I got behind this weekend but am pleased to say I got caught up this morning. I was reminded last night that God's love for me is not dependent on what I do for him but rather what he has done for me. It's so weird how often I have to be reminded of that truth; it's like it's as if I believe it's grace that saved me but my works that sustains me. What a vicious trap that becomes.
John 9- who sinned this man or his parents? That's the question asked by pretty much everyone when Jesus healed the blind man. Sort of like a biblical version of karma; clearly this man was born blind and he was either blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin. Jesus puts this idea to rest- he was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (vs. 3)
John 10- Was Jesus the Christ, the messiah? Well if you have doubts as to whether this is true I'm not sure how much intellectual convincing is going to do any good. However it's worth noting here that Jesus claimed that he was/is the Christ and the people were ready to kill him for that claim. So whether you believe it or not the people at the time believed it and those that didn't believe believed in the seriousness of the claim and killed him for it.
John 11- Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Unheard of don't miss that. verse 49. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish."
John 12- Jesus leaves Bethany where he raised Lazarus and then he returns. The crowds were going nuts about this miracle and many were believing in Jesus. Because of this the crowds were gathered to see Lazarus the wonder man and Christ the one who performed the miracle. vs. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also. His testimony was as powerful if not more so than the miracle.
vs. 42 Many even of the rulers believed in Him; but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him,
John 13- 1 Corinthians 13 is called the Love chapter. I wonder if John 13 comes in second. I love verse 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that he had come for from God and was going back to God, go up from supper and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, he girded Himself.
Jesus knew who he was, he knew whose he was and he knew that couldn't change. Because of the stability of his position and the confidence in his father he would then take off his clothes and serve; serve like a servant would.
John 14- The interdependence of the Godhead. Have fun.
John 15- It is in our relationship and our connection with Christ that we bear fruit. Apart from that vine we can do nothing, within the vine we are pruned to bear more fruit.
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