Quiet Time Blog

3/13/2010 John 12:1-11 Home Office Mulberry Florida

V1-2 Jesus Christ accepted an invitation for dinner in Bethany just six days before He would die. What were His thoughts as He spent time with friends with only six days to live? V3 Mary took this opportunity to express her thanks for restoring her brother’s life. She refreshed Jesus’ feet with a very expensive lotion with a pleasant perfume-like order. Most hosts in this culture would offer water to their guests for cleaning and refreshing their feet once they arrived from their travels. V4-6 Mary’s sacrifice revealed the evil motives of Judas Iscariot, who would eventually turn against Jesus and help the Jews, capture Him. V7-8 Jesus defended her tender and loving conduct. He rebukes Judas for His criticism. V9 The news of Jesus presence in Bethany was leaked to the community and large crowds gathered to see both Jesus and His miracle man, Lazarus. The Jewish authorities were notified. They initiated plan to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. They wanted to eradicate the objects of the faith of the community, hoping it would put an end to the new religion that was ruining their own.

 

Application: How would you spend the last six days of your life? Jesus spent His with friends and fellowship with them. Mary’s act of worship revealed her love for Jesus. Jesus noticed her sacrifice and approved of it. He appreciated her grateful spirit. This was one of the last honors given to Jesus. Soon Jesus would be treated like a criminal and there would be no kindness or comfort given to Him. His darkest days on earth would follow. The Jewish leaders knew Jesus was in their vicinity and renewed their plot to kill Him. I am encouraged by the act of Mary. I am also humbled. Knowing that Jesus died so that I could be made whole, have my sins forgiven and relieved from the eternal punishment for my sin, what have I done to express my gratitude? I love God and feebly serve Him. I know I can do more. Lord, help me to be what you saved me to be.

 

Mary’s act of worship revealed her love for Jesus. What reveals mine? Lord, help me to be what you saved me to be.

3/12/2010 John 11:45-57 Home Office Mulberry Florida

V45-46 The Jews who followed Mary to her meeting with Jesus observed the amazing miracle He performed. Watching someone in the decay of death be restored to life, should have convinced even the most stubborn Jew that Jesus was who He claimed to be. Some did believe in Jesus but others reported to the Jewish leaders that Jesus was disturbing their faith. V47-48 They evaluated their problem with Jesus and determined that He was dangerous to their livelihood and way of life. If they did not do something about Jesus, He could ruin their lives. V49-50 Caiaphas, the leader of the Jewish religious body, confirmed their assessment and added that Jesus must die. Caiaphas said Jesus must die to preserve the Jewish nation. V51-52 Inspired by the Holy Spirit, John pointed out the profound irony in the statement made by Caiaphas. His words were not intended to be prophetical but they were. Jesus Christ would die not only for the Jewish nation but for all nations. Jesus death would eradicate the previous religious structure in both the Jewish and Gentile worlds. V53 The Jewish leadership made a decision to kill Jesus Christ. V54 Jesus went into seclusion with His disciples to avoid the murderous plot of the Jews. V55-57 The Jews did not forget about Jesus, they kept looking for Him.

 

Application: Jesus Christ is powerful. His powerful work gave tremendous weight to His message. His credibility and popularity was gaining momentum. Even many Jews were being converted. The Jewish leadership decided to kill Jesus to protect their misguided faith and legalistic religious lifestyle. What will I do to protect my lifestyle? Will I attack the portions of scripture that convict me? Will I stop doing the things that change my life? Or will I embrace the conviction of the Holy Spirit and obey the Word of God? Jesus Christ is my savior. God’s Word is my authority and His Holy Spirit is my conscience. I will not resist the powerful work He wants to do in my life.

 

Jesus’ work authenticates His message. It’s true, Love it or hate it. Some believed others rejected Thank you Jesus. I believe.

3/11/2010 John 11:30-44 Home office Mulberry Florida

V30-31 Mary went to meet Jesus just outside the town of Bethany followed by some Jewish mourners. V32 Mary being overwhelmed with emotion for the loss of her brother fell at the feet of Jesus. She acknowledged Jesus’ powerful abilities could have saved Lazarus’ life. V33 Jesus was affected by the grief of Mary and the other mourners. But His emotion was not just about compassion. Although Jesus loved Lazarus’ family, He was troubled by their despair. Where was their faith? Did they not believe in the resurrection and eternal life? It is normal and necessary to grief but not to tailspin into despair. Christians have a hope that no others have. They will see their loved ones again. V34-35 Jesus was moved to action and asked to see Lazarus. The tears He shed for Lazarus were due to the consequences of sin, the cause of death. He knew that Lazarus would live and die again. V36-37 Whenever God intervenes in the lives of believers, it demonstrates His love. But the Jewish critics indicated that if Jesus really loved Lazarus, He would have come to save His life before He died. V38-40 Now Jesus asked for access to Lazarus’ body. But Martha resisted. Then Jesus reminded her that God was about to do something awesome. V41-42 The grave was opened. Then Jesus prayed that people who were about to see God work would believe. V43-44 Then Jesus called Lazarus back to life from the dead to resume a new life.

 

Application: God intervenes in the lives of His children. His intervention in the life of His friend, Lazarus allowed Him to demonstrate His love. But it also demonstrates His power over death and it revealed His passion for the truth. He wants His people to know and understand it. The death of Lazarus, although sad and difficult for His family and loved ones should not have plunged them into despair. Lazarus being a believer would be in heaven, after a sufficient time of grieving hope should rise to the thoughts of his family. I am confident that my future death will end in victory. I know many in my family are ready and some are not. Those who are not ready can still be reached until they die or the Lord returns. I need courage, wisdom and the will to reach out to them. Help me!

 

Don’t despair! Lazarus would be raised to eternal life like all other believers. Death is not the final act for the Christian. Jesus settled it.

3/10/2010 John 11:16-29 Home Office Mulberry Florida

V16 Since the Jews were still looking for Jesus, the decision to go to Judea was a bold one. Thomas agreed and suggested that it might mean that they would be captured and executed for their faith and association with Jesus Christ. V17-19 Jesus arrived to find many mourners and friends to comfort Lazarus’ family. Some Jews were also there which confirmed Thomas’ fears of danger. V20-22 Martha was eager to take action. So when she heard that Jesus was near she went to Him as soon as He arrived and pleaded with Him to use His influence with God to bring Lazarus back to life. V23-24 Jesus promises that Lazarus will live. Martha agrees but misunderstands that Jesus meant now. Martha was trusting in her doctrinal beliefs that promise a bodily resurrection in the future. V25-26 Jesus begins to explain and help Martha learn a new truth about Him. Jesus asked her if she believed that He could give eternal life to those who believe. V27 She believed and confessed that Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God and came to do God’s will. V28-29 Now it was time for Mary to meet with Jesus for comfort and instruction. Martha told Mary Jesus was waiting for her and she quickly went to meet Him.

 

Application: It did take courage to travel into Judea but Jesus was motivated by God’s will and concern for His friends and loved ones. The death of a loved one always presents an opportunity to talk about what happens when someone dies. Jesus used this event to heighten the faith of Mary and Martha. He made another declaration and identified Himself as the “Resurrection” and the “Life”. Then He asked Martha if she believed it. She did. When someone dies loved ones need to grieve. Comfort is also needed. But one cannot ignore the opportunity to talk about eternity. Jesus did. I must. I desire wisdom to know how to talk about Jesus the Resurrection and the Life in times like these.

Jesus the Resurrection & the Life conquers death. Jesus grants Eternal Life to all who believe. Comfort & Confidence!

3/9/2010 John 11:1-15 Home Office Mulberry Florida

V1-3 Serious illness in a family is always difficult but Lazarus’ sisters had faith in the power of Jesus Christ. As they gathered at the death-bed of Lazarus, their love for him compels them to send a message to Jesus Christ, a friend of the family. They appeal to His personal interest and love for Lazarus. They inform Jesus that he is very sick. They were confident that Jesus would do something for him. V4-6 Jesus responds to the message and encourages the messengers with two promises. Lazarus will be OK and God will be glorified through his illness. God’s timing does not always meet with the expectations of those who are waiting for results. But this time it will be clear to them. V7-15 Jesus’ love for Lazarus and His desire to glorify God the Father motivated Him to risk His life by re-entering Judea. The Jewish authorities were still looking for Him.

 

Application: Family and loved ones are important to each other. Love for each other will compel loved ones to seek God to help them in times of trouble and illness. For a Christian, asking God to help is normal. Waiting for the answer or the help is difficult. God knows what is best and will do what is best. I must trust God with my concerns and deepest fears regarding those I love.

 

God knows what’s best & will do what’s best. Trust God w/your concerns & fears regarding your loved ones. Glorify God.

3/8/2010 John 10:31-42 Home Office Mulberry Florida V31-33 Jesus’ teaching and works incited an extreme reaction. He claimed to be God and the Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him. Jesus did not run but faced those who wanted to kill Him. V34-36 He provided an argument from God’s Word that ...
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3/7/2010 John 10:14-30 Home Office Mulberry Florida V14-16 Jesus Christ as the “Good Shepherd” has an intimate relationship with His followers. His devotion to them fueled His way to the cross. He was willing die for their sin to protect them from its penalty. Jesus Christ not only died ...
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3/6/2010 John 10:1-13 WOL Hudson Florida South America 1 V1 Jesus indirectly called the Jewish leaders criminals for the things that their religious beliefs promoted to the people. V2-3 He used the caring and dedicated profession of a shepherd to describe how He loved those who belong to Him. A ...
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3/5/2010 John 9:26-41 Home Office Mulberry Florida V26-27 The man whose life Jesus change was asked to repeat his testimony. He became annoyed by the request, sensing a sinister motivation. He sarcastically responded by asking them if they too wanted to become one of His followers. V28-29 This ...
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3/4/2010 John 9:13-25 Home Office Mulberry Florida V13-17 Jesus’ miracle-healing of the blind man puzzled the people who knew of it. They wanted answers from their religious leaders. Questions like; “What about Jesus? Is He God? Is He teaching the truth?” could have been on their ...
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