#040 Matthew (Levi) is Called (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32) - Life of Christ = Week 08 - Friday

Jesus Calls Matthew

Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–32

^{Lk 5:27–28}After this, Jesus went out [^{Mk 2:13a}went out again beside the sea] and saw a tax collector named Levi [^{Mt 9:9}Matthew] [^{Mk 2:14a}Levi the son of Alphaeus] sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” ²⁸So, leaving everything behind, he got up and began to follow Him.

²⁹Then Levi hosted a grand banquet for Him at his house. Now there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were guests with them. ³⁰But the Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to His disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

³¹Jesus replied to them, “The healthy don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. ^{Mt 9:13}Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew the Tax Collector

Tax collectors such as Matthew were Jews who gathered taxes from their fellow Jews for the Roman government as independent contractors. The Romans placed taxes on land, goods produced and sold in Palestine, and products that passed through the region. These tax agents were allowed to keep any money they raised above the amount levied by the Romans—a practice that led to extortion and corruption. They were hated by other Jews—particularly the Pharisees—because they sold themselves into the employ of the Roman Empire. But Jesus associated with these despised tax collectors, showing that God’s grace extends to all people.

Matthew (Levi) is Called (Galilee)
Matthew 9:9
Mark 2:13,14
Luke 5:27,28

A famous person you admire is coming to dine with you tomorrow. What would you do to get ready?

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• Tax collectors lined their pockets with money they collected. How might the disciples (Luke 5:1-11) feel about Jesus' choice?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

Some Unusual Suspects (Luke 5:27-32) by Toby Levering

Eating With Sinners

Matthew 9:10-13
Mark 2:15-17
Luke 5:29-32

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• Why choose Levi? What is the irony here? (Luke 5:31-32)
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
• In this story, what do you have to do to qualify as a disciple?
• In the way you relate to "undesirable types," are you more like Levi (inviting them to your party), the Pharisees (looking down on them), or the disciples (unsure what to do)? Why?
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

Unmask - Falsehood and Deception

June 25, 2025 @ Broken Arrow, OK Church of Christ

https://youtu.be/Xb9MwyS7DXE?t=1167

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Mark 2:16 ‐‐  “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the ‘sinners’ and tax collectors, they asked His disciples: ‘Why does He eat with tax collectors and “sinners”?’" 

The life of a follower of Christ is a pretty “cush” place to be – eternal life without fear of what comes after death; abundance and peace personally delivered by the Spirit of God; and nice friends who are comfortable being around.  It would be easy to focus only on what Christ has brought you… if it weren't for those five pesky words after the first and greatest commandment – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  

If eternal life, peace, abundance, and the fellowship of believers are great for you, surely you love the unbeliever enough to want them to have the same?  Human nature is comfortable with gravitating towards that which is easiest and most pleasurable, but Jesus constantly demonstrated a lifestyle that cared more about others.  Jesus lived an intentional life to love others:  When He and His followers were hungry, He saw the hunger of the 5,000; when Jesus was being wined and dined by the rich and powerful, He saw a repentant woman who was worshipping Him with her treasured possession; when Jesus was pressed in by the crowds desiring to hear and see Him, He saw their oppressed and helpless nature; when cultural norms expected certain behavior, Jesus responded according to the person’s soul and not cultural norms.  

Jesus could have easily just fed Himself, enjoyed the adulation of the rich and famous, quenched His thirst, and found gratification in the thousands clamoring to Him… but He loved others more than Himself.  His every movement, every word, and every opportunity were filled with being used by God to touch the lives of others no matter the discomfort, cost, or inconvenience.  

In John 4:34 Jesus revealed to His disciples His passion when they challenged His time with the woman at the well, “My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of Him Who sent Me and to finish His work.”  The Father’s work for Jesus was to love people.  Loving people was not a ministry project, but the very nourishment and fulfillment of His life.  Bringing others to the throne of God to have eternal life and to experience His abundance was His greatest joy.  

Pray for God not only to give you opportunities to be “salt and light” for Christ, but that your soul and spirit are fed by loving others more than yourself.  Pray that your soul hungers for the opportunity to share Christ and His love so that you are filled with the love of Christ!

John 13:34‐35 ‐‐ “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."  

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Other Resources:
An Outsider's Story


Further Reading
The Kingdom of God as a New Way of Living in the World

#126 Jesus is the light of the world John 8:12-20 - Life of Christ = Week 26 - Monday

 Jesus is the light of the world

John 8:12-20

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

OPEN

• What is your most vivid memory as a child in a dark place (cave, tunnel, power black-out)? What feelings do you associate with darkness?

DIG

• What is Jesus really claiming in verse 12? What is the promise? What does Jesus mean by "light" and "darkness"? 
• With what does Jesus bolster his claim (see 5:31-40)? What does it matter that Jesus knows where he comes from (vv. 14,21-23; see 7:41-42)? 
• What does the Pharisees' question in verse 19 reveal about their relationship with the Father? 
• What is at stake in this whole discussion (v. 24)? Why does everything hinge on who Jesus really is (v. 25) and who sent him (vv. 16, 18, 26, 29)? 
• 
  

REFLECT

• How is following Jesus like following someone with a light through a dark place for you? 
• How do people you know misunderstand Jesus? How do their lives exemplify darkness? How can you be a light-bearer to them?

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

https://groups.google.com/g/magnify-jesus

Other Resources: 

Mercy and Compassion John 8 https://virtualbiblestudy.com/lessons/john/8/

“Judge Not”

“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’” (referring to the woman caught in adultery) (John 8:6b-7)

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was writing on the ground? Was Jesus preaching to them, teaching them, challenging them, condemning them? Was he writing down a list of sins to which most of us fall prey, or was he just trying to distract attention away from the accused woman?

The majority of Christians understand that all sin is equal. Romans 6:23a tells how the consequences of all sin are the same: “For the wages of sin is death.” Though you may believe this, do you inadvertently equate sins differently? Such as: Homosexuality is worse than heterosexual promiscuity; Lying is worse than gossip; Stealing is worse than coveting, Murder is worse than anger. Remember the consequences for all sins are death. Thinking of sin in degrees of “bad” can quickly take you into dangerous territory.

Grading sins can take your eyes off Jesus. In Matthew 7:4-5, Jesus challenges those listening to Him, “How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

Judging others can cause you to take the place of God in your life (a very risky proposition). Even more, judging others reflects a misunderstanding of the atonement of Christ. You are a sinner not because of your degrees or amounts of sin, but simply because you are a sinner. Christ died for your sins, paying the price for your sins with the sacrifice of His life.

The crowd was ready to impute judgement on the adulteress when Jesus possibly began writing everyday sins of which we are all guilty: anger, hate, selfishness, disrespect, unforgiveness, pride, lust, etc. Who can say none of these sins are not your own? Once you focus on the sin instead of your Savior, it becomes about you. When you think someone else’s sin is worse than yours, you become prideful, if not delusional. As soon as you condemn another for his sin, you are ignoring your own sin.

How do you respond to another’s sin? With love! There is a story behind every sin:

•   A lost person who needs the love of Christ for salvation

•   One who cannot hold back sinful character traits because they hurt so badly on the inside

•   A babe in Christ who does not fully understand sin and desperately needs discipleship

•   A Christian who is calloused to his sin for lack of Christian fellowship where loving Christians can help him learn the Word as they model the Christian life.

•   A struggler caught in addiction.

None of these need judgment, but more of Jesus. The next time you are ready to judge, ask God to let you see with spiritual eyes. Inquire of God what He wants you to do in this situation. Ask Him to empower and equip you to love the one you are wanting to judge. You can never fully love God if you do not love people. Not loving God short changes your relationship with Him. On the other hand, you cannot love people if you do not love God. Loving God and loving people are mutually dependent actions that both illuminate who you are in Christ.

Colossians 1:13-14 “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

#224 Jesus is Betrayed By Judas and Arrested (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-11) - Life of Christ = Week 45 - Thursday

Judas Betrays Jesus
Matthew 26:47-50a
Mark 14:43-45
Luke 22:47, 48
John 18:2, 3

Disciples Safety Insured
John 18:4-9

Peter Cuts off Ear
Matthew 26:50b-54
Mark 14:46, 47
Luke 22:49-51
John 18:10, 11

Jesus Chides Arrest
Matthew 26:55 56a
Mark 14:48, 49
Luke 22:52, 53

Jesus Arrested
Matthew 26:56b
Mark 14:50-52
John 18:12a

Trial and Crucifixion

Jesus was arrested on Thursday night when Judas led the Jewish authorities to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus had been agonizing in prayer over His approaching death. After a religious trial for blasphemy before the Jewish Sanhedrin, He was turned over to the Roman authorities. The Sanhedrin convinced Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to execute Jesus because of their claim that He was a dangerous revolutionary who threatened the authority of Rome.

Jesus was crucified on Friday morning, then placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea before the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath on Friday afternoon.

Jesus Betrayed and Arrested

Matthew 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–12

^{Jn 18:1–2}After Jesus had said these things, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron ravine, where there was a garden into which He and His disciples entered. ²Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with His disciples. ^{Mt 26:47}While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a large mob^† [^{Jn 18:3a}a detachment of soldiers and some temple police], with swords and clubs [^{Jn 18:3b}with lanterns, torches, and weapons], who were sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.

^{Mt 26:48}His betrayer had given them a sign [^{Mk 14:44}signal]: “The one I kiss, He’s the one; arrest Him ^{Mk 14:44b}and get Him securely away.” ^{Mt 26:49}So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”—and kissed Him.

^{Mt 26:50a}“Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come? [^{Lk 22:48b}Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?]”

^{Mt. 26:50b}Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. ^{Lk 22:49}When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ^{Jn 18:10}Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. (The slave’s name was Malchus.)

^{Mt 26:52}Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword. ^{Jn 18:11b}Should I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me? ^{Mt 26:53–54}Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” ^{Lk 22:51b}And touching his ear, He healed him.

^{Lk 22:52a}Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for Him, ^{Mt 26:55b}“Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture Me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. ^{Lk 22:53b}But this is your hour—and the dominion of darkness. ^{Mt 26:56a}But all this has happened so that the prophetic Scriptures would be fulfilled.”

^{Jn 18:12}Then the detachment of soldiers, the captain, and the Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up. ^{Mt 26:56b}Then all the disciples deserted Him and ran away. ^{Mk 14:51–52}Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. And they caught hold of him. ⁵²But he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 223–224). Holman Bible Publishers.

Intro Questions

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

OPEN:

• Where do you go when you need to prepare yourself for a very stressful time?

DIG

• Why do the Pharisees want to take advantage of the night to arrest Jesus (see 3:19-20; 12:35; 13:30)? 
• How do you think the disciples felt when they saw these menacing-looking people coming? Jesus used many "I am..." sayings (vine, light, bread). How do you explain John 18:6? 
• Seeing how he deals with the soldiers (John 18:4,8) and Peter (John 18:11), what do you learn about Jesus? 
• How does Peter show he still doesn't grasp what is going on? 
• What is "the cup" which Jesus must drink (John 18:11)? 
• Given his pacifism, why is Jesus bound (John 18:12)? Who's afraid of whom here? Why?

RELECT

• Have you ever tried to obey Jesus, only to be overzealous and end up hurting someone? What happened? 
• How does Jesus' decision to "drink the cup" (John 18:11) help you in your obedience to God? What issue of obedience is challenging you?

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

https://youtu.be/cuURftNVIus

https://youtu.be/OGTn5KSAyGw

https://youtu.be/8gx6_rGLz20

“The Cup and the Rooster”

Scripture: John 18:1–27

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Opening Reflections

John 18 ushers us into some of the most sobering moments in the gospel narrative. The familiar garden, once a place of fellowship between Jesus and His disciples, becomes the site of His betrayal and arrest. Within these verses, we stand at the crossroads of divine sovereignty and human weakness; we see unwavering obedience in the face of fear, and we see frail faith overshadowed by self-preservation.

The events of John 18:1–27 revolve around two pivotal images: a cup and a rooster. The cup represents Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will, even unto death. The rooster represents Peter’s failure to stand boldly for his Lord, despite his earlier promises. Together, they reveal two paths—infinite obedience that brings salvation, and human weakness that needs redemption.

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1. The Garden and the Arrest (vv. 1–11)

Jesus leads His disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane, a place Judas knew well. There is no attempt to hide, no running in fear. Judas arrives with soldiers, lanterns, and weapons as if Jesus were a criminal. But Jesus steps forward and greets them with a question: “Whom are you seeking?” When they answer, “Jesus of Nazareth,” His response— “I am he”— sends them reeling backward.

In these words, we hear echoes of God’s self-disclosure to Moses: “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus isn’t a victim caught by surprise. He is the sovereign Lord willingly laying down His life.

When Peter draws his sword and strikes Malchus, Jesus rebukes him: “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” This “cup” is the Father’s plan for redemption—a plan that involves the cross. It is a cup of suffering, yet also a cup of salvation for the world.

Application: Like Peter, we often want to fight our battles in our own strength—reacting quickly, defending ourselves, and trying to control outcomes. But Jesus calls us to a deeper trust in the Father’s will, even when His plan includes suffering. The “cup” God gives us may not be easy to drink, but it is always for His glory and our ultimate good.

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2. The High Priest’s Courtyard (vv. 12–23)

Jesus is bound and taken first to Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the reigning high priest. Caiaphas had earlier said it was better for one man to die for the people—a prophecy that spoke more truth than he realized.

Inside, the questioning begins. The high priest wants to trap Jesus in His words, but Jesus responds with calm integrity: He has spoken openly to the world; nothing He has taught was done in secret. For this honesty, He is struck in the face by one of the officials.

The scene reminds us that Jesus suffers injustice not because He was guilty, but because He was truth embodied. His willingness to bear shame in silence reveals a courage unmatched in human history.

Application: Standing for truth can lead to opposition, mockery, or even persecution. If our Savior endured hostility for speaking what is right, we should not expect the world to applaud when we live for Him. Yet, like Jesus, we can walk in peace knowing that our lives are in the Father’s hands.

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3. Peter’s Denial (vv. 15–27)

Outside, Peter is in a different kind of trial—one that takes place in the shadows. Just hours earlier, he promised Jesus, “I will lay down my life for You” (John 13:37). But now, standing by a charcoal fire in the courtyard, fear takes over.

First denial: “I am not.”
Second denial: again, “I am not.”
Third denial: “I am not!”—and the rooster crows.

This moment pierces the heart. Peter’s failure shows us that even our most sincere devotion can falter under pressure. It’s easy to pledge loyalty in safe moments, but far harder when our comfort, safety, or reputation is at risk.

Application: None of us is immune to moments of compromise. We need the Spirit’s strength to stand firm. Thankfully, the story of Peter doesn’t end here—Jesus will later restore him (John 21). Our failures, like Peter’s, are opportunities for grace to work deeper humility and dependence on Christ.

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4. The Cup and the Rooster for Us Today

Together, these two images—the cup Jesus drank and the rooster that crowed—capture the essence of the Christian life.

• The Cup: We are called to surrender our will to the Father’s, trusting that His plan is good, even when costly. We drink the “cup” by laying down our pride, comforts, and preferences to follow Him.
• The Rooster: This reminds us of our weakness, our susceptibility to fear, and our desperate need for Jesus. It is also a symbol of mercy—a call to repentance, because morning always comes after the crowing of the rooster.

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Prayer and Reflection

Prayer:
God, thank you for your Son’s drinking the cup—for enduring the arrest, the mockery, and the cross for my sake. Forgive me for the times I have denied You in my words or actions. Give me courage to stand for truth, humility to admit my failures, and faith to follow You wherever You lead. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What “cup” is the Father asking you to drink right now? Are you resisting or receiving it in trust?
2. How do you tend to respond when your faith is challenged—boldly like Jesus or in fear like Peter?
3. Where have you experienced the grace of restoration after failure?

 

#211 Jesus and the Disciples Share the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30; John 13:21-30) - Life of Christ = Week 43 - Monday

Importance of Occasion (Upper room)
Luke 22:14-16

Institution of Memorial
Matthew 26:26-29
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:17-20

Jesus Hints of Betrayer
Luke 22:21, 23

Apostles Dispute
Luke 22:24-30

Betrayer Identified
Matthew 26:22-25
Mark 14:19-21
Luke 22:22
John 13:22-27a

Jesus sends Judas out
John 13:27b-30

To Mount of Olives
Matthew 26:30
Mark 14:26
Luke 22:39
John 14:31b

Jesus Identifies Judas as the Betrayer

Matthew 26:20–25; Mark 14:17–21; Luke 22:21–23; John 13:21–30

^{Mk 14:17–18a}When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. ^18aWhile they were reclining and eating, ^{Jn 13:21a}He was troubled in His spirit and testified, “I assure you: One of you^{Mk 14:18b}one who is eating with Me—^{Jn 13:21b}will betray Me! ^{Lk 22:21}But look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me!”

^{Jn 13:22}The disciples started looking at one another—at a loss as to which one He was speaking about. ^{Mt 26:22}Deeply distressed, each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” [^{Lk 22:23}So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this thing.]

^{Jn 13:23–25}One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus. ²⁴Simon Peter motioned to him to find out who it was He was talking about. ²⁵So he leaned back against Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, who is it?”

^{Mk 14:20–21}He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread with Me in the bowl [^{Jn 13:26a}He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it]. ²¹For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

^{Jn 13:26b–27}When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. ²⁷After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, “What you’re doing, do quickly.”

²⁸None of those reclining at the table knew why He told him this. ²⁹Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor.

^{Mt 26:25a}Then Judas, His betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?”

^25b“You have said it yourself,” He told him.

^{Jn 13:30}After receiving the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 210–211). Holman Bible Publishers.

Jesus Institutes the Memorial Supper

Matthew 26:26–30; Mark 14:22–26; Luke 22:14–20

^{Lk 22:14–15}When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. ¹⁵Then He said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” ^{Mk 14:22}As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body ^{Lk 22:19b}which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

^{Mk 14:23a}Then he took a cup [^{Lk 22:20a}In the same way He also took the cup after supper], and after giving thanks, He gave it to them. ^{Mk 14:23b}So they all drank from it. ^{Mk 14:24}He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many ^{Mt 26:28b}for the forgiveness of sins. ^{Mk 14:25}I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God [^{Mt 26:29b}drink it new in my Father’s kingdom with you].”^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 212–213). Holman Bible Publishers.

Jesus Teaches about True Greatness

Luke 22:24–30

²⁴Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. ²⁵But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ ²⁶But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. ²⁷For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.

²⁸“You are the ones who stood by Me in My trials. ²⁹I grant you a kingdom, just as My Father granted one to Me, ³⁰so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.”^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 212). Holman Bible Publishers.

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

OPEN:

• When you are troubled, what facial expressions or symptoms appear? In your spirit? 

DIG:

• If you were a movie director, how would you capture the drama of John 13:18-22? If you had been sitting at this table, what would you be feeling? Saying? 
• In foretelling his betrayal, what do you sense in Jesus: Resolution? Resignation? Restlessness? What do you feel in his disciples? In Judas? 
• Is Judas to be excused or held responsible when "Satan entered into him" (John 13:27; also John 6:70; 12:4-6; 13:2)?

REFLECT:

• If you knew ahead of time that someone would stab you in the back, how would you treat that person? How does Jesus show you what love is all about? 
• Given three years of very intimate fellowship with Jesus, how could Judas turn around and betray him? Have you ever betrayed Jesus? If so, how?

https://youtu.be/roF4SO3VhsI

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

https://youtu.be/h5U_2opFKFg?list=PLFcO2Quu62KLWLVlxkB0OuOWSLiTAxz4n

#213 Jesus Is The Way to The Father (John 14:1-14) - Life of Christ = Week 43 - Wednesday

Jesus Is The Way to The Father
John 14:1-14

Jesus’ Farewell to His Disciples

John 14:1–14

^14:1“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. ²In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. ³If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴You know the way where I am going.”

⁵“Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”

⁶Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ⁷If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

⁸“Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

⁹Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without you knowing Me, Philip? The one 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 the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. ¹¹Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

¹²“I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 213–214). Holman Bible Publishers.

(JOHN 14:1-14)
Jesus Speaks Privately With His Disciples.
THE CONSOLATION HE GIVES TO HIS DISCIPLES (14:1–4)
    A. “I am going to prepare a place for you” (14:1–2).
    B. “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (14:3–4).
THE CONVERSATION HE HAS WITH HIS DISCIPLES (14:5–31): Jesus answers three questions asked him by three disciples.
    A. Thomas and Jesus (14:5–7)
      1. Thomas’s question: “We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (14:5).
      2. Jesus’ answer (14:6–7)
         a. “I am the way, the truth and the life” (14:6a).
         b. “No one can come to the Father except through me” (14:6b–7).
    B. Philip and Jesus (14:8–21)
      1. Philip’s question (14:8): “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”
      2. Jesus’ answer (14:9–21)
         a. He says anyone who has seen him has seen the Father (14:9).
         b. He says that he is in the Father and that the Father is in him (14:10).
         c. He says they will do greater things than he has done because he is going to the Father (14:11–14).
 

OPEN:

• What is your favorite room in the house? Why? 
• Can you remember a time when you got lost? What happened?

DIG:

• What comfort does Jesus offer his disciples? 
• Look at John 13:36, 14:6,8, and 22. What problems are the disciples struggling with? 
• Put Jesus' statement in John 14:6-7 in your own words. 
• How does John 1:18 relate to what Jesus says in John 14:9? With what tone of voice do you imagine Jesus speaking in verses John 14:9-14? What evidence does Jesus give for his claims? 
• Do you think the promises Jesus makes in verses John 14:12-14 are "blank check" promises about prayer? In John 14:12, does he mean the church will do works greater in power? Greater in scope? How could this be?

REFLECT:

• If Jesus is the Way, do you feel you are on a bumpy, dead-end street, or on a four-lane highway? Why? 
• In light of John 14:6, how would you respond to someone who says, "There are many ways to God"?

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

A Matter of Death & Life: "A Place Prepared"

https://youtu.be/Sje4efGpNgo

John 14:1-6 Death is not the end of life; it is the beginning of life in the presence of God. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you and wants you to be with him always.

#IAm:InHisOwnWords

I Am: "I Am the Way Truth & Live"
https://youtu.be/EQAYH87UwRs

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

Finding Peace in a Troubled World - John 14

“Greater Things”

“I 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.” (John 14:12)

Evangelism and discipleship begin with a heart that is touched by Jesus. The deeper your relationship with Christ, the more you begin to see people as Jesus saw them.

What caused the Pharisee and the Levite to walk by the wounded traveler while the Good Samaritan stopped to help (Luke 10:25-37)? Let us step into the shoes of the Levite and the Pharisee to see why we might not stop to help such a person. We may be concerned for our safety. Or we may have a full schedule; helping someone might make us late for an appointment. We may have an attitude of indifference toward someone who is different from us. We may think we will miss doing something fun by taking the time to help. Or we may have a hard heart toward someone we feel got what he deserved?

Any of these might be a great excuse in our own eyes; but what would God say in this circumstance? We are not called to respond to every need we run across, but we are challenged to respond from a heart that is being cultivated in the image of Christ.

As God captures your heart, you will begin to take on a new mission. You will start to see life in the context of eternity with God. Life on this earth begins to evolve from a life that focuses on building a kingdom on earth to being on a mission for God. Acts 20:24 gives a picture of what our mission is: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”

Do you think Jesus was thinking of nicer homes, less debt, and more impressive work titles when He said you would do greater things than He when the Holy Spirit comes? No! Instead, in Luke 19:10, Luke declares of Jesus, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” A heart that knows the miracle of salvation and the freedom and peace that come from not facing hell (eternity without God), should burn with a desire to be used by God in obedience to Jesus as in Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

A Christian on mission starts to think, see, and act like Jesus. Does your mission field consist of increasing measures of Christian fellowship or, as Luke 5:31-32 says, living a life focused outwardly instead of inwardly, “Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’” A Christian’s mission is to reflect the heart of Jesus, who said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45).

Are you pursuing God’s mission for you in your life? What fruit is being born out of God’s life in you? In all you do, let your mission be aligned to God’s heart and His will for you.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

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Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." — John 14:6 (NIV)

Put your trust in Me, and I will keep you safe. There is a deep, deep yearning in your heart for safety and security. You can mask these longings with activity for a time, but only for a time. These feelings actually serve a very good purpose. Properly used, they can point you to Me and My sufficiency. I am the only One who can really, ultimately keep you safe.

Whenever you start to feel insecure—about anything—come to Me. Talk with Me about your fears and concerns; then affirm your trust in Me. Voicing your trust connects you with Me at a deep level. It also pushes back the darkness of deception. The evil one has been deceiving people ever since time began, since the Garden of Eden. Do not listen to his lies.

Instead, put your trust in Me, for I am the absolute Truth. As you come to know Me—the Truth—better and better, I make you increasingly free.

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." — Proverbs 29:25

"The Lord God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'"— Genesis 3:13

"Jesus said to [Thomas], 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” — John 14:6 (NKJV)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 (NKJV)