In John’s Gospel, the crucifixion paradoxically symbolizes Jesus’ glorification. The cross is a means of exalting Jesus, despite being an instrument of capital punishment; that claim is akin to someone ‘enthroned’ on an electric chair. John’s distinctive concept of glory provides the key to unlocking this enigma; glory is not a deity’s visible splendor but a profound manifestation of God’s character. That’s why John differs from the Synoptic Gospels, omitting the transfiguration and apocalyptic prophecies. Instead, John emphasizes the cross as the ultimate revelation of God’s boundless love fo ..read more

Jesus raising Lazarus was like a pebble being dropped into calm water, as ripples move out from the center. Some ripples see people believe in Jesus. Others have the Pharisees plotting to kill Jesus. Still other ripples see the Pharisees adding Lazarus to their hit list. But the ripples don’t stop. Those who had witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus were later in Jerusalem letting people know what Jesus had done. This stirred up more ripples & many who were in Jerusalem waved palm branches while proclaiming Jesus as their conquering king as he entered the city (Jn 12:12-13). But as they welcomed ..read more

Jesus’ raising Lazarus is a profound ‘sign,’ pointing to deeper truths. Martha, a devout Jew, firmly believed in the bodily resurrection of the dead on the ‘last day.’ However, God’s intervention through Christ dramatically shifted her perspective. Jesus proclaimed, ‘I’m the Resurrection and the Life,’ bringing God’s promises from the distant future into our present reality. John’s Gospel contrasts with the Old Testament and the other Gospels as Jesus extends to believers the offer of eternal life, resurrection, and exemption from divine judgment in the present through faith. He boldly asserts ..read more

Before Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, he gives thanks to the Father to display tothose standing nearby that he is one with God the Father. He is not taking credit forwhat is about to happen. He is directing all the praise to God. But at the same time, healso wants people to see that God truly has sent him. Of course, this is no differencefrom what he has been saying and doing throughout this Gospel. He lives in dependenceon God. Only God can raise someone from the dead. And Jesus does that very thing.Is there a deeper significance to Lazarus’ resurrection for you and I as we follow Jesus ..read more

John chapter 11 is the conclusion to the first 10 chapters of this gospel. The climax is the resurrection of Lazarus. The way the narrative unfolds reveals to us a number of characteristics of Jesus and also raises a number of questions. Firstly, we see that Jesus has close friends that he loves in the household in Bethany. The questions that people may ask are: why did Jesus delay his coming to Bethany and why the very different responses to Martha and Mary? To Martha he shows his divine nature in being resurrection and life. To Mary he shows his humanity. We need both aspects of Jesus. This ..read more

Jesus’ metaphor of the Good Shepherd reveals his sacrificial love for his followers. His declaration about willingly “laying down his life for the sheep” highlights his unwavering devotion. This metaphor also alludes to the emerging Trinity. In John’s Gospel, “Good Shepherd” applies to both Jesus & God the Father, underscoring their joint role in safeguarding believers unto eternity. This addresses fundamental questions for many Christians: “Can one forfeit their salvation?” “If one were to falter in faith,would God abandon them?” “Does our eternal destiny hinge on a lifelong commitment to ..read more

Jesus unfolds another aspect of his ministry through a sheep farming figure of speech. He uses the figure of the good shepherd to differentiate his ministry from that of the bad shepherds (Jewish leaders). He also lays out the means through which he will shepherd God’s people, his voluntary sacrifice for them. This image has a dark background that Jesus is drawing upon from Ezekiel 34 ..read more

After the man who was born blind gained his sight, he was questioned first by his neighbours and then taken to the Pharisees where he was questioned and challenged again. What is striking in this narrative is that the man becomes increasingly bold as he speaks about his experience and especially about who Jesus is. The more he speaks the clearer he becomes. He begins by calling Jesus a man and eventually tells the Pharisees that Jesus must be from God if he can do such a sign. Jesus eventually finds him and he believes that Jesus is the Son of Man and he worships him. This man’s experience ill ..read more

It’s important to remember that Jesus’ heart & motive is always for people to experience freedom from any bondage they are in. And he’s willing to go to great lengths for that to happen. In John 8:31-47, Jesus speaks to those who once believed but no longer do. And he takes a hard line with them & he does not back off even though he knows it’s uncomfortable for them. Freedom from bondage is his goal. How does he try to help them to see that they are in fact in bondage? He gives them a paternity test. Who is their real father? They cling to Abraham as Jesus challenges them. Having ..read more

Much of the gospel of John involves conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. They were bothered that Jesus healed especially on the Sabbath. But what especially angered them was his declaration that God was his father. The Jewish leaders understood this to mean that Jesus considered himself equal with God. It was for this reason that they wanted to kill him. The verses above have a tone of a courtroom scene. The Jewish leaders accuse Jesus of various things; Jesus responds to their accusations; and eventually Jesus becomes not only the accused but the judge and passes judgment on his acc ..read more