Happy 4th of July everyone! May your grilling go smoothly and your fireworks be loud and obnoxious, as they should be.

This Sunday we’re going to be reading John 20:19-31, which finishes up the chapter. Many believe this was John’s original ending to his gospel, but added chapter 21 later on. In this chapter we’ll be reading about Jesus’ appearance to the rest of the disciples – and we’ll be considering the ramifications of the risen Christ in the midst of his followers.

Jesus shows up in the middle of a locked room. He is obviously present in a new kind of physicality, one that is not hindered by normal obstacles. Think about that locked door and the symbolism of it. What kind of doors do we lock in life…and how effective are they in keeping Jesus out?

The first thing out of Jesus’ mouth is the common greeting: Shalom. It means peace, wholeness, stability of life. John is using this event to convey the meaning of Christ’s presence with us still – and how his presence brings with it wholeness and fullness of life. In what ways have you found stability, wholeness and well being in the presence of Christ?

Jesus commissions his followers to do the same thing he’d been doing. That would be unthinkable if he didn’t follow it up by giving the Holy Spirit to empower us for such a task. How can we start developing habits of following the Holy Spirit’s lead to do good and help the oppressed in this world?

V23 is a stumper. I have heard an opinion on what he’s saying that I’m persuaded by (I’ll share it Sunday) – what do YOU think he’s saying?

The account of Thomas is awesome to me. I love that dude. Do you think Tommy was doubting Jesus, or the testimony of the other disciples? Is there a difference when it comes to the gospel, in your view? How did Jesus interact with Tom: rebuke, anger, irritation, compassion, care…? What was the first thing he said to him? Do you think that Jesus is angered by our questions or honest skepticism?  Do you believe that doubt and sincere searching is debilitating to faith, or can it actually encourage and enhance faith? How does Jesus’ interaction with Thomas inform your view?

Okay…well…again, I’m really looking forward to this passage! I think we’ll have a lot of good stuff to chew on!

Whenever we say things like “I’m in the dark”, we usually mean that we don’t understand something, we’re confused or just don’t have the clarity we need. If we say “I’m going through a dark time”, we mean the circumstances and our emotional response to them are difficult and desolate. Darkness as a metaphor is never a positive image. Darkness is something we seek a solution to, a change from.

The creation account in Genesis begins in the dark: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was formless and chaotic, and darkness covered the surface of the deep”. God intervened and spoke light, order and life.

All of that went wrong when a man and a woman stood in a garden and rejected God’s rule. As a result, darkness, chaos and death again captivated the scene.

After a long time, there is another garden…a man and a woman are standing there…and a new creation is breaking out of the old. God once again dispels the darkness and shines a hope beyond our wildest dreams into the chaos of a broken world. Creation 2.0 has commenced.

We’re going to be reading John 20:1-18 this Sunday (and yes, I’m finally back in the lineup), the account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

The themes of new creation are all through John’s gospel, and his symbolism is almost heavy-handed in this section. He just really doesn’t want us to miss the point. All that Jesus did and taught was revealing what God is like and what God is up to – and here in his resurrection we see it in full bloom: redemption; new creation….RESURRECTION!

As you read this account, put yourself in the place of Peter and TDWJL (the disciple whom Jesus loved) – how do you think you would have reacted to Mary’s news? What would you think was going on initially?

V9 says Pete and TDWJL returned to their own home (literally, to themselves). What ways do we turn back to ourselves when we go through dark times?

Mary was inconsolable. She was on task: find the corpse of Jesus and get it re-buried. She was so miserable and fixated on that problem that she didn’t even realize the solution to her dilemma was standing right in front of her. What can that tell us about how we perceive our troubles – how should creation 2.0 affect our expectations?

If I asked you who the first evangelist, ambassador, teacher and missionary of the gospel was…who would you say? I know who v 18 says it was.

Hey…I’m really looking forward to this chapter! This should be some really encouraging stuff for us to explore! Hope to see you there!

I love it when I’m able to finish a project. Last winter I worked on a comic book for Voice of the Martyrs. It had a tight deadline and required a lot of long days that ended late at night. When the final page was drawn and colored – the sense of relief, release and satisfaction was immense. There is something wonderful about bringing a mission to it’s proper close. Yet I find it so hard to relate those feelings to what I read about when Jesus brings his project to a close.

This Sunday we’ll be reading John 19:1-30 – it’s the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s not pretty. It’s painful and hurtful and tugs at the heart. There is nothing about it on the surface that indicates victory or success, and yet, at the end of this section Jesus announces “it is finished”.

The question we’ll be asking is: WHAT was finished? Jesus doesn’t say, and neither does John, at least on the surface.

I know that the entire New Testament is fairly dedicated to answering that question, so it’s not as though we are left in the dark. But as far as THIS passage goes, I believe the seeds for the New Testament garden are planted in John’s account.

I’ll give you a hint, and let you parse it out yourself. John identifies the kind of branch they use to offer Jesus sour wine – it’s hyssop. What is significant about that, and how would John use that to interpret what is happening to Jesus?

Jesus tells John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) to look after his mother – to take her in as his own mother – changing the dynamic of their relationship there at the foot of the cross. What could that tell us about what Jesus accomplished on the cross?

Pilate put an inscription above Jesus’ cross which read “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” – it was written in the three dominant languages of the known world. Pilate meant it as an insult, but what if God conscripted his mockery to make an announcement? How would this multinational/multicultural declaration help us interpret what Jesus finished on the cross?

It’s a long passage again….so again, I’ll try not to make it a boring read.

Hope to see you there!

We are coming up on the final chapters of our study in the Gospel of John, chapter 18:1-40. This Sunday we’ll be reading about Jesus’ arrest and his trial before the Jewish leaders and his first interview with Pilate.

It is a description of a long and grueling night – a night of crisis. Trouble has a way of bringing things out in us – both negative and positive. In this account of a troubled night, we see what a crisis reveals in the hearts of the characters involved. I always think its a good idea to try the various characters on for size, just to see what we can learn about ourselves in the narrative.

On Sunday we’ll be looking at Judas, Peter, the Sanhedrin…and Jesus. We read about betrayal, violence, denial, hypocrisy…but also faithfulness, God’s kingdom and power disguised.

As you try on the characters…what parts of their story can you relate to? What attitudes or actions feel a bit familiar, as you compare them to your own journey in Christ? If we’ve ever found ourselves standing on the wrong side of things (v5), or impulsively trying to fix matters by our own strength (v10, 17), or wanting to get our own way so badly that you violate the very morals we claim as our own (v19-24) – these characters have something to say to us. Now, if we feel convicted by any of this, we don’t want to despair…God is always a God of new beginnings. What are some ways in which we can learn from these examples and begin to develop new habits that conform more closely to God’s intentions?

It will be a dramatic journey this Sunday – hope to see you there!

Have you ever been around someone who volunteers to pray over a meal, and ends up praying on and on over everything but the meal and you wonder just how cold your food can get before you hear the word “amen”? I’ve noticed some people have a proclivity for long prayer. Not that that’s a problem. I’m sure I’ve gone rambling on much longer than I realize when I’ve been asked to pray for someone – sometimes you just get caught up in the moment of appeal.

One of the shortest prayers in the Bible is from Matt  14:30, when Peter was sinking and cried out “Lord, save me!” Short, yet effective.

The longest prayer recorded in the Bible is found in the passage we’ll be reading this Sunday, in John 17:1-26. It has been called “Jesus’ high priestly prayer”…or “the longest prayer” by some. It is considered the longest prayer for two reasons…one, because it’s really long, but it’s also long in it’s scope. It is a prayer that includes you and I, as Jesus forecasts our becoming his followers…so in a real sense, since it has been written and recorded, it is a prayer that has been ongoing until this very day.

The prayer is divided into three movements – Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and for all who will believe throughout history. We learn a lot about a person by what they pray for. In this case, we can discern a lot about God’s purposes and the will of Christ for our own lives.

In v1-8 there is a word that is repeated with different variations. What is the word – and what does it tell you about one of God’s priorities? What do you think it means to “glorify” God?

Jesus then prays for his disciples in v9-19. When you were a child, who protected you? As Jesus describes his role in protecting the disciples, and in handing that responsibility directly to the Father…how then should we see ourselves? Who are we to God?

Note also that Jesus didn’t ask the Father to help us escape from this world, but to be protected in it. What ways have you, or even the church in general been tempted to revert to escapism in our actions or in our doctrines? How can we understand our place in this world as it touches God’s intent for us?

He finishes his prayer in v 20-26. There is a plea on our behalf that is repeated three times in this section. How does that inform you of God’s intent for the church worldwide? When we consider the vast amount of differing opinions on doctrine and practice throughout the whole of the church, on what can we all find unity? How can we do our part in advancing this desire of God withing the sphere of our influence?

It’s a wonderful prayer, and worth a lot of attention – I hope it inspires you to dig deeply into these amazing words. See you on Sunday!

Way back when we used to run the Javalooyah Coffee House (don’t mock me…it was the 90’s), we used to provide a venue for the burgeoning punk and hardcore bands, most of whom were Christians. It was pretty common that when when a band would play, midway through their set one of the band members would take the mic and offer a few words about his or her faith. It was always pretty awkward and uncomfortable for everyone involved – but I was always moved and proud of these kids for being brave enough to do that. One night a lanky bass player with Eminem hair color (not from the band pictured above) got up to the mic and started his plea with “If you’ll just come to Jesus and give your life to him, he’ll make all your problems just go away.”

I looked at my coffee mug and wondered if I could throw it with enough accuracy to knock him out and get him away from that microphone. I didn’t though. Obviously I knew he was sincere and was only trying to make his plea for the cause of Christ, but he was representing a fundamentally flawed theology in the process.

I don’t know if it was the whole Charismatic/Word of Faith movement that started this notion, or if its just an extension of basic human desiderata, but too often people operate under the notion that God’s plan for our lives is to eliminate all suffering for us.

Eugene Peterson, in his book Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work wrote: “The biblical revelation neither explains nor eliminates suffering. It shows, rather, God entering into the life of suffering humanity, accepting and sharing the suffering. Scripture is not a program from God providing, step by step, for the gradual elimination of suffering in a series of five-year plans. The suffering is THERE, and where the sufferer is, God is.”

This Sunday we’ll be reading John 16:16-33 where Jesus explains that suffering will be part of our experience – but that through him, we can have a coping and stable life in the midst of it.

In v16-22 Jesus uses the image of a mother and childbirth to illustrate one way in which we can remain stable in suffering (which is awesome, since we’ll be reading this on Mothers Day). His point has to do with end results. How can a consideration of the end of the story be a help in stabilizing us during present troubles? Here’s something to ponder: What was the source of the woman’s sorrow in Jesus’ illustration, and what was the source of her joy? Does that tell us anything about the nature and purpose of the hardships we are sometimes faced with?

V23-27 records Jesus for the third time encouraging us to ask for anything in his name. We pointed out that “in his name” isn’t a cosmic credit line but meaning asking according to his plan and purpose. Either way…the invitation to directly communicate is clearly emphasized. How can that play a role in stabilizing our lives during times of trouble?

He concludes this section in v28-33, uttering those famous words “In this world you’ll have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world”. How can knowing that Jesus has run this course and conquered it enable us to stand strong?

Clearly we need to let go of the concept that suffering is somehow an indicator that something is wrong or that God is mad or doesn’t care. Suffering is part of the scene. Lets consider some ways in which we can apply Jesus’ encouragement to our own difficult circumstances – and let’s allow him to shape us in the process!  The songs for this Sunday are posted at Facebook and the Hymnal.  Hope to see you Sunday!

 

 

Whenever we’re talking to someone who starts elaborating on how they are the object of everyone’s hatred; saying that everyone they know is out to get him – we usually sum that person up as paranoid.  I suppose Jesus’ disciples listening to some of the things he forecast for himself might have been tempted to think their teacher was lapsing into paranoia, but certainly not after the authorities came to arrest him and put him on a cross. The fact is, Jesus warned us a lot about being hated by people and it could sound a little unhinged if it weren’t how truthfully it’s played out through history up until this very day.

We’re going to be reading John 15:18-16:15 this Sunday and Jesus will make just that sort of warning.

The book of Acts plays out Jesus’ prediction here – and the first 300 years of the church’s history is one of cyclical persecution. To this day you can track how Christians are persecuted and hated all over the world through organizations like Voice of the Martyrs or World Watch List so I think its safe to say that Jesus wasn’t being paranoid in his predictions.

In all fairness, we have to acknowledge the many times in history that the church has been guilty of promoting it’s own brand of persecution against people of other religions or those they have deemed sinners. There is no excuse for it and it is a blight on our history, all we can do is mourn such folly. The Gospel is the final victim of that sort of stupidity.

Nevertheless, the church’s mistakes don’t diminish the reality of Christian persecution – and it was sort of promised to us by Jesus.

In this passage, in light of the world’s system rejecting the gospel, ch 15:26-27 tells us God’s response and what our intended response is supposed to be. Is it back out of the world? Is it give up and leave them to themselves? What is the response of God and his church to rejection and hatred?

Chapter 16 outlines how the Holy Spirit will interact with this world and with us.  Do you get the picture of human ingenuity in how the gospel will spread or something else? What picture do you see? Who does Jesus say will lead us into all truth?  How would you understand your role, or the church’s role in this activity of God’s Spirit?

I hope this will be a challenging, albeit sobering study this Sunday! Hope to see you there!

 

 

“If only I had been alive when Jesus was walking the earth. Things would be so much simpler. It would have been so much easier to believe. If I had a question,  I could just go ask him and he’d clear everything up. Yeah…I wish I had lived back then when trying to be a Christ follower.”

Have you ever thought those thoughts? Many people do, I know I certainly have.

The thing is, based on what we learn from the Gospel of John (as well as the rest of the New Testament), that line of thinking is flawed. For one thing, there’s no evidence given in the Gospels that Jesus’ disciples had an easier time of believing than we do. In actuality, maybe just the opposite. Those who were closest to him were still so unsure about him that betrayal and denial were still ready options. When push came to shove their lack of certitude about him made it easier for all of them to run and hide rather than stand with him in his arrest.

One could argue that they didn’t start taking shape as solid believers until after he wasn’t with them physically.

The reason for that may be found in the passage we’ll be reading this Sunday, John 14:15-31.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say “If you keep my commandments I’ll love you”. The only “if” of this statement is connected to our love for him. Obeying isn’t a condition required in order to be loved…it’s a symptom of a condition of love. How does living by Christ’s teachings reveal love?

Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit to us in this passage. Jesus seems to indicate that our journey with him will be that much more stable because he’s sent the Holy Spirit in his stead. Now, instead of being with the Holy Spirit as he’s operated through Jesus, he will be in us, guiding, teaching and helping us on our way. That indicates a quantum leap in our journey. Think of it – a 24 / 7 Counselor and Friend within us, available to us at all times. He will teach us and guide us and empower us. What of life’s puzzles and dilemmas do you bring to the Helper? How has His presence in you provided guidance for your life?

Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will teach us and lead us into truth? If He is the teacher, how can we properly understand the role and place of “teachers” in the Body of Christ?

Just as he’s about to be arrested and crucified – with the launch of the church in view with all of the persecution and turmoil it has faced throughout history – Jesus says he will leave us with peace. How can we understand what he’s saying? How can we be peaceful even when there is turmoil surrounding us?

The characteristics of this relationship with God are profound. God IN us manifests in our lives as love, discovery and peace. For as much as I’d really like to see Jesus, I still think we’re better off where we are right now.

This should prove to be an interesting (albeit heady) exploration this Sunday. Hope to see you there!

 

 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” ~ Jesus

How hard or how easy is it for you to live this encouragement out in real life? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your difficulties? Have you ever found yourself frustrated by verses like the one above because, try as you may to believe, your troubles are relentless? I know I certainly have.

We’re going to be reading John 14:1-14 this Sunday, where Jesus issues the directions quoted above. It is couched in the section commonly called “Jesus’ farewell address to his disciples”. Judas has gone out to betray Jesus to the authorities, Peter has been identified as one who will deny Jesus in a crisis, and Jesus has made it clear that he will soon be gone from them. All in all, the evening has really turned into a bummer. We can just imagine the distress and confusion that is beginning to mount in the midst of this group.

So Jesus gives direction – truth to calm their troubled hearts. His encouragement isn’t given in a promise to make all the troubles go away – but rather, in providing a fresh perspective from which to view the looming wave of tribulation.

This section is interesting because it contains *three familiar passages that have often been isolated and, I believe, misrepresented. Something we’ll take a look at as we go on Sunday.

Jesus’ first encouragement is a promise about his Father’s big, big house, with lots and lots of room (if you were a Christian in the 90’s, you’re welcome for the ear worm that should be playing in your head right about now). We mostly take this as a picture of heaven, which I think the idea does contain, but it has more a sense of the bigger picture of redemption, which is unfolding right now in our lives.  How does thinking about life after life now, or the way that God redeems broken things provide a sense of encouragement and assurance in times of trouble?

This section also contains another of Jesus’ clear self-identifications as being united with God the Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. To trust in Jesus is to find the way home to God. Jesus actually promotes an intentional trust; “LET not your hearts be troubled” – don’t live there, don’t form your identity from your difficulties. Instead, we’re called to trust Jesus in an act of our will. What are some ways we can intentionally trust Jesus when all hell is breaking loose? Can you identify ways in which that intentional trust would promote assurance in your heart?

*V2, V6 and V13-14 are problematic verses in this section. V2 is charged with encouraging an irresponsible escapism; V6 is accused of advancing religious intolerance and bigotry; V13-14 have been abused by some to promote “Christian” materialism. Do you have thoughts you want to share about these controversial verses?