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Peter & John—John 6:66-71

16 Nov

John 6:66-71 NASB
[66] As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. [67] So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” [68] Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. [69] We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” [70] Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” [71] Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

Dear God, I told a friend yesterday that if you read John’s Gospel and don’t believe the first 15 verses—“In the beginning was the Word…”—then for the rest of the book, Jesus comes off as quite radical and mad. I confess that I would probably have been a person who fell away during this chapter. I need thousands of years of history to see this picture more clearly.

As for Peter, he was just keeping it simple. When it came down to it, he completely believed in you and realized that he had nowhere else to go that would be what you are. Was it an easy life, following you around? No. But it was the best life.

This makes me think of marriage to some extent. I’m grateful that I feel like you’ve given me an ability to look beyond my emotions in a given moment and fast forward to a time when the emotions are gone. What I mean is that when my wife and I were dating and I was deciding I wanted to marry her, I didn’t dream about the early years of marriage. I tried to imagine myself as a 60-year-old waking up in the morning and seeing her at the breakfast table. Would I still want to talk to her? Would I still enjoy her company? Was it a pleasant thought? I got an image in my mind, and while we have certainly encountered struggles along the way, and while I’m still a good decade shy of 60, I can gratefully say that my image has proven to be true. The grass is never greener on the other side of the fence. Peter knew that to be true of Jesus, and while I can now take that as a given in my faith, I can say that I firmly believe that there is no greener grass for me than the grass I enjoy with my wife.

Father, make me the husband and father you need me to be. I still don’t really know what I’m doing in any of these areas. I let my wife and children down all of the time. So help me to lean into my ignorance and seek out your leading. Use my ignorance to drive me into your leading in how you need me to love them, and into what you want to do to help me grow closer to you through them.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 16, 2018 in John, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — John 1:40-42

15 Nov

John 1:40-42 NASB
[40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [41] He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). [42] He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Dear God, going through John in the way I’ve been going through the other Gospels is going to be interesting. His telling of the story has an entirely different pattern and feel. I know that the other three are considered the Synoptic Gospels because they track together fairly well and John doesn’t follow their outline, but I noticed something else this morning as I skimmed through the first eight chapters. I noticed that John focuses on different things within the stories. For example, this is the only time he mentions Jesus recruiting any of the disciples. Also, he mentions more Passovers than just the last one when Jesus was crucified, and he really gives us some insight into just how confused the disciples were most of the time.

In the case of this story, we get a little better look at Andrew. We learn that he was already looking at John the Baptist and having spiritual stirrings. It was him who was hungry for more of you. He was the reason Peter found Jesus. And then it was Peter in whom Jesus saw the potential to be the rock.

So many times, we want to be the person of note. We want to be Peter. We want to be the person people look to. At least, I confess that is true of myself. But there are times when you are calling us to play a small yet pivotal role. When Jesus gathers his top disciples it almost always seems to be Peter and then the brothers James and John. Andrew, even though he is Peter’s brother, isn’t part of that special group. That wasn’t the role he had to play in the story. He was critical to this whole thing, but in a low-key way. I like how John was careful to let us know about Andrew while telling us something important about Peter too.

Father, there are time you call me to be a point person, times you call me to be a member of the team, times you call me to be a connector between others, and then times I am to stay out of it and let others do your work because you have something else for me to do. Help me to be sensitive at all times to what you are calling me to do. And thank you for how you used Andrew in this story. We all owe him a debt.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 15, 2018 in John, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 24:8-12

13 Nov

Luke 24:8-12 NASB
[8] And they remembered His words, [9] and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. [10] Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. [11] But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. [12] But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

Dear God, this time must have still been so foggy for Peter and the rest of the disciples. In this telling of the story, the others don’t believe so Peter goes alone. In another telling, Peter and John both go. Either way, there are no examples of the story where they all go. Maybe they were afraid of being caught. And maybe it would have been bad for all 11 of them to be seen at an empty tomb.

Now that I think about it, it was a brave thing for Peter and John to come out of hiding and go to the tomb. I wonder if Peter’s regret from Friday had grown into determination on Sunday. He was still in the fog and trying to make sense of everything that was happening to himself. I’m sure he was trying to think back and remember everything Jesus had said that Peter didn’t understand at the time. Could this really be true?

Father, help me to know and understand from moment to moment the things that you need me to know and understand. And for those things that knowing and understanding would hold me back and keep me from pursuing you and found your work, keep me intentionally ignorant and give me peace in that ignorance.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 13, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:54-62

12 Nov

Luke 22:54-62 NASB
[54] Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. [55] After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. [56] And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” [57] But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” [58] A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” [59] After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” [60] But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. [61] The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” [62] And he went out and wept bitterly.

Dear God, I wonder what it would be like to have my biggest (or at least one of my biggest failures) recorded multiple times for all time. Poor Peter. I am grateful here for his example. I’ve always like Peter more than Paul because his weaknesses are on full display, as opposed to Paul who never seems to make any mistakes after his conversion.

One thing I have to be willing to do is show my weaknesses and let others see my mistakes. I am not any good to others when they aren’t able to see what I do wrong, where I am weak, and when I suffer. And it has to be in real time. It can’t always be examples from the past that I’ve cleaned up now, but I have to let people know who I am and my weaknesses in the moment. At the same time, I need to also show them how you are helping me to work through my weaknesses and challenges. I should be sharing from the perspective of having a pity party for myself, but as an encouragement to others.

Father, teach me to love. That includes being a humble example for others so that they might be encouraged in their journey. I don’t want people to feel judged by me, but to feel your grace, love, and acceptance through me. Do all of this, Lord, for your glory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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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 22:24-38

10 Nov

Luke 22:24-38 NASB
[24] And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. [25] And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ [26] But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. [27] For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. [28] “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; [29] and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [30] that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [31] “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; [32] but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” [33] But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” [34] And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” [35] And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” [36] And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. [37] For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” [38] They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

Dear God, just how many of these “who is the greatest” arguments did these guys have? I think this is the second one that Luke records.

I had an employee recently talk about some of the disagreements and tensions among people on our staff. Now, we have 13 paid staff and 50-ish office volunteers. I told this particular staff person that as long as there are at least two people working in an office there will be occasional tensions. No workplace will be conflict-free.

But these guys…Jesus is describing his death to them, pouring out the last supper and they are arguing about who is the greatest? I can’t imagine how much this must have anguished Jesus in the moment.

I wonder how much I anguish you. I had a good talk with a relative yesterday that included us talking about our kids. We were talking about our inadequacies as parents and how we try to overcome them. We’ve both made decisions that the other doesn’t quite understand, but the nice thing is that I think we are in a place where we give each other the space to make the best decisions that we know how to make at the time and don’t judge the other for things and circumstances we don’t understand.

Father, I’m kind of rambling this morning, but at the end of the day I just don’t want to get so focused on myself that I miss both the anguish of others around me and the call that you are giving me at any given moment. Help me to work well and bring you glory in all that I do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 10, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:7-13

09 Nov

Luke 22:7-13 NASB
[7] Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” [9] They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” [10] And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. [11] And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ [12] And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” [13] And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

Dear God, I think that Luke is the only Gospel to record that it was Peter and John who were tasked with setting up the Passover meal. What a weird time this must have been for them. I wonder just how dense the fog was around their eyes.

I suppose I need to explain that. Several years ago, my wife and I were going through a proverbial valley that was unlike anything we had experienced before. There were times when we couldn’t tell up from down. We ended up referencing the title to Robert McNamara’s book The Fog of War often to describe our inability to really see, assess, and respond to what was happening around us. I wonder how much Peter and John we’re experiencing that kind of fog over these last few weeks.

The nice thing here is that you laid out a path for them and made it straight. Jesus gave the. The assignment and they had the courage to admit they didn’t know where to set things up. They had a choice in that moment. They could be intimidated by Jesus and just go out on their own or they could ask for His direction. They chose to ask and he gave them a path they could follow.

Father, in the midst of my own life, even when I don’t understand the path in front of me, please make it straight. Reveal it to me. Help me to see everything around me with your eyes—no, I don’t think that’s always the right thing to say because your eyes often see more than I need to know. Help me to hear your still small voice and to see what you need me to see. Help me to know how to respond. And of course, that leads me to the serenity prayer. In those moments, 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 November 9, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 18:24-28

08 Nov

Luke 18:24-28 NASB
[24] And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [26] They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” [27] But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” [28] Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.”

Dear God, Peter is still trying to do it on his own. Jesus says, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God,” and Peter’s response seems to be not one of relief that you are doing this for him, but that he has been good enough on his own to get where he wants to go.

I have a confession: there are times when I think an awful lot of myself. It’s not a good thing at all. I can look down on others and judge them. I’m terrible at knowing how to receive compliments.

But then there are times when my inadequacy and failings fall on me like a ton of bricks. I recognize how sinful I am. Fear will grab me and I’ll realize that I need a provider. I’ll see the humility or even the pain in someone else’s life and realize that my problems are so small.

Father, help me to take the impossible and fall into your arms, depending upon you to make it possible. Help me to reject the idea of justifying myself and fully embrace the idea that it’s okay to need your grace. And help me to share all of this with others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 8, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 12:35-48

07 Nov

Luke 12:35-48 NASB
[35] “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. [36] Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. [37] Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. [38] Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. [39] “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. [40] You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” [41] Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” [42] And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? [43] Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. [44] Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. [45] But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; [46] the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. [47] And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, [48] but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Dear God, after 2,000 years, it’s hard to know what readiness looks like. Am I getting this right? Am I faithful? The real question: Am I letting you down?

If there is an area of weakness in my life—hold it. That’s a foolish statement. Let me try again. If I were grading all of the weaknesses I have, I would say my most glaring is evangelism. I just don’t reach out to my neighbor enough and offer them life through submission to you. Perhaps it’s my desire to be liked that holds me back—even by strangers and people I’ll never see again. Yes, I do indeed have many weaknesses, but this is certainly one of them.

Father, don’t only give me eyes to see and ears to hear, but give me courage to speak and wisdom with what to say. In the end, I just don’t want to have let you down any more than I already have.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 7, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:18-20

04 Nov

Luke 9:18-20
18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Dear God, I wonder what Jesus prayed for when he was alone in times like this. Was he already praying that this cup would pass? Was he praying for the disciples? Was he praying for strength, wisdom, and/or protection? I’m sure it was all of these things.

It’s interesting that, in this telling of the story, Peter doesn’t get any extra love for his declaration. I think both Matthew and Mark record Jesus telling Peter that he is awesome because he knows this. Here, verse 21 just says that Jesus tells them to not tell anyone.

Father, I’m not sure what to think about all of this or what is here for me, but I know that I probably need to be much more intentional about my prayers for others. I am glad my wife and I pray together out loud daily because if I didn’t I’m not sure how much intercessory prayer I would do at all. I’m also not sure how much I would pray for my own life beyond these journals. But even with the prayers I do with her, I need to be better. I need to be more intentional. I need to sink my teeth into praying for and loving others so that I might decrease in my ow eyes and you will increase.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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