A Daily Devotional in the Gospel of John

By Kevin Stout

The Gospel of John quickly became my favorite book, and the Upper Room discourse, chapters 13 through 17, are some of the best passages in the whole Bible. The Apostle John was the disciple whom Jesus loved. He had a very special relationship with Jesus. John was not inspired to write his Gospel until twenty to thirty years after the other Gospels had been written. His purpose was to bring people back to Jesus. John wrote the five latest written books in the Bible. This Gospel, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Revelation. Reading this book, even a little at a time, will help the reader grasp what John was saying and some of what Jesus had done. The whole Gospel of John is represented throughout the calendar year and a special selection of scriptures for Christmastime that reflect God's wrapping paper for His gift to the world. My prayer is that each reader would draw a little closer to Jesus and their walk with Him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888516461

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Acknowledgements

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 1

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 2

John the Baptist Part 1

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 3

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 4

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 5

John the Baptist Part 2

John the Baptist Part 3

John the Baptist Part 4

John the Baptist Part 5

John the Baptist Part 6

John the Baptist Part 7

John the Baptist Part 8

John the Baptist Part 9

John the Baptist Part 10

Andrew and John Part 1

Andrew and John Part 2

Andrew and Peter Part 1

Andrew and Peter Part 2

Philip Part 1

Philip Part 2

Philip Part 3

Nathanael Meets Jesus Part 1

Nathanael Meets Jesus Part 2

Nathanael Meets Jesus Part 3

The First Miracle Part 1

The First Miracle Part 2

The First Miracle Part 3

The First Miracle Part 4

Clearing the Temple Part 1

Clearing the Temple Part 2

Clearing the Temple Part 3

Clearing the Temple Part 4

The Lamb of God at Passover

Nicodemus Part I

Nicodemus Part 2

Nicodemus Part 3

Nicodemus Part 4

Nicodemus Part 5

Nicodemus Part 6

Nicodemus Part 7

Believing in Jesus Part 1

Believing in Jesus Part 2

Believing in Jesus Part 3

Light and Darkness Part 1

Light and Darkness Part 2

The Bridegroom

One from Above

Eternal Life

The Woman at the Well Part 1

The Woman at the Well Part 2

The Woman at the Well Part 3

The Woman at the Well Part 4

The Woman at the Well Part 5

The Woman at the Well Part 6

The Woman at the Well Part 7

The Woman at the Well Part 8

The Woman at the Well Part 9

Heavenly Nourishment

Sowing, Reaping, and Harvesting Part 1

Sowing, Reaping, and Harvesting Part 2

Sowing, Reaping, and Harvesting Part 3

The Woman at the Well Part 10

The Royal Official's Son Part 1

The Royal Official's Son Part 2

The Lame Man by the Pool Part 1

The Lame Man by the Pool Part 2

The Lame Man by the Pool Part 3

The Lame Man by the Pool Part 4

The Work of the Lord Part 1

The Work of the Lord Part 2

Eternal Life Part 1

Eternal Life Part 2

Eternal Life Part 3

Testimonies about Jesus Part 1

Testimonies about Jesus Part 2

Testimonies about Jesus Part 3

Testimonies about Jesus Part 4

Testimonies about Jesus Part 5

Impact of Miracles

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Part 1

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Part 2

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Part 3

Jesus Walks on the Water (from John)

Jesus Walks on the Water (from Matthew)

The Search for Jesus

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Part 4

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Part 5

Bread from Heaven Part 1

Bread from Heaven Part 2

The Father's Will Part 1

Bread from Heaven Part 2

Coming to Jesus Part 1

Coming to Jesus Part 2

Coming to Jesus Part 3

Bread from Heaven Part 3

A Hard Teaching

Jesus, the Bread from Heaven Part 1

Jesus, the Bread from Heaven Part 2

Following Jesus Part 1

Following Jesus Part 2

Following Jesus Part 3

Following Jesus Part 4

Chosen

Festival of Tabernacles Part 1

Festival of Tabernacles Part 2

Festival of Tabernacles Part 3

Festival of Tabernacles Part 4

Festival of Tabernacles Part 5

Festival of Tabernacles Part 6

Festival of Tabernacles Part 7

Festival of Tabernacles Part 8

Working on the Sabbath Part 1

Working on the Sabbath Part 2

Sent by the Father

Warrant for Arrest

Divine Planning

Rivers of Living Water

A People Divided

Deceived Part 1

Deceived Part 2

Early Service

Woman Caught in Adultery Part 1

Woman Caught in Adultery Part 2

Woman Caught in Adultery Part 3

Woman Caught in Adultery Part 4

Testimony of Jesus Part 1

Testimony of Jesus Part 2

Testimony of Jesus Part 3

Testimony of Jesus Part 4

Testimony of Jesus Part 5

Testimony of Jesus Part 6

Testimony of Jesus Part 7

Free from Sin Part 1

Free from Sin Part 2

Who's Your Father? Part 1

Who's Your Father? Part 2

Who's Your Father? Part 3

Who Belongs to God

Possessed?

Obedience!

Jesus, Glory, and Honor Part 1

Jesus, Glory, and Honor Part 2

I Am

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 1

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 2

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 3

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 4

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 5

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 6

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 7

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 8

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 9

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 10

The Blind Man Healed by Jesus Part 11

Blind or Not

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 1

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 2

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 3

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 4

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 5

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 6

Why Listen?

The Messiah!

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 7

Jesus the Good Shepherd Part 8

Jesus and the Father Are One Part 1

Jesus and the Father Are One Part 2

True Testimonies

Lazarus Part 1

Lazarus Part 2

Lazarus Part 3

Lazarus Part 4

Lazarus Part 5

Lazarus Part 6

Lazarus Part 7

Lazarus Part 8

Lazarus Part 9

Lazarus Part 10

Lazarus Part 11

Lazarus Part 12

Lazarus Part 13

Lazarus Part 14

Jesus Sentenced to Death by the Sanhedrin

Wanted! Part 1

Wanted! Part 2

Lazarus Part 15

Greed Part 1

Greed Part 2

Lazarus Part 16

The Final Festival Part 1

The Final Festival Part 2

The Final Festival Part 3

The Final Festival Part 4

The Final Festival Part 5

Voice from Heaven Part 1

Voice from Heaven Part 2

Look, Accept, and Live

Walk in the Light Part 1

Walk in the Light Part 2

Isaiah and Jesus Part 1

Isaiah and Jesus Part 2

Hearing and Believing Part 1

Hearing and Believing Part 2

Hearing and Believing Part 3

Hearing and Believing Part 4

Hearing and Believing Part 5

Hearing and Believing Part 6

The Upper Room Part 1

The Upper Room Part 2

The Upper Room Part 3

The Upper Room Part 4

The Upper Room Part 5

The Upper Room Part 6

The Upper Room Part 7

The Upper Room Part 8

The Upper Room Part 9

The Upper Room Part 10

The Upper Room Part 11

The Upper Room Part 12

The Upper Room Part 13

The Upper Room Part 14

The Upper Room Part 15

The Upper Room Part 16

The Upper Room Part 17

The Upper Room Part 18

The Upper Room Part 19

The Upper Room Part 20

The Upper Room Part 21

The Upper Room Part 22

The Upper Room Part 23

The Upper Room Part 24

The Upper Room Part 25

The Upper Room Part 26

The Upper Room Part 27

The Upper Room Part 28

Vine and the Branches Part 1

Vine and the Branches Part 2

Vine and the Branches Part 3

Vine and the Branches Part 4

Friends Part 1

Friends Part 2

Friends Part 3

Warnings Part 1

Warnings Part 2

Hating Jesus and God Part 1

Hating Jesus and God Part 2

Warnings Part 3

Warnings Part 4

Holy Spirit Part 1

Holy Spirit Part 2

In a Little While Part 1

In a Little While Part 2

Grief to Joy Part 1

Grief to Joy Part 2

Asking the Father Part 1

Asking the Father Part 2

Disciples Believe Part 1

Disciples Believe Part 2

Take Heart!

Confrontation Part 1

Confrontation Part 2

Confrontation Part 3

Confrontation Part 4

Confrontation Part 5

Confrontation Part 6

Under Arrest Part 1

Under Arrest Part 2

Peter's Denial the First Time

Under Arrest Part 3

Under Arrest Part 4

Peter's Denial the Second and Third Times

Under Arrest Part 5

Under Arrest Part 6

Under Arrest Part 7

Under Arrest Part 8

Under Arrest Part 9

Under Arrest Part 10

Under Arrest Part 11

Under Arrest Part 12

Under Arrest Part 13

Under Arrest Part 14

Under Arrest Part 15

Under Arrest Part 16

Jesus and Pilate Part 1

Jesus and Pilate Part 2

Jesus and Pilate Part 3

Jesus and Pilate Part 4

Jesus and Pilate Part 5

Sentenced Part 1

Sentenced Part 2

Crucifixion Part 1

Crucifixion Part 2

Crucifixion Part 3

Crucifixion Part 4

Crucifixion Part 5

Crucifixion Part 6

Crucifixion Part 7

Crucifixion Part 8

The Burial Part 1

The Burial Part 2

The Tomb Part 1

The Tomb Part 2

The Tomb Part 3

The Tomb Part 4

The Tomb Part 5

The Tomb Part 6

The Resurrection Part 1

The Resurrection Part 2

The Resurrection Part 3

The Resurrection Part 4

Doubting Thomas Part 1

Doubting Thomas Part 2

Doubting Thomas Part 3

John's Notes

Breakfast on the Beach Part 1

Breakfast on the Beach Part 2

Breakfast on the Beach Part 3

Breakfast on the Beach Part 4

Breakfast on the Beach Part 5

Breakfast on the Beach Part 6

Breakfast on the Beach Part 7

Breakfast on the Beach Part 8

Breakfast on the Beach Part 9

Peter to Jesus re: John Part 1

Peter to Jesus Re: John Part 2

John's Closing Notes

Christmas Message Part 1

Christmas Message Part 2

Christmas Message Part 3

Christmas Message Part 4

Christmas Message Part 5

Christmas Message Part 6

Christmas Message Part 7

Christmas Message Part 8

Christmas Message Part 9

Christmas Message Part 10

Christmas Message Part 11

Christmas Message Part 12

Christmas Message Part 13

Christmas Message Part 14

Promise Fulfilled

Magi in Pursuit Part 1

Magi in Pursuit Part 2

A Daily Devotional in the Gospel of John

About the Author

cover.jpg

A Daily Devotional in the Gospel of John

Kevin Stout

ISBN 979-8-88851-645-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88851-717-8 (Hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88851-646-1 (Digital)

Copyright © 2023 Kevin Stout

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Acknowledgements

I want to thank my wife, Patricia, for her constant encouragement over our more than thirty years together. She sacrificed many hours of time with me so that I could work on writing.

I want to thank the artist team at Covenant Books. I asked them to picture looking over the shoulder of John the disciple whom Jesus loved as he was being inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this Gospel and to illustrate some of the images of Jesus that he would have remembered. I am praising God today for the gifts and talents of the cover design team.

Many of the readers of my first book, The 365 Day Devotional for Singers and Musicians have also encouraged the writing of this book.

All scripture is taken from NIV translations.

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 1

January 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

—John 1:1–3

Try and imagine what the Apostle John must have felt after the Holy Spirit prompts him to write his own gospel account. The other gospels had been in circulation for twenty years. The Lord needed John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, to write one of the most incredible books in all the Bible. The first three verses listed above are remarkable. John had to have been amazed at how the Lord was revealing this to him. We know that Jesus is the Word. The Word was with God in the very beginning, as was the Holy Spirit who is now leading and prompting John to document these truths about our Lord and Savior, Jesus. I would have had to fall on my face in worship after just three verses! John could not have known at this time how incredible his assignment was and the impact that the Lord has made using what He had John write.

Prayer

Father, every time I read and reflect on these opening verses of this book, I am in awe of how your Word came to be. Thank you for bringing so much history to John's memory. Thank you for this awesome gospel. In Jesus's name, amen.

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 2

January 2

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

—John 1:4–5

As John reflects on Jesus, he brings up a foundational truth that he will expound on throughout this gospel and his other letters (1, 2, 3 John), light and darkness. Life in Jesus is the light for all of us. Once God opens our eyes, we see the truth through having a relationship with Jesus. The darkness and all that it hides is no longer attractive to us. When light enters a dark place, the darkness has to flee, as it is not strong enough to exist within the light. What a great comparison for good and evil. In our sinful nature, we can find a way to justify almost anything we want to do. Knowing Jesus, we recognize that the enemy wants to deceive us into believing that our desire to satisfy the flesh is what we need. Praise God that He loved us enough to send Jesus, the light of the world, to save us!

Prayer

Father, I pray that your light will shine through me today to someone who is walking in darkness. May they come to know you. May I not miss an opportunity to plant a seed for you. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 1

January 3

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

—John 1:6–8

The Apostle John now introduces John the Baptist, who is Jesus's cousin. When Jesus's mother, Mary, went to see her relative Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant at the time with John the Baptist, the baby leaped in her womb (Luke 1:41) at the sound of Mary's voice. Talk about a God moment! God had an assignment for John, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, and he became the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way for the Lord. So John came to testify concerning Jesus, the light, that through him all might believe. He came as a witness to the light. We are to do much of the same. We are to use the gifts and talents that God blessed us with to bear fruit and bring glory to Him. Each of us has an assignment that God has prepared in advance for us to complete.

Prayer

Father, I pray that I will continue to bear fruit for you, whether that is planting a seed or nourishing the growth of one already planted. I pray that I may also make straight the way for others to come to Jesus. In His name, amen.

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 3

January 4

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

—John 1:9–10

It is a phenomenon like none other. The creator, Jesus, has left the glory and splendor of heaven to enter His creation. He is the author of life, the light of the world, and the world does not recognize him. The prophecies that were fulfilled by his birth alone are impossible to ignore. Yet the religious leaders did not want their system to be changed in any way. They were sure that the way they handed down the law and the consequences for disobedience to that law were pleasing to God. They were sure a Messiah would come, but the enemy deceived them into spiritual blindness. Imagine walking into a business that you originated, built, and funded. Every aspect of the building, the business, and all that it provides was accomplished through you. Then you walk into this wonderful accomplishment, and not one person recognizes you.

Prayer

Father, I pray for opportunities to heal spiritual blindness in those whom you put on my path. I pray that your light through me will penetrate even the hardest places in their hearts. In Jesus's name, amen.

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 4

January 5

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

—John 1:11–13

Please let these verses find a special place in your heart. Every person that accepts Jesus as personal Lord and Savior now becomes born again and has the rights of a child of God. Look at all the nations and colors of skin in the world. Allow me to give you a different perspective. We are all shades of Jesus. All are brown from dark to light, with every shade in between. It makes no difference where we were born, to whom we were born, and what gifts and talents we were born with. God was and is in control of all of that. God makes no mistakes. Salvation is a free gift. All we have to do is accept it, unwrap it, and grow as children of a heavenly Father. I would love for two words to be eliminated from our vocabulary: black and white. Not one person born is Black or White. All are shades of Jesus, some a little lighter, some a little darker.

Prayer

Father, I love these verses! I pray that people will color me Jesus when they see me with their eyes, for we are all shades of Jesus in your eyes. Thank you for salvation and adoption into your family. In Jesus's name, amen.

John Inspired by the Holy Spirit Part 5

January 6

The Word became 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

There are just not enough adjectives to describe how wonderfully powerful this verse is! Jesus, the Word, left the glory of heaven to come to earth. Jesus temporarily left the intimacy of fellowship as part of the Godhead, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to take on the most incredible assignment. Do not lose sight of the fact that Jesus could have come as a newly created superior being! He could have announced his deity in an earth-shattering way. Does that not blow your mind when you think that He came as a baby? Why? To fulfill scripture. Written approximately seven hundred years previously, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Isaiah stating that the virgin would be with child (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus came in the most humble of settings. Born in a stable, laid in a feed trough for his first bed, and received visitors of the lowest rank and file, the shepherds.

Prayer

Father, I am still in awe at how you chose to fulfill this prophecy, in awe of how you knew all along what would happen, how the sinful nature of man would dominate, and how much we needed a savior. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 2

January 7

John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

—John 1:15–16

The Apostle John is quoting John the Baptist here. Two more times John will make note of the fact that Jesus, who was with the Father at the creation of the world, has surpassed him (John) because he was before him. Hierarchy was very important to the Jewish nation. So even though Jesus did not start his earthly ministry until after John the Baptist, he was still superior because he was the creator. Some translations of verse 16 state that from the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another. The Apostle John has had many years at this point in his life to reflect on just how awesome Jesus is, was, and will be. Keep in mind that Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, and the Apostle John were followers of John the Baptist.

Prayer

Father, I pray that I never lose sight of the many blessings that you have given to me. Grace is truly getting what we do not deserve, and mercy is truly not getting what we do deserve. Thank you for grace and mercy. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 3

January 8

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

—John 1:17–18

The law was given through Moses and, for some, is still the rule that is lived by. Strict adherence to the law. Over six hundred rules made by men to regulate behavior. Jesus abolished most of these man-made additions to the Ten Commandments. How great is this verse? Trying to put the Trinity into words that we can get our mental arms around is just not possible. Jesus, who is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, was fully God and fully man at the same time! The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, dwells within us all the time because we have accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. We are adopted into God's family with the right to become children of God. Jesus has made God the Father known to us. Later, in chapter 14, Jesus will declare that those who have seen him have seen the Father. No one could have accomplished what was done except the Son of God. Only Jesus could make things right.

Prayer

Father, I pray today for those that are still waiting for the Messiah to come. Please open their eyes to your word. I pray for those that are on my path, that I may be a light for you, that I will carry a leaky seed bag to plant something for you. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 4

January 9

Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, I am not the Messiah. They asked him, Then who are you? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. Finally they said, Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?

—John 1:19–22

John the Baptist's ministry is growing. He is preaching a baptism and repentance for the forgiveness of sin. People are coming to see and hear John on a daily basis. This certainly got the attention of the Jewish leaders, so they assign priests and Levites to go and find out what is going on with this man. Find out who he is. Isn't it interesting that one of the first things this delegation wants to know is whether John the Baptist is the Messiah. Of course, he immediately responds that he is not. Elijah did not experience a physical death. He was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, taken by a chariot of fire, pulled by horses of fire (see 2 Kings 2:11). The religious leaders wanted to know if Elijah had come back. When John declares that he is not, they ask him if he is the Prophet that was to come, as written in Deuteronomy 18:18. Again John denies that his identity is anything other than what He is, a messenger from God. So may I ask you, who are reading this message today, who are you? Are you a child of God, knowing that the Father sent his one and only Son to pay a sin debt you could never pay?

Prayer

Father, I pray that I will never hesitate to declare who you are and who I am. I pray that I will use the gifts and talents that you blessed with me on a daily basis to bring glory to you. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 5

January 10

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.' Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?

—John 1:23–25

What a God-glorifying response! John knew his assignment. John knew that his mission was prophesied about. John had heard and read the book of Isaiah. This verse should be a great inspiration to all of us. How about this next verse? Not only were the religious leaders and Levites sent to find out who John the Baptist was, but the Pharisees also sent men to question him. If you are questioned about your faith, do you have a God-glorifying response? If someone asks you why you are reading the Bible at lunch or on break, if someone asks you why you pray, if someone asks you why you helped that person, do you have a God-glorifying response? We are to be the salt and light of the world and to make disciples of all nations. Talk about being a voice in the wilderness, we live in a fallen world that is a wilderness of darkness. We have an opportunity to bring glory to God by carrying leaky seed bags for Christ, to plant a seed for Jesus at every opportunity by what we say, how we say it, what we do, how we do it, and how we love one another.

Prayer

Father, I pray that we will help make paths straight for those you put on our path specifically for that purpose. That we will be a light for you in the dark place of someone's life to let them know that there is a heavenly Father who loves them. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 6

January 11

I baptize with water, John replied, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

—John 1:26–28

John clarifies what his assignment is and who Jesus is. For the second time, John declares that Jesus was to come after him, and has come, and that he is not even worthy to untie the straps of Jesus's sandals. Taking off the sandals and washing the feet was the lowest job in the order of responsibilities. John recognized Jesus was the Messiah and that his stature was significantly more important than his own. The location is on the other side of the Jordan. What an amazing assignment that the Lord gave to John the Baptist—to be the frontrunner for Jesus. There was a voice calling in the wilderness, Make straight the way for the Lord. What did the religious leaders and Pharisees learn? That this John the Baptist was quoting Isaiah and that there was someone greater than this and they did not know him.

Prayer

Father, I pray for all those who do not yet know you. That by your will, they will seek you and find Jesus. I pray that I do not miss my assignment regarding anyone you place on my path. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 7

January 12

The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.

—John 1:29–31

This is the third time that John the Baptist declares Jesus's superiority because He is the creator of the world. Jesus left the glory of heaven, being at the Father's side, to come to earth as our sacrificial lamb; He was in existence before coming to earth. John was fully aware of that and knew what his assignment was. He declares that the reason he came baptizing with water was so that Jesus might be revealed. Very few people have heard directly from God, but John has. God the Father called John out of the desert to fulfill what was written in scripture. We get to hear God's voice in the written Word. God's standard payment for sin has never changed. From the beginning, the payment was shed blood. To celebrate the Passover, not just a lamb but a perfect lamb was required, a lamb without defect. Sin offerings were rams, bulls, sheep, pigeons, and doves. The shed blood was an acceptable offering as payment for sin. Jesus came for one reason. Sin separated us from God. Jesus stretched out his arms and sacrificed His own blood to pay for our sin. Why? So that we may be reconciled to God the Father. Jesus redeemed us. God loved the world so much that He gave his one and only Son and let him die on the cross as payment for our sin.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your sacrifice, for the one moment in time that Jesus had to feel abandoned by you so that I would never feel abandoned by you. That Jesus would die for me is still an awesome thought. In Jesus's name, amen.

John the Baptist Part 8

January 13

Then John gave this testimony: I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.

—John 1:32

Can you imagine this scene? The blue skies, maybe a puffy white cloud here and there. You are obeying what God the Father has called you to do—to baptize with water. You know that you are playing a part in wonderfully written script about the Messiah. Now you baptize Jesus, and the Spirit comes down out of heaven as a dove and remains on this man. Breathtaking! The moment will never be forgotten by John, nor will the imagery ever be forgotten by us. The incredible hand of the Father is displayed in every part of this Gospel. Jesus could have come as a superior human being, already grown, already the King that he