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What would you do when you come to the realization that your time in this world is coming to an end?  You probably grab your loved ones and spend as much time left with them as you could.  You hug them, love them, smile and cry with them and long to never let those moments go.  Jesus grabbed a bowl, put water in it and started washing the feet of those around him.  After he was finished doing this he said to his disciples, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15

Does Jesus just mean to love thy neighbor and to treat those as you wish to be treated, or does it go deeper than that?  He is telling the disciples that HE is the example, the one and only example, and that through him, they should live their lives in the same manner with the same contrition and demeanor.  I know, just like the disciples knew, His sandals are impossible to fill….but we all have to do our best each and every day.

Later that night, after everyone has filled their stomachs and gotten their feet washed by the Son of God…..Jesus says in John 13:21, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”  Then picture this, the disciple Peter, as if he is sitting in class and whispers over to his classmate, “Pssshh…..ask him who it is.” Then in verse 26, Jesus says, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”  He then handed it to Judas, and Satan entered into him.

What was Judas feeling right before he was handed the bread?  What were the other disciples thinking?  I imagine some of them questioning themselves, rationalizing in their minds that they were never thinking of turning on Jesus, so if not me, then who??  Then I picture this image of a ghost-like Satan floating from the back of the room and entering Judas’ body, with a mischievous grin on his face that says ‘I got this one’.

As if that wasn’t enough drama for the night, there was a little more for one disciple in particular.  In John 13:33 Jesus says, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer.  You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”  Peter asked Jesus where he was going and in John 13:37-38, “Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you.”  Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me?  I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

Peter denying Jesus has to be one of the most recognized stories from the Bible ever told.  If you remember from earlier it was Peter who was asking a fellow disciple who Jesus was talking about betraying him.  There wasn’t a thought in Peter’s mind that he would EVER deny Jesus.  That had to have crushed Peter to tears.  What was the mood of the room after that?  Was everyone waiting for a 3^rd shoe to drop?

In John, chapter 13, these are the three things that happen. In my readings of the Bible I often catch myself imagining how I would feel or what I would do in these situations.  Surely Jesus would never tell me I would deny him 3 times or I would ever betray him….Right?! I have no idea, none of us can be certain.  What we need to make certain is that we are doing the best we can to live our lives in the ways Christ did.  Jesus says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” I pray that when we are given those opportunities to share and show our faith in God by the way we carry ourselves through everyday life, the Lord is pleased.

In John 12, we witness one of the greatest acts of adoration in the Bible. 

While among his companions after the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus sits on the receiving end of a simple yet captivating act of worship. Mary of Bethany, using a pound of expensive ointment anoints the feet of Jesus with her hair. One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, sits in objection to her actions, claiming that the ointment should have been sold instead and that the money should be given to the poor. But Jesus interjects, saying “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” 

When I first encountered this passage, I remember thinking this to be an unorthodox form of worship. Doesn’t this seem like a bit much? After all, Judas claims that the perfume could be sold for three hundred denarii. How could an object like this be used so carelessly? This question is where the faith of Mary shines through and selfish Judas is put to shame. 

Mary knew something that few others did. She saw what Jesus had done, raising her beloved brother from the dead. She knew that Jesus was indeed who he claimed to be! She must have been overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for Jesus. She wanted to show him how worthy he was of her praise. By using such an expensive ointment she shows us how much she treasures Jesus in her heart. To her, Jesus is worthy of the highest worship she can afford. It didn’t matter how much the ointment was worth, Jesus was worth more. What a wonderful act of love and adoration we get to witness. All Mary can see, and all she cares to see is the glory of Jesus right in front of her. 

What a shame it would be for an act of such pure worship to be challenged. Unfortunately, this is exactly what Judas opts for. Judas seems to be missing this love that Mary has for Jesus, he instead seeks personal gain over Jesus. John makes this evident, “He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” It’s no wonder the act of Mary couldn’t reach the heart of Judas, he was too busy looking out for himself. 

After reading this, turning the spotlight on my own life was difficult. Likely because I have known myself sometimes as Judas is in this passage. I have been selfish, ignorant, and unwilling to see the wonderful Jesus sitting right in front of me, all because I have been too busy worrying about myself. But how freeing is it to instead be like Mary, to fall at Jesus’ feet, and to worship him with all of our heart! To value him higher than everything that we have to offer, to know that we could stack the whole world together and it still wouldn’t be worthy compared to him. He is truly priceless!

Jesus is worthy of all the love and praise that we can muster up (and more). Mary encourages us to practice the wreckless love that she embodies, and also to give Jesus our all. May the Lord give us the strength to love and worship as Mary did!

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11 offers a profound parallel to life today, highlighting human resistance to truth and change, even in the face of undeniable evidence. Despite witnessing a miraculous act that affirmed Jesus’ divine authority, the religious leaders still chose to reject Him and plotted His death.  They lacked the COURAGE to change their beliefs and see the living God before their eyes. Their response reflects a broader human tendency: the refusal to embrace inconvenient truths that challenge personal power, beliefs, or agendas.

In today’s world, we often see similar patterns. Scientific breakthroughs, social movements, or transformative ideas frequently meet opposition—not because they lack merit, but because they threaten established norms, authority, or personal interests. Just as the Jewish leaders feared losing their influence and the stability of their political environment, people today sometimes resist change to maintain control or avoid discomfort, even when that change could bring life and hope to others.

The leaders’ actions also reflect the dangers of pride and fear. Rather than celebrating the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection and exploring its implications, they saw it as a threat. This mindset persists in modern life when individuals or institutions focus more on preserving their status than on recognizing and responding to truth.

However, the story also offers a powerful lesson in courage and faith. Jesus, knowing the cost, performed the miracle out of love and obedience to God’s purpose. It reminds us that standing for truth and bringing life to others often comes with challenges, but the impact can be transformative.

Ultimately, John 11 invites us to consider how we respond to truth today. Do we, like the Jewish leaders, resist out of fear and self-preservation, or do we, like those who believed after seeing Lazarus’ resurrection, embrace it with faith, courage, and hope?

It takes courage to step away from the “herd” and follow our own beliefs.  I am thankful every day for the prophets, evangelists, and apologists that stood for their beliefs and prophesied their faith rather than cave to the pressure of popular opinion.  In our daily walk, I pray that each of have the courage to do the same.

John 8

This chapter of John’s gospel has a multitude of themes from condemnation, legalism, and forgiveness (vv. 1-12) to Jesus’ indisputable ‘I AM’ statement declaring His divinity (v. 58). We see other truths throughout this chapter including how our sonship is characterized by our actions and our actions display who our father is, Satan or God (vv. 37-47). Don’t take this passage the wrong way. Just because you are a child of God does not mean you will be sinless, but as the individual matures in their walk, he/she should sin less as a byproduct of their faith. Within this chapter, Jesus also prophecies that the Jews (a term in this passage used for the pharisees) will be the ones who have Jesus crucified (vv. 21-30). For the sake of time, the remainder of this post will examine verses 1-12.

It is always important to start with the context of any passage so we can get the full picture. The setting of John 7 is the Jew’s Feast of Tabernacles (John 7: 2, 37) and as we continue reading into chapter 8, the celebrations had concluded, but no doubt many people had remained in Jerusalem for the night and then woke up at dawn to hear the Rabbi Jesus speak in the temple in Jerusalem (John 8: 2). Then here come the pharisees bringing a woman who was caught in the act of adultery trying to trap Jesus in his sayings (If only they knew Jesus was God and could not be trapped). This is the trap: if Jesus told them to stone the woman, He would have broken Roman law that disallowed the Jews to carry out their own executions (John 18:31), but if He told them not to stone the woman, then He would have broken Jewish law (Deut. 22:22-23. Note that this law is for both man and woman to be stoned and is for certain circumstances).

Jesus calmly starts writing in the dirt. It is unknown what He is writing, but some believe the ten commandments and others believe the accusers’ names and sins. Jesus upholds the Jewish law by permitting the stoning, but He found a loophole. Jesus, knowing the conscience He put in man states, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” One by one the accusers left. When Jesus and the woman were alone, Jesus confronted her sin with compassion, mercy, and gentleness stating, “neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” No doubt this is a staple for how we ought to display compassion and mercy to others, but it also shows us to not condone sin in others’ lives. This is the idea of speaking truth in love to our believing friends and family members who have fallen into a sinful lifestyle. We act and speak with grace and mercy, not in condemnation. It is the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to convict the person, but it is our responsibility to bear their burdens with them.

Tools to help us in confronting sin in our believing friends lives
1. Display Jesus’ compassion, mercy, and forgiveness (John 8: 11)
2. Act with a spirit of humility and gentleness (Galatians 6:1)
3. Be careful not to be tempted and fall into sin as well (Galatians 6:1)
4. Fulfill the law of Christ: Loving God by Loving your Neighbor (Galatians 6: 2)
5. The Truth is what sets a person free, not a set of strategies (John 8: 31-32)
6. Be patient and pray earnestly (2 Peter 3:9, Colossians 4:2)

My prayer for you all would be to not take my word for it, but to vigilantly search the scriptures like the Bereans in Acts 17!

Today’s Reading : John 6

The entire chapter John 6 can be summed up in one word: companionship.

The true meaning of the word companionship comes from Latin. Com- with or together AND panis- bread.  Coming together over bread or a meal.  

When you read and reflect on this entire chapter, Jesus is bringing everyone together. He’s bringing them together with bread and the promise of fulfillment and provision.

The very interesting aspect of this account of the gospel is that it is from an eyewitness. John is the only gospel that has an eyewitness account of the miracles and life of Jesus Christ. 

In chapter 6, we start with the feeding of the 5000. This is the miracle of the 5 loaves of barley and 2 fish.  This miracle happens and  coordinates with the Passover. It connects the current people with the past. It connects the deliverance from Egypt and into the wilderness.  It connects the desperation of basic needs… food and nourishment.  It connects the Mana and the loaves. It connects the past, present, and future of the people with Christ.  Manna from heaven to the part of Christ that he gives us: his body (bread) and blood(wine).  Jesus is foretelling the future of his crucifixion and the deliverance he will give. 

As I reflect on this passage I made a new connection.  Every night and morning,  I say prayers with my children.  We do the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostles Creed and then we have a personalized prayer. 

The kids asked about the Lord’s Prayer and I told them in detail each part. The daily bread is how God provides us with all we need.  

But now I have the full realization that God gives us all that we need in the daily bread that is Christ.  Christ was referring to himself in the prayer. It is through him and his sacrifice of his blood that we have reunited with God.  

He has brought us together through him. 

He continues to bring us together with companionship with the Father. 

Be Blessed

John 5

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 (ESV)

The Bible is often referred to as the greatest story ever told. Within its pages, we find history, poetry, prophecy, and profound wisdom that has shaped civilizations and transformed lives. Yet, as we open its pages, we must ask ourselves: What are we truly seeking?

Some approach the Bible as an academic exercise, digging into its linguistic nuances and historical context. Others view it as a manual for moral living, mining its pages for rules and principles to guide their behavior. And still others treat it as a self-help book, searching for inspiration or solutions to life’s problems. While each of these pursuits has its merits, they fall short if they miss the central figure of Scripture: Jesus Christ.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible points to Jesus. He is the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). He is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, bearing the sins of many. He is the Word made flesh, who dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He is the Lamb who was slain, worthy to receive all honor and glory (Revelation 5:12). The Bible is not a collection of disconnected stories or teachings; it is one grand narrative of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in Jesus.

If we read the Bible and miss Jesus, we are like people admiring the frame of a masterpiece while ignoring the painting itself. We may walk away with interesting facts or a sense of moral obligation, but we will miss the life-changing power of the gospel. Jesus Himself rebuked the religious leaders of His day for this very mistake: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40).

Finding Jesus in the Bible is not about uncovering hidden codes or secret messages; it is about seeing how every page, every story, and every command points to Him. The Bible shows us our need for a Savior, reveals the depth of God’s love, and invites us into a relationship with Him. This is why we read, study, and meditate on Scripture—not merely to gain knowledge or check a religious box, but to encounter the living Christ.

If we approach the Bible with any other purpose and fail to find Jesus, we are wasting our time. The Scriptures are not an end in themselves; they are a means to an end. That end is knowing, loving, and following Jesus. May we open the Word with hearts ready to see Him, and may He transform us as we behold His glory.