Disruptive Reality

Have you ever had one of those moments when something you had previously only heard about suddenly became reality? The experience could be good or bad. I remember when the first Gulf War started. I remember explicitly where I was when I heard the news. I remember discussing the draft with a coworker (I was 8 months shy of 26, so still draft-eligible.) Suddenly war was real to me. I was born in 1965. I had heard of Vietnam, but it was winding down by the time I was cognizant of it. The reality of war and my potential involvement had never really ht me until that Jan. night in 1991. But when I heard the announcement on the 5:00 news, war was a sudden reality. Now, picture the disciples in a similar scenario. Everything Jesus had been saying about his death was just a story -- until it began unfolding in the garden of Gethsemane.

Last week we started looking at the prayer Jesus prayed just before he and the disciples crossed Kidron and entered the garden of Gethsemane. Prior to the prayer, he had spent time teaching them some final lessons in preparation for his impending departure. In light of that, I believe this prayer was meant to be more than just a conversation with God. It was also meant to encourage the disciples. Today we will finish studying the prayer, paying special attention to the words Jesus chooses. As we learned last week, his words were not chosen randomly. He said what he said, the way he said it, for a reason. Let's get to it and find out.

Prayer is an interesting thing. There are different ways to pray, too. You have those emergency prayers: you're in a bind and you don't have time to think. You just need help. You have those casual prayers: praying for a meal or saying a quick word in the car before beginning a road trip. Then there are those heart-felt prayers where you just pour out your soul. It's all good. Jesus prayed one of those heart-felt prayers to conclude his final teaching session with the apostles & disciples. This lesson, which began way back in chpt. 13 at the washing of the feet, concludes in chpt. 17 with a prayer for Jesus' followers. Even in the prayer there are lessons to be learned. So let's take a look.

It has been said that 'time heals all wounds'. This old adage describes the reality that the emotional pain of loss fades over time. But is there something better? What if, instead of time healing wounds, the sorrow we experience were replaced by real joy? Is it possible? Yes, according to Scripture. Jesus speaks of turning sorrow into joy in the second half of John 16. He also tells us how it's done. I appreciate this so much. There is a certain sobriety built in to Christianity. By definition, faith requires submission -- which is something the human heart resists. Still, God wants his people to be joyful. We can be, despite our circumstances, if we take heed to what Jesus tells his disciples in today's text.

I read a post last week, written by someone who appears to be a fellow Christian. He wrote about his opinion that the US is beyond redemption; we have gone too far across the line and there is no turning back at this point. He also wrote about his preparations for when things completely collapse. What intrigued me was his assertion that he was not afraid; he was not worried. Rather his preparations were the equivalent of bracing for impact. I'm going to take this guy at his word. I am also going to borrow from him, because his main point is actually a good explanation of what Jesus is saying t his disciples in today's text. Things are going to go south for them. Life is about to change bug time. He doesn't want them to panic or be afraid. But he does want them to brace for impact. And as they do, Jesus also wants them to look for the Holy Spirit and follow his leading.

It's not uncommon to hear people ask, "why is there so much hate in the world?" Unfortunately, human nature is to overthink things. We make things more complicated than they need to be. The answer to the question is quite simple. Hatred is the result of a lack of love. Hatred is also the natural state of the human heart. Without seeking God the Father through Jesus the Son, no person is capable of genuine, agape love. Remember that humanity views hatred as an emotion. Scripture defines it as an action. That action is the default setting for humanity. Now, some hate more than others, just like some love more than others. But where hate exists, love does not. There's the answer. There is so much hate in the world because the world rejects God's love made available through the person and actions of Jesus.

Back in the '90s I played in a band known as the Joyful Life Gospel Band. We played churches, Christian coffee houses, jails, state prisons, festivals, etc. Anywhere anyone would listen, we played. And we played a lot. Then the band leader was offered a pastorate in MD. He took it. It was several months before he left; we continued to play. But then he was gone. It seemed sudden even though we had been preparing for it. The rest of us wondered, "What now? Should we keep playing? What should we do?" Jesus' disciples would eventually face a similar situation. He would be leaving them to go to the Father. Then what? He wants them to keep pushing on. He doesn't want them to retire. We'll see in chpt. 21 that they almost do retire. Thankfully, Jesus gets hold of them again and points them in the right direction before ascending to heaven. Today's text is all about discipleship. Jesus wants his disciples to continue being disciples even after he's gone. He wants the same thing for us. He wants us to be disciples, not just believers. The good news? He tells us just how to do it.

We've all seen movies or TV shows with scenes depicting two people who love each other having to part ways. Maybe its a WWII soldier at a train station, saying goodbye to his sweetheart. He gives her something, perhaps a picture of himself in a locket. She can hold on to it until he returns. It brings her comfort when she's feeling dad; it gives her hope when she feels like he's never coming home. If you can picture that, apply something similar to Jesus & Co. Jesus' disciples are slowly coming to the realization that he's about to leave them. It won't be long before he actually does. He is preparing them with this final teaching at the Last Supper. In the portion that we'll look at today, Jesus says he will leave them with two things: the Comforter and his commandments. These will sustain them (and us) until his return. Or at least they should.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus' resurrection was made part of the salvation plan? We understand the why behind the crucifixion and the shedding of blood. Both were necessary as payment sin. But why did God chose to resurrect Jesus' physical body? Surely Jesus could have returned to heaven in same the form he occupied before indwelling flesh. So why resurrect the body? We can't provide a definitive answer. But we can make a case for the resurrection. There are four points to this case; each of them demonstrates something that we can hold on to when doubts and fears creep in. As we study, remember that the Christian faith is unique in many ways. It's especially unique in the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus.

Over many years of pastoring, I have counseled a lot of people struggling with how to line up their faith with whatever issues they were dealing with. And so often, those discussions go back to one of the most basic principles of faith: believe. Before one can exercise faith, one must first believe what God has said in his Word. (Cati's Ex.) At some point, we just have to believe God. What we do as Christians -- how we behave, the goals we set, how we address problems -- goes back to what we believe. The fascinating thing is that so many of our internal struggles continue to dog us because of our unbelief. We have talked about this numerous times in John. Today's lesson takes us back to that same lesson: JUST BELIEVE. John says it over and over again. Do you think it's important?

In Star Wars Episode 1, the dimwitted and clumsy Jar Jar Binks is saved from certain death by Mater Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn. The tradition of his culture dictates that he now owes Qui-Gon a life debt. Jar Jar pledges loyalty to him forever. It's a theme found in plenty of stories we have heard since childhood. "You saved my life. I will be your servant in return." We all know the drill. In today's text, we'll look at a real-life example of something similar. It involves Jesus, Judas, John, and Peter. One will betray Jesus while the other two demonstrate their loyalty. The question before us as we study is this: when push comes to shove and the pressure is on, will we choose betrayal or loyalty? God values and honors loyalty. As for betrayal, not so much.

If you're on social media, perhaps you've run across a celebrity account with a name that starts with 'real'. For instance, I have seen both @RealScottBaio and @RealJamesWoods. When celebrities use 'real' in their social media monikers, they do so to distinguish their online accounts from impostors who might also be using their names. Well, I got to thinking about that in light of today's text in chapter 13. There are a lot of impostors in Christianity. There are a lot of people who look to Christianity as a way to get something from God. The practice of their faith isn't one of service to the LORD, it's one of heaping blessings on themselves, making themselves feel better, or even taking the moral high ground. But folks, Christianity has service at its core – service to God the Father, by way of the Son and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, we are going to get a glimpse of what real service looks like.

Submission is one of those words that people don't like. It's not so much the word itself as it is what the word implies. It's curious to me that even Christians are made uncomfortable by the word and its implications. And yet, the one we are supposed to emulate (Jesus) was submissive to the Father. In those last few days prior to the resurrection, Jesus takes every opportunity to reach out and give the stubborn and unbelieving the chance to repent. Most of them simply cannot believe, which we will discuss in light of today's text, but they can still submit. At the precipice of the crucifixion, that's the last message of hope Jesus can offer: if you can't believe, at least submit.

Next January we will have another inauguration ceremony in Washington. Imagine if the next president came tooling down Pennsylvania Ave. riding in the back of a farmer's pickup truck with all of blue-collar America lining the street while cheering him on and declaring him king. It would be an odd scene, would it not? Most of us would probably think it unbefitting of a U.S. president. Now picture Jesus descending into Jerusalem on a donkey, while being worshiped as King and Messiah by the commoners – all while the Pharisees, scribes, priests, etc. look on. It was an odd scene to be sure. BUT it would get even more odd. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem would be seen by the people as his finest hour. Some of those same people would be screaming "crucify him!" just four days later. Meanwhile, Jesus' true finest hour is a toss-up between the crucifixion and resurrection. We see things one way; the Father sees them another.

We have an idiom in English about peeling away the onion. If you peel away the many layers that make up an onion, you eventually arrive at the solid core. We use this idiom to describe the process of getting to the truth of something. The truth is the core while the lies and deceptions are the layers to be peeled away. Jesus has been gradually peeling the onion in an attempt to teach people the truth about who he is and why he has come. But just like peeling a real onion, the more layers he peels away, the more annoying he becomes to those who refuse to believe him. Their increasing annoyance eventually leads to the decision to arrest and execute Jesus. Nonetheless, their actions do not change the truth. In fact, their actions prove the truth.

By the time we reach chapter 11, Jesus is likely within the final few months of his life on earth. He wants to reach as many people as possible because the time is short. As a result, he is upping his game as it were. In today's text we will see Jesus perform the ultimate miracle: raising Lazarus from the dead. This is 'big one' inasmuch as it shows that Jesus has power over both life and death. After this, there will no longer be any question that Jesus is who he claims to be. Those who refuse to believe – even today – need no further proof. To continue refusing Jesus is to be rebellious and belligerent.

People are odd. God has done plenty to prove himself, though he has no obligation to do so. The same was true of Jesus during the brief time he walked among us. Yet despite overwhelming proof, people still refused to believe. They still refuse today. Thankfully, there is always that small group who hear and see God and believe. Chapter 10 will show us that truth by way of doors, shepherds, and miracles. So let's dig in.

Today's lesson is the last in this 3-part lesson on being made free by the truth. Last week we discussed the difference between being 'set' free and being 'made' free. Jesus not only told us we can be made free, he also told us that it is an ongoing process we involve ourselves in when we continue in his word. I challenged you to be a disciple rather than a believer. Remember that Jesus said if we continue in his word, we shall be his disciples. That's the formula. You want to be a disciple? Continue studying the Word. Whatever you learn, apply. The last section of this chapter illustrates the consequences of NOT believing Jesus; of not continuing in the Word. Being made free involves both the salvation experience and being a disciple. What are we made free from? At salvation, we are made free from the guilt of sin. In discipleship, we are made free from the bondage of the world around us. We'll see a group of people in this last section who have not been made free from either.

What is truth? I looked up the definition in several dictionaries only to discover that none of them are quite accurate. Most are pretty close, but none are quite right. 'Truth' is a hard word to define, yet we inherently know what truth is. Like right vs. wrong (in a moral sense) human beings are programmed by God with an inherent understanding of truth vs. untruth. So the question then becomes, why does humanity fight to hard against the truth? John chpt. 8 is all about truth. The truth is the core of everything Jesus says to that crowd gathered in the temple. It divides the people. It continues to divide us in 2024. Last week, we looked at the truth of why the scribes and Pharisees brought the woman to Jesus for judgment. Jesus revealed their self-righteousness. In this next section, Jesus will drive home the point that it's about him, not our own righteousness.

When we left off in chpt. 7, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles. He went to the temple several times during that feast to teach anyone who would come to listen. He spoke the truth to them; the truth about himself, the law of Moses, judgment, and other topics. If you remember, his words of truth caused division. Some believed, others weren't sure, and still others refused to believe outright. Nothing has changed. The truth continues to divide people. As we study chpt. 8 over the next few weeks, we are going to see this theme of truth continue. Jesus will keep speaking the truth. He will even challenge his listeners to embrace the truth and be made free by it. Yet Jesus does not force. Everyone gets to decide for himself what he will do with the truth. As for me, I embrace it. I want to be made free by it. Without the truth, we really have nothing else of value.

We like to think of the Christmas season as a time of peace among men. We hear messages to that effect every year at this time. Interestingly, since I was a kid, I have enjoyed going out for a walk in the neighborhood on Christmas eve. Everything is so peaceful and quiet. Perhaps there is some Divine influence present, but I suspect the main reason it's so quiet is that people are home with their families. Regardless, to whatever extent there is peace and tranquility during the Christmas season, that is not the point of it all. The world sees the Christmas message of peace and good will as being peace and good will among men, created by men who decide to stop fighting. That's not at all what God had in mind when he sent Jesus to this earth. His idea of peace and good will is vastly different. We need to understand that idea.

Peace and unity are noble ideals, but are they possible to achieve in this world? Get two people in a room and they are bound to disagree on something – no two people agree 100% of the time. The fascinating thing is to consider the types of things that divide people. Some of those things are minor; some are major. Perhaps the most profound is truth. Last week we discussed how Jesus divides rather than unifies (Matt. 10:34-37). The division he creates is rooted in the truth. God's truth in particular. Jesus said in Jn. 8 that the truth makes people free. He said in Jn. 17 that God's Word is truth. And since Jesus is the physical embodiment of God's Word, he is also the physical embodiment of truth. He is the great divider by virtue of the fact that the world loves darkness and sin. Those made free from that sin are divided from those still in bondage to it.

During every election season we have the polls to look at. Within the polling data are the undecideds. These are people who haven't decided who they are going to vote for at the time the poll is taken. Likewise, poll any assembled group about Jesus and you'll get a variety of responses. Some of the people will undecided. In today's text, we will see Jesus address that group of people in Jerusalem. At some point they are going to have to make a decision about Jesus. And by the way, no decision is ultimately a decision to reject. But we'll see today that Jesus gives the people at Jerusalem yet another chance to chooses to believe. What will they do with it?

Jesus declared himself to be the Son of God. That he was. He also declared that he was the "way, the truth, and the life." He made many declarations about himself and his mission, declarations that made people mad. But none of the things he said were quite as offensive as him telling the people to eat his flesh and drink his blood. We'll see today that his words to this effect caused many of his disciples to turn away and stop following him. Christianity is not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of people who have come to Christ, legitimately so, and never progressed beyond saving faith because discipleship is so hard. But nothing worth obtaining comes easy, does it? I think discipleship is worth working for. It's worth the time, effort, etc. As far as eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood, it's part of the package. Now we just need to know what he means by it.

There has long been a debate within Christianity about how important our works (or actions) are compared to simply believing. In other words, how much do we contribute to the salvation process vs. what Jesus puts into it? After salvation, how much of our work and effort goes into being disciples? As I understand Scripture, the debate over belief and works suggests we are looking at it the wrong way. It's not a matter of what we put into faith but, rather, what faith produces in us. That's why the book of James challenges us in the area of faith and works. Over the course of the next two weeks, we are going to look at this question of works vs. belief through the lens of Jesus declaring himself to be the bread of life. We will see Jesus telling the people to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Was he speaking literally? No. So what was he talking about? That's what we will learn in these next two lessons. And what we learn should lead to a clear understanding of the works vs. belief conundrum.