Everyone!

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. 2 Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. 4 So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” 8 “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” 9 Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” 12 After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. 14 If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. 16 I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. 17 Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. 31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. 33 Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’ 34 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (John 13:1-17, 31b-35, CEB)

Why does Peter think he knows better than Jesus? Hasn’t he learned anything on the travels with Jesus?

I mean if Jesus wants to wash you feet, let him wash you feet, and don’t ask for extra, just be happy with what you get. Makes me think of the phrase many parents use, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” But Peter seems to know better than Jesus.

Aren’t we all that way really though? We think we know what is best for us and Jesus, and ask for the seat next to him in glory. We say this is where we need to go and what we need to do to share the mission of God. We just don’t get it. We call Jesus teacher and master, which he is, but he is also our servant. And that is where we fall short. We want to be teacher and master, but when we get there we are also servant, and on the way we have to serve too.

That is why this night is hard. We need to embrace what Jesus says, who washes the feet of the one who hands him over! We need to serve those who don’t seem to understand the plan and do things their own ways. We need to love everyone, regardless of how they treat us, because that is what God did.

Love your neighbor, which is everyone, as you do your self.

Love People, Love God.

Handed over

21 After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.” 22 His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. 23 One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. 24 Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. 25 Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.”Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. 27 After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Some thought that, since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, “Go, buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately. And it was night. 31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. (John 13:21-32, CEB)

Satan entered Judas when he took the bread. Remember that the gospels are probably oral stories to a community that were then written down and people needed a reason why one of the chosen disciples would turn on Jesus and betray him. But did Judas betray him? We could go into a long discussion of this, but one of the things I learned a long time ago and has changed the way I lead worship is the word that is translated as betray here really isn’t betray. The word in the Greek is παραδίδωμι. It means to hand over. Which gives the connotation of betrayed, but if Judas and Jesus has talked about what needed to happen, then maybe Judas was doing what was worked out. This is why I love the portrayal of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.

I say during communion, in the night in which Jesus was handed over, because God was always and is still in control. Even when we don’t see it or understand it. God is always in control. And in order to be betrayed, someone else has control.

Jesus knew the plan all along, that is why it is laid out to all here and God was always in control.

So share God’s love and even in the times it seems all hope is lost, know that God is still in control.

Love People, Love God.

Easy answer

20 Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One to be glorified. 24 I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 “Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Jesus replied, “This voice wasn’t for my benefit but for yours. 31 Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (33 He said this to show how he was going to die.) 34 The crowd responded, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?” 35 Jesus replied, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. 36 As long as you have the light, believe in the light so that you might become people whose lives are determined by the light.” After Jesus said these things, he went away and hid from them. (John 12:20-36, CEB)

Have you ever asked a question and expected an easy answer but got a long drawn out explanation that really didn’t even get close to be an answer for your question? It seems like Jesus, and especially in the Gospel of John is one to not give an answer to the question or statement and to go off on a tangent. But is it really a tangent?

Here Jesus is told some Greeks would like to see him, and Jesus goes into a working through what will happen to him, how he will die, and why he came to be here with us on earth. Jesus talks about being lifted up, and when that happens everyone will be drawn to him, and everyone will see him. You see Jesus did answer Philip and Andrew by his tangent. He said all people will be drawn to him and thus the Greeks will see him.

And we will also show Jesus forth to the world by sharing the love we have with everyone we see.

Go into the world and love as Jesus loved you and show them all Jesus.

Love People, Love God.

Why?

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table. 3 Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume. 4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained, 5 “This perfume was worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” (6 He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would take what was in it.) 7 Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.” 9 Many Jews learned that he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too. 11 It was because of Lazarus that many of the Jews had deserted them and come to believe in Jesus. (John 12:1-11, CEB)

Why are you motivated to do what you do? Here we see that Judas was motivated by his greed. Now I’m not sure about this passage, and some one else had seconds thoughts at least, because of the ( ). Those ( ) are there not because of grammar, but because that verse is not in some manuscripts. SO it could have been added later, when a hatred of Judas arose because of what Judas did. Now we could go on and on about Judas and what he did in handing Jesus over, but that is not really the thrust of this text. So I ask again why you do what you do?

Are we motivated to share love or to get power and possessions? Even the chief priests here were going to plot to kill Lazarus along with Jesus because people were leaving the temple and following after Jesus because he raised Lazarus from the dead. They didn’t like that people were not listening to them, their power was diminishing. They were motivated by power and not by love and truth.

So why do you do what you do? Is it for love?

Love People, Love God.

Need

When Jesus and his followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Its master needs it, and he will send it back right away.’” 4 They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. 5 Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. 9 Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve. (Mark 11:1-11, CEB)

I love Palm Sunday. It is different in each Gospel, some have branches and leaves, and cloaks, only 1 actually talks about waving of Palm branches, and that was to signal a military victory. But I don’t love the day because of the difference or the military victory. What I love about this week is found in Mark and Luke. These 2 gospels have the disciples going ahead and getting the donkey and when they are questioned, they are to answer, “The master has need of it.”

The only thing in all of the gospels it says that Jesus needed is a donkey. Not water or food in the wilderness. Not understanding in the temple over turning tables. Not relief hanging on the cross. The only thing Jesus ever needs is a donkey to ride on to fulfill a prophesy.

So what do you need?

Love People, Love God.

On the way…

32 Jesus and his disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus in the lead. The disciples were amazed while the others following behind were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he told them what was about to happen to him. 33 “Look!” he said. “We’re going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and the legal experts. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will ridicule him, spit on him, torture him, and kill him. After three days, he will rise up.” 46 Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. 47 When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” 48 Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” 52 Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way. (Mark 10:32-34, 46-52, CEB)

This is an interesting story. You see Jesus and the disciples are on the way to Jerusalem, where Jesus will be ridiculed, spit on, tortured, and killed. And as they are going Jesus reminds the 12 of where they are going and what will happen to him and then a blind man is trying to get Jesus’ attention because the man has heard of Jesus and knows that Jesus can make him see again. And so finally after many try to keep the man quiet, Jesus says let him come and asks him what he wants. “I want to see,” the man says. And so Jesus gives him sight and the man began to follow Jesus on the way. The way to Jerusalem, the way to death.

Did this man know what he was joining on with? Was he just completely over whelmed with what just happen that he just thought I have to follow Jesus now?

Why do we follow Jesus? And do we know where it is going?

What is the way we are going? Where does our path take us?

You know, my path has taken me many places I never would have dreamed of going and I have met a lot of wonderful friends along the way, and I have no clue where my path will lead me next, but I wouldn’t give up this journey for wnything.

Follow Jesus. Love People, Love God.

integrity

12 Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world 16 because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. 18 You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me! (Philippians 2:12-18, CEB)

Even when you are not being watched, do the things you know you should. For everything done in secret will be made known.

Integrity is the word that this passage brings to mind. Some people are people of integrity. They say what they mean and mean what they say and they walk the walk they talk. Many are not like this, they will say to you what you want to hear and then turn around to someone else and say the opposite because that is what they person they are speaking to now wants to hear. Do not live this way.

Jesus calls us to say what we mean and mean what we say and to live for others and not ourselves.

Be a person of integrity and allow God’s love to change the world.

Love People, Love God.

emptied

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, 2 complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. 3 Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. 4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. 5 Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: 6 Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. 7 But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings. When he found himself in the form of a human, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, 10 so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11, CEB)

Do not do anything for selfish gain, but think of others first. Jesus did this for you. Jesus stepped off the throne and became a baby here, emptying himself and taking on our likeness, he suffered beating, death and a cross. All for you, because he thought of you and your needs over his own. He humbled himself to take the form of one who serves.

Can we do the same and think of others before our selves? Can we do what is best for the community when it may not be the best for us?

Is it possible to be like Jesus and put the needs of others before our own?

Love People, Love God.

Why do you do what you do?

34 The crowd responded, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?” 35 Jesus replied, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. 36 As long as you have the light, believe in the light so that you might become people whose lives are determined by the light.” After Jesus said these things, he went away and hid from them. 37 Jesus had done many miraculous signs before the people, but they didn’t believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of the prophet Isaiah: Lord, who has believed through our message? To whom is the arm of the Lord fully revealed? 39 Isaiah explains why they couldn’t believe: 40 He made their eyes blind and closed their minds so that they might not see with their eyes, understand with their minds, and turn their lives around— and I would heal them. 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory; he spoke about Jesus. 42 Even so, many leaders believed in him, but they wouldn’t acknowledge their faith because they feared that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 They believed, but they loved human praise more than God’s glory. 44 Jesus shouted, “Whoever believes in me doesn’t believe in me but in the one who sent me. 45 Whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in me won’t live in darkness. 47 If people hear my words and don’t keep them, I don’t judge them. I didn’t come to judge the world but to save it. 48 Whoever rejects me and doesn’t receive my words will be judged at the last day by the word I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me regarding what I should speak and say. 50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. Therefore, whatever I say is just as the Father has said to me.” (John 12:34-50,CEB)

There were many leaders that believed in Jesus but wouldn’t acknowledge their belief because they feared others would expel them. They worried more about what others would say about them, rather than share their love and faith in Christ.

So so yo share your faith or say what others want to hear?

Do you speak the words boldly that Christ calls for you to speak, or do you just go with the flow and not make waves?

Why do you do what you do?

Is it to proclaim the truth of God, or keep friends?

Is it to share the love of God which surpasses all our understanding or to get people to praise you?

We need to believe and follow where God is leading us.

And go and proudly proclaim the truth of God.

Love People, Love God.

Pour

14 Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! 15 These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! 16 Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. 18 Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 20 The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon will be changed into blood, before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man whose credentials God proved to you through miracles, wonders, and signs, which God performed through him among you. You yourselves know this. 23 In accordance with God’s established plan and foreknowledge, he was betrayed. You, with the help of wicked men, had Jesus killed by nailing him to a cross. 24 God raised him up! God freed him from death’s dreadful grip, since it was impossible for death to hang on to him. (Acts 2:14-24, CEB)

In those days God will pour out the Spirit on all the servants. All will prophesy and wonders will happen!

You see when strange things happen that we can’t explain, maybe it is the Spirit of God moving through us to show God’s power to the world.

Things happen for a reason sometimes and God works in and through all things.

Jesus was handed over, Jesus was killed, and God raised him from the dead.

All things in God’s power and time.

So go knowing you are held by God and filled with the Spirit.

Love People, Love God.