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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/4): John 21:15-23.

Sep4

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“What is that to you? YOU follow me.” John 21:23.

REVIEW – Back in Galilee, seven of the disciples decide to go fishing – their OLD occupation – while they wait for Jesus. This effort yields zero fish. Then Jesus appears and basically tells them how to do their job. They obey, and this time the reward is a humongous catch of fish. (Lesson one: without Jesus, we can do nothing. But submit to Him, and our efforts will be fruitful, 30x, 60x, or even 100x.)

Jesus had prepared some bread and grilled fish for breakfast. He could have multiplied His small amount to feed them all, but He asked the disciples to bring some of the fish THEY had caught to the meal. He finished cooking them, broke the bread, and passed around this “familiar” meal. (Lesson two: Jesus can use whatever we willingly give Him to further His Kingdom and bless others.)

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John 31:15-17.

After breakfast, no one left the circle; instead, they turned toward Jesus, perhaps expecting Him to give them more instruction. They all learned something that morning; it’s true, but it was to Peter that Jesus directed His words.

“Simon, son of John (bar Jonah), do you love me MORE THAN THESE?” (Notice that Jesus uses Peter’s “old” name, meaning he was “walking in the flesh, not the spirit.” Peter remembered how he had at one time boasted that, “Though THEY ALL fall away because of you, I WILL NEVER fall away!” Matt.26:33)

“Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” Did he feel the hot stares of the other disciples on him? Did he glance around at the other disciples for confirmation? All were silent. But they HAD heard.

Jesus didn’t contradict Peter; He instructed him, “Feed My lambs.” Peter’s mission was to care more for OTHERS than for himself.

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Then Jesus continued. “Simon, bar Jonah, do you love ME?”

“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” Peter said, perhaps more quietly. Was he remembering how he’d once, twice… three times denied Jesus? Swearing that he did not even KNOW his Lord? I can imagine Peter squeezing his eyes closed as tears began.

“Tend My sheep,” Jesus instructed, challenging Peter to be a good shepherd over those he would lead, as his Master was.

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And then, for the third time, came that stinging, probing question, “Simon bar Jonah, do you love me?”

Peter, grieved perhaps as much as when he’d heard the rooster crow and remembered Jesus’ dark prediction, may have fallen to his knees at this point. “Lord … You know everything! You KNOW that I love You!”

Peter’s true humility and sorrow for his denials are revealed. Jesus knew it, but now the other disciples had witnessed it. He grew tall again in their estimation, although he was bowed low at Jesus’ feet. The others could now trust him to lead them again.

I imagine Jesus gently smiling as he reached out and pulled Peter to his feet. “Feed my sheep.” And I imagine Peter nodded.

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John had now shown the THIRD thing he wanted to make clear in this “epilogue chapter” – Peter’s reinstatement into leadership. That done, he was ready for that pesky rumor. The FOURTH thing he needed to do was reveal how the rumor started, then refute it.

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John 31:18-23.

After Jesus finished calling out the veracity of Peter’s love, and seeing Peter humble himself for ready service, He led him apart for a different revelation. Best friend John followed quietly along.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, Peter, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

Jesus said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. (imprisonment and crucifixion – stretching out his hands)

Perhaps Peter was thinking about Jesus’ words to them in Matthew 16:24-28. Read them now as Peter might have been recalling them….

  • Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • 16:25 – “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
  • 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
  • 16:27 – “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done,
  • AND THEN…..
  • 16:28 – “Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Wait, what? What did Peter just remember???

Walking with Jesus on the beach of Galilee, after breakfast and a difficult but sweet time of restoration, Peter remembered THOSE WORDS?

He looks at John and says to Jesus, “Lord, what about THIS man?”

Oh, no, that not-so-friendly competition raises its head. If Peter is destined to die, crucified, what about John? Will he suffer that death too? Or will he be one of those who…?

Then Jesus speaks the words that someone heard and spread as a rumor. “If it is My will that he remain until I come…what is it to you? YOU follow me.”

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Of course, Jesus was not promising that His beloved disciple would live until He returned. Jesus’ point was for Peter to ‘mind his own business.’ Peter was to accomplish Jesus’ will for HIS life, and not look at others’. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Peter! Follow in His steps.

By telling how it started, John hoped to quell this rumor.

By the way, Peter lived 30 more years and was martyred in Rome by crucifixion, hanging upside down. John lived 60+ more years and suffered torture and exile. God preserved him to write the book of Revelation; then he died a natural death of old age.

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John 21:24-25.

John then attests to the fact that it is HE, JOHN, who has written this. He is a WITNESS of these things. That should settle it. And then, before he lays his quill down for the final time, John’s mind is filled with many, many other things he could write about Jesus. Then he “waxed poetic.”

“Were every one of the things that Jesus did to be written… I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

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“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.“

The famous last stanza of the classic Christian hymn The Love of God, written by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917.

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Next up, The Gospel of Matthew.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/3): John 21:1-14.

Sep3

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I’m going fishing.'” John 21:3

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REVIEW – Chapter 20 ended with John’s reason for writing his Gospel, after three others had been written and after so many years had passed. His specific reason was that his readers would “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

John included seven miracles that, to the Jewish mind, should have proved Jesus was the Messiah.

(Remember when John the Baptist sent his disciples with questions about Him? Jesus performed a series of healing miracles and attached a connecting scripture in Isaiah that pointed to Him as the Messiah.)

John also listed seven claims that Jesus made that He was the Son of God in His “I AM” statements.

Oh, the Jews knew exactly what He was saying, and finally killed Him for saying He was the Son of God. But still…they did not believe. (KNOWING and BELIEVING are two different things!)

John told readers at the beginning of his Gospel that Jesus’ own people wouldn’t receive Him, and then opened the door for ANYONE who would believe to come to Jesus.

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John 21:1-3.

Chapter 30 was originally the end of John’s Gospel until a rumor began circulating that “the beloved disciple” would not die until Jesus returned. (Not true.) So, John picked up his quill and wrote chapter 31.

It also gave him the opportunity to 1) tell of another appearance of Jesus, 2) show their impotence without the Lord, and 3) how Peter was reinstated into leadership after his three denials of Jesus. And finally, 4) to correct that rumor.

FIRST. Mark 16:7 tells us that while Mary Magdalene was running to tell Peter and John that the tomb was empty and Jesus’ body was stolen, two angels told the other women who had remained there that “Jesus had risen!”

They were also told, “Go. tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.”

So after Jesus appeared twice to the group in Jerusalem, they obeyed and went back to Galilee, where Jesus had first called them. Only seven disciples were here at this appearance.

SECOND. After waiting and waiting, they began to feel a bit “antsy.” Finally, Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” And promptly the others agreed.

They climbed into the boat, so familiar from their old life, and pushed out into the sea. They threw the nets overboard and waited. They hauled them in and heaved them out again. NOT a sardine to be seen.

Finally, the sun began peeking over the horizon. Discouraged, tired, and hungry, they began hauling the heavy, wet nets into the boat. Done for the day. Nothing to show for all their work.

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John 31:4-8

And then a stranger called from the shore, “Children, do you have any fish?”

“No,” they called back.

“Cast your net on the other side of the boat, and you’ll find some,” said the stranger. So… they cast the net again to the other side. Now the net was so full they couldn’t haul it into the boat!

Recognizing the miracle that Jesus had done for them before, John said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

When Peter heard that, he grabbed his shirt and ‘threw himself’ into the Sea. This time Peter swam (instead of walking ON the water) and came to shore, just as the others arrived, dragging the full net behind.

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John 31:9-14

On the beach, they saw a charcoal fire in place with fish laid out on it and bread. He asked them to bring some of the fish “that THEY had caught” to add to His on the grill.

As the fish cooked, the disciples counted the large fish they’d caught – 153 – a HUGE catch! And yet the net had not torn. So much to think and be amazed about.

Finally Jesus told them to come and have breakfast. They came, staring at Him, knowing who it was, not daring to ask if it was true. As He took the bread and the fish and divided it among them, they saw the nail prints on his hands. Yes, it was Jesus!

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Can you imagine all their thoughts and memories as they ate? Jesus’ first call to be “fishers of men,” and to “follow” Him; Jesus telling them to “cast the nets on the other side of the boat;” Jesus breaking bread and passing it out with the fish, to both 5,000+ and 4,000+ people on the hillside. So much had happened since then!

At some point, Peter may have stopped chewing as he stared at the fire, remembering that other charcoal fire he had sat by that horrible night… and the awful words he had spoken there… and the rooster crowing to announce the dawn… and his denials of His Lord. And then Jesus bound and bruised, looking at him….

Yes, Jesus had spoken to Him privately (1 Cor. 15:4), and he’d confessed and been forgiven. But still the words rang in his ears. And… John had heard them! Had he told the others?

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Tomorrow, we’ll see Jesus gently walking Peter away from that awful scene in his mind.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/28): John 20:1-10.

Aug28

Read and Believe in Jesus

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark… John 20:1

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REVIEW – After Jesus had been confirmed dead by a Roman Centurion, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two wealthy members of the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) who were secretly seeking the Kingdom of God, came to Golgotha and took Jesus body away for burial.

Nicodemus brought a large amount of expensive spices and ointments, and perhaps the linen cloths. Joseph was supplying his own freshly hewn family tomb to lay Jesus’ body in. They were silent as they tightly wrapped the Messiah’s battered limbs and torso with the spice-laden linen strips, gently covering His face and head last in a separate cloth. Then they laid His body on one of the ledges.

When they finished, they rolled a large stone across the opening and went home. Sabbath silence descended on the tomb, the garden, the now empty Golgotha, and the Holy City.

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John 20:1-2

Early Sunday morning, as the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene came to the garden to do for Jesus’ body what Joseph and Nicodemus had already done. It was still dark, but Mary saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Seeing it already open that early was a shock.

Mark 16:1-4 adds this to the scene.

“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices, so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’ And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back. It was very large.

Mary Magdalene could think of nothing but to run to where she knew the disciples were hiding away.

When she saw Peter and John, she cried out, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!”

Peter and John decided to go see for themselves, and Mary Magdalene returned slowly, her head bowed, her eyes filled with tears.

Meanwhile, according to Mark and Luke’s account, the other women approached the tomb and spoke to an angel(s), who told them Jesus had been resurrected and they were to go and tell the disciples. These two women ran off to do that.

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.John 20:3-10

Somehow the women bypassed Peter and John as they ran TOWARD the tomb.

John (remember that friendly competition between John and Peter!) says that HE ran faster than the older, bigger Peter and arrived at the tomb first. As Mary had told them, the stone HAD been rolled away, and so John stooped and peered inside.

Then came Peter, charging forth as he always did. Perhaps out of bravery, or perhaps because he just couldn’t stop quickly, he ran right past John into Jesus’ tomb. John then followed Peter. Together they saw the linen cloths lying there, collapsed, but still in the shape of a body, as if Jesus had risen straight up out of them. And the head cloth lay separately, not connected to the rest.

John says, “he believed.”

But what did John believe? His next line was, “for as yet they did not understand the Scripture that He MUST rise from the dead.”

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Could it be that John believed what his eyes saw at the moment (the empty grave clothes), but that he, as well as all of the disciples, had not yet comprehended the truth – that Jesus, as part of the salvation plan God put into place – HAD to be raised to life?

If Jesus had only died in the place of sinners, paying the debt of their sins like all the sacrifices, but had not risen … what hope would there be? The fact that God raised Jesus to life was proof that (first) HE accepted Jesus’ death as payment in full, and (second), He would then return to Heaven to be with His Father forever.

And (third), perhaps more importantly, God had PROMISED His Beloved Son that He would NOT abandon His soul to the grave, nor let His body see the corruption that happens there. Read Psalm 16:9-10.

John didn’t understand all that yet, but they all would later, after the Holy Spirit empowered them. Read Peter’s sermon opening in Acts 2:22-27

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After death, we who believe will also be resurrected, given new bodies, and spend eternity with Him in heaven! Jesus is the firstfruits. We are the whole harvested crop!

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/27): John 19:38-42.

Aug27

“Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly… Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night… took the body of Jesus…” John 19:38a, 39a, 40a.

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REVIEW – After Jesus was crucified, his clothing was divided out, and His mother was given into the care of His beloved disciple; Jesus knew it was time for Him to die. He asked for something to moisten His tongue (“I thirst.”), and after they brought him vinegar-wine on a sponge, He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED.” His life, but also His mission, His work for which He was sent… all was accomplished. He had perfectly fulfilled the “plan of salvation” devised way before the earth ever existed. And then He had – of His own accord – given up His spirit of life.

The pompous religious leaders, “floating on air” at what they had accomplished, now, in false piety, went to Pilate to ask that the victims be killed quickly and their bodies removed, for it was coming up to the high holy Passover Sabbath and they didn’t want such “uncleanness” to be seen.

The heart-hardened soldiers did their leg-breaking deed until they came to Jesus. Seeing he was already dead, one thrust his spear into Jesus’ chest cavity to make sure. It was only left now to lower the crossbeams and take off the dead bodies.

John attested to this, as a truthful eyewitness, and stated the Scriptures that these actions fulfilled.

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John 19:38.

Another disciple (or two) was present besides John at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Both were “secret” followers. Joseph, from the town of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, also knew the importance of removing the bodies from the crosses before sundown. He hurriedly went to Pilate and asked for permission to take away Jesus’ body.

Mark 15:43-45 tells us that Pilate was surprised Jesus was dead so soon and sent a Centurion to make sure. When the affirmative report came back, Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph.

Luke 23:50-51 describes Joseph as “He was a respected member of the Council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the Kingdom of God.”

John is the only Gospel writer who mentions Nicodemus. He told about the teacher (a Pharisee) from the Council who came to Jesus by night, with questions about the Kingdom. Jesus told him he had to “be born again of the Spirit.” All this time, Nicodemus must have been contemplating Jesus’s words. John 7: 50-53 says he tentatively stood up for Him in the Council while Jesus still taught in the Temple. Nicodemus was harrassed for it.

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John 19:39-42.

Now, close to sundown, we see Nicodemus come with Joseph to care for Jesus’ body. Joseph was wealthy, we know, for he had a private family tomb newly hewn in the rock in the garden near Golgotha. And now we see Nicodemus as equally wealthy, bringing a large amount of burial spices and ointments to bind Jesus’s body for burial.

Together, they wrapped His body in linen strips, packed with spices, and gently laid it on the platform in Joseph’s tomb. Then they rolled the great stone across the opening to seal it and to keep animals and humans from desecrating the body.

Then the Sabbath rest descended on Jerusalem, as Jesus’ body lay in the tomb.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/21): John 18:28-60

Aug21

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“I find no guilt in Him.” John 18:38b

REVIEW – Jesus, inside the house of Annas and observed by John, answers plainly a question by the former high priest. ‘I taught openly in synagogues and the Temple; if you want to know what I said, ask all those people.’

A guard didn’t like that answer and slapped Him, a foretaste of greater abuse to come. Annas decided to send Jesus to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. As Jesus was led there, He was able to see Peter in the courtyard, openly and vehemently denying he was a follower of Jesus – for the third time.

The rooster crowed, stunning Peter, but realizing Jesus’ presence sent him into the night, weeping.

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John 18:28-32

NOTE: John skips the mock trial with Caiaphas, but Mark 14:55-64 gives us a glimpse.

1) First, many false witnesses spoke against Jesus, but they couldn’t seem to agree with each other (and the LAW says 2 or 3 witnesses MUST agree).

2) Some claimed they heard Jesus say that He would destroy the Temple and rebuild it Himself in three days, but even here, no two could agree exactly.

3) Caiaphas stood up and demanded, “Have You no answer to make against these men who testify against you?!” But Jesus looked at him, His mouth firmly closed.

4) Finally, Caiaphas asked, “Are YOU the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

And Jesus responded, “I AM.” This caused chaos in the chambers, and in a great show of pious horror, Caiaphas tore his gorgeous priestly garments.

5) “What further witnesses do we need?” He asked the 70 members of the Sanhedrin. “You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?”

They all condemned Jesus and called for His death.

6) Some members spit on Jesus. Others covered His face, hit Him, and taunted Him by saying, “Prophesy who hit you!” Given license from these actions, the Temple guards began beating Jesus with their fists.

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And we pick up with John 18:28…

“Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s headquarters. It was early morning.”

Now why would they do that? Several reasons.

It was Passover. They had a “criminal” that they wanted executed, but this was a high holy day. They were ceremonially “clean” so they could take part in this holy day. Stoning someone to death would make them ceremonially “unclean” for at least a week.

Second, for a person as well known as Jesus, the Romans would demand the right of execution. And, presumably, the Jews could not kill someone for breaking the law because they were a nation under Roman control.

And lastly, it was prophesied that the Messiah would not be stoned to death, but would be “lifted up on a pole, or tree,” which pointed to the Roman form of execution. (See Psalm 22:16 and Deuteronomy 21:23.) Later, in Acts 7, however, we see this religious group stoning Steven to death, a believer in Christ,

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And so we see the accusing Jews standing “outside” the Roman headquarters (to “stay clean” for Passover). Governor Pilate was used to these Jewish customs and came outside.

“What accusation do you bring against this man?” A logical question for a “judge,” even today.

“If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.” They said.

Yes, yes. Pilate knew these Jews well and turned to go back inside. “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.”

“But, but… it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death!”

This caught Pilate’s attention.

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John 18:33-38a.

Pilate went inside and sat down, calling for Jesus to be brought to him.

“Are You the King of the Jews?” he asked Jesus, looking at his somewhat battered appearance.

“Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say this about me?” Jesus asked boldly. Was Pilate’s heart open to the Gospel, or was he speaking only as a judge?

“Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” replied Jesus, explaining more to this Gentile ruler than to His fellow Jews.

“So…. You ARE a king?”

“You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate throws down his quill and rises. ” What is truth?”

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John 18:38-40.

Outside in front of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate announced, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release the King of the Jews?”

But instigated by the Jewish officials, the crowd cried out, “NOT THIS MAN, but Barabbas!”

Now Barabbas was a robber. (He was also a terrorist, an insurrectionist, and a murderer.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/19): John 18:1-14

Aug19

Read and believe in Jesus

“I have told you that I am He, so if you seek Me, let these men go.” John 18:8

REVIEW – Jesus finished His “high-priestly” prayer for His disciples, including all of us who would also believe on His name through their testimony. Jesus’ earnest words for love and unity among them, as it was within the Trinity and including the disciples, were to prove to the world that God had indeed sent Him into the world to save all who would believe. Jesus WAS the promised Messiah, come out of immense love to save them.

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John 18:1-3.

It was then that Jesus led these men out of the upper room, through the darkened streets of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Brook, and up into a garden area where an “olive press” (Gethsemane) was located.

Jesus and the Twelve had probably met there often for private rest or teaching or maybe even overnight. It was here that Nicodemus came one night to talk with Jesus.

Perhaps it was a garden owned by a friend, such as Mark’s parents, who also had lent the upper room to Jesus for the Passover meal.

Regardless, all the disciples knew it.

Including Judas.

It was to this place that the betrayer led a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, carrying lanterns, torches … and weapons.

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John 18:4-9.

Jesus stepped in front of His disciples, who I’m sure stood, shocked, with mouths agape, especially when they saw Judas. What was happening? They wondered.

“Whom do you seek?” Jesus demanded.

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

“I AM HE,” Jesus said, and at once the whole bunch stepped backward and fell to the ground, including Judas!

After getting up, brushing themselves off, and picking up their lanterns and weapons, Jesus asked them again, “Whom do you seek?”

Did it come hesitantly? “Er.. Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I told you that I am He, so… if you seek ME, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken, “Of those whom you gave Me I have lost not one.”

(NOTE: If you like, you can review all the times where Jesus DID promise this. See John 6:39, 40, 44; 10:28; and 17:12)

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John 18:10-11.

Have you noticed that the disciples seem paralyzed and speechless through it all, in shock and fear? Even Peter says nothing.

But he does DO something.

Having a sword, Peter draws it, steps forward, and swings it at the High Priest’s neck.

Malchus, Caiaphas’s servant, steps in front and takes the blow, which severs his right ear. He grabs the side of his head and howls. Peter stands aghast, staring at the bleeding servant.

“Peter,” Jesus says softly. “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

(NOTE: Dr. Luke, in 22:51 of his Gospel, states that Jesus touched Malchus’s ear and healed him.)

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John 18:12-14.

And so, “the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and tied Him up.” They led Him first to the house of Annas, the former High Priest, and father-in-law to Caiaphas, the man currently in that office. (He was the one who said it would be expedient that One Man should die for the people.)

But what of the disciples? Matthew 26:56 and Mark 14:51 both record, “And all the disciples left Him and fled.”

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NOTE: In the next reading, we’ll see that Peter turned back and followed Jesus at a distance and so did John. John had a little leverage at the Court, and arranged for Peter to come into the courtyard to warm himself by the fire. John himself then went into the place where Jesus was being interrogated and recorded for us what happened.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/17): John 17:6-19

Aug17

Read and believe in Jesus

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given me, for they are Yours. “ John 17:9

REVIEW – After the Passover meal and a time of intimate teaching with His disciples, Jesus then turned to His Father in prayer. What a priviledge to hear their Master pray like this, as He praised and glorified His Father and spoke of them as chosen of God and given to Jesus, and granted eternal life.

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John 17:6-13

And now, you hear Jesus as He “reports in” to His Father.

“I have manifested (made known) Your name to the people (women too, although they were not present) whom you gave me out of the world.”

“I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have recived them and have come to know in truth that I came from You, and they have believed.”

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given me, for they are Yours.”

“I have guarded them and not one of them has been lost … except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

(Psalm 41:9, Psalm 109:6-8 fortell Judas’ treachery. And John 13:18 reveals that while Jesus DID choose Judas, He KNEW he would be the betrayer from the beginning. See Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, and Luke 6:16.)

“But now, I am coming to You…” (Can you feel His eagerness to be “home”?) And Jesus prays that THEY may have His joy fulfilled in them.

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John 17:14-19. Jesus prays earnestly for the disciples (and the other believers not present in that upper room – including we who believe.)

“I have given them Your word, but the world has hated them because they are not OF the world.”

Jesus acknowledges that the situation for His followers will be hard. The world will hate and abuse them. And so, Jesus prays specifically for them (and us).

“I do not ask that You take them OUT of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.”

“Sanctify them (cleanse them and make them holy) in the truth; Your WORD is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.“

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(What joy to hear Jesus PRAYING for His disciples – all of us.

Doesn’t that give you comfort when you experience ridicule and persecution for HIS sake?.

Think: Jesus is praying for me right now, as he stands beside the Father. He is also protecting me from the devil, the evil one, who causes others to want to harm me, but also brings doubts inside to my very soul.

In a quiet moment, stop and thank Him for His love and protection, for the truth He’s given us in His word, and for the Joy He has promised as we hear and obey Him.)

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

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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!

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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.”

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!!

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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.”

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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!”

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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