Category: Lent Bible Study

In the last chapter in the Book of John, we learn about Jesus’ conversation with Peter. The other three Gospels don’t record this meeting. Personally, I really needed to hear it. Peter was very close to Jesus, yet he denied him when he was confronted by Jesus’ accusers, just as Jesus had told him he would.

Jesus had already appeared to them and told them to, “Be at peace.” This message was for all of them, but I longed to hear a more personal account between Peter and Jesus. John does not disappoint.

Seven of the disciples were together. I’m sure they were spending most of their time together after all that they had witnessed. Peter announces that he’s going fishing. The others want to go too. They were fishing at night, something that was common in their time. I would love to know what their conversation was like. These men were forever changed and would soon be the foundation of the new Christian church. What did they talk about?

Peter, James and John were fishermen, by trade when Jesus called them. Maybe they were just trying to do something that seemed normal to them. Early in the morning, Jesus was standing on the shore, (but they didn’t recognize him). He basically called out to them and asked, “Catch anything?” The told him, no. Jesus told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. They did.

The net was so full, that they couldn’t get it into the boat. John knew immediately that it was Jesus. He says, “It is the Lord.”

Peter, in true Peter fashion, puts on his outer garment, (his tunic), jumps into the water and swims to Jesus. It was about a hundred yards, the length of a football field. The other six disciples follow in the boat, towing the fish behind them, but Peter couldn’t wait. He just couldn’t get to Jesus fast enough. What would our world look like if we all sought Jesus that passionately and desperately?

Have you ever felt a deep need for Jesus? Peter did. When they arrived, Jesus had a fire going with some fish on it and some bread. He tells them to bring some of the fish they have caught. Peter climbs back on the boat and helps them drag in the 153 large fish, that didn’t tear the net.

They all knew it was Jesus. He invites them to breakfast. Eating is a human need. Dining together is what communities do. He simply invites them to eat the bounty he has just provided.

When they are finished eating, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him more than the other disciples. Peter replies that he does. He asks him two more times and Peter’s feelings are hurt. Each time Peter replies yes, Jesus says to either feed his sheep, feed his lambs or take care of his sheep.

Why does Jesus ask him three times? The scripture doesn’t say. Perhaps it’s so that Peter will know that even though he denied Jesus three times, Jesus still loves him and trusts him to bring people to him. He then tells him that he will die in a way to glorify God. Church tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down because he didn’t feel like he was worthy to be executed the same way Jesus was. Peter will willingly die for Jesus.

Jesus tells him, “Follow me!” (Notice the exclamation point?”) Peter wants to know what’s going to happen to John. Jesus says, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” I take that to mean that everyone’s faith journey is different. God has a different plan for each one of us. John’s was different that Peter’s. Among other things, John goes on to write the Book of Revelation.

John ends this Gospel by saying that Jesus did many other miraculous things that aren’t recorded here, but if they were all written down, the whole world wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

And that my friends, is the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for reading along with me. I hope this study has made Lent and Easter more meaningful for you. It has for me. I would love to hear your thoughts on our last reading or on the study in general.

Happy Easter!

Wendy 🙂

Jesus gave Mary Magdalene instructions to tell his disciples what she had seen. I’m sure she wasted no time. But, while Jesus appeared to her very early in the morning, he didn’t appear to his disciples until that evening. The text says that they were together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews.

There were likely other people with them besides the original group. If Mary told them what she had seen, who else had she told? They may have been afraid about word spreading that Jesus’ body had been removed. Would the Jews now try to hunt them down? They were his closest followers.

As they stayed together in fear, Jesus was among them. The words he said are true to the loving spirit of Jesus. “Peace be with you!” he said. They may have been frightened about seeing Jesus as well. Mary and  the women stayed at the cross and the scripture says John stayed, but most of them ran and hid in fear for their own lives. They abandoned him in his darkest hour. Mary told them Jesus had risen. She had no reason to fear a rebuke from him, but would he be angry with his disciples?

His words must have quieted their anxious souls, just as they should quiet ours. He tells them to be at peace. He is not angry with them. He shows them his hands where the nails were and his side where the spear was and they are overjoyed. This was not a ghost. He had a body, complete with scars, from the crucifixion. Jesus was the real deal, here among them and his message was to be at peace, which means stop worrying. Their sorrow had turned to joy, just as Jesus promised.

The bigger picture is that he died for our sins. We don’t have to worry about anything. We have been promised an eternity with him and we should be at peace.

He tells them that as God sent him, now he is sending them.Then he tells them to receive the Holy Spirit. (who will appear fifty days later, at Pentecost.)

Thomas didn’t happen to be with the others that day, but they couldn’t wait to tell him the news. We like to pick on Thomas for being a doubter, but perhaps he was just a realist. The entire story was just too much for him to believe.  He makes his famous remarks, that unless he sees those nail marks in Jesus’ hands and touches them and touches Jesus’ side, he won’t believe that Jesus has risen.

A week later, they are in the same house and this time, Thomas is with them. Jesus again appears even though the doors are locked. Again, he says “Peace be with you!” He walks right up to Thomas, looks him in the eye and invites him to touch his scars. Thomas simply says, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus isn’t angry. He wants them to believe and he wants them to be at peace with all that has happened.

Then he blesses all future believers. He says, “Because you have seen me, you believed; blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believed.”

The chapter ends by saying there were many other miraculous signs which John did not record. I suppose he considered these to be the most important.

What do you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Jesus was placed in the tomb on Friday afternoon just as the sun was going down. The Jews were not allowed to go to the tomb on the Sabbath, (Saturday), but as early as possible, around daybreak on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene went to visit the tomb. When she arrived, the stone sealing the tomb had been rolled away. She suspected grave robbers and ran to tell  Peter and John.

Peter and John began running for the tomb to see for themselves. I find it interesting, they were all running. Maybe we should run as we seek Jesus, as if our very lives depended on finding him. John outran Peter. He looked inside, but did not go in.

When Peter arrived, he went inside. This is so typical of Peter. As John is thoughtfully mulling over what might have happened, Peter pushes past him and rushes in. Peter saw the strips of linen lying there, that had been used for the burial as well as the burial cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. It was lying separately and folded. Would grave robbers have taken the time to fold the burial cloth?

Finally, John went inside the tomb too. He saw and he believed. John doesn’t say specifically what he believed, but it apparently was that Jesus had been resurrected. The note says that they believed first and then realized that it had been in the scripture all along. They didn’t make up a story to fulfill scripture.

Then Peter and John went home, but, not Mary. She was distraught. She stayed outside the tomb crying. She just couldn’t leave. She had watched Jesus die on the cross and she needed to see him, maybe to say her last goodbyes, maybe to pay her respects. She needed Jesus. Then, something made her look inside.

She saw two angels in white seated where Jesus had been, one at his head and one at his foot. They asked her why she was crying. She knew no one was in the tomb earlier. Peter and John had been in the tomb earlier and it had been empty as well. Yet, here sat two angels.

Was Mary startled or frightened? Did she go and get help from the men? Nope. She tells them why she’s crying. “They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Then she turns and sees Jesus standing there, but doesn’t recognize him. He says, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

She thinks he is a gardener and tells him if he has taken Jesus somewhere, just tell her where and she will go and get him.

Jesus utters one word, her name. “Mary” Pause here a moment and say your name out loud. Jesus calls your name, just as he spoke hers that day.

She knows him immediately and apparently reaches for him, but he tells her she can’t hold on to him because he hasn’t yet returned to the Father. He tells her to go and tell his brothers, (the disciples). She does as Jesus tells her.

Mary waited for Jesus. She refused to leave. She openly wept for him and he appeared to her first. Jesus knew her heart. She needed him most at that moment. Her sadness had turned to joy, just as Jesus promised.

He knows our hearts as well and if we seek him, we will find him. What do you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

After the Jews refused to let Jesus go, Pilate had him flogged. He was brutally beaten with a whip weighted on the ends to cause massive pain and injury. The Roman soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on his head and clothed him in a purple robe to represent royalty. Then they mocked him calling him the King of the Jews and struck him in the face.

The Romans were famous for their brutality. The Jews had been nothing, but trouble to the Roman Empire. The soldiers seemed to take great delight in humiliating Jesus.

Pilate brought Jesus out, bloody and beaten, hoping that the flogging alone might satisfy the bloodthirsty chief priests. But, they started shouting, “Crucify!” Pilate stated for the third time, that he could find no basis for a charge against Jesus. The chief priests answered him that they had a law that said he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God.

Pilate was afraid at this point and asked Jesus point-blank, “Where do you come from?” Jesus refused to answer. Pilate asked him, “Don’t you realize I have the power to free you or crucify you?”

Jesus’ answer must have chilled Pilate to the bone. Bloody, beaten and likely still bound, he said, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Pilate had presided over a number of executions. He had probably heard it all and had people begging him to spare their lives. Jesus was completely calm, would not answer his questions and told him that God had given Pilate the power that he now wielded. Pilate wanted out of this entire affair. He tried, with no luck, to get the Jews to let Jesus go.

I wonder if he knew in his heart that he was wrong. I know he was afraid the Jews would riot if he didn’t give into their demands and if Rome had to send in more troops to deal with another Jewish uprising, it would be bad for Pilate politically. But, did his hesitation go deeper? As he stood in the presence of the Messiah, did he know that Jesus was Divine?

Either way, Pilate gave into their demands and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus carried his own cross to the place of execution, Golgotha in Aramaic and Calvary in Latin. Mark’s Gospel has someone carrying the cross part of the way due to Jesus’ weakened state. He was crucified with a man on each side of him.

Pilate had a sign made that read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The chief priests protested this and wanted it changed to the man who claimed to be the King of the Jews, but Pilate refused. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus clothes, fulfilling prophecy.

John lists four women standing at the foot of the cross; one was his mother. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Mary to watch her innocent son die. She knew all of God’s capabilities. She had actually talked to the Angel Gabriel. She had witnessed his miracles. She had to have known he could save himself. Her pain must have been unfathomable.

And as Jesus hung up there bleeding and dying, he asked John to take care of his mother. The mother and son bond between Jesus and Mary was clearly very strong. His first miracle was at her request. In his final hours on earth, in complete agony, he was worried about his mother.

The love and compassion in the heart of Jesus is almost too overwhelming to even consider.

The text says that later, knowing all was complete, Jesus said he was thirsty and after he was given a drink of wine vinegar, he dismissed his soul, saying, “It is finished.” To the very end, Jesus was in control. He willingly submitted to all that happened to him. He could have called it off at anytime, but didn’t. He decided when it was finished, not mankind or any other dark powers.

The Romans put a spear in his side, just to make sure he was dead and they broke the legs of the other two men hanging with him.

A man named Joseph and Nicodemus, (remember him?), both members of the Sanhedrin, asked Pilate if they could bury Jesus. He agreed. They placed him in a tomb and wrapped his body in strips on linen and used burial spices. One of them was myrrh. Myrrh was one of the gifts brought to the baby Jesus by the three wise men. They hurriedly prepared the body because the sun was going down and left him there in the tomb.

I imagine that was the darkest day the earth has ever known.

What did you think of today’s reading. I’d love to hear from you.

Wendy

John’s Gospel, leads us immediately to the olive grove where Jesus was arrested. Our last readings had Jesus first telling the disciples about the events that were coming and then he prayed to God about what was coming and asked for God’s protection over the disciples. Today, Jesus purposely walks to the place where he knows he will be arrested.

Everything Jesus did was with purpose. He explained what would happen to the disciples and now the wheels are in motion. A fairly large group comes looking for Jesus and he asks them who they are looking for. When they say that it’s Jesus of Nazareth, he plainly states, “I am he.” They all fall to the ground. Did he look majestic there in the moonlight? Did he look Godly? How could they not see it? They apparently saw something.

John is sure to include here that Judas the traitor was with them. This was written by a man who loved Jesus. He was his friend and he wanted to be sure that all knew and didn’t forget Judas’ part in this.

Jesus tells them to let his disciples go. He was facing death, yet concerned about his followers. Christ sets the perfect example of selfless love.

Peter draws a sword. He’ll put a stop to this. He cuts off a servant’s ear. John’s Gospel is the only one that records that it was Peter who drew the sword. Luke’s Gospel reports that Jesus healed the man. Jesus rebukes Peter and tells him to put the sword away. This is God’s will.

One of the disciples went with Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest. That disciple spoke to someone and Peter was allowed in. A slave girl, the most lowly person imaginable, asks Peter if he is one of Jesus’ disciples. He says, “I am not.” He warms himself by a fire in the courtyard.

The high priest questions Jesus. Jesus tells him he has spoken openly in the synagogue and in public.He has done nothing in secret. Jesus says he should ask everyone who heard him what he has said. Jesus was then slapped, which by the way, was against Jewish law when dealing with prisoners. Jesus simply replies, that he spoke truth. They send him on, hands bound, to Caiaphas.

Meanwhile, Peter denies Jesus two more times and the rooster crows immediately. This would be a huge turning point in Peter’s faith. Jesus knew that Peter would deny him and he told Peter as much, but he also knew the pillar of faith as well as the pillar of the new church, that Peter would become.

Jesus is then taken to Pilate. Pilate tells them that if Jesus has broken Jewish law, then he should be judged by their law. In other words, if he hasn’t broken Roman law then there should be no Roman trial. But, the Jews didn’t have a right to execute anyone. They wanted him dead.

Pilate goes back inside and summons Jesus and asks him if he is the king of the Jews. Jesus wants to know if this is Pilate’s personal idea or if someone told him this. Pilate asks him how would he know, he’s not a Jew. He asks Jesus what he has done.

I have always really struggled with this exchange with Jesus and Pilate. I have always so badly wanted for Jesus to defend himself to Pilate, but that wasn’t God’s plan. Jesus’ self-control here is stunning. At any moment, he could have stopped it all, had legions of angels at his disposal, but he doesn’t. He willingly follows God’s will.

Jesus tells Pilate his kingdom isn’t of this world. Pilate sees very clearly that the Jews have trumped-up charges to have him arrested. Jesus is not trying to lead some kind of rebellion. Pilate tells the Jews he will let Jesus go for the Passover and they object. They want Barabbas released, a rebel and a murderer.

That’s where today’s reading ends. What do you think about Jesus’ arrest?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Today’s chapter is a continuation of yesterday’s reading. After a lengthy discussion with his disciples about the events that are coming, Jesus prays. Jesus prays. I think there’s no other testament to the importance of prayer than the fact that Jesus prayed.

His prayer is broken into three parts in this Gospel and it’s his longest prayer that was ever recorded.

He begins by praying for himself. He tells God that he knows that the time has come to “Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” He refers to God as, Father, a term he uses 122 times in this Gospel. He acknowledges that God has given him authority over all people so that he may give them eternal life.

Notice here that Jesus was given authority over all people. It doesn’t say some people. God gave Jesus authority over all of humanity. He states very plainly here that eternal life is: “They may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  He then says that he has brought God glory. His mission was never self-centered. He finally asks God to return him to his previous position of glory, to exchange humiliation for glorification.

He only spends five short verses praying for himself. With all that he knows is coming, I find that remarkable. Maybe we should all take note here. He quickly moves on to praying for his disciples.

As he prays for his disciples, he mentions three things that they did; they accepted his teaching, (unlike the Pharisees). They knew that Jesus was of a divine origin and they believed. He is praying for them specifically and not for the world, because they have chosen a different path, to follow him and believe.

The only prayer he can pray for the world at this moment is to be less worldly. The term world is used 18 times in this prayer.

He prays for unity, that they may be as one. Unity is so important in Christianity, but something that the universal church really struggles with. If Jesus, prayed for it, it’s something we really should strive for.

Jesus asks for their continued protection after he leaves. He says he hasn’t lost any of the ones trusted to him except for Judas. He asks God not to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the evil one, (Satan). Jesus has acknowledged the existence of Satan frequently. It would be wise for us to do the same. Not acknowledging his existence doesn’t make him less of a threat. God’s protection is enough, but we must seek it.

He ends this section by asking God to sanctify the disciples by the truth. God’s word is truth. I read this to say that we really need to make an effort to read and understand the scripture to be wholly sanctified with truth.

The last section of this prayer is for all believers, (that’s us!) Jesus prays for all who WILL believe through the disciples’ message, (the Gospels) and he prays for our unity, (the unity of all Christians). The unity of all believers should have an effect on those outside. The love and unity of Christians should be so bright that others want to be a part of it.

Jesus then says he wants all believers to be with him and to see him in glory. He ends it by saying that he has made his followers know God and will continue to, so that they will have God’s love for Jesus in them and Jesus himself, in them . He ends his prayer there, with words of love.

What do you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Today’s reading is a continuation of the conversation from yesterday. Jesus continues to talk with his disciples about the events that are coming. For the most part, they still don’t understand, but he knows that they will. I suspect, that most of them will remember this conversation very clearly after the resurrection and even after the ascension, but for now, they are kind of confused.

Don’t we sometimes feel exactly the same way? We pray and try to walk closely with Jesus, but we just don’t understand why the circumstances play out like they do. But, often, when we are further down the road and time has passed, we at last “get it.” I’ll bet these guys felt the same way as we do.

Jesus begins by saying hard times are coming. His followers will be cast out of the synagogue and people will try to kill them. But here’s the ugly truth; they believe they are doing the work of God. We all know how misguided religious zealots can be when they truly believe they are acting in the name of God. Jesus says they do these things because they don’t know the Father or him.

He just wants to give them a warning. He wants them to be prepared. Then he talks to them again about the Holy Spirit, the Counselor. Jesus says he must leave so that the Holy Spirit can come. The Holy Spirit has the power to convict the world of its guilt. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and will guide them into all truth. The Spirit will also tell them of things to come, (the future).

Jesus mentions Satan again as the prince of this world and he says he already stands condemned. I think it’s worth mentioning that Jesus is very clear about who is controlling the world we live in. He says Satan has been  condemned, but it would be very wise for us to remember that  he is here now like he was then, stirring up as much trouble and creating as much chaos as possible.

After Jesus says the disciples won’t see him for a little while and then will see him again, they are confused and ask each other what he’s talking about. Here again, how often do we have deep concerns and troubles and go to each other to discuss them instead of to Jesus? He was right there with them. Jesus knows they are troubled and attempts to explain.

He explains that his leaving (the cross) will be like childbirth. There will be pain and anguish, but the grief will turn to joy, and no one can take that joy away. I wonder if the disciples remembered these words on Black Friday. On our side of Easter, they seem to me to be the perfect explanation, but we know the entire story. They didn’t have that luxury.

Jesus tells them that after he goes, the disciples can pray to God in Jesus’ name and their prayers will be answered. Their joy will be complete. He tells them that a time is coming when they will be scattered and they will leave him alone. He reminds them that he is never alone because God is with him.

He knows their faith will fail, but he knows God loves them and will forgive them. He also knows God does fabulous work through our failures. He once again tells them he wants them to know all of these things so that they will have peace.

Jesus has been talking about his death and is once again concerned about his disciples’ joy and peace. How can we not worship this man? He ends with, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What do you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

As Jesus continues to talk with his disciples, he uses a vine metaphor. He tells them that he is the true vine and that God is the gardener who cuts off every branch that doesn’t bear fruit. If you stopped reading there, you might give a sigh of relief, thinking, “Whew! Glad I missed that bullet, I’m very fruitful.” Read on.

It goes on to say that God prunes every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will be even more fruitful. Perhaps, if you are struggling right now, but trying to do everything right as you walk with God, you are being pruned. Hang in there; God has a plan and you may be getting ready to produce some unbelievably beautiful and delicious fruit.

Pruning means cutting off parts of the plant that aren’t fruitful. It’s probably a good idea for us to reflect from time-to-time on what in our lives is producing good fruit for God and what may need to be pruned.

Jesus then says that we have to remain in him, stay with him. We can’t wander away and still produce good fruit, because a branch can’t produce fruit when it is cut off from the vine. It will die without the nutrients of the main vine. He also says that dead branches will be picked up and burned. This is a reference to judgement.

We like to think of Jesus’ message of love for everyone and that is the heart of his message. But, he also clearly states that we have to follow him. There are consequences if we don’t.

He goes on to say that if we remain in him, his words will remain in us and he will give us whatever we ask to glorify God. He is not being literal here. It’s not like, “I love you Jesus and I believe in you, so please give me a new car.” The point is, if we follow Jesus and know his teachings and words, we will know how to pray and what to pray for to glorify God, (not ourselves).

Next, Jesus talks about love. God has loved him and Jesus loves us. He urges us to stay in his love. He tells us this so that our joy may be complete. Jesus is concerned about our joy. These are not empty rules. He doesn’t say do these things or else. He says that he wants us to have complete joy. Imagine life with complete joy. Looks pretty good, right?

Then we get the great command. “Love each other as I have loved you.” He talks about laying down your life for  friends, something he is about to willingly do. He says that he chose these disciples. They were chosen. He chooses us in the same way. We are chosen to love him, to love each other and to follow him.

The rest of this short chapter warns the disciples and us that the world will hate them just as it hates him. This is to be expected. The “world”  lives in direct opposition to God and his plan and people. He tells them again that the Holy Spirit will be coming to testify the truth.

We too, are called to testify. That simply means that we are supposed to share the truth of Christ when we are given the chance. It’s a call to all of us.

What do you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

First, we had Jesus showing the true spirit of service and humility by washing his disciples’ feet. Next, he tells them one of them will betray him and that he will be leaving them soon. They are very upset and troubled at this news.

Jesus, too. was troubled, but what did he do? Did he lash out at Judas? Did he tell them to assemble a mob? Nope. Jesus comforts them. He is the one facing certain execution in the most brutal way imaginable; yet he comforts them.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again. Love and grace make Christianity truly unique. The root of what we believe comes from the love of God through Christ. Jesus loves us all unconditionally, warts and all, and that’s a beautiful thing.

So, he puts his troubled spirit aside and comforts his disciples. He tells them not to be afraid. He tells them that there are many rooms in his Father’s house, (heaven) and he is going to prepare a place for them, (and for us), and that he will come back for them. He tells them that they know the way to that place.

Thomas is confused. I love Thomas. He is a literal guy. He needs facts. We like to remember him as a doubter, but Jesus lets us know that it’s okay to have doubts if we truly seek him. He will quiet our doubting hearts if we ask him. Jesus is not angry with Thomas. Notice the difference between his debates with the religious leaders and his heartfelt discussions with his inner-circle. Jesus didn’t mind honest, respectful questions from his followers.

He tells Thomas that he is the way the truth and the life and that no one can come to the Father except through him. This is also at the heart of Christianity. To get to God, we must believe that Jesus was the son and that he died and rose again. It’s also interesting that the early Christians called their movement “The Way.” Paul often refers to it in his letters. The title came from this conversation.

Philip also has questions and Jesus continues to patiently explain the plan that he knows is too difficult for them to grasp at the moment. He tells Philip if he can’t believe that Jesus and God are one, then at least believe in all of the miracles they have seen. These men have walked with Jesus for around three years at this point. He’s reminding them of the many miracles they have experienced with him. He tells them if they have true faith, they will continue to do what he has been doing. (a call to discipleship)

Then he tells them about the Holy Spirit that will be coming to help them. The Holy Spirit will remind them of everything Jesus has told them. Then he tells them he will give them peace, not as the world gives, which means not a wish for peace or a hope for peace, but true peace. Then he tells them a second time, do not be troubled or afraid.

He wants them to know what’s coming before it happens, so they will look back and know that he was in control all along and their faith will be strengthened. That’s where he leaves it.

I find the intimacy and love in this conversation staggering. Jesus is so close to the cross at this point, but he is so loving and patient and concerned for his friends. How can we even begin to fathom this kind of love, the kind that Christ has for us? It’s truly beyond words.

What did you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

The first half of this chapter was a beautiful example of service. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. The second half is much sadder and darker. Jesus tells them that someone who shares bread with him has lifted up his heel against him. Sharing bread would mean eating together. Sharing a meal would mean close fellowship.

Jesus tells them he wants them to know that he knows about it before it happens. He wants them to know he is fully aware of the situation, of the things to come, and that he is in control.

Right after he says this, the text states that he was troubled in spirit. Here is the raw, human side of Christ. He is going to be betrayed by a friend, by someone who has seen his miracles and listened to his teachings, by one of his chosen. We’ve all been betrayed by a friend at some point during our lives. It’s painful. When someone we hold dear breaks our trust, it can be heartbreaking. Multiply the feelings we have felt over some sort of betrayal times a thousand and we might feel a sliver of the heartache Jesus was feeling. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for him.

He tells them that one of them will betray him. The disciples all stare at one another in disbelief. Which one of them was it? “The disciple whom Jesus loved, ” (John), was sitting next to Jesus and Peter was sitting on the other side of John. Peter whispers in John’s ear to ask Jesus who it is. I’m with Peter; I would definitely want to know.

John asks. Jesus tells him it’s the one he gives the bread to. Jesus then gives the bread to Judas. As soon as Judas takes the bread, Satan enters him. That’s the only explanation we ever get of Judas’ betrayal. How could Jesus have known? Judas had free will. Did Jesus know Judas’ character was weak? Did he know his true heart was one of greed? Did Jesus know that Judas’ love of money would be his downfall? Should we learn a lesson from that here?

As much as we would all like to know the true reasons for the betrayal, we can only guess. Surely, Satan didn’t know God’s plan for the resurrection or he would have never played a part, but Satan exists to stamp out light and Jesus was the light. Perhaps Satan couldn’t see any further than that.

Jesus told Judas to act quickly and Judas went out into the night. Judas left the light and went into the darkness and he never again saw the light.

After Judas leaves, Jesus tells them that he won’t be with them much longer. He gives them his most famous command: “Love one another as I have loved you. By, this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Then, the always outspoken Peter, asks Jesus where he is going. Peter tells him he will willingly die for him. Jesus tells Peter he will disown him three times before the rooster crows. Peter is left speechless, but he will remember this discussion very clearly after Jesus is arrested and be filled with regret.

What do you think of today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂