Short Thoughts – Week 32 : Days 218-224

Day 218   I AM the Bread of Life

³³  The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. ³⁴ They said to him,“Sir, give us this bread always.” ³⁵ Jesus said to them,  “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not           hunger, and whoever_believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:33-35

The ever living Christ said, “I am the bread of life.” Why did He call Himself “bread”? There are many kinds of bread consumed in the world. Bread is a staple food, made from flour (usually wheat flour). Of the many kinds there are these: white bread, whole wheat, rye, sourdough, multigrain, baguette, ciabatta, and pumpernickel. Bread is a good source of fiber and protein, and is one of the oldest of prepared foods. Interestingly, it is usually eaten by hands.

The fact that it is a staple food is good enough of a reason why Jesus called himself “bread”. It is universally depended on; we need it. But, of course, if you leave it sitting around, it will get mouldy. It is, as the Lord said, “food that perishes” (John 6:27a), whereas, Jesus is the Bread from Heaven and He is “the food that endures to eternal life” (6:27b). These contrasts make us think about Jesus and where He came from and why.

In John 6 Jesus took the five loaves (likely small buns) and two fish that composed a boy’s lunch and multiplied them to feed five thousand men plus women and children. The food and its provision for so many formed a “sign” – a miracle that supplied a current need, yet also pointed to the all-sufficient Bread from Heaven. The Lord used the sign of the bread to explain to the audience that they were to seek Him (vv. 26-27), believe in Him (v. 29), and see Him as the One sent by God the Father (vv.30-33). The manna given through Moses in the wilderness long before was not what they were to focus on, and neither was the bread they had just had for lunch. The point was that they were to focus on the Father who gave the Son to the world. They were to come to Jesus for eternal life. “For this is the will of my Father; that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (v. 40 – see also verses 48-51)

Various terms are used by Jesus to describe Him and His mission: bread of life, living bread, true bread from heaven, bread of God, food that endures. With such a desirable One – the One from heaven, the gift of the Father who offers eternal life, the Bread who satisfies always – how could anyone refuse Him? But many did. “This is a hard saying” many said (v. 60). Many turned back from following Him and “no longer walked with Him” (v. 66). They rejected the Bread from Heaven. Thankfully, Peter spoke for others, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (vv. 67-69)

Your Turn:

1. Read John 6.
2. To which group do you belong? Those who turned away and stopped following Jesus? Or those who believe in Him as the Holy One from God and the provider of eternal life?
3. For more on the “Bread of Life” and on John 6, check out three sermons available on this web site. In the Table of Contents (top right corner), see “Sermons”, then “Two Signs”, “Three Questions and One Answer”, and “Living Bread”.

Day 219                   The Light of the World

¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows  me will not walk in_darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Light makes all the difference. Think of the many times you depend upon a lamp or flashlight (especially the one on your smart phone), or car headlights or interior lights. Lights help you find something you’ve lost. They enable you to read after dark. They help you closely examine something. They make it safer to move around, inside or outside. Metaphorically, we use the expression, “I’ve seen the light”, or “Let me shed some light on the subject” – meaning we understand or we are able to help another understand.

The Bible uses light in both ways – literally and metaphorically. The word “light” is used hundreds of times. For our purposes in this series of reflections, Jesus said, “I am the light.” What does this mean?

The direct statement, “I am the light of the world”, appears in John 8:12 (see above) as well as in John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” He invites us to journey with Him and in so doing avoid or escape the “darkness” and instead have “the light of life”. Light is associated with several important realities.

1. Light is life: This connection made in John 1:4 , “In Him was life, and the light was the life of men,” and is seen in other “I am” statements of the Lord. For example:      “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25);   “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

Saying that Jesus is both “light” and “life” links Jesus with God the Father. This is seen in John 5:26 – “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself.” John 1 talks about creation, so the reference to “life” may be simply that the God (Father and Son) of Light is also the God (Father and Son) of life.

2. Light brings salvation. Various scriptures link light and salvation.          “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear…” (Psalm 27:1);  Acts 13:47. “[Paul & Barnabas speaking] For so the Lord commanded us saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

We who follow Jesus have been brought the light of salvation and are, in turn, to be a light to others: “You are the light of the world…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

3. Light brings forgiveness and cleansing.

Accepting of the light of the good news about Jesus, leads to forgiveness and cleansing.                                                                                                                              Acts 26:18 – To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

I John 1:5-9 – …God is light… If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin…If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

4. Light is equated with knowledge of the truth.

Psalm 119:130 – The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

II Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face f Jesus Christ.”

5. Light and a family:

When we respond in faith to Jesus, the Light of the World, we become part of a family of believers.

I John 1:7 – But, if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

6. Light and guidance:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

All of these desirable outcomes are contrasted in scripture with the consequences of rejecting God’s light. To reject the Light is to live in darkness.

John 3:19-21, “¹⁹ And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the_darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his  works should be exposed. ²¹ But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 12:35, “So Jesus said to them,’The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtakes you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.’”

The Light of the world tells us that He provides life, salvation, forgiveness, cleansing, knowledge, guidance, and a family of believers with whom to share the journey. He is the opposite of darkness. Having Jesus the Light means we can know where we are going.

Your Turn:

1. Read I John 1:5-10; 2:7-11.
2. Think of all the things that happen in physical darkness: criminal activity, difficulty seeing one’s surroundings, less safety on the highways, depression and other negative conditions caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), disorinentation, fear of strange sounds, and more. What can happen when a person is in a state of spiritual darkness?
3. What words would you associate with light?
4. Many, many hymnals include this hymn, written by P.P. Bliss in 1875:

 “The Light of the World is Jesus”:

1. The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
   The Light of the world is Jesus!
   Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
   The Light of the world is Jesus!

Refrain:
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!

2. No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
   The Light of the world is Jesus!
   We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
   The Light of the world is Jesus!
3. Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
   The Light of the world is Jesus!
   Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise;
   The Light of the world is Jesus!
4. No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
   The Light of the world is Jesus!
   The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
   The Light of the world is Jesus!

 

Day 220       –    I am the Door

So Jesus again said to them,”Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7

                    A gate at Buckingham Palace, London, England

In our series on the “I AM” statements of Jesus we now come to John 10:7 (quoted above). Jesus says He is the door (or gate) to the sheep. In biblical times, a sheepfold was constructed of stones or rocks. The purpose was to protect the sheep from predators, like wolves or human threats, like robbers. There likely was a door or gate to let the sheep in or out. Also, in this opening the shepherd could lie down, effectively acting like a door or gate. If there was no time to build a proper fold with rocks or lumber, the shepherd could use thorn bushes or other plants. If there were sheep belonging to another shepherd, one man would call his own sheep and they would follow him because they knew his voice. Thus, the Lord said He was a protective door and He was known to His sheep.

Prior to this statement, Jesus had healed a man born blind. Jewish leaders questioned the Lord about who He was. They thought that no one but God could give sight to the blind, but would not acknowledge Jesus as God. The debate about Jesus’ identity continues in John 10:1-10 where the Lord contrasts Himself as the true Shepherd of the sheep to the unbelieving religious leaders whom He called “thieves and robbers”. Thieves and robbers tried to by-pass the gate to steal or kill the sheep(v. 10). Contrary to them, Jesus was the One who not only could come and go via the door or gate but also was the gate Himself. And on top of that, He also knew the sheep and called them by name, and they followed Him when He called. They could not follow anyone else (vv. 4-5). The true shepherd lead the sheep to pasture which provided lifegiving feed and drink (v. 9). Jesus came to give abundant life (v. 10b).

The passage teaches us that the way to abundant and eternal life is through Jesus. He is our Saviour and protector.

Your Turn:

1. Read John 10:1-10.
2. There are many voices out there – in the guise of religious leaders, politicians, or saviours of what threatens us. How do you distinguish the voice of the true Gate/Door of the Sheep to the voice of a thief or robber?
3. How do spiritual thieves and robbers cause harm?
4. Jesus claimed to be the Door, the way of entrance into the sheepfold. Others may claim there is some other way, but in reality they have no right to ask us to follow them. They follow “another way” (v. 2). Later in this series we will hear Jesus say, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (14:6) Does Jesus’ claim to be the exclusive way to God bother you? Do you prefer the claim of those who say there is “another way” (v. 2) – or perhaps there are many ways to God?

Day 221  –  I AM The Good Shepherd

         ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the  good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the  Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:11-15

Shepherding is a common occupation in many places around the world. In my country (Canada) there are over 8,000 sheep farms. Sheep farming is carried on in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and the Americas. Sheep are grazing animals, and where there are sheep there are shepherds. In the Bible well-known persons such as Jacob, Moses, David, and Amos were shepherds. The Latin word for shepherd is “pastor” – the term we use for a leaders of a congregation in our day – and the imagry of a pastor caring for a congregation of sheep is common in the New Testament.

Church leaders may be pastors, but the greatest pastor/shepherd of all was and is Jesus Christ. In John 10 Jesus refers to himself as “the good shepherd”. What characterizes the Good Shepherd?

• Gives (lays down) His life for the sheep (vv. 11, 14)
• Knows and cares for His own sheep and they know Him (v.14)
• Knows God the Father and the Father knows Jesus (v. 14)
• Has other sheep besides those following Him in the first century (probably a reference to those of us who have believed and received Christ in the 2000+ years since Christ walked this earth).

Notice also Jesus’ claims of authority:

• He is able to give up His life and take it back -i.e., death & resurrection (vv.15-18)
• He is able to give eternal life to His sheep and protect that life (vv. 27-30)
• He replies to their question, ‘Are you the Christ (Messiah)?’ with an implied ‘Yes’ when He reminds them, “I told you and you did not believe.” (vv.24-26).
• He repeats an earlier claim, “I am the Son of God.” (v. 37)
• He states His oneness with the Father: “The Father is in Me and I am in the Father.” (v. 38)

The two sets of statements – one set about the character and work of the Good Shepherd and the other of His authority – are in tune with one another. He would not be the Good Shepherd if He were not at the same time the Son of God who gave His life for the sheep and rose again.

Your Turn:

1. Read John 10:11-42.
2. What does the idea of a shepherd suggest to your mind?
3. How are these two sets of statements (characteristics of a Good Shepherd and the authority of Christ) related? What do they have in common?
4. How are we to respond to Jesus’ teaching? See verses 27 and 42.

Day 222  –  I AM the Resurrection & the Life

 

 

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection_and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

The next of the “I Am” statements of Jesus Christ is presented in the context of the story of the death of Lazarus, a friend of Jesus’ who lived in the town of Bethany, near Jerusalem. The actors in this story ate Jesus, the disciples, Lazarus’ two sisters – Mary and Martha, and several spectators. Let’s take these one by one.

Lazarus: Lazarus was ill and died (vv. 11,14). He was buried in a tomb and later returned to life. He says nothing while at the same time being at the centre of the story.

Jesus: Jesus loved these friends (vv. 5, 35-36). He moved slowly and deliberately through the crisis now facing them. To Him, the death was sad (He “wept” and was “deeply troubled” – vv. 35, 38). But Lazarus’ passing was not the problem. Jesus chose to stay two days longer in the place where He and the disciples were teaching, and Martha felt that if He had come sooner, her brother would not have died (v. 21). In other words, she believed He could heal the sick and provide a new life in eternity, but not necessarily raise the dead! But the issue was not His delay in coming. The issue was belief and unbelief in who He was and why He was there.

The Lord explained this from the beginning of the story. Lazarus’ illness had a purpose. “It is for the glory of God,” Jesus explained, “So that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (v. 4) He went on to say to the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him,’ then added, ‘Lazarus has died and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” (vv. 11-15). Once there, He said to Martha that her brother would rise again – twice, as it turned out – immediately to renewed time on earth, and ultimately in eternity.

Martha: Martha had faith in Jesus and His ability to heal the sick, and also believed that whatever He asked God the Father, God would grant it. She also believed in the  resurrection of the last day and that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, who had been promised long ago (vv. 21-26). She was sound in her beliefs, but Jesus wanted her to learn yet more – v. 40, “Did I not tell you that if you believed , you would see the glory of God.”

Mary: Mary also believed in Jesus as the healer sent from God, who could have prevented her brother’s death (v. 32). She was a woman of compassion and Jesus was touched by that: “When Jesus saw her weeping…He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled…Jesus wept.” (vv. 33-35). She was expressive in her love and submission to the Lord – pouring out expensive fragrant oil on His feet and wiping those feet with her hair (v. 2; also in 12:3).

The Disciples: The part the 12 played in this drama is found in 11:7-17. Jesus delayed in going to Bethany, then said to the disciples that it was time to go. They wanted to protect Him and reminded Him that there were people there who had planned to stone Him. That didn’t alarm Jesus, who in turn reminded them that there were daylight times in the day when you can walk safely – when you do the work of the day, implying that as long as there was work for Him to do, His enemies would not touch Him. He explained to them that Lazarus was “asleep”, which they took for rest, but which He then stated clearly, “Lazarus has died and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” They too, like Mary and Martha, needed to see Him as more than a healer, and as more than a future victim of his religious enemies. But Thomas, seeing only the short term, no doubt spoke for them all when he said, “Let us go, that we may die with Him.”

The People: There were observers beyond these insiders we’ve seen so far. Some, the disciples knew to be a threat (v. 8). At the end of the story these people made plans to kill Jesus (v. 45). There were others who mourned Lazarus’ passing and sought to comfort Martha and Mary. They observed how much Jesus loved Lazarus., and they thought like the sisters that if He had come earlier, He could have healed Lazarus (vv. 33-37. Jesus prayed to the Father noting that the crowd was being given an opportunity to believe in Him (v. 42), which many did (v.45).

So, what do we learn from this chapter?

• It is one thing to believe that Jesus can heal.
• It is one thing to believe in an eventual resurrection.
• It is one thing to raise the dead.
• But, it is another thing to believe Jesus is the God of the present and of the future. He will raise believers one day to meet Him in the air, and before then to believe we are with Him continuously in this life and forever afterward as well.

Your Turn:

1. Read John 11.
2. Do you believe in Jesus? At what level is your belief?
3. Notice in this passage the love of Jesus for His friends, the compassion of Jesus for the mourners, the role of Jesus as our teacher, the commitment of Jesus to His Father’s plan, … -anything else about Him?
4. There were those who wanted to kill Jesus. They wanted to silence Him once and for all. Is that possible?

Day 223    I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

The first four “I am” sayings of Jesus, are expressions of only one thought: the bread, the light, the gate, the Good Shepherd. The next one may be thought of as two thoughts: the resurrection and the life. Now, we find a statement of three thoughts: the way, the truth, and the life.

John 14:1-14 tells us what we are to believe and what comes from belief.

The passage begins with a reassurance from Jesus to His followers – He offers words of comfort in times of trouble. Remember how chapter 11 ends: “So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.” Then in chapter 12 there are further plots against Him and His followers and in chapter 13 there is His own talk of coming betrayal, denial, and death. So, chapter 14 begins, “”Let not your heart be troubled.” In a time of trouble – in any time – what should we believe?

What to Believe

We should believe the words of Jesus. He told us that He will prepare a place for us. After His death, there is going to be life, and that includes plans for us, plans about where we will live and about His return to take us there (vv. 2-3). That is more than reassuring!

We should also believe the works of Jesus (vv. 10-12). What works did He do? Healing works, power over nature, protection from danger, provision of food, resurrection, and more! These are not trivial things. If He can do these things, why be troubled?

We should also believe that this Jesus is one with God the Father (vv. 6-11). He will take us to the Father’s house (v. 2). He shows us the Father through what He teaches and does. He does so because they are one and the same. He speaks with the authority given Him by the Father. The Son glorifies the father (vv. 12-13).

It is because of this that he can say, “I am the Way” – the way to the Father and His house. He can say, “I am the Truth” – He has authority from the Father to speak and what He speaks is, therefore, true. He can say, “I am the Life – the life of the eternal God living in Him and soon to overcome death itself.

And what do we gain from belief in Him?

• Comfort (v. 1)
• His return – a future (v. 3)
• Great works (v. 12)
• Answers to prayer (vv. 13-14)

Your Turn:

1. Read John 14:1-14.
2. Jesus promises a heavenly home and, in answer to Thomas’ question about how to get there, says that He, Himself, is the Way (v. 6). Then, he adds, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Do you believe that Jesus is the only way?
3. What does Jesus mean when He says He is the “truth”? If He is truth, there must be others who make claims about the future and heaven that are false.
4. Jesus is talking about things after this earthly life, things eternal in nature. That is what He means about being “the life” (the source of eternal life).
5. Philip had been with Jesus long enough to know that Jesus was God (v. 9). The longer we spend time with Jesus, the better should we know Him.
6. Notice that answers to prayer are guaranteed on two conditions: (a) provided we ask “in My name” – i.e., in accordance with the name and character and will of Jesus Christ; and (b) that the Father will be glorified – i.e., that God is honoured – for His purposes to be fulfilled.
7. Verse 12 refers to our doing “greater works than these” (the works Jesus did). How can this be? What is meant by this statement? Jesus explains that the greater works will be done “because I am going to the Father.” Thus, after His death and resurrection it became clearer who He is and why He came. Before the cross and empty tomb, even His disciples, let alone others, failed to understand His nature and purpose. After His death on our behalf and His resurrection and ascension, His followers were able to explain more clearly the way of salvation and the plan of God for this world and the people in it. The disciples acted decisively and the Holy Spirit worked in response to the prayers of God’s children, resulting in significant response from listeners who believed and followed Him in ever greater numbers.

Day 224           –        I Am the Vine

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes,  that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. John 15:1-3

The last of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus is, “I am the true vine.” In the Old Testament, God is often pictured as the vinedresser and Israel as the vineyard He plants and cares for (see Isaiah 5:1-7). In John 15, the Father is still the vinedresser while Jesus is the actual vine (“true vine”), and Jesus’ followers are the branches. It is a similar metaphor but has a different application and meaning.

In verse 2 we have the main thought of the passage: the branches are meant to bear fruit. God will prune (or make clean) the branches to enable the plant to bear more fruit. This is like what we find in Hebrews 12:3-11 where the writer takes a thought from Proverbs 3:11-12 and expands on it, saying that God is like a good parent who disciplines His children because He loves them and desires that they produce “the peaceable fruit of righteousness”. In our passage, God prunes with the same purpose in mind – to produce fruit. Some branches have never abided in the vine (Jesus) and such branches are destroyed – v. 6 – but for branches with a living relationship with Jesus, the opportunity is there to produce fruit and more fruit. Verse 5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (i.e., nothing of eternal value).

So, what are some ways believers can “abide”? Abiding is enjoying the presence of God daily. We abide

• when we listen and respond to the word Jesus teaches (v. 3)
• when we pray – asking what is in accordance with Jesus Christ’s word (v. 7)
• when we bask in His love for us and when we love Him in return (v. 9)
• when we obey the Father’s commandments (v. 10)

And if we do these things various good fruit is produced (vv. 7-11). The fruit includes answers to prayer, the giving of glory to God, the blessedness of His love for us, and joy – Christ’s joy in us.

Are you abiding in Jesus today?

Your Turn:

1. Read John 15:1-11.

2. Have you consciously sensed the presence of God with you today?

3, Have you mediated on His word? Talked with Him through prayer? Reflected on His love for you? Obeyed commandments He has given you?

4. If you can answer “yes”, you have abided with Him