trying to find His way
“Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” (John 12:36) While Jesus was on earth, He revealed the glorious goodness of God’s love.He showed humanity what God is like, and how humans were made to be like.Jesus is a shining example of the Adam life, in the…
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:23) Jesus speaks of His impending suffering and death as being ‘glorified’.In being glorified this way, He will glorify the Name of the Father.The word ‘glorify’ means to show the real value or weight of something.The real value of God and Jesus is…
“See, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:15) This does not seem to be a majestic or kingly way to appear as king.I have ridden on a donkey, and it is not graceful.These words are a quote from Zechariah 9, describing God’s messianic king.He will bring judgment against Israel’s oppressors, and break their…
“‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.’” (John 12:7) Martha hosts a dinner to honour Jesus, and Mary honours Jesus with the perfume.Judas challenges Mary because he claims he wants to help the poor.The religious leaders plan to kill Jesus to honour their…
“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…