Accounts from John, chapters 18 and 19, strike me as deeply personal experiences for each character. The use of personal pronouns and rhythmic repetition show how the actions affect each character as witnessed in their responses. It’s those responses that provide an opportunity for us to meditate on our approach to identifying ourselves as Christ-followers.
Read MoreUpon finishing his final instructions to his disciples, Jesus prayed his longest personal prayer recorded in Scripture. Given that this was his final prayer before his arrest, I can only begin to imagine the feelings Jesus was experiencing in these last moments.
There are different elements and themes intertwined throughout his final prayer, many of which are themes that characterize the entire Gospel of John. However, a few of these elements are especially striking. As followers, we can meditate on and model the desires that Jesus conveys to the Father.
Read MoreThis is a long passage, but I believe the heart of it may be found in chapter 15 – the passage on the Vine and the Branches. I find verse 4 to be of particular power: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
When we stop to think about it, we can see the logic of what Jesus says in these few words. Christianity is not just a system of thought, though it is that. Christianity is unique in that the effectiveness of its followers is utterly dependent on their connection to Jesus. The vine and the branch metaphor is exactly about this relationship. A person can believe in Jesus, can have accepted his sacrificial death and promise of heaven, but unless there is an abiding connection between Jesus and the believer, very little will change in their life and very little fruit will result.
Read MoreIn John 13, we read of a social interaction that was totally inappropriate according to first-century culture. Kenneth Gangel writes, “Never in Jewish, Greek, or Roman society would a superior wash the feet of inferiors.” I like to imagine the reaction of the disciples. We read that Peter was reluctant to allow Jesus an opportunity to wash his feet. This is understandable. Maybe his feet were especially dirty that day. Maybe he was a bit ashamed that he didn’t think to grab the bucket and the towel first. Maybe he was totally shocked that the King of kings would kneel to wash the feet of a fisherman. Eventually, Peter submitted to Jesus’ teaching and surrendered his dirty feet into the purest of hands. Jesus washed Peter’s feet.
Read MoreA Reflection and Invitation to Contemplative Prayer & Meditation
In the Gospel of John, Chapters 11 and 12 are filled with beautiful, confounding, and thought-provoking words of Jesus. As you are reading through these chapters today, focus on the words in red. Jesus is always teaching through what He is doing AND speaking to His disciples and the crowds following Him.
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