(John 7:40-53) Prayer: O Jesus, never let me oppose you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus preaching in the Temple.) Context: Jesus has divided the crowd. Some think he is the Messiah and others say the Messiah must come from Bethlehem, the City of David. (John’s community knew that Jesus was born in …
(John 7:25-30) Prayer: O Jesus, I believe that you come from the Father. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple.) Context: When Jesus is in Galilee, he works miracles and receives acclaim. When he goes to Jerusalem, he finds persecution because the leaders want to kill him. The controversy centers …
(John 5:31-40) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to believe your testimony. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple.) Context: Jesus explains his purpose in healing the man. By this miraculous deed, the Father testifies about Jesus’ divine mission. Before this, John the Baptist testified about Jesus. However, the Jews accept …
Prayer: O Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds.) Context: In this final part of the conflict, Jesus pinpoints the problem. His hearers listen to each other and praise one another. They do not open their ears to God. Moses did not …
(John 5:23-26) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to value eternal life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples in the Temple.) Context: Jesus continues to defend his ministry as He focuses on God’s power to judge, to raise from the dead and to grant eternal life. The Father, (who obviously has …
(John 5-19-23) Prayer: O Jesus, reveal the Father and Jesus to me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples in the Temple.) Context: Jesus has just healed a man who lay ill for thirty-eight years. However, he healed him on the Sabbath, and “The Jews began to persecute Jesus” (Jn 5:16) …
(John 5:1-16) Prayer: O Jesus, heal my body and remove my sins. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the healed man. Context: John portrays Jesus as going to Jerusalem on feast days to show that Jesus fulfills Jewish aspirations concerning the Messiah. This is the third sign of new life (preceded …
(John 4:43-54) Prayer: O Jesus, you can do all things. Help me to believe. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the royal official pleading for his son.) Context: This is the second time in John’s gospel that Jesus reveals his power. This second miracle also takes place at Cana, and has some …
(Luke 15:17-24) Prayer: O Father, embrace me when I return to you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: The father’s response to the Prodigal’s return is not a model for earthly fathers. It is how the heavenly father responds to our repentance. The son is reduced to the lowest …
