Jesus makes what must have seemed to his disciples to be an odd choice. After quitting his fledgling, but successful, baptism ministry in Judea, because he wants to keep out of the watchful eye of the enemy, namely, the Pharisees, he decides to travel right into different enemy territory. Jesus goes to Samaria. In thatContinue reading “Why Jesus walked straight into enemy territory – John 4:1-26, Part 2”
Tag Archives: Gospel of John
That time someone said, “You’re not ready” about my church’s worship service – John 4:1-26, Part 1
A few years ago, a community family visited Faith Church, and after that visit they told me they would not be returning because in their words, “You’re not ready.” They weren’t saying I personally wasn’t ready. They were saying that Faith Church wasn’t ready. Not ready? What were they saying? By declaring that Faith ChurchContinue reading “That time someone said, “You’re not ready” about my church’s worship service – John 4:1-26, Part 1″
The greatest worship experience of my life wasn’t in a church? – John 4:1-26, Preview
Bono, the lead singer of my favorite band, U2, recently came out with a memoir (which Michelle already ordered for me, and which I am excited to read!). In the meantime, I’ve been reading articles reviewing the book, reading interviews with Bono, and watching videos of him talking about the book on news and talksContinue reading “The greatest worship experience of my life wasn’t in a church? – John 4:1-26, Preview”
What I learned about God’s wrath – John 3:22-36, Part 5
If you’ve been a Christian for a few months, and during that time you’ve attended worship services at a church, my guess is that you’ve heard songs that mention God’s wrath. The song, “In Christ Alone,” says “the wrath of God was satisfied” when Jesus died on the cross. And “The Battle Hymn of theContinue reading “What I learned about God’s wrath – John 3:22-36, Part 5”
Jesus has surprise gift for you – John 3:22-36, Part 4
I’ll never forget when our friends surprised Michelle and me on our 40th birthdays. Our birthdays are only a month and a half apart, and we were both turning 40 that year, so I friends threw us a surprise dance party. Even as we were walking around the corner and into the front door ofContinue reading “Jesus has surprise gift for you – John 3:22-36, Part 4”
The important difference between Tom Brady and John the Baptist – John 3:22-36, Part 3
At 45 years old, it is astounding that NFL superstar and living legend, Tom Brady is still playing professional football at the highest level. Just last year (2021), also in his 40s, he was a Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the 7th time. As I write this in fall of 2022, though, Brady seems to beContinue reading “The important difference between Tom Brady and John the Baptist – John 3:22-36, Part 3”
When Jesus and John the Baptist had competing ministries – John 3:22-36, Part 2
As Jesus’ ministry was getting underway, we learn in John 3:23 that John the Baptist’s ministry was still going strong too. John hadn’t stopped his ministry just because Jesus was now on the scene. How much time had passed since John baptized Jesus in John 1? If you scan through the days mentioned in JohnContinue reading “When Jesus and John the Baptist had competing ministries – John 3:22-36, Part 2”
Why Jesus didn’t baptize – John 3:22-36, Part 1
If you walk around many institutions of higher learning or hospitals, you’ll see all sorts of plaques on walls noting who gave money to help build a building. Sometimes the names are in the titles of the building. Sometimes there are brick walkways, where each brick has names engraved, names of people who gave money. Continue reading “Why Jesus didn’t baptize – John 3:22-36, Part 1”
Can an ad campaign help Jesus’ image – John 3:22-36, Preview
Have you seen the advertising campaign with the slogan “He Gets Us”? The campaign has been on television, online and on billboards for most of the past year. It’s a catchy slogan with high quality black and white images, and compelling stories. Do you know what company it is advertising? It’s not Nike…as their sloganContinue reading “Can an ad campaign help Jesus’ image – John 3:22-36, Preview”
How you live shows what you believe – John 3:1-21, Part 5
I recently read a book about Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who betrayed his oath and sold top secret info to Russia. The author researched and described the in-depth, many years long process FBI agents went through to identify and catch Hanssen. Does reading that book make me a spy-catcher now? No. In the sameContinue reading “How you live shows what you believe – John 3:1-21, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 