Notice that John’s themes are still continuing. The believe theme is still present, see John 11:15, 25, 26, 27, 40, 42, 45, 48. John is still using testimony to tell us who Jesus is. Note 11:27 – “Yes, Lord,” she told Him. “I have always …
Bible Gem 74 – The Purpose of the Lazarus Story (John 11:1-44)
Bible Gem 73 – Lazarus, the Ultimate Miracle Story (John 11:1-44)
John’s Gospel is interspersed with miracle stories and Jesus’ teaching segments. It is interesting to note that normally John makes the miracle stories short and punchy. His purpose is to collect these stories to demonstrate his theme of who Jesus is with the practical examples …
Bible Gem 72 – The Ultimate Commentary – The Bible Itself (Luke 23:31)
Well, how did you go? Have you got it worked out? Did the commentaries help or confuse you? Did you read all of the sense unit surrounding Ezekiel 20:47? If so, you would have found all you needed to understand Luke 23:31. Say to the …
Bible Gem 71 – Do the Commentaries Help? (Luke 23:31)
Do the commentaries help? I have told you before, use the commentaries when you have done the work on the passage. Otherwise we are prey to what the commentators tell us and we don’t know how to refute them. What follows has been clipped from …
Bible Gem 70 – Of Green and Dry Things (Luke 23:31)
Well how did you get on? Do you realise Jesus is doing the same thing again as we saw him do with John 10 and the reference to Good Shepherds / Bad Shepherds. I thought I would give you a chance to see if you …
Bible Gem 69 – Good Shepherds vs Bad Shepherds (John 10:11)
Do you notice the contrast of the shepherds described in Ezekiel 34 with the Good Shepherd? Those shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves. The Lord was against those shepherds and will hold them accountable. Jesus is talking about the Pharisees. Those shepherds …
Bible Gem 68 – The Good Shepherd: Solving Riddles (John 10:24-33)
“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Why did they say this? He didn’t say He was the Christ, did He? John 10:24 Why did they pick up stones to kill Him? What did he do …
Bible Gem 67 – Does John 10 Break the Flow or Continue the Themes? (John 10)
How does this fit with John’s themes? At first this passage in John 10 seems devoid of John’s themes and it is like there is nothing of what has gone before, just new material. But a closer look reveals: The opposition debate as to who …
Bible Gem 66 – Flash Back to the Writing in the Dust (John 8:6+8)
I have been asked by a couple of you to address the matter of what Jesus wrote in the dust (John 8:8). I told you the Bible Gems would be interactive. There are and will be times when you (pl) ask me questions and I …
Bible Gem 65 – The Cultural Elements – Shepherds and Shepherding (John 10:1-16)
Shepherds and Shepherding The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself. In such cases the sheep have good care because the keepers have a personal interest in the well-being of the animals, but when they are attended by a hireling (1Sa_17:20) the flocks may be …