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Prayer can be described in many ways. Yet, at it’s heart, prayer is simply talking to God. Jesus had taught his disciples early in his ministry about how to pray (The Lord’s Prayer). Now he demonstrates the way to pray, also revealing the heart of God in the process. Our prayers reflect our values and what is truly in our hearts. As Jesus offers his petitions to the Father, let’s notice what they are, and so, align our own hearts with the heart of God.

Literally, Jesus says in verse 18, “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.” No one is meant to be alone in the family of God. No one is meant to be without hope. To gird up that hope, Jesus binds to us the promise of his return, when we will see him again, face to face, and will know by experience the way that the first and second persons of the Trinity are bound to one another because we will be part of that bond.

Thomas is not to blame for this label. He made a reasonable statement in an unreasonable, once-in-a-lifetime resurrection situation. What's fascinating is how comfortable we are in letting Thomas be so trapped.

Jesus has been their life for these last three years. They have left family and jobs -- everything -- to follow him and assist him on his mission. And now he is leaving? He is the one they believe to be the Messiah, the Son of God. How can his enemies win? They are confused, discouraged. So Jesus speaks much-needed words of comfort to these men whom he loves.

When Jesus says he is both “the door” and “the good shepherd” he is using two analogies in order to help his listeners better understand the nature of who he is and what he came to do. He’s a door because he is the way to salvation. He’s a good shepherd because he keeps, protects, and guides his sheep. He’s describing two aspects of his nature and so, we need to resist the temptation to over analyze and over-interpret this passage.

Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road?

This man lived his entire life in the darkness, that is, until he met Jesus.

Notice how Peter responds: “Jesus, it is good for us to be here.”

Wisdom Within Laws About Murder, Adultery, and Divorce

Understanding the ‘Salt of the Earth’ in Matthew 5:13

Jesus had just begun His ministry. After numerous healings, demon extractions, miracles, and teachings, the Son of Man had gained an enormous following. A crowd of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon flocked around him in hopes to be touched by Jesus’s healing power—which literally flowed from Him

I can tell you from a lot of personal experience, it is definitely not easy to immediately drop these negative voices, fears, and insecurities off at the edge of the boat – along with all that is familiar and comfortable to us – and then to step out of that boat and confidently follow Jesus in his ministry of light shining, good news spreading, and kingdom bringing.

The Gospel of John is a dramatic, gripping narrative.

Advent Week 4 - Love in 2025

He is so much more than just a baby! Invite Him into your changes! Let joy fill your soul.

In a world racked with strife, it may seem obvious to declare peace “no small thing”; but the biblical understanding of peace—the word shalom in Hebrew, translated into Greek as eirn—involves much more than the absence of conflict.

In our compassion. Jesus prayed for those who mistreated Him and was gracious in his response to the thief next to Him.

Memories can be the way we show the dead our love on All Souls’ Day