John 15:26-27 - The Witness of God’s Spirit and People

John 15:26-27
26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, [that] is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Message: The Witness of God’s Spirit and People

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: I previously studied and looked at the promise of the Helper Jesus mentioned to the disciples upon his departure, providing them that comfort they would have now that Jesus was physically gone from their preference. This is something the world does not offer. The Helper or Holy Spirit, "whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." 

Jesus repeats this idea in verse 26 of today's passage. Jesus adds another purpose of the Holy Spirit - to testify about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will be sent to us ("I will send to you") and in the midst of the inevitable persecution and hatred that the disciples will receive from the World. that Holy Spirit will reside in us as believers and followers in Christ. Again, on one hand the disciples have this confidence and assurance of the comfort they will have, to have the Holy Spirit walking with them throughout all of life. The Holy Spirit is there to help us continue to hold fast to the gospel. 

But with God in us, the world won't like this or us. And we see this in our world today - that Jesus remains offensive and the Christian remains offensive. But, again, we can hold fast with the Spirit of truth with us. 

In verse 27, Jesus says, "and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." The disciples had been with Jesus for 3 years at the start of His public ministry (Matthew 4:17-22), seeing his works and so they can testify about Jesus as well, of his character and doctrines. Like them, we as Christ's followers bear witness of what God has done in our lives and we also testify of Him. So it is the Helper testifying of Jesus and His followers, here the disciples, testifying of Jesus. And in that process though not stated here we have community with one another. We can encourage one another for we are living together in this path. 

Summary: Jesus sends the helper to testify of Jesus and His followers, the disciples, testify of Jesus as well, having been with him since beginning of His ministry. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Christ is with His people in the power of the Spirit in order to guard us and make us effective witnesses to Him." 

Prayer: O God, you were right, the world knocks us down and you knew this would happen as we have trusted You and know that Your way is the only way. You have sealed me for eternity with You in heaven, clearing me of all charges against me by God of the sin that entangled my life. The world often does not understand, but I do testify of You. But I am not alone and I thank you for sending me the holy spirit to walk with me through all of life's challenges and joys, providing me the comfort of Christ. Thank you God for the truth that pervades our lives and speaks to us. Keep me on the straight and narrow. 

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

John 8:12-20 - The Light of the World

John 8:12-20

12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You are bearing witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true; for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from, or where I am going. 15 You people judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and He who sent Me. 17 Even in your law it has been written, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am He who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." 19 And so they were saying to Him, "Where is your Father? Jesus answered, "You know neither Me, nor my Father, if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, and He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come. 

Message: The Light of the World

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

What the Lord is Saying: Now in verse 12, Jesus continues where we left off in chapter 7, verse 52. He is in Jerusalem, having arrived there for the Feast of Booths and then going to the temple to speak and teach, while also the Pharisees heard and questioned. But Jesus has been firm and clear - we are to seek Him. We are to believe in Him. In Him, our thirsts are quenched. Jesus is sent by God. And what I see Jesus doing over and over is adding more reason to do this, but also pronouncing more and more that He is the answer. 

I am constantly amazed at man's thirst to find answers that primarily include self as the answer. I see it as this training that occurs in our life that to achieve results we must perform. And Jesus here over and over is declaring that He is the answer, not obedience to a construct, like the Law and not obedience to a pattern of living. Our lives need right living that we are reminded of continually by the Law but this right living doesn't result in God's acceptance because as good as the design, we are broken and fail and not perfect, as such not Holy as He is. And so we must keep turning our necks to God and to Him and what He provides for us. 

And so Jesus does that again, here. He says, "I am the light of the world" which is really again a sort of audacious statement, as well as even pompous. He is stating He is it and the Pharisees respond with, "No, you are not." But Jesus is saying that He is the preferred contrast. He is the light to the darkness. 

What follows is what has continued to be consistent in this book - Jesus' defense for who He is - the Father sent Him. 

The complaint by the Pharisees was that Jesus could not self-proclaim Himself. Jesus states that the second witness is the Father. And Jesus mentions Deuteronomy 19:15 - "..on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed." It is interesting because that idea is a tie in to the last passage when the Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery. 

Summary: Jesus proclaims Himself as the Light of the World based upon two witnesses, Him and the Father. 

Promise: We are prone to look for light and guidance everywhere but in Christ. Let us turn from these attempts and seek only the light of Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, You are the light. You not only shine, but you are the contrast to the darkness and a contrast to the dark and dissatisfying world in which we live. I know You to be My Light. And I pray that You would lead me continually to uphold it and make You known. 

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

John 5:37-47 - The Witness of Moses and the Scriptures

John 5:37-47

37 And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. 39 You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me. 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men. 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?

Message: The Witness of Moses and the Scriptures

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 lesson - John testified of Jesus prior to His coming and Jesus is sent by the Father and in the miracles He performed this also testified of Him. In these passages, Jesus is replying to the Jews still that are coming to him, questioning his claims of calling God His own Father. In verse 33 Jesus says, "You have sent to John" and the words of Chapter 1:19 can be recalled which said, "And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" - So 'You' that Jesus mentions repeatedly in these passages are the priests and Levites the Jews sent to find out about Jesus and probably more on the accusatory level of "Who do you think You are?" And yet in that confrontation Jesus is telling us who He is, who sent Him and the authority in which He works. And in the process we get this testimony now in the words of Scripture. 

The words of verse 37, "The Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me" are such powerful words that I often just read and yet in pondering them. That Jesus is in fact testifying of his equality with God. He isn't referring to God as God, but His own Father (v. 18). And Jesus is rather sharp in his words toward the these scribes and in a way, assaulting them by saying that they have not heard the voice of the Father (v. 37) nor "have His word abiding in you." Because they don't believe in Jesus. To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father. And you can't have the Father unless you also believe in Jesus. 

See this is the kind of phrase that really kind of makes me stop myself in my tracks. In thinking of the Trinity, even if we don't define it as "Trinity" how can we reconcile these words with the idea that Jesus is simply a man. To say that the Father does not abide in someone unless they believe in Jesus are very strong words. How can a religion even only call Jesus a great prophet. This isn't a momentary, one-time hearing of the voice of the Father by Jesus. And again, this is all in response to Jesus being accused of equality with God and calling God His own Father (v. 18). No wonder Islam totally rejects the book of John as scripture.   

Jesus has witnesses to His claims: the Father, John the Baptist, and Jesus' own miracles. And the testimony of Jesus bears more witnesses. Jesus points out that the scriptures bears witness as well (v. 39). And yet the mere study of scriptures does not merit eternal life. People miss the revelation of God all of the time. Jesus points out that in the Old Testament words of Jesus by Moses writings (Genesis-Deuteronomy) we have a testimony or witness of Christ as well. Jesus remarked that Moses wrote of Him ("For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me.")

This is an interesting passage as it shows us that people refuse to believe. People make the choice to not believe in Jesus. They want the answer to come in another way. They don't want to believe in Jesus. Even when Christ is presented to them, they won't believe. It is a hard realization but a true one. 

Summary: The witness of Jesus continues with the words of Moses and the writings of Scripture, which testify of Jesus Christ and His glory. 

Promise: All of our study of Scripture should lead us to glorify Christ and praise Him for His great salvation. 

Prayer: Lord, it is hard to deal with this issue of people rejecting You despite hearing Your truth and Your Gospel. But in reality it is true, people want to find truth and meaning in other ways. Direct me to those that You want to save and help me to help them and give understanding to them. Thank you for the testimony of You and for the clarity of it and for giving it to us from so many sources: the Father, miracles, scripture, Moses. Thank You for speaking to me with such clarity. 

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

John 5:30-36 - Testifying to Jesus

John 5:30-36

30 I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 31 If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 But the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for 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. 

Message: Testifying to 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: Jesus continues to speak, answering (v. 19) the Jews (v. 18) and how they were seeing Him do things on the sabbath day that they felt He should not do, but also was God His own Father (v. 17), making Himself equal with God. 

And Jesus testifies that He does what He sees the Father doing. The Father begot the Son, yes. And yet the two have always existed. In believing in Jesus we have eternal life (v. 24) and Jesus has the same authority as the Father (v. 27). 

Jesus mentions (recorded in v. 30) that He works not on His own, but on the initiative of the Father. His judgment is just, because He does it by the will of Him (Father God) who sent Him. 

He makes it plain that He cannot bear witness of alone Himself (v. 31). An interesting note because of how many other religions get started because of one person's testimony or belief or even thought of God's appearance on their life. And then afterwards seek out others to bear witness, but the witness of Jesus is first from John. His witness precedes His testimony to people. Again, I think of two notable individuals in history that started religions - Mohammed and Joseph Smith. Would not their arrival been true if their was someone that preceded their arrival? And yet, neither had such a person. And there are many more like this in which someone self-proclaims themselves. 

And then He shows that His true calling and true witness is greater than John, but of the Father (v. 36). He is sent by the Father. The witness of Jesus is not merely from a man though this is of great impact to many hearers. But Jesus is clear that his chief witness is that He is from God (v. 34). 

As I look further at verse 35 in which Jesus refers to John as the lamp, I also remember John 1:8 in which John states, "He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light." And yet I am not sure of its similarity to this text as Jesus speaks of John being the lamp and people rejoiced in his light. 

But not only John and not only the Father, Jesus remarks that His works, the miracle He performs are a testimony of His teaching. It is not only others that have come, but His work itself testifies of the greatness of who He is. Again, he is set apart from others by what He has done. Sometimes I have not held highly the works of Jesus because Jesus I think often thought that people just came to Him to see the outcome or benefit from the outcome of His healings, but I need to also remember that it His healings and miracles that also speak and testify that He is sent by God. 

Summary: John testified of Jesus prior to His coming and Jesus is sent by the Father and in the miracles He performed this also testified of Him. 

Promise: We have much to proclaim to us of the validity of Jesus - His own teaching, the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of the Father, and the witness of our Lord's miracles. 

Prayer: Lord, You are good. Your ways are true. They are right and Lord, your ways are great because of who came before You and who sent You and then Your works also testify of who you are. You are not simply one that came with words, but others prepared your way and Your words testify of You. Help me to remember this and remember this - to help to testify of You continually. You are to be praised and glorified. 

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

John 4:27-30 - The Samaritan Woman Bears Witness to Jesus

John 4:27-30

And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He had been speaking with a woman: yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or "Why do You speak with her?" So the woman left her water pot, and went into the city, and said to the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done, this is not the Christ, is it?" They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. 

Message: The Samaritan Woman Bears Witness to 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: Immediately as I read this scripture, I am encouraged to tell others about my experience with Jesus that I have. I love to read God's word and love to be around people that He has crated. They are an encouragement to me. I need to be more about people. And loving and caring for them. It is hard times in my world because of the position I am in and I wonder if people view me like this. 

The woman expressed a lot of faith. The disciples showed up and once again were surprised at Jesus and how he was speaking to people. We look first to what is appropriate rather than looking first to people and who they are. I do it often as well. I wish I was not like this. 

Tabletalk reminds me something that I forget and that at this time of history, it was viewed a waste of time to even speak to women. It is kind of amazing to think about, but it's only been a little more than 100 years that a woman has been allowed to vote (1920) in this country. At this time, many Jewish men would not even speak to their wives and it was thought to be a waste of time to teach them the Bible and yet Jesus is not only speaking to the woman but offering theology to her. These may seem like small details to emphasize but they are actually big deals. 

And the woman was so eager that she left behind her water pot. And then people listened to her. So she not only went back and spoke but people didn't ignore her but listened. 

Summary: After the Samaritan woman has an encounter with Jesus, she goes back to tell others and they come out to see Jesus. 

Promise: The gospel is not only for the respectable and those who have their lives together. The gospel is also for the outcast, the dysfunctional, and those who have made shambles of their lives.

Prayer: Thank you for loving all and showing value to all people. You set a great example that I need to emulate and I haven't always done this nor continue to do this. Forgive me. Thank you for the reminder here to be vocal as well about what I believe. I need to be your biggest cheerleader. Forgive me for not being that. Thank you for loving me and accepting me anyway. 

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

John 3:11-13 - The Witness of Jesus

John 3:11-13

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.

Message: The Witness 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: Jesus is continuing to speak to Nicodemus. Nicodemus begins by acknowledging that Jesus has come from God clearly because of the signs he is doing. Jesus sort of switches gears and tells him that to enter the kingdom of God he must be born again. This doesn't make sense to Nicodemus. Jesus clarifies and speaks that one must be born of water and the Spirit. It is the Spirit that awakens people to having this desire to be born again. Nicodemus does not understand. Jesus remarks he is a teacher and does not understand. 

Then today we pick up Jesus continuing to speak. He says, "we speak of what we know" and "testify and what we have seen." And yet Nicodemus does "not accept our testimony." Interesting he says, "we" and "our." And Jesus explains further and contrasts between earthly things and heavenly things and Nicodemus not believing either. And then speaks of descending from Heaven: the Son of Man, which I think is the first time Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man here in John. 

In verse 13, Jesus remarks that "no one has ascended into heaven" and then come back to earth to explain it. But he says that "He who descended from heaven - the Son of Man." He himself had come from heaven to earth to tell all about heaven. Thus, Jesus has been granted special insight into the mind of God. 

In verse 12, Jesus remarks about learning and understand and that before you can understand the heavenly things you must understand the basic or earthly things. 

Summary: Jesus testifies that He has come from heaven to speak of the things of God. We must know the basics to understand the heavenly things. 

Promise: We must trust what Jesus says about matters both basic and advanced, so let us seek to receive Him at His Word always.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have given me new life, and I am born again, believing in You. Thank you for informing me and teaching me and testifying of God so that I can understand all that He is. Glory to Your Name on High. 

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. 

Acts 1:6-11 - The Glorious Return of Christ

Acts 1:6-11

6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Message: The Glorious Return of Christ

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: In reviewing the subjects of eschatology, one subject that everyone seems to be able to agree upon is Jesus Christ's return. And this passage in Acts 1 is one of the clearest. 

Acts 1 begins with the apostles witnessing Christ's return to the earth - over 40 days and speaking of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is inheriting eternal life. It comes about by receiving a gift by God through Jesus Christ. And it is the work of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in verse 5 when it mentions being baptized with the Holy Spirit. And then in verse 6 the apostles follow up by wondering if the kingdom of Israel will be restored. The apostles are eager for the ultimate outcome. But then Jesus reinforces His words spoken in verse 5 the work of God's children, "You shall be baptized..." by saying that the time of restoring the kingdom of Israel is not for the apostles to know. The apostles do not need to know and we can find comfort in this and that God is in control of these outcomes. 

Rather, the apostles have a responsibility - to be His witnesses. And yet this responsibility is not by their own doing. But rather in verse 8, "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." 

They are wanting something, but Jesus instead says, salvation of His people is what is needed and God will not leave them stranded but instead through the Power of the Holy Spirit in their lives they will be able to preach the Gospel, usher in the kingdom of God. And ultimately this will probably result in what they are asking, for Israel to be restored. 

I spoke to someone yesterday who was studying Eschatology and he was mentioning Christ's return and dates and I mentioned I don't study this much and maybe because I believe I need to heed these words - that those details are not for me to know or work on discovering, but instead I have a mission now and it is to preach the gospel. It is to get out God's truth. It reminds me that over and over that I can be deceived and people can be taking off course of preaching the gospel. We must guard against this. Jesus clearly tells the apostle their mission - be my witnesses. 

The return of Christ is glorious. It is personal. He rose from the dead and spent 40 days with His people. He will do this again. He will be seen. The apostles saw Him personally and visually. And it is glorious. He leaves earth by a cloud. Exodus 40:34 -- Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. A cloud is there with the glory of the Lord. God is to be glorified. He raised Jesus and He brings Him out of the earth and so we can expect He will return again with God's glory. 

The angels spoke -- This Jesus will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.

Summary: We can all agree that Jesus Christ will return. In the meantime, we are to focus on being His witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Promise: Do not be found idle upon Christ's return. 

Prayer: O Lord, you are majestic and Your ways are perfect and true. Help me to stand by Your word and not to get distracted by other things, even things that may be about discovering You. I want to be faithful to the calling You have sent me to do. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit and His power to do this work.  

Mark 16:12-13 - Appearances of the Resurrected Lord

Mark 16:12-13
12 After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

Message: Appearances of the Resurrected Lord

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 risen from the dead. Initially, it is the 3 women that go to the tomb to anoint him further for burial, but upon getting there and wondering how they are going to roll away the stone see that the stone is already rolled away. They go inside and there is a young man -- an angel -- there letting them know that Jesus has risen and He will meet them and the disciples and Peter at Galilee. The women leave, but initially don't tell anyone, though it could be fear they felt for the people of Jerusalem who had just crucified him. Jesus then appears to Mary first and she goes to tell the disciples, but they don't believe her. They are busy mourning the loss of Jesus. Mary, as a woman, is not a credible witness that Jesus has risen.

After speaking to Mary Magdalene directly, Jesus comes upon Jesus appearing to two men walking into the country. After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

This gospel is now recording Jesus' appearance to different people. He appeared to Mary Magdalene but we don't have words spoken and now also Jesus is appearing to two and nothing is recorded of Jesus' words. Here, he appears in a different form, almost like he did not appear to them in the form of Jesus. People were not believing Jesus had been risen again and yet the writer here is not very specific, as Mark has been, about this appearance. It could be that he was just taking on a different identity that was not immediately apparent to these men. This could have been 2 disciples, and although they believed, the audience that they told did not believe. This was odd because these were now men, and thus credible witnesses but it is possible that the disciples that had received the message still did not believe and still was not accepting of this message of Jesus having risen from the dead.

Summary - Jesus is making an appearance to people and while those witnessing his appearance are believing, the individuals the message being passed onto are not believing. But Jesus is risen and is appearing.

Promise: People have to receive insight in order to believe in Jesus, even to this day. Despite the evidence, the message is not immediately believed.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I would be a person that believes and accepts you. Help me to be compassionate toward people who do not believe the evidence. There is evidence of You but even that evidence is not always believed. Lord, I pray your message would be more central and be repeated to people more and more.

Mark 16:9-11 - The Preservation of Scripture

Mark 16:9-11
[9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.]

Message: The Preservation of Scripture

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 risen from the dead, according to the young man inside the tomb that the 3 women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Silome) heard from. They are to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus will meet them at Galilee. The 3 women leave, but tell no one in Jerusalem; they have fear. [The words of Mark perhaps have come to a close; and now verses 9-20 are from someone different.]

These verses obviously seem different, perhaps a 4th gospel writer. There are differing opinions of these following verses but generally it is thought that Mark's words were destroyed and these words were then created to close out this writing and parallel the accounts of Matthew and John

Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. As I have talked about, the fact that Jesus first appears to a woman and that is the record is odd given the fact that a woman's testimony is already not highly thought of during these times. Not any more should be read into Mary Magdalene's life than what we know from scripture. Mark has previously not recorded this casting out of demons. It is recorded in a small way by Luke in 8:2 - and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. This casting out occurred for Mary at a young age. She must have been affected by it throughout her life for she continued to follow Jesus later in life. There were 7 demons in her, thus she was completely overrun by these demons as 7 is a number of completeness.

She went with the other women and reported to those who had been with Him (the disciples which is what the young man (angel) had asked them to do, while they were mourning and weeping. So they were mourning and weeping. They had lost their deer Master. Despite the fact that they had somewhat fled and not identified themselves with Him, out of fear of being caught and seized as well, but still they knew their master to be great. They knew Him to be one they adored. For three years they had followed Him and been with Him watching Him do things that they could not do. And now it was over. They were at a loss. They had been corrected many times of their little faith. They had been tasked to do things by Him but they often failed. They failed to see the way He saw things but instead they were short-sighted. Obviously, they had big emotion now. It had been 2 days, but the weeping and mourning was still fresh. Yesterday was probably the events of the Sabbath, but today they were free once again to dwell again on what they are missing now not having Him with them. I guess I think of this mourning and weeping because I sense in myself that same sort of way in which I have at various times in my Jesus following life times of turning away and not admitting that I am with Jesus - and following those times there is remorse; there is discouragement.

When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. Despite Jesus repeatedly telling them that his death and resurrection were imminent they still did not believe it was actually going to happen. Yet, he did die as he said he would and yet they still did not believe that He had actually been made alive. Their faith is surely shallow and yet they would all one day die for Him. They were people that obviously had to go through a lot to actually have faith in Him. Many people today live in the same way - they are a hard sell to the Gospel of Grace. And it also that they did not believe because Mary was the one stating it. See, once again, the words of a woman are not reliable. The disciples don't even believe.

Summary - At this moment, all that this present is the witness of a woman and that is not reliable evidence so therefore the disciples do not believe. A young man (angel) has spoken to the women, but the disciples have not seen Jesus and so they do not believe. Yes, they are still sad and mourning over their loss, but they don't believe.

Promise: Despite the communication of truth, people still do not believe. Even disciples who were with Jesus for 3 years and saw firsthand all that he did, still when they are told by a woman that He has risen, they still do not believe. We are people of little faith. I need to have more compassion toward those who do not believe.

Prayer: Lord, you are teaching me right now that I need to have more compassion toward other people that question You and do not have a belief in You. Help me Lord to believe this. I was saddened last night at a Christmas party to witness so many people deceived as they lived their religious life, were friendly, and nice, and yet did not have the complete message and why would they even believe. It was sad to witness and yet I stood there silent. I kept my faith within me and didn't take the time to share to even those that could hear. Lord, help me to have more compassion toward other people. Forgive me of my repeated sin of judging and making myself out to be better than others. Yes, I am thankful You have saved me but remove that pride from my life. I want to be a servant. Make me a servant.

Mark 16:1-4 - The Rolled-Back Stone

Mark 16:1-4
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.

Message: The Rolled-Back Stone

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 crucified. On the cross there was a point that darkness fell over the face of the earth, from 12pm to 3pm. Mark does not record what occurred then but after this Jesus felt rejected and exclaimed "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Shortly thereafter he cried out and then breathed his last. The centurion guard there to watch to make sure he was crucified and now dead said, "This is the Son of God." Joseph of Arimathea, a Sanhedrin, asked Pilate if he could take the Body of Jesus and wrap it in linen and to a tomb he had prepared for Jesus. It was a special burial in which he rolled a stone in front of the tomb. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome were watching from afar.

The custom at this time was o anoint Jesus for burial. He was placed in the tomb on Friday, but no work could be done on Saturday, so instead they came to him on Sunday. Jewish custom was that this had been 3 days when probably it was more like 48 hours, but the Jews counted a partial day Friday as a full day, then Saturday, then Sunday, even though it was also just a partial day. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Here they are finishing the burial customs.

Very early on the first day of the week (Sunday morning), they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. Thus it was the light of day, not in the darkness, but in the light. And there was no expectation on their part that He would rise again (despite Him saying 3 times previously that He would). As they arrived, They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Men had rolled the stone and they obviously did not think they had the strength to roll it.

Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. So as they were asking who should roll the stone away, they looked up and saw that it had been rolled away already.

Mark provides not much of a description of the events, as compared with more detail that Matthew provides. Mark's explanations are sort of 'matter of fact.' It is interesting over the course of the past year in studying this book of the way in which Jesus is presented. Even as I look at commentaries of these passages, the commentaries can't seem to help but offer more details of these events based upon the words spoken by the other authors. I've been trying to evaluate the text based only on Mark's words. I must admit that it is a challenge to not bring in the other information that I know. I suppose my reason for not bringing in the other author's comments is because Mark must have said what he had for a reason so I wanted to judge it just based upon what He said and who he thought Jesus was.

Overall, I'm still coming to that conclusion myself. There really is just one time that the word of "repent" is recorded by Jesus and that was at the very beginning of this book (1:15). After that there is no mention of that again. And now even in the study of Jesus on the cross, what he writes is not so much what is recorded by Jesus but the response of those around Him.

Summary - Today's summary is not real exciting on some level. 3 women head to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. It is Sunday morning, at the dawn of light, after the sun has come up. As they approach the tomb they wonder who is going to roll the stone away and see that it is already rolled away. That's it. They arrive and the stone is not obstructing the tomb.

Promise: Unexpected things happen when following God. In some ways, we need to prepare for the unexpected.

Prayer: Lord, continue to help me understand the truth of Your word from this gospel writer. I want to see what He saw and experience what He experienced through Peter. It amazes me what is written, especially because writing things down was not easy in those times. But, your words have been inspired. Lord, you do unexpected things in my life and I need to not be surprised by these events. Help me to discover you as You are.

Mark 14:53-60 - Jesus on Trial

Mark 14:53-60
53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together. 54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. 57 Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. 60 The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”

Message: Jesus on Trial

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 - The high priests, scribes and elders have seized Jesus after he had finished praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, under the cloud of darkness. After he is taken away everyone around him flee's; they do not go with him. Even another man who was thought to be part of Jesus was seized but he got away. Jesus willingly went. It is now still late Thursday night.

They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together.  The high priest was Caiaphas, though first probably taken before Annas, in his palace. Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. Though at first, Peter and all the others had fled from Jesus and his seizure, but later they would follow after him, he and John, to see what would happen to him. It was a chilly night and Peter was warming himself by the fire that was made in the center of the court.

Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. The chief priests and Council had an objective already and that was to put him to death. They had already decided this (Mark 12:12) as they wanted to simply shut him up for good. But they still were looking for a reason so they didn't appear to be unfair. For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. They are eager to find witnesses against Jesus. Yet Mark records the words that even in so doing, it was false testimony for there was no witness that was viable or true. And therefore it was all not consistent. 

Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying,“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. Mark seems to be showing the inconsistency in the testimonies and that the normal requirement of two or three witnesses needed to land a conviction had not complied. It is interesting that his accusers go back to 3 years ago to accuse Jesus of something he said then. It is recorded in John 2:18-21 - The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So even in the witnesses trying to speak of an event to condemn him as they were misunderstanding its application for he wasn't even speaking of the temple, but his own body. Jesus never said that he would build another temple without hands.

The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” There was no reason for Jesus to respond for all that was said was false nor is it necessary for him to respond when he knows his words would not be received. I discovered this as well when I speak to people that are confronting the claims of Jesus. It is not like they are trying to figure out an answer, but they already have the answer and are just looking for ways to beat it down and show that it is illogical.

Summary - Jesus begins to be on trial but the way he is accused is not done very well. The testimonies of people conflict. His accusers bring up an event from 3 years ago and then misquote Jesus. Jesus remains silent. There is nothing to respond to as nothing is said in any truth, but also there is no reason because the leaders have already decided his fate and are simply going through this process as a formality.

Promise: Jesus suffered injustice from evil men and this helps us to better understand His mercy.

Prayer: O Lord how majestic is your name. You endured unjust accusations and yet you had a mission to forgive sin through your death in spite of the backwards ways of your accusers and unjust claims they were making. Thank You for saving my soul. Thank You lord for making me whole. Than you Lord for thy great salvation so wonderful and free.

Mark 5:18-20 - A Witness to the Decapolis

Mark 5:18-20
18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. 19 And He did not let him, but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.


Message: A Witness to the Decapolis

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:

Mark has been rather thorough in his explanations. Mark 4 was thorough about Jesus and the gospel falling on good soil and then the response that takes place from those and/or needs to take place. Chapter 5 has been about the way Jesus has authority over what is inside a person, namely demons and their real place in this world. But, in each chapter Jesus is clearly shown as the one with ultimate authority. And yet there are demonic forces in our world today, wreaking havoc.

The man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him (Jesus) that he might accompany Him. I wonder if Jesus was getting into the boat alone or the disciples were also with him. There may have been others as well and the demon-possessed man wanted to come along and be with Jesus. It makes sense. Without him, he had been demon-possessed and perhaps feared for his past life; but also, he had been impacted by Jesus and the benefactor of his strong work and wanted to simply be with him. Who wouldn't? But perhaps it was more important for this man to return to his life and speak of the impact Jesus had on him, thus evangelizing and then also living his life. He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." There was an aim in Jesus calling disciples, for a purpose, but this man had already been impacted and could be a gift now to his people. This man is similar to us today. Jesus has had an impact on us and now we are to have an impact on those around us.

And Mark shows us in this passage that the man did what Jesus had asked him to do. He was a witness. He did it. And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. See, this works out the way Jesus drew it up. He left and went back to Decapolis and everyone was amazed.

Earlier in this chapter there was a different response to Jesus when they saw what he had done to the swine and the demon possessed man, they began to implore Him to leave their region (v. 17). That was one response: get away. And now Jesus shows us the other response: go and proclaim. The man was effected, while the people nearby were not. The man could now be a witness for Jesus.

Promise: From Tabletalk: One day we will see the Lord face-to-face and enjoy His presence forever. Until then, we have been commissioned to preach the gospel and declare God’s saving grace to the nations. This mission is for us all, though in God’s providence, each of us has a different part to play. In obeying Him and carrying out our role in this mission, we demonstrate our gratitude to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, you remind me here that your ways are the best ways and we are to submit and surrender to You and let you speak to us about the path we should go on in life. I like to think that I know best most of the time. That somehow my way is the better way, but Lord you have authority over all and you know all. Help me to submit to You, follow you and then do what you ask of me.

Proverbs 6:18-19 - Four More things God Detests

Proverbs 6:18-19

¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

 
Message: Four More things God Detests

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

So I continue with 4 more things that God detests. 

• A heart that devises wicked plans - these are sins that we commit internally. Our holiness goes beyond what people see to what they do not see. Do I spend time plotting evil or unrest in people? Do I go over and over and over, in my mind, those events? I think I often have a tendency to not only do this but also inside to think about how not wicked I am in comparison to others. In so doing, I am committing wicked acts. Granted, there are wicked thoughts in me, but when I begin to rehearse them and repeat them, there is a problem. I don't have to do the act, thinking it is enough. 
• Feet that run rapidly to evil - This is almost a continuation of the thoughts I might engage in, on wicked grounds. Here this is carrying those thoughts to action. One can fall into or slide into sin, but the language here is expressing something different. It is rather a swift attitude towards running to sin. Obviously one that acts on their evil thoughts will come under a bigger scrutiny because their actions will definitely affect others. 
• A false witness utters lies - The second sin was a lying tongue, so this sin is different from that one. The second sin was personal and its effect was primarily on self, even though lying effects others. But this one is more specific to our witness or my relationship with my neighbor. This is a repeat of the 8th commandment, bearing false witness. If nothing else, I can conclude that God hates lying. In some ways this is the lying chapter and the writer is reminding his reader how much we need to guard our words. 
• One who spreads strife among brothers - this is the 7th sin. This is the sin that the writer states is an abomination to the Lord. First, one has a personal lying tongue, then his lies affect others, and now he spreads strife among brothers. If there is one thing I know I did as a father to my children is encourage strife. Once someone disobeyed, I often shamed them into that feeling of worthlessness. That is unfortunately a shining example of this detestable act. It is striking discord or disturbing the community we have. In the original language these words means one who scrapes with his feet, draws them backwards and forwards on the ground in order thereby to give a sign to others.

Promise: Be careful of my speech, both inward and outward. It has an effect on many, most namely myself.

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the forgiver of my sin. Thank you for Jesus and the salvation I have. You have given me life and abundant life. You have rescued me. Thank you Jesus. Now, continue to correct the wrong in me and help my words to be few and certain and not lying and not hurting towards others. Thank you for this lesson.