Creative Space for Wanderers
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 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’ …
Read John 12:12-19 It’s crazy to think that Jesus goes from Bethany, out of the reach of the religious leaders that were trying to kill him, to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday…the next day. In these chapters, John slows down time to focus in on significant events and actions that grab our attention. Therefore Jesus …
I’m incredibly thankful for many things, but most of all for a God who isn’t fair. I’m thankful for a Creator God that loves us so much that he allows us to choose right or wrong in our own eyes, who honors wise choices, disciplines poor decisions, and loves us completely in any case. I’m …
Read The second half of this chapter begins in the winter. It’s time for Hanukkah. By now we have learned that John’s style shows how Jesus used the setting as part of the teaching. It’s common for us to follow this example as we preach during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day, etc. The reason I bring …
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 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”