Wednesday in the Word

In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we tackle the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) where Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure. Jesus addresses both the unique role of his apostles and the universal call for all his followers to live faithfully in his absence. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Jesus’ Departure and Return: Jesus announces his leaving but reassures his disciples of his eventual return, offering hope through the promise of his second coming.
• Commissioning of the Apostles: Jesus explains to his apostles their mission and the challenges they will face.
• The Role of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promises he will not leave them alone. He will send the "Spirit of Truth" to eguip and guide them in their ministry.
• Ethical Teachings for Believers: Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another, modeled after his own sacrificial love and service.
• Perseverance in Faith: Jesus explains the importance of persevering in faith while he's gone.
• Assurance of God’s Protection: Jesus’ prays for his disciples and all future believers, promising that they will be preserved and protected by God.

By listening, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Upper Room Discourse’s historical context and its profound implications for Christian life today. You'll understand what applies uniquely to the apostles and what extends to all followers of Jesus. You’ll also discover practical insights into living out Jesus’ teachings on love, perseverance, and faith in a world where he is no longer physically present. This episode not only enriches your knowledge of the Gospel of John but also offers encouragement through the assurance that, though Jesus has left, his Spirit remains with us, and he will one day return.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we study the narratives of Mary anointing Jesus and his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. These events underscore Jesus’ identity and mission while contrasting the responses of belief and unbelief, culminating in his voluntary path to the cross.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Mary’s anointing of Jesus: Her act of devotion with costly perfume signifies loyalty and foreshadows Jesus’ burial.
• Judas’ contrasting reactionl: His objection to Mary’s act reveals his self-interest and sets the stage for his treachery.
• The triumphal entry: Jesus enters Jerusalem as a peaceful king on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and accepting the crowd’s acclaim.
• The dynamics of belief and unbelief: Mary’s faith starkly contrasts with Judas and the Pharisees’ rejection, highlighting the complexity of genuine faith.
• Jesus’ acceptance of his destiny: He acknowledges his imminent death as necessary for salvation, affirmed by a voice from heaven.
• The end of public ministry: Jesus summarizes his mission as bringing light and eternal life, urging belief before his withdrawal from public view.

Listening to this episode offers a compelling look at how John chapter 12 weaves together key themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine purpose. You’ll gain insight into the significance of Jesus’ action.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we explore the story of Lazarus in John 11. This event serves as a pivotal moment where the major themes of John’s Gospel converge, illuminating Jesus’ identity, mission, and the responses he elicits from those around him.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection: Jesus demonstrates his authority over death, performing a sign that testifies to his divine power.
• Jesus’ path to the cross: This event triggers the sequence leading to his crucifixion, showcasing his obedience to God’s will.
• The spectrum of belief and unbelief: From Martha’s faith to the Jewish leaders’ rejection, the story examines how people respond to Jesus’ signs.
• Jesus as the resurrection and the life: The miracle reinforces his messianic claim to grant eternal life to believers.
• God’s sovereignty amid opposition: Even the hostility of the Jewish leaders is woven into God’s redemptive plan.
• Jesus’ empathy and humanity: His tears reveal his deep compassion for human suffering, even as he fulfills a divine purpose. 

By listening to this episode, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how the raising of Lazarus ties together the central themes of John’s Gospel. Krisan Marotta’s thoughtful exploration offers fresh insights into Jesus’ mission, his power over death, and the hope he extends to believers, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the text and its relevance to faith today.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

This episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast examines John 10:22-42. We explore how Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders’ skepticism about his identity, using his works and words to affirm his role as the Messiah while foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that will secure eternal life for his followers.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The historical backdrop of the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah): Learn the significance of this setting and how it frames Jesus’ confrontation with the Jewish leaders questioning his messianic identity.
• Jesus’ relationship with his “sheep”: Discover how Jesus describes his followers as those who hear his voice, follow him, and receive the promise of eternal life.
• The meaning of “I and the Father are one”: Explore the interpretation of this statement, its implications for Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, and the debate over its hints at divinity.
• The escalating tension with the Jewish leaders: Understand how Jesus defends his divine mission with Scripture and miracles, intensifying the conflict that leads toward his crucifixion

.Listen to this episode to gain insights into the theological themes of belief and testimony in John’s Gospel, as well as the historical context of Jesus’ teachings during the Feast of Dedication. The episode also offers a thoughtful analysis of Jesus’ claim to oneness with the Father, helping you appreciate the depth of his identity and mission as the Christ.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we explore John 10:1-21, part of our ongoing series on the Gospel of John. We'll unpack how Jesus uses the shepherd and sheep metaphor to reveal his identity and challenge listeners to discern whom they will trust.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The continuation of Jesus’ conversation from John 9, addressing spiritual blindness and the judgment his presence brings.
• Jesus’ shepherd and sheep analogy, illustrating his protective relationship with believers while critiquing the Pharisees as false leaders.
• The significance of Jesus as the "good shepherd" who voluntarily lays down his life for his sheep, contrasting with self-serving hired hands.
• The division among the Jews reacting to Jesus’ words and miracles, underscoring the complexity of belief.
• The choice confronting the healed blind man—and all listeners—about whom to believe amidst competing voices.

By tuning into this episode, you’ll gain insight into how Jesus’ teachings in John 10 affirm his role as the true shepherd guiding believers to eternal life. Krisan Marotta’s thoughtful exploration encourages you to reflect on the evidence of Jesus’ identity, the importance of recognizing his voice over others, and the depth of his sacrificial love. Whether you’re studying the Gospel of John or seeking to strengthen your faith, this episode offers meaningful perspectives on trusting Jesus as the way to abundant life.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

In this episode of the Wednesday in the Word podcast, we delves into John Chapter 9, where Jesus heals a man born blind. This story is not just about a physical miracle but serves as a profound metaphor for the journey from unbelief to faith. This event underscores the central theme of John’s Gospel: that eternal life comes through belief in Jesus as the Christ.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The miraculous healing of the man born blind and its significance.
• The varied reactions of different groups to the miracle, revealing their spiritual conditions.
• The theological discussions prompted by the miracle, including the nature of sin and suffering.
• The concept of spiritual blindness and how it contrasts with true faith.
• The man’s journey from physical blindness to spiritual sight and belief in Jesus.
• Jesus’ teachings on judgment, light, and the true nature of seeing.

By listening, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how Jesus’ miracles serve as signs of his divine identity and mission. You’ll see how the story of the man born blind illustrates the transformative power of faith and the perils of spiritual arrogance. 

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we examine John 8:48-59, where Jesus makes the powerful and often-debated statement, "Before Abraham was, I am." Is Jesus directly claiming to be divine or to be the Messiah? We explore the linguistic, historical, and theological context of this passage to better understand Jesus’ identity and message.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The background and context of John 8:48-59
• The traditional interpretation of "Before Abraham was, I am" and its implications
• Alternative understandings based on biblical language and translation
• The significance of Abraham’s faith and how it connects to Jesus’ statement
• Why understanding this passage matters for Bible study and faith

By listening to this episode, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for biblical interpretation, how translation choices impact meaning, and why Jesus' words in John 8 continue to spark important theological discussions. 

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

 In this episode, we look at what it really means for Jesus to call himself “the light of the world” in John 8 and how his words expose both our slavery to sin and his promise of true freedom. 

We explore why believing in Jesus is not just a one-time decision but a lifelong relationship of trusting his words, even when they confront our pride and self-sufficiency. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How Jesus uses the image of light and darkness to describe our spiritual condition and our need for truth.
• What is at stake if we reject Jesus and “die in our sins,” and why that is the worst possible outcome.
• What Jesus means when he says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• The contrast between being children of Abraham and being true children of God, and why our response to Jesus reveals who our “father” really is.
• The kind of freedom Jesus promises: not freedom from hardship, but freedom from the power of sin and the corruption in our own hearts.

By the end of this episode, you will see more clearly why Jesus is not just a good teacher but the only one who can bring you out of darkness into light. You will better understand your own struggle with sin, why you cannot free yourself, and how trusting and continuing in Jesus’ word leads to real, lasting freedom as a beloved member of God’s household.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

This episode looks at the famous story of the woman caught in adultery in John 7:53–8:11 and asks what it teaches us about sin, mercy, and how we treat one another when we fail. We also talk about why this passage is bracketed or even omitted in some Bibles, and why many scholars still believe it reflects a true event from the life of Jesus. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why some Bible translations set this story in brackets or move it to a footnote, and what textual criticism is trying to sort out. 
• What the Law of Moses actually said about adultery, why the missing man exposes the leaders’ hypocrisy, and how they are using the law for their own agenda. 
• Why Jesus’ words, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone,” cut through their trap and expose everyone’s guilt. 
• Several ideas about what Jesus may have written on the ground and how that might have confronted the accusers with their own sins. 
• How Paul’s instructions in Galatians 6 help us apply this story, showing us how to restore someone caught in sin with humility and gentleness instead of pride and condemnation. 

By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of how Jesus holds justice and mercy together, and why no one stands above anyone else at the foot of the cross. You will be better equipped to respond when you see sin in others, not with harsh superiority, but with the humility of someone who knows they also need grace, and with a desire to help lighten their burden rather than add to it. 

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

John 7 gives us a front-row seat to the question, “Who is Jesus?” This episode walks through the Feast of Booths and shows how different people respond to Jesus: some are curious, some are hostile, some are confused, and a few, like Nicodemus, are quietly moving toward faith. Along the way, we see how our own hearts, desires, and assumptions shape the way we answer that same question today. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why Jesus stays in Galilee at first and then goes to Jerusalem in secret, and what this reveals about God’s timing and plan. 
• The unbelief of Jesus’ own brothers, who treat him like an aspiring celebrity instead of the Messiah, and what that shows us about misunderstanding spiritual greatness. 
• Jesus’ claim that the world hates him because he exposes its evil, and how that confronts our tendency to reshape Jesus into someone who never challenges us. 
• How Jesus’ powerful teaching forces people to decide whether he speaks from God or is just promoting himself, and why our willingness to do God’s will affects what we are able to believe. 
• The controversy over Sabbath keeping, how Jesus uses circumcision to expose the leaders’ legalism, and what it means to “judge with right judgment” instead of by appearances. 
• Jesus’ dramatic invitation on the last day of the feast: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink,” and how John explains this as the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit. 
• Practical ways this passage helps us think about our own spiritual growth, the danger of measuring people by “approved lists,” and the long, sometimes messy path of learning to trust Jesus. 

By the end of this episode, you will see more clearly how your response to Jesus is shaped by what you most want, not just by what you know. You will come away better able to recognize legalism in your own thinking, more patient with the slow process of growth in yourself and others, and more eager to come to Jesus as the one who truly satisfies your deepest thirst.

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life