Jesus Unites

He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. (John 11:51-52) Read: Ezekiel 17:1 – 19:14 Relate: Every…

Who You Are

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” John 11:27 Read: Jeremiah 16:1 – 18:23, 35:1-19 Relate: The economy of words is a talent that all of us cherish but few of us possess. Perhaps the greatest demonstration of…

Whatever You Ask

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:21-22) Read: Jeremiah 7:1 – 8:3, Daniel 2:1 – 3:30 Relate: Two verses come to mind when I hear Martha make this bold statement of faith.…

Different Sheepfolds

I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. (John 10:16) Read: 2 Kings 19:1-37, 2 Chronicles 32:24-31, Isaiah 37:1-38 Relate: “What religion are you?” I get that question a lot when talking to…

Sheep

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they…

Sneaky Thieves

 I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! (John 10:1) Read: Psalm 120 – 123, 125, 126 Relate: Anne Rice, author of Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt and Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana along with a plethora of vampire…

Get Real

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain…

Jesus wasn’t very religious

“Where is he now?” they asked. “I don’t know,” he replied. Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my…

Not The Same

His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!” They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?”…