The purpose of the gospel of John is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life. And the Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples before His death. Only John records these intimate moments between Jesus & His men as He models true humility (Jn 13), describes the Holy Spirit who will comfort & Empower them (Jn 14-16) and intercedes for protection and unity of His disciples worldwide(J17)
On Monday, we learn from Jn 13 that Christ Models Caring Love. On Tuesday, we learn from Jn 14 that Christ the Way Gives Peace. On Wed, we learn from Jn 15 that Christ the Vine Desires Fruitfulness. On Thursday we learn from Jn 16 that Christ Sends Us Helper Spirit. On Friday, we learn from John 17 that Christ Intercedes for our Unity. On Saturday, we learn from Jn 20 that Christ is the True Way to Life.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as You Christ Models Caring Love and You are the True Way to Life; For You are worthy of our Thanks as Christ the Way Gives Peace and as the Vine Enables Fruitfulness; For You Christ sends Helper Spirit as well as Intercedes for our Unity. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Christ the True Way to Life; and Inspiring the Hymn “In the Garden”
Following betrayal of Judas and denial of Peter, John focuses on the trial before Pilate & governor’s futile efforts to release Jesus. Yielding to political expediency and mob pressure, Pilate sentences Jesus to be crucified. Many of the details John includes are unique: soldiers casting dice for Jesus’robe the spear trust into Jesus’ side; the various post-resurrection appearances including to Mary and to Thomas. Through it all, John’s purpose shines forth clearly to present Jesus as the Son of God in His life, death and resurrection.
Austin Miles (1868 –1946) was a prolific American writer of gospel songs, best known for his 1912 hymn: In the Garden. He wrote… I was seated in the darkroom where I kept my photographic equipment. I drew my Bible & opened at Jn 20. As I read it, I seemed to be part of the scene. I became a silent witness to that dramatic moment in Mary’s life, when she knelt before her Lord, and cried, “Rabboni!” Under the inspiration of this vision I wrote as quickly as the words were formed. That evening I wrote the music.
Lord, we purpose to Believe In You: Woman, Why are you Weeping?… Jesus said to her: Mary! She turned and said to him: Rabonni! Jesus said to her: Go to my brethren & say to them: I am ascending to My Father and your Father (Jn 20:13-17). And Thomas answered and said to Him: My Lord and my God! Then Jesus told him: Blessed are those who have Not Seen and yet Have Believed (v28-29). The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to Believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that By Believing in Him you will Have Life by the power of His name (Jn 20:30-31).
Father, thanks for the wonderful fact that Christ is indeed risen! Help us Lord to put every aspect of our lives in that perspective. Continue to pour out Your grace and Your mercy on Your people. Lead us to perfect freedom in Christ. And let the joy to be fulfilled in heaven will also gladden our way on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, we can turn very skeptical when we go through tough times. Like Thomas, we may want proof that Your words are really true. Help us Lord in spiritual matters to Believe whether or not we see or understand all that is going on. And when we do so, we ask that You will grant us experience Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, Your word says By Believing in You, we will have abundant life. Thank You for the peace even when problem comes along my way. I purpose to turn to You; for I know my situation will be in Your hand & that You will lead me through it. Help me Lord to continue to draw near to You in Word and prayer. And may Your inner witness be my comfort and strength. Amen.
Lord, I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, And He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And Joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. Amen.
Christ Jesus Prays for Our Unity: The Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples before His death. Only John records these intimate moments between Jesus and His men as He models true humility, describes the Holy Spirit who will comfort and empower them; and Intercedes for Protection and Unity of His disciples worldwide.
Lord, we pray for Unity among us: Holy Father, keep those You have given Me, that they be one as We are… They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your Truth… As You Sent Me into the world, I also Have Sent them into the world (John 17:11-18). I pray also for those who will believe in Me thru their message, that all of them May Be One… that they also may be One In Us, that the world may believe that You sent me (v20-21). I have given them the glory You gave me, so they may be one as We are one… May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know… You have loved them as You have loved Me (v22-23).
Lord Jesus, You are one with the Father in desires, mission, purpose, character & in substance. Just as You and the Father are one, help us to be one among believers. Fulfil this union in every way and let there be no division in the church so that prebelievers be drawn to U. And may Your love, word and deed flow thru each of us for Your glory & extension of Your kingdom. Amen.
Lord Jesus, we pray for Unity among believers regardless of any differences in views & values. May we be truly one with the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. May this Unity we have with You and with one another show the world, that You Jesus came fr the Father. May this Unity draw prebelievers to You Jesus so that they too may experience Your love. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You have sent us into the world with an assignment. You have provided Your Word to protect us from worldly influence. Help us soak our mind, will and emotion with Your Word; and let it flavour every aspect of our life. Help us Lord to be truly salt of the earth & light of the world; and Help us Lord be One Voice. Amen.
The Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples before His death. Only John records these intimate moments between Jesus & His men as He models true humility (Jn 13), describes the Holy Spirit who will comfort & Empower them (Jn 14-16) and intercedes for protection and unity of His disciples worldwide(J17)
Lord, we look to Your Spirit for Help: Very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Helper will not come.. but if I go, I will Send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:7-8). When the Spirit of truth comes, He will Guide you into all truth… He will tell you about the future… He will glorify me by telling u what- ever He received from Me (v13-14). Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you… These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have Peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have Overcome the world (v23, 33).
Lord Jesus, hard times are to be expected in this life; but thank You for sending Your Spirit to help us. I don’t have to go through difficulty alone; for You are always with me. Thanks for Your powerful presence to help, counsel and pray for me. As I follow Yr leading & yield to You, let Your power flow through me; In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Holy Spirit, only You can sort out the different voices in my mind; and I trust You to do just that. Keep me away from deception and instead lead me to the truth. Show me Lord enough of the future and how it fits with Your purposes. Lord Jesus, let the Spirit bring You glory by revealing Your truth to me that I can share with others. Amen.
Father God, trials and tribulations are normal part and parcel of life. Though I don’t like this reality, but it reminds me of my need for You God. I praise You for being more powerful than any worldly trouble I may face. Remind me Jesus always to keep me looking to You & asking in Yr name. And I have the peace, knowing that You Lord are surely for me and that You’ve overcome the world. Amen.
The Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples before His death. Only John records these intimate moments between Jesus & His men as He models true humility (c13), describes the Holy Spirit who will comfort & empower them (c14-16) and intercedes for protection and unity of His disciples worldwide (17)
Lord, we purpose to Remain in You: I am the true vine and My Father is the gardener. Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (Jn 15:1-2) I am the vine; you are the branches. IF you REMAIN In Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing… By this My Father is glorified that you bear much fruit (v5-8). IF you KEEP my commandments, you will abide in My love. This is My commandment that you Love one another as I have loved you. You are My friends IF you DO what I command. I no longer call you servants… Instead I have called you friends(v10-15).
Lord, You desire that we will be fruitful; full of love, joy and peace. You desire we be full of good works and sharing the faith so that others will come to believe in You. Help me Lord to walk close to You each day and stay constantly in communication with You; both by talking and listening to You speak to my heart. Amen.
Lord, Help me to stay deeply in Your Word, learning more about You, Your ways and Your will. Help me hold on to Your Word for You promise that You hear me when I pray in line with Your will. Help me to cling to You especially when times are tough, knowing faithfulness will lead to fruitfulness and to answered prayers. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You command us as believers to love one another as You have loved us sacrificially. Help me follow Your command to love others with Your kind of love. And help me Lord Develop Deep Friendship with You, loving You, spending quiet time with You and talking with You each day. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Christ the Way Gives Peace Inspiring hymn:’Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus
Louisa Stead and her husband were relaxing with their four-year old daughter on Long Island beach when they heard a desperate child’s cry. A boy was drowning & Louisa’s husband tried to rescue him. In desperation the boy pulled Mr Stead under water & both drowned. Louisa was left with no means of support & experienced dire poverty. One morning when she had no food for the day she opened the front door and found that someone had left food & money in her doorstep. That day she wrote the hymn: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus, inspired largely by John 14.
Lord, we will wholly Trust In You: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3). I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (v6). And I will pray (to) the Father, and He will give you another Helper that He may abide with you forever… Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (v16, 27).
Lord, in life challenges that come, I will not let my heart be troubled but will choose to keep trusting You to deliver on Your promises. For I trust in You with all my heart; for I have purposed to live by faith. For my God knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a future and a hope. Amen.
Lord, grateful for the mansion You have prepared so that I will live with You in a perfect place for eternity. Thank You for the promise that You will escort me to my heavenly home. Thank You for giving me eternal life: Though this life is filled with trouble, I know that I’m only passing through. Grant me an eternal mindset so that I can endure temporal difficulties that may come my way. Amen.
Lord, we may have afflictions but You will surely Deliver us; for You love and care much for us. Loving Lord we choose to keep faith, trusting You will protect & provide. And thank You for the comfort and the reminder from the hymn: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er & o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more. Amen
The Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples before His death. Only John records these intimate moments between Jesus and His men as He models true humility (John 13), describes Holy Spirit who will comfort and empower them (John 14-16) and intercedes for the unity and protection of His disciples worldwide (John 17).
Lord, we’ll Emulate Your Example: When Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father,having loved His own,He loved them to the end…So He got up from the table, wrapped a towel around his waist & poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around him (John 13:1-5). I have given you an Example, that u should do as I have done to you… Now that u know these things, God will Bless u for Doing them (v15-17) A new Commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another(v34-35) Amen
Lord, we note Your advice to the disciples to Follow Your Example of servanthood & submit to needs. Like the disciples, we may tend to miss our mission to serve and to meet the needs of others. Motivate us Lord by Your promise that those who serve others will Be Blessed by You in special ways we wouldn’t want to miss. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I want my friends to serve You; and I desire them to be served by You, to experience the cleansing only You can provide. Help me to get the gospel right as I talk with them. For it is not primarily about what they must do for You; but about what You have done for them & for them to really appreciate and reflect it. Amen.
Lord, we receive Your Command to love one another thru actions; and to love those yet to know You. You promise that when we demo sacrificial love for one another, the world will notice our actions. And recognise us as disciples of the one who sacrificed Himself on the cross in order to save all of us from our sins. Amen.
We don’t know who wrote the words to Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. It appeared in a children’s hymnal compiled by Dorothy Thrupp in 1836 But it is clear the wording was inspired by John 10, where Jesus says: I am the good shepherd. And we know the music was by William Bradbury, a gifted music student in Boston. After finishing school, Bradbury moved to New York where he worked as a church musician focussing children’s music. He intended Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us to be a children’s hymn, but it turned out adults enjoyed it too.
Lord, we’ll Hear & Follow You: A Shepherd enters through the gate. He Calls His own sheep by name and leads them out… He walks ahead of them, and they Follow Him because they recognise His voice (John 10:2-4). I have come that they may Have Life and have it to the Full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep (v10-11). I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep (v14-15).
Lord Jesus, Thank You for being my good shepherd and making me one of Your sheep. Thank You for caring for me by providing, guiding & protecting me. What a privilege to belong to You; You Call me by name and speak to my heart. With all the voices in the world, quieten my mind and heart so that I will recognise Your Voice and Follow You. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You did not come just to forgive our past deeds and offer us hope of heavenly glory. You came to give us full satisfying, meaningful and abundant life. Forgive me Lord when I am too preoccupied with earthly things. Help me to seek You, pursue things eternal and further Your kingdom, for You’ll Provide my needs. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I am so blessed that You are my caring Shepherd and because of that I can fear no evil. For You Lord have promised to provide, lead and protect me. Though evil may come, it has no power over me for I am Safe in You. Keep me trusting You; and help me to stay close to You and not worry, for You’re Watching over me. Amen.
The purpose of the gospel of John is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life. Using the Jewish feast days as public forums, Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life, the Sent One of God, the Forgiver of Sins and the Light of the World. But how do you refute a Man who preaches that He is the Light of the World, then proves it by giving sight to the blind?..who claims He is “the resurrection & the life” then validates that claim by raising a man from the dead. The choice is clear: either believe Him or seek to silence Him once & for all.
On Monday, we learn from Jn 7 that Christ the Source of Living Water. On Tuesday, we learn from John 8 that Christ the Light Sets Us Free. On Wednesday, we learn fr John 9 that Christ Shows the Power of God. On Thursday we learn fr Jn 10 that Saviour like the Shepherd Lead Us. On Friday, we learn from John 11 that Christ Assures Resurrectn Life. On Saturday, we learn from Jn 12 that Christ Models Glorifying God.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Thanks as Christ Is the Source of Living Water and as the Light Sets Us Free; For You are worthy of our Praise as Christ Shows the Power of God and Assures Us Resurrection Life; For You Christ like a Shepherd Leads Us and Models Glorifying the Father. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Christ’s claim draw the attention of more than the hungry and sick. The Pharisees, religious leaders concerned about status quo, respond with angry resistance. But how do you refute a Man who preaches that He is the Light of the World, then proves it by giving sight to the blind?… who claims He is the Resurrection, then validates that claim by raising a man from the dead. The choice is clear: Either believe Him or seek to silence Him once and for all.
Lord, we will Live for Your Glory: Jesus replied: the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into His Glory… Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it (John 12:23-25) All those who want to be my disciples must follow me because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honour them. Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray: Father, save me from what lies ahead? But that is the very reason why I came! Father, bring Glory to Your name (v26-28). Amen.
Lord, we ask You to begin a lifetime of sanctifying work in our children. Let the years of their youth not be preoccupied with earthly things. Instead make them be fruitful years that generate harvest in Yr kingdom. And give me the power we need to put to death anything that keeps us from being fruitful for Yr kingdom. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, grant us the grace to be immersed in the love of Christ and to live more purposefully. Help us learn to lead fruitful lives spent in loving others so that they may know the Saviour. Help us Lord to stay close to You; to worship and praise You; and bring glory to God’s name. Amen.
Lord, may my desire & motivation be that Your name be Glorified in every trial & situation I may go thru. Keep my mind and heart focused on Jesus’ example and committed to what God wants to accomplish in my life. Holy Spirit, please give me grace to live wholeheartedly for the Glory of God’s name, Amen.
