40 Day Lenten Bible Study through the Gospel of John

It was before the Passover Festival. Passover was a festival commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites; the angel of death passed over the households of Israel on which door posts featured the blood of lambs.

Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and washed the dirty feet of his disciples one by one. There are few incidents in the gospel story which reveals the character of Jesus, and which so perfectly show his love.

udas forsook the last exhortation of Jesus’ love and departed from the light into the pitch-black darkness. What is the meaning of the departure of Judas?

After the departure of Judas now only the eleven and Jesus remain in the upper room. In this place Jesus calls his beloved disciples ‘little children’ for the first time. His deeplove towards the disciples is embedded in this word. In a little while Jesus must leave his loving disciples behind in the hostile world. He alone will depart. In this word lurks the heart of Jesus.

Peter asks: “Lord, where are you going? Lord, why can’t I follow you now?” The Lord’s heart must have warmed again to his friend Peter. Judas in the end refused to have a loving relationship with Jesus. Instead a beautiful relationship of love was formed between Jesus and Peter.

The disciples followed Jesus leaving their boat, net, father, and everything else behind. What is being unfolded before them now? Jesus is leaving them and is going to a place where they cannot follow him. And it is not happening in the distant future but is happening now.

The love and obedience of the Lord are truly amazing. The cross of shame and curse became the cross of the greatest love in the love and obedience of the Lord. May our hearts be humbler as we listen to the story of the cross. May we never let go of this precious truth of life and embed it in our hearts forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The vine lives to give us lifeblood. Its flower is small, its fruit abundant and when that fruit is mature and the vine has for a moment becomes glorious, the treasure of the grapes is torn down and the vine is cut back to the stem and next year blooms again. Truly Jesus lived the life of the true vine.

Jesus, filled with the love of God, loved us. May we also live the life of love, full of love given by Jesus. As Jesus kept the Father’s commands and was in his love, may we also keep his commands, be in his love, and enjoy the true joy of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, you knew us before we knew you. You loved us first, called, chose us and made us your friends. It is truly amazing grace and a beautiful world. We wish to know you and love you just as you knew us and loved us. May we not spill out the precious grace with which you called us and chose us. May we act out your word in love and be your true friends. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The greatest hatred of the world was revealed on the cross. But on the same cross the most magnificent love of the Lord was manifested ever so clearly to the whole world. The world hated but the Lord did not repay the hatred with hatred. Instead the Lord gave the greatest love to the world. You gave your life on the cross. May we resemble the Lord and overcome the world with love though it hates us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.