Podcasts about Gospel of John

In this episode, we reflect on the tender and often misunderstood topic of forgiveness, what it is, what it isn't, and why it's central to finding freedom in Christ. We talk honestly about how resentment and unforgiveness can quietly build in the heart, often as an attempt to protect ourselves from further pain. We also acknowledge how difficult forgiveness can be, what to do with the cry of our hearts when we have been wounded, and how to entrust it to God when we don't yet feel capable of forgiving. Friends, forgiveness does not strip us of our identity, it affirms who we are in Christ. Even in the deepest places of hurt, we find hope because of the loving presence of a God who never abandons us in our pain.   Heather's One Thing - Greatness of the Lord by Brooke Ligertwood Heather's Other One Thing - The Franciscan University Community  Sister Miriam's One Thing - Heather's Battle Cry Playlist Michelle's One Thing - Congratulations to Indiana University for winning the championship! Michelle's Other One Thing - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans   Other Resources Mentioned:  Forgiving as Unity with Christ: A Journey for Healing Resentment and Relationships by Dr. Robert Enright   Announcement: Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!   Journal Questions: What are the unhealed places of your heart? Are you angry, sad, or frustrated at the wrong you've endured? How have I experienced shame about the wrongs I've endured or my own unforgiveness? How has this affected my health, wellbeing, or energy? How do I replay or obsess over the conflict I experienced?  How have I given into constant comparison in my unforgiveness? What major changes have occurred in my life because of the injustice I've experienced and how have they affected me? Has this experience led to a more negative worldview? How has my sense of self changed? Am I seeing myself as worthless?   Discussion Questions: How have you been sweeping things under the rug and calling it forgiveness? What deeper feelings lie beneath your resentment? Where in your life do you need to repent and take personal responsibility? Who has modeled repentance and forgiveness well in your life? How does your heart react to conflict and wrongdoing in relationships?   Quotes to Ponder: "Ultimately, we can really forgive people only because Christ rose from the dead; his Resurrection is the guarantee that God can cure every wrong and every hurt." (Fr. Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom) Resentment attacks our vital forces and does us much harm. When someone has made us suffer, our tendency is to keep the memory of the wrong alive in our minds, like a "bill" we will produce in due time to demand settlement. Those accumulated bills end up poisoning our lives. It is wiser to cancel every debt, as the Gospel invites us to. In return, we will be forgiven everything, and our hearts will be set free, whereas nurturing resentment toward others closes us to the positive things they could contribute to us." (Fr. Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom) Scripture for Lectio: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!"" (Matthew 18:21-22)   Sponsor - Blessed is She: "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus didn't ask this because He was uncertain of His identity. He asked because we often are. The disciples had walked with Him. They had seen the miracles. They had heard the teaching. And still, when the question was asked, many hesitated. Because proximity to Jesus does not automatically mean intimacy.  So often, our understanding of God is shaped by what we've absorbed over time—what we were taught, what we experienced, what others modeled for us. And without noticing, we begin to believe stories that aren't true.That God is distant. That He is easily disappointed. That love must be earned. That holiness requires perfection. But Jesus does not leave us guessing. He tells us who He is: I am the Light of the World. I am the Bread of Life. I am the Good Shepherd. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life... Join Blessed is She this Lent to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem in Who Do You Say That I Am? by Debra Herbeck.  This Lenten devotional walks through the "I AM" statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John and is written to lead you out of assumptions and into encounter.  This Lent, let Jesus speak for Himself. And let that truth reshape the way you live. Whether you've been walking with Jesus for years or you just met Him, drink even more deeply of the truths of who Jesus says He is in Who Do You Say That I Am? Get your women's and kid's devotionals at blessedisshe.net/lent. Blessed is She is a Catholic women's community for any woman who wants to radically follow Jesus through a vibrantly Catholic life every single day.  We create beautiful and accessible resources (like this year's Lent devotional), products, and experiences to deepen prayer and foster community, both online and in person. We invite you into this community, no matter where you are on your walk with Christ. You belong here. Subscribe to our *free* daily emails to pray with the daily Mass readings and women all over the world at blessedisshe.net/subscribe and order the brand new Blessed is She Catholic journaling Bible at blessedisshe.net/shop.   Timestamps: 00:00 Blessed is She 01:30 Intro 02:16 Welcome 03:25 Scripture Verse and Quotes to Ponder 06:13 Repentance Leads to Freedom 07:53 Forgiveness is Hard 09:41 How Do I Forgive When I Don't Have the Capacity? 13:27 Modeling Repentance in Our Lives 17:35 Being Honest with Ourselves Can Be Painful 24:28 Sitting in the Pain and Setting Boundaries 29:34 Reflection Questions on Forgiveness 38:03 One Things

There is a strange and wonderful relationship between the committed heart and the Word of God. Broadcast #6989To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

God makes you a resource person when you let Him satisfy your thirst. Broadcast #6988To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

In this message from John 11, we're joined by Pastor Diego Araya from Comunidad Nexo in Costa Rica, one of South's Global Partners, as we sit with the story of Lazarus and the stunning claim Jesus makes about Himself as the resurrection and the life. As we watch Martha and Mary wrestle with grief, disappointment, and hope, we're invited to see how Jesus speaks into our own fears about death and the unknown. This sermon reminds us that Jesus doesn't just offer healing; He calls us from death to life and reshapes the way we see our future, inviting us to trust Him, live without fear, and share the hope found in Christ.

Jason Miller - As we face the world with all of its pain, fear, and violence, we might feel some common ground with the disciples of Jesus who find themselves in dangerous waters. The Gospel of John, with its interest not merely in the events of Jesus' life, but the meaning of Jesus' life, invites us to a practice of the presence of God that can help us bring peace to others. The Substack written by Nadia Bolz-Weber, and referenced throughout today's teaching, can be found here: Dear Nadia, I'm struggling with the world's weight. What's Happening Find more info or register for our Lent Workshop, “The Cross Through the Ages: Artistic Shifts that Inform Our Faith” guided by Dr. Macie Sweet. Join our Discord! Join us for Family Dedication on February 8th at our 9a + 11a gatherings. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

If you want to be guided, make up your mind to obey God and what you know is His will. Broadcast #6987To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

In this second part of the Ronnie's series on the gospel of John and Jesus' "I Am" statements, he turns to John 6 where Jesus says, "I Am the bread of life." Jesus offered his listeners, and his readers today, a fulfillment beyond their shallow or misguided desires.

What do we do with questions about faith? The gospel of John reveals how Nicodemus' curiosity led him on a journey towards Jesus. Previous episode about Pharisees and other groups in first century Judaism. A deeper look into Jesus and Nicodemus' conversation in John 3

What does it truly mean to be born of water and the Spirit? Jesus continues His conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:5–10, revealing that entry into God's kingdom requires more than knowledge or tradition—it requires spiritual rebirth. We explore the meaning of Jesus' words, the role of the Holy Spirit, and how this new birth transforms the heart and life of every believer.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DONATE: https://evidence4faith.org/give/WEBSITE: https://evidence4faith.org/NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/hpazV5BOOKINGS: https://evidence4faith.org/bookings/CONTACT: Evidence 4 Faith, 349 Knights Ave Kewaskum WI 53040 , info@evidence4faith.orgMy goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Colossians 2:2-3CREDITS: Developed & Hosted by Michael Lane. Produced & Edited by Isabel Kolste. Graphics & Publication by Isabel Kolste. Additional Art, Film, & Photography Credits: Stock media “Memories” provided by mv_production / Pond5 | Logo Stinger: Unsplash.com: Leinstravelier, Logan Moreno Gutierrez, Meggyn Pomerieau, Jaredd Craig, NASA, NOASS, USGS, Sam Carter, Junior REIS, Luka Vovk, Calvin Craig, Mario La Pergola, Timothy Eberly, Priscilla Du Preez, Ismael Paramo, Tingey Injury Law Firm, Dan Cristian Pădureț, Jakob Owens | Wikimedia: Darmouth University Public Domain, Kelvinsong CC0 | Stock media “A stately Story (Stiner02)” provided by lynnepublishing / Pond5

The only option open for me when my heart is aching, or when circumstances are in reverse, and everything is breaking wrong for me is just turning to the Lord Jesus. Broadcast #6986To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

Come and See: The First Disciples – John 1:29–51In this episode of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane continue through the Gospel of John by exploring John 1:29–51, the calling of the first disciples. From John the Baptist's declaration—“Behold, the Lamb of God”—to Jesus' simple yet powerful invitation to “come and see,” this passage reveals how relationship, curiosity, and witness draw people to Christ. Together, they unpack what it means to follow Jesus before fully understanding Him, how obedience often begins with an invitation, and why discipleship is rooted in encounter, not perfection. This conversation invites listeners to reflect on their own call to follow—and who God may be inviting them to bring along.____________________________________Connect with Jamie:Website: www.jamieklusacek.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacekConnect with Jane:Website: www.janewwilliams.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

This week's episode explores the state of Jesus' post-resurrection body. Jesus and the NT authors taught that the resurrection body remains human, indicating that Jesus is an immortalized member of the human race today. We examine the evidence for Jesus' enduring humanity while also engaging with scriptural objections that are sometimes raised.   To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/pTXeaKN-0Y0          Visit Amazon to buy your copy of A Systematic Theology of the Early Church: https://amzn.to/47jldOc   Visit Amazon to buy your copy of Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John: https://amzn.to/3JBflHb    Visit Amazon to buy your copy of The Son of God: Three Views of the Identity of Jesus: https://amzn.to/43DPYey   To support this podcast, donate here: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks   Episode notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XhkaGupSpr2Dmq5ManloIrAY2fUapM7_M53H0v5t8f8/edit?usp=sharing          Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BiblicalUnitarianPodcast       Follow on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/biblicalunitarianpodcast Follow on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/OneGodPodcast 

We live in a world that constantly tells us who we should be — yet leaves us anxious, exhausted, and unsure of who we are. But what if your worth doesn’t come from achievement, appearance, or approval? What if it comes from a Voice older than creation itself? Come discover a self-worth that isn’t achieved… it’s received.

Ponder this week's reading from the gospel of John! // Music: Street Cred by Reveille

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - John 6:60-71 Difficulty of Jesus's teaching, Spirit gives life, words of eternal life, Peter's confession, Judas's betrayal foretold.

If you're willing to take your perplexity, or your heartache, or your despair, or your uncertainty, or the deep hurt that there may be in your life; if you're willing to take that to Jesus, and trust Him with it, He will do the miracle in your life. Broadcast #6985To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

What does it really mean to call Jesus "the Lamb of God"? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil sits down with Scott to unpack what didn't make it into Sunday's message. From a very real and very unpredictable lamb on stage to the deep theology behind penal substitutionary atonement, they explore why starting the year with Jesus changes everything. The conversation moves from Genesis to the Gospel of John, from Passover streets stained with blood to our everyday temptation to earn what God freely gives. Todays conversation is rooted in the hope that we are sons and daughters and not spiritual free agents trying to prove ourselves.   Your challenge: Stop treating Jesus like your last resort. This week, make Him your first response before you fix, control, or react. Pray first. Then move. Watch what changes. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell What We Discuss Why Southland is starting the year focused on Jesus The meaning behind John the Baptist calling Jesus "the Lamb of God" The very real experience of using a live lamb on stage The foreshadowing of Jesus in the story of Abraham and Isaac What "penal substitutionary atonement" actually means The shocking reality of the Passover sacrifices Why there are no "JV" or "elite" Christians The danger of treating pastors like spiritual professionals What it really means to be a son or daughter of God How to make Jesus your first response instead of your last resort ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Send me a Text Message!I don't actually say those three words often in this episode. In fact maybe I don't say them ever. But as you listen to me describe the way of Jesus that we find in John's gospel. I hope you hear those three words over and over again, "You are invited." You are invited to follow Jesus. You are invited to become more like Jesus and do more like Jesus. You are invited to be with Jesus. You are invited on this journey of the Jesus way. You are invited by me, but more importantly we are invited by Jesus!I hope you join us!

In this episode, we reflect on Jesus' miracle of the loaves and fishes from the Gospel of John and what it reveals about spiritual abundance. Joined by special guest, Jim Hecht, the conversation explores the difference between simply receiving and truly feasting on God's blessings—and how an open heart leads to a life of generosity and grace.

Don't limit your life by saying, "Well, this is the way everybody has done it; therefore, I must." God may want to do an entirely new thing through you. Broadcast #6984To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

In this message from John 10, Pastor Alex reflects on Jesus' image of the Good Shepherd and what it means to truly follow Him. We're invited to consider the voices shaping our lives and to remember that we are known, pursued, and cared for by a shepherd who leads us toward life. In a noisy and distracted world, this sermon calls us to slow down, listen, and learn to recognize the gentle voice of Jesus. Whether you feel confident, uncertain, or a little lost, this message is a reminder that the Good Shepherd knows your name and is calling you home.

Send me a Text Message!The Gospel of John is a masterclass in the Jesus way. It is not just a record of what Jesus did, but an invitation into how Jesus lived, loved, related, discerned, and moved through the world. If the other Gospels give us the story of Jesus, John opens a door into the inner life of Jesus—so that anyone who reads it can learn to live from the same center, with the same Father, in the same Spirit, for the same purposes. For this journey, think of John as an apprenticeship manual disguised as a story. And we start with the question, "What is my most urgent hunger?"

Have you ever wondered how Christians can claim that they know God? After all, isn't God beyond our human understanding? According to the Gospel of John, not only can we know God, and become God's children, but also, God's friends. Part 2

Join us as we continue the Gospel of John series and look at this incredible encounter that Jesus had with a thirsty Samaritan woman.

Could you adopt, today, as a way of life, a constantly prayerful attitude, that asks God to lead you to people who are ready for Jesus? What a thrill that is: to know that God has guided you. Broadcast #6983To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

Welcome to Catholic apologetics, led by Dr. Jim Dobbins, Author of Take My Hand: A personal retreat companion.  Just finished an RCIA program?  This is the next stop on your faith journey.  In these classes we look at the different truths of Catholic doctrine and why we know they are true. We also discuss apologetics, spiritual growth, examine the liturgy of the Catholic Mass and do scripture studies.  Please encourage your friends to listen. I also encourage you to leave a comment about our podcasts.  If you want the slides or any other documents for any class, just e-mail me at jhdphd@gmail.com and I will reply with the documents attached.  If you wish, I will also add you to the class materials distribution list so each time I send anything out for the class you will get it.  If you are getting the podcast files from iTunes and would like to see the full set of available classes for download, you can see and download them all at http://yorked.podomatic.com.  Older podcasts are now stored at a free podcast site at Podcast.com.  The link to the podcasts there is:http://poddirectory.com/podcast/86506/dr-james-dobbins-catholic-apologeticsWe ask you to also consider going to http://yorked.podomatic.com and become a subscriber. It is free, helps our ratings, and thus helps us reach and help more people.This session is part of our discussion of the Gospel of John.Please also let me know if there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed. 

God's unfathomable redeeming love is demonstrated in the gift of His Son. Preached on January 18, 2026

"Is a difficult season the end of your story, or just the beginning? In Week 2 of our Mission series, we look at the life-changing story of Jim Elliot and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ to discover why the cross—and a cross-shaped life—is the key to finding your true purpose.If you've ever felt like your struggle is a dead end, this message is for you. Learn how God turns defeat into victory and humiliation into exaltation.

In this episode of The Follow Up, the pastors dive deeper into John 10:22–42 and Jesus' declaration as the Good Shepherd during the Feast of Dedication.The discussion explores why Jesus' words challenged expectations of a political Messiah and instead revealed a spiritual Shepherd who knows His sheep and holds them securely. You'll hear thoughtful reflections on assurance of salvation, the difference between doubt and disbelief, and why following Jesus is rooted in what He has done, not what we maintain through effort.The conversation also addresses difficult passages like Psalm 82, the danger of transactional faith, and practical ways believers can learn to recognize the Shepherd's voice through Scripture, prayer, and community.Subscribe, share, and join us each week as we continue going deeper into the Gospel of John and what it means to faithfully follow Jesus.

Youth Ministry Leader Mollie Zehmer preaches from the Gospel of John on the Second Sunday of Epiphany.

On January 18th, Bob Ingle preached from John 14:15-31 in the fiftieth message of our series through the Gospel of John.

Jason Miller - When Jesus and his disciples face a situation of scarcity, Jesus ratchets up the tension with a question to Philip. The scene is set with important details, and the action has some surprises.  What's Happening Save the date for our Lent Workshop "The Cross Through the Ages: Artistic Shifts that Inform Our Faith" guided by Dr. Macie Sweet. This workshop will happen on Thursdays (2/26, 3/5, 3/19, 3/26) from 7-8:30p. Join us for Family Dedication on January 25th at our 9a + 11a gatherings. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

The Gospel Of John - Follow The Light | Pastor Bob Marvel by Cornwall Church

Now I See - The Gospel of John | Pastor Bob Marvel by Cornwall Church

A study through the gospel of John. This message is about Jesus' crucifixion and the details of Jesus laying His life down! This message of God's love is for you.Text: John 19:16-42For more information about Journey Church visit: www.journeyinbend.com Find Journey on all social media: @journeyinbend Find Pastor Keith on social media: @findkeithPlease subscribe and engage. At Journey we believe there's HOPE FOR EVERYONE!

This morning, Rev. Dr. Lori Walke preaches from the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 29-42, a passage also known as “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Livestreamed from the sanctuary of Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.

In 2026, we're slowing down to soak in the story that invites us to believe. The Gospel of John doesn't just tell us what Jesus did—it reveals who He is. Through signs and stories, questions and conversations, light and life, John calls us again and again to “come and see.” Over the next year, we'll walk with Jesus from the opening words—“In the beginning”—to the empty tomb, discovering how encountering Christ shapes our faith, our hope, and our everyday lives. This is more than a study; it's an invitation to deeper belief and fuller life. Learn more with Pastor Jared. Also, we highly encourage you to download the Church Center App if you want more information about the church. The app will be able to guide you toward our Calendar of Events, ways to Give, and fill out a Connect Card. 

John 13:31-35,“31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”“Can I ask you something? Is, is this heaven?” And Ray said, “No, it's Iowa.”That was one of my favorite parts of a book I wrote when I was a little kid. This is a true story. When I was a kid, I had this small blank notebook and I wanted to write a book in it, so I wrote a story about man in Iowa who had a big cornfield in his backyard, but he mowed part of it down to build a baseball field, and a bunch of old-timey baseball ghosts came out there and played ball together. I titled the book “Field of Dreams” — that's what kids did in the early 90s before all the screens! They plagiarized.Y'all ever heard of the movie Field of Dreams? It came out in 1989, starred Kevin Costner. Great movie. And really one of my favorite parts in the movie is the scene at the end, when Ray, the main character, reunites with his dad. His dad had died years before, but his ghost had come back to play ball. They're standing on the baseball field, and his dad asks him: “Is this heaven?” And of course the answer is No — everybody watching the movie knows the answer is No. But what's great about Ray's answer is that he doesn't just say it's not heaven, he says it's Iowa. He tells him where they are.And that's the same thing Jesus is doing for his disciples at the end of John 13.Jesus is telling his disciples where they are, and it's a turning point in the Gospel of John — and really, it's a turning point in the history of the world.And what I'd like to do this morning is unpack one sentence for you that captures the essence of what Jesus is doing. It's a simple sentence. Goes like this: Jesus is giving his disciples a new commandment for a new location. A new commandment for a new location. That's what I want to show you in this passage, which means I'm going try to answer two questions. First, What is the new location? And second, what is the new commandment? That's the outline.1. What is the new location?Let's start here with the setting. Longest Thursday EverIn verse 31, we are still on that same Thursday night that started in verse 1. In fact, for most of this year in the Gospel of John — through chapter 18 — we're gonna be in this same Thursday night. It was the longest Thursday night ever.We saw at the start of this chapter that Jesus washed his disciples' feet; then he explained the meaning of why he did that; then last week we saw the betrayal and exit of Judas. And that's a big deal for this setting.John wants us to know that who is in the room matters for what Jesus is about to say.Think about this: from verse 1 through verse 30, it has been Jesus and his twelve disciples, but then after verse 30 the twelve become eleven because Judas leaves. And John puts an emphasis on this. He tells us:Verse 27: after Satan entered Judas, Jesus says to him: “What you are going to do, do quickly.”Then verse 30, “After receiving the morsel of bread, [Judas] immediately went out.”Then verse 31 starts, “When he had gone out.”John wants to be clear that Judas is gone, which means now it's only Jesus and his true disciples. His Best FriendsAnd we're gonna get to the big picture, but before we do, I think it's good to slow down for a minute and try to be in this room, on this Thursday night. I agree with one author who has said:“While [Jesus's] universal motives in his passion and death are stressed by theologians, his immediate human motives are not well explored. (Podles, 79)Those “immediate human motives” have to do with the fact that, after verse 30, the men Jesus is with are his real friends. Now that Judas is gone, Jesus is with the men he loved to the uttermost — and they're men who love him. Some have said that the closest analogy to the relational dynamic here is a military comradeship.This is a band of brothers, and Jesus is their captain. And I think that's a good perspective to have as we look at what Jesus says.Maternal-Like CareJesus's tone changes in verse 31, and what drives him is care. Jesus cares for his disciples, for his real friends, and he shows that care by giving them advance knowledge of what's about to happen — because Jesus knows it's not going to be easy. This actually reminds me of my mom (she just celebrated her birthday this past week, and I thank God for her). But one thing I appreciate about my mom (now) is that, when I was a kid and had a doctor's appointment, she never told me I would not get a shot. I remember that's what I'd always ask her — we'd be on the way to the doctor's office, and I'd be sweating bullets — Mom, am I getting a shot? And of course, I wanted her to say No. She never said No. I always thought if I was around a doctor I might get a shot.It was a brilliant parenting move: because my mom would have rather me be surprised by relief than shocked by false hope — and it taught me to trust her. And Jesus is doing something similar here. His best friends are about to step into a new location and Jesus wants to prepare them. So he says: You are about to be in a world where I am not, and I won't be here for the sake of glory.That's the new location — it's not a new literal place; it's not a different geography. It's a new location in the history of redemption: the followers of Jesus are about to live in a world where Jesus is physically absent — but he's physically absent for the sake of glory.Over the next four chapters — what's called the Farewell Discourse — this is main idea that Jesus explains: he's physically absent, yet presently glorified.Physically AbsentHe starts this in verse 31, but I want you to see the absent part first in verse 33.And this is one I want everybody to see. So help me out, everybody find Chapter 13, verse 33. Verse 33:“Little children” In the original this is just the single word “children,” but it's a term of endearment and affection. I think a better translation is to say “Dear children.” Jesus is leaning into their closeness. Verse 33:Dear children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.'Jesus has said this twice already to the unbelieving crowds: John 7:34,“You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”John 8:21“I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”So Jesus has said this to the crowds, now he's saying it to his closest friends. And what's he talking about? Where is he going?Track with me here: Jesus is talking about the whole gospel event — his being lifted up! This is his cross, his resurrection, his return to the Father. Jesus started talking about this as early as Chapter 2! He has said he will die and be raised and ascend to the Father's right hand — it's just that now this is not something in the future, but it's finally unfolding. It is in motion!And only Jesus can do this. Only Jesus can go there.Which means he won't be with his disciples any longer. He's leaving them. And that means his disciples are about to live in a world where Jesus is physically absent.And that could be devastating, right? It could be the end of the whole thing.Are they on the verge of a tragedy here? Is this a total loss? Is this a defeat? Because it sounds like it is! It will certainly look like it is tomorrow, on Friday.But Jesus is telling them in advance because he wants to make sure they know what his leaving is truly about: It's just the opposite of defeat. It's about triumph. Jesus GlorifiedThat's what Jesus is saying in verses 31–32. I'm gonna read these verses again, and just count how many times Jesus mentions “glory.”Verse 31:When [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.Five times! (Repetition means emphasis — the emphasis is glory.) This is how we should think about Jesus leaving, according to Jesus! That is what he says it means.That's really why we call it Good Friday — because that's how Jesus taught us to think about his death. …A friend and I were talking recently about why we call the day that Jesus was crucified “Good Friday” — because that's kinda ‘inside baseball.' It doesn't really make sense to people who are less familiar with the gospel. Shouldn't we call it Horrible Friday? Well, yes, if we look at it through a microscope, but see, Jesus teaches us to see the whole thing altogether.And when we do, we see that Jesus's lowest moment was when his highest glory began to unfold … there is no death without resurrection; there is no resurrection apart from death, and his enthronement is the final word. All of that is the Son of Man being glorified and God being glorified in him!And that is the ultimate reason the followers of Jesus live in a world where Jesus is physically absent.And this matters for us now! What Jesus is saying in John 13 is as relevant for us this morning as it was when these eleven disciples first heard it, because we live in that same world. This new location for the eleven is the only location we've ever known: a world where Jesus is physically absent, yet presently glorified.So then how do we live in this world? Jesus tells us where we are. It's not heaven. But how does he want us to live in this new location?Well, he gives us a new commandment — a new commandment for the new location.This is the second part of the sermon.2. What is the new commandment?And the answer here is about as straightforward as it gets. Everybody look at verse 34, and help me fill in the blank. Verse 34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another …”Isn't that amazing? Here we are, in this new location within redemptive history, and the first thing Jesus tells us about how he wants us to live in this world is that we're to love one another.And this is amazing, but I'm concerned that we could be either not very impressed by this or confused by it. We either hear the word “love” and it doesn't really move us, or we hear the word “love” and think it means something different from what Jesus means. This is a modern problem we face because we live in a society that has so diluted the meaning of love. My dad says that “love” is the most over-used, under-used word in the English language, and he's right. And that's a complexity! Jesus has left us in a world where he is physically absent, he told us to love one another, but how do we know what love is? So did Jesus prepare us for that?Yeah, he did. Look at the whole of verse 34. Verse 34 again:“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”Jesus reports himself here, tells us twice to love one another, because he knows we need help understanding what love really is!And so he tells us, once and for all! If you want to know what love is, he says, look at me! Love one another just as I have loved you!This is important. Listen: We learn from Jesus how to love one another.So how does that look?How does Jesus-like love actually look in real life?In closing, I want to tell you three things our love must be if it's Jesus-like love.If we will love one another like Jesus loves us, it means 1. Our love will be particular.I want to remind you that the love Jesus is talking about here is love that his disciples have for one another. This is not the common benevolence that we should have for all peoples everywhere. We call that neighbor-love, and it's commanded. We seek everybody's ultimate good in God.That's what we mean when we say we seek the good of the Twin Cities. We love these cities — we're not giving up on the cities. We want everybody in these cities to know God. But there is a particular kind of love that we have for our fellow blood-bought brothers and sisters in the family of God. And by “particular,” I don't mean stingy, I mean focused. This is family-love. There's neighbor-love, but this is family-love. That's what covenant membership intends to clarify: of all the people (and even all the Christians), in these cities, of whom do we have most assurance that they are truly in Christ? Well, it's those whose profession of faith we have corporately affirmed — it's our covenant members. So when Jesus commands us to love one another, we should hear that command as starting here, first. This is love for a particular people — the household of faith, our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we will love one another like Jesus loves us, it means 2. Our love will be sacrificial. Jesus's love for us meant, of course, the ultimate sacrifice — he went to the cross to bear the weight of our sin; he suffered the wrath of God in our place. That was the ultimate sacrifice, but it's not where his sacrifice started. Jesus's entire life was a sacrifice — the very fact that he became a man tells us that. Jesus was continually spending and being spent for us. It was constant cost.But think with me here … just because something has a cost, it doesn't mean it's sacrifice. What makes a cost a sacrifice? It's when the pain of the cost is considered worth the good of the goal. The pain of the cost is worth the good of the goal.This definition of sacrifice applies to a lot of things, big and small.This is why you get up early in the morning to read your Bible. You consider the pain of losing 30 minutes of sleep is worth being shaped by the word of God. The good of the goal is worth the pain of the cost.So what good for Jesus made his pain worth it?Well, it was not that the people he loves feel better about themselves. That's how a lot of people in our society confuse the meaning of love. They think love is mainly therapeutic — it's about making people feel better. But that's not what Jesus was aiming for. Now of course Jesus cares about our suffering — he binds up the brokenhearted! (Psalm 147:3) — but listen: his ultimate aim is not our transient ease … it's our everlasting joy in God!The cost was worth it for Jesus because he wants to bring people to God — that's the purpose of his love. That's the good of his goal. He wants his disciples to be happy in all that God is for them — because that is what magnifies the glory of God and satisfies the human soul. Real love ultimately wants the beloved to know God, and sacrificial love seeks that at a cost. Because the cost is worth it.Last point: If we will love one another like Jesus loves us, it means 3. Our love will be identifiable.This is verse 35. Jesus says:“By this” — by what? By loving one another the way Jesus loves us — “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”Jesus is saying that everybody — all people — will be able to recognize us as the people of Jesus because of how we love one another. People will see our love here and say, They must be Jesus-people. Does it surprise us that Jesus says this? Because there are many marks of a Christian! The apostle Paul talks about eight other fruits of the Spirit. He tells us that faith and hope also abide! They're important too! There's a lot of important stuff.And yet, the primary, public identity marker that we belong to Jesus is love.Our love for one another is what speaks the loudest in this new location … in this world — in what seems to be an ever-darkening world — Hey, nobody is looking around here asking, “Is this heaven?”Everybody knows this is not heaven. But our love for one another is meant to be a glimpse of heaven. We live in a world where Jesus is physically absent, but he is spiritually present through his church. And his glory shines through our love for one another. And that's what brings us to the table.The TableI want to be clear that the love Jesus commands is not a love that we ourselves can manufacture, it's actually the overflow of his love for us. John writes later in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Paul says, “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit he's given to us” and this is love that God has shown us in the cross (Romans 5:5, 8). And here at the Table we rest in his love.If you trust in Jesus Christ, if you have known the love of God, I invite you to eat and drink with us this morning with thankful hearts.

January 18, 2026: May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard.  Amen. Twelve years ago tomorrow, I celebrated the Eucharist here for the first time as your Rector.  It was January 19, 2014 at 10:30am.  I remember it well.  I knew way back then I had been called into something amazing – a new relationship with all of you.  And so, twelve years ago today I stood here by God's grace and nothing for me, and I pray for you, has been the same since. That is why the date of January 19th at 10:30am is something I will never forget.  It's the way it is with life altering events, right?  Folks remember the day a child was born, the first date we had with our spouse (and of course the day of the wedding itself – or we better!).  And, on a sadder note, the day a loved one died – their saint day, as we like to call it in the church, is a day each year that doesn't go unnoticed. We remember too moments that changed the country or the world – the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, WWII broke out, President Kennedy was shot, Astronaut John Glenn put his foot out onto the lunar surface, the Challenger spacecraft exploded, the 9/11 terrorist attack, and the January 6th insurrection.  And, those who were around for it remember too when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “Dream” speech to the thousands gathered for the March on Washington for Freedom & Jobs…and where they were when they heard the terrible news that he had been assassinated. These moments changed us – challenged us – demanded something of us.  And we were never the same from those points forward.  And so when we hear in the second part of the gospel of John read today this story of people's first encounter with Jesus, it should not surprise us that the community that wrote this gospel noted something about it.  The gospel account says “The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” …where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.  It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.  That's a kinda funny thing to write down, don't ya think?  What was so special about it being 4pm?  Something tells me it wasn't the first century version of “It's 5 o'clock somewhere.”  Clearly the community that wrote this fourth gospel knew that the lives of first disciples would be changed so much in that initial encounter with Jesus that they would never forget where they were and what time it was when it happened.  That is what call does.  It stops us in our tracks for a moment, and we are forever changed as we accept Christ's invitation to come and see. I suppose the question for each of us now is – do you recognize that moment for you and what will you do about it?  Because Christ is calling us to come and see in this life altering moment for our community and in this country.  As we watch ICE agents, sent by our President only into cities that did not vote for him, terrorize people regardless of citizenship status – wounding and killing children of God as they drag them without warrants out of their homes and businesses, shatter the windows of their cars with children inside, attack those who dare to peacefully protest with tear gas, pepper spray, and flash bombs, as well as using lethal choke holds (like the one that killed George Floyd) on those they detain. As this country fails to support those who are laying their life on the line for democracy in Ukraine, while the President imitates Putin, calling the US to invade Greenland, a sovereign territory of Denmark, and threatening NATO allies that have sent military and financial support to Greenland to prevent it. As we read the social media comments of people who think ICE agents have a right to abuse, kill, or deport people without due process because they are “illegals,” in a land where none of us are originally from here, save those of the indigenous tribes. As we find that our nation's highest court, in defiance of precedent and the US Constitution, affirms the right of ICE agents to target people based on the color of their skin, their accent or the language they speak, or their place of work. As we mourn the 32 killed by this administration ICE enforcement action in 2025, including Jean Wilson Brutus, who died while in custody at Delany Hall in Newark. As we hear our President refer to the countries these people come from as s-hole countries, while saying that we need more people from places like Norway – translation – he wants less people of color or Asian descent and more white people.  As we continue to wait for the Department of Justice to follow the law and release the files associated with the pedophile Epstein and stop protecting anyone who was involved in this horrific human trafficking of young girls for sex. As we hear over and over again the racist, misogynist, homophobic, and xenophobic garbage this President, his staff, and those who support him spew on a near minute by minute basis. I could go on and on and on…it's exhausting, isn't it? But in the midst of all of this – Jesus bids us to follow him as he goes to where he always stays – beside the vulnerable and afraid, alongside the oppressed and the lost.  This is a pivotable moment for every one of us as we stand amid this turning point in our nation.  We see, surely, what is happening.  The question for us is – will be follow Jesus when he bids us to come with him? It is a good question to consider as we celebrate the life of a man who did follow Jesus – followed him all the way to the cross – the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King's final Sunday sermon was at our own Episcopal cathedral in DC.  In that grand pulpit of Washington National Cathedral, King said this: “…Our experience [is] that the nation doesn't move around questions of genuine equality […] until it is confronted massively, dramatically in terms of direct action […] I submit that nothing will be done until people of goodwill put their bodies and their souls in motion and it will be the kind, the sole force brought into being as a result of this confrontation that I believe will make the difference […] On some positions, cowardice asks the question: is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? Conscience asks the question, is it right?  And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular. But [one] must do it because conscience tells [them] it is right.” (https://cathedral.org/blog/today-in-cathedral-history-mlks-final-sunday-sermon/) Folks, that time is now.  Jesus' call to us is now. And here's the thing – the passage in Isaiah about the prophet we heard this morning was telling us something perhaps we need to hear as we consider what Christ is asking of us.  Because in no less a way as was said about the prophet Isaiah, God is saying this to each of you now: “I formed you in the womb to be my servant, and I give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  And that salvation, my friends, is the hope God has in mind for all of us – that beloved community where all are welcome, and no one is harmed. This is who you were formed in the womb to be – God's transformative agent, following Christ to where he abides – with the least, the last, the lonely, and the lost.  This is our faith, what we committed to in baptism.  And this is how we should honor the saints, like King, too. Because if we truly want to honor people like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., then we have to do more than attend breakfasts and recall his sermons/speeches – we must live as he lived, and be willing to die as he did. And if we truly want to follow Jesus, we must do more than go to church, pray, and read scripture – we must live as he lived and be willing to die as he did.  This past week, the Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, put it this way: “We are now engaged in a horrible battle that is eternal, that has gone on for millennia. […] and we are now, I believe, entering a time, a new era of martyrdom. Renee Good being the last of note of those martyrs. New Hampshire's own Jonathan Daniels, a man also of white privilege, stood in front of the blast of a sheriff in Haynesville, Alabama, to protect a young black teenager from a shotgun blast. He died and was martyred. We know of the women, the Maryknoll sisters, who stood alongside the poor and the oppressed in El Salvador and were brutally raped and murdered in the name of Jesus. [Archbishop] Oscar Romero, in a mass, called upon the death squads of El Salvador to lay down their arms or risk excommunication [and ] was martyred the next Sunday at the altar.  I have told the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire that we may be entering into that same witness. And I've asked them to get their affairs in order—to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable. And it may mean that we are going to have to act in a new way that we have never seen perhaps in our lifetime, except for these remote stories that I've just cited, to put our faith in the God of life, of resurrection, of a love that is stronger than death itself.” (https://www.nhepiscopal.org/blog) Amen Bishop!  Amen. “Now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.” Not everyone can do this to be sure.  Those who care for others, like young children or aging parents, those who face physical, mental, or emotional challenges, and of course – the vulnerable themselves.  The rest of us though – we must make a choice and it is by no means easy.  Neither was it for Jesus, for Dr. King, or for any of the other martyrs of the church.  This does not mean we recklessly engage in violence, but it does mean we act not only on social media, but with our voices, our feet, our very bodies in the streets, in the halls of government, anywhere that children of God suffer – anywhere Jesus calls us to come and see. If we do this, if we follow Jesus, then King's words will come to be.  In the end of that sermon at Washington National Cathedral, he said: “So, however dark it is, however deep the angry feelings and the violent explosions are, I can still sing “We Shall Overcome.” We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. We shall overcome because Thomas Carlyle is right: “No lie can live forever.” We shall overcome because William Cullen Bryant is right: “Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again.” […] With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair the stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. […] God grant that we would be participants in this newness and this magnificent development if we will, but do it. We will bring about a new day of justice and brotherhood and peace. And that day, the morning stars will sing together and the [people] of God will shout for joy.” And so, as we enter into our thirteenth year together amid these deeply troubling times, as we consider in our hearts the path that lay before us, I leave you with this from the epistle of St. Paul we heard this morning – that you may know my deep gratitude for all that you do in the name of Jesus, and be reminded of all that you have been given by God for the work that lay ahead.: St. Paul wrote: “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind […and] He will also strengthen you to the end.” Amen. For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sermon-January-18-2026-1.m4a   The Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge January 18, 2026 The Second Sunday After The Epiphany 1st Reading – Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-12 2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Gospel – John 1:29-42 The post “Now Is The Time!” appeared first on Christ Episcopal Church.

In this episode, Patrick and Jonah begin the new year by returning to a central question of our time: how do we face evil without losing freedom, discernment, or love? Drawing on the Gospel of John and Rudolf Steiner's reflections on the work of the angels in the human soul, the conversation explores compassion, individuality, technology, medicine, and the danger of “automatic” spirituality. Along the way, they ask whether what feels like apocalypse today might actually be an unveiling — a revealing of what we desire, neglect, or refuse to see.Extended reflections, personal notes, and deeper context are available on Patreon.Support the showThe Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."

Have you wanted to experience God? In this section of John's Gospel, Jesus teaches the undeniable promise of God's personal presence and participation with us and in us. As he prepares his disciples for his own departure, he promises the Holy Spirit who will be our Helper, our advocate, our Comforter, our Guide, our Strength.

The word "epiphany" has at least two words, also appearing in Scripture, with related meanings: "advent" and "apocalypse." In this sermon, Pastor Chris led the congregation in a look at those terms and how they might found in three Bible passages-- two in John's Gospel and one in Acts. So many times with Jesus, who is the ultimate epiphany of all, we can see all three things at work at the same time. How might that be? Join us and find out! The painting associated with this sermon/podcast is "The Baptism of the Christ II" by Daniel Bonnell, a favorite artist of our church family.

The first part of this year, we are studying the Gospel of John. We continue this series with Senior Pastor Dr. Tyler Smiley speaking from John chapter 2 about two early, significant, and complimentary accounts of the authority of Jesus Christ.

Join us as we worship the Lord, fellowship together, and continue our journey through the Gospel of John. In John 13 our Lord begins an extended period of personal time with His twelve apostles. And this time begins with an act that shocked them. He assumed the position of a Gentile slave, took off His outer garments, and began to wash their dirty feet! There are many powerful lessons in John 13, with the primary one being the importance of serving one another with love!

John 1:4-13 – The Light of the World Please turn in your Bibles to John 1:4-13. We started this new series in the Gospel of John two weeks ago. Remember the 5 “J”s of John. John, the apostle who is the author; Jews who were John's primary audience; Jerusalem where much of the setting took place; Jesus, of course, the focus of the book; and Jehovah – the emphasis that Jesus is God in the flesh. Then last week, we jumped in to verses 1-3. John's Gospel account doesn't begin with Jesus' genealogy nor the angels announcing of his coming, nor his birth in a manger. No, rather, John begins much earlier. He goes back to creation itself - the beginning of time. He reveals that Jesus is the very Word of God. He has always been and continues to be God. He is One with the Father and the Spirit. He has always existed. He is Christ, through whom God created all things. He begins there because he wants his readers to know that Jesus is truly God and creator. That brings us to verses 4-13. Instead of focusing on Christ's identity, we now learn about his purpose. The Word, who is Christ, is the light of the world. You'll hear that in our text. As I read, you will also hear a reference to a John. This John is not the Apostle John, but rather John the Baptist. He was sent by God to testify to Christ. Let's now come to God's Word Reading of John 1:4-13 Prayer Light is essential for life. I think you would agree with me.Without light, we cannot see. It exposes reality and reveals our surroundings. It purifies and penetrates. Light carries information across galaxies. The light of the sun warms the earth and perks us up. It gives energy to plants and trees. Really countless organisms use light to sustain life. It's no wonder that light is used in Scripture to illustrate God and his goodness and purity. And it's no wonder that darkness, the absence of light, illustrates sin and evil. That's because we intuitively know what light is. We understand it's illuminating nature. When it is dark outside and we need to walk or drive somewhere, we know we need light to see where we are going. We understand that evil and unrighteousness often happens in the dark. Take the Psalms for example. God's Word is described as being a light to our path. Elsewhere, God is described as being light. In our call to worship, we read that “The Lord is our light and our salvation, whom shall we fear?” We're also told in the Psalms that blessed are those that walk in the light of the Lord. And in them, we're given the contrast between light and darkness. God's light dawns in the darkness for the upright. And that is just the Psalms. So, when we get to John 1 and we read in these verses about the Word being the light of men and the darkness not overcoming it… and John the Baptist witnessing to Christ's light, we can understand it. The light of truth and righteousness in contrast to the darkness of sin and evil. We are to see the light of Christ and walk in his light. By the way, we are still in the opening verses of John's Gospel. We call this John's prologue. He's setting the stage by revealing the various themes in his book. And one of those themes is light. It's actually one of the apostle John's favorite themes. He speaks of light not just in this book but also his three letter and in the book of Revelation. In your bulletin on page 4, you'll see an outlin. We'll consider 3 things about this light. #1. The Revealing and Overpowering Light of Christ (verses 4-5) #2. Witnessing to the Light of Christ (verses 6-8) And #3. Receiving and Rejecting the Light of Christ (verses 9-13) 1. The Revealing and Overpowering Light of Christ (verses 4-5) Again, number 1 - the revealing and overpowering light of Christ. As John continues to reveal who this Word of God is, he says this in verse 4: “in him was life.” Prepositions are important. The preposition used here is “in” and not “through.” “In him was life.” It's speaking of Christ's life. It's not talking about the flesh and blood life of Jesus' human nature nor is it talking about our life in him. Rather, it's talking about Jesus' divine nature. We know that from the next few words. His life was shining forth and was penetrating the darkness. So the life spoken of here is Christ's being and existence as God. Notice it's the same verb that we considered last week - “was”. It's imperfect active. Christ's life always was and continues to be. I like how one commentator described Christ's life:  "[it] refers to the fulness of God's essence, his glorious attributes: holiness, truth, …love, omnipotence, sovereignty. This full, blessed life is said to have been present in the Word and this from all eternity…" It is that life – the fulness of God in Christ – which is the light of men. And it makes sense. Christ's righteousness and holiness and truth and love is our light. It is the source of light for all humanity. I mentioned that this theme is all through this book. Let me highlight three instances. ·      In chapter 3, Jesus said, "the light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than the light because their works are evil." In those verses he goes on to describe what it means to walk in the light. ·      In chapter 8, the most famous one, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" ·      And in chapter 12, Jesus said, "while you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light" In these different passages, Jesus is calling us to #1 see his light; #2 believe his light and #3 walk in his light. As we work our way through John, we'll have plenty of time to consider all the aspects of light applied to Jesus, but as an introduction, verses 4-5, give us two of them. 1. First, the light of Christ's life is there for all to see – verse 4. And it emanates from his life. SO, his eternal being and nature are being displayed to us through his light. His goodness and truth and righteousness are there for us to see. And when we see it, God is revealing to us, Christ's nature. We see him when we see his light. Through his light, God reveals Christ and shows us that we need his light. He is our light… which includes of course, the path we are to walk in his goodness and righteousness and truth. So, his light reveals his life and our need for his light. 2. Second, verse 5, his light reveals darkness. Did you notice in verse 5 that the verb is now present tense. The light, it says, "shines in the darkness." The light of Christ IS revealing unrighteous and evil. That's what light does - it reveals what is in the dark. By the way, this is another parallel to Genesis. This time John 1 recognizes that creation has been corrupted by evil and sin – that is the darkness mentioned. Elsewhere in John, we read about the "works of darkness." Darkness is that which is opposed to the light of Christ. It's anything contrary to his light – That would include wickedness and foolishness and unrighteousness. And notice that the darkness has not overcome the light. Other translations use other words there like the darkness has not apprehended the light… or comprehend it or extinguished it. Indeed, darkness cannot put out the light. I shared this once before, but back when I was in college, I spent several days on a mission trip to Sweden. We were ministering to kids from eastern Europe who had come to a camp. For one of our outings, we went to a very large cave in the area. It was safe. You know, it had railings and the such, and you could go way back into the cave. And so we did, we went as far as we could. And then we all decided to turn off our flashlights. It was dark. I mean like dark dark. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face. One of the other leaders had brought a lighter – you know a small butane lighter. And he lit it. That little flame lit up the cave. It was quite amazing how such a small light could illuminate the darkness. We could see one another and we could see the cave around us. And then we read some of the Scriptures about light. I think we read from John 1 – I don't know for sure, but it makes sense. “In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” Darkness cannot overcome light. Darkness is, in fact, the absence of light. So, when light is revealed, darkness will be exposed. And that is what Christ has done. His love and justice and holiness and truth has revealed the darkness – evil and sin. It not only reveals it, but it cannot be overcome by it. It's really the other way around. The light overcomes the darkness. Christ has triumphed over the darkness. And that triumph has come through the cross and in his resurrection. Evil and sin have been fully exposed. The light of Christ in his life is in the act of overcoming darkness and revealing the path of life and purifying our hearts and minds. And one day soon, evil and sin will be defeated forever when the light of Christ comes to full fruition… when Jesus' return in Glory for all to see. Well, there is a lot more to say about light, which we'll get to as we work through John. The summary of point 1 is that Christ's light reveals his nature, shows us our need, and exposes sin and evil. 2. Witnessing to the Light of Christ (verses 6-8) Number 2. Witnessing to the light of Christ. In verses 6 and following, the Apostle John begins to transition from the lofty truths about the Word of God to that Word who has come in human flesh. We're told of another John, as I mentioned, who was sent to bear witness to the light. Notice that the word "witness" is used three times. His role is to testify to the light. We call John the Baptist the last Old Testament prophet because he was sent as the final prophet before Christ. John's purpose in being sent was to point to Jesus as the Messiah – the Savior – who was promised to come. And I want you to notice the contrast in verses 6-8. The contrast is between Christ, the Word of God, and John the Baptist. ·      John was not God, but rather, as verse 6 says, he was a man. ·      Furthermore, John was not eternal nor do things find their existence in him. Rather, he was sent by God, as it says. ·      And as verse 8 puts it, He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light." ·      Later in this chapter, John the Baptist himself will say, "I am not the Christ." It appears from these verses that some were confused about the difference between John the Baptist and Jesus. We're not told the specifics, but perhaps some saw John and Jesus as equals. Or perhaps there was competition between their respective followers. Maybe some said, "I am a disciple of John" or maybe even, "I was baptized by John." Or, I was baptized by one of Jesus' disciples. Isn't that human nature? John Calvin is my boy. Oh yeah, well, Charles Spurgeon is mine. Well, neither of them can come close to Augustine or the early church fathers.  It's what we do, isn't it. We don't know what dynamic was at play. But we do know what these verses make absolutely clear. John the Baptist was not the light. Rather, he was a witness to the light. In other words, he was verifying that Jesus was the true light. By the way, the theme of being a witness runs throughout the book. I did a search on the word "witness" and it is used 27 times in the Gospel of John. The first several are about John the Baptist bearing witness to Christ. But that is not the only witness. God the Father and God the Spirit bear witness to Jesus as the Son. Jesus' works and miracles bear witness that he is Christ. Jesus himself bears witness that he is God the Son. Jesus's disciples bear witness to him as God in the flesh. That will definitely be a theme we come across over and over In a couple of weeks, we'll come back to John the Baptist. If you scan down to verses 19 and following, you'll see that we're given specifics of how John witnessed to Christ. But the bigger point is that John the Baptist was not pointing to himself. Rather, he was witnessing to Christ as the light. John was like a mirror, you know. He reflected the light of God and directed people to the source of God's light. And that source was and in Christ – the light of world. 3. Receiving and Rejecting the Light of Christ (verses 9-13) Which brings us to #3. Receiving and rejecting the light of Christ. A couple of weeks ago, we considered the purpose statement of John's Gospel. That was in chapter 20 verse 31. We read that John wrote these things… do you remember why? so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, we may have life in his name. In chapter 1, when we get to verses 9-13, it's here that we get the first glimpse of John's purpose in writing. He wants people to see Jesus for who he is as the light. He wants people to believe. And in these verses, John sets up the major conflict that almost every single chapter confronts. Who will believe? In verse 10, John writes that the light is in the world, and then he reiterates that the world was made through him. But then he makes two important statements. #1. End of verse 10 - The world did not know him and #2. Verse 11 - his own people did not receive him. The Jewish people didn't receive Jesus, even though they had been given the covenants, the law, the prophecies, and the promises. All of those things were witnessing to the light, yet, when the light came, many of the Jewish people did not recognize him. Yet, he was the very one who created the world and whom they had been waiting for… for centuries. He had come, but they, as it says, received him not. This is why John is writing. He wants people to see the light and believe. He wants #1 the world to see the light.  AND #2 he wants to confront the Jewish people about rejecting the light. We see that theme throughout the book. John writes that many did receive Jesus, include many of the Jews. In fact, the word “many” is used many times. Let me highlight a few. ·      Chapter 2 – "many believed in his name who saw the signs he was doing" ·      Chapter 4 – "Many Samaritans believed" ·      Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 and Chapter 10 each include the phrase “many believed.” ·      Chapter 11 – listen to this one: "many of the Jews who… had seen what he did, believed" ·      Chapter 12 – a similar thing – "many on account of [Lazarus – who Jesus had raised]  were believing in Jesus." And also in 12, "many of the authorities believed in him" It's quite pervasive. Yes, many rejected him, and we are going to see that, but many would come to believe. He wanted his readers to know that… because he wanted his readers to likewise believe. I want to take a brief tangent and talk about application. You know, in the last 2-3 years we have studied Proverbs, 2 Corinthians, and Malachi. Think about the different kinds of life application in each – they are very different. ·      In Proverbs, it was about applying the wisdom of God in the rubber-meets-the road decisions of life. How do we follow God's path? ·      2 Corinthians included many things, but a big one was living with Gospel hope in affliction and pain and conflict. ·      Malachi, if you remember, was very different. It dug deep into our heart idols and our worship and our marriages… and it called us to repent. Isn't that quite a diversity of life application? But let me ask, what is the primary application of John? What does John's Gospel emphasize over and over for his readers… including us? The answer is, we're called to believe. Yes, we are going to see ways in which our lives do not reflect the light of Christ. But the main application of John is to believe. Believe in Christ. Believe in the Word of God. Believe in his promises. Believe in the Salvation that he offers. Believe in the Father and Spirit and Son as One God. It's to turn from our unbelief in whatever ways we haven't believed, and to believe. And that applies to all of us. As the father who had a child with an unclean spirit said – said to Jesus, "I believe, but help my unbelief." That captures our hearts. Briefly in closing, verses 12 and 13 reveal the blessing that those who do believe will receive. It says, "…to all who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God." New life in him. There's a lot in there in that last sentence. I almost shortened our sermon text, again. We don't have sufficient time today to cover it. However, it's yet another theme that will come up in the book - being born again and becoming children of God. It's a big emphasis in chapter 3. So, we'll get there soon. But the summary is that those who believe in Jesus as the light of the world, will be given new life. Will become God's children, born anew in him. So, may we believe in Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. The darkness will not overcome his light. He has come and has offered his life so that we may live. May we believe in his name.

Message from Perry Marshall on January 18, 2026

When God leads you through something that's rough, beloved, look up, and say, "Lord, I'm doing this for Jesus. I'm sharing it with Him and I want you to get glory out of it, that God might be glorified." Broadcast #6978To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.