John Week 11

Epilogue and Restoration: Joyous New Life (John 21:1–25)

Aslan is the incarnation of Jesus Christ, imagined in a world called Narnia. Like Jesus, Aslan dies in the place of a traitor (Barabbas in John’s gospel; Edmund in Narnia), though both deaths have far-reaching consequences. Full reading and audio »


John Week 10

To See or Not to See: Do You Now See…and Believe? (John 20)

In 1998 two psychologists performed an experiment that is now famously referred to as “The Invisible Gorilla.” They asked students at Harvard University to watch a video as six people in different colored t-shirts passed a basketball back and forth. Full reading and audio »


John Week 9

Betrayal, Denial, and Death: The End? (John 18:1–19:42)

John 18 begins the very familiar story of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and of Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial. In many ways these chapters of the Gospel of John most closely resemble the parallel chapters in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Full reading and audio »


John Week 8

Abiding in Love: Absently Present: John 15:1–17:26

Congratulations. You’ve reached this milestone in your life through hard work and dedication. Be thankful for those who have come before you, and for those who have encouraged you to reach for your dreams. Full reading and audio »


John Week 7

Dirty Feet and Discipleship: The Depth of Love: John 13:1–14:31

If you watch commercials and storefronts in the U.S. at Valentine’s Day, you might believe that you can develop a recipe for love with three simple ingredients: buy a sweet and/or funny card, add some flowers, and finish it off with some chocolates. Full reading and audio »


John Week 6

Death, Mission and Discipleship: It’s All in the Details: John 11:1–12:50

The writer Anton Chekhov articulated a principle of storytelling that essentially claims that all details matter. He said (in various forms), “If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.” Full reading and audio »


John Week 5

From Sight to (Un)Belief: The Illuminating, Blinding Light: John 7:53–10:42

The key statement of these chapters in the Gospel of John is simply this:
“I am the light of the world.” Full reading and audio »


John Week 4

Celebrating Jesus: Life out of Death Over and Over and Over Again: John 5:1–7:52

Most of us love celebrations. Often our favorite celebrations are those that mark special days like birthdays or holidays. Full reading and audio »


John Week 3

Blazing Signs of the Times: Abundant Life, Controversy, and Confusion: John 2–4

On two different occasions my brother and I have had the privilege of hiking in Grand Teton National Park. There are several important items that hikers need for the trail: good shoes, a trail map, food, and water. Full reading and audio »


John Week 2

Show and Tell: Testifying to Jesus: John 1:19–51

Aspiring writers are often advised, “Show, don’t tell. Take readers along for the journey; don’t narrate events at a distance.” If this had been the writing advice in the first century, the fourth evangelist would have failed miserably. Full reading and audio »


John Week 1

Singing an Index: An Introduction to the Gospel of John (John 1:1–18)

Music is a powerful source of identity and connection. Even people with forms of memory loss often remember songs that they were taught at younger ages. Full reading and audio »