Jesus gives us our purpose in today’s Bible reading: bear fruit. He is the true Vine. And Believers are branches attached to the True Vine. The responsibilities of the branches are to stay connected with the Vine and let the life of the Vine flow through them. Union and Communion. As long as a Believer…
Jesus gives a wildcard promise in today’s Bible reading. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13 CSB) Jesus says he will give His followers anything they want. Right? Not so fast! Notice the condition: in my name. And notice the…
Five hundred two years ago today, a young man aired his ninety-five grievances against the church. The resulting Reformation turned Christianity upside-down. Or, rather, it turned Christianity rightside-up.
In today’s Bible reading, John tells us that Jesus washes the Disciples’ feet. All Twelve Disciples. Including Judas. This is an Inconvenient Truth about Jesus’ ministry. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. And yet, He served him. He washed Judas’ feet in the same way as He washed Simon Peter’s feet. And John the…
Hate will drive people to do hateful things. In today’s Bible reading, we read that the chief priests schemed to kill Lazarus because people were following Jesus after seeing Lazarus raised from the dead. (John 12:10-11) Think about that. The chief priests plotted to kill not just Jesus, but Jesus’ friend, Lazarus. “Don’t murder” was…
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus’ friends sent word that his friend Lazarus has died. Jesus knows that He will raise his friend from the dead. And yet, when He approaches His friend’s grave, He weeps. (John 11:35) The Jewish bystanders correctly observe that Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying in the first place. I’m…
