23rd Week - Easter Week John 13, 18-21 (Click on title for video Intro)
Click on Title for Video Introduction
Monday, John Chapter 13
John 13
Verse 7
Mindy Strayer
October 13, 2010
Verse 7: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
THOUGHT
I found this statement by Jesus to be very reassuring. It’s the kind of statement from God that is very helpful when we find ourselves in the middle of tough times. We may need to read it again and again in order to allow the Word of God to bring us comfort, peace, and reassurance that through all the mess, God is in charge.
So, in order to elaborate on this, I will place two scenarios out there:
1) All of us have had things that we have asked God for in prayer only to have nothing transpire.
2) All of us have had something happen to us or someone we love that isn’t fair and doesn’t seem to make sense causing us to want to ask the question, “Why God?”.
Now, along with those scenarios, we have all seen God withhold specific answer to prayer only to have Him later provide an even greater, better for us, bigger blessing/answer than what we had originally hoped for. And there are those huge struggles and trials that we go through in this life that at the time are so painful we cannot see ourselves coming out on top or even just better for experiencing them. In those times, it is very difficult to see God at work for our good in those times. But, after the dust has settled and life plays itself out within God’s perfect will, we start to see God and understand.
I guess I will call it delayed understanding or a delayed realization of what God is accomplishing. God has to get us to a point where we will be able to see Him. It takes time. Life’s distractions have a way of turning our focus away from God, preventing us from being able to spiritually see instead of just physically seeing.
Spiritual site has so much more depth. It is like we weren’t born with 20/20 spiritual vision. It has to develop. All the while, everything we go through, good and bad, there is an opportunity for us to know and experience the love of God. Over time, as we pour our hearts out to the Lord and then listen to what He has to say, an awesome relationship develops between us. And in this, God will satisfy that deep longing in our hearts that wants to know our Lord and the fullness of His love.
PRAYER
Lord, we just thank You for giving us life. We trust You, Jesus, when You say, “I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance.” We know that as humans we are limited in our ability to comprehend all Your ways, Lord. But we trust You, that even though we don’t always understand the point of what we may be experiencing in the moment, You will work it out for good because we love You and You love us. You will help us understand in Your perfect timing. Thank You for Your Spoken Word that declares this to our heart. AMEN
Tuesday, John Chapter 18
John 18
Heather Proehl
October 20, 2010
THOUGHT
Wow! So much covered here. Not sure what to focus on. When reading this scripture over and over, I can’t help but picture the movie, The Passion of Christ. That movie does such a great job visualizing this text. It’s heart breaking to watch. I think the thing that amazes me the most is the number of people who encountered Christ for the first time that night.
It starts with the soldiers, especially the one that gets his ear cut off. Can you imagine? I would think they would be intense and all business going to arrest Jesus at night in the woods. And then to get his ear cut off. But Jesus heals him (according to the Gospel of Luke). Can you imagine what that did to that man to encounter Jesus that way?
Then he goes to Annas and makes such an impression that one of the priests hits him in the face. What passion.
Then Jesus goes to see Pilate. Pilate doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand what this man has done. But Jesus made some impact on him, as he wants nothing to do with him or being liable for killing him. In that short time, Jesus made a significant impact on him.
I wish we knew “the rest of the story” for those individuals. I bet if Paul Harvey lived back then, we would get the rest of the story. I’d like to think that those interactions with Jesus (even as short as they were) changed those people. I can’t imagine being in God’s presence and not having it impact you.
Okay, so we’re not Jesus; and you may not think you can impact people like He did, but you do impact people. Through our actions, our words, and our nonverbal cues, we make an impact on people. What impression are you leaving on people? Do they want to slap you in the face or try to save you from being crucified? Remember… people are watching.
PRAYER
Lord, may we follow Your example in all we do. Whether we are driving in rush hour, grocery shopping, presenting at a business meeting, or just hanging out with friends, may our actions and our words be impactful in a positive way – in a Christ way. AMEN
Wednesday, John Chapter 19
John 19
Tanya Ruden
November 2, 2010
THOUGHT
I must say this is one of the most difficult chapters I have had to write about. I understand why Jesus had to die, but I feel so awful each time I read it. I wish I didn’t sin so He didn’t have to carry that burden. It is so hard for me to even envision this time in history because it is so wrong – killing someone perfect. As I read this chapter, I can’t imagine being Pilate. I am so glad I didn’t have his job. He knew Jesus was not a person who deserved to die this way. He tried so hard to free Him. Personally, I think Pilate carried guilt for this for a long time. I really hope he surrendered it to Jesus and felt Jesus’ forgiveness before he died. I hope that through this historic act he came to be saved.
Are you carrying guilt for a sin you have committed? Surrender it NOW!! Jesus didn’t die this terrible death for you to carry a burden on your heart. He wants you to be happy and share His message of hope and love with others – how can you do that if you are allowing a darkness in you for a sin! If God can forgive you, you can forgive yourself!
Lastly, I wanted to talk about Mary in this story. I can’t imagine what she was feeling/going through. Watching her son be tormented and treated so unfairly. I personally can’t imagine watching that happen to one of my children. My heart aches for her as I read this passage, that I have heard so many times, but now looking at it from a “mom’s” eyes, like mine are now. And as she was going through this, I am sure she is asking herself, “What could I have done differently, what should I have done?” I think we as parents look at situations our children are in and blame ourselves or think they are our fault, but how wonderful for her to hear as one of the last things her son says that He is thinking of her and wanting her cared for.
I don’t know about Mary but that would be very reassuring to me as a mom, that He didn’t blame me or think this was my fault; but that He always loved me and even with the weight of the world on His shoulders thought of me. Great job, Mom Mary! May all of us parents and role models to young people remember that some days – some days feel like we are doing a terrible job raising our kids, and we can’t do things right; but we are making a difference and being the model we need to be. Hopefully at some moment in our life we will hear that reassurance that we did a great job.
PRAYER
Lord, I am so sorry for my sin. I am so sorry You had to endure such an awful death because of me. What love! May I never hold onto a sin. May I turn all of them over to You each and every day. You paid too high a price for me to hold guilt. May we live our lives filled with the “hope” – the hope that we don’t have to carry that bad stuff with us anymore! Eternal life lies ahead! AMEN
Thursday, John Chapter 20
John 20
Verse 29
Tanya Ruden
November 8, 2010
Verse 29: Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
THOUGHT
During the church calendar there are often the same sermons preached at different times throughout the year. For example, the birth of Jesus reading is every year in December, and we celebrate lent and the reading of the crucifixion. Another reading that sticks out in my head is this of doubting Thomas. It always seems like this is a reading and sermon given the weekend following Easter. I have often wondered why was Thomas’ opposition so strong that Jesus had really appeared to the disciples? It’s not like he was hearing the news from strangers or reading it in “US Weekly” where one could question the credibility of the story. He was hearing it from his dearest friends – men he trusted and basically lived with each day.
Do you think it was denial that Jesus had just died? Do you think he was very scientific and had to have things proven to him? I must admit, I don’t recall another story in the Bible surrounding Thomas’ faith, and maybe there was something prior to this where he was deemed doubting Thomas. I just find his lack of belief of this story so amazing.
I also really like this story because I know there are times that I wonder about certain things surrounding this. Is God really real? This verse always makes me feel proud of my faith, and that it is OK to question things. We believe so much we have never seen with our own eyes. We hope in things not seen; we believe in things not seen by the people we hear them from (unlike Thomas), and we still believe. We are blessed for many reasons, but I like this reason. We are blessed by having faith in God – this says it. I am blessed for having hope in the unseen.
The only other thing I wanted to touch on in this chapter is how hard would it be to see Jesus after just dying a horrific death, and not be able to hug Him! That is one of the first things I do when I see someone I haven’t seen in a long time; well, hug them and scream at them, being so excited to see them. Maybe if I (or Jeanie) would have been Mary, Jesus wouldn’t have only said, “Don’t touch me as I have not fully ascended” but also “Don’t talk so loudly. Please speak softly as my ears are not of this world.” (😊) But seriously, it would be so hard to show Him your love without being able to touch Him. I guess I don’t really have a point to make, just something to think about. As for Mary and the disciples, it was more like a movie or “skype” than really being able to hug or touch Him.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, forgive us for the times we act like Thomas, struggling to believe in something unseen. Help our eyes to see the blessings from You around us and know every good and perfect thing comes from You! We have daily miracles in our lives that are proof of our faith in You. Help us never to forget them. Help those miracles be testimonies to those who struggle with the concept of faith – believing without seeing. AMEN
Friday, John Chapter 21
John 21
Verse 25
Tanya Ruden
November 8, 2010
Verse 25: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
THOUGHT
Even though we can all say we have read the entire Bible, our studying of Jesus isn’t done. There is so much to be taken from the Bible. I would say of the things I have learned over the last years that there are recurring themes in the Bible that we seemed to hear over and over – showing how important it is to understand these concepts surrounding God. Also, although our faith can be weak at times, and we can struggle, we can find hope and guidance in so many different places in the Bible. Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection are recorded in four books of the Bible. There was so much more that could have been written, but we are limited to these four books and what God felt was important.
That leaves us a lot of room for studying those chapters and creating our own faith story. The studying of Jesus is only the beginning in reading the Bible. There is prayer, discussions with other believers, and non-believers, devotions and Bible studies to be had and done. I pray that this Salt Shaker journey has added a chapter to your book of your faith journey. I pray as we complete the journey from the cross to the tomb and beyond, you begin a new chapter to your book of faith and your testimony.
PRAYER
Jesus, we read the story of the journey to the cross with tears in our eyes from the torture that you went through. Then on Sunday we rejoice with tears of Joy as You are resurrected. You give Christians the meaning of our faith. Thank You for sins forgiven and life eternal. Bless us all as we celebrate this Easter Celebration. Bless all the churches, pastors and worship teams as they lead us in rejoicing. In the Name of Jesus. AMEN
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