#40daybible Day 34 (John 7-12)

Today's reading is John 7-12.

Some thoughts:

• Deception? John 7:8-10 may be a bit puzzling. In many translations, it sounds like Jesus deceives his brothers.
• Holy Spirit: In 7:37-39, we have a great prediction that the Spirit will come after Jesus' glorification.
• Woman caught in adultery: Although it comes as somewhat of a disappointment, the earliest manuscripts don't have the story of the woman caught in adultery. The earliest manuscript to have it is from the late 400s. It is not likely to have been in the original John. 
• Light of the world: In 8:12, we have the second "I am" statement--"I am the light of the world." It's surely no coincidence that in John 9, Jesus heals a blind man. 
• Jesus is God: 8:58 is the biggest "I AM" statement of all. "Before Abraham was, I AM." Jesus equates himself with Yahweh at the burning bush.
• Sin make sickness? The man was not blind because he sinned or his parents. (sixth sign, Jesus' healing the blind man)
• Out of the synagogue: It is often wondered if the potential of being kicked out of the synagogue is a comment on John's context. It seems quite possible that it became more and more likely as the century went by that a Jew would be ousted from synagogues if one believed Jesus was Messiah.
• Good shepherd: Unlike the "bad shepherds" that were the leaders of Jerusalem, Jesus is the gate for the sheep and the Good Shepherd. 
• Hanukkah: Jesus observes Hanukkah in John 10:22.
• The Resurrection: In John 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and pronounces that he is the resurrection. This is the seventh sign in John.
• Resolve: John presents the end resolve of Jesus to face the cup before him.  Notice the contrast in tone with Mark.

Some great verses:

• With Jesus, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (8:31-32).
• If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (8:36).