[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
JOHN 15:1
"I AM the true Vine, and My
Father is the Vinedresser."
This is the 7th and the last time
Jesus used “I AM" statement in the book of Gospel John.
Every true Christian is a branch in
Jesus, the true Vine. As long as the Vine survives, the branches will survive.
And the Vine will survive because there is a Vinedresser, who is God the
Father.
And if (and since) the Vinedresser
is faithful to water and take care of the vineyard, and since the Vine is true
and vibrant, the branches will surely bear much fruit. What an assurance!
Praise be to God! 🙏
JOHN 16:2
"They will put you out of the
synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he
offers God service."
While we are saddened by the
popularity of false teachers, we do not want to kill them. Jesus nor His
disciples sought to kill the traitor, Judas Iscariot. When we want to harm
anybody in the name of religion or purity, let's be aware we could be fanatics,
and not really the disciples of Christ.
Even in disagreement, to not hate
one another, and to not slander someone's reputation other than the known
issue! I'm sure our relationship will be much better when we are conscious of
that even if we fail to successfully practice all the time!
JOHN 17:12
"While I was with them in the
world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none
of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be
fulfilled."
Once we are saved, nothing can make
us unsaved anymore. No sin of ours will make God re-condemn us. Neither can we
jump out from His hands.
But are we sure we are saved? Or
are we like that son of perdition, who was exactly like any other disciples?
Nobody doubted him. Even Jesus blessed and walked with him as He did with the
rest.
And how do we, 21st-century people
know we are truly saved? That's why Jesus prayed in v17, "Sanctify them
by Your truth. Your word is truth." Sanctify means "to be set
apart," or in other words, separated from a sinful lifestyle (worldly
living). How do we do that? By learning and obeying His word.
Lord, help us to pursue
sanctification with fear and trembling!
JOHN 18:22-23
“And when He had said these things,
one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand,
saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” Jesus answered him, “If I
have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?””
In Matthew 5:39, Jesus himself had
spoken, "But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to
him also." Why was not He following His own preaching in John
18:22-24? 😉
One thing, I will say, please, let
us not allow the world to interpret the Scriptures for us. Please let us not
allow the world to dictate what looks christianly and what does not.
For example, this week, the Roman Catholic
Church refused to bless the Same-Sex Union. CNN's guy Don Lemon says, "God
is not about hindering people or judging people." He meant to imply
Christians (including Catholics) are misrepresenting Christ!
Another example. Some churches in
America continue to conduct church services in Covid19 panic situation. People
quoted "Love your neighbor" a biblical commandment to shut them down.
Well, Jesus didn't give His other
cheek! 😎
JOHN 19
Three interesting influential
people and their attitude towards the lowly King of the Universe.
1. Pilate, a powerful governor knew
Jesus was no ordinary man, but He chose politics over Jesus and identified with
the mob. He wanted the praise of people.
2. Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man
knew Jesus but was timid to follow Christ openly. Maybe, he wanted his business
to run well. He feared man. But like in a movie, in the last scene, He chose to
identify with Jesus and use his wealth for the cause of Christ's burial.
3. Nicodemus, a learned scholar
knew Jesus to be of God, but he didn't want to risk His reputation. He loved
the respect of his fellow scholars and people. However, in the last scene, He
chose to risk His reputation and buried Christ.
These temptations are still real
for each of us, aren't they? May we choose Christ over everything!
[07:41, 3/19/2021] S.R: According
to Luke 23:50-52, Joseph opposed the decision of condemning Christ in the
parliament (Sanhedrin). Mark 15:43 says that he mustered up his courage to ask
for the body of Christ.
Sure, it may be easier for a camel
to go through the needle of an eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of
God, but a lot easier for a rich man (at least Nicodemus) than for politicians
and scholars! 😂
Btw, all the 4 Gospel accounts mentioned Joseph, each describing him uniquely!👍
JOHN 20:29
“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you
have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed.’”
What a way to bring his writing to
a conclusion. John had the privilege to see all the works of Jesus and believed
in Him.
His audience and us, 21st century
Christian, haven't seen Christ. John proclaimed blessedness for us who believe
in Him even if we haven't seen Him.
Indeed, we live by faith not by
sight! I am a blessed man, and so are you! Just because we believe! Praise be
to God!
JOHN 21:18
“Most assuredly, I say to you, when
you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you
are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry
you where you do not wish.”
When we suffer or are in trouble,
it's tempting to think if God has forsaken us because of our particular sin or
disobedience. Actually, the Bible teaches us differently. It is because God
owns us that He chastises us. The word of God goes on to say that suffering is proof
of our Salvation (1Pet1, Phil2). Suffering is an Assurance of our Salvation.
Peter denied Christ 3 times. Jesus
assured Peter in their last encounter that Peter would never be a timid guy who
denies Christ anymore, rather he would be firm in his confessions to the point
of suffering to death for Christ! What assurance for Peter!
Lord, help me to see Your goodness
in troubled times. Help me to count all trials joy, because it is You who works
in me to confirm the genuineness of my faith in You!