Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: Before we move on to John 10 and beyond, I have to stop and reflect on the three-part series that attempts to look at chapter 9. The conclusion that John presents provides an imperative for our lives: we have been presented with the truth of Jesus, we can see with our eyes and hear …
Read: John wraps up the story of the man who is no longer blind by showing the care and compassion that Jesus had not only for the man in the story but for all mankind. The previous section concluded with the Pharisees kicking the man out of the synagogue. The shame that is associated with …
Continue reading “John: Blind from Birth Now Healed – Part 3”
Read: The first part of this chapter briefly captures the moment when Jesus healed this unnamed man who was blind from birth. The story now shifts focus to questions by the man’s neighbors, those that remember him as a beggar, his parents, and most significantly, the Jewish religious leaders. It’s amazing to hear how this …
Continue reading “John: Blind from Birth Now Healed – Part 2”
Read The story in this chapter is amazing! There are many subtle details that describe the story of a man who was blind from birth but now is completely restored at the hands of Jesus. As we read this narrative, consider this in both literal and figurative terms. We are blind without Jesus. This man …
Continue reading “John: Blind From Birth Now Healed – Part 1”
Read The title I’ve chosen to give this section of the narrative is meant to be provocative. As Jesus continues to explain who He is, many appear to be moved; many believed in him (). Jesus seems to turn to these people and dive deep into a completely new theology. His teaching is true, and …
Continue reading “John: Many Believed and Picked Up Stones to Stone Him”
Read Back to the Feast of Tabernacles, this passage picks up where John left off in the previous chapter. Lots of people have gathered to listen to Jesus. He draws a crowd with His words. There’s no water to wine or miraculous healing happening here. But His words of life are incredibly affirming. If He …
Continue reading “John: Jesus Declares, “I Am the Light of the World””
Read Here’s a story inserted in the middle of the Tabernacle of Feasts that is controversial for at least two reasons: 1) it’s not found in the earliest authorized transcripts and 2) Jesus forgives the unforgivable. I’m not likely to satisfy the debate in this brief discussion, but I hope you’ll be encouraged to think …
The closing section of chapter 7 includes no words from Jesus. Instead, it’s a very brief debate between religious leaders as they try to figure out what to do with Jesus. As if their decision. When we zoom out a bit we see this is a midpoint of the discussion during the Feast of Tabernacles. …
Who is this man? What is he teaching? There were dozens of questions in the minds of those present at the Feast of Tabernacles, the huge celebration for all Jews: sons and daughters, male and female servants that ran for an entire week. John points out the highlights in his narrative description of key events. …
Read It looks like Jesus couldn’t stay away from the Festival of Tabernacles any longer. Halfway through the week-long celebration, He made an appearance. When He did, He didn’t find some side tent or hidden area, He went straight to the temple courts. The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get …
Continue reading “John: Jesus Teaches at the Festival of Tabernacles”