Sharing Bread John 14:11

SHARING BREAD

11 “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”


John 14:11 (NIV)

In our verse for today, Jesus tells His disciples – both then and now - to believe Him - both on the credibility and reliability of His Word and of His miraculous Works – two convincing Truths which point to the fact that to know Jesus is to know the Father as well:

7 “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:7 (NIV)




Such an example our Lord displayed in the patient teaching of His flock! Certainly He had gone over His relationship with the Father time and time again with His guys yet it appears to have totally eluded them – going in one ear and out the other. They seemed to have neither understood nor even remembered His Words or all-powerful actions. He sets forth for us a model in our verse for today of repetitive instruction, gently condescending to their human weaknesses. Seriously, we can all be pretty dull can we not? I am reminded of the famous coach Vince Lombardi’s reply when asked the reason for his great success: “I go over the basics and I go over the basics and I go over the basics.” One continues the teaching until one sees the proof in the action. We know something at the very core when we flesh it out – simply put, we live what we believe. Interestingly, the term “disciple” is from the Greek word “Mathetes” which carries the following meaning:



“Denotes an adherent who accepts the instruction given to him and makes it his rule of conduct.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.



One who models faith will demonstrate it by obedient action. Sadly, our behavior often shows that we have more faith in the mundane chair to hold us when we sit down or more faith in the brakes of our cars to keep us from crashing than we do in Jesus’ Words. Believers who trust fully desire to fully obey. Distractions or fears will not often negatively fuel the true believer’s behavior causing them to turn away. Our minds are to be set on things above – not on earthly things. Every choice and action is placed through the sieve of the burning desire to bring God glory by passionately pursuing His pleasure. Our minds must first be convinced before our hearts and legs will follow suit. Works based religiosity or emotionalism will not stand this test.



“If you keep in step with God, be out of step with the world.” Anonymous

“Blessed are the single-hearted; for they shall enjoy much peace.” Thomas a Kempis

Lastly, our Lord speaks of His miracles – the finger marks of God – things too hard for man to do. Jesus was known for them. Only God can make the blind miraculously see, the dead rise and the insane sane. Christ’s miracles were proof of His Divine mission. They were sweetly given both for the conviction of the unregenerate and for the confirmation of the faith of His disciples. Indisputable proofs – Who but God could do such things as these? Jesus refers to these miracles often as a reminder lest we forget:



36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.” John 5:36 (NIV)




37 “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” John 10:37-38 (NIV)



I am reminded of the words the prophet Isaiah penned regarding the supreme creativity of God who alone creates “ex nihilo” – out of nothing. It is a strong reminder for us to examine the evidence – to not be dull. As Jesus reminded His disciples - at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves:



26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)




King David, the man after God’s own heart, had the correct response upon his observance of the miraculous. He was amazed that such an insignificant creature as finite man could be cared for and loved so immensely by God:



3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalms 8:3-5 (NIV)

“The essence of true holiness consists in conformity to the nature and will of God.” Samuel Lucas

What I glean from this:



• I can depend on Jesus – His Word is True, His works, miraculous.


• I will live what I believe.


• My response to God should be one of true humility.

Sharing Bread John 14:8-10

SHARING BREAD

8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."



9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work."


John 14:8-10 (NIV)

To be sure, I am supremely happy that God did not choose for me to live in Biblical times simply because I have a nagging suspicion I would have ended up in Holy Writ looking as unfavorably as some that we have read about most recently. First we have Peter demonstrating his presumption, next Thomas his doubts and now Philip his dullness in faith. They all appear to bring the humanness side to Scripture and it is anything but shining! I think about poor Euodia and Syntyche whom Paul mentions in Philippians Four. They are sisters in Christ in disagreement and it is not a pretty sight. Seriously, I would hate to be recorded throughout eternity as being in some sort of “cat fight” argument simply because I could not agree with someone! Like I said, it was certainly better for me that I was born when I was born! Paul tells us:

2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Phil 4:2-3 (NIV)



Our Lord’s Words to Philip seem to drip with discouragement. Certainly Philip should have known better. It appears the natural wish of man in every age is for some extraordinary revelation of the Father – for an earnest desire for further light – a yearning for the miraculous. “Let us see the Father” was Philip’s plea yet here it reveals not only the weakness of his faith but the lack of his understanding of the gospel way of making God known. Jesus came to flesh out the Father for our eyes to see and subsequently as His followers we are to flesh out Jesus for the world to see. To see with bodily eyes is one thing yet to see with eyes of faith is quite another. The writer of Hebrews gives us the following definition of faith:



1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. Heb 11:1-2 (NIV)




“Want of trust is at the root of almost all our sins and all our weaknesses, and how shall we escape it but by looking to Him and observing His faithfulness. The man who holds God’s faithfulness will not be foolhardy or reckless, but will be ready for every emergency.” Hudson Taylor



Faith is not only having a surety and certainty regarding unseen realities and hopes but it is also to be the eyes with which believers are to view all of life’s experiences. It is not a blind hope rather a firm grounding in the Truth of the Lord Jesus. In His High Priestly Prayer Jesus states:



25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:25-26 (NIV)



20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23 (NIV)



Jesus was clear earlier in John as well when He cried out:



44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:44-46 (NIV)



There is a close and mysterious and insoluble unity between the three Persons of the Trinity with which our finite minds can perhaps grasp but only a glimmer. How very little we realize the fullness of this Unity! The Lord taught His disciples many things when He walked on this earth and of these, certain mighty Truths simply passed right over their heads. It was not until afterwards that His Words were remembered and became clearer. Their dullness gives me hope.



"Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God." Amy Carmichael

What I glean from this:

• Faith not only will bring my soul to heaven but heaven to my soul. “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.” D. L. Moody


• I must not veer from my hope in Jesus. "Our fight is to be a fight of faith, and the moment we doubt, our fight ceases and our rebellion begins." Hannah Whithall Smith


• I am to take Jesus at His Word as He is Truth. “We as Christians know that faith is taking God at His Word. And we realize that faith does not get us around our problems, but it gets us through them.” Wales Goebel

Sharing Bread John 14:7

SHARING BREAD

7 “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”


John 14:7 (NIV)

In our verse for today, Jesus rebukes His guys both for their dullness and carelessness in their lack of knowledge of Him as well as not acquainting themselves with the deeper things of our Lord in seeking to know Him further still. Earlier in John, Jesus states almost the same thing to the crowd of unbelieving Pharisees:

19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." John 8:19 (NIV)

It is hard to imagine which was the most strange or hurtful to our Lord - those who walked and talked and ministered with Jesus yet still displayed defects and mistakes in their knowledge of Him or those who were enemies of the Light - willfully choosing ignorance. John Charles Ryle states the meaning of this verse could be rendered as follows:

“If you had rightly, properly, and perfectly known Me, as the Divine Messiah, in all the fullness of my nature, you would then have known more of that Father to whom I am inseparably united. No one can rightly know Me without knowing the Father, because I and the father are One. Understand from this time forward, that in knowing Me, you know the Father, and in seeing Me see the Father, so far as the Father can be seen and known by man.”

3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Heb 1:3 (NIV)


As modern day disciples, this begs the question for us as well – do we really know Jesus? Have we come to know Him through trial, reason and by experience? Have we examined or inquired into, discovered and comprehended further Truths regarding The Truth? Have we come to understand more clearly His character so that we may acknowledge what He professes To Be? Do we know Him intimately as our Lord and Savior? This is exactly what He means when He tells His disciples: “If you really knew me”. Further, as we come to know Jesus more and more we gain the intuitive knowledge of the Father. That is what Jesus means by: “you would know my Father as well”. We come to grow in the knowledge of the Lord through the study of His Word, through applying the Truths learned to our lives and through prayer. We are not to remain as babies tossed around by every wind of doctrine rather we are to grow up in Him. Paul writes in Ephesians:

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Eph 4:14-16 (NIV)

I well remember many year ago praying for myself and for my family that we would seek after the unparalleled pursuit of knowing Jesus as demonstrated to us through the life of Paul. It is a given that the more we know Him, the more we will love Him. And the more we love Him, the more we will serve Him and follow His lead. His Way is the Way to abundance both in this life and life eternal. I am reminded of the verses Paul penned in Philippians:

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:10-14 (NIV)




“No one has ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.” H. A. Ironside



That was Paul’s life goal – to know Him further still. Jesus is boundless and measureless and certainly the fullness of Him we will not come to know until we reach heaven, yet the pursuit must go on here and it is a pursuit always rewarded. We must keep our eyes fixed on the goal which is Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us:



2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2 (NIV)




The words found in Jeremiah also come to mind:



13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. Jer 29:13-14 (NIV)



"God doesn't reveal Himself to the curious or the careless, but to those who are ready and willing to obey." Warren Wiersbe

Lastly, we see that as we come to know the Son we will know the Father as well. We are told earlier in John:



18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1:18 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• In knowing Jesus I will know the Father as well.


• I desire to go further still in my knowledge of Jesus.


• If I seek Him with all my heart I will find Him.

Sharing Bread John 14:6

SHARING BREAD

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”


John 14:6 (NIV)


How does one do this verse the justice it so deserves? The depth and fullness of it certainly cannot be comprehended by the wisdom and thoughts of the mind of mere man – particularly this mind! It is one of those deep utterances of our Lord which no thorough exposition can completely unfold or exhaust. Any enlightenment of it merely serves to do little more than scratch the surface of rich soil.

“No prophet, teacher, or apostle ever used such words as these. They are the language of one who knew that He was God.” Andreas Musculus


We discover first the three glorious Names which Jesus gives Himself – He is the Way, He is the Truth and He is the Life. To be sure, He is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. Entirely exclusive while all the while offering inclusivity: He offers the only Way to all; the only Truth to all; and the only Life to all. Let’s dig into these three a bit closer so that perhaps we may even get a little dirt under our fingernails!

• Jesus is the Way: No one may come to the Father but through Him. He is not only to be the path, the journey, the manner of life or action we are to take, He is also the only door through which anyone may enter into the presence of the Father. Faith in Jesus is the key to heaven – it is also the key to the fullness of life in the here and now - he that believes in the Lord is on the right road. Through His blood we may draw close with boldness and have access with confidence into God’s presence.




7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John 10:7-9 (NIV)




• Jesus is the Truth: When we search for Truth we need look no further than the Truth that is in Jesus. He is absolute Truth – ultimate Truth – true Truth. He is the whole substance of true religion which the mind of man requires - meeting and satisfying every desire of the human mind. Being Very God of Very God, He is boundless and measureless in the depth of the riches of His wisdom and knowledge. He is Truth, Reality and Fact. Truth is not relative – Truth is Jesus. We are to know Him, study Him, learn from Him and follow Him – His disciples are to bear His image. We grow in this process by studying and applying His Word to our lives and through effectual fervent prayer which, Scripture states, avails much.





2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3 (NIV)

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 (NIV)


• Jesus is the Life: Those that believe in Jesus not only have eternal life but also access to the abundant life in the here and now as they walk in the power of the Spirit. Christ is the root of all life and as the believer abides in Him - as the branch abides in the vine - they bring forth much fruit. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing of eternal value because those works always lack life.



5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)



10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)



Lastly, let us see how clearly our Lord states that He is the only means of entrance to the Father - shutting out all other ways of salvation. He stresses that contrary to what many might believe; salvation is not obtainable through any other means. Only one way exists, and it is through the purifying and redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus.



“It avails nothing that a man is clever, learned, highly gifted, amiable, charitable, kind-hearted, and zealous about some sort of religion. All this will not save his soul if he does not draw near to God by Christ’s atonement, and make use of God’s own Son as his Mediator and Saviour. God is so holy that all men are guilty and debtors in His sight. Sin is so sinful that no mortal man can make satisfaction for it. There must be a mediator, a ransom-payer, a redeemer, between ourselves and God, or else we can never be saved. There is only one door, one bridge, one ladder, between earth and heaven – the crucified Son of God. Whosoever will enter in by that door may be saved; but to him who refuses to use that door the Bible holds out no hope at all. Without shedding of blood there is no remission. Let us beware, if we love life, of supposing that mere earnestness will take a man to heaven, though he know nothing of Christ. The idea is a deadly and ruinous error. Sincerity will never wipe away our sins. It is not true that every man will be saved by his own religion, no matter what he believes, so long as he is diligent and sincere. We must not pretend to be wiser than God. Christ has said, and Christ will stand to it, ‘No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.’” John Charles Ryle



What I glean from this:



• Jesus is my only way to the Father.


• Jesus is Truth and Jesus is Life – both now and eternally.


• I am to bear the image of Jesus as His disciple.

Sharing Bread John 14:4-5

SHARING BREAD

4 “You know the way to the place where I am going.”






5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”


John 14:4-5 (NIV)


Isn’t it true that so often despondency leads us to doubt? Truth seems to evade us when we are disillusioned with despair. In our verses for today, Thomas in his deep distress over our Lord’s news reverts to a panic mode speaking for the eleven far too abruptly and foolishly. When passions and affections enter into the equation, the tongue has a tendency to wag unadvisedly. One can certainly sense the frustration and lack of hope in Thomas’ words. Prior to this time, Jesus had been preparing His guys by repeatedly giving them a heads up regarding His imminent departure. They knew and believed that their Master was the promised Messiah – the Son of the living God. They also believed that knowing Him was the first step towards heaven. He had been teaching and preparing them for three years. He wanted them to stir up their memories, to reflect on His past Words. Yet, when the rug was pulled out from underneath them so to speak, they quickly forgot it all. We find earlier in John these Words of our Lord:

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” John 13:33 (NIV)

It was and is our Lord’s desire for His followers to be dynamic channels of the Holy Spirit’s power dedicated and equipped to lead souls to Christ. The Holy Spirit supplies us with clear views of God’s power, wisdom and grace and stirs up confidence in His Truth which excludes our wavering. I am reminded of the Old Testament story of Gideon – weenie turned warrior. He was God’s chosen instrument to free Israel from the Midianites. Seemingly an unfit choice as he describes himself in the following way:

15 “But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15 (NIV)



You certainly have to admit his description of himself is full of doubt and rightly so as the Midianites were described as both oppressive and numerous causing the Israelites great distress:



4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. Judges 6:4-6 (NIV)

The Lord tells Gideon that he will strike them all down. What could Gideon possibly be thinking except “No way!”? He was scared to death of the Midianites. In fact, Scripture tells us he was threshing his wheat in a winepress to keep it from his oppressors! Yet the Lord, through His power, tells him he is going to slay them all:



16 The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." Judges 6:16 (NIV)




Through a series of events Gideon was faithful and God sweetly restored his confidence in the God of all creation’s omnipotence. God shrunk Gideon’s army size down to a mere 300 men to attack their adversary who, Scripture says, were as thick as locusts. God wanted no flesh to possibly think they had accomplished this great feat in and of themselves. The battle was God’s and the battle was won by God. Indeed, prior to the conflict, Gideon once again succumbs to doubt and fear. The night before the attack God kindly tells Gideon:



9 During that night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. Judges 7:9-11 (NIV)

“If you can’t see what lies dimly in the distance, do what lies clearly at hand.” Robert J. Morgan

What Gideon heard so encouraged him that he was able to rouse his troops and become the great leader God had planned in advance for him to be – all through His achieving power. We find his words to his troops filled with confidence in God’s ability:



17 “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do.” Judges 7:17 (NIV)

“We mustn’t doubt in the darkness what God has shown us in the light.” Robert J. Morgan

“If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles with evil, how can faith know its own power? In my own pilgrimage, if I have to choose between a faith that has stared doubt in the eye and made it blink, or a naïve faith that has never known the firing line of doubt, I will choose the former every time.” Gary Parker



The end result? God caused the Midianites to turn on each other with the sword at the sound of Gideon’s trumpet:



20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" 21 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. 22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. Judges 7:20-22 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Despondency often leads me to doubt.


• I often forget what I know to be Truth in despair.


• All things are possible with God.

Sharing Bread John 14:1-3

SHARING BREAD

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.


John 14:1-3 (NIV)

The sure and precious remedy our Lord prescribes here against the old disease of a troubled heart is trust - both in God and in Christ – the faithful Mediator between God and man. “Trust” used here means to be persuaded in the truthfulness of and having total confidence in and reliance upon. Our trust in God and our Lord Jesus turns our troubled hearts into comforted ones, keeping them freed from the stirred agitation that confidence in our own abilities bring.

“Heart-trouble is the commonest thing in the world. No rank, or class, or condition is exempt from it. No bars, or bolts, or locks can keep it out. Partly from inward causes and partly from outward, partly from the body and partly from the mind, partly from what we love and partly from what we fear, the journey of life is full of trouble. Even the best of Christians have many bitter cups to drink between grace and glory. Even the holiest saints find the world a vale of tears.” John Charles Ryle

Yet in the midst of all this we are not to be like the troubled sea when it cannot rest – we are not to be ruffled. Scripture has command us the following which, I might add, is easier stated than done:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)



“The joy of faith is the best remedy against the griefs of the senses.” Matthew Henry

Ever experienced a heart that was stirred with agitation? More than likely, Jesus looked into the faces of His guys and saw this anxiety heavy in their eyes. Our Lord who sees all of our unrevealed sorrows and wounds that bleed inwardly would certainly not have missed the many things troubling His disciples at this point. Our Lord had just told them of His imminent own departure which would occur in a cloud of suffering. He had told them that one of their own would be a traitor and that Peter himself would deny Him three times. He would be leaving them and they could not come. He was their leader – He was the One in Whom they placed their hope - He was the One Who was to deliver Israel – the weight of all these recent revelations must have greatly pressed upon them leaving them downtrodden, depressed and feeling quite deserted and exposed.

“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” Thomas V. Moore



The Great Shepherd, always knowing the condition of His flock, sweetly begins to speak in their ears these wonderful words of encouragement – rich in precious Truth. They are certainly just as dear to every believer in Christ since first spoken as they were to His disciples then. He would indeed be going but in His going He would be preparing a place for them (and for us) so that we may always and forever be where He is. If that were not so, He would tells us. Our assurance is built on the veracity of our Lord’s Word as well as the sincere love and affection He has for all who follow Him. Believers would do well to remember that we are but sojourners here – earth is not our home, heaven is – and heaven will make amends for all. That is the promise of Scripture. Heaven is a house – not a tabernacle – the Father’s house – my Father’s house. It is a place of mansions – lasting, eternal and permanent. A place where we will be settled – a place where we are loved for our own sakes – not for our gifts or possessions. A place where we are not forgotten and we are always welcomed. Heaven is a place where Christ is continually present – permeating peace that passes understanding. He will be in our midst forever. Christ is our reason for peace and our power for a calm and steadfast heart. That is the description of perfect peace is it not? Isaiah tells us:

3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)



“The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun, the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing, the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete….He is most holy who has most of Christ within, and joys most fully in the finished work. It is defective faith which clogs the feet and causes many a fall.” Hudson Taylor

All true believers are welcome to this happiness. There are rooms there, distinct dwellings, apartments for each. Durable and lasting our estate is not for years rather eternal. He is not preparing our lodgings for them to stand empty; neither are His preparations in vain. As He is preparing the place, He is preparing the servant so that in due time we will be put in possession of it.

“Our duty as Christians is always to keep heaven in our eye and earth under our feet.” Matthew Henry

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thess 4:16-18 (NIV)



“Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.” Katharina von Schlegel

What I glean from this:

• Trust is the sure remedy when my heart is troubled.


• I must constantly fix my eyes on Jesus – He is the Author and Perfecter of my faith.


• Earth is not my home – heaven is.

Sharing Bread John 13:37-38

SHARING BREAD

37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."






38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”


John 13:37-38 (NIV)

Oh, the folly of self-ignorance! Isn’t it easy to overestimate our own abilities and conduct? I am the worst about the “I can do it myself” mentality. God has to constantly remind me that I am wearing myself out and it is getting me nowhere fast! I often neglect God’s wonderful provision in the gift He has given me in the Body of Christ – those that He brings into my life that are far better equipped with God’s gifts to do things I am simply unable or unqualified to do - no matter how hard I may try! “We need each other” is a good reminder and one that God is constantly whispering into my ear. We were not made to be islands. When each part of the body is allowed to diligently put forth their gifts the world runs much smoother! We would do well to remember the Words God spoke after He had created Adam:

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Gen 2:18 (NIV)



Solomon also tells us:



9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl 4:9-12 (NIV)




In our verses for today Peter demonstrates an over-confidence in his own abilities by making a daring protest regarding his constancy. He could not conceive of any scenario or situation in which he would stoop so low as to disown the Lord Jesus. His sincerity and affections were clearly evident; he loved Jesus greatly and banked his words and actions on his feelings. He was confident that his love was up to any challenge – even death. Yet Peter did not know his own heart or the satanic power he would soon discover himself up against. Jesus tells us in Luke:



31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)



We must be ever aware of the tactics of our adversary as well as the depravity of our hearts. In our emotional zeal we can perhaps jump the gun and overestimate our courage, abilities and steadfastness. Scripture gives us the following sobering thought regarding our hearts:



9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:9-10 (NIV)




“Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us.” A. W. Tozer

We must continually pray for humility and beware of proclaiming our over-confidence and steadfastness. Pride always leads to a downfall. Remember Scripture tells us that with humility comes wisdom yet pride goes before disgrace and destruction:



2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Prov 11:2 (NIV)

18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18 (NIV)



“Such as are haughty and self-conceited, rush against the mighty hand of God, and destroy themselves; but those that are humbled under it, will be protected by the same. Whatever knowledge or skill we may obtain in the schools of human learning, the Scripture does not yet allow us to be truly wise, but calls us blind and mere worldly students, till we learn to be poor in spirit, lowly in heart, and dead to the world. Therefore, the more a man dies to this world, the more is he enlightened.” K. H. Von Bogatzky

Certainly Peter’s fall was all the more painful for him when he recalled his zealous insistence that he would never stoop to do such a thing as disown the Lord. The most confident in the flesh are most always the least safe. It is a hard pill to swallow when we say we would never do something yet that is the very thing we end up doing. That had to be piercing to Peter.



Jesus’ response to Peter’s declaration also had to have taken Peter by surprise (as well as the other disciples!). In effect our Lord tells Peter that he knew very little of his feebleness and weaknesses. He tells him he will not only refuse to lay down his life for Him but will even cowardly deny knowing Him - not once but three times. Our Lord’s Words must have cut Peter to the quick. If he had not been so sure of himself perhaps he would have paid attention to Jesus’ words of warning and by heeding His Words, prevented his downfall. Instead, Peter ignorantly defends his forthcoming actions. We would do well to remember what Scripture tells us:



6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Prov 27:6 (NIV)

What I glean from this:



• It is easy in my zeal to overestimate my abilities and my conduct.


• I need others – I am not to be an island.


• I am setting myself up for a fall if I am prideful.

Sharing Bread John 13:36

SHARING BREAD

36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"






Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."


John 13:36 (NIV)

Have you ever been listening to someone speak and they drop a bombshell in the beginning of their conversation which so captures the attention that it renders one unable to continue listening to the remainder of what the speaker had to say? Our minds keep going back to the bombshell so that the words we continue to hear often fall on deaf ears and distracted attentions. That is exactly what happened to Peter in our verse for today. His desire for his curiosity to be gratified superseded his desire to have his conscience directed and perhaps pricked by our Lord. Jesus had stated three verses prior that He was going away and Peter was still mulling that one over refusing to go further until he got that issue settled in his mind:

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” John 13:33 (NIV)


To his impetuous credit, Peter loved the Lord Jesus. He loved basking in His presence. He loved following in His footsteps. Three years prior Peter had become a “fisher of men” with no hesitation as he readily accepted Jesus’ call to come follow Him. We often gloss over the fact that Peter gave up his profession to follow the Master’s command. Docking the boat, he chose a higher calling. Peter’s natural devotion towards the Lord’s irresistible attraction was sufficient to prompt this move – it was basically an external following and one done without hesitation. Yet now the Lord’s call to Peter to follow would necessitate the power of the Holy Spirit as it would require an internal sacrifice and yielding. Jesus would have to bring him completely to the end of himself and all of his self-sufficiency. There would be nothing left of him that he could rely on or base his confidence in. By the way, this is where Jesus wants all of His followers to be. Forget self-confidence – we are to deny that. No matter what changes God has worked within us, no matter how much we have grown up in Him, we are not to depend or rely upon these things rather we are to solely rest upon His achieving power. He is the One who equips us for every good work. We have no power in and of ourselves to accomplish the works God has prepared in advance for us to do. Believe me; we want to walk in the path of these good and pleasing works.

“There is no blessing I would withhold from those who walk in obedience to Me – who follow when I call, who respond when I speak to them. Near to My heart and precious in My sight are those who have eyes to discern My purpose and ears that listen to My direction.” Frances J. Roberts

It is only when we come to the end of ourselves and look up that God says we are primed vessels, profitable for His use through the Holy Spirit’s power. We must remain in the vine. Jesus Words come to mind:

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NIV)

Fruitfulness is the result of Jesus’ life being reproduced in our own. It is soul satisfying – it is good, pleasing and perfect. We are to manifest His presence through His power for His glory.

“Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our on wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God…..God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.” A. W. Tozer

After Jesus’ resurrection and the disciples had received the promised Holy Spirit we discover a changed Peter. I think it extremely interesting how prior to his own death Peter emulates our Lord’s Words in teaching the disciples he had obediently made after the Lord’s resurrection:

12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 2 Peter 1:12-15 (NIV)

Peter recalled Jesus’ Words prior to His departure from this earth to make disciples and he was intentionally passing the baton to them before he himself departed. Like Jesus, Peter desired to pass on Truth to those that followed our Lord before his death. He continued to disciple his disciples until the very end just as Jesus did.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• Jesus desires to take me “further still” in my relationship with Him – I am never standing still regarding this – I am going either forward or backward.


• I want to stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. His will is good and pleasing and perfect for my life.


• I am commanded to make disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit and I am to be faithful to that command.

Sharing Bread John 13:34-35

SHARING BREAD

34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."


John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Just as Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, He now gives this charge to all of His followers – both then and now – we must love one another – we are to be the embodiment of His love.

“Christ became what we are that He might make us what He is.” Athanasius of Alexandria


Loving others is both a great duty and a high calling as it helps to strengthen the hands of our fellow sojourners by lovingly encouraging and refreshing them along the way. It is a Christian grace that is not to be merely in our heads but a practice in our lives. We should flesh out this love in our tempers and our words, in our being and in our doing. It should show forth in our behavior and conduct toward all and in particular fellow believers regarding them as brothers and sisters. There is nothing that the world understands and values more than the demonstration of pure Biblical love. People may not understand theology or doctrine but they can appreciate Christian love – it captures their attention and often their hearts. It is a true honor to excel in brotherly love as it always points to Jesus – it is quite different from the paste gem love that the world blasts forth. We will discover also that as we love and are encouraging towards others we will be strengthened as well. Proverbs tells us:

25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Prov 11:25 (NIV)


Love is a fundamental and everlasting command of Christ’s kingdom. Brotherly love is to be the badge of all our Lord’s disciples. It is His desire for us to be noted for this love as a distinguishing trait of His family. Just as our earthly families have distinguishing generational familial traits, love is to be the distinguishing spiritual familial trait for every believer. This goes against the grain of the world which touts an “every man for himself” mentality – this is not to be the way of the Christian. Scripture is replete with the call of love amongst Christian brothers. John later writes that our love for one another is a sign that we are truly children of the King:

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 1 John 3:14 (NIV)


10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:10-12 (NIV)


“All the commandments of God are commandments of love tending to our real good and great happiness; far from being grievous to those who have faith and love, the practice thereof is life and peace. The world may think it a grievous burden; but this is a great mistake indeed. Sin is grievous. In hatred, envy, anger, revenge, pride, there is nothing but torment and slavery; but in love there is a sweet rest and pleasure. Thus a sinner always punishes himself, and is robbed of great peace and blessing, by transgressing the commandments of God.” K. H. Von Bogatzky


“Let us note how far from satisfactory is the state of those who are content with sound doctrinal opinions, and orthodox correct views of the Gospel, while in their daily life they give way to ill-temper, ill-nature, malice, envy, quarrelling, squabbling, bickering, surliness, passion, snappish language, and crossness of word and manner. Such persons, whether they know it or not, are daily proclaiming that they are not Christ’s disciples. It is nonsense to talk about justification, and regeneration, and election, and conversion, and the uselessness of works, unless people can see in us practical Christian love.” John Charles Ryle


What exactly does Biblical love look like? Paul gives us a clear description of this high calling in 1 Corinthians. We would do well to remember that it is only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit’s power equipping and enabling us to consistently flesh this out. Biblical love does not come to us naturally. This is why when it is demonstrated in a life, it points to God and never fails to bear fruit. Paul writes:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:4-8 (NIV)




Paul cites that if anything is done apart from the motivation of love – no matter how worldly wonderful - it is worth nothing. Indeed, he states it is greater than faith and hope. As Christians, we are to be a people known and marked by it.



“It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and a wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians…and I am one of them.” St. Cyprian, 200-258

What I glean from this:

• Jesus has commanded me to love others – I am the vessel He is the power. My vessel is to be willing.


• Loving others is a high calling as Biblical love never fails to bear fruit.


• Pure Biblical love is self-less at its core.

Sharing Bread John 13:33

SHARING BREAD

33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”


John 13:33 (NIV)

Using a most tender term of endearment to express His compassion our Lord addresses His guys with: “My children” – “little children”. This was evidently a term of strong love and affection and one that our Lord uses only here in Scripture towards His closest “family”. It was the language a loving Daddy would choose to use to his child of whom he was about to leave alone as an orphan in the world. Notice that Jesus did not address all of His disciples with this term; He waited until Judas had left the room. It was His believing followers that our Lord loved and regarded as His. Unbelievers were not Christ’s children. I am reminded of our Lord’s tender Words as He looked over Jerusalem broken hearted because of those who would not willingly turn to Him:

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Matt 23:37 (NIV)

Knowing He would only be with His guys a little longer, He lovingly gets their attention and seeks to use this opportunity to pour forth Words they would certainly call to mind after His departure. His time was short. His hour was fast approaching. He wanted their best attention. He knew they would feel deserted and despondent and, like a loving parent, He did not want them to be unprepared. I am reminded of the verses penned in Isaiah which describes God’s love for us as being far superior to the love between humans – even to surpassing the strong bond of a mother and her babe:

15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)



He was well aware that right after His death the disciples would be perplexed and confounded albeit for only a short season. But even a short season was too long for them not to be prepared according to His gracious and loving heart. They would certainly be missing Him, seeking Him and wondering where He had gone. Just as a small child cries and begins to want its parent whenever they leave the room, so it would be with the His disciples after our Lord’s departure and His desire was for them to be ready. Jesus’ tender care and love and mercy for His flock overwhelm me as I know they are still as constant for us as well. I am reminded of the words in Lamentations:



21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lam 3:21-26 (NIV)

God’s love is loyal. He is faithful. He is the Constant One – never changing, holy, totally Other. God’s supply of loyal love and compassion is not limited – we find it afresh every morning – it is the glorious promise of Scripture. Jesus was about to depart this world and go into heaven and His disciples were to remain on earth to complete the work God had for them to do – just as Jesus had completed the work God had for Him to do. This brings God much glory. We find these Words of Jesus later in John as He prays to His Father:

4 “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:3-4 (NIV)



Likewise, those who follow the Lord Jesus - whose feet now trod this earth - are left to do the works God has prepared in advance for them to do – through His power. As we walk by faith, God has a prepared path of good works for believers which He will perform in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are saved by grace for these works not because of them. We are the ultimate losers by not walking in them – this is the abundant life. Everything else pales in comparison. Remember, too, it is not our working for God rather God working through us. Paul tells us in Ephesians:



8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:8-10 (NIV)




We are also told in Philippians:



13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Phil 2:13 (NIV)






“Fret not. Rejoice always. Do not be anxious. In everything give thanks. Serve the Lord with gladness. Be strong and of good courage. Come before Him with thanksgiving. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently on Him. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The Bible (from The Promise – Robert Morgan)




What I glean from this:



• Jesus loves me this I know.


• Jesus’ love, compassion, mercy and faithfulness are new every morning.


• Jesus is the Constant One.

Sharing Bread John 13:31-32

SHARING BREAD

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.”


John 13:31-32 (NIV)

Satan, dwelling within the willing vessel of traitor Judas Iscariot, had now departed the room to do his dirty deed of darkness leaving our Lord among the company of His faithful followers. Freed from Judas’ painful oppressive presence, Jesus freely opens up to His flock more fully than He had done before. He appears as One relieved by the absence of an uncongenial mindset. Indeed, the presence of wicked people is often a hindrance to pleasant and good discourse. His desire was to tell them the glory which the ensuing crucifixion would bring to both God the Father and God the Son. It would be a clear demonstration to them - and to us as well - of the spiritual Truth that just as death is the way to life, likewise death precedes glory. Everything of value and worth comes with a price in life. Jesus had told His disciples earlier in John:

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:23-25 (NIV)

We see in our verses today Jesus mentions some form of the word glory no less than five times. Of our verses John Charles Ryle comments:

“These verses show us what glory the crucifixion brought both to God the Father and to God the Son. It seems impossible to avoid the conclusion that this was what our Lord had in mind when He said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.’ It is as though He said, ‘The time of my crucifixion is at hand. My work on earth is finished. An event is about to take place tomorrow, which, however painful to you who love Me, is in reality most glorifying both to Me and My Father.’” Ryle

I am confident the eleven sat there scratching their heads with their mouths hanging open. It had to be confusing to them. How could all the agony of the death on a cross (not to mention the sins of all mankind placed upon His holy body) bring any glory whatsoever? Yet the Lord regards His atoning death by crucifixion as the most glorious part of His work done on earth. Nothing shows forth God’s mercy, His patience, His holiness, His justice and His faithfulness to His promises like His Son’s death. Likewise, nothing shows forth the Son’s compassion, the Son’s patience and the Son’s power like the cross of Christ. Jesus does not speak of the cross as punishment rather as an event most glorious – glorifying both He and the Father. God’s law was honored, man’s sins were borne, sin was punished in a Substitute and “free” salvation was purchased for man all hidden under the power of the crucifixion. It is no wonder Paul states in Galatians:

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal 6:14 (NIV)

The writer of Hebrews also tells us the following insight regarding Jesus’ view of the cross:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2 (NIV)

This begs the following question in my mind - how are we enduring the crosses we are called to bear? Are we complainers and arguers? Do we kick against the goads - so to speak – fighting against God’s best for our lives because it does not come to us wrapped in a pleasant package? Is our endurance filled with martyrdom and the “woe is me” mentality? Are we overflowing with worry and anxiousness ruining both our health and our relationships? Are we frantically going in our own strength and power like a poorly run machine which is fueled only with our own weak abilities? These reactions bring God no glory and should only be found in non-believers - those who do not possess the power of the Holy Spirit Who is the only the True and Sure and Constant means of equipping one to live above our circumstances. Unfortunately, all too often believers manifest the weakness of the flesh in lieu of the Power of the Spirit which points not to Jesus but to us. This is a pathetic witness and not a very wooing one either. Why would anyone want to follow something so commonplace in the world? Paul tells us in Romans that we are to be united with Jesus in His death (our crosses), manifesting His Spirit (no longer slaves to sin) which ultimately brings God much glory:

5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:5-7 (NIV)



We would do well to remember that we are most satisfied when God is most glorified. He longs for us to manifest His fruit as we undergo each cross He calls us to bear – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This gets the attention of the world because it so unnatural so opposite of the flesh and can only be consistently accomplished through the power of the Spirit. Paul gives us the following admonition in Galatians:



7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:7-9 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• The presence of wicked company hinders pleasant and good discourse.


• The cross brought glory both to God the Father and God the Son.


• I am called to bring God glory through my crosses.

Sharing Bread John 13:29-30

SHARING BREAD

29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.


John 13:29-30 (NIV)

The hour had now arrived where darkness reigned. Judas had perhaps deceived some of his peers but he had in no way duped the Lord Jesus. Jesus was not taken by surprise – He never is. We find the Master’s Word confirming this in Luke when He responded to those who came to arrest Him:

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns." Luke 22:52-53 (NIV)

Make no mistake about it; darkness reigned because darkness was permitted to reign. God is the only One with ultimate, full and complete power – Satan must answer to Him. Recall the story of blameless Job with me. The adversary could do nothing more to Job than God allowed:

8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." 9"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Job 1:8-12 (NIV)

Again Satan asks permission to buffet Job and God once again places certain restrictions on his hands:

1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." 3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." 4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." 6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." Job 2:1-6 (NIV)

Remember, too, Jesus’ Words to Pilate showing him to be no more than a mere pawn in God’s omnipotent Hand:

11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:11 (NIV)




After Jesus’ death and resurrection Peter addresses the crowds with the following Truth found in Acts which clearly demonstrates both man’s culpability and God’s foreknowledge. God’s set purposes, I might add, will always come to pass:



22 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:22-24 (NIV)




In our verses for today we are also told that because Judas was in charge of the group’s money, some of the disciples appear to wrongly assume the high road regarding his actions – not questioning or even being red flagged by his abrupt departure – they had placed their trust in him. They were surely duped and soon to be sorely disappointed and hurt. Nothing hurts worse than a betrayal by a friend or family or loved one. Second guessing one of their own would not have entered their minds – it would have been foreign to them – a strange concept. They were to have been like minded brothers - treating one another both lovingly and selflessly – following closely in their Master’s footsteps. Yet they were wrong in their assumption that Judas cared anything for the poor and that he was even a safe keeper of their funds. Sin is never compartmentalized in a life. When it is allowed to enter in, it permeates. We must beware of this. Scripture tells us the Truth regarding the traitor’s actions:



4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. John 12:4-6 (NIV)




It is interesting to me as well that while the disciples had no reason to question Judas-treating him the same as all the others – Jesus knew fully who the adversary was yet treated him no differently. Paul’s words in Romans come to mind:



8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)





What I glean from this:



• Jesus is never taken by surprise.


• Satan has boundaries – God has none.


• It hurts to be betrayed by someone I love.

Sharing Bread John 13:27-28

SHARING BREAD

27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.




"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.


John 13:27-28 (NIV)

Sadly, our Lord’s conviction had proved ineffective for Judas. Grace upon grace had been extended to the betrayer by Jesus yet he remained steadfastly unchanged. Frighteningly, when he granted access to evil into his heart, he abandoned himself to the power and conduct of Satan. We had seen earlier in the chapter where Satan had prior prompted the turncoat to betray his Master:

2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. John 13:2 (NIV)

Never having given Christ Lordship of his heart, Judas remained open to the advances of the adversary. I am reminded of the following Proverb which depicts one whose fortification wall of self-control is breached:

28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Prov 25:28 (NIV)




The walls of a city in Biblical times were its strength. Weak or breached walls equated to vulnerability and openness to entrance of enemy forces. The same holds true for a life. When we do not fortify our walls of self-control – places we know where we are weak, we open ourselves up for an attack of the evil one of which, I might add, we are no match. First he suggests, then he commands. First he knocks at our doors asking permission then when admitted he takes complete possession - ruling like a tyrant. As believers we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and cannot, like Judas, be possessed by Satan but (and this is a BIG but) we can be so oppressed by the adversary through a breach in our defenses that we perhaps feel possessed. If he cannot keep us from being saved he will certainly strive to keep us from being used for kingdom work. Let us not be ignorant of his devices. James tells us to render obedience to God and to resist the devil and he will flee – Satan, of course, being no match for God:



7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV)



While Satan is not omniscient he is a very good study and watches where we are the weakest, orchestrating and customizing our temptations in an effort to ensnare and trap us. He is supremely evil, hateful and deceitful yet he masquerades around as an “angel of light” taking captive those who are unaware of his vile and wicked schemes. Our safety lies in resisting him – not listening – giving no credence to his first advances. Paul tells us that as believers we are to be strong in the Lord, clothing ourselves with the full armor of God which enables us to withstand his evil ways.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Eph 6:10-11 (NIV)




Interestingly, the word translated “schemes” in the above verse is from the Greek word “Methodeia” meaning “to work by method; the following or pursuing of an orderly and technical procedure in the handling of a subject.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids. In other words, just as God has a wonderful plan for our lives so too Satan has a plan for evil and demise. Satan counterfeits whatever God does and he is very good at it – he has had lots and lots of practice. We are to resist the devil and stand firm in the full armor of God – in His power and mighty strength:



12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:12-18 (NIV)




This is why we are told in Jude the following regarding Satan and his ways:



8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them. Jude 1:8-10 (NIV)



“Let us watch jealously over our hearts, and beware of giving way in the beginnings of sin. Happy is he who feareth always, and walks humbly with his God. The strongest Christian is the one who feels his weakness most, and cries most frequently, ‘Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.’” John Ryle



What I glean from this:

• I must pay attention and heed the Holy Spirit’s convictions dealing quickly with my sins.


• I am to render myself to God – He is my Savior - and resist the devil – he is my adversary.


• I must guard my heart.