Category: Gospels
“Peace be with you!”
Scripture reading for May 4th: John 20
On the first day of the week (Sunday) Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it open and empty. She ran and told the disciples and John and Peter ran to check it out for themselves. They came and saw the grave clothes folded up as well as the linen strips. John says that he saw and believed that Jesus was alive. But they left without seeing Him. Mary stayed at the tomb and when she bent to look inside again, she saw two angels seated where the body had been. They asked her why she was crying and as she turned away, she saw Jesus standing there but did not recognize Him. He revealed Himself to her and told her: “Go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to My father and your Father, to My God and your God.'” (John 20:17)
Later that Sunday evening, the disciples were together behind locked doors because they were afraid of what might happen. “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19) John says that Jesus showed them His hands and side where He was pierced. The disciples were overjoyed at seeing Him alive!
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”” (John 20:21-23) Jesus spoke peace to these men who had denied and deserted Him a few hours earlier. He commissioned them to go into the world and seek the lost as He had done for the Father. He gave them the Holy Spirit and authority to proclaim forgiveness!
“It is Finished!”
Scripture reading for May 1st: John 19
After being severely flogged and crowned by the soldiers with a crown of thorns, Jesus was made to carry His cross until He could no longer. He was mocked as the “King of the Jews”! Jesus was crucified on Passover morning at 9:00, just as the Passover lambs were being sacrificed. He was the One John the Baptist had identified prophetically as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
Over His cross, Pilate had the soldiers fasten this notice: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) The religious leaders pleaded with Pilate to remove the notice, but he refused! Around the cross, the soldiers gambled for His garments that had been removed. This fulfilled Scripture written about a thousand years earlier by King David. (Psalm 22:18)
Also near the cross was His mother Mary and the two other Mary’s. “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved (John) standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27) Even in agony and near death, Jesus was thoughtful of others and showed His love!
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished!” With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:28-30) Jesus’ last cry was a shout of triumph! Everything necessary for the salvation of mankind was complete!
“My Kingdom is not of this world!”
Scripture reading for April 30th: John 18
After Jesus and the disciples had prayed all night, before sunrise Judas Iscariot led a band of soldiers and religious officials to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. Jesus was expecting them and asked them who they wanted. When they replied “Jesus of Nazareth”–Jesus answered, “I am He.” (John 18:4-6) The power of Jesus’ words caused this group to fall to the ground! Jesus then commanded them to let the rest go and they obeyed. Peter tried to defend Jesus by using his sword, but Jesus rebuked him: “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” (John 18:11) Jesus was in control and obeying the plan of the Father!
As Jesus was led before the Jewish officials of the synagogue, they could find nothing to charge Him with. He was then taken before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate’s first question to the Jews was what do you charge Him with? They had no answer. Pilate’s first question to Jesus was “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about Me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was Your people and Your chief priests who handed You over to me. What is it that you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.” (John 18:33-37)
Jesus publicly admitted that He was a king with a kingdom that was not of this world. His kingdom would rule forever and He would never cease to be King! Have you acknowledged Jesus as King?
Jesus prayed with His disciples for us!
Scripture reading for April 29th: John 17
What a comfort to know that Jesus talked with His Father about His own life and the lives of His followers! First, Jesus prayed for Himself as He approached the cross. This prayer took place in the upper room just before He and the group left for the Garden of Gethsemane. “Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:1-3) Jesus looked at His obedient death on the cross as a glorification of the Father and Him. This plan would bring authority to Jesus to grant eternal life to all the Father would give Him.
Next Jesus prayed for His current faithful disciples. These would be left behind in the world to do His Father’s work of reaching the lost and confronting the evil one. “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name–the Name you gave Me–so that they may be one as We are One.” (John 17:11) Jesus asked for their protection in the world from the evil one through His Name!
Finally, Jesus prayed for all future followers: “My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, 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.” (John 17:20-21)
No one will take away your joy!
Scripture reading for April 28th: John 16
Because He was soon leaving them, Jesus warned the disciples of coming persecution. They would be put out of the synagogue and some would be killed by people thinking that they were doing God a favor. People who would do this did not know Jesus or the Father. This warning would help them to know that what was happening to them was in God’s plan and understanding.
“But I tell you the truth, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me. . .” (John 16:7-9) “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will take of Mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13-14)
Jesus would not leave His followers alone or helpless. They would have a Counselor who would come to them and live in them. This Spirit of Truth would take the things of Jesus and reveal them to the disciples. He would guide them into all truth and tell them things to come. They would be able to ask the Father for anything in Jesus’ Name and He would do it for them! (John 16:23-24) What amazing words of encouragement and hope from our Savior! His Spirit will keep us close to Jesus by taking His words and revealing them to us!
Chosen by Jesus to bear fruit!
Scripture reading for April 27th: John 15
Grapes are one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. There are many varieties and all require some care and tending to make them fruitful and keep them healthy. They provide food, juice, and wine. The branches are good for little because they are weak and bend easily. Jesus used this plant as an example for His disciples of how they must stay attached and produce fruit.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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.” (John 15:1-4)
Jesus told them that He was the true vine and that they were the branches that were to produce the fruit. The Father was the gardener that pruned the branches that did not bear fruit. These branches were good for nothing but burning in the fire. (vs. 6) The branches that produced would also be pruned to make them even more fruitful. Branches must not think that they can produce fruit on their own. They must abide in the vine to draw the needed nutrients. Even so, disciples must stay attached to Jesus in order to produce fruit. They must submit to pruning to increase their yield. Not producing fruit is a bad option that yields being cut off! “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” (John 15:16)
Faith–antidote for a troubled heart!
Scripture reading for April 24th: John 14
After Jesus revealed Judas as His betrayer and Peter’s future denial, the disciples were troubled in their souls about the things that Jesus was telling them. Jesus sought to comfort them and prepare them for what was coming!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. 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. 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) Jesus knew that troubling times were just ahead where these men would have their faith shaken and broken. He knew that all would deny Him in their weakness of flesh. But He encouraged them to trust in God and in Him and His word. Jesus was preparing a place for them in Father’s house through the events of the next few hours. They must trust that Jesus would prepare that place by going away and then return to take them there to be with Him.
Thomas told Jesus that he did not know where He was going or the way there. Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Knowing Jesus was also knowing the way to Father’s house. It was the truth that would make them free! (John 8:32) It was the life that would never end! (John 3:16) Jesus told them, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Jesus wanted these followers and us to know the way to Father’s house! Have you put your trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ?
“One of you will betray Me!”
Scripture reading for April 23rd: John 13
Loyalty is a valued trait in friendship or marriage. We like to know that those we are closely associated with will be faithful to us and have our back. The Bible states that those who have been given a trust must be faithful. (1st Corinthians 4:2) Jesus chose twelve disciples to share the ministry and become His apostles. One of them proved unfaithful!
Jesus had gathered His disciples together in the upper room for the Passover meal. To set an example of servant-leadership, Jesus had washed each of His followers’ feet. He showed them that the path to greatness was through serving. After He had done this, Jesus became troubled in His spirit saying, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.” (John 13:21) This surprised the disciples and wondered which one of them it might be who would do such a thing. Peter boldly had John ask Jesus which one it was. “Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”” (John 13:26) John records that Jesus gave the bread to Judas Iscariot and immediately Satan entered into him. He took the bread and went out into the night to quickly do what he had planned–betray Jesus for some money!
None of the disciples even suspected Judas and examined their own hearts. Judas had been seated close to Jesus in a position of honor. He was the treasurer of the group and was entrusted with their ministry funds. But Jesus knew what was in Judas’ heart and to help the others believe, identified Him before the betrayal. We must all search our hearts and allow Jesus to speak to us about our own loyalty!
The kernel of wheat!
Scripture reading for April 22nd: John 12
As a farmer, I have put lots of seeds into the ground. In a sense, they are buried and die. But the seed has life inside of it. In the soil, it begins to germinate and sends out a shoot that soon breaks through the surface and a plant emerges! From that plant, more seeds will be produced so that another harvest will come. Wheat usually produces from fifty to one hundred more seeds from one!
“Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. 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. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”” (John 12:23-26) Jesus looked at His coming death as a “glorification”! He knew that as a seed is planted in the ground, He would be planted in the grave. He also knew that after three days, He would be resurrected in a glorified body! He knew that this would fulfill the plan of the Father and the purpose that He came to earth for–the salvation of those who would believe and follow Him!
“”But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.” (John 12:31) The message of the cross is foolishness to those who love the world but the power of God to believers!
“I am the Resurrection and the Life!”
Scripture reading for April 21st: John 11
Humans are perplexed by death! Death is an enemy that brings fear, sorrow, and something that is usually irreversible by man’s power or ability. Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha had lost their brother Lazarus. They had send word to Jesus to come when he was near death, but Jesus delayed on purpose. Lazarus had been in the grave for four days when Jesus finally arrived on the scene.
“”Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”” (John 11:21-26)
Martha knew Jesus had power over sickness, having witnessed miracles He had done. She knew that God heard Jesus’ prayers. She also knew the teaching of the Scriptures that there would be a resurrection in the last day. (Daniel 12:3) But she had trouble thinking about Lazarus living again now. Jesus’ words brought her encouragement and she answered His question about believing, “Yes Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
This confession of faith is the key to salvation and resurrection for each person! Jesus demonstrated that He was the Christ by raising Lazarus from the dead after four days by calling his name! “Lazarus, come out!” (John 8:43) Have you made this confession for yourself?