I AM the Good Shepherd

Posted on May 28, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 40 of 49

We are all familiar with the image of Jesus as a shepherd. We often see the picture of Jesus holding a lamb surrounded by sheep. But that image is insufficient to describe the reality of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. 

The definition of shepherd: One who cares for, guides, and guards sheep. Pretty simple in concept, and includes keeping the flock together, seeking the sheep who go astray, keeping them safe, and providing all they need.

It has been expanded in meaning, in both the OT and the NT to include leadership. The leaders serve in the role of shepherd; caring, guiding and guarding the people who are under their leadership. 

John 10:1-10 The Good Shepherd

Jesus gave insight into the role of the shepherd. A shepherd enters by the door. He is not a stranger to the sheep or to the gatekeeper. He goes before the sheep, they follow him and they know his voice. He helps them to find pasture.

The sheep will run from a stranger. The thief and robber don’t enter by the door and come to steal, kill and destroy.  No purpose is given to the stranger, but the thief and robber are definitely up to no good as regards the sheep.

John 10:11-18 I AM the Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

Jn 10:11–18.

Jesus became more specific about the role of himself as the shepherd, calling himself the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep. He spoke of his relationship to the Father, who gave him authority to give his life for the sheep.

Jesus compared himself to the hireling. A hireling runs away from danger, for instance a wolf attack. He acts like a shepherd, but cares more for his own life. The hireling is not like the thief, intent upon the destruction of the sheep, but his uncaring actions result in the destruction of the sheep all the same.

We find through this example, the loving care that God and Jesus have for the sheep, not only those found in Israel, but those of the Gentile nations, all the sheep who listen to his voice and follow his lead.

Jesus knows the Father and what the Father desires of him. He knows the sheep and what is best for them. He speaks to his sheep and they hear his voice to follow him, knowing that the shepherd provides food, water and safety. 

To better understand Jesus’ reference to himself as the Good Shepherd, we need to go to the OT. The Jews would have been familiar with this passage.

Ezekiel 34:1-31 Bad Shepherds

In this passage, God spoke to the shepherds of Israel, the priests and Levites in charge of caring for the people of Israel. He accused them of:

  • Feeding themselves instead of the sheep
  • Clothing themselves with the wool from the sheep
  • Eating the fat of the sheep
  • Not strengthening the weak sheep
  • Not healing the sick sheep
  • Not binding up the injured sheep
  • Not seeking the sheep who were lost or strayed
  • Ruling them harshly

The shepherds abused their position, using the sheep for their own benefit.

The sheep, because of the treatment of the shepherds, wandered aimlessly, scattered over the hills and mountains, living as prey and food for the wild beasts. 

God promised to seek and rescue them from where they had been scattered. God would return them to Israel with good pasture where they could lay down in peace and rest. He promised to bind up the injured, strengthen the weak, and feed them justice. He promised to set over them a “good shepherd”.

When we look at this passage in relation to the healing of the blind man in chapter 9, we can see a connection between the false shepherds and the leading Jews. The people lived in fear of the Pharisees, worried that they would be cut off from the synagogue…scattered to fend for themselves. The Pharisees had no idea who the blind man was, even though he begged at theTemple gates daily. Instead of rejoicing with him, they complained that it took place on the Sabbath, and kicked him out of the synagogue…at a time when he would finally have been eligible to enter into the Temple to worship in God’s presence. 

Jesus as the Good Shepherd healed the blind man’s wounds and sought him out, not waiting for the man to come to him. He spoke to the man.  The man recognized Jesus as that promised Good Shepherd and began to follow him.

The OT references to the Good Shepherd:

  • Psalm 23
    • Provides needs
    • Makes lie down in green pastures
    • Leads beside still waters
    • Restores
    • Leads
    • Remains in times of trouble
    • Provides provisions in front of enemies
    • Anoints with oil (healing)
    • Leads to the house of the Lord
  • Isaiah 40:10-11
    • Powerfully saves
    • Gathers lambs in arms
    • Carries the young
    • Gently leads those with young
  • Amos 3:12
    • Rescued those in need
    • Remove the broken pieces from the mouth of the lion
  • Micah 5:4-5
    • The sheep will be secure
    • The sheep will have peace
    • Will maintain their life

John 10:19-21 The people respond

The people were divided, some believing him and who he said he was and others thinking he had a demon or was insane. It is important for us to remember that it is the Lord who opens the eyes of the blind (Ps 146:7-8). If God does not open the spiritual eyes, one cannot see.

John 10:22-39 If you don’t believe me, believe the works

Even though Jesus made it plain that he was the One sent from God, the Jews again asked him to state his identity. I’m sure Jesus shook his head, they hadn’t believed before, why would they now?

He spoke about his sheep. They know him (unlike the Jews), they hear his voice (the Jews hear, but don’t choose to comprehend), they will never perish.

And then he said, “I and the Father are one.”

That was what the Jews were waiting for, an explicit, no way to misunderstand statement…in their mind, blasphemy. So they picked up stones to stone him.

In past confrontations, Jesus disappeared from them, but this time he stayed and questioned their action. He referred to his works… they could not argue against any of his works. The actions spoke to his identity and confirmed his words. The Jews were always seeking signs, Jesus provided them and they didn’t believe anyway. But Jesus continued to do what God called him to do, despite the opposition.

The NT contains references to Jesus as our shepherd. They tell us about his identity and his relationship to us.

  • Matthew 9:36
    • Jesus had compassion on the people, like a sheep without a shepherd
  • Lk 12:32
    • God wants to give us the kingdom
      • The fear not gives us a picture of the shepherd petting and comforting the sheep
  • Jn 15:13
    • Greater love, man lay down life for friends
  • Hebrews 13:20-21
    • Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep
    • We will be equipped with all we need
  • 1 Peter 2:24-25
    • He bore our sins
    • We strayed, but have returned to the Shepherd and overseer of our souls
    • Reveals his humility and suffering
      • 2:22-24 brings out that we are continually straying, not just a one time thing
  • Revelation 7:17
    • Jesus will be our shepherd
    • He will guide us to living waters
    • He will wipe away our tears
    • Jesus as a human felt as we feel
      • He relates to us in a very personal way

Jesus, the Good Shepherd reveals the love and care that Jesus and the Father have for us. He provides all our needs, we need look no farther. As the shepherd, he knows our need better than we do.

Because Jesus said “I AM the Good Shepherd”

  • I have_________________
  • I can_______________
  • I will________________
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I AM the Door

Posted on May 27, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 39 of 49

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 

5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 

6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 

8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

Jn 10:1–10.

John 10 takes place at the Feast of Dedication (Feast of Lights), in winter (vs 22-23). The Feast of Dedication is what we know as Hanukkah. At the time of Jesus it was celebrated as a rededication of the Temple. Today in America, most Christians see it as a Jewish substitute for Christmas using a menorah instead of a tree. 

Hanukkah celebrates a miracle of God that happened during what we call the 300 quiet years, where God did not speak to his people. 

Around 200 bc, Syria, Greece, Egypt and Rome fought for control in Israel. Antiochus III worked with Israel to oust Egypt, but when he died, Antiochus IV wanted all to embrace the Greek lifestyle. He refused to let the people study the Torah, sacrifice to God, and tried to force them to eat pork. He sacrificed a pig on the brazen altar, erected a statue of Zeus in the Holy Place and assassinated the priests.

The 90 year old High Priest refused to eat the pork they tried to force feed him. His people, in order to spare him the pain of refusing, told him to pretend to eat it. He refused because he did not want to give the impression to the children that he had compromised and turned away from Adonai. He died a horrible death.

Judas Maccabeus led a rebellion in 164 bc. The people expelled the Greeks and cleansed the Temple. They found one small jar of uncontaminated oil, not enough for lighting the candlestick in the Temple, but it was multiplied and provided enough oil for 8 nights, or until they were able to consecrate new oil. That is the reason for the lighting of the menorah for 8 nights, remembering God’s miracle of the oil. 

The holiday rejoices in God’s provision of the oil and a deliverer in Judas Maccabeus. They celebrated the rededication of the Temple and looked forward to the coming deliverer, the Messiah. 

This festival encouraged a great hope that the Messiah would arrive and deliver them. But they did not seek a spiritual deliverer, they sought one to free them from Rome.

In John’s Gospel, he preceded the “I AM the door” with the story of the healing of the blind man. Because he claimed to believe in Jesus, who had healed him, the Pharisees expelled him from the synagogue, which included exclusion from the Temple also. They felt as if they were in charge of who had access to the people of God and to God himself.

Jesus specified that he is the door of the sheep.

The watchman was usually one of the shepherds. The folds could contain several flocks. At the door, each sheep who entered must go under the rod which the shepherd placed across the door, too high to step over, but the sheep must bend down to go under. This revealed anything that was wrong with the sheep so the shepherd could take care of it right there; removing burrs or placing oil on a wound or cut, or dealing with a lame leg. Then he would lay at the door so that the sheep had to go through him to get back out. 

As we looked at the OT passages referring to a door, there is a sense that the door to God’s presence requires righteousness to enter. Our righteousness provided through Jesus Christ allows us access to the presence of God. Entering God’s presence gives us access to the kingdom of God, eternal life, rest, and fellowship. 

Jesus is the only way to the Father, there is no other.

When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the Temple split from top to bottom. This curtain allowed only the High Priest to enter God’s presence once a year, but only after steps of preparation including sacrifice, washing, changing clothes, and carrying the blood and incense (Lev 16:1-29). 

Jesus, as the door, opened the way for us to enter God’s presence without all the preparation. He was our sacrifice. He washed away our sins. He has clothed us in righteousness. He did it all for us on the cross.

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!

 Mk 15:37–39.

Because Jesus said “I AM the Door”

  • I have_________________
  • I can_______________
  • I will________________
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I AM the Light of the World

Posted on May 26, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 38 of 49

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 

16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 

17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 

18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 

19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 

20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. 

Jn 8:12–20.

Jesus claimed to be the light of the world on the day after the Feast of Booths. For the festival, two giant golden lamp-stands stood in the treasury. Many lamps hung on each lamp-stand and were lit every evening during the festival. It is said that the lights could be seen all over the city. 

The lights symbolized the pillar of fire by which God led the Israelites through the wilderness on their way to the promised land. 

The day after, when the lights were no longer burning, Jesus declared himself to be the Light of the World. He stood in the treasury near the Court of the Gentiles.

With his statement, he identified himself as God, the pillar of fire in the wilderness and the one promised by Isaiah, the Light of the world to the Gentiles.

Light, the absence of darkness, shines and makes visibility possible.

What are the characteristics of light? Light is not just what we can see, it includes infra-red and x-rays. In fact, we see far less light than is out there.

  • Light needs no source to exist, however, the light we see does have a source.
  • Light can be emitted or reflected.
  • Light makes things clearer. 
  • Light provides warmth and heat. 
  • Light promotes growth.
  • Light can be a beacon or guide.
  • Light moves at the fastest speed possible. If one sits on a traveling photon, no time passes. Since God is light, he is not bound by time.
  • Without light, there can be no life. 

The OT speaks a lot about God as light. It reveals the presence of God. It indicates guidance from God. It is involved in God saving his people. The OT prophesies refer to the Messiah coming as light to the nations. Rejecting the light brings judgment. 

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 

I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 

Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” 

Is 42:6–9.

By calling himself light, Jesus identified himself with God. The people would have understood this. They also knew the promises of the Messiah, as one who brings light into the darkness and hope of righteousness.

As he spoke, many believed. His words and his actions all pointed to his identity as the one who was promised. 

The Pharisees remained in darkness, refusing to come to the light.

John 9:1-41 Jesus heals a blind man

It says, “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.” How many times had Jesus passed by this same man at the Temple gates? The people knew the blind man, because they could testify to the Pharisees about his sight. 

The disciples’ question gives us insight into the thinking of the people. “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” The people considered a blemish or illness as judgement from God. I don’t know how a person could sin in the womb, but they considered that this man’s sins could have been the cause of the illness.

This is common thinking in some churches today…”you need more faith”. We even judge ourselves, “where did I go wrong?” This is not to say that sometimes we do pay the consequences for our sins, because there are physical consequences to things like overeating, overspending, laziness…but not always. It is not always about us.

In this case, Jesus pointed out that this man’s blindness would reveal the glory of God. This is great hope for those trials that go on year after year, we can pray for God to be glorified in our suffering.

The physical healing was such a small part of this story. Jesus made mud with his spit and put it on the man’s eyes, told him to go wash. He did, he was healed. Then it got interesting.

The people took a bit to recognize him as the blind beggar. They had not seen the miracle so they questioned him about it. Then they took him to the Pharisees, where the man repeated his story. I don’t know why the people took him to the Pharisees. Perhaps to prove to them that Jesus was the promised one.  

Problem, Jesus made spit for healing on the Sabbath, taboo in the additional list of limitations on keeping the Sabbath.

An argument arose. “He breaks the Sabbath.” “He healed a blind man, only a righteous man can do that.”

The Pharisees call in the parents, who were not present at the event. This should have been a great time of rejoicing for them, but instead, they stood in front of the Pharisees, who had the power to kick them out of the synagogue. They sent the Pharisees back to the son.

The man realizes that the Pharisees aren’t going to believe him, no matter what he says. As he confronts their inconsistency about the Christ, saying that only a righteous man can heal, something they should have seen and admitted. One can have light and not use it. They kicked him out of the synagogue. 

Jesus heard about his excommunication, and went to him. I love that he didn’t make the formerly blind man find him…instead Jesus searched for him. Not only were his physical eyes opened, but his spiritual eyes as well, and he worshipped Jesus.

How does the healing reveal Jesus as the Light of the world?

  • Without Jesus, we won’t be able to see.
  • Understanding is given with light.
  • Jesus is the one who gives us spiritual sight.
  • Light allows right judgment.

Because Jesus said “I AM the Light of the World”

  • I have_________________
  • I can_______________
  • I will________________
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I AM the Bread of Life

Posted on May 25, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 37 of 49

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 

26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 

30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 

31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 

32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 

33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 

34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 

36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 

39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 

40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 

Jn 6:25–41.

This is the first of the I AM names of Christ, letting us know that he is essential to our spiritual well being, providing all our needs, and sacrificing himself so that we can walk in relationship with God.

The Greek artos and the Hebrew lechem both mean a food made from grain. In Scripture the word can take on symbolic meanings such as: nourishment, provision, or doctrine. It not only provided daily sustenance, but also played a part in the Hebrew festivals and sacrifices.

The Table of Showbread in the Tabernacle and the Temple held twelve loaves of bread signifying the twelve tribes of Israel. The priests, and only the priests, ate this bread every Friday before a new set of loaves was placed on the table. 

Most sacrifices included a bread offering in addition to the animal sacrifice.  

An interesting note: Bethlehem means house of bread. That is just another one of God’s connections throughout Scripture, identifying Christ as the Messiah.

Today, bread is just a part of our meal, and usually carbs to be avoided. In the first century and today in poorer nations, bread provides a means to survive. It fuels the body to do what must be done. One can survive on bread and water.

I taught with a woman who escaped from behind the Berlin Wall. She gave a devotional one day about bread and its part in her survival. They did not have much to eat and looked forward to a daily ration of hard brown bread. Her hunger made it more delicious than cake. 

Prior to Jesus calling himself the Bread of Life, he fed 5000 people with five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-15). What does this reveal about Jesus as the one sent from God? It showed his power over the elements and nature. It proved that he was able to provide what was needed. It showed his concern for the people.

The OT has some parallels.

  • God gave the people manna in the wilderness. (Ex16:12-26)
  • God multiplied the oil for a woman whose husband left her in debt, enough to provide for her family. (2 Ki 4:1-7)
  • God multiplied the bread and oil for a widow and her son who hosted Elijah until the famine ended in Israel. (1 Ki 17:12-16)

After this event, many people began to call him “The Prophet” who was to come…not sure if they were speaking of the one to come before the Messiah or the Messiah. They wanted to make him king, by force if necessary.

The people sought Jesus for more bread. They did not see him walk on water (Jn 6:16-24), but they followed the route the disciples had taken. After the people found Jesus, they asked him how and when he had come.

They sought more signs and an easy life with their bread provided for them. They wanted him to prove himself and used Moses as the example. They asked the right question, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”, but their motives were questionable. Did they really want to know? Did they think they would get more bread? Did they think they’d be able to have a share of the power?

Jesus answered the question: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 

The one who God sent stood among them, they had seen the multiplication of bread, they had heard by this time of the water turned to wine, the nobleman’s son healed from afar, the paralytic healed at Bethsaida, and probably heard about the walking on water…and they asked for more proof.

Jesus corrected their misconception, Moses did not give them the bread, God did. That bread only provided for their daily lives, the people in the wilderness eventually died.

But in front of them stood the Bread of Life, the true bread from heaven. Jesus, as the Bread of Life, would provide eternal life to those who believed. He made several promises about believing in him: no hunger, no thirst, never cast out, raised up on the last day, and eternal life. 

  • Comparison of manna and Jesus:
    • Both came from God
    • Both were under-appreciated (people complained about manna and Jesus)
    • Manna satisfied for a day
    • Jesus provides eternal life
    • Manna was a sign that Yahweh was the Lord God
    • Jesus provided signs that he was the One sent from God
    • Manna was white, Jesus was pure
    • Manna spoiled and Jesus was never tainted by the world

Jesus also made some comments about his relationship to the Father. He did not come to do his own will, but the will of the Father. The will of God, Jesus would not lose anything of what God had given him and all that God gives to him will come to him. God promised that anyone who looked on the Son and believed would have eternal life. 

Jesus referred to God as “My Father”. This is a very intimate relationship, indicating submission to the Father, but also he came in the name and authority of the Father. Jesus walked in obedience to the Father.

The people of the day did not think of God as Father, they considered Moses or Abraham their father. Jesus introduced them to a new way of thinking about their relationship with God. Moses and Abraham could not make any demands of them, but a Living God, the Father…that relationship required obedience.

In John 6:41-51 we find the people’s response. They did not like what they heard. Their immediate response was confusion, after all, they knew his parents. Some of them had watched him grow up. 

Jesus expected some to refuse to believe in him. He acknowledged that it was only through the work of God that anyone could believe in Jesus.

We don’t want to respond as the Israelites did to manna, nor the Jews to Jesus.

We don’t want to grumble that it’s not good enough.

We don’t want to consider ourselves self-sufficient, not needing a Savior.

We do want to be submitted and dependent on God for all of our needs, physical and spiritual.

Because Jesus said “I AM the Bread of Life”

  • I have_________________
  • I can_______________
  • I will (I will try to; I hope to)________________
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Before Abraham was, I AM

Posted on May 24, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 37 of 49

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 

50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 

51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 

52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 

55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 

57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 

59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. 

Jn 8:48–59.

John introduced Jesus as the one who not only existed with God from the beginning, but was God. Jesus came to make God known to those who had never seen God. He came to those who should have known him, but they did not recognize him (Jn 1:1-12).

John the Baptist gave witness to Jesus as the Lamb of God, “who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) and that Jesus was the Son of God (Jn 1:34).

John 8:31-47 is a continuance of the discussion about the identity of Jesus. The audience at the Temple included those who believed in him, those who doubted, and those who were out to destroy him.

Not knowing they were slaves to sin, they saw themselves as children of Abraham, living under the blessing and righteousness of God. Blinded to their need of a deliverer, they did not recognize him as the one who could set them free from sin (Jn 8:36).

Jesus continued to correct their perception of their own identity. They thought that because they were Jewish, they would always be blessed by God, regardless of how they acted. They felt they had the right to righteousness because they were the children of Abraham. Jesus brought their attention to their actions, words, and lack of belief to point out that they were not aligning themselves with God, but with the devil, the father of lies.

Probably the key question in John 8:48-59 is “Who do you think you are?” The Jews didn’t believe he was who he said he was and accused him of being demon possessed or a Samaritan…which in the Hebrew mindset were equivalent. They accused him of being the exact opposite of his real identity, I AM and the only man without sin, the Son of David.

When he answered their question truthfully, “Before Abraham was, I AM”, they picked up stones to stone him for claiming to be God.

I sometimes question how I would have responded had I been there. We live on this side of the cross and have insight  people of the day did not possess. The prophesies and signs all pointed to his identity, but would I have seen it? 

Just as it is today, God is the one who draws us to himself. “Whoever is of God hears the words of God” (Jn 8:47)

Jesus honored God in his words and actions. He spoke what he heard from his Father, he acted as his Father desired. 

Our lives reflect on our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Those who don’t believe are watching us, to see if our words and deeds match our witness on the identity of Christ. 

Does our life match our witness? 

Do we live a Christ-centered life?

Do we obey the Lord in thought, word, and action?

Do we walk in the fear of the Lord?

Do we highly regard the Lord?

Do we walk with integrity in all aspects of our life?

Or do we bless God, but curse the people around us?

What does Jesus as I AM mean to us?

  • As God, he is all we need, always for us, and ever with us.
  • He is God wrapped up in one man, revealing the nature and work of God.
  • He demonstrated the love of God, suffering humiliation and death so that we can know and be in relationship with God.

Lord, you are, you have always been, you always will be. Thank you for caring about each one of us, reaching out to where we are and drawing us to your presence.  

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

 Jn 1:1–4.

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Names of Christ

Posted on May 23, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 36 of 49

The Bible is the redemptive story of God’s love. It begins and ends in a garden with God’s creation in perfect fellowship with him. And in the middle, we find humanity’s struggle to regain the lost relationship with God, only to discover that the only way back to God is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

God gave promises concerning the coming of Jesus Christ. But when he came, some did not recognize him. Some did and rejoiced at his coming. And some saw all the signs and decided that this Messiah did not match what they wanted him to be, so they denied him and pushed to have him crucified.

But what were some of the names given to Christ before he was born?

The seed of woman-

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” 

Ge 3:15.

A prophet like Moses-

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 

 Dt 18:15.

The Son of God-

The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 

Ps 2:7.

The Chief Cornerstone

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 

Ps 118:22.

Immanuel: God With Us-

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

 Is 7:14.

The Root of Jesse

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, 

and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, 

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, 

the Spirit of counsel and might, 

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 

And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 

Is 11:1–3.

A Man of Sorrows

For he grew up before him like a young plant, 

and like a root out of dry ground; 

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, 

and no beauty that we should desire him. 

He was despised and rejected by men, 

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; 

and as one from whom men hide their faces 

he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

Is 53:2–3.

A Righteous Branch

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 

 Jer 23:5.

The Son of Man

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven 

there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days 

and was presented before him. 

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. 

Dan 7:13–14.

The King of Israel

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! 

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! 

Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

Zec 9:9.

The Sun of Righteousness with healing in its wings

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 

 Mal 4:2.

Son of David

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 

 Mt 1:1.

King of the Jews

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

 Mt 2:2.

Which of these names means more to you today?

For me, it depends on who I need him to be? Sometimes I need the healing in his wings. Sometimes I need to just acknowledge him as king. 

I am ever so grateful that he is Immanuel, God with us…always. 

Lord, thank you for your promise of redemption that flows through your word. Thank you that you are always with me. Thank you for always being what I need, each and every moment of the day. Help me to see you more clearly.

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Who Do You Say I Am?

Posted on May 22, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 35 of 49

Fill in this blank: Jesus ____________.

Did you fill it with a noun? Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus, My Redeemer, Jesus, the Messiah, Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Or with a verb: Jesus heals. Jesus delivers. Jesus saves. Jesus died and rose again.

The people who lived in Judea when Jesus walked physically on the earth wondered about his identity. Opinions ranged from the promised Messiah to Beelzebub. What an individual believed about him determined their response to him. 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

Mt 16:13–20.

It’s interesting that Jesus begins by asking them what others say about him. This occurs later in his ministry. The disciples walked with him for almost three years. They’ve witnessed multiple miracles of healing and deliverance. They’ve heard his words spoken with authority. They’ve seen how he ministered to the hurting with grace.

They’ve listened to the opinions of others.

Some say John the Baptist. John had a powerful ministry and would have been fresh in everyone’s mind. Herod believed Jesus was John the Baptist (Mt 14:2). 

Some said Elijah. Even today at a seder meal, a chair is saved for Elijah. 

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” 

Mal 4:5–6.

Others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. They believed he spoke with the authority of the prophets and a similar message of repentance. 

When Jesus asked what the disciples thought about his identity, Peter jumped in, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus then said that Peter received this revelation because God revealed it to him. Peter’s statement of faith did not keep him from faltering in his faith, acting foolishly, or denying Christ. However, God remained faithful to Peter, and his faith and confidence in Jesus Christ grew and developed over time.

Like Peter, we came to know Jesus Christ, not because of our actions, but because God gave us his grace. We are a work in progress, still learning and growing in our faith. We may falter in our faith, act foolishly, or deny Christ and depend on our own resources…but God is faithful and will continue to draw us back to his way.

As we reach out to others with the hope that is available in Christ, remember, it is God’s grace that will bring them to life. 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Eph 2:1–10.

Lord, thank you for your salvation that you gave through Jesus Christ. Help me to walk faithfully as you lead. Help me to be transparent when I fail. Thank you for not giving up on me.

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Parable of the Sower

Posted on May 21, 2022 by tricialathrop

This is one of the few parables that includes the explanation. But during Jesus’ ministry, only the disciples received the explanation. All others were left to consider what Jesus meant. Who was the sower? What was the seed? How did their lives match up with the three conditions given? Were they withering or thriving?

Today I’m not going to make any comments on the passage. Read it. Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear so that you can understand what the Lord is saying to you.

The Parable:

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 

4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 

5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 

6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 

7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 

8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

9 He who has ears, let him hear.” 

The Explanation:

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 

20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 

21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 

22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 

23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” 

Mt 13:3–9, 18-23.

Lord, open my eyes and my ears so that I can perceive the truths that are in your word.

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Hired Laborers

Posted on May 20, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 33 of 49

The Kingdom of God

Have you ever been in a situation where you worked so hard and then someone came late, didn’t work as hard but got the same credit? 

We have a sense of fairness in us that says, the one who works harder should get more pay than the one who doesn’t work as hard. So at first glance this parable of the hired workers can cause us to wonder about God’s fairness. 

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 

4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 

5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 

7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 

8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 

9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 

10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 

11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 

12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 

13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 

14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 

15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 

16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” 

Mt 20:1–17.

The characters: The master of the house who hires laborers, laborers hired in the morning to be paid a denarius for the day, laborers hired at 9 am, to be paid whatever is right, laborers hired at noon and 3 pm, to be paid whatever is right, and laborers hired at 5 pm.

A denarius was standard pay for a day of work. The first workers agreed to work for a denarius, a fair pay. Each group hired after that thought their pay would be a fraction of the denarius. But at the end of the day, they all get a day’s pay.

Owners of the vineyards and farmers needed more help at certain times of the year. Men needed jobs to provide the daily necessities for their family.

If a man could not find work, his family did not eat. The Law commanded that those who hired day workers paid them their wages each day and did not hold onto it. 

“You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. 

You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin. 

Dt 24:14–15.

The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 

 Le 19:13.

The first workers knew from early in the morning that their family would be provided for that day. Not only that, if the worker did a good job, it is likely that he would have a job throughout the crunch time, job security.

As the workers came on later in the day, they knew they were getting some provision for their families, they might have to sacrifice because it was not a full days pay, but there was hope for future employment. 

The final group spent the whole day worrying about their family. What would they do if they didn’t find work? 

At the end of the work day, the master paid his workers. He began with the ones hired at the last hour. Imagine their joy at receiving a denarius, all the worry of the day gone in an instant.

Those hired first watched each worker receiving a denarius and begin to expect that they would receive more, after all they worked all day, in the heat of the day. They complained about their pay, even though it was what they had agreed to. 

His reply let them know that he could do whatever he wanted to with his money, and he chose to be generous to those who came later. 

There is an implication that after they complained, they were not invited back to work the next day. He told them to “Take what is yours, and go.” 

The Jews knew from the time of Moses that they were God’s chosen people. They had his word, his promises and the stories of how God came through for them over and over. All their lives they had the opportunity to learn about God.

Gentiles did not have the same heritage. They did not have the promises, his word, or stories of God’s intervention in their lives. They were without hope (Eph 2:12). 

And yet, God chose to grant them forgiveness and repentance that leads to the same promise of eternal life he gave to the Jews…and they rejoiced greatly (Acts 11:18).

I became a Christian as a child. I grew up with the security that God loves me, that Jesus died for me and that I have a place for eternity. There were choices I made as a believer that freed me from regrets later in life. I am grateful for God’s early intervention in my life. 

Those who become Christian as adults didn’t have that same security. But they can have great joy because God has forgiven those decisions they made that caused great regrets.  

Lord, thank you for reaching out to me and assuring me of your love and care. Thank you for providing a means that I can hope in you for my future. Give me a heart to rejoice when you bless others. 

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Ten Virgins Wait for the Bridegroom

Posted on May 19, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 32 of 49

The Kingdom of God

Weddings today can be great extravaganzas. They take lots of planning, sometimes those involved get stressed out, and we’ve all heard the stories of bridezillas. 

Weddings bring friends and families together. It’s a time to celebrate the creation of a new family unit. Hopefully the day is filled with joy and laughter and not too much drama. 

First century Jewish wedding celebrations lasted a whole week. Community and family came together to rejoice with the couple.

The wedding began with the betrothal. The promises made at the betrothal could only be broken through divorce. After the ceremony, the groom returned home to his father’s house and prepared the a place for his bride. Only when the place was prepared and the father approved, would the groom go and bring the bride to his place for the wedding and celebration.

Families lived together in an insula. The mother and father lived in the main rooms. When a son married, he would build or fix up an extension to the insula where he and his wife would live. These rooms surrounded a central courtyard where life’s activities like cooking and cleaning, or getting together for songs and stories took place. 

While the groom worked on the home for his bride, wedding invitations went out. They didn’t have a specific date or time, because it totally depended on the house being prepared for the bride. The people in the community had a general idea when it would take place because of progress on the house and the preparations for the celebration. 

When the time came, servants would go out to the invited guests letting them know the party was starting. The groom would go and get the bride, who knew the time was near and so constantly watched and prepared for her groom. 

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 

2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 

3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 

4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 

5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 

6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 

7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 

10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 

11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 

12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 

Mt 25:1–13.

In this parable, we can assume the wedding feast is all set. The invited have been called to come. These virgins were invited guests, waiting for the bridegroom to come for his bride. I think the virgins were part of a group that accompanied the bride and groom from the bride’s house to the party at the groom’s place. The lamps may have been part of the celebration, drawing attention to the bride and groom.

It doesn’t say why he was delayed, just that he didn’t come when expected. All ten virgins fell asleep. Some virgins came prepared for a possible delay.

So the call came at midnight, “Come and greet the bridegroom”. Those who came with an extra supply of oil joined the party, while the others went to buy oil for their lamps…at midnight when a party was going on. By the time they arrived with their lighted lamps, it was too late. 

Commentaries debate the lamps and the oil. Did they symbolize faith, good works, the Holy Spirit? Any one of those can work in applying this parable to our lives. We need to have faith in the Lord, and our good works glorify the Lord, and we can’t do any of it without the Holy Spirit.

Does it symbolize those that have trusted in Jesus as their Savior, and those just going through the actions of believing? 

Perhaps this is just a simple warning to persevere in our faith and good works, because the Lord has delayed his coming. We don’t know when he will come, and we want to be found doing his will. 

Lord, you know that I am going to fall asleep and fail as I follow you. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit who will continually work in our lives and nudge us awake so that we can rejoice with you for all eternity.

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