Tag: John

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Follow Thursday

WOW. After a day of inactivity the action really picked up on Thursday at the Passover got into full swing and the activity that leads the the cross begins moving in quite a rapid succession of events. There are so many great points to identify and to focus on in these events that it is a bit of a struggle to only pick one.

But there is an event that seems to define the evening activities of this Passover Thursday, as the Christ, the Lamb, gathers his men for one last meal, one last time to teach, one last time to give them the instruction they need before the show really starts. It’s a little like that last practice before the big game, as coaches struggle to find that one piece of information that his players should hold above all else they have learned. And look what Jesus tells them, after he washes their feet in an educational “hands-on” interactive instructional session:

10-12Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

12-17Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. (John 13:12-17, The Message)

He tells them, and through them he tells us – Be a servant, follow my example. Do what I have done, act like I have acted – give your life for the others.  So, speaking of following, here is a little short video clip about following him.

Hm, follow him, imitate him, act like him.  I wonder what would happen if we do?

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Selling Out?

There’s not much written about what Jesus did on Wednesday on this week. I guess we must assume he spent the day doing his normal chores and then heading off in the evening to Wednesday Church.
Seriously, it is interesting that with all the recorded events on the others days, we really see no action today, except for the agreement between the religious leaders and Judas to sell him out.
Old Judas, the traitor. But I can’t help but think about how many times I decide to sell out and not follow the Christ for my own personal gain. How about you.

So on this day when those most unholy negotiations took place, consider the negotiations on your docket today. Consider your motivation and your ability to be steadfast to the one who will set you free.

 31-32Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:31-32, The Message)

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The Gentlemen’s Drink

Oh I love me some Sweet Tea, so when I saw this morning woot! shirt, I just could not not be excited.( yes, Mr Henderson, that’s a double negative, which means I am very excited about this particular shirt.)

Most of you now that I start my day with a nice healthy jug of sweet tea, which I can now refer to as the gentleman’s coffee.  Yes, yes, I know this shirt is referring to hot tea, not the good old Southern sweeten and iced version! But hey, we can draw conclusions can’t we?

But as much as I like sweet tea, its not really what gets me going in the morning.  It’s not really the thirst quencher that I desire the most to get my day going, and to carry my spirit through the day.  No, my “drink”” of choice is not a drink at all.

 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14, New International Version, ©2011)

Yep, my drink of choice is the living water that takes away my spiritual thirst, keeps me hydrated and moving forward, highly motivated to impact others.

And as my sons’ soccer coaches say

Hydrate, or die.

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Three Sixteen

Continuing the date thing this week, it seemed that since today was March 16, it would be appropriate to just examine a few famous three sixteens.  I mean its a number that has been hung in stadiums all over the world.  But did you know that In-N-Out burger prints the number on the bottom of their paper cups?  And of course we all remember Tim Tebow adding a reference to his eyeblack.(Which is now banned by the NCAA!)  Max Lucado has even used the numbers for the title of one of his books.

So with that, here is the famous reference:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (New International Version, ©2011)

and then there’s this lesser know three sixteen from Colossians, that tells of a great way to spend today

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 (New International Version, ©2011)

Admonish others on three sixteen!

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Stuck On One Thought

Wow What a game. I was thinking today I would write about the great Steeler comeback (FAIL), or the awesomeness of the commericals. However, outside of a devoted beaver, a epic theft sequence of some car, and the resurrection of grandpa thanks to some Doritos, there was just not much else there to write about.

So today, there is just one thing on my head. It was stuck there yesterday morning as I heard an outstanding lesson about the women at the well from John 4. The part of this that has stuck with me is the end of the conversation between the women and Jesus here:

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:25-26 (New International Version, ©2010)

Man, I just can’t this this out of my head. This dude Jesus, says that he is the Messiah, the Savior of the World that was predicted, and then those around him claim that again later in the chapter.

42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42 (New International Version, ©2010)

This thought is so oustanding, so complex, so motivating and so uplifting, that this has just stuck with me for the last day. These words cannot be dismissed. There is something that you have to do with these words. Some decision must be made. Contemplate this and think about what you will do with these words.