Reflections from October 15, 2010

Today we begin the Gospel of John. John's account is a set of snapshots in the life of Jesus, and these snapshots are centered around seven miracles that Jesus performed. These miracles include:

* Turns water into wine showing that Jesus is the source of life
* Heals a nobleman's son showing that Jesus is master over distance
* Heals a lame main at the pool of Bethesda showing that Jesus is master over time
* Feeds 5000 showing that Jesus is the bread of life
* Walks on water, stills a storm showing that Jesus is master over nature
* Heals a man blind from birth showing that Jesus is the light of the world
* Raises Lazarus from the dead showing that Jesus has power over death

John tells of God coming to dwell among us on earth when he writes in John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

By sending His Son and having the early Christians see Jesus, they were able to see God. By knowing Jesus, they were able to experience God along with His grace and truth. Today we have this same experience by knowing Jesus and being filled with the grace of God.

John describes actions by Jesus when he cleared vendors out of the temple, and He said to the Jews in John 2:19, "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'"

Not only the Jews to whom Jesus spoke but the disciples of Jesus were wondering what He meant. The temple was being renovated at that time, and had been under construction for forty-six years; it wouldn't be completed until A.D. 64! How could Jesus raise it up in three days? It wasn't until after His death and resurrection that they fully understood that Jesus Himself was the temple.
This is the same for us, because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, making our body a Holy Place.

John writes what is most likely the most famous verse in the Bible in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus when he said these words, and as true as it was then, it's even more relative today. Now more than ever, we need the grace and love of God in our lives to save us and provide us with an eternity that will allow us to live in God's grandeur. Only by accepting God's gift, given out of love to us, will we be able to experience this. And all we need to do to accept this gift is believe in Jesus.

Blessings to all