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John 7:14-30 (NKJV)  A Logical Argument

4/30/2020

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​14  Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 15  And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" 16  Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17  If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18  He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19  Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" 20  The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?" 21  Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. 22  Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23  If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24  Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." 25  Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill? 26  But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? 27  However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from." 28  Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29  But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." 30  Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. If Jesus healed on the Sabbath as directed by the Father, did He violate the Sabbath?  (Why do you think the Jews would have included "healing" on their "do not do on the Sabbath" list?)
  2. If you examine the Law of Moses, there is nothing that prohibits either the exercise of spiritual gifts or the fruit of the Spirit on the Sabbath.  (Why do "we" tend to codify against activities that are clearly outside the guidelines of scripture?)  Note: I grew up in a church tradition that taught against dancing, going to movies, drinking alcohol, jewelry, make-up, etc. 
  3. What are some of the dangers inherent in legalism?
​Jesus left the feast and began to teach at the Temple.  This is like a man willingly walking into a lion's den.  This was the seat of power that was arrayed against Jesus.  It is hard to imagine how convoluted the circumstances that surrounded Jesus had become.  The core of the organization that should have been in the center of supporting the Messiah was the very devise used to eventually cause Christ's death.
As Jesus began to teach the Jews were astonished by His intellect and knowledge.  v.15 "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?"  Jesus answers their question by making a brilliant defense of his actions.  Note: The Jews decided to oppose Jesus because He performed a healing on the Sabbath.  (John 5:1-13)
Jesus' defense answers the question of why Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.  Follow the logic: 1) Jesus came from the Father to teach the doctrine and to do the works of the Father.  2) Moses performed circumcision (a work) on the Sabbath under the direction of the Father.  3) Jesus who was sent by the Father healed a man (a work) on the Sabbath under the direction of the Father.
Did Jesus violate the sanctity of the Sabbath?  Not if He was from the Father doing the bidding of the Father.  If Jesus was who He claimed to be the Jews did not have a valid case against Him.  Jesus voiced the obvious question: "Why do you seek to kill Me?" v.19.  He followed that question by giving them some very sound advice. v.24.  "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."  Jesus is calling them to lay their misguided passion aside and examine His defense with intellectual integrity.
Intellectual integrity is difficult to achieve when a group is already convinced and has an established agenda that they are trying to achieve.  What is logic, truth and integrity when it stands in the way of the ends?  This is an obvious flaw that did not allow the Jews to arrive at a "righteous judgment."
The Jews claimed that no one would know where the Messiah would come from, so Jesus could not be the Messiah because everyone knew that He came from Nazareth.  The Jews should have considered the fact that they only thought they knew where Jesus came from.  The origins of Jesus actually start in heaven, born in Bethlehem, lived in Egypt, and was finally raised in Nazareth.  They never clearly understood that Jesus was indeed sent from the Father as the only begotten Son.
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John 7:1-13 (NKJV) ​ Jesus and His Brothers

4/29/2020

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​1  After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2  Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3  His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4  For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." 5  For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6  Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7  The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8  You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." 9  When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. 10  But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11  Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" 12  And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"; others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." 13  However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. ​What is the problem with the selective tolerance of political correctness?
  2. Why is rejection from family members so emotionally damaging?
  3. ​Are you willing to speak the truth--even when it is not popular?
How would you feel if your family did not believe in you, did not support you, and  did not understand you?  In a perfect world you should be able to count on your family, but at times family relationships are both difficult and hurtful.  v.5 Tells us that Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him.  
Although Jesus' fame was growing across the land of Israel, it was becoming increasingly dangerous for Jesus to travel in Judea, because the Jews were already trying to kill Him.  
Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him, but had observed enough to know that Jesus had a shot at becoming famous.  They encouraged Him to show Himself openly to the world even though it was risky with the Jewish threat.  Jesus let His brothers know that His time had not yet arrived.  When Jesus' time arrived, Jesus surrendered Himself peacefully.
Eventually Jesus went to Judea with His brothers who were going to the feast.  He went incognito.  It was a good thing, because the Jews showed up in force looking for Him.  At the feast Jesus became the topic of discussion and debate.  Some of the people claimed that He was good, while other accused Him of being a deceiver.  It reminds me of contemporary politics where the facts are often ignored for political gain.  
The political climate was similar to what we are experiencing in the times in which we live.  Even the conversations were being suppressed for fear of the repercussions.  Our universities used to be bastions of free speech and an honest exchange of idea; not if you do not walk to tune of what is acceptable to the police of political correctness you will face certain rejection and possible physical harm. 
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John 6:60-71 (NKJV)  A Falling Away

4/28/2020

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60  Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" 61  When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? 62  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64  But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65  And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." 66  From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67  Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68  But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 70  Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" 71  He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. ​
Questions to Consider: 
  1. Have you ever known someone who renounced their faith in Christ?  (What are some of the common reasons given?)
  2. How should the church respond to people who wander away from the truth?
  3. ​At what point do we give up pursuing people who leave our fellowship? ​
There is a theological debate of whether or not apostasy is possible.  The question generally comes down to this: "Can a saved person lose their salvation?"  It is the wrong question to ask.  Since the goats are not separated from the sheep until the day of judgment, we don't actually know who has their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Judas is a prime example of apostasy.  He was one of the 12 disciples and he betrayed Jesus.  Jesus called Judas "a devil."  By definition, apostasy is the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief.  So, Judas abandoned his position as one of the 12 disciples and renounced Jesus.
Jesus' words concerning His atoning work offended many of those that were following Him.  Even the disciples said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?"  v.66 Many of Jesus disciples stopped following Him.  This is an expanded view of who were considered "disciples" of Jesus.  The twelve did not leave Jesus, but many of "disciples" walked away.
Jesus asked the 12 disciples. v.67 "Do you also want to go away?"  Peter immediately responds by sharing what He believed concerning Jesus.  vs.68,69 "To whom shall we go; We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ."
The contrast between Peter and Judas is striking.  They are both of the twelve.  They are both observing and hearing Jesus.  One has come to a place of belief and the other is on the road to betrayal. 
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John 6:52-59 (NKJV) Bread of Life, Part 3

4/27/2020

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​52  The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" 53  Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54  Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55  For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56  He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57  As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58  This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." 59  These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Do you think that the Jews not understanding the atoning work of the Messiah was a part of God design?  (If so, how so?)
  2. Why was and is the atoning work of Christ necessary for salvation?
  3. ​God's ways are not man's ways; how do you see this truth revealed in the story of the Messiah?
Jesus clearly understood and was talking about His atoning work early on in His time of public ministry.  He is saying approximately the same things that He will later restate in the "Last Supper."  What this tells us is that Jesus was completely aware of how His time on earth would come to an end.  
Although the Jews were experts when it came to the law, they were unable to connect Jesus to the atoning work of the Messiah.  (And Jesus rightly pointed out, that even if the Father sent another they would still miss the connection. John 5:43)  Jesus was the fulfillment of Psalms 118:22.  The stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone.
Jesus speaks of Himself as the atonement directly v.54.  "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life."  We think of the broken body and the spilled blood of Christ in retrospect.  We take communion remembering His sacrifice.  
Neither the Jews, nor the disciples had this perspective.  They did not understand what Jesus was trying to communicate until after His death and resurrection.  Viewing the Messiah as "The" sacrificial lamb did not faintly enter into their understanding.
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John 6:36-51 (NKJV) Bread of Life, Part 2

4/26/2020

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36  But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39  This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." 41  The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." 42  And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 43  Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 44  No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45  It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 46  Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47  Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 48  I am the bread of life. 49  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50  This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
​Questions to Consider:
  1. What more could Jesus have done to convince His critics that He was the Messiah?  (What advice would you have given Jesus if you had been one of His disciples?)
  2. If Jesus was not the Messiah, His claims would have amounted to blasphemy; but, the miracles themselves should have been reason enough to consider His claims.  Why do you think the Jews were so blind?
  3. What was the "best" a person, who was born and died before Christ arrived, could hope for after death?
It is exceedingly difficult to communicate with people who are not sharing the same wave length.  That would totally describe many of the exchanges between Jesus and the Jewish leaders.  Jesus was so far outside their expectations of what the Messiah would be like, that they could not relate to Him or "see" who He was.  The dialogue in these verses is another prime example of this ongoing struggle.
Jesus continues to pound the same theme over and over.  "I have been sent from heaven by My Father.  I am on a mission for My Father.  I am here to do the will of the Father."  Jesus' words were falling on ears that were spiritually dead.
Jesus said, v.36 "You have seen Me and yet do not believe."  That is a powerful accusation, because they had either heard of or witnessed Jesus performing miracles.  This reminds me of trying to witness to someone who is in a cult group.  They have so bought into the thinking of the cult group that they cannot perceive, much less accept the truth.  The Jewish leaders were absolutely blind when it came to Jesus.
Rather than considering the possibility that Jesus was telling them the truth, they complained about the audacity of Jesus.  v.41 "How dare He call Himself the bread which comes down from heaven."  THE PROBLEM: Jesus was the bread which came from heaven.  They acted as if Jesus was a poser.  v.42 "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?"  And they murmured among themselves.
We all know of the virgin birth; I can only imagine how that conversation would have gone over with this crowd.  They did know that Jesus came from a Jewish family.  Can you imagine the uproar if Jesus had come from a Samaritan or a Gentile family?  Where did they expect their Messiah to come from?
Jesus continued to press the point of who He was.  v.48 "I am the bread of life."  He continued to point out to them that everyone who ate the manna in the wilderness was dead.  Why did Jesus go there?  He needed to impress upon them that they needed something that was superior to manna in order to live.  He then went on to tell them that He was the "living bread" and that those that ate of this bread would live forever.  Jesus ended with a prophetic word concerning His atoning work; that He would give His flesh to bring life to the world.
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John 6:22-35 (NKJV) Bread of Life, Part 1

4/24/2020

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22  On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone-- 23  however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks-- 24  when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25  And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" 26  Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27  Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." 28  Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29  Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." 30  Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31  Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' " 32  Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33  For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34  Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35  And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
Questions to Consider:
  1. Why is the giver of a gift generally thought to be greater than the gift itself?
  2. What are you more interested in--to use spiritual gifts or to have a relationship with the giver of spiritual gifts?  (This is kind of a getting the horse before the cart proposition.  A relationship with Jesus and the use of spiritual gifts are not mutually exclusive.  Spiritual gifts generally flow from people with a strong relationship with Jesus)
  3. ​How would you define the gift of faith?  
Jesus was beginning to pile up an impressive list of miracles.  He turned water into wine.  He healed the nobleman's son.  He healed a man who had some kind of infirmity for 38 years.  He feed five thousand men, along with their families, by multiplying a few loaves of bread.  He walked on water and calmed a storm.   
Just imagine how it would be if Jesus was producing signs and wonders in our culture.  Our culture  is enamored with celebrities.  We have celebrities whose only claim for being a celebrity is that they were or are on a reality television show.  Jesus would be a one-of-a-kind, never-seen-before celebrity.
Based on the miracles alone, Jesus was quickly becoming the most well-known person in all of Israel.  People were actively trying to be anywhere Jesus was going to be.  However; Jesus was not always where the crowds expected Him to be.  The crowds saw the disciples leave in their boat to travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, without Jesus.  When they finally caught up with the disciples, Jesus was there with His disciples as if He had been on the boat.  They asked Jesus, "How did you get here?" 
This gave Jesus an opportunity to talk and to teach.  He started by addressing the elephant in the room.  "You are following me, because I fed you. but no bread lasts forever. I will give you food which will endure forever!"
The response by the crowd reveals that they did not understand what Jesus was offering.  They wanted to do what Jesus had done; they wanted to do a mighty miracle...say like, feeding people.  How cool would that be?  
Jesus challenged them to do an even greater work.  (Refer to John 14:12)  v. 29. "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him (Jesus) whom He sent."  Perhaps the greatest sign, and without question the greatest gift is that of faith.  You believe, because God graced you with faith.  (Miracles appreciated but not necessary for faith)
What does a crowd seek when they do not have the gift of faith?  They seek signs and wonders that they might believe.  They were following after Jesus on the basis of expectation, but they still wanted Him to perform miracles in order to believe.  The crowd was expressing the same kind of doubt that Thomas expressed after the resurrection.  "I'll believe Jesus is alive when I see the proof."  After Jesus appeared to Thomas, and Thomas was convinced by the evidence standing in front of him, Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  (John 20:29) 
Jesus was impressing upon them that the Father is a greater gift than manna and the Son is a greater gift than miracles.  Jesus was and is the "Bread of Life."
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John 6:14-21 (NKJV) Jesus Walks on the Water

4/23/2020

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14  Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15  Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. 16  Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17  got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 18  Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 19  So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20  But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21  Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Have you ever tried walking on the water?  (The laws of physics makes it "naturally" impossible)  What would have to change in the laws of physics to make this feat possible? 
  2. We think of the Day of Pentecost of 3,000 people being added to the church.  This makes sense, because the seeds to believe that Jesus was the Messiah were already planted by the miracles, such as feeding the 5,000.  Why do you think Jesus was so resistant to the idea of becoming the King of Israel?
  3. Have you ever experienced being on the ocean or a large mass of water in the midst of a bad storm?  (Were you apprehensive or enjoyed the adventure of it all?)
This same incident, of Jesus walking on the water, is also recorded in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark.  The most complete retelling of this event comes from Matthew 14:22-34 (NKJV).
After Jesus fed the five thousand, the people who were now full and who had witnessed this amazing supernatural event were convinced that Jesus was the "Prophet."  (Deuteronomy 18:15, one of the first prophetic words concerning the Messiah)
They believed this about Jesus so strongly that they wanted to force Him to become the King of Israel.  Jesus knew two things: 1) It was not His destiny to become the King of Israel.  2) That Jesus was not tempted to take what Satan had already offered Him.  To become the ruler of rulers on earth paled in comparison to the Father's plan to be the Savior of the world.
The disciples left Jesus alone and took a boat to get back to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  A great storm developed that threatened to sink the boat.  In John's narrative, the disciples were more afraid of the person walking on the water than the storm that threatened to swamp their boat.  
Jesus let the disciples know that it was Him.  Who else could it be some 3 or 4 miles out in the sea?  Jesus joined the disciples in the boat and they arrived at their destination.  (You really need to read the Matthew account of this story)
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John 6:1-13 (NKJV)  Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

4/22/2020

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After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2  Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 3  And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. 4  Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5  Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" 6  But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 7  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." 8  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 9  "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" 10  Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11  And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12  So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." 13  Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Is there a difference between a temptation and a test of your faith?  How would you describe the difference?
  2. How are some of the ways in which God continues to reveal His miraculous powers in our time?
  3. How did the working of miracles help Jesus establish spiritual credentials?
Jesus, once again performs a miracle where He proves His mastery over creation.  He turns five barley loaves and two small fish into a meal for five thousand men.  Incredible!
By this point in time, on the basis of the miracles that Jesus was performing, He was being followed by a very large crowd of people.  It is estimated that the city of Jerusalem had a population of around 40,000 people in the time of Christ, so a crowd of 5,000 would not go unnoticed.  I am sure that to the religious leaders of the Jews they were indeed terrified by Jesus' popularity.
In this case, Jesus had crossed over the Sea of Galilee and was secluded on a mountain with His disciples; and still the crowd "found" Jesus.  (Just the logistics of 5,000 men hiking around the Sea of Galilee would have been disruptive to normal life in the towns and villages along the coastline)
Jesus handed the question of how to feed the gathering throng to His disciples.  He was testing their faith.  This opens up another theological discussion: Does God test our faith?  How does He go about testing our faith?  Have you felt like your faith has been tested?
Philip pointed out that "they" did not have enough revenue to feed the crowd.  Andrew found a lad with five barley loaves and two fish.  Andrew exhibited faith by bringing this resource to Jesus, but exhibited doubt by pointing out that the resource was inadequate.
Without digging too deep into the well of symbolism, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine.  (Symbol of the blood of Christ)  In this miracle Jesus multiplies the bread.  (Symbol of His broken body)  Jesus continued to multiply the bread as the disciples distributed it among the crowd.  
When everyone had been "filled," they gathered by the leftovers.  Twelve baskets remained.  Obviously the math does not work out: Five barley loaves feeds 5,000 men and twelve baskets of leftovers remain.  Amazing! 
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John 5:31-47 (NKJV)  Jesus calls on Witnesses

4/21/2020

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31  "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32  There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33  You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34  Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35  He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 36  But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37  And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38  But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40  But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41  I do not receive honor from men. 42  But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43  I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44  How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45  Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust. 46  For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"
Questions to Consider:
  1. To say that the Jews have suffered through the last 2,000 years is unquestioned.  How do you think the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah has historically impacted the Jews?
  2. Considering your own character, if you had lived during the time of Jesus’ public ministry, which group do you think you would have been a part of, Jesus’ critics or His followers?
  3. Remember, the Jews wanted to kill Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.  Why is this brand of legalism dangerous, even in the church today?
In Jesus’ second line of defense He calls on three witnesses.  He wants his critics to know that He is not a self-proclaimed Messiah.  He does not want the issue of who He to only be based on His own testimony.  Although we know that Jesus’ testimony is true, He wanted His detractors to hear the proof of who He was from other sources.
The first witness that Jesus called on was the most popular prophet of Israel, at that time; one John the Baptist.  The Gospel of John covered John the Baptist’s testimony concerning Jesus in John 1:15-34.  When John the Baptist saw Jesus making His way to be baptized, he made the following proclamation:  "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
The second witness that Jesus calls on is God, the Father.  There are some very specific actions that the Father sent Jesus to accomplish during His time of public ministry.  Many of these actions, such as miracles, healings, and deliverance, could only be accomplished through the power of God.  Jesus also points out the Father had given the Jewish nation Scriptures which gave testimony of Jesus. 
I realize that hindsight is 20/20.  However, it is almost impossible to read some of the prophetic writings concerning the Messiah (writings such as Isaiah 53) and not make absolute connections with Jesus.  How can a group of people be so blind as to miss the very thing that they are (in theory) looking for?
Jesus tells His critics that if they did not receive Him, one who was sent by the Father, what made them think that they would receive another sent from the Father in the future?  Jesus is calling on them to examine the evidence.  (Think of all the evidence that declared that Jesus was the Christ)  1) The Testimony of John the Baptist.  2) The Signs and Wonders.  3) The Prophesies of the Prophets.  4) The Virgin Birth.  5) The Declaration of the Angels.  6) The Teaching of Jesus.  7) The Linage of Jesus…  The evidence is conclusive.
Finally, Jesus calls His last witness.  Moses.  Moses was the human author of the Jewish Law.  Moses was the one voice that carried weight with the Pharisees, who worked at “separating” themselves from all the actions and objects that would cause them to be unclean.  Jesus tells them plainly, “If you (actually) believed Moses, you would believe (in) Me; for he wrote about Me.”  
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John 5:14-30 (NKJV) Jesus Makes a Defense

4/20/2020

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14  Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." 15  The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16  For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17  But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." 18  Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21  For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22  For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23  that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25  Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27  and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28  Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29  and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30  I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
​Question to Consider:
  1. Since most people believed in Jesus on the basis of the miracles they saw Him perform, what made the Jews so cynical?
  2. How can a religious mindset blind us from seeing what the Holy Spirit might be doing?
  3. ​What do you think of C.S. Lewis' "Liar, Lord or Lunatic" argument?
John does not tell us what motivated the man who had been healed to point out Jesus to the Jews, but that is exactly what he did.  According to the Jews, Jesus had violated the Sabbath by healing on the Sabbath and needed to be held accountable for His actions.  How extreme were they in their efforts to rein Jesus in?  They tried to kill him.
Jesus answered the Jews accusations.  Side note: The miracle that Jesus performed should have caused the Jews to give pause.  A miracle-working Rabbi might be the Messiah.  Instead, they obsessed on the possibility that Jesus broke the rules concerning Sabbath rest.  They were so buried in the rules of their religion that they wanted to persecute their own Messiah.
Jesus started by answering the question of healing on the Sabbath.  He simply pointed out the fact that the healing was a work of both the Father and the Son.  (The logic here is that it is impossible for the Lord of the Sabbath to violate the Sabbath)
This is where the question of "Belief" becomes important.  The disciples were following Jesus, because they believed in Him.  The Samaritans believed in Jesus and their hearts prepared for a revival that would come later.  A growing group of people throughout Israel were starting to believe in Jesus.  The unbelief of this group of Jews made them spiritually blind to the Christ.
Jesus speaks to them as if He believes that He is the Christ.  v. 19 The Son does what the Father directs Him to do.  v.20 The Father will work miracles through the Son.  v.21 Both the Father and the Son have the power over death.  v.22 The Son will act as the judge.  v.23 The Son is worthy of honor.  v.24 Those who believe in Jesus and the Father who sent Him will be given eternal life.  v.25 The Son of God will raise the dead.  v.26 There is life in the Son.  v.27 The son will execute judgment.  v.28 Even the dead will hear the voice of the Son.  v.29 The Son will judge the deeds of man.  v.30 The Son does the will of the Father.
If a person made all the claims that Jesus made; and if said person was not the Son of God; then the Jews would have been justified in claiming that blasphemy had been committed.  If Jesus wasn't the Son of God, then He was indeed a blasphemer.  This is where C.S. Lewis' "Liar, Lord or Lunatic" argument has merit.  Jesus' defense against the attacks of the Jews is outlandish if He isn't who He claims to be.  
Jesus is insanely proud or He is the Messiah.  Jesus is a masterful deceiver or He is the Christ.  Jesus is absolutely crazy or He is the Son of God.  The Jews would have been correct in challenging Jesus' blasphemous words but for "one thing" that stood as a logical roadblock to their erroneous conclusion.  Jesus performed a miracle.
Try this one for size: Go out somewhere, find someone in need of a visible miracle, and then...perform a miracle in front of a large group of witnesses.  Are you feeling up to taking on the challenge?  Not one of Jesus' critics could refute what Jesus was saying, because the miracle boldly stated otherwise. ​
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    RJ Dugone

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