Jesus calls some of His disciples, with John stressing His various titles (e.g., Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man) and His first recorded miracle (“sign”) is at a wedding in Cana.

The COVID-19 virus has disrupted our lives and devastated the American and indeed the world economy. No one can authoritatively declare when we will return to any semblance of “normal.” But, as with all things in life, are there lessons we can learn? Among many other things, it once again demonstrates how fragile life really is. It also demonstrates that if we trust in material things (e.g., our job, our wealth, our health) for our security, it can vanish almost instantly. I believe it is important and thoroughly biblical for us to learn from historical events.

John details Jesus as the Incarnate God who reveals grace and truth, who is the only unique Son of the Father, and who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In 2020, American civilization is witnessing a thorough-going accommodation to the LGBTQIA agenda. [LGBTQIA=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer (i.e., questioning their sexual identity), Intersex (i.e., those born gender-ambiguous), Asexual (i.e., sexuality is ill-defined)]. There is no longer significant discussion about the ethical values, virtues or standards associated with human sexuality.

The United States is embarking upon an experiment in borrowing without precedent, as the government and corporations take on trillions of dollars of debt to offset the economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic.

John’s thesis is that Jesus is the Godman and therefore introduces Him in the preface as the eternal “Word.”

Year 2020 so far has been chaotic and, some would say, cataclysmic. The COVID-19 virus, the economic and financial collapse of the world economy, and the poisonous politics of our nation have caused disruption to our lives. But there have also been remarkable demonstrations of compassion, creative ways to maintain communication during the isolation (e.g., Zoom) and astonishing acts of generosity across America and the world. The events of this year have also caused me to think deeply about the church of Jesus Christ.

In both of these Psalms, King David appeals to God as the righteous Judge to defend him (Psalm 7) and, in light of God’s majestic power exhibited in creation, he marvels that God is even interested in him (Psalm 8).

Rosaria Butterfield, former tenured professor at Syracuse University and former radical lesbian feminist, came to know Jesus Christ through the love and compassion of a pastor and his wife stretching over three years. She describes her conversion as a “train wreck,” for God had to dismantle her entire worldview, replacing it with the worldview detailed in Scripture. Butterfield is now married to a pastor in North Carolina, is a homeschooling mother and continues using her giftedness as a writer and speaker. She recently summarized a question and answer session she was hosting on a college campus in which she detailed her conversion to Jesus Christ.

David experiences the gracious, chastening hand of His God, is restored to a relationship with God, and thereby seeks to bring glory to Him.