Episode 76 - Lazarus dies and Jesus' promise to raise him up - John 11:5-16

John 11:5   Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake, I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

If you recall from the last podcast, these sisters sent a message to Jesus concerning their brother Lazarus who was ill saying, “the one you love is ill.” Now, John tells us that Jesus loved Mary and Martha. In other words, Jesus was very close to this family. But, John’s statement here serves to impress this upon us prior to revealing the next detail of the story. John tells us that upon learning of Lazarus’ illness, he stayed where he was two more days. For someone who has demonstrated the ability to heal illnesses and give sight to a man born blind, this appears to be an odd and not-so-loving response.

After this delay, Jesus says to his disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” This evokes a concerned response from the disciples. They are concerned that the Jews who were seeking to stone Jesus have not calmed down and may quickly attempt to fulfill their desire if they go back. This is Jesus’ opportunity to teach again and to prepare them for what they have yet to learn and believe. Jesus, the Light of the world, uses an analogy of light and how people accomplish things in the light because the light illumines what is around them and they don’t stumble. There is God’s work to be done while the Light is with them. 

Jesus then tells them that Lazarus is asleep and he is going back toward Jerusalem to awaken him. I can easily empathize with the disciples when they reply, “If he is asleep, he will recover (wake-up).” I suspect the attitude among these men was, “Are you kidding me? We’re going to risk our lives to go wake up Lazarus from sleep?”

Remember that in our last session, upon learning of Lazarus’ illness, he said, “his illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (verse 4) Later he tells the disciples that Lazarus is sleeping. But, now after the disciples take Jesus very literally, Jesus tells them, “Lazarus has died.”(v. 14) In fact, when we read the whole story, we discover that Lazarus likely died very soon after the messengers went in search for Jesus. Jesus knew it all along. So, why did he say that the illness would not lead to death and then say that Lazarus was sleeping? I think the answer comes in what he says after he tells the disciples that Lazarus has died. He tells them,  “for your sake, I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” (v. 15) Believe what? If Jesus said that Lazarus was asleep and he was going to wake him, but he knew that Lazarus had died, what is Jesus really saying he’s going to do? He is going to raise him from the dead. This is why he waited; so that everyone would know that Lazarus wasn’t just unconscious and appear to be dead. People believed that Jesus could heal his sickness. But, they did not yet believe that Jesus had the ability to restore Lazarus’ life. 

This explains why Jesus said earlier that Lazarus’ illness would not lead to death, but for the glory of God. Even though Lazarus would die, it would only be temporary because God wanted people to believe more about Jesus. Who has the power to give life but God Himself? This sign is to further confirm the deity of Jesus. 

This section closes with a statement from Jesus’ disciple Thomas who concedes, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” While I suspect that this primarily reveals Thomas’s doubt or lack of faith, I wonder if John includes these words to suggest a divinely prophetic message in them that these disciples must die to themselves. When they witness Jesus call a dead man back to life and later Jesus taking back his own life, their faith is being perfected and they truly understand Jesus’ identity. Maybe all of this is recorded to affect the perfecting of our faith.

Episode 75 - "So that the Son of God may be glorified" John 11:1-4

John 11:1   Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

This is the beginning of the final “sign” of Jesus that John reports to his readers. Let’s review them.

1. Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

2. Jesus healed the noble man’s son by speaking from a long distance.

3. Jesus healed the lame man by the pool.

4. Jesus miraculously fed at least 5,000 people by the Sea of Galilee.

5. Jesus walked on water.

6. Jesus gave sight to a man born blind.

7. Jesus calls a dead man by name (Lazarus), and he comes out of the tomb alive.

John begins this account by saying, “a certain man was ill.” Then, he tells us the man’s name, where he’s from, and his relationship to Jesus. It is difficult to determine with great confidence. But, I wonder why John felt it import to speak of him as a certain man. I guess that it may be because he knew him and maybe because this story is so astounding that John is giving us information to affirm that this is historically true. This really happened to a real person, and it’s not just a fictional, legendary story to teach a moral or make Jesus appear more amazing than he really was. John says this story is about “a certain man,” and here is his name and here is where he lives. Talk to him and his family and friends if you don’t believe me (John). 

Lazarus, a nickname for Eleazer, means “God has helped.” He is the brother of Martha and Mary. These are the same sisters who welcomed Jesus into their home, and while Martha focused on hospitality, her sister Mary sat down to listen to Jesus’ teaching. (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus knew this family well. Bethany is within a few miles east of Jerusalem on the road to Jericho. This place became a base for Jesus during his ministry. In verse 2, John tells us more about Mary, that she was the one who anointed his feet before the event actually occurs. We’ll read about that in the next chapter. 

Then, John tells us these ladies sent Jesus a message, “he whom you love is ill.” They don’t say, “Lazarus is ill.” Why this choice of words? Again, it’s only my conjecture. But, I suspect that they are aware that there are people nearby (due to their proximity to Jerusalem) who are on the lookout for Jesus to do him harm, and they are framing their request in such a way to heighten the need for him to come back toward Jerusalem. Perhaps it’s even a bit from their own selfish desires for Jesus to come and heal their brother. Therefore, they don’t say, “Lazarus, our brother, is ill.” They say, “he whom you love” is ill. The point is not to cast them in an evil, manipulating light. It simply shows their humanness and their love for their brother. They believe Jesus can heal their brother, and they are appealing to him in the strongest way they know-how. 

Jesus response to this message has three parts:

1. This illness does not lead to death.

2. It is for the glory of God.

3. So that the Son of God may be glorified through it

Let’s look at each part on its own. 

What does Jesus mean by “This illness does not lead to death?” Of course, it leads to death. Is Jesus lying? Did John misunderstand Jesus? One does not have to read much farther to learn that Lazarus dies. The point here is that death is not the end or purpose of this illness, and this is verified by the fact that at the end of the story, Lazarus is alive and well. So, what is the purpose? That is explained in the second part of Jesus’ answer.

“It is for the glory of God.” Does that sound familiar? It should. This was Jesus’ explanation for the condition of the man born blind; so that God would be glorified not only in him receiving his sight but also hope for eternal life through the faith he gained in Jesus. Does it seem to you that perhaps the signs that Jesus performs and even the order in which they occur are working together to bring glory to God and His Son, Jesus? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Jesus healing the man born blind so that the glory of God might be revealed happens prior to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. His disciples would have (and did) remembered this saying because they had just heard it right before Jesus healed the man born blind. These things are all in God’s plan for Jesus’ disciples and ultimately for us to understand and believe in Jesus.

That is the final part of Jesus’ response; “So that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” We will see how this sign leads to his glorification as we continue through this book. But, for now, it’s important to understand that God is glorified when His Son Jesus is glorified. 

Episode 74 - "Everything John said about this man was true" - John 10:40-42

John 10:40   He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

We have seen how the animosity towards Jesus by people in Jerusalem has grown. People have sought to stone him to death or to arrest him. Yet, they have failed because it has not been Jesus’ hour. 

In this brief section that follows the most recent attempt to stop and silence Jesus, Jesus leaves Jerusalem and travels across the Jordan River to where John the Baptist had been baptizing people. This location is where Jesus’ ministry began when he went to be baptized by John. Doesn’t this feel like the author is bringing his story to a close by drawing attention to Jesus returning to where his ministry started? If you look at the whole Gospel of John, you will notice that we are only half-way through the book. The first half of the book has covered a span of a few years of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Yet, the last half of the book covers only the last few weeks of his life and then the short time on earth following his resurrection. So, I believe this is here to indicate a coming completion to Jesus’ ministry. 

Do not overlook the mention that this was where John had been baptizing. The author reminds us of John and his ministry.  It should evoke in our mind the purpose for John baptizing, calling people to repent of their sin, and preparing the way for the Lord. Did he accomplish that? Absolutely! This fact is evident by what happens when Jesus goes there and remains there. 

Many people go to him. But, they did not go there to stone Jesus or to arrest him. They were drawn to him, and they recall John the Baptist’s message. They realize that many people recognized that John the Baptist was a prophet. They believed him even though he did not perform a single sign. They realized that Jesus did perform signs, and they understood that everything John said about Jesus was true. It would seem evident that they should, therefore, believe in Jesus. 

These people were like the sheep Jesus spoke of, aren’t they? While some people heard Jesus’ teaching, saw his miracles, but still rejected him, these people became convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. 

How about you? After reading or hearing about Jesus’ healing people and giving sight to a man born blind, and considering his claims about his identity, do you believe that he is the Messiah (Christ)? Do you believe he is the unique Son of God who could and would lay down his own life as he said he could and that by believing in him, you can be forgiven of your sins and have hope of being raised from death to eternal life with God?

Episode 73 - "I am the Son of God" John 10:31-37

John 10:31   The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

Why are the Jews wanting to stone Jesus? Because he had just said, “I and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) As had occurred when Jesus had said earlier, “Before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8:58-59) the Jews understand Jesus to be claiming equality with God. That is blasphemous if not true and would deserve the death penalty by stoning according to the Law. 

In immediate response to their picking up stones, Jesus calls to their attention the “many good works from the Father” and asks them for which of them are they stoning him. They make it clear that it’s not for a good work they are going to stone him, but for blasphemy. In an indirect way, it appears that Jesus has elicited an acknowledgment that he has done good works from the Father but they are ignoring that fact and accuse him of blasphemy. 

Before returning to the evidence of the works he has done, Jesus quotes part of Psalm 82:6, “I said, you are gods.” What is this all about? Why is Jesus using this verse and what is the point? Here is the immediate context:

“Psa. 82:5   They have neither knowledge nor understanding,

they walk about in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Psa. 82:6   I said, “You are gods,

sons of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,

and fall like any prince.” (ESV)

Essentially, the writer of this psalm is speaking for God and indicting leaders of Israel for their injustice to the people under them. He says they “walk about in darkness.” (82:5) That is followed by a reminder of who God intended them to be. They were to be leaders with the authority to judge and guide the people. Therefore, they are acting as “gods” so to speak. But, their end is certain and they would die like men. 

What Jesus is doing is arguing that if the psalmist, who under the leading of the Holy Spirit, can write this about human leaders, how do Jesus’ accusers defend their decision to stone him “who the Father consecrated and sent into the world . . . because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?”(v. 36)

Remember the setting for this event is the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah. This was when the temple was rededicated or consecrated after the Maccabean Revolt. It’s interesting and not coincidental that Jesus states the Father consecrated him and sent him into the world. Jesus had already said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) He was speaking of the temple of his body. Jesus is affirming that he is God’s true dwelling place among people. This fact is reinforced by Jesus explaining, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” (v. 38b)

This section concludes with this mob seeking to arrest Jesus but once again, he escapes. It is not his hour.

I hope the obvious “take away” from this section is yet another reminder that Jesus clearly asserts his divine identity. If we struggle with that claim, we should take the challenge offered to his accusers. We should consider the works he did. What would we say about a person who could give sight to a person who has never had sight in their life? What would we say about someone who foretold that he would lay down his own life, then take it back up again and then prove it?

Episode 72 - "No one will snatch them from my hand" John 10:19-30

John 10:19   There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” John 10:22   At that time, the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

We have a little more text this week than I often have, but, I want to focus on one key aspect of Jesus’ words in this section after I mention the context.

Jesus has just claimed to be able to raise himself from the dead after laying down his own life. Understandably, people would have a problem with such a claim. People predictably argued that he was insane or possessed by a demon. But, others rightly questioned whether a demon had the power to open the eyes of a blind person.

So again, they collar him at the temple and insist that he plainly make his claim that he is the Christ. He reiterates what John has recorded him saying earlier, and they need to look at the evidence he’s given them. In other words, don’t just ask me (Jesus) to tell you with words. What does the evidence of my works reveal?

But, Jesus doesn’t stop with this. He tells them outright that they don’t believe because they don’t belong to his flock of sheep. He says that he gives his “sheep” eternal life, and “they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” 

Here is the point I want to make. I realize that some wonderful Christians have different views on the idea of “eternal security.” Eternal security is that if you’ve been saved, you cannot lose your salvation.” I have good Christian friends who don’t believe that. However, you have to deal with this text if you don’t. If Jesus gives you eternal life when you place your trust in Him and you are figuratively “in his hand,” he’s suggesting that he has each believer securely protected in his care and no one (not even you) can take them away from Jesus’ possession. 

If that promise were not enough, he adds that the Father, who gave these sheep to Jesus,  is “greater than all,” and no one can take them from Him. 

What kind of picture does that paint about our security in Jesus? I cannot think of a passage that is more comforting than this promise by Jesus.

I hope that you will not let guilt, shame, failure, or anything else distract you from your joy and peace, knowing that you are safely and firmly in God’s protection if you’ve placed your trust in Jesus.

Episode 71 - "I am the good shepherd" John 10:11-17

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

In this same setting as our previous two episodes, Jesus is using an illustration of shepherding sheep, something his audience could identify with, to make specific claims about his identity. In our last episode, Jesus stated that just as there is only one door to the sheep pen, that is to say only one valid way to the place where sheep would be safe, so there is only one way to God where people are safe. Jesus is claiming to be that door to God. Now, beginning in verse 11, we have the fourth “I am . . . “ statement by Jesus. He says, “I am the good shepherd.” 

In the Old Testament, the picture of God being a shepherd is common. Look at Isaiah 40:10-11 for example:

40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,

and his arm rules for him;

behold, his reward is with him,

and his recompense before him.

11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young.

What strikes me about Jesus’ claim is not so much that Jesus claims to be the good shepherd, but his description of what defines a good shepherd. He immediately states that a good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Then, he points out that someone who is a hired hand will not take such risks. The hired hand is simply there for the job. But, the good shepherd has a relationship with his sheep and he will even sacrifice his own life for the good of his sheep. This is the difference between responsibility or obligation and love. This is love in its highest form. We cannot rightly read this claim of Jesus and feel belittled by being compared to sheep. The correct, and hopefully obvious, response is to feel overwhelmed by the love and a sense of security in our faith which this is intended to engender within us. 

I have spoken of the literary purpose of repetition since we started this study. Its primary purpose is to emphasize what is important. There is plenty of repetition in this section. In verse 14 Jesus repeats “I am the good shepherd.” In verse 11 Jesus says, “the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Then, in verses 15, 17, and 18 he says, “I lay down my life” ( for my sheep.) Talk about emphasis. He is emphasizing that he is going to lay down his own life for his sheep. Who are his sheep? Those who believe in him. Those that listen to his voice and follow him. Some of them are Israelites, Jews who will believe him and follow him. But, he also adds that he has other sheep “not from this fold.” (v. 16) Who are they? They are those of us who are not Jews who also hear his voice and follow him. Remember John 3:16? (“For God so loved the world . . .”) Jesus came for the world and not just the children of Israel. Isn’t it awesome how he adds that there will be one flock and one shepherd? In the same way that Jesus is the only true shepherd, he does not have multiple flocks. There will be no labels separating one flock from the other and there will be no border walls or different rules from one flock to the other. 

Finally, we might ask ourselves how we can have this one shepherd if that shepherd lays down his life; if he is dead. The answer is in the text and repeated for emphasis. The answer is that he has the authority to and will “take up” his own life again. It seems to me there are only two reasonable responses to that claim. The first is fall-on-the-ground laughter at such a ridiculous claim by someone who says they can take back their own life after they’ve laid it down. The second is to be in awe if we believe he has that authority to actually pull that off.  Soon, we will get a better glimpse of the evidence demonstrating he truly has that kind of power.

Episode 69 - I am the Good Shepherd - John 10:1-6

John 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

This is a teaching of Jesus concerning himself, his mission, and those who follow him. I believe it may be significant to understand the historical context in which he is sharing this. This happens leading up to or at the time of the “Feast of Dedication. (verse 22)” You’ll see this on calendars today as “Hanukkah.” During the period we know as the intertestamental period (the time between when the last prophet Malachi spoke) and the time of Christ, Alexander the Great conquered the known world and effectively influenced the cultures throughout the lands he conquered with the Greek culture. The land of Israel was essentially at the center of the various political upheavals during those four hundred years and when a Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanies desecrated the Jewish temple, there was a successful revolt led by a Judas Maccabeus which led to the rededication of the temple. Hanukkah remembers and celebrates that event. 

The point is that such events can lead people to ask, “What caused this mess in the first place?” The common theme in the Hebrew Scriptures that Christians call the Old Testament is a cycle of good leaders followed by bad leaders. God’s discipline upon Israel always came in the wake of bad leaders who led the people astray from God’s ways. So, coming into this celebration, Jesus is teaching about good leaders and bad leaders. 

In this figure of speech, Jesus speaks of a sheepfold. That was typically a waist-high stone enclosure where sheep could be led for the night and be safe from wild animals. There was only one door to that enclosure guarded by someone. There would be no good reason for a shepherd of a flock of sheep to not enter by the only legitimate entry. Someone climbing over the wall was a thief and did not have good motives. The legitimate shepherd is known first by the one guarding the gate and also by his own sheep. Shepherds spend a lot of time with their sheep and may talk to the sheep, sing and the sheep would learn to identify the sound of their own shepherd’s voice. They would know that this recognizable voice was safe.

What I really love about this section of this story is how the shepherd calls each one of his sheep by name and then he leads them wherever they need to be led. He doesn’t open the gate and send them wandering aimlessly wherever they might go. 

For me, this provokes the question in my mind, “How well do I know the voice of Jesus?” If he knows my name and calls, do I recognize his voice and would I follow him?

Of course, that leads us to ask, “How do we learn to recognize his voice if he is not physically present with us to speak into our ears?” I think the answer to that is by reading the Scriptures and listening in a spiritual sense to how he spoke and what he said to others. I don’t think his message to us would be any different than it was to people around him 2000 years ago. I hope this study facilitates familiarity with Jesus’ voice to you and others.

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 65 - His "vision" is improving - John 9:13-17

John 9:13   They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

What has become apparent is that Jesus has, as we say, created a stir. People who recognized him are amazed that this man who has been blind and begged all his life is now walking around on his own able to see. 

When asked what happened that caused him to see, he has responded very factually with no additional commentary on the miracle or the miracle worker Jesus. So, people take him to the Pharisees. Uh oh. This can’t be good, right? Then, John mentions that it was the Sabbath (again) that Jesus healed this man. You can sense the conflict coming again can’t you. They’ve sought to kill him for healing the lame man on the Sabbath. Will this healing change their minds about Jesus? Let’s “see” what happens as they investigate this amazing event. They ask the man how he received his sight. The man gave them the same factual information that he’d given the crowd at the temple.

Initially, this creates a division among the Pharisees. Some dig their heals into the sand and insist that Jesus is “not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But, others ask “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” That’s a good question. What is your answer to that question? Have you thought about that?

With this conflict among the Pharisees, some of them finally have the sense to ask the man who had been healed his opinion about Jesus’ identity. I love the irony here. The religious expert are divided and cannot come to a conclusion, so they ask the man who had been healed. 

Remember how this story started? Jesus and his disciples see the blind man begging and his disciples make an assumption about the man and his condition. They assume that this blind is God’s judgment upon him for sin of his parents or even himself as an unborn child. These disciples are expressing what obviously would have been a cultural and common expectation. Certainly the Pharisees had no higher view of him. “He’s a sinner!” But, here they are asking his opinion on something they cannot agree. 

There is no evidence that the man had been asked this question before. Furthermore, we don’t know how much time this man might have had to consider his answer. But, it appears that his answer is quick and confident: “He is a prophet.” 

What we have here is that after the man’s physical eyes begin to see, now his spiritual vision is gaining clarity. No longer is Jesus just a man who put mud on his eyes and told him where to go wash. Things are coming together for him and he realizes that there is something spiritually special about Jesus and he recognizes that Jesus is a prophet. That is correct. The people who ate the loaves and fish in the wilderness area recognized Jesus and the Prophet like Moses who was to come, but soon abandoned him. How will this man respond? We’ll find out in future episodes.

Episode 64 - "How were your eyes opened?" - John 9:8-12

John 9:8   The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

In an old detective television show called “Dragnet,” the main character, Sgt. Joe Friday would often question various people regarding a crime he was investigating and people would give all sorts of information related or not to what they had witnessed. Sgt. Friday would interrupt them and say, “Just the facts.”

This section reminds me of that because there are people who recognize this man who has been given his sight for the first time in his life. But, to see him walking around on his own is something that is very different and it makes some people think this person is one who looks like the blind beggar man they knew. But, he affirms that he is the one. 

When they ask how his eyes were opened, he gives them just the facts. In John’s account of this man’s amazing experience of healing, the man doesn’t give us any thoughts beyond the facts of what happened. He does not offer any opinion as to who Jesus is or how he could possibly have given this man sight. Furthermore, when they asked, “Where is he” he told them he didn’t know. 

I cannot imagine what that guy thought when he first opened his eyes after washing the mud away. But, I have to admit that I wonder why this guy let Jesus out of his sight. Perhaps he got caught up in this new experience of seeing for the first time. But, what is apparent is that all this man has considered about Jesus is that he knows how to make mud and put it on his eyes and tell him where he should wash it off. Soon, he will be forced to think more deeply about what has happened and Jesus’ identity.

This is so relevant for today because many people may identify as Christians. They may talk about Jesus. They may believe he gave sight to blind people. But, do they know who he is? For those of us who’ve had the privilege of learning and believing the full revelation of Jesus’ identity we should take this to heart so that we can invite others into seeing Jesus’ identity and placing their trust in him.

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!