November 6 - John 19-21
John's account of the crucifixion and the resurrection is so personal. I suppose that should not be a surprise to anyone, but it is very refreshing to me. John followed Jesus as closely as anyone after His arrest in the garden, so He could give an intimate account of those events.
In chapter 19 John gives us a description of the struggle Pilate had in knowing what to do with Jesus. It is clear that he found no fault in Him, so he wanted to let Him go after scourging Him. He knew there was something special about Jesus, but he gave into the pressure and had Him killed. Jesus even told him that the one who delivered Him had "greater sin" than Pilate. (v.11) In turn, Pilate proclaims Jesus as the king of the Jews, as he posts His sentence above the cross. Can you imagine the emotions of Pilate in this situation? Then, John tells us about Jesus giving him His mother to care for the rest of her life. (v.25-27) What an intimate act of love! Finally, the death of Jesus comes without fanfare and with two lesser disciples stepping up to bury Him.
Chapter 20 gives a close look at the tomb and the appearances of Jesus from one who saw it all. John ran to look in the tomb, and when he did, he believed Jesus had risen. He was there in the upper room to hear what Thomas said and to hear Jesus' response. What a thrill it must have been to see Jesus alive after such a horrible death.
Finally, John was there by the sea to experience the great catch of fish, to hear Jesus' interchange with Peter, and to hear Jesus say, "Follow Me." Could there be any other conclusion? All of this was God's plan. Now they were commissioned to take the Good News to the world. They were to keep on following Jesus. It wasn't over; it was just beginning. John brings it down to the human level. It was a wonderful miracle. Now, it was time to make sure everyone heard about it. It was time to truly become fishers of men. I get the idea that John was ready. Peter had some questions, and perhaps the others did, too. However, now it was their turn to take the Savior to the people in a personal way. (20:30,31) John not only wrote this inspired account of Jesus' life and death, he served Him for many years. John was faithful. Will we be faithful, too?
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 1-3.
In chapter 19 John gives us a description of the struggle Pilate had in knowing what to do with Jesus. It is clear that he found no fault in Him, so he wanted to let Him go after scourging Him. He knew there was something special about Jesus, but he gave into the pressure and had Him killed. Jesus even told him that the one who delivered Him had "greater sin" than Pilate. (v.11) In turn, Pilate proclaims Jesus as the king of the Jews, as he posts His sentence above the cross. Can you imagine the emotions of Pilate in this situation? Then, John tells us about Jesus giving him His mother to care for the rest of her life. (v.25-27) What an intimate act of love! Finally, the death of Jesus comes without fanfare and with two lesser disciples stepping up to bury Him.
Chapter 20 gives a close look at the tomb and the appearances of Jesus from one who saw it all. John ran to look in the tomb, and when he did, he believed Jesus had risen. He was there in the upper room to hear what Thomas said and to hear Jesus' response. What a thrill it must have been to see Jesus alive after such a horrible death.
Finally, John was there by the sea to experience the great catch of fish, to hear Jesus' interchange with Peter, and to hear Jesus say, "Follow Me." Could there be any other conclusion? All of this was God's plan. Now they were commissioned to take the Good News to the world. They were to keep on following Jesus. It wasn't over; it was just beginning. John brings it down to the human level. It was a wonderful miracle. Now, it was time to make sure everyone heard about it. It was time to truly become fishers of men. I get the idea that John was ready. Peter had some questions, and perhaps the others did, too. However, now it was their turn to take the Savior to the people in a personal way. (20:30,31) John not only wrote this inspired account of Jesus' life and death, he served Him for many years. John was faithful. Will we be faithful, too?
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 1-3.