Tag Archives: disciples

Three Years That Changed the World – Words of Comfort (Jesus in John 14)

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Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 16

Words of Comfort

(Jesus in John 14)

Jesus, who had just told the disciples that one of them was going to betray him, recognizes they were troubled in spirit, and he chooses to calm their heart s by saying; “Let not your hearts be troubled”. He now spends time (still in the upper room) helping them to understand why.

The first several verses of John 14 (specifically 1-6), Jesus will once again affirm his deity. He will declare; “if you believe in God, believe also in me”, and “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This specific declaration is the 6th of the seven “I Am” statements (deity claims of Jesus) in John’s Gospel.

  1. “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
  2. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
  3. “I am the door/gate” (John 10:7)
  4. “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
  5. “I am the resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)
  6. “I am the way, the truth and the life”(John 14:6)
  7. “I am the true vine” (John 15:1-5)

There is some confusion among the disciples as to their full understanding of what Jesus means when he says he is leaving them and then returning. This requires further teaching by Jesus and even some mild rebuke for their lack of full understanding after being with him for so long. The disciples were human and (like us) struggled with doubt and even despair as they faced losing the one who has loved and guided them for the last 3 years.

Jesus will spend the balance of John 14 telling them about the coming of the Holy Spirit who will be their advocate, their helper, counselor and their guide. In addition, Jesus will instruct them to follow his commands, specifically by loving God and loving others and to be obedient to all that he taught them. Toward the end of John 14, Jesus once again says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” because he recognizes the weight of the moment. They need only to trust him and God’s will shall be accomplished.

Words of ComfortDownload

Three Years That Changed The World – A Love That Knows NO Limits (Jesus in John 13)

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Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 15

A Love That Knows No Limits

(Jesus in John 13)

As John pens the words in chapter 13, the 3½ years of Jesus’ public ministry (to Israel) had ended. Jesus was about to prepare his closest disciples for what was soon to take place for his “hour had now come”. This preparation will come through a series of discussions, lessons, and guidance over the next 5 chapters (John 13-17).

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)

Jesus knew that his time to “leave this world” and “go to the Father” was in reference to his soon crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus will begin to prepare his closest disciples for what was about to take place and what they were to do. God was in complete control! These teachings/instructions would not be easy for the disciples to accept or even understand but the love of Jesus will become even more evident during this week. Although they will struggle and even feel overwhelmed, through the power of the Holy Spirit, at least 11 of them will endure.

Through the first 12 chapters of the Gospel of John, we witnessed the love that Jesus has for all of mankind (John 3:16) but most notably for his sheep (those who knew him as their savior) to be a special love. He will put that love on full display through humble service, his teachings and ultimately his death on the cross. Contained in these chapters (John 13-17) will be a practical demonstration of Jesus’ continual love for them and the first demonstration of that love will be washing the disciples’ feet.

Despite that love, Jesus knows that one of his very own will betray him. Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to fully trust in him, though Judas’ heart was already moving in the direction of betrayal, Jesus still washed his feet giving him a chance to repent of his sin (the betrayal of Jesus) and receive the same spiritual cleansing that the other 11 disciples were given.

Shortly after Judas is exposed for his betrayal and leaves the room, Jesus will give the other disciples a new commandment to live by – “To Love One Another” and in doing this, everyone will know they are his disciples as they continue his ministry. This will become the focus of the remainder of the time Jesus has with him before his arrest and this “love for others” will become the distinction between the works-based system of “pious religious leaders” and the faith-based practice of the genuine Spirit filled disciples.

A Love That Knows No Limits – Jesus in John 13Download

Three Years That Changed the World – Hosanna in the Highest (Jesus in John 12)

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Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 14

Hosanna in the Highest – Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord

(Jesus in John 12)

At the conclusion of John 11 we learned that the religious leaders were so spiritually blind that they openly rejected the one who claimed “I am the Resurrection and the Life”. They objected so vehemently that they were about to hatch a plan to have Jesus arrested, tried and put to death, hoping to forever silence him. Jesus knew that the Sanhedrin was plotting to have him arrested and ultimately killed but it wasn’t in God’s timing quite yet. There was still more for Jesus to do.

Jesus, the one who had been ministering for the past 3 and a half years performing miracles, wonders, and signs was on his way to Jerusalem (with a few brief stops) in what is commonly called the “triumphal entry” where He formally/officially presents Himself to Israel as the Messiah and Son of God. When this takes place, it will infuriate the religious leaders which will set in motion the chain of events that will quickly lead to his death at the precise time that was foreordained by God. In fact the remaining 10 chapters of the Gospel of John (John 12-21) cover approximately a 7 day period.

It might have been perceived by the crowd (perhaps they hoped) that Jesus would prove to be the promised Messiah that (they thought) would liberate them from Roman rule and domination and establish the promised kingdom (II Samuel 7:1-16). Jesus was their king, but their deliverance would come later when he is nailed to a cross for the sins of the world and raises from the dead, ascends to heaven, and awaits his final return to rule and reign as promised.

John records for us in chapter 12 of the anguish that Jesus felt knowing of his soon death on the cross where he would bear the sin of the world and the ultimate shame that would bring on him (someone who knew no sin) and for a brief moment separate him from the Father. John will close out the chapter with a rebuke by Jesus against the spiritual blindness of the Jews (those who will call for him to be crucified) who refused to believe in Him.

My prayer is (if you haven’t already done so) that you will open your eyes and see that Jesus is the Savior and Messiah and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior (“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, Romans 10:9-10) and be able to say; Hosanna in the Highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the Highest – Jesus in john 12Download

Three Years That Changed The World – “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”, Jesus in John 11

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Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 13

Jesus – I Am the Resurrection and the Life

(Jesus in John 11)

This chapter (John 11) introduces the story of Lazarus and his two sisters Mary and Martha. All three of these individuals have a very close relationship with Jesus and in addition to what John records here in chapters 11 & 12, Luke has a short narrative about Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. The chapter (John 11) begins by mentioning that Lazarus was very sick and quickly succumbs to whatever ailed him and he subsequently dies. Lazarus is not the focal point of this story but the events surrounding him, his sisters and his ultimate death will bring about a miracle in which Jesus will raise Lazarus from the dead.

There was a total of 4 days that passed before Jesus went to the location where Lazarus was. By the time Jesus arrives – Lazarus had already been dead. Jesus knowing what he was going to do (raise Lazarus from the dead) declared that himself and God were to be glorified through this, and the delay in the time of his arrival had nothing to do with Lazarus and everything to do with God’s plan.

Jesus knew full well that Lazarus was dead and that he would raise him from the dead (something the disciples would witness) to bring glory to God and to confirm himself to be equal with God (only God can raise someone from the dead).

Jesus uses this moment to reveal to Martha that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Martha, though she believed in Jesus, may not have fully understood what Jesus was about to do. Jesus boldly declares the 5th of the 7 “I am” statements recorded in the Gospel of John – “I am the resurrection and the life”. Each of these “I am” statements are claims of deity (Jesus declaring himself to be God) and will cause some to believe in him and others to reject him.

The purpose of raising Lazarus from the dead extended beyond seeing Lazarus alive again. This was a sovereign act of Christ, designed to glorify himself and the Father by putting his resurrection power on full display to not just Martha and the others at Lazarus’ tomb but to all who read John’s Gospel.

The whole purpose for why John wrote his Gospel account is this: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31). My hope is that you too will believe and in doing so will have eternal life in the presence of God.

Part 13 – I Am the Resurrection and the Life – John 11Download

Three Years That Changed The World – Jesus The Light of the World

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Three Years That Changed The World – Lesson 10

Jesus – The Light of the World

(John 8)

When you begin reading John 8, most modern translations such as the NIV (New Internation Version) and the ESV (English Standard Version), include verses 1-11 but choose to bracket or italicize it as not being original because the earliest (and many would say the most reliable) Greek manuscripts do not include the story of the woman taken in adultery. However, the Textus Receptus (Traditional Greek New Testament texts used to translate the King James Version – KJV, the German Bible and other English Translations) includes John 7:53—8:11. The attached slide presentation (PDF Download) addresses why this is the case with the intent of drawing some basic conclusions. Although some consider this controversial – there is no reason to let that be the focus for the main point of this chapter is the claim by Jesus in John 8:12; “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”.

This discourse/sermon by Jesus was a continuation of his teachings found in John 7 and addresses some of the questions the Pharisees and religious leaders had about him. These religious leaders ignored the miracles performed by Jesus and openly rejected his claims of being anything more than the son of a Jewish carpenter. The religious leaders thought their security (being one with God) rested in their familial relationship to Abraham and their self-made “religious practices”, but Jesus points out that by rejecting him, they are deceived and have no true relationship to God revealing they need to be set free from their spiritual bondage! It is no difference for us.

When thinking of the claim by Jesus; “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”, there are just two responses:

  1. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (John 10:9-13)
  2. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:17-18)
Jesus the Light of the WorldDownload

Three Years That Changed The World – Jesus Removes All Religious Barriers

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Three Years That Changed The World – Lesson 7

Jesus Removes All Religious Barriers

(John 5)

While in Samaria – Jesus helps to remove the Social/Cultural Barriers that stood in the way of the Samaritan people from having a “right” relationship with God. This was his purpose in meeting with the Woman at the Well by showing her He was the promised Messiah and she no longer needed to allow those cultural barriers to keep her from seeking and worshipping God as God intended.

The next recorded event in the Gospel of John is when he heals the man at the pool of Bethesda who was severely disabled. (John 5:1-13). This healing will spark a significant rift between the religious leaders and Jesus for 2 reasons:

  1. The healing of the severely disabled man took place on the Sabbath and the severely disabled man was instructed by Jesus to pick up and carry his mat for he was now completely healed and could now walk. These actions by Jesus and the severely disabled man violated the Jewish traditions/regulations established by the religious leaders, especially their man-made laws related to the Sabbath itself.
  2. The actions and declarations by Jesus made him equal with God. Although this was completely true – the religious leaders rejected that idea and considered it blasphemy.

To fully understand this opposition, its necessary to explore the events that take place in Galilee between John 4 and John 5 which are recorded in the other 3 Gospel accounts (Synoptic Gospels). During Jesus ministry in Galilee the following events take place:

  1. Jesus will proclaim – “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:14-15)
  2. Jesus will perform many miracles and healings
  3. The religious leaders will continue to challenge the authority of Jesus
  4. Jesus will call Matthew to follow him
  5. Jesus will preach his famous “Sermon on the Mount” where he will teach the people how to live rightly with God and their fellow man
  6. Jesus will calm the storm, heal a demon possessed man, raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead and heal two blind men among many other miracles.

So, when John writes this portion of his Gospel account(John 5) about the healing of the severely disabled man and the hostile opposition by the religious leaders towards Jesus – it really shows that accepting that Jesus is Equal with God is the difference between belief and unbelief. This seems to be the focal point of John 5 and will continue to be the division between the religious leaders (unbelief) and the truth of the Gospel (belief) which recognizes Jesus is God – the Promised Messiah.

Jesus Removes Religious BarriersDownload

Three Years That Changed the World – Jesus & The Woman at the Well

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Three Years That Changed The World – Lesson 6

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

(John 4)

After leaving the Judean countryside, Jesus once again makes his way to the region of Galilee. He will make a planned visit to a well located near the town of Sychar which is in the broader region of Samaria. The purpose in stopping at the well was to meet with and have a conversation with an unnamed woman who is often referred to as the “Woman at the Well” or “The Samaritan Woman” for she was a Samaritan who came there to draw water from the well near the town of Sychar.

The division and near bitter animosity between Jews and Samaritans remained an issue prior to, during and even after the time Jesus walked this earth. This made this visit extremely significant for it showed that God cares for the whole of mankind and the Samaritan Woman needed to witness the love and compassion Jesus was offering.

The lesson Jesus used to get his point across involved the comparison of physical water (able to quench the physical thirst of our bodies) and something that lasted for a short period of time to living water (able to quench the thirst of our soul) which was eternal. This translated to the need that the Samaritan Woman and her entire village needed which was the salvation of their souls and the reason Jesus stopped to see her. Only the “Living Water” that Jesus offered could fully quench that thirst and to receive that water the woman needed to recognize her sin (which separated her from God) and embrace Jesus as her Savior/Messiah which she does. There are several lessons found throughout this chapter of the Gospel of John; from the breaking down of the social barriers that separate us, to having love and compassion for those considered downcast and unwanted, and having an understanding that it is faith and not works that save us. Salvation comes to those who accept Jesus Christ as Messiah and he is the only one capable of making us right with God; “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus & The Woman at the WellDownload

Three Years That Changed the World Part 3 – Come Follow Me

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Three Years That Changed The World

Lesson 3 – Come Follow Me – John 1:38-51

This lesson picks up just after John baptized Jesus. Although John the Baptist will continue to preach and point the way to Jesus, the emphasis and focus of the Gospel writers from this point forward will be on Jesus and not John the Baptist.

In fact, two of John the Baptist’s disciples (Andrew and John) will begin following Jesus shortly after Jesus is baptized. Although they will start following Jesus, there will be several encounters between John, Andrew, Peter and James before they fully commit to Jesus and leave their occupation as fisherman of fish and become fisherman of men! This lesson will reveal their hearts and motives behind their desire and decision to follow Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior and King. It is quite a compelling story that is just beginning to unfold.

Two others (Philip and Nathanael/Bartholomew) will recognize that Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Israel and leave everything to follow him. Their story is equally compelling as Nathanael (after meeting Jesus) will come to a full understanding of what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:1-4, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

The remaining 6 disciples will begin following Jesus later but all 12 will be called to go and preach the gospel (the Good News that Jesus is the Savior) and make disciples and compel others to also follow Jesus.

This 3-year journey in which Jesus will teach them who he is, why he has come and what they are to do is written in the 4 Gospel accounts. As we read through the Gospels (specifically the Gospel of John) we will witness multiple miracles, wonders and signs along with multitudes of people who are healed of all types of diseases and infirmities.

In the end, It is my prayer and hope that you will embrace what John writes toward the end of his Gospel account, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

Come Follow Me – Jesus and His FollowersDownload

Three Years That Changed the World Part 2 – Two People, Two Messages, One Truth

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Three Years That Changed The World

Lesson 2 – Two People, Two Messages, One Truth – John 1:19-37

This lesson begins with the introduction of John the Baptist and focuses on his ministry and purpose. That purpose was to preach repentance to the Jews and those who heard him, baptize them (a sign of an inward obedience to God), and prepare them for the coming Messiah, whom he will call “the Lamb of God, who comes to take away the sins of the world”.

There will be many who repent and do as John preached but there will be others (many of them are “religious leaders”) who will question John’s motives and authority but that will not deter John from completing his mission. That mission is to acknowledge Jesus as the Lamb of God, baptize Him and direct others to repent of their sin and follow Jesus which is precisely what he does.

The message of John and the message of Jesus were the same. John would point others to Jesus and Jesus will point them to salvation through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

It is because of sin that Jesus came, and sin is what separates us from God and needs to be dealt with if we ever want to spend time in His presence:

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10)

The lesson will conclude with John the Baptist transitioning his ministry and instruct those disciples who followed him to now follow Jesus. In our next lesson titled; “Come Follow Me” we will see how the 12 disciples (someday called the 12 Apostles) will leave everything to follow Jesus – stay tuned!

Two People – Two Messages – One TruthDownload