Read This: John 2:1-11 Following Jesus may take effort. The servants in this story filled six large pots with 180 gallons of water. That’s hard work. But the idea is simple. As Mary said, “Do whatever He tells you.” For their trouble, those servants experienced something supernatural, firsthand. All that water became all that wine. The […]

Read This: John 2:1-11 Now we’re moving into the story. Jesus, fresh from His baptism and temptations, is attending a wedding. His mother, siblings, and disciples are there, and they’re not merely guests. Mary feels some ownership, whether as a concerned friend or in a hostessing role we’re not told. But when the wine runs […]

Read This: John 1:35-51 At first glance, the men in this story (Andrew, John, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael) seem to follow Jesus suddenly. He appears and they follow. Was that the case? Becoming a disciple was not a trifle. They were committing themselves to a life change. Why did they respond so quickly? Because they […]

Read This: John 1:35-51 When something matters to me — a book I’m reading or a meaningful experience — I usually tell a friend about it. That’s how we influence each other. We share what’s important to us. In today’s passage, two young men* are following John the Baptist, who is teaching them about the Messiah. Then, […]

Read This: John 1:29-34 When someone is in the spotlight, take note of what they say. Spotlights reveal the heart. In our previous passage, John the Baptist is in the spotlight. All the people, from regular citizens to Roman soldiers, are listening to him. Even the nation’s leaders are there, trying to learn what all […]