John 2:17 (For Your House)

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” (John 2:17) Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 37:1 – 39:31 Relate: The word is ‘akal. Passion for God’s house will consume me. It will ‘akal me. The word means to devour. In the Tanakh (the Old Testament) the word appears over…

John 2:11 (The Wedding)

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11) Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 29:1 – 31:18 Relate: When I go to a wedding I am taking mental notes. What did I like? What didn’t I like? How would I have done something different?…

The Handoff (John 1:35-36)

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36) Read: Job 15:1 – 18:21 Relate: In junior high track I don’t think there was a single thing coach had us working on as frequently as he did…

Lamb of God (John 1:29)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) Read: Job 1:1-4:21 Relate: The phrase “Lamb of God” seems so common in church culture and literature that I normally tend to breeze right by it. “Lamb of God.” Yup, right.…

Baptized (John 1:24;25)

Read: Genesis 45:16-47:27 Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” (John 1:24-25) Relate:  React: The Pharisees ask why John is baptizing and in the gospel of John gives a shortened version.  In John’s response to this question in the…

The King’s Procession

  John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” (John 1:23) Read: Genesis 42:1-45:15 Relate: As I was chewing over this verse, the image kept coming back to me of a man with a trumpet who would blare it in the center…

It Isn’t Me (John 1:19-20)

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” (John 1:19-20) Read: Genesis 37:1-39:23, 1 Chronicles 2:3-8 Relate: I recently finished reading a very dry, academic work called Christian Missions and the Enlightenment. For some…

Joy (12/25/13)

Read: Zechariah 8:1-23, Revelation 16:1-21, Psalm 144:1-15, Proverbs 30:29-31 The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play. (Zechariah 8:5) Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15) Relate: There is just something about Christmas morning that just fills the soul with joy. Growing up, most…

Standing On the Outside (12/12/13)

Read: Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20) Relate: I love having guests over to my house. I love cooking for people. I love…

We Love Because… (12/4/13)

Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect… We love each other because…