CCF Sunday Messages

John chapter 13 has us marching ever closer to the cross, and today's message from Pastor Steve walks through the events John records in the "upper room" where Jesus is spending the Passover meal with his disciples. In this section following the washing of His disciple's feet, Jesus notes that He will be betrayed by one of them as they recline to eat the meal. Judas goes out as Jesus tells Him that "what he must do, do quickly". As we finish this section, Jesus gives them a "new commandment": to love one another.

As we enter chapter 13 of John's gospel, we are entering the final hours before Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and finally crucified the next day. However, there are several chapters before those events where Jesus shares his final teaching and encouragement to his disciples--beginning with the scene of the Last Supper in the upper room. In this moment, Jesus chooses to speak louder than words with actions, by washing his disciples feet; an example not just for them but for us as well about humility and servant leadership!

As we enter chapter 13 of John's gospel, we are entering the final hours before Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and finally crucified the next day. However, there are several chapters before those events where Jesus shares his final teaching and encouragement to his disciples--beginning with the scene of the Last Supper in the upper room. In this moment, Jesus chooses to speak louder than words with actions, by washing his disciples feet; an example not just for them but for us as well about humility and servant leadership!

If you saw a miracle, would you believe in Jesus? What if you saw 10 miracles, or 100 miracles? In John 12 verse 37 we read that many didn't believe even after seeing so many signs! But, then we find that Isaiah prophesied this about Jesus--that he would confirm the people's own decision to not believe. Jesus implores them in his last public teaching before the cross to listen to His Words, that they are from God, and that they are the words of eternal life.

If you saw a miracle, would you believe in Jesus? What if you saw 10 miracles, or 100 miracles? In John 12 verse 37 we read that many didn't believe even after seeing so many signs! But, then we find that Isaiah prophesied this about Jesus--that he would confirm the people's own decision to not believe. Jesus implores them in his last public teaching before the cross to listen to His Words, that they are from God, and that they are the words of eternal life.

Jesus speaks of his death as we continue walking through John chapter 12, picturing a grain of wheat that is basically useless until it is planted (dies in the ground), and then can generate a harvest of "fruit". Similarly, he applies for us that we can either hold on to our lives, and conversely lose them, but if we "lose our lives"--giving them to God for His use--we actually gain them!

Jesus speaks of his death as we continue walking through John chapter 12, picturing a grain of wheat that is basically useless until it is planted (dies in the ground), and then can generate a harvest of "fruit". Similarly, he applies for us that we can either hold on to our lives, and conversely lose them, but if we "lose our lives"--giving them to God for His use--we actually gain them!

After Mary anoints Jesus at the dinner at Bethany, John chapter 12 quickly moves to the scene of the triumphal entry of Jesus. While the religious leaders are considering and plotting against Jesus, and now Lazarus as well, they should have been studying the prophecy of Daniel, which would have pointed directly to Jesus as the Messiah! Pastor Steve covers this passage in a shorter study as we prepare for our monthly time of communion as a body.

After Mary anoints Jesus at the dinner at Bethany, John chapter 12 quickly moves to the scene of the triumphal entry of Jesus. While the religious leaders are considering and plotting against Jesus, and now Lazarus as well, they should have been studying the prophecy of Daniel, which would have pointed directly to Jesus as the Messiah! Pastor Steve covers this passage in a shorter study as we prepare for our monthly time of communion as a body.

As the news of the raising of Lazarus from the dead spreads, many are coming to faith in Jesus--the religious leaders in Jerusalem are very concerned as people turning to Jesus will raise the eyebrows of the Romans and potentially cause them to lose their "position" and power! Unknown to himself, Caiphas ends up prophesying that Jesus's death will be "one man dying for the people", true not to his own purpose, but to God's purpose to bring salvation through that "one man's" death. In chapter 12 the scene switches to Bethany and the springtime, and Mary, with only a week before Passover anoints Jesus' body for burial (unbeknownst to her) with very costly oil--a true sign of her worship and adoration of Him.