SIGHT SPECIAL - AN INDEPTH LOOK AT THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

JOHN'S BAPTISM AND THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

It is wise to read this and the other Gospels to allow the detail of the story to sink in deeply. Does it seem to you that John delayed identifying Jesus, waiting for the priests and Levites to depart? It reads like that, perhaps. But does that capture the point the Apostle goes on to make? It seems, however, that this account is telling us that any delay at this time was from Jesus Himself - He waited for the right moment to make His move toward John.
John may have cried "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" but this does not mean those who heard him say this understood what he meant or even took much notice at the time. The Baptist's message also took time to sink in. The Apostle's account reminds us that the prophet's task is to speak out, "whether the people hear or whether they are deaf to the word of God". The prophet calls out because he is called to do so. God Himself gives him his orders.

    In part seven of his series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE takes a look at John 1:29-34... | more... |

JOHN'S TESTIMONY TO JESUS

The Apostle has already told us the purpose of John the Baptist's testimony. He came to testify - his message and his life and death proclaimed the One who was from the beginning, the One who brings light to the darkness, who truly makes known the Father to those who otherwise would not have known Him. The Baptist's message helped those close to Jesus' family understand Who had been living with them in their midst all these years.

     As we read this, we are confronted with the momentous part played by John the Baptist - that is how the Apostle opens his Gospel. And the account moves on with John the Baptist completely absorbed with what he had been called by God to do; here was someone fully immersed in his work - he had reached saturation point with the coming of the Lord. The consequences of his action were not those of a desert preacher's seasonal popularity - the consequences have been perpetual - he identified Jesus as "the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". And so the Baptist's impact has been an overflowing of grace and truth throughout the world ever since.

    In part six of his series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE examines John 1:19-28... | more... |

PREVIOUS IN THIS SERIES:

In part five of his series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE examines John 1:15-18... | more... |

In part four of a series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE examines John 1:14... | more... |

In part three of a series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE examines John 1:9-13... | more... |

In the second of a series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE examines John 1:6-9... | more... |

In the first of a series looking at the Gospel of John, BRUCE C WEARNE takes a look at John 1:1-4... | more... |

THE EMMAUS ROAD - FROM BROKEN DREAMS TO RESTORED REALITY

This passage starts off with two people walking along a road, probably some hours after reports had started circulating among the disciples that Jesus had been seen. Historians tell us that it is most likely that the two people were a couple. We know one of their names, Cleopas, and the other one was probably his wife, Mary. To understand this passage we need to put ourselves in their shoes; we need to imagine where they were at in their mental and emotional state. And to do that we need to go back to look at the mindset of a 1st century Jew.

     You see, as the two were walking along the road, they were in a state of complete disillusionment. Firstly, they had been completely perplexed by the fact that Jesus had died. The Messiah was not supposed to die, and I will discuss that in more detail below. On top of that, some women in their group said they went to his tomb that morning and found it empty and had seen angels who said he was risen. And then, this stranger comes up to them and starts talking like he’s just come down in the last shower, with seemingly no idea of what has been happening over the last few days.

    NILS VON KALM takes an indepth look at Luke 24: 13-35... | more... |

PAUL'S CORINTHIAN 'CHAUVINISM'

In this series I’ve tried to bring some clarity to our encounters with one of Scripture’s most puzzling passages: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. But for fear of getting lost in my reading, I think we should turn to the text itself.

     To move us in that direction, I want to offer some final comments on the verses I’ve glossed over.

     Verse 3. The phrase, “God is the head of Christ” (NRSV) makes it impossible for me to tell what exactly Paul means here. After all, God and Christ, in Trinitarian theology, are one and the same. And yet this is supposed to be an example of the “head of” relationship which also holds between husband and wife, between Christ and humanity?

    MICAH TILLMAN's final installment in his series looking at the first 16 verses of 1 Corinthians 11... | more... |

FOR PREVIOUS:

MICAH TILLMAN continues his series looking at the first 16 verses of 1 Corinthians 11 in this, the third instalment... | more... |

In the second of his four part series, MICAH TILLMAN writes about how Paul's words on women wearing veils were actually about starting a social revolution with Christ at the centre of it... | more... |

In the first of a four part series, MICAH TILLMAN takes a deeper look at the first 16 verses of 1 Corinithians 11... | more... |

SUBMISSION

It’s interesting that Paul opens this sentence to Titus with “remind”. How did he know that we would constantly need reminding to be submitted to our rulers and authorities?

     One of the themes that follow through the ministry of Jesus is that in all circumstances and in all ways, He obeyed the law. Jesus spoke out about obeying the law of the land which involved things such as paying taxes. As Christians today the message hasn’t changed. We need to be subject to our authorities, obedient and ready to do good.

     While in a church environment this may be easier than in the world, Paul does not differentiate between non- Christian and Christian rulers. I think we often read this verse and read what we want to see and that is to be subject to good Christian rules and authorities. What this verse really tells us is that we are to respect and obey all those who are set in authority over us, because God has placed them in those positions whether they know that or not.

     CHRISSI ELLANKOON on a Biblical look at submission... | more... |

YOU TOO WILL BE WATERED

'Don’t do something because you expect something in return!' Have you ever heard that phrase? I know so many times when I take on that extra task or go out of my way for someone, that phrase replays in my head. We are all taught from a very young age to do whatever we do from the goodness of our heart and are discouraged for seeking something in return.

     This spirit of doing something for no return is evident in any volunteer. They know that there is no monetary reward behind what they do. Most of the time volunteers will tell you that they do what they do because they care and because in some way it gives them a sense of satisfaction.

     CHRISSI ELLANKOON takes look at the meaning behind Proverbs 11:25... | more... |

KNOW THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEART

Words are a complex tool. They are used to communicate truth, find directions and build relationships. They are also used to bless or curse people. All in all words are powerful. Jesus tells us what we bind on earth in bound in heaven and what we loose on earth is loosed in heaven. That binding is done by the power of the spoken Word.

     With all the power that words have, there is one function that they lack, retraction. Once spoken, you can never take those words back, it doesn’t matter how hard you try. Although you may be sorry and try to make amends, the fact remains that once the words are spoken you cannot take them back.

     I am sure like me you have found yourself in situations where you have said something and then, the minute it has left your mouth, you wish you never said it.

     CHRISSI ELLANKOON examines what Jesus has to say about our words revealing our heart... | more... |

THE LOCAL WELL

Wells in the time of the Bible were essential to the survival of the community. The life of a town centred around the well as a source of water; it meant health and prosperity for the townspeople.

     When new people arrived in town, one of the first things they would need to do is find the local well. It was a gathering place and an equaliser - everyone needed water and therefore rich and poor alike depended on the well. The well was not the source of the water but merely a collection point, one of many for the people in the local area.

     There are many similarities between the well and the local church. While the church does not contain our God, (for nothing can contain God), it is a place within the local community where people know they can come to meet with God. They come to the church to meet the One who can give eternal life and everlasting water.

     CHRISSI ELLANKOON takes a look at the story of Jesus and the woman at the well... | more... |

FAITH IS A CHOICE

So how many promises has God made you? Have all of them been fulfilled? Or like me are you still waiting to see some of them out worked in your life. God asks us to have faith, faith like a mustard seed, and while it may be small, it is full of potential.

      The Gospel of Mark starts with an incredible story of faith. There are some many valuable lessons to be learnt here, but the one I want to focus on is the lesson that faith is a choice. Mary was a young girl who was still a virgin. The Bible doesn’t say that there was anything remarkable about her. She was not a great beauty, nor was she from a noble family; she was just an ordinary person like you and me. However this young girl was going to be the mother of the Messiah. It was going to be her responsibility to raise the Son of God. Just think about that for a moment. The child she was to nurse was going to bring salvation to the earth. What kind of faith would that take?

     CHRISSI ELLANKOON takes a look at what Mary can teach us about faith... | more... |

BEING CONTENT TO BEAR FRUIT

One characteristic that most of us humans have in common is the need for recognition and status. You may not think that you really care, and on the surface you probably don’t. However, if you teach you want to be called teacher and, if you heal, you want to be called doctor.

      The truth is, if you perform the function, then you want to be given the title. This in itself is not bad when it is in balance, however most people at some point crave and desire the title more than the function.

      In Judges chapter nine, Jotham tells a parable to the people of Sheecham to instruct them on choosing a leader and king over the people.

      There is so much in this parable that is important for our day to day lives. It highlights the importance of valuing our gift and function far above the need for title and position. The olive tree, fig tree and the grape vine understood the importance of the function that they had. The olive tree, for example, knew that the fruit it bore was pleasing to not only man, but God and therefore was reluctant to give up this function in order to become a king over the trees.

     In the second of a new column looking at passages and verses from the Bible and what they mean to us today, CHRISSI ELLANKOON takes a look at the parable of the three trees in Judges, chapter nine... | more... |

WASTE OR WORSHIP?

As the woman made her way to Simon’s house I often wonder what was going through her mind. Did she plan what she was going to do? Was it all rehearsed?

      Scripture doesn’t tell us too many details about whether she had planned this event or not, however we do know that she didn’t belong there, she wasn’t an invited guest. While this Scripture does not name her, we know that she was a determined and focused lady.

      With one hand clasped around that cold creamy alabaster jar she must have purposed each step; she was focused on reaching Simon’s house because she had heard that the Teacher would be there. She knew Jesus would be there. What was she going to say? How would she address Him and greet Him?

     CHRISSI ELLANKOON takes a look at Mark 14:3-9 - the anointing of Jesus at Bethany... | more... |