What lies beyond belief? Surely believing is not the end of the story – meeting Jesus cannot leave us unchanged. Now, in this final section, John gives us a glimpse of what our lives will be like beyond the threshold of belief.
Today's church has a serious problem in the developed world. For all of our technical skills we are lousy fishermen. It is as though we have the best new carbon fiber fishing rods and reels, the most elaborate fish finders, and the most dazzling lures – and yet we catch nothing.
“What is truth?” That is the question we’re all asking – and should be asking – from the smallest child among us to the ivy league professors. The answer matters, because once we know the truth we know how to measure our lives. Without the truth as a measuring line and a level, our lives are very likely to be built on lies.
As a disclaimer about the graphic nature of today’s passage: if you are sensitive to depictions of violence, you may want to consider covering your ears or leaving the room. If, on the other hand, you’ve ever watched a modern movie or the 6 o’clock news, it should, sadly, be a walk in the park.
Today, as Jesus prepares to endure the cross, He prays for His disciples – which includes you and me. Jesus speaks of glory, of unity, of joy, and sanctification. But He also points out the reality of rejection – specifically that the world will reject those who belong to Him.