That you may believe (Page 2)
The King’s Triumphal Entry
The King’s Triumphal Entry – John’s Gospel chapter 12 verses 9 to 19 A curious crowd & plotting priests Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John…
Extravagant Love
Extravagant Love – John’s Gospel chapter 12, verses 1 to 8 The crazy things we do for those we love. A feast of celebration Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. John 12:1-2 Simon (who had been leper) and Lazarus (who had been dead) were there –…
Lazarus Raised, Jesus Rejected
Lazarus Raised, Jesus Rejected – John’s Gospel chapter 11 verses 45 to 57 Seeing is not always believing Miracles confirm the truth, but don’t always convert people (even raising a man 4 days dead). Some believed in Jesus, that He is God’s Son, the Messiah, but others rejected him. Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them…
Death and the Lord’s Power
Death and the Lord’s Power – John’s Gospel chapter 11 verses 36-45 The God of surprises Over and over God does things in ways that surprise us. “I wouldn’t have done it that way!” “This sickness will not end in death … but that the glory is God may be displayed.” The main subject is the glory is God. The Lord’s reminder We need to see that the main thing is the glory of God Jesus, once more deeply moved,…
Grief and the Lord’s Comfort
Grief and the Lord’s Comfort – John’s Gospel chapter 11 verses 17 to 37 Do you feel the world is broken? Horror and grief surround us, and Christians are not exempt. Yet get this: you have a God who understands and comforts you, and so you can then comfort others. The Lord comforts his own by drawing near to them. 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than…
When God Delays
When God Delays – John’s Gospel chapter 11, verses 1 to 16 “Why isn’t God showing up?” Pain of a particular kind Now a man named Lazarus was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay ill, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is ill.’…
The Jesus You Can Trust
The Jesus You Can Trust – John’s Gospel chapter 10, verses 31-42 The Jesus you can trust. He is the good Shepherd, who gave himself for us, Who can and will keep His promise to keep us safe forever. Why should we trust in Him? A violent response to Jesus’ words. 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these…
Strong Hands
Strong Hands – John’s Gospel chapter 10 verses 22 to 30 3 Scenarios Previously we saw how we become Jesus’ “sheep”. Here we see how we stay being Jesus’ sheep. A question of identity 22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered round him, saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us…
Christ’s Heart for His Sheep
Christ’s heart for his sheep – John’s Gospel chapter 10 verses 1 to 21 An illustration: False versus true shepherds ‘Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. … 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. John…
Believing is Seeing
Believing is Seeing – John’s Gospel, chapter 9, verses 35 to 41 Light – revealing AND blinding Just like car headlights: They reveal much on a dark night, but someone else’s high beam can also blind us. Blindness that sees 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ 36 ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ 37 Jesus…
I Once Was Blind But Now I See
I Once Was Blind But Now I See – John’s Gospel chapter 9, verses 13 to 34 Life can be like the “Pin the tail on the donkey” game. Blind, tornadoed around and hearing many confusing voices. Jesus had just healed a man born blind by making some mud with his spit and putting it on the man’s eyes, but instead of joy and praise there is grumbling and hatred. Religious Formalism 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who…
Suffering and the Works of God
Suffering and the Works of God – John’s Gospel, chapter 9 verses 1 to 12 Suffering is always with us. 3 ways people think about it: The reality of suffering. As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. John 9:1 An even more hopeless case (than the lame man at the pool in chapter 5). He saw a man blind from birth. Jesus knows, feels, understands. Heb 4:14-16He “gets” our suffering. God sends his son, fitted to…