Focal Passage: John 8:3-18

A few years ago, Emily and I made a quick trip north to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The cave is appropriately named because at 285 miles in length it’s the longest cavern system in the world. 

While we were inside, our eyes were opened to magnificent rock formations, spikey stalactites, tight passages and underground streams and waterfalls. But there was one part of our tour that I will never forget. 

The park ranger asked everyone to turn off their phones and cameras, and then he turned off the lights — all of them. I’ve never experienced darkness like that before in my life. The room was pitch black in every direction. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 7:14-29

As Jesus was standing trial following His arrest, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, asked Him if He was “King of the Jews.” 

Jesus affirmed that he was a king (not earthly, but spiritual), and concluded by saying, “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” (John 18:37). But after hearing His words, Pilate curiously replied, “What is truth?” 

While we often brush past Pilate’s response, what he says really summarizes the deepest thoughts and assumptions of today’s culture, where “truth” doesn’t exist as something fixed or concrete, but a standard we create for ourselves. 

In the postmodern world, truth is simply what a person believes and values, and that can differ from person to person. We hear people describe truth in terms of “your truth” and “my truth,” where there are no universal standards or morals, only what each person has decided is best in his or her own heart.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 6:26-40

World-renowned chef and culinary expert, James Beard, once noted, “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods.” I think this statement rings true for several reasons. 

First, whether you are a bread aficionado or not, when you sense hunger there is something deeply satisfying about eating a piece of warm bread, especially covered with salty butter. 

Second, not only does bread satisfy hunger, but it also satisfies our body’s physical needs. Good bread is filled with fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients that are vital for proper digestion, good cholesterol, normal blood pressure and other indicators of a healthy body. 

A third reason bread is so satisfying is because of its availability. There are few places in the world where bread isn’t sold or produced, thus satisfying people around the globe.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 5:5-16

Few difficulties in life are more dangerous than hopelessness. In 2020, Anne Case and Angus Deaton co-authored a book titled, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism, where they researched a unique rise in death rates among white, middled-aged, American men. While life expectancy had been on the rise through the 1900s, studies revealed a noticeable decline among men, ages 45-54, since 2000 — a decline exclusive to the United States. 

In a nation overflowing with advanced healthcare, astonishing technology and accumulated wealth, what could possibly lead to an increase in the death rate? According to Case and Deaton, this unique group of men have been adversely affected by economic instability, lower education levels, joblessness, disintegrating families and other cultural maladies.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 4:11-26

Over the past few months, our church has been engaged in a search for two new ministry leaders. As numerous résumés have arrived and our committee has diligently considered each one, it doesn’t take long upon an initial glance to know if a candidate meets our criteria and is qualified for the role. Our team has been quick to set aside those who don’t qualify and pursue those who do. 

While this method is what most search committees utilize when making personnel decisions, we as believers can unknowingly use this same rubric when it comes to who we consider might believe the gospel. 

Because of our own lack of faith, we often look at a person’s life and appearance, their past, and other details, and determine that our evangelism would automatically fall on deaf ears. I think we’ve all been guilty of bypassing people that we predetermine are “unsavable.” However, in John 4, Jesus reminds us through His encounter with a Samaritan woman that God is able to change anyone’s life when they turn to the Savior.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 3:4-18

Over the years, I’ve found New Year’s Day to be so refreshing and encouraging. Have you ever felt this way?

Whether it’s psychological or practical, there is a sense in which beginning a new year offers closure to the failures and disappointments of the past, and provides hope, renewal and fresh motivation for what is ahead. 

For many, this might mean a change in diet and exercise, or a commitment to be more financially responsible, or a plan to start a new project or goal. Whatever the case might be, Jan. 1 offers an invitation to start over and begin something new — and that can be very liberating to experience. 

When it comes to a saving relationship with God, the Bible likewise emphasizes that a major restart is needed in our lives. But rather than us just making a few changes and improvements to who we are, the Scriptures indicate that the Holy Spirit must totally transform our hearts if we want to be right with God.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Luke 2:1-15

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!”

These are the majestic words spoken to the lowly shepherds by an angel on the night Jesus was born. On that ordinary evening none of them were expecting to hear this extraordinary message, much less see the dark sky filled with the radiant light of countless angels hovering above. However, the greatest announcement in history had been given — God’s long promised Savior had arrived to bring salvation to the world! 

Given that most shepherds in the first century were common laborers and not astute Old Testament theologians, the significance of this event probably didn’t register with them at first.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 2:11-23 

If you were able to travel back to the first century and meet Jesus, what would you expect Him to be like? 

Most would think of Jesus in terms of the old hymn by Charles Wesley, “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild … Loving Jesus, gentle lamb …” After all, when we read the Gospels, we find a Jesus who is obedient to the Father, gracious toward sinners, patient with children, concerned for the needy, humble in service, and overflowing with a spirit of meekness, joy, and love. 

But what if you happened to be in the temple during Passover, on the day when John describes Jesus as being filled with rage at the sight of corrupt merchants? 

How would you feel watching Jesus overturn tables, pour out money jars, and chase away these fraudulent opportunists with a corded whip? While most picture Jesus as meek and mild, this chaotic scene would have been radically different. But why did Jesus respond like this? Doesn’t this seem out of place and uncharacteristic of Christ? I think there are at least two reasons we must consider.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 1:40-51 

I recently noticed an advertisement on social media from a low-budget airline offering a $100,000 signing bonus for qualified pilots. 

Such an offer seemed really impressive to say the least. However, after reading the comments below, some of which were written by pilots in the industry, it was clear that the company’s offer was misleading. A few of the pilots even warned others to be skeptical about Internet ads that seem “too good to be true.” 

While such a warning is wise for online activity, some people are equally skeptical when it comes to the claims of the gospel. When they first hear about the good news of Jesus, along with grace, forgiveness and eternal life, they wonder if such an offer is “too good to be true.”  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 1:1-14

One of the great blessings I experience each year is reading the Bible through. I particularly enjoy the chronological reading plan because it organizes the daily reading schedule according to when the events took place in history. 

For example, the plan begins with Genesis 1-11 but then moves to Job before returning to Genesis 12-50. Most scholars believe that Job took place during the period between Genesis 11 and 12. It’s really interesting to read the entire Bible this way, especially how the Psalms and Prophets are organized. 

However, I’ve always wondered why the chronological plan begins with Genesis 1 rather than John 1. Most would assume that Genesis 1 should come first because it documents creation, while John should come later because he introduces the life and ministry of Jesus. But in terms of true chronology, John 1 records details that took place much earlier than Genesis 1 – eternally earlier – because there we discover the existence of Jesus before anything else was created.  [Read more…]