Episode 63 - "That the works of God might be displayed" - John 9:1-7

John 9:1   As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

The entire chapter nine of John’s gospel gives us a detailed story of Jesus healing a man who had been blind from birth and the events that unfold related to it. We are not told how Jesus’ disciples knew the man had been born blind. Perhaps one or more of them knew him. They’d heard about him whenever they would come to Jerusalem and perhaps see him in a familiar location. Regardless of how they knew this detail, they had a question for Jesus. They wanted to know who fault it was that he was born blind; a sin of the man’s parents or sin that somehow the man had committed prior to birth. Perhaps they are thinking that God gave the man blindness for a sin God knew he would commit later in his life. However, one takes their question, their assumption is that his condition is a judgment from God for sin. From our perspective, these disciples might seem to have a view of God that is very harsh. We would not like to think of God punishing an unborn child with blindness for something his parents did or something the child could not consciously do in the womb. 

Jesus tells them that neither of their assumptions is correct. But, our English translations of Jesus’ response may actually engender a similar theology of God if we’re not careful. Jesus’ response “may” be interpreted as though God caused the man to be born blind for the purpose of receiving glory. This is tough because I understand that God is good in everything He does and God is just in everything. Furthermore, God is in control. At the very least, if we affirm those things, we must believe that God could have prevented the man from being born blind, but didn’t. This age-old question of how could a loving God allow bad things to happen to “good people” faces us all at one time or another.

In this particular situation, the phrase translated to read “but that the works of God might be displayed in him” appears to be causal for his blindness. But, that phrase in the Greek can actually introduce what follows instead of serving as the cause for the man’s blindness. In other words, it could read, “But so that the works of God might be displayed in him, we must work the works of him who sent me while it is still day.” 

Do you see the difference here? Jesus is saying “It’s not what you think.” But, then instead of answering their question directly by still “blaming God,” his response is to communicate that God is more concerned with revealing His glory, His power, His goodness, and mercy than He is about revealing His wrath. I would suggest that when tempted to question or blame God’s goodness, that we remember the many times in Scripture that reveal God’s goodness and resolve to trust that He knows what He is doing and we cannot possibly understand why everything happens the way it does. 

Then, without even asking this man, he makes the mud, applies it to the man’s eyes, and instructs him to go wash in a specific pool named Siloam which means “sent.” In this gospel, the word “sent’ occurs numerous times, often speaking of Jesus being “sent” by the Father. Jesus obeys the Father by going and doing the works he was sent to do including to heal this man who had been born blind. This man obeys Jesus’ command and receives his sight when he obeys Jesus’ words. Do you see the connection? Jesus obeys the Father’s words. We must obey Jesus’ words. That is “abiding” in Jesus’ words, isn’t it? God is glorified when we obey Jesus’ words. 

When the man obeyed Jesus, he came back seeing. But, his healing was only beginning. We’ll read the rest of the story in the coming episodes. 

Episode 62 - "Before Abraham was, I am" - John 8:48-59

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Have you noticed the change in the tone of the reaction from these people? It has moved from questioning to vicious attack against Jesus leading to them trying to kill him (just as Jesus had said). 

We have already learned about the animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans. The Samaritans were descendants of people whom the Assyrians had brought into the northern kingdom of Israel with the expectation there would be intermarrying and breaking down of the Jewish identity. This led to a view by some purely Jewish people to look down upon the Samaritans as “polluted” or “mixed-breed.” In these people calling Jesus a Samaritan who is demon-possessed, they are accusing him of not being a true Jew and of not being a true worshipper of God. 

The central issue here and the climax to which this conversation has been leading and is found in their question in verse 53, “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” They are incredulous that this man Jesus standing in their midst is professing to be greater than Abraham and the Prophets. So, they ask, “Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answers their questions in no uncertain terms. In verse 58 he replies, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” A young 30-year-old man standing among them is claiming to have existed prior to a man who lived 2000 years earlier and claims the divine name “I am” for himself. 

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Jesus never claimed to be God,” you need to show them this verse and explain it’s meaning. Jesus is making a clear claim to the divine name that God had revealed to Moses. If you think that interpretation of Jesus’ words is just my interpretation, you only need to look at their response. They picked up rocks to stone him to death. They believed he was blaspheming the divine name. There are only two possible reactions to his claim. Either he was blaspheming and, according to the Law, deserved the death penalty or he was telling the truth. 

The question then is which one do you believe it is? There are people today who want to think of Jesus as somewhere in between these two extremes. They are like the people among this crowd. They like some of the things Jesus taught and did. But, they refuse to believe he is God. Jesus’ claim here should force us to either reject him as a crazy liar or to accept his claim as truth and to recognize like Peter, that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life and we need to trust in him.

Episode 61 - "If God were your Father, you would love me." - Jesus (John 8:39-47)

John 8:39   They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

This is a continuation of Jesus' interaction with “Jews who believed him.” (John 8:31) However, what unfolds is that they are not “abiding” in his word. Much like those who witnessed and received the benefit of Jesus’ miracle of the “Feeding of the 5000,” and acknowledged that he was certainly the Prophet like Moses who was to come and then abandoned him when they didn’t like his teaching, these people are also taking exception to Jesus charge that they are slaves to sin and need to be liberated. They do not like this and argue with him suggesting that they are good with God because they are Abraham’s descendants. 

Jesus explains that even though they are biological descendants of Abraham, they do not live like Abraham. Abraham was a man of faith. God gave him commands that required great faith and Abraham believed God; not just in his head, but in his actions. That is the difference between Abraham and these Jews. They may think they are right with God. But, their lives demonstrate a lack of faith, avoiding truth by believing a lie that they are right with God simply because of their genealogy and religious affiliation. Jesus tells them their real spiritual father is the devil. Ouch!

This is what we call “straight shooting.” How about us? Do we think we’re ok because maybe our grandparents helped build a church, were in ministry, or did some other good and noble thing for people? OR . . . Do we like some stories about Jesus, but don’t want to believe that, apart from him, we are slaves to sin and need his word to free us?

Episode 60 - Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin - John 8:34-38

John 8:34   Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

This is the continuation of a discussion between Jesus and some so-called “believers.” Jesus has told them that if they “abide” in his word, they will know the truth and they will be free. They respond by claiming their lineage from Abraham and that they’ve never been enslaved and ask him how he can say that they would be free.

Jesus informs them that they are slaves to sin. Why is that? Because they are practicing unbelief with intent to kill Jesus; a clear violation of God’s law. They are letting their pride and reason rise up to defend themselves and their perception that they are really good people in spite of how Jesus’ words are confronting them. That rebellion is sin and it is controlling them. They can gain freedom from that enslavement by abiding in Jesus’ word; accepting and trusting that his word is good and right regardless of how it contradicts their feelings and their pride. 

Jesus acknowledges that they are Abraham’s offspring; his biological descendants. But, they are not Abraham’s children. They do not exhibit the kind of faith Abraham demonstrated in circumstances that ran absolutely contrary to reason. So, Jesus explains, “my words find no place in you.” (v. 37) 

In our last verse for this small section, he follows this up by saying that their father is different from his Father. They all have a common heritage from Abraham. But, they are from completely different spiritual families. In our next study, we’ll find out who their father is according to Jesus. 

The important principle we can glean from this section is asking ourselves if we are practicing something that is not pleasing to God. If so, Jesus says that we are slaves to it. We are letting it control us. Let us pray that God will help us abide in Jesus’ word and gain freedom from such things.

Episode 59 - Abide in Jesus' words and find freedom - John 8:31-33

John 8:31   So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Think about some of the people Jesus has interacted with as recorded in this book. We’ve read about the Pharisees and other religious leaders who “know that he is from God,” but refuse to accept his word. There were people who witnessed him work miracles and some declared that Jesus was the Prophet like Moses; only to turn away from him when he taught them they needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Finally, the disciples who he had called were asked if they were going to leave as well. But, Peter’s response spoke for them when he said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

In this section, John records that Jesus is speaking to the Jews that had just believed in him. It’s important to note because by the end of their conversation they will accuse Jesus of having a demon and will try to stone him to death. 

The focus of this lesson is that Jesus tells them how they can gain three benefits that are associated with each other. The first is that they can be true disciples of Jesus. This means that if they truly believe in who he is and what he teaches, they can learn from him and become more like him. In pursuing being a true disciple, they receive the second benefit and that is they will know the truth. This is something we desire in our society today isn’t it. We do not know who to believe because we recognize that different people and organizations do not always tell the truth. This truth has to do with the truth about God. Becoming a learner of Jesus helps us understand the truth about God. Finally, Jesus says that “the truth will set you free.” Sounds good. But, how do we become a true disciple and know the truth and receive the kind of freedom this truth provides? The answer is to “abide” in Jesus’ word. 

What does it mean to abide in Jesus' word? It means to remain and continue in his teaching. This means that we cannot pick and choose the sayings of Jesus that we like and disregard the ones that confuse or offend us. We cannot follow some of Jesus’ teachings. Like those early few disciples, we must decide to follow Jesus regardless of our confusion or not liking something he taught because we know that he has the words of eternal life. 

But, even this saying offends these “believers” doesn’t it? They immediately argue from pride in their heritage as Jews. They claim that they are Abraham’s descendants and have never been a slave to anyone. In other words, they don’t believe they need to be freed from anything. But, this is not true. They were under the control of the Roman Empire. They did not have true independence and liberty. They had what the Roman government allowed. 

This is not the kind of freedom Jesus was talking about. As we’ll see in the next lesson. He is telling them about the control and enslaving power of sin. That is more powerful and dangerous than any other kind of enslavement. 

Jesus’ simple and clear message that we need to abide in his word should be liberating in itself. It tells us that we need to be reading his word and praying for his help in abiding in it. We can trust that his word is truthful and it brings us freedom in Christ.

Episode 57 - "I am the light of the world" - John 8:12-20

John 8:12   Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

I’ve had the privilege to have extended backpacking adventures with each of my sons in the Rocky Mountains. For ten days each, we packed our own food and water, shelter, clothes, and everything we needed to survive and enjoy the trek through beautiful nature. 

Before each journey, the people who were responsible for making sure we were prepared to safely begin and complete the journey gave us rules and advice for that purpose. One of the rules was that we could not hike when it was dark. The reason was that someone might not see the trail or something dangerous and we could fall down a mountain or be attacked by a bear or lion. Furthermore, if someone fell, no one else would be able to see them in order to help them.

It makes sense then that Jesus uses light and darkness as a metaphor for obeying God or disobeying God. Do you remember what John said about Jesus in the opening verses of this book? He said that the Word (Jesus) is “the true light that gives light to every man.” (John 1:9) Jesus is God’s light that, if we walk in that light and follow that light, we can see where we’re going and not run into trouble. John also says that this light of Jesus is available to every man (person). 

This point of Jesus is not random. The context here is still the Feast of Tabernacles which celebrates God’s leading and provision for the Israelites during the Exodus. Already Jesus has claimed, “I am the Bread of Life.” (John 6:48) God had provided bread for the Israelites in the form of manna in the wilderness. But, Jesus pointed out, they still ultimately died. Jesus taught that he was God’s provision of spiritual food for eternal life. Now, he’s teaching the people that just as God led their ancestors at night in a pillar of fire, so he is God’s light to guide us truly to God throughout our life. Again, Jesus invokes the divine name “I am.” This is the second occurrence of this.

The Pharisees attempt to use Jesus’ own point from the Law in John 5 from Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15 that there must be two or three witnesses. They say that his claim is not true because he’s bearing witness about himself. But, Jesus points out again that there are other witnesses that confirm his testimony. Therefore, his claim is validated. What essentially happens here is that these Pharisees are trying to indict Jesus on a charge in order to condemn him. But, he points to the fact that they are indicted on account that they do not know him or his Father. 

It’s possible that their question, “Where is your Father?” may be a form of attack, perhaps insinuating that Jesus was illegitimate. Recall that Jesus, back in chapter five said, “My Father is working until now, and I too am working.” (John 5:17) The Jews understood that he was making God his own Father, making himself equal with God. In John 6:41-42, the hostile Jews say, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?” I think these Pharisees know exactly what Jesus is claiming. But, they are attacking and refusing to accept anything he has to say. They do not really know Jesus or God the Father. Therefore, they do not have what they need for eternal life.

I think this challenge is not just for the people of Jesus’ day, but for ours as well. When we read the accounts of Jesus’ teachings, do we give an appropriate ear to his claims and judge according to what the other Scriptures teach about God? Do we judge his claims in light of the miracles he worked? Or, do we judge his claims based upon our own reason and self-centered agendas and values?

We need God’s eternal life-giving bread and light.

Episode 56 - A Need for Mercy, A Call to Holiness - John 7:53-8:11

John 7:53   [[They went each to his own house, John 8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

In many English translations of this section, you will notice a footnote for it or, as in this case, there may be brackets around the text. The reason for this is that a number of scholars believe this story was not in this part of John’s Gospel, or at least not in this location. They have their reasons for that view and I am not equipped to argue one way or the other. But, whatever the answer is, no one is saying that this is not a true story. Most importantly, the story is consistent with Jesus’ actions and teaching. In this story, we find a beautiful balance of a call to living in a manner that is right and pure as well as a demonstration of grace and mercy.

The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery. (v4) They inform Jesus of the charge and tell him that the Law was given by Moses “commanded us to stone such women.”(v5) This may seem harsh to us that adultery would call for capital punishment. But, we must be careful to not impose our own cultural values upon a people two thousand years removed and half a world away. The view of adultery in the twenty-first century of Western culture is mixed. Adultery leads to much pain and divorce in many marriages. But, there are others who think nothing about it. 

When we look at the creation of marriage in the opening chapters of the Bible, we see that this is a special relationship intended by God to be a tangible expression of unity and harmony that is perfectly existing in the divine Godhead. A marriage relationship is supposed to demonstrate covenant faithfulness. Adultery is a clear and strong violation of that relationship. Therefore, it is an expression of our rebellion against the character of God. In light of that, it becomes more clear as to why God told Moses that this sin merits the death penalty. 

But, there’s a problem here. Did you notice it? They only brought one of the guilty parties. If they caught this woman in the act, did they not catch the man in the act? If so, why did they not bring him as well? The Law didn’t call for the woman to be put to death. The Law required that both of them be put to death. (See Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22-24) Something is fishy here.

John tells us their motivation in bringing her to Jesus. They wanted to trap Jesus. Nothing in this story lessens the offense of the woman. However, these people who are using this woman for their own evil desires are violating the Law themselves in various ways. 

Jesus’ response is to bend down and draw in the dirt with his finger. He does it twice. What is he drawing? Some have suggested that he’s writing the sins of these accusers. Others have suggested that just as God wrote the Ten Commandments with His “finger,” Jesus is writing the Ten Commandments in the dirt. The text doesn’t tell us. But, I’m inclined to suspect this latter suggestion to be the answer. These two writings in the dirt are split by Jesus standing and telling them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Whether they are convicted concerning their own sin or simply smart enough to realize their objective had failed is uncertain. But, their response is simply to leave. Jesus is the lone individual who had the right to throw the first stone. According to the Law, he would have been just in doing so. But, he demonstrates mercy and does not condemn her. He also doesn’t downplay her sin. He tells her to stop sinning. 

God’s grace and mercy are never to give us a pass to do what we want. It is not God turning a blind eye to our rebellious actions. God’s grace and mercy are for us to see God’s love toward us and that we should desire to live in a manner that demonstrates God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy to others. 

Episode 55 - No one ever spoke like this man! John 7:45-52

John 7:45   The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Remember that this is the last day of the Feast of Booths. Officers that had been sent to arrest Jesus returned to the chief priests and the Pharisees empty handed. What is not immediately evident is how long they’ve been gone. Had they only gone out a half an hour earlier or maybe a half day. The answer seems to lie back in verse 14 which tells us that Jesus starting teaching about half way through the feast and Jesus antagonists tried to arrest him. But, they could not. This would seem to indicate that they had been deployed on this mission for about four days. They have failed on the mission they were given. Their only response to the leaders who dispatched them was, “No one ever spoke like this man!”

This may possibly be one of the most important truths we can glean from this whole event. Why is it important? Because one of the first things John wanted his audience to understand is that Jesus is the “Logos.” He is the Word of God. He is God’s message to humanity. 

John is not the only writer of our Scriptures that communicate this truth about Jesus. Notice how the author of the book of Hebrews opens his book/letter, “Heb. 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Jesus is God’s conclusive and most comprehensive special revelation to humanity.

In our text today, even some representatives from the antagonists cannot deny the wisdom and power of Jesus’ words. Yet, the priests and Pharisees respond with nothing but attack and lies. After suggesting that the officers had been deceived, they insist that none of them had believed in Jesus. Yet, even Nicodemus had said, “We know that you are a teacher come from God.” At least Nicodemus as well as these officers had been moved by Jesus’ words and signs.

Next, the Pharisees attacked “the crowd” by saying that they don’t know the Law and are accursed. In response to this Nicodemus asked a question that reveals that they themselves are not following the Law. He asks, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” Nicodemus seems to be arguing from a principle found in the Law such as Deuteronomy 17 and 19 which requires reasonable evidence to validate an accusation. Yet, the chief priests and Pharisees don’t seem to be concerned with following that part of the Law. This raises the question If people who don’t know the Law are accursed because they cannot follow a law they don’t know, how much more would people who do know the Law be accursed if they refuse to follow it? These guys are digging a deeper hole for themselves.

When they attack Nicodemus, one of their own, they suggest that no prophet comes from Galilee. In truth, the prophet Jonah was from Galilee. Lies or willful assertions from their own ignorance makes their attacks and justification laughable. 

It is clear that they do not really want to listen to God’s Word. That leaves us with the challenge of do we want to listen to God’s Word or do we want to dismiss Jesus’ teachings?

Episode 54 - Rivers of living water - John 7:37-44

John 7:37   On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.40   When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

Recall that the feast spoken of here is the Feast of Booths (a.k.a. Feast of Tabernacles). John mentions that it was the “last day of the feast, the great day” which has significance in connection with what Jesus is saying. The feast, as I mentioned before, was to remember their ancestors wandering in the wilderness and God’s provision for them. At this feast, there was a ritual with water. Priests poured water on the altar each day and on the last day they did it seven times. You can find scholarly discussions in commentaries as to the various meanings of this ritual. However, I think most significantly it represents God’s miraculous provision of water in that desert area for so long. 

Earlier, Jesus had drawn a connection of himself to the bread that God provided for them in the wilderness. Their ancestors had survived on that bread but ultimately died. Jesus said that he was the true bread from heaven that would give them eternal life. Here, he is telling people at the feast that he is the source of “living water.” This is similar to what he told the woman at the well. 

The translation here I think could be better. To clarify, I understand Jesus saying that he is the source of the living waters. But, it is the one who “drinks Jesus” and believes in him who will receive the living waters flowing within him or her. John explains that this living water ever springing up within the believer is the Holy Spirit would be given to believers after Jesus had been glorified.

Jesus’ words obviously resonated with people as some said that he was surely the Prophet and others claimed that he was the Christ. But still, there were those whose reason over-ruled God’s revelation. They were aware that he had come from Galilee. But, they didn’t bother to investigate his genealogy as both Mary and Joseph can be traced back to David’s lineage. Matthew and Luke both record that he was born in Bethlehem.

It seems to me that our takeaway from this section is that Jesus provides an infinite supply of what we need for the eternal and abundant life that God offers. We need to “consume” Jesus. We need to believe what he did and said and internalize it as much as possible. 

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.

Episode 51 - Judge with Right Judgement - John 7:14-24

John 7:14   About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

In the last episode John specifies that Jesus would not go to Judea because the Jews (Jewish leaders) were seeking to kill him. One might think that they’d kept that a private matter. But, they’re motivations certainly became known judging by the fear that existed among people to even speak about him. In verse 13, John wrote that “for fear of the Jews, no one spoke openly about him.” This reality needs to be kept in mind as we interpret the passage at hand for this episode. 

Verse 14 picks up the narrative when Jesus has finally arrived in Jerusalem at the Feast and they are about half-way through the seven day feast when Jesus goes to the temple and begins teaching. I’m assuming that the Jewish leaders did not attempt to take him at this point because it would have caused a scene and perhaps drawn the attention of Roman soldiers. Instead, they listen to him teach people and they are amazed at his teaching. They do not understand how he has such understanding having never studied under them. Jesus either hears them or knows what they’re thinking. Perhaps they say it loud enough in order to cast doubt into the minds of listeners that his teaching is truthful or substantive. Whatever, Jesus responds that his teaching is not his own. He has said this before back in chapter five. Jesus always points people to the Father and that he, Jesus, is not here to simply make a claim on his own behalf like others had before or like those do today. We see a point here that is important for us. Our objective should never be to impress people or to gain followers of ourself, but to point people to Jesus. 

Jesus transitions from saying that he is following the direction of his Father in heaven to Moses, the one whom the Jews claim to be following. He tells them that they are not obeying what Moses gave them because Moses gave them the ten commandments and they are disobeying the Law because they are wanting to kill Jesus. At this point they deny that anyone wants to kill him. But, John has already tipped us off that it was known among other Jews of their real motivations.

He continues with his line of reasoning from the Law by saying that Law requires people to honor the Sabbath Day to keep it holy AND the Law requires all male children to be circumcised on the eighth day. Since the eighth day after a child has been born may be the Sabbath, Jesus points out that they will circumcise a child on the Sabbath and they interpret it as acceptable to actually do something commanded in the Law because it’s the sign of the Mosaic Covenant even though it requires doing something. So, he continues, why should it be wrong for him (Jesus) to actually heal someone on the Sabbath Day when circumcision is a form of injury?

This is another learning moment for us. If we feel there are options in a decision of what we should do or not do, we should ask ourselves if there is a principle associated with one that informs us it is the better or greater option to honor the Lord. Our motivation MUST be based upon wanting to obey the Lord over to obey a list of rules. The rules may be good. But, there are truths in the Scriptures that inform us regarding the greater principles of our faith. 

NOTE: In verse 21, Jesus said, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it.” He is NOT saying that he has performed only one miracle. He’s saying that the miracle of healing the lame man on the Sabbath is the one in particular for which they were wanting to kill him.

Episode 50 - Jesus' hour has not fully come - John 7:1-13

John 7:1   After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

John 7:10   But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

The setting here is another feast in Jerusalem. In chapter six, there was the Passover feast which is around April. This feast, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, was one of the major feasts that people were expected to attend. It is in October of our calendar. It is essentially a harvest festival and a time for the Jews to remember their ancestors wandering in the wilderness. In this text, the expectation by Jesus’ brothers and the people at Jerusalem is evident. 

What is also evident is that Jesus’ brothers have the same kind of attitude about Jesus’ identity as the Jews in chapter six. John says outright that “not even his brothers believed in him.” Something that struck me about his brothers’ attitudes was how their words to him parallel the same kind of challenge the devil through at Jesus in his temptation recorded in both Matthew 4 and Luke 4. The devil and his brothers are both saying, “If you are who you claim to be, do this!” They both want to have control over him and for him to submit to their demands. It’s a subtle form of mocking and they are mocking God. We should take note of that to not let anyone or anything provoke pride to do something. 

What most strikes me about this text however, is that twice Jesus says “my time has not yet come.” (vv. 6,8)  We’ve seen this before in John’s gospel. In the second chapter when Jesus and his disciples attend the wedding in Cana and Jesus’ mother tells him they’ve run out of wine. There is an expectation that he might do something. His response reveals not just to her but to his disciples and to us that his ultimate authority is from the Father. Jesus’ time is the hour of his death on the cross and his purpose is solely focused upon doing exactly what the Father wants, when the Father wants it done, and how the Father wants it done. Jesus knows that the cross awaits him in the not too distant future.

So, Jesus is telling his brothers, “I will be revealed to the world in the Father’s time, not yours and not anyone else’s.” Then, in verse 8 he tells them to go to the feast and that he is not going up to “this feast.” In the Greek text, it could be translated, “I am not ascending to this feast.” I strongly suspect that this is another one of those expressions of Jesus in which a prophetic truth is stated, yet it’s expected that the unbelievers would misunderstand it. Just like when Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up,” the Jews thought he was speaking of the temple building where they were standing. But, John points out that he was speaking of the temple of his body. In the same way, Jesus will ascend to a feast. But, it’s not the one planned by earthly leaders with evil motives. 

This helps us understand what is going on when he tells his brothers he is not going to this feast, but shortly after they leave, he also goes to the feast at Jerusalem albeit privately. He has not lied. He is going to go up to a feast, but in going to Jerusalem to the Feast of Booths at the temple is all under the direction and plan of the Father and not of the people with unbelieving and evil motives.

I find great encouragement in seeing how God carefully orchestrates His plan and carries it out and people cannot manipulate it. It’s the light that is not overcome by darkness.

Episode 48 - Are you offended? - John 6:60-65

John 6:60   When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

Did you notice something? Up to this point, we’ve seen “the Jews” as those who are not receiving or believing in Jesus even though they’ve seen evidence and recognize the divine source of what Jesus is saying and doing. But now, even many of Jesus’ disciples are letting their reason and pride get in the way of faith and an appropriate response to God’s revelation through Jesus. Through their unwillingness to accept what Jesus is telling them about himself, they are saying that no one can accept his teaching. 

I love Jesus’ response to them. “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” Where is that? Where was Jesus, the Son of Man, before? Answer: With the Father in Heaven. I’m not certain. But, I think there is an element of sarcasm in Jesus’ words. Basically, he’s saying that they’ve seen him work miracles and recognized those miracles as indicative of Jesus being the Prophet like Moses. They recognize a divine source or authority in what Jesus is doing. But, they are rejecting it. So, Jesus is saying, “If I do something more significant and more that testifies of my origin from heaven itself, you will reject even more.” Wow!

This is why in verse 63 he says, “the flesh is no help at all.” Jesus is telling them that their eyes, and all their senses with their human reason does not help them have faith. “It is the Spirit who gives life” and “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (v63) They need to trust Jesus' words. He is explaining to them that by saying that they need to “eat his flesh” and “drink his blood” it is a spiritual message and not literal cannibalism. They need to internalize everything that he says and trust him because they are the eternal life giving power from God. 

Then, he says, “But, there are some of you who do not believe.” (v. 64) John adds that Jesus knew all along who did/would believe and who wouldn’t. He even knew who would betray him. Yet, he still called them to follow him. How could he possibly know this? Answer: He’s from heaven. He is God. Despite everything that God already knows, He demonstrates His grace by inviting people to hear Jesus’ words and to believe him.

This section closes by Jesus telling these people that no one can come to Jesus unless granted by the Father. The point of this statement is to emphasize the reality that people do not get to heaven by their own schemes and efforts. All the credit goes to God who leads people to Jesus. They need to trust in him.

Episode47 - "Eat my flesh and drink my blood" - John 6:52-59

John 6:52   The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, 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 feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on 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 whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

The Bible has some hard things to understand. Jesus’ words in this section  are certainly difficult for those listening. Furthermore, if you read Christian scholars of our current era, you’ll discover there are still differing opinions about this section. 

In our last episode, I pointed out that the people who ate the “miracle food” and had identified Jesus certainly as the Prophet like Moses that was to come, and wanted to make Jesus their king had, like the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt, started grumbling. In verse 52 they’ve declined even further into arguing amongst themselves about what Jesus is saying. They are clearly moving to a point of rejecting Jesus and his claims. Their question, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” appears rhetorical. Essentially, if they can’t understand with their own reason, they are going to reject it. 

Jesus’ response is to assert that if they do not eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, they “have no life” in them. This is an indication that Jesus is speaking in a manner that is not to be taken in a pure literal sense. Why is that? Because clearly Jesus understands that they are living beings. But, Jesus’ point is that it’s not the true kind of life that he is offering them. Furthermore, the Law prohibited cannibalism and drinking blood. Jesus would not violate the Law.

Then Jesus tells them, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life . . . “ Once again Jesus made it clear that he is claiming to be the “son of man”; the eschatological figure spoken of in Daniel 7:13 who is led before the Ancient of Days and granted honor and authority and would have an eternal kingdom. Furthermore, he’s saying if you want eternal life and to be in this eternal kingdom, you must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Whoever does that, he says “has eternal life.” Jesus follows that by promising, “I will raise him up on the last day.” That indicates that Jesus is not saying your body won’t physically die. He is saying that even though you will physically die, you still have eternal life and Jesus will raise you up to experience that life for eternity. So, what does he mean by eating or feeding on his flesh and drinking his blood?

In the following verse, he says that his flesh is “true food” and his blood is “true drink.” Some people believe this text is speaking of Lord’s Supper, Communion, Eucharist, or whatever one’s tradition calls it. I don’t want to discount the possible significance this text may have to the Lord’s Supper. But, I’m inclined to think that the primary thing Jesus is communicating to people at this point is that he, Jesus, is the only source of eternal life and that we cannot think of Jesus as a decoration in our home or church. We cannot value him as another person who was a good and helpful teacher with morals. We MUST internalize everything about who he truly is and his purpose as intended by the Father. He is the true Son of God who came down from Heaven and took upon himself the punishment for our sins in order that we could receive  his righteousness upon ourselves and be acceptable before God throughout eternity. The flesh as food and the blood as drink is powerful imagery because it is easy for us to understand how food becomes digested and broken down within our body in order to provide energy and life throughout our whole body. When Jesus is internalized in our lives, it is “true food” and “true drink” for eternal life.

In verse 56, he repeats the phrase “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood” but then continues with “abides in me, and I in him.” That phrase reinforces the notion of feeding on Jesus flesh and drinking his blood is really about internalizing Christ, isn’t it? He abides in us and we abide in him.

Verse 57 provides the reasoning why he can offer eternal life to us. It is because the living Father sent him and he lives because of the Father and we can live if we feed on him. It emphasizes that our hope of eternal life is based upon our faith in the eternally living God who created life and sent “true food” in his Son Jesus.

This last verse of this section explains the “figurative nature” of what he is saying. He says this “bread from heaven” is NOT like the bread their fathers ate. Why? Because they died. The “true bread” sent from Heaven is not something you put in your mouth. So, where does this leave room for our ordinance of the Lord’s Supper? The Lord’s Supper is something Jesus gave us that tangibly reminds us of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. It reminds us of the Incarnation of the Son of God and most of all, it reminds us of the cross. We must feed on these truths and let it be internalized within us.

Episode 46 - The Bread from Heaven Gives Eternal Life - John 6:41-51

John 6:41   So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ 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 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

If you’ve followed along in this study, you are aware that occasionally I’ve pointed out “evidence” that John, as he writes about Jesus, is frequently pointing us back, directly or indirectly, to the Old Testament (a.k.a. Hebrew Scriptures) to reveal that not only are those Scriptures historical, but they are also a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus. The point is to show through what Jesus says and what he does and the circumstances that unfold have parallels to what has happened before and that these cannot be contrived or coincidental for people to accept them as historical truth and start a new world religion in such a short time as happened with Christianity.

Here again in this passage is evidence of that connection with what God has done before to what is happening at this current time. Remember, that Jesus said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me because he wrote about me.” Not long after that Jesus, like Moses, was an agent of feeding a large multitude of people in a wilderness area where there was not food readily available. Miracles happened during the Exodus and near the Sea of Galilee with Jesus. These people recognized the significance of what he did just like the Israelites recognized Moses as God’s prophet who God used to part the Red Sea and so many other signs. How did the Israelites respond? In Exodus chapters 15-17 there are seven occurrences that mention how the people “grumbled.” Some texts say they “grumbled against Moses and Aaron.” But, Exodus 16:8 make it clear that they are really grumbling against the Lord.

So, what are these people doing after being miraculously fed by Jesus, proclaiming that he is the Prophet like Moses who is to come, and want to make him their king? They are grumbling. Jesus tells them that he is the bread of life that has come down from heaven. All of a sudden, he is not worth trusting or listening to. Regardless of the revelation that has been given them, they ignore that and reason from their previous limited knowledge of him and they let their pride over rule what God has revealed to them. Knowledge does NOT necessarily lead to acceptance, belief, faith. Faith requires knowledge of God’s revelation. But having that knowledge does not necessarily lead to faith. So, what’s the secret of that knowledge affecting faith? I think Jesus answers that question right here. 

In verse 44, he says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” There is a necessity of God working to open the hearts and minds of people in order to receive His truths. This is what John meant in his prologue when he wrote, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13) Why is this important? It reveals that people don’t just come to God on their own or, in other words, don’t find their own way to heaven. More importantly, it should evoke an attitude of thankfulness that God is drawing us to Him; that he loves and cares about us to give us everything we truly need. It should humble us to realize that we are no better than anyone else; that we somehow have not earned or deserve God’s grace because He has done what we need to be right with him and be made His children.

Jesus pushes against their thinking and their bias. He responds to their so-called knowledge of their ancestors and their desire for food and their request to “give us this bread always” by telling them that the miraculous food their ancestors ate in the wilderness was only adequate for so long. They still died. But, the bread of life that he was offering is his flesh that gives eternal life to those who eat of it and Jesus will raise them up from the dead on the “last day” and they will live forever. That’s an amazing claim. Do you believe that?

Episode 45 - Jesus will not lose anyone who comes to him - John 6:35-40

John 6:35   Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 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 whoever comes to me I will never 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 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Jesus had just spoken to these people whom he’d miraculously fed. They saw this and they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”  When they come looking for him, Jesus tells them, “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” (vv. 33-34) Now, Jesus tells them that he is the “bread of life.” He promises that those who come to him will never hunger or thirst. 

Notice the context is speaking of eternal life. Personally, I believe God is concerned about the physical needs of this life. In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus taught the people to not worry about what they will eat, drink, or wear. He suggests that if God cares for the birds enough to provide for them, he cares for us as much or more. But, there is something more important than our needs for this life and that is our needs for eternal life. This life is temporary. But, in our text for this episode, Jesus is telling these people that he is the “bread of life.” He is what they really need to consume for eternal life.

Then, Jesus says something that I believe should provide tremendous encouragement to everyone who trusts him. He says (again) that his sole purpose is to do what the Father wants him to do and the Father wants him to lose no one that the Father gives to him. He promises that anyone who comes to him will not be rebuffed and under no circumstances will he lose any whom the Father gives him. Even death itself cannot break the grasp Jesus has on those who trust in him. He promises that those who trust in him and then die, he will “raise up” on the last day. He repeated this promise in verse 40 by saying it’s the Father’s will that everyone who looks upon Jesus and believes in him will have eternal life and Jesus will raise him up. 

This means that everyone who believes in Jesus now has eternal life now. Nothing in this text suggests that we will have eternal life only after we’ve been raised. Those who have placed their trust in Jesus have eternal life at that moment. That’s his promise. He does not deny that people will still die physically. He’s simply saying that our life in Christ is eternal and the full experience of that will result in a resurrection and eternal presence with God. Death cannot undo eternal life. That is good news!

Episode 44 - The True Bread that gives eternal life - John 6:22-34

John 6:22   On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

John 6:25   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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave 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 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

There is so much here that we could probably write multiple episodes about the response of the people who’ve been miraculously fed. But, let’s see if we can focus on a few important things that we can draw from this section. First of all, remember how these people recognize the significance of Jesus’ miracle of which they had received the benefit. They correctly deduced that Jesus was the prophet like Moses. We also see in verses 22-24 that they’d observed the disciples leave in the boat without Jesus, that Jesus was nowhere to be found where they’d last seen him, and the next day had followed the disciples over to Capernaum. When they arrived they were shocked to find Jesus there and wondered when he’d gotten there. They see things with their eyes. But, the significance of these things is not having the appropriate impact on their lives. Jesus calls them out on this.

In verse 26 he responds to them that they were only following him because they were interested in having their stomachs full. They wanted to make him king because they viewed him more as a free food plan than the God who could give them eternal life. Jesus tells them their priorities need to be set on “food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” Personally, I see this as a clear claim to these people that he is the Son of Man. I would argue that the crowd understands this claim as is evidenced in their response. Essentially, they are saying if you are the Son of Man sent from the Ancient of Days who has been given this eternal kingdom where we are to serve you, tell us what God expects from us; “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (v.28) 

Remember back in chapter five, verses 28-29 Jesus also claimed to be the Son of Man who would someday speak and the dead would rise and he says, “those who have done good to the resurrection of life.” (5:29) I asked the question then if Jesus were suggesting that salvation was by good works. This crowd seems to think it does. But, Jesus’ response in chapter six, verse 29 is “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” You see, this makes it clear that the priority of God for us is not attempting to please God through our own efforts. The most important thing is to believe in Jesus. 

This is the point where they should respond positively. But, instead, they ask for another sign so that they can believe in him. They even suggest what he should do by referring to Moses and the manna in the wilderness. They want more food to put in their mouth. They may believe that he has power to work miracles. But, they really don’t believe he is the Son of God. They want him to be subject to their own desires and not for themselves to be subject to the will of God.

Jesus tells them that it wasn’t Moses who really gave them the bread, but that his Father has sent the true bread that gives life to the world. In a manner reminiscent of the Samaritan woman, they ask him for this true bread. But, do they really want it?

The thing that strikes me most about this section is mankind’s need to not approach God with a spirit of looking to get from God what we want or think we need. We just need to trust that Jesus really is God’s Son who knows best about what we need. It is only by faith in him that we have eternal life and everything we truly need.

Episode 43 - Jesus walks on water

John 6:16   When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

So far John has given us four “signs” or miracles that Jesus performed; although he mentions at times that he’s worked many others. At the end of this book, John will say that the books of the world could not contain everything Jesus did. But, John is careful to select seven in the first half of this book to show who Jesus is. They are:

1. Jesus turning the water into wine.

2. Jesus healing the official’s son.

3. Jesus healing the lame man on the Sabbath near the the pool.

4. Jesus feeding the 5,000+.

Now the fifth miracle is Jesus walking on the water. That is an amazing thing and we would recognize that to be miraculous. The question is however, “What is it about this miracle that John decides it will be one of the few that he selects to give us detail.

In giving you my belief as to why, let me remind you that prior to the feeding of the multitude, Jesus told his antagonists that Moses wrote about him. Then, immediately after John tells us that, he tells us about how Jesus, in a manner even greater that Moses, miraculously fed this large multitude of people in a wilderness area. The people themselves noticed this because they said so and they wanted to make Jesus king. 

The scene here that John gives us is of the disciples getting into a boat on the Sea of Galilee without Jesus. (We are left to wonder whether Jesus told them to or whether they made an executive decision to leave without him.) Their intended destination is Capernaum on the other side of the sea. Scholars believe this may have been about seven miles from where they started. They are halfway across, a strong wind has come up making the water rough, and John says in verse 17, “It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.” 

Did you see that? They left Jesus. It was dark. Jesus (the light of the world) had not yet come to them. I don’t deny that this was what happened. But, it seems to me that John is giving us this detail to indicate that the darkness they were in was not just because of the hour of the day or clouds obscuring any natural light. This physical reality also represented their own ignorance and perhaps lack of trust in Jesus still. They needed Jesus to come to them to give them His light.

When they are in the middle of the sea, Jesus comes walking on top of the water toward them and they are frightened. A few things I notice about this:

1. These men got a head start and were collectively rowing toward their intended destination. Yet, Jesus caught up with them walking; wind and water were no impedance to him.

2. Moses, God’s prophet, also came to a large body of water. God instructed him to hold out his staff and God parted the water so that Moses and the people could walk through on dry ground. Jesus, the Prophet like Moses, just walks over the top of it. 

3. In response to their fear, Jesus, the Light of the world, and also the Word of God speaks to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” This could also be understood as “It is I am; do not be afraid.” Maybe I’m reading too much into this. But, the fact of the matter is that this book is loaded with double-entendres and I personally believe that’s what is happening here. Clearly, they hear his voice and understand that Jesus is identifying himself. However, I think John, after the fact, realizes God’s providential intent in Jesus’ words to also say, “I am (the Creator, Redeemer God of your ancestors) here with you. You do not need to be afraid.”

When Jesus said that, John says they gladly took him into the boat. But, the last little note puts the icing on this cake. John writes that when they took him into the boat, they were “immediately at the land to which they were going.” Don’t forget that they were only halfway across the sea when Jesus appeared to them. When he got in the boat, they were immediately at their destination. Wow!

If we see the same things in this text, I think we have a better picture of why John included this miracle. It’s evidence that Jesus is the Prophet like Moses. But, he’s so much more. He is the Light of the world. He is the Word of God. He is “I am” meaning, he is God.

We need Jesus in our boat don’t we. We need him on our everyday journey. We need to trust him and knowing that he is with us, we don’t need to be afraid.

Episode 42 - Jesus, a reluctant king?

John 6:15   Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

In the past episode I called attention to how the large multitude, that Jesus fed by a visible miracle, made a connection of the Prophet like Moses with Jesus. (See Deut. 18:15-19)  Just like God used Moses to guide and provide for the Israelites in the wilderness coming out of bondage into the Promised Land, Jesus’ miracle seems to fill what they expect. I wanted you to notice how this development comes immediately after Jesus told his antagonists, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me because Moses wrote about me.” (John 5:46) I am suggesting that John has not given us an account of coincidental events. He is helping the reader understand that what God did in times past was not only historical and significant, it was often prophetic; pointing toward God’s greater fulfillment through His Son, Jesus. So, just like Jesus said, the Scriptures are a witness to who he is.

Notice that in this single verse John tells us the people realize that Jesus is the Prophet. On the surface it might look like a good thing. Jesus perceives that the people are so convinced by this realization that they are going to “take him by force to make him king.” He is the “King of Israel” isn’t he? That’s what Nathaniel recognized in John 1:49. Isn’t this what we would hope would happen that they would want to make him king?

But, Jesus withdrew to the mountain by himself. In fact, it looks like he sent his disciples back to the boat perhaps as an elusive measure. Thinking that Jesus would be with the disciples, people would look for Jesus among the disciples. But, he went by himself up the mountain. Why? Why would he not have wanted them to make him king? I believe the answer lies in Jesus’ statement to his antagonists that he “can do nothing of his own accord” (John 5:19) Just like David was not allowed to take the throne from Saul, but wait for the Lord to install him on it, Jesus, a descendent of David, must wait for the Father’s time and not allow the will of any person or crowd prevail. Jesus recognized the crowd’s motivations were not based on the Father’s will but on their own. We will see how this works out in coming episodes.

The fact that John tells us he withdrew back up the mountain by himself is also a reflection of him being the Prophet like Moses. Moses alone was welcomed by God to the top of the mountain to speak with God. I think Jesus went there to communicate with his Father. 

What can we learn from this? I think it’s easy to look at circumstances sometimes and draw deductions and decide that we’re going to help God out because we think we know God’s will and timing. Then, other things come along to confuse us. We need to trust God that His ways in His time are always best.