Jesus Before Pilate Devotions on John 19:1-16a Monday–Jesus Before Pilate “They kept coming to him saying “Hail, King of the Jews” (John 19:3)! Cindy Dawson, was raised in a conservative Christian family. She took her faith seriously, at an early age. This meant that she didn’t drink or take drugs at any of the […]
Devotional Thoughts
John 18:28-40, Jesus Before Pilate
Jesus Before Pilate Devotions on John 18:28-40 Monday–Jesus Before Pilate “They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement” (John 18:28). In the middle of the drama of that first Holy Week, the Jewish leaders demonstrated a natural human inclination. They attempted to keep themselves “holy” by keeping themselves separate. […]
Devotions on John 18:12-27–Peter Denies Jesus
Peter Denies Jesus John 18:12-27 Monday–Peter Denies Jesus “Caiaphas, was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people” (John 18:14) Caiaphas was correct. It was better for one person to die for the people. His intention was that Jesus would die so that […]
John 13:1-17, Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet
Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet Devotions on John 13:1-17 Monday–Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet8– “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). It is easy to imagine the three years Jesus and his disciples spent together as the equivalent of a good old boy fishing trip […]
John 4:1-42, Woman at the Well
Woman at the Well Devotions for John 4:1-42 Monday–Woman at the Well “Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard ‘Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John” … he left Judea and started back to Galilee (John 4:1-3). The community symphony was playing a piece by Mozart. It was a cascade […]
John 3:1-21, For God So Loved the World
For God So Loved the World Devotions on John 3:1-21 Monday–For God So Loved the World “No one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God” (John 3:2). Many criticisms have been leveled at Nicodemus. He approached Jesus in a cowardly manner, in the middle of the night. Nicodemus […]
Devotions on John 2:1-11, Wedding at Cana
Wedding at Cana Devotions on John 2:1-11 Monday, Wedding at Cana “When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’” (John 2:3). “You looked bummed,” Miguel said when he met his neighbor, Dave, at the group of mailboxes. “I am,” replied Dave. My irrigation system has developed […]
Devotions on John 1:19-34–John the Baptist
John the Baptist Devotions on John 1:19-34 Monday–John the Baptist “He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “’I am not the Messiah’” (John 1:20). According to Reza Aslan, in his book Zealot (Random House, New York, 2013) there were scores of men traveling around Judea and Galilee claiming to be the Messiah. John […]
Isaiah 55:1-11, Word Does Not Return Void
Word Does Not Return Void Devotions on Isaiah 55:1-11–Word Does Not Return Void Monday–Word Does Not Return Void “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1a). Thirst is a primal craving. When people are dying of thirst, all other cravings, desires or urges are suppressed. This is because it is a life […]
Ezekiel 37:1-14–Valley of Dry Bones
Valley of Dry Bones Monday–Valley of Dry Bones “The hand of the Lord came upon me” (Ezekiel 37:1a). The Spirit came upon Ezekiel and the other prophets and they had, what we would call, a spiritual experience. They would see visions, dream dreams, do some rather outrageous acts, or be inspired to proclaim messages from […]