Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

I know this isn't strictly from the John resurrection account, but I love this and this will be my last chance to post it.  Enjoy!

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The Greatest Sin
John 19:11 - "Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” 

As evangelicals in the US, most of us are very fond of saying that "all sins are equal in God's sight".  The question, however, is whether that is actually true.  I submit that based on this passage and others it is not.  First of all take this passage, referring to "greater sin".  Michael Patton from Reclaiming the Mind Ministries did a post on this a while back.  Some reasons NOT to think all sins are equal:

"2. Certain sins in the law are distinguished in a particular context as an abomination to God, implying that others are not as severe (e.g. Lev. 18:22; Deut. 7:25, Deut. 23:18, Isa. 41:24).

3. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is set apart as a more severe sin than blasphemy of the Son (Matt. 12:31)

4. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists particular sins in such a way as to single them out because of their depraved nature, separating them from others.

5. There are degrees of punishment in Hell depending on the severity of the offense (Lk. 12:47-48).

6. Christ often evaluates the sin of the Pharisees as greater than the sins of others. You strain out a gnat while you swallow a camel (Matt. 23:24). If all sins are equal, Christ’s rebuke does not make any sense. (See also Lk. 20:46-47)

7. Similarly, Christ also talked about the “weightier things of the law” (Matt. 23:23). If all sins are equal, there is no law (or violation of that law) that is “weightier than others.” They are all the same weight.

8. Unforgiveness is continually referred to as a particularly heinous sin (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:23-35)." [1]

So why is it that we say that all sins are equal?  I think that we are being a little fuzzy in our thinking.  Romans 3:23 tells us that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  We are all sinful.  It does not follow, however, that all sins are equal.  He continues:

"If you disagree with this, just think--really think—about what you are saying about God. You are saying to an unbelieving world that your God is just as angry about the act of going 56 in a 55 as he is about the act of one who rapes and murders a six-year-old girl. Do you really want to go there? Do you really think this position is sufficiently supported to justify such a belief? Can you really defend it? If the Bible teaches it, fine: we go with the Bible and not with our emotions or palatability decoder. But I don’t believe that a viable case can be made for letting our theology argue for such a belief. I can’t think of many more things in Evangelical pop-theology that is more wrong, more damaging, or more misrepresentative of God’s character and the nature of sin." [2]

So other than that one random verse, what does this big discussion have to do with our passage for today?  I think that having this understanding of sin can cloud some very big and very real issues relating to Jesus.  In another related post, Patton deals with the biggest, greatest, worst sin of all: unbelief.  The reason we land in hell isn't that one little white lie we told - it's because we have set ourselves against God.  We have rebelled and refused Him.  This act of unbelief and rebellion is THE sin that will define us, lest we repent and believe.  Read:

"It is important to understand that hell not is filled with people who are crying out for God’s mercy, constantly hoping for a second chance. People are in hell because they have the same disposition toward God that they had while they were walking the earth. They do not suddenly, upon entrance into Hell, change their nature and become sanctified. They still hate God. People are in hell for all eternity, not because they [ran a red light], but because their fists are still clenched toward God. They are not calling on His mercy. They are not pleading for a second chance. They are in hell for all eternity because that is where they would rather be. It is their nature. As C.S. Lewis once said, “The doors of hell are locked from the inside.” [3]

Granted, this is perhaps overstating a bit:  the Bible is clear that hell also is punishment that is inflicted by God withdrawing His favorable presence from unbelievers, but you get the point.  The important issue is belief or unbelief.  If you reject the very God of the universe, you have committed the GREATEST sin.

And that is our passage for today:  Jesus Christ crucified.  It is told for us to read and believe.  That is THE decision of life:  do I believe, or do I not?  Will I lay down my own plans and my life for this dying man, or will I do it my way?  Will I rest in the power of His resurrection, or will I try to make my own way?  Make a choice, but be aware:  that decision will define you eternally.  Jesus sacrifices His very self for the world and asks "Believe" of us.  Believe and let your sins be covered by His blood.

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

Not of This World
Referring to Pilate's questioning in 18:33-38:

    "This is one of the few places in John where Jesus refers to his kingdom (Gk. basileia; see also 3:3, 5; Matthew uses basileia fifty-five times). He deflects all political implications by pointing to the other-worldly nature of his rulership. It has not originated with this world, and he is not a rival to Caesar. The true test of his kingdom can be seen in the behavior of his disciples. They will not engage in combat or struggle against Rome’s rule. He is no threat to Rome. The one instance of violence when Peter struck Malchus was promptly rebuked by Jesus (18:11).
    But Pilate presses further, looking for a confession. If “king” is the self-chosen label for Jesus, this could still be the grounds of an indictment. A good paraphrase of 18:37a might be: “So you’re telling me that you are indeed some kind of king?” Jesus’ response (18:37b) is nicely phrased by Dodd: “King is your word, not mine.” Having said what his kingdom is not, Jesus can now say what it is—a kingdom of truth. His mission began in heaven and so he possesses a divine charge: He has come to unveil the truth to the world--not to point out true things as he finds them, but to unveil himself, his voice (which is God’s voice), and his words (which are God’s words)...
    ...Of course, “truth” is no foreign idea to Pilate. Everyone wants at least to claim that his or her efforts are true. Thus, Jesus’ revelation that he is working for the truth serves as an invitation for Pilate to join him. For Pilate to condemn Jesus is for him to condemn the truth. Jesus has thus reversed positions with Pilate." [1] (emphasis mine)

We have talked A LOT about the kingdom  before, but it's been a while. Why would Jesus go willingly to be slaughtered?  Why would He not seek to rule the world?  By the ways of the world, it doesn't make sense - a sacrificial king?  A ruler that doesn't seek to rule?  But the ways of God's Kingdom are not the ways of men.  It brings us back to what Jesus said in John 15:19: "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world..." 

Just as Jesus did not seek a kingdom here, so also we do not find a kingdom here.  We belong to another kingdom with different rules.  May we seek first THAT kingdom.

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to give you the heads up that I'm off for two weeks to do some seminary classes in Atlanta.  I'll still be posting here, but the posts will be appearing later in the day most likely.  FYI.

Jesus' Arrest
Some helpful information and insights about the arrest of Jesus:

    "During festival seasons the Romans were aware of the explosive atmosphere in the city, and reinforcements routinely came to Jerusalem. At the beginning, then, we have a signal of Roman interest in Jesus and a hint that Pilate may already be participating. The presence of chief priests and Pharisees recalls their appearances elsewhere in the Gospel (7:32, 45; 11:47, 57) and indicates that these leaders, priestly aristocrats and teachers of the law, who had plotted Jesus’ death earlier under Caiaphas’s direction (11:53), are now putting their plan into action. Therefore John’s portrait is clear: The entire world—both Jew and Gentile—has come against Jesus. Responsibility for what happens next rests with all of them.
    But Jesus is not taken by surprise (18:4). In Mark 14:42 Jesus knows that Judas is coming before he arrives. Likewise here, Jesus’ foreknowledge (1:47–48; 6:6; 13:1) gives him the ability to see the arrest before it unfolds. He does not shrink from the moment but has already made the decision to lay down his life under his own volition (10:18). Therefore Jesus steps forward and asks the first question, “Who is it you want?” (which echoes Jesus’ first words in the Gospel; 1:38). The answer is surprising (18:5): “Jesus of Nazareth.”
    Jesus identifies himself plainly (18:5–7) but this certainly means a great deal more than a mere self-identification. Jesus uses the “I am” formula we have seen elsewhere in the Gospel (e.g., 4:26; 8:24, 58), which no doubt recalls God’s divine name. John underscores this in 18:6, “When Jesus said, ‘I am …,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” [1]

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

How Jesus Prays
Today I'm actually not going to do any comment on the content of Chapter 17, but I want to draw attention to the importance of it.  Do you want to know how the Son of God prays?  Read this chapter.  Study it.  Learn how to pray.

Here's what the NIVAC John commentary had to say:

"John 17 gives us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus unlike any other chapter in the four Gospels. For many readers of this “beloved Gospel” it is the “beloved chapter,” expressing so much of what Jesus aimed to express in his life and work. It is the longest prayer that we have from Jesus. Luke often mentions Jesus at prayer (Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28–29; 11:1; 22:41–45; 23:46); perhaps the Lord’s Prayer is comparable, but not even it provides the depth and range of ideas offered here. Listening to the prayer of someone often provides a glimpse into the deeper recesses of that person’s consciousness of God. Such is certainly true in this prayer. Over a hundred years ago one commentator wrote: “No attempt to describe the prayer can give a just idea of its sublimity, its pathos, its touching yet exalted character, its tone at once of tenderness and triumphant expectation.”" [1]

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

He Has Overcome
"Take heart; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

How could I not post this song today?  How could you not love this song?  Jesus is victorious!

"Take Heart" by Hillsong United:

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

The Holy Spirit
The word used of the Holy Spirit in today's passage is "παράκλητος" (para-klay-tos), meaning  "Helper".  There are a number of names used for the Holy Spirit throughout the New Testament, including:

• Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost - KJV)
• Spirit
• Spirit of the Lord
• Spirit of Jesus
• Spirit of God
• Spirit of truth
• Comforter (Counselor, Advocate)

These are just the "names" used - if you starting searching for "functions" of the Holy Spirit, you get a lot more!  John is definitely the richest book we've read so far in terms of "Pneumatology" (doctrine of the Holy Spirit).  There has been a lot to think about and understand.

Over all though, mostly what I was thinking as I was reading the passage for today was:  "We don't really think about the Holy Spirit a lot.  Most people don't even know what the Holy Spirit does or what the Bible says about Him."  Hopefully we'll get to deal with some of that later, but for now, just a question:

Do you agree or disagree?  Are we clueless about the Spirit, or are we doing okay?  Why or why not?

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

The Vine and Trying Harder
Wow.  Okay.  Where to start?  There is SO much in this passage that I can only hope to summarize it for you.  Jesus starts talking with another one of His "I am" statements, this time "the true vine".  He uses an extended metaphor to tell us about what it means to be His disciple.  So what does it mean to be a disciple?

1. To "abide" ("remain" in NIV) in Jesus, used several times in vv. 4-10.
2. To bear fruit, vv. 4-5, 8 in particular
3. To keep His commandments, v. 10
4. To have joy, v. 11
5. To love one another, v. 17

I could probably list a few more, but I think those are the main ones.  We're going to leave #1 alone for now, but let's think for a moment about the other four.  These are what Jesus lists as distinguishing features of His disciples (Christians): fruit, keeping commandments, joy, and love.  In one sense, it doesn't seem like a lot - UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY TRY TO DO IT.  At least that's been my experience - miserable failure.  Joy: maybe for a bit, but then I get discouraged. Love: Until someone is a jerk to me. Keep His commandments:  until the temptation gets too great.  Fruit:  what IS fruit anyway?  How do I know if I have it?

So Jesus gives us a tall order to fill.  But let's not forget #1: Abide in me.  Know me.  Be loved by me.  This is the power by which we fulfill the others:

2. Verse 4: "As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."  Fruit depends upon being part of the vine.
3. Verse 7: "If you abide in me, and my words abide  in you..." A connection: when we abide in Him, His words abide in us.  Also verse 10: "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." The key here is Jesus' obedience to the Father, which enables our obedience to Him.
4. Verse 11: "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."  Joy doesn't depend on ourselves, but upon knowing Jesus' words and abiding in Him.  Then our joy is full.
5. Verse 12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."  We love each other only because Jesus loved us.

It's a little difficult to get the picture by just picking out the individual verses, but I did that to make things (hopefully) more clear on each point.  The key verse/idea the summarizes the WHOLE of this passage is verse 5:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Jesus gives us a tall order for discipleship, but it is THROUGH HIM that we fulfill it.  God makes heavy demands upon us, but it is THROUGH JESUS ALONE that we can fulfill them.  Christ fulfills the Law on our behalf, but also is the strength by which we do anything in this "Christian Life".  If you try to muster up joy, you will fail.  It is found only by knowing Jesus and being known by Him.  Joy/Love/Fruit/Holy Life are not the GOAL of discipleship, they are the PRODUCT.  Verse 5 makes it clear to us that Jesus is not DEMANDING these things from His disciples, but saying that they are how you can IDENTIFY someone who is Jesus' disciple, who abides in Him.  When we try to do these things on our own, apart from Jesus in an attempt to EARN Jesus, we cut ourselves off from the vine, the head, the power source by which we can ever do them.  If a branch is separated from the vine, what will happen?  It will wither.  No matter what the branch does in CANNOT thrive. 

Question:  You are spiritually dry and dead. Why?

The answer that I think is usually given is something along the lines of "try harder".  "If you were just more disciplined you would be alive."  I think it's clear to everyone from this passage what the real answer is:

"You are not connected to the vine.  You are not being upheld and changed by the power of Jesus.  Know Him and be known by Him."

Run to Jesus.  Only He has the power to save and change you.

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

The Father is Greater?
Today we have a difficult little verse with 14:28b: "I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I."  If you've ever thought or read or sung about the Trinity, this probably seems off to you.  Whatever happened to:

"There is one God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, infinite in being and perfection. He exists eternally in three Persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are of one substance and equal in power and glory"?

Is Jesus saying that He isn't equal with the Father in substance?  This was the idea of the heresy called Arianism. Arianism says the Jesus isn't "God", but "a god".  Jesus' "substance" is "like" God's, but it is not the same as God's.  This was condemned as heresy way back in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea.

So what about this verse?

    "Taken in isolation, this may appear to be the meaning of 14:28b; but if so, this verse jars the overwhelmingly divine portrait we have of Jesus in this Gospel. Making Jesus a lesser divinity or a lesser God would offend the solid Jewish monotheism of the Gospel...
    ...The Father’s greatness springs from his role as the origin and sender of Jesus, just as a ray of light might refer to the sun from which it came.
    The word picture Jesus often uses to describe his life is the agent sent on a mission (17:4–5) and completing the assignments of his Sender (4:34; 5:30; 6:38–39; 9:4; 10:32, 37; 17:4). Within this agent/sender relationship, the originator of the mission has greater authority. In 13:16, Jesus cites the proverbial saying: “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Later he repeats it for his disciples, who will be his agents in the world (15:20). As courier of God’s message, as the agent devoted to divine service, Jesus is acknowledging the relationship, the source, of what has brought that message to life (14:24b, 31a)." [1] (emphasis mine)

What is being spoken of in this verse is not "essence" (the substance of which something consists), but "function".  The persons of the Trinity are equal and one in essence, but different in function.  As Jesus is eternally "begotten" by God (that is, proceed from or generated by God), His function and authority are different.  His essence and being are not. 

If you didn't totally understand that last paragraph, it's because this is a difficult (but important!) topic.  The language used needs to be very precise - read the paragraph again slowly and if you have any questions on this topic, make sure you let me know in the comments!

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

A New Command
Love one another.  That is how the world will know that we know Jesus.  One could argue that the nation of Israel was set apart from the other nations by the Law.  Jesus says that this is a NEW era:  one in which the people of God will be known by their love.

So....are we?  Are we as Christians known by our love for one another?  If someone were asked to describe LIALC in a single word, would that word be love?  If someone were asked to describe YOU, would "love" be anywhere near the top of the list?

We are not known by our policies, money, nice buildings, wisdom, education, outreach programs, or anything else.  Jesus says that we will be known as His disciples because we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  1 John 4:20 tells it like it is:  "If you say you love God but hate your brother, you're a liar." I know personally that I (and I think we as a whole) have our priorities are out of whack.  When Jesus changes us He transforms us into people that are radically forgiving and loving, not people who are skilled, talented, intelligent, or who "know our rights".  The Bible is clear:  when we chose Jesus, we gave up our rights.  We gave up our own lives to receive something better.  Yet we try to be awesome and smart and somehow end up leaving out "loving". 

I don't really know what else to say.  We should be known by our love and we aren't.  We can only appeal to grace of God to save us, for we are truly miserable sinners.  I think that God's power and grace are the only things that stand a chance at all of softening our hearts, which have been so hard for so long.