John Kitchen's Blog

Twenty years after its publication, this simple book continues to make a mark on the lives of those in need of hope and encouragement. I’m delighted that now, for the first time, it is available in eBook and audio-book formats. I would be grateful if you considered it for yourself or someone else.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt [lit., “tabernacled”] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“God ‘pitched His tent’ among us as a man so we can hear what was previously inaudible (“The Word became flesh,” v.14a), see what was previously invisible (“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,” v.14b), understand what was previously inexplicable (“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known,” v.18), and experience what was previously impossible (“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” vv.16-17)!” (Long Story Short, p.145)

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Three commands confront us right away: “Stand,” “look,” and “ask.” “Stand” means position yourself intentionally. Do it “by the roads,” where one might travel when one finds direction to the sought-out place. “Look” means search, heighten your senses, seek, and be intentional about what it is you seek after. “Ask” means don’t be passive; actively search, inquire, poke about, be willing to learn from another.

And what is it for which you search? Seek “the ancient paths.” The tried-and-true ways. The ways where those godly ones who have gone before us walked. The proven paths. Those “paths” that Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Joshua, and all their kind have shown to us. Avoid the trendy and faddish, the passing and unproven. Get basic. Get utilitarian. Not “what’s cool,” but what works.

Works for what? Where you “find rest for your souls.” “Where the good way is.” There! There! “Walk” in that “way”! This, then, is a fourth command. This is not optional if it is “rest” of soul that you truly seek.

Lord Jesus, lead me in the ancient paths, in the good way, where my soul will find rest. Simplify things. Give me one desire. Give me the tried-and-true, the proven and faithful, the enduring ways. Yes, give me yourself. For you, Lord, are “the way.” You are my true desire and rest. Give me yourself, and I shall be full. Amen.

I recently received word that my Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary was just published in the Arabic language in Egypt. I’m told that three thousand copies were printed. Currently, 70 Arabic-speaking students are using it as their textbook in their seminary course on  Proverbs. Pray with me that God will be glorified in each student and reader of the commentary–that a new fear of the Lord and knowledge of God will lay the foundation for a lifetime of walking in wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

The Song of the Satisfied Soul was first published in 2003 as a hardback. That edition is beautiful and still available here. But this summer it has been released in electronic form. You can get it for Kindle here and in other ebook formats here and here. An audio version has been recorded (with yours truly as the reader) and should soon be available as well.

Here is an article I recently contributed to the 1:9 Alliance: The Word of the Lord & The Knowledge of God.

I pray you will find it helpful.

I’m grateful to see that Logos Bible Software has just released my Colossians and Philemon for Pastors on their platform. You can access it here.

Here is an article I recently contributed to the 1:9 Alliance: The Path of Transformation.

I trust you will find it helpful.

“… Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”(Luke 8:38b-39 )

I see what you did there, Luke. Nice!

As Jesus marched toward Jerusalem, where His sufferings and death awaited, He fielded the prayers of two different parties. Following the submission of their request, He asked them each the same question.

James and John, two of His closest disciples, submitted their request to Him.  “And [Jesus] said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking’” (Mark 10:36-38a).

Then, a short time later, a blind man made his request. “Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well’” (vv.51-52a).

Notice the similarities and the differences in these two obviously parallel encounters. Twice Jesus was asked to do something. Once by James and John; once by a blind man. To both He asked: “What do you want me to do for you?” James and John requested greatness and honor. The blind man asked for his sight to be restored. Jesus denied James and John their request. He granted the blind man’s request. James and John’s request created a divide among Jesus’ followers (v.41) and drew out a repetition of Jesus’ previous teaching on greatness and servanthood (vv.42-45; cf. 9:33-35; 10:31). The blind man’s request resulted in his joining Jesus’ disciples in walking with Jesus (v.52b).

What point was the Holy Spirit, through Mark, making? At least this: It is infinitely better to see than to be seen!

This is my prayer: Lord Jesus, I do not ask you to make me great but that you give me eyes to see and ears to hear. I ask that you give me the grace to know you and to walk with you and your people. Amen.