"Who is Jesus?" "He
is the Saviour of the world!"
(Jn 4:42)
Intro: This week we will watch as Jesus
steps into action. He begins to display His Father's glory – chap 2:11. We may have an idea of "glory" being
something mystical and a sort of heavenly blaze of light – well, the reality of
Jesus' life on earth repeatedly shows us the 'glory' as being God's character
of love and compassion towards His people – demonstrated in signs and miracles.
The miracles are not only to reveal His power and authority, but always to
bring healing love, joy and peace to a hurting world. Let's read on and see how
this Jesus can touch our lives today.
NB: Please remember the notes below
are only pointers, and, as you read and think about each passage, God will
speak to you privately and personally. You may see things that no-one else has
seen. That is why it will be great to share together about these life-changing
truths.
Day 1: John 2:1-12
The Wedding! John begins his story of Jesus' work on earth
at an ordinary family occasion! It is a glad and happy Jewish celebration with
dancing and music! I think, that when
Jesus said to his mother, "What has this to do with me?" He was
speaking as a guest and it was not his responsibility that the wine ran out!
John consistently shows us Jesus, the man, while always ending up showing He is
GOD! Think about this story and Mary's words to the servants. Look at Jesus'
subsequent actions of taking charge and doing His first public miracle. Water
into wine! What does this show us about God? Is there any indication here that
those who believe in Jesus should live dull, boring, colourless lives? What
could happen if we bring Him the water-pots of the routine, dreariness,
disappointment and sadness in our lives?
Day 2: John 2:13-25
It is Passover and Jesus goes to the
Temple in Jerusalem .
Passover was the remembrance of the deliverance of the Jewish nation from Egypt , with the
blood of a lamb on the doorposts of every home. Jesus has already been declared
the "Lamb of God" by John the Baptist. Instead of prayer and
thanksgiving, He finds the temple full of business dealings and money-making
scams! Sheep and doves being sold for profit – men making their fortune from
religious customs! Why do you think He was so angry? Consider what He says to
the Pharisees in verse 19. Jesus is prophesying His resurrection, and later on
His disciples remember this and believe.
Day 3: John 3:1-21
Nicodemus, an important religious
figure comes to Jesus by night secretly. He is worried by what other leaders will think
if they know he is fraternising with Jesus! Jesus receives Him, as He will
receive ALL who come with sincere questions.
Consider what Jesus meant by saying that a man needs to be 'born again'?
Look at it in the light of verse 16 – "For God so loved the world …."
Jesus, God's only Son, came that we may not perish but have eternal
life. The important thing to register is how much God loves each one of us. Put
your name into verse 16 where it says 'world' and 'whoever'. NO condemnation! Jesus comes to save us and
NOT condemn us. What is the only
qualification for receiving this eternal life? v16 and 18. Why do you think men
love darkness?
Day 4: John 3:22-36
Both Jesus and John the Baptist are
now baptising. Some try to provoke John to jealousy or resentment that someone
else has the same ministry and the crowds are now going to him. But John knows Who
this 'someone else' is! What is his response? Check out what John says about
Jesus being sent from God. Highlight in your Bible, or write down what John
says here about God the Father, and His relationship with Jesus, the Son, and
also about the Spirit. There will be development and explanation of this as we
read on! This is the start of the revelation of Father's love – and the way in
for us is shown in verse 36.
Day 5: John 4:1-26
Come and drink! John shows Jesus' humanity again – Jesus was tired
and thirsty, sitting by the well with no means of drawing water for Himself.
Along comes the woman. The fact that she was out at midday suggests she was an
outcast in her own village. As well as that she was a Samaritan – who the
Judean Jews looked down on and despised! Jesus had time for her, and knew her
pain and heartache. Read this amazing story for yourself. Take time to consider
Jesus' words about the Father wanting true worshippers. Our Father desires and
longs for our love and heart devotion! The woman starts to explain to Jesus
that the Messiah is coming! Can you imagine her amazement when Jesus answers
"I AM HE".
Day 6: John 4:27-42
Jesus declares His purpose – to do
His Father's will. This is His food and life! Do you know the joy of sharing
Jesus with a friend or contact? For Jesus, this was ultimate fulfilment to do
His Father's will and see the harvest of people coming to know the Father's
love. How many believed because of that one woman's testimony. They asked Him
to stay there with them, and so He stayed 2 more days. This whole story
demonstrates how Jesus always has time – He is not in a hurry! The challenge
here for us is to simply share with others what Jesus has done for us – and when they meet HIM and hear Him for
themselves, then they too believe that Jesus is the "Saviour of the
world"!
Day 7: John 4:43-54
Jesus returns to Galilee
– his home territory. It is useful if you are not familiar with Bible
geography, to have a look at a map! Well, here we have a "royal
official" asking Jesus to heal his son. This man was desperate, and was
willing to travel and seek out Jesus. What was the result? How many believed
after this boy was made well? Can you believe for your whole household?
Summary: Through these 3 chapters we are
getting glimpses of God as our
FATHER.
A Father Who longs for the world to
come and know HIM.
A
Father Who sent His beloved son to this world that we might
believe
in Him and LIVE!
A Father Who longs for worshippers – those who
are heart to heart in love
with the One who first loved them!
The other word repeated over and
over is "believe". As we entrust our lives to Jesus, as we
believe in Him and trust His Word, we will know what it means to be set free to
LIVE close to Him and our Father, to
know Him as Saviour and Healer.
Let's
continue this journey!
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