Jesus is described by John as “the true light”. Those “who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” That true light has shined on us, showing us an example of God’s character perfectly reflected, through the gospel message. It is up to us to believe, to “walk in the light, as [Jesus] is in the light”, knowing that we’ve been called out of darkness and given the chance to be God’s children.
Tag Archives: John
Luke 24
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” This is the good news that we have been given, and that we’ve been told to share with everyone around us. The ultimate proof of God’s love, “loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for [Jesus] to be held by it.”
“The Lord is risen indeed!” Let us remember these incredible words, working daily to be more like “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”.
Deuteronomy 8-9, John 20-21
Moses reminds the Israelites that it was God that had cared for them throughout the 40 years in the wilderness. He provided them with food, ensured their clothing didn’t wear out and their feet didn’t swell. He was giving the Israelites the land of Canaan because of the wickedness of the current inhabitants, not the righteousness of the Israelites.
This is a good lesson for us to remember. God hasn’t offered us salvation because of anything we’ve done. We’re constantly cared for and provided for, offered an incredible hope. We are among those “who have not seen and yet have believed” in the work that Christ did in order for us to have this hope. It is up to us to respond to Jesus’ invitation to “follow me”, confident in the grace of God, trusting in His care, reflecting His glory to those around us.
Deuteronomy 6-7, John 19
Moses reminds Israel of the underlying principle of the Law, to love God with one’s whole being. They were told that this principle “shall be on your heart”, represented symbolically on their forehead, hand, doorway and gate. It was to be taught to their children. It would be “righteousness for us”, Moses as well as the rest of the people, to remember this commandment and to live it in their lives.
In John 19 we read of the ultimate embodiment of that commandment, demonstrated perfectly in Jesus’ willing sacrifice. Let’s follow that example, putting God’s principles in our hearts. “God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession” were words said to Israel, and we’ve been given the chance to be a part of that nation.
Ecclesiastes 1, John 17-18
Jesus said that he came into the world “to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate’s response, “What is truth?” is thought provoking. Jesus had just finished explaining the relationship between God, himself and us in a prayer before leaving for the garden of Gethsemane.
Jesus glorified God on earth by doing the work given him from God. He showed God’s name to people, he kept and guarded his disciples, giving them God’s word. As a result, Jesus’ disciples were “not of the world”, loved by God in the same way that God loved Jesus. It was Jesus’ prayer that “the love with which you have loved me may be in them.”
Such a stark contrast to the truth Solomon saw, “All is vanity.” We have a hope, thanks to the love that God showed to Jesus, and Jesus showed to us, something more than vanity, a relationship with God. Even when “all things are full of weariness”, that hope remains. Let us cling to that hope, allowing it to strengthen and motivate us, just as it did for Jesus.
John 15-16
Jesus said “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
What a difference between a servant and a friend. We can be friends of Jesus. He has offered us that privilege, but it comes with a responsibility. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” This is not such an easy thing. Abiding in Jesus’ love marks us as different to the world, and so the world will hate us. But we have further encouragement from Jesus, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”
John 13-14
Jesus washes the disciples feet to teach them about humbleness and service. It is difficult to be proud when washing someone else’s feet, none of us are above serving others. God was glorified in Jesus’ actions, and we are called to do the same, “love one another: just as I have loved you”. This sort of love sets us apart from others, identifies us as disciples of Christ.
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.” We show Jesus’ love to each other by serving each other, but that love also involves belief in Jesus’ words and a genuine response to those words. By doing so, we know that God will love us, “he who loves [Jesus] will be loved by [Jesus’] Father.” That knowledge is a source of peace, a peace different from anything the world can offer. “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Deuteronomy 2, John 12
Moses writes “these 40 years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” Although the Israelites complained numerous times, God was watching over them and keeping them safe until they reached the promised land.
We can be like those Israelites, taking every opportunity to complain, or we can instead be strengthened and encouraged by the knowledge that God is also with us. We lack nothing we need to serve Him.
Jesus came into the world as light, so that whoever believed on him wouldn’t remain in darkness. Let us “believe in the light, that we may become sons of light”, that we might reflect God’s character, knowing He is watching over us.
Proverbs 28, John 11
Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” A difficult thing to hear when your brother has just died, but Jesus was using this tragedy to demonstrate the amazing hope that he offered, despite the personal grief that it caused.
We don’t know whether we’ll still be alive by the time Jesus returns, but we do know that if we believe Jesus words, if we reflect Jesus’ values in our life, then we can have eternal life. Or as Proverbs records, “whoever walks in integrity will be delivered.”
Proverbs 27, John 9-10
“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit”. This natural process reflects a spiritual process. It takes time and effort to maintain a tree and subsequently enjoy the result. Similarly, our spiritual productiveness requires time and effort to maintain and grow.
Jesus could describe himself as the good shepherd, because his actions reflected that idea. Just as a good shepherd is willing to put the safety of the sheep above his own life, so Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself in order to protect the sheep that he led.
It is up to us to be familiar with the voice of the true shepherd, to follow him, for Jesus will give such people eternal life. Maintaining that relationship between sheep and shepherd is like tending a fig tree, it requires a frequent and continual commitment.