Last Prayers

In Revelation, prayers are symbolized by incense.

Time to stop writing about prayer and do it more.

Pray At All Times

Wow. I wouldn't have been praying with thanksgiving if I'd been thrown in a nasty dungeon.

What am I missing that Paul and Sials had?

Between the Lord's Supper and Arrest

1. Right after singing a song, the disciples left the room where they celebrated Passover
2. Jesus quotes scripture
3. He anticipates his betrayal and abandonment
4. Peter argues with Jesus
5. Jesus attempts to correct Peter
6. Peter still argues
7. How often do we argue with God?
8. All the other disciples agreed with Peter. I've never noticed this detail before.
9. Jesus went to a private garden to prepare in prayer
10. Where and when do I pray? What are my habits?
11. Jesus admits to James and John and Peter that he's depressed
12. He asks his friends to stay near him
13. Even Jesus desired companionship when his life was nearing its end
14. Jesus was not a loner, even though he appears introverted on occasion
15. Jesus catches his friends sleeping
16. Jesus tells them to pray to "stay out of temptation"
17. When's the last time I prayed to "stay out of temptation?"
18. Jesus acknowledges his willingness to do anything God expects
19. What am I unwilling to do?
20. Jesus' friends fall asleep a second and third time
21. Jesus announces the arrivalof his betrayer to his followers

The Lord's Prayer

My favorite analysis of Jesus' prayer is ACTS:

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication

First New Testament Prayer

In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he fixes a misconception.

Prayer is for our enemies, too, not only our friends.

Aw, Mom

It's not Jesus' time, but he turns the water into wine anyway.

That's funny. And a pretty cool miracle.

Andrew

It's so cool that the first thing Andrew did after meeting Jesus was go tell his brother, Peter.

Lamb of God

I'm reminded of the scene in The Miracle Maker where Jesus goes to his cousin, John, to be baptized.

Jesus reminds John of their childhood memories playing in the Jordan river.

It's an intriguing thought.

John the Baptist introduces John the Gospel

Followers of Christ redirect attention from themselves to Jesus when they have the right perspective.

Impact

Jesus didn't fill his days with busyness.

He filled his days with purpose, following his Father's plans.

One of my favorite verses...

...is John 21:25.

Second Chance

Sure, Peter's feelings were hurt.

But Jesus gave him a second chance after an epic fall.

Peter made his second chance count.

Stick with the Boat?

Do you stick with the boat when the unexpected arrives?

Or do you jump out?

I don't think one approach is better than the other.  It's more a function of personality.

I stay in the boat.

Peter dives out, then climbs back aboard.

Either way, people get to share in the bountiful catch of fish.

Life Goes On

It's been a roller coaster for Jesus' followers.

Jesus was crucified and buried.

Then his body went missing.

Then he appeared to many of his followers.

What would you do in this position?

Peter goes fishing. And has no success. It's like when the crews in "Deadliest Catch" have a bad day.

Outline of John 21

Jesus cares for Peter

Doubting Thomas, John's Thesis

Thomas demands proof before believing in Jesus' resurrection.  What proofs do we demand of God?

John states his purpose in writing his gospel clearly in verse 31: [T]hese {miracles] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name

Verse 23

Really? Verse 23

What does this mean?

Verses 19-22

After showing himself to the disciples, Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit.

Mary and Jesus

In verse 17, Jesus uses the phrase "I have not yet returned to the Father."

I'm curious about what Jesus means.

Peter and John

John is faster, but Peter is more bold and enters the tomb as soon as he arrives.

When they hear the news that Jesus' body is missing, they go running.

How interesting that Jesus folded his grave clothes. I wonder why John mentions this detail.

After they see the evidence they believe that Jesus is missing. They don't quite get it yet that Jesus is alive.