Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18, John 5:17-23, Genesis 1:1-5, Revelation 1:4-8
This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
The Book of John: About 90 percent of the material in the Gospel of John is unique to this book of the Bible. John, a disciple of Jesus, highlighted Jesus’s identity as the Son who reveals the nature of God the Father. He also points to how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy, festivals, and institutions.
How John Fits Into the Story: Of all the New Testament books, the Gospel of John most clearly teaches the divine identity of Christ. Rather than focusing on the miracles, parables, and public speeches that are so prominent in the other Gospel accounts, John emphasizes the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and His invitation to respond in faith.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus describe His relationship to God the Father in today’s reading? How do these passages broaden or change your understanding of who Jesus is?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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72 thoughts on "John"
I really love John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I love seeing it stated that Jesus – The Word – was present at the creation of everything. Nothing was made that wasn’t made through Him. This gives me a peek into what Jesus was giving up when He came to earth as a baby, and lived a human life, with all its bumps and bruises and lived among sinful humans whom He created. His final sacrifice was made on the cross. But coming here and living here, and being human was a huge part of the sacrifice as well.
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Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus describe His relationship to God the Father in today’s reading?
That He is His Son and He does nothing without His Father’s knowledge.
How do these passages broaden or change your understanding of who Jesus is?
God and Jesus are almighty in their wisdom, care, and power.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
That Jesus has been with God and the world since the beginning.
“Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed” (John 5:19-20)- the pattern of total dependance. This brings to mind another great connection, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (john 14:12)- we see the bridge, and the hand-off here. Jesus multiplies His ministry through us, the greater works shall we do, amen (not in supernatural quality, but in geographic scope and reach). While Jesus’ earthly ministry was physically limited to localized crowds (five thousand plus), we now have the tools to reach millions instantly. Through modern technology of self broadcasting and global connectivity, a single message can far surpass the crowds of five thousand, carrying His work to the ends of the earth. Greater works indeed. May we remember His Word, to surrender to the total dependency on God, “only do what we see the Father/Jesus do”. Be blessed dear sisters.
That makes more sense now..thank you for that explanation! :)
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He is the alpha and omega!
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Hello all, I was wondering if you all could be praying for my mother in law, my husband, my brother in law and myself. My mother in law has been depressed since my father in law died 4 years ago, and the last few years has just not taken care of herself or home. She lives about 3 hours away, and recently has been avoiding phone calls. She’s sent a couple texts, so she is not in urgent medical care. But she doesn’t want anyone to come see her, nor does she want to come see anyone else. My husband, BIL and myself are all going up this weekend. She doesn’t know, if she did she would vehemently oppose it. But we know at this point that unless we go to her, we won’t be seeing her. It puts us in a really tough spot. We know her furnace isn’t working and neither is her fridge. She’s ignored both for several months. And we just don’t know how to handle this. If you could all be praying that she wouldn’t react poorly to us being there, that she would let us help her.
Praying for wisdom and grace.
Praying for you all. ❤️
This is heartbreaking. Praying that grief will not paralyze her and the Lord can restore her, and she would let you help her. I am so sorry sister.
What a tough, sad, and tricky situation. Praying for guidance and direction for you all.
Praying, Heather. The furnace & fridge – that’s extremely concerning. Could there be the beginnings of some type of dementia, which could be a source of fear? Praying for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance, and that your visit would be received as a show of love ❤️
Praying for all of you in this difficult situation.
Oh dear….very concerning. Have prayed.
The son is not able to anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing.
Just as we should rely on God to guide our ways.
Amen!
In answer to question 2, today’s reading reminds me of who Jesus is and who he has always been. And because he is God, it is God himself—my creator whom I have offended by my sins—who has himself paid the price for them before I even took my first breath!
Colossians 2:9-10
(Biblegateway Verse of the Day)-
For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
WIERSBE NKJV STUDY BIBLE NOTES:
[John 1:1-3, 14
Much as our words reveal to others our hearts and minds, so Jesus Christ is God’s “Word” to reveal His heart and mind to us. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9). A word is composed of letters, and Jesus Christ is “Alpha and Omega” (Rev. 1:8), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. According to Hebrews 1:1–3, Jesus Christ is God’s last Word to mankind, for He is the climax of divine revelation.
John 1:18
Jesus Christ reveals God to us. As to His essence, God is invisible (1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27). Man can see God revealed in nature (Ps. 19:1–6; Rom. 1:20) and in His mighty works in history; but he cannot see God himself. Jesus Christ reveals God to us, for He is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15) and He is “the express image of His person” (Heb. 1:3). The word translated “declared” in John 1:18 is the Greek word exegeomai, which means “to explain, to unfold, to lead the way.” Jesus Christ explains God to us and interprets Him for us. We simply cannot understand God apart from knowing His Son, Jesus Christ.]
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SONG SHARE:
Amber Nelon Thompson – We Shall Behold Him!!!
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Love, hugs, and prayers!
Great insights!!
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❤️ great song & sharing!
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John’s description of who Jesus is and His timelessness is like a beautiful poem! I love reading this. Fully God, fully man – He stepped down from Heaven to redeem us!
This shows God’s heart to redeem us! May I never lose the wonder of this great gift!
Praying for all!
I’m drawn to Jesus’s description of his relationship with God as mirroring whatever
God is doing. Emphasizing their “oneness”. I also pondered over the honor of judgement that God gave to Jesus….so that he would be honored as God is honored .
I love reading the first chapter of John. There is so much wonder and mystery. I feel my brain has a hard time grasping the wonder of our God. I also feel my heart has a hard time with taking in the great love God has for us. God sent Jesus to show us Himself, a glimpse of who He is. God himself came and did this loving act of redeeming us. I had to read over verse 18 a few times. It says “no one has ever seen God. The one and only son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side. He has revealed him.” What a beautiful God we have. Be blessed today in the knowledge that you are a child of this wonderful God.❤️
100% You just captured everything I was thinking/feeling!
Yes amen! So good!
Thank you. I feel the same. ❤️
Amen. Yes ❤️
Truth!
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That’s all I have to say about that.
Jesus describes His relationship with the Father as one of perfect unity and obedience. These passages remind me that when I see Jesus, I am seeing the heart of the Father on display.
This reading also shaped my understanding of redemption by showing that Jesus came to accomplish the Father’s plan of salvation and restore our relationship with God.
I love in Revelation how the Lord declares in verse 8 that He is the Lord “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
He is repeating John’s words in verse 4 “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come…”
It tells us:
1) John is speaking as the mouthpiece of Jesus and the Lord affirms that by repeating his words.
2) The Lord is emphasizing who He is
3) The Lord is reminding the Church that He will return :)
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him…” Rev 1:7
Yes! Amen!
So good to “see” you here, Michelle! Hope things have gone well in your recent move ie. new friends, church, etc.! ❤
Thanks Cee Gee! I’m still living with my parents so haven’t moved but yes, attending a new church. Honestly, I’m still trying to find my place socially. I’ve been leaning more on the core long-distance friends I’ve kept through the last few years and spending more time with Jesus on my own :) still in transition. Hoping things feel better come fall. ❤️ thank you!
Thanks for the update! Praying for good stuff come Fall! ❤
Thank you for update – joining CEE GEE in prayer!
Great connections in your response.
Thank you both – you ladies are so sweet :) missed you all ❤️
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Amen sister ❤️
Amen! I love the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the who was, and who is, and who is to come verses. He IS!
Jesus described His relationship with God as equal with Him. He does what God does, what He shows Him. They are One! Hallelujah!
All the glory belongs to Him who loved us so – to Him who has freed us from our sins, by His blood. The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit – three in one. The Alpha and the Omega, who is and was and who is to come, the Almighty.
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What a privilege, what an honor to be offered salvation – to have the right to become a child of God, a child of the king – making me and you a princess! Praise God!
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Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
(~Chorus of Who You Say I Am)
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Happy Thursday She’s!
It is a privilege! Praising God for who He is and what He has done for us. Sharon, I will be singing this chorus all morning. ❤️
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This is one of my all-time faves, Sharon! Like Maria, I will have it in my head and heart too today!
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John 8:32 was the memory verse in last month’s Focus on the Family magazine.
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Truth!
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Amen and Amen
Jesus says that they are one in the same, that God is by His side, and His Father. I feel like this is both such a simple and a complex concept all at the same time. My limited human understanding just does not fully grasp it. And yet, I am just humbled by this great God who is creator of all,bigger than I can imagkne, has been since the beginning of time and yet took the time and made a way to be in relationship with us, to rescue us and redeem. What a mighty God we serve. He deserves glory and honor May I be faithful to serve, worthy of being His child.
I am humbled as well. May we all be faithful in praising Him and serving Him.
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Wendy I was thinking that exact thing! It sounds straightforward when reading it but to truly understand how our triune God is intertwined, is a hard concept for my earthly mind to fully comprehend.
In the beginning of our history was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And before that began, God existed, the great I AM.
Rev 1:8 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
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How thankful I am even though it’s beyond my comprehension! Hallelujah, the Lord is indeed worthy of it all.
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B ❤️praying
TERESA COOPER DONLEY ❤️ thankful your doctor provided more specific information and you have a plan going forward
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ good to see you!
CEE GEE ❤️
TINA ❤️
TANYA EVANS ❤️
TAMI ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❤️
LYNNE FROM AL ❤️
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I was saddened to read about June and the situation re: visit from Ann. Praying the powers in charge on both sides can come to an agreement ie. hardship pass or something similar. ❤
Praying for June and Ann.
Thank you both for your prayers! Every time her words come to mind about waiting all day Monday and then finding out it wasn’t happening- I get teary, it’s just so sad.
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Amen
I am so glad that we are reading this today. When I gave my life to the Lord at 21 I read this first chapter of John over and over again. I am so glad that more mature Christians told me to do this. ❤️
isn’t it fascinating!
Jesus describes His relationship to God the Father as being united in purpose and equal in authority.
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How the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are one yet three will always be a glorious mystery. I honestly doubt even in eternity will it be totally clear.
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Today’s reading reminds me that God’d timeline for His redemption plan is known only to Him. He is in it for the long haul — not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance.
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Praying for your requests.
“He is in it for the long haul”
I love this!! ❤️
I love it too! ❤️
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I love how John so clearly identifies the fact that Jesus, as the Son, and God the Father are one—emphasizing the divinity of Jesus! Being necessarily fully God and fully man, Jesus became the perfect substitutionary sacrifice for our sins! Praise God for the redemption perfectly offered in Jesus!
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I love the story of the incarnatio