January 4, 2025

All the gospels, including John, come together at this point in Jesus's walk. Part of the reason Jesus left Judea for Galilee was that he heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison by Herod for calling him out for his sin against his brother, Philip.

But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Luke 3:19-20

The Woman At The Well: Part 1

The most direct route to Galilee was through Samaria, but most Jews avoided it because of tensions between them and the Samaritans. However, Jesus was no respecter of cultural differences, and it was the most direct route. He was beginning his public ministry, and he had no intention of keeping the truth from Samaria. Plus, there was a very significant story that needed to be told, one most of us know and love: the story of the woman at the well. If you don't know the story, read John 4:4-29. 

As Jesus was tired from his journey, he sat down on Jacob's well while his disciples went into town for food. While there, a woman came to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink. She wanted to know why a Jew would ask her for a drink.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4:10

Being a practical person, she replied, "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?" The water wasn't running, so I expect it was flat and stale. This woman, there to get water, encountered Jesus, our life-giving water, able to cleanse us of all unrighteousness and to bring new life to an otherwise dead person. She knew this was no regular conversation and was very attentive to what she was hearing. 

We must draw from the well of living water; the water the world offers is stale and without life. Drink the water Jesus offers you, and your focus will change, making living in this world joyful rather than mundane and dreadful.

January 3, 2026

He Must Increase, But We Must Decrease

After finishing the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples venture into Judea, away from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem, where he could teach freely. They ended up in an area with lots of water, where they could baptize those who came to repent. John the Baptist was there with his disciples. They felt rivalry toward Jesus and his disciples, even though they were on the same team. I can’t help but notice that it is not unlike the Church today, with different denominations feeling rivalry with one another, even though we are all part of The Church. We are all one in Christ, yet we find ourselves at odds. Such division makes the enemy smile. John knew his mission, as he explained to his disciples, was very clear from the beginning that he was not the Christ, but the one sent before him to pave the way for his ministry, to get things started as a witness to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah, and then decrease his ministry. Thus comes the scripture that many pastors and teachers use as part of their prayer, ‘Lord, may you increase, and I decrease.’ We always want Jesus to shine brighter than us; that’s our commission and our purpose as followers of Christ. 

He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.  John 3:30-31

January 2, 2026

Give Yourself A Break By Believing In Jesus

We all know, and most can recite John 3:16, and that is all well and good, but did you know that Jesus’s discourse didn’t end with that? He goes on to say that he didn’t come to condemn, but those who don’t believe in him are already condemned.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:17-18

Why? Because of the Law of Moses. God gave us commandments, and when we break even one of them, we are guilty. People break the law of the land all the time without knowing the law; they can still be arrested, sent to jail, and found guilty, even though they didn’t think it was a law. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Evil lawbreakers realize they are being evil and deserve the punishment they receive. However, it’s good people breaking laws they deem insignificant that makes them think they do not need a savior. It’s that way of thinking that sends them to hell for eternity. It’s too much to deal with! People need to give themselves a break and rest their weary heads on the shoulders of Jesus, begin their transformation into his likeness, and stop worrying about whether they break a commandment that he has already paid the price for. 

January 1, 2026

Look Up To Jesus And Be Healed

Jesus, still in a conversation with Nicodemus, reminded him of the serpent of brass on a pole when the Israelites were in the wilderness. 

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15

They were whining about their situation and spoke against God and Moses, so God sent the poisonous snakes. It’s as if God said to them, ‘If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give you something to cry about!’ And He did, and a lot of people died. God sent the snakes, but also gave the remedy.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. Numbers 21:8

Think about this: God created Satan and his minions; they are in no way, shape, or form equal to God; they are His creation. They were once rebellious angels who were thrust to earth. Now we are having to deal with them. They are always biting at our heels, sometimes visible where you can see their intentions, but it’s the more cunning ones that seem to cause us the most issues. Either way, they can cause us to stumble and die in our sin. Remember, God created evil, but also gave us the remedy. Our brass snake on the pole is Jesus lifted up on the cross. We must look to him so we don’t die from the venomous strikes from the evil amongst us. This story shines a different light on the crucifix, doesn’t it? May we remember Jesus on the cross for the healing of our sins, but honor him as our God and King, risen from the dead.  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16