Tag: blogging

The Outrage Paradox-Part Two. Why You Can’t Condemn Tyranny Without God
The Objective Answer.

Why You Can’t Condemn Tyranny Without God (And The Single Fact That Smashes All Subjective Religion)
We’ve talked about the Outrage Paradox. You get furiously angry at injustice, but your subjective worldview can’t actually explain why that injustice is wrong. Your moral compass is spinning, but it has no fixed North Pole.

The search for a foundation.

The natural next question is: If we need a fixed, objective truth, where do we actually find it?
The world offers two dead-end options:
1. Subjective Feelings: If it feels good, do it. (This led to the Subjective Jail we just discussed.)
2. Man-Made Rules: We’ll just all agree on the rules. (This leads to the chaos we see every day.)
  This reliance on man-made rules creates a massive, global crisis. It’s the Objective Morality Crisis.
The Problem with Human Rights-No Objective Standard.

Think about the concept of universal human rights. Everyone believes in them. Everyone fights for them. We pass laws and sign treaties to protect them.
But here is the logical trap: If the universe is just atoms and accident, and if humans are just highly evolved animals, then why does every person on Earth have inherent, universal, and unalienable rights?
You can’t find human rights under a microscope. You can’t derive human worth from the Big Bang.

Why Human Rights Require God.

If morals are subjective, then a nation, a dictator, or a mob can simply vote to change the rules. If truth is just an opinion, then condemning tyranny is just one opinion fighting another. Slavery wasn’t abolished because science discovered it was wrong; it was abolished because people finally recognized an objective moral law that transcended culture and economy. We condemn genocide because, deep in our bones, we know that human life has fixed, objective value—value that is not dependent on government, location, or skin colour.
If there is no God who created all humans in His image, then every dictator who says “might makes right” is philosophically justified. They are simply enforcing their truth.
You cannot defend universal human dignity without a universal, objective source for dignity.

Why Science Can’t Carry the Moral Weight.

Some people try to plant their flag in science. They argue science is the only true objective authority.
Science is incredible. It tells us how the universe works with stunning accuracy. But it hits a wall when it tries to tell us why or what is right.
This is The Bible ESV vs. The Microscope problem.
Take consciousness. Scientists can map the brain, measure the electrical impulses, and track the neural activity. But they still cannot tell you what consciousness objectively is, why we are driven by meaning, or where our awareness comes from. The objective study of the brain fails to capture the objective essence of the mind.
Or take the Big Bang. It explains the physical beginning, but it requires a huge amount of subjective interpretation to connect those initial physics to a human being who feels moral outrage.

What happens when science hits that subjective wall? It needs something more. It needs a Designer or Creator who makes the rules.
The Bible is not anti-science. The Bible is the owner’s manual for the reality science is trying to measure. It declares that the reason human life is sacred, and the reason your consciousness demands meaning, is that you were made by a God who is Himself the fixed definition of love and justice.
God’s moral law is not random; it’s a reflection of His objective character. This is the only philosophical ground strong enough to condemn tyranny and establish true human rights.
But is that just another religious opinion? Is that just another subjective choice?

The Single Fact That Changes Everything.

This is where Christianity separates itself completely from every other philosophy and faith claim.
Most religions offer subjective truth. They give you a path, a feeling, a set of guidelines. They rely on inner experience or ancient myth. Christianity, however, rests its entire claim on one objective, historical data point: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It’s not primarily a moral code. It’s a physical, factual event.
The claim is simple: Jesus, a real person, died on a real cross, was placed in a real tomb, and three days later, that tomb was objectively empty.

This moves the conversation out of the Subjective Jail and onto the cold, hard ground of history. It invites you to be a sceptic, an investigator, and a lawyer.
You have to ask: Was the tomb empty, or wasn’t it?
If the tomb wasn’t empty, Christianity is a beautiful, inspiring lie. The Apostle Paul himself wrote that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is “futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV). It’s a binary, objective question.
If the tomb was empty—if that single historical fact is true—then Christ is who He claimed to be. He is the Objective Lawgiver who stepped into His creation to fix the broken moral system. He is the ultimate, non-subjective reality.

The Eyewitness Test.

Now, consider the men and women who first saw the resurrected Christ: the women at the tomb, the two on the road to Emmaus, the Apostles, and the hundreds of others. They were ordinary people.
The Romans and the authorities of the day had a simple solution to this new “truth”: torture or kill the eyewitnesses.

Think about the test this presented. These eyewitnesses were beaten, imprisoned, stoned like Stephen, and ultimately crucified and Peter was even crucified upside-down, believing he wasn’t worthy to die the same way as his Lord.
If the Resurrection was just a subjective feeling, a comforting story they made up, then at what point—under the burning oil, facing the lions, or nailed to the wood—would they have broken?

At what point would they have cried out, “Stop! It was a lie! We didn’t see him resurrected. The nail wounds weren’t healed. Please, let me live!”?
They had the ultimate out. They could have saved their lives by admitting to a lie. But historical evidence shows they did not. Not one of the captured eyewitnesses—who were tortured and executed—denied the core fact.

No one dies for what they know is a lie. People die for what they believe is the objective truth.
The empty tomb is the proof that gives authority to the principle (objective truth), which in turn validates your anger (the Outrage Paradox). You don’t have to agree with every single Bible verse right now. You just have to deal with the objective fact of that missing body and the immovable testimony of those who paid the ultimate price.

The Question That Remains.

If the Resurrection is true, what does that objective fact change about the subjective world you live in? What does this mean for you?

Further Reading & Resources 📚

I. Academic & Secular Sources.

For those interested in the psychological and sociological analysis of moral disagreement in the digital age, I recommend exploring the research that validates the “Outrage Paradox”:
• Political Polarization and Moral Outrage on Social Media
o Authors: Jordan Carpenter, William Brady, Molly Crockett, René Weber & Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
o Source: Connecticut Law Review, Vol. 52, No. 3, Article (2021)
o Focus: This article proposes a theoretical model explaining how “moral outrage” (anger and disgust at a perceived moral violation) on social media leads to affective polarization, dehumanization, and a decay of civil discourse—the very chaos we see in daily news feeds.

II. ESV Bible Scripture Anchors.

To explore the concept of an objective moral law written on the human heart, and the historical solution found in Christ:

Topic: Scripture Reference (ESV) Purpose in Post

The Law on the Heart Romans 2:15 Explains the Outrage Paradox—why humans instinctively know right from wrong, even if they reject God’s law.

Objective Reality/Christ Hebrews 13:8 Guarantees shared reality and objective permanence: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

The Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:17 Establishes the entire Christian faith on a single, objective, historical fact: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.”

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26/09/2025
My Fight for Truth-Living With the Consequences of a Medical Nightmare
How The UK NHS Tried to Ruin My Life.

This is a personal story about my recent ordeal with the NHS, a journey that began with a routine blood test and ended with my life forever changed. What I learned is that sometimes, the answers we seek aren’t in a complex diagnosis, but in the most basic things around us—like in our homes.

It all started when I went for a full blood test because of my hypothyroidism. The results came back with alarming news: I had hypercalcemia, extremely high calcium levels, along with high creatinine and signs of kidney dysfunction. My GP advised me to go straight to the local hospital’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit.

SDEC is a diagnostic department where doctors try to figure out what’s causing symptoms, a bit like the TV series House. Over the next seven days, I went back and forth to the hospital. Each time, my blood tests showed worsening symptoms. My calcium levels were above 3.0, a point where I should have been admitted for a hydration drip, but I was sent home and told to “drink more water.” The more I drank that week, the worse I felt. I told this to Dr. Lok, the Cancer and Sarcoidosis doctor in charge of the department for that single week. This detail would be key in everything that happened next.

A Wrong Turn: The Focus Shifts.

Dr. Lok decided that because my symptoms resembled those of his patients, he immediately requested urgent lung scans with iodine, which is unheard of in the local NHS hospital. I was injected with iodine, which works like a marker pen for CT scans. The results came back, and he pointed to a small, dark area on my lung, which he suggested might be cancer or sarcoidosis.

I repeated to Dr. Lok that I was there for my kidneys and calcium levels, not a lung issue. But he insisted on a procedure: an urgent EBUS bronchoscopy was arranged. I was put under immense pressure and rushed into the procedure room. There was no time to think, no proper introduction from the medical staff. When I asked the junior registrar who was to perform the procedure if he had done it before, he said he had five years of training and that a consultant was present. He assured me I was in “good hands.”

The Unthinkable Procedure.

Before the procedure, I was injected with three different sedatives, but none of them worked. I was fully awake and conscious. The six nurses in the room were concerned and advised against continuing, but the junior registrar decided to proceed anyway.
The moment the procedure began, I was in excruciating pain. I couldn’t scream because of the tube down my throat, so I waved my arms and stamped my feet on the bed, begging them to stop.

This went on for an hour. I never saw the consultant in the room, but I heard the young registrar say, “I’m lost in the lungs. What do I do?” A voice from the corner of the room behind me—the consultant—replied, “I don’t know, I wasn’t watching. You’ll have to break procedure and hope you don’t spread infection.”
He told the registrar to go back up to where the lungs split into the right and left airways and start again, which he did. After an hour of unimaginable pain, the procedure was finally over. When I asked why they didn’t stop, they simply told me I was fine. I was then rushed to the recovery area, and despite my inability to breathe properly, they brushed it off as normal and sent me home.

The Aftermath: The Truth and The Fight.

When I got home, I knew something was terribly wrong. My breathing was severely impacted. I called for an ambulance, and three paramedics attended. The senior paramedic, who had been through the same procedure, though sedated, said, “They don’t tell you how painful it will be after for around twenty-four hours,” and then they left after a few basic tests.

It turns out the dark spot on my lung was nothing—no cancer, no sarcoidosis, and no bacterial infections. The procedure was completely unnecessary.

It was then I began to question everything. I purchased some equipment, tested my tap water, and found it had a high level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), at 440 TDS. The legal limit for undrinkable water in the UK is around 500 TDS, and my tap water was just below this limit. My theory was correct: drinking my tap water was making my condition worse. Within seven days of switching to a low-TDS spring water (which tested around 90 TDS) and then filtering it to bring the TDS down to 60, all my original symptoms normalized. The problem wasn’t a disease; it was my tap water.

The fight for justice against the NHS lasted for two and a half months with the patient complaints department. They dismissed my evidence, including the water suppliers’ results confirming my findings. The hospital refused to do follow-up scans that would prove the damage to my lungs was a result of a wrong diagnosis and malpractice. I received an email from the executive of the local NHS Counties who had signed off on the complaints department’s verdict that no malpractice had taken place. Although they were sorry the procedure caused what I had outlined, they protected themselves against a mountain of proof. The complaint was swept under the carpet, and I was left with only 30% of my breathing capacity.

I can no longer stand for long periods or do simple tasks like cooking or cleaning. As a rescue diver, I could once go down thirty to forty meters and rescue a diver without breaking a sweat. I am now left with the devastating, permanent consequences of a botched procedure that was never needed in the first place. My story isn’t about wanting sympathy; it’s about raising awareness. I’m just one of many who suffer in silence, and my experience highlights how difficult it is to find objective truth in a modern secular society, even within a trusted government service like the NHS.

The stress over those two and a half months was so immense that I sought professional legal help, a solicitor for a “no win, no fee” arrangement. But no solicitors would take on the NHS in a legal battle for the truth and justice. I contacted the local paper, and even they didn’t want to publish against the local hospital. They use the same hospital, so I don’t blame them.
I am grateful for every short, painful breath I can take. What would you do in my situation? Do you have any constructive thoughts or similar experiences? Please leave a message in the comments.
A personal account by Jo blogs on “Is Truth in the Way.”

Note: This is the original version of “My Fight for Truth – Living With the Consequences of a Medical Nightmare”, first published on 24 September 2025. A lightly updated repost, together with Part 2, is now available here:

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3 responses to “My Fight for Truth-Living With the Consequences of a Medical Nightmare”
1. My Fight For Truth. Part One – Is Truth in the Way
  
  01/12/2025
  
  […] My Fight for Truth-Living With the Consequences of a Medical Nightmare […]
2. Christopher Francis
  
  30/09/2025
  
  Hello. I am truly sorry for what you have had to endure. I can’t say that I have had a very similar experience. I would offer that God is more than able to heal you, no matter what anyone else says or believes. I would encourage you not to give up on God healing you. I will pray for you as well. I also recently read a devotional series on God’s Restoration that another blogger has written. I found it very encouraging and helpful and I would recommend you checking it out if you are inclined. Here is the link: https://wordpress.com/reader/blogs/161410387/posts/1773 Cheers.
  
  Jo Blogs
  
  01/10/2025
  
  Christopher, thank you so much for reading this difficult piece and taking the time to leave such a kind and thoughtful comment. As this is my first time blogging, getting a second comment from my first subscriber on such a sensitive topic is very kind of you.
  
  You’re right—it has been a truly difficult ordeal. But honestly, a big reason I even started this blog was because being unable to do much else left me with the time and the chance to join the Great Commission in this new, limited way. Your message is a great source of encouragement that I’m on the right track.
  
  I particularly appreciate you saying that “God is more than able to heal you.” It’s so easy to get lost in the human failures and injustice of the situation but remembering that ultimate truth is what keeps me focused on God.
  
  Please know that your offer to pray for me is deeply valued.
  
  I will definitely check out the devotional series on God’s Restoration that you linked to. That theme is exactly what’s needed right now. Thank you for thinking of me and sharing that resource.
  
  It means a lot to have your support. God bless you.
  
  Jo
24/09/2025
“What Is Truth? — Why It Matters Now More Than Ever”
Introduction.

In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the quest for truth often takes a backseat to the myriad distractions that vie for our attention. Yet, beneath the surface of our daily lives lies a profound question: Is there an ultimate truth, and can we find it? This blog post delves into the nature of truth and the existence of a divine Creator, exploring how these concepts can bring clarity and purpose to our lives.

The Essence of Truth.

Truth is a concept that has fascinated humanity for centuries. Traditionally, truth is seen as something objective and unchanging, a reality that exists independently of our beliefs or opinions. For instance, the statement “The Earth orbits the Sun” remains true regardless of individual perspectives. This understanding of truth provides a stable foundation upon which we can build our knowledge and understanding of the world.
However, in recent times, the idea that truth is subjective has gained traction. This perspective suggests that truth is shaped by our experiences, culture, and personal beliefs. While this view acknowledges the diversity of human experience, it also raises questions about the nature of reality and whether we can ever truly know anything for certain. It is important to recognize that while personal experiences and perspectives are valid, they do not alter objective truths.

The Divine Connection.

Amidst the debate over the nature of truth, the question of a divine Creator stands as a central core for truth. The belief in a Creator who designed and sustains the universe explains the order and complexity we observe in the world around us. This belief is a matter of faith but is supported by various lines of reasoning and evidence.
One such argument is the cosmological argument, which posits that everything that begins to exist has a cause. Since the universe began to exist, it must have a cause, and this cause is identified as God. Similarly, the intricate design and fine-tuning of the universe point to an intelligent designer who crafted the cosmos with purpose and precision.

Challenging Scientific Theories.

The creation account in the Bible provides a coherent and comprehensive explanation of the origin and nature of the universe. It presents a God who created the heavens and the earth, and everything in them, in a deliberate and purposeful manner. This account stands in contrast to certain scientific theories that rely on unprovable assumptions and speculative guesswork.
For example, the theory of evolution, which suggests that life arose through random mutations and natural selection, is often debated. While it has its proponents, some argue that it lacks empirical evidence and is based on speculative assumptions. In contrast, the creation account in the Bible offers a clear and consistent explanation of the origin of life and the universe, grounded in the belief in a purposeful Creator.

Science and Gravity.

Science is fundamentally about understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning. The concept of gravity, for instance, is a cornerstone of physics. It’s a force that attracts two bodies towards each other, and its effects are observable in everyday life. Arguing that gravity doesn’t exist is illogical because the evidence is overwhelming. If you step off a ladder, you will meet the ground due to gravity’s pull.

The Human Eye.

The human eye is a marvel of biological engineering. Its intricate structure allows us to perceive the world in vivid detail. From the cornea to the retina, each part plays a crucial role in the process of vision. The complexity of the eye often leads to discussions about the wonders of evolution and the sophistication of biological systems.

Oprah Winfrey’s Infamous Line.

Oprah Winfrey’s statement, “There’s your truth, there’s their truth, and the truth,” touches on the subjective nature of human experience. It suggests that everyone has their own perspective, shaped by their experiences and beliefs. This idea can be linked to the scientific method, which seeks to find objective truths through evidence and reasoning, contrasting with the subjective truths we hold individually. However, it is crucial to distinguish between personal perspectives and objective realities. In recent times, I’ve heard people talk about their truth, as in “my truth” and about the truth of others as “their truth.” Implicit in this is the idea that that because it is “my truth” or “their truth” it is somehow inherently valid as a statement of truth. Opinions have been elevated to truth and personal preferences have been elevated to rights. To challenge anyone’s “truth” now causes personal offense and seems to be a definite “no-no” in society. How did we ever get to such a point in society that no-one is ever wrong anymore because everyone is right?

Engaging with the Modern Mind.

In a world filled with distractions and competing truths, engaging with the modern mind requires a thoughtful and respectful approach. It involves listening to different perspectives, asking meaningful questions, and providing well-reasoned responses. By highlighting the implications of subjective truth and how it has influenced modern society, we can offer a compelling alternative to the uncertainties of relativism.
For instance, if truth is entirely subjective, it becomes challenging to resolve conflicts and make decisions based on shared values. In a legal context, the idea of subjective truth could undermine the concept of justice, as different individuals may have different interpretations of what is fair and just. By demonstrating the stability and reliability of objective truth, we can offer a compelling alternative to the uncertainties of relativism. This applies across the entire spectrum of reality. Any event can be minimised or denied, and any scientific consensus can be questioned, if it doesn’t agree with “your truth.” Are we undermining, and ultimately destroying the foundations of our own civilisation?
It is as if we live in an age of absolute relativism. That might sound like a contradiction, but what it means is that relativism is absolute because it rules over every principle.
The Bible has a vastly different way of looking at the world. In the Bible’s view, all truth is relative, but not to other truths. All truth is relative to God’s truth. God’s truth is the fixed point of reality, the source of all truth. Truth originates in the very being of God. When Jesus said, “I am the truth” (John 14:6), he didn’t mean that he had some of the truth, or even that he had all of the truth. What Jesus was saying that truth is part of who God is. Every word he speaks, every decision he makes, and everything he does is truth. It is fully and absolutely true.
We human beings can only ever speak about truth in imprecise and incomplete, ways, because we can never see the full picture. But God can. We don’t even know how big the universe is or how it works. But God does.
This keeps us humble, while at the same time it compels us to continuously search for truth. It is precisely that search for the truth about our world and how it works that led to the development of modern science.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, the interplay between objective scientific truths and subjective human experiences offers a rich tapestry for exploration. Science, with its rigorous methods and evidence-based conclusions, provides us with a reliable framework to understand phenomena like gravity and the intricate workings of the human eye. These objective truths are undeniable and form the bedrock of our understanding of the natural world. On the other hand, personal truths, as highlighted by Oprah Winfrey’s infamous line, remind us that our individual perspectives and experiences shape our reality. By acknowledging both the objective and subjective, we can appreciate the full spectrum of human understanding and experience, creating a more nuanced and holistic view of the world. This balance between the empirical and the personal enriches our lives and deepens our appreciation of the complexities of existence.
If you are reading this, I invite you to join me as this blog begins to exist online. We can look together at all the amazing things in our world. If you want to join the conversation, leave a comment below. No email blocks, just leave a respectful comment as you would leave your shoes at the door of a friend’s home who has just had new white carpet fitted. Honestly, who has white carpet.

References and Citations:
1. Aquinas, Thomas. “Summa Theologica.”
2. Craig, William Lane. “The Kalam Cosmological Argument.”
3. Barrow, John D., and Frank J. Tipler. “The Anthropic Cosmological Principle.”
4. The Bible. Genesis 1-2.
5. Behe, Michael. “Darwin’s Black Box.”
6. Newton, Isaac. “Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.”
7. Darwin, Charles. “The Origin of Species.”
8. Meyer, Stephen C. “Darwin’s Doubt.”
9. Lyotard, Jean-François. “The Postmodern Condition.”
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17/09/2025
John, Chapter 1, A Brief Commentary— Meeting the Word Made Flesh

The Word Made Flesh: Encountering Christ in the Gospel of John.

The Gospel of John stands apart from the other Gospels. Written by the disciple whom Jesus loved, it’s a deeply personal account that gets straight to the heart of who Jesus is. While the other writers told the story of Jesus’s life from the outside, John takes us inside, revealing Jesus not just as a great teacher or a miracle worker, but as God himself.
John’s purpose was to convey a profound truth: that Jesus is the Divine Word, the one who existed with God from the beginning and through whom all things were created. In a world full of darkness, he is the true light, a beacon of hope for all who are willing to see.
This first chapter serves as a powerful introduction, presenting a series of testimonies about Jesus—from John the Baptist to the very first disciples—that invite us to see him as he truly is.

The Divine Word: The Foundation of All Things (John 1:1-5).

John opens his Gospel with a truth that echoes throughout eternity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The term “the Word” is not just a title; it’s an explanation. Just as our words reveal our thoughts, the Son of God was sent to reveal the Father’s mind to the world.
This passage proves that Jesus is God. John asserts his eternal existence, his coexistence with the Father, and his role in creation. Everything that exists, from the highest angel to the smallest microbe, was made by him. He wasn’t just an instrument; he was the source. This shows his power and authority, and it also proves he is fully qualified to be our Redeemer and Savior.
The Word is also called the “true Light,” and this light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not comprehend it. In the face of a world that struggles to understand spiritual truth, we are called to pray that our own eyes would be opened to this light so that we can walk in it and find salvation.

The Light of Humanity (John 1:6-14).

John the Baptist, a powerful and prophetic figure, was sent to bear witness to the Light. This highlights just how spiritually dark the world was—the light had arrived, yet people still needed someone to point it out to them. Christ is the ultimate light, and only those who are enlightened by him can find salvation.
This passage also reveals the incredible truth of the Incarnation. Christ was “in the world” he had created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to save a lost world, but even his own people did not receive him. This speaks to a universal human condition: many claims to know Jesus but are unwilling to accept him as their king.
But to those who do receive him, he gives the right to become children of God. This new birth is a spiritual reality, a transformation worked by the Spirit of God. While he had always been in the world by his divine presence, now he was God “manifested in the flesh.” Yet even in his human form, the divine glory shone through, seen most clearly by those who were closest to him. His grace was fully acceptable to the Father, making him the perfect advocate for us, and his truth was complete, fully revealing all that we needed to know.

The Testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:15-18).

John the Baptist was a prominent figure in his time, but he never took credit for himself. He consistently pointed to Jesus, declaring that while he came after him chronologically, Jesus was before him in every way. This confirms Jesus’s pre-existence and his eternal nature.
The passage also emphasizes that from Jesus, we have all received “grace upon grace.” The law, though holy and just, cannot provide salvation or strength. It can show us what to do, but it cannot give us the power to do it. Only through Jesus Christ do we receive God’s mercy, and only through him can we come to the Father. He is the only way to truly know God, for he is the only begotten Son who has revealed him.

John’s Public Proclamation (John 1:19-28).

As people came to John the Baptist with questions about his identity, he was quick to correct them. He wasn’t the Christ, nor was he Elijah or the Prophet they were expecting. He was simply a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. He baptized with water as a sign of repentance, but he told them of a greater one among them whom they did not know—one to whom he was not worthy to untie his sandals.

The Lamb of God and the First Disciples (John 1:29-51).

The climax of John the Baptist’s testimony comes when he sees Jesus and declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This is a direct reference to the paschal lamb and the daily sacrifices, all of which pointed to Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice. John makes it clear that we find pardon and redemption not through our own works, but through Jesus alone. He bore our sin for us and takes it away, encouraging us to have faith in his atoning sacrifice.
As John pointed to Jesus, some of his own disciples, including Andrew, followed Jesus. This shows the true nature of ministry: to lead others to Christ. Andrew then found his brother, Simon, and brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus gave Simon the name “Peter” (meaning “rock”), he showed that he would make him a firm and steadfast follower. This reminds us that it is by God’s grace that we are able to be constant in our faith.
Finally, we see Philip, who was also called to follow Jesus, and he in turn brought Nathanael. Nathanael was initially sceptical, but when Jesus revealed his deep knowledge of his character and even his location under a fig tree, Nathanael declared him to be the Son of God. This illustrates that Jesus knows our hearts completely. Just as Jesus saw Nathanael’s uprightness, he knows what is truly in us.

Conclusion.

John, Chapter 1, is more than just a historical record. It is a series of testimonies that build on one another to paint a complete picture of Jesus. From the Word who created all things to the Lamb of God who takes away sin, Jesus is presented as both fully divine and fully human. The chapter encourages us to examine our own hearts, to see if we, like the first disciples, are ready to follow him and tell others about the one who knows us completely and loves us more than we can imagine.

Further Reading.

The Gospel of John, Chapter One. ESV, NET, YLT, NASB, NKJV, KJV.

https://bible.org/

https://biblehub.com/

https://www.blueletterbible.org/ylt/jhn/

https://biblehub.com/esv/john/1.htm

Choose a Word for Word Translation.

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17/09/2025
John, Chapter 2, A Brief Commentary— Water Into Wine: The Sign Everyone Misunderstands

From Water to a New Temple.

The Unexpected Power of Christ.

The second chapter of the Gospel of John opens with a scene of joy and celebration, but it quickly shifts to a powerful act of authority and a profound statement about Jesus’s identity. From a humble wedding in Cana to a dramatic confrontation in the temple, this chapter reveals key aspects of Christ’s character: His grace, His power, and His deep insight into the human heart. It shows us that Jesus transforms both the mundane and the spiritual, and that His true purpose is far greater than anyone could have imagined.

The First Sign: The Wedding at Cana.

The chapter begins with a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. Jesus, His disciples, and His mother were all invited, which is a powerful reminder that it’s a good idea to involve Christ in all of life’s significant events, especially marriage. This simple act of invitation suggests that when we welcome Christ into our lives, He will be present with us.
During the celebration, a problem arises: the wine runs out. This small crisis highlights a bigger truth about life—even at times of great happiness, we will encounter difficulties and disappointments. Mary, Jesus’s mother, brings the problem to Him, simply stating, “They have no wine.” This shows us that we should bring our needs to Christ and trust Him to handle the situation as He sees fit.
Jesus’s response to His mother—”My hour has not yet come”—was not a sign of disrespect. Rather, it was a statement about His divine timing. He works on His own schedule, not ours, and His delays are not denials. When Mary tells the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it,” she provides a timeless lesson on faith and obedience. The way to experience God’s blessings is through ready and unquestioning obedience to His commands.
The miracle that follows is a beautiful contrast to the first miracle of Moses, who turned water into blood. Jesus turned water into wine, symbolizing the difference between the Law and the Gospel. The Law brought death and judgment, but the Gospel brings life and abundance. Christ didn’t just provide wine; He provided the best wine. This shows that Christ’s works are superior and bring a deeper, richer satisfaction. We are encouraged to use the gifts He gives us, whether they are material comforts or spiritual graces, to their fullest potential. This miracle affirms the proper use of things like wine in celebration, while also cautioning us against excess and debauchery. Our lives should be lived in such a way that Christ would be welcome in our midst at any time.

Cleansing the Temple: A House of Merchandise.

After the wedding, Jesus travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. The first public act recorded for Him here is not a miracle of healing, but one of cleansing. He found the temple courts filled with merchants, who, with the approval of the priests, had turned a place of worship and prayer into a noisy market. This act of driving out the buyers and sellers was a powerful rebuke to those who profaned the house of God. It’s a striking reminder that we can make God’s house—and even our own hearts—a “house of merchandise” when we allow worldly concerns and greed to dominate our thoughts and actions during times of worship.
When questioned about His authority to do this, Jesus gave them a sign: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jewish leaders, however, completely missed the meaning. They thought He was speaking about the physical temple building, which had taken 46 years to construct. They understood the words literally, but Jesus was speaking figuratively about the temple of His own body. He was prophesying His death at their hands and His glorious resurrection by His own power.
This moment highlights a common mistake people make when reading the Scriptures: taking a figurative statement literally. It also foreshadows a key moment for the disciples. They did not fully understand this statement until after Christ’s resurrection. This shows us the importance of observing how scripture is fulfilled, as it brings clarity and deeper meaning to God’s word.

The Heart of Man: Jesus Knows All.

The chapter concludes with Jesus performing many miracles in Jerusalem, which led many people to believe in Him. However, the text notes that Jesus “did not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.” He was not fooled by superficial faith or outward professions. Unlike humans who only see what is done, Jesus sees what is in a person. He knows our true nature, our hidden motives, our weaknesses, and our secret projects.
This section is a serious caution against having a “dead faith” or a shallow, formal profession of belief. Many people may profess faith in Jesus for worldly gain or because it’s socially convenient, but Jesus knows their true character. They may deceive others and even themselves, but they can never deceive the heart-searching God. This serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus understands us completely, and true faith is not about outward show but a genuine transformation of the heart.

Conclusion.

The second chapter of the Gospel of John presents Jesus as a master of transformation. At the Cana wedding, He transforms water into wine, demonstrating His power to turn the mundane into something extraordinary. In the temple, He cleanses a corrupted space, asserting His authority over all things and foreshadowing His own resurrection. Finally, He reveals His perfect knowledge of humanity, teaching us that He sees beyond our outward appearance and knows the true condition of our hearts. These events challenge us to invite Christ into every part of our lives, to obey His commands, and to seek a sincere faith that goes beyond mere words.

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16/09/2025