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John 18 - I AM!

John 18 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Verses for the Day 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”  5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.  “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.  7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”  “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.  8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go. Commentary Throughout the book of John, I have been referring to the importance of Jesus' "I am" statements . I.e. " I am the bread of life" , "I am the resurrection and the life", "I am the living water", "I am the bread of life", "I am the good shepherd", "I am the way, the truth, and the life."   All of these taken together show that Jesus is not shy in declaring his divinity. None of these statements ...

John 17 - Do You Know God? How Would You Know?

Click Here to Read John 17 Enduring Word Commentary Verses of the Day 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. Enduring Word Quotes I n this world we are familiar with the truth that it is a blessing and an inspiration to know certain people. Much more is it the case when we know God.” (Morris) That they may know You: “In the Greek the verb is in the present subjunctive indicating the ‘knowledge’ is a growing experience.” (Tasker) Commentary What I have found in this life is that our quality of life is determined by the quality of relationships we have. While material things can give you enjoyment, they often lose their lustre. Or, you need the newest or better version to keep you happy. Relationships also lost their lustre when you stop investing ...

John 16 - Why the Disciples Didn't Get It?

John 16 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary Verses of the Day 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” Commentary  The disciples could only handle so much of what Jesus was teaching them. In a lot of ways they weren't getting what Jesus had already taught them. They misunderstood why he was going to the cross. They misunderstood the kind of kingdom he was ushering in. They misunderstood that three days after he died, he would rise from the dead. They misunderstood that they would be the ones to lead the church into the future.   Part of the re...

John 15 - Discipleship is Not A Program!

John 15 - NIV Key Verses:  15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Commentary If you are looking for the best verses in the bible about the secret to spiritual growth and being an effective Christian, these five verses are right at the top. While there are many other great verses on the keys to becoming a mature Christian, this teaching is straight from Jesus himself. So I think we should start there when we are looking at being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  ...

John 14 - Don't Be Ignorant of the Holy Spirit!

John 14 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Key Verses for Today  Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17 Commentary Chapter 14 begins what we call Jesus' " Upper Room Discourse ". His teaching to the disicples goes through chapter 17. It is the last time he will address the disciples, so what he was vitally important to them and to us today. The next four chapters have so many things I could comment on, so I would advise you to take the time to read through them and maybe even read the Enduring Word Commentary.  In two days we will celebrate Easter, where we shout, "He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed" ! While this is the most important event in human history, 50 da...

John 13 - Jesus Introduces What It Means to Be a Servant Leader!

John 13 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Verse for Today 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. - John 13:12-17 Commentary It's very ironic that today's reading is about Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. In traditional churches, like ours, tonight is called " Maundy Thursday ". It comes from the word " Mandatum Novum ", which means " New Commandment ". And in today's passage Jesus gives his d...

John 12 - Mary's Extravagant Act of Worship!

John 12 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Jesus Anointed at Bethany 12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.  7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but ...