John – God Speaks!After 400 years, God breaks His silence to his people and sends a part of Himself to earth in the form of a baby. God named this part of Himself, Jesus. He was the Messiah God’s people had been waiting for centuries to come. Some recognized Jesus as the One. Many did not. But He came, just the same.
It is no coincidence that John the Baptizer declared Jesus as the Lamb of God. As soon as the words were spoken, two disciples turned their focus from John, who introduced them to God, to God’s Son. This became the beginning of the Twelve who would be called to be Jesus’ disciples.
“Disciple” means “one who learns”. Over the next three years Jesus would mentor, train, correct, and challenge as He taught these men as they walk along the road to seek and to save lost people. Jesus will teach these disciples that HE is the only Way, He is the only Truth to Real Eternal Life with God. The salvation work of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, will be multiplied in their lives as they become witnesses of The Truth.Yes, HE is the One and Only God’s people have been waiting for…and He is here!
John 1, New Living Translation
The First Disciples
35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).
42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
THINK ABOUT IT…
John summarized what John the Baptist had to say about Jesus Christ;
1. Jesus is eternal (v.15).
2. Jesus Christ has fullness of grace and truth (v 16).
But what is grace? Let’s remember…
Grace is God’s favor and kindness bestowed on those who do not deserve it and cannot earn it. If God dealt with us only according to truth, none of us would survive, but He deals with us on the basis of grace and truth. Jesus Christ, in His life, death, and resurrection, met all the demands of the law; now God is free to share fullness of grace with those who trust Christ. Grace without truth would be deceitful, and truth without grace would be condemning.
We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8–9), but we also live by grace (1 Cor. 15:10) and depend on God’s grace in all that we do.
John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God,” a title he would repeat the next day (John 1:35–36). In one sense, the message of the Bible can be summed up in this title. The question in the Old Testament is, “Where is the lamb?” (Gen. 22:7). In the four gospels, the emphasis is “Behold the Lamb of God!” Here He is! After you have trusted Him, you sing with the heavenly choir, “Worthy is the Lamb” (Rev. 5:12). WOW! Have you ever connected this in your minds?
ANDREW IS CONVINCED AND BRINGS HIS BROTHERS
“We have found the Messiah!” was the witness Andrew gave to Simon. Messiah is a Hebrew word that means “anointed,” and the Greek equivalent is “Christ.” To the Jews, it was the same as “Son of God”. It is worth noting that Andrew and John trusted Christ through the faithful preaching of John the Baptist. Peter and James came to Christ because of the compassionate personal work of their brothers. Later on, Jesus would win Philip personally, and then Philip would witness to Nathanael and bring him to Jesus. Each man’s experience is different, because God uses various means to bring sinners to the Savior. The important thing is that we trust Christ and then seek to bring others to Him.
At the close of that fourth day, Jesus had six believing men who were His disciples. They did not immediately “forsake all and follow him”; that was to come later. But they had trusted Him and experienced His power. In the three years that lay ahead, they would grow in their faith, learn more about Jesus, and one day take His place on the earth so that the Word might be carried to all mankind. Jesus of Nazareth is God come in the flesh. When Philip called Him “the son of Joseph,” he was not denying Jesus’ virgin birth or divine nature. That was merely His legal identification, for a Jewish person was identified according to who his father was (John 6:42).
The witness of this entire chapter is clear:
Jesus of Nazareth is God come in the flesh!
God is here! The wait is over!
Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
You are, were and always will be. You came to earth to save us and set us free. You came and that is enough for me. You are here now in this room with me as I learn more and more about you, abide with you, talk to you and listen to you speak to my heart. How can anyone deny your existence? Help us to be witnesses as bold as John the Baptist as we tell Your Story of saving grace.
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.
HOLY PAUSE…
In deliberate parallel to the opening words of Genesis, John presents God as speaking salvation into existence. This time God’s word takes on human form and enters history in the person of Jesus. Jesus speaks the word and it happens: forgiveness and judgement, healing and illumination, mercy and grace, joy and love, freedom and resurrection. EVERYTHING broken and fallen, sinful and diseased, called into salvation by God’s spoken word.
For, somewhere along the line things went wrong (Genesis tells that story, too) and are in desperate need of fixing. The fixing is all accomplished by speaking–God speaking salvation into being in the person of Jesus. Jesus, in this account not only speaks the word of God; He IS the Word of God.
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
As we begin our walk through John I pray we will see Jesus for Who He is–The Word made flesh who miraculously “moved into the neighborhood” of God’s created humans He was sent to seek out and to save. Jesus laid down His glory and entered earth as a defenseless baby under the care of God’s chosen, Mary and Joseph. 
Yes, Jesus, The Word, existed in the beginning with God. The Word gives Life to everything that was created. The Word is the Light that shines in the dark and this Light, Jesus, cannot be extinguished. 
When some life event plays out in front of us that we longed for but never really thought would occur happens, the first words we shout are, “I can’t believe it!” Those with us gather around us in disbelief, too. We are full of joy but wonder how in the world did it happen. Has this ever happened to you?
35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
Jesus, risen, comes to remind them of two very important truths while opening their minds to fully understand God’s Word:
In a nutshell, 
HOLY PAUSE
But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
The Walk to Emmaus
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
WOW…what a difference the third day made in the the lives of his followers, his beloved. Mourning and sorrow turned into joyful praise and marvelous wonder as Jesus appeared to those who loved Him. Darkness to Light. What a difference a day makes.
So how do the people in the crowd who have been duped by the powerful feel when they realize they traded perfect and best for evil and worst? 
44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
We must keep in mind that what our Lord accomplished on the cross was an eternal transaction that involved Him and the Father. He did not die as a martyr who had failed in a lost cause. Nor was He only an example for people to follow. Isaiah 53 makes it clear that Jesus did not die for His own sins, because He had none; He died for our sins. He made His soul an offering for sin (Isa. 53:4–6, 10–12). 
Our Lord cried with a loud voice, “It is finished!” (John 19:30), a declaration of victory. He had finished the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). The work of redemption was completed, the types and prophecies were fulfilled (Heb. 9:24ff.), and the Savior could now rest. He then addressed His Father in the final statement from the cross, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Ps. 31:5). This was actually a bedtime prayer used by Jewish children, and it tells us how our Lord died: confidently, willingly (John 10:17–18), and victoriously. Those who know Jesus as their Savior may die with the same confidence and assurance (2 Cor. 5:1–8; Phil. 1:20–23). 
When our Lord released His spirit, the veil of the temple was torn in two “from the top to the bottom” (Mark 15:38). This miracle announced to the priests and people that the way into God’s presence was open for all who would come to Him by faith through Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:1—10:25). No more do sinners need earthly temples, altars, sacrifices, or priests, for all had now been fulfilled in the finished work of the Son of God. 
Luke recorded three responses to the events of the last moments of Christ’s death. The centurion who was in charge of the execution testified, “Certainly this was a righteous [innocent] man, the Son of God” (Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47). He was greatly impressed by the darkness, the earthquake (Matt. 27:54), and certainly the way Jesus suffered and died. He must have been shocked when Jesus shouted and then instantly died, for victims of crucifixion often lingered for days and did not have the strength to speak. 
When Jesus died, Joseph immediately went to Pilate for permission to have the body, and Nicodemus stayed at Calvary to keep watch. They tenderly took Jesus from the cross, quickly carried Him to the garden, washed the body, and wrapped it with the spices. It was a temporary burial; they would return after the Sabbath to do the job properly. When they laid Jesus into the new tomb, they fulfilled Isaiah 53:9, and they kept the Romans from throwing His body on the garbage dump outside the city. Condemned criminals lost the right to proper burial, but God saw to it that His Son’s body was buried with dignity and love. 
The ultimate act of forgiveness is to forgive when no apology is given, accusations and insults still fly, and you are being nailed for what they think you have done as told by others who do not know the Truth. How do we forgive them?
Jesus forgives his enemies from the cross. Jesus forgave and forgives us now when we ask. Jesus is the only One who can forgive us completely and forever. Once forgiveness is given, it is finished. God’s Plan to save us completed. There is NO greater love than this…
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
I am overwhelmed at your act of forgiveness this morning. We get easily offended by others remarks caused by human frustrations in and out of your church. Help us to extend forgiveness quickly before they ask, extending the same kind of grace You gave to us. Help us to pray for our criticizers the way you prayed for yours when you were mocked and dice thrown for your clothes. Wow, yes I am overwhelmed by the depth of your love for us and price paid for our salvation. You are the model of forgiveness. You are forgiveness. Be our strength to always forgive first and keep moving along with you to achieve your purpose and plan in us. To YOU be all glory, honor and praise. You are God and we are not. Only through Jesus is forgiveness complete.
47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Peter Denies Jesus
66 At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council, 67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?”
THE GARDEN – Human history began in a garden (Gen. 2:7–25) and so did human sin (Gen. 3). For the redeemed, the whole story will climax in a “garden city” where there will be no sin (Rev. 21:1–22:7). But between the garden where man failed and the garden where God reigns is Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus accepted the cup from the Father’s hand. 
THE CUP – Jesus is the Son of God and knew full well that He would be raised from the dead, and yet His soul experienced agony as He anticipated what lay before Him. In the hours ahead, He would be humiliated and abused, and suffer shame and pain on the cross. But even more, He would be made sin for us and separated from His Father. He called this solemn experience “drinking the cup.” 
THE KISS – not all kisses are born out of a loving heart, for kisses can also be deceitful. In the case of Judas, his kiss was the basest kind of hypocrisy and treachery. It was customary in that day for disciples to greet their teachers with a loving and respectful kiss. Judas used the kiss as a sign to tell the arresting officers who Jesus was (Matt. 26:48–49). Jesus had taught in the temple day after day, and yet the temple guards could not recognize Him!
Why did Peter do this? For one thing, he had to back up the boastful words he had spoken in the Upper Room (Luke 22:33) and again on the way to the garden (Matt. 26:30–35). Peter had been sleeping when he should have been praying, talking when he should have been listening, and boasting when he should have been fearing. Now he was fighting when he should have been surrendering!
THE CROWING OF A ROOSTER – Our Lord endured six different “trials” before He was condemned to be crucified, three before the Jews and three before the Roman authorities. First, He was taken to Annas, the former high priest who was an influential man in the nation and retained his former title (John 18:12–13). Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas, his son-inlaw, who was the official high priest (Matt. 26:57). Finally, at daybreak, He was tried before the Sanhedrin and found guilty (Luke 22:66–71). 
This is a lot of information from Warren Wiersbe, obviously my favorite commentator and researcher of the times of Christ. But the significance causes us to ask ourselves,
Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
Was He tempted one more time by the evil one to stop God’s Plan? Is that why the Son of Man prayed continuously, without ceasing, alone with God, His Father throughout His ministry on earth and even now in the last moments of mission completion? But Jesus, Son of God, lays down His will for God’s will,
Praying daily that we would not yield to temptations, asking God to “deliver us from evil” strengthens our focus on God and His plan for our lives. When we are following Jesus with all that is in us, the evil one will fight back with all that is in his simple, limited arsenal. He will lie to us, cause us to second guess, introduce fear back into our lives causing us to wonder if the time of suffering, mocking and teasing is worth following God’s plan for us to join Him in his work to help others find and follow Him, restoring a pure, holy, intimate relationship with Him.
Jesus prayed for his disciples, for Peter specifically, that his “faith should not fail”. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He knew Peter well and knew what His response would be to a threat against his beloved Friend when arrested in the garden. This is why He asked Peter and the others to pray so they would not be tempted, but they fell asleep.
Jesus also knows that (Simon) Peter will be sorrowfully repentant as soon as the words, “I don’t know this man” comes from his lips a third time. So He tells Peter before it happens, “I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Dear Friends reading this today, I believe for every temptation avoided, through the power of prayer, our lives experience another extreme growth spurt in our maturing faith! So, we must continually pray that we will not give in to temptation. Hour by hour. One day at a time.
When a loved one dies in your family, you immediately look back to the last time you were together. You think about what they said and you reflect on every word. You remember their behaviors in all circumstances of this life. If it was a loving relationship, your heart aches. If you know they are with God because of their admitted salvation in Jesus, then you rejoice in the heartache. It is a strange mix of feelings but that’s how it is.
The Last Supper
17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
WHAT DO WE LEARN?
