I live in suburbia, surrounded by homes filled with neighbors. Lots of excellent neighbors, actually, some of whom have become really good friends.

When I lived in an apartment complex in college, one of my neighbors took his karaoke machine into the basement laundry room several evenings a week and practiced singing. He sounded a bit like Tony Bennett. I washed my socks in a combination laundromat/night club.

The nation of Israel endured lousy neighbors including Sidon, a wealthy city-state to the north. Ezekiel prophesied her punishment and Israel’s liberation from these neighbors:

No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Through his acts of judgement, the Sidonians came to know the Lord is God. Also, through painful relationships with their neighbors and then deliverance, the people of Israel understood that I am the Lord their God.

The Lord works both sides of the fence. His chosen people and those who oppressed his chosen people both needed a dose of reality—understanding who controls this world—in order to turn to the Lord.

The Lord wants all to come to him and sometimes it takes a whack in the head to get our attention. But the end result remains positive, that we may come to know the Sovereign Lord.

Photo by J King

Jesus and his disciples walked up on a man blind from birth, begging on the side of the road. Jesus spit on the ground and smeared the mud on the man’s eyes. After running off to wash, the man saw colors and people and all the world for the first time. But no Jesus.

The local Pharisees got wind of this miracle, occurring as it did on a Sabbath, and launched an investigation. They grilled the man born blind, hurling insults and lashing at him in anger.

But the once-blind beggar looked them in the eyes and answered: We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.

Not in the mood for such truth, the Pharisees tossed the man out.

On his way, Jesus found him. Now the once-blind man looked the Savior in the eye. Jesus said to him, for judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.

Unseeing from birth, begging for scraps, this man understood with greater clarity the way of the Lord than a roomful of religious teachers. Those teachers, concerned more with career advancement and financial prospects, paid little attention to such details. But sitting along the road, day after day, this sightless man honed his theology.

It’s better to know Jesus than be good at religion. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. That’s a lecture to take to heart.

John 9 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Alexandre Pellaes

Jesus, teaching in the temple, spoke to the people gathered around him and said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

What does Jesus mean by the light of life?

Does he refer to eternal life? The Holy Spirit? Insight and clarity regarding spiritual questions? Our sinfulness? Establishing direction?

Perhaps those who follow Jesus and gain this light of life begin to see the darkness in the world as a temporary condition. Over the horizon comes into view. Truth and falsehood grow distinguishable.

All of the above, I believe.

Most gloriously, the light of life brings hope.

Where do I need the light of life found only in the illuminating person of Jesus? Where should I ask him to shine, to nourish, to infuse?

Don’t be afraid to appeal to the Lord. Because there’s no need for darkness with Jesus around.

John 8 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jordan Wozniak

My wife and I took on a low-carb diet several weeks ago, which means we cut out many delights, including bread of any sort. The diet’s actually not too bad, and I certainly feel healthier, but I look forward to warm bread with melted butter in the future.

Jesus spoke of food that endures to eternal life, then clarified, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty.

Immediately I think of a French bakery. Perhaps a more modern rendering would have Jesus saying I am the croissant of life, because Jesus ain’t just any old bread.

No more hunger, no more thirst—souls at rest.

After hearing this teaching from Jesus, how he’s the only way to God and following him requires resolute commitment, many of those hanging around decided to leave. Jesus asked his disciples if they wanted to leave as well.

Peter answered: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.

Peter understood. Only Jesus, the Holy One of God, opens the door to heaven, an exclusive loaf bearing eternal life.

Other breads may pacify our hunger, but only one satisfies our soul.

John 6 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by jonathan ocampo