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Safe and Secure In His Hands

Suggested Reading: John 10:22-42

27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:27-28 HCSB
Cornered and questioned

Once again Jesus is questioned by the Jewish leaders, this time in Solomon’s Portico of the temple area. John tells us he was “surrounded” by them, likely making it harder for Him to escape this time, and according to verse 31 they were primed and ready to stone Him. They demanded that He tell them whether or not He was really the Christ, accusing Him of keeping them in suspense. If you’ve been reading along with us our journey through John you know that this is far from the truth. Jesus has told them exactly who He is, which is exactly how He responded. “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in my Father’s name testify about me. But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep.” Sheep always recognize the voice of their shepherd and since the Jewish leaders are refusing to believe Jesus, the Good Shepherd, it is clear they do not belong to Him.

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1;18
Safe and Secure

Jesus makes it clear to the Jewish leaders that the ones who listen to His voice and follow Him, those are His sheep. They know who He is and they trust Him. Because they belong to Him He gives them eternal life, not only allowing them to live forever but they will live forever as His – they are safe and secure from the predators who would seek to take them away from Him.

Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 100:3
Reflection We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. In ancient times, being a sheep in a pasture meant that you belonged to a family.   Unknown Source
Prayer

Father, thank you for receiving me through Christ Your Son. He knows me by name. I am a sheep in His pasture, a follower of His. His voice is in my ear and I seek to follow where He leads. Help me to not falter – help me to always hear His voice and may Your Word drown out all the other voices that vie for my attention! Thank you for the gift of eternal life through Him and for the promise that I am safe in His care – I will not perish or be snatched away! With hope in Jesus’ name – AMEN!

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An Abundant Life with the Good Shepherd

Recommended Reading: John 10:1-21 and SOAP: John 10:9-11

9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 

John 10:9-11
From lurking danger to safe pasture

Jesus uses two more “I AM” statements in this passage to teach the people who He is. We’ve become quite used to the conversational style lessons of Jesus that John presents in His Gospel, however, today’s passage appears to be more of a one-sided, lecture style lesson – and boy is it a doozy! It’s packed with sheep, a shepherd, and a gate, there are thieves, robbers, a wolf and danger lurking just outside the gate, but there is also safe pasture and the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

The Gate and the good shepherd

To understand verses 9-11 you will really need to read what comes before it as Jesus begins in verse 1 developing the scene and setting His listeners up to understand His message. The hope is that when He transitions to the analogy of Him being both the gate (or the door, as it says in some translations) and the good shepherd they will be able to acknowledge and even fully embrace the person that is standing before them as the One whom God sent to save them. You see, the people who were listening would have not only understood His references to the sheep pen, the shepherd, the sheep, and the dangers – but even better, when He began to say that He was the gate/door and He was the good Shepherd they would have started realizing the deeper meaning of what – or should I say who He was claiming to be. He knew that many of them would remember the prophecy from long ago about the Shepherd that God would send to tend His flock, Micah 5:4. He wanted them to know that just like the gate of the sheep pen was the only way in and out for the sheep – He was ‘the only way’ to God for the people. He also wanted them to know Him as ‘the Good Shepherd’ who will not only keep them safe but one day lay down His life for them.

The Warning and the hope

Within the analogy came a warning – one of danger from the predators whose goal was “to steal and kill and destroy” the sheep. He called these predators thieves and robbers, and He talked of strangers and wolves, warning them that unless they were under the care of the true Shepherd and knew the difference between the stranger and the Good Shepherd they would be attacked and scattered like sheep by a wolf. There wasn’t just a warning though, we also find a promise and hope . Jesus calls Himself the gate and promised His listeners that if they entered through Him they would be saved. So you see, while the thief came to steal, kill, and destroy. The Good Shepherd came to give them the hope of abundant life, the hope of knowing and being known by Him. The hope that as the Good Shepherd He would one day lay down His life for them. 

What did Jesus mean by "abundant life'?  Gotquestions.org answers the question like this: "Abundant life is eternal life, a life that begins the moment we come to Christ and receive Him as Savior, and goes on throughout all eternity. The biblical definition of life — specifically eternal life — is provided by Jesus Himself: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). This definition makes no mention of length of days, health, prosperity, family, or occupation. As a matter of fact, the only thing it does mention is knowledge of God, which is the key to a truly abundant life. (For the full meaning of 'abundant life in Christ' visit https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html)
The Sheep

I’m sure you picked up on it by now – the sheep – they are us – the believers, those who have chosen to follow Christ. We must not miss what He says about us in this analogy. We know His voice … we don’t recognize or listen to the stranger’s voice … instead we run away from the stranger … the Good Shepherd calls us by name … He knows us and we know Him … we follow Him … we are safe … and He came to give us an abundant life. I believe when we seek to apply the Scriptures this sometimes calls for introspection, in this case asking ourselves does Christ’s description of the sheep sound like me? If not, why not and what can I do to align myself with His description?

The Prayer

Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be our door to You and for giving us such a Good Shepherd who loves us and protects us from the thieves and robbers. Jesus, thank You for being such a Good Shepherd, for loving Your sheep, for calling us by name, for spending time with us so we know Your voice. Thank You for teaching us and going before us, and for keeping us safe. Thank You for laying down Your life for us and for giving us an abundant life of joy and peace and hope of our security for eternity. – In Your Name I pray – Amen!

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I Was Blind But Now I See

Recommended Reading: John chapter 9 and SOAP 9:39

 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.”

John 9:39 NLT
It wasn’t Sin

Sometime after Jesus had escaped the murderous plot of those who were hostile to Him in John chapter eight, “He saw a man who was blind from birth”. His disciples were curious and asked who was to blame for the man’s blindness – him or his parents. Jesus’ answer may surprise you. He said, “It wasn’t sin that caused the man’s blindness.” Jesus laid the answer at God’s feet when He replied that it happened – “so that the acts of God would be seen through him”. Even if you’re familiar with the story, I believe most would admit that the answer Jesus gave was not what anyone expected. It’s important to note this part of the chapter and all that happens after it to truly understand what Jesus meant both throughout the chapter and in today’s focus verse.

The rest of the passage tells what happens to the man, so read and watch for the “acts of God” all the way to the last verse. You will watch Jesus give the man a mud bath on his eyes and send him to wash off in the pool. You will stand in awe as he returns no longer blind! You will hear as the man testifies several times about what Jesus did. He will be doubted and questioned, his parents will be questioned, and yet there will still be disbelief – but the man does not waver in his testimony. In fact he becomes more adamant that the man who healed him was surely from God! Finally you will see the man profess his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – which I think you would agree is a pretty good result of ‘the acts of God’.

What Jesus Came To Do

According to our focus verse today, John 9:39, Jesus came to the world “to render judgment”. What? Doesn’t the Scripture say that He didn’t come to judge or condemn as some translations say it? We just read in John 3:16 and 17 that He was sent to save the world not condemn (or judge) it. Paul’s letter to the Romans says that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. So why does Jesus say what seems to contradict the words of John and Paul? Because, in order to bring salvation “sin” has to be judged – He did not come to condemn us – but the sin that had entangled us – in order that we might be saved. To be sure – there will be those who, having heard and seen the truth, will still reject God – but didn’t we just read in John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. Because of their rejection they will be forever separated from God.

I couldn’t read this chapter without having to search for answers to several of the verses along the way, specifically our focus verse, and the ones that followed. They proved to be a bit confusing, especially because we know from other passages, that God did not send His son to ‘judge’ the world but to save it – the fine line is this … Jesus came to bring salvation and for that to happen “judgment had to be made on and against sin”, as one commentary says. To better understand this, as well as the full chapter, visit the link below and simply click on the verse or verses that may have you wanting more clarity.

https://www.bibleref.com/John/9/John-chapter-9.html

Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve

Despite the confusion that can arise with some passages in the God’s Word, we must not allow the questions that arise cloud the TRUTH. Rest assured, those who TRUST in God will be given sight and understanding (6-7 and 35-37). It is equally certain that those who reject the TRUTH of God that they have both heard and seen will be ‘made blind’ by their ‘own decision’ to reject God and live in disbelief. In the Old Testament Joshua told the people to choose whom they would serve, the LORD or the god of the Amorites and in the New Testament we are given much the same choice – the way of the world, which leads to sin and death or salvation through Jesus Christ – who sets us free from from the law of sin and death, (Romans 6:1-2, 14-15). Jesus was referring to money (material wealth) when He taught His disciples that they couldn’t serve two masters, because they would either love the one or hate the other – but we can certainly equate the teaching with any thing that has a hold on us and draws us away from God. So, like Joshua and his people, we must choose – The way of Christ which leads to God and eternal life – or the way of the world ruled by the dark forces and leading to impending judgment and eternal death. – As for me, I choose the way of Christ.

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The Light of the World

Suggested Reading – John 7:53-8:59 and SOAP: John 8:12

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:12 NLT
From the “Bread of Life” to “The Light of the World”

Jesus continues to introduce Himself to the people, hoping to help them see and know who He is and what He was sent to do. He continues to draw attention to the Father, “who sent” Him, making sure they know that He is not their of His own “initiative”. In this rather lengthy but powerful conversation between Jesus and both the crowd of people following Him plus some of the religious leaders – Jesus dives headlong into more controversial territory with another “I Am” statement, equating Himself not only with God but basically as God.

Following His conversation with the adulterous woman ( 8:3-11), Jesus immediately makes His second “I Am” statement, this time not as the “Bread of Life” but as “The Light of the world”. Proceeding with an explanation, He teaches that those who follow Him will no longer have to walk in the “darkness of the world”, but in the “Light” of His Presence. The teaching is best explained by this commentary from BibleRef.com at John 8:12 

This incident occurs during the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. Jesus has already used festival rituals as analogies for His role as Messiah (John 7:37–38). As part of this major festival, lamps would be lit using wicks made from priestly garments. In addition, light was a powerful metaphor in Hebrew thinking (Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2). "Light," for the Jewish person, was the ultimate ideal, a representation of salvation, knowledge, and goodness. For Jesus to claim to be the "light of the world" was no small thing. In fact, it is a claim to equality with God. Even further, the Greek of this passage indicates Jesus' claim to be "the" light, not merely "a" light. In the text's original Greek, Christ says "Egō eimi to phos tou kosmou," which explicitly claims He is the single, solitary source of "light."

Those who follow Christ, in truth, may stumble into darkness, but they will never perpetually "walk" in it (John 12:46; Psalm 36:9).     

https://www.bibleref.com/John/8/John-8-12.html
For Us

For those of us who are believers and followers of Jesus the application is simple and sweet – We have been set free from the power and death that the darkness bring and in its place we have been given the ‘Light of Life’. As sweet and simple as the application is – there is an equally profound lesson to be noticed and applied – and that is the message that Jesus gave to those who had believed – which was basically not just to say they believed but to faithfully live out what He was teaching.

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. (31)

Unsatisfied words lead to violence – Yet many believe

Despite the fact that He was questioned, responded to indignantly, repeatedly doubted, and ultimately assaulted – “many of the people believed“. (30) I hope you will read the dialogue to see how gracious yet bold Jesus was with His answers and pointed statements of truth. There was one basic question the crowd and leaders asked that all of the other questions seemed to boil down to and that being, “Who do you claim to be?” To which He answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” (54)

Prayer

Father, yet another beautiful Scripture filled with and portraying Your love, and the depth of it through Jesus Christ. The Light of the World! Light that brings HOPE to all who believe – all those who follow Him will be set FREE from the darkness! A darkness that leads to death BUT is not greater than the LIGHT of LIFE!

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This is a Difficult Saying

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 6:68-69 NLT

Suggested Reading: John 6:59-71

Some Context

Jesus had been teaching and talking with some Jews in the synagogue who didn’t understand His teaching that He was the “bread of life”, specifically the teaching that He was the “bread that came down from heaven.” Bread, that would allow those who ate from it to live forever (6:52-58) It turns out that the comment they make here in verse 60, about it being a difficult statement and “who can understand it”, was more than simply a ‘we don’t understand what you mean’ response. The phrase is perhaps better translated – “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” or “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” The statement indicated, according to one commentary1, that they were offended by or couldn’t tolerate the statement. It seems most of His disciples or followers were deeply offended by the teaching because they were looking for a conquering hero, not one who sacrifices His life but of great and visible victory.

The phrase "hard saying" here comes across in English with much less force than it does in Greek. The teachings of Jesus are being described here as sklēros, which means "offensive or intolerable." To these people, Jesus' words are not merely "difficult," they are "unacceptable."  BibleRef.com on John 6:60
Are You In or out?

The passage says because of the offense “many of His ‘disciples’ quit following Him.” (Please note, in this situation the word “disciples” isn’t referring to His inner circle of 12 but rather to the large crowd of followers.) This is when Jesus holds the 12 accountable – questioning them as to their intentions – and receiving a staunch declaration of allegiance from Peter on behalf of them all it would seem. “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God!” What I love most about this statement is that Peter’s determining factor was the truth of who they believed Jesus to be.

So, Who Do You Say He Is and Why?

The only good and right application here, it seems to me, is to echo Peter’s words and allegiance to Christ – “The Holy One of God”. We mustn’t be naive though – this is no easy allegiance – but it is the best and right one! There is no one like Jesus, no one who can offer eternal life, and no other Son of God!

Prayer

Father, thank you for leading me to “Team Jesus.” Thank you for calling me and saving me from my self and the ways of the world! Thank you for Peter’s reminder that there in NO BETTER WAY, and thank you for all the ways You have shown me the TRUTH of who JESUS IS

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1Biblereference.com @ John 6:60

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One Required Deed

 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35 NLT
Satisfaction

Through Jesus we are made right with God. You see, God is satisfied with Christ’ death on the cross for through His one act on the cross our sins are atoned for and our debt is paid in full. Through Jesus, all who come to Him and believe in Him are also satisfied – for by the giving of His flesh and the shedding of His blood He completely satisfies the hunger and thirst of our souls, unlike the bread and fish he had given the 5000 for their physical need.

God’s One Requirement

God sending manna from Heaven day after day in the wilderness was amazing but God sending “the true bread from heaven is miraculous. The miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish was amazing but the laying down of one’s life for undeserving sinners is life altering. Which is why Jesus declares to the crowd that they are working for food that disappears when what they really need is the food that remains to eternal life, food that He Himself will provide.

Still thinking that they needed to work for or earn “the food” the crowd wants to know what is required of them. Jesus doesn’t answer with a list of requirements but simply one – “believe in the one whom God sent”.


Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’

John 6:26-27
Eternal Security

Note the repetitious message of Jesus in these 33 verses. He makes it abundantly clear that He was the Way to Eternal Life. He wanted the people, especially the Jews who had become hostile toward Him to understand that eternal life was available to all who believe – it was so important to Him that in this one passage He uses the phrase bread of life, or a reference of it, at least 14 times … and He equates partaking of or believing in this “bread” with eternal life at least 11 times. He made it very clear that while He had satisfied their physical needs the more important truth was that He could forever satisfy their spiritual hunger and thirst.

So, what does this one requirement mean for us today? Simply, yet profoundly, It means that God has offered us (everyone who believes) security for eternity if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ – the whole Gospel package:

  • that He was with God in the beginning
  • that He is God the Son
  • that He is the bread of God sent from heaven
  • that He was sent by God the Father to give life to the world
  • specifically, that He came to bring eternal life to all who believe in Him
Prayer

Father, thank you for sending us the Bread of Life – flesh and blood – that we might have eternal life. Thank you that through Him we can know contentment knowing that our eternity is secure in Him and that we will be raised up on the last day. How great is Your love!

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Stay the Course

Read John 6:16-24

They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

John 6:19-20
Missing Jesus

In our last reading (John 6:1-15), after feeding the 5000 Jesus had slipped away to the other side of the lake to be alone. We aren’t told what the disciples did after He left but we can surmise from the gathering that they could have been ministering or resting or tending to things that needed to be done. Whatever the case, “when evening came” they began to miss Jesus and started across the lake to be with Him. Despite the strong winds and rough sea they did not turn back but stayed the course of getting to where Jesus was.

Our passage tells us that as they rowed closer to where He was they looked and saw Him coming towards them, walking on the water. You can imagine their shock and how it would have startled them to see Him – or anyone for that matter – walking on the waters of the stormy lake. Jesus sensed their fear and spoke peace to them, assuring them it was Him and they had no need to be afraid. It is clear from the rest of the passage that just to know it was Jesus brought them peace. What a beautiful example of the calming peace of His presence.

Move Toward Jesus?

Do you ever find yourself missing Jesus? Maybe you reach the end of the day and realize you haven’t seen Him for awhile, you wonder where He has been? You’ve been busy with work or kids or both or perhaps you’ve been enjoying a much needed day of rest or dealing with some of life’s demands. Whatever the case you begin to realize you lost sight of Him at some point in the day. What now? Do you just wrap up the day and decide to get with Him tomorrow – or do you head toward Him as soon as you notice the space between you? Or maybe the scenario is a little different – maybe you’ve been pulled away from Him by cares of the world or by the desires of this life and you realize that you are no longer walking with Him. So now what? Do you stay where you are – missing Him but not wanting or knowing how to return – or do you move toward Him?

No matter which scenario is yours – move toward Jesus. Draw near to Him and, like the disciples, you will find Him drawing near to you. You may be tired from the day but move toward Him and the relief of stress and the hope and comfort that His presence brings. If the way between you is dark and the winds of the world are blowing or the waves of life are rough just keep moving toward Jesus. Listen, hear Him say – “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Let the calm of His voice and His presence flood your soul for there is no darkness or impending danger so great that it will keep Him from you.

Prayer

Father, thank You for introducing me to Your Son and for revealing Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, and the life giving peace of His presence. Keep me ever near Him – for He is my way to You. Alert me when or if I drift – so that I might always be moving with or toward Him and never away. In His name –Amen and Amen!

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The Prophet

Read John 6:1-15 and SOAP John 6:14

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”

John 6:14
Miraculous Sign #4

Following His conversation with the Jewish leaders about who He was and His relationship with God the Father (chapter 5), Jesus got away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Because such a large crowd, somewhere around 5000, was following Him He decided to feed them. This was only possible by a miraculous sign involving 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread that, after Jesus gave thanks, became enough to feed the crowd with 12 baskets left over.

The People Saw

The miracle couldn’t be missed. 5 loaves and 2 fishes and approximately 5000 who ate all they wanted and had left overs for 12 more. That my friends is what we call a miracle and the people were talking about it – connecting it with something they remembered from the teachings of Moses, referring to Him as the “prophet” they were expecting. Keep in mind that Jesus was doing the miracles knowing they would reveal His glory, John 2:11, so He wasn’t surprised that they were talking about who He was. However, He also knew “the time had not yet come”, so once again He quietly slipped away, alone.

Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:15
They didn’t miss it – are we?

There is much to be seen in this passage – such as Jesus’ attentiveness and how He looks for ways to reach the people and is willing to meet their needs. I love seeing how He uses these opportunities to give them a glimpse of who He is. Surely we should learn from this and live and love like Him in this way. However, I also noticed how the people weren’t too busy to notice what Jesus was doing either. Sure they were following Him with the intent of seeing miracles but how easy is it to get in a crowd and especially in times of hunger or other needs become distracted and miss what is going on around us. They didn’t miss it. They were attentive to Him. Then, they talked about it – and were reminded of what was said through Moses and passed down through the Scriptures and generations. A reminder for us – that we should know the Scriptures – so that we too don’t miss the signs of what God has made known about what is to come.

Prayer

Father, You are good and You are attentive to Your children. You care about us You use need and opportunities to reveal Your glory – to show us who You are. You have given us Your Word that we might know Your Son – the image of You – and that we might know Your love and Your purpose and plan. Help us be attentive to You Father and to the signs and the wonders of the day. Guard us from distractions that would take our attention away from You and help us to not miss Him and the work You are doing around us or the signs of Your coming. – All of this for Your glory – Amen and amen!

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Thoughts and Manna for the Sabbath

The Love God Greatly Challenge

This week, our reading (from the LGG Study, Our Security for Eternity) focuses on a section in John explaining how Jesus is the Bread of Life. Read Exodus 3, 14, and 16 and notice or record the similarities you find in these chapters to our reading in John regarding how God displays control over nature, specifically water, and how He provides bread for His people.

Our Memory/Focus verse for the week is John 6:35, where Jesus refers to Himself as the bread of life. Come along with me on the journey this week and let’s explore the truth to this name of our Savior. Let’s dig deeper to see what it means and to understand how it applies to us.

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35 NLT
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What and Who Do You Believe?

Read John Chapter 5 and SOAP verse 24

24 “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.”

John 5:24
Always Amazed

How is it that I can read this as though I’ve never read it before? Jesus drew me in from the moment “He saw” the disabled man, (6). This phrase is recorded about Jesus many times throughout the Gospels and it always attracts me to Him and makes me want to be more like Him. Not only did He notice the man but, like with the woman at the well, He cared enough to engage the man in conversation. Perhaps the man did not know who Jesus was because unlike the official from chapter 4:43-54, who asked for his son to be healed, this man didn’t ask to be healed but immediately was.

There are so many other things to delve into concerning this passage but for the purpose of our study on ‘eternal security’ we will turn our focus to verse 24 where Jesus is in a conversation with the Jewish leaders who were persecuting Him because he healed the disabled man on the Sabbath and calling God His own Father (16-18).

In verse 24 Jesus zeros in on the Gospel message. He addresses them in a very serious way concerning the responsibility of each person who hears the “His message”. Those who believe Jesus’ message, and believe the One (God) who sent Him, will have eternal life and not be condemned but cross from death to life. He stresses the point about believing that God sent Him because that is where part of their problem with Jesus lay. No matter what they believed about Jesus they did not nor would not accept that He was truly the son of God. Jesus wanted them to understand the seriousness of their denial and went on explaining it for sometime

I encourage you to read the entirety of the story to see/hear the beauty of Jesus’ stance with His persecutors. Jesus spoke truth to the leaders and continually pointed them to the Father and the relationship they had with one another. You will read of His desire for even His persecutors to be saved, (34) – and why they truly didn’t accept Him for who He was and so much more. It’s truly one of the most beautiful and heart wrenching pleas of the Gospel I ever remember hearing.

What Then is Our Response to Be?

I sat looking at the page of words now highlighted, circled, underlined, and the columns filled with thoughts and words that flowed from my pen as I read – and the only response I could manage as I basked in the thought of His words that had left His heart on His sleeve – were these three bullet points … to the praise and glory of His name!

  • I believe that Jesus is the Christ
  • I believe that He was sent by God
  • I have passed from death to life and am ETERNALLY SECURE

My Prayer

Father, how great you are! From the beginning in the garden You said You would send a Savior and You were true to Your word – beyond our wildest imaginations – sending not just a savior but Your only begotten Son. This I believed and was saved! Praise the name of Jesus and You, the One who sent Him because You so loved the world. Amen and Amen!

Me From the Inside Out –