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John Chapter 20 - God is love
V2 interesting how the Bible uses “the other disciple, whom Jesus loved’, without mentioning that disciple’s name. Why? It matters that he is loved by Jesus, as can be seen through the emphasis by using that term. Just like all of us believers who are also loved by Jesus, we are also the disciples whom Jesus loved. With Jesus’ love comes everything - God’s creation, all our blessings, our existence, eternal life. God has love for us, is love and is the source of love. 1 John 4:8 - He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. V13 Mary uses the term “my Lord”, not ‘the Lord’, but “my Lord”. Jesus is the Lord. However, Jesus is also our Lord and should also be ‘my Lord’ to each of us. This shows us that a personal relationship with God is important. We must build our relationship with God through spending time with God in prayer, reading His Word, and trusting in Him. V29 “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” We are blessed, because we have not seen Jesus, yet we still believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Through Jesus, we will have eternal life. V29-31 reading these verses shows us how true and real this faith is. V31 these records are written for us to believe in Jesus and this verse shows us to believe what we read in the Bible. Finally, these two verses tie together Jesus’ love for us and how believing we may have life in His name. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
John Chapter 19 - It is Finished
“It is finished!” (John 19:30) John 19 is a climactic chapter, detailing the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and His death on the cross– the bitter cup Jesus was afraid of (Luke 22:42-44). The crucifixion was recorded across all four gospel books. But only in John 19 does it record Jesus crying out The bitter cup was truly bitter. First, there was the physical pain of having His hands and feet pierced as He hung on the cross for three hours. Next, there was the emotional pain. From the various betrayals by His disciples, Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter, to being publicly humiliated and scorned by the Jews (Matthew 27:28-31, Mark 15:17-20). On top of it all, there was the spiritual pain. Having taken on the sins of the world from time past and time to come, Jesus felt the emptiness and sorrow of one who is separated by God (Mark 15:34). Perhaps it was the most bitter cup there was. Yet, Jesus’ final proclamation tells us that even the cruelest trial on earth was limited by time, and Jesus had successfully endured till the end. Moreover, His proclamation wasn't one of resignation and defeat. Instead, it was a proclamation of victory! Because though He met with death, it was through His death and subsequent resurrection that God’s salvation plan was completed (1 Cor 15: 3-4, 20-22). Likewise, in our day to day, we too may find ourselves faced with a bitter cup. It may be a cup of physical bitterness like when we fall ill. It may be a cup of emotional bitterness when we are let down by people whom we trusted or when we lose our loved ones. It may be the spiritual bitterness of sinful habits we struggle against. It may even be a cup that ends with death. But let us endure till the end, drawing strength from the words of Jesus– that if even the bitterest cup was limited by time, one day we may victoriously say of our trials: “It is finished!”
John Chapter 18 - Would You Exchange a King for the World?
John 18 records of one of the most climactic moments in the life of Jesus: His betrayal and arrest. We might be familiar with this incident, but let us take a moment to truly reflect about how this has impacted our lives today. No one would ever exchange something more valuable for something of significantly less value – such an idea seems downright foolish, perhaps even unthinkable. However, the last two verses of John 18 record the Jews’ unanimous decision to crucify Jesus, the Son of God, over Barabbas, the robber. Aside from the Jews, we know of other characters in the Bible who made such backward exchanges: Esau exchanged his birthright for a small bowl of stew (Gen 25:29-34), and Judas exchanged his Lord for a measly thirty pieces of silver (Lk 22:3-6). But why would they do such a thing? We might think such exchanges are absolutely ridiculous, but we might actually be guilty of the same thing. “This job opportunity is too good not to accept, even though the workplace is much further away from church.” “My friends will look down on me if I don’t go to the party with them… skipping Friday night service just We make such decisions because we deem what is less valuable to be more valuable, and vice versa. The same way Esau deemed the bowl of stew more highly than his birthright, we often esteem things that benefit our flesh to be more valuable than those benefitting our spirituality. Let us recall what Jesus exchanged for If we ever struggle to see the value in pursuing our faith, let us remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us. We were all sinners condemned to die once, but our worthless lives were redeemed by the priceless blood of the Son of God. As John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Would we exchange our chance at eternal life for temporary fleshly satisfactions? May Jesus Christ not only be our Lord and Saviour, but also King of our hearts. Let us honour Him for the priceless sacrifice He gave for us, and hold on tightly to this grace for the rest of our lives.
John Chapter 17 - What Does Jesus pray for Us?
Jesus made many prayers, but this one was made in words in the presence of His disciples - it is for them and for us to hear. Let us reflect today on the things Jesus was concerned for our sakes. Are they things we are concerned about as well? Do we pray for these? “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” John 17:14-19 To be sanctified is to be made holy, set aside for special purpose. This was Jesus’ earnest desire for His believers, whom He had given His words. How does the truth sanctify us? God’s words teach us the true nature of the world - that it is under the control of the evil one, and what our true purpose is - to come out of the world, and be its light. Do we keep God’s words - this awareness of our status in this world - in our minds at all times? Or have we slowly been assimilated to be a part of this world? ““I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:” John 17:20-22 Jesus also prays for His disciples to be united. Do we view our faith as purely a personal affair - between us and God? Jesus viewed our unity among believers - the unity of His Church - as something of great importance. Do we esteem this as well? Let us not only care about our own spiritual condition, but also care for the spiritual condition of our brethren - so that we can truly grow as the one body of Christ. ““Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24 Jesus desired that His disciples may be able to behold His glory. This clearly was not for His own sake, but for the sake of His disciples. Jesus’ glory is from the Father. When we behold His glory, we see what the world, which does not know Jesus, cannot see - the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance and the greatness of His power (Eph 1:18-19). And this vantage point can fill us with strength and hope to endure to the end. How can we behold His glory then? Just as Jesus was glorified when He accomplished the work for which He was sent, we too today can behold Jesus’ glory when we participate in His work. May we always be of one heart with our Lord.
John Chapter 16 - Time to Say Goodbye...
Farewells can be hard. As we spend more time with someone, we grow closer to them. We open up and share more of ourselves with them. When the time comes to say goodbye (because someone migrates or passes away), it can be hard. After following Jesus for three years, the disciples now have to face the reality of Jesus needing to leave them and go away (John 16:5). After a little while, they will no longer see Jesus any more (John 16:16). Jesus came forth from the Father and came into the world. Now, it's time for Him to leave the world and return to the Father (John 16:28). As a result, sorrow filled the disciples' hearts (John 16:6). The one whom they had relied on for the past three years, the one who solved all their problems, and the one who answered all their questions, would be gone. Jesus would soon have to be arrested and crucified, and the disciples would all scatter and leave Jesus alone (John 16:32). Jesus loves His disciples, and hence He makes this farewell speech to His disciples (John 16:1-4), to mentally prepare them for all the challenges they face. In the next chapter (John 17), Jesus goes a step further to pray for His disciples as He sends them into the world. When we say our goodbyes, one of the most comforting things is knowing that we can see each other again. This gives us hope, something to look forward to amidst all the sorrow. Jesus has already said He will not leave them as orphans (John 14:18). Though He leaves for a moment, He promises to return. In fact, it is good that Jesus goes away so that the Helper will come to them (John 16:7). When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide them into all truth and continue telling them the things of God (John 16:12-15). And when the Helper comes, Jesus promises that, like a woman who has given birth, their sorrow will turn into joy. They will no longer remember their anguish. They will rejoice, and *no one can take away their joy from them* (John 16:19-22). The downpouring of the Holy Spirit brings us great joy (Acts 13:52, Gal 5:22-23, 1 Thess 1:6). Though today Jesus is not with us physically, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is Jesus Himself abiding in us (John 14:15-18, 23-26). We are in a similar position today, awaiting the second coming of Jesus. In the meantime, we face tribulations and hardships in the world. We toil and labour to make a living; we succumb to unexpected illnesses; we are at the mercy of many others around us in our lives. Yet, just as Jesus promises in this chapter, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (evidenced by speaking in tongues). The abidance of the Holy Spirit gives us true hope, joy, and peace amidst our difficult times. Farewells can be hard. However, one of the most precious things about our Christian faith is that, though Jesus is no longer physically with us today, we need not fear and can wait in anticipation of His return.
John Chapter 15 - The True Vine
“ What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am the true vine”? A vine is a climbing plant that produces grapes as its fruit. Also known as a grapevine, it has been a staple in Israel’s agriculture since ancient times, including Jesus’ time. The wine produced from these grapevines are integral to many areas of Jewish life, such as weddings (John 2:1-10), festivals, and religious ceremonies. By declaring Himself as the true vine, Jesus declares Himself to be the true life-giver. When wine is omitted from a Jewish wedding, the wedding can still go on, albeit less merrily. However, when Jesus is omitted from a person’s life, that soul will not survive (John 15:4-6). For our spiritual sustenance, we need to stay connected to our true vine – how? It all boils down to what we do with Jesus’ words. Do we allow Jesus to prune us with His words by removing the sins and weaknesses that are exposed (John 15:2-3)? Do we bear more fruit of the Spirit by obeying His commandments (John 15:2b, 10; Galatians 5:22-23)? And finally, do we abide in A life of connection with our true vine is a life full of joy (John 15:11). It is a life full of the assurance that Jesus will grant us whatever we ask of Him in prayer, because we always do what pleases Him (John 15: 7, 16; 1 John 3:22). It is a life full of the enduring love of Jesus, who calls us His friends and wants to reveal His will to us while empowering us with the Holy Spirit to act upon it (John 15:10, 15, 26-27). May we stay connected with Jesus, our true vine. Amen. 🍇 [1]
John Chapter 14 - Let Not Your Heart be Troubled, With His Love
Through the exposure of Judas’ betrayal and the prediction of Peter’s denial, Jesus has made it plain to the disciples that His departure was at hand. To prepare them for the trial ahead, Jesus repeatedly reassures them that He will not leave them alone, but that He will come to them again. Similarly, Jesus — through His love — shows us that we will not be left alone in this uncertain and volatile world. There is a desire to always be near to the person you love. Jesus talks about preparing a place in God’s kingdom for us, and where He is, we will be too. This expresses Jesus’s deep love for believers. If we believe that Jesus is the way, He comforts us by stating that there is no need for our hearts to feel troubled because He is the Way, the Truth and the One who can grant us eternal life. The promise of the precious Holy Spirit displays Jesus’s love for us. The Holy Spirit not only abides with us forever, but teaches us all things and brings to our remembrance all things that Jesus has told us. The Holy Spirit given to us is special; the world cannot receive Him because they do not know Him — but because we do, He will dwell in us and be with us. It is also out of Jesus’s love that we have His commandments. His commandments are given to the precious and for our own good. On our part, our love for Christ motivates us to keep His commandments, so that we may reign with Him. How much can listening to our favourite music, delighting in the hobbies we enjoy doing, talking to our closest ones — truly fill up that void within us? Another spring of love from Jesus is the gift of His peace, a kind of peace that even the most exciting things in the world cannot offer. In life, we are indeed weakened by many things. However, the life we share with God now is a fulfilment of John 14. When we are united to Jesus through love, there is nothing that can take away the hope we have.
John Chapter 13 - Jesus' Final Acts in the World
It is often said that things done and said right before death hold immense weight and importance. John chapter 13 records this exact instance for the man who had the most important job to do: Jesus. The key event recorded in the first part of John 13 is Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. This event teaches us the humility that one ought to have as a servant of God. Jesus, the master, played the role of a servant for His disciples, teaching us that when we are put in leadership positions in the Church, our purpose is to serve others and not lord over them. However, this occasion holds more significance than just a lesson on humility. The chapter begins saying Jesus “knew that his hour had come”. Jesus needed to complete a few important things before He died for all of mankind’s sins and amongst these few things was this sacrament of Footwashing. When Peter did not understand what Jesus was doing, Jesus explained that if He did not wash him, Peter would have no part with Him (verse 8). The footwashing conducted here had the purpose of providing a part with Jesus and Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ words show us just how important footwashing really is. The initial reaction that Peter had to Jesus washing his feet actually draws out more reflection points for us. Initially, Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet because in his view, his master should never wash his feet. Peter was so confident in his own judgement, so much so that he forgot that he was disregarding what Jesus wanted. Today, in our lives, are we like this as well? Do we unknowingly trust more in our judgement of situations and things instead of trusting in God’s will and process? The last thing Jesus leaves His disciples with in this chapter is His new commandment to love one another as He had loved them (verse 34). It seems strange that Jesus called this a new commandment since the commandment of love has always been there, since old testament times. However, this new commandment gives this love a new reference point: Jesus. It sets a new standard to not just love others as ourselves, but to love others unconditionally and sacrificially just like Jesus. This new commandment of love is also further explained to be the mark of the disciples of Jesus for all to see. In our lives today, this is still the case. Our love for others should be apparent and should show others the true meaning of being a Christian.
John Chapter 12 - Value Systems
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” This is not the first time Jesus said this. Before His transfiguration, Jesus said a similar message to His disciples. He said: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) This statement calls us to reflect on our values system. Which do we value more – our lives in this world, or Jesus? This statement also highlights the serious consequence of having the wrong values system. Value this world, and we die. Value Christ, and we live – forever. Consider the people in John 12 who had wrong values systems. The Pharisees and other Jewish leaders, who valued the honour of man (John 12:42-43; 5:44). The crowd, who valued their freedom and expected Jesus to be a physical king who will fulfil their wish of freeing them from Roman rule (12:12-13, 34; 6:15). Judas, who valued wealth and eventually betrayed Jesus (12:4-6). Blinded by their wrong values, these people could not see and accept Jesus as their spiritual King who would heal their souls (12:39-40). Consequently, they remained dead in their sins. Furthermore, by the time Judas came to his senses and realised what he had given up, it was too late. All he had left, was unbearable regret (Matthew 27:3-5). Mary, who valued anointing Jesus in time, more than her worldly future (John 12:3). As per Jewish customs at that time, Mary could have been reserving that costly spikenard oil for various reasons – beauty treatment for marriage, self-medication for ailments, emergency funds for household crises. Yet, instead of saving it for her future, Mary chose to spend it all on Jesus, there and then. And Mary could not have picked a better time, because later when other women wanted to do the same, it was too late – Jesus no longer needed their anointing (Luke 23:55 – 24:3). Speaking of Jesus, let us not forget how He valued the will of the Father above His own will (John 12:27; Matthew 26:39, 42), resulting in the salvation of many, including generations to come (John 12:24). Hate our sinful desires; Love the fruit of the Spirit. Hate a life entrenched in this world; Love a life hidden in Christ. Reject living for ourselves; Embrace living for Christ, while we still have Amen.
John Chapter 11 - To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done
Death is both a mystery and a fact of life. Having lost loved ones, most of us are no stranger to it, the reality of it, at the very least. Death is one of the few once in a lifetime experiences, perhaps the only experience impossible to live to tell. So, the tale of one’s death is entrusted to the living. Have we given proper thought, then, about the life we, sooner or later, will leave behind? Will we be remembered? If so, how? If not, why? Do the remains of our death accurately depict a life well led? Why go to great lengths, make great strides, hoping either matters? How is being remembered any good to the dead? Is it not man’s all to keep his fear in God and His commandments to the end? God through Paul reminds us that our present lives and bodies are His temple, temporary tangible dwelling places for His Holy Spirit. Knowing this alone, are we not compelled to preserve our bodies and souls in securing God’s constant abidance and be used as living testaments of God? Is this not also the conclusion of the matter? “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” – Romans 14: 7-8 As death inconspicuously looms over matters of this life, let us never overlook or lose sight, but always look to matters beyond. God-willing, our life and death point the living to glorious skies.
John Chapter 10 - Sheep, Good Shepherd, or Hireling?
What is our role in the fold of God? The earlier portion of John Chapter 10 largely illustrates a scene in the pastures. Sheep are known only to follow the voice of their shepherd. They are also highly social animals who will run from what frightens them and band together in large groups for protection. We know the church of the last days will face many trials and persecutions (cf. John 15:18-21, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 16:13-16). Being a part of the church, the flock of God, do we show care and concern for the body of Christ? When members face dangers or trials, what is our reaction? When the fold is in danger, like the sheep of the field, we ought to band together in the unity of faith to face the trial together, for if one part suffers, every part suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). When we have schisms within the fold, let us esteem others better than ourselves, having the same love and being of one accord (Philippians 2:1-4). Jesus talks about Him being the door of the sheep and the good shepherd in verses 9 and 11 respectively. Verses 11 and 13 contrast between a good shepherd and a hireling; the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep, but the hireling flees because he does not care about the sheep (v13). Being the older ones of the flock, do we manifest the love of Christ through our actions to tend to the younger sheep as shepherds? Our Lord Himself has commanded us to look after His fold, just as He had commanded Peter to feed His lambs, tend His sheep and feed His sheep (cf. John 21:15-17). Whether we are serving as sheep or shepherds, every one of us has a role to play in the unity of the flock. In all things, we need to put on the love of Christ and patiently oversee the growth of the lambs, the sheep and the fold. Let us heed the commands of God so that we will be given our due rewards when we return to our heavenly home. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:2-4)