trying to find His way
“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:26) Pilate is operating like a leader of this world.“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you…” (Matthew 20:25-26)Jesus is not a king like this, lording it over others.The kingdom of God isn’t…
“‘You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?’ He denied it, saying, ‘I am not.’” (John 18:25) Eventually Peter was willing to suffer and die for following Jesus.Yet at this moment, he was not prepared to follow Jesus, not to death.“Whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father. (Matthew 10:33)So why doesn’t Jesus…
“If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” (John 18:23) Jesus is not opposed to having a sensible discussion or debate.He was not against reasonable challenges to what He said or did.“Come, let reason together” (Isaiah 1:18), but don’t resort to violence.Have you…
“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus.” (John 18:15) This is the first time in all my years that I notice this other disciple.Who is this disciple who is known to the high priest?Most people think it is John himself, since he is telling this story.Does the high priest know that this person is a…
“Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11) It was Jesus who first suggested that Peter and the disciples take swords.“If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:36)Jesus explains why, so that He and the disciples would be seen as ‘rebellious sinners’.“It…
“I have not lost one of those you gave me.” (John 18:9) The author John remembers how Jesus spoke these words (see John 6:39).It was just after feeding the 5000, when He says He is the bread of life.This is not just about His disciples, but ‘whoever comes’ and ‘whoever believes’.In this moment of arrest, Jesus know what…
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26) Most people in the world believe in God, but do they really know God?I mean, is the way they…
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…” (John 17:24) There is something mysterious about what Jesus is saying in this section.But one thing I know, I want what Jesus wants… to be with Him, to see His glory.The Jesus I meet in the…
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.” (John 17:22–23) It is my belief that the glory of God is radical love.This is the glory Moses asked to see, and God…
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18) Imagine if you lived out the fruit of the Spirit everyday (Galatians 5:22-23).Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.This is how Jesus lived in the world, and many people were blessed by it.Yet it did not make His life…