John 10:21

March 22, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Others said, ‘These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’” (‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬)

I like this verse because it demonstrates the effects of Jesus’ actions. When His words are hard to believe, look at his actions.

These men were divided in their opinion of Jesus. But the question was more than is he a good guy or bad guy. They were struggling with whether or not he was the Christ/Messiah. “Many of them said, ‘He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?’” 10‬:‭20‬) But others, reflected on his works.

Later in this chapter, Jesus explained the value of his works: “So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me.” ‭(10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬)

In fact, Jesus offers this same emphasis on His works in chapter 5: “But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.” (5‬:‭36‬)

At the last supper Jesus presented his works to the disciples for their consideration: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭11, emphasis added‬)

In chapter 15, Jesus suggested that disregarding his works will lead to judgment: “If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.” (‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭24‬)

What is the point? We should consider the way Jesus communicated His identity. Skeptics often ask, “Where did Jesus say, “I am God?’” That’s a clever trap question, but Jesus’ response is, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me.” (10‬:‭25‬)

Father, when Jesus’ words are hard to understand, help me to see His works as enough for me to believe. Amen.

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

John 9:2-3

March 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” (John‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭3‬)

For so many reasons, this is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Today, my focus is on the meaning of suffering. In general, we see suffering as a bad thing, and no one wants to suffer.

In this story of the man born blind, we recognize, to some degree, the hardships that his blindness would bring…to the man. However, I think most readers never think about the broader effects beyond the man. His circumstances surely affected his immediate family. Extra time and attention are just some of the broader effects of his blindness. Many family decisions must surely have taken into account his circumstances.

The broader implications of his blindness are where my thoughts go in this story. Not because I don’t care or want to minimize the man’s personal suffering. Rather, I think a broader consideration of the suffering adds weight to what Jesus said.

Here’s the setup: Upon seeing a man born blind, his disciples asked Jesus why he was born this way. Misunderstanding the situation, they offered Jesus the option of blaming him or his parents for the blindness. Jesus chose neither A nor B.

John writes in verse 3, “Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” Did you catch Jesus’ explanation of why he was born blind? That the works of God might be displayed in him! What? All of the years of blindness-related challenges he and his family experienced so that the works of God might be displayed in him? In other words, God appointed this man’s suffering for God’s glory. That hits hard for those who seek to avoid every hardship in life. And for those who have a very narrow and finite view of God.

This matter of suffering is often the stated reason people deconstruct or abandon their evangelical faith. The existence of suffering just doesn’t square with their view of God. Incredulously, they (we) demand to know, “How could or why would God use suffering for His glory?” Let’s not forget that the Father appointed that His own Son would endure immeasurable suffering for our good and His glory.

This is not to suggest we should attempt to increase human suffering rather than reduce it. We should see any relief in suffering as God’s grace and a foretaste of glory where all tears will be wiped away, and all things will be made right (Revelation 21). We should also seek to recognize God’s glory in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), which might be demonstrated exactly in how well we suffer, hoping in the promise of God. We might also recognize God’s glory through God’s servants who selflessly minister to those who suffer.

The world is broken, but let’s not let its brokenness turn our hearts away from God. Rather, in the midst of brokenness, let’s look for His glory being displayed.

Father, help me to suffer well and to effectively encourage those who are suffering…for my good and your glory. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Faith, Jesus Said, John, New Testament, Suffering, Supremacy of God

John 8:51-52

March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ (8‬:‭51‬-‭52‬)

The confusion here is somewhat understandable. There are two meanings of death or die in the Bible. Both are referenced in these verses.

Appearing first in the Bible is spiritual death, the death of the soul. We see this referenced in Genesis 2:17, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭17, emphasis added‬)

We can conclude that this refers to spiritual death because Adam didn’t fall over dead at the moment or on the day he ate. Genesis 5:5 says he lived a long 930 years. Of course, we don’t know how long Adam and Eve lived outside of the garden, but we can surmise it was a lengthy period since they bore children there. The main point is that Adam’s soul died immediately.

The second type of death in the Bible is physical death. We already mentioned that in relation to Adam. But we can see the phrase “see death” used by both man and God in reference to physical death in Luke 2: “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬)

In the John passage, Jesus is using “see death” in the spiritual sense. The Pharisees, like Simeon, are thinking of physical death.

In the case of Adam, and in the case of us, spiritual death leads to physical death. Unfortunately, most people in the world don’t make this connection and focus solely on physical death because, as they say, “The only two things guaranteed in life are taxes and death.”

Paul explained to Timothy how spiritual death can be reversed in 2 Timothy 1:10, “and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬). “Through the gospel” explains why we should be adamant in sharing the gospel. While the gospel doesn’t reverse the curse of physical death, it can bring eternal spiritual life.

Two important things we can see in these verses are 1) the importance of understanding how a person is using a word/phrase, and 2) our need to recognize that the gospel is our gateway to eternal life.

Father, help me to have a greater burden to help people see their need for the gospel. Amen.

Filed Under: Death, devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Jesus Said, Joel, John, Life in Christ, New Testament

John 7:27, 42

March 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” (7:27)

“Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” (7:42‬)

I have seen verse 27 play out so many times over my lifetime. People say all kinds of things about Jesus as facts. But have no basis for what they are saying. The kinds of things I have heard range from bizarre to ignorant, but the person really believes what they are saying.

Verse 42 is the guide for evaluating any claims about Jesus. What does the Bible say? In this case, as verse 42 says, we do know where “the Christ” will come from. Bethlehem!

Father, thank you for this reminder to be familiar with your word and to use it to fact-check claims made about Jesus. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Helpful Tips, Hope this Helps, John, New Testament

John 6:63

March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

The context of this verse is critical. In some sense, there is a context within a context. First, the broader context is the feeding of the 5000. The second context is that a group of folks who experienced the feeding chased Jesus to Capernaum ostensibly to find out more about Jesus. However, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (6‬:‭26‬-‭27‬)

It is to this group that Jesus attempted to sharpen their focus from external to internal. They had come for more “wonder bread.” But Jesus wanted them to recognize the meaning of the wonder bread.

I think he would do the same to me today. It’s not that working to put food on the table isn’t important. But in reality, I work for more than essentials. Jesus’ point is to work at least equally hard for that which matters eternally.

Father, please help me properly identify what is necessary for physical life, and give it its proper emphasis, but not more. Please help me recognize what builds into eternity and not give it less attention. Amen.

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