Within this week’s passage, we find an incredibly challenging statement from Jesus: “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” (John 12:25, NASB). It is understandable when people wrestle with this expectation of being a disciple! As Christ followers, are we supposed to hate prime rib, walks on the beach, weddings, baby showers, and beautiful sunsets? No. That’s not what Jesus is implying.
Read MoreThroughout this week we have been focusing on Jesus as our true Shepherd. Today I want to focus on one particular claim of Jesus. He says in John 10:25-30: “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Read MoreAs I write this, our country and our world are going through a crisis which many thought could never happen. Major events canceled; large gatherings stopped.
In our passage we see religious people doubting the truth about who Jesus is. The main objections came from those who had the most to lose, religious leaders who made pretty good lives for themselves. Jesus boldly proclaimed who He was.
Read MoreThe scene from John 8:1-11 is familiar to many. The Pharisees could care less about socially scorning the woman guilty of adultery. They knew she deserved death (see Leviticus 20:10), so their real ambition that day was to put Jesus to the test. “What do you say we do with her, Jesus?” Letting her live would break the Mosaic Law. Letting her be killed without witnesses testifying in court would break the Roman law. One commentator refers to this scene as a “First Century Private Investigation” set up by the Pharisees.
Read MoreThere are so many character traits we can learn and apply from the life of Jesus. This week’s reading highlighted Jesus’ ability to be confident in the mist of adversity. As you review ways Jesus exuded confidence, think about the same power that lives inside of you.
Read More
