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Peter & John — Luke 22:39-46

11 Nov

Luke 22:39-46
39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Dear God, I was listening to a sermon earlier today about prayer. The pastor was going through the Lord’s Prayer and how it is a model how to pray. Kind of an outline, if you will. It includes worship, a desire for your will, requests for provision and forgiveness, and an acknowledgment of your sovereignty. The part I just left out is the part about temptation. Jesus tells us to ask that you would keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil. It’s interesting that that is His encouragement here–“Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

Now whenever I think of temptation, I usually think of the big things: lust, greed, lying to protect myself, etc. But I think the temptations Jesus is referring to here are much more insidious and lethal because they are silent killers. I think Jesus is referring to the temptation that he is feeling in the moment–that His will would supersede your will. Jesus didn’t want to go through what was in front of Him, but He knew He had to in order to accomplish your will.

So how am I tempted throughout the day? Sure, lust, greed, and those other things enter into the picture for me, but I also get tempted by lethargy. I get tempted by wanting to entertain myself and have self-indulgent respite. I want things to be about me. I want the world to bend to allowing for my comfort.

Father, help me to recognize the temptations for what they are and to die to myself in my pursuit of you. Jesus implores Peter, James, John and the others to pray against falling into temptation. And they faced all kinds including aggrandizement (who is the greatest?) and self-preservation (what would happen over the next few days). I am no different. So I don’t know how this works and how you keep me from temptation, but I pray that you will deliver me from evil and help me to live purely by your will.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 11, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:51-56

06 Nov

Luke 9:51-56 NASB
[51] When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; [52] and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. [53] But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. [54] When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” [55] But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; [56] for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

Dear God, this is a story I had forgotten related directly to James and John. If you’d have asked me, “Who wanted to send down fire on the Samaritans for rejecting Jesus?” I would have guessed Peter. But as I look at it, Peter’s mistakes are usually just foolish and not as much about judging others as just fighting his internal insecurities. He’s also very impetuous. But John seems to like rebuking people. He rebuked the guy casting out demons. Now he’s rebuking Samaritans for their ignorance. His insecurities seem to drive him to elevate himself over others through self-righteous anger.

I’ve certainly seen this in myself from time to time, but the more tile I spend meeting people from all walks of life, and the more I get in touch with my own weaknesses and the grace you offer me in spite of them, the more I am willing to give it to others. I think this is part of John’s journey too. In his letters later, he will write a lot about love, but I can’t see him writing all of that at this point.

Father, complete the work you have started in me. Thank you for loving me, for forgiving me, and for giving me opportunities to grow closer to you. I’m sorry I fail. I’m sorry I’ve let you down over and over again. Thank you for being a God who didn’t destroy the Samaritans that day for their foolish ignorance, and for not destroying me now.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 6, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:28-36

31 Oct

Luke 9:28-36 NASB
[28] Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29] And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. [30] And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, [31] who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. [32] Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. [33] And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”-not realizing what he was saying. [34] While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” [36] And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Dear God, it seems like this telling of the transfiguration is a little more detailed than the others. I’d need to go back and check to see if the others do this, but I don’t remember the little details like eight days later and being afraid walking into the fog. I don’t even remember the part where they fell asleep and woke up to see everything happening.

It says that “they were afraid” about the cloud. Did that include Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or was it Just Peter, James, and John? I would imagine at that point that Jesus, Moses and Elijah knew what was happening and were at peace.

I wonder if this felt like a dream to the three disciples. To wake up and see such an extraordinary sight. I’ve talked about Peter’s response before so I don’t know that I need to cover it again. It’s just an amazing thing that I’m convinced was meant to strengthen Jesus for the home stretch leading up to the crucifixion.

Father, give me what I need so that I can be strengthened to do your will. Give me courage. Give me strength. Give me love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, and self control. Let your fruit come to bear in my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 31, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 8:51-56

29 Oct

Luke 8:51-56 NASB
[51] When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. [52] Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” [53] And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. [54] He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” [55] And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. [56] Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

Dear God, it seems that Jesus was really trying to keep the extent of his power under wraps, but there were a few people in on the secret and that included James, John, and Peter. Peter was such a leader that it becomes obvious why he was in the loop, but through Matthew, Mark, and now into Luke we aren’t really given enough about John to show why he was in the loop. He and James had a relationship with Peter before all of this started. Perhaps Jesus was bringing them along because he knew Peter’s weaknesses and he thought Peter would need James and John later.

Of course, all of this is wild guesses and I could be totally wrong, but the idea of needing complementary partners is certainly a thought worth pursuing. None of us can do our work alone. None of us are an island. For me, it starts with my wife. She definitely complements me and fills in where I am weak. And I believe I fill the same role in her life. Then at work I need others. I’m starting to get a feel for how to trust different members of the staff to handle certain aspects of the clinic better than I handle them. And then there are times when they need me to help in a way where they are not as strong. We for a solid team.

Father, as I look at the other areas of my life including church and personal service, help me to seek out those who will make me better. And help me to come alongside others and complement them in their lives as well, whether they be family members, friends or strangers who need what I have to offer. And for all of this, take it and do it for your glory. Don’t let anything I do be outside of your will for me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 29, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 5:1-11

21 Oct

Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Luke 5:1-11

Dear God, it’s interesting what Luke leaves out of the story that we get other places. First off, where’s Andrew? He should be here. Also, where are James’ and John’s father and his hired men? It’s also interesting that Luke puts the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law before this story.

But there are a couple of details here that I think are new. Luke says that James and John were Simon’s partners in fishing. So were Simon and Andrew part of Zebedee’s staff or did they just like each other and go out to fish alongside each other? I guess we’ll never know this side of heaven.

I want to look at both Simon and John in this story. In the end, they both follow, but whatever John said or was thinking is not seen as worthy of being recorded. He made the same sacrifice of his life that Simon did—maybe even more so if he gave up any part of his father’s wealth. But Simon’s words and heart are humble. You would think he would say, “You are obviously awesome and out there doing something good. I’m in!” Or even, “You’re obviously awesome, but you’re asking too much. I’m can’t.” But that wasn’t was he said. He immediately, humbly, was self-aware and confessed it to Jesus: “…he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!’” In other words, “Jesus, I appreciate the offer, but you don’t know who I am or what I’ve done. I am not Godly. I am a poor, dirty, profane fisherman. I have no business hooking up with a prophet and you really don’t want to hook up with me—trust me on this.”

The ability to objectively look at your own sin and confess it is a great gift. It’s something I hope I’m able to do. It’s something I hope I passed on to my children, at least at some level. Peter didn’t have any illusions about himself, and he was comfortable enough in his own skin to tell this amazing stranger the truth.

Father, thank you for the example my own earthly father has given me in humility. Help me to continue to absorb it and to pass it to my own children. Also, live through me so that when others are with me they might feel safe and in a place where they can be free to come face-to-face with who they are, give that to you, and embrace the freedom you have for them beyond it.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 21, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 14:32-42

16 Oct

32 They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33 And He *took with Him Peter and [n]James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might [o]pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37 And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Again He went away and prayed, saying the same [p]words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 And He *came the third time, and *said to them, “[q]Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being [r]betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

Dear God, I wonder what Peter, James, and John were praying (before they fell asleep). I wonder what Jesus wanted them to be praying. According to Jesus in verse 38, at least Peter should have been praying to not come into temptation.

I would imagine that their prayers were kind of along the lines of, “Father, I don’t know what is going on, but I’m scared. If this is the preparation for the battle with Rome, strengthen me and be with us. Give us victory. Let your glory reign and bring the entire world into submission to you. Be with Jesus and strengthen him as he leads us.”

Here, however, in retrospect, is how they probably should have prayed: “Father, I don’t know what is going on and I’m scared. Jesus seems scared too. Please be with him. Strengthen him. And give me the strength that I need to go through whatever lies ahead. Help me to glorify you with everything I say and do. Provide for this path that you have us on so that your name, above all names, will be glorified by everyone in the world.”

Frankly, in my life right now, I don’t have much more of an idea of what is going on around me than they did. Sure, the stakes for their situation were a lot higher than mine, but I think the sentiment should always be the same.

Father, I don’t know what is going on and I’m scared. Give me the strength I need to go through whatever lies ahead. Help me to glorify you with everything I say and do. Provide for this path that you have my wife and me on so that your name, above all names, will be glorified by everyone in the world.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

 
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Posted by on October 16, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 13:1-4

12 Oct

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.” Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”
Mark 13:1-4

Dear God, this must have been such a weird week for them. A weird time, really. I can only imagine what their conversations were like among themselves. I would love to have heard what the four of them said to each other before they approached Jesus. I would imagine that they had to be wondering if it was about to happen that very week. They were trying to reconcile everything Jesus was telling them and turn it into a clear narrative.

It’s kind of like a movie trailer. That’s about how clear Jesus was being with them. I recently saw “A Star is Born,” and it really moved me. It was the trailer that first sold me on it. I went back and looked at it closely recently, trying to figure out what it was about it that attracted me and looking at how it compared to the actual movie. Basically, a good trailer will give you hints at what’s to come without giving you too much information. I believe that too much information about the future is not good forbid because it will alter how we live out our present. My dad told me one time that the point in prophecy is not so that we will know the future, but so when the future happens and the prophecy is fulfilled we will know that you are in control.

Father, help me to discern between the things I need to understand about the world and the things I can let go. Help me to not be fearful, but to always know that you are in control. Finally, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 12, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 10:35-45

10 Oct

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:35-45

Dear God, my first thought when I read this story is, “Oh, John and James, don’t do it!” I mean, what did they think they were asking for? Were they hoping to get to sit back and judge people all day long? Did they simply want to be in a position of authority over everyone else? Was that what was in their hearts?

So as I sit here in judgment of them, I have to ask myself if I do this? In my position at my work or even in my own home, do I lord it over others? I hope I am both a leader and a servant. At home, I’m obviously a co-leader with my wife, and I don’t think she feels like she cannot exert her will at any given time. At work, I’ve learned over the years that it is important to have that person who is responsible and sets the tone and direction, but at the same time it’s important to serve those who are working for and with you and ensure that they are getting everything they need to feel successful at their jobs.

Of course, I fail at all of this at times. I have failed with my wife and children. I’ve failed with coworkers and subordinates. I’m really sorry for that. I know better. I have the bad examples of John and James to follow here.

Father, help me to be a servant to those around me. I know I have to be careful to not abdicate the leadership they need from me, but show me how to do it in love. Help me to build them up. Help me to hear your voice and lead with your wisdom. And let all of this be for your glory and so that your kingdom will come, even in the small way my life can influence it, on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 10, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 9:2-8

30 Sep

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.

Mark 9:2-8

Dear God, as I try to compare the differences between Peter and John, as I can discern them from the New Testament, I notice in this passage that “they were all terrified,” and yet Peter was the one to speak. In this case, we aren’t told if they were part of the conversation or were observing them from a distance, but in the moment Peter broke and just could sit with his fear.

I’m a subscriber to the Mark Twain saying, “Better to remain silent and appear foolish than to open your mouth and remove all doubt,” but I can still tend to talk too much in a group setting. I can also talk too much in a one-on-one conversation. My listening skills can be very poor. I really admire my wife’s listening skills. People feel comfortable with her and they are able to open up to her. She will allow for silent moments. She will ask a question and wait for the answer. She will draw people out and make them feel heard. Had she been there with Jesus that day, I am sure she would have been terrified, but also taking it all in, learning, and trying to figure out what it means.

Father, I give you my thanks for giving me such a great friend in my wife. I worship you in this silent moment. Help me to hear you today. Help me to be a great listener for those we will see today. Make me better than I am for the sake of your kingdom and others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 30, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 6:7-13

25 Sep

And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Mark 6:7-13

Dear God, I must confess that I’ve always thought I would have hated this assignment given to the disciples by Jesus. At least he sent them out in pairs.

It leaves me wondering about how Jesus buddies them up. Did he keep Peter and Andrew and James and John together as brothers or did he mix it up. Maybe Peter and John went together. And who was Judas’ partner. And did everyone exhibit the power to heal and cast out demons, or just one in the pair?

Finally, I wonder what their conversations were like as they walked along. “Can you believe what’s going on?” Can you believe we just healed that lady,” or, “cast out that demon?” To quote the musical “Hamilton,” “Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.”

I’m trying to put myself in their shoes. I suppose that as a believer in you now, I am on a journey—and you have given me fellow sojourners. First, there is my wife. You have linked us together until death do us part. And then I have the people in my church and the things that we do together. There are my coworkers and the board of directors. In fact, I have a couple of committee meetings of the board this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of us in this context before, but I guess we are.

Father, give me the courage I need to have to do the job you have given me to do. Love through me. Draw others to yourself through me. Help me to lean into you for the strength I need to do what you have called me to do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 25, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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