Two thoughts I have from this chapter... well, at least two that I will share today.   The first is John's comment to the Jew who I wonder was maybe trying to stir up John that Jesus was getting more attention with baptism than he was.   John was the first baptizer- until Jesus.  The Jew says, " look, he [Jesus] is baptizing, and all are going to him."  John, however, didn't respond the way I think the Jew was hoping.  Remember that many of the Jews were skeptical of Jesus as the Messiah and therefore tested him and many of his followers, this- I believe, being one account.  John responds to the Jew humbly and in honor of Jesus:

I myself am humbled by John's attitude.  John was kind of a big deal! Many fled to the wilderness just to be baptized by him.  Now that fame was being taken away because the One who John taught and spoke about was here- and John wanted Jesus to get all the glory and himself none.  Who does that?  We all need this attitude that John had.  In today's world, it's all about increasing oneself, but John recognized his place and surrendered all that he was to Jesus and His authority.  How amazing. 

The second part of today's blog is what comes after the oh-so-familiar John 3:16 verse.  Don't get me wrong John 3:16 is a great verse, but so often as a child/teenager, I stopped there. 

This is the truth I think all people- unbelieving and believing, young and old need to read over and over and over again.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it.  Christians, if God didn't send his Son to condemn the world, then why do we 1)condemn others and 2) live as if we are condemned?   I know many of us (including myself) don't mean to condemn others, but we sure come across that way when we judge others' sin as if it's greater than ours.  Even just within the Christian circles.  We hear of another brother or sister in the Lord who stumbles- we all do- and yet instead of helping them get back to their feet, praying for strength, we turn our backs to them.  It's no wonder then, that some believers live as if they're condemned- they have been, by other Christians!  Ooooh this just infuriates me!  (Not saying that I've never done this, but isn't it always easy to get righteously angry about something from the outside??)  People of God, if Christ was not sent here to condemn, but rather to save the world, can we follow His example?  Let us not condemn our neighbors, friends or family but rather let Jesus save them!  Sometimes Jesus uses us in that process- our testimonies, our example, our love for others... How effective will we be in being apart of Jesus' saving grace to others if we are only condemning them?

Just my thoughts... what are yours?

~Leanne~

The first sign Jesus performed from the account of John, was turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana.   After Jesus went through the temple angry because  people there were trading and selling things in the temple, some Jewish leaders came to him and in their own way, asked, "By what authority do you do this?"  Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple [meaning his body], and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews were thinking Jesus was speaking of the physical temple building.  People after this were amazed at the signs and wonders he was doing and because of this many believed in him.  People wanted Jesus to keep performing miracles, showing them signs, and basically proving to them who he was.  But doing signs and wonders was the will of the people, not the will of the Father.  By Jesus not "entrusting" himself to man, he wasn't giving in to their purposes for him.  Just like when Jesus was on the cross, he could have taken himself off the cross to show the people who he was and to save himself suffering- but that would have fulfilled the will of the people. God's will was that he suffer and die to his glory.  Jesus knew the intentions in the hearts of man.  They were amazed by his signs and wonders, but were they willing to follow him wherever He went (Matthew 8:18-22)? Do you just want Jesus to show you signs and answer your prayers or have you devoted yourself to Him in that you will follow Him wherever He takes you?

~Leanne~

Philip knew they had found the Messiah and shared it with Nathanael.  But just like many of us today, Nathanael doubted.  Nazareth was a small, insignificant town and Nathanael questioned whether the Messsiah would come from it.   I love, love, love how Philip responded to Nathanael's question: "Come and see."  Come Nathanael, see for yourself!  Come friends, see for yourself!  Come those who doubt, see for yourself!  I love that Philip didn't try to explain to him, or prove in his own words.  Instead, he said, come and see. 
Often times we try in our own words to prove Jesus to people, explain his existence, defend His authority.  Many times, our words just mess it up.  Instead, is there a way we can say to our unbelieving friends, "Come and see"?  What about an invite to church, small group, Bible Study?  What about challenging them to read a Gospel, trusting that Jesus would reveal Himself to them?  
As believers we are called to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations that those receive Him would become children of God.  I encourage you to ask God, who do you want me to share this with?  Then wait for God's timing, approach that person and say, "Come and see!"  How awesome it is to witness others seeing Jesus become real to them.  What a blessing it will be to be apart of His saving grace!

~Leanne~