March 31, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 21 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.33 through 5.36 (pages 162-166)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
When I think about the disciples I think how lucky they were to walk with Jesus, to know Him personally, to be able to touch Him and hear Him speak but what He is sharing here is that we have the Holy Spirit that is even better. Something I have always known hit me in such a different way today when I read this He is walking by my side, He is listening and speaking, He is truly my friend throughout each day! It is me that forgets that not Him! How crazy to think I could forget but we do. We get busy, frustrated, scared and we forget that there He is with a hand outstretched to hold ours and walk that road. He walked the most difficult road to His death and He understands. He has seen a day darker than any I might know and He understands but we must abide, vine and branch and know that He is ever present we are never alone!
Amen Kelly!
Jesus labors to assure his followers not to lose faith when they are subjected to the coming troubles. He states that he must leave in order to make possible our greatest gift, the Holy Spirit. “…. when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth.”
On lent 2023 Day 21
Jesus final words to the disciples are challenging, revealing and hopeful. He is trying to prepare them as best He can for when He is gone. First He tells them to follow HIs commands. It is the best way to remain connected with Jesus and when they/we do that, we will be connected to the Father as well. They have been working together in the life Jesus has lived on earth and they will do the same for them. The result of this will be peace in their lives..and it will God’s peace they will have. They and we are to be connected to Jesus like branches are connected to the vine. And when it is His influence and power flowing through us, we will bear fruit, in the kind of people we are and the influence we have on others. And the Father’s work in our lives is to make us even better fruit bearers. And one way to think of remaining in Jesus is remaining in His love. And the best way to love Jesus is to follow His commands. Now Jesus makes clear that that won’t win any popularity contests with those apart from God. They/we can expect people to treat us the way they treated Jesus. Why would we expect anything different if we are living our lives through His influence. What an important point of preparation this is to warn them of the persecution they will endure. And lastly, in getting them ready for His departure is assuring them for the second time that He will send them the Holy Spirt to operate in their lives as well as the lives of those in the world. In fact Jesus has to go for the Holy Spirit to come. And the Spirit’s influence on us on the inside will be far better than the influence of Jesus living His live with the apostles on the outside. What a privilege to have God’s Spirt within us..leading, guiding and empowering. But Jesus had to secure our relationship with God through the cross before the Holy Spirit could reside in us…but so good He is now present with every believer in Jesus.
Day 21
5.33-5.36
Don’t think i personally have a more favorite scripture than the setting at the so called last supper. Always amazed me beyond my thinking what Jesus was going to face in the next hours and it’s all about comforting the disciples and comforting mankind with his spoken words. Alive and active. The peace of God is mentioned at least 5 times. And so is the joy of God. Is there anything better than these comforting words. Peace and joy. No matter the circumstances to look beyond our feelings and no the sovereignty of God. To ALWAYS be with us. The promised Holy Spirit. I’m glad I lived 30 years following religion. Very weak. No power. I failed constantly. Trying to follow commandments. And bring good. Does not work. Now with the Holy Spirit I have strength to fight back. Get my feet dirty. But I have had a bath. To abide in the vine. What a great picture. Beyond a privilege to be connected with Christ and have all that he is flow threw us. Great picture of being fruitful for God. The purpose in life as God has prepared us to minister to those in need. I’m overwhelmed!!
Day 21 33-36
Jesus explains the Holy Spirit to the apostles, he calls it the Helper the spirit of truth. The Helper will help them remember everything Jesus has taught them. Jesus is like a vine, he explains God is like a gardener who cuts off every vine that doesn’t produce fruit. Jesus had already prepared the apostles by all he has been teaching them. It’s the same for us as well. We have to stay connected to Jesus in order for us to produce fruit. Without Jesus in our lives, our branches will wither and die. He tells the apostles to show they are his followers by producing much fruit . By doing this they will have true happiness and bring honor to His Father. Love one another as Jesus has loved them, that is for us to learn as well. We are nothing without Jesus. He’s given us peace, love and a way to the Father.
Amen, Cindy!
Day 21 5.33–5.36
Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples many things about the Holy Spirit:
The Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father sends in the name of Jesus.
Jesus had to leave this world in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent to us.
He teaches us and helps us remember what Jesus said.
He is the Spirit of truth who lives with us and in us.
He convicts us of sin and teaches us how to be right with God.
He speaks to us what he hears from Jesus, bringing glory to him and leading us to all truth.
So, along with the promise of salvation that we receive through Jesus death and resurrection, we also receive the promise of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in all truth.
Thank you Jesus!
Jesus gives a detailed description of the Holy Spirit and how He will work in believers after Jesus has died and risen. It is humbling to think of how the Holy Spirit worked in the Old Testament and then to understand the promise of the indwelling Spirit for those who believe in Jesus. As I study in the OT, I see how unpredictable the Holy Spirit worked, indwelling the most unlikely of characters (Samson) and then those who are “after God’s own Heart” and yet, committing the gravest of sins (David). He even has a sense of humor, entering Saul and causing him to prophesy even as he pursues David to kill him. It is a wonder that God gives us His Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance and the power that comes with Him. I think we underestimate the gift we have been given.
I agree, Amy!