February 3-9
www.spu.edu/lectio
John 7:53-10:42
By Dr. Laura Sweat
Daily Readings suggestion:
Monday……….7:53-8:20
Tuesday……….8:21-38Wednesday….8:39-59
Thursday………9:1-12
Friday…………..9:13-41
Saturday………10:1-21
Sunday…………10:22-42
Where We’ve Been…
Jesus’ Authority
Last week we read about Jesus’ authority…Jesus
demonstrating it, people questioning it, and Jesus responding to those
questions. What do you think of Jesus “making
himself equal to God by calling God his own father” (5:18)?
Here are some additional questions and thoughts to take
you deeper:
- Jesus is a human being claiming to be uniquely close to the father God…in words that make it sound like he actually is God. Were you offended, or could you understand why the Jewish authorities would be offended…or threatened…by Jesus’ claims?
- Furthermore, Jesus begins to claim that to dishonor him is to dishonor the father God who sent him…isn’t that an abrupt/unfair cutting off of all potential criticism?
- It can be a challenge for us to put ourselves in the place of people who didn’t already have the belief that Jesus was God’s Son. How shocked would you have been by Jesus’ statements? Do you think any people you know would be shocked to read what Jesus is saying here?
Jesus’ Compassion
We also read about Jesus feeding the 5,000 in chapter 6. What was your favorite part of the story? What
do you think about Jesus' claim to be “the bread of life” (6:35)? What does it mean to you personally?
Looking Ahead…
8:7 “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone”
-
What does this episode tell you about who Jesus is?
- How have you or might you experience this aspect of Jesus in the present day?
- Who do you know who might need to know this aspect of Jesus? Why, and what might Jesus do for them?
Jesus, the Light of the World
8:12-13 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Then the Pharisees said…”your testimony is
not valid.”-
What do these words tell you about who Jesus is?
- How have you or might you experience Jesus in this way in the present day?
- Who do you know who might need to know this aspect of Jesus? Why, and what might Jesus do for them?
More of Jesus revealing his divine nature
8:58-59 ... Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I am”…So they picked up stones to throw at him. 10:30-31 ... Jesus said “The Father & I are one.” The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
- What does this tell you about who Jesus is?
- How have you or might you experience Jesus in this way in the present day?
- Who do you know who might need to know this aspect of Jesus? Why, and what might Jesus do for them?
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind…and reveals himself as the Good Shepherd and the Gate for the sheep
10:4 “the sheep follow him because they know his voice…”
- What does this tell you about who Jesus is?
- How have you or might you experience this aspect of Jesus in the present day?
- Who do you know who might need to know this aspect of Jesus? Why, and what might Jesus do for them?
CULTURAL CONNECTION
A key question we encounter in John's gospel is "Who is Jesus?"
Check out this interview of five Seattle Seahawks prior to their Super Bowl win...they're talking about this very question!
Short version http://youtu.be/rNRRpScPjts
Long version http://youtu.be/Jd2MIAPVFFk
Words of Blessing
Jesus is your shepherd, your trusted guide who leads you into life, abundant and eternal.
He knows your name. Respond to
his voice and follow him. Amen.
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