Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
SERVANTHOOD
READ JOHN 13:1-20
Here is a picture of the Hands of God reaching down and washing the dirty feet of the disciples. There are two Greek Words for washing, 1) nipto which donates "washing of the feet and hands," 2)louo which denotes a "complete washing." "In speaking to Peter, Jesus used both nipto and louo to convey these two different kinds of washings. The two washings, one initial and the other continual, are very important to the Christian life...According to customs of those times, once a person had "bathed" his body, he needed only to "wash" his feet before partaking of a meal. Jesus was going around to all the disciples washing their feet until Peter protested. In His response to Peter, Jesus appropriately used both words, in order to advance a precious truth; as he who has been "bathed" needs only to "wash" his feet daily, so he who has been "bathed" by the Lord, needs only to "wash" himself day by day from the filth and defilement which he accumulates by his contact with the world. All the disciples except Judas, the betrayer, had been cleansed by Jesus. This cleansing probably indicates the washing of regeneration through Jesus' Spirit and word (John 15:3; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:25-26). All true believers have received the same cleansing." (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words.) He who is greatest among you will be willing to serve others in the same manner as Jesus did. This calls for discipling and point others to Jesus who "washes away" the defilement of the world they live in, whether it be the complete washing through salvation or through daily washing as a believer.
What is the key to Servanthood? HUMILITY - willing to humble yourself and obey God.
1) A true servant does not wait to be asked - there is a sensitivity to the needs of others and volunters to serve.
2) A true servant does not critize others for not serving.
3) A true servant serves without expectation of a blessing in return - content with the joy of giving.
4) A true servant learns to receive as well as give.
5) A true servant IS willing to serve those who will reject them. (See Col. 3:22-24)
6) A true servant lets the Lord choose who is to be served.
FATHER THANK YOU THAT WE CAN SERVE OTHERS, BECAUSE YOU SERVE US! AMEN
Here is a picture of the Hands of God reaching down and washing the dirty feet of the disciples. There are two Greek Words for washing, 1) nipto which donates "washing of the feet and hands," 2)louo which denotes a "complete washing." "In speaking to Peter, Jesus used both nipto and louo to convey these two different kinds of washings. The two washings, one initial and the other continual, are very important to the Christian life...According to customs of those times, once a person had "bathed" his body, he needed only to "wash" his feet before partaking of a meal. Jesus was going around to all the disciples washing their feet until Peter protested. In His response to Peter, Jesus appropriately used both words, in order to advance a precious truth; as he who has been "bathed" needs only to "wash" his feet daily, so he who has been "bathed" by the Lord, needs only to "wash" himself day by day from the filth and defilement which he accumulates by his contact with the world. All the disciples except Judas, the betrayer, had been cleansed by Jesus. This cleansing probably indicates the washing of regeneration through Jesus' Spirit and word (John 15:3; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:25-26). All true believers have received the same cleansing." (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words.) He who is greatest among you will be willing to serve others in the same manner as Jesus did. This calls for discipling and point others to Jesus who "washes away" the defilement of the world they live in, whether it be the complete washing through salvation or through daily washing as a believer.
What is the key to Servanthood? HUMILITY - willing to humble yourself and obey God.
1) A true servant does not wait to be asked - there is a sensitivity to the needs of others and volunters to serve.
2) A true servant does not critize others for not serving.
3) A true servant serves without expectation of a blessing in return - content with the joy of giving.
4) A true servant learns to receive as well as give.
5) A true servant IS willing to serve those who will reject them. (See Col. 3:22-24)
6) A true servant lets the Lord choose who is to be served.
FATHER THANK YOU THAT WE CAN SERVE OTHERS, BECAUSE YOU SERVE US! AMEN
Monday, November 26, 2007
WHY DID THEY NOT BELIEVE HIM?
READ JOHN 12:37-50
37-43) Quote from Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah 53 is a prophecy about Jesus and His death on the cross. John was reminding the readers of what had been prophesied and yet the Jews did not listen or believe; a fulfillment of prophecy. The second quote, Isaiah 6:10, is the vision Isaiah had of God on His throne. Isaiah heard the call of God, but Isaiah was to realize that the people would not listen and will refuse to see. For this cause, because they have refused to believe the Old Testament, they are also now doomed not to believe in Jesus. v. 41 gives a look into some who did believe, but kept it to themselves in fear of the rulers of their day. Why? Because they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
44-50) HEAR JESUS CRY! BELIEVE IN ME! The Jews did not believe the fathers and the prophets and now they were gulty of not believing Jesus. The cause and effect here is if you reject Him, you will be judged. The very Word that they refused to believe well be there judge on the last day. Jesus spoke with authority: He was given commandment of what to speak and the commandment is eternal life, therefore He spoke just as God had commanded Him.
FATHER, MAY WE HEAR YOUR WORDS AND DRAW THEM TO OUR HEARTS IN BELIEF. HELP US TO HERE THE CRY OF JESUS TO BELIEVE UPON HIM FOR ETERMAL LIFE. AMEN.
37-43) Quote from Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah 53 is a prophecy about Jesus and His death on the cross. John was reminding the readers of what had been prophesied and yet the Jews did not listen or believe; a fulfillment of prophecy. The second quote, Isaiah 6:10, is the vision Isaiah had of God on His throne. Isaiah heard the call of God, but Isaiah was to realize that the people would not listen and will refuse to see. For this cause, because they have refused to believe the Old Testament, they are also now doomed not to believe in Jesus. v. 41 gives a look into some who did believe, but kept it to themselves in fear of the rulers of their day. Why? Because they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
44-50) HEAR JESUS CRY! BELIEVE IN ME! The Jews did not believe the fathers and the prophets and now they were gulty of not believing Jesus. The cause and effect here is if you reject Him, you will be judged. The very Word that they refused to believe well be there judge on the last day. Jesus spoke with authority: He was given commandment of what to speak and the commandment is eternal life, therefore He spoke just as God had commanded Him.
FATHER, MAY WE HEAR YOUR WORDS AND DRAW THEM TO OUR HEARTS IN BELIEF. HELP US TO HERE THE CRY OF JESUS TO BELIEVE UPON HIM FOR ETERMAL LIFE. AMEN.
Friday, November 16, 2007
JESUS ANSWERS HIS CRITICS
READ JOHN 12:16-36
16-28) Was Jesus really doing good?
Jesus' response: The hour is coming when the Son will be glorified, but first He must die just as a seed first dies and than bears much fruit. His goodness will be shown for what it is, bearing the fruit of salvation to many. His act of dying open the door for us as believers to enter into the very presence of God. As we follow Him the word spreads and the church grows. (Compare Gen. 15:5, the promise to Abraham with Rev. 7:9, the raptured church) Jesus' death was the purpose of His coming and the Father's name was to be glorified.
Notice in v28 the response from the Father: "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." God is faithful and true to His word!
29-33) Where did that voice come from?
Jesus' response: The voice was for their sake. Judgment has come! The cross is the condemnation, the judgment upon those who reject it. The cross is also the basis for the ultimate victory over Satan. He being lifted up will draw all men to Himself. Draw means to draw by inward power, lead, impel, in other words, Jesus, by moral and spiritual influence will win over to Himself the hearts of all. He has the ability and the power to draw all to Him, but not all will come.
34-36) Who is this Son of Man?
Jesus' response: He contrast light and darkness Cause: walk in the light, Effect: darkness will not overtake you; Cause: walk in darkness, Effect: know not where you are going. QUOTE: "The reference to "light" recalls 8:12, where Jesus identified himself as the Light of the world, and expecially 3:19-21, where the judgment consists of the Light (i.e. Jesus) coming into the world and provoking a response from men to come either to the light or shrink back into darkness. Here the same imagery is amplified, because we are reminded that Light is in the world only for a limited time (i.e. there is a limited time in which to repond to the light, or as here, by "walking in that light."). Those who refuse or delay will be "overtaken" by the darkness, which is coming after the light is taken away. The person who tries to walk in the darness is unable to see and thus "does not know where he is going." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
16-28) Was Jesus really doing good?
Jesus' response: The hour is coming when the Son will be glorified, but first He must die just as a seed first dies and than bears much fruit. His goodness will be shown for what it is, bearing the fruit of salvation to many. His act of dying open the door for us as believers to enter into the very presence of God. As we follow Him the word spreads and the church grows. (Compare Gen. 15:5, the promise to Abraham with Rev. 7:9, the raptured church) Jesus' death was the purpose of His coming and the Father's name was to be glorified.
Notice in v28 the response from the Father: "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." God is faithful and true to His word!
29-33) Where did that voice come from?
Jesus' response: The voice was for their sake. Judgment has come! The cross is the condemnation, the judgment upon those who reject it. The cross is also the basis for the ultimate victory over Satan. He being lifted up will draw all men to Himself. Draw means to draw by inward power, lead, impel, in other words, Jesus, by moral and spiritual influence will win over to Himself the hearts of all. He has the ability and the power to draw all to Him, but not all will come.
34-36) Who is this Son of Man?
Jesus' response: He contrast light and darkness Cause: walk in the light, Effect: darkness will not overtake you; Cause: walk in darkness, Effect: know not where you are going. QUOTE: "The reference to "light" recalls 8:12, where Jesus identified himself as the Light of the world, and expecially 3:19-21, where the judgment consists of the Light (i.e. Jesus) coming into the world and provoking a response from men to come either to the light or shrink back into darkness. Here the same imagery is amplified, because we are reminded that Light is in the world only for a limited time (i.e. there is a limited time in which to repond to the light, or as here, by "walking in that light."). Those who refuse or delay will be "overtaken" by the darkness, which is coming after the light is taken away. The person who tries to walk in the darness is unable to see and thus "does not know where he is going." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM
READ JOHN 12:12-15
12-15) What did the multitude do when they heard that Jesus was coming? Compare their cries with Psalm 118:22-29.
v. 22 - the stone "Christ" which the builders (Israel) rejected has become the chief corner stone. (Upon His death He will build His church, Matt. 16:18)
v. 24 - this is the day that the Lord has made. This is the day of Jesus' death where He takes upon Himself the sins of the world.
v. 26 - blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and to glorify Him who sits on the throne.
v. 27 - The Lord has given us light, prepare the altar. The light of the world had just ridden through the gates as a humble servant, for He came to die for our sin.
v. 28-29 - give thanks, the Lord is good and His loving kindness is everlasting. The New Covenant is an everlasting covenant that can never be broken. The Old Covenant is a progression of revelations given by God, picturing the Lord Jesus Christ. The Messiah now is bringing in the New Covenant and has ridden into His city Jerusalem ready to do the one thing that only He could do. "He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21)
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT JESUS WAS WILLING NOT ONLY TO DIE FOR US BUT TO DIE TO HIS OWN WILL AND SOUGHT TO ONLY FULFILL YOUR WILL. THANK YOU THAT HE WAS OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, SO THAT WE CAN CLOTHE OURSELVES IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ENTER INTO YOUR THRONE ROOM OF GRACE. AMEN!
12-15) What did the multitude do when they heard that Jesus was coming? Compare their cries with Psalm 118:22-29.
v. 22 - the stone "Christ" which the builders (Israel) rejected has become the chief corner stone. (Upon His death He will build His church, Matt. 16:18)
v. 24 - this is the day that the Lord has made. This is the day of Jesus' death where He takes upon Himself the sins of the world.
v. 26 - blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and to glorify Him who sits on the throne.
v. 27 - The Lord has given us light, prepare the altar. The light of the world had just ridden through the gates as a humble servant, for He came to die for our sin.
v. 28-29 - give thanks, the Lord is good and His loving kindness is everlasting. The New Covenant is an everlasting covenant that can never be broken. The Old Covenant is a progression of revelations given by God, picturing the Lord Jesus Christ. The Messiah now is bringing in the New Covenant and has ridden into His city Jerusalem ready to do the one thing that only He could do. "He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21)
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT JESUS WAS WILLING NOT ONLY TO DIE FOR US BUT TO DIE TO HIS OWN WILL AND SOUGHT TO ONLY FULFILL YOUR WILL. THANK YOU THAT HE WAS OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, SO THAT WE CAN CLOTHE OURSELVES IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ENTER INTO YOUR THRONE ROOM OF GRACE. AMEN!
Friday, August 31, 2007
JESUS IS ANOINTED
READ JOHN 12:1-11
1-2) SETTING: Bethany at the house of Lazarus. six days before the Passover. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and the disciples.
3) Mary is here anointing Jesus' feet with very costly fragrant oil, "NARD": "...a extremely fragrant oil made from the root and head...of the nard plant...from northern India. Because this had to be imported it was enormously expensive." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) This perfume filled the room with its fragrance and filled Judas' heart with greed and contempt.
(4-8) Who was Judas? Judas is only mentioned one time before this event, see 6:71, but from now on he will be mentioned 8 times. His surname is Iscariot and he was from Kerioth (see Joshua 15:25). He is always listed last whent he disciples names are mentioned and was evil from the beginning but his evil emanated in John 13:27 where he betrays our Lord. His motive is uncertain, other than he was in bondage to the devil himself. How does Jesus handle Judas in v.7? Jesus comes first above all things - even the poor.
9-11) Why did the multitude come to see Jesus? How did the chief priest respond and what was their concern?
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU HAD ANOINTED YOUR SON TO COME IN THE FORM OF A MAN TO DIE FOR ALL. MAY WE BE AS MARY, "FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF FAITH, WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS DESPISING THE SHAME AND SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD." (HEB. 12:2)
1-2) SETTING: Bethany at the house of Lazarus. six days before the Passover. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and the disciples.
3) Mary is here anointing Jesus' feet with very costly fragrant oil, "NARD": "...a extremely fragrant oil made from the root and head...of the nard plant...from northern India. Because this had to be imported it was enormously expensive." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) This perfume filled the room with its fragrance and filled Judas' heart with greed and contempt.
(4-8) Who was Judas? Judas is only mentioned one time before this event, see 6:71, but from now on he will be mentioned 8 times. His surname is Iscariot and he was from Kerioth (see Joshua 15:25). He is always listed last whent he disciples names are mentioned and was evil from the beginning but his evil emanated in John 13:27 where he betrays our Lord. His motive is uncertain, other than he was in bondage to the devil himself. How does Jesus handle Judas in v.7? Jesus comes first above all things - even the poor.
9-11) Why did the multitude come to see Jesus? How did the chief priest respond and what was their concern?
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU HAD ANOINTED YOUR SON TO COME IN THE FORM OF A MAN TO DIE FOR ALL. MAY WE BE AS MARY, "FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF FAITH, WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS DESPISING THE SHAME AND SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD." (HEB. 12:2)
Monday, August 13, 2007
ONLY GOD CAN RAISE THE DEAD!
READ JOHN 11
SETTING: Lazarus is sick and Jesus is sent for by Mary and Martha. Because Jesus delays, Lazarus dies.
REASON FOR THIS EVENT: Bring glory to God and Jesus. Jesus' delay in going did not mean He did not love Lazarus, but He was waiting for the right time so that He can glorify God in raising Lazarus from the dead. Proving again that He is God.
9-10) Jesus uses the analogy of light (day) and dark (night) as an example of those who believe and those who refuse to believe. If we abide in Him we are in the light and will not stumble, but if we do not abide in Him we walk in darkness and stumble. Jesus is the stumbling stone that people stumble over when they refuse to believe and be obedient to His Word. (See I Peter 2:6-10)
21-27) DIALOGUE BETWEEN JESUS AND MARTHA
MARTHA: Knew that Jesus could heal the sick
JESUS: Lazarus will rise again.
MARTHA: Knew Lazarus would rise on last day.
JESUS: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. (WHAT A WONDERFUL PROMISE!)
MARTHA: Believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the one who comes into the world.
28-36) JESUS SHOWS HIS COMPASSION Jesus was struck by the grief of Mary and the Jews. So much so that Jesus also wept. His compassion even though He knew what was about to happen is very comforting. Even the Jews saw that Jesus held much love for Lazarus, but Jesus weeping went beyond Lazarus. He wept for the suffering that people endure here on earth. He understands our grief and He grieves with us.
37-46) Lazarus is raised from the dead! THE REACTION? Some believed, but some rain to tell the chief priests and Pharisees. (Probably hoping for some kind of a reward.)
47-53)CHIEF PRIEST AND PHARISEES CALL A MEETING! Caiaphas speech is prophetic. Caiaphas hardly realized the full meaning of his own words. He was simply expressing the thought of a polictical collaboration with Rome - yet his words expressed the central doctine of the Chrisitan faith - Jesus' true mission, to die for the salvation of people and the nation of Israel. (The nation's salvation will take place at the second coming.)
54-57) JESUS CLOSES OUT HIS PUBLICE MINISTRY! The third Passover is coming and they are looking for HIm. He is now going to prepare His disciples for His death and departure.
FATHER, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN YOU WILL COME BACK AND RAISE ALL BELIEVERS FROM THE GRAVE TO ETERNITY WITH YOU. AMEN
SETTING: Lazarus is sick and Jesus is sent for by Mary and Martha. Because Jesus delays, Lazarus dies.
REASON FOR THIS EVENT: Bring glory to God and Jesus. Jesus' delay in going did not mean He did not love Lazarus, but He was waiting for the right time so that He can glorify God in raising Lazarus from the dead. Proving again that He is God.
9-10) Jesus uses the analogy of light (day) and dark (night) as an example of those who believe and those who refuse to believe. If we abide in Him we are in the light and will not stumble, but if we do not abide in Him we walk in darkness and stumble. Jesus is the stumbling stone that people stumble over when they refuse to believe and be obedient to His Word. (See I Peter 2:6-10)
21-27) DIALOGUE BETWEEN JESUS AND MARTHA
MARTHA: Knew that Jesus could heal the sick
JESUS: Lazarus will rise again.
MARTHA: Knew Lazarus would rise on last day.
JESUS: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. (WHAT A WONDERFUL PROMISE!)
MARTHA: Believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the one who comes into the world.
28-36) JESUS SHOWS HIS COMPASSION Jesus was struck by the grief of Mary and the Jews. So much so that Jesus also wept. His compassion even though He knew what was about to happen is very comforting. Even the Jews saw that Jesus held much love for Lazarus, but Jesus weeping went beyond Lazarus. He wept for the suffering that people endure here on earth. He understands our grief and He grieves with us.
37-46) Lazarus is raised from the dead! THE REACTION? Some believed, but some rain to tell the chief priests and Pharisees. (Probably hoping for some kind of a reward.)
47-53)CHIEF PRIEST AND PHARISEES CALL A MEETING! Caiaphas speech is prophetic. Caiaphas hardly realized the full meaning of his own words. He was simply expressing the thought of a polictical collaboration with Rome - yet his words expressed the central doctine of the Chrisitan faith - Jesus' true mission, to die for the salvation of people and the nation of Israel. (The nation's salvation will take place at the second coming.)
54-57) JESUS CLOSES OUT HIS PUBLICE MINISTRY! The third Passover is coming and they are looking for HIm. He is now going to prepare His disciples for His death and departure.
FATHER, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN YOU WILL COME BACK AND RAISE ALL BELIEVERS FROM THE GRAVE TO ETERNITY WITH YOU. AMEN
Saturday, July 28, 2007
I AM THE SON OF GOD
READ 10:31-42
31-39) Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus? For blasphemy and making Himself out to be God. Jesus used the Scriptures to prove them wrong. Psalm 82:6 (v.34 "I SAID, YOU ARE GODS"), gods here means judges. These judges were called "gods" because they brought forth the Word of God, they had a quasi-divine function. Jesus, who is the Word incarnate, the one who the Father sanctioned and sent into the world, has every right to call Himself God. (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words) Quote from Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words: "Jesus argued that it was not blasphemous to call Himself the "Son of God" when, in fact, He was the One the Father consecreated and sent into the world. Furthermore, on occasions God had called the judges of Israel "gods," inasmuch as they were His agents of God. If God called them "gods," why was it blasphemous for Jesus, the One consecrated by the Father and sent into the world, to say "I am God's Son." The Jews could not argue against this because it stands written in "the Scriptures." But Jesus was greater than those men who received messages from God, for He Himself was the very message from God to represent Him, the Son of God came from heaven as the consecrated one, dedicated to do God's will one earth."
40-42) Jesus leaves Jerusalem and goes to the place where John was baptizing. The people there realized that all that John the Baptist had said about Jesus was true and many believed.
31-39) Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus? For blasphemy and making Himself out to be God. Jesus used the Scriptures to prove them wrong. Psalm 82:6 (v.34 "I SAID, YOU ARE GODS"), gods here means judges. These judges were called "gods" because they brought forth the Word of God, they had a quasi-divine function. Jesus, who is the Word incarnate, the one who the Father sanctioned and sent into the world, has every right to call Himself God. (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words) Quote from Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words: "Jesus argued that it was not blasphemous to call Himself the "Son of God" when, in fact, He was the One the Father consecreated and sent into the world. Furthermore, on occasions God had called the judges of Israel "gods," inasmuch as they were His agents of God. If God called them "gods," why was it blasphemous for Jesus, the One consecrated by the Father and sent into the world, to say "I am God's Son." The Jews could not argue against this because it stands written in "the Scriptures." But Jesus was greater than those men who received messages from God, for He Himself was the very message from God to represent Him, the Son of God came from heaven as the consecrated one, dedicated to do God's will one earth."
40-42) Jesus leaves Jerusalem and goes to the place where John was baptizing. The people there realized that all that John the Baptist had said about Jesus was true and many believed.
Friday, July 20, 2007
ABUNDANT LIFE
READ 10:1-30
ENEMIES OF JESUS CHRIST
1-10a) There are enemies who wish to pull people away from the truth or confuse the message of the truth.
1)Their method is defective (v.1), instead of entering through the door, which is Jesus Christ, they seek to come in through "some other way." These deceivers become thieves and a robbers.
2)Their message is deceptive(v.5). A true believer will seek to know and follow the voice of the Lord. A deceiver, according to 2 John 7, is one who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ and is against Him. We as believers are to flee from the deceiver.
3)Finally their motive is destructive (v.10a). They come to steal, kill and destroy.
JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ABUNDANT LIFE
15-16,10b) Where the deceivers want to steal, kill and destroy, (v.10a) Jesus came to give His life for His sheep, (v.15,17). Where the deceivers would leave you when things get difficult, (v.12-13), Jesus came to sanctify our life by being our anchor and unify us as one with Him, (v.16). Where the deceivers cannot satisfy, (v.8a), Jesus came to satisfy completely, (v.10b).
THIEF/ROBBER/HIRELING
Counterfeit doors
Comes to steal, kill, destroy
Not a shepherd
Not an owner of the sheep, hireling
Face of danger - leaves the sheep
Not concerned about the sheep
JESUS/GOOD SHEPHERD
Door of the sheep
Enter through Jesus=Salvation
Go in and out and find pasture
(freedom, safety, sustenance)
Have life abundantly
Good Shepherd/lays down life
Knows the sheep/sheep knows Him
One flock under One Shepherd
17-30) Because of what Jesus has done we can know with certainty that we have abundant life. We possess it, (v.10b) and no one will snatch us out of His hand, (v.27-30) In the light of this truth, we can live our lives with our heads held high and our confidence assured.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS CHRIST WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US AND THAT WE ARE SAFE AND SECURE IN HIS LOVING ARMS. ANCHORed FOREVER, NEVER TO BE SEPARATED. AMEN
ENEMIES OF JESUS CHRIST
1-10a) There are enemies who wish to pull people away from the truth or confuse the message of the truth.
1)Their method is defective (v.1), instead of entering through the door, which is Jesus Christ, they seek to come in through "some other way." These deceivers become thieves and a robbers.
2)Their message is deceptive(v.5). A true believer will seek to know and follow the voice of the Lord. A deceiver, according to 2 John 7, is one who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ and is against Him. We as believers are to flee from the deceiver.
3)Finally their motive is destructive (v.10a). They come to steal, kill and destroy.
JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ABUNDANT LIFE
15-16,10b) Where the deceivers want to steal, kill and destroy, (v.10a) Jesus came to give His life for His sheep, (v.15,17). Where the deceivers would leave you when things get difficult, (v.12-13), Jesus came to sanctify our life by being our anchor and unify us as one with Him, (v.16). Where the deceivers cannot satisfy, (v.8a), Jesus came to satisfy completely, (v.10b).
THIEF/ROBBER/HIRELING
Counterfeit doors
Comes to steal, kill, destroy
Not a shepherd
Not an owner of the sheep, hireling
Face of danger - leaves the sheep
Not concerned about the sheep
JESUS/GOOD SHEPHERD
Door of the sheep
Enter through Jesus=Salvation
Go in and out and find pasture
(freedom, safety, sustenance)
Have life abundantly
Good Shepherd/lays down life
Knows the sheep/sheep knows Him
One flock under One Shepherd
17-30) Because of what Jesus has done we can know with certainty that we have abundant life. We possess it, (v.10b) and no one will snatch us out of His hand, (v.27-30) In the light of this truth, we can live our lives with our heads held high and our confidence assured.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS CHRIST WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US AND THAT WE ARE SAFE AND SECURE IN HIS LOVING ARMS. ANCHORed FOREVER, NEVER TO BE SEPARATED. AMEN
Saturday, July 07, 2007
READ JOHN 9:8-41
Answer the Questions as you read. Get a sense of what this story is all about: Believing in Jesus or believing in a religion.
8-12) 1. Who is the man questioned by?
13-16) 2. To whom was the former blind man taken?
3. On what day did Jesus perform this miracle?
4. What was the Pharisees objection?
5. What were some others saying?
6. What was the result of their discussion?
17-23) 7. What did the blind man believe about Jesus?
8. How did the Jews respond?
9. What were the parents afraid of?
24-29 10. How did the Jews question the former blind man the second time?
11. How did the man answer?
12. What was the Jew's hang-up about this man's healing?
30-33)14. What are the main points of this man's teaching?
34) 15. How did the Jews respond to him?
35-38) The physical healing of the blind man now becomes a spiritually healing as well. Praise God that his eyes were open, not only to see the earth, but also to see his Savior. His example is one we can all learn from, believing in the truth no matter what the cost.
39-41) Jesus teaches here about judgment (Judgment does not contradict that Jesus came into the world to save, remember back in John 1:5, 10-11 and Romans 1:16-19)
Cause: those who do not see Effect: they may see
Cause: those who see Effect: may become blind (the become here does not mean that they were not blind before, but that their already blind state is fulfilled, it is an aorist tense which states a fact and in this case that fact can be changed by belief in Jesus.) Jesus is telling the Jews that if they were to admit that they were blind, that would not be in sin, but the fact that they do not admit their blindness they are sinning. The Pharisees' insistense that they could see made their sin willfil. We are all born blind spiritually and when we meet Jesus we either believe in Him and the blinders are removed or we reject Him and the blinders are tighted.
FATHER, HOW INCREDIBLE ARE YOU WAYS AND HOW MERCIFUL IS YOUR DESIRE FOR ALL TO COME TO BELIEF IN YOUR SON. MAY YOU CONTINUE TO OPEN THE EYES OF THE BLIND. FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, AMEN.
Answer the Questions as you read. Get a sense of what this story is all about: Believing in Jesus or believing in a religion.
8-12) 1. Who is the man questioned by?
13-16) 2. To whom was the former blind man taken?
3. On what day did Jesus perform this miracle?
4. What was the Pharisees objection?
5. What were some others saying?
6. What was the result of their discussion?
17-23) 7. What did the blind man believe about Jesus?
8. How did the Jews respond?
9. What were the parents afraid of?
24-29 10. How did the Jews question the former blind man the second time?
11. How did the man answer?
12. What was the Jew's hang-up about this man's healing?
30-33)14. What are the main points of this man's teaching?
34) 15. How did the Jews respond to him?
35-38) The physical healing of the blind man now becomes a spiritually healing as well. Praise God that his eyes were open, not only to see the earth, but also to see his Savior. His example is one we can all learn from, believing in the truth no matter what the cost.
39-41) Jesus teaches here about judgment (Judgment does not contradict that Jesus came into the world to save, remember back in John 1:5, 10-11 and Romans 1:16-19)
Cause: those who do not see Effect: they may see
Cause: those who see Effect: may become blind (the become here does not mean that they were not blind before, but that their already blind state is fulfilled, it is an aorist tense which states a fact and in this case that fact can be changed by belief in Jesus.) Jesus is telling the Jews that if they were to admit that they were blind, that would not be in sin, but the fact that they do not admit their blindness they are sinning. The Pharisees' insistense that they could see made their sin willfil. We are all born blind spiritually and when we meet Jesus we either believe in Him and the blinders are removed or we reject Him and the blinders are tighted.
FATHER, HOW INCREDIBLE ARE YOU WAYS AND HOW MERCIFUL IS YOUR DESIRE FOR ALL TO COME TO BELIEF IN YOUR SON. MAY YOU CONTINUE TO OPEN THE EYES OF THE BLIND. FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, AMEN.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD-OPENING THE EYES OF THE BLIND
READ JOHN 9:1-7
1-2) Who sinned that this man should be blind? Does God punish us with illness when we sin? This was a common enough belief among Jews in Jesus day. "...the disciples assumed the sin must have been in the part of his parents or during his time in the womb. Song Rabbah 1:41 (a later rabbinic work) states that when a pregnant woman worshiped in a pagan temple, the unborn child also committed idolatry. This is one example of how in rabbinic Jewish thought, an unborn child was capable of sinning." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) They had forgotten what God had said in Ezekiel 18:20, "...The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." Only God knows with certainty why some babies are born with defects. It is not our role to assign blame where blame is not applicable.
3-5) The purpose of the blindness of this man is so that the works of God would be displayed in him. Who sinned is not the issue here. The truth here was that Jesus is the light of the world. All of us are born spiritually blind. We are not sinners because we sin, we are sinners because we are born with a sin nature. Proving that we are in need of a Savior. Jesus is that one and only savior who can open the eyes of the blind.
6-7) Jesus applied clay to the eyes of the blind man and than tells him to go wash the clay off. The man believed Jesus' Word and did as commanded, coming back seeing.
FATHER, IN CHRIST WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRUST AND OBEY YOU JUST LIKE THIS MAN WHO WAS BORN BLIND. THANK YOU FOR A MOST COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING SAVIOR. AMEN.
1-2) Who sinned that this man should be blind? Does God punish us with illness when we sin? This was a common enough belief among Jews in Jesus day. "...the disciples assumed the sin must have been in the part of his parents or during his time in the womb. Song Rabbah 1:41 (a later rabbinic work) states that when a pregnant woman worshiped in a pagan temple, the unborn child also committed idolatry. This is one example of how in rabbinic Jewish thought, an unborn child was capable of sinning." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) They had forgotten what God had said in Ezekiel 18:20, "...The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." Only God knows with certainty why some babies are born with defects. It is not our role to assign blame where blame is not applicable.
3-5) The purpose of the blindness of this man is so that the works of God would be displayed in him. Who sinned is not the issue here. The truth here was that Jesus is the light of the world. All of us are born spiritually blind. We are not sinners because we sin, we are sinners because we are born with a sin nature. Proving that we are in need of a Savior. Jesus is that one and only savior who can open the eyes of the blind.
6-7) Jesus applied clay to the eyes of the blind man and than tells him to go wash the clay off. The man believed Jesus' Word and did as commanded, coming back seeing.
FATHER, IN CHRIST WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRUST AND OBEY YOU JUST LIKE THIS MAN WHO WAS BORN BLIND. THANK YOU FOR A MOST COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING SAVIOR. AMEN.
Friday, June 15, 2007
"I AM"
READ JOHN 8:48-59
48-59) The "I AM" denotes absolute eternal existence, not simply existence prior to Abraham. It is a claim to be YHWH of the O.T.. That the Jews understood the significance of this clam is clear from their reation to the supposed blasphemy.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT JESUS IS TRULY WHO HE SAYS HE IS. LET US NOT DISHONOR HIM BY THINKING THAT HE IS ANYTHING LESS THAN GOD. AMEN
48-59) The "I AM" denotes absolute eternal existence, not simply existence prior to Abraham. It is a claim to be YHWH of the O.T.. That the Jews understood the significance of this clam is clear from their reation to the supposed blasphemy.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT JESUS IS TRULY WHO HE SAYS HE IS. LET US NOT DISHONOR HIM BY THINKING THAT HE IS ANYTHING LESS THAN GOD. AMEN
Saturday, June 09, 2007
JESUS IS OUR FREEDOM
READ JOHN 8:20-47
20) No one could take Jesus, arrest Him or do anything to Him unless He or the Father allowed it. Praise to the Father that He is Sovereign!
21-30) Unbelievers are walking dead men. These Jews were headed to destruction, if they do not believe in Him. Not only where they blind to the truth, but had a bad case of hearing lose. "Who are you?" they asked. Jesus had been telling them all along who He was. Jesus had even been spoken of ever since the beginning of creation; the Old Testament had pointed to Him. He speaks later in the chapter (v. 56-58) that before Abraham was born. "I Am."
31-47) Freedom! Is this not what so many people long for? The cause of true freedom is to abide in Him and the effect is that we become His disciples, we will know the truth and that truth will set us free. Ravi Zacharias, in his book Deliver Us From Evil, says, "Our grand privilege is to know Him, to bring our lives into conformity with truth that leads us to that coherence within...In a world increasingly enslaved by error and alienation, how wonderful to be freed by the truth to His peace. The Scriptures tell us that the enemy of our souls is the father of all lies. He will do anything to keep us from coming to the truth, because it is the most valuable thing in the world and leads us to the source of all truth to God Himself."
Jesus shows his listeners that truth and freedom come from Him.
1) v.34-38 You are enslaved to sin and only through Jesus can you be release from that bondage.
2) v.39-40 Abraham believed in Jesus (the seed to come), he did not seek to kill Him in unbelief. (See Hebrews 11:17-19).
3) v.41-47 They were not listening to His Words. If they knew God they would love Jesus, but as a consequence of not listening to Jesus, nor the father and prophets of old, but listening to the father of lies, the devil, they do not hear God's words.
God's Word is reality; the object of a Christian's faith. The Christian's work is to trust in the rality of His Word, because what He has said will be accomplish!
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOUR WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH. AMEN
20) No one could take Jesus, arrest Him or do anything to Him unless He or the Father allowed it. Praise to the Father that He is Sovereign!
21-30) Unbelievers are walking dead men. These Jews were headed to destruction, if they do not believe in Him. Not only where they blind to the truth, but had a bad case of hearing lose. "Who are you?" they asked. Jesus had been telling them all along who He was. Jesus had even been spoken of ever since the beginning of creation; the Old Testament had pointed to Him. He speaks later in the chapter (v. 56-58) that before Abraham was born. "I Am."
31-47) Freedom! Is this not what so many people long for? The cause of true freedom is to abide in Him and the effect is that we become His disciples, we will know the truth and that truth will set us free. Ravi Zacharias, in his book Deliver Us From Evil, says, "Our grand privilege is to know Him, to bring our lives into conformity with truth that leads us to that coherence within...In a world increasingly enslaved by error and alienation, how wonderful to be freed by the truth to His peace. The Scriptures tell us that the enemy of our souls is the father of all lies. He will do anything to keep us from coming to the truth, because it is the most valuable thing in the world and leads us to the source of all truth to God Himself."
Jesus shows his listeners that truth and freedom come from Him.
1) v.34-38 You are enslaved to sin and only through Jesus can you be release from that bondage.
2) v.39-40 Abraham believed in Jesus (the seed to come), he did not seek to kill Him in unbelief. (See Hebrews 11:17-19).
3) v.41-47 They were not listening to His Words. If they knew God they would love Jesus, but as a consequence of not listening to Jesus, nor the father and prophets of old, but listening to the father of lies, the devil, they do not hear God's words.
God's Word is reality; the object of a Christian's faith. The Christian's work is to trust in the rality of His Word, because what He has said will be accomplish!
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOUR WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH. AMEN
Monday, June 04, 2007
JESUS IS THE TRUTH
READ JOHN 8:12-18
12) Cause: Jesus is the Light
Effect: Whoever follows Him is not walking in darkness but in the light.
13-18) The Pharisees try to turn the tables on Jesus. He had accused them of bearing false witness and now they say that He is the only witness He has and His witness is untrue.
Jesus' answer: 1) Even if He was bearing witness of Himself, His witness would still be true, because He has come from the Father, 2) His judgment is true because He has not done it alone, but is in complete harmony with the Father, 3) The law requires the testimony of two men (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). Because Jesus and the Father are ONE and could do nothing apart from each other (see John 5:19-20) they both are witnesses. Other witnesses mentioned by Jesus is in Chapter 5:31-40 1) John the Baptist, 2) His works, 3) and the Scriptures.
Twice in verse 15 Jesus talks about judging. He says that He does not judge anyone, yet in verse 16, if He did judge His judgment is true because His judgment is the same as the Father's. The first coming of Jesus was to provide the way of salvation and when He returns then will the judgment come because today is the day to make a decision. Will you believe Him or not? (See John 5:22-29)
SWEET SAVIOR, THE WORLD OFFERS NOTHING BUT DECEPTION AND FALSE HOPE. THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR WORD WE CAN KNOW TRUTH AND AS IT SAYS IN JOHN 8:32 THAT TRUTH WILL SET US FREE. AMEN.
12) Cause: Jesus is the Light
Effect: Whoever follows Him is not walking in darkness but in the light.
13-18) The Pharisees try to turn the tables on Jesus. He had accused them of bearing false witness and now they say that He is the only witness He has and His witness is untrue.
Jesus' answer: 1) Even if He was bearing witness of Himself, His witness would still be true, because He has come from the Father, 2) His judgment is true because He has not done it alone, but is in complete harmony with the Father, 3) The law requires the testimony of two men (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). Because Jesus and the Father are ONE and could do nothing apart from each other (see John 5:19-20) they both are witnesses. Other witnesses mentioned by Jesus is in Chapter 5:31-40 1) John the Baptist, 2) His works, 3) and the Scriptures.
Twice in verse 15 Jesus talks about judging. He says that He does not judge anyone, yet in verse 16, if He did judge His judgment is true because His judgment is the same as the Father's. The first coming of Jesus was to provide the way of salvation and when He returns then will the judgment come because today is the day to make a decision. Will you believe Him or not? (See John 5:22-29)
SWEET SAVIOR, THE WORLD OFFERS NOTHING BUT DECEPTION AND FALSE HOPE. THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR WORD WE CAN KNOW TRUTH AND AS IT SAYS IN JOHN 8:32 THAT TRUTH WILL SET US FREE. AMEN.
Monday, May 28, 2007
JESUS OUR FORGIVENESS
READ JOHN 8:1-11
1-11) SETTING: Jesus, people who were coming to Him, and scribes which held various important offices in the public affairs of the nation, acted as secretaries of state, whose business it was to prepare and issue decrees in the name of the king. (Today's Dictionary of the Bible) Also there were the Pharisees and the woman caught in adultery.
THE ACCUSATION: This woman had been caught in the very act of adultery. If caught in the very act, where is the man? To legitimize their claim they refered to the Law of Moses. (See Lev. 20:10)
How did they interpret the Law? "Stone such a woman!"
What does the Law actually say? Put to death both the man and the woman (how they were to put to death is not spoken of)
Was the accusation based on truth? NO!
Why were these rulers saying these things to Jesus? To test Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. This was their true motive. (see v.6)
JESUS REACTION: Jesus calls them on their bluff and exposes their guilt, their sin, being a false witness and testing Jesus. It was the older ones who saw the wisdom of Jesus' comment and the rest followed suit. Jesus then showed the woman that forgiveness was from God. "Forgiveness really is a divine attribute, for it is only God who can forgive sins. Forgiveness is an act of God, releasing sinners from judgment and freeing them from the divine penalty of their sin - death." (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words) (See Hebrews 2:14-15 and I John 3:8-9)
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS, FOR WITHOUT IT WE WOULD STILL BE IN OUR TRESPASSES AND SINS. AMEN.
1-11) SETTING: Jesus, people who were coming to Him, and scribes which held various important offices in the public affairs of the nation, acted as secretaries of state, whose business it was to prepare and issue decrees in the name of the king. (Today's Dictionary of the Bible) Also there were the Pharisees and the woman caught in adultery.
THE ACCUSATION: This woman had been caught in the very act of adultery. If caught in the very act, where is the man? To legitimize their claim they refered to the Law of Moses. (See Lev. 20:10)
How did they interpret the Law? "Stone such a woman!"
What does the Law actually say? Put to death both the man and the woman (how they were to put to death is not spoken of)
Was the accusation based on truth? NO!
Why were these rulers saying these things to Jesus? To test Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. This was their true motive. (see v.6)
JESUS REACTION: Jesus calls them on their bluff and exposes their guilt, their sin, being a false witness and testing Jesus. It was the older ones who saw the wisdom of Jesus' comment and the rest followed suit. Jesus then showed the woman that forgiveness was from God. "Forgiveness really is a divine attribute, for it is only God who can forgive sins. Forgiveness is an act of God, releasing sinners from judgment and freeing them from the divine penalty of their sin - death." (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words) (See Hebrews 2:14-15 and I John 3:8-9)
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS, FOR WITHOUT IT WE WOULD STILL BE IN OUR TRESPASSES AND SINS. AMEN.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
WHO IS HE?
READ JOHN 7:40-53
40) The multitudes were thinking about the prophet that Moses had predicted in Dt. 18:15. "However, in their theology, they believed the prophet was not the same individual as the Messiah (cf. Jn. 1:19-21)" (The Feasts of the Lord)
41-43) "Some believed He was claiming to be the Messiah - and, of a truth, He was. However, still others debated this notion with, "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ [the Messiah] comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was? . . . These were ignorant that Jesus was, in reality, a descendant of David, and that His birthplace was Bethlehem. So John recorded, "there was a division among the people because of Him." (The Feasts of the Lord)
44-53) QUOTE: "In the wake of these disturbing events the religious leadership called an emergency security meeting. it was a meeting of the chief priests, those twenty-four priests who were head over the twenty-four divisions of the priesthood (I Cor. 24:1-19). They were aristocratic Sadduccees who controlled the Temple worship. Also present were the Pharisees. They were the perpetuators of the oral extra biblical traditions within Israel. They controlled the synagogue worship. These two groups, usually at great odds over theology and engaged in religious power struggles, were united in their hatred of Jesus. "They summoned the officers to give an account as to why they had not arrested Jesus. The officers were Levites who patrolled the Temple compound and enforced Temple law. They were the security force, the Temple guard, who responsibility it would have been to arrest Jesus for interrupting the service. A few days earlier, the officers had been commanded to arrest Jesus (Jn. 7:14, 30-32), but now they had missed the perfect occasion to do so. The officers, too, had been stunned by His statement, for they answereed in their defense, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" (Jn. 7:46). After being rebuked in great rage, the officers were sent away." (The Feasts of the Lord)
I HAVE QUOTED MUCH THIS TIME FROM THE BOOK THE FEASTS OF THE LORD BY KEVIN HOWARD AND MARVIN ROSENTHAL. AN EXCELLENT BOOK AND WELL WORTH READING.
40) The multitudes were thinking about the prophet that Moses had predicted in Dt. 18:15. "However, in their theology, they believed the prophet was not the same individual as the Messiah (cf. Jn. 1:19-21)" (The Feasts of the Lord)
41-43) "Some believed He was claiming to be the Messiah - and, of a truth, He was. However, still others debated this notion with, "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ [the Messiah] comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was? . . . These were ignorant that Jesus was, in reality, a descendant of David, and that His birthplace was Bethlehem. So John recorded, "there was a division among the people because of Him." (The Feasts of the Lord)
44-53) QUOTE: "In the wake of these disturbing events the religious leadership called an emergency security meeting. it was a meeting of the chief priests, those twenty-four priests who were head over the twenty-four divisions of the priesthood (I Cor. 24:1-19). They were aristocratic Sadduccees who controlled the Temple worship. Also present were the Pharisees. They were the perpetuators of the oral extra biblical traditions within Israel. They controlled the synagogue worship. These two groups, usually at great odds over theology and engaged in religious power struggles, were united in their hatred of Jesus. "They summoned the officers to give an account as to why they had not arrested Jesus. The officers were Levites who patrolled the Temple compound and enforced Temple law. They were the security force, the Temple guard, who responsibility it would have been to arrest Jesus for interrupting the service. A few days earlier, the officers had been commanded to arrest Jesus (Jn. 7:14, 30-32), but now they had missed the perfect occasion to do so. The officers, too, had been stunned by His statement, for they answereed in their defense, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" (Jn. 7:46). After being rebuked in great rage, the officers were sent away." (The Feasts of the Lord)
I HAVE QUOTED MUCH THIS TIME FROM THE BOOK THE FEASTS OF THE LORD BY KEVIN HOWARD AND MARVIN ROSENTHAL. AN EXCELLENT BOOK AND WELL WORTH READING.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
FINDING JESUS
READ JOHN 7:32-39
32-39) Chief Priests and Pharisees represent the ruling council, the Sanhedrin. The officers were Temple police. SETTING: Jesus is avoiding getting arrested at this point because His hour has not yet come, v.30. It was not time for Him to be arrested, Jesus was in full control of His life. No one could arrest Him, nor kill Him untIl the time was right as called by the Father. In these verses Jesus announces that He is going somewhere. (The Jews think He is going to the dispersion among the Greeks. These were Jewish People, "...not living in Palestine, but "dispersed" or scattered among the Gentiles...they were referred to as "Greeks" here." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) The reality of what Jesus was telling these Jewish authorities was that they would die in their sins and so could not come to be with Him in heaven. A sad commentary for these Jewish leaders! (See also John 6:65)
37-39) On the last day of the feast, the eighth day, Jesus cries out to the crowd.
QUOTE: "The year was somewhere around A.D. 30. It was Hoshana Rabbah, the last day, the great day of the Feast of Tabernaciles. The bright morning sun was almost too warm as the throngs crowded the Temple courts for the Hoshana Rabbah service. As the people intently watched the priest conduct the service, a loud voice rang out from the crowd. The priests glared in consternation, and the people whipped around in great surprise to see who dared interrupt the service. They say a young Galilean in His early thirties, the one whom many held to be a great rabbi, a prophet, or even the Messiah. He boomed: "If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (Jn 37-38; cf. Jn. 4:14). In other words, He said: I am the answer to your prayers, I am the Messiah. I can save you now so that you will never thirst for salvation again." (From the book The Feasts of the Lord)
From here a spirited debate broke out among the people and we will look at this debate next time.
O ADONAI, TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO ENTER YOUR GATES AND GIVE THANKS IN YOUR COURTS IS A BLESSING BEYOND MEASURE. AMEN
32-39) Chief Priests and Pharisees represent the ruling council, the Sanhedrin. The officers were Temple police. SETTING: Jesus is avoiding getting arrested at this point because His hour has not yet come, v.30. It was not time for Him to be arrested, Jesus was in full control of His life. No one could arrest Him, nor kill Him untIl the time was right as called by the Father. In these verses Jesus announces that He is going somewhere. (The Jews think He is going to the dispersion among the Greeks. These were Jewish People, "...not living in Palestine, but "dispersed" or scattered among the Gentiles...they were referred to as "Greeks" here." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) The reality of what Jesus was telling these Jewish authorities was that they would die in their sins and so could not come to be with Him in heaven. A sad commentary for these Jewish leaders! (See also John 6:65)
37-39) On the last day of the feast, the eighth day, Jesus cries out to the crowd.
QUOTE: "The year was somewhere around A.D. 30. It was Hoshana Rabbah, the last day, the great day of the Feast of Tabernaciles. The bright morning sun was almost too warm as the throngs crowded the Temple courts for the Hoshana Rabbah service. As the people intently watched the priest conduct the service, a loud voice rang out from the crowd. The priests glared in consternation, and the people whipped around in great surprise to see who dared interrupt the service. They say a young Galilean in His early thirties, the one whom many held to be a great rabbi, a prophet, or even the Messiah. He boomed: "If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (Jn 37-38; cf. Jn. 4:14). In other words, He said: I am the answer to your prayers, I am the Messiah. I can save you now so that you will never thirst for salvation again." (From the book The Feasts of the Lord)
From here a spirited debate broke out among the people and we will look at this debate next time.
O ADONAI, TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO ENTER YOUR GATES AND GIVE THANKS IN YOUR COURTS IS A BLESSING BEYOND MEASURE. AMEN
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
IS HE THE CHRIST?
READ JOHN 7:12-31
12-14) The multitudes were grumbling among themselves with conflicting views of who Jesus was. Some thought of Him as a good man, upright, honorable, free from guile, particularly from a desire to corrupt the people, for they had seen an assemblage of corruption within the Jewish leadership and Jesus did not seem to associated Himself with these Jewish leaders. Others saw Him as one who would lead people astray, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive. In their eyes He was just another man who would in the end fall into corruption.
15-19) Mystery - Where did Jesus get His education? He came from Nazareth, a carpenter's son, no formal education. In the eyes of the Jews He, ". . . was not a disciple of a particular rabbi (cf. Paul in Acts 22:3) and lacked advanced instruction in the Mosaic Law under a recognized rabbi. Ironically, when the Jewish leaders came face to face with the Word-become-flesh--they treated him as an untaught, unlearned person without the formal qualifications to be a teacher." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
Jesus' answer: He was speaking for God, if He was speaking for Himself alone He would be seeking His own glory and not that of God's, who is true and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Cause: Willing to do His will
Effect: Know from where the teaching comes from.
Anyone who does God's will will be able to judge the authority of Jesus' teaching. Moses had given them the Law and yet they did not carry out the Law, meet its demand.
Why were they seeking to kill Jesus who is meeting the demands of the Law and they were not?
20-25) Jesus is being accused of acting and speaking as though He were mad. He was possessed by a demon.
Jesus' answer: Jesus points out that if circumcision is allowed on the Sabbath (Lev. 12:3), should not also a deed of mercy? (John 5:5-9) You dare to judge? Don't judge by outward appearances alone, but with righteous judgment (render to each his due; and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, in other words judgment is given without prejudice or partiality.)
26-31) The crowds of people were questioning as to the authenticity of Jesus, is He the Messiah, the Christ? He had performed many signs and that was proof that He could be the Messiah, but John is emphasizing here that true belief is not in signs, but in the fact that Jesus came from the Father. Jesus said, "You know me from where I came from, Nazareth, but I am more than a mere man, I am sent from God, who is true. Who better to explain God or to express the truth than Jesus
O MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE, THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR SON. IT IS THROUGH HIM THAT WE CAN TRUELY COME TO KNOW YOU. AMEN
12-14) The multitudes were grumbling among themselves with conflicting views of who Jesus was. Some thought of Him as a good man, upright, honorable, free from guile, particularly from a desire to corrupt the people, for they had seen an assemblage of corruption within the Jewish leadership and Jesus did not seem to associated Himself with these Jewish leaders. Others saw Him as one who would lead people astray, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive. In their eyes He was just another man who would in the end fall into corruption.
15-19) Mystery - Where did Jesus get His education? He came from Nazareth, a carpenter's son, no formal education. In the eyes of the Jews He, ". . . was not a disciple of a particular rabbi (cf. Paul in Acts 22:3) and lacked advanced instruction in the Mosaic Law under a recognized rabbi. Ironically, when the Jewish leaders came face to face with the Word-become-flesh--they treated him as an untaught, unlearned person without the formal qualifications to be a teacher." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
Jesus' answer: He was speaking for God, if He was speaking for Himself alone He would be seeking His own glory and not that of God's, who is true and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Cause: Willing to do His will
Effect: Know from where the teaching comes from.
Anyone who does God's will will be able to judge the authority of Jesus' teaching. Moses had given them the Law and yet they did not carry out the Law, meet its demand.
Why were they seeking to kill Jesus who is meeting the demands of the Law and they were not?
20-25) Jesus is being accused of acting and speaking as though He were mad. He was possessed by a demon.
Jesus' answer: Jesus points out that if circumcision is allowed on the Sabbath (Lev. 12:3), should not also a deed of mercy? (John 5:5-9) You dare to judge? Don't judge by outward appearances alone, but with righteous judgment (render to each his due; and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, in other words judgment is given without prejudice or partiality.)
26-31) The crowds of people were questioning as to the authenticity of Jesus, is He the Messiah, the Christ? He had performed many signs and that was proof that He could be the Messiah, but John is emphasizing here that true belief is not in signs, but in the fact that Jesus came from the Father. Jesus said, "You know me from where I came from, Nazareth, but I am more than a mere man, I am sent from God, who is true. Who better to explain God or to express the truth than Jesus
O MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE, THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR SON. IT IS THROUGH HIM THAT WE CAN TRUELY COME TO KNOW YOU. AMEN
Saturday, April 21, 2007
MY TIME HAS NOT YET COME!
READ JOHN 7:3-11
3-9) These brothers are Jesus' actual brothers born to Mary and Joseph (Matt. 12:46; 13:55-56) Why did the brothers want Jesus to go to Jerusalem? To publicly show Himself off with more signs and wonders? Where they truely believing in Him as Savior or as an earthly king who would rally the people to overthrow the Roman Government? The answer was in Jesus' response. His time has not yet come. He was looking for the cross, while they were looking at the world. Jesus came to expose the evil of the world and to bring the way of salvation from it.
10-11) Jesus does go to Jerusalem, but in secret. "In secret" (krypto) means privately or in private. When Jesus does get to Jerusalem (v.14), he makes no attempt to remain hidden (in fact he makes himself quite conspicuous). This suggests the phrase "in secret" here does not mean "covertly," but that Jesus did not accompany the main body of pilgrims going to Jerusalem for the feast perhaps to avoid a premature "triumphal entry" scene. (Information taken from the Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
FATHER, WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE A SAVIOR WHO IS NOT INTERESTED IN SATISFING THE EVIL OF THE WORLD, BUT IN BEING OBEDIENT TO YOU. AMEN
3-9) These brothers are Jesus' actual brothers born to Mary and Joseph (Matt. 12:46; 13:55-56) Why did the brothers want Jesus to go to Jerusalem? To publicly show Himself off with more signs and wonders? Where they truely believing in Him as Savior or as an earthly king who would rally the people to overthrow the Roman Government? The answer was in Jesus' response. His time has not yet come. He was looking for the cross, while they were looking at the world. Jesus came to expose the evil of the world and to bring the way of salvation from it.
10-11) Jesus does go to Jerusalem, but in secret. "In secret" (krypto) means privately or in private. When Jesus does get to Jerusalem (v.14), he makes no attempt to remain hidden (in fact he makes himself quite conspicuous). This suggests the phrase "in secret" here does not mean "covertly," but that Jesus did not accompany the main body of pilgrims going to Jerusalem for the feast perhaps to avoid a premature "triumphal entry" scene. (Information taken from the Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
FATHER, WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE A SAVIOR WHO IS NOT INTERESTED IN SATISFING THE EVIL OF THE WORLD, BUT IN BEING OBEDIENT TO YOU. AMEN
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
COMING SOON!
What a blessed time our family had these past few weeks at our house. Now that they have all returned to their respective homes and things have quieted down here at empty-nestville I will be back with more of the John study.
Let us take time to pray for the people envolved at Virginia Tech! Instead of asking why, lets ask God to show us how we can help people understand that God was there. I personally am looking forward to hearing great stories of His love and encouragement during this difficult time.
May God bless you all,
Jean 2 Timothy 2:15
Let us take time to pray for the people envolved at Virginia Tech! Instead of asking why, lets ask God to show us how we can help people understand that God was there. I personally am looking forward to hearing great stories of His love and encouragement during this difficult time.
May God bless you all,
Jean 2 Timothy 2:15
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
FEAST OF TABERNACLES (BOOTHS)
READ JOHN 7:1-2
Jesus is walking in Galilee, staying away from Judea for the time being, for they (the Jews) were attempting to kill Him. They would have never succeeded in killing Him for His time has not yet come!
Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) (The following information is taken from the book, The Feast of the Lord by Kevin Howard and marvin Rosenthal)
1) Meaning: All Israelites were required to dwell in tabernacles or booths during the holiday. It was an annual reminder of God's provision during the 40 years wilderness sojourn when Israel had lived in similar shelters. The feast was a joyous occasion, commenorating God's past provision in the wilderness and His present provision with the completion of the harvest.
2) Time: Autumn of the year, late September to mid-October.
3) Record: The people were to live in booths and rejoice before the Lord with branches (Lev. 23:33-43), daily sacrificial offerings (Num. 29:12-39), and the Law was to be read publicly in the Sabbatical year (Dt. 31:10-13)
4) Importance: 1) People were to travel to Jerusalem for this feast and brought their tithes and offerings, 2) great number of required sacrifices were offered. "Each day one goat, fourteen lambs, two rams, and a number of bullocks (thirteen on the first day, decreasing by one each day)." Also offered were meal offerings (flour and oil) and drink offerings (wine), 3) this week long feast was, "...viewed with great awe, for it was during the Feast of Tabernacles that Solomon dedicated the newly built Temple to the Lord. At that ancient observance of Tabernacles (2 Cor. 5:3), the Shekinah glory of the Lord descended from Heaven to light the fire on the altar and fill the Holy of Holies. (I Ki. 8:2; 2 Chr. 7:1-10)."
FATHER, THE ONE WHO PROVIDES, HELP US TO REMEMBER EACH DAY THAT ALL OUR PROVISION FOR LIFE IS IN YOUR SON. AMEN
Jesus is walking in Galilee, staying away from Judea for the time being, for they (the Jews) were attempting to kill Him. They would have never succeeded in killing Him for His time has not yet come!
Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) (The following information is taken from the book, The Feast of the Lord by Kevin Howard and marvin Rosenthal)
1) Meaning: All Israelites were required to dwell in tabernacles or booths during the holiday. It was an annual reminder of God's provision during the 40 years wilderness sojourn when Israel had lived in similar shelters. The feast was a joyous occasion, commenorating God's past provision in the wilderness and His present provision with the completion of the harvest.
2) Time: Autumn of the year, late September to mid-October.
3) Record: The people were to live in booths and rejoice before the Lord with branches (Lev. 23:33-43), daily sacrificial offerings (Num. 29:12-39), and the Law was to be read publicly in the Sabbatical year (Dt. 31:10-13)
4) Importance: 1) People were to travel to Jerusalem for this feast and brought their tithes and offerings, 2) great number of required sacrifices were offered. "Each day one goat, fourteen lambs, two rams, and a number of bullocks (thirteen on the first day, decreasing by one each day)." Also offered were meal offerings (flour and oil) and drink offerings (wine), 3) this week long feast was, "...viewed with great awe, for it was during the Feast of Tabernacles that Solomon dedicated the newly built Temple to the Lord. At that ancient observance of Tabernacles (2 Cor. 5:3), the Shekinah glory of the Lord descended from Heaven to light the fire on the altar and fill the Holy of Holies. (I Ki. 8:2; 2 Chr. 7:1-10)."
FATHER, THE ONE WHO PROVIDES, HELP US TO REMEMBER EACH DAY THAT ALL OUR PROVISION FOR LIFE IS IN YOUR SON. AMEN
Monday, March 19, 2007
JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE
READ JOHN 6:41-71
41-42) What is the Jew's complaint? Jesus claim to be the bread from heaven, yet they knew His father and mother here on earth. How can He be from heaven? Their problem was they had an earthly perspective and not a heavenly perspective.
43-47) These verses demonstrate the spiritual blindness of the Jews. They had been taught by God from the prophets, the Father had been drawing their people for centuries from His Word and yet they refused to believe. (the quote (v.45) is from Isa. 54:13)
48-71) These Jews were blinded to the truth. Read Hosea 4:4-10 and notice that the people were stumbling over true knowledge. QUOTE: (from Holman Treasury of Key Words) "The Hebrew word kasha, "to stumble," to stagger," "to reel," or "to totter," can also mean "to be feeble" or "to cause to stumble." Failing to continue on a true path, to be sidetracked, or to find offense and turn away from a true path is the root idea. Israel in Hosea's day was sidetracked by their morally culpable refusal to know God the way they should have...A person was openly rebelling against God if he or she did not recognize the true knowledge of God that He had made known. Because of Israel's refusal to know God, He Himself put a stumbling block in their way - His divine judgement (Jer. 20:11). The rebellious people, because of their attitude, "stumbled" kashal over that which was to light their path (Hos. 14:9). Malachi warned that the false teaching of the priest, the spirutal leaders of the people, was also causing God's people to stumble. But God was also ready to help the unrighteous person who turned from his or her wicked ways, assuring them that they would not fall (Ezek. 33:12)."
These Jews were leaders who were in spiritual blindness, refusing to come to the true knowledge of the right path, and were also a stumbling block for the people. Jesus was showing them what the right path was, Himself. This is what Jesus is pointing out throughout the rest of the chapter.
1) You must come to Jesus on God's terms. Not on their terms, not on the terms of an earthly leader.
2) The way of salvation is in God's Word, we are to seek it and allow God to teach us THE WAY.
3) We don't personally see the Father, but come to Him through His Word and through Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus is the revelation of the Father.
4) Manna in the wilderness came from heaven, but was temporary and could not save for all eternity, but Jesus can, He is the true bread of life.
5) Jesus gives them a real jolt. He talks about eating His flesh. It was abhorrence for a Jew to become some kind of cannibal. Again they were thinging only in the earthly terms not the spiritual truth. "What they failed to see was that the "eating" meant personal appropriation by faith, rather than the consuming of physical food." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) (See John 6:63)
FATHER, THE ONE WHO HOLDS THE RIGHT PATH, GIVE US BOLDNESS TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH AND GIVE US DISCERNMENT NOT TO STUMBLE OR CAUSE ANOTHER TO STUMBLE. AMEN
41-42) What is the Jew's complaint? Jesus claim to be the bread from heaven, yet they knew His father and mother here on earth. How can He be from heaven? Their problem was they had an earthly perspective and not a heavenly perspective.
43-47) These verses demonstrate the spiritual blindness of the Jews. They had been taught by God from the prophets, the Father had been drawing their people for centuries from His Word and yet they refused to believe. (the quote (v.45) is from Isa. 54:13)
48-71) These Jews were blinded to the truth. Read Hosea 4:4-10 and notice that the people were stumbling over true knowledge. QUOTE: (from Holman Treasury of Key Words) "The Hebrew word kasha, "to stumble," to stagger," "to reel," or "to totter," can also mean "to be feeble" or "to cause to stumble." Failing to continue on a true path, to be sidetracked, or to find offense and turn away from a true path is the root idea. Israel in Hosea's day was sidetracked by their morally culpable refusal to know God the way they should have...A person was openly rebelling against God if he or she did not recognize the true knowledge of God that He had made known. Because of Israel's refusal to know God, He Himself put a stumbling block in their way - His divine judgement (Jer. 20:11). The rebellious people, because of their attitude, "stumbled" kashal over that which was to light their path (Hos. 14:9). Malachi warned that the false teaching of the priest, the spirutal leaders of the people, was also causing God's people to stumble. But God was also ready to help the unrighteous person who turned from his or her wicked ways, assuring them that they would not fall (Ezek. 33:12)."
These Jews were leaders who were in spiritual blindness, refusing to come to the true knowledge of the right path, and were also a stumbling block for the people. Jesus was showing them what the right path was, Himself. This is what Jesus is pointing out throughout the rest of the chapter.
1) You must come to Jesus on God's terms. Not on their terms, not on the terms of an earthly leader.
2) The way of salvation is in God's Word, we are to seek it and allow God to teach us THE WAY.
3) We don't personally see the Father, but come to Him through His Word and through Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus is the revelation of the Father.
4) Manna in the wilderness came from heaven, but was temporary and could not save for all eternity, but Jesus can, He is the true bread of life.
5) Jesus gives them a real jolt. He talks about eating His flesh. It was abhorrence for a Jew to become some kind of cannibal. Again they were thinging only in the earthly terms not the spiritual truth. "What they failed to see was that the "eating" meant personal appropriation by faith, rather than the consuming of physical food." (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) (See John 6:63)
FATHER, THE ONE WHO HOLDS THE RIGHT PATH, GIVE US BOLDNESS TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH AND GIVE US DISCERNMENT NOT TO STUMBLE OR CAUSE ANOTHER TO STUMBLE. AMEN
Thursday, March 08, 2007
WORK OF GOD? BELIEVE IN JESUS
READ JOHN 6:28-40
28-29) What is the work of God? Believe in Jesus whom God has sent! "And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us." (I John 3:23)
30-40) Sign? O.T. had manna from heaven (Exodus 16), what sign could Jesus give them in order that they could believe?
JESUS HIMSELF WAS THE SIGN: It was not Moses who gave the bread, but God Himself and now He has given a better bread from heaven, Jesus Christ. This bread gives life to the world, yet there is a condition, you must believe. It is an individual appropriation, no one can believe for you. Come and believe in Him and you will never hunger or thirst. What is the benefit to knowing Jesus as the bread of life?
1) Will not be cast out from the presences of God and Jesus.
2) Will never be lost to Jesus.
3) Receiving eternal life.
4) Raise up on the last day.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS WHO IS THE TRUE BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN AND WHO NOURISHES THE SOUL FOR ALL ETERNITY. AMEN
28-29) What is the work of God? Believe in Jesus whom God has sent! "And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us." (I John 3:23)
30-40) Sign? O.T. had manna from heaven (Exodus 16), what sign could Jesus give them in order that they could believe?
JESUS HIMSELF WAS THE SIGN: It was not Moses who gave the bread, but God Himself and now He has given a better bread from heaven, Jesus Christ. This bread gives life to the world, yet there is a condition, you must believe. It is an individual appropriation, no one can believe for you. Come and believe in Him and you will never hunger or thirst. What is the benefit to knowing Jesus as the bread of life?
1) Will not be cast out from the presences of God and Jesus.
2) Will never be lost to Jesus.
3) Receiving eternal life.
4) Raise up on the last day.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS WHO IS THE TRUE BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN AND WHO NOURISHES THE SOUL FOR ALL ETERNITY. AMEN
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
CROSSING THE SEA
READ JOHN 6:16-27
16-23) The disciples got into a boat to cross the sea. John does not tell us why, but Mark does, they were told to by Jesus to get in the boat and go across to the other side of the sea from Bethsaida (Mk. 6:45). John is telling us that they were headed for Capernaum.
STORM: As evening came strong winds erupt about 3-4 miles out and they see Jesus walking toward them. (Mark tells us that Jesus was intending to walk by them. Mk. 6:48-50 and Matthew records that this is the time when Peter walks on water. Mt. 14:24-33) The emphasis in John's gospel is not on the disciples, but on the multitudes and Jesus teaching on being the Bread of Life.
The multitudes had seen the disciples leave, but Jesus had not gone with them. He stayed to dismiss the multitudes and then go off by Himself. The next day the multitudes notice that Jesus in no longer with them and some how figured out that Jesus was on the other side of the sea with the disciples. They immediately get into their boats and follow.
The multitudes wanted to know how Jesus got to Capernaum, but Jesus exposed to them the real reason why they followed Him. They were hungry and wanted to be fed. Jesus' instructs them to not work for food that is perishable, but for the food that is imperishable. What kind of food is imperishable?
1) It endures to eternal life.
2) Son of Man gives it.
3) Sealed by God through Jesus (Sealed means to confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt; to prove by one's tesimony to a person that he is what he professes to be.) In other words Jesus is truely who He says He is and you can trust Him explicitly.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS WHO IS THE BREAD OF LIFE AND IN HIM WE CAN PLACE OUR TRUST WITHOUT FAIL. AMEN.
16-23) The disciples got into a boat to cross the sea. John does not tell us why, but Mark does, they were told to by Jesus to get in the boat and go across to the other side of the sea from Bethsaida (Mk. 6:45). John is telling us that they were headed for Capernaum.
STORM: As evening came strong winds erupt about 3-4 miles out and they see Jesus walking toward them. (Mark tells us that Jesus was intending to walk by them. Mk. 6:48-50 and Matthew records that this is the time when Peter walks on water. Mt. 14:24-33) The emphasis in John's gospel is not on the disciples, but on the multitudes and Jesus teaching on being the Bread of Life.
The multitudes had seen the disciples leave, but Jesus had not gone with them. He stayed to dismiss the multitudes and then go off by Himself. The next day the multitudes notice that Jesus in no longer with them and some how figured out that Jesus was on the other side of the sea with the disciples. They immediately get into their boats and follow.
The multitudes wanted to know how Jesus got to Capernaum, but Jesus exposed to them the real reason why they followed Him. They were hungry and wanted to be fed. Jesus' instructs them to not work for food that is perishable, but for the food that is imperishable. What kind of food is imperishable?
1) It endures to eternal life.
2) Son of Man gives it.
3) Sealed by God through Jesus (Sealed means to confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt; to prove by one's tesimony to a person that he is what he professes to be.) In other words Jesus is truely who He says He is and you can trust Him explicitly.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS WHO IS THE BREAD OF LIFE AND IN HIM WE CAN PLACE OUR TRUST WITHOUT FAIL. AMEN.
Monday, February 19, 2007
FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND
READ JOHN 6:1-15
The theme of this chapter is that Jesus is the Bread of Life. First we will look at the feeding of the 5,000.
1-9) SETTING: Answer the question below.
Where are they?
What was the time period?
Who was there?
Why was the great multitdue there?
What is Jesus' test for the disciples?
What was the disciples answer to the problem?
10) JESUS SOLUTION:
Jesus has the people sit down (people here is the GK word "anthropos" designating "human beings", male and female), but then it says the men (GK word "aner" designating "a male")sat down. We know from this narrative that there were 5,000 men who had followed Jesus to this Galilean setting. How many women and children is unknown. It is a blessing that Jesus recognized that there were woman and children there and included them in the blessing of the food. He had all the people sit down, it was the custom of those days for the men to sit first and eat and the women served, then ate, but Jesus served them all with the help of His disciples. What a glorious Saviour we have!
11-13) MIRACLE:
Jesus gives thanks for the loaves and fishes and they are distributed so that all could eat as much as they wanted and were filled.
How many baskets were left over? 12 baskets filled with fragments. God the Father does not hold back in giving abundantly. Look up the following verses, what do you learn? Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 55:6-12; Jeremiah 33:6-9; Eph. 3:20-21; I Tim. 1:12-15; I Peter 1:3-5.
14-15) REACTION OF THE CROWD:
They called Him a prophet who was to come into the world. The belief in the Prophet comes from Deut. 18:15 and was a popular eschatological personage, but they were believing in Him as a deliverer, but in the wrong way. They wanted a physcial king who would overthrow the Roman Government, in like manner that Moses delivered the Jewish people from the Egyptian Government, not a Savior who would save them from their sins.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOU ABUNDANT GIVING. NOT ONLY IS JESUS THE WATER OF LIFE WHERE OUR SPIRITUAL THIRST IS QUENCHED FOR ALL TIMES, BUT HIS IS ALSO THE BREAD OF LIFE AND OUR SPIRITUAL HUNGER IS ALSO QUENCHED FOR ALL TIMES. AMEN
The theme of this chapter is that Jesus is the Bread of Life. First we will look at the feeding of the 5,000.
1-9) SETTING: Answer the question below.
Where are they?
What was the time period?
Who was there?
Why was the great multitdue there?
What is Jesus' test for the disciples?
What was the disciples answer to the problem?
10) JESUS SOLUTION:
Jesus has the people sit down (people here is the GK word "anthropos" designating "human beings", male and female), but then it says the men (GK word "aner" designating "a male")sat down. We know from this narrative that there were 5,000 men who had followed Jesus to this Galilean setting. How many women and children is unknown. It is a blessing that Jesus recognized that there were woman and children there and included them in the blessing of the food. He had all the people sit down, it was the custom of those days for the men to sit first and eat and the women served, then ate, but Jesus served them all with the help of His disciples. What a glorious Saviour we have!
11-13) MIRACLE:
Jesus gives thanks for the loaves and fishes and they are distributed so that all could eat as much as they wanted and were filled.
How many baskets were left over? 12 baskets filled with fragments. God the Father does not hold back in giving abundantly. Look up the following verses, what do you learn? Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 55:6-12; Jeremiah 33:6-9; Eph. 3:20-21; I Tim. 1:12-15; I Peter 1:3-5.
14-15) REACTION OF THE CROWD:
They called Him a prophet who was to come into the world. The belief in the Prophet comes from Deut. 18:15 and was a popular eschatological personage, but they were believing in Him as a deliverer, but in the wrong way. They wanted a physcial king who would overthrow the Roman Government, in like manner that Moses delivered the Jewish people from the Egyptian Government, not a Savior who would save them from their sins.
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOU ABUNDANT GIVING. NOT ONLY IS JESUS THE WATER OF LIFE WHERE OUR SPIRITUAL THIRST IS QUENCHED FOR ALL TIMES, BUT HIS IS ALSO THE BREAD OF LIFE AND OUR SPIRITUAL HUNGER IS ALSO QUENCHED FOR ALL TIMES. AMEN
Thursday, February 15, 2007
CORRECTING A MISTAKE!
TO ALL WHO READ THIS BLOG!
I have to correct a mistake I made in Chapter 5. I had thought that the feast of the Jews that Jesus went to Jerusalem for was the 2nd Passover. It is not. It is not known what feast this was, but the 2nd Passover is mentioned in Chapter 6. Sorry for this mistake, I also have to be a good Berean (Acts 17:11) and check my own work with the truth of the Bible.
Chapter 6 is coming soon!
I have to correct a mistake I made in Chapter 5. I had thought that the feast of the Jews that Jesus went to Jerusalem for was the 2nd Passover. It is not. It is not known what feast this was, but the 2nd Passover is mentioned in Chapter 6. Sorry for this mistake, I also have to be a good Berean (Acts 17:11) and check my own work with the truth of the Bible.
Chapter 6 is coming soon!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
CONFRONTING UNBELIEVE
READ JOHN 5:31-47
Jesus' works are a witness to who He is, but that alone does not make His witness true.
31-36) John's witness: his work to prepare the way for Jesus bore witness that Jesus is true. The Father's witness: He who had sent Jesus bore witness of who Jesus is, "...for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish...bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me."(v.36) Jesus is affirming that God is participating in His works and He was sent by God with complete authority of God. "The statement "You have neither heard his voice nor seen his 'form'" recalls Num. 12:8 (the Greek text of John is virtually identical to the OT Greek translation of Num. 12). This refers to God's "form," or outward appearance ("seen him face to face," CEV,NLT). The statement fits the general point made in John that Jesus is the outward and visible revelation of the Father (1:18;14:9)" (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
38-47)The Unbeliever's Guilt
A) Do not believe His word. They search the scriptures which bear witness of Him, yet refuse to come to Him.
B) Do not love God, but look for glory in man. Glory comes from one source and one source only, God, the Father.
C) Refused to believe the writings of Moses, who wrote of Jesus. If they did not believe Moses, how will they believe the words of Jesus?
The Old Testament and the New Testament complement each other and are parts of a whole. You cannot understand one without the other.
FATHER, JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO YOU AND THE WITNESS TO HIS WORTH IS ABUNDANT. HELP US WHEN OUR BELIEVE WEAKENS, KEEP US ANCHOR IN JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. AMEN.
Jesus' works are a witness to who He is, but that alone does not make His witness true.
31-36) John's witness: his work to prepare the way for Jesus bore witness that Jesus is true. The Father's witness: He who had sent Jesus bore witness of who Jesus is, "...for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish...bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me."(v.36) Jesus is affirming that God is participating in His works and He was sent by God with complete authority of God. "The statement "You have neither heard his voice nor seen his 'form'" recalls Num. 12:8 (the Greek text of John is virtually identical to the OT Greek translation of Num. 12). This refers to God's "form," or outward appearance ("seen him face to face," CEV,NLT). The statement fits the general point made in John that Jesus is the outward and visible revelation of the Father (1:18;14:9)" (The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study)
38-47)The Unbeliever's Guilt
A) Do not believe His word. They search the scriptures which bear witness of Him, yet refuse to come to Him.
B) Do not love God, but look for glory in man. Glory comes from one source and one source only, God, the Father.
C) Refused to believe the writings of Moses, who wrote of Jesus. If they did not believe Moses, how will they believe the words of Jesus?
The Old Testament and the New Testament complement each other and are parts of a whole. You cannot understand one without the other.
FATHER, JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO YOU AND THE WITNESS TO HIS WORTH IS ABUNDANT. HELP US WHEN OUR BELIEVE WEAKENS, KEEP US ANCHOR IN JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. AMEN.
Monday, January 29, 2007
JESUS - THE RIGHTFUL JUDGE
READ JOHN 5:24-30
John had just related a story of Jesus healing a man who had been weak and afflicted for 38 years. This man tried to get healing through human means and the help of human friends, but to no avail. As the Lord of the Sabbath and having complete authority equal with the Father, Jesus heals this man physically. Jesus also warned this man that physical healing is wonderful there is a need for spiritually healing to make his life complete. Now in the following verses Jesus will speak on the spiritual healing that a man must come to in order to receive eternal life.
24) What is salvation? CAUSE: hear His Word and believe the God who sent Jesus EFFECT: eternal life, no judgment, pass from death into life.
25-29) "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart..." (Heb. 3:15) Here Jesus gives a prophesy about a time that is yet future where the opportunity to accept spiritual healing will come to an end. For an hour is coming when all will hear His voice and will arise, some to resurrection of life and others to the resurrection of judgment. It is through Jesus that we are accepted by the Father into etermal life, for the Father, "...gave Him all authority to execute judgement, because He is the Son of Man." He went to the cross to die for the sins of the world, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father except through Him. (See John 14:6)
30) His judgment is in complete compliance with the Father, for Jesus does not seek His own will, but He seeks the will of the Father.
FATHER, HELP US TO BE MINDFUL THAT ONLY JESUS CAN BRING SPIRITUAL HEALING AND THAT THE WORLD IS RIPE FOR THE HARVEST. AMEN
John had just related a story of Jesus healing a man who had been weak and afflicted for 38 years. This man tried to get healing through human means and the help of human friends, but to no avail. As the Lord of the Sabbath and having complete authority equal with the Father, Jesus heals this man physically. Jesus also warned this man that physical healing is wonderful there is a need for spiritually healing to make his life complete. Now in the following verses Jesus will speak on the spiritual healing that a man must come to in order to receive eternal life.
24) What is salvation? CAUSE: hear His Word and believe the God who sent Jesus EFFECT: eternal life, no judgment, pass from death into life.
25-29) "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart..." (Heb. 3:15) Here Jesus gives a prophesy about a time that is yet future where the opportunity to accept spiritual healing will come to an end. For an hour is coming when all will hear His voice and will arise, some to resurrection of life and others to the resurrection of judgment. It is through Jesus that we are accepted by the Father into etermal life, for the Father, "...gave Him all authority to execute judgement, because He is the Son of Man." He went to the cross to die for the sins of the world, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father except through Him. (See John 14:6)
30) His judgment is in complete compliance with the Father, for Jesus does not seek His own will, but He seeks the will of the Father.
FATHER, HELP US TO BE MINDFUL THAT ONLY JESUS CAN BRING SPIRITUAL HEALING AND THAT THE WORLD IS RIPE FOR THE HARVEST. AMEN
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
EQUALITY WITH THE FATHER
READ JOHN 5:19-23
God reveals Himself to people of every time period and culture; through nature and the historical events of history. In John 5 He is revealing truth through His Son and they (the Jews) were not accepting this most gracious gift, because He claimed to be equal with the Father. Making a simple list (v. 19-23) of all that we learn about the Father gives us a picture of why Jesus is worthy to know!
THE FATHER:
1) Both Father and Son work in 100% equality. Everything the Father does, the Son does and vice versa. They both are Self-existent, neither are depend on anything outside of Himself.
2) The Father loves the Son. The idea in v. 20-21 is that God has done some remarkable things in the past, but you have not seen anything yet. Jesus (God's beloved Son) will do the ultimate work so that we will marvel. What is this great work? That the Father raises the dead. What is the result of this great work? That life is given through the Son. Eternal life to whom the Son wishes (to whom He has purposed). Both the Father and the Son are Omniscience (All-knowing), nothing takes the Father or Jesus by surprise, this has all been planned since the foundation of the world. (See I Peter 1:20-21)
3) The Father has given all judement to the Son. It is Jesus who holds the key to the kingdom. It is through Him salvation takes place. (See John 14:6) Why has the Father done this? (v.23) To honor both the Son and the Father. Both are Ominpotence (all-powerful) It was not weakness that caused the Father and the Son to accomplish this great work; bringing salvation to a dying world. It was done with great power by a Holy, Righteous, Merciful and Loving Diety. Why is Jesus worthy to know? Because He brings credibility and honor to the Father and because, "...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF JESUS WHO IS EQUAL WITH YOU IN ALL WAYS. HE HAS BROUGHT HONOR TO THE DIETY OF THE GODHEAD AND GIVEN THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF LIFE TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE. AMEN
God reveals Himself to people of every time period and culture; through nature and the historical events of history. In John 5 He is revealing truth through His Son and they (the Jews) were not accepting this most gracious gift, because He claimed to be equal with the Father. Making a simple list (v. 19-23) of all that we learn about the Father gives us a picture of why Jesus is worthy to know!
THE FATHER:
1) Both Father and Son work in 100% equality. Everything the Father does, the Son does and vice versa. They both are Self-existent, neither are depend on anything outside of Himself.
2) The Father loves the Son. The idea in v. 20-21 is that God has done some remarkable things in the past, but you have not seen anything yet. Jesus (God's beloved Son) will do the ultimate work so that we will marvel. What is this great work? That the Father raises the dead. What is the result of this great work? That life is given through the Son. Eternal life to whom the Son wishes (to whom He has purposed). Both the Father and the Son are Omniscience (All-knowing), nothing takes the Father or Jesus by surprise, this has all been planned since the foundation of the world. (See I Peter 1:20-21)
3) The Father has given all judement to the Son. It is Jesus who holds the key to the kingdom. It is through Him salvation takes place. (See John 14:6) Why has the Father done this? (v.23) To honor both the Son and the Father. Both are Ominpotence (all-powerful) It was not weakness that caused the Father and the Son to accomplish this great work; bringing salvation to a dying world. It was done with great power by a Holy, Righteous, Merciful and Loving Diety. Why is Jesus worthy to know? Because He brings credibility and honor to the Father and because, "...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF JESUS WHO IS EQUAL WITH YOU IN ALL WAYS. HE HAS BROUGHT HONOR TO THE DIETY OF THE GODHEAD AND GIVEN THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF LIFE TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE. AMEN
Thursday, January 18, 2007
JESUS, LORD OF THE SABBATH
READ JOHN 5:9b-18
9b) SABBATH: Means "seven." It is in conjuction with God's 7th day of Creation (Gen. 2:2)where God had completed the Creation and rested. The Sabbath day was and still is on Saturday for the Jews. It was a day set aside by God as a day of rest from work (See Ex. 20:9-11). By the time Jesus walked on Earth the Sabbath had been perverted by the Jewish leaders with many restrictions. They had complicated it with rules and regulations far beyond what God had commanded. Making the Sabbath Day more of a burden than a day of rest. When the Sabbath rest is spoken of in the New Testament it is not refering to the day (Saturday), but to a spiritual Sabbath, a redemptive rest. It is a perpetual Sabbath resting IN Christ. (See Col. 2:16-17 and Heb. 4:9-10)
10-13) These verses show the characteristic of how bad a burden the Sabbath Day had become to the people. The Jews, confronting this man who was healed, were not animated by his being healed and walking, but that he was carrying his pallet on the Sabbath. The fact that they were still in the pool area is an idication that they probably saw the healing or had become aware of it through other people. Jesus had been able to slip away because of the crowd that had accumulated.
14) Jesus finds the man in the temple and warns him to not sin anymore so that nothing worse will come upon him. What could be worse than an illness lasting 38 years? Loss of life and facing God's judgment! Warren Wiersbe put it best in his book, The Bible Exposition Commentary. "It is not easy to understand the relationship between this man and Jesus. There is no evidence that he believed on Christ and was converted, yet we cannot say that he was opposed to the Saviour. In fact, he did not even know who it was that healed him until Jesus met him in the temple. No doubt the man went there to give thanks to God and to offer the appropriate sacrifices. It seems strange that the man did not actively seek a closer relationship with the One who healed him, but more than one person has gratefully accepted the gift and ignored the Giver."
15-18) Why this man went and told the Jews is unknown, but the reaction of the Jews expresses to us the attitude of their hearts. They were without mercy; only wrapped up in laws and traditions. They were blind to the teachings and mercy of Jesus. They loved the darkness and did not comprehend the light. They persecuted their merciful Savior and sought to have Him killed. Jesus did not fear their persecution or threats but mercifully confronts their unbelief, which we will look at in the next session.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT I CAN REST IN CHRIST'S FINISHED WORK! HE IS THE LORD OF THE SABBATH! AMEN
9b) SABBATH: Means "seven." It is in conjuction with God's 7th day of Creation (Gen. 2:2)where God had completed the Creation and rested. The Sabbath day was and still is on Saturday for the Jews. It was a day set aside by God as a day of rest from work (See Ex. 20:9-11). By the time Jesus walked on Earth the Sabbath had been perverted by the Jewish leaders with many restrictions. They had complicated it with rules and regulations far beyond what God had commanded. Making the Sabbath Day more of a burden than a day of rest. When the Sabbath rest is spoken of in the New Testament it is not refering to the day (Saturday), but to a spiritual Sabbath, a redemptive rest. It is a perpetual Sabbath resting IN Christ. (See Col. 2:16-17 and Heb. 4:9-10)
10-13) These verses show the characteristic of how bad a burden the Sabbath Day had become to the people. The Jews, confronting this man who was healed, were not animated by his being healed and walking, but that he was carrying his pallet on the Sabbath. The fact that they were still in the pool area is an idication that they probably saw the healing or had become aware of it through other people. Jesus had been able to slip away because of the crowd that had accumulated.
14) Jesus finds the man in the temple and warns him to not sin anymore so that nothing worse will come upon him. What could be worse than an illness lasting 38 years? Loss of life and facing God's judgment! Warren Wiersbe put it best in his book, The Bible Exposition Commentary. "It is not easy to understand the relationship between this man and Jesus. There is no evidence that he believed on Christ and was converted, yet we cannot say that he was opposed to the Saviour. In fact, he did not even know who it was that healed him until Jesus met him in the temple. No doubt the man went there to give thanks to God and to offer the appropriate sacrifices. It seems strange that the man did not actively seek a closer relationship with the One who healed him, but more than one person has gratefully accepted the gift and ignored the Giver."
15-18) Why this man went and told the Jews is unknown, but the reaction of the Jews expresses to us the attitude of their hearts. They were without mercy; only wrapped up in laws and traditions. They were blind to the teachings and mercy of Jesus. They loved the darkness and did not comprehend the light. They persecuted their merciful Savior and sought to have Him killed. Jesus did not fear their persecution or threats but mercifully confronts their unbelief, which we will look at in the next session.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT I CAN REST IN CHRIST'S FINISHED WORK! HE IS THE LORD OF THE SABBATH! AMEN
Monday, January 08, 2007
JESUS, THE LORD OF THE SABBATH
READ JOHN 5:1-9
1) After the events of Chapter 4, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem and His minstry is being narrowed down to just a few men. "Between chapters 4&5 of John, Jesus ministered throughout Galilee, especially in Capternum. He had been calling certain men to follow Him, but it wasn't until after this trip to Jerusalem (5:1) that He chose His 12 disciples from among them." (Tyndale handbook of Bible Charts and Maps)
Jesus was going to Jerusalem for Passover. This is the 2nd Passover mentioned in the Book of John. (1st Passover, 2:13) One year has progressed by this point. At the first Passover, Jesus cleansed the Temple, but at this Passover He will show the need for our hearts to be cleansed. (This will be shown as we continue into Chapter 5 but first I want to give you some insight into the Passover and the healing.)
What is Passover? The following information about Passover is taken from the book, The Feasts of the Lord by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal.
A)TIME: Observed each year on the 14th day of the Hebrew month, Nisan. (March/April)
B)RECORD: The lamb was the core requisite for Passover (Ex. 12; 34:25; Deut. 16:1-7) Passover and the lamb was used interchangeably, one could not exist without the other. Three symbolic foods were to be eaten: the lamb (depicting innocence), matzah (unleavened bread was to be eaten representing purity of the sacrifice since leaven was often a symbol of sin (1 Cor. 5:6-8), and bitter herbs (reminder of the suffering of the lamb). (Ex. 12:8)
C)IMPORTANCE: 1) There was only one Passover, when the Lord passed through the land in judgment. All other observances are memorials commemorating an occasion. 2) Oldest religious feast of the world and still observed by the Jews today. 3) Passover was so important that God allowed those who could not observe it on the proper day to observe it 30 days later.
D)SERVICE: Observed as a memorial forever (Ex12:14)
2-9) In this particular Passover, done on a Sabbath day (5:9b), Jesus heals a sick man.
A) SETTING: In Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate. The Sheep Gate is by the Temple area. The pool was a reservoir of water with five porches. "The excavations of a pool near the Sheep Gate have uncovered five porticoes or covered colonnades, confirming the accuracy of the description given here in the Fourth Gospel." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck)
B) SUPERSTITION: An angel from the Lord would come down at certain times and stir the water. The first one in was healed. This sick man had been hoping for a miracle for 38 years.
C) TRUTH: Jesus, accessing the situation, knew that the man had been in this hopeless state for a long time. Jesus chooses to show mercy, the same kind of mercy He has shown to us sinners who are in a hopeless state without Him, "While we are yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6) Undeserved mercy! What did Jesus ask the sick man? "Do you want to be well?" The man anwered, "There was no one to help me to become well." Wow, what a statement, for standing before him was the God of the Universe, the one who could make him well! Jesus said to him, "Arise, take up your pallet, and walk."
D) MIRACLE: Immediately! The man was healed. 38 years of muscles that would not have worked anymore. Not only did he arise, but also he picked up his pallet and walked! Complete and total instant ability to move his body! This was an instantaneous healing, occuring without any perceptable duration of time! "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou doest take thought of him?" (Ps. 8:3-4a)
THANK THE FATHER THAT CAN WE SERVE AND KNOW HIM, WHO CARES FOR US!
1) After the events of Chapter 4, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem and His minstry is being narrowed down to just a few men. "Between chapters 4&5 of John, Jesus ministered throughout Galilee, especially in Capternum. He had been calling certain men to follow Him, but it wasn't until after this trip to Jerusalem (5:1) that He chose His 12 disciples from among them." (Tyndale handbook of Bible Charts and Maps)
Jesus was going to Jerusalem for Passover. This is the 2nd Passover mentioned in the Book of John. (1st Passover, 2:13) One year has progressed by this point. At the first Passover, Jesus cleansed the Temple, but at this Passover He will show the need for our hearts to be cleansed. (This will be shown as we continue into Chapter 5 but first I want to give you some insight into the Passover and the healing.)
What is Passover? The following information about Passover is taken from the book, The Feasts of the Lord by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal.
A)TIME: Observed each year on the 14th day of the Hebrew month, Nisan. (March/April)
B)RECORD: The lamb was the core requisite for Passover (Ex. 12; 34:25; Deut. 16:1-7) Passover and the lamb was used interchangeably, one could not exist without the other. Three symbolic foods were to be eaten: the lamb (depicting innocence), matzah (unleavened bread was to be eaten representing purity of the sacrifice since leaven was often a symbol of sin (1 Cor. 5:6-8), and bitter herbs (reminder of the suffering of the lamb). (Ex. 12:8)
C)IMPORTANCE: 1) There was only one Passover, when the Lord passed through the land in judgment. All other observances are memorials commemorating an occasion. 2) Oldest religious feast of the world and still observed by the Jews today. 3) Passover was so important that God allowed those who could not observe it on the proper day to observe it 30 days later.
D)SERVICE: Observed as a memorial forever (Ex12:14)
2-9) In this particular Passover, done on a Sabbath day (5:9b), Jesus heals a sick man.
A) SETTING: In Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate. The Sheep Gate is by the Temple area. The pool was a reservoir of water with five porches. "The excavations of a pool near the Sheep Gate have uncovered five porticoes or covered colonnades, confirming the accuracy of the description given here in the Fourth Gospel." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck)
B) SUPERSTITION: An angel from the Lord would come down at certain times and stir the water. The first one in was healed. This sick man had been hoping for a miracle for 38 years.
C) TRUTH: Jesus, accessing the situation, knew that the man had been in this hopeless state for a long time. Jesus chooses to show mercy, the same kind of mercy He has shown to us sinners who are in a hopeless state without Him, "While we are yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6) Undeserved mercy! What did Jesus ask the sick man? "Do you want to be well?" The man anwered, "There was no one to help me to become well." Wow, what a statement, for standing before him was the God of the Universe, the one who could make him well! Jesus said to him, "Arise, take up your pallet, and walk."
D) MIRACLE: Immediately! The man was healed. 38 years of muscles that would not have worked anymore. Not only did he arise, but also he picked up his pallet and walked! Complete and total instant ability to move his body! This was an instantaneous healing, occuring without any perceptable duration of time! "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou doest take thought of him?" (Ps. 8:3-4a)
THANK THE FATHER THAT CAN WE SERVE AND KNOW HIM, WHO CARES FOR US!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
AN AMAZING WOMAN!
READ JOHN 4:39-54
39) Amazing isn't it? Here was a scorned, sinful woman who shared the truth of Jesus with the people of her village. ("Men" in v.28 is the Greek word "anthropos" which designates a "human being" regardless of sex, so she was speaking to all the villagers, male and female) She was changed on the inside, she openly confessed her sins, told who Jesus was and she shared even in the face of possible opposition. (Does this not sound like the spiritual food that Jesus spoke of to the disciples, obedience and responsibility in v. 34?) God continues this wonderful story by opening up the ears of the people and many listened to her and believed. Although we are not privy to her name, she is forever stamped in Biblical history along with other women of faith, like Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, and Esther of the Old Testament and Mary (mother of Jesus), Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, Priscilla, Junias, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Euodia, Syntyche, and the daughters of Philip of the New Testament.
40-42) THEY BELIEVED: The Greek Word for believe here is "pisteuo" and means to "exercise faith in, put one's trust in." Look at what they said in v.42, they believed Him to be the Savior of the world. Nicodemus saw Jesus as a good teacher sent from God, Jesus showed him that he must be born again and believe the Word. The Pharisees and many of the Jews saw Him as an imposter demanding to know from where He got His authoity to do what He did. (Many will not believe) The Disciples, at this time, were unsure of exactly who Jesus was, but yet were attracted to Him and were willing to follow Him. (They were willing to believe, but were a bit skeptical) The Samaritans got it right they believed Jesus as the Savior of the world. These outcasts, who a good Jew would not even walk on the same side of the street with, believed that Jesus was the Messiah not just for the Jews, but for all peoples.
43-45) In these verses Jesus enters Galilee, for He was not honored in Judea. The Galileans received Him, but there reception was with the wrong attitude. They were looking for more signs and wonders. John is teaching us in this chapter that belief in the Word takes precedent over signs and wonders and John uses an example from an event that took place in Galilee.
46-54) Jesus meets with a Royal Official from Capernaum who has a dying son. This official asks for healing. Connect this event with the women at the well. The woman at the well came to faith by believing Jesus' word and so did the people of her village, but the Galilians received Him because of His signs and wonders alone, which can not change the heart. The Royal official received the word from Jesus that his son was healed and he went home to witness the sign and wonder of his son's healing. The message here is that signs and wonders are proof that the Word, which came first, is true.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT WE CAN BELIEVE YOUR WORD AND IT IS A LAMP UNTO OUR FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO OUR PATH! AMEN
39) Amazing isn't it? Here was a scorned, sinful woman who shared the truth of Jesus with the people of her village. ("Men" in v.28 is the Greek word "anthropos" which designates a "human being" regardless of sex, so she was speaking to all the villagers, male and female) She was changed on the inside, she openly confessed her sins, told who Jesus was and she shared even in the face of possible opposition. (Does this not sound like the spiritual food that Jesus spoke of to the disciples, obedience and responsibility in v. 34?) God continues this wonderful story by opening up the ears of the people and many listened to her and believed. Although we are not privy to her name, she is forever stamped in Biblical history along with other women of faith, like Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, and Esther of the Old Testament and Mary (mother of Jesus), Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, Priscilla, Junias, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Euodia, Syntyche, and the daughters of Philip of the New Testament.
40-42) THEY BELIEVED: The Greek Word for believe here is "pisteuo" and means to "exercise faith in, put one's trust in." Look at what they said in v.42, they believed Him to be the Savior of the world. Nicodemus saw Jesus as a good teacher sent from God, Jesus showed him that he must be born again and believe the Word. The Pharisees and many of the Jews saw Him as an imposter demanding to know from where He got His authoity to do what He did. (Many will not believe) The Disciples, at this time, were unsure of exactly who Jesus was, but yet were attracted to Him and were willing to follow Him. (They were willing to believe, but were a bit skeptical) The Samaritans got it right they believed Jesus as the Savior of the world. These outcasts, who a good Jew would not even walk on the same side of the street with, believed that Jesus was the Messiah not just for the Jews, but for all peoples.
43-45) In these verses Jesus enters Galilee, for He was not honored in Judea. The Galileans received Him, but there reception was with the wrong attitude. They were looking for more signs and wonders. John is teaching us in this chapter that belief in the Word takes precedent over signs and wonders and John uses an example from an event that took place in Galilee.
46-54) Jesus meets with a Royal Official from Capernaum who has a dying son. This official asks for healing. Connect this event with the women at the well. The woman at the well came to faith by believing Jesus' word and so did the people of her village, but the Galilians received Him because of His signs and wonders alone, which can not change the heart. The Royal official received the word from Jesus that his son was healed and he went home to witness the sign and wonder of his son's healing. The message here is that signs and wonders are proof that the Word, which came first, is true.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT WE CAN BELIEVE YOUR WORD AND IT IS A LAMP UNTO OUR FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO OUR PATH! AMEN
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