BRF
52 Reflections on Faith - Prayer: Listening to God
52 Reflections on Faith - Prayer: Listening to God
by BRF - Stephen W. Need
21 Prayer: Listening to God Prayer is sometimes defined as ‘talking to God’ and, on the face of it, that sounds as if it might be a helpful definition. What we’re doing when we’re talking to God is praying. The Oxford English Dictionary defines prayer as ‘a solemn and humble requ…
52 Reflections on Faith - Pentecost: a deep fire inside
52 Reflections on Faith - Pentecost: a deep fire inside
by BRF - Stephen W. Need
Pentecost: A deep fire inside One of the most moving songs in the popular musical Billy Elliot by Lee Hall and Elton John is ‘Electricity’, sung by Billy at his audition at the Royal Ballet School in London. Set during the 1984 miners’ strike in England, the musical is about a yo…
The Act of Prayer Year B - Day of Pentecost - Year B
The Act of Prayer Year B - Day of Pentecost - Year B
by BRF - John Birch
Day of Pentecost Year B The Act of Prayer Praying through the lectionary ACTS 2:1–21 Romans 8: 22-27 PSALM 104: 24-34, 35b JOHN 15: 26-27, 16: 4b-15; Opening prayer Loving Father, be the focus of our lives as we meet together in your name. Precious Jesus, be the cornerstone on wh…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - The Task of the Spirit
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - The Task of the Spirit
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
The Task of the Spirit In this final farewell discourse, Jesus has described the two sides, those who are abiding in love with him and his Father and those who are opposed to them all. Although he is going away, this will enable the Holy Spirit to be ‘called alongside’, as the Pa…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Returning to the Father
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Returning to the Father
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Returning to the Father Throughout these farewell discourses, Jesus has been preparing the disciples for his departure. He has made it increasingly clear that there will be a major division after he has gone. On his side there will be those who remain in his love and in the Fathe…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - The Spirit of the Truth
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - The Spirit of the Truth
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
The SPIRIT Of The TRUTH So far the opposition and the hatred has been predicted from ‘the world’—every human system and structure opposed to God, anything or anyone who wants to be in the centre where only God can be. Into this world of darkness, God sent his only Son to bring li…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Sanctify Them in the Truth
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Sanctify Them in the Truth
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Sanctify Them in the Truth In his prayer, Jesus has described how he manifested the name of God to his disciples and has prayed for their protection in the world which he is leaving as ‘I am coming to you’ (17:13). Before he leaves, however, he speaks this prayer still in the wor…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Jesus Prays for His Disciples
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Jesus Prays for His Disciples
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Jesus Prays for His Disciples Having prayed to be with God in glory, Jesus turns to pray for his disciples who will be left behind. They are only a small frightened group, who still do not really understand what he is saying. At one level, it is not much to show for the fruits of…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Do you love me more than this?
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Do you love me more than this?
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Do you Love me More than These? Breakfast is finished, but the lingering smell of the charcoal fire is a potent reminder that something is still hanging around. Peter showed willing by jumping into the sea to greet Jesus and leaping to get more fish. But Jesus has to take the ini…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - FOLLOW ME
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - FOLLOW ME
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
FOLLOW ME Jesus warmed and dried Peter by the fire, fed him with fish and bread; then he restored him to his pastoral care of God’s people and hinted at his glorious martyrdom to come. Only one thing remains to be said, ‘Follow me’ (21:19). It is Jesus’ last word, yet also his fi…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST The next scene gives us a glimpse of the ministry of Jesus and his disciples baptizing, in much the same way as John the Baptist and his followers. It was a good job there was ‘much water there’!…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS WASHES the DISCIPLES FEET
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS WASHES the DISCIPLES FEET
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
JESUS WASHES the DISCIPLES FEET The curtain rises on Act Two of John’s drama, yet slowly. Now that the ‘hour’ has finally come, time slows down. Act One and the interlude (chs. 1—12) have taken over two years, with two previous Passovers (2:13; 6:4). Act Two (chs. 13—19) covers j…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
I HAVE GIVEN YOU an EXAMPLE Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet and returned to the table (13:12). From our experience of church services and the other gospels we expect the institution of the holy communion next—but it is completely missing. Instead, Jesus begins to explain thi…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD In a pastoral society like ancient Israel, sheep and shepherds were used to describe the relationship of God with his people: ‘the Lord is my shepherd’ and ‘we are his people, the sheep of his pasture’ (Pss. 23:1; 100:3). Good leaders were ‘shepherds of the…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE VINE
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE VINE
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
I AM THE VINE The various themes introduced in chapter 13 were developed through chapter 14, including the key elements of a farewell speech. Finally, Jesus said, ‘Rise, let us go from here’ (14:31). However, they do not do this until 18:1. Some scholars suggest that chapters 15—…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - ABIDE IN LOVE