John 4:54

March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.” (John 4:54)

John builds his gospel around 7 signs (miracles), then in 20:30-31, he explains his rationale for this approach: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭30‬-‭31‬, emphasis added) There it is: That you, the reader, may believe and have life in his name!

This second sign (4:46-53) is the healing of a Galilean official’s son who was ill. The son was apparently very sick, and when his dad learned that Jesus was back in the Galilee, he met Jesus there. John described the request rather matter-of-factly: “When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.” (John‬ ‭4‬:‭47‬ ESV)

In fact, the whole story has a matter-of-fact feel: Jesus noted that the man wouldn’t believe without seeing a sign. The man responded, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” (John‬ ‭4‬:‭49‬) Then, Jesus said, “Go; your son will live.” (4:50).

The punchline, according to John’s purpose statement, comes next: “The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” (4‬:‭50‬). This seems to be John’s point in preserving this story. Well, that and the last line of the story: “And he himself believed, and all his household.” (4‬:‭53‬)

Jesus healed his son from a distance because the father had asked, resulting in the whole family believing. I often say that the recipient of the miracle always benefits from it, but he/she is often (always?) not the focus of the miracle. Jesus is revealing something about himself so that onlookers may believe, as happened here.

Father, help me to see Jesus more clearly as I read through John. Help me increase my belief daily. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Faith, Jesus Said, John, Life in Christ, New Testament

John 3:18, 36

March 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (3:18‬)

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (3:36)

Here, Jesus and John the Baptist share the same message.

While meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus explained that those who believe in Jesus will not be condemned, and those who do not believe are already condemned. (18)

While meeting with some of his disciples, John the Baptist explained that whoever believes in the Son (Jesus) has eternal life, and those who do not obey Jesus will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on them. (36)

The first thing I see is the consistency in messaging between Jesus and John. For example,

  1. Forgiveness

Those who believe in Jesus will not be condemned (Jesus). Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (JtB).

  1. Wrath

Whoever does not believe is condemned already (Jesus). Those who do not obey Jesus…God’s wrath remains on them (JtB).

The second thing I see is that in unbelief, man already lives in a state of condemnation.

The third thing I see is that those who believe in Christ already have eternal life. It’s not something we get only after we die. I think this is related to the indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in us.

The fourth thing I see is that the same God who offers eternal life to those who believe also serves eternal condemnation to those who don’t believe. Some think these two options couldn’t exist in the same being, and thus dismiss the God who presents himself through his word.

In contrast, I see more clearly the fullness of God’s nature. The fullness that is on display in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish (wrath) but have eternal life (forgiveness).”

Father, please help me to receive you as you have revealed yourself. Thank you for the hope offered in John 3:16. Please help me to live eternal life now. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Jesus Said, John, New Testament

John 2:16

March 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And he told those who sold the pigeons, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.’”

Jesus gave a corrective warning to those seeking to profit from the religious activities at the temple. These were people specifically targeting worshippers. In other words, their purpose was to make money off of those who came to worship.

This story always reminds me of the souvenir vendors at the Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem. Each morning, they start the day at the gate. As tourists enter, the vendors follow them, arms extended, displaying trinkets for sale. With each group, the vendors manage to go a little further into the property. Eventually, a nun will run them out of the gate and off the property. Then, the slow creep begins all over. Throughout the day, this routine is repeated several times.

As a business owner, this verse hits close to home. I have to guard my heart so that I don’t join a church for the financial opportunities that could come. Furthermore, I have to guard my heart so that I am not mentally angling for business while I am at church. I don’t believe this means I cannot provide my services to church members, but I need to guard my heart so that is not my motivation for being there.

I believe this warning also applies to pastors who must guard their hearts so that they are not mentally angling to make money beyond their salary from their congregants. To help avoid this potential heart conflict, some churches require their pastoral staff to sign a non-compete contract. In this age of the “side hustle,” this seems like a good idea.

Father, please help me have a pure heart focused on you when I gather with your people. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Integrity, Jesus Said, John, motivations, New Testament, pride

John 1:22-23

March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“So they said to him [John the Baptist], “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

What stands out to me is John’s clarity of his calling or purpose in life. We see here and elsewhere that John was completely settled in his role as the forerunner to Jesus. He shows no jealousy that he was not the light, but called to bear witness of the light.

This reminds me of a frustration I have at weddings. Often, the groomsmen intend to prank the groom and intentionally or unintentionally draw attention to themselves. Thus, rather than honoring the bride and groom, whose day it is, the groomsmen become the focal point.

John is a great model of humility, a model I want to embrace. He knows his role and plays it well.

Father, help me to be comfortable in the roles that you place me in, regardless of the role. Help me never – even unintentionally – to take your place or anyone else’s. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, humility, John, New Testament, pride

Luke 24:6-7

March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:6-7)

These verses raise an issue that is puzzling to me. Those closest to Jesus were surprised that he was crucified and that he had resurrected. Does that mean they had disregarded or forgotten the times (plural!) that he had told them about his coming death and resurrection? Were these concepts that they were unable to understand? Or, were they, for some reason, unwilling to believe?

To be clear, while Thomas is labeled the doubter (John 20:24-29) because of his demand to see Jesus’ wounds, when Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women reported the resurrection to the apostles, their words “seemed to [the apostles] an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”(10-11‬) Thomas was hardly alone in his disbelief.

Luke records that Peter immediately ran to the tomb to verify the women’s report, and the two on the Road to Emmaus had reported their experience with the resurrected Jesus. Still, when Jesus eventually appeared to the gathered saints, they were shocked, “startled, and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.” (37)

Jesus proceeded to show them the scars in his hands and feet. (39)

Here is my question: Why was it so difficult for them to believe?

I think the answer is provided in these words, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”(45‬) Believing the gospel is not merely a matter of examining the evidence and deciding to accept or reject the claims as we might when selecting a car or refrigerator. Deciding for Christ is spiritual business and requires the work of the Lord in our minds and hearts. No less than Jesus had “witnessed” to these people, yet they didn’t believe until Jesus opened their minds.

Notice what Luke writes in Acts 16:14 as he tells the story of Lydia’s conversion at Philippi: “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Even the witness of the apostle Paul required the Lord’s intervention to be effective.

My conclusion is pretty straightforward. I must take more seriously the need to pray for the Lord to accompany my witness to unbelievers. Their decision to believe is not dependent on how well-versed I am (though I should be well-versed) nor how well-spoken I am (though I should be clear and kind). I must recognize that handling the story of Jesus is holy business and treat it as such.

Father, please help me to keep in mind how dependent I am on you in all areas of my life, including conversations about Jesus. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Life of Christ, Luke, New Testament
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