Read John 1:1-28

John the author (not to be confused with John the Baptist) opens the book with a beautiful (and slightly confusing) introduction of Jesus as the Word and the light. Simply put, these two names illustrate two of Jesus’ purposes during His time on earth that John the author thought to be of great significance. The Word describes Jesus as the embodiment of God’s thoughts and desires. In the same way that we use our words to articulate what we think and feel, God sent Jesus to express His thoughts and feelings to us. John the author also says here that the Word (Jesus) was with God and He was God. This is John’s way of teaching the great mystery of the trinity – that Jesus is distinct from God but also one with Him (super confusing). The light describes Jesus as a teacher. In the same way that light makes it possible to see, Jesus came to open our spiritual eyes to things that we would otherwise not understand. There are many layers to these names, but that’s a starting place to understanding them.

 After introducing us to Jesus, John the author introduces us to John the Baptist. One thing that is interesting, is that John the Baptist claims to be no one special. He says that he is simply telling people about Jesus. He has some high praise for Jesus that creates great anticipation for who Jesus is and what He will do.

•  John the author claims at the very beginning of the book that Jesus is God. Consider the weight of that claim. If there is a God that created our world and he came to earth as a human, what does that mean for you? Do you want to know who that God is?

• How have you experienced Jesus as the Word and the light?

Read John 1:29-51

In the first section of today’s reading, we see a new name of Jesus – the Lamb of God. John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God to show that He is the fulfillment of God’s law. In all of human history prior to Jesus’ life, God’s people had to make sacrifices (usually animal sacrifices) to pay for their sin. By calling Jesus the Lamb of God, John the Baptist is saying that Jesus will be the final sacrifice for sin that had been prophesied. His death would pay for the sins of anyone who believes in Him. We will continue to see many names of Jesus as we read. It might be helpful to keep a list of them and what they tell us about Jesus.

 Next, Jesus calls His first disciples to follow Him. In the first invitation, He asks Andrew “What are you seeking?” Jesus asks Andrew to examine his motives before deciding to follow Him. Another interesting part of these interactions is Nathanael’s response to hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. (SURPRISE! Another name! Messiah is the name used throughout the Old Testament to prophesy of God’s anointed savior who would save God’s people.) Nathanael seems to be shocked that the Messiah would come from the small town of Nazareth. Despite their initial concerns, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael all follow Jesus.

• Do you feel like your sin separates you from God? That’s why Jesus came! Do you trust that Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid for your sin on the cross? 

• As we begin reading about the life of Jesus, what are you seeking?

• Do you, like Nathanael, have any biases or preconceived ideas about Jesus or God that might keep you from seeing who Jesus really is as we read?

Read John 2:1-25

In chapter 2, we see John the author’s accounts of a couple of firsts from Jesus. We see His first miracle and His first prediction of His death and resurrection. As we read, try to remember that God does nothing on accident. Even the order and timing of His actions tell us something about who He is. Pray that God would show you His character as you read.

At the beginning of the chapter, we see Jesus turn the water into wine. This is our first glimpse at the power of Jesus. Like Jesus’ disciples and the people who witnessed the miracle, this is the first time we see Jesus’ divinity in action – not just hearing Him or others speak of it. Next, we see Jesus create a bit of chaos in the temple. He sees that people are using the temple for trade and personal gain, and He is furious! He drives them out and demands that they respect the temple. Finally, when He was asked what authority he had to do this, he used the metaphor of tearing down and rebuilding the temple to predict His own death and resurrection.

•  Do you believe that God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants?

• Try to imagine what it would have been like to be one of Jesus’ disciples. Would His actions be confusing? Scary? Alarming? Have you ever experienced confusion in your life following Jesus?

• How can we balance trusting that God is all powerful and not always understanding what He’s doing?

Read John 3:1-21

Chapter 3 begins with the introduction of a new character – Nicodemus. We don’t know much about Nicodemus other than his high religious profile as a Jewish Pharisee. This means he was very knowledgeable and a teacher of the Jewish faith (God’s chosen people throughout the Old Testament). Jesus tells Nicodemus that to be a part of God’s family, you must be born again. Naturally, Nicodemus is confused, and Jesus explains that it is not another physical birth that is required but a spiritual birth. We must be spiritually made new by God to be a part of His family. Nicodemus is still confused and Jesus tells Nicodemus that we need to look beyond what our physical eyes can see to experience the spiritual fullness of God.

After explaining this spiritual rebirth to Nicodemus, Jesus tells Nicodemus how God will make this rebirth possible. Jesus says that He is the one who can reunite us with God and make our spiritual rebirth possible. He explains that God sent Him into the world to save it. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn us for our sins but to free us from them! Jesus says that he will be lifted up (referring to his crucifixion), and that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. Trusting that Jesus’ death pays for our sin is what makes it possible for us to be born again.

• In this interaction, we see that Nicodemus had all of the head knowledge, but He missed the spiritual work of Jesus. How can we be careful to not only engage who Jesus is with our heads but also with our hearts?

• Does the idea of being born again make sense to you? Do you agree that all humans need a spiritual rebirth? If this idea is confusing, I’d encourage you to read today’s reading in the Message Bible. If you don’t know how to find that, just Google “John 3 in the Message Bible.”

• How does it make you feel that God loves you so much that he sent Jesus to die so that you can have eternal life with Him?

Read John 3:22-36

In today’s reading, Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing people. One of John the Baptists disciples asked him why he was not upset that many people were choosing to go to Jesus instead of him. John the Baptist responds by saying that his whole life mission has been to point people to Jesus – never to get people’s approval for himself. He says that Jesus’ praise must increase, and his own praise decrease. John the Baptist’s only goal was to point people to Jesus.

John the author then explains John the Baptist’s reason for living this way. As he writes about who Jesus is, he implies that it only makes sense to point people to Jesus because He is the one with all power, and He is the one who can give eternal life. The chapter ends with John the author saying this in verse 36: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36 ESV) The words John the author chooses here imply that we all have God’s wrath on us because of our sin. The idea here is that all sin must be paid for by death (see Romans 6 for more), but through Jesus, God is offering an alternative payment for our sin if we believe in Jesus.

• How can we learn from John the Baptist’s example and make our lives all about Jesus? What parts of your life do you need to refocus on Jesus?

• All of us have sinned, and all sin must be paid for. There are two options for how our sin can be paid for. We can pay for our own sin in death and separation from God or we can accept Jesus’ death as the payment for our sin. Does this idea make sense to you? If not, please reach out to Julia or Darron!

• If you have accepted Jesus’ death as the payment for your sins, take a few moments to thank Him.

Read John 4:1-45

Today we read about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Do you remember a few days ago when we said that Jesus doesn’t do anything on accident? That is definitely true in today’s reading! What town Jesus goes through and what time he passes the well seem to be coincidences until we meet this Samaritan woman. As we observe their interaction, it becomes clear that Jesus is not there on accident; He is there for her! This story is a beautiful example of the way God pursues us.

As we read about their interaction, John the author points out a couple other cool things. One is Jesus saying that He can provide spiritual water. He uses the example of water to say that he can meet our spiritual thirsts and desires – He can satisfy us. Finally, after Jesus tells the Samaritan woman things about her past that He could only know if He was the Messiah, she believes Him! The last thing we see in this story is the woman’s response. She goes and tells everyone about Jesus, and many people believed because of her testimony.

• How has God pursued you in your life? Some examples might be people He put in your life or times when you were at your worst and God was still there.

• Do you have a spiritual thirst or desire for God? Pray that God would increase your desire to know Him and increase your faith that He is the one who can satisfy your greatest longings.

• How can we learn from the Samaritan woman’s example? God has pursued you and meets your greatest desires! How eager are you to tell others about Him?

Today, we see two more miracles of Jesus. He heals a man’s son that he has never even met and he heals a lame man by telling him to get up and walk! As awesome as these miracles are, there’s also beauty in the order of these events. Jesus meets the physical needs of each of these people, and then they begin to follow Him! It’s amazing that Jesus seems to be ok with that. Through meeting their physical needs, He softens their heart to believe in Him so that he can meet their spiritual need.

Another interesting thing in this passage is the building tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus was the Messiah that would fulfill God’s promises to them, but many of them did not believe.

• How can you learn from Jesus’ example of how to invite people to follow Him? Who are the people around you with physical needs that you can meet? That just might be what softens their heart for Jesus to meet their spiritual need.

• We talked in chapter 3 about how Nicodemus had all of the head knowledge but missed the spiritual work of Jesus. Today, we see the same thing with many Pharisees (Jewish leaders). In what ways are you tempted to value your knowledge and opinions over your spiritual submission to God?

In today’s reading, Jesus speaks and addresses two themes that we have seen throughout the gospel of John so far. First, he speaks of his oneness with God the Father (You can now add Son of God to your list of names!). He says that He and the Father are one, and all of the power and knowledge that He has was given to Him by the Father. The simplest truth here is the most profound: a man is claiming to be God. Yes, there are many mysterious and marvelous layers to what Jesus is saying. The claim that every man and woman must wrestle with, though, is His claim to be the Son of God. Jesus says that our belief or doubt regarding this claim determines whether or not we will have eternal life.

The second theme Jesus speaks to is the doubt of the spiritual elite (the Pharisees and Sadducees to name a couple). There was a group of people when Jesus was alive who were very well acquainted with God’s word, but they did not believe in Jesus. Jesus implies here that they have put so much faith in their own knowledge and understanding that they cannot see their need for a Savior.

• What doubts do you have that Jesus was the Son of God? Is there a lack of evidence that causes these doubts or is it a lack of knowledge? Have you ever seriously looked for answers to your questions about who Jesus was?

• What are the reasons or evidences that make you most confident in your belief that Jesus was the Son of God? What are some things you can do to learn more of these evidences to increase your faith? (Examples: online research, books, podcasts, asking a spiritual mentor)

• Why do you think the religious leaders of that day had such a hard time believing that Jesus was the Son of God?

In the beginning of chapter 6, John the author tells us of two more miracles. First, we see Jesus feed a great crowd with only five loves of bread and two fish. Before the miracle, though, we see Jesus ask Phillip where they should buy bread. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus knew what He would do but still asked Phillip what He thought? It’s almost as if Jesus was inviting Phillip to ask Him for a miracle. Jesus didn’t want Phillip to just believe that He could do anything, but He also wanted him to look for needs that Jesus could meet supernaturally and ask Him to do it.

The second miracle we see is Jesus walking on water. We see the disciples out at sea in the middle of a storm. They were afraid and distressed, and that’s when Jesus showed up. In their fear, Jesus came to them in the middle of the storm, and when He arrived, they had peace.

• Do you invite God to work in supernatural ways in your life and the lives of those around you? This is more than just believing He can. Do you look for needs that only God can meet and ask Him to do it?

• Jesus can bring peace to any situation. Take a few moments and pray for His peace in your own life and in the lives of those around you.

Today, we see a new name of Jesus. He calls Himself the bread of life. Add it to your list! One meaning of this name is similar to what we saw in Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well. Jesus, as the bread of life, satisfies us. Another meaning of this name is that in the same way bread gives us life on earth, Jesus gives us eternal life. Jesus, as the bread of life, satisfies our deepest longings and sustains us for all of eternity.

One thing that’s hard to ignore in this passage, though, is how crazy Jesus must have sounded to everyone there! “Eat my flesh” and “drink my blood” are not exactly normal things to say. Many people were certainly confused, and some even got angry.

• In what areas of your life are you feeling discontent? How can you trust Jesus to satisfy you in those areas?

• What’s one thing you can do to be more dependent on Jesus as the sustainer of your life? What’s one way that you can prioritize God and the things of eternity over the things of this life?

• Do you have any sympathy for the people who were confused by Jesus?

After the tough teaching we read about yesterday, John the author writes about how people responded to Jesus. We see that many people were confused and frustrated by Jesus’ teachings, and we see two responses. Many walked away from Jesus because it was too difficult, but some of His disciples stayed and said that they had nowhere else to go. They could not deny that Jesus was the Son of God, and for that reason, they would follow him anywhere – no matter how hard it got.

In the beginning of chapter 7, we see the tension continue to build. Even Jesus’ own family is having a hard time believing His teaching, and they are becoming frustrated. This building tension reminds us that Jesus’ life was all leading up to His death.

• When following Jesus becomes difficult, what is your response?

• We don’t read of anyone who felt indifferent towards Jesus. People loved Him or hated Him. Why do you think that is?

• Jesus having such devoted followers and such hostile enemies makes Him a really interesting historical figure. Think of some other people throughout history who were passionately loved and passionately hated. How do historical narratives about those people compare to peoples thoughts about Jesus and Christianity?

Today, we see more chaos in the communities around Jesus about who he is. We see many follow him believing that he is the Messiah, and we see many people that want to kill him because they think he’s a lunatic. One interesting thing is that both the people who believed in Jesus and the people who persecuted Jesus pointed to the Old Testament prophecies as a reason for their belief.

• Take a few minutes to look up “Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.” Take a look at some of the things people prophesied about Jesus centuries before he lived.

• Now take a moment to look up “probability that Jesus would fulfill prophecies.”

• Why do you think some people believed in Jesus because of the prophecies he fulfilled? Why do you think some people still didn’t believe?

Today’s reading begins with a story. Some of the religious leaders brought a woman who had committed adultery to Jesus and asked him what to do. They suggested stoning her because that is what the law in the Old Testament said. Jesus, however, shows us that he has a new way of doing things. He says to the people that whoever has not sinned should throw the first stone. As they realized that they had all sinned, they dropped their stones and left. Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more.

Next, we read some teachings of Jesus. Jesus calls himself the light of the world. Add it to your list! As the light of the world, Jesus lights the path to life – true life in him. He shows us how to live the way that God created us to live. He also says again the he and the Father are one, and he says that all who do not believe in him will die in their sins.

• In the story of the woman caught in adultery, we see Jesus show grace to the woman despite her sin. How has God shown you grace despite your sin? Take a moment to thank Him.

• In what ways has knowing Jesus brought light into your life and made sense of how to live this life God’s way?

• Do you believe that Jesus can forgive our sins?

In today’s reading, Jesus says that he’s come to show us the truth and that the truth will set us free. The people there misunderstand him and say that they are not a slave to any ruler, but Jesus says that we are all slaves to sin and that he can set us free. He also calls the devil the father of lies.

Jesus continues to speak and makes many of the people listening very angry. Jesus says that before Abraham was, I am. This seems strange to us, but to the Jews at that time, it was obvious that Jesus was claiming to be God. By saying that he existed before Abraham, he’s claiming to be eternal. Even more alarming than that, though, was him saying “I am.” I am used as a name was exclusive to God in the Old Testament. Though it’s hard for us to understand, this is one of Jesus’ most direct claims to be divine.

• What sin do you need to be set free from? Confess this to a couple of friends and have them pray for you.

• What lies of the enemy do you believe most often?

• John the author tells us that people wanted to kill Jesus because of his claims. Why do you think that is?

In chapter 9, John the author tells the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. Jesus saw this man and his need, and Jesus gave the man sight. What was broken, Jesus restored, and where there was hopelessness, Jesus brought hope. Seeing what Jesus had done, the man who used to be blind could not deny what had happened. Much like we saw with the woman at the well, this man could not help but tell others what Jesus had done – even if it costed him the approval of others.

At the end of the chapter, we see Jesus reprove the pharisees. Jesus says that he came into this world that the blind may see and that those who see would become blind. This is confusing – especially since he just healed a man of blindness. Jesus wasn’t talking about physical blindness, though. He was talking about spiritual blindness. He was saying that those who are spiritually blind and acknowledge their need for him will be saved from their sin, but those who think they have it all figured out on their own, will not see their need for Jesus to save them.

• When are some times in your life that God has brought hope to a hopeless situation?

• Who can you tell today about the things that God has done for you?

• What are some habits you can make that remind you of your need for God and keep you from spiritual vanity?

Today, we see another name of Jesus – the good shepherd. Add it to your list! Jesus uses a beautiful analogy of sheep and their shepherd to invite us to trust him. He teaches that trust is at the center of this relationship. He begins by saying that the sheep, after spending time with the shepherd, know his voice. He also says that the sheep trust and follow the shepherd because they know that he will keep them safe. Jesus then says in verses ten and eleven that we can trust him because he has sacrificed everything for us. It is beautiful that Jesus has done everything to prove himself to be worthy of our trust, and he invites us to follow him.

• In what ways are you spending time with Jesus and learning the sound of his voice?

• List a few reasons that you trust Jesus to lead your life.

• In what areas are you keeping control rather than fully trusting him?

Today, we see Jesus and some of the super religious people at it again. A group of Jews asks Jesus to say plainly if he claims to be the Christ. This is likely a trap for him to say something that they could kill him for. Jesus responds by saying that he has shown who he is by his actions, and that if they really knew God the father, they would see that they are working together.

This infuriated the Jewish leaders. Jesus was saying that they knew a lot about God but they didn’t know God. When Jesus said these things, they tried to kill him, but Jesus escaped.

• Who is your favorite celebrity? Do you know about them without actually knowing them?

• In what are the ways your relationship with that celebrity and your relationship with God the same? In what ways are they different?

In today’s reading, we see that Jesus’ friend Lazarus has become sick and died. When Jesus first hears that Lazarus is sick, he says that his illness does not lead to death but to the glory of the Son of God. It seems like Jesus is saying that he’s allowing Lazarus be sick and even die so that he can demonstrate his power and glory later. Jesus shows this even more by waiting two days before going to see Lazarus.

When Jesus does decide to go see Lazarus, many of the disciples discourage this idea. They tell Jesus that it is to risky because Lazarus was in Judea, where there were many Jews who wanted Jesus dead. The disciples knew what Jesus was capable of but were not sure if it was worth the risk.

As we finish today’s reading, we see one more name of Jesus. Our list just keeps growing! Jesus says that he is the resurrection and the life. Jesus is saying that he is the one who will forgive our sins so that we can be reunited with God. He says that everyone who believes in him will never die.

• God desires to use difficult times in our lives to show His glory. What is an example of a difficult time in your life that God used to draw you closer to Him?

• What is something God is inviting you to do that you are hesitant about because it’s risky?

• Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Today, we see Jesus’ response to his friend Lazarus’ death. It’s fascinating that Jesus weeps even though he knows he will raise Lazarus from the dead. This shows us so much about God’s heart for us. We talked yesterday about God’s desire to make himself known in our suffering, and it is easy to think that means God wants us to suffer. What we see today, though, is that even though Jesus knew what was happening and wanted to move in the hopeless situation, he was also heartbroken by the hopelessness.

Jesus then calls Lazarus out of the grave, and Lazarus rises from the dead! Jesus demonstrates his power over death! As people see and hear what Jesus has done, many believe, and many plan to kill him.

• If you are in a difficult season, know that both of these things are true. One, God wants to move close to you and show His glory through the situation. Two, God is sad too. His desire to make Himself known does not mean that He doesn’t care; it’s actually the opposite. He wants you to see His glory so that you know you can trust Him – even in heartbreak. He only desires good for His children. If this is you, pray for God’s comfort.

• Jesus brought Lazarus back to life physically, but this story is also symbolic of how Jesus restores our spiritual life. Spiritually, how has Jesus brought you back to life?

In today’s reading, John the author talks about many people praising Jesus. We first see Mary anoint Jesus with expensive oil. This was a very sacrificial way to worship him. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, even questioned if it was irresponsible. Jesus answered him saying that Mary had done a good thing. She gave up something of value to show Jesus that he was the most valuable to her.

We also see that many Jews and Greeks were seeking to worship Jesus. This is another fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament. Through Jesus, God was opening the door for all people to be a part of His family – not just the Jews. As the super religious people see all of this Jesus worship happening, they plan to kill Lazarus and Jesus.

The last thing we read about here is Jesus’ warning to those who follow him. He knows that as his fame and praise increases, so will the hate for him. He warns his followers by saying that following him will mean setting aside many of the things they currently value. This is still true today. Jesus says that whoever loves his life (whoever sees the comforts and pleasures of this life as ultimate) will lose eternal life, but whoever hates his life in this world will have eternal life.

• What is one way that you can worship Jesus sacrificially today?

• God’s kingdom is open to all people – every demographic. Do your actions toward others reflect this trait of God’s kingdom? Who do you most often write off or exclude and why do you do it?

• What are you not willing to give up to follow Jesus? Pray that God would help you to hold the things of this world with open hands.

We read today of Jesus announcing his death again. Talking about his crucifixion, he says that he must be lifted up from the earth in order to draw all people to himself. Many of the people listening couldn’t understand. Even though they knew the prophecies, they had become fixated on only a small portion of them. They had become fixated on prophecies that the Messiah would be a great leader and remain forever. By only looking to some of the prophecies instead of all of them, they had an incomplete understanding and missed who Jesus really was.

That did not distract Jesus, though. He remained focused on the reason that he was here. He continued to teach that he was the son of God and pointed to his coming death and resurrection.

• Many of the Jews of this time didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah because he didn’t look like they expected him to or wanted him too. Throughout our lives, it’s easy to pick and choose what parts of Jesus we like and miss all that he really is. What is one character trait of Jesus that has stuck out to you as we’ve been reading John?

• Jesus didn’t conform to the savior people wanted him to be. When imitating Jesus, are you ever tempted to present him to others in a way that is “more acceptable” than who he really is?

Yesterday, we saw the danger of picking and choosing parts of Jesus that we like and missing the complete character of Jesus. What we read today is something that we cannot miss! Jesus’ actions and words in chapter 13, show us that Jesus came to serve. Think about just how crazy it is that Jesus washed the disciples feet! He was God in human flesh – all powerful, all knowing, and here to save mankind from our sins. The disciples were mere men – nothing special. Yet, Jesus humbled himself to serve them and washed their feet, even Judas who would betray him. After this display of great love and service, Jesus tells them that the new commandment is love. In the same way that Christ came to love and serve us, we are to love and serve others.

• Do you find it interesting that what Jesus decided to do as God in human form was to serve?

• What’s one way you can serve someone today?

In John 14, we see a few new names for Jesus! He says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the sacrifice for our sins that have separated us from God. Jesus is the way to the father. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of the prophecies and being one with God, he is the ultimate, unchanging reality. Everything that exists acknowledges the power and glory of God the father and Jesus, our savior (look back at John 1:1). Through believing in Jesus, we live in the truth that he is way to God. Finally, Jesus offers us eternal life in heaven and fulfilling life on earth. We experience Jesus as the life as we live in the truth that he is way to God.

Jesus also promises, here, to send the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, God gave his people the law (what we now call the old covenant). However, God’s people are unable to live within God’s law and need a savior. That’s why God sent Jesus! Jesus came to fulfill the old covenant by being the ultimate sacrifice for sin and restore our relationship with God. This is what we call the new covenant! Through belief in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, our relationship with God restored! However, we are still unable to obey God’s law by our own power, so that’s why God has given us the Holy Spirit! God’s spirit empowers us to live in the relationship with God that Jesus made possible. All of this is so that we will see the glory of God through our relationship with Him.

• In your own words, what does it mean that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?

• In what areas are you unable to surrender to God and his commands in your own power? Read John 14:15-17 again and pray that the Holy Spirit will help you in these areas.

• How beautiful is it that God has gone to such great lengths to show us His glory? Does the intensity of your response match the intensity of God’s pursuit of you?

Today, we read one of Jesus’ most famous teachings, and we see another name! He begins by saying that he is the true vine, and we are the branches. Simply put, Jesus is saying that he is the source of life, and our connection to him is the way we receive life. In order to experience fullness of life, all we have to do is stay connected to Jesus!

Next, Jesus says that God the Father is the vinedresser. Jesus teaches that every healthy branch connected to a vine bears fruit, and in the same way, if we are living lives surrendered to God and connected to Jesus, we will bear spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law". These are the fruits that should be present in our life if we are surrendered to God and connected to Jesus. Jesus also says here that the Father will prune or cut things out of our life that keep us from bearing fruit.

Jesus wraps up this teaching by emphasizing the fruit of love. He says that we should love one another as he loves us. He then says that there is no greater love than being willing to lay down your life for someone else.

• What are things that you do (or can do) every day to stay connected to Jesus?

• Which fruits of the Spirit are most present in your life? Which are the least present?

• What are some things that God might be pruning out of your life currently?

• How can you sacrificially love someone today?

In today’s reading, John the author writes Jesus’ words to his disciples about persecution. Jesus says that there are many who persecute him because they don’t believe in him. He then warns his disciples that if the world persecuted him, they would also be persecuted for following him.

• Why do you think Jesus was persecuted and eventually killed?

• Later in the Bible, we see that many of the disciples were tortured and brutally killed for sharing the good news of Jesus. What does this tell us about their faith?

In this passage, we see Jesus saying that when he goes away, the Holy Spirit will come. He promises that the Holy Spirit will bring comfort and joy and compares his leaving to the pains of giving birth. Giving birth is painful, but the pain is forgotten when new life arrives. In a similar way, Jesus’ death would be the greatest tragedy in all of human history, but his resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit would overpower the sting of death! This would be the first of infinite times that the Holy Spirit would bring mankind comfort and joy.

Jesus then says that he is beginning to teach more clearly since he will not be with them much longer. His words while he is with them are to prepare them for life without him.

• How has the Holy Spirit comforted you and brought you joy?

• Jesus’ words here remind us that Jesus’ whole life pointed to and prepared us fir his death. What a great sacrifice! Take a moment to thank him.

In John chapter 17, we see a prayer from Jesus. Two things that stick out are his desire for God’s glory and his desire for his people to have joy by being one with God. In verses 1 through 5, we see His desire for God’s glory. Jesus says that he came to the world to glorify God and that he has done that by doing all that God asked him to do. He then prays that God would glorify him by bringing him back into heaven for them to share in their glory together. We see another reminder here that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were all displays of the glory of God.

Jesus also prays for his people. He prays that his followers and all of those that would believe would continue to see God’s glory after Jesus leaves. He prays that they would have joy – not in earthly things but in knowing God.

• The whole Bible points us to glory of God. Pray for a moment that God would show you His glory and that it would become the center of your life and purpose.

• If you are feeling unloved, unwanted, or uncared for, know that Jesus cares for you. He desires for you to know him and have joy. Are you defining your worth by what the world says about you or by what the God who created you says about you?

• In this chapter, we see what Jesus really cares about by seeing what he prayed for. The same is true of us. Based on what you pray for, what do you really care about?

Today, we read if Jesus’ arrest. We see Jesus and his disciples in a garden that they visited often. We read in some of the other gospels (the books of the Bible about Jesus’ life) that Judas was offered some money to betray Jesus, and we see here that he did. However, Jesus doesn’t lash out in anger or power. He submits to the guards knowing that he must die for our sins. A few of the disciples followed the guards into the town where Jesus would be presented to the officials. While they were there, Peter was asked if he was a disciple of Jesus, and Peter denied it. This happened three times.

In this series of events, we see two dangers and our example in Jesus. Judas was offered a worldly gift to betray Jesus and deemed the things of this world more valuable that faithfulness to Jesus. Peter faced potential danger and hardship if he was faithful to Jesus, so he denied Jesus. He was not willing to sacrifice his comfort and safety to follow Jesus. We also see our example in Jesus. He had all of the power and authority to resist his arrest, but he submitted to it. He was willing to suffer anything to obey the Father’s will.

• What worldly things are you tempted to value over Jesus?

• What are you not willing to give up to follow Jesus?

• Pray that God would help you to treasure Him over all of the things of this world.

Today’s reading begins with Jesus being questioned by Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate questions Jesus to see what he is guilty of and why the people want him crucified. He asks Jesus if he claims to be king, and Jesus responds by saying that his kingdom is not of this world. Jesus was not here to rule over or fight against physical powers but the spiritual forces. He did not come to upset the kingdom of any man but the rule of sin and death.

Pilate finds no fault with Jesus but agrees to do whatever the people wish. In an attempt to save Jesus, he tells the people that is their custom to release a prisoner at Passover, and he asks them if he should release Jesus. The people become angry and shout for Pilate to release Barabbas, a thief, instead. This interaction is symbolic of Jesus’ death for us! Jesus dies, and the guilty one walks free. After this, Jesus is taken to be crucified.

• Why do you think the Roman leader found no fault in Jesus but the Jewish leaders did? Remember that the Romans were the government leaders, and the Jews were the religious leaders.

• Like Barabbas, we are all guilty and deserve death. Jesus died in our place. Take a moment to thank him.

• In your own words, describe what it means that Jesus died for your sins.

Today we read of Jesus’ crucifixion. Have you ever thought of how crazy it is that Christians call this day in history “Good Friday”? Good? The Messiah was murdered on a cross! Or was he? Read these words from Matthew Henry about the final moments of Jesus’ life:

         “It is finished; that is, the counsels of the Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled. It is finished; all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished. It is finished; the ceremonial law is abolished; the substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. It is finished; an end is made of transgression by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul, and those of his body. It is finished; the work of man's redemption and salvation is now completed. His life was not taken from him by force, but freely given up.”

Our Messiah was not murdered, and his life was not taken. It was given freely for you. Praise God! Good Friday might be a fitting name after all.

• God loves you and has gone to extraordinary lengths to have relationship with you. What things are keeping you from experiencing fullness in that relationship?

• God writes the best stories. We call the darkest day in history Good Friday. What parts of you do you feel are too broken for God to heal? God loves to redeem broken situations! That’s why Jesus died – our redemption! Will you let Him redeem the worst parts of your story?

In today’s reading, we read John the author’s account of Jesus’ resurrection. We see Mary Magdalene return to Jesus’ tomb to find it empty. She assumes that someone has stolen Jesus’ body, and she goes to tell a couple of the disciples. When they arrive and see the empty tomb themselves, they know that he is risen. Jesus then appears to Mary Magdalene outside of the tomb and tells her to go and tell the others that he is risen. Many of the disciples struggled to believe until they saw Jesus with their own eyes and touched his scars.

• Do you believe that Jesus was dead and buried and then rose again?

• If so, why? If not, why not?

These couple of verses are a summary of John’s whole gospel. He says that Jesus did many other things – too many to count and far too many to record, but John says that he has recorded what’s contained in this book that whoever reads it may believe that Jesus is the Christ. All that John has written is meant to show us who Jesus is! As we’ve seen, he is the Word (John 1:1), the light (John 1:4), the Lamb of God (John 1:29), the Messiah (John 1:41), the Son of God (John 5:19), the bread of life (John 6:35), the good shepherd (John 10:11), the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), the way (John 14:6), the truth (John 14:6), the life (John 14:6), and the true vine (John 15:1). John says that by believing in Jesus, we can have life in his name. John was face to face with the Son of God, and in him, he found life. John wrote this book so that anyone who would read it might have that same life in Jesus.

• What is something new that you have learned about Jesus as you’ve read through John?

• John was changed by Jesus and couldn’t help but tell others. Who can you tell today about the life that you’ve found in Jesus?