1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 7:1-13
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”
Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
3) Devotional:
Everyone was talking about Jesus… but nobody was willing to say anything about him. Now THAT is some cultural or social pressure!
Later, in John 9, we’ll see that the “Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.” That was everything to a Jew of that day… it wasn’t like they could go to another synagogue on the other side of town … they would be removed from the religious, social, cultural, political and economic hub of their community … just for publicly acknowledging Jesus.
Would you say something publicly about Jesus if it would cost you all of your social standing and position in life?
4) Questions to Consider: If you aren’t in the habit of talking about your faith with others… why not?
5) Prayer: Lord God, help me to have confidence in what I believe… and forgive me for the times that I have not applied myself enough to prepare to give a reason for the hope that I have in Jesus. Change me so that I might do so with gentleness and respect for everyone. Amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
John 6:60-70
1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 6:60-70
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
3) Devotional: Jesus has just finished a controversial teaching which is costing him followers. In fact, some scholars believe that in the time period before John 6, Jesus had thousands of followers, whereas after John 6, this number dwindled to a few hundred. The contents of John 6 and Jesus’ teaching are subject to a variety of interpretations, but regardless, the root is this: the cost of following Jesus just went up. It must have been exciting to be part of the crowd: to witness miracles, to hear a dynamic teacher, one whom some thought had come to save the Jewish people from Roman rule. In fact, thousands of people had just gotten a free lunch when Jesus fed the multitude in the earlier part of John 6. Following Jesus is easy, even fashionable, when there are free meals, excitement, and benefits to be had. But when Jesus raises the stakes, the feelings tend to change.
And this is where we find ourselves in the story: Many people in the world are comfortable with the Jesus who brings blessings and benefits: the piggybank Jesus, the Santa Claus Jesus, the self-help Jesus, the therapist Jesus, the benign teacher who comes to make us feel good about ourselves and give us stuff. When we are confronted with the Jesus who asks us to leave everything and follow him, to take up our cross, to come and die, that’s when the followers begin to dwindle. But it is only in doing these things- in laying down the trophies and struggles of this world that we discover true existence, unstoppable hope, real freedom, and life worth living.
4) Questions to Consider: Which Jesus are you following today? Is your Jesus the Real Jesus?
5) Prayer: Jesus, help me hold true and steadfast to you and your promises in faith, even when the road becomes dark and difficult, so that I may, in laying down my all, find life that is true, and hope that can never be taken away. Amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 6:60-70
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
3) Devotional: Jesus has just finished a controversial teaching which is costing him followers. In fact, some scholars believe that in the time period before John 6, Jesus had thousands of followers, whereas after John 6, this number dwindled to a few hundred. The contents of John 6 and Jesus’ teaching are subject to a variety of interpretations, but regardless, the root is this: the cost of following Jesus just went up. It must have been exciting to be part of the crowd: to witness miracles, to hear a dynamic teacher, one whom some thought had come to save the Jewish people from Roman rule. In fact, thousands of people had just gotten a free lunch when Jesus fed the multitude in the earlier part of John 6. Following Jesus is easy, even fashionable, when there are free meals, excitement, and benefits to be had. But when Jesus raises the stakes, the feelings tend to change.
And this is where we find ourselves in the story: Many people in the world are comfortable with the Jesus who brings blessings and benefits: the piggybank Jesus, the Santa Claus Jesus, the self-help Jesus, the therapist Jesus, the benign teacher who comes to make us feel good about ourselves and give us stuff. When we are confronted with the Jesus who asks us to leave everything and follow him, to take up our cross, to come and die, that’s when the followers begin to dwindle. But it is only in doing these things- in laying down the trophies and struggles of this world that we discover true existence, unstoppable hope, real freedom, and life worth living.
4) Questions to Consider: Which Jesus are you following today? Is your Jesus the Real Jesus?
5) Prayer: Jesus, help me hold true and steadfast to you and your promises in faith, even when the road becomes dark and difficult, so that I may, in laying down my all, find life that is true, and hope that can never be taken away. Amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
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