Gospel of John: Martha’s Faith

[In the Greek] Though Marthaโ€™s voice had leaned more heavily on the final catastrophe of death itself, Mary spoke from the devastation of personal betrayal, her voice leaning on the connection of her brother, the unspoken meaning clear: you said you loved me, and he was my brother.

Gospel of John: Revelation to Martha

Or are we living in active faith that Jesus is powerfully at work within our inward beings, transforming us, and is also at work in our physical world, bring shalom to all those around us, including the earth itself?

Gospel of John: Delays Are Not Denials

But there are dimensions to our problems that you and I cannot imagine, but which God sees clearly. When I pray, I can see Godโ€™s wisdom in a situation, that the Lordโ€™s vision is much bigger than mine. Jesus can solve any problem, fix any mess, bring good out of any disaster, he is God. But Jesus will do it in a way that glorifies God and strengthens my faith.

Gospel of John: Let Us All Go

Jesus had received a message from Mary and Marth of Bethany, Lazarus was gravely ill. But rather than come to them, Jesus sent word back that Lazarusโ€™ illness was not to death but to Godโ€™s glory.

Gospel of John: Grave Illness

What God does is always a reflection of Godโ€™s character and in keeping with Godโ€™s glory, and all this is displayed in the lives of every believer. Those who believe God see Godโ€™s glory in everyday circumstances.

Gospel of John: I and the Father are One

As Jesus spoke, the men before him must have looked unsatisfied and perturbed. Jesus was giving them no new answers, his words still seemed cloaked in metaphor and veiled meanings. To be told they were not of Jesusโ€™ sheepfold seemed at the same time ambiguous and obvious. No, they did not believe Jesus, and no, he had no jurisdiction over them.

Gospel of John: Election

From the human standpoint, we become Jesusโ€™ sheep by believing, BUT from Godโ€™s standpoint, we believe because we are Jesusโ€™ sheep.

Gospel of John: Are You the Messiah?

Then the Judeans surrounded Jesus and said to him, โ€œUntil how long are our spirits [to be] in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us openly with confidence!โ€

Gospel of John: I Know My Own

โ€œHe has a demon,โ€ one said, and several others nodded, apprehensive. They could not account for his strange charisma and his powerful healings in any other way. He had a demon. It was the only explanation.

Gospel of John: The Good Shepherd

There might have been a slight sense of unease, wondering if Jesus really meant to imply their religious rulers were thieves and robbers. How could that be true? Were they not seeking to purify Israel, to return Israel to the theocracy it once had been?