After engaging with the Pharisee about his relation to the Father, a group of Jews believed what Jesus and decided to follow them. Jesus however knew their hearts and continued to press them with statements revealing the true motives of their hearts. Finally, after pressing them and the Jews pressing back slandering his identity, Jesus claims to be the “I AM,” the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh; the self-sufficient, all powerful, eternal, ever-present God over all creation, revealing himself in flesh.

Jesus continues to engage the disciples in another parable about the nature of our relationship with God. Here Jesus claims to be the true vine by which all believers are united to him and produce fruit through him. Jesus uses this parable to unpack the intricate relationship between the Father, the Son, and the church. This brings a deeper level of clarity to Jesus’ central importance in the Father’s plan for the redemption of man.

As the crucifixion of Jesus quickly approaches, Jesus gathers the disciples together to leave them with some final words and ease their worries about the coming events. Here we find Jesus making one of his most controversial statements, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Ultimately claiming that all of life is about Jesus: loving him, letting him reveal truth to areas of darkness in our lives, leading us to repentance, and letting him bring us restoration, healing, and life, so that we can continue to love, worship, and know him more deeply. And it is through faith in Jesus alone that any of this possible.

The story begins with Jesus receiving word from Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus was deathly ill. Despite the sisters’ urgent plea for help, Jesus purposely waits two days until Lazarus dies before deciding to head down to Bethany, where they lived. He tells the disciples that it was for their sake that he was not there before Lazarus died, so that they may believe. Upon arriving in Bethany, he is confronted by Martha who though frustrated at Lazarus’ death, still trusts that God will still do whatever Jesus’ asks of him. To which he responds telling her that he is the resurrection and the life. Mary then comes to Jesus, falling at his feet, weeping, knowing that Jesus’ could have saved their brother. The story ultimately culminates with Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, bringing faith to those who witnessed the event, and giving validity to his claim that for those who believe in Him, he gives both new life and hope that he will conquer death, once and for all.

One of the most common metaphors used in scripture for the people of God is the metaphor of the sheep. Here Jesus identifies as the true and only door by which the sheep may enter to find safety. But Jesus is not only the door, but the Shepherd who calls his sheep, protects his sheep, and ultimately rescues them from danger when they go astray.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, bringing light to the true motives and intentions of our hearts. In this sermon, we take a look at Jesus exposing the reality of our hearts’ true desires and motives. Though the crowds “believed” Jesus, as he presses them with truth, the darkness of their ways is quickly exposed.

In this sermon, we look at the events after Jesus feeds the masses. As the crowds figure out that hanging out with Jesus comes with a free meal, they decide to find him again for some more handouts. Being Jesus, he reveals to them that their longings go far deeper than their appetites. God provides the true bread, Jesus Christ himself. Jesus carries the metaphor all the way proclaiming that in order for them to have eternal life they must eat his flesh and drink his blood. All of this pointing to Jesus’ death on the cross and our life through partaking in his death.