Monday, June 30, 2014

Ephesians 2:1-3

Ephesians 2:1-3
And while you all are dead by the trespasses and by your sins – in which you all formerly walked according to the age of this world, according to the rulers of the authority of the air, of the spirit while now being at work in the sons of disobedience – in which we all we also were formerly behaving in the desires of our flesh while doing the will of the flesh and the mind.  And we were children of wrath by nature just as the remaining ones are.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul spends these three verses talking about our human nature.  The first thing that he does is to remind the Ephesians of their nature.  By their own very nature they were dead.  Because their nature is sinful by default, they were dead.  The Ephesians were living lives according to what the world said was good, according to what the rulers said was good, and what the spirit of disobedience said was good.  They had their eyes on the people around them and were living in comparison to them.  What Paul is talking about here is very much a “keeping up with the Jones” mentality where we do things and acquire things not because we need them or because they are good for us but because everyone else is doing it and we have to keep up with society and culture.  That’s how the Ephesians were once living.  Paul calls that lifestyle “dead.”

Do you ever live like this?  How does this point to where you get your identity?  Why is it important to understand from where you are getting your identity?

Second Thought:

However, note that Paul doesn’t leave the Ephesians out there by themselves.  Paul himself comes along and says that “we all” behaved that way.  It isn’t that the Ephesians are alone in this self-centered living.  Every single person who now follows Christ has lived that way.  Every single one of us who now is obedient and submitted to God once lived in submission and obedience to the ways of the world.  The Ephesians are not alone; nor are they any worse sinners than the rest of us.  They are normal human beings that have blessedly left the world behind them!

How does it feel to realize that you are not alone in that struggle?  How does it feel to know that even the Biblical greats like Paul and his disciples would classify themselves as following the ways of the world at one point in their life?  What does that mean to you?

Third Thought:

As Paul ends these verses we hear him say that at one point we all were children of wrath by our nature as the rest of the world still is.  This is a terrible sentence.  Think about the ramifications of this sentence.  By nature we are people doomed to destruction.  The only way out is Christ.  All those people in the world who do not find the way out of their nature through Christ will find God’s wrath in the end.  What a terrible thing in this life: to find what our very nature leads us to find.

What emotions does this thought evoke in you?  What are you called to do regarding the reality that we are all destined for wrath unless we find salvation through Christ?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 2:4-10

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Ephesians 1:19-23

Ephesians 1:19-23
… and what is the extraordinary greatness of His power into us – the ones who believe according to the working of control of His might.  This He worked in Christ after raising Him up out of the dead and after seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places – considerably superior to every rule and authority and power and lordship and every name while being named, not only in this age but also in the one that is about to come.  And after bringing all things under His feet He also gave Him the head over all things for the church, which is His body – the fullness of the one who completes all in all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Yesterday we spoke about how faith and love leads to wisdom and revelation.  Revelation and wisdom lead to our calling in the hope of God.  Today we see that our calling leads to God’s control and His might.  Again we get the reinforcement from Paul that we are not the end of faith.  Rather, our relationship with God is ultimately for the working of His will and His power.  At first this might seem rather selfish on God’s part.  But think for a moment.  If I get my way, is it really going to be for the benefit of the whole world?  If you get your way, is it really going to be for the benefit of the whole world?  Only God is righteous enough for His will to truly be for the benefit of all mankind.  Our task is to conform our lives to His will.  That is the goal.

Is it difficult for you to be about God’s will as the goal of your life?  When is it not difficult?  When is it truly difficult?

Second Thought:

To illustrate why it should be about God, Paul gives us the example of Jesus.  God put His power on display in raising Christ from the dead.  It’s that simple.  God is not defeated by the barrier of death.  Human beings are.  Even as much as I may like to help the people around me, the reality is that I can do nothing about death.  God can.  God can conquer death as He demonstrated in Christ.

Is it humbling to realize that we can do nothing about death?  Why should this point help us accept our submission to God rather than keeping our life about ourselves?

Third Thought:

At the end of chapter 1 we hear about the church.  Let’s get two things straight.  First, the church is the body of Christ.  Christ is the head of the church.  To put it bluntly again, the body obeys the will of the head.  When Paul gives the definition of the church as the body of Christ, it is a definition rooted in submission.  Second, Paul tells us that through the church, Christ is the one who brings fullness – the all in all.  God’s plan for the redemption of the world started in Christ.  It now continues through us in Christ.  There is no plan B.  We are God’s plan to live as Christ lived, to speak as Christ spoke, to teach as Christ taught, and die to this world as Christ died.

How does it impact you to realize that there is no plan B – that the church is God’s plan for the world?  Why is important to see the depth to which Paul goes to constantly remind us that we are the hands and feet of God, implying our submission to Him?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 2:1-3

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Ephesians 1:15-18

Ephesians 1:15-18
Because of this, even after I heard about the faith according to you all in the Lord Jesus and the love that is into all the holy ones, I do not cease while giving thanks for you all while making a remembrance upon my prayers in order that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory – should give to you all a spirit of wisdom and a revelation in His knowledge, having been made known to the eyes of your hearts in order that you all have known what is the hope of His calling, what is the great abundance of the glory of His inheritance in the holy ones …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul notes where the Ephesians have begun.  They have faith in Jesus Christ.  They have love into the holy ones.  In other words, they are in Christ and they love those who are also in Christ.  Because of this, Paul does not cease giving thanks to them.  This is not far from the two great commandments that Jesus gives us in Matthew 22:36-40.  We are to Love God and love our neighbor.  This is what Paul sees in the Ephesian people.  That is a great place to start.

Do you love God?  How do you see this in your life?  Do you love those who also love God?  Who among the beloved of God is hard to love for you?  Why is that true?  Who is easy to love?  Why is that true?

Second Thought:

However, Paul knows that the life of the Christian does not stop at faith and love.  Rather, that is the beginning.  That is the foundation upon which life is built.  Look at what Paul says here in the middle of the passage.  Having begun in faith and love, Paul now hopes that God bestows upon them wisdom and revelation.  Faith and love are the foundation for a deeper knowledge of God.  Faith and love are the pieces upon which relationship with the Creator are built.  Faith and love are not the end, they are the beginning!

Is your faith and love causing growth in you?  Where are you growing in the wisdom and revelation of God?  How is that growth taking place?

Third Thought:

We see that faith and love lead to wisdom and revelation.  Where does revelation and wisdom lead?  Paul tells us that next in line is the hope of our calling.  When we start to put this together, it all makes sense.  Before God can teach us, we must first have faith and love for Him and His own.  Then God can instruct us in His ways, causing us to grow.  Once we have grown in wisdom and revelation upon the foundation of faith and love we are then ready to be used by Him in His calling!  Doesn’t it make sense that we can be best used by God only after we have been trained and our skills honed?

Have you thought about the fact that in order for God to use you best you need to grow upon your faith and love within you?  Where have you seen this dynamic at work in the spiritual people around you?  Are you open to this dynamic working within you as well?  Who can help you grow your wisdom and revelation so that you can identify and live out God’s great calling for you?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:19-23

Friday, June 27, 2014

Ephesians 1:11-14

Ephesians 1:11-14
In Him we were also being chosen – after being determined ahead of time – according to the purpose of the ones who works in all things according to the counsel of His will in order that we should be into the praise of His glory that has been hoped beforehand in Christ.  In whom – after hearing the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him – you all were being sealed by the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is the initial payment of our inheritance, into a redemption of our possession into the praise of His glory.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more we hear Paul speak about how all of God’s work was determined beforehand.  This isn’t meant in a predestination way of speaking.  Rather, it is meant to illustrate the greatness of God.  God knew how to handle sin before it ever happened.  God knew how to restore the world before it needed restoring.  This is how incredibly powerful God is.  We cannot mess up God’s plan.  God already knows how to redeem even our worst influences upon His creation!

Why is it neat to realize that God had a plan for saving the world before it ever got messed up?  What does this say about God?  How can this inspire your worship of Him?

Second Thought:

I love Ephesians 1:13-14.  For me, Paul clearly lays out how we as human beings come into salvation.  The Word – the Gospel of our salvation – is proclaimed to us.  We believe.  We are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the first payment – sometimes called the first fruits – of our salvation.  The Holy Spirit is evidence of our salvation.  He is the guarantee that God is with us and our relationship with God is restored.  The Holy Spirit is the evidence that we need that God’s promise of salvation has indeed come to us.

Is the Holy Spirit a part of your life?  How do you know?  What impact has God’s initial payment into your life had?

Third Thought:

The last words of this section are easy to miss.  What is the end goal of Christ?  Is it our salvation?  No, actually.  It isn’t.  The end goal is that through our salvation God’s glory is praised.  Many people think that our salvation is the goal of our faith.  Many people think that the biggest point of Christianity is that I can live with God forever.  While that’s pretty important, it isn’t the biggest point.  The biggest point isn’t about me.  The biggest point is that God is praised.  It’s about God and His glory.  Amen.

So what is your faith about?  Is your faith about avoiding Hell?  Is your faith about having eternal life?  Or is your faith most about God being praised?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:15-18

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Ephesians 1:7-10

Ephesians 1:7-10
In whom we have the redemption through His blood – the forgiveness of the transgressions – according to the great abundance of His grace, which He provides in abundance into us in all wisdom and understanding after making known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure that He intended in Him into the set arrangements of the fullness of time to bring together all things in Christ: things upon heaven and things upon the earth are in Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Again we have a passage that is very much a run-on sentence.  In fact, in the Greek verses 7-10 are indeed all one sentence as you see them here.  Keep in mind all that I said yesterday about this writing style and what it really means.

That being said, notice again the abundance of Paul’s focus on the preeminence of Christ.  Redemption is through His blood.  Grace ultimately comes through Christ through God’s wisdom and understanding and His plan.  Everything in heaven and on earth are based upon Him.  Jesus Christ is the core and the rock of everything.

How does Paul’s emphasis on Christ continue to reinforce the role that He should have in everything?  Does Christ play the preeminence in your life as much as He does in this letter?

Second Thought:

In verse 7, Paul begins his list of benefits with the word deliverance.  This word in the Greek comes from the verb lutron (λύτρον).  This verb means “to ransom.”  It is a word that expresses a freedom that is bought by another.  It is a verb used to describe people who are freed from a captivity that they are helpless to escape on their own.  This is what Christ has done for us.  Through His efforts we can escape a captivity in which we have no ability to escape ourselves.

What does it mean for you to have access to a salvation that you do not deserve?  Why is it important to remember that Christ – and thus God – has really done all the work?

Third Thought:

In this passage we also have a distinct impression of abundance.  God’s grace is abundant.  His wisdom and understanding is abundant.  Christ came in the fullness of God’s plan and timing.  God is truly in control.  He is truly the master of the world.  He has no limits.  He desires us to know the limitlessness of His nature.

How do you feel knowing that you worship a God of abundance?  How have you seen abundance in your life?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:11-14

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Ephesians 1:3-6

Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the one who blessed us in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly things in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the beginning of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love after determining beforehand for us to be in Him into adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, into the praise of glory of His grace that He bestowed upon us in the one who has been loved.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This writing style is traditional Paul.  There are run-on sentences, little punctuation, and clause after clause after clause of thoughts piled on top of one another.  Don’t be distracted by the writing style.  It is confusing, and that’s okay.  It’s good to see this style, because it actually reads as a deep theologian excited about what he is saying.  People speak in run-on sentences typically when they are excited and are trying to convey much information on one topic in a very limited amount of time or space.  It is easy for us to read this passage and critique him on his grammar and lack of punctuation.  A better response is to hear his excitement and desire to give as much praise to God as possible.  In this sense, Paul is very much like a teenage girl who has had the best thing ever happen to her.  Paul explodes with wonderful praise and glory to God, leaving it up to the listener to sort out all of the details into a pattern that makes logical and rational sense.

Is it easy to get lost in the midst of Paul’s enthusiasm?  Why can this be frustrating?  How can this actually be an example for us to not be afraid of being excited about God rather than a trip down into frustration about not being able to understand?

Second Thought:

One of the preeminent themes in Ephesians is Jesus Christ – as it should be.   Look at what Paul traces back to Christ in this passage.  Our spiritual blessings come in Christ.  The fact that God chose us is in Christ.  Our adoption comes through Christ.  Even the reference at the end about “the one who has been loved” is a reference to Christ.  Paul’s message here should be crystal clear.  We are in a relationship with God because of Christ.  He is the reason for salvation, forgiveness, grace, mercy, relationship … everything.  All that we have in this life that is good comes from the hand of God through the lens of Jesus Christ.

Why is Jesus so central to God’s grace?  What does this mean for you and how you think about God?  How can this central focus on Christ influence how you speak to people around you?

Third Thought:

Taking this point a little deeper, notice how much of what Paul says here is God’s effort versus how much of this is our effort.  In fact, everything listed here is God’s effort.  Salvation is God’s effort.  Grace is God’s effort.  Love is God’s effort.  Blessing is God’s effort.  In fact, Paul is even clear that all of these things come because God chose.  We don’t choose God, He chooses us.  We cannot come to God without Him first coming the whole way to us.  Paul’s thrust as he opens this letter is that everything always starts with God.  God chose relationship when we did not deserve it.  He deserves the praise.

What is the difference between living as though we chose God versus living as though God chose us?  How are these significant shifts in thinking away from one another?  Why is this point vitally important to your life?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:7-10

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Ephesians 1:1-2

Ephesians 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through a will of God, to the holy ones who are in Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.  Grace to you all and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul begins this letter as he does almost every single letter that he wrote.  Paul claims apostleship in the Lord.  We need to understand this claim, however.  In modern days we think that by using the world “apostle” that Paul is calling himself a leader or someone important.  This is just not the case.  Paul is claiming two things.  First, Paul is claiming himself to be a person who focuses on doing mission to and for people who do not have a relationship with Christ.  Second, Paul is claiming that he is sent by God to do God’s will to the people of God’s choosing.  Notice the emphasis of what I just said.  An apostle is inherently someone sent by someone else to do someone else’s mission.  Being an apostle is never about your own agenda or your own plans.  Being an apostle is about someone else.  Being an apostle of Jesus Christ is all about Christ’s agenda and His plans.  Paul is a part of Jesus’ task force, not trying to create his own.

Are you an apostle of Jesus Christ?  Are you about His plans or your own?

Second Thought:

Notice also that Paul says that he is an apostle through a will of God.  Yes, this is another time to point to God’s action not his own.  But I think it’s more than that.  As you read those words, it is easy to read them with an air of amazement.  I think as Paul writes these words that he is still amazed that God would call one such as him.  After all, he had many things wrong with him at the time of his calling.  But God still chose him.  That’s downright incredible.

Are you amazed that God would call you?  What are all the negatives that you can think of why you shouldn’t have been called into discipleship and apostleship under Christ?  Why don’t any of these things actually matter in Christ?

Third Thought:

When Paul writes, he writes about grace and peace coming from God.  These are two huge theological concepts. 
  • Remember that we are sinners by definition.  Grace deals with our sinful nature.  By grace, we are forgiven and saved.  This is why Paul says “grace to you all. 
  • Peace deals with our relationship.  Because our nature is sin and our flesh is corrupt, we are by default at war with God – enemies to His righteousness.  Through Christ, that status has been removed and we now have peace with Him.  This is why Paul says “peace from God.

When Paul begins this letter with grace and peace, he’s not just using words.  He’s describing the status of our relationship with God.  These are probably the two greatest concepts that we as human beings need to base our life upon.  For the record, when pastors begin the church service with these same words, we’re doing the same thing.  It’s not just an address; it is a call to the greatest reality we can ever know with respect to relationships.

What does grace mean to you and for your life?  What does it mean for you to be at peace with God?


Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:3-6

Monday, June 23, 2014

John 21:20-25

John 21:20-25
After Peter was being turned back, while following he sees the disciple that Jesus was loving – who reclined in a place of honor upon His chest in the supper and he said, “Lord, who is the one who hands you over?”  Therefore after Peter saw this one he says to Jesus, “Lord, what is this one?”  Jesus says to him, “If I should desire him to remain until I come, what is it to you?  You, follow me!”  Therefore this saying went out into the brothers that this disciple does not die.  But Jesus did not say that this disciple does not die but rather that “should I desire him to remain until I come, what is it to you?”  This is the disciple who witnesses regarding these things and who wrote these things.  And we have known that his witness is true.  And there are many other things that Jesus did, which should they be written one after the next not even I presume that the world could contain the books that are being written.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter is jealous.  There is no other reality here.  Peter sees the disciple that Jesus was loving and wants to know about his destiny.  Jesus gives Peter a sharp rebuke.  Jesus tells Peter that the place of the other disciples in the kingdom is not his concern.  Jesus also reminds Peter of his calling.  Jesus tells Peter to follow Him.  That is Peter’s job.  So long as Peter focuses on following Jesus, what else matters?  The same is true for us.

Why is it easy to get hung up on other people and their role in the kingdom?  What does that eventually do to our ability to serve Christ?

Second Thought:

I love the end of this Gospel.  John confesses that he left some stories out.  But he has included enough to know the essence of Christ.  In fact, he confesses that there aren’t enough books in the world that could hold all that Christ did.  What does this tell us?  Just when you think you have Jesus figured out, you discover that there is more to learn.  That’s a really cool way to end the Gospel account.

Why is it neat to think that there is always more to learn about Jesus and His ways?  Have you ever thought that you knew all there was about a spiritual topic?  Why is that dangerous?

Third Thought:

Since we have come to the end of John’s Gospel, I should make one final claim as to why I don’t believe that John was “the disciple that Jesus was loving.”  Look at the words that close this book.  If John is talking about himself, it seems odd that he would say, “And we have known that his witness is true.”  John would say, “my witness,” not “his witness.”  It has always seemed odd that John would speak about himself in this manner elsewhere throughout the Gospel; it seems nearly ridiculous that John would use this description about himself here.  Rather than make John into a presumptuous and egotistical disciple, logic seems to indicate that John was speaking about another disciple the whole way up to the end of his Gospel.  Given that this description doesn’t ever enter into the Gospel of John until after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and John notes Jesus’ love for Lazarus, the most logical conclusion is that Lazarus is indeed the disciple.  In any case, though, we cannot be completely sure.

Regardless of whether this is John, Lazarus, or whomever … what does it say to you that this disciple is continuing to give witness to Jesus’ life throughout the rest of his own life?  What does this show about how we should respond to Jesus’ love for us?


Passage for Tomorrow: TBD

Sunday, June 22, 2014

John 21:15-19

John 21:15-19
Therefore when they ate breakfast, Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Simon of John, do you love me more than these?”  He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, you have known that I love you.”  He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”  He again said to him a second time, “Simon of John, do you love me?”  He said to Him, “Yes Lord, you have known that I love you.”  He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.”  He says to him a third time, “Simon of John, do you love me?”  Peter was being distressed because He said to him a third time, “Do you love me?”  And he said to Him, “Lord, you have known all things.  You know that I love you.”  Jesus says to him, “Feed my sheep.  Amen, amen.  I say to you that when you were younger you were dressing yourself and you were walking wherever you were desiring.  But when you should grow old, you will extend your hands and another will dress you and will carry you where you do not desire.”  And this was said while clearly indicating with what kind of death he will glorify God.  And after saying this He says to him, “Follow me.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Notice the verb tense in each of Peter’s replies.  These are perfect verbs.  “You have known.”  Peter is making the claim that his love for Jesus has never been in doubt.  Remember that Peter has been with Jesus from the beginning.  There has never been any doubt where Peter’s loyalty resided.  What this means is that Peter’s denial of His Lord during His arrest was not a theological claim of abandonment, just a bad choice.  He was having a very difficult few days and made some bad choices.  They weren’t moments in which a crisis of faith was happening.  They were moments where his circumstances led him into sin.  But it wasn’t formal abandonment; just sinful, self-centered thinking that can be repented and forgiven.

Have you had moments where you sin?  Do those moments necessarily mean that you stopped believing in God?  How does this teaching affect your life?

Second Thought:

Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me more than these?”  There are three possible interpretations for this question:
  1. Jesus could be saying to Peter, “Do you love me more than you love the rest of my disciples?”  I doubt this is correct, as nowhere in the Gospels is doubt ever cast upon the disciples’ submission to Christ first and foremost.
  2. Jesus could be saying to Peter, “Do you love me more than the rest of the disciples love me?”  I doubt this is correct, either.  Most of Jesus’ disciples give up their life for Jesus.  How could Peter know if his love was greater than anyone else’s love for Christ?
  3. The third possibility is that Jesus isn’t talking about people when He says, “these.”  I believe this is the most likely understanding.  Remember that it was Peter who encouraged everyone else to go fishing at the beginning of this chapter.  Thus, Jesus looks to Peter and says, “Peter, do you love me more than these boats, nets, and the identity of being a fisherman?”  Jesus is asking a question of identity.  It is a question that we must all face.


What do you love more than Jesus?  What gets in your way of loving Jesus?  What do you often choose above Jesus?

Third Thought:

I love how this passage ends.  “Follow me.”  So much has been said about Peter denying Jesus three times and then he is given the opportunity to declare his love three times.  But what I think is neat is what actually comes after that.  Once the slate has been wiped clean, Jesus goes to Peter and once more says, “Follow me.”  Yes, Jesus doesn’t give up on Peter.  However, neither does Jesus ‘graduate’ Peter.  Jesus doesn’t say, “You’re on your own now, fully and completely mature.”  No, Jesus tells Peter that even though the slate is clean he is still a follower.  That’s all there is to it.  If you want to be in Christ, assume the role of disciple.  There is neither a simpler message nor a more complex message than that in the whole of the Bible.  Follow Jesus, it’s that simple.  Become like Him and do as He desires.  It’s that hard.

Why is discipleship such a difficult task sometimes?  Why is discipleship such a simple concept in principle?

Fourth Thought

There has been much made about the fact that the first two times that Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, He uses the word “agape” (γάπη).  But in the third question Jesus switches to “philia” (φιλία).  Agape is an unconditional divine love.  Philia is a brotherly – or family – love.  We should not make a big deal of this.  Both of these words are good words.  Both are used to express God’s love.  In John 3:35 the word used to describe God’s love for the Son is agape.  Yet in John 5:20 the word used to describe God’s love for the Son is philia.  In John 13:34 Christians are told to love one another and the word there is agape.  But in John 16:27 we are told about God’s love for us and our love for God and both of those words are philia.  The reality is that in the Gospel of John these words are both positive and nearly interchangeable.

Why does it make sense for us to think of true love as divine and unconditional?  Why does it also make sense for us to frame love in terms of family – even spiritual family?  What might we be missing when we try to make one of these better than the other?


Passage for Tomorrow: John 21:20-25

Saturday, June 21, 2014

John 21:9-14

John 21:9-14
Therefore as they got out into the land, they see a charcoal fire while resting on the land and fish while resting upon the fire and bread.  And Jesus said to them, “Carry from the fish as many as you all just now caught.”  Therefore Simon Peter went aboard and hauled into the land the net full of large fish – 153!  And while there were so many, the net was not being torn.  Jesus said to them, “Come!  Eat breakfast!”  And none of the disciples were daring to inquire from Him, “Who are you?” after knowing that it is the Lord.  Jesus comes and takes the bread and gives to them, and likewise the fish.  Now this is the third time that Jesus was being revealed to the disciples after being raised up out of the dead.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

There is a basic point to this story that many of us overlook.  We might wonder why it is that John would put a strange story of Jesus on the shoreline in his Gospel.  The reality is that this story illustrates that this was no mere vision.  A vision of Jesus doesn’t produce a real fire with real bread and real fish to eat.  You can see those things in a vision, but to partake of them means that they are real.  Jesus was physically raised, not just spiritually raised.  The Gospel would be challenged regarding whether Jesus was truly bodily raised.  This story helps us understand that He was.

Why is it important to realize that Jesus was raised – both body and spirit?  If God can do this for Jesus, what does this mean for you?

Second Thought:

Today we get to see the other side of Peter.  Yesterday we saw the impulsiveness, today we see the submission.  Today we hear Jesus give an order and Peter is the first to act.  He is obedient.  Nobody can question Peter’s heart.  He is fiercely loyal to Jesus and willing to do anything He asks.  His judgment might occasionally falter.  His focus and concentration might occasionally be one-dimensional.  But when Jesus gets to the point of giving marching orders, Peter is ready, willing, and able to serve.

How does this make Peter inspirational?  Why is it important to take note of both the negative and the positive that Peter brings to his discipleship under Jesus?  How can this help you learn about yourself and deal with others?

Third Thought:

When Simon goes about and hauls out the net, the nets don’t break.  John, who was a fisherman and would know such things, writes this in his Gospel because it is an amazing fact.  The thing to learn from this is that when Jesus calls us to do a task, He equips us.  We may not always get it right.  Things may not go perfectly smoothly.  But we are equipped with what we need to be successful in His calling.

When have you been amazed at how the things God equips us with are enough to do the job?  How can this lead to God’s glory?


Passage for Tomorrow: John 21:15-19

Friday, June 20, 2014

John 21:7-8

John 21:7-8
Therefore the disciple that was being loved by Jesus says to Peter, “It is the Lord!”  Therefore after Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he fastened his outer garment around his waist, for he was naked, and he cast himself into the sea.  And the other disciples came by the boat, for they were not far from the land – about one hundred yards away – after dragging the net of fish.

{Note: in this passage, the word “naked” probably does not refer to complete nudity.  John specifically references Peter’s outer garments, implying that he still had on his underclothes.  This is why in many translations you hear the description “stripped for work.”}

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The unnamed disciple gets it.  He puts it all together.  They had been miserably unsuccessful all night.  Along comes a stranger and then suddenly everything works out better than could be expected.  It had to be the hand of the Lord.  There was no other rationale in His mind.  When the amazing happens, the faithful boldly recognize it as the work of the Lord.

Do you recognize the hand of the Lord at work?  How quick are you to announce God’s work when you see it?

Second Thought:

Again we have the impulsive Peter.  He sees the Lord and completely forgets the fish.  He leaves the boat behind him and goes to the Lord.  He jumps off the side of the boat and leaves his fellow disciples behind.  On one hand, this is commendable.  He is focused on the Lord.  On the other hand, this is impulsive and reckless.  Jesus has blessed them with an incredible gift of fish.  Peter leaves the work of God’s own hand and forces the rest of the disciples to deal with it.  Faith is inspiring; one dimensional faith misses the point.  Peter is so focused on Up that he completely forgets In and Out.

Why do you think Peter launches himself off the boat?  Why do you think Peter forgets about the fish and his friends to get to Jesus?

Third Thought:

The rest of the disciples drag the net to the shore.  They don’t give up.  They struggle with the boat and the net, grasping onto everything that the Lord has given to them.  This is why Jesus picked so many fisherman.  Following Christ is hard work.  It will drain you.  It will take all that you have until you learn to rely upon what God can give you.  The fisherman knew that lifestyle.  They demonstrate exactly the kind of culture Jesus was trying to create.  Hard-working and focused on both the blessings of the Lord and where He’s at work. 

Do you fit the culture of these disciples?  Are you willing to put it all on the line and give God everything you’ve got?


Passage for Tomorrow: John 21:9-14

Thursday, June 19, 2014

John 21:4-6

John 21:4-6
And after already becoming early in the morning, Jesus stood into the beach.  However, the disciples had not known that it is Jesus.  Therefore Jesus says to them, “Children, do you all not have any fish?”  They answered to Him, “No.”  And He said to them, “Throw the net into the right side of the boat.  And you will find.”  Therefore they threw it, and they were no longer able to haul it in from the large number of fish.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The disciples don’t know that it is Jesus.  Now, at some point we have to make sure we really understand what is going on here.  When Jesus appeared to them in the upper room they had an excuse.  It’s not every day people come back from the dead.  But they’ve already seen Jesus!  They’ve already experienced God’s greatest miracle!  And they still don’t recognize Jesus.  Here’s the point, and it’s really worth learning.  Just because you have some incredible spiritual mountaintop moment doesn’t mean you will always get what God is doing.  You won’t always recognize Jesus.  Even after God does the most amazing things in your life, you’ll still occasionally miss what God is doing in your life.

Are you bothered or reassured by seeing these disciples not recognize Jesus on the beach?  When have you failed to see Jesus at work even though you certainly have had spiritual moments in your past?  How do you get past that and carry on with God’s calling?

Second Thought:

Notice the disciples’ reply to Jesus’ initial question? “No.”  They only muster a single word in response.  They didn’t have any fish.  They’d been at it all night and nothing.  Remember that as many as seven of the twelve disciples were fishermen.  These were men skilled at what they were supposed to be doing.  I can only imagine they would be a little embarrassed at their lack of success.  But there is a deeper spiritual point.  Jesus had taught His disciples that without Him they can do nothing.  Here they are, going back to their career prior to following Jesus.  They are reverting back to their life before Christ.  And they are failing miserably at it.  I think they don’t recognize Jesus because their minds are not in the spiritual place that they should be.

Have you missed opportunities because your mind wasn’t where it should be?  When does that happen?  Why does that happen?  How do you keep your mind on Christ?

Third Thought:

Here we see the great catch of fish.  The disciples listen to Jesus, and it pays off for them!  The catch is incredible – so much that they cannot pull the net into the boat.  Again the lesson is simple.  With Jesus, all things are possible.  Even when we revert back to our prior life before being discipled by Jesus, we are still more successful at it through Christ!  It is Jesus who makes the difference in life.

What difference does Jesus make for you in your life?  How can that be seen?


Passage for Tomorrow: John 21:7-14

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

John 21:1-3

John 21:1-3
After these things Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples upon the Sea of Tiberias.  And He revealed Himself in this way.  And Simon Peter was together with Thomas – who was called Didymus, Nathaniel – from Cana of Galilee, the ones of Zebedee, and two others out of His disciples.  Simon Peter says to them, “I am going away to fish.”  They say to him, “We also come with you.”  They went out and they got into the boat.  And that night they caught nothing.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I like the fact that Jesus reveals Himself more than once to the disciples.  So often in our human way of thinking we say that once we experience something it should stick with us forever.  So often we think that once we have that mountaintop faith experience that we’ll never find another valley.  When we do find that valley –oh do we ever find that valley – we like to beat ourselves up.  This is why I love that Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples more than once.  Jesus knows that one time is seldom enough for us.  We get it, then fall into a pit of despair.  Then He comes again, we get it and hopefully a little more.  And then we fall into the next pit of despair.  So He comes and reveals Himself a again.  Well, I think you get the progression, don’t you?  Jesus is not a once and done moment in our life.  Jesus comes again and again and again when we need Him.

How does this speak meaning into your life?  Have you ever beaten yourself up on a day when your faith was weak?  How can this story help you on those days in the future?

Second Thought:

Remember the passages from the last two days where Thomas was excluded?  Another reason that I love this passage is because it shows us that Thomas is included.  Here we see that there is nothing wrong with Thomas.  It’s not like Jesus intentionally missed him the first time or intentionally picked a time when Thomas wasn’t around.  Thomas is a full participant in this story.  In fact, we have five named disciples present and two unnamed disciples.  We don’t even know if the two are of the Twelve or not.  So we have between four and six disciples of the Twelve who are not a part of this story.  So Thomas is in and others are out.  The neat part of this understanding is that not everyone needs to be involved in the workings of Christ.  Sometimes we are a part of it.  Sometimes we are not a part of it.  Our job isn’t to make sure we are a part of everything; our job is to do the part God asks us to do!  Neither is our job to make sure everyone is a part of everything.  Jesus Himself doesn’t even live up to that standard!

Why do we like to be a part of everything?  How can this story help tame our ego?  Why do we like to include everyone else?  Why is it important to realize that not everyone should be involved in everything?

Third Thought:

In verse three we see a humbling moment for these poor disciples.  Remember, they have seen the risen Lord.  They have received the Holy Spirit.  You would think they’d be primed and ready, wouldn’t you?  But that’s not what we get here.  Peter looks to the others and says, “I can’t figure anything else out to do, so I’m going back to my old habits.”  Okay, I grossly paraphrased there.  But that is what they do.  They’ve just had the most amazing experience of anyone’s lifetime.  They’ve seen Jesus arrested, tried, crucified, and risen from the dead.  They’ve been personally filled with the Spirit of God.  And what do they do?  No, they don’t go make disciples.  No, they don’t go tell other people what’s happened.  No, they don’t go heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead.  They go fishing.  I think this is another ultimate facepalm moment for Jesus.  But it is a great moment for us.  Sometimes we just don’t get it.  Sometimes God sets us up perfectly to do His work and we go fishing instead.  Jesus won’t abandon them, even when they have everything perfectly arranged for them and they can’t figure out the identity into which God would rather have them living.  I think the fact that John makes a note that they caught no fish is an admission of guilt after the fact.  God is about to make a point to these disciples and to do so after a night of fruitlessness.

Do you see the short-sightedness of the disciples?  When have you opted to do your own thing rather than make disciples?  How do you think Jesus reacts to those moments?


Passage for Tomorrow: John 21:4-6

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

John 20:24-31

John 20:24-31
And Thomas, one out of the Twelve who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  Therefore the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”  But he said to them, “Unless I should see in His hands the mark of the nails and I should put my finger into the mark of the nails and I should put my hand into His side, I will surely not believe.”  And after eight days His disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.  Jesus came – the doors having been shut up – and stood into their midst and said, “Peace to you all.”  Then He says to Thomas, “Place your finger here and see my hands.  And place your hand and put it into my side.  And do not become disbelieving but rather believing.”  Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”  And Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are the ones who did not see and who did believe.”  Therefore on one hand Jesus also did many other signs in the presence of His disciples.  These are not having been written in this book.  But on the other hand these have been written in order that you all should believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and in order that while believing you all should have life in His name.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Thomas’ bravado is amazing here.  Remember, this is a man who was hand trained by Jesus.  Here is a man who was among the Twelve, walking by Jesus’ own side and listening to the teachings coming out of Jesus’ own mouth.  Thomas had spent up to three years with Jesus, learning at His feet.  Yet, here in Thomas we see such bravado.  “Unless I should do these things, I will surely not believe.”  Now, I do have to give Thomas some understanding.  He’s just seen his disciple-maker get arrested and crucified.  He’s also just heard that Jesus appeared to everyone in the group but him.  It’s easy for Thomas to put up this bravado as a defense mechanism.  But it can teach us something about humanity.  When we are wounded or left out of a group experience, we can easily get defensive.  We can easily say things we don’t mean.  We can easily check our brains at the door and react on instinct.  That’s not good at all.

When are you most likely to react on instinct rather than saying what you really mean?  How do you get around those times when your knee-jerk reaction might not be what you really should be doing or saying?

Second Thought:

Now I have to give Thomas credit.  While he may react poorly, he doesn’t dig in his heels to validate his reaction.  When Jesus comes among Thomas, Jesus gives Thomas exactly what he needs.  Jesus allows Thomas to see and touch his wounds to know for certain that it is Jesus.  Jesus also does this to indicate to Thomas that even though He wasn’t present for Thomas’ statement that He still knew exactly what was needed.  Jesus also chastises Thomas for allowing himself to become disbelieving.  Thomas takes all of that in stride and humbles himself to His Lord.  Thomas submits to Christ.  He may have acted in bravado, but he ends in submission.

When has Jesus changed your bravado to submission?  What can you learn through that process?  What does this tell us about Jesus’ forgiving nature?

Third Thought:

We have this additional footnote at the end of this chapter.  There are two neat thoughts that come out of this.  First, John is confessing that He didn’t write everything down.  There are other things Jesus did that John doesn’t record.  We don’t have to know the whole story, we just have to know enough to understand and believe.  We don’t need to be experts on Jesus’ whole life, we just need to know what He did and why that proves He’s the Son of God sent to bring salvation to mankind.  Second, we hear a serious claim to faith.  John tells us most assuredly that “while believing” we “should have life in His name.”  Life comes only through Christ; life comes only while believing.  That’s a serious claim to faith.  There is no other way to God except through Jesus Christ.

How does it make you feel to know that nobody expects you to be a master of knowing everything that Jesus ever did?  Is that freeing in any way?  What does it mean to you to realize that there is no way to the Father except through the Son?  What does that really mean?


Passage for Tomorrow: John 21:1-14