All the good news in Christianity hinges on what John tells us about Jesus in this text: Jesus?s physical body really did die, it really was buried, and it really did rise to new physical life. Why should you believe what John reports?

This text tells the story of Jesus?s death by crucifixion, one of history?s cruelest forms of torture. Yet John spares us all the brutal details. He focuses instead on all the signs that Jesus died on his terms for his purposes. So why did Jesus have to die? What did his death accomplish?

John gives us more detail about Roman governor Pontius Pilate than all the other Gospel writers combined. And John tells us that everything he?s included is meant to persuade us to believe that Jesus is the Christ. So how does looking at Pilate help us see the beauty of Jesus?

The opening scenes in the story of Jesus?s death tell a story of great courage, as Jesus faces his captors with unflinching resolve and in absolute control. They tell a story of great cowardice, as Peter faces his own examination and denies Jesus repeatedly. And they tell a story of great compassion: Jesus dies on purpose because he knew Peter would deny him, and he knew we?d deny him too.

Paul?s prayers for his friends offer us a wonderful model for how we should pray for each other.

Paul?s prayers for his friends offer us a wonderful model for how we should pray for each other.

Part of our calling as Christians is to reflect the light of Christmas until Jesus comes again. John tells us that the old command, the command to love one another, has been made new because the light is already shining and the darkness is passing away. So how must we love one another if we are to walk in the light of Jesus?

The Advent season is an opportunity to reflect on why we need Jesus, on why the news of his coming is such wonderful news. John frames our need and what Jesus offers us in the images of light and darkness. We need Jesus because we are the people walking in darkness?the darkness of sin and the darkness of sorrow. And Jesus has come to us as the light no darkness can overpower.

The Christian life is a team sport. We will either accomplish the goal together, or not at all.

Jesus ends his time with his disciples in prayer. What requests does he make to His Father and what relevance do they have to us?