Exploring the Scriptures Together
John 21:1-14
Dear RTB’ers,
Another long travel day, folks.
John’s report of Jesus’ third Resurrection appearance; disciples have returned to Galilee. If you have insights, please share them. Otherwise, see you tomorrow…!
Blessings!
See also: December 28 (2019) / John 21:1-14.
John 20:11-31
Dear RTB’ers,
Each of the four gospels reports Jesus’ Resurrection appearances. Mary Magdalene is the one Resurrection appearance reported in all four gospels. Today we have the most personal account of Jesus appearing to her and of her reporting back to the disciples. Surprisingly, John is quite detailed in reporting their meeting, he does not mention the disciples’ unbelief at her report. See Mark 16:9-11 and Luke 24:8-12 for accounts of their unbelief.
John’s is the only gospel that reports on the disciples in a room with … the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews… (v. 20b), and of Thomas not being there and not believing their report of having seen Jesus. We joke a bit about Thomas’ disbelief, even labeling him “Doubting Thomas”, but to me the real story is Jesus making the effort to give Thomas a personal meeting. He had an eight-day wait and I wonder about his musings during that time. Did he wonder about his lack of faith? Did he pray to God asking that he see Jesus personally? Did he regret his brash comment, Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe. (v. 25b) A full eight days and he’s the only one of the eleven on the outside. But Jesus knows how Thomas feels and He makes an appearance that is reported billions of times over the centuries! Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28) We need to embrace Thomas’ words. My Lord. My God.
Blessings!
See also:
John 19:38-20:10
Dear RTB’ers,
As I was putting together the reading list for this month I thought it curious that the STS authors would combine the end of chapter 19, Jesus’ burial, with the beginning of chapter 20, the Resurrection. As I am reading it today, I see that these readings are not at all about the Crucifixion or the Resurrection, but are about the Tomb – about Jesus’ body being placed in the Tomb and then the Empty Tomb. And it makes me think differently.
Joseph and Nicodemus were deliberate in placing Jesus’ body carefully in the Tomb, including 75 pounds of spices to anoint His body, then following prescribed practices in wrapping His body in linen. [NOTE: 75 pounds is a lot; our chicken feed sacks on the farm were either 40 pounds or 50 pounds, and they were heavy! No doubt, Nicodemus had help carrying the spices!] So the end of chapter 19 has Jesus’ body carefully in the Tomb. (Matthew 27:66 even goes a step further: So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. See also Mt. 27:62-65.)
Then in the beginning of chapter 20 we do not yet have a resurrected Jesus per se; we have only the Empty Tomb. John’s gospel goes into detail describing the scene – Mary Magdelene’s report, the race to the Tomb, and the scene at the Tomb, even describing the linen wrappings: He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. (vv. 20:6b-7) The NASB has the face-cloth even …folded up in a place by itself.
All of this action, all of this description about the Tomb, not about Jesus’ Crucifixion or Resurrection. Ending our reading with verse 20:8 forces us to wonder with Peter and John (the disciple whom Jesus loved?) what was going on! Where is Jesus’ body? Has someone stolen it? And if stolen, why did the thieves bother with so much detail with the linen wrappings!! What’s going on?? What do we tell our friends?
Are you curious with Peter and John (and me)? Where is the body? Imagine the conversation among the disciples! Where is Jesus’ body…??!!
Blessings!
See also:
John 19:17-37
Dear RTB’ers,
Yesterday’s reading was about Jesus being flogged and taunted and delivered over to be crucified. I offered no personal comments, instead asking that you read those verses a couple of times and do your own reflecting. Today we read of Jesus’ Crucifixion and I ask the same as yesterday, that you read and re-read and ponder on what you’ve read. Your own thoughts, what the Holy Spirit brings to your heart will be far better than what I can add to the reading.
Blessings!
See also:
John 18:28-19:16
Dear RTB’ers,
No comments today, folks. But I do ask that you read these verses a couple of times in different translations and that do your own reflecting.
Blessings!
See also:
John 18:1-27
Dear RTB’ers,
It’s good that we have four gospel writers, especially when John is so different from the other three. A couple of items on that… First, John does not go into Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, even though he was one of the three who went forward with Jesus. To me, that’s one of the most moving parts of any of the four gospels. Second, John is the only gospel writer who reports that it was Peter who cut off Malchus’ ear, but he does not mention Jesus healing it, as does Luke 22:51. Finally, there is no Judas kiss – only Judas leading the crowd and Jesus asking them whom they seek.
Beyond Jesus’ arrest and questioning, the main story in today’s reading is Peter’s denial. Every time that I read of these challenges by the locals, when I put myself into the story I wonder what I would have done if I were Peter. Knowing myself, I’d have probably tried some lukewarm response, like I had heard Him speaking a few times. But when challenged further, I think I also would have also failed to acknowledge Jesus as my leader, especially if I take myself back to my late 20s or early 30s. What about the rest of you? Would you have stood up for Jesus? Let us hear from some of you!
Blessings!
See also:
John 17
Dear RTB’ers,
John 17, Jesus praying for Himself, His disciples, and us…! After teaching and speaking with His disciples, Jesus took the time to speak with His Father, and John recorded His words for all of us to read centuries later. Personally, I am touched when I read this chapter; to me, it’s Jesus at His most personal moments, His most personal words. And as I’ve often said, I can imagine myself being one of His disciples and reading His words being applied to me (as one of the disciples), but then I hear Him speaking further directly for me today, I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (v. 20), and that blows me away! And then I think of Peter and Paul and Philip and other disciples and all His followers sharing the word with the world down through the centuries, all the way to us today – and that also blows me away!
So, a couple of verses to highlight… And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (v. 3) If we know Jesus and the Father, through knowing Him, we have eternal life. Period. Done. It’s now, not just Heaven later. It’s here now, daily, forever.
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 ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (vv. 14-16) Here in the USA we do not feel the world’s hatred as much as Christians in many parts of Africa and Asia, but it’s there nonetheless, more subtle, more quiet – the world’s resistance to live by God’s Law and not their own fascinations. It affects us probably a lot more than we can know or imagine.
Finally, as noted above, verse 20. Have a great day, y’all!!
Blessings!
See also:
John 16:16-33
Dear RTB’ers,
One sentence, repeated three times in today’s reading, first by Jesus, then by His disciples, then again by Jesus: A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see Me. (vv. 16, 17, 19b) After more words from Jesus, He finally says, I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father. (v. 28) And with this sentence the disciples now have greater understanding: His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!” (v. 29) And now, even with their improved understanding, they could not foresee His Crucifixion and Resurrection – they all abandoned Him. I’m certain that I would have been as confused as they were and, as I’ve said many times before, I am so thankful that I live on this side of the Cross!
Blessings!
See also:
John 15:26-16:15
Dear RTB’ers,
Today we have Jesus’ third and fourth mentions of the Holy Spirit. First, But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me. (v. 15:26) Sent from the Father, the Spirit of truth, bearing witness to Jesus… The first two items are somewhat straightforward; the third is more confusing. I see the Holy Spirit bearing witness to Jesus in His work in our hearts in bringing us to Jesus, glorifying Jesus as we come to know Him better, helping us to love Him more, and to serve Him at His will. That is, the Holy Spirit is our guide in understanding Jesus better. That’s my take. Your thoughts…?
Finally, Jesus’ fourth mention of the Holy Spirit, a full nine verses, 16:7-15. Allow me to refer you to my 2019 post when I commented at length about these verses.
Blessings!
See also:
John 15:9-25
Dear RTB’ers,
…whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. (v. 16b) We read similar verses yesterday: Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do … If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (vv. 14:13-14) Those three words, in My name. So often we end our prayers with “in Jesus’ name”. Now you know why. Do we really think about those words when we end our prayers that way? Here is an interesting item I found in reasonabletheology.org: “If a servant claims to speak in the name of the king, and then acts or speaks in a way that is not according to the king’s will, he is outside the authority that has been granted to him. So it is with our position in Christ. We are approaching God in the name of our King, and we dare not request things that Jesus Himself would not desire.” Or, spoken more positively (same source), “While we have any number of requests that we might bring before God, we recognize that when we approach Him in prayer we ought to seek the same things that our Savior seeks. We are positioning our desires behind His. When we pray “in Jesus’ name” it means that we would pray in a way that is consistent to Jesus’ will.” Let’s think those things the next time we pray.
Another word from Jesus worth additional consideration: You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide… (v. 16a) If you are reading this, you are among the chosen. Jesus chose you, personally, to His ends. Let that sink in!
The word “love” appears ten times in today’s 17 verses. Questions, comments…?
Blessings!
See also: November 4 (2019) / John 15:9-17.