Listening to the Word

2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalms 112; John 18   “Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’…Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’” John 18:11, 36 During the arrest of Jesus, Peter’s violent act of defense against Malchus, the high priest’s servant, sparked an immediate response from Jesus. Peter’s sword was interfering with the cup of deliverance and redemption Jesus was about to drink as he fulfilled the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. Jesus had just offered that Passover cup to Peter at the last supper they had together as disciples, but now Jesus would fulfill that Feast’s purpose for all time. Peter didn’t understand why Jesus would allow himself to be arrested because he didn’t understand yet that Christ’s kingdom was not of this world. Many disciples still don’t understand this reality and like Peter, def...

Jeremiah 18-20; Psalms 93; John 17   “…’Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son that your Son may glorify you…I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’” John 17:1, 22, 23 Do we know the time in which we are living in God’s salvation history? Jesus knew that the time had come for him to give his life for the sin of the world. His obedience to the will of the Father released the glory of God (i.e. God’s presence), into the lives of his disciples. It is God’s presence which brings us into unity with one another, not in negotiating our confessional and doctrinal statements down to the least common denominator. Jesus and the Father, indwelling his disciples through the Holy Spirit, fill us with the Father’s love, so that unity becomes our reality. This is the time for the Church to open wide to G...

Jeremiah 16-17; Psalms 96; John 16   “’I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.’” John 16:20, 21 There are different kinds of pain in our lives as disciples of Christ. Often pain is caused by sin in this world and in our lives. We reap what we sow and it hurts However, there is another pain: the pain of birthing a work of God in and through our lives. This pain, like a woman in labour, leads to a new beginning. We might not understand why God is releasing us from a ministry, an assignment, or a location, but the pain of letting go, surrendering, and dying leads to new life. When the new life that God is birthing is being formed, we must cover it in prayer and wait on the Lord’s timing. We cannot rush a birth no matter how painful. ...

Jeremiah 13-15; John 15 “’You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.’” John 15:16 Many respond to a presentation of the gospel which focuses on how they can get to heaven. With this perspective, salvation becomes a solution to their sin-problem. However, Jesus’ last words to his disciples reminded them it was he who called them, not to solve their sin-problem, but to bring glory to his Father. We were called by Jesus into a loving relationship of listening to and obeying him so that we, too, would bear much spiritual fruit. It’s not about our eternal security; it’s about knowing Jesus and evidencing the reality of his presence in our lives through much fruit - fruit like the Spirit produces in the lives of those who are filled with love, joy, peace, patience, etc. - fruit like that attracts spiritually hungry people who also desire life. If this doesn’t describe our exp...

Jeremiah 10-12; John 14 “’All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’” John 14:25-27alone, we are known and loved by our Father God. “Father God, The peace that Jesus promised his disciples is not the peace the world gives. The world’s peace is at best the absence or minimizing of conflict. The peace of Christ is the presence of the Holy Spirit who reminds us of the promises and principles of Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22). Fear and a troubled heart can steal our peace by attempting to separate us from our awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence. If we call on the Lord, rebuke fear, and invite Jesus to fill us with his peace, we will find the wonderful pr...

Jeremiah 7-9; John 13   “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’” John 13:6-8 What didn’t Peter understand about why Jesus was washing his and the other disciples’ feet? Luke’s gospel records that at the Passover supper the disciples were arguing among themselves “as to which of them was considered to be greatest (Luke 22:24).” The disciples understood and debated positional authority, but they did not yet understand spiritual authority. After receiving a seminary degree or many years of faithful church attendance, would we understand spiritual authority in the way of Jesus? Jesus had all authority yet he washed his disciples’ feet. Soon after this, he died for them and all who would choose his offer of salvation. Spiritual authority is given to those who humble themselves, deny themselves, take up their cr...