There is much talk of unity in our world today. Yet the concept is not new. Jesus spoke of unity long ago, defining it clearly for those who follow him even now. In John 17, he taught: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also... Read more
Some have suggested Jesus spoke in some secret codes or attempted to communicate hidden messages through his words. Even those listening when Jesus walked the earth sometimes wondered what was being communicated. On the last night Jesus spent with his disciples, however, he spoke directly. The result? His disciples responded: “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask... Read more
In John 15, Jesus calls himself the vine. Why? Because we are the branches; apart from him we can do nothing. In his words, from verse five: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This interconnectedness is often overlooked in our self-dependent way of living. We frequently seek to live in our own strength, only calling out to... Read more
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This one verse shatters the postmodern notion of relativism. There is truth, absolute truth, and it is found in Jesus Christ. Those who come to the Father do so through Jesus. He is clear on this issue. This does leave difficult questions regarding young children who die, those who cannot choose due to mental incapability, or the plight of... Read more
Love is not about "what I want" but doing what God wants. Washing feet was a physical and practical example of service Jesus left for his first followers and to us. The closer we walk with God, the deeper our level of service to others should be. Read more
For Good Friday, I wanted to share an excerpt from my upcoming devotional work Thirst No More on John 12:21, the chapter I have handwritten today. The religious leaders sought to kill Jesus; seekers sought to see Jesus. Some of the Greeks who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover desired to meet with the One many were calling the Messiah. But how would they find Him? These men found Jesus through His followers. Philip and Andrew were the men... Read more
When Jesus arrived at the home of Lazarus, he made a bold claim, stating, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life and to offer eternal life. The only one who could do this was the Messiah. Many had claimed to be Messiah in the past. The difference was that... Read more
John 10 is packed with great quotes from the teachings of Jesus. Verse 10 includes one of my favorites: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” In contrast with the “thief,” a reference to Satan who steals life, Jesus Christ came to offer life. To highlight this contrast, Jesus stated those who follow him will have life “to the full.” Other translations use “abundant life,” but idea is that Jesus offers the best... Read more
You are more than your weakness, your disability, your past, your pain. You are a child of God. You are more. Read more
Some scholars suggest Jesus never claimed to be God in the Gospels. Nothing could be further from the truth. John 8 provides one of many times Jesus equated himself with Yahweh, the Lord Almighty of Israel. There we read: 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not,... Read more
Holy Writ
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