I MISSED THE WHOLE POINT

That's the Book: John

I always read through the That's the Book posts one final time Monday morning before I hit publish. Last week I read my words and paused. 

It was terrible.

I had noticed a pattern in the verses of John.  There are such a crazy variety of ways people responded to the life of Christ. Kinda interesting.  So I read though and grabbed all the stories where it showed how people responded to Jesus. Some people were scared. Some angry. Some were grateful, confused. Some worshipped. Some followed.  

I had blogged through these responses and showed how different elements in our society still respond the same ways.  I even had some nice tie ins to NFL protests.  Should have been okay.  It wasn't. 

It was boring, a tad smug and a lot depressing. This was not a post I could put up. I had worked super hard, put in lots of hours and it stunk. I missed a deadline. 

I put away my computer and wondered how I was going to fix it.  Hauled my body into the shower and prayed that God would help me see and help me write something decent. 

He whispered into my soul. 

You missed Jesus.  

Oh.  

Yes.

I'd read one of the most beautifully written books about Jesus and I'd focused on all the other people. I completely skipped the power and grace and love and hope. I'd focused on fear and anger and confusion. I'd looked at other people, at powerful people, at lost people, at broken people and even at some joyfully found people.  But I'd skipped Jesus. No wonder it stunk. 

The book of John is the most poetic of the four gospels. It's a powerful book. The language is deep and memorable. John also contains stories not mentioned in the other three gospels. More pictures of Jesus. More love. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1:1

The Word becomes flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

Somehow I had blown right by these life giving words and searched instead for people.  Sigh.  I may do this all the time. Pray for help and then look around to see the people who can fill my need while Jesus is waiting for me to accept his gift.  Or I watch people to see if what I did was worthwhile.  If I should continue.  When who I should be looking at is Jesus. 

I do it with the Bible too.  And Jesus knows I do. 

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.  John 5:39-40

Sometimes I work and hustle and get my big long lists done because I think that's the important work before me.  But Jesus really wants the focus to be him.  

Jesus answered, The work of God is this; to believe in the one he has sent.  John 6:29

He can meet my needs. Yours too. 

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

He can light my path. Yours too. 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  John 8:12

He doesn't want me to worry about the future.  You either.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Really.  Just remain in him.  The rest falls away. 

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Trouble will come.  Of course it will.  But he'll be there. 

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33
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Last week I was chatting with my eldest. I told her I was having a really hard time summing up John. My eleven year old had some advice 'Just tell them what you really think mom'.   

I think I'm convicted.

I think I care too much about other people's opinions. I watch other people's responses too often.  I think this week my post stunk because I was looking at people and my eyes were off Jesus. I'm just like the crowd who cared more about human praise than what God thinks.  Sometimes I'm more like the people who were scared their lives would change so they choose not to follow. I think I read the book about my savior and my eyes were on other people.  I think I need to change.  I think I better watch Jesus, follow Jesus, love like Jesus.

And about what I write?  What do I think? Please. Please. Don't read these words and think you heard from Jesus.  I'm a mess.  But you can hear his words for yourself.  Read John.  Just make sure you look for Jesus.  

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Resources

John 3:16 is probably the most well know verse in the entire Bible.  I love Max Lucado's book all about this verse. 

Need a song today? Here's a good one to settle in with while you read the book of John.

I love John. So much love. The guys at The Bible Project think so too. Check out their Read Scripture YouTube. I seriously have to go meet this team.  They are in Portland, Oregon you know?!

This is the fourth gospel.  Why do we need one more?  I thought it was interesting to compare the four infographics from New Spring Church. Geek out! Look at charts.  If you really want to get to know Jesus better spend some time in the book of John. New Spring has a devotional series newspring.cc/studies/john-21-day-guideHERE you can use.