Episode 23

 Woman of Samaria, Part 3

    Prayer

    Heavenly Father, grant us clarity, discernment, and a deeper comprehension of Your word. Help us to embrace Your teachings with open hearts and minds. May we find strength in our faith as we navigate life's challenges, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 4:17-26

John 4: 17-20, The woman answered, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You said well,‘I have no husband, for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.

Reflection

 Following the icebreaker, casual chatter, and her candid disclosures about her failed marriages, the woman began to suspect that Jesus might be a prophet. Overwhelmed by feelings of shame and discomfort, she shifted the conversation toward religion. She remarked that while the Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim in Samaria, the Jews conducted their worship on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

John 4: 21-22, Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father. You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 

Reflection

Jesus emphasized that the location of worship is unimportant; what truly matters is worshiping the one true God. Because God is omnipresent, He can be revered from any place and at any time. While the Samaritans worship a false deity, the Jews honor the true God. Salvation was first offered to the Jews and then extended to the Gentiles.

Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

 John 4: 23-24, But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

    Reflection

True worshipers engage in worshiping God both in spirit and in truth, as God embodies spirit and truth. They transcend the physical realm, offering worship that resonates in the spiritual dimension. Moreover, they honor the true God through sound doctrine and theology.

 John 4: 25, The woman said to him, I know that Messiah comes, he who is called Christ. When he has come, he will declare to us all things.

Reflection

  Similar to the Jews, the Samaritans held an anticipation for the arrival of the Messiah (Christ). In a profound encounter, Jesus disclosed to her that He was indeed the Messiah. Remarkably, the first individual in the New Testament to recognize Jesus as the Messiah was the Samaritan woman. Jesus declared, I AM.

    Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, I AM who I AM.

 The Hebrew equivalent for I AM is Yahweh, who revealed Himself and communicated with Moses in the burning bush. This presence is recognized as the pre-incarnate Christ, also known as a Christophany. Jesus is indeed Yahweh.

Application

God is spirit and embodiment of truth. It is essential to worship Him in both spirit and truth. Jesus Christ is the path to God, the ultimate revelation of His truth, and the source of eternal life. Embracing the truth liberates us from sin. Jesus is Yahweh, the eternal, self-sustaining, and only true God of the Bible.

When you align your life with His teachings, you become vessels of His grace and mercy. Your actions reflect His light in a world that desperately needs hope and healing. As you walk in His footsteps, your faith becomes a beacon for others to follow. In this journey, you experience profound transformation, guiding those around you toward redemption and love.

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Episode 22

 Woman of Samaria, Part 2

    Prayer

    Heavenly Father, we come before You in prayer, asking that You illuminate our hearts spiritually to hear, feel, touch, and comprehend Your messages. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, convict, and equip us in righteousness. May we be strengthened in our faith and emboldened to share Your love with others. Help us to be attentive to Your voice throughout our daily lives, in Jesus' name, Amen. 

 John 4:10-18

John 4: 10, Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.

Reflection

Jesus used the request for water as a conversation starter with the Samaritan woman, serving as an effective icebreaker. He subtly revealed to her that He is the gift of God, offering her a special kind of water known as Living Water. This Living Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit, as referenced in John 7:37-39.

John 7:37-39, On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this, he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time, the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

John 4: 11-12,  The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. So where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father, Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his children and his livestock?

Reflection

The woman replied that the well was deep and Jesus had no bucket to draw the water. While she was thinking in earthly terms, Jesus was speaking from a spiritual perspective. Unsure of how to respond, she posed a rhetorical question: "Are you greater than Jacob, who provided us with this well?" She anticipated a "no" from Jesus, but in reality, the well He offers is far superior to Jacob’s.

John 4: 13, Jesus answered her, Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, 

Reflection

Jesus explained that while drinking water from Jacob's well may quench physical thirst, it cannot fulfill the profound yearnings of her heart. Her true thirst was not merely for a drink, but for emotional and spiritual sustenance. Therefore, it was essential to draw from the well of Jesus.

John 4: 14, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.

Reflection

Drinking water gives only a momentary relief from physical thirst. What she, and everyone, truly needs is the living water found in Jesus. He is the source of life, the living water, and the divine essence that comes from Heaven. Only Jesus can fulfill the profound desires of the heart and satisfy the inner thirst for a relationship with the God of creation.

As physicist Blaise Pascal aptly stated, There is a God-shaped void in the heart of every individual that cannot be filled by anything created, but only by God the Creator, revealed through Jesus Christ.

John 4: 15-16, The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw. Jesus said to her, Go, call your husband, and come here.

Reflection

The woman inadvertently stumbled into a more profound discussion! While she still reasoned naturally, her heart longed for the living water of Jesus. When He asked her to bring her husband, she replied that she had none. With His all-knowing insight, Jesus revealed her reality by stating she had had five husbands and was currently with a man who wasn’t her spouse. This truth would have pierced her deeply. Here stood a complete stranger who knew every detail of her tumultuous life. At that moment, she felt utterly vulnerable, exposed, and bare before Him.

21 Woman of Samaria (1)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we dedicate ourselves to You in our daily devotion. We ask for your guidance and deep understanding, so we can learn the lessons you want to teach us. Help us to remain open and receptive to Your guidance in our lives. May Your wisdom illuminate our path and strengthen our faith as we navigate through life's challenges. We seek to grow closer to You and live in accordance with Your will, in Jesus' name, Amen.

John 4:1-10

John 4:1-4, Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John  (although Jesus himself didn’t baptize, but his disciples),  he left Judea and departed into Galilee. 4 He needed to pass through Samaria.

Reflection

The Pharisees' hostility towards Jesus intensified as His disciples began baptizing people in Judea. In response, Jesus departed Judea and headed north to Galilee. Remarkably, He chose the most direct route, traveling straight north through Samaria—a bold and unconventional decision. Typically, Jews would avoid Samaria by taking an eastern detour out of Judea, then heading north and west to re-enter Galilee. However, Jesus felt compelled to pass through Samaria instead. Today, the biblical region encompassing Judea and Samaria is known as the West Bank.

John 4:5-6, So, he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Reflection

 Upon arriving at Sychar around noon, weary from His extended journey, Jesus found a moment of rest beside Jacob's well. Interestingly, Jesus' well was sitting beside Jacob's well. Meanwhile, the disciples had gone into the city to procure food. Despite being both fully man and fully God, Jesus experienced fatigue, thirst, and hunger.

Typically, women would visit the well during the early morning or late evening hours to escape the heat. In the first-century Middle Eastern context, these gatherings were opportunities for socializing and exchanging stories. However, this particular woman chose to come at noon, deliberately avoiding the company of others.

John 4:7-9, A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Give me a drink. For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

Reflection

When Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman, He initiated the conversation by requesting a drink. This simple act served as his icebreaker, catching her off guard. Given the deep-rooted animosity between Jews and Samaritans, their interaction was unexpected; they were notorious for avoiding any contact. Additionally, it was considered socially unacceptable for Samaritan women to speak with men in public, making Jesus’ request not only unconventional but also scandalous. However, by asking her for water, He shattered societal norms. Jesus had a divine mission; He came to seek and save those lost in sin.

John 4:10,  Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.

Reflection

    Jesus, the divine gift from God, stood before her, speaking the promise of eternal life! If only she realized the depth of this moment! Spiritually parched and yearning, she faced the source of Living Water. Instead of seeking fulfillment in the fleeting relationships with men, having had five, she found herself trapped in sin. Yet, here was Jesus, coming not to condemn, but to save her.

Application

Which wells are you drawing from? No earthly source can truly fulfill the deepest desires of your heart. Only Jesus Christ offers genuine, enduring satisfaction.

Episode 20

Nicodemus, Part 4

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we recognize that You are the one true God, with no other deity beside You. Please communicate with us in Your unique way. May Your wisdom guide our hearts and minds as we seek to understand Your will. Strengthen our faith and help us to trust in Your divine plan for our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 3:17-21

John 3: 17-18, For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Reflection

   God did not send Jesus Christ to condemn the world, but rather to offer salvation through Him. Yet, those who choose not to believe in Him will face condemnation. Salvation and condemnation are essentially two sides of the same coin. Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ will find salvation, while those who do not believe in Him will face judgment.

    John 3: 19-20, This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.

Reflection

 Jesus, known as the Light of the World (John 8:12), sheds light on and unveils the reality of sin. Many individuals hesitate to approach Christ due to their fear of having their sins brought to light. Rather than embracing this illuminating truth, they opt to remain in the shadows of darkness and sin.

Romans 3:10, As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.

John 3:21, But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.

Reflection

Those who embrace the Light live in truth and have nothing to conceal from God. As stated in John 8:12, Those who walk in the Light will not stumble in darkness,

Following their clandestine meeting, Nicodemus became a devoted follower of Jesus. In John 7:50-51, he boldly defended Jesus before the Pharisees. Later, in John 19:39, Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea, honored Jesus with a respectful Jewish burial, bringing a significant amount of myrrh and aloes for the embalming process. No longer a secret disciple, he openly professed his faith. Nicodemus initially approached Jesus under the cover of darkness but emerged into the light of belief. As per tradition, the Jewish authorities expelled Nicodemus from the Sanhedrin, ultimately excommunicating him and banishing him from Jerusalem.

John 8:12, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

    Application

Jesus, the Light of God, has entered your world. It is your duty to walk in His Light, embrace Truth, and follow the Holy Spirit. You are called to shine brightly in your surroundings. Are you a beacon of light in the world? Reflecting His light in your life requires intentionality and commitment. Embrace challenges wholeheartedly and shine as a beacon for others, guiding them toward faith and hope.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus Christ into the world to become the Light of all. May we also shine brightly as a light to those around us. Help us to be instruments of Your love and peace, reflecting Your glory in every action and word. Help us share Your light with those in darkness, guiding them to Your eternal truth, in Jesus' name, Amen. 

21 Woman of Samaria (1)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we dedicate ourselves to You in our daily devotion. We ask for your guidance and deep understanding, so we can learn the lessons you want to teach us. Help us to remain open and receptive to Your guidance in our lives. May Your wisdom illuminate our path and strengthen our faith as we navigate through life's challenges. We seek to grow closer to You and live in accordance with Your will, Amen

19. Exit John the Baptist

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we gather in Your name, trusting in Your presence among us. We seek Your guidance and wisdom as we reflect on the life of John the Baptist. May his example inspire us to live with courage and faith, proclaiming Your truth to the world. Help us to embrace the call to share Your message boldly, just as he did, in Jesus' name, Amen.

John 3:22-36

John 3: 22, After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized. 

Reflection

 Following His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus and His disciples traveled to the Judean countryside to conduct baptisms. However, as noted in John 4:2, it was actually His disciples who performed the baptisms, rather than Jesus Himself. Today, the region of Judea and Samaria is known as the West Bank.

John 3: 23-24, John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized; for John was not yet thrown into prison.

    Reflection

 John the Baptist was also baptizing his followers at Aenon, near Salim. This marked a significant moment in John's ministry as he gathered disciples who were seeking spiritual renewal and preparation for the coming Messiah.

John 3: 25-26,Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. They came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.

Reflection

   John the Baptist’s followers expressed concern that Jesus was gaining popularity and that more people were seeking baptism from him. This reaction highlighted the competitive nature of their ministry and the fear of losing influence. However, John's response would ultimately reveal the true heart of his mission and his understanding of his role in God's plan.

John 3:27, John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

Reflection

John the Baptist acknowledged that it is within God's authority to grant blessings to whomever He chooses. He recognized his role and held no jealousy toward Jesus' achievements. A person can accomplish nothing without God's empowerment, and ultimately, all success in ministry is due to God's influence.

John 3:28-29, You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.

Reflection

    John the Baptist declared himself merely as a voice; a messenger and a forerunner, referring to Jesus as the bridegroom. He emphasized that the bride, symbolizing the church, rightfully belonged to Christ, not to him. As the best man, his role was to wait, listen, and celebrate the moment he heard the bridegroom's voice. In a true spirit of humility, John rejoiced knowing that more people were turning to Jesus rather than to him. He understood that his purpose was to prepare the way for Christ.

John 3: 30, He must increase, but I must decrease.

Reflection

John the Baptist humbly diminished his own significance in order to elevate that of Jesus. As his ministry approached its conclusion, he faced imminent arrest and martyrdom at the hands of King Herod. He boldly articulated his mission statement, He must increase, but I must decrease. John set a remarkable example for us, reminding us of the importance of humility and selflessness in our journey of faith.

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Nicodemus, part 3

    Prayer

    Heavenly Father, Speak to us in Your unique way. Grant us the ability to listen, see, and understand Your Word. Nourish us today with the daily bread of Life. Help us find clarity amid the chaos and strength in our vulnerabilities. May our hearts be open to Your guidance as we journey through this day, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Reflection

This verse encapsulates the entire essence of the Bible in a single statement, focusing specifically on the theme of salvation. It reminds us of God's unconditional love and grace, encouraging us to accept this divine gift. Through faith, we find hope and a renewed purpose in life. As we embrace this truth, we are called to reflect that love and grace in our own lives. This transformation shapes our lives and allows us to positively influence others with kindness and compassion.

For God

Salvation starts with God. He reaches out to us, offering grace and forgiveness. It is through His love that we find true purpose and peace. As we respond to His call, we begin to transform our lives and connect deeply with our faith. This journey connects us to Him and builds a community with those seeking His light.

So loved

Salvation originates from the boundless love of God. In Greek, the word for love encompasses the essence of unconditional, divine affection. Agape represents the pinnacle of love in the Greek language. Since God is love, as stated in 1 John 4:8, all love is derived from Him. Remarkably, God loved us even when we were spiritually dead in our transgressions and sins, as emphasized in Ephesians 2:1.

1 John 4:8, Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:10, This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:16, And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

1 John 4:19, We love because he first loved us.

Ephesians 2:1, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.

The world

Salvation is intended for all humanity. In Greek, the word for world refers specifically to the people or inhabitants of this planet. This underscores the belief that every individual has the opportunity for redemption and grace. The message of salvation transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, offering hope to everyone.

He gave

 Salvation is exemplified through the act of giving. Giving embodies love, allowing us to express our affection for God and others. In turn, God shows His love for us by giving His Son. This profound connection between giving and love highlights the selfless nature of true faith. Giving shows God's grace and encourages others to be kind and compassionate.

Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:32, He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

John 1:12, Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

One and only

Salvation came through God's gift of His one and only Son. The Greek phrase for one and only signifies something unique or truly one of a kind. God sent His uniquely beloved Son to die on the cross, bearing the punishment for our sins. Since we could never fulfill our sin debt to God, Jesus took on that debt for us as our substitute, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21. This concept is known as substitutionary atonement. Jesus accomplished for us what we could never achieve on our own. He died in our place.

17. Nicodemus Part 2

Prayer

Heavenly Father, grant us, today, Your Word of eternal life to nourish our souls. Open our spiritual eyes, ears, hearts, and minds, so we may grasp the truths of the Spirit. Communicate with us in the unique way that only You can, through the Holy Spirit. Help us to discern Your guidance and wisdom amidst the distractions of the world. Fill us with peace and strength as we seek to follow Your path each day., in Jesus' name, Amen.

John 3:8-15

John 3:8, The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Reflection

   A compelling comparison can be drawn between wind and the Spirit, as both are represented by the same Greek word pneuma. Just like the wind, whose movements elude our predictions, the workings of the Holy Spirit are equally unfathomable. The wind remains an unseen force—mighty, enigmatic, and genuine—mirroring the nature of the Holy Spirit. When your spiritual sensitivity is heightened, you can truly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit becomes evident through the profound testimonies of lives changed by His influence.

John 3:9-10, Nicodemus answered him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things? 

Reflection

      Nicodemus, still rooted in his earthly mindset, was thinking in worldly terms, while Jesus conveyed profound spiritual insights. A person who has not undergone spiritual renewal cannot grasp the essence of spiritual truths.

1 Corinthians 2:14, But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 3:11-13, Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.

Reflection

The Greek phrase for very truly is amen, amen, conveying utmost certainty. The use of the plural pronoun we alludes to the Holy Trinity. Jesus used everyday images like childbirth, water, and wind to explain spiritual concepts, but Nicodemus found them difficult to understand. No one has ascended to Heaven except for Jesus Christ, who descended from there. His coming down signifies His pre-existence, as stated in John 1:1. The title Son of Man serves as a Messianic designation for Jesus, referenced in Daniel 7:13.

John 1:1, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    Daniel 7:13, In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

John 3:14-15, As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Reflection

The bronze serpent that Moses raised in the desert, as God commanded in Numbers 21:9, foreshadows Jesus Christ. The phrase lifting up the Son of Man refers to Jesus’ crucifixion. Like the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, you can find salvation by turning to Jesus.

Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross to redeem you from the consequences of your sins. If you look to Him in faith and truly believe, you will be saved. He stands as the substitutionary atonement for you and your sins. If you visit Mount Nebo in Jordan today, you can see the monument of the brazen serpent, a lasting reminder of this important truth.

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16. Nicodemus Part 1

    Prayer

    Heavenly Father, we humbly express our heartfelt gratitude for the gift of Your eternal truths. May we draw sustenance from them and never experience hunger again. Enrich our spirits and lead us through life's trials. Strengthen our resolve to pursue understanding and to share it generously with others, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

John 3:1-7

John 3:1-2, Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.

Reflection

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a legalistic Jewish teacher, a Rabbi, and a member of the Sanhedrin, the governing body of the Jewish people. He quietly sought out Jesus in the darkness of night, striving to remain inconspicuous and avoid any unwanted attention.

   John 3: 3, Jesus answered him, Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.

Reflection

Nicodemus recognized with great respect that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. In response, Jesus stated that one must be born again to truly see the Kingdom of God. The Greek phrase for born again conveys the meaning of being born from above. To see the Kingdom of God is synonymous with salvation.

    John 3: 4-5, Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.

Reflection

Nicodemus approached the topic from a natural perspective, yet Jesus was delivering a profound spiritual message. Born of water means physical birth, while born of the Spirit refers to spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit. Physical birth alone does not grant you access to the Kingdom of God. Spiritual regeneration, or being born again, is essential. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual realm in the hearts of those who surrender to Jesus as their King.

     John 3:6-7, That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don’t marvel that I said to you, You must be born anew.

Reflection

The process of physical birth gives rise to a physical life. Yet, this physical life is spiritually lifeless due to sin, as stated in Romans 3:23 and Ephesians 2:1. In contrast, spiritual birth leads to the emergence of a spiritual life, as stated in 1 John 5:12.

When someone confesses their sin, believes in Jesus, and surrenders their life to Him, the Holy Spirit enters and transforms them into a new creation, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Nicodemus could only be saved from his sins through a spiritual heart transplant by Jesus, not by his Jewish heritage, wealth, political power, or understanding of the Mosaic law. 

Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:1, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.

1 John 5:12, He who has the Son has the life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here!

Application

Salvation is found solely in grace, through faith, and in Christ. To truly be a Christian, one must undergo spiritual rebirth, often referred to as being born again. You can begin this transformation now by confessing your sins to Jesus, trusting in His sacrifice for you, and giving your life to Him completely.

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Destroy this Temple

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we express our deepest gratitude for the divine nourishment of the Bread of Life, Bread from Heaven, Living Bread, Living Word, Living Manna, and Living Water to feed our souls and quench our spiritual thirst and hunger, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 2:18-25

John 2 18-19, The Jews therefore answered him, What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?” Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Reflection

    Folllowing the cleansing of the temple, the Jewish leaders demanded a sign from Jesus to prove His authority. Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days," referring to His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate proof of His divinity. Jesus embodies both the resurrection and the life itself. Those who place their faith in Him are promised eternal life. 

John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 2: 20 -22, The Jews therefore said, It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Reflection

This is the second temple, constructed after the first temple of Solomon was devastated by Babylonian invaders in 586 BC. In 515 BC, the Jews who returned from exile initiated the reconstruction. Later, between 19 BC and 63 AD, Herod the Great extensively refurbished the second temple, renaming it Herod's Temple. The mention of rebuilding the temple in three days symbolized Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Following His resurrection, the disciples recalled the words of Jesus and came to believe in Him.

John 2, verses 23 to 25, Now, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Reflection

Jesus took part in the Jewish Passover in Jerusalem, celebrated annually on the 15th of Nisan, the first month of the Hebrew calendar in spring. The term "Passover" can also refer to the sacrificial lamb, the Passover meal, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, celebrated from the 16th to the 23rd of Nisan. 

   The Greek word for "entrust" translates to "believe," revealing a compelling wordplay on belief itself. Although many people saw Jesus' miracles and believed in Him, He did not return that faith. They admired His miraculous works but failed to recognize Him as the true Messiah. As an omniscient being, Jesus understood the thoughts and intentions of every heart, discerning that their belief lacked authenticity.

  Hebrews 4:13, Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Application:

Jesus wants a deeper faith rooted in a personal relationship of love and trust. Christianity is fundamentally about the connection between individuals and Christ. The essence of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead to bring us salvation. Those who place their faith in Him will not perish but will receive eternal life. Do you believe this truth?

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

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14. Cleansing the Temple

    Prayer

    Heavenly Father, provide us with the sustenance we need each day and forgive us of our sin. Guide us to show the same forgiveness to others as you have shown to us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 2:13, The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Reflection

 Jesus, accompanied by His mother Mary, His half-brothers, and His disciples, went down from Cana to Capernaum, a town situated 23 miles to the east. Capernaum was lower than Cana, so they descended. They went up from Capernaum to Jerusalem, a journey of 70 miles south, to participate in the yearly Passover celebration. Jerusalem was higher than Capernaum, so they ascended. Jewish men over 12 years old within 50 miles of Jerusalem had to go to Passover every year.

Passover reminds us of the night when the firstborn male Israelites were spared, while the firstborn males of the Egyptians were killed by the angel of death. This was part of the Biblical story of Exodus 12.

Passover is a foreshadow of Jesus. Whoever believes in Jesus will passover from death to life.

John 5:24, Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

1 Corinthians 5:7, Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

John 2:14-17, He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables. To those who sold the doves, he said, take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace! His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for your house will eat me up, Psalm 69:9.

Reflection

 The Babylonians destroyed the first Temple of Solomon in 586 BC. The second temple was reconstructed in 515 BC by the Jews who had returned from exile. Herod the Great invested 44 years in the reconstruction of this magnificent temple. He began in 19 BC and finished in 63 AD. During this time, he transformed it into a grand architectural marvel, later renamed as Herod's Temple. The temple authorities took advantage of the pilgrims by charging excessively high prices for animals and by applying excessively high exchange rates for the temple shekels. This was a blatant act of theft. Jesus used a whip made of cords to overturn the money changer's table and chased away the traders from His Father's house. Jesus referred to the temple as His Father's house. John quoted Psalm 69:9, Zeal for your house will consume me.pause 1sec

Application 

From a spiritual perspective, traveling to Jerusalem to worship God always brings a profound sense of spiritual elevation. Likewise, attending church is consistently an uplifting and spiritual experience as we gather to worship God. Are you looking forward to attending church for Sunday worship with eager anticipation? If not, what's holding you back?

The Jewish leaders abused their power by exploiting the temple. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Avoid harming your body by using drugs or other harmful substances. It is essential to prioritize the well-being of your body and utilize it to honor God through devoted service. In Romans 12:1, you are encouraged to offer your body as a living sacrifice to God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us through the Gospel of John. Thank You for helping us see, listen, empathize, understand, and follow You, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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