John 1:2-5, Isaiah 9:2-3
Posts Tagged ‘John’
God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is.”
John 4:24 GNB
I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!
John 16:33 GNB
Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.
John 14:27 GNB
Good Friday
The Bible quotes seven last sentences that Jesus spoke from the Cross-
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
Luke 23:34
Truly I tell you; today you will be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:43
Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother
John 19:26
Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? (My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?)
Mark 15:34
I am thirsty
John 19:28
It is finished
John 19:30
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Luke 23:46
Which of these sentences means the most to you and why?
For me the first two mean the most.
The first because Jesus is asking for forgiveness for the people like me, who did not realize what they were doing when they wrongly accused Him, beat Him, mocked Him and crucified Him. They were unaware of whom He was and what He was trying to do for them.
The second, because even though I have done many things wrong in the past, He is willing to forgive me and I can be with Him in paradise.
Maundy Thursday
Also known as Holy Thursday.
Also known as Holy Thursday.
This day is the day that is the day of the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and also established the ceremony that became known as the Eucharist.
“Then he poured some water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel round his waist.”
John 13:5 GNB
The word Maundy comes from the command that Jesus gave to His disciples to love one another. This is the only real command that we need to live by.
The act of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples also shows that Jesus had humility. Even though He is the Son of God, He is not too proud to do the work of a servant.
Love and humility; are two great attributes of Jesus that we can strive for.
Palm Sunday
17 The people who had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from death had reported what had happened.
18 That was why the crowd met him — because they heard that he had performed this miracle.
19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, we are not succeeding at all! Look, the whole world is following him!”
John 12:17-19 GNB
Today is Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Most of us are very familiar with the story and can probably recite it almost word for word.
I like this version from John’s gospel, especially this from the Good News Bible. The reason why is that it tells us why the crowds were there. In verse 18, it was because they had heard about the miracle that He had performed, the one of raising Lazarus from the dead. If you had been around at the time and heard this story I’m sure that you would have wanted to go and see whom this great teacher, healer and miracle worker was. I would.
It fascinates me when I realise that a lot of the people completely missed the point of Jesus’ messages. They missed the point of the miracles, the parables, the healings and His teaching. They did not want a great teacher but a great leader who would overthrow the Romans and give Judea back to the Jews. Their requirements were purely materialistic and one might say patriotic. They wanted someone whom they could thrust to the front of the crowd and the leaders, Pharisees and Roman occupiers would listen to Him and be afraid. This was not why Jesus came though. He came to save the people, but not from the oppressors, lawmakers and powerful governors. He came to save them from an even more powerful and evil force. The Devil himself. He is the one that ruins lives, plants evil thoughts into the minds of men and women and creates a world of fear and deceit. He is the one of whom we need to be most afraid.
Jesus came to save the world from this evil.
Did He succeed? You can judge for yourself when you look around the world today. Jesus has many followers today as He did when He was on earth. The similarity of the two eras is striking. Some love Him passionately but are afraid to make a fuss about their love and belief. Others want to make a huge fuss and make everyone aware of whom He is. Others want to follow at a safe distance, acknowledging Him and His power but prefer to stay in the background, speaking to people quietly and their Saviour.
Verse 19 gives me great hope and encouragement.
The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, we are not succeeding at all! Look, the whole world is following him!”
What a wonderful world it will be when the whole world IS following Him.
What a wonderful world it will be when the Devil himself acknowledges that he is “not succeeding at all”
Pray for that time, a time that surely cannot be to far away. A time when Jesus will come again with a great crowd surrounding Him and shouting “Hosanna, Glory to God.”
“Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! V13b
Where are you in the crowd?
Front, centre or at the back?
Wherever you are, make sure that the reason you are there is true.
Be there for what He has done for you.
Genesis 6:12, John 3:16-17
Job 22:21, Job 23:10-11, Job 38:19, John 14:6
