Today we complete our examination of verse 33 by looking at four facts in regard to filtering the truth. As I look at this crowd response I see me, or rather much of me. This propensity to protect, correct, defend, resist, is all still very alive. The difference today is the ability to recognize these […]
Today we take our first look at verse 33 which is the crowd’s response to Jesus’s wonderful offer stated in verses 31-32. In this session and prior to examining verse 33 we provide a graphic illustration of our method by which we are viewing and interpreting this gospel content. We are doing so at this […]
Within the context of this conversation the subjects of bondage and freedom are being discussed. It is within this context that Jesus provides clarification regarding discipleship and the promise which He attaches to this discipleship. Let’s take a look.
It seems that from left field, unexpectedly, the crowd asks Jesus, “who are you?” Jesus calmly responds with “what I am saying is exactly the same as what I have been saying all along.” After that He continues with “there are many things I could say about you, but….” This is all fascinating dialog. […]
Today we examine what Jesus meant by stating to His crowd that they would “die in their sin.” In addition, we introduce two ideas worth some pondering, that being Pedestal Belief and Participatory Life Right Now. There is quite a bit to chew on here. Thanks for joining in.
In today’s session we analyze a puzzling response to Jesus by a portion of the Temple Leaders. During our sessions one question keeps surfacing. This question is “why the disconnect between what Jesus is offering and what the crowd is hearing.” We must accept that Jesus is attempting to be clear in His communication. Then […]
Today we examine the latter portion of verse 12. After Jesus declares that He in Himself is the light of the world He continues to state a promise with two corresponding results. It is the promise and results which provide our focus for today.
Here we go again, another attempt to analyze a longer section of this rich text only to be halted by Jesus’s amazing statement in verse 12. He is the Light of the World. We have got to look at this! Thanks for joining in and thanks too for your patience. I hope this is as […]
I have prescribed to a general process by which forgiveness is enacted. This process includes a transgression of some kind followed by a confessionary process including remorse, followed by forgiveness because of the blood of Christ and through Christ followed by a receiving of forgiveness. I believe this to be true. However, in todays study, […]
In this session we deep dive into primarily verse 5. In this verse the Temple Leaders sight a biblical command and then ask Jesus how He responds. From the text we read that their intent is trickery. Let’s look closely how Jesus responds to their test. More importantly let’s examine how the crowd responds.
After the disbanding which occurred at the end of chapter 7 Jesus makes the trip across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olive. He spends the night then returns to the Temple Plaza early the next morning. The Temple leaders now bring to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery. They have […]
Today we examine the interaction between the Temple Police and the Temple Officials (those in charge). We notice that the temple police respond much like those we examined prior in chapter 7. The Temple Officials respond in what I call demeaning with the intent to intimidate. All of this raises interesting questions of which we […]
Today we observe three responses to Jesus’s passionate invitation. It’s interesting, but should be of no surprise, that groups of people perceive Jesus differently. Some are more biblical, some less but regardless all are attempting to fit Jesus into something larger. Why is that? Let’s take a look.
Jesus cries out, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me to drink,” followed by the promise to those who do, “out of your inner most being will flow rivers of living water.” This cry took place during the culminating events of the great fall festival hosted in Jerusalem and within the great Temple. His cry […]
Jesus addresses those seeking to seize Him by stating that the day is coming when they will be looking for Him and He will not be found and where He is at that time they will not be able to come. At first reading it appears that Jesus is thumbing His nose at these jewish […]
There is one crowd hearing the words of Jesus but two polarized responses. As you and I read this or any story our tendency is to search for the good guy and the bad guy in order to identity with what is good. This is only natural. However, let’s put our need aside for a […]
John records that some portion of the crowd expressed belief in Jesus based on His prior acts of healing which he has performed. This expression of faith based on facts stimulates some interesting conversation around the nature of faith and how faith works in our lives. Let’s take a look, and thanks for joining into […]
Jesus once again states to the crowd His origin, His relationship with the Father and that He was sent. He also states to the crowd that they know Him but they do not know the Father. To this, the crowd violently responds attempting to seize Him. We ask, what is going on here? Let’s take […]
In today’s study we focus on two commonly used english words. These two words used here within our story each represent a major idea that pertains to our story and to our lives as well. Through this examination we hope to gain understanding of the communication disconnect between Jesus and the crowd. We may also […]
Today we notice the crowd watching the response of the Religious Authority as to what Jesus is saying and doing. This is important because of the place the crowd has given this authority (either consciously or sub-consciously) to shape their collective opinion of Jesus. Here we see an example of how we as people derive […]