In this passage, though the Jewish leaders had closed their eyes and hardened their hearts to who Jesus truly is, God would fulfill his plan to send Jesus to be our substitute, taking the punishment for sin we deserved upon himself. Through faith in Jesus, we find forgiveness and life. Will we believe this good news, or will we disbelieve? How will we respond?
In this passage, Jesus offers eternal security to those who believe, declaring his unity with the Father, even in the face of opposition from those who refuse to recognize his divinity. As we celebrate thanksgiving, may we give thanks for Jesus Christ who holds his people securely in his hands.
In this passage, we see what happens when Jesus, "the light of the world," draws people out of spiritual darkness and into his marvelous light. Those who know they are blind are the ones Jesus came to give sight, while those who think they can see are actually blind to their blindness. Our only hope is in Jesus who opens the eyes of the spiritually blind to behold him.
In this passage, we see that the Jewish leaders hated Jesus because they didn't understand what Jesus was saying and because they did understand what Jesus was saying. We have a choice before us: We will either love Jesus, or we will hate Jesus. As Jesus presents himself to us as the "I AM," may our hearts and eyes be open to see Jesus for who he truly is, and to live like we actually believe it.
In this passage, Jesus continues to say really hard things. But it's a good reminder that what we need is the truth of the gospel - that Jesus Christ lived the perfect life we could not live, that he died the death we deserved to die, and that he was raised from the dead in victory over sin and death, so that all who believe in him can be in the presence of a holy God forever and ever. This is the truth that will set you free.