Devotional Thursday 1/12/16 – John 18:10 Peter has a sword

A man trying to protect God! Will we choose to trust God? Let’s only take action by faith and trust rather than out of fear, anger or pride.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:10 ‘Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)’

Matthew 16:21-23 ‘From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”’

Peter does not trust in Jesus’ control of the situation.

In the heat of the moment he forgets all that Jesus has said currently (the cup is reference to the cross) and previously about His death and so chooses to try and control things himself.

Peter had failed to listen and learn from Jesus; he had been rebuked by Jesus on a previous occasion when Peter had tried to keep Jesus from going to the cross, saying,

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”’

Even seemingly good intentions can actually be demonic in origin when they distort the gospel and the truth of scripture. Many ‘good’ people seek to protect the image of Jesus by saying that everyone goes to heaven regardless of their faith; all sexual preferences are fine – why would a loving God mind! You don’t need to seek to be holy, give generously, honour marriage, discipline our children… Whatever we do, we must not undermine the gospel and the clear teaching of scripture in order to protect Jesus!

A man trying to protect God! Will we choose to trust God? Let’s only take action by faith and trust rather than out of fear, anger or pride.

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Devotional Wednesday 30/11/16 – John 18:7-9 “I have not lost any”

If you are a Christian, you will never be lost! Just as He protected the twelve on this dark night, so He is aware of you, and is protecting you each and every day.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:7-9 ‘Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”  This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”’

John 17:12 “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”

John 6:39 “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”

Here we see the glorious confidence of Christ that He will not lose any of the disciples. In 17:12, we saw how, although Judas was lost, this was known by God in advance, and was a vital part of God’s plan of salvation (without Judas, there would be no cross!)

If you are a Christian, you will never be lost! Just as He protected the twelve on this dark night, so He is aware of you, and is protecting you each and every day.

Take a moment to remember and express again your trust that God has you in His hand. He will protect you every day. He will take you to heaven.

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Devotional Tuesday 29/11/16 – John 18:4-6 “I am He”

Jesus is constantly teaching us to trust, often through the ‘storms’ and conflicts of life.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:4-6 ‘Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.’

John 8:58-59 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.’

John wants to communicate Jesus’ complete control over this situation.

Firstly, He goes to meet His betrayers, which has been ordained by God;

Secondly, He uses this term “I am” (NIV translates the Greek “I am He”). This is a reference to His deity, as Jesus identifies himself as the God who met with Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3)

Their falling to the ground expresses something of Jesus’ divine authority over the situation as He chooses to go to death for us.

The disciples’ needed to learn to trust in the power and care of Jesus; we see them learning this through incidents such as when the disciples are in fear of their lives, but Jesus calms the storm,

Matthew 8”26-27 ‘He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”’

Throughout this and the other gospels, Jesus reveals and teaches us His absolute authority over all things. Jesus is constantly teaching us to trust, often through the ‘storms’ and conflicts of life. Let’s all of us take these things to heart.

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Devotional Monday 28/11/16 – John 18:1-3 “Judas knew the place”

John wants to communicate Jesus’ complete control over His betrayal and death. 

As Jesus is betrayed we see both His majesty and humility.

He has predicted His own death and goes to meet His betrayers, which has been ordained by God. He calls Himself “I AM” (the name of God, NIV translates the Greek “I am He”). Jesus is the creator God. In His presence these armed guards fall to the ground; Jesus is in control of this situation. Jesus’ humility allows the guards to arrest Him, but they are at His mercy!

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:1-3 ‘When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.’

Judas was one of Jesus’ first disciples and a close friend. Judas knew where to lead those who arrested Jesus because he ‘knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples’. Judas had spent many hours with Jesus a lot of this in prayer with Him! Let this be cautionary to us; let’s keep a close watch on our hearts toward God. Let this episode teach us to not be shaken even when our friends and leaders fall into sin, even betraying God and maybe even betraying us.

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Devotional Saturday 26/11/16 – John 17:25-26 “That the love you have for me may be in them”

How is your love for Jesus? The Spirit wants it to grow!

To meditate/pray upon

John 17:25-26 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

John 16:12-13 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

Matthew 17:5 “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Jesus expresses His unity with the Spirit’s ministry in continuing to teach us. Jesus, by the Spirit, continues to make God known to us, refreshing, reinforcing, and deepening our conviction and love.

Jesus expresses His purpose in teaching us – that we love Him like the Father loves Him. It’s true that the Spirit teaches us about how God loves us, and this is very important. But, too often unlighted I think, is the Spirit’s ministry as He teaches us to love God. He is wanting to shine a light on Christ, His person and work, bringing revelation to us, and causing our hearts to swell with admiration for Him.

Whatever else maybe God’s will for you, His priority is that your love for Christ be ever stronger.

How are you doing in this?

Is your prayer that you would love God more or that He would reveal His love for you more? Let’s remember to pray for both!

You can catch up on all the messages in the John series at:

http://www.communitychurchputney.com/community-church-putney--audio---resources.html

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