Day 124: John 3:22-36, 4:1-3

“For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.” - John 3:34-35 ESV

John the Baptist's disciples are in a panic. This "Lamb of God" that John had baptized and announced is now officially stealing the thunder from their own rabbi (and them, if they are honest). Their competitive nature has been activated!

John the Baptist's response was definitely not something they had expected. He realized that the role of his ministry was temporary in design. He was to prepare the way and be the voice calling out in the wilderness (see Isaiah 40:3). Now it was time for him to decrease so that Jesus could take His rightful place as Messiah.

The difference between John and Jesus was the truth of limitlessness. Jesus was to empower His followers with the Holy Spirit, and He was the Son of God and thus had authority over everyone and everything.

How much strength do you require? Jesus can give you what you need and more. Not only that, but He can turn to the person next to you and do the same for them.

Jesus, empower us with so much of Your Holy Spirit that we are overflowing with His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and assurance (1 John 3:24).

"In rabbinic literature is a statement that throws some light on this: ‘R. Aha said: “Even the Holy Spirit resting on the prophets does so by weight [or measure], one prophet speaking one book of prophecy and another speaking two books” ’ (Leviticus Rabbah 15:2), i.e. God gave his Spirit by measure to the prophets in accordance with the task he assigned them. If the evangelist is alluding to this sort of teaching, he is saying that God poured out his Spirit upon Jesus in much greater measure than he ever did on the prophets. Because God poured out his Spirit upon Jesus ‘without limit’, he can speak the words of God, and, when he does, those words are completely trustworthy." - Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 4, pp. 125–126)

Day 123: John 3:1-21

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” - John 3:19-20 ESV

I was once privileged to hear New Testament scholar Gary Habermas in a live Q&A. He laid out so many convincing proofs for the historical validity of the resurrection of Jesus. With so much rock-solid evidence, there were many of us in the audience that wondered why more skeptics don't turn and put their faith in Jesus. This intelligent man got very quiet and replied, "They ultimately don't want to change."

John 3:16 gets most of the headlines as we share the gospel with others. I mean, it is definitely all it is cracked up to be, but there is so much more we need to consider as we share the Good News of Jesus with the nations.

One of the most challenging hurdles to get over is the fact that people love darkness. They enjoy getting what they want when they want it. They love not having to be accountable to God. I mean, it does wonders for your conscience to believe that any lifestyle is fair game as long as you don't break any laws.

Yet Jesus is calling us to so much more. A life that doesn't run from the light for fear of getting caught, but a life that welcomes the warmth that the light of Jesus offers.

Jesus, expose us. Jesus, heal us. Jesus, send us.

"Jesus and Nicodemus were talking together at night. Jesus warned that 'men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil' and that one who does evil 'will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed' (John 3:19, 20). Jesus challenged Nicodemus to accept the Light that God had sent into the world, even God’s one and only Son." - Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 44)

Day 122: John 2:1-25

“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” - John‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Believing in Jesus is more wide-ranging and progressive than many of us realize. An initial belief is not an arrival. Instead, it is a starting line.

These disciples are going to waver from belief to denial to even doubting after Jesus rose from the dead and had appeared to them for 40 days (see Matthew 28:16). At some points, it almost seems to be a fluid experience between trusting and distrusting Jesus.

Jesus performs this miracle right at the top of his three-year earthly ministry, and the disciples are already starting to buy in. I mean, how could you not? This wasn’t just a tall glass of wine. It was six, 20-30 gallon stone jars. This would have been harder to explain as an illusion than the fact that Jesus really did do the impossible.

Your belief has to start somewhere, just as it did for Jesus’ disciples. Though we may waver at times, we know that trusting Jesus is something that can increase over time. The more we see Him move and work and display His glory, the closer He will draw us into His authentic embrace.

The Jesus we follow is unlike any other.

"The aim and result, however, are all the same—to create faith in Jesus; that is, to encourage people to accept the testimony to Jesus provided by these signs, shown to John the Baptist and to the earliest disciples." - Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John (Jn 2:11)

Day 121: John 1:29-51

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ “ - John 1:29 ESV

John the Baptist (Jesus' cousin) refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God" twice in our reading today. Did he really look at Jesus and see Him on the cross three years from this moment? To many Jews, they would have also associated the "Lamb of God" with the one who was to bring judgment on the nations. John (the Apostle) also did this as he recorded Revelation, referring to Jesus as a Lion/Lamb figure (see Revelation 5:5-10, 17:14).

The following quote from Colin Kruse is also helpful:  “The reference to Jesus here as ‘the Lamb of God’ uses the word amnos for ‘lamb’. It is one of only four references in the NT (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:19) that do so. The word amnos is found 101 times in the LXX (Greek translation of the OT), of which 82 are references to sacrificial lambs.”

It is probably safe to say that John the Baptist (full of the Holy Spirit, see Luke 1:15) spoke of something more than his mind could comprehend. God's plan for Jesus to become the sacrifice for all sins was well underway, and John the Baptist was just another point of confirmation.

Day 120: John 1:1-28

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” - John 1:14 ESV

John, one of the 12 original disciples and a Son of Thunder (Mark 3:17), opens his gospel with more information about Jesus' identity than we can even begin to fully comprehend. There are many who believe he was in his 80s or 90s while writing this book, which adds a certain something to it as we read its chapters and verses. It was the last of the four biographies of Jesus' life to be written.

He has the advantage to start from a different angle, and he will time and time again focus on Jesus as being the Son of God.

Most Christians in our world today struggle with balancing grace and truth. John believed Jesus was full of both. Our Savior extended grace (favor) to so many people that the Israelites had written off as lost causes. Yet He didn't just affirm their behavior and tell them to live their truth. Instead, Jesus invited them to live a brand new life apart from their destructive behavior. It was His truth that they needed to experience, not a fantasy of their own making.

This is our challenge for today. We must remain immovable when it comes to the tension between grace and truth, and this is what the Bible calls love.

“The expression ‘grace and truth’ (charis kai alētheia) is found only twice in the NT, here and in 1:17. It is almost certainly the evangelist's rendering of a similar expression ‘kindness and faithfulness’ (eleos kai alētheia) that is used frequently in the LXX as a translation of the Hebrew expression ḥesed we’ĕmet." - Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: An introduction and Commentary (Vol. 4, p. 70)

For a great example of what this looks like in today's world, please check out Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach.

Day 119: Luke 24:13-53

“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”' - Luke 24:32 ESV

These two on the road to Emmaus had a unique post-resurrection experience with Jesus. Not only were they allowed to spend a considerable amount of time with Him, but they also didn't realize who He was until the end of the conversation.

We don't really know why they didn't recognize Jesus. Could it be that his resurrected body had a different appearance? Did God prevent their eyes from seeing who He really was? At any rate, the tell was in the way He broke the bread. Perhaps they noticed the scars on his wrists.

Have you ever heard someone talking about the Bible in such a way that you became sleepy? No passion. No deep belief. No conviction. Perhaps it seems tired in a way.

Then there are those who, after speaking with them about the Bible, we are immediately motivated to run and feast upon the Word of God with more attentiveness.

Hearing Jesus speak about the Hebrew Bible caused their hearts to burn (literally to ignite). This is the kind of encounter that leaves us permanently changed.

May we extend the flame of passion for God's word today.

"The recognition that it was the Lord with whom they had walked explained to them what had happened on the journey. They remembered how their hearts had burnt within them. Clearly Jesus’ exposition had stirred them deeply. They speak of him as ‘opening’ the scriptures: when he spoke the meaning hidden in the words of the Bible became clear.” - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 359)

Day 118: Luke 23:44-56, 24:1-12

"He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee." - Luke 24:6 ESV

What is most striking in our reading today is the fact that Jesus' most faithful followers seemingly had no clue that He was going to raise from the dead. They thought that the movement was over. Perhaps they said, "Well, we had a good run. I guess He really wasn't the Messiah. Wow, He had us fooled."

This was even after Jesus had repeatedly laid out the plan for them.

So when the women came bursting in with news of an empty tomb and their angelic encounter, you can see why it sounded like an "idle tale" to them. They really weren't in the mood to get their hopes up.

Yet Peter rose and ran (along with John) to see for himself. He hadn't had the closure he desired. He didn't want his last eye contact with Jesus to be after he had just denied Him three times. If there was even a chance of these women telling the truth, he had to see for himself.

How about you? Is this the kind of redemption you seek? Do you wake up every day with a renewed sense that God's kingdom work is going to be even more realized in your life, even though you've failed before?

Jesus is alive and waiting.

"This is the last chapter in the gospel of Luke, and is the culmination of the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth. This is the resurrection chapter, the record of an event that turned the world upside down. The earliest creed of the Christian Church was simply ‘He is Risen,’ and there is a sense in which the entire impact of Christianity stands or falls with the truth of this message." - Sproul, R. C. (1999). A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (p. 417)

Day 117: Luke 23:13-43

“And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” - Luke 23:42-43 ESV

In the five hours that Jesus spent on the cross, He somehow had the presence of mind to utter seven statements:

1. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

2. Today you will be with me in paradise.

3. Woman, behold, your son! Behold, your mother!

4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Psalm 22:1)

5. I thirst. (Psalm 69:21)

6. It is finished. (Psalm 22:16-31)

7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. (Psalm 31:5)

As someone who appreciates music, it is wild for me to see this laid out and to see how much Jesus was simultaneously singing and fulfilling Messianic prophecy as He was in His final moments. These were some of the Psalms he would have sung His entire life.

His second saying is the one that stands out in our reading today. In the midst of agonizing suffering, Jesus was still focused on serving others, and in the case of this criminal, leading him to eternal life.

Aren't you glad that Jesus is still saving people by his blood today? I am also certain that He is still singing (see Zephaniah 3:17).

Day 116: Luke 22:54-71, 23:1-12

“When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.” - Luke‬ ‭23:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Again, we may be confused by which Herod this is, but this is Antipas whom we mentioned earlier that the Pharisees said wanted to kill Jesus (13:31) and whom our Savior had called a fox. He also was responsible for killing John the Baptist.

Now Herod wants (like before, 9:9) to see Jesus perform a miracle. The reputation of our Lord in Galilee preceded Him. As we’ve seen before, Jesus doesn’t respond well to those who are wanting to use Him for a spectacle. He is not a product to be used but a Savior to be worshiped.

Leon Morris' words describing this passage are helpful: "The interview must have disappointed Herod. He got no answer to his many questions. What could Jesus say to this trifler who wanted nothing more than a mild sensation? He never refused a sincere questioner, but Herod was not in that class. He is the only person to whom Jesus said nothing at all." - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 339)

It is interesting to note, though, that both of these pagan rulers (in our reading today) acknowledge Jesus’ innocence.

How are you viewing Jesus today? Perhaps someone to give you what you want? Or is He someone who is desperately desiring to give you what you really need?

Unfortunately, Antipas wasn’t interested in life transformation, but I pray that we will come to Jesus differently. May we come expecting to be changed, better prepared for heaven.

Day 115: Luke 22:35-53

“And they said, ‘Look, Lord, here are two swords.’ And he said to them, ‘It is enough.”’ - Luke‬ ‭22:38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus is working hard to prepare His disciples for what is to come. The days of them leisurely strolling into Jewish communities and being accepted with open arms are going to be coming to an end. All of these men would suffer incredible amounts of torture for the sake of their faith in Jesus’ resurrection, and Jesus saw it coming.

The odd thing about our reading today is that Jesus tells them to bring a sword but then later tells Peter to stop trying to exact justice with the sword.

Was Jesus conflicted?

No. Jesus was trying to help the disciples realize that resistance to their calling would be severe. When He says, “that is enough,” He isn’t saying that they would be armed adequately with two swords to fend off the Romans or the Jews. He’s instead frustrated that they don’t understand what He’s trying to communicate.

What is the application for us?

Let’s not be shocked if and when we are called to suffer or be excluded for the sake of our allegiance to Jesus. It is an identifier of those who are following Jesus the right way.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” - 2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

"The disciples quietly took inventory: two swords among twelve (eleven) disciples. Jesus told them that would do; they need not go and buy others. Jesus’ answer had an ironic twist. The two swords were obviously not enough to resist those who came to arrest Jesus. He used this irony to close the conversation." - Butler, T. C. (2000). Luke (Vol. 3, p. 372)