trying to find His way
“So from that day on they plotted to take his life.” (John 11:53) The things that people will do in the name of religion is frightening.Whether it is crashing planes into towers, or leading crusades against foreigners.If you ask them, it is always for a good cause, a ‘worthy motive’.But doing something bad in order to…
“Not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.” (John 11:51–52) Caiaphas was the appointed high priest for the year, called to serve God.He makes a ‘prophecy’ about Jesus, even thought he doesn’t realize it.The above comment is John’s commentary on what the high…
“Father, I thank you that you have heard me.” (John 11:41) These words once again remind me that Jesus was fully human.He is not performing miracles by His own power, but with God’s help.Jesus shows us how a God-like human being (Adam) works in the world.With us hearing God, and God hearing us, doing things as…
“He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” (John 11:33) Jesus is impacted deeply by the sorrow of His friends.Not only did He lose a friend, He also sees His loved ones grieving.The words used suggest deep groaning and inner turmoil and agitation.The suffering causes Jesus to weep Himself… God with us weeping.This is a picture…
“The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25–26) In Genesis 3:15 God promises a messiah that will crush the serpents head.By defeating the serpent, the curse of death (Genesis 2:17) is reversed.Jesus claims to be the one that will reverse the…
“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” (John 11:11) Jesus uses ‘falling asleep’ to speak about Lazarus’s dying.We have our own similar euphemisms and metaphors:* To kick the bucket, to meet their Maker, to pass away* To bite the dust, to be pushing up daisies, to give up…
“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) Moses discovered that God’s glory, goodness and love are the same (Exodus 33:18-19, 34:6-7).God shines most when God shows compassion, grace. mercy, kindness, forgiveness, etc.Jesus revealed God’s glorious goodness and love every time He…
“Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” (John 10:41) Jesus left Jerusalem and went to the edges of the wilderness where John had been.Before they had gone to hear and be baptized by John.But John insisted he was not the Messiah; he preached Jesus!Everything that he said about…
“That you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:38). Jesus first said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:29)Now He says that the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father.This was seen as blasphemy by the religious leaders.But Jesus points them to Psalm 82:6,…
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). Jesus taught and modeled the way of humility, grace and compassion.In this He was representing the character of God; He was one with the Father.This is the way of the kingdom, how God-like humans reign in this world.This is what makes…