Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14.8-17

Scripture

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth.”

Observation

Philip says to Jesus, “Show us the Father.” Jesus replies, “”Whoever sees me sees the Father. The Father and I are one.”

Jesus then goes on to say that whoever believes in Him will also do the works that He does, and even greater things. Anything we ask for in His name, He will do it.

Jesus is going to send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The world cannot receive Him, but the disciples can. He abides with them and will be in them.

Application

Jesus promises to give them the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, the Advocate.

This promise is to all who follow Jesus. The miracle of Pentecost is that the Spirit is poured out on “all flesh,” to all who call on the name of the Lord.

One of the limitations in the contemporary church (actually all through history) is the ongoing desire for a priestly class. Even in Pentecostal or charismatic churches there is a veneration of the “Man of God” who alone has the anointing.

The Bible is clear that God calls and equips certain people to lead the church. But the Holy Spirit is poured out on all believers. All followers of Jesus must engage in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. Give me faith today to do the “greater things” that Jesus promised I would. Amen.

Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17.20-26

Scripture

“The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

Observation

Jesus prays for His disciples- those He already has and those yet to come.

He asks that they will have the same kind of unity with Himself and the Father that He and the Father have with one another so that they will be one with one another.

The world does not know the Father, but the disciples do. As they understand the Father they will grow in love and in Him.

Application

Everything comes down to our oneness with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. They are one and they invite us to one in Him.

As we go deeper into relationship with the Three-in-One God, we will discover a deeper love for those who also seek a deeper walk in Him. Love for God transfers into love for God’s people.

Unity in God is not about agreement on doctrine of worship styles. It’s not aobut a structural unity. No, this is about love for one another, a genuine affection based onj mutual love for the Lord.

Prayer

To grow in love, Lord, I need to go deeper with you. May I become one with you, so that your love and holiness grow in me and flow out into the world through me. Amen.

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21.1-19

Scripture

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Observation

Peter and some of the disciples go fishing. Jesus appears on the beach at daybreak. They have caught no fish all night, but Jesus tells them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat. They do so and catch more than they can handle.

John tells Peter, “It is the Lord”, and Peter swims in to the shore while the others stay in the boat. When they are all together Jesus invites them to share breakfast.

After that have eaten, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. He replies, “Yes, you know that I love you. Jesus tells him to feed His sheep. This is repeated twice more.

Application

When we sin in a big way, as Peter had done in denying Jesus, there is needed a process of putting things right so that the relationship with God is re-established.

1. Forgiveness- that is always God’s offer to us when we repent and turn back to Him.

2. Fellowship- we need to spend time enjoying the presence of the the Lord

3- Restoration- this is a recommissioning or a confirmation of our calling and vision of our ministry or purpose.

We often make the mistake of believing the God’s forgiveness is enough. God is relational and desired friendship with us not just a religious transaction. Building that friendship is a process that we grow into.

Prayer

Lord I thank you that you love me and desire to spend time with me and invest in my life. Help me to seek you, going beyond repentance and into deep fellowship with you. Amen.

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20.19-31

Scripture

These things are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in His name.

Observation

The disciples meet in a locked room, and Jesus appears. He shows them His wounds to demonstrate who He is. He breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit.

Thomas missed out on this event and so he refuses to believe that Jesus is alive. A week later the disciples again meet together, and again Jesus appears. Now Thomas is able to believe.

Jesus did much more than is recorded in John’s gospel. But these things are written in order to bring the reader to faith in Jesus.

Application

It must have been an exciting, even fearful, experience to meet with the risen Lord in this way.

Since Jesus ascended to heaven, we have the opportunity to meet the risen Lord every day. This may not be in the physical way of the disciples’ experience, but it is just as real.

The initiative now lies with us. It is up to me to start the conversation, to seek the Lord. When I do that He meets with me, hears my prayers, talks back and shows me His ways.

He truly is Emmanuel- God with us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are always with me, that your Spirit dwells in me. Help me to fellowship with you in every place I go, in every activity and conversation. Amen.

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20.1-18

Scripture

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Observation

While it is still dark, Mary goes to the tomb and finds the stone has been removed. She runs to tell Peter and the others that the Lord is gone.

Peter and John go to the tomb and find that the body is indeed gone. They return home, but Mary remains.

Jesus then appears to Mary, but she doesn’t recognise Him. He says her name and she realises who He is. Mary then returns to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord.”

Application

The events surrounding the resurrection were very confusing for the followers of Jesus. They were not expecting this at all, despite Jesus’ prophecies concerning it.

The great fact of history remains- Jesus died but now He is alive. Because He lives, we shall live with Him forever.

Hallelujah!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the Good News of Easter. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Scripture

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you to do.”

Observation

Jesus and His mother and Jesus’ disciples are at a wedding in Cana when the wine runs out. Mary tells Jesus that they have no wine, and then tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do.

Jesus then goes to the servants and tells them to fill six stone jars normally used for purification rituals. They do this, and He tells them to draw some to give to the chief steward.

The steward, unaware of all that is happening, is amazed because it is the good wine which would normally be served first.

Application

John describes this miracle as a sign which reveals the glory of Jesus. So what is revealed here?

1. God is able to work contrary to what we think of as the laws of nature. In other words, He is greater than the world He created.

2. God is interested in the small stuff. Running out of wine at a wedding might be embarrassing, but it’s not a disaster. God intervenes in the nitty-gritty of human interactions.

3. God likes a good party. Jesus often used feasts as settings for parables.

4. God does all things well. When Jesus makes wine it is a good vintage.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, at a wedding in Cana you turned water into wine. Please take my ordinary efforts today and turn them into a sign of your kingdom. Amen.

 

 

Scripture
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Observation
Pilate summons Jesus and asks Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus asks Pilate if he came tot his question by himself. Pilate then asks Jesus what crime He has committed to lead to His arrest.

Jesus replies that His kingdom is not from this world. His followers could have used violence to prevent His arrest but this is not the way of His kingdom.

Application
In a time of terrorist atrocities and refugee crises, we need to remember that God’s kingdom is different to the kingdoms of this world.

God’s kingdom is about the the power of love more than anything else. We face terrorist threats not be revenge but with firm love. We face refugee crises with genuine love and compassion not with hard-heartedness.

In our personal relationships the same principles apply, We might face workplace bullying, unfair systems, difficult families. The correct response is never violence but firm love.

God’s ways are not the ways of the world, and His kingdom advances by very different paths to the kingdoms of this world.

Prayer
Lord help me to live by kingdom values and not the values of this world. Please lead me in every situation, every relationship. Amen.