Scripture

As Jesus said “I AM he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground.

Observation

Jesus and His disciples (less Judas) go to an olive grove. Judas arrives with a contingent of guards. Jesus steps forward and asks, “Who are you looking for?” The guards reply, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

When Jesus replies, “I AM he,” all the guards fall to the ground. They repeat the exchange, but this time Jesus allows them to arrest Him.

They take Jesus to the home of the priest Annas. In the courtyard there, some people ask Peter if he is a follower of Jesus, but he denies this.

Application

There is power in the name of Jesus.

In this reading, when Jesus affirms His identity “I AM he,” that phrase “I AM” is actually the name of Yahweh (the Lord) in the Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament.

Jesus is saying here that He and the Father (Yahweh or “I AM”) are one. The God of the Old Testament is now revealed in Jesus the Son.

The guards and all who are opposed to Jesus fall down at this. They are utterly disarmed.

It is only that Jesus is in control of events, and allows them to arrest Him that they are able to do so.

The name of Jesus is powerful.

That is why satan strives to diminish the name of Jesus in our culture. The name that is above all names has become a swear word. It has become so debased in public usage that there is no power.

Even christians are guilty of reducing the name of Jesus. We do this by using it as a formula at the end of prayers.

The name of Jesus, when taken seriously, slays the opposition. Nothing can stand against the name because the name is the word, the message, the proclamation that points the whole of creation to the cross, to redemption and to eternal life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I honour your name. Please show me how to live and speak in the awareness of the power of your name. Amen.

Scripture

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

Observation

Jesus warns that His disciples will be expelled from the synagogues, and that those who kill them will think they are doing a holy service for God.

When Jesus is taken away from them, He will send them an Advocate , a helper. He will convict the world about sin, about God’s righteousness and about the coming judgement.

When the Spirit comes, He will guide them into all truth. He will speak what He has heard from the Father, and He will glorify Jesus.

Application

Some people read this verse, and others like it, and they assume that it means that they don’t need anyone else to teach them how to follow Jesus.

The problem is that, without other people to help us and direct us, we soon lose sight of where the Spirit might be leading us. It becomes easy to assume that every thought that sounds “spiritual” must be from the Holy Spirit.

Our revelations need to be checked against Scripture to see whether or not they conform to what God has already said. Any revelation that contradicts the Bible is not from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus here is talking to a group of people- His disciples. It is possible for a group to be led astray by a charismatic leader, but it is less likely than a single believer being deceived. In a group, we can hear the Word of God being applied and we can check “truth” against Truth.

We need each other in order to stay on the right track.

Prayer

Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you lead me in your ways of righteousness. May I never mistake wishful thinking for your holy ways. Amen.

Scripture

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s house. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

Observation

Jesus encourages the disciples not to be troubled. He will come back when He has prepared a place for them in the Father’s house.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him.

Philip says, “Show us the Father.” Jesus says that anyone who have seen Jesus has seen the Father.

Anyone who believes in Jesus will do even greater things, and anyone who asks for anything in His name will receive what they ask for.

Application

The gospel of salvation is available to every person who puts their faith in Jesus. There is plenty of room in the Father’s house.

Salvation is not limited to a certain group or nationality or the 144,000 of Revelation.

God desires that all people should be able to receive salvation. There is plenty of room in heaven.

The reference to going and preparing a place and then returning is part of the Jewish wedding process. After the engagement, the groom- to- be would prepare an extension at his father’s house. When all was ready, the marriage itself would take place, and the bride would be taken to the place prepared for her.

Jesus is using the analogy to compare the way of discipleship to the covenant of marriage- an intimate, life-long relationship.

His love for us is never ending. He loves us passionately and eternally, and He will never let us go.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for your great love for all people, especially for me. Thank you for the assurance that you will never let me go or abandon me. Amen.

Scripture

“A new command give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples.”

Observation

Jesus reveals that one of the Twelve will betray Him. He hands the bread to Judas and tells him to do quickly what he is planning to do.

Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that He will shortly leave them. Peter asks Him where He is going, but Jesus tells him he cannot follow Him there. Peter says, “I will lay down my life for you,” but Jesus warns him that Peter will disown Jesus that very night.

Application

The new commandment, the new ethic for the christian community is to love one another in the same way that Jesus loves us.

That’s easy- love God and love people.

We make christianity so complicated at times. This church believes different things about the Holy Spirit than we do. Those people worship differently.

If they are Jesus followers we have to love them sacrificially. We can agree to disagree on some issues, but never let those things become a barrier to love.

Jesus goes on to say that by our love, all people will see that we are His disciples. It is said that the reason that the church became dominant across the Roman Empire after only a few generations is that they loved one another, cared for their widows and the sick, and rescued abandoned babies.

They literally loved the Empire into faith.

In a hostile, unbelieving culture, the church needs to rediscover real love- the love of Christ for His people. This is not Government- funded programs, but one- on- one love that shows the world what Jesus really looks like.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you command us to love one another. Please fill my heart with your love so that I can give it to others. Amen.

Scripture

“The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Observation

Some Greek Jews ask Philip to take them to Jesus which, along with Andrew, he does.

Jesus says that His time to be glorified has arrived. A seed must die in the ground to multiply. A person who loves his life will lose his life.

Jesus calls out, “Father glorify your name.” A voice from heaven answers Him. Some of the onlookers hear it as thunder, while others say that an angel spoke to Jesus.

Jesus goes on to say that they have their light with them for just a short time. He urges them to put their trust in the light so they may become sons of light.

Application

The person who lives as though this life is all there is will ultimately lose their life. The person who lives for eternity will gain eternal life.

Many people, even christians, are consumed with the things of the world- career, marriage, family, housing. These things are important, but must not be the focus of our attention.

Many people talk about work- life balance. What is the point about juggling career and family when all of it will pass away so quickly?

We need to put God’s will at the centre of all our thinking. If you are to be a doctor or engineer, electrician or mechanic, do it all for God’s glory.

If God calls us to move to another town or another country, let’s do it because it is God directing us not our personal ambition or the directive of some boss.

Jesus tells us to “hate” our life in this world. He doesn’t mean that literally, but He is saying that what we do for Him must be more important than the concerns and worries of this life.

He also promises that if we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, then He will provide all the other things for us.

Prayer

Lord it is so easy to be captivated by the things of this world. Please help me to let go of these things and let you direct every part of my life. Amen.

Scripture

Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.

Observation

Jesus enters Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. The great crowd that had gathered for the Festival meet Him, take up palm branches and shout “Hosanna!”

Jesus rides through the crowd on a donkey to fulfil Zechariah’s prophecy.

The crowd that had seen Lazarus raised form the dead continue to spread the word about Jesus, but the Pharisees be come more desperate as they say, “the whole world has gone after him!”

Application

The ongoing reaction of people to the miracle of Jesus being raised from the dead is a thorn in the flesh for the Pharisees. They claim that “the whole world” is following Jesus because of the witness of these people.

One of the the themes of John’s gospel is the power of testimony. Here we see it again as people are wanting to follow Jesus because others have told them what they saw.

My testimony is powerful because nobody can contradict it. It happened to me. I was there. My life since I met with Christ testifies to the transforming. power of salvation.

We can argue about theology, spirituality or philosophy. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Nobody can argue with my testimony.

The reason why the gospel spreads so rapidly and continues to impact lives is simple. It is true experientially. Countless millions of people around the world agree. Jesus is alive. He was dead but now He is alive.

Prayer

Thank you God for the reality of the gospel. Thank you for this relationship I have with you that changes everything. Amen.