John 12:23-24

March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’” (John‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬-‭24‬)

Two things stand out to me in these two verses. First, Jesus revealed that he is fully aware of his impending death. This should be a helpful observation for those who think Jesus was caught by surprise or tricked. Jesus was fully aware, though the disciples were not.

Second, Jesus used an agricultural illustration to explain his own sacrifice, but also the sacrifices that his disciples would make.

The grain of wheat is not worthless when used in food. Of course, one grain alone will not make much difference, but its value isn’t zero. The real exponential value of a grain of wheat is realized when it is planted. That one grain can reproduce itself directly into 90-450+ grains. In the next generation, those grains can multiply themselves similarly. The numbers become staggering pretty quickly. The point, though, isn’t to guess exactly how many grains that one grain can become, but rather to understand that the death of that grain is where its greatest potential lies.

In an illustrative way, Jesus isn’t saying his life – the time spent walking with the disciples – has zero value. He is trying to help the disciples see that his death is where the infinite value is found. Of course, John already told us in verse 16 that the guys didn’t get it until after Jesus was glorified. Time, explanation, and creative illustrations didn’t fully prepare the disciples for what was about to happen.

Father, help me to read your word well, then to receive it well. Amen.

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

John 11:37

March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?’” (John‬ ‭11‬:‭37‬)

I love John 11 because it challenges the way we think about how Jesus (God) should behave. For example, the story of Lazarus’ resurrection opens with Jesus being informed that Lazarus is very sick. The natural assumption is that he would hurry to Lazarus, which is exactly what Martha thought (10:21). However, Jesus waited two days after hearing the news before heading toward Bethany.

Our verse follows the same type of thinking that suggests if God could do something, he surely would do that thing. But just as we saw that Jesus could have left for Bethany sooner, but didn’t, we also see that Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying, but he didn’t. So often, skeptics will reason that if God is all-powerful, he would do X. Therefore, because God didn’t do X, he is not all-powerful. However, the story of Lazarus ‘ resurrection undermines this type of reasoning.

Verse 4, helps us understand why Jesus/God doesn’t necessarily behave in the way we might reason that He should: “But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’” (11‬:‭4‬, emphasis added) Notice the bolded part. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so that the Son of God might be glorified through it.

This is similar to the story of the blind man in John 9. Very few of us, including me, would want to be born blind or have our brother die. However, after seeing these two stories in John, we could not reason that a good God would not allow either to happen, even if He chose not to heal our blindness or resurrect our brother in our timeframe.

When things that we would not choose happen, we must be patient and seek God’s glory in that circumstance. In fact, the way we endure that hardship may be where we and others see God’s glory.

Father, help me never demand that you behave in any certain way. Please help me seek to glorify you when I face circumstances that I would not have chosen. Amen.

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

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
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