Daily Read

John 11:33-44 (NIV)

Death is something we often try to push to the back of our minds.                                                                                                                                    And as Christians, we’re often taught that to grieve with hope means holding yourself together--that “being strong” means not allowing yourself to really acknowledge the pain that comes with loss. But that’s not how it was in Jesus’ day, or how it is in most of the world today. . .

One familiar verse in this passage has more depth than we realize. In this passage, John says that Jesus wept, that he was “deeply moved and troubled,” but the greek phrase actually describes the snorting    of an angry horse. Jesus is not just crying silent stoic tears… He’s sobbing.

As you listen to the second half of the story of Lazarus, try to put yourself in the scene. Imagine the sights, smells, sounds and emotions.

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1. What emotions were brought up in you as you heard this story?

2. As you imagined Jesus sobbing aloud, like the snorting of an angry horse, consider how this image informs your understanding of Jesus? How might it challenge your view of God?

3. The resurrection of Lazarus is the seventh sign in John’s gospel, and the one that most forcefully pulls back the veil to see what God is up to as he makes his dwelling among us. Jesus had said that Lazarus’ sickness ‘would not end in death,’ and yet he did fact but was raised by Jesus!   . . .  What would change about the way you lived if you knew death was not the end?

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John 11:17-32 (NIV)

You know that feeling. . . that gut-wrenching feeling, wishing that you could go back in time and do (or not do), say (or not say) whatever it is that you. . . regret.  If only. . . In today’s passage, we feel the pain of Lazarus’ sisters and the warmth of their tears as they grieve before Jesus. Lord, you could have done something. Why didn’t you come?

As you listen, reflect on your own journey of longings unsatisfied, of regrets, of hopes deferred. Alongside Mary and Martha, listen and bring those things honestly before Jesus.

Here’s John chapter 11, verses 17-32.

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1. What word or phrase stood out to you in the passage?

2. Many Jews believed in a final resurrection and a new creation--where all the dead would rise and where all the wrongs would be made right. By claiming to actually embody this future hope, Jesus is asking Martha to grab hold of it, and to pull it from the future right into the present. How might Jesus be asking the same of you today?

3. Like Martha, bring all of your “if onlys” to Jesus today. What new perspective is Jesus offering you? How might you see the world, your story, your past. . . and your future differently in light of this passage?

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John 11:1-16

Today’s passage leads us into the final and most powerful sign in John’s gospel, showing his readers exactly what it looks like when heaven comes to earth. Remember the other signs? The common becomes extraordinary; the hungry are fed. Inequity is exposed and rebuked. The sick recover, the lame walk, and the eyes of the blind are opened. What else is there to undo. . . but death itself?

This passage can be so familiar that it’s claim is lost on us. Jesus brought a man back to life. As you listen try to place yourself in the story among the mourners.

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What image or phrase stood out to you in the passage?

When he heard that Lazarus was sick, Jesus chose to stay where he was for 2 more days, then he left. His waiting caused anxiety in Martha and Mary, and his going worried his disciples. In what ways are we tempted to make Jesus’ plans for him, rather than trusting and following him, even when it feels like we’re walking in the dark?

Death is an imminent threat not only to Lazarus, but to Jesus himself. Stones are still ready and waiting to be thrown at him in Judea.But Jesus knows this story ends in resurrection? Where in your life do your fears of death need to be met with the hope of resurrection? Ask the Lord to meet you there now.

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John 10:22-42

Over 150 years before the events in today's passage took place, a king named Antiochus Epiphanes (which literally means “God manifest”) led his armies in the occupation and severe persecution of the Jewsish people. If genocide and the order to halt the performance of Jewish rituals wasn’t bad enough, Jewish priests were ordered to sacrifice to idols. A priest named Mattathias Maccabee killed the priest that stepped forward to make this sacrifice and it sparked a revolt.

At the end of the war the Jews reclaimed the temple and dedicated it, re-establishing Yaweh’s dwelling place with them and setting up Jewish rule. This moment is commemorated each year by the Jews as the Feast of dedication or Hanukkah. This is the kind of leader that many jews expected in the messiah. So when Jesus is spending time with the poor and talking about including Gentiles, we can see why this would be alarming to those listening.

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1. What surprised you in the passage? What questions came to mind?

2. Jesus gives assurance for the safety of his sheep because of his relationship to the Father. For his Jewish opponents, this statement was worthy of death, but for Jesus’ followers it was the best kind of hope. Can you see the hope of being claimed by Jesus? What anxiety and fear can you let go of today, knowing that no one will snatch you from his hand?

3. Jesus’ words here are incredibly controversial. Twice in this story his opponents try to kill him. He is claiming to be both Israel’s true King and the embodiment of their God. How might these claims be hard for even us to hear? Where is there dissonance? Where is there comfort?

Ask the Spirit to meet you in whatever feelings come up for you--to bring clarity, hope, and peace.

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John 10:11-21 (NIV)

On today’s episode Jesus continues describing himself as the shepherd--the good shepherd. He uses this image to talk about what kind of King he is and what his reign looks like. There is intimacy and trust between him and his people and between him and the Father; they are known by one another.  There is protection; he stands between his people and those who want to use or devour them.

These words were good news to those who heard them first and they come as good news to us today for those who have ears.

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1. What image, word or phrase stood out to you?

2. The sheep know the shepherd's voice. And Jesus the good shepherd knows his sheep. He knows them in intimate detail. In what areas of your life are you feeling unknown? How might you invite the good shepherd into those places today?

3. Jesus says he has sheep that are not of this pen. He’s likely referring to the gentiles. Most Jews hearing this would have brisseld since most either saw gentiles as unholy or their oppressors. Pause and express gratitude for Jesus’ act of gathering you into the fold. Then ask, who might you be tempted to write off from being brought in? Bring that before the Lord.

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John 10:1-10 (NIV)

In today’s passage the questions about Jesus continue. Is he a prophet or is he a false teacher? Could he be the long-awaited Messiah? Jesus tells the Pharisees a parable about sheep and a shepherd, which in the ancient near east would have been like us talking about scrolling through Facebook or going to a grocery store--it was familiar, and everyone can relate. But even in the commonplace, there’s a meaning below the surface. In the Hebrew Bible, the relationship of a king with his people was often described by the image of a shepherd with his sheep. . .

Listen as Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd and King in John 10:1-10.

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1. What did you notice in the passage? What surprised you? What questions came to mind?

2. Jesus is calling himself Israel’s true king. Some people are hearing his voice, recognizing it, and following him. Some are not. Through the sea of voices pouring into our lives, are you able to make out the voice of the Shepherd? What does he sound like? What does he say?

3. Jesus also calls himself the gate--it’s the picture of a shepherd lying down in the opening of the sheep pen at night, keeping the sheep in and the predators out. He is the Protector and Defender. Where the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus comes offering abundant, overflowing life. Have you received the offer of Jesus’ life? What might need to change for you to receive it? Ask the Spirit to help you.

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John 9:18-41 (NIV)

God’s new creation has entered the world in the person of Jesus. He has made his dwelling among us and he is making all things new. Just as the world was made through him, it is now being remade. . . through him. He is the brush moving towards the canvas, the violinist in the silent concert hall, the sunlight shining into the garden, bringing together all the potential of what could be, into something that is.

Today’s passage is part two of the story of Jesus healing the man born blind.

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1. What word or phrase stood out to you? Ask the Lord why.

2. There’s a lot of fear in this passage. The Pharisees were afraid of their entire belief system being torn apart. The man’s parents were afraid of being blacklisted by the Jewish community. In what areas of your life do you experience fear? Whose approval are you afraid of losing?

3. This story helps us see that there’s more than one way to be blind. Often we need to be healed of a narrow vision. Sometimes we are unable to see the image of God in others. . . or in ourselves. Where do you need Jesus to help you see what’s real? Do you need healing in your imagination to be able to see what could be? What will be? Bring these needs to the LORD.

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John 9:1-17 (NIV)

Read by: Clayton

In today’s passage John tells us about another sign--another remarkable and tangible piece of evidence that God’s reign has broken into his damaged and darkened creation through the person and light of Jesus. As you listen, take note of the theme of blindness. What do the characters in this story see? What do they miss?

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What word or phrase stood out to you in this passage?

Many in this passage believed and many would still believe today that this man's blindness was caused by sin. But Jesus confounds that assumption by showing us (as one scholar writes) that chaos and pain can be the raw material that a loving and wise and just God uses in making his new creation. How does that challenge your perspective? How might it offer you hope?

The response of the Pharisees to this miracle is to dig in their heels, to appeal to rules, rather than a willingness to be healed of their own blindness. Can you connect? Ask the Lord to wash your eyes and show you the signs of his rule and reign around you today.

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John 8:48-59 (NIV)

As we move through John’s Gospel, the words from the very first verses ought to be ringing in our ears. Remember: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”

These words can unlock the meaning of Jesus’ words in our passage today. Jesus is preeminent, meaning that he surpasses all others. He is before and therefore greater than all. As the tension between Jesus and the Jewish Leaders becomes greater, we see what true honor and true power looks like. Keep in mind that Jesus intends to die for these people who are looking for a way to kill him.

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1. What word or phrase stood out to you in the passage? What was challenging? What was comforting?

2. When Jesus says he was “before Abraham” he is rebuilding the Jewish leaders’ world view around himself. Has your worldview been challenged by and re-centered around Jesus? What has that felt like?

3. As we come to the end of Jesus' words during the Feast of Dwellings, remembering God’s provision in the wilderness, he has tried to tell people that he is living water, bread of life, light in darkness, true freedom. This season in our society has been like a wilderness. In what ways do you need Jesus’ provision today?

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John 8:31-47 (NIV)

Even if you haven’t read today’s passage, you’ve probably heard it in pop culture: “The truth shall set you free”… So what does that mean? These days there’s plenty of debate around what truth is, or even what freedom is. We say  : live your truth, or you do you.

It’s possible that we’ve lost the Hebrew meaning of the word truth in this passage, it’s been replaced with Greek or modern definitions. In Hebrew, truth is about integrity, fidelity to your word, and often was a reference to Yahweh himself. These days have rigid factual data driven by accuracy, or pliable subjective stories based on experience. In this passage truth transcends all of that. And Jesus is using the word to refer to himself.

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1. What word or phrase stood out to you? Ask the Lord why.

2. Jesus challenges the Jewish leaders, who were supposed to be experts in Torah, saying that they had no room for Jesus’ words. Consider us. Could Jesus ever level that towards your life?

3. Jesus’ truth challenged these Jewish leaders, and their failure to hold to his teaching and do what it said caused Jesus to say that they did not belong to God. This is no small thing, Literally every part of the Jewish way of life was designed around their belonging to Yahweh. Where does your acceptance of Jesus’ truth place you in relationship to God?

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