We need Jesus to wash us? – John 13:1-17, Part 4

When Jesus says that unless he washes Peter’s feet, Peter has no part with him, that gets Peter’s attention.  Peter responds a characteristically big way, as we read in John 13, verse 9, “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” A classic overreaction from Peter. Continue reading “We need Jesus to wash us? – John 13:1-17, Part 4”

Should you be more selfish? – John 13:1-17, Part 1

What did you think of that?  Selfishness is good?  As I watched the video there were times I felt confused, thinking that it is true that we are to care for ourselves, but also we are not to be selfish.  I also thought, I wonder how Jesus would respond to the ideas in this video? Continue reading “Should you be more selfish? – John 13:1-17, Part 1”

The abundant life is found in holy disruption – John 12:12-50, Part 5

A crowd of people has just confronted Jesus. They think he is confused. Maybe they think he is wrong. He says the foretold Jewish Messiah will die. The crowd knows their Bible, and the ancient prophecies say the Messiah will live forever. Jesus’ response explains how we you and I can experience the abundant life.Continue reading “The abundant life is found in holy disruption – John 12:12-50, Part 5”

How Jesus’ death brings light – John 12:12-50, Part 4

Jesus has been talking about his death, which he knows is only a few days away. People in the crowd listening to him respond.  They understand that he is talking about his death, but that confuses them.  Look at John 12 verse 34, “The crowd spoke up, ‘We have heard from the Law that theContinue reading “How Jesus’ death brings light – John 12:12-50, Part 4”

How God’s upside-down Kingdom helps us make sense of Jesus’ death – John 12:12-50, Part 3

Jesus is just days from his death. So it’s no surprise that in John 12 verses 27-28 Jesus becomes introspective:  “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Jesus chose toContinue reading “How God’s upside-down Kingdom helps us make sense of Jesus’ death – John 12:12-50, Part 3”

Would you like to know your DOD? – John 12:12-50, Preview

What would you do if you knew the date of your death?  Could you imagine if that data were available to us?  We’re accustomed to putting our DOB on all sorts of forms, but what if we knew our DOD? What would you be thinking and feeling if you knew exactly how much longer you had?Continue reading “Would you like to know your DOD? – John 12:12-50, Preview”

The real choice about Jesus – John 10:22-42, Part 5

The Jewish religious leaders have stones in their hands, ready to launch them at Jesus. They believe they have caught him in the act of sin. As we learned in the previous post, though, Jesus asks them a question, “But what about my miracles? Don’t they prove that I and God the Father are one?”Continue reading “The real choice about Jesus – John 10:22-42, Part 5”

We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5

Now the moment has come.  We’ve been studying John 11 this week, and we’ve observed Jesus talking with his disciples and his friends, Mary and Martha, about their brother Lazarus’ sickness and death. Jesus made the trip to Judea to the town of Bethany to visit that sisters, as Lazarus lay in a grave forContinue reading “We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5”

How Jesus got into a dangerous no-win situation – John 7:53-8:11, Part 2

When I was dating my wife, one day her parents had us over for dinner. Around the table, her father asked me, “So is Michelle wearing on you yet?” Have you ever felt trapped in life? Had people accuse you of something, and there seems to be no good answer? That’s how I felt inContinue reading “How Jesus got into a dangerous no-win situation – John 7:53-8:11, Part 2”

Why The Chosen…and you… don’t really know Jesus like you think you do – John 7:1-52, Preview

How well do you know Jesus?  Pretty well?  Maybe you would say that you know Jesus, but you also admit that you could certainly know him better.  I suspect most Christians would say something like that. I wonder, though, if we met Jesus if he might shock us.  I wonder if our conception of JesusContinue reading “Why The Chosen…and you… don’t really know Jesus like you think you do – John 7:1-52, Preview”