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John 12:31-50 (NKJV) ​Jesus, Light of the World

5/21/2020

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​31  Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33  This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34  The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35  Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36  While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. 37  But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38  that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" 39  Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40  "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." 41  These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. 42  Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43  for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44  Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45  And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48  He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49  For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50  And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."
​Questions to Consider:
  1. How has the power of Satan to rule this earth been limited by the atoning work of Christ?
  2. How is the atoning work of Christ critical to the plan of God to "save" the world?
  3. Why do you think that people choose to remain in the darkness even when they have had glimpses of the light?
Jesus refers to Himself a the light of the world.  v.35,36,46.  Before Jesus arrived the world was shrouded in darkness, and although God had a plan, the Savior had not yet come into the world.  Jesus was sent on a specific mission by God.  He was light; He was the Christ; He was the Savior; He was the Atonement for sins of mankind.
v.32 Once again Jesus refers to being "lifted up."  This is an obvious prophetic word that is referring to the cross.
There are times, as you read about Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees and even with His disciples, where His answers seem somewhat obtuse.  The question must be answered: "Why were Jesus' answers to questions so veiled and difficult to understand?  Jesus gives us the answer in v.49. "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak."  What this means is the Jesus was somewhat obtuse by design.
Even among the rulers of the Jews v.42, there were those who believed in Him.  Had Jesus been more open about who He was, done miracles on demand, and played to the crowds, there is a very real chance that the people would have fully embraced Jesus as the Messiah and made Him the King of Israel.  If Jesus had desired power and position, even the Roman Legions would have fallen before Him.  This was not the Father's plan for Jesus.  God's plan for Jesus did not settle for being the King of a small oppressed country; rather it was the grandest of plans to bring salvation to the world.
v.31 "The ruler of this world will be cast out."  The atoning work of Christ was the beginning of the end for Satan (the ruler of this world).  Was Satan aware that the death and resurrection of Jesus would ultimately result in his defeat?  That is a good theological question.  It seems to me that Satan was always trying to prevent the atoning work from taking place.  Through Herod, Satan tried to kill Jesus while He was yet a young child.  During the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of earth.  Satan spoke through Peter and told Jesus that He did not have to go the death and pain of the Father's plan.  Even on the cross satanic voices said that they would worship Jesus as the Messiah if He would come down off the cross.  Jesus was resolute in following the Father's plan, it showed in His actions and in His words.
This was Jesus' last public interaction with people other than His disciples before His arrest.  He pleads with His audience one last time.  v.36 "Believe in the light that you might become sons of light."  v.46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness."  Those words are as relevant today as when Jesus spoke them 2,000 years ago.   ​
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John 12:12-30 (NKJV) Jesus Enters Jerusalem

5/19/2020

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12  The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13  took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" 14  Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15  "Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt." 16  His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. 17  Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. 18  For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. 19  The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!" 20  Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21  Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22  Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23  But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24  Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 27  "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28  Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." 29  Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30  Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. What are some of the ways that people "hang on" to their lives too tightly in this life?  (Any other thoughts on verse 25?)​
  2. Jesus lived a sinless life; that said, He was God in the flesh and the human side of His being had to feel terribly conflicted as He moved forward with the Father's plan.  What are some of the human emotions that Jesus would have been feeling?​
  3. All ideas accepted: What do you think the Father meant when He spoke from heaven in response to Jesus saying, "Father, glorify Your name"?  (The Father spoke: "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again")
It was always going to come down to this--it was the beginning of the final showdown between Jesus and the religious leaders of the Jews.  Jesus had given them ample opportunities to recognize Him as the Christ.  He had performed great miracles that finally culminated in raising Lazarus from the dead.  There were no more credible excuses that the Pharisees could offer for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem riding on the back of a young donkey.  This event is often referred to as the "Triumphal Entry."  It is recorded in all four of the Gospels.  Word travels quickly when a multitude of witnesses testify to someone being raised from the dead; especially after they had been sealed away in a tomb for four days.  The people rushed into the streets to greet the miracle working Rabbi!  
v.19 The Pharisees were disgusted by the reaction of the people praising Jesus.  They also realized that all their efforts to discredit Jesus had failed.  With a bit of hyperbole they said, "Look, the world has gone after Him!"  It this juncture the enemies of Jesus needed to act quickly before it was too late. 
v.20 At the time of Passover there were Greek Jews from the diasopra.  (This refers to Jews who had been dispersed and scattered among the nations through the centuries of conflict)  These Jews would have been new to hearing the news about the miracle-working Rabbi, and they were anxious to meet Jesus. v.23 For the first time Jesus acknowledges that His time is at hand.  (Time to fulfill the Father's plan of atoning for the sins of the world) 
On hearing about the group of "Greeks" that wanted to "see" Jesus, He began to prophesy about the events that were about to unfold.  v.24 Jesus compares Himself to a grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies; but in the end produces much grain. v.25 Is kind of cryptic.  "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."  (Meaning?  We should not live life as if this world is our home and final destiny; instead, we should live for the purposes of God) I would imagine that having the foreknowledge concerning one's death, would be taxing. That was true for Jesus.  v.27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say?  'Father, glorify Your name.'"
A voice spoke from heaven. v.28 "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."  The people heard the voice as if it was thunder; and some suggested that "An angel has spoken to Him."
Jesus told the crowd that the voice spoke to Him, not for His sake, but for the sake of those who were gathered with Him.  One of the things that Jesus established among His followers was overwhelming proof that He was the Messiah.  In order for them to soldier on without Jesus; to even remain in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the disciples needed to be absolutely convinced that He was the Christ.  Seeing Lazarus raised from the dead was proof.  Hearing a voice speaking from heaven was more evidence.  Of course, the greatest proof was yet to come.  An empty tomb.  ​
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John 12:1-11 (NKJV) A Grateful Sister

5/18/2020

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1  Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3  Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4  Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5  "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7  But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8  For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." 9  Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10  But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11  because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
​Question to Consider:
  1. ​Mary's act was a humble act that reflected her deep gratitude towards Jesus; how is your own personal gratitude towards Jesus being lived out in your life?
  2. Why do you think Jesus allowed Judas to be counted as one of the 12 disciples?
  3. The chief priests are the poster children for the end justifying the means.  How does this mindset often create moral compromises?
Jesus returns to Bethany, the town where Lazarus and his family were from, and the site of His greatest miracle.  The family rolled out their hospitality and fixed supper for their guests.  As the supper proceeded, Mary took a pound of spikenard, which was a very expensive oil and poured it over Jesus' feet and then wiped it off with her own hair.  The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Judas Iscariot reacted to this extravagant act of worship with a thinly veiled criticism.  "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"  v.6 Reveals that not only would Judas betray Jesus, he was also a thief.
There are a number of reasons why the oil was not sold and given to the poor: 1) It was Mary's gift to do with what she had determined; furthermore, she had already set it aside for Jesus.  2) Mary was demonstrating the attitude that you would expect from a sister who is grateful to have her brother back from the dead.  Jesus rebukes the outburst from Judas knowing what was in his heart.
A great many Jews gathered at this event of celebration.  They came to see Jesus and Lazarus.  Lazarus was living, breathing proof of Jesus' power.  v.10 This verse tells us that the chief priests were also plotting to put Lazarus to death.  They wanted to destroy any evidence that verified Jesus standing as the Christ.  What I find incredible about this plot against both Jesus and (now) Lazarus is how far humans are willing to sacrifice their own integrity to hold on to power or to maintain a false narrative.  It really speaks of the worst in human nature and reminds me of the politics of today.
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John 11:39-57 (NKJV) Story of Lazarus, Part 3

5/18/2020

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39  Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." 40  Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44  And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." 45  Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46  But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47  Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48  If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." 49  And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50  nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." 51  Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52  and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53  Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 54  Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. 55  And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56  Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, "What do you think--that He will not come to the feast?" 57  Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
​Questions to Consider: 
  1. I'm reminded of ​John Adam's low opinion of politicians: "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress."  What are some of the parallels that you have observed between the leaders of the Jews and modern-day politicians?
  2. How does raising Lazarus from the dead reveal the glory of God?
  3. What are some of your thoughts concerning the incredible prophecy of Caiaphas?
The moment of truth has arrived.  Lazarus has been dead for four days; the eye-witnesses are gathered; and the miracle-working Rabbi is at hand.  "Take away the stone," Jesus commands.  The people are alarmed,  This amounts to desecrating the body of a dead person, and the body is already in the process of decay.  Martha reminds Jesus that the body will create a stench at this point.
v.40 Jesus replies, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"  What Jesus is stating has a direct bearing on the family and friends of Lazarus, but it also is a foreshadowing of what people, who believe in Jesus, can expect.  Overcoming death reveals both the power and the good-will of God towards those that put their faith in Jesus.  It is an amazing revelation of God's glory.
v.41,42 Jesus prays a very straight-to-the-point prayer.  A perfect example of the kind of prayer that communicates the petition clearly without the showmanship of the religious or the repetition of the heathen.  Jesus thanks the Father for already hearing Him and that He is praying for the sake of the onlookers.
v.43 "Lazarus, come forth!"  Jesus commanded in a loud voice.  There was movement in the tomb, and Lazarus stepped out, still bound in his graveclothes.  It was a miracle that indeed revealed the glory of God.  
There were two immediate reactions to this amazing event.  There was the crowd that rejoiced and believed that Jesus was the Christ; and the cowardly tattle-tales who immediately ran with the news to the chief priests and Pharisees.
As the chief priests and Pharisees gathered to discuss their "Jesus" problem, there was a change in the narrative.  They no longer wrote Jesus off as a blasphemer, demon possessed, or a false prophet.  His miracles were proof that Jesus was a legitimate force to be reckoned with.  They expressed their true concern: v.48 "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation."
If you follow contemporary politics for any length of time, it is amazing how unchanged the general attitude of politicians have remained down through the centuries.  Politicians are always concerned about their "place" of power.  There are some exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, politicians are far more concerned about protecting their place than they are about the good of the citizens.
There is an interesting prophetic word that came from Caiaphas the high priest.  v.51,52.  He prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation of Israel, but that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered around the world.  Indeed, Jesus build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it!
v.53 From that day on the leadership of the Jews plotted to put Jesus to death, and Jesus left for the wilderness.
As the time for Passover was drawing close, the people of Jerusalem starting speculating about Jesus.  At the same time the chief priests and Pharisees started to gather intelligence that they might arrest Jesus if He showed up in Jerusalem.  The stage was set.
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John 11:17-38 (NKJV) Story of Lazarus, Part 2

5/15/2020

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17  So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18  Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19  And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21  Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22  But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23  Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24  Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27  She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." 28  And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." 29  As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30  Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31  Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, "She is going to the tomb to weep there." 32  Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." 33  Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34  And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35  Jesus wept. 36  Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" 37  And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?" 
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Have you had someone close to you pass away?  (What did you feel at the time?  Has time brought some healing to your emotions?)
  2. Death is a hard subject to talk about, and even more difficult to deal with when death knocks on the door of someone that we love.  Do you think that Martha and Mary were feeling a bit of anger towards Jesus for not arriving earlier?  (Have you ever been perplexed by God's timing in your own life?)
  3. By the earlier remarks that Jesus made, it is clear that He knew that He would be raising Lazarus from the dead.  So, why do you think Jesus wept?
When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  This means that Lazarus was certifiably dead by any measure.  According to Jewish laws and customs, when a person dies they are buried before the sun goes down on the same day with the exception of the Sabbath, in which case they are buried on the following day.  The burial is then followed by seven days of mourning.  Which means that Jesus and the disciples arrived in the time period dedicated to mourning over the death of Lazarus.
Martha left the mourners gathered at her house and met with Jesus before He arrived at the house.  Martha engages Jesus in a passionate discussion which revealed Martha's faith in Jesus.  Martha has three declarations of faith. 1) "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."  2) "Even now I know whatever You ask of God, God will give You."  3) "I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who is come into the world."
I do not believe that Jesus waited until after Lazarus died in order to test Martha's faith.  Even after Lazarus had been dead for 4 days, Martha still believed that Jesus had the power to raise him from the dead.  However, many of the Jews that gathered at Martha and Mary's house were skeptical of Jesus.  I believe that Jesus waited for 3 reasons: 1) v.4 For the Glory of God.  2) v.15 That the disciples would believe.  3) So that the Jews would have no excuse for rejecting Jesus.  
Martha went back to her home to tell Mary that Jesus had arrived.  Mary immediately left to go see Jesus and the Jews followed her.  So, there was a procession that made their way to Jesus who was waiting on the outskirts of the town.  Mary fell at the feet of Jesus, and through the tears she reiterated the words of her sister, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
Jesus emotionally responded to Mary and wept with her.  Then Jesus took the first step towards arguably, outside His own resurrection, the greatest miracle of His public ministry.  He asked the crowd that had gathered, "Where have you laid him?"  And they responded, "Lord, come and see."
On the way to the tomb of Lazarus, the Jews tossed around some ideas concerning Jesus.  v.36 "See how He loved him!"  v.37 "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"  Of course the answer to their veiled accusation is that Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying and better yet, after four days of being in the tomb, Jesus could raise him from the dead.
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John 11:1-16 (NKJV) Story of Lazarus, Part 1

5/14/2020

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​1  Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2  It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3  Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." 4  When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6  So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7  Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8  The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" 9  Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10  But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11  These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up." 12  Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." 13  However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14  Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. 15  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him." 16  Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
Question to Consider:
  1. This story points to the fact that God's timing and purposes are not always clear to the humans that are involved.  Do you trust God?  (Do you trust God's timing?  Why or why not?)
  2. What do you think motivated Jesus to wait so long before responding to Mary and Martha's call for help?
  3. ​What kind of power would it take to raise someone back to life after they had been dead for four days?  ​
The story concerning Lazarus puts Jesus at the beginning of the home-stretch of His public ministry.  Events are going to quickly move towards the fulfillment of the Father's plan for Jesus to become the atonement for the sins of mankind.  In the story of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus strips away all the excuses and misguided arguments against Jesus being recognized as the Messiah.  Anyone who has the power to raise someone from the dead, after they have been dead for four days, needs to be taken seriously.
A message came to Jesus from Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, that Lazarus was seriously sick.  They asked Jesus to come so that He could heal Lazarus.  v.5 Makes it clear that Jesus was a close friend to Lazarus and his sisters.  He loved them.  In spite of this close relationship, Jesus did not respond quickly to the report.  He waited for two days.
​Finally, Jesus told His disciples that it was time to go to Judea.  The disciples were somewhat alarmed because the last time Jesus was in Judea the Jews had tried to stone Him.  Jesus answers the disciples concerns with a cryptic response.  v.9,10 "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."  I believe that Jesus is telling His disciples that He has not yet come to the end of His ministry; that it is still day.  It sounds similar to what Jesus shared in John 9:4,5.  "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Jesus makes it clear to His disciples that Lazarus is dead.  He then tells them something that is a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.  v.15 "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, (to heal Lazarus), that you may believe."  (Believe in me as I raise Lazarus from the dead)
​The ever pessimistic Thomas speaks up, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
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John 10:19-42 (NKJV) Tell Us Plainly

5/13/2020

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​19  Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20  And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" 21  Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" 22  Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23  And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 24  Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25  Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26  But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30  I and My Father are one." 31  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32  Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" 33  The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." 34  Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" '? 35  If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36  do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37  If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38  but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." 39  Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40  And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41  Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true." 42  And many believed in Him there.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Would the miracles of Christ been enough to convince you of who Jesus was?
  2. The Jews (as a whole) still reject Jesus as the Christ; how has this proven historically to be a tragedy of epic proportions? 
  3. ​How does a "Jesus" sheep know and hear His voice?
v.19 The Jews were continuing to debate among themselves concerning the identity of Jesus.  v.20 Some accused Jesus of being deranged and possessed by a demon.  v.21 Others defended Him with logic.  "These are not the words of one who has a demon.  Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
Jesus visited the temple and He was immediately surrounded by the Jews.  They said to Him, "If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."  The question that is often asked is this: "Why didn't Jesus just answer them by affirming that He was indeed the Christ?"  I am sure that you have all heard of Miranda Rights.  These are the rights of a criminal, and as they are being arrested these rights are read to them: "You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.  You have the right to an attorney.  If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.  Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?  With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?"
Jesus knew what was in the heart of the Jews who were questioning them.  He knew that they were rejecting Him in spite of the miracles.  He also knew that any word from Him that affirmed that He was the Christ would be held against Him.  His time had not yet arrived, so He could not afford to give His antagonists anything that could be held against Him in the Jewish courts.
Jesus answered them with great intellectual dexterity.  v.25 "The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me."  Jesus then takes it a step further. v.26 "You do not believe, because you are not of My sheep."  Unlike the sheep that belonged to Jesus, there were those among the Jews who could not hear Jesus' voice.  Which means that they could not discern the truth that was staring them in the face.  They were spiritually blind.
Jesus affirms a number of truths concerning His relationship to His sheep.  1) The sheep hear His voice.  2) The sheep follow Him.  3) The sheep are given eternal life.  4) No one can steal the sheep from His hand.  5) The Father gave the sheep to the Son and no one can snatch them from the Father's hand.
Jesus ends with this declaration: v.30 "I and My Father are one."  The Jews took up stones to stone Him.  Jesus caused them to stand down by asking them: v.32 "For which of the good works do you stone Me?"
The Jews were not stoning Jesus for His good works, but for Jesus' words which they translated to be blasphemy.  Jesus' words indeed amounted to blasphemy in their eyes; and it would have been blasphemy if Jesus had not been telling the truth.  
Jesus tried to help them see the error in their logic.  v.37 "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; v.38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."  
This chapter ends with no unified conclusion among the Jews.  Some believed Jesus to be a blasphemer, others believed that the words of John the Baptist concerning Jesus were true.  He was the Christ! ​
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John 10:1-18 (NKJV) Jesus, the Good Shepherd

5/12/2020

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1  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6  Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7  Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8  All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9  I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13  The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14  I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17  Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
​Questions to Consider:
  1. We often blame the Devil for being the thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy; but what are some of the "other" things that are not of Christ that can prove destructive in the life of an individual?
  2. Is Jesus the exclusive "door" to God?  (Why do you believe that He is or is not?)
  3. The Gentile nations were a part of the "joy" that helped Jesus endure the cross; how did Jesus follow through with the mission to reach the Gentiles?  (He appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and called him to be an Apostle to the Gentiles)
​To understand what Jesus is trying to communicate in His teaching on the sheep, you need to put it in the context of Jesus trying to reason with the Jews.  Generally speakers will come to v.10 and identify the thief as the devil.  (It is true that the devil is a thief and a liar, however, Jesus is still addressing the Jewish leadership in this passage) 
Jesus has been telling the Jews that He has been sent by the Father.  Now He contrasts His motives with the motives of those that are not from the Father.  V.1 Those who do not enter by the door are thieves and robbers.  So, who is the door?  Just in case they missed the point, Jesus tells the Jews straight out v.7 "I am the door of the sheep."
What this means is that the Pharisees and Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus, who did not enter by the door, were the thieves and robbers that Jesus was referring to.  Jesus goes on to say that anyone who enters through Him (the door) will be saved.
The "thief" could ultimately refer to anyone, any institution or any argument that rejects Jesus.  The rejection of Jesus has dire consequences.  Whereas Jesus brings life, the thief brings death and destruction.
V.11 Jesus now calls Himself the good shepherd and contrasts His standing with that of a hireling.  The good shepherd will put His life at risk to save the sheep.  A hireling runs at the first sign of danger.  The good shepherd knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.
V.16 Many theologians believe that Jesus is referring to the future inclusion of the Gentiles into the family of God.  The Gentiles are possibly the "other sheep which are not of this fold."  Ultimately, there will be one flock and one shepherd as the Gentiles are converted to Christ. 
Jesus concludes by referring to the atoning work that is in the near future for Him.  v.17,18.
One thing that becomes apparent in both verses 17 and 18, Jesus fully understands the mission and the ultimate conclusion where He is resurrected from the dead.  He will lay down His life as a ransom. (Matthew 20:28)  He will conquer death, hell and the grave.  He understands that He has the power to take back His life.  We continue to celebrate His great victory to this day.
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John 9:15-41 (NKJV) The Witness of the Blind Man

5/11/2020

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​15  Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see." 16  Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. 17  They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 18  But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19  And they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20  His parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21  but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself." 22  His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23  Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." 24  So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, "Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." 25  He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." 26  Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" 27  He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" 28  Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. 29  We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." 30  The man answered and said to them, "Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31  Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32  Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33  If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." 34  They answered and said to him, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out. 35  Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" 36  He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" 37  And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." 38  Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him.  39  And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." 40  Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, "Are we blind also?" 41  Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Do you know the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?  (Explain the difference)  Deductive reasoning starts with a hypothesis and then sets out to prove it through observation.  Inductive reasoning starts with observations and moves backward towards a possible hypothesis.
  2. The danger of deductive reasoning was on full display with the behavior of the Pharisees.  They started with a hypothesis (a faulty hypothesis) concerning Jesus and tried to prove it.  People who came to faith in Jesus, observed His life, miracles and teaching and came to the conclusion that He was the Christ.  (What was the basis of the blind man's faith?)
  3. In your view of Jesus Christ--do you view Him more often as the Son of Man or the Son of God?  (How would you explain the difference?)
The Pharisees acted like a team of prosecutors who did not have the slightest interest in the truth, they only wanted evidence that would help them condemn  Jesus.  They had a predetermined narrative that viewed Jesus as a friend of the devil and an enemy of the Jewish religion.  If they could not dig up any evidence to support their narrative, they were determined to manufacture said evidence.
The Pharisees asked the blind man how he had received his sight.  The formerly blind man gave them the facts: v.15 "He (Jesus) put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."  This was not what the Pharisees wanted to hear.
This answer was also cause for some division among the Pharisees:  Some said, "He cannot be from God because He broke the Sabbath."  Others argued, "How can a sinner do such miracles?"  
The Pharisees decided that the blind man probably was never blind.  (Once again looking for evidence to debunk the miracle and discredit Jesus)  They asked the parents about their son who had been blind.  The parents also gave the Pharisees facts that they were not seeking.  v.20,21.  "We know that this is our son; we know that he was born blind; we do not know how or why he can now see."
The parents were intimidated by the Pharisees.  The Pharisees had already made the decision to throw out of the synagogue anyone who believed that Jesus was the Christ.  If a group is serious about discerning the truth, prosecuting anyone who does not answer your questions the way you want them answered is not a good way to proceed.  The Pharisees were clearly not in search of the truth, they were only interested in carrying out their agenda of destroying Jesus.
The Pharisees, realizing that the man in question had actually been blind, went to him again and asked the same question.  v.26 "What did He do to you?  How did He open your eyes?"  This is a usual devise used by prosecutors.  Keep asking the same question until you get a different answer and then go with the answer that best fits your narrative.
I love the formerly blind man's answer: v.27  "I told you already, and you did not listen.  Why do you want to hear it again?  Do you want to become His disciples?"  This is not what the Pharisees wanted to hear.  They immediately attacked the key witness and accused him of being a disciple of Christ.  (He was not yet a disciple of Christ at this point in time)
I think that the blind man was losing patience with the Pharisees, because he launched into a powerful defense of Jesus.  v.30-33.  He essentially schools the Pharisees in some very basic theology and closes with this argument: "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.  If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."​
Once again, this was not the answer the Pharisees were looking for and so they threw the man who was healed out of the synagogue.  This was to serve as reminder to anyone who was inclined to follow Jesus to understand that there would be severe consequences. 
Jesus found the miracle man who was now thrown out of the only religious community he had ever been a part of.   Jesus asked him v.35 "Do you believe in the Son of God?"  Throughout the Gospels Jesus refers to Himself as "The Son of God" and "The Son of Man."  Both of these describe different aspects of Jesus.  1) Son of God refers to Jesus as God the Son; 2nd person of the Trinity; born of the Holy Spirit; sent on a mission by God the Father.  2) Son of Man refers to Jesus as God in the flesh; born of the virgin Mary; who experienced life as a human.  (Refer to Hebrews 4:14-16)
The man, who had been blind, came to faith when Jesus revealed who He was.  v.38 "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him.
Jesus ends this story by pointing out the fact that the Pharisees are without excuse for their behavior, because they are not blind.  Indeed, the Pharisees were not blind to the truth; they simply rejected it because it did not fit their narrative.
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John 9:15-41 (NKJV) Witness of a Blind Man

5/11/2020

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15  Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see." 16  Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. 17  They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 18  But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19  And they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20  His parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21  but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself." 22  His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23  Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." 24  So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, "Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." 25  He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." 26  Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" 27  He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" 28  Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. 29  We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." 30  The man answered and said to them, "Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31  Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32  Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33  If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." 34  They answered and said to him, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out. 35  Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" 36  He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" 37  And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." 38  Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him.  39  And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." 40  Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, "Are we blind also?" 41  Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.
​Questions to Consider:
  1. Do you know the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?  (Explain the difference)  Deductive reasoning starts with a hypothesis and then sets out to prove it through observation.  Inductive reasoning starts with observations and moves backward towards a possible hypothesis.
  2. The danger of deductive reasoning was on full display with the behavior of the Pharisees.  They started with a hypothesis (a faulty hypothesis) concerning Jesus and tried to prove it.  People who came to faith in Jesus, observed His life, miracles and teaching and came to the conclusion that He was the Christ.  (What was the basis of the blind man's faith?)
  3. In your view of Jesus Christ--do you view Him more often as the Son of Man or the Son of God?  (How would you explain the difference?)
​The Pharisees acted like a team of prosecutors who did not have the slightest interest in the truth, they only wanted evidence that would help them condemn  Jesus.  They had a predetermined narrative that viewed Jesus as a friend of the devil and an enemy of the Jewish religion.  If they could not dig up any evidence to support their narrative, they were determined to manufacture said evidence.
The Pharisees asked the blind man how he had received his sight.  The formerly blind man gave them the facts: v.15 "He (Jesus) put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."  This was not what the Pharisees wanted to hear.
This answer was also cause for some division among the Pharisees:  Some said, "He cannot be from God because He broke the Sabbath."  Others argued, "How can a sinner do such miracles?"  
The Pharisees decided that the blind man probably was never blind.  (Once again looking for evidence to debunk the miracle and discredit Jesus)  They asked the parents about their son who had been blind.  The parents also gave the Pharisees facts that they were not seeking.  v.20,21.  "We know that this is our son; we know that he was born blind; we do not know how or why he can now see."
The parents were intimidated by the Pharisees.  The Pharisees had already made the decision to throw out of the synagogue anyone who believed that Jesus was the Christ.  If a group is serious about discerning the truth, prosecuting anyone who does not answer your questions the way you want them answered is not a good way to proceed.  The Pharisees were clearly not in search of the truth, they were only interested in carrying out their agenda of destroying Jesus.
The Pharisees, realizing that the man in question had actually been blind, went to him again and asked the same question.  v.26 "What did He do to you?  How did He open your eyes?"  This is a usual devise used by prosecutors.  Keep asking the same question until you get a different answer and then go with the answer that best fits your narrative.
I love the formerly blind man's answer: v.27  "I told you already, and you did not listen.  Why do you want to hear it again?  Do you want to become His disciples?"  This is not what the Pharisees wanted to hear.  They immediately attacked the key witness and accused him of being a disciple of Christ.  (He was not yet a disciple of Christ at this point in time)
I think that the blind man was losing patience with the Pharisees, because he launched into a powerful defense of Jesus.  v.30-33.  He essentially schools the Pharisees in some very basic theology and closes with this argument: "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.  If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."​
Once again, this was not the answer the Pharisees were looking for and so they threw the man who was healed out of the synagogue.  This was to serve as reminder to anyone who was inclined to follow Jesus to understand that there would be severe consequences. 
Jesus found the miracle man who was now thrown out of the only religious community he had ever been a part of.   Jesus asked him v.35 "Do you believe in the Son of God?"  Throughout the Gospels Jesus refers to Himself as "The Son of God" and "The Son of Man."  Both of these describe different aspects of Jesus.  1) Son of God refers to Jesus as God the Son; 2nd person of the Trinity; born of the Holy Spirit; sent on a mission by God the Father.  2) Son of Man refers to Jesus as God in the flesh; born of the virgin Mary; who experienced life as a human.  (Refer to Hebrews 4:14-16)
The man, who had been blind, came to faith when Jesus revealed who He was.  v.38 "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him.
Jesus ends this story by pointing out the fact that the Pharisees are without excuse for their behavior, because they are not blind.  Indeed, the Pharisees were not blind to the truth; they simply rejected it because it did not fit their narrative.
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    RJ Dugone

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    ​Believers Church Leander

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