John 20 (Friday)

Thanks Esther for teaching me how to add people so that they can do a direct post. Thanks Kenji for wanting to teach me (and we welcome you to read the bible with us in the next round). I missed yesterday's reading so did 2 chapters this morning (19 & 20). I thought John's descriptive account of "the death of Jesus" was quite short and sharp (19: 28 - 30). Other gospel probably had more details...like the curtain torn from top to bottom into 2, the sky turning dark, the earthquake etc. It seemed as though John eagerly wanted to get on to the resurrection of Jesus Christ because that would be a huge signpost that points to the Lordship of Jesus as the Son of God. So he spends more time on the resurrection incidents, records Thomas' confession: "My Lord and my God" (20:28) and almost concludes this gospel with "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (20:31) How do I relate appropriately to who Jesus is? And here's a verse about us from what Jesus said so long ago: "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (20:29) That's you and me : )

John 13 (Friday)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Having read John 1 all the way up to this point, these verses have a greater impact than just reading them in isolation. Before his betrayal, crucifixion and glorification, these words of Jesus show me what is in his heart; what he values greatly - Love one another.

We are @ Chapter 10 (20th March)

Hello everyone. Just thinking...should I create a totally new blog with a new account so that you guys can just post/blog directly. Means it will be a shared password and email. The current one is under my existing account. I just feel like you guys deserve more. Also, was thinking maybe on certain sundays/every sunday, we can get the 'group' (still dunno who exactly comprises this group at the moment. But shall find out) to read that day's chapter together. That will put 'faces' to this group (just more personal lah...than some cyperspace community) and we can encourage those who are lagging behind/have stopped/still going strong. Oso it can be a time of prayer for each other. Regarding Esther's suggestion to assign 1person per post per day, let me check out who's doing the readings at the moment and whether they are comfortable blogging.

Just a penny worth of thoughts to Eel's question/comment. I think being on this side of the cross, reading Jesus' words and the dialogue would feel/seem perplexing and cryptical sometimes. Maybe its bcus of the translation into english and we only have selected accounts to read by the gospel writer. I actually do think that Jesus could be understood most of the time by the people and he spoke without ambiguity about himself. But, the true problem lies with the hearers. Like what we read yesterday in chapter 9, there was spiritual blindness. The man who was cured believed in Jesus (within 2 sentences!) while the pharisees who engaged in so much intense conversations with Jesus never believed (see 8:43). Anyway, chapter 9 was easier to read...more straightforward than chapters 7 and 8.

In chapter 8, Weiling and I were confronted by the seriousness and 'harshness' (nevertheless the truth) of Jesus' words. Jesus said that those who hear what God says belong to God while those who don't...well, they are children of the devil. Firstly, we are grateful that we (and you as well) belong to God and not the devil. 2nd, it reminds us of those who still do not believe...who they really belong to. Pray with me (remind me to pray!) for this friend called Damian. He is a good fren from NS days. He is a long time catholic and I keep in touch with him by going for runs with him ard gardens (recently, he went for the recce trip with vernon and me). Yesterday, I attempted to talk some christianity after the run but I hit a wall. It's not knowledge that I lack but how to 'infiltrate' into his existing beliefs. I'm reminded by chapter 8 that he belongs to the devil if he does not hear/believe in the truth.

Another summarised main point from what we gathered so far from what Jesus testifies about Himself...Believing in Jesus is about LIVING/LIFE. He says he is Bread of Life/Living Bread, Living water, Light of the world (which makes life possible). Made me ask/wonder how come I experience so little of this LIFE (I asked Weiling whether she feels alive by knowing Jesus and she said "yes"). What do you guys think? Is it because as Romans says, this creation is groaning and I'm waiting for my liberation from bondage to decay? (Romans 8:20)

Reading Schedule for John (1 chapter a day)

March 11 - John 1
March 18 - John 8
March 25 - John 15
March 31 - John 21
April 1 (Psalms...any objections any one?)

This is the blog to share your thoughts, reflections, questions

Hello everyone. By now, if you are on schedule, you should be reading John 5 today (thursday). Weiling and I have been reading John together at nite, but we missed it yesterday. So we have to do 2 chapters today. Anyone with ideas how we can improve this blog and our communication, please drop a comment.