The people bone weary of Amos’ invectives and angry judgement, yet held in the grip of the powerful voice that seemed to emanate from his entire body.
Gospel of John: Final Proof
People often think that if someone does not believe something, what they need is more proof, more information. But Jesus said this was not the problem.
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Gospel of John: Jesus Invokes Witnesses
As I study John’s gospel, I keep feeling as though the scientific method of enquiry is not enough to understand spiritual things. Whereas those who are intellectual may well be called to pursue the finer points of systematic theology and to organize the many philosophical strands of a particular doctrine, it is not enough.
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Gospel of John: The Big Reveal
Just as Jesus was one with the Father’s will and God’s power, so you and I, the more we willingly meld our wills with the Lord’s, will receive God’s vision, all the things God has planned for us, and the power to do it all.
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Gospel of John: Plucking Grain
The rabbinic tradition said, “God still does two works on the Sabbath: He creates and He judges.” And, the Psalm clearly said the Lord never rests but is always watching over and caring for God’s creation. Jesus was on solid theological ground, so what made the religious rulers so beyond enraged they were prepared to commit murder?
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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.
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Gospel of John: Sabbath Collision
Such splitting of hairs had lost sight of God’s purpose for the Sabbath, and had, with heavy irony, made the Sabbath an onerous burden for the people.
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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.
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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.
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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.
