Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, I thank you for making yourself accessible to me through Jesus. I know you are ever near, but Jesus' life on earth somehow makes that even more real and personal to me. Thank you for loving me so much in Jesus, in whose name I praise and thank you. 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

Jesus answered, "The things I teach are not my own. My teaching comes from him (God) who sent me. If a person wants to do what God wants, then that person will know that my teaching comes from God. That person will know that this teaching is not my own. Any person that teaches his own ideas is trying to get honor for himself. But a person that tries to bring honor to the one that sent him—that person speaks the truth. There is nothing false in him.

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."

I have told you about things here on earth. But you do not believe me. So surely you will not believe me if I tell you about the things of heaven!