Sent Them - John 17:16-19

John 17:16-19 ESV 

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

We are in the world, but not of the world. It is the truth that makes the separation, that divides the light from the darkness. God sent His Son into the world for this purpose and the Son sends us out into the world for this same purpose. 

He has fulfilled all holiness that we might be holy. We have become the sent ones of God to be the children of light, the light of the truth. 

We have become one with the way, the truth, and the light. 

Glorified In Them - John 17:9-10

John 17:9-10 ESV 

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

He prays for those not of the world, but for those from the world. To become the full and exact image of God, He purposed that we begin in these jars of clay and be fired in the furnace of life to become sons of God. We join Him as He is, for He is the first of many. He has been where we are and is present even now as we wait for His return. 

We are joined in the glory of the Lord. This is confirmed by the giving of the Holy Spirit into the heart of each believer. We are glorified by God because He is in our midst, a real and present comfort in the seat of our existence and the source of our life. 

The Words You Gave Me - John 17:7-8

John 17:7-8 ESV 

Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

Jesus speaks the word of God because He is God and the word of God from the beginning. 

The disciples experience the word of God uttered from the human lips of the living God. Before the giving of the Holy Spirit, few had heard directly from God. Now we each are called individually by God. Upon acceptance of His call we are sealed in the Holy Spirit and have our hearts opened to the voice of God. In our mouths is the word of God and its confession the appropriation of His salvation. 

Experiencing the joy of the Spirit and learning to be sensitive to His presence and voice is an ongoing process in our walk with Him. We are given the same intimate relationship with the Lord as the apostles achieved at Pentecost. This is the ultimate encounter and union with God. This is becoming one with God. 

Rise, Let Us Go - John 14:29-31

John 14:29-31 ESV 

And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

The ruler of this world has no claim on the Son of Man. The ruler of this world has no claim on the sons of God, for Christ is given for and to each believer. We are sealed by His Holy Spirit. The shadow of death has no claim on those who walk in the light of God. Our feet remain in this world where we have become stars in the night sky that shed the light from the kingdom of heaven to the world below. 

We show our love for God with our obedience. Our walk with God will take us from here to there through the wilderness and into the promised land of our inheritance. 

Rise up and let's go!

All That I Have Said - John 14:24-26

John 14:24-26 ESV 

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Jesus is the Father's word. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father. Jesus is the word and the word is God. 

This is true because God is true. 

We Will Come - John 14:22-23

John 14:22-24 ESV 

Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

Jesus manifests in the body of the believers. He has taken on our flesh. He and the Father manifest in the Holy Spirit. In this way they manifest in our earth, filling us with the life and shape of God. 

I Will Not Leave You - John 14:18-20

John 14:18-20 ESV 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

How long did Jesus leave us? How long was a little while? Between the time He ascended into heaven and He returned in the Holy Spirit. He is in us, you and me. 

We have not been left behind as orphans, but gathered as sons and daughters of the living God. He makes His home on earth in the Church, in the the temple of the hearts of believers who worship God in spirit. We live because we partake in His life. 

The time has come in which true worship does not take place on this or another mountain, but of spirit worshiping in Spirit. This is what God seeks. Seek and you will find this to be the case. 

A New Commandment - John 13:34-35

John 13:34-35 ESV 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It would be difficult to love in isolation. Love is a living thing between one and another. The thing that opens the door for love is choice. God so loved the world He chose to give His only Son that we might choose Him. This choosing enables a love that conquers the world and fulfills the image of God. It is the final work and purpose of creation. 

No other characteristic or understanding of God is above the love of God. It is love that calls and love that answers. We are the chosen ones when we choose to love. This is the sign of God, for He is love. By this we shall know.  

You Do Know - John 14:6-7

John 14:6-7 ESV 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus is the way, the Holy Spirit is the truth, and God is the life. 

God is all three in one. 

Jesus said when we see Him, we see the Father. Seeing is one thing, knowing is another. 

Take Him at His word, for He is the word. 

He Who Ate My Bread - John 13:18

John 13:18 ESV he who ate my bread 

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

John 13:26-27

Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

The heel of the Son would be bruised by the sting of the snake as prophesied in the garden account in Genesis. Once again Satan enters a creature of earth in the hope of thwarting God. Thinking he is thwarting God, Satan is actually serving the purpose of God as he helps prepare for the ultimate display the grace and love of God.

It is in the darkness that light was given and God would begin the creation of the sons of light out of that darkness. The creation process continues as the light of God is accepted and given to those who would choose to receive that light. Love finds its fulfillment through choice. 

Jesus, the bread of heaven, uses bread to signify His betrayer. The bread from heaven was dipped into the sea of man so the light could come into the hearts of man. Dipping the morsel and handing it to Judas may remind us that the bread of life is offered to all, even those He knows will ultimately betray Him. 

The bread has been given. What we do with it is up to us. Judas would leave the light of the world and reenter the night. Our choice is the same. Do we go with the light, or remain in the darkness? 

Where I Am Going - John 13:33

John 13:33 ESV 

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’

Why can't the disciples go where Jesus is going? It may be the two reasons of life and death. 

The disciples have not received and become part of the life of God through the giving of the Holy Spirit. That life would enable them to meet, overcome, and conquer death in the same manner as Jesus. 

It is the fate of every man to die once. It is through the gift of God's grace that some will live life in abundance after that death. One must die to self to live for God, to live in the truest sense. 

Now we can go where He has gone. He has made a way. 

To Prepare - John 14:1-3

John 14:1-3 ESV 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

We are the Father's house. Christ is within these tabernacles of clay and is transforming them into a dwelling place fit for the King. He has gone away that the Spirit could come to perform that work. He is where we are in the presence of the Spirit. When He returns, He will take us to where He is and as He is. 

The creation of man will find its ultimate fulfillment. Let us find joy in the Spirit as we prepare for that day. 

Glorify Him In Himself - John 13:31-32

John 13:31-32 ESV 

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

The Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in Him. This takes place according to the word of God from the beginning. "Let there be light." The word and light of God coalesced into the Son of Man. The glory of God was made manifest in the flesh of man. 

Through the way of Jesus, we are glorified by God and He is glorified in us. The word of God and His light coalesces in our flesh as we become one with Him. We enter the communion of His Spirit which brings us into the glorious life of God. This is not a one time event, but an ongoing and everlasting state of being. 

Manifested - John 17:6

John 17:6 ESV 

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

The word became flesh and dwelt among us. He appeared as a man and His name means salvation. 

God has revealed Himself in a clear and direct way. He removed the death of our flesh by entering our flesh. We will all pass from this life. A few will pass on to a life everlasting. Our flesh will be transformed even as our spirits are transformed from death to life. 

We can now reveal our true selves in His light. This is the image and destiny which God provided from the beginning. We join Him to reach the fullness of creation. We then manifest His name and take it for our own. 

Except For His Feet - John 13:10-11

John 13:10-11 ESV 

Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

The washing of feet will not by itself make one clean. The feet of Judas had been washed by Jesus, but Judas was not clean on the inside. Washing on the outside will not clean the inside. That only comes by the flame of God, which is the Holy Spirit. 

We must remain in a state of repentance, the washing of our feet, to remain connected to the vine of the life of Jesus. We do this in remembrance of Him, in remembrance of our salvation and the grace of Christ. This is our part of life in Him; our obedience. 

If Anyone Hears - John 12:47-48

John 12:47-48 ESV 

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Jesus tells us that to be judged by word, one must hear the word. Hearing encompasses the physical transmission of the word and the spiritual transmission and receiving of the word. The spiritual transmission means an understanding and obedience to the word. 

The word is not to be taken lightly. One of the Ten Commandments tells us not to take the Lord's name in vain. It is a serious and reverential matter. It is by the word that we live or die. 

The word has gone out by a merciful and just God. All things will be done according to His word. He has told us in advance so that we would know. 

Bless Me Also - Exodus 12:29-30

Exodus 12:29-32 ESV 

At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!”

When Pharaoh asked for a blessing, it was an admission of defeat. Pharaoh had perceived himself as a God and no one was greater than he, but he was proven wrong. 

It is the greater that blesses the lesser. Pharaoh told Moses he did not know of his God when Moses first came to ask for the freedom of the Israelites. The Hebrew word  translated as "bless" has the meaning of kneeling before another. He learned at last what it meant to acknowledge someone greater than himself. 

We must all come to same place as Pharaoh. God is before us and all things. Hopefully it will not take ten plagues before we can see the light. 

(1384] 1 בָּרַךְ bārak 3x [Q] to kneel down; [H] to make kneel [1288]) Mounce, 

Where I Am - John 12:24-26

John 12:24-26 ESV 

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

A grain of wheat represents the person whose spirit is awakened and made alive to God. There are many types of seeds from life on earth, but there is one seed which will bear the fruit of eternal life. 

It is only when we bury our earthly life in the dust of the earth that we are able to take root and grow into a more splendid and eternal life. We are able to break the surface of the ground to meet and prosper in the light of God. We become part of that light.

If we put self to death for God's life, we live in communion with His Spirit. 

If we choose our life to live, we will die alone. 

Choosing to follow Christ is choosing to be with Him. 

His Righteousness - Isaiah 51:7-8

Isaiah 51:7-8 ESV 

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness,

the people in whose heart is my law;

fear not the reproach of man,

nor be dismayed at their revilings.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

and the worm will eat them like wool;

but my righteousness will be forever,

and my salvation to all generations.”

The people in whose heart the law is written are those who have Christ in their hearts, for He is the fulfillment of the law and the final word of God. The law does not go away, but is given flesh and bones in the man Jesus and the body Christ. 

God is true and a man is His word. They are one. Their righteousness and salvation will endure forever. 

To Your Offspring - Genesis 12:7

Genesis 12:7

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Galatians 3:16

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

The Lord gave the promised land to the offspring of Abram in an everlasting covenant. The letter to the Galatians identifies the meaning of offspring as used here. 

There is a double meaning present in these passages. The promised land refers to the material land of Canaan that is promised to Israel, and on the spiritual level, the kingdom of heaven which is promised to the sons of God. Christ will reign in both. 

The promise to both has been partially fulfilled. The best is yet to come. 

Outside - Revelation 22:14-15

Revelation 22:14-15 ESV 

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

There remains a wall around the New Jerusalem. Entrance is provided by twelve gates which signifies the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Through these gates the righteous may enter the city of God. 

Outside the city is another matter. Just as the Garden of Eden was not able to tolerate evildoers, so the New Jerusalem will deny access to the unrighteous. 

Israel will represent God in the way Adam should have but failed. They will hold out the light of God to the nations and will allow entrance to all who respond to that light. 

The nations will come to worship in the new city. Still a portion of mankind will remain in the darkness outside the wall of the city. Maybe some will come to see the light. 

Matthew 22:11-14

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Provided - Romans 11:21-22

Romans 11:21-22 ESV 

For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Nothing is as true and faithful as the word of God. He will do what He said He would do. 

He will abide and remain with us provided we abide and remain with Him. 

Nothing can join or separate us to and from the love of God. We enter or leave by our own choice. No other power can alter our decision. Every day we walk a little further in life and there is choice in every step. Continue in the path of His way. It is the path of a human being that will end with God. 

On The Clouds Of Heaven - Matthew 26:64-66

Matthew 26:64-66 ESV 

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.”

The council of the Jews would judge the claim that Jesus is the son of God as blasphemy, which is the same thing Muslims say today. For them it is blasphemy to say God has a son. 

This would be true of their God Allah. Allah reveals himself through the beasts that rise from the sea and the land. Satan has no son. 

The one who comes on the clouds of heaven will place one foot on land and one foot on the sea and the head of the beast will be crushed. 

The Rooster May Crow - Luke 22:31-34

Luke 22:31-34 ESV 

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus is speaking to Peter, but the Greek word for you is plural. Satan is sifting all of us. The purpose of Satan in creation is that we might be tested and purified to create children of the light. Just as the letters to the churches in Revelation are addressed to particular churches at that time and place, the messages are for all of us in the body of Christ. 

It is possible and probable that people of faith will weaken and turn in their walk with Christ, meandering from the path, or even in the opposite direction. Faith not only leads us, but can bring us back to the Lord. In both cases there is one source of light that guides through and out of the darkness. It is the light of God's word calling and speaking on our behalf that provides the way. 

We have been given the grace of life everlasting, but it requires faith to the end, a race to be finished, and a life lived and ending with that faith that finally overcomes the world. 

Jesus knows our weakness and is faithful to forgive if we repent of our sin. The living water of the Holy Spirit will then provide a peace that is real, making us clean and presentable to the Lord. 

The rooster may crow, but the dove will prevail. 

It Is Enough - Luke 22:35-38

Luke 22:35-38 ESV 

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Scripture is fulfilled in Christ when He entered the flesh of man as Jesus, then entering our flesh as we enter the body of Christ. It is in Him we move and have being in the life of God. To live is Christ. 

We might consider the word as the one sword of truth which cuts through the flesh of man to reveal a spirit made alive. 

The second sword might be viewed as the sword of the wrath of God. It cuts through the flesh with a different outcome. It does not reveal life, but the result of a different choice. Revelation speaks of two sickles used to reap the harvest. One is used for the wheat and the other for the grapes of wrath. 

We have been given enough that we might choose between the two. We have one earth which is our body to receive and nurture a seed of life. We can choose the seed to take root and prosper. 

"It is enough."