John 14

 The John 14 passage is often read at funerals as we to vision the shock and grief. But this passage gives great wisdom, direction and encouragement to living in our here and now moments. We have an indescribable future that is promised, but we have the presence of our Triune God with us now. The Helper has come, and we have our eyes opened to see His kingdom moving as we obey Him. Our faith is much more than talking the talk. The more we do what He says, the more we love Him  the more we love Him, the more we walk the talk  

“The Gospel must not only offer a personal salvation in the future life to those who believe; it must also transform all of the relationships of life here and now and thus cause the Kingdom of God to prevail in all the world.

Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life

“Jesus says those who love Him will obey Him. You can’t say you love Him unless you obey Him. Jesus promises to make Himself known to those who love the Lord. Isn’t that an amazing promise? 

As Jesus was going away, He promised God would send a Helper—the person of the Holy Spirit—who would live in them. 

As Jesus’ last conversation with the disciples draws to an end, He says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (v. 27). This glorious, wonderful peace comes to those who fully yield themselves to His hand.” - J Vernon McGee

John 13

 How does washing dirty feet impact you?  Jesus’s example would not be a leadership technique documented in a Harvard Business Review. I wonder what Jesus may have said to each disciple, as He looked into their eyes, cleaning their feet. His attention to detail with each disciple was matched by His compassion. Maybe you could have heard a pin drop in the room because of the depth of atmosphere. Jesus’s love and example were overwhelming considering the crucifixion was ahead. 

“The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us. We have one another only through Christ, but through Christ we do have one another, wholly, and for all eternity.“ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

“When Jesus was done washing the disciples’ feet, He said in effect, “You want joy in your life, Christian? Keep your relationship with God current and clean. Confess wrong thoughts and action.” To have fellowship with Jesus you must deal daily with sin. “If we confess our sins” (1 John 1:9) means that you put your feet in His hands for Him to wash. Until you do, Jesus says you can’t have fellowship with Him. 

What’s more, if Jesus is your Lord, wash one another’s feet. Instead of beating a fallen brother, go try to restore him. When you do that, you’re washing feet. 

Into this beautiful scene, our attention now turns to the greatest crime of the ages—Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. We do not witness a man losing his spiritual life, but rather this scene reveals Judas never had any spiritual life to begin with.” - J Vernon McGee

“ “None of the disciples were getting down there to wash one another's feet. They were more interested in and who could sit closest to Jesus. It's a powerful example of his love.

It's a shocking picture of his humility. It pictures his servanthood.”

“It's a striking picture of his love for his enemies. Yes, he even washed Judas' feet, the one who would betray him. And in doing all these things, Jesus is welcoming his disciples into his messianic, redemptive community.”

“Now, so far, this passage has been beautiful. Again, intimate, tender, seeing the love, humility, and servant spirit of Jesus. But then the passage has a haunting ending.” - Paul David Tripp

Read the Bible - Paul Tripp

 So, whatever plan you might choose—or if you are continuing an existing plan— I want to encourage you to dive into Scripture today, and again tomorrow, and then day after day. As you do, you will discover the eternal, transformative value of the Bible!

Day after day week after week month after month year after year decade after decade I have lived in your Word. I will never be could never be the same. I held your majestic Book in my hands as a little boy. I knew what I held was special but had no idea of its gloriously transforming power. Day after day I have traversed that Genesis to Revelation gospel road. I have seen the blood and dirt of this fallen world on page after page. I have been confronted with the scary depth of my need. Your Word has exposed my weakness failure foolishness sin. Your Word does not leave me discouraged depressed disheartened defeated because from beginning to end your Word gives me what I need: Jesus.

Scripture is his Book. Jesus is the Bible’s beauty help hope grace hero. He is the Promised Messiah Great High Priest King of Kings Lion of Judah Final Prophet Sacrificial Lamb Great Physician Son of God Son of Man Lord of Lords Ruler forever.

I will never grow tired of my daily walk through your Word. I will never grow weary digging again and again into this bottomless well of your grace. I will never think that I have learned all your Book can teach. I will never grow bored with this narrative of the glory of your glory. Your Word is my fountain of instruction wisdom conviction motivation transformation life. Your Word exposes me, and in exposing me, rescues me from me.

I study your Word, not for information but to be drawn ever closer to you to live in more conformity to your will to surrender more fully to your glory to worship you more faithfully to deepen my desire to be holy to live more consistently as your ambassador to confess more often my wanderings.

Your Word, recorded and preserved, now held in my hands, is a living and constant reminder of your sovereignty love, faithfulness, grace.

So with deep gratitude I will meet you again in the pages of your life-giving Book, praying again, not to master your Book, but in my study, to be progressively mastered by you.

A Prayer for Today: God, help me to see and treasure the inexhaustible value of your Word. I pray for a sincere desire to dive into Scripture in a way that I’ve never had before. Would this New Year be the start of my vigorous intake of the Bible, and would you meet me there in ways that change my heart? Lord, I know that true spiritual transformation only happens by your grace, so I pray for this grace in my life. May I, as a result of my consistent time in your Word, know you and experience you more than ever before. Thank you for the gift of your Book. I am eternally grateful. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God bless,

Paul Tripp

John 12

 One thiught for me from today’s reading is that Jesus was fully God and fully man. Jesus walked with so many, listened to countless questions, and tried to teach what His kingdom is all about. The woman who spent so much for a brief time of worship was criticized, yet Jesus didn’t condemn her complete devotion and worship. Everywhere He went in the last few months before the crucifixion, turmoil and polar opinions flew. How do we navigate all the issues in our world if we are following Christ?  

“Wherever your story takes you, you’ll never arrive there first, because your Lord is already there in sovereign presence and power, and he rules that place in infinite wisdom and holiness.” - Paul David Tripp, Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense

“And so with a troubled soul, Jesus cries to His Father in heaven and in loving response, His Father speaks back to Him. 

“Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” (v. 28) 

When God’s voice came from heaven, some heard thunder (a natural, unbelieving explanation to the supernatural); others said they heard an angel. 

Jesus said God’s voice was for our sakes, and that He is lifted up in death so that He could draw people to Him. But even when He walked among men, they saw His light but refused to believe He was their Savior. Most people choose instead to walk in darkness.” - J Vernon McGee

“When it talks about his troubled heart, it means you've been there unsettled, stirred up. It's like when you have those sleepless nights. And in this moment, we're confronted with Jesus' humanity.

As God, he knows what he's facing, but as a man, he's troubled by what is to come. He was about to endure betrayal of loved ones, horrible injustice, terrible torture, a horribly painful public execution, the rejection of his father, and death. Perfect Jesus looked at all of these things with dread.

You can be comforted in this. Jesus understands your fear, your anxiety, your dread. He knows what it's like to face the unthinkable.” - Paul Tripp

“God in whom all is created was hung as if he were a sinner on the cross. He is cast out and destroyed. And, in that way, God became more deeply united with humanity than we ourselves can believe.”

Excerpt, Following Jesus

Henri J. M. Nouwen

John 11

 How does the narrative of John 11 impact your faith?  For me this passage has been a huge impact. I used to think God didn’t care about our individual struggles. But Jesus truly cares. He wouldn’t have wept if He didn’t care. I questioned God’s love when my brother drowned but sensed God was with me when my Das was killed in a car accident. I cannot explain in adequate words the change in my heart, other than the promises in the Bible. 

The story of Lazarus has an echo throughout the Bible with questions of lament, anger, disappointment and frustration with God’s timing. Our questions of why are rarely answered. But His presence will NEVER abandon us as we surrender to Him. What other option is there?  We live in hope of the better day that is coming when all will be made right.

“God is not shocked or surprised that you are discouraged. He doesn’t wring his hands, wondering what to do next. He knows every struggle of discouragement in your heart. He knows your cries before you cry. He knew that you and I would be weak; that’s why he promised to be our strength. He has promised never to give up the battle for our hearts until that battle is finally won forever. This means he fights for us even when we have given up the fight. Our desire to follow him may weaken, but he will never give up or turn his back on us. He knows us because he made us, which is why he sent his Son to be for us what we could not be for ourselves and to do for us what we could not do on our own.” - Paul David Tripp, Suffering

“When Jesus finally showed up four days after Lazarus died, broken-hearted Martha and Mary’s first words to Him were, “If you had only been here . . .” (v. 21). 

They revealed a wonderful faith in Jesus, but not one that reached beyond death. Martha believed in the resurrection and that she would one day see her brother again, but Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (v. 25). 

If you want to know how God feels about the death of your loved ones, be comforted by how Jesus grieved with Mary and the mourners. Those watching Jesus thought He cried because He loved Lazarus, but—really—He cried because He loved the living who mourned.” - J Vernon McGee

“Even though he knows what you don't know, and sees what you don't see, He never turns His back on your suffering and sadness. He never mocks your grief. He never tells you to get your act together.

No, he meets you with tender grace. Your sadness touches your Savior's heart, and he does for you in those moments what you couldn't do for yourself. I can't help but thinking when I read this passage that as Jesus asked for the stone to be rolled away, that he had to be reflecting on what was to come.” - Paul Tripp

John 10

 Ising sheep as an illustration of our relationship to the Great Shepherd brings the message of our sinful stubbornness close to home. No one knows each sheep like the shepherd. No one knows our individual quirks and self sufficient ideas like Jesus. Following Him is a requiring of our life, reorienting us to what we listen to and follow. The more we know Him, the more clearly we hear His voice. 

“The most important discovery you will ever make is the Father’s love, and it’s just that—a discovery. It cannot be taught. It has to be discovered, and everything else flows from that discovery.” - Tyler Staton, Praying Like Monks

“No one else could have fulfilled prophecy as He did because no one else had His credentials (v. 25). The proofs of who He is are His teaching, His life, and His miracles. 

Not only that, but Jesus was welcomed by the doorkeeper, the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ did everything through His power. 

Jesus also said, “and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” In John 9, the religious leaders rejected Jesus as Messiah. They didn’t hear His voice. But millions have heard Jesus and, leaving all, follow Him.” - J Vernon McGee

“Abundant life. What in the world does that mean?

Does it mean this comfortable, pleasurable life, nice cars, big houses, good food, great vacations? No. Jesus says, I'm calling you not to a dour, lifeless, miserable existence that squashes human potential.

No, not at all, but to a rich, full, joyful life, one that's overflowing with meaningful activities, one that's lived under the personal favor and blessing of God and continual fellowship with his people. The Good Shepherd wants his people to thrive with lives that are rich in meaning and purpose and the constant blessing of his presence and grace. Third thing he says is that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

This is where hope is to be found, not in my theological knowledge, not in the track record of my obedience, not in my commitment to ministry, not in anything I do for God, but what he has done for me in the willing sacrifice of his son in payment for my sins. You see, the cross of Jesus Christ stands as a monument to where true hope, true eternal hope, true right now, right here hope is only ever to be found.” - Paul Tripp

John 9

 What would it be like to be blind?  Not being able to see what is obvious to those who can see would be disabling. Not seeing the reality of God’s presence limits our hope and trust in the future. When I’m not looking for the unseen reality of God’s kingdom, I’m driven to negativity and cynicism. By not trusting Him, I fall into the victim mindset, or the blame game thinking if the Pharisees. This seems to be an everyday challenge! Today’s eye opening capture of what He is doing is easily lost in the ocean of our negative cultural noises, if I’m not listening to His word. May we encourage each other to live in the reality of what is big always seen. 

“Jesus hasn’t revealed a God we can perfectly understand, but he has revealed a God we can perfectly trust. Trust is the certainty that the listening God hears and cares.” - Tyler Staton, Praying Like Monks

“Without Him today, millions are spiritually blind. Unless the Spirit of God opens our spiritual eyes to see, we are blind. Jesus must touch our eyes so that we can see. He did this for the blind man here. He spat on the ground, made clay of the spittle, and covered the man’s eyes with the clay. He then sent him to wash his face in the pool of Siloam. The man did all that and came back seeing. Our Lord had him go through this ritual as a means to trust and obey Him. It comes down to that: Jesus touching us and us obeying Him. 

Salvation is really a simple matter. It’s coming to the Lord Jesus and experiencing the power of God. Up to that point, the man hadn’t even seen Jesus. But he knew the important thing was not to see Him, but to believe Him.” - J Vernon McGee