Posts with the category “letters-to-the-prison”

Hello, everyone.  We’re studying the Gospel of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we began to understand that, when we pray, Jesus is not giving us a license to demand whatever we want “in his name.”  Consider again what he says:Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.-John 14:13-...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John.  Last week, Jesus laid out a stunning reality about those who believe in him:“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father-John 14:12We began to touch on the sort of works Jesus is referring to and how they might be “greater.”  We o...  Read More

Hello, everyone!  We’re continuing our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we saw Jesus making some very clear statements about who he is, what he is doing, and what our responsibilities are.  We also saw that the disciples just didn’t seem to get it.  After hearing Jesus’ claim to be God with all his attending power and authority, Philip nevertheless says:“Lord, show us ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John.  Last week, Jesus spoke some profoundly encouraging words to his disciples… and to us:  He goes to prepare a place in heaven for us to dwell with him forever and he will return for us.  As if these promises aren’t enough, Jesus is not done.  To continue, look what he says next:"And you know the way to where I am going.”-John 14:4The disciples c...  Read More

Hello, everyone!  We’re continuing our study of John.  As we close out chapter 13, we see that Jesus, in the wake of predicting his own betrayal (John 13:21), has asked an extremely challenging question: “Will you lay down your life for me?”  He’s also answered that question with alarming accuracy: “The rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times” (John 13:38).  These are stunning th...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re studying the Gospel of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, Jesus made a prediction… that he was going where his disciples couldn’t follow (John 13:33).  He then follows this prediction with an extremely important command… that we who claim to follow him should love one another.  This command is so important that Jesus ties our very identity as Christians to...  Read More

Hello, everyone!  Last week, Jesus again unambiguously claimed to be God… worthy of glory.  This astounding claim is only the beginning of a very long conversation.  Spanning more than four chapters, this is one the most important conversations ever recorded.  Jesus, the man claiming to be God in the flesh --and backing that claim with miracle after miracle, has a lot to say to his disciples… and ...  Read More

Hello!  If you want to join our study and need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we saw John’s account of what happened after Jesus predicted that Judas Iscariot would betray him.  This account is contained in John 13:21-30.Immediately following Judas’ departure, Jesus says something profound about himself:When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in ...  Read More

Hello!  We’re so glad you’ve joined our study of John.  Last week, we saw Jesus’ 20th “truly, truly” statement recorded by John:After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” -John 13:21What follows in John 13:22-30 is an eyewitness account narrated by John himself --the one “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23).  It’s...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, after predicting his own imminent betrayal, Jesus makes a profound claim about himself (and us!) in his 19th “truly, truly” statement:Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”-John 13:20Jesus claims the authority to send and to have been sent himself.  Friends, this might be the most ...  Read More

Hello!  We hope you find this study encouraging.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  We’re moving on with our study of John 13.  Jesus promises a blessing to those who hear him and do what he says.  But then he has something dire and terrifying to say:I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’ve been examining John 13 and Jesus’ act of washing the disciples’ feet.  How does this physical act of humility translate into our experience today?  We’ve been given an example to follow (John 13:15)…  what does it look like?  Should we actually literally wash the feet of people we invite to dinner?  We could…  some have… with marvelous –and maybe a little awkward-- results....  Read More

Hello, everyone!  We’re studying John 13.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, after some back-and-forth debate, Peter agreed to allow Jesus to wash his feet.  Jesus has much to say about this act:When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are righ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, we began to examine the “discussion” Peter and Jesus were having about whether Jesus should or should not be washing Peter’s feet.  One must wonder:  Which act is harder to fathom…  the Son of God deciding to wash the disciples’ feet?  Or one of the disciples questioning and correcting the decision?  Either way, both things are happening as we continue our study.  Jesu...  Read More

Hello, friends!  We’ve begun our study of John 13 and already something profoundly astonishing is happening:  Jesus --the One who claims to be God in the flesh… eternally existent and all-powerful… come to sacrifice himself to save sinners… claiming all eternal authority over everything… all of which he himself created for his own glory—has decided to spend some of his final moments… before his la...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  As we move into chapter 13, it is important to remember that John has committed 7 chapters (John 12-19) of his Gospel to covering the events of one week –one of the most important weeks in human history.  Further, the next two chapters we study are going to cover what happened during the course of one meal…  ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’ve been studying John 12 for 13 weeks.  Thanks for hanging in there!  We’re about to examine the last few verses.  In them, Jesus lays out some stunning claims about himself and about the reality of our circumstance as humans and as Christians.  Take a moment to read John 12:47-50:If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, John observed that the unbelief of the people who rejected Jesus despite all his miraculous works was providential – a part of God’s plan to bring his offer of redemption to all people.  This raised, as we saw, some alarming questions about our own beliefs… and our responsibility for those beliefs.  We could linger on these questions for a long time, but both John and ...  Read More

Last week, Jesus reminded his audience (and us) to “believe in the light” (John 12:36).John makes an observation about belief and how important it is in the verses that follow:Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, -John 12:37This brings us back to what we observed last week:  For those who don’t believe, there isn’t enough proof in the world.  Jesus stood...  Read More

Hello, friends!  We’re taking a long tour through John 12.  Last week, we saw this:So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”-John 12:34The crowd clearly recognizes that Jesus is claiming to be the Christ… and that he identifies himself as the “Son of Man.”  They also unders...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, Jesus said something profound that we should examine more closely:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”     -John 12:31-32It would take a long time to unpack everything Jesus has said here.  Here are a few key points:“Now,” like Jesus’ use of th...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John 12.  Last week, Jesus claimed that his highest purpose is to glorify God’s name and the Father affirmed this purpose and responded –audibly:“I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”-John 12:28God’s ultimate purpose to glorify himself is a profound reality…  and perhaps not easy to swallow for some.  Even the most devout believers can g...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Jesus has challenged his listeners –and us—to follow and serve him.  Doing so honors God the Father, according to Jesus.  And then, something profound happens.  Look what Jesus says:"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour....  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re studying John 12.  Jesus has just challenged a group of Greeks (and us) with his 17th “truly, truly” statement:Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  -John 12:25What does the first part of this mean?  Are we supposed to be miserable forever?  Keeping for eternity a life that we hate?  Forfeit a life that we ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re grateful for this opportunity to consider God’s word with you.As we continue our study of John 12, we see in verse 16 yet another glimpse of the retrospect nature of what John has written.  He acknowledges that Jesus’ disciples (including himself) “did not understand” many things about what Jesus said and did, at first --like riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey—but reme...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re hoping you’ll join our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we saw Jesus remind everyone gathered around him that he was going to die soon.  Yet there was Lazarus –a man whom Jesus had raised from the dead—sitting with him.  That’s quite the contrast.  Add to that the contrast between the apparent way Mary was thinking and how Judas (Iscariot) was t...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We want to encourage you:  Prayerfully consider what we can individually and personally sacrifice at Jesus’ feet.  What can we give up or give away or give to him that would honor him?  Ask God carefully and be prepared for a surprising answer!We’re considering John 12.  Last week, Jesus said something unusual in answer to Judas Iscariot’s unusual question about Mary’s unusual sa...  Read More

Hello, friends.  We’re so grateful for the opportunity to consider God’s word with you.  Be sure to thank the people who make these letters available.  We’re studying John 12.  Last week, we considered what Mary’s sacrifice meant for her.  John records some very interesting information about Judas Iscariot and his reaction to Mary’s sacrifice:•But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was a...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, as we opened our study of John 12, we saw an “ordinary” family –Lazarus and his sisters—acting according to their beliefs by faithfully and openly serving Jesus…  hosting him and feeding him even though the authorities were looking to kill him.  And yet, we see that there are things about this family and what they do for Jesus that are not “ordinary.”  Lazarus, for exa...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re so glad you’ve joined our study of the Gospel of John.  Last week, we saw that Jesus left the area of Jerusalem after raising Lazarus from the dead, and after the religious leaders in Jerusalem started plotting his death.  Jesus won’t stay away from Jerusalem for long, though.  In fact, the very next verse shows that, though some time has passed, the time for all Jews (incl...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We hope you join our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we began to examine a stunning thing Caiaphas, the High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, said about Jesus --stunning and quite ironic, given the sort of man Caiaphas is.  So, the source of the statement is established… a criminally corrupt leader of the religious community.  But what does the sta...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We want to encourage you:  Firmly establish in your heart and mind exactly what it is you believe about Jesus… and then act accordingly.  Pray that we would do the same.We’re seeing, as we study the tail end of John 11, that the “Council” that is trying to determine “what to do about Jesus” is doing precisely that –acting according to their beliefs about Jesus.  In this case, the...  Read More

Hello, everyone!  We’re so glad for the opportunity to consider God’s word with you.  We’re studying John 11.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!Last week, after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (so almost-casually… “Lazarus, come out!”), we began to see that there were two responses to what Jesus did:Belief… DUH.  Seriously.  Right?  Who wouldn’t believe that Jesus is exactly who he says he is a...  Read More

Hello, everyone. We’re so glad you’ve joined our study of John 11.  Last week, Jesus raised a dead man to life. We say that so casually.  But pause for a moment and consider the gravity of what we just read about.  It’s the sort of thing we could sit with our whole lives and never get to the bottom of everything it means for us.  It's just so hugely important.Jesus was almost “casual” about it him...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re studying John 11.  Last week, Jesus made an astonishing claim:•“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”-John 11:41-42Here, Jesus claims that God always hears him in such a way that God inevitably fulfills everything Jesus ever asks of him...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John 11.  Last week, we saw Jesus “deeply moved and greatly troubled…” even weeping (John 11:33, 35).  This would be consistent with what Isaiah prophesied about him (Isaiah 53:3).  For further reading, check out the “servant” predicted in Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and consider how Jesus fulfills what Isaiah predicts.  Meanwhile, we’ll continue our study of...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Be sure to ask for a Bible if you need one.  We’d love it if you joined our study of John.Remember a few weeks back, we talked about “polite” people who go to funerals and say things like “well, they’re in a better place.”  What if we did the opposite?  What if we wailed and cried and carried on as if the person was gone forever… with no hope?  How would that go over?  That’s wha...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John 11.  Last week, we considered one of the most important conversations in the history of mankind:  Martha’s confession of faith in response to Jesus asking the main question:  Is Jesus who he says he is? (John 11:25-27)As we continue, we see Martha fetching her sister Mary to go and meet with Jesus (John 11:28-32).  Some key things to consider ab...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  If you need a Bible, ask for one.  We’re continuing our study of John 11.  Last week, we began to examine one of the most important conversations in the history of mankind.  It’s so important that we should read it again (and again):•Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and beli...  Read More

Hello, everyone!  Join our study of John’s gospel.  Last week, Jesus casually told Martha (whose brother, Lazarus, had died four days ago) “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23).  What a simple, casual, yet confidently authoritative statement to make.  A person just doesn’t say something like that in a moment like that unless they have supreme confidence that it’s true.  Martha believes Jesus...  Read More