#John20 #John21 - Believe it or not...

Click here to read John 20-21:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

The ending of these two chapters are like little "asides" from the actual story of Jesus. The end of chapter 21 reveals that what we see as recorded in John is not the whole picture. It is an accurate account from an eyewitness, but it does not contain the complete works of Jesus Christ. We know some of the other things, because different eyewitnesses (as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke) contain some of the same stories but also some different ones. I love how he says, "If every one of [Jesus' works] were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25). I also really like at the end of chapter 20 that John even tells us the purpose for writing his gospel account, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John wasn't writing for fame, he wasn't writing for profit; he was writing so everyone who read it would believe in Jesus and receive salvation.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

When I read the story about the miraculous catch of fish, I think back to the beginning of Jesus' ministry when he called the disciples to be fishers of people. It's funny that it begins and wraps up with fish. I don't know that it is incredibly profound, but just interesting.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I really relate to Peter. Just a couple chapters ago, Peter denied Jesus three times after pledging his lifelong support for Jesus. Here in chapter 21, we see Jesus ask Peter three times if he loves him. Jesus knows that Peter loves him, so I think that this exchange is actually more for Peter to be assured that Jesus has forgiven him and restores him to his kingdom work. I know that in my life, I blow it sometimes. There are days, even in the midst of doing ministry, that I feel unworthy to have God use me to change people's lives. But I know that Jesus does forgive sins, and he does claim us as his brothers and sisters and colaborers in the work of God's kingdom. So even though I mess up, Jesus qualifies me to keep on moving forward.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

As I read these chapters, which include multiple descriptions of Jesus appearing to the disciples after his resurrection, my silly question is, "What did Jesus look like after he was raised from the dead?" He must have been in human form, because he still had hands, feet, a recognizable voice, etc. But Mary didn't recognize him at first, the disciples on the road to Emmaus didn't recognize him, the disciples gathered behind locked doors seemed to need some extra convincing, and the disciples at the beach didn't dare ask who he was. There must have been something that was unrecognizable to his face or figure, because it seemed to take people a little while.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://bookwyrmshoard.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Piles-of-books_01.jpg

#John18 #John19 - The darkest day in history

Click here to read John 18-19:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?


These two chapters flow seamlessly together to tell the story of Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial. This is the fourth gospel I have now gone through, and this is the fourth account of this part of the story I have read recently. It's not fun. It's hard to read how cruel the leaders were to Jesus, how hard-hearted they were towards God, and how persistently they persecuted him. It was not a pretty picture. In fact, it's safe to say that it was the darkest day in history. There have been others, but putting the Son of God to death seems to top them all. Despite the fact that it was his plan to allow himself to be killed, it was still the sin of all people that he bore on the cross. It's easy to see the ugliness in the people who were plotting against him and shouting "Crucify," but it reminds me that there is an ugly part of me (my sinful nature) that I still need God to take away and transform.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Pilate wrote a sign above Jesus that said "The King of the Jews." The Jewish leaders didn't like it, because they wanted it to say, "This man claimed to be the king of the Jews." But Pilate refused to change it. While here on earth Jesus talked a lot about his kingdom and the Father's kingdom, but he doesn't directly claim to be the king. However, in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16, Jesus is given the title of King of Kings and Lord of Lords that he deserves.

3. What does this mean for my life?

On the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas and deserted by the other disciples, he was denied by Peter, one of his closest friends. I think about Peter a lot, how he made bold claims to follow Jesus to the end and fight for him at all costs. Still he ended up denying Christ three times. I feel like that sometimes. I am bold about my faith in Christ at times, and other times I may shy away from sharing it. I want to be not ashamed of the gospel, as Paul says in Romans 1:16, but I am thankful that Jesus even uses someone like Peter to grow the church.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

My biggest question is, "Did Pilate really believe in Jesus?" In this account, it seemed like he almost became a believer in who Jesus was, but felt powerless to do anything besides sentence him to death. Still, he was the one who had to make the decision, and he caved into the pressure of the crowds.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://globible.com/images/gallery/easter/31.jpg

#John16 #John17 - Wisdom from a Stone

Click here to read John 16-17:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

At Ingham Lake Bible Camp stands a chapel building that was built in 1949, even before the first official camp was held. In the front corner of the building, before you walk in the door, there is a verse inscribed on the cornerstone. It comes from John 17:17 and says, "Sanctify them by thy truth; Thy word is truth." That verse has been a prayer and a desire among staff for all who come to experience God at Ingham. I understand sanctification to describe a life-long transformation that takes place when we let God shape us to become more like Jesus. That happens when we are immersed in the truth of God's word, which can be encouraging or convicting, freeing or guiding, revealing or teaching. We need to keep God's word in the center.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

In John 17:3 and 17:26, it talks about eternal life as knowing God, and then making him known is a natural byproduct. Besides being the mission statement of Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camps, "To know Jesus Christ, and to make Christ known to all", it reminds me of Philippians 3. Paul is describing the things of this world as rubbish and a loss, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Jesus talks a lot about the Holy Spirit in these chapters. One of the things he says is that "when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." As I seek God's truth for my life to be transformed, I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, who will guide me into truth.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Jesus prays at the end of chapter 17 that all believers would be one, that we would be brought together in complete unity. Well, that's not what I see happening today. My question is, what does Jesus mean by oneness and unity. Where does it leave room for different interpretations of Scripture? Where does it leave room for different worship practices? Where does it leave room for different emphases in church life? Maybe it doesn't, but it's not very clear then. How then are we supposed to be totally unified?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

#John15 - Jesus the Spiritual Botanist

Click here to read John 15:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

When Jesus rises from the dead, Mary and the other women actually encounter him after speaking to the angel. Before they realize it's Jesus, they mistake him for the gardener. After reading this chapter, they weren't that far off. I have always been into analogies, because it really causes people to think about spiritual things in common language. The education major in me is jumping for joy at the "higher order thinking skills" that this requires. Jesus sets up this comparison between a vine and some branches. He reminds his disciples that if a branch is not connected to the vine, it cannot produce fruit. He reminds us that we must be connected with the Father through him and that we must obey his commands.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

One thought that really didn't seem to immediately fit with the gardening analogy is when Jesus says, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." It is clear that Jesus never intends for life to be boring. Rather when we are following him and obeying his commands, he tells us that we can be full of joy. This reminded me of Psalm 51, where David (in the middle of repenting and confessing) says, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." There is joy in following Jesus.

3. What does this mean for my life?

This chapter is very convicting. It is a direct reminder to stay connected with God despite a busy schedule. This happens through prayer, scripture reading, worship, fellowship, serving others, loving the people I am in relationship with, enjoying what God has blessed me with, using the gifts God has given me to the best of my abilities, giving generously, and other things. I was also reminded that remaining connected to the vine and bearing fruit comes with a promise that we will be pruned to produce more fruit. If branches could talk, I don't think they would tell us that pruning is particularly pleasant. However, I bet they would say it is always worth it.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I actually don't have any questions about this chapter.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from  http://www.ventanawines.com/assets/client/Image/Vineyard%20Photos/red%20grapes%20Ventana%209.07.jpg

#John11 #John12 #John13 #John14 - More Marthas please

Click here to read John 11-14:

With some internet difficulties over the last couple days, I was unable to post anything until now. The beauty of this method and these questions are that you can use them for any length of reading, no matter how short or long. It's easy to play "catch-up." With that in mind, here are my thoughts on John chapters 11-14.

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Right off the bat in John 11 we get the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Some people might not realize that the Mary and Martha of this story are also the Mary and Martha that host Jesus when he "scolds" Martha for worrying about household chores. I feel like Martha always gets a bad reputation for being a workaholic and worrywart. But in this story, we can see that Martha's faith is far from lacking. In fact she makes a clear, bold claim that few others in Scripture say so definitively. She says, "I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask...Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." So rather than chide Martha, this story lifts her up as a woman of incredible faith. I wish we had more Martha's in this world.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

In Philippians 2, Paul spends much time describing the humility of Jesus, who understood that God was greater than he was, who humbled himself by becoming a man, and who became like a servant - giving his life to others until his dying breath. I don't know of many other chapters in Scripture that show this characteristic in Jesus than John 13. Jesus does the job that usually a slave or servant would do, and he washes the dirty feet of the disciples. He also shares that if Jesus, their Lord and leader, gives his life in service to others, then they too should take on the same approach. And they do. As the church sparks in Acts 2, we find the disciples sharing what they have to care for the poor. They are following in the footsteps of Jesus.

3. What does this mean for my life?

In John 12:24 Jesus says, "...unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." He then talks about following Jesus to mean serving him and losing your life for him. I don't think he is only talking about dying, like a martyr in a persecuted country. I think his is talking about living your life for God - keeping his kingdom purposes at the forefront of your life and devoting time, energy, and resources to do what God has called you to do. The apostle Paul uses the analogy of being "poured out like a drink offering" to describe how he is spending/investing his life for God's purposes.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

In John 14:13-14, Jesus says, "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." What does he mean by "anything"? I would guess he means anything, but why don't things happen when we pray in Jesus's name? I know some, even many, prayers are answered, but there are a lot left unanswered or the answer is no. So is it because we ask without enough faith? any faith? Is it because of sin in our life? Does "anything" mean "anything that God already wants to do?" I'm just not sure. In the meantime, I'm going to keep praying boldly in Jesus' name and watching for God's hand at work.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://memeshare.net/memes/31/30031.png

#John10 - Voice Recognition

Click here to read John 10:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:4-5 NIV)" This really stood out to me, to know that sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. To know the voice of the Father = knowing the voice of Jesus = knowing the promptings of the Holy Spirit = knowing God's Word (the Bible).

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

It's interesting to me to hear Jesus talk about other sheep that are not yet here. There remains to be people to gather into the flock. He then talks about there being one flock, and he will be the shepherd. In John 17, Jesus prays for unity, that there would be a oneness among believers just as he and the Father are one. The Bible also talks about "Gentiles" which basically describes anyone who was not Jewish by birth. From the beginning God's plan was to make salvation available to them too. Isaiah 49:6 says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

3. What does this mean for my life?

I think more than being a political-type leader, picturing Jesus as a shepherd is a very comforting thought. A political leader sets policies and works from an office. A shepherd leads by mere presence. A shepherd walks with and talks with his sheep. A shepherd protects his sheep. A shepherd loves his sheep. That's the kind of leader I want to follow.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I have thought about this in general while reading the gospels, but I wonder how much time passes between each section or chapter or event recorded in the gospels. Verse 22 says, "Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter..." So between verse 21 and 22, was it days that passed? Weeks? Months? He seems to talk about almost exactly the same thing, so my gut instinct is that not much time passed. I just think it's interesting to know that Jesus spent about 3 years in ministry, but we don't know much about the timing of each event.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://cdn2.knowyourmobile.com/sites/knowyourmobilecom/files/styles/gallery_wide/public/9/13/132415.jpg?itok=-OpW610J

#John9 - Was blind but now I see!

Click here to read John 9:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

This chapter centers on a man born blind and his encounter with Jesus. Everyone in the story except Jesus misconstrues the man's "misfortune" as a punishment for something. The disciples assume that it was either he or his parents who sinned. The Pharisees remind him that he was steeped in sin from birth. Jesus is the only one that sees this man for who he is - a beloved creation of God. Jesus heals this man, but since it is on a Sabbath the Pharisees go nuts and grill the guy about Jesus. I love that he asks them if they want to be his disciples too. This man has a testimony that no one can argue with, and in sharing it he is pointing people to Jesus. He is the author of one lyrical line in "Amazing Grace." He says, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus likes to heal on the Sabbath. Well, actually he likes to heal all the time, and some of those times happened to be the Sabbath. He was proving that there is no end, no pausing, no break for God's desire to help people. Yes, we should stop working on the Sabbath, but when someone needs help it is always time to help them. Here are some other accounts of Jesus healing on the Sabbath: Mark 3, Luke 13, and John 5.

3. What does this mean for my life?

It's easy to try to rationalize why certain things happen, but from a human perspective we are severely limited in our reasoning. Almost every time something bad happens, or someone goes through a challenging time, some well-meaning Christian says something like, "Everything happens for a reason." That kind of reminds me of the disciples. At best, that statement is not helpful. At worst, it leaves people to figure out why they are being punished. Perhaps the reason is you made a dumb choice not to study and now you're failing the test. Perhaps the reason is that this world is just broken. People get sick. Natural disasters happen. Employers have to make hard decisions. But I believe that no matter what the reason (if there is one), God wants to reveal himself to us more in every circumstance. He wants us to trust him in the midst of hardships. He wants to comfort us in times of loss. He wants to be our hope in times of despair. He wants to be our rock and refuge when the world is shifting all around us. I need to remember to turn to God in all circumstances.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I always wondered why Jesus spit in the dirt to make mud and then put it in someone's eyes. Why didn't he just touch his eyes, or speak it over the man? It's kind of gross. However, if I knew it would make me see, I wouldn't care at all. I would just want him to do it.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_le6zpkIFB81qcgzw1o1_500.jpg

#John8 - Children of the devil!

Click here to read John 8:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

For anyone who just thinks that Jesus was a mild-mannered wimp in a white dress kissing babies and walking with sheep all the time, they do not know Jesus. John 8 is a prime display of the powerful paradox of Jesus' compassion and Jesus' strength and fortitude. Jesus is trying to teach the people about the unique relationship between himself and God the Father. The Pharisees come and challenge him with question after question. The ironic thing is that they are asking the right questions, they are just not willing to accept the answers Jesus gives. Because of their hard hearts, Jesus says that they if they were really Abraham's children, then they would believe in him. Instead he says they are children of the devil! That's harsh. Dem's fightin' words.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus talks about being a slave to sin, but if we believe in him we are set free from the bondage of sin. There are other passages that also talk about being a slave to sin and finding freedom in Christ. Romans 6 talks about being freed from slavery to sin and offering ourselves as slaves to righteousness. Galatians 3:22-5:1 also talks about this issue. Anyone who has struggled with sinful addictions would verify right away that slavery to sin is a good way to describe our natural tendancies to please ourselves. The only way to be free is to receive a new life in Christ.

3. What does this mean for my life?

In the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, Jesus shines as he wins the day with grace and restores the woman back to the truth. Jesus did not walk around in judgment over others, but he always spoke the truth. He never sugar coated God's plan for life, and he never watered down God's commands. But he stood in direct contrast to the Pharisees who were quick to throw stones (literally) at someone who sinned. Jesus knew while he was here on earth, people didn't need another judge to walk around and tell them what they did was wrong. He knew we would all stand before the judge one day to give an account for our life. He knew we didn't just need another teacher to explain why adultery was wrong. He knew we needed a Savior, someone to free us from slavery to sin. So he did that. I need to also remember that although it's important that we all know and understand God's word to the best of our abilities, we should exercise grace and even stand up for others.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

At the very end of the chapter, Jesus makes a statement that really sets the Pharisees off. He says, "Before Abraham was, I am!" Now, I don't think that was just a grammar slip. I think what he was doing was using God's holy name of "I AM" for himself. Is this accurate? I know that the New Testament was written in Greek and the Old Testament in Hebrew, so I don't know if that translates perfectly or not. That would be interesting to find out.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://bookjourney.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/1ca1.png?w=468

#John7 - Lord, Liar, or Lunatic

Click here to read John 7:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Throughout this chapter, people are trying to figure out who Jesus is. Some said he was a good man. Others say he was a deceiver. Other's said he was crazy or demon-possessed. Others believed that he was the Messiah, the chosen one sent by God. The book Mere Christianity is a composition of teachings by C.S. Lewis. One of the propositions he makes is that it is not logically possible to think that Jesus was just "a good teacher." If he was not God, but claimed to be, he was not good. He was either a liar or a lunatic. He goes on further to say, "You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God." To me, this chapter points out this "Trilemma", that Jesus was either Lord, liar, or lunatic, as well as any other in Scripture.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

It's also interesting that the temple guards who went to arrest Jesus ended up being amazed by him and couldn't bring themselves to go through with it. There are other similar examples of this happening in the Bible. The centurion standing at the cross said, "Surely this was the Son of God." The jailer who was keeping Paul and Silas in Acts 16 came to believe in God and he and his household were saved.

3. What does this mean for my life?

"Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." (John 7:18) I want my life to be for God's glory. If I am called to speak, may it be not so people would think more highly of me, but of God.
4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Multiple people were asking the question, "Shouldn't the Messiah come from Bethlehem instead of Galilee?" Wasn't there anyone that knew that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? What about his parents? Wouldn't his parents have said something? Wouldn't his brothers have said, "Actually he was born in Bethlehem when our mother was a virgin, after she received a vision from an angel and confirmation from shepherds and foreign dignitaries." You'd think that might have made a difference.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://bendigopc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/jesus__liar__lunatic_or_lord__by_peterborough1980.jpg

#John6 - The Most Wonderful Bread

Click here to read John 6:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Almost the entire chapter was about bread. First Jesus feeds the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Then when the crowds find him again on the other side of the lake, they ask for more bread. Jesus calls them out on their fickle dependence on him for actual food, when they should be seeking him for eternal life. Jesus says, in essence, "God sent bread down from heaven to keep you alive from day to day, but now he has sent me so that you can be alive for all eternity. Get your eyes off the ground and your stomachs, and look up to see what God is really doing here. Even WonderBread still spoils eventually despite the added preservatives. Get some of the most wonderful bread, that will never spoil - me."

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

When Jesus talks about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, it sounds a little creepy and weird. It seems at first like symbolism, and then he keeps using the same language and carries it to a point where it has to still be symbolism, but doesn't sound much like it anymore. But it did make me think of Holy Communion and the Last Supper. Jesus broke the bread and said, "Take and eat, this is my body given for you." He also took the cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood...drink of it." It sounds very similar, and reminds us that we need Jesus at every turn.

3. What does this mean for my life?

For this question, I look at the scene at the end of the chapter where many disciples desert Jesus. He then turns to the twelve remaining and asks why they haven't left yet. Peter (often the first to reply) said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." As I have experienced more of life and simultaneously become more acquainted with the Bible, I find myself thinking the same thing. "Where else am I going to go? God is the only thing that actually makes life make sense. Life as revealed in the Bible is the only one worth living."

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

How do the two concepts Jesus teaches about those who believe have eternal life, and that God is the one who draws them in make sense together? It sounds a little contradictory, but I'm just curious how they really fit together.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/wp-content/uploads/Flowers-Foods-poised-for-growth-eyes-acquisitions.png

#John5 - Testify!

Click here to read John 5:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

This chapter was again filled with directives to believe in Jesus. It's amazing how much that word has come up in just five chapters of this gospel. But besides that this piece about Jesus having testimony about him really intrigued me. In the culture of that day, there weren't news camera's on every corner. There wasn't Facebook or Instagram or Twitter to spread the word about something. There weren't camera's on everyone's cell phones to capture visual proof of events. Instead, people relied almost entirely on the witness and testimony of others. Jesus is saying that there are really three major testimonies verifying that Jesus is the Son of God. John the Baptist verbally testified that Jesus is the Messiah, God the Father testified about him through the obvious and miraculous work Jesus was doing, and the Scriptures even testified about him. He is trying to use human reasoning to convince the hard-hearted that he really is who he says he is.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

When Jesus healed the invalid by the pool, the man went away and obeyed Jesus fully. Despite the Jewish leaders who were appalled that this healing happened on the Sabbath, Jesus meets up with this guy later and tells him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." This reminds me of how Jesus handled the situation with the adulterous woman. After he restored her dignity, he said, "Now go and sin no more," or "Go now and leave your life of sin." Jesus doesn't condone sin. He doesn't just dismiss it as okay. But he still offers healing, hope, and salvation to all of us despite our sin. The question is, will we repent, believe in Jesus, and live our life for him?

3. What does this mean for my life?

The way Jesus describes his relationship with God the Father made me realize that I need to let go of some things and really let God have control of my life. "...the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." I want to be able to say of my life, "Dan can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does Dan also does." That would be the ultimate aim of our sanctification, the process God uses to transform us more and more into his image.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What was Jesus talking about when he said he was going to the dead, and that the dead would hear the voice of God and believe and live. Was he speaking of his death? Like apostles creed "he descended into hell," stuff? That was a little confusing.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.stichtingrevive.nl/uploads/1/1/7/7/11775636/5617080_orig.jpg

#John4 - Ultimate Thirst Quencher

Click here to read John 4:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

In this story, this woman encounters Jesus and shares about it with her village. The people come out and encounter Jesus for themselves, and many become believers. They make a statement that really stuck out to me as I read the chapter: "We know that this man really is the Savior of the world." That statement would be pretty incredible all by itself. However, the little bit of background I know about this story makes it even more incredible. Jews hated Samaritans and avoided them at all costs, literally. They would take a long route around the Samaritan land rather than take the quicker major road right through it. So the fact that Jesus is preaching to the Samaritans who believe in his name and receive salvation really emphasizes that it is for the whole world. It crosses racial/ethnic boundaries. Since Jesus is talking to a woman (also frowned upon in their culture) we know that God's salvation crosses barriers of sex as well. Besides that, this woman was likely not an upstanding citizen, since she had five husbands and was now living with someone she wasn't married to. So Jesus reminds us that his love crosses all kinds of barriers that people tend to put up.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

When Jesus was talking about living water and how it would quench our thirst forever, I thought of a psalm that also compared a longing for God to hunger and thirst. Psalm 63:1 says, "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Jesus used real life examples that were right around him like Jacob's well to "draw out" (pun fully intended) spiritual truths.

3. What does this mean for my life?

The woman at the well had every reason not to go share about Jesus with the village. She was probably an outcast. She would probably be ridiculed again. She would probably be rejected again. Nobody would likely believe her. But she did anyway, and whatever she shared with the villagers and however she shared it, they believed her enough to come see for themselves. I need to stop letting my fears and anxieties about what might happen keep me from inviting others into the presence of Jesus. Whether that means inviting them to church, to a Bible Study, to camp, or simply into a personal relationship with Jesus, I need to be unashamed.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I know I didn't really comment at all about the last story in the chapter, but my question still goes back to the Samaritans. What happened after they became believers? The Bible doesn't really say; it just moves on to the next story. I wonder if they started a new church. How did they worship? Did many of them start to follow Jesus literally around the countryside?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/2080434/id/2ukR7atD3RGiUXsV5V3v3w/size/y.jpg

#John3 - There's a reason...

Click here to read John 3:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

There is a reason John 3:16 is one of the most well known (and often displayed) verses from the Bible. Going into the reading of this chapter, I knew that John 3:16 was coming. I know it. I've heard it. I have it memorized, like many Christians and non-Christians alike. I tried to move past it, but it really is the center of the chapter. Not just verse 16, but the few verses immediately following it as well. In fact, verse 17 expounds on the first part of 16, and verse 18 clarifies the second part. Jesus came not to bring judgment (this time) but salvation. Hence his mission and resolve to die on the cross for our sins. But verse 18 makes it clear that that salvation is offered to all who believe. For those who do not believe, there is condemnation. This is clarified at the end of the chapter in verse 36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:16 says in one verse what all of Scripture is set up to explain. There's a reason we see it so much. If someone were just being introduced to Christianity, this is a great start. So I really admire people that bring the signs to games like this, although I would hope the sign holders would use some discretion and not totally block the view of the people around them for very long. That would be annoying, and could have a reverse effect of winning people to Jesus. :)

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

This made me think of other places in Scripture that really share the gospel clearly in one or two sentences. Here are a couple others I can think of that are similar:

Acts 4:12 - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

1 John 1:8-9 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 5:12 - Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I don't think I could share about this chapter and not mention one of my favorite verses from Scripture that really shaped my life and ministry. Obviously we look to Jesus as an example for life, but it's depressing comparing ourselves to Jesus all the time. So I really like looking at other people in the Bible, and John the Baptist is one of my favorites. In John 3:22-30, John the Baptist is confronted by someone who is basically saying, "Hey John, this Jesus fellow, the one you were talking about - He's baptizing now too. And teaching. And performing miracles. People are flocking to him. Aren't you worried? or upset? or jealous?" His reply was something like this, "Are you kidding? My whole life's purpose is to point people to Jesus. Now that he's here in the flesh, I couldn't be happier that people are going to him. In fact, if things are going right, he will rise up and I will fade away. Glory be to God!" I love that. I want my life to be like that. If nobody remembers my name, and nobody remembers my love for pizza, and nobody remembers my weird fingers, but people are drawn to Jesus because of my life, I will die in peace. (I can live in peace with that too).

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

When Nicodemus, a Pharisee and council member, came to Jesus initially, he said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God..." If they knew that, why didn't they all listen to him and believe in him?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://image.minyanville.com/assets/FCK_Jan2011/Image/justin/john316sign.jpg

#John2 - Can you believe it?

Click here to read John 2:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

After each major event John describes in this chapter, he makes a special note of all those who believe in Jesus or believe in his name. I noticed it in this chapter, but it is obviously a theme throughout the book of John. In this case, the disciples began to believe in him, early on. Then, as he performed other miracles and traveled around teaching, many people saw him and believed in him.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

I mentioned this is a theme in the book of John, and I can think of three other specific instances where this theme of believing. John 1:7&14 both ring out the goal of the gospel of John, that people might believe in Jesus. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Again at the end of John in chapter 20 verse 31, he clearly states his hopes for the readers of the gospel. "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." And the most famous of the believing verses in John 3:16, of course.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Above all else - all understanding, all striving, all education, all tasks, all "missions", all relationships, all hardships, all doubts, and all fears, I need to simply believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and find all life in him.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What is the meaning of the last two verses in this chapter? "Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person."

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://cleo.uwindsor.ca/gata/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/seinfeld-meme-generator-you-better-believe-it-buddy-9c21d1.jpeg

#John1 - The Most Powerful Word Ever...

Click here to read John 1:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

The beginning of John is a very poetic, artsy description of Jesus coming to this earth. Where Matthew and Luke begin with the facts about the birth of Jesus, and Mark skips it altogether, the gospel of John begins with a more abstract introduction to the person of Jesus. John says that he is the Word. John says that the Word was with God, the Word was God, and that everything was made through the Word. God did create the universe through his words (speaking). God used words many times to get the attention of His people. But this Word was easily the most powerful word ever. The following emphasis sums up a lot of things about Jesus being the Word:

In John, [logos] denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

John the Baptist refers to Jesus twice here as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. I think of two different references to the old testament here. One was in Egypt, when the Spirit of God came down to kill the firstborn male of every household in Egypt. The Spirit passed by any house that had the blood of lamb smeared across the doorway, showing a sacrifice to God. (Exodus Secondly, in Leviticus 16:9-10, the Jewish law provided a goat to be used as a sacrifice for sins. Ultimately, the sins of the whole community were "placed" on the goat and when it wandered away, it removed the sin from the community. Jesus really embodied both of those concepts.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I am struck here by John the Baptist and his consistency in pointing people to Jesus. He was a big deal, a rising star, but at every opportunity he humbly shared his own ministry and then told people that Jesus was the real deal. I need to adopt John the Baptist's mode of operation. To be full of witness and truth to who Jesus really is, and really not caring of who or how many follow me.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I wonder what Jesus meant at the very end when he said to Nathaniel, "You will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Was this part of his ministry on earth, or was he talking about a future time in heaven?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://cdn.playbuzz.com/cdn/29738d05-2740-4395-8709-d0a5e1a091cd/60fbcb8a-fdf7-456f-8299-57ebf2bb1abe_560_420.jpg