Jesus Changes People

Fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, this section begins with a startling statement: “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.” Many contemporary readers read this and think, “I would have responded differently.” But would we? Or would we succumb to the same temptations they faced: “But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God” (v. 43). Peer pressure, regardless of our age, is still one of the strongest forces that influences our own decisions. To follow Jesus is to value his opinion above all others.

Passage: John 12:37-50

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We’ve learned more about Jesus in John 8:12-12:36, but if we don’t do something with it, then it hasn’t really been helpful information. Ken and Mike discuss different ways that will help you put into practice what we’ve been learning about and from Jesus. This includes what keeps us from holding on to the teachings of Jesus; how to hear the voice of Jesus; and how we can multiply our impact as followers of Jesus. The discussion is practical and offers tangible ways for someone to start implementing these practices into their life today.

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Discipleship is the process of becoming more like Jesus. But what does this involve? According to Jesus, it involves several shifts. First, we must love his life more than we love our own. This is at the heart of the great commandment – to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Secondly, we must be willing to go where Jesus goes. “whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be.” The last shift has do with trust – do we trust that the way of Jesus is really the best way? Jesus says, “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”

Passage: John 12:20-36

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It’s almost time for the Passover festival in Jerusalem and Jesus decides to stay in Bethany with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The family decides to host a dinner in honor of Jesus. During the meal, Mary takes expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet. Unlike his disciples who see this as an extravagant waste of money, Jesus receives it as a humble gift. The next day is known historically as the “Triumphant Entry” of Jesus, the time when he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. The previous night is a family dinner marked by an act of humility; the entry into Jerusalem is filled with crowds and shouts of “Hosanna!” When it comes to Jesus, both expressions of honor are appropriate.

Passage: John 12:1-19

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Jesus receives word from Mary and Martha that their brother, Lazarus, has become ill. In a verse that doesn’t always get noticed, John simply writes, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (v. 5).  Even so, Jesus doesn’t go to their house immediately. By the time he does arrive, Lazarus has died. Both Mary and Martha say the same thing to Jesus: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Upon hearing this, we’re told that Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” This leads to the shortest – and one of the most powerful - verses in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” (v. 35). Even though Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, he is still moved emotionally by the sisters’ pain. The same is still true today in our own lives.

Passage: John 11:1-44

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The Pharisees weren’t able to recognize the activity of God because they were more concerned with maintaining their traditions. This encounter with the Pharisees leads Jesus to teach about what it means to have a relationship with God. Using a shepherd and his sheep as an analogy, Jesus uses several key phrases to describe the nature of this relationship. “The sheep listen to his voice.” “He calls his own sheep by name.” “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” We mature in Christ as we learn to recognize and follow the voice of Jesus.

Passage: John 10:1-42

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This story highlights two interrelated ways of thinking that create conflict and harm. The first attitude is our need to assign blame. When Jesus and his disciples encounter a blind man, the disciples immediately ask: “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” In their mind, someone had to be at fault. Jesus responds by saying no one is at fault and heals the man. This leads us to the second kind of thinking that causes conflict and harm. When the Pharisees find out that Jesus had healed the man on the Sabbath, they are upset and proceed to interrogate the man. Why? Because they were more concerned that Jesus had broken tradition than they were about the man who needed healing. As we see in the story, Jesus puts people first.

Passage: John 9:1-41

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This section of John deals with the nature of truth and how Jesus is the embodiment of truth. Several times Jesus will say, “I tell you the truth.” John introduced us to Jesus in chapter one as “full of grace and truth” (1:14). According to Jesus, his claims are valid because God himself has testified to them. This causes the Jewish crowd to ask, “Where is your father?” Jesus responds by saying, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” He goes on to say that Abraham’s children ought to do the things Abraham did. Instead, they are acting like their true father (the Devil) who is a “liar and the father of lies.” Jesus, however, is the truth – and the truth will set us free.

Passage: John 8:12-59

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We’ve learned more about Jesus in John 6:16-8:11, but if we don’t do something with it, then it hasn’t really been helpful information. Ken and Mike discuss different ways that will help you put into practice what we’ve been learning about and from Jesus. This includes how communion and preaching help encounter the words of eternal life; the external implications of a relationship with Jesus; and what does it mean that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The discussion is practical and offers tangible ways for someone to start implementing these practices into their life today.

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While there is some debate among translations whether this section of Scripture is original or not, it certainly fits with how Jesus treated people. The religious leaders have found a lady who committed adultery. Under Jewish law, the punishment for adultery was death. But it’s obvious from the story that these religious leaders are more interested in tripping up Jesus than they are about honoring the law. In fact, they are willing to embarrass and humiliate another person in order to accomplish their goal. In a grand illustration of his wisdom, Jesus offers those who have never sinned the opportunity to cast the first stone. Interestingly, it’s the older ones who walk away first. Jesus reassures the lady he is not there to condemn her and encourages her to make better choices in the future.

Passage: John 8:1-11

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