Jesus ministry and example

The book of John is a wonderfully satisfying read.  It’s so interesting to see how Jesus got his disciples around him so that his message could continue after his work was done.  He showed the way, but certainly he didn't do anyone’s work for them.

Here’s a very short summary. Quotes are from The Message by Eugene Petersen:

John 1 – John the Baptist’s special role and his attention to it (I LOVE John’s meekness.).  First disciples “sign up”.

John 2 – Jesus ministry launched: Wedding, Temple clean-up

Ministry expanding:

John 3 – Jesus meets with an important man, Nicodemus

Ministry extending to Samaritans and into Galilee:

John 4 – Jesus meets a woman at the well and a discussion follows.  What effect did this have on the new disciples?  Were they happier to be sticking to themselves?  Jesus was talking to a woman who wasn't even a Jew!  Golly!
Verse 23: "The time is coming - it has, in fact, come - when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter." Verse 24: “It’s who you are…that counts…Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth.”

John 5 – back in Jerusalem at the sheep gate – criticism from the Jews e.g. verses 9 – 10 “It’s against the rules”!! And verse 17 “My Father works straight through – even on the Sabbath.  So am I.”  The Jews wanted to kill him now.

John 6 – Jesus demonstrates wonderful generosity and hospitality with the huge crowd; walks on the sea; teaches a tough lesson which is too hard for many to swallow, when he speaks of himself as the Bread of life.  Verses 66 – 67 describes an exodus of followers, but in v 68 Peter says “to whom would we go?”

John 7 – opposition mounting

John 8 – In the temple at Jerusalem, religion scholars and Pharisees and woman caught in adultery – big interrogations  

John 9 – Man blind from birth: Jesus points out that the onlookers were looking for someone to blame.  How often do we look for a cause in people or things?  Jesus condemns hypocrisy and blind “know-it-all” bravado.  They argued: verse 28 “…we’re disciples of Moses.  We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.”

John 10 – Jesus has to defend his credentials.  Are you the Messiah? 

“the Good Shepherd”

John 11 – Lazarus dies.  Is it too late to save him?  Jesus says: “take away the stone”.  He proves that “time, space, and fear are naught” – see hymn 136.   Verse 45 “That was the turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary.  They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him.”  Verse 49 Chief Priest Caiaphas spoke up.  Verse 53 – plot to kill Jesus.  Public ministry ends.

John 12 – Passover dinner at home of Mary, Martha and the risen Lazarus.  Judas Iscariot criticized Mary’s action of anointing Jesus’ feet.  Verse 16 “The disciples didn’t notice the fulfilment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.”  Verse 20: Greeks.

John 13 – Foot-washing and betrayal.  Judas is identified.  Jesus tells them that discipleship is loving each other.  He predicts Peter’s panic during the events to follow.

John 14 – Jesus encourages his disciples and says there’s plenty of room for everyone.  His teaching continues (verses 11 – 14): “I…am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing.”  Verse 22 “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”  Verse 23 “Because a loveless world is a sightless world.”

John 15 – Verse 17 “Remember the root command: Love one another.”  Verses 18 – 19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me.   If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own.  But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.”  Tough words.

John 16 – Verse 5 “Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become.”

John 17 – Jesus prayer/conversation with God.

John 18 – Betrayal and response: Peter turns to his sword; Jesus responds with compassion and willingness to go through with God’s plan.

John 19 – Verse 35 “The eyewitness to these things has presented an accurate report.”

John 20 – Resurrection.  Verse 16 Jesus says “Mary”.  Thomas needs to get the facts here!

John 21 – Fishing and final instructions.

Julie Swannell