Category: John

Read John 3:9-21

Today’s reading is a continuation of the scene from my last reflection. Jesus is hanging out with Nicodemus and has just rocked Nic’s world. There is a huge difference between having head knowledge and having faith. Nicodemus was a smart man who knew his Scriptures. Jesus knew that without a doubt. But Nicodemus was having a hard time assimilating all that knowledge into an understanding of what Jesus was trying to say.

Imagine if someone came along who told you that the sky was not blue, it was purple. For your whole life, you had believed it to be blue, read about blue sky and white clouds. How could it really be purple? Now that is a silly example, but it helps us understand how Nicodemus was having a hard time here. Jesus was talking about things of heaven, brand new truth.  Continue reading “John 3:9-21 – God Loves”

Read John 2:23-3:8

Jesus has really made a splash in Jerusalem. While we don’t hear specifically about the miraculous signs he’s done, the people are paying attention. However, Jesus knows the human heart and how fickle it can be. He knows that selfish ambitions drive most humans. So, he is not going to let his guard down and trust their apparent allegiance.

He does have an evening visitor, Nicodemus. This wasn’t just anybody, this was a Jewish religious leader, a Pharisee. These leaders were curious yet threatened by Jesus because he was an anomaly. Nicodemus saw the truth and realized Jesus was sent by God to teach. Imagine his surprise when Jesus told him unless he was born again he would never see the Kingdom of God. Continue reading “John 2:23-3:8 – Born Again”

Read John 2:13-22

We aren’t told when this story happens other than it is near the time of the Jewish Passover. Many times we’ll hear, “the next day,” but here we don’t. This could be a story inserted from any of the Passovers that Jesus celebrated with his disciples. In the other gospels, this story appears near the end of Jesus’ ministry. In John, however, it is one of the first stories. Watch the scene HERE.

We see Jesus angry. He has visited the temple, “his Father’s house,” and found it to be a marketplace. He was overcome with emotion. His humanity was clear. He couldn’t control his anger. Instead of stuffing it inside and putting on a happy face, Jesus let loose. There was no question of his displeasure. I’m sure his disciples stood by wide-eyed, their mouths gaping just a bit.

Continue reading “John 2:13-22 – The Temple”

Read John 2:1-12

The gospel of Mark also tells of this wedding feast in Cana. For a bit of history, a wedding celebration in Jesus’ day could last for a week. That helps me understand how gallons of wine could be needed. I have always liked this story because while it was the kick off of Jesus’ ministry, it reminds us how human Jesus actually was. He even talked back to his mom just a little bit.

As we’re meeting Jesus for the first time in John, we’ve seen him encounter his first disciples. Now he and his new friends are attending a wedding feast with his mother. Mary must have been so delighted to have her son and his friends with her. What mother doesn’t like to spend time with her children and show them off in public. Even if they are grown. Especially if they are grown.  Continue reading “John 2:1-12 – The Wedding in Cana”

Read John 1:43-51

To be called on by Jesus, what an honor. Did Philip even understand how huge this was? Close your eyes for a moment and imagine Jesus saying to you, “Follow me.” I think we can all follow a little closer than we already are. Some of us might be following for the first time, like Philip.

What was Philip’s reaction? He, like Andrew, knew he had to tell someone. He found Nathanael.  While Philip was all in for Jesus, the mere fact that Jesus was from Nazareth made Nathanael a skeptic. But Philip wanted his friend to see for himself, “Come and see,” was his request. Nathanael was pleasantly surprised because Jesus recognized him as an honest man. Continue reading “John 1:43-51 – Follow Me”