Milo

SEPTEMBER 6

Reading 249

THREE RELATIONSHIPS John 15“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 15:4).Christianity is not just a religion of beliefs: it is a religion of relationships.

Overview

Jesus’ people are branches, He is the Vine (15:1–4). As we remain in His love, we produce fruit (vv. 5–10). Jesus’ people are to love one another (vv. 11–13), and serve Jesus as friends rather than servants (vv. 14–17). And Jesus’ people are to expect persecution in a hostile world (vv. 18–25), but continue to testify about Him (vv. 26–27).

Understanding the Text

“I am the true vine” John 15:1.

The vine is a frequent illustration in the Old Testament of God’s people. Psalm 80:8 speaks of Israel as “a vine brought out of Egypt.” The clearest use of the image is found in Isaiah 5. There the prophet says: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. And he explains, The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of His delight. (Isa. 5:1–2, 7) But Israel failed to produce the fruit of righteousness and justice that God looked for. And so Christ came, as the “true Vine,” that in and through Him believers might produce the fruit of true goodness (cf. Gal. 5:22–23). Only through relationship with Jesus Christ, the “true [authentic] Vine,” can the moral qualities that God seeks in human beings be produced. Personal relationship with Jesus is the essence of Christianity. “He cuts off . . . he trims clean” John 15:2. The gardener who prunes his vine works with extreme care. There is no threat here in the picture of God as the gardener who prunes His vines. There is no warning to “produce, or else.” Instead we’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness. God’s pruning work benefits us; it doesn’t threaten us. “Remain in Me” John 15:4–9. The dW¸ says, “Abide in Me.” The same point is made by both words: live in intimate union with Jesus. The analogy itself tells us why. A branch draws its vital juices from the vine to which it is united. In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality that enables us to produce fruit from Jesus. Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” The Christian life is a supernatural life, flowing from Jesus to us. It can be experienced only as we live in intimate fellowship with our Lord. “If you obey My commands” John 15:10. Jesus also made it clear how we “remain in” Him. Jesus kept close to the Father by being responsive to His will: by obeying Him. In the same way we keep close to Jesus by being responsive to Christ’s will: by obeying our Lord (see DEVOTIONAL). Jesus never abandons us. Any failure to abide in Him is our choice. “He is like a branch that is thrown away” John 15:6. The wood of the grapevine is stringy and twisted. It can’t be cut into lumber. It can’t be shaped into furniture or utensils. It has value only when it lives in the vine, bearing fruit. So Jesus’ picture of the branch, thrown away and burned, is intended to emphasize uselessness of a branch that is not producing fruit. Note that Jesus did not say the believer is thrown away and burned. He said that the believer who fails to produce fruit is like a discarded branch. You and I have been chosen by God, and called into relationship with Christ, that we might produce the fruit of true goodness, and display God’s character in our world. If we fail to abide in Jesus, the penalty is an empty and useless life—not abandonment by the Lord. “That your joy may be complete” John 15:7–11. God is glorified by the Christian’s fruitfulness. But, as in all things, that which glorifies God benefits the disciple. Note the benefits you and I experience when we stay close to Jesus. We produce “much fruit,” and thus find a sense of satisfaction in fulfilling our destiny (v. 5). We gain power in prayer, asking “whatever you wish” (v. 7). We demonstrate our discipleship, showing the reality of our link with Jesus (v. 8). We remain in Jesus’ love, detecting a sense of closeness (v. 10). And, we experience a joy that bubbles up within us, despite difficult circumstances (v. 11). Yes, God calls us to abide in His Son. But that calling is an expression of His great love; His desire that we might know fulfillment and joy. “Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12–17. The second great relationship that John 15 draws attention to is our relationship with one another. We are called to remain in Christ, and to live with each other in love. Why the emphasis on community? Because how we relate to each other has such a tremendous impact on how we relate to Jesus. If our relationship with other Christians is marked by rivalry, suspicion, and selfishness, it will be hard to maintain an intimate, responsive relationship with the Lord. On the other hand, an experience of belonging, trust, and caring in the Christian community encourages our trust in and responsiveness to the Lord. You and I can’t be solely responsible for how others in Christ’s church behave. But we can be responsible for our own relationships with our fellow Christians. We can set the tone of active love that Christ commands, and thus help others draw nearer to our Lord. “If the world hates you” John 15:18–27. This is the third relationship explored in John 15. We have a relationship with “the world.” The “world” in John’s writings is most often that complex of values, attitudes, and behaviors that shapes sinful human society. In his first letter John wrote that love of the Father and love of the world are in conflict: We cannot love both God’s ways and the ways of sinful man (1 John 2:15–17). Because the world is hostile to God we can expect to experience persecution in it. A world which has no understanding of God (John 15:21) hated Jesus, because His life and character rebuked it. There was no real cause for antipathy to Jesus, for Christ came to cleanse mankind from sin. Yet in the process His very presence exposes sin. Those unwilling to acknowledge their sin and trust Christ for cleansing become hostile. They are angry at being exposed as sinners. There are times when Christians who live truly good and loving lives are hated for exactly the same reason. Their very goodness exposes the wickedness of those around them, and creates hostility. But don’t stop doing and being good. The Holy Spirit is testifying through us—and our calling is to show others, as well as tell others, about Jesus.

DEVOTIONAL

Friend Jesus(John 15:9–17)

I haven’t noticed it in any theology books. But that word, “friend,” is one of the most significant in Scripture to help us understand the Christian life. The significance is seen in Christ’s analogy. A lord or master has the right to give his servants or slaves orders. It is none of their business why the master gives a command. Slaves are responsible only to obey—and they must obey, or else! While Jesus is Lord, and thus has the right to give commands which must be obeyed, He has chosen to call His followers friends. This means first that He shares His purposes and motives with us when telling us His will. And it means, second, that we are given a choice not available to slaves. A friend may respond to a friend out of affection. But a friend does not have to obey! Our Sarah is taking piano lessons. It’s her first year, and all too often we hear, “I hate the piano!” Pouting and miserable, she heads off to practice, but only because we tell her she has to. My two nephews, Stephen and David, are accomplished violinists. And they love to practice! Even their summer vacations are dedicated to playing in some orchestra, or heading off to a succession of music camps. What a difference between having to practice and wanting to. It’s just this difference that Jesus implied—and that is the key to a successful Christian life. God doesn’t want Christians to go out, pouting and miserable, to obey Jesus because they have to. God wants Christians to be Jesus’ friends: to eagerly respond to His wishes and commands because we want to please Him. We show that we are Jesus’ friends when we do what He commands. For God will not force us. Instead Jesus invites us to respond to Him, out of love.

Personal Application

Love God and do what you please. Love God, and pleasing Him is what you’ll want!

Quotable

“It is not a question of how much we know, how clever we are, nor even how good; it all depends upon the heart’s love. External actions are the results of love, the fruit it bears; but the source, the root, is in the deep of the heart.”—Francois Fenelon

SEPTEMBER 5

Reading 248

TROUBLED HEARTS John 14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me” (John 14:1).Jesus’ words of comfort and encouragement continue to relieve our troubled hearts.

Background

The Holy Spirit.

These chapters, which contain the Last-Supper dialogue of Jesus, are filled with teaching on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Christians understand the Holy Spirit not as an influence or force, but as a Person, who with God the Father and the Son are united in Scripture’s one God. Here in John 14 the Spirit is given a personal name: Counselor. What ministries does the Holy Spirit have in our day? (1) He is the Source of believers’ spiritual power (John 14:16–17; 16:5–15; Acts 1:8). (2) He bonds us to Christ and to each other, making us one church and one family of God (1 Cor. 12:13). (3) He enables us to know God’s will and to control our sinful natures (Rom. 8:5–11). (4) He transforms our character and makes us more Christlike (Gal. 5:22–23; 2 Cor. 3:18). (5) He equips us for ministry, distributing spiritual gifts that enable us to contribute to the salvation and growth of others (1 Cor. 12–14; Rom. 12). In a very real sense, the vitality of our Christian lives depends on the Holy Spirit, whose ministries Christ introduces in this and the next few chapters of John’s Gospel.

Overview

Jesus encouraged His disciples to trust (14:1–4), calling Himself the “way, the truth, and the life” (vv. 5–7). Jesus had fully revealed God the Father in His own person (vv. 8–11): He would enable believers (v. 12) and would answer prayer (vv. 13–14). He would also give the Holy Spirit (vv. 15–20), and those who obey Him out of love will experience God’s presence (vv. 21–24). The Spirit, who would come after Jesus left, would bring believers peace (vv. 25–31).

Understanding the Text

“Do not let your hearts be troubled” John 14:1. The disciples seem to have had reason to be troubled! The leaders in Jerusalem were plotting Jesus’ death (10:31; 11:45–53). Jesus Himself predicted He would die (12:23–28). Jesus had just said one of them would betray Him (13:21), and that Peter would disown Him (v. 38). It was undoubtedly a troubled group of disciples that huddled around Christ. But Jesus had a solution for them—and for us. “Trust in God and in Me” (14:1). However grim the circumstances that threaten us, trust in God and Jesus has the power to quiet the troubled heart, and bring us peace. “In My Father’s house are many rooms” John 14:2–3. The image is in stark contrast to the “many mansions” of the dW¸ translators, who pictured manor houses on a hilltop, where aristocratic landowners lived in splendid isolation. In the Oriental house there were instead many rooms, frequently constructed around a central courtyard. There the entire family—the father, all his sons and their wives and their children—lived together. This is an image of the experience that awaits us when Jesus returns. Not splendid isolation, but the warmth of intimate fellowship, gathering together as a family to share endless joys. Whatever troubles us these days, Paul says, is “not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). This is one defense of the troubled heart. We can look ahead, sense what lies beyond our experience in this world, and find comfort. Yet as Jesus went on, He showed His disciples other sources of comfort for the believer: comfort here and now. “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5–7 Thomas is the disciple we all recognize: the pessimist. He saw the dark side of everything, and was sure to point it out! Yet before we criticize Thomas, we need to remember that even when he was sure Jesus and all His disciples would be killed if they returned to Judea to help Lazarus, Thomas said to the rest, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (11:16). One of my good friends, the pastor of a church I attended for many years, is very much like Thomas. He can always be counted on to see, and to feel deeply, the dark side of things. Yet he is one of the few men I know who despite premonitions of doom is always ready to “also go” in any direction God leads. How I admire the pessimist who sees danger everywhere, yet loyally follows where Christ leads. If you’ve been dismissed as a pessimist—and the pessimist is often criticized in our churches—take comfort. Thomas, a pessimist who remained totally loyal, provides an example you can follow. Seeing difficulties is not the measure of a man. Being obedient despite them, is. “Lord, show us the Father” John 14:8–11. The remarks of both Thomas and Philip seem to be interruptions that cause Jesus to digress from His main line of teaching. Yet Jesus’ answer to each disciple adds important truth. Jesus told Thomas that if he realized fully who Jesus was he would know the Father also (v. 7). Philip’s question led Jesus to expand on this thought. “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (v. 9). Jesus so perfectly expresses the very person of God that to know Jesus is to know the Father. The individual who wonders what God is “really like” need only to look at Jesus Christ, and he or she will know. “He will do even greater things than these” John 14:12. This is another of those puzzling verses of Scripture. How can a mere human being, even though he or she believes in Jesus, do “greater things” than Jesus did here on earth? One suggestion is rooted in the observation that Peter, in preaching just one sermon (Acts 2), won more converts than Jesus did in His years of ministry! I think, however, that something more significant is implied. The works Jesus did here on earth were in accordance with the will of the Father, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. They were special—but not amazing. After all, Jesus is God the Son and as God, not only knows but is in full harmony with the Father’s will, and is always receptive to the Spirit’s leading. You and I on the other hand are mere creatures, and sinful creatures at that. It is a far more amazing and wonderful thing when we act in full harmony with the Father’s will, and are receptive to the Spirit’s leading and His power. Our “greater works” are greater in wonder—in the awesome realization that God can use weak, sinful creatures like us to accomplish His purposes in our world. “Whatever you ask in My name” John 14:13–14. The Christian’s power to do “greater works” is clearly rooted in prayer. We are not able to perform them: it is Christ in us who “will do” whatever we ask. But note that we ask “in My name.” This means more than tacking “in Jesus’ name” to the end of every petition. In Hebrew thought the “name” expresses the essential character of the thing or person named. To pray “in Jesus’ name” is to make requests that are in fullest harmony with Christ’s character and His purposes. When we pray in this way, we can be sure our prayers will be answered, and that God’s power will flow. “Another Counselor to be with you forever” John 14:16. Jesus would soon leave His disciples. Yet He would not leave them alone. The word translated “counselor,” parakletos, means “a person summoned to one’s aid.” The word translated “another,” allos, means “another of the same kind,” in distinction to another of a different kind. Jesus would leave, but God the Father would send the Holy Spirit, who like the Son is God, to be present for our aid and comfort. This Counselor is with us now, and forever. “I too will love him and show Myself to him” John 14:21–24. These verses contain one of the most significant teachings on the Christian life. How do we experience the presence of Christ? No one can see Him, and yet in some mystic sense believers through the ages have known His real presence. The principle Jesus laid down was: Love and obey. And the linkage between the two is that love stimulates obedience. In fact, the two are linked in an endless spiral. As love moves us to obey, obedience brings us closer to Jesus, which stimulates even more love. But a lack of love will lead to disobedience and a sense of unreality in our faith. If Jesus seems unreal to you, look first to your love, then to your obedience. “[He] will teach you all things” John 14:26. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what we have learned. The person who has made no effort to study and understand what Jesus has said will have nothing to be reminded of! “My peace I give you” John 14:27. At best the world knows an uneasy peace, for the world’s peace depends on circumstances. An earthquake, an outbreak of war, the loss of a job, a sickness—these are just a few of the things that destroy the world’s peace. In contrast Christ’s peace is independent of circumstances. It is rooted in the knowledge that God is our Father, Christ our Saviour, and heaven our home. Nothing that happens in this world can affect these realities.

DEVOTIONAL

Don’t Miss the Way(John 14:1–6)

As my dad got older, his eyesight began to betray him. It wasn’t that he couldn’t see. It was just that he didn’t see as well—or respond as well to what he saw. I’ll never forget the reaction of my two sons, Paul and Tim, after they took a rather wild ride with Dad in northern Wisconsin. He drove his camper—equipped truck along a narrow dirt road, tree branches whipping at its sides, as my two teens gripped whatever they could hold on to in the cab. “I’m not going to ride with Grandpa again!” they later announced. I could understand. Whenever I flew into Detroit, I always arranged to drive the car home when Dad picked me up. It really is dangerous when people can’t see that way. It’s dangerous spiritually too when people assume that there are many roads to God, and set off blithely down one of them, confident that it will ultimately lead them to Him. Jesus made it unequivocally clear that there is just one way that leads to God, and that He is the way. His words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” stake out Christianity’s most exclusive claim. Other religions offer paths to follow. Others exhibit moral insight. Others hint at a life after death. But only in the person of Jesus Christ can anyone find THE way to God, THE truth about the universe, and THE life that is eternal. Only through Jesus can anyone approach God. My teens were right about not wanting to take a ride with my dad. And we’re right in trusting ourselves to no one except Jesus. Everyone else has missed the way.

Life Application

The road to God really is marked with “One Way” signs.

Quotable

You, my son, Have shown me God. Your kiss upon my cheek Has made me feel the gentle touch of Him who leads us on. The memory of your smile, when young, Reveals His face, As mellowing years come on apace. And when you went before, You left the gates of heaven ajar That I might glimpse, Approaching from afar, The glories of His grace. Hold, my son, my hand, Guide me along the path, That, coming, I may stumble not, Nor roam, Nor fail to show the way Which leads us home. -Grace Coolidge

SEPTEMBER 4

Reading 247

A NEW COMMANDMENT John 13

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are My disciples if you love one another” (John 13:34–35).Love isn’t an option. It’s a commandment, and the mark of Christ’s new community.

Overview

Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples, at which He washed their feet (13:1–11). He required His disciples to follow His example of humble service (vv. 12–17). Jesus predicted His betrayal, and Judas left (vv. 18–30). Christ then gave His “new commandment” to love one another (vv. 31–35), and predicted Peter’s betrayal (vv. 36–38).

Understanding the Text

“He now showed them the full extent of His love” John 13:1. This chapter begins John’s treatment of Christ’s final hours before His crucifixion. In one sense, it is the journey Jesus now took to the cross that unveiled the “full extent” of His love. But probably John has in mind here what Jesus did and said at the Last Supper. The act of foot-washing related in this chapter, Christ’s teaching on the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14; 16), His revelation of a Vine/branches relationship with Him (John 15), and His prayer for our sanctification (John 17), all uniquely unveil the extent of Christ’s love in the great salvation His death has won for us. This first-century basin features a raised footrest in the center. A guest placed his foot on the rest, as a slave poured water on it to wash away the dust of travel. The task was assigned to the lowest menial. That Jesus, their Lord and Master, should stoop to wash the disciples’ feet, was a stunning example of humility (13:4–5). “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power” John 13:2–5. John added, Jesus knew that “He had come from God and was returning to God.” And then John inserts a strange little word: “so.” “So” Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water in a basin, and began to wash His disciples’ feet. Why the “so”? Because only a person who is truly secure in his identity can afford to take the role of a servant. Jesus knew who He was. He was the Son of God, and He could not be diminished by humbling Himself to serve His disciples. It’s true for us today too. In the world people struggle to gain every social advantage, and to appear great. Insecure and aware of their vulnerability, they prop themselves up by pride of accomplishment. Many Christians are like this—competing with others to appear important. But the Christian who realizes the significance of his sonship, and of being deeply loved by God, will have none of the insecurity that generates competition. You and I can stoop to serve others. The humblest of roles cannot diminish us. “You shall never wash my feet” John 13:6–11. Peter was shocked by the inappropriateness of it. The One he called Lord, serving him! It just wasn’t right. Peter should serve Jesus, not the other way around. John pointed out that Peter did not understand the symbolism of the act, or its power as an example of servanthood. Jesus must “wash” His followers, not just to make them socially acceptable, but to make them acceptable for the kingdom of God. Many have suggested that here the “bath” (v. 10) represents the total cleansing of a person from sin that takes place when we put our trust in Jesus as Saviour. Foot-washing represents the cleansing of sins that we commit as believers—sins analogous to the dust a person would pick up after bathing, while walking home through a dusty Judean street. We have been washed clean by faith in Jesus. But we stand in continual need of cleansing from the sins we still commit. “You also should wash one another’s feet” John 13:12–17. Luke 22:24 tells us that as the disciples entered the room where the Last Supper was to be held, they were arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This bit of background from Luke helps us sense the significance of Jesus’ question, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” If Jesus, their Lord and Master, could stoop to serve, the disciples should not compete for greatness, but rather concentrate on servanthood. “I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done for you.” In a few Christian traditions literal foot-washing is practiced. But Christ’s concern is not for the act, but for the attitude it displays. Humility and servanthood are necessary elements of Christian discipleship. If we are followers of Jesus, we must certainly follow this example. “Jesus was troubled in spirit” John 13:18–30. It would be wrong to suppose that Jesus did not love Judas. The psalm Jesus quoted (v. 18) was a psalm of David, that laments the defection of a friend. A similar lament is found in Psalm 55:12–14, which captures the pain of a friend’s betrayal: If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. If you have been abandoned by a friend, or betrayed by someone you loved, never doubt for a moment that Jesus understands. “As soon as Judas took the bread Satan entered into him” John 13:27. The phrase does not mean that Satan took control of Judas against his will. Just the opposite! When Jesus offered Judas a bit of bread with meat from the main dish on it, Judas knew without a doubt that Christ knew Judas intended to betray Him. The other disciples did not understand, but Judas did. This was the crucial moment. No one knew but Jesus. At that moment Judas could have changed his mind. Instead he took the morsel that Christ held out to him, in effect announcing his intent to complete his bargain with the priests. It was when Judas made his irrevocable commitment that “Satan entered him.” In deciding to abandon Christ, Judas had opened wide the door of his personality to the control of an evil, spiritual force. No one who makes such an irrevocable commitment against Christ finds freedom. He or she has simply exchanged submission to good for submission to evil. Submission to God for submission to Satan. And eternal life for eternal damnation. “And it was night” John 13:30. Perhaps as Judas opened the door and went out John caught a glimpse of Jerusalem, lying in the deep shadows of Palestine’s sudden nightfall. All we know is that darkness closes in at this point—and that a dark, somber hue colors the subsequent events that lead inexorably to the cross. The pale of night now lies over Jerusalem, and will not be dispelled until Resurrection Day. “I will lay down my life for You” John 13:36–38. Peter must have been a comfort to Jesus. Judas plotted to betray Him. But faithful Peter, ever eager and willing, truly was committed to his Lord. Even though Jesus knew that before many hours passed Peter would deny Him, Peter’s love still must have been a comfort. It’s hard for us to realize that the people who love us are often as weak as well-intentioned Peter. People who love us don’t want to hurt us, any more than we want to hurt them. But we human beings are so weak. I suspect that this is what we are to learn from Peter’s betrayal. Each of us is weak. And motives, while important, are no guarantee that we will not fall. How good to know that Jesus understands our weakness, and accepts us anyway. How necessary that we understand each other’s weaknesses, and be ready to forgive.

DEVOTIONAL

So What’s New?(John 13:31–35)

That’s the problem with Jesus’ “new commandment.” Love? What’s new about that? The other Gospel writers inform us that Jesus identified love as the greatest of the Old Testament’s commands: Love God with all your heart, He’d said, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 19:19; 22:37–39; Mark 12:30–33; Luke 10:27). Whatever we can say about love, we can’t say it’s “new.” Love for God and others is woven into the whole of the Old Testament revelation! The answer lies in the Greek word here, kainen. It does not imply “recent,” or even “different.” What it suggests is that there is something fresh and new in the love that Jesus commanded. And, looking closely at the text, we can see what that is! First, the freshness is found in the new relationships Jesus creates (John 13:34). The Old Testament said, “Love your neighbor” (Lev. 19:18). Jesus was about to establish a new community, in which believers will be brothers and sisters—family, not merely neighbors. Love takes on fresh new meaning in the intimacy possible for members of the family of God. Second, the freshness is found in the new standard Jesus applies. The Old Testament said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said to love “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Just as Jesus’ love was self-sacrificial, and put our benefit before His own well-being, so we now have the opportunity to express, and receive, truly selfless love. The next verse adds one more dimension to the love Jesus commanded. There is a fresh, new impact on the world, worked by Jesus’ kind of love. “All men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” The most compelling evidence we can present of the reality of Jesus Christ is our love for one another. When Christians love one another as Jesus loves us, all do know that we follow Him, and that He lives.

Personal Application

Love isn’t Jesus’ “new suggestion.” It is His “new commandment.”

Quotable

“People don’t go where the action is, they go where the love is.”—Jess Moody

SEPTEMBER 3

Reading 246

THE CRISIS

John 12

“Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him” (John 12:37).People can waver for a time. But a moment comes when a once-and-for-all decision must be made.

Overview

Jesus was anointed by Mary, Lazarus’ sister (12:1–11). On the way to Jerusalem He was acclaimed King (vv. 12–19). Deeply troubled, Jesus predicted His death (vv. 20–28). He was reassured by God (vv. 29–30) and spoke of what His death would accomplish (vv. 31–36). John commented on the blindness of the leaders (vv. 37–43) and reported Jesus’ final call to faith (vv. 44–50).

Understanding the Text

“The house was filled with the fragrance” John 12:1–3.

The perfume that Mary used to anoint Jesus was worth some 300 denarii, equivalent to a year’s wages. Perfume was imported into Palestine, and because of its value was often purchased as an investment. The nard Mary poured on Jesus’ feet may well have represented her life savings. From what we know of Mary—her eagerness to learn at Jesus’ feet, and the genuine faith she exhibited when Lazarus died—it seems likely that she anticipated Christ’s coming death. At the very least she sensed the increasing stress under which He lived, and sought to show her devotion. Her loving act “filled the house” with fragrance. There is always something beautiful and fragrant about what we do out of love. No act performed out of a mere sense of duty, or out of obligation, can fill the air with that kind of fragrance. “You will always have the poor among you” John 12:4–11. Judas’ insincere concern for the poor earned a much misunderstood retort from Jesus. John tells us that Judas had a selfish reason for rebuking Mary. He was upset because he wanted cash in Christ’s coffers—so he could steal some! The other Gospels report that Judas’ remark led other disciples to be critical as well. But what did Jesus mean when He said, “The poor you will always have among you”? Simply that any person who is truly concerned for the poor need not worry. There will always be opportunities to aid the poor! Today the moment for pouring perfume on Jesus’ feet is long past. But the poor are still with us. And we do have an opportunity to aid them, in Jesus’ name. “Many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him” John 12:9–10. The raising of Lazarus convinced many who had hesitated before. If John used “the Jews” here as he had earlier, even members of the opposition party were being converted. These verses introduce us to the sharp divisions that now developed in Judean society. Some were “going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him.” The Jerusalem crowds, convinced by the ultimate miracle that Jesus must be the Messiah, wanted to make Him King. The religious leaders were intent on getting rid of Jesus. And Christ urged hesitating individuals to get off the fence; to not only hear but also to keep His words. In the swirling turmoil of excitement that swept Jerusalem as Passover week arrived it was utterly clear that everyone must make some decision about who Jesus was. One of Satan’s favorite ploys is to keep people putting off that decision. Satan is delighted when days and nights are filled with ordinary activities that dull the soul to eternal issues. On the other hand, times marked by turmoil or suffering are especially tense for Satan and are opportunities for Christians to press the claims of Christ. “Blessed is the King of Israel” John 12:12–19. The raising of Lazarus seems to have convinced the crowd that Jesus truly was the Messiah, the Ruler promised by the prophets. They greeted Him with shouts acclaiming Him Israel’s King. Even “Hosanna” suggests the thought, for it means “Save Now!” While the Triumphal Entry did fulfill prophecy, it also showed that even the many who had come to “believe” in Jesus accepted on their terms, not His. They believed what they wanted to believe about Him—that He would free them from Rome and set up God’s kingdom on earth. It’s not unusual for folks today to believe Jesus will act in ways they expect or want Him to. Not unusual, but still a mistake. “Sir, we would like to see Jesus” John 12:20–26. The “Greeks” who wanted to see Jesus may have been Gentiles present to observe the spectacular Jewish festival of Passover, or perhaps Greek-speaking Jews. In either case, they had their own agenda in asking to see Jesus. Curiosity. Christ seemed to ignore the request when it was passed on to Him. Instead He spoke of His coming death. Jesus had an agenda set by the Father, and nothing would distract Him from doing the Father’s will. “Now is the time for judgment on this world” John 12:28–33. The Gospels speak of a literal voice coming from heaven at three points in Jesus’ ministry. At His baptism (the beginning), at His transfiguration (the midpoint) and now, just before His crucifixion (the end). Here it marks the time of decision. In saying, “Now is the time for judgment on this world,” Jesus meant that with His death, God’s ultimate self-revelation would be complete. From then on, belief and unbelief would mark a line that divides mankind into two groups, distinct in nature and in destiny. “They still would not believe in Him” John 12:37–50. The final crisis had arrived, and still most held back from the full commitment of faith. Jesus made one last stunning statement about Himself. In quoting Isaiah 6 John says that he implicitly claimed that Isaiah “saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him” (John 12:41). Turning to that chapter we realize that the person Isaiah describes is Yahweh Himself, seated on a heavenly throne (6:1) and acclaimed by angels who constantly cry out: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory” (v. 3). God Himself has come to earth, and displayed His power in miraculous signs. Yet men were more impressed with the puny power of other men than with the glory of their God (John 12:42–43). When we grasp the glory of our God, we will be thoroughly unimpressed with men. Then we will acknowledge and obey Jesus Christ.

DEVOTIONAL

Who’s on First?(John 12:12–24)

Abbott and Costello are credited with the baseball comedy routine, “Who’s on First?” (What is on second base, Where plays third, and I think Why is shortstop.) If I’m confused about the players and their positions, well, this report in John shows a somewhat similar confusion existed in first-century Jerusalem as Jesus approached that city for the last time. John tells us He was met by cheering crowds, who greeted Him as “the King of Israel.” The raising of Lazarus had convinced the crowds: Jesus must be the expected Messiah after all. And so they shouted out praises and cried, “Hosanna,” which means “Save Now!” At last, they thought, Jesus would get on with the Messiah’s real business, throw out the Romans, and make Israel a world power. A little later some Greeks approached one of Jesus’ disciples, and politely expressed their interest in seeing Him. So Philip and Andrew passed on the message. “Some nice Greek folk would like to see You, Lord.” Perhaps they were thinking it would be good politics for Jesus to establish relationships with foreigners. Maybe Philip or Andrew would do for a diplomatic posting to a major city, like Corinth or Philippi! I can understand the crowds, the Greeks, and the disciples. They all had agendas that were important to them. And each had a big role for Jesus in his plans! There was only one problem. Not one had stopped to ask the truly critical question: “Who’s on first?” Jesus cleared up the confusion, though, just as He clears up ours. After speaking of His death, Jesus said, “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be” (v. 26). You see, the mistake made by the cheering crowds, the Greeks, and even the disciples—the mistake still made by us, that causes so much confusion—is that all forgot who’s on first. God’s blunt and simple answer is, Jesus is on first. We don’t lead, and expect Jesus to follow. We let Jesus go first, and we follow Him. If you and I keep this order in mind, it will clear most of our confusion about life. We’ll seldom become depressed or anxious about why God doesn’t do things our way. We won’t expect Him to. And we’ll seldom wonder why God hasn’t blessed our plans, when we’ve gone to all the trouble of making them and then asking Him to bless. As Jesus’ servants we’ll have sought His will first—and then done our very best to follow closely where He leads. So enjoy the Abbott and Costello routine when you hear it. But don’t let yourself be confused about who’s on first in the Christian life, and who follows.

Personal Application

Don’t try to use Jesus. Follow Him.

Quotable

“Ideally, when Christians meet, as Christians, to take counsel together, their purpose is not—or should not be—to ascertain what is the mind of the majority but what is the mind of the Holy Spirit—something which may be quite different.”—Margaret Thatcher

SEPTEMBER 2

Reading 245

POWER OVER DEATH John 11

“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 11:25)Death has no claim on those who believe in Jesus.

Overview

Jesus delayed response to Mary’s appeal for her dying brother (11:1–6) until after Lazarus died (vv. 7–16). When Jesus arrived in Bethany, He called Himself “the resurrection and the life” (vv. 17–37) and raised Lazarus from the dead (vv. 38–44). This act confirmed faith but also hardened opposition. The leaders determined Jesus must be killed (vv. 45–53). Jesus withdrew, but both the crowds and the leaders expected Him to reappear in Jerusalem (vv. 54–57).

Understanding the Text

“Lord, the one You love is sick” John 11:1–3.

Jesus had a long-standing and close relationship with Mary, Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. Verses 1 and 2 of this chapter are not evidence, as some suggest, that the story was inserted later into the Gospel narrative. These verses were penned by John to remind us of how close Jesus was to the little family in Bethany. And to help us realize that when Mary made her appeal to Jesus, she did so with absolute confidence that Jesus would respond immediately. After all, Lazarus was “the one You love”: a close and precious friend. Verses 1 and 2 of this chapter are also directed to us, for those times when we pray for some desperate, important need. A mom or dad or child is suffering from a fatal disease. Unemployment suddenly threatens us with the loss of our home. At such times we remind ourselves of Jesus’ love, and launch prayers toward heaven that are desperate, and confident. Surely the Lord will deliver us. How could anything else possibly be His loving will? But if the loved one dies, the divorce becomes final, the home is lost—we’re torn by doubt. Why didn’t God respond? Didn’t we have enough faith? Or can it be He doesn’t love us as much as we thought He did? As John began the story of Lazarus, he wanted us to know how deeply Jesus did love the man and his sisters. Jesus delayed His response to Mary’s prayer, and Lazarus did die. But in this case—as in ours—Jesus had a purpose no one was able to grasp until Lazarus was raised. Don’t let God’s failure to give you what you ask shake your confidence in prayer or in God’s love. He has something better in mind for you too. “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there” John 11:7–15. The disciples misunderstood Jesus’ reason for not going at once to Bethany. They supposed He was unwilling to return to Judea, where He had almost been stoned for His teaching (cf. 10:31). Only Jesus knew what He intended to do—and that the delay which led to Lazarus’ death and caused Mary and Martha so much suffering had a beneficial purpose. Let’s be careful not to second-guess God. We have no way to gauge His motives, or to forecast His actions. What we can be sure of is that in everything God is working for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep” John 11:11. The word translated “sleep” here, koimao, is found 18 times in the New Testament, with all but three references being to biological death. This perspective on death does not imply the dead are unconscious (cf. Luke 16:19–31; 23:43; Phil. 1:23). It does, however, imply an awakening. Sleeping Lazarus would soon hear the voice of Jesus, and his essential personality would be reunited with his revitalized body. Death for him was but a brief nap from which Jesus would awaken him. For us death may be a longer sleep for the body. But at history’s end we too will hear the call of Jesus. Our bodies will rise from the dust and be transformed and, united with our resurrection forms, we will remain awake and alive forevermore. “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” John 11:16. Thomas’ pessimistic words help us sense how intense the opposition to Jesus had become, and how loyal the little band of true disciples was. Thinking that it would cost Jesus His life to return to Judea, the disciples were prepared to go with Him, even though it would probably cost them their lives too. Few disciples are called to actually die for Christ and the Gospel. But all of us are to be willing to. “If You had been here, my brother would not have died” John 11:17–27. The words express faith, and perhaps reproach. Jesus should have been there for His friend Lazarus. But He wasn’t. And Lazarus died. If we look back over our lives, we can all identify times when God could have intervened for us, but did not. He could have changed things. Yet for some reason we can’t understand, He did not. At such times it’s likely that we too mix a measure of faith with a measure of reproach. Let’s remember the rest of this story. Then let faith grow and reproach go. The Jews buried a corpse on the day of death, wrapping the body in strips of cloth or in a sheet. They did, however, return to the grave, to make sure the person was really dead and not in a coma. Lazarus had been in his tomb four days (v. 17) when Jesus arrived. When Lazarus responded to Jesus’ call and came out from the grave, there was not the shadow of doubt that Christ had recalled a dead man to life. “Jesus wept” John 11:35. This is the shortest verse in the Bible. It is also one of the most significant. Along with verses 33 and 38 it assures us that Jesus did not wait callously, intending to “use” Lazarus’ death to His own advantage. Jesus cared deeply about His friends, and their suffering “deeply moved Him in spirit” and “troubled Him.” Even though Jesus knew what He was about to do, the sight of His friends’ suffering caused Him to weep. What an insight into the heart of God. And what comfort for us when we suffer. God is not sitting back, indifferent on the throne of heaven, moving us here and there in accord with some great, complex plan. He is deeply troubled for us. He weeps with us in our pain. When God permits us to suffer we know that it must be because the experience is intended for our good. “I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25–44. This great “I Am” claim was vindicated in the raising of Lazarus. Jesus brought life into being. He conquered death itself. And it is the very glory of God to give human beings eternal life as a free gift in and through Jesus. My wife remarked last night that most of the 11th-graders in her English classes seem to categorize religion as “superstition.” To modern teens here in Florida, at least, belief in God ranks right alongside belief in Santa Claus and fear of black cats. No such confusion existed that day in Bethany when Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life, and proved it by raising Lazarus from the dead. “Many . . . put their faith in Him but some of them went to the Pharisees” John 11:45–53. The whole of Jesus’ ministry led up to this culminating miracle. All He had done was intended to force a choice between belief and unbelief. Each of His “I Am” statements brought the issue into clearer focus. Now His claim to be the resurrection and the life, vindicated by the miracle of Lazarus’ return to life, made it impossible to avoid a decision any longer. John made it clear that a number of the Jews from Jerusalem who had come to comfort Mary and Martha saw the miracle, and were convinced. Others scurried away to report the miracle to the authori- ties, who called a meeting of the Sanhedrin to determine policy. No one suggested acknowledging Jesus as the Christ and worshiping Him. All admitted He performed miracles, but refused to take the logical step of faith. What’s fascinating is that the Sanhedrin argued that the “responsible” thing to do was to kill Jesus before everyone acknowledged Him as the Messiah and there was a general uprising. These “spiritual” leaders seemed to fear the force of Roman arms more than the supernatural powers demonstrated by Jesus. And “from that day on they plotted to take His life.” The materialist will always make this choice. Whatever the materialist witnesses, it will never dawn on him or her that the spiritual world is more significant than the physical, or that Christ is Lord of all. Whatever the evidence, the materialist will attempt to do away with Christ rather than to worship Him.

DEVOTIONAL

At the Last Day(John 11:17–44)

The words Martha blurted out put her in a category shared by many modern Christians. Jesus had just said, “Your brother will rise again” (v. 23). And Martha said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (v. 24). But Jesus kept on probing. “I am the resurrection and the life,” He said. “Do you believe this?” (vv. 25–26) You can almost see Martha nod in puzzlement. ” ’Yes, Lord,’ she told Him, ‘I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ ” It was after this that Jesus went on down to the tomb where Lazarus had laid for four days, and gave the dead man back his life. And it is only in this event that we can understand the implications of Jesus’ conversation with Martha. You see, Martha did believe. She was convinced that Jesus was the Son of God. She was convinced that He could raise her brother in the resurrection of the last day. But Martha never stopped to think that Jesus could also raise her brother then!Like Martha, many modern Christians have a deep and abiding faith in Jesus. They are sure He has won eternal life for them, and believe in a resurrection which they will share. But, like Martha, many modern Christians limit the power of Jesus to the future. They fail to realize that Jesus brings life to the dead now. He can take our dead hopes, and revive them. He can take our dormant relationships, and revitalize them. He can transform the spiritually indifferent, redirect the life of the sinner, and bring a vibrant newness to every dead area within our lives. Martha limited Jesus by expecting Him to act only in the future. Jesus in raising Lazarus demonstrated that He is ready, willing, and able to act in our now.

Personal Application

Never limit Jesus. Expect Him to act, today!

Quotable

“The steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find rock beneath.”—John Greenleaf Whittier