Key Thought

Clearly a biography of Jesus would be more full and complete. John, guided by the Spirit, wrote to produce faith and chose his material carefully. His Gospel is very different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke who all use a similar outline. He gives us a deeper glimpse at a few of Jesus' conversations. He focuses in depth on his interactions with a few people. He doesn't give us many miracles, but instead concentrates on a few signs. Why? John wrote to help us believe in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of God. He knew that if we were to find life, it would be in Jesus! Sometime during this Christmas holiday, sit down with the Gospel of John again and read the whole Gospel at one sitting, asking God to enrich and deepen your faith in Jesus and your relationship with Jesus. I do think you will find all of your life blessed in the process!

Today's Prayer

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Father, I do believe that Jesus is your Son, Israel's Messiah, and my Lord. Draw me closer to him, both in terms of his abiding presence and also in terms of my behavior toward people. Through your Spirit, conform me more closely to the character and nature of your Son. By the authority and in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The day was Sunday. That same evening the followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Then Jesus came and stood among them. Jesus said, "Peace be with you!" After Jesus said this, he showed the followers his hands and his side. The followers were very happy when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said again, "Peace be with you! The Father sent me. In the same way, I now send you." After Jesus said that, he breathed {on the followers}. Jesus said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people's sins, then their sins are forgiven. If you don't forgive people's sins, then their sins are not forgiven." Thomas (called Didymus) was not with the followers when Jesus came. Thomas was one of the twelve. The other followers told Thomas, "We saw the Lord." Thomas said, "I will not believe it until I see the nail holes in his hands. And I will not believe until I put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side." A week later the followers were in the house again. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. Jesus said, "Peace be with you!" Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and start believing." Thomas said to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Thomas, "You believe because you see me. Those people that believe without seeing me will be truly blessed." Jesus did many other miracles that his followers saw. Those miracles are not written in this book. But these things are written so that you can believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you can have life through his name.

— John 20:19-31 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.