Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/14) John 17:1-5

Aug14

Read and believe in Jesus

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 15.3

The Gospel according to John

.

REVIEW – Jesus seemed to speak in riddles to the disciples. “In a little while” this, and in another “little while” that. Some of the disciples asked, “What does He mean?” and “What is He talking about?” Jesus had already referred to His death and resurrection, when they would be sad, but the world would rejoice, and then the opposite when He lived again. But now Jesus tells them about a longer period without Him, for He would be returning to Heaven to His Father. BUT! He would send the Holy Spirit in His place, who would be in them ALL, to help, teach, comfort, and empower. He assured them that their joy would be full! And He WOULD return!

.

.

John 17:1-5.

And then the teaching was finished, and Jesus lifted His eyes to Heaven to pray. He knew their hearts and minds were in turmoil, and He wanted to pray for them. He began by speaking to His Father in an intimate communion of mutual knowledge and praise.

“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

“I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.”

..

Such intimate prayer between Father and Son. It makes me want to kneel and bow in their presence.

You can feel the bond that they had before the world was created, united as One in the pre-knowledge of the Fall and man’s separation. They were also united in one plan: the redemption of mankind through the willing sacrifice of the Son, and the grace and mercy of the Father as He chose His redeemed and drew them to the Savior, with the Holy Spirit convicting and giving the needed faith.

You can also feel Jesus’ eagerness to be back with His Father. And so, “for the joy set before Him, He would endure the cross” and all that led up to it.

..

Jesus’ prayer will continue in the next reading.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/13): John 16:16-33

Aug13

Read and believe in Jesus

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

.

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW -You can feel the sense of time slipping away as Jesus gives His disciples last-minute information, instructions, and encouragement.

1) HE knows that in less than 24 hours He will be dead. THEY don’t know or understand that.

2) HE knows He will rise again from the dead, but they have no thought whatever of that.

3) HE knows that after His resurrection, He will soon return to heaven and to His Father who sent Him on this redeeming work. THEY are “getting” that, but are scared and worried about being left alone and what will happen afterward.

4) HE comforts them with the promise of the all-powerful, all-helpful “Holy Spirit-Helper” (or “Comforter” as the KJV says). This third member of the Trinity will guide them, relay God’s truth to them, and glorify Jesus. THEY are slowly getting that, but are still worried and asking questions.

.

.

John 16:16-24

(This next part is a little confusing, as Jesus is speaking both of His death and resurrection, as well as His ascension to Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit ten days after that.)

Jesus says, “A little while, and you will see Me no longer, and again a little while, and you WILL see Me.”

Like us, some of the disciples ask, “What is this that He says to us, ‘a little while and we’ll not see, and again a little while and we will see’? What does He mean? We don’t know what He’s talking about.”

Jesus sees their confusion and concern, and answers them with encouragement more than explanation.

1) Truly, truly, YOU will weep and lament, but THE WORLD will rejoice. Yes, you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow WILL turn to joy.” (Like a woman in childbirth rejoices when her child is born!)

2) You WILL have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice — and NO ONE will take your joy from you. In THAT day….”

He’s speaking of Pentecost.

No way, unless they had studied the prophet Joel, would they understand the Holy Spirit’s coming with wind and fire on the 120 faithful believers waiting and praying in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.

No way could they begin to believe the Holy Spirit’s power that would come on them, so they could preach the Scriptures with amazing discernment, and that, in multiple tongues of nations they had never learned.

There was just no way, in this intimate time with Jesus, with a real sense of foreboding hanging nearby since Judas left, that they could understand this… coming JOY!!

.

.

John 16:25-28.

“I have said these things to you in ‘figures of speech’. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say that I will (have to) ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself LOVES YOU, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

“And now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

.

.

John 16:29-33.

The disciples are all excited. They think they finally know what Jesus is talking about.

“Ah, NOW You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! NOW we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question you; THIS is why we believe that You have come from God.”

But Jesus knows their hearts – that they are still confused about what is about to happen in an hour, and will also happen in 40 & 50 days. (And He yearns to spend time praying for them!)

“Do you NOW believe?” Jesus asks.

Then He tells them solemnly that what will happen in just an hour or so will scatter them all to their homes in fear, leaving Him alone. But… He will not be alone (He comforts Himself), for the Father is always with Him.

“Have My peace, and take heart! I have overcome the world!”

,,

,,

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/12) John 16:1-15

Aug12

Read and believe in Jesus

“I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away,” John 16:7a

The Gospel according to John

.

REVIEW – Jesus turned from the comforting picture of His disciples being grafted into Him like branches on a vine, drawing their life and vigor from Him, and producing fruit for the vinedresser, the Father. In an abrupt change, Jesus turns to the “wild boars” of the world who will try to root up and destroy the vineyard… and the disciples, because of Him.

They are to expect hatred and persecution from the world for their witness. The world hates God and hates His Son whom He sent. How much more will they hate the Son’s ambassadors!

But they will have a “Helper” whom the Father will send. This powerful, indwelling “Spirit of Truth” will help the disciples in their witnessing, despite threats of death.

.

.

John 16:1-5.

(1) “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.”

These are the warnings Jesus gave in the previous chapter. They will be hated and persecuted for Jesus’ sake and for their witness about Him. “Falling away” doesn’t mean losing their salvation and heavenly reward, but more of being trapped into silence in their witness; not knowing what to say about the attacks. Jesus is forewarning them, so they will have “weapons” to fight that fear and doubt.

Further, Jesus is telling them that the disciples can also expect to be “put out of” their synagogues (excommunicated) because of their testimony.

And here, Jesus adds a terrifying thought: that some “will even kill you and think they are doing service to God.”

Wow!

But, you know, if you have studied the book of Acts and the letters of Paul, he himself was one of those who would mercilessly persecute and kill believers, thinking he was doing God a service, since he believed Jesus was a blasphemer and they were corrupting the worship of the One Creator God.

(2) “But I have said these things to you, that when ‘their hour’ comes, you may remember that I told them to you.”

What is Jesus talking about here when He says “their hour”?

If you compare Luke 22:53, you’ll see that there is a time for all things. In that verse, Jesus told His accusers that He had been in the Temple daily, teaching, but they had never come after Him then to arrest Him. But now, in a dark and lonely Garden, with no public witnesses, they had come. It was “their” hour.

The disciples would also experience a time when the authorities acted according to their own reason and timing. Be on guard.

.

.

John 16:5b-11.

(3) “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going away to Him who sent me.”

While Jesus was on earth and with the disciples, He could protect them from the hassles and harassment that He got from the religious leaders.

In fact, in the Garden, when He was being arrested, Jesus showed one final way that He was protecting them. He asked the guards whom they were seeking. When they said, “Jesus,” then He told them to let His disciples go. (Read John 18:7-9)

With Jesus back in Heaven with the Father, who would “protect” His little lambs? In 14:18, He promises them ‘I won’t leave you as orphans.” Now He’s telling them AGAIN how that is possible.

“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.”

Jesus promises to ask His Father to send the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to come and not only be “with” His disciples, but to be “in” them.

And this mighty Spirit of Truth will CONVICT the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment. (In other words, He will “HELP” the disciples (and Jesus’ witnesses down through the ages) in their witness, testimony, and ministry for Christ.

.

.

John 16:12-15.

The clock is ticking towards Jesus’ “hour,” and Jesus has more to tell them, and He still wants to pray. But He, as well as believers today, can rest confidently that the Holy Spirit will be His and our helper in all things.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

“He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus so wants to instill confidence and trust in the disciples for the Holy Spirit. They have been so close to Jesus for the last three years, and now, they hear He is leaving them. But Jesus tells them that the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, is part of God too.

“All that the Father has is mine (Jesus); therefore I said that He (the Spirit) will take what is mine (Jesus) and declare it to you.”

“No worries, my dear disciples. Just wait and see! And remember what I’m telling you!”

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/11) John 15:18-27

Aug11

Read and believe in Jesus

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” And, “Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.” John 15:19 & 23.

.

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – In the first half of chapter 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a grapevine to show the close connection He has with His disciples and all true believers. Without Him, they can do nothing. But by remaining “in” Him and submitting to the vinedresser’s wise pruning, they can become abundant fruit-bearers.

Other blessings of abiding in Christ are guidance in prayer and promised answers, as well as assurance of both His and the Father’s love.

Jesus urges the disciples (and us) to obey the Father’s commandments, just as He has always done. And the result of this abiding and obeying and loving others, as Jesus did? His friendship and fullness of joy!

.

.

John 15:18-25. 

Abiding in Jesus and obeying His commands, loving others sacrificially, being fruitful, and being loved and called Jesus’ friends are the bright, JOYFUL side of being a true believer. But there is a dark, hate-filled side as well that Jesus now prepares His disciples for.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated ME before it hated you.“

“You are not OF the world. I chose you OUT of the world; therefore, the world hates you.”

“If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

And note the hatred of the world goes both ways (up and down from Jesus). Because of Jesus’ teaching of God’s words, doing the miracles God ordained, and obeying His Father in everything, the world hates HIM, though they may not realize it!

“Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.

Why the hatred? Because of their sin. They refuse to accept the free offer of Jesus to come to God in faith and repentance, turning from their sin and being forgiven. And so, they remain in their guilt, and hate all that reminds them of it.

.

(NOTE: As I (we) well know, feeling guilty and carrying unforgiven sin around makes me very unhappy, resentful, and hateful to everyone around me! Praise God, He has provided a way to be forgiven: confession and belief. 1 John 1:9)

.

But it’s worse for the world when they reject Jesus, for God sent Him that they might be forgiven and experience eternal life (John 3:16), and they REFUSED His offer!! (That’s like punching God in the face!)

Because of their sin, the unbelieving world unwittingly fulfilled scripture. “They hated Me without a cause.” (Psalm 35:19, 69:4)

But… Jesus offers consolation to His own.

.

.

John 15:25-26.

Jesus again reminds the disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to them. He is their helper, the Spirit of Truth, directly from the Father.

The Spirit will bear TRUE witness about Jesus, His coming, His words and works, and His obedience in everything the Father asked of Him. With this precious promise of Help from above, THEY will be able to witness boldly about Jesus.

Yes, there will be persecution and even martyrdom for them, but they will KNOW the truth from the Spirit, who speaks like Jesus and causes them to remember everything that Jesus has said.

.

..

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/10) John 15:1-17

Aug10

Read and believe in Jesus

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide,” John 15:16

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus is privately teaching his precious eleven disciples in the upper room. The time is short, and He has much to say. He emphasizes their loving Him and each other sacrificially. He stresses obedience to His words. He promises the Spirit of Truth, who will come and be with and live in them forever. He promises them extraordinary peace in the unknown things to come, and answers their prayers. And although He is going to die, He promises to see them (and only the believers) again when He is resurrected.

.

.

John 15:1-9.

And now, Jesus teaches those promises in an extended metaphor. Many times He has used agriculture in His teaching, mostly because that’s what the common people knew. Also, Jewish people were very familiar with the picture of “the Vine.”

The Old Testament scriptures used “the vine” to picture Israel.

Read Psalm 80 and Isaiah 5, if you can.

The Lord brought this “vine” out of Egypt, prepared a fertile place for it to be planted, cultivated, fed, protected it, and expected good grapes and delicious wine from it. Instead, it (Israel) brought forth sour grapes, bitter grapes, and let herself be overridden by boars and trampled. So the Lord let this vineyard fall into ruin.

But NOW, Jesus says that HE is the true “vine” chosen by His Father, the “vinedresser.” And the Father sees that it bears fruit by cutting away the dead branches (like Judas) and aggressively pruning the ones that remain (true believers) so they produce more “fruit of righteousness.” (Read Galatians 5:16-26)

Jesus tells the disciples how they can be fruitful branches. (NOTE: They are “already clean” by the Word Jesus spoke to them, vs 15:3.) But now, they must “abide” or “remain” in Him, to “stay around” and allow Him, by His Spirit, to abide in them.

It’s leaning on Him, trusting in Him, allowing Him to do His work of pruning, loving Him and others, and obeying His commands. This is what produces strong branches, fit for bearing heavy yields of fruit.

Oh… and remembering that apart from Him – doing things on our own, in our own wisdom and strength – we can not even produce a single withered raisin.

Jesus says that the Father is glorified when we bear the fruits of righteousness and of testimony. Bearing fruit proves that we are indeed His children, disciples of His Beloved Son. “And as the Father has loved Jesus, so Jesus loves us.”

“ABIDE, stay, IN MY LOVE.”

.

.

John 15:10-11. And Jesus tells us how.

“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.”

Abiding in Jesus’ LOVE is simply OBEYING Him.

And Jesus is the perfect example, having done (and will do ) ALL that the Father has ordained. And what is the outcome? No, not drugery, defeat, depression, but … JOY. It gave Jesus joy to obey His Father (even to die), and He wants this joy to be in His disciples too.

Yes, sometimes, it’s hard to obey. “Give your life for the cause of the Gospel. Give your money, your keys, your car, your home, your children to the LORD, for His use. Give it all. Take up your cross, and simply follow Jesus.

Joy?

Yep, if done in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

.

.

John 15:12-17

And Jesus says we are His FRIENDS if we do what He commands us. Friends, not slaves. Intimate friends. Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that 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 to you.”

And “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Yes, Jesus was speaking to his chosen disciples from Galilee, but as we’ll see in chapter 17:20-21, He is speaking to true believers down through the years too.

“These things I command YOU, so that you will love one another.”

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/7) John 14:15-31

Aug7

Read and believe in Jesus

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 14:16

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus has been speaking intimately with His eleven believing disciples. They are afraid and confused at what He says – He’s leaving, they can’t come, but not to worry; He’s preparing a place for them and will come again, and they will go to Him. They have questions, but Jesus’ answers don’t help them much. He also promises that they will do MORE/GREATER “works” than He has done because He’s going to the Father. AND… that they will be able to ask the Father anything in His name and He will give it to them. Just love each other sacrificially and obey His commands!

.

.

John 14:15-17.

Then Jesus begins to lay out some amazing promises for them. But He premises these with this truth: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Obedience is tied firmly to love. Just like when we love our parents, we will obey them and want to please them. So with God. Obedience (without griping, as our parents would say) shows our love, PROVES our love. As our parents also would say, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Jesus told the self-assured religious leaders just that in Luke 6:46-49.

“Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and NOT DO what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and DOES them, I will show you what he is like.” Then Jesus compares the wise (obedient) man and foolish (disobedient) man who build their home foundations on different soils, and the outcomes of their choices.

NOTE: When Jesus is speaking of obedience to His commands, He is not simply saying to love one another sacrificially, and you’re done. HIS commands include the entire revelation from the Father.

  1. So, what is the first supernatural blessing Jesus promises?

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be WITH you FOREVER, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. YOU know Him, for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you.”

.

.

John 14:18-24

2. And before they can ask more questions, Jesus assures them with the second supernatural blessing.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but YOU will see me. Because I live (again), you also will live.”

Jesus is speaking of his death, and the three days in the tomb in which they will definitely “feel” like deserted orphans. After a little while, however, they WILL see Him again, when He is resurrected. The world won’t see Him (There is no record of any unbeliever seeing Jesus after His resurrection), but THEY will. And because Jesus will be raised from the dead … so will they!

.

3. Then, a wonderful third supernatural blessing, union with God.

“And in that day, you will KNOW that I am in the Father…. and YOU in Me… and I in you.” “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to  him.”

Dear Judas (the son of James, not Iscariot) manages to get a question in.

“Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Patiently Jesus answers. “If anyone loves me (that’s you guys), he will keep my word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

“But whoever does NOT love me or keep my words (that’s the world, Judas), they won’t have My Father and Me coming to dwell in them.

Hopefully Jesus’ answer cleared up Judas’ question.

.

.

John 14:25-31

4. Jesus promises the blessing of a supernatural teacher.

14:15: “I will give you another Helper to be with you forever.”

And now, 14:26: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will TEACH YOU all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

What a comforting promise! A holy, indwelling helper to teach them (and us) and help them remember all the things that Jesus said, demonstrated, taught, and promised! WOW!

.

5. And now the blessing of supernatural peace.

“Peace I leave with you; MY peace, I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Wow. Later, the apostle Paul describes the peace that Jesus promised as: “the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

.

Jesus continues to encourage His disciples and to allay their fears and confusion. He says they should rejoice that He is going away, because He will come again.

“And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does, you may believe.“

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”

“Rise. Let us go from this place.“

.

.

NOTE: John doesn’t describe “The Last Supper” as the other Gospel writers do. He centers instead on the final teaching and encouragement Jesus gives to His disciples.

And although chapter 14 ended with Jesus telling them they were leaving the upper room, John will insert three more chapters of teaching, prophecy, and the final “High Priestly Prayer” by Jesus. We’ll look at them in the next 7 days of reading.

And then, with chapter 18, we’ll catch up with Jesus and the disciples as they go out across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/6) John 14:1-14

Aug6

Read and believe in Jesus

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” John 14:1

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus and His disciples are closed off from the world in the upper room for the Passover meal. Judas is gone, and now Jesus turns to His “little children” to begin a very intimate time of personal teaching. He gives them a new, specific commandment for believers in Christ: ‘Love one another AS I have loved you.’ Jesus loved them to the end (death), and that’s what He is asking them to do for each other. This sacrificial love is what will “wow” the world and show them that Jesus IS real.

Peter is dismayed when Jesus tells them He’s going away and they can’t come with Him. Peter vows to die with Jesus, but Jesus is speaking not only of His physical death, but His death on the cross, as their substitute, the sinless “sinner,” lifted up on a cross, upon whom the wrath of God for sin will be poured out…once for all time. (Hebrews 9:26-29, 1 Peter 3:18 – yes, Peter finally gets it!)

And… Jesus gives Peter a “wake-up call” that keeps him silent for the rest of the evening – “YOU will deny me 3X tonight!!”

.

..

John 14:1-7.

Jesus turns to the eleven and says gently,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you? I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that … where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I’m going.”

Thomas, the loving but melancholy disciple (who had vowed to go into danger in Judea even if it meant he would die), says anxiously, “Lord! We do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? ”

Jesus reminded Thomas that it was not a “road” but a “person” that would lead them to that heavenly mansion and His Father. “I am the WAY, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Did Thomas nod thoughtfully at this?

..

,

John 14:8-11.

Jesus continues, looking around at his men. “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you DO know Him and have SEEN Him.”

It’s Philip’s turn now, and he asks, perhaps scratching his head, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”


Did Jesus sigh and look toward the ceiling? “Have I been with you so long, and you STILL do not know me, Philip?” Jesus asks His confused disciple.

“Whoever has seen ME has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does His works.”

Then perhaps Jesus turns to the rest of the men and says, “Believe ME that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe on account of the works themselves.”

.

..

John 14:12-14

Jesus now challenges them. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works (miracles) that I do, and greater works than these will he do.” (How?) “Because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

“If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.”

Wow!!

.———————–

.

(Were the disciples as glassy-eyed as I am now, with more to come? This was a lot to take in for the Eleven. I mean, A LOT! )

Thomas and Philip have been speaking up for us, asking those hard questions, but Peter sits with his chin cupped in his hand, staring at his plate, with a very anxious and scared look on his face. He mumbles, ‘Betray Him three times?’

John‘s mind is busy, his eyes and ears wide open, wishing he had a scroll and quill, and thinking how he will remember all this to write down later for his gospel. (He will soon hear Jesus tell of the Holy Spirit’s super help!)

Nathaniel is scouring his brain for Old Testament prophecies that agree with what Jesus is saying, and nodding when some come to his memory. “Yes… and yes…” he murmurs.

James, the other ‘son of thunder,’ is perhaps thinking of that stunning event on Mt. Tabor when Jesus was transfigured before their eyes, and the voice of the Father thundered. Yes… he could see how Jesus and the Father are one together; in glorious light and majesty! “I can’t wait to share in that heavenly glory!” he thought.

Matthew gasps quietly as Jesus talks, seeing how all the things He’s saying relate to His parables of “the kingdom,” and how, when Jesus’ followers will pray and ask Him, and instantly get help… the kingdom of Heaven will surely come quickly!

Simon’s zealot heart pounds in his chest. We will do greater works than the Master?! We can ask whatever we will for “the cause of Christ” and for “His glory,” and the Master will hear and answer? “Glory Hallelujah!” Nothing can stop us!

Andrew‘s thoughts go back to the grassy hillside when the hunger of thousands of people touched Jesus’ compassionate heart. He remembers the little boy with a cloth sack over his shoulder pulling at his sleeve and offering the meager lunch to the Master. Andrew remembers bringing the lad to Jesus, and… that miracle that followed. YES! Andrew believes Jesus is the Messiah both because of His words and also because of His works… His miracles. ‘And WE are to do greater ones?’ OH!

Alphaeus’ son, James, keeps his thoughts to himself, but watches his ‘possible brother’ (compare Mark 2:14 with Acts 1:13), Levi’s (Matthew’s) ink-stained fingers as he lifts his hands in silent praise.

The “other Judas,” the son of James, is also listening silently, but he will speak a question later in the chapter. (14:22).

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/5) John 13:31-38

Aug5

Read and Believe in Jesus

“When he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.'” John 13:31

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus had just revealed that one of His small group would betray Him. None suspected Judas. In fact, Peter asks John to ask Jesus who it was. Jesus indicated Judas when He handed him the dipped piece of bread, but it was as if a veil was over their eyes. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have mobbed Judas and stopped him? Judas took the offered bread, and at Jesus’ “What you are going to do, do quickly,” he slipped out into the night, the devil filling his heart with darkness.

.

.

John 13:31-33.

A moment or two after the door closed, Jesus looked up at his beloved men and said, “NOW is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.”

Yes, Jesus could have dwelt on the things that were going to happen to him soon as a result of Judas’ mission. But He turned to look PAST that, to the way that both He and His Father would be glorified at His finished work on the cross (that They had planned before the world was created), after it was accomplished.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who, for the JOY that was set before Him, ENDURED the cross, DESPISING the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Then Jesus looks around at the Twelve, His men, and calls them, “little children.” Tenderly He tells them that he is going “somewhere” they cannot come.

He means His death on the cross.

Yes, almost all of them will one day face martyrdom, some on a Roman cross, but THIS death, Jesus’s death, is for the redemption of all those who will ever believe in Him. THIS death is the “wages” earned by sinful man that God pronounced in Genesis 3. It will be substitutionary, for a sinless Jesus will die in the place of every sinner who repents and believes in Him.

NO, His disciples cannot go with Jesus.

.

.

John 13:34-35

Then Jesus gives them a NEW commandment, that He (and they) will repeat in their teaching and writings. It is:

“Love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.” (repeated three times!)

.

What makes this a “NEW” commandment? Isn’t it already part of the two greatest commands: LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor as yourself?

Yes and no. It has the tone of the second commandment, for sure. But notice that Jesus replaces “as yourself” with “as I have loved you.”

Yes, we are to love others (our neighbors) as we love ourselves, treating others well, caring for them, sparing nothing on their welfare… but Jesus’s “as I have loved you” speaks of DYING for others. Not just giving our time, money, experience, kindness … but sacrificing our LIVES, our physical lives for others. Wow.

Yes, this will definitely reveal that those who love in this way ARE the true disciples of Jesus.

.

.

John 13:36-38.

Then Peter – (don’t you just love him) – jumps up and asks, “Lord, WHERE are you going?”

And Jesus answers him as before, “Somewhere you can’t follow me … though you WILL follow some day.”

“Lord, why can I not follow you NOW?” And then, thinking of that new love, he says, “I will lay down my life for you!”

Jesus answers, “WILL you lay down your life for me, Peter? Truly, truly, I tell you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

Whoa.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/4) John 13:18-30

Aug4

Read and believe in Jesus

“But the Scripture (Psalm 41:9) will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.‘” John 13:18b

.

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus and the twelve were cloistered in the upper room for the Passover meal with all its rituals. Alone with His men (no servants around), Jesus took off his outer clothes and knelt to wash their feet. The disciples were shocked that their Lord and Teacher would do such a lowly thing, and Peter downright refused to let Jesus do it … until Jesus explained what it symbolized and what principle He was teaching them. Then Peter was “all in.” This lowly act, so similar to Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet earlier in the week, must have disgusted Judas Iscariot. And yet, Jesus stooped to do it for him too.

.

.

John 13:18-20.

Jesus tells His men that they will be blessed as they serve others in His name. He glances at Judas and perhaps says quietly, “but not ALL of you.” And then he quotes Psalm 41:9, perhaps looking Judas straight in the eyes now. “He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.“

He goes on to tell the group, as they perhaps settle in reclining positions around the low table, that He is revealing these things, so when they happen … they will believe in Him.

.

.

John 13:21-26.

Perhaps because of Judas’ proximity to Jesus (he reclined at Jesus’ left side), or maybe because of the darkness of evil that was coming, Jesus became troubled. And again in a low voice He claimed, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

John heard it. John was reclining at Jesus’ right side, and could have leaned back on Jesus’ chest if he wanted to. Peter, directly across the table from John, heard it too.

The two disciples looked wide-eyed at each other, then Peter gestured to John to ask Jesus WHO it was. John leaned back against Jesus so he could speak softly and said, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus answered just as softly, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it in the herbs.” Perhaps John gestured to Peter with his eyes toward the piece of bread in Jesus’ hand. And then, maybe they both watched silently as Jesus dipped the morsel into the bowl … and then handed it to Judas Iscariot to eat.

When Judas took the bread from Jesus’ hand, Satan entered into him.

“What you are going to do, do quickly,” Jesus said softly to Judas, and the man rose and left the room.

.

.

John 13:27-30

Most of the other disciples thought maybe Jesus was sending Judas on a last-minute errand, for indeed, he did carry the moneybag. Maybe he was to buy something else for the feast… Or give some money to the poor… Peter and John knew Judas was the betrayer, but maybe even they thought he was on a simple errand. I mean… betray the Master on Passover??? No way!

But, alas…that was indeed just what Judas was intending to do. And when he went out, “it was night.”

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/3) John 13:1-17

Aug3

Read and believe in Jesus

“When Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13;1b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus again urged the people to believe in Him, but they did not, would not, though He gave them many signs. Jesus then quoted a scary section from Isaiah, how the choice would be taken away, and they would not be ABLE to believe. God would blind their eyes and harden their hearts lest they see and understand and turn to Him so He could heal them. Though Jesus pleads with the words that His Father gave him, only a few believed, and those kept silent from fear.

.

.

John 13:1-5.

So… Jesus turns from public to private ministry. He retreats from the world and gathers His disciples to Himself. There is much He wants to teach them before “departing out of this world to go to the Father,” and the time is getting short. He has loved them, and He will love them to the end. But even here, in that intimate circle of chosen men, one is an unbeliever.

John tells us that even then, during the Passover meal, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus, although at the time, only Jesus knew it.

And… knowing it, Jesus humbled Himself to become the lowest of servants, removed His outer clothes, took a towel and a bowl of water, and went to each of the twelve (yes, TWELVE) disciples, and washed and dried their feet. Silence reigned, until….

.

John 13:6-11.

….Jesus came to Peter, who withdrew his feet. “Lord! Do You wash MY feet?”

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand,” Jesus said gently.

Peter leaned back, raised his hands, palms out, and shook his head. “Not me! Huh-uh. You shall never wash my feet, Jesus!”

(Not love for Jesus, or humility, but pure pride was speaking. Peter, the big fisherman, would not submit to his Lord and Master washing his big ole smelly feet. Nope. Too, too humbling.)

From below him, kneeling on the rough boards, Jesus looked lovingly at Peter. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

Peter drew in a sharp breath, fear in his eyes. “Lord! Not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus smiled up at Peter and lifted a big old foot into the basin. “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And YOU are clean. But…not everyone of you is.”

(For Jesus knew who was to betray him; that was why He said, Not ALL of you are clean.)

.

.

But how were Peter and the others (except Judas) “already bathed and clean?”

John 15:3-4: “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

John 6:68: During the three years Jesus had with the disciples, He gave them “the words of life,” and they believed. He taught them even about his death and resurrection, although they didn’t completely understand then. But they would.

Ephesians 5:25b-26: “…as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”

Titus 3:4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteiousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us…”

And finally,

Romans 10:8-10, 17: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.“

They were saved, regenerated by their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, that they had heard Him preach. But, as with us, they/we daily commit sins and do things that make “our walk, or feet” dirty. Then, we go to the Lord, confess our sin, and He is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us (wash our feet; we don’t need saving again) from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

.

.

John 13:12-17. After washing Peter’s feet, Jesus stood, put the basin and towel away, and redressed in His outer clothes. Then He taught them about what He had just done.

Yes, He was their teacher (their rabbi), and He was their Lord as well.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Did they look around at each other then? I wonder what their thoughts were… (I’m not washing HIS feet… oh, well, I guess I will, if I am to be like Jesus.)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Jesus was soon to send them to spread His Good News throughout the world. They would be His messengers, His apostles. And they were also to remember how, as their Master, He was a servant to them that evening, and never lose that mindset themselves.

“You are blessed if you know this and DO this,” He said.

And so will WE be, my fellow servant.