Expectations. They can be exciting, and they can be the root of great disappointment and heartache. When Jesus revealed himself as the Son of God and the promised Messiah, he was rejected by some on the grounds that he wasn't the Messiah that they'd expected. Sure, he raised the dead, healed the sick, and caused the blind to see, but sometimes he did on the Sabbath, and that was just too wild and unruly for the too-tightly-wound Pharisees and scribes. So Jesus tells them what we, too, often need to hear: stop judging Jesus by your superficial expectations, and discern the truth with sound judgment (John 7:24).

Expectations. They can be exciting, and they can be the root of great disappointment and heartache. When Jesus revealed himself as the Son of God and the promised Messiah, he was rejected by some on the grounds that he wasn't the Messiah that they'd expected. Sure, he raised the dead, healed the sick, and caused the blind to see, but sometimes he did on the Sabbath, and that was just too wild and unruly for the too-tightly-wound Pharisees and scribes. So Jesus tells them what we, too, often need to hear: stop judging Jesus by your superficial expectations, and discern the truth with sound judgment (John 7:24).

After a crowd chases him down looking for a free lunch, Jesus calls them to strive after something more real, more lasting, more eternal—life-transforming faith in Jesus the Messiah.

After a crowd chases him down looking for a free lunch, Jesus calls them to strive after something more real, more lasting, more eternal—life-transforming faith in Jesus the Messiah.

The feeding of the 5,000 was about so much more than loaves and fish. It was yet another revelation of the character, divinity, and heart of the Messiah—and what it reveals will speak blessing and grace to your life.

The feeding of the 5,000 was about so much more than loaves and fish. It was yet another revelation of the character, divinity, and heart of the Messiah—and what it reveals will speak blessing and grace to your life.

In John 5, Jesus makes three very bold claims: 1) that he was equal to God the Father, 2) that he has the power to give life, and 3) that he will be mankind's final judge. Claims like these demand serious proof to back them up, and Jesus makes his case for why they--and you--can accept them as truth, no matter how audacious that may seem.

In John 5, Jesus makes three very bold claims: 1) that he was equal to God the Father, 2) that he has the power to give life, and 3) that he will be mankind's final judge. Claims like these demand serious proof to back them up, and Jesus makes his case for why they--and you--can accept them as truth, no matter how audacious that may seem.

Sometimes we can get so out of rhythm with God that we can actually miss the powerful opportunity for healing staring us in the face. Jesus invites us back into the rhythm of God's work in the world in this entry in the apostle John's account of the life of Christ (John 5:1-17).

Sometimes we can get so out of rhythm with God that we can actually miss the powerful opportunity for healing staring us in the face. Jesus invites us back into the rhythm of God's work in the world in this entry in the apostle John's account of the life of Christ (John 5:1-17).