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
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