John 10:31-42 - Charges of Blasphemy Refuted

John 10:31-42

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there.

Message: Charges of Blasphemy Refuted

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 Jesus says in 10:30, "I and the Father are one" these Jews immediately pick up stones to stone Him for they recognize that the words of Jesus are that He is making Himself equal to God and they believe this to be blasphemy. Jesus then responds to them speaking further about himself being the Son of God. The Jews do not respond favorably and want to seize him, but he eludes their grasp. Chapter 10 then concludes that Jesus has left to go beyond the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing. And many believed in Him there. 

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 is a tough passage for it says that false prophets shall be put to death or executed. It speaks of people coming and asking you to serve other gods that you do not know. I think this could also mean people who ascribe to God ways about Him that are not true, thus they fashion God into their own image rather than accepting Him for Who He is. Perhaps at this time, this is what the Jews were doing, though they were simply at that moment trying to seize Him but they thought Jesus was making Him out to be equal with God. 

Jesus states that He is the Son of God and that the works that He is doing support the idea that the Father is in Him and He in the Father. I was speaking to a Muslim man a couple of weeks ago that said no where does it say that Jesus states He is God and yet these words mention that He and the Father are one and then the Jews of the day go to stone Him and He comes back that they need to look at the work that He does and they will see that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. I wish I would have responded with these words at the time. 

Believers can state that they are in God and God in them. John 3:21, "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” Romans 8:9 - "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." These words are different though from Jesus saying in response to him and the father being One that He is basically of the same essence of God. Jesus is still responding to the question of who He is? For the other writings are speaking of practicing our faith and that as we practice we can be in Christ as doing the work of Christ. This is different from what Jesus said when he was stating that His works will testify that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. 

Tabletalk says, "If Scripture can call men gods who are in reality not divine, how much more is it right to refer to the One who is God as the Lord and Creator of all?" This is to explain how Jesus responds initially to being confronted about blasphemy. Jesus responds by first saying that in scripture, going back to Psalm 82:6 where it says, "I said, “You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High."  

Hmm. I don't understand that word from Ligonier at the moment and the referencew to Psalm 82 seems still to be confusing. So in trying to understand Psalm 82 a little more, My Open Bible says Psalm 82 is "Rebuke of Israel's Unjust Judges." I notice in the NIV and KJV the reading is a little different as verse 1 of Psalm 82 says, "God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”." So NIV and KJV says among the "gods" instead of NASB saying "in the midst of the rulers." So rulers in this passage are gods. Verse 1 - God takes a stand and judges even the rulers, even the gods. Both are elohim, but the particles are different. One means God the most high and the other a man, probably what rulers were sometimes called in that day. So these judges, while all ordained by God, are not doing what they are supposed to be doing as judges. Verse 2 - they judge unjustly. Verse 2 - they show partiality to the wicked. And yet they in verse 3, vindicate or act harshly toward the weak and fatherless. Verse 4 God says they need to "Rescue the week and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked." So these rulers which are also called gods are not acting correctly. As such, these rulers or gods are actually instruments of God. The Word of the Lord comes to these judges, thus they are called sons of Elyon. As such, for Jesus to call Himself the Son of God is not blasphemy. 

Summary: The Jews sought to stone Jesus for speaking a statement of blasphemy but Jesus states God can name him the Son of God, even men from Psalm 82 held this distinction, but Jesus is God incarnate. 

Promise: Christ possesses divine authority inherently according to His divine nature. 

Prayer: Lord, it is a joy to read and study your word, though it takes me time sometimes to understand it. Continue to provide me understanding of Your word here. Thank you for the clarity of Your word in showing that you a mission that many don't understand, but we stand by You and trust in You. 

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

John 10:22-29 - Safe in the Hand of God

John 10:22-29

22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Message: Safe in the Hand of God

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: From the previous passage there was a division among those Jews listening to Jesus with many thinking that Jesus had a demon in Him. Why? Because of what He was proclaiming. That He lays down His life for His sheep (v.11). That the Father knows Him (v. 15) and that in Himself people will be saved (v. 9). And that beyond Israel, he adds the Gentiles as well to the fold of belonging to Him (v. 16). And He will die and be resurrected (v. 17). All this is based upon His authority (v. 18). 

Jesus had entered Jerusalem in chapter 7 following the request of his brother though he did it in His own way. That time was the Feast of the Booths in September/October time frame. Now it is the time of the Feast of Dedication taking place in Jerusalem (v. 22). 

The Feast of Dedication was also called the Feast of Maccabees and now is called Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights. The Maccabees successfully revolted against Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ruled the Seleucid Empire (encompass modern-day Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon) from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC). The Maccabean revolt occurred from 167 BC to 160 BC. The Seleucids were trying to take control of Judea. Jewish practices were banned, Jerusalem was placed under direct Seleucid control, and the Second Temple in Jerusalem was made the site of a syncretic Pagan-Jewish cult. According to the Talmud, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting. Thus, this is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple. 

Jesus is walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. This portico is said to have been on the east side of the Temple, and to have been a relic of the original building of Solomon which had survived all destructions and restorations. And the Jews that have probably been a part of the division (v. 19) encircle him and question Him as to who He really is. Some have said he was a demon (v. 20) but others didn't think He could be demon possessed (v. 21). They want to know if He is the Christ. 

The question is rather preposterous. Jesus continues to state clearly He is from the Father and He is the Son of God. While Jesus does not say "I am the Christ" He has been speaking of who He is and that He is the Son of God. 

John 5:19 - Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “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 7:37 - Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."

John 7:38 - “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 8:12 - Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 8:36 - “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

John 8:56 - "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

John 10:1 - “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber." 

Matthew Poole (1624–1679) in his commentary states, "I have in effect told it you more than once; I have told you that I am sent of the Father, &c., I have said enough for you to conclude it; but you will not understand, you will not receive it, you will not believe what I say. What need you any further witness of it, than those works which I do by Divine power; by virtue of my oneness with my Father, and of that power and authority which he hath committed to me, that by them I might confirm the doctrine which I have taught you?"

This is a sobering reality for many. And a sobering reality for those that know the truth that the reality is many will not conclude the same. Some people are stuck in their ways. Like the man we spoke to at the mall two weeks ago who really would not listen or consider any words that we might say. He was a man that was stuck. And no amount of revelation or words from us was going to change that. 

Jesus points out - you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. The sheep hear his voice and know his voice (vs. 3-4). But these are not His sheep. They don't hear. They may hear words from a mouth, but they don't hear in the sense of understanding and accepting. 

For those that hear and know His voice Jesus confirms their present and future -- My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Sheep have a different path - following Jesus. Receiving eternal life, never perishing. Safe in the Hand of God....always. 

This reminds me that once we are declared safe by Him and perhaps Jesus is the only one that really know who has been declared safe, but for those that are safe they will never be unsafe. They will never be lost. 

Summary: Jews encircle Jesus at the time of Hanukkah and want to know if He is the Christ. Jesus has already repeatedly told who He is. They are not His sheep and cannot hear Him. 

Promise: RC Sproul writes, "We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because He holds tightly to us.”

Prayer: Lord, I am thankful that I can hear you and that I know Your voice. It is a sobering reality Lord that others cannot hear. And yet Lord, you still want me to be a voice to people. You still want me to share. You want me to have the conversations and communicate and find Your sheep. Help me to be faithful in this. I need this. This is not a burden but something I need to do continually. For my own sake in who you have called me to be, I need to speak the truth of You to others. Thank you for the richness of Your word and the clarity of it and the history of You saving your people. This can be seen in Hanukkah that you have always been a God who saves their people, no matter what is going on in the world and who has governmental power, you are always present and near. I praise You God for this. 

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

John 9:34-41 - Spiritual Blindness

John 9:34-41

34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” 38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. 39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains."

Message: Spiritual Blindness

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: Chapter 9 continues with Jesus interacting with a blind man, then healing him and then what follows is interactions with Pharisees, mostly between the former blind man and the Pharisees but now here at the end culminates in Jesus appearing on the scene and speaking again to this man. It is interesting that most of this chapter has been about the blind man bearing testimony. Jesus could have been speaking the entire time but instead the chapter recounts a testimony which is what we have today. Jesus is not here on earth and so life is about providing testimony from us, his followers, his ambassadors on Jesus. 

In the last lesson, I noticed that the former blind man turned the tables on the Pharisees and even tried to preach a little to them. I kind of thought that probably didn't go over well with the Pharisees and sure enough, in verse 34, the Pharisees say, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” The Pharisees undoubtedly believed in different type of people. Moses was significant (from God), they were significant as religious leaders, and then there were sinners. And yet they make this proclamation that the former blind man was "born entirely in sins." As such there is something about them whereby they think they are the authoritative representatives of God.  But also they are echoing the words of the disciples in 9:2 over his condition of being born blind and that the reason for his blindness was that either he sinned or is his parents. 

Jesus shows up. The interaction between the former blind man and the Pharisees has ended and Jesus shows up, not to speak to the Pharisees but to the former blind man. Jesus approaches him and asks a seemingly puzzling question, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"  I suppose he wouldn't need to say, "Do you believe in Me?" because the man has already confirmed this, but instead he asks him a different statement about whether Jesus is the Son of Man. Note: that many of the oldest manuscripts refer to the phrase "Son of Man" and many also believe the reading is "Son of God." Son of Man is a term that Jesus refers to himself. "Son of Man" is referenced 93 times in Ezekiel and then 84 times in the New Testament, most often in Matthew. The man responds to Jesus, "Who is He (the Son of Man)?" And Jesus responds, "I am he." And the man responds by worshipping Him. 

Now, not sure we need to make too much out of the word "worship" here. At this moment, this man is evolving in his understanding of Jesus. I would think this man is already a Christian in the sense that we would think of that term, a changed, saved person, accepted by God for all eternity, but here worship I think is a simple understanding right now of Jesus. He is recognizing that Jesus has authority, special authority that is distinct from others. He is more than simply a prophet. 

What follows by Jesus is I think a very interesting discourse as Jesus basically then says he has come to save the lost, to save the blind. That those who purport that see will not believe. Like today, I sent a response to an Islamic man who has already come to the conclusion that he can see (in his own way). And he is only stating about Jesus that he is merely a messenger. So my focus in talking to him should not be so much as a person trying to rescue him, but more as a person that is trying to make a better defense as to what I believe. As I have learned the chief reason for doing apologetics is to help the Christian better understand what they believe. 

The blind man possessed something in him that he could not control, his blindness, and in the process all that he wanted was to see. The Pharisees judge the man for being blind and in a way, stand with pride, believing that they are greater than this man. They don't have a need. The man has a need and so he seems to be more willing to accept Jesus. Jesus says in verse 39, "For judgement I came into the world." This judgment is not a final judgment, but rather he has come to declare who He is and then see how people respond. What will their judgment of him be? Will they choose to follow or not? So Jesus came into the world to carry out the judgment of each person. This is it: will you believe? Yes or No?

Again, he states a very radical statement, "that those who see may become blind." Here is judgment - do you see? Are you good with your life? Do you think you have the answer to life? Or do you rather have a need? And will you believe in God and depend on Him? What are you trusting in? For those that think they can already see, they are the one's who are blind. 

Spiritual pride was the original cause of sin as mentioned in Genesis 3:4 - "The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!" I know better than God. And many in our world have this spiritual pride. They have already made up their mind, but still others are searching and so maybe the quest in evangelism is finding the harvest (Matthew 9:38). There is a harvest that is ripe. We need to locate it. 

Verse 40 says, "If you were blind, you would have no sin." The Pharisee asks in the previous verse if they were blind. They miss the point of Jesus' previous words "those who do not may see." Once we start with not seeing and in need then we will see. And Jesus says to be blind is a good thing because then you would not be guilty. Proud is the Pharisees. They think they are not blind and see. And for this person, "your sin remains." Find the blind. Find those that are searching. 

Summary: Jesus is the Son of Man and comes to give people the opportunity to either choose Him or go their own way. 

Promise: Many blind themselves to God and His ways by believing they have all the answers, but we are to find the harvest, those that continually want to seek the Light. 

Prayer: Lord, again, I thank you for teaching me through Your words and helping me with this understanding of sharing truth with others. Help me to find your harvest, to find those who truly want to seek You. Lead me to your harvest. Give me opportunities to share my testimony with others of how I was blind, but now I see. Show me other people that are blind in our world and are looking for you to be their Savior and Lord. You are savior and Lord. Direct me and help me to be bold. 

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

John 6:22-29 - The Work God Requires

John 6:22-29

22 The next day the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other small boat there, except one, and that Jesus had not entered with His disciples into the boat, but [that] His disciples had gone away alone. 23 There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You get here?" 26 Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food with perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal." 28 They said therefore to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." 

Message: The Work God Requires

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: Thus far in this chapter Jesus has fed 5,000 and upon seeing this the people wondered if Jesus was their prophet, the one to come and rescue them from their land problems and political difficulties, but Jesus goes off to himself alone, to the mountain. The disciples head to the sea to get to the other side, Capernaum and while they are in a sea storm, Jesus shows up, walking on water and coming to them. 

The multitudes now looked on, having seen the disciples leave in the boat and seeing Jesus there now in Capernaum, but did not see another boat that Jesus had been in. After eating the bread (and fish) that Jesus provided they got into boats to go to Capernaum, again seeking Jesus. Once they arrived, they asked Jesus how he got there. Jesus, as is typical, does not answer question directly as He has more to say to them. And Jesus responds, saying to them, that they continue to follow because they have had a personal experience with Jesus - having been benefactors of the feeding of loaves of bread now and fish. Stated another way, people come to Jesus because they want something - personally. This is not necessarily bad, but Jesus wants them to want more than a miracle. He says "You seek Me not because you saw signs." The people are not seeking after Jesus because they are trying to discover more of God and more of who God has sent. The signs purpose is to point to Jesus and to show that Jesus is more than a mere man, even more than a miracle healer, but He is the Son of God. 

Back in verse 14 and 15, the people want something, but Jesus has a different mission. We must be willing to look at Jesus and embrace who He is. Instead, we come to Jesus with a wish list of what He is supposed to do for us. He is the genie in a bottle, a Santa Clause type. We are selfish. We are needy and Jesus is going to grant us what we need so we can fulfill our life now. 

But now they are to work not for food (Do not work for the food that perishes). Do not focus only on this life, this temporary life. 

Carrie Underwood, the country singer, sang in 2009 with the song of the title, Temporary Home:

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows in rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary home"

Instead of comfort coming from getting my needs of this present life met, I need to focus on eternal life, "for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you." And even as Jesus is explaining this they still feel like they must do something, but Jesus says to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."  Their response is again wondering what work they need to do. But Jesus says to them, the work you do is only to believe. 

This is the message that I need to be trained on each day (I Timothy 4:17-18) because I too often am trained by a message of "It is all about me and all about me now." Jesus says life is all about Him. Trusting Him. Loving Him. 

I have seen this before and it continues. Jesus responds to questions and situations in a different manner and way than people expect because His agenda is different and His prescription to people is rather simple: Follow Me and Believe. 

Summary: Jesus talks to the multitudes, helping them see that they only need to believe in Him in this life and not go after that which meets their own temporary needs of this life. 

Promise: We do faith following a regeneration by the Holy Spirit of us. We are to be filled with Christ and with His grace. 

Prayer: Lord, I am reminded in this text of how I am so focused in this life and going after that which pleases me. I suppose it is a natural way in which I live, but I do want to be trained by You so that My life is being lived in the way that glorifies You. Help me to glorify You. It all needs to come back to You. This is a tricky balance in My life. I suppose I can't help most of the time pleasing myself, but I want to be a person that is focused on the needs of others. I will self-protect myself and will naturally take care of my needs, but my work needs to be for others, for you O God. You will satisfy what I need. Help me to understand this further Lord and to understand You further and How you work in Me, in people to bring them to faith and a knowledge of You. I love this simple milk but I also love solid food that I discover through these same words. Keep teaching me. Keep challenging Me to share this truth with others. 

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

John 5:19-24 - Father and Son Together

John 5:19-24

Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "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. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing, and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father, He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 

Message: Father and Son Together

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: [Note: Well, I've done it again and that is it has taken me a while to get to the next lesson, not yet getting to a message now for the month of September. I was asked to give the message in Sunday School and it had me focused every day for the last 7 days on that message and preparing for it. I did it on Psalm 23. Before that, had computer issues in the house and couldn't log on to the internet and had work troubles in the morning with us not meeting lineup and trying to understand that. Always something. So now I am back to the lessons.]

In my Open Bible (NAS), this section (v.19-30) is called "Equality with God in Power." This has been an interesting chapter for me. Reading Chapters 3 and 4, the main idea I saw was the promise of eternal life that we have for believing in Him, Jesus Christ. And then in chapter 5, after Jesus heals a man with paralysis, the Jews are watching Jesus and commenting on what he is doing and what they are not liking.  It is interesting because as I study this passage it doesn't seem like we even really know the salvation of the man who Jesus has healed. Granted Jesus does try to get the man to focus on his sinful life, even stating that sin causes destruction upon man (v. 14). 

I sort of think at first, how did we get here that Jesus would need to share these words. In verse 16, after Jesus has been doing these things, this healing of the man on the Sabbath, but also that the man was walking around with his pallet on the Sabbath - the Jews of the day don't like it and begin to persecute Jesus or come against Him. Jesus defends himself with the fact that Father God and himself are working in the same way at the same times. 

And then Jesus continues to expand on this. 

Jesus does what the Father does. Jesus sees the Father work and He does the same. 

The Father loves His Son.

The Father raises the dead and gives life. The Son does the same. 

All judgment is given to the Son. 

The same honor given to the Father is given to the Son. 

Eternal life is given to those that believe Jesus has been sent by God. 

This passage appears to be a great basis for the view of Trinitarianism and inseparable operations. The premise of this doctrine of inseparable operations is that the Father and Jesus and the Spirit are not working separately from one another but are working together. Jesus is not another agent or another active agent, instead the work of the three persons of the trinity are works together. They flow from the Father, through the Son, and then in the power of the Holy Spirit. If they were separate, then scripture would take on an entirely different meaning. 

I think what is often difficult about the Trinity for us is how we see ourselves - separate human bodies, each person taking on a role. We want to see three different forms doing three different things. But this is not the Trinity. The sacrificial love shown by the Son is the love of the Father, and the same love the Spirit pours into our hearts. 

A father and mother may love their child, but those loves are distinct. They may appear to be the same but they are not the same love because they are coming from two different persons. But the persons of the Trinity are the same and so the love is the same love. I think of water is maybe a parallel idea. Water is a substance we know, but this water can be born in 3 different forms - liquid, ice, and steam. The water is the same, but it manifests itself differently. The only difference in this analogy is these three can't work in tandem. So there is still a difference between that and the Trinity. God the Father loves us, the son carries out that love through sacrificing Himself on the Cross, and the truth of that love is communicated to us by the Spirit. 

And so this passage speaks clearly of the Father and the Son and what they do is of the same substance - activity, judgment, miracles, honor - and yet separate, but together, and of the same kind. Another way of saying this is every work of God is from the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. Salvation comes to us from the Father through the mediation of the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Augustine of Hippo says in a sermon on this passage that the Father does "every work whatsoever by the Son; so that not any works are done by the Father without the Son, or by the Son without the Father." 

Summary: Every work of God is from the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. 

Promise: We can never achieve the same kind of unity with our Creator that Jesus has, but we can ask God to give us a heart that wants to do only what He calls us in His Word to do. 

Prayer: O Lord, I come before you and speak to you my Heavenly Father and yet acknowledge that the work of Jesus and the Spirit is the same and thank you for your equality and the same work that is being done in creation and even in my life. You are Holy and True. Thank you for staying faithful. And being faithful to me always. Give me strength this day to glorify You always in all ways, in everything I do. 

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

John 3:35 - The Father's Love for His Son

John 3:35
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

Message: The Father's Love for His 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: Verse 35 seems like a culminating verse in what has been voiced thus far. Yet, this is the first time the Father is mentioned in chapter 3. In Chapter 1:14, We saw the Word (Jesus) "glory as of the only begotten from the Father." Jesus in 2:16 asks those in the sanctuary to "stop making My Father’s house a place of business." As such there is clearly a distinction between the Father and the Son. The Father loves the Son. And yet though there is a distinction it also reads here that the Father "has given all things into His hand." As such there is nothing that the Father has that the Son lacks. And yet the Father sends the Son. They share the same divine essence. 

Matthew 11:27 says, "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

John 6:46, "Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father."

Summary: Jesus has it all. He is loved by the Father and the Father has given him all things. 

Promise: God has revealed Himself fully and finally in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer. O God, thank you for sending your Son and giving Him all things. He is all that you are God. 

 

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

John 3:17-18 - Why God Sent His Son

John 3:17-18

17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Message: Why God Sent His 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 mentioned today in my Tabletalk reading, "we should note that most commentators believe that verses 16–21 were not spoken by Jesus but are rather John’s expanded commentary on Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus." It somewhat makes sense because it seems odd in a way for Jesus to say these words about Himself and God. Jesus always spoke of himself as the Son of Man and yet here the reference is to Son of God. And yet because they come from John does not make them any less significant. Verse 15 and 16 is a culmination of the words spoken by Jesus to Nicodemus on needing to be born again. 

Verse 17 is further clarification and the reason God sent Jesus to the world, for salvation to all people. God's desire is to save people. And the way we are saved is through Jesus. Jesus provides a way for sinners to escape condemnation. He is the way and I still can't see how this can be a partnership. To me, it is either Jesus does it all or man does it, but I do not see how it can be shared. 

But condemnation or judgment is the result of not believing. 

I think many thought of the day that the Messiah would come to condemn. Man deserved this. But in these words we see pardon instead. He will at some point judge the living and the dead but his first mission is to save. I see this often in the Old Testament, God's love for His people, their disobedience, His punishment but then also His pardoning of their sin, in order to restore and keep them as His people. God wants to be praised, I believe. 

Summary: Those who look to Christ escape condemnation, but those who refuse to trust Him are as good as condemned already.

Promise: As we share the gospel with others, we need to take care to warn them that rejecting Christ as Savior will mean their eternal condemnation.

Prayer: You are Savior and You are Lord. Thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for making me whole. Continue to draw people closer to You in every way and bring grace and mercy to the world. Help me direct people to the truth of being born again. 

John 1:29-34 - John the Baptist Bears Witness to Christ

John 1:29-34

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Message: John the Baptist Bears Witness to Christ

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: Still thinking about yesterday's lesson. It was kind of a hard one for me in thinking about John. The idea of him being a forerunner and helping others understand Jesus makes sense, but baptism is mentioned and for some reason this seems puzzling to me, but not sure if it should. Hard to find much written on this in commentaries. 

Up to this point, John is mentioned apart from Jesus, but now in verse 29 it states that Jesus came to him. John clearly has an understanding of Jesus that is unique and special. He has a special revelation of him. For the first time in this chapter, the name of Jesus is mentioned. And more clarity is given of this man, who up to this point is Word, Light, Him, One, and is now the Lamb of God. He is the one who takes away the sin of the world. He existed before John. The Spirit remains on Him. This is the Son of God. These are proclamations John is making to others. He is testifying of Jesus. This is his role continuously and that is to speak of Jesus. 

This statement, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" may be misunderstood. It seems obvious or understood that Jesus does not take away everyone's sin which would result in no one being held responsible for being a sinner. But Jesus is the only one who can take away sin. And so this proclamation that John is making is that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the one who will take away people's sin, but still as stated earlier in verse 11 and 12, "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." The idea here is that not all will believe in Him. Not all will believe in the Lamb of God. John is baptizing those that want to be baptized and want to place their trust in Christ. And so this is a great example of how weed to te nhink about the context of passages as we read them. Passages in the Bible do not stand alone. They must be read in concert with other passages. 

Since Jesus "takes away the sin of the world" we can be clear that everyone in the world is who he includes. For many of this day they have thought the gospel was reserved for Jews, but while the Jewish people have been called, Gentiles I believe have always been able throughout history to know God and be grafted in to a relationship with Him. But John does make it clear here that Jesus, as the lamb of God, atones for everyone - rich, poor, servants, men, women, Asians, Americans, Africans, Europeans -- all people everywhere. There is no distinction. 

Also of note is verse 31 when John says, "I did not recognize Him." This actually sheds a lot of light on the situation and tells me that John's knowledge of Jesus and His mission was through special revelation or divine revelation. Albert Barnes states that John had lived in the hill country of Judea and Jesus in Nazareth and before being baptized they had not seen each other. "I did not recognize Him" is repeated again upon Jesus being baptized. And perhaps it is the Holy Spirit that speaks to John to inform him as the Spirit today also speaks to me to inform me about Jesus and who He is and His ways and how I can know him better. And it is probably the Spirit that lets him know that this is the Son of God. John heard this and testified of it. Matthew 3:17, "and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Verse 31 also states, "He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water." Jesus was to be manifested to Israel, to the Jews. 

Summary: John, upon seeing Jesus, perhaps for the first time, testifies that He is the Son of God. 

Promise: From Tabletalk - John the Baptist needed a special revelation from God to know who Jesus was, and this parallels the illumination that all sinners need if they are to see Jesus as Savior and believe in Him.

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, you spoke through Your spirit to reveal Your son to John and you speak to me daily to reveal more truth to me. I thank You and praise You for Your great love and the testimony of who You are. Please, keep giving me understanding of You. 

My Utmost for His Highest - April 8th - His Resurrection Destiny

Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” - Luke 24:26 

Our Lord's Cross is the gateway into His life: His resurrection means that He has power now to convey His life to me. When I am born again from above, I receive from the Risen Lord His very life. 

Our Lord's Resurrection destiny is to bring "many sons unto glory. (Hebrews 2:10)" The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God. We are never in the relationship to God that the Son of God is in; but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship,. When Our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life, to a life He did not live before He was incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before; and His resurrection means for us that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we shall have a body like unto His glorious body, but we can know now the efficacy of His resurrection and "walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4)." "I would know Him in the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10)" 

"As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. (John 17:12)" "Holy Spirit" is the experimental name for Eternal Life working in human beings here and now. The Holy Spirit is the Deity in proceeding power Who applies the Atonement to our experience. Thank God it is gloriously and majestically true that the Holy Ghost can work in us the very nature of Jesus if we will obey Him.

Oswald Chambers - From "My Utmost for His Highest" Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her print edition.  

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God's Final Revelation

Hebrews 1:1-4
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Message: God's Final Revelation

Time: Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They'd done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews feared that they might now turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution.The opinions on the author of Hebrews has varied.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - In these lessons thus far, the focus has been on the doctrine of authority/scripture alone/revelation. I've looked at the difference between natural revelation and special revelation. Natural revelation is revealed through God's creation. It provides a testimony of God, but is not meant to save us. It hopefully helps lead us into a personal identification of our own sin, but often for the non-Christian, although it is there and God gave it, a person exchanges that revelation for a lie and worships the creation rather than the creator. God has given us special revelation through the prophets and apostles and also through the work of sending God, the Son, to earth to speak to man and provide man a physical representation of God, like himself.

As I study these forms of revelation, it is no mystery that many people still believe God can speak through special revelation today and after the revelation that ended with the Apostles. This study from Tabletalk comes from the Reformers of 500 years ago and they believed in the doctrine of sola Scriptura -- the only source of special revelation for the church today is the Bible. God does speak in many ways, but this passage in Hebrews voices that He has spoken finally and definitively in His Son. God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.  I can see the struggle because once it opens up the idea that God speaks through special revelation today, then who has final authority or which brand is the best. Instead of Christianity, is it Catholicism, Mormonism, Islam, Hinduism, Jehovah's Witness - who is it because all believe in special revelation today.

There is a three-fold designation of special revelation: God's Son (Jesus), other New Testament revelation/Apostles, and the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms - Jesus said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 

Beyond Jesus and his earthly ministry, there are other New Testament writers that speak beyond the Lord's earthly ministry, following His resurrection. These words come though from direct eye-witnesses of the resurrection. And only direct eye-witnesses can confirm other Apostles. Thus, special revelation ended with the death of the Last Apostle in the first century. Acts 1:12-26 records the candidates of Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias to the group of Apostles. The idea presented was a man was to be selected, but he had to be one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. The lot fell then to Matthias to join the group of Apostles and restore it to 12 after the departure of Judas Iscariot. It is interesting that the Gospel of Matthias is a lost book, so there was a writing by Matthias. So the Apostles were important and significant. Peter quotes from Psalm 109:8 to apply the words there of Let another take his office to support the replacement of Judas Iscariot.

Yet, we have the words of Paul written to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. It is spoken that Paul went to visit Cephas (Peter) and spent time with him - Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days (Galatians 1:18) and then also Paul with Titus is mentioned visiting Barnabas - Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me (Galatians 2:1). Paul had received a revelation from Jesus to visit them. It started with Jesus revealing himself to Paul at his conversion.

The conclusion is that God's final revelation came by way of the Apostles after Jesus was resurrected. In addition Paul testifies of a personal revelation from Jesus. I must admit confused a little by this, not from the sake of questioning anything he said, but because there are others that stated a personal revelation and have been rejected. I believe Paul's authority is not based though on this personal revelation but rather the thought that the eyewitness apostles commissioned him or confirmed him.

Promise: We should be content with what we have as after the dying of eyewitness apostles, the passing on of confirming authority ended.

Prayer: Lord, I do thank you for the study of doctrine. It is helpful for me to understand thinking and conclusions on these subjects that in many ways I have not pondered. Thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit in speaking to me. Help me to filter out my own understanding and trust instead in You Lord only. Give me wisdom in trusting Your word each day and being confident in your truth. Give me wisdom and understanding Lord.


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 February being about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve.

Psalm 110:1 - Divine Diversity

Psalm 110:1
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Message: Divine Diversity

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I looked at this passage of Scripture in October as I was studying the book of Mark and Jesus took a moment to quote these words from Psalm 110 as he gave a response to a question from the scribes.

At the time of my reading of it, I was interested in the terminology and what Jesus was saying in these verses, namely that He was offering a defense of Jesus and His relationship to Father God. As this verse states - The Lord says to my Lord - so there are two Lords present in this verse with one speaking to another.

As I continue to look at specifics regarding the doctrine of God and have previously studied that there is only one God. All other gods may be claimed to be gods but there is only one true God and He is one. He is a God to all people everywhere for all time. He is also displayed in 3 persons. He is a singular God but has 3 essences in the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. There is often confusion in thinking that this somehow means that we Christians worship 3 Gods, but that statement is invalid. God is still one but throughout Scripture comes on the scene in 3 forms or persons and now we want to look at the idea that those 3 forms are distinct.

The Tabletalk reading today wants to make the point that the Bible does not speak of Modalism which says that while there is one God that God manifests itself at different times as the Father, then other times as the Son, then other times as the Spirit and those manifestations are never at the same time. So, God starts out as Father, then comes to earth as Son, then after ascension as the Spirit. Beliefs are interesting because I notice that people will often try to define something that makes the most sense to them and this idea of God is often a challenge for people and so throughout the ages people try to make God out to be something that fits their thinking but it isn't the entire truth and suddenly we have many different belief systems with millions of adherents and all have a little different picture of God:

• Mormons speak of many gods, so Joseph Smith saw the Father, saw the Son, saw the Spirit. They were separate and Mormons speak of man one day becoming a god. Again, Joseph Smith saw a physical representation of God. Perhaps he wanted to see God and so this became His theology. 
• Jehovah Witnesses also wanted to say that God and Jesus are separate. They have decided that Jesus was on the scene during Old Testament times as Michael the archangel. Thus, they seem to recognize Jesus as being there before he came to earth, but they fit him in as the Archangel and then the Holy Spirit as a completely separate force. Unitarianism is also another name or belief system of this. 
• Islam believes the New Testament text has been corrupted and therefore teaches that the scriptures we have about a resurrection are misconstrued and Jesus was actually a really great man and similar to other men called prophets like Moses and even Muhammad. But, they do not believe in a Trinity and instead focus squarely on only one God, not in 3 persons and call their god Allah. 
• Judaism is another monotheistic belief that says there is 1 God, not 3 persons of the Trinity. There are several holy books that speak of this. It speaks of God having a purpose, man inability to follow that purpose and God repeatedly pulling them back or bringing them back to His purpose. But God is always singular and do not believe Jesus is the Messiah. 

Verse 1 of this passage is very interesting. David is in the middle of a conversation between on one side the Lord, Jehovah, and on the other side, Adonai. The Lord (Jehovah) is speaking to his Lord (Adonai).

Jehovah is one of the primary names for God in the Bible. Sometimes it is used for God the Father, sometimes for God the Son, sometimes for God the Holy Spirit and the context of the passage determines which person of the Trinity Jehovah is. Here in this passage Jehovah is God the Father. The word Adonai or who David refers to as my Lord is God's Son. Therefore, Jehovah is speaking to Jesus.

It is also interesting the word says or said is literally an oracle and this word is only used of a direct utterance of God, sometimes a word from a prophet, but it is more common as a word or oracle coming from God.

When Jesus quotes this passage he adds a statement clarifying where David received these words - David himself said in the Holy Spirit. Thus, the message that David records in this passage in Psalm 110 is not his own, but is said in the Holy Spirit. Thus, in a matter of words Jesus is saying David speaks from the Holy Spirit and witnesses THE LORD (YAHWEH) SAYING TO MY LORD (ADONAI) - SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET. 

Saint Augustine of Hippo who lived from 354 AD to 430 AD, stated:

Christ is both David's Son, and David's Lord: David's Lord always, David's Son in time: David's Lord, born of the substance of His Father, David's Son, born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost...Unless our Lord Jesus Christ has vouchsafed to become man, man had perished. He was made that which He made, that what He made might not perish. Very Man, Very God; God and man, the whole Christ."

The Pulpit Commentary concludes it well:

From this verse (Psalm 110.) our Lord shows that the Messiah, such as he was, was not a mere man, as the Pharisees thought, but that he was God, and therefore David's Lord. The meaning, therefore, is this, "The Lord God said to my Lord," that is, Christ, "Sit thou at my right hand," that is, when, after his cross, his death, and his resurrection, he will exalt him far above all principality and power, and place him next to him in heaven, that he may reign with supreme happiness and power and glory over all creatures. These words show that this is a Divine decree, fixed and irrevocable. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool (ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου); literally, the footstool of thy feet; that is, reign with me in glory until the day of judgment, when I will make the wicked, all opposing powers, subject to thee. The word "till" does not imply that Christ will then cease to reign. "Of his kingdom there shall be no end." But he will then formally deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, only that he may receive it again as the second Person of the Godhead.

Thus, there is a clear distinction in the Bible between the persons of the trinity and their existence is that they are present at all time. Our God is personal.

Promise: God is personal and relates to us and is involved in the affairs of human beings. We must accept the God of the Bible instead of working hard to fit God into our own thinking.

Prayer: O God, as I spend more time in Your Word and reading and studying of You, I thank You that I learn more about You. I thank you for the people that have come before me that have gotten into your Word and understand it and You have given them understanding. Help me though to always see You as You are. It is amazing there are so many different beliefs and yet sad at the same time that so many have not been willing to accept You as You are.

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.

John 1:1-18 - God the Son

John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Message: God the Son

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:

This book opens up not with the story of the nativity scene. Like the Book of Mark, Jesus comes on the scene immediately, but John also takes us back to creation showing that Jesus is not a created one, but was in the beginning as creator and in the beginning with God. This is a text that some beliefs have changed the meaning of as it clearly shows Jesus as God (the Word was God) while those beliefs make it to read Jesus was a god.

John came to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus to get people ready in the belief that Jesus is the Light, sent from God, to witness of Him. It was true that some received Him and some did not. But to receive Him meant that they to would be children of God.

While the Law was duty and keeping commandments, Jesus was about grace and truth. The biblical narrative has always been about redemption. God has redeemed His people. They walk away or turn away and He brings them back. He restores His relationship with them. But, not all believe.

Jesus is God and there are many other examples of this throughout the scripture and gospel writings. For example, Mark 2:1-12 records Jesus claiming the authority to forgive sins. Even in Jude 5, Jesus saved a people out of the land of Egypt. The Old Testament attributes this to Yahweh but Jude attributes it to Jesus. He was God and was with God. While coming to live and walk the earth alongside us Jesus came to redeem and save people. God is still in the work of redemption.

Promise: Only those with hardened hearts ill deny that the Bible reveals Jesus as the Lord God Almighty, worthy of all our love and worship.

Prayer: O God, thank you for redeeming mankind, for continually bridging the gap. Our effort to come to You remain efforts but our attempts our always not sufficient, but you came to earth and saved us. I receive You and want to always receive You. Forgive me when I get to prideful and too concerned with my own name and ways and don't receive You. Thank you for bearing my sin and saving me. Thank you for being the light for all the world. I pray that people would continue to seek You and desire to know you. Help me to communicate that love to others in as many ways as I can.



Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Mark 15:35-39 - The Centurion's Confession

Mark 15:35-39
35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Message: The Centurion's Confession

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:

Preface - Jesus is on the cross being crucified. He came to the cross already weak from the beatings, having the pain of the crown of thorns, the name calling, the belittling, the mocking. He had already endured much and then he had the cross and the pain of being nailed to this cross, though Mark doesn't mention these details. He talks about the people that mocked him while he was on the cross, the passerby's, the chief priests, and the robbers on either side of him. After he endured all darkness fell on the face of the earth from 12 to 3pm and then he voiced to God a fear of rejection plea in saying, "My God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of the bystanders heard Jesus call out to the Father, "Why have you forsaken me?" they said, "Behold, He is calling for Elijah."  The fact that Elijah did not die, but God took Him directly to heaven resulted often led to speculation among the Jews of the day. Elijah became a man that could provide supernatural assistance to their lives in times of need because he was thought to be a supernatural being. But, this was a misunderstanding of who Jesus was, focusing on the man instead of the God who did the work. And even in this moment of Jesus on the cross, it seemed that some bystanders thought they heard Jesus calling out to Elijah, but he wasn't, he was calling out to God. Again, in life, we often hear what we want to hear.

And the mystery of Elijah continues when someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” There are differing details regarding this account. But Mark simply follows that someone saw that Jesus needed a drink. Perhaps his remark at the time of feeling forsaken, feeling thirsty, meant that someone felt compassion for Him in that moment and provided Him one last drink before He would die. Because after this Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. Mark again is not specific on the words of the cry, but that Jesus uttered this loud cry which signified a culmination, an ending for he then breathed His last. He bore a pain and a torment during the 3 hours of the earth being darkened and now he dies And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Crucifixions happened but it becoming dark in the middle of the afternoon with Jesus on the cross was different and now this veil of the temple torn in two was something else different, almost supernatural signs of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross, dealing with sin and then removing the veil or curtain and giving everyone the same access to Jesus.

Then there is what appears to be the first favorable response of someone after witnessing this act from Jesus. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Though others had misunderstood Jesus' words, thinking Elijah, the centurion guard heard something different and responded with the confession that Jesus was the son of God. It was that recognition that He was who He said He was. It was the job of the centurion to watch the crucifixion and confirm that it has been carried out correctly, and obviously in Jesus' crucifixion he witnessed things different. This was no ordinary crucifixion. He confesses him not as the Son of Man which was the name Jesus often referred to himself as, but instead states that He is the Son of God. He is God. He is divine.

Summary - Upon Jesus at the end of His life, He has endured the wrath of God and the divine judgment of sin and he cried out that it was finished. People misunderstood Him and some thought He was calling out to Elijah, but after crying out and breathing His last, one of the Centurion guards, tasked with watching and making the crucifixion makes a confession that Jesus is the Son of God. He is divine.

Promise: RC Sproul says, "The Centurion was the first to realize that something of cosmic significance was happening that afternoon outside Jerusalem." God revealed Christ to this man - wisdom to the unlikely.

Prayer: O Lord, My Lord, How majestic is your name in all of the earth. You conquered death and purchased my sin on the cross of Calvary. You went to the cross free from sin and gave all of yourself. You withstood the pain of the wrath of God and did it all. And immediately people were affected and saw you as you rightly are, the son of God, divine, holy. Help me to keep looking to You and trusting in your Salvation. You are my Savior. You have rescued me. I am free, free indeed.

Mark 14:63-65 - The Humiliation of Christ

Mark 14:63-65
63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest *said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.

Message: The Humiliation of Christ

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:

Preface - Jesus has been arrested and it is Thursday night. He has been seized under the cover of darkness, after he had prayed. The disciples and people fled; even one man who started to get apprehended got away naked, but he still got away. But, then Peter and John followed Jesus to the Sanhedrin court. They first accused Jesus improperly and so Jesus didn't respond. But then they asked Him if he was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed (God). And this time Jesus answered and acknowledged and even spoke of His future.

Jesus has just remarked to this question - “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” And the response Tearing his clothes, the high priest *said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” Blasphemy is speaking sacrilegiously of God. It is not showing reverence to God. The high priest felt like he had all the evidence he needed to condemn Jesus to death because he had admitted to being the Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus had admitted in the previous verses that He had a special relationship with God. He admitted that He was the Son of God and then He also calls himself the Son of Man. Now the question that has been raised is blasphemy here referring just to Jesus having a special sort of relationship with God or it referring to him having more than just a special relationship but being God himself. Traditional Christianity would be the latter while many religions such as Muslims, Jehovah Witnesses and liberal Christians say the former.

What we do know for sure is he was utterly offended. We know this because of the tearing his clothes. This was probably a man of multiple tunics and tearing ones clothes was a sign of exceptional grief. But this wasn't simply a tearing of one's clothes, but it was a violent tear. The Greek word is rent and it implies violent dramatic action. The high priest is making a point. He is calling attention to Jesus' words. But I still wonder what his motivation was in doing this. He wasn't someone that wanted or felt like there was a need for any more evidence. He had all the evidence he needed and getting witnesses to testify against Jesus was more of a formality. So perhaps the tearing of His clothes was more to enunciate with clarity that nothing more is needed for Jesus has made the claim. Was Jesus just embodying an exceptional person or was he stating that He was equal with God and thereby God.

And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. It seems that the JW's for one focus not on Jesus admitted he was the son of God, but instead focus on Jesus saying that he had a special place of distinction at the right hand of God. Whatever this meant at the time, the people felt like he was worthy to be condemned to death. Would Jesus claiming that God has reserved for him a special place be enough for him to be crucified or was this more likely because he was proclaiming to be God.

Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps. It is now about 3am. Jesus has not slept as the night before was his last night of sleep. What follows now is not just contempt but the greatest contempt that people would have on someone. To spit on someone was a sign of this sort of contempt. And then if that wasn't enough there was blindfolding and then beating him with their fists. And Mark and Luke record that they would say to Jesus to Prophesy.

In some ways this is puzzling because nowhere have we seen this type of rage of Jesus and yet it must have been present. There must have been many that equally hated Jesus as those who loved Him in a great way.

Summary - It is now late into the morning and because of Jesus saying that he is the Son of God and calling himself the Son of Man, the charge of blasphemy is given and Jesus is now being spit on, blindfolded and struck with fists.

Promise: Jesus is voluntarily taking this humiliation.

Prayer: Lord, you were humiliated for me. That is clear. Please continue to reveal yourself to me. You were hated in a way I have not seen recorded yet in the Scripture. I worship You.

Mark 12:35-37 - David's Prophecy of Christ

Mark 12:35-37
35 And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit,
'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,

"SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET."

37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

Message: David's Prophecy of Christ

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:

Preface - Jesus has been speaking to the religious leaders of the day and answering their questions. One of the scribes came to Jesus to ask him about the greatest commandment and Jesus responds by giving him the message of Loving God and Loving your neighbor. The scribe agrees and restates those words to Jesus. Jesus remarks that he is not far from the kingdom of God. Thus, agreeing with Jesus on that point was not all that was needed. There was more. But, at this moment, the scribes and others were finished asking questions. 

Now Jesus turns to the large crowd that is gathered to listen to Him and Jesus begins to ask questions. While the questioning of him is finished Jesus still has more to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?" I must remember that Jesus speaks as a religious leader as well. He uses language that would signify something else. In this question, Jesus is saying, "How is it that the scribes say the Christ is only a man or only a son of David?" This was the common complaint of the day or the expectation that the people had of the Messiah. The Jews expected a Messiah that was merely human, thinking he would be a great man but also only a man. 

See there is more that Jesus wants to say that the scribes and religious leaders are not asking. While they are asking about Jesus' understanding of God, they are not directly asking about Him - Jesus - and who He is. 

Jesus quotes the words of David recorded in Psalm 110. This text is cited multiple times in the New Testament. In the Psalm David makes reference to two Lords: the first "Lord" translates the Hebrew word Yahweh, God's covenant name and the second "Lord" translates the Hebrew word Adonai, a title given to Yahweh in the Old Testament. In these verses Jesus shows, through the words of David, the Trinity: (1) David said in the Holy Spirit, (2) The Lord (Yahweh) says to (3) My lord (Adonai).

Thus, Jesus is saying that the Christ, the Messiah is much more that only a man. David himself said in the Holy Spirit, thus David speaks in the power and words of God - THE LORD (YAHWEH) SAYS TO MY LORD (ADONAI) - SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET. And Jesus goes on to further clarify this passage by saying - David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son? Thus Lord, my Lord is Him, the Christ, the Messiah, so the Christ is not his son, but the Lord. He brings together the message that the Lord that David uses in Psalm 110 also speaks of Jesus. Psalm 110 is mentioned more in the NT than any other ancient scripture (Acts 2:34-35; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:21).Jesus is Lord.

Saint Augustine of Hippo who lived from 354 AD to 430 AD, stated:

Christ is both David's Son, and David's Lord: David's Lord always, David's Son in time: David's Lord, born of the substance of His Father, David's Son, born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost...Unless our Lord Jesus Christ has vouchsafed to become man, man had perished. He was made that which He made, that what He made might not perish. Very Man, Very God; God and man, the whole Christ." 

Wow, what a wonderful passage that, frankly, I am just now discovering. Jesus himself is speaking clearly that he is God. And Hippo's phrase "The Whole Christ" reminds me I got a book of that title and didn't read it. Now I know what I think it is speaking about. I think it is so exciting discovering this phrase where Jesus states that He is the Messiah that He is the second Person of the Godhead.

The Pulpit Commentary concludes it well:

From this verse (Psalm 110.) our Lord shows that the Messiah, such as he was, was not a mere man, as the Pharisees thought, but that he was God, and therefore David's Lord. The meaning, therefore, is this, "The Lord God said to my Lord," that is, Christ, "Sit thou at my right hand," that is, when, after his cross, his death, and his resurrection, he will exalt him far above all principality and power, and place him next to him in heaven, that he may reign with supreme happiness and power and glory over all creatures. These words show that this is a Divine decree, fixed and irrevocable. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool (ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου); literally, the footstool of thy feet; that is, reign with me in glory until the day of judgment, when I will make the wicked, all opposing powers, subject to thee. The word "till" does not imply that Christ will then cease to reign. "Of his kingdom there shall be no end." But he will then formally deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, only that he may receive it again as the second Person of the Godhead.

Summary - The scribes and chief priests had been asking Jesus multiple questions and he had been responding. Most of the time they didn't seem to like what He said, but He spoke. But after answering the scribe that came to him his question on the greatest commandment no one would ask him anything again. But He had more to say and the first thing he brings up is that he is not simply the son of David, but He is Lord. A rather remarkable statement from Jesus. What a wonderful declaration.

Promise: Jesus proclaimed His humanity and deity. The whole Christ is the message of His true manhood and His true deity. Because He is man, He could atone for the sins of mankind. Because He is God, this atonement can cover all of our sins past, present, and future.

Prayer: O Lord, discovering this passage, in some ways for the first time, has enlightened me. It puts to silence critics who say you speaking yourself as Lord and God and Messiah is never present. It is here. Thank you for helping me walk through your scripture and see it, in some ways for the first time. Help me now to secure this message in my life and pass it on. I pray that people would rediscover You as I have. Continue to help me to see and know the significance of this message. Thank  you God for revealing Yourself to me. I am forever a changed man. 

Mark 5:40b-43 - Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter

Mark 5:40b-43
40 He took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this,and told them to give her something to eat.

Message: Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter

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: 

Jesus performs a healing, not before a large crowd, but just for a select few. He has pulled in 3 of his disciples for this moment, not the entire crowd and he ends this healing by saying to not tell anyone. Perhaps he knew that this was a miracle that if many got wind of it, he would be possibly arrested for this fanatical healing. He was in Capernaum where he would reside for most of his time, but his time was still just starting.

Many had been laughing at him that he had even got to the house, wondering why a man would even enter a place when the daughter had died and wailers had begun. But, Jesus remarked to them to not fear, only believe. He pulls the father and mother and his disciples into his inner circle. His purpose seems to be to minister to three people - father, mother, daughter - and then also his disciples will witness this event. Mark recounts the exact words Jesus spoke, in Aramaic - “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Aramaic was the common language spoken in that area by the Jews. Mark writes this in Greek, which means he is speaking predominantly to a Gentile population. Thus, the reason he provides the translation of these Aramaic words he has spoken. 

When Jesus speaks, action or response happens immediately. There is no delay. There is no waiting. We witness the power of the spoken word. Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). Jesus is one of action. There was no touching, just words spoken and the girl rose. It mirrors the words spoken of God at creation. He speaks and it happens; creation occurs. There is something clearly very different about Jesus. He has a unique authority that the scribes even see. He has forgiven sin. And so far, like this, he does things that only God can do. He has a power like no one else.

At this they were completely astonished.  People are often surprised by his works. It is said that Jesus is either a Liar, Lunatic, or Lord. It seems like in our day Jesus is often thought to be a Liar or Lunatic by the way people respond to not just him, but his followers. People have bee trained in our day and age in the ways of Peter who wanted to see the nail-scarred hands: if I can't see it, I won't believe it. Despite the fact that the Gospels themselves provide us eyewitness accounts, people still do not believe. Even for this healing, Jesus could have included the crowd, but he didn't. He brought witnesses. That's all that was needed. It's almost like, if people can't believe by a witness, then they won't ever believe.

He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this. As Benson remarked in his commentary - "That he might avoid every appearance of vain-glory, might prevent too great a concourse of people, and might not further enrage the scribes and Pharisees against him; the time for his death, and for the full manifestation of his glory, not being yet come."

Promise: From Tabletalk: There is no “secret method” for growing the church and seeing people believe in Christ; rather, the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God is what the Lord uses to build His church.

Prayer: Lord, you know my desire in reading and studying through this Gospel of Mark is to put myself in the shoes of those that were witnessing you for the first time and honestly see what sort of reaction they were having. I am often trained by other people and I want to be trained by Your Spirit and what you have spoken to me. People often dismiss you and it saddens me because your Word is clear of who you are. I continue to ask that you would draw people to yourself and people would see you for who you really are and believe. Thank you for this message. Thank you for working the way You do. Thank you for healing and providing us witnesses to your message. I believe in the words of those witnesses. I can have confidence in this. Thank You Jesus.

Mark 5:6-10 - Jesus Confronts Legion

Mark 5:6-10
6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him;7 and shouting with a loud voice, he *said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” 8 For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he *said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country.

Message: Jesus Confronts Legion and Legion makes requests to Jesus

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:

As I learned in the previous lesson, Satan is real and active and was attacking Jesus through a man. He did this in his day and there is no reason to not think that he doesn't do this today. I think he does. There is just too much in our world that is not friendly to the things of God. We are getting further away and getting more distracted.

Now to the text:

The man that was not about to be bound ran up and bowed down before Him (Jesus). The Power of Satan in this world, in people's lives, is still subject to Jesus. God still has control. The KJV states that he worshiped Him. The man could have been conflicted in his being, realizing who Jesus was and yet the demon also didn't want to be tormented. In this man is dueling spirits. The demon spirit in the man knows that he is under the Lord's control, while the man may see that he desires to be under God's control. As the man and the demon within him approach Jesus, the man says Jesus, Son of the Most High God. 

John Gill (1697-1771), English baptist pastor and theologian said:

Devils believe there is one God, and tremble at him; and they confess that Jesus of Nazareth, who was born of the virgin, according to the human nature, is the Son of God, according to his divine nature: and whereas they had no interest in him, as a Saviour, they desired they might have nothing to do with him as God; and since they had no share in the blessings of his grace, they beg they might not feel the power of his hand.

This is the best summation I've seen of this text. Devils knew who God was and Jesus but that they did not want to have anything to do with him. And they definitely didn't want to be under the power of God. Thus, the demon responds when Jesus is near - I implore You by God, do not torment me! He knows Jesus and knows his power and doesn't want to have anything to do with it. Like Jesus will just let him off. Come out of the man, you unclean spirit! And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he *said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”  Jesus, by asking his name, wants to communicate to us that the unclean spirits, the demons are many. We must remember that Jesus is always teaching.

This passage is really about the Legion confronting Jesus as well as Jesus confronting Legion. The Legion really wants nothing to do with Jesus and wants to find a way to be clear from him. He doesn't want to be sent far because his desire is to impact pagans locally.

Promise: From Tabletalk- That Jesus could cast out so many demons shows that He was more than a mere man. Rather, He was—and remains—God. We can trust Him to break spiritual oppression and preserve us forever in His kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power you have over the darkness. There are spiritual forces present in our world, around us. You are in control of them. I submit to You. Continue to protect me and bring order to this world of ours, so that more will know you and surrender to you. It feels sometimes that we are going backwards in our world and getting further from You. Change our ways and train us daily to be Godly.