John 18:1-9 - The Arrest of Jesus

John 18:1-9

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, into which He Himself entered, and His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place; for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the [Roman] cohort, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am [He]," they drew back, and fell to the ground. 7 Again therefore He asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus the Nazarene." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am [He], if therefore you seek Me, let these [go] their way," 9 that the word might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom Thou hast given Me I lost not one."

Message: The Arrest of Jesus

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: It has been almost a month since I have done a lesson in John. Spoke in Sunday school and then took me time reading through articles in Tabletalk and documenting them. In that time, God has taught me a lot and it is always good to be in His word and study it, but also has been good in this last month to take it slower. 

John 14-17 was great, the Farewell Discourse, but now we move to the description of Jesus' arrest, the first and second Jewish trial before arrest, the first and second trial before Pilate, the crucifixion, the burial, the resurrection, Christ approves the disciples, appears to them, and speaks to Peter. It will be interesting to see how John relates these events. For the last 4 chapter I have been knee deep in the Words of Jesus, but now it will move to more descriptions by John, but also Jesus words. 

Verse 1 begins with, "When Jesus had spoken these words" referring to the discourse He gave to the disciples and His prayer. Jesus proceeds to a garden with his disciples. Judas is not mentioned as a part o this group, for the text mentions Judas separately, as one who did know of the garden. Judas brings with him the Roman authorities with the  chief priests and officers. Jesus asks them whom they seek and they remark Jesus and He admits it is Him. They fall to the ground. Jesus asks again letting them know that Jesus is who they seek, not the disciples so let them go their way. 

At first glance of this passage, I wonder as to why those seeking Him fell to the ground. And Jesus also focuses on the idea He is the one they seek, not the disciples, though they follow Him. Significant then, but not significant now, for Christ's followers now seem to be as guilty before men. 

Tabletalk relates that this garden could have been the garden of a wealthy man who allows Jesus to use it when Jesus and the disciples were in town. It is interesting that some 2,000 years ago and probably longer ago, gardens were places of refuge for people to assemble in. The Bible begins with a garden. That these places exist and are akin to all types of people seems significant. Even today, we have elaborate places like this in which people love to go to and see how they are decorated or set up. Their beauty brings to us some sort of comfort and joy and peace. We need this retreat in our lives. I think of Mrs. Hooten in Sunday School and her house with the elaborate garden. And the movie Notting Hill where they meet, fall in love and then end the movie sitting in. We have recently set up a place to sit and rest outside, a pergola area. Again, that we have these places and retreat to them. That rest or enjoyment is necessary in our lives and yet the surroundings are not a television or radio or the arts, but instead God's natural creation. 

Verse 4 remarks that "Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him." This has been consistent from Jesus. He knew this day was coming, but He also was waiting for the appropriate time. And now at this time, He is arrested, but willingly, admitting He is the one they seek. 

Verse 6 mentions that upon the Roman and Jewish authorities seeing that the one before them was Jesus, the "I am" that "they drew back, and fell to the ground." It is interesting that this would have occurred. Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) suggests that some think this is a miracle, that they would fall down acknowledging that Jesus is God. Either way, it is significant that they fell down. Perhaps there was some sort of manifestation of God that caught these men by surprise but when it occurred they instinctively fell down. That in that moment, there would be a manifestation seems significant. Jesus was willingly letting Himself be arrested and yet in this arrest, was even mentioning possibly of the significance of it all. 

Summary: Jesus heads to a garden and Judas leads Roman/Jewish officials to Jesus in the garden, then they fall down to the ground and Jesus surrenders to be arrested. 

Promise: Jesus is in full control of the events of the crucifixion. 

Prayer: Lord, you are God and King and your are eternal. You know Your goal to redeem mankind and what it entails. You are never out of control but know what will occur and you submit and surrender to it willingly. Thank You for the simple reminder of a garden, an oasis of refuge even I need and the importance of getting away to retreat, rest and regroup. Thank you Jesus for shining forth the Glory of God and showing Us clearly you are God. Keep Me in Your name. And thank you that when people see me and don't like me, you deflect things to You and trying to make me believe it is not about me, but disliking You. You remind me that You have my best in mind at all times. 

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

John 14:7-10 - The Father Revealed in the Son

John 14:7-10

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

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.

Message: The Father Revealed in 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: Jesus continues to answer the questions posed by the disciples, namely Peter at the end of chapter 13 and Thomas at the beginning of Chapter 14. Jesus has mentioned that He is going away - going to prepare a place for His disciples - for us - and He will come again and they will be received. But for now, He is leaving. He confirms in the last passage that He is the way, the truth, and the life. 

And now in verse 7 He remarks that knowing Him (Jesus) is knowing the Father. We know Him because we have seen Jesus. The next disciple, Philip, responds and says to Jesus - "Show Me." Jesus is speaking but the words are not being understood by the disciples. We can read the words today and based upon all that we know, we can understand, but to those disciples at the time they were confused. 

Jesus speaks and provides clarity and confirmation of who He is: (1) that His words are the words of the Father, (2) seeing Jesus is seeing the Father, and (3) the Father is in Jesus. Jesus is not speaking on His Own. He is not independent. He is of the Father and the Father is speaking through Him. The Father and Son are of the same essence while different in their persons. 

Therefore this passage seems to be focused on those words from verse 7, "If you had known Me." The disciples did know Jesus. They knew him as Savior of the World. They knew Him as Messiah. They knew Him, but they did not know Him fully. This is what Jesus is relaying to them and trying to help them understand - a full understanding of who He is and why He came. Though He has been repeating it, they still don't completely understand His power and His office. The equality with God and being sent by God and all that this means is still something they are learning. That God has sent Him and that He must return to the Father and then come back again. He will speak later of leaving and them receiving the power and work of the Holy Spirit (15:26-27). Jesus has been showing them. Even in verse 9 Jesus speaks with a mild rebuke, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip." Peter, Thomas, Philip - there is a growing interest by more disciples - more involved in knowing Jesus. 

Summary: Jesus continues to try to help his disciples understand completely Himself, namely that seeing Jesus is seeing Father and that the Father is in Him. 

Promise: The Father and the Son share the same divine essence; thus, They are identical in Their attributes. If we want to see the goodness, wisdom, power, or any other attribute of God most clearly manifested, we must look to how they are manifested in the life of Jesus. Only by knowing Jesus can we know God.

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and Your ways are complete. I thank You for the understanding You have given me of all You are and yet I know, even now I am learning about You and learning to describe You more fully, even after 40 years of walking with You and calling You my Lord. It remains a process in my life. Give me patience and compassion to others that are still learning this and learning these truths. Help me to be sensitive to where they are at in their lives. Help it not to be an argument or conflict in trying to understand but rather a process of education and learning. We too quickly opt for division and argument in our world. Return us to understanding. 

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

John 13:18-20 - Receiving the One Whom Jesus Sends

John 13:18-20

18 I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, "HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME." 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

Message: Receiving the One Whom Jesus Sends

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: Verse 18 is a quote from Psalm 41:9 - "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." Jesus here once again takes a text that served one purpose in one time and now applies it to a different time. He takes the principal and applies it now to a different time. 

Tabletalk explains this well:

David complains that one of his meal companions lifted up his heel against him. In the ancient Near East, to eat a meal with someone was a sign of friendship and trust, so it was especially terrible for someone who sat at your table to betray you. David was the greatest king of ancient Israel, so the psalm indicates that his betrayal was not incompatible with his position. The same is true of Jesus. He would be betrayed, but that would not make Him any less the King. Moreover, Psalm 41 also predicts the final triumph of David over his enemies. By quoting the psalm, Jesus indicated that despite His betrayal, He would have the ultimate victory over His betrayers.

Verse 18 begins with, "I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen." Is Jesus expressing that the previous words that he stated are not meant in application toward all people, but only for those that He has chosen? For instance, serving one another or washing one another's feet. The idea of doing as He has done for us. I mean, is he saying these actions that He is asking us to carry out need to be carried out on all people. If that is the case, then is Jesus saying how we are to treat one another in the Body or in the Kingdom but not necessarily those outside of it? 

Or is he coming back to the words only of verse 11 in which "Not all of you are clean?" Surely I am analyzing this too much and what Jesus is referencing is that there is one among them that does not take application from these words. 

And now to verse 19 - Jesus offers a statement to help them in their faith, to help it be increased, once again showing them that He has been sent by God and the words that He speaks brings comfort to them. "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He." Jesus explains the future. The reality is the event of Judas' betrayal has not yet occurred, so verse 18 while clear to us because of what we know of in the future is not clear to the disciples. Jesus confirms that Judas will betray Him and so He offers to the disciples this knowledge, showing them once again His knowledge of all events of time, both now and in the future. Jesus is proving Himself to the disciples. 

For verse 20 Jesus confirms that the disciples are there to be His ambassadors. There will be those that turn from Jesus but receive God and in turn receive Jesus. "whomever I (the Father) send receives Me (Jesus) and he who (disciple) receives Me (Jesus) receives Him (the Father) who sent Me (Jesus)." Judas through His betrayal injures all, not only betraying Jesus but betraying the Father and betraying the purposes of why Jesus has come and been sent by the Father, betraying the kingdom of God.

Once again, I appreciate the words of John Gill (1697-1771) here:

he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me; I have sent you in my name to preach the Gospel; you are my ambassadors, and you will be honourably received by many; and which I shall regard and take notice of, and esteem, as though they had received me; even as my Father has sent me into this world, as a Saviour and Redeemer, a prophet, priest, and King; and as many as have received me, are looked upon by my Father, as having received him: in short, such as cordially receive and embrace the ministers of the Gospel, receive Christ, in whose name they come, and whom they preach; and such who receive Christ, as preached and held forth in the everlasting Gospel, receive the Father of Christ; and partake of his love, grace, and kindness, shown forth in the mission and gift of Christ to them: Christ, as Mediator, represented his Father that sent him; and the ministers of Christ represent him; so that what is done to them, either in a way of reception or rejection, he takes as done to himself: it is a common saying among the Jews (c), "that the messenger of a man is as himself". 

Summary: The betrayal of Judas was foreseen by Jesus. Let that confirm to us Jesus understanding of the future and confirm that His ambassadors who receive Jesus, receive the Father who sent Jesus. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Let us endeavor to receive everyone whom Christ sends to exhort us."

Prayer: Lord, all the events of your scripture here confirm You and confirm the truth of You and that You had knowledge of all events of time. For the Jew here it was important to see that connection between receiving Jesus and being sent by you Father God. Thank you for making yourself known and being this confirmation. Help me to be an ambassador for You continually and to speak Your truth to the world around me and make you known in the way I speak and act and live. I want to be your ambassador. And I want to be authentic always in the ways I live, with a desire of you being well pleased of me. I praise you God and thank you for calling me. 

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

John 10:30 - The Perfect unity of the Father and the Son

John 10:30

"I and the Father are one.”

Message: The Perfect unity of the Father and 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: As I have been studying and as I have been reading Jesus' words that He is speaking to those he interacts with, namely those who are questioning Him, He puts forth ideas but while He does speak those ideas He does it from the foundation that the Father has called Him. 

John 5:19 - Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

John 5:21 - For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

John 5:26 - 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

John 5:30 - I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 

John 5:36 - the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 6:29 - "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." 

John 6:32, 35 - Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, 

John 6:38 - I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:40 - For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life;

John 6:44 - No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him

John 6:46 - Not that any man has seen the Father, except the One who is from God, He has seen the Father.

John 6:51 - I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever

John 6:57 - As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father

John 6:65 - no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.

John 7:28-29 - He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me.

John 7:33-34 - Jesus therefore said, "For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. You shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."

John 8:19 - Jesus answered, "You know neither Me, nor my Father, if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.

John 8:23 - And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

John 8:26 - He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him; these I speak to the world."

John 8:29 - He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

John 8:42 - If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on my own initiative, but He sent Me. 

John 8:54 - If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'

John 8:55 - I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I shall be a liar like you, but I do know Him, and keep His word

John 8:58 - Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

John 10:14-15 - I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father

John 10:18 - This commandment I received from My Father.

John 10:25 - I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 

All of these words that Jesus has been speaking are not so different from him now saying, I and the Father are one. Everything he does is from the Father and the Father and He act in a similar way. There is unity in purpose. 

The question posed to Jesus in the previous words is who Jesus is exactly. And specifically they are talking of His power because that is what Jesus has been talking about. His power to lay down His own life and raise it up again, to do the works. Jesus is claiming omnipotence, to be of the same power. 

And then following this is the reaction of the Jews - to stone Him. The Father and the Son have the same power. 

It is no surprise that Muslims do not accept the teaching of this book at all and do not believe it is authoritative. Actually, they can't and still have their religion. They must take a position of excluding it. 

Summary: Jesus has responded previously that only the Sheep here his voice but in further response to them asking who He is, He states He and the Father are One, of the same essence. 

Promise: The full unity in mission and essence of the Father and the Son guarantees the salvation of God’s people.

Prayer: God, your words are rich. Thank you for revealing yourself Jesus/God the way You have in these words and providing the clear understanding of who You are and the mission that You have been on. You are Savior. You are Lord. You are Light. You are I Am. There is salvation only in You Jesus. Keep my words consistent with who You are. Thank you for these truths and the joy of studying them. 

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

John 5:25-29 - Life From Father and Son

John 5:25-29

25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, 29 and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. 

Message: Life from Father and 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: Jesus in the previous lesson I did and verses I read spoke of why He does what He does and that is He is doing what the Father is doing. I studied Jesus and the Father and how He (Jesus) and the Father are one and carry out the same purpose. But also the statement that to believe in Jesus is to have salvation, to be in the kingdom of God and to have eternal life. 

As I continue to study, these passages are in red letter in my Bible and yet they often seem instead like the words of John or his commentary on Jesus. And yet verse 19 records Jesus speaking and Jesus does consistently refer to himself as the Son or the Son of God. But it has always baffled me how Jesus speaks when he speaks of himself. But perhaps he does this when he is referring to himself as deity rather than as merely a man. We know he was sent to earth to live like a man and yet he continued to have the characteristics of God. 

Jesus states in verse 25 that people that have died previously, when they hear the voice of the Son of God (Jesus) they will shall live. Jesus pronounces his authority and that His voice causes people to live. I think also of John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." I love that verse because it really speaks of the fact of Jesus and His people and the special bond between the two. 

This is significant as I also consider texts from the old testament that speak of the Lord being the author of life.  In Genesis 2:7 the Lord says he made Adam a living creature ("Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."). Psalm 90:2 says that God is from everlasting to everlasting ("Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."). Often, I am asked questions about the trinity, and so when I read that Jesus raises the dead to life and gives eternal life to all who believe in Him, and there is an understanding that he is creator as well in the beginning (John 1:3), then as creator, and the one who gives life, I can conclude that Jesus and the Father are of the same substance. In other words, God. And yet, I realize there are many that study the Bible and don't come to this same conclusion. 

It is noteworthy in this passage of a transfer or giving of life from the Father to the Son. As such there is a difference or distinctiveness between the two or the idea that while God they (Father, Son, Spirit) are distinct and separate. Verse 26 records that the Father has life in himself and gave the Son to have life in Himself. So the Father and Son both are keepers of life - creation and resurrection. Augustine wrote, "The Father has life in himself, which none gave him, while the Son has life in himself which the Father gave him." 

Jesus has authority to judge. The Father gave him this authority. These passages seem to speak of those who have died, are in the tomb (28) and upon hearing the name of Jesus, they shall live. 

In all these verses the granting of life or the calling forth of life is as a gift. There is not any mention of it being earned or in exchange for works of righteousness. 

Verse 29 is a little perplexing at first ready for it almost gives the idea that those who upon hearing Jesus (and here in verse 28 and 29 it gives notice that all will hear him, though saved or not) but that those who hear his voice and have done good deeds will result in resurrection of life while those who did evil deeds will result in resurrection of judgment. 

Charles Ellicott, a Church of England 19th theologian wrote about this and i thought it was interesting:

Those who, working out the truth, come to the light now, that their deeds may be manifested, because they are wrought in God, shall in the final testing, when the secrets of every heart shall be revealed, rise unto the resurrection of life, to dwell in eternal light. Those who, practicing evil, choose the darkness now, shall in that final testing, when whatsoever has been spoken in the darkness shall be heard in the light, rise unto the resurrection of condemnation (Acts 24:15), bound in chains of darkness, and be cast into outer darkness. 

I like how this is described. People will come to the light. I think of John 3:20-21, "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” The person in the Light has deeds that are wrought (made) in God. Ellicott infers an initial test and final test.  Initially, a person comes to the light and then have deeds that follow (Eph. 2:10) and those deeds occur because they are made in God. With God in us, deeds will follow. And yet there is final testing in which the secrets of every person revealed. 

This reminds me of Romans 2:5-8: 

5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

Once again, these verses speak of this final test or judgment when all of our deeds will be judged. Those who did good because the Light was in them and therefore the good they do is from Him, then those will have a result of the resurrection. Each person will be rendered according to their deeds. Eternal life or Wrath, indignation, judgment. 

Whatever one thinks of hell, what we know for sure is that there is a wrath or judgement that is coming for all. 

Summary: The Father has life in himself while the Son has life in himself which the Father gave him. This eternal life given to those in the light results in deeds of righteousness and one day all of our deeds will be judged ultimately resulting in eternal life or judgement. 

Promise: John Calvin writes, "The faith which justifies us is accompanied by an earnest desire to live well and righteously." As such works show who we are in Christ and whether we are authentic. 

Prayer: O Lord, my Lord, How Majestic is your name in all of the earth. You are eternal God and have granted me life through the gift of Jesus and granting him life. I have this eternal life because of my belief in You Jesus and that my deeds follow - to show Love and truth and compassion and forgiveness to others. Thank you for Your Word and the richness of it and the time it take me to understand and study it. Stamp it on me Lord, helping me to defend my faith and encourage others. Thank you for granting me eternal life, the assurance now, but also the reality which will come at your judgment. Gather more into your flock. Thank you for gathering those in my family, but gather more, like Derek and my Dad, as well as each person that crosses my path. Selfishly I desire all to come to know you. I do not want to be away from any for eternity. I praise You and glorify Your name always. 

 

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

John 5:15-18 - The Father and the Son's Sabbath Labor

John 5:15-18

The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. And for this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But He answered them, "My Father is working until now; and I Myself am working." For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. 

Message: The Father and the Son's Sabbath Labor

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 read these passages I often will think about the claim that Jesus is God. It is something I see but it is also something that many people refute. Nowhere does Jesus say, "I am God" in scripture and yet there are many examples of Him having God qualities or performing in the same way as God. 

One of the reasons I think about that is thinking about the different type of creatures there are: God and man, angels/demons. And so Jesus clearly is a man and yet I believe He is a super man and yet supermen are not real. There aren't 3 different types of creatures, meaning a third type being a super man. For Jesus to die for our sins, he must be perfect. Can perfection happen in a man? I don't see this. 

This passage is an interesting look at this idea as Jesus as being God as the Jews of the idea believed He was making Himself equal with God for saying that He and the Father are working in the same way. 

Why did the Jews (or Pharisees as is mentioned in Matthew 12:14) claim Jesus and the Father were equal. It seems to be several things. One is that Jesus healed the man at the pool on a Sabbath day, again mentioned in Matthew and also John 5:9, "It was the Sabbath on that day." God is the only one that can do work on the Sabbath. It is not that Sabbath work cannot be done, but only God can do it. 

In addition, he told the lame man afterwards to pick up and carry his pallet/mat. So he instructed someone to break the Sabbath code of doing anything of extra burden. The man no longer needed the pallet/mat. If he did, it is not Sabbath breaking to use it, but since he can walk now he has no use of it. 

Summary: Jesus is accused by the Jews (Pharisees) of being equal with his Father (God) by doing something only He can do - do work and heal someone on the Sabbath. 

Promise: We are called to do what is necessary to preserve life even on the Lord’s Day.

Prayer: Thank you for your great work God, to do the unexpected and to do what only You can do. I thank you and praise You for loving me and showing Your love to me continually. Help me to shine your love to others always. 

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