Vine Talks

“All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” John 10:8

My spouse and I were once given a week in a resort with just one stipulation: we must attend a sales presentation at the resort office. Easy, right? But as we sat through the high pressure, slick marketing pitch, my spouse became annoyed...

“...he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3

The sign on the door saying, “Welcome-ish: Depends on who you are and how long you’re staying” didn’t feel very welcoming and made me pause before knocking. Would I be accepted?...

“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7

To get a clear picture of Jesus’ meaning in this “I am” statement, it is helpful to understand a little of that ancient culture, especially of sheep and shepherding. Although we envision a corral or barn, a sheep pen was nothing more than...

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46

The last time we find the word Light in the book of John is found in chapter 12 verse 46: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” What is the purpose of light coming? It's simple! Light comes so that...

Day 12 of the Lent Devotional series

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t see what was in front of you?  My son experienced this strange experience when he was swimming one evening in our backyard. He had begun his swim right before the sun was setting...

Day 11 of the Lent Devotional series

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

The second “I am” statement of Jesus is found in John 8:12. Scripture tells us that Jesus proclaimed “I am the light of the world” during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. This Israeli holiday celebrated...

Day 10 of the Lent Devotional series

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:51

We spend hours of our day thinking about food. When is lunch? When is dinner? Should I eat that? Maybe we should just eat out? Do we have shredded cheese at home for tacos? (Maybe that one is specific to me…)