Acts 2

Acts 2 (New International Version)


The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

Peter Addresses the Crowd
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by 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 men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25David said about him:
" 'I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
35until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet." '

36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.



Interesting points of Discussion:




•[See v.1] 'day of Pentecost'- fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and ten days after his ascension into Heaven, Jesus' promise to the apostles of 'the gift my Father promised' [see v.4, Acts 1] is fulfilled as God suddenly reveals his glory to mankind and pours out the Holy Spirit upon everyone in the community (takes place in Jerusalem)

•[See v.1] 'they were all together in one place'- as we see the disciples preparing for the Pentecost, it is clear that God has spoken to them to gather and wait in this certain 'place'; they are obeying God's command along with prayer and organizing themselves as a group

•[See v.2] 'a violent wind came from heaven'- just as God's appearances earlier in the Old Testament was accompanied by powerful, magical acts of nature- recall the burning bush and cloud of fire before which Moses and the Israelites appeared, the Holy Spirit's arrival is signified by this hurricane-like wind and 'tongues of fire' [see v.3]; the similarity with which the Holy Spirit is revealed goes back to the idea of the Trinity being God, the Son and the Holy Spirit who are all revelations of God in three persons and share the same essential and unique attributes of God

•It is interesting that the Holy Spirit is the last of the Trinity to be revealed; it came to carry on Jesus' work and is a pivotal presence in the establishment of the church

•These signs of God that Israel was used to was now being presented to people from all nations who had come to Jerusalem to observe the Pentecost; it was God now making a covenant with those outside of Israel for those who would believe in his son Jesus Christ

•[See v.4] 'began to speak in other tongues'- people began to speak in languages other than their own native language

•[See v.6] 'each one heard them speaking in his own language'- all these people from different nations and cultures with distinct languages are not only speaking in languages other than their own; it seems that every single person who is listening to another person speaking is hearing his own native language!

•In this moment we can see the amazing supernatural power of the Holy Spirit allowing people from radically different backgrounds to engage with each other in conversation; God not only finally extends his branch (formerly Israel) to the whole world but he goes even farther to break all the barriers between these nations and unify them as one body of believers

•The Penetecost in the Old Testament was the feast of Weeks as set forth by God- a celebration after 7 weeks of the joyous harvest season on the "fiftieth" day, which means "Pentecost" in Greek

•Concerning the Penetecost, the Lord said 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' [Leviticus 23:22]

•God was referring to 'the poor and the alien' as the Gentiles (non-Jews) to whom he would reach out to by baptizing them with the Holy Spirit, extending his grace through Jesus Christ to those outside the assembly of Israel and revealing his divine plan to spread the Gospel beyond the limits of Israel in what was the birth of the church

•Tongues is a spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit and its wonders have been known to be uttered in both a unique heavenly language and other people's native languages as in the context of Acts 2

•[See v.16] 'spoken by the prophet Joel'- Peter speaks out the truth in response to some of the Jews who doubted this wonder of God and called it a result of having 'too much wine' [see v.13]; the Holy Spirit's powers were revealed in many forms including prophesying, having visions and dreams

•Prophet Joel's prophecy here as stated by Peter was not just concerning the Penetecost and the first coming of the Holy Spirit but what was yet to be fulfilled- the restoration of Israel and the second coming of Christ in the last days in which once again the Holy Spirit would be poured out

•[See v.34-35] David said that "The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"; this was God telling Jesus upon his return to sit next to Him and expect Him to bring his defeated enemies under his feet

•[See v.38-41] Peter establishes the foundation of the church in introducing repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ and the receiving of the Holy Spirit; we see the power of the Holy Spirit in ministry making believers out of non-believers en route to the beginning of the church

•[See v.42-47] This early church is described as full of joy and excitement being unified in their hearts to the point that they 'sold their possessions and goods' for each other; God grows this church not only in size but transforms them on the inside through the power of the Holy Spirit to live joyfully among each other, to learn from each other, to teach other and to help one another

•In modern times, this picture of a Utopian society where everyone shares equally is hard to fathom and too ideal for a survival-frenzied, profit-driven, luxury-striving world

•But it's clear that from the beginning God has called us to be generous in sacrificing for the sake of others and also to live with each other for each other, not forgetting that he has called us to be one and the same having 'everything in common'

Acts 1

Acts 1 (New International Version)


Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."

18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms,
" 'May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,' and,
" 'May another take his place of leadership.' 21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.



Interesting points of Discussion:

• Background of the Book of Acts: The book of Acts follows the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that composed the eyewitness accounts of the "Gospel" (good message or good news) as delivered by Jesus' own words; Luke, author of one of the four "Gospel" books, has long assumed to have been the author of Acts
  
• The book of Acts is a bridge to the New Testament writings as it joins what 'Jesus began to do and to teach' [See v.1] as told in the "Gospel" books with what he continued to do and teach through the apostles' preaching and the establishment of the church
  
• Q: What kind of 'Acts' is this book in the Bible referring to ?
  
• A: Acts of the Holy Spirit performed through the apostles of Jesus Christ
  
• Q: What was your experience of the Holy Spirit when it came upon you ?
  
• A: Felt a sense of overwhelming peace, boldness to share the love of God, the world around me seemed different as if I was judging through a new set of eyes, felt a desire to be holy and to know the goodness of God, absence of fear when sharing as a witness
  
• The disciples faced a transition from watching Jesus' work on Earth and having Jesus do everything for them to having to do these same works without Jesus present (physically) and instead replaced by the Holy Spirit
  
• How did the apostles deal with his departure ?
  
• [See v.10] 'two men dressed in white'- angels come to tell the apostles to start living (i.e. 'Why do you stand here looking into the sky?' [see v.11]) instead of keeping on wondering why Jesus left and thinking, "He's really gone?"; Jesus died for us so that we might live!
  
• [See v.11] 'will come back in the same way'- the angels tell the apostles of the second coming of Christ which is just as certain and glorious as his ascension into heaven at that hour
  
• [See v.8] 'you will receive power'- before Jesus ascends into Heaven he tells them that they will be given power from the Holy Spirit to do the same amazing signs, wonders and miracles that Jesus himself performed in his time on Earth
  
• 'you will be my witnesses'- Jesus foreshawdows the works that the apostles will do through the Holy Spirit in founding churches, spreading the gospel, establishing congregations and evangelizing
  
• [See v.5] The baptism with the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises to them is quite different from the baptism with water that John had performed earlier
  
• Baptism with water is physical whereas the Holy Spirit cannot be seen and is spiritual; going into the water represents death to self and coming back out of the water represents the resurrection of Christ in you
  
• Other than the physical/spiritual contrast, baptism with water is very much symbolic of the baptism with the Holy Spirit
  
• [See v.13] All the names of the apostles are listed, stressing their roles as a body of divinely appointed witnesses to Jesus' life, teachings and his resurrection
  
• There seems to be a symbolic element to why the disciples chose to replace Judas and maintain the 12-apostle arrangement- recall the twelve tribes of Israel in the old Testament; this number twelve could represent the Christian church (founded by the 12 apostles) which in turn represents a reconstituted Israel
  
• [See v.18] Judas' death is portrayed differently here than in Matthew 27:5 where he was said to have hung himself; here he purchases a property with the betrayal money and kills himself in a fall
  
• Judas' suicidal fate reminds us how serious God's punishment can be
  
• As we learn about how the Holy Spirit works it's important to look at how the apostles prepared for the coming of the Holy Spirit
  
• Besides constant prayer [see v.14], they organized themselves as a group
  
  
  
  

John 19

John 19 (New International Version)


Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified
1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." 5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"

6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"
But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

7The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

13When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.

15But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."

22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

24"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
"They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.

25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus
28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

The Burial of Jesus
38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See v.2] 'clothed him in a purple robe'- the Roman soldiers mock Jesus, dressing him up to be a king with a crown and a robe yet treating him as if he was the lowest of lowest criminals by physically beating and striking him
  
• [See v.8] 'he was even more afraid'- Pilate hears from the Jews that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and suddenly the fear of God comes upon him
  
• [See v.11] 'You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above'- at the same time that Jesus sternly rebukes Pilate about how his power comes from God and not from man, Jesus also conveys how perfectly he is submitted to God's will
  
• [See v.19] 'Pilate had a notice prepared'- Pilate made the sign "JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS" even though the chief priests insisted that the Jews had 'no king but Caesar' [see v.15]; did Pilate do this to mock Jesus or did he actually do it out of respect and fear of the Lord?
  
• [See v.22] 'What I have written, I have written'- Pilate stands behind his decision to make the sign for Jesus, much to the chagrin of the Jews who were protesting; perhaps Pilate felt an obligation to carry out the fulfillment of God's work after all
  
• The sign was written in 3 different languages [see v.20] and symbolizes how Jesus is "Lord over all"
  
• [See v.24] 'divided my garments...cast lots for my clothing'- the prophecy from the Old Testament scriptures is fulfilled that the soldiers would gamble for the clothes of Jesus as he was naked on the cross
  
• Being stripped of your clothes is a severe form of humiliation as was done to Jesus; instead of being honored as a king he suffered the treatment worthy of a slave
  
• [See v.25-27] Jesus takes care of his family and loved ones even as he is dying on the cross; we see how important it is to take care of those around us just as he did
  
• Jesus displays remarkable control even during his crucifixion as he tells people about their positions (gives a disciple to be his mother's son in place of him) and unites people (mother and son); can we have the same composure and determination to stick to what is right when we run into difficult circumstances?
  
• [See v.28] 'I am thirsty'- this is another fulfillment of the scriptures as Jesus has lost a lot of blood and water from his body
  
• The blood and water that flows from Jesus is quite ironic because he is the one who is thirsty yet he is also the one who truly satisfies our thirst and hunger; to best put it, even as Jesus was dying, life was flowing out of him that would be the source of new life for us
  
• Taken figuratively, Jesus' thirst on the cross is an example of how we should live like him to thirst for God
  
• [See v.29] The soldiers giving vinegar to Jesus was equal to mockery since vinegar only makes you thirstier
  
• [See v.33] 'they did not break his legs'- the other two men had their leg bones broken but Jesus was pierced instead; this was God's way of lifting him up in front of the world, to 'look on the one they have pierced' [see v.37]- "standing above all"
  
• [See v.36] 'Not one of his bones will be broken'- just as God commanded Moses and the Israelites during the Passover Feast not to break any of the bones in the sacrificial lambs, God wanted Jesus, the lamb of God, to be preserved in the same manner
  
• [See Psalm 34:19-20] 'A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken'- this suggests that God was also protecting Jesus and spared him from having his bones broken
  
• God keeps those who are righteous out of harm's way even though we may encounter situations where we may feel harmed
  
  
  

John 18

John 18 (New International Version)


Jesus Arrested
1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

7Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

8"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

11Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

Jesus Taken to Annas
12Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Peter's First Denial
15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not."

18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus
19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."

22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.

23"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter's Second and Third Denials
25As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?"
He denied it, saying, "I am not."
26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Jesus Before Pilate
28Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
30"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

31Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

38"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

40They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See v.6] 'they drew back and fell to the ground'- when Jesus replied "I am he", the officials and soldiers instantly fell to the ground; this goes to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit that was moving upon them by which they were so overwhelmed that they involuntarily lost control of their balance (staying upright)
  
• Maybe they were so filled with shame at that moment in the presence of his holiness and majesty that they couldn't possibly bear to stand dignified in their sinful nature as human beings
  
• [See v.11] 'Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me'- whereas Peter sees protecting Jesus' life as an act of saving, Jesus sees his own death as saving
  
• [See v.17,25,27] Peter denies being one of Jesus' disciples on three separate occasions
  
• Peter seems to have had mixed feelings- on one hand he wanted to stay close to Jesus and see the outcome but on the other hand he didn't want to get into trouble so he denied knowing Jesus 3 times in order to avoid being arrested himself
  
• Peter really feared man more than he feared God at this point in his life although that would change later on; the spirit of fear can grip us and take control of us if we are not careful- it can keep us from following God to the fullest, instead short-changing our goals for something less and incomplete
  
• Making a white lie is far easier than standing up for Jesus and facing the consequences; but at the same time, one little lie can lead to bigger lies that will cause you to turn your back on the truth
  
• It's encouraging to know that Peter, who eventually was willing to trust God and die for Christ later in his life, struggled in the beginning of his faith journey between his love for Jesus (Spirit) and himself (flesh); many of us, even as Christians, find it hard to fight this battle in a world where the flesh always seems to be winning but we can be encouraged to know that there are those who overcame it by continuing to fight and never giving up
  
• [See v.31] 'we have no right to execute anyone'- the Jews were under the authority of the Roman government which had the power to execute anyone
  
• [See v.35] 'Am I a Jew'- Pilate, the Roman emperor seems reluctant to be the one to cast judgement on Jesus; his response is "I'm not Jewish so don't look at me- I have nothing to do with this matter which should be in the hands of the Jewish people"
  
• Pilate is trying to shift the blame to the Jews because he feels somewhat guilty or fearful of the consequences of casting judgement on someone who may actually have more authority than he does
  
• When we relate to God one-one-one we should not point fingers to others as Pilate did because we are called to be "pure and blameless" for the day of Christ which means no complaining or arguing which will only work to steal away our praise
  
• Jesus stood firm in front of the high priest and Pilate; likewise we can take a page from his book and stand resolute in speaking God's truth and word when we are presented with circumstances that put our God-given purpose to the test
  
• [See v.36] 'my servants would fight'- the illusion is that it looks as if the world has won by having Jesus sentenced to an execution but what they don't know is that the real victory lies in God's kingdom; Jesus seems to be saying that the real battle is not here and now in the finite world but in the future when the kingdom of God he belongs to will have the true victory
  
  

John 16

John 16 (New International Version)


1"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

17Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" 18They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? 20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

29Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

31"You believe at last!" Jesus answered. 32"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See v.2] 'put you out of the synagogue...think he is offering a service to God'- Jesus forewarns his disciples of a time that is coming when they will be persecuted and thrown out of their own spiritual communities and families and even possibly killed- by the very religious leaders of the synagogues who claim to be followers of God
  
• [See v.3] 'They will do such things'- this persecution and killing of fellow Christians will be done for political reasons which have nothing to do with the purposes of God or Jesus Christ
  
• Serving God is not about following our own interests and condemning others
  
• Many people today are "culturally Christian" and seem to think they know God or Jesus Christ just because they celebrate Easter or Christmas
  
• [See v.7] 'It is for your good that I am going away'- as a result of Jesus' departure from the world we are not going to be left alone, but rather we will be sent a messenger- the 'Counselor', the Holy Spirit
  
• The Holy Spirit will play an important role in our faith by correcting our hearts, which begins with being convicted of our sins, righteousness and judgement [see v.8]
  
• [See v.9] 'because men do not believe in me'- the world desperately wants to forget that Jesus came and lived among us because he was too perfect for our standards; many want to just accept the lie that they are naturally good human beings trying their best to make things work out in a complicated world
  
• [See v.10] 'where you can see me no longer'- although the world can no longer see Jesus, the Holy Spirit will teach us that there is a clear-cut right and wrong (good and evil) even when the world tries to convince people that there is no absolute truth or right and wrong way to live life
  
• [See v.11] 'prince of this world now stands condemned'- the world will see judgement one day, namely upon those who do not believe in Jesus; yet for those who do believe, signs of this judgement are already apparent in their lives where the power of Satan is broken and furthermore they are empowered by work of the Holy Spirit
  
• [See v.12] 'more than you can now bear'- Hints at the crucifixion and how Jesus knows that they won't be able to bear the act of salvation he will perform, maybe because they are not ready to comprehend or accept his sacrifice
  
• [See v.16] Jesus tells the disciples that he will be gone for a bit but then that he will be back again soon
  
• Even though Jesus came back to see the disciples after his resurrection, the truth in today's world is that most of us will never see Jesus in this world; but seeing Jesus is less important than establishing a spiritual relationship and walking by faith, not sight
  
• [See v.23] 'will give you whatever you ask in my name'- we need to ask before we are to receive from God; prayer causes things to happen and has the power to directly influence things in this world
  
• [See v.26] 'In that day you will ask in my name'- the disciples will pray in Jesus' name after his death and resurrection
  
• [See v.32] 'you will be scattered...will leave me all alone'- Jesus refers to when he will take up the cross to make the ultimate sacrifice for all of humankind and specifically how the disciples will not follow him but instead go home and "chicken out"; it's almost like they will act like they don't know Jesus
  
• In the same way to follow Jesus we must be courageous and bold when it comes to standing up for what we believe in and to remember all that he has taught us and to never abandon Jesus no matter what the cost
  
  

John 15

John 15 (New International Version)

The Vine and the Branches
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

The World Hates the Disciples
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'
26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See v.5] 'I am the vine; we are the branches'- Jesus should be the center of our lives because without him we are weak and lacking; many people today claim that living life to the fullest on their own is the way to go but Jesus seems to be saying that we actually won't be living life to the fullest unless we live it in him
  
• Making Jesus the center of our lives requires us to obey God's commands [see v.10]
  
• [See v.6] 'like a branch that is thrown away and withers'- when you don't allow Jesus to be the center of your life, you will struggle to grow spiritually and to fulfill God's will for your life
  
• We did not choose Jesus but he chose us [see v.16] to give us a destiny and a purpose- to work toward bearing 'fruit that will last', that is, eternal goals, with the final destination being Heaven
  
• And if we do accept this offer by remaining in God's will for us, we may ask and receive "anything"- wow, it sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?
  
• Jesus seems to be saying that being hated by the world isn't a bad thing because it means that he has chosen us [see v.19]
  
• [See v.2] 'every branch that does bear fruit he prunes'- God takes us through a maturation process in which He cuts off whatever is unnecessary or "infecting" the tree so that we will become even more fruitful; in another words, He "cleans" up our lives by refining us
  
• [See v.8] 'showing yourselves to be my disciples'- bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit- peace, love, joy, attitude of praise, humbleness, is what glorifies God; being a believer in God is not about words or thoughts but ultimately your actions which are a result of those fruits produced
  
• The Holy Spirit is our helper sent by God who is the 'Spirit of truth' [see v.26], the truth about the Father and the Son, so that we may better understand who Jesus is and what he did
  
• [See v.13] 'he lay down his life for his friends'- just as Jesus laid down his life for us we should love each other and put our necks on the line for each other; this sacrificial love is shown by listening and paying attention to those who need God's word, giving, encouraging, teaching, etc.
  
  
  
  
  

John 14

John 14 (New International Version)

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus the Way to the Father
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
"Come now; let us leave.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See verse 1] 'Do not let your hearts be troubled'- Jesus comforts his disciples
  
• [See verse 27] 'Peace I leave with you; my peace'- More comforting here from Jesus as he emphasizes the peace that he will bring to the world
  
• He tells them not to be afraid; one way to interpret this could be to see it in terms of life itself- that it won't turn out perfect and that there will be trouble but by resting in God's peace you will have nothing to be afraid of
  
• What is this 'peace' and what is it that the 'world gives' that Jesus says he does not give?
  
• Jesus said that this is 'my peace I give you'- that rather than being found in ourselves it is given to us as a gift from God through Christ; in another words, we cannot find this 'peace' by looking inside ourselves and setting up our own assurances ("I will be okay") and expectations ("I'll be fine") based on what we think will bring us peace
  
• If you take what the 'world gives'- material possessions, desires and false hopes, you will be left with no peace at all but with more worries and doubts and endless waiting or longings for things you covet
  
• Many times, people look to drugs, alcohol, sex, addictions, etc. to provide a false sense of peace instead of looking to God; instead of dealing with their issues as the Holy Spirit convicts them to, they continue to sin until the Spirit has become so weak that they are no longer able to feel God's correcting movements in their heart
  
• [See verse 26] 'Holy Spirit...will teach you all things'- the Holy Spirit is our 'Counselor' who guides us and talks to us so that we can apply the teachings of Jesus to our lives; the Spirit gives us the power to recall, discern and hear God's voice
  
• [See verse 6] 'I am the way'- only through Jesus and by knowing him do we know God; the idea of the Trinity is presented here with: (a) Jesus being the 'way' to access the Father and Heaven, (b) Jesus being the 'truth' which is the word of God and the fulfillment of it (prophecies of the Savior) and (c) Jesus is the 'life' that allows to be free from sin which causes spiritual death (and eventually eternal separation from God which is the second death) and instead empowers us by pouring out the Holy Spirit (giver of life) on those who accept him
  
• The word 'truth' can seem a bit ambiguous and too broad in scope yet here the 'truth' is the not just the partial truth or a fact; it is the complete truth in all its entirety- who God is, who we are and what we need to do to be saved from misery, hopelessness and death
  
• [See v.19-20] 'I am in my Father'- Jesus tells them that soon he will no longer be with them physically but that God will be with them through him, that is, Jesus invites us into the love relationship he has with the Father by hinting at the possibility of realizing that we are "in him" who is in the Father and he who is in the Father is "in us"
  
• This invitation of love is not only relational but also requires us to make an effort to obey Jesus' teachings which is the word of God [v.23-24]
  
• [See verse 26] 'will remind you of everything'- the Holy Spirit is our helper from God; we don't have to do it all on our own
  
• [See verse 28] 'Father is greater than I'- in a way Jesus is humbling himself before God even though he is the same as God in nature
  
• How is God 'greater'?
  
• God is the Creator of Life who came first and initiated everything by spoken words and Jesus was the One who was later on sent literally as the living Word