The fourth Gospel, John, couldn't be more unlike the first three while communicating the same message: Jesus is our Lord and Savior. John is a gifted poet with a single mission. He clearly states his purpose in chapter 20: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name."

It is important to notice that there are several stories that can be found in John alone. A few examples:

• The miracle of turning water into wine (John 2)
• The conversation with Nicodemus (John 3)
• The conversation with the Samaritan woman
  (John 4:1-42)
• Jesus' healing of the man ill for thirty-eight years
  (John 5)
• The healing of the man born blind (John 9)
• The raising of Lazarus (John 11)
• The foot washing of Jesus (John 13)

Each one of these stories is to be found ONLY in John. Surprised?

Facebook Question

Join the discussion on the SPD One Year Bible Read-Along Facebook group page!

A recent addition to my library is: Lisa Nichols Hichman's book Writing in the Margins: Connecting with God on the Pages of Your Bible. As one who loves highlighters and pens and markers and color, this book screamed my name. In the opening pages Hichman quotes Leviticus 23:22 and concludes that setting aside the edge created a sacred space; an offering of sorts in the fields, so why not also on the margins of the Bible. Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating that you pick up those pens and highlighters you have worked so hard to set down, but I am suggesting a new read, for another year, one that might begin with some very intentional reflection time ... in the margins of your Bible. What happens there might be transformative!