New followers of Jesus Christ are often advised to begin their reading of the Bible with the book of John. I understand why! It’s all about the teachings of Jesus – His ministry – from His baptism through His resurrection and after, 21 chapters in all. Now, as I dig into the 13th chapter, I (and you) have the advantage of looking ahead – knowing what’s coming:
Are you familiar with the Biblical account of Jesus calling Lazarus forth from the grave? It is given in John, Chapter 11.
1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2(This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
I know people today who shudder at that statement. They don’t like the term “born again.” They think it’s too religious – or too churchy – or too judgmental.
He “needed” to go through Samaria. He could have gone around Samaria – out of the way, like others did, to avoid the dirty, barren route in the middle of a dry, hot day. But he went through Samaria – seeking the woman, the lost woman.
A wedding took place in Cana in Galilee. Wouldn’t you have loved to have been at the wedding with Jesus. Can’t you just imagine seeing his beautiful mother, Mary. He calls her his [1]Dear woman.
John wastes no time clarifying that Jesus is God in the flesh – the very one who brought grace and truth and blessing after blessing. He refers to Jesus as the One and Only, the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world, the Messiah.
You know how it is when you’ve gone someplace you were really looking forward to – then you head home. Oftentimes that drive home is simply a boring drive. There’s nothing more to see. Your trip is over and you just want to get home. I did not want to end this awesome month-long journey in that manner!
It has probably always occured, but it’s especially common during these recent seasons ~~ Christians “watering down” the Word of God.
I expect it from nonbelievers. They do it to rationalize sin, to explain compromise, and to find fault with Christ followers. When this happens, it doesn’t surprise me – or bother me – or even offend me. But and I am saddened and disturbed when believers “water down” the Word. I don’t expect it from the believer – from those who have supposedly trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior.