#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

#Luke14 - Party Protocol from Jesus

Click here to read Luke 14:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Jesus doesn't shy away from social settings, even where he might be the target of questioning and cynicism among those who could be perceived of as "enemies". In Luke 14 we find Jesus again eating at a Pharisee's house. He notices that people are "jockeying" for the most honorable seats in the house. So he advises them not to assume that you deserve the highest seat of honor, or you might be humiliated by being asked to move down. Rather, assume the lower seats, so that you might be honored by being asked to move up. While this is legitimately good social advice for anyone, it penetrates to deeper levels of the heart. It drives us to Jesus's other teachings about how the last shall be first, and how he came to serve others.

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

As I read this chapter a phrase from Scripture kept running through my mind, but I couldn't think of where it was from. After a little searching, I found it in Romans 12:3. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." It appears in the context of how we are a part of the body of Christ, and each person has been given valuable gifts with which to serve others. So rather than assuming the higher positions of honor, we ought to humbly realize and bring out the value in others.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I was really struck by the words of Jesus in verses 12-14. He says we shouldn't do good deeds for others who will "repay" us with the same good deeds. Rather, we should really think about how to serve those who are not able to repay us, so that our reward can truly be repaid "at the resurrection of the righteous." I'm still wrestling with what that looks like in my life, but it really made me stop and ponder.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Why does Jesus use such strong language in describing what it costs to follow him? Does he really mean "hate" father and mother? I've always seen this as hyperbole (which is used by Jesus and others clearly in Scripture), where the meaning is something like, "Anyone whose family keeps them from following me should be willing to leave them for the sake of the gospel, even giving up their own life if that's where I lead you." Even my paraphrase seems strong, but I don't want to "water down" something if Jesus meant every bit of it. Hence the question. :)

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://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02502/Cocktail-party-_2502341b.jpg

#Luke12 - Don't Worry...Trust God

Click here to read Luke 12:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Three times in this chapter Jesus tells the crowds not to worry about the things of this world like food, clothing, etc. If you count the number of times Jesus says do not be afraid that number gross. There seems to be a pattern in Scripture of being content with what you have and trusting God for the things you need. Many times in the gospels Jesus warns about the danger of loving money and seeking money as your highest aim in life. Even in the last chapter Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer even in the last chapter Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer. In it he says, "give us this day our daily bread." He doesn't say give us lots so that we can store it up and not have to worry about tomorrow. He leaves it at and give us what we need for today and implies that they should trust God tomorrow for their needs tomorrow.

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

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) Paul teaches the same philosophy as Jesus, reminding us not to worry, but to ask God and trust that he will provide what we need. 

3. What does this mean for my life?

I was really struck about the section Jesus taught about being ready. We have no idea when Jesus will return, but we need to be ready. Practically speaking I believe this means that we need to be living our life in love and faith and obedience so that if Jesus returned at any moment he would find us faithful. The warnings in here are pretty serious about Jesus returning in finding us to be acting in an evil way or deserting the faith. 

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

One of the hardest passages in this chapter for me to understand is when Jesus talks about bringing division instead of peace. On the surface this seems contradictory to everything we think about Jesus. However the peace Jesus came to bring is a piece between people and God. If we were to follow all of Jesus's teachings we would find peace with one another, but it seems the division Jesus is talking about is division between people who will follow him and people who will reject him. Does that make sense?

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

#Luke11 - Shameless Audacity

Click here to read Luke 11:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Two words: shameless audacity. I have read this passage before, although it's been awhile. I always knew it was about prayer, but for some reason as I read it today it really hit me: GOD WANTS US TO BE BOLD IN ASKING FOR THINGS IN PRAYER! In three ways Jesus gets the point across that we can ask God in prayer for things. Please don't read this as saying that God is a genie and we get whatever we want. But if we need something, we should turn to God first. Jesus says, if you earthly fathers like to provide for your kids, and if your earthly friendships are strong enough to give to each other, just think about how much more God, our heavenly father, wants to provide for us and bless us. I think the last time I read this was before the NIV was updated, so I don't think the words "shameless audacity" appeared before. Yet those two words really struck me today.

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

In verses 29-32, Jesus declares that the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah. If you don't know the biblical account of Jonah, it's a short read (only 4 chapters in the whole book). He was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and then was spat out to witness to the sinful Ninevites. Jesus was in the tomb for three days, then rose and appeared to the disciples who witnessed to the world. But that's where the comparison ends for Jesus. He is saying that even though the Ninevites were sinful, they listened to God's word through Jonah and repented. He's saying that if the Jews don't listen to him and refuse to repent, they will be condemned in the final Judgment, while the repentant Ninevites will enter heaven. That should have been a huge wake-up call for the Jews, who put the Ninevites right up there with Sodom and Gomorrah in terms of sinfulness.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Next time I'm at a pastors house for supper, don't start proclaiming woes on them, or they might be insulted and try to kill you. :) Just kidding. Seriously, my personal application came from the first point I made about asking for things in prayer. I pray, but often catch myself wondering if God will do it, since it doesn't seem as "urgent" or "important" as many other needs in the world. But I need to ask more boldly for things I need: either in ministry, or family, or financially, or health. God can still say no, but he is still telling us to ask more often and more boldly.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I don't totally understand when Jesus teaches about the strong man. He describes a bit about what happens to demons when they leave a person, but how can a person prevent them from coming in again? It's possible Jesus was saying that God is more powerful than demons, and unless God is living inside of you, you're vulnerable again to demons. But it's still really 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.atlanticag.com/uploads/3/9/4/9/3949245/4858616_orig.jpg