Tag: love

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1John: Jesus in the Flesh is a Huge Barrier

Read 1 John 4:1-6

Today we get to listen to Pastor John as he speaks to his struggling church about something they shouldn’t be fighting about: the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The passage provides a clear we versus they framework along with details that we should view with great emphasis.

I’ve talked about how important the church-word “incarnation” is for Christ-followers in the past. Reading this passage stirs up that hornet’s nest once again. Forgive the soapbox, but as we seek to build relationships with those far from Christ, we simply must wrestle with this concept.

God in the Flesh

Those of us raised in Christian homes probably have never stopped to think about how crazy it sounds to question the authenticity of this assertion: Jesus was God in the flesh. We tend to jump straight to John 3:16 without hesitating to consider the full implication of the thought. But this is why Jesus stayed up late with Nicodemus in John 3. And probably why John had to summarize everything Jesus was teaching during that all-nighter. If you remember, the seminal verse is not offered in red letters. Look for yourself: John 3:16. The red letters stop at verse 15.

If we don’t believe Jesus was actually a man that walked and talked, we are truly lost. I’m very confident that anyone who is in their right mind would agree that Jesus was a man. But this isn’t the same as being God and human at the same time. This is the definition of incarnation. This is the big deal that John is addressing with his fledgling church.

To begin the discussion, John provides an important preface:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

The idea of false prophets is disturbing. Many look good on the outside but are absolutely wolves in sheepskin. John understands the problem and provides an answer key for his beloved church.

Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:2-3

From John’s perspective, there is an obvious distinction between those who are and those who are not from God. Those who accept the truth of the incarnation are on the right and those who don’t are on the left.

Search your soul. Prayer and meditation offer the opportunity to hear from God. By this, I mean real prayer and sincere meditation. Music is one medium we can use to get lost in prayer, but I would encourage you to use music as a way to prepare yourself for hearing what God has to say. Get lost in the Spirit. Seek to discern His voice above everything else.

When we arrive at this point, the real voice of the loving Father is clear, and we are ready to hear this affirmation:

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

We will hear the voice of the Spirit and know the truth.

We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:6

Surround yourself with people that are listening to this truth. Remind yourselves that there are many who haven’t tried to understand how amazing our God is that He would send Jesus in the flesh to walk and talk amongst dirty, lost, contrary, foolish humans.

If He was willing to get dirty, so will I. Great song. Listen to So Will I and pray for hearts that fully embrace the concept. Think about those who are far from Christ who can’t sing that song, who don’t understand the deep meaning behind each thought.

Know the truth: the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Now go and be a light to a dark world.

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1John: Love With Action and Truth

Read 1 John 3:11-24

I’m one of those who was raised under the adage of “actions speak louder than words.” My mom and dad didn’t have much to give financially, but that never prevented them from showing kindness to others and giving what they could. They taught us to do the same. For many years, I heard the louder call to get a good education, high paying job, and take care of my family by working hard. None of this is terrible, of course, unless we learn the lesson to ignore our brothers and sisters in need. These short verses provide a call to action, a demand to do something more than just talking about the other side of town.

John begins by reminding his readers about the age-old story of Cain and Abel.

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 1 John 3:12

Here’s a brief overview of the story in Genesis 4 from Hebrews:

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4

In short, Cain didn’t select an offering that was of any value; he merely grabbed some fruits of the soil. Abel was careful to select choice meat from some of the firstborn from his flock. Abel’s choice revealed his thoughtfulness while Cain’s offering was something like, “here, this should do.” That did not sit well with God. The story of Cain and Abel is an interesting story that compels us to look for the root cause of the problem–a matter of the heart.

So where is our heart? John removes the gloves and smacks us with this reality:

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 1 John 3:15

He’s repeating lessons he learned from Jesus. The bar is raised high for those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers. In this case, hate equals murder. And the punishment for murder is death.

That’s hard to hear, but John isn’t done yet. The next challenge is the center of daily conversation at our home.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

Is this why we distance ourselves from those in need? Not knowing every Chris, JC, John, Bill, Lucy, etc., means they can’t be my brother or sister; therefore, I don’t need to care for them. If I keep my head down and eyes averted, I can avoid John’s call for compassion.  I hope you feel the tension in this approach.

Who is my brother or sister? Who is my neighbor? Honestly, if I find myself asking these types of questions, I’m pretty sure I not only know the answers, but I am most likely guilty of being cold-hearted. I am not acting as one who is a son of God, adopted into His royal family.

John reminds us we should not be this way! If we jump back to Genesis 4 and read the whole story of Cain and Abel, we see a God who gives second chances all the time. Even for murderers. For those of us who have chosen to follow Christ, we should want to do that which pleases Him. As a bonus, He promises to give us anything we ask.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22

The verse above implies that we keep his commands. John makes this as clear as possible in the very next verse:

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23

Why is it so hard to love one another? That’s a trick question, of course. If you get to know me well enough, I will no doubt let you down at some point. Not that I mean to but I am hopelessly human. I will make mistakes. I will misinterpret your intentions and say something hurtful. It’s hard to love one another because it requires a genuinely selfless heart that is more focused on what God than personal agendas.

The prize is worth the effort.

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:24

God promises to live in us, His Holy Spirit.

Search your hearts, all those who call Jesus Lord and Savior. See that God is there all along, even when we make mistakes. Who is your neighbor now? Who are your brothers and sisters? If the Spirit lives inside you, I think you know the answer now.

Now that you know go out and love others. Go out with confidence knowing that the Father is smiling.

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1John: Children of God Don’t Keep On Sinning

Read 1 John 2:28-3:10

The title for this edition, Children of God Don’t Keep On Sinning, is a bit troublesome. Have you ever parted company with someone that you’ve been deeply involved with? Whether this is a personal relationship or business partnership, the decision to go separate ways is always difficult. When it comes to matters of Christ’s Church, you can multiply this difficulty by a thousand.

Reading First John is like listening to one side of a phone conversation. We don’t know what is being said on the other end, but by seeing John’s facial expressions and hearing his tone of voice, I’m convinced this is a call that breaks his heart. One or more of his church startups is splitting. Worse, those who are leaving are trying to mislead those who are faithful. They’re all quite new in their faith, so they really don’t know how to react.

Imagine John sitting in exile on an island trying to encourage his flock. His words give us a model to follow. Notice how he accentuates the positive while only implicating the negative. When he says, “don’t keep on sinning,” I think he’s referring to those who are leading them astray. This is the stated purpose of the letter (1 John 2:26, 3:7). It might be a stretch, but perhaps John hopes the secessionists will read the letter as well and come back with changed hearts! Notice that the bulk of the letter implores us to love our brothers and sisters, even when they sin against us. John emphatically tells us to keep on loving others, even when it hurts.

Further, the message I hear from his words is not to talk bad about those who have offended me. This is a call much more significant than “let it go,” it’s a call to radical love. Trust that God has a plan. Know that the redeemer can always redeem, far beyond my capability and comprehension.

I hope you can see the message within the message. With that said, let’s walk through today’s passage.

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. 1 John 2:29

Knowing that Jesus is righteous doesn’t mean we are perfect, but it affirms that we are born of Him. At a recent Bible study, Marci reminded us that our birth in Christ means that we have His DNA mixed with ours. When we are born again, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are changed forever for the better. All that to say, being born of Him is a huge deal!

Don’t expect the world to stand up and cheer, but please hear these words:

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

We are His children, heirs to His Kingdom with all the rights and responsibilities inherent with that prestigious honor. To amplify this definition, John adds the following incredible statement:

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3

Christians often say we are washed in the blood of Jesus; we are purified by His redemptive sacrifice. While this might make sense in circles of mature Christ-followers, this message would likely confuse those who have yet to step across the line of faith, or as in this case, have left before fully understanding the significance of Christ’s sacrifice. The emphasis here is on the simple word: hope. Strong’s Concordance defines the Greek term like this:

elpis (hope): to anticipate, usually with pleasure Strong’s Concordance

We have hope. And our job is to share that hope with others.

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:6

If we extract this one verse, we will miss the critical transition in John’s words to his flock. His words do not suggest that we are not His children because of our sin nature. Don’t read this verse in isolation. He immediately follows this with his intended purpose:

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. 1 John 3:7

There are those who would lead you and me astray. Our focus needs to be on the love of the Father. He does not want us to wander off with those who would mislead us.

John wants to clarify his definition, just in case there’s any doubt.

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 1 John 3:10

Going separate ways is hard. Watching a church split is painful and confusing. We are imperfect beings that don’t always get along well. When this happens, don’t lose your love for your brother or sister. We know this is right, even when it seems impossible. Do what is right in God’s eyes. Let the Father be the Father. He is always faithful.

John isn’t finished with his lesson, but I have to pause and ponder these thoughts. I hope you have space to do the same.

 

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1John: Who is the Liar?

Read 1 John 2:18-27

In a world with many shades of gray, remember one thing which is clear: belief in Jesus or not. There is no in between. There is no gray. We are either with Jesus, or we stand against Him. While this sounds harsh to those who prefer an all-inclusive vacation resort where anything goes, I’m afraid it’s time to face reality.

Honestly, this had to break John’s heart. From everything I’ve read by John, he was truly gifted as a shepherd-teacher. He loved his flock and cared for each one as a precious jewel. I believe He wrote these words with tears in his eyes:

They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 1 John 2:19

John was not the least bit concerned about the number of those attending weekend services; he focused on changing lives. The cold reality is that some will hear and understand the message, however eloquently presented, while others will not. Even worse, some will discern a different message than the pastor intended! We will lose some along the way. My hope and I think John’s perspective, is that one day those we have lost will regain their perspective, recant their mistakes, and return to Christ.

So many churches have split over minor differences, disputes that arose because one party could not appreciate the other person’s perspective. John clarified that this was not some petty difference.

I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 1 John 2:21

He returns to the theme of this letter: who is the liar?

Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22-23

These strong words get my attention, how about you? As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is no room for gray. We either affirm or deny Jesus is the Christ. Those who choose the latter are antichrists.

These words are not designed to encourage us to mount our high-horse and puff out our chests with pride. I’m not advocating that we add this to our pious quiver of religious efficacy. Not at all. There will be those in churches who disagree on many matters, but this foundation is clear: we must acknowledge Jesus is the Christ. Everything else is second place and beyond.

This morning, Danielle Strickland’s Instagram post quoted Henri Nouwen that seems to fit this passage well:

Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love, unconditional, everlasting love. Amen. Henri J.M. Nouwen

The thought that caught my eye was his second question: Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? This is a sobering reality that defuses self-righteousness completely. One day we will all stand before our Creator with open hands. When we do, what stories will we have to tell?

Jesus cleansed us from our sin, washed away our iniquities. This is the blessed assurance I have heard all my life, a hymn sung with full voice. My question is this, once all of that is washed away, what is left? May we have countless stories of love and sacrifice for the least, the lost, and the lonely. I pray that Jesus will sit next to me with a huge smile as proclaim, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

Lord help us to have this posture of open hands today, long before we stand before You. Thank you for John’s reminder today:

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:24-25

The promise of eternal life is somewhat difficult to wrap our minds around, but it helps keep present troubles and worries in perspective. John calls us to step back and take a broader view. I don’t know about you, but I need this reminder frequently.

John’s clear warning applies to us today as much as his young church in the first century.

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 1 John 2:26

There will be those who will try to lead us away from Christ. Some will do so in ignorance, others quite intentionally, perhaps lost in their world. We refer to these as cults, a topic worthy of discussion some other time. Suffice it to say at this point, be aware that they do exist and pray for discernment.

In John’s day the Gnostics proclaimed a different message. I briefly referred to the Gnostics in the introduction to this letter. That group is long gone, but others exist today. There are those who warp God’s word into versions that suit their desires and personal agendas. Don’t rely on Google or Wikipedia to explain the differences. Be a part of a fellowship of believers where you are free to ask questions. No topic should be off limits if we are to grow.

Remain In Him

John concludes this section with a loving reminder.

But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:27

We are anointed by Christ to do His work. This is a genuine privilege that demands our full attention. We’ve heard the lessons. Now it’s time to put words to action and live a life that reflects this reality.

 

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1John: Why John Wrote this Letter

Read 1 John 2:12-17

The art of storytelling is an ancient craft. Those who are gifted know how to build tension early to capture the reader’s attention. John knows his audience well. He begins his first letter reminding us that Jesus is the Word of life and just in case you don’t read the whole letter, he makes sure you get this point right up front. In the next section, John presents a problem and suggests we could be liars, the truth has escaped us. Ouch! That hurts to read!

The reading today begins with a segue. I think John is saying, “Now that I have your attention, let me tell you why I’m writing to you.” This letter is personal, written to the people he loves. These are the sheep of his flock, those with whom he is personally responsible. He is providing us with a great example of how to love others inside the body of Christ. When we do this well, others will want to know more, but that’s not the main point. He wants us to be encouraged and strong, bold and faithful. If we are out in the world trying to make disciples, seeking the lost, serving the least and lonely, we will grow weary. We need to hear words of encouragement. This poem is music to our ears.

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:12-14

Your sins have been forgiven by Jesus, on the account of His name! We talked about this last week at a Bible study. This bold proclamation runs completely counter to what the great deceiver is whispering (or shouting) in our ears. Jesus took care of our sin. We are a new creation.

Unlike anything else in history, you know Him, you know the Father. He lives in you. Remember these words, my friends, and take them to heart. There is no “if” or “but” in John’s thoughts here.

You are strong. You have overcome the evil one.

Please print this affirmation and put it in a place where you can read it every morning if that helps. He that is within you has won. You are part of the victorious family!

Don’t Love the World

John anticipates our reaction to his affirming words by reminding us that the world is not going to agree with what he just said. In fact, we should expect the opposite when we effectively preach the gospel. To be clear, John provides some overall definitions to guide our thinking.

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16

Lust and pride are key issues we all have to deal with. Rest assured those who are far from Christ are affected by these problems as well. Pornography feeds the lust of eyes and flesh in this country, perhaps the entire world. John’s ancient words are clearly the target of such desires. Don’t you think it’s odd that John would write this in the first century? It’s not a new issue!

The challenge for us is to shine the light into the darkest places without coming across as those who are so holy that we are immune from worldly issues. Yes, we are strong. Yes, we have overcome the evil one. But while we are walking around in skin, we’re going to be tempted to think otherwise.

It’s important to be reminded of this reality:

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17

We are temporary residents of earth. I think it’s important to remember this truth to keep me focused. Lord, when I am tempted by what the world has to offer, please remind me that my days are numbered, that I have limited time to do the work You have called me to do. Remind me that Your strength is within me, I am Yours.

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1John: Obedience in Love

Read 1 John 2:3-11

Once again, John boldly points out the distinction between those walking in light versus darkness, liars, and truthtellers. The lesson is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. When we avoid speaking the truth in love, we fall into a trap. Sometimes this happens when we mistake being kind and considerate for truly being loving. We listen to the voice that encourages doubt by pointing out something that is true. The challenge, of course, is the second half of the equation: in love. If you love me, you will tell me when I’m about to walk into a buzzsaw with my eyes closed. Right? I think that’s what John is doing with this letter to his friends and fellow Christ followers. He’s reminding them of what they already know is true.

Before we jump in, I find myself asking this question, what was he responding to? Did he get a letter from a church member complaining about so and so? Or is this the third time someone visited him from the different church plants with the same issue? The church leaders must have told John there were problems and I think he sees a trend that needed to be addressed right away. His strong response is meant to get their attention.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 1 John 2:3-4

If I were to ever preach on this passage, I think I’d title the sermon, Liar. I would unpack the idea of doing what He commands a bit, perhaps the part about making disciples. What do you think? If someone from stage asks you if you are actively making disciples of Jesus and you honestly answer negatively, where does that put you?

Regretfully, I have to confess that I would have been that person just a handful of years ago. I have memorized the verse that said go and make disciples, but I had not mobilized the passage. There’s a huge difference! From my incorrect vantage point,  making disciples was for the paid staff or something. My job was to pull off a great Sunday experience, someone else did the disciple-making. Am I the only one?

Before jumping off the deep end, make sure you read the rest of the story. It’s never too late to start.

5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6

Fortunately for us, we have the Word available to us in many forms. It must have been a lot harder for the first century Christians, but we have little excuse to miss His commands.

Oddly enough, it’s not new.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 1 John 2:7

Sorry, you and I can’t claim we didn’t know. This is nothing new. John is merely reminding us of something we should already know.

Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8

The “new” part of the command is that Jesus came as the true light to the world. When Jesus taught on love and hate, His words extended the old commands far deeper and wider than anyone ever imagined. The battle begins within the family of Christ.

But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 1 John 2:11

What does it mean to hate a brother or sister? Some obvious answers come to mind immediately, but there are also many subtle thoughts as well.  The word darkness is repeated three times in that one verse five times in today’s reading. Perhaps this is something we should stop and consider. And I’m confident that John’s reference to brother or sister extends beyond the biological family to all of those that claim Jesus as Lord.

Thoughts that dwell in darkness are not from Christ. These are whispers from the chief of lies, the one who lives in darkness and runs from the light.

Hate is different from disagreement. Don’t fall into that trap. John doesn’t suggest we all agree on every little thing. Hate is much deeper; it is something that resides in the heart. You can’t have hate and love in the same heart. You have to have one or the other. The good news is this; Christ replaced our hearts! This is the great reminder from John.

Holy Spirit fill our hearts with Your love and chase away any darkness that blinds us. Help us to speak the truth in love and rid ourselves from all malice, anger, envy, and thoughts that are not from You.

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1John: Light, Darkness, Sin, and Forgiveness

Read 1 John 1:5-2:2

John set the stage in the preamble to his brief letter; now he dives right into the problem of sin. While the topic is undoubtedly timeless, it is essential to consider those who would be reading this letter in the first century. Their view of God is probably a lot different than ours, but He is the same. And so we bounce back and forth from ancient to modern, an exercise that’s worth the effort. I’m trying to read the letter from both perspectives to get a better understanding of how this applies to us today.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

The idea of light versus darkness is significant. When John wrote this letter, there were no light switches. Even in our modern age, bad things tend to happen more frequently in the dark of night than in broad daylight, though the latter is possible. I’m hoping to have a Ride-Along with our local police department soon, 12 hours of darkness to learn about our city from the dark side.

God is light, not a statue or some engraved image. In this instance, the right answer begins with, because Jesus said so. John will explain a bit further, but he recalls one of the major themes Jesus made clear during His earthly ministry. Light is pure. It’s not possible to have darkness within the light. Sure, are brighter than others, but the presence of light eliminates darkness.

Fellowship With God

The concept of being in fellowship with God is incredible. If we fully believe that He is the creator of the universe, immortal, invincible, all powerful, all knowing, how can we casually read over this next verse?

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7

Would you like to have fellowship with God? Honestly, outside of the walls of the church or circle of Christian friends, what does that mean? In my mind, the concept of fellowship is a two-way street. We are each contributing our part to the relationship. It’s a mutual friendship. Honestly, that’s elevating me way above what I deserve, but this is what Jesus said He wanted.

We have the opportunity to walk in the light, to do what is right by following His example. John’s not afraid to call us out, though. If we put on the badge that claims we are following Christ but continue sinning, we are lying. We are liars. The truth is not in us. The fellowship will not last if we say one thing while doing another.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

Brothers and sisters, do not be deceived. Hear this amazing news that John preached over and over again:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

I’ve often though our Catholic friends were onto something when they created the confessional. I’m not sure how it works, but the idea of being able to speak our sins out loud to a human that cares about our relationship with Christ is a beautiful thought. The key, however, isn’t found in our earthly relatives. Jesus is faithful and just and forgives our sins. He went to the cross to bear the burden and purify us.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

The whole world is put back in harmony with God through the blood of Jesus. We can enjoy fellowship when we follow His commands. The idea of koinonia can become real, and when it does, people will want to be a part of the family. They will go out of their way to figure out what we’re up to and how to get in on the action. Not by our elaborate productions, but by our love. We’ll see this theme of love unfold in John’s writing to the early church.

Lord help us to be a body of believers that love each other, that confesses to one another, that forgives and moves forward. Teach us how to love the way you showed us. And we will give You all the glory!

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1John: Introduction and the Word of Life

Introduction

Having read John’s words in his Fourth Gospel, we now get to hear his appeal to a few of his church plants. We’ll take this one piece at a time, but let me encourage you to imagine John wrote these letters to you.  There are only five chapters in 1 John, so that shouldn’t be a great challenge.

Researchers suggest these letters were written just after the Fourth Gospel, sometime after the significant event in Jewish history–the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. While the author of the letters isn’t explicitly noted, that is, John did not add his signature, scholars agree he is the author.

The target of these letters is entirely different from the Fourth Gospel. Toward the end of his gospel account, John made his purpose clear:

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

The letters, however, are written to churches John started to address specific issues. Those who first read these letters were already believers, or at least that was the assumption. Keep this in mind as we read along.

The theology supported in these letters help us appreciate the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but I think the emphasis of these letters is to teach us that struggles in the church are genuine. Our current efforts may not directly correspond to those who met around A.D. 70 but knowing they had issues is somewhat comforting.

Many commentators pay particular attention to the influence of Gnostics on the early church. John may not use the term precisely; instead, he focuses his words on the importance of love for one another as Christ commanded. He reminds the church that they should demonstrate their faith by their actions. And he provides some tests for them to consider when they have doubts.

Perhaps the most critical purpose of John’s letters is the way he demonstrates how to address concerns. As long as imperfect humans are involved in running churches, we will have problems. The moment we think we have found the perfect church is the precise time when it will disappoint us in some way or another.

Read 1 John 1:1-4

Similar to the Fourth Gospel, John begins this letter by stepping back and reminding us that the Word of life is eternal.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 1 John 1:1-2

If I could bold some words in my Bible, I’d point out the words shown above. Jesus wasn’t something they heard about; He was real. Jesus came in human form. John touched Him. They embraced, laughed, cried, shared meals, and much more for something like three years. John watched Him die, then had breakfast with Him the following week. Remember that!

John can’t help but proclaim what was seen and heard. The whole point of this fellowship is the relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit. Our human relationships should reflect the same–completely unity and harmony. This is a beautiful thing!

Three times in John’s gospel he wrote about the concept of joy becoming complete. I think this must be an important idea.

  • John 3:29 – That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
  • John 15:11 – I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
  • John 16:24 – Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1:4

John is not alone. He and his fellow ministers remind us of the joy found in knowing that Jesus came and fulfilled His mission. We all celebrate together.

Lord, may our lives reflect the joy that is found complete in You. Remind us of what we’ve seen, heard, and touched so we may be Your witnesses here and to the ends of the world.

 

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John: Peter is Reinstated by Jesus

Read John 21:15-25

Breakfast on the beach with Jesus continues from the previous story. The early morning fishing expedition that seemed like a rout turned out to be fantastic because of Jesus. That shouldn’t be surprising. When Jesus is in the middle of anything we do, we should expect amazing results. This time is no different. This time, however, we get a bonus.

Peter is sitting next to His master, or perhaps Jesus walks up to Peter to begin the conversation.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

In this compelling question, Peter is asked to examine his heart. Think about it, what are these? Jesus is there with Peter looking at the spectacular catch of fish. On the one hand, if he could do this every day, he could become quite wealthy. But Jesus asks him a question that cuts through the trappings of success and fortune. Do you love Jesus more than success and money?

I’m just guessing that Jesus let the thought linger for some time before asking again. After all, the three denials from a few days ago took some time to unravel Peter.

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” John 21:16

Peter doesn’t hesitate, though it’s unlikely he understands or appreciates the significance of the question.

The third time hurts. I think Peter is exasperated when he responds:

“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” John 21:17

Jesus finally elaborates.

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:17b-19

Peter thought about the words of his Master and accepted their significance. However, his humanity continues to appear. Here is one of the things I love about the way John crafts the story. Peter looks around at the men enjoying the feast and picks out John.

“Lord, what about him?” John 21:21

Seriously Peter, what are you thinking? Jesus’ reply gives us some great insight to consider:

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22

In a meeting a few weeks ago, a friend who has an amazing post-incarceration ministry gave me some great advice: stay in your lane. The John in my personal story knows firsthand what it’s like to be distracted by others. They can lead you into trouble, to be sure, but worse, they can cause you to take your eyes off of the One who is calling your name.

When Jesus calls you and me, He is calling us as our Lord and Master. If we follow this story, we would be wise to do that which Jesus is calling us to do. Whatever that is and wherever that leads.

Hear the words of Jesus:

Do you love me?

Feed my lambs.

Take care of my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

Follow me.

One More Thing

Before we close the chapter and the Gospel according to John, we have one last reminder (this is really the last reminder).

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25

As we ponder the words of Jesus, our Lord, our Master, consider the words from this old hymn:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

May the words inspire you to love all those around you from the greatest to the least.

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John: Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

Read John 21:1-14

The last chapter ended with a purpose statement for the entire Fourth Gospel. This chapter bridges the gap with a word that makes me wonder: afterward. After how long? Jesus showed the disciples definitively that the resurrection was more than a prophecy, it was genuine. He was quite alive. But what did they do with this information?

The chapter starts with this:

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:2-3

I have an idea, let’s go fishing! Jesus appeared to His disciples in the locked room, talked to them, perhaps explained how His resurrection worked, the guards, the stone was rolled away, and more. I’m just guessing, of course. My point is they heard from Jesus. It was His voice speaking to them once again. The impossible was possible after all.

I’d love to ask John, “How long was afterward?” Is chapter 21 an Epilogue of sorts? Both chapters 20 and 21 end with concluding remarks, so it seems that we are privileged to have a few additional stories to fill in a few gaps. The first story covered in this section shows that Jesus does have a sense of humor.

The men are perhaps 100 yards from the shore when Jesus sneaks up on the scene.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” John 21:5-6a

I wonder if they merely said “no” to the man walking along the beach. I imagine they were a bit ticked off at this point. Thomas was giving Peter a hard time for suggesting they go fishing. Nathanael and the Zebedee brothers were tired of the fruitless effort. Now this wiseguy from the beach has a great idea.

Perhaps it was Peter that suggested they follow the man’s advice. What could it hurt to try one more time?

When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. John 21:6b-7

John was the first to figure out it was Jesus enjoying the moment. Peter gets excited and jumps out of the boat, wishing he really could walk on water, and makes his way to the beach while the rest of the crew managed the fish and steered for the shore.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” John 21:10-12

153 Fish — Let’s Have Breakfast

At this point, I suspect you’re waiting for me to explain the number 153 with such eloquence that you’ll make an appointment with the nearest tattoo artist, right? I actually thought about it, but I think the truth behind the number will remain a mystery. Go ahead and Google the question, then come back here for the rest of today’s story. Here’s my favorite answer:

“Large quantities of ink have gone into explaining why there should be 153 fish. At the purely historical level, it is unsurprising that someone counted them, either as part of dividing them up amongst the fishermen in preparation for sale, or because one of the men was so dumbfounded by the size of the catch that he said something like this: ‘Can you believe it? I wonder how many there are?'” D.A. Carson (see reference below)

John tells us this is the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples since His resurrection. On this occasion, He breaks break and has a meal with His friends. I’m really in awe of this event. Jesus is resurrected but doesn’t seem to be in a hurry at all. The balance of the world is in His hands, yet He is willing to take the time to sit down and eat with these men who will change the world.

There is much work to do, but we don’t have to run around as the world depends on every twitch of each muscle. One of the lessons here is to move with confidence that Jesus’ timing is better than mine. As I think back on the previous 20 chapters, I don’t recall a point where Jesus displayed any anxious movements. Here’s the thing, if we fully believe that the Spirit is alive and well within us, that our DNA has truly changed to include that of God the Father, how can we be anxious?

I’m not recommending we sit back and watch God do His work, but I am suggesting we do the work before us with confidence. Remember, He called us His friends and promised He would be with us always.

Cast your net again. Try the other side this time. These all sound like words of action, not complacency. Do your work and anticipate His blessing.

Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. John 21:13

 

 

 

Reference: D.A. Carson, The Gospel according to John (Pillar NT Commentary; Eerdmans, 1990), p. 672.

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