This is the beginning of a difficult two chapters. It’s tough to read and to understand.
They come to arrest Jesus carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. It’s an odd scene. Here is a Rabbi, a teacher, who has done nothing to hurt anyone. Yet they come to arrest Him like He is some kind of monster. And John includes an interesting aspect to this otherwise ridiculous scene. When Jesus identifies Himself as Jesus with “I am he,” they all draw back and fall to the ground in worship. Jesus identifies Himself as God identified Himself to Moses.
The absurdity of this scene continues with Peter pulling his sword and cutting the ear of a servant. Here is this fisherman, pulling a sword. How many times do you think Peter had actually handled a sword?
Peter, one of the inner circle amongst the disciples, then fulfills Jesus’ prophecy by denying Christ three times. It’s easy to sit back and criticize Peter, but we need to remember the last time we denied Christ in our thoughts, words or deeds.
In verse 37, Jesus identifies Himself as a king per Pilate’s assertion and the proceeds to let Pilate know that He is here to testify to the truth and that everyone on the side of truth listens to Christ. Then Pilate asks a telling question in verse 38: “What is truth?” Indeed, Jesus tells him the truth yet he still asks the question. What is truth? The truth is that Jesus is the only begotten son of God and it is through Him that we have eternal life.
Amen
Showing posts with label Gospel of John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel of John. Show all posts
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 17
What a beautiful chapter. I have always loved it when Jesus prayed. And pray He did. He prayed before every big decision or major act. I love it when He prayed because when people ask: “Why do you pray?” I can say: “Well, if it’s good enough for Jesus Christ, then it’s good enough for me.”
He starts off praying for Himself, then praying for His disciples then for future believers. The interesting aspect about His prayer for Himself in verses 1-5, is that He ends up praying for others. See verse 2: “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”
Starting in verse 6 – what a beautiful prayer for His disciples and for His friends. Verse 8: “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted the. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”
In verses 15-17, we see Jesus praying that His disciples are protected from the Evil One – not necessarily death. Verse 17: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
What a terrific prayer for future believers. Verse 23: “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Have we fulfilled that desire? Are we all as one? Are we in complete unity?
Amen.
He starts off praying for Himself, then praying for His disciples then for future believers. The interesting aspect about His prayer for Himself in verses 1-5, is that He ends up praying for others. See verse 2: “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”
Starting in verse 6 – what a beautiful prayer for His disciples and for His friends. Verse 8: “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted the. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”
In verses 15-17, we see Jesus praying that His disciples are protected from the Evil One – not necessarily death. Verse 17: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
What a terrific prayer for future believers. Verse 23: “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Have we fulfilled that desire? Are we all as one? Are we in complete unity?
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 16
Jesus continues his attempts to comfort and reassure His disciples here. While true, that first sentence seems odd in light of verse 1 where Jesus basically tells all of them that they will be run out of their synagogues and, yes, killed in the name of God. Jesus has never been shy about letting His disciples know that the way will be tough but this is clear language letting them know that if they continue down this path with Christ, they will most likely not survive.
In verse 13, Jesus continues the theme of the Holy Spirit being with them even after He is gone.
In particular in this chapter, I like verses 25-33. Here we get a conversation that I think we have all had with ourselves while reading the Gospel and working to understand the message of Christ. Jesus says that soon will come a time when He will no longer speak metaphorically. And the reaction from the Disciples is priceless – “Now we get it!! Now we believe!!”
Amen
In verse 13, Jesus continues the theme of the Holy Spirit being with them even after He is gone.
In particular in this chapter, I like verses 25-33. Here we get a conversation that I think we have all had with ourselves while reading the Gospel and working to understand the message of Christ. Jesus says that soon will come a time when He will no longer speak metaphorically. And the reaction from the Disciples is priceless – “Now we get it!! Now we believe!!”
Amen
Monday, November 2, 2009
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 15
Using the metaphor of the vine, Jesus lets His disciples know that they should bear fruit. If they don’t, then God will cut them away. If they do, then they will be pruned so that they can bear more fruit. The idea here is that by bearing fruit, there will be times when our faith is tested and this is an opportunity for us to show even more fruit of the spirit.
This vine metaphor always reminds me of one of opening lines of the old radio show, The Shadow – “The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. . .” Indeed.
This metaphor leads into a beautiful series of verses. . .verses 9-17. Remember Jesus’ exhortation that we are called to obey His commands and that those who do obey His commands will reside in Him. Will reside in the Father. And they will reside in us. Verse 17: “This is my command: Love each other.”
Unfortunately, this is probably one of the hardest commands to obey. How often do we follow this command?
Verses 18-27 should be required reading for any new Christian. Among the newest converts, there tends to be this belief that by converting, suddenly their lives will become much easier. Not so. If anything, it becomes harder because now you are more aware of your brokenness and you are aware of the need to turn everything over to Christ – no easy task.
In particular here, I find verse 22 interesting: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.”
By His appearance, Jesus has raised the stakes. He has pointed out our brokenness. We are fully aware of our nakedness and we must turn to Him for grace, mercy and forgiveness. We see some of this theology in Paul’s writings. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 5:12. Essentially, he is more critical of people in the church versus those outside the church because those in the church or in the body of Christ should know better.
Amen.
This vine metaphor always reminds me of one of opening lines of the old radio show, The Shadow – “The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. . .” Indeed.
This metaphor leads into a beautiful series of verses. . .verses 9-17. Remember Jesus’ exhortation that we are called to obey His commands and that those who do obey His commands will reside in Him. Will reside in the Father. And they will reside in us. Verse 17: “This is my command: Love each other.”
Unfortunately, this is probably one of the hardest commands to obey. How often do we follow this command?
Verses 18-27 should be required reading for any new Christian. Among the newest converts, there tends to be this belief that by converting, suddenly their lives will become much easier. Not so. If anything, it becomes harder because now you are more aware of your brokenness and you are aware of the need to turn everything over to Christ – no easy task.
In particular here, I find verse 22 interesting: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.”
By His appearance, Jesus has raised the stakes. He has pointed out our brokenness. We are fully aware of our nakedness and we must turn to Him for grace, mercy and forgiveness. We see some of this theology in Paul’s writings. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 5:12. Essentially, he is more critical of people in the church versus those outside the church because those in the church or in the body of Christ should know better.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 14
It could be said that this is the beginning of the end. From here to the end of Chapter 17, it’s pretty much all Jesus all the time. If you have a red-letter edition of the Bible, you will notice these chapters vividly. Except for a few questions from disciples here and there and the occasional narrative from John, this is Jesus taking some of His final days on earth to teach His disciples. There’s a lot to say. He hasn’t had a ton of time with these guys so He looks to reiterate some of the finer points.
We see words of comfort. Look at verse 1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. . .” Look at verse 21: “He who loves me will be loved by the Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Look at verse 27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The Holy Spirit is introduced here in John in a big way. It introduces the idea that Jesus will be with us in spirit even though He won’t be with us in body. Look at verse 20: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” We are all a part of one body – through the Spirit.
Of course, the key verse in this whole chapter is verse 6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. . .” This has come to define the Christian faith. And it has sparked some of the most heated theological discussions I’ve ever been involved with – Is Christ the only way to God? The flip side of this is that those who do not believe are condemned. Does this contradict all of the teachings of Christ to this point? Or, for that matter, past this point? If one reads this verse literally, then that means you read verse 14 literally as well: “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
From The People’s New Testament Commentary: “The text does not claim that adherents of all other religions are doomed if they do not make a personal confession of faith in Jesus before they die. The text affirms that all who come to God come to the God who has revealed himself in Christ.”
In verses 12, 15, 21, and 23, Jesus reiterates that those who obey His commands will be loved by Him and His Father. This becomes especially important in Chapter 15.
Amen.
We see words of comfort. Look at verse 1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. . .” Look at verse 21: “He who loves me will be loved by the Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Look at verse 27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The Holy Spirit is introduced here in John in a big way. It introduces the idea that Jesus will be with us in spirit even though He won’t be with us in body. Look at verse 20: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” We are all a part of one body – through the Spirit.
Of course, the key verse in this whole chapter is verse 6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. . .” This has come to define the Christian faith. And it has sparked some of the most heated theological discussions I’ve ever been involved with – Is Christ the only way to God? The flip side of this is that those who do not believe are condemned. Does this contradict all of the teachings of Christ to this point? Or, for that matter, past this point? If one reads this verse literally, then that means you read verse 14 literally as well: “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
From The People’s New Testament Commentary: “The text does not claim that adherents of all other religions are doomed if they do not make a personal confession of faith in Jesus before they die. The text affirms that all who come to God come to the God who has revealed himself in Christ.”
In verses 12, 15, 21, and 23, Jesus reiterates that those who obey His commands will be loved by Him and His Father. This becomes especially important in Chapter 15.
Amen.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 13
Here begins an particularly poignant scene with Jesus and His Disciples, His close friends. John stays with the Last Supper far longer than the other Gospel writers and from Chapter 13 to the beginning of Chapter 18, we see Jesus giving final teaching and final lessons to His friends, His disciples.
One of the clear messages of Christ that strikes me in Chapter 13 is one about love.
The theme begins in Verse 1 with: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”
Then there is the famous scene where Jesus washes His disciples feet -- the Messiah washing the feet of the common man. Peter’s reaction is priceless. At first he wants no part of it and is appalled that Jesus would even deign to do such a thing then, once Jesus basically tells him that if he doesn’t let him wash his feet, he will be dis-owned, Peter asks Jesus to wash his whole body. I love that reaction.
One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is both a beautiful passage as well as a convicting one. How many of us as professed Christians truly practice this exhortation from Christ? How many of us show the kind of love that enables others to understand that we are Christ’s disciples?
In the midst of this, of course, there are two disturbing moments – the realization by Judas and others that he is, in fact, the betrayer and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. It is this scene with Judas that has sparked the oft-used phrase: “The devil made me do it.”
The question remains: Is John’s intent here to show that Judas had no control over his actions or is his intent to show that Judas, who was a believer, now had to make a choice and the choice he made allowed Satan to enter into him.
Amen.
One of the clear messages of Christ that strikes me in Chapter 13 is one about love.
The theme begins in Verse 1 with: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”
Then there is the famous scene where Jesus washes His disciples feet -- the Messiah washing the feet of the common man. Peter’s reaction is priceless. At first he wants no part of it and is appalled that Jesus would even deign to do such a thing then, once Jesus basically tells him that if he doesn’t let him wash his feet, he will be dis-owned, Peter asks Jesus to wash his whole body. I love that reaction.
One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is both a beautiful passage as well as a convicting one. How many of us as professed Christians truly practice this exhortation from Christ? How many of us show the kind of love that enables others to understand that we are Christ’s disciples?
In the midst of this, of course, there are two disturbing moments – the realization by Judas and others that he is, in fact, the betrayer and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. It is this scene with Judas that has sparked the oft-used phrase: “The devil made me do it.”
The question remains: Is John’s intent here to show that Judas had no control over his actions or is his intent to show that Judas, who was a believer, now had to make a choice and the choice he made allowed Satan to enter into him.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 12
Here we come to the turning point in Jesus’ ministry and in His life here on earth. Everything has been leading to this point. Chapters 2 through 12 of John’s Gospel are called the “Book of Signs” – beginning with Jesus’ turning the water into wine and ending with the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
This chapter brings the themes of belief vs. unbelief, light vs. dark, good vs. evil, understanding vs. misunderstanding to a single point. It is in Chapter 12 that we see Jesus turn the corner and head toward His ultimate sacrifice for us.
The chapter opens in celebration and ends in sobering command.
[Read John 12:1-11]
Here we are – celebrating. Why?
Well, because Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead and everyone is happy and joyous. Who wouldn’t be?
There is a lot going on in this section – some of it obvious and some of it not so obvious. Let’s take a look at the principal characters:
Jesus: Son of God. Represents God enfleshed here on earth. Giver of life. Giver of light.
Lazarus: Represents and provokes faith and judgment. Let those believe – believe. Is Lazarus metaphorical for Christ? He was dead and is now alive – thus forcing a decision? To believe or not?
Mary: Martha’s sister and Lazarus’ cousin. She anoints Jesus’ feet with a special perfume. What scene does this invoke? The Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Why is this act so symbolic? Because feet were normally anointed only for burial. In effect, Mary is embalming Jesus and preparing Him for His death.
Judas Iscariot: One of Jesus’ hand-picked disciples and the betrayer. He is named specifically here but is not so named in the other Gospels in this scene. Why? Perhaps John is trying to, again, invoke the scene at the Last Supper. Judas betrays his motives by focusing only on the earthly value of an item.
The this scene ends with something obvious and something ominous. If you found out that someone who had been raised from the dead was hanging out at a house down the street, you would want to come visit, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s what a bunch of folks did.
Well, because Lazarus was drawing so much attention and in turn drew so much attention to Jesus, the chief priests decided they needed to whack Lazarus also.
Now we come to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
[Read John 12:12-19]
How would you expect a king to enter a city? On a might steed with a sword lashed to his side and many men following?
How does Jesus, the savior of all mankind arrive in Jerusalem? Yes, on a donkey.
Interestingly enough, John doesn’t spend a lot of time on this scene. This scene is a much bigger deal in the other Gospels. I wonder why? For John, perhaps, this is a necessary transition scene but it is the foundation for what John really wants to get across – the next few verses where Jesus clarifies why He must die and how people need to decide what they believe – here and now.
Remember: John’s purpose of the Gospel is to prove that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God.
The end verse of this section strikes me as funny. Verse 19: “So the Pharisees said to one another: ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”
[Read John 12:20-36]
Why point out Greeks? What’s the deal here?
The hour of Jesus’ glorification had come and we see that both Jews and Gentiles are present – remember? Jesus will be the shepherd gathering ALL of the sheep to Him. For God so loved the world. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. All of it.
I like the short scene showing the Greeks approaching Philip then Philip taking them to Andrew and then the two of them bringing them to Jesus. How many of us are given the opportunity to bring people to Jesus but choose not to?
In describing what must happen, Jesus uses a familiar metaphor – the seed. It must be buried and in so doing, it will rise up again and multiply.
Verses 25-26 are fairly straightforward. Do you love and cling to this earthly life? Then you will lose your life. Do you reject this earthly life and turn your face toward a more heavenly light? Then you will have everlasting life. Follow Jesus and you will be honored.
Jesus doesn’t ask for much – just everything.
Verses 27-28 are John’s version of Jesus’ struggle in the garden. For a moment, we see a very human Jesus (as we’ve seen previously – tired, thirsty, angry, sad, etc.). His human heart is in pain and knows what is coming. But he recognizes why He is here. What is His purpose.
Interestingly, in the other Gospels, this whole scene takes place as a very private moment. As a matter of fact what where Peter , James and John doing when Jesus was struggling in the Garden at Gethsemane? Sleeping.
None of that here. Everyone is wide awake and everyone hears something after Jesus glorifies God.
Why do some hear thunder and others hear angels?
Let those who have ears to hear, let them hear. Those who don’t, can’t, won’t, don’t let them hear.
Then, Jesus again tells them that they must make a decision – either follow the light and become children of the light or continue to blunder about in darkness.
[Read John 12:37-43]
So despite His miraculous doings. His healings, His teachings, His very presence – people still decided to turn away.
These verses are important to us today. As we witness, worship, serve, teach, and preach, there will be those who reject the message. Why? I have no idea. But this is the paradox of free will – God grants all of us the free will to accept him or to reject him. And we see this time and again in John’s Gospel.
Verses 42-43 would be extremely important to John’s audience because the majority of them were Jews who had left the Temple to follow Christ. John is exhorting them to show their faith – to be true to the calling of Christ.
[Read John 12:44-50]
I find the verb here interesting. Not trying to get overly exegetical (is that a word) on you but why “cried”? Is it because of the large crowds? Not sure. . .John really doesn’t set the scene here. In verse 36, we see Jesus leave the area to be by Himself then after a few verses about people choosing to believe or not to believe, here Jesus pops up all of a sudden.
This verb usage is consistent in other translations. In the New Living Translation, Jesus “shouts.” In The Message it says: “Jesus summed it all up when He cried out. . .”
The situation must be tense. Jesus knows that His time on earth and His ministry on earth are drawing to a close. He is close to being arrested, humiliated and crucified. He has been ministering to these people for three years and it has all come down to this. He has come to save the world. He has come to bring people to the light. He has come to heal our brokenness. He has come to bring us closer to the Father.
And, yet, people are rejecting that message. People are choosing death. People are choosing the darkness.
The tension builds. The worry for His people is palpable. He fears for us. He wants us to live. He wants us to be in the light. . .so. . .
He cries out. . .[John 12:44-50]
Amen.
This chapter brings the themes of belief vs. unbelief, light vs. dark, good vs. evil, understanding vs. misunderstanding to a single point. It is in Chapter 12 that we see Jesus turn the corner and head toward His ultimate sacrifice for us.
The chapter opens in celebration and ends in sobering command.
[Read John 12:1-11]
Here we are – celebrating. Why?
Well, because Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead and everyone is happy and joyous. Who wouldn’t be?
There is a lot going on in this section – some of it obvious and some of it not so obvious. Let’s take a look at the principal characters:
Jesus: Son of God. Represents God enfleshed here on earth. Giver of life. Giver of light.
Lazarus: Represents and provokes faith and judgment. Let those believe – believe. Is Lazarus metaphorical for Christ? He was dead and is now alive – thus forcing a decision? To believe or not?
Mary: Martha’s sister and Lazarus’ cousin. She anoints Jesus’ feet with a special perfume. What scene does this invoke? The Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Why is this act so symbolic? Because feet were normally anointed only for burial. In effect, Mary is embalming Jesus and preparing Him for His death.
Judas Iscariot: One of Jesus’ hand-picked disciples and the betrayer. He is named specifically here but is not so named in the other Gospels in this scene. Why? Perhaps John is trying to, again, invoke the scene at the Last Supper. Judas betrays his motives by focusing only on the earthly value of an item.
The this scene ends with something obvious and something ominous. If you found out that someone who had been raised from the dead was hanging out at a house down the street, you would want to come visit, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s what a bunch of folks did.
Well, because Lazarus was drawing so much attention and in turn drew so much attention to Jesus, the chief priests decided they needed to whack Lazarus also.
Now we come to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
[Read John 12:12-19]
How would you expect a king to enter a city? On a might steed with a sword lashed to his side and many men following?
How does Jesus, the savior of all mankind arrive in Jerusalem? Yes, on a donkey.
Interestingly enough, John doesn’t spend a lot of time on this scene. This scene is a much bigger deal in the other Gospels. I wonder why? For John, perhaps, this is a necessary transition scene but it is the foundation for what John really wants to get across – the next few verses where Jesus clarifies why He must die and how people need to decide what they believe – here and now.
Remember: John’s purpose of the Gospel is to prove that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God.
The end verse of this section strikes me as funny. Verse 19: “So the Pharisees said to one another: ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”
[Read John 12:20-36]
Why point out Greeks? What’s the deal here?
The hour of Jesus’ glorification had come and we see that both Jews and Gentiles are present – remember? Jesus will be the shepherd gathering ALL of the sheep to Him. For God so loved the world. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. All of it.
I like the short scene showing the Greeks approaching Philip then Philip taking them to Andrew and then the two of them bringing them to Jesus. How many of us are given the opportunity to bring people to Jesus but choose not to?
In describing what must happen, Jesus uses a familiar metaphor – the seed. It must be buried and in so doing, it will rise up again and multiply.
Verses 25-26 are fairly straightforward. Do you love and cling to this earthly life? Then you will lose your life. Do you reject this earthly life and turn your face toward a more heavenly light? Then you will have everlasting life. Follow Jesus and you will be honored.
Jesus doesn’t ask for much – just everything.
Verses 27-28 are John’s version of Jesus’ struggle in the garden. For a moment, we see a very human Jesus (as we’ve seen previously – tired, thirsty, angry, sad, etc.). His human heart is in pain and knows what is coming. But he recognizes why He is here. What is His purpose.
Interestingly, in the other Gospels, this whole scene takes place as a very private moment. As a matter of fact what where Peter , James and John doing when Jesus was struggling in the Garden at Gethsemane? Sleeping.
None of that here. Everyone is wide awake and everyone hears something after Jesus glorifies God.
Why do some hear thunder and others hear angels?
Let those who have ears to hear, let them hear. Those who don’t, can’t, won’t, don’t let them hear.
Then, Jesus again tells them that they must make a decision – either follow the light and become children of the light or continue to blunder about in darkness.
[Read John 12:37-43]
So despite His miraculous doings. His healings, His teachings, His very presence – people still decided to turn away.
These verses are important to us today. As we witness, worship, serve, teach, and preach, there will be those who reject the message. Why? I have no idea. But this is the paradox of free will – God grants all of us the free will to accept him or to reject him. And we see this time and again in John’s Gospel.
Verses 42-43 would be extremely important to John’s audience because the majority of them were Jews who had left the Temple to follow Christ. John is exhorting them to show their faith – to be true to the calling of Christ.
[Read John 12:44-50]
I find the verb here interesting. Not trying to get overly exegetical (is that a word) on you but why “cried”? Is it because of the large crowds? Not sure. . .John really doesn’t set the scene here. In verse 36, we see Jesus leave the area to be by Himself then after a few verses about people choosing to believe or not to believe, here Jesus pops up all of a sudden.
This verb usage is consistent in other translations. In the New Living Translation, Jesus “shouts.” In The Message it says: “Jesus summed it all up when He cried out. . .”
The situation must be tense. Jesus knows that His time on earth and His ministry on earth are drawing to a close. He is close to being arrested, humiliated and crucified. He has been ministering to these people for three years and it has all come down to this. He has come to save the world. He has come to bring people to the light. He has come to heal our brokenness. He has come to bring us closer to the Father.
And, yet, people are rejecting that message. People are choosing death. People are choosing the darkness.
The tension builds. The worry for His people is palpable. He fears for us. He wants us to live. He wants us to be in the light. . .so. . .
He cries out. . .[John 12:44-50]
Amen.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 11
In Chapter 10 Jesus speaks of laying down His life for His flock. In Chapter 11, He provides a real life example of the resurrection and draws death, life, death and resurrection together.
My favorite part of this scripture is Thomas’ response to Jesus’ decision to return to Judea where He just escaped death.
“Well, let us go also so we may die with him.” Oh.. .well.
Interestingly enough, taken on a deeper level, what Thomas says here is ultimately true – we must die to ourselves and be risen again with Christ to gain eternal life. Is that what Thomas meant? I have no idea but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.
Pay close attention to verse 25. Jesus is asking you this question. What is your answer?
I love verse 35.
It bothers many to believe that Jesus was fully human as well as being fully divine. John gives us an intimate portrait of Jesus as a man as well as the Son of God. We see a angry Jesus (clearing the temple), we see a tired and thirsty Jesus (at the well) and here we see a sad Jesus – a Jesus moved by the death of a friend.
As Mary and Martha pointed out, Jesus could have saved Lazarus had He come sooner. Why did He allow Lazarus to die?
He wanted to illustrate God’s power over life and death. The fact that He waited four days is important as well. According to Jewish custom, the soul completely left the body after three days – therefore there was no hope for life here. By waiting four days, Jesus makes the miracle even more powerful.
After all the build up, Jesus looks up to God, thanks him and then simply speaks three words: “Lazarus, come out!” And, guess what? Lazarus did.
Just like Jesus looks at each one of us and tells us to “Get Up! Pick up your mat and walk,” He is also telling us to “Come Out!” Live the life that Christ has granted you through His mercy and grace.
Don’t miss the irony of what Caiaphas says in verse 49. Their plan, in order to save themselves from the Romans, is to kill this one man rather than sacrificing a nation. However, by killing this one man – Jesus – they actually fulfill God’s plan for sacrificing his son for the world – thus ushering in the new covenant.
Amen.
My favorite part of this scripture is Thomas’ response to Jesus’ decision to return to Judea where He just escaped death.
“Well, let us go also so we may die with him.” Oh.. .well.
Interestingly enough, taken on a deeper level, what Thomas says here is ultimately true – we must die to ourselves and be risen again with Christ to gain eternal life. Is that what Thomas meant? I have no idea but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.
Pay close attention to verse 25. Jesus is asking you this question. What is your answer?
I love verse 35.
It bothers many to believe that Jesus was fully human as well as being fully divine. John gives us an intimate portrait of Jesus as a man as well as the Son of God. We see a angry Jesus (clearing the temple), we see a tired and thirsty Jesus (at the well) and here we see a sad Jesus – a Jesus moved by the death of a friend.
As Mary and Martha pointed out, Jesus could have saved Lazarus had He come sooner. Why did He allow Lazarus to die?
He wanted to illustrate God’s power over life and death. The fact that He waited four days is important as well. According to Jewish custom, the soul completely left the body after three days – therefore there was no hope for life here. By waiting four days, Jesus makes the miracle even more powerful.
After all the build up, Jesus looks up to God, thanks him and then simply speaks three words: “Lazarus, come out!” And, guess what? Lazarus did.
Just like Jesus looks at each one of us and tells us to “Get Up! Pick up your mat and walk,” He is also telling us to “Come Out!” Live the life that Christ has granted you through His mercy and grace.
Don’t miss the irony of what Caiaphas says in verse 49. Their plan, in order to save themselves from the Romans, is to kill this one man rather than sacrificing a nation. However, by killing this one man – Jesus – they actually fulfill God’s plan for sacrificing his son for the world – thus ushering in the new covenant.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 10
Why sheep? Why shepherd?
They connect with the audience – many of whom were shepherds and those who weren’t would certainly understand the analogy.
Again, it’s no coincidence. The prophet Ezekiel declared that the Messiah would come like a shepherd to lead His people.
This portion of John comes as close to being Parable as anything else in John but it doesn’t quite have the narrative structure that the parables in the other Gospels have.
Who is the gate?
Jesus. He is the one who allows sheep in and out. He is the one who protects the sheep from the bad guys, from the stormy weather. He is the one who keeps them together and safe – again a Messianic allusion to the fact that the Messiah will gather all of His “sheep” and make them as one.
Who is the shepherd? Well. . .not just any shepherd but the good shepherd?
Again, it’s Jesus. Verses 14-18 are beautiful testimonies to Jesus’ grace and mercy. As the good shepherd, He will lay down His life for His sheep. He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He will not abandon His sheep.
Clearly this is an allusion to Jesus’ own upcoming death on behalf of His flock.
Who are the thieves and bandits?
We could spend time discussing who Jesus is specifically referring to here (I think we all have a good guess based on our study of the Gospel) but let’s suffice it to say this: The thief is anyone who is not Jesus.
Who are the other sheep?
The common belief here is that these are non-Jews. Yes, you and me.
Upon saying all this, Jesus again divides those who hear – just like He does today. Some believe. Some think He is demon-possessed.
And, again, He hammers home a now consistent theme in verse 30: “I and the Father are one.”
I like the mental picture I get in verses 31-33 when the people around Jesus prepare to stone Him and He says: “You are going to stone me for performing miracles?” And they answer: “Oh, no, not for that but for blasphemy.” It all sounds so cordial when read in the scripture. But you know it had to be an incredibly tense situation.
Amen.
They connect with the audience – many of whom were shepherds and those who weren’t would certainly understand the analogy.
Again, it’s no coincidence. The prophet Ezekiel declared that the Messiah would come like a shepherd to lead His people.
This portion of John comes as close to being Parable as anything else in John but it doesn’t quite have the narrative structure that the parables in the other Gospels have.
Who is the gate?
Jesus. He is the one who allows sheep in and out. He is the one who protects the sheep from the bad guys, from the stormy weather. He is the one who keeps them together and safe – again a Messianic allusion to the fact that the Messiah will gather all of His “sheep” and make them as one.
Who is the shepherd? Well. . .not just any shepherd but the good shepherd?
Again, it’s Jesus. Verses 14-18 are beautiful testimonies to Jesus’ grace and mercy. As the good shepherd, He will lay down His life for His sheep. He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He will not abandon His sheep.
Clearly this is an allusion to Jesus’ own upcoming death on behalf of His flock.
Who are the thieves and bandits?
We could spend time discussing who Jesus is specifically referring to here (I think we all have a good guess based on our study of the Gospel) but let’s suffice it to say this: The thief is anyone who is not Jesus.
Who are the other sheep?
The common belief here is that these are non-Jews. Yes, you and me.
Upon saying all this, Jesus again divides those who hear – just like He does today. Some believe. Some think He is demon-possessed.
And, again, He hammers home a now consistent theme in verse 30: “I and the Father are one.”
I like the mental picture I get in verses 31-33 when the people around Jesus prepare to stone Him and He says: “You are going to stone me for performing miracles?” And they answer: “Oh, no, not for that but for blasphemy.” It all sounds so cordial when read in the scripture. But you know it had to be an incredibly tense situation.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 9
The scene is still at the Feast of Booths or Sukkot in Jerusalem. Remember: To honor the saving power of God’s light – literally the light in the desert during their wandering – every night in Jerusalem lamps would be lit.
So. . .God = Light. Light = God.
With the understanding of the Feast and the importance of the light, Jesus says what He says in verse 4 and it is not by accident. Jesus is the light of the world.
If God is Light and Jesus says He is light. Then He is clearly saying that He is God.
Now, I’ll be honest here and say there really isn’t a whole lot more that I can probably add to your understanding of the healing of the blind man that hasn’t already been said. This section of John is fairly well-trod ground.
The man was physically blind and was given the gift of sight through the grace of Jesus Christ.
It is important to note that the man was blind since birth. This gives everyone the idea that his blindness was no mere accident or some fluke. He was blind. He is blind. He has been blind. And everyone knows it. Jesus grants him sight.
We discover that the man was spiritually blind as well. And has been since birth. Through His grace, Jesus grants Him the ability to “see” Jesus for who He really is – the light of the world and the path to eternal life.
It’s also no coincidence that this passage is particular to John. In the verses where the Jewish authorities are questioning the man and his parents, you get a real sense for how the new Christians in John’s day felt – fear of excommunication and alienation.
Well. . .on top of everything else, when did Jesus decide to heal this man? Yes, the Sabbath. It makes you wonder if Jesus worked on any other day beside the Sabbath – or perhaps that’s the point.
In verse 16 we see a refrain from the Jewish leaders similar to the one heard when Jesus healed the paralytic man. Rather than be amazed at this miracle, the leaders are angered because the healing took place on the Sabbath. Again – unable to see the forest for the trees.
I really like verse 25 here. The former blind man is being grilled relentlessly by the authorities when he finally has had enough when they want him to declare Jesus as sinner. . .
“Look, I don’t know whether this guy is a sinner or not. Here’s what I do know – I was blind and now I see!” Hmmm. . .sounds like a great line for a hymn.
In verse 39-41, Jesus really gets to the crux of what’s going on. He has come to help the blind see and to blind those who think they see.
He pokes His finger in the Pharisees’ eyes [no pun intended?] yet again when He tells them that because they claim to see they are indeed sinners. The reality is they can see nothing.
It’s easy to detach ourselves from this passage and point our finger at the Pharisees for being “blind” to the truth of Christ. But before we do this, we need to be sure we are seeing the light and that we are not choosing to be spiritually blind.
Amen.
So. . .God = Light. Light = God.
With the understanding of the Feast and the importance of the light, Jesus says what He says in verse 4 and it is not by accident. Jesus is the light of the world.
If God is Light and Jesus says He is light. Then He is clearly saying that He is God.
Now, I’ll be honest here and say there really isn’t a whole lot more that I can probably add to your understanding of the healing of the blind man that hasn’t already been said. This section of John is fairly well-trod ground.
The man was physically blind and was given the gift of sight through the grace of Jesus Christ.
It is important to note that the man was blind since birth. This gives everyone the idea that his blindness was no mere accident or some fluke. He was blind. He is blind. He has been blind. And everyone knows it. Jesus grants him sight.
We discover that the man was spiritually blind as well. And has been since birth. Through His grace, Jesus grants Him the ability to “see” Jesus for who He really is – the light of the world and the path to eternal life.
It’s also no coincidence that this passage is particular to John. In the verses where the Jewish authorities are questioning the man and his parents, you get a real sense for how the new Christians in John’s day felt – fear of excommunication and alienation.
Well. . .on top of everything else, when did Jesus decide to heal this man? Yes, the Sabbath. It makes you wonder if Jesus worked on any other day beside the Sabbath – or perhaps that’s the point.
In verse 16 we see a refrain from the Jewish leaders similar to the one heard when Jesus healed the paralytic man. Rather than be amazed at this miracle, the leaders are angered because the healing took place on the Sabbath. Again – unable to see the forest for the trees.
I really like verse 25 here. The former blind man is being grilled relentlessly by the authorities when he finally has had enough when they want him to declare Jesus as sinner. . .
“Look, I don’t know whether this guy is a sinner or not. Here’s what I do know – I was blind and now I see!” Hmmm. . .sounds like a great line for a hymn.
In verse 39-41, Jesus really gets to the crux of what’s going on. He has come to help the blind see and to blind those who think they see.
He pokes His finger in the Pharisees’ eyes [no pun intended?] yet again when He tells them that because they claim to see they are indeed sinners. The reality is they can see nothing.
It’s easy to detach ourselves from this passage and point our finger at the Pharisees for being “blind” to the truth of Christ. But before we do this, we need to be sure we are seeing the light and that we are not choosing to be spiritually blind.
Amen.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 8
Interesting. One of the most famous stories (8:1-11) in scripture was actually added by someone other than John. According to my Bible, this passage does not appear in the earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not record it.
So why is it here?
It reiterates the spirit of Christ – that He is here to save the world, no condemn it. Here we have a woman who was clearly in the wrong and, based on the law, should be stoned to death. Yet Jesus turns the mirror of condemnation onto those who would condemn. This is a common theme in Jesus’ teachings and in His dealings with those who seek to carry out the letter of the law with no regards to mercy or forgiveness.
What did Jesus write on the ground? I have no idea. Was He doodling? Thinking?
Verse 11 is interesting. Interesting because of the New International Version translation which is slightly – but importantly – different from just about every other translation.
In other translations, Jesus tells the woman to: “Go and sin no more.” KJV, NLT, The Message, NCV, The Good News, NKJV, and NRSV – they all have some variation of this language.
Yet, take another look at the NIV version. Jesus says: “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Do you see a difference or am I reading too much into it or both?
The other translations have Jesus asking the woman to do something that is simply impossible for anyone but Jesus – “Go now and sin no more.”
In the NIV version, Jesus is asking the woman to stop being a harlot. He doesn’t tell her specifically to stop sinning at all.
In other words, the NIV translation has Jesus giving the woman a much more manageable task.
Amen.
So why is it here?
It reiterates the spirit of Christ – that He is here to save the world, no condemn it. Here we have a woman who was clearly in the wrong and, based on the law, should be stoned to death. Yet Jesus turns the mirror of condemnation onto those who would condemn. This is a common theme in Jesus’ teachings and in His dealings with those who seek to carry out the letter of the law with no regards to mercy or forgiveness.
What did Jesus write on the ground? I have no idea. Was He doodling? Thinking?
Verse 11 is interesting. Interesting because of the New International Version translation which is slightly – but importantly – different from just about every other translation.
In other translations, Jesus tells the woman to: “Go and sin no more.” KJV, NLT, The Message, NCV, The Good News, NKJV, and NRSV – they all have some variation of this language.
Yet, take another look at the NIV version. Jesus says: “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Do you see a difference or am I reading too much into it or both?
The other translations have Jesus asking the woman to do something that is simply impossible for anyone but Jesus – “Go now and sin no more.”
In the NIV version, Jesus is asking the woman to stop being a harlot. He doesn’t tell her specifically to stop sinning at all.
In other words, the NIV translation has Jesus giving the woman a much more manageable task.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 7
If you are the kind of person who doesn’t like confrontation, then this chapter is not for you. As he preached, healed and taught, Jesus gained more and more followers. It is toward the end of Chapter 6 that He gets in the face of those following Him and basically challenged them to eat His body and drink His blood. That this is not a game. It is not a sideshow. Jesus is the living, breathing Son of God and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Many turned away.
In John 7:1-11, I am struck by a couple of things. First, is the idea that Jesus had brothers – a family. This has always fascinated me. One of the most striking theological precepts is the idea that Jesus was God enfleshed on earth -- He was fully human yet fully divine. This means that He had friends. He had a family. How weird is that? Question: Who is your brother? Answer: Jesus, you know, the Messiah.
Second, the idea of time. Remember that just before performing His first miracle as requested by His mother, Jesus says that His time is not yet come.
He says it again here in talking to His brothers. They encourage Him to go to Judea to reveal to all who Jesus is, who He is. Yet Jesus refuses. Why? “The right time for me has not yet come.”
Another striking thing about this section is Jesus’ deception. He tells His brothers that He is not going; yet, he goes in secret. Why? It’s at the feast and at the temple courts that Jesus no longer teaches in secret. People recognize Him and are talking about Him. Some good things. Some bad things.
Jesus says the teaching is not His own. That it comes directly from God – that He has a direct line to the almighty. Then in verse 19 He references an earlier incident – a basically is poking His finger in the eye of the Pharisees.
Remember: In Chapter 5, Jesus healed an invalid on the Sabbath. In verse 19, he is telling them that they circumcise on the Sabbath so why in the world is it wrong to heal an entire man on the Sabbath. And He calls them out for plotting to kill Him.
I thought verse 30 was interesting – what does it mean “they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him because his time had not yet come.” There’s the time again.
Honestly, I don’t know what this means. Perhaps the Jewish authorities were attempting to arrest Him but the crowd kept them away? Perhaps God changes the hearts of the men?
It is the final speech in 7:32-52 that really sends the Pharisees over the edge.
Jesus’ words are really getting the crowd riled up. And as the people are pouring water into the temple fonts, Jesus stands up and boldly declares: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Now we have people in the crowd declaring Jesus as the “Christ.” Not good. Not to mention the fact that Jesus is calling on the people to believe in Him – He is equating Himself to God.
The Pharisees send guards to arrest Him and they come back mesmerized by Jesus’ teachings also.
And in the midst of all this, whom do we see in verse 50? Yes, our good friend Nicodemus, who visited Jesus in Chapter 3. Has Nicodemus been converted? It appears so because he bravely questions what his fellow religious leaders are doing. And they turn on him quickly.
Amen.
In John 7:1-11, I am struck by a couple of things. First, is the idea that Jesus had brothers – a family. This has always fascinated me. One of the most striking theological precepts is the idea that Jesus was God enfleshed on earth -- He was fully human yet fully divine. This means that He had friends. He had a family. How weird is that? Question: Who is your brother? Answer: Jesus, you know, the Messiah.
Second, the idea of time. Remember that just before performing His first miracle as requested by His mother, Jesus says that His time is not yet come.
He says it again here in talking to His brothers. They encourage Him to go to Judea to reveal to all who Jesus is, who He is. Yet Jesus refuses. Why? “The right time for me has not yet come.”
Another striking thing about this section is Jesus’ deception. He tells His brothers that He is not going; yet, he goes in secret. Why? It’s at the feast and at the temple courts that Jesus no longer teaches in secret. People recognize Him and are talking about Him. Some good things. Some bad things.
Jesus says the teaching is not His own. That it comes directly from God – that He has a direct line to the almighty. Then in verse 19 He references an earlier incident – a basically is poking His finger in the eye of the Pharisees.
Remember: In Chapter 5, Jesus healed an invalid on the Sabbath. In verse 19, he is telling them that they circumcise on the Sabbath so why in the world is it wrong to heal an entire man on the Sabbath. And He calls them out for plotting to kill Him.
I thought verse 30 was interesting – what does it mean “they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him because his time had not yet come.” There’s the time again.
Honestly, I don’t know what this means. Perhaps the Jewish authorities were attempting to arrest Him but the crowd kept them away? Perhaps God changes the hearts of the men?
It is the final speech in 7:32-52 that really sends the Pharisees over the edge.
Jesus’ words are really getting the crowd riled up. And as the people are pouring water into the temple fonts, Jesus stands up and boldly declares: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Now we have people in the crowd declaring Jesus as the “Christ.” Not good. Not to mention the fact that Jesus is calling on the people to believe in Him – He is equating Himself to God.
The Pharisees send guards to arrest Him and they come back mesmerized by Jesus’ teachings also.
And in the midst of all this, whom do we see in verse 50? Yes, our good friend Nicodemus, who visited Jesus in Chapter 3. Has Nicodemus been converted? It appears so because he bravely questions what his fellow religious leaders are doing. And they turn on him quickly.
Amen.
Notes on Gospel of John: Chapter 6
We turn our attention now to one of the longest chapters in the Gospel. There is a lot happening here with the feeding of the five thousand, walking on water, bread of life, blood of life, and disciple desertion.
Other than the miracle of walking on water, which gets short shrift here, and the awkward moment at the end of the chapter, this whole chapter focuses on Jesus being the break of heaven, the bread of life – offering us the way to eternal life by giving us all we ever need to eat or drink. This theological principle is illustrated with a miracle – the feeding of the 5,000.
Note the interesting piece of scripture that wraps this section up at 6:15 – “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” Jesus wanted to bring people to the faith but He was not the king they were looking for and He knew it.
In John 6:22-40, we see a reiteration of the theme that Jesus laid out to the woman at the well. The people are coming to Jesus because they are hungry – physically. Jesus is saying that what they should be seeking is the bread of life – bread that only Jesus can offer. When asked what they need to do – focusing on what works they need to perform to receive God’s blessing, Jesus answers simply: “to believe in the one he has sent.”
They still didn’t get it and were demanding miraculous signs. Jesus wants them to understand that God is the giver of life. It was God that gave their ancestors manna. It is God who has provided His one and only Son.
Well, let’s just say that Jesus declaring Himself the “bread of heaven” did not go over too well for some of the religious leaders. We see this in John 6:41-42.
What? Who is this guy? He comes in here and says that He is sent from heaven by God? Are you serious? I’ve known Jesus since He was knee-high to a grasshopper. I know His momma and daddy – Joseph and Mary. I mean, come on, the family is not any great shakes. Joseph is a carpenter for goodness sakes.
After hearing this, Jesus really doesn’t do anything to help Himself. It is here that a strong public relations person would step in and speak on Jesus’ behalf. Instead, Jesus just puts it out there in John 6:43-58.
He is further clarifying that He is the bread that will feed them forever. If they feast on Jesus, then they will never die. Then He gets even more graphic in verse 53: “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
Okay. . .let’s face it, that just sounds gross. Like a bad episode of some vampire mini-series. And He hammers it home again. And, guess what? He loses a bunch of disciples. But here’s the deal. . .Jesus knew He had a little time to do a lot. He didn’t have time for straddlers. He wanted disciples who were going to understand who He was and why He was here. He needed disciples who believe in Him and who believed He was indeed the Son of God.
I kind of find the last few verses of Chapter 6 interesting. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you’ve had to stand up for something that was not particular popular, this hits home. After challenging the crowd to either believe or not believe, Jesus saw many people choose to leave. That’s the problem with free will – people can choose not to believe.
It doesn’t say it in scriptures, but I’ll bet it hurt. I’ll bet it made Jesus sad to see people walk away from eternal life. As such, Jesus turns to the 12 that he selected and asks a simple question: “You don’t want to leave, do you?”
I like Peter’s response: “Well, heck, Jesus where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. What else is there?”
Amen.
Other than the miracle of walking on water, which gets short shrift here, and the awkward moment at the end of the chapter, this whole chapter focuses on Jesus being the break of heaven, the bread of life – offering us the way to eternal life by giving us all we ever need to eat or drink. This theological principle is illustrated with a miracle – the feeding of the 5,000.
Note the interesting piece of scripture that wraps this section up at 6:15 – “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” Jesus wanted to bring people to the faith but He was not the king they were looking for and He knew it.
In John 6:22-40, we see a reiteration of the theme that Jesus laid out to the woman at the well. The people are coming to Jesus because they are hungry – physically. Jesus is saying that what they should be seeking is the bread of life – bread that only Jesus can offer. When asked what they need to do – focusing on what works they need to perform to receive God’s blessing, Jesus answers simply: “to believe in the one he has sent.”
They still didn’t get it and were demanding miraculous signs. Jesus wants them to understand that God is the giver of life. It was God that gave their ancestors manna. It is God who has provided His one and only Son.
Well, let’s just say that Jesus declaring Himself the “bread of heaven” did not go over too well for some of the religious leaders. We see this in John 6:41-42.
What? Who is this guy? He comes in here and says that He is sent from heaven by God? Are you serious? I’ve known Jesus since He was knee-high to a grasshopper. I know His momma and daddy – Joseph and Mary. I mean, come on, the family is not any great shakes. Joseph is a carpenter for goodness sakes.
After hearing this, Jesus really doesn’t do anything to help Himself. It is here that a strong public relations person would step in and speak on Jesus’ behalf. Instead, Jesus just puts it out there in John 6:43-58.
He is further clarifying that He is the bread that will feed them forever. If they feast on Jesus, then they will never die. Then He gets even more graphic in verse 53: “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
Okay. . .let’s face it, that just sounds gross. Like a bad episode of some vampire mini-series. And He hammers it home again. And, guess what? He loses a bunch of disciples. But here’s the deal. . .Jesus knew He had a little time to do a lot. He didn’t have time for straddlers. He wanted disciples who were going to understand who He was and why He was here. He needed disciples who believe in Him and who believed He was indeed the Son of God.
I kind of find the last few verses of Chapter 6 interesting. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you’ve had to stand up for something that was not particular popular, this hits home. After challenging the crowd to either believe or not believe, Jesus saw many people choose to leave. That’s the problem with free will – people can choose not to believe.
It doesn’t say it in scriptures, but I’ll bet it hurt. I’ll bet it made Jesus sad to see people walk away from eternal life. As such, Jesus turns to the 12 that he selected and asks a simple question: “You don’t want to leave, do you?”
I like Peter’s response: “Well, heck, Jesus where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. What else is there?”
Amen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 5
If you don't get anything else from reading the Gospels, it's the understanding that Jesus loved to poke His finger in the eyes of the self-righteous. His favorite targets? The Pharisees. And they just kept coming back for more.
John 5:1-18 is a prime example of why Bible study is so important. I've read these verses over and over in my life and it wasn't until I read them for this study that they brought a whole new meaning to my life.
Of all the people that He could have chosen to speak with, Jesus chooses some guy who has been paralyzed for 38 years lying beside a pool that supposedly has healing properties. 38 years!
Jesus asks him a simple question: "Do you want to get well?" Really, it's a yes or no question. Not a whole lot of narrative needed.
What does the guy do? He whines about how he can't get any help to get in the pool and how others get in front of him. Seriously? You've been an invalid for 38 years and someone asks you if you want to get well and this is your response?
In my Bible (NIV Life Application Study Bible) the next two words Jesus speaks are practically yelled at the guy -- "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
Guess what? The guy does exactly that. After being an invalid for 38 years he is cured with two words. Does he say "thank you"? No. He just walks off.
What's even better is when he runs into some of his Jewish friends, they don't even mention the fact that this guy who was paralyzed for 38 years is now up and walking around. What do they focus on -- the fact that the guy is carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Good grief. On top of that, the man who was healed points Jesus out.
The Jewish leadership confronts Jesus with the charge that He was -- gasp! -- helping folks on the Sabbath. Jesus, who doesn't deny this, goes so far as to call God His Father. He then pummels them with the logic of why He is the Son of God.
That whole thing pretty much seals the deal for Jesus and sets into motion God's plan that will culminate in the crucifixion. Jesus is pretty much calling the Pharisees out: You follow the law but you don't understand the spirit of the law.
So here's the life-altering moment for me.
I am the invalid.
How many times have I lain by the healing pool, complaining about my lot in life and not doing a thing to help myself? Now, Jesus, Lord and Savior, walks up to me and offers me Grace. Do I take it with the gratitude that such a life-giving gift deserves? No. I pick up my mat and walk off.
The good news? Jesus still loves you and me -- despite our ingratitude.
Amen.
John 5:1-18 is a prime example of why Bible study is so important. I've read these verses over and over in my life and it wasn't until I read them for this study that they brought a whole new meaning to my life.
Of all the people that He could have chosen to speak with, Jesus chooses some guy who has been paralyzed for 38 years lying beside a pool that supposedly has healing properties. 38 years!
Jesus asks him a simple question: "Do you want to get well?" Really, it's a yes or no question. Not a whole lot of narrative needed.
What does the guy do? He whines about how he can't get any help to get in the pool and how others get in front of him. Seriously? You've been an invalid for 38 years and someone asks you if you want to get well and this is your response?
In my Bible (NIV Life Application Study Bible) the next two words Jesus speaks are practically yelled at the guy -- "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
Guess what? The guy does exactly that. After being an invalid for 38 years he is cured with two words. Does he say "thank you"? No. He just walks off.
What's even better is when he runs into some of his Jewish friends, they don't even mention the fact that this guy who was paralyzed for 38 years is now up and walking around. What do they focus on -- the fact that the guy is carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Good grief. On top of that, the man who was healed points Jesus out.
The Jewish leadership confronts Jesus with the charge that He was -- gasp! -- helping folks on the Sabbath. Jesus, who doesn't deny this, goes so far as to call God His Father. He then pummels them with the logic of why He is the Son of God.
That whole thing pretty much seals the deal for Jesus and sets into motion God's plan that will culminate in the crucifixion. Jesus is pretty much calling the Pharisees out: You follow the law but you don't understand the spirit of the law.
So here's the life-altering moment for me.
I am the invalid.
How many times have I lain by the healing pool, complaining about my lot in life and not doing a thing to help myself? Now, Jesus, Lord and Savior, walks up to me and offers me Grace. Do I take it with the gratitude that such a life-giving gift deserves? No. I pick up my mat and walk off.
The good news? Jesus still loves you and me -- despite our ingratitude.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 4
A note for those Canterburians who are participating in the church's small group discussions on the Gospel of John: The Kevin Quast book, Reading the Gospel of John, which is one of the recommended commentaries, is a little on the difficult-to-understand side. Not a criticism necessarily, but this commentary is definitely not for the general public. If you can, I would recommend you pick up Tom Wright's John for Everyone. I've read a couple of Bishop Wright's commentaries and they are written with the general public in mind. Thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
One of my favorite things about Jesus (I mean other than He was God made flesh and died for all our sins) is that he hung out with regular folks. He felt no shame or self-consciousness in striking up discussions with zealots, harlots, tax collectors, fishermen, women or anyone else for that matter. As promised in John 3:16, Jesus was here for the "whole world" -- not just rich folks or smart folks or well-dressed folks or Republican folks or Democrat folks.
Jesus was tired. The Son of Man. The Son of God. Savior. God made flesh - was tired. So He sat down by a well while the disciples headed into town to get some food. While there, someone comes to draw water from the well.
Not just any someone. First, it was a woman -- not exactly on the top rung of the social ladder at the time. Second, it was a Samaritan -- the product of Jews co-mingling with non-Jews. Third, uh. . .let's just say she liked men -- a lot.
Jesus, a Jewish teacher and man, should not be talking to this woman much less asking her for water. And what's interesting here is that she knows it. She reminds Jesus of the social mores -- basically letting Him know His place. At the most basic level, she doesn't believe she is worthy to be speaking with this man.
This woman is thirsty but not for the water she is thinking about. Jesus: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
We all get thirsty but Evian is not going to get the job done.
It is to this Samaritan woman that Jesus reveals -- out loud -- that He is indeed the Messiah. The woman leaves, tells her friends and Jesus ends up staying for two more days converting folks left and right.
". . .we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
One of my favorite things about Jesus (I mean other than He was God made flesh and died for all our sins) is that he hung out with regular folks. He felt no shame or self-consciousness in striking up discussions with zealots, harlots, tax collectors, fishermen, women or anyone else for that matter. As promised in John 3:16, Jesus was here for the "whole world" -- not just rich folks or smart folks or well-dressed folks or Republican folks or Democrat folks.
Jesus was tired. The Son of Man. The Son of God. Savior. God made flesh - was tired. So He sat down by a well while the disciples headed into town to get some food. While there, someone comes to draw water from the well.
Not just any someone. First, it was a woman -- not exactly on the top rung of the social ladder at the time. Second, it was a Samaritan -- the product of Jews co-mingling with non-Jews. Third, uh. . .let's just say she liked men -- a lot.
Jesus, a Jewish teacher and man, should not be talking to this woman much less asking her for water. And what's interesting here is that she knows it. She reminds Jesus of the social mores -- basically letting Him know His place. At the most basic level, she doesn't believe she is worthy to be speaking with this man.
This woman is thirsty but not for the water she is thinking about. Jesus: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
We all get thirsty but Evian is not going to get the job done.
It is to this Samaritan woman that Jesus reveals -- out loud -- that He is indeed the Messiah. The woman leaves, tells her friends and Jesus ends up staying for two more days converting folks left and right.
". . .we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 3
What a great chapter in scripture. We are introduced to our old childhood friend, Nicodemus, and we are treated to one of -- if not THE -- most famous verses in the whole Bible (John 3:16).
"Are you born again?"
I had never been asked that question nor heard that phraseology in my entire life until I was in seventh grade at Grace Baptist School in Decatur, Alabama. And, yes, I went to church everytime the doors opened at Courtland Presbyterian Church. We just didn't talk that way. We were pre-destined to arrive in God's gloryland.
"Are you born again?"
I answered yes because it seemed that was what they wanted me to say, but I asked my folks when I got home about it. Whew. . .right answer!
In any event, here we get the "born again" speech from Jesus to Nicodemus, who came to Jesus in the middle of the night. Nicodemus. A Pharisee. A learned man. A leader. Why did he come see Jesus? Why do any of us seek Christ? Like Nicodemus, I think many of us who consider ourselves "too smart" for belief, come to Christ under the cover of darkness only to find the bright light of God's grace and salvation.
Nicodemus was clearly confused -- as was I. "How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Indeed. I'm right there with you, Nic.
Of course, as Jesus explains, we are called to be born at a higher level -- of the water and of the Spirit. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit."
That exchange leads right into some of the most beautiful passages in scripture. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
It's so beautiful, I get chills everytime I read them.
Amen.
"Are you born again?"
I had never been asked that question nor heard that phraseology in my entire life until I was in seventh grade at Grace Baptist School in Decatur, Alabama. And, yes, I went to church everytime the doors opened at Courtland Presbyterian Church. We just didn't talk that way. We were pre-destined to arrive in God's gloryland.
"Are you born again?"
I answered yes because it seemed that was what they wanted me to say, but I asked my folks when I got home about it. Whew. . .right answer!
In any event, here we get the "born again" speech from Jesus to Nicodemus, who came to Jesus in the middle of the night. Nicodemus. A Pharisee. A learned man. A leader. Why did he come see Jesus? Why do any of us seek Christ? Like Nicodemus, I think many of us who consider ourselves "too smart" for belief, come to Christ under the cover of darkness only to find the bright light of God's grace and salvation.
Nicodemus was clearly confused -- as was I. "How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Indeed. I'm right there with you, Nic.
Of course, as Jesus explains, we are called to be born at a higher level -- of the water and of the Spirit. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit."
That exchange leads right into some of the most beautiful passages in scripture. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
It's so beautiful, I get chills everytime I read them.
Amen.
Notes on the Gospel of John: Chapter 2
One thing that folks sometimes miss when reading scripture is the humor in it. God has a sense of humor. He created humor, for goodness sakes. Now I'll admit that sometimes you do have to look for it, but when you find it, it is well worth it. Let's face it, the circumcision story just cracks me up (see Genesis 17). Question: "Abram, you're 99 years old -- are you sure you heard the Lord right on this deal?"
And here we are. I cannot tell you how many times I've read about Jesus' first miracle and totally missed a really funny part of scripture. Read John 2:1-11. Notice anything potentially humorous?
Look carefully at verses John 2:3-5. We've all been there in one way or another and gotten the "mom" look.
Mary comes to Jesus and says, "They have no more wine." Interpretation? Jesus, I need for you to fix this.
Jesus replies: "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." Interpretation: I have been called to be the savior for all mankind and it's not time for me to start performing miracles and drawing attention to myself.
Now it is between verses 4 and 5 that Mary gives Jesus the look. The Mother's Look of Knowledge. She knows that Jesus will do what she asks. Why? Because she is His mother. And everyone knows that moms have that special power to make sons and daughters do what they want with but a look.
In verse 5 Mary turns to the servants: "Do whatever he tells you." Interpretation? I know what He said but I'm His mom and I just gave Him the look.
Now this was probably still in the back of His mind when He made a whip out of cords and went yelling and screaming through the Temple clearing out the moneychangers.
Amen.
And here we are. I cannot tell you how many times I've read about Jesus' first miracle and totally missed a really funny part of scripture. Read John 2:1-11. Notice anything potentially humorous?
Look carefully at verses John 2:3-5. We've all been there in one way or another and gotten the "mom" look.
Mary comes to Jesus and says, "They have no more wine." Interpretation? Jesus, I need for you to fix this.
Jesus replies: "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." Interpretation: I have been called to be the savior for all mankind and it's not time for me to start performing miracles and drawing attention to myself.
Now it is between verses 4 and 5 that Mary gives Jesus the look. The Mother's Look of Knowledge. She knows that Jesus will do what she asks. Why? Because she is His mother. And everyone knows that moms have that special power to make sons and daughters do what they want with but a look.
In verse 5 Mary turns to the servants: "Do whatever he tells you." Interpretation? I know what He said but I'm His mom and I just gave Him the look.
Now this was probably still in the back of His mind when He made a whip out of cords and went yelling and screaming through the Temple clearing out the moneychangers.
Amen.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Notes on The Gospel of John: Chapter 1
Inspired by the decision of my church, Canterbury United Methodist, to focus its fall studies on the Gospel of John, I am working through a study of my own. I am preparing to co-lead my Sunday School class in a discussion of this Gospel.
For the next weeks, I will be sharing my thoughts and notes in this space regarding my studies.
Let's begin at the beginning -- literally and figuratively.
John 1:1-2 -- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." Beautiful, yes. Obtuse, absolutely.
Who was God before God? God. Word. Jesus. God existed before existence. Why Word and not Words?
John's theme? Jesus is the Christ. The Son of Man. The Son of God. The Lamb of God.
"He came to that which was his own but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him..." Why the seeming contradiction?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
