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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/31): John 20:11-18.

Aug31

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18

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REVIEW – Mary Magdalene and a few other women went to Jesus’ grave early Sunday morning with burial spices, not realizing that Joseph and Nicodemus had already prepared Jesus’ body. Mary was ahead of the group, eager to arrive, and perhaps more emotional. She saw the stone rolled away from the tomb and assumed the worst.

Leaving the other women (who would see angels and hear the good news), Mary ran to where Peter and John were, carrying the message, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid Him.”

Shocked at her words, both Peter and John ran to see if it was true. Both entered the tomb and saw the niche or shelf where Jesus had lain; only HE was not there. The grave clothes and head napkin lay collapsed as if Jesus had vanished through them. John “believed” that He’d been resurrected, but didn’t understand that the resurrection was part of the salvation plan.

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John 20:11-13.

While Peter and John returned home, Mary slowly, and weeping all the way, walked back to the garden where Jesus’ open tomb was.

By this time, the other women had taken the message the angels gave them (“Jesus has risen! Tell the disciples, and Peter, that He’s going ahead of them to Galilee and they will see Him there.“)

Mary stood outside the tomb for a moment, weeping, and then stooped down to look inside. Then she saw the two angels the other women had seen. “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked her.

Blindly she answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him!”

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John 20:14-16.

Before the angels could speak to her, Mary straightened up and turned away from the grave, weeping even more profusely, perhaps with her face hidden in her scarf.

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” said a figure before her.

Mary glanced up, supposing him to be a gardener, and cried out, “Sir! If you have carried Him away, please tell me where you have taken Him, and I will take Him away!”

And then that one word…. “Mary.”

(IMO, Jesus said her name with a light chuckle and a big smile, full of love and tenderness for this distraught but faithful disciple.)

However you imagine Jesus speaking to her, Mary immediately recognizes His voice when He says her name.

“Rabboni!” she cried out, which means “my Master!” in Aramaic.

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John 20:17-18.

Jesus then, almost immediately, says to Mary, “Do not cling to me…”

Perhaps she has fallen at his feet, holding them, her tears wetting them. Perhaps she would even dry them with her hair, as she had done one time, when Jesus was dining with a rich Pharisee.

At that incident, Jesus told the pious man, “The one who has been forgiven much, loves much.” (Mark 16:9 says that Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary, so she must have “loved Him much.”)

But Jesus prevents her from clinging to him, hoping to keep Him on earth forever, as He has been until His death. Jesus tells her that His ascension back to Heaven to His Father is coming soon. He has only 40 days, and then He will go to the Father and send back the Holy Spirit to be with and in them.

Jesus also wants her to deliver a message to His disciples. “Go and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

And Mary obeys her Master.

Canceling the panicked message she gave them before (“They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have laid Him!”), she now says confidently and joyfully, “I have seen the Lord.”

Mary was a messenger for Jesus, a sent one, or ‘apostle’ if you will. She was ‘an apostle to the apostles’, with that glorious message: HE LIVES.

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Alfred H. Ackley, 1887-1960

Verse 1
I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

Verse 2
In all the world around me,
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
Through all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing
Will come at last!

Verse 3
Rejoice, rejoice, oh Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to
Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind!

Chorus
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart!
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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/26): John 19:28-37.

Aug26

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said, ‘I thirst.’ And then… ‘It is finished.'” John 19:28 & 30

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REVIEW – Jesus was taken to Golgotha and crucified with two others. His crime was listed on a board over His head: ‘King of the Jews’. The soldiers divided His clothing and bargained for His tunic. Four women looked on in grief, including Jesus’ mother, Mary. The beloved disciple – alone among the eleven – also stood nearby. With compassion and duty, Jesus committed the care of His mother to John.

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John 19: 28-30.

Between the four gospel accounts, seven “words” or sayings were spoken by Jesus. John, however, mentions only three.

Towards the end of the three hours, when Jesus hung on the cross (in darkness, according to Luke 23:44), He managed to say in a raspy voice, “I thirst,” and some sour wine on a hyssop branch was brought to Him and held to His mouth.

(Sour wine, or ‘vinegar,’ would cause any amount of saliva left in His mouth to rush in and make speech possible. This was different from the ‘wine mixed with myrrh’ in Mark 15:23 that was offered to Him at the beginning. That drink was used to deaden the senses, and it kept the victims from struggling while the soldiers nailed them to the cross. Jesus had refused that “drug.”)

After Jesus drew the sour wine into His mouth, He said, “It is finished!” Then He lowered His head and died.

Both Mark’s and Matthew’s accounts reveal that this was said in a LOUD voice, like a shout of victory, which it was. Jesus had completed His work of salvation that His Father sent Him to do. His horrific death showed the visual results of sin in the world.

His visible pain and agony made plain what is due to each and every person who has ever lived, sinners all, unless they believe that Jesus – the sinless, undeserving-of-punishment Savior – has died in their place.

God had told Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed and sinned, they would “surely die.” And they did, physically. But they believed the promise that the coming “seed of woman” would accomplish victory over sin and death and allow them to live spiritually. That “seed” was Jesus.

And as we will see, God accepted the substitutionary death of His perfect, sinless Son, in the place of all who will believe, and RAISED Jesus back to life. THAT was the proof that God was satisfied, and we’ll read about it in a couple of days.

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John 19:31-37.

This next part seems to add cruelty on top of cruelty. In order to keep their Kosher Laws of cleanness for the upcoming Sabbath Day, those insensitive, self-righteous, murderous Jewish officials came to Pilate and asked that the deaths of the crucified criminals be “hurried along a little” so the bodies wouldn’t still be there on their holy day.

Okay, a quicker death might be preferable, but the means was horrific. Crucifixion mainly killed by asphyxiation. As they weakened, the victims had to push up with their feet to draw air into their lungs. That would be impossible if their legs were broken, and they would soon be unable to breathe and would die.

This is what the Jews were asking Pilate for.

So, soldiers were sent to Golgotha to swing a club and crush the shin bones of the three “criminals.” (Imagine the screaming and then gasping for air!)

But mercifully, Jesus was already dead. And that is how God planned and prophesied it would happen.

1) Isaiah had prophesied that “no bones would be broken” on the Lamb of God. (See Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12)

2) It was also prophesied that the Messiah would be pierced. See Zechariah 12:10).

3) And most importantly, Jesus ‘gave up His own life’ at the moment HE chose. He had said, ‘No man would take His life, but that HE would lay it down.’ That is what he did when HE “bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

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Instead, the soldier did something else to “prove” death. He rammed his spear up into Jesus’ chest cavity below His ribs. Immediately, blood AND WATER poured out.

Yes, it is sentimental to say that ‘Jesus died of a broken heart,’ but what the blood and water actually proved was that the blood and fluid around His heart and lungs were already mixing. The experienced-in-crucifixion soldier would know at once that Jesus was dead.

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Then John adds his personal testimony about Jesus’s death and quotes the Scriptures. (Remember HE was there. He knows what happened, and he tells us the truth… so we might believe.)

“For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of His bones will be broken.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘They will look on Him whom they have pierced.'”

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/21): John 18:28-60

Aug21

Read and believe in Jesus

“I find no guilt in Him.” John 18:38b

REVIEW – Jesus, inside the house of Annas and observed by John, answers plainly a question by the former high priest. ‘I taught openly in synagogues and the Temple; if you want to know what I said, ask all those people.’

A guard didn’t like that answer and slapped Him, a foretaste of greater abuse to come. Annas decided to send Jesus to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. As Jesus was led there, He was able to see Peter in the courtyard, openly and vehemently denying he was a follower of Jesus – for the third time.

The rooster crowed, stunning Peter, but realizing Jesus’ presence sent him into the night, weeping.

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John 18:28-32

NOTE: John skips the mock trial with Caiaphas, but Mark 14:55-64 gives us a glimpse.

1) First, many false witnesses spoke against Jesus, but they couldn’t seem to agree with each other (and the LAW says 2 or 3 witnesses MUST agree).

2) Some claimed they heard Jesus say that He would destroy the Temple and rebuild it Himself in three days, but even here, no two could agree exactly.

3) Caiaphas stood up and demanded, “Have You no answer to make against these men who testify against you?!” But Jesus looked at him, His mouth firmly closed.

4) Finally, Caiaphas asked, “Are YOU the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

And Jesus responded, “I AM.” This caused chaos in the chambers, and in a great show of pious horror, Caiaphas tore his gorgeous priestly garments.

5) “What further witnesses do we need?” He asked the 70 members of the Sanhedrin. “You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?”

They all condemned Jesus and called for His death.

6) Some members spit on Jesus. Others covered His face, hit Him, and taunted Him by saying, “Prophesy who hit you!” Given license from these actions, the Temple guards began beating Jesus with their fists.

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And we pick up with John 18:28…

“Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s headquarters. It was early morning.”

Now why would they do that? Several reasons.

It was Passover. They had a “criminal” that they wanted executed, but this was a high holy day. They were ceremonially “clean” so they could take part in this holy day. Stoning someone to death would make them ceremonially “unclean” for at least a week.

Second, for a person as well known as Jesus, the Romans would demand the right of execution. And, presumably, the Jews could not kill someone for breaking the law because they were a nation under Roman control.

And lastly, it was prophesied that the Messiah would not be stoned to death, but would be “lifted up on a pole, or tree,” which pointed to the Roman form of execution. (See Psalm 22:16 and Deuteronomy 21:23.) Later, in Acts 7, however, we see this religious group stoning Steven to death, a believer in Christ,

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And so we see the accusing Jews standing “outside” the Roman headquarters (to “stay clean” for Passover). Governor Pilate was used to these Jewish customs and came outside.

“What accusation do you bring against this man?” A logical question for a “judge,” even today.

“If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.” They said.

Yes, yes. Pilate knew these Jews well and turned to go back inside. “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.”

“But, but… it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death!”

This caught Pilate’s attention.

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John 18:33-38a.

Pilate went inside and sat down, calling for Jesus to be brought to him.

“Are You the King of the Jews?” he asked Jesus, looking at his somewhat battered appearance.

“Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say this about me?” Jesus asked boldly. Was Pilate’s heart open to the Gospel, or was he speaking only as a judge?

“Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” replied Jesus, explaining more to this Gentile ruler than to His fellow Jews.

“So…. You ARE a king?”

“You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate throws down his quill and rises. ” What is truth?”

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John 18:38-40.

Outside in front of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate announced, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release the King of the Jews?”

But instigated by the Jewish officials, the crowd cried out, “NOT THIS MAN, but Barabbas!”

Now Barabbas was a robber. (He was also a terrorist, an insurrectionist, and a murderer.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/13): John 16:16-33

Aug13

Read and believe in Jesus

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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The Gospel according to John

REVIEW -You can feel the sense of time slipping away as Jesus gives His disciples last-minute information, instructions, and encouragement.

1) HE knows that in less than 24 hours He will be dead. THEY don’t know or understand that.

2) HE knows He will rise again from the dead, but they have no thought whatever of that.

3) HE knows that after His resurrection, He will soon return to heaven and to His Father who sent Him on this redeeming work. THEY are “getting” that, but are scared and worried about being left alone and what will happen afterward.

4) HE comforts them with the promise of the all-powerful, all-helpful “Holy Spirit-Helper” (or “Comforter” as the KJV says). This third member of the Trinity will guide them, relay God’s truth to them, and glorify Jesus. THEY are slowly getting that, but are still worried and asking questions.

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John 16:16-24

(This next part is a little confusing, as Jesus is speaking both of His death and resurrection, as well as His ascension to Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit ten days after that.)

Jesus says, “A little while, and you will see Me no longer, and again a little while, and you WILL see Me.”

Like us, some of the disciples ask, “What is this that He says to us, ‘a little while and we’ll not see, and again a little while and we will see’? What does He mean? We don’t know what He’s talking about.”

Jesus sees their confusion and concern, and answers them with encouragement more than explanation.

1) Truly, truly, YOU will weep and lament, but THE WORLD will rejoice. Yes, you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow WILL turn to joy.” (Like a woman in childbirth rejoices when her child is born!)

2) You WILL have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice — and NO ONE will take your joy from you. In THAT day….”

He’s speaking of Pentecost.

No way, unless they had studied the prophet Joel, would they understand the Holy Spirit’s coming with wind and fire on the 120 faithful believers waiting and praying in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.

No way could they begin to believe the Holy Spirit’s power that would come on them, so they could preach the Scriptures with amazing discernment, and that, in multiple tongues of nations they had never learned.

There was just no way, in this intimate time with Jesus, with a real sense of foreboding hanging nearby since Judas left, that they could understand this… coming JOY!!

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John 16:25-28.

“I have said these things to you in ‘figures of speech’. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say that I will (have to) ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself LOVES YOU, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

“And now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

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John 16:29-33.

The disciples are all excited. They think they finally know what Jesus is talking about.

“Ah, NOW You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! NOW we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question you; THIS is why we believe that You have come from God.”

But Jesus knows their hearts – that they are still confused about what is about to happen in an hour, and will also happen in 40 & 50 days. (And He yearns to spend time praying for them!)

“Do you NOW believe?” Jesus asks.

Then He tells them solemnly that what will happen in just an hour or so will scatter them all to their homes in fear, leaving Him alone. But… He will not be alone (He comforts Himself), for the Father is always with Him.

“Have My peace, and take heart! I have overcome the world!”

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/7) John 14:15-31

Aug7

Read and believe in Jesus

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 14:16

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus has been speaking intimately with His eleven believing disciples. They are afraid and confused at what He says – He’s leaving, they can’t come, but not to worry; He’s preparing a place for them and will come again, and they will go to Him. They have questions, but Jesus’ answers don’t help them much. He also promises that they will do MORE/GREATER “works” than He has done because He’s going to the Father. AND… that they will be able to ask the Father anything in His name and He will give it to them. Just love each other sacrificially and obey His commands!

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John 14:15-17.

Then Jesus begins to lay out some amazing promises for them. But He premises these with this truth: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Obedience is tied firmly to love. Just like when we love our parents, we will obey them and want to please them. So with God. Obedience (without griping, as our parents would say) shows our love, PROVES our love. As our parents also would say, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Jesus told the self-assured religious leaders just that in Luke 6:46-49.

“Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and NOT DO what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and DOES them, I will show you what he is like.” Then Jesus compares the wise (obedient) man and foolish (disobedient) man who build their home foundations on different soils, and the outcomes of their choices.

NOTE: When Jesus is speaking of obedience to His commands, He is not simply saying to love one another sacrificially, and you’re done. HIS commands include the entire revelation from the Father.

  1. So, what is the first supernatural blessing Jesus promises?

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be WITH you FOREVER, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. YOU know Him, for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you.”

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John 14:18-24

2. And before they can ask more questions, Jesus assures them with the second supernatural blessing.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but YOU will see me. Because I live (again), you also will live.”

Jesus is speaking of his death, and the three days in the tomb in which they will definitely “feel” like deserted orphans. After a little while, however, they WILL see Him again, when He is resurrected. The world won’t see Him (There is no record of any unbeliever seeing Jesus after His resurrection), but THEY will. And because Jesus will be raised from the dead … so will they!

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3. Then, a wonderful third supernatural blessing, union with God.

“And in that day, you will KNOW that I am in the Father…. and YOU in Me… and I in you.” “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to  him.”

Dear Judas (the son of James, not Iscariot) manages to get a question in.

“Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Patiently Jesus answers. “If anyone loves me (that’s you guys), he will keep my word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

“But whoever does NOT love me or keep my words (that’s the world, Judas), they won’t have My Father and Me coming to dwell in them.

Hopefully Jesus’ answer cleared up Judas’ question.

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John 14:25-31

4. Jesus promises the blessing of a supernatural teacher.

14:15: “I will give you another Helper to be with you forever.”

And now, 14:26: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will TEACH YOU all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

What a comforting promise! A holy, indwelling helper to teach them (and us) and help them remember all the things that Jesus said, demonstrated, taught, and promised! WOW!

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5. And now the blessing of supernatural peace.

“Peace I leave with you; MY peace, I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Wow. Later, the apostle Paul describes the peace that Jesus promised as: “the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

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Jesus continues to encourage His disciples and to allay their fears and confusion. He says they should rejoice that He is going away, because He will come again.

“And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does, you may believe.“

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”

“Rise. Let us go from this place.“

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NOTE: John doesn’t describe “The Last Supper” as the other Gospel writers do. He centers instead on the final teaching and encouragement Jesus gives to His disciples.

And although chapter 14 ended with Jesus telling them they were leaving the upper room, John will insert three more chapters of teaching, prophecy, and the final “High Priestly Prayer” by Jesus. We’ll look at them in the next 7 days of reading.

And then, with chapter 18, we’ll catch up with Jesus and the disciples as they go out across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/3) John 13:1-17

Aug3

Read and believe in Jesus

“When Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13;1b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus again urged the people to believe in Him, but they did not, would not, though He gave them many signs. Jesus then quoted a scary section from Isaiah, how the choice would be taken away, and they would not be ABLE to believe. God would blind their eyes and harden their hearts lest they see and understand and turn to Him so He could heal them. Though Jesus pleads with the words that His Father gave him, only a few believed, and those kept silent from fear.

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John 13:1-5.

So… Jesus turns from public to private ministry. He retreats from the world and gathers His disciples to Himself. There is much He wants to teach them before “departing out of this world to go to the Father,” and the time is getting short. He has loved them, and He will love them to the end. But even here, in that intimate circle of chosen men, one is an unbeliever.

John tells us that even then, during the Passover meal, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus, although at the time, only Jesus knew it.

And… knowing it, Jesus humbled Himself to become the lowest of servants, removed His outer clothes, took a towel and a bowl of water, and went to each of the twelve (yes, TWELVE) disciples, and washed and dried their feet. Silence reigned, until….

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John 13:6-11.

….Jesus came to Peter, who withdrew his feet. “Lord! Do You wash MY feet?”

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand,” Jesus said gently.

Peter leaned back, raised his hands, palms out, and shook his head. “Not me! Huh-uh. You shall never wash my feet, Jesus!”

(Not love for Jesus, or humility, but pure pride was speaking. Peter, the big fisherman, would not submit to his Lord and Master washing his big ole smelly feet. Nope. Too, too humbling.)

From below him, kneeling on the rough boards, Jesus looked lovingly at Peter. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

Peter drew in a sharp breath, fear in his eyes. “Lord! Not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus smiled up at Peter and lifted a big old foot into the basin. “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And YOU are clean. But…not everyone of you is.”

(For Jesus knew who was to betray him; that was why He said, Not ALL of you are clean.)

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But how were Peter and the others (except Judas) “already bathed and clean?”

John 15:3-4: “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

John 6:68: During the three years Jesus had with the disciples, He gave them “the words of life,” and they believed. He taught them even about his death and resurrection, although they didn’t completely understand then. But they would.

Ephesians 5:25b-26: “…as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”

Titus 3:4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteiousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us…”

And finally,

Romans 10:8-10, 17: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.“

They were saved, regenerated by their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, that they had heard Him preach. But, as with us, they/we daily commit sins and do things that make “our walk, or feet” dirty. Then, we go to the Lord, confess our sin, and He is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us (wash our feet; we don’t need saving again) from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

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John 13:12-17. After washing Peter’s feet, Jesus stood, put the basin and towel away, and redressed in His outer clothes. Then He taught them about what He had just done.

Yes, He was their teacher (their rabbi), and He was their Lord as well.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Did they look around at each other then? I wonder what their thoughts were… (I’m not washing HIS feet… oh, well, I guess I will, if I am to be like Jesus.)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Jesus was soon to send them to spread His Good News throughout the world. They would be His messengers, His apostles. And they were also to remember how, as their Master, He was a servant to them that evening, and never lose that mindset themselves.

“You are blessed if you know this and DO this,” He said.

And so will WE be, my fellow servant.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/29) John 12:12-19

Jul29

Read and believe in Jesus

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” John 12:13 (Psalm 118:26a)

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – At Sabbath, in the home of Martha, while they reclined at the meal, young, sweet Mary showed her love for her Master by anointing His feet with expensive oil and wiping them with her hair. Jesus accepted her worship, but sternly rebuked Judas, who claimed the oil was wasted on Him and the money much better spent on “the poor.” Jesus knew his heart, and that he had often stolen money from those very offerings for himself, and told him to “Leave her alone.” — Judas, disgusted, soon left to meet with the Jewish authorities to make his deadly deal of betrayal. Worship or betrayal, there is no middle ground.

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John 12:12-19.

Sunday, the day after Sabbath, Jesus sent two of His disciples to procure a young donkey. He told them where it would be and what to say. (Mark 11:1-9)

Jesus deliberately planned to present Himself to the nation in the manner prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. “Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

Whether from hype or the natural celebration of Passover, which often involved the waving of palm branches, the crowds following Jesus and those coming out from the city to meet him cut and waved the branches as they sang Hosannas (O Save us!), and “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

John comments that the crowds were those who had been with him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, and those from the city who’d heard about it and came out to meet Him for themselves.

They met around Jesus in a cacophony of celebration! What shouts of praise! What excitement! The title of “King” was picked up and shouted. “Hosanna – Save us!” was repeated over and over.

Meanwhile the Pharisees groaned and said to each other, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look! The world has gone after Him.”

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It was just as they feared. Did they look around, expecting at any moment that the Roman guard would appear to quell the mob, to end their rule and take over Jerusalem?

“Shhhh!” “Shut up!” “Be quiet!” they cried among the manic crowds.

They even appealed to Jesus. “Teacher, rebuke them.”

But Jesus answered that if THE PEOPLE were quiet, the STONES would cry out. (Luke 19)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/1) John 6:25-40

Jul1

Read and believe in Jesus

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37.

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus miraculously feeds 5000+ people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish from a boy’s lunch. All are filled, and there was enough leftover for the disciples to have their fill. The people wanted to make Jesus KING, so He would feed them for free every day. But He hides, sends the disciples back across the Sea, and after it’s dark, He walks to them (on the water). Another pair of miracles.

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John 6:25-29.

Jesus and the disciples had arrived back in Capernaum during the night via a miracle of Jesus. The crowds had waited around and, when they found Him gone, had boarded boats (or traipsed around) and arrived much later.

“Rabbi, when did you come here?‘” they asked Jesus in wonder. I think their real question might have been HOW did you come here? Jesus had walked on the water half way, got into the disciples’ boat, which was then miracously at the opposite shore. Wouldn’t that have shocked them!!

Jesus knew the reason for their anxious seeking Him. They still wanted to make Him king after that miraculous sign of multiplying the loaves and fish. But Jesus wanted them to “hunger” for Spiritual things, for Him.

“Don’t labor for the food that perishes, but rather for the food that endures to eternal life … which the Son of Man will give to you.” (What a promise!)

“What must we DO to be doing the works of God?” The people thought they were required to do some works to “earn” eternal life.

(OH, isn’t that what so many people think today. They HAVE to be good, not lie, cheat, steal, kill, and all the other commands, to be “good enough” to deserve eternal life. NOT SO! We can never be good enough. It is a gift of God that Jesus gives by His own sacrifice.)

“THIS is the work of God,” Jesus tells them. “that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

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John 6:30-34.

Believe in Jesus, the Son that God sent into the world to save the sinners whom He loved so much. Believe in that mercy and grace, and receive life everlasting. (John 3:16)

But the people are way off on another planet in their understanding. Jesus’ words of salvation go right over their heads. “Um…then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness (for 40 years!) Moses gave them ‘bread from heaven to eat.”

Had they completely forgotten how Jesus had just miraculously fed a crowd of 20,000 with one boy’s lunch???

(I would have given up on them and just walked away. But Jesus shows His love for His own people.)

“It wasn’t Moses who gave you Manna, but my Father in Heaven. My Father (now) gives you the TRUE bread from Heaven … the “Bread of God” is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus is speaking of Himself.

Then, much like the Samaritan woman who sought the water that would quench her thirst forever, these people misunderstood Jesus’ words. “Sir, give us THIS bread always.”

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John 6:35-36.

“I AM the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.“

Jesus could not make that much plainer. HE was the answer to their heart’s hunger and thirst. HE was sent down by the Father to fill them and satisfy them. And yet they do not believe.

(Earlier in John 1:10, the apostle says, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” Paul later explains that Israel was blinded or hardened temporarily concerning Jesus, as a mercy for the Gentiles to be included in salvation. Then the nation of Israel would believe. See Romans 11:25-31)

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John 6:37-40.

This section is full of wonderful promises. Read and meditate on them!

“All that the Father gives me WILL come to me…

“And whoever comes to me I will NEVER cast out.”

“I have come from heaven NOT to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose NOTHING of all that He has given me.”

“For this is the will of my Father, that EVERYONE who looks on the Son and believes in Him, should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

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Amen! Thank You, Jesus!

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/30) John 6:1-24

Jun30

Read and believe in Jesus

“When the people saw the SIGN that He had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world.'” John 6:14

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – After stirring up the religious leaders by healing a cripple on the Sabbath, Jesus began teaching the controversial topic that He was equal to God, and in fact WAS God, having all the power and authority as His Father. Jesus again and again referred to the OT Scriptures, in which the religious leaders were wrapped up, but they still couldn’t believe. The common people believed in Jesus because of the signs and miracles He performed, not for His words of grace and truth.

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John 6:1-4.

Jesus is back in Galilee, on the Eastern side of the Sea. A large crowd followed him BECAUSE OF THE SIGNS He was doing on the sick. Seeking some time alone with His disciples, he went up a mountain to a secluded place alone.

“Now, the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.” (almost there). Because the author, John, isn’t too concerned with telling a chronological account of Jesus and instead presents Him only through a series of signs and “I Am” statements that prove Him to be the Messiah without a doubt, we learn that it is Passover time again. If yesterday’s reading took place in Jerusalem, at the Feast of Tabernacles, this event is happening 6 months later. If that healing of the invalid at the pool of Bethesda was at a Passover, then this event is now one year later.

(Try to get in the Apostle John’s mindset, and let the dates become less important until the end of the story.)

Anyway, the time Jesus wanted alone with His disciples was interrupted when He saw a large crowd coming from around the Sea looking for Him. They followed him “because they saw the miracles he was doing on the sick.” Nevertheless, Jesus had compassion on them.

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John 6:5-9.

“Philip, where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” Jesus said this to “test” him, for He already knew what He would do.

“Huh? Are you kidding, Jesus?” Philip might have thought. But he answered aloud, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little!” And you KNOW that Jesus had way less denarii than that! It was almost a year’s wages for a laborer.

Then Andrew steps up. (Remember, he was the one who brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus.) Now he was bringing a little boy to the Master, who had perhaps offered his meager lunch of 5 rolls and two sardines. (Picture THAT, and not big loaves of bread and a couple of trout.) Andrew was cautious, “But what are these for so many?”

I can so imagine Jesus smiling down at the boy, seeing the huge miracle He was about to do because of the”faith” of a little child.

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John 6:10-13.

“Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. It was spring, and the hillside was covered with soft green grass. John notes that there were 5,000 men there. With some women and children, the total number could have been up to 20,000 hungry, seeking people!

Jesus then took the boy’s lunch, looked to Heaven to thank His Father, and distributed it to His disciples, who took it to the thousands of people sitting. Again and again they came back to take more food out. Jesus always handed them more. Their eyes bulged, their thoughts raced, they were speechless. 20,000 people ate from the boy’s 5 rolls and two tiny fish. 20,000!!!

AND THEY ATE AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED! THEY WERE FULL!

“Gather up the leftovers,” Jesus told His disciples, “that nothing may be lost.” LEFTOVERS! From 20K people eating one boy’s lunch?

Yep. And there were 12 “lunchbox” sized baskets filled with the fragments. Perfect for the 12 disciples to eat.

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John 6:14

“When the people saw the sign that He had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

What did they mean by that? And why did their stomachs full of bread and fish spark this thought?

Back in Deuteronomy 18:15-18, God told Moses that He would “raise up a prophet” like him, who would speak the words of God. And that the people should listen to Him, or God would require it of them.

So, why did this miracle feeding spark the thought of that Prophet? Didn’t God say the people should listen to His WORDS, His teaching? This crowd, and others, did NOT listen to Jesus. They were drawn to Him by the miracles.

Now, what miracle did Moses “do” that would remind this crowd of Jesus? Why, it was supplying Manna in the wilderness. “Bread” from heaven, if you will. Hadn’t Jesus just miraculously supplied “bread” from thin air? Whoa…. HE MUST BE THAT PROPHET!

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John 6:15.

Oh, man. How disappointing. Perhaps Jesus had some wonderful teaching planned, now that they were fed and comfortable. Perhaps something like the Sermon on the (other) Mount from Matthew. But no, what did this crowd want?

They were getting up, brushing off crumbs and grass, and …. preparing to come and take Jesus by force and make Him king!

What?

Disappointed, Jesus again withdrew through a thin mountain pass to a secluded place where they would not find Him. (Later, after the crowd had dispersed, Jesus sent his disciples back to Capernaum in a boat, while He prayed alone to His Father.)

(NOTE: The two miracles where Jesus actually “created” something involved the two elements of Communion: wine (from water) and bread (to feed a crowd from a sack lunch). They symbolize His body and blood given to us, which we remember even today when we partake in “The Lord’s Supper.”)

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John 6:16-21.

The disciples started across the Sea. It was dark, and the wind picked up. They struggled to row in the wind and rough sea, and had made it only halfway across when…..

They saw a phenomenon. They thought they were seeing a ghost, for a figure was walking on the sea and coming near to them.

“It is I; do not be afraid,” Jesus called. Boy, were they glad! And they took Him into the boat. Then ANOTHER MIRACLE! The boat was IMMEDIATELY at land on the other side of the sea.

Four miles in one second! Wow!

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John 6:22-24.

Meanwhile, back on the other side of the sea, many of the crowd who had eaten the miracle bread were looking for Jesus. They saw theone boat was gone when the disciples left, but Jesus had not been with them. Soon some other boats arrived, so when the people saw that Jesus was not there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum too. They were still SEEKING JESUS. For healings? Or to make Him their king, a king who could feed them every day, FOR FREE?

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In tomorrow’s reading, Jesus will delude them of that thought. In fact, He will “gross them out” so much that many who considered themselves His followers will turn away, offended.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/17) John 2:13-25

Jun17

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” John 2:16b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus’ family and disciples are invited to a Wedding. At the week (or so) feast that followed, the wine supply was depleted. Jesus’ mother came to Jesus with the problem, then left Him to do as He would. As His first sign-miracle, Jesus turned six huge jars of fresh water into the best wine they had ever tasted. Surely this points to a new life, changed by Jesus, into one that blesses all around them. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and bring them into His Kingdom.

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John 2:13-17.

After the wedding and a brief stop in Capernaum, Jesus (with family and disciples?) did what all devout Jewish men did at that time of the year, as commanded by God. He went “up to Jerusalem” to celebrate Passover. This “feast” commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, when the angel of the LORD “passed over” all who had the lamb’s blood sprinkled on their doorposts, and killed the firstborn of all others.

(This is the first of three Passovers that John mentions in his Gospel.)

At Passover, worshippers came from all over Israel and the Roman Empire. Because it was not feasible to bring all the required animals for the sacrifice over such a distance, merchants saw an opportunity to make a bit of cash by providing them … at exorbitant prices. Also, the annual temple tax was to be paid by every male aged 20 and over. Coins from the countries in the Roman Empire were NOT accepted for this tax, so they needed to be exchanged into the Jewish shekel.

Not only did the animal sellers and moneychangers exploit the situation by charging high fees, but the Sadducees (major rulers of the Temple) also raked off a percentage of their earnings for allowing them to set up tables. And so, this outer court of the temple – a place where Gentiles were supposed to come to worship the LORD – was turned into a loud, chaotic (and filthy) marketplace by greedy merchants.

Jesus was infuriated with righteous indignation and anger. His Father’s holiness and worship were at stake.

He braided together a whip of cords and drove out not only the merchants but also the animals. “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade,” Jesus cried as He swung the whip above His head, and turned over the tables piled high with coins.

Later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples remembered the Scripture passage from Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”

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John 2:18-22.

It was chaotic, but there was no uproar from the people. Otherwise, the Roman soldiers – on high alert during this Feast – would have been there in an instant. (Eventually, the merchants and travelers continued their bargaining outside the Temple walls.) However, the religious leaders saw their departure as the end of their money-making. They came to Jesus in protest.

“What sign do You show us for doing these things?” They wanted to know who had given Jesus the “authority” to drive out the merchants and animals. They believed that THEY alone had authority over the Temple.

Jesus gave them a sign, alright, but they totally did not understand it. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Jesus’ death and resurrection would show who He was and the authority He had, but even after the event, the religious leaders rejected Him. In fact, this was one of the accusations they used to get a “guilty verdict” at his trial. For who could rebuild the magnificent temple that had taken King Herod 46 years to restore … in THREE DAYS?

Again, Jesus’ disciples would remember His words and understand their meaning. Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit would remind and teach them all the things Jesus had said.

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John 2:23-25.

“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs (miracles) that He was doing.“

This sounds good, right? Many believed! The miracles convinced them. (But what did they believe? And how sincere were they?)

“But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man.”

Jesus, as God, knew the hearts of people, and if their faith was sincere or not, and what it was based on. If only miracles convinced them, what would happen when He was arrested and crucified? How genuine was that belief?

“He Himself knew what was in man.”

Jesus was looking for true disciples who were genuinely converted. Mere enthusiasm for His miracles would fade in the face of opposition. True faith, and not “wows” at miracles, is needed for a life to be changed. Jesus was looking for whole-hearted commitment in His disciples.

(“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'” Matt. 16:24-25. This challenge remains the same for us today.)

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