John 14:1-11

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” For the next twelve days we have Jesus’ final discourse, John 14-17. I often have a hard time following Jesus’ words as written by John, so I’ll be praying extra hard for my own understanding!!

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? (v. 9a) What struck me here, surprisingly, was Jesus calling Philip by name. I did not do a full search, but I could not recall any incident where Jesus called one of the disciples by name, except when He said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat…”. (Luke 22:31) I was touched by Jesus’ personal approach. No doubt He knew all twelve names, but we don’t see Him using those names. So why did it strike me? We sing a song at church where the chorus begins “He knows my name…”. Maybe that’s the title of the song. But at any rate, He DOES know our names! Every one of us…! And if we know Him personally, then we can have loving conversations between us and Him. I’m not there yet, but it’s a goal. GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

John 13:36-38

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” There are not many incidents that are recorded in all four gospels, but Peter’s denial is one of those few. It must have been striking to all four writers to first hear Peter’s insistence of His dedication to Jesus, then to hear Jesus’ prophecy that Peter would deny Him. Presumably John and Matthew were at the table and Mark probably heard it firsthand from Peter. And as we already know, Luke is serious about doing his homework. But these connections are there for most of Jesus’ ministry, yet not everything is covered in “quadruple tradition”. Peter’s denial is; it must have been powerful to those at the table!

Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward. (v. 36b) These words from Jesus to His disciples must have been extremely comforting to Peter and the others after Jesus’ Ascension. Yes, receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was powerful, but it’s also true that our mind can play tricks on us. Having the memory of Jesus’ words would have been an anchor, of sorts, during troubling times. And, as has been the case with so many other words from Jesus, it’s an anchor on which we can depend in our own lives.

Slava Bohu!

Luke 22:31-38

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” As is often the case, Luke’s account of Peter’s denial is much more different than Matthew and Mark. First, he has Peter speaking only once, not twice as in Matthew and Mark. Second, Luke has this section where Jesus says that Satan wanted to come after Peter, but that Jesus prayed against that and further prayed that Peter would strengthen his brothers – all of which happened (vv. 31-32). Third, Jesus continues after Peter’s denial with this section on money bags, knapsacks, sandals, and swords.

My Study Bible helped me with two items today. First, Jesus’ reply in verse 38: They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” The Study Bible pointed out that Jesus was probably not speaking literally when He suggested that the disciples sell their garments and buy a sword, but that troublesome times were coming for His disciples and that they should be ready. Then when they mentioned the two swords, His reply, “It is enough.” was probably spoken “tongue in cheek”, not literally.

Second, as to Jesus’ “money bags” comment in verse 36 (“But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along…” ), the Study Bible said that in the past Jesus and His disciples had been dependent on peoples’ (strangers?) generosity, but now they needed to be prepared to pay their own way. In Acts 18:1-3, 20:33-34 we see that Paul lived those words out, paying his own way as a tentmaker. Frankly, personally, I feel like “tentmaking” with a mission focus is the better way to go out as a missionary. Naturally I’m sure many would disagree with my position therein!

Slava Bohu!

Mark 14:26-31

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” Following up on my comment from yesterday, here is Peter’s second pronouncement, as written by Mark: But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” (v. 31) The NKJV has “vehemently” and the NASB has “insistently”. All three words suggest a level of intensity in Peter’s second pronouncement not found in Matthew. Yet with all his good intentions, Peter still failed. There’s an old adage, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I never believed it, especially if we are living a Spirit-filled life. Sure, we fail, but we find repentance in Jesus and we move on. That’s what Peter did. Read Acts chapter 2 to see what Peter became in his Spirit-filled life. We have that same power available to us. Thank you, Lord!

Slava Bohu!

Matthew 26:30-35

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” I had an all-day conference here in the DC area, so I am just now posting. Tired…!

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (v. 30) There is a chronological problem here. Matthew and Mark have Jesus going out to the Mount of Olives while we still have four chapters in John (14-17) which presumably occur during the Last Supper.

Verse 35 struck me: Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. The part that struck me this time was that all the disciples agreed with Peter. I don’t recall that item in this section – what always sticks out to me is Peter’s denial and the Lord’s prophecy of his denial. The other strange thing about Peter’s denial is that he had already said that he would never fall away. Then came Jesus’ prophecy spoken directly to Peter, then a second pronouncement by Peter that he would never deny him. Yet he did. Peter’s behavior warns us of caution in making promises to Jesus. I think He would rather we wait until we hear from Him as to what He wants of us before we make our own plans as to how we will behave toward Him. I know that from experience…!

Slava Bohu!

John 13:31-35

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (vv. 34-35) It would not be true for me to say that I do not like these verses. (My, what an opening line…!!) HOWEVER, these verses always take me back to 2003, when I was an Assistant Treasurer for the Diocese of Lexington; Stacy Sauls was the bishop; the triennial Convention of the Episcopal Church was that August; and I was second alternate in the Diocese to attend the Convention. I did not attend, but I was active in the Diocesan events and discussions leading up to the Convention.

You may recall that a major issue before the Episcopal Church at that Convention was the confirmation of Gene Robinson, an actively practicing gay man, as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Although Bishop Sauls never formally announced his position on this issue, from what he said in our meetings it was abundantly clear to me that he was in favor of confirming Robinson as bishop (and he later voted to do so). As I recall, his “mantra” in these discussions was essentially to cite the essence of these two verses, as in something like “Whatever else is going on, we are called to love one another.” Further, it’s not difficult to go online and find the essence of these verses in support of gay marriage and other LGBT issues.

These two verses are simple enough and provide guidance for all of us as to how we are to live. Love one another. Period. Many in the church obey this commandment, but add the admonition, “Love the sinner, hate the sin…” or “We are a welcoming church, but…”.

In reading these verses anew I asked myself if maybe Jesus was speaking these words only to those at the Last Supper table with Him. So I went online and typed in “love one another 12 apostles”. One reference in particular was telling. It listed nearly 100 New Testament verses on “Love one another” (https://www.openbible.info/topics/love_one_another). Most of the Gospel verses listed were from John, but there were at least seven from the Synoptics. To me it’s clear that Jesus was not speaking only to the 12. Check it out yourself.

So where do I stand? I’d like to think that I am in line with traditional, historical Christian teaching on these issues. Specifically I think I can make two statements: (1) I am opposed to gay marriage; (2) I am opposed to having practicing homosexuals in positions of church leadership. There are probably other statements I could make if we were to have a longer discussion (like sex-change operations).

Beyond all that, we have another Biblical guideline given to us by Jesus: Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2, ESV)

Your comments…?

Slava Bohu!

John 13:1-17

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” Just one item today, but a big item… Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father… (v. 1) Jesus knew that He was going back to His Father! This is stated again, two verses later: Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God… (v. 3) Jesus was going back to God. And He knew it! I believe that it was this knowledge – that He was going back home – that allowed Him to go through all His sufferings. It was not an easy decision: Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. (Luke 22:42) The Father did not change the plan and Jesus obeyed.

Do we really know that we are going to our Father? Let me change that thought: WE KNOW that we are going to our Father. So how does that change us? Are we fully obedient, like Jesus was, even in the midst of (?horrible?) trials? Forgetting the trials, do we radiate joy, knowing that our final destination is to be with the Father and His Son, our Brother, Jesus? Do others really know, really see what’s at the bottom of our hearts? As Archbishop Beach so often asks in his daily podcasts, “If not, why not?”

Slava Bohu!

John 13:18-30

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” When I put our reading list together late last year I was mostly following the NKJV Chronological Bible that we used a few years back. Their intent in putting their readings together was clearly chronological. So you’ll see that today we jump into the middle of John 13, having bypassed the first seventeen verses. However, strangely, John 13:1 says Now before the Feast of the Passover… So these authors have me really confused! For the past few days the Synoptics all have the meal being the Passover meal. I would have thought that John 13:1, ff. would have come before the Synoptics’ accounts of the Passover meal. So for the next iteration of these readings I will put John 13:1-30 (in two sections) before the Synoptics’ accounts. As we read it “out of order” in the next couple of days, you’ll see what I mean.

So, today’s reading… In verse 18 Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ David is the author of this Psalm. While it sounds like David is moaning over Absalom, he refers to a “close friend” in that verse, not a son. So it could have been Amasa (the leader of Absalom’s army) or any of another dozen people who fled David to join with Absalom. Either way, Psalm 41:9 does not seem to me to be a messianic verse, as written, just a handy verse for Jesus to connect Himself to David. My thoughts on that verse…

I’m reading verse 20 with new eyes today: Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. (NASB) I wonder if Jesus is linking Himself with the Holy Spirit (…whomever I send…). The NASB capitalizes deific pronouns, but does not do so in this verse (whomever). Or Jesus could be speaking of future missionaries (us!) that He will be sending. I wonder…

Finally, in verses 21-27 John is much more clear about the betrayer than the Synoptics. However, he shows the disciples to be more confused about the betrayal itself than the Synoptics (vv. 27b-29). Interesting…!

Enough for today!

Slava Bohu!

Luke 22:24-30

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” I always find it strange that a dispute could arise among the apostles as to who was the greatest. I have a hard time picturing us at our RTB table on Sunday, November 10, arguing who is the greatest. How weird is that??!! But that’s one thing that’s great about Scripture. It’s all out there, all the warts and pimples exposed on the great and the not-so-great! Except that the GREATEST of all has humbled Himself to serve…

I don’t recall ever noticing this statement from Jesus: You are those who have stayed with me in my trials… (v. 28) Again, we see a real human Jesus here. These apostles have watched Jesus being badgered by the scribes and Pharisees time and time again – and they’ve seen Him overcoming it all. They’ve watched others hang with Him for a while and then go their own way. They’ve seen others show interest, but then get overwhelmed by the fear of becoming cast out by the ruling elite. Jesus is offering a “thank you” to these twelve for staying the course. What an honor it must have been to them to hear those words! And then that very evening, to fall away so suddenly…! What turmoil they must have felt! It’s both easy and hard for me to relate… Conflicted!

Slava Bohu!

Luke 22:14-23

Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” A number of items in Luke are different from Matthew and Mark. The first is in verse 15: I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Neither Matthew nor Mark records this heartfelt comment from Jesus to His apostles. It shows a real, genuine, human Jesus.

Second, both Matthew and Mark place Jesus’ comments about His betrayer before His connecting the bread and wine with His body and blood. Luke places the betrayal after this consecration. It must have been a really weird feeling for Judas if his betrayal was announced before the bread and wine. To know that his plan had been made public, then to see Jesus speaking of His body and blood… Very strange for Judas! How could he go through with it…??!!

Third, in Luke we have two cups of wine. As I understand it, at a Passover meal there are typically four cups of wine, so an item of two cups of wine is, by itself, not significant. What is different, however, is the fact that Jesus separates two declarations between the two cups: (#1) For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. (v. 18) and (#2) This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (v. 20) In Matthew and Mark these two statements follow one another after the only cup that is mentioned.

These are all distinguishing items between Luke and the other two Synoptic writers. But let’s not miss the main point for all three writers, that Jesus is instituting for us the Eucharist that we celebrate each Sunday: simple bread and wine for which we remember His suffering – His body and His blood. Thankfully we are in a tradition in which this is a weekly reminder. We are indeed blessed to be in this together!

Slava Bohu!