May 28, 2015
This prayer of Jesus found in John 17 should really be called the Lord’s prayer. The prayer that we call the Lord’s Prayer, might better be called the Model prayer because it was given to teach us how to pray. However, the prayer recorded in John 17 gives us an intimate insight as to how Jesus really prayed. In verse 5, we see Christ’s awareness that He was returning to the Father’s presence to share equal glory with Him, the glory which was His even before the world was created. This prayer was offered before Jesus went to the cross, yet He was already looking past it. As Hebrews 12:2 said, we are to be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
May 27, 2015
Peace is not a place, but a Person. It is not an absence of external “tribulation,” which is inevitable in this world. But it is a quiet confidence in the Christ who has overcome the world and now invites us to live in Him. It is an awareness that worldly wars are temporary, while His peace is eternal. The peace of Christ is not a pause between storms, but a permanent state of mind even in the midst of storms. True peace is found only in the Person of Christ Jesus. Only those who abide in Christ know this peace “that passes all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).
May 26, 2015
The abiding life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the abundant life that becomes evident as we continue to abide in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation through faith, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith, so shall we continue to live by “abiding” in God’s grace through faith. Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is manifest in ours.
May 25, 2015
The peace that Jesus offers is not only a cessation of hostilities between times of war, but a sense of well-being in our souls that is a down payment on its future completion in all creation. Jesus had the Hebrew idea of peace in mind, which is called “shalom.” According to Strong’s Concordance, the word shalom means “completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.” Jesus doesn’t offer this peace as the world does. His peace is perfect and eternal. Those that receive His peace have put away worry and fear.
May 24, 2015
Our greatest apologetic is that we love one another. Intellectual arguments for creation, philosophical proofs for truth, and existential equations of reason are all helpful. But our most powerful persuasion is love. Seeing that we love one another as Jesus loved us, “all will know” that we are disciples of Christ.
May 22, 2015
Certain Greeks came to Jerusalem during the feast and they asked to see Jesus. No mention of whether they received an audience with Jesus is given, but one thing is sure. Jesus would invite not only those Greeks, but people from every nation and tribe to Himself by removing the wall of separation between them and the Father. He had already cleansed the Court of the Gentiles on Monday of that week. By Friday, He gave His life in payment for humanity’s sins, removing both the wall of separation and rent the veil of the law. Now everyone, whether Jew or Greek, can boldly approach the throne of God in the Name of Jesus. Jesus paid the price, so that those who “wished to see” Him, could.
May 20, 2015
The One who had said, “Let there be light,” now entered into His fallen creation, speaking resurrection life to those dead in their sins. He called to “Lazarus” specifically because otherwise every dead body on planet earth would have burst forth from the grave at His command, “Come forth!” This One speaking was none other than the Word of God made flesh. The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God. The same Word that brought all things into being, now commanded Lazarus to rise. Some day, the Word will return with the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Arise, My love!” And the dead in Christ shall rise and those living will be changed. Do you believe this?
May 19, 2015
In some places Jesus was rejected, but in the land where John the Baptist had preached, they believed. I wonder what made this place different? Was it John’s plowing that prepared the soil of their hearts to receive the gospel seed? Whether we are plowing, sowing or reaping, I pray that we will ultimately see “many believe.”
May 18, 2015
Jesus came that we might have life. The Greek word is ζωή (zóé), which speaks of both physical and spiritual life. This life originates with, and is sustained by Jesus, who is Life. “Zoe” life is described both by its quantity (eternal), and its quality (abundant). Receiving Jesus, we receive His life. Many focus on the eternal nature of this life, but miss Christ’s emphasis on its “abundance” for the present. In Christ we are to thrive, living life to the full, bearing spiritual fruit, and exploding with vibrance all around!
May 16, 2015
“Abide (to stay, remain, wait, continue, endure, live) in My word.” Having already believed the word of Christ, we are to “abide” in it, showing that we are truly His followers. Believing His word, we are saved. Abiding in His word, we continually die to self and live to God. How do we abide in His word? Hearing, reading, meditating, memorizing and especially applying His Word, we begin to “abide” in the Vine, yielding the Spirit’s fruit.