Gospel of John: The Big Reveal

Just as Jesus was one with the Fatherโ€™s will and Godโ€™s power, so you and I, the more we willingly meld our wills with the Lordโ€™s, will receive Godโ€™s vision, all the things God has planned for us, and the power to do it all.

Minor Prophets: Amos, Basket of Summer Fruit

The first layer of meaning is straightforward. Ripe fruit, when it is plucked from the tree, is cut off. For the harvester, the ripened fruit is a lovely blessing, but for the fruit itself, to be harvested means its time on the tree will come to an end.

Gospel of John: Sabbath Collision

Such splitting of hairs had lost sight of Godโ€™s purpose for the Sabbath, and had, with heavy irony, made the Sabbath an onerous burden for the people.

Gospel of John: Pool of Bethesda

Jesus spoke with intensity, one word, layered with meaning. For it implied getting up from a sickbed, but it also intimated arising from slumber, or perhaps even stupor. Finally, it was a demand to literally get to his feet.

Gospel of John: From Faith to Faith

Relief may feel like satisfaction for a while. But true satisfaction, the deep and lasting kind, can only come through faith in Jesus, personally relating to Jesus and responding to him in faith, living it out because you believe.

Gospel of John: A Nobleman’s Son

The noble official was covered in the dust of his travels, his robes powdered a dull grey, his feet nearly monochrome with dirt. Streaks of sweat lined his face, and the hair across his forehead was matted. Real tears streamed from his eyes and nose, flying in drops as he dropped to his knees, clasped his hands before Jesus, and wrung them.

The Song of the Sea, Exodus 15

Godโ€™s people standing stunned on the opposite shore of the Red Sea, as they watched God cause the waves to come crashing in on the mighty armies of Egypt. It only makes sense that they broke out into song.

Gospel of John: Food

John made it clear it was the woman who testified about Jesus, and the whole town was her harvest, not the disciples.โ€™ Oh yes, they would reap the harvest. But she was the sower Now Jesus would rejoice with this woman as her entire town came out to meet Him.

Gospel of John: You Matter

As the Samaritans hearts were moved by Jesusโ€™ words, they invited him to stay. It is one of the few places in scripture where Jesus accepted such an invitation, staying with them two days. Many more put their faith in Jesus, and said to the woman,

Gospel of John: โ€œฮคฮฏ ฮถฮทฯ„ฮตแฟ–ฯ„ฮต;โ€

The way John told this storyโ€”and remember, the timing of things was important to Johnโ€”it was at the very moment of the womanโ€™s statement about the coming Messiah, and Jesusโ€™ declaration of โ€œYHWH/I AM the very one, speaking to you right nowโ€ that the disciples arrived.