Episode 125 - Authority from above - John 19:6-11

6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Where we pick up our study today is the moment after Pilate has had Jesus flogged and beaten, seemingly thinking that will appease the crowd who has brought Jesus to them to be crucified. Pilate has repeatedly asserted that he found no guilt in Jesus. But, his hope that he would pacify the mob and avert the culpability of executing an innocent man would be disappointed. He repeats again, “I find no guilt in him” when he tells them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him.” (v. 6) 

According to John’s account, this is when the Jews make it more clear why they are insisting upon Jesus being crucified; “he has made himself the Son of God.” (v. 7) This term could be used for the Messiah. Both Matthew and Mark record that when Jesus was being interrogated before Caiaphus, the high priest asked him if he was the Son of God (Matthew 26:63 and Mark 14:61). Jesus responded by claiming to be the Son of Man. As mentioned earlier, the Son of Man is a person spoken of in Daniel 7:13 that is given all authority by the “Ancient of Days” and will rule for eternity. The high priest deems this claim to be blasphemy and that is their justification for taking Jesus to Pilate to be executed. 

I would tend to expect that Pilate would use this accusation as a convenient excuse to acquiesce to the mob’s demand. Instead, John says that Pilate “was more afraid.” Here is this powerful individual with whom we might expect had no fear except the authority of Caesar. Yet, he is frightened by this report that Jesus has claimed to be this prophetic figure. Perhaps this has something to do with the dream his wife had to have nothing to do with Jesus. (Matthew 27:19) But, John doesn’t tell us that. Whatever the cause, it suggests that Pilate has been given adequate information to make a just decision.

This leads to Pilate questioning Jesus again. It seems to me that Pilate’s demeanor may have been more frantic in light of his fear. He asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus didn’t answer him. It would seem that Pilate already suspects the truthful answer to his own question and Jesus’ refusal to speak the answer indicates that he knows Pilate already has the answer to his question.

Pilate then, perhaps from his anxiety and internal conflict, asserts his authority to Jesus. There is a sense in which Jesus is really the one in control in this conversation. Yet, he is not using his authority to change his temporal circumstances, but to reveal the truth to Pilate and to the world concerning his identity. Jesus responded to Pilate, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given to you from above.” (v. 11) In that response lies more irony and double-entendre. From an earthly perspective, Pilate’s authority is from Caesar and Jesus’ statement is true. It reminds Pilate that his authority is nothing innate within himself, but given to him by a higher authority. But, the double-entendre that’s happening here is Jesus speaks of this authority “from above.” It’s the same word Jesus uses when speaking with Nicodemus and says, “Unless a man is born again/from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) The Greek word (translit. anothen) can mean either “again” or “from above.” In the same way that Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs a “birth” from above, Jesus is now telling Pilate that his real authority is “from above.” In other words, he could do nothing to Jesus if not allowed by God the Father. As I see it, this is Jesus also answering Pilate’s question, “Where are you from?” Jesus is from above, from the Father. This explains the rest of Jesus’ words to Pilate; “Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” (v. 11b) He means the one who decided that Jesus should be executed and acted to deliver him under human authority for that purpose has committed a greater sin before God. 

As I write this, we are approaching Lent and can’t help but reflect upon the injustice of the guiltless Jesus experiencing such cruelty. It’s easy to think of Jesus as a pitiful victim of this crowd and this Roman leader. But, we’re told these people have no authority unless granted from above. It puts things in perspective that as tragic and unjust as this is in one sense, it is the same authority from above allowing it that also makes it possible for each of us to receive a new birth and see the kingdom of God. It is through these events that divine justice with respect to the sins of the world is being addressed in Jesus’ death on the cross. By believing that Jesus is from God the Father and the divine purpose of his death on the cross, we receive that new birth. What a loving gift of God to the world!

Episode 112 - "The hour has come" - John 17:1-5

John 17:1   When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

One of the running themes throughout this book is the imminent “hour” for Jesus’ to be glorified.  We first encountered this at his first miracle where he turned the water into wine. When his mother informed him the wedding hosts had run out of wine halfway through the wedding, his response was, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4) Later in chapter seven, his antagonists could not arrest him “because his hour had not yet come.” (John 7:30) In John 12:23 Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” whenever he is informed there were Greeks seeking him. He understood that “the world” seeking him was an indication his “hour” had come. He begins this prayer by acknowledging this truth to his Father. 

It might be easy for someone to think that Jesus was being self-centered by his first request to be glorified. But while leaders and kings are glorified by being lifted in fame, prestige, and power, Jesus’ glorification is being lifted up on a cross to suffer and die. The context further reveals that Jesus knows the Father will be glorified through Him being glorified. This has been Jesus’ attitude and dominant thought throughout his earthly ministry; to glorify the Father. He has glorified the Father by perfect obedience and that obedience will be completed by his sacrificial death on the cross.

He recognized the Father has given him the authority “over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.” (John 17:2) This expression by Jesus is consistent with Jesus’ claim to be the Son of Man. In Daniel 7:13-14, “one like a son of man” was given an “everlasting kingdom” and the authority of all people. Jesus has already demonstrated that power by raising Lazarus from the dead and performing miracles never heard of before.

Jesus then explains that eternal life is accessible by knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom God sent. (v. 3) This is perhaps the most important thing we need to understand. Jesus is making it clear that knowing “the only true God” not a god is the way to eternal life. Again, we have a consistent message and repeated message in this book. Jesus had previously said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus then says that he has glorified the Father by doing everything the Father has given him to do on earth. (v. 4) So, he is requesting to return to the position of glory that he had in the presence of the Father “before the world existed.” Sound familiar? Do you remember how the author began this book? “In the beginning, was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) John continues in his prologue by telling his audience more about the Word until it becomes evident that the Word is Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) Before John gets into his narrative about the ministry of Jesus, he prepares us by saying that Jesus was eternally pre-existing with the Father and was involved in the Creation. Now, Jesus himself is supporting that with his own words. 

There will be other wonderful things we will learn in this intercessory prayer of Jesus. But, the priority here is that the Father and Son are glorified. Do we have that as a priority in our life? Do we begin our prayers asking for what we want or asking that God is glorified through whatever He does?

Episode 102 - "Peace I leave with you" John 14:27-31

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

There are three things in this short text that I think need attention. The first is Jesus’ statement in verse 27 to his disciples. “Peace I leave with you . . . not as the world gives . . .” This is in the context of his communication to them that he is leaving them to return to the Father. He has repeatedly assured them that he will request the Father to send the Holy Spirit who will be their advocate or helper. Furthermore, he will be able to hear their requests and respond to whatever they need. Given what he has been telling them, it’s understandable they are disturbed and Jesus is fully aware of it. In fact, he is probably more aware than they are of what they will be going through and the events of his imminent arrest and crucifixion unfold. As we will see, it will be immensely stressful and fear inducing. So he is emphasizing that he will leave his peace with them. He qualifies what he means by this by saying, “Not as the world gives do I give to you.” What does he mean by that? Ask yourself how the world gives. Can the world give something that is eternal? Think of how many peace treaties between enemy countries have broken down over time. Does the world typically give without expecting something in return? Not usually. I think Jesus' promise to give them peace is an unconditional promise. He’s not saying that they won’t experience strife and concern and worry at times. But, I think his promise to give them his peace is something that will come upon them at times. They will sense it and they won’t be able to reason it away that they somehow overcame the emotions on their own. They would just be at peace and they would know it was Jesus who was looking after them and comforting them. Think of a child that is scared of a strong storm and the parent embraces them and tells them everything is going to be ok. It doesn’t immediately quiet them and cause them to not think of the storm. But, they feel safe in their parent’s embrace and assurance. This is how the peace that comes from Jesus works with us.

The next thing I want to address is Jesus’ statement in verse 28 that  “the Father is greater than I.” What? Is this Jesus’ own claim that he is not really God or equal with the Father? People who don’t want to believe that Jesus is divine will point to this verse to make that argument. But, why would John record this when he has gone to great lengths to assert the deity of Christ beginning in the first verse of this book. Scholars address this in different ways. But, I think what is happening is similar to a request that comes to me at work and I believe that it is the responsibility of my supervisor or even of someone above him, I might say, “You need to speak to someone greater than I.” That doesn’t mean I believe myself to be less capable of making the decision, less valuable, less intelligent, or less human. It speaks of the difference in our roles. It also doesn’t mean that I cannot be granted different responsibilities or authority either. Throughout this book and Jesus’ ministry he has affirmed that he does nothing on his own, but only what he sees and hears from the Father. Jesus has consistently affirmed that he is submitting to the Father’s will and this statement is just consistent with his message all along.

Finally, Jesus says in verse 30, “the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.” Who is that, Caesar? Nope. This is Satan. Jesus is telling them that Satan has a role in the events that are about to unfold. But, he is not in control. He has no say. He is not omniscient, knowing everything. He is not all powerful. He is not the equal, but opposite of God. 

Do you understand why that is important? If Jesus is promising to leave his peace with his disciples, send the Holy Spirit to be with us, listen and answer our prayers, and asserting that the “ruler of this world . . .has no claim on” him, then we can experience Jesus’ peace that no amount of evil in this world can have it’s ultimate claim on us.

Jesus is going to return to us as he promised his first disciples and will take us to be with him and the Father.

Episode 67 - If this man were not from God, he could do nothing - John 9:24-34

John 9:24-34

24   So for the second time, they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

This story is one of my favorites in the Bible, and it’s this section that gets me. In this section, we see this man move from sharing only the events that have transpired to a deduction of greater truth based upon those facts. Let’s examine what happens.

The Jewish leaders summon the man again and tell him, “Give glory to God.” That seems both right and good. God should be given the glory for such a miracle. However, their directive to the man is qualified by how they think he should give glory to God. They add, “We know that this man is a sinner.” What are they saying? They are saying that this man (Jesus) had no part in giving him his sight. Therefore, in their mind, for him to tell people that Jesus gave him his sight, he would NOT be giving glory to God. 

The man responds with a “just the facts” kind of answer to that statement. He argues that he is not an adequate judge of whether the man Jesus is a sinner or not. But, he does know that he had been blind, and now he sees. When they respond by once again asking him what Jesus had done to him, we see a change in this man. His response almost sounds like it’s coming from Jesus himself. Paraphrasing his response, “I’ve already told you, but you have refused to believe what I’ve told you. (Sarcastically) Why should I tell you again? Do you want to be his disciples?” He knows they don’t want to be his disciples. They’re trying to convince the man to change his basic story about Jesus because they don’t like more people becoming Jesus’ disciples. So, they threaten people and try to change the story. 

This response has brought out their real character and motives. They defend themselves by arguing that they are followers of Moses, but they don’t know where this man came from. That is interesting since one of their own, Nicodemus, had earlier confessed, “We know that you’ve come from God.” Now they claim not to know that. 

The man is incredulous at this claim, and he points out that never in history had they heard of anyone (Moses included) giving sight to someone who had been born blind, until now. His argument is, “How could Jesus be a sinner, rebelling against God, and still work a miracle that none of God’s prophets had ever done?” Then in verse 33, we see a clear statement of what he now “sees” with his understanding: “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 

Their pride has been confronted in full force by this man’s conviction and explicit assertion of what is an obvious truth to him. So, they accuse him of being utterly sinful and cast him out.

We need to understand that, in this regard, the world and people are no different today than they were then. If Jesus were physically here today and working these same miracles, there would be people who would deny that Jesus could even possibly be from God. Why? Because it confronts their pride, and they can’t handle it. They refuse to be humbled to think they need a Savior from their sinful condition. They will accuse you, threaten you, or possibly even do something to jeopardize your means of living. Yet, we must clearly state the exact truth about who Jesus is. People need to hear it. God will work miracles in some people’s lives by giving them sight to their spiritual blindness that they’ve had from birth.

Episode 53 - Jesus confounds the Pharisee - John 7:32-36

John 7:32   The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”

The Pharisees recognized that some of the people were believing that Jesus was truly the Messiah (Christ). They could not tolerate this. Jesus was challenging their “comfort zone.” How could a man with no learning (in their opinion) be superior to themselves? So, they send officers to arrest Jesus. 

Jesus says something that is truthfully manifested in multiple ways. When he tells them that they won’t be able to find him, this appears to be proven multiple times as they either “seek to arrest him” or to even kill him right where they are standing. John keeps pointing out that they were not able because his “hour had not yet come.” At the end of chapter eight, John records that the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but he “hid himself.” The point over and over throughout this book is that no one can do anything to Jesus that is not allowed by the Father. The repetition of this theme should enforce in our minds that if nothing can happen to Jesus outside of the Father’s control, then we can be confident that nothing can happen to us outside of the Father’s control. We may not like what is happening. But, if we believe God loves us and has everything under his control, then we must trust that there is an ultimate good in what he allows to happen. Remember, He allowed his Son to die on the cross.

The primary point in Jesus’ words is that he is prophesying his death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father. Jesus would be crucified, buried, and raised on the third day and many people would see him alive before he would ascend to heaven over a month later. Those who had plotted his death and had unsuccessfully conspired to guard his tomb would not be able to find him. Why? Because he was going to the place from where he came with the Father. That is in heaven. These evil and unbelieving people did not belong there and would not be able to go there unless they repented of their unbelief.

There is some ironic humor in this text. When the Jews are asking themselves where Jesus might go, they suggest that he might go “among the Greeks and teach the Greeks.” What is ironic about it is that later in this book it is the Greeks who find Jesus. It was God’s intent all along for salvation to be made available to the world and the Greeks represent people outside of the Jews that are fulfilling this in part. 

It is because of God’s grace of wanting to offer salvation to everyone that we have the opportunity to place our faith in Jesus Christ as well. What a blessing!

Episode 52 - When Christ comes, will he do more than this one? John 7:25-31

John 7:25   Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Notice the ironic humor here. A few verses earlier Jesus asks the Jews “Why do you seek to kill me?” And the response is, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” They are denying it and insinuating that Jesus is demon-possessed or crazy to save face. But the crowd clearly knows what is happening. They say, “Is this not the man whom they seek to kill?” It would seem that Jesus has appeared in the temple at a time when he could reveal their motives and inconsistencies and would cause the crowd to question their complaints against him. The people recognize that they are not following through when they have an opportunity. In other words, if they had a legitimate accusation, they should arrest him. Instead, it causes them to wonder if they know that he really is the Christ (Messiah). 

Unfortunately, even these people resort to their own reason and sense of wisdom and conclude that he cannot be the Christ. Jesus’ response here is interesting, “You know me, and you know where I come from.” Is he speaking about their knowledge that he grew up in Nazareth and, like Nathaniel’s original doubt whether “anything good” could come from Nazareth or is he suggesting that they’ve witnessed enough of his teaching and his miracles that they “know” his heavenly origin? Given the occasions of which John, the author, uses double-entendre, I’m inclined to believe he meant both. But, his words that follow lead us to understand he is focusing on his divine origin. He says, “I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” He’s speaking of God the Father, not Nazareth. But, I think Jesus is saying, “You know enough about me to believe my words. You know that my earthly home has been in Nazareth. But, you’ve witnessed the miracles and know my true origin is from the Father in heaven. Remember that Nicodemus already said, “We know that you are from God.”

Jesus’ indictment that they did not know the one who sent him apparently ignited their pride because they sought to arrest him. But, they could not. John says that “no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.” Imagine what that might have looked like. Jesus is within sight and perhaps within their grasp. But, they could not take him. How did they reconcile that among themselves? It’s humorous to consider. 

Verse 31 is a breath of fresh air at the end of this crazy scene. John writes that “Many believed in him.” They said, “When Christ comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?” Some people were accepting God’s revelation over their own reason. This is the essence of faith. This is what is required of us and what we are to invite others to do when we share the message of who Jesus is and what he has done on the cross.