Monday, November 27, 2006
MUST BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT
READ JOHN 3:1-8
1) Who was Nicodemus?
He was a member of the Sanhedrin: means "a sitting together" or "a council." It denotes supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews. First instituted by Moses. Composed of 70 men (Num. 11:16-17)
He was also a Pharisee. (Following information taken from Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Bible and Today's Dictionary of the Bible.)
a) Pharisee's were a strict religious sect, whose origin is uncertain.
b) They were ordinary people, not priests.
c) They kept close to God's law and were constantly updating the traditions and customs to fit new circumstances.
d) They produced the Talmud, which became the authoritative interpretation of the written Law.
e) Their error was to attempt to construct a "hedge" around the Law to keep Jews from violating it, but this became a man-made method for obtaining righteousness.
f) Their rivals were the Sadducees, another religious sect, not mentioned in the Book of John, who denied the existence of the resurrection and of angels. Both groups were at odds with each other until Jesus came, then they put aside their differences and joined forces to stop Jesus.
2) Nicodemus' problem - putting things into perspective with earthly eyes. He acknowledges that Jesus was sent from God, the signs were proof of that, but only as a mere teacher. He sees the signs, but does not see his Messiah.
3) Jesus' answer - You have to have a Spiritual rebirth. If you are not born-again by the Spirit you will not enter the Kingdom of God. (Nicodemus you can not see Me (Jesus) and why I came if you are not born-again.)
4) Nicodemus' question - How can I be reborn? Can I enter my mother's womb again? He is thinking again of earthly things and the solution, according to him, is impossible.
5) Jesus' answer - Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. Water is indicative to an inward cleansing, not to water baptism (which is an outward manifestation of the inward cleansing). The Spirit is in reference to the Holy Spirit. The water and the Spirit are both connected to the restoration of Israel under the New Covenant. (See Isa. 44:3-5; Ezek. 36:25-27) God is referred to in the Old Testament as the "living water." (See Jer. 2:13; 17:13) Jesus mentions in the New Testament that He is the "living water." We will be looking at this in more depth in Chapter 5 with the Woman at the well.
6)Born of the flesh = you are flesh (See John 1:13; 1 Cor. 15:50)
Born of the Spirit = you are spirit (See John 1:32-33, in like manner the Spirit comes upon us, comes and dwells, manifested upon our souls for God's productive use.)
7-8) The Wind used here is the same Greek word as Spirit and means a movement of air. We can not see the wind, but have physical evidences of its presence, like the blowing of the leaves. We do not see the Holy Spirit, but the evidence of its presence is that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:16)
PRAISE GOD JESUS CAME TO CLEANSE AND DWELL WITHIN HIS PEOPLE SO THAT WE CAN, "ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE." (Ps. 100:4a)
1) Who was Nicodemus?
He was a member of the Sanhedrin: means "a sitting together" or "a council." It denotes supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews. First instituted by Moses. Composed of 70 men (Num. 11:16-17)
He was also a Pharisee. (Following information taken from Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Bible and Today's Dictionary of the Bible.)
a) Pharisee's were a strict religious sect, whose origin is uncertain.
b) They were ordinary people, not priests.
c) They kept close to God's law and were constantly updating the traditions and customs to fit new circumstances.
d) They produced the Talmud, which became the authoritative interpretation of the written Law.
e) Their error was to attempt to construct a "hedge" around the Law to keep Jews from violating it, but this became a man-made method for obtaining righteousness.
f) Their rivals were the Sadducees, another religious sect, not mentioned in the Book of John, who denied the existence of the resurrection and of angels. Both groups were at odds with each other until Jesus came, then they put aside their differences and joined forces to stop Jesus.
2) Nicodemus' problem - putting things into perspective with earthly eyes. He acknowledges that Jesus was sent from God, the signs were proof of that, but only as a mere teacher. He sees the signs, but does not see his Messiah.
3) Jesus' answer - You have to have a Spiritual rebirth. If you are not born-again by the Spirit you will not enter the Kingdom of God. (Nicodemus you can not see Me (Jesus) and why I came if you are not born-again.)
4) Nicodemus' question - How can I be reborn? Can I enter my mother's womb again? He is thinking again of earthly things and the solution, according to him, is impossible.
5) Jesus' answer - Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. Water is indicative to an inward cleansing, not to water baptism (which is an outward manifestation of the inward cleansing). The Spirit is in reference to the Holy Spirit. The water and the Spirit are both connected to the restoration of Israel under the New Covenant. (See Isa. 44:3-5; Ezek. 36:25-27) God is referred to in the Old Testament as the "living water." (See Jer. 2:13; 17:13) Jesus mentions in the New Testament that He is the "living water." We will be looking at this in more depth in Chapter 5 with the Woman at the well.
6)Born of the flesh = you are flesh (See John 1:13; 1 Cor. 15:50)
Born of the Spirit = you are spirit (See John 1:32-33, in like manner the Spirit comes upon us, comes and dwells, manifested upon our souls for God's productive use.)
7-8) The Wind used here is the same Greek word as Spirit and means a movement of air. We can not see the wind, but have physical evidences of its presence, like the blowing of the leaves. We do not see the Holy Spirit, but the evidence of its presence is that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:16)
PRAISE GOD JESUS CAME TO CLEANSE AND DWELL WITHIN HIS PEOPLE SO THAT WE CAN, "ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE." (Ps. 100:4a)
Thursday, November 16, 2006
CLEANING OUT THE TEMPLE
READ JOHN 2:12-25
12) Jesus and His family, including the disciples, travel to Capernaum. Perhaps for preparation for their trip to Jerusalem. Capernaum was a larger town than Cana.
13) 1st Passover. (See Exodus 12:11-14) Passover is a memorial feast to celebrate God's mercy in passing over the first born in Egypt. Jesus is the everlasting Passover Lamb and the memorial we keep in remembrance of Him is Communion.
14-22) Scene at the Temple.
1) Main Character: Jesus Himself - shows righteous anger at the immoral conduct in the Temple. It was prophesied that there was One who would come who would refine and purify. (Zechariah 14:21; Mal. 3:1-3)
2) Merchants - those who did the selling of animals. Their rational was to help travelers, but corruption was the norm. Scandalous procedures were put into effect to profit from the sale of sacrificial animals.
3) Moneychangers - Temple dues had to be paid and in a certain coinage, so a profit was made by charging a higher percentage for changing the coins.
4) Jews - probably leaders of the Temple, they questioned Jesus' authority to do what He did. They demanded a sign! As if Jesus' driving out the moneychangers and merchants was not sign enough. Jesus said, "You want a sign? OK, I'll give you a sign. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Bible Knowledge Commentary says: "The Jews - either the Jewish authorities or the merchants - demanded some proof for His right to challenge the existing order...Jesus gives a veiled saying. He desired that His hearers ponder the saying in order to perceive its significance." The Jews did not get it.
5) Disciples - THEY GOT IT! As Jesus was taking righteous judgment in the temple the disciples remembered (v.17) Psalm 69:9. Then after the resurrection (v.22) the disciples looked back at the incident and believed the Scriptures and what Jesus had spoken to them, it became clear that Jesus was talking about Himself and that He is the New Temple, never to be destroyed.
23=25) Jesus did many other signs, that were not recorded by John, so that many believed in His name. If you stop at v. 23 you would think perhaps these were believing in Jesus unto salvation, but v. 24-25 tells a different story. (See also John 4:48) Jesus did not need anyone to "bear witness" of the sinfulness of man. They were seeking for the miraculous and not the One who performed those miracles, they were wanting the quick fix to problems and not willing to put their trust in a long-suffering Savior, they looking for a accommodating teacher, not a Holy Teacher, and they were look for an earthly king, not a Heavenly King. Jesus understood the nature, character, and the conduct of men.
THE LORD IS OUR SANCIFIED DWELLING PLACE. IT IS IN HIM THAT WE FIND PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, AND MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT.
12) Jesus and His family, including the disciples, travel to Capernaum. Perhaps for preparation for their trip to Jerusalem. Capernaum was a larger town than Cana.
13) 1st Passover. (See Exodus 12:11-14) Passover is a memorial feast to celebrate God's mercy in passing over the first born in Egypt. Jesus is the everlasting Passover Lamb and the memorial we keep in remembrance of Him is Communion.
14-22) Scene at the Temple.
1) Main Character: Jesus Himself - shows righteous anger at the immoral conduct in the Temple. It was prophesied that there was One who would come who would refine and purify. (Zechariah 14:21; Mal. 3:1-3)
2) Merchants - those who did the selling of animals. Their rational was to help travelers, but corruption was the norm. Scandalous procedures were put into effect to profit from the sale of sacrificial animals.
3) Moneychangers - Temple dues had to be paid and in a certain coinage, so a profit was made by charging a higher percentage for changing the coins.
4) Jews - probably leaders of the Temple, they questioned Jesus' authority to do what He did. They demanded a sign! As if Jesus' driving out the moneychangers and merchants was not sign enough. Jesus said, "You want a sign? OK, I'll give you a sign. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Bible Knowledge Commentary says: "The Jews - either the Jewish authorities or the merchants - demanded some proof for His right to challenge the existing order...Jesus gives a veiled saying. He desired that His hearers ponder the saying in order to perceive its significance." The Jews did not get it.
5) Disciples - THEY GOT IT! As Jesus was taking righteous judgment in the temple the disciples remembered (v.17) Psalm 69:9. Then after the resurrection (v.22) the disciples looked back at the incident and believed the Scriptures and what Jesus had spoken to them, it became clear that Jesus was talking about Himself and that He is the New Temple, never to be destroyed.
23=25) Jesus did many other signs, that were not recorded by John, so that many believed in His name. If you stop at v. 23 you would think perhaps these were believing in Jesus unto salvation, but v. 24-25 tells a different story. (See also John 4:48) Jesus did not need anyone to "bear witness" of the sinfulness of man. They were seeking for the miraculous and not the One who performed those miracles, they were wanting the quick fix to problems and not willing to put their trust in a long-suffering Savior, they looking for a accommodating teacher, not a Holy Teacher, and they were look for an earthly king, not a Heavenly King. Jesus understood the nature, character, and the conduct of men.
THE LORD IS OUR SANCIFIED DWELLING PLACE. IT IS IN HIM THAT WE FIND PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, AND MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
BEGINNING OF SIGNS
READ JOHN 2:1-11
1-2) John does not give his readers the event of Jesus' temptation, but skips to the wedding in Cana of Galilee.
3-5) There is a dialogue with Jesus and His mother. Mary was laying the responsibility upon Jesus to refurbish the wine at a wedding that they and the disciples were invited to. Let's put Jesus' response to His mother in todays language, "Dear Mother, what do I have to do with this wedding? It is not my responsibility. My time of taking responsibility for the people of this earth has not yet come." She was laying the responsibility of the provision of satisfying what was lacking. He was to later die on the cross for sinners to satisfy the lack of a Savior. Jesus did not come to satisfy temporarily with earthly things, but to satisfy permanently with spiritual things. She ignores His answer and out of grace and honor and a love toward His mother, He fulfills her request.
6-10) Jesus turns water into wine. What did this show about Jesus Himself?
1) Jesus is God, only God could have done the changing of water to wine instantly.
2) Jesus is the Creator - John 1:3: the water and wine did not come into being without Jesus.
3) Jesus in the New Covenant - the waterpots were used for the custom of purfication, Law, but Jesus is now the New Covenant. See Matt. 26:27-29, the old, under the Law, was good, but the new is better.
11) The sign authenticates who Jesus is. Jesus through this miracle manifested His glory. Stuart Briscoe says in his book The Fullness of Christ, "To have made wine from water was a glorious achievement, but to have made a superlative quality of wine, as the manager of the feast said He did, was to demonstrate a superlative abundance and fullness of glory. He was full of glory." Jesus is the glory that has come into the world, go back to John 1:14,16, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth...For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace."
WE RECEIVE FROM JESUS GRACE UPON GRACE, BLESSING UPON BLESSING, LOVE UPON LOVE. JESUS IS FAR SUPERIOR AS THE NEW AND BETTER COVENANT!
1-2) John does not give his readers the event of Jesus' temptation, but skips to the wedding in Cana of Galilee.
3-5) There is a dialogue with Jesus and His mother. Mary was laying the responsibility upon Jesus to refurbish the wine at a wedding that they and the disciples were invited to. Let's put Jesus' response to His mother in todays language, "Dear Mother, what do I have to do with this wedding? It is not my responsibility. My time of taking responsibility for the people of this earth has not yet come." She was laying the responsibility of the provision of satisfying what was lacking. He was to later die on the cross for sinners to satisfy the lack of a Savior. Jesus did not come to satisfy temporarily with earthly things, but to satisfy permanently with spiritual things. She ignores His answer and out of grace and honor and a love toward His mother, He fulfills her request.
6-10) Jesus turns water into wine. What did this show about Jesus Himself?
1) Jesus is God, only God could have done the changing of water to wine instantly.
2) Jesus is the Creator - John 1:3: the water and wine did not come into being without Jesus.
3) Jesus in the New Covenant - the waterpots were used for the custom of purfication, Law, but Jesus is now the New Covenant. See Matt. 26:27-29, the old, under the Law, was good, but the new is better.
11) The sign authenticates who Jesus is. Jesus through this miracle manifested His glory. Stuart Briscoe says in his book The Fullness of Christ, "To have made wine from water was a glorious achievement, but to have made a superlative quality of wine, as the manager of the feast said He did, was to demonstrate a superlative abundance and fullness of glory. He was full of glory." Jesus is the glory that has come into the world, go back to John 1:14,16, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth...For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace."
WE RECEIVE FROM JESUS GRACE UPON GRACE, BLESSING UPON BLESSING, LOVE UPON LOVE. JESUS IS FAR SUPERIOR AS THE NEW AND BETTER COVENANT!
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