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

John 3:16

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

Message: God's Love for the World

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John 3:14-15

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

Message: The Son of Man Lifted Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John 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 3:9-10 - Mysterious Regeneration

John 3:9-10 

9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

Message: Mysterious Regeneration

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

What the Lord is Saying: As I have been looking at this passage, what has stood out is the Work of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirt, in awakening people to regeneration. We do not see this with our eyes. We only see the outcome of this in what a person says and acts. The Spirit is also likened to the blowing (invisible) wind. 

Some churches teach baptismal regeneration or that baptism is needed for salvation. But if the Spirit's work is invisible, how can we say that the personal act of baptism will regenerate a person? Baptism seems to be more a picture of the cleansing and renewal that occur in regeneration. It is necessary, but I don't think it is salvific. But let me study more.  

Going back to verse 5, what does it mean when Jesus says, "I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit?" In verse 9, Nicodemus asks, "How can these things be?" Verses 5 - 8 are recorded within quotes and as one complete quote and thought by Jesus. It starts with verse 5 and then also includes mentioning the contrast of water/Spirit and born of flesh, but most of the discourse of these verses is regarding the Spirit. And yet, with Nicodemus response of "How can these things be?" we wonder if he is also mentioning the idea of being 'born of water' in verse 5. As such, the challenge here is to determine what meaning was trying to be conveyed by Jesus here. 

[Note: Looking now at commentaries.] John has already been mentioned and so baptism seems to already be apparent. In the Tabletalk reading of today, the writer mentions that Christian baptism has not been instituted yet. That statement seems odd but maybe 'John the Baptist baptism' and 'Christian baptism' are different. And yet John made the statement that while he baptized with water, Jesus would come and baptize with the Spirit (John 1:26, 1:33). And so this must have been in the mind of Nicodemus when he said, "How can these things be?" 

Perhaps what is occurring is a combination now: water and Spirit. Jesus is recorded as saying in Mark 16:16, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." I think some have argued that since Jesus stated condemnation does not include baptism that somehow baptism is important for salvation. Not sure about that. It seems clear as I have discussed that the heart must be changed by the Spirit. 

Ezekiel 26:25-27 is an interesting set of verses running parallel to this:

25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

This is a great set of verses and has become one of my favorites since seeing the movie, "The Case for Christ" when I first realized verse 26 as it was a verse the wife was encouraged to pray over her husband, Lee Strobel, for his salvation. And it is a verse I have since echoed often for my youngest son. 

It is a fascinating set of verses declared by the Lord (as stated in verse 16). He says that after giving his wrath to them, in coming out of the land, he declares his name above the nations by saving and setting apart these people. He saves people. Why? To make His name great (v. 23). It speaks of being sprinkled which introduces another idea in the water baptism realm. But with the clean water the person is clean. The Lord will give a new heart and put a new spirit in them. And put His Spirit in them and cause them to walk in His statutes and they will carefully observe ordinances. Some may say this was only meant for Israel at this one time, but that seems odd to say that for God to act differently from one people group to another.  

Numbers 19:19-20 is another interesting verse because it shows similar words of washing that was needed by the Jews, and thus needed to be clean, to even appear before God in the tabernacle or temple: 19 Then the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify him from uncleanness, and he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and shall be clean by evening. 20 ‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean.

Yet, Matthew Poole in his commentary writes this, "Thus our Saviour plainly instructs Nicodemus of the absolute necessity of an inward spiritual change and renovation, thereby showing the inefficacy of all the legal washings and sprinklings, that could not purify and make white one soul, which were of high valuation among the Jews."

It is puzzling, was the water symbolic or supposed to be used towards salvation? It is crazy, but I continue to study these passages and continue to walk away unsure. One thing I know of is I can't go wrong being baptized. Both Ezekiel and Numbers speak of water to clean, but perhaps that was necessary at that time to appear before God, but now through Christ, he makes us clean. And yet does he involved water and sprinkling, bathing and so baptism? 

I return back to John 3:9-10. One thing I notice again is Jesus has explained the meaning in verse 5-8 of being born again and yet in verse 9, Nicodemus states, "Huh?" Most would say Nicodemus is a natural man, bent on good deeds salvation, and so doesn't understand. Possibly. Maybe the Spirit needs to awaken in him the understanding and before that happens he doesn't understand. 

In verse 10, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus and wonders of the one that teaches, or of Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel and yet he does not understand. Jesus speaks with authority. Interesting that the word teacher that Jesus uses is the same word for teacher that Nicodemus used toward Jesus (didaskalos).

It must have been a sobering moment for Nicodemus. And maybe a reminder that even the teacher needs to be taught and has much to learn.  

Summary: Even to the Jewish leader and teacher, the things of truth can be mysterious. 

Promise: The Spirit in us is how we understand God and truth. 

Prayer: God, you know me. I continue to bounce back and forth on this subject of baptism. I can't find the comfort of knowing what is the requirement. Did you intend it mainly as a picture of the change that occurs, to show my cleansing while also believing in the need for me to be baptized and walk in the path that You and John walked? This is where I reside at the moment. And yet I hear so many others state variances to this and I struggle with it. I wish at times people were more understanding and everyone wasn't so dogmatic. Maybe my analyzing struggles to conclude an answer. Maybe I am too agreeable when people are so stern in their convictions. I am not sure, but I do see it is important. Thanks for these lessons and continuing to take me on the past of understanding. 

John 3:7-8 - Irresistible Regeneration

John 3:7-8

7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Message: Irresistible Regeneration

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 stated yesterday, Jesus is being emphatic and this phrase "You must be born again" is a phrase that I have heard repeated, though less often it would seem in the last 10 years. But it was strong in its emphasis. I think it is a phrase that we must continue to put out there and mention to people. 

It is interesting that the word "You" in "You must be born again" is plural. So it means not only Nicodemus but everyone. 

Yesterday in the lesson I was pondering my conversion and realizing that at the point of my prayer something had already occurred. This being born again seems to be about the Spirit working in and then what follows is us believing. "We are saved by grace through faith."  Again, the Spirit gets a hold of us and changes our being to make us susceptible to the truth and then we believe and have faith. And we are saved. Romans 8:8 says, "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." And so there needs to be a transformation in us that is away from the flesh. So again, it is the Spirit that changes us.

And so this means that those who are in the Spirit are pleasing to God.

Verse 8 is an amazing presentation of the Spirit of God and how it works - Like the Wind. It cannot be explained. We see the result in each other but we don't know how it occurs.

I admit it is easy to be discouraged by this. It can be discouraging at times to stare at results or the lack thereof. Even in my ministry role that I am in and the toil of talking to people and replying to people about the truth of God, over and over and often not seeing the results. I suppose it is normal to struggle not getting outcomes. And yet I also know nothing I do is a waste of time or effort (I Corinthians 15:58).

Granted, I am thankful for me, where I am at, and what I have, but it is a struggle at times to be this remnant and for the world to be in so much opposition to truth. But this is why the lesson is titled, "Irresistible" because if you are chosen you can't refuse. 

Summary: The Spirit moves in us to be born again, and we believe then, which pleases God. 

Promise: The point is that the Spirit can and will finally overcome all resistance to the truth in those whom God has chosen for salvation.

Prayer: O God, I am forever grateful by your forever mercy towards me. It is indeed amazing and I am indeed blessed. Help me to not get discouraged. Perhaps I am heavy at this moment for a myriad of things in this life. Thank you for the friends I have in Christ and the people of unity in my life. I wish there were more. I wish your truth was more prevalent in life today. Revive us Lord and come Holy Spirit come. 

John 3:3-6 - Our Need for Regeneration

John 3:3-6

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Message: Our Need for Regeneration

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: Nicodemus had come to Jesus to acknowledge to himself that this man Jesus that had come could only do signs if God had sent him. And we remember that prior to this, at the end of chapter 2 was the declaration that people were believing in Jesus because of the signs that they had seen him doing. Jesus now in verse 3 has a clarification to make to Nicodemus and others -- "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  Jesus is probably making one of the clearest declarations in scripture. One must be born again. 

Nicodemus is bewildered with the words. It is like he has never heard anything like this before and probably he hasn't. He rightfully doesn't understand as most persons hearing this would not understand - How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

And so Jesus further clarifies. Jesus is not necessarily answering Nicodemus question it seems but continuing to proclaim that life is not simply about watching him do miracles and signs and then believing but one must be born again. And being born again or the process of being born again includes being born of water and the Spirit. 

It is interesting then the mention that to be born again is a change that happens by the Spirit so it is not a man-made change per se. And thus, is the idea of regeneration. I love to listen to people's testimonies because born again experiences cause a complete change in a person most of the time. There is an awakening that occurs. I'm always thinking back to when this occurred for me, at the age of 14, 3 weeks shy of my 15th birthday. As I think about it, my sense is the change had already and the date, August 10, 1982 in the afternoon in a Wendy's parking lot, was, I believe, a formality. And yet I know in those moments God awakened me to an understanding of Him and since then the light bulb has been on and the desire has been there to continue to grow in Christ. 

As I saw yesterday, Nicodemus as a Pharisee held to the idea that (1) God created the world, (2) chose Israel as His people, and (3) rewarded and punished them according to the law or their observance of the Law. Because of this, simply being a part of nation of Israel or a Jew guaranteed a person to be accepted by God for all eternity. And yet Jesus points out here that a person must be "born again." This must have been hard to hear. Will Nicodemus still think Jesus is sent from God? For now, Jesus is saying that your lineage or his progeny is not the ticket. I wonder in the Old Testament times, did the annual atonement that was made by the priests in the Temple/Tabernacle, was this for any and all Jews or was it only for a specific segment of those populations? 

I think there is still a great tendency to claim allegiance to your parents faith or grandparents as a person is born and think that is good enough. But Jesus is saying that it is one thing to born of flesh but something different to be born of the Spirit. 

Summary: To see the kingdom of God, you must be born again, by the Spirit of God. 

Promise: No one is born a Christian. 

Prayer: Father God, thank you for waking me up. And giving me new life in You, making me born again and brining me into Your kingdom. 

John 3:1-2 - Nicodemus Comes to Jesus

John 3:1-2

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Message: Nicodemus Comes 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: Chapter 2 was a fairly short chapter of 25 verses; Chapter 1 had 51 verses. Chapter 2 had 2 main divisions - The Wedding at Cana and Jesus Cleansing the Temple at Passover. At the end of Chapter 2 is the understanding that many were coming to hear and believe in Jesus, but Jesus was not entrusting Himself to them, meaning He was not giving Himself to them or they did not have real faith. 

But here in John 3 is the record of "Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews." He mentions the signs that Jesus had been doing (2:23 "many....observing His signs which He was doing") and Nicodemus believes that no one can do these signs unless one is from God. 

Pharisees would be the primary basis for Rabbinic Judaism following the destruction of the temple in AD 70. They were a strict Jewish sect that believed that God created the world, chose Israel as His people, and rewarded and punished them according to the law or their observance of the Law. And the Pharisees were opponents of Jesus or known to be the one's often questioning Him. 

The passage states that "this man came to Jesus by night." It could be that since Jesus was an opponent that he wanted to come to Jesus under the cover of darkness, not to be seen. Or it could simply be that he came to Jesus after the day's activities. 

Nicodemus also approaches him with a safe word for him - "Rabbi, Teacher." But even in this pronouncement is an acknowledgement that Jesus must be from God. And again, the reason - he saw miracles he had been doing. In this book, I have only seen a miracle of turning water into wine, but it must be that there were other miracles that John did not speak of directly. 

Summary: Nicodemus, observing the signs Jesus was doing, comes to Jesus to remark him as a Rabbi and that He must be sent from God. 

Promise: Anyone can come to Jesus. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the message of Your word today and the privilege to continue to hear your Words spoken and taught. Holy Spirit, continue to speak and to remind us to be your faithful witnesses as we walk in this world, helping me grab hold of opportunities to share the truth of Your gospel to others. 

John 2:23-25 - Jesus and the Hearts of Men

John 2:23-25

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. 

Message: Jesus and the Hearts of Men

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: So far in Chapter 2, Jesus has done a miracle at a wedding, turning water into wine and in the process I believe he also communicates something because in that miracle he provides the best wine so it wasn't simply wine being delivered when it was out, but the wine Jesus provided was the best wine and it showed the people at the wedding the best had come at the end. I think for me it is a reminder that Jesus and what He is providing us through Him is better than anything up to that point God has provided and yet everything He is doing is consistent with God's message from the beginning.

And then Jesus goes to the temple to tell people that what they are doing there is not part of His Father's business. He has authority. Granted, they are using it for their own gain, but nevertheless, the synagogue needs to return to being a place of worship. The Jews at this moment want to understand better and Jesus instead shows that His body is a temple and he will rise again, first providing atonement for people's sin, once and for all. 

Now here in verse 23, John repeats the Passover and remarks that at this time many were believing in His Name. John was proclaiming. John the Baptist was the forerunner. And many are believing. But also mentions that believing by "observing His signs which He was doing." And then Jesus also mentions, "Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them." It seems that while these people were believing it was not a saving faith believing. Jesus was not entrusting Himself to them. Perhaps their belief was only head knowledge and not heart knowledge. 

In some ways this is a little bit of a puzzling statement to me. John remarks that people are believing but perhaps they are too focused on the signs and not on the Savior. Perhaps they are missing the message of John about repentance. Jesus knows hearts. He knows people. And Jesus is remarking that these people maybe are not ready for Him completely for His is "not entrusting Himself to them." It reminds me of the verse in Matthew 7:21 and Jesus speaks, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." It is not enough to believe, but believe must be followed with good works. I don't think this means that works save us but works do follow our belief. 

Jesus knows us. He knows hearts. We know God knows us. Throughout the Old Testament, over and over, through the Law and the Prophets we can tell God knows us. He knows our motives. And Jesus knows us. He knows us in the same way as God. "and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man." 

I cannot see into the heart of a person. But Jesus can. Throughout life, we have works that help us to show whether a person is saved or not or how there life is being lived, but Jesus is different. Jesus knows people. He knows hearts. 

Summary: People were believing in Jesus' name, but Jesus did not entrust Himself to them. Jesus knows hearts and must have not seen true faith in all people. 

Promise: We can never hide from Jesus. So we might as well be honest with Him. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for saving me. Thank you Jesus for bearing my sin on the cross. I sat in church yesterday as Lamar proclaimed your gospel and wanted to shout but didn't. Your truth was being stated in a clear manner and yet we were all silent. That is your gospel being proclaimed. How wonderful and amazing it is. That you have saved us. And You know me. You know me better than I know myself and You know my real motives. Thank you for these truths and continuing to know and understand you through these words. 

TABLETALK - January 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - ) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 

Chapter 1

The Fourth Gospel - This gospel, like the others has similarities, but is also a more private discourse and understanding of Jesus the Christ so that we will believe and have Life in His Name. The Uncreated Word - Jesus, the Word, is at creation, with God and was God and was therefore uncreated. The Word of Life and Light - Jesus, the Word, is beginning, is eternal and complete life, is light to our way, which darkness cannot fully comprehend. The Witness to the Light - It was necessary and needed for John to first appear and prepare the way for Jesus to come. The Right to be Children of God - God calls many of His own to be born of God, as his Children - those that receive Him.  The Incarnation of the Word of God - The Word - Jesus - became flesh to dwell among us and through Him we see God's glory.  The Full and Final Revelation of God - All that we know of God we have in Christ. His grace is everlasting and greater than repeated annually through sacrificial system. John the Baptist Identifies Himself - John the Baptist states who he is not (Christ, Elijah, Prophet) and who he is - a voice crying out to make straight the way of the Lord/Jehovah/Jesus.- The Baptism of John - John’s baptism demonstrated the humble willingness to repent, be cleansed, and prepare for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist Bears Witness to Christ -  John, upon seeing Jesus, perhaps for the first time, testifies that He is the Son of God. Becoming Disciples of Jesus - John showed two disciples Jesus, proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God, and they followed Jesus. Jesus Meets Simon - Andrew introduces his brother Simon to Jesus who gives him a new name of Cephas/Peter. Good from Nazareth - Come and see Jesus and follow, something good to come from Nazareth. Seeing the Way of Salvation - Jesus proclaims that is present between heaven and earth, going back and forth, taking His people to heaven from earth, back and forth. We see him. We believe. 

Chapter 2

The Wedding at Cana - Jesus, His mother Mary, and the disciples attend a wedding at Cana and more wine is needed and Jesus responds that is not His hour yet. The First of Jesus' Signs - Jesus does a miracle, turning water into wine, and shows that He is better than the past; new is better than old. Jesus Cleanses the Temple - Here, Jesus alerts people and provides his authority about ensuring the Father's business is carried out, true worship occurs in the temple and nothing else. The Temple of Jesus' Body - The final temple is Jesus, His body, that will bear our atonement for sin, once for all and then He will rise in 3 days.

Jesus the Christ - The Hidden Messiah - Jesus the Lord - Jesus the Son of Man - Jesus the Savior

The Fear of the Lord - Buck Parsons (Editor of Tabletalk magazine) - We need to return to talking about the fear of God. Often sin, hell, condemnation, holiness, wrath or sovereignty is not mentioned from the pulpit. Instead we focus only on God being about love and peace. Fear is not to be slave-like but humble and reverential. We are told to fear God, but fear not, so we are not to be afraid of God. We need to have reverence and awe. 

God's Good Pleasure in Election - R C Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) Predestination was not invented by Calvin or Luther or Augustine for Ephesians 1:4-6 states God "predestined us for adoption..." Why does God elect some and not others to be His people? Some will say then that God is arbitrary (based on random or whim rather than reason). While I am not adopted because of anything I have done, scripture gives the pictures that there is a reason He chooses some for salvation. Ephesians 1:11 states, "according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will." Counsel suggests reason rather than arbitrary which alludes to no purpose. Purpose actually is mentioned in Eph. 1:4-6 as it mentions His will. We are meant to be a praise to Him. 

What are We Afraid Of - Matt Smethurst (Elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky) - We live in fear, despite security systems, advanced medicine, organic food, and endless information, and material blessings. We are shocked when things are hard rather than easy. And then we think if we control it, we won't be afraid. Rather than follow science, we are now told to follow our heart and focus on self. We try to play God, steering the ship while figuring out the dials. What's the answer? Inerrancy of the Bible. We can believe that the One in charge of our lives is good and great. What sets apart our faith is God can and God cares. Our fear is being found out. The sin of idolatry has taken over. We need to fear God because He is holy; He's not mean. Luke 12:32, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." God pursues us. The Lord/Lamb is my shepherd. The most repeated command in the bible is "Fear not." He has never failed one of His own. 

The God Whom We Are To Fear - K. Scott Oliphint (Professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia) - [Note: this is outstanding] - In a solar eclipse, the suns brightness is covered, but not the UV rays. Though it is eclipsed the full power is still there and can still hurt us. This is a good example of God's glory and how we as humans have been able to view it over time. Moses saw some of God's glory, but not all of it and God let him know if he saw all of it he couldn't live. In Christ, we have God's glory passed onto us through Christ. Again, it is an eclipse of it. Though I believe Jesus is God, what we see in him on this earth is part of that Glory. That Glory is a reason we fear God because it reveals God's power. There are many ways God provides for us, eternal life. He is eternal but gives us eternity after we die with him in heaven. But he is different. We are made in His image, yet still different. Oliphint mentions, "Christians fear God, in the first place, because we recognize that the radiance of His infinite, eternal and majestic character would, simply by its majesty, stamp us out of existence. We fear God because we know that if we were to see Him in all His glory, we would be no more." I like this article because it provides a very high view of God. God is separate from man. And we will never be God. We may be like him, but will never be God. That to me is fearing God. 

The Blessings of Fearing God - Kim Riddlebarger (Senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California) - What does it mean to fear the Lord? How is it related to God's love? How does it secure God's blessings for His people? Fear is Hebrew word yireh and means to be afraid, terrified or in awe. It is not respect. Wisdom is knowing who God is, His power, His righteous ways. Fools ignore God. Wisdom arises from fearing the Lord. We do not weaken fear to preserve the fact that God loves us. We fear God because He is holy, we are sinners and all sinners must be punished. And yet God promises to save us from our sin, thus alleviating our fear. 

Putting the Fear of God into Practice - Eric B. Watkins (Senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, Florida) - The Fear of God - a challenge to think about, especially in our world in which our pride and temptation to conform to the world challenges us to abandon God's principles. One purpose of the Law of God is to restrain evil, cultivating a fear of God and consequences to our actions. Instead, each person does what is right in their own eyes. 

Worship and the Fear of God - John P. Sartelle Sr. (Senior minister of Christ Presbyterian Church in Oakland, Tennessee) - Author remembers his father, as a reserved and quiet man, and yet a person that hugged and kissed him. There was reverential awe of his father, who set boundaries for him, gave direction and yet loved him unconditionally. The seraphim were sinless, and yet in awe of God. John was closest to Jesus, and yet still drop dead at his feet. Though we have been adopted into the family of God, and we can call God father He is still transcendent (supreme power). In our worship of him, we need to show the world our love for him, but also our fear and awe of him.

Profitable for the Kingdom - Aaron L. Garriott (Production manager of Tabletalk Magazine) - Parents teaching their children about stewardship. Luke 19 parable about ten minas is a great guide with the 3rd servant receiving the greatest thrashing for storing his gift. We must be servants that are wise about our use of gifts that the Father has given us. We will be accountable to the King when He returns for how we have used the gifts He has given us. Be like the two servants that put their minas to good use and procured a profit. 

 

Your Word Reveal Your Heart - Stephen Mueller (church planting pastor of Gospel Church Minchen in Munich, Germany) - 

Sanctified Culture

The Idolatry of Sports

Sanctified Culture

False Humility

Eating Together

Good Works as a Light to the World

The Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books

Various Scripture - Names of Jesus

Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:20

Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then REPLAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

Acts 13:23

From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

Message: Jesus the Christ - The Hidden Messiah - Jesus the Lord - Jesus the Son of Man - Jesus the Savior

What the Lord is Saying: In the first chapter of John, I am amazed at the different names that are given to describe Jesus, such as Word, Light, One, Him (masculine), Son of God, Lamb of God, King of Israel. Tabletalk in these last 5 lessons for this issue takes a moment to look at these names. 

The name that is attributed to Jesus the most is Christ. Tabletalk states, "“Christ” is simply the English translation of the Greek word christos, which is itself the translation of the Hebrew term mashiach or “Messiah,” which means “anointed one.” Although there are many anointed one's (prophets, priests, kings) in the Bible, Jesus is the fulfillment of a final or overarching anointed one of all. Matthew 16:16 states, "Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

As I also look at Jesus the Messiah, I see that in latter part of the BC period, after Judah fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, they were not free again and they were eager for an anointed one or Messiah to give them freedom and reestablish an earthly Jewish Kingdom. Isaiah 53 also mentions that in addition to the Messiah restoring the kingdom the Messiah would also sacrifice by death on behalf of His people. Jews often overlooked redemption from sin and focused on political salvation. 

People stating they were Messiahs happened in the 1st century and so this is one of the reasons Jesus told others to not tell others that He was the Christ, as is stated in Matthew 16:20, "Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ."

From Tabletalk, -- “Lord” is the English translation of the Greek word kurios, which is typically used in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, to translate the Hebrew tetragrammaton—the covenant name of the God of Israel. That is, when the ancient Greek translators translated God’s name Yahweh, they typically did so using the Greek word kurios. Lord can be applied to persons but more enough it is ascribed to a deity. Peter and Paul called Jesus Lord and as monotheists they were claiming Jesus to be divine. As in Acts 2:36, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." 

Jesus Himself used the name Son of Man to refer to Himself 79 times, and 3 more by others. Some believe Son of Man refers to His humanity, but the reference is to Daniel 7:9-14 is "one like a son of man" who comes into the presence of the Ancient of Days---God Almighty---and receives a kingdom and authority over creation (see Acts 2:14-36). Daniel saw a vision of Jesus returning to the Father for his coronation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords after the completion of His earthly ministry. Matthew 16:27, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then REPLAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS." 

Finally, we look at Jesus as Savior - our rescuer. 2 Samuel 22:3 David refers to the Lord as "my savior" and so rescues him from war and his enemies. Isaiah 38 refers to Savior as one being rescued from illness, such as healing. Also, saved from sin as in Ezekiel 37:23. Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

Summary: Jesus is the Christ, Messiah  Lord, Son of Man and our Savior. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways we see you described and what it tells me about the reason Jesus you are needed as the Christ or anointed one that has saved us from our sins and even from all of life, the promised Messiah, our Lord and Only God, the Son of Man as you show me you are King of King and Lord of Lords and also Savior, saving me from enemies, illness and sin. You are holy and great. Thank you. 

John 2:18-22 - The Temple of Jesus' Body

John 2:18-22

18 The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

Message: The Temple of Jesus' Body

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

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to progress through these readings, it is interesting and worth noting the focus John is making on these texts and what He is sharing about Jesus. Again, he begins John 1 with going back and seeing Jesus before He was Jesus on this earth the way we know Him but with God at creation, creating and even testifying Him as God. Also as the Light, One, Son of God, Lamb of God, King of Israel. John was his forerunner, preparing the Way. And as He came disciples began to follow and then He shows people He is Savior and He is different from anything that have seen before. God is with Him but He is distinct. 

And now John explains the response from the Jews at this day who want to see a sign of His authority. I suppose just asking the money changers and people selling in the temple was not enough. He let them know that they were not part of His father's business, so the Jews ask for a sign. Jesus responds instead with his next message about His body and that in 3 days it will be raised. But the Jews misunderstand and hear "temple" and think it is the literal man-made, bricks and mortar temple that took 46 years to build. (In fact, even during Jesus' days the temple was still being built and would not be completed till after his death and resurrection.) 

But Jesus was equating the temple with Him. He is the temple. He is the one to be worshipped. Another remarkable statement as the temple is likened to our body as well. But right now, looking at Jesus as the temple. The temple was the place to meet God, offer sacrifices, do the work of God. The old covenant tabernacle began then King Solomon supervised the building of the temple in Jerusalem with the temple similar to the design of the tabernacle. And so these Jews knew that changing the temple was significant. Jesus had shaken things up by cleansing the temple of those selling goods. And so Jesus as the temple (explained by John; spoken by Jesus, but clarified by John) meant that no more temples were needed. RC Sproul stated, "Christ is the temple, and all men are commanded to come to Him in order to worship and serve the one true God." 

Jesus speaks of 3 days. The number 3 is significant in scripture and as I study these passages I need to remember the significance of the number 3 and look for other examples of it. 

Summary: The final temple is Jesus, His body, that will bear our atonement for sin, once for all and then He will rise in 3 days. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "The only temple we should be looking forward to is the temple that is Christ’s body, which we will see in the new heaven and earth. The temple pointed to Christ and it is fulfilled in Christ and His church, so let us love Christ and His people."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I read your Words I can't help but have this sense of urgency for others to have the understanding of who You are and what you have said about You. Lord, I believe this is true and if it is, it changes lives. So change lives Lord and show me how I need to be involved. Thank you for this passage and for speaking the way You did and giving us clarity and understanding for who You are. Help me to speak these truths to others and show the clarity of Who you are. And will always be and who I am in Christ. 

John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple

John 2:13-17

13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

Message: Jesus Cleanses the Temple

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

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has just done a miracle by turning water into wine but in the process revealed things possibly about Himself - basically that the best has come. The past was good but now pales in comparison to what He is doing now. 

The Passover is a time of remembrance of God rescuing His people. What excused the people of Israel from judgment was blood on their doorposts. God struck the Egyptians at this time but he saved the Israelites. Previously the Israelites had been slaves but no more. It is a celebration to remind us that God remembers His people but what sets them apart is the blood. John records that "The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." This is the time of Jesus' arrival. 

When Jesus approaches the temple, what He sees is people using the temple not for its purposes but for their own selfish purpose. They have taken the temple and used it as a place to sell and earn money. They have missed the point of it. So he commands them to take the things out. Stop making the Father's house a place of business. 

This is a familiar passage to me but it is not present at the beginning of Gospels but rather at the end, like in Mark 11:15-17. In that passage the circumstances are slightly different, but the idea is the same - people are not using the temple for its intended purpose. 

And in this, the disciples remember a text from Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for Your house has consumed me,

And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me." They quote this directly. But why? That Psalm starts with "Save Me O God." The Psalmist is experiencing opposition. The desire for true worship is being opposed. And so there is a parallel here of Jesus being opposed. 

And yet at that moment, John could be using this passage to emphasize again that Jesus is coming to rock the boat. What was in the past is the past and who He is now will be different. But also in Jesus' words is authority. The people of that day do not have the authority that He has. He will tell them what is the Father's business. 

Summary: Here, Jesus alerts people and provides his authority about ensuring the Father's business is carried out, true worship occurs in the temple and nothing else. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We should be grieved to see the church polluted by false worship and bad theology. And when we see such things, let us work to improve them, insofar as we are able."

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for this lesson that You have shared with me this day and helping me recognize that Jesus is in charge of the Father's business and making sure people are conformed to this. Lord, are there things that I need to be doing that I am not doing? Am I living my life for You in any way that is not proper? Cleanse me Lord. Help me to not be proud or diminish Your real purpose for me. I get on my kicks of getting things done but I do not want to forget you or make it out that I have it all figured out. Thank you for saving Your people and using blood to save them. It reminds me of your purposes and that they are consistent and your message is whole and complete and the same from beginning to end. Thank you for the joy of reading Your word and studying it. 

John 2:6-12 - The First of Jesus' Signs

John 2:6-12

6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

Message: The First of Jesus' Signs

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

 

What the Lord is Saying: This is a rather interesting miracle that begins Jesus' ministry. In the books of Mark and Luke, the first miracle that is mentioned is bringing the unclean spirit or demon out of a man (Mark 1:25; Luke 4:35), and in Matthew, it was healing a leper (Matthew 8:3). But here in John, the first miracle is Jesus turning water into wine. In this situation, John provides many details about the event. In the previous lesson I saw that his mother Mary was present, as well as his disciples with him at the time (probably 4-5 of them), water pots nearby for purification purposes.  

I think it is normal for us in reading these words from Jesus and scripture to glean from them multiple observations. The written word is no accident and so even in writing these words, it seems that perhaps there was more of a meaning here than meets the eye. 

For instance, verse 6 mentions that the water pots are those used for the Jewish custom of purification. This could have something to do with wedding guests purifying or washing their hands or it may have something to do with ceremonial practice of cleaning mentioned like in Exodus 30:17-21 the priests followed prior to entering the tabernacle or temple. And so in a way Jesus uses these to show something "new" that he is doing. The practice of going to the temple will no longer be needed upon his sacrifice on the cross for our sins, becoming a permanent substitute for us. 

The other thing that stands out to me is in verse 10 when the headwaiter states, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Again, this seems another way of expressing that in Jesus we have someone new and in Jesus we have the best that came last. It is said that others will serve good first and then poorer next but in this situation the best comes at the end. 

We also understand that what was former was good, but now this wine is the good wine which means the former wine can now be called the poorer wine. So once people experience Jesus and what He offers, everything in the past pales in comparison. 

Finally, John ends this by saying that in this sign it is not the last time, but there will be more signs and this is a form of people manifesting His glory. As it states in Hebrews 1:3, "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." That glory is speaking of God's glory. Earlier John had mentioned the Word becoming flesh and the glory is the glory of the Son -- John 1:14 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. 

Glory is an interesting word. Possible meanings:

• good opinion concerning one
• splendor, brightness
• magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace
• majesty
• a most glorious condition, most exalted state

This glory is distinct and different from anything else. And it seems that it is a word to describe the recognition of one, stating that this one has all excellence and exaltation. I think of the statement, "Give God the Glory" to me it means give God all that is due him, all the praise and excellence and great opinion that He is the one who did it, whatever that is. So to manifest His glory is to equal that glory that only God has because only God created and birthed and is in charge of all that we see. So I'm trying to figure out a little whether the glories are different - God's glory and Jesus's glory or is the glory that is talked about all for God? 

Summary: Jesus does a miracle, turning water into wine, and shows that He is better than the past; new is better than old. 

Promise: Jesus fulfills the old covenant revelation, bringing something new. The moral law continues, but the outward administration of the covenant has changed.

Prayer: Father God, you are holy and good and true. And thank you for helping me understand this message today and understand the Glory of God, though I am still figuring it out. Thank you for this message about You Jesus and coming to us and ushering in something new that is better than the past. The past paved the way, but you have sealed it and continue to give me understanding. 

John 2:1-5 - The Wedding at Cana

John 2:1-5

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Message: The Wedding at Cana

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 continue each day to be guided in my study of Scripture by the ministry of Ligonier and their publication Tabletalk (although I am behind in these lessons and do not do it on the same schedule as the ministry). Their goal for 2018, the year I am following is to study the book of John. I'm thrilled with this as it is good for me to study another Gospel. But it is interesting the way they choose lessons. This passage does not have a lot of nugget of information, and yet it is interesting to sort of analyze and dissect what it is saying. 

I do agree with the separation of John 1 and John 2. John 1 had a clear focus and now after John has somewhat established Jesus throughout history and started showing us the many names of Jesus and the bridge he is to us between heaven and earth to God, we will also start to see the focus of Jesus on this earth in doing miracles. 

This passage begins with Jesus attending a wedding with his mother and the disciples present with him (v. 1, 2). And his mother, Mary, let's Jesus know that there is not enough wine for the wedding (v. 3). In reading this I think it is hard to read too much into this statement Mary makes. It could simply be an innocent comment in which Jesus is being asked to figure out a way to get more wine and his mother has no expectation for him to do anything miraculous in providing more wine. But others may think that she knew something about Jesus. 

Either way, Jesus responds and states that, if he is expected to do a miracle, it is for him to decide and ultimately now is not the time (v. 4). I think it is difficult to conjecture too much about what He states. He could mean His hour of being revealed as the messiah. He could mean the hour has not come for the need of more wine and that is isn't yet out yet. And yet what follows is Jesus performing a miracle and delivering wine. And so possibly He is saying that in Him providing a miracle and wine, He will decide. 

And in her response she remarks that whatever Jesus says, people are to follow and do what He asks (v. 5). Therefore, she clearly has a confidence in Him and remarks that He is to be followed when He makes a decision. 

Summary: Jesus, His mother Mary, and the disciples attend a wedding at Cana and more wine is needed and Jesus responds that is not His hour yet. 

Promise: We are to submit and surrender to God and accept what He provides. 

Prayer: Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for the time to be in Your Word. I don't always understand what it says but thank you for the time to look at it and even ask questions. Give me wisdom and further understanding into what Your word says and what you want to teach me from these texts. 

John 1:47-51 - Seeing the Way of Salvation

John 1:47-51

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Message: Seeing the Way of Salvation

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

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has left Nazareth and now is in Galilee. Andrew and John, Peter and Phillip and Nathanael. And in this passage today is a conversation between Jesus and Nathanael. Jesus and Nathanael see one another and acknowledge one another, and in the process acknowledge some things. Nathanael is probably coming to get to know Jesus a little better and figure out who He is. Nathanael is an Israelite. 

Nathanael is startled a little because Jesus already knows who He is and had seen him prior. It is not clear if Jesus is showing his all-knowing attributes here or maybe he did see him previously. And yet in Nathanael's response he believed there was something supernatural by what Jesus had done. 

Nathanael calls Jesus King of Israel, Son of God. This is one more title or name given Jesus so far in this book (Word, Light, One, Him, Son of God, Lamb of God). And then Jesus utters a phrase he will repeat often, "Do you believe?" Believe is really the major crux of Jesus. Do people believe in Him? 

And Jesus is remarking one of the first steps of discipleship and that is believe. We must believe before we can trust. 

And Jesus lets him know that as Nathanael is with Jesus and follows Him, then Nathanael will see things, great things, like the heavens open and the angels of God ascending and descending. Being with Jesus will be greater than anything. 

In those words is something interesting as well from Jesus, "You will see." It is repeated twice, in verse 50 and 51. Philip in the previous lesson said to Nathanael, "Come and see." The promise we have with Jesus is to come and see and we will see. Life will be much fuller and complete once we see and behold Jesus, The Spirit illuminates us and gives us understanding and then in Christ we see more than we could have dreamed. It is not that we need to have a major illumination or experience. But it is simply trusting in Him and being guided by Him that we see that life is full and complete. 

And in addition, Jesus says, "You will see greater things than these." This is a great promise from God. I had great joy at my salvation. I often listen or hear the song from Edin Adahl, "Bring back the joy of my salvation" and yet the longer I am following Jesus, the greater it is. Upon salvation, it is only the beginning. The more I am in fellowship with the Lord and see Him in creation, in people, in all things, my faith multiplies and I see and behold Him more and more. And Jesus seems to be expressing this to Nathanael that today is only the beginning. We always have hope for tomorrow, for the future. He promises us heaven and eternal life. We know life will only improve in Christ. 

In these words, Jesus proclaims something significant and that is he is the one who intercedes or go between heaven and earth on behalf of sinful man. 

Alexander Maclaren states on this:

He makes a mightier claim than any that they had dreamed of, and proclaims Himself to be the medium of all communication and intercourse between heaven and earth: ‘Hereafter ye shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

Christ is the ladder between heaven and earth and so he is the way of salvation. This appears to be a direct reminder of Jacob's Ladder whereby it joins heaven and earth. And the Son of Man is present between heaven and earth, bridging the gap. He is going to heaven and coming back for Man so as to take to heaven. 

Note: My understanding and writings today come from Alexander Maclaren who I really enjoy reading. 

Summary: Jesus proclaims that is present between heaven and earth, going back and forth, taking His people to heaven from earth, back and forth. We see him. We believe. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "On this side of heaven, the greatest thing we can see is Jesus as the way of salvation. Seeing and believing in Him is the only way to heaven."

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this passage and for Alexander Maclaren and the gifts you gave him to preach and teach Your words. I love to read him and understand so very well what you have done for me. You changed this text before me after a first reading and made it come alive, in seeing you and believing in You and giving me hope for the future. Thank you for Your promises and the joy in knowing You. Thank you for the hope we have for the future and for constantly renewing our hope and keeping me excited about tomorrow. 

John 1:43-46 - Good from Nazareth

John 1:43-46

43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Message: Good from Nazareth    

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: For the first time in the book of John and in John's writing we now have the work of Jesus. Up to this point there has been an introductory statement showing Jesus as the Word, the Light, that He was in the beginning at creation and is God. And the Word became flesh. Jesus, in the beginning, became flesh, and dwelt among us or lived on this earth. No one has seen God, but Jesus is here to explain Him. John, in his writing, has established that John the Baptist, in coming as a forerunner to introduce people to Jesus, namely the Jewish people, is only about Jesus. John did not come as the Christ or a prophet or Elijah, but he came as a witness of Jesus Christ and to preach repentance for the forgiveness of people's sins and baptize them. Jesus is the Lamb of God who forgives sin. In the temple, forgiveness occurred annually on the day of atonement, but now forgiveness is through the Lamb of God who will atone for sin, once for all. 

This is Jesus. He is God. He comes to earth to dwell with us and in Him there is forgiveness so we can all be right with God and we are to follow Him all of our days. 

Before this, Andrew and possibly John, the writer, followed Jesus but now Jesus says to Philip, "Follow me." And Philip locates Nathaniel to tell him about Jesus, the one that the Moses and the Law of Prophets wrote about. Let's "come and see."  

Jesus is headed to Galilee where He will do much of His ministry. Nathaniel remarks, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nazareth was an insignificant and despised town. And so Jesus coming from Nazareth sparked wonder as people wondered what good come come from that town. Yet, Jesus being despised is something mentioned in Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 53:1-3) and among the people of the day who will be witnesses of Jesus. 

Also, it is through Nathanael is the same person as Bartholomew and one of Jesus' twelve disciples. 

Summary: Come and see Jesus and follow, something good to come from Nazareth. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We must measure greatness and success according to God’s standards, not the standards of this world."

Prayer: O God, thank you for rising me up this morning and giving me understanding of Your Word. I think of my son Derek and his friend Cameron this morning arriving in Philadelphia after being re-routed on a plan and now on a train to New York. Thank you for keeping him safe on this journey. And thank you for calling me to Follow You. I pray Cameron and Derek will follow you as well all the days of their lives. May people see the significance of following You. Thank you for the message of Your Gospel and helping me understand it. Give me a thirst for speaking truth and sharing truth with others. Help me to learn how to start conversations and be bold for You. I want to be like Andrew and Philip and tell people about You. Give me wings to fly. 

John 1:40-42 - Jesus Meets Simon

John 1:40-42

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Message: Jesus Meets Simon

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: John announces that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Two disciples hear him say this and begin to follow Jesus. One of those disciples is Andrew we find out today in verse 40. Andrew immediately tells his brother Simon that the Messiah has been found. He goes and gets Simon to bring him to Jesus. And Jesus knows Simon and gives him a new name - Cephas, which translated means Peter. 

It is fascinating that Peter is only significant because of Andrew his brother an yet no one remembers Andrew but instead Peter, for Peter played a more prominent role in scripture. 

As Tabletalk mentions:

He would be essential for laying the foundation of the church by preaching on Pentecost, by being the instrument through whom God worked to convert the first Gentiles to Christ, and by writing parts of the New Testament (Acts 2; 10; 1 and 2 Peter).

Summary: Andrew introduces his brother Simon to Jesus who gives him a new name of Cephas/Peter. 

Promise: God has gifted the body of Christ with many different people who have many different gifts, experiences, and levels of knowledge.

Prayer: Lord, thank you showing me that I never know how he might use a person that I introduce to You. 

John 1:35-39 - Becoming Disciples of Jesus

John 1:35-39

35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

Message: Becoming Disciples 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: John repeats the words he spoke in verse 29 when "he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" This time in front of two of his disciples -- "Behold, the Lamb of God!". His eyes focused on Jesus. The disciples heard and followed Jesus as well, wondering where He was staying. 

John clearly is communicating here that the chief reason for Jesus coming is to take away sin. His first mention of Jesus is him being the Lamb of God. This seems to be the central idea about Jesus that we need to remember. 

The previous process for the removal of sin was cumbersome. The temple or tabernacle was built for this purpose. There were 3 parts to the tabernacle - Most Holy Place (the top of the mountain), Holy Place (side of the mountain), and Courtyard (foot of the mountain). The Priests were made holy before entering the Holy Place past a curtain or veil. The sacrifice was made and then the priests were daubed with blood from sacrifices to be cleansed from defilement of sin. Every day, twice a day, they had to be re-consecrated to be in the temple. Annually, on the Day of Atonement, the priest would take blood to apply to mercy seat on top of the ark. And this was the process to remove sin. It had to be repeated annually. Hebrews 10:19 reminds us that because of Jesus and because of His blood shed on the cross, "we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus."

And so this is the proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God. He is not yet gone to the cross, but John mentions that He will and based upon that promise he can baptize people prior and they experience a changed life, just as we are baptized and receive Christ now for a changed life. 

The simple aspect of this passage is the disciples followed Jesus. What occurred here is John directed people to Jesus and those followed. Here it is 2 unnamed disciples. There is conjecture that one is Andrew, Simon Peter's brother identified in verse 40 - "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother." The other is unnamed and some have thought this was John, the author, the son of Zebedee as he never identifies himself by name in this gospel.  

Summary: John showed two disciples Jesus, proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God, and they followed Jesus. 

Promise: If we are to be true disciples of God’s Word, then we must likewise follow Christ. 

Prayer: O Father, I thank you for the testimony of John that speaks to me of Jesus being the Lamb of God, our Savior and Lord. He took the sacrifice on the cross for me, and provided the way for me to be accepted by You God. Never let me lose the significance of this. And help me to always think of sin as something serious that I am to avoid in my life. You Jesus are my substitute and have provided the way for me to have eternal life. So I follow You. In response to this, I follow You. All my days I am to be focused on this. Thank you for time in Your word, for training me. 

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. 

John 1:24-28 - The Baptism of John

John 1:24-28

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Message: The Baptism of John

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

What the Lord is Saying: The one's that are questioning John are sent from the Pharisees. The Pharisees were concerned about the keeping of the Law and therefore their lives were very clearly lived in piety, being religious or reverent and people looked at them for this example. There is a danger in being a Pharisee or like a Pharisee in that your strict observance sets you apart and makes you seem holier than others. It brings upon a person a feeling of elitism. I am not saying that this was the life of those that were questioning John, for here they could simply be trying to figure out what is going on and because of their questions, our God is using the words from John to help us better understand his role in being a forerunner of Jesus. He states that he "baptizes in water." Earlier in verse 7, the author stated of him, "He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him." And in verse 23, he says he is, "“I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord" as he echoes the words of Isaiah the prophet. 

Thus, he is a witness. He is testifying about the Light (the Word) so that all might believe through him. Him being the Light, the Word. He is a voice. He is baptizing. He wants to make straight the way of Jehovah (again, not sure in this moment if he is inferring that the Lord and Jesus are the same). 

And now John mentions "One." Thus far, we have seen the Word, the Light, Him, and now One.  

Looking on further at this text it is important to further look at the Pharisees. In Mark, we see a little more information about baptism. Mark 1:4 states, "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." I've studied this passage previously and at the time felt like this was a baptism of preparation. That said, I must admit John coming to preach has never been an issue with me, but him baptism in anticipation of Jesus coming to an audience that is leaning on a promise or maybe does not have much information of him does seem a little baffling to me. And yet, maybe I struggle with this because I do not quite understand what it was like to leave at that time. 

The Pharisees obviously had heard of him baptizing. Jesus was living and on the scene and so John was getting people ready for Jesus. I do think that there is something significance about this act in testifying of the importance of an action to confirm faith. I do not believe baptism saves or is involved in saving, but it is obedience and action that is important. It is a visual picture of sins being forgiven. The Pharisees were into holiness but only holiness that they define, so they were leery of this and questioning it. 

And then to proclaim that John is not even worthy to untie Jesus' sandal is a way for John to express that he is of less value than a slave. John is a voice to people of the way of the Lord and yet He is not worthy to be this. So there is nothing about him baptizing. The person baptizing is not of importance. The baptism is what is important. 

I saw this statement here:

Jewish people in John’s day practiced baptism. It was an outgrowth of ceremonial washings, but only for Gentiles who wanted to become Jews. In submitting to John’s baptism, a Jew had to identify with Gentile converts. This was a genuine sign of repentance.

This says baptism is only for Gentiles to become Jews. And yet John is asking all to be baptized. Thus, the Jew would need to identify that they need to be baptized. 

Summary: John’s baptism demonstrated the humble willingness to repent, be cleansed, and prepare for the coming Messiah. 

Promise: Whether we are speaking of Christ to our children, our neighbors, or anyone else, we should be declaring Him and what He has done, not promoting ourselves.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am still learning this lesson and there are still parts I am trying to understand more fully. Help me understand and put together the importance of John baptizing and what it meant. Lord, I pray that you would help me to value and encourage baptism.