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Fruitful Day 14 The Gentleness of Jesus: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Gentleness of Jesus!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, 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 also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “Truly I tell you; a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Walking in sandals on the dusty dirty roads of Israel made foot washing a necessity before sharing a meal. Since people reclined at low tables, their feet were right next to others, not to mention the table and food. While the washing of feet was a common practice, it was highly uncommon for someone of Jesus’ stature as a revered Rabbi Teacher to perform the task reserved for household slaves. However, Jesus took it upon Himself to fulfill this lowly duty in order to model a lesson of love to His disciples. The lesson these twelve men seemed to have a hard time understanding was how necessary it was to have an attitude of servanthood toward others, just like Jesus. In Matthew 20 we read a story of two brothers, whose mom asked Jesus for a favor regarding her sons’ positions in His kingdom. It is clear from the exchange that the disciples not only expected Jesus to become an earthly king, but they also struggled significantly with pride. They felt they earned authority and power by being associated with Jesus. Cutting to the heart, Jesus responds with clarity, “you’ve got it all wrong, if you want to be great, then be a servant”. (Matthew 20:27-28, my paraphrase)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
It’s hard to say if Jesus’ instructions in the original context were meant literally as well as figuratively, but it was certainly an unforgettable scene. If you go back and read this story from the beginning of John 13, we notice that, of the men present, Jesus was the only person willing to tackle the dirty task of foot washing. The text doesn’t tell us why a servant wasn’t present to perform the job, but the other twelve disciples reclining at the table knew someone needed to do the work, yet none made any effort to do so. In that sense, one could make a case that Jesus’ words had two meanings; the first being “next time, one of you guys should do this for each other”. However, most likely, His words were meant as an example for His teaching point, “you all need to develop an attitude of serving others, which means setting your pride aside and doing things you think are beneath you”.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
Jesus’ intention was to get these men to look to Him as their example in all things. In that day, following a Rabbi literally meant to follow His every step, learning everything they could about “being a Rabbi”. This concept, however, went much deeper for Jesus’ purposes. He wasn’t trying to make “little Rabbis” who could speak and teach rhetoric like Him; He wanted them to live lives of sacrificial love as He modeled. He is the Master of Love; the disciples knew and understood He was greater than they in every regard. In a sense, Jesus was saying, “If I, the long-awaited Messiah, am willing to humble Myself and willingly take on the job of a lowly servant, you should as well”. It’s important to keep in mind that these men Jesus spoke to were the same ones who, in just a few short days, would be responsible for spreading the gospel and starting the Church by the power of God’s Spirit. Jesus needed them to think differently about Himself, others, and their role as His disciples.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Jesus washed dirty feet to be an example to those who would soon carry His message of hope, love, and freedom to the world. The One Sovereign God of All, holding all power and authority above any other, willingly took on this menial job with humility and love. Our takeaway is to have this same attitude of Christ reflected in our everyday moments. In rich teaching, the apostle Paul wrote to believers, “adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5-8) This heart-attitude is characterized by humility, gentleness, and a willingness to meet and serve others regardless of who they are or their position in life. While foot washing is no longer commonplace, there are thousands of menial tasks to be entered into every day in our homes, churches, and workplaces. As followers of Christ, we also need to be willing to jump in and take on those tasks regardless of whether or not it’s our specifically assigned job. Pray over these opportunities and ask the Lord to show you where you can practically reflect Christ’s heart-attitude.

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
When Jesus directed His disciples to “also…wash one another’s feet”, He was speaking more about developing, and living out, an attitude of servanthood than He was about literal foot-washing. Living with a servant’s heart requires more than simply doing what is required or finishing tasks out of guilt or obligation. Rather, true service flows from love and a willingness to meet others in their mess and jump in with humility. Once again, Paul discusses this attitude in Philippians 2:13-15 when he says, “do everything without grumbling or complaining”. It’s one thing to serve others out of obligation, or because we can’t come up with a good excuse to decline. It’s completely different to serve others from a desire to love like Jesus in the middle of others’ messiness. It’s funny how Jesus seems to provide real life examples for me each time I sit down to write. Just today, I had planned to spend the entire morning researching and writing this study. I had my cup of coffee and was headed to my laptop when my sister called needing help. Helping her would mess up my plans and, honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could help, but I went because that’s what sisters do. In the end, it wasn’t so much about helping, but being present and standing with her. With transparency, I’m not sure my attitude reflected servanthood, but I still chose to go because loving people is rarely convenient. I don’t know about you, but my own life is messy; still, that doesn’t stop Jesus from meeting me where I am and loving me on the journey. I am a work in progress, just like all of us who have surrendered to Jesus, and I’m thankful He teaches me lessons like this every day!

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
The twelve disciples played a critically important role in living out the kind of radical love Jesus had humbly modeled in front of them during His time on earth; our role as fellow Christ-followers is just as necessary. We too need to think differently about God, others, and ourselves. We have the exact same job assignment as the original twelve who witnessed Jesus act of humble love in front of them, “Go and make disciples”. (Matthew 28:19) Jesus provided us with real life, everyday examples of how to go about accomplishing His mission by meeting people and loving them exactly where they are. By serving others with humility and gentleness, we love like Him. When we don’t judge others and place ourselves higher, we love like Him. When we choose to love others in the middle of their messes, and in spite of our own inconveniences, we love like Him. The coolest part is we aren’t in this “loving others with humility” thing alone! Jesus not only wants to equip us and teach us how to love like Him through His Spirit in us, but He also invites us to ask for His divine help in every single circumstance we encounter. “Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart”. (Matthew 11:28-30) Let’s learn from the Master how to live and love like He did!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Gentleness of Jesus!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Terrain Day 15 Life’s Landscape

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Peter 3:8-18
Matthew 10:1-15
Luke 22:35-42
Psalm 23

Terrain, Day 15

Most of our “lasts” go unnoticed, slipping slowly from one season to the next like a gradually fading sunset. One day, we simply notice how the last has come and gone.

As a mama, l know there has been a singular finality for many precious things, whether I recognized it or not.
The last time I changed a diaper, danced with a toddler, had baby fingers in my hair, played hide ‘n seek, sat someone in “time out”, or firmly said, “One minute, please. Mama is talking.” As I send my oldest off to university, there are a few “lasts” that stand out.
Our last Saturday with all 9 of us living under one roof.
Our final family meal before a new season.
Her last night in her childhood bedroom, and many more.

But, I also know, there will be new terrain to explore.
I just don’t know what it looks like yet.

While a million unknowns tug at the corners of my heart, one steadfast constancy takes my hand and leads me beside still waters.

My Shepherd knows my terrain.
He always has, and He always will.

In this Journey Theme, we’ve walked beside Abraham as he left his idol worship, following God for decades until God led him to the perfect place to fulfill His promise.

We’ve stood shaking with wonder at Mount Sinai,
marched around Jericho’s walls,
been invited to wash in the Jordan River,
nearly missed the forgotten fork in the road of Bethlehem and Nazareth,
and scaled the Mount of Olives to hear Jesus teach and watch Him pray.
We’ve dipped toes in the Sea of Galilee and tied our sandals to match Jesus stride for stride down dusty roads, and we’ve explored the caverns and sunrises of Patmos.
All along the way, we’ve witnessed the Creator of Life enter Creation to shepherd His people. Every step was a new opportunity to see His heart with deeper brilliancy.

The same God who marked off pathways on the Mount of Olives, also summoned Abraham to follow Him and Moses to meet with Him. The same God who filled Joshua with divine courage, humbly walked the seashore of Galilee. The same God who came as a Babe in Bethlehem, gave up His Body as the Bread of Life on Calvary’s hill while the weight of our sin crushed Him. The God who conquered Sin and Death by rising victorious from His grave, filled John with visions of a coming Beautiful City where one day, God would dwell with His beloved people forever.

Because He is a God who has been present on every hill, valley, and sandy seashore from eternity past to eternity present, this is the God who can be trusted with my journey.

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He gave His disciples an opportunity to practice what He’d taught them. He gave them authority to heal disease, preach, and raise the dead. He sent them to their own people, the Jews, telling them they wouldn’t need anything extra for He would provide for them through His people.

“Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Don’t acquire gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts. Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food. (Matthew 10:5-10)

Was it scary? Surely!
Was it exciting? Definitely!
But this was also a season; just another pathway on their journey.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, with His disciples gathered on the moonlit pathways of the Mount of Olives and the sound of soldier’s feet in the distance, the Lord reminded them of that initial opportunity to practice following Him.

“When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they said. (Luke 22:35)

Here they were, the ‘Eve of Last’ with Jesus, and He was reminding them of their journey.
Never had He left them alone. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
This time was no different. (John 14:16-17)

Though His body would soon be mutilated, and their time of walking the shores together was over, His Spirit would come and live within them.
Their journey would continue for a new season.

When that glorious moment came and the Spirit’s rushing wind whirled around them, His fire licking their souls, truth resonated afresh. This God was trustworthy to lead, love, and never abandon, for now He lived within them.

The Great I Am, the Timeless One (2 Peter 3:8), would now lead them to see with fresh eyes the Terrain around them as He breathed within them. They saw fields ripe for harvesting souls. They saw opportunities to heal. They knew they had been called to pray deeply for one another. They became His Body, His Bride, the Church.

And so we are, Sisters.
His Body living, walking, and breathing in our very own landscape of life.

Grip the Shepherd’s hand, dear friend, and choose to follow the God who, though existing outside of time and terrain, chose to dwell within it, that we may journey together into every unknown.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Terrain Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Terrain!

If Day 7 Triune God: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Triune God!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus say, “Because I live, you will live too?” (verse 19)

2) What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you?” (verse 20)

3) How does the Holy Spirit teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught? (verse 26)

John 14:18-26

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus say, “Because I live, you will live too?” (verse 19)
In John 14:19 Jesus tells His disciples, “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live too.” Jesus was referencing His resurrection and the eternal life He gives to those who accept Him as their Savior. Though His followers will die one day, each one will live forever in Heaven with Jesus because they chose to fully rely on His sacrifice on the cross to pay the debt owed for their sins. Romans 6:23 tells us the “wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Because Jesus died, but now lives again, all who trust in Him can live forever just as the original disciples are even now! This life Jesus promises, however, is not only eternal life. His followers can live an empowered life while on earth as well with new perspective and purpose. Author Matthew Henry explains, “The life of Christians is bound up in the life of Christ; as sure and as long as He lives, those that by faith are united to Him shall live also; they shall live spiritually, a divine life in communion with God. This life is hidden with Christ; if the head and root live, the members and branches live also.” Because Jesus lives, Christians are alive in Him, learning and growing in Christ, praying to Him and hearing from His Word precisely because He Lives! Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that He came so we could have “abundant life”. We can live this abundant life now today because of Jesus’ work on the cross to put to death our sin nature and wake us up to real life inside of His life! Let’s purpose to live fully today in surrender to His Spirit at work within us, thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice and aware of His power working in and through us.

2) What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you?” (verse 20)
Jesus’ words in John 14:20 sound a bit like a tongue twister, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.” Jesus can authoritatively say He is in the Father because God Himself is three persons, known as the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is not just the Son of God; He is God. The Bible tells us Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing, and only speaks what the Father says (John 5:19-23). Father, Son, and Spirit are separate Beings while also the exact same God. The Holy Spirit only speaks what He hears God the Father say (John 16:13-15); three Beings, but only One God. When Jesus tells the disciples, “You are in Me,” He refers to the fact that Christians are a new creation, now alive in Christ, and free to live in unity and communion with God, just as the 3 distinct Beings are 1 God. Author, James Burton Coffman, explains, “The identification of believers with Christ is revealed in this verse to be exactly the same as the identification of Christ with God. God is in Christ; Christ is in God; Christ is in Christians; and Christians are in Christ.” Christians have given God control of their lives and hearts. His Spirit dwells within them, leading them and guiding them into deeper unity with Himself. (John 14:26) When we surrender our hearts and our lives to God, we experience the love of the Father (1 John 3:1), relationship with Jesus (John 15:4-5), and freedom and guidance from the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17).

3) How does the Holy Spirit teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught? (verse 26)
Just before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus taught the disciples about the Father God and their relationship to the Father because of their relationship with Jesus. He explained that, though He would not always walk with them on earth, God the Father would send them a Helper to continue teaching and reminding them of the things they learned through Jesus. He told them, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26 The Holy Spirit, given to us by the Father, dwells in each Christian and empowers each one to follow the teachings of Jesus. As author David Guzik explains, “The disciples would not only see Jesus by the Spirit, they would also continue to live in Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit. Their dependence on the life of Jesus would not end when He departed; it would continue in greater measure through the Holy Spirit.” We can do the things set out in Scripture, not in our own strength, but through the help of God’s Spirit. When we try, in our own strength, to obey God and keep His commands, we end up failing. (Romans 7:18-19)  But when we are weak, God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:8), and enables us to remember and carry out the plans of the Lord. The Holy Spirit gives us power through His presence and enables us to display His fruitful work (Galatians 5:22-23) in our daily lives.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus say, “Because I live, you will live too?” (verse 19)
One year, my family received a fabulous deal on all-inclusive passes to a giant theme park.  Everything was included in park tickets, hotel rooms, meals, and transportation. We went to dinner with some friends at the park, and as their eyes popped out of their heads when the pricey bill arrived, we just flashed our park pass and the meal was free! Living life with God is a lot like having that all-inclusive pass to the amusement park. Everything we need for life and godliness is accessible in Christ. (2 Peter 1:3) Jesus tells us in John 14:19, “Because I live, you will live too.” Because Jesus is alive, we have life in Him. Charles Spurgeon notes, “A man is saved because Christ died for him, he continues saved because Christ lives for him. The sole reason why the spiritual life abides is because Jesus lives.”  Jesus not only gives us abundant life on earth (1 Timothy 6:18-19), but this life also extends into eternal life in Heaven (1 John 5:11). Life with Jesus also gives us full access to the Father. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace and receive mercy in times of trouble. (Hebrews 4:16) In fact, Jesus is the only way we can get to Father God because only He lived our human life perfectly for us. Jesus tells His followers that no one comes to the Father except through Him. If we know Jesus, then we know the Father (John 14:6) We can rejoice in the full access we have to the Father through Jesus’, His Son!

2) What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you?” (verse 20)
The Triune Godhead is made of Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit; all are co-equal as God. Jesus told His disciples, “I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20) His words declared that Jesus and the Father are both different parts of the same Godhead. Jesus also promised the disciples that the Father would send them the Holy Spirit, another member of the Trinity, to teach and guide them. (John 14:26) Author, R.C. Sproul, explains, “The three persons are not distinguished by different divine attributes, for They share the same attributes. Instead, they are distinguished by Their relation one to another. We confess that the Father is unbegotten and that the Son is eternally begotten of the Father . . . We confess that the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.”  The three Persons of the Trinity are the same in Their characteristics, but differ at times in the expression of those characteristics and in the roles They play. Each Person of the Trinity is equally important and equally God. As Christians, we are blessed to have a relationship with God in three Persons, and experience the blessing of God’s Triune nature.

3) How does the Holy Spirit teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught? (verse 26)
My church wanted to get involved in a summer camp for foster kids, so a small team went through rigorous hands-on training and learned the contents of a ginormous training manual. When we brought our first kids to camp, however, no one had time to look up the section on runaway campers as we were scampering in all directions to keep a kid from making it to the highway. Knowing what to do and putting it in action were two different things! Christians are blessed because not only does God give us a “training manual” in the form of the Bible, but He also gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live out His Word in real-time. Jesus taught that God sent the Holy Spirit to instruct us and remind us of Jesus’ teachings. (John 14:26) God revealed in Nehemiah 9:20 that His Spirit was sent to instruct us, and Scripture also tells us that God’s anointing teaches us about all things. (1 John 2:27)  We also learn in Luke 12:12 that the Holy Spirit can teach us what to say even while we are being called upon to make an answer. God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us, instructing us what to do, and even telling us what to say when needed. Referring to John 16:12-14, author R.A. Torrey asserts, “It is His (the Holy Spirit’s) work above all else to reveal Jesus Christ and to glorify Him. His whole teaching centres in Christ. From one point of view or the other, He is always bringing us to Jesus Christ.” As Christians, it is our heart’s desire to know God more and to know Him better. What a comfort to know that God sent His Holy Spirit to bring us into deeper knowledge of His Son!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Triune God!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is If Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

If Day 4 Indwelling: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Indwelling!

The Questions

1) What does Jesus’ statement in verse 5 imply at first reading?

2) How does Jesus know the disciples’ hearts are filled with sorrow? (verse 6)

3) What hopeful words does Jesus share with His disciples when He tells them He is going away? (verse 7)

4) What did Jesus teach the disciples in verses 8-15 about the coming Counselor and His work in the world?

John 16:5-15

5 But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 About sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

Original Intent

1) What does Jesus’ statement in verse 5 imply at first reading?
At first reading, it appears Jesus is bothered that His disciples have not questioned Him about His departure. Had they ignored His previous mentions of going away? Since the Bible indicates they had previously asked Jesus about His departure, it seems Jesus was making another point to them about His leaving. In John 13:36 and John 14:5, Peter and Thomas inquire about where Jesus is going. On both occasions, there is much evidence that the disciples are asking from concern for themselves. What will happen to them when Jesus goes? In all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we read the subtle, and not-so-subtle, predictions by Jesus regarding His future death and resurrection. Even though they heard His words, the disciples were either confused, in denial, or afraid to question Him further. (Mark 9:32) Maybe, like any human who has grown to depend on someone, they didn’t really want to consider what life would be like without the presence of their beloved Jesus. Their responses, coupled with the fact that Jesus knew their heart motives (John 2:24-25), likely revealed their self-interest only. In this passage, Jesus prods them to consider something beyond themselves. Why had they not considered what would happen to Him when He goes? Though He does not give an answer concerning where He is going, He assures them He will not leave them alone.

2) How does Jesus know the disciples’ hearts are filled with sorrow? (verse 6)
Jesus said some extremely hard things as He walked with His followers along the Sea of Galilee and surrounding areas. The crowds loved His miracles of healing, but some of His teachings were challenging to hear and some were difficult to understand. Jesus once said to those around Him, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves.” (John 6:53) Who wouldn’t be confused?! John tells us in John 6:66 that many people left at that point, and no longer followed Jesus. When He turned to question the Twelve (Matthew 10:2-4), Peter spoke up and said sincerely, “You’re all we have. We believe in You. Where would we go?” (John 6:68-69) There is such insight to be gained in this scene. The relationship between Jesus and His chosen disciples was intimate and genuine. They had seen more in three years with Jesus than some would experience in a lifetime. (John 21:24-25) Even when they did not fully understand what He was teaching or showing them, they had grown to trust Him and believe He was truly the way to LIFE! When Jesus spoke about His leaving, He knew their hearts were concerned and sorrowful. He knew them well. He had seen their confusion and fears through His years of ministry. (Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 14:22-32) He knew they would be fearful of facing the future without His physical presence to guide them.

3) What hopeful words does Jesus share with His disciples when He tells them He is going away? (verse 7)
The disciples could not comprehend how Jesus’ departure could possibly benefit them. (Other translations use words like “advantage”, “expedient,” “better” and even “best”.) Again, Jesus’ words fell on confused hearts. They had never met anyone like the Master, Jesus. Surely, they felt the deep and painful sting of separation at this point. “It is for your benefit that I go away …” (verse 7) Maybe Peter remembered his own words to Jesus on the day He had asked them if they were leaving too, like those who had decided it was too costly to follow Jesus. Perhaps he considered the same question now. “To whom would they go without Jesus?” But Jesus did not want them to fret. “If I go, I will send Him to you,” He said. Jesus had never reneged on a promise He’d made. They confidently knew He was faithful and true. Still, this felt so different. Jesus must have seen this anxiety in their eyes and on their faces. So, He highlighted His words in verse 7 with “I am telling you the truth.” Although the coming of the Counselor was beneficial, it wasn’t necessary for Him to come until Jesus left. He wanted them to believe that the benefits of Him leaving and the Counselor coming would far outweigh what they could ever imagine.

4) What did Jesus teach the disciples in verses 8-15 about the coming Counselor and His work in the world?
In John 14:26, we discover the Counselor (paraclete) is God, the Holy Spirit. Bible scholars tells us that finding an appropriate English translation for the Greek word (paraklētos) is quite difficult because no single English word conveys its depth of meaning. (Netbible.John14.37) When the word paraclete is used of Jesus in 1 John 2:1, translations almost exclusively use the word “advocate.” Jesus and the Father and the Spirit work together on our behalf. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had guided His disciples to think rightly about God. He had protected them through miracles, shared with them the very thoughts of God toward sin, and had demonstrated courage when faced with opposition. Now He assures them that the Comforter, the very Spirit of God, will always be with them rather than Christ’s own limited physical presence. Although verse 8 does not begin with a positive spin (the New English Translation says that “when He comes, He will prove the world wrong”), these ARE words of hope. We read in Luke about a tax collector named Zacchaeus who gained his wealth on the backs of his fellow Jews. Jesus told Zacchaeus that the very reason He came was to rescue people just like him. (Luke 19:1-10) Even though the Pharisees looked upon Jesus’ loving rescue with deep disgust (Luke 15:2), we know Jesus came to earth to rescue tax collectors and pious religious leaders. (Luke 19:39-44) The benefit of the Spirit’s presence is that He carries on Jesus’ message of truth and mercy in and through the lives of every believer! (verses 12-13) No one must climb a tree to get to Jesus. Through the work of the Spirit of God, hearts are convicted about “sin, righteousness, and judgment” (verse 8) so that no one needs to die without knowing the grace of Jesus. (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)

Everyday Application

1) What does Jesus’ statement in verse 5 imply at first reading?
Jesus resumes the conversation He had previously begun about His departure. (John 7:28-36) Though the disciples had heard it before, this time seems different. More real. Christ’s time was pending! Can you imagine the scene? You have walked by the side of your cherished mentor for three years and have learned so much. Yet, you know there is infinitely more to learn! You can’t imagine anyone teaching you like them. When someone we share life with must go from our lives, in our own humanity we feel the sting for ourselves at first. We can relate to the disciples’ pain and sorrow. In our own frailty, we don’t consider asking questions related to their next journey. We simply know it hurts that they are leaving. Here is where we must remind ourselves to think like Jesus, who did “nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider(ed) others as more important… Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) Jesus knew His friends were suffering. We can learn from His experience, to ask our kind Father to teach us how to demonstrate selfless concern for those who may need to pass from our lives.

2) How does Jesus know the disciples’ hearts are filled with sorrow? (verse 6)
Jesus showed mercy to His disciples despite their lack of interest in His future. Knowing their great sorrow, He did not dwell on their misguided, self-focused concern. Friends, what a precious Savior we have! The disciples could only see the sorrow in His leaving them. Yet, Jesus knew His departure was essential for them to become dependent on God for saving and sustaining grace by His Spirit. The disciples’ sorrow represents the sentiment we often have when a loved one who has trusted Jesus is dying. We may tell family and friends it will be better for them to go with Jesus, and we are comforted for the soon-coming relief from current suffering on earth. We know they will be with Jesus! But in these times of grief, we rarely consider it to our benefit that their presence will no longer be with us. The disciples were a bunch of human fellas standing with their fearless leader, the Coach of a lifetime, Who had revealed Himself as the very Son of God. Even though much of what they had witnessed was beyond their understanding, they knew they had been in the presence of the Messiah. (Matthew 16:15-20) Oh Sister, there was nothing in them that felt like celebrating. But Jesus knew more. Jesus knew better.

3) What hopeful words does Jesus share with His disciples when He tells them He is going away? (verse 7)
Some of us may have experienced our parents using a phrase when they disciplined us. “It’s for your own good.” Maybe you even used it with your own kids. Thankfully, there has been some wisdom passed down through the years of parenting suggesting better ways to guide our kids in realizing the benefits of boundaries and consequences. Still, we all know the four words “it’s for your good” aren’t always easy to take. Knowing Jesus as I have come to know Him (from His Word), I think He probably said this as gently as possible. But it is probable that the only words the disciples heard ringing in their ears were “I am going away.” (verse 5) Jesus was focused on His words “for your benefit.” (verse 7) David Guzik gives such insight into their humanity as he imagines the disciples’ dismay if they were to really understand all that was to come. To our benefit that Jesus is arrested? To our benefit that Jesus’ ministry of teaching and miracles is stopped? To our benefit that Jesus is beaten? To our benefit that Jesus is mocked? To our benefit that Jesus is sentenced for execution? To our benefit that Jesus is nailed to a cross? To our benefit that Jesus dies in the company of notorious criminals? To our benefit that His lifeless body is laid in a cold grave? (Enduring Word John 16) Jesus gives to His sorrowing disciples, and to all who know Him, a resounding YES! It is better. “The Spirit inside of us is greater than even Jesus beside us.” (Jesus Continued by JD Greear)

4) What did Jesus teach the disciples in verses 8-15 about the coming Counselor and His work in the world?
In answering this question regarding the passage’s original intent, I said “the benefit of the Spirit’s presence is that He carries on Jesus’ message of truth and mercy in and through the lives of every believer.” Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit knows what the Father thinks and will reveal it to His followers. (John 16:13) But it is essential to take this truth in the context of John’s book, the New Testament, and all of Scripture. In no way was Jesus saying or implying that our salvation makes us all-knowing. Nor are we to conclude that we can have a word from God that is incompatible with Scripture. The Spirit teaches us everything we need to know about how to be saved and how to live for God. He does so through the Spirit-inspired words of the Bible’s writers. (2 Peter 1) When Zacchaeus took Jesus into His home he was convicted to turn from his wrong ways. (Luke 19:1-10) “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this house.” After Jesus ascended to the Father, and the Spirit came at Pentecost, Jesus was continued through the acts of the Spirit living within every Believer! (Acts 2:37-41)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Indwelling!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is If Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Nations Day 9 Religious Or Relationship?: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Religious Or Relationship!

The Questions

1) How does salt connect with disciples? (verse 13)

2) What connection do disciples have with light? (verse 14)

3) How are we like a city on a hill? (verses 14-16)

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Original Intent

1) How does salt connect with disciples? (verse 13)
Salt. The shaker on our table is what we bring to mind, but in Jesus’ day, salt was a valuable commodity. It was sometimes even used to pay one’s salary. Jesus called the disciples salt because they were as important to the Gospel as salt was to the society. Have you ever eaten a French fry without salt? Just a little salt makes a world of difference! Consider the impact the disciples made on the world once they were anointed with God’s power through His Holy Spirit. Just twelve men initiated world-wide change as a result of God’s power! (Acts 2) As powerful as salt is, it can lose its savor if it is mixed with other additives. RealSalt.com says salt will never go bad, but common table salt has agents added which degrade over time causing the salt to lose its savor. Society in Jesus’ day and and now, is mixed with many sinful impurities. If Christ-followers were not careful, their lives would be overrun with the effects of sinful choices. This leads to a need for preservation! In ancient times, salt was added to prevent food from spoiling. When the disciples began spreading the Gospel, they were keeping the world from decaying without the Hope offered through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. Salt can go both ways. If we allow society to rub off on us, we will lose our savor; but if we rub off on society, we hold out the life-giving freedom of Christ!

2) What connection do disciples have with light? (verse 14)
In Jesus’ day, the title, “Light of the World” had been given to certain rabbis and were referenced as lamps of the universe (Enduring Word). It must have sounded odd to hear Jesus say all of His disciples were the Light of the World, a title normally reserved for prestigious teachers. Charles Spurgeon says, the world “is dark, and gropes in midnight, and it cannot get light except it receives it through us.” Being God’s light to the world gives guidance. Isaiah spoke of it (Isaiah 9:2) and the apostle John also said, ‘The light shines in the darkness…” Light shows the way to God, the only way to God. The ancient world was no better than ours. Recall the culture in Ephesus where they served many gods and built temples to them. They “worshipped” these gods with sexual acts. Theirs was also a society of wealth and people aspiring to gain riches. Also, who could forget our history lessons about Nero and other ruthless leaders with their orgies, torture, and worse. The ancient world desperately needed a light to find their way to the One True God. Jesus was that light. And when He left earth, He told us to be His light, carrying it into the dark world.

3) How are we like a city on a hill? (verses 14-16)
A city on a hill is prominent and seen from a long distance. Jesus may have been using a nearby city of Safed as an analogy. It stands on a very eminent and conspicuous mountain and is seen far and near. Possibly, Jesus alluded to this city as an example of how it was not hidden but seen by all. Likewise, Jesus wanted people of His Kingdom to live visible lives that attracted attention, so their good works would bring praise to God. (Enduring Word)
Jesus spoke these words about salt and light following His teaching on the Beatitudes, which focused on showing us how to live Kingdom lives. It is not in doing good works that we are saved, but our good works come from God’s work through His Spirit in us. (Ephesians 2:8-10) When the Holy Spirit is guiding our lives, it is like a hand in a glove. We are the glove and “we live and move” by the direction of the Holy Spirit. Our actions are not so people will see us but rather that they will see the Light of Jesus and give glory to God. (Acts 17:27-28, John 3:21)

Everyday Application

1) How does salt connect with disciples? (verse 13)
How can you and I effectively season the world? By choosing to engage those around us with the hope of Christ! If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and allowed the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our lives, we HAVE Christ’s power in us to be salt to the world and we will WANT to season the world. If you don’t have the deep desire to be salt to the world, it would be wise to follow the apostle Paul’s teaching and examine your hearts “to see whether we are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6) Have you ever known a person who rubbed you the wrong way? Comparatively, have you known someone who always blesses a room when they enter? This is how we season the world. A preacher once asked, “If you record yourself, what would you see/hear?” This challenged me, and still does, to take special care in what I do and I say, making sure I’m surrendering myself to the Spirit’s power alive in me. (Ephesians 4:29-32) Showing love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness is how believers share their Salt with the Earth. Let’s begin our days with King David’s prayer, ”Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord. My Rock and my Redeemer.”

2) What connection do disciples have with light? (verse 14)
We are a “peculiar people”. (1 Peter:2-9, KJV) When others see a true Christian, they will notice something is different because we are marked by the light and love of God’s Spirit within us. (John 13:35) They will curiously want to know what makes us peculiar. Hopefully, they will want some of the joy we have because of Jesus. Peter wrote that being peculiar “calls us out of darkness into God’s Marvelous Light.” The Holy Spirit living in us is the Light who call others out of the pervading darkness. The apostle Paul said to “live by the Spirit…keep(ing) in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25); the result is beautiful fruit in our lives! Paul also commands, “above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14) The Spirit’s fruit in our lives is what makes us peculiar to others. (Philippians 2:12-14) We may not really want to be peculiar because our light brings conviction of sin and people may react adversely. Thus, we may be tempted to hide the Light of Christ within us. But our world is still in darkness, desperately in need of light. Jesus came as that Light. He instructed the disciples to shine His light, and now, we must continue shining this light to the world. Do not hide your light but, as the Sunday School song goes, “let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”

3) How are we like a city on a hill? (verses 14-16)
Our assignment is to be Light in this dark and broken world; opening ourselves up to allow our light from God shine through. I love the idea Christine shared in her Journey Study yesterday. She found places in the dark where she can be salt and light; book clubs, fitness groups, and places that aren’t necessarily Christian. This is how we truly can be a light on a hill. Think of your own culture, village, or city, where can you go to shine? Clarence L Haynes states at Crosswalk, “…the value of salt is not when it is in the shaker. Salt cannot season, preserve, disinfect… until it comes out of the shaker.” The famous pastor, Charles Spurgeon, quoted the venerable Bede in saying, “Christ Jesus brought the light of Deity into the poor lantern of our humanity, and then set it upon the candlestick of His church that the whole house of the world might be lit up.” I pray your local church is finding ways to be a light on a lampstand. If not, maybe it’s time for you and me to be the ones to start something. I believe others will follow, they just need someone to lead the way in living lives that shine with brilliance!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Religious Or Relationship!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Nations Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Word Day 14 Chosen, Appointed, Loved, Persecuted: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Chosen, Appointed, Loved, Persecuted!

The Questions

1) How does having the joy of Jesus make our joy complete? (verse 11) 

2) What does Jesus mean in saying, “If they kept My word, they will also keep yours?” (verse 20)

3) To what passage is Jesus referring when He states, “They hated me for no reason.” (verse 25) 

John 15:9-25

9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason.

Original Intent

1) How does having the joy of Jesus make our joy complete? (verse 11)
In John 15:9-10 Jesus tells His disciples to remain in His love and keep His commands. He says, “I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) Having the joy only Jesus can give will makes their joy complete. This fullness of joy comes from following the commands Jesus gives to His followers. Jesus proclaims that obeying God is the same as loving God when He says, “If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love.” (John 15:10) Obedience to God causes us to remain in a close loving relationship with Him; this intimacy brings us the deep Joy of Christ. Remaining in God’s love is to dwell in His presence because God is love (1 John 4:16) When we remain in His loving presence, then we are enveloped in the fullness of His joy as a result. (Psalm 16:11)    Jesus calls this “complete” joy. (John 15:11) Author, Melissa Kruger, explains, “Jesus is the source of our joy, and He’s the sustainer of it. Apart from Him, our lives are empty, meaningless attempts to find satisfaction. (…) Our desire for joy is ultimately a desire for Jesus.” When we love God and keep His commands, we experience complete joy because our obedience brings us closer to Jesus, the source of our joy.

2) What does Jesus mean in saying, “If they kept My word, they will also keep yours?” (verse 20)
In John 15:20, Jesus reminds His disciples, “Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours.” The overall gist of the passage is clearly understood, the world will treat Jesus’ followers the same way it treated Him. But the phrase, “kept My word” causes some confusion. Some people see it as sarcasm. Author, John Knox, suggests Jesus is saying, ‘they will pay the same attention to your words as to mine; that is, none.”  John Gill notes that the remarks can be taken positively or negatively, “either they will attend to your doctrines, or they will make the same spiteful remarks, and put the same evil constructions on your words as on mine.” We learn from the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Scholars that “The phrase ‘keep the word (or words)’ of any one is frequent in this Gospel . . . [and] occurs in John’s writings only.” John chooses to emphasize the fact that, in the eyes of the world, the disciples’ words are the same as Jesus’ words. Choosing to obey Christ and share the Good News of the Gospel comes with the blessing of complete joy, but there is also a cost. The disciples saw Jesus persecuted and ultimately killed for the words He said, and they chose to love and obey God even though He warned the same would happen to them. The love and joy that comes from following Christ was a bigger blessing than the persecution was a deterrent. Let’s share Christ’s words today, praying God will use them to impact lives and bring life to those around us, no matter the opposition rising against us!

3) To what passage is Jesus referring when He states, “They hated me for no reason.” (verse 25) 
In John 15:25, Jesus describes people who hate Him and who hate His Father.  He says of them, “But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason.” When He says, “written in their law,” He is referring to the Jewish religious leaders who purport to love God’s law, but who are, ironically, fulfilling it by hating God’s Son. Jesus explains their selfish motivation for hating Him in John 15:22 when He says, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin.” The law He refers to comes from Psalm 69:4, where David says that “Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful.  Though I did not steal, I must repay.” This Psalm, along with Psalm 39:15 and Psalm 109:3, are among the Old Testament Messianic prophecies that Jesus ultimately fulfills. The Pulpit Commentary asserts that “Jesus knew . . . that He would have to complete and fulfill the solemn portraiture of the suffering, burden-bearing, and rejected Christ, as well as that of the triumphant Christ and King.”  Knowing He would be despised, rejected, and hated for no reason, Jesus still chose to be our Reconciler, bringing us into a right relationship with God the Father through His death and resurrection. He is our Redeemer and also our King, leading us into abundant life as we follow His Word and trust in His plan for our lives.

Everyday Application

1) How does having the joy of Jesus make our joy complete? (verse 11)
It happens to every parent or teacher, regardless of their skill or acumen. A child in their care will purposefully disobey some clearly stated rule. When caught, they might deny their guilt (though the case against them is air-tight) or, when they see there is no way out, they pour on the apologies and “I love you” professions. They are likely trying to soften their consequences, but they also seem to understand that disobedience puts us outside of a close and loving relationship we would otherwise enjoy. This is the same idea Jesus conveys to us in John 15:10 when He declares, “If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love.” Jesus presents it as a simple equation, obedience equals love. Author, Leon Morris, points out, “This is not some mystical experience. It is simple obedience. It is when a man keeps Christ’s commandments that he abides in Christ’s love.” When we obey God and abide in His love, Jesus promises our joy will be complete, not lacking anything. (John 15:11) Without the joy of communion and intimacy with God, which we experience by obeying Him through loving Him and others, our joy is not full. We may have moments of joy, but we lack the sustaining joy that only comes with abiding in Christ. Author Scotty Smith explains it was Jesus’ obedience “that earned the fullness of God’s love for us, and it’s our obedience that frees us to enjoy every good thing we have in [Christ.]” My desire is to love and obey God and live in freedom to enjoy all the good things He has in store for me. My heart’s cry is to love and obey God at every turn and experience the full joy of life in Jesus!

2) What does Jesus mean in saying, “If they kept My word, they will also keep yours?” (verse 20)
Jesus is very clear to His disciples in John 15:20 that they would be persecuted for following Him. While the wording at the end of the passage can be difficult to understand (“If they kept My word, they will also keep yours,”) the meaning is clear. According to the Expositor’s Greek Testament, “In so far as they are identified with Him, their experience will be identical with His. The attitude of the world does not alter.” Jesus is transparent with His followers. He doesn’t promise all the good stuff up front and then spring the persecution part of it on us when we sign on the dotted line. Christ’s sacrifice is the very heart of the Gospel. 1 Peter 2:24 tells us Jesus died on the cross so we could live as a result of His death and ultimate victory over the grave. His invitation to live as Jesus did includes the invitation to love like He loves, sacrificially. Jesus says in John 15:12-13, “This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” If you don’t know Jesus’ love or the freedom He gives for yourself, this call to be like Jesus might not seem very appealing at first glance. Why risk the pain of persecution? Hebrews 12:2 tells us Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the joy set before Him. To Jesus, it was pure joy to reconcile all people to God. In like manner, He promises us complete joy if we love Him and obey His commands. (John 15:11) Abiding in Christ and living in fullness of joy are part of the benefits of obeying God, along with the many other blessings that come from living life with Christ. May everyone who reads about His love today embrace Him and reach out to others with His love!

3) To what passage is Jesus referring when He states, “They hated me for no reason.” (verse 25) 
When I was little, my parents broke some news to me about my friend, Missy, they thought would upset me. Missy’s parents were divorcing. My ugly response shocked my parents, “Good! I don’t like Missy. She thinks she is so perfect.” My parents explained that my jealousy of Missy’s “perfections” did not reflect poorly on Missy. She was just living her best life, with her long hair, pretty penmanship and gentle, sweet spirit. Since I didn’t have the patience to grow out my hair, or practice my handwriting, or hold my tongue when angry, I hated those characteristics in Missy. In a way, my attitude was like that of the Pharisees and Sadducees who hated Jesus without reason. (John 15:25) Jesus said their hatred stemmed from the fact that He showed them sin in their lives, and they did not appreciate it. (John 15:22) They should have pleaded for Him to change them when Jesus revealed sin in their lives, but instead of repentance, they hated Jesus and plotted to kill Him. (Matthew 26:3) Sometimes my response is still ugly when Jesus reveals sin in my life. I ignore that twinge of conscience when I watch certain programs. I pretend not to notice the person God keeps asking me to help. Instead of turning from my sin and embracing His ways, I resist. I don’t want to see my sin clearly, because then I will need to either decide to change my ways or go against God. I have no good reason to hate God by continuing in my sin except for my own selfishness. If you also struggle with choosing your own will over God’s, join me today in declaring His ways are better and higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:9) We can rejoice that He is working in us to help us want to do His will. (Philippians 2:13)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Chosen, Appointed, Loved, Persecuted!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Word Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Word Day 12 Do As I Do: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Do As I Do!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you?” You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed to do them.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)
After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He replaced His robe and proceeded to engage them in conversation as to why He did what He did. Previously, in verse 4, Jesus removed His robe after the Passover meal and wrapped a towel around His waist in preparation for foot washing. This common gesture of wearing a towel signified Jesus taking on the role of a slave. This would have baffled the disciples! Only slaves washed the feet of their master, but not even Jewish slaves were allowed to wash their masters’ feet (NKJV Chronological Study Bible Notes). To watch Jesus undertake such a menial task would have been beyond the understanding of the disciples. Many a time the disciples did not understand what Jesus was doing or teaching; Jesus knew they could be “slow” to understand. In Mark 8:14-21 Jesus told His disciples to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, but even as they discussed it among themselves, they did not understand Jesus’ meaning. They concluded His remark was because they’d forgotten to bring bread. Jesus rebuked them harshly and asked, “Don’t you understand yet?”. (Mark 8:21) In Matthew 15:2-19, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on hand-washing traditions instead of God’s heart to honor Him. The disciples told Jesus the Pharisees were offended, but Jesus told them to leave the Pharisees alone as they were blind and were leading each other into a pit. The disciples again, not understanding, asked Jesus to explain. Jesus responded, “Do you still lack understanding?”. (Matthew 15:16) There were even times the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus questions. (Mark 9:30-32, John 16:16-19) Because His example of humble servitude was so critically important to His disciples imitating, He wanted to be sure they understood the full weight of His actions.

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)
Jesus wanted the disciples to understand what being humble, loving, and serving others really meant. Jesus knew a mere parable would not suffice, so He went out of His way to actively demonstrate what humility looked like by washing the filthy feet of His disciples. This act of humble love was an entirely new concept for the disciples. John Dickson explains, “The word humility in both the ancient Greek and Latin meant low, as in low to the ground. It had an entirely negative connotation. In a world that loved reputation and honour above pretty much anything else, humility just didn’t make sense.” Jesus wanted His disciples to become humble servants of each other and those around them who desperately needed to experience Christ’s offer to rescue them from sin. The only way for the disciples to grasp this concept was for Jesus to live it out for them in an unforgettably tangible way. He then commanded them to follow His example and do the same.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)
If Jesus, as their Teacher and Lord, could do such a menial task as wash their feet, then the disciples, as His students, are not above Him, and should do likewise. They were to follow His example and become servants. Jesus expressed this sentiment many times as He modeled a life of love for His disciples. (Matthew 10:24, Luke 6:40) In Luke’s record of the Passover where Jesus washed their feet, a dispute arose among the disciples about who should be considered the greatest. (Luke 22:24) It could be this discourse that prompted Jesus to embark on the foot washing ceremony. Jesus told them not to be like the kings who rule over the Gentiles because their main concern was status. Instead, Jesus’ disciples must be like Him and serve with humble love. (Luke 22:27)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)
On many occasions, the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus said or why He did some of the things He did. Jesus even had to rebuke them at times for taking His intended meaning beyond what He wanted them to understand. Can we blame them? After all, Jesus was God in the flesh. It would have been difficult for them to understand His divinity just as it is for us today. Sometimes, we go through difficult circumstances that leave us questioning God. A few years ago, I was betrayed by a close family member. When it happened, I was in total shock. I felt like Joseph when his brothers placed him in a pit and sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:12-36) My life literally shattered that day! All I could think is, “Why?!”. I prayed for God to give me answers, but it was slow. He kept telling me to be patient. Little by little, things were revealed until I had the whole story. We need to wait on God to give His answers in His time. He is faithful to reveal Himself in the context of a relationship with Him as we study Scripture, listen to sermons, and seek wise counsel from other believers in Jesus. Even in the struggle, God graciously gives purpose. It wasn’t until Jesus’ death and resurrection that the disciples fully understood that Jesus’ example of humble servitude was to be the foundation by which they extended the love of Jesus to others. Are there circumstances in your life you don’t understand? Instead of worrying, or bringing your own solution, ask God for guidance through prayer. Read the Scriptures and seek godly counsel. He will be faithful to reveal His answer in His time. Just be patient.

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)
The command to wash one another’s feet in humble service extends to us as Christ-followers also. Jesus was the epitome of humility, and we are called to be like Him. (Romans 8:29) It doesn’t matter if we are the CEO of a company or a janitor, all who have surrendered their lives to Jesus are to serve others with humble hearts. I know someone who refused to help a former employee when he became Department Manager (we’ll call him C). The employee (P) was so disappointed. P confided to me that when C worked with him before becoming Manager, he would assist him in anything he needed. As Manager, however, C refused to take his calls. P couldn’t believe he was treated in such a manner after all he did for C when they worked together. We, as Christians are called to service regardless of our position in life. Philippians 2:3 states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves”. As Christians, we need to wash each other’s feet.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)
“The world asks, “How many people work for you?”, but the Lord asks, “For how many people do you work?”” (Warren W. Wiersbe). A friend told me, while he was at the bank one day, he observed the CEO walking the floor. There was a piece of paper on the ground. The CEO, without thinking twice, picked it up, threw it away and continued walking the floor. My friend was absolutely amazed because, in his mind, the CEO could have easily called the janitor or another employee to pick up the trash. But he didn’t, he did it himself. This showed his humility. It wasn’t beneath him to pick up that paper. Loving and serving others isn’t about us, but Who we work for. Whatever we do, we are to do it for the benefit of others and, most importantly, for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:17) Reiterating Philippians 2:3, other people are more important than us, and our job as Christians is to serve them. If Jesus did it, so should we! (Philippians 2:5-11)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Do As I Do!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Word Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Worship 8 Day 2 The Why: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Why!

The Questions

1) Verse 20 tells us this passage is part of a prayer. Who is represented by the personal pronouns used in the prayer?

2) What is the significance of the connecting phrase “so that”, which is used four times in this passage?

3) What is the importance of demonstrating unity and love as disciples of Jesus Christ? (verses 23-24)

John 17:20-24

20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. 21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me. 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation.”

Original Intent

1) Verse 20 tells us this passage is part of a prayer. Who is represented by the personal pronouns used in the prayer?
Why do we worship? We worship because we have been made one with the Father and Son. The Why question is answered in this prayer by determining the Who. Verse 1 says, “Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, ‘Father …” The Son of God was praying to His Father. Prayer was a habit for Him. (Luke 5:16) The prayers Jesus prayed give us insight into who He is. They speak to us about His nature, His heart, and His purpose while He walked on earth. His prayers also instruct us in our own prayer lives. In Matthew 6:9-13, the author records Jesus teaching His followers how to pray. Here in John 17 we see Jesus following the very pattern He taught. Jesus starts His prayer with “Father”, and as He prays, He acknowledges the Father’s authority, kingdom, and purpose. (verses 1-5) He then begins to pray for those closest to Him, His disciples. He prays for provision and protection for them, asking the Father to give them what they need and remind them of His teachings. Jesus prays for His disciples to be protected from the enemy and the world’s evil system. (verses 6-19) As He comes to the close of His prayer, He begins praying for all believers. He wants those who believe (John 3:16-18) in Him, including those of us in the present age, to be unified. We see verses 20-21 involve the Son (I) who is praying to the Father (You) on behalf of the disciples of Jesus (these), all other believers present and future (they), AND everyone in the world who will come to believe in Him one day.

2) What is the significance of the connecting phrase “so that”, which is used four times in this passage?
Why do we worship? We worship “so that” Jesus is known and glorified by all people. In these five verses, the Christian Standard Bible translators used the phrase “so that” in all but one verse. Jesus prayed for four results: 1) that the world would believe, 2) that His disciples would be unified as He was with the Father, 3) that His disciples would recognize that His unity with the Father was also attainable for them, and 4) that all would see the glory of Jesus. (verses 21-24) The prayer of Jesus reveals His heart for everyone in the world. John, the author of the book with the same name, had walked with Jesus. He writes about the time Jesus met a man named Nicodemus and explained to him how he could enter God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus explained to the man about heavenly things and told him about the Father’s love. He shared with him that the reason He had come to earth was to give everyone spiritual life that never ends. (John 3:1-21) This is the gospel message John wanted his readers to know was on the heart of Jesus. Pastor Greg Gilbert explains that the gospel is “simply telling the good news about Jesus! It’s a message from God saying, ‘Good news! Here is how you can be saved from judgment!’” In his gospel and his letters, the apostle John’s purpose was to reveal Jesus’ purpose in coming. He had followed Jesus closely and had heard Him teach, and very likely had heard Him pray many times in this way. (John 20:31, 1 John 5:13)

3) What is the importance of demonstrating unity and love as disciples of Jesus Christ? (verses 23-24)
Why do we worship? We worship because the Father has chosen to love us and to show the world His love through our unity with Him and one another. Jesus connected His relationship with His Father and His followers, as well as the relationship they had with one another, to the gospel message. Jesus prayed that the oneness of His followers would lead to His glory being revealed and received. In perfect unity, the Father and the Son loved people and desired them to spend eternity with God. Jesus prayed that those who were His disciples would be the vessels in which His love and grace would be carried to the world. God’s desire to have a relationship with humankind never changed. Through Adam and Eve’s choice to rebel against God, we are all equally guilty of this rebellion; our sin breaks the relationship with God. The good news is, that in Jesus, we are offered reconciliation back to God because of His perfect sacrifice on our behalf. (Romans 5:12-16) Jesus’ heart was bound to the unified purpose of our triune (three Persons, yet one God) God. Before the world was created, love existed between the Father and the Son through the Spirit. (verse 24) The apostle Peter referred to the work of the three Persons in the Godhead in his greeting in one of his letters to the believers. (1 Peter 1:1-2) As God set His affection on people from before the foundation of the world, Jesus’ death has given us access to the Father. The Spirit reveals to our hearts who Jesus is and how to be reconciled to God. The unity of our three-person God is important in understanding the depth of Jesus’ prayer and of our worship of God. (Resource on our three-in-One God: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-reasons-trinity/ )

Everyday Application

1) Verse 20 tells us this passage is part of a prayer. Who is represented by the personal pronouns used in the prayer?
If He had one, Jesus would have quite the prayer journal! This prayer is a beautiful picture of the Son of God pouring out His heart to His Father on behalf of everyone He created. The whole world from every generation is on His list. God desires worshippers, and the prayer in John 17 covers past (verses 1-5), present (verses 6-18) and future (verses 20-26) believers and seekers. This thought is mind-blowing! Jesus’ prayer for those who would seek Him was answered before, during, and after He prayed on this occasion. At Jesus’ birth, the Father was answering His Son’s prayer as the wise men from the east searched for the One they had read about.  (Matthew 2:1-10) As Jesus was praying for all His disciples, He knew a time would come when the disciple Peter would need those prayers on his behalf. (verses 14-15) With Peter’s denial, it appears that Jesus’ prayer did not work, but the Bible tells us Peter’s faith grew, and he became bold for Jesus. (Luke 22:31-32, Luke 24:11-12, Acts 2:14) We don’t know how the Father will answer the prayers of the Son on our behalf, but we can trust that He will, just as He has!

2) What is the significance of the connecting phrase “so that”, which is used four times in this passage?
Jesus gave up more than we can comprehend when He came to earth in human form. (Philippians 2:6-8) Though it’s hard to understand, we know He also never disconnected from the Father’s will and purpose for Him. Jesus’ motives, revealed by the English connecting words “so that …”, were all about God’s glory. It is from this vantage point we can rightly consider our present circumstances and are prompted to pray with the same motives. Jesus could pray knowing the past, present, and future of those for whom He prayed. We understand He not only knows what the future holds, He controls the future. The calm certainty of Jesus reveals His heart and unity with His Father. He sees from a perspective that encompasses all time and yet is outside of time. Humans do not have this capacity. We are not all-knowing, but we do have the Spirit of God Who helps us pray with discernment and wisdom and understanding. (Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12) As we seek to worship the Lord with our lives, our prayers are shaped by what He prayed for us. It serves as an example of what to pray for ourselves and others. Ultimately, our deepest longings cry out for God’s glory. He alone is worthy of worship.

3) What is the importance of demonstrating unity and love as disciples of Jesus Christ? (verses 23-24)
The text in John 17 contains the last public prayer of Jesus before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Considering the two other prayers He prayed as He came to the end of His life on earth, we can discern the heart of Jesus. His one desire was for there to be worshippers. He prayed for this here, and later He would pray for God’s glory even if it meant the weight of the world would be placed on Him through His death. (Luke 22:39-42) As He was on the cross, Jesus prayed on behalf of those who crucified Him. His heart was filled with compassion even as it broke over the sins of the world. (Luke 23:32-34) This is the kind of love Jesus wants for all those who follow Him. We desire unity as believers because we understand it as essential to God’s purpose being fulfilled. Once we have come to Him in faith, we are then to unite with other believers in one goal: the worship of God. “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more.” (John Piper, Let the Nations be Glad)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Why!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship VIII Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Fervent Day 14 Strength Training: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Strength Training!

The Questions

1) What does a life surrendered to Christ look like? (verse 1, 6-21)

2) What does it mean for believers to not be conformed to this age? (verse 2)

3) What does it mean to not repay evil for evil? (verses 17-18)

Romans 12:1-21

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Original Intent

1) What does a life surrendered to Christ look like? (verse 1, 6-21)
After spending the majority of his letter to the Romans expounding on the incredible richness available to us through Christ for this life and the next, Paul turns our attention to practically living out our everyday lives from this perspective. His short answer is that we, collectively as a whole body of believers, are to present ourselves as a singular living sacrifice together, set apart as holy to Him. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were now rendered obsolete by Jesus’ sacrifice for us, but what every believer can still give is the holy offering of our lives as acts of worship and obedience. Paul urges all believers to present the whole of our lives to God for His holy work. Hebrews 13:15-16 helps us understand the believer’s sacrifice is marked by continuous praise, doing good in love, and sharing what we have. These “living sacrifices” are pleasing to God. Romans 11:33-36 is a beautiful poetic picture of the cry of the adoring heart as it offers thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. This passage speaks of the depth of the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God. His ways and decisions are far beyond the mind of man, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory Forever!” (Romans 11:36) Paul’s outburst of song was to heartily remind the believers in Rome that, if they were truly surrendered to Christ,  having a transformational change in their lives owing only to God, then the overflow would burst forth in worship of both their tongue and their lives. This was no superficial shift, but a very real whole-heart adjustment, and the result was a deep, stirring desire to worship the Only One Worthy of such complete adoration. The sacrifice of life was demonstrated by serving with the whole self, ready to do His will moment by moment with a heart of adoration. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and the instrument through which the Holy Spirit works. A transformed heart results in a worship so deep and radical it overflows as continual “living sacrifices” to the God who rescued us and made us new!

2) What does it mean for believers to not be conformed to this age? (verse 2)
Paul used imagery that would quickly connect with his audience as he wrote of God’s heart call to not be “conformed” to this age. His Greek word usage for conform gave the idea of making a copy or following a pattern and passing it along. In contrast, however, the Greek for “transform” means entirely new, not manufactured on our own power, but to quite literally become something altogether different. Paul wanted his readers to immediately understand the significant difference between self-induced patterning and radical transformative metamorphosis because of Jesus! Paul was a list-maker (maybe you are too!), and in his letters he listed several examples of worldly patterns including “sexual immorality, moral impurity, outbursts of anger, drunkenness, envy, and anything similar.” (Galatians 5:19-21) The temptation to sin is strong; there is hardly an end to the list of things the lover of Jesus should shun. Because we have been transformed, utterly made new, our hearts and lives are meant to be expressed not for self, but for Christ! Everything should be done for God’s glory! (1 Corinthians 10:31) Transformation is not a matter of impulse, on again and off again, rather it is continuous as we submit ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Paul’s intentional wording reminds us this transformation is not done of ourselves, instead we “are being transformed…from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) As believers, we are not, however, passive in this transformation process, it is our duty is to cooperate fully, allowing the Spirit to do His work in our hearts and lives.  Conforming to this world chooses to worship ourselves instead of the Lord. Live with a heart ready to humbly offer surrender in worship, ready to be transformed by the Spirit of God as you lean in to His wisdom! (Proverbs 2:1-5) 

3) What does it mean to not repay evil for evil? (verses 17-18)
Here, Paul reiterates the principle of non-retaliation for the Christian that Jesus taught. (Matthew 5:38-48) Verse 17 reads, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.” Paul didn’t want the recipients of his letter to be left wondering what it looked like to follow Christ in everyday life on this side of eternity. Romans 12 answers that question. Revenge feels natural and all-important in the moment of anger, or in looking back after being poorly treated, but Paul declares we must resist this human, fleshly instinct, instead surrendering to the Spirit’s work. By His power in us, we can actively refuse to pay back evil to another who has done evil toward us. This is true whether the person who hurts us is a believer or not. Rather than emotionally react, Paul tells us to be thoughtful when evil is done to us. He suggests we see that moment of lusting after retaliation to be an opportunity to instead demonstrate Christ’s love He extends freely to all people. “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.” (verses 19-20) After all, we cannot display Christ’s love and forgiveness until we have the opportunity to forgive someone! When we do, we are making a powerful statement about the kind of love Jesus lavishly gives. Acting with intentional goodness toward our enemies is far more effective in showing them God’s heart than attempting petty revenge. Together, let’s refuse to sink to evil’s level of repayment, instead leaving justice to God!                                                                      

Everyday Application

1) What does a life surrendered to Christ look like? (verse 1, 6-21)

We live in a day when finding authenticity is a challenge. From imitation crab to faux nails to Instagram filters, we work hard to have the appearance of the “real thing”. While this condition is commonplace in our world, it is a tragedy when it comes to a believer’s life. If we are brutally honest with ourselves, “Imitation Christianity” is something all believers are tempted with on various levels. It’s easier to live our everyday lives without considering our call to be “living sacrifices” to our God. Imitation Christians can be difficult to spot as they can appear on the outside like a genuine believer. Church attendance, generous giving, a good neighbor, and even serving in church are all marks of genuine believers, but they are easily copied by going through the motions. What is impossible to imitate, however, is a transformed heart of worship! Are we true believers or only imitating? To help us understand what it looks like in everyday life to be an authentic “living sacrifice”, Paul lays out several characteristics each anchored firmly in a heart attitude of sacrificial worship to God. “Let love be without hypocrisy.” (verse 9) Only authentic love, flowing from the heart of God Himself, can genuinely be without hypocrisy. Real love is a matter of the heart, not the face. Masking your real feelings and intentions with superficial niceties is a charade none can sustain before others, and certainly we cannot deceive the Lord God. “Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. ” (verses 9-10) Hearts truly transformed by Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit will neither be passive nor indifferent about evil. Rather, they will be repulsed by it, despising what harms others and dishonors God. In place of harsh, self-righteous judgement, the worshipful heart will cling steadfastly to what is good, humbly believing the best and choosing to honor others over themselves. May we each evaluate our hearts before the Lord, asking Him to convict us regarding true sacrifices of worship that honor Him. Let’s bless others graciously and be honoring with our words, choosing to live every day from the overflow of worship!

 

2) What does it mean for believers to not be conformed to this age? (verse 2)

Conforming is so easy! It requires little effort or thought to follow the pattern provided by those around us. Just do what everyone else is doing! While following the well-traveled road can provide a sense of safety, comfort, and belonging, the Christ-follower has been made new that we may live with a full abundance the world does not understand. As you consider your heart desires, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are following a worldly pattern. Ask Him for conviction and repentance! Ask the Spirit to encourage you where you are choosing to live in full surrender to His work of transformation in you. Guard and celebrate these areas! Identifying worldly patterns is nearly impossible without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who brings conviction in order to shift our hearts, not to condemn or shame us. Whether you feel drawn away by wanting a bigger or better house, car, or lifestyle, remember that every believer is called to fight against the pull of the world’s pattern for life. While these feel appealing, they are temporary and can lure our hearts away from worshipping the Only One Worthy of our life’s sacrifice of worship. Only Jesus will satisfy. Purposefully fight against following the pattern by steady surrender to the Holy Spirit in your everyday life. Dare to break free from pattern-following, Ladies! Follow the Good Shepherd of our hearts for the most abundant life possible! Resist the tempting urge to focus on the physical and fleeting delights of this world, setting your heart on things of Christ (Colossians 3:2), determining to be renewed in our minds (verse 2), and ready for action in this transformation process! Rebel against the power of darkness and the schemes of the world. Be a nonconformist, a rebel with a cause for Christ!

3) What does it mean to not repay evil for evil? (verses 17-18)

God spoke through Paul to pen the difficult words, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” While we may find it easy, or at least, easier to live peaceably with our friends, the Lord leaves no wiggle room for exception cases. He commands us to “live at peace with everyone.” While Christians need not look far before we find someone with whom we disagree, whether believer or not, God calls us to live peaceably with them. Honor. Love. Respect. Kindness. Gentleness. These should characterize our engagement with, well, everyone. Lost souls without Jesus do not come to Him because a Christian condemned their outward choices, but rather, because they showed the rich, selfless love of the Savior in everyday life circumstances. As believers, there are certainly times to call out our brothers and sisters who are choosing sinful, destructive life patterns, but even this is to be hemmed in love, seeking their peaceful reconciliation with God. Paul’s timely message reminds us of 3 keys to living peaceably with everyone: 1) Retaliation does not belong to us, only to God. In the end, no human being has the right to judge, only the God of all justice can do this. 2) Treating one another with kindness results in lasting change. Vengeance brings discord and piles on hurt, but kindness motivates repentant hearts and fosters deep relationships, which allow space for authentic conversations. 3) Evil can never be conquered by evil. Hatred, if met with more hatred, only results in its increase. If we stoop to revenge, then we ourselves have been overcome by evil. Booker T Washington stated, “I shall not allow any man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.” Mark Twain adds, “The only safe and sure way to destroy your enemy is to make him your friend.”

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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
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in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

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Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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