SOAP 08/12/2016; John 14:15

Today's reading: Jeremiah 10, 11, 12; John 14

S) "¹⁵ If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

John 14:15 (NASB)

O) After further asserting His unity with the Father, Jesus transitions into an encouraging explanation of the coming Holy Spirit. Intertwined in these two topics, He also reminds them to remain faithful and obedient to His teaching. This is blended with these topics because His authority is in His oneness with the Father, and because the Holy Spirit will lead them and remind them of all Jesus said. The most clear statement He makes, which isn't even compromised if taken out of context, is the verse above. We must remember, in reading this verse, that love is not simply an emotional response, or a feeling (although that can propel us to love), it is a decision to act, to do, to be. Love looks like a lot of different things, depending on the person we are trying to love. In the case of Christ, He has no needs for us to meet, He has no deficiency for us to fill. So going beyond adoration or affinity, our love for Christ means we should be obedient to Him, and keep His commandments (v.21) and word (v.23).

A) Yesterday, I talked about how I want to love my wife like Jesus loves her, not just like I love myself. Today, it's almost an inverse concept. I want to love Jesus, not as I love my wife, or as I love myself, or even as Jesus loves me. I want to love Him the way He wants me to love Him. In both cases, it's really a matter of submitting to the definition of love according to Christ, and with respect to the person I am loving. There will certainly be times I fail to love Christ, according to His definition. This is the same as me sometimes failing to love my wife according to His definition. However, just like a bad day doesn't mean I don't love my wife, a bad day doesn't mean I don't love Christ. The question is my over all concern, the posture of my heart, the lifestyle I keep in general. On any given day, I strive to love my wife as Jesus loves the church, and I strive to love Him by keeping His commands.

P) Father, thank You for the gospel. Thank You for Your sovereignty and grace, Your plan for redemption. Thank You for opening my eyes and ears. I want to love more accurately, Lord. I want to love Jesus like He wants me to... and my wife like He does. Let me be more dedicated to this today, than I was yesterday, and more tomorrow than I am today. Let Your will be done in me, that I might give You the love You desire, the love You deserve, and the love You define. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/11/2016; John 13:34-35

Today's reading: Jeremiah 7, 8, 9; John 13

S) "³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:34-35 (NASB)

O) When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest of the Law, He replied that it was to love the LORD with all that we are. Then He said the second was like it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. As famous as it is that Jesus said this (even the world will quote the second part as the "Golden Rule," Those were not at all new commandments (although Jesus clarified the broader definition of neighbor). However, here in the upper room, during the Passover before His crucifixion, He does give a new commandment. It's new, primarily, because the world had never seen an example of love like that which Jesus had for His disciples. Put simply, Jesus is better at loving us, than we are at loving ourselves. This is how the world will know that we are His disciples, if we love each other, not just as we love us, but as Jesus loves us.

A) The real focus here, is for me to be like Jesus. The first place my mind went with this verse, in applying it to my life, was the passage in Ephesians, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church. I don't want to just love Kristin as I love myself, I want to love Kristin as Jesus loves Kristin. The same is true for my children. The same is true for my extended family, or my friends, or brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, or even strangers and enemies. The focus here, is to strive to see others the way Jesus sees them. That's what it means to be a disciple, anyway. I want to emulate the manners, discipline, behaviors, habits, practices, and lifestyle of my Master. In order to do that, I must study the way He loves, the way He walked and talked. I must know His heart for people. In order to do that, I must be attentive when I read my Bible. It's not enough to just read it by routine. I must approach it with intent. A perfect example is in this same chapter. Jesus spoke these words just after He had washed the feet of His disciples. And, it's notable that there is no mention He avoided the feet of Judas Iscariot. I must love, even those who betray me, like Jesus did (understanding that there are still boundaries and issues of trust). That's certainly not always easy, but if I am already submitting myself as is disciple, then it's not up to me anymore.

P) Father, Your love for me is really beyond my comprehension. However, there is a great deal about it that I can still apprehend from Scripture, and some I can even comprehend from my love for my children. But, I want to know it more because I want to be a better disciple of Jesus. You are holy, and so I want to make myself holy, devoted and separated for Your purposes and not my own. Open my eyes and ears, that I may better follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Help me to be sensitive to His lead, and also give me the strength and will to heed those convictions, and not just recognize them. Let Your will be done, not mine, as I try to focus more and more on loving others as Jesus loves them, and not simply as I love myself. Thank You, Lord, that Jesus is better at loving me than I am at loving myself. That has never been so clear, as it is shown in the truth and reality of the cross. Let me be vocal about my need for the gospel, and plainly tell people that Jesus is better at loving them, than they are at loving themselves. Let me teach that to my kids, and encourage my wife with it. I pray that when others hear me call myself a Christian, that it resonates within them, because they see the love of Jesus through me. All this to Your glory alone. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/10/2016; John 12:32-33

Today's reading: Jeremiah 5, 6; John 12

S) "^32 'And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.' ³³ But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die."

John 12:32-33 (NASB)

O) As Jesus had entered Jerusalem for the last time, and the story of the resurrection of Lazarus had circulated, some of the Greeks who were apparently converted to Judaism (v.20), came to follow Jesus (v.21). When Jesus was asked about this, He told the disciples that the Father will honor anyone who serves Jesus (v.26). This was, no doubt, in reference to the question about Greeks following Jesus, who were not Jews - and after all, the Messiah was for the Jews. After explaining that His hour had come, and that He was to be crucified soon, and after voicing His commitment to that cause, the Father affirmed it for Jesus (v.28). After that, Jesus circles around to the topic of Gentiles following Him again, with the words above. I have known for a long time, that Jesus said no one comes to Him unless the Father draws them (see John 6:44). But, I have also always believed that somehow, God must draw everyone to Jesus. I think the harmony of these verses, is the before and after timeframe of the crucifixion. While Jesus was ministering His three and a half years, it was exclusively to the Jews. As the Old Testament moves closer and closer to the time of Jesus, we see more and more references to the apostasy, and that there will only be a remnant saved. When the Messiah finally appears, that's what we see. I think that's the time frame, or even the people group, that Jesus meant when He said the Father must draw them. That's in reference to the remnant to be saved out of the Jewish apostasy. Only the Jews that the Father drew were going to be saved. But, when Jesus was lifted up (i.e., crucified), He drew all men to Himself. The reality of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension is powerful. I think it is so powerful, that people are drawn to it; it appeals to all people on some level or another.

A) Everyday, I need the mercy of God. Everyday, I am thankful for the gospel. Everyday, I am drawn to Jesus because He was lifted up. That is my response to this verse. I can easily get distracted with theological debates about what it means to be elected, or what predestination entails, or who exactly is called to Jesus and what God's sovereignty means in that. At the end of everyday, however, I know that I am drawn to Him. Everything else pales in comparison to the reality that I need Jesus, and I am drawn to Him for the sacrifice He made for me. I am drawn to Him for the reality of His love and grace for me. I am humbled, each time I sin, realizing that I need His blood to cover me all the time.

P) Father, You are holy, and I confess that I struggle to keep myself holy. I want to remain devoted to You, set apart and separated from the world, to be Yours and Yours alone. It is a struggle, Lord. You deserve better. You deserve my best. I confess that too often, I am giving You my least. I don't want that, Lord. Thank You for the grace I still receive, I still need. Thank You for Your mercies, which are new every morning. Thank You for drawing me to Jesus, each and every day. I need that love, that grace in my life. Please comfort me with the Holy Spirit, and remind me of Your love for me as my Father in heaven. I submit myself to Your discipline, if that means it will bring about the character in me that You desire and deserve. Open my eyes and ears, to follow You more closely. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/09/2016; John 11:4

Today's reading: Jeremiah 3, 4; John 11

S) "⁴ But when Jesus heard this, He said, 'This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.'"

John 11:4 (NASB)

O) This chapter is entirely about Lazarus, the brother of Mary, who fell sick and died. I've written twice about this already, noting the compassion of Christ Jesus, the omniscience and purposes of our Father in heaven, and the pain of loss, even between those two things. Generally speaking, I am very wary of taking promises out of context, but if we look at the words of Jesus in a more general sense and (this is key) pair them with other promises Jesus made, we see that this verse is really true for every disciple of Jesus. Our current bodies break down and fail eventually, no matter the physique or lifestyle. But, no matter how inglorious our death, in Christ Jesus we will be raised to the glory of God.

A) How difficult would it have been to intimidate Lazarus after his experience? The early church faced heavy persecution, but something tells me Lazarus might've just laughed at the threats. But, the disciples must've felt the same way, I think. After all, every single thing Jesus ever told them, came to pass exactly, no matter how strange it must've seemed at the time. In the same way, if I will believe His words entirely, if I will trust that my body is temporary, and that death has no sting, then I will never fear persecution either. I want to be fearless before man, in every way. I want only to fear God, because He is the only mighty, awesome, eternal One. If I have proper reverence for His words, then I won't fear anyone, or anything else.

P) Father, thank You for Your promises. You are so full of love and compassion, lavishing grace upon grace, that I can receive eternal life, that I can be part of Your holy family. Help me to be faithful with the words of Jesus. Help me to dwell on them, to trust them. I know that it is only by Your grace that I know His words at all, let alone believing them. I want to hold fast to this promise, that my life doesn't end in death. My real sickness is sin, after all, and In Jesus Christ, the curse of sin and death are broken. Use me, Lord. Let my boldness, my increasing fearless attitude be only for Your glory. I don't want to rebel against culture or persecution, just for the sake of being a rebel. I want to do it with Your purposes in mind. So, in my life, and in my fearless attitude toward man, let Your will be done. In the face of sickness or sin, let me rejoice that it does not end in death, but for Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/08/2016; John 10:41

Today's reading: Jeremiah 1, 2; John 10

S) "⁴¹ Many came to Him and were saying, 'While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.'"

John 10:41 (NASB)

O) This is a brief comment about John the Baptist and Jesus, but there is a point it makes in passing, that caught my attention. This came after Jesus was asserting His deity pretty clearly. By the end of it, the Pharisees were ready to stone Him again. Jesus fled beyond the Jordan, to a place where John the Baptist had started his work. By this time, he had almost certainly already been arrested and executed (Matthew 14 has his death, then feed I the 5,000, then Jesus walking on the water. John records those second two events in chapter 6). Before his death, Jesus called John the Baptist, a prophet and more than a prophet (Matthew 11:9), and said there has never been anyone greater (Matthew 11:11). And yet, in the verses above, the people around whom he did the most work, never saw him perform any miracles. Moses was a prophet with whom there were many signs. Elijah performed signs, and then Elisha even more, but Jesus said they were not greater than John the Baptist. Yet, he performed no signs. There are certainly other places where Jesus warned against seeking signs, but this is an interesting note that signs and wonders, miracles like those, they aren't worth much in the kingdom of God. What made John the Baptist great, was his confession of Christ. He was the forerunner to the Messiah, and he boldly spoke truth about sin and the need to repent. No signs of supernatural power are needed for that.

A) To be very clear, I absolutely believe in the miraculous. I believe in the gifts of the Spirit, including praying in tongues, prophecy, and physical healing. When I was a teenager, attending a Pentecostal church, that was my first exposure to the supernatural things of God, firsthand. Because of its newness to me, and because it amazed me, I often desired more of it. I see now, that it was an immature view of God and His ways. Of course I still pray for miracles. I lay hands on the sick, when given the opportunity. I pray in the face of disaster or emergency. All the while knowing, that God can use me to do a miracle. However, I have come to understand that there are much more important works to be done, than signs and wonders. I confess that it is already miraculous, that I have compassion for others (this is not at all who I was before submitting myself to Christ). So, it is already a miracle if I give money to a poor man. It is already a miracle, if I stop to change an old lady's tire on the side of the road. God has humbled me enough to know that I don't want to be someone great. I just want to be an obedient, faithful servant. If I proclaim the truth about who Jesus is, and I am living a life of repentance from sin, and I am willing to do what God is asking me to do (the practical, tangible works He has prepared for me, according to Ephesians 2:10), then I will be glad and hope to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master."

P) Father, thank You for the grace at work in me, for making me the man I am today. I confess, that too often I have areas in my life that are not fully submitted to You. I am not always willing to let go of my own selfish desires. But, I thank You that Your grace is bigger than my failures. please continue to work in me, that I would be more and more like Jesus Christ, who was fully and totally obedient to You, Father God. Let me be found a humble servant, who only seeks to obey what You are asking me to do, and that I am never seeking to be someone great, who does awesome things. I only want for You to be glorified, Lord. I confess that too often, I am trying to be a glory thief. Let me rest in the truth, that You don't need me to be a miracle worker, You just need me to be a worker, in whom You have already done miracles. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/07/2016; John 9:3

Today's reading: Zephaniah 1, 2, 3; John 9

S) "³ Jesus answered, 'It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"

John 9:3 (NASB)

O) This story, of a man who was born blind and then healed by Jesus, is compelling throughout. Even from the beginning of its telling, there are a few deep-seeded and difficult truths to pull out of it. In the previous verse, Jesus was asked who sinned, the man or his parents, that he would be blind. On the surface, there are implications that our sin causes malities. While that is sometimes true (which is evidence that our call to holy righteous living is for our good), the answer Jesus gives right from the start, prevents this line of thinking. Our own sins are not always the cause of our own sickness, calamity, or trial. The prosperity of the wicked is evidence enough for that. However, the explanation Jesus gives, true to His character, answers the deeper question of the heart, that these men were really seeking. Why is there suffering. So often, I hear people say that there is suffering in the world because it is broken, fallen, and full of sin. While we can point to some factors as sin, that's really answering the question of how, not the question of why. That is a much bigger, and more difficult, question. But, Jesus gives a fairly simple answer, even if it is not an easy one. This man was suffering, that God may receive glory through him. That is ultimately the reason God allows suffering.

A) Someone recently told me that we can't really appreciate a mountaintop, unless we've been in its valley. There is some relevant truth to that. The suffering I have experienced, to whatever relative degree it is, has helped me understand God's love, healing, provision, grace, and mercy. Even right now, I am very lonely. I've been apart from my family for four weeks, and I've just heard this morning that our reuniting may be delayed again. I could wonder why, and blame a sinful fallen world. I could search within myself, to reflect on sins and try to find a cause there. But that's really a fool's errand. God may very well have additional purposes for our temporary separation, but I do know that one thing He wants, is for my wife and me to seek Him during this time. The works of God might be displayed in us, and we can glorify Him in this trial. Like a rebellious child, I can kick and scream, throw a fit, and complain how it's not fair. But, I am not a child anymore. I can plainly see, that I don't want what's "fair" because that would mean I would be punished for my own sins, instead of Jesus dying on the cross. Life is unfair, but it has been in my favor. In Christ, I am longing to be mature. I want to be together with my family again, and I pray and ask that. However, I confess that I don't have all the facts. I confess that I want what God wants, because I trust His goodness. The disappointments I've experienced so far, with these delays, they could be blamed on any number of circumstantial things. However, those things do not stand in the way of my sovereign Father in heaven. I am dedicated to praying for His will to be done. So, if He wants us to be apart awhile longer, it is for His purpose. At the very least, I know that purpose is for His glory, that His works may be displayed in us.

P) Father, You are holy and good. You are wise beyond measure, and sovereign and omnipotent. I want what You want, God. I humbly ask for You to bring my family to me. Let it be according to Your way, and Your timing. Pave the way, sell the condo in Washington, let us find a home here. Bring my family quickly and safely, Lord, please. I don't want to force things, though. I never want to take matters upon myself, to try and bring things about on my own. All along the way, I prayed for Your will alone, to be done. I remain dedicated to that, in humble submission as Your servant, Lord. So please, let Your will be done. As I wait, please lead me and show me what Yiu would have me do to glorify Your name. I want Your will, not only for my family coming, but for my waiting. I want to wait upon You, and not just for them. Let Your works be displayed in us, that Yiu would receive all the glory and honor. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/06/2016; John 8:56-59

Today's reading: Habakkuk 1, 2, 3; John 8

S) "⁵⁶ 'Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.' ⁵⁷ So the Jews said to Him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?' ⁵⁸ Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.' ⁵⁹ Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus his himself and went out of the temple."

John 8:56-59 (NASB)

O) Jesus was arguing with the Pharisees, because he told them they were slaves. They appealed to Abraham as their father, and said they (that is, their generation), hadn't been slaves to anyone. After Jesus told them they were slaves to sin, He went on to dismantle their argument that Abraham was their father (instead revealing the devil as their father, since they were enrapt by the world). Jesus said points out that as children, we act like our father (Jesus acted like God, and the Pharisees like the devil, not like Abraham). To put the final nail in place, Jesus remembers and recounts the joy Abraham had at seeing Him (see Genesis 18). After their outburst of incredulity, Jesus drops the final bombshell, when He tells them He existed before Abraham. However, not to be missed, is the wording He used to tell them, saying "I am." That must have drawn their minds, like it did mine, to the definition of YHWH (usually rendered LORD), being a form of saying, "I am." Also, Jesus was asserting His preeminence over Judaism, because He was before Abraham, who was the foremost forefather of the Jewish faith. Also not to be missed, after his mic-drop moment, Jesus fled.

A) First, this story should be remembered as more evidence that Jesus is God, and that He plainly claimed to be God. Naysayers will sometimes try to pretend these were claims that religious propagaters tried to project on Him later. Obviously, this story tells us differently. But, perhaps the most notable thing about this story, as an application to my life, is the way that Jesus stood His ground to speak the truth, up to a point. Eventually, He left the argument. Not only did He leave, but He hid Himself and fled. Obviously, that was because His time had not yet come (see v.20). More than that, though, I think this is another example that we aren't always supposed to fight. We aren't always supposed to stand our ground, to die defending a hill, even one so doctrinally important as Jesus being God. Like my Lord, the most important thing is for me to focus on obedience, and relying on the Holy Spirit to lead me in His timing for such things.

P) Father, I confess the preeminence of Jesus, my Lord. He existed before all, and through Hin, all things came into being, just as the Scripture says. I confess that His pre-existence means no religion is truly older than Christianity, in this way. Let me hold fast to these truths, the truth of the Bible, in the face of any argument. Let me be bold enough to speak Your truth, no matter who is opposing it. At the same time, lead me in all things. Help me be sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit, that I would know when to fight, and when to flee. I only want Your will to be done, so use me how and when, as You please. I am Your servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.