The Gospel of John: a commentary & meditation"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"Scripture: John 1:1-18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and theWord was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things weremade through him, and without him was not anything made that weremade. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 Thelight shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came fortestimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believethrough him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness tothe light. 9 The true light that enlightens every man was cominginto the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was madethrough him, yet the world knew him not. 11 He came to his ownhome, and his own people received him not. 12 But to all whoreceived him, who believed in his name, he gave power to becomechildren of God; 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will ofthe flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word becameflesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheldhis glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. 15 (John borewitness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He whocomes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") 16 Andfrom his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.17 For thelaw was given through Moses; grace and truth came through JesusChrist. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in thebosom of the Father, he has made him known. Meditation: Why does John the Evangelist begin his gospel with adescription of the Word of God? The “word of God” was a commonexpression among the Jews. God’s word in the Old Testament is anactive, creative, and dynamic word.  “By the word of the Lord theheavens were made” (Psalm 33:6).  “He sends forth his commands tothe earth; his word runs swiftly” (Psalm 147:15).  “Is not my wordlike fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks the rockin pieces” (Jeremiah 23:29)? The writer of the Book of Wisdomaddresses God as the one who “made all things by your word” (Wisdom9:1). God’s word is also equated with his wisdom. “The Lord bywisdom founded the earth” (Proverbs 3:19).The Book of Wisdomdescribes “wisdom” as God’s eternal, creative, and illuminatingpower. Both “word” and “wisdom” are seen as one and the same.  “Forwhile gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swiftcourse was now half gone, thy all-powerful word leaped from heaven,

from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed,a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of thy authentic command”(Book of Wisdom 18:14-16). John describes Jesus as God’s creative, life-giving and light-giving word that has come to earth in human form. Jesus is thewisdom and power of God which created the world and sustains it whoassumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it.Jesus became truly man while remaining truly God. “What he was, heremained, and what he was not he assumed” (from an early churchantiphon for Morning Prayer).  Jesus Christ is truly the Son of Godwho, without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and ourbrother. From the time of the Apostles the Christian faith hasinsisted on the incarnation of God’s Son “who has come in theflesh” (1 John 4:2) Gregory of Nyssa, one of the great early churchfathers (330-395 AD) wrote: Sick, our nature demanded to be healed;fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again.  We had lost thepossession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back tous. Closed in darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light;captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, aliberator.  Are these things minor or insignificant?  Did they notmove God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanitywas in so miserable and unhappy a state? Christians never cease proclaiming anew the wonder of theIncarnation. The Son of God assumed a human nature in order toaccomplish our salvation in it. The Son of God ...worked with humanhands; he thought with a human mind.  He acted with a human will,and with a human heart he loved.  Born of the Virgin Mary, he hastruly been made one of us, like to us in all things except sin(Gaudium et Spes). If we are going to behold the glory of God we will do it throughJesus Christ.  Jesus became the partaker of our humanity so wecould be partakers of his divinity (2 Peter 1:4). God's purpose forus, even from the beginning of his creation, is that we would befully united with Him. When Jesus comes God is made known as theGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  By our being united inJesus, God becomes our Father and we become his sons anddaughters.  Do you thank the Father for sending his only begottenSon to redeem you and to share with you his glory? "Almighty God and Father of light, your eternal Word leaped downfrom heaven in the silent watches of the night.  Open our hearts to

receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn,that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace.”

"The Christ ...the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie"Scripture: John 1:19-28 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priestsand Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 Heconfessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I amnot." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 They said tohim then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sentus. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice ofone crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,'as the prophet Isaiah said." 24 Now they had been sent from thePharisees. 25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if youare neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" 26 Johnanswered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stand one whomyou do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whosesandal I am not worthy to untie." 28 This took place in Bethanybeyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. Meditation: "Who are you?" John the Baptist had no difficultyanswering this question when the authorities came to investigatehim. If someone challenged your identity -- both naturally andspiritually, how would you answer? There's an identity war going ontoday and many are in crisis or at least confused. We can try tomanufacture identity, but it's derived.  And its true source andmaker is God who made us in his image and likeness. Why did theJewish leaders question John the Baptist's identity?  They were inearnest to know if the Messiah had come.  They wanted to know ifJohn claimed to be the Messiah or one of the great prophets who wasexpected to return at the coming of the Messiah (see Malachi 4:5,Deuteronomy 18:15). John had no mistaken identity.  In all humilityand sincerity he said he was only a voice bidding people to preparethe way for the coming of the King. John the Baptist bridges theOld and New Testaments. He is the last of the Old TestamentProphets who points the way to the Messiah. He is the first of theNew Testament witnesses and martyrs. He is the herald who preparesthe way for Jesus and who announces his mission to the people:Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!  Johnsaw from a distance what the Messiah came to accomplish — ourredemption from slavery to sin and our adoption as sons and

daughters of God, our heavenly Father.  Do you recognize youridentity as a child of God and a citizen of heaven? John was the greatest of the prophets, yet he lived as a humble andfaithful servant of God. He pointed others to Jesus, Messiah andSavior of the world. The Christian church from the earliest oftimes has given John many titles which signify his mission: Witnessof the Lord, Trumpet of Heaven, Herald of Christ, Voice of theWord, Precursor of Truth, Friend of the Bridegroom, Crown of theProphets, Forerunner of the Redeemer, Preparer of Salvation, Lightof the Martyrs, and Servant of the Word. Do you point others toChrist by your witness and example? "Lord Jesus, make me a herald of your word of truth and grace. Helpme to be a faithful witness of the joy of the gospel and to pointothers to you as John did through his testimony."

 "Behold the Lamb of God!"Scripture: John 1:29-34 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold,the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is heof whom I said, `after me comes a man who ranks before me, for hewas before me.' 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I camebaptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 AndJohn bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven,and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him; but he whosent me to baptize with water said to me, `He on whom you see theSpirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the HolySpirit.' 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is theSon of God." Meditation: John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifiesJesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The bloodof the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites in Egyptfrom death. The blood of Jesus, the true Passover Lamb (1 Cor.5:7), delivers us from everlasting death and destruction. It issignificant that John was the son of a priest, Zachariah, whoparticipated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for thesins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus he saw the true and onlysacrifice which can deliver us from sin. When John says he did notknow Jesus he was referring to the hidden reality of Jesusdivinity. But the Holy Spirit in that hour revealed to John Jesus'true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son ofGod. We can only know who Jesus truly is through the Holy Spirit

who reveals him to us. Do you seek to grow in the knowledge andlove of Jesus Christ? "Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit andlet me grow in the knowledge of your love and truth. Let yourSpirit be aflame in my heart that I may know and love you morefervently and strive to do your will in all things."

"Behold the Lamb of God!"Scripture: John 1:35-42 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples;36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lambof God!"  37 The two disciples heard him say this, and theyfollowed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saidto them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (whichmeans Teacher), "where are you staying?"  39 He said to them, "Comeand see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayedwith him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.  40 One of thetwo who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, SimonPeter's brother.  41 He first found his brother Simon, and said tohim, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ).  42 Hebrought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you areSimon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which meansPeter). Meditation: Who is Jesus for you?  John calls Jesus the Lamb of Godand thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us fromour sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered theIsraelites in Egypt from death. The blood of Jesus, the truePassover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7), delivers us from everlasting death anddestruction. It is significant that John was the son of a priest,Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in thetemple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus he saw thetrue and only sacrifice which can deliver us from sin. How did Johnknow the true identity of Jesus, as the Messiah? The Holy Spiritrevealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witnessthat this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus istruly the Christ, the Son of the God? The Holy Spirit makes Christknown to us through the gift of faith.  God gives us freely of hisSpirit that we may comprehend the great mystery and plan of God tounite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. John in his characteristic humility was eager to point beyondhimself to the Christ.  He did not hesitate to direct his disciples

to the Lord Jesus. When two of John’s disciples began to seek Jesusout, Jesus took the initiative to invite them into his company. Hedid not wait for them to get his attention. Instead he met themhalfway. He asked them one of the most fundamental questions oflife: “What are you looking for?” What were they looking for inJesus and what were they aiming to get out of life? Jesus asks eachof us the same question: “What’s the goal of your life?  What  areyou aiming for and trying to get out of life?” Jesus invites each of us to "come and see" for ourselves that hisword is true and everlasting. "Come and see" is God's invitationfor fellowship and communion with the One who made us in love forlove. Augustine of Hippo tells us something very important aboutGod and how he relates to us: “If you hadn’t been called by God,what could you have done to turn back?  Didn’t the very One whocalled you when you were opposed to Him make it possible for you toturn back?”  It is God who initiates and who draws us to himself. Without his grace, mercy, and help we could not find him. When we discover something very important and valuable it's naturalto want to share it with those closest to us.  Andrew immediatelywent to his brother Simon and told him the good news of hisdiscovery of Jesus. And it didn't take much to get Simon to "comeand see" who this Jesus was. Jesus reached out to Simon in the sameway he did to Andrew earlier.  He not only addressed Simon by hispersonal name, but he gave him a new name which signified the callGod had for him.  "Cephas" or "Peter" literally means "rock".  Tocall someone a "rock" was one of the greatest compliments. Theancient rabbis had a saying that when God saw Abraham, heexclaimed: "I have discovered a rock to found the world upon".Through Abraham God established a nation for himself. Through faithPeter grasped who Jesus truly was -- the Anointed One (Messiah andChrist) and the only begotten Son of God. The New Testamentdescribes the church as a spiritual house or temple with eachmember joined together as living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5). Faith inJesus Christ makes us into rocks or spiritual stones. The HolySpirit gives us the gift of faith to know Jesus personally, powerto live the gospel faithfully, and courage to witness to others thejoy and truth of the gospel. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to drawus near to himself.  Do you seek to grow in the knowledge and loveof Jesus Christ? "Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit andlet me grow in the knowledge of your love and truth. Let your

Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may know and love you morefervently and strive to do your will in all things."

"Come and see"Scripture: John 1:43-51 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philipand said to him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was from Beth-sa'ida,the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathan'a-el, and saidto him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also theprophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 Nathan'a-el said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philipsaid to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathan'a-el coming tohim, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is noguile!" 48 Nathan'a-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesusanswered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under thefig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathan'a-el answered him, "Rabbi, you arethe Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered him,"Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do youbelieve? You shall see greater things than these." 51 And he saidto him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened,and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son ofman." Meditation: How can we know for ourselves and help others to knowwith certainty that Jesus is truly the Son of God and Savior of theworld? Philip, a new disciple of Jesus, at first failed to convincehis friend Nathaniel that he had found the Messiah. Nathanial wasvery skeptical. He didn’t like Nazareth and didn’t want to haveanything to do with people who came from such an out of the wayplace. How could the Messiah come from such a seemingly low-downtown? Perhaps we are like Nathanial. We reject others (or at leastkeep them distant from us) because they come from some place orposition we don’t like or find fault with. Rather than argue withhis friend, Philip took the wiser strategy of inviting Nathaniel to "come and see" for himself who this Jesus claimed to be. Cleverarguments rarely win people to the gospel, but an encounter withthe person of Jesus Christ can transform one's life forever.Nathaniel found in Jesus more than he could have hoped and dreamed.Jesus spoke a word to Nathaniel and it set his heart ablaze withwonder! Jesus, who knows our hearts better than we do, revealed toNathaniel the innermost thoughts and desire of his heart. Nathanielwas hungry for knowledge of God.  He really wanted to know God

personally. God places in every heart a longing and desire to knowthe One who created us in love for love.  That is why Augustine ofHippo, who found God only after many years of wandering indisbelief and darkness, exclaimed: “You have made us for yourself,O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” What is the significance of Jesus' revelation of seeing Nathanialunder the fig tree?  The fig tree was a symbol of God's blessingand peace.  It provided shade from the midday sun and a cool placeto retreat and pray.  It is very likely that Nathanial hadmeditated "under the fig tree" on the Messianic prophecies andprayed for their fulfillment in his time.  Perhaps he dozed off fora midday nap and dreamed of God's kingdom like Jacob did when hesaw a vision of the ladder which united earth with heaven.Nathaniel accepted Jesus as Messiah and Lord because he spoke tothe need of his innermost being -- the desire to know Godpersonally and to be united with him in his glory.  Jesus' responseto Nathanial's new faith is the promise that he himself will be the"ladder which unites earth with heaven" (see Genesis 28:12-17). God had opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his peopleinto a new relationship with the living God.  In Jacob's dream Godrevealed his angelic host and showed him the throne of heaven andpromised Jacob that he and descendants would dwell with the livingGod.  Jesus proclaims to Nathanial that he himself is thefulfillment of this promise to the Patriarch Jacob.  Jesus is thetrue ladder or stairway to heaven.  In Jesus' incarnation, thedivine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see theunion of heaven and earth -- God making his dwelling with us andbringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Jesus' deathon the Cross and his Resurrection opens the way for each of us tocome into a new relationship with God as his sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus opens the way for each of us to "ascend to heaven"and to bring "heaven to earth" in the daily circumstances of ourlives.  God's kingdom is present in those who seek him and who dohis will.  Do you pray as Jesus taught, May your kingdom come andyour will be done in earth as it is in heaven? "Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have openedthe way to heaven for us.  As you revealed yourself to your belovedPatriarchs and Apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I mayglorify you in my daily life.  May I always find joy in yourpresence and never lose sight of the kingdom of heaven."

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"Scripture: John 2:13-25  13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up toJerusalem.14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen andsheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. 15 Andmaking a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen,out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who soldthe pigeons, "Take these things away; you shall not make myFather's house a house of trade." 17 His disciples remembered thatit was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me." 18 The Jewsthen said to him, "What sign have you to show us for doing this?"19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days Iwill raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-sixyears to build this temple, and will you raise it up in threedays?" 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body. 22 When thereforehe was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he hadsaid this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesushad spoken. 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast,many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; 24but Jesus did not trust him to them, 25 because he knew all men andneeded no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what wasin man. Meditation: What can keep us from the presence of God?  Jesus’dramatic cleansing of the temple was seen by his disciples as aprophetic sign of God’s action.  The temple was understood as thedwelling place of God among his people.  When God delivered hispeople from slavery in Egypt, he brought them through the sea, andfinally to Mount Sinai where he made a covenant with them and gavethem a new way of life embodied in the Ten Commandments (Exodus20:1-17).  God gave Moses instruction for worship and for makingthe Tabernacle, or tent of meeting, which was later replaced by thetemple. The New Testament tells us that these “serve as a copy andshadow of the heavenly sanctuary” – God’s Temple in heaven (Hebrews8:5).  Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is also a prophetic sign ofwhat he wants to do with each of us.  He ever seeks to cleanse usof sin and make us living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).Do you thirst for holiness?  Jesus referred to the temple as his Father’s house which was beingmade into “house of trade” (John 2:16) or “den of robbers” (Mark11:17). That is why he used physical force to expel the money-

chargers.  The prophecy of Malachi foretold the coming of the Lordunexpectedly to his Temple to “purify the sons of Levi and refinethem like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to theLord” (Malachi3:1-4). Jesus' disciples recalled the words of Psalm69: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” This was understood as aMessianic prophecy. Here the disciples saw more clearly Jesus asthe Messiah who burned with zeal for God's house. The Jewishauthorities, however, wanted proof that Jesus had divine authorityto act as he did. They demanded a sign from God to prove Jesusright, otherwise, they would treat him as an imposter and a usurperof their authority. Jesus replied that the sign God would givewould be his resurrection: "Destroy this temple, and in three daysI will raise it up". The Jews did not understand that the templeJesus referred to was his own body. The “tent of his body” had tobe destroyed to open the way to the presence of God for us. Throughhis death and resurrection, Jesus not only reconciles us with God,but he fills us with his Holy Spirit and make us temples of theliving God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). God's word enlightens our minds andpurifies our hearts that we may offer God fitting worship and enjoyhis presence both now and forever. Do you burn with zeal for theLord’s house? "Lord Jesus Christ, you open wide the door of your Father’s houseand you bid us to enter confidently that we may worship in spiritand truth. Help me to draw near to your throne of mercy withgratitude and joy".

"Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God"Scripture: John 3:1-8 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a rulerof the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him,"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no onecan do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." 3 Jesusanswered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew,he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicode'mus said to him, "Howcan a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time intohis mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, Isay to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannotenter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh isflesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do notmarvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' 8 The windblows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not

know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every onewho is born of the Spirit." Meditation: Nicodemus was a closet disciple. He seeks Jesus out,though surreptitiously in the dead of the night. Why?  Nicodemus isa "leader of the Jews", "a teacher of Israel" (3:10), and a memberof the religious party most opposed to the teaching of Jesus. Infact, in John 12, the summary statement says that it was Nicodemus'own group, the Pharisees, which intimidated the authorities againstconfessing Jesus. Jesus does not directly answer Nicodemus'question.  Instead he engages him in a seemingly unrelated topic ofconversation. Jesus says that rebirth is necessary to enter thekingdom of God. Of course, Nicodemus the Pharisee has already foundreligion, so he thinks that Jesus must be referring to physicalrebirth. No, Jesus responds, someone who is reborn spirituallyknows the experience as surely as one who has been refreshed by aninvisible breeze. How can a respected rabbi among the Jews not knowthis (3:10)? And that is precisely the point. Nicodemus is thefirst of what we might loosely call the official clergy with whomJesus has personal engagement. In John, chapter 7, the Gospelportrays Nicodemus as a defender of Jesus' right to a fair trial(7:-51); in chapter 19, Nicodemus helps to bury Jesus with honor. Nicodemus did not understand the new birth which Jesus spoke ofuntil the resurrection.  What does it mean to be reborn? The  newbirth Jesus speaks of is a spiritual birth to new life andrelationship with God as his sons and daughters.  This new birth is made possible when one is baptized into Christ and receives thegift of the Holy Spirit.  God wants to renew all his people in thegift of new life in his Holy Spirit.  This new life brings us intoGod's kingdom or heavenly rule.  What is God's kingdom? God'skingdom is that society in which God's will is done on earth as itis in heaven. Do you pray for God's will to be done? To be rebornis to enter that society in which God is honored and obeyed, tolive as his son or daughter, and to enter into possession of that life which comes from God himself, a never-ending life of love,peace, joy, and freedom from sin and the fear of death.  Do youknow the freedom and joy of new life in Christ?   "Lord Jesus Christ, you offer us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Renew in me the gift of faith and new life in your Holy Spirit. Help me to draw near to you and to believe in your life-giving

word.  May your kingdom come and may your will be done in my lifetoday, tomorrow, and always."

"You must be born anew of the Spirit"Scripture: John 3:7-15 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' 8 Thewind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you donot know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicode'mus said to him, "How canthis be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, andyet you do not understand this? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, wespeak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; butyou do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthlythings and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell youheavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he whodescended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted upthe serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." Meditation: Jesus speaks to Nicodemus of a "new birth in theSpirit." The Hebrew word for "spirit" means both "wind" and"breathe". Jesus says to Nicodemus: "You can hear, feel, and seethe effects of the wind, but you do not know where it comes from.In like manner, you can see the effects of the Holy Spirit in thelives of those the Spirit touches." Jesus explains to Nicodemus thenecessity of the crucifixion and resurrection by analogy with Mosesand the bronze serpent in the desert. When the people of Israelwere afflicted with serpents in the wilderness because of theirsin, God instructed Moses: "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on apole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live"(Numbers 21:8). The bronze serpent points to the cross of Christwhich defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for thosewho believe. The result of Jesus "being lifted up on the cross" andhis rising and exaltation to the Father's right hand in heaven, isour "new birth in the Spirit" and adoption as sons and daughters ofGod. God not only redeems us, but he fills us with his own divinelife and power that we might share in his glory. Jesus gives us theHoly Spirit that we may have power to be his witnesses and tospread and defend the gospel by word and action, and to never beashamed of Christ's Cross.  The Holy Spirit gives us his seven-foldgifts of wisdom and understanding, right judgment and courage,knowledge and reverence for God and his ways, and a holy fear in

God's presence (see Isaiah 11) that we may live God's way of lifeand serve in the power of his strength.  Do you thirst for new lifein the Spirit? "Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life for us. Fill me withyour Holy Spirit that I may walk in freedom and joy as a child ofGod and as an heir with Christ of an eternal inheritance."

"For God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son"Scripture: John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, thatwhoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, butthat the world might be saved through him. 18 He who believes inhim is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already,because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds wereevil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does notcome to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he whodoes what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seenthat his deeds have been wrought in God. Meditation: True love doesn't count the cost; it gives liberally. A true lover gives the best he has to offer and everthing he hasfor the beloved.  God proved his love for us by giving us the besthe had to offer -- his only begotten Son who freely gave himself asan offering to God for our sake and as the atoning sacrifice forour sin and the sin of the world.  Abraham's willing sacrifice ofhis only son, Isaac prefigures the perfect offering and sacrificesof God's beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  This passage in thegospel of John tells us of the great breadth and width of God'slove. Not an excluding loves for just a few or for a single nation,but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personallove for each and every individual whom God has created. God is aloving Father who cannot rest until his wandering children havereturned home to him. Saint Augustine says, God loves each one ofus as if there were only one of us to love. God gives us thefreedom to choose whom and what we will love.  Jesus shows us theparadox of love and judgment.  We can love the darkness of sin andunbelief or we can love the light of God's truth, beauty, andgoodness.  If our love is guided by what is true, and good andbeautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. 

What we love shows what we prefer. Do love God above all else? Doeshe take first place in your life, in your thoughts, and actions? "Lord Jesus Christ, your love is better than life itself. May yourlove consume and transform my life that I may desire you above allelse. Help me to love what you love, to desire what you desire, andto reject what you reject".

"This joy of mine is now full"Scripture: John 3:22-30 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea;there he remained with them and baptized. 23 John also wasbaptizing at Ae'non near Salim, because there was much water there;and people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been putin prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and aJew over purifying. 26 And they came to John, and said to him,"Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you borewitness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 Johnanswered, "No one can receive anything except what is given himfrom heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, which I said, I amnot the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29 He who has thebride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who standsand hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice;therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30 He must increase, but Imust decrease."  Meditation: When the associates of John theBaptist complain that all are now going to Jesus, John in hischaracteristic humility exclaimed that he was not the Messiah butonly the messenger sent to prepare his way. John describes theMessiah as the Bridegroom and himself as the friend of theBridegroom. The image of marriage and the wedding feast is usedthroughout the scriptures to describe God's joy in his people, whoare regarded as his bride. As the bridegroom rejoices over thebride, so shall your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5). John actedas the best man in arranging the marriage and in makingpreparations for the marriage feast. John and his disciples rejoicethat the Bridegroom has come to make his bride, the church, readyfor the marriage feast. We see this fulfilled in the New Jerusalemin the marriage feast of the Lamb and his Bride (see Revelations21-22). Do you look with joyful anticipation to the consummation ofGod's plan for his people at the end of the ages? "Lord, help me to fix my eyes on your kingdom and to pray witheager longing and with joyful hope for the day when your people

will be fully united with you in the heavenly marriage feast. Maythere be no nothing in my life which might hinder me from givingyou may all, you who are my joy and life".

"For it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit"Scripture: John 3:31-36 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earthbelongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes fromheaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen andheard, yet no one receives his testimony; 33 he who receives histestimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whomGod has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure thathe gives the Spirit; 35 the Father loves the Son, and has given allthings into his hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternallife; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but thewrath of God rests upon him. Meditation: The Jews understood that God gave a certain portion ofhis Spirit to his prophets.  When Elijah was about to depart forheaven, his servant Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit(2 Kings 2:9).  Jesus tells his disciples that they can believe thewords he speaks because God the Father has poured his Spirit on himin full measure, without keeping anything back.  The function ofthe Holy Spirit is to reveal God's truth to us.  When we receivethe Holy Spirit he enables us to recognize and understand God'struth.  Jesus is the Word of God and he gives us his Holy Spirit sothat we can recognize his truth and live according to it.  God'struth has consequences and he gives us the freedom to choose how wewill respond.  The choice he gives us has eternal consequences --everlasting life or everlasting death. God challenged his people inthe Old Covenant: See I have set before you this day life and good,death and evil. ...I call heaven and earth to witness against youthis day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing andcurse; therefore choose life, that you may live, loving the Lordyour God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him" (Deuteronomy30:15-20). And he issues the same challenge to the people of theNew Covenant today. Do you weigh the consequences of your choices?Do they lead you towards life or towards death? If you choose toobey God's voice and to do his will, then you will know andexperience that life which comes from God himself. If you choose tofollow your own way apart from God and his will, then you choosefor death -- a spiritual death which poisons and then kills the

soul until there is nothing left but an empty person devoid oflove, truth, goodness, purity, peace, and joy. Do your choices leadyou towards God or away from God? "Lord Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform myheart and mind that I may choose life -- abundant life in you andwith you.  And give me the courage and strength to always discerngood from evil and to reject everything that is false and contraryto your holy will."

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst”Scripture: John 4:1-42 1 Now when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesuswas making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesushimself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judeaand departed again to Galilee. 4 He had to pass through Samar'ia. 5So he came to a city of Samar'ia, called Sy'char, near the fieldthat Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  6 Jacob's well was there, andso Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside thewell. It was about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samar'iato draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."  8 For hisdisciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritanwoman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, awoman of Samar'ia?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.  10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it isthat is saying to you, `Give me a drink,' you would have asked him,and he would have given you living water."  11 The woman said tohim, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep;where do you get that living water?  12 are you greater than ourfather Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, andhis sons, and his cattle?"  13 Jesus said to her, "Every one whodrinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks ofthe water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that Ishall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up toeternal life."  15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water,that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." 16 Jesus said toher, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her,"You are right in saying, `I have no husband'; 18 for you have hadfive husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; thisyou said truly." 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive thatyou are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and

you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming whenneither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship theFather.  22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what weknow, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming,and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father inspirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 Godis spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit andtruth."  25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming(he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us allthings." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." 27 Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talkingwith a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are youtalking with her?"  28 So the woman left her water jar, and wentaway into the city, and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man whotold me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" 30 They wentout of the city and were coming to him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know."33 So the disciples said to one another, "Has any one brought himfood?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him whosent me, and to accomplish his work.  35 Do you not say, `There areyet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up youreyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. 36 Hewho reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, sothat sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the sayingholds true, `One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reapthat for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you haveentered into their labor."  39 Many Samaritans from that citybelieved in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me allthat I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they askedhim to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And manymore believed because of his word.Meditation: Do you allow any barriers to distance yourself from theLord and his will for your life?  Jesus overcame the barriers ofprejudice, sin, and misunderstanding with the truth of God’s wordand the power of the Holy Spirit. The Jews and Samaritans had beendivided for centuries. They had no dealings with one another,avoiding all social contact, even trade, and inter-marriage.  Iftheir paths crossed it would not be unusual for hostility to breakout. When Jesus passed through Samaria he did the unthinkable.  He

conversed with a Samaritan, thus risking ritual impurity and scornfrom his fellow Jews. He also did something no strict Rabbi woulddare to do in public without loss to his reputation.  He greeted awoman and spoke openly with her.  Not only was she a woman, but anotorious adulteress.  No decent Jew would even think of being seenwith such a woman, let alone exchanging a word with her! Why did Jesus meet alone with this Samaritan woman? Women normallygathered at the town well in the early hours of the morning whileit was still cool.  This would be a customary time for socialcontact and exchange of news.  The fact that this notorious womanchose the midday hour to go out in public when the heat isgreatest, shows her estrangement from her own community. Jesusbroke through the barriers of nationality and orthodox Jewishcustom.  He showed the universality of the gospel.  No one isbarred from the love of God and the good news of salvation. Thereis only one thing that can keep us from God and his redeeming love— our stubborn pride and willful rebellion. What is the point of Jesus’ exchange with the woman about water?Water in the arid land was scarce.  Jacob’s well was located in astrategic fork of the road between Samaria and Galilee.  One canlive without food for several days, but not without water.  Wateris a source of life and growth for all living things.  When raincame to the desert, the water transformed the wasteland into afertile field. The kind of water which Jesus spoke about wasliving, running water.  Fresh water from a cool running stream wasalways preferred to the still water one might find in a pond orwell.  Living water was also a symbol for the Jew of thirst of thesoul for God. The water which Jesus spoke of symbolized the HolySpirit and his work of recreating us in God’s image and sustainingin us the new life which comes from God. The life which the HolySpirit produces in us makes us a new creation in Jesus Christ.  Doyou thirst for God and for the life of the Holy Spirit within you? Hippolytus, a second century Christian writer, explains thesignificance of the Holy Spirit’s work in us: “This is the water ofthe Spirit: It refreshes paradise, enriches the earth, and giveslife to living things.  It is the water of Christ’s baptism; it isour life.  If you go with faith to this renewing fountain, yourenounce Satan your enemy and confess Christ your God.  You ceaseto be a slave and become an adopted son; you come forth radiant asthe sun and brilliant with justice; you come forth a son of God andfellow-heir with Christ.” (From a sermon, On the Epiphany)

Basil the Great (c. 330-379) speaks in a similar manner: “TheSpirit restores paradise to us and the way to heaven and adoptionas children of God; he instills confidence that we may call Godtruly Father and grants us the grace of Christ to be children ofthe light and to enjoy eternal glory.  In a word, he bestows thefullness of blessings in this world and the next; for we maycontemplate now in the mirror of faith the promised things we shallsomeday enjoy.  If this is the foretaste, what must the realitybe?  If these are the first fruits, what must be the harvest?”(From the treatise, The Holy Spirit) “Lord, my soul thirsts for you.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit thatI may always find joy in your presence and take delight in doingyour will.”

Jesus rescues a Gentile's sonScripture:  John 4:43-54 43 After the two days he departed to Galilee. 44 For Jesus hetestified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 Sowhen he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seenall that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too hadgone to the feast. 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where hehad made the water wine. And at Caper'na-um there was an officialwhose son was ill. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judeato Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son,for he was at the point of death. 48 Jesus therefore said to him,"Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." 49 Theofficial said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed theword that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. 51 As he was goingdown, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. 52So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said tohim, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53 Thefather knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your sonwill live"; and he himself believed, and all his household. 54 Thiswas now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judeato Galilee. Meditation: Do you approach the throne of God's grace and mercywith expectant faith? A Gentile official went expectantly to Jesusfor an extraordinary favor. If this story happened today thenewspaper headlines would probably say: "High ranking officialleaves capital in search of miracle cure from small town

carpenter."  It took some guts for a Gentile court official totravel twenty miles in search of a Galilean carpenter.  He had toswallow his pride and put up with some ridicule from his cronies. And when he found the healer carpenter, Jesus seemed to put him offwith the blunt statement that people would not believe unless theysaw some kind of miracle or sign from heaven.  Jesus likely saidthis to test the man to see if his faith was in earnest.  If heturned away discouraged or irritated, he would prove to beinsincere.  Jesus, perceiving his faith, sent him home with theassurance that his prayer had been heard.  It was probably not easyfor this man to leave Jesus and go back home only with the assuringword that his son would be healed.  Couldn't Jesus have come tothis man's home and touched his dying child?  The court officialbelieved and surrendered to Jesus.  He was ready to return home andface mockery and laughter because he trusted in Jesus' word.  God's mercy connotes his generous love -- a love that bends down inresponse to our misery and wretchedness. Is your life fullysurrendered to Jesus? "Lord, your love never fails.  Increase my faith and confidence inyour saving word, make my hope in your promises strong andunwavering, and inflame my heart with consuming love for you andwith kindness and mercy for my neighbor."

 "Walk and sin no more"Scripture:  John 5:1-16 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up toJerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, inHebrew called Beth-za'tha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these laya multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed.5 One man wasthere, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus sawhim and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said tohim, "Do you want to be healed?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir,I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled,and while I am going another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said tohim, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." 9 And at once the manwas healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day wasthe Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It isthe Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." 11 Buthe answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, `Take up yourpallet, and walk.'" 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said toyou, `Take up your pallet, and walk'?" 13 Now the man who had been

healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as therewas a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in thetemple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, thatnothing worse befalls you." 15 The man went away and told the Jewsthat it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jewspersecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath. Meditation:   Is there anything holding you back from the Lord'shealing power and transforming grace? In the pool at Bethzatha wesee an individual's helplessness overcome by God's mercy andpower.  On this occasion Jesus singles out an incurable invalid,helpless and hopeless for almost forty years.  He awakens hope whenhe puts a probing question to the man, "Do you really want to behealed?"  And he then orders him to "get up and walk!" God will notforce our hand against our will.  The first essential step towardsgrowth and healing is the desire for change. If we are content tostay as we are, then no amount of coaxing will change us.  The Lordmanifests his power and saving grace towards those who desiretransformation of life in Christ. The Lord approaches each of uswith the same probing question: "Do you really want to be changed,to be set free from the power of sin, and to be transformed into myholiness?" "Lord, put within my heart a burning desire to be changed andtransformed into your holiness".

 "My Father is working still, and I am working"Scripture: John 5:17-30 17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I amworking." 18 This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him,because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called God hisFather, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus said to them,"Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his ownaccord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever hedoes, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son,and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works thanthese will he show him, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Fatherraises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life towhich he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given alljudgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, even as theyhonor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor theFather who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears myword and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not

come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 "Truly,truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the deadwill hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear willlive. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has grantedthe Son also to have life in himself, 27 and has given himauthority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. 28 Donot marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in thetombs will hear his voice 29 and come forth, those who have donegood, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, tothe resurrection of judgment. 30 "I can do nothing on my ownauthority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because Iseek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. Meditation: God's actions reveal his mercy and his justice. Do yourecognize his action in your life, his saving grace and love, andthe purifying fire of his Spirit who convicts us of sin andtransforms us in his holiness?  The religious authorities refusedto accept Jesus' authority to heal and to speak in the name of hisheavenly Father.  They charged Jesus as a "Sabbath-breaker" and asa "blasphemer".  They wanted to kill Jesus because he claimed thesame authority and power as God.  He claimed equality with God—something no mortal could say without blaspheming. Jesus answeredtheir charge of breaking the Sabbath law by demonstrating God'spurpose for creation and redemption— to save and restore life.God's love and mercy never ceases, even on the Sabbath. Jesuscontinues to show the Father's mercy, even on the Sabbath day ofrest. When they charged that Jesus was making himself equal withGod, he replied that he was not acting independently of God becausehis relationship is that of a Father and Son relationship. If wewish to see how God reacts to sin and how he responds to our sinfulcondition, then we must look to Jesus. The mind of Jesus is themind of God, and the words of Jesus are the words of God. Jesusalso states that his identity to the Father is based on completeobedience. Jesus always did what his Father wanted him to do. Hisobedience was not based on submission or power, but on love. Theunity between Jesus and the Father is a unity of love. We arecalled to submit our lives to God with the same love and obediencewhich Jesus demonstrated for his Father. Jesus states that toaccept him is life and to reject him is death. Are you ready tofollow the Lord and to leave behind whatever is false and contraryto his will?

"Lord, increase my love for you and unite my heart and will withyours, that I may only seek what is pleasing to you".

 The Father's witnessScripture:  John 5:31-47 31 If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true; 32 thereis another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimonywhich he bears to me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has bornewitness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony which I receive isfrom man; but I say this that you may be saved. 35 He was a burningand shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while inhis light. 36 But the testimony which I have is greater than thatof John; for the works which the Father has granted me toaccomplish, these very works  which I am doing, bear me witnessthat the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me hashimself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, hisform you have never seen; 38 and you do not have his word abidingin you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent. 39 You searchthe scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternallife; and it is they that bear witness to me; 40 yet you refuse tocome to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory frommen. 42 But I know that you have not the love of God within you. 43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; ifanother comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can youbelieve, who receive glory from one another and do not seek theglory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shallaccuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom youset your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, forhe wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how willyou believe my words?" Meditation: Do you know the joy of the gospel and a life fullysubmitted to Jesus Christ? Jesus' opponents refused to accept hisdivine authority and claim to be the only Son from the Father. Theyhostilely demanded evidence for his Messianic claim and equalitywith God. Jesus answers their charges with the supporting evidenceof witnesses. The Mosaic law had laid down the principle that theunsupported evidence of one person shall not prevail against a manfor any crime or wrong in connection with any offence he committed(see Deuteronomy 17:6).  At least two or three witnesses wereneeded.  Jesus begins his defense by citing John the Baptist as awitness, since John publicly pointed to Jesus as the Messiah and

had repeatedly borne witness to him (see John 1:19, 20, 26, 29, 35,36). Jesus also asserts that a greater witness to his identity isthe signs he performed.  He cites his works, not to point tohimself but to point to the power of God working in and throughhim.  He cites God as his supreme witness.  To those who carefullyread the Old Testament, especially the books of Moses, they pointto Jesus as the Messiah, the promised Savior.  The problem with thescribes and Pharisees was that they did not believe what Moses hadwritten.  They desired the praise of their fellow humans andbecause of that they were unable to recognize and understand theword of God. Their pride made them deaf to God's voice. God revealshimself to the lowly, to those who trust not in themselves, but inGod. The Lord opens the ears of those who are eager to hear hisvoice and he fills their hearts and minds with his love andwisdom.  Do you listen to God's word with faith and trust? "Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may listen to your wordattentively and obey it joyfully."

"They saw the signs which Jesus did"Scripture: John 6:1-15 1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee,which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as. 2 And a multitude followed him,because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased.3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with hisdisciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was comingto him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so thatthese people may eat?" 6 This he said to test him, for he himselfknew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denariiwould not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8 Oneof his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; butwhat are they among so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sitdown." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down,in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, andwhen he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who wereseated; so also the fish, as much as  they wanted. 12 And when theyhad eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up thefragments left over, that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gatheredthem up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the fivebarley loaves, left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw

the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophetwho is to come into the world!" 15 Perceiving then that they wereabout to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesuswithdrew again to the mountain by himself. Meditation: Can anything on this earth truly satisfy the deepestlonging and hunger we experience? A great multitude had gathered tohear Jesus, no doubt because they were hungry for the word oflife.  Jesus’ disciples wanted to send them away at the end of theday because they did not have the resources to feed them.  Theyeven complained how much money it would take to feed such a crowd-- at least six month’s wages! Jesus, the Bread of Life, took thelittle they had -- five loaves and two fish -- and giving thanks tohis heavenly Father, distributed to all until they were satisfiedof their hunger. The people of Israel had been waiting for theprophet whom Moses had promised: The Lord your God will raise upfor you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren -- himshall you heed (Deuteronomy 18:15). The signs which Jesus did,including the miraculous feeding of the five thousand signifiedthat God has indeed sent him as anointed Prophet and King. Jesus'feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in allfour gospels. What is the significance of this miracle? Themiraculous feeding of such a great multitude pointed to God'sprovision of manna in the wilderness for the people of Israel underMoses' leadership. This food foreshadowed the true heavenly breadwhich Jesus would offer his followers. Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread ofheaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. Thefeeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of Godand his great kindness towards us. When God gives, he givesabundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we mayhave something to share with others, especially those who lack whatthey need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for thegood of others. Do you trust in God's provision for you and do youshare freely with others, especially those who lack? "Lord, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and you feedus with the finest of wheat (Ps 81:16). Fill me with gratitude andgive me a generous heart that I may freely share with others whatyou have given to me."

Jesus said: “It is I; do not be afraid”Scripture: John 6:16-21

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 gotinto a boat, and started across the sea to Caper'na-um. It was nowdark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea rose because astrong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or fourmiles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to theboat. They were frightened, 20 but he said to them, "It is I; donot be afraid." 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat,and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. Meditation: Does the Lord ever seem distant to you?  When Johnrecounted the apostles being alone at sea in a storm he describedthe situation as “dark” (John 6:17).  It was dark not onlyphysically but spiritually as well. Although they were experiencedfishermen, they were fearful for their lives. The Lord’s suddenpresence on the sea only made them more fearful!  John says theywere frightened.  And Jesus had to calm them with a reassuringcommand: “Do not be afraid because I am here with you!” Aren’t we like the apostles when we experience darkness andadversity? While the Lord may at times seem distant to us, he,nonetheless is constantly present.  The scriptures remind us thatthe Lord is “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Whateverstorms make beset us, he promises to “bring us to our desiredhaven” (Psalm 107:29-30). The Lord keeps watch over us at alltimes, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty.  Do you rely on the Lord for his strength and help?  Jesus assuresus that we have no need of fear if we trust in Him and in his greatlove for us.   When calamities or trials threaten to overwhelm you,how do you respond? With faith and hope in God's love, care andpresence with you? “Lord, may I never doubt your saving help and watchful presence,especially in times of adversity.  Fortify my faith with courageand hope that I may never waver in my trust in you”.

"Doing the works of God"Scripture: John 6:22-29 22 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of thesea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus hadnot entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples hadgone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiber'i-as came near theplace where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples,they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper'na-um, seeking

Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, theysaid to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answeredthem, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you sawsigns, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not laborfor the food which perishes, but for the food which endures toeternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him hasGod the Father set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What mustwe do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "Thisis the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." Meditation: What do you most hunger for – health, wealth, love,truth, life? Jesus addressed this issue with those who sought himafter the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Where theysimply hungry for things which satisfy the body or for that whichsatisfies the heart and soul? Jesus echoes the question posed bythe prophet Isaiah: "Why do you spend your money for that which isnot bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy" (Isaiah55:2)? There are two kinds of hunger -- physical and spiritual.Only God can satisfy the spiritual hunger in our heart and soul --the hunger for truth, for life, and for love. Jesus also spokeabout the works of God and what we must do to be doing the works ofGod, namely to believe in God's Son whom he has sent into theworld. Jesus offers a new relationship with God which issues in anew kind of life: A life of love and service, and the forgivenessof others which corresponds to God's mercy and kindness; a life ofholiness and purity which corresponds to God's holiness; and a lifeof submission and trust which corresponds to the wisdom of God.This is the work which Jesus directs us to and enables us toperform in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you hunger for thebread which comes down from heaven and thirst for the words ofeverlasting life? "Lord, you alone can satisfy the deepest longing and hunger in ourhearts. May I always hunger for the imperishable bread, that I maybe satisfied in you alone as the True Bread of Heaven. Nourish andstrengthen me that I may serve you with great joy, generosity, andzeal all the days of my life".

"Lord, give us this bread always"Scripture: John 6:30-35 30 So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see,and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate themanna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from

heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I sayto you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; myFather gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread ofGod is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to theworld." 34 They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to meshall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. Meditation: Do you hunger for the bread of life?  The Jews hadalways regarded the manna in the wilderness as the bread of God(Psalm 78:24, Exodus 16:15).  There was a strong rabbinic beliefthat when the Messiah came he would give manna from heaven. Thiswas the supreme work of Moses. Now the Jewish leaders weredemanding that Jesus produce manna from heaven as proof to hisclaim to be the Messiah. Jesus responds by telling them that it wasnot Moses who gave the manna, but God. And the manna given to Mosesand the people was not the real bread from heaven, but only asymbol of the bread to come. Jesus then makes the claim which onlyGod can make: I am the bread of life. The bread which Jesus offersis none else than the very life of God. This is the true breadwhich can truly satisfy the hunger in our hearts. Do you hunger forGod and for the food which produces everlasting life? "Lord Jesus Christ, you are the bread of life. You alone cansatisfy the hunger in my heart. May I always find in you, the truebread from heaven, the source of life and nourishment I need tosustain me on my journey to the promised land of heaven?"

"Him whom comes to me I will not cast out"Scripture: John 6:35-40 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to meshall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes tome I will not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not todo my own will, but the will of him who sent me; 39 and this is thewill of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that hehas given me, but raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is thewill of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes inhim should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the lastday." Meditation: Why did Jesus call himself the bread of life?  The Jewsunderstood that God promised them manna from heaven to sustain them

on their journey to the Promised Land.  Bread is the very staple oflife.  We could not live without food for very long.  Breadsustains us.  But what is life?  Jesus clearly meant something morethan mere physical existence.  The life Jesus refers to isconnected with God, the author of life.  Real life is arelationship with the living God, a relationship of trust, love,and obedience.  This is what Jesus makes possible for us -- aloving relationship with the God who created us for love with Him.  Apart from Jesus no on can enter that kind of life andrelationship.  Are you satisfied with mere physical existence or doyou hunger for real life?  Jesus makes three claims here.   Firsthe offers himself as spiritual food which produces the very life ofGod within us.  Second, he promises unbroken friendship and freedomfrom the fear of being forsaken or cut off from God.  Third, heoffers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Those who acceptJesus as Lord and Savior will be raised up to immortal life withJesus when he comes again on the last day.  Do you know the joy andhope of the resurrection? "Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life and hope where therewas once only despair and defeat.  Give me the unshakeable hope ofeverlasting life, the inexpressible joy of knowing your unfailinglove, and the unquestioning faith and obedience in doing the willof our Father in heaven."

  "He who eats this bread will live forever"Scripture: John 6:52-59 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can thisman give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly,truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man anddrink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my fleshand drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up atthe last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drinkindeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me,and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live becauseof the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. Meditation: Why did Jesus offer himself as “food and drink”?  TheJews were scandalized and the disciples were divided when Jesussaid "unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no lifein you."  What a hard saying, unless you understand who Jesus isand why he calls himself the bread of life. The miracle of themultiplication of the loaves, when Jesus said the blessing, broke

and distributed the loaves through his disciples to feed themultitude, prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of theEucharist, or Lord’s Supper. The Gospel of John has no account ofthe Last Supper meal (just the foot washing ceremony and Jesus'farewell discourse).  Instead, John quotes extensively from Jesus'teaching on the bread of life. In the Old Covenant bread and wine were offered in sacrifice as asign of grateful acknowledgment to their Creator. Melchizedek’soffering of bread and wine, who was both priest and king (Genesis14:18), prefigured the offering made by Jesus, our high priest andking.  The remembrance of the manna in the wilderness recalled toIsrael that it lives by the bread of the Word of God (Deuteronomy8:3).When at the Last Supper Jesus described his blood “poured outfor many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28), he wasexplaining his coming crucifixion as a sacrifice for sins. Hisdeath on the cross fulfilled the sacrifice of the paschal lamb. That is why John the Baptist called him the “Lamb of God who takesaway the sins of the world.” Jesus  made himself an offering andsacrifice, a gift that was truly pleasing to the Father. He“offered himself without blemish to God” (Hebrews 9:14) and “gavehimself as a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Jesus chose the time of Passover to fulfill what he had announcedat Capernaum– giving his disciples his body and his blood.  Jesus’passing over to his Father by his death and resurrection, the newPassover, is anticipated in the Last Supper and celebrated in theEucharist, which fulfills the Jewish Passover and anticipates thefinal Passover of the church in the glory of God’s kingdom. Whenthe Lord Jesus commands his disciples to eat his flesh and drinkhis blood, he invites us to take his life into the very center ofour being. That life which he offers is the very life of Godhimself. Do you hunger for the bread of life? "Lord Jesus, you nourish and sustain us with your very own presenceand life. You are the bread of life -- the bread that sustains usnow and that produces everlasting life in us. May I always hungerfor you and be satisfied in you alone."

  "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlastinglife"Scripture: John 6:60-69 60 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hardsaying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself

that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you takeoffense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of manascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life,the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you arespirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe."For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe,and who it was that would betray him. 65 And he said, "This is whyI told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him bythe Father." 66 After this many of his disciples drew back and nolonger went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do youalso wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whomshall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we havebelieved, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."Meditation: Do you brush aside or resist the hard sayings of Jesus?Many were attracted to Jesus because he offered them somethingirresistible -- God's loving-kindness and mercy made manifest inhis wonderful works of healing, deliverance, and miraculous feedingof the five thousand. Despitee these signs, many stumbled, whenJesus made divine claims..  Jesus' discourse on "eating his fleshand drinking his blood" (see John 6:51-59) which pointed to theLast Supper, caused offence to many of his followers. Jesus claimedto be the very life of God come down from heaven and that no onecould live this life without submitting to him. Even the apostlesadmitted that this was a "hard saying".  This expression meant thatit was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept.  Jesuspressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he wanted totest their faith and loyalty. Jesus assures his disciples that itis his heavenly Father who invites and who gives the grace tofollow even in the "hard sayings".  Jesus knew that some would notonly reject him and his word, but would do so hostily, evenbetraying him to his enemies. Real faith seeks understanding.  That is why God gives us the helpof the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our mind to understandhis truth and wisdom (Ephes. 1:17-18). Jesus offers his life-givingword and Spirit to those who believe and who submit to hisauthority.  Peter’s profession of loyalty was based on a personalrelationship with Jesus.  Through the gift of faith Peter knew thatJesus was the Messiah, the Holy One of God, and he believed in hiswords. Faith is a response to God's revelation. It's the key toseeing God work in our lives with power.  Do you believe, as Peterdid, that Jesus can change your life because he has the words of

everlasting life?  Ask the Lord to increase your faith that you maygrow in your relationship with him and in the knowledge of his lovefor you. "Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life.   Help me tocast aside doubt and fear and to embrace your word with trust andjoy.  I surrender my life to you.  Be the Lord and Captain of myheart, my will, my thoughts and my actions.  May there be nothingwhich keeps me from you and your love."

“His hour had not yet come”Scripture:  John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee; he would not go about inJudea, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' feastof Tabernacles was at hand. 10 But after his brothers had gone upto the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 25Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, "Is not this theman whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, andthey say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really knowthat this is the Christ? 27 Yet we know where this man comes from;and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from."28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, "You know me,and you know where I come from? But I have not come of my ownaccord; he who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I knowhim, for I come from him, and he sent me." 30 So they sought toarrest him; but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had notyet come. Meditation: What was the aim of Jesus’ life, death, andresurrection? He willingly suffered and went to the cross for oursake, to redeem us from sin and to restore our relationship withGod the Father. Jesus met opposition and hostility with grace anddetermination to accomplish his Father’s will. Can anyone treatJesus with indifference? We either accept or reject his claims, andhis promises and his threats with faith or with disbelief andcontempt. The consequences are enormous, both in this life and ineternity.  The religious authorities sought to arrest Jesus becausethey could not accept his claim to be the Son of God.  Jesus madetwo startling statements: that he was the Messiah, God’s AnointedOne, and that the Jews did not know God but that Jesus alone knewhim.  He claimed to be in a unique relationship with God and toknow him as no one else did.  To the Jews this was utterblasphemy.  This same choice is still before us.  Either, what

Jesus said about himself is false, or what he said about himself istrue, in which case he is what he claimed to be the Son of God.  Doyou know the joy and freedom of surrender to Jesus, the Word of Godand Redeemer of humankind? “Eternal God, who are the light of the minds that know you, the joyof the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills thatserve you; grant us so to know you, that we may truly love you, andso to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve isperfect freedom, in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Prayer of SaintAugustine)

Reaction to Jesus' wordsScripture:  John 7:40-53 40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This isreally the prophet." 41 Others said, "This is the Christ." But somesaid, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the scripturesaid that the Christ is descended from David, and comes fromBethlehem, the village where David was?" 43 So there was a divisionamong the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him,but no one laid hands on him. 45 The officers then went back to thechief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you notbring him?" 46 The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like thisman!" 47 The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, youalso? 48 Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believedin him? 49 But these crowds, who do not know the law, areaccursed." 50 Nicode'mus, who had gone to him before, and who wasone of them, said to them, 51 "Does our law judge a man withoutfirst giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" 52 Theyreplied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that noprophet is to rise from Galilee." 53 They went each to his ownhouse. Meditation:  Are you willing to give yourself totally to the LordJesus? No one could be indifferent for long when confronted withJesus' message. It caused division for many who heard it.  Somebelieve he was a prophet, some the Messiah, and some believed hewas neither.  The reaction of the officers was bewilderedamazement.  They went to arrest him and returned empty-handedbecause they never heard anyone speak as he did.  The reaction ofthe chief priests and Pharisees was contempt.  The reaction ofNicodemus was one of timidity.  His heart told him to defend Jesus,but his head told him not to take the risk.  There often will come

a time when we have to take a stand for Christ and for the gospel.  To stand for Jesus may provoke mockery or unpopularity.  It mayeven entail  hardship, sacrifice, or suffering.  Are you ready tostand for Jesus and to defend the cause of the gospel? "Lord, your gospel brings joy and freedom. May I be loyal to youalways, even though it produce a cross on earth, that I may sharein your crown in eternity".

"Let him who is without sin cast the stone"Scripture:  John 8:1-11 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning hecame again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he satdown and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought awoman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst4 they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the actof adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such.What do you say about her?" 6 This they said to test him that theymight have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down andwrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to askhim, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sinamong you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And once more hebent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 9 But when theyheard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest,and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no onecondemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said,"Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." Meditation: Do you know the joy and freedom of repentance?  Thegrace of Jesus Christ has power to change our lives and to set usfree from our unruly desires and passions. Jesus' association withsinners upset the religious leaders.  They confronted him on theissue of adultery and retribution.  Jewish law treated adultery asa serious crime since it violated God's ordinance and wreaked havocon the stability of marriage and family life.  It was one of thethree gravest sins punishable by death. This incident tells us agreat deal about Jesus' attitude to the sinner.  The scribes andPharisees wanted to entrap Jesus with the religious and civilauthorities. That is why they brought a woman caught in adulterybefore Jesus.  Jesus turned the challenge towards his accusers.  Ineffect he said: Go ahead and stone her!  But let the person who iswithout sin be the first to cast a stone.  The Lord leaves the

matter to their own consciences.  When the adulterous woman is leftalone with Jesus, he both expresses mercy and he strongly exhortsher to not sin again.  The scribes wished to condemn, Jesus wishedto forgive and to restore the sinner to health.  His challengeinvolved a choice-- either go back to your former way of sin anddeath or to reach out to the new way of life and happiness withhim.  Jesus gave her pardon and a new start on life.  God's graceenables us to confront our sin for what it is -- unfaithfulness toGod, and to turn back to God with a repentant heart and a thankfulspirit for God's mercy and forgiveness.  Do you know the joy ofrepentance and a clean conscience? "God our Father, we find it difficult to come to you, because ourknowledge of you is imperfect.  In our ignorance we have imaginedyou to be our enemy; we have wrongly thought that you take pleasurein punishing our sins; and we have foolishly conceived you to be atyrant over human life.  But since Jesus came among us, he hasshown that you love, that you are on our side against all thatstunts life, and that our resentment against you was groundless. So we come to you, asking you to forgive our past ignorance, andwanting to know more and more of you and your forgiving love,through Jesus Christ our Lord."  (Prayer of Saint Augustine)

"Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness"Scripture:  John 8:12-20 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world;he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have thelight of life." 13 The Pharisees then said to him, "You are bearingwitness to yourself; your testimony is not true." 14 Jesusanswered, "Even if I do bear witness to myself, my testimony istrue, for I know whence I have come and whither I am going, but youdo not know whence I come or whither I am going. 15 You judgeaccording to the flesh, I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge,my judgment is true, for it is not I alone that judge, but I and hewho sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of twomen is true; 18 I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sentme bears witness to me." 19 They said to him therefore, "Where isyour Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father;if you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 These words hespoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no onearrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Meditation: Do you know what it's like to be in total darkness,confused, disoriented, not knowing where to turn for help?  Whenthe Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, confused anddisoriented, and wishing they were back in their familiar huts atEgypt, God made his presence known to them through a pillar of fireat night and a cloud by day.  This light not only brought themassurance of safety and care, but it literally guided them througha trackless wasteland.  Around the time of the Feast ofTabernacles, also known as the Festival of Lights, Jesus proclaimsthat he is the "light of the world". This statement must have madea striking impression on the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem forthe occasion.  For eight nights the great candelabras which stoodin the Temple courtyard lit the Jerusalem skyline with a blaze ofdazzeling light. Jesus' statement very likely came at the end ofthe Festival when the great lights where extinguished.  In so manywords, Jesus says he is the one, true light which no one canextinguish or diminish (see John 1:4-5).  He is light not only forGod's chosen people Israel, but for all people and   nations aswell. Many of the scribes and Pharisees reacted with shock and treatedJesus with hostility. They understood that such a claim had to dowith the work which only God could do. The word light wasespecially associated with God. The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1).The Lord will be your everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19). When I sitin darkness, the Lord will be a light to me (Micah 7:8). Jesuschastises the scribes and Pharisees for making bad judgments basedon wrong assumptions and evil intentions.  Jesus bases his judgmentnot on human knowledge and perception but on God's knowledge andrevelation. Jesus is both just and merciful as none other can be.His light both exposes the darkness of sin in us, which is hiddenfrom others, and heals our sinful infirmities as well. Jesus' lightalso produces abundant life and fruit in us.  Just as natural lifedepends on light (without it nothing could live or grow), so thelight of heaven produces spiritual life in those who receive it.The light which Jesus gives enables us to walk freely andconfidently without stumbling in the darkness of sin and disbelief.His light warms our heart to the truth of God's love and it opensour vision to the reality of God's kingdom. Do you walk confidentlyin the light of God's truth and love? "O gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you,diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold

you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you;through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayerof Saint Benedict)

"When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that Iam he"Scripture:  John 8:21-30 21 Again he said to them, "I go away, and you will seek me and diein your sin; where I am going, you cannot come." 22 Then said theJews, "Will he kill himself, since he says, `Where I am going, youcannot come'?" 23 He said to them, "You are from below, I am fromabove; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 I told youthat you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sinsunless you believe that I am he." 25 They said to him, "Who areyou?" Jesus said to them, "Even what I have told you from thebeginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge; buthe who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I haveheard from him." 27 They did not understand that he spoke to themof the Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Sonof man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing onmy own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. 29 And hewho sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always dowhat is pleasing to him." 30 As he spoke thus, many believed inhim. Meditation: Do you know the healing power of the cross of Christ?When the people of Israel were afflicted with serpents in thewilderness because of their sin, God instructed Moses: "Make afiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten,when he sees it, shall live" (Numbers 21:8). The bronze serpentpoints to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death andobtains everlasting life for those who believe. The result of Jesus"being lifted up on the cross" and his rising and exaltation to theFather's right hand in heaven, is our "new birth in the Spirit" andadoption as sons and daughters of God. God not only redeems us, buthe fills us with his own divine life and power that we might sharein his glory. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit that we may have powerto be his witnesses and to spread and defend the gospel by word andaction, and to never be ashamed of Christ's Cross. Are you ready towitness the truth and joy of the gospel to those around you?  While many believed in Jesus and his message, many others,including the religious leaders, opposed him. Some openly mocked

him when he warned them about their sin of unbelief.  Some of hislisteners mocked him when he warned them about their sin ofunbelief.  It's impossible to be indifferent to Jesus' word and hisjudgments.  We are either for him or against him.  There are nomiddle ground or neutral parties.   When Jesus spoke about goingaway he was speaking about his return to his Father and to hisglory. His opponents could not follow him because by theircontinuous disobedience to the word of God and their refusal toaccept him, they had shut themselves off from God. Jesus warnedthem that if they continued to refuse him they would die in theirsins. Jesus' words echoed the prophetic warning given to Ezekiel(see Ezekiel 3:18 and 18:18) where God warns his people to heed hisword before the time is too late. God gives us time to turn to himand to receive his grace, but that time is right now. To sin literally means to miss the mark or to be off target.  Theessence of sin is that it diverts us from God and from our truepurpose in life -- to know the source of all truth and beauty whichis God himself and to be united with God in everlasting joy.  WhenAdam first sinned, he hid himself from God (Genesis 3:8-10).  Thatis what sin does; it separates us from the One who is all loving,all-wise, and all-just.  Jesus went on to explain that if peoplecould not recognize him in his word then they would recognize himin the Cross -- when the Son of man is lifted up.  The cross is theultimate proof of God's love for us. God so loved the world that hegave us his only Son, that whoever believes in him should notperish but have eternal life (John 3:16).   To fail to recognizeJesus and where he came from is to remain in spiritual darkness; tobelieve Jesus and his words is to walk in the joy and light ofGod's truth.  There are certain opportunities in life that come anddo not return. Each of us is given the opportunity to know and toaccept Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  But that opportunity canbe rejected and lost. Life here is limited and short, but how welive it has everlasting consequences. Do you take advantage of thepresent time to make room for God so that your life will count foreternity? "Lord Jesus, grant this day, to direct and sanctify, to rule andgovern our hearts and bodies, so that all our thoughts, words anddeeds may be according to your Father's law and thus may we besaved and protected through your mighty help."

"The truth will make you free"

Scripture:  John 8:31-42 31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If youcontinue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you willknow the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answeredhim, "We are descendants of Abraham, and have never been in bondageto any one. How is it that you say, `You will be made free'?" 34Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, every one whocommits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not continue inthe house for ever; the son continues for ever. 36 So if the Sonmakes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you aredescendants of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me, because my wordfinds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with myFather, and you do what you have heard from your father." 39 Theyanswered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If youwere Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did, 40 but nowyou seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heardfrom God; this is not what Abraham did. 41 You do what your fatherdid." They said to him, "We were not born of fornication; we haveone Father, even God." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were yourFather, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God;I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Meditation: Do you know the joy and freedom of submission to Godand his word? Freedom today usually means "freedom to do as Iplease".  This notion of freedom, however, is a mask for servitudeto one's passions and unruly desires and to the power of sin. Jesus offers his disciples true freedom -- freedom from the slaveryof fear, the slavery of selfishness, freedom from the fear of whatothers might think or say about us, and freedom from hurtfuldesires and the power of sin. The good news of the gospel is thatChrist has set us free from the power of sin.  How is thispossible?  Through the power of his Holy Spirit we can choose towalk in his way of love and holiness. A disciple is a follower anda listener.  If we listen to the words of Jesus, with a humble andteachable spirit, he will give us the grace and the power to followin his way of holiness.  Ask the Lord to open your ears to his wordthat you may be attentive to his voice. Jesus came to do the will of his Father. He was not spared thecross which he willing embraced for our sake. His obediencereversed the curse of Adam’s disobedience. The Father crowned himwith victory over sin, death, and Satan. Jesus shows us the way totrue freedom and victory–freely submitting our heart, mind, and

will to an all-merciful, all-loving, and all-wise God. What theFather offers us is a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy inthe Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17).The happiest, freest people are thosewho delight in God. Their joy is the pleasure of doing the Father’swill. Do you know the joy of obedience? "Lord, write your words of love and truth upon my heart and make mea diligent student and a worthy disciple of your word."

"Before Abraham was, I am"Gospel Reading:  John 8:51-59 51 truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he willnever see death." 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that youhave a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, `Ifany one keeps my word, he will never taste death.' 53 Are yougreater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died!Who do you claim to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself,my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom yousay that he is your God. 55 But you have not known him; I know him.If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I doknow him and I keep his word.  56 Your father Abraham rejoiced thathe was to see my day; he saw it and was glad." 57 The Jews thensaid to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seenAbraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you,before Abraham was, I am." 59 So they took up stones to throw athim; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. Meditation: Do you thirst to know God -- to know him personally andthe power and depth of his love for us? God made us to know him andhe gives us the gift of faith and understanding to grow in ourknowledge of him. Jesus challenged the people of Israel to accepthis word as the revelation of God. His claims challenged the veryfoundation of their belief and understanding of God. Jesus made aseries of claims which are the very foundation of his life andmission. What are these claims? First, Jesus claims uniqueknowledge of God.  Jesus claims that the only way to full knowledgeof the mind and heart of God is through himself.  Jesus also claimsunique obedience to God the Father.  He thinks lives and acts inthe knowledge of his Father's word.  To look at his life is to "seehow God wishes me to live."  In Jesus alone we see what God wantsus to know and what he wants us to be. When the Jews asked Jesus who do you claim to be? he answered,before Abraham was, I am.  Jesus claims to be timeless and there is

only one in the universe who is timeless, namely God. Jesus Christis the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Jesuswas not just a man who came, lived, died, and then rose again.  Heis the immortal timeless One, who always was and always will be. In Jesus we see the eternal God in visible flesh. His death andrising make it possible for us to share in his eternal life.  Doyou live in the hope and joy of the resurrection? "Lord, let your word be on my lips and in my heart that I may walkin the freedom of your truth and love."

"For judgment I came into this world, which those who do not seemay see"Scripture: John 9:1-41 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 2 And hisdisciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,that he was born blind?"  3 Jesus answered, "It was not that thisman sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be mademanifest in him.  4 We must work the works of him who sent me,while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. 5 As long as Iam in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 As he said this,he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed theman's eyes with the clay, 7 saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool ofSilo'am" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came backseeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as abeggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Somesaid, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said,"I am the man." 10 They said to him, "Then how were your eyesopened?" 11 He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay andanointed my eyes and said to me, `Go to Silo'am and wash'; so Iwent and washed and received  my sight." 12 They said to him,"Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly beenblind. 14 Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay andopened his eyes. 15 The Pharisees again asked him how he hadreceived his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes,and I washed, and I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This manis not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But otherssaid, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was adivision among them. 17 So they again said to the blind man, "Whatdo you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "Heis a prophet."

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had receivedhis sight, until they called the parents of the man who hadreceived his sight, 19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who yousay was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20 His parentsanswered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was bornblind; 21 but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know whoopened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak forhimself."  22 His parents said this because they feared the Jews,for the Jews had already agreed that if any one should confess himto be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 Thereforehis parents said, "He is of age, ask him."24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind,and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is asinner." 25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know;one thing I know, and that though I was blind, now I see." 26 Theysaid to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would notlisten. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to becomehis disciples?" 28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are hisdisciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God hasspoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comesfrom."  30 The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do notknow where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.  31 We knowthat God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiperof God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since theworld began has it been heard that any one opened the eyes of a manborn blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would youteach us?" And they cast him out.35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him hesaid, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" 36 He answered, "And whois he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "Youhave seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." 38 He said, "Lord,I believe"; and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "For judgment Icame into this world, that those who do not see may see, and thatthose who see may become blind." 40 Some of the Pharisees near himheard this, and they said to him, "Are we also blind?" 41 Jesussaid to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but nowthat you say, `We see,' your guilt remains.Meditation: What's worse: physical blindness or moral and spiritualdarkness?  Sin clouds the mind in darkness and closes the heart to

God's love and truth.  Only in the light of God's truth can we seesin for what it really is, a rejection of God and opposition to hiswill.  The Pharisees equated physical blindness and sickness withsin.  While the scriptures indicate that sin can make the body andmind sick as well as the soul, not all sickness, however is theresult of sin?  Sickness befalls us for a variety of reasons. Paulthe Apostle reminds us that "in everything God works for good withthose who love him" (Romans 8:28) One of the most remarkablemiracles of Jesus is the healing of the man who was blind frombirth. Even the blind man, once cured, marveled and proclaimed that"never since the world began has it been heard that any one openedthe eyes of a man born blind" (John 9:32). This miracle remarkablyreveals the power and glory of God. Why did Jesus use his own spittle in healing this man?  Jesuswanted to identify with this man's misery and to draw faith andconfidence in him as well. He covers his eyes with clay and bidshim to wash in the Pool of Siloam.  This pool was one of thelandmarks of Jerusalem.  Hezekiah had a secret tunnel bored through583 yards of solid rock in the hillside in order to bring waterfrom the Gihon Spring, which was outside the city walls, into thecity proper (2Chr.32:2-8,30; Isa.22:9-11; 2Kgs.20:20). At the Feastof Sukkoth (also known as the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths)water from this pool was brought by one of the priests to thetemple with great trumpet blasts while the people recited the wordsof Isaiah 12:3: "With joy you will draw water from the wells ofsalvation."  It was poured together with wine beside the altar andultimately flowed into the Kidron Valley. This was both athanksgiving offering for the summer harvest and a petition thatGod would continue to provide water and growth for the newlyplanted seeds for the next harvest. It was during the Feast ofSukkoth that Jesus identified himself as the source of this life-giving water (John 7:37). Jesus gave not only physical sight to theblind man, but spiritual vision as well.  That is why Jesusproclaimed himself the "light of the world" (John 9:4). Thismiracle at the Pool of Siloam points to the source of themiraculous life-giving water which Jesus offers throught the giftof the Holy Spirit (John 7:38).  Do you thirst for this life-givingwater? The Pharisees were upset with Jesus on two counts.  First, hehealed the blind man on the Sabbath, which they considered aviolation of the Sabbath rest. Second, how could a sinner and a

sabbath-breaker do such a marvelous work of God!  The cured manmust not have really been blind at all!  This blind man was wellknown to many people and his parents testified under oath that hehad indeed been blind since birth. Their prejudice made them blindto God's intention for the Sabbath and to Jesus' claim to be theOne sent from the Father in heaven to bring freedom and light tohis people.  They tried to intimidate both this cured man and hisparents by threatening them with excommunication from thesynagogue. This man was ostracized by the religious authoritiesbecause he gave witness to the Lord Jesus in his life.  JohnChrysostom, commenting on this passage, remarked: "The Jews (thePharisees) cast him out of the Temple; the Lord of the Temple foundhim." If our witness of Jesus and his redeeming power in our livesseparates us from our fellow neighbors, it nonetheless draws usnearer to Jesus himself.  Paul the Apostles warns us to avoid thedarkness of sin that we might walk more clearly in the light ofChrist (Ephes. 5:8-12). Do you allow any blindspots to blur yourvision of what God is offering you and requiring of you? Jesus is ever ready to heal us and to free us from the darkness ofsin and deception. There is no sickness, whether physical, mental,emotional, or spiritual that the Lord Jesus does not identify with.Isaiah prophesied that the "Suffering Servant" would be bruised forour iniquities and by his stripes we would be healed (Isaiah 53:5).The Lord offers us freedom from spiritual blindness due to sin andhe restores us to wholeness of body, mind, soul, and heart. Augustine of Hippo, in his commentary on this gospel passage,remarks: "If we reflect on the meaning of this miracle, we will seethat the blind man is the human race ...You already knows, ofcourse, who the "One Sent" is.  Unless he had been sent, none of uswould have been freed from sin." "Jesus, in your name the blind see, the lame walk, and the dead areraised to life.  Come into our lives and heal the wounds of ourbroken hearts.  Give us eyes of faith to see your glory and heartsof courage to bring you glory in all we say and do."

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly"Scripture:  John 10:1-10 1"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfoldby the door but climbs in by another way, which man is a thief anda robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of thesheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and

he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he hasbrought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep followhim, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow,but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice ofstrangers." 6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did notunderstand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said tothem, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep didnot heed them. 9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will besaved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comesonly to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life,and have it abundantly. Meditation: What can shepherding teach us about God and ourrelationship with him?  At the end of each day the shepherd broughthis sheep into shelter.  They knew the voice of their shepherd andcame at his beckoning.  So familiar was the shepherd and his sheep,that each was called by a distinct name.  In the winter the sheepwere usually brought to a communal village shelter which was lockedand kept secure by a guardian. In the summer months the sheep wereusually kept out in the fields and then gathered into a fold atnight which was guarded by a shepherd throughout the night.  He wasliterally the door through which the sheep had to pass. Thescriptures describe God as a shepherd who brings security and peaceto his people.  The Lord will keep your going out and your comingin from this time forth and for evermore (Psalm 120:8).Even theleaders of God's people are called shepherds: they shall lead themout and bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord may not beas sheep which have no shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Just as a shepherdkept watch over his sheep and protected them from danger, so Jesusstands watch over his people as the Shepherd and Guardian of oursouls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace and security of a lifefully submitted to God? The Gospel of John: a commentary & meditation 

"My sheep hear my voice, and no one shall snatch them out of myhand"Scripture:  John 10:22-30 22 It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; 23 it waswinter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico ofSolomon. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "Howlong will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us

plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do notbelieve. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witnessto me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to mysheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they followme; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who hasgiven them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatchthem out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." Meditation: How secure is your faith and trust in God?  Scripturedescribes God’s word as a “lamp for our feet and a light for oursteps” (Psalm 119:105). The Jewish Feast of the Dedication is alsocalled the Festival of Lights or Hanakkuh.  This feast was held inlate December, near the time we celebrate Christmas. This is thetime of year when the day is shortest and the night longest.  Jesusused this occasion to declare that he is the true light of theworld (John 8:12).  In his light we can see who God truly is and wecan find the true path to heaven.  Jesus also speaks of thetremendous trust he has in God his Father and the tremendous trustwe ought to have in him, our Good Shepherd.  The security Jesusoffers is an abiding relationship with the living God, andmembership with his flock, the people of God.  Jesus also promisesthe security of peace and protection from evil and the greatestharm that could befall us -- eternal destruction. The Lord does notspare us from all trouble.  In this life we will experience pain,suffering, sickness, and death.  But through these the Lord willlead us to ultimate victory and safety in his everlasting home. Even in the midst of our sufferings we can find a peace andsecurity which no one can give except God alone.   We canconfidently follow the Lord wherever he leads, trusting thatnothing can keep us from God if we trust in him. Have you placedyour life securely in God where it belongs? "Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd.  In you I place all my hopeand I entrust myself to you completely.  Increase my confidence inyour saving grace and in your abiding presence."

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”Scripture:  John 10:11-21 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life forthe sheep. 12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose ownthe sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep andflees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  13 He flees

because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I amthe good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15 as theFather knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life forthe sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; Imust bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shallbe one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me,because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.  18 No onetakes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have powerto lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge Ihave received from my Father." 19 There was again a division amongthe Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, "He has ademon, and he is mad; why listen to him?" 21 Others said, "Theseare not the sayings of one who has a demon. Can a demon open theeyes of the blind?" Meditation: Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherdwho watches over his own? The Old Testament often speaks of God asshepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd; I shallnot want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who leadJoseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheepof his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as theshepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd;he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says heis the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and savethe stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd andGuardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Jesus made three promises tohis followers. He promised them everlasting life. If they accepthim and follow him, they will have the life of God in them. Jesusalso promised them a life that would know no end. Death would notbe the end but the beginning; they would know the glory ofindestructible life. Jesus promised a life that was secure. Jesussaid that nothing would snatch them out of his hand, not evensorrow and death, since he is everlasting life itself.  Our livesare safe in his hands. The words which Jesus spoke upset many of the Jewish leaders.  Howcould he speak with the same authority which God spoke and claim tobe equal with God? He must either be insane or divine. Unfortunately some thought he was mad even though he cured a manwho was blind from birth.  We are faced with the same choice. Either Jesus is who he claims to be -- the Son of God and Savior ofthe world -- or the world's greatest deluder!  We cannot beindifferent to his claim.  For those who accept him as Lord and

Savior he offers the peace and security of unending life and joywith God.  Do you know the peace and security of a life fullysubmitted to Christ? Cyril of Alexander, a 5th century church father comments on Jesusas our Good Shepherd: “He shows in what manner a shepherd may beproved good; and He teaches that he must be prepared to give up hislife fighting in defense of his sheep, which was fulfilled inChrist.  For man has departed from the love of God, and fallen intosin, and because of this was, I say, excluded from the divine abodeof paradise, and when he was weakened by that disaster, he yieldedto the devil tempting him to sin, and death following that sin hebecame the prey of fierce and ravenous wolves.  But after Christwas announced as the True Shepherd of all men, He laid down hislife for us (1 John 3:16), fighting for us against that pack ofinhuman beasts.  He bore the Cross for us, that by His own death hemight destroy death.  He was condemned for us, that He mightdeliver all of us from the sentence of punishment: the tyranny ofsin being overthrown by our faith: fastening to the Cross thedecree that stood against us, as it is written (Col. 2:14).Therefore as the father of sin had as it were shut up the sheep inhell, giving them to death to feed on, as it is written in thepsalms (Ps. Xlviii.16), He died for us as truly Good, and truly ourShepherd, so that the dark shadow of death driven away He mightjoin us to the company of the blessed in heaven; and in exchangefor abodes that lie far in the depths of the pit, and in the hiddenplaces of the sea, grant us mansions in His Father’s House above. Because of this he says to us in another place: Fear not, littleflock, for it has pleased your Father to give you a kingdom (Luke12:32).  Do you listen attentively to the voice of the GoodShepherd and obey his word? "Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over ourlives. May I be ever attentive to your voice and submit fully toyour wise rule for my life.  Draw me near to you that I may alwaysfind peace and joy in your presence.”

"I am the Son of God"Gospel Reading:  John 10:31-42 31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answeredthem, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for whichof these do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "It is not fora good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being

a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it notwritten in your law, `I said, you are Gods'? 35 If he called themGods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken),36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into theworld, `You are blaspheming,' because I said, `I am the Son ofGod'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do notbelieve me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me,believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Fatheris in me and I am in  the Father." 39 Again they tried to arresthim, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again acrossthe Jordan to the place where John at first baptized, and there heremained. 41 And many came to him; and they said, "John did nosign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42And many believed in him there. Meditation: Why were the religious leaders so upset with Jesus thatthey wanted to kill him?  They charged him with blasphemy becausehe claimed to be the Son of God and he made himself equal with God.The law of Moses laid down the death penalty for such a crime: "Hewho blasphemes the name of the LORD shall be put to death; all thecongregation shall stone him" (Lev. 24:16).  As they were pickingup stones to hurl at Jesus, he met their attack with threearguments. The many good works that he did, such as healing thesick, raising the dead, and feeding the hungry -- demonstrated thatthey obviously came from God. Jesus defended his right to call himself the Son of God with aquote from Psalm 82:6 ("I say, "You are gods, sons of the MostHigh, all of you").  If scripture can speak like that of humans,why should Jesus not speak of himself like that? Jesus then madetwo claims:  He was consecrated by the Father to a special task andhe was sent into the world to carry out his Father's mission. Thescriptural understanding of consecration is to make holy for God –to be given over as a free-will offering and sacrifice for God. Jesus made himself a sin-offering for us, to ransom us fromcondemnation and slavery to sin.  He spoke of his Fatherconsecrating him for this mission of salvation (John 10:36). Jesuschallenged his opponents to accept his works if they could notaccept his words. One can argue with words, but deeds are beyondargument. Jesus is the perfect teacher in that he does not base his claims onwhat he says but on what he does. The word of God is life and powerto those who believe.  Jesus shows us the way to walk the path of

truth and holiness. And he anoints us with his power to live thegospel with joy and to be his witnesses in the world.  Are you adoer of God's word, or a forgetful hearer only? "Write upon my heart, O Lord, the lessons of your holy word, andgrant that I may be a doer of your word, and not a forgetful heareronly."

"Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see theglory of God!"Scripture: John 11:1-45 1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village ofMary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lordwith ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brotherLaz'arus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, hewhom you love is ill." 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, "Thisillness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that theSon of God may be glorified by means of it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz'arus. 6 So when heheard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place wherehe was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go intoJudea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews werebut now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any onewalks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the lightof this world. 10 But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles,because the light is not in him." 11 Thus he spoke, and then hesaid to them, "Our friend Laz'arus has fallen asleep, but I go toawake him out of sleep." 12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if hehas fallen asleep, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of hisdeath, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 ThenJesus told them plainly, "Laz'arus is dead; 15 and for your sake Iam glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let usgo to him." 16 Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellowdisciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Laz'arus had already been inthe tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two milesoff, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to consolethem concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus wascoming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldnot have died. 22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from

God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother willrise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise againin the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I amthe resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though hedie, yet shall he lives, 26 and whoever lives and believes in meshall never die. Do you believe this?"  27 She said to him, "Yes,Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who iscoming into the world." 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary,saying quietly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 NowJesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the placewhere Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in thehouse, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, theyfollowed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weepthere. 32 Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him,fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, mybrother would not have  died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, andthe Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved inspirit and troubled; 34 and he said, "Where have you laid him?"They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So theJews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Couldnot he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man fromdying?" 38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave,and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said "Take away the stone."Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by thistime there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." 40Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believeyou would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone.And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank thee thatthou hast heard me. 42 I knew that thou hearest me always, but Ihave said this on account of the people standing by, that they maybelieve that thou didst send me." 43 When he had said this, hecried with a loud voice, "Laz'arus, come out." 44 The dead man cameout, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrappedwith a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." 45Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seenwhat he did, believed in him;Meditation: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born foradversity" (Proverbs 17:17).  Jesus loved Lazarus and his two

sisters as dear friends and he often stayed in their home atBethany.  Why did Jesus delay in coming to Lazarus' side when heknew that his friend was gravely ill? Sickness can befall us for avariety of reasons.  Jesus attributed Lazarus' sickness to theglory of God. The glory which Jesus had in mind, however, wasconnected with the cross.  He saw the cross as his supreme gloryand the way to glory in the kingdom of God.  For Jesus there was noother way to glory except through the cross.  Jesus knew that if hewent to help Lazarus he would expose himself to grave danger fromthose in Jerusalem who were plotting his destruction.  Jesus waswilling to pay the price to help his friend. Are you ready to givehelp when it costs dearly? Jesus' two day delay must have puzzled his disciples.  But theywere clearly startled and upset when Jesus did announce that he wasgoing to Bethany, which is very close to Jerusalem. This lookedlike suicide since they knew the religious authorities were out toget rid of Jesus. For Jesus to come to Jerusalem at Passover timewas an act of courage.  The explanation which Jesus gave to hisdisciples was simple and challenging at the same time. "Are therenot twelve hours in the day?"  In so many words he said: "There areenough hours in the day to do what one must do."  A day can neitherbe rushed nor extended.  Its period is fixed.  In God's economy weeach have our "day" whether it be short or long.  While time islimited, there is enough for us to accomplish what God intends. God gives each of us our allotted portion in life.  We can eitherwaste it or use it to the utmost for God's glory.  Jesus did notlet circumstances or pressure dictate what he would do. Nor did hepermit others to dictate his actions or timetable. He took actionof his own initiative and in his good time.  Don't we often try toget God to do things in our way and on our timetable? Both the Romans and the Jews divided the day into twelve equalhours from sunrise to sunset.  The day's work and travel, however,ceased when the daylight was gone.  If someone wanted to get theirday's work done, he had to do it before it got dark.  Jesus made aspiritual analogy with our relationship with God.  While the lightof Christ is with us, we must live and walk in the truth and graceof his light.  There's a right time to make peace with God, andthat time is now.  When darkness comes, then judgment follows forthose who refuse God and spurn his love. When Jesus announced that Lazarus was dead and that he was going toJerusalem, Thomas showed remarkable courage.  "Let us go, that we

may die with him."  This courage, however, was not tempered withfaith and hope in God's promise to bring victory out of defeat.Even though Thomas was a witness to Lazarus' resurrection, hebetrayed his master when arrest and death stared him in the face. He doubted his master's resurrection until Jesus showed him thewounds of his passion. God gives us faith, courage, and thestrength we need to persevere through any trial and suffering wemust face in this life.  If we embrace our cross with faith andtrust in God, then we, too, will see victory and glory. What is the significance of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead? It is more than a miraculous event.  It is a "sign" of God'spromise to raise up all who have died in Christ to everlastinglife.  That is why Jesus asked Martha if she believed in theresurrection from the dead. The Christian creed, which is theprofession of our faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit andin the saving power of God, culminates in the proclamation of theresurrection of the dead on the last day and in life everlasting. This is our faith and our hope. "If the Spirit of him who raisedJesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus fromthe dead will give life to your mortal  bodies also through hisSpirit which dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). God gives us the powerof his Holy Spirit that we may be made alive in Christ.  Even nowwe can experience the power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesusin our personal lives.  The Holy Spirit is ever ready to change andtransform us into men and women of faith, hope, and love. Do youbelieve that the power of Jesus' resurrection is at work in yourlife today?  Let the Holy Spirit strengthen within you the life andjoy of God and the hope of heaven. The name Lazarus means "God is my help".  Jesus' parable of thepoor man Lazarus who died and was carried by the angels toAbraham's bosom (Luke 16:19-31), ends with a warning: "If they donot hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced ifsome one should rise from the dead."  Through Lazarus' sickness andsubsequent death, God brought glory through Jesus his only begottenSon, who raised his friend from the dead in anticipation of his owndeath and resurrection.  Our participation in the Lord's Supper inthe Eucharist already gives us a foretaste of Jesus'transfiguration of our bodies.  Irenaeus, a second century churchfather states:  "Just as bread that comes from the earth, afterGod's blessing has been invoked upon it, is no longer ordinarybread, but Eucharist, formed of two things, the one earthly and the

other heavenly: so too our bodies, which partake of the Eucharist,are no longer corruptible, but possess the hope of resurrection"(Adv. Haeres. 4, 18). Psalm 27 ends with the great prayer of hopein the resurrection: I believe that I shall see the goodness of theLord in the land of the living!  Wait for the Lord; be strong, andlet your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord!  Do you findjoy and hope in the resurrection of Christ? "Lord Jesus Christ, you have ransomed us with your blood andrestored us to life with the Father in heaven.  May yourresurrection be our hope as we long for the day when we will seeyou face to face in glory?"

  They took counsel how to put Jesus to deathScripture: John 11:45-57 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seenwhat he did, believed in him; 46 but some of them went to thePharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chiefpriests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, "What arewe to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go onthus, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come anddestroy both our holy place and our nation." 49 But one of them,Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You knownothing at all; 50 you do not understand that it is expedient foryou that one man should die for the people, and that the wholenation should not perish." 51 He did not say this of his ownaccord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesusshould die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but togather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 Sofrom that day on they took counsel how to put him to death. 54Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews, butwent from there to the country near the wilderness, to a towncalled Ephraim; and there he stayed with the disciples. 55 Now thePassover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the countryto Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Theywere looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood inthe temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to thefeast?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given ordersthat if any one knew where he was, he should let them know, so thatthey might arrest him. Meditation:  Do you allow fear or opposition to hold you back fromdoing God’s will?  Jesus set his face like flint toward Jerusalem,

knowing full well what awaited him there (Luke 9:51; Isaiah 50:7).It was Jewish belief that when the high priest asked for God'scounsel for the nation, God spoke through him.  What dramatic ironythat Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus must die for the nation. Theprophet Ezekiel announced that God would establish one people, oneland, one prince, and one sanctuary forever (Ezek. 37:26-28). Lukeadds to Caiphas’s prophecy that Jesus would gather into one thechildren of God who are scattered abroad. Jesus came to lay downhis life for the many, but not in a foolish reckless manner so asto throw it away before his work was done.  He retired until thetime had come when nothing would stop his coming to Jerusalem tofulfill his Father's mission. Augustine wrote: "The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christis the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. ..He loved us somuch that, sinless himself, he suffered for us sinners thepunishment we deserved for our sins.  How then can he fail to giveus the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for he is thesource of righteousness?  How can he, whose promises are true, failto reward the saints when he bore the punishment of sinners, thoughwithout sin himself? Brethren, let us then fearlessly acknowledge,and even openly proclaim that Christ was crucified for us; let usconfess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory." Theway to glory and victory for us is through the cross of JesusChrist.  Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Christ inhis way of victory? "Lord, may we your disciples be ever ready to lay down our lives inconformity to your will, to willingly suffer and die for you, thatwe may also share in your victory and glory."

  Extravagant love for JesusScripture: John 12:1-11 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, whereLaz'arus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 There theymade him a supper; Martha served, and Laz'arus was one of those attable with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nardand anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair;and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4 ButJudas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him),said, 5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denariiand given to the poor?" 6 This he said, not that he cared for thepoor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he

used to take what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, "Let her alone,let her keep it for the day of my burial. 8 The poor you alwayshave with you, but you do not always have me." 9 When the greatcrowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only onaccount of Jesus but also to see Laz'arus, whom he had raised fromthe dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Laz'arus also todeath, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were goingaway and believing in Jesus. 12 The next day a great crowd who hadcome to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. Meditation:  Do you know the love that knows no bounds? As Jesusdines with his beloved friends, Mary does something which only lovecan do.  She took the most precious thing she had and spent it allon Jesus.  Her love was not calculated but extravagant. Mary'saction was motivated by one thing, and one thing only, namely, herlove for Jesus and her gratitude for God’s mercy.  She didsomething; however, a Jewish woman would never do in public. Sheloosed her hair and anointed Jesus with her tears. It was customaryfor a woman on her wedding day to bind her hair. For a marriedwoman to loosen her hair in public was a sign of grave immodesty.Mary was oblivious to all around her, except for Jesus. She took nothought for what others would think, but what would please herLord. In humility she stooped to anoint Jesus' feet and to dry themwith her hair. How do you anoint the Lord’s feet and show him yourlove and gratitude? The gospel records that the whole house was filled with the perfumeof the ointment. What Mary had done brought sweetness not only inthe physical sense, but the spiritual sense as well.  Her lovelydeed shows the extravagance of love -- a love that we cannotoutmatch.  The Lord Jesus showed us the extravagance of his love ingiving the best he had by pouring out his own blood for us and byanointing us with his Holy Spirit.   The Apostle Paul says thatnothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in ChristJesus (Romans 8:39).  Does the love of God rule in your heart, mind, and actions? Why was Judas critical of Mary’s lovely deed?  Judas viewed her actas extravagant wastefulness because of greed. A person views thingsaccording to what it inside the heart or soul.  Judas was anembittered man and had a warped sense of what was precious andvaluable, especially to God. Jesus had put Judas in charge of theircommon purse, no doubt because he was gifted in financial matters.  The greatest temptation we can face will often come in the area of

our greatest strength or gifting.  Judas used money entrusted tohim for wrong and hurtful purposes.  He allowed greed and personalgain to corrupt his heart and to warp his view of things.  He wascritical towards Mary because he imputed unworthy motives.  Do youexamine your heart correctly when you impute wrong or unworthymotives towards others? "Give us, Lord, a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, alove of you.  Take from us all lukewarmness in meditation, dullnessin prayer.  Give us fervor and delight in thinking of you and yourgrace, your tender compassion towards me.  The things we pray for,good Lord, give us grace to labor for: through Jesus Christ ourLord."  (Prayer of Sir Thomas More, 16th century)

"If the grain of wheat dies, it bears much fruit"Scripture: John 12:20-33 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were someGreeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Beth-sa'ida inGalilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."  22 Philipwent and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus.  23 And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of manto be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain ofwheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if itdies, it bears much fruit.  25 He who loves his life loses it, andhe who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26 If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, thereshall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father willhonor him.  27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say?`Father, save me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I have cometo this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name." Then a voice came fromheaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."  29 Thecrowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Otherssaid, "An angel has spoken to him."  30 Jesus answered, "This voicehas come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment ofthis world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; 32 andI, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men tomyself." 33 He said this to show by what death he was to die. Meditation: What can a grain of wheat tell us about life in thekingdom of God?  Jesus drew his parables from the common everydaycircumstances of life.  His audience, rural folk in Palestine,could easily understand the principle of new life from nature. Seeds cannot produce new life by themselves.  They must first be

planted in the earth before they can grow and produce fruit.   Whatis the spiritual analogy which Jesus alludes to?  Is this, perhaps,a veiled reference to his own impending death on the cross andresurrection?  Or does he have another kind of "death and rebirth"in mind for his disciples?  Jesus, no doubt, had both meanings inmind for his disciples.  The image of the grain of wheat dying inthe earth in order to grow and bear a harvest can be seen as ametaphor of Jesus' own death and burial in the tomb and hisresurrection.  Jesus knew that the only way to victory over thepower of sin and death was through the cross.  Jesus reversed thecurse of our first parents' disobedience through his obedience tothe Father's will -- his willingness to go to the cross to pay thejust penalty for our sins and to defeat death once and for all. His obedience and death on the cross obtain for us freedom and newlife in the Holy Spirit.  His cross frees us from the tyranny ofsin and death and shows us the way of perfect love.  If we want to experience the new life which Jesus offers, then theouter shell of our old, fallen nature must be broken and put todeath. In Baptism our “old nature” enslaved by sin is buried withChrist and we rise as a “new creation” in Christ.  This process ofdeath to the “old fallen self” is both a one-time event, such asbaptism, and a daily, on-going cycle in which God buries us moredeeply into Jesus’ death to sin so we might rise anew and bearfruit for God. There is a great paradox here.  Death leads tolife.  When we "die" to our selves, we "rise" to new life in JesusChrist. What does it mean to "die" to oneself?  It certainly means thatwhat is contrary to God's will must be "crucified" or "put todeath".  God gives us grace to say "yes" to his will and to rejectwhatever is contrary to his loving plan for our lives.  Jesus alsopromises that we will bear much "fruit" for him, if we choose todeny ourselves for his sake.  Jesus used forceful language todescribe the kind of self-denial he had in mind for his disciples.  What did he mean when he said that one must hate himself?  Theexpression to hate something often meant to prefer less.  Jesussays that nothing should get in the way of our preferring him andthe will of our Father in heaven.  Our hope is in Paul's reminderthat "What is sown in the earth is subject to decay, what rises isincorruptible" (1 Cor. 15:42).  Do you hope in the Lord and followjoyfully the path he has chosen for you?

"Lord, let me be wheat sown in the earth, to be harvested for you.  I want to follow wherever you lead me.  Give me fresh hope and joyin serving you all the days of my life. “Lord, your gospel bringsjoy and freedom. May I be loyal to you always, even though itproduces a cross on earth, which I may share in your crown ineternity".

Jesus' supreme humilityScripture: John 13:1-17 1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that hishour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, havingloved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heartof Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowingthat the Father had given all things into his hands, and that hehad come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper, laidaside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5 Then hepoured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet,and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. 6 He cameto Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"7 Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, butafterward you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You shallnever wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, youhave no part in me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feetonly but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He whohas bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he isclean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you." 11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You arenot all clean." 12 When he had washed their feet, and taken hisgarments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know whatI have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord; and you areright, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, havewashed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 ForI have given you an example, that you also should do as I have doneto you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greaterthan his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who senthim. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. Meditation:  As Jesus' hour of humiliation draws near he reveals tohis disciples the supreme humility which shaped the love he had forthem. He stoops to perform a menial task reserved for servants --the washing of smelly, dirty feet. In stooping to serve his

disciples Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of them and thatthe rest would abandon him through disloyalty. Such knowledge couldhave easily led to bitterness or hatred. Jesus met the injury ofbetrayal and disloyalty with the greatest humility and supremelove. Jesus loved his disciples to the very end, even when theyfailed him and forsook him. The Lord loves each of usunconditionally.  His love has power to set us free to serve otherswith Christ-like compassion and humility.   Does the love of Christrule in your heart and thoughts and in your actions? "Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me tolove others freely, with heart-felt compassion, kindness andgoodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather thanstrife?"

Disloyalty versus fidelityScripture: John 13:18-20 18 I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it isthat the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread haslifted his heel against me.' 19 I tell you this now, before ittakes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I amhe. 20 truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom Isend receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."Meditation: How do you treat people who have caused you grief ordisappointment, especially those who might be related to you inbonds of friendship or kinship? In his last supper discourse, Jesusaddressed the issue of fidelity and disloyalty in relationships.Jesus knew beforehand that one of his own disciples would betrayhim.   Such knowledge could have easily led Jesus to distancehimself from such a man and to protect himself from harm’s way. Instead, Jesus shows affection and loyalty to those who were hisown, even to the one he knew would do violence to him throughbetrayal. Jesus used a quotation from Psalm 4:9 which describe anact of treachery by one’s closest friend.  In the culture of Jesus’day, to eat bread with someone was a gesture of friendship andtrust.  Jesus extends such friendship to Judas right at the momentwhen Judas is conspiring to betray his master. The expression lifthis heel against me reinforces the brute nature of this act ofviolence.  Jesus loved his disciples to the end and proved hisfaithfulness to them even to death on the cross. Through his deathand resurrection Jesus opened a new way of relationship andfriendsh with God. Jesus tells his disciples that if they accept

him they also accept the Father who sent him. This principleextends to all who belong to Christ and who speak in his name.  Toaccept the Lord's messenger is to accept Jesus himself. The greathonor and the great responsibility a Christian has is to stand inthe world for Jesus Christ. As his disciples we are called to speakfor him and to act for him.  Are you ready to stand for Jesus atthe cross of opposition and hostility? "Eternal God, who are the light of the minds that know you, the joyof the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills thatserve you; grant us so to know you, that we may truly love you, andso to love you that we manfully serve you, whom to serve is perfectfreedom, in Jesus our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Augustine)

  Betrayal and faltering loyalty to JesusScripture: John 13:21-30 21 When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, andtestified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to thebreast of Jesus; 24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tellus who it is of whom he speaks." 25 So lying thus, close to thebreast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesusanswered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I havedipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas,the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after the morsel, Satan enteredinto him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, doquickly." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus wastelling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he shouldgive something to the poor.30 So, after receiving the morsel, heimmediately went out; and it was night. Meditation:  Jesus' disciples were put to the test as Jesusprepared to make the final and ultimate sacrifice of his own lifefor their sake and for the entire world.  What was differentbetween Peter and Judas?  Judas deliberately betrayed his Masterwhile Peter, in a moment of weakness, denied him with an oath and acurse. Judas' act was cold and calculated.  Peter, however, nevermeant to do what he did.  He acted impulsively, out of weakness andcowardice.  Jesus knew both the strength of Peter's loyalty and theweakness of his resolution.  He had a habit of speaking with hisheart without thinking through the implications of what he was

saying.  The treachery of Judas, however, is seen at its worst whenJesus makes his appeal by showing special affection to him at hislast supper. John says that Satan entered into Judas when herejected Jesus and left to pursue his evil course. Satan can twistlove and turn it into hate. He can turn holiness into pride,discipline into cruelty, and affection into complacency. We must beon our guard lest Satan turn us from the love of God and the pathwhich God has chosen for us. The Holy Spirit will give us grace andstrength in our time of testing.  If we submit to Jesus we willwalk in the light of his truth and love.  If we turn our backs onhim we will stumble and fall in the ways of sin and darkness. Areyou ready to follow Jesus in his way of the cross?

  "Love one another, even as I have loved you"Scripture: John 13:31-38 31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of manglorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified inhim, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seekme; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I amgoing you cannot come.' 34 A new commandments I give to you, thatyou love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also loveone another. 35 By this all men will know that you are mydisciples, if you have love for one another." 36 Simon Peter saidto him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I amgoing you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." 37Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will laydown my life for you." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down yourlife for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow,till you have denied me three times. Meditation: How does God reveal his glory to us?  In his LastSupper discourse Jesus speaks of his glory and the glory of hisFather. What is this glory? It is the cross which Jesus speaks ofhere. The cross of Jesus shows us that the greatest glory in lifeis the glory of willingly sacrificing one's life for the sake ofanother. In the cross God reveals the breadth of his great love forsinners and the power of redemption which cancels the debt of sinand reverses the curse of our condemnation. Jesus gave his Fathersupreme honor and glory through his obedience and willingness tosacrifice his life on the cross. The greatest trust one can give totheir leader is the willingness to obey in the line of duty, even

to the point of putting oneself in harm's way. In warfare thegreatest honor belongs not to those who survive but to those whogive the supreme sacrifice of their lives. Jesus also speaks of theFather bringing glory to the Son through the great mystery of theIncarnation and Cross of Christ. God the Father gave us his onlybegotten Son for our sake, to redeem us from slavery to sin anddeath.  He freely offered his Son as the atoning sacrifice for oursins and the sins of the world.  There is no greater proof of God's love for us than the Cross ofJesus Christ. In the cross we see a new way of love – a love thatis selfless, sacrificial, forgiving and compassionate beyondcomprehension. Jesus commands us, his disciples, to love oneanother just as he has loved us. How can we love one anotherselflessly, sacrificially, and with compassion? Through the victoryof the cross and resurrection, we  have access to God's grace andmercy.  God gives us new life through the gift of the Holy Spiritand he fills our hearts with faith, hope, and love. Paul theApostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). As we turn to God with trust and obedience, he transforms ourhearts and frees us to love others with compassion and kindness. Do you want to bring glory to God in the way you love others? "Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds and your obedience to theFather reverses the curse of our disobedience. May I bring youglory in the sacrifice of my will to the will of the Father and inmy love and compassion for others, both for those who treat me welland for those who cause me grief or harm."

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life"Scripture: John 14:1-6 1 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also inme. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, wouldI have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And when Igo and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take youto myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the waywhere I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not knowwhere you are going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him,"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to theFather, but by me. Meditation: Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God’s peace? Asmuch as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter troubles

and difficulties, and sometimes more than we think we can handle! Jesus knew his disciples would have to face adversity and trialsafter he left them to return to his Father. Jesus assured them thathis departure is for their good, in order to secure a place forthem in God’s house – a place of refuge, peace, and everlastinghappiness.  The Lord Jesus assures us of a safe passage to our truehome in heaven with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If heaven is our destination, how can we be sure we know the waywithout some kind of map or guide?  The scriptures speak of the waywe should go.  “You shall not turn aside to the right hand or tothe left.  You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your Godhas commanded you” (Deuteronomy 5:32-33).  “And a highway shall bethere, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall notpass over it, and fools shall not err therein” (Isaiah).  Teach meyour way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path” (Psalm 27:11). Jesus proclaims: “I am the Way.”  The Lord Jesus does not simplygive advice and direction.  He personally is the way, and we cannotmiss it.  He leads and guides us personally every day.  The LordJesus also is the Truth.  Many can say, "I have taught you thetruth."  Only Jesus can say, I am the Truth. Moral truth cannot beconveyed in words alone; it must be conveyed in example.  Jesusembodies the truth in his person.  Jesus also is the Life.  He notonly shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the kind oflife which only God can give -- eternal life.  Is there any fear ortrouble which keeps you from the perfect peace and happiness of alife surrendered to Christ?  "Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence andyou give us the hope of everlasting life with the Father in Heaven.Show me the Father that I may know and glorify him more fully." 

  "If a man loves me, he will keep my word"Scripture: John 14:21-26 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who lovesme; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will lovehim and manifest myself to him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said tohim, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, andnot to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, hewill keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come tohim and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does notkeep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but theFather's who sent me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while

I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whomthe Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, andbring to your remembrance all  that I have said to you. Meditation:  Do you know the love that surpasses all, that isstronger than death itself (Song of Songs 8:6)? In Jesus' lastsupper discourse he speaks of the love he has for his disciples andof his Father's love. He prepares his disciples for his imminentdeparture to return to his Father by exhorting them to prove theirlove for him through their loyalty and obedience to his word. Hepromises them the abiding instruction and consolation of the HolySpirit. Saint Augustine says the Lord loves each of us as if therewere only one of us to love. God’s love for each of us is as realand tangible as the love of a mother for her child and the love ofa lover who gives all for his beloved. God made us for love — toknow him personally and to grow in the knowledge of his great lovefor us. How can we know and be assured of the love of God? The HolySpirit helps us to grow in the knowledge of God and his greatlove.  The Spirit enables us to experience the love of God and tobe assured of the Lord’s abiding presence with us (see Romans 8:35-39). The Holy Spirit also opens our ears to hear and understand theword of God.  Do you listen attentively to God's word and believeit?  Ask the Holy Spirit to inflame your heart with the love of Godand his word. "Lord, in love you created me and you drew me to yourself. May Inever lose sight of you nor forget your steadfast love andfaithfulness. And may I daily dwell upon your word and give youpraise in the sanctuary of my heart, you who are my All."

  "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid"Scripture: John 14:23-29 23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word,and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make ourhome with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words;and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sentme. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still withyou. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father willsend in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to yourremembrance all  that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave withyou; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give toyou. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.' If

you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father;for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you beforeit take place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. Meditation:  What makes us both truly human and truly like God?Love for certain.  It is love that unites us in a bond offellowship with others.  From the very beginning of creation Godsaid: it is not good that man should be alone (Genesis 2:18).  Wewere created in love for love -- to be a community of lovingpersons, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united inlove. John Henry Newman said: We love because it is our nature tolove, and it is our nature because God the Holy Spirit has made itour nature. Jesus speaks to his disciples of the inseparable boundof love between himself and the Father, and of their love forhumankind. In Jesus we see the fullness of God's love and how God'slove is directed to our well-being.  In this the love of God wasmade manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world,so that we might have life through him (1 John 4:9).  How do weknow that God loves us?  In the cross we see the proof of God'slove for us and the incredible price God was willing to pay for ourredemption. Jesus gave up his life that we might have life —abundant, everlasting life with God -- a life of love and unitywith the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever.  Through the crossJesus opened a new way of relationship for us as adopted sons anddaughters of God — his beloved children (Romans 8:14-17).  Jesuscalls his disciples to walk in his way of love through obedience tothe will of the Father. True love is more than sentiment or goodintentions.  As important as these may be they are not the proof ofsincere love.  True love for God is expressed in obedience andobedience is expressed in love.  Jesus promised to give hisfollowers the best of gifts, the Holy Spirit as their Counselor andHelper.  How does the Holy Spirit help us? Counselor is a legalterm for one who defends someone against an adversary and whoguides that person during the ordeal of trial.  The Holy Spirit isour Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challengesand adversities we must face in this life.  The Holy Spirit is alsothe Giver of life -- the life of God -- and the One who guides usin the way of truth.  We can never stop learning because the Spiritleads us more and more into the knowledge of God's love and truth.Jesus also promised his followers the gift of peace. Peace is morethan the absence of conflict or trouble.  Peace includes everythingwhich makes for our highest good. Trust in God, faith in his

promises, and obedience to his word lead us to peace and safety inGod's presence.  That is why a Christian need not fear or betroubled by anything.  What can separate us from the love of God inChrist Jesus? "O God, you are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable seaof love, the fountain of blessings and the bestowed of affection,who sends peace to those who receive it. Open to us this day thesea of your love and water us with abundant streams from the richesof your grace and from the sweetest springs of your kindness.  Makeus children of quietness and heirs of peace; enkindle in us thefire of your love; sow in us your fear; strengthen our weakness byyour power; bind us closely to you and to each other in our firmand indissoluble bond of unity." (An ancient prayer from the SyrianClementine liturgy) Psalm 67:2-7 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving power among allnations. 3 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praisethee! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for thou dost judge thepeoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. [Selah] 5 Letthe peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee! 6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.

7 God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you"Scripture: John 14:27-31 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the worldgives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neitherlet them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and Iwill come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced,because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it doestake place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much withyou, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power overme; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the worldmay know that I love the Father. Meditation: Do you know the peace which passes all understanding(Phil.4:7)? In his farewell discourse Jesus grants peace as hisgift to his disciples. What kind of peace does he offer? The peace

of Christ is more than the absence of trouble.  It includeseverything which makes for our highest good.  The world's approachto peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasantthings.  Jesus offers the peace which conquers our fears andanxieties.  Nothing can take us from the peace and joy of JesusChrist.  No sorrow or grief, no danger, no suffering can make itless.  Jesus also speaks of his destination and ultimate triumphover the powers of evil in the world.  In the eyes of the world thecross stood for shame, humiliation, and defeat.  Jesus went to thecross knowing that it would lead to victory over the powers of sinand of Satan.  Jesus also knew that he would return to his Fatherin glory.  The cross brought glory to Jesus and to the Father andit is our way to glory as well.  In the Cross of Christ we findtrue peace and reconciliation with God.  Do you live in the peaceof Jesus Christ? "Lord, may your peace be always with me.  May no circumstance,trouble, or vexation rob me of the peace which passes allunderstanding?  You, alone, O Lord, are my Peace.  May I alwaysreside in that peace by believing your word and by doing yourwill?”

  "He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears muchfruit"Scripture: John 15:1-8 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Everybranch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branchthat does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Youare already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit byitself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless youabide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abidesin me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart fromme you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is castforth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered,thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my wordsabide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and soprove to be my disciples. Meditation: Why does Jesus speak of himself as the true vine? Theimage of the vine was a rich one for the Jews since the land ofIsrael was covered with numerous vineyards. It had religious

connotations to it as well.  Isaiah spoke of the house of Israel as“the vineyard of the Lord” (Isaiah 5:7).  Jeremiah said that Godhad planted Israel “as his choice vine” (Jeremiah 2:21). While thevine became a symbol of Israel as a nation, it also was used in thescriptures as a sign of degeneration.  Isaiah’s prophecy spoke ofIsrael as a vineyard which “yielded wild grapes” (see Isaiah 5:1-7). Jeremiah said that Israel had become a “degenerate and wildvine” (Jeremiah 2:21).  When Jesus calls himself the true vine hemakes clear that no one can claim their spiritual inheritancethrough association with a particular people or bloodline.  Rather,it is only through Jesus Christ that one can become grafted intothe true “vineyard of the Lord”.  Jesus offers true life -- theabundant life which comes from God and which results in greatfruitfulness. How does the vine become fruitful?  The vinedressermust carefully prune the vine before it can bear good fruit.  Vinescharacteristically have two kinds of branches -- those which bearfruit and those which don’t.  The non-bearing branches must becarefully pruned back in order for the vine to conserve itsstrength for bearing good fruit.  Jesus used this image to describethe kind of life he produces in those who are united with him --the fruit of “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Jesus says there can be no fruit in our lives apartfrom him.  The fruit he speaks of here is the fruit of the HolySpirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). There is a simple truth here: Weare either fruit-bearing or non-fruit-bearing. There is no in-between. But the bearing of healthy fruit requires drastic pruning.The Lord promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in himand allow him to purify us. Do you trust in the Lord's abidingpresence with you? "Lord, may I be one with you in all that I say and do.  Draw meclose that I may glorify you and bear fruit for your kingdom.Inflame my heart with your love and remove from it anything thatwould make me ineffective or unfruitful in loving and serving youas My All."

  "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love"Scripture: John 15:9-11 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in mylove. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you,and that your joy may be full. Meditation: Do you know the love that produces immeasurable joy?Jesus speaks of the love which the Father and he have for those whobelong to him.  We can never outgive God in love, because he hasloved us without measure. Our love for him is a response to hisexceeding mercy and kindness towards us. Paul the Apostle tells usthat we can abound in joy and hope because God has poured out hislove into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us(Romans 5:5).  In God's love we find the fulness of grace, life,peace, and joy. Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment -- anew way of love.  We are to love others as Jesus has loved us. What is the essence of this new commandment?  True love issacrificial.  It gives all to the beloved.  And there is no greaterproof in love than the sacrifice of one's life for the sake ofanother. Jesus proved his love for his disciples by giving his lifefor them, even to death on the cross. We prove our love for God andfor one another when we embrace the way of the cross.  What is thecross in my life?  When my will crosses with God's will, then God'swill must be done.  Do you know the joy and contentment of a lifefully surrendered to God and consumed with his love? "Lord, may I abound in hope, joy, and love.  Inflame my heart withlove for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for myneighbor.  May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from yourlove."

"You did not choose me, but I chose you"Scripture: John 15:12-17 12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I haveloved you. 13 Greater loves has no man than this, which a man laydown his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do whatI command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servantdoes not know what his master is doing; but I have called youfriends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made knownto you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed youthat you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide;so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it toyou. 17 This I command you, to love one another. Meditation: Do you know the friendship of God?  One of the specialmarks of favor shown in the scriptures is to be called the friendof God.  Abraham is called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). God

speaks with Abraham as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11).Jesus, the Lord and Master, in turn, call the disciples his friendsrather than his servants. What does it mean to be a friend of God?Friendship with God certainly entails a loving relationship whichgoes beyond mere duty and obedience. Jesus' discourse on friendshipand brotherly love echoes the words of Proverbs:  A friend loves atall times; and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).The distinctive feature of Jesus' relationship with his discipleswas his personal love for them. He loved his own to the end (John13:1).  His love was unconditional and wholly directed to the goodof others.  His love was also sacrificial.  He gave the best he hadand all that he had.  He gave his very life for those he loved inorder to secure for them everlasting life with the Father. True love is costly. A true lover gives the best he can offer andis willing to sacrifice everything he has for the beloved.  Godwillingly paid the price for our redemption — the sacrifice of hisonly begotten Son. That's the nature of true friendship and love —the willingness to give all for the beloved. True friends will laydown their lives for each other. Jesus tells us that he is ourfriend and he loves us whole-heartedly and unconditionally. Hewants us to love one another just as he loves us, whole-heartedlyand without reserve. His love fills our hearts and transforms ourminds and frees us to give ourselves in loving service to others.If we open our hearts to his love and obey his command to love ourneighbor, then we will bear much fruit in our lives, fruit thatwill last for eternity. Do you wish to be fruitful and to abound inthe love of God? "Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and notto count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil andnot to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward, savethat of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ ourLord."  (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola)

"You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world"Scripture: John 15:18-21 18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before ithated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love itsown; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out ofthe world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word thatI said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If theypersecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they

will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on myaccount, because they do not know him who sent me. Meditation: What does Jesus mean when he says "you are not of thisworld"?  The "world" in scripture refers to that society of peoplewho are hostile towards God and opposed to his will.  The "world"rejected Jesus and his disciples can expect the same treatment.Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either forhim or against him, for his kingdom of light or for the kingdom ofdarkness. The prophet Isaiah warned that humans separated from Godby sin and spiritual darkness would end up calling evil good andgood evil (Isaiah 5:20).  How can we rightly distinguish well fromevil? The love of God draws us to all that is lovely, true andgood.  If we truly love God then we will submit to his truth andwill for our lives.  A friend of God cannot expect to be a friendof the world. Jesus' demand is unequivocal and without compromise.Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one lovesthe world, love for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We mustmake a choice either for or against God. Do you seek to please Godin all your thoughts, actions, and relationships? Let the HolySpirit inflame your heart with the love of God. "Lord, may the fire of your love inflame my heart with zeal foryour kingdom. And may there be no rivals to keep my from lovingyour first and foremost above all else."

"When the Counselor comes, he will bear witness to Jesus"Scripture: John 15:26-16:4 26 But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from theFather, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, hewill bear witness to me; 27 and you also are witnesses, because youhave been with me from the beginning. (John 16) 1 "I have said allthis to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you outof the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever killsyou will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will dothis because they have not known the Father, or me. 4 But I havesaid these things to you, that when their hour comes you mayremember that I told you of them.  "I did not say these things toyou from the beginning, because I was with you. Meditation:  When you need help or support who do you turn to? Afriend who has earned your trust? Jesus offers his disciples thebest and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesuscalls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated

Paraclete or Helper).  Counselor is a legal term for the one whowill defend someone against an adversary and who guides that personduring the ordeal of trial.  The Holy Spirit is our Advocate andHelper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversitieswe must face in this life. As Jesus approached the hour he was tobe glorified -- through his death on the cross and hisresurrection, he revealed more fully to his disciples the personand role of the Holy Spirit.  What does Jesus tell us about theHoly Spirit?  First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with theFather and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life— the verylife of God -- and who kindles faith in hearts receptive to God'sword. The Spirit makes it possible for us to know God personally.He gives us experiential knowledge of God as our Father. The Spiritwitnesses to our spirit that the Father has indeed sent his Soninto the world to redeem it and has raised his Son Jesus from thedead and has seated him at his right hand in glory and power.  TheHoly Spirit reveals to us the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God forthe ages and the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith"what the Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift and workingof the Holy Spirit we become witnesses to the great work of God inChrist Jesus.  Jesus warned his disciples that they could expectpersecution just as Jesus was opposed and treated hostilely. Wehave been given the Holy Spirit to help us live as disciples ofJesus Christ. The Spirit gives us courage and perseverance when wemeet adversities and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit tostrengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give you courage andperseverance with hope when you meet adversities and challenges? "O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of yourHoly Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,faithfulness, humility and self-control.  Teach us to love thosewho hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we maybe the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to riseon the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on theunjust.  In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperitykeep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightlyesteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenlythings; through Jesus Christ our Lord."  (Prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109) Psalm 149:1-9 1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in theassembly of the faithful!

2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice intheir King! 3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him withtimbrel and lyre! 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humblewith victory. 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on theircouches. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edgedswords in their hands, 7 to wreak vengeance on the nations and chastisement on thepeoples, 8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters ofiron, 9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is glory for allhis faithful ones.  Praise the LORD!

 "When the Counselor comes, he will convince the world concerningsin and righteousness and judgment"Scripture: John 16:5-11 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me,`Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things toyou, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you thetruth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not goaway, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will sendhim to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convince the worldconcerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin,because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness,because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. Meditation: Who hasn't experience sorrow and grief over the loss ofa loved one?  Sorrow filled the hearts of Jesus' disciples whenthey heard him speak about his imminent departure.  Jesus explainedthat it was for their sake that he must leave them and return tohis Father. He promised, however, that they would never be leftalone.  He will send in his place the best of friends, the HolySpirit.  Jesus tells his disciples three very important thingsabout the work of the Holy Spirit -- to convince the world of sinand of righteousness and of judgment. The original word forconvince also means convict. The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier.  Hemakes us holy as God is holy.  He does this first by convicting us

of our sin and by bringing us humbly to the foot of the Cross. TheSpirit convinces us of God's love and forgiveness and of our utterdependence on God for his mercy and grace.  We need the power ofthe Holy Spirit to lead us from the error of our sinful ways and toshow us the way of love and truth.  The Jews who condemned Jesus asa heretic and blasphemer thought they were serving God rather thansinning when they crucified Jesus. When the gospel was laterpreached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37), many were pricked intheir heart and convicted of their sin. What made them change theirmind about Jesus?  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bothconvict us of wrongdoing and to convince us of God's truth.  TheSpirit convinces us of the righteousness of Christ, backed by thefact that Jesus rose again and went to his Father. The Holy Spiritalso convicts us of judgment.  The Spirit gives us the inner andunshakable conviction that we shall all stand before the judgmentseat of God. God's judgments are just and good.  When we heed hisjudgments we find true peace, joy and reconciliation with God. Doyou allow the Holy Spirit free reign in your life that he may setyou free from the grip of sin and set you ablaze with the fire ofGod's love? "Come Holy Spirit, and let the fire of your love burn in my heart.Let me desire only what is pure, lovely, holy and good and inaccord with the will of God and give me the courage to put away allthat is not pleasing in your sight." Psalm 138:1-8 1 I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the godsI sing thy praise; 2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name forthy steadfast love and thy faithfulness;  for thou hast exaltedabove everything thy name and thy word. 3 On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soulthou didst increase. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, for theyhave heard the words of thy mouth; 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is theglory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but thehaughty he knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve mylife; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of myenemies, and thy right hand delivers me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, OLORD, endures for ever.  Do not forsake the work of thy hands.

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all thetruth"Scripture: John 16:12-15 12 "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear themnow.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into allthe truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whateverhe hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things thatare to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mineand declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine;therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it toyou. Meditation:  What would you give to know all truth! Truth, however,is not something we create nor is it our discovery.  It is the giftof God who is the possessor and the giver of all truth.   Jesustells his disciples that it is the role of the Holy Spirit toreveal what is true. How can this be?  Skeptics of truth don't wantto believe in an absolute Truth.  If truth is objective then itmust be submitted to as authoritative.  Some fear the truth becausethey think it will inhibit their freedom.  Jesus told his disciplesthat the truth will set you free (John 8:32).The truth liberates usfrom doubts, illusions, and fears.  Since God is the source of alltruth, then the closer we draw to him and listen to his word, themore we grow in the knowledge of him and of his great love andwisdom for us.  Jesus told his disciples that he would send themthe Spirit of truth who will announce to you the things to come. Through the Holy Spirit, we proclaim our ancient faith in thesaving death and resurrection of Christ until he comes again. TheLord gives us his Holy Spirit as our divine Teacher and Helper thatwe may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God.  Do you seek thewisdom that comes from above and do you willingly obey God's word?  "Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me into yourway of truth.  Free me from erroneous and false ways and lead me inthe knowledge of your ways and your will for my life.  May there benothing in my life that is not under your lordship." Psalm 148:1-14 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him inthe heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise himThe Gospel of John: a commentary & meditation 

"Ask in Jesus' name, and you will receive, that your joy may befull"Scripture: John 16:23-28 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say toyou, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you inmy name. 24 Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, andyou will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 "I have said thisto you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speakto you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In thatday you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shallpray the Father for you; 27 for the Father himself loves you,because you have loved me and have believed that I came from theFather. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world;again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father." Meditation: Do you pray with confidence to your heavenly Father?Jesus often taught his disciples by way of illustration orparable.  Here he speaks not in "figures" (the same word used forparables), but in plain speech.  Jesus revealed to them the hiddentreasure of the heavenly kingdom and he taught them how to pray tothe Father in his name.  Now Jesus opens his heart and speaks inthe plainest of language: "The Father himself loves you!"  How canthe disciples be certain of this?  Through the gift of the HolySpirit, Jesus makes it possible for his disciples to have a newrelationship with God as their Father.  No one would have dared tocall God his Father before this!  Because of what Jesus has donefor us in offering his life for our redemption we now have a newrelationship as the adopted children of God.  Paul the Apostlessays that "when we cry, ‘Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himselfbearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God"(Romans 8:15- 16). We can boldly approach God as our Father and askhim for the things we need.  In love he bids us to draw near to histhrone of grace and mercy.  Do you approach the Father withconfidence in his love and with expectant faith in his promise tohear your prayers?  "Heavenly Father, your love knows no bounds and your mercies arenew every day. Fill me with gratitude for your countless blessingsand draw me near to your throne of grace and mercy.  Give me

confidence and boldness to pray that your will be done on earth asit is in heaven."

"Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"Scripture: John 16:29-33 29 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not inany figure! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and need noneto question you; by this we believe that you came from God." 31Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming,indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to hishome, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for  the Fatheris with me. 33 I have said this to you, that in me you may havepeace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, Ihave overcome the world." Meditation:   How did Jesus convince his disciples that he was theSon of God?  Jesus could read their hearts like an open book.  Heanswered their questions before they could even speak them out. And he showed them the glory of God.  For a Christian, believing inGod cannot be separated from believing in the One he sent, his"beloved Son", in whom the Father is "well pleased".  We canbelieve in Jesus because he is himself God, the Word made flesh. Because he "has seen the Father", Jesus is the only one who knowshim and can reveal him. Our faith is "certain" because it isfounded on the very word of God who cannot lie.  Faith is alreadythe beginning of eternal life.  Basil the Great says: "When wecontemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at areflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed thewonderful things which our faith assures us we shall enjoy oneday."  Do you nourish and strengthen your faith with the word ofGod? In spite of their belief, Jesus warned his disciples that theirfaith would be put to the test and that they would fail. Jesusspoke plainly about the tragedy of betrayal and the triumph of thecross.  Jesus knew the hearts of his disciples better than theyknew.  He knew they would desert him in his hour of trial.  Suchknowledge could have easily led to bitterness and rejection.  Jesusmet the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with supreme love andtrust in his disciples.  He loved his disciples to the very endeven when they left him alone to die on the cross.  He knew thatthe cross would not bring defeat but victory over sin and death. Jesus speaks the same word to us  today.  "My love for you is

unconditional and I will never abandon you". While we cannot avoidall pain and suffering in this life, Jesus, nonetheless assures usthat he will guide us safely through any difficulty or trial we mayhave to undergo for his sake.  Jesus calls each of us to takecourage, because he has overcome the world.  The Holy Spirit givesus a living hope in the power of the resurrection and a confidenttrust in God ‘s abiding presence.  Nothing can overcome this faithand hope in Christ's victory -- no trial, suffering, temptation, ortesting.  The Holy Spirit gives us the strength and courage we needto overcome adversity and to persevere in faith. Do you believethat nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus(see Romans 8:38-39)?  "Lord, help me to trust in your saving power, especially when Imeet adversities and trials.  Give me your peace when I am troubledand let me know the joy of your victory over sin and death."

"This is eternal life, that they know the Father the only true God"Scripture: John 17:1-11 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes toheaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son thatthe Son may glorify thee, 2 since thou hast given him power overall flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God,and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 4 I glorified thee on earth,having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; 5 and now,Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which Ihad with thee before the world was made. 6 "I have manifested thyname to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine theywere, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. 7Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee;8 for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and theyhave received them and know in truth that I came from thee; andthey have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I am praying forthem; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hastgiven me, for they are thine; 10 all mine are thine, and thine aremine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in theworld, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. HolyFather, keep them in thy name, which thou hast  given me, that theymay be one, even as we are one. Meditation: In his Last Supper discourse Jesus speaks of his gloryand the glory of his Father.  What is this glory?  It is the cross

which Jesus speaks of here.  How does the cross reveal his glory? In the cross God reveals the breadth of his great love for sinnersand the power of redemption which cancels the debt of sin andreverses the curse of our condemnation.  Jesus gave his Father thesupreme honor and glory through his obedience and willingness to goto the cross.  The greatest honor, trust, and love any person cangive one's leader is through his obedience even to the point ofsacrificing his own life.  In warfare the greatest honor belongsnot to those who survive but to those who give the supremesacrifice of their own lives for their fellow countrymen.  Jesusalso speaks of the Father bringing glory to the Son through thegreat mystery of the Incarnation and Cross of Christ.  God theFather gave us his only begotten Son for our redemption anddeliverance from slavery to sin and death.  There is no greaterproof of God's love for each and every person on the face of theearth than the Cross of Jesus Christ.  In the cross we see a newway of love — a love that is unconditional, sacrificial andgenerous beyond comprehension. Jesus also speaks of eternal life.  What is eternal life?  It ismore than simply endless time.  Science today looks for ways toextend the duration of life; but that doesn't necessarily make lifebetter for us here.  Eternal life is qualitative more thanquantitative.  To have eternal life is to have the life of Godwithin us.  When we possess eternal life we experience here and nowsomething of God's majesty, his peace, joy and love and theholiness which characterizes the life of God.  Jesus also speaks ofthe knowledge of God. Jesus tells his disciples that they can knowthe only true God. Knowledge of God is not simply limited toknowing something about God, but we can know God personally.  Theessence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaismand other religions, is the knowledge of God as our Father.  Jesusmakes it possible for each of us to personally know God as ourFather. To see Jesus is to see what God is like.  In Jesus we seethe perfect love of God -- a God who cares intensely and who yearnsover men and women, loving them to the point of laying down hislife for them upon the Cross.   Jesus is the revelation of God -- aGod who loves us completely, unconditionally  and perfectly. Do youseek unity of heart, mind and will with God and unity of love andpeace with your neighbor? "If only I possessed the grace, good Jesus, to be utterly at onewith you!  Amidst all the variety of worldly things around me,

Lord, the only thing I crave is unity with you.  You are all mysoul needs.  Unite, dear friend of my heart, this unique littlesoul of mine to your perfect goodness.  You are all mine; whenshall I be yours?  Lord Jesus, my beloved, be the magnet of myheart; clasp, press, unite me for ever to your sacred heart.  Youhave made me for yourself; make me one with you.  Absorb this tinydrop of life into the ocean of goodness whence it came."  (Prayerof Francis de Sales, 1567-1622)

"That they also may be consecrated in truth"Scripture: John 17:12-19 12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hastgiven me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the sonof perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now Iam coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that theymay have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thyword; and the world has hated them because they are not of theworld, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that thoushouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keepthem from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I amnot of the world.17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.18 As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them intothe world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that theyalso may be consecrated in truth. Meditation: Do you know what your aim or mission in life is? Jesus' aim and mission was to glorify his heavenly Father.  All hesaid and did gave glory to his Father.  On the eve of his sacrificeand in the presence of his disciples, Jesus made his high priestlyprayer: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that they may be oneas we are one".  Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples. Jesus' prayer for his people is that we be united with God theFather in his Son and through his Holy Spirit and be joinedtogether, in unity with all who are members of  Christ's body. Jesus saw glory in the cross rather than shame. Obedience to hisFather's will was his glory.  Jesus kept his Father's word evenwhen tempted to forgo the cross.  His strength was not in himselfbut in his Father who kept him. We, too, must take up our cross andfollow the Lord Jesus whever he may call us. He will give us thestrength and power of the Holy Spirit to live as his disciples. John Henry Newman wrote: "God has created me, to do him somedefinite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not

committed to another.  I have my mission-- I may never know it inthis life, but I shall be told it in the next.  I am a link in achain, a bond of connection between persons.  He has not created mefor nothing.  Therefore, I will trust him.  Whatever, wherever Iam.  I cannot be thrown away."  Do you trust in God and in his callfor your life? Jesus prayed that his disciples would be sanctified and consecratedin God's truth and holiness.  The scriptural word for consecrationcomes from the same Hebrew word which means holy or set apart forGod.  This word also means to be equiped with the qualities of mindand heart and character for such a task or service.  Just as Jesuswas called by the Father to serve in holiness and truth, so we,too, are called and equipped for the task of serving God in theworld as his ambassadors.  God's truth frees us from ignorance andthe deception of sin.  It reveals to us God's goodness, love, andwisdom.  And it gives us a thirst for God's holiness.  The HolySpirit is the source and giver of all holiness.  As we allow theHoly Spirit to work in our lives, he transforms us by his purifyingfire and changes us in the likeness of Christ. Is your lifeconsecrated toGod? "Lord, take my life and make it wholly pleasing to you.  Sanctifyme in your truth and guide me by your Holy Spirit that I may follow you faithfully wherever you lead."

  "Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"Scripture: John 18:1-11 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with hisdisciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, whichhe and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, alsoknew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 SoJudas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from thechief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns andtorches and  weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befallhim, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 Theyanswered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he."Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When he said tothem, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again heasked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, letthese men go." 9 This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken,"Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one." 10 Then Simon Peter,

having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cutoff his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said toPeter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cupwhich the Father has given me?" Meditation: Do you know the pain of rejection from someone close toyou?  The greatest pain and injury comes not from our enemies butfrom those closest to us. Psalm 55 foretells the suffering ofrejection which God's anointed King and Messiah would endure forour sake:  "It is not an enemy who taunts me-- then I could bearit; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me-- then Icould hide from him  But it is you, my equal, my companion, myfamiliar friend.  We used to hold sweet converse together; withinGod's house we walked in fellowship" (Psalm 55:12-14).  After thelast supper meal, Jesus descends with his disciples into the Kidronvalley and crosses over to the garden of Gethsemane, which means"olive press". Between the Kidron valley stands the Temple Mount onone side and the Mount of Olives. Many olive groves and privategardens dotted this Mount which overlooks the great Temple built byHerod. Some wealthy friend undoubtedly gave Jesus free access tothis private garden where Jesus often came to pray. Jesus knew thatthis would be his last night before his death.  He came to pray atthis place with the full knowledge that Judas would soon hand himover to his enemies. Judas likely chose to have Jesus arrested here since it was alonely place away from crowds in the city.  John tells us that aband of  Roman soldiers and Temple police came out to arrestJesus.  During Passover time, the Romans kept extra forces inJerusalem at the Tower of Antonia which overlooks the Temple. Theband could have been a cohort which usually numbered 600 soldiers,or a smaller group of 200.  In either case, a small army came tothe garden to arrest an unarmed Galilean carpenter! They must havefeared that Jesus' many supporters would surely resist his arrest.  Peter had a sword and used it forcefully when he cut off the rightear of the high priest's slave. When Jesus identified himself to the soldiers, John tells us that"they drew back and fell to the ground" (18:6).  The power of hispresence was enough to make them not only stop in their tracks, butretreat for a moment as well.  Jesus could have escaped if hewanted to save himself, but he chose to die.  He even helped hisenemies arrest him. He chose to die out of obedience to his Fatherand out of merciful love for sinners.  Jesus protected his

disciples from arrest by insisting that the guards only takehimself as their hostage.  He loved his own to the very end.  Jesusmet his betrayal and arrest with serenity and with confident trustin his Father.  He knew that this was Satan's hour of darkness butGod's light and truth would prevail in the end. How did the otherapostles meet this trial?  They were unprepared even though Jesushas warned them about his betrayal.  And they had forgotten God forthe moment. Their will was to resist force with force rather thanpeaceably submit to God's will.  Jesus never failed to show mercyand compassion even to his enemies.  Luke tells us that Jesus"touched" the severed ear and healed the high priest's slave whohad been struck by one of Jesus' own disciples (Luke 22:51).  Whenadversity strikes how do you respond?  With fear and panic or withconfident hope and trust in God? "Lord, only you can save us from the blindness of sin and despair.May your light dispel the darkness of our lives and give us hopeand joy.  Fill our hearts with mercy and compassion that we maybring hope to those who have no hope and show them the light ofChrist."

"It was expedient that one man should die for the people"Scripture: John 18:12-27 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers ofthe Jews seized Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him toAnnas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca'iaphas, who was highpriest that year. 14 It was Ca'iaphas who had given counsel to theJews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As thisdisciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of thehigh  priest along with Jesus, 16 while Peter stood outside at thedoor. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, wentout and spoke to the maid who kept the  door, and brought Peter in.17 The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also oneof this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not." 18 Now the servantsand officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, andthey were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was  withthem, standing and warming himself. 19 The high priest thenquestioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesusanswered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have alwaystaught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews cometogether; I  have said nothing secretly. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask

those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what Isaid." 22 When he had said this, one of the officers standing bystruck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer thehigh priest?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly,bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do youstrike me?" 24 Annas then sent him bound to Ca'iaphas the highpriest. 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Theysaid to him, "Are not you also one of his disciples?" He denied itand said, "I am  not." 26 One of the servants of the high priest, akinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I notsee you in the garden with him?" 27 Peter again denied it; and atonce the cock crowed. Meditation: After his arrest Jesus was first led to Annas ratherthan to Caiaphas the high priest. Annas had bribed his way into theoffice of high priest for several years and succeeded in gettinghis sons to be high priests in their turn. Now his son-in-law,Caiaphas, held the position, no doubt because of Annas' great powerand influence with politics and religion. It was Jewish belief thatwhen the high priest asked for God's counsel for the nation, Godspoke through him. What dramatic irony that Caiaphas had prophesiedthat Jesus must die for the nation (see John 11:51).  Annas'questioning of Jesus, however, violated the principles of a fairand just trial. Jewish law protected a prisoner from incriminatinghimself through questioning.  As one Jewish scholar put it: "Ourtrue law does not inflict the penalty of death upon a sinner by hisown confession" (Maimonides, 1135-1204 AD).  Jesus replied toAnnas' interrogation that the just and proper way to proceed with atrial was to get testimony by examining witnesses rather thanexamining the accused. Annas, however wasn't interested in a fairtrial.  He had already condemned Jesus before trying him. Peter was one of the two disciples who had the courage to followJesus to the house of the high priest. He could not part from hisbeloved Master even after his arrest.  His courage is all the moreevident when we remember that Peter had cut the ear of the highpriest's slave and could easily have been arrested for doing so. Who was the other disciple who came to the high priest's house?  Itwas likely John, the beloved disciple who was also with Jesus whenhe hung upon the cross at Golgatha.  Peter's courage in the face ofrepeated questioning by the high priest's household, however, gaveway to fear, fear for his own life.  Peter was overconfident in hisown strength and now he must pay the price for his own denial of

being a disciple of Jesus. Peter, after all, had been warned by hisMaster that temptation would come and he would fail the test. Markrecords that Peter "broke down and wept" when he remembered Jesus'prediction that he would deny his Master. Unlike Judas who killedhimself because his shame was devoid of any hope for forgivenessand restoration, Peter's grief was filled with sorrow for offendinghis Lord. When you meet failure and temptation, do you give in todespair and self-pity or do you turn to Jesus for the grace ofrestoration and beginning anew? "Lord Jesus, you willingly suffered and died for our sake and forour salvation.  You took upon yourself the burden of our guilt andthe punishment due to our sins.    Strengthen my faith and help mein my trials that I may never deny you or forsake your ways."

Jesus answered Pilate, "My kingship is not of this world"Scripture: John 18:28-40 28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to thepraetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter thepraetorium, so that they  might not be defiled, but might eat thepassover. 29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusationdo you bring against this man?" 30 They answered him, "If this manwere not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over." 31 Pilatesaid to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man todeath." 32 This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken toshow by what death he was to die. 33 Pilate entered the praetoriumagain and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of theJews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, ordid others say it to you about me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I aJew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over tome; what have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingship is not ofthis world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants wouldfight, that I might not be handed over  to the Jews; but mykingship is not from the world." 37 Pilate said to him, "So you area king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I wasborn, and for this I have come into the  world, to bear witness tothe truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." 38 Pilatesaid to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went outto the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him. 39 Butyou have a custom that I should release one man for you at thePassover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?"

40 They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barab'bas!" NowBarab'bas was a robber. Meditation: On what basis was Jesus charged with a crime deservingdeath?  The religious leaders charged Jesus with blasphemy becausehe called himself the Son of God. But since they did not have thelegal power to put him to death, they brought him to the Romanauthorities to have him tried and executed.  The charge theybrought before Pilate, however, was political rather thanreligious.  Luke tells us that three false accusations were leveledagainst Jesus (Luke 23:1-2):  First, that Jesus agitatedsedition.   Second, they said that he encouraged people to not paytaxes to Caesar.  And third, he assumed the title king. In so manywords they falsely accused him of rebellion and insurrection.  Johngoes further than the other gospel writers to affirm Jesus' claimto kingship. Pilate knew he was being used by the Jewish authorities and he knewthat Jesus was innocent of their charges. He tried to evaderesponsibility by urging the Jewish authorities to take Jesus back"and judge him by your own law" (18:31). He nonetheless played intotheir hands and questioned Jesus about the charge. Jesus did notdeny that he is King. He knew he would die precisely because he wasGod's anointed King and Messiah. He explainend to Pilate, however,that his kingship was "not of this world". He did not come toestablish an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual one that would claimthe submission of men's and women's hearts and minds to his word.This kind of kingdom made no sense to Pilate since he knew nothingof God and his ways.  Pilate even questioned what was "truth". Jesus had promised his disciples that if they continued in hisword, they would know the truth and the truth would make them free(John 8:31-32).  How can we know for certain that Jesus is who heclaims to be -- the Son of God and Savior of the world? The truemeaning of Jesus' kingship is only revealed when he is raised highon the cross. Early in his ministry Jesus explained to Nicodemus:"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must theSon of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may haveeternal life" (John 3:14-15). Through the gift of faith God enablesus to understand and to accept as true that it was he will toredeem us by sending his Son as our Savior who would give his lifeas a ransom for the many (Matt. 20:28). Since Pilate could not persuade the Jewish authorities to takeJesus back and try him by their own law, he hoped to get Jesus

released nonetheless. The Romans had a custom of releasing aprisoner on the major Jewish feast.  Surely the crowds wouldrecognize that Jesus was innocent of the trumped up charges broughtagainst him. Why did they want Barabbas released rather thanJesus?  This was not likely the same crowd, who a week earlier, hadhailed Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as their Messianic King (John11:12-15).  Barabbas was a bandit known for violence.  Jerusalemwas filled with insurrectionists.  That's why there were so manyRoman forces in Jerusalem at this time of high tension andreligious fervor. He was probably part of a nationalist's groupknown for murder and assassination. This crowd was very likelysupporters of Barabbas who came on this occasion because theybelieved that Pilate would offer his release at the feast. Whatirony that a murderer would be preferred to the Innocent One whocame to free us from bondage to sin and death. "Lord Jesus, you suffered injustice and abuse for our sake.  Byyour cross you have redeemed the world and won for us pardon andreconciliation.  Give me courage to always choose what is right andto avoid what is evil."

Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold your King!"Scripture: John 19:1-16 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. 2 And the soldiersplaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed himin a purple robe; 3 they came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of theJews!" and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again,and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you mayknow that I find no crime in him." 5 So Jesus came out, wearing thecrown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Beholdthe man!" 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, theycried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Takehim yourselves  and crucify him, for I find no crime in him." 7 TheJews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die,because he has made himself the Son of God." 8 When Pilate heardthese words, he was the more afraid; 9 he entered the praetoriumagain and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave noanswer.10 Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me?Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power tocrucify you?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no power overme unless it had been given you from above; therefore he whodelivered me to you has the greater sin." 12 Upon this Pilate

sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release thisman, you are not Caesar's friend; every one who makes himself aking sets himself against Caesar." 13 When Pilate heard thesewords, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at aplace called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha. 14 Now it wasthe day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixthhour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15 They cried out,"Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them,"Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We haveno king but Caesar." 16 Then he handed him over to them to becrucified. Meditation: Pilate hoped that by having Jesus' scourged the Jewswho brought him to trial might be satisfied with this punishmentand stop asking for his death. Scourging was the usual kind ofpunishment given for disturbing the peace and a warning to ceasefrom upsetting authority and civil order. It was also used toweaken a criminal who was about to be executed. The latter wasconsidered a form of mercy since a crucified man could last fordays on a cross before expiring. Roman scourging, nonetheless, wasbrutal, painful, and dehumanizing.When a prisoner was scourged hewas stripped, bound and bent so his back was exposed. Long leatherwhips tied with pieces of sharp iron and bones were used forripping apart the back. As skin was torn from the body in shredsblood gushed from the numerous wounds. Some died from the whippingalone, some were made unconscious, and some went mad. Pilate had Jesus scourged in the typical Roman fashion. Jesus wasled into the Praetorium, a large hall where the whole company ofsoldiers could gather and watch.  The Roman soldiers had a strongresentment towards the Jews and they vented their cruelty andhatred towards Jesus by mocking him as King of the Jews. They robedhim in purple, the color for kingly garb, and crowned him withthorns. They struck his face, beat the crown of thorns into hisskull with a reed, and jeered him for his claim to kingship. Theirridicule, mocking, and slapping was meant to dehumanize Jesus andto cause him mental anguish as well. Isaiah long ago had prophesiedwhat the Suffering Servant would undergo for our sake: "As manywere astonished at him -- his appearance was so marred, beyondhuman semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men" (Is.52:14). "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But hewas wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our

iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, andwith his stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:4-5)  Jesus willinglyunderwent these torments without complaint, anger, or bitterness. "Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me" (John18:11)?  Jesus freely accepted his passion and death for our sakeand our salvation. . When Pilate presented Jesus to the crowds robbed in purple andcrowned with thorns, he emphatically stated that he found "no crimein him" (John 19:3). What finally coerced Pilate to sentence a justman to death?  Blackmail!  The Jewish leaders told Pilate: "If yourelease this man, you are not Caesar's friend; everyone who makeshimself a king sets himself against Caesar" (John 19:12). The lastthing Pilate wanted was a report back to Rome that he supported adangerous man who was inciting the people to accept him as theirking and to revolt against Roman authority. The last thing Romewould accept was civil disorder. So Pilate relented to avoid havinga charge brought against him to Rome.  Pilate was a ruthlessleader, but he lacked one important quality, the courage to do theright thing.  He sacrificed justice to save his face and his job.Are you willing to sacrifice reputation and position for truth andjustice? Who was responsible for the trial, condemnation, and death ofJesus?  It is erroneous to attribute collective responsibility tothe Jewish people as a whole, or even to all the Jewishauthorities. We know that among the Pharisees there were secretdisciples of Jesus, namely, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Johnalso states that "many even of the authorities believed in him, butfor fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they shouldbe put out of the synagogue" (John 12:42). When Peter preached thegospel to the Jews he stated, "I know that you acted in ignorance,as did also your rulers." We also know that on the day afterPentecost "a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith"(Acts 6:7).  Scripture shows us that all who sin, both in the past,present, and the future are responsible for crucifying our Savior(Hebrews 12:3; 6:6; Acts 9:4-5). Paul the Apostle tells us plainlythat "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures"(1 Cor. 15:3). Francis of Assisi, the great 12th century reformerand lover of Christ crucified, told his beloved friends: "Nor diddemons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucifyhim still, when you delight in your vices and sins."

The Gospel of John: a commentary & meditation 

Jesus went out bearing his own cross to the place called the placeof a skullScripture: John 19:17-22 17 So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, tothe place called the place of a skull, which is called in HebrewGol'gotha.18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, oneon either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote atitle and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, theKing of the Jews." 20 Many of the Jews read this title, for theplace where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it waswritten in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests ofthe Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of theJews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" 22 Pilateanswered, "What I have written I have written." Meditation: Are you prepared to die well?  None of us can avoid theinevitable -- our own death. We try to avoid it, to block it fromour minds, but the the truth is we will all die sooner or later.Dying is not easy for anyone.  It involves mental and physicalsuffering, loss, and separation.  We can choose to live well, andwe can choose to die well.  Dying well is a life-long spiritualtask.  Fortunately there is something stronger than death and thatis love (Song of Songs 6:8).  "For God so loved the world that hegave us his only Son, that whoever believes in him should notperish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Jesus embraced the crossknowing it was the Father's will and the Father's way for him todie. The Romans reserved crucifixion for their worst offenders.  It wasdesigned to be the most humiliating and excruciatingly painful waythey knew for execution. Cicero described it as the "the most crueland horrifying death." A condemned criminal by Roman law was forcedto carry his own cross. Soldiers made him carry it to the place ofexecution usually by the longest route possible. This prolonged thepublic humiliation and agony of carrying a weight that bowed thehead and broke the back into a posture of  submission. The criminalwas stripped and nailed to a cross erected in a public place,usually by a roadside or highway near the town where the criminalcould be viewed by everybody who passed that way.  A healthy mancould live for several days on such a cross before he expired fromhunger, thirst, exhaustion, and madness. It was a slow agonizing

death, usually as a result of asphyxiation.  The victim was hung onthe cross in such a fashion that his lungs quickly filled withfluids and he could not breath unless he pulled his chest upwardand gasped for breath. Every movement brought nerve-racking pain. Eventual exhaustion led to asphyxiation.  If the soldiers wanted tospeed the process up, they broke the victim's legs to prevent easeof breathing. The authorities deliberately executed Jesus besides two knowncriminals.  This was designed to publicly humiliate Jesus beforethe crowds and to rank him with robbers. When Jesus was nailed tothe cross he was already more than half-dead. The scourging aloneand the crown of thorns beaten into his skull had nearly killedhim.  In such a state it is all the more remarkable to see Jesuswith a clear sound mind and a tranquil heart. When Jesus wasoffered some wine mixed with myrrh to ease his pain, he refusedit.  He willingly embraced suffering and death for our sake becausehe knew and loved us all when he offered his life as an atoningsacrifice on the cross (Gal. 2:20, Ephes. 5:2,25). Jesus shows usthe depths of God's redeeming love and forgiveness.  He loved hisown to the end (John 13:1). "In this is love, not that we loved Godbut that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for oursins" (1 John 4:10).  "For the love of Christ controls us, becausewe are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all havedied." (2 Cor. 5:14).  Pilate publicly heralded Jesus "The King of the Jews" as he diedupon the cross, no doubt to irritate and annoy the chief priestsand Pharisees. Jesus was crucified for his claim to be King. TheJews understood that the Messiah would come as king to establishGod's reign for them.  They wanted a king who would free them fromtyranny and foreign domination.  Many had high hopes that Jesuswould be the Messianic king.  Little did they understand what kindof kingship Jesus claimed to have.  Jesus came to conquer heartsand souls for an imperishable kingdom, rather than to conquerperishable lands and entitlements. As Jesus was dying on the cross,he was mocked for his claim to kingship.  Nonetheless, he died notonly as King of the Jews, but King of the nations as well.  Hisvictory over the power of sin, Satan, and the world wasaccomplished through his death on the cross and his resurrection.Jesus exchanged a throne of glory for a cross of shame to restoreus to glory with God as his adopted sons and daughters. "He humbledhimself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the namewhich is oabove every other name, that at the name of Jesus everyknee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, andevery tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of Godthe Father." (Phil. 2:8-11) In the Book of Revelations Jesus iscalled King of kings and Lord and lords (Rev. 19:16).  Do yourecognize Jesus Christ as your King and Lord and do you exalt hisname as holy? "Lord Jesus, you laid down your life for me that I might walk inthe freedom of your love and mercy.  Free me from love of the worldand from attachment to sin and hurtful desires, that I might lovewhole-heartedly and sincerely what you love and reject whatever isfalse and contrary to the gospel."

"They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they castlots"Scripture: John 19:23-27 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments andmade four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But thetunic was  without seam, woven from top to bottom; 24 so they saidto one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to seewhose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They partedmy garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." 25 Sothe soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were hismother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and MaryMag'dalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom heloved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, yourson!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" Andfrom that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Meditation: It was Roman custom for four soldiers to accompany thecriminal to the place of crucifixion.  The four soldiers whocrucified Jesus divided his garments among themselves. A Jewish manwould typically wear five items of clothing: shoes, turban, girdle,tunic, and outer robe.  The soldiers gambled to see who would winthe prize of the fifth article, in this case a seamless garmentthat had been woven all in one piece. This seamless garment waslikely given to Jesus as a gift from his mother, since it wascustomary for Jewish mothers to make such a garment for their sonsas a last gift before they entered the world on their own. Cuttingit into four pieces would have made it useless. John makes aspecial point to tell us that this was in fulfillment of a

Messianic prophecy (Psalm 22:18).  John was also likely making areference to the seamless tunic worn by the high priest in theTemple service (Exodus 28:31-32; Exodus 39:27-29). The priest stoodas mediator or liaison (the Hebrew word literally means "bridge-builder") between God and humankind. He offered sacrifice for thesins of the people.  Jesus is the perfect High Priest who opens theway for all to enter into the presence of God by offering theperfect sacrifice for the sin of the world (see Hebrews 5). At the cross of Jesus were four women who loved him. It would benatural for his mother to be present. What grief and pain must havepierced her heart as she watched her son die on the cross. Simeonhad foretold great suffering for her when her infant son waspresented in the Temple (Luke 2:35). Along with Mary were threeother women. Mary's sister, Salome was the mother of the disciplesJames and John (Mk.15:40; Matt.27:56).  She was rebuked by Jesuswhen she asked him to give her sons the chief places in hiskingdom. She was humble enough to both receive his rebuke and tofollow him to the cross.  Mary Magdalene was especially gratefulthat Jesus had freed her from a demon-possesed life. She would notleave him even in his death and she would be the first to return tothe tomb after the Sabbath.  We do not know much about the fourthwoman, Mary of Clophas, who came to support the other women and tobe with Jesus in his last agony. Jesus does not forget those who are with him in his passion.  Whenhe recognizes his mother standing at the foot of the cross heimmediately takes concern for her welfare and instructs John totake her as his own mother. And he asks Mary to accept John as herown son. Mary was completely united with her son in his divinemission.  She is the first Christian because she accepted thegospel and gave her "yes" to God's plan of redemption.  Shefollowed her son to the cross and she prayed for the outpouring ofthe Holy Spirit upon all the disciples at Pentecost.  She is amodel for us of faith and obedience, hope and perseverance, andlove and fidelity.  Are you ready to take up your cross and followthe Lord Jesus in his way of love and sacrifice? "Lord Jesus, you loved your own to the end.  Give me the courage totake up my cross each day in humble obedience to your will and ingratitude and love for your willing sacrifice for my sake." 

"Not a bone of him shall be broken"Scripture: John 19:31-37

31 Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent thebodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbathwas a high  day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might bebroken, and that  they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers cameand broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had beencrucified with him; 33 but when they came to Jesus and saw that hewas already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of thesoldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came outblood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness -- histestimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that youalso may believe. 36 For these things took place that the scripturemight be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken." 37 Andagain another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom theyhave pierced." Meditation: The Jews showed more mercy than the Romans in theirtreatment of criminals who suffered the death penalty. It was Romanpractice to leave a crucified man on the cross until he died. Itwas not unusual for a man to hang for days on the cross before heexpired. And after he died he was not given a burial, but the bodywas left exposed for the vultures and dogs to feed upon. The law ofMoses, however, treated crucifixion differently:  "And if a man hascommitted a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, andyou hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night uponthe tree, but you shall bury him the same day" (Deut.21:22-23). Onthis occasion it was even more important that the bodies be buriedbefore evening since the Sabbath of the Passover was about tobegin. The Jewish leaders had the Romans break the legs ofcrucified Jews at the end of the day to ensure that they could beburied before sundown.  Fortunately for Jesus, he was spared thisfurther indignity since he had already expired by mid-afternoon. John sees a prophetic fulfillment in the fact that none of Jesus'bones were broken. The law of Moses stated that the lamb sacrificedfor the Passover feast must not have any bones broken. "They shallleave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it;according to all the statute for the passover they shall keep it."(Numbers 9:12).  Jesus is the true Passover Lamb who delivers hispeople from death and who takes away the sins of the world (John1:29). Although Jesus' bones were not broken, one of the soldiers piercedhis side with a lance to make doubly sure he was dead.  John sees aprophetic sign in the water and blood that flowed from Jesus' side.

""And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants ofJerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, so that, whenthey  look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him,as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as oneweeps over  a first-born." (Zechariah 10:12)  What is thesignificance of the water and blood flowing from Jesus' piercedside?  It is likely that John saw in it a sign of the waters ofbaptism which cleanses us from sin and the cleansing blood of theLord's Supper. "This cup which is poured out for you is the newcovenant in my blood." (Luke 22:20) "The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise,the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, theconsolation of our imprisonment, the prize for our freedom" (AbbotRupert of Deutz, early 12th century). The Cross of Christ is thesafeguard of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the throneof love.  It is also the sign of God's mercy and the proof offorgiveness.  By his cross Jesus has redeemed our sin and atonedfor our punishment.  The way to peace, joy, and righteousness inthe kingdom of God and the way to victory over sin, despair, anddeath is through the cross of Jesus Christ.  Do you willinglyfollow Jesus in his way of the cross with joy, hope, andconfidence? "Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the cross you have won pardonfor us and freedom from the tyranny of sin and death. May I live inthe joy and freedom of your victory over sin and death?"

 "As the tomb was close at hand they laid Jesus there"Scripture: John 19:38-42 38 After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus,but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might takeaway the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came andtook away his body. 39 Nicode'mus also, who had at first come tohim by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about ahundred pounds' weight. 40 They took the body of Jesus, and boundit in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of theJews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was agarden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever beenlaid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tombwas close at hand, they laid Jesus there. Meditation: Jesus not only died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3); healso, by the grace of God, tasted death for every one (Heb. 2:9). 

It was a real death that put an end to his earthly human existence.Jesus died in mid afternoon and the Sabbath began at 6:00 pm. Since the Jewish law permitted no work on the Sabbath, the body hadto be buried quickly. Someone brave enough would have to getpermission from the Roman authorities to take the body and buryit.  The bodies of executed criminals were usually left unburied ascarion for the vultures and dogs.  Jesus was spared this indignitythrough the gracious intervention of Joseph of Arimethea. Who wasthis admirer and secret disciple of Jesus?  Luke tells us thatJoseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish councilthat condemned Jesus. We are told that he did not agree with theirverdict.  He was either absent from their meeting or silent whenthey tried Jesus.  What kind of man was Joseph? Luke tells us thathe was "good and righteous" and "looking for the kingdom of God"(Luke 23:50-51).  Although he did not stand up for Jesus at histrial, he nonetheless, sought to honor him in his death by givinghim a proper burial. Nicodemus, another secret disciple of Jesusand a member of the Sanhedrin, also assisted in the burial of Jesusby providing the burial clothes and spices. This was to fulfillwhat the prophet Isaiah had foretold: "He was cut off out of theland of the living ..and they made his grave with the wicked andwith a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, andthere was no deceit in his mouth" (Isaiah 53:8-9). In the Book of Revelations, the Lord Jesus speaks:  "Fear not, I amthe first and the last, and the living one: I died, and behold I amalive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Rev.1:17-18).  No tomb in the world could contain the Lord Jesus forlong. His death on the cross purchased our redemption and histriumph over the grave on Easter morning defeated death. Whatpreserved the Lord Jesus from corruption?  He was kept from decayand he rose from the dead by divine power.  "My flesh will dwell inhope.  For you will not let your Holy One see corruption" (Psalm16:9-10) .  The mystery of Christ's lying in the tomb on thesabbath reveals the great sabbath rest of God after the fulfillmentof our salvation which brings peace to the whole world  (Col. 1:18-20). Is your hope in this life only, or is it well founded in theresurrection of Christ and his promise that those who believe inhim will live forever? "Lord Jesus, you died that I might live forever in your kingdom ofpeace and righteousness. Strengthen my faith that I may I know the

power of your resurrection and live in the hope of seeing you faceto face for ever."

John, when he reached the tomb, saw and believedScripture: John 20:1-10 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tombearly, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had beentaken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, theone whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lordout of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went towardthe tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter andreached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linencloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came,following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen clothslying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying withthe linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then theother disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and hesaw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not know the scripture,that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back totheir homes.   Meditation: On Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to paytheir last tribute to a dead body. The disciples thought thateverything had finished in tragedy.  Neither were ready to see anempty tomb and hear the angel's message,  Why do you seek theliving among the dead (Luke 24:5)?  Is it any small wonder that itwas the women, rather than the apostles, who first witnessed theempty tomb and the resurrected Lord?  Isidore of Seville, a 7thcentury church father comments on this: "As a woman (Eve) was firstto taste death, so a woman (Mary Magdalene) was first to tastelife.  As a woman was prescient in the fall, so a woman wasprescient in beholding the dawning of redemption, thus reversingthe curse upon Eve."  The first to testify to the risen Lord was awoman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. What is the significance of the stone being rolled away? It wouldhave taken several people to roll away such a stone. And besides,the sealed tomb had been guarded by soldiers! This is clearly thefirst sign of the resurrection.  Bede, a church father from the 8thcentury, comments: "[The angel] rolled back the stone not to throwopen a way for our Lord to come forth, but to provide evidence to

people that he had already come forth. As the virgin's womb wasclosed, so the sepulcher was closed, yet he entered the worldthrough her closed womb, and so he left the world through theclosed sepulcher." (From Homilies on the Gospels 2,7,24) Anotherchurch father remarked: "To behold the resurrection, the stone mustfirst be rolled away from our hearts" (Peter Chrysologus, 5thcentury).  Do you know the joy of the resurrection? John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, wrote his gospel as an eye-witness of  the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us,and who died and rose for our salvation. John was the first apostleto reach the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday morning.  What did Johnsee in the tomb that led him to believe in the resurrection ofJesus?  It was certainly not a dead body.  The dead body of Jesuswould have disproven the resurrection and made his death a tragicconclusion to a glorious career as a great teacher and miracleworker.  When John saw the empty tomb he must have recalled Jesus'prophecy that he would rise again after three days. Through thegift of faith John realized that no tomb on earth could contain theLord and giver of life.  John in his first epistle testifies: What we have seen, heard, andtouched we proclaim as the word of life which existed "from thebeginning" (1 John 1:1-4). John bears witness to what has existedfrom all eternity.  This "word of life" is Jesus the wordincarnate, but also Jesus as the word announced by the prophets andJesus the word now preached throughout the Christian church for allages to come. One thing is certain, if Jesus had not risen from thedead and appeared to his disciples, we would never have heard ofhim.  Nothing else could have changed sad and despairing men andwomen into people radiant with joy and courage. The reality of theresurrection is the central fact of the Christian faith. Throughthe gift of the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us "eyes of faith" toknow him and the power of his resurrection. The greatest joy we canhave is to encounter the living Christ and to know him personallyas our Savior and Lord. "Lord Jesus, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won newlife for us. Give me the eyes of faith to see you in your glory.Help me to draw near to you and to grow in the knowledge of yourgreat love and power."

Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen theLord"

Scripture: John 20:11-18 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept shestooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white,sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and oneat the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" Shesaid to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do notknow where they  have laid him." 14 Saying this, she turned roundand saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?"Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if youhave carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I willtake him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and saidto him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus saidto her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father;but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my  Fatherand your Father, to my God and your God." 18 Mary Mag'dalene wentand said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she toldthem that he had said these things to her. Meditation: How easy it is to miss the Lord when our focus is onourselves!  Mary did not at first recognize the Lord because herfocus was on the empty tomb and on her own grief. It took only oneword from the Master, when he called her by name, for Mary torecognize him. Mary's message to the disciples, I have seen theLord, is the very essence of Christianity. It is not enough that aChristian know about the Lord, but that we know him personally. Itis not enough to argue about him, but to meet him. In theresurrection we encounter the living Lord who loves us personallyand shares his glory with us. The Lord gives us "eyes of faith" tosee the truth of his resurrection and victory over sin and death(Ephes. 1:18).  The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of ourhope -- the hope that we will see God face to face and share in hiseverlasting glory and joy.  Without having seen him you love him;though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice withunutterable and exalted joy.  As the outcome of your faith youobtain the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9). Do yourecognize the Lord's presence with you, in his word, in the"breaking of the bread", and in his church, the body of Christ? "Lord, may I never fail to recognize your voice nor lose sight ofyour presence in your saving word."

 "Unless I see in his hands the prints of the nails, I will notbelieve"Scripture: John 20:19-31 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doorsbeing shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesuscame  and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus saidto them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, evenso I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them,and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive thesins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, theyare retained." 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples toldhim, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see inhis hands the print of the nails, and place  my finger in the markof the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, andThomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stoodamong them, and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said toThomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out yourhand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him,"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those whohave not seen and yet believe." 30 Now Jesus did many other signsin the presence of the disciples, which are not written in thisbook; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus isthe Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life inhis name. Meditation: Do you know the joy of the resurrection? The RisenJesus revealed the glory of his resurrection to his disciplesgradually and over a period of time.  Even after the apostles sawthe empty tomb and heard the reports of Jesus' appearance to thewomen, they were still weak in faith and fearful of being arrestedby the Jewish authorities.  When Jesus appeared to them he offeredproofs of his resurrection by showing them the wounds of hispassion, his pierced hands and side.  He calmed their fears andbrought them peace, the peace which reconciles sinners and makesone a friend of God.  Jesus did something which only love and trustand can do.  He commissioned his weak and timid apostles to carrythe gospel to the ends of the earth. This sending out of the

disciples is parallel to the sending out of Jesus by his Father.Jesus fulfilled his mission through his perfect love and perfectobedience to the will of his Father.  He called his disciples, andhe calls us to do the same.  Just as he gave his first disciplesthe gift of the Holy Spirit, so he breathes on us the same HolySpirit who equips us with power, grace, and strength.

 "After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by theSea of Tibe'ri-as"Scripture: John 21:1-14 1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by theSea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 SimonPeter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, thesons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him,"We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; butthat night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesusstood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it wasJesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" Theyanswered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the rightside of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and nowthey were not able to haul it  in, for the quantity of fish. 7 Thatdisciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" WhenSimon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, forhe  was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the otherdisciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for theywere not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 Whenthey got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fishlying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of thefish that you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter went aboard andhauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so  many, the net was nottorn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none ofthe disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was theLord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and sowith the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus wasrevealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. Meditation: Why didn’t the apostles immediately recognize the Lordwhen he greeted them at the Sea of Tiberias?  John gives us aclue.  He states that Peter decided to return to his home districtof Galilee, very likely so he could resume his fishing career. 

Peter was discouraged and didn’t know what to do after the tragedyof Jesus’ death!  He went back to his previous career out ofdespair and uncertainty.  The other apostles followed him back toGalilee. When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down hisnet after a futile night of fishing?  It was at the beginning ofJesus’ ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approachedPeter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing andcommanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After themiraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would be ‘catchingpeople” for the kingdom of God.  Now Jesus repeats the samemiracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize theLord.  Peter impulsively leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord.Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, ortrials?  The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give usfresh hope in his promises. Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the disciples only sawa vision of Jesus.  The gospels, however, give us a vivid pictureof the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way tooffer his disciples various proofs of his resurrection -- that heis real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his thirdappearance to the apostles, after Jesus performed the miraculouscatch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and ate with them. Peter’sprompt recognition of the Master and exclamation,  It is the Lord!stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial of his Masterduring the night of arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to eachof  us as we open our hearts to receive his word. Do you recognizethe Lord's presence in your life and do you receive his word withfaith? "Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Increase myfaith in the power of your resurrection that I may never doubt yourword  nor stray from your presence."

"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"Scripture: John 21:15-19 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said tohim, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feedmy lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, doyou love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I loveyou." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the thirdtime, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved

because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And hesaid to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you,when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where youwould; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, andanother will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go."19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) Andafter this he said to him, "Follow me." Meditation: Does the fire of God’s love burn in your heart?  Johnthe evangelist tells us that God is love (1 John 4:16).  His loveis unconditional, without limit, and everlasting. It’s thebeginning and the end; and it’s the essence of Christianity.  Itdraws us to the heart of God and it compels us to give to him ourfull allegiance and our very lives. Paul the Apostle tells us thatGod’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spiritwhich has been given us (Romans 5:5). What can quench such love? Certainly indifference, loss of hope, disbelief, or rejection ofGod's word. Why did Jesus question Peter’s love and fidelity three times infront of the other apostles? It must have caused Peter pain andsorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times. Now Peter,full of remorse and humility, unequivocally stated that he lovedhis master and was willing to serve him whatever it might cost.When Jesus asks him "do you love me more than these?" he may havepointed to the boats, nets and catch of fish. He may havechallenged Peter to abandon his work for the task of shepherdingGod's people. Jesus also may have pointed to the other disciplesand to Peter's previous boast: "Though they all fall away becauseof you, I will never fall away" (Matthew 26:33). Peter now makes noboast or comparison but humbly responds: "You know I love you". The Lord calls us, even in our weakness and sin, to love him aboveall else. Augustine in his Confessions wrote: "Late have I lovedyou, O Beauty so ancient and so new. Late have I loved you! ...Youshone your Self upon me to drive away my blindness. You breathedyour fragrance upon me... and in astonishment I drew mybreath...now I pant for you! I tasted you, and now I hunger andthirst for you. You touched me! - and I burn to live within yourpeace. " (Confessions 10:27)  Nothing but our sinful pride andwilfulness can keep us from the love of God. It is a free giftunmerited and beyond payment. We can never outmatch God in love. Heloved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding

graciousness and mercy. Do you allow God's love to change andtransform your heart? "Lord inflame my heart with your love and remove everything that isunloving, unkind, ungrateful, unholy and not in accord with yourwill."

"If every one of the things which Jesus did was to be written"Scripture: John 21:20-25 20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesusloved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said,"Lord, who  is it that is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter sawhim, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus saidto him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is thatto you? Follow me!" 23 The saying spread abroad among the brethrenthat this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to himthat he was not to die, but, "If  it is my will that he remainuntil I come, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who isbearing witness to these things, and who has written these things;and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also manyother things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written,I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books thatwould be written. Meditation: Why do we compare ourselves with others?  And no wonderwe have so many rivals! We want to be better off than ourneighbor!  While Peter and John were both called as disciples ofJesus, each was given a different task or function.  When Peterquestions John's role, Jesus retorts: "What is that to you?  Followme!"  Peter's given task was to "shepherd the sheep of Christ", andin the end to die for Christ.  John's role was preeminently towitness to Christ and to give his testimony to the gospel.  Johnlived to long age and wrote the gospel as his testimony to thereality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  John ends his gospelwith an astonishing remark: "Human books cannot exhaust the personand work of Jesus Christ."  His power is inexhaustible, his graceis limitless, his wisdom unfathomable, his triumphs are innumerableand his love is unquenchable. We can never say enough of the power,majesty and glory which belongs to him alone.  Do you witness toothers the joy of the gospel? "May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey,so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is underheaven.  Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love,

as you died for love of our love."  (Prayer of Francis of Assisi,1182-1226)

ntroduction (to be completed) John 1:1-18  the Eternal Word becomesfleshJohn 1:19-28  the witness of John theBaptistJohn 1:29-34  the Lamb of GodJohn 1:35-42  the first disciples ofJesusJohn 1:43-51  skeptical Nathanielbecomes a disciple John 2:1-12 Jesus makes water into wineat Cana wedding feast John 2:13-25 Jesus at Passover cleansesthe temple John 3:1-7  Nicodemus, a secret discipleof JesusJohn 3:7-15 "You must be born anew"John 3:16-21 God's love and judgmentJohn 3:22-30 the final witness of Johnthe BaptistJohn 3:31-36 the One sent from heaven John 4:1-42 Jesus offers the Samaritanwoman living waterJohn 4:43-54 Jesus heals son of officialat Capernaum John 5:1-16 Jesus heals lame man at poolof BethzathaJohn 5:17-30 Jesus' first discourse onFather-Son relationshipJohn 5:31-47 Jesus answers the chages ofhis opponents John 6:1-15 Jesus feeds 5000 bymultiplying five loaves & two fishJohn 6:16-21 Jesus walks on the Sea ofGalilee to the disciples' boatJohn 6:22-29 the crowds at Galilee seekout JesusJohn 6:30-35 Galileans want a sign from

John the Evangelist (DetroitInstitute of Art)John 8:1-11 woman caught inadultery John 8:12-20 Jesus' claim to be"the light of the world" John 8:21-30 fatalincomprehension John 8:31-42 true discipleship,freedom and slavery John 8:43-50 children of thedevil*** John 8:51-59 Jesus is greaterthan Abraham

JesusJohn 6:35-40 Jesus offers himself as the"bread of life"John 6:41-51 Galileans upset with Jesus'teaching on "bread of life"John 6:52-59 Jesus' radical teaching inCapernaum synagogue John 6:60-69 Jesus challenges disciplesto believe his teaching John 7:1-30 Jesus' confronted on Feastof TabernaclesJohn 7:31-39 Jesus offers "rivers ofliving water" to those who thirst ***John 7:40-53 reactions to Jesus

John 9:1-41 Jesus heals the blind man atPool of Siloam John 10:1-10 Jesus' parable of theshepherd and the thieves  John 10:11-21Jesus the Good Shepherd John 10:22-30 Jesus claims equality withthe Father John 10:31-42 Jesus answers charge ofblasphemy John 11:1-44 Jesus raises Lazarus fromthe tomb John 11:45-57 chief priests take counselto arrest Jesus John 12:1-11 Mary anoints Jesus atBethany John 12:12-19 Jesus enters Jerusalem asMessianic King *John 12:20-26 the coming of Jesus' hour John 12:27-50 the voice from heaven ***John 13:1-17 Jesus washes his disciplesfeet John 13:18-20 Jesus foretells hisbetrayal John 13:21-30 betrayal and falteringloyalty

John 15:26-16:4 the Counselorwill bear witness to Jesus  John 16:5-11 the worl of the HolySpirit  John 16:12-22 the Spirit of truth

John 16:23-28 direct access tothe Father John 16:29-33 Jesus has overcomethe world John 17:1-11 the glory of thecross John 17:12-26 Jesus' prayer forhis disciples John 18:1-11 Jesus' arrest in theGarden John 18:12-27 Jesus' trial andPeter's denial John 18:28-40 Jesus before PilateJohn 19:1-16 Jesus scourged &condemned John 19:17-22 Jesus bears hiscross to Golgotha John 19:23-27 The gamblers andthe women at the cross

John 13:31-38 Jesus' farewell command John 14:1-20 Jesus' last summerdiscourse: way to glory  John 14:21-22 last supper discourse: wayto fellowship John 14:23-26 last supper discourse: wayto fellowship John 14:27-31 last supper discourse:promise of Holy Spirit  John 15:1-8 parable of the vine andbranches  John 15:9-11 last supper discourse:abiding in love John 15:12-17 Jesus' commandment oflove  John 15:18-25 Jesus' discour on hatredof the world     

John 19:28-30 Jesus dies on thecross John 19:31-37 Jesus' pierced side

John 19:38-42 Jesus' burial John 20:1-10 the empty tomb John 20:11-18 Jesus appears toMary Magdalene John 20:19-31 Jesus appears tothe disciples John 21:1-14 Jesus appears at theSea of Tiberius John 21:15-19 Jesus commissionsPeter to shepherd flockJohn 21:20-25 John bears witnessto the gospel .