Read a Gospel for Lent: Week 3
Scripture
John 7-9
Reflection questions:
At this point, Jesus knows Judas will betray Him, He knows Jewish leaders were seeking to kill Him, and others “muttered against Him.”
Reflect on the opposition Jesus experienced and yet the determination to do what God the Father sent Him to earth to do. Reflect on His love for you that He was willing to endure the opposition He faced.
Is there something God has called you to where you can find encouragement from Jesus’s example?
In John 7:6-8, Jesus repeats “My time has not yet come”.
Are you currently in or have you experienced a “not yet” season that you can take counsel or encouragement from Jesus’s obedience?
In John 7, we see Jesus acknowledging God as the One who sent Him and that He is surrendering to God’s will.
Take a moment to see God’s guidance in your life, praise Him for His care, and ask Him to have a heart to obey His leading.
The story of Jesus’s encounter with the woman caught in adultery is well known. We see the compassion and grace of Jesus, but we also see Him tell the woman to “sin no more”. Jesus models a life of 100% truth with 100% grace.
Which do you struggle with more? Extending grace or speaking truth?
Read John 8:12-19. In your Bible/Bible app/notebook, underline or highlight each mention of bear witness.
Continue to reflect on who God has placed in your life to bear witness to Who Jesus is and pray over them by name this week.
Beginning in John 8:31, Jesus speaks of the slavery of sin, that the devil is a liar and murderer, and that the truth and the Son set us free.
Sometimes we think of God as being a “cosmic killjoy”— not letting us “have fun”, but over and over again we see that sin is a prison and Jesus came to see us free. Reflect on the kindness of God’s truth. Is there an area of your life you want to experience true freedom in? Talk to God about it.
In the hard things of life, it is tempting to become angry at God, ourselves, or others— asking why something has happened. (John 9:3-4)
How does it make you feel that, sometimes, brokenness in this world is not someone’s fault but so that the works of God may be seen in you?
Jesus heals the man blind from birth— the miracles of Jesus were polarizing in His day. Jewish leaders questioned His healing on the Sabbath, Jews doubted Him. And then there is the response of the man whose vision was restored:
“The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” John 9:30-33
The man whose life was radically changed recognized Jesus for who He was and worshipped Him. What is your response to Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord,
You are a God Who pursues us. There was nothing and no one that could deter You from the Cross. I am grateful for Your obedience to the Father’s will and Your love for us.
God, like the Samaritan woman and the man born blind, I want your healing truth and grace to transform me. Like them, may I boldly share with others how you have seen me and given me eyes to see You.
Amen