John – Page 13 – Be Still…

John 8:31-59 – They Don’t Get It

These hard-headed people just don’t get it. The truth is staring them in the face! Literally. Jesus is the truth and speaks the truth. The people hear what Jesus is saying, but they can not comprehend it. I liked how Jesus said there is no room in their hearts for his message. That struck a chord didn’t it? Have you left room for Jesus’ message in your heart? Continue reading “John 8:31-59 – They Don’t Get It”

John 8:21-30 – Who is He?

Read John 8:21-30

Jesus could have been a little clearer. It wasn’t like he was speaking in riddles, but he just as well could have been. The people were confused. Nobody had talked like this before. It was all just so much to take in. Have you ever felt overwhelmed? It’s a common occurrence for folks who have a lot going on that they need to keep straight. That feeling of being a bit out of control is exactly what these folks were experiencing. This concept was just too big for them.

When we are in that place of overwhelm, it’s often hard to focus on anything. We feel like we are going nowhere fast. When we look back at what we’ve accomplished for a given day, we often feel defeated because the items checked off on our to-do list seem to pale in comparison to those remaining to be done. We want to avoid being knee jerk Christians, that is like having faith on auto-pilot, just going through the motions. Continue reading “John 8:21-30 – Who is He?”

John 8:12-20 – Light of the World

Read John 8:12-20

How could they not recognize Jesus as God’s son? They had only been reading about him and waiting for him as long as they could remember. It was intentional. It was God’s plan. We already know it is God who calls us to himself. These religious leaders had to be indifferent or the “time” would never come, and Jesus would not have died a sacrificial death. But I am getting ahead of myself. We aren’t even halfway through the book of John. Continue reading “John 8:12-20 – Light of the World”

John 8:1-11 – Sin No More

Read John 8:1-11

Where is the guy? Did you ever wonder where the man was? The last time I checked, adultery involved two people. I think it was part of the teachers’ plot to trick Jesus. After all, the law of Moses would have condemned both the man and the woman. Jesus didn’t respond right away but started drawing in the dust. I’ve always wondered what that was about. Was it his way of ignoring them, to rile them just a bit more before making his declaration? Continue reading “John 8:1-11 – Sin No More”

John 7:37-53 – Make Time

Read John 7:37-53

This is another one of those Bible scenes that I can picture so vividly in my mind. I’m not sure I’ve seen it re-enacted in a film, but you never know. Certainly, I’ve seen the players in similar scenes so I have a visual on what the robed Pharisees might look like, as well as the dress of the people. For me, the visual is an important means by which impressions are made and messages found to reflect on.

As I’ve read through the book of John this time with you, I’ve sensed a different boldness from Jesus than was portrayed in Mark (see my reflections). Here, knowing he has totally confused and amazed the people, he shouts again his invitation to “come and drink” to those who believe. The living water will be given by Jesus when the time is right and those who receive will feel it flow from within. Continue reading “John 7:37-53 – Make Time”