More than any group in human history, we have come to stake our approval, our entertainment,

our incomes, and even our governmental leaders on the opinion of the crowd. Undoubtedly, there are some upsides

to this “crowdsourced” approach to life; but there are downsides too. Today we will see why Jesus did NOT entrust

himself to the opinions of the fickle mob—even while he died to save it.

More than any group in human history, we have come to stake our approval, our entertainment,

our incomes, and even our governmental leaders on the opinion of the crowd. Undoubtedly, there are some upsides

to this “crowdsourced” approach to life; but there are downsides too. Today we will see why Jesus did NOT entrust

himself to the opinions of the fickle mob—even while he died to save it.

Jesus describes his close empowered relationship with the Father. That relationship inspires us to

listen to him more closely and follow his example more nearly, with the expectation that we will receive power. This

is probably the clearest statement we have in the gospels that details Jesus' relationship with his Father. We take the

fatherhood of God for granted today, but for Jesus to call God his father and then for him to live under the

Father's loving leadership was a radical statement. Jesus is talking about how he lives under the Father's leadership,

and by application we have a picture for how we can do the same.

Jesus describes his close empowered relationship with the Father. That relationship inspires us to

listen to him more closely and follow his example more nearly, with the expectation that we will receive power. This

is probably the clearest statement we have in the gospels that details Jesus' relationship with his Father. We take the

fatherhood of God for granted today, but for Jesus to call God his father and then for him to live under the

Father's loving leadership was a radical statement. Jesus is talking about how he lives under the Father's leadership,

and by application we have a picture for how we can do the same.

So far in the gospel of John, people are receiving Jesus’ message and beginning to follow. We see

this with the disciples (1:35-51), Nicodemus (although imperfectly 3:1; 7:50; 19:39), the woman at the well (ch. 4:1-

28), the Samaritans (4:29-45), and the Nobleman and his family (4:46-54). But beginning with chapter 5 there is a

transition to rejection. In the next eight chapters, Jesus encounters people who refuse to follow. John’s purpose in

writing this story is to show us what unbelief looks like. In John’s gospel this real story also functions as an

illustration of what Jesus wants for all of us: Resist the lure of unbelief and passionately embrace Him.

So far in the gospel of John, people are receiving Jesus’ message and beginning to follow. We see

this with the disciples (1:35-51), Nicodemus (although imperfectly 3:1; 7:50; 19:39), the woman at the well (ch. 4:1-

28), the Samaritans (4:29-45), and the Nobleman and his family (4:46-54). But beginning with chapter 5 there is a

transition to rejection. In the next eight chapters, Jesus encounters people who refuse to follow. John’s purpose in

writing this story is to show us what unbelief looks like. In John’s gospel this real story also functions as an

illustration of what Jesus wants for all of us: Resist the lure of unbelief and passionately embrace Him.

Did the early followers of Jesus believe that he was God in the flesh? The Gospel of John seems clear on this point, but many modern people find this truth claim hard to handle. Today we’ll examine the Christian belief that Christ was both fully God and fully human. Then we’ll go further to see why

Did the early followers of Jesus believe that he was God in the flesh? The Gospel of John seems clear on this point, but many modern people find this truth claim hard to handle. Today we’ll examine the Christian belief that Christ was both fully God and fully human. Then we’ll go further to see why

Genuine transformation never comes the way we expect. We’d like for transformation to come

with clarity and ease. But it usually takes a quirky circuitous path. In this story a desperate father, deeply burdened

with grief, approaches Jesus on behalf of his son. He wants his son to be healed! Jesus answers his prayer, but

not at

all

in the way we would expect. Nevertheless, the way he is healed transforms everything about this man’s family.

Genuine transformation never comes the way we expect. We’d like for transformation to come

with clarity and ease. But it usually takes a quirky circuitous path. In this story a desperate father, deeply burdened

with grief, approaches Jesus on behalf of his son. He wants his son to be healed! Jesus answers his prayer, but

not at

all

in the way we would expect. Nevertheless, the way he is healed transforms everything about this man’s family.