John

In John 3, we meet a man named Nicodemus who was highly educated and well-credentialed. He was one of the Pharisees, a strict religious and political group that carefully followed the Old Testament laws. The name Pharisee means “separated ones.” Nicodemus also served on the Jewish ruling council, called the Sanhedrin, an elite group of seventy men responsible for making religious and civil decisions under Roman rule. 

After Jesus turned the water into wine in Cana, he headed to Capernaum with his family and disciples to rest for a few days. Then he and his disciples traveled to Jerusalem (John 2:12-13).

After establishing that Jesus was God in the flesh and introducing him as the Lamb of God in chapter 1, John shifted his focus to seven signs or proofs that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God.” There are thirty-five miracles recorded across the four gospels.

Often, believers hesitate to share the message about Jesus because they feel they don't have all the answers to questions that may arise. Today’s passage dispels that idea. While it’s essential to understand the gospel, our role isn't to have all the answers, but to point others to the One who does. Today, we learn that sharing Jesus begins with a simple invitation: “Come and see.”   

Today, we focus on the testimony of John the Baptist, a significant figure. His appearance and lifestyle were austere yet straightforward. He lived on the outskirts of Jerusalem, dressed in animal skins, and ate locusts and wild honey. You might recall that a few years ago, some evangelical leaders started promoting the “Daniel diet plan.” Interestingly, no one has tried to market the “John the Baptist diet plan!” 

WEEKEND RECHARGE!
God’s Story in Our Savior
July 5, 2025

WEEKEND RECHARGE!
God’s Story in Our Savior
July 5, 2025

When John wrote his gospel (AD 85-90), about thirty years after Matthew and Luke, he saw no need to repeat information already familiar to the churches. Instead, he focused directly on theology. 

God repeatedly told the nation of Israel that their Messiah was coming. But God’s people did not respond to what he was telling them. God said, “My people do not understand” (Isa. 1:3). Even the message of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 was introduced with the question, “Who has believed what he has heard from us?” (Isa. 53:1).