WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.880 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.928 Day 66. 00:00:04.344 --> 00:00:05.604 immersed in John, 00:00:08.244 --> 00:00:12.024 the Jewish leaders announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah 00:00:12.384 --> 00:00:18.084 would be expelled from the synagogue, a generation after Jesus lived on earth. 00:00:18.534 --> 00:00:21.084 His followers continued to face threats like this one 00:00:21.084 --> 00:00:22.674 recorded in the gospel of John. 00:00:23.304 --> 00:00:25.794 And this is one key reason why the book was written. 00:00:26.634 --> 00:00:30.744 For Jews living throughout the Roman Empire, the local synagogue gave them an 00:00:30.744 --> 00:00:32.904 ongoing connection to their ancient story. 00:00:32.904 --> 00:00:37.554 And people expulsion from the synagogue meant being cut off from 00:00:37.554 --> 00:00:41.784 the community that had embodied God's covenant people for centuries. 00:00:42.864 --> 00:00:46.314 But John's Gospel assurers, followers of Jesus that they have 00:00:46.314 --> 00:00:48.294 not been excluded from God's story. 00:00:49.194 --> 00:00:53.814 Jesus embodies the deepest meaning and ultimate fulfillment of Israel's most 00:00:53.814 --> 00:00:56.844 vital symbols, festivals, and practices. 00:00:57.654 --> 00:01:02.214 The Gospel's opening line in the beginning echoes the opening words 00:01:02.214 --> 00:01:06.594 of Genesis, revealing that John is telling a story of new creation. 00:01:07.554 --> 00:01:10.764 God's ongoing work to restore his world through Abraham's 00:01:10.764 --> 00:01:15.084 family finds its continuity in the work of Jesus the Messiah. 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:20.139 John's Gospel reads very differently from the other three being less 00:01:20.139 --> 00:01:24.339 a narrative biography and more a portrait of Jesus drawn against 00:01:24.344 --> 00:01:26.049 the backdrop of Israel's history. 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:31.509 Its purpose is to invite readers, both ancient and present to be confident 00:01:31.509 --> 00:01:37.989 in their belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the author 00:01:37.989 --> 00:01:41.679 of the book, traditionally considered to be the Apostle John, though he 00:01:41.679 --> 00:01:43.209 doesn't identify himself by name. 00:01:43.824 --> 00:01:46.824 Tells the story of Jesus' life in two major parts. 00:01:47.574 --> 00:01:49.374 The first part has seven sections. 00:01:49.824 --> 00:01:53.184 Each relates what happened when Jesus took a journey and explores 00:01:53.189 --> 00:01:56.184 his identity in light of a key element from Israel's story. 00:01:57.024 --> 00:02:00.054 The centerpiece of this part of the book is the fourth section. 00:02:00.654 --> 00:02:04.194 The other six sections are paired with one another thematically from the 00:02:04.194 --> 00:02:07.014 outside in as described in the following. 00:02:08.154 --> 00:02:11.274 One, Jesus, in light of the new creation. 00:02:12.144 --> 00:02:12.474 Two. 00:02:12.804 --> 00:02:15.684 Jesus in relation to the temple, three. 00:02:16.194 --> 00:02:19.374 Jesus, in light of the Sabbath and in conflict with Jewish 00:02:19.374 --> 00:02:21.804 religious leaders, four. 00:02:22.104 --> 00:02:25.494 Jesus as the new Moses against the backdrop of the Exodus. 00:02:26.364 --> 00:02:26.754 Three. 00:02:27.084 --> 00:02:27.624 Jesus. 00:02:27.624 --> 00:02:30.774 In light of the Festival of Shelters and in conflict with 00:02:30.774 --> 00:02:33.264 Jewish religious leaders, two. 00:02:33.594 --> 00:02:34.134 Jesus. 00:02:34.134 --> 00:02:37.854 In relation to the Temple Dedication Festival, one. 00:02:38.244 --> 00:02:43.674 Jesus, in light of the resurrection, Near the end of each section, the 00:02:43.674 --> 00:02:47.514 author describes how people did or did not believe in Jesus after 00:02:47.514 --> 00:02:48.984 everything they had seen and heard. 00:02:49.734 --> 00:02:54.294 A recurring theme in the Gospel of John is the number seven for Jews. 00:02:54.504 --> 00:02:58.914 This number indicates a consummate work of God and recalls the completeness 00:02:58.944 --> 00:03:03.474 represented by the seven Days of creation, often called the book of signs. 00:03:04.029 --> 00:03:08.049 This first part of the gospel details how Jesus performed seven mighty 00:03:08.049 --> 00:03:10.509 signs that revealed his glory. 00:03:11.109 --> 00:03:15.909 The gospel also contains seven discourses, which are longer speeches in which 00:03:15.914 --> 00:03:18.129 Jesus unveils more about who he is. 00:03:18.729 --> 00:03:23.559 Finally, we find Jesus presenting seven I Am statements and the gospel. 00:03:24.189 --> 00:03:27.909 These statements draw on a rich stock of imagery from the First Testament, 00:03:28.239 --> 00:03:32.829 including the bread of life, the good shepherd, the gate, and the vine. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:37.869 The second part of the book essentially tells the story of Jesus' final days. 00:03:38.799 --> 00:03:43.239 It begins with his last Passover meal with the disciples, followed by a long 00:03:43.239 --> 00:03:45.279 presentation of his instructions to them. 00:03:46.269 --> 00:03:50.169 Jesus speaks of the meaning of his death as a battle against the ruler of 00:03:50.174 --> 00:03:55.209 this world, and he prays to the Father for the unity of his followers, which 00:03:55.214 --> 00:03:59.319 will enable the world to believe their message about Jesus after he departs. 00:04:00.114 --> 00:04:05.094 Jesus then enters into his glory through his obedient death, which 00:04:05.094 --> 00:04:08.724 is why this part of the gospel is often called the Book of Glory. 00:04:09.729 --> 00:04:13.419 Before its brief epilogue, the gospel closes by telling of Jesus' 00:04:13.419 --> 00:04:16.719 resurrection on Sunday morning, the first day of the week. 00:04:17.559 --> 00:04:21.849 Jesus brings life and peace into this broken world, along with 00:04:21.854 --> 00:04:23.829 hope for its ultimate renewal. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:31.479 The gospel, according to John, 00:04:34.059 --> 00:04:36.699 in the beginning, the word already existed. 00:04:37.359 --> 00:04:40.029 The word was with God, and the word was God. 00:04:40.479 --> 00:04:42.909 He existed in the beginning with God. 00:04:43.629 --> 00:04:48.489 God created everything through him and nothing was created except through him. 00:04:49.539 --> 00:04:53.499 The word gave life to everything that was created and his life 00:04:53.499 --> 00:04:55.149 brought light to everyone. 00:04:55.869 --> 00:04:59.979 The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. 00:05:01.209 --> 00:05:06.369 God sent a man John the Baptist to tell about the light so that everyone 00:05:06.369 --> 00:05:10.719 might believe because of his testimony, John himself was not the light. 00:05:11.049 --> 00:05:13.539 He was simply a witness to tell about the light. 00:05:14.169 --> 00:05:17.379 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone 00:05:17.679 --> 00:05:19.089 was coming into the world. 00:05:19.899 --> 00:05:24.849 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. 00:05:25.479 --> 00:05:28.959 He came to his own people and even they rejected him. 00:05:29.664 --> 00:05:33.324 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the 00:05:33.324 --> 00:05:35.364 right to become children of God. 00:05:35.994 --> 00:05:40.914 They are reborn, not with a physical birth, resulting from human passion or 00:05:40.914 --> 00:05:43.764 plan, but a birth that comes from God. 00:05:44.634 --> 00:05:48.144 So the word became human and made his home among us. 00:05:48.684 --> 00:05:52.644 He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness, and we have 00:05:52.644 --> 00:05:57.054 seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only son. 00:05:58.179 --> 00:06:00.999 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds. 00:06:01.239 --> 00:06:05.379 This is the one I was talking about when I said someone is coming after 00:06:05.384 --> 00:06:07.929 me who is far greater than I am for. 00:06:07.929 --> 00:06:11.739 He existed long before me from his abundance. 00:06:11.739 --> 00:06:16.209 We have all received one gracious blessing after another for the 00:06:16.209 --> 00:06:17.739 law was given through Moses. 00:06:18.159 --> 00:06:22.359 But God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 00:06:23.109 --> 00:06:28.149 No one has ever seen God, but the unique one who is himself, God 00:06:28.509 --> 00:06:30.249 is near to the father's heart. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:33.159 He has revealed God to us. 00:06:35.679 --> 00:06:40.299 This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and temple assistants 00:06:40.299 --> 00:06:42.969 from Jerusalem to ask John, who are you? 00:06:43.569 --> 00:06:46.509 He came right out and said, I am not the Messiah. 00:06:47.274 --> 00:06:48.654 Well then who are you? 00:06:48.714 --> 00:06:50.844 They asked, are you Elijah? 00:06:51.324 --> 00:06:51.834 No. 00:06:52.044 --> 00:06:55.344 He replied, are you the prophet we are expecting? 00:06:55.854 --> 00:06:56.334 No. 00:06:57.144 --> 00:06:58.374 Then who are you? 00:06:58.764 --> 00:07:01.254 We need an answer for those who sent us. 00:07:01.434 --> 00:07:03.384 What do you have to say about yourself? 00:07:04.134 --> 00:07:08.514 John replied In the words of the prophet Isaiah, I am a voice 00:07:08.574 --> 00:07:09.954 shouting in the wilderness. 00:07:10.314 --> 00:07:12.264 Clear the way for the Lord's coming. 00:07:13.329 --> 00:07:16.869 Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, if you aren't the 00:07:16.869 --> 00:07:21.969 Messiah or Elijah or the prophet, what right do you have to baptize? 00:07:22.509 --> 00:07:27.489 John told them, I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd 00:07:27.489 --> 00:07:29.289 is someone you do not recognize. 00:07:29.889 --> 00:07:34.329 Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave 00:07:34.329 --> 00:07:36.579 and untie the straps of his sandal. 00:07:37.509 --> 00:07:41.499 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan 00:07:41.499 --> 00:07:43.509 River where John was baptizing. 00:07:44.769 --> 00:07:50.019 The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, look, the lamb 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:54.369 of God, who takes away the sin of the world, he is the one I was talking 00:07:54.369 --> 00:07:59.439 about when I said, A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am for. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.849 He existed long before me. 00:08:01.854 --> 00:08:06.774 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water 00:08:06.774 --> 00:08:09.174 so that he might be revealed to Israel. 00:08:09.814 --> 00:08:09.934 I. 00:08:10.149 --> 00:08:14.889 Then John testified I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove 00:08:14.889 --> 00:08:16.899 from heaven and resting upon him. 00:08:17.499 --> 00:08:22.119 I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he 00:08:22.119 --> 00:08:27.579 told me The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:29.829 who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. 00:08:30.429 --> 00:08:36.549 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the chosen one of God. 00:08:38.034 --> 00:08:41.814 The following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. 00:08:42.324 --> 00:08:48.234 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, look, there is the lamb of God. 00:08:48.744 --> 00:08:52.464 When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. 00:08:53.124 --> 00:08:56.844 Jesus looked around and saw them following, what do you want? 00:08:57.054 --> 00:08:57.744 He asked them. 00:08:58.404 --> 00:09:03.474 They replied, rabbi, which means teacher, where are you staying? 00:09:04.209 --> 00:09:04.989 Come and see. 00:09:05.169 --> 00:09:09.489 He said it was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to 00:09:09.489 --> 00:09:13.539 the place where he was staying and they remained with him the rest of the day. 00:09:14.319 --> 00:09:18.339 Andrew Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what 00:09:18.339 --> 00:09:20.019 John said and then followed Jesus. 00:09:21.129 --> 00:09:25.239 Andrew went to find his brother Simon and told him, we have found 00:09:25.239 --> 00:09:27.669 the Messiah, which means Christ. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:31.209 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. 00:09:31.704 --> 00:09:38.184 Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, your name is Simon, son of John, but you 00:09:38.184 --> 00:09:41.724 will be called Cipha, which means Peter. 00:09:43.074 --> 00:09:45.774 The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 00:09:46.194 --> 00:09:49.224 He found Philip and said to him, come follow me. 00:09:49.704 --> 00:09:53.364 Philip was from Beth Sayda, Andrew and Peter's hometown. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:58.899 Philip went to look for Nathaniel and told him, we have found the very person 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:00.789 Moses and the prophets wrote about. 00:10:01.029 --> 00:10:07.449 His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth, Nazareth, exclaimed Nathaniel. 00:10:07.809 --> 00:10:10.269 Can anything good come from Nazareth? 00:10:10.869 --> 00:10:12.459 Come and see for yourself. 00:10:12.729 --> 00:10:18.969 Philip replied As they approached, Jesus said, now here is a genuine son 00:10:18.969 --> 00:10:21.969 of Israel, a man of complete integrity. 00:10:23.004 --> 00:10:24.414 How do you know about me? 00:10:24.624 --> 00:10:25.674 Nathaniel asked. 00:10:26.214 --> 00:10:31.014 Jesus replied, I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you. 00:10:32.034 --> 00:10:37.644 Then Nathaniel exclaimed, rabbi, you are the son of God, the King of Israel. 00:10:38.274 --> 00:10:41.214 Jesus asked him, do you believe this? 00:10:41.214 --> 00:10:44.694 Just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree. 00:10:45.324 --> 00:10:47.034 You will see greater things than this. 00:10:47.934 --> 00:10:53.214 Then he said, I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the 00:10:53.214 --> 00:10:57.984 angels of God going up and down on the son of man, the one who is the 00:10:57.984 --> 00:11:00.384 stairway between heaven and earth. 00:11:01.464 --> 00:11:04.074 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the 00:11:04.079 --> 00:11:05.724 village of Cana in Galilee. 00:11:06.294 --> 00:11:09.774 Jesus' mother was there and Jesus and his disciples were 00:11:09.774 --> 00:11:11.724 also invited to the celebration. 00:11:12.384 --> 00:11:16.674 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother 00:11:16.674 --> 00:11:19.014 told him they have no more wine. 00:11:19.884 --> 00:11:22.254 Dear woman, that's not our problem. 00:11:22.404 --> 00:11:27.594 Jesus replied, my time has not yet come, but his mother told the 00:11:27.594 --> 00:11:29.754 servants, do whatever he tells you. 00:11:30.594 --> 00:11:36.054 Standing nearby where six stone water jars used for Jewish ceremonial washing, 00:11:36.594 --> 00:11:38.844 each could hold 20 to 30 gallons. 00:11:39.549 --> 00:11:42.789 Jesus told the servants fill the jars with water. 00:11:43.569 --> 00:11:44.979 When the jars had been filled. 00:11:44.979 --> 00:11:49.179 He said, now dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:53.589 So the servants followed his instructions when the master of 00:11:53.589 --> 00:11:58.269 ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come 00:11:58.269 --> 00:12:02.649 from, though of course the servants knew he called the bridegroom over. 00:12:03.339 --> 00:12:06.939 A host always serves the best wine first, he said. 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:12.039 Then when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:15.339 But you have kept the best until now. 00:12:16.149 --> 00:12:21.309 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his 00:12:21.309 --> 00:12:24.429 glory and his disciples believed in him. 00:12:25.389 --> 00:12:28.779 After the wedding, he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, 00:12:28.929 --> 00:12:31.059 his brothers, and his disciples. 00:12:32.739 --> 00:12:35.589 This concludes today's Immer Reading experience. 00:12:35.739 --> 00:12:36.969 Thank you for joining us.