Month: August 2024

Jesus Claims to be the Son of God, John Chapter 10

Is was. not winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded Him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe Me. The proof is the work I do in My Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (vv. 22-30, NLT)

Spiritual Blindness, John Chapter 9

When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man (the blind man who Jesus healed) and asked, ” Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in Him.”

“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and He is speaking to you!”

“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And He worshiped Jesus.

Then Jesus told him, “I entered in this world to render judgment – to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.:

Some of the Pharisees who were standing nearby heard Him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”

“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty ,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you can see.” (vv. 35-41, NLT)

Jesus and Abraham, John Chapter 8, Part 2

“Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, because. have come to you from God. I am not here on My own, but He sent Me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear Me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of all lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe Me! When of you can truthfully accuse Me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe Me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” (vv. 42-47, NLT0

Jesus answered, “If I want glory for Myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify Me. You say, ‘He is your God’, but you don’t even know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know Him and obey Him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to My coming. He saw if and was glad.”

The people said, “Your aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” At this point, they picked up stones to throw at Hime. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.” (vv. 54-59, NLT)

Jesus and Abraham, John Chapter 8, Part 1

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free?’

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, every one who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family , but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are surely free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for My message. I am telling you what I was when I was with My Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would know his example. Instead, you are trying to kill Me because I told you the truth, which I heard from My God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.”

The replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God Himself is our true Father.” (vv 31-41, NLT)

Jesus, the Light of the World, John Chapter 8

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you want have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about Yourself! Such a testimony is not valid!”

Jesus told them, “These claims are even valid though I make them about Myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about Me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And If I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent Me is with Me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted s fact. I am one witness, and My Father who sent me is the other.”

“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who My father is. If you knew Me, you would also know My Father. Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple know as the Treasury. But He was not arrested, because His time had not yet come. (vv. 12-20, NLT)

Jesus Promises Living Water, John Chapter 7

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me! Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from His heart.'” (When He said “living water”, he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in Him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into His glory.) (vv. 37-39, NLT)

Jesus and His Brothers, John Chapter 7

After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting His death. But soon if was time for the Jewish festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hid like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show Yourself to the world!” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

Jesus replied, “Now is the the right time for Me to go, but you can go anytime. The wold can’t hate you, but it does hate Me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because My time has not yet come.” After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.” (vv. 1-9, NLT)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus, John Chapter 6

Many of His disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

Jesus was aware that His disciples were complaining, so He said to them,”Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have. spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe Me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.) Then He said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to Me unless the Father gives them to Me.”

At this point, many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

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.”

Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, on of the Twelve, who would later betray Him. (vv. 60-71, NLT)