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.
Monday, November 26, 2007
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)
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