Jesus wasn't a magician, a side show, a super hero, a genie waiting to grant three wishes, or even a psychic with telekinetic powers. That didn't stop people around Him from expecting these powers from Him. While Jesus certainly possesses the power and could have established Himself as any one of these popular entertainers, He wasn't here to entertain.
He was here to bring living water to thirsty souls.
Chapter 7 of John begins with Jesus' brothers begging Jesus to come to the Feast of the Temple and demonstrates His abilities by performing miracles. Apparently they were tired of the neighbors asking questions about the abilities of their brother. Interestingly it doesn't seem like they believe either, Jesus was, well their brother, not some Prophet/Rabbi/Christ that everyone talked about.
Jesus choose another path though. Instead of going with His brothers and making a "Public" entrance, He went in secret and began moving through the crowd. Eventually planting Himself in the temple and teaching the scholars, teachers and others in the Jewish community.
I know there are times in my life that I stand waiting for the super hero Jesus to come and attack my enemies. Sometimes I stand waiting for the magician Jesus to show me a nice neat trick. And yet other times I bring three wishes to Jesus hoping that He will answer them like the genie did in Aladdin.
What Jesus are you hoping for? Does that line up with who Jesus actually is?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 9 - John 6:25-71
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." John 6:53
Can you imagine what the people were thinking when Jesus began teaching them about the Bread of Life? Jesus, who had just finished feeding 5000 people using only a couple fish and loaves of bread, and had also just walked almost three miles out on a lake, and who had been doing miraculous things throughout the area just requested that the crowd must eat His flesh in order to 'have life'.
As people who live now 2000 years later, we can understand this in a variety of ways, but imagine living during this time. The questions that came up into peoples minds, and the disgust that most of the people had.
So what happens?
Well, most everyone leaves Jesus, except His disciples.
The twelve.
Jesus questions the twelve as to why they haven't left as well. And Peter responds for the group: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)
Peter's response is funny because it basically says there isn't anywhere else to go. Jesus was the only place to go.
There was no theological explanation of Jesus' words.
Peter didn't explain the symbols of eating the flesh and blood of Christ.
He simply said You (Jesus) are God and there isn't a better place for us to be.
What do we do when times get tough and we question what God is telling us. What happens when all our life God seems to be X and all of the sudden God is actually Y? How do we cope? Where do we turn?
Peter and the disciples saw that over the course of the last months (or years) Jesus had proven Himself over and over and simply because they didn't understand what was going on at this time, didn't mean it was time to dessert Him like the others. When times get tough. When God seems different than when you first experienced Him, don't search elsewhere. Don't get hung up on explaining the theological complexity. Stay and listen to what God is telling you because of the long line of times He amazed you in the past.
"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." John 6:53
Can you imagine what the people were thinking when Jesus began teaching them about the Bread of Life? Jesus, who had just finished feeding 5000 people using only a couple fish and loaves of bread, and had also just walked almost three miles out on a lake, and who had been doing miraculous things throughout the area just requested that the crowd must eat His flesh in order to 'have life'.
As people who live now 2000 years later, we can understand this in a variety of ways, but imagine living during this time. The questions that came up into peoples minds, and the disgust that most of the people had.
So what happens?
Well, most everyone leaves Jesus, except His disciples.
The twelve.
Jesus questions the twelve as to why they haven't left as well. And Peter responds for the group: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)
Peter's response is funny because it basically says there isn't anywhere else to go. Jesus was the only place to go.
There was no theological explanation of Jesus' words.
Peter didn't explain the symbols of eating the flesh and blood of Christ.
He simply said You (Jesus) are God and there isn't a better place for us to be.
What do we do when times get tough and we question what God is telling us. What happens when all our life God seems to be X and all of the sudden God is actually Y? How do we cope? Where do we turn?
Peter and the disciples saw that over the course of the last months (or years) Jesus had proven Himself over and over and simply because they didn't understand what was going on at this time, didn't mean it was time to dessert Him like the others. When times get tough. When God seems different than when you first experienced Him, don't search elsewhere. Don't get hung up on explaining the theological complexity. Stay and listen to what God is telling you because of the long line of times He amazed you in the past.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Day 8 - John 6:1-24
Phsyical boundaries limit humanity not God.
What physical boundaries are holding you back from what God has for you?
Have you asked God to remove, work around or otherwise destroy those boundaries?
What physical boundaries are holding you back from what God has for you?
Have you asked God to remove, work around or otherwise destroy those boundaries?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 7 - John 5
The John 5 passage is one of the most interesting miracles out of any in the Bible, at least to me. At first glance you may be wondering why this one is so different to me than the others. Jesus goes and heals a crippled man, which He did several times throughout the Bible. Not very interesting...
However, take a look at the beginning of the passage. This place is called Bethesda, and was a massive pool (had five colonnades) which when stirred people believed that it would heal them of whatever malady that they had. The only issue is that you needed to be the first one in the pool after it stirred for it to work. The text further states that the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed all sat around it's edge waiting for the pool to be stirred.
So Jesus goes to this pool and hears of a man that had been waiting there for thirty years and had never made it into the pool because he had no one to carry him into it. Thirty years of hearing others exclaim that their disease and sickness was cured and knowing that you lost your shot once again. Jesus in his compassion heals this man and tells him to rise up and walk. Which the man does.
What's interesting to me is that it never says that Jesus healed any other person at this Bethesda pool. The story says that there were a great multitude of people there waiting to be healed, and yet only one man is healed by Jesus, at least in the story.
How many times have we wondered why God heals only certain people, and not others?
How many times have we seen others around us blessed, but we feel completely left out?
However, take a look at the beginning of the passage. This place is called Bethesda, and was a massive pool (had five colonnades) which when stirred people believed that it would heal them of whatever malady that they had. The only issue is that you needed to be the first one in the pool after it stirred for it to work. The text further states that the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed all sat around it's edge waiting for the pool to be stirred.
So Jesus goes to this pool and hears of a man that had been waiting there for thirty years and had never made it into the pool because he had no one to carry him into it. Thirty years of hearing others exclaim that their disease and sickness was cured and knowing that you lost your shot once again. Jesus in his compassion heals this man and tells him to rise up and walk. Which the man does.
What's interesting to me is that it never says that Jesus healed any other person at this Bethesda pool. The story says that there were a great multitude of people there waiting to be healed, and yet only one man is healed by Jesus, at least in the story.
How many times have we wondered why God heals only certain people, and not others?
How many times have we seen others around us blessed, but we feel completely left out?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 6 - John 4
Throughout Jesus' earthly ministry He often deviated from the established religious norms and spent time with those He wasn't supposed to. John's fourth chapter depicts two of those meetings when Jesus sits and talks with a Samaritan woman as well as when He heals the officials son.
For Jews in general, going through Samaria was taboo, but for a rabbi like Jesus to not only go through Samaria but also sit and talk with a single lady was unheard of. Jesus risked His reputation by sitting and talking to this Samaritan woman, as evidenced by the disciples reaction when they found Him. The cultural norms of human interaction, simply didn't keep Jesus from doing what He knew to be the work and mission of God.
So what work and mission does God have for us? And what cultural human norms keep us from actually accomplishing what God has put us on the earth to do?
For Jews in general, going through Samaria was taboo, but for a rabbi like Jesus to not only go through Samaria but also sit and talk with a single lady was unheard of. Jesus risked His reputation by sitting and talking to this Samaritan woman, as evidenced by the disciples reaction when they found Him. The cultural norms of human interaction, simply didn't keep Jesus from doing what He knew to be the work and mission of God.
So what work and mission does God have for us? And what cultural human norms keep us from actually accomplishing what God has put us on the earth to do?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Day 4 - John 3
It doesn't make sense.
Chapter three of John has the early leadership of the Jesus movement being questioned. Jesus is questioned in the middle of night by a Pharisee of the ruling council, mean while John the Baptist is questioned by his own followers. What happens when God moves and completely changes the fabric of humanity? Well there are lots of questions while humanity tries to catch up with the new movement of history.
Nicodemus, coming to Jesus in the middle of the night (possibly to keep other Pharisees from knowing what he is doing) comes and asks Jesus two very important questions. The first is how to enter into the Kingdom of God and the follow up is what does it mean to be born again. Apparently Nicodemus had heard Jesus speaking maybe during the day before and heard concepts and theology that was new to him, not only that but Jesus actually had the miracles to back up His authority to say these things.
John the Baptist on the other hand has some of is own followers come to him with questions. John's disciples were perplexed to the point of fighting amongst themselves because someone else was baptizing just down the river. Not only that but more people were going there than were coming to get baptized by John. These followers of John the Baptist knew their leader had been sent there by God and couldn't understand how someone else could have a more dynamic message.
What's interesting about these two encounters is the response by both leaders (John and Jesus) when asked about their ministries. Both of their responses lead to the same understanding for the questioner. 'Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but those who don't believe will suffer eternal wrath.' Not a very politically correct statement from these two leaders, but it's their response none the less.
What's happened recently in our culture has been a shift to the thought that there are many ways to God. That every religion, cult, and creed will eventually work it's way to the same God, the problem is that it isn't true. Jesus traveled a long way and had a bad stay if that were true. The fact is that everyone has a single decision to make. John and Jesus both knew what that decision was and were dedicated in explaining that message to those around them. Have you thought about that message?
The only way to God is through Jesus...
Chapter three of John has the early leadership of the Jesus movement being questioned. Jesus is questioned in the middle of night by a Pharisee of the ruling council, mean while John the Baptist is questioned by his own followers. What happens when God moves and completely changes the fabric of humanity? Well there are lots of questions while humanity tries to catch up with the new movement of history.
Nicodemus, coming to Jesus in the middle of the night (possibly to keep other Pharisees from knowing what he is doing) comes and asks Jesus two very important questions. The first is how to enter into the Kingdom of God and the follow up is what does it mean to be born again. Apparently Nicodemus had heard Jesus speaking maybe during the day before and heard concepts and theology that was new to him, not only that but Jesus actually had the miracles to back up His authority to say these things.
John the Baptist on the other hand has some of is own followers come to him with questions. John's disciples were perplexed to the point of fighting amongst themselves because someone else was baptizing just down the river. Not only that but more people were going there than were coming to get baptized by John. These followers of John the Baptist knew their leader had been sent there by God and couldn't understand how someone else could have a more dynamic message.
What's interesting about these two encounters is the response by both leaders (John and Jesus) when asked about their ministries. Both of their responses lead to the same understanding for the questioner. 'Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but those who don't believe will suffer eternal wrath.' Not a very politically correct statement from these two leaders, but it's their response none the less.
What's happened recently in our culture has been a shift to the thought that there are many ways to God. That every religion, cult, and creed will eventually work it's way to the same God, the problem is that it isn't true. Jesus traveled a long way and had a bad stay if that were true. The fact is that everyone has a single decision to make. John and Jesus both knew what that decision was and were dedicated in explaining that message to those around them. Have you thought about that message?
The only way to God is through Jesus...
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 3 - John 2
The second chapter of John demonstrates something very profound about Jesus which in turn tells us something about God too. The first half of the chapter describes Jesus' first miracle, the turning of water into wine at the behest of Jesus' mother. The second part focuses on Jesus' arrival in the temple and His eventual destruction of the money changers and swindlers within it's gates.
These two stories are very unique and different. On one hand if shows us a Jesus who likes to have fun and has relationships with those in His community. The wedding was about to come to a screeching halt because the wine had run out. Yet Jesus' mother knew that Jesus could fix the problem and encourages Him to take action and keep this newly wed couple from embarrassment. The second story however demonstrates Jesus' anger as He raged against those that would desecrate the temple built for His Father. It says that Jesus fashioned together a whip from some cords and began flipping tables, throwing money around, herding animals out of the temple, and generally destroying the economic well being of the temple business. So what's up with Jesus?
Is He bipolar?
What's interesting is that Christians (myself included) and even those outside of the church usually prefer one aspect of Jesus over the other. There are some in the church that only seem to see Jesus as the fun guy at a party. The guy who loves everyone and is easily the funnest person to be around at the party. There are others that only see the wrath, justice and holiness of God. They see Jesus as the warrior, ready to attack and root out the sin in people's lives and warning people of their coming judgement in hell.
First let me say that if you believe one of these things you're right that's exactly who Jesus is, however Jesus is both. Not only does he love unconditionally and want everyone included in the celebration, He also cannot stand for sin and actions of unholiness.
It's only when we see Jesus as both the lover and the warrior that we see a clearer picture of Him.
These two stories are very unique and different. On one hand if shows us a Jesus who likes to have fun and has relationships with those in His community. The wedding was about to come to a screeching halt because the wine had run out. Yet Jesus' mother knew that Jesus could fix the problem and encourages Him to take action and keep this newly wed couple from embarrassment. The second story however demonstrates Jesus' anger as He raged against those that would desecrate the temple built for His Father. It says that Jesus fashioned together a whip from some cords and began flipping tables, throwing money around, herding animals out of the temple, and generally destroying the economic well being of the temple business. So what's up with Jesus?
Is He bipolar?
What's interesting is that Christians (myself included) and even those outside of the church usually prefer one aspect of Jesus over the other. There are some in the church that only seem to see Jesus as the fun guy at a party. The guy who loves everyone and is easily the funnest person to be around at the party. There are others that only see the wrath, justice and holiness of God. They see Jesus as the warrior, ready to attack and root out the sin in people's lives and warning people of their coming judgement in hell.
First let me say that if you believe one of these things you're right that's exactly who Jesus is, however Jesus is both. Not only does he love unconditionally and want everyone included in the celebration, He also cannot stand for sin and actions of unholiness.
It's only when we see Jesus as both the lover and the warrior that we see a clearer picture of Him.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Day 2 - John 1:35-51
Jesus steps into our brokenness and restores our humanity.
John the Baptist is standing there talking to two of his disciples when all of the sudden Jesus passes by them along the road. How could Andrew resist? This was his chance to literally follow the creator of the universe in the flesh... hopefully John doesn't mind (he doesn't). Andrew turns from his conversation with John and hurries to catch up to Jesus. Jesus hears the pitter patter of feet coming up behind Him and turns to see Andrew coming up along side Him. Andrew wonders if there is any way he can simply see where the creator of the universe is staying for the night and Jesus does him one better and asks him to join Him on an adventure. And thus starts the gathering of the twelve disciples.
I love this passage because Jesus takes the drop outs and puts them in the head of the class. Andrew, Cephas (Peter), Philip and Nathanael, all are called into the new movement that Jesus is starting. What's interesting is the way each of them are called. As stated above, Andrew seems to simply want to get as close as he can to Jesus. Simon is called and immediately Jesus changes his name to Cephas (Peter). Philip is simply 'found' and told to follow Jesus. Finally Nathanael is slightly apprehensive at first wondering if anything good can come from Nazareth, however Jesus puts those worries to rest and looks deep into Nathanael's heart.
We see these men and see four things:
Someone wanting to belong.
Someone needing a new start.
Someone willing to follow.
And someone looking for wonder.
The amazing part of this story is that these men are you and I. We need a place to belong in a world of disconnectedness. A place to start fresh when life has become hostile. A leader who knows us and is worth following. And something mysterious that continues to make us wonder everyday.
We need Jesus.
John the Baptist is standing there talking to two of his disciples when all of the sudden Jesus passes by them along the road. How could Andrew resist? This was his chance to literally follow the creator of the universe in the flesh... hopefully John doesn't mind (he doesn't). Andrew turns from his conversation with John and hurries to catch up to Jesus. Jesus hears the pitter patter of feet coming up behind Him and turns to see Andrew coming up along side Him. Andrew wonders if there is any way he can simply see where the creator of the universe is staying for the night and Jesus does him one better and asks him to join Him on an adventure. And thus starts the gathering of the twelve disciples.
I love this passage because Jesus takes the drop outs and puts them in the head of the class. Andrew, Cephas (Peter), Philip and Nathanael, all are called into the new movement that Jesus is starting. What's interesting is the way each of them are called. As stated above, Andrew seems to simply want to get as close as he can to Jesus. Simon is called and immediately Jesus changes his name to Cephas (Peter). Philip is simply 'found' and told to follow Jesus. Finally Nathanael is slightly apprehensive at first wondering if anything good can come from Nazareth, however Jesus puts those worries to rest and looks deep into Nathanael's heart.
We see these men and see four things:
Someone wanting to belong.
Someone needing a new start.
Someone willing to follow.
And someone looking for wonder.
The amazing part of this story is that these men are you and I. We need a place to belong in a world of disconnectedness. A place to start fresh when life has become hostile. A leader who knows us and is worth following. And something mysterious that continues to make us wonder everyday.
We need Jesus.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Day 1 - John 1:1-34
As I read this passage certain things stick out to me, probably because I have heard this passage so many times. In youth group, myself and several other students actually memorized this passage by doing a reader's theater centering on the first 34 verses. We used this theater for various trips, church functions and other events, and I still remember a solid portion of it to this day.
One of the things that strikes me from this passage is this character John, or rather John the Baptist. This passage begins talking about the 'Word', which later is revealed to be Jesus by the end of the passage. However, in the middle we find this conversation about who isn't God, who isn't the Messiah, and who John really is in the story. Verse 19 shows John there baptizing people, when all of the sudden the Priests and Levites are sent in to figure out who this guy is that is baptizing individuals. They ask him several questions:
"Who are you?" (v.21)
"Are you Elijah?" (v.21)
"Are you a prophet?" (v.21)
"What do you say about yourself?" (v. 22)
and finally,
"Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the People?" (v. 25)
The Priests and Levites are in effect asking where he gets his authority from. If John the Baptist was a prophet, if he was Elijah, if he was the Christ, then they could understand his actions. The fact is though, John wasn't any of those things. John was, well John. John was simply a guy doing what God had called him to do, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord (v. 23).'" God had called an ordinary man to do something extraordinary. His authority wasn't through titles but through the one who sent him.
So the question is, what has God sent me (you) to do? God has given us the authority, the talents, and the knowledge to do great things, not for your glory but for His. While John knew what he was called to do, he also knew not to take the credit for himself, but to turn the attention and the focus to someone far greater and more powerful than he, the priests, the Levites and the Jews ever could have imagined. Who interestingly shows up on the next day? Jesus.
One of the things that strikes me from this passage is this character John, or rather John the Baptist. This passage begins talking about the 'Word', which later is revealed to be Jesus by the end of the passage. However, in the middle we find this conversation about who isn't God, who isn't the Messiah, and who John really is in the story. Verse 19 shows John there baptizing people, when all of the sudden the Priests and Levites are sent in to figure out who this guy is that is baptizing individuals. They ask him several questions:
"Who are you?" (v.21)
"Are you Elijah?" (v.21)
"Are you a prophet?" (v.21)
"What do you say about yourself?" (v. 22)
and finally,
"Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the People?" (v. 25)
The Priests and Levites are in effect asking where he gets his authority from. If John the Baptist was a prophet, if he was Elijah, if he was the Christ, then they could understand his actions. The fact is though, John wasn't any of those things. John was, well John. John was simply a guy doing what God had called him to do, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord (v. 23).'" God had called an ordinary man to do something extraordinary. His authority wasn't through titles but through the one who sent him.
So the question is, what has God sent me (you) to do? God has given us the authority, the talents, and the knowledge to do great things, not for your glory but for His. While John knew what he was called to do, he also knew not to take the credit for himself, but to turn the attention and the focus to someone far greater and more powerful than he, the priests, the Levites and the Jews ever could have imagined. Who interestingly shows up on the next day? Jesus.
Starting Lent
As you can see over the last several months I haven't been using my blog with any consistency or for any real purpose. Life has been moving fairly quickly, and I simply haven't had the time to really focus on this very much, however I want to change that. Today starts the forty days leading up to Easter known as Lent.
Traditionally people decide to give things up for Lent, but I want to try and take something up for lent. Specifically my blog. So my plan, little as it may be, is to follow my church's "40 Days of Prayer" booklet, which is a tool to help our congregation pray more through the time of Lent. So every day there 'should' (assuming I do it.. everyone else seems to have issues keeping their Lent promises) be a post on the passage for the day, and a quick thought from me.
Traditionally people decide to give things up for Lent, but I want to try and take something up for lent. Specifically my blog. So my plan, little as it may be, is to follow my church's "40 Days of Prayer" booklet, which is a tool to help our congregation pray more through the time of Lent. So every day there 'should' (assuming I do it.. everyone else seems to have issues keeping their Lent promises) be a post on the passage for the day, and a quick thought from me.
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