A follower of Jesus Christ must be strong to resist conformity and stand up for what’s right. He or she may be required to endure a little disapproval or even some rejection…

“many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God,” (John 12.42-43).

Jesus was fully human. The gospel record proves that. Jesus Christ experienced the full spectrum of emotions common to all mortals and, for that reason alone, is qualified to “sympathize” with our human condition.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” (Hebrews 4.15). 

Two little words comprise the shortest verse in the entire Bible. They pretty much say it all… “Jesus wept”, (John 11.35). 

The church of Jesus Christ is broad and far-reaching. It spans all limitations of time and space. Christians appear in every generation and nation on earth. They come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Not every follower of Christ looks like you. Don’t worry about how they look, sound, smell, or think. Do not trust your initial impressions. 

Accept one who acknowledges Jesus as your brother or sister without judgment. You are not the entry point for salvation. Jesus is. He is the gatekeeper, the one-and-only “door of the sheep,” (John 10.7). 

Sometimes we just need a little help. What we really need is someone to help us help ourselves. Jesus had no intention of living the blind man’s life for him. The afflicted man was expected to participate in the healing Jesus offered. Jesus did not carry him to “the Pool of Siloam.” The blind guy had to get up and “go… wash” all by himself.

Do all paths lead to God? Will I get to heaven as long as I am a good person? Can I trust my heart to know the right thing to do? Is it enough that I am sincere in my beliefs? Was Jesus just another great spiritual leader like Mohammed, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa? 

No, no, no, no, and no. 

Here is just one of many such statements in which Jesus claimed His own pre-existence: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am,” (John 8.58).

This podcast is an overview of week 16 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: 1st Samuel 10 – 25; John 8 – 12.

Jesus was the only pure and authentic “man of truth” yet, He did not possess an inflated self-view. Christ willingly placed Himself under the authority of His Father: “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7.16). Jesus claimed no ownership for His teaching which He delivered purely for the benefit of others. He had nothing to gain and, of course, paid a high price for His message. Jesus lost everything including His own life. Jesus proved He “is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him,” (John 7.18).  

Life is a journey and not always an easy one. Most of us can look back with some regrets admitting “the sea became rough” on more than a few occasions. It got “dark” out there when “Jesus had not yet come” in our time of need. “Strong wind” made progress slow and the “miles” long.

(Based on John 6.16-21 ESV)

Jesus Christ rose from the dead and so did “many holy people” in Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago. This may be the only event in history that qualifies as truly unforgettable. The resurrections of Christ and other departed saints who heard “the voice of the son of God” (John 5.25, 28-29a) were observed by hundreds of people twenty centuries ago (1st Corinthians 15.6). These eyewitnesses knew what they saw and refused to deny the fact of the resurrection even upon penalty of martyrdom. The resurrection was, and remains to be, permanently seared into civilization’s memory. 

I was never very good at basketball, but I still remember an important concept from my 5th grade hoops coach. I could not shoot or dribble with any degree of proficiency, but I could steal. Coach would say, “I’m glad you can force the turnover, but it is not a valid possession until you have enough control to pass the ball to a teammate.”

Until those I tell of Christ can say, “We have heard for ourselves,” I have not yet passed the ball. It’s not enough to tell them. They must hear for themselves.