Category: John

Read John 10:22-42

Jesus has been identifying himself in many different ways to help people understand him and his mission. We’ve heard him reference a gate, good shepherd, Son of Man, the bread of life,  the Messiah, the true bread of heaven, and the light of the world. Today, he proclaims he is the Son of God to the religious leaders. That didn’t go well. They had stones in hand.

People just don’t go around claiming to be God. That’s blasphemy and it’s sinful. But when you are God, you should be able to say so.  Jesus doesn’t blast the news. He’d rather quietly do God’s work and have those who surround him become his followers. He tells the religious leaders, point blank, they are not part of his flock. That’s why they cannot see or recognize him for who he is. Their hearts are sealed shut. Continue reading “John 10:22-42 – Who is Jesus?”

Read John 10:11-21

I did not grow up knowing any shepherds. I lived in Iowa so there were plenty of farmers. They often tended to livestock in addition to their corn fields. But the bond Jesus is talking about between a shepherd and his sheep goes so much deeper than what I think of for a present-day farmer and his herd. If you are a farmer and I am mistaken, please forgive me and let me know.

If the people were a bit confused over the whole gate analogy in yesterday’s reading, Jesus again challenges them. This passage is such a beautiful picture of how Jesus cares for us. It brings tears to my eyes as I treasure all of the hidden meanings.  Continue reading “John 10:11-21 – The Good Shepherd”

Read John 10:1-10

To understand this passage, it helps to know a little of the background. As I understand it, a herd of sheep would be gathered into a sheepfold to protect them from thieves and other dangers. A sheepfold could be a cave, a shed, or even an open area surrounded by walls made of stones and branches. The sheep were contained in safety and could only enter through the “gate.”

Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep.” Jesus is our way to safety. We are the sheep, by the way. Jesus is our only way to eternal life. We may face trials and struggles in our life, but if we choose Jesus as our way, we will be safe. Will our lives be trouble free? No. But we will have protection in those times. Continue reading “John 10:1-10 – The Way In”

Read John 9:35-41

Jesus found him. That suggests Jesus was looking for him. Being thrown out of the temple would have serious consequences back in those days.  Jesus again shows compassion. Jesus asks him straight up if he believes in the Son of Man.  Jesus is referring to himself as the Son of Man here and not the Son of God. Could it be to focus in on his humanity?

In talking with David about this passage, he shared with me the prophecy from Daniel 7 in the Old Testament. What a beautiful image of God and Jesus coming together. Jesus, the Son of Man. You can read it here. Continue reading “John 9:35-41 – Are You Blind?”

Read John 9:13-34

Little did the blind man know how his world would change that day. In our last reading, we heard how Jesus healed a blind man who had been unable to see since birth. All he had ever known was blackness, and now he could see. Can you even imagine? How sad that one of the first things he must witness are the religious leaders being all weird. Rather than rejoicing with him that he had been miraculously healed, they were focused on who had done it, how it happened, and that the Sabbath had been broken. Continue reading “John 9:13-34 – Transformation”