John Baumgartner \\ God is jealous over His people. He is jealous that His people do not worship Him in any way other than He has provided. He is jealous that His people do not worship Him through images. Images cannot substitute for God. Only Jesus Christ—who is truly God and not a substitute—reveals God to us. We worship God not through images but through Jesus Christ.

Caleb Drahosh \\ John's Gospel contains nearly one-third of the total uses of the word "believe" in all of Scripture. And these two verses summarize John's purpose for recording his Gospel account. The preceding telling of Thomas' movement from unbelief to belief indicates that it is more blessed to believe on God's terms instead of our own. God has chosen to use human witnesses to bring the message about Jesus to the world. John desires for those who read his book to come to saving faith — to believe — in Jesus and to continue in that faith, obtaining life in His name.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus appears to the disciples on the first day of the week, the day that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene. He greets them with peace and commissions them to go into the world with the message of forgiveness. Thomas is absent and does not believe. He appears again to the disciples and Thomas is present. Even in unbelief, Jesus is patient with Thomas. And He is patient with us.

Caleb Drahosh \\ On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene discovers the tomb where Jesus was buried is empty. She tells Peter and John who run to the tomb and find it empty and leave. But Mary stays and two angels appear and then Jesus Himself appears to her. She doesn't recognize Him at first, but then He speaks her name. The resurrection is announced by Mary to the disciples: "I have seen the Lord."

John Baumgartner \\ In the First Commandment, God lays the foundation for every command that comes after. In it we see the exclusive relationship God has with His people. Through the act of saving His people, the Lord has shown that He is the only true God, and He is our God. Since He saves us from both the consequences of sin and its power, He is the one who gives us the ability to keep the First Commandment and live for Him alone.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus is led to be crucified and at the end of this passage he declares, "It is finished." All that Jesus set out to accomplish as a once-for-all sacrifice is brought to completion at the cross. There is nothing remaining for Jesus to do; He fulfilled the Scriptures and secured the way to the Father for those the Father gave to Him.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus is now brought before Pilate, who questions Jesus. Abandoned by His disciples and condemned by the corrupt religious leadership, Jesus now stands before the pinnacle of secular power. Whatever the line of questioning, Jesus does not waver in truth. And although the scene is bleak — things have gone from bad to worse — an inescapable reality is highlighted: Jesus is King.

Caleb Drahosh \\ After Jesus' High Priestly prayer, events begin unfolding in fulfillment of what Jesus has told His disciples will come to pass. In this passage we meet a traitorous friend, a corrupt priest, and a fallen disciple. Through it, Jesus does not waver; with a face like a flint He plods toward the joy set before Him.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus, after praying for Himself and for His disciples, now prays for all who would believe. Jesus prays that all believers will be united so that the world would believe that He is sent from the Father and that the love of the Father, overflowing for the Son, would be set on them. Jesus desires all who are joined to Him by faith to ultimately see His glory on full display.

Caleb Drahosh \\ After praying for Himself, Jesus prays for His disciples. Jesus prays that the Father would keep them in His name so that they may be unified. He prays that they would be kept from the evil one. And He prays that they would be sanctified in truth. Jesus knows what the disciples are about to face: difficulty, persecution, suffering. Jesus doesn't pray that these things won't come; rather, He prays for what's needed when they do.