In John 13, we move from Mary’s humble actions at the table where Jesus reclined to Jesus’ humble service of washing the disciples’ feet just days later. When the disciples are bickering about who would be the greatest among them in the kingdom of God, Mary humbles herself and washes Jesus’ feet. Later in the week, Jesus would show His disciples selfish desires or vain conceit would not be the key to greatness. The one who humbles himself and serves …
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The Celebration of Jesus Sometimes I think we read Scripture in such short segments, we fail to see how it all connects together. When we pick up in John 12, Jesus is back in Bethany 6 days before Passover. Bethany sits 2 miles outside of Jerusalem where many travel to celebrate Passover. Jesus is invited to a meal in the home of Simon the leper, probably one who was healed by Jesus. Simon enlists Martha (who we have seen before) …
God’s Timing… God’s timing is always right. This is true in your life, in my life and in the life of everyone who has ever lived. It is a divine appointment when Jesus chooses the family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus to display His sovereignty and power. Let’s see how John 11 unfolds… The Death of Lazarus First, the family knows where they should go when they are desperate. They send a messenger to Jesus. There is no question in …
John 8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and John 9 continues this same trajectory. Right after Christ speaks to the Jewish leaders telling them that He is the Light of the World, He walks past a man who has been blind from birth. His disciples ask Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” (Aside – Let us not forget that our sin has physical consequences including illness and death. Looking …
I am the Light of the world… Again, the Pharisees are upset at the words of Christ. Jesus declares that “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Jews could not believe that Christ was exalting Himself as the Light of the World. As Christ articulates, He is not exalting Himself. The Father is exalting Him. Christ is only doing the will of the Father …
John 5 proves to continue the message, BELIEVE Christ is the Son of God that was sent to redeem the world. Isn’t that what we celebrate at Christmas and for that matter, all year long?! Today, we see Jesus heal a man who has been a paralytic for 38 years. When approaching the paralytic, Jesus asks him a simple question, “Do you want to be healed?” The answer is obvious – yes! Yet, when the man responds, he begins to …
Who are the Samaritans? In John 4, Jesus travels from Judaea to Galilee and ventures through Samaria. Jesus’ journey is astonishing because Jews would never travel through Samaria. Even when they most direct path to a place would take them through Samaria, they would go around it. The Samaritans occupied the area of Israel that was given to Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh. And the question must be raised, why did the Jewish people despise the Samaritans so much? …