John chapters 18 - 21 and Acts 1 - 10.
I've loved reading the gospel of John. He was one of the three apostles who were with the Lord at the raising of Jairus's daughter, at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane. My testimony of Jesus Christ, the only begotten of our Heavenly Father, has been strengthened by the words of the apostle John. John testifies that Jesus was the Savior of the World before he was born on the earth and that Jesus created the world and is the only begotten of the Father. (John Chapter 1)
"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. For God sent not his Son into 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: 16-18)
Jesus said, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10: 17-18)
John's account of the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the grave for 4 days bears testimony that Jesus had the ability because of His Father in Heaven, to have control over death. Jesus prayed to His Father in Heaven and said that he knew that His Father always heard him. Jesus said that those of the people that witnessed Him raising Lazarus from the dead would believe that His Father sent Him. (John Chapter 11)
Just as Jesus always did the will of His Father, I should follow the Savior's example and try to always do the will of my Father in Heaven.
3 comments:
I love reading your comments and hearing your insights.
A few things that kind of stuck out that I marked down to comment on were the whole thing on John 6:51-58, were Jesus is talking about being the living bread. We take communion, or I believe Kathy you refer to it as the sacrament?, very seriously. Are there any really symbolic things that you could share about the meaning of it for you? When we take communion it is to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, as scripture says to "do this in remembrance of me". We are taught to examine ourselves to make sure that we have nothing in us that would hinder us from participating and to ask forgiveness if the Lord reveals anything to us.
Also, in chapter 8:1-11, this story fascinates me. The woman was caught in her sin and brought before Jesus for His verdict on what to do - and He started writing in the sand. I wonder what He wrote? We have had teaching that He may have been writing things like - thief, liar, slanderer, gossiper, etc - maybe some of the sins of the people standing around casting judgement? Because He goes on to say that he who is without sin may cast the first stone. Kind of really keeps me mindful when I might be a bit too willing to judge someone. Just food for thought.
John is probably my favorite of the Gospels, so Kathy all of your verses are favorites of mine as well!!
Before partaking of the sacrament I try to prepare myself spiritually and make sure that I have repented of my sins.
When I partake of the sacrament I try to be reverent and prayerful. I remember my Savior, Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice and how grateful I am for it. I think about His life and look for ways that I can try to emulate Him more. I also renew my determination to keep the commandments. Partaking of the bread reminds me of His flesh or body and partaking of the water reminds me of the blood that my Savior sacrificed for me. I also renew the covenants I made at baptism with my Heavenly Father.
A covenant is a sacred promise between the Lord and His children. As the sacrament prayers are given I try to remember what I am promising and what is being promised to me. I remember what the covenants are and what they mean.
I covenant to take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ by not bringing shame or reproach upon that name. I covenant to remember Jesus Christ in all my thoughts, feelings, and actions. I promise to keep all His commandments.
I take upon these obligations and renew the covenants I made at baptism every time I take the sacrament. If I follow this pattern, believing on His name I will gain a remission of my sins. The Lord also promises that if I keep my covenants, I will always have His Spirit to be with me.
Thanks Kathy for explaining that to me, I appreciate your willingness to share. It is interesting to learn more about your beliefs, again thank you!!
Post a Comment