John 20:30-31

April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“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)

Here, John provides the purpose statement for his book: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (31). John clearly thought his selection of signs was sufficient for the reader to believe and have life. That’s a powerful statement, particularly considering that in this same chapter he preserves Thomas’s words: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” John‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬).

John is not dismissing such demands. Rather, he is emphasizing Jesus’s response to Thomas’s post-inspection belief: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬). This emphasis on believing based on testimony rather than physical experience will be essential once Jesus ascends. In fact, even before Jesus ascended, the number of people who could be in Jesus’s presence was limited. Most had to depend on a testimony.

According to Jesus, we have sufficient reason to believe even if we have not personally seen and touched his wounds.

Father, thank you for preserving John’s collection of signs. And, for sending someone to me to testify. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Gospels, Jesus Said, John, New Testament, testimonies

In 19:39

March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.” (‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭39‬)

This is the third reference to Nicodemus in John. (He appears only in John.) Nicodemus is first mentioned when he meets with Jesus at night in chapter 3. There, he seemed to be intrigued by Jesus, acknowledging that Jesus was clearly a “teacher sent from God” (3:2). Nicodemus appears to be searching for answers to better understand Jesus.

He appears again in John 7. There, he reminded his fellow Pharisees that Jewish law requires a person to be heard before he is judged. Though he did not proclaim to be on Jesus’s side, his reminder of Jewish law caused the other Pharisees to ask if he was also from Galilee. It is hard, if not impossible, to know how committed to Jesus, even if secretly, Nicodemus was at this point. It could be that his fellow Pharisees were so committed to busting Jesus that even a reminder of their own law seemed like fidelity to their enemy. Or, it could have been the way Nicodemus presented himself in that moment that said more than John reveals.

Finally, Nicodemus appears to be all in by the time he helps gather Jesus’s body for burial. At this point, Nicodemus is clearly presenting his connection to Jesus.

In the story of Nicodemus, I see my own story of coming to faith. It started with interest. Then a season of maybe-in-maybe-not. And finally, I was all in. Those are not biblical phrases, but I think they helpfully describe the three phases I see in Nicodemus’s story, and my own.

Father, thank you for pursuing me all the way to belief and beyond. There is no one like you. Amen.

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

John 18:1-2

March 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.” (John‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭2‬)

Here, John describes the Garden of Gethsemane as 1) across the Kidron Valley, meaning on the east side of the valley, and 2) a place that Jesus frequented with his disciples.

I suspect that Judas initially took the soldiers to the upper room, only to find it abandoned. Quickly gathering his thoughts, Judas knew where Jesus would be because he had been there with Jesus before. Admittedly, the fruitless trip back to the upper room is conjecture; Judas may have already realized they would be gone and went directly to the garden. But finding the upper room empty adds pressure to the storyline because Judas had an agreement to fulfill. Regardless, John tells us that Judas “knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.” (2)

The point of regularity is what stands out to me in this passage. Although that consistency aided Judas in his evil pursuit, I still see it as a good thing, and something I want to mark my own life with. I believe spontaneity can be a great strength, and consistency in some things is also essential.

One of the things I have tried to build as a constant in my life is completing this chapter-per-day devotional. With God’s help, today marks the 975th day in a row that I have read a chapter of the Bible devotionally. This practice doesn’t make me a hero; it simply shapes my life and establishes some landmarks for my life. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I have completed this reading before getting out of bed because I want God’s word to be the guide for my day. I don’t think it is a sin to read the Bible later in the day, but I want to make sure the busyness of the day doesn’t eat up my basic Bible time. (I read/study the Bible in addition to the morning devotional time, but admittedly, not every day.)

There are other things that I want to be regular things that I’m known for, but not for my glory. I have friends who are quick and automatic to pray when someone shares a burden. I have other friends who are consistent encouragers. And others, who automatically help the disadvantaged. These are all great things to be known for, as Jesus was known for spending time in the garden meeting with his disciples.

Father, help me to grow markers of consistency in my life. Help me to be a dependable intercessor. Help others see consistency in my life such that they can have confidence in me. Amen.

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

John 17:3

March 29, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
‭‭(John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬)

John introduced us to “eternal life” in chapter 3: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬)

In 3:16, we saw that believing in Jesus would result in eternal life. In today’s verse, Jesus indicates that if we have eternal life, we know the only true God and Jesus whom He sent.

If we smash up these two verses (3:16 + 17:3), we can see that Jesus is the gateway to the Father, which is exactly what John 14:6 says: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” By believing in Jesus, we come to know the one true God (I.e., the Father).

This is really deep, but I’m afraid we are so familiar with John 3:16 that we walk right past the significance. Eternal life means that we know (I.e., are in relationship with) the one true and living God. Jesus has not only shown us the Father (14:9), but he also brings us into a relationship with the Father. In the Old Testament, such closeness was rare (as is true in all other religions). Usually, people interacted with God indirectly via intermediaries, whether that was priests, sacrifices, or angels. They couldn’t say they knew God.

By knowing Jesus, we know the Father because they are one. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, not just with us. This is Trinitarian theology.

Father, help me to see the significance and depth of believing in Jesus. Amen.

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

John 16:32-33

March 28, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭32‬-‭33‬).

In chapter 16, Jesus is walking his disciples – literally and figuratively – toward his departure to the Father. Of course, several events will take place before his ascension, including his arrest, death, burial, and resurrection. He has already cryptically told them of his departure, but of course, they didn’t understand. In this chapter, he answered the question presented in chapter 15: “How do we abide in you if you are going away?” Answer: The Holy Spirit. (16:7-8)

In these verses, we see three important things. First, Jesus warned them of a hardship coming that would scatter them. He is referring to his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, which will happen in a few hours. (Jn 18)

We have the advantage of having the complete story, so we can read ahead and see that what Jesus told the disciples would come, did come. Since Jesus proved himself a trustworthy and reliable foreteller, we can trust the portion of his foretelling that applies to us, even if it doesn’t always make sense.

Second, Jesus mentions His unity with the Father. Although the disciples will be scattered, leaving Jesus “alone,” He will not be alone because the Father is with him. Surely, there are times I need this reminder that God is with me. When it seems that all have abandoned me, I must remember that God has not abandoned me.

Third, Jesus told the disciples where they could find peace in a topsy-turvy world. Where? In HIM! Because He has overcome the world and its traps, they can find peace in him. At his resurrection, Jesus defeated the worst things the world has to offer like death and everything else that kills our souls.

Father, help me to find strength and hope in Jesus. Help me to lean into him in hard times. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, Holy Spirit, Jesus Said, John, Life in Christ, New Testament
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