Creative Space for Wanderers
Read John 18:28-19:16 I’m writing this post the day after International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2019. Honestly, I didn’t know there was such an event, but I am certainly moved to remember the atrocities committed against our Jewish brothers, sisters, moms, and dads. They weren’t killed by some supernatural phenomena, each person was corralled and killed by …
Read John 18:15-27 John provides a brief glimpse into the details of Jesus’ interrogation by Annas surrounded by Peter’s failure. As we read this section, it’s interesting to note the contrast painted by John. Peter lies. Jesus tells the truth. Lies, truth, lies. As we watch Peter keep warm with the late night party, there …
Continue reading “John: Jesus Questioned by the High Priest and Peter’s Denials”
Read John 18:1-14 Chapters 18 and 19 of John’s gospel rather briefly cover the events of Jesus’s arrest, mock trial by Jewish leaders, interaction with Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death, and burial. We begin with John’s version of the events surrounding His arrest. It’s pretty different from the Synoptics. I Am He In typical fashion, Jesus neither …
Read John 17:20-26 And then this happened. Jesus, the Son of God, the great I Am, prays that we would all be in unity with Him. He who was with God at the beginning, who ministered with these men, lets them know His heartfelt desire to be one with us all. Jesus prays for us. I …
Read John 17:6-19 Jesus prays for His disciples in a powerful way, words we humbly get to consume. Jesus connects Himself with the Father and points to His remaining eleven disciples as those who brought glory to Himself and therefore glorified God. We don’t get much time in this world, compared to eternity, but I …
Read John 17:1-5 This is just a segue between chapters 16 and 17, a short recap to set the stage for what I think is the most powerful prayer in scripture. The theme is centered on glorifying God and the conclusion simple: when we glorify Jesus, we glorify the Father. The eleven are still hanging …
Read John 16:16-33 The disciples still don’t quite understand what Jesus is telling them. While they have faith that one day it will all make sense, at this point in the story they are following without knowing what will come next. Jesus explains that He will go away and come back in “a little while.” …
Read John 16:4-15 In the previous post, we made a special note about the timing of the message. Jesus waited until the time was right to tell the Eleven this important revelation. The disciples have to know something significant is going on. We don’t have such caveats elsewhere. I have told you this, so that …
Continue reading “John: Unless I Go, the Advocate Will Not Come”
Read John 15:26-16:4a This short introduction to the power of the Holy Spirit is offered here to comfort, warn, and encourage the disciples. We could include the rest of chapter 16, but I think I’d rather have a short post with a focused topic. Maybe you’ll appreciate the break! One of the odd things about …
Read John 15:18-25 Jesus reminds the disciples that they are not the first ones to be persecuted, and they won’t be the last. We are the chosen ones, no longer bound to rules of this world, we have the opportunity to invite others into God’s kingdom, His family. But this comes with a cost. If …
Continue reading “John: The World Will Hate You Because of Jesus”