COMFORT FROM A SAVIOR

Gloria Phifer

John 14:6 “I Am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; no one comes to the Father but by Me.

            The Jewish day begins at 6pm and goes until the following 6pm. For example, our Friday night at 6PM begins their Sabbath until the following (our Saturday) 6PM and then Sabbath is over.

Passover began at 6pm and continued until the following day at 6PM. All that will happen to Jesus is within these hours. He will die on Passover at 3pm and He will be put into the tomb before 6pm when the Sabbath begins.

            The Passover meal is over. Judas has gone out into the night to betray Jesus Christ…The Son of God. Peter has just been told, by Jesus, that he will deny Jesus three times before the cock crows. (The cock will crow in early morning.)  The hour is getting late. Jesus knows what lies ahead for Him. His next stop will be Gethsemane… (The Olive Press) where He will be pressured without measure. This is the darkest night in the history of mankind. Our salvation depends on what Jesus is about to go through (allow Himself to go through). 

            Jesus takes this time to comfort and give them Truth. John 14.

            His first words are “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. Why are their hearts troubled at this time?  At this time of darkness, how can He say this to them?  When our hearts are troubled, how does it help to believe in Jesus and The Father?

            Much will be happening but He is telling them, ahead of time, to believe.

Vs. 2 In His Father’s house are many mansions…He goes to prepare a place for them (for us).  

How interesting that in His Father’s house are many mansions…house in Greek means…”An inhabited edifice…a dwelling. Mansions in Greek “mone” “A staying, residence, abode, dwelling, mansion. To make one’s abode. Metaphore: Of the God, The Holy Spirit indwelling believers. To stay, remain, abide, thine own, to wait for, await one.” How does this speak to you?

            To be able to remain forever with our God The Father. The fact that He is waiting for us to come to Him…to live with Him. I love the “foreverness” of it. Ps 23:5-6. He is preparing a table for us. We will dwell (abide) in the House of The Lord forever!!! 

            (In those days there was a law of hospitality. If you were running from an enemy, you could enter the tent of someone and you came under their cover (authority, protection). The enemy could not touch you. He could only watch as your host anointed your head in greeting, and fed and poured your cup until it ran over.)  We are under the protection of God our Father.

He has anointed us and taken care of us, right in front of our enemy
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             Jesus, Himself, is going to prepare a place for us. And He will come again to take us to be with Him. Prepare in Greek means “To make ready, provide, to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready. Drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings, on their journeys, persons to level the roads and make them passable.” Thoughts?

 1 Corinthians 2:9. Isaiah 64:4. We spoke last week about the marriage customs. After paying a price for his bride…and offering her wine, the groom would go to his Father’s house to prepare a place for her. When all things were ready…The groom would come for His bride and take her to His Father’s house for a wedding celebration that would last 7 days. She would live in His Father’s house.

This really touched my heart. We are so special to Him. He is preparing for us. And His preparing for us begins with Christ’s suffering and the cross.

John 14:4-6.  Thomas does not know where Jesus is going…he doesn’t know the way.

Here we see one of Jesus’s “I AM’S” I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.” What are your thoughts when Jesus says He is The Only Way to The Father?

Vs. 7-12. What is Jesus answer when Philip wants to see the Father?  Wow!!! He that has seen Me has seen The Father!!!  Thoughts?  John 17:11. Jesus is in The Father and The Father is in Him…they are One!!! Jesus is God!!! Hebrews 1:8. God the Father calls The Son…God! Let’s look at Isaiah 9:9…The Everlasting Father!!!.

John 14:13-15 He is saying that we can ask in His Name. We can use The authority of The Name of Jesus in our prayers.  Your reaction to this wonderful privilege? What will we do if we love Jesus? What is His commandment? John 13:34-35
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            John 14:16-21. Vs. 16 what will Jesus pray to The Father? Another Comforter will come. 

The Comforter…The Spirit of Truth…The Holy Spirit. He will abide with us “FOREVER!!!”  I love this don’t you? The Holy Spirit will be with us forever. The Spirit of Truth…The Comforter we will know Him and He dwells with us and shall be in us!!! The Dunimas of God…the most powerful force in this universe lives within us when we believe in Jesus Christ.  


 What are your thoughts on this incredible truth? Romans 8:9-17. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives within us. Vs. 9 blows me away…”you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. He is The Spirit of Christ.”

Comforter in Greek is “Parakletos” “ An intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter, summoned, called to one’s side, called to one’s aid, a Helper, Succorer, Aider, Assistant. Of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after Christ’s ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the Divine Kingdom.”

John 14:21 what will happen to the one who keeps Jesus commandments?  Manifest in Greek means “To exhibit or disclose, appear, declare plainly, inform, manifest, show, signify.

John 14:22—24. What are your thoughts that Jesus and His Father will make their abode with the one who loves Jesus and keeps His words?  Whose words are they? The Fathers.

 John 14:25-26. Jesus spoke these words to them while He was with them. What will The Comforter do? Notice, The Holy Spirit is sent in Jesus Name. He will teach us…and bring all things to our remembrance.   Have you been in a situation and The Holy Spirit has brought a scripture to your mind, or you understand something that clearly only The Holy Spirit could have shown you?

14:27. Jesus gives the “Gift of Peace…His peace. What are His instructions? Col. 3:15. “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you called to live in peace. And always be thankful. “let” is always the word that gets me. 

Vs. 28-31.Where is Jesus going? Why did He tell them before it came to pass?

Who is the prince of this world? Why do you think Jesus will not talk much to them now because satan is coming? Notice, the enemy has nothing in Him. Thoughts?

Vs. 31 Thoughts on this verse? 

 . I thank The Lord for His Word. What a privilege that we can read Jesus last words to His disciples before He faces the cross. We will continue to read His words in  John Chapter 15 next week.

 

           

           

THE LAST SUPPER

Gloria Phifer

            John 12:20-35. There is so much in these verses. What happens when a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies? What must one do to be a disciple of Christ? What will the Father do for those who serve Jesus?  Jesus could not pray “Father, save me from this hour…because for this hour He had come.” What did the voice from Heaven say? For whose benefit was it?

 Who will be cast out? Colossians 1:13-14, Col. 2:13-15, 1 Cor. 2:8, the cross was a mystery to the enemy. Jesus spoiled the enemy triumphing over them at His cross.

      
      John 12:34-35. What does Jesus say about The Light?  Believing in The Light, Jesus Christ, makes us children of Light. How awesome is that???

            Last week, we saw Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He was riding on a colt of a donkey. He was being praised as He went. As He neared the city He wept, because they did not know the Day of their Visitation.

 Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to you; how often I would have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not.” He was entering the city as The Lamb of God…facing the cross on that Friday.
 Zechariah . 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion; shout, o daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you, He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.”

            Luke 22:1-16. Vs.14-16. “He said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:” Desire in Greek is “epithymeo” (ep-ee-thoo-meh’-o)

“To set the heart upon. Long for, covet, desire, to have a desire for, long for, desire, passion.”

This is a very strong word. What are your thoughts on Jesus great desire to eat this Passover with them?”

            Jesus knows the hours ahead. His moments, before He faces the cross, were spent with His disciples.

           
 Vs. 16 “I will no more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” He will fulfill the Passover in the hours ahead. He will be The Lamb of God slain on Passover.

          

  Luke 22: 17-20. What does the bread represent? The bread was broken and given to them.  His body would be a sacrifice. They are to break bread in remembrance of Him and what He is going to do on the cross. What does the wine represent? His blood would be shed for them, and you and me.

Vs. 20 He is making a New Testament in His blood…a New Covenant.  Matt. 26:28. 

              Have you ever had someone wash your feet? How did you feel? I have and it was a very humbling experience.

            John 13:1-17 Jesus washes the disciple’s feet.

Archaeological Study Bible “The people of Jesus’ time walked the dusty roads shod only in sandals, and their feet became dirt-encrusted. Etiquette demanded that, when a traveler entered a home as a guest, the host provide for the washing of his or her feet. This distasteful chore was generally delegated to the lowliest servant in the household.”

            John 1:26-27 (John the Baptist). Footnote: “Disciples would perform all sorts of service for their rabbis (teachers) but loosing sandal thongs was expressly excluded, as it was considered a menial task, fit only for a slave.” John the Baptist said he was not worthy to loose Jesus sandals.

            This is interesting to me. John13: 3 “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God” (then He prepared to wash their feet.) Jesus knew Who He was! He knew He was from God and was returning to God.

Jesus had nothing to prove…He knew!!! This is a wonderful act of love and humility. Philip. 2:7-11. what are your thoughts? Why didn’t Peter want Jesus to wash his feet? What are your thoughts on John13: 9 & 10? 

Archeology study Bible. “John 13:10 “A man would bath himself before going to a feast. When he arrived, he needed only to wash his feet to be considered entirely clean again.”

            I believe Jesus is giving a deeper meaning here, since He said they were not all clean and then in vs. 11 the verse speaks of the person who would betray Him.

            John 13: 12-17. What was Jesus teaching them by washing their feet? What does He want them to do?  Vs. 17 LAB. “Now, that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

In Luke 22:24-29 we find something else that had been happening at the table.  They were looking for greatness. With them was THE GREATEST OF ALL!!! 


And yet He took on the form of a servant. How did Jesus describe the rulers of the Gentiles?  What is the difference He wanted in their lives and in our lives?  How does this speak to your heart? Notice, He does appoint them a kingdom where they will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. When will their greatness come?   (Each disciple will be a martyr for Christ, except John, who will be exiled to the Island of Patmos, because of His faith. Judas will betray him.)

John 13:18-21. Jesus reveals that one of the disciples will betray Him.
 Psalm 41:9 “Yes, mine own familiar friend, in who I trusted, which did eat of My Bread, has lifted up his heel against Me.”

 It looks to me, that Judas had eaten the Passover supper with them. He ate the bread that was broken for them. (Notice the psalm says he ate My Bread) (Cap. mine) Jesus body. And the wine…that was Jesus blood. Jesus had washed Judas feet.  And yet, Judas’ heart was far from Jesus.

Vs. 21. Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified and said “verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” The word for troubled in Greek is “tarasso”. “To stir or agitate, trouble.

To agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro.) To cause one inward commotion, take away His calmness of mind, disturb His equanimity. To disquiet, make restless. To strike one’s spirit with fear and dread. To render anxious or distressed. To stir up. To trouble.”  This is a very strong word…full of emotions. What stirs your heart the most?

            I am sad for Jesus. Such strong emotions…to know He has been betrayed. Thoughts?

Vs. 22 the beloved disciple (John) asked “Lord, who is it?”

            Vs. 26-28. Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas. Lab footnote: “The honored guest at a meal was often singled out like this. Judas was not the obvious betrayer. After all, he was the one the disciples trusted to keep the money.”

I have always wondered at vs. 27: What are your thoughts?

 I am also sad for Judas. He has taken the bait of satan. Judas has sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver. He has betrayed The Son of God. Matt. 26:21-25. Jesus said it would have better if Judas had not been born. Thoughts?

John 13:31-34. There is so much in these verses. What time had come?  He will soon enter into God’s glory. Jesus will bring the Father glory. He will only be with them a little longer. What are your thoughts? How will God be glorified through His Son? How will God soon give glory to the Son?  John 17:1. He will finish the work His Father has given Him to do.

            John 13:34 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just

 as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” This is the New Commandment of The New Covenant. How will the world know we are His disciples?  1 John 4:7-17, 1 Cor.13:13. Romans 13:10 what does love fulfill? Who is God?  God is love.

            John 13:36-38. Peter is sure he is ready to die for Jesus. Before that night is over he will

Betray Jesus 3 times.

            Next week we will look at chapters 14-17 in John. These words are given to comfort the disciples. And then we will read the intimate prayer Jesus prayed to His Father.