John

To “abide,” then, is not some special spiritual technique, but instead the posture of trust in Jesus, resting in his love (15:9), lived out in glad obedience to him (15:10). It’s joy-full (15:11). And every branch united to him in two-way friendship is guaranteed fruit that will stand the test of time.

Jesus goes out of his way to meet this woman. But why? Perhaps it was not because she was righteous or that she was worthy, but simply that she was: thirsty. Thirsty for more than what she could haul home with her own feeble hands. A thirst that was deeper than Jacob’s well could ever go, deep down in the parched places of her heart.

To catch a glimpse of Jesus is to be intrigued. There has never been a man as wise, kind, good, and compelling. There has never been another man in whom we find all the fullness of God.

O Lord, make us like John in the wilderness, with our gaze, hearts, and lives consumed by Jesus, your glorious Son.

The stars glimmer with enticing beauty and on a crisp day the sun rises and our hearts leap maybe higher for the brightness of that glory over the snow-dazzled horizon. The Light shines and he will never be put out.

The following 15 quotes are from Clive Bowsher’s new title Life in the Son: Exploring participation and union with Christ in John’s Gospel and letters.

Cor Bennema guides us through Mark and John's accounts of Jesus' life – a great introduction to reading the Gospels. 

Martin Luther teaches us what to look for and expect in the Gospels in this short piece from vol. 35 of his Works. 

John Newton's sermon on John 1:29 displays the grace of Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

Peter Mead opens up John 4 and asks where true satisfaction is found. From Delighted by God 2011.