John 7:50-53
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Division and Unbelief
50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. 51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.
52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”
53 Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.
What might a hearing revealed? The Pharisees were focusing on scriptures pointing to the birthplace of the Messiah. The prophets had written that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. This Jesus fellow lived in Galilee. Biblically, he was from the wrong side of the tracks. It would have only taken a simple question of Jesus to clear up this conflict. Where were you born Jesus? We all know the answer from the Christmas story. The Pharisees would have too, if they had followed the prompting of Nicodemus.
Are we sometimes quick to judge not having all the correct information? Be diligent to give a hearing before jumping to conclusions based on mis-information.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
AN EARLY DEBATE
John 7:40-49
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Division and Unbelief
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.
47 “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. 48 “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”
From the very beginning of Christianity, there was disagreement over the authenticity of Jesus’ claims. There appears that there was no lack of opinions. Everyone had one. The crowds … the guards … the Pharisees. Is it surprising that the debate continues?
Good can come from healthy debate. As believers, we need to be prepared … equipped to effectively support the authenticity of the Scriptures. And we need to be ready to state what Jesus stated. Note that the guards were persuaded by what Jesus spoke. Our opinions may be well thought out but the bottom line must always be God’s Word.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Division and Unbelief
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.
47 “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. 48 “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”
From the very beginning of Christianity, there was disagreement over the authenticity of Jesus’ claims. There appears that there was no lack of opinions. Everyone had one. The crowds … the guards … the Pharisees. Is it surprising that the debate continues?
Good can come from healthy debate. As believers, we need to be prepared … equipped to effectively support the authenticity of the Scriptures. And we need to be ready to state what Jesus stated. Note that the guards were persuaded by what Jesus spoke. Our opinions may be well thought out but the bottom line must always be God’s Word.
Friday, June 27, 2008
OPEN INVITATION
John 7:37-39
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
When you start dealing with the universality of God’s invitation, you can find yourself on dangerous ground. When the Word says “…anyone … everyone…”, we must be careful not to miss the “…who believes…”. God’s invitation, through His Son Jesus Christ, is to anyone who believes in the Son.
In a world where doors are often closed except to a select few, the door to the throne room of grace is open to everyone willing to believe in Jesus.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
When you start dealing with the universality of God’s invitation, you can find yourself on dangerous ground. When the Word says “…anyone … everyone…”, we must be careful not to miss the “…who believes…”. God’s invitation, through His Son Jesus Christ, is to anyone who believes in the Son.
In a world where doors are often closed except to a select few, the door to the throne room of grace is open to everyone willing to believe in Jesus.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
GOING TO THE CROSS
John 7:31-36
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Is Jesus the Messiah?
31 Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”
32 When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. 33 But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. 34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”
35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is he planning to go?” they asked. “Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! 36 What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?”
Jesus was going to the cross.
Others before Jesus had suffered crucifixion at the hands of the Roman authorities. Jesus was not the last person to ever suffer that fate. When Jesus said, “You cannot go where I am going”, His reference was to the way.
Jesus was going to the cross with determination. He was not trying to avoid what was coming. Rather, He knew the Father’s plan and was about His Father’s business.
He was going to the cross with forgiveness in His heart. “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Jesus was going to the cross innocent. Only the unblemished sacrifice could pay the price.
Jesus was going to the cross as no one before or no one since could go. “You cannot go where I am going.” Jesus is the Messiah, sent to the cross to deliver mankind from the oppression of sin!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Is Jesus the Messiah?
31 Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”
32 When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. 33 But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. 34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”
35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is he planning to go?” they asked. “Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! 36 What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?”
Jesus was going to the cross.
Others before Jesus had suffered crucifixion at the hands of the Roman authorities. Jesus was not the last person to ever suffer that fate. When Jesus said, “You cannot go where I am going”, His reference was to the way.
Jesus was going to the cross with determination. He was not trying to avoid what was coming. Rather, He knew the Father’s plan and was about His Father’s business.
He was going to the cross with forgiveness in His heart. “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Jesus was going to the cross innocent. Only the unblemished sacrifice could pay the price.
Jesus was going to the cross as no one before or no one since could go. “You cannot go where I am going.” Jesus is the Messiah, sent to the cross to deliver mankind from the oppression of sin!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
THE MESSIAH
John 7:25-30
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Is Jesus the Messiah?
25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? 27 But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.”
28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. 29 But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” 30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
Webster’s dictionary defines messiah as the expected liberator or savior of any country. The Layman’s Bible Dictionary defines messiah as the anointed one. It goes on to say this is “the title given by the Jewish people to a future leader whom they expected to restore their honor and glory after delivering them from their oppressors.” The Jewish people were looking for the messiah and Jesus didn’t fit their preconceived image. They were looking for freedom from the oppression of the Roman Empire. Jesus brought freedom from the oppression of sin.
Jesus is the Messiah … the Savior … the Anointed One!
The only question on this remains in the hearts of man. Have you surrendered yourself to Him as your liberator or are you holding on to your sin problem? God sent you the Messiah. Have you received Him in you heart?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Is Jesus the Messiah?
25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? 27 But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.”
28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. 29 But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” 30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
Webster’s dictionary defines messiah as the expected liberator or savior of any country. The Layman’s Bible Dictionary defines messiah as the anointed one. It goes on to say this is “the title given by the Jewish people to a future leader whom they expected to restore their honor and glory after delivering them from their oppressors.” The Jewish people were looking for the messiah and Jesus didn’t fit their preconceived image. They were looking for freedom from the oppression of the Roman Empire. Jesus brought freedom from the oppression of sin.
Jesus is the Messiah … the Savior … the Anointed One!
The only question on this remains in the hearts of man. Have you surrendered yourself to Him as your liberator or are you holding on to your sin problem? God sent you the Messiah. Have you received Him in you heart?
Friday, June 20, 2008
THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW
John 7:14-24
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. 15 The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. 19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”
20 The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?”
21 Jesus replied, “I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. 22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses’ law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.) 23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? 24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
What is this Jesus is teaching? Is it OK to break the law … to violate the commandments? I think not.
Jesus is saying to us that there is the letter of the law. “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.” There is also, “… beneath the surface…”, the spirit of the law. Does doing a good work, a necessary work in any way violate the holiness of the day of worship? Circumcision in fact was an act of worship. In like manner, is there anything unholy about praying for the sick, anointing them with oil or laying hands on them? All these are acts found in scripture related to healing ministry.
Jesus is teaching us to keep focused on that which is holy … that which is spiritual, as we live out the letter of the law.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. 15 The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. 19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”
20 The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?”
21 Jesus replied, “I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. 22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses’ law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.) 23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? 24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
What is this Jesus is teaching? Is it OK to break the law … to violate the commandments? I think not.
Jesus is saying to us that there is the letter of the law. “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.” There is also, “… beneath the surface…”, the spirit of the law. Does doing a good work, a necessary work in any way violate the holiness of the day of worship? Circumcision in fact was an act of worship. In like manner, is there anything unholy about praying for the sick, anointing them with oil or laying hands on them? All these are acts found in scripture related to healing ministry.
Jesus is teaching us to keep focused on that which is holy … that which is spiritual, as we live out the letter of the law.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
AFRAID
John 7:10-13
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. 11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. 12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
At our youth Bible Study last night, one of the leaders shared with the group how after a series of troubling days at work, she and her co-workers had started to pray before they began their workday. At first she was concerned about how others might respond to the idea of praying at work. What she found was that many of her co-workers were also believers, there were some strong prayer warriors in the group and they liked the idea. They have now made it a daily practice to gather for prayer before work with however many are available on that day. Some days it’s a small group, others days it’s larger but they always pray no matter what the number.
When I worked in corporate America, I can remember being encouraged to keep two things out of the workplace – politics and religion. If my friend had followed that practice, the daily prayer time would not be happening. She was not afraid to share her faith and found a fellowship of believers. Their united prayer is changing their workplace.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. 11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. 12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
At our youth Bible Study last night, one of the leaders shared with the group how after a series of troubling days at work, she and her co-workers had started to pray before they began their workday. At first she was concerned about how others might respond to the idea of praying at work. What she found was that many of her co-workers were also believers, there were some strong prayer warriors in the group and they liked the idea. They have now made it a daily practice to gather for prayer before work with however many are available on that day. Some days it’s a small group, others days it’s larger but they always pray no matter what the number.
When I worked in corporate America, I can remember being encouraged to keep two things out of the workplace – politics and religion. If my friend had followed that practice, the daily prayer time would not be happening. She was not afraid to share her faith and found a fellowship of believers. Their united prayer is changing their workplace.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT
John 7:1-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus and His Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going[a] to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Footnotes:
[a] John 7:8 Some manuscripts read not yet going.
When the fisherman puts the bait on the hook, he carefully hides the hook. The fisherman’s intent is not to feed the fish but to catch them.
Jesus’ brothers were baiting Him. ‘If you are all you claim to be, go to Judea and show off your stuff. The crowds will be huge … that’s where you can find fame. That’s where you can get yourself on the front page … be the lead story on the evening news … get top billing in Hollywood.’ They were baiting Jesus, all the time expecting if He tried, he would crash and burn.
Jesus wouldn’t take their bait. He was about His Father’s business, not His brothers games.
You and I must not allow ourselves to be baited. The bait may be fame, riches, popularity, relationships, position or material things. In all these things (of themselves neither good or bad), Satan may have a hidden hook. If these things are for you, they will come to you, in God’s time. Jesus waited in Galilee until it was the right time to go to Judea.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus and His Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going[a] to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Footnotes:
[a] John 7:8 Some manuscripts read not yet going.
When the fisherman puts the bait on the hook, he carefully hides the hook. The fisherman’s intent is not to feed the fish but to catch them.
Jesus’ brothers were baiting Him. ‘If you are all you claim to be, go to Judea and show off your stuff. The crowds will be huge … that’s where you can find fame. That’s where you can get yourself on the front page … be the lead story on the evening news … get top billing in Hollywood.’ They were baiting Jesus, all the time expecting if He tried, he would crash and burn.
Jesus wouldn’t take their bait. He was about His Father’s business, not His brothers games.
You and I must not allow ourselves to be baited. The bait may be fame, riches, popularity, relationships, position or material things. In all these things (of themselves neither good or bad), Satan may have a hidden hook. If these things are for you, they will come to you, in God’s time. Jesus waited in Galilee until it was the right time to go to Judea.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
WHERE ELSE?
John 6:66-71
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
After going through very difficult situations, I have often thought, “I wouldn’t want to go through life without Jesus.” Others have shared this same sentiment with me.
This is the essence of Peter’s statement. When others were walking away because things got difficult, Peter spoke up for the Twelve. “Lord, to whom would we go?”
Where else can you go and find the peace … the comfort … the provision … the sanctuary … the salvation … you find in Jesus? The world offers alternatives but they all come up short … feel empty … are unable to satisfy. Only Jesus has the answer to the issues of life and to eternity. “Lord, to whom would we go?”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
After going through very difficult situations, I have often thought, “I wouldn’t want to go through life without Jesus.” Others have shared this same sentiment with me.
This is the essence of Peter’s statement. When others were walking away because things got difficult, Peter spoke up for the Twelve. “Lord, to whom would we go?”
Where else can you go and find the peace … the comfort … the provision … the sanctuary … the salvation … you find in Jesus? The world offers alternatives but they all come up short … feel empty … are unable to satisfy. Only Jesus has the answer to the issues of life and to eternity. “Lord, to whom would we go?”
Monday, June 16, 2008
HUMAN EFFORT
John 6:60-65
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
Many things about God and the way He does things are difficult to understand. A child born with a birth defect … a city devastated by an earthquake, hurricane, wild fire or flood … the life of a ‘good’ person cut way too short. As hard as we try, the bottom line is God’s ways are not our ways and therefore hard to grasp.
God is sovereign. While we may not understand, we can trust that He knows what He is doing.
We can understand this. It is simple and easy. God is love! God demonstrated His love for us through the life and sacrificial death of His Son, not for himself but for us. There is nothing in all our human effort which can gain us eternal life. It was done on the Cross through Jesus Christ.
That’s love!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
Many things about God and the way He does things are difficult to understand. A child born with a birth defect … a city devastated by an earthquake, hurricane, wild fire or flood … the life of a ‘good’ person cut way too short. As hard as we try, the bottom line is God’s ways are not our ways and therefore hard to grasp.
God is sovereign. While we may not understand, we can trust that He knows what He is doing.
We can understand this. It is simple and easy. God is love! God demonstrated His love for us through the life and sacrificial death of His Son, not for himself but for us. There is nothing in all our human effort which can gain us eternal life. It was done on the Cross through Jesus Christ.
That’s love!
Friday, June 13, 2008
HE LIVES … WE LIVE
John 6:53-59
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
I think it was in the late 1960s or 1970s that there was this ‘God is Dead’ movement. Books were written and there was a lot of talk surrounding the subject. Jesus answered any question about whether God is dead. He referred to God as “… the living Father …”.
As Jesus attributed His life to the living Father, believers live and move and have their being because of the living Savior.
I serve a living Savior, He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I fell His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today,
He walks with me and talks with me,
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
I think it was in the late 1960s or 1970s that there was this ‘God is Dead’ movement. Books were written and there was a lot of talk surrounding the subject. Jesus answered any question about whether God is dead. He referred to God as “… the living Father …”.
As Jesus attributed His life to the living Father, believers live and move and have their being because of the living Savior.
I serve a living Savior, He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I fell His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today,
He walks with me and talks with me,
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
SLOW TO HEAR, SLOW TO BELIEVE
John 6:41-52
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.
We have the benefit of the complete story. The people who Jesus was teaching didn’t have the full story. They knew of His earthly parents but obviously were missing the account of the virgin birth. They knew about Moses and the wilderness but not about the Passover celebration in the Upper Room where Jesus gave new meaning to the bread and the wine. Because they didn’t have all the information they were slow to hear, slow to believe.
We have the complete story and yet many are still slow to hear, slow to believe. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth…”. We must continue to tell the story as God has given it to us and allow Him to draw those to Himself who will hear and believe.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.
We have the benefit of the complete story. The people who Jesus was teaching didn’t have the full story. They knew of His earthly parents but obviously were missing the account of the virgin birth. They knew about Moses and the wilderness but not about the Passover celebration in the Upper Room where Jesus gave new meaning to the bread and the wine. Because they didn’t have all the information they were slow to hear, slow to believe.
We have the complete story and yet many are still slow to hear, slow to believe. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth…”. We must continue to tell the story as God has given it to us and allow Him to draw those to Himself who will hear and believe.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
NEVER TURNED AWAY
John 6:34-40
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
It is God’s will to have a loving relationship with His creation. It is God’s will that all His creation will recognize His Son Jesus as who He really is. It is God’s will that all who see Jesus and believe in him should be saved and never lost.
What wonderful truths from the Scriptures!
All, at the prompting of the Father, who come to Jesus in sincerity … in truth … believing, will never be turned away. It is never too early nor too late to come. In fact, the best time to come is in your ‘right now’! If you haven’t, take that step … today. If you have any question in your heart about your eternity, settle it … today. Come to Jesus … today. You will not be turned away.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
It is God’s will to have a loving relationship with His creation. It is God’s will that all His creation will recognize His Son Jesus as who He really is. It is God’s will that all who see Jesus and believe in him should be saved and never lost.
What wonderful truths from the Scriptures!
All, at the prompting of the Father, who come to Jesus in sincerity … in truth … believing, will never be turned away. It is never too early nor too late to come. In fact, the best time to come is in your ‘right now’! If you haven’t, take that step … today. If you have any question in your heart about your eternity, settle it … today. Come to Jesus … today. You will not be turned away.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTH
John 6:28-34
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
If I take the last half of verse 31 out of context and use it all by itself, I can quote scripture and not quote truth. “Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Jesus is quick to correct this untruth. God was the provider of the manna, not Moses. As Christians, we must be careful with how we use God’s Word. We must be careful to accurately state what the Scriptures say, not twist them to say what fits our own purposes.
The same is true throughout life. We must be careful with our words. As Christians, our words are being examined against the standards of the One we claim as LORD. We shouldn’t take a little truth, as the Jews is this passage did, and mix it with an untruth that supports our agenda of the day.
“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” – Galatians 5:9 (KJV). The New Living Translation states it this way. “This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!” A word of untruth, mixed with truth spoils the message AND the messenger. Brothers and sisters, lets be careful with our words.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, The Bread of Life
28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
If I take the last half of verse 31 out of context and use it all by itself, I can quote scripture and not quote truth. “Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Jesus is quick to correct this untruth. God was the provider of the manna, not Moses. As Christians, we must be careful with how we use God’s Word. We must be careful to accurately state what the Scriptures say, not twist them to say what fits our own purposes.
The same is true throughout life. We must be careful with our words. As Christians, our words are being examined against the standards of the One we claim as LORD. We shouldn’t take a little truth, as the Jews is this passage did, and mix it with an untruth that supports our agenda of the day.
“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” – Galatians 5:9 (KJV). The New Living Translation states it this way. “This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!” A word of untruth, mixed with truth spoils the message AND the messenger. Brothers and sisters, lets be careful with our words.
Monday, June 09, 2008
ENERGY WELL SPENT
John 6:22-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Bread of Life
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. 23 Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. 25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
Energy invested in our relationship with Jesus Christ is energy well spent. Yes, we love to see God work. We love to have Him move in our lives and our circumstances. We get all excited when the miracles happen.
Jesus tells us that the miraculous signs are like the gravy. It is the meat and potatoes where we should focus.
I just spent a week in a wonderful Christian sports kamp with over 900 kids. I encouraged them from this passage to enjoy themselves, have fun, play games, sing and dance. I most encouraged them to “Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.” We had several first time confessions of faith in Jesus Christ and several rededications to a closer walk with Christ.
All in all, it was a great week. I too return worn out but refreshed and renewed in the Spirit. (I missed being able to communicate with you or post to the Gospel Pearls blog. It’s great to be back.)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Bread of Life
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. 23 Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. 25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
Energy invested in our relationship with Jesus Christ is energy well spent. Yes, we love to see God work. We love to have Him move in our lives and our circumstances. We get all excited when the miracles happen.
Jesus tells us that the miraculous signs are like the gravy. It is the meat and potatoes where we should focus.
I just spent a week in a wonderful Christian sports kamp with over 900 kids. I encouraged them from this passage to enjoy themselves, have fun, play games, sing and dance. I most encouraged them to “Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.” We had several first time confessions of faith in Jesus Christ and several rededications to a closer walk with Christ.
All in all, it was a great week. I too return worn out but refreshed and renewed in the Spirit. (I missed being able to communicate with you or post to the Gospel Pearls blog. It’s great to be back.)
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