The Sound of Silence.

Revelation 8

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. – Revelation 8:1 NLT

Out of all the fantastic imagery found in this chapter, the ten words found in the second half of this verse jumped out at me the most. In the previous chapters John has witnessed the ceaseless praise going on before the throne of God. There are angels, elders, and saints dressed in white, all standing before the throne of God, giving him never-ending praise and glory. There is a "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9 NIV). They are crying out in a loud voice,  "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (Revelation 7:10 NIV). Remember, this is a crowd of individuals so large, you can't count them. Now, imagine the noise level. On top of that, you have the four living creatures and the 24 elders singing before the throne, "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become God’s Kingdom and his priests. And they will reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10 NLT). And as if that wasn't enough, there are "thousands and millions of angels" singing before the throne, "The Lamb is worthy – the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Revelation 5:12 NLT).

Can you imagine the sound? It would have been deafening. Beautiful, but deafening. And then suddenly, SILENCE!

With the opening of the seventh seal, there is suddenly silence in heaven. Most likely for the first time in eternity! The praising stops. The singing ceases. No one is saying anything. Do you catch the significance of this moment? John says that there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. It must have seemed like an eternity. For the first time in all of time and even before time began, God was not receiving praise. The sense of anticipation is palpable. Something significant is about to happen. Judgment is coming on the earth. John goes on to describe what that judgment is going to be like. The silence seems appropriate. It is as if the angels, elders, and saints all stop and hold their collective breath as Jesus opens this seventh seal. They know what is about to happen. The stored up wrath of God is about to be unleashed. His long-delayed judgment is coming. It is an event prophesied in part in the book of Zephaniah. "Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign LORD, for the awesome day of the LORD’s judgment has come" (Zephaniah 1:7 NLT). Zechariah penned a similar warning: "Be silent before the LORD, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling" (Zechariah 2:13 NLT).

He is springing into action from His holy dwelling. The day IS coming when God will judge mankind. He will not put up with all that is going on forever. He is not powerless or indifferent to the sinfulness of mankind. He is simply waiting for the perfect timing in His diving master plan. Christ must first return to take home His bride, the church. Then the great tribulation must take place. But after that, the day of judgment will come. Preceded by a time of deafening silence. Because what will follow will be like nothing the world has ever seen before – or will ever see again. The unrestrained judgment of God. The thought of it should cause all of us to stop and reflect.

Father, I can't even begin to understand all the imagery in this book. I don't know when all of these events will take place. But I do know they will. And I do know that Your judgment is going to be full and complete. There will be no one who disbelieves in You at that point. It will be the beginning of the end. This passage reminds me to stop and think occasionally about the reality of the future. There is a day of judgment coming. Right now, all I can hear is the noise of this life. And at times it is deafening. It is all we can hear. But help me to stop and meditate on the fact that You are going to bring judgment in the end. You are a holy God who will complete what He began. Amen

Our side wins!

Revelation 7

For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life–giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears. – Revelation 7:17 NLT

Regardless of your eschatology or view of future things, one thing we can all agree on is that God wins in the end. He will bring all this madness to an end. We can sit and debate the specifics and argue pre-trib, post-trib theology, but we can't argue over the fact that God is going to finish what He began. We can't debate the fact that He is redeeming a people for Himself out of all of mankind and their salvation is available only through His Son Jesus Christ. That seems to be the primary thought in this chapter. If you get beyond all the opinions as to who the 144,000 and the great multitude that couldn't be numbered really are, you see that the focus of chapter seven, like the rest of this book, is the Lamb.

John views a scene of a vast multitude of believers clothed in white robes and standing before the throne of God, carrying palm branches and crying out, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10 NLT). In response to this cry, the all the angels, the 24 elders, and the four living creatures bow before the throne and shout, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and forever. Amen!" (Revelation 7:12 NLT).

John is then told who the great multitude of people dressed in white are. They are those who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb, and their robes are now white. In response to this transformation of their lives, they stand before the throne of God and serve Him day and night. God has transformed them through the sacrificial death of His Son, and as a result, they worship and adore Him. The elder tells John:

They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life–giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears. – Revelation 7:16-17 NLT

Isn't this what it is all about? Isn't this what we all long for? A time when we will never hunger and thirst again. We won't hunger for change or for release from this body of death. It will have taken place. We won't thirst for more of God because we will be with Him. We won't have to suffer the scorching heat that comes from life in this world. But we will enjoy the constant refreshment of God's presence. We will feast and drink in the very presence of God. There will be no more tears and no more sorrow. No more longing for things to be different. No more anxiety. No more worry. No more disappointment. No more stress. No more fear. No more struggle with sin. No more depression. No more ….

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be our shepherd.

Father, I can't wait until that day. While there is a lot about the end of time that I don't understand, I do understand that You win in the end. As confused and screwed up as this world seems to be, it will all be made right when You determine it is time. And I will be part of a great multitude of people who stand before Your throne and worship You day and night. Thank You for making this possible through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Help me to keep my eyes focused on the reality of the future. What we are experiencing here is just a blip on the radar screen compared to what eternity holds (2 Corinthians 4:17). Amen

You Can Run, But You Can't Hide!

Revelation 6

Then the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy people, the people with great power, and every slave and every free person – all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who will be able to survive?" – Revelation 6:15-17 NLT

There is a lot about this chapter I don't understand. I have to rely on the "experts" to give me any idea of what is going on and what all the symbolism stands for. Like the white, black, red, and pale horses. But one thing I do think is pretty clear is that a day is coming when everyone who is alive on the face of the earth will acknowledge "the one who sits on the throne." From the mightiest and the most influential to the wealthiest and the least significant, they will all share one thing in common: their fear of the wrath of God and the Lamb of God – Jesus Christ Himself. They'll attempt to hide themselves among the caves and rocks in the mountains, but it won't do any good. They'll even beg the rocks to fall on them to protect them from Gods wrath.

There is much debate as to exactly when this is going to happen. But there is no dispute that it WILL happen. And when it does, no one will be able to stand before the wrath of God. Jesus Christ will no longer be able to be ignored. The One whom they have despised, rejected, discounted, and continually ignored as irrelevant and unnecessary will suddenly be the focus of all their attention. Their power, wealth, prestige, and position will not be able to save them. That day will be the great equalizer. All men who have rejected the Son of God will stand before God and His holy wrath. And John asks the question, "who is able to stand?" No one.

God will set all things right. His Son will be seen for who He is. He will no longer be ignored. He will be feared. I may not know exactly when all this is going to take place. I have my opinions. But I DO know that it will take place and that this is a reminder to us all of the holiness and righteousness of God. It also reveals the power of God. All the cosmic events described in this chapter – earthquakes, darkened sun, blood-red moon, and stars falling from the sky are reminders that God is the one who holds it all together. It is all under His control. And the day is coming when He will exert full and final control over all creation and all men. The Lamb of God will become the Lion of Judah. And no one will be able to stand before Him! We serve a great God and an incredible Savior.

Father, You are in complete control. You have a perfect plan that You are working and You will bring it about in Your time. Help me to remember Your greatness. No man alive or yet to live can stand before Your divine power and wrath. Your Son is the King of kings and He will one day reign over all. Men who once ignored Him will bow down in fear before Him. Their ridicule will turn to respect, reverence, fear and awe. Help me to keep my eyes focused on the end. The good guys win. Amen

Worthy is the Lamb!

Revelation 5

Then I wept because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the twenty–four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has conquered. He is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals." – Vs 4-5 NLT

The scene continues in John's vision of heaven. God is seated on His throne surrounded by the four living creatures and the 24 elders who are worshiping him ceaselessly. In His hand God holds a scroll. But to John's dismay, there is no one deemed worthy to open to the scroll and read it. No one in heaven or on earth meets the qualifications for worthiness required to take the scroll from God's hand and read it. This news brings John to tears. Then one of the elders proclaims to him, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has conquered. He is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals" (Revelation 5:5 NLT). At that point John sees a Lamb standing between the throne and the 24 elders. Isn't it interesting that the elder describes Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, but then He appears as the Lamb, standing as though it had been slain (Revelation 5:6). Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb. He is the conqueror, but only because He was slain. He defeated death and sin by dying a sacrificial, substitionary death on the cross for you and me. He is worthy because He was slain.

You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become God’s Kingdom and his priests. And they will reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10 NLT)

Jesus is worthy because He was faithful to do what He had been sent by the Father to do. He accomplished the Father's will. He gave His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). His death resulted in victory. His death resulted in life for many (Romans 5:15). His death resulted in our becoming heirs of a kingdom of priests and citizens of a heaven (1 Peter 2:9). The whole emphasis of this chapter is on Jesus and His worthiness. He is the star of this scene and the central focus of the action. The angels join the celebration of His worthiness by singing, "The Lamb is worthy––the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Revelation 5:12 NLT). Then every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea sang with them, "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever" (Revelation 5:13 NLT).

The whole scene ends with the 24 elders falling at their feet in worship and adoration before God and the Lamb. He is worthy! He is deserving of our praise, honor, and adoration because of what He has done. He is the Lamb who was slain. He sacrificed His life so that I might live. He ransomed me from slavery to sin and death. And He deserves my praise.

Father, You sent Your Son to die in my place. And He did what He came to do. Because of that I have access before Your throne. I am Your Son and an heir to Your kingdom. All because of what Jesus, the Lamb of God did on the cross. Thank You for sending Him. Jesus, thank You for coming and being obedient, even to the point of dying on the cross in my place. Amen

Holy, Holy, Holy!

Revelation 4

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. – Vs 8 NIV

What does heaven really look like? That's a question we've all asked at one time or another. And in this chapter, John gets the opportunity to see it and describe it to us. Of course, he only gets to visit heaven in a vision, but there is no indication that what he saw was any less real. But in attempting to put what he saw into words that we could understand, John is stuck with similes, metaphors, and verbal analogies that paint a fantastic, but also somewhat confusing image for us. He describes God as "He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance" (Revelation 4:3 NASB). It's hard to get a clear visual representation in my mind of just exactly what that would look like. For whatever reason, what John is seeing is so incredible that he is unable to use normal descriptive terms to tell us what he is looking at. The scene is indescribable. It is more than words can express. Even the sounds he hears can only be expressed in the form of a comparison. He says, "From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder" (Revelation 4:5 NIV). His description of the four living creatures (Revelation 4:4-8) who surround the throne sounds like something out of Greek mythology.

Yet in the middle of all this fantastic imagery, John hears clearly the words the creatures are saying. He says that these creatures surround the throne of God and that day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." There is no question as to what he was hearing. He didn't have to describe their words as peals of thunder or like the roaring of a waterfall. No, he heard their words loud and clear. And he also heard the words of the 24 elders who respond to the cry of the creatures by bowing before the throne of God and crying out, "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created" (Revelation 4:11 NLT). The scene John is witnessing is unbelievable and indescribable, yet the purpose behind it is quite clear: the worship and adoration of God. John may have had a hard time describing what he was seeing, but he was quite clear about what he was hearing. The point seems to be that while we may have a difficult time describing God, even if we got to see Him face to face, we should have no difficulty worshiping God. What the creatures and the 24 elders are doing in heaven, we should be doing right now – praising God as the only true God. We should be praising Him for His holiness, set-apartness, sinlessness, and perfect righteousness. We should be praising Him for His infinite power and eternal nature. We should be praising Him for His worthiness. We may not be able to describe Him, but we can praise Him.

What John heard was far more significant than what he saw. He heard the heavenly occupants who surround God's throne acknowledging the one-of-a-kind nature of God. He alone is God. He is the creator of all things. He is the sustainer of all things. He alone is worthy of our honor and praise. What these creatures and elders do ceaselessly, we should do willingly as well. Their cries are a reminder of who God is and why we should worship Him. He is the indescribable, unbelievable, indisputable, unapproachable, unforgettable, undeniable, immutable, unquestionable Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!

Father, You are worthy of our praise. I may not be able to see You, describe You, or even understand You, but I can praise You. Like these creatures and the 24 elders, may I never cease to say, day and night, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Amen

I Know Your Works.

Revelation 3

You brag, "I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone," oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. – Vs 17 MSG

Jesus confronts three different churches in this one chapter and He begins with a single phrase each time: "I know your works." He is speaking to churches, not individuals. He is addressing the community of professing believers at a specific geographic location. He's talking to a local body of believers. Not to me as a single, solitary Christian. Why is this important? Because we tend to take so many of these passages and make them personal, and when we do we miss the whole point. While there are applications we can glean from these verses that we can apply to ourselves as individuals, the real message is for the church. And He is telling these churches that He is watching them. As a result, He says He knows their works. He knows what they have produced. The Greek word means "any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind." These churches are not lazy. They have been busy. And their efforts have been producing fruit. The problem is, Christ is not pleased with their fruit. In each case, He has found something wrong. The church in Sardis is in a spiritual coma. They have a reputation for being alive, but in reality they are dead. They may have those around them fooled, but Christ knows the truth.

The church in Philadelphia is a slightly different story. They actually get a commendation from the Lord. He tells them, "Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world" (Vs 10 NLT). This church is under persecution, yet in spite of its difficult circumstances it has remained faithful to the Word of God and has not denied His name. He encourages them to hold fast and to remember that He is coming again soon.

The message to the church in Laodicea is the most striking one to me. And it is probably the most familiar one. He tells them, "You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit" (Vs 15 MSG). This church was spiritually flat-lined. They were addicted to the status quo. It was business-as-usual all the time for these people. They were indifferent and complacent. They were stuck in the middle. They weren't cold. This probably has nothing to do with spiritual coldness or carnality. Being Christ says, "I will spit you out of my mouth" (NASB), He is probably making a reference to water. Cold water refreshes and quenches thirst. Hot water warms the body when cold. Both are positive attributes, not negative. Yet this church is neither. They are tepid when it comes to their spirituality. And they literally make Christ sick.

Their problem? They are self-sufficient, overly confident, and spiritually prideful. Listen to Christ's description: "You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless" (Vs 18 MSG). They were blind to their true spiritual condition. They looked at themselves and saw success. They were oblivious to their true spiritual condition. They had come to a point as a church where they didn't really need Christ any more. They could accomplish everything they needed to do in their own strength. But Christ reminds them that they were really pitiful. From His perspective they were like a blind beggar, a homeless person totally dependent on the goodwill of others to survive. So Christ calls them to return to Him as the source of all their needs. But first they have to admit and confess their condition. That's where it always begins. Then He says that He will meet their needs. He will restore their spiritual vitality and usefulness. He will restore the fellowship and intimacy with Him that is missing in their church. That is why He pleads, "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends" (Vs 20 NLT). This is one of the most misquoted passages in the Bible. It has little to do with salvation, but has everything to do with the kind of relationship Christ wants to have with His church. He wants to dine with us. He wants to spend time with us. He wants to have intimate, close fellowship with us. But He is standing outside a closed door waiting to be let into our midst. It is as if Christ is saying to the church today, "Please let Me be a part of what You are doing! Let Me in. I want to contribute!" Do we hear Him? Do we need Him? Or like the church at Laodicea, have we become so self-sufficient that we don't need Him anymore?

Father, we need Your Son more than ever. The church needs to open the door and let in the One who can help us survive and make a difference in this world. We can not be the salt and light You have called us to be apart from the influence of Your Son. Forgive us for thinking we are need of nothing. Open our eyes and let us see our true condition if we attempt to do Your work without Your Son. Amen

I Have This Against You!

Revelation 2

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. – Vs 4 NASB

The first church addressed by our Lord in this vision to John was the church in Ephesus. Christ reveals that He knows their deeds. He praises their zeal, perseverance, and determination to protect the gospel from falsehood. But in the midst of all that, He indicts them for having left their first love. The New Living Translation paraphrases His comment this way: "But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!" In his commentary on the book of Revelation, Matthew Henry explains the real issue:

"The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared. Christ is displeased with his people, when he sees them grow remiss and cold toward him. Surely this mention in Scripture, of Christians forsaking their first love, reproves those who speak of it with carelessness, and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Saviour considers this indifference as sinful. They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavour to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when they first set out in the ways of God." – Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

These people were busy doing spiritual things and patiently enduring hardship for the cause of Christ, but at the same time, their lives exhibited a loss of love for Christ Himself. Their efforts had replaced the affection. Their obsession with performance had replaced their passion for the Savior. If you go back to Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, you read where he commended them. "That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the Christians, I couldn't stop thanking God for you – every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks" (Ephesians 1:15-15 MSG). Their faith and love for Christ had resulted in love for one another. But now Christ was accusing them of having left or abandoned their first love.

The word translated "left" here is so much more powerful and impactful in the Greek language. It is a term that was used when referring to a man divorcing his wife. It carries the idea of abandonment. It paints a picture of unfaithfulness. It can literally be translated, "to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned." That is what Christ is indicting the church at Ephesus for and, by extension, the church of today. We too, can end up abandoning our first love, all the while appearing as if all is well in our relationship with Christ. It is much like a man or woman who emotionally walks out on their marriage partner, but remains in the same home, giving all appearances that their marriage is intact and in good health. But the reality is that the love has long gone. They are simply going through the motions.

Christ commended this church for their diligence in duty and for their patience in suffering. But He also points out what is missing. Or what has gone missing. They had abandoned their first love or that which was of first rank or importance. Our efforts for Christ must never replace our affection for Him. What we do for Him must be motivated by our love for Him. Christ tells the Ephesians to remember and repent. They must call to mind the way things began in their relationship with Him. They must consciously determine where they started and where they have ended up. Then their awareness must lead to confession and repentance. This doesn't come naturally. We can so easily become blind to our spiritual condition. We can convince ourselves that all is well because we do so much so well. But if we stop and take stock, we will see that we have really replaced our love for Christ with a love for something else. Like them, I can be busy serving Him, but fall in love with serving more than the Savior Himself. I can end up doing a lot for Christ, but not out of love for Him. I can replace affection with effort. But He wants my love, not my duty. 

Father, forgive me for falling in love with the trappings of spirituality and religion and losing my affection for Your Son. He must always remain my primary love. He must be where I focus my affection. Nothing and no one else can ever replace Him, even though I consistently try to find love and satisfaction elsewhere. Bring us back to our first love, as a church, and as the people of God. May Your church return to where we first began. So that the world may see Him in us and be drawn to the love He reveals for us and through us. Amen

Don't Be Afraid!

Revelation 1

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave." – Vs 17-18 NLT

Well, this is it. The last book of the New Testament – the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. And it's going to be a wild ride. This book is full of fantastic visions, difficult-to-understand imagery, and prophetic pronouncements that may seem to have little application for daily life, but it was actually written to encourage the churches that existed during the day when John penned the book under the Holy Spirit's influence. So in the midst of all the unbelievable imagery, there is a message that we must look for and listen to. John says, "God blesses the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen" (Vs 3 NLT). There is a blessing in store for those who hear and obey the words of the Revelation. So it seems that it would make sense for us to listen carefully and obey fully.

John starts out this book with a clear indication of its author – Jesus Christ. These are the words of Christ for His church. He appears to John in a vision on the island of Patmos where John has been exiled for his preaching of the gospel. John describes Jesus, "'like a son of man,' dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance" (Vs 13-16 NIV). Wow! What a sight. And John's immediate reaction was to fall down as if dead.

But Jesus reaches down and touches John, saying, "Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave" (Vs 17-18 NLT). Jesus assures John of who He is. He is the eternal one who came and died on behalf of men. He is the one who was resurrected and lives forevermore – having conquered death and the grave. Jesus tells John not to fear. He assures John that He is the same Jesus he came to know when He walked with John along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Yes, He looks a little different than John remembers. He appears in this vision clothed in glory, emanating power, and exuding strength. He is the same Jesus, but this time He appears in all His eternal majesty, glory, and divine power. The book of the Revelation is a book of hope and joy. It is a picture into the future. It is a glimpse into the unseen. But it is also a reminder to those of us who make up the church of Jesus Christ today that He is not done. This story is not over yet. He is ALIVE. He is in complete control and one day He is going to return and set all things right. But before all that happens, He has a few things He wants to say to us. He tells John to write down what He has to say the the seven churches – which represent His global church. So as we read this book, let us listen carefully and obey completely. If we do, we are assured a blessing.

Father, make this book come alive to me more than ever before. Open my ears to hear what You have to say to me and to all of us who make up the church today. Your Son has a message for us. And because of who He is, we should listen. Don't let me get bogged down in all the imagery and lose the message. May Your Holy Spirit assist me in understanding what it is You have to say through this book. Amen

What About Him?

John 21

Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You follow me." – Vs 22 NLT

Jesus has just revealed to Peter that he is going to die a martyr's death."The truth is, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you where you don’t want to go" (Vs 18 NLT). John makes it clear what Jesus meant by this seemingly obscure comment. "Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, 'Follow me'" )Vs 19 NLT). What a bombshell this must have been to Peter. Not only had Jesus just questioned him three times about his love for Him, now he was hearing that he was going to have to die a martyr's death. This must have been devastating news to Peter.

Listen to what Matthew Henry has to say in his commentary about this statement by Jesus to Peter:

He foretells particularly that he should die a violent death, by the hands of an executioner. The stretching out of his hands, some think, points at the manner of his death by crucifying; and the tradition of the ancients, if we may rely upon that, informs us that Peter was crucified at Rome under Nero, A.D. 68, or, as others say, 79. Others think it points at the bonds and imprisonments which those are hampered with that are sentenced to death. The pomp and solemnity of an execution add much to the terror of death, and to any eye of sense make it look doubly formidable. Death, in these horrid shapes, has often been the lot of Christ's faithful ones, who yet have overcome it by the blood of the Lamb. This prediction, though pointing chiefly at his death, was to have its accomplishment in his previous sufferings. It began to be fulfilled presently, when he was imprisoned, Acts 6:3; 5:18; 12:4. No more is implied here in his being carried whither he would not than that it was a violent death that he should be carried to, such a death as even innocent nature could not think of without dread, nor approach without some reluctance. He that puts on the Christian does not put off the man. Christ himself prayed against the bitter cup. A natural aversion to pain and death is well reconcileable with a holy submission to the will of God in both. Blessed Paul, though longing to be unloaded, owns he cannot desire to be unclothed, 2 Co. 5:4.

But what I love about Peter is his honesty. How does he respond? Not with a bunch of questions. He doesn't even ask Jesus, "Why?" No, he turns the attention to John, asking Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Do you catch what he is asking? He wants to know what is going to happen to John. There is a hint of jealousy in his words. After all, John is the disciple whom Jesus loved. He knew Jesus and John had a special relationship. Jesus had turned over the care of His own mother to John while He hung on the cross. John hadn't denied the Lord like Peter had. Jesus hadn't questioned John's love and loyalty. So Peter wants to know if he is being singled out. Is he the only one who is going to suffer and die. He wants to know if John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is going to hear similar bad news.

Isn't that just like us? When we have to suffer for the Lord or go through difficult times as believers, we want to know why someone else isn't having to go through the same thing or at least something similar. We compare. We complain. We want to know why we are being singled out. We want to know why so-in-so is doing so well while we are suffering. But what does Jesus say to Peter? "Jesus replied, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.'" (Vs 22 NLT). What is that to you? Why do we have to worry about everyone else? Why can't we accept from the Lord what He has given for us to bear and not try to compare out lot in life to someone else? Others seem more blessed than us. Others seems to skate through life unscathed and untouched by trials and tribulations. Others seem to have everything go their way. So we begin to see life as unfair. When we do, we call into question God's love. Jesus had just told Peter, "Follow Me." Yes, the way was going to be difficult and would end in Peter's death. But Jesus was calling Peter to commit his life to following Him – regardless of the cost. Peter wanted to know what it was going to cost John. But as far as Jesus was concerned, that was noconcern of Peter's. "What is that to you?"

We have each been called by Jesus to follow Him. We have been called to a life of commitment and sacrifice. We have been called to a life of discipleship and service. We have been called to a life that calls for death to self and yes, sometimes suffering. I am not to compare my life with anyone else. I am not to compare my calling or my circumstances with anyone else's. I am to trust God and follow His Son faithfully. The path He has for me is going to be different and distinct. The circumstances I encounter along the way will be unique to me. I am not to concern myself with others or ask, "Lord, what about this man?" I am simply to follow Him and trust that He knows exactly what He is doing in my life and with my life.

Father, too often I ask, "Lord, what about this man?" I compare. I contrast. Then I complain. I want to know why my life has to be so hard. I want to know why I have to go through what I am going through. I want to know why others seem to have it so easy. Yet, what is that to me? I am called to follow Your Son and to trust His will for my life. May I grow in my commitment to and confidence in Jesus. May I trust Him more and more with the details of my daily life. Because He has never proven Himself untrustworthy. Amen

I have seen the Lord!

John 20

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” — and that he had said these things to her. – Vs 18 ESV

What a dark morning it must have been as Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb of Jesus. Not only was the sky dark, but everything in her world was darkened by sadness and the painful realization that her teacher and friend, Jesus, was dead. Her hopes in Him as the coming Messiah had given way to disillusionment and despair. Her mind must have been reeling as she tried to grasp what had happened over the last 24 hours. It all began so well, with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but somewhere along the way,  it had taken a nasty turn for the worse. He had been arrested, beaten, mocked, falsely accused, and run through a series of trials. And then it had ended with His excruciating death on a cross.

Now as she made her way to the tomb, she had one thing on her mind: the task of anointing Jesus' body for burial – something they had not been able to do the day before because it was the Sabbath. But when she and the other two women who accompanied her arrived at the tomb, the were shocked to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. They immediately ran to tell the disciples. But at this point, she had robbery, not resurrection on her mind. She told them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him" (Vs 2 ESV). They all ran back to the scene of the crime. Peter and John entered the tomb, but Mary Magdalene remained outside crying. Could it get any worse than this? Not only was her teacher dead, now His body was gone. Even when she was confronted by the angels and asked the reason for her tears, she could only respond, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him" (Vs 13 ESV). Then she turned and saw the resurrected Lord, but failed to recognize Him. He too asked her why she was crying, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? (Vs 15 ESV). Assuming Him to be the gardener, she responded, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away" (Vs 15 ESV).

Do you see the irony in this scene? Here was Mary Magdalene, standing in front of her resurrected Lord and Savior, and all she could think about was completing her task of anointing His body for burial. She had come to do something for Him, and was failing to see the magnitude of what He had just done for her. She had become consumed by her circumstances. Everything around her was telling her that all hope was lost. The one on whom she had come to depend was no longer there for her to lean on, learn from, and hope in. She was on her on. This was the man who had given her back her life by casting seven demons out of her. But now He was gone. At least that was her perspective – until He said her name. Then her eyes were opened and she recognized Him. In joy she clung to Him. But Jesus gave her a job to do. And it was different than what she had originally come to do. She wasn't going to anoint. Instead she was going to announce. She was to tell the disciples the good news of Jesus' resurrection. And she did, exclaiming, "I have seen the Lord!" (Vs 18 ESV).

"I have seen the Lord!" Isn't that the news we all should be shouting? Those of us who have found new life in Christ should be telling everyone we meet that we have had a personal encounter with the Lord. We have seen Him. We have experienced Him. Our message of good news should not be academic, but actual. We should be able to say that He is alive and well and active in our lives. But for many of us, we are like Mary Magdalene. We live our lives focused on our circumstances, failing to recognize Him when He does appear. We act as if He is dead and our cause defeated. Our Jesus is a Jesus of the past. He is not alive and influencing our lives today. So instead of announcing Him as the living Lord, we "anoint" Him by paying our last respects. We sing about Him. We study about Him. We read books about Him. We listen to sermons about Him. But we fail to SEE Him. We fail to experience Him as the risen Lord. May we open our eyes and see Jesus standing before us today, so that we may say with Mary, "I have seen the Lord!"

Father, Your Son is alive and well, but I often act as if He is still in the tomb. I can so easily view Him as an historical figure. I can study His life and teachings. I can know all there is to know about Him. But I can fail to see Him and know Him. I can allow my circumstances to convince me that He is no longer with me. But open my eyes to recognize Him as alive and active in my life. He doesn't need me to anoint Him, but to announce Him. May I be able to shout, "I have seen the Lord!" today. Amen

More Than A Man.

John 19

When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" – Vs 5 NIV

In this chapter we find Jesus in the middle of a succession of trials. Here he is before Pilate. He has been beaten, flogged, spit on, slapped, ridiculed, had a crown of thorns pressed down on his head and been made to wear a robe in mockery of His lofty position as "King of the Jews." Finding no fault in Jesus, Pilate appeals to the crowd in an attempt to release Jesus. So he presents him to the masses and shouts, "Here is the man!" In Jesus' current physical state, He had to present a hideous sight – covered in blood, the skin on His back and sides hanging off of Him due to the brutal flogging He had received. His face was most likely swollen and bruised. Blood would have been streaming from the wounds caused by the thorns pressing into His scalp. Perhaps Pilate was attempting to appeal to the mercy of the Jews by showing Jesus in this condition. He was still wearing the royal-colored robe and the "Crown." How could they fear someone so pitiful? What could He do now to harm them or their precious religious system?

But what Pilate didn't realize was that his words carried far more meaning than he could have ever dreamed. When he shouted, "Here is the man!," he was unknowingly referencing a Messianic prophesy from the book of Zechariah:

Then say to him, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD.'" – Zechariah 6:12 (NASB)

While in the immediate context, this passage refers to Zerubbabel, it is also a prophetic pronouncement concerning the coming Messiah. He would be a man whose name is Branch. The theme of the branch can be found throughout the Old Testament and is a reference to the Messiah – a role that Jesus Himself fulfilled.

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit."– Isaiah 11:1 (NASB)

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. – Isaiah 53:2 (NASB)

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. – Jeremiah 33:15

The epithet “Branch” (צֶמַח, tsemakh) derives from the verb used here (יִצְמָח, yitsmakh, “will sprout up”) to describe the rise of Jesus, the Messiah. In announcing Jesus as the man, Pilate was unwittingly announcing Jesus the Messiah. Even dressed as He was and in the condition in which He appeared, Jesus was fulfilling prophesy by appearing as the suffering servant. Isaiah 53 prophesies this role for Jesus:

"Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him. Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins. So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels." – Isaiah 53:10-12 (NET)

Jesus was the man. He was the branch. He was the suffering servant who came to give His life on our behalf. As He stood there before Pilate and the hostile Jewish crowd, Jesus appeared as the sacrificial lamb who life was being slowly taken from Him. His death had begun. The cross would only finish what the Roman guards had begun. Everything He had suffered to this point was intended for a convicted criminal. He was already bearing the brunt for our sins. He was suffering on our behalf. He was taking on Himself the penalty intended for me and you. He was the man. The God-man who alone could satisfy the just wrath of God against sin. He carried our sins. He acquitted us of all our transgressions. He was the man who is called the Branch who would bear much fruit. And today, because of what He did, we are the fruit of His faithful obedience.

Father, thank You for Your Son. That He was willing to be the man who alone could satisfy You by paying the penalty for sin. I could never have satisfied Your just demands. But He did. And He did it for me! And to do it He became a man. He became THE man. The only man who could live a sinless life and die a sinner's death. So that the penalty for sin could be paid for once and for all. Here is the man! Thank You, thank You, thank You!!! Amen

King Jesus.

John 18

My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm. – Vs 36 NASB

Ever since the day Jesus had begun His earthly ministry and called His first disciples, His followers had hoped that He was the "coming One," the Messiah they had long hoped for. For centuries they had been waiting for the arrival of the one who would come as their king and lead them in victory over their enemies. The Messiah for whom they were waiting was going to be a warrior-king. He would defeat the Romans, set His people free, and set up His kingdom on earth, reestablishing the throne of David in Jerusalem. G. N. H. Peters writes, "It is universally admitted by writers of prominence … that the Jews, including the pious, held to a personal coming of the Messiah, the literal restoration of the Davidic throne and kingdom, the personal reign of Messiah on David’s throne, the resultant exaltation of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, and the fulfilment of the Millennial descriptions of that reign." The expectation of the disciples was high. They were anticipating that Jesus was going to set up His kingdom here on earth. That is why two of them asked Jesus if they could sit on His left and on His right when He came into power (Mark 10:37). It is also the reason why Peter rebuked Jesus for saying that He was going to Jerusalem to die (Matthew 16:21-23). This news did not fit into Peter's plans for the Messiah or himself. He was looking for a conquering King, not a suffering servant. The Jews had held onto the promises given to them by God found in the writings of the Old Testament:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7

But now, as we approach the last hours of Jesus life, we see that the kingdom He came to establish was quite different than that which the disciples and Jews had anticipated. Jesus clearly saw Himself as a king. He admitted it to Pilate when He said, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (Vs 37 NASB). But He also clarified that His kingdom was NOT going to be an earthly kingdom – at least not yet. "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm" (Vs 36 NASB). Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom. He came to reign as king in the lives of those who would be His servants. He would not be recognized as king by His own – the Jews. But He was king nonetheless. And He is king today. He rules and He reigns from heaven. He is Lord of Lord and King of kings. He sits at the right hand of the Father and one day will return to finish what He began. The day is coming when He will establish His throne on earth and rule from Jerusalem.

But the real question is whether or not Jesus is king in my life today. Does He rule and reign over the affairs of my life? Or like the Jews of Jesus' day, am I guilty of anticipating a different kind of king? Was I looking for a king who would do what I wanted? Was I anticipating a king who would give me a life free from pain, sorrow, opposition, and struggles? At this point, Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual one. He rules in the lives of men and women. His kingdom is not of this earth. One day it will be. But for now, it is a kingdom that has a spiritual dimension. As a believer, I am a citizen of that kingdom. But do I obey its King? Do I allow Him to rule in my life every day? What about you? Is Jesus King in your life today? Read the following message given by Dr. S. M. Lockeridge. It could inspire you to let Him reign in your life.

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a national King. He’s the King of Righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of Kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my king.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.

I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever's, then . . .Amen!

Sacrificed For Our Sanctification.

John 17

And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours. – Vs 19 NLT

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because it is a prayer of Jesus that He prayed on our behalf. It is just hours before is arrest, trials, and crucifixion, yet He stops to talk to His Father and lift up His disciples and all those who would believe in Him because of their words. That includes me and you. He prays that we would know the Father and Himself as the sent one, the crucified sacrificial Lamb of God. In fact, that is Jesus' definition of what it means to be saved. This is not just an intellectual knowledge, but an intimate, personal knowledge that should grow over time. The word Jesus used was actually a Jewish idiom referring to sexual intimacy between a man and a woman. Jesus is asking that we might experience eternal life which is a close, intimate, personal knowledge of God and His Son. And that knowledge will grow deeper over time. Jesus also asked the Father to protect us from the enemy during our time here on earth. He didn't ask God to take us out of the world, but to leave us here, even though, as His followers, we are no longer a part of this world. He left us here to carry on His mission. He was actually sending us out into the world (Vs 18). Because of that, He asks the Father to set them apart in the truth of His word. We, like the disciples, have heard the truth. In fact, Jesus prayed, "I have passed on to them the words you gave me; and they accepted them and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me" (Vs 8 NLT). Jesus had told them the truth about who He was, where He had come from, what was going to happen to Him, and where He was going. He had told them the truth about the Holy Spirit to come and the role they were to play after He was gone. Everything God had said regarding Jesus in His word, which at that time was the Old Testament, had been and would be proven true in Jesus. So He asks that the Father would dedicate them for service according to that truth. And that applies to us as well.

But everything that Jesus asked the Father to do would only be possible if Jesus did what He came to do. And that is what verse 19 talks about. Jesus tells His Father that He is setting Himself apart or dedicating Himself for the sake of His followers. Like a lamb that is dedicated or set apart for sacrifice, Jesus is consecrating Himself for death on the cross. He is willingly putting His life on the line so that we might have eternal life. Jesus didn't just ask the Father to do all these things for us at no cost to Himself. He laid it all on the line. He sacrificed Himself on our behalf. Listen to what He says: "I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours" (Vs 19). Everything Jesus prayed was possible ONLY if Jesus accomplished what He was sent to do. His death was the key. And He did it for our sake – on our behalf. Why? So that we might be truly sanctified. His death made possible our dedication. His sacrifice made possible our sanctification. What Jesus did on the cross is what sets us apart. His death is what gave us life. He paid the debt we owed so that we might be reconciled or restored to a right relationship with God. We are now set apart and dedicated to Him. We have been bought at a high price. Paul tells us just that in 1 Corinthians 6:20: "For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body" (NLT). He reminds us later in the same letter: "God purchased you at a high price. Don’t be enslaved by the world" (1 Corinthians 7:23 NLT). Jesus set Himself apart for death so that we might be set apart to God. To honor God with our bodies and to never again allow ourselves to go back into slavery to the world. We are no longer of this world (Vs 14). Instead, we have been sent by Christ into the world to carry on His work (Vs 18). We have been set apart and dedicated for that purpose. And He payed for it with His life.

Father, You sent your Son to die on my behalf. He dedicated Himself for that purpose. And because He did, I am set apart and dedicated to You. He bought Me our of slavery to sin and dedicated me to You. I am no longer mine. I belong to You. May I live like it. Forgive me for failing to glorify You in my body like I should. I tend to want to glorify me. Forgive me for allowing myself to fall back into slavery to this world. I allow it to capture me with its pleasures and false promises. But I am no longer of this world. I have been sent into it as an ambassador or representative of Christ. Show me how to live out that reality every day. I belong to You. May I live like it every day of my life.  Amen

I Have Overcome the World!

John 16

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. – Vs 33 NLT

In this chapter we have Jesus sharing some heavy and somewhat confusing news with His disciples. It is clear from the passage that they are having a hard time tracking with Him. They even say, "And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand" (Vs 18 NLT). Jesus has good news and bad news for them. The bad news is that the hour is coming when they will be considered outcasts from the synagogue. They'll be excommunicated and unable to worship as they have all their lives. On top of that, they will be killed and those who do it will think they are doing God a favor. The good news is that Jesus assures them He is sending them a "helper." They don't know it yet, but this is a reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit. "And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment" (Vs 8 NLT). Jesus assures them that, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future" (Vs 13 NLT).

Then Jesus really confuses things by telling them, In just a little while I will be gone, and you won’t see me anymore. Then, just a little while after that, you will see me again" (Vs 16 NLT). He also tells them that the coming events will leave them weeping and mourning while the world rejoices, but their grief will turn to joy. He is clearly foreshadowing His crucifixion and death, as well as His resurrection. Finally, He tells them that because of what He is about to go through, they will have new power available to them. They will be able to pray in the authority of His name and receive whatever they ask for. They will have direct access to the Father because of what Jesus is about to accomplish on their behalf. While Jesus is going to be leaving them and returning to the Father, His departure will provide them with a reconciled or renewed relationship with the Father.

But Jesus' last statement in this chapter is the most impactful one. He tells His disciples that "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows" (Vs 33 NLT). He basically assure them that the days ahead will not be easy ones – even after His resurrection. Yes, they will have access to the Father. Yes, they will have a divine Helper in the form of the Holy Spirit. Yes, they will be able to ask the Father for anything they need in Jesus' name. But they will experience extreme pressure. That is what the Greek word used here for trials and sorrows means. It refers to "oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress." They are going to face some difficult days ahead. It is not going to be easy. And the book of Acts chronicles exactly what Jesus is prophesying. The apostle Paul testified to the reality of Jesus' statement in his letter to the Romans: "Even the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.' No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us" (Romans 8:36-37 NLT). John also testified to the truth of Jesus' statement. "For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5 NLT).

Jesus has overcome the world. Even though He had not yet died or been resurrected, Jesus confidently asserted that what He was about to do was as good as done. He was going to finish what He had come to do. And He did. He overcame the world. And because of that we can have the same confidence that Paul and John had. Overwhelming victory is our through Christ. We can win the battle against the world because we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. We can win. It is going to be hard, but we can win! We WILL win, because He has already won.

Father, I want to live with a sense of victory, not defeat. I want to live as an overcomer, not an underdog. Keep me focused on the words of Jesus. He has overcome the world. He has won the victory. It is just a matter of time before He sets everything right, but it WILL happen. Help me not to lose sight of that reality. Amen

What Do You Wish For?

John 15

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – Vs 7 NASB

Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. I have always struggled with this verse. It's a promise from Christ Himself, but I have rarely seen it become a reality in my life. I know the problem is not with Christ or His Word, so it begs the question, "Why don't I seem to get whatever I wish?" About two years ago, while on a missions trip to Ethiopia, I had the opportunity to teach this chapter to about 160 pastors and church leaders. It was in studying for that lesson that the real message of this verse jumped out at me. I discovered that it had very little to do with what I wish. At least not with the kinds of things that I tend to wish for. The secret to understanding this promise is to keep it in its context. But like a lot of other passages in Scripture, we tend to lift it out of its context, and when we do, we lose its real meaning.

Jesus starts out chapter seven using the metaphor of vines, branches, and the vinedresser. It is an agricultural metaphor that his listeners would have easily understood. The real point of the metaphor seems to be about fruit bearing or fruitfulness. In the first 10 verses, Jesus uses the terms "bear fruit" and "bear more fruit" six different times. The clear purpose of a vine is to bear fruit. It is the reason a vinedresser plants the vine in the first place. When he places the vine in the ground, his expectation is that it bear fruit. In verse seven, Jesus says, "…ask whatever you wish." That word means "have in mind, intend" or "desire, wish, take delight in, have pleasure." Think about it. What does the vinedresser have in mind or intend when he plants the vine? Fruit. And the more, the better. If the vine could intelligently think, what would its greatest desire be? To produce fruit and a lot of it? The vine wouldn't desire something else. It wouldn't want to be the wood used to build a yacht or a throne. It would take delight in doing what it was intended to do. And in doing so, it would bring pleasure to the vinedresser. The same thing holds true for the branches. Their greatest desire or wish would be for fruitfulness. They would want, desire, wish, and take delight in doing what they were created to do.

But what is Jesus really talking about here? His followers. He is giving us a parable or story that helps us better understand our role in His kingdom work. God is the vinedresser, and He "planted" His Son on this earth to bear fruit. We are the branches. We are attached to and abide in the vine, and have the power and resources of Christ Himself flowing through us. As a result, we produce fruit. So when Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you," He is still talking about fruitfulness. What is the greatest wish or desire of the vinedresser? Fruitfulness. What is the greatest wish or desire of the vine? Fruitfulness. What should be the greatest wish or desire of the branch? Fruitfulness. We should want nothing more than to be fruit bearers. That should be my greatest wish or desire. It should bring me pleasure to bear fruit for the Father as Jesus produces it through me. This isn't about me getting whatever I want, but about my life being used by God to produce what HE wants. Fruit. Just look at verse eight: "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." I glorify God when my life produces fruit. Why? Because it is clear that He has produced it in me. When a winery produces abundant grapes, you don't praise the vine or the branches, you praise the keeper of the winery. The same is true in our lives. When our lives produce fruit, God gets the glory. Because He is the one who made it possible. So when Jesus says,  "ask whatever you wish." He isn't telling us we have a blank check and can write it for whatever we want. He is saying that our desires are going to change. What we ask for is going to radically change the more we abide in Him. As the life of Christ flows through our life, we will see our desires change. What used to bring us pleasure no longer will. Instead we will find that we want what He wants. We will desire what He desires. And what does He desire? Fruitfulness.

And here's one more thing to think about regarding fruitfulness. The fruit is NOT for you. I used to think that I was the key beneficiary of the fruit in my life, but if you stick with the metaphor, you realize that the fruit is produced for others, not for me. I am not the beneficiary. An apple tree does not eat the fruit it produces. Others do. So when I allow God to produce fruit through me, it is those around me who benefit. They are blessed. They get to enjoy what God has produced through me. So they benefit from my love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. But I don't go away empty handed. Jesus tells us in verse 11: "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." What is the joy that Jesus has that He wants to fill us with? To do the will of His Father. To produce fruit. When we see our lives producing fruit and benefiting those around us, we WILL have joy. Because we will know that we are doing what we were made to do. We are being used by God. And who could wish for anything more?

Father, make it my greatest wish to bear fruit for You! Continue to change my desires to match Yours. I want to want what You want. I want to be fruitful. So that my joy may be full. Amen

He Loved To Death.

John 14

I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. – Vs 30-31 NLT

Time was running out. Jesus' days on this earth were numbered and He knew that His death was fast approaching. So He tried to encourage His disciples. He told them that He was going to prepare a place for them (Vs 3). He reminded them that He was the way to that place (Vs 6). He reassured them that He and the Father were one, and that by knowing and believing in Him, they would know the Father (Vs 10-11). He encouraged them that even though He was leaving, they would do even greater works than He had done (Vs 12), and that whatever they asked God for in Jesus' name, He would guarantee that they got it (Vs 13-14). He told them that even though He was leaving, He would not leave them alone, but would give them another Helper – the Holy Spirit – who would guide them, teach them, and supernaturally bring to their minds all that Jesus had taught them (Vs 16-17, 26). He reminded them that the best expression of their love for Him was to obey all that He had said and taught them (Vs 21, 23). Then to calm their fears and to give them confidence to face what was coming, He assured them that He was going to give them His peace – in the form of the Holy Spirit (Vs 27).

But one of the most fascinating things Jesus said to the disciples was His statement regarding the coming of the enemy. Jesus said, "I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me" (Vs 30). The Message paraphrases verse 30 this way, "I'll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don't worry – he has nothing on me, no claim on me." Jesus was letting them know that He was about to be betrayed into the hands of enemies and Satan was behind the whole thing. But He was also letting them know that what was about to happen was all under HIS control not Satans. What Jesus was about to do, He was doing willingly! And not only that, He was doing it as an expression of His love to His Father! Look at what He said earlier in the book of John:

The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command." – John 10:17-18 NLT

Satan was not in control of the situation, Jesus was. Satan was not taking Jesus' life. Jesus was willingly laying His life on the line in obedience to the command of His Father. And in doing so, it was the greatest expression of His love for His Father. Jesus' death was a demonstration or proof of His love for the Father. And it was a demonstration or proof of the Father's love for us. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NASB).

Jesus literally loved His Father to death. Paul tells us, "Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8 NASB). Jesus loved His Father enough to obey Him – even though it meant giving His life and dying a criminal's death on a cross. He did what His Father commanded Him to do. That makes what Jesus says in verses 21 and 23 that much more impactful. "Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them … All those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and live with them." Jesus could say this because He was about to do it. He modeled it. His greatest expression of love for His Father was to obey His Father's command to sacrifice His own life on our behalf. So what makes me think that I can say that I love Jesus but can refuse to obey what He has commanded me to do? Obedience to His commands is the greatest expression of my love for Him. Am I willing to love Him to death?

Father, You showed Your love for me by sending Your Son to die in my place. And Jesus showed His love for You by doing just that. He obeyed, even though it cost Him His life and separated Him from You for the first time in all eternity. But that demonstration of His love for You made salvation possible for me. And allowed me to enjoy Your love for me. Thank You both. Now may I learn to obey You more – even if it costs me everything! Amen

That God Be Glorified.

John 13

The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory, and God will receive glory because of all that happens to me. – John 13:31 NLT

Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering and heartache in your life? I have. I look at those times and wonder what in the world God could be thinking. Why would He allow me to have to go through a time of difficulty or testing? He could prevent it. He could stop it. He could change it. But sometimes He doesn't. Why? Then I read this chapter and I hear Jesus say, "The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory, and God will receive glory because of all that happens to me." Do you hear what Jesus is saying? God is going to be glorified by ALL that happens to Him. And what is about to happen to Him? His arrest and trials. His abuse at the hands of the Jews. His scourging and humiliation at the hands of the Romans. His brutal crucifixion and ultimate death. And Jesus is saying that God will receive glory because of all that happens to Him! God was going to receive glory not only through Jesus' resurrection, but through His crucifixion as well.

Jesus lived to glorify His Father. In everything He did. Every act, every deed, every thought, every circumstance of His life brought glory to God. Because He lived in constant obedience to God. His godly reaction to even ungodly circumstances brought glory to God. His godly and obedient submission to His Father's will, even when it was not ideal or pleasurable, brought glory to God. You see, we somehow think that God can only be glorified through the good times. We fail to realize that we bring Him glory when we acknowledge Him even in the bad times. When we trust Him when things look dark and bleak, He receives glory. When we praise Him, even when things look bad, we give Him glory. It is our lives that bring Him glory, not just our words. It is our responses to life that bring Him glory, not just our religious observances. Jesus knew that what He was about to go through, and it was going to be worse than anything any one of us has ever been or ever will go through, was going to bring glory and honor to His heavenly Father. Why? Because His faithful obedience was going to show the world the amazing love of God. What does John 3:16 tell us? "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV). In Romans 5:8 Paul tells us, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (NLT).

God was going to be glorified by Jesus' obedience. God was going to be glorified in the suffering and death of Jesus. His life and subsequent death would glorify God. So could God be glorified in my sufferings? Could God be glorified in the struggles of my life? Over in 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul tells the Corinthian Christians, "For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (NASB). What was that price? The death of Jesus Christ. With the death of His own Son, God purchased us out of slavery to sin. He redeemed us off of the slave market and set us free. So what does Paul say we should do? Glorify God with our bodies. Jesus glorified God with His body. Should we do no less? And how do we do that? By accepting from the Father what He allows into our life. By trusting His love and mercy. By not leaning on our own understanding, but instead, resting on His promises. God wants to use you to bring glory to Himself. But He is most glorified when I am most satisfied with Him. And I show my satisfaction in Him when I trust Him – with everything that happens to me – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Father, I want my life to glorify You today. Forgive me for constantly complaining about the circumstances of my life and failing to realize that You know exactly what you are doing. May I continue to trust You more and more because You are trustworthy. Help me to see that You are using every event in my life as an opportunity to glorify You. To show the world that You are powerful, faithful, loving, and trustworthy. Amen

You're Killing Me!

John 12

When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too. – Vs 9-10 NLT

I love the Pharisees. Not in an admirable way, but in a kind of rubber-necking-wreck-on-the-side-of-the-highway kind of way. There's just something about them that intrigues and attracts me. Maybe it's because I see a lot of myself in them. In this story in chapter 11 of John, I find it quite humorous that their solution to the presence of Lazarus, this guy that Jesus miraculously raised from the dead, is to kill him. Think about it. Is that not a really bad solution to their problem? I mean, I understand that it was a real hassle having this guy walking around telling people that he had once been dead but now was alive all because of Jesus. Sure, his story of resucitationfrom death to life was causing a lot of people to become followers of Jesus, but does killing him really makes sense? Is that the best solution you can come up with? After all, Jesus JUST raised him from the DEAD! Couldn't He do it again?

But isn't that the way men think? Rather than see the miraculous nature of what Christ had done as living proof of who He claimed to be, they would rather just destroy the evidence. Which is why I think Jesus warned us that the world would hate us. "The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you" (John 15:9 NLT). The world hates the message and the messengers. It hates what and who we stand for. So its only solution is to destroy us. But Jesus told us, "Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). The Psalmist reminds us, "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalms 56:11 NASB). They could have killed Lazarus, but Jesus could have just brought him back to life. I am not saying He would have, but He could have. And even if Jesus chose not to, the death of Lazarus would not have been the end. Jesus came to give abundant life now, but eternal life forever. That's why death is not a dead end. For those who believe in Christ, it is just the beginning. In fact, Jesus says just a few verses later, "Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25 NLT). Jesus' healing of Lazarus wasn't about restoring physical life on this earth, but to prove that Jesus was the Messiah and had the power and authority to promise eternal life. The Pharisees didn't know what to do with Jesus or His miracles. They didn't know what to do with Lazarus. The best they could come up with was to kill him. But he had been dead before. He would live to die again. But he would rise again. Just like we all will. But the next time it would not be to more of the same kind of life he had come to know, but to a new life altogether. Eternal life. Free from sin, sickness, and death.

Recently I ran across the lyrics to a song that has really meant a lot to me. I catch myself listening to it throughout the day, even at night as I am going to sleep. Check out the lyrics and see if they are not an encouragement to you.

It is not death to die To leave this weary road And join the saints who dwell on high Who’ve found their home with God It is not death to close The eyes long dimmed by tears And wake in joy before Your throne Delivered from our fears

O Jesus, conquering the grave Your precious blood has power to save Those who trust in You Will in Your mercy find That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling Aside this earthly dust And rise with strong and noble wing To live among the just It is not death to hear The key unlock the door That sets us free from mortal years To praise You evermore

O Jesus, conquering the grave Your precious blood has power to save Those who trust in You Will in Your mercy find That it is not death to die

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

It is not death to die. It is to live!

Father, give me a boldness to face death fearlessly. Remind me constantly that I have nothing to fear from death or from men. They can only kill me, but you have already given me new life. It is not death to die. Help me believe that. They can kill the messenger, but not the message of hope that is found in the Gospel. Amen

See The Glory Of God.

John 11

And again Jesus was deeply troubled. Then they came to the grave. It was a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 'Roll the stone aside,' Jesus told them. – John 11:38-39 NLT

In all the times I have read this story, I never made the connection between the death of Lazarus and the death of Jesus that was coming just a short time later. I also never thought about how this event must have gone through the minds of the disciples when there were told that the tomb of Jesus was empty. Did they recall this day? Did they remember that Lazarus had been dead four days but was able to walk out of his own grave? Like so many of the events in the Scriptures, this was just a glimpse into what was to come.

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, His friend Lazarus was dead and buried. But Jesus knew this. He had delayed His arrival for just this purpose. He was going to use this as an opportunity to glorify God and validate His position as the Messiah. The atmosphere in Bethany was dark and gloomy. The cries of mourners filled the air. Hope had given way to despair. Any anticipation of Jesus healing Lazarus from his sickness had faded when Lazarus breathed his last breath. It was over. Even Jesus was too late. Both Mary and Martha confronted Jesus with the words, "Lord, if You had been here my brother would not have died!" They both believed that Jesus could have healed Lazarus. But death was final. Their brother was gone. Yet Jesus responded, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?" (Vs 25-26 NLT).

When they arrive at the tomb, they find a cave with the entrance covered by a stone. Sound familiar? Jesus commands them to remove the stone. Sound familiar? The women don't expect to find anything inside but a dead and decaying body? Sound familiar? But what does Jesus say to them? "Didn’t I tell you that you will see God’s glory if you believe?" (Vs 40 NLT). So they remove the stone and Jesus calls out "Lazarus, come out!" And then John records, "The man who had died came forth" (Vs 44 NASB). Sound familiar?

This whole event was a precursor to the one coming up in just a few days. Jesus was going to die. He was going to be buried. He was going to be placed in a grave. His death would be mourned by His followers. It would be accompanied by despair and a loss of hope. His death would carry with it an air of defeat and finality. His grave would have a stone rolled in front of it. Yet, that stone too would be rolled away. His tomb would be found empty. Because He is the resurrection and the life. But do we believe? Mary, Martha, and the disciples had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. But what did they do when Jesus died? They despaired. They gave up hope. They doubted. They failed to believe. The women went to the tomb to anoint a dead body, not to look for a risen Lord. The disciples were in hiding. But Jesus was alive! He had conquered death and the grave. He had paid the penalty for sin. He had satisfied the just demands of a holy, righteous God. And He had glorified God through His life, His death, and His resurrection. But do you believe?

"Did I not say to you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" Do you believe in Him today? Is He big enough for your problems? If He great enough for your defeats and despair today? If Jesus alive and well in your life today? He wants you to see the glory of God in your life today. He wants to prove Himself as the resurrection and the life even today. He can bring joy out of despair and victory out of defeat. He can bring life where there appears to be nothing but death. He can restore. He can revive. He can give life. Do you believe that today? If so, you will see the glory of God.

Father, I want to see your Glory in my life today. But I know I have to believe that nothing is too great for Your Son. I don't have a problem believing in the reality of eternal life, but I sometimes struggle believing that Jesus can give me abundant life here and now. I doubt and despair. But Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He wants me to believe. He wants to show me the glory of God. May that happen in my life today. Amen

Life In All Its Fullness.

John 10

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. – Vs 10 NLT

Abundant life. Life to the full. Better life than you've ever dreamed of. The kind of life that Jesus is promising is not just a slightly improved version of the one we were living before He showed up on the scene, but something that is out-of-this-world better. The Greek word Jesus uses for "abundant" life in this verse is perissos and it means "over and above, more than is necessary, super-added." It can also mean "superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon." So what Jesus is promising is a life on this planet that is super-charged and superior to anything man had ever experienced before.

But is that what most of us are experiencing as a result of our relationship with Christ? If we're honest we would have to say, "No!" For most of us, our life since coming to know Christ has had its improvements, but it would be hard to say that it is "superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon." In fact, for many, it is just a slightly improved version of the old life we lived before coming to Christ. We've given up some of our old habits, replaced them with a few good ones, attend church on a fairly regular basis, read our Bibles, occasionally pray, give to the church, and try our best to be good Christians. But is that what Jesus is talking about? Is the abundant life just a slightly improved version of our old life? Is it just a sanitized version of our life before Christ? Is that what He laid down His life to offer us? I don't think so. And I don't think Jesus is just talking about eternal life either. No, His offer is about a better life right here and now. A life that is over-and-above and exceeding anything we have ever known before. It is a life filled with joy and peace, power, contentment, rest (Matthew 11:28-29), divine guidance and empowerment, and so much more. But we settle for so much less. Jesus came that we might have life to the full. A complete life. A super-added life that is so much more than anything in this world can offer or ever provide. It is a life where the flesh no longer has to control me. It is a life where sin no longer has to dominate me. It is a life where self no longer has to rule, but I can learn to love God and others more than I love me. It is a life where sacrifice comes naturally. It is a life where God's will becomes more appealing than my own. It is a life where eternal things take precedence over temporal ones. It is the life God intended us to live from the beginning.

Is that the life you're living? Is that the life you're experiencing? If not, Jesus' offer still stands. He is offering life to the full, but it will be on His terms, not yours. It will be based on His definition, not yours. Are you willing to let Him give you the life He longs for you to have? It will look a lot different than anything you might expect. But it will be so much better than anything you ever dreamed of. It will be life in all its fullness!

Father, Your Son came to give me life to the full, but I have settled for so much less. I want to experience abundant life, super-charged life right here and now. You give me glimpses of it, but I know there is more. Help me give up my own expectations of what abundant life might be and allow Christ to give me the life He died to provide. Amen