- araratchurch
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Last time, the disciples discovered that Jesus has risen from the dead. Indeed, Jesus has appeared to them twice. Jesus has sent them forth as He was sent forth and also breathed on them that they will receive the Holy Spirit.
Before setting out on our last day with our guide, let’s look at to whom we were introduced last time.
> Mary Magdalene - Mary is the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. She was sent to tell the other disciples that He was alive.
> Two angels, dressed in white - seen by Mary when she peeked into the tomb
Now, let’s catch up with our guide to see firsthand, this breakfast with Jesus!
As we enter the scene, we see that Peter decides to go fishing in the Sea of Tiberius, with some of the other disciples joining him. They try to catch fish all night long and have caught nothing. When morning comes, Jesus is standing on the shore, and calling out to them, asking if they have any food. They explain that they have caught nothing. Jesus then instructs them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they would catch fish. Having done so, the disciples bring in a huge number of fish. At this, the disciple Jesus loved (our guide), recognizes that it is the Lord speaking to them. When Peter hears this, he immediately jumps into the sea, to make it back to the shore. When they all arrive on the shore, they find that Jesus has prepared fish and bread for them. As well, they are able to get the 153 fish they caught, to the shore without breaking the nets. Having reached the shore, Jesus invites them to have the breakfast He has cooked. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Three times, Peter answers in the affirmative, with Jesus instructing Peter to feed His sheep. Jesus then speaks to Peter concerning the type of death he would die, bringing glory to God. Peter asks Jesus what will happen to the disciple Jesus loves. Jesus answers that if He wants this disciple to live until He returns, it’s not really Peter’s business. Because of this statement, the rumor was birthed that John would not see death before Jesus returned. But, as John the beloved (who has also been our guide) tells us, that is not what Jesus actually said. Our guide, then explains that if all the works that Jesus performed were written in a book, the world would not be able to contain it.
Our highlighted verses for today:
“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”
John 21:3, 5-6, 10, 12, 14-17, 20-22, 25 NKJV
Question for reflection:
Why did Jesus ask Peter three times if Peter loved Him?
With today, we have reached the end of this journey with our guide, John the beloved. When we began our journey, we stated our goal as being to jumpstart a deeper walk with our Lord in this Lenten Season. We pray that this has done so for you. If, in our time together on this journey, you have not personally read the Gospel of John, we encourage you to do so. May the Lord continue to deepen your understanding of the work of God in Jesus Christ, our soon returning Savior, and Risen Lord.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Last time, our guide took us to witness more of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, after which, Jesus’ was taken to be crucified. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus then took His body, prepared it for burial, and put His body in a garden tomb.
Before embarking on today’s journey with our guide, let’s see the new people to whom we were introduced last time:
>Two other men who were crucified on either side of Jesus
>Joseph of Arimathea - along with Nicodemus, prepared Jesus‘ body for burial
Let’s now head out with our guide for today’s journey:
As we reenter the scene, we find that it is the first day of the week and Mary Magdalene has discovered that Jesus’ body is missing from the tomb. She goes and tells Peter and the disciple Jesus loved (our guide!), what she has observed. They run to the tomb, also finding it empty. They then return home, with Mary staying at the tomb. While continuing to weep over Jesus, Mary peeks back into the tomb and sees two angels dressed in white, sitting where Jesus’ head and feet would have been. When they ask why she is weeping, she responds then turns to see Jesus, standing there, but does not recognize Him. She also tells Him that she is crying because Jesus’ body is missing. When Jesus calls her name, she recognizes that it is He. Jesus then tells her to go tell the other disciples that He is alive and is ascending to His Father and God, and their Father and God. Mary goes and does as she was told. Afterwards, Jesus appears to some of the disciples and shows His wounds to them. He then says He is sending them out as He had been sent. Then, breathing on them, He says that they will receive the Holy Spirit. Thomas, not being among the disciples who see Jesus, refuses to believe, unless he touches the holes in His hands and the wound in His side. Surely enough, Jesus appears again to the disciples when Thomas is there. Jesus then has Thomas to feel of His wounds, causing Thomas to declare Jesus as Lord and God. Our guide then tells us that all of this was recorded so that other people could believe in Jesus and receive life in His name.
Our highlighted verses for today:
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John 20:1-3, 6-7, 10-17, 19-22, 24-25, 27-31 NKJV
Question for reflection:
Can you identify with Thomas’ reluctance to believe Jesus is alive? If so, in what ways?
Next time, our journey with our guide will come to an end. But I think we get to have breakfast with the risen Savior before our guided journey comes to an end.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Last time, our guide took us to see Jesus being betrayed in the garden and then to His sham trial with the Jewish leaders. Then He was taken to Pilate, who seems to be trying to find a way to release Jesus, in Whom he has found no fault.
Before catching up with our guide to pursue today’s destination, let’s consider the new people to whom we were introduced last time:
>Soldiers and officials from the Jewish leaders - accompanied Judas to arrest Jesus
>Malchus - servant of the high priest who got his ear cut off by Peter
>Annas - father-in-law of Caiaphas
>Pilate - Roman governor of Judea
Now, let’s go with our guide to witness the unthinkable. Jesus is to be crucified!
Today, with our guide, we again find Jesus before Pilate. Pilate has Jesus beaten and the soldiers make a crown of thorns for Him to wear, as well as a purple robe. He is being greatly abused. All the while, Pilate is still seeking a way to release Jesus, as he has found Him to be innocent. The Jewish leaders, still insisting on Jesus being crucified, inform Pilate that He must die because He made Himself the Son of God. At this, Pilate becomes more fearful and tries to get Jesus to say where He is from. When He won’t answer, Pilate warns Him that he has the power to crucify Him or let Him go. Jesus answers that Pilate would have no power over Him if it had not been granted to him from above. Filled with even more trepidation, Pilate again tells the Jews that he finds no fault in Jesus. The Jews then threaten him that if he lets Jesus go, he is no friend of Caesar. At this point, Pilate relents and turns Jesus over to be crucified.
So, Jesus bears His cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified with two others, one on each side. Pilate has a sign made and hung above Jesus’ head, stating: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Even though the Jews complain about the wording of the sign, Pilate does not change it. Fulfilling scripture, Jesus says He is thirsty and is offered sour wine. Having received the sour wine, Jesus then proclaims, “It is finished,” and gives up His Spirit. As well, the soldiers divide His clothes and gamble for Jesus’ tunic. Jesus turns His mother over to our guide who will now take care of her going forward. The Jews, knowing the Passover is at hand, ask that the legs of the three being crucified be broken, so that they could be taken down from the crosses before the Passover came. They break the legs of each of the men on either side of Jesus, but coming to Him, find that He is already dead. So, one of the soldiers takes a spear and pierces His side, causing water and blood to flow out. These things are also fulfilling prophecy concerning the Messiah. Joseph of Arimathea, accompanied by Nicodemus, prepare Jesus’ body for burial and put Him in a garden tomb, as it is nearby.
Our highlighted verses for today:
“And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”
John 19:2-5, 7, 10-11, 15, 17-19, 24, 26-28, 30, 32-34, 36-37, 40-42 NKJV
Question for reflection:
When Jesus said, “It is finished,” what was He referencing?
Next time, our guide will take us to see how the disciples’ sorrow will be turned into joy!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!