, and to be satisfied with your presence, even if we don’t always get the answers to our questions.

Posted in dependence upon God, guidance, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

Soul hating

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Jefferson Vann
black and white cemetery christ church

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

John 12:23-26

Joh 12:23 Jesus answers them. This is what he says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Joh 12:24 I honestly tell you, unless a kernel of wheat after falling to the ground — dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Joh 12:25 The one who highly regards his soul destroys it, and the one who hates his soul in this world will preserve it for permanent life.

Joh 12:26 If anyone manages for me, he has to follow me. Where I am, there my manager also will be. If anyone manages for me, the Father will honor him.

Soul hating

Philip had been paid a huge complement by the Greeks, who had desired an audience with Jesus. They called him ‘Lord’ (12:21). I’m thinking that Philip’s ego was being stroked there. This made Jesus’ comments here so appropriate. To highly regard one’s soul is to let superfluous acclaim go to your head, and become prideful. That will wind up destroying your soul. But to hate your soul is to remain humble no matter what others think of you. Such an attitude will wind up preserving your soul for the future permanent life.

You might notice that I did not translate ψυχή (soul) as “life” in verse 25. To do so would be to lose the distinction between it and ζωή which appears in the same verse, and is the more normally translated “life.” I also translated διακονέω as “manage” rather than the usual “serve.” John had been using the term to indicate the process of managing. If Jesus had meant to emphasize mere serving, he would have probably used δουλεύω instead (Matthew 6:24; Luke 15:29). Also, if Jesus is addressing the issue of Philip’s pride, a better word to indicate the pride of someone who “ministers” for Jesus is διακονέω.

Lord, keep us from falling for the trap of getting prideful about serving you.

Posted in discipleship, ministry, servanthood | Tagged | Leave a comment