A boy is standing right in front of Jesus, and the boy has a packed lunch of five small loaves of bread and two small fish. He looks across the hillside and sees the crowd of hungry people that, like him, have come to experience the miracle-worker. How is it possible that he, a boy,Continue reading “The real purpose of Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 – John 6:1-21, Part 3”
Tag Archives: miracle
What will Jesus do when a hungry crowd is following him? – John 6:1-21, Part 2
We Americans tend to default to thinking that bigger is better. But is bigger always better? No. Not always. “More people, more problems,” as the saying goes. On a mountainside in Galilee, Jesus has a problem…well…5,000+ problems, and he asks his disciples what they should do about it. What I am referring to is oneContinue reading “What will Jesus do when a hungry crowd is following him? – John 6:1-21, Part 2”
Has fear kept you quiet about God – John 4:43-5:15, Part 4
In the previous post, we studied John 5:1-6, the story of Jesus’ in Jerusalem, asking a hurting man if he wants to be healed. What does the man want? We find out in verses 7-9. “’Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘“’I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. WhileContinue reading “Has fear kept you quiet about God – John 4:43-5:15, Part 4”
The important reason Jesus asked permission before healing a man – John 4:43-5:15, Part 3
In Tribe, Sebastian Junger points out that in our nation’s history, there were plenty of English people who for one reason or another became part of Native American tribes. What might be shocking is to learn that when English people acclimated to tribal life, they almost never wanted to go back to colonial life. EvenContinue reading “The important reason Jesus asked permission before healing a man – John 4:43-5:15, Part 3”
Did Jesus really do miracles? – John 3:1-21, Part 2
In the previous post, we met a new character in the Gospel of John. The powerful and respected Nicodemus, who is both a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Ruling Council. As we continue studying John 3:1-21, we read in verse 2 that Nicodemus visits Jesus at night. We are giving no context toContinue reading “Did Jesus really do miracles? – John 3:1-21, Part 2”
How to see God’s glory every day – John 2:1-11, Part 5
In the previous post, we read in John 2:11 that Jesus, by accomplishing the miraculous sign of transforming water into wine, showed his disciples his glory. Glory? What does that mean? Only God has that kind of glory. I highly doubt the glory the disciples saw was a shining light, a halo, a glow orContinue reading “How to see God’s glory every day – John 2:1-11, Part 5”
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 is Jesus, really? – John 2:1-11, Preview
This past week I put the following message on our church’s outdoor sign: “Who is Jesus really? Join us Sundays 9am to find out.” I placed that message hoping to spark interest in the community about our sermon series through the Gospel of John. Likewise, I hung a banner and sign in our lobby. ItContinue reading “Who is Jesus, really? – John 2:1-11, Preview”
Jesus’ patience with his mom – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 2
Remember the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine? In that culture of honor and shame, running out of wine would have been a significant embarrassment for the father of the bride. So Jesus’ mom, Mary, goes to him, asking what seems to be a totally innocent observation, “They have no more wine.” But hersContinue reading “Jesus’ patience with his mom – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 2”
The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3
What does Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones mean? God explains it to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37, verses 11-14. How about that? The entire vision is symbolic. Ezekiel wasn’t at the scene of battle from years earlier. The vision of the valley of dry bones, God says, symbolizes the people of Israel, whoContinue reading “The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 