Category Archives: Father / Yahweh

Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Learning To Pray Effectively, Purposeful / Intentional

Glorify the Father (John 17:1-5)

Yeshua prays not that we escape the world, but that we be kept faithful in it.

True glory is found in fulfilling the Father’s will.

Key Verse:
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” —John 17:3 NASB

Background Context:
John 17 records Yeshua’s prayer to the Father just before His arrest and crucifixion. These are intimate, final words spoken aloud for His disciples to hear. In verses 1–5, Yeshua begins by asking the Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father. His mission is clear: to grant eternal life to those given to Him by the Father. Eternal life is not merely about living forever—it is about knowing the Father and the Son. Yeshua closes this section by pointing to His obedience, having finished the work He was sent to do, and by asking to return to the glory He shared with the Father before the world began.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 17:1-5

The High Priestly Prayer

      1Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4“I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5“Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Reflection on John 17:1–5:
Here we glimpse the heart of Yeshua’s mission. Glory, for Him, was not about earthly recognition but about fulfilling the Father’s plan—even through the cross. His request for glorification points directly to the suffering He would endure, through which the Father’s love and salvation would be revealed.

Eternal life is redefined here as relationship: knowing the Father and the Son. This knowledge is not intellectual alone—it is intimate, personal, and transforming. Yeshua makes it clear that the purpose of His mission is not only to rescue but to reconcile people into fellowship with God.

We also see Yeshua’s divine nature affirmed. He speaks of the glory He had with the Father before creation, showing that He is eternal and one with God. His prayer points us to the reality that salvation is anchored in the eternal purposes of God, not in temporary human effort.

Application:
Eternal life begins now—not just in the future—through knowing God and His Son. Make your relationship with Him the center of your life. Like Yeshua, seek to glorify the Father not in empty words but in completing the work He gives you. And let your hope rest in the eternal glory of Christ, who was with the Father before the world began and who will bring His people into that glory.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Yeshua to give eternal life. Help me to live in a way that glorifies You, just as He did. Teach me to treasure eternal life as knowing You and walking closely with Your Son. Keep me faithful in the work You have given me, and remind me that my true hope is in the eternal glory of Christ. In His name I pray, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Parables

Abiding in the Vine (John 15:1-11)

True life and lasting fruit only come by staying connected to Christ.

Key Verse:
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5 NASB

Background Context:
As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He teaches them with a picture they could all understand—a vineyard. Israel was often called a vine in the Old Testament, but here Jesus declares Himself the true vine. His followers are the branches, and the Father is the vinedresser who tends, prunes, and judges. The focus is clear: life and fruitfulness flow only from remaining connected to Christ. Apart from Him, even the most zealous disciple can do nothing of eternal value.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 15:1-11

Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches

     1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Reflection on John 15:1–11:
Jesus makes three truths plain: first, that He is the source of all spiritual life; second, that the Father actively tends His people; and third, that disciples are meant to bear fruit—evidence of genuine faith. Branches that bear no fruit are cut off, reminding us that casual association with Jesus is not the same as abiding in Him. Those who do bear fruit will be pruned, sometimes through trials or discipline, but always for greater growth. Obedience to His commandments is how we remain in His love, just as Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father. The reward of abiding is not only fruitfulness, but also joy—the very joy of Christ filling our hearts.

Application:
We must evaluate whether we are truly abiding in Christ or trying to live apart from Him. A branch cannot will itself to bear fruit—it must stay connected to the vine. In the same way, our strength, growth, and joy all come from daily fellowship with Him through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. Pruning may hurt, but it is God’s way of shaping us into vessels that glorify Him. If you want to show your love for God, keep His commandments and remain in His Son. True joy is not found in self-effort but in abiding in Christ, who supplies everything we need.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for giving me life through Your Son, the true Vine. Help me to remain in Him, not drifting away or trying to live in my own strength. When pruning comes, give me faith to trust Your hand and rejoice in Your purpose. Teach me to walk in obedience so that my life may bear fruit for Your glory. Fill me with the joy of Christ, that my life may point others to You. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Love, Seeking God

Knowing the Father by Knowing the Son (John 14:7-15)

Sometimes we pray for a glimpse of God, forgetting He’s already revealed Himself—in Jesus.

Key Verse:
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” —John 14:7 NASB

Background Context:
In the upper room, Jesus continued preparing His disciples for His departure. Philip asked for a clear picture of the Father, and Jesus revealed that to see Him was to see the Father. He promised that those who believe in Him would do even greater works, empowered by prayer in His name. Jesus also tied love for Him directly to obedience to His commands.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 14:7-15

Oneness with the Father

      7“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

      8Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14“If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

      15“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Reflection on John 14:7–15:
Philip’s request is one many still echo: “Show us God.” Yet Jesus’ answer leaves no room for doubt—He and the Father are one. If you know Jesus, you know the Father. The works He performed were not just demonstrations of power, but living proof of the Father’s heart.

Even more, Jesus promises that believers will do “greater works.” This doesn’t mean greater in power than raising the dead or calming storms, but greater in scope—because His Spirit would work through His followers worldwide. This promise is linked to prayer “in My name”—not as a formula, but in alignment with His will and mission.

Finally, love for Jesus is proven in obedience. Emotion without action isn’t love. True love says, “I trust You enough to follow.”

Application:
If you want to know God more deeply, focus on knowing Jesus—His character, His words, and His ways—and let your love for Him be shown through obedience. Jesus, the living example of God’s Word, did not come to give new commandments but to perfectly fulfill the ones already given, showing us that love for God is proven by walking in His truth.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the Father to me. Help me to trust You enough to obey You, love You enough to follow You, and pray in a way that aligns with Your will. Use my life for Your glory and for the work You call me to do. In Your name, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua

One with the Father (John 10:22-42)

Faith doesn’t come from hearing more—it comes from recognizing truth when it’s already been revealed.

Key Verse:
“I and the Father are one.” —John 10:30 NASB

Background Context:
This passage takes place during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), a time when the Jewish people remembered God’s deliverance and the rededication of the temple. As Jesus walked in Solomon’s portico at the temple, He was confronted again by religious leaders demanding a clear declaration of His identity. But Jesus had already told them—through His words and through His works. Their refusal to believe wasn’t due to a lack of clarity, but a lack of belonging: they were not His sheep. The passage culminates in another attempt to stone Him, yet many outside the religious center responded to His voice and believed.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 10:22-42

Jesus Asserts His Deity

     22At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30“I and the Father are one.”

      31The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’? 35“If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

      40And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42Many believed in Him there.

Reflection on John 10:22–42:
The leaders surrounded Jesus and demanded, “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” But Jesus had already told them—clearly and repeatedly. The issue wasn’t communication—it was conviction. They were not His sheep. They refused to hear His voice, believe His works, or accept that He and the Father are one.

Jesus makes a powerful claim: “My sheep hear My voice… I give eternal life… no one will snatch them out of My hand… I and the Father are one.” (vv. 27–30). This was not just a statement of closeness—it was a declaration of deity. The crowd understood that and picked up stones, accusing Him of blasphemy. But Jesus pointed them again to the works—the undeniable evidence of who He is.

His sheep would recognize the truth. The resistance of the religious elite only contrasted more deeply with the faith of the crowd beyond the Jordan. “Many believed in Him there.” These were the ones who weren’t surrounded by religious tradition, yet they heard and believed.

Application:
Are you listening for the voice of the Shepherd—or still demanding more proof before you trust Him? Sometimes we ask for more signs, more clarity, more confirmation. But Jesus has already shown us who He is. The question is: will we believe?

If you are His sheep, you will recognize His voice—through His Word, through His Spirit, and through the fruit of His work. Follow Him with confidence, knowing that no one can snatch you from His hand.

And if you find yourself wrestling with doubt, take Jesus’ challenge: “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me. But if I do… believe the works.” He invites us to come closer, to test and see, and to trust Him.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Yeshua, the Good Shepherd and the Son of God. I believe He and You are one. Help me to hear His voice clearly and follow without hesitation. Strengthen my faith when I wrestle with doubt, and draw me into deeper trust. I rest in the promise that I am safe in Your hand. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Truth

True Freedom Comes Through the Son (John 8:31-59)

We may think we’re free, but unless we abide in Jesus’ word, we remain in bondage to sin.

Key Verse:
“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” —John 8:31–32 (NASB)

Background Context:
In John 8:31–59, Jesus continues teaching in the temple, now addressing Jews who had believed in Him—or at least claimed to. He speaks to the heart of true discipleship: not simply believing His words, but continuing in them. This passage sharply contrasts the freedom found in Christ with the slavery caused by sin and rebellion.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 8:31-59

The Truth Will Make You Free

     31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

      34Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38“I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”

      39They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40“But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41“You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43“Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45“But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46“Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47“He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”

      48The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50“But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” 52The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53“Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” 54Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.

Reflection on John 8:31–59:
Jesus’ bold declaration that the truth will set you free sparks offense in His audience. They claim to be descendants of Abraham and insist they have never been enslaved. Yet Jesus points to a deeper bondage—not of politics or nationality, but of the soul: “Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”

Their physical heritage could not save them. Spiritual freedom only comes through the Son. Jesus was not challenging their lineage but revealing their hearts. If they truly belonged to God, they would love and receive the One sent by Him. Instead, they sought to kill Him, showing they followed a different father—Satan, the father of lies.

This passage climaxes with Jesus declaring, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” With those words, He reveals His divine identity, invoking the very name God used with Moses—“I AM.” The crowd picks up stones to kill Him, unwilling to accept the truth that could set them free.

Application:
What do you rely on for your identity and assurance—your heritage, knowledge, or good works? Jesus calls you to remain in His word, not just admire it. True discipleship means obedience, trust, and ongoing transformation. Let His truth expose and free you from the hidden bondage of sin.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing truth through Your Son. Help me to continue in Jesus’ word so that I may live in true freedom. Expose any lies I’ve believed, and break the chains of sin in my life. Teach me to walk as a true disciple, honoring You with a heart surrendered fully to Christ. In His name I pray, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Yahweh Is A Good Father: Let Us Honor Him

As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is good to also focus on our Creator and Father in addition to celebrating good earthy fathers. Take time to prayerfully and thoughtfully reflect on who He is and what He has already done for You.

Respect and honor who God is. Take a few moments and be still before God. Contemplate the character of God:

  • The Great I Am
  • Creator of All
  • All Knowing (omniscient)
  • All Powerful (omnipotent)
  • Present In All Places at All Times (omnipresent)
  • Unchanging (immutable)
  • Eternal (without beginning or end)
  • Incapable of Making a Mistake (flawless)
  • Infinite (without limit or boundaries)
  • Holy (worthy of devotion as one perfect in goodness)
  • Just (behaving according to what is morally right and fair)
  • The Beginning and the End (Alpha and Omega)

In Ephesians  1:18-19 Paul prays “…that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”

Reflect on the greatness of God’s power toward you as God the Father. He is Father, Provider, Shelter, and Protector.

Honor and glorify His name. God’s name is to be separated from the world. To do this, we must separate from the world and focus on God. Focus on the Biblical names for God.

Focus on God’s character, praise Him and be thankful. His character should be reflected in our character.

  • Compassionate
  • Gracious
  • Humble
  • Pure (in body and mind)
  • Merciful
  • Giving (in time and resources)
  • Slow to anger / Patient
  • Filled with love
  • Truthful
  • Forgiving
  • Kind
  • Faithful
  • Wise
  • Servant’s heart
  • Disciplined (self-control)
  • Joyful
  • Holy (set apart from sin; set apart for God’s purpose)
  • Just (e.g. justice)

Consider picking one or more of God’s characteristics, starting with the one you understand the least, and study its meaning including study of application in scriptures. This activity will renew your mind in that area and, in turn, transform your character to be more like God and our Lord Jesus Christ. After completing this, consider doing for the other character traits over time, perhaps one a week.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for being such a wonderful Father. Thank You for caring for me even when I may not understand why I experience certain things that may be difficult. You are worthy of praise. You are the model for the father I should strive to be. Please help me (and/or pray for fathers in your life here) to become more like You. Amen. 

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Father / Yahweh, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Guided by YHWH: Embodying the Qualities of a Good Father

Good fathers should pursue after Christ and be spiritual leaders in their family. They should put YHWH first, their wife next and then the children in their priority list and then actually live their lives according to that standard. YHWH has said much about what it means to be a good father. It need not be a mystery.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Luke 11:11-12 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?

Joshua 24:14-15 “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Perhaps some scripture does not explicitly call out “fathers”, but as in Joshua 24:14-15… he demonstrates the role of a good father as a strong leader for his family committed to serving YHWH even if others refuse to do so. Psalm 127:3-5 shows a good father feels blessed to have received the gift of children.

There are many more such scriptures. I encourage you to do an internet search for “Bible scriptures about good fathers” and invest time to dive deeper. In fact, YHWH gives us the metaphor to think of Him like a Father and He is perfect. Thus we can learn a lot about being a good father from studying how He relates to His people.

Good fathers are not perfect… there is only one perfect Father. On behalf of all those fathers out there who are trying to lead, protect and provide for their families, we appreciate your grace and forgiveness when we get it wrong, and we welcome your prayers and encouragement on our behalf so we may become better and better at what YHWH has called us to be… fathers.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for the righteous fathers that are trying to lead their families in Your ways. Please help and encourage fathers to lead and love their families actively. Help fathers reflect Your character traits and be a light to others that do not know You and  godly example to their children. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua

He Who Hears and Believes Has Life (John 5:18-24)

True belief is not passive acknowledgment—it is hearing and honoring both the Father and the Son through active faith.

Key Verse:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” —John 5:24 (NASB)

Background Context:
This passage follows the healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda, which Yeshua performed on the Sabbath. The religious leaders responded not with praise, but with hostility—accusing Him of breaking the Sabbath and blasphemy for calling God His own Father. Yeshua’s response is deeply theological and unequivocal: He is equal with God and acts in perfect unity with the Father. This moment is not just about healing or the Sabbath—it is a bold declaration of divine authority, unity with God, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 5:18-24

Jesus’ Equality with God

      18For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

      19Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

      24“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Reflection on John 5:18–24:
In these verses, Yeshua makes one of the most direct claims to His divine nature: He does only what the Father does. The Son gives life. The Son executes judgment. The Son is to be honored just as the Father is. And He makes a powerful promise—those who hear His words and believe the One who sent Him are given eternal life.

Belief, in this sense, is not merely intellectual agreement. As we’ve noted before, even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). What Yeshua is describing here is a belief that includes hearing, honoring, submitting, and trusting. It is a belief that brings transformation, moving a person from death to life, from judgment to redemption.

Yeshua’s words also confront the notion that we can honor the Father while ignoring or rejecting the Son. “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” This is a clear and uncompromising truth that must shape how we live, how we witness, and how we worship. To truly honor God is to honor His Son with our lives, our obedience, and our faith.

Application:
Ask yourself: Do I truly hear His words and respond in faith and obedience? Am I honoring the Son in the way I live, speak, and serve? This passage reminds us not only of Yeshua’s divinity and authority, but also of His offer of life. Eternal life begins not at death, but at the moment of true belief. Let that truth anchor your faith and ignite your desire to walk closely with Him today.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, who has made You known and opened the way for us to pass from death into life. Help us to truly hear His words and believe—not just in thought, but through obedience and faithfulness. May we honor the Son as we honor You, and may our lives reflect the transformation that comes through believing in Him. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Father / Yahweh, Hope, Humility, Peace / Rest, Psalms

Trusting Like a Child (Psalm 131)

What does it mean to have a heart that is calm and quiet before the Lord?

Psalm 131 invites us to embrace a childlike trust in God, leaving behind pride and anxiety to rest in His presence. It is a short but powerful declaration of humility and hope in the Lord.

Key Verse:
“O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.” – Psalm 131:1 (NASB)

Background Context:
Psalm 131 is one of the Songs of Ascents, reflecting the humility and simplicity of one who trusts fully in the Lord. Attributed to David, it captures a posture of surrender, where pride, ambition, and worry give way to a calm and quiet confidence in God’s care. This psalm reminds us that peace comes from trusting God as a child trusts a loving parent.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 131

Childlike Trust in the LORD.

A Song of Ascents, of David.

1O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.

      2Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.

      3O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.

Reflection on Psalm 131:

  • Humility Before God:
    The psalmist begins by rejecting pride and haughtiness, acknowledging that not all things are for us to understand or control (Psalm 131:1). Humility allows us to trust God’s wisdom above our own. Are you surrendering areas of pride and ambition to rest in God’s plan?
  • A Heart at Rest:
    The psalmist describes his soul as calmed and quieted, like a weaned child with its mother (Psalm 131:2). This imagery reflects contentment and trust, free from striving or fear. Are you finding peace by placing your trust in God’s care and provision?
  • Hope in the Lord:
    The psalm ends with a call for Israel to hope in the Lord both now and forever (Psalm 131:3). Trusting God is not a temporary action but a lifelong posture of dependence on His faithfulness. Are you cultivating a hope in God that anchors you through all seasons?

Summary Key Points:

  • Reject Pride and Anxiety: Trust God’s wisdom and let go of the need to control or understand everything.
  • Rest in God’s Care: Find peace in His presence, like a child content with a loving parent.
  • Live with Hope: Place your confidence in God’s faithfulness for today and all eternity.
  • Cultivate Humility: Acknowledge God’s greatness and rely on His guidance.
  • Trust Beyond Understanding: Rest in the truth that His ways are higher than ours.

Application:
Reflect on areas of your life where pride, ambition, or anxiety may be disrupting your peace. Surrender those areas to God, trusting in His wisdom and care. Seek to cultivate a childlike faith, finding rest and contentment in His presence. Share this message of trust and hope with others who may be struggling to let go of control.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us to rest in Your presence like a child with a loving parent. Help us to surrender our pride and anxieties, trusting in Your wisdom and care. Teach us to find peace in You and to live with hope anchored in Your faithfulness. May our hearts be calm and quiet before You, bringing You glory in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faithful, Father / Yahweh, Hope, Immutable (unchanging), Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Purposeful / Intentional

A Sure and Steadfast Hope (Hebrews 6: 9-20)

What anchors your soul when life feels uncertain?

Hebrews 6:9-20 reassures believers of the steadfast promises of God and calls us to hold firmly to the hope we have in Him. It encourages perseverance, faith, and trust in God’s unchanging character.

Key Verse:
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” – Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

Background Context:
The author of Hebrews offers reassurance to believers after issuing a stern warning about falling away earlier in the chapter. This passage emphasizes God’s faithfulness to His promises, the importance of perseverance, and the unshakable hope we have in Yeshua, who intercedes for us as our High Priest.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Hebrews 6:9-20

Better Things for You

      9But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

      13For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” 15And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. 17In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Reflection on Hebrews 6:9-20:

  • God’s Faithfulness to His Promises:
    The passage reminds us that God is not unjust and remembers the love and service we show to others in His name (Hebrews 6:10). His promises are certain because His character is unchanging. Are you trusting in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them?
  • The Call to Perseverance:
    Verses 11-12 encourage us to diligently pursue faith and patience to inherit God’s promises. Perseverance is key to remaining steadfast in our walk with Him. Are you holding firmly to your faith, even in difficult seasons? Trust that God strengthens those who endure.
  • God’s Unchanging Character:
    Using the example of Abraham, the author highlights God’s unchanging nature and the certainty of His promises, confirmed with an oath (Hebrews 6:13-18). This assurance reminds us that we can rely completely on God. Are you finding security in His unchanging nature and trusting in His Word?
  • A Hope That Anchors the Soul:
    The hope we have in Yeshua is described as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19). Yeshua, as our High Priest, has entered the inner sanctuary on our behalf, guaranteeing our access to God. Is your hope firmly anchored in Yeshua, or are you relying on things that cannot sustain you?
  • Encouragement to Hold Firmly:
    The passage ends with a reminder of the reliability of God’s promises and the importance of clinging to the hope we have in Him. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in God’s faithfulness. Are you clinging to this hope and allowing it to guide and sustain you?

Summary Key Points:

  • God Is Faithful: He remembers our service and fulfills His promises.
  • Perseverance Leads to Inheritance: Stay steadfast in faith and patience.
  • God’s Character Is Unchanging: His promises are certain and reliable.
  • Yeshua Is Our Anchor: Our hope in Him is firm and secure, sustaining us through life’s challenges.
  • Hold Firmly to Hope: Let God’s promises guide and strengthen you daily.

Application:
Reflect on where your hope is anchored. Are you trusting in the unshakable promises of God and relying on Yeshua as your High Priest? Commit to persevering in faith and patience, holding firmly to the hope that anchors your soul. Share this hope with others, encouraging them to trust in God’s faithfulness.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and unchanging character. Help us to anchor our hope in You and to trust in Your promises. Teach us to persevere with faith and patience, knowing that You are always with us. Thank You for Yeshua, our High Priest, who secures our access to You. May we live daily in the confidence of Your steadfast love. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.