Brian Manning

We want a Jesus that is going to make our life better, easier, happier now. We want a Jesus that will quickly fix our problems. The Jesus we want isn't good enough, the Jesus we want is weak, sentimental and lame. What we need is the true Jesus, the one who came not for our best life now but to give us the best future. We need the true Jesus who came to fix the source of our problems not just the symptoms.

In the context of a dinner party we are taught the focus and importance of worship but also that worship has many expressions.

By watching Jesus' compassionate response to a widow that has just lost her son we are overwhelmed with His power. Jesus' power over death gives us the hope of our resurrection.

In an unusual way God reveals one of the most glorious truths of salvation. Christ suffered under the wrath of the Father in my place.

After 4 days Jesus arrives in Bethany. Lazarus is dead, Martha and Mary are greiving but Jesus has a purpose. This isn't really a story about death but about the nature of God.

Jesus teaches us to trust Him in times of crisis. In the tragic scene we see how well He knows His sheep and does what is best. In this one situation several are brought into crisis. Martha and Mary lose their brother, Lazarus, and to minister to them He is going to cause disciples to be put in a place of crisis. In doing this Jesus will teach us all what to do when crisis comes.

Further explaining Himself as the Good Shepherd Jesus tells that because He calls, knows, cares for & protects His people they have promise of security, with Him we are safe.

The unique role Jesus plays as our Good Shepherd is a precious one to the believer. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the True Shepherd, the Great Shepherd. He is the one who genuinely, completely & perfectly cares for you. Believer, having heard His voice and followed Him to life never forget that He cares for your soul perfectly. He gives you abundant life, He cares for your soul, He protects you as He leads you to perfection of life everlasting.

Through the miracle of healing a man blind from birth Jesus illustrates to us how that He, as Light of the world, gives sight to the blind and light to those in darkness. We learn that the only cure for spiritual darkness is faith in Jesus Christ.

We have been deceived by the lies of Satan, bound in a tangled mess of truth and lies. Only Jesus can free us from the lies of Satan and sin and give us true life.