Jesus Changes People

Pilate wanted to dismiss Jesus and set him free. At one point, Pilate faces the angry crowd and tells them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” When the crowd responds that Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God, Pilate becomes even more afraid. He asks Jesus where he’s from, Jesus refuses to answer, prompting Pilate to say, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” In Pilate’s mind, he was the one in charge, the one with power. Jesus responds with a reminder about where true power comes from – it comes from God. During difficult times, we may believe our circumstances are too powerful to overcome. It’s during these times that we need to remember that God is ultimately in control.

Passage: John 19:1-16

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The death of Jesus was not an accidental part of God’s plan – and it wasn’t simply the result of human activity (Judas, the Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers). Jesus was aware of what was happening. Other gospels record that he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When questioned by Pilate, Jesus would tell him “the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.” The early church emphasized the plan of God as well: “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23) and “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Passage: John 18:1-40

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John seventeen is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in scripture. The prayer is divided into three main parts: for himself, for his disciples, and for all eventual believers. Throughout the prayer, Jesus uses his relationship to the Father as the example for how we are to relate to one another. He wants his disciples to be protected and to have “the full measure” of his joy within them. The last part of the prayer addresses why a united church is so important. “May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” and “that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Passage: John 17:1-26

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Jesus is preparing his disciples for his return to heaven. For three years, they have had Jesus beside them. As hard as it is for them to understand, he tells them “it is for your good that I go away.” The reason for this is the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be their Counselor, Advocate, and Teacher. He will be with the disciples in ways that a physical Jesus could not. The Holy Spirit enables us to approach God in the name of Jesus – “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Passage: John 16:1-33

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We’ve learned more about Jesus in John 12:37-15:17, but if we don’t do something with it, then it hasn’t really been helpful information. Ken and Mike discuss different ways that will help you put into practice what we’ve been learning about and from Jesus. This includes what it means to be a servant leader; how we know if a teaching is from the Holy Spirit; and further insight we can gain from Jesus’ metaphor drawn from viticulture. The discussion is practical and offers tangible ways for someone to start implementing these practices into their life today.

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The secret to spiritual growth – whether it’s personal or congregational – is actually no secret. Spiritual growth happens as we learn to remain and abide in Jesus. Tactics and strategies are no substitute for a life that is grounded in the ways of Jesus. Jesus promises that we will bear “much fruit” if we remain in him; the opposite, however, is just as drastic – “apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus connects abiding with obedience – and the result is a more loving life. In fact, our love for each other is one tangible characteristic of a life that is abiding in Jesus.

Passage: John 15:1-17

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In terms of following Jesus, obedience isn’t optional. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” For each of us, the real test is whether we will be obedient even when doing so is difficult or runs against our nature. In asking for our obedience, Jesus isn’t asking for something he is unwilling to do himself: “I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (v. 31). But the obedience Jesus requires isn’t accomplished through our own willpower, but through the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus didn’t leave us as orphans – he lives in us through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us what it means to be obedient. 

Passage: John 14:15-31

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John 14 begins with a promise that is often used at Christian funerals – Jesus is preparing a place for us. This promise of heaven confuses one disciple, who asks, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” As humans, we are don’t like to lose our way. Nobody likes to be lost or confused. But how do we find our way? Jesus reminds us that he is the way. If we have seen him, we have seen God. If we have faith in him, we will be enabled to do what he has done (and even greater things). He will provide what we ask for in his name so that God may be glorified. 

Passage: John 14:1-14

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During the same meal, Jesus makes two startling announcements. Judas will betray him and Peter will deny knowing him. In both cases, Jesus has just washed their feet even though he knows what they will do. Although John doesn’t mention it, these pronouncements are made during the time when Jesus was establishing the Lord’s Supper (cf., Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22). When Jesus consecrated the cup for communion, he said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). This story highlights how the love of Jesus is able to transcend our own human weaknesses.

Passage: John 13:18-38

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Jesus knows that his appointment with the cross is fast approaching. He uses the occasion of his last Passover meal with the disciples to teach them what love looks like – it looks and acts like a servant. During the meal, Jesus assumes the role normally occupied by the lowest servant in the house. He begins washing the disciples’ feet. This act of humility is met with resistance by Peter. Not to be deterred, Jesus raises the bar by saying, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (v. 15). Jesus understands that when we love others by serving them, we are blessed in return (v. 17).

Passage: John 13:1-17

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