Surprise! Who is Jesus? part 46 - John 4:4-15 I was surprised while studying for this post. There was no straightforward answer to my question, "What is living water?" Many answers discussed its spiritual meaning, but I wanted a simple explanation. I was curious about what a Samaritan woman 2000 years ago would have understood …
Tag: Jesus
The Role of John the Baptist: A Bridegroom Analogy
The bridegroom is descending Who is Jesus? part 45 – John 3:22-4:3 Brides magazine is no longer available in print but still exists online. When my fiancée and I were planning our wedding, I noticed that 1980s articles focused entirely on the bride: the wedding dress, reception venue, cake, and honeymoon destination were all her …
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Lessons from the Snake on a Stick: Biblical Reflections
Snake on a stick Who is Jesus? part 43 – John 3:12-21 When we had our children, we took a family holiday to Rhodes, Greece. We stayed in Lindos, in a converted fisherman's cottage with a view of the Acropolis. The nearby beach, Saint Paul's Bay, is named after the legend that Saint Paul landed …
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Exploring Faith and Eternal Life in John 3:16
God so loved Who is Jesus? part 43 – John 3:12-21 part a Does the phrase "I gifted it to him" bother anyone else like it does me? I don’t recall using 'gift' as a verb during school or in my early adult life, but now terms like 'gifting' and 'gifted' are common. To me, it feels like …
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Understanding Being Born Again: Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Born of the Spirit Who is Jesus? part 42 – John 2:23-3:13 It's important to look at this from another angle. I previously analysed the Born Again verses since they are often preached and misunderstood. I found that being born again is significant, but the source of that rebirth is what really matters. Now, I'll …
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The Shift in Meaning: Born Again in Today’s Culture
Born again or from above? Who is Jesus? part 41 - John 2:23 – 3:13 When I became a Christian in the mid-1970s, I was proud to identify myself as a born again believer in Jesus. Now I rarely use the term. Not because I no longer believe what I did, but because the meaning …
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Heaven and Earth: Insights from John 2
Get the Hell out of here! Who is Jesus? Part 40—John 2:12-22 "Heaven is a place on Earth," says the song, and before you accuse me of being old by picking a 40-year-old Belinda Carlisle song, Jada Facer has released a cover version this year. However, you'd still have been right, I am old. 13 The …
The Temple Cleansing: Did Jesus Act Once or Twice?
When did Jesus cleanse the Temple? Who is Jesus? Part 39 This is the second section of the Cana Cycle, focusing on the temple. It's an introduction that will be further explored in Chapter 4 when Jesus talks to a woman in Samaria. My perspective is to consider what this reveals about who Jesus is …
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How the transformation of nature is a sign pointing to Jesus
Water transformed into wine Who is Jesus? Part 38, John 2:1-11 Have you noticed the passage I'm talking about? It's the same passage again. The first time, I dealt with the obvious theme of obedience to Jesus. This time, I will briefly examine eight other points found in this short reading. Having written it, it's …
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Longing and Love in the Song of Solomon
A song of longing: Song 2:8-3:5 The Song of Solomon, Part 2 It got intense in the last reading. It was the first in a short series, and I wasn't yet ready for deep intimacy. The woman says, "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me!" Song 2:6. If not …
Making an ass of myself 