John 4:1-6 – Wearied from the Journey: How Jesus' Humanity Tells the Truth About the Irreducible Importance of the Cross

Caleb Drahosh \\ As Jesus' following grew, He drew the eyes of His opponents. And so Jesus decided to travel back to Galilee. Jesus' journey from Judea to Galilee required a stop at Jacob's well to recover strength. When Jesus, the Word, took on flesh, He experienced what we experience, including the need to rest. In addition to being totally God, Jesus is also totally man and from Him we learn about the irreducible importance of the cross.

Blaze Culliton \\ In 1 John 1:5-10, the Apostle John explains that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. And as further explanation of what it means for us that God is light, John tells us that He does not cast out those who walk in the light, He stands ready to forgive, and He is not a liar (and in fact, cannot lie). As followers of Jesus, we walk in the light by glorifying God and confessing our sins.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In this text, John the Baptist's disciples point out Jesus' growing following. But John reminds them that his (and their) job is to point away from himself and toward the Christ. Jesus is the One who is from heaven, He brings truth as its source, and has been given all authority. For John, the goal is to make much of Jesus because Jesus is worthy to be made much of. What do we make much of? Will we live as ones who define success as making much of Jesus?

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus Christ entrusted His work to others who He shared His life with and told them to do the same. The Christian life is not only taught, it is also caught from faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who seek to do spiritual good to others. Christians should continually be investing in others with the goal of becoming more like Jesus.

Caleb Drahosh \\ There is no greater burden than that which was laid upon Jesus Christ on the cross; He bore the sins of all of those who call upon His name. In response we are called––when a brother or sister is caught in the web of sin––to bear one another's burdens. By doing so we fulfill the command to love one another.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Living, healthy things grow, and it's no different for Christians. Christians are given life through the work of Christ on the cross and then Jesus gives Christians gifts so that they might grow up into godly maturity together. The effect is that the body of Christ––on display in the local church––develops and is built up in love.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Christians are called to fellowship first by devoting themselves to one another through meeting one another's needs in full acknowledgement that Jesus has met their greatest need. True fellowship is found in having God given resources in common with brothers and sisters in Christ with the goal of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Every Christian is called to put himself/herself in total subjection to others. Everything that God has given you (your time, treasure, talent) is not for you, but is given to you to demonstrate love for God. You demonstrate love for God by using all the gifts He gives to you to serve others at all times.

Caleb Drahosh \\ If through Christ we have been welcomed into God’s family, around His table, and into intimate relationship with Him, then the proper response is to welcome one another similarly for the glory of God.

John Baumgartner \\ Life comes with all sorts of trials and difficulties. This is true for Christians and non-Christians alike. In fact, as the Apostle Peter writes in this letter, Christians face more trials as a result of their faith. But God has a purpose in every trial He gives to His children. He is doing His work of purifying ourselves and our faith—so that we would no longer rely on our own works, status, or skills but instead depends wholeheartedly upon Him.