X—the cross

Journey from A to Z through the Gospel of John with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their friend, Tina Downey.

           X marks the spot—that spot on Calvary that was the 
         destination prepared for Jesus and prophesied about for centuries.
          
         X, formed by two planks of wood staked into the ground,
         was the Roman execution.

         X marks that place where divine love was poured out, 
         the crux where mercy and justice meet.
          
         X was the mark of blood of the Passover Lamb that preserved life.


Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified...
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others-- one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek....

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 
   "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. 
   "Let's decide by lot who will get it." 
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did....

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."  ...so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.  The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.  Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.  

The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."  

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.  

Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.  
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid...they laid Jesus there. 
                                                                —John 19:16-42

W—Willing Sacrifice

Journey from A to Z through the Gospel of John with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their friend, Tina Downey.

After speaking to His disciples about their relationship to one another, to Himself and to the world, Jesus concludes his private teachings with these words:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." —John 16:33 

Next, John records Jesus' prayer to the Father. It opens like this:

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. —John 17:1-4  

Although Jesus is clear in His understanding of the impending betrayal, arrest and crucifixion, He describes Himself as an overcomer, and speaks of successfully completing His mission, of having authority over all, and of glory. Clearly, Jesus moves intentionally toward the cross—not as a victim, but as a victor.

We see glimpses of this attitude throughout the gospel. Like when Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd that lays His life down for His sheep.

"I lay down my life-- only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." —John 10:17-18


But it is in the arrest and trial of Jesus that we see most clearly that Jesus is in command.

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove..Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"  

"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. 

"I am he," Jesus said. ... 

When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 

Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"  

And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."  

"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. —John 18:1-11 

Here, Jesus' authority and presence overwhelm the mob that come to arrest Him. He practically turns Himself in. When Peter tries to defend Him by striking out with a sword, Jesus reprimands him:
"Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" 

Clearly, Jesus submits to His Father's will. Even before Pilate, He sees His captors as having no real power in events as they unfold. 

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.—John 19:10-11 

Ultimately, Jesus goes to the cross a willing sacrifice, embracing His heavenly Father's purposes, 

V—Vine and Branches

Journey through the Gospel of John with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their good friend, Tina Downey.

Today we examine one of the most beautiful images of all Scripture. Jesus describes His relationship to believers using an allegory that would have conjured clear images in the minds of his followers. Not only were vineyards common sights to his disciples, but a golden vine adorned the gate of the temple that Herod had built. Once again, Jesus makes a powerful I AM declaration that draws deeply on Old Testament imagery while speaking to His own nature and ministry. The love of God is richly illustrated here:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful...
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned...This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  

The elements of the allegory are clearly drawn:
The Father is the vinedresser who superintends the garden and fosters fruitfulness. Jesus is the true vine, through which flows the very life of the plant. The branches are people, those that are connected to Jesus will thrive. The fruit is the outgrowth of the life that Jesus imparts to those who abide in Him. Jesus mentions what some of this fruit will look like:

Now remain in my love...If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love...

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete...

Love each other as I have loved you. 

Love, joy, and obedience are all examples of the type of fruit that are seen in the lives of believers. The intimacy of the believer to Jesus is powerful, showing that an ongoing connection allows the believer to draw life and strength from Him. The purpose of Jesus' ministry is the fruitfulness and health of the believer, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

So how does one abide in Jesus? The same way that the disciple, John, did—by believing, by spending time with Him and remembering His teaching and by obeying. 

This is not duty. It is delight. It is exactly like telling a bride she must spend time with her groom. Or like telling a chocoholic that he must eat Godiva truffles. It is a gift to be able to do the one thing that you enjoy the most. 

Today, abide in Jesus, and rest. Know that you can trust the Lord to bring about any fruit that should spring from that.

U—Unity: Father/Son/Spirit

Journey through the Gospel of John with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their friend, 
Tina Downey.

The Fourth Gospel is unique in the perspective it gives on the Trinity. From the outset of the gospel, John makes it clear that Jesus is fully God:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

It is hard for our finite minds to comprehend that Jesus is God AND He is separate from His Father AND that God is One. But those are the clear implications of Jesus' own words. Here are some of the highlights:

"I and the Father are one." —John 10:30

"...whatever the Father does the Son also does." —John 5:19

"If you know me, you will know my Father also."—John 14:7

"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."— John 14:9 

"The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work." — John 14:10 

"Father, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."— John 17:4-5   

Because Jesus is fully divine ("the word was God") and fully human ("the word became flesh"), His sacrifice on the cross is able to atone for all sin. He is able to take His life up again. And able to give life to those who believe. 

As Jesus prepares to return to the Father, He comforts the disciples by telling them about the Holy Spirit, who is also divine and characterized by truth. This third person in the Godhead will continue the ministry of Christ after He is gone.


"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth....you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. —John 14:15-18 

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."—John 14:26 

"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. —John 15:26

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.—John 16:13-15


In this gospel, we get a glimpse of the somewhat puzzling reality of a triune God. One thing is clear, each person in the Trinity is involved with revealing truth and communing with believers. We are triply blessed to be in relationship with the Lord who loves us and seeks to have us know Him.

T—Trust, Don't be Troubled

Journey through the Gospel of John with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their friend, Tina Downey.

Jesus had been acting strangely. First, he'd interrupted their dinner with a dramatic foot-washing. Then, he was troubled and spoke of a traitor being in their midst, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." Next, He spoke of going away to a place where they could not find Him. Oddest of all, He told Peter that he would deny Him three times that very night.

What was going on? The disciples must have been alarmed by the warnings and pronouncement of their leader. Is it any wonder that Chapter 14 of this gospel opens with Jesus trying to comfort His followers?

Do not let your hearts be troubled. 
Trust in God; trust also in me.  

The disciples would have plenty to be anxious about in the days that followed. Surely, the Lord's prescription for setting aside concerns can be helpful to us today, as we struggle with the uncertainties and hardships of this fallen world.

Jesus' lesson in trusting in God can be boiled down to another great I AM declaration.

I AM the Way...

This chapter dwells on the resources available to believers as a

result of Jesus' ministry on the cross. He mentions first that He is preparing a heavenly home for us (14:1-6). Then He stresses the presence and power of the triune God (14:7-24): the Father whom we can now know, the Son who empowers our prayers, and the Spirit who leads us into all truth. Lastly, Jesus mentions that He gives us His own peace (14:25-31). Surely our anxiety must dissipate when we measure our worries against our prospects, our Partners, and our peace in Christ! We can rest in the Lord because Jesus' work on the cross has opened up heavenly resources to us.


                ... the Truth, and the Life...

Throughout this gospel Jesus as the Truth is a recurring theme.
The words "true" and "truth" occur dozens of times. Here are some highlights:

It is the essence of who God is
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory...full of grace and truth. —John 1:14   

It is equated with Jesus
John the Baptist has testified to the truth.—John 5:33

It is the source of our liberty.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." —John 8:31-32

And it is by knowing the only true God that we have eternal life.
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ... —John 17:3   


    ...no one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus makes it clear that we must put our trust in the right place if we want to receive the promise, presence, and peace of God. 


Are you trusting in Jesus? There is no place more restful nor so rich!

S—Servanthood

Journey through the Gospel of John from A to Z with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their good friend, Tina Downey.

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of his love.
—John 13:1

Jesus knew that this was His last evening with His disciples. He knew their hearts, and the hard road that lay ahead of them. In these final moments with his closest companions, He deliberately chooses to live out a parable to illustrate the nature of His ministry and the work that He was about to do on the cross.

Just as Jesus had laid aside His glory to be born among men, He now lays aside His garments and takes on the appearance of a servant. And then He cleanses their basest parts.

The evening meal was being served... so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, 

Peter:     Lord, are you going to
               wash my feet?
Jesus:    You don't realize now what I am doing, 
               but you'll understand later.
Peter:     No! You shall never wash my feet.
Jesus:    Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.

His followers wouldn't understand until later that the work on the cross was just such an act. And that His sacrifice could wash away their sin. 

Jesus went further in His instruction. They were to love one another as He loved them.

...When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you? ... Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus, the only begotten of the Father, was showing them how a child of God must live. That His followers would now enjoy a new relationship with God is made patently clear from the outset of this gospel.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12-13  

Are you following Jesus' call to lay down your life and to love others?   

R—Respond!

Journey through the gospel of John with rookie bloggers who are seeking to honor their good friend, Tina.

With the arrival of the Greeks who sought to see Jesus, we come to the turning point in the gospel of John. Prior to this point, Jesus' ministry was characterized by miracles and public teaching. Here a transition takes place. He will now shift His focus to private ministry directed at His disciples. But first, Jesus has some final words for the crowd.  He closes out His public teaching ministry by exhorting His listeners to respond to Him in faith while there is yet time.

Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.  Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light....I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.—John 12:35-46. 

Jesus emphasizes that He is the light that dispels our spiritual darkness.  He warns against complacency and urges faith.  As ever, our relationship to God the Father is determined by our response to His Son, Jesus. Through Christ, we can become "sons of light."

Jesus still calls us to respond in faith while there is yet time. 

Are you walking in the light of Jesus?