John 15

John 15

1 - 17 Jesus the True Vine

This is one of my favorite passages. The Father is like a vinegrower who removes the branches that don't bear fruit. "You have already been cleansed by the word I have spoken to you," he tells the disciples. (3) Whew! Jesus wants his followers to abide in him as he abides in them. He is the vine and they are the branches (those who don't abide are thrown away like branches where they whither - then they're gathered and burned) But here's the hopeful part: Jesus said, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (8)

His last commandment is for his followers (whom he now calls his friends) "to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (16) Sounds like an evangelical message to me!

18 - 16:4 The World's Hatred

My notes say that this section on persecution is closely related to the conflict between the synagogue authorities and the Christian community.

Jesus predicts that his followers will be persecuted because of following him. He says that whoever hates him hates his father (God). The Holy Spirit will come to testify on his behalf. He says these things to them "to keep them from stumbling" and that those who go after them "have not known the father or me."

John 14 Part Two (15 - 17)

15 – 17 The Promise of the Holy Spirit (a)

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

First, Jesus wishes his believers to keep his commandments. (These don’t seem limited to the ten commandments – which he asked his believers to keep).

Second, Jesus says he will “ask the Father” to send the Holy Spirit (my notes: only John calls the HS the “Spirit of Truth” . . . “advocate” is equivalent of a defense lawyer [Gk. Paraclete which means “Helper” or “Comforter”]. Humans can’t “receive or know” (truth) BUT we already have a “spark” of the holy spirit in us as Jesus says, “he abides in you, and he will be in you.”

Remember, the church didn’t accept the doctrine of the Trinity as “three in one” until the 4th century (That doesn’t mean it didn’t exist as such before then, though).

John 14 Part One (1 - 14)

John 14

1 - 14 Jesus the Way to the Father

"Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus begins. [This reminds me that when I was a kid someone (my grandmother?) told me that it was a sin to worry. God will take care of everything.] Jesus goes on the dwelling places being prepared for his followers. Thomas asks how they can know the way if he's going the way. Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." (6 - 7)

Philip wants to see the Father. Jesus tells him that Philip should believe because he says so, and if not, then because of the works he has performed. "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father." (12) If we follow Christ we will do what he would do. (I guess this takes study and prayer to know just what Jesus would do) My notes say, "Believers are Jesus' successors and Jesus "returns" through their work."

Prayer also works: "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask (me) for anything, I will do it." (13 - 14)

John 13

John 13

1 - 20 Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

It's before Passover and Judas has already decided to betray Jesus. Jesus knows so he washes the feet (a common practice, according to my notes, but usually given to the slaves - it would be expected for the disciples to wash the teacher's feet).

21 - 30 Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

Jesus accuses Judas of his betrayal by giving him the piece of bread. It is interesting that the Last Supper isn't instituted in this last meal (here).

31 - 35 The New Commandment

His last commandment: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." I like how he repeats "love one another three times." (He meant it!) It's sad that few follow this commandment.

36 - 38 Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

Simon Peter asks where Jesus is going. Jesus says, where he can't follow. Simon Peter says he will lay down his life for Jesus, and Jesus predicts that he will deny Jesus 3 times before morning.

John 12 Part Two (27 - 50)

John 12

27 - 36 Jesus Speaks About His Death

Jesus feels troubled and says, "Father, glorify your name." A voice comes from heaven, saying, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." (some in the crowd thinks it's thunder; others think angels) Jesus says, "This voice has come for your sake not for mine. . . when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself." The crowd is still stuck on this how-can-you-say-you're-the-son-of-man-thing. Jesus says, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overtake you . . . believe in the light so that you may become children of the light.

It's frustrating to teach and know that few people understand you.

37 - 43 The Response to Jesus

Jesus departs and hides - few people believe him - this fulfills Isaiah.

44 - 50 Summary of Jesus' Teaching

This is a good passage to bookmark:
When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.

John 12 Part One (1 - 26)

John 12

1 - 8 Mary Anoints Jesus

At Martha and Mary's, 6 days before Passover, there's a dinner (Lazarus is there!). Mary anoints Jesus' feet and hair with a pound of expensive nard. Judas wants to know why it wasn't sold for money for the poor. Jesus says, "Leave her alon. She brought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me" (7-8)

9 - 11 The Plot to Kill Lazarus

The "Jews" plan to put Lazarus to death with Jesus since a lot of people are converting because he was raised from the dead.

12 - 19 Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

The next day a great crowd shows up to greet Jesus. John's the only gospel that mentions the palms. They sing Hosanna! which translates to "Save us! We beseech you!" He sits on a young donkey (to fulfill prophesy?)

20 - 26 Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus

Jesus doesn't see the Greeks though; he tells the disiples, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified . . . unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." I take this to mean (with the help of my notes) his mission can't be spread to the Gentiles without his having died and been resurrected first.

Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. My notes say this is the last publis dialogue in John and is focused on his impending death.

John 11

John 11

1 - 16 The Death of Lazarus

Jesus' friend Lazarus, who lives in Bethany, the village of Mary (who annointed Jesus' feet) & her sister Martha is sick. They call Jesus who comes, risking his life.

17 - 27 Jesus the Resurrection and the Life

When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for 4 days. He tells Martha her brother will rise again. Then he tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (25 - 26 *ish*) Martha tells Jesus she believes.

28 - 44 Jesus Raises Lazarus

Martha tells Mary who comes and weeps at Jesus' feet. Some Jews believe Jesus and others don't (which disturbs Jesus). Jesus comes to the tomb and tells them to take away the stone (it stinks). "Did I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (40) He prays and says in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" And out he comes! This story prefigures Jesus' resurrection.

45 - 57 The Plot to Kill Jesus

Many who saw Lazarus's resurrection believe, but some report him to the Pharisees; the high priest Ciaphas says it would be better if one man were to die than a whole nation ("The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few?") so from that day the plan to put Jesus to death. Now Jesus can no longer walk openly, and as Passover draws near, the priests give orders for anyone who knows where Jesus is to turn him in.

John 10 Part Two (22 - 42)

John 10

22 - 42 Jesus Is Rejected

Jesus confronts "the Jews" who say they wish to stone him for "making himself God." Jesus asks if it is blasphemous to declare himself "God's son." They try to arrest him, but he escapes across the Jordan where many believe that he has fulfilled John the Baptist's prophesy.

John 10 Part One (1 - 21)

John 10

1 - 21 Jesus the Good Shepherd

Jesus (apparently) continues to speak to the Pharisees, saying, "Anyone who doesn't enter the sheepfold by the gate but clibs in by another way is a thief and a bandit" He says that he is the gate.

"I am the good shepherd," says Jesus. "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (11). Jesus wants there to be one flock and one shepherd.

This speech further divides the Jews.

John 9

John 9

1 - 12 A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

When the disciples see a blind man, they ask Jesus "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus says neither - that he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. ". . . We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work." (4) Then Jesus heals the man's blindness with mud from dirt and his spit. He tells him to wash the pool of Siloam. The people who knew him are surprised, but Jesus takes off before they can talk to him.

13 - 34 The Blind Man and the Pharisees

The (former) blind man is brought before the Pharisees and he tells them what happened. The Jews (same Pharisees) don't believe the blind man, since he was "born entirely in sins," and they drive him away.

Who's blind in this part of the story?

35 - 41 The Blind Man and Jesus

Jesus hears that the blind man had a hard time and he finds him and asks if he believes in "the Son of Man" The blind man believes. Jesus: "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind." The Pharisees are listening and they deny that Jesus is talking about them. Jesus says to them, "If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, 'We see," you sin remains."

John 8 Part Two (31 - 59)

John 8

31 - 59 Jesus and Abraham

The Jews tell Jesus that since they are descendents of Abraham, they have never been slaves to anyone. Jesus replies, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." (34) The Jews become increasingly hostile when Jesus refers to the Father (they say Abraham is their father). He ends the arguement by stating, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am." (58) The crowd was about to stone him, but he hid and left the temple.

John 8 Part One (1 - 30)

Chapter 8

1 - 11 The Woman Caught in Adultery

My notes say that this whole story was probably added later. At any rate, Jesus warns against judging others. The sribes and Pharisees try to trap Jesus. Again, he turns the tables on them, and puts them on the spot. "Let anyone among you wh is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." They walk away one by one.

12 - 20 Jesus Is the Light of the World

"I am the light of the world," says Jesus. "Whoever follows me will never walk in darknesss but will have the light of life." The pharisees still don't hear him. They're still concerned that he is testifying on his own behalf. They want two witnesses and want to see his father. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also," says Jesus.

21 - 30 Jesus Is from Above

Jesus says, "I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." This confuses the Pharisees.

John 7

John 7

1 – 13 Jesus Goes to Jerusalem

Jesus’ brothers want Jesus to go with them to the Festival of Booths. Jesus declines to go with them.

14 – 36 Words of Conflict: Jesus’ Teaching and Response

There is a controversy over Jesus’ authority. Jesus states his teaching is not his but his who sent him. The Pharisees send the temple police to arrest him

37 – 52 Words of Conflict Jesus’ Teaching and Response

On the last day of the festival. There is disagreement in the crowd because Jesus comes from Galilee and the Messiah is supposed to come from Bethlehem. The temple police return to the Pharisees empty-handed. Nicodemus defends Jesus, saying that the law forbids judging people without first giving them a hearing. The Pharisees aren’t convinced, saying that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.

John 6 Part Two (22 - 71)

John 6

22 - 59 The Bread from Heaven

The next day Jesus preaches of bread. Some highlights:

• Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (27)
• Very truly I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven (32)
• I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (35)
• I am the bread of life. Your anscestors ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die (48 - 50)
• Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever (53 - 58)

In that last part Jesus seems to be talking about Communion (the Catholic Eucharist). My notes say he may refer both to the sacrifice of Jesus' body on the cross and the last supper.

60 - 71 The Disciples' Response

Jesus asks the disciples who can accept his difficult teaching. Some turn away. The 12 disciples are still there and Jesus asks if they want to stay. Simon Peter says, "To whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (68 - 69) Jesus predicts that one of them "is a devil."

John 6 Part One (1-21)

This is a long chapter, so I'm going to divide it.

John 6

1 - 15 Feeding the Five Thousand

As Passover arrives, a crowd has begun to follow Jesus. Jesus asks Philip how they are to buy bread for the crowd and Philip says it would cost 6 months' wages. Andrew (Simon Peter's little brother) sees a boy with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. Jesus tells the people to sit down, takes the loaves and distributes the food. Jesus gives thanks and fills 12 baskets (# of apostles - coincidence?). When Jesus sees the crowd is about to force him to become king, he goes to the mountains by himself.

16 - 21 Jesus Walks on the Water

The disciples start in the boat without Jesus. The sea becomes rough and Jesus comes walking up to them. "It is I; do not be afraid," he says.

"Be not afraid" is always a good lesson from Jesus (in anything you do!)