Recap

So far in John, we've read the prologue, Jesus' public ministry, the raising of Lazarus, and the journey to Jerusalem. John uniquely emphasises Jesus' divinity, presenting him as 'the Word,' who existed before creation and became flesh. He is the light of Genesis and the fulfilment of the tabernacle and Passover lamb. John the Baptist prepared the way, but unlike other gospels, there's no account of Jesus' baptism or temptation. Jesus is shown as God on earth, beyond the need for baptism or the threat of temptation. His first disciples immediately recognised him as the Messiah.

We saw Jesus engage with four key Jewish institutions. At a wedding in Cana, he performed his first miracle, turning water into wine, symbolising the abundance of God’s kingdom and the start of a new covenant. In Jerusalem, he cleared the temple of corruption, foreshadowing his death and resurrection as the true temple.

Next, Jesus met Nicodemus, a Rabbi, explaining that people need new life through being born again, not more teaching. At a sacred well, he revealed himself as the living water to a Samaritan woman, opening worship to all peoples.

Then, Jesus performed his second sign, healing an official's son, signifying his kingdom of life and health.

Jesus also interacted with four Jewish holy days. On the Sabbath, he healed a lame man (sign three), reminding the leaders that he works as his Father does. At Passover, he fed 5,000, walked on water (signs four and five), and declared himself the bread of life—the true Passover lamb.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Jews remembered their time in the wilderness, Jesus taught in Jerusalem, calling himself the light of the world and the one who leads people out of slavery. He healed a blind man (sign six), revealing his identity but angering the leaders. Jesus also declared himself the Good Shepherd, echoing God’s promise in Ezekiel 34 and Moses' leadership.

At the Feast of Dedication where the Jews celebrated the temple, Jesus claimed, "I and the Father are one," positioning himself as the ultimate meeting point between humanity and God. Throughout his public ministry, Jesus demonstrated his authority to replace the old Jewish institutions and festivals, fulfilling and surpassing what had come before.

Then came the seventh miraculous sign. We read as Jesus resurrected his friend Lazarus. Not only was this a demonstration of his power, but Jesus showed himself to be king over life and death. The religious leaders were furious that Jesus had performed this miracle and committed themselves to killing him.

Then Jesus was anointed with perfume, and then entered Jerusalem on a donkey, welcomed as a king. He began to teach the people that he had come to die, and that in doing so he will defeat the corrupt spiritual beings that had authority. 

John 13-15

We’re now at the final Passover meal before Jesus’ death. This section of John’s gospel is Jesus’ private ministry, where he teaches his disciples. At this last supper with his disciples, Jesus puts a towel around his waist and begins to wash their feet. Here is the promised king, down on his knees, doing the job of the lowest servant.

At first, the disciples protest, but Jesus explains to them this is how his kingdom works. Just as he came to serve others, Jesus’ disciples are called to serve others too. Jesus also gives them the new commandment to love one another. This is so important it should be the thing that identifies them to others. People should immediately know that they are followers of Jesus by how much they love one another.

In the midst of all this are the familiar stories of Jesus letting Judas know that he knows and telling Peter that he will reject Jesus three times before morning the next day.

Jesus then encourages his disciples to trust him. This leads to his sixth ‘I am’ statement, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He alone is the way to God the Father. Jesus is the source of truth and life.

Through this, we get more teaching on this unity between Jesus and God the Father. Those that have seen Jesus have also seen God. If anyone asks for anything in Jesus’ name, then it will be given to them.

But then Jesus adds a new element to this idea. The Holy Spirit. As Jesus will soon be returning to his Father, he is leaving another tangible expression of who he is. This Holy Spirit will remain with his believers and bring them into the unity that Jesus and the Father share.

He will seal them as children of God, part of his family. He will also continue to teach them and lead them into truth, bringing to mind all that they had learnt so far. And the Holy Spirit will bring peace. Peace that will stay with them and give them security.

Having taught his disciples how they will remain connected to him when he is gone, Jesus then teaches them why this is important with his seventh ‘I am’ statement, “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Jesus is like a vine. He is the roots and stem that provide life to all the branches.

His disciples are the branches. They have been grafted into this vine, and as long as they stay connected, they will bear fruit. But if any of his followers stop drawing on Jesus’ for life, they will stop bearing fruit and will be cut off, left to shrivel up, good for nothing. It is through love that Jesus’ disciples will stay connected to him, and the fruit they will bear is love. 

Finally, Jesus warns them about the persecution that his followers will face. We’ve already seen how people have hated Jesus for who he is. People have mocked him and others have tried to kill him.

In the same way, his followers will also be hated and persecuted. They shouldn’t be worried when this happens. They haven’t done something wrong. In fact, they’re likely doing the exact right thing. And Jesus will make sure the Holy Spirit is with them to encourage and support them in that.

Psalm 107

This psalm isn’t attributed to anyone in particular and falls into the category of thanksgiving psalm. Psalm 107 starts the fifth and final book of the psalm (Psalm 107-150). This psalm comes full circle picking up the themes of Psalm 1, the importance of following God’s word, and Psalm 2, the importance of a human king appointed by God. We get more psalms attributed to David, hinting at the importance of the Davidic line to the future king.

Psalm 107:1-3 - A call to give thanks

Psalm 107:4-32 - Four scenarios of distress and deliverance

• Psalm 107:4-9 - Those lost in desert wastelands
• Psalm 107:10-16 - Prisoners in darkness and chains
• Psalm 107:17-22 - Fools suffering due to their rebellion
• Psalm 107:23-32 - Mariners caught in a storm at sea

Psalm 107:33-38 - God shapes lands

Psalm 107:39-43 - God shapes societies

The psalm opens with a call to give thanks to the Lord for ‘his steadfast love endures forever’. Specifically, those who the Lord redeemed should be the ones to give thanks. The psalmist then works through four examples of people who were redeemed.

There are those who wandered in the desert hungry and thirsty. They cried out to the Lord and he led them through the wilderness to a town to satisfy their needs. These people should thank the Lord for his steadfast love and for satisfying them.

There are those who were prisoners held captive. They were there because they initially rebelled against God and their hearts were now low. They cried out to the Lord, who broke their captivity and brought them out of the darkness. These people should thank the Lord for his steadfast love and for freeing them from captivity.

Then there are those whose sin and poor choices had led to them being sick and afflicted. They couldn’t stomach food and were close to death. They cried out to the Lord, and he healed them. These people should thank the Lord for his steadfast love and for his healing.

Finally, there are those who were caught in a storm at sea. They immediately saw the power of the Lord in the force and terror of the storm. The waves lifted them high and then dropped them down low. They were terrified. They cried out to the Lord, and he calmed the storms, bringing them where they wanted to God. These people should thank the Lord for his steadfast love and for saving them.

The psalmist is trying to ground God’s redemption in these real-world, practical examples that the readers could identify with.

Next, the psalmist focuses on the Lord’s power to shape and change. He is able to take lands that are well watered and fruitful and make them dry desert lands because of the wickedness of the people there. Similarly, he can take dry dessert lands and turn them into well-watered springs where people can live and sow fiends and like well.

Not only does the Lord shape land for his purposes, he also shapes societies. When he sees his people oppressed, he brings their leaders low and raises up those in need. He causes the righteous to praise and the wicked to shut up. The psalm serves to remind people that, in the midst of their struggles, they have a redeemer in God.