The House You're Building

        Orient  John 14:1-31 Jesus continues His teaching in the Upper Room, giving His followers perspective before His imminent arrest and trial.  This section is considered a farewell discourse as Jesus gives final thoughts and his followers respond in sorrowful questions, not knowing what will happen.  Important teaching about the Holy Spirit is found in this section and can be regarded as a key passage detailing His unique work and personhood within the Trinity.       Introduction Bread broken and wine poured.  The One who cleaned their feet reclines with them at the table.   Judas the betrayer has just gone out to gather soldiers and a guard to assist the Pharisees to arrest Jesus.  Peter, who proclaimed He would never betray Him, is told this very night he would deny Christ 3 times.  Yet Jesus continues to teach and comfort His closest followers knowing that hours from th...

Orient  John 11:1-57 Today’s narrative highlights Jesus healing of a dear friend, not a stranger.     What makes this story unique is that Jesus intentionally allows His friend Lazarus to die so He could show His resurrection power.     Previous in John, Jesus has stated that some suffering is allowed to glorify God, which seems to be the case here.     Themes from chapter nine emerge again using day as a symbol of the opportunity to do the work of God and the looming threat of death as Jesus returns to Jerusalem.     Highlighted in this section is the emotion and intention of God regarding His intervention in the events in our lives as well as the response of the people we see to this great miracle of resurrection.     At the end, we read about a prophecy from the high priest regarding the sufficiency of the pending sacrifice of Jesus for His people. This chapter ends the first major section of John, where signs are used to validat...

        Orient  John 10:1-21 Following restoring the blind man’s vision, Jesus begins a well-known discourse of spiritual leadership.  As the Pharisees had just shown themselves foolish leaders, Jesus teaches about His spiritual guidance through the metaphor of door and shepherd, contrasting Himself against the religious rulers.  Theological elements include His cross and resurrection, as well as His sacrifice bringing in Gentiles to faith.  As we’ve seen as a pattern to Jesus’ teaching, His discourse ends with division among the rulers.     Introduction Recently our family introduced a rescue-cat into our home.  Our other pet is a mild-mannered senior Weimi.  She’s lived with cats before and thinks that every visitor, human or otherwise, is part of her pack.  Last time we brought in an adult cat, they were friends in weeks, even snuggling together on the bathroom rug.  This exp...

        Orient Our first section comes from the prologue, the place where John introduces major themes we will read throughout the book, light, life, belief, rejection, and witness.    The style is poetic and meant to draw imagery from the book of Genesis.    Introduction Before time began was Jesus.    The Word, the Light, the life of men.    John the Baptizer bore witness than the Creator of all things was coming.    Those who trust in Him are adopted into the family of God.    Let these first few verses of John tune you into the majesty of Christ and gratitude for His arrival.      Opening Prayer Jesus show me today more of who you are; let me behold your glory and power in a fresh way.    You are my true light.    I come to you for life, use your word to renew me as I spend time with you.    Amen.    Meditation Read and reread the following passage, ...