Day 16 of 21 Days

Can you believe that it’s been 16 days? We’re just a few days away from day 21. Congratulation Fasting family and friends for hanging in there with us. Today, I want to just share a few words about chapter 16 of John’s Gospel. Jesus is teaching his disciples because they are about to endure something unlike they had in there life. There happiness is about to be challenged but He promises joy that will come with the Spirit of God. Now in order to really understand what Jesus is saying we have to deal with the difference between “happiness” and “joy.” So let’s jump right in…

We tend to equate “happiness” with joy but they are two totally different ideas because they each spring from a different source. One comes from the world around me. The other originates directly from the Spirit of the Living God. Happiness is conditioned by and often dependent upon what is “happening” to me. If people treat me good, if things are going well in my life, then I’m happy. If my circumstances aren’t favorable, then I’m unhappy.

Joy, on the other hand, throbs throughout Scripture as a profound, compelling quality of life that transcends the events and disasters, which may dog God’s people. Joy is a divine dimension of living that is not shackled by circumstances. The Hebrew word means, “to leap or spin around with pleasure.” In the New Testament the word refers to “gladness, bliss and celebration.”

Jesus continues teaching and preparing His disciple for crucifixion. Chapter 16:1 & 4 “I have said all these things to you to keep you form falling away.” “But I have sad these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.”

This outline should allow you to see a very difficult situation in a very different light. How God wants to give us joy over happiness in spite of persecution.

• Jesus warned that religionists would persecute and kill believers (v.1-2)
• The reason for the persecution religionists do not know God nor His Son (v.3)
• The preparation for persecution (v.4-6)
• The Holy Spirit helps believers (v.7)
• The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces the world (v.8-11)
• The Holy Spirit convicts: Of sin, righteousness, and judgment (v.8)
• The Holy Spirit guides believers (v.12-13)
• The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus (v.14-15)
• The Resurrection perplexes people (v.16-19)
• The Resurrection brings joy—irrepressible joy (v.20-22)
• The Resurrection gives open access into God's presence (v.23-24)
• The Resurrection reveals all about the Father (v.25-27)
• The Resurrection validates the Messiahship of Jesus (v.28)
• The Resurrection exposes weak faith (v.29-32)
• The Resurrection makes available true peace (v.33)

Day 15 of 21 Days

This is day 15 and it has been an incredible ride. Today as we look in to John chapter 15 Jesus promised to be our everlasting source if we will simply abide in HIM. In Hampton Court near London, there is said to be a grapevine, which is about 1,000 years old. This grapevine has one root, which is at least two feet thick, and some of the branches are 200 feet long. Despite its age the vine produces several tons of grapes each year. Although some of the smaller branches are 200 feet from the main stem, they still bear the sweet and delicious fruit because they are connected to the vine. Life flows from that single root and through out the vine bringing nourishment and strength to each of the branches.

Jesus promises to do the same for us in John chapter 15. He introduces himself as the “true vine” bringing life to each of the branches. The purpose of the vine is to bring nourishment to the branches in order that they might produce fruit. When separated from the vine the branches wither and die. The vitality of our spiritual life is dependent upon our connection to Christ the “true vine.”

Each of us must answer two questions. First, are we connected to the vine, or is the life of Christ flowing within us? Secondly, if we are connected to the vine and we are joined to Christ, then how much fruit are we producing through our lives; is there no fruit, some fruit, or an abundance of fruit?

John 15:1-8 1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain 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. 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)

Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the true vine.” Have you ever wondered why Jesus may have said that? I think I may know why. Think with me a moment about what has happened and where Jesus and His disciples most likely are.

It’s the night before the crucifixion of Jesus. He is in the upper room with His apostles. Soon He will be going to Gethsemane. Soon He will be arrested & tried & convicted of crimes He did not commit. Soon they will be laughing at Him. They will put a crown of thorns on His head, & mockingly call Him "the king of the Jews." They’ll slap Him, & spit upon Him, & whip Him with a cat o’ 9 tails. Soon His body will be nailed to a cross, & He will die. And He knows that all of this is going to happen. It’s not a very joyful time, is it?

If you remember this is the night of Jesus’ betrayal, but before that happens Jesus and the disciples have been in the upper room. As they celebrated the Passover in the upper room, Jesus had washed the disciples feet and spoke with them about the events that were to take place. After a great deal of discussion with His disciples Jesus ends chapter 14 saying, “Come now; let us leave.”

Matthew, another one of the disciples says that following the Passover meal Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30). I believe that it is as they are making their way from the upper room to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus continued to instruct this group who had walked with Him for the last three years. Jesus knew that time was running out, but He still had much that He wanted to share with the disciples.

John 15 continues Jesus’ teaching with, “I am the true vine” Jesus was a master teacher.

When we close chapter 14, Jesus begins his journey to the Garden of Gethsemane by telling His disciples that the time is drawing near for Him to leave. John 15 is a discourse of our Lord while walking with His disciples from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane.

In this discussion with His disciples, Jesus reveals His plan for their lives after He has departed and the Holy Spirit has been sent. Primarily, Jesus is giving them instructions on not just how to survive, but to THRIVE in a world that will hate them. He tells them how to enjoy this life until they experience the next life.

John 15: 1, 5: 1 of the 7 "I AM" statements of John's gospel statements reveal the sufficiency of Christ

John 6: 35: I AM the BREAD of LIFE - He's all we need for our Spiritual APPETITE

John 9: 5: I AM the LIGHT of the WORLD - He's all we need for our Spiritual AWARENESS

John 10: 7, 9: I AM the DOOR - He's all we need for our Spiritual ACCESS

John 10: 11, 14: I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD - He's all we need for our Spiritual ACCEPTANCE

John 11: 25: I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE - He's all we need for our Spiritual AUTHORITY

John 14: 6: I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE - He's all we need for our Spiritual ASSURANCE

John 15: 1, 5: I AM the VINE - He's all we need for our Spiritual ABUNDANCE

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face death, He will carry me Home!

This is an amazing chapter hope it bless you as it did me.

• The Source of Peace, Joy, Security, 14:27-31
• The Relationship of Jesus to the People of the World, 15:1-8
• The Relationship of Jesus to Believers, 15:9-11
• The Relationship of Believers to Believers, 15:12-17
• The Relationship of Believers to the World, 15:18-27

Day 13 of 21 Days

Welcome to day 13 Family! We’ve one day away for making it to our two-week mark. What a glorious thing. Thank you for joining Janice and I on this journey it mean a lot to both of us and will set the tone for everything you do this year. Let’s jump in to our devotional reading today: The 13th Chapter of the Gospel of John is a pivotal point in the ministry of Jesus. John's Gospel makes it clear that something special is about to happen. I think it’s important today for me to share with you that the Gospel of John is divide into two sections. In the first half (chapters 1-11), he summarizes roughly thirty-three and half years of the Savior's life. The last half is devoted almost totally to the last few days. Everything from chapter twelve on points to the cross and the resurrection.

As we read yesterday chapter twelve sets the stage: Jesus replied, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone servers me he must follow me and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name…And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. John 12:23-28;33 (ESV)

Jesus gathers his disciples in an upper room, probably a large banquet hall above the home of a wealthy Jerusalem family. In all likelihood, the room was built to be rented out and used for such occasions. In this room, Jesus would give his disciples his parting words and some of his most important teachings.

I know that you’ve already picked up on it but I’ll share it anyway Chapter 12 and Chapter 13, deal with the same theme. Both of these chapters revolve around feet. Feet! 21 chapters - the Holy Spirit takes two chapters and deals with feet.

Chapter 12 is Mary washing the feet of Jesus and drying His feet with her hair. Chapter 13, we see Jesus girding Himself with a towel, washing the feet of His apostles and drying their feet with that towel. In both of these chapters, the central element, the theme, the setting revolves around the washing of feet. As we look at yet another posture in the Christian lifestyle, we see this posture demonstrated in the posture of Jesus.

This story is one of the most memorable incidents in Bible. It was the night before Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. It was an intense time in Jesus’ life. His public ministry had ended. Jesus now turns his full attention to his disciples.

I want you to imagine this situation with me for a moment. In that culture the most demeaning task around was to wash the guest’s feet. This was job done by lowest slaves.

It was necessary because people wore sandals did most of their travel by foot. They walked along trails that we not only dusty but also cluttered with camel and donkey dung.

I’m sure that guests arrived with more than dust on their feet. It was a common courtesy for the host to have his slave wash the guest’s feet as they entered the house.

Jesus had sent Peter & John to prepare for their meal together. The food had been cooked. The table had been set. And I’m sure the disciples thought this matter would be taken care of as well. It wasn’t!

As Jesus and the disciples enter the room they see towel & water basin in the corner. They do not see a slave to wash their feet. Perhaps some of them pause as they enter the room, wondering where the servant was—maybe wondering why Peter and John had not taken care of this important detail.

As they recline at the table, each disciple feels a little uncomfortable. “Somebody ought to at least wash Jesus’ feet” Each one may have begun to JUSTIFY in own mind why it was not his job to do it.

“I did it last time—its Matthew’s turn—he hasn’t done it in long time.”

“Peter and John were supposed to take care of all this-Jesus told them to. One of those guys ought to take care of it.” “I came to enjoy a time with the Lord—and now we’ve got this problem”

John is thinking—“Look I’m over here leaning next to Jesus, I’m in spiritual intimacy. Jesus doesn’t want me to leave and help you.”

Peter is thinking—“Don’t these turkeys know the call of God on my life? If they had, they would be over here right now washing mine and Jesus’ feet.”

We don’t know all the specifics, I’m taking some liberties--but we do know that nobody rose to the occasion.

1. What Jesus Did!

John 13: 3-5 ESV Jesus KNOWING THAT THE FATHER HAD GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO TO HIS HANDS, and that he has come from God and was going back to God, ROSE from the supper. He LAID ASIDE his outer garments and TAKING A TOWEL, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to WASH THE DISCIPLES’ FEET and wipe them with that towel that was wrapped around him.

2. What Jesus Knew!

Verse 1 says When Jesus knew that his hour has dome to depart out of this world to the Father

Verse 3 says Jesus, knowing that the Father has given all things into his hands

Verse 11 says For he knew who was to betray him

He knew he was rapidly approaching the most important moments of life. He knew that the pain and agony of the cross was imminent!

John is wanting us to see something about Jesus. Fully God and fully man, here is Jesus facing something we cannot even imagine. He is not saying to the disciples, “Don’t you care about what I’m facing?” He is not focused on himself. He is concerned that they be prepared for what’s about to happen. Jesus is focused on others!

He knew Who he was. With all that in mind he bowed before these disciples and washed their feet. He was not ignorant of the glory and authority that the Father had given him.

3. What Jesus Taught!

Verses 12-17 When he has washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” Has the significance of all this soaked? It goes way beyond just getting your feet washed. It goes way beyond just getting your need met.

Jesus comes into our lives. He loves us. He receives us. He meets our needs.

And sometimes people think that’s all this is about—getting my need met, getting my feet washed.

No, it’s about a personal transformation of character and thinking. It’s about becoming something. It’s about becoming a servant like Jesus. verse 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Freely you have received, freely give.

If my experience in God is only about me, only about me getting my needs met, I’ve missed something along the way. If church is just about me getting what I want, I’ve missed something. The greatest human tragedy is for a person to never receive Christ and his mercy.

The second greatest tragedy is that a person would experience Christ, experience his love, experience his grace—but never translate that into service toward others.

I know you’ve been waiting on my story so here it is… A wealthy American traveler tells the story of how he was a visiting a hospital in South Africa. He entered just as a young missionary nurse was cleaning the sores of a sick, dirty, young woman who was dying of HIV/AIDS, which had been lying in a gutter for days. The wealthy man said to the nurse, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” She answered quietly and firmly, “Neither would I.”

It’s a whole lot easier to talk about service, think about service, fanaticize about great service, and hear sermons about service—than to actually do service for others. But the blessing, the joy, the happiness, is not found in talking about it or hearing about it. It is found in actually doing it.

Is there a need you can meet? Is there someone near you who needs his or her feet washed—some practical service that could make that person’s burden lighter?

It is my prayer as we spend the remaining days of this corporate time of fasting and praying that the Lord opens our eyes to dirty feet and give us a heart to wash them. That’s the church I want to pastor…A church where every member is a minister and every seat is filled with a serving servant.

• In the Upper Room right before the Passover (v.1a)
• The awareness of His enemies (v.2)
• The extreme demonstration of royal service (v.3-5)
• The prerequisite for royal service: Washing and cleansing (v.6-11)
• The meaning of royal service (v.12-14)
• The reasons for royal service (v.15-17)
• The Prediction of the Betrayer (v.18-30)
• The Departure of Jesus From This World (v.31-38)

I literally had to quit today. This chapter is simple jammed packed with so much teaching. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoy writing this. See you tomorrow for day 14!

Day 10 of 21 Days

This is day 10 we’re half way there! Do you find yourself wanting to cheat on your fast? I mean you are over half way through and foods you would have never even thought of before now seem irresistible. As I continue with my fast I find myself anticipating the end. It’s like you begin counting down the days left until you can sink your teeth into that juicy steak or eat that big piece of cake. You begin planning the first meal you’ll have after the fast and it makes you want to go ahead and “cheat.” BUT DON’T! Don’t give up. Don’t give in. However, if you have found yourself “cheating,” just get back on board with your fast and keep faithful until the end. You can do it even if you feel like giving up.

Our devotional reading to day in John 10 deals primarily with Jesus’ claim to be the good shepherd and how his sheep know his voice. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I am convinced that we are too easily distracted in the rush of this modern world we live in. There are so many choices and so many distractions all demanding our time and our attention.

Sadly though it seems that we hear only what we want to hear and we often tune out Jesus. We do not take time to hear his voice.

Maybe part of our problem is we do not have as trusting a relationship with Christ as we may think we have.

How much one on one time do you set aside for him? How often do you spend time with the one you call Lord?

Let me share a quick story right here and I’ll share an outline of John chapter 10. Two men were walking along a crowded city sidewalk. Suddenly, one of the men remarked, "Listen to the lovely sound of that cricket," But the other man could not hear the sound.

He asked his friend how he could hear the sound of a cricket amid the roar of the traffic and the sound of the people. The first man, who was a zoologist, had trained himself to hear the sounds of nature.

He did not explain to his friend in words how he could hear the sound of the cricket, but instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a half-dollar coin, dropped it onto the sidewalk, and watched intently as a dozen people began to look for the coin as they heard it clanking around amid the sounds of the traffic and the sounds of the city. He turned to his friend and said, "We hear what we listen for."

Let’s jump into our outline for day 10.

The Shepherd and His Sheep: False vs. True Teachers, 10:1-6

The sheepfold (v.1a)

The true shepherd (v.2-3)

The sheep (v.4-5)

The parable not understood (v.6)

The Door of the Sheep: The Only Way to God, 10:7-10

Jesus is the only door of the sheep (v.7-8)

Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation (v.9)

Jesus is the only door that leads to abundant life (v.10)

The Good Shepherd: Jesus, the True Savior of the World, 10:11-21

The meaning of "Good Shepherd" (v.11-13)

The proof that Jesus is the "Good Shepherd" (v.14-16)

The final proof is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus (v.17-18)

The reaction to Jesus' claim (v.19-21)

Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication (v.22-24)

Claim 1: He is the Messiah (v.25-29)

Claim 2: He is one with God, that is, He is God Himself (v.30-33)

Claim 3: He is the Son of God (v.34-36)

Claim 4: God is in Him and He is in God—absolutely (v.37-39)

Conclusion: Jesus retired (v.40-42)

See you tomorrow thank for hanging with me.