Dad Reads the Word

John 21 concludes this chapter and story of Jesus's life, death and resurrection.  The disciples decide to go back to their profession of fishing, but catch nothing after fishing all night.  Christ appears to them on the shore, and after a miraculous catch of fish, they recognize who he is.  Christ commands Peter to watch over his sheep, his people, and tells him the manner in which he will die.  The disciple whom Jesus loved, John, concludes by affirming he wrote the book and while it tells Jesus' story, it doesn't tell everything he did.  
 
 

In John 20, which starts 3 days after Christ was crucified and died, Mary comes to his tomb and finds it empty.  She tells two of his disciples and they come and see it also.  Later, as Mary is crying, angels appear to her, and then Jesus himself appears and reveals himself to her.  Later he reveals himself to the all of the disciples except Thomas, and they believe he is risen, but not Thomas (note:  this is probably where we get the English saying "Doubting Thomas").  Later Jesus shows himself to the disciples (including Thomas), and Thomas believes also.   All of this has been written so that you will believe these things are true, and by listening and believing, you will be saved to an eternal full life with Christ.  

John 19 is one of the hardest passages of scripture to read.  Pilate has Jesus beaten and scoured, and then gives the Jews another chance to change their mind.  But they don't, and Jesus is handed over to them.  He carries a heavy wooden cross up to the hill of Golgotha, and is hung on it on a cross between two others who are also condemned to die.  Christ gives his mother over to one of his disciples to care for her, and the dies. His body is taken to an unused tomb, in a garden, and prepared for burial as was customary at the time.  

In John 18, Jesus is betrayed by Judas, taken into custody,  and brought before the religious leaders.  Peter, as Jesus has foretold, denies him three separate times.  Jesus is then brought to Pilate, the Roman ruler of the region, and the Jews ask that they can put Jesus to death.  Pilate finds no basis for this, but gives in to the crowd as they demand the that Jesus be killed.  

In John 17, which is entirely a prayer by Jesus, he prays for his disciples and those who do and will believe in him after he is gone.  

In John 16 Jesus describes in more detail that that the Holy Spirit will come after he departs, and that his disciples will face persecution and dangers at that time also.  But, they are to be hopeful because Jesus has overcome the world!

In John 14 Jesus describes further that he will be leaving, and that his disciples will understand why after he is gone.  The Holy Spirit will come and help them to remember his words and they will see more clearly what he meant.   At the end of the chapter they arise and go out from their dinner.  

In John 13, we hear the story of the disciples gathered together for a meal with Jesus.  Jesus shows an example of servanthood by washing his disciples feet, and gives them a command to love one another.  During the meal Jesus tells them he will be betrayed, and it is revealed in the narrative that Judas will be the betrayer.  Jesus also tells Peter that he will deny him.  

In John 12 the story of Mary washing Jesus' feet and anointing his feet with expensive perfume is told.   Later Jesus enters into Jerusalem, on a donkey, with a large crowd hailing him as if he were a king.  The Pharisees express their frustration that there seems there is nothing they can do to thwart Jesus.  Jesus foretells his coming death and explains that it is necessary to save the world.  
No commentary today, just the Word.  But, you can feel the tension building, as if something big is going to happen soon.  

In John 11, we hear the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, further confirm he is the Son of God and providing hope for us, that he has the power. over life and death and we can have eternal life through faith in him.  It is prophesied he will die for the nation of Israel and all those who are in God's nation, the collection of those who believe in Christ.