Mark 16:15-20 - An Unusual Text

Mark 16:15-20

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, they will land hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.

Message: An Unusual Text

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: The end of Mark is disputed as to whether verses 9-20 were part of the gospel or were added on later. In verse 15, the words are recorded that Jesus is sending His disciples into the world to preach the world. The idea is very similar to Matthew 28:19-20 in which are relayed Jesus' final instructions to his people to do the same, "Go and make disciples."  

So what is this text saying? 

For one, something will have to the person that doesn't believe, "he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." This is a clear statement, but whether in the New Testament or Old Testament there has always been the message of those that are chosen and those that are not. The difference here in these verses is the idea that the chosen one's are not as much ordained by God but have a choice - they can believe or not believe. And yet throughout our Old Testament, even the words or actions of others is part of the plan of God. In our free will choices, God's sovereignty holds true. I still to this day wrestle with idea of free will as I don't understand if we really have it, if God works out our free will choices for His purposes. But I suppose that is another matter to ponder in another lesson. The point here is simply there are the "have's" and the "have not's." There are the saved and there are the condemned. To believe is to believe in the gospel or the good news. 

This gospel I think is more broad than it is narrow. It is the kingdom of God on earth and the kingdom of God one day in heaven. The bottom line is we preach these words of this text and try to hold true to those words and its meaning. Mark started his book by starting with "the beginning of the gospel" by announcing it's coming and in verse 14 Jesus preached the gospel saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." Jesus gives actions - repent and believe. But once again the gospel is not clearly described. There is instead some idea that everything that Jesus says is the gospel. He will give us actions that we will need to do. 

Going back to this text here in March 16 at the end. After Jesus in these words differentiates people into those who believe and those who do not, he now speaks more directly about the fruit of those who believe - basically those that believe will carry out some actions that, in this day and age, are rather supernaturally: 

• in My name they will cast out demons
• they will speak with new tongues
• they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, 
• they will land hands on the sick, and they will recover

In other words, these believers will carry out some things that will clearly set them aside as believers. 

Thus, there are some supernatural events that will occur. God works and God will work through His people, for His glory. He will do supernatural things and His people will do them. 

We are followers. Yes. We make responses. Yes. But we also are commissioned to do great things in people's lives. As believers, we will do things that will catch people off guard. We will do things that for some will be great things people see and point people back to God and for others it will only give them reasons to disbelieve more. 

And this passage concludes with a more radical statement, "they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed." We are to go out and preach - everywhere. And as we do this, the Lord is with us and working with us in this preaching and supporting. Yes, he is in heaven, but he is still working. He is with us which means a part of Him must be present with us and to this we will say it is His spirit. And through this working, the words of the Gospel will be confirmed by the signs or the supernatural things we do. 

Look out for the supernatural. It will be in the believer's life. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and love. And you want me to be your messenger. I believe and You work. You give me belief in You that is supernatural and in response you will do supernatural things through me. Forgive me God for wanting to only focus on the supernatural and give myself praise for when those events happen. Help me to see that they will happen as we have faith and trust in You. But no matter what keep me focused on preaching the gospel. Keep me focused and thanks for working for me and through me and helping me carry out these truths in our world. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 10:35 - Embarrassed by the Bible

John 10:35

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannon be nullified). 

Message: Embarrassed by the Bible

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Dr Sproul once said, “You are required to believe, to preach, and to teach what the Bible says is true, not what you want the Bible to say is true.” This reminds me that I am to speak of the Bible ever in my conversations. I need to make it more prominent in my speech and as I speak to people, I need to be strong in speaking it and applying it to my life. 

In this statement, sometimes I find this to be hard especially when others come along and say that the Bible is not saying what I am saying. It is hard to reconcile sometimes who is true and what is the correct reason behind Scripture. As I grow older I find it becomes harder and harder to not let the preconceived ideas I have of things not train me for how I am to think about God's word. 

In my ministry online I speak to all sorts of people and many have very different ideas of these scriptures. For some, I can tell they are uncomfortable with the text and they want it to be something different than what it is saying. I think even as Christians we can at times adapt the scripture to the times. For instance, in the last 20-30 years views towards advancing gay people, and encouraging women to preach in church have become more common place in our culture, and so many have Christian leaders and denominations have adapted traditional beliefs to this. And so those of us in denominations that still deny these views, I notice many are not being clear in speaking about them. We are avoiding the controversy, sidestepping it. We are rarely bringing it up. I wonder at times if we are doing this to succumb or we are doing it to possibly not make it a big issue when trying to help someone understand the true meaning of the gospel. 

I wonder at times if I do these type of things when I am sharing my faith others. Like if I am speaking to a JW, I often will not be prominent in my speech about the Trinity, thinking I guess that once they hear those words they immediately put up a wall of separation and don't even listen to anything else because they are so opposed to that thinking. It seems this happens when speaking to Muslims as well. I can defend this at times and yet I don't know if that is correct. I mean, in the process am I limiting the true message of the gospel. 

For others though, they state conclusions about the text that are often different from the last 2,000 years of Bible interpretation. I think for me this is what I go back to continually - not only what I think but what have many scholars and people consistently thought about these truths over time. 

What I need to make sure I do is to not hold back, but to keep speaking and keep speaking in a strong manner. 

Prayer: God, you have given me freedom in You and saved me from any wrath in the future. You have saved me from the Law and the notion that my goodness amounts to Your acceptance of me. This is not the way it is, you save your people because of who you are not because of who they are. You are holy and you are to be revered and respected. I am to rightly divide your truth and make you known always. Lord, give me wisdom on speaking my mind. When given opportunities, help me to be true to Your Word. You know me Lord, I tend to adapt to people rather than the truth of what I believe your word is saying. Lord, redirect me to be true always to Your words. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 17:7-8 - What the Disciples Knew

John 17:7-8

7 Now they have come to know that everything Thou hast given Me is from Thee; 18 for the words which Thou gavest Me I have given to them; and they have received [them], and truly understand that I came forth from Thee, and they believed that Thou didst send Me. 

Message: What the Disciples Knew

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: After Christ prays for Himself, to be glorified, or to remove the veil of his divinity which seems to have been veiled up to that point and be glorified or fulfill His messianic role and completing his task of granting eternal life to His people - He then moved on in verses 6-19 to now pray for His disciples. 

Really, this Farewell Discourse which has taken place since Chapter 14, or the end of Chapter 13 has been all about the disciples and providing them comfort. But now he ends that message with a prayer. In the last lesson, I saw that the disciples had been given to Jesus as a gift from the Father. And in turn I believe we are a gift. We uphold the Word. We remain in standing with God's word. We hold it close to us. We are a people that want God to be our God and we desire to glorify Him as the Father has glorified Jesus - throughout our lives. 

The Son receives from the Father - In the last chapter, the disciples seem to proclaim for the first time that they believe Jesus came from God (16:30). Jesus then confirms this to the Father in His prayer - "Now they have come to know that everything Thou hast given Me is from Thee." The disciple know and believe (and I remember here that Judas is no longer with them at this point) that all the authority that God the Father has given the Son and most notably giving His people the gift of eternal life - all of these things to Jesus are from the Father. John again here wants to show us the connection always between God the Father and Jesus. God gives, Jesus receives and imparts to His people, Yes. But Jesus not only imparts but takes on the same authority as God the Father. 

We receive - Jesus is sent by the Father - I am reminded of the first line of the song Because He Lives: "God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus." This is the idea of verse 8 here. Jesus has taken the words from the Father and given them to the disciples. And they received. They did not simply hear, but they received. This idea of God's people receiving what has given them has been a big idea mentioned often. We are not simply hearing from God, but we are receiving. We are taking it in. It doesn't mean that we understand everything that is being said, but we are receiving it and taking it into ourselves and making it a part of our lives. 

We believe - And then in verse 8, they "truly understand that I (Jesus) came forth from Thee (God) and they believed." Again, we have the same idea somewhat of received. It is one thing to hear, but another to receive. It is one thing to understand, but the disciples also have believed. We Believe. 

Summary: The disciples, as voiced by Jesus in this prayer, hear and receive, understand and believe - Jesus is from the Father and receives everything.

Promise: We don't have to full understand everything in scripture to be saved, but we need to want to receive everything.

Prayer: Thank You God for the saving faith that I have and continuing to grow me in maturity each day> You are alive and have been resurrected and I believe in You Jesus, in God and what He has sent and in the Holy Spirit who continues to give me understanding. And my desire remains for others to behold this as well, to behold You and to receive You as their Lord. Keep making my faith stronger and keep helping me to understand You and Your word. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 14:29-31 - Sovereign over Satan

John 14:29-31

29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe. 30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing to Me; 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Message: Sovereign over Satan

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: In my study, I have continued to see a summary of the Christian life and even the gospel: (1) Believe, (2) Ask/Pray, (3) Obey, (4) Help. 

(1) I think Jesus is asking us to believe in Him, believe in the Gospel which is about repenting or turning from your sin. (2) This is followed by asking or praying to God continually in our lives, asking him for help, calling on His name. (3) At the same time we are to obey the commandments He has given us - though I don't right now have what I would call a list of those, but I think this is more of a general statement of the obedience we need to exemplify in our lives. (4) Throughout this process He sends to us a Helper. We have help through the Spirit of Truth to make all of this happen. The Spirit draws us to faith and also sustains our faith and is constantly speaking to us the truth of Jesus and His Words. It is God working in us that makes him willing to come to Christ. John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice." 

Yet the story throughout these verses of 14 is Jesus asking his disciples to trust Him. He is going away. He will return again, but He is going away. 

Jesus also tells them of events that will happen. He predicts Judas' betrayal. He predicts Peter's denial. He predicts His own death. In these predictions He reminds us that this is for their benefit, so that they will further believe. Just as when Lazarus rose again, it was to confirm faith in the disciples/followers (11:15). 

Verse 29 Jesus says He has spoken these things to us, letting us know about the future and what will occur. He has given prophecy - future information about future events. As we witness those events coming to pass - we may continue to believe. He asks us to believe and in the process of us seeing Him work, we continue to believe. God's work in our lives causes us continually to believe in Him. 

Verse 30 acknowledges the ruler of the world coming. In this gospel, the ruler of the world I don't think has been mentioned much. But the ruler of the world would have much to say to God's people, to tempt them - to seek to pull people away from the truth of Jesus' words - from God the Father. Satan would get a hold of Judas and even Peter for a moment and even Jesus' followers and enemies for a moment in helping send Him to His death. Though the decree of God would remain through all of this. Jesus says this, "he has nothing to Me." Though the ruler of the world is coming and will be present and will work to thwart His work, Jesus makes it clear - Satan has no claim on Jesus. 

Jesus wants this to be clear, because as He is subdued, beaten, shamed, ridiculed, crucified - the appearance will be that He has lost and that Satan has won - but Jesus reminds His people that Satan has no claim on Him. 

Verse 31 feels like a summary of what He has been saying or voicing since 13:31 - "that the world may know that I love the Father." Interesting. In this book of John I continue to see the themes of "believe" "for eternal life" "I am sent by the Father" and now "I love the Father." His love for the Father has been apparent but maybe not explicitly talked about but present, but now He speaks it. And possibly what He is saying is his impending death on the cross, though it looks like Satan will be the victor in this, in fact, His death will prove once again His Love of the Father. All we know in His crucifixion His Love for the Father. Luke 23:46 says upon his last breath, "Father, INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." His death is for God's glory. 

Jesus does commandment and this commandment is singular. Interesting. He does the commandment. I don't think this commandment is necessarily the same as the commandments He mentioned in 13:34 or 14:21. I think the commandment the Father gives to Jesus is more specific to Him and His purpose. This is Jesus' purpose and that is to redeem all of mankind, once and for all, through his death, burial and resurrection.  

To his disciples and followers He says now, "Arise, let us go from here." Perhaps this is simply Jesus telling His disciple to arise or leave the supper room which started his discourse in John 13:2. The entire time of John 13 and 14 has been teaching speaking and teaching at the Table, at the meal. All His disciples have been present for this, even Judas. 

Summary: Jesus comforts His disciples, assuring them of His ongoing commitment to them and His decree to die for man, once for all. The ruler of the world is coming, but God's purposes are still clear.

Promise: God is sovereign over even the devil, the prince of the world. There may be times that we think the power has shifted, but it is clear Jesus remains the victor and Satan has no claim on Him. 

Prayer: Lord God, what a Joy it is continually to read and study Your word. How wonderful it is to know that this book of history includes me and includes your love for me. Even for the disciples at this time it may have looked confusing and scary, but you remind them and me of the importance of listening to You and trusting Your words. You are sovereign over all and You know the future and You know me.  I will follow You wherever You go, Wherever, Lord, You lead me, I surrender my will for the love of Thee.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 14:11-14 - The Works We Will Do

John 14:11-14

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

Message: The Works We Will Do

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: The words of Jesus continue in this passage. Jesus has been speaking to the disciples - namely taking questions from Peter, Thomas and Philip and continuing to give them a full picture or a full understanding of who He is. They know Him as Savior and Messiah and their Lord, but they continue to understand Him or are growing to understand Him as not only sent by God but containing the same essence of God. John, our writer in this passage gets this and understands this. And how great it is that I am understanding this as well. 

Jesus confirms in verse 11 the truth, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me." They are not the same person; distinct but they have the same attributes and essence. So, seeing Jesus is seeing the Father. All that the Father is can be had in Jesus. And Jesus must return to the Father as well. 

This idea of believing in Jesus has been a big idea for Jesus and one that He continually conveys. I remember in John 10:25-27 Jesus spoke of the Sheep that believe in Him and hear His voice. But Jesus also conveys to not only to believe in what He is saying, but believe also in what He has done: "otherwise believe because of the works themselves." Jesus has shown clearly in His gospels His work and what He has done. And yet the idea seems to have been clear in the gospels that seeing His miracles, while helpful, gave the people and disciples confirmation. It was His words and believng in Him and what He was saying that was perhaps most important. 

Now, the rest of this passage will speak of a further idea - from believing to working; from believing to doing. This seems to be the central idea of verse 12. But then in verse 13 and 14 it appears to go back to the work that Jesus will do when we ask - "believing." 

Verse 13 and 14 I think have always been somewhat puzzling verses to people. They represent verses that basically give a blank check it appears to God's provision. "Whatever you ask....I will do...ask me anything...I will do it." This is an interesting passage because it speaks of works we will do and works Jesus will do. Maybe what is clear is that works will be needed. But still this is a hard passage because people are people of need, people of want. And people of faith are dependent on God to provide. They recognize that things come from God. They find comfort in these words to ask whatever and yet people of need have asked God and have not received. And this remains a hard part of faith and not getting always what we ask. 

These words from Chapter 14 start off with the heading in my Open Bible as "Christ Comforts His Disciples." Amazing how much we need comfort. I was going through some books the other day, trying to figure out what I could get rid of and clear space in the garage I guess for other things. I saw a book that my mom had given Pamela and I at one time and written inside of it was words about my mom going through a difficult time and finding comfort with the words of that book and so passing it along to us. 

The disciples at this time are a little nervous. They want Jesus to stay close. They don't want to see him leave. They want to follow Him if He is leaving. They want to stay with Him. Jesus knows this can't happen immediately. Later, but not now. So Jesus speaks to them, offering them words of encouragement and comfort. Jesus wants His words to bring them comfort. There is comfort in knowing that while the disciples can't go with Jesus, Jesus is preparing a place for them. There is comfort in believing in Jesus that He is the only way to God. There is comfort in believing in Jesus that good works will follow. Maybe this won't always happen to us. But still there is comfort in these words, in the possibility and so we believe in Him, in Faith, we trust in Him. We have hope and it seems to be more and more that this is what we need in life, hope. And when we reach a place of no more hope, we move or change places. I had a worker yesterday leave to take a different job. His remark to me was there was no more hope in staying. 

I think of Mr. Talbot and seeing him on Sunday and visiting with him and in that time maybe he gets comfort and I can share with him and know him through that time. 

Summary: Jesus tells his disciples once again the importance of believing in Him and through His words He brings them comfort, letting them know he will work as they ask Him.  

Promise: Jesus continues to work in and through us. 

Prayer: O God, these words that I read, they are hard to digest at times. Maybe because I want the words to mean something that frees me from all trouble. I am normal. I want to be free from all bad and only for there to be good. But in You I find comfort and peace. Comfort from this hard world. And hope for tomorrow. I need those things. Lord, continue to help me show others this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 12:44-46 - Seeing the Son, Seeing the Father

John 12:44-46

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.

Message: Seeing the Son, Seeing the Father

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous lesson, I saw how John mentions that there were some rulers that believed in Him. Prior to this there was mention of some that despite the signs they were receiving they still did not believe and this unbelief was actually a fulfillment of prophecy. But there were some who believed, like rulers. Yet while believing, their external witness of their belief was still met with fear of being put out of the synagogue. It made me wonder first of all if their belief was real. It also made me wonder if believing in Jesus meant not being part of the synagogue, but some sort of different fellowship. But John mentions while believing they still sought the approval of men, which can be a problem still today, even with me. 

And so now the rest of this chapter will be Jesus speaking, from verse 44 through verse 50. These verses form a paragraph as recorded in my Bible (that division of words being a conclusion of the translators). In these words, Jesus will now again talk about His relationship to the Father and that union He has with the Father to the point that believing in Jesus is actually believing in God. Jesus is God's representative. 

Much of this chapter has been about believing - believing that Lazarus was risen from the dead, Following belief in Jesus should be a desire for the approval of God and yet people can still at times continue to seek the approval of man instead. 

At first, I am looking at verses 44-46 today and seeing a few different ideas:

(1) Believing in Jesus is actually believing in the Father who sent Jesus. As I saw previously in John 3:16, God loves us so much and therefore sent His son. It all starts with God's love or God's desire and I think Jesus is trying to communicate this idea to the Jewish people. Jesus has come on the scene and sort of upset their notion of God. Many were still learning about Jesus and many were not sure about who Jesus is and that it was important to believe in Him. Many felt like their belief in God was enough. Some are believing but some are not. And this will continue throughout history. As Jesus says in verse 44, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me."

(2) Jesus has a special union with God the Father for He states that Seeing Jesus is seeing God - verse 45, "He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me." Jesus is saying there is no difference. He is asking people not to choose Jesus over the Father. Jesus is not saying He is better than the Father. This is important because I think some future false prophets will proclaim themselves not only equal with God but better than God. It is hard to not then conclude that Jesus and God are the same in essence. I might live my life in a way to point it to God and give Glory to God through my life, but I would not say that seeing me is the same as seeing Father God. We are different than God and different Jesus. Man is different. 

(3) After establishing this union He has with God, Jesus remarks that He is the light of the world. Without believing in Jesus, people live in darkness or separation from God. And believing in Jesus transforms a person from darkness to light. "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." Jesus said this in John 8:12 previously, "I am the light of the world, he who follow Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." Something happens to a person when they are awakened by the Spirit of God and now walk in the Light. Darkness is still present in their life as they give in to sin or the ways of the world, but they now see life differently. There is a revelation that occurs, a sensitivity to the things of God, a recognition that we see our condition as sinners, in need of a Savior, not able to save ourselves, and live to Glorify God. It is a transformation that I notice. It is not simply a desire to go to church, but is deeper than that as this is a person that wants the things of God. 

None of these verses are unique to John. I think we have heard them before in what He has said. 

Summary: Believing in Jesus is believing in God who sent Jesus, and seeing Jesus is seeing God and believing in Jesus transforms people away from living in darkness. 

Promise: We must be insistent that the only way to see and to know God is to believe in Jesus alone for salvation.

Prayer: God, you have sent Jesus to this world and I believe that you sent Him and I believe in Him and by believing my life has been transformed. It is such a clear transformation that has occurred. Thank you for transforming me and yet it is is hard to be transformed while others are not - to see see that notion of darkness showing up in people's lives and them still living in it. Lord, I pray that you would transform lives and that you would transform people from darkness to light. Wake people up. Help them see You as never before. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 12:42-43 - A Call to Commitment

John 12:42-43

42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

Message: A Call to Commitment

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: The last lesson spoke of people rejecting Jesus. And that even through rejection the prophecy of ages past, as in from Isaiah, has been fulfilled. Jesus continues to walk toward the cross, but along the way he is ministering to people, healing people, while also showing people He is called by the Father and has the same authority as the Father and is equal to the Father - and repeatedly we see descriptions of people "believing" in Him and this is a sharp contrast to those that are not believing in Him. Thus, to believe in Him seems significant. 

There are 3 Latin words used by sixteenth century Protestant Reformers to describe the elements of saving faith: 

• notitia - knowing the basic facts concerning the person and work of Jesus
• assensus - the belief that these facts are true
• fiducia - personally entrusting ourselves to Christ to save us

People are to go from knowing to believing to trusting. And then while it is not part of salvation, after trusting people cannot help but then exercise their lives in visible ways. People bear fruit, showing their good works, confessing Jesus before others. 

In these gospel accounts, in seeing the contrasts from people believing and not believing, perhaps what I don't see is accounts of people trusting Christ and yet Jesus is declaring these truths as he speaks of living water and bread of life which seem to speak to a full commitment to God. But even today's words contrasts the previous verses of people rejecting God and states in verse 42, "Nevertheless many of the rulers believed in Him." So was this assensus belief only or did it also include fiducia? We may not know. 

Reading further perhaps is additional evidence for it says "but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him." Is this describing a people with belief but not trust or is belief already complete and they are not yet mature to live their faith out before men. I think we all experience fear of declaration at times. Yet, John describes here people that believe but are not confessing Him because of the fear of being left out of their current religious life at the synagogue ("for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue). This is interesting because they believed that believing in Jesus, the mere belief excluded one from the synagogue, despite Jesus being one that declared himself in the synagogue. Perhaps because these were rulers believing they believed that rulers of the faith surely could not also be synagogue adherents. 

But then the text makes it a little clearer when it says, "for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God." Once again this describes the commitment we are to make before the Lord - moving our belief to trusting and in that trusting willing to go to any length to being a child of God. Rulers were believing - yes! But then we don't see the works of the faith though works are not described here, but what is being described is whether we declare that we are in Christ and as such we are willing to have our lives change which may mean changing where we worship and changing those in our lives we previously sought for approval. 

In my life, I see this occurring in my life as I am a person that seeks approval. I think a child can't help but want approval from their parents. They want to make their parents proud in some way. I always think of Tyson playing upwards basketball, probably around 5th grade or early middle school and playing in a game, making a shot on one end and as he goes down the court he looks over at me. He has done something good and he moves his eyes toward me - look at me Dad. Look at what I did. Are you not proud of me? I also remember the time in our house on Moon when I got mad at him and the other kids and he went immediately to drawing a picture, taking me back to us going to the Lobos football game and taking us back to a good time we had together, trying to restore the relationship. Those two moments - my son looking to me, declaring himself to me, wanting me to recognize him. Those are two of the most memorable moments of me as a father to my oldest son. My son wants my approval and wants to know that everything is fine between us. 

So in this text are we seeing a description of people believing only and then is the defense to entrusting or the signification of trusting found in declaring God before men, no matter the cost. And perhaps did believing in Jesus then not include synagogue worship?

Summary: Following belief in Jesus should be a desire only now for the approval of God and yet people can still at times continue to seek the approval of man instead. 

Promise: Possibly we have not trusted in Christ if we are not willing to declare our faith publicly before others. 

Prayer: Lord, I continue to unpack these truths from You. Even as I know that I am your follower, describing it and defining and contrasting that faith from those that don't believe remains a goal of mine. As a converse with people that hold to different views or maybe even more advanced in their knowledge, I am challenged to unpack further these truths. I do want my faith to be not afraid of disappointing man or even not getting their approval because I want to be more concerned about your approval God. My faith needs to be before others. I am not to be hiding my faith and only a Christian with good speech in church. But proud of my faith beyond the church walls, at work, in my neighborhood and before others throughout the walk of my life.        

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 11:17-27 - Source and Sustainer of Life

John 11:17-27

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”

Message: Source and Sustainer of Life

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has now arrived in Bethany. Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to tell him of Lazarus being sick (11:4). When Jesus arrives, Lazarus is already in the tomb having been dead for 4 days. Martha proclaims to Jesus her belief that things would have been different for Lazarus if he had been here when Lazarus was still alive. She understood that Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father. Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will rise again to which Martha agrees and understands this when in the future, at Christ's return, he will be resurrected. But Jesus then makes a more compelling statement that is consistent with the statements he has made in the past when He proclaimed Himself living water (4:13), the living bread (6:51), the Light of the World (8:12) and that he says, "I am" (8:58). Jesus is way different from any one else. And He is the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Him will die, but then keep on living. And Martha confirms her belief in Him. 

John notes in verse 17 that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. This is significant for John to mention because of the ancient Jewish belief that for 3 days following death, the soul hovers over the body and thus there is the possibility of the soul reentering the body and bringing it back to life. By mentioning four days, the soul has departed for good and the body remains in the grave until the resurrection at the end of the age. Thus, when Jesus raises Lazarus it will be proof of His supernatural power and authority. 

Lazarus seems to be well known. Verse 19 mentions "Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother" giving the idea that Lazarus or Mary and Martha were significant members of the Jewish community. And then Mary later anointing Jesus with perfume in chapter 12, expensive perfume gives the possibility that this family was prominent in the community. Thus, what Jesus was preparing to do carried with it more significance because of the possibility wealth and raising a well known person. 

By Jesus mentioning He is the "resurrection and the life" he is stating that he is the source and sustainer of life. There is no life apart for Him. Unless we are with Him we cannot achieve eternal life with God in heaven and will suffer the wrath of God. John is mentioning about Jesus once again that believing in Him results in eternal life. This continues to be the consistent theme of the book of John. Again, Jesus has already mentioned that in this present life He is the source of all we need when He declares Himself to be the Water of Life and the Bread of Life, thus supplying in Himself every need of spiritual thirst and spiritual hunger. And now He goes beyond this life to the future. Jesus is all we need. 

Jesus tells Martha, “Your brother will rise again." This is an encouraging word He gives to Martha who up to that point regrets that Jesus has not come sooner. But Jesus in His response looks to the future and Lazarus' future and gives Martha the assurance that He will rise again -- at this point not being clear which resurrection that will be for Jesus has not been clear if he will immediately rise him from the dead or if this speaks of the peace to all family members that are in Christ of their resurrection to eternal life with Jesus. Either way, the words can be an encouragement to Martha. 

Daniel 12:2 has given the promise that, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." So Martha's response in verse 24 confirms her understanding. There is possibly a little disappointment in this statement for again she was focused on him remaining alive. 

In verse 26, Jesus mentions that we are to believe but we are also to live in Him. But this is not really a new idea because He is previously inferred this when speaking that a full life on this earth now is yielding to Him and trusting in Him to provide our needs. 

Jesus continues to speak with confidence. And so we can rest in that assurance. 

Summary: Jesus arrives in Bethany, and speaks to Martha, who is sad he is late, though Jesus assures her is the Resurrection and the Life and believing in Him results in eternal life to all. 

Promise: Death will not have the final word for all those who are united to Him by faith. 

Prayer: Lord, I continue to speak of You as I speak to people with questions about You and whether You need to be believed in. Your words are clear and we must hold onto them. You are the resurrection and the life. You are living water. You are the living bread and the Light of the World. Help us to believe this and like someone has said recently to know what it means to really believe in You. I want my days to be lived by this truth. You grant me peace and assurance continually through Your word. Help me to help people to walk with You continually, to study Your words and be an encouragement to Many. Continue to encourage me and help me to stand with You. Continue to deepen my faith. Draw people to You. Draw family members closer to You and help them to really believe in You and that You provide for their needs. Out of fear we tend to do things our own way. Yes, Lord, I believe in You and Yes, Lord, I will live for you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 6:60-65 - Grumbling and Disbelief

John 6:60-65

60 Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 62 What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father." 

Message: Grumbling and Disbelief

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has met with the multitudes and the Jews in the synagogue, declaring that He is the bread of life, sent by the Father and people are to receive Him, like they receive and eat bread. They are to eat of Him, taking Him in, believing in Him and they will receive eternal life. We are to be a people that believes, but also receive and abide in Him and make Christ number one in our lives always. 

Some disciples who had been following him came to him also and mentioned that the words Jesus has been saying are hard words. Now these do not seem to be the same 12 disciples, for in verse 67 Jesus will refer to the 12 after these disciples had left. I remember studying John 2 at the end of the chapter and those that believed in His name and yet Jesus was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew them and knew was in them. They were paying lip service possibly to God and not really believing in Him. That passage is a rather haunting one. It is just not clear what sort of disciples these are as they are called "His disciples" also referenced in John 2:2 at the wedding in Galilee. Either way, at this moment Jesus knew that the disciples were grumbling or realizing that what Jesus was saying was difficult. Maybe these are a people that believe in Jesus but when it comes to following Him have different ideas. 

I think of people I encounter in my work life and even when we would talk to people at the mall, sharing the gospel and at times discovered people that believed Jesus and believed in Him and knew that he had lived, died and rose again. They understand the meaning of Christmas and Easter, but honestly, as I stare at their lives, their habits, what comes out of their mouths, and their lifestyles, I do not see a people that seems to follow the Lord and yet they see in me someone who does or tries. They mention this. They call me a religious person. 

Jesus recognizes this perhaps as well in the disciples here. They are grumbling at what He is saying about eating and taking in Christ as we do our daily bread, making Him not simply a belief but part of our life, abiding in Him -- and they struggle with this and Jesus counters that if they struggle with those words they perhaps the Father has not truly called them. 

Back in verse 44 Jesus said, "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him." And now Jesus further expands on this by first remarking that these are people that won't be able to understand higher things like Jesus ascending to Heaven (after His resurrection) - "What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before?" And then He further speaks of the reason they are not understanding: Verse 63, "It is the Spirit who gives life." Going back to John 3 and his reference to being born again and in verse 5 and 6 remarks that one must be "born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God." And verse 6 and verse 8 mention being "born of the Spirit." What an alarming statement that Man must be rescued and called by the Spirit of God. 

And in verse 63 He says, "The words I have spoke to you are spirit and are life, but there are some of you who do not believe." Again, Jesus is using the word believe as He has used it before, but as Jesus continues to communicate and we see that there is more to His words than we initially see. It seems here this is heard again. Jesus is saying that if you are listening and can't understand and your belief is not simply one time belief but transformation belief, abiding in Him belief, then you are not really believers of Him. And verse 66 will show this as "many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore." Whoa. They left. They heard the message. They realized they were not willing to go the extra mile and be the complete believer in Christ and they left. It is like instead of having an altar call in church, we turn to people and say, "Do you need to leave?" Are you really a believer in Christ that wants to follow Him will all of your life, in all of your ways? Are you that kind of believer? Or are you the kind that likes the simple message, the fancy show, but in actuality you do not want to follow Him with your entire life? What kind of believer are we really? A true believer hopefully. One who accepts what Jesus says always. And eats, taking Him in as we take bread into our mouth and stomach so we can live. 

Verse 66 - "His disciples withdrew." Christians left church. 

Summary: True followers of Christ are true believers, that have been drawn by the Father, the Spirit gives them life, and they understand all that Jesus is saying to them. 

Promise: True believers stand on every word that God says, made alive in Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, we are to be true believers. I am to be a true believer and stand on every word that you say. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.  

John 6:52-59 - Eating and Belief

John 6:52-59

52 The Jews therefore began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" 53 Jesus therefore said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in  yourselves. 54 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me he also shall live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever." 59 These things He said in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Message: Eating and Belief

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: As a reminder, this discourse that Jesus is giving is in the midst of multitudes in the synagogue which includes Jews. He has been clear in his words, but he is also using language that is a little shocking stating "I am the living bread....if anyone eats of this bread he shall live forever." Our passage this morning begins with the Jews asking this question - "how are we to eat flesh?"

With our knowledge now of Luke 22:19 - And when he had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me." And so we know now that Jesus' discourse here of eating the body and drinking the blood would be a parallel for His atoning death. But at the time, what would His audience have thought? Jesus does not seem to here be talking about the sacrament. 

Thus, as we study, we see parallels - verse 40 - "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I myself will raise him up on the last day." Jesus mentions repeatedly believing in Him. And then as we look at verse 54, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." Thus, there doesn't seem to be extra work or an extra sacrament that is required for eternal life, but rather the eating and drinking are not carnal acts, but rather speak to the trust we place in Him for salvation. He also says in verse 56 that doing this "abides in Him." Abiding is a giving of oneself completely. It is to include ourselves in all of what God provides to us - studying His word, prayer, fellowship, living our life in faith. As such the eating and drinking refer to more than belief, but taking Jesus in and taking Him in completely to our lives. 

Summary: As Jesus is the bread of life, to eat his flesh and drink His blood is to abide in Him and to trust in Him completely for salvation practicing all that He has provided for us to grow in Christ. 

Promise: Later on, with the Lord's supper, we see a tangible picture of taking Jesus in and entering unto Him, to show that tangible practice we are to mirror in our life of growing in Christ daily. 

Prayer: Lord, as Petra stated in their song, we are daily to move Beyond Belief. I am to practice the presence of God daily in reading and studying and listening to good speakers, in fellowship with my wife and any others in the faith and encouraging myself and others continually to go beyond faith and belief to practice and doing the will of God. In believing I am sealed for eternal life, but in my belief I work for it shows that I am with you God. Keep training me daily in this sort of living. Keep me focused on You and leaning on You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 6:45-51 - The Bread of Christ's Flesh

 John 6:45-51

45 It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. 46 Not that any man has seen the Father, except the One who is from God, He has seen the Father. 47 Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." 

Message: The Bread of Christ's Flesh

Time:  John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: And so the bread of life discourse continues. Jesus is the bread of life from the Father go give us eternal life, to those who believe. By believing, we will have our most significant need met in Him. We will have no need to hunger and thirst for God's acceptance of us as we will have what we need for all time. The Father provides the Son the people that will believe in Him, drawing them to himself. Jesus will never lose them. Jesus has seen the Father. He is the only one. He is exclusive. 

We are told here that we can eat of the bread, thus we can eat of Jesus. This is interesting as we even observe the Lord's Supper. His body is broken for us and we eat it. We are to take the Lord and He is to be a part of us. He is not simply a trophy in our lives but we are to make Him life, in our life. In contrast to the manna of the wilderness, eating of this bread will bring about eternal life. 

I do not see in these verses any instance of "easy believism" or the idea that just believe and a person is all good and accepted into the kingdom of God. What I see is verses that confirm that the Father is the one that draws the person to an understanding and desire to believe and the person responds in faith. I don't think this is automatic, but the convert has a response of faith. In these verses, the willing person eats of the bread. Again, something is required of the person. 

Throughout this book thus far, the message is simple: believe and receive eternal life. Our response is simple, Answer the Call. 

Summary: We must eat the bread of heaven in order to have eternal life, and this eating consists in believing in Christ. 

Promise: God chooses His elect for salvation, but we cannot know we are saved until we believe. Believe in Him alone this day for salvation. 

Prayer: Lord, the message is clear to me. Believe. I am to answer your call and believe and you will grant me eternal life. I believe God this is the way to be saved. I know some believe this is a way to be saved, only for a certain time, this time, and later on more is required of a person, but these words seem to communicate to me that this is not simply for a time period, but for all time for this is the message throughout this gospel. Continue to enlighten me though Lord. And continue to draw people to an understanding of You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 4:43-54 - Ministry in Galilee

John 4:43-54
And after the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast. 

Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Message: Ministry in Galilee

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Two days? The event so far in John 4 has covered 2 days (v. 43), is that what John is saying? So Jesus is leaving the area of the Samaritans and is now headed south the Galilee. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke this initial time in Judea and Samaria is not mentioned. Jesus remarks in verse 44 that a prophet has no honor in his own country. Many rejected him in his own city. In Mark 6 it mentions Jesus in arriving in his hometown went to the synagogue and they were widespread offense towards him and in verse 4 of that chapter it states a similar message to this one in John. 

But I suppose what is odd here is that the rest of the passage mentions how the Galileans accepted Jesus. And several situations are mentioned:

• He did a lot of things in Jerusalem (John 1:19-28, 2:13-25)
• He made the water into wine (John 2:1-10)

An official, probably an adviser to Herod Antipas, comes to Jesus asking him to heal his son. The place was Cana of Galilee where he had made water into wine and verse 54 will mention it later as the 2nd since that Jesus performed. This man had obviously heard of Jesus' power, supernatural power and asks Jesus to heal his son, who was close to death in Capernaum (on the northwestern part of the Sea of Galilee). 

Jesus' initial response was a little disdain. Not sure if it was mentioned solely to the man but to others around. Chapter 2:23 recorded the results of Jesus' turning water into wine "many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing." And yet, "Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them." Their belief was not sincere belief in Jesus but rather belief in a sign, in a magic trick. And Nicodemus mentions this as well to Jesus in 3:2 and this is when Jesus communicates what is really need to be born again and that is a change must occur in a person on the inside - that each person must believe as recorded in John 3:15 - "that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life." 

And even after these words, the official implores Jesus further (v. 49). Jesus remarks, "Go your way; your son lives." Basically, go back to your home in Capernaum and you will see that your son has been healed. "The man believed." This man had real faith. His faith was not in seeing the sign because he would probably not see his son for some time. But when Jesus spoke the words, he believed. He did not need to see the results. He believed what Jesus said. God's word had taken root in him. And then in verse 51 we hear of the result of the sign. Others in the household would believe. 

Again, there is a belief in Jesus that is needed, beyond the sign, beyond what He can do. 

Summary: There are those that reject Jesus, but in Galilee a royal official asks Jesus to heal his dying son and believes Jesus' that He has healed his son ever prior to see the results. 

Promise: Many saw signs from Jesus but never really believed in Him. Our faith must be grounded in the promises of God. When we are convinced of His trustworthiness, our faith will persevere.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding me and directing me. I have missed finishing these times with You in your word, just allowing myself to get overly busy and yet Lord, you are there and always there. Give me strength in my days and give me direction in helping these boys now that are staying with us, maybe even to help the word of God take root in them. Thank you for helping me understand Your words and knowing You. Thank you for this message of truth, of believing in You beyond what You do for us, beyond seeing what you have done. May that real faith be contagious. Help me to take a moment and speak your truth to others. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 3:36 - Believing in and Obeying the Son

John 3:36

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Message: Believing In and Obeying the Son

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter is beginning to come to a close and it is chapter full of a lot that we hold dear in the faith. Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus still boggles my mind into thinking about the fact that to be born again happens by being "born of the Spirit (v. 8)." And the turning point in each person being born again is they are allowing their sin to be exposed to God (v. 20 - For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed). I don't know it is an amazing turn of the events for me. As people of God, it remains central to me that the difference between the follower and the non-follower is really recognizing our sin and our distance from God because of it. And yet what changes our condition is the Spirit of God working in us. And the reality is that Jesus is God in the flesh. God has given Jesus everything, the fullness of the Spirit (v. 34), speaking the words of God (v. 34) as God gives Jesus all things (v. 35). It is about Him increasing (v. 30) and conversely I decrease.  

And now it is the crescendo of the passage, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life." Stated again, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life." And yet, we have seen that mere belief is not enough. The turning tide of every Christian is His obedience. "he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." A Christian works. We are created in Christ Jesus for "Good works. (Eph. 2:10)" We are to be about these deeds. Our life must change if we are truly in Christ; we must be a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). 

O God, in my life I just think of these people in my life that are lost and even those that are engulfed in a religion in which it seems to be so complicated in the deeds it expects from its flock. I think of the man the other day that is engulfed in Mormonism and I've spoken to so many like him. They are on this course that is not to glorify only God and live only for Jesus. Rescue him. Rescue. Awaken your spirit in my son Derek, in my Dad. Bring them into the life of Jesus and knowing Him as Savior and Lord. It is the only way. It is the only way. There is no greater joy knowing You and yet there is no greater angst and hurt than those who don't know you. I find that I want there to be something that saves them. Lord, I love your gospel and I must admit God, I hate it at the same time. I love you have saved me, but it hurts that others are taking a different course. I keep wanting their to be a different answer and yet it all comes down to you Jesus and the Spirit of God changing people's lives. O how I heart for these people that train themselves daily in the things of the flesh, steering their lives more and more away from submitting to God to submitting to self. They are becoming hardened, captured away from You God. Turn the tide God. Turn the tide in people's lives. 

Summary: It's simple and profound, the Spirit draws us, we believe in Jesus, and we obey. All are needed. All must happen. 

Promise: We must urge people to repent and believe today when we give them the gospel.

Prayer: O God, I've said it and I will continue to say. Knowing You is not because of me, but because of You. You get all the glory. You've given me eternal life. Help me to keep on getting out of the way and keep on remembering my sin and training myself for Godliness. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 3:16 - God's Love for the World

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Message: God's Love for the World

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: As I study and read now today's passage John 3:16, probably the most well-known verse scripture in all of scripture, I notice that part of the verse is a repeat of verse 15, "that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life." It is also a repeat of John 3:13, "but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man" though stated more succinctly. In a way, it is a summary of what He has stated before, yet he adds that "God so loved the World." 

It is interesting but for a long time the John 3:16 flew high on Sunday at NFL football games when kickers kicked the extra point. What is sad is the man that raised these signs actually was not what one would call a strong Christian and had some issues, marrying 4 times and is now in prison. And yet he had an influence possibly on this verse being a stalwart now in society. It is a verse that most Christians have memorized. 

And yet it is a verse that I am not sure the non-Christians reads in its entirety for it focuses on Love, Hell, and Heaven and most I think stop at the Love part. Christ is shown as the only way to avoid perishing. This means he comes at a time when people are perishing and provides the answer to this problem. 

Yet, the Love is significant. When one thinks of the God of the Old Testament as told through its writers, I don't think it is "Love" that we focus on. Instead I think of a God set apart, creator, the one who has been ignored, sinned against. But Jesus does something here that has not since been spoken. He states that God loves. Alexander Maclaren says, "‘God loves’ is the greatest thing that can be said by lips." 

And this Love is personal because our belief is meant to be personal and individual. So I can know that God loves me. 

The remarkable thing about this passage is the focus on the world, "Believe" and that somehow Jesus is making it well known that to bring about eternal life a person must simply believe. Belief is not a works oriented word, but it is actually something that occurs in the heart. And yet believing in Him, Jesus, the Son of Man, means we are believing in all He is and all that He has done. So, that needs to be central in that belief. But, again, I don't see that there is anything that I have done to make myself worthy of believing apart from believing. But instead Jesus says that the work is Himself and that God gave up the Son. One things of Abraham and taking his only son up to offer him as a sacrifice and we see this picture but it is made clear that man does not sacrifice, but rather God provides the sacrifice of His Son for us. 

Romans 5:6-8 speaks of this same idea though focusing on Jesus dying for us, "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

The verse speaks of a general love God has for the world, but in saying that people must believe, we can know that there are many that do not believe in Him. In life often, Jesus is not the name coming off of people's lips. God is mentioned, but Jesus is often not mentioned. 

Also of note is perishing and eternal life. These outcomes can occur before the grave. People without the love of Jesus and believing in Him are even now perishing. But those who have Christ and believe are living in eternal life or hope. The hope contrasted by the perishing is powerful in our world today. 

Summary: God's love is significant and is a love that up to this point has not been mentioned in this way by God for His people and yet it is a love central to our Bible and changes everything about us who believe for eternity. 

Promise: The love of God is not a given, so we should be grateful for it and be careful never to speak of His love as something that we are owed or that He must show.

Prayer: O God, I thank you for your great Love for me. It is a love that does not change. I believe, and yet I know my belief in You changes and is like wind and chaff sometimes that waves. I have times of denial and I am embarrassed by this. I have times when I hide my belief. But God you love still. And You have saved me from all penalty and grant me a hope and a reality of eternal life that is remarkable. Thank you God for saving me. Thank you for making me whole and presenting me Jesus before God for all eternity. 

John 3:14-15 - The Son of Man Lifted Up

John 3:14-15

14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

Message: The Son of Man Lifted Up

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus was in heaven, he descended to earth for us, to tell us the things of God. And he remarked that he is the Son of Man. I looked at this yesterday and learned about it. But also the "Son of Man be lifted up." 

Jesus our Lord begins verse 14 speaking of Moses holding up the bronze serpent. Numbers 21:4-9 sets up this message. The Israelites are complaining to God about their conditions even though He had saved them from slavery in Egypt. Because of this complaining, God sent a plaque of fiery serpents. People began dying and they called for relief. Moses placed a bronze serpent on a pole and the Israelites who had been bitten and looked up the serpent were saved, those who did not look died. 

Jesus mirrors this by saying that just as the bronze serpent must be lifted up (and people be saved) so also must the Son of Man (Jesus) be lifted up and people be saved. 

This lifting up that Jesus mentions is him being lifted up or raised up on the cross or his crucifixion. Some parallel verses to this thought:

John 8:28 - So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

John 12:32 - And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

John 12:34 - The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

For Jesus to be lifted up it is to die for sin and yet this is connected with His resurrection which defeats sin. And so in verse 15 he states, "whoever believes will in Him have eternal life." 

Summary: We must believe in Jesus that He was lifted up on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. 

Promise: There is only one place where salvation can be found, and that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Prayer: Father, you are holy and true and your ways are always correct. Thank you for Jesus and lifting Him up on the cross to save me from the penalty of my sin. I Believe. Thank you for making it that easy for me to have eternal life. Help many others to believe. 

John 20:30-31 - The Fourth Gospel

John 20:30-31

Why This Gospel Was Written

30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Message: The Fourth Gospel 

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: I am glad to be studying the book of John for I remember early on this being a book one is to study once they become a Christian. For those searching and for new Christians, as a youth it was always a book people said to read first. It also seems to be a book that many who believe in alternate beliefs or even question Jesus as God have spent the most time changing the translation or rather focusing on. I previously did a study on the Book of Mark so this will be great to focus on this gospel. 

Tabletalk magazine records similar thoughts, stating it is often a book for children and then also a book that requires many commentators a lifetime of study. The book has a distinctive style. 

How it is different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels):

Synoptics - focus their attention on Jesus' ministry in Galilee

Fourth Gospel - also tells of the visits Jesus made to Judea and Jerusalem

Synoptics - Jesus teaching mostly in parables

Fourth Gospel - Many lengthy discourses given by our Savior

But still many similarities and the differences are not contradictions, but different points of emphasis. John, one of the disciples, heard much more private instruction versus the Synoptics recording more of what the crowds also heard. 

Today's passage summarizes his purpose in writing this gospel: 

1. so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; 
2. and that believing you may have life in His name.

Summary: This gospel, like the others has similarities, but is also a more private discourse and understanding of Jesus the Christ so that we will believe and have Life in His Name. 

Promise: Pray that my study will help me to know My Savior better and be equipped to follow Him faithfully and love Him more deeply. 

Prayer: O God, you are good. Your ways are right. And I call you Lord and Savior, my Lord and Savior. Thank you for visiting me personally through Your Spirit and continually helping me understand your Word through Study. Thank you for these studies. I pray that I would come to know you better so that I will always follow You and continue to love You more deeply. Do a great work in me as I study these words. Help these words and thoughts to stick to me like glue so that I will take them with me wherever I go on this earth, to be a light to all I come in contact with. Draw people to Yourself. 

My Utmost for His Highest - March 19 - Abraham's Life of Faith

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. - Hebrews 11:8

In the Old Testament, a person's relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person's life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to in Luke 14:26 (If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.)

Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason -- a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world. 

The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles' wings, but is a life of day-in and day-out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (Isaiah 40:31 - Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.) It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith--a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. "Abraham believed God . . ." (Romans 4:3). 

Oswald Chambers -From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition

My Utmost for His Highest - November 6 - Programme of Belief

Believest thou this? —John 11:26

Martha believed in the power at the disposal of Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been present He could have healed her brother. She also believed that Jesus had a peculiar intimacy with God and that whatever He asked of God, God would do; but she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s programme of belief had its fulfillment in the future; Jesus led her on until her belief became a personal possession, and then slowly emerged into a particular inheritance — “Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ….”

Is there something like that in the Lord’s dealings with you? Is Jesus educating you into a personal intimacy with Himself? Let Him press home His question to you — “Believest thou this?” What is your ordeal of doubt? Have you come, like Martha, to some overwhelming passage in your circumstances where your programme of belief is about to emerge into a personal belief? This can never be until a personal need arises out of a personal problem.

To believe is to commit. In the programme of mental belief I commit myself, and abandon all that is not related to that commitment. In personal belief I commit myself morally to this way of confidence and refuse to compromise with any other; and in particular belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ, and determine in that thing to be dominated by the Lord alone.

When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me — “Believest thou this?” I find that faith is as natural as breathing, and I am staggered that I was so stupid as not to trust Him before.

My Thoughts

• Have I moved into an intimacy with Jesus
• Mental belief - personal belief - particular belief - eventually believing I am dominated by the Lord alone

My Utmost for His Highest - October 28 - Justification by Faith

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. —Roman 5:10

I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing. It is not repentance that saves me; repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus. The danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead of on the cause — “It is my obedience that puts me right with God, my consecration.” Never! I am put right with God because prior to all, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God, and by the supernatural miracle of God’s grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The spirit of God brings it with a breaking, all-over light, and I know, though I do not know how, that I am saved.

The salvation of God does not stand on human logic, it stands on the sacrificial Death of Jesus. We can be born again because of the Atonement of Our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creatures, not by their repentance or their belief, but by the marvelous work of God in Christ Jesus which is prior to all experience. The impregnable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We have not to work out these things ourselves; they have been worked out by the Atonement: The supernatural becomes natural by the miracle of God; there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done — “It is finished.”

John 14:8-11 - Perichoresis

John 14:8-11
8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.

Message: Perichoresis or the relationship of the three persons of the triune God.

Time:  While John does not admit to have written this gospel, there is ample evidence from others that he did. It was most likely written in Ephesus around 85-95 AD and is the fourth gospel. John provides a Jesus more clearly as the Son of God. John cites Jesus' seven "I Am" statements, mentions many miracles of Jesus, signifying Him as God's Son. He is the Son of Man and atoned for our sins and the Son of God with eternal implications in rising from the dead.

What the Lord is Saying:

It seems that the doctrine of God is really the doctrine of the trinity as the trinity has been the focus so far this month in the passages selected from Tabletalk Magazine. It remains a little bit of a challenge for me to study the Bible like this, using selected passages. This is the way our church now presents messages, doing series rather than books. I prefer book preaching.

But the Trinity is emphasized here probably because it is a doctrine central to Christianity as other religions have been started based upon a different definition of God. The word trinity was first used to explain the Father, Son, and Spirit as persons by a Latin theologian, Tertullian, in the 3rd Century. Today, we look at a Greek term scholars have used to describe the relationship among these three persons and has come about from a study of the Book of John and chapters 14-17.

We go back to the subject of modalism which at times can be what we think of the Trinity.
- seeing God like a man who holds three different roles depending on the context he is in and whom he is relating
- it collapses the distinctions between the three persons proclaiming that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are identical both in essence and in person
- God is like one person who wears different masks or hats at different times in history
Tritheism is another erroneous view of the Trinity that views God as a collection of individual, separable persons united by a common purpose.

Therefore, the term Perichoresis is used to refer to the mutual indwelling of the three persons of the Godhead. It means that the Father is in the Son is in the Spirit. Again, as discussed earlier, the Father is not the Son and not the Spirit. Jesus speaks of this in John 14:10 - Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? Thus, we can distinguish them but we cannot pull them apart. God created and it is not that God created with 3 persons. God created and because the Scripture mentions that God and Jesus created the creation happened at once, not each one have a separate role but it occurring once at the same time and all were present at that happening. The essence is one and cannot be divided or pulled apart.

In this passage Philip *said to Him as Philip comes to Jesus in the same way Thomas came to Him wanting more of an explanation of who Jesus was. We must be thankful that these men had questions of Jesus for because of that we have answers from Jesus. Man has questioned Jesus throughout all time and man will continue to do this. But it is important always to go back to the word of God for explanations. The problem is when we don't do this and instead invent extra-biblical definitions rather than accepting the Word of God. And so he says “Lord, show us the Father, as this in response to Jesus words in verse 7 that says If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. Philip says then make us understand what you mean and it is enough for us.” Thus, we will be content and satisfied.

Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? Though we appreciate questions, Jesus thinks that the disciples should have a better understanding of Him already. Philip has been present with Jesus for some time and so their is still a tone of sadness from Jesus that Philip does not know Jesus as well as he should. Jesus further states - He who has seen Me has seen the Father. Seen is not a visual term because we know God to be a spirit and here we see that the essence of Jesus and the Father are the same. In other words, Jesus is saying, if you know God, you know Me and if you know Me, then you know the Father. We are united; we are one; we are the same.

Jesus then speaks to Philip with a question of almost, "why is this being asked." Jesus has already spoken words and done things many times that only God can do and yet he still says, "Lord, show us the Father." And Jesus says sort of, "What do you think I have been doing all this time with you?" "Why can't you put one and one together." how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Our conclusion of him should be clear and yet it is not. And yet we have many religions coming forth with different conclusions still to this day.

All the words here are meant to say that Jesus is having to appeal to the Father because everyone agrees that the Father is divine. There is no question that the Father is divine but He knows that there is a question as to whether He is divine. In my study of Mark, Mark does not go here to these words. It is as if Mark is stating (from Peter) that Jesus said it and as God it needs no more discussion. Yet, John gives us the words that many thought. Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.

Two things testify of Jesus being God - His words and His works. We have both, if you struggle with one, then look at the other. There is ample evidence. Jesus and His words are enough, but if we still, if they still, have doubt then look to my words. Earlier Jesus said, "I am the way and no one comes to the Father except through me." In other words, you cannot know the Father if you reject me.

And Jesus says, "Believe Me." The words are simple and yet he still knows that many will not so he says, look to my works as well.

Promise: One cannot pull apart the persons of the Trinity. They are all united and the same essence and all one and seeing one is seeing all. We cannot love God and yet not love the Son. Jesus says that seeing Him is seeing God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for thinking many times that to understand you is to dance around certain facets of you in the hope that if people can simply see one part then all will make sense to them. Yet, you clearly state that the Word of God testifies that You Jesus are God. Your Words have said it but Your life also testified of it. Lord, help me continue to be a student of Your word and point people to You through these words. Help me to not ever back down but to trust You as You are. You are Holy. You are true. You are God.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.