The book of John is the last of the four gospels. The first half of John’s gospel begins with the testimony of John the Baptist and Jesus’s baptism. In chapters 1-10, John takes us through the beginning of His ministry up until right before the death of Lazarus. The first half of John’s telling of the gospel contains two visible themes: trust and believe in Jesus, and we are not responsible for judging others. These two themes go hand in hand when we think about how we are to live out our lives as children of God.
When we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, we are rewarded with everlasting life with Him. By loving and trusting in Jesus, we are free from sin, no longer a slave. We have been given the freedom to live a life free from guilt, filled with grace and love. We are not responsible for judging others, that job has been given to Christ. We are not to throw the first stone of judgement, we are called to love. In our freedom, we need to put down our stones of judgement and focus on being a reflection of the love given to us by Christ; to focus on loving others as He loves. In today’s world and culture, we have forgotten how important and how powerful it is to love others where they are, and for who they are. When we love others like that, God’s light shines bright. My prayer is that our future contains less judgement and more love.
Passage:
John 1-10
Discovered:
- Word = Jesus
- God sent John to tell about Jesus coming
- Jesus came to live among us, and all who receive Christ and believe in His name are children of God
- Jews sent people to ask who John was and why he was baptizing with water. (The greater one was to come.)
- John baptized Jesus and the Holy Spirit came to rest upon Jesus
- 2 disciples left John to follow Jesus: one (Andrew) went to fetch his brother, Peter
- In Galilee, Jesus called Philip and Nathanael to join Him.
- Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana.
- During Passover, Jesus drove all the money makers from the temple.
- Jesus foretells His death and resurrection by telling He would destroy the temple and rebuild the temple in 3 days (His body)
- Nichodemus asked how one could be born again in order to see the Kingdom of God: be born of water and the Spirit.
- God sent His Son to die so that we can live forever with Him.
- John understood that he must decrease and Jesus must increase.
- Jesus returns to Galilee and passes through Samaria and asked a women to give Him a drink from the well and offered her living water.
- She went to gather all from the town to hear from the Messiah, stayed 2 days and many believed.
- An official sought healing for His son at Capernaum. He believed Jesus when He said his son be healed.
- Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath at the pool – Get up & walk.
- Jews were angry Jesus healed on Sabbath and He called God His Father (equal with God)
- Father does not judge, gave that power to Jesus -> those who believe have eternal life.
- Jesus: Moses wrote about me, you believe Moses, why not in me?
- Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 loaves & 2 fish from a boy’s lunch & there were leftovers.
- Disciples went across the sea, Jesus joined them by walking on the water and instantly once in the boat, they arrived.
- People followed Him across the sea: He told them to seek the bread of life.
- Jesus grumbled because they knew Him – was a neighbor.
- Many disciples left Jesus. 12 remained (including Judas who would betray)
- Jesus taught at temple during Feast of Booths. Others were amazed at His knowledge. He criticized their lack of following the law.
- They sought to arrest Him – did not believe/those who believed did not have Holy Spirit.
- Jesus was teaching in the temple & they brought a woman who was committing adultery.
- Judgement: let one without sin throw the first stone, no accusers. He let her go, told her to sin no more.
- Jesus told them again that He was the Messiah, but only some believed.
- If you know me and my Word, you will be free, sin no more, no longer a slave.
- Jews accused Jesus of being a Samaritan and having a demon.
- I came before Abraham -> this made them angry and they threw stones at Him
- Jesus healed a blind man -> Pharisees could not believe someone could heal on Sabbath.
- Jesus: I am the good shepherd who lays down my life for the sheep
- I willingly give my life
- At Feast of Dedication, they demanded to know if He was Christ. He told them, I told you and you do not believe.
- They picked up rocks to stone Him for blasphemy & tried to arrest Him
- He went across the Jordan
Help me to remember:
You are the Word and my job is to believe in You.
Lord, I ask that . . .
You remind me to leave the judging to You, it’s your job!
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
the fact that I am not in charge of judging others and all that entails.
