Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, I trust my life and hope and my future to you. I trust that as I seek you, you will never let me go. Give me strength so that I can respond to such assurance and grace with passion for you, for your kingdom, and for your holiness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. Jesus was in the temple area at Solomon's Porch. The Jewish leaders gathered around Jesus. They said, "How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, then tell us clearly." Jesus answered, "I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father's name. Those miracles show who I am. But you don't believe. Why? Because you are not my sheep (people). My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die. And no person can take them out of my hand. My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all. No person can steal my sheep out of my Father's hand. The Father and I are one." Again the Jews there picked up rocks to kill Jesus. But Jesus said to them, "I have done many good things from the Father. You have seen those things. Which of those good things are you killing me for?" The Jews answered, "We are not killing you for any good thing you did. But you say things that are against God. You are only a man, but you say you are the same as God! That is why we are trying to kill you with rocks!" Jesus answered, "It is written in your law, 'I (God) said you are gods.' This Scripture called those people gods—the people that received God's message. And Scripture is always true. So why do you say that I am saying things that are against God because I said, 'I am God's Son'? I am the one God chose and sent into the world. If I don't do what my Father does, then don't believe what I say. But if I do the same things my Father does, then you should believe in the things I do. You might not believe in me, but you should believe in the things I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." The Jewish leaders tried to get Jesus again. But Jesus escaped from them. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan River. Jesus went to the place where John was baptizing before.Jesus stayed there, and many people came to him. The people said, "John never did a miracle. But everything John said about this man (Jesus) is true." And many people there believed in Jesus.

Related Scripture Readings

So what should we say about this? If God is for us, then no person can stand against us. And God is with us. He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for us all. So with Jesus now, God will surely give us all things. Who can accuse the people that God has chosen? No one! God is the One who makes his people right. Who can say that God's people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died {for us}, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God's right side and is begging God for us. Can anything separate us from Christ's love? No! Can trouble separate us from Christ's love? No! Can problems or persecution separate us from Christ's love? No! If we have no food or clothes, will that separate us from Christ's love? No! Will danger or even death separate us from Christ's love? No! Like it is written in the Scriptures : "For you (Christ) we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed." But in all these things we have full victory through God who showed his love for us. Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love—not death, not life, not angels or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When Jesus finished praying, he left with his followers. They went across the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden {of olive trees}. Jesus and his followers went there. Judas knew where this place was, because Jesus met there often with his followers. Judas was the one that turned against Jesus. So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden. Judas also brought some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus knew everything that would happen to him. Jesus went out and asked, "Who are you looking for?" The men answered, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus said, "I am Jesus." (Judas, the one that turned against Jesus, was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am Jesus," the men moved back and fell to the ground. Jesus asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" The men said, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus said, "I told you that I am Jesus. So if you are looking for me, then let these other men go free." This happened so that the words Jesus said before would be true: "I have not lost any of the men you gave me."

Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger. Why? Because you are with me, Lord. Your rod and staff comfort me.