Posts by jhumphries

April 26, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:17This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES This week, we looked at Jesus asking Peter “Do you love me unconditionally?”  Peter’s response was “Yes, Jesus, I’m your brother.”  Jesus each time said, “Tend my sheep.”  Peter didn’t hear the affirmation either time. Jesus doesn’t give up.  Now, I imagine Jesus…

April 25, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:16This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Sometimes we swim in our failures, mistakes, and disappointments such that we miss God’s affirmation and calling.            Jesus asked a second time, “Peter, do you love (unconditionally) me more than these fish?”  I can imagine that Peter is sitting at the fire busying himself…

April 24, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:15This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Jesus asked Peter, “Simon do you love me more than these fish?” The word Jesus used for love was agape, which means unconditional love no matter what happens.  Peter responds with filios, the Greek word for brotherly love. While I can’t prove this,…

April 23, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:1-14This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES When Peter realizes that it’s Jesus on the shore calling out to them, he’s excited.  It’s been weeks since they have seen him.  He’s so excited that he dives into the water and swims to shore to meet him. While it cannot be…

April 22, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:1-3This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Have you ever felt like giving up?  Have you ever tried breaking a habit, stop a sinful action, keep New Year’s resolutions, or keep a Lenten commitment, only to discover you failed? When Peter says in verse three, “I’m going fishing,” there is…

April 20, 2019 DAILY READING John 19:38-42This weekend’s reading: Matthew 28:1-10 FIELD NOTES Today we experience the darkness of Holy Saturday. Jesus has died and has been laid in the tomb by two secret disciples — Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. The disciples have gone home, each grieving his or her own heart-shattering loss. The…

April 19, 2019 DAILY READING John 18:1 – 19:42This weekend’s reading: Matthew 28:1-10 FIELD NOTES Good Friday has arrived. Jesus has been betrayed and handed over to the authorities for torture and execution by crucifixion. Love has found its ultimate expression in Jesus’ willingness to give his life for the world’s brokenness. Contemplate this love…

April 18, 2019 DAILY READING John 13:1-17, 31-35This weekend’s reading: Matthew 28:1-10 FIELD NOTES Maundy Thursday worship at Brentwood UMC has always been one of the most meaningful experiences of Holy Week for me. Remembering the last meal Jesus shared with his closest friends and how he demonstrated selfless love as he washed their feet, helps…

April 17, 2019 DAILY READING John 13:21-32This weekend’s reading: Matthew 28:1-10 FIELD NOTES Our scripture passage for today recounts how Jesus, greatly troubled in spirit, announces to the group of his closest friends that one of them will betray him. Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt? Out of the friends whom he had…

April 16, 2019 DAILY READING John 12:20-36This weekend’s reading: Matthew 28:1-10 FIELD NOTES A few years ago I went with my co-workers to one of those “escape” game places — where they lock you in a room and you have an hour to uncover clues to free yourself. The employee showed us to the room,…