The Gospel According to John--"I Am The Bread of Life" (John 6:35)

Amen. It's kind of like alcoholism where we need to hit rock bottom before we really desire to change.

And, according to prophecy, we as a race will likely hit rock bottom and become "utterly desolate" before that great Trumpet sounds, signaling the return of the Lord to save our race from utter annihilation.

indeed this part “for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world”

“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.


I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.


And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.


He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting:

whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:44-50‬ ‭

The gospel is meant to save believers it’s not meant like the law to judge Gods people , those who reject the judges judgements in the gospel will be judged by those things theyve rejected

a Jesus didn’t come to judge anyone he came to give everyone that accepts and believes the gospel his judgement

By default those who reject this

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:22-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

are left out of that which he offers . To reject something one has to first hear it and then reject that it’s true.

If I reject his offer of life spoken by the lord himself only death remains . Not because he never offered life but because I rejected his offer of life sent to all

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this part is sure

“Before the LORD; For he cometh to judge the earth: With righteousness shall he judge the world, And the people with equity.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭98:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: …and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:22, 27‬ ‭

Dominion of the earth was given to man in the beginning , Jesus became the man with all authority

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭17:30-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

after he rose it confirmed all the scriptures had said beforehand

“Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

That’s just Jesus speaking through prophets beforehand of what he’d come with later in the gospel

It's a sunny Maundy Thursday up here in West Michigan today, and I had the question: do evangelical churches like the Baptists observe Maundy Thursday as part of their church calendar? I know it's an important yet often marginalized day by many members of orthodox denominations like Catholics, but I wasn't sure how Baptists, Methodists, and other Protestant churches viewed this day, which commemorates Jesus' "last supper" with the disciples.

Here is a really good "opinion" from a Baptist writer on how he sees Maundy Thursday in his life as a Baptist Christian:

What’s a Baptist to do on Maundy Thursday? – Baptist News Global

I like how the author breaks down three key events that are remembered on this day:

1. The washing of the disciples' feet
2. The suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane
3. The betrayal of Judas Iscariot

Of course, the institution of the "Last Supper" is pivotal to orthodox churches with the bread and wine representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. What strikes me the most about this last meal with the disciples is what Jesus did after supper: "...He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with a towel..." (John 13: 5). Here is our God in the flesh humbling Himself to serve His disciples with an intimate gesture of agape love:

John 13:12-15

New King James Version

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you [a]know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

I've participated in a few foot washing ceremonies on Maundy Thursday, and it is a powerful experience. I didn't have any problem washing another brethren's feet, but it was uncomfortable to have my feet washed by another person. It's an act that demonstrates the type of relationship we should have with one another as Christians: love, grace, and service. Our feet are a humble yet critical part of our bodies.

I like Benjamin Cole's comment from the article link above where he writes, "The English word “maundy” is derived from the Latin word mandatum, which is the Vulgate’s translation of Jesus’ words in John 13:34: 'A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another.'” Loving our neighbor as ourself is nothing new, but what's "new" about this commandment is this:

John 13:34-35

New King James Version

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

We are to love one another as Christ loves us. That brings our love to a whole new level, and we can only express that type of love by the power of Christ living within us. It's a love that is selfless and focused on the well-being of others unlike our human love that is often conditional in nature (I love you as long as you benefit me in some fashion). Our unconditional love for one another illustrates we are Jesus' disciples--that's the most powerful message I am taking away for my Maundy Thursday reflections this year!

It's a sunny Maundy Thursday up here in West Michigan today, and I had the question: do evangelical churches like the Baptists observe Maundy Thursday as part of their church calendar? I know it's an important yet often marginalized day by many members of orthodox denominations like Catholics, but I wasn't sure how Baptists, Methodists, and other Protestant churches viewed this day, which commemorates Jesus' "last supper" with the disciples.

Here is a really good "opinion" from a Baptist writer on how he sees Maundy Thursday in his life as a Baptist Christian:

What’s a Baptist to do on Maundy Thursday? – Baptist News Global

I like how the author breaks down three key events that are remembered on this day:

1. The washing of the disciples' feet
2. The suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane
3. The betrayal of Judas Iscariot

Of course, the institution of the "Last Supper" is pivotal to orthodox churches with the bread and wine representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. What strikes me the most about this last meal with the disciples is what Jesus did after supper: "...He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with a towel..." (John 13: 5). Here is our God in the flesh humbling Himself to serve His disciples with an intimate gesture of agape love:

John 13:12-15

New King James Version

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you [a]know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

I've participated in a few foot washing ceremonies on Maundy Thursday, and it is a powerful experience. I didn't have any problem washing another brethren's feet, but it was uncomfortable to have my feet washed by another person. It's an act that demonstrates the type of relationship we should have with one another as Christians: love, grace, and service. Our feet are a humble yet critical part of our bodies.

I like Benjamin Cole's comment from the article link above where he writes, "The English word “maundy” is derived from the Latin word mandatum, which is the Vulgate’s translation of Jesus’ words in John 13:34: 'A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another.'” Loving our neighbor as ourself is nothing new, but what's "new" about this commandment is this:

John 13:34-35

New King James Version

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

We are to love one another as Christ loves us. That brings our love to a whole new level, and we can only express that type of love by the power of Christ living within us. It's a love that is selfless and focused on the well-being of others unlike our human love that is often conditional in nature (I love you as long as you benefit me in some fashion). Our unconditional love for one another illustrates we are Jesus' disciples--that's the most powerful message I am taking away for my Maundy Thursday reflections this year!

I’m a bit embarrassed but I’ve never heard of maunday Thursday lol

Yep. It's an under-looked occasion during Holy Week, and it wasn't until my wife and I attended a Lutheran church for several years where the pastor stressed the importance of this day. He washed my feet that first night I attended, and I was humbled to say the least.

Well
I’m glad i read what you wrote about it now I’m looking into it lol thanks again brother as usual

That’s lovely to read brother

remember when Peter objected tonjesus washing his feet ? Jesus response is interesting

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I’m thinking what is it that makes us unclean tbat Jesus washes away ? And it seems they have already had a bath but sometimes thier feet get dirty still and need washed yet

Is this actually about washing someone else’s feet literally ?

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:25-27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭

Perfect lead-in to Good Friday, brother. The foot washing definitely goes beyond the literal, as does most aspects of our faith, and points to a much more significant cleansing where we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ to spiritually clean our souls, yielding redemption and unity with our God. That cleansing is complete down to the lowest parts of our bodies: mind, heart, and soul.

Jesus' intercessory prayer prior to entering the garden where he would be betrayed by Judas and arrested, marking the beginning point of Jesus' suffering at the hands of the authorities, was focused largely on His disciples, and the verse you quoted from John 17:17 is outstanding:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Jesus prays to the Father to set his disciples apart (i.e. sanctify) from this world and the clutches of evil and sin orchestrated by the devil. And, He says "thy word is truth." It's funny how Jesus reveals another "truth" to Pilate just prior to the beatings, torture, and ultimate crucifixion:

John 18:37-38

New King James Version

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Jesus answered Pilate directly by saying He is a King whose cause is to "bear witness to the truth." Then, Pilate asks a great question, "What is truth?" All Pilate knew was life in a secular government and world where truth is an abstraction that has many different applications and interpretations. Pilate probably lived in a world of lies more than one of truth.

Pilate asked the question, but he really didn't want an answer from Jesus, and I also sense a hint of sarcasm in the question. What is truth in this train-wreck of a world? Pilate didn't wait for an answer to the question from Jesus but "went out again to the Jews" to say he didn't find any fault in Jesus, washing his hands of the tragic event he had been forced to participate in as Roman governor of Judea.

As Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples, one key point He makes is "Thy Word is Truth" as you pointed out, Pilgrim. The Words that come from the Father are truth, Jesus and the Father are one, so the Words of Jesus are truth as well: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). God's Word, The Holy Bible, is truth, and the living Word brought us the gospel that He became human to suffer and die for our sins on the cross.

As much as I try to grasp the horror of that awful death our Lord suffered, it eludes me on the whole. The hymn, "Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)" that will be sung at many Good Friday services today is probably the closest I can come to capturing a small piece of the emotion I should feel and the gratitude as well. Johnny Cash's rendition of this piece at the link below is quite profound:

Johnny Cash - Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) [Live] | The Road to Nashville - YouTube

Perfect lead-in to Good Friday, brother. The foot washing definitely goes beyond the literal, as does most aspects of our faith, and points to a much more significant cleansing where we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ to spiritually clean our souls, yielding redemption and unity with our God. That cleansing is complete down to the lowest parts of our bodies: mind, heart, and soul.

Jesus' intercessory prayer prior to entering the garden where he would be betrayed by Judas and arrested, marking the beginning point of Jesus' suffering at the hands of the authorities, was focused largely on His disciples, and the verse you quoted from John 17:17 is outstanding:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Jesus prays to the Father to set his disciples apart (i.e. sanctify) from this world and the clutches of evil and sin orchestrated by the devil. And, He says "thy word is truth." It's funny how Jesus reveals another "truth" to Pilate just prior to the beatings, torture, and ultimate crucifixion:

John 18:37-38

New King James Version

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Jesus answered Pilate directly by saying He is a King whose cause is to "bear witness to the truth." Then, Pilate asks a great question, "What is truth?" All Pilate knew was life in a secular government and world where truth is an abstraction that has many different applications and interpretations. Pilate probably lived in a world of lies more than one of truth.

Pilate asked the question, but he really didn't want an answer from Jesus, and I also sense a hint of sarcasm in the question. What is truth in this train-wreck of a world? Pilate didn't wait for an answer to the question from Jesus but "went out again to the Jews" to say he didn't find any fault in Jesus, washing his hands of the tragic event he had been forced to participate in as Roman governor of Judea.

As Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples, one key point He makes is "Thy Word is Truth" as you pointed out, Pilgrim. The Words that come from the Father are truth, Jesus and the Father are one, so the Words of Jesus are truth as well: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). God's Word, The Holy Bible, is truth, and the living Word brought us the gospel that He became human to suffer and die for our sins on the cross.

As much as I try to grasp the horror of that awful death our Lord suffered, it eludes me on the whole. The hymn, "Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)" that will be sung at many Good Friday services today is probably the closest I can come to capturing a small piece of the emotion I should feel and the gratitude as well. Johnny Cash's rendition of this piece at the link below is quite profound:

Johnny Cash - Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) [Live] | The Road to Nashville - YouTube

Perfect lead-in to Good Friday, brother. The foot washing definitely goes beyond the literal, as does most aspects of our faith, and points to a much more significant cleansing where we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ to spiritually clean our souls, yielding redemption and unity with our God. That cleansing is complete down to the lowest parts of our bodies: mind, heart, and soul.

Jesus' intercessory prayer prior to entering the garden where he would be betrayed by Judas and arrested, marking the beginning point of Jesus' suffering at the hands of the authorities, was focused largely on His disciples, and the verse you quoted from John 17:17 is outstanding:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Jesus prays to the Father to set his disciples apart (i.e. sanctify) from this world and the clutches of evil and sin orchestrated by the devil. And, He says "thy word is truth." It's funny how Jesus reveals another "truth" to Pilate just prior to the beatings, torture, and ultimate crucifixion:

John 18:37-38

New King James Version

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Jesus answered Pilate directly by saying He is a King whose cause is to "bear witness to the truth." Then, Pilate asks a great question, "What is truth?" All Pilate knew was life in a secular government and world where truth is an abstraction that has many different applications and interpretations. Pilate probably lived in a world of lies more than one of truth.

Pilate asked the question, but he really didn't want an answer from Jesus, and I also sense a hint of sarcasm in the question. What is truth in this train-wreck of a world? Pilate didn't wait for an answer to the question from Jesus but "went out again to the Jews" to say he didn't find any fault in Jesus, washing his hands of the tragic event he had been forced to participate in as Roman governor of Judea.

As Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples, one key point He makes is "Thy Word is Truth" as you pointed out, Pilgrim. The Words that come from the Father are truth, Jesus and the Father are one, so the Words of Jesus are truth as well: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). God's Word, The Holy Bible, is truth, and the living Word brought us the gospel that He became human to suffer and die for our sins on the cross.

As much as I try to grasp the horror of that awful death our Lord suffered, it eludes me on the whole. The hymn, "Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)" that will be sung at many Good Friday services today is probably the closest I can come to capturing a small piece of the emotion I should feel and the gratitude as well. Johnny Cash's rendition of this piece at the link below is quite profound:

Johnny Cash - Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) [Live] | The Road to Nashville - YouTube

I was reading again through some of your thoughts theres a lot about your words that reflect a state of remembrance of what the lord did d it’s just lovely sort of the same concept as communion but in a spiritual manner

always enjoy the bread crumbs that fall from your platter brother if that makes sense at all lol

Thank you, brother! While I produce some "crumbs", huge hunks fall down into my mouth from "your platter"!

Haha yeah some of its most likely moldy better watch out haha I’m definately no authority but I do enjoy breaking bread with you brother…and somehow always end up with a full belly

No doubt. Always good to sharpen our swords together.

the humanity of Jesus seems to me so important not taking away from his divinity at all but the glory of God that he cares enough to come lay his life down in such a violent and terrible way . I’ve often thought of the reason I believe in Jesus the core reason and eventually I determined “ I believe in the God that Loved me enough to save my life by laying down his own even though all the wrong and sinfulness was mine alone . The justice of my death was sure by the law I had sinned and now was left to death

I really enjoyed this post, Pilgrim. It's like you just poured out your heart to us on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on a personal level--powerful testimony!

It's interesting that John skips the interim period between Jesus' death and resurrection in his gospel. He goes from laying Jesus' lifeless body in the tomb (John 19: 41-42) to Mary Magdalene going back to that tomb on Sunday morning (John 20: 1). The time between the death of Jesus and His resurrection had to be terrifying for the disciples. Their Shepard had been struck, and the sheep were scattered.

The mourning had to be overwhelming not to mention the terror of potentially facing death themselves as His disciples. With all the miracles He did, especially raising Lazaras from the grave, there had to be some glimmer of hope in their hearts and minds, however. And, Jesus told them several times what was going to happen to Him, so it's not like He left them out of the loop. I'm sure God's grace was with them during this unsettling time.

Several years ago, my wife and I decided we were going to cover the whole gamut of Holy Week services--Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter morning. That was a marathon for us. I had never been to a Catholic Holy Saturday service before, and the evening kicked off with a huge bonfire before the 8pm mass, and then we proceeded into the darkened church for a 3 hour service filled with baptisms and extensive readings from Genesis, Exodus, Job, Psalms, Lamentations, the Gospels and Epistles. It was an incredible service, but I was exhausted at the end. Easter morning was much appreciated after three days of church, and Lisa and I have never done that again.

In most of your postings, Pilgrim, including the one I'm responding to here, you cover scriptures and/or meditations from the entirety of God's Word, OT and NT. That's kind of the theme I took away from that Holy Saturday service--all of the Bible is one cohesive love letter from our God to us. And, let's go back to that key verse you quoted from John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." Jesus didn't pray for his disciples to be taken out of the world, but He did ask for us to be protected by the "evil one" (v. 15). We are not of the world, but we have been sent into the world as God sent Jesus into this mess to begin the cleansing process.

In addition to sanctification in "Jesus' Intercessory Prayer," Jesus also puts the spotlight on unity:

John 17:21-22

New King James Version

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

As I think about the totality of God's Word, unity is at the heart of the equation. God desires to be at one with us, and He desires us to be at one with each other. The law and prophets make way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is all one piece of good news for all of us indeed!

wow brother this is just really good food a pleasure to read

“all of the Bible is one cohesive love letter from our God to us.”

amen and amen and amen again that’s where revelation exists brother
I believe strongly when a person comes to that realization that the entire Bible is geared towards revealing Christ Jesus and the gospel to believers it will change everything for thier faith and understanding of the gospel and complete reliance on Jesus the Lord having no need or lack of anything else regarding our eternal souls

I can remember the day I realized the Bible isn’t a mysterious book that can’t be understood except by certain chosen folks and that it’s actually a complete and comprehensive introduction to Jesus Christ our lord for all eternity and is meant for all of us

its when the Bible came alive in my heart

Amen. If two simple country boys like us can understand the Bible, anyone can who puts forth the belief and the effort with the Holy Spirit's inspiration.

Amen. If two simple country boys like us can understand the Bible, anyone can who puts forth the belief and the effort with the Holy Spirit's inspiration.