gospel of john

Thumbnail image for The Wretched Beauty of Scripture

The Wretched Beauty of Scripture

4 August 2009 Biblical Studies

We often refer to Scripture as “The Word of God” or more simply “The Word.” Here we have a tome that contains within it the very Word of God, the Word from John 1, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. However, like Jesus who took on the trappings of man, took on the limitations of humanity, humbling himself in order to make himself more accessible to us, Scripture too has been humbled so that we can understand it.

Tagged as: bible, gospel of john, Scripture

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Thumbnail image for 7 Jul 2009: John 6:44

7 Jul 2009: John 6:44

7 July 2009 Biblical Studies

As Christians we often put the onus of God’s power on our shoulders without realizing it. We think that it is our job to go out and save the world from all of its evils. I’ve got two things to tell you: (1) We are part of the world’s evil, so good luck saving ourselves, and (2) That’s just not our job.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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Thumbnail image for 6 Jul 2009: John 6:38–40

6 Jul 2009: John 6:38–40

6 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Amidst a discussion in which Jesus tells the crowd that he is the bread of life, that those who approach him will never go hungry or have thirst, he makes it very clear that he has come to do the will of the one who sent him. The one who sent him is his father, and his father’s will is also made known in John 6:40.

Tagged as: gospel of john, will of god

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Thumbnail image for 5 Jul 2009: John 6:27-33: Bread and Freedom

5 Jul 2009: John 6:27-33: Bread and Freedom

5 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Today, John 6:27–33 was my charge. This is not an obvious text to be reading on the 4th of July, but it’s the text that came up, and it served admirably as a backdrop for some of the thoughts I’ve been having lately about freedom, democracy, the United States, and Christianity.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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Thumbnail image for 1 Jul 2009: John 6:22-24

1 Jul 2009: John 6:22-24

1 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Continuing with John 6, there is a tiny little story that is probably missed by most folks. On the surface it appears to be just a bit of narrative with very little significance. Truly, from a theological standpoint, there are only a few things to pull out of it (e.g., the fact that John refers to Jesus as “Lord” [κύριος] denoting a high Christology). However, on a gut level, there is something else to see here — the hunger and thirst of the people.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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Thumbnail image for 29 Jun 2009: John 6:21

29 Jun 2009: John 6:21

29 June 2009 Biblical Studies

In keeping with yesterday’s idea of picking out one strange thing in a miracle of Jesus, let’s look at the next item after the Feeding of the 5,000 — Jesus Walks on Water. John’s version of the story is a little different from the Synoptic versions. John dispenses with the idea that Peter too walked […]

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Thumbnail image for 29 Jun 2009: John 6:15

29 Jun 2009: John 6:15

29 June 2009 Biblical Studies

This morning I read “The Feeding of the 5,000” as presented in John’s gospel (John 6:1–15). One particular verse struck me in a way that it had not before.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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Thumbnail image for 26 Jun 2009: John 5:39-40

26 Jun 2009: John 5:39-40

26 June 2009 Biblical Studies

The latter portion of John 5 shows Jesus preaching on his own authority and who and what has witnessed or testified about him. This morning, I read John 5:39–40 and was struck by how it applies to my own thinking.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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Thumbnail image for Stop Fooling with My Text, Satan

Stop Fooling with My Text, Satan

10 April 2009 Biblical Studies

My church, Ecclesia Clear Lake, is preaching using the lectionary as we continue our way through Lent and toward Easter. A couple of weeks ago the passage was John 12:20–33; a passage that presents certain curiosities (who are these “Greeks” in verse 20?) and a translational oddity.

Tagged as: gospel of john, translation

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Thumbnail image for 14 Feb 2009: John 2:13–17

14 Feb 2009: John 2:13–17

14 February 2009 Biblical Studies

In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul tells us that our bodies are temples because the Holy Spirit dwells inside. This is a beautiful idea really. When you bring that notion to bear on what Jesus does in John 2 when he cleanses the Temple, a powerful metaphor for Christian living is created.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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