Creative Space for Wanderers
Read John 16:16-33 The disciples still don’t quite understand what Jesus is telling them. While they have faith that one day it will all make sense, at this point in the story they are following without knowing what will come next. Jesus explains that He will go away and come back in “a little while.” …
Read John 16:4-15 In the previous post, we made a special note about the timing of the message. Jesus waited until the time was right to tell the Eleven this important revelation. The disciples have to know something significant is going on. We don’t have such caveats elsewhere. I have told you this, so that …
Continue reading “John: Unless I Go, the Advocate Will Not Come”
Read John 15:26-16:4a This short introduction to the power of the Holy Spirit is offered here to comfort, warn, and encourage the disciples. We could include the rest of chapter 16, but I think I’d rather have a short post with a focused topic. Maybe you’ll appreciate the break! One of the odd things about …
Read John 15:18-25 Jesus reminds the disciples that they are not the first ones to be persecuted, and they won’t be the last. We are the chosen ones, no longer bound to rules of this world, we have the opportunity to invite others into God’s kingdom, His family. But this comes with a cost. If …
Continue reading “John: The World Will Hate You Because of Jesus”
Read John 15:1-17 Several years ago, too many for me to accurately remember, I was blessed to hear a sermon series on this portion of John’s gospel message. A lot of the early parts of the series focused on pruning vines, burning branches, and rather seemingly destructive behavior, until I studied the concept. If you …
Read John 14:15-31 I don’t know about you, but there are times when I read a passage and just have to stop and let it sink in. This is one of those times. It’s like a scene in a movie when you know the plot is about to take a hard twist and the characters …
Read John 14:1-14 If you’ve been reading along with me, you have to appreciate the mood in the upper room has to be incredibly somber. Things were challenging up to chapter 13, but no one expected Jesus to take on the role of a servant and wash their feet, then announce one of the twelve …
Read John 13:31-38 Judas Iscariot has exited the very private dinner. While Jesus was able to see what was going on clearly, the Eleven disciples seemed to be confused. The title of this post focuses on the last two verses of chapter 13, but we shouldn’t miss the greater emphasis on God’s glorification and a …
Read John 13:18-30 The low point of John’s gospel is hard to read and appreciate. Jesus painfully informs the disciples that one among them will betray Him. The scene unfolds so quickly that they don’t have a chance to grasp the significance of Judas’ hasty exit. It’s dark and difficult, but we have to read …
Read John 13:1-17 Before we begin this reading, it’s interesting to note that the NIV Application Commentary divides the book of John into two parts: Part 1, Chapters 1-12, is referred to as the “Book of Signs,” and Part 2, Chapters 13-21, comprise the “Book of Glory.” The first part includes an account of Jesus’ …