After mysteriously disappearing at the end of John 8, Jesus once again heals a man on the Sabbath, and uses the opportunity to teach his observers a lesson about sin.
Read John 9.
Accusations of sin are flying from every side.
Jesus' disciples accuse the blind man (or his parents) of sinning because of his blindness. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of being sinful because he heals on the Sabbath. The Pharisees accuse the (formerly) blind man of being a sinner because he (1) had been blind and (2) didn't agree with them that Jesus was a sinner.
Jesus sees things differently.
To his disciples, he clarifies that suffering is not necessarily the result of sin. Sometimes, at least, suffering gives God a platform to display His works.
To the healed man and the Pharisees, Jesus explains true blindness and true sin. The blind man may have been physically blind, but his willingness to be healed and his courage in standing up to the Pharisees showed that, spiritually-speaking, he could see. Indeed, the Pharisees were the ones who were truly blind. Their pride - how convinced they were that they could see - was actually what kept them from seeing who Jesus was. Their conviction that they were not sinners was their greatest sin.
May our Christian confession be as simple and profound as this:
"Whether or not he's a sinner, I don't know. One thing I do know: I was blind and now I can see!"
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Give me a heart like the blind man.
Humble enough to receive healing and worship you.
Bold enough to stand up to opposition even though he knew so little about you.
Cleanse my heart from pride.
I confess that I still sin. I am not always right.
Humble me so I may see clearly.
John 8
In John 8, Jesus continues his speech at the temple. As his discourse continues, the tension increases. The pace of this back-and-forth begins slow but grows in intensity, reaching its climax in 8:58.
Place yourself as an observer in the temple crowd and read John 8 with this feverish pace in mind.
The Jews ask a lot of questions in this chapter, but the most important one is in verse 24:
"Who are you?"
Jesus was more than willing to tell them. In fact, Jesus' purpose in this discourse was to testify about his true identity. He iterates that he is...
Jesus,
So often I base my worth on things that are not you.
Please forgive me. Please root out selfishness from me today.
You are the true Son of God.
You are one with Yahweh.
And it brings me joy to confess that!
Thank you for your example of service of the Father.
Thank you for extending to us the opportunity to be children of God.
Place yourself as an observer in the temple crowd and read John 8 with this feverish pace in mind.
The Jews ask a lot of questions in this chapter, but the most important one is in verse 24:
"Who are you?"
Jesus was more than willing to tell them. In fact, Jesus' purpose in this discourse was to testify about his true identity. He iterates that he is...
- Light
- Judge
- Son of God (note how often the word, "Father" is used)
- Revealer of truth
- Guarantor of freedom
- More important than Abraham
- I AM (equating himself with Yahweh, the creator God)
But these weren't the answers they wanted to hear. They wanted to elevate their own identity above Christ's.
They had never been enslaved (8:33). They were Abraham's children (8:39). They were God's children (8:41). How could this Galilean possibly claim to be closer to God than they?!
They were so focused on the question, "Who am I?" that they didn't care to hear an honest answer to their question, "Who are you?".
It's quite easy to vilify the Jews for being so obtuse, but are we so different? Our sense of identity is very important to us, and justifiably so. Our identity is the foundation of our character. From our identity flows our actions, our words, and our perspective on the world around us.
Yet, when we choose to follow Christ, we face an identity crisis. We're confronted with the fact that our achievements, our past, and our genealogy mean nothing. Jesus' identity as Savior, Son of God, supersedes everything we are and everything we've ever done. His identity becomes the foundation of our character.
Let us take time in this Lent season to ask Jesus this question within our souls:
"Who are you?"
And when he answers, "I AM", may we cast praises, not stones.
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
So often I base my worth on things that are not you.
Please forgive me. Please root out selfishness from me today.
You are the true Son of God.
You are one with Yahweh.
And it brings me joy to confess that!
Thank you for your example of service of the Father.
Thank you for extending to us the opportunity to be children of God.
John 7
Even though he was rejected in Galilee, Jesus does not withdraw his claims to divinity. As he turns his journey back to Jerusalem, his family and the Jews (again!) reject him and his message.
Read John 7.
Jesus' presence at the Festival of Tabernacles caused a great deal of confusion among the Jews. Was he the Messiah? If he was the Messiah, why hadn't he yet claimed the throne? Was the Messiah was supposed to come from Bethlehem (7:42)? Were they supposed to know where he came from (7:27).
Or, maybe Jesus was a false prophet. If he was a false prophet, why hadn't the Pharisees arrested him? Were they trying to kill him (7:25) or not (7:20)? Didn't their scripture say that a prophet couldn't come from Galilee (7:52)?
Yet, amongst this confusion, Jesus' purpose and will was sure, grounded in the will of God the Father.
"My teaching isn't mine, but is from the One who sent me." (7:16)
"Yet I did not come on my own, but the One who sent me is true. You don't know Him; I know Him because I am from Him and he sent me" (7:28-29)
He was on the Father's timetable - planning trips to Jerusalem (7:8) and evading imprisonment (7:30,44) based on His sovereign will.
Jesus invites us away from confusion and into the assurance of His will.
"If anyone wants to do His will, he will understand whether the teaching is from God or if I am speaking on my own." (7:17)
"The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of water flowing deep within him." (7:38)
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Life can be so tough.
Questions are everywhere. Even as I study Scripture, I sometimes don't understand.
Doubts creep in, uninvited.
Your confidence is so admirable. I want to copy it!
Align my purpose with Yours.
I want to join you in making my every act and thought honor the Almighty Father.
Use your Spirit, the living water, to enable me to do this.
Read John 7.
Jesus' presence at the Festival of Tabernacles caused a great deal of confusion among the Jews. Was he the Messiah? If he was the Messiah, why hadn't he yet claimed the throne? Was the Messiah was supposed to come from Bethlehem (7:42)? Were they supposed to know where he came from (7:27).
Or, maybe Jesus was a false prophet. If he was a false prophet, why hadn't the Pharisees arrested him? Were they trying to kill him (7:25) or not (7:20)? Didn't their scripture say that a prophet couldn't come from Galilee (7:52)?
Yet, amongst this confusion, Jesus' purpose and will was sure, grounded in the will of God the Father.
"My teaching isn't mine, but is from the One who sent me." (7:16)
"Yet I did not come on my own, but the One who sent me is true. You don't know Him; I know Him because I am from Him and he sent me" (7:28-29)
He was on the Father's timetable - planning trips to Jerusalem (7:8) and evading imprisonment (7:30,44) based on His sovereign will.
Jesus invites us away from confusion and into the assurance of His will.
"If anyone wants to do His will, he will understand whether the teaching is from God or if I am speaking on my own." (7:17)
"The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of water flowing deep within him." (7:38)
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Life can be so tough.
Questions are everywhere. Even as I study Scripture, I sometimes don't understand.
Doubts creep in, uninvited.
Your confidence is so admirable. I want to copy it!
Align my purpose with Yours.
I want to join you in making my every act and thought honor the Almighty Father.
Use your Spirit, the living water, to enable me to do this.
John 6
After being rejected once again by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Jesus heads north to the area surrounding the Sea of Galilee. The reception is positive initially, but Jesus proves their support to be feeble.
Read John 6.
Even though Jesus could tell that the bulk of the crowd was following him because of his "signs" (6:2), he still had the compassion to fulfill their earthly need for food. Their response to this miracle: to try to force him to be the Messiah that they wanted him to be.
But Jesus came to do more than rebel against the Romans and establish a Jewish state. As his sojourn across the Sea of Galilee proved, this God-man had power to do more than establish an earthly kingdom.
When the crowd follows him to the other side of the sea, Jesus attempts to turn their gaze from immediate, earthly priorities to everlasting, spiritual truths. The purpose of food is to sustain man for a while. In fact, the bread that he had miraculously multiplied only the day before had already left their system. How much greater, then, would food be if it never ceased to satisfy?
"I am the bread of life, no one who comes to me will ever be hungry, no one who comes to me will ever be thirsty again." (6:35)
"Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (6:54)
Truly, this wasn't the Messiah they were looking for. Their response?
The people who had grown up with Jesus rejected him (6:42-43). Many of his disciples withdrew and walked away from the Savior (6:66).
Turning the lens back to ourselves:
What is the nature of your belief in Jesus? Are you following him because of the earthly blessing he has provided? Have you put Jesus in a "box", constraining what he can and cannot do on the basis of your own wisdom? As you come across difficult teachings in Scripture, do you "grumble" and question God (like some of his disciples) or do you instead doubt your own wisdom?
As the body of Cornerstone Church, may our testimony join in with Simon Peter's:
"Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God!" (6:68-69)
Starter Prayer:
Merciful Jesus,
I consider myself so wise.
But my eyes and my mind - they are so limited in their vision.
I am prone to grasping onto things which will increase my comfort on this earth.
Yet, you offer eternal peace and security.
You alone satisfy.
Today, when I'm hungry, turn my mind to you.
Today, when I'm thirsty, set my heart on you.
Thank you for choosing me.
Thank you for giving me life.
The chance to know you and believe is my greatest joy!
Read John 6.
Even though Jesus could tell that the bulk of the crowd was following him because of his "signs" (6:2), he still had the compassion to fulfill their earthly need for food. Their response to this miracle: to try to force him to be the Messiah that they wanted him to be.
But Jesus came to do more than rebel against the Romans and establish a Jewish state. As his sojourn across the Sea of Galilee proved, this God-man had power to do more than establish an earthly kingdom.
When the crowd follows him to the other side of the sea, Jesus attempts to turn their gaze from immediate, earthly priorities to everlasting, spiritual truths. The purpose of food is to sustain man for a while. In fact, the bread that he had miraculously multiplied only the day before had already left their system. How much greater, then, would food be if it never ceased to satisfy?
"I am the bread of life, no one who comes to me will ever be hungry, no one who comes to me will ever be thirsty again." (6:35)
"Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (6:54)
Truly, this wasn't the Messiah they were looking for. Their response?
The people who had grown up with Jesus rejected him (6:42-43). Many of his disciples withdrew and walked away from the Savior (6:66).
Turning the lens back to ourselves:
What is the nature of your belief in Jesus? Are you following him because of the earthly blessing he has provided? Have you put Jesus in a "box", constraining what he can and cannot do on the basis of your own wisdom? As you come across difficult teachings in Scripture, do you "grumble" and question God (like some of his disciples) or do you instead doubt your own wisdom?
As the body of Cornerstone Church, may our testimony join in with Simon Peter's:
"Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God!" (6:68-69)
Starter Prayer:
Merciful Jesus,
I consider myself so wise.
But my eyes and my mind - they are so limited in their vision.
I am prone to grasping onto things which will increase my comfort on this earth.
Yet, you offer eternal peace and security.
You alone satisfy.
Today, when I'm hungry, turn my mind to you.
Today, when I'm thirsty, set my heart on you.
Thank you for choosing me.
Thank you for giving me life.
The chance to know you and believe is my greatest joy!
John 5
If there is one verse that summarizes our attempt to zoom in on Jesus in this Lent season, John 5:39 is a worthy candidate.
"You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about me."
Read John 5.
In Jesus' return to Jerusalem, he proclaims his identity more boldly than before. By his actions and words, he stakes his claim to positions thought by the Jews to be reserved solely for God the Father.
"You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about me."
Read John 5.
In Jesus' return to Jerusalem, he proclaims his identity more boldly than before. By his actions and words, he stakes his claim to positions thought by the Jews to be reserved solely for God the Father.
- Healer
- Lord of the Sabbath
- Son of God
- Judge
- Giver of Life
In John 5:19-46, Jesus describes in detail the relationship he has with his Father. These verses serve both to testify about Jesus divinity and to inspire awe in us as we see the inner workings of the perfect, harmonious relationship between Son and Father.
Jesus' role as the Son is to do his Father's will, not his own. He is given the authority to judge so that people will honor both the Son and Father. He proclaims the Word so that any who hear and believe may be saved. He brings life from death. He does not accept glory from man, but acts in every way to bring glory to the Father.
The Father's role is to love His Son. He gives His Son the ability to execute His will to perfection. He gives his Son the ability to bring life from death. He gives glory to His Son and accepts the glory which His Son brings Him.
What attribute of the Son strikes you most in this passage? What about the Father? What can we learn from the harmony of the relationship between Father and Son? How can this newfound knowledge change your heart today?
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
You are so selfless in your service of the Father. Thank you for your example!
While I clamor to receive glory from mere man, you cast such glory aside as nothing.
Your purpose is right. Mine is misguided.
Your mission is to glorify the Father, and you could have done it without us.
You could have existed from eternity to eternity in perfect relationship with Father and Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Jesus, for grafting me in when you didn't have to!
Thank you, true God, for saving me even though it cost you so much!
Align my mission with yours today and forever.
John 4
In John 3, Jesus interacts with Nicodemus - a Pharisee, a ruler, a Jew. Here, in John 4, Jesus interacts with the "woman at the well" - a divorcee, a peasant, a Samaritan.
Read John 4.
Even though "salvation comes from the Jews" (John 4:22), Jesus faces political pressure from these Jews and escapes to the home turf of the hated Samaritans (John 4:1-4). The Jews' contempt for the Samaritans was due to a few factors.
Read John 4.
Even though "salvation comes from the Jews" (John 4:22), Jesus faces political pressure from these Jews and escapes to the home turf of the hated Samaritans (John 4:1-4). The Jews' contempt for the Samaritans was due to a few factors.
- Mixed Blood (Samaritans were Jews who had intermarried with Gentiles)
- Heretical Beliefs (Samaritans believed only the first five books of Scripture were truly sacred)
- Different "Holy" places of worship (John 4:19)
Jesus is unfazed by the cultural norms he is breaking. Truly, the main character (the woman), the backstory (Jew-Samaritan tension), the setting (Jacob's well), and the other characters (the townspeople, the disciples) provide the opportunity for an intricate object lesson that only God himself could orchestrate with such perfection.
First, the woman. Jesus knows of all her sins but is still eager to offer the "living water" of eternal life. He doesn't care who she has married (Mixed Blood). He desires true belief. He doesn't care about what she's believed about Scripture in the past (Heretical Beliefs). He wants her to know that He is the Messiah, the fulfillment of Scripture. He doesn't care which mountain is considered holy (Different places of worship). He desires that they worship a God not limited by space with hearts full of spirit and truth.
Next, the disciples come just as the woman leaves. They get to hear Jesus' claim to be "I AM" and see him with a peasant Samaritan divorcee. Jesus is eager to offer them the "food" of doing God's will - to join him in the harvest...
...and this harvest is on their way to Jesus as he speaks - the Samaritan townspeople. These people were indeed "ripe for the harvest" and "many believed"!
Turning the lens from the narrative back onto our lives in this Lent season...
In our relationships with others - What cultural/political/religious differences keep us from focusing on what really matters? Let us not be like the Jews of Jesus' time, whose pride kept them from extending God's salvation to ALL who will believe!
In our relationship with Jesus - Are there hiding sins that you need to confess? Or, alternatively, are you feeling lingering guilt about sins already confessed? We know in theory that Jesus knows and forgives all our sins, but do we know it in practice?
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
I have a choice today to be proud or humble.
Help me to look upon you and also upon my sin.
Help me to see the chasm between the condemnation I deserve and the forgiveness you offer.
May I appreciate your grace even more.
Thank you for giving me the living water!
Help me to look upon my fellow man with love and compassion, not judgment.
Help me to offer him the forgiveness you've offered me.
May my extension of grace lead him to You.
John 3
The following take on John 3 comes from an international student who recently came to Christ. Enjoy!
Read John 3.
Growing up in China I’ve definitely HEARD about Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity, but did I LISTEN? No. I was convinced that there was no God and living in a life that was full of myself; I was always THE troublemaker at school, I believed that it was MY life so nobody had any right to tell me what to do, I was lost and blind. Amazingly, things started to change after I graduated from high school, realizing I was never in control of anything made me want to seek the purpose of life.
Read John 3.
Growing up in China I’ve definitely HEARD about Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity, but did I LISTEN? No. I was convinced that there was no God and living in a life that was full of myself; I was always THE troublemaker at school, I believed that it was MY life so nobody had any right to tell me what to do, I was lost and blind. Amazingly, things started to change after I graduated from high school, realizing I was never in control of anything made me want to seek the purpose of life.
Jesus said: “No one can enter the kingdom
of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying,
‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its
sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with
everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8)
Looking back, Jesus was the only explanation for why my life turned
around. About a year and a half later I came to the
United States to get my Bachelor's degree, around the same time I joined Salt Company and IFC. One night, my friend Jessica and I were driving back to
town after Salt, “I believe God sent you the way here for a reason”, she said to me. For the first time I asked myself –
Is Jesus THE reason? About six months later, I was praying in
tears on a flight from Washington D.C. to Des Moines, after a long and exhausting
trip, because I knew the shooting star I just saw on the airplane, so clear and
close, was Jesus comforting me.
“I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12)
“I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12)
I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be, when He looks at us, the
people he so loved that it even cost him his life, asking the same question Nicodemus
asked – “How can this be?” This can be because He is God, and He loves us, even
when we turn our backs on him. God created light so we wouldn’t have to walk in
darkness; then when we were blinded by our sin, He gave his only son Jesus to
us, so Jesus could be THE LIGHT, so we can find the way back to him.
Starter Prayer:
Lord, there were countless times throughout the years that I would claim I trusted you, yet I found my heart asking "How can this be?” After all you have done, after all you have shown me.
Lord, your love and mercy are the light of the world, the light of my world. Please help me to fix my eyes on you and only you.
Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done though God.
For you must become greater, I must become less, please make me a humble servant of yours, that when I give my testimony to the world, the world would easily understand it is all about you and your glory.
Lord, You are the truth. I want to follow you with all my heart because that’s where the light is. Please protect me and guide me away from evil deeds, till one day I can see you face to face and be by your side eternally.
Amen.
Starter Prayer:
Lord, there were countless times throughout the years that I would claim I trusted you, yet I found my heart asking "How can this be?” After all you have done, after all you have shown me.
Lord, your love and mercy are the light of the world, the light of my world. Please help me to fix my eyes on you and only you.
Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done though God.
For you must become greater, I must become less, please make me a humble servant of yours, that when I give my testimony to the world, the world would easily understand it is all about you and your glory.
Lord, You are the truth. I want to follow you with all my heart because that’s where the light is. Please protect me and guide me away from evil deeds, till one day I can see you face to face and be by your side eternally.
Amen.
John 2
The purpose of reading the book of John in this Lent season is to focus on the life and death of Jesus Christ. In chapter 2, John uses his narrative of Jesus' life to focus forward to the cross and focus inward on the condition of the human heart.
Read John 2.
Did you catch the allusions to Jesus' death and resurrection?
Read John 2.
Did you catch the allusions to Jesus' death and resurrection?
- John 2:1 - "On the third day"
- John 2:1-12 - A wedding feast (Compare Matthew 26:29 and Revelation 19:9)
- John 2:20-21 - Raising the "temple" in three days
Even in the beginning of His ministry, Jesus' eyes were honed in on the cross. Should not our eyes be engrained with the same image? How could my life be different in this Lent season if the cross were at the center of my field of vision rather than tucked neatly in the back of my mind?
In John 2:23-25, Jesus is hesitant to entrust himself to those who "believed" after they saw him perform great signs. Elsewhere, Jesus makes it clear that eternal life awaits all who truly believe (John 3:16, John 5:24), so why the hesitation here? When these people saw Jesus, did they see an opportunity to ride his coattails to earthly gain? Were they merely spectators, willing to agree with what Jesus was doing but unwilling to enter in? Did he know that some of these people who "believed" would, in just 3 short years, be chanting, "Crucify him!"?
Take time today to consider the nature of your belief in Christ. What do you believe about Him? Why do you believe? What are the results of your belief? The crowd of John 2 may have seen Jesus, but he knew them. He knows us, too. May our desires converge with his.
Take time today to consider the nature of your belief in Christ. What do you believe about Him? Why do you believe? What are the results of your belief? The crowd of John 2 may have seen Jesus, but he knew them. He knows us, too. May our desires converge with his.
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Interrupt my day with thoughts of your cross.
Make me aware of the true gravity of your work.
I want to feel that weight, that I may appreciate you all the more.
Let me see the cross clearly even if it means my other "priorities" become blurred.
You know me.
When you see into my heart, may I be different than other men!
May my motives be pure, my words bold, and my heart set on you.
John 1
Is Jesus really the Son of God? This question has lingered in the minds of humans since Jesus lived and died almost 2000 years ago - and with good reason. It is perhaps the most important question we must grapple with in our lifetime. The stakes are high.
The Apostle John provides his answer to this question as soon as his pen hits papyrus.
Instead of starting with Jesus in-the-flesh as the other gospels do, John takes the reader all the way back to the beginning of the universe (the similarity between John 1:1-5 and Genesis 1 is striking). This "Word" was with God at creation, and was indeed God. This "Light" enlightens mankind and reveals the Father to the world. Only after holding his place beside the Father for eternity did this Jesus become flesh. This is where John's narrative begins.
Read John 1 and record the responses of those who come into contact with the Jesus. May their belief encourage our faith today. Is Jesus really the Son of God? YES!
Starter Prayer:
Jesus, I confess that I lose sight of you often.
The distractions of my day keep me from testifying that you are the Son of God with my actions, words, and deeds.
Instead, may I be more like John the Baptist who said, "I am but a voice in the wilderness", but, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!".
Instead, may I be more like Andrew and Peter who but looked at You and followed.
Instead, may I be more like Philip who immediately testified to his friend that he had found You.
Instead, may I be more like Nathanael who said, "You are the Son of God".
Thank you for giving me the right to be loved by the Father.
Amen.
.
The Apostle John provides his answer to this question as soon as his pen hits papyrus.
Instead of starting with Jesus in-the-flesh as the other gospels do, John takes the reader all the way back to the beginning of the universe (the similarity between John 1:1-5 and Genesis 1 is striking). This "Word" was with God at creation, and was indeed God. This "Light" enlightens mankind and reveals the Father to the world. Only after holding his place beside the Father for eternity did this Jesus become flesh. This is where John's narrative begins.
Read John 1 and record the responses of those who come into contact with the Jesus. May their belief encourage our faith today. Is Jesus really the Son of God? YES!
Starter Prayer:
Jesus, I confess that I lose sight of you often.
The distractions of my day keep me from testifying that you are the Son of God with my actions, words, and deeds.
Instead, may I be more like John the Baptist who said, "I am but a voice in the wilderness", but, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!".
Instead, may I be more like Andrew and Peter who but looked at You and followed.
Instead, may I be more like Philip who immediately testified to his friend that he had found You.
Instead, may I be more like Nathanael who said, "You are the Son of God".
Thank you for giving me the right to be loved by the Father.
Amen.
.
Why the Gospel of John? (Part 2)
There is an intriguing passage in the first chapter of John...
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.How could people not recognize Jesus? Seriously? Even His own people?
Think about this one. Was it because they had a preconceived idea of who and what Jesus would be? Did Jesus not fit their expectations? Wait, there's more. Not only did they NOT recognize Him, they REJECTED him! It went from a passive indifference to an outright thumbs-down, a pushing away.
Hmm. Have you ever done that? Have you ever considered that your expectations of Jesus might be very different than the real deal?
Ask God to introduce Jesus to you through the book of John. Not the Jesus of your expectations, but the Jesus who is. As the pages of John unfold, choose to believe - even if you discover that you're meeting Jesus for the very first time. Only God can do that...and He is eager to do so!
Starter Prayer...
Lord Jesus, I am quite sure that I have believed things to be true about You that aren't really true at all. I need You to help me. I need to know You as You truly are. I know that I am incapable of figuring You out on my own - I've proven that! So please change my mind, my heart, my soul. I'm eager to know the real You!
Amen.
Why the Gospel of John?
As Jesus neared the cross, He looked up to heaven and spoke these words to His Father:
Maybe this is your first time reading the story of Jesus found in John. Maybe this is your hundredth. (Maybe it is somewhere in-between). Take your time. Soak in the words. Let your imagination follow the story that unfolds.
We will begin with John chapter 1 on Monday.
But for today, ask God to open your eyes. Practice slow, purposeful reading by meditating on just the first five verses of John. What is John telling you about Jesus? Read them here.
Starter Prayer...
Lord, I have become too familiar with Jesus.
I have grown accustomed to His story.
My heart is not enamored with Him the way that it once was.
My curiosity to know more has waned.
Change that in me in these days.
May I find a new and deeper knowledge of Jesus
that leads me to profound love and passionate worship.
Amen
"This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent--Jesus Christ." (John 17:3)And later John tells his readers the purpose for his book:
"But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)Lent affords us the opportunity to focus our attention on Jesus. His incarnation (becoming like us) was an integral part of the Plan to bring us from life to death. In Jesus we see Life as it was meant to be. We see the Source of Life giving life. We see Life offering His life so that we might live.
Maybe this is your first time reading the story of Jesus found in John. Maybe this is your hundredth. (Maybe it is somewhere in-between). Take your time. Soak in the words. Let your imagination follow the story that unfolds.
We will begin with John chapter 1 on Monday.
But for today, ask God to open your eyes. Practice slow, purposeful reading by meditating on just the first five verses of John. What is John telling you about Jesus? Read them here.
Starter Prayer...
Lord, I have become too familiar with Jesus.
I have grown accustomed to His story.
My heart is not enamored with Him the way that it once was.
My curiosity to know more has waned.
Change that in me in these days.
May I find a new and deeper knowledge of Jesus
that leads me to profound love and passionate worship.
Amen
Ash Wednesday
Why ashes to inaugurate the season of Lent? It is a sign of repentance. In the ancient tradition, the ashes of palm trees were applied to the forehead of worshipers to foster a spirit of humility and sacrifice before God. (Esther 4:1, Job 30:19)
For us, Ash Wednesday begins a time of preparation during which Christ-followers remember and reflect on the death of Jesus Christ for all. But it is not a time of somber reflection only. It is a time for renewal - a recalibration - a time to realign our lives with God's will for us.
In this Lent season we will be traveling through the gospel of John followed by the Passion Week accounts as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. True knowledge and true heart change begin with knowing who Jesus is. We will find Him in these pages. Amidst busy schedules, and even your other Bible reading plans, please join us in seeking Him together. (Posts will occur each weekday, Monday through Friday)
The liturgical calendar in the Book of Common Prayer directs worshipers to Joel 2:12-13 on Ash Wednesday:
“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to Me with all your heart,with fasting, weeping, and mourning.Tear your hearts,not just your clothes,and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.”
What can you fast from in order to fully return and draw nearer to God in this season? What obstacles can you remove from your daily life that separate your heart from the knowledge of God? Make a plan. Invite accountability. Be changed.
May we, Cornerstone Church, as a unified body, trade our sin and our distractions for a deeper knowledge of Jesus.
Fasting is feasting.
Starter Prayer...
Lord, align our hearts with Yours. Use these days to purify us. Bring us knowledge of our sin and the boldness to repent. Open our eyes to see what You see. We need You.
Amen
For us, Ash Wednesday begins a time of preparation during which Christ-followers remember and reflect on the death of Jesus Christ for all. But it is not a time of somber reflection only. It is a time for renewal - a recalibration - a time to realign our lives with God's will for us.
In this Lent season we will be traveling through the gospel of John followed by the Passion Week accounts as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. True knowledge and true heart change begin with knowing who Jesus is. We will find Him in these pages. Amidst busy schedules, and even your other Bible reading plans, please join us in seeking Him together. (Posts will occur each weekday, Monday through Friday)
The liturgical calendar in the Book of Common Prayer directs worshipers to Joel 2:12-13 on Ash Wednesday:
“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to Me with all your heart,with fasting, weeping, and mourning.Tear your hearts,not just your clothes,and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.”
What can you fast from in order to fully return and draw nearer to God in this season? What obstacles can you remove from your daily life that separate your heart from the knowledge of God? Make a plan. Invite accountability. Be changed.
May we, Cornerstone Church, as a unified body, trade our sin and our distractions for a deeper knowledge of Jesus.
Fasting is feasting.
Starter Prayer...
Lord, align our hearts with Yours. Use these days to purify us. Bring us knowledge of our sin and the boldness to repent. Open our eyes to see what You see. We need You.
Amen
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