Three things Jesus’ disciples saw when they observed him – John 2:1-11, Part 4

What do you see when you see Jesus? When you read the stories about his life, or maybe watch a dramatic presentation of the Gospels, what do you notice about Jesus? Perhaps the best place to get information about Jesus is from the people who were eyewitnesses of his life. His disciples walked with JesusContinue reading “Three things Jesus’ disciples saw when they observed him – John 2:1-11, Part 4”

The how, when and who of Jesus’ miracle changing water into wine – John 2:1-11, Part 3

How did Jesus change the water into wine? When did he do it? Who saw it? Let’s try to find out.  Look at John 2, verses 6-10. The details in the Gospel of John are somewhat scant, aren’t they? Jesus follows his mom’s lead, tells the servants to fill some large jars with water andContinue reading “The how, when and who of Jesus’ miracle changing water into wine – John 2:1-11, Part 3”

Who Jesus and his followers might look like if they would have lived today – John 2:1-11, Part 1

Have you ever wondered what Jesus might look like if he would have been born into our day and age? Imagine what he might have been if Jesus were an American in 2022. Then ask yourself, what would his disciples be like? What would their jobs be? There are so many kinds of people inContinue reading “Who Jesus and his followers might look like if they would have lived today – John 2:1-11, Part 1”

How to experience greater things – John 1:43-51, Part 5

Last week my family awoke to the amazing sight of a couple dozen hot air balloons lifting off at sunrise, just across the fields near our home. As you can see in the picture above, they flew low right over our home. I took the photo from my front porch, so what you are seeingContinue reading “How to experience greater things – John 1:43-51, Part 5”

The importance of imitation to discipleship – John 1:43-51, Part 4

As we learned in the previous post, a man named Philip gives his friend Nathanael news that he, Philip, has found the Messiah, the promised deliverer of Israel, in the person of Jesus from the town of Nazareth. Nathanael rolls his eyes and says sarcastically, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip, who had onlyContinue reading “The importance of imitation to discipleship – John 1:43-51, Part 4”

What Jesus sees when he sees you – John 1:43-51, Part 3

If someone said, “I see potential in you,” would you believe them? Do you have a positive view of yourself? Or a negative one? Maybe you are just feeling that blase feeling so many of us have being feeling since the Covid pandemic and amid the turmoil in our world. Do you feel stuck? ReadContinue reading “What Jesus sees when he sees you – John 1:43-51, Part 3”

The second words of discipleship – John 1:43-51, Part 2

In our blog series last week, we learned the first important phrase Jesus demonstrates in the process of helping men become his disciples. That first phrase was “Come and see.” You can read about it in this post. Today we learn the second important phrase Jesus uses. In verse 43, we read that Jesus decidesContinue reading “The second words of discipleship – John 1:43-51, Part 2”

The important words Jesus says to his disciples on Day 2 – John 1:43-51, Preview

This past Sunday, I had a situation occur that has been quite rare in all my years of preaching.  I only made it halfway through my sermon.  As I did some final tweaking to the sermon early Sunday morning, I knew it was on the longer side, but I still thought there was going toContinue reading “The important words Jesus says to his disciples on Day 2 – John 1:43-51, Preview”

How to learn Jesus’ nickname for you – John 1:35-42, Part 5

Do you have a nickname? Did you have one growing up? Often nicknames are just variations of our actual name. Sometimes they are very…well…odd. “Bear.” “Peanut.” I used to call my daughter, “Girl Head Bean,” which was the weirdest of about ten other nicknames I’ve called her over the years. Like most nicknames, hers areContinue reading “How to learn Jesus’ nickname for you – John 1:35-42, Part 5”

What it means that the disciples found the Messiah – John 1:35-42, Part 4

Jumping back into the story of Jesus’ first interaction with his disciples, in John 1:35-42, we met two men who were already disciples of John the Baptist. John the Baptist points out Jesus, and the two men start following Jesus. Jesus, it seems, catches them in the act, saying to them, “What do you want?”Continue reading “What it means that the disciples found the Messiah – John 1:35-42, Part 4”