John 20

9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 

I know this is not the most important verse of this chapter but it just catches my eye.  It even seems like a bit of a late addition the way it is written.  How is it that these disciples of Jesus after all they saw and heard, after all of their studies of the scriptures were so surprised at his Resurrection?   I could see from human doubt that they may not in their hearts truly believe that he would rise.  But once they saw it, wouldn't they be like oh my God it really did happen??!!  But instead its like they never even conceived the possibility.  How/why?

Is that just a illustration of our small minded and weak faith as humans?  If so it seems shows the battle we face to keep a strong faith and not be a doubting Thomas ourselves.  I usually think we are at a disadvantage 2,000 years later not getting to see him ourselves or be closer to his actions.  But maybe one advantage we have is the complete picture from Old/New Testaments in front of us so we can really see and better understand how Jesus did what God said would happen and that our doubts should be shoved to the side.

I just pray that I can continue this journey with you and get to know God's word better and squeeze out any weakness in my faith.

knut

John 19

26 When Jesus saw his motherthere, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[b] here is your son,”

This is obviously a heavy chapter.  But, this description always makes me laugh when I see it.  Who is Jesus looking at when he says this?......John.  Who wrote this book?.......John.  So, John is describing himself as the "the one that Jesus loved."  
Always makes me smile.

30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
This could be the most important moment in the history of mankind.  Not in the history of God.....but in ours.

tp

John 18

My take this morning is not around a specific verse.  But, it is around the conversation Jesus has with Pilate.  We have often talked about how Jesus "talks" circles around people.  Those who love him and those that hate him.  This circumstance is particularly telling of that skill.  He is standing in front of the person that will decide if he lives or dies.  Pilate has no religious compass, or at least a very different one than the Jews.  Pilate is known to be ruthless with the Jews, and killed MANY of them.  But, when he is done talking to Jesus, he goes back outside and says he finds no justification for killing him.  That is unbelievable to me.  Jesus is SO far above and beyond anyone he deals with, its pretty funny.  Even the guy who hates all the Jews.  The guy who is desperate to keep the Jewish people settled and not in an uproar.....can't find fault with Jesus.
Amazing!
That's a guy I want to follow.

tp

John 17

23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

This verse caught my eye this morning.  Not because of how crazy it is to think that Jesus prayed for us....but, because of the word "unity."  He talks of complete unity through him.  If I look around, at the world, right now.  I would describe more as complete "disunitiy."  I think we have taken the ultimate sacrifice, and the best gift...and we have completely missed it.  The world seems more interested in fighting and expressing our differences, than we are in the unification of anything.
Sad! (that's my Trump reference)

tp

John 16

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I don't have a lot to say, but his words are so true for us weak people.  I worry about worldly problems.  I lack peace at times, I'm tired.  But I need to remember not to worry, much of the stuff I worry about just doesn't matter long term.  Jesus overcame this world for me and for you and if I have him in my heart I really don't need to worry about anything.

prayer request here is for the family of one of Luke's classmates, Luke and all of his classmates.  His classmate drowned Saturday, possibly suffering an seizure and tipping over his kayak.  very sad, just graduated a few weeks ago.  God please give them all your peace.

knut

John 15

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

This is one I think about quite a bit.  I have a strong desire to be like by everyone.  This verse tells me that if I'm living right....the world will hate me.  Am I ok with that?  Am I living that way?  Does the world look at me and say, "that guy is crazy?"  I don't think I'm living different enough to really honestly say that.

tp

John 14

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

I love this verse.  I know it's the easy one.....but, it's so perfect!  It speaks volumes.  I think we gloss over it sometimes.  But, in looking at the first sentence, it blows my mind.  "I am the way."  We as Christians believe that.  "I am the truth."  Everything I say is real.  I know the answers to the questions you aren't smart enough to ask.  I am everything you want to be inside, but can't.  I am the pattern.  I am the example.  "I am the life."  Happiness, satisfaction, and the path to light goes through me.  
Holy Bananas!  That's strong stuff.  When the Son of God describes himself.  Its something we should study and give it's due thought.

tp

John 13

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

There is so much to talk about with this chapter.  The unrelenting willingness to serve the ones that don't deserve it.....Jesus teaching us the lesson of humility and love.  What caught my attention is one of the first lines of the chapter.  If the devil prompted Judas to betray Christ, then he really is the one that started the ball rolling to his own demise.  That's nutty to me, to think about.  That shows how superior God (the light) is to the devil (the darkness).  The darkness is so far behind that is actually plays a big part of its own destruction and defeat.  That really highlights how great God is.  

tp

John 12

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.

strange take for the day.
I'm trying to not pick the obvious lessons for us, since its our 2nd time through.

I understand the reason listed for why he said this is in the next line....that he tended to help himself to the offerings...but this is such a "me" thing to say.  Outside of the theivery.....its very logical.  Wouldn't it make more sense to sell it and give it to the needy?  But, he was completely missing the point of her action.  She was all the way, completely focused on Jesus.  If we do that, we can't go wrong.  Judas was thinking about the situation from an earthly perspective.
Its a good lesson for me to think about as I move from day to day.

John 11

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Drop the mic!

John 10

I don't have a great take today.  I'm just thinking about the voice of the shepherd.  I think everything Jesus said about himself is true.  My question is, do I recognize his voice like I should?  Am I filtering out all the other voices, or as he stated, "running away" from them?  These other voices are not only evil impulses, but also the distractions of the world.  Or, am I little bit confused as to what I'm listening to?  I need to be stronger in the listening.  That's something I need to work on.

have a good weekend!

tp