More Than Bread

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John 17 is the last chapter of a unique portion of scripture in John’s Gospel. It’s a three-chapter conversation followed by a one-chapter prayer. Honestly, I think it is one of the most important sections of scripture in the Bible. Some Bible scholars call these four chapters Jesus farewell discourse. But you know that I don’t think these are farewell words. Jesus knows that these aren’t his last words and he's setting the stage for the biggest moment of his life. 

 So for last time, take a moment and imagine that you are there, walking with this close-knit community of Jesus-apprentices through a vineyard in the evening before Jesus goes to the cross. Coach Jesus has been given the pre-game speech of his life. Whether you know it or not, you are nearing the end of the evening. John 17 is the prayer of Jesus that closes his time with his friends and initiates his final steps to the cross. In John 17, Jesus prays for himself. Then he prays for his current disciples. Then he prays for us. Did you realize that? Not only did Jesus go to the cross for us. Before he went to the cross for us…he looked down through the generations and prayed for us. He prayed for all those who would believe in him. And as we listen to him pray for us, we are hearing his dream for us.  

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In this episode, we are focusing on John 16. John 16 is in the middle of a unique portion of John’s gospel that some Bible scholars call Jesus farewell discourse. It’s a section of scripture that starts after Jesus washes the disciples' feet and ends before Jesus is arrested. John 14-17. It’s become one of my favorite sections of scripture and I’ve read it dozens of times, in the last year.

So once more take a moment and imagine that you are there, walking with this close-knit community of Jesus-apprentices through a vineyard in the evening before Jesus goes to the cross. That’s why scholars call it his farewell address. But these aren’t last words, they are commencement words. This is Coach Jesus giving the locker-room talk of his life. In the space of a three-chapter conversation and a one-chapter prayer, He will hit on multiple themes but over and over again, he will say this... "You will have trouble." All kinds of trouble.  In John 16, the last words we will hear Jesus say are, "In this world, you will have trouble, but don't be afraid, for I have overcome the world!"

So let's dive in and see the resources and the hope that Jesus gives us in times of trouble!

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To set the stage before we dive into John 15, let me remind us of the value of the Word of God, the Book! In his book, "The Gift of the Jews," author Thomas Cahill asks the question, "How did a tribe of desert nomads not only survive but change the very way the world thought, felt, and acted?"  What distinguished it from all the other nations that no longer even exist?  The answer, Cahill suggests is The Book. Israel had a Book. They called it the Tenakh the sacred writings. They were a people of The Book. Sometimes we wonder about the first disciple's willingness to drop everything and follow Jesus. It's because He was a rabbi and they were a people of The Book. 

And then John comes along and in essence, he describes Jesus as The Book come alive. The Word became human and lived among us and we behold the glory of God, full of grace and truth. (John 1) In other words, the Word of God is the Son of God. Jesus is the Word of God. It's not just about a book; it's about a person. See John calls us to be...A People of the Book...In Love with the Word.  Keep that in mind as we dive into John 15 and Jesus' challenge to "remain in His words." 

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This episode focuses on John 14. John 14 is the first chapter of a set of four that comprise an incredibly unique portion of the gospel of John.  I think it contains some of the most important teachings of Jesus. If you have a red-letter Bible (some versions have Jesus' words in red) the next four chapters are filled with red. Most scholars call these four chapters, Jesus "Farewell Discourse." I think it's anything but a farewell discourse. These are not last words, they are beginning words. It's not a final goodbye, it's a locker-room talk before you go out to play the most important game of your life.

Jesus is walking with his friends in a vineyard, hours before He hangs on a cross and He's talking about finding a breakthrough. In the space of a three-chapter conversation and a one-chapter prayer, he will hit on multiple themes and every one of them is his preparation for trouble by giving them an expectancy of hope. You will have trouble, but don't let trouble into your heart. Don't be afraid, for I have overcome the world. I hope you come to the point, where you just want to read these four chapters over and over again! They will give an adrenaline shot to your soul!

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In this episode, we are focusing on John 13. John 13 contains one of the most powerful, and most overlooked moments in the life of Jesus. In some ways, it’s even more revealing of the character and the heart and the power of Christ, than the cross and the empty tomb.  It was a defining moment that was meant to define the heart of a Jesus-apprentice.  The defining moment came when Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Jesus ensuing charge: "Do for each other as I have done for you. If you do this (serve) you will be blessed." That charge then set up every Jesus-follower the key distinguishing trait. "The world will know that you are my disciples by the love you have for one another." 

We are not known for our knowledge, for our religious services, or even our standards. We are known as Jesus-apprentices by the love we have for each other. Now that is a message that the church needs to embrace today!

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In this episode, we are focusing on John 12.  From John 11 to John 21, we are heart-deep into the last days of Jesus. Days that changed the world. Days that changed my world. From Lazarus to Palm Sunday to Good Friday to Easter Sunday to the days before Jesus ascended into heaven; that's the last 11 chapters of John’s gospel. Over half of John's gospel focuses on the last two weeks of Jesus' life.  John 12 begins on the Saturday before what we know as Palm Sunday. Jesus is at Lazarus' house and everyone wants to see Lazarus and Jesus. The crowd seems to be tipping in favor of believing that Jesus is the Messiah. Lazarus was dead and now he is alive; the crowd is gathering. They are looking for a King.

But in the midst of all the pomp and circumstance, John captures a moment, a beautiful moment between Mary and Jesus. You might call it a love-burst, a moment of tender affection that leads to a blast explosion of generosity and love. If you have ever had one, you know what I mean. Jesus connects this love-burst to his death, setting the stage for a week filled with bursts of love that change the world! 

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In John 11 we get both a miraculous sign and another “I-am” identity statement. As has been the case before, the sign and the statement match up. For example, Jesus fed the crowd and then told them, I am the bread of life come down from heaven. He healed a blind man’s eyes and said, “I am the light of the world.” In John 11, he will raise a dead man to life and tell us, “I am the resurrection and the life…” We’ll hear HIs words in verses 25-26. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'”

Before John 11 is finished, we will catch a glimpse of Jesus our champion. This is the same Jesus who went to the cross, not out of weakness but from the strength of love. This is the same Jesus who battled death on our behalf...and came striding out of the tomb with victory in hand. This is the same Jesus who rages at the mess of the world and gives us another option...the option of glory. But in the end, which story we find ourselves in will be determined by who we believe and who we follow. I hope we all find ourselves calling out to our champion. Jesus!

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If I were to summarize John 10, I would say first of all that there are sheep. (And on the one hand, having raised sheep for a small portion of my life, it doesn’t necessarily feel like a compliment to me, to be called a sheep. But on the other hand, sheep are the sole focus of the heart and mind of a shepherd.) So there are sheep (that’s us); there is a shepherd, that’s Jesus, and there is a thief, that’s the devil, the very enemy of our souls. AND the battle for life is a battle for our ears. The question is to whom will we give our ears, to whom will we listen. Will we listen to the thief – who in the last episode Jesus called the father of lies – or will we listen to the Good Shepherd.

Henry Blackaby wrote in his book, "Experiencing God," God speaks and we are in trouble at the very heart of our relationship with God if we don't recognize his voice.  In John 10, Jesus says that he is the good shepherd (another I-am identity statement) and his sheep know his voice. Listen there are so many voices out there and we are foolish to believe that those voices don't shape our lives. To whom are you giving your ears? To whom are you paying attention? If we listen for his voice, his words will bring life.

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John 9 contains another sign-story. Remember John shapes his gospel on seven miraculous signs and seven “I-am” identity statements by Jesus. Both the signs and the identity statements reflect on Jesus. They describe him.  They reveal an important quality, role or characteristic of Jesus. Remember the sign is more than just a miracle…it points to something. It tells us what's ahead. In John 9, the sign is about sight. In John 8, we heard Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” In John 1, we heard John say that Jesus is the light of the world that gives life to those who believe, and when the light shines in the darkness, the light always wins. In John 9, the light of the world gives sight to a blind man.

Jesus is the light that gives sight.

And don't miss this. We are talking about something more than physical sight. In fact, in John 9, you will hear Jesus mention, spiritual sight. This is what Paul would refer to years later, when he wrote about the unseen realities that are even more real than what we see. But for now, what captivates me, is not just the fact that Jesus gives sight to a blind man, it's the fact that he sees people we miss. Jesus has the most amazing eyes. He sees you. No matter where you are or what's going on. He sees you!

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John 8 is a fascinating, intriguing passage of scripture. It contains so many well-known and life-changing truths. For example, you will hear Jesus say things like: "I am the light of the world." "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." And you will also hear a lot of talk about fathers. Who is your father? Jesus says that his father is God. The religious leaders say that their father is Abraham, but Jesus suggests that their father is actually the devil.

If there is one question that you could ask yourself as you listen to John 8, that's it. Who is my dad? What family shapes my identity? Really, who am I? As much as we think we shape our own identity, your family profoundly impacts who you are. If you are a Christ-follower, then your identity is built on what God has done and what God is doing. You are part of the family of God. If you want to know who you are...you need to know who He is. That's why we are taking the time to ponder Jesus in the gospel of John. What could be more important?!