Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked. (John 7:14-15) Read: Proverbs 5:1 – 7:27 Relate: What good is a college education? What is the point behind the tens…
But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others…
“You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee. (John 7:8-9) Read: 1 Kings 4:1-34, Psalm 72, Psalm 127 Relate: It’s all in the timing. In baseball, a pitcher stands sixty and a half feet from the plate. When he is pitching a…
Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. (John 7:6-7) Read: 1 Kings 9:15 – 10:29, 2 Chronicles 1:14-17, 2 Chronicles 8:1 – 9:28 Relate: Pick your fights. That is a…
After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous…
Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him. (John 6:70-71) Read: 1 Kings 8:1-53, 2 Chronicles 5:1 – 6:42 Relate: I remember a prayer a prayer I used to pray often when I…
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (John…
The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said…
Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:62-63) Read: 1 Kings 2:13 – 3:15, 1 Chronicles 29:23-25, 2 Chronicles 1:1-13, Psalm 83 Relate: Did…
Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?” (John 6:60-61) Read: Psalms 79 – 82 Relate: Cannibals. That is what Jesus was asking his disciples to be. Worse than that. He was asking…
THE RIVER WALK 