The gap between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the world is glaringly obvious in this chapter as Jesus continues to grapple with the religious folk of the day. There are two fathers; God and Satan, both giving direction but only one leading to truth and salvation.
Rather than expound further on what is an incredibly rich chapter of scripture, I would just like to quote some key verses that spoke deeply and clearly to me this morning.
"Let him who is without sin throw the first stone".
"I am the light of the world and whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life".
"I speak to the world those things that I heard from him [the father]".
"And he who sent me is with me and he has not left me alone, for I always do those things that please him".
"If you abide in my word, then you are my disciples, and you shall know the truth and it will set you free".
"If the Son sets you free then you will be free indeed".
"He who is of God hears Gods words".
"Before Abraham was, I AM" [I love the everlasting authority, power and presence that comes with the I AM declarations].
Father, we belong to you, we are yours, we read your word, we let it touch and infiltrate our thinking and living and we listen for your voice that you direct us in truth, freedom and the light of life. Amen.
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
6 comments:
Thanks, Garry. The simple power of John's Gospel really needs little comment, doesn't it! How indeed did John record such profound words from Jesus and chronicle such amazing signs with only a 200 word vocabulary?
There is simple power and wonder in this long discourse by Jesus. He begins by saying I AM light and ends with the most concise statement of His divinity which stuns us with its simplicity: "Before Abraham was, I AM!"
We are filled with wonder, stand in awe and yet also know that we can joyfully approach the I AM who became one of us forever.
Tom
"If the Son sets you free then you will be free indeed".
I so desire to know this freedom.
Me too :)
My glimpses of real freedom are getting longer and brighter so I must say I'm a little bit excited!
Over the last couple weeks I've been pondering what it really means to "belong to" Jesus. Paul often introduces himself in his letters not just as an apostle but as a "slave" of Christ Jesus.
I was interested when you used these words in your final prayer Garry: "we belong to you, we are yours." What does this look? What does our life look like if we are a slave, if we truly belong to someone else??
I LOVE this chapter in John. The few times we have been up to Wooroloo prison I have often spoken about the woman caught in adultery.
The verses you picked out Garry all resonated with me too!
It is interesting listening to Wolfgang Simson as he speaks about the Kingdom of God - how we are released from slavery and bondage to then become a slave of our saviour.
Belonging to God is interesting and multi-faceted - a slave, a son, a servant, a bride.......
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