An Adrenaline Rush

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
“I Am the true vine”
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 14:15-15:17

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

 

Some people love to take risks; even risks that feel dangerous. Extreme sports fall into this category. Things like skate boarding, sky diving or bungee jumping. Before taking the plunge, the participant experiences an adrenaline rush… so I’m told.

 

You might compare an adrenaline rush to the Spirit of God.

 

In the Old Testament, the Spirit was present in “a specific person, at a specific time, for a specific task”. Think of Gideon when he was about to battle the Midianites; or Samson bringing down the temple on the Philistines; or Elijah facing off against the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel.

 

In John 14, Jesus is just finishing in the upper room with his disciples. He knows what his future holds and is preparing them for it. It’s here that he promises them the Holy Spirit. Not for a specific time and specific task, but as an in-dwelling, continuous advocate.

 

²⁶ But the Advocate, 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.         NIV

 

Then in John 15, Jesus makes this statement.

 

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.            NIV

 

This is a metaphor that helps us to understand how the Holy Spirit works; how we stay connected with Jesus and each other; and how we bear fruit for the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and God the Father, is the gardener.

 

Jesus promised the disciples the Holy Spirit. That promise holds true today. He is called the Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, Encourager, Intercessor and Helper. He is always with you and me to keep us connected to the true vine, to each other and to bear fruit.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

Broken Eggs

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
“I am the way, the truth, and the life”
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 14:1-14

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

  

A friend of mine ran the high hurdles in college. In practice, his coach used to put an egg on the top edge of each hurdle so that if he so much as nicked the hurdle, the egg would fall and break. When he had completed the hurdles, he could look back and see how good or bad he had done by how many broken eggs there were.

 

In the upper room story of John 13, Jesus told the disciples that… 1) Judas would betray him. 2) Peter, arguably the leader of the disciples, would deny him. 3) Jesus would leave them, and they couldn’t follow him (at least for now). But all that the disciples heard was they couldn’t follow him.

 

Each disciple had invested the past three years of their life by leaving their job, their family and their friends with the expectation that Jesus would save the Jewish nation, and they would be by his side.

 

Now, they must have felt like the ground was beginning to crumble beneath them; like the hurdles of life were too much; like all of their eggs had been broken.

 

Seeing that the disciples were upset by his words, Jesus further explained that he was going away to prepare a room for them in his Father’s house; that he would return for them; and that they knew the way. Here is what followed.

 

⁵ “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me…

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

⁹ Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!    NLT

 

Sometimes in life things don’t go the way we had planned. In fact, things go way off track, and all of our eggs seem to get broken. We lose focus. We lose sight of Jesus; of who he is; of his love for us and his faithfulness.

 

When those times happen, let us keep focus by remembering Jesus’ words to the disciples, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me”. And then follow Philip’s lead by praying, “Lord, show us the Father”.

 

Jesus concluded this passage in the upper room with a promise to the disciples, which is also a promise to you and me.

 

¹³ You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴ Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!                    NLT

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

Do You Believe This?

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
“I Am the resurrection and the life.”
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 11:1-44

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

  

We go to school from kindergarten through high school to learn. Some people continue their education by going to college. But sometimes book learning isn’t enough. Sometimes in order to really learn a lesson, for it to truly take root deep in our heart and in our soul, we have to learn a life lesson.

 

Such was the case for Martha.

 

Ever since the Festival of the Tabernacles, there had been a great deal of conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders about who he was. In fact, things had become so contentious that the Jews had threatened to stone Jesus because he had claimed, “I and the Father are one”.

 

For his own safety, and because the time wasn’t right, Jesus had retreated to the other side of the Jordan River. While he was there, a messenger from Martha and Mary came saying that their brother Lazarus was very sick, and to come quickly.

 

Jesus had a very special friendship with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. In fact, Scripture tells us that he loved them. Despite that, instead of leaving immediately, Jesus waited for two days saying that it was “for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it”.

 

When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Martha went to Jesus and seemed to try and make him feel guilty at first, but then confessed her belief that God would do whatever Jesus asked of him.

 

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”          NIV

 

Martha nailed it! She knew exactly who Jesus was! He had asked the same question of the Scribes and the Pharisees, and they didn’t believe it. He asks the same question to you and to me.

 

"Do you believe this?” Do you believe that “I am the resurrection and the life”? Do you really believe that I can bring life to Lazarus? Do you really believe that I can bring life to someone who is spiritually dead? Do you really believe that I can bring life into impossible circumstances?

 

“Do you believe”?

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

 

 

Lost and Found

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 9:35-10:21 

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

  

My Mom was a great finder! Anything that I lost, she found. The house that I grew up in had a large backyard which was great for playing baseball. Behind our yard was an overgrown field of tall grass and weeds. Perfect for losing a misdirected ball.

 

On one occasion when I lost my baseball, I can picture my Mom patiently and systematically walking through the field looking for it. It’s not that the ball cost so much that she didn’t want to buy another. But she cared because it was important to me. And because she loved me, she looked until she found it.

 

Jesus was a great finder too! He was good at finding lost people, even when the Pharisees tried their hardest to keep him from finding them. In John 9, the story of healing the man born blind highlights this very point out.

 

When Jesus healed the man born blind, the Pharisees saw red! The healing was done on the Sabbath and NO work was allowed on the Sabbath. The Pharisees left no stone unturned as they investigated how the man had been healed.

 

Truth be told, they were on a mission to discredit Jesus. They didn’t really care about the man born blind; about his physical, emotional, social or spiritual wellbeing. In fact, towards the end of the story they excommunicated him. Here’s what happened next.

 

³⁵ Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” ³⁶ “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” ³⁷ Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” ³⁸ Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.                    NIV

Jesus sought him out, cared for him and brought him to faith. He was a good shepherd, and claimed that title.

 

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, ¹⁵ just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.     NLT

 

Lost and found. That’s what Jesus did. That’s what Jesus does.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

 

The Gatekeeper

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 9:35-10:10 

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

  

The Gatekeeper… Every office has on! If they’re good, you’ll never talk to the person you were calling. And if they’re really good, they’ll do it without offending you. On the other hand, there are bad gatekeepers. Like when you call your cable TV company or social security office. Don’t even get me started.

 

Speaking of bad gatekeepers… the Pharisees were the religious gatekeepers of their day. According to an article by Jack Zavada on Learn Religions.com, “the Pharisees started and controlled the synagogues”. This seems to be confirmed in the story about the man born blind that was healed by Jesus.

 

Following the healing, a full investigation was launched by the Pharisees. The healing was done on the Sabbath, which for the legalistically pious Pharisees, was a huge no-no. In an attempt to discredit and/or arrest Jesus, they interviewed the man born blind as well as his parents.

 

The Pharisees had previously made it known that anyone who said that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. So, the parents had nothing to say other than he was their son and that he was born blind. They claimed no knowledge of how he was healed.

 

As the religious gatekeepers, the Pharisees enjoyed a position of power. Jesus threatened that power. He threatened their position of gatekeeper. In fact, he claimed to be the gatekeeper.

 

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. NIV

 

During the investigation, the man born blind was excommunicated. Following this, Jesus had this conversation with him.

 

³⁵ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” ³⁶ He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” ³⁷ And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” ³⁸ Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. NKJV

 

Modern day gatekeepers can be very frustrating! But only because they keep us from what we want; from what we think we need. However, Jesus holds the gate wide open for his sheep… for us. Just like he invited the man born blind to a new life, he invites us to believe.

 

¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.   NKJV

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

 

Who Are You!!!

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 7:53-8:12 

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

 

Networking. I hate it. Basically, you immerse yourself into a group of people of whom you might know one other person. The idea being that you mix and mingle to get to know who the other people are. Or, at least get to know their name, who they work for and what they do.

 

Generally, people aren’t so blunt as to say, “Who are you anyways”? But that is pretty much the idea. To find out who in that room of strangers might provide a mutually beneficial relationship. A relationship that might bring “Cha-Ching” to both of your businesses. “Who are you”?

 

Despite rumors of Jewish leaders plotting to kill him, Jesus decided to attend the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. During this annual celebration which required all Jewish males to attend, Jesus taught in the temple. This led to discussions between Jesus and the religious leaders about who he was.

 

In an attempt to trick Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes brought a woman to him who had been caught in adultery. They asked Jesus if the Law, which prescribed death by stoning, should be adhered to with the woman.

 

Jesus didn’t fall into their trap but countered with, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” When they had all left without lifting a hand, Jesus told her, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

 

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”            NLT

 

Clearly, he had brought life-giving light to the woman caught in adultery. But he also brought light to the religious leaders. Light that they didn’t want. This led to more arguing which escalated to the point where the Jews demanded an answer to this question, “Who are you?”

 

The argument between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes continued to increase to the climactic point where Jesus finally claimed to be God.

 

⁵⁸ “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”       NLT

 

For those attending the Festival of Tabernacles, the big question that seemed to be on everybody’s mind was, “Who is Jesus”. Some believed he was just a rabbi from Galilee; some thought he was demon possessed; some thought he was the Messiah. Yet the question persisted. “Who are you?”

 

To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as the light… and the truth… and the I AM. His claims don’t allow us to be neutral. We either find grace and forgiveness, like the woman caught in adultery; or we pick up a stone to kill him.

 

Which will you choose?

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

 

The Good Old Days

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 6:22-59

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

  

The good old days... Back when they knew how to build a solid house out of oak instead of pine and pressed wood. Back when they knew how to build a car out of metal instead of preformed plastic. Those were the good old days.

 

After Jesus fed the 5000, the disingenuous Jews followed him across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. In the synagogue, they pretended to be interested in what Jesus had to say, finally asking him for him a sign. A sign like the good old days when their ancestors ate manna for forty years while wandering in the wilderness.

 

They didn’t care anything about a sign, or the good old days. They just wanted to get their bellies fed. However, Jesus must have learned some fishing tricks from his disciples. Because it’s at this point that he hooked the Jews by talking about “bread from heaven that gives life”. They bit hard, asking to receive this bread every day!

 

³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  NLT

 

He followed this statement by ramping up his rhetoric with this highly inflammatory comment.

 

⁴⁸ Yes, I am the bread of life! ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. ⁵⁰ Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”         NLT

 

Generally speaking, the Jews were an impoverished people, oppressed by the Romans. They lived day to day, barely making ends meet. Jesus promised them bread from heaven so they would never be hungry; never be thirsty. Not only that, but the bread would bring them eternal life!

 

Wow! I want that bread! Don’t you? The Bread of Life.

 

I go through my daily routine without worrying about food or housing or clothing. All my basic needs are met. I have no idea what it’s like to need something so badly that it hurts. But the Jews did, and they had the Bread of Life standing right there in front of them... so do you, and so do I.

 

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”  NIV

 

Just like the Jews, I get sidetracked by all those things that I think I have to have; that I think I need. When all I really need, is to believe in him… the Bread of Life.  It’s way better than the good old days.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

 

 

Here I Am

A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Exodus 3:1-15

[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re going to look at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]

 

Twenty years ago, I used to run a basketball league for inner city youth. 

During a game, when the ball went out of bounds, my head referee would always say, “Here I am”. It was his way of saying, “Give me the ball”. It was reassuring for me to hear those words because I knew that Chip would faithfully keep control of the game.

 

Prior to this passage in Exodus, the Hebrew people had been enslaved to the Egyptians and had cried out to God for His help. He heard their cries and appeared before Moses in the burning bush. It was here that God laid out His plan to rescue the Israelites.

 

At first God’s plan sounded really good to Moses. But then, God made a sudden, unexpected turn when He told Moses that Moses was to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, not God. Immediately, Moses began to make excuses, but the Lord reassured him with this promise.

 

¹² And God said, “I will be with you.       NIV

 

However, it didn’t satisfy Moses’ fear of returning to Egypt where he had fled as a criminal. So, he asked the Lord, what if the Israelites ask for your name.

 

¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”    NIV

 

My NIV study bible said the following about these two verses.

 

“In verse 12, the Hebrew word translated “I will be with you” is the same as the one translated “I am” in verse 14.”

 

In verse 14, “I am who I am” is the name by which God wished to be known and worshiped in Israel - the name that expressed his character as the dependable and faithful God who desires the full trust of his people.”

 

God is always faithful! You can’t say that about anybody else… even Chip. The Lord promised Moses that He would be with him. The Lord makes this same promise to you and to me.

 

Therefore, listen for His words as He calls out to you saying, “Here I am”. Then put the ball in His hands… and trust the Lord.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams