Week 23, Day 3: Jesus’ departure is coming

Today’s Reading:  John 15:1-16:33

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

In the book of John, time wise, we are now less than a week before the crucifixion of Jesus.  Jesus knows that His hour has come.  He begins to prepare the disciples for His departure.  He teaches them about serving one another (washing their feet).  He says that where He is going they will follow later.  He tells them what is going to come to pass so that when it does occur, they may believe.  He tells them He goes to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house and will come again to receive them.  He also will not leave them as orphans but will send another Helper to them.  Jesus prepared them well for  being able to deal with His departure. 

There are two things I want to ask you to think about.  1.  What blessings has the Lord given us?  Here Jesus prepared the apostles for His death and future ascension.  He told them of the things that must take place and about all that would be done for them.  He gave them the reasons why they should be happy about His departure and what they have to look forward to.  What blessings can we say that Jesus has done for us or what we have to look forward to? 

2.  The other thing I want you to consider is;  if you knew your time on earth was at an end, what would you do or say to those around you?  Do those plans center around serving God?  The follow up questionto this is why are you waiting to do or say these things.  Don’t leave things undone.

Week 23, Day 1: The Good Shepherd

Today’s Reading:  John 11:1-12:50

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

We do not often have the same connection to the concepts surrounding shepherding as a more rural society would have.  We talk about Psalm 23 from time to time and I think we see some of the concepts of what a shepherd does (leads to green pastures & quiet waters – provides needed food, guides through treacherous times, keeps watch over the sheep with his rod – fights against evil, anoints the sheep – medical care). 

 In chapter 10 Jesus states that He is the good shepherd.  He is the shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.  Unlike someone who was just a hired hand, the good shepherd will stay and defend the sheep against all attacks.  Also the sheep become accustomed to the shepherd and know his voice.  They follow his voice wherever he leads them.  Jesus cares for His flock and watches over them with tender care.  We can trust where He leads us and heed His voice.  We should not follow after another’s voice because we know that we follow the good shepherd, others only seek to do us harm.  This shepherd will not abandon us nor forsake us during troublesome times.

In Psalm 23 there is the concept of anointing the head with oil.  This is a picture of the shepherd giving the care and attention that helps the sheep prosper and be healthy.  The concept of the shepherd’s care is seen in his watchfulness.  The shepherd keeps watch over the flock, attentive to their welfare.  If a sheep wonders off He goes to search for it (Luke 15:4).  Let us never forget this image of our guardian, our leader, our defender, our rescuer and our way to abundant life (10:10). 

1 Peter 2:25  “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

Fear Not…God is In Control!

In Luke chapter 12:4-7 Jesus warns that we need to remember who is in control.  Sometimes, it may seem to us that certain people control the world around us.  Or perhaps, with the increase in evil, we may be tempted to think that Satan is somehow currently in control.  But, Jesus reminds us taht God is the One that is always in control.

If we lose perspective, it may be a temptation for us to give up.  Jesus was speaking to people who would have their lives threatened.  He did not tell them that it was ok then to give up–after all, you might lose your life.  Instead, He gave them some perspective on life.  Those people who can kill your physical body have very little real power.  I know that it may be hard for us to view things from that perspective, but Jesus was pointing His audience toward eternity.  We need to have a “view toward eternity” as well.

If we give in now, then we face a far greater horror than just losing our physical lives.  We face the One Who has the power to punish eternally, not just physically.  He is the One Who can cast us into Hell for eternal punishment.

But, we should not have to fear this punishment, if we are obedient to God.  In fact, in the same verses, Jesus speaks of the sparrows which are sold in the market place, and they are not forgotten by God.  How can we not be comforted by the fact that God knows when a bird is sold or killed, and He values us far more than the birds?  He will not forget us.

We may have to suffer as Christians.  The scriptures teach that all who are faithful will suffer persecution.  Wickedness around us continues to increase.  But, we can and should be comforted by the fact that God is in control, and He will not forget us.  This is the message of the book of Revelation to the first century Christians.  God would be there for them throughout their tribulation, helping them to be successful.  In the end, He would take them to an eternal home with Him in Heaven.  That is the same goal we need to stay focused on.  Serve God first, and He will certainly take care of you!