John 18:1-27
Arrest Jesus and the disciples head out to the garden of Gethsemane (which means oil-press as it was in an olive grove.) Judas comes with the temple police, chief priests and Pharisees. A band of Roman soldiers also came – the word used could mean anything up to 600 people. They were there to make […]
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John 17:6-26
These chapters of Jesus praying for us are so encouraging. Jesus is praying for you! Yes you! The Saviour and Creator of the world is interceding for you. He, I would say is pretty good at prayer! His prayers get answered. God’s choice, our choice The first few verses show us that God has chosen […]
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John 16:5-17:5
The Spirit and Prayer Two things jump out at me in this passage: 1) Jesus needed to go back to heaven once His work was finished so that Spirit could come. 2) The strong encouragement of the power of prayer, which seems a little frustrating as I don’t get everything I ask for! Holy Spirit […]
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John 15:1-16:4
A change of perspective The first part of today’s reading is about the vine and branches, and remaining in Christ. There’s a change of salvation-history perspective from the old covenant to the new. Old Israel gives way to Jesus and under this fresh new covenant revelation, ‘servants’ gives way to ‘friends’ – v15. The imagery […]
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John 14:1-31
Eleven truths Almost every sentence in this passage has a depth of truth and revelation that is mind blowing. Here are 11 power packed truths from today’s reading: 1) There’s a room for you (v.1). Don’t be anxious, because Jesus has go-ahead to prepare the rooms for us. The Father’s house refers to heaven and […]
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John 13:18-38
The one Jesus loved As Judas was preparing to leave to betray Jesus, there is the curious phrase – “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. It’s John, the author of the Gospel, and it’s how he often describes himself in the Gospel. Is it arrogance? Does it reflect poorly on Jesus for favouritism? I don’t think […]
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John 12:37-13:17
Predestined and Responsible! At the time some believed because of the signs Jesus did, but many Jews rejected Him. The large scale rejection of the Messiah by the Jews, to whom the prophetic Scriptures about Him were written, requires some explanation. The Christian answer, articulated by the Apostle Paul in Roman 9:9-11 and by John […]
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John 12:12-36
The Son of Man must die, to reign forever The crowds in Jerusalem leading up to the Passover feast were huge. Josephus, writing of events 30 years later, described a crowd of 2.7 million people. The crowd around Jesus are coming to see Him enter Jerusalem. Like Maccabees nearly 200 years before, it’s a triumphal […]
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John 11:45-12:11
The poor you will always have The passage starts with yet more religious leaders’ self-interest. Jesus’ ministry is going to mean they will lose their place and their nation. They, like Judas later in the passage, are interested in profiting from religion and their status. This is in marked contrast to John the Baptist who […]
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