I had a lot that grabbed my attention this morning.
16 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
This one is right off the top. I'm blown away by how messed up us humans can make things....even when we are trying to do things in God's name. Without Jesus and the grace of God, there really is no hope for us.
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.
I just can't believe that the disciples still are in question as to who Jesus is. I would like to think that if I was there, I would be able to see it. Truth is I would be reacting to him exactly the same way they are. I would probably be very moved by the things he is doing and completely believe that he was sent from God, and then in the quiet moments wondering to myself if this is really true.
They've seen everything first hand. It would have been mind-blowing....and yet he still is asking them if they believe. Not that he needs to ask the question. He already knows the answer. Perhaps he is asking the question on our behalf. Maybe it is written here to show us that even the disciples needed help and they couldn't do it on their own......just to illustrate how much we need him.
tp
I think you picked up on something I was missing. I do think Jesus was asking these questions for our benefit as we read these words 2000 years later. Not to give us an excuse to be lame in our belief but to help us understand the challenges we will face in maintaining our faith.
ReplyDelete12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
This short line peaked my interest as have all the references to the Advocate and Spirit. I have the very same Advocate living in me today as is written about in these verses. Its exciting to think about how much more he has to share with me, but can I a bear it? am I even listening to it? I don't think I am aware of the Spirits direction for me, I don't often have my antennas up for when I have feelings that are coming directly from him. I am going to be actively listening and challenge myself to act on those nudges he gives me.
knut