Jesus’ provocative questions

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 18:1-27.   As the record of Jesus’ long ordeal (called his passion) begins, he challenges us all by the questions that he asks those who arrest and try him:

  1. “Whom do you seek?” (4,7).  Finding Jesus is only part of life’s quest.  Knowing who you have found is the key to spiritual success.
  2. “Shall I not drink the cup?” (11).  Without his atoning death, Jesus’ miracles and teachings would have been meaningless.
  3. “Why do you ask me?” (21).  We, who have heard Jesus’ words, should be adequate witnesses to what he has said.
  4. “Why do you strike me?”  (23).  What Jesus said is right.  If we are offended at it, it is because we are afraid of the truth.  The problem is with us. 

LORD, the trial has begun, and the accused is questioning us.  Help us to face his questions.  May we see ourselves as who we really are.  May we see Jesus as who he really is.

[For more on Jesus’ provocative questions, order Winn Collier’s book, Holy Curiosity].

Posted in atonement, Jesus Christ, truth, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

how Jesus prayed

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 17.    Jesus prayed for himself, that he would glorify his Father as much when he returned to heaven as he had while on earth.

Jesus prayed for his disciples, that they would be sanctified – set apart for and known by – the truth.

Jesus prayed for you and me, that we would be unified and so prove to the world that Jesus was really sent from the Father.

LORD, may we glorify you by being true to your word, and faithful to one another.

Posted in Bible, Jesus Christ, prayer, truth | Tagged | Leave a comment

In Jesus, we can have peace

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 16:16-33.  In these past few chapters, Jesus has been preparing his disciples – not just for the tribulation they would face at his trial and death, but for the extended period of tribulation, sorrow, weeping and lamenting the Church would face until his glorious second coming.  He warns them not to expect victory always.  But he encourages them with the reality that he has overcome the world.

There will be sickness, pain, sorrow, death, discouragement – all the things associated with Satan’s assumed victory.  But, because Jesus is alive, all these things are temporary.  The permanent victory has already been won by Christ.  In him we can have peace, even amidst the troubles because through him we will have eternal victory.

LORD, give us an eternal perspective when we face the challenges of this world’s tribulation.

Posted in conflict, encouragement, Jesus Christ, perseverance, suffering | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jesus still has many things to say

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 15:18-16:15.    Much of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in believer’s lives is warranted by this statement:  “I still have many things to say” (16:12). 

He said some of those things through the inspired Scriptures.

Believers gather regularly to hear more words from the Lord.  He prompts some believers to tell others what he has to say.  Friends encourage one another, and when they do, it is Jesus speaking those encouraging words to them and through them.

When the time is right, Jesus speaks to us.

LORD, open our ears to listen to you speaking.  Open our hearts to allow you to speak through us.

Posted in Bible, encouragement, Jesus Christ | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Jesus: the true vine

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 15:1-17.   If I wanted to talk about predestination and election, this passage provides a good proof-text.  Jesus told his disciples that they did not choose him, but he chose them (16).  If I wanted to talk about free-will, this passage would also be helpful, because it emphasizes proving one’s relationship with Christ by bearing fruit (8.).  But what does this passage teach about Jesus?

  1. He is the source of our ministry.  Our fruit is not our own work, but comes from the fact that we abide in (are attached to) him.  If there were no vine, there would be no fruit.  The most beautiful looking branch apart from (detached from) the vine is only good to fuel a fire.
  2. He is the source of our love for one another.  He commanded us to love one another as he has loved us (12) – and that love sent him to the cross.
  3. He is the source of all answered prayer.  His choice and his grace gives us the relationship with the Father that leads to answered prayer.

LORD, thank you for the awesome Vine we are attached to.  Help us to hang on!

  1.  
Posted in dependence upon God, faithfulness, Jesus Christ | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jesus left parting gifts

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 14.   In some cultures it is appropriate for someone to give gifts when they return to friends they have departed from.  In the Philippines, it is like that.  Whenever Penny and I returned from a trip to Manila or the States, our Filipino friends expected us to have a gift for them.  They called it pasalubong. 

Jesus spoke of returning to his friends – the disciples – and, by definition, us as well.  He is not content to just promise us gifts upon his return.  He does promise to prepare a place for us and bring it (the Holy City) with him when he returns.  But Jesus also gave the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to teach us and remind us of what he has taught.  He also promised answered prayer.  He has left many parting gifts.

LORD, thank you for your parting gifts, and for the promise of your return.

Posted in Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, prayer, second coming | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jesus went where no one else could go

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 13.  In this chapter, Jesus revealed to his disciples that he was going to go away – someplace his disciples would not be able to go.  He was talking about heaven.   He went to heaven at his ascension.

He was not talking about how he died.  All the disciples except John  would join him in a martyr’s death.   He was not talking about hell.  He went to Hades – the unconscious state of the dead, and was raised back to life on the third day.

But Jesus death was different.   He went to Hades – died – as a complete innocent.  His death was different because he alone – of all people – did not have to die.  All of us die because of sin.  He died because of love.  He demonstrated that love when he washed his disciples’ feet.  Because he died for us, he washed us too.

LORD, thank you for going to the cross to die for us. It was a place where no one else could go.

Posted in atonement, Jesus Christ, sleep of death | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jesus: the light we had for a little while

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 12:20-50.   All through John’s Gospel Jesus is described as a light.  In this passage, the temporary nature of that light is emphasized.  He came into a world of darkness and shone briefly.  He urged the planet to:

“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (35-36).

The light has left us, but he is returning.  He left his words – the commands and explanations in the Gospels – to give us light in this present darkness.

LORD, may we walk according to your light, and so become sons of light.

Posted in discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, truth, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

following Jesus

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 11:55-12:19.   There are many who count themselves as followers of Jesus.  The question is “Why are you following him?”

  1. Judas followed him for the occasional dip into the moneybag. Do you follow Jesus for financial gain?
  2. Mary followed Jesus because she loved him and devoted herself to him. Her love for Jesus was extravagant. 
  3. The crowd followed Jesus because they were looking for a miracle.  Would you follow Jesus if you saw no miracles?
  4. The chief priests and Pharisees pursued Jesus in order to get rid of him.  Is your Jesus tucked up inside a box for you to do with him what you will?

LORD, we choose to follow Jesus as Mary did – with a heart of extravagant worship.

Posted in discipleship, Jesus Christ, love, worship | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Jesus: the resurrection and the life

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

jesuschristJohn 11:1-54.    This magnificent story from the life of Jesus has much to teach us about reality.

  1. Death is real.  It is not some mysterious departure into another world.  Death for Lazarus was a cold, hard, unconscious sleep in the tomb.  If it were not for Jesus, he would never see life again.
  2. The resurrection is real.   When Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life, he admitted that the event (resurrection day) is a real event in history, and he revealed that he is the one who will make it happen.  Those dead who are in him he will raise (25).  Those living who are in him (at that time) will never die (26).
  3. Your choice is real.  Some turned turned to Christ when they saw him raise Lazarus (45).  Others chose to turn against him (46).  What choice have you made?

LORD, thank you for the reality of Jesus, the resurrection and the life. We choose to follow him.

Posted in discipleship, Jesus Christ, resurrection, sleep of death | Tagged | Leave a comment