John 18: 28-40

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (Lord Acton, British historian, 1834-1902) Pilate on behalf of Rome and the priests of Jerusalem demonstrated the truth of this axiom. Although Rome boasted on having the most advanced legal and justice in the world, justice was the last thing on Pilate’s mind. He had absolute power and used his power at the whims of his own vanity. The priests had power, though not absolute, and used it with equal vanity. Both are affirming the wisdom of King Solomon: “Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) Can the irony be any thicker than the priest’s refusal to enter Pilate’s residence, lest they be ceremonially defiled and unable to participate in the Passover? Yes, it can.

The absurdity of the moment escaped the priests as they conspired to kill an innocent man while expressing a need to remain faithful to their law by refusing to touch something unclean. However, the irony thickens as they shout for the release of a man lawfully convicted and sentenced to die and substitute in his behalf the innocent blood of Jesus. They thought they were being clever. What they really did was make it clear that the innocent Jesus was dying for sinful people.

Of course it was not just the sins of Pilate, the priests, the crowd, and the Roman soldiers that Jesus took to the cross. Mine were nailed there as well. As I celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice on behalf of all humanity it will be worth my while to examine my life. Where does my basking in God’s grace collide with my legalistic attitudes toward others? Where are the places in my life where I shout for my interpretation of justice for others while I’m praying for God’s mercy in my life?

It is not if, but where are these ironies in my life? Maybe the place to begin is by calling a spade a spade. Isn’t hypocrisy a more appropriate word?

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for 6-Apr-12         John 19:1-16

John 18: 1-27

God’s grand and glorious ‘do-over’ is becoming more clear. Recall that the Gospels present the story of Jesus in a particular setting. There was the first exodus of God’s people led by Moses. Now God’s Messiah is leading the second exodus. There was the Garden of Eden inhabited by Adam. Now we are in a second garden, Gethsemane. In the first Garden, God, in the cool of the evening, came looking for Adam. In the second Garden, in the cool of the evening, sinful man comes looking for Jesus, God’s second Adam. (The Apostle Paul writes much about the ‘first’ and ‘last’ Adam in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15) Another Garden will be the setting for Jesus’ resurrection.

‘Who are you looking for?” Jesus asked. “Jesus of Nazareth” the soldiers replied.

Those gathered in the Garden hear much more than Jesus’ simple reply, “I am he.” They hear; “I AM.”

 “I AM The Bread Of Life.”

“I AM The Light Of The World.”

“I AM The Gate.”

“I AM The Good Shepherd.”

“I AM The Resurrection And The Life.”

“I AM The Way, The Truth And The Life.”

‘I AM The Vine.”

With the memory of these seven ‘I am” statements echoing through the Garden the absurdness of the moment was overwhelming: sinful man was arresting God. The arresting force drew back and fell down. I suspect we would have as well.

Full of love and loyalty Peter makes his way to the place of Jesus’ interrogation. When questioned, Jesus tells the truth. When questioned, Peter lies. Immediately Peter understands Jesus’ teaching: I am the vine, you are the branch. Apart from me you can do nothing. Peter embodied the weakness of sinful flesh that cannot be overcome until Jesus sends The Helper, The Advocate, The Holy Spirit. 

The rooster crows. 

 A memorial to Peter with the Mount of Olives in the background.

By the way, remember, John never includes a meaningless detail. Peter warmed himself by a charcoal fire. Peter will meet Jesus by another charcoal fire in John 21:9.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for 5-Apr-12         John 18: 28-40

John 17: 1-26

Reading for 3-Apr-12         John 17:1-26

John has brought us into the inner sanctum, the holy of holies, the very heart of Jesus, where we can sit at the feet of Jesus while he prays for us. I am in awe of Jesus’ prayer that brings his followers into a personal, intimate relationship with the Father. Jesus envisions His followers experiencing the very same unity that is glorified in the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This is a good place to reflect on how the Christian church has said ‘Thanks, but no thanks” to Jesus’ intercession for His church. The disharmony between denominations and blatant disrespect and lack of unity within some denominations is reprehensible. Perhaps the best evidence of sin’s total corruption of humanity is how Christians sing praise to God and all the while refusing to edify their brothers and sisters in Christ in other churches. Could John have been any clearer when he warned the church? “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.” (1John 2:9)

The way John writes Jesus’ prayer suggests that he may have incorporated the prayer into his own devotional life as well as taught others to pray Jesus’ prayer. This can be a helpful devotional practice for us as well. Here is my incorporation of Jesus’ prayer in verse 13-19 into my prayer:

Father, Jesus has told me many things while I am in this world so I would be filled with His joy. Jesus has given me your word. And the world hates me because I do not belong to the world, just as Jesus did not belong to the world. Father I’m not asking you to take me out of the world, but to keep me safe from the evil one because I do not belong to this world any more than Jesus did.

Father, make me holy by your truth; teach me your word, which is truth. Just as you sent Jesus into the world, Jesus is sending me into the world. As Jesus gave himself as a holy sacrifice for me so I can be made holy by your truth, may I glorify you and your Son, Christ Jesus, by being obedient to your truth. Amen

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for 4-Apr-12         John 18:1-27

John 16: 12-33

Jesus is preparing his disciples for his final days with them. What lies ahead of Jesus is so much more than the events of the Cross, the Grave, and the Resurrection. Jesus is describing to his disciples the indescribable. God’s New Creation is about to be birthed into existence. How can you describe that? Jesus gives his disciples just a taste of what is to come and then tells them to trust the Holy Spirit. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to teach us the significance of what happened on those three days and how to live out of this new reality.

The two greatest aspects of God’s New Creation are the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of prayer. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ very presence with the believer. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our teacher, the One who empowers our souls to live as fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Jesus tells His followers that when He is through birthing God’s New Creation, His followers will have the very same standing with God the Father as does Jesus. When our prayers embody the life of Jesus our prayers are unimpeded as they ascend to God. Think of what that means. When we pray in the Life of Christ we received the full and undivided attention of God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. How can this be?

Jesus’ invitation is to not get bogged down in the details of how or why. Rather, take a leap of faith and choose to dwell in God’s new reality for you as His beloved child with whom he is well pleased and upon whom His favor rest. Because of those three days, Dennis Jerrigan dared to offer his interpretation of Zephaniah 3:17:

 Zep. 3:17 (KJV) The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

(Zep. 3: 17 Dennis Jerrigan) "The eternal self-existent God, the God who is three in one, He who dwells in the center of your being is a powerful, valiant warrior. He has come to set you free, to keep you safe and to bring you victory. He is cheered and He beams with exceeding joy and takes pleasure in your presence. He has engraved a place for himself in you and there He quietly rests in His love and affection for you.

He cannot contain Himself of the thought of you and with the greatest of joy spins around wildly in anticipation over you and has placed you above all other creations and in the highest place in His priorities. In fact He shouts and sings in triumph, joyfully proclaiming the gladness of His heart in a song of rejoicing.”

All because you believe Jesus tells you the truth.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for 3-Apr-12         John 17:1-26

John 15: 18 - 16:11

Today’s passage was very Good News to the followers of Jesus that first received John’s Gospel. At the same time, this passage contained a huge challenge for Jesus’ disciples. It can be Good News to us as well and we too, are being challenged by Jesus.

In Israel’s culture the responsibility of pursuing justice resided with the individual. The vast majority of people were ill-equipped to take their case before a judge. They lacked the resources to adequately pursue justice. This was true on a national level as well. When foreign countries invaded and oppressed the people, Israel lacked the resources to seek justice. Within the fabric of the people was a longing for the day when justice would prevail. Jesus promised that their longing will be fulfilled with the coming of the Advocate.

Jesus has promised that when he returned to the Father he will send the Holy Spirit, our Helper, and our Advocate to guide and empower us. Jesus is not saying that the Holy Spirit will be working independently to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit working in and through His followers will bring justice to the world.

When the followers of Jesus lead lives of honesty and integrity they will stand apart from the ways of the world. Their lifestyle will contrast sharply with the ways of people who do not believe in Jesus.

When the followers of Jesus speak out against injustice in the world their beliefs will contrast sharply with the ways of the world. When the followers of Jesus work diligently in ministries of mercy and justice, as they become co-laborers with Jesus for God’s coming Kingdom, their ideals will contrast sharply with the ideals of the world.

When the followers of Jesus live with the hope of God’s future in their heart, their sense of inner peace will contrast sharply with the vast majority of people living without hope.

It will be through the lives of fully devoted followers of Jesus that the Holy Spirit “will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”

The challenge of Jesus to his followers is to open our hearts, our lives to the Holy Spirit so that Jesus can live His life through us. This challenge is daunting because the persecution that confronted Jesus awaits His followers as well. However, Jesus has promised us that He will always be with us; nothing can separate us from Him. We can do everything through Christ, who gives us strength.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for 2-Apr-12         John 16:12-33

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