The impulsiveness of Peter is convicting to me. I love that John announces Jesus and Peter immediately takes action to be with him. There doesn’t appear to be any hesitancy in Peter. The only thing that Peter seems to give any thought to, was to be properly attired to meet his Rabbi (why else would he put on clothes to go swimming…unless he was a bit self-conscious about his weight). There isn’t a lot in the way of planning for how this will all go down. Peter dives in! I know at times this trait got Peter into a bit of trouble, but here it is beautiful.

I realize at times I get “Analysis Paralysis,” as I over-think things in the desire for it to be perfect. I need to be more like Peter – recognize Jesus in something and then dive! I need to give up my desire for every aspect of a ministry opportunity to be perfect before jumping in. I need to care less about how I might look in a particular situation or what the outcome might be.

God help me to be more like Peter in his anxiousness to be with you, in his disregard for appearances, and in his immediate response upon recognizing you.

Today was the last chapter in our Journey Through John. I hope you enjoyed the trip.

I’ll keep blogging, if you keep reading. Hope to see you back here soon!

Today is wedding rehearsal day. I have had the privilege of meeting with two awesome couples that are both getting married tomorrow. Weddings are such an amazing event. There is always so much emotion filling the air as the bride and the groom begin a new chapter in their life. So, congrats to Adam & Tera and Jason & Erin as they begin their lives together and remind us of the beautiful imagery that God has given us of the relationship he has created us for…us as the bride and Jesus as our groom.

OK…I have no slick transition…

Why are we so tough on Thomas? We call him “Doubting Thomas,” which doesn’t seem to be the most flattering of nicknames. Why, because he wants to see proof that Jesus had actually risen from the grave, he wants to see the scars on his hands and feet? All of the other disciples were able to see this for themselves (v.20), yet he gets the nickname that has stuck for centuries.

Maybe I am sensitive for Thomas, because I can relate. There are times that I wonder, that I question, and times that I doubt. I am so thankful that Jesus is big enough to handle my questions. I grew up somehow thinking that doubt was not allowed, that somehow it was almost a sin. Then I see Thomas (and all the other disciples for that matter) and Jesus’ reaction to his skepticism. I know that I am reading into the story a bit, but I don’t see Jesus telling Thomas, “stop doubting and believe” with a frown and a disapproving shake if his head. I see him speaking those words with a HUGE smile followed by an embrace that this is real…the one that Thomas had placed all his hopes on was alive. He was victorious over the grave!

So Thomas…from one skeptic to another, I join my voice with you in acknowledging Jesus as we cry out, “My Lord and my God!”

I’m not going to lie. I’m tired right now. My day started at 5:20 a.m. and hasn’t slowed down yet. Meeting to meeting, appointment to appointment, and the day is far from complete. When I sit to write this blog it strikes me how utterly ridiculous complaining about my “busy” day is. Betrayed, beaten, nailed to a cross, mocked, stabbed, and then when he says that he’s thirsty, he gets wine vinegar?? Seriously, Mark. Get over it.

Here is the culmination of Jesus becoming man. Mission accomplished. Even at the very end of his life, John makes it clear that Jesus is laying down his life voluntarily. I love the certainty of Jesus’ actions. “Knowing that all was now completed…, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” He had fulfilled the mission that he left heaven to accomplish – to die for the sins of the world.

The words, “it is finished,” are words of victory, not surrender. The word he uses here in Greek was used for business transactions. The translation would be “paid in full.” The debt he came to cover, the sin of creation, my sin, has been fully paid. There is no balance. There is nothing left for me to pay!

Then finally, John says that he gave up his spirit. Yes, John. I think we’re finally getting it. This was his choice. Nobody took his life from him. Jesus gave it up!

Thank you Father for Jesus. Thank you for his love, his commitment to you, for his voluntary death. Thank you, that my sin has been covered. I am redeemed. Paid in full. I am free! Forgive me when I don’t live my life in the reality of the grace and mercy I have been given. Forgive me when my life doesn’t reflect the gratitude you deserve. Forgive me when I cheapen your grace through habitual sin. Forgive me when I do not imitate the example of Jesus and extend grace and mercy to those around me.

Amazing.

Here is Pilate caught between a rock and a hard place, not wanting to make a decision. His one guiding principal is to save his neck. He is torn in his decision because he has no absolute truth. He has no unwavering standard of right and wrong by which to determine what should be done in this situation. As a result of Pilate’s lack of knowing truth, he is about to condemn “The Truth” to death.

The sad reality is that Pilate is face to face with, even conversing with “The Truth.” Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Pilate is blind to the truth sitting before him.

I believe that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. I know him to be true.

Do I play the role of Pilate at times? Do I not recognize the truth that is in front of me? Do I dismiss the truth that I know to be true for expediency.

Father, I thank you for Jesus…The Truth. I thank you that you have made yourself known to me through him. Help me to recognize your truth, to live by your truth, and to be known by your truth.

Jesus is praying for me. His prayer for me is to experience community with other believers that imitates the community and oneness that he shares with the Father. He continues to pray that I will experience community with them as well, oneness with the Trinity.

As we live in community with each other and with God, we will know the love of God and that love will be made known to the world around us.
As Jesus is praying these words, what does he have in mind? What does this look like to him?

Am I experiencing the unity with other believers for which Jesus prayed? Am I experiencing the unity with him and the Father that he desired for me?

What would my life look like if I were living this way? What would one day look like? How would this affect those with whom I come in contact with each day?

As I read this prayer of Jesus, I am very unsettled in my spirit. As much as I love the life I am living, there must be more to this prayer than what I am currently experiencing.

Father, I ask that you would help me to know and experience community with others and with you as you intended. I sense that you are telling me that there is so much more that you desire for me in my relationship with you and in my relationship with others. God…I thirst for that. I am hungry to know and live in the community for which you created me.

As Jesus warns his followers of what is about to happen, they completely miss it. They are filled with grief, which seems like an expected response, but Jesus’ response indicates that their grief is based on their own personal concern over their loss of the physical presence of Jesus and what this will mean for them. They are so caught up in their own little worlds that they totally miss the significance of Jesus’ words in v.5, that he is going to the Father.

They never move past themselves to ask, “What about you?”…”What is the significance of the event that is about to happen?”…“Where are you going?” They simply grieve, understandably, about what this is going to cost them.

What am I missing by asking “What does this mean for me?” rather than “What does this mean for God’s plan?”

Am I so caught up in my own little world, in my own personal agendas, and in my concern for what it might cost me, that I lose sight of Jesus and what he is accomplishing?

Am I grieving over the Temporary at the loss of the Eternal?

Father, please open my eyes to these things.

Reveal to me the areas where I am ‘missing it.’ Help me to see beyond myself, to move outside my little world and into the things of your kingdom.

(My apologies for not posting this on Friday)

I am sure that these words of Jesus were extremely meaningful and powerful to those with Jesus when he spoke them. The idea that he would invite them into the more intimate relationship of friendship would have been amazing. However, as we read these words with the understanding of hindsight, I believe they are even more powerful.

Jesus extends to us the invitation of friendship, not a cheap superficial type of friendship, but a costly and meaningful friendship. Jesus is about to back up his words with his life. The words spoken, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” are not just hyperbole. These words are dripping with the reality of what is on the horizon for Jesus. Knowing what true friendship is and knowing what true love is…Jesus’ command at the end of this section is, “Love each other.”

Am I following the example of Jesus? Am I loving with the love of Christ? Who can I say this week that I loved in a sacrificial way? When this week have I loved in a way that cost me something (time, pride, money, an opportunity, comfort)?

Why do I push back against the idea of love and obedience being bound together? I admit that at times when I read Jesus associating my love for him to my obedience, I get a bit uncomfortable. Is it because I don’t want to obey? I don’t think so. Is it because I get uncomfortable with what my obedience says about my love for him? Maybe. Is it because I don’t like authority and being told that, “if you love me you will ____(Fill in the blank)__?” That probably plays a role. Truth is, I don’t really know. I just know I bristle sometimes. And it bothers me that it bothers me.

It shouldn’t. Jesus’ love for the Father was represented in his obedience. I make my love for my wife known by doing things that I know she wants me to do. I sense her love for me when she is doing things that she knows I want done.

It’s natural to want to be obedient knowing what Jesus has done for me. I love him. I try to obey him daily. Why is the connection of these two words an issue for me?

I love you Jesus. I want to be obedient to you. Thank you for demonstrating your love for me on the cross, in obedience to the Father.

I am to be an imitator of God. In Ephesians (5:1-2) Paul says that in our imitation we are to love as Christ loved. If I am loving as Jesus, than verse 35 makes complete sense. This type of love would be defining. It would set anyone apart.

If I truly loved as Jesus loves, what would that look like? How would it change the situations I find myself in? If we, the community of Crossbridge, really began to love in this way, what would Tallahassee look like?

Jesus’ love was sacrificial, costly, unmerited, nondiscriminatory, and surprising. He loved those that many thought were unlovable. He even loved and served those that he knew would betray and deny him. Jesus was, and is, famous for his love and he calls me to be famous for love as well.

What am I known for?

What is Crossbridge known for?

What are you known for?

Is it love?

What an awesome picture of worship! I love that this is so extravagant and out of the ordinary. Mary’s worship goes against common sense and cultural norms. Often times the host would anoint their guests’ head with oil, not their feet. Mary takes the place of a servant at Jesus’ feet. She becomes “undignified” by letting her hair down in his presence. This perfume she is pouring on his feet was worth about a year’s wage! Mary is criticized by some for her worship, but not by Jesus. He gets it.

I also appreciate how John describes the whole house being filled with the fragrance. It reminds me of Paul’s description of gifts he had received in Philippians 4:18, “…They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

What is my worship like? Is it extravagant? Does it cost me anything? Do I worry about how the display of my devotion to God is perceived by others? Is my worship more like an expensive perfume or the “knock-off” (“If you like Drakkar Noir, than you will love ‘Dark Night”) version found in gas station bathrooms?

God, my prayer is that I will be extravagant in my worship of you! To worship with no thought of cost, common sense or the approval of others. Help me to worship with reckless abandon like your servant Mary.