Central to Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection of Jesus there is no ‘Gospel’ (good news) message. In this section of John, Jesus reveals his power, as well as his love, as he raises Lazarus back to life. His actions are not simply for Lazarus, however, they point to a future resurrection that all of God’s people will participate in.

John 3:1-21 explores the transformative encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a respected religious leader. Jesus confronts Nicodemus—and us—with the non-negotiable truth: we must be born again, a spiritual rebirth that is essential, supernatural, and only possible through God’s grace.

Many people go through life with little or no direction. For many it feels like they are navigating the world in the dark. No knowing where they are going, or what direction to take. In John 9, Jesus heals a man who literally was going through life blind. Lacking physical vision, this man had a difficult life. In this context, however, Jesus brings light and clarity to this man and ultimately helps him not only see physically, but Jesus reveals himself so the blind man can see God. This chapter also warns of the reality that one can physically see Jesus, yet be blind spiritually.

We live in a world full of people who are unseen and injured by the brokenness of the world. People are lonely, hurting, feeling forgotten, and the natural question is, ‘does anyone care?’ We might even ask, ‘Does God care?’ In John 4 we have Jesus’ encounter with a vulnerable woman and we get a glimpse into God’s heart for the marginalised.

What was it about the death of Jesus that brought two men out of hiding? For some time both Joseph and Nicodemus had been secret disciples of Jesus. They had faith but only enough to follow him from a safe distance. When they saw Jesus die, they were radically changed. They came out of hiding to be all in for Jesus. John tells us what happened to them so we too can believe and live the all in life.

What truly satisfies the deepest cry of our soul is Jesus Christ the righteous who is the source of living water. Not money, career, education, power, pleasures, ungodly relationships or substance abuse.
In this narrative, Jesus proves that to us when the Samaritan woman who was a social outcast with a chequered past finds true fulfillment in the living water that Jesus offers. She went back to her own community to make Jesus known passionately.
The challenge before us is - are we passionate about Jesus and His Gospel?

Jesus can be confusing because he often does the opposite of what we expect. People usually desire power to control. But Jesus, who had all power, used his to serve and save others. Will you let him serve you?

Jesus teaches us to pray that we would have all we need today to exist on to tomorrow for God’s cause.

Christ has died. Christ has risen. What next? Christ will come again. In particular, when Jesus returns, he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Jesus rose. So what? John writes one more chapter to answer that question. In Peter, we’ll see how Jesus not only offers forgiveness but also his invitation to follow.

From Thomas the greatest cynic filled 100% disbelief comes the greatest confession of Christ as Lord and God.

Jesus was clear to Pontius Pilate and to us that “everyone on the side of Truth listens me.” For truth is a person and that person is our Lord Jesus.

Why do we fight God? Jesus was deliberate in getting arrested, and determined to use His divine power to go to the cross and save us.

Jesus prays for himself, for the 11 apostles, and most wonderfully for us 2000 years later. His big prayer point is that we would be one in love and truth so that the world may know that Jesus is heaven sent.

Just as Christians receive the benefits of Jesus’ love with the father, so too we receive the consequences of the world’s hate towards him.

Apart from Jesus we can produce no fruit, no transformed life that will last for eternity resulting in God's glory and our joy.