Who Am I?

Who do you think you are? I think of myself as Gerry's wife, the mother of many, a cook, sometimes cleaning woman, etc. etc. However, today we are so honored to get a glimpse of who John thinks he is. It is right in the middle of our reading (John 13:12-35), in amongst the dreadful news pouring out about the coming betrayal.

The friends are quite at a loss to understand this betrayal idea and ask the probably youngest guy who is leaning against Jesus to find out who He's talking about. If we are not careful we might skip over John's intimate revelation: "One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him."

What difference would it make for me to think of myself as the one who Jesus loves? "It doesn't really matter about anyone else. I know that I am the one He loves." It seemed to make all the difference to John. He felt so close and accepted that he was actually "leaning back against Jesus". Head on His shoulder or however you can picture it.

It seems like knowing - really knowing - that I am the loved one would put a spring in my step, color my day with rainbows, and start a symphony of praise that doesn't stop.

Lord, thank you that each of us are "the one" that you love. Help us to know it.

Love Washes

What would you be doing tonight if you knew it was your last one on this earth? I imagine that I might be going around trying to make sure those close knew that I loved them, probably with tears. I can't forget my almost 97 year old Daddy turning his sky blue eyes to me whenever we would leave and saying, "Remember, I love you."

In our reading today (John 12:44-13:11), Jesus knew that His "hour had come". He may have had some of those "this is it" thoughts. "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." But what He does reveals He is ever the Master Teacher, wonderful communicator, and Love in flesh. He takes off His robe, puts on a towel and begins to wash His friends' feet. It is so touching and humbling to have the Creator of the universe and your friend cleaning your crusty brown, grime imbedded, life damaged feet, that Peter first says, No!"

But Jesus' word to him is the same to all of us: "Unless I wash you, you can't share life with me."

Oh Lord, come and wash. We do want life with you!

Love Talk

Walk into the reading today (John 12:27-43) quietly because we are getting a glimpse of the intimate relationship between this Son and His Father. Here Jesus is becoming troubled about the awe-full work He is about to do. Instead of crying out to the Father for help and covering every fear and possibility (can I get out of it?) with prayer like I would have done, He ends up saying simply, "Father, glorify your name!"

Do you see that in the greatest trial of His life, He is not centered on "Me" but His wonder-full Father?  Man, this is love. This is how Love talks and is so beautiful and powerful that the Father couldn't keep quiet. He actually replied back from the throne in something like thunder. I think we could safely say He was pleased - very pleased with His precious son - again.

But, wait a minute. Jesus answers, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine." Does that mean that He wants the people there and us to believe and learn how to love talk? Can we learn how to desire that God be honored - no matter what? Evidently we can because the word is there and here for us.

Lord, thank you for Your beautiful examples and lessons on love. May You be honored in how I speak and act today.

Path to Real Honor

 The battle is on in our reading today (John 12:9-26). The crowd is beside themselves hearing about the new superhero who is raising the dead. The parade as He comes into town reminds me of those old newsreels of ticker-tape and cheers welcoming the hero to be honored. Of course this one has palm branches, and what is that He is riding on? Oh well, a donkey might not be Cadillac convertible, but Jesus always does things different. It is quite a great parade with the truth being shouted, "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the king of Israel!"

But then there is the other side. The Pharisees or "powers that be" are crazy with fear and anger that all believing in Jesus will result in them losing their place (John 11:48). There is nothing to do but to kill Him. So when some Greeks request to see Jesus, He replies that is is time for Him to receive real honor and glory. He explains it so that we can hear. "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."

Can we get the message? He knows He is about to give His life for all of us. Can we give up all to serve Him and let Him be in charge? Can we give up cheap honor and praise of men to do the humble hard things of true value? That is the path of real honor (from the Father).

Wasted Perfume?

Jesus is a hunted man in our reading today (John 11:4-12:8). And He knows His time is short (it is six days before the Lamb's death). So He goes to His friends' house in Bethany where He can relax. They make Him a supper and of course Martha serves it. So Mary gets out this wonderful perfume, pours it on Jesus' feet, and fills the house with deliciousness.

The only problem is that the thieving traitorous friend can't keep quiet about the unreasonableness of wasting almost a year's income on someone's feet. Think how many poor people could have been fed with that much money! They probably all thought Jesus' answer was strange.  "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

What? It was Lazarus that got buried. Jesus has more life than He needs - enough to give it away....... But, they did not know He was about to lay that power down for them and us. That He was about to die and be buried. I thrill at the truth that this Mary was in fact the only one who got to anoint Jesus for burial. The other ladies were too late when they came on Sunday.     He is alive!

Oh ladies, let us purpose to waste our stuff and ourselves on the Lover of our Soul. He is so worth it all.

Shocking Love

How shocking is Jesus' demonstration of love in our reading for yesterday and today (John 11:1-45)! It all happened to Mary, the one known for her crazy love as she poured out that unreal expense on Jesus feet, and to Lazarus, known as the one Jesus loved, and to the sister Martha, specifically mentioned as loved by Jesus in verse 5.

So what does Love do? When the sisters send word that Lazarus is very sick (implying please come!), He purposely waits two days longer before going. By the time He arrives, Lazarus is four days in the grave. Can you believe this love?

Well, actually I'm thinking that is the whole point. We so underestimate the need in our lives for wholehearted belief (not only believing in Him but also believing Him). He said to His companions a reason He had waited was "so that you may believe". He straight out said to Martha, "if you believe....".He spoke loudly so the crowd could hear, "so that they may believe..."

And "Lazarus, come out!" was worth it all. It was worth the obvious pain for those Jesus loved. It was worth His own suffering, "Jesus wept." It was worth the shared pain of the friends in attendance ("many of the Jews believed in Him").

Belief in Jesus is life and health and peace and joy and really the foundation for our whole existence. It is worth even shocking love. Lord, help us to believe.

It's You!

Our world is so full of noise (from media, from others) and so much is fear colored. How can we relax and trust and know the way to go? A key is in our reading today (John 10:19-42).
Jesus says again to the Jews,  "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Ah, it is that word on listening. (Lord help me hear it this time!).

In Proverbs 1:33 the wise man says," Whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil."  What a comfort! You remember that earlier in Chapter 10 (verses 4-5) Jesus says that His sheep would run from a stranger's voice and not follow, but they know His voice. We know someone's voice by being attentive as we are repeatedly in their presence.

Lord, attune our ears to Your truth and words of life. Thank you that You never give up on us. Thank you for calling us to you today.