Bread Crumb Trails

Bread Crumb Trails

A bread crumb trail in scripture is when something is briefly spoken about and doesn’t always fit in what the text is actually talking about. It has somewhat of an oddness to it. It is a key word or a key phrase that is repeated in a systematic or unique way. Jesus was the best at this and some of the most important things He had to say is revealed by this method. 

 

Below is a few examples for key words that are used to tell a deeper story than what initially meets the eye or basic reasonable consideration. The more powerful meaning can come from pondering the idea that is being described. The Holy Spirit can at times prick your conscience in a way that the word or phrase sticks to you in a particular way, a way that you just can’t forget about it, like a song you hear and can’t stop singing it the rest of the day.

 

I will continue to point out more of these “bread crumb trails” as we work through John. 

You will find that much of our most trusted theology derives from people recognizing these “Bread Crumb Trails” It is my hope that you will recognize them for what they are and put together the important theological pieces in order to more clearly communicate and understand the glorious riches of God’s truth that makes the way for us to Him.

 

While the below 5 words can be searched in John and read together for a fuller understand of the point being made with each word that is consistently repeated throughout the book. They have connections and tie important parts together making the conversation less random and haphazardness. 

 

They also create a uniqueness in the John chapter 5-12 story. 

In John 5, when Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath, He opened a theological can of worms for those in charged of the temple and representing Moses in that day. This dialogue will continue to the end of John 12. So, right after the healing in John 5:19, Jesus speaks way over their heads, but is saying everything in a nut shell. If one understands all the other conversations, then this is a concise summary of all the pertinent info. In case one missed it in the beginning the summary is repeated again in John 12:44-50.

 

1. John 5:25-29, Pre Talk for John 11
2. John 5:19-29
1. Authority, John 5:19-20
2. Judge, John 5:22
3. Honor, John 5:23 (Glory)
4. Sent, John 5:24
5. Life, John 5:21, 25-29 
3. John 12:44-50
1. Sent, John 12:44-45

 

2. Light, John 12:46 (Glory)

3. Judge, John 12:47-48

4. Authority, John 12:49

5. Life, John 12:50

(The word “authority” is used in John in 14 verses, the word “judge” is used in 20 verses, the word “light, glory or honor” is used in 35 verses, the word “life” is used in 39 verses and finally the word “sent is used in 53 verses. That is a total of 161 verses that are scatter about and connect to core teachings. By systematically looking at these verse you can grasp another perspective on the key ideas being unpacked)

  

Glory (15)

John 1:14, 2:11, 5:41, 44 

John 7:18, 8:50, 54, 9:24, 

John 11:4, 40, 12:41, 43

John 17:5, 22, 24, 

Light (16)

John 1:4, 5, 7, 8, 9

John 3:19, 20, 21, John 5:35 

John 8:12, John 9:5, 11:9, 10, 12:35, 36, 46 

Honor (4)

John 4:44, 5:23, 8:49, 12:26 

Sent (53)

John 1:6, 1:19, 22, 24, 33, 

John 3:28, 34, 4:34, 38, 

John 5:23, 24, 30, 33, 36, 37, 38, 6:29, 38, 39, 44, 57, 

John 7:16, 18, 28, 29, 32, 33, 8:16, 18, 26, 29, 42, 

John 9:4, 7, 10:36, 11:3, 42, 12:44, 45, 49, 

John 13:16, 20, 14:24, 15:21, 16:5, 17:3, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25,

John 18:24, 20:21

Life (39)

John 1:4, 3:15, 16, 3:36, 4:14, 4:36, 5:21, 24, 26, 29, 39, 40, 

John 6:27, 33, 35, 40, 47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 63, 68 

John 8:12, 10:10, 11, 15, 17, 28, 11:25, 12:25, 50, 

John 13:38, 14:6, 15:13, 17:2, 17:3, 20:31 

Judge (20)

John 3:19, 5:22, 24, 27, 29, 30, 

John 7:24, 51, 8:15, 16, 26, 50, 9:39, 12:31, 47, 48, 

John 16:8, 11, 18:31, 19:13 

Authority (14)

John 5:27, 7:17, 18, 26, 48, 8:28, 10:18, 12:42, 49 

John 14:10, 16:13, 17:2, 19:10, 11,