5/8/11- Mother's Day John 20:25-27

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

See my previous blog on this passage: http://devotionalonjesus.blogspot.com/2010/11/112410-john-1925-27-mary-at-cross.html with a picture of Mary's house in Ephesus.

Thoughts: Jesus, as the eldest son, sought to care for his mother, even as he lay dying on the cross.  He entrusted her to his youngest disciple, John.  John, though young, came from a wealthy family that did business with the high priest (he got Peter into Caiaphas's courtyard (Jn. 18:15).  Jesus did not call out to his mother in pain and misery as some sons might do.  He perhaps eased her hurt not by complaining, but by helping her even when he was on the cross.  The sacrifice He was making there was not only for all the world- it was also for His mother.  So, we should seek to be blessings to our mothers, if they are alive, and seek to support the calling of our children if we are mothers. Calvin said the commandment to honor fathers and mothers is a command to respect authority of those God has placed over us. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to honor my mother as you honored Mary.  Help me to give of myself sacrificially for her as you gave of yourself for Mary.

John Calvin abridged: While Christ obeyed God the Father, he did not fail to perform the duty which he owed as a son, towards his mother. True he forgot himself, and he forgot everything, so far as was necessary for the discharge of obedience to his Father. But having performed his mission, he did not neglect what he owed to his mother. So we can learn how we should discharge our duty toward God and people. Sometimes families call us to do something in the opposite direction of God's call for us. If we place people in the same status as God, we misjudge. Though Christ was suffering unbelievable torture, grief, mockings, blasphemies and spiritual struggle with the devil, yet none of these things kept him from being concerned about his mother. John's obedience to Christ teaches us to revere him as well. Jesus probably called her "woman" instead of a more endearing term because he did not want to make it harder for her, and because he was leaving this world with its human relationships. That John was able to take her into his home shows that he was able to afford a house and may have had other means of employment and family. It also shows that John did not give up all of his property as some say we should do.

(Mary at cross- William Blake 1805)

5/7/11 John 21:20-23

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

(John the Evangelist- Greek icon 18th century)

Thoughts: "The disciple whom Jesus loved" is a title clothed in secrecy.  Yet it is a secret that everyone knows. It is a title humble, yet proud.  It is humble in that the writer is in a sense, anonymous.  Yet it is amazingly proud, yet true that John could be so assured of Christ's love.  In some ways, to make the claim that Christ loves us and we can actually know God- is an astounding and bold claim.  But it is a claim confirmed by faith combined with the knowledge of who Christ is.  To say that there is any meaning or hope in life is also a bold claim.  John was the last of the disciples, perhaps the last eyewitness to Christ's earthly ministry.  Jesus asks Peter not to compare, but to find contentment in God's will. 

Prayer: May I live assured of your love, content with your will for me.




John Calvin Abridged: In Peter, we have an example of the danger and harm of curiosity, when we forget to find peace in our own duty to God (Gal. 6:5).  This is a reproof to those who would look all around in curiosity.  We all face different trials and times of ease, but we should be concerned what God calls us to face.  Christ cuts him short by reminding he must face his own calling, and he has no right to inquire what other people will do. 

5/6/11 John 21:18-19 Peter's death

18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

(Peter's Crucifixion, Carravagio)


Thoughts: John was the last apostle alive.  He remembered this conversation with Jesus about Peter's demise as well as his own.  Strong tradition says that the Apostle Peter was killed 67 AD by Nero at the site of Nero Circus Maximus.  Today that is the site of St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world.  Though Jesus was restoring Peter, he knew that Peter would live with the guilt of his denials until his last breath.  Tradition says Peter requested to be crucified upside down as he was not worthy to die rightside up as his Lord died.  But Jesus commanded Peter here to not only feed His sheep, but also to follow Him. 

Prayer:  Give me grace, Lord to follow you no matter what. 

5/5/11 National Day of Prayer John 16:23,24

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

(Albrecht Durer Praying Hands- 15th century)

Thoughts: Jesus was about to go to heaven.  The asking of the disciples would change.  They wouldn't ask the physical Jesus directly for advice or for help.  Instead, they would ask the Father in the name of His Son.  Prayer is not just about meditating or lowering our blood pressure.  It is talking to God.  But we have an "in" with God- we know His Son.  On this National Day of Prayer, we are called to pray.  But to whom and how?  Jesus said for his disciples to pray to His Father in His name and then they will receive- that their joy may be complete. 

Prayer: Hear my prayer, O Lord. Incline your ear to us and grant us your peace. 

John Calvin Abridged: It is a wicked defiling of the name of God when we leave Christ out of view, but approach the throne of God.  If we believe that God will give us whatever we ask in the name of His Son, then we will not go here and there looking for other advocates. When We pray in His name, we take Him as our advocate to labor faithfully on our behalf that we might find favor with God- even though we may not expressly mention his name with our lips.

5/4/11 John 21:16-17, Pastor's Work

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

(Peter restored, Raphael)

Thoughts: The opposite of denial is love.  Peter denied that he even knew Christ.  Now Jesus asked beyond just knowledge to love.  The question for each of us is not whether we know there is a God or know that Christ exists- or even is God-in-the-flesh.  The question is do we love Him with all our hear, soul, mind, and strength?

Prayer:  Help me, Lord, to know you more.  Help me, Lord to love you and be ever-growing in love with you.

John Calvin Abridged: "Feed" means to govern.  Christ is the only true shepherd (Jn. 10) as He is the only true food for the soul.  People are given the term "Pastor" as they govern under the Head who is Christ.  Christ's pastors are called not to feed anyone- but to feed His own sheep- His own people. While pastors should try to gather all in, and cannot easily distinguish between the wolves and the sheep, their labor will only be effective to those who are elect. 

5/3/11 John 21:15

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

(Peter Paul Rubens 1616)

Thoughts: What are the "these" here- that tempted Peter?  It probably was the food that they had just finished eating, or the fish- (and fishing profession) that he was dropping his nets for to follow Christ.  Jesus was asking him if he could leave his fishing profession to enter into the calling of a shepherd, a pastor.  As he had dropped his nets (Mt. 4:19, Lk. 5) to follow Christ, now he was dropping his nets to go into all the world feeding the sheep and spreading the good news.  Christ calls all of us to not love the world more than Him.  His constant question to us is, "Do you love me more than the things of this world?"  It is a call to walk by faith and not by sight.

Prayer: Help me to lvoe you, Lord with my hwole heart, sould, mind, and strength. 

John Calvin Abridged:  The Evangelist now relates how Peter was restored to the rank from which he had fallen.  He had been made an apostle along with Judas, but had abandoned his post. Peter was restored to give himself confidence, and so that the Gospel would not be despised.  The office of feeding is laborious and troublesome.  Those who are called to govern the Church are asked to love Christ.  For without the love of Christ, we can do nothing. 

5-2-11 John 21:10-14

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught. ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

(Joachim Beuekelaer 1563 Antwerp- J Paul Getty)
Thoughts: How many resurrection appearances are associated with the breaking of bread.  The two walking to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus until He broke bread with them.  Luke 24 speaks of Jesus appearing to the disciples, telling them he was not a ghost, and then asking them for something to eat (24:41).  Ironically, some think we eat only to live.  But the scriptures speak of the resurrected Christ eating and the great heavenly banquet (Lk. 14:15; 22:16,30; Rev. 19:9).  There appears to be a more eternal purpose for eating than just physical survival.  Recognition and fellowship are important reasons for eating.  Communion (Eucharist) are fellowship meals more than meals for physical nourishment. 

Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread (Song- Youtube lyrics): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ehKkcFQB4&feature=related

O Thou Mysterious Bread (Wesley's song): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpS5xbhzd2Y&feature=related

John Calvin Abridged: The fishes they caught were caught quickly, and not by their own effort.  So we call the bread we eat "Our bread"  yet we ask God for it.  The disciples didn't ask Christ of his identity because they were embarrassed to do so and did not want to dishonor Him.  This was the seventh time Christ appeared, but the Evangelist grouped them into three times (one for each day).