AfterWords: Towards the Cross - Truth

 

John 18:28-40a

“What is Truth?” – …retorted Pilate.” That’s a fair question and question for the philosophical age Jesus and Pilate lived in. They inhabit a world only 350 years removed from Aristotle, and the Greeks ruled this region until 63BC—until 90 years before this conversation. Little did we that this question from the 1^st Century would be important for us in the 21^st Century. We find ourselves surrounded by cries of lies, half-truths, fake news, and so much more. Can we even know truth? Jesus says that we can know the truth, so it must be something accessible.

What is truth? Aristotle’s says simply, “Truth is the way things are.” Truth is what actually is. Thanks to the “spin” of the 21^st Century, truth has become elusive in a time when we have more information than ever before, yet we are inundated with lies and deceptions. We long for truth…to simply know things as they are.

Jesus and Truth – In today’s reading, we find an often-overlooked statement: “…The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth” (John 18:37b). Jesus’ very reason for being is to “testify to the truth.” In this Gospel, we find that John is the philosopher among the disciples as he records Jesus speaking about truth almost 20 times.

“…A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth….” (John 4:23)

“To [those] who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32)

“But when…the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. ” (John 16:12)

But, the truth about what? What is the truth he testifies to?

Truth – Truth is the way things are. Jesus reveals who he is and what this truth means:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn. 6:35)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness….” (Jn 8:12)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (Jn.10:11)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die… (Jn. 11:25)

“I am the way and the truth and the life. (Jn. 14:6)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5)

Here is the truth of God in Christ Jesus: God fills our deepest longings, our greatest hungers; God is light in our darkness; God allows Jesus to die that we might have life—real life; God gives us life beyond this temporal existence on Earth; God provides a way for us to know and come to God; God gives our lives meaning, purpose, and direction…and enables us to live a life of goodness and kindness. Jesus reveals the truth about God, the truth about us, and the truth about life.

Conclusions – Perhaps the truth that Jesus declares comes together best in John’s truth declaration:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The truth about God—God loves the world…everyone…you, me, America, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Norway, Algeria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Japan…the whole world.

The truth about us—We are a broken and rotten bunch bound for death and condemnation, and we need God, all of us…Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, Venezuelans, Israelis, Palestinians, Iranians, Chinese…you get the idea.

The truth about life—The God who loves us wants us to have life, real life, lasting life…all of us…Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, Venezuelans, Israelis, Iranians, Chinese…you get the idea.

This is how things are. Compared to this, all other truth becomes secondary, all other truth pales. We cannot change the truth that Jesus reveals to us…but the truth can change us and how we see the world. Today, let us take hold of the truth Jesus reveals that we might know God, that we might have life…we, all of us…Americans, Mexicans, Canadians…you get the idea. AMEN

Sunday, March 15, 2026
Towards the Cross - Truth
Watch/Listen: 
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE

Saying "No" to Culture...and "Yes" to Faith

 

https://jonaherrin.substack.com/p/saying-no-to-cultureand-yes-to-faith

Join the conversations. 

More Writings from Jon A Herrin

 

https://jonaherrin.substack.com/p/gods-expansive-grace

Join me in A life of wondering and wandering...a life of seeking joy and simplicity. Grateful to share my experiences and insights through the magic of the written word.

AfterWords: Towards the Cross - Denials

 

John 18:12-19; 24-27

During this Lenten season, we continue our journey towards the cross. We ask God daily, “What needs to change? What can I do differently? What do I need to give up or take on in my life to bring me closer to You?”

Today’s reading brings us closer to the Cross. Jesus had his last supper with the disciples. They all went out to Gethsemani for prayer where Jesus is arrested and the arduous trial period begins.

Peter…the Denier? — We wonder how Peter could deny Jesus, and we’re wondering if we might do the same. We may think of Peter as weak because of his denials, but we find that Peter is really the bravest of them all. Do you recall the story here? Peter, James, and John are right near Jesus when the Roman guards come to arrest him. When the guards arrive, who is the only one who leaps to his feet and draws his sword to protect his Lord? Peter. Jesus tells him to put away his sword and then heals the man Peter has struck. Peter is no coward. After Judas identifies Jesus, the guards close in, and the disciples scatter. Who is the one to follow behind and to sneak into the courtyard of Annas, into that burrow of snakes? Peter. Peter is no coward.

Peter does not deny his faith in Jesus, he doesn’t deny that Jesus is Messiah, he doesn’t deny that Jesus is Son of God. Peter denies his relationship to Jesus.

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” … “I am not.”
“You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” … “I am not.”
“Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” … Again Peter denied it, and…a rooster began to crow.

When we look closely at what is happening here, we may begin to see more of ourselves.

21^st Century Denials — How do our denials tend to happen today? Today, we deny the power of God in our lives, the activity of God in our lives. When life is good, we presume too often it’s due to our amazing wits and general exceptionalism. Jesus reminds us that all good things come from God:

“…[God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45)

The first part—rising sun—is the gift of a new day of life, and the second is the gift of life-giving rain. Everything good is from God—even our very lives exist because of the goodness of God. When we don’t acknowledge God’s part in our lives, we essentially deny God.

When we allow Jesus into only part of our lives, we deny Jesus. If we allow Jesus to guide us on Sunday but follow some other voice Monday through Friday, we are denying Jesus’ lordship in our lives. If we open our hearts to the Word on Sunday but spend more time following the Dow Jones rather than Jesus Monday through Friday, we deny Jesus.

If we hold on to fear in our lives, we deny the power and presence of Jesus in our lives. Jesus speaks these words to his disciples and to us:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

The sense here is that when we find ourselves becoming afraid, we catch ourselves. We stop and remember: Jesus says we are not to be afraid. When we ignore the words of Jesus, we deny Jesus, we deny the faith. We are not to be afraid or to live our lives in fear. That is not real living.

Conclusions — “What needs to change? What can I do differently? What do I need to give up or take on in my life to bring me closer to You?” John has told us over and over and over? “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Jesus wants to bring us life. We find life when we embrace Jesus and all the Jesus is about…each and every day. This may require that we let go of our egotism and perceived self-sufficiency…that we let go of following someone else or some other philosophy of life…that we let go of the fear we’ve become so comfortable with. When we do these things, we proclaim Jesus rather than deny him…and we find life. This is God’s call to us today.

Sunday, March 8, 2026
Towards the Cross - Denials
Watch/Listen: 
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE

AfterWords: Towards the Cross--Humility

 

John 13:1-17

We continue our journey today through the Gospel of John, through this season of Lent, towards the Cross. In these opening words, we find these verses:

Jesus knew … that he had come from God and was returning to God, so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. (Jn 13:3-4)

This reveals Jesus’ motivation, the why of his life. What moves us to act? What are the motivations of our lives? Jesus was very aware of his motivation—his relationship with God. And, what would happen if God and our relationship with God were our motivations?

Washing feet was the work of slaves, servants. It was an important part of hygiene since people walked the streets with dogs, sheep, donkeys, camels, and the occasional horse. Feet got nasty in the streets of Jerusalem and in every other village, so having one’s feet washed a part of their lives.

First, Jesus does this for his disciples and calls them to do so for one another. Jesus doesn’t say, “Go out and wash everyone’s feet!” This is the people of God taking care of the people of God. While caring for those outside the church might be easier and more exciting, Jesus wants us to take care of each other, to serve each other. Are we taking care of each other? Are we helping one another as we help those outside? “By this the world will know you are my disciples if you love one another….”

Jesus washes feet without being asked. No one says, “Wow…me feet sure are dirty. I wish someone would wash my feet.” Jesus sees the need and responds. How often do we wait for someone to ask? How often do we sit around, aware of a need, and say to ourselves, “Well, if he asks me…if she asks me….” Or, worse, “Well, that’s not MY job…I hope someone takes care of that….”

Finally, we note the obvious…that the disciples’ feet are dirty. If the disciples’ feet are dirty, it means they’ve been in the streets, among people who need to hear the Good News of God. Are our feet dirty? Have we been in the streets? Have we been among people as disciples? Have we been getting our feet…or our hands…or anything dirty to suggest we’ve been among people who need to know the Good News of God’s love?

Jesus—Lord and Teacher, Rabbi, Son of God—shows us that we are to serve one another. We seem to get it idea of loving neighbor, caring for the needy, but we sometimes forget one another. When Jesus says, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you,” he is not talking about washing feet—he is talking about the dirty work of slaves, doing what needs to be done, and doing out of our love for God.

The “greatest” Christians are those who served—who spent their lives serving others. We look to Mother Teresa, E. Stanley Jones, and the millions of silently serving Christians who never had a book written about them because they weren’t making headlines; they were simply serving others. Simone Wiel writes, “Christianity is pre-eminently the religion of slaves, that slaves cannot help belonging to it, and I among others.” Does that offend you? Jesus has shown us over and over, and he has even told us: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve….” (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus today offers us different way—a life motivated by God, a life in the world as we share the Good News of God by word and deed, a life of caring for one another and serving one another. During this Lenten Season, we pray…

  “O God, what needs to change in my life today?
    What do I need to do differently?
    What do I need to get out of my life and what do I need to add to my life?”

Let us open our eyes to see what needs to be done, let us serve one another, and let us do this as we are motivated by God’s love. Above all, let’s make sure our feet get dirty. Amen

Sunday, March 1, 2026
Towards the Cross - Humility
Watch/Listen: 
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE

AfterWords: Towards the Cross - Lazarus

 

John 11:18-27

As we enter the season of Lent, we take time to ask God daily, “What do I need to do differently? What needs to change in my life?” We ask this prayer that we might grow closer to God during these 40 days. Traditionally, Christians have given up something for this season—a food, a drink, a practice, a behavior. Some give up chocolate and some give up social media. Giving up something is a good practice that parallels Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry. In more recent times, we have also seen Lent as a time to embrace new things, new habits. In today’s reading, Martha and Mary must do both—let go of old ideas and embrace new understandings.

Today’s reading focuses on the conversation between Martha and Jesus. Martha is the very straight-forward, all-business one of the two sisters, and she gets straight to the point here. “Where were you?!?” She knows that if Jesus has been there, her brother, Lazarus, would not have died. She is broken-hearted and furious…but she also has hope: “…even now God will give you whatever you ask…?” Right? Won’t he? Please?

Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she presumes he’s talking about the end of days, the final resurrection. Jesus then speaks those words upon which we hang our faith: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (v.25-26). Jesus has a very different “resurrection” in mind. And, he asks Martha, “Do you believe this?”

Martha doesn’t mince words and she doesn’t try to deceive. She speaks honestly: “I believe you’re the Messiah.” And how does Jesus react to this evasive answer? Jesus accepts Martha where she is…just as God accepts and receives us where we are. One of my favorite stories in Jesus’ ministry is that time a father brings his son to be healed, and Jesus asks if he believes. His response? “I believe—help my unbelief!” Jesus accepts us where we are....

Jesus goes to the tomb of Lazarus and calls Lazarus out—“Come out!” And, he comes out…alive. This moment changes Martha, Mary, and everyone there. Their understandings of death and resurrection must die, and they must take on new understandings of Jesus, of God’s power over death. They must let go of things and take on new things.

This Lenten season can be a time of new life—resurrection—for us as we allow habits, relationships, feuds, behaviors, attitudes, grudges, pet-beliefs, or other things die that are sucking the life out of us. We can take up new habits and practices, make room for and embrace new beliefs and understandings that give us new life. Then, when Easter Sunday arrives, we can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the new life God has given us this season.

Sunday, February 22, 2026
Towards the Cross - Lazarus
Watch/Listen: 
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE

AfterWords: Breaking the Rules—Tradition

 

John 9:1-16a

Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth…brings a healing that will completely change this man’s life. And the Pharisees response? “But you did it on a Sabbath…!” Really? Sigh….

The Sabbath rules that Jesus broke were based on tradition, not on the Scriptures. God gives us the amazing gift of Sabbath—a day of rest, a break from the rush and hurry of work. Over the centuries following the gift of the Sabbath, the well-meaning Pharisees and teachers of the law decided they should “help” people avoid breaking the Sabbath command by building fences around the Sabbath, by making it painfully (and exhaustingly!) clear what was work and what wasn’t. Jesus broke the rules of tradition…and the Pharisees were having none of it.

Just before the Pharisees have their conniption over Sabbath-breaking, the disciples bring a very theological question to Jesus concerning the fellow born blind: “Who sinned that this man was born blind? Him or his parents?” (John 9:2). The disciples and the cultural were still struggling with a worldview that was centuries old—the law of retribution—a law (wish?) still alive and well today. They understood that if one did something good, then good would follow, and if someone did something bad, bad would follow. Here’s a man born blind (bad), so someone must have done something bad to precipitate this. Jesus now has a chance to affirm or deny the law of retribution—and thankfully, Jesus denies this law. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus says, but just watch how God’s glory comes through all of this!

So, Jesus is breaking the rules here, breaking tradition, and we need to know that breaking tradition may be necessary, helpful, life-giving at times. But, we also need to see that this is about more than breaking tradition. This is about putting first things first, about putting people in need before everything else. Before traditions, rules, or laws, Jesus puts people first.

This is how God deals with us. God puts us first allowing his own Son to die that we—you and I—may have life. God puts forgiveness before retribution, love before justice. And Jesus does the same. The law of love replaces the law of retribution. To echo Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, if we faithfully maintain the traditions, keep the rules, and observe the laws but do not act with loving kindness towards those in need, we are nothing.

The law of love—this is what motivates Jesus and should motivate us as followers of Jesus. Traditions are great. Customs can be beautiful. Our usual and normal practices can be helpful. But if ever we have to choose between any of those things and meeting the needs of a person, Jesus shows us clearly what our task is: We follow the law of love, we follow Jesus.

Sunday, February 15, 2026
Breaking the Rules: Enemies
Watch/Listen: 
9AM (Contemporary) - HERE
11AM (Traditional) - HERE