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?

• 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.

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.





.

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.