Jesus did many other signs ...

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. -John 20:30-31 NRSV

As John wraps up his Jesus story, he seems to take a breath and speak to us about the reason for his writing. He presents no treatise on the nature of sin or our need to repent. He says nothing about the Jewish scriptures. He summarizes his gospel in a few words. Jesus is the Messiah and believing in him is all about having real life.

That message is so different than many religious ones that we hear even today. Instead of delineating five steps to religious success, John simply tells us to believe that Jesus is who he said that he is. It is a simple message yet one that goes against our works oriented approach to God. Even so, I have found it to be a life giving message.

Lord, lead us in the ways that lead to life in your name. Help us to find hope in the name of Jesus.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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Do not doubt but believe.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” -John 20:27-29 NRSV

It is a week after Easter. Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples and has refused to accept the testimony of those who saw the resurrected Christ. In an intense dramatical moment the Lord once again materializes before his friends. Jesus offers Thomas a rebuke. Thomas is shocked into belief and can utter but a few words.

I think that Thomas is representative of many 21st century skeptics. Society's preoccupation with things that can be experienced with our senses have blinded some from things that can only be seen through the eyes of faith. Such folks relegate the resurrection of Christ to myth. Even so, the words of Christ still ring true, we are blessed when we believe.

We are blind Lord. Open our eyes to your invisible kingdom. Help us to believe even though we have not seen,

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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He breathed on them ...

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” -John 20:21-23 NRSV

It is Sunday evening. The disciples are gathered together in a locked room. Rumors are flying around about Jesus being alive. Fear and confusion abound. Then, in an instant, all fear is gone. Jesus materializes before them like something right out of Star Trek. His first word to them is peace. What an amazing entrance of the resurrected Messiah!

I love the way that he breathes on them, imparts the Holy Spirit and commissions them for ministry. So interesting that John remembers most that this holy mission was first about the message of forgiveness. Just a few days earlier John heard Jesus forgive those who drove nails into his hands. Now forgiveness would be the centerpiece of all ministry.

Father, forgive those who have hurt us and caused us pain. Help us to release our pain and join you in that forgiveness.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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As yet they did not understand the scripture...

Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. -John 20:3-10 NRSV

Two days have past since they laid Jesus in the tomb. Mary Magdalene has come from his grave and found it empty. The disciples cannot believe her. Peter and John race to verify her story. The drama is unfolding. The grave clothes have been removed. Jesus has come back from the dead. Yet these two cannot imagine what has already happened.

If not for the witness of people like Mary, I too would not understand the scripture. I was a bitter man in 1975 when my wife Ellen had an amazing experience of healing and salvation. Her healing from blindness was unbelievable and I rejected the idea that God had healed her. Yet on a beautiful day in April 1976 my eyes were opened and I understood.

Lord, please open the eyes and hearts of hurting people, that they might understand that Jesus has risen from the dead.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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They took the body of Jesus

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. -John 19:38-40 NRSV

Again I want to think about those that were there on that day. John tells us that two unexpected disciples showed up to bury Jesus. A man named Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Nicodemus, the Pharisee, brought a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes. How odd that such men would risk so much to publicly identify with Jesus.

I wonder what was going through John's mind as he watched these events unfold. Did he flash back to the words that Jesus shared with Nicodemus, that night so long ago, about being born again? He must have been amazed by the courage of these two men. It reminds me of the unseen secret disciples that impact the world every day.

Thank you Lord for the secret disciples who courageously follow you in the way of love.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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So that you also may believe ...

    He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe.
    His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth. -John 19:35 NRSV

Jesus died and John helplessly stood by watching his friend executed before his eyes. I cannot imagine how traumatic this was for him to witness. Time has passed since that day. Years later John is writing and remembering that life changing day. As he recounts the events of that sad day he pauses to insure his readers that his recounting is true.

John's words remind me that the gospels are filled with eyewitness accounts of the life, teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ. They were written by people like John who were simply testifying to the truth. They wrote so that people, who were not eyewitnesses, could have a reason to believe. They speak and witness to us yet today. And invite us to believe.

Lord, we pray for those who have never read the gospels. Give them opportunities to hear about Jesus. And believe.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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I am thirsty. ... It is finished.

Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. -John 19:28-30 NRSV

I want to again look at the cross through the eyes of Mary, John and others at the cross. They had no understanding about what would happen in just a few days. Unlike us, they had no ability to see the cross in light of the resurrection. It reminds me of that day that I stood by my wife's side when she breathed her last breath. "It is finished" seemed so final.

Jesus' death seemed both human and divine. Like a man, he was thirsty. Like God, he had power to leave his body. Yet the people who were watching Jesus die did not understand the divine part of the story. It causes me to consider how I forget about my own divine story. I am more than the sum of the things that happen to me. Divinity lives in me.

Lord help me to remember that I am part human and part divine because you live in me.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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