Monday: Read John 20:1-31 John 20-21 serve as the climax of the Gospel. The promises made earlier in the Gospel are fulfilled here. John begins by noting that it was the “first day of the week” (1, 19). This might not appear too surprising until we realize that we probably already knew that. The fact that John repeats it in 20:19 tells us that he really wants us to know that it is the “first day of the week.” We... Read more
I was sitting in a sandwich shop in Bethlehem talking to three Palestinian young men (age 28-30) when I realized this cannot go on any longer. They shared with me how they do not want to get married because they cannot afford to care for a family. And how they didn’t want to have any children because the world of their experience was not a place for children. Is the status quo a good thing? Well, it depends. Since peace... Read more
Monday: Read John 16:1-33 Jesus continues His extended speech to His disciples. He reminds them that they will indeed suffer as a result of their belief in Him. He tells them of this in order to keep them from stumbling (1). The idea is that when these things begin to happen, they will remember that Jesus had warned them (4). One could only imagine what it would have been like if Jesus did not warn them. The shock of losing... Read more
I began this series by asking, “where are all the prophetic voices?” I will grant that the prophetic voices are out there: lest anyone adhere to the Elijah syndrome—which I like to call the Tigger principle: “I’m the only one!” One of the problems is that although the best place for the prophetic voice is inside the local church, they are unfortunately ill-designed for such. Without communal discussion, the pulpit becomes nothing more than a bully pulpit. And the only... Read more
Monday: Read John 11:47-12:19 Having raised Lazarus from the dead, the authorities convene and determine that Jesus must die. In fact, Caiaphas, the high priest, declares that it would be best for one person to die for the sake of the nation (50). Of course, Caiaphas was thinking that if Jesus continued to gain followers eventually Rome would intervene. Thus, Jesus’ death would spare the nation from Rome’s oppression. John notes the irony for us in case we missed it:... Read more
“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (2 Tim 3:16-17 Message) I have spent half of my career in the academy and half in... Read more
Week #3 Monday: Read John 7:40-8:20 The debate continues regarding Jesus’ identity. Jesus’ identity is a central issue in the Gospel of John. Some suggest that Jesus is “the prophet” (7:40). The allusion here is to Deut 18:15, 18 and the promise that God will raise up a prophet like Moses. Others were affirming that Jesus is the Christ (41: “Messiah/Anointed One”: i.e., the promised King). Some rejected this claim because Jesus was from “Galilee” and the Messiah comes from... Read more
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). “It’s in relationships and conversations that I find God. It’s not a real conversation if you’re trying to convert me to your position. That’s an argument. I’m not interested in arguing. That’s not a real relationship either.”[1] This is a common sentiment. Today’s generation is looking for community. The church should be a perfect place for them! Unfortunately,... Read more
Monday: Read John 4:27-54 In this section, John stresses Jesus as the Word. Jesus speaks and things happen. John also notes that it is the Samaritans and not the Galileans who believe His word. The disciples return from getting the food (27; cf 4:8) and see that Jesus was speaking with a woman. They must have been amazed to see that Jesus was speaking with a Samaritan, let alone a woman, though no one dared to ask Him. The woman... Read more
Stanley Hauerwas, in his work, A Community of Character, observes, “We rejoice in the difference and diversity of gifts among those in the church, as that very diversity is the necessary condition for our faithfulness. Discussion becomes the hallmark of such a society, since recognition and listening to the other is the way our community finds the way of obedience” (138). Where are the prophetic voices today? One of the reasons why we lack prophetic voices in the church today... Read more
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