Gospel of John by Dr

Gospel of John By Dr. Esther Mallett Edited By Dr. Drucilla Richardson

Appointed to Learn / Anointed to Serve Endtime Ministries International Bible University A SOUL WINNING UNIVERSITY

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From the Author...

In 1948 there was a great revival sent from God to cover the whole earth. It was truly an awakening to the Word of the Lord, yet millions of people did not know that God was visiting His people again. The revival hit like a bolt of lightening in Battleford, Canada and from there it spread all over the world. At the same time, the land of God, which is Israel, became a Nation, as the Bible teaches in Matthew 24:32. "When His branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh." The nation of Israel gave trees to the people of the land and they planted them in Israel.

My childhood days were filled with my wonderful family, who lived in Garden Grove to sing, play their guitars and preach every night on the streets of downtown Garden Grove. These ladies eventually started a Foursquare Church. I joined the church and, once again, started going to the altar every time there was an altar call. Still, no one led me to Jesus.

At the age of nineteen, I married a wonderful man, whose name is Gordon Mallett. We were married and moved to Long Beach, California. When our second son was born, a big change occurred in my life. I went into the Real Estate business, and pitching on a softball team for the city of Long Beach, I did not want to hear anything about Jesus Christ. I had become very bitter toward churches. Why was I bitter? Many thousands of people who have been neglected in churches are bitter, also. So I turned and went my own way, but inwardly, my whole desire was to be introduced to Jesus Christ.

In the course of time, I met a lady named Jane Richardson, who came to California from Florida. She was purchasing a lot of housing units and I helped her find the types of property she wanted. One Wednesday morning, about 9:00 AM, I left my home heading south on a street that came to a dead-end. I needed to turn left to reach my destination, so I proceeded to turn the car. All of a sudden, something strange happened. It seemed as though I was in a vast eternity. I heard an audible voice say, "Study my Word." I remember it just as though it happened yesterday. I was so stunned, I slammed on the brakes, jumped out of the car, raised my arms towards Heaven and said, "Jesus, are you talking to me?" I was in a trance. When I came out of that experience, the car was on one side of the centerline and I was on the other. Cars were honking and people were yelling and cursing me. I got back into the car, went home and looked for a Bible, but couldn't find one. So, I went to the store to purchase one and began reading it.

Jesus came to me and he physically pushed me to the floor and talked with me until 4:30 AM in the morning. During that conversation, He showed me two perfectly drawn charts and told me about His "Man Child". He told me His plan for me. Jesus said, loud and plain: "You will build Me a great house."

In 1963, the first house of the Lord was built and dedicated in North Long Beach. In 1970, EMI Bible University was founded. In 1978, we purchased the Golden West Ballroom located at 12400 Studebaker Rd. in Norwalk, CA. The vision of EMI Bible University is evangelism. There has been thousands and thousands of people whose souls have been saved because of this vision. In obedience to His will and direction, seminars, preaching, teaching and winning the lost to Jesus, have become the primary goal of my ministry. It has been a long, wonderful, and exciting journey.

Dr. Esther Mallett

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Copyright page ...... 1 From the Author...... 2 Body Soul and Spirit Chart ...... 3 So Great Salvation Chart ...... 4 Introduction ...... 7 Chapter 1...... 9 Chapter 2 ...... 29 Chapter 3 ...... 39 Chapter 4 ...... 55 Chapter 5 ...... 71 Chapter 6 ...... 85 Chapter 7 ...... 107 Chapter 8 ...... 127 Chapter 9 ...... 145 Chapter 10 ...... 157 Chapter 11 ...... 169 Chapter 12 ...... 183 Chapter 13 ...... 205 Chapter 14 ...... 219 Chapter 15 ...... 229 Chapter 16 ...... 241 Chapter 17 ...... 261 Chapter 18 ...... 279 Chapter 19 ...... 299 Chapter 20 ...... 319 Chapter 21 ...... 335 References ...... 351

The Gospel According to Saint John Introduction

Our world offers a variety of gods to worship. Yet only one religion worships a person known primarily for His sacrificial love. The Gospel of John provides a compelling profile of that God who is so marvelously revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.

The message of John is simple. The signs John recorded were for the purpose of leading people to believe that Jesus is the Christ.

John 20:30-31 (KJV) 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The Beloved Disciple explores one of the most intriguing relationships in history, between Jesus and His youngest apostle, and it traces the life of the young follower. John would certainly qualify as one of the most fascinating characters in Scripture. He anonymously penned the Gospel that most people consider their favorite. He identified himself only as the "disciple whom Jesus loved." He took the other Gospel accounts of Jesus the Messiah and wrote as if to say, "You've heard what Jesus did, now let me show you whom He really was." Thus, John shows us the cosmic Christ who created the world, died to redeem it, and lives to reclaim it.

It is quite evident from different statements that John's intent is to point men to the saving faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and so enable them to obtain eternal life. John the son of Zebedee and Salome, the brother of James is the disciple that Jesus loved and he laid his head on Jesus breast at the last supper. Christian tradition holds that he outlived the remaining apostles and that he was the only one not to die a martyr's death. The Gospel of John is an eyewitness account of the unnamed "disciple whom Jesus loved".

The fourth gospel was in existence as early as the first half of the second century. Rylands Library Papyrus P52 contains a fragment of the Gospel. The main point of interest of this fragment is that it is generally dated to around 125 CE, and that, since it was found in Egypt, this date, accordingly, is evidence that the Gospel of John, thought to have been composed in Asia Minor, must have been some time earlier than 125 CE. And, since the Gospel of John is widely considered the latest of the canonical gospels, this fragment can serve as evidence for the traditional dating of the Gospels — the last decades of the first century.

References: Dr Ester M. Mallett, D.D; Beth Moore:; Vridar dating New Testament manuscripts Updated 2016

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER I

IN THE BEGINNING John 1:1-2 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.

It doesn't take a seminary professor to notice that the opening words of John's account are familiar. In fact, if you were to recite the words "In the beginning..." to a Bible student and asked him to complete the sentence, you would likely hear them finish with Genesis 1:1 as with John 1:1

The first five verses of Genesis and John are strikingly similar and of course, this is no accident. Genesis begins this way:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

As in Genesis John begins with a statement of the beginning of Creation and with light and darkness. John borrows from the words of Genesis so that we might ponder the connection, and ponder we will.

John 1:2, makes it clear that the statement in verse 1 is telling us that Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning with God. God in His word often uses repetitive statements to stress a particular truth so not to be misunderstood. It further tells us the union of God the Father and Son was not one that began in time, but existe in all eternity. Therefore Jesus Christ was God before He was incarnated in flesh as a man.

Who is this God who created all things? • The God with the power to create merely by speaking Creation into existence • The God who made light by His word • The God who separated light from darkness by that same word

John writes to answer that question - That God was Jesus Christ So John coined the name “The Word” as a succinct way to explain that Creation of Genesis 1 was the work of Christ. But then John also points out that there is God and there is the Word, and they are distinct yet, they were together in the beginning. By definition, if two entities are both present before the start of all Creation, then neither created the other so both are God. Perhaps John was seeking to clarify Genesis 1:26, where God declares, “Let Us make man in Our image.”

The reference to God in the original Hebrew which was written in the plural, has perplexed Jewish scholars for millennia. Now we see that the plural tense was always intended to reflect the Trinity of the Godhead. Ironically, John is embarking on explaining how God made His Son in the image of man, so to speak. We could talk all night on the mystery of the Trinity, but even after hours of talking, we probably wouldn’t understand it any better than we do right now. Simply put, our God is Three Persons. The member of the Godhead Who acted to bring about Creation was the Son. He spoke the Creation into existence, John calls Jesus the Word. Since to be sure we understood that Christ is the One and only Creator, John adds verse 3

JESUS THE CREATOR John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

Paul echoes this truth in Colossians, which was written decades earlier. Jesus is the Son of God. He made everything on planet earth. He is the voice of God. When God spoke, the words came out of His mouth, and those Words were Jesus. Jesus is the Word of God, the Father. Colossians 1:15-16 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

Here again we have a sentence that makes a repetitive statement. (1) "All things were made by him." (2) "and without him was not anything made." Jesus did not begin when born in Bethlehem, but He existed before the Universe and was the Creator.

Everything owes its existence to the Word. Not just the whole, but separately, the birds that sing in the morning, the child playing or skipping home from school, the vastness of the universe we are now attempting to explain, all these were made by Him. Throughout the Gospel, John often states a truth in negative terms as well as positive, as he does here: “without Him nothing was made that was made.” The form of the verb is the perfect tense. Here is the Word’s continuing creative activity in that which we see all around.

JESUS THE LIFE John 1:4-5 In him was life; and the life was the light of men; And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John continues with the Creation story that gives Jesus yet another name; “Light.” John says in Jesus is light and He is the Light of the world.

John is establishing a chain of logic as he moves through his opening (or prologue as some call it). Logically, if Jesus is the Creator and God, then He is also the source of all life, since God is the life- giver. So since Christ is the Creator, in Him is life for men.

But Christ gives men life in two ways, which is a central theme in John’s Gospel, which he introduces here As Creator, He brings physical life, Christ is also the source of spiritual and eternal life. That’s what John

is borrowing from the first day of Creation

Christ created light and darkness on the first day of creation. This design is very different that the one God follows for the New Heaven and Earth we all will occupy one day. In the new world, we will know only light; there is no darkness according to:

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.

So if the new, perfect world will have no darkness, why did God include darkness in His plan for our current world? John alludes to the answer when he draws this association between light and spiritual life. God uses light as a metaphor in scripture for truth, righteousness and the eternal life that results from the righteousness, which we receive in Christ. While dark is a metaphor for the opposite, that is sin and the death it produces. In our present world, we can experience both the righteousness of God and the darkness of man’s sinful heart. So God has built our present world with light and dark to serve as a convenient metaphor for the concept of righteousness and sin. Then in the world to come, we will no longer know sin or death, and therefore, He no longer needs to have darkness as a metaphor in the Creation.

In that sense, John is saying Jesus is the solution to the problem of darkness. Not only does He bring life to our physical bodies, as our Creator, but Jesus is also the Word, the source of Truth, and by the revelation of Christ, we came to understand He also brings eternal life to our souls by His righteousness. He is the Light and the eternal life of the world

When a person receives Jesus he has eternal life. Jesus is Eternal Life, but He also is Abundant Life. This abundant life is to be glorified just as He is. This requires the putting down of all the works of the flesh and walking through, Justification- God's act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice; Sanctification-To literally “set apart for particular use in a special purpose or work and to make holy or sacred." Glorification- The final stage of salvation which is made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (is the saving of the soul from sin and its consequences). It is to be mature in God.

John says that Jesus is the source of life. This life was the "light of men." It offers illumination to every person, that life was the light of all men. It shines in the context of darkness; and the darkness has not overcome it.

John answers the question that Jesus brought His light into the world, but He was not understood by the darkness. John neatly summarize Jesus entire earthly ministry in that one verse that Jesus is revealing Himself to the world, but the world rejected Him.

Note that the first half of the verse is written in the present tense, while the second half is in the past tense. The revelation of God in Christ is forever available, and therefore it shines without end. The revelation was not limited to the period of Jesus first visit to earth, but is everlasting. The second half of the verse refers to the response Jesus received from Israel in His first coming. They rejected Him as Messiah; so the unbelieving hearts of men did not comprehend the message of the Gospel in Christ. This is another major theme in John’s Gospel explaining the rejection of Christ

JOHN THE BAPTIST THE FORERUNNER John 1:6-8 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John; The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe; He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Jesus was the Light of the world, but the world rejected Him. John simply calls this witness John without designating him as the Prophet as do the synoptic Gospels. He evidently knew John well, for he had been one of his followers. The prophet Malachi prophesied that God would send a messenger to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. God said:

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

John begins with a simple observation on the ministry of John the Baptist. John was sent from God, which means John the Baptist was a prophet in the Old Testament sense and actually can be considered the last Old Testament prophet. He brought the people right to the door of the Messianic age, but he himself did not participate in it since he was killed before the Messiah died to make the only perfect sacrifice that can take away sins. This is the idea shown in this passage: Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

John the Baptist lived out his life under the old dispensation. He was the greatest Old Testament prophet in the sense that he personally saw the Messianic age, and witnessed the presence of the Messiah. He also made the way ready for the Messiah, who was the ultimate object of all their prophecies. Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

The word “until” in the Greek signifies the last in a series. John the Baptist was the last because the ideal hope of all the prophets was to now be realized in the person of Christ

John the Baptist was a witness who came in the spirit of Elijah, and announced the presence of the Messianic Kingdom in the person of Jesus Christ. He was truly a prophet to a nation since he was sent to national Israel to preach repentance in preparation for God’s presence. He was sent to testify about the

light. John the Baptist’s ministry was essentially to prepare an audience within Israel to be anticipating the Messiah’s arrival, not to merely expect Him “one day” but to expect Him imminently. As Isaiah said, John was preparing a way for Christ by stirring up an interest within Israel. Those who believed in the promised Messiah followed John into the desert and received his baptism as a sign of repentance in anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival. Then when Jesus finally appeared, John had prepared an audience of disciples who readily followed Jesus from the very first point in His ministry. John has more to say about John the Baptist, but for now he returns to his theme of Christ as God and Creator as he paints a contrast between the two men.

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. JESUS WAS UNKNOWN John 1:9-10 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world; He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

While John the Baptist was not the Light, John says there was a true Light that entered the world, and that Light came to His own, that being the Jewish people. The very people John the Baptist had been attempting to prepare, and still they did not receive Jesus as the Christ.

The unbelieving world's blindness is inexcusable, because Jesus was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. The statement that He was in the world further shows the Word of John 1:1 is Jesus Christ. The pronoun "He" can only refer to Jesus Christ. John says that Jesus was in the "kosmos" which refers to not only to the earth (world), but to the universe. The word "kosmos" refers literally to "order, arrangement, ornament, and adornment". It is used to denote the Earth and also the Universe."

Colossians 1:16-17

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The Jewish rejection of Christ is all the more astounding when we consider John’s opening theme of Creation. Jesus is the source of spiritual truth for all men, and He is also the One who made the world. In the mystery of the incarnation, He became a part of that very world He Himself made! Nevertheless, the Creator, who condescended to enter into His own creation, was rejected by the same creation. Consider the humility of a God who would orchestrate the circumstances by which He would suffer humiliation at the hands of the very people He spoke into existence and granted life.

The world did not know Him: How can it be? How can it be that God came to the same world He created, to the creatures made in His image, and the world did not know Him? It shows the depth of fallen human nature which has rejected God.

In a fallen state, the darkness of men’s hearts leaves them incapable of understanding truth, of seeing the light. Imagine beams of sunlight falling upon a blind person, despite the brightness of that light, the person will remain in darkness for as long as they are blind. Someone must first give them eyes to see before they can. No man is destitute of the illumination of this light, for God has revealed something of Himself to all men. This is the common light of nature. Paul has also spoken of this light for all men. While this light is universal, for every man yet it is personal. Each one has this gift of light, however faint it may be.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

This is another theme of John’s Gospel we’ll see repeated many times. Men are by nature set against Christ by their spiritual blindness and only those the Father draws to Christ will see the light and come to know the truth.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day

JESUS WAS REJECTED BY MANY, BUT WAS RECEIVED BY A FEW John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not; But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Jesus Christ was God. No one knew Him, so they rejected Him. However, it was already written that He would come. They thought He would come as a king, but He came lowly on a colt. Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

This verse points to an even deeper tragedy. He came to His own people Israel (Jews) and they received him not. He did not come as an outsider, but as one who belonged. In spite of all the centuries of waiting for their promised Messiah, when at last He appeared they not only dismissed His claim but instigated His destruction. It is a tragedy which brought tears to the eyes of Jesus. Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

John 1:12 affirms that all was not lost in God’s plan, for some received Him, and all that received Him were granted the right to become children of God. Those who believed in His

name, in other words, are those who received Him. This is the first of many expressions of the Gospel itself, that to believe in the name of Jesus brings eternal life. This is the purpose of John writing this Gospel. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

JESUS WAS BORN OF GOD John 1:13-14 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Those who received Him are born of God, but not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Here, John reminds us of the nature of the new birth: it is God's sovereign gift to man, not man's achievement

When John speaks of being “born of God” he eliminates all possibility of this happening by human Initiative or achievement. Not of blood he says. The ancients held that the power of birth was in the intermingling of blood or bloods, the activity of life in the blood of the father and mother. But this is not the source of spiritual birth. This birth is not of the will of the flesh, we didn’t make a choice of our own will to open our eyes and see the light. Our new birth comes exclusively by the will of God who grants to us the knowledge of Christ.

The incarnation of Christ is another major theme of John’s Gospel. Jesus didn’t just become a man nor did He merely take on a body. Such statements leave room for someone to say God came upon a man or merely took the form of man. Truly, the Lord Became Flesh!

The word for dwell in Greek is similar to the word for tabernacle, reminding us that God once dwelled among the Israelites in the tabernacle. But that tabernacle was incomplete and temporary. When Christ took on flesh, He dwelt in a fullness never before seen. A man or woman could look upon the man Jesus, and he or she was seeing the fullness of God the Father.

Therefore, the son has explained the Father, not only in words, but in His physical incarnation and life examples. The thought that the Eternal Creator God could occupy a living body is a concept that has captivated human consciousness. Even the unbelieving world is fascinated with the idea of God incarnate, though they distort it in ignorance.

Philippians 2:7 Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

As the writer of Hebrews goes on to explain, "He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people" And He pitched His tent among us.

Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

JESUS IS ETERNAL John 1:15-17 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me; And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist was playing the part of another Old Testament prophet as he too testified to Christ. He was the final man to provide a partial revelation of God, and his purpose was to reveal who would be the Messiah. His revelation told men that the fullness of God was to be found in Christ. John the Baptist role was not to compete or compliment Jesus, since he himself declared that Jesus existed before him. Yet, we remember according to Luke that John was born six months before Jesus.

Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Jesus was the complete and final expression of God the Father to His Creation. He is the begotten God; later to be called the begotten Son. This description John gives of the Son “Begotten” the word means the only one to come forth. It doesn’t suggest birth or creation, it speaks to a unique manifestation sent out and before He was sent out, Christ was in the Father’s bosom, another uniquely Jewish idiom.

The phrase "grace for grace" has been given several interpretations. Here we have an unusual phrase. What does this mean? It is an inexhaustible supply of grace (grace for grace). It means “Grace heaped upon Grace.” When you get saved, it doesn’t take you long to figure out that you need a lot of Grace.

We fail so many times and it seems that the Grace of God would run out for such a wretched bunch. But it never runs out, God gives us Grace heaped upon Grace. Contrasting with an order of rigid laws and regulations given through Moses, but grace and truth came though Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

The Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ, the identity of John the Baptist in relation to this One who is full of grace and truth is crucial. We are reminded throughout the prologue that John is a witness, a voice that came to bear witness. He declared with a loud clear voice that the One who comes after him in time is preferred before him in position. Only He can take center stage; not the Baptist because Jesus is the only begotten of the Father, the One of superior power.

Jesus Declared The Father John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

The prologue comes to a beautiful conclusion by stressing again the close, intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. Only the One who is in the bosom of the Father can make Him known. All during His earthly ministry the Son has cling to the Father as He has done throughout all eternity. It is only the One who lives in intimate fellowship with the Father who can make Him known, and Christ has declared Him.

This describes an intimate and close relationship. Such were the Father and Son before Christ became flesh. In fact, John took to describing himself as reclining in the bosom of Christ later in the Gospel, reflecting his own intimate relationship with Jesus. John then makes the important point that although no man has seen God the Father, man has seen God the only begotten Son of the Father. Man has only seen Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate in flesh. John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

Exodus 33:20 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

John 1:18 states that Jesus "declared" the Father. The verb used here is the root from which we derive our word "exegesis." Exegesis is the word we use to describe the interpretation of God's word. It refers to a careful examination and then detailed explanation of a passage of Scripture. John is saying that all revelation we have of God the Father came to us or was revealed to us by God the Son. God the Father is spirit and cannot be seen by any man, but God, the only begotten Son of God, can and has been seen.

John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

John has opened the Gospel presenting Christ as the Creator, eternal and one with the Father in the beginning, the Light, and Truth, the fullness of God and yet flesh living among men.

These themes will reverberate throughout John’s 21 chapters. Finally, John concludes his prologue and introduces Jesus pubic ministry by explaining the completion of John the Baptist’s ministry.

John The Baptist Questioned John 1:19-23 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ; And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No; Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias; And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

This encounter begins what appears to be a single week of events that John records up through the wedding in Cana in Chapter 2.

It’s a week for the changing of the guard John the Baptist is leaving the scene while Jesus is entering. John’s disciples are leaving to join Jesus and Jesus is on the brink of revealing Himself in public ministry through miracles and teaching authority.

John begins by relating a moment towards the end of John the Baptist ministry, when he was confronted by men sent from the Pharisees. They were questioning him over his authority and identity. John answers each question without hesitation. He denied he was the Christ. He also denied being Elijah and the prophet.

Each of these questions has its root in Jewish understanding of Old Testament prophecies. The Old Testament tells Israel to expect a conquering, reigning Messiah, or Christ, who will rule the world with a rod of iron, but it also tells Israel that a great prophet will come and suffer on behalf of the sins of Israel. In addition, Malachi says that the prophet Elijah will return before the great and terrible day of the Lord

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Revelation 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

The delegation asked about other possibilities for his identity. “Who then are you”? “Are you Elijah?” Elijah was associated in people’s thinking with the coming of the Messiah. He had been taken to heaven, mysteriously and dramatically, in a fiery chariot. Perhaps he would return in the same manner. Now John’s answer is firmer than before “I am not.” Then could he be “the Prophet”? There was talk about the return of Jeremiah or some other great prophet who would be a forerunner of the Messiah. The answer even more brief, simply “No” John’s dialogue with the

Jews has been painfully negative, but the delegation continues to push on since they must give an answer to those who sent them.

One could sense almost a fear, a pressure in their seeking for some kind of word they can take back; “Who are you? that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” Now John quotes the prophecy of Isaiah. He is a voice a herald of the glory of God which is to be revealed in Jesus Christ. He is the one who points, the preacher who came to prepare the way. Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

John The Baptist Baptizing John 1:25-28 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

There was a great confrontation between John the Baptist and the delegation of priests and Levites sent by the Jews. There was much happening and great talk at the Jordan River about this dramatic new preacher who was baptizing all kinds of people as a sign of repentance. Since John was the son of the priest Zacharias, they did not beat around the bush. Their question was direct and to the point, “Who are you? The manner in which John answers is crucial. He is standing in a place of transition, between two worlds, the old and the new. Here he had an opportunity to confess Christ or to hold back a little to create a false impression, but his answer is unequivocal and decisive. “He confessed, and did not deny, I am not the Christ” John1: 20.

John not only preached repentance in preparation of the coming kingdom, but he baptized those that repented and presented themselves. Jewish baptism began long before John the Baptist. The ritual involved the use of a Mikvah (or mikveh) which is a specially built pool of water used for total immersion in a purification ceremony within Judaism. Prior to John the Baptist the only people who were baptized were Gentile proselytes to Judaism and the ceremony is called a "tevillah." Ceremonial washing by immersion was done by the High Priest before he entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, and practiced by those who participated in the Temple worship. There were many mikvahs around the Temple in Jerusalem in Jesus' day. Josephus wrote that the laws of the rite of immersion were strictly followed.

To the proselyte to Judaism the mikveh was an important ritual representing the spiritual purification and cleaning that had occurred in his life. It was seen not as the means to remove impurity, but symbolic of the inward process. The candidate would prepare himself, by cleaning himself before this ceremony. He would groom himself and make a "profession of faith" before those who were officiating the mikveh. This would certainly be in the mind of the Jew who was being commanded to be baptized in Jesus' name. However, John was not baptizing proselytes, but ordinary Jews. In the rite of the mikveh the person would stand in the pool of water and by

stooping down immerse himself in the water. John was personally immersing Jews which was a complete change from the normal cleansing rites. Therefore they were curious as to why John was personally baptizing the Jews. They were asking by what authority was he performing his baptisms.

John's reply was to tell them the Messiah was present among them. "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." (John 1:26-27) With their first question John had told them that he was one who was to prepare for the coming of the Messiah as verse 23 records. He said he was not the Messiah, but the Messiah was present of whom he was not worthy to even unloose the shoe latchet. John was clearly making sure that no one misunderstood the fact that he was not the Christ.

The place where John was baptizing is called "Bethabara" and means "the house of the ford." This ford across the Jordan was traditionally accepted as being located about twelve miles from Jericho which was easily accessible to Jerusalem and Judaea. Some place it further north. However, the exact location of this ford is unclear.

JOHN SAW THE HOLY SPIRIT ON JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS John 1:29-34 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

The day begins with John in his usual place, baptizing in Bethany beyond the Jordan. As he is baptizing, John looks up to see Jesus approaching. At this John declares that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the One Who takes away the sin of the world. John was making this declaration to those who were there with him at that moment who had come to be baptized on that day, and the rest of his disciples who were waiting for the Messiah.

We see this man of God in action, we hear him proclaiming his God given message. “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” He deals with universal and eternal issues. He does not identify Jesus as merely a Jewish liberator, but as the Savior for the world. The man sent by God does not deal with men in a superficial manner, he compels them to come to grips with the realities of sin, guilt, judgment, and he points them to our only hope; Jesus Christ and His Cross.

John 1:30-34 John confesses his dependence upon God. John acknowledges that he was sent to prepare the way for the Savior; he further acknowledges that he himself did not know who the Savior was. John had to rely upon God the Father to point out to him His Son so that he might fulfill his ministry of presenting Jesus to Israel and pointing men to Him. John the Baptist a man

sent by God recognizes his dependence upon God, and this recognition makes him a man of prayer. This scene is not recorded in John’s Gospel, but it’s given in the synoptic gospels Mark 1:4-11

All four Gospels writers describe this moment when Jesus came to John to be baptized in water, and as He came up from the water, a Theophany appeared The Holy Spirit manifested Himself like a dove and descended upon Jesus. In conjunction with the arrival of the Holy Spirit, God spoke words from heaven. In John’s Gospel we come to understand why Jesus was intended to be baptized by John, and we also come to understand the relationship between our water baptism and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus received the Holy Spirit to enable Him to serve in His earthly ministry. The Gospel tells us that Jesus’ ability to perform miracles was by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus became a man, He willingly lowered Himself and setting aside His power to act in any supernatural powers. Jesus wasn’t a superhero or a super human. He was truly a man, but by the power of the Holy Spirit He could accomplish great miracles.

John the Baptist gave this testimony that God had told him that he would see the Spirit descending and remaining on the Messiah when he was baptized. John said when he baptized Jesus he saw the Holy Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and remaining on him showing him Jesus was the Messiah. Here the eternal relationship between Father and Son was revealed, an intimate union that is seen all through Jesus earthly ministry. Matthew records that John also heard God the Father speak. He further identified Jesus in that He baptized with the Holy Spirit and that He was the Son of God.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Twice John says that the Spirit remains on Him. This descent of the Spirit is no flash of inspiration for a moment. The Spirit has taken up His permanent home in the Son. Thus, Jesus baptizes those who believe, who receive Him, and who follows Him, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. To baptize means to dip or submerge. So He floods or saturates our lives with the Holy Spirit. We are inaugurated through this baptism into the life of God and into His ministry in the world. We, too, are to offer ourselves as doves in obedient, sacrificial service. Our Savior commands us to follow His example in all things, including baptism.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus chose to be baptized. John the Baptist was calling the Jewish people to confess their sins and demonstrate repentance through immersion in the Jordan River. Sinless Jesus joined the crowd at the river and asked John to baptize Him. The Lord chose to affiliate Himself with sinful man. When we follow His example in the waters of baptism, we’re publicly confessing our faith in the Savior and identifying ourselves with Him.

John says that he didn’t know who the Messiah was prior to the moment of Jesus’ baptism. In fact, John goes even farther and says he didn’t even recognize Jesus as Jesus approached John for baptism.

JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD

John1:35-36 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

We have much to learn from John about turning disciples over to Jesus. So often we want to cling to those we disciple, keep them depended upon us. Our calling is to introduce people to the Teacher (Jesus), to prepare the way for them, then to hand them over to Him so that He can do the work He has for them to do.

John next records the calling of Jesus' disciples. The following day, John the Baptist was standing apart from Jesus and observed Him as He walked by. With him were two of his disciples. Seemingly, as Jesus walked past, John declared to these two disciples, "Behold the Lamb of God." John already said this of Jesus in John 1:29. Did he say this every time he saw Jesus? It was a vivid reminder of Jesus' destiny at the cross. Hearing John proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God, the two disciples began to follow behind Jesus.

As they followed Jesus, John did not care about gathering disciples after himself. He was perfectly satisfied to have these disciples leave his circle and follow Jesus. It fulfilled his ministry; it did not take away from it.

It is almost as if John is presenting them to Jesus and saying to them, “You are prepared. Now go! He is the One we have been waiting for.”

THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST John 1:37-39 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

To follow Christ means we apply the truths we learn from His Word and live as if Jesus walked beside us in person, striving to be like Him. He always obeyed His Father, so that's what we strive to do.

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Jesus then turned and seeing them following ask them what they sought? What do you seek? He speaks His first words recorded in this Gospel. What a penetrating question. Although on the surface a simple query about the reason for their evident interest in Jesus, it has a deeper implication.

These disciples might have felt some embarrassment in addressing our blessed Lord, after hearing the character which the Baptist gave of him; to remove or prevent this, He graciously accost them, and gives them an opportunity of explaining themselves to him. Such questions, we may conceive, the blessed Jesus still puts to those who in simplicity of heart desire an acquaintance with him. A question of this nature we may profitably ask ourselves: What seek ye? In this place! In the company you frequent? In the conversation you engage in? In the affairs which you are occupied? In the works which you perform? Do you seek the humiliation, illumination, justification, edification, or sanctification of your soul? Do you realize the cost of leaving John to follow Jesus? He is still asking the same question today!

They come back with their own question, addressing Him as "Rabbi" meaning teacher. John’s disciples ask, “where are you staying?’ Where is your dwelling place? Where did you come from? What is you purpose? Jesus knowing all the questions within their hearts meets them where they are, and issue an invitation, “Come and see.” Note Jesus does not press them for an immediate response, but gives them an opportunity to spend time with Him before making a commitment. They aren’t committing to be His disciples just yet, but they’re curious and want to know more.

Jesus is saying follow me to where I’m staying and you will have the answer to your question, but Jesus choice of words are revealing and purposeful. Anyone who wants to know Jesus must come to Him. We have to enter His house, so to speak and then by coming to Jesus we will see, we will have spiritual life and spiritual sight. This is the offer Jesus is making to these men, though they obviously don’t appreciate His meaning at the time.

ALL CHRISTIANS MUST BRING PEOPLE TO JESUS

John 1:40-41 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ

The two disciples, one who was Andrew (v40) and the other who was probably the Apostle John, stayed with Jesus until the tenth hour; four o’clock in the afternoon. John the writer let us know in the details of this Gospel that no one will ever become an authentic follower, a disciple, without remaining. John the Apostle simply omits mention of his name. John was a humble man and although had a close relationship with Jesus did not stress it.

Andrew the following day found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ). (A number of commentators believe the Greek text suggests that John also found his brother James shortly afterward.) Andrew was a very wise disciple. He began with his own family. A person’s family is his first responsibility. The time spent with Jesus had convinced Andrew and John of His true identity. That does not mean, however, that they fully understood the implications of Jesus' messiah ship; the disciples' understanding of that would grow over the years they spent with Him. You can imagine the excitement in his voice and his actions as he told Simon that he had found the Messiah and urged him to go with him to see Jesus. This was Andrew, John and Peter's first meeting with Jesus. They were later called by Jesus to officially be His disciples when Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. Both Matthew and Mark record the two brothers were fishermen and that Jesus called them telling them that He would make them "fishers of men."

Matthew 4:18

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Here lies the secret of the extraordinary spread of Christianity in the early centuries, as the historian Gibbon noted, it became the most sacred duty of a new convert to diffuse among his friends and relatives the inestimable blessings he had received. Statistics repeatedly demonstrate that while gospel preaching is undoubtedly important, personal witness and friendship continue to be the primary means by which people are brought to Christ.

JESUS CHANGES PEOPLE”S NAMES John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

When Jesus looked upon Simon, He said, "you are the son of Jona, but you shall be called 'Cephas'." The word "Cephas" ( Kephas - kay-fas') is Aramaic and means "a rock." The word is only used in John's Gospel in verse 41 and by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5 and Galatians 1:18 Peter's Greek name was "Petros (pet' ros)" and it too means "a rock." Grammatically, the word "Cephas" is future passive indicative which means that this nickname would be used in the future. Jesus did use this nickname as recorded by

Matthew 16:18-19 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Once again John interprets this Aramaic name for the Gentile readers of his Gospel. John explains the word means "a stone" or in Greek, "Petros" a rock.

Jesus looked at Simon searchingly and penetratingly and saw what no one else could see. He saw not only what Peter could become, but who he would become. But notice that the Lord gave him another name. Luke introduces him this way: "Simon, whom He also called Peter.

Luke 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew

Luke's choice of words here is important. Jesus didn't merely give him a new name to replace the old one. He "also" named him Peter. This disciple was known sometimes as Simon, sometimes as Peter, and sometimes as Simon Peter.

The nickname was significant, and the Lord had a specific reason for choosing it. By nature Simon was brash, vacillating, and undependable. He tended to make great promises he couldn't follow through with. He was one of those people who appear to lunge wholeheartedly into something but then bails out before finishing. He was usually the first one in; and too often, he was the first one out. When Jesus met him, he fit James's description of a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Jesus changed Simon's name, it appears, because He wanted the nickname to be a perpetual reminder to him about who he should be. And from that point on, whatever Jesus called him sent a subtle message. If He called him Simon, He was signaling him that he was acting like his old self. If He called him Rock, He was commending him for acting the way he ought to be acting.

CONFESSING JESUS WHAT ALL CHRISTIANS MUST DO

John 1:43-46 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

The fourth day after Jesus' baptism He desired to travel up to the Sea of Galilee. The words "would go" meant that Jesus wished to go for the particular purpose to find and to call Philip to follow as His disciple. Yet Jesus singles out and goes after him, an ordinary man like so many of us. Jesus invites him, “Follow Me” which means not just start out, but to continue on following Him. How encouraging for those of us who are shy, feeling we have so little to offer. Perhaps we are the ones He seeks out more earnestly.

The other disciples had either come to or were brought to Jesus, but Jesus found Philip, who may have lacked initiative to come on his own. Philip also lived in Bethsaida. Once Jesus called Philip he then goes and as Andrew did earlier, told Nathanael that he had found the One the Old

Testament prophets had foretold would come and that He was Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph.

Nathanael's name means "an Israelite in whom there is no guile." He may have been a fishermen, but that is not known for sure. Apparently, Nathanael was a godly man and was looking for the promised Messiah. He must have also heard John the Baptist's preaching the "Kingdom was at hand" so Philip knew he would want to know of Jesus. His response gives insights into Jesus' hometown.

His response seems to be a jerk reaction, saying "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Nazareth was a small town in the mountains of no importance. To be a Nazarene was considered among the Jews to be a bad thing. The town was in Galilee where the Greek and Roman influence was strong. The pious Jews looked with contempt on the Galilean culture and those that embraced it. They simply hated the Romans and Nazareth had the misfortune of being in a pronounced Hellenistic area. Nathanael's statement may have been more rooted in his prejudice than in fact. Philip's response was not to defend Jesus or His hometown, but simply to say, "Come and see for yourself."

DIVINE VISION

John 1:47-49 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

Jesus described Nathanael as an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! His point was that Nathanael's blunt, honest reply to Philip revealed his lack of duplicity and eagerness to examine Jesus' claims for himself. But unlike many of his fellow Jews, who were hypocrites, Nathanael was an Israelite indeed. Alēthōs (indeed) means "genuinely" "in truth," or "actually" Paul pointed out how mere external conformity to the rites, rituals, and observances of Judaism did not make one an Israelite indeed.

Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

It is those who continue in Jesus' word who are His true (alēthōs) followers. Nathanael was a true disciple from the beginning, as his response makes clear.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Taken aback by Jesus' omniscient recognition of him, Nathanael exclaimed, "How do You know me?" Jesus' reply was even more shocking: "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Not only did Jesus accurately sum up Nathanael's character without having met him, He also displayed a supernatural knowledge of information known only to him. Most likely the fig tree in question was the place where Nathanael studied and meditated on the Old Testament Scriptures. Not only did Jesus supernaturally see Nathanael's physical location, but He also saw into his heart

Psalm 139:1-4 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

Nathanael’s response is a cry of allegiance. He claims Jesus as his “Rabbi” a title of respect which only a disciple would use. He has submitted to Jesus as his teacher. He also addresses Him as the Son of God. Nathanael may not understand the full implication of that title, but he senses that Jesus stands in an unusual relation to God. He calls Him the King of Israel, an unusual title, but since Jesus has earlier referred to him as an Israelite, Nathanael is surrendering to Jesus as his own king.

ANGELS ARE TO BE SEEN BY GOD”S PEOPLE John 1:50-51 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Jesus then tells Nathanael that he believed because Jesus told him he saw him under the fig tree, but he added, " thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

See these greater things with the physical eye will open the door to eternal realities through Jesus. The language here is reminiscent of Jacob’s dream of a ladder that reached from earth to heaven with angels “ascending and descending”. And the Lord was standing above it affirming again that He is the God of his forefathers and that He will fulfill all the promises made to them (Genesis 28:10-22).

In Jacob’s dream, the ladder reflected God’s promise to be with Jacob and to minister to him by way of angels. When Jacob awoke, his response was that surely God was in this place, and yet he says I didn’t know it. Jacob hadn’t realized how close God could be to him in his life on earth. God was capable and willing of descending from heaven and reaching down to earth. He did so through intercessors, angels appointed to minister to the saints.

Jesus is the ladder in Jacob’s dream, and while the angels ascended and descended on a ladder in Jacob’s dream, now Jesus says they ascend and descend on Him. Jesus says you will see something that Jacob saw in a limited form only, you will see it in its full form. Previously, God revealed Himself in a limited form to Israel (that is Jacob). God was revealing Himself to an Israelite in the full form and just like Jacob, Nathaniel declares in so many words, that the Lord is in this place, but he didn’t know it.

Now the time has come when grace is fulfilled. Jesus truly is the “House of God,” the place of meeting with the Father, not only for Nathanael and Philip and those first disciples, but for all who believe.

It does not appear that Jesus was describing any single event that Nathanael would see in his life such as the one described. The New Testament does not speak of an event in which the heavens were opened. But clearly, Jesus was telling him he would see and know of the wonder and glory of the Savior.

(12) Theophany: a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god.

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 2

JESUS FIRST MIRACLE PERFORMED AT CANA John 2:1-2 "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage"

This was the third day since Jesus had returned to Galilee and met Philip. (John 1:43) There was a marriage in the town of Cana and Jesus' mother was attending. Cana was a town in Galilee about six miles northwest of Nazareth. John 21:2 says that Nathanael was born in Cana. The name "Cana" means a "place of reeds." The location of the ancient city is not known. There are four possible sites that could be the ancient city. The modern city of Cana is Kefr Kanna a Palestinian populated city.

Geographically the city is located in the highlands west of the Sea of Galilee. John 2:12 says that when Jesus left Cana He "went down" to Capernaum. Capernaum was to the north and east of Cana and lower in altitude.

Jesus and the five disciples he’s collected so far were invited as was Mary, Jesus mother. It must be a wedding that involved a close family connection that would explain why Jesus’ mother chooses to involve herself and her Son in the affairs of the wedding. Nathanael was most likely known to the family having the wedding, he being born in Cana. The others with Jesus lived in Bethsaida on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee which was nearby.

MARY’S REQUEST AND JESUS’ RESPONSE John 2:3-5 "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it".

At this point they run out of wine. This is a bit surprising, since wine drinking was a highlight of any wedding. Perhaps more people attended than the host expected, or perhaps the attendant did a poor job of estimating the right amount. In any case, the party is about to become a disaster. Not only was it a social disgrace to fail to care for the guest in the right way, there were financially implications as well. In that culture, if you invited someone to a party or dinner you were legally obligated to care for them properly. If you didn’t, you would be expected to compensate them for their loss.

So Mary turns to her Son and simply says “They have no wine”. When a mother, especially a Jewish mother, say something like this, it’s not simple idle chit chat. She is expecting her son to recognize the seriousness of the problems and to do something to rectify the problem. Perhaps her close connection to the host led her to want to help.

It seems that Mary was being presumptuous in hinting that Jesus was to solve this problem.

Jesus' response was to say, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" He does not call Mary, "mother," which is an endearing term, but rather simply "woman". This was not a sign of disrespect. Mary may have thought that because she was His mother she had some special hold on or control of Jesus as a miracle worker. The problems of this wedding party have nothing to do with Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus didn’t voluntarily leave the right hand of the Father and lower Himself to take the form of man so He could cater weddings. She may have seen this as an opportunity for Him to reveal Himself, she knowing in her heart Who He truly was. So like any typical proud mother, a Jewish mother no less, she wants to advance the career of her Son and give him a kick start. Jesus however, mildly corrects her. No man or woman has any special position to manipulate the Lord. This event shows that Mary, although a godly woman and Jesus' earthly mother, had no special position with Him.

Jesus further responded saying, "Mine hour is not yet come" meaning that He would conduct His ministry in His own time. Jesus was affirming that He would not be manipulated by men. He would conduct His life as directed by God's plan.

In John 2:5, Mary responded by telling the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. It seems she did not understand that Jesus had rebuked her. She anticipated that Jesus would respond to the need. The word "servants" is exactly the same word transliterated in other passages in our English Bibles as "deacon."

JESUS TURNS WATER TO WINE John 2:6-10 "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now."

John records that there were "six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews." These were six water pots that would be used in the Jewish home for washing, drinking, use in feasts and normal uses of water. Water used in washing and feast was not well water, but water collected from rain or from running streams or springs. Water was at times scare in Israel and rain water was collected and stored in jars. John specifically states that these were stone pots that would contain about seven and a half gallons of water each. Archaeologists have recently discovered pieces of broken stone vessels in several sites in Galilee.

Jesus instructs the servants to fill the water pots with water. Some of the pots may have been only partly filled so Jesus had them fill the pots completely to the brim.

Following Mary's instructions they did as Jesus told them and drew out the contents and took it to the governor of the feast. The "governor" of the feast was the one who was directing the wedding. The director of the feast then tastes the water that was made wine and

immediately recognizes that it was not of the quality that had been previously served. He calls the bridegroom and explains that in most such occasions the best wine is served first and then when the palates of the guests are less sensitive the poorer quality wine is served. The director asks why the best wine was saved until later.

The words "well drunk" does not mean that the guests were intoxicated, but had drunk enough that their tastes buds had been dulled. This happens when a person drinks or eats anything in sufficient quantities.

Was the "wine" Jesus made alcoholic?

There is an endless debate as to whether the "wine" that Jesus created was alcoholic wine or simply grape juice. The confusion arises because of ignorance of the meaning of the Greek word used for "wine" and also the customs of biblical times. The matter is further complicated by those who seek to justify drinking alcoholic beverages.

To make alcoholic wine and then give it to others to add to their drunkenness would be sin. Jesus was not capable of sin, being our Holy God and Creator. Jesus has no sin nature and therefore would never do anything that was sinful. God plainly states that it is a serious sin to give wine to one's neighbor and make him drunk.

Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

The Greek word that is translated "wine" in this passage is “oinos” and is a generic word that refers to the juice of the grape whether to unfermented grape juice or the fermented alcoholic beverage. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word is "yayin." In the following two verses it is clear that the verse is addressing the alcoholic drink.

Proverbs 23:31 "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright."

Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

Our King James Bible translators produced an accurate translation of the word "yayin" and "oinos," but did not produce a clear translation.

Deuteronomy 11:14 clearly refers to grape juice, "That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil."

The word "yayin" is translated "wine" and can mean grape juice or fermented grape juice. The context and usage of the word in the sentence tells you which meaning applies.

Philippians 4:5 "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand"

This was a miracle of Jesus Christ and all miracles were signs which brought glory to the Savior and set forth some truth. Clearly, Jesus would not have contributed to the drunkenness of those at the wedding which would have been sin and brought dishonor on Himself and His ministry. John 2:11, states by this miracle Jesus manifested His glory.

Psalms 104:15 "And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart."

The only legitimate use of alcoholic wine is as a medicine.

Proverbs 31:6-7 "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more"

THE BEGINNING OF JESUS MIRACLES John 2:11 "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him"

This was Jesus' first miracle. It shows that Jesus had the power over the elements. John had declared that Jesus was our Creator and God. (See John 1:3) Jesus' first miracle showed without question that He had control of nature itself. No man could change the elements in water into grape juice. By this miracle Jesus "manifested forth His glory." Jesus did not use his disciples to fill the pots with water. There was no chance of deception by using the servants of the household. It was not ordinary practice to put wine into water pots. The water pots were important in providing storage for vital water supplies. The grape juice that was made was judged by the governor of the feast before he knew where it came from. There was no doubt that Jesus exhibited divine power.

The disciples that were present had already believed in Him as the Messiah, but this miracle showed them that He was God. There could be no question that He was the Messiah and the Christ was God come in the flesh. Thus, their belief was increased in understanding more fully who Jesus truly was. The disciples upon seeing the miracle and understanding what Jesus had done now put their trust wholly in Him.

JESUS TRAVELS TO CAPERNAUM John 2:12-13 "After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem"

Upon leaving Cana, Jesus, with Mary, his brothers and disciples, traveled east about 16-18

32 miles to Capernaum. Capernaum is mentioned in each of the Gospels and is located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee near a main ancient highway that connected the lake with Damascus about 75 miles to the north. Capernaum was an important city in the life of Christ. After spending a few days in Capernaum and the Passover of the Jews was at hand, John explains that this feast of the Jews since the early Church had now become mostly Gentile and they didn’t practice the Jewish feasts. Jesus remained for a short time in Capernaum and then journeyed south about 90 miles to Jerusalem to observe the Passover. All male Jews were required by law to go to Jerusalem for the Passover. The Passover was observed on Nisan 14th, which falls within the time frame of March-April. The Passover was a supper on Nisan 14th and was followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread that lasted seven days until Nisan 21st.

JESUS DRIVES OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS John 2:14-17 "And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up"

As Jesus enters the Temple grounds, He encountered a common and sad sight. The court of the Gentiles surrounding the temple building itself was transformed at Passover into a merchant’s bazaar. Jesus witnessed the pilgrims who came for the Passover being robbed by the money changers in the Court of the Gentiles of the Temple. The money changers were cheating the people by changing their Roman money into Jewish coins that could be given as an offering in the Temple. The exchange rate offered by the money changers was grossly unfair. If the pilgrim brought his own animal to be offered as a sacrifice in the Temple, the priest would turn it down as not being acceptable. The worshiper would then have no choice, but to take it to the money changers who would trade them for an animal that the priests would accept. If the worshiper needed to purchase a sacrifice he was charged inflated prices. The whole operation was devised to rob the people and make exorbitant profits from the Temple sacrifices.

As a result of all this business taking place in the temple, it was literally impossible for a Gentile to enter into the temple and worship the living God. Remember, that Gentiles were only permitted to enter the court outside the gate leading into the temple grounds. This outer court was called the Court of the Gentiles for that reason. It represented the closest point any Gentile could approach to the God of Israel. This is why Paul described the Gentile worship experience prior to the New Covenant this way.

Ephesians 2:12-13 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

We were “far off” in the sense that the court of Gentiles was as close as we could approach under the terms of the Law, but by His blood, Jesus united Jews and Gentiles in one covenant.

Jesus, upon seeing these thieves stealing from the people, made a scourge of small cords and drove them out of the Temple. A "scourge" was a lash or whip used for public punishment. It was used by the Romans on slaves and those sentenced to death. We do not know exactly how the Lord used the whip He made, but whether He threatened the money changers or actually hit them, they heatedly left the Temple. In His righteous indignation the Lord turned over the changers tables and poured out their money. Clearly, He presented to them a threatening figure and they retreated before Him. Certainly, the money changers reported this incident quickly to the high priest which incensed them against Jesus.

Jesus words certainly would have been a powerful rebuke of these thieves making merchandise of the Temple. This was no ordinary man who rose up against them, but it was Jesus the Christ, God incarnate in flesh. It was God who was driving these wicked men from His house. Surely, His very demeanor would have brought fear to their hearts. Therefore, in Jesus' second act of His ministry, He purged the Temple of the money changers and showed His authority to do so. Jesus' disciples were well versed in the Scriptures and when they saw His actions remembered the passage in:

Psalm 69:9 "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me."

Remembering this psalm, the disciples begin to see the moment with spiritual eyes. They knew that Psalm 69 is a Messianic psalm, and as they witness Jesus wrecking havoc in the temple, the Spirit connects the dots in their heads. They realized this is what the Psalmist meant by the Messiah having zeal for the Father’s house. This insight confirms again for them that Jesus is the Messiah. The word "zeal" refers to a hot righteous jealousy for the things of God and His honor. This event gives us a small insight into the mind of God. God is jealous for righteousness and is incensed when sinful men trample on His holiness.

JESUS QUESTIONED BY THE JEWS John 2:18 “Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?"

For the Pharisees, this key issue in this moment was not Jesus identity, but His authority. They ask Him to provide them a sign for His authority to do what He did. They give no thought to whether what Jesus did was correct or not, they already have an opinion and they don’t want to be confused by the facts. They were probably greatly offended by Jesus' actions and immediately challenged Him. He was acting as a prophet of God and they asked by what authority He purged the Temple of the thieves. The Jews had just witnessed a great sign in that this Man had shown by His very presence, His power and authority. Yet, these men blinded by their supposed favor with God and religious fervor demanded that Jesus show them a sign!

The Pharisees couldn’t recognize the sign because their hearts were not illuminated by the counsel of the Spirit. Unbelievers are no different today. Until a person is given eyes to see by the Holy Spirit, they will react to any revelation of God in Christ in a similar manner. Unbelievers demand that God prove Himself to their satisfaction but God demands acceptance of

His word by faith.

Romans 9:30-32 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

The irony in this situation is Jesus did give them a sign of His authority. He fulfilled Psalm 69:9. The disciples recognized the sign because they were given spiritual insight from the Holy Spirit to see it, but the Pharisees missed it, and even if the sign had been more dramatic, they wouldn’t recognize it. No sign can substitute for faith in the Word of God.

Psalm 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. I WILL RAISE IT UP John 2:19-22 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."

They were certainly not ready to hear the Lord's reply for He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." His reply was predictive in that as verse 21 states, Jesus was referring to His body. It is interesting that Jesus gives a response that reflected the fact that many of the Jews would hate Him and seek His life. Jesus knew their hearts and the hatred that they had towards Him for rebuking their sinful conduct. This was especially directed toward the Jewish leaders who supposedly were leading the people in the worship of God. The Pharisees worshipped the Law and the sacrificial system in the temple, rather than the God who dwelled within it. They knew the depth of their sins against God and had nothing but contempt for Jesus because He publicly revealed their evil ways.

Jesus was speaking in spiritual terms, using metaphors to express important spiritual truths, His unbelieving audience remains clueless. In this case the Jews heard Jesus words to mean destroying the stone temple that took 46 years to build. So they respond that the temple took 46 years to build and there is no way He could rebuild it in three days. They lacked the spiritual insight to see beyond the literal.

The present Temple in Jesus' day was referred to as the "second temple." Solomon's Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Seventy years later a new Temple was built in Jerusalem which is called Zerubabbel's temple. It was a poor replacement for the splendor of Solomon's Temple and when the returning Jews from Babylon saw it many cried. This temple, called Herod's Temple, was renovated over a period of forty-two years around 20

B.C. by Herod the Great who was the Roman puppet king of Israel. The high priests and leadership of the temple were corrupted.

His physical body was the dwelling place of the Father’s glory on earth that’s why the Lord never brought His glory to reside in Herod’s temple. The glory of God was to occupy a far greater temple, one not built by human hands.

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands

Even Jesus' disciples did not understand what He was saying to them. Jesus was saying that they would most certainly see a sign. The sign He would give them that would authenticate who He was would be His resurrection from the dead. Sadly, most of the Jews rejected the miracle of Jesus' resurrection and refused to believe and receive Him as their Messiah.

As schooled as they were in the Old Testament scriptures the Jews completely ignored Daniel 9:26 that prophesied that the Messiah would be cut, "but not for Himself." They seemed unaware of Messianic prophecies of Isaiah 53 which said the Messiah would be led like a lamb to the slaughter and would be "cut off from the land of the living, for the transgressions of my people was he stricken." (Isa. 53:7-8)

MANY BELIEVED JESUS WHEN THEY SAW HIS MIRACLES John 2:23-25 "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."

Verse 23, seems to imply that Jesus cleansed the Temple of the money changers before the Passover. He then, during the subsequent seven days of the feast (Feast of the Unleavened Bread), did many miracles and many people on seeing His miracles believed in Him. The actual miracles that Jesus did are not recorded, but many who were in Jerusalem for the feast surely witnessed them. The belief of these who believed because they saw His miracles seems to be suspect because of seeing a sign. It is not likely their belief was saving or justifying faith, but merely a superficial belief in Him as a miracle worker. There is no record of any of these people later following the Lord. To saving believe in Jesus Christ is to believe in Who Jesus is, which is the Messiah, God incarnate in man. Further saving faith comes from conviction of one's sin. True faith comes upon realizing that Jesus is God. That truth sheds a revealing light on our sinful condition and that brings genuine conviction and repentance. Saving faith is more than believing that Jesus did a miracle, but more in that we believe in Him as our Savior. Verse 24, sheds more light on the matter.

John says that Jesus "did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men." The word "commit" is the word "pisteou" which means "to trust." It is the same word that in verse 23 is translated "believed." Jesus knew their hearts, that their faith was only superficial and that a faith born of seeing some sign has no depth and does not come from the heart. The Jews wanted a

36 secular savior, one who would deliver them from Roman oppression. In their hearts they did not understand that true salvation is a spiritual matter. True salvation addresses one's sins and reconciles the sinner to his God and Creator. True salvation seeks God's forgiveness for sin and in repentance turns one from his wicked ways. Saving faith begins a change of heart in which the former sinner now shuns sin and seeks God's righteousness. It does not appear that these "believer's in miracles" were having a spiritual awakening.

John's statement that Jesus knew the hearts of all men plainly shows that Christ was God and omniscient. Only God knows the heart and thoughts of man; thus John testified to the Deity of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah proclaimed the truth,

Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

1 Kings 8:39 "Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men."

God inspired the Apostle John to write this Gospel to clearly assert the deity and majesty of Jesus our Savior. Truly, He is Almighty God, come to earth incarnate in man, and who demonstrated His all-consuming and gracious love in suffering and dying for the sins of all men. We have the testimony of God's very word and we who believe on Him have His abiding and eternal presence. Oh, what a wonderful Savior is our God!

We need to recognize that there were no chapter divisions when John wrote this Gospel. John Chapter 3 followed without a break in the thought of verses 24-25. It helps us to better understand if we read John 2:25 and 3:1 together: "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because He knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews" (John 2:24- 3:1). John follows his statement in verse 25 by presenting Nicodemus as an example of the mindset of the Jews concerning Christ's ministry.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 3

In John chapter three, Jesus meets with Nicodemus, a very moral person. In chapter four, He encounters a very immoral woman, who has been married five times and is living with a man to whom she is not married. John tells us how Jesus relates to the most moral and the most immoral people and how both can receive a new beginning. Receiving a new beginning has three requirements. (1) Be a Seeker; (2) A Believer; (3) A Repenter.

JESUS, THE DIVINE TEACHER John 3:1-2 "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him"

A "seeker" is a person drawn to Christ because God is already working in his or her heart. The desire to be saved originates with God. How does Jesus state this truth?

John 6:44 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

At the end of chapter 2, Jesus was performing many miracles in the city during Passover week, and many believed in Him. Without a doubt, some of those who would observe Jesus’ ministry this week in Jerusalem were the religious leaders of Israel. The Pharisees, Sadducees and priests would have heard Jesus’ teaching and seen His miracles firsthand. They would have also witnessed and seen the crowd’s positive response, and we can be sure many of these leaders went away scoffing and even angry by what they saw. John tells us about a "seeker" named Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, the strictest, most conservative, and fundamental of Jews. Nicodemus was also a ruler of the Jews. This means he sat on the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court composed of seventy Jewish religious leaders with the High Priest as president. Any church would be glad to have a member like "Nicodemus." He would be a prominent citizen who believes the Bible, tithes of every dollar he makes, goes to church every Sunday, and never cheats on his wife. Nicodemus is an example of the most difficult group of people to win to Christ. They are smart, good, moral people, but they suffer from spiritual blindness because they think their goodness can get them into heaven. However, what does Isaiah say?

Isaiah 64:6 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

The Hebrew word translated filthy (iddâ, ayd) refers to menstrual rags. In his heart Nicodemus apparently knows the truth of this verse, so he comes to Jesus by night because of the miracles he had seen done by the Lord. He was a secret believer. God does not want secret believers. We, as Christians, must not ever deny Jesus Christ. Every Christian must have an experience with the Lord.

He probably doesn't want his associates to see him with Jesus. (This encounter has been called the original "Nick at Night.") Nicodemus wants to meet Jesus personally and respectfully calls Him Rabbi, which means teacher. The Sanhedrin was the highest court of the Jews. It came into existence sometime during the four hundred year period between the Old and New Testament. It was first mentioned in history during the reign of Antiochus the Great (223-187 B.C. The Sanhedrin was a group of seventy Jewish aristocrats the council was made up of Jewish leaders with the high priest as its head. The Pharisees taught that every Jew was assured a place in the coming kingdom merely on the basis of them being a Jew and an obedient child of Abraham, they could be sure they would be included in the kingdom.

John in mentioning this event is continuing to present the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. There could be no better witness to the miracles of Jesus Christ than a religious Pharisee. The Pharisee's standing as a man of character and one who could be trusted was impeccable. John's account gives us insight into the thinking among the religious leaders of Israel. No matter how aggressively they outwardly opposed the truth, they knew that Jesus was come from God. They recognized that John the Baptist was truly a prophet of God and that he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. But most of them in guarding their own positions as religious leader and for economic and political reasons rejected God's message and Jesus as their promised Messiah. BORN AGAIN John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit; Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

There has been a great deal of commentary written on this passage and much of it gives a false interpretation of Jesus' statements. Jesus makes two statements. First, He said unless a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus doesn't understand and asks: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (3:4). At this point he can only imagine a full-grown man crawling back into his mother's womb. Therefore, Jesus says: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (3:5). The phrase born of water simply refers to being born as a human. Human birth to the Jew meant that he had the favor of God, being God’s chosen people. has been interpreted in many ways, some of which are very technical. However, I believe Jesus He saw himself superior to all other people on earth. The Jews called all non Jews Gentiles and heathens. (3:6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. This means human flesh can only give physical birth. We cannot evolve from flesh to spirit; we must be born that way. Therefore, Jesus says: Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (John 3:7).

Nicodemus understood what the Kingdom of God was, but he did not understand what being born again meant and in typical fashion responded with an earthly response. The Kingdom

of God was God's promised blessing and salvation to the Nation of Israel. He was plainly puzzled by being told he could not enter the Kingdom unless he was "born again." We understand that Nicodemus was a good Jew although unsaved. He thought that his birth as a Jew assured him a place in the coming promised Kingdom. He prided himself in keeping the Old Testament Law and being morally upright and religious. He could not see that entrance into the Kingdom came by a spiritual rebirth and brought about by grace through faith in God's promises. He did not understand the spiritual birth. His response to Jesus shows he had no spiritual understanding of the things of God. He asked the childlike question, how could a man when old, enter the second time into his mother's womb and be reborn?

1 Corinthians 2:14 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

He doesn’t ask how can someone be born again, but rather how can someone be born again when they are now grown old. The Pharisees taught there were six very important moments of spiritual transformation during their life, although not all men could experience all six moments, but progressing through them was a journey of spiritual advancement. For example, when a Jewish boy had his bar mitzvah, or married or if he became a Rabbi, it is said in each instance he is born again. To a Pharisee this statement makes no sense. If there was ever someone who could be said to meet the requirements of being born again, it would be a Pharisee. Nicodemus can’t believe what he’s hearing, since he has met every type of rebirth taught by the Pharisees’, and of course there is no possible way to be born again physically. Nicodemus was dull to spiritual things and could not see or understand. Until a man receives Jesus Christ, he is spiritually blind and many spiritual thing can’t be understood.

Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that his Jewish birth (born of water) would not see him into the Kingdom of God, and that he needed to be born spiritually. The implication is clear. Nicodemus was not a spiritual man and was unsaved, lost and dying in his sins. He had no understanding of salvation being a spiritual matter.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast".

So Jesus, without question, is not talking about being baptized in his response to Nicodemus. Over sixty times in the New Testament God states that one is saved by faith and belief in Jesus Christ without any mention of baptism or any other work of man. Christian baptism according to the Bible, is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believers life. It illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Men in the Old Testament were saved in the same way that men today are saved. Salvation has always been a matter of one's believing God and putting their trust in Him. In the Old Testament men were renewed spiritually because they believed God and trusted in His promises. Their faith in God’s promises and revealed truth saved them and they served the Lord because they believed. The Old Testament saints understood that keeping the Law was their

responsibility, but that it did not save them. In the dispensation of the Old Testament, believers were not permanently indwelled by the Holy Spirit as believers are today which began on the Day of Pentecost as Acts 2 records. God on that day instituted the local church and those who believed in God became spiritually born again people. Salvation has always been a matter of spiritually receiving God's truth and believing in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees thought themselves worthy to be a part of God's Kingdom because of their perceived good works. They ignored and refused to see that it applied to them.

John 3:7 The next statement of Jesus was "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born gain." Although Jesus' words were based on Old Testament revelation, they ran completely contrary to everything Nicodemus had been taught. For his entire life he had believed that salvation came through his own external merit. Now he found it exceedingly difficult to think otherwise. Aware of his astonishment, Jesus continued, "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.” The verb translated must is a strong term; John used it elsewhere in his gospel to refer to the necessity of the crucifixion. Jesus is stating what was very obvious. Nicodemus, though religious had no concept of the spiritual nature of heaven.

SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE John 3:8-10 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit"; Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

The Lord used the illustration of the action of the wind to explain this truth to Nicodemus. He makes the point that the wind blows and a man can hear it, but he cannot tell from where it comes or where it goes. In other words, we can know the wind exists because we can see its effect on the things it touches and the sound it makes. We cannot see the wind, but we can see what it does. The Spirit is invisible to human eyes, but His work or regeneration came be clearly seen. This is the only valid description of the Holy Spirit or God as a Spirit. We cannot see God, but we can see what He does. Jesus said it is the same with those born of the Spirit of God. We cannot see the spiritual birth occur, but we can see the result that it has on those who experience the new birth. Nicodemus in his heart was rejecting what Jesus was telling him. Even though the Lord explained it to him, he did not understand or accept this truth. Jesus is saying to him that he could see and know the wind was real and existed. Nicodemus could not see it or know where the wind came from or where it was going, but could know the wind un-mistakenly exists. Likewise, though not actually seen the Spirit also exists and spiritually changed the lives of men. 1 John 5:18 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

There is an old saying: "It is faith alone that saves, but a faith that saves is never alone." Saving faith is always accompanied by a changed life. Because God is working in his heart, Nicodemus desires a new beginning, so he goes where he can get some authoritative information. The first step in receiving a new beginning is to be a seeker; then a believer.

Nicodemus puzzled by the nature of the new birth asks how could these things be? Jesus replies, Art thou a master of Israel and knowest not these things? In other words, "Nicodemus, you are a Bible teacher; you have all this Bible knowledge and still you don't understand?"

He was blinded to the truth by his carnal understanding and self-righteousness. Jesus had plainly revealed to him that in order for a person to enter the Kingdom of God, even a Jew, had to be spiritually reborn. Jesus' answer is a rebuke to Nicodemus' unbelief and rejection of the truth he has been told. In other words, Jesus reprimanded Nicodemus, because in his mind he prided himself in being a righteous Jew and in his knowledge of the Law. Jesus thus exposes his naivety in so many words saying, "You are a master of Israel and you do not know this?" The word "master" refers to one having the highest education and being one who teaches others. Nicodemus' ignorance of the simplest of spiritual truth was hereby revealed.

SECRET THINGS John 3:11-12 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

To emphasize the validity of His statement Jesus preferences his following statements saying "Verily, Verily" The Greek word is "amén" which appears fifty times in the New Testament and is transliterated into English as "amen." The word means "truth." Jesus is saying literally, "Truth, truth, we speak that we know." Jesus uses the plural pronoun "we" and many commentators explain that this refers to Jesus, the disciples and John the Baptist who had come and seen and followed. Jesus had illustrated the need to be spiritually reborn by using earthly examples. He had referred to the need for being born into the earthly existence as an example of also needing to be born into the spiritual existence. He had also used the illustration of the wind as an example of the working of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual new birth. Nicodemus did not understand either illustration. Therefore, Jesus challenged him by asking how could He tell him of spiritual things when he did not even understand earthly illustrations.

Christ was showing Nicodemus his blindness to the truth. Nicodemus and the Jews were following the traditions of the Rabbis as recorded in the Talmud. The Talmud was a collection of commentaries written by Jewish Rabbis on the Torah (Old Testament). Thus Nicodemus, the Pharisees and the Jews were not living by God's word, but by the words and traditions of Rabbi’s. This was the source of their blindness. They studied and followed their Rabbi’s rather than going to the source and studying God's word. We need great faith to believe and understand heavenly secrets when they are revealed unto us. It is only Jesus who can reveal secrets of the Kingdom of heaven to any eager seeker.

JESUS AFFIRMS HIS DEITY John 3:13-14 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

In John 3:13 Jesus affirms His Deity. Nicodemus, surely knew that John the Baptist had declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. John's statement was clearly an assertion of Jesus' Deity. John was saying Jesus was the One, the promised Messiah. Nicodemus had recognized that Jesus was no ordinary person in his first statement to Jesus that " no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." (John 3:2) In Israel's history God had performed miracles through His prophets who were mere men. Jesus, however, states he came from heaven and says no one ascends to heaven, but He that came from heaven.

Jesus then refers to Himself as the Son of man which is in heaven. This statement is a wonderful truth asserting Jesus' Deity. It is almost as if Jesus, in referring to His last statement, was trying to awe Nicodemus by revealing to him a great spiritual truth that he of course could not understand. This statement attests to the Trinity and to Jesus as being omnipresent being both in heaven and on earth at the same time. Jesus is proclaiming His authority to declare the way of salvation. He is God, come from heaven to redeem man from his sins and to reveal to men God's plan of salvation. Jesus is giving the foundation for his next statement concerning Moses lifting up the serpent while Israel was in the wilderness. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Jesus is referring to an incident Nicodemus knows very well. While wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites became impatient and begin to complain against God and Moses.

Numbers 21:5 ".Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loathed this light bread."

Therefore, God sends poisonous snakes that bite some of them, and many die (Numbers 21:4-9). As a remedy for the penalty of their sin, what does the Lord tell Moses to do?

Numbers 21:8 8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

If the Israelites had enough faith just to look at the bronze serpent on the pole, they would be saved. Jesus tells Nicodemus that in the same way He must be lifted up, referring to His death on the cross, so whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

God chastened Israel and sent fiery serpents which bit the people and many died. Realizing their error they repented and asked Moses to ask the Lord to take them away. God answered their prayers and Moses, following God's instructions he made a fiery serpent of brass, and put it on a pole and pasted it among the people. Those that were bitten when they looked up to the serpent on the pole were healed. The serpent was made of brass and was placed at the top of the pole or ensign. The brass symbolically represents sin that had been judged and forgiven. So Jesus Christ was lifted up on the cross in suffering and dying for the sins of all men, judged sin and offered salvation. As the Jews were to look up to the symbol of judgment on the pole, sinners must look up to Christ for salvation. It was not the brass serpent that brought healing and saved the Israelites from certain death, but the power of God who affected the cure. As God

offered no other remedy to cure the bite of the fiery serpents, God offers no other way of salvation, but Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross.

Jesus then gives the application of His illustration in verse John 3:15-16. The ones who believe in Him, the Son of man, will not perish but have everlasting life. He and only He is the way of salvation. The Jews who looked on the brass serpent were healed of the snake bite, and likewise Jesus says those that believe in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life. One can only imagine what Nicodemus was thinking as Jesus explained these things to him. Nicodemus, believed the record of the event in Numbers 21, and understood that those who looked on the serpent were healed. He was being challenged to make the connection and to put his faith in Jesus the Messiah who was speaking to him.

SALVATION A GIFT FROM GOD John 3:15-16 “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 is probably the most memorized and quoted verse in the Bible. Jesus turns Nicodemus' thoughts to God Himself, stating God's love for the world. Jesus proclaims the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Savior. The word for "love" is "agape". In the New Testament is the highest expression of caring for another person. Seeking that person's best interests and of a complete commitment to other's welfare. Of course it has the element of emotion, but it transcends emotional love and is on the highest plain of love of one for another. Jesus said that He, God, loved those who are His creation (John 1:3). (Romans 5:8) proclaims this love in that while men were in a state of rejection and rebellion against Him, Christ died for their sins. Romans 5:8 "But God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

The scope of God's love encompasses the whole world, meaning every man or woman ever born on earth. John proclaimed in his Epistle this truth,

1 John 2:2 "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"

Christ's suffering and death was for all, the world and for all, the human race. In His love for His creation man, Jesus suffered and died for the sins of men, who He in His foreknowledge knew of those who, would not believe or receive Him as their Savior. This love of God is incomprehensible to us. But we can see the love of God in that He, Almighty God, the omnipotent Creator of the Universe, came to earth, became incarnate in man in order that we could be saved. Paul expressed the marvelous truth of God who humbled Himself to men that He might save them.

Philippians 2:6-9 "Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name," God loved man His creation and therefore gave His only begotten Son in order to save man from his sins. God's love for man however, does not mean that God condones man's sin. God is also just, meaning He offers salvation freely to all who will believe and received it, but He also holds man accountable for his deeds. God offers men His grace and mercy, but He does not force Himself on man, nor violate a man's will. If a man chooses to reject God's offer of grace, God allows him to do so, but he hold that man responsible for the life God has given him. Further God does not require men to earn or work for their salvation. Man being a sinner has no righteousness and therefore cannot redeem himself. However, God being righteous, is the only source of salvation, and did for man what he could not do for himself. Of course at this point in time it is unlikely that Nicodemus understood what he was being told, but later he did believe and most scholars believe he was saved. John 19:39 records, that after Jesus' crucifixion Nicodemus bought spices for the embalming of His body. This clearly was the act of one who was endeared to the Lord Jesus. Though John does not specifically record that Nicodemus saw Christ after His resurrection, he records that many of his disciples did. It is probable that Nicodemus remembered his conversation with Jesus and finally understood the truth that was revealed to him.

Nicodemus believed, like most Jews, the way to inherit the Kingdom of God was by birth as a Jew and work in keeping the traditions of the Talmud. Jesus denies that false idea, by stating that salvation was through belief in Him alone. Jesus' statement totally disregards the Jewish heritage and works as a means of salvation. It was the work of Jesus who would be lifted up on the cross that would bring salvation to men. Only through faith in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, could man overcome sin and the condemnation that accompanies sin. Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that he would not perish and would have everlasting life only if he believed in Jesus. John the Baptist had attested to Jesus deity and of being the Lamb of God. Jesus had performed miracles that only God could perform. Now Nicodemus heard Jesus' own words that declared to him that He was the Messiah, the Redeemer, and the Savior of the world.

John 19:39 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

JESES CAME TO SAVE THE WHOLE WORLD John 3:17-18 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved; He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus arrival on earth was not to bring judgment against sin. He came expressly for the purpose to die for the sins of the world, and through that death the world might be saved through Him. (Romans 3:10-18) states the condition of all men as being unrighteous and lost in their sins. Man, without Jesus Christ, is condemned because of his sin and unbelief. Jesus in closing this

conversation with Nicodemus stated, John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

In verse 18, Jesus states mankind in its natural state exists in unbelief. God states the unsaved who have not believed in Jesus Christ are already condemned by their sin. Jesus also verifies that salvation is received by believing in His name. That means believing in who He is and what He did in atoning for the sins of the world. Jesus came to show men the way back to the Father, so that they would have life forever with God. The only sin that will separate men from God the Father forever is the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ.

THE ONE WHO RECEIVES JESUS WILL NOT BE CONDEMED John 3:19-21 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God"

There are some people will not come to Jesus to be born again (Matthew 7:14) “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Jesus explains it is because they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. The darkness hides their sin, and they hate light because it exposes their sin. People don't refuse to accept Christ because of any lack of evidence of who He is. They simply don't want to repent and turn from their sins. On the other hand, those who want to live by truth come to the light. They do not try to cover up their sin, but instead repent of their sin. Of them, Jesus says: that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. True believers acknowledge their salvation and all their good deeds are the result of God working in and through them. Therefore, God deserves the credit and glory. Those who come to the light obey what command in?

1 Corinthians 10:31 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Jesus then stated in verses19-21 why men do not believe and come to the light. The light is Jesus Himself and the knowledge of His offer of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Light represents truth apart from darkness. John in his first Epistle states,

1 John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all".

The truth is the Gospel which declares the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Darkness represents living in sin and disobedience apart from God. What Jesus says is condemnation, ".Light is come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Jesus says that when the light came into the world, it revealed who was

47 judged and who was not. Those who loved darkness rather than loving Christ, the light are those who have been judged already. Mankind ignores or refuses to accept the truth when it is revealed to them. Man enjoys his sins and most refuse to give them up. The light is God's truth and the truth reproves men of sin. Light reveals that sin is wrong and it is both destructive and damning in a person's life. Yet, mankind seeks to gratify their sinful desires disregarding the consequences they innately know will result from their actions. Verse 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light that is Christ, because the light of truth will expose the sins in their lives. Every unbeliever is set against Christ by nature that is why Paul said: Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one Paul declares that all men are without excuse who stand condemned in their sins and trespasses. The verse says that all men "hold the truth in unrighteousness." In other words men know they are wrong in their sins. They know God exists and is a righteous God offering them Salvation. The reason they are without excuse, God has taken the initiative to reveal Himself to all men, but men reject God's grace. The truth is shown in our very existence. We can easily see that we are God's special creation. Evolution, which proclaims that man was created by chance from inert matter, is a lame and foolish attempt to mask the truth mankind knows. Sadly, the majority of mankind is willingly and with full knowledge rejecting their Creator. God has shown His love for man in coming to earth and suffering and dying for world's sins. Thus, those who reject Him and die in unbelief, go to the reward they chose. The unsaved choose the temporal pleasures of sin, rather than the life God in His graciousness would have for them. By rejecting God men live sorry lives in unrighteousness and miss the eternal joys of heaven. How horrible and tragic it is when the lost man dies and finds himself in torment in Hades, and realizes what an awful decision he has made. Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

This verse says that man does not want to retain the knowledge of God in his mind. Jesus here gives the reason. The unsaved do not want their sins to be reproved. False religion testifies this is true. The light of God reveals truth, and the truth rebukes and exposes sin. So man, trying to appease his conscience, creates false gods and religions which condones sin and man's responsibility for his deeds. Deep down though, all men, no matter how categorically they protest, know they are sinners and will one day face their Creator.

JOHN INTRODUCED JESUS TO THE WORLD John 3:22-24 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized; Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized; For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

After the meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples traveled south into Judaea, which is the region around Jerusalem. (Matthew) records that Jesus preached the same message that John the Baptist was preaching, that the Jews should repent because the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. The passage does not give the numbers who responded to Jesus, but in verse 26 John's disciples stated that "all men come to Him." (John 4:2) explains that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but he had six disciples with Him and they were the ones who baptized those who repented. Matthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John was baptizing in Aenon, which means a "fountain." This fountain was located near the town of Salim (Salem) a place west of the Jordan River where there was much water. This area is believed to be in Samaria, near Scythopolis or Bethshen. The statement "there was much water there infers that John's message now was being widely received which facilitated the need for much water to baptize those that responded. However, we must keep in mind that a short time later, the Jews were rejecting Him. How fickle are the hearts of men. John records in chapter 6 that after Jesus feed the multitudes He began to tell them that He was the Messiah. He told them He was the bread of life come from heaven, but the people murmured against Him and soon they all left in masses. Jesus rebuked them saying they did not follow Him because of the miracles He did, which showed He was from God, but because He gave them free bread to eat. It show the common trait among the Jews and their leaders that they were not interested in spiritual things, but only the material things of earth. Probably many of these same people had been baptized by John. John 3:24 places this event in the days before John the Baptist was cast into prison by Herod, at the urging of Herodias his illegal married wife. John had rebuked Herod for taking her to be his wife, she being the wife of Herod's brother Philip. Herodias in time would get her revenge in having John beheaded.

JOHN DISCIPLES QUESTION JESUS BAPTIZING John 3:25-26 Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!"

John the Baptist was in the north baptizing near Samaria and word came that Jesus was in Judaea baptizing many Jews. It appears that some of John's disciples were concerned that Jesus' preaching and baptizing was degrading to John. They seem to be zealous remarking that "all men come to him" meaning Jesus. The implication was the Jews were coming to Jesus instead of John. John disciples had a high opinion of him. Was not John the one who had baptized Jesus, not the other way around? In their minds John was superior to Jesus. Of course they did not understand John's role in declaring that Jesus was "The Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world." John had stated earlier who Jesus was that he would was not worthy to even tie His shoe laces, but they had missed his message. This gives us some incite in to the nature of man. John the Baptist was a great and powerful preacher and he clearly and boldly proclaimed God's

49 truth. Many were following him as his disciples and accepting him as a "Rabbi" or their teacher, but they did not really comprehend John's message. This is not unlike today when preachers stand in their pulpits weekly proclaiming God's word, yet find their heartfelt message, they so laboriously presented, goes unheeded by most of their congregation.

JOHN THE BAPTIST TESTIFY TO HIS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST John 3:27-30 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.

John's answer gave total honor to the Lord Jesus. He was not called of God to build a movement or sect among the Jews, or draw men unto himself. Rather John's calling was to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah. John reminded them of the message they had failed to grasp. He was not the Messiah, but sent before Him as Malachi 3:1-6 had prophesied

John's teaching to his disciples was an important truth. A man cannot accomplish anything, unless it is given him from God. John's ministry and calling came from God and he was completely satisfied and privileged to testify as to Jesus being the Savior of the world, God's promised Messiah. This is the passion of any true man of God called to be a witness for Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful thing for a child of God to be used as an instrument of God's grace in reaching others with the Gospel. John felt the same passion for serving the Lord as did Paul who said, 1 Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

Now as his ministry began to wind down, John's purpose did not waiver. His humble reply must have startled his disciples: "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven." In this way, he affirmed and embraced his subordinate role as the herald of the Messiah. God had sovereignly granted him his ministry and if God now chose to change or end that ministry, John was content. Everything among God's servants, including popular ministry, is a gracious gift from God, not something to which a person is entitled. Therefore there is no place for jealousy, as John's self-effacing reply indicated.

Romans 1:5 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 1 Corinthians 4:7 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

1 Corinthians 15:10 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was

with me.

John's emphatic reminder to his envious disciples, "You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Christ' (1:8, 20), but, “I have been sent ahead of Him”, was a rebuke for their obtuseness. Nothing he had said could account for their misunderstanding of his role; on the contrary, he had always maintained that he was the forerunner of the Messiah, not the Messiah Himself. Thus, John saw Jesus' increasing popularity not as a concern, but as the fulfillment of his ministry. Far from upsetting him, it brought him great joy. The measure of success for any ministry is not how many people follow the minister, but how many people follow Christ through the minister. The factious Corinthians proudly lined up under the banners of their spiritual heroes—Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter), and the super pious under Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:12 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Yet in focusing their allegiance on those leaders, they were not fully following the Lord (even the so-called Christ faction was not following Him with a right attitude, but rather from a false sense of spiritual superiority). "Has Christ been divided?" Paul scathingly asked them, "Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (v13). Later in that same epistle he demanded, "When one says, 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:4-6). Thus, all genuine ministry is Christ-centered, "for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ"

1 Corinthians 3: 11 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:4-6 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

JOHN MESSAGE OF JESUS SUPERIORITY AND DEITY John 3:31-35 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all; And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony; He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true; For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure; The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

John heralds the truth of Jesus's deity. He declares that Jesus came from above is above all. Only God is above all things and this statement asserts Jesus' deity. John in making reference to himself says, "he which is of the earth is earthly" meaning John was simply an earthly man, but " Jesus who came from heaven is above all."

John avows that he although he testified of that which he has seen and heard and asserted that Jesus was the Messiah few men believed. It is possible that the Apostle John, writing this Gospel at the end of the First Century, was looking back in time and injects that John the Baptist's testimony was only received by a few. Jesus had been rejected by the Jews who blindly followed their false teachers. It confirms that many in the multitudes who came to Jesus when He was performing His miracles and who have been baptized were not truly believers. John could have been alluding to the fact that he recognized that few of his own disciples were really true disciples.

John 3:33, shows the transformation that occurs when a man truly believes and receives Jesus as his Savior. The man who believes and receives Christ's testimony attests to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah come from God. The believer's act of faith in Jesus Christ proclaims who Jesus is. Paul stresses this truth saying, 1 Corinthians 2:14 "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The unsaved man is in his natural state blind and lost in his sins. He lives in spiritual darkness and cannot understand spiritual things and they are foolishness to him. Yet, the one who believes can understand even the deep things of God, because he receives the Holy Spirit who abides in him. The light of God's truth changes a man and makes him a spiritual being.

John 2:34, personifies the truth that Jesus' message was God's message and that all He said was the very word of God. Men are limited in their knowledge and understanding of truth, yet Jesus was the Light, the Truth and all Righteous One. John was stating that even he was limited in his understanding of Jesus as being God. But there was no such limitation on Jesus or His words. In other words he was telling his disciples they could completely and wholehearted believe the words of Christ and know they came from God.

In answering the question of his disciples, John declares the Father, loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. The Apostle proclaimed this truth in John 1:3 that Jesus was the Creator. The universe and all in it is sustained by Him as Colossians 1:17 says, "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." John was making it crystal clear that Jesus was the Messiah, the promised Savior of the world and that he, John, was simply the Lord's servant.

UNBELIEVERS HAS GREAT LOSS John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

John sums up the truth that he has explained to his disciples. The man who puts his faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who believes in Him has everlasting life. Salvation has both a present and future benefit, which makes one's life in this world and afterwards to bring glory to the Savior. There is only one requirement for a man to be saved. That is he must believe in Jesus Christ. This of course is not simply a head knowledge which acknowledges the existence of Jesus

Christ. It is a heartfelt conviction that transforms an unbelieving sinner into a child of God. This belief is one that is life changing as Second Corinthians declares make a man a new creation of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

It is the spiritual rebirth that Jesus told Nicodemus that he must experience to see the Kingdom of God. It is marked change that alters the very being of a man and makes all things new. This belief changes one's everlasting destiny and enjoins him to God who gives him everlasting life with God. This truth is beyond the capacity of even the born again believer to explain or fully understand. Yet, it is a marvelous thing to know our Creator and be at peace with Him, reconciled to His will for our lives.

As wonderful is the truth of salvation by faith, in contrast is the misfortune of unbelief. Unbelief damns a man's soul to coming judgment followed by an everlasting existence separated from God in the flames of the Lake of Fire The pleasures of sin fuel man's refusal to believe and submit himself the his loving God and Creator. As sure as is the reality of heaven, is the truth of hell. God is a just God, and holds man responsible for the life that God has given him. God says that the man who lives in unbelief cannot see life, meaning that he cannot achieve the purpose God has for him. Further, the man who lives apart from God cannot experience true life that the Christian can. The lost man, no matter what he achieves in life, will always be lacking. Man has a void in his being that only God can fill. It is a chilling truth that God's wrath is on all men who live in unbelief.

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 4

THE HUMANITY OF JESUS John 4:1-4 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria. The Gospel of John is a testimony to the Deity of Jesus Christ and that He is the Savior of the world. Jesus was wholly God and at the same time wholly man. John, in presenting Jesus as the Savior in this chapter, gives further evidence that Jesus was God. After His meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus continued to minister in the region around Jerusalem. He preached the message of the kingdom. Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"

Jesus knew the thoughts of the Pharisees and that they were designing to confront Him. The Pharisees, as members of the Sanhedrin, were greatly upset that a lowly carpenter's son from Nazareth in Galilee was having such a following among the people. Clearly these self-appointed religious leaders of Israel were jealous and saw Him as a threat to their authority. Knowing their hearts, Jesus obviously was not willing at this time to deal with them and He left Judaea, traveling northward to Galilee.

As a result of Jesus' disciples baptizing more people than John the Baptist, Jesus has gotten the attention of the Pharisees. Therefore, Jesus leaves Judea and heads back to Galilee. Instead of taking the normal Jewish route around Samaria, Jesus chooses to go through Samaria. The Jews hated the Samaritans because they were half-breed Jews whose ancestors intermarried with Gentiles during Assyrian captivity. The Samaritans were a people of mixed Gentile and Jewish blood who lived in the area on the west side of the Jordan River between Judaea and Galilee. The Jews detested them and would not travel through Samaria and defile themselves. This too gives us insight into the prideful hearts of the Jews who thought themselves superior to all non-Jews and especially to the Samaritans. Due to the Samaritans false religion and intermarriage with Gentiles, the Jews shunned the Samaritans and would not allow them to take part in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. In turn, the Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which was later destroyed by the Jews. The Samaritans then built another temple at Shechem. The Jews hated the Samaritans and the rivalry between the two continued until the time of Jesus. Jesus said it was necessary that He travel through Samaria, not something a Jew would typically do. The Jews considered them unclean traitors to their nation and their God, and therefore, would not even walk through their land. However, Jesus needs to go through Samaria because there is a woman there He must meet. Jesus wants to meet her because she is the reason He came to earth.

Luke 19:10 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

JESUS MEETS THE SAMARITAN WOMEN AT THE WELL John 4:5-8 "Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat. "

About noon, Jesus arrives at Sychar (sigh-kar), a town in Samaria. Tired from two days of walking, He sits down by Jacob's well just outside the city. Even though Jesus is God incarnate, He is also fully human, and shares the same exhaustion as anyone who has walked for two days.

His disciples go into town to buy food and while they are gone, a Samaritan woman, carrying a water pot on her head, comes to the well. Because of the hot Palestinian sun, women normally came to the well at dawn or dusk, when it was cooler. This woman comes at noon, the hottest time of the day probably because she doesn't want to be taunted by the other women who want nothing to do with her. She would not be welcome at any synagogue, but she is welcome in the presence of the sinless Son of God. Jesus is waiting for her at the well to give her living water.

The woman thought she was going to Jacob's well because she needed physical water, but in fact she had an appointment with the Son of God. To further testify to Christ's deity, John states that Jesus "must go through Samaria." Jesus knew the Samaritan woman would be at the well and He planned to be there to speak with her. His meeting the Samaritan woman was not by chance, but was God's plan to further reveal who Jesus truly was and bring the Samaritan woman and many in her village to salvation.

The Messiah was to be the Savior of the world, not just to Israel. God revealed this truth also to Moses, "And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee" (Deuteronomy 28:37). Speaking to Israel by Isaiah God said,

Isaiah 43:9-10 "Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me"

Jesus in going to Samaria and offering salvation to the woman at the well was showing that the Messiah was for the salvation of the world, not just to the Jews. Note that is what Jesus said in John 3:16 to Nicodemus. John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus being wearied by His travel gives us insight into His humanity. Jesus was a man and experienced the same thing that all men do. When He came to the well, he sat down to rest and

was thirsty. It was nearing noon and His disciples went into the city to purchase food. Thus Jesus was left alone, setting on the well when the Samaritan woman arrives to draw water. The city is believed to have been about two miles from the well. It was somewhat unusual for her to walk this distance in the heat of the day to draw water. However, as John reveals this woman was of dubious character and probably came at this time to avoid the stares and ridicule of the other women of the nearby village. This was not a chance meeting, but an event of divine intervention.

JESUS CHRIST WAS UNKNOWN BY THE WOMAN AT THE WELL John 4:9-10 "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans; "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water

The grammatical structure of Jesus's request to the woman in asking for a drink of water shows this was a polite request. It is interesting that the woman clearly recognized that Jesus was a Jew probably from His dress and dialect. She apparently was a little shocked by the fact a Jew was speaking to her a Samaritan, and even asking to be allowed to drink from her pot. Jews held the Samaritans with such disdain they would definitely not speak to them, look at them, or touch them and if they had to travel through Samaria would brush the dust off of their feet when leaving their country.

Jesus had a message for this woman. Jesus' message was not just to the Jews, but also to the world which included the Samaritans. This woman was the first of many Samaritans who would believe and receive Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. (Acts 8:5-14), records that Phillip went into Samaria and preached the Gospel and many believed. When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that many there had been saved, they sent Peter and John there to continue preaching. Peter and John were preaching to the Samaritans, some who had been baptized by John the Baptist. John's disciples had believed the message of the coming Messiah and Kingdom of God, but they did not have any specific information that Jesus was the Messiah. Therefore, they were still in the Old Testament dispensation and had not yet received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But when they received the message of the Apostles and put their faith in Jesus Christ they were indwelled by the Spirit and became Christians and part of the current dispensation of the Church Age. Later, (Acts 9:31) speaks of the churches in Judaea, Galilee and in Samaria having a period of rest from persecution after Saul (Paul) was converted. (Acts 15:3), records that Paul and Barnabas also preached in Samaria and the brethren received the news of the conversion of Gentiles with great joy.

In the same manner Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, He addresses the Samaritan woman going directly to her spiritual need. Jesus says to her, if you knew the "gift of God" and who I was you would ask for "living water" and receive it. The "gift of God" is plainly a reference to God's

promise of the Messiah and can also be the "gift" of His intentional coming to bring her this truth, the "living water" which is the message of salvation.

LIVING WATER John 4:11-12 "The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

The woman's response was like Nicodemus's reply to the Lord. She did not immediately understand who Jesus was. She stated what was obvious; Jesus had nothing to draw up the water out of the well which was deep. The woman did not understand that the "living water" Jesus was speaking of was somehow different from the ordinary water in the well. Puzzled by His statement, she asked Jesus where He would get this "living water" because He could clearly not draw it from the well, as he had nothing to use to get it and the well was deep. She asked if Jesus thought Himself greater than Jacob who dug the well and was able to give her a greater source of water. MAN’S THIRST FOR GOD MUST BE QUENCHED John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life"

Jesus' reply to her question makes a clear distinction between the physical water of the well she was thinking of and the "living water" of which He was speaking. He said those who drank from the water in the well would become thirsty again, but in contrast, those who drank the "living water" would never thirst again. This different water would be a well that would spring up giving eternal life. This passage reveals several truths about salvation. It is once received and is sufficient for eternity. Jesus, says in John 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Clearly states that salvation is everlasting. Something that is everlasting is that which never ends. The illustration is that once drank (or received), salvation is not repeated. It fully satisfies and does not have to be repeated. Thus salvation is a one-time event and nourishes the believer's spiritual growth. Peter states,

1 Peter 2:2-3 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious".

Jesus said to Nicodemus that he needed to be spiritually "born again." When life is begun it starts the process of growth toward maturity. Though the Samaritan woman clearly did not understand what Jesus was truly saying, we who know the word of God can. Salvation once received begins a new life that never ends and brings spiritual growth or "springs of living water." Salvation truly is a spring that brings refreshing, satisfying peace and joy to the soul. In contrast the things of the world do not satisfy and always leave us unfulfilled and thirsting for more.

WOMAN AT THE WELL HUNGRY FOR THE LIVING WATER John 4:15-16 "The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither".

Once again the woman responds with her earthly understanding. She asked Jesus to give her this water that everlastingly satisfied the thirst so that she would not have to come to the well each day and draw water. Walking approximately two miles a day carrying water was drudgery and she was ready to jump at the chance of eliminating this task. Jesus' reply to her certainly was unusual, because He asked her to go and get her husband. In order to receive salvation a person must first understand that they are a sinner. The woman had unknowingly asked for salvation when she had asked for the "living water." Jesus used the question to reveal the spiritual need in her life. She needed to see her real need that she might subsequently desire to be saved. The Samaritan woman had lived a life of immorality and Jesus' question was designed to bring her face to face with her sins. MARRIAGE IS SACRED John 4:17-20 "The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."

The woman honestly replied that she did not have a husband because she had not been married. The Greek word "aner" is translated each time in this verse "husband." However, it is used also to mean "an individual, a man, a fellow or a Sir." Like many Greek words the context interprets the correct meaning or use of the word. She correctly said she did not have husband, which would be a man she was legally married to. Jesus replied that she had stated the truth, because you have had five "men" (not legal husbands) and the one you are now living with is not your husband'. The verse can be properly translated "The woman answered and said I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five men; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that said thou truly. The context tells us that the woman had not had five legal husbands, but had lived with five men or fellows.

Some have taught that a sexual union between a man and woman constitutes marriage. However, this is not substantiated by the Bible.

Matthew 19:5-6 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew describes a marital union as a man and woman who by divine appointment leave their parents and in unity commit themselves to each other and become one entity. God is the author of marriage as demonstrated in Genesis when Adam made vows to Eve. To be a true marriage there must be vows of commitment, a leaving of one's parents and joining in a new relationship of unity. Living together without legal marriage means living without commitment and true unity. If the couple has not made any formal action of dedication to each other, to forsake all

others, there is no true marriage. Although there is a move today to consider couples living together as having the same rights as a legally married couples, throughout history even civil law has not accepted this for marriage. Genesis 2:22-23 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Jesus was a stranger to the Samaritan woman, yet he knew not only her present affair with a man that was not her husband, but He knew her past, and there had been a total of five men she had lived with. Because He knew these things, she says she perceives that He is a prophet, but does what many do who are confronted by the fact they are sinners. The woman ignores the implications of her sinful private life that He has just revealed to her, and shifts the conversation to a religious question.

The woman apparently was well versed in the controversy between the Jews and Samaritans. She states that part of the contention between them and the Jews was that the Samaritans worshiped at Mt. Gerizim and the Jews in Jerusalem. Jacob's well, where she and Jesus stood was located near the base of Mt. Gerizim. The Samaritans falsely taught that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice on Mt. Gerizim. Earlier in history, a local Samaritan governor named Sanballat built a temple at Mt. Gerizim, which the Maccabean Jewish rebel, John Hyrcanus, destroyed in 129 B.C. during the Intertestamental Period between the Old and New Testaments. Today there are an estimated 600 of this sect in Israel who worship as the ancient Samaritans. Correctly following the teachings of God's instruction in the Old Testament, the Jews only worshiped at the temple in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah where Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac to the Lord as Genesis 22:2 records.

SALVATION IS FOR THE JEWS John 4:21-22 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Jesus responds by telling her that the hour is coming when there will be no worship at Gerizim or Jerusalem. Jesus was referring to the fact that in a short time, the present dispensation of the Old Testament would pass and the Church Age would begin. In this present Church Age, believers worship all over the world in their hearts, homes, and local churches. In 70 A.D., Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Titus, the Roman general, and the Jews dispersed all over the Roman Empire. Since that year, Judaism has not been biblically practiced anywhere by the Jews, because they have no temple. Biblical Judaism ceased to be practiced and is not followed today. Soon, Samaritans would be saved and become a part of this dispensation of the Church Age. As stated earlier, (Acts 8:5-14) records that Phillip preached the Gospel in Samaria shortly after Christ's death and resurrection. Many in Samaria were saved including John the Baptist's converts. These Samaritans became Christians and a part of our present dispensation of the Church Age.

The Lord further explained to her that she really did not worship in truth. The Samaritans, although claiming to be true worshipers of God and followers of the Pentateuch, rejected God's revelation through the prophets and the rest of the Old Testament. They were a false religious sect or a cult of Judaism. Jesus plainly stated that the Samaritan beliefs were false and declared that it was through the Jews that salvation was come to the world. He was referring both to Himself as the promised Messiah and Savior and to the whole of the Old Testament as God's divine revelation. It was the Old Testament that prophesied of the coming of the Messiah who would take on Himself the "iniquity" of us all.

TO WORSHIP GOD, IT MUST BE DONE IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH John 4:23-24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

For worship to be real and honoring to God, it must have both the elements of the spirit and truth. One without the other is not true worship. The Samaritans worshiped in spirit, in the sense that they were sincere and zealous, but they lacked truth. Their worship was based on false doctrine and therefore was not biblical worship accepted by God. In reality the Jews also had the same problem. They worshiped according to the traditions of their rabbis according to the Talmud. They had the right Bible, the Word of God, but did not follow its teachings, thus their worship was also unacceptable to the Lord. Their religious leaders twisted God's word to fit their own agendas. They liked the prestige, money, and power that their false teachings gave them over the people.

Today, like the Samaritans and the Jews, false prophets teach their erroneous doctrines which pervert the word of God. Their worship is not acceptable to God because it lacks truth. True worship recognizes God's instruction as to how He is to be worshiped. God did not accept worship at Mt. Gerizim as it was in the wrong place. Similarly, today's worship is polluted by ignoring God's instructions and makes worship a dead ritual or an irrelevant emotional entertainment. Biblical worship is supposed to be a heartfelt outpouring of praise, thankfulness, and adoration of God. But in our modern times, it has been turned into a spectacle for the entertainment of people. The Devil has always had his "ministers of light" which spew out his damning doctrines. God's truth is ignored by these false teachers and in its place, these men (and women), wolves in sheep's clothing, teach the corrupt wisdom of men. All over the world, church denominations and cults of Christendom zealously proclaim their polluted doctrines and millions are deceived. Little has changed since Jesus' day. Yet, there has always been and will continue to be a remnant who hold to God's truth and as saved spiritually born again believers truly worship and serve Almighty God.

God is Spirit. The Greek text is a stronger statement saying "God is Spirit." The Greek does not have the definite article "a." God is not "a" God, but God who is Spirit. God is Spirit and exists in a spirit world that is not material. The Bible says God is an eternal God from everlasting to everlasting, meaning He has no beginning or end.

Psalms 41:13 "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen"

Psalms 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

Man is a corporate being made of material things, such as blood, flesh and bones. Man lives in a material universe and is a material being subject to time and space. However, God is not a corporeal being and exists in a spiritual world that is outside of our material Universe. The spiritual world in which God exists is not subject to time and space. God says He is a Spirit which means He has no material body V24.

This is a revealed truth that God has given to us about Himself and His essence. In our world nothing is eternal. Everything exists in time, has a beginning and will have an end, but not so with God. That is why He says He is God from "everlasting to everlasting" meaning having no beginning and no end. Jesus proclaimed in

Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

The same is true for the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. In our material world we can’t conceive of a being existing as one God, yet being three Persons. Yet, clearly the Bible says that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God. Many struggle at trying to understand what it means to be a Spirit. The reason is that we have nothing in our material world to define or compare to a spirit, thus it is difficult for us to conceive this truth. Yet, it is true because God has revealed it to us and we can accept God's word on the matter. It is a mark of a false religion that they always degrade God. Man’s understanding is darkened by unbelief, man makes his false gods in his own image as being a man, or some other creature God has made. Yet, when we look around us all men can see the greatest of God's creation. His handiwork proclaims that He has unlimited attributes as Almighty God. Blinded by his unbelief, in spite of what God has clearly shown him, man chooses to make his own god.

JESUS REVEALS THE TRUTH John 4:25-26 "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things; "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he" Jesus' response spoke of the future coming of the Messiah. The Samaritan woman responds that she knows that the Messiah is coming and that He will be called Christ. The Samaritans, like the Jews were looking for a prophet to come. But like the Jews they did not understand the Old Testament teachings concerning God's Messiah. This is demonstrated in that history records several times in Samaria false Messiahs had arose.

Acts 8:9 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and

62 bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Simon deceived the Samaritans and had a great following. The historian Josephus recorded that Pilate put down a rebellion in Samaria caused by another self-proclaimed Messiah. Jesus made this emphatic statement that He was the Messiah and interestingly, He made it first to a Samaritan woman and not to the Jews. Jesus made this same statement again after He healed the blind man as recorded in John 9:37. Jesus' going to the Samaritan woman shows God's purpose for this Gospel. God inspired John to proclaim in detail the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, the promised One of Israel. Here Jesus Himself expresses this truth plainly so there can be no misunderstanding about who He was. It is important to consider that Jesus was replying to the Samaritan woman who said she believed the Messiah would come and would tell all things. Jesus is therefore reaching out to her with the truth that she might believe and be saved.

THE WOMAN RECOGNIZES JESUS AS THE CHRIST John 4:27-30 "And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him"

The disciples at that moment returned from the village where they have gone to purchase food. They were astonished at seeing Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman. It was not only taboo to talk to a Samaritan, it was not proper for a man to talk to any woman, let alone one who was not his wife. They obviously thought that Jesus was acting in an improper way and was degrading Himself. However, out of respect or not seeking to make the matter an open issue they held their silence and made no open comment. Jesus was their rabbi or teacher and they were His disciples, and disciples do not confront their teacher or master.

The woman who had come to get water was so taken by Jesus and His statements that she left immediately in apparent haste leaving behind her water pot. She was very excited about meeting Jesus and her actions indicate that she accepted Jesus' statement that He was the Messiah. The woman rushes to the city and compels the men of the village to come with her and see a man who had told her everything she had done. She tells them He has supernatural powers and proclaims to them that He must be the Christ. She puts her statement in the form of a question. She was a woman and modesty and respect would dictate that she not tell these men this was true, but respectfully ask them to come and see for themselves. She surely made an impression on these men because they left their village and went out to the well to see Jesus. It is a truth well mentioned that when a person believes in Jesus Christ they want to tell others about Him. Learning who Jesus truly is, is too much an important truth to keep to yourself. Like all Good News we learn, we want to share it with others. THERE IS MEAT THAT MEN DO NOT KNOW OF John 4:31-34 " In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that

63 sent me, and to finish his work"

Jesus disciples then compelled Him to eat the food that they had purchased in the city. Their action shows their concern in taking care of their Rabbi and Teacher. Jesus' response catches them off guard, because He proclaims that He has meat they did not know about. They were surprised by His answer and began to question one another as if someone had already given Him something to eat.

Jesus then explains that He is not speaking of physical food, but of spiritual matters which were more important. He said His food or substance was to do the will of Him that sent Him and to finish His work. As a good teacher, Rabbi Jesus used every opportunity to train His disciples. They had much to learn and the importance of doing the spiritual work of God was more important than earthly things such as eating.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Jesus stated the object of His ministry in Luke 22:42 as He agonized over His coming suffering and death on the cross, saying, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done

The plan of salvation is God the Father's through Jesus Christ. Jesus when He was a boy of twelve, declared His destiny when His parents found Him teaching in the temple.

Luke 2:49 "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Revelation 13:8 “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"

Revelation affirms that this was God's eternal plan declaring that Jesus is The Lamb Slain before the foundation of the world. What a wonderful truth this is that beyond our full comprehension? You and I, who are saved by God's grace, are the manifestation of a plan that existed with God before the world was even created. We should think about it in this personal way. We were in the mind of Almighty God in eternity past and who loved us then, even before we existed. What a wonderful thing it is to be a part of something of such a grand scale.

LIFT UP YOUR EYES AND LOOK TO THE FIELDS John 4:35-38 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and

another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours"

Jesus continued His teaching and indirectly answering the question in the minds of the disciples as to why He was talking to the Samaritan woman. In the disciple's minds the Kingdom of God was something in the future. Seeing the Samaritans coming out of the city, Jesus proclaimed unto them that the Kingdom was now, as well as in the future. The fields, He said to them, were white or ready to be harvested. Jesus was reaping the harvest of His witness to the Samaritan woman, and the Samaritan woman was reaping the fruit of her testimony as well. Many in the village of the woman believed in Jesus Christ and were saved. Both the sower and the reaper of the Gospel rejoice when God's grace is received and people are saved.

John 4: 37 is often used to express the idea that one person sows or witnesses the Gospel to a person, and then another person actually wins the soul to Christ. However, although we know this is true, it is really not all that this verse is saying. The reaper here is the one who is saved. He eats the fruit of the sower and thus benefits from the sower's labor. Jesus had sown the Gospel and the Samaritan woman had reaped and been saved. She in turn took her witness to her city and sowed the Good News to them. They then reaped the fruit of her labors and received Jesus as their Messiah.

THE POWERFUL WORDS OF JESUS MAKES BELIEVERS John 4:38-42 "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world".

The disciples had not sown the Gospel to the Samaritan, but Jesus had and earlier John the Baptist. Apparently, as the Samaritans came to the place by the well, the disciples began to witness to them and many of them believed. What a thrilling event this was in their lives as the long awaited Messiah had come and was in their presence. He told them the truth and surely their hearts were full and their spirits uplifted by His presence. They did not want Him to leave and beckoned Him to remain with them. They had many questions and did not want the blessing of His presence to end. There must have been a great excitement in their village as the news spread through the small city.

Jesus honored their request and remained there for two days teaching. The Samaritan's stated their first response was to believe in Jesus because of what the woman had told them. But now after two days of hearing Him teach their faith was broadened and was firmly based in the truth He taught them. It is the same when one first believes and comes to Jesus Christ. The newly saved soul accepts the Person of Jesus Christ as their Savior. As time passes and the believer learns more about Him and God's truths, his faith is strengthened and grows strong.

JESUS LEAVES SAMARIA AND GOES TO GALILEE John 4:43-45 "Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast"

Jesus remained in Samaria for two days teaching, but afterward departed traveling north into Galilee. Jesus moves on to Galilee where he is received. These people have witnessed “all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast.” At least they accept Him because of these works. While faith can never finally rest on mighty works, they can be a point of beginning. How gracious that He starts with any one of us where we are, often with our own gawking curiosity asking for more wonders, but He knows that our only hope will be to finally believe in Him. John in his next statement gives us the reason that Jesus went into Galilee. Jesus had not yet preached in Galilee as He had in Judea and Samaria and was not known as He was in the south. Jesus had been well received in Judaea and news of His preaching and miracles had reached the north into Galilee. He did not return to Nazareth as would be expected, but traveled to the east and north of His home town. He knew that He would be well received by the Galileans and not by His home town where He had grown up. Several times Jesus made the statement concerning a prophet.

Luke 4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

The Lord's brief ministry in Samaria was a prophetic interlude, foreshadowing the later spread of the gospel to the Samaritans and Gentiles. John's statement, when He was come into Galilee, the Galileans received Him, does not mean that they believed in Jesus as the Messiah. The Galileans did not honor Jesus for who He really was. On the contrary, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast, they welcomed Him merely as a miracle worker. They were curiosity seekers, eagerly hoping to see Jesus perform some more sensational feats. Thus the apostle John writes with a sense of irony that the Galileans' reception of Jesus was not genuine, but superficial and shallow. John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. There were many Galileans at the feast also who had seen firsthand Jesus' preaching and the positive response He had among the people there.

JESUS HEALS THE NOBLEMAN’S SON John 4:46-48 "So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe"

Jesus' first stop in Galilee was at Cana where He had performed His first miracle. Apparently, the news that Jesus had returned to Galilee and to Cana traveled quickly over the region, and a nobleman who lived in Capernaum heard of Jesus' whereabouts. The nobleman's

66 son was sick at the point of death and he left his home and traveled the 16 - 18 miles to Cana to seek Jesus' help.

Clearly, Jesus and His ministry were well known in the region of Galilee. This nobleman had heard of Jesus' miracle at Cana and of the events surrounding His trip to Judaea. He clearly loved his son and realized that without a miracle he would die. More importantly, he believed that Jesus could heal him, although Jesus had not healed anyone before this event. In his desperation he immediately left Capernaum and went to beseech Jesus to heal his son.

The royal official ignored Jesus' assessment of him and his fellow Galileans. Single- mindedly, he poured out his heart, exclaiming, "Sir, come down to Capernaum before my child dies." Despite His stem rebuke of the kind of faith before Him, the Lord graciously performed the miracle, consequently drawing the official's faith to a higher level. By healing his son physically, the Great Physician moved to heal the father spiritually.

Jesus' statement to the nobleman seems to be insensitive unless one understands the heart of a Jew. The Jews were not seeking righteousness or the spiritual things of God. Jesus knew their hearts and what they were really seeking. Their thinking was worldly and they were blind to the true things of God. Later, when Jesus pressed home the message of their need to repent of their sins and need for spiritual revival, the Jews abandoned him. Jesus came into the world to save sinners and to present Himself to Israel and the world as the promised Messiah. His miracles were signs to show He was truly God come in the flesh and to authenticate His Messiah-ship. His ministry was to bring Israel into a right relationship with God.

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Paul states the truth behind Jesus' statement saying, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom" (1 Corinthians 1:22). The Jews should have believed His message and received it on a spiritual level, but instead they continually sought some supernatural show of His power. Jesus had fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the promised Messiah. However, they pressed for signs. As examples of this, Jesus had revealed the spiritual needs of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, but both of their initial responses were on a worldly level. Neither Nicodemus nor the Samaritan woman seemed able to comprehend their spiritual needs. His message to the Jews was one of beseeching them to repent of their sins and receive their Messiah and promised Kingdom. He was telling them that receiving the Kingdom of God was a spiritual matter, but they were not concerned with spiritual things. This was the point that Jesus was making to the nobleman and to those who overheard his comment, which included His disciples.

JESUS REPLIED TO THE NOBLEMANS REQUEST (John 4:49-50). "The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way"

Instead of agreeing to go back to Capernaum with him as the official had begged Him to do, Jesus merely said to him, "Go; your son lives." At that very instant the boy was healed. Even though he had no confirmation of it, the man nevertheless believed the word that Jesus spoke to him. The Lord's words to him had moved him from the third level of unbelief (which needs miracles) to the second (which believes Christ's word). Without any tangible proof that his son was healed, he took Jesus at His word and started off for home.

Clearly, the man believed that Jesus had the power to save his son. Clearly, the Lord's response to the man was because of his faith. This affirms that God responds to genuine faith.

James 5:15 "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

If God is to bless us and aid us in our lives it will always be based on our faith in Him. Where there is no faith God cannot work. Paul states,

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

One of Paul's greatest statements concerning faith is (Galatians 2:20)"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me".

Jesus simply told the man to go home, that his son lived. The miracle performed was not seen by the people who were gathered at this place, but they soon heard of it all over Galilee. It was one thing to heal a person in their presence, but a much greater miracle to simply speak the words many miles away and a young man received his health and was healed. Jesus showed the unlimited scope of His power. The man believed Jesus' words and returned to his home to see his now healthy son.

JESUS HONORS FAITH John 4:51-54 "And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee." The improvement in the son's health must have been so dramatic that the nobleman's servants could not wait for the nobleman to return home. They went to find him and to give him the good news. To verify the miracle completely, the nobleman asked when his son had gotten better and they told him it was the seventh hour or one o'clock in the afternoon which was the same time Jesus had told the father his son was healed.

It was the time of his son's recovery that verified to the father that a miracle had taken place, because he knew that his son's healing had happened at that very hour in which Jesus had said to him, "Your son lives." When he heard the news, the royal official himself believed, along with each member of his whole household

John concluded this account with the footnote, This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee. This act of healing was the second of the eight major signs that John records as proof that Jesus was the Messiah. It was also the second sign (the first having taken place at the wedding at Cana (2:1-11) He had performed in Galilee. This was not Jesus' second miracle overall made clear from (2:23). In this instance, the stunning verification of Jesus' power lifted the royal official all the way from sign-seeking unbelief to genuine saving faith.

This was the second miracle that Jesus did in Galilee and was done after His trip to Jerusalem. Earlier records show that Jesus did miracles during the time He was in Jerusalem.

John 2:23 "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did"

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 5

THE LAME MAN HEALED John 5:1-2 "After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches"

We must remember that the Gospel of John is not a Synoptic Gospel and covers about twenty- two days in the life of Christ. The Synoptic Gospels cover the major events of Jesus' three and a half year ministry. God's intent in inspiring John to pen this Gospel was to address specific events in the context of Israel rejecting the Lord as their Messiah and revealing the spiritual condition of the Jews. Chapter Five begins by stating that there was a feast of the Jews and that Jesus went up to Jerusalem. The Synoptic Gospels do not tell us much about Jesus' trips to Judaea, but John specifically mentions His three trips there to observe the Passover.

John 2:13, 23 mentions the first Passover He observed in Jerusalem. John 5:1, although not specifically named, probably records the second, and John 6:4 records the third Passover. His last Passover is recorded in John13:1 before His crucifixion.

In Jerusalem there was a gate into the city called the Sheep Gate. That was where the sheep that were to be sacrificed in the temple were brought into the city. The building of this gate is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1, 32; 12:39 and thought to be located near the northeast corner of the city.

John says that by the Sheep Gate there was a pool of water called in Hebrew "Bethesda." Bethesda means a house of kindness, grace or mercy. This was a pool that had Roman arch supported porches and was believed to be outside the Jerusalem wall below the Tower of Antonia discovered in 1888. Archaeologists unearthed a rectangular pool with a portico on each side and a fifth one dividing the pool into two separate compartments that fits the Bible's description. MIRACLEOUS HEALING John 5:3-4 "In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."

Gathered around the pool were many people with various ailments such as the blind, crippled or lame, and those who had palsy that withered up some part of their body. This pool was supplied by water from underground springs. We are not told what it was used for other than the tradition that at times an angel would "trouble" or stir up the waters. The belief was that an angel would come and stir up the waters and the first person who entered the pool when waters were stirred up would be healed of their infirmities. Nothing like this is recorded in the Bible and it is believed to have been more a tradition than fact. The source of the myth could

have come from the waters of the pool having a mineral content with medicinal properties. The waters of the spring would be occasionally agitated by the release of these minerals and healing effected. John states the belief of those gathered at the pool without an explanation, so we just do not know. What is important is that those there believed they could be healed if they were the first into the pool. Their faith was in the stirring which they believed was an angel in the waters of the pool. The lame man like others were there hoping to be healed.

Man Is Commanded To Make An Effort John 5:5-6 "And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?"

Those who have chronic diseases will go to great lengths to find relief and healing. When Jesus approached the pool, he saw a man there who had been crippled for thirty-eight years. Jesus being omniscient knew the man had been there a long time and asked him if he wanted to be whole. That question is an important one for those who have physical infirmities, but more importantly for those who being lost in their sins have the need of being made spiritually whole. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners and whosoever will believe in Him will be saved. But throughout the ages few have been saved. The reason is because most do not want to be spiritually cleansed. Troubled Waters John 5:7 "The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."

Healing only comes for those who want it. This man wanted to be healed and he was patiently waiting by the pool. Evidently the man could get around to some degree, but was not fast enough to be the first into the pool. This had happened several times before, but it showed the man had character in his persistence. He kept trying and did not give up. As difficult as the task was in getting up and getting into the pool, he was not deterred. The man could have said, "It is no use. I will go home and die." God had a plan for this man.

Some might suppose that God imposed His will on the lame man and made him persistent, but a better explanation is that God knew the man's character and this made his healing possible. This does not mean the man deserved to be healed, but the man exercised a great faith in the healing properties of the pool. Jesus knew the man's humility and saw this was fertile ground for receiving saving faith. Of all those by the pool desiring to be healed, Jesus only chose this man. Healed By Jesus

John 5:8-9 "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath."

Unlike many alleged modern healings, Jesus' healings were complete and instantaneous, with or without faith. This one proves the point, since the man exhibited no faith in Jesus at all. Yet he was healed instantly and wholly. John records that he immediately became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk

Instantly, as Jesus spoke the words, the man was completely healed. To show he was fully healed, Jesus told him to pick up his bed and walk. This incident perfectly illustrates God's sovereign grace in action (v. 21). Out of all the sick people at the pool, Jesus chose to heal this man. There was nothing about him that made him more deserving than the others, nor did he seek out Jesus; Jesus approached him. The Lord did not choose him because He foresaw that he had the faith to believe for a healing; he never did express belief that Jesus could heal him. So it is in salvation. Out of the spiritually dead multitude of Adam's fallen race, God chose and redeemed His elect, not because of anything they did to deserve it, or because of their foreseen faith, but because of His sovereign choice.

JESUS HAD GREAT AUTHORITY John 5:10-13 "The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place"

This incident gives us some insight into the wicked hearts of the religious Jews. They witnessed the healing of the lame man, but instead of rejoicing with him, they rebuked him for carrying his bed on the Sabbath. Clearly, this healing was done not only to heal the man, but to show the hardness of the hearts of these religious Jews. If a true believer saw a great miracle of God, certainly they would be rejoicing with the man and praising God for the healing. Yet, the first thing in the minds of these blind Jews was it was the Sabbath and work was forbidden. Jesus had broken one of their "sacred" laws. By denouncing the miracle because it was done on the Sabbath, the Jews showed their true spiritual condition. They held to the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law as Paul describes in

2 Corinthians 3:6 "Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."

Exodus 16:23-29 records the first mention of the keeping of the Sabbath by the Jews. After Moses led Israel out of Egypt, God told them to gather enough manna on the sixth day of the week to cover the seventh day, which was the Sabbath. God instructed them to keep the Sabbath day holy, which means it was a day of worship and not for working to provide themselves substance. God was teaching them to rely upon Him and the importance of the day of rest and worship. On the sixth day God provided manna for the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath was never given as a sacrament, which means a ritual having saving properties. The Jews had turned keeping the Sabbath into a religious act they thought would justify them before the Lord. However, works do not save. One is saved by faith in God and believing in His promises.

Exodus 31:12-18 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."

The Sabbath was a sign to teach Israel to live by faith dependent on the Lord. It reminded them of God's purpose in creating them as a nation set apart (sanctified). Keeping the Sabbath was a sign also to the world that revealed God was our Creator. Although the Sabbath was a special day given by God to Israel, the principle of believers today of observing a day of rest and worship is still valid. Because Christ arose on the first day of the week, early Christians and those of today worship on Sunday. Sabbath keeping was a part of the Mosaic Law God gave to Israel and was not given to Christians in this dispensation of the Church Age. In the Creation, God rested on the seventh day, but it was God's rest, not man's and He gave no instructions for man to keep the Sabbath. The Bible does not record that man kept the Sabbath until God gave it as a special sign to Israel. Paul repeatedly told the early Christians they were not under the Mosaic Law (Rom. 16:14-15, Gal. 3:23-26). God gave the Sabbath to Israel as a special sign between Himself and Israel.

Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days"

Romans 14:5-6 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Matthew 12:1-13 records that Jesus and his disciples were hungering on the Sabbath day and they plucked ears of corn. When the Pharisees saw it, they accused Jesus, the author of the Sabbath day, of being unlawful in gathering barley on the Sabbath. Jesus immediately rebuked them by reminding them that David and his men, when hungry ate the Shewbread in the Tabernacle. That too was unlawful, but because of the circumstances was not wrong. He also reminded them that their priests profaned the Sabbath day by carrying on their temple duties, and under the law they were blameless. In verse 9-12, Jesus went into a synagogue and the Jews brought to Him a man with a withered hand. They ask Him was it lawful to heal the man on the Sabbath. Jesus exposes their calloused hearts by reminding them that the law required that a man be merciful to his animals. He reminded them that if one sheep fell into a ditch on the

Sabbath, would not they lift it out? Jesus asked them if a man was better than a sheep. He then said,

Matthew 12:12 "How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days".

The Jews had perverted the Mosaic Law to such an extent that they had removed any showing of mercy or benevolence on the Sabbath. Jesus said in verse eight,

Matthew 12:8 "For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day".

This further incensed the Jews and who then plotted how to kill Him and shows how far in sin they were. The hypocrite is a dangerous person when his hypocrisy is exposed.

John 3:20 "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved"

Jesus later strongly rebuked the Pharisees telling them,

Matthew 23:24 "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."

Jesus was saying that the Pharisees would take great pains to strain their drinks with a cloth to keep the gnat out of there drink. But take no pain to avoid great sins as hypocrisy, deceit oppression and lust like a man who should swallow a camel. He is troubled with little things, but pays no attention to great matters.

2 Corinthians 3:6 Paul explained, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life"

The Jews prided themselves in their self-righteousness. The outward keeping of the law was their badge of their religious zeal. They had no concept of the spiritual nature of God and of true believers. Therefore when they saw someone supposedly breaking the law, they would piously and vehemently attack them as being "law breakers." They thought this showed them to be better than others. Paul wrote Romans 10:2 "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." Jesus said, John 4:24. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth"

The lame man responded that the man who healed him told him to take up his bed and walk. Verse 13 explains that the man did not know who Jesus was and that Jesus as soon as He

had healed the man had slipped away because of the multitude in the place. Jesus apparently moved away from the man, who did not have time to even ask who it was that had healed him. Probably seeking to avoid a confrontation with the Jews and a possible riot, Jesus left the area.

Blind Man Confesses Jesus Healed Him John 5:14-15 "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole"

After healing the man Jesus went to the temple and found the man. The man did not know who Jesus was, but he knew it was God that had healed him. So, he immediately went to the temple to give thanks to God for making him whole. It shows the man believed in God and wanted to give Him thanks for the blessing he had received. As mentioned earlier this is probably why Jesus chose him to be healed over the many others there.

Jesus finding the man tells him that he is made whole and to go and sin no more. Jesus' statement to the man addressed his spiritual condition. Jesus said he had been made physically whole, to now go and sin no more which referred to being spiritually made whole as well. Many believed that his being lame was the result of past sins and Jesus was showing him He knew the past and the future. Jesus was giving a stern warning. Being lame was a terrible thing, but being spiritually dead was much worse. Sin separates us from God and eternal life. Thirty-eight years of being lame was bad, but a lot worse was being unrepentant and losing one's soul. There was no comparison between being lame all those years and spending eternity in hell.

The man then went and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. It is doubtful that the man had any ill intent in returning to the Jewish leaders and telling them who had healed him. Rather it was probably because he wanted to give Jesus the credit for this miracle that had been performed on him. The Jews had attacked the man for carrying his bed on the Sabbath, so the man went to them to explain who it was who had healed him and told him to take up his bed.

JESUS DID WONDERFUL WORKS John 5:16-18 "And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God."

It is a serious and dangerous thing to irritate a hypocrite. The Jewish leaders knew their true spiritual condition. A man who is an unsaved sinner, who feigns a profession in Jesus Christ, knows he is a fake. If you bring light to such people they will often balk and seek to destroy you. Sometimes we will see this ugly in church. Presenting God's truth turns a bright and revealing light on the unsaved hypocrite and they will almost always lash out to defend themselves. They vehemently resent being exposed.

When they heard it was Jesus who had healed the man, telling him to take up his bed, they

were infuriated. Jesus had taken upon himself the authority to tell someone to violate the Sabbath. They had seen His miracle and heard his preaching, which authenticated that He was the Messiah, but they refused to accept the truth. Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself, revealed what everyone knew, that; John 3:1 " no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

These religious leaders knew it as well. Their response, however, was not to recognize this obvious truth, or even to inquire of it, but to offhandedly reject it and seek to silence Jesus by killing Him. This time Jesus did not avoid the conflict with them. His response was that God the Father had His work to do and on an equal par with God He too had His work. This is an absolute declaration of Jesus' Deity. Some have falsely suggested that Jesus never claimed to be God. Jesus' response refutes that misguided idea. The evidence is clear in this passage. The Jews certainly understood His statement and sought more fervently to kill Him because in their own words, "he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his father, making himself equal with God."

There was no reason why the Jews were blind to who Jesus was. Jesus never hid His identity, but repeatedly by His message, miracles and statements revealed to Israel that He was God their Messiah. If Jesus was not God, then He was guilty of blasphemy in making Himself equal with God. According to the Mosaic Law, if He was not God He was to suffer the penalty of death for making such a claim.

THE FATHER COMMANDS MAN TO HONOR HIS FIRSTBORN John 5:19-21 "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will"

John 5:19-47: records Jesus' long reply to the Jewish leaders who were seeking to kill Him. Jesus gave them a stunning declaration of His deity and ministry. He began His reply with the words, "Verily, verily" which mean "amen and amen" or "so be it, so be it." The Jews were blinded by their sinful pride and self-righteous religious zeal. Jesus explains plainly what they refused to see, and exposes their blindness to the truth. He had stated in verse 17 that His ministry and purpose were equal with God the Father. He now explains this truth further.

Jesus declares that the Son can do nothing independent or separate from God the Father. Bear in mind that Jesus stated He was equal with the Father. His point is that He cannot do anything contrary to God, because He is God. He cannot do anything that would oppose Himself. Jesus in His humanity before His crucifixion dreaded the terrible suffering He was about to undergo, but He stated, (Luke 22:42) "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Being God, Jesus could not act contrary to His nature of being absolutely righteous in all things.

The Jews were denying that what Jesus was doing was from God. They knew that only God could heal as Christ did, but in their blindness to their self-righteous works and religion they

77 refused to accept that Jesus was doing the Father's will. Jesus points this out saying that the Father was showing them Himself through Jesus and His miracles. The healing of the lame was a great miracle, but Jesus tells them that the Father would do even greater works through Him that they might marvel. Jesus reminds them that only God could raise the dead and make them alive. The word "quickeneth" means to "make alive." He tells them that the Son will also raise from the dead whomever He desires.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ETERNAL JUDGE John 5:22-23 "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

The Bible does not reveal the reaction of the Jews to this discourse, but it must have been shocking to them. Jesus boldly tells them that God the Father judges no one, but has given that responsibility to the Son. Jesus was telling them that He was the One who would be judging them at the final judgment. As the Judge, Jesus tells them He should be honored in the same way that the Father is honored. He makes the emphatic statement that those that do not honor the Son do not honor the Father. There can be absolutely no mistake that Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be equal with God in that He deserved the same honor due the Father.

THERE ARE WONDERFUL PROMISES TO BELIEVERS John 5:24-25 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live".

Jesus plainly tells them that the only way to receive eternal life and avoid condemnation was to believe in Him. He states those who believe in Him shall pass from death unto life. The Jews, even in the blindness of their false religion, recognized that only God can forgive sins. Thus Jesus again is declaring that He is God, because those that believe in Him will have their sins forgiven. That was only an act that God could do.

Again, Jesus emphasizes the importance of His words saying "Verily, Verily." He proclaims that the hour is coming and now is that the dead shall hear His voice, and they that hear shall live. The Jews believed that the resurrection of the dead would occur when the Messiah came. Jesus' reference to the "hour is coming and now is" was announcing He the Messiah was come. Therefore, Jesus was telling them that He was the Messiah and His message was proclaiming salvation through belief in Himself. He says that those that hear shall live. He is implying that all the spiritually dead hear the message of salvation, but those that hear and respond in faith are the ones who will be saved. His reference to life is not simply being alive, but being spiritually alive. There can be no real life apart from Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus He must be born again meaning to inherit the Kingdom of God one must be spiritually born.

MAN IS JUDGED ACCORDING TO HIS WORK John 5:26-27 "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

Once again Jesus declares His deity as being equal with the Father. Life can only come from life. As God is life, only He can give spiritual life, God has given the Son life and the authority to execute judgment. Jesus was warning them of the consequences of their actions of not believing Him. Jesus is the life giver as our Creator and He is also our judge. Jesus said in verse 22 that the Father judges no man, but the Son is the Judge. Jesus is saying He has the authority to execute judgment "because he is the Son of man." He was referring to His humanity. He was wholly man and therefore it was Jesus the God-man that would be the judge of men.

As with the authority to give life, the Father also gave the incarnate and submissive Son the authority to execute judgment. Christ received that authority because He is the Son of Man. As God in human flesh, a man "who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin"

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus is uniquely qualified to be mankind's judge. The phrase Son of Man, Jesus' favorite designation of Himself, derives from Daniel's messianic description of the Son of Man as the one who "was given dominion, glory and a kingdom that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed Daniel 7:14.

HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD John 5:28-29 "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation"

To emphasize that He is the Judge, He tells them to not marvel at what He has said, because the hour was coming in which the dead would hear His voice and come forth. All men both saved and lost will be resurrected and it will be Jesus Christ who resurrects them. Everyone will stand before Jesus in judgment after He resurrects them.

Those that have done good, meaning those who have believed in Jesus Christ and repented of their sins, will be resurrected to a spiritual life. Having believed, they are "born again" of God and given eternal life. However, the dead who have done evil, meaning those who refused to believe and rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior and rejected God's free offer of redemption, these unsaved will be resurrected at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:15-18 to be judged according to their works and then cast into the Eternal Lake of Fire.

When Lazarus died, Martha his sister questioned as to why Jesus had delayed coming. He explained to her, (John 11:25-26) " I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,

79 though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Jesus is seeking the lost to offer them forgiveness of sins and eternal life. (Luke 19:10) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost

It is a tragedy that Jesus was offering these Jews eternal life and they were callously rejecting Him. Even today, men are rejecting Jesus Christ as their Savior. The evidence is clear that all who will hear and receive Him by simple faith will have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life. What blessing the Lord becomes to those who trust Him and are saved, and how tragic that those who ignore and reject Him will one day bow before Him in judgment.

JUDGMENT OF GOD IS JUST John 5:30-32 "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true."

The miracles that Jesus performed were done in accordance with God the Father's will and in His power. Jesus is God come in the flesh, and as the doctrine of the Trinity reveals He and the Father are One. They are One yet Jesus was separate and independent of the Father. His responsibility, as the Son in the Godhead, in His Oneness with the Father, was to accomplish the will of God the Father. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One. Jesus' purpose was to fulfill God's plans. With Jesus the Son, and God the Father, there was complete unity. Jesus' point in this passage was to emphasize that as God, come in the flesh all He did was in accord with the Father. The Jews claimed that they knew God the Father and worshiped Him, yet they were blinded by their sin and religious pride. They did not know God the Father. Later Jesus made it clear that the reason they did not know Him was because they did not know God the Father.

John 8:19 "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also".

The Lord Jesus was referring to His ministry of preaching the Kingdom and doing the miracles as being a testimony of His coming from the Father and going about His Father's business. Once again Jesus was exposing the hypocrisy of the Jews. There was no love of God for their fellow man in their hearts. Their religious zeal was in vain being rooted in their sinful pride.

THE FATHER THE DIVINE WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST John 5:33-38 "Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John:

80 for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not"

In John 1:19-28 the religious rulers of the Jews in Jerusalem had sent a delegation to John the Baptist asking who he was. He testified that he was not the Messiah, but the forerunner of the Messiah. He said he was as Elijah, who was prophesied in Malachi as the one who would proclaim the coming of the Messiah.

Malachi 4:5 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

John the Baptist also quoted Isaiah that he would, Isaiah 40:3 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Jesus reminded the Jews that John had testified of His coming and that at His baptism, God the Father had confirmed John's testimony as true when He spoke and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The Jews at first received John's testimony of announcing the promised kingdom, but only for a season or short time.

In John 5:36, Jesus directs them to consider His miracles or "greater works than these" that clearly were the work of God the Father. Jesus said His miracles without question proved who he was and who had sent Him.

Once again He rebuked them telling them they did not have God's word abiding in them because they refused to believe in Him in spite of all the evidence they clearly saw. He unmistakably demonstrated that He was the Messiah, but they would not accept it. How baffling it is to reach out to the lost by giving them the wonderful news of the Gospel and have it fall on deaf ears. How frustrating it is to tell people that they can have all their sins forgiven and be given everlasting life, and spend eternity in Heaven with God our Creator, and yet have them reject this truth or simply ignore it. There is a reason men do and Jesus explained that in John 3:19-22. Men do not come to the light of God's truth because of willful sin in their lives and they reject God and His wonderful promises in order to continue in their evil ways. However, it is very encouraging that some do believe and reap the wonderful blessing of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus was offering the love of God to the Jews, but only a handful would accept Him.

SEARCH THE WORD OF GOD John 5:39-42 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you."

The Jews claimed the source of their faith was the Old Testament scriptures, and Jesus appealed to them to search the scriptures. He said the scriptures testified of Him. The Jews read The Talmud which is a collection of rabbinic teachings in past centuries written in a commentary. It is from the Talmud the Jews get their interpretation of the Old Testament. The Talmud is comprised of two parts, the Mishnah and the Germara. The Talmud is the written oral tradition of the Jewish rabbis transmitted down through the centuries. Among the Jews the study of the Talmud is elevated above the study of the Bible that is seen as being inferior. The religion of the Jews in Jesus' day as today is based not on the Old Testament scriptures but on the oral traditions of the teachings of the rabbis. They are following the teachings of men, in the same way as they were doing in New Testament times.

Jesus appealed to them to search the word of God. The Talmud although held in higher esteem than the Bible is not referred to as "scripture." Therefore Jesus was directing them to God's word and away from their oral traditions that formed their religion and perverted it.

There are fifty-two times that the Old Testament uses the title the "Angel of the Lord." Twenty of these refer to appearances or are references to God's messenger to Israel. These references are to pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ. For example, in Genesis 16:13, Moses who God used to write the Pentateuch, relates to the appearance of the "Angel of the Lord" to Hagar calling Him Jehovah. This name is never used of any created being and always refers to God. Thus Moses identified the "Angel of the Lord" as the Lord Jesus Christ who is Jehovah. Thus Jesus had appeared to Israel many times in their history, but in New Testament times they did not recognize Him because of their unbelief and lack of knowledge of the word of God. Many people struggle with accepting the Trinity for the same reason. They do not know the word of God.

Plainly stating He was the source of life. Jesus told them they would not come to Him and receive eternal life because they did not love God. They loved their religion, not God. Jesus knew their hearts, that they followed the teachings of their rabbis rather than the word of God.

JESUS REJECTED BY MEN John 5:43-44 "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"

Explaining to them that they did not love God, Jesus pointed out the obvious truth. They accepted the teachings of men, but He coming in God the Father's name, they would not receive. He pointed out the paradox that they would accept another who would come in his own name, but not one coming in the Father's name. The Jews in Jesus' day followed the teachers of past ages who were divided into three basic groups. These three groups according to Josephus were the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Essenes Neither of these groups were practicing the teachings of the Old Testament, but rather the teaching of different sects of the Jewish rabbis.

The Jews openly followed these false teachers and rejected God's word. Modern times are no different. The pagan religions follow such teachers as Confucius, Mohammad, and Buddha. Most of Christendom is following the teachings of men such as Luther, Calvin, Wesley, the

traditions of the Roman Catholics. The Christian cults form their doctrines on the men such men as Joseph Smith Mormons), Alexander Campbell (Church of Christ), Charles Russell (Jehovah Witness), Ellen G. White (Seven Day Adventist) and a host of other false teachers. They all had the word of God available to them to learn but instead chose to follow these self-appointed religious leaders and reject God's truth.

The Jews, like the religious groups today, bestowed great honor on their religious leaders while rejecting God and the honor that is due Him. Men willingly believe the lie, following Satan and dishonoring God and His truth

DO NOT HONOR PEOPLE; HONOR JESUS John 5:43-44 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Jesus then strongly rebuked them by referring them to Moses, whom they supposedly held in such high esteem. They claimed they believed and revered Moses, but once again Jesus told them that Moses had spoken of Him. Moses was used by God to write the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus' reference to Moses was to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. They said they followed Moses (the Old Testament) but in reality they did not. Jesus exposed their unbelief in God's word, saying if they really believed in Moses they would believe in Him, because Moses spoke of Him. He concludes His answer to them saying if you will not believe Moses, meaning the Old Testament, how will you believe in me. The answer is rhetorical, they did not really believe God's word and therefore they would not believe in Him.

The key to knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and who He is, is found in the Old Testament. There are around three hundred prophetic statements concerning the Messiah in the Old Testament. Jesus came and fulfilled each one to the letter. It would take but a little investigation to establish this truth from the scripture. Sadly, blinded by their pride, the Jews continued in their false Judaism and rejected God's word and subsequently their promised Messiah.

It is worth noting that all the false and apostate branches of modern Christianity all claim they know and represents God. They all strongly affirm that their beliefs are based on the Bible. Yet, like the Jews, they really do not follow or believe in the Bible, because if they did it would expose and condemn their false beliefs.

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 6

VIRTUE FLOWED FROM JESUS INTO THE SICK John 6:1-4 "After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh."

John 6 records Christ's fourth journey in the third year of His ministry when He preached by the Sea of Galilee. John's Gospel is commonly considered as being addressed to the world. One of the evidence of John's intended audience as being to the world was that he often explains names, places and customs which would be unfamiliar to non Jews indicating the audience that God intended the Gospel of John to reach. He explains that the Sea of Galilee was also called Tiberias. It was named by Herod Antipas after the Roman Emperor Tiberias. The earlier name was the sea of Chinneret. Another example of John explaining something that would not be known outside of Israel was that the Passover was a feast of the Jews.

"After these things" refers to the events of Chapter 5 which occurred about a year before when Jesus was in Jerusalem in the second year of His ministry. John's Gospel is not a synoptic Gospel, but only covers about twenty two selected days of Jesus' ministry. The other Gospels records that after Jesus heard the news that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist, He crossed the Sea of Galilee and went into a mountain area on the east side of the sea to pray. Then a great multitude followed Him: In this miracle, Jesus went out to a deserted place to be alone, yet the crowds followed Him there. In spite of this imposition, Jesus still ministered to the multitude with great compassion. Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida

Upon returning they reported to Him their experiences and He took them to "a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida." The preaching and miracles of the Apostles and Jesus was widely known even by Herod who thought John the Baptist or some prophet had arisen from the dead. Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

Luke records that the people were anxious to hear Him again and to receive healing from Him. While in Galilee Jesus healed many diseased people which drew a large crowd of Jews who were following Him. Jesus then retreats to this mountain and sits down with His disciples.

Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of

85 the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

JESUS FEED THE MULTITUDES John 6:5-6 "When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do."

Jesus when He came to the mountain, and seeing the multitudes of hungry people on the hill side, had compassion on them and used the occasion to reveal Himself to them as their Messiah by doing a great miracle.

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Matt. 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

It was about mid afternoon when Jesus' disciples came to Him and saying He should send them away because they were in a desert place and there was no food available for them.

Jesus then looked out towards the people and asks Philip where could they buy food to feed them? John explains that Jesus already knew He would perform the miracle and feed the multitude, but He asked Philip this question to test him. Jesus is the great Teacher and though this opportunity sought to strengthen Phillip's faith though giving him a challenge. True faith will honestly see the difficulty, but also see the opportunity for the Lord to work and provide an answer for what seems humanly impossible. The test was not for Jesus to see what Philip would do, because He already knew. The test was for Philip's benefit that he would learn of his degree of faith in the Lord. When one's faith is tested, it is proved to be real or negatively to be only head knowledge. It is easy to say we are trusting in the Lord, but it is another thing to actually be put to the test so that we can see for ourselves if our faith is real. We often limit God the same way, looking for how God's work can be done in the smallest way.

1 Peter 1:7 Peter states, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" When a child of God exercises true faith it glorifies our God and Savior and further brings its due reward. God tells us:

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Living a godly life that is pleasing to the Lord is a life lived trusting in the Lord for our every provision. God gives all believers talents and resources which can be used to carry out his will. The opposite of living by faith is living in the flesh which means a person puts his trust in his own ability and resources not allowing the Lord to direct and use them. God's plan is that believers live their lives filled with the Holy Spirit, living their lives by God strength and guidance. Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

JESUS TESTING OF PHILIP John 6:7-9 "Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"

Philip calculating the number in the crowd stated that even two hundred pennyworth would not feed the multitude even if each person received only a small amount of food. The pennyworth refers to the Roman denarius a silver coin, which in American money would be about $20. The denarius, in Jesus' day, was a day's wage. Some have suggested that Phillip was indicating the amount of money the disciple had in the "bag" which would be two hundred days wages. The most likely meaning is that Phillip seeing the large number of people he was saying that "even" two hundred denari, if they had that much, could not feed the multitude.

Mark 6:44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

Luke 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

There were about five thousand men plus women and children. There could have been over ten thousand people gathered on the mountain. Andrew, Peter's brother, supporting Philip's conclusion, speaks up saying there was a lad there with five barley loaves and two small fishes. He adds, but what was this small amount among to so many people? The Gospels do not tell us who the lad was or why he had the barley loaves and fish. This was the time of the barley harvest which made it plentiful and cheap. Barley bread, though nourishing, was not the most tasteful bread and was normally eaten by the poor. The word used for fish indicates it was a small fish caught in the Sea of Galilee. It was like a sardine and was plentiful in the lake. These small fish were cooked or dried by smoking or were salted. It is interesting that although most of the people had brought no food, this young boy or maybe his mother had sent him prepared. There is no mention of the boy being reluctant in giving up his lunch, thus probably when he was asked to give up his food he willing did so. We should also note that he must have been close to the front of the multitude in order for Andrew to see him with his lunch. (Matthew 18:2-17) records earlier while in Capernaum that Jesus called a little child to Him when the disciples disputed among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Using the child as an

87 example Jesus told them only those who humbled themselves as a little child would enter the kingdom of heaven. Further He said that those who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven would be those that humbled themselves as a little child. This lad free from malice had a willing heart to be generous and unselfish towards others. It is those who come to the Lord as a child and willing give themselves and what they have to the Lord who are greatly used by Him. We can only imagine what the lad thought as he saw the Lord feed so many with his small lunch. It is not the amount we have, but our willingness to give what we have to the Lord that He blesses and uses. As the song says "Little is much when God is in it."

GOD’S CHILDREN MUST PREPARE FOR A BLESSING John 6:10-13 "And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. "

It is interesting that John records there was much grass in the place. This coincides with verse 4 which said it near the time of the feast of the Passover which is in the spring. Jesus then tells His disciples to seat the people in groups of fifties and one hundreds.

Mark 6:40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

When the crowd was seated Jesus took the five barley loaves and two fishes and gave thanks for them and gave them to the disciples to distribute. The Synoptic Gospels state that Jesus looked to heaven and then "blessed" them. John explains that the blessing of the bread and fish was actually giving thanks for them.

The people then took the food that was offered and ate their fill, all five thousand men, plus the women and children. It should be noted that this miracle, as were all the Lord's miracles, was done for a purpose. It is significant that this meal was not restricted in any way and the people were allowed to eat their fill. The purpose of the miracle was to show who Jesus truly was by showing He had power over not only diseases of all kinds, but also of the very elements themselves. The feeding of the five thousand was a material illustration used to show spiritual truths. Jesus then began His discourse comparing Himself to the Bread of Life.

After all the people had eaten Jesus directed the disciples to gather up the fragments of the barley loafs and fishes. The amount collected was twelve baskets which was the number of the disciples. They had most likely been too busy passing out the food to have eaten themselves so each had a portion of the leftovers. What is clear is that everyone including the disciples ate their fill, showing the fullness and abundance of God's provision.

THE FALSE CORONATION John 6:14-15 "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

The word "miracle" is the word "semeion say-mi'-on" which means a "sign, or token." Jesus performed the "sign" of feeding the five thousand in order to show that He was the Messiah. The people seeing the miracle believed that Jesus was the Prophet as recorded in,

Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken".

There was a current of great expectation of the appearing of the Messiah. John the Baptist preaching "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand" and the priests and the Levities asked John was he Elias or that Prophet? John 1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. The Jews were well aware of the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. They also knew it was the very time that Daniel had prophesied the Messiah would come as recorded.

Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Peter in his discourse at Pentecost reminded the Jews of Moses prophecy of the Prophet whom God would rise up from among them and to whom they should listen and obey, or be condemned if they did not heed His words.

Acts 3:22-23 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed

89 from among the people.

The people anxious to be delivered from Roman oppression and seeing Jesus demonstrate His power sought to take the Lord by force and make Him their king. However, their soon rejection of Jesus as their Messiah showed the Jew's hope was in a political king who would use his power to overthrow Roman rule of Palestine. They were not seeking the Messiah who would lead them to salvation, life, and spiritual freedom, but only saw Him for what He could materially provide for them. Jesus always avoided any conflict with civil authority. That was seen at His trial when the Jews brought false witnesses against Him before Pilate He remained silent. The charges were so clearly fabricated that the Romans governor found Him innocent of all charges.

John the Baptist had just been recently beheaded by Herod which added to fervor of the day. To defuse the situation, Jesus then sent His disciples away to the boat instructing them to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He then appears to have slipped away and went alone unto a mountain to spend time praying. He continued praying alone until late evening.

Matthew 14:22-23 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

OBEDIENCE TO THE MASTER John 6:16-17 "And when evening was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them."

Jesus' disciples did not want to leave Him and Matthew records that Jesus "constrained" His disciples to get into the ship and leave.

Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

They then left without Jesus and headed north northwest across the Sea of Galilee towards Capernaum. Mark records that the disciples were headed across the sea toward Bethsaida.

Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

The word "Bethsaida" means "the house of the fishermen" however, the location of the city was lost sometime after the First Century. It was a city of fisherman and must have been very close or adjoining to Capernaum. Peter, Andrew and Phillip, all fishermen, lived there. It is mentioned in all four Gospels and Matthew identifies Capernaum as Jesus' "own city."

Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city

As the disciple rowed towards Capernaum darkness fell and Christ was not with them. They were probably very concerned for Him being alone and of how He would return to the city.

JESUS HAS POWER OVER NATURE John 6:18-21 "And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."

Normally, the Sea of Galilee is beautiful and mostly calm however, being located in a rift valley surrounded by mountains it is subject to sudden violent storms that come up without warning. The disciples were about three or four miles out on the sea when the storm blew in and they were not making any head way rowing against the wind. Both Matthew and Mark state it was "about the fourth watch" of the night which would be between three and six o'clock in morning.”

As they struggled with the oars through the storm they saw Jesus walking across the water towards them. Mark records that it appeared that Jesus would walk by them and seeing Him, thinking He was a spirit they cried out in fear.

Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Jesus identified Himself to them saying "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."

Matthew 14:26-27 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Matthew records that as they looked toward Jesus who is standing on the water, Peter rashly asked Jesus to verify who He was by bidding him to come across the water to Him. The fact that the sea was raging makes his request even more interesting. Peter had great faith intellectually, but it was not a tested and proven faith. Jesus simply told Peter to come and Peter stepped out on to the water and walked toward Christ. However, Peter then saw the reality of the situation and the raging waters whipped up by the wind and his faith waned. In truth it was not the raging sea that put his life in peril, but his lack of faith. He took his eyes off Jesus and humanly was overcome by the danger of the situation. The moment Peter stopped trusting in Christ he began to sink, Jesus reached out his hand to Peter and lifted him up and once again Peter walked on the water with Christ to the boat. Most consider Jesus' statement " O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" as a rebuke (Matthew 14:31). However, it can also be seen as instruction for the future both to Peter and the other disciples. The point was there is never any need to doubt as

Christ is an ever present Savior.

Hearing Jesus speak to them calmed their fears and they were happy when He entered the ship and the sea was immediately calmed. John does not record how far out from Capernaum they were, but they were amazed that they immediately found themselves safely at their destination.

MEN MUST SEEK GOD WITH ALL THEIR STRENGTH John 6:22-23 "The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, except the one where into his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks.")

The following day, after the miracle of feeding the five thousand and His walking on the water, the people who had remained on the eastern shore realized that there were no boats left. The only boat there had been the one the disciples had left in on the previous evening. They also realized that Jesus had not left with the disciples, but was not there with them. John states that later other boats arrived from the city of Tiberias which is located on the central western shore of the sea.

John's account continues by contrasting the response of the Twelve with the response of the crowd which Jesus had just fed. They too had witnessed His divine creative power. But, instead of responding with heartfelt worship, they responded with selfishness and greed.

GOD CALLS HIS CHILDREN TO LABOR FOR SPIRITUAL FOOD John 6:24-27 "When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

When the people who remained on the eastern shore recognizing that Jesus was not there, they left seeking to find Him. They took the boats which came from Tiberias and went to Capernaum. Finding Him in the city and knowing He has not traveled with the disciples they asked Him how did He come to Capernaum?

Jesus in replying did not answer their question, but rebuked them telling them they were following Him only for the material food He has provided not for spiritual meat that would endure forever unto everlasting life. Their interest in Him was clearly selfish and worldly and they were not seeking salvation of their souls which was the reason that Jesus had come.

Instead of working for the food which perishes, the physical food they sought, Jesus exhorted them to pursue the food which endures to eternal life. While He was certainly aware of their need

92 for physical nourishment (10-12), He was much more interested in their spiritual well-being. As He earlier had distinguished physical water from the "water springing up to eternal life" (4:14), Jesus here pointed His hearers away from literal food to Himself as the Bread of Life (John 1:35). Rather than focusing on the decaying outer man, they needed to seek the spiritual nourishment which only the Son of Man can give.

2 Cor. 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

After all, to gain the whole material world but forfeit one's eternal soul profits nothing

Matt. 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

As the one on whom the Father, God, has set His seal of approval, Jesus has the authority to dispense the spiritual food that comes from God and satisfies the hunger for righteousness

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

BELIEVE IN THE WORKS OF THE FATHER John 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

Some have concluded the Jews were sincere in asking the question as to what should they do to do the works of God. However, their further response seems to show they were not seeking the answer, but rather asked the question in an attitude of haughtiness toward Jesus' statement. The Jews showing their lack of spiritual understanding asked Jesus the obvious question. What works shall we do, to do the works of God. This reveals the heart of Judaism which was a work for salvation. Jesus simply responded that they should believe on him whom God had sent referring to Himself. Salvation is received only by faith in Jesus Christ apart from any works or merit of man. It is Jesus alone, who is God, incarnate in man, who suffered and died for the sins of the world. The common error of the Jews and the world is to assume one can do some work or ritual and thereby please God and be saved. Man failed to accept that he is dead in his trespasses and sins and thus stands guilty and condemned before God.

John 3:18, 36 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

This was the gross error of Judaism which thought by good works and deeds a man could save himself. Jesus said the "work of God", which is His plan of salvation is that “a man believe” on Jesus Christ. The Jews used the plural "works" however Jesus responded using the singular word "work." His answer was that salvation was purely and only the work of God. If a man would be saved he must believe and accept God's plan of salvation by trusting alone in Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

GOD’S GREAT GIFT THE BREAD OF LIFE John 6:30-31 "They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat."

Incredibly, despite the miracles they had witnessed (6:2), including their massive meal the day before, the crowd said to Jesus, "What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform?" They were brazenly demanding Jesus' credentials, in response to His claim in verse 29 to be the One sent from God. The people's foolish demand demonstrated their thickheaded and self-centered curiosity, graphically illustrating the spiritual blindness that engulfs the unredeemed.

The Jews motive for following Jesus was that they had repeatedly seen Jesus' miracles of healing. He had the day before fed five thousand of them with only five barley loaves and two fish. But their further question reveals the condition of their hearts. They asked Jesus for a further sign and interesting referred to God giving the children of Israel manna in the desert.

Exodus 16:14-15 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

They were insinuating that Jesus feeding of the five thousand was inferior to God giving the millions of the children of Israel daily food to eat during the wilderness wanderings. In other words they wanted to see some greater sign from Jesus. Unbelief, however, is never satisfied, no matter how much evidence is given. They (the Jews) wanted a repeat performance of the miraculous feeding they had just experienced, as indicated by their statement, "Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven to eat'"

Exodus 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people

shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Rather than worshiping Jesus as Messiah and Savior, they wanted Him to continually give them bread out of heaven to eat with their mouths, not their hearts, like Moses had done by providing manna in the wilderness for the entire nation for forty years. That, in fact, was what the contemporary Jews expected the Messiah to do when He came.

JESUS THE SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR MAN John 6:32-33 "Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

It was not Moses who gave them the bread out of heaven, but God the Father. In (Exodus 16:4) "the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you” Moses merely relayed God's instructions about gathering the manna to the Israelites

Exodus 16:15-30 15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat; 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

The manna was not the true bread from heaven. Jesus told them, "My Father now gives you the true bread out of heaven." The present tense of didōmi (gives) indicates that the true bread was not the manna of the past, but what the Father was currently giving. Further, ēthinos (true) means "genuine," or "real." The manna, though it was truly bread supplied by God, was merely a type that foreshadowed the ultimate, true bread which comes down out of heaven The Lord Jesus Christ.

The manna gave physical life, but the bread of God (the phrase is synonymous with "the bread of heaven" in v. 32, as "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" are synonymous in the gospels) which comes down out of heaven gives spiritual life. As it does throughout John's gospel, zōē (life) refers not to the physical and temporal life which the manna sustained, but to the spiritual and eternal life that comes only through Jesus Christ.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Finally, unlike the manna, which was given only to Israel, the true bread from heaven is for the world. God offers salvation through Jesus Christ to all who believe regardless of their national, racial, or ethnic background

Jesus responded that the bread that Moses gave them was temporal and not the spiritual bread that comes from heaven. He declared the bread of God, is "He" which comes from heaven and

95 gives life unto the world. Clearly it was "He" Himself who came from heaven who could give them true spiritual life. Jesus used the analogy of bread being the staff of life, to show them the foundation of spiritual nourishment was to believe in Him.

JESUS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE John 6:34-36 "Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not."

It is revealing that the Jews responded to Jesus statements thinking in worldly and material manner when Jesus was giving them spiritual truth. Jesus promptly responded referring to Himself as the bread of life and that those who ate this bread would never perish. We must never misunderstand that Jesus, throughout His ministry, always plainly and unmistakably presented Himself to the Jews as the Messiah and as the source of spiritual life. The religion of the Jews was one of works and self righteousness and was devoid of anything spiritual. He could not have made it clearer who He was when He said, "He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." Further He showed His deity by revealing to them the condition of unbelief in their hearts. They had asked Jesus to show them a "work" or miracle, but the truth was they had seen His miracles and heard His message but it did not cause them to believe.

GOD WILL RAISE BELIEVERS UP AT THE RESSURECTION John 6:37-40 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

In spite of the crowd's response, Jesus was not discouraged. His confidence in the success of His mission was firmly rooted in the omnipotent sovereignty of God. He knew that all those whom the Father gives to Him (v 39) will come to Him. The neuter singular form of pas (all) views those whom God gives to Jesus as a collective body, those chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.

Ephesian 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: This profound reality teaches us that all who are saved are a love gift from the Father to the Son. The whole history of redemption is the gathering of this redeemed body or the calling of a bride for the Son as a love gift from the Father. The Son views every soul given by the Father to Him as an expression of the Father's irresistible love, so that all whom He gives will come to Christ. From the standpoint of human responsibility, "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent" Yet salvation does not depend on the human will.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Romans 10:13 “whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved;

John1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The redeemed are those "who were born, not of the will of man, but of God." Salvation "does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy."

Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

The scope of the love of God is to the world, not just to a predestined few. Christ died for the sins of the world as John stated in his epistle,

1 John 2:2 "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Jesus stated that all the Father gave to Him shall come to Him and He would not cast them out. That is God the Father's plan and it is Jesus Christ to whom one must come to be saved. What was predestined was God's plan and that those who believed would be elected, would become a part of God's plan and be "conformed to the image of Christ."

Romans 8:29 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

There is no question He was stating that salvation rested with Him. He made it clear that He was not simply some man seeking to draw all men to Himself but that He had come from God in heaven, on God's mission, doing God's will in the full power of the Father. He was declaring His Deity in that all would be saved, and that He was the Messiah who would raise up those that believed at the resurrection in the last day. He was straight forward telling them He was the promised Messiah. The Messiah would bring salvation and God's plan of salvation is clear, all who see the Son, meaning with spiritual and believing eyes, and who believe on Him, are given eternal life and that Jesus Himself will raise that person in the resurrection. MURMURING RATHER THAN BEING TAUGHT John 6:41-43 "The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.” It is the Jews, who constantly oppose Jesus, who now murmur against Him. It is the same noise o unbelief their fathers made in the wilderness. This crowd is becoming more and more aware of

the staggering implications of what Jesus has been saying. How can this nondescript, ordinary appearing Man make the absurd claim that He is “bread from heaven”? What blasphemy! Why, this is only the “son of Joseph.” The miracle of Jesus’ birth is unknown to the general populace. His father and mother are small town folks seen at the religious feast days or at family gatherings. How can this man then make such a ridiculous statement? The vast incredible humanity of God is revealed again. Jesus puts Himself at their mercy, even though He is a King hidden in the flesh of a simple peasant. Paul revealed the heart of the unbeliever when he wrote.

(1 Corinthians 2:14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

It is interesting that the Jews understood that He said He was the bread, came down from heaven, but ignoring His miracles and message in their unbelief only saw Him as Joseph the carpenters' son. Later in John’s gospel Jesus plainly stated their spiritual condition when He said,

John 8:19 " Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." THE FATHER DRAWS US TO CHRIST John 6:44-45 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day;It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Jesus meets their anger and unbelief head on. Only those who have been taught by God are drawn and sent to the Son. The everlasting, patient Teacher is God Himself.

Psalm 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Psalm 119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

Jeremiah 32:33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

It is only the humble, teachable ones who hear and understand what the Father says. His teaching opens and prepares them for the coming of the One whom He has sent. So they believe and obey and discover in Him eternal life.

What an indictment that the very people who assume they know what God has said, because they have poured over the Scriptures, discussing every speck of Scripture have not been taught by God. Their rejection of the One who He has sent means they have read, but never understood.

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

God has never decreed or desired that man reject Him in unbelief and thus condemn themselves to the Lake of Fire. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Jeremiah also states that "all" shall be taught of God. It is not enough to just hear God's voice. One must heed it and learn it and do it and this is a voluntary response. This one inevitably comes to Christ." In other words, God reveals Himself to all men, but the ones who come and are saved are those who willingly "learn" and accept God's truth

Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE John 6:46-48 "Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life

In order to clarify His statement of verse 45, Jesus explains that no one has seen God the Father, in the sense that no man visibly can see God or vocally be taught by Him. God is not a material being, but Spirit. Jesus says only "He which is of God," meaning only Himself, has seen the Father and thus declares His deity by this was a powerful statement. No one could misunderstand His statement.

The Jews were rejecting Jesus as the Messiah in spite of His miracles and message. Therefore He makes it emphatically clear that everlasting life was only to those who believed on Him, because He was God's promised Messiah, "bread of life." Peter proclaimed this truth to the Jews later after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

MY FLESH FOR THE WORLD John 6:49-51 "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Jews could not have misunderstood the meaning of Jesus' words. The bread He was referring to gave and sustained spiritual and everlasting life and He declared, "I am the living bread." The illustration of the manna was that it was material and sustained them in the wilderness wanderings and those that ate it eventually died. Also it decomposed and had to be replenished each day. In comparison Jesus said the one who ate the bread He offered they would not die but live forever. The Jews knew that all men died, therefore, His saying that one would not die could only refer to spiritual life and heaven. His statement "and the bread that I will give is my flesh" of course referred to His sacrificial death on the cross. Once again Jesus denotes the scope of His sacrifice as being for the whole world. But, like the Jews, we are often offended by this fleshly offer. We would rather have a vague, diffused presence or some impersonal abstract deity, not a particular Man who has come from heaven to live among us in the flesh at a very specific time and place. He is too near, too much with us. Our specific sins are now unmasked. We are caught swearing and telling lies, succumbing to our lust and killing one another. So we struggle to make the flesh of the Son of Man unreal, to keep God Incarnate out of our world. This docetic life, this denial of Jesus flesh is so deep a perversion that John calls it elsewhere

1 John 4:2-3 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

JESUS GIVES ETERNAL LIFE John 6:52-59) "The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum."

Earlier the Jews have murmured, but now they “quarreled among themselves.” They are confused and angered by what they have heard. This Man has led them to face issues vastly different from anything they had expected. Some in this crowd have heard and begun to move towards belief. They are wondering “Perhaps we will follow this One who seems to speak the

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truth, strange as it seems.” But they face a hostile majority who refuse to accept anything Jesus has said. And out of their wrangling a question emerges, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” A completely sensible question if one is referring to physical eating alone. So Jesus comes at them a last time. Their spiritual destiny hangs on how they now hear and respond. He is not presenting some new religious option which can be added to what they already know. But He is laying before them a single, life and death spiritual imperative. Jesus added to His prior statements concerning His being the life giving bread, that in order to have eternal life once must also drink of His blood. Many modern liberal churches and cults shun the preaching of the fact that salvation is found in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ. Paul made it starkly clear that Jesus said He shed His blood for our atonement.

1 Corinthians 11:25b This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God"

Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Hebrews 9:22 states "without the shedding of blood is no remission." Jesus was the Christ, God incarnate in man, perfect, holy, and absolute in His righteousness. Only God Himself, being perfect and sinless, could atone for sin. Thus Jesus came and gave Himself, who is the bread or substance of life that gives salvation. God who came from heaven made atonement for us.

Note Paul's statement to the Romans. Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

The shed blood of Jesus Christ emphasizes His absolute death that was required for the atonement of sin. The body must have flowing blood to live and if one's blood is shed and no longer present in the body the person dies. When a lamb was sacrificed its blood was drained and it died. Through His shed blood He experienced death and the penalty of sin so that men could by trusting alone in His death and atonement be saved. The importance of the blood of Christ cannot be missed in salvation in that it is Christ alone who is the perfect and spotless lamb offered for the sins of the world.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

The inhabitants of Capernaum where given a unique opportunity in that Jesus made the city His headquarters and frequently lived there in His three year ministry. This important discourse that

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was made in the synagogue at Capernaum was early in Christ's ministry showing a consistence message of His proclaiming Himself to be the Son of God, come from heaven the only source of salvation and the promised Messiah.

TRUST THE SAYINGS OF THE LORD. John 6:60-61 "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, doth this offend you?"

Those that Jesus was teaching are referred to as "disciples," means learners. It does not necessarily imply they believed Christ or were saved, but were simply His pupils. There are many who seek knowledge of Christ, but refuse to savingly believe His word. The Jews response to Christ's discourse was that it was offensive to them, and something they did not wish to hear. Jesus's statements seemed to be unreasonable and absurd so they with little thought simply dismissed them. Jesus being aware of their murmuring and negative response brought their reaction into the open asking them pointedly did His works offend them? He let them know He knew what they were thinking.

THE SPIRIT QUICKENETH John 6:62-64 "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him."

Jesus challenged their unbelief saying that He came down from heaven, which attested to His deity. The truth He now revealed was that He would ascend back into heaven. He asks them if that truth would offend them also. The disciples were not privy at this time to the future events in Christ's life, therefore often Jesus would tell them of future things. Although they at that moment did not understand what Jesus was saying, later, when they witnessed what He spoke of, they would know. Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts records the ascension of Jesus back into heaven which affirmed His statements. Acts 2 records Peter's sermon to them which reminded them of things He had said. The Jews were focusing on a physical understanding of Jesus statements and therefore He explained that what He was speaking of was spiritual and produced eternal life. Jesus teaching was believed by some, but others did not believe. It is interesting that John records that Jesus knew who would betray Him, thus indicating that Judas was never really a believer. He was one of those who heard Jesus' message, but did not accept the spiritual import of His message. Although knowing Judas was going to betray Him, Jesus chose not to expose him. The New Testament does not record how Judas Iscariot came to be Jesus' disciple and that he simply appears listed in

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Matthew 10:4 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

There are always men who are drawn or pursue some position in religion for personal gain. John 12:6 records that Judas was a thief and was the disciple who "carried the bag" meaning he carried the money of the disciples and also purchased things they needed.

John 13:29 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

Luke 22:3 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

Luke reveals that Satan entered or possessed Judas and he then went to the high priests and captains seeking to betray Him. Luke 22:4 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

Satan nor his demons can possess a person unless that person allows the possession. Judas's heart was evil he being selfish, loving money and scheming. This proved to be fertile ground for Satan to take control of him and influence him to do his evil bidding. It was God's plan before the foundation of the world that Jesus would suffer, die and be resurrected for sin. Jesus spoke of the tragedy of Judas Matthew 26:24 "The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."

It was also God's plan to allow Satan, in betraying the Lord Jesus, to actually be an instrument in bringing salvation to the world. Judas was a willing participant in Christ's betrayal and he chose for himself a terrible fate. Acts records that Judas was condemned to "his own place."

Acts 1:25 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

FORSAKING JESUS CHRIST John 6:65-66 "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Jesus reminds the Jews of His previous statement of (John 6:44) "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

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In this statement Jesus used the word "given" instead of "drawn" referring to the work of God in a man coming to Jesus Christ and salvation. The impulse or urge to believe and come to Christ clearly is the work of God the Father. It is not a co-action of God and man, but wholly of God. It is God that enables a man to accept the Gospel message.

The group referred to as His disciples included unbelievers and these faithless Jews returned to their self righteous works of the law and the teachings of their Scribes and Pharisees. However, the twelve continued to follow Him. It must have been heart breaking as Jesus watched them one by one turn away and leave rejecting the salvation He was offering them. He vividly knew the fate they were choosing. They seemed to have understood the spiritual implications of Jesus' message, but as John 3:19-20 states, even though the Light of God's truth and Jesus Christ as the Savior had been revealed to them they loved their sin more and would not come to the Light "lest their deeds should be reproved."

CALL TO MAKE A DECISION John 6:67-69 "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." The writer of Hebrews expounded the truth of the effect God's word has on its hearers.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Jesus had revealed Himself to this mixed multitude of disciples and as always it separated the people into two groups. One group, the unbelievers were offended at the truth they heard. Their hearts were full of sin and they would not bare the conviction the truth brought. The other group, always smaller, believed and accepted the truth.

Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

They were drawn to Christ by the Father through the Holy Spirit and believed received and received the everlasting life that Jesus promised. This reaction is the same today as it always has been. The vast majority of worldly and unsaved in the world and many in Christendom, embossed in their self-righteousness reject the word. However, we are thankful that like Peter there are the few who believe and in faith proclaim Jesus as the "Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter, had listened to Christ's words the same as those that had left, but the difference was that he believed. Those that deserted the Lord had the same opportunity that Peter had, but Peter was seeking the truth and though he did not fully understand, he believed. As Jesus had stated, salvation could only be had by belief in Him and thus there was no other place to go. The

104 murmuring Jews however, even on hearing the simple truth, sought another way, which was through their self-righteous works and therefore lost their very souls. Peter did not side with the unsaved and leave, but stayed with Jesus whom he was following. Later he denied the Lord which indicated his faith was not from a firm conviction in his heart. It would seem Jesus' natural response would have been to compliment or praise Peter's response, but He seems to ignore the declaration of Peter belief of who He truly was. We do not know why, but it is suggested that Peter's response came from the rashness of his character, and maybe not fully from his heart

COMMITMENT AND CONFESSION John 6:70-71 "Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."

John states that His brethren did not really believe in Him. We just do not know and it may be more correct that Jesus' response shows His thoughts were toward those that were rejecting Him and especially to Judas. He had, in love, poured out His heart to these Jews, but to no avail. They were so blinded by their false religion and sins they were not open to truth and the precious gift of eternal life. His reference to Judas also shows that Jesus had drawn Judas close to Himself, shown him His deity in performing supernatural miracles, yet Judas too was blind to spiritual things and his thoughts were only toward worldly things. The tragedy of the rejection was heart rending to the Lord. Jesus who was wholly a man and also wholly God and His love was both human and divine. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John gives us an insight into our God and Creator's heart, in showing the Lord's deep disappointment in being rejected by those He would soon die for.

Romans 8:5 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Top of Form Bottom of Form

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 7

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES John 7:1-2 "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand."

One of the feasts of the Jews was the Feast of Tabernacles. It always occurred during the month of October, which is the seventh month (Ethanim is a month equivalent to the Tishri in the modern Jewish calendar). The Jewish nation gathered to thank God for their harvests. They celebrated the gathering of their harvests on the fifteenth of October continuing until the twenty second of October. The people left their homes and dwelt in booths to commemorate their life in the wilderness. Leviticus 23:39 39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

Leviticus 23:42 42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

After feeding the five thousand Jesus went to Capernaum and there boldly proclaimed He was the Messiah and that salvation was through Him alone. The reaction of those that followed Him in Galilee was that they did not believe Him and they left, however in Jerusalem their response was to kill Him.

The phrase after these things refers to the events described in chapter 6, which took place around the time of Passover in April (John 6:4) explains when Jesus returned to Galilee the feast of the Passover was nigh. Since chapter 7 opens at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in October, there is a gap of about six months between chapter 6 and 7. John records nothing about the interval, except that Jesus spent it walking (traveling and ministering) in Galilee. The Apostle’s purpose in composing his gospel was not to write an exhaustive biography of Jesus Christ, but to present Him as the Son of God and Messiah (John 20:21) Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Most of the six months, however, was spent discipling the Twelve. The Lord taught them extensively including telling them for the first time of His impending rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection. John 17:14-18 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Matthew 16:21

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From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. He revealed to the inner circle (Peter, James and John) a glimpse of His divine glory. Matthew 17:1-8 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

The mountain of Transfiguration was an event that marked a major turning point in the gospel narratives, for Jesus was beginning to turn more and more to Jerusalem and the suffering and death that awaited Him there. But before all of that would take place, there was this glimpse of glory. As we read in the New Testament it was the glory that was set before Jesus that Helped Him to endure the cross. The revelation of Christ’s glory in this Matthew account was a clear confirmation to the disciples of the truth of Peter’s confession of faith; but it was also a great encouragement for Christ Himself as He faced the agony that would occur on Golgotha.

Matthew 16:16 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The six month lapse of time shows that the primary focus of the Lord’s ministry was not on mass meetings, but on discipleship. He devoted His time and effort to the small core group of men who would carry on His ministry after He was gone. The Christian church is in large measure the legacy of those eleven men plus Matthias and Paul who faithfully disciple their followers, who disciple others and so on down through the centuries to our own today.

(Acts 1:26) 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

(1 Corinthians 9:1) 1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

The Feast of Tabernacles, also called Booths, comes on the fifteenth of Tishri (September- October), the seventh month according to the Jewish (biblical) calendar. This was the third feast that required a pilgrimage that all Jewish males were required to attend.

Deuteronomy 16:16

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Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

They traveled to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple and offer sacrifices and offering to the Lord. For seven days they were to live in these booths as a vivid reminder of the days in the wilderness living in tents. Further when they came to the Temple they would be carrying an etrog (esrog), which was a citrus fruit, that symbolized the fruit of the Promised Land. The etrog is used in the waving rituals of the festival of Sukkot or Tabernacles, where the etrog is said to represent the heart (because of its shape), and also said to represent the ideal kind of Jews, who have both knowledge of Torah and good deeds (because it has both a pleasant scent and a pleasant taste). The Passover is held on Nissan 14 of the Jewish calendar which is in March-April in our calendar which show there was six months that had transpired between Jesus feeding the five thousand and the events of John 7.

The other gospel writers note that during those six months, Jesus traveled the length of Galilee, from Tyre and Sidon, northwest of Galilee to Decapolis, in the southwest. During that time Jesus performed miracles, including healing, casting out demons and feeding the four thousand (Matthew 15:32:38). Matthew 15:21-28 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. UNBELIEF John 7:3-5 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.

His brethren reproach him for remaining in the comparative obscurity of the north. Recognizing his power to perform miracles, they urge him to use it at the feast in Jerusalem.

At this point Jesus’ disciples apparently did not understand the work of the Messiah. They believed on Jesus in a material sense and not spiritually. Unbelief is an evil spirit, and it controls people’s lives. They wanted a secular redeemer who would free Israel from the Romans and bring in the promised kingdom, but did not see Him as the Spiritual redeemer who would take upon Himself the sins of the world. John is clear that at this time His brethren spiritually did not

109 believe on Him at this time, they would later come to believe in Him. Two of His brothers, James and Jude, penned the epistles that bear their names, and James became the head of the Jerusalem church.

Jerusalem in Judea was the Capitol of Israel and therefore this was the logical place to present Himself as Israel’s deliverer. Although Jesus was performing miracles in Galilee, it was not the political center of Israel. Thus in their zeal to make Him king they were urging Him to go to Jerusalem and do more miracles in order that He might present Himself in a more relative place and be known to all. They could not accept that if He was the Messiah, as He proclaimed, why He did not take action in promoting Himself.

Jesus brothers challenged Him to perform His miracles openly, on the grand stage that Jerusalem would provide during the Feast of Tabernacles. Then, they reasoned, His disciples from both Galilee and Judea would see the works which He was doing, works which demonstrated that He was in fact the Messiah. Further, some of the disciples who had recently abandoned Him might be won back. The Lord’s brothers were not, as some mistakenly think, zealous for Him to show His glory. On the contrary, they did not even believe in Him yet.

(John 6:66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Whatever their motives were, Jesus is not to be drawn. He probable detects in their plea the erroneous attitude to miracles that He has already encountered on numerous occasions. Hunger for spectacular signs is the enemy of real faith, since it leaves the fallen, self-centered heart untouched and unrebuked.

JESUS WAS HATED John 7:6-9 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

In reply to His brothers’ misguided attempt to force His hand, Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet come.” He would not allow His brothers’ skepticism to dictate His actions. His course of action was determined by the Sovereign Father who orchestrated everything in His time.

The Lord had responded similarly to His mother at the wedding in Cana: “My hour has not yet come.” There Christ also rejected pressure from His family to reveal Himself prematurely, He would not manifest Himself before the right time, the moment chosen by the Father. In its fullest sense, the divine time would not come until the next feast, Passover, the following spring. Though He would minister in Judea for most of the intervening months the Lord would not enter Jerusalem publicly and openly to declare Himself to be the Messiah until then.

Luke 9:51

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51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, Matthew 16:21 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Just as He had predicted, that final manifestation would lead to His death. In contrast, His brothers’ time was always ready. As part of the unbelieving world, they were not concerned with the operating on God’s timetable. They knew nothing of His plan and purposes, and were indifferent to His providence. Any time would do for them to go to the feast. The brothers had joined in with the world and since the world and the brothers have cut themselves off from the divinely appointed time all times are alike to them.

Unlike Jesus they would face no hostility at Jerusalem from the Jewish authorities. The world could not hate them, since they were part of it, and the world loves its own. The world, as Jesus reminded His brothers, John 7:7 “hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.”

John 15:19 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

His brethren were in no danger from the Jewish leaders because they did not oppose the false religious system of most of Israel. However, Jesus in presenting spiritual truth and true salvation exposed their erroneous system of religion. The Jews fully understood He was condemning their religion as vain and evil that God was displeased with their self righteousness which would not save them. We can see the same mind set in the cults and false religions of today. Their religion is one that merited salvation by works and is bound inseparably to their self righteous pride. They will not allow themselves to consider the truth even when clearly explained.

Grammatically, the statement "Go ye up unto this feast..." in verse 8, implies Jesus was telling them to take their own advice, but He would not accompany them. His position and work would not be influenced by their lack of understanding. If Jesus had gone with His disciples who wanted to make Him king, they would have probably publicly announced Him. However, this was not the Lord's plan. Thus Jesus remained in Galilee and let them proceed without Him.

JESUS, WAS A ROCK OF OFFENSE John 7:10-13 "But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.; "Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews." By delaying His departure until after His brothers had gone up to the feast Jesus was able to

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go to Jerusalem not publicly, but as if in secret. The Lord’s caution was in marked contrast to the course of action his brothers had urged Him to take, and to them, inconsistent with Him being the Messiah. According to John 7:14 Jesus did not arrive in Jerusalem until the middle of the feast. By the time He left Galilee most people would have already arrived in Jerusalem, and the roads would have been relatively deserted. The Lord also traveled through Samaria (New Testament scholars believe the journey through Samaria described in Luke’s gospel took place at this time.) Going at this time allowed Jesus to avoid any unnecessary publicity and fanfare attention that could have led to a premature confrontation with the Jewish leaders. Jesus was an offense to the Jewish nation. Luke 9:51-56 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Meanwhile, events in Jerusalem confirmed the wisdom of the Lord’s caution. John notes that the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, “Where is He?” The phrase the Jews does not refer to the common people who made up the crowd (v11), but to the Jewish leaders who were seeking to kill Him. John 5:18 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

The leaders were not the only ones discussing Jesus in His absence; there was much grumbling and disagreement among the crowds of worshipers concerning Him. On the one hand, some were saying, “He is a good man.” While others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray.” Actually, both views of Jesus were incorrect. He was not merely a good man, since good men do not claim to be God. Nor was he one who leads the people astray, because deceivers do not perform the supernatural and authenticating miracles that Jesus did.

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. John 10:37-38 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Sadly, it was this view of Jesus that He was a deceiver that eventually prevailed among the majority of the Jewish people. Yet no one, whether they thought He was good or deceiver, was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

John 9:22

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These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

Though it was clear that the authorities rejected Jesus, the Sanhedrin had not yet rendered a formal judgment regarding Him. Thus, the people were careful to guard their words, speaking neither for Him nor against Him until they knew what the official response to Jesus would be.

There were two groups of Jews who had different opinions as to Jesus. Among the multitudes of people in Jerusalem, one group were honest people who saw the miracles, message power of Jesus and found no fault in Him. These like Pilate who stated twice later at Jesus' trial, "I find in him no fault at all" John 18:38 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. John 19:4 4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

However, the other group of Jews, although they too have seen the benevolence of His miracle, yielded to their prejudices against His message, accused Him of deceiving the people. However, the Jewish rulers where so adamantly opposed to Jesus the people refused to openly express their thoughts openly fearing retribution.

As this account in John’s gospel illustrates, Jesus followed God’s timetable perfectly. He always performed God’s will exactly as the Father wished. Those who are true followers of Christ also have the ability to follow God’s revealed will-because they have been given both His Word and His Spirit. His word informs believers as to what His will is, and His Spirit empowers them to obey that will with gladness. Psalm 40:8 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psalm 143:10 (KJV) 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm 119:11 (KJV) 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

The Wisdom of Jesus Christ John 7:14-16 "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me."

The first thirteen verses of chapter 7 recount the Lord’s refusal to go openly to the Feast of Tabernacles to declare that He was the Messiah. Despite the urgings of His disciples after the crowds had left for Jerusalem, Jesus went up to the city privately in the midst of the feast (v10).

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The Feast of the Tabernacles lasted for eight days about the fourth day Jesus went to the Temple and began to teach. The temple area was enclosed in a wall which had thirteen gates. Jesus was speaking standing under one of the covered galleries that were inside the temple wall. Because of the feast there was a great multitude of Jews, there was much activity in the courtyard. It was customary for the Rabbi to use the occasion to teach. Thus Jesus began to speak and the crowd listened to His teachings. Many in the crown probably did not know who He was. However, they recognized that Jesus' understanding and usage of the scriptures was normally reserved for scholars. Others, residents of Judea recognized Him and knew he was the son of a carpenter and therefore would not have had rabbinical training. The word "marveled" means they were greatly impressed with Jesus' knowledge of the Scriptures. The word "letters" is the Greek word "gramma" and in this context means "learning.

Jesus responded by proclaiming His teaching were not His. He was explaining that His teaching did not originate in a man or from human reasoning or intellect. Jesus affirmed that He was not taught in the rabbinic schools of the Jews, but that His doctrine was from Him that sent me meaning God the Father. It was true that His knowledge was not derived from any human institution and His teaching opposed that of the teachers in Judaism. But that did not mean that it was merely His own personal opinion, as the authorities implied; in fact, it came directly from God the Father who sent Him.

GOD’S PROMISE TO THE OBEDIENT John 7:17-19 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him; "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?"

Jesus continued addressing their questioning His teachings. He said if they desired or willed to know God they would understand if what Jesus was teaching was of God or of Himself. The test Jesus said was simple. If a man by his teaching sought to bring glory to God then he is true and there is no unrighteousness in him. Otherwise a man who would seek to bring glory to himself was not of God. Righteousness comes from God alone and only truth comes from Him. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was often asked to perform additional and unnecessary signs to prove His authenticity, as if it were open to honest question.

Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

The Lord then sharply rebuked these unbelieving self-righteous Jews. They proudly claimed they were Moses' child and were keeping the law. Jesus stated the obvious truth, none of them were keeping the law which boasted and justified themselves, but condemned Jesus. Jesus made

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it clear they had perverted and distorted Moses' law. Jesus denounced them strongly saying that if they kept the law as they claimed they would not be seeking to kill Him. The proof of His condemnation was their hatred of Jesus who was teaching the true Law of Moses. What a paradox it was that they thought so highly of their zeal of the law, when in fact they did not live it, thus Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. Man must give up his own will and let God’s will be done in his life. BE COMMITTED TO GOD’S WILL John 7:20-21 "The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel."

These Jews seemed not to be aware of the plot of the rulers to kill Jesus or they were denying it. They thought His statement showed He was delusional which was associated with demon possession. They recognized that Jesus' teaching was superior even though He has no formal training, and could not imagine anyone wanting to kill Him.

Jesus then reminds them of His healing the lame man and the resulting outcry of the rulers that He had violated the Sabbath. John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Then, Jesus says something very important: John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. This means if anyone really wants to do God's will, not just know God's Word, God will enable that person to have spiritual understanding and come to faith in Christ

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Have you ever wondered why many intelligent people, who know a lot about the Bible, still don't believe Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus explains why. We discover the truth about Jesus through a desire to do God's will, not through our intellect. Spiritual understanding doesn't come solely from studying the Bible; there must also be a commitment to doing God's will.

Finally, Jesus asks why they are trying to kill Him, and they accuse Him of having a demon, or at least of being paranoid. Jesus then mentions the man He healed at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath and points out they circumcise a baby boy on the eighth day, even if it is a Sabbath, so they can obey the Law. Jesus knows the Jews are aware that the Law also teaches compassion.

Leviticus 19:18b 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. GOD DEMANDS CONSISTENCY IN HIS PEOPLE John 7:22-24

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“Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

The Law of Moses required that a Jewish baby must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth even if that day fell on the Sabbath Leviticus 12:3 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Circumcision was given to Abraham as a covenant in (Genesis 17:10) "This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised."

Although it was not Moses who instituted circumcision, it was commanded in the Law of Moses. Circumcision was instituted by covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were the fathers of the Jews, thus it preceded the law. Jesus explained that while they were so strict about keeping the law, if something like circumcision needed to be done, the Sabbath law was ignored in favor of the greater need. Jesus asked why are you angry with me because I heal a lame man who had a great need on the Sabbath? Is not healing a man born lame a greater need? Thus the principle is that one should not judge according to appearance, or letter of the law, but rather on what was right. Paul addressed this same error of the Jews. He concluded

Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

This was Jesus' point. These Jews who were so pious in their supposed keeping of the Sabbath law were inwardly uncircumcised spiritually.

CONFUSION John 7:25-27 "Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is."

Many of those attending the Feast of the Tabernacles came from various areas outside of Jerusalem and the Middle East. They would not have known a great deal about Jesus. However, in the crowd were Jews from Jerusalem who were aware that the rulers were seeking to kill Him. These ordinary Jews, who were not rulers, observed that Jesus spoke boldly with authority. Matthew recorded that people were astonished at His teaching and the authority with which He spoke. Matthew 7:29 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

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The way the question is phrased "Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?" shows they expected a negative response. At this point the rulers were not hindering Jesus' preaching nor seeking to apprehend Him. It could have been because at first they did not know He was in Jerusalem and teaching. After He began to teach they feared the reaction of the crowd is they were to stop Him. Their question reveals two things. One, the Jews were widely expecting the Messiah to appear at this time in history, but did not know the details of His coming. Second, they also knew the rulers were trying to kill Jesus and wondered why they were allowing Him to teach openly in the Temple. Did the rulers know that Jesus was indeed the Christ and were allowing Him to speak?

John 7:27 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. This reveals the people did not seem to know the Old Testament passages addressing the details of the Messiah. They understood the Messiah (Christ) would come, but thought no one would know where he came from. Daniel foretold Christ's coming saying,

Daniel 7:13 "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him."

They did not understand Daniel reference was to the Messiah's second coming, not His first. In their minds Jesus could not be the Messiah because they knew that Jesus was a carpenter's son from Nazareth. John 6:42 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Apparently they did not know of the events of His birth. The Old Testament stated plainly that the Messiah would be born a man, of a virgin in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

JESUS CRIED OUT John 7:28-29 "Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me."

Knowing their thoughts and lack of understanding, Jesus loudly responded explaining why they outwardly denied who He was. The word "cry" means to scream or call out loudly. It is hard for man to realize that Jesus felt sorrow, fatigue, and loneliness. All that man feels Jesus felt also. He raised His voice to them and said "Yes, you know me and where I came from, but I am not come of myself." He once again repeated that He came from God the Father who was the true one. In

117 other words Jesus said He came in the name of God the Father who had sent Him. His statement is a rebuke stating the obvious truth that they did not know Him, because they did not know the Father. They had a religious zeal, but no spiritual foundation. He then repeated that He knew God in contrast to the Jews who did not know the Father from whom he had come and been sent.

John 5:20 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

The people could have known if they wanted to, but because of their lack of spiritual faith, they were turning a blind eye to Him.

John 7:30-32 "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him."

They understood He was telling them He came from God the Father. Yet, He was the son of a carpenter, a man, and in their minds had committed blasphemy by His claims. In their pious rage they sought to arrest Him and take Him before the Sanhedrin, but the time was not right for Him to be taken. It is amazing that they had seen His power in the miracles He performed and had heard His teaching and yet they were blind to who He was. The religion of self- righteousness is both blinding and a dangerous thing to oppose. Jesus' teaching was having such a powerful impact on the people, the Jews tried to arrest Him. Jesus eludes them because His time has not yet come. Yet, many people came to faith in Him.

In contrast many people did believe Him or recognize Jesus' power. Their response to those who sought to take Jesus was to challenge them saying, when the Messiah comes will he do greater works than Jesus has done? Their belief in Him further incited the Pharisees and Chief Priest who then sent officers to arrest Jesus. Jesus has publicly denounced these rulers by revealing that they did not know God, thus revealing their hypocrisy and lies. They saw Jesus as a threat to their position of leadership and sought to silent Him. Since the world began, evil men, zealous of their power, have murdered to keep their control over others. To gain public approval they distorted God's word and used it to falsely condemn those that opposed them.

JESUS TELLS OF HIS DEATH John 7:33-34 "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come."

Therefore Jesus continued to boldly proclaim the truth about Himself declaring “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.” In a little while it will be Passover the following spring. It is Jesus who knows His own time and sets the pace. And the time is not now, but in a little while at the Passover in a few months, not at the Feast of Tabernacles. That

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will be the time of His sacrifice and His victorious return to the bosom of the Father who sent Him. Jesus continued by solemnly warning His hearers, “You will seek Me and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” Those who reject Jesus will never come to where He was going when He ascended and currently rests at His Father’s right hand in heaven, because they will die in their sins. John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

Jesus responded directly to the rulers saying He would only be with them for a short while, but then would return to the Father who had sent Him. He seems to be saying that their attempts to kill Him would soon be accomplished and after His death He would return to heaven. Jesus would later tell His disciples that they would not be able to follow Him to heaven immediately, but would do so later. John 13:33 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come;

Thus, ahead in Israel's immediate future was the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, followed by their captivity and dispersal as slaves over the Roman Empire. The Judaism they took such pride in would also end and they would be humiliated and persecuted people throughout history. Under Roman oppression and in the future the Jews would continue to seek a Messiah to deliver them, but they would not find Him, because He had come and they had rejected Him. Knowing His death is only about six months away, Jesus tells the Jews He will be them only a little while until He returns to the One who sent Him. The Jews think Jesus might be going to a foreign country. However, Jesus is referring to His death and ascension.

Jesus said where He would be they could not come, meaning in heaven with the Father. Jesus was not saying they could not believe and be saved, but was referring to them as a nation.

THE TRUTH MISUNDERSTOOD John 7:35-36 "Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?" Instead of heeding the Lord’s warning, the unbelieving Jews merely ridiculed Him. “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him?” they scoffed, “He is not intending to go to the dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He?” They found the idea that the Messiah would minister to the Gentiles to be preposterous. The Greeks they scornfully referred to were probably Gentile proselytes to Judaism. It was because of Israel’s spiritual blindness in rejecting her Messiah that the gospel would indeed reach the Gentiles who had no interest in Judaism. Romans 11:7-11 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained

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it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Clearly the Jews did not understand Jesus' statements. They did not know of the future events that loomed on the horizon. They realized He was being rejected and was in danger of being arrested and killed by the rulers. Thus they surmised that He was saying He would leave Israel and take His message to the Gentiles.

The attempt of the Jews to work out some kind of explanation of Jesus’ going where they cannot come is a caricature. Does this strange man, who so angers them, plan to lose Himself among the Gentiles in their dispersion, spreading His heretical message? Where else could He go and not be found? Of course none of these Jews would contaminate themselves by going among these unclean heathen. Little did they realize that the presence of the resurrected Christ would soon come to be known and accepted throughout the Gentile world. Jesus was warning His opponents not to delay conversion until it is too late. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 6:2 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Where will you go when you die? It's really not important how you die or when you die; the only thing that really matters is where you go when you die. When you are committed to God's will, you will know this important truth. To become a bold believer, be resilient to ridicule, be committed to God's will, and be a conduit of Christ’s love.

JESUS THE LIVING WATER John 7:37-39 "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

On each day of the Feast of Tabernacles a priest would stand in front of the temple with a golden pitcher and pour water on a rock. This commemorated the water flowing out of the rock Moses struck to give the Israelites water to drink. In this context on the final day of the Feast, Jesus stands and says with a loud voice: If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Jesus would become the smitten Rock by being crucified, and thereby provide life-giving water. At this time, the Holy Spirit has not yet been given because Jesus has not died on the cross to pay for our sins. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon people to empower them to perform God's will, but they were not permanently indwelt

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Judges 6:34 34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him. Judges 14:6 6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we become a conduit, or pipeline, through which the love of Christ flows to others. Romans 5:5b because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

On the last day of the feast the priest would take a golden pitcher and fill it with water from the Pool of Siloame. This priest in a procession would enter the Temple mound through the Water Gate which got its name from this ceremony. He would then pour the water and the wine as the drink offering on the altar. Like the Feast of Tabernacles the pouring out of the water and wine reminded Israel of their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Note that this event was being performed as Jesus spoke. Both the water and the wine are drank to satisfy one's thirst. Thus Jesus used occasion and reference to water and wine to proclaim that if they believed in Him out of them would flow rivers of living water to fulfill one's own thirst and also the thirst of others. He referred to Isaiah 58:11 "And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

Therefore Jesus said if they believed in Him they would never again experience spiritual thirsting which confirms the eternal security of a believer. Jesus was referring to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is the source of the eternal spiritual nature given to all believers.

THE PEOPLE ARGUED OVER WHO JESUS WAS John 7:40-43 "Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him." Not all in the crowd were convinced of Jesus' authenticity, however. While some were ready to accept Him as the great prophet Moses promised, or even the Messiah, still others remained skeptical. "Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?" they scornfully asked. The question expects a negative answer; the idea that the Messiah could come from the boondocks of Galilee seemed ludicrous to the sophisticated Judeans. Besides, they insisted, "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" To their credit, both of those points were valid. The Old Testament Scripture reveals that the Christ comes from the descendants of David. But in their ignorance about the origin of Jesus, these wondering people unknowingly speak the truth. John is a master of arranging his material that mistakes or ignorance become a subtle

121 means of underlining the truth. It is ironic that these people, who are so tenacious about tracking Jesus down, are not even familiar with His place of birth.

Secure in their smug unbelief, however, the scoffers failed to examine the situation fully had they done so, they would have discovered that Jesus met both of those qualifications. He was a descendant of David and had been born in Bethlehem. They hastily assumed that since Jesus had grown up in Nazareth He must have been born there. They had no interest in investigating His messianic credentials. Obviously, as a result of the differing opinions regarding Jesus, a division occurred in the crowd. This incident illustrates the truth that Jesus divides people.

Luke 12:51-53 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Jesus warns that He came to bring division. He divides believers from unbelievers; those who walk in the light from those who walk in darkness. Jesus was not talking about spiritual peace which comes from being reconciled unto God, but the peace that is temporal and does not last. Those who heard Jesus in the Temple are typical of all people on earth. Everywhere even today where Jesus Christ is preached there is division. There was a minority of people who recognized Jesus and believe in Him. There was also the majority who rejected Him. What makes the difference? Why do some receive Him and others reject Him. When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in John 3 He stated the reason for His rejection.

John 3:19-20 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

John 12:35 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

The Gospel is the sword of the Spirit, which divides asunder soul and spirit, and separates a man from his former principles and practices; and sets men apart from one another, even the nearest relations, at the greatest distance; and is through the sin of man, the occasion of great contention, discord, and division (Luke 12:49-53) paraphrase.

JESUS SPOKE WITH GREAT AUTHORITY John 7:44-49 "And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?" "The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

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But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed."

Unlike those in the crowd who either believed in or rejected Christ, the officers of the temple police were confused by Him. They had been sent several days earlier by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. When they returned empty-handed, their superiors demanded of them, "Why did you not bring Him?" Interestingly, the officers did not claim that the crowd prevented them from arresting Jesus, though that may in fact have been the case. Instead, they expressed bewilderment and amazement, declaring, "Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks" They were religiously trained Levites, and Jesus' words left them stunned. While they did not accept Him as the Messiah, neither did they openly reject Him. They did not know what to do with Him. Caught between the power and grace of His message and the hatred of their leaders, they were paralyzed into inactivity.

Infuriated by the officers' failure to arrest Jesus, the Pharisees then asked them, "You have not also been led astray, have you?" That scathing rebuke, though phrased in the form of a question, chided the officers not for their lack of professionalism (as members of the temple police), but for their alleged lack of spiritual discernment (as Levites). They accused them of naively being duped by a religious charlatan, and it condescendingly placed them on the same level as the uneducated crowd. In contrast, the Pharisees self-righteously maintained, "No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?" The arrogant implication was that if Jesus were really the Messiah, the religious experts would have been the first to recognize Him.

It was not a small thing to refuse to carry out the orders of the temple rulers. Jesus' preaching was so powerful these men sent to apprehend him were powerless to do so, being overcome with might of his words and person. The Pharisees were extremely angry and belittled these officers by suggesting they had been deceived by Jesus as was many of the people. The point is clear, these temple officers should had followed their leaders and known better than let Jesus' works sway them. They belittled them by supposing that no Pharisees had believed in him. However, that was not true. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea had believed, but not openly.

They implied that the reason many of the people had believing in Jesus was because they were the ordinary people and did not know the law as the rulers and thus were cursed by their ignorance. Two things are apparent in their statement. First, the Pharisees generally had contempt for the common man who they considered the lower class who did not have the wealth, education and position they enjoyed. As the superior elite of Israel they saw masses as inferior, execrable and worthy of damnation. Second, the Pharisee, chief priests and rulers believed that Jesus were threatening their lucrative position as the rulers in the temple and controlled the temple monies. Jesus warned the people of them in

Matthew 12:38-40 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Jesus said they loved to wear long distinctive clothing and being addressed with titles. They

123 loved the seats of honor in the synagogues and feast rooms, and worst of all these vile rulers swallowed up the property of helpless widows while they prayed long prayers for them. If you turn on your TV to the religious channels you will see their descendants are around even today. If the people believed Jesus and followed Him their position and income would greatly suffer. Note that these were the people who opposed Jesus Christ accusing Him to the people.

THE PEOPLE WERE IGNORANT OF GOD’S WORD John 7:50-53 "Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. And every man went unto his own house."

The Pharisees had just condemned the people because they "did not know the law," but they were conveniently ignoring a principle rule of their law by condemning Jesus before letting Him defend Himself. Jesus had not appeared before the Sanhedrin and thus their condemnation of Jesus was based on second hand information. Also, many thought Jesus was a prophet and some referred to Him as "the Prophet" the one prophesied to come as mentioned earlier. Yet, no one had attempted to apply the rule of law stated in Deuteronomy 18:9-22 which God said was to be used to test if man was truly a prophet of God. These rulers were so incensed by Jesus they were letting their emotions rule their actions. Further, there was wide spread belief that Jesus might be the Christ based on His miracles, claims of coming from God the Father, forgiving sin, and statement of His deity. This posed a direct threat to their biblical knowledge and leadership. Throughout the events that followed, the temple officials never followed the law and through illegal trials they condemned Jesus.

They were greatly surprised when Nicodemus, who was the Pharisees who had spoken to Jesus personally, spoke up and defended Him (John 3). He reminded them of the law they supposedly knew and piously followed. The law of Moses provided that a man must be heard before he could be judged. Therefore their prejudicial judgment of Jesus was clearly illegal.

The Jewish rulers had an open contempt for their fellow countrymen in Galilee. The Galileans were for liberal and their society was heavily influenced by Greek culture. The Judean Jews saw themselves as superior to the Galilean Jews because they lived in the city of David the Capitol of Israel. Those who were condemning Jesus quickly replied with an insulting question which suggested that Nicodemus was a Galilean, even though they knew he was not. Scornfully they challenged the validity of Jesus' claims by exclaiming."Search, look for no prophet ariseth from Galilee."

Once again the ignorance of these rulers of the scriptures was apparent. Jonah and Elijah were from Galilee and both prophets of Israel. It cannot be proved but there are others also that could have come from Northern Israel including Nahum, Elisha, and Amos.

They had not made any effort to investigate the birth of Jesus or His parentage. They of course knew in Micah which stated that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.

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Micah 5:2 "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

It has been suggesed that they did know their error and John 7: 53 says they beat a hasty retreat to avoid a reply. Nothing has changed as the leaders of false churches and cults of our day react to the truth in the same way these sinful religious leaders did. False unscrupulous religious leaders are always quick to twist, ignore and distort God's word to meet their sinful ends. It is an amazing paradox that a man will lie about God's word, knowing that what they says is a lie and further they are lying about God Himself. It is difficult to believe any man could be that blind to the truth.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 8

Jesus was an Early Riser John 8:1-3 "Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst."

It appears that Jesus, having no home or place to reside, spent the night in the garden of the Mount of Olives. Early next morning, which would mean about day light, after the Feast of the Tabernacles, Jesus returned to the Temple. It seems that on seeing Him enter the Temple area, those who were there came to Him and Jesus sat down and taught them. Luke records.

Luke 21:37-38 "And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him."

In the days before, Jesus' teachings had caused great interest and the people were eager to hear further of His teaching. Probably knowing of their interest Jesus returns to the Temple to teach them further. John gives the detail in John 8:20 that He was in the fore court of the Temple which was part of the court for women. Women could not enter the other areas of the temple, which explains why the Pharisees were able to bring the woman to this area. Seeing the interest in Christ's teaching the scribes and Pharisee plotted to discredit him in front of the people. John does not give the details of how the adulterous woman had been found out, but on learning of it these religious leaders saw it as a opportunity entrap the Lord.

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery John 8:4-6 "They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not."

Reading between the lines you can sense their eagerness to disgrace Him. They knew the Lord had shown His character of being forgiving. In this case of adultery it was either upholding the Law of Moses, or forgiving the woman of her sin. It seems clear they already knew what Jesus would do and that He would forgive the sinful act.

(Leviticus 20:10) "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death."

Therefore under the Law of Moses the woman was under the penalty of death. Capital

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Punishment under the law was by stoning the guilty party to death. In such cases the accused party would be tried before the Sanhedrin, which was the high court of the Jews. It is generally accepted that the Sanhedrin did not practice capital punishment for such offences. One reason was as a conquered nation they were ultimately under Roman law which did not allow them to practice capital punishment without Roman approval. Another was that adultery was too wide spread for the law to be enforced. These piteous acting religious leaders were not interested in applying the law. Their intent was merely using the law as a means to discredit the Savior. You can recognize their contempt in their challenge "What sayest thou."

If Jesus responded that the law should be upheld and the woman stoned, they could have accused Him of violating Roman law that forbade the Jews from doing so. If Jesus dismissed the charge against her they could charge Him of violating Moses law before the Sanhedrin. In their minds it was a win-win situation and the trap was set and they simply awaited His response. Jesus response was to bend forward (stoop down) and with His finger write on the ground as if He had not heard them. Jesus in doing so showed His loathing of their actions. Probably because of His not answering it seemed to them they had won their victory. Thus impatiently they repeatedly asked Him to respond. It Is A Sin To Judge Anyone Else John 8:7-8 "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground."

Jesus then stands up, apparently looking them straight in the eye and says " He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." We can surmise that Jesus' actions were perfectly calculated to emphasize His response. The people understood that these men were trying to ensnare the Lord and were not truly interested in either response He could make. He turned the trap against them and showed those who were there the hypocrisy of these Jewish leaders. There was never any fault found in Jesus, thus to destroy Him, His enemies had to diverse false accusations and perpetrate lies against Him. To further show His contempt for their plotting Jesus once again leaned forward and began to write on the ground basically turning His back to them. Jesus is the Friend of the Sinner John 8:9 "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

This was an electrifying event as these men, so confident a moment earlier, now were under strong conviction for their own sins. Their hypocrisy was embarrassingly exposed in their own hearts and before the people. These outward religious men could not stand under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Being exposed was the worst possible moment for a hypocrite. No longer face to face with the Lord and under His accusing eye, these accusers one by one slipped away. The words "went out" means they escaped from the shame of their exposed fraud. It was the elder or oldest scribes and Pharisees, being the greater hypocrites who felt the most threaten

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by the Lord's message and probably had devised the trap. Thus these older men slipped away first, and the younger followed seeing their leaders abandoning their failed plan.

Ironically, those who came to put Jesus to shame left ashamed; those who came to condemn the woman went away condemned. Unfortunately, their indictment and sense of guilt did not lead them to repentance and faith in Christ. Like many who hear and feel the convicting truth of the law, they hardened their hearts and turned away from Him, not even open to gospel forgiveness.

His Forgiveness John 8:10-11 "When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Jesus again stood up and saw that the religious leaders had left leaving the woman behind. The people who were witnessing this confrontation apparently remained. Jesus asks the woman where are your accusers? He continued making the point that none of the scribes and Pharisees had remained to condemn her. Not one of them was sinless and thus none could cast a stone at her. Clearly under the Mosaic Law the woman if guilty deserved to die. Adultery is a serious sin, but God will forgive the adulterer when by faith they repent and accept Jesus' sacrifice for their sins. Paul writing to Titus states the reason Jesus came to earth to suffer, die and be resurrected to save the sinner. 1Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

Jesus' question to the woman was, "Where are the officials who pronounce you guilty and declare your sentence." The woman replied that no man had officially condemned her meaning sentenced her officially to stoning. Jesus then replied, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." We should understand that the Jewish leaders were asking Jesus to make a civil ruling as a magistrate. Although the woman had sinned against God, the matter the scribes and Pharisees presented to Jesus was a matter of executing civil law. This gives some insight into their thinking that the promised Messiah would come as a national leader to free the Jews from Roman occupation. In John 1:49 when Jesus called Nathanael to follow Him and he revealed that he had been under a fig tree when Phillip called him. Note Nathanael's response. "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." In John 6:15, after Jesus fed the five thousands the Jews sought to make Him king. Without question they saw Him as come from God, but only as their king and not as their Savior who came to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world. Further they saw Jesus as simply a man and did not consider His deity. Later in His discourse with the Jewish rulers Jesus asserted that He was "I AM' meaning Jehovah God.

John 8:58 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.

There is coming a day, in the promised Millennial kingdom where, Jesus sitting on the throne of David in Jerusalem, will be crowned King and will rule the world.

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Revelations 2:27 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Revelations 12:5 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Revelations 19:15 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The Lord's statement is that He did not condemn or sentence her. He was not condoning her gross sin, but rather showing her mercy and giving her a second chance. He told her go and not to sin no more. The passage does not say what the woman did afterwards. And it is hoped that she repented and was saved. The Assertion John 8:12-13 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life; "The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true."

In the introduction of this Gospel John proclaimed that Jesus is the Light of men and the world. Light means to "shine or make manifest" and the scope of His light was to all men and the whole world. Light is used as a symbol of the absence of darkness. Where the light shines darkness is expelled and cannot exist. Jesus plainly stated that He and He alone was the light of the world. Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation.

John 1:4-5 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 9:5 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

All gods and religions of the world are false and are spawned from Satan and darkness. Following Jesus Christ means a person walks in truth and the reality that God is our Creator, that the fall of man plunged all men into sin, but that Jesus suffered, died and rose on the third day, suffering the penalty for the sins of all men. Further, if a man receives the Light, which Jesus and His truth is, his faith will give him life, save him, his sins will be forgiven, and he will receive eternal life. Those who walk in darkness are blind to God's truth. Paul explained in Corinthians.

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1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The man who believes in Jesus Christ is "born again" which means he receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the nature of God that allows him to understand spiritual things. The unbeliever, lost in his sins, controlled by the carnal nature, walks in darkness blind to the truth. It is not God's desire that men walk in darkness Jesus said: (John 3:17) "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." However, Jesus continued saying,

It appears that those who were earlier under the strong conviction of their sin now have overcome their humiliation and they returned to confront Jesus again. They still sought to find some fault in Him whereby they could bring accusations against Him and take His life. Their statement was that if anyone who praised himself could not be believed. The maxim is that self praise is true and not to be accepted.

The Answer John 8:14-18 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."

Jesus countered their accusation by acknowledging that he had borne record or testified of Himself, but the difference was He has spoken the truth. He stated that He knew where He came from and where He was going. Because they refused the Light, they could not perceive or know the truth. Of course from His miracles and message it could be seen He came from God. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, recognized this truth by saying:

John 3:2 "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

Nicodemus was an honest man who was open to God's truth and therefore he recognized and admitted to what was so vividly apparent. It was the sin, the darkness of the scribes and Pharisees evil hearts that blinded them to this truth. They willingly rejected what they saw. Paul speaking of those who reject Jesus Christ said:

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2 Corinthians 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

Jesus rebuked them saying that they "judged after the flesh." In other words, as blind men walking in darkness, they judged according to their own sinful natures. It was God, who founded their nation that set the standard of both civil and spiritual laws, but they ignored that God was the author of the law. They judged Jesus not on the merits of His person and actions, but according to their tainted hearts that sought to destroy Him because of their pride and self- righteousness.

Jesus then states the most vital principle in determining truth. He appealed to God's written word which is what the religious rulers failed to do. He declared that if He judged His judgment was not His alone, but also that of God the Father who sent Him. His judgment was authenticated by God through His written word. Jesus appealed to the law that in the mouth of two witnesses truth shall be established.

Deuteronomy 19:15 15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Thus God the Father and Himself were witnesses and testified to the truth of His statement that He was the Light of the world and those who believed in Him did not walk in darkness and had by implication eternal life.

Jesus Questioned John 8:19-20 "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come."

The Jews obviously knew that He spoke of God the Father and His written law. They knew that salvation and life was only through God and therefore understood He was referring to God the Father. However, feigning ignorance they replied asking Him where was His father? They implied that He spoke of Joseph the carpenter thereby belittling the witness of His father. Theese men were the highest and most knowledgeable religious leaders of Israel. Their very demeanor boasted of their supposed knowledge of God and their position of religious leadership. Yet, Jesus again rebuked them saying they did not know Him because they did not know God the Father either. If they knew God the Father who they claimed they represented, they would have known His Son. God the Father is holy and righteous as was Jesus and thus Jesus' life was a testimony of God the Father. This truth can be seen when Jesus challenged Phillip's unbelief.

John 14:6-7

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"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

However, Phillip replied asking the Lord for some outward physical sign of the Father. There is a note of disappointment and reproof in Jesus' reply.

John 14:9 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"

Still the Pharisees, because they would not believe, could not understand or would not accept Jesus' words. John interjects this detail that Jesus was in the treasury in the Temple when He had this discourse. The treasury was where the Jews brought their tithes and offerings within the Temple mound and this also included the women's court. John explains that no man laid hands on Him because it was not yet His time. Jesus had not finished His ministry and still had much to say therefore, the Jewish rulers were not allowed to arrest Him, though they certainly would have done so if the Lord had not intervened.

Beware of Spiritual Death John 8:21-22 "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come."

This was Jesus' sixth dialog recorded by John with the Jewish leaders. It is not clear if this occurred immediately after the preceding discourse or later. Jesus says to them that He is "going His way." In John 7 He earlier referred to His leaving them. He was saying that as their Messiah there would come a time they would seek Him and they would not find Him.

John 7:33 33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

The statement "ye shall seek me, and die in your sins" plainly inferred He was the Messiah and the Savior they would seek. Israel was headed for troublesome times and in 70 AD in only thirty seven years Jerusalem would be destroyed and the Jews removed from Palestine and dispersed all over the Roman world as slaves. Titus, the Roman general would lay siege to Jerusalem which would end in Jerusalem and the temple being destroyed and according to Josephus 1.1 a million Jews were killed. Thus Jesus' statement also had meaning in that most of them would face physical death at the hands of the Romans and because they had rejected Him as their promised atoning Messiah, they would die in their sins and not go to heaven where He was going to return. He plainly was condemning them for their unbelief.

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The Jews, still blinded by their unbelief scornfully concluded He was talking about suicide because He said they could not go where He was going. In other words they were saying that Jesus must be talking about committing suicide and thereby condemning Himself to the Lake of Fire, because they were all going to heaven! The Jews saw suicide as a sin without redemption and that the person would be sent to "the darkest regions of Hades would receive the souls of such." The statement was mocking Jesus by condemning Him to Hades, but they, seeing themselves, as devout Jews, would certainly be in heaven. They were making a strong contrast between themselves as being righteous and worthy Jews and Jesus as a liar and imposter.

Jesus was speaking of His returning to the Father in Heaven. It seems totally beyond their comprehension to think they could be alienated from God and that they would perish in their sins. The hypocrite, by the very nature of hypocrisy, cannot let himself, for a second think, he is wrong. True hypocrisy is an all consuming condition. These men thought themselves worthy of heaven because of their religious works. In their minds they believed their works assured their salvation. Sadly, throughout history, men blinded in their self-righteousness and pride have made the same fatal error and died in their sins unredeemed.

Belief in Jesus John 8:23-24 "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

In response to their wicked mocking statement Jesus said very straight forward that they were the ones who were from beneath, the final domain of Satan. They were the children of the devil of the world which is the present domain of Satan as the prince of the powers of the air.

Ephesians 2:2 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Paul in 2 Corinthians reveals the mind of the unsaved self righteous:

2 Corinthians 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

The word "world" is not "kosmos" but "aion" meaning the god of this dispensation or age. In John 8:44, Jesus statement is even plainer saying they were of their father the Devil. Jesus often stated His deity as He did in verse 23. He said He was not of this world. He was stating that though He was wholly a man, He was not an ordinary man, but was from God the Father, from heaven. The Lord left no doubt of His being the redeeming Messiah come from God. He told them because they rejected Him and would not believe they would die in their sins. It should be noted that Jesus was speaking to them of their present condition. But in His statement is the offer of salvation "for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Of course they could

134 have believed and been saved. Many a man in rebellion against God has seen the light and believed and thus been saved.

Jesus is the Oracle of the Father John 8:25-27 "Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father."

The jailer holding them captive in unbelief was their own obstinate ignorance. The Jews' incredulous question, "Who are You?" was amazing in light of all the miraculous signs Jesus had performed and the repeated claims He had already made. There may have been an undercurrent of more mockery in the question; they may have been, in effect, sarcastically asking a rhetorical question: "Who are You to tell us we are going to die in our sins?" But the query in any case reflects their stubborn, willful ignorance. The overwhelming evidence made it patently obvious who Jesus was, so He merely replied that He was who He had been claiming to be from the beginning of His ministry. He had nothing more to say to the willful ignorance of hard- hearted unbelief.

These Jewish rules understood the implication of Jesus' statements. He was saying He and He alone was the only way to God and salvation. Their straight forward question was more in the form of scorn than of honestly wanting to understand who Jesus was. The Lord's reply shows He would not cater to them saying, He was the same One He has repeatedly told them He was from the beginning of His ministry. His birth, life, message, and miracles attested to that He was the Messiah.

Jesus always did what Pleased the Father John 8:28-30 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him."

In stating that when they had "lifted up the Son of Man," referring to His coming crucifixion, Jesus affirmed they would know that He was the Messiah sent of God. Further they would know that it was God the Father that had taught Him to speak the things that they were objecting to. Although His message did not please them, it pleased the Father because it was true. Throughout His encounters with the Jewish rulers they harden their hearts against Him which is the response of most of the world. Willingly blinded by their sin they refused to seriously consider His miracles and message. Yet, in the group there were many who did honestly consider His words and they believed Him to the saving of their souls. How do we explain the difference in how the message was received? The Holy Spirit, when the truth is presented, brings conviction to a person's heart that what they were hearing is of God and true.

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Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

The difference between those who believed and the ones who rejected Him lies within one's pride. Some of the Jews who rejected Jesus would later realize that they had been terribly mistaken about Him. On the day of Pentecost alone, about 3,000 Jews would come to receive Him as the Messiah. Even on this occasion, six months before the cross, His words were so powerful that as He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him, at least outwardly It was not the degree of the sin of the religious leaders who rejected Him, but the source of their sin which was pride. The grossest of sinners can certainly be saved if they accept the fact they are sinners and need God's forgiveness. However, most self-righteous people will not admit to their sin and need of a Redeemer. In their pride they see themselves as their own savior and worthy of heaven. True freedom is to know the truth John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Though those that believed probably did not openly state their belief, Jesus knew those who believed in Him and He spoke to them. He encouraged them to continue in His word and they would be "disciples indeed" meaning true disciples. John the Baptist states that earlier many who were following Him as disciples left and followed the Lord no more.

John 6:66 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

The term "disciple" simply means someone who is "pupil or learner" and does not necessarily mean someone who is a true believer. Clearly, in becoming Jesus' pupils they were attracted to Him and had some belief in His teachings. But for some the Lord's teachings had not converted them and their belief was not from the heart, but was rather a head belief. Their belief was a response from their intellect and was not spiritual. Jesus' statement was given to make it clear that head knowledge would not be sufficient to sustain them in their spiritual walk. The true disciple, who believed from his heart would not turn back and would continue in following the Lord. Matthew 13:3-9 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus continued explaining to them that the truth of His word would make them free. The word "freedom" literally means to liberate and deliver the freed person from bondage. In one sense the Jews were in bondage to their Roman conquers and further spiritually in slavery to

136 their sinful natures and false religion. The truth, which is the Gospel, sets the believer free from the bondage of sin. Being spiritually free, is absolute freedom and that freedom is found only in true heart accepted belief. This is a vital point in that salvation is from "knowing" the truth, which means accepting it and then living according to this knowledge. There is no freedom, no peace, no joy, when sin rules one's life.

Children of Abraham John 8:33-36 "They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

The response to this verse it seems to have come from those who did not truly believe in Christ. Jesus' statement could have been to cause such an open response from those who were rejecting Him or those who were wavering in their belief. However, their response was clearly one of Jewish pride. They were in bondage to the Romans who had conquered their nation. It seems such a foolish remark when they were under Roman domination. Throughout Israel's history there were only short periods of time when they were truly a free people. When they turned to idolatry God chastened them and allowed their enemies to rule over. The Babylonian captivity should have been fresh on their minds. Israel had been in bondage to the Assyrians, Babylonian, Greece, Syria, and now to Romans. Their declared freedom in their heritage as the seed of Abraham was preposterous. One truth seems to have been missed in their reference to being Abraham's seed. That truth was that it was God who had made the seed of Abraham a nation, and it was God who had founded then nation and made them a special people unto God. God had a plan for Israel to be His witness to the world, but their lives dishonored God. They did not respond that they were the people of God, but of Abraham's seed.

Jesus' reply was to state they were in fact the servants of sin and in bondage to it. It was not their history, or heritage that He was referring to, but to their spiritual condition. If one commits sin, he is a servant of sin. Peter states, 2 Peter 2:19 "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."

Romans 6:20 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness

Jesus again refers to His Sonship to the Father. They had appealed to their heritage as Abraham's seed as their justification of being in God's family, but Jesus stated His relationship was that of a Son. The bond servant's relationship to the family is not permanent. However, if the Son, as a member of God's family, adopts the bond servant he then becomes a family member with the freedoms and privileges which the family relationship brings. Jesus was once again telling them their salvation was not in Abraham, Moses or keeping the law but in accepting Him

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and Him alone as their Redeemer. If He, the Messiah the Son of God would make them free then and only then would they be truly free.

The Children of the devil are those who Reject Jesus John 8:37-39 "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."

To make sure they understood, Jesus replied that He knew they were Abraham's physical descendants, but He states they were not of Abraham's spiritual legacy, because they sought to kill Him. Abraham believed God and by faith accepted His promises.

Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Paul stated Romans 4:3 "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:6 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Note that Jesus said that His word had no place in them. It was His word that Abraham believed and directed his life, but it was not His word that they were following. Plainly, Jesus was exposing their false religious beliefs and that they were not God's children.

Clearly, Jesus had done nothing to harm these religious leaders beyond exposing their self- righteousness and false religion. Yet, their response to His accusations was extreme in seeking to kill Him. They were claiming to be of Abraham, but Jesus plainly revealed the truth, that it was Satan they were following and thus he was their father.

Once again the Jews responded under Jesus accusations that Abraham was their father. Jesus counted that if they were truly Abraham's children, who was a man who believed God, they would do the works of Abraham. They too would believe God and live by faith as Abraham had.

The Children of the Devil John 8:40-42 "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he

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The proof of His accusation against them was that they sought to kill Him simply because He told them the truth. The fact that Jesus knew of their plot to kill Him was further evidence that He was God's Son. He exposed their plot to the people and thus made the case against them. Abraham loved God and showed his love of others in his life. He defended his brother Lot, and freed him from his captors. Abraham was known for his benevolence and hospitality to strangers, yet the Jewish leaders, claiming affiliation with Abraham were seeking to murder an innocent man.

Once again Jesus tells them they are of their father the devil. There are various explanations given for the Jews reply that they "were not born in fornication." The context seems clear that Jesus was saying they were the children of the Devil because they did the works of Satan. Their response was to personally attack His birth inferring that He was the illegitimate son of Mary. Often when exposed to the undeniable reality of the truth, the one who is in error resorts to making a personal attack on the one proclaiming the truth. It is a weak, foolish and desperate attempt to defend that which is defenseless. It shows the corruptness of thinking that if you destroy the messenger you destroy his message.

They proudly, but falsely then proclaimed finally that God was their father. Jesus' statements that Abraham would not do what they were plotting seems to have found some hold on them. They now say they are the children of God. These false religious leaders were actually speaking to God, Jesus Christ incarnate in flesh, and declaring to Him they were of God. How blind were these poor self-righteous souls.

Jesus again repudiates their claims by asserting that if their father was God they would love Him for He "proceeded" from God. They would love whom God loved. The words "proceeded forth" means to come forth. Jesus is referring to His incarnation in that He came directly from God and that His ministry was obeying the will of God the Father.

Satan is the ruler over all Unbelievers John 8:43-45 “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word; Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."

He challenges them asking why will they not listen and try to exercise some understanding in what He was saying. No matter how plainly Jesus had taught them, they did not understand. Their pride and hypocrisy barred them from allowing themselves to comprehend the substance of His word. It was not that they could not perceive the truth, but they were only interested in the threat He posed to their authority and position as the religious leaders of Israel. Thus they impatiently wanted to remove Him as the menace He presented to them. Paul explained in,

1 Corinthians 2:14

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"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Note God's explanation of this spiritual blindness in

Romans 8:6-8 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."

Three times earlier in Jesus' discourse He inferred that they were of their father the devil, but at this point, perceiving their hostility He states this fact plainly. Jesus left nothing to chance boldly affirming the source of their motivation. He further adds thy lived to satisfy the lusts of the devil who was a murderer from the beginning. The Jews were very aware that when Cain murdered his brother Abel he was following Satan. The Devil lied to Eve in the Garden and deceived her into believing a lie. Satan is completely devoid of truth and Jesus was pronouncing that as the children of the Devil they and their religion also had no truth. Bear in mind that what Jesus' spoke was being heard not only by the religious rulers, but the common Jews as well. We can only imagine the hot anger this incited in those who were being exposed.

John 8:45 implies that if Jesus had spoken lies unto them they would have believed, but they heard the truth and would not believe. How often those who seek to witness to the lost run into the brick wall of denial of truth when seeking to win the lost to Christ. It is so disheartening to carefully and lovingly share God's saving truth with the unsaved, only to have them callously dismiss it which implies the truth is in their minds a lie. There is a clear phenomenon of false religions and cults to believe the lie in spite of it being shown to be false. It is hard to understand how the acceptance of truth is so far from those blinded by false teachers. God's word plainly states that when God's word is taught the Holy Spirit brings conviction that it is truly the truth and should be believed. Yet, so many are overpowered by the lust of their sins they remain so very far from the saving truth.

Those Who Believe in God Hear Him John 8:46-48 "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?"

The Lord then publicly challenges them to show some proof or evidence that He had sinned, committed some lie, or was an impostor. Jesus was therefore demanding that if they could not show Him to be a false teacher having some sin, then they should believe and accept Him. Why, He asked do they refuse to believe Him when they have no grounds for unbelief?

Now for the fourth time Jesus tells them they were deceived in claiming to be God's children, because if they were of God they would accept Him. Jesus conveys the truth that their act of rejection showed they were not the children of God.

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The Jews hearts are exposed once again by their answer to Him. The word "answered" means to "conclude to one's self" meaning they immediately sought to justify themselves by using accusations they knew were false. Is it not revealing that they criticized Jesus by calling Him a Samaritan and having a devil. The Samaritans had distorted God's word and founded a false religion that supposedly worshiped God. In truth that is exactly what the Jews had done. They accused Jesus of being controlled by a demon which is actually what was motivating them.

Jesus Honor the Father John 8:49-50 "Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth."

In response Jesus simply stated that He was not possessed by a demon, but was honoring His Father. But they by their false accusation dishonored Him whom God had sent. He further again made the point that He was not seeking to glorify Himself as a man would. There is a haunting prediction in Jesus' words that there was "one who seeketh and judgeth” the leaders of the nation of Israel who reject Jesus as the Christ, setting themselves up for the destruction that they would soon experience. Their pride would be turned to shame and humiliation as the Romans destroyed their land, their temple and enslaved their people. Their position as the proud leaders of Israel, so taken with their heritage, would be lost and they would be debased as the Romans killed them or made them slaves of their enemies. There is nothing so hopeless as unbelief.

In other words God the Father would vindicate His Son the Lord Jesus and in turn in His wrath judge those that rebelled against Him. It is not dishonoring to be falsely accused or persecuted when one obeys the Lord and seeks to do God's will. In human terms it seems humiliating and belittling, but in God's eyes is it quite different. To Timothy who knew of persecution for his faith first hand Paul said, 2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

Jesus taught that they would never die John 8:51-53 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?"

Jesus affirms the seriousness of what He had explained to the Jewish leaders, by saying "Verily, Verily." He bring sharp attention to the fact if a man would keep His saying He would never see death. Jesus was undaunted by their rejection of His word and reiterates that He was the Redeemer then One who could give them eternal life if they would believe. He had promised to them freedom from sin and adoption as the children of God, but they would not consider the truth they had heard. They rudely once again accused Him of having a demon. Their response

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shows they did understand what Jesus was saying. Jesus had implied that Abraham had believed His words and that His Words was the word of God the Father. They asked Him was He greater than Abraham saying that Abraham was dead, as was the prophets of God , so how could He claim those that believed would never die.

Further, their statement "whom thou makest thou thyself" demonstrates they knew that Jesus was proclaiming His deity as being equal with God. (John 5:18, 10:33, 19:7) Only God could forgive sins and give eternal life and it was plain that Jesus was offering everlasting life to those who would accept Him. The Father honors the Son John 8:54-56 "Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad."

One can be awed by the simplicity of Jesus' response. He simply states the truth that He was not seeking to honor Himself beyond that which He was. Jesus always pointed to God the Father as the source of His message and authority. He did not proclaim that of Himself, but repeatedly stated this came from God whom they claimed was their God. He brings to their attention that He was glorifying the Father which they should have recognized, but seemed to be obvious.

Jesus once again says that they did not know God, and if He was to say He did not know Him He would be a liar like they were. He admits that He does know the Father and keeps His saying. They had asked was He greater than Abraham and His answer is found in verse 56. Yes, He was greater because Abraham by faith saw "my day" meaning the predicted Messiah's appearance. Abraham, because he believed God, rejoiced, meaning he literally jumped for joy looking toward the day when God would fulfill His promise and the Messiah would come and bring with Him the redemption of man. By faith Abraham saw it and rejoiced.

Believers today can rejoice as well in knowing that Jesus did come and accomplished salvation for them on the cross. They too can look to the future when the Lord will return and end this age of sin and rebellion. The child of God can see the day when the Lord will come triumphant in all His glory and receive the honor and glory He desires as the worthy Lamb of God. (Rev. 5:12)

The Jews response is redundant. Before them stood the promised Messiah who showed Himself as the Son of God by His miracles and message, yet they responded with silly and foolish statements that they apparently knew were such. Their reply, how could Jesus who was not even fifty years old say, He had seen Abraham. You can also see the smirk on their faces. What could not be seen was what was going on in their cold and sinful hearts.

Jesus the Eternal God John 8:56-59 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple,

142 going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Jesus then makes a profound statement they could not misunderstand. He preference His statement with "Verily, Verily" shows the seriousness and importance of His following words. "Before Abraham was, I AM." In other words before Abraham existed, Jesus was which plainly attested to His deity, that He that stood before them was Almighty God incarnate in flesh. The statement "I AM" was the name God told Moses to tell the Hebrews of who was delivering them from Egypt. "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)

Jesus stated that He existed before Abraham "was." Using the word "was" implies that Abraham until he was born did not exist. Yet, Jesus used the words "I am" which unquestionably refers to eternally. Jesus did not come into being but existed eternally. The Psalmist proclaimed "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Psalms 90:2).

Jesus said "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

This affirmation by Jesus of His deity proves beyond any question that Jesus Christ is God, come in the flesh, incarnate in man. To deny the deity of Jesus Christ in that He is Almighty God, is to blaspheme His Being.

(1 John 4:2-3) "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." Those who deny Jesus is God have the spirit of the antichrist. If anyone denies Jesus' words He is not saved.

(John 1:1,14) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . .And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

John records the reaction of the Jews was to take up stones. They fully understood who Jesus said He was and were so angered they sought to execute Him on the spot. Jesus plainly had said He was Jehovah God. Jesus then "hid" or concealed Himself from their sight and departed to the temple. The wording indicates that unseen Jesus pasted through the midst of them.

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Apparently, Jesus had left the Temple proper, and was outside the Temple mount to the south probably close to the Pool of Siloam. There was a road that led from the south west corner of the temple mount that pass by the Pool of Siloam. Jesus could have left through either the double or triple gates in the south Temple wall. Those who went to the Temple to worship were required to be ceremonially clean before proceeding up the road and entering the Temple area. This would be accomplished in the Pool of Siloam which was a large "mikvah." Jesus Heals the Blind Man (John 9:1-4) "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

Some connect the phrase as He passed by with the previous narrative, and place this healing immediately after Jesus left the temple. The wording, however, is general enough that the precise time and location of the healing cannot be determined. Jesus sent the blind man to wash himself in the pool of Siloam. He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing, the incident must have taken place in Jerusalem. The temple was a prime location for beggars. Since people coming there to worship would be more likely to give them alms. The temple was also a place where large crowds gathered. Possibly, then, the Lord encountered this man near the temple grounds. (John 8:59) 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

(John 9:7) 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.)

(Matthew 21:14) 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Blindness was an all too common occurrence in the ancient world and the uncared-for blind were reduced to begging. As Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would do, Jesus gave sight to the blind on several occasions. (Isaiah 42:7) 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

The text does not say how the disciples knew that this man had been blind from birth. Presumably he was a familiar enough figure that his background was common knowledge. Or the blind man himself may have told them. In either case, this is the only recorded instance in the gospels of Jesus healing someone who is said to have had a congenital condition.

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It was a common belief of the Jews that parents who were sinful or amiss in their obedience to God or religious duties could pass the results of their sin on to their unborn children. Therefore a child born with some physical imperfection was seen as suffering from the sins of the parents. Some held to the false view of pre-existence in which the child in its pre- existence sinned and therefore caused the deformity in his present life. This gives us some insight into the religious views of the Jews which came from the teachings of the Pharisees. Although they were informed about the law, they were clearly deficient in their understanding of origins of sin. (Romans 5:12) "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

When Adam sinned, as the progenitor of the human race he sinned and passed to all men the nature to sin. Every man then is born with a "carnal" or nature to sin which means to "miss the mark." (John 9:2-4) Jesus' did not address their false beliefs, but simply stated that neither this man nor his parents had sinned. Paul explained in,

(Romans 7:5) “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.”

The term “flesh” refers to the carnal or sinful nature of man which is the source of all wrong doing and rebellion. A man in his natural unregenerate state can only do what his nature allows him to do. The unbeliever in his natural state has no spiritual nature, which is the nature of God received by the baptism of the Holy Spirit being born again when a person believes in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (1 Corinthians 2:14) “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

(John 9:2-4) Jesus used a common used phrase which compares day and night to life and death. While it was day and light, He was alive and able to accomplish God’s will. However, Jesus predicts His death referring to it as night when men cannot work because of the darkness. The phrase as long as it is day conveys a sense of urgency. It refers to the brief time (only a few months remained until the crucifixion) that Jesus would still be physically present with the disciples. (John 11:9-10) 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

(John 12:35) 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

After that, He said, “Night is coming when no one can work”—a reference to His being taken

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away from the disciples in death. They would then be overtaken by the darkness and unable to work until the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost once again empowered them to minister. The Father Will Always Honor Faith (John 9:5-7) "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."

Jesus literally states He was light to the world as long as He was in the world. Jesus as the Light of the world is referring to the truth that He was the Messiah come to earth to free men from the curse of sin and death. Luke explains why Jesus came into the world.

(Luke 1:78-79) "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." John also explains: (John 8:12) "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

. The truth was the light. John 1:1 says Jesus was the Word (Logos) which means the truth and is called "light." The word "light" has a further function in the enabling of the believer to respond to the truth and apply it in his life. John further tells us that a man can reject and actually hate the light because of his love of sin.

(John 3:19) 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

(John 3:21) 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Jesus when He had said this demonstrated His ministry of showing Himself as the Messiah by performing a miracle in healing the blind man. Jesus could have simply spoken and the blink man would have received his sight, but Jesus had a reason for spitting on the ground and placing the wet clay on the man's eyes. He directed the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeyed the Lord and was instantly healed as he washed in the pool.

People who had physical deformities were seen as unclean and their presence would defile the Temple area because their imperfection countered the purity of God. Leviticus restricted man having any physical affliction from serving as a priest. Even physically normal people were required to be washed clean before they could enter the Mount. This washing was done in the Pool of Siloam. The blind man then would not have been allowed to enter the Temple area.

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There Jesus told him to go to the pool and wash in the pool of Siloam. The Lord did not say for him to wash his eyes, but simply to wash because of the custom, would mean to immerse himself completely in the water.

Leviticus 21:17-21 17 Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; 21 No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. Neighbors Recognize The Healed Man (John 9:8-12) "The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not."

Once the man entered the pool and washed his received his sight. John's record simply matter of fact states the events, but this must have cause quite a stir with the people who witnessed this and also with the once blind man. We cannot imagine what his reaction was when the clay was washed away and for the first time in his life he opened his eyes and saw his surroundings. It would be an understatement to say he greatly rejoiced in now being able to see.

His "neighbors" meaning fellow Jews who knew of his blindness now saw him walking around and that he now could see. It seems an astonishment they said to one another "Isn't this the man who was blind and sat and begged?" His healing could have changed his appearance and therefore brought into question if this was the once blind beggar. Many blind people have deformed or discolored eyes. However, the man’s healing we complete and he was made whole totally cured and was not immediately recognized. Some said this was the man and others were not so sure. However, the man who had sat and begged for such a long time spoke and emphatically declared, "I am he."

The group then asked the obvious question "How did you receive your sight?" The man’s reply explained that the man named Jesus had anointed his eyes with clay and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam, and he had washed as he was told and could not see. It is well to note that in the man's account he did not mention Jesus spiting and making the clay He placed on the man's eyes. The reason seem clear that the man being blind did not see what Jesus did, but only knew he had place the moist clay on his eyes. This seemingly minor detail shows the accuracy of God's word. Those present now asked the man where was Jesus? Apparently, Jesus had not followed the man to the pool and the man did not know where Jesus was now.

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Blind Man Questioned (John 9:13-15) "They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see."

The people who had witnessed the healing and had questioned the man then took him to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the religious and civil leaders of the people and this wonderful and unusual event warranted the man being shown to the Jewish rulers. The Pharisees as Robertson states were the accepted professional teachers who posed as knowing everything so it would be logical to bring the matter to them for an explanation. Thus the rulers proceeded in questioning the man and asked how he had received his sight. The man again recounts that he had obeyed Jesus and now could see.

This is an interesting point, because Jesus had been telling these same men to believe on Him and follow or obey His teachings. Of course they had refused. Now standing before them was a man born blind who obeyed and the result was Jesus had healed Him. The point could not be mistaken that this proved that believing and obeying Christ had a positive effect.

The Pharisees showed their hearts by immediately, even upon seeing the results of a true miracle of God standing before them, condemned Jesus because He healed on the Sabbath. They concluded that Christ could not be of God because He had broken the Sabbath. But the truth was that Jesus had not violated the Sabbath, but one of their man made self-righteous laws. The law gave provision for the rescue of any animal who may need help.

Jesus Was Accused of Breaking The Sabbath (John 9:16) "Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them."

The miracle could not be denied that this man born blind had received his sight when he obeyed Jesus. Some blatantly denied Him, and others being more honest concluded that a "sinner" could not do such miracles. There was division among them. Throughout history when Jesus is presented, taught, or preached there is a division among those who hear of Him. In our politically correct Western society to mention the name of Jesus bring sharp reaction. Jesus Christ was not politically correct when He was on earth and has not been even to our day. He is in direct opposition to the atheistic society that denies godly moral principles and upholds every sin and perversion of man. Jesus in our day is being received by our government and leaders in society in the same way He was when He was on earth. His message is the same today. Sinful men do not like to be rebuked, of their sin and warned of the eventuality of their end in hell. Note what Matthew records was Jesus' instructions to His disciples when He sent them forth to preach the kingdom. (Matthew 10:33-35) "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in

149 heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter- in- law against her mother in law."

(Luke 12:51) 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

The different in the responses to Jesus Christ is that some believe Him as the Holy Spirit begins conviction to their hearts. Others so harden by their sin shut up their hearts and minds to the truth and reject the Lord. They do not let truth stand in the way of their unbelief. It is interesting that those who reject Him almost always are greatly offended outwardly and respond with attacks meant to discredit Him. Their response shows that deep down they do know the truth, but refuse to openly admit it. Thus they quench the convicting power of the Holy Spirit in a foolish attempt to justify themselves. In contrast Jesus when He told the disciples of the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit He said, (John 14:27) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Spiritual Blindness Feeds Unbelief And Fear (John 9:17-18) "They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight."

It is out of their own division that these Pharisees now turn to the healed man and ask, “What do you say about Him?” How interesting that the learned interpreters of the law should turn to an unlettered ex-beggar seeking for an answer to their differences. Again he makes a short, direct response. “He is a prophet.” On the basis of what he knows, this is the loftiest title he can give his Healer. But these Jews cannot deal with the truth this man speaks. They have now convinced themselves that he was never blind, that there really has been no healing. Attempting to substitute lies for the truth always becomes a complicated, drawn out maneuver.

Again, as if they could somehow disprove what they knew to be true they continued their interrogation of the blind man again asking him what was their explanation of who Jesus was and what He had done. The blind man responded that Jesus was a prophet. In Israel's history it was the prophets that God has used to speak to the people and do miracles or signs before them. The clear implication was that they believed that Jesus was a prophet sent from God. Still seeking to disprove the miracle they refused to believe the man had been born blind so they call his parents to continue their examination.

Blind Man’s Parents Questioned (John 9:19-23) "And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was

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born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him."

Clearly, the parents did not help the unbelieving Jews in discrediting Jesus. They simply but tactfully replied that the man was their son and that he was born blind. But whether they knew the details of how their son had received his sight or not, they did say. In their defense, it is possible they did not know any more than their son had related to them. They said they did not know who or how he had received his sight, but that he was of age and responsible for himself. As an adult he could legally testify for himself before the court. John records the parents would not respond further because the Jewish leaders had said they would cast anyone out of the synagogue if they confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. It could be that his parents realizing the great miracle of their son receiving his sight believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but were not willing to publicly commit their selves to being believers.

John does not identify those the parents feared as the Jewish rulers, but simply called them "Jews" This passage provides strong evidence of the technical use of the term "the Jews." Doubtless these parents were Israelites, but they were not "Jews" in the sense of being part of the ruling class. The title "Jews" in this context was identifying the hierarchical and ecclesiastical- political authorities and not the populace of the nation of Israel.

False Churches and Christian cults always practiced excommunication. It is a way to control their members and maintain their authority. However, salvation is between a man and God and it is God who imparts salvation to a man and if received it is eternal. Even God does not practice excommunication. Further, God has not given any church, which is biblically an assembly of believers, the authority to give or take away salvation. Churches can and should practice "church discipline" which means breaking fellowship with members who are in open sin and refuse to repent. Church members who openly and publicly sin bring dishonor to the name of Christ and the congregation. In order to return them to fellowship with the Lord and to not condone sin, the local church is instructed to not fellowship with them.

Jesus Accused of Being a Sinner (John 9:24-26) "Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?"

Four times the Jewish rulers ask the man who was healed to denounce Jesus. What a paradox that they would instruct him to give God the praise for his being healed, but to brand Jesus, who was the means of his healing as a sinner. They could not deny the miracle had occurred by blinded by their pride and self-righteous arrogance refused to accept that Jesus had healed him. To do so would have been to admit Jesus' claims as being the Messiah, the Son God as being true. They condemned Jesus as a sinner, which meant He had nothing to do with the

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healing. They based their condemnation on His healing a man on the Sabbath day. The man simply replied he did not know whether Jesus was a sinner or not, but he absolutely knew he could now see. Still seeking some justification for their aspersion (slanderous accusation) of Jesus' character they ask the man again what had Jesus done and how he had opened his eyes. It seems they were trying desperately to get the man to say Jesus was the Messiah, whereas they then could cast him out of the synagogue and discredit him.

Most believers have the same response to their receiving salvation. Whereas the sinner was once blind to God's truth and salvation, now through the miracle of redemption their eyes are opened and they can see the truth. We can’t grasp the biblical facts that God saves the sinner, but we cannot comprehend God's act beyond what we know.

(Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Can we truly fathom the love of God that He would suffer and die, paying for the sins of the one who sins against Him? The statement is rhetorical and the answer is "No" we cannot truly grasp the infinite love of God that saves the sinner, but we can be grateful and praise God for His mercy and grace. Blind Man Rebuke The Officials (John 9:27-29) "He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is."

Each time the man is questioned his answers get better. This fourth time the man responses with great wisdom and also some indignation in their persistence in not accepting his answers. The once blind man asked them why they wanted to hear his answer again and added, "is it you who want to be His disciples." There can be no question the man was rebuking them for their obstinacy. His rebuke brought a swift response from his questioners as they began to revile him, which means the tone of their questions changed to being abusive and contemptuous as they accuse him of being Christ's disciple.

They replied they were Moses' disciples and they knew God had spoken to Moses and given him the law. But Jesus had supposedly broken the law and thus He, in their blinded eyes, could not be from God. If we go back to John 3:1, we can see the deception and bias in their statement. Nicodemus saw Jesus' miracles and knew that no one could do these miracles unless God was with Him. We see the same understanding among the people in Luke when Jesus raised the son of the widow from Nain from the dead.

(Luke 7:11) 11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

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(Luke 7:16) "And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. This man’s witness has become more convincing, more appealing each time he has been challenged or questioned. He boldly shares what he knows, no more and no less, under all conditions, regardless of who his audience is. His clear, lean honesty is a model for all of us who attempt to say that Jesus has opened our eyes. But when they ask again how it happened, he seems irritated, weary of it all. “You did not listen.” He says. Do they want to hear him rehearse again what took place because they also want to become His disciples? His use of also in verse 27 is significant. This healed man has begun to follow Jesus in spite of how little he knows. It is as if there has been a reversal of roles. The healed man is not on trail; the Pharisees are. His newly found freedom judges their darkness. Man Is Blessed When He Obeys The Lord (John 9:30-33) “The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.”

The man then, clearly led of the Holy Spirit begins to boldly preach to these self-righteous Jewish leaders. He points out vividly the foolishness of their denying that Jesus was from God. These were not merely ignorant common men, but the elite of Israel; those who were superior in knowledge and position in Israel. Yet this beggar, with no formal training, scorns their arrogance and exposes their unwarranted prejudice against Jesus. The man brilliantly presents a vital principle of biblical interpretation that any conclusion as to the meaning of a biblical event or statement must be interpreted in the analogy of the faith. He did this by pointing out the irrefutable fact that God does not hear sinners. That means God cannot bless error or be a party to the works of a man unless the work is in line with God’s principles. The man reminds them that Isaiah prophetically stated, speaking of the latter days,

(Isaiah 35:5-6) “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

This unlettered man who now sees, not only physically, but with an inner spiritual illumination, is amazed that these learned Pharisees do not know from whence “this fellow,” as they call Him has come. But He must be from God, who surely would not listen to his Healer’s prayers if He were a sinner. At least He must worship God and do His Will. Otherwise, how could Jesus open this man’s eyes which have been closed from birth. One thing he reminded the rabbi was never in history had there been a man born blind received his sight. Only God could heal and restore a blind man’s sight, they had no grounds for their statements that Jesus was a sinner or that God was not with Him.

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(John 9:34) “They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.”

As mentioned earlier, the response of the carnal heart, when exposed, is always to personally attack the one who reveals their error. Note the rulers did not address the man’s statements, but judged the man as born in sin and therefore not worthy to instruct them who presented themselves as the spiritual leaders of Israel. The phrase “born in sin” refers back to 9:2 which was the question the disciples asked. They meant the man was a vile sinner who had sinned in some pre-existence or whose parents had sinned, thus disqualifying the man from having any spiritual incite or to address them who were the religious class of Israel.

Their response was to excommunicate him from the synagogue which also meant he was ostracized from Jewish society as well. They effectively branded the man as the worst of sinners and unfit to be among the rest of the Jews.

Blessed Is The Man Who Can Acknowledge The Divine God (John 9:35-38) "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."

The excommunication was a serious matter and was done publicly as to be a warning to others. It can be assumed the man was somewhat distraught over what had happen even knowing that he was right. Jesus of course knew immediately what had transpired, but before His disciples and the people showed His compassion and went to where the man was to further instruct him.

Jesus' question to the man perfectly and absolutely presents God's plan of salvation. Jesus asks the simple question "Do you believe on the Son of God?" He did not ask the man what religious works he had done, or even of the man's character. Jesus asked the crucial question? "Do you believe?" As baffling as it was to the once blind man, that the Pharisees after seeing Jesus miracles would question that Jesus was from God, is that so many churches and religious leaders of today ignore that salvation is by faith alone apart from works. Yet, so many in Christendom, mix belief and works thus presenting a false Gospel. Jesus went to the man to instruct him in how he could be saved. If salvation was of belief plus works, such as baptism, church membership, sacraments or any other rite or religious act why did not Jesus explain this to the man? The answer is plain...salvation is to belief by faith alone in the Son of God who offers believers redemption, forgiveness of sins and eternal life as His free gift. God says:

(Ephesians 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Jesus Himself said to Nicodemus when He instructed Him in how to be born again:

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(John 3:16, 36) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

The man asked Jesus who is the Son of God that he could believe in Him. There can be no question that Jesus asserted His deity and position to the man. Jesus said to the man he had seen the Son of Man and it was He who was speaking to him. The man both spiritually and physically was seeing Jesus the Christ and He savingly believed on Him. The man response was perfect evidence of true salvation, in that He immediately worshiped Jesus. This man though not formally trained was instructed enough in the matters of God to know that one only worships God. To worship any other that God was blasphemy. Always the man whose eyes are spiritually opened to who Jesus is will bow before Him. The man's earlier statement to the Jewish leaders now takes on great significance when he said, “Whereas I was blind, now I see." (John 9:25b)

Jesus States Why He Has Come (John 9:39-40) "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?"

Jesus' instructions to the man was not in private, listening on the side lines were some of the Pharisees who heard Jesus' words. For their benefit Jesus stated that He had not come to bring judgment, but to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. It is amazing that for days now the religious leaders had railed on Jesus, belittled and humiliate Him, but He in His mercy and grace explains to these men He had not come to judge them unto condemnation, but to show them the truth. Once again their response exposed their true spiritual condition. With indignation and pride they asked Jesus were they too blind?

How often does one see the blindness which causes those false religious leaders and cults to be offended when the truth is presented. In their pride they considered themselves to be far superior to other men as the knowledgeable spiritual leaders of the Jews. Their position in their minds put them far beyond any self- examination or possibility of being in error. The illustration fits perfectly that is often heard that if a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs the one who is hit is the one who howls. Clearly, truth had struck home and they lashed out in a vain defense.

Jesus The Divine God (John 9:41) "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

Jesus candidly responded that, "yes" they were blind. He explains that because they denied they were sinners, they were guilty of their sin. This presents another vital part of how salvation is received. Only the person admits to being a sinner will see the need for forgiveness and God's mercy. The self-righteous and confident in their worthiness of God's favor, thus they see no need of grace. Jesus had just told the man who was healed that salvation was by faith in

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Him as the Son of God. The Pharisees denied Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and their unbelief was vividly apparent. Thus their denial of His miracles and message being of God, showed the hardness of their hearts and therefore their sins could not be forgiven. God cannot save the unrepentant.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 10

The first half of John 10:1-21 presents the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep. Jesus had remained in Jerusalem after the Feast of Tabernacles. There is no indication there was a gap in time and it appears this discourse takes place after John 9 when Jesus healed the man born blind. In verse 20, those who heard this discourse were aware of Jesus' healing the blind man. This shows this message followed His confrontation with the Jews in Chapter 9. The second part of John 10:22-42 occurs two or three months later at the Feast of Dedication. Jesus continues His confrontation of the Jewish leaders of the scribes and Pharisee who had set themselves up as the shepherds of the nation of Israel. Jesus challenges their claims as spiritual shepherds by explaining the true work and nature of the illegitimate shepherd. In spite of the His miracles, these false shepherds of Israel had vehemently rejected Jesus' message and proclamation that He was the Messiah and the Son of God. Their actions showed they had no concern for the spiritual welfare of Israel, but where hirelings who used the sheep for their personal benefit. shepherd calling they would separate from the other sheep and follow him as he leads them to the pastures. Each sheep instinctively knew its shepherd by his voice. Even though other shepherds (strangers) were calling to the sheep, they would only respond to their owner's voice. Jesus Christ is the Only Good Shepherd (John 10:1-5) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

Jesus again begins His discourse with the passionate words, "Verily Verily" meaning "truly, truly" emphasizing the importance of what He was about to say. Sheep held an importance place in the economy of Israel in Bible times. They provided milk, meat, and wool for clothing. A family's economic standing was determined by the number of cattle they owned, which included sheep and goats. Sheep were an integral part in the lives of the Jews and Jesus used this familiar illustration to show He was the true Shepherd of Israel who cared for the people and their spiritual welfare.

Jesus begins to explain that the thieves and robbers did not enter through the door of the sheepfold, but climbed over the wall. A sheepfold was a large circular enclosure with high stone walls where the sheep were housed at night to protect them from wild animals and thieves. In a village most families would have their own flock of sheep. During the day the shepherds of each family would take their sheep into the fields for them to graze. At night the shepherds would bring their flocks back to a common sheepfold where they could safely spend the night. There was only one doorway into the sheepfold guarded by a porter or doorkeeper. The porter would take charge of the sheepfold and protect them by lying down in the entrance of the enclosure to sleep. This kept the sheep from leaving or a robber from entering. Thus, the porter would defend the sheep in his charge with his very life. It was unlikely a robber would challenge him and try to

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get to his sheep. However, while the doorkeeper was sleeping or busy at the entrance the cunning thief would try to slip over the wall in the night out of sight and steal sheep by taking them over the wall.

In the morning when the shepherds arrived they would go to the entrance of the sheepfold and call to their sheep. The porter knew each of the shepherds who would be given access to the sheep by entering the sheepfold by the door. Although there were several families with sheep in the enclosure when the sheep heard the voice of their

The implication of Jesus' illustration was that the Jewish rulers were thieves and robbers who instead of following God's commandments had invented their own religion. They were following a false Judaism and could not enter the door of the sheepfold. They had robbed the sheepfold by misleading the people with their deception. The true shepherd could enter by the door into the sheepfold because he was the legal owner of the sheep.

The Jewish leaders followed the rabbi who taught their interpretations and Jewish traditions in what is called the Oral Torah. This was later written down in the 2nd Century BC s in the Mishnah and later Talmuds. They did not follow the Torah (Old Testament) instead put their faith in their following their traditions and good works. Jesus rebuked them asking ". . .

(Matthew 15:3) Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"

Mark records Jesus' challenging the Pharisees for substituting their traditions for God's commandments. (Mark 7:13) "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."

Talmud-the collection of ancient Jewish writings that forms the basis of Jewish religious law, consisting of the early scriptural interpretations Mishnah and the later commentaries on them Gemara-the second part of the Talmud, forming a set of commentaries on the first part of the Talmud, the Mishnah-the primary body of Jewish civil and religious law, forming the first part of the Talmud There Is Only One Door To Heaven (John 10:6) "This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them."

What John uses here is a story that presents a spiritual lesson often in reference to the promised kingdom. In this case the illustration is comparing a sheepfold to the nation of Israel and the shepherd as Israel's true owner, and the robbers or thieves the Jewish rulers.

John relates that the Jews did not understand the comparison. In John 9:41 states "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." The discourse continues in Chapter 10:1 and Jesus uses the comparison of the

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sheepfold to point out their blindness. The blind man had heard Jesus' words and believed and was healed. They heard Jesus' words and did not understand. The obvious reason for their blindness was they thought themselves to be the religious experts. Jesus then interprets His illustration for them. One of the vital rules of interpreting God's word is to let the Scriptures interpret themselves. Jesus did this often explaining His parables.

Jesus The Door Of The Sheep (John 10:7-9) "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. "

His explanation is straight forward and to the point. He states He is the door of the sheepfold meaning He was the legitimate owner of the sheep and thus He had the right to access to the sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus states all the false prophets, religious leaders, and messiahs were thieves and robbers. These false shepherds did not care for the sheep, but came to take advantage of them. Acts records two such false messiahs named Theudas, and Judas of Galilee who tried to lead Israel, but the people did not follow them and they failed.

(Acts 5:36-37) For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. Later in (Acts 21:38) Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

Luke records that when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he was thought to be the rebel Egyptian who had led a rebellion against the Romans in Jerusalem. When Paul spoke in Greek, the Roman commander concluded he was not that Egyptian. However, Jesus' statement was much wider in scope than a few false messiahs and was directed toward the religious leaders of Israel.

He repeats that He is the door and if anyone enters by Him he will be saved. Those who came into the sheepfold by the true shepherd would be safe having the protection from the robbers and thieves. Jesus said that those who entered by Him would go in and out and find pasture. They would have the save haven of the sheepfold to protect them each day and they would find food, comfort and rest as represented by the pasture.

Jesus Wants His People To Obtain Abundant Life (John 10:10-11) "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

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The motive of the thief was to steal, kill and destroy what belonged to another. Jesus as the Good Shepherd came to give the sheep abundant life. He did not come to take advantage of the Shepherd, was to provide for them and give His life so that the sheep could be saved. Jesus uses the pronoun "I am" which is always emphatic, precluding there was any other. He describes Himself as the "kalos" (good) Shepherd which means the proper or Chief Shepherd.

There Are Many Shepherds Who Are Hirelings (John 10:12-13) "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep."

To further emphasize the point that the Lord was the legitimate owner of the sheep, Jesus compares Himself with the hired servant. He holds the position of being a shepherd and protecting the sheep but he has no real concern or care for the welfare of the flock. The hireling has no true vestige in the sheep and if the wolf comes he abandons the sheep and flees to save his own life. Being a coward, the hireling has no regard for the sheep or the one who hired him. His care of the sheep is impersonal.

Jesus Came That we Might Have Abundant Life (John 10:14-15) "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." Jesus states again that He is the legitimate owner, protector and caregiver of the sheep. He is the Good Shepherd and knows His sheep and they know Him. Clearly, the Jews who were seeking to kill Jesus did not know Him and further, He knew they were not His sheep. The hireling uses the sheep for his own advantage. That was the mindset of the Pharisees who looked down on the common people as beneath them. They were shepherds, not sheep. The Pharisees saw themselves as superior and the sheep existed to serve them, not they were to serve the sheep and certainly not worth dying for or even enduring any danger. They lived under the illusion of their own self- righteousness and self worth. They prided themselves in attending to even the minor details of their religion. In Matthew’s gospel the scribes and Pharisees were called hypocrites because they did not believe God and they stood at the door and hindered others who were attempting to go in. Matthew 23:14-15 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Further Jesus said they used their religions standing as a presence to rob widows and orphans. It should have been clear now that Jesus was saying He was the true Shepherd and that the sheepfold was Israel. He was saying that He knew the true sheep of Israel and they knew Him. The implication could hardly be missed that the religious leaders who were seeking to take His life were not Jews who loved the Father. He states, that as God the Father knew Him, He also, in like manner, He knew the Father. This assertion Jesus is declaring His equality with God the

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Father. He does not say that what He knew was revealed of the Father, but that He equally knew them. (Matthew 11:27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

As the true shepherd, He would do what the legitimate shepherd would do. His devotion and responsibility to the sheep meant He would lay down His life for His sheep. When the bear, lion, or wolf would come to devour the sheep the shepherd would stand between the one who would destroy the sheep and even die in defending their lives. That was exactly what the Lord was doing at that moment and further when He went to the cross and suffered and died for man's sins. Jesus was denouncing the scribes and Pharisees exposing the truth that they did not know the Father. There is Only One Door to Enter (John 10:16) "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

This verse has been completely misused by the Mormons who claim that the other sheep the Lord referred to were people in America, referred to in their fictional Book of Mormon.

However, their claim is totally false. Jesus was referring to the Gentiles to who would believe the Gospel and be saved. When God called Abram in the Ur of the Chaldees, He specifically stated that through him, all his descendants and all the families of the Earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:3) "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

Jesus in Matthew 12:18-21 quoted the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah. (Isaiah 42:1-4) "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." The "judgment" referred to does not mean to judge in condemnation, but rather to bring the truth or law that judgment attests to. God's truth through the promised Messiah would go to the entire world. Isaiah prophesied:

(Isaiah 11:10) "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

The phrase "in that day" is a reference to the seven year Tribulation. He says that during Daniel's 70th Week Israel, "the root of Jesse" meaning Christ, would be an ensign (flag) to the Gentiles who will see the Messiah and find His rest glorious. Throughout the Old Testament God continually told Israel of the Gentiles would be a part of the promised kingdom. But they ignored God's word and rarely could the Gentiles see God through them.

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In Matthew 16:18 Jesus predicted His setting up the institution of the local church or assembly. It should be noted that this was something new that had not previously been revealed. The Jews had begun meeting in synagogues in the Intertestamental period between Malachi and the Gospels. However, what Jesus was foretelling was not a continuation of the Jewish synagogues, but a completely new assembly that within the First Century would include the Gentiles believers. The Book of Acts shows how that Paul was called to be the apostle to the Gentiles and the first Jew-Gentile church being established at Antioch. (Acts 9:1-16, 11:19)

Matthew recorded the first Gentile that was saved was a Roman centurion who came to Jesus seeking Him to heal His servant. (Matthew 8:5-13) Jesus foretold the salvation of the Gentiles and of Israel's condemnation.

(Matthew 8:11-12) "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The "children of the kingdom" were the unbelieving Jews who although were of God's chosen people, were those who would not believe and perished in the hell. After God instituted the local church in Acts 2, the first Gentile recorded saved was Cornelius, the Roman centurion, as recorded in Acts 10:1-48. In Acts 11 Peter after seeing Cornelius saved returned to Jerusalem and told them of how the Lord had revealed to him the vision in that the Gospel was to go to the Gentiles as well. He related how that God saved the Roman Centurion and he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts records the reaction of the saved Jews in Jerusalem.

(Acts 11:18) "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

The "other sheep" without doubt refers to the Gentiles who by faith would come to be saved and be a part of the Lord's sheepfold.

Jesus Lays Down His Life For His Sheep (John 10:17-18) "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

Over the years many have written on the subject of "Who killed Jesus." This verse plainly states that no man could take the life of Jesus Christ. Yes, the Jewish religious rulers hired Judas to betray the Lord, and it was the religious leaders and the people who cried out "Crucify Him, crucify Him" in response to Pilate's offer of clemency. It was Pilate who gave the word to the Roman soldiers that nailed Him to the cross and carried out the crucifixion order. (John 19:6-15) Although guilty of their part in the criminal act of crucifying the innocent Christ, they did not then or could have taken His life. Jesus voluntarily gave His life to make the atonement for sin. Jesus had the power "exousia" "authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, and strength" to

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carry out the will of God the Father. This not the word "dunamis" translated "power" meaning to have the ability to do something. The noun here denotes the freedom to act "the freedom of action, right to act, used of God, it is absolute and unrestricted." Only God has the power over life, death and can restore or give life. Therefore, this statement attests to Jesus' deity.

The Jews did not believe or love Jesus and sought to kill Him, however, Jesus proclaimed that God the Father loved Him, because He would lay down His life for God's sheep. He also declared He would take it up again. Certainly, no man had the power to resurrect himself. Death is final for moral man, but Jesus although wholly man, was much more, He was God incarnate in flesh. We are often told that Jesus limited His power at God while on Earth as a man. Jesus' statement here seems to dismiss that idea. He was fully conscience of who He was and of His omnipotence as God. He also exercised His omniscient in knowing what man was thinking. Further Jesus several times showed His omnipresence in knowing what was happening in other places and also of moving out of danger unseen through a crowd of people who were seeking to harm Him. Jesus Accuse of Being a Devil (John 10:19-21) "There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?"

Once again Jesus' message received a varied response. Many of the people, true to their self- righteous religion, attacked Him claiming Jesus had a devil (demon) and was insane. Their reaction was to shame those who were listening to Jesus with an open heart, who were honestly considering what He was saying. They sought to dismiss the clear evidence that authenticates what Jesus was saying. They, in a condescending way, ask the others why you are so naive as to listen to the ravings this man. In their bias they dismissed Jesus and the others who thought what He said was worth considering. This reveals the inward heart of man. Some blinded by their sin and pride, knowing they are wrong and ignoring the facts, proved their prejudice, willfully refusing the truth. Others, however, who are more honorable men, use their wills to address the facts and apply sound logic to what they witness.

Those who weighed the Lord's message and miracles countered, boldly stated it was obvious that Jesus' actions were not that of a man possessed by a demon. They pointed out the simple truth that a devil could not open the eyes of a blind man. It is a fact that when truth is demonstrated, always there is present the lies of the unrighteous. As Luke recorded, Christ revealed this truth,

(Luke 12:51) "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division"

The separator of men is the great battle between righteousness and evil begun in the Garden of Eden. The Feast of Dedication (John 10:22-24) "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in

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the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly."

Verse 22 begins at the Feast of Dedication about two months after the Feast of the Tabernacles and the events of Chapter 9. The Feast of Dedication is Hanukkah, often called the Festival of Lights. This was not a feast given to Israel by God, but came from an event during the four hundred years of the Intertestamental period that follows the Book of Malachi also called the Silent Years because God gave Israel no new revelation. The event is alluded to in the apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees 1:18 where Nehemiah relit the lamps in the temple on the 25th of Kislev which is why Judah Maccabees also choose the same date to rededicate the Temple. Flavius Josephus recorded the event saying that this was such a momentous occasion for the Jews to have their Temple worship restored; they made the day an annual celebration.

It is celebrated during the Hebrew winter month of Kislev (November-December) beginning on the 25th day and lasts for eight days. In 165 BC the Maccabees, defeated the evil Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus Epiphanes was a Greco-Syrian emperor who ruled most of the mid east. Israel was under his cruel power. He forced the Jews to abandon the worship of God and defiled the Temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig on the altar. Further he poured the pig's blood on the scrolls of Scripture. The Jews were not allowed to read the Torah and made them worship the Greek gods.

A group of four Jewish bothers led by Judah Maccabees raised an army of freedom fighters. These men were of a strong and sincere devotion to God and sought God's strength to throw off their oppressors. On Kislev 25, 165 BC after three years of fighting, God gave them the victory and they defeated the forces of the Seleucids. The Apocryphal book of 1st and 2nd Maccabees records the history of the revolt from 175 BC to their final victory in 134 BC.

Solomon's porch was on the east side and was a part of the original Temple that had survived the destruction by the Babylonians. It was also called the porch of judgment. It was a massive building that was restored by Herod. The porch was a huge hall, fifty cubits long and 30 cubits wide made up of many cloisters where the priest resided. It was a popular gathering place where the Jewish religious leaders met and answered questions. This made it an ideal location for Jesus to speak to the people. Tradition says that after Christ's death His disciples met there often.

Upon seeing Jesus in the compound the people gathered around and ask Him specifically if He was the Messiah (Christ). The timing of this event being the Feast of Lights historically references Israel's being delivered from the Seleucid by the Maccabees. As stated earlier the Jews longed for a civil messiah who would deliver them from the Romans. They were not looking for a spiritual messiah, but a political savior.

Jesus And The Father Are One (John 10:25-26) "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you."

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John records that Jesus had previously answered their question. The Lord has identified Himself as coming from the Father, doing the Father's will, being the Light of the world and the Good Shepherd. Jesus reminded them of His miracles which proved beyond any question that He had the power of God. However, the Jews did not believe the message even though they believed in His miracles. Jesus explained that they were not His sheep and the evidence was they would not follow Him and believe His words.

(John 7:37) Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, " If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.

(John 8:12) 12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, " I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

(John 8:24) 24 "I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins."

Jesus Sheep Know His Voice And Follow Him (John 10:27-31) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."

Jesus then answers their inquiry with an emphatic statement. His sheep hear His voice. Not just the audible sound, but they hear with their hearts and in belief follow Him. Because of their hearing in faith, Jesus states He gives them eternal life and they will never perish, nor can any man take them away from Him. Jesus can only be known as the Messiah by spiritual insight, by hearing and seeing as the blind man had, not by verbal or human proofs. Jesus could not have given a more definitive statement. Jesus said He gave those who accepted Him eternal life. Jesus proclaimed His authority to give eternal life was given to Him by the Father, and to the believers the Father had given Him. In the prayer the Lord prayed in John 17 Jesus repeatedly stated that the Father had given Him those who believed. Further the doctrine of the security of the believer is unquestionably authenticated in that He repeats that the Father is greater than all and being all powerful, no man could take God's sheep from Him. Peter proclaimed the same irrefutable truth saying:

(1 Peter 1:3-5) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

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No enemy, however strong he may seem, can snatch any of the sheep from Jesus’ hand because His Father, who has given them to the Good Shepherd, is greater than all enemies.

First Attempt To Stone Jesus (John 10:32-33) Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."

The Jews fully understood the import of His statement and were so infuriated by His claim they took up stones to kill Him. They had asked for a plain answer and Christ had given them their request. Their anger inside became so hot they began to pick up stones. Jesus in His defense asked them which of the good works He had done was the reason they were about to stone Him? Jesus' question certainly was not for His understanding as He knew why they wanted to kill Him, but He asks the question for their benefit.

They replied the reason was that Jesus, being only a man in their eyes, had committed blasphemy by stating He was God. The penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning. However, Jesus' statement was blasphemy only if He were not God. Many have sought to degrade the Lord and make Him only a "good" man who did good things. Others boldly deny His deity. Yet, a "good" man would not commit blasphemy and therefore their assertions are false as shown by Jesus' own words. This is the first time in this Gospel the Jews have officially accused Jesus of blasphemy. Jews Ignorant Of Jesus Being The One True God (John 10:34-36) "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

Jesus' reply is difficult to understand. He asks them was it not written in their law that "Ye are gods." He quotes Psalm 82:6, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." The English phrase "Ye are gods?" is a particle of similitude, which means "ye are like gods." It denotes that being God's representatives, having the power to dispense judgment and justice they function like gods. Note the word is not capitalized. The statement means that they had the power over other men to execute judgment and justice and in this sense were "gods" to them. Jesus was making a comparison between man and God in that man had received knowledge, authority from God, and thus acted as gods, by executing God's laws. Thus Jesus was saying that He was only relating to them what the law stated. This implied that the Pharisees and scribes could not break their law. What He knew of the Father was the truth of the Father's will, and therefore they had no cause to claim He had committed blasphemy. In John 10:18 Jesus earlier said what He taught was at the commandment of the Father.

Believe That The Father Sent Jesus (John 10:37-38) "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me,

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believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him."

It seems Jesus was telling them that if what He said was untrue, they must prove it, and by making the appeal to Psalm 82:6, from their law His statement was not out of line. He further asks them how they could say that He had blasphemed when the Father had sanctified Him and sent Him into the world. The proof of His being sent into the world and being sanctified meaning "set a part" by the Father was to perform the miracles He had done. His assertion is plain. If He did not the works of the Father, then they should not believe Him. But if He did the work of God they should believe. No one could legitimately say His miracles were not done in the power of the Father. He explains that if they could not believe Him as being a man, they must believe His miracles and thus believe Him because His miracles authenticated who He was. If He did the work of God they should believe that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father. Jesus again definitely states His deity and oneness with the Father, proclaiming that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father. The miracles that Jesus did were a sign to the Jews that established Him as genuinely as whom He proclaimed He was. Verse 38, states the miracles were done so they would know. Other men had come and claimed to be the messiah, but they could do no miracles and thus were proven to be false.

Jesus Escapes Out Of the Hands Of His Accusers (John 10:39-42) "Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there."

Although the Lord had legally declared and upheld His claims that the power He had in doing miracles were unmistakably from the Father, the Jews were not persuaded. Once again they sought to arrest Him, but He escaped them and traveled east from Jerusalem down to the Jordan River less than twenty miles away. He remained there where John the Baptist had earlier baptized.

The River Jordan is a beautiful place and after the exhausting and relentless confrontations with the religious leaders in Jerusalem, Jesus sought a place to rest. This was the place where John had baptized Him and proclaimed Him to be the Lamb of God comes to take away the sin of the world. Jesus found the place more hospitable in that many came to Him there who believed. They said that John the Baptist had not performed miracles, however, all John had said of Jesus was true and many believed on Him.

What memories and longings and gratitude must have stirred in Jesus as He returned to the setting where His public ministry had begun. We sense again His deep ties with the Baptizer, who by his faithful witness had prepared for a rich harvest which Jesus now reaps.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 11

This is the seventh miracle that John records before Christ’s resurrection. John is the only Gospel that records the miracle of Jesus' raising Lazarus from the grave. In the raising of Lazarus the full implication of the union of the Son and the Father in the mission of God to the world becomes apparent. So absolute is the Son’s commitment to the glorifying of the Father in that mission, that there is nothing which the Father will refuse Him.

Jesus Christ and the Family of Martha (John 11:1-3) "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."

Jesus has withdrawn from Jerusalem prior to His return to the city for the final Passover, as was noted in John 10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. His preparation for that supremely demanding crisis is interrupted by an urgent request for help. John begins by explaining that there was a certain man name Lazarus who lived in Bethany who was sick. Bethany is about two miles east of Jerusalem and on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives on the road to Jericho and the Jordan River.

Jesus visited the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha often when in Jerusalem. He had been there three times in the six months prior to the end of His ministry. Jesus had no home or residence and was given the hospitality of John and James who lived in Capernaum when He was in Galilee. While in Judaea, He resided in Bethany at Lazarus's home. He was there during the Feasts of Lights (John 10), when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11), and finally for the Passover when Martha prepared the food and Mary anointed the Lord's feet with expensive ointment (John 12:1-3). John identifies Mary as the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair, the description is no doubt to distinguish her from the other Mary’s in the gospel. (John 12:3) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

What sickness Lazarus had is not mentioned but the concern of his sisters shows it was serious enough to send for the Lord. It was apparent that he was dying. The unity of the family was so close, that when their brother falls seriously ill the sisters sent word to Jesus for help. They add the modest statement “The One whom those lovest" places a subtitle urgency to their situation. They did not make a request, but simply informed the Lord of Lazarus' serious illness. It can be assumed they knew Jesus could heal him and fully trusted the Lord to respond and to help Lazarus as He desired.

Lazarus sickness brings Glory to God (John 11:4-7) "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that

169 the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again."

Jesus responded to the news saying the sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God. Jesus meant that although Lazarus would die, but his death was only temporary, in that Jesus would bring him back to life. God was using Lazarus' sickness and death to proclaim His glory, and that Jesus would be glorified when He restored life to His friend. When God is glorified He is praised, honored and worshiped. To glorify means to acknowledge God's love, mercy and grace. It is to recognize the Excellency of His being and especially His benevolence toward man. However, in order to glorify, revere, or honor God, the knowledge of God's glory must produce action and have some result in the worshiper's life. God is not vain that He is honored in the words of men, but revered in their seeing His glory as it affect their lives to the result of righteous living.

However, David defines how to worship and bring glory to God in his psalm in (1 Chronicles 16:7-36). He proclaims worship is giving thanks to God, telling others of His wonderful deeds, singing songs of God's wondrous works, letting one's heart rejoice in the Lord, seeking his strength and will continuously, remembering His works and words, being mindful of His word and promises, bring offerings to Him and being separated from sin. Worship is not some mystical mental exercise of the mind, but of the mind and heart knowing, believing and living as God desires in His righteousness. Worshiping God and bringing glory to Him and being a lighthouse through which God's truth shines before the world.

(1 Chronicles 16:29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."

Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, we know there is love which is special because it is accompanied with friendship, and affection. Jesus was especially close to Martha, Mary and Lazarus. It is interesting that John mentions it was Mary who anointed the Lord's feet, but in verse five does not mention her name. It seems John mentions Martha by name here not to slight Mary or to show Jesus loved one sister more than the other. Instead of rushing to the home of His friends, Jesus remained by the River Jordan for two more days. Jesus does not say He wants to go to Bethany, but to unbelieving Judea, which will now become the place of His suffering and death. (Matthew 22:39) Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Opportunity for Service (John 11:8-10) "His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him."

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The disciples knew of the danger of the Lord going to Jerusalem and apparently thought this could be the reason He did not immediately travel to Bethany. When Jesus told them they were now going to his friend's home they reminded Him of the threat to His life.

Jesus then used a parable or illustration to show them that although He was certainly in danger by going to Judea when the scribes and Pharisee sought to kill Him, it was now the proper time. Jesus had stated this earlier when He healed the blind man.

(John 9:4) "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

Clearly, God's timing and will were in view. The proper time to work was when the light shined in the day. Further His statement indicates that He was not at the mercy of the Jews, but He went forth in the light of the knowledge that what He was doing was according to God's will. The light He walked in protected Him from stumbling. The other side of this was that if one walks at night, not being able to see his circumstances, he would stumble. If one chooses to walk at night, Jesus said there was no light in them meaning no understanding of his situation. In other word, Jesus told His disciples He knew what He was doing. Jesus is the light of the world; he that walks in His Spirit, and by His direction, cannot stumble, cannot fall into sin, nor be surprised by an unexpected death. But he who walks in the night, in the darkness of his own heart, and according to the maxims of this dark world, he stumbles, falls into sin, and at last falls into hell.

Display of Jesus Power (John 11:11-14) "These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead."

Upon finishing His statement Jesus told them that Lazarus slept and He would now go to awake him. Jesus had said Lazarus' illness was to bring glory to God. Now that Lazarus had died, it was time for Him to go to Bethany to accomplish God's will for the sickness. However, the disciples misunderstood Jesus using the term "sleep" for death. They responded, still with the dangerous situation for Christ in Judea on their minds, saying if Lazarus was now sleeping he was recovering so why should they leave. Jesus then plainly told them that Lazarus had died. How wise we are if we know that each of us has his own day of opportunity, a time for God’s work. Night will come when we can no longer work, and part of that work for Jesus is to call Lazarus back to life. Jesus here speaks of his death as sleep, for physical death is merely an incident in the presence of the One who is life. The disciples still so earthbound misunderstood, and think that Jesus is speaking of that healing sleep which comes after the crisis and fever have passed. He would then become well. Now Jesus bluntly states the simple fact, “Lazarus is dead.”

Strengthening the Disciples belief (John 11:15-16) "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless

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let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him."

We can surmise that it puzzled the disciples that Jesus knew that Lazarus was dying and had not gone to him. Jesus knowing their thoughts explained that it was a good thing He had not gone earlier. What they were about to witness would strengthen their belief. John records that after they saw the miracle of Jesus restoring Lazarus' life many believed.

Thomas' statement is puzzling. He is known best as "doubting Thomas" who would not believe Jesus had risen from the grave and said he would only believe until he had touch Jesus' nail scarred hands. Yet, here Thomas clearly shows his devotion to the Lord. He displayed great courage and boldness in committing himself to go to Judea with the Lord and be killed also. This contradiction in behavior is seen in Peter who also said he would die for the Lord and within a short time was vehemently denying he even knew the Lord. (Matthew 26:35) Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matthew 26: 69-75) Peter denies Christ and then remembers Jesus words before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

I am glad for your sakes that I was not there does not mean that He rejoiced in the death of His dear friend. The Lord's point was that Lazarus' resurrection from the dead would do far more to strengthen the disciples' faith than a healing alone would have done. Jesus' time on earth was rapidly nearing its end, and with the cross looming ever nearer, the disciples needed a powerful support for their faith. It was a miracle to discover that Lazarus was dead, as no person had come to announce it. It was a greater miracle to raise a dead man than to cure a sick man. And it was a still greater miracle, to raise one that was three or four days buried, and in whose body decaying might have begun to take place, than to raise one that was newly dead.

Jesus Ministry of Compassion (John 11:17-20) "Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house."

When Jesus arrived he did not go directly to Mary and Martha's home. John states Lazarus had been buried four days which seem to indicate he died the day his sisters sent the message to Jesus. Lazarus was immediately buried as was the custom in Bible times of the Jews. The scriptures do not say but Lazarus was not embalmed in the sense of opening his body. The embalming was only outward done to slow decomposition and the odor. This embalming had only a short period of effectiveness as shown by Martha' statement that Lazarus would be stinking after being in the grave four days.

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(John 11:39) Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

The timing of the events suggests that Lazarus died the day the notice was sent. The distance between Bethany and where Jesus was on the Jordan River was about twenty miles and would have taken the messenger a day to reach Jesus. Jesus then remained two more days by the Jordan and then left on the fourth day about a mile and a half outside Bethany about 2 miles.

Many of the family's friends were at their home to comfort them in their lost when Martha heard that Jesus was coming. Although Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary remained in the house. This shows the difference in their personalities. Martha was outgoing, impulsive, and forceful, whereas Mary was more reserved and quiet. Martha rushed to see the Lord, but Mary sat in the house with the mourners seeking to comfort her.

Martha’s Faith in Jesus (John 11:21-24) "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Both Martha and Mary had the uttermost belief in Jesus as the Messiah and of His power. John records that Mary also made the identical statement in John 11:32. Having lost their brother, they were naturally remorseful at his passing. They expressed their wishful thinking in stating that regretfully if Jesus had come earlier He could have saved their brother. No one should criticize them for their statements losing a loved one is a difficult thing to bare.

Martha further showed her faith in Christ stating her hope that Jesus would intervene. She subtlety and wishfully implied that even now the Lord could raise him if He would ask God. Jesus responded stating that Lazarus would rise again, but Martha did not understand that the Lord meant it would happen immediately. She again showed her faith in saying that she knew he would arise at the last day. The Old Testaments saints will be resurrected at Christ's Second Coming at the end of the seven year Tribulation. Martha understood that God's plan was that the present world would come to an end. It would be then that she would see Lazarus again. She absolutely believed in the coming resurrection. David knew of the resurrection and took comfort in it. (Psalms 16:8-11) "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." The word "hell" is the Hebrew word "sheol" which means the abode of the dead or the grave. When David's son died he stated that his son could not be restored to him, but that he could go to the son. Clearly, David was speaking of seeing his son in heaven.

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(2 Samuel 12:23) 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. Resurrection (John 11:25-27) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

Jesus responded by assuring her, "Your brother will rise again." He meant that Lazarus was going to be resurrected immediately, but Martha missed the point. She assumed that Jesus, like the other mourners, was comforting her by pointing out that Lazarus would rise again at the end of the age. Martha, however, was already familiar with that truth, and so she replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." The resurrection of the body was taught in the Old Testament. (Job 19:25-27) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Ironically, while she believed Jesus had the power to raise her brother in the distant future, she did not think that He would do it immediately. Challenging Martha to move beyond an abstract belief in the final resurrection to complete faith in Him, Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). This is the fifth of the seven "I AM" deity claims in John's gospel (John 6:35) “I am the bread of life”; (John 8:12) “I am the light of the world”; (John 10:9) “I am the door”; (John 10:11) “I am The Good Shepherd”; (John 14:6) “I am the Way the Truth and the Life”; (John15:1) “I am the true vine”. Martha's focus was on the end of the age, but time is no obstacle for the One who has the power of resurrection and life. Jesus will raise the dead in the future resurrection of which Martha spoke. But He was also going to raise her brother immediately. The Lord called her to a personal trust in Him as the One who alone has power over death. Jesus' next two statements, "he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die," are not redundant. They teach separate, though related, truths. The one who believes in Jesus will live even if he dies physically because He will raise him on the last day. (John 6:39) 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And since everyone who lives and believes in Him has eternal life they will never die spiritually, since eternal life cannot be extinguished by physical death. As a result, all who trust in Christ can exult,

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(1 Corinthians 15:55) "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

When Jesus challenged Martha, "Do you believe this?" He was not asking her if she believed that He was about to raise her brother. The Lord was calling her to personally believe that He alone was the source of resurrection power and eternal life.

Mary Meeting Jesus (John 11:28-29) And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

Martha went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." Mary was still in the house (John11:20) being comforted by the mourners. Although the text does not record it, Jesus evidently sent Martha to get her. She probably gave the message to Mary secretly, hoping that she also could have a private meeting with Jesus before the crowd of mourners spotted Him. Since Martha still did not realize that the Lord intended to raise her brother, she may also have been trying to keep Him away from the hostile Jews (especially the leaders) who were in attendance.

Whatever Martha's motive was, her attempt at privacy failed. When Mary heard her sister's message, she got up quickly and went to meet Jesus. He had not yet come into the village, but was still on the outskirts in the place where Martha met Him. But Mary's hasty departure did not escape the attention of the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her.

(John 11:19) And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

When they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her. Assuming she was going to weep at the tomb, as was customary they felt it was their duty as her comforters to go with her. Once again, God sovereignty orchestrated the circumstances to perfectly fit His purposes, ensuring that Jesus' miracle would be witnessed by the whole group.

(2 Samuel 3:32) 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

Mary appears to have been the more emotional of the sisters, and when she came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet. She said to Him what they had surely discussed, since Martha had said it earlier: "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." As was the case with her sister, Mary meant no reproach to Jesus; her statement was simply a reflection of their grief.

The scene was understandably one of intense sorrow and pain. Not only was Mary weeping (a form of the verb klaiō; "to wail," or "to lament loudly"), but the Jews who came with her were

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also weeping and wailing loudly. According to Jewish custom, even the poorest family was expected to hire at least two flute players and a professional wailing woman. Since Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were a prominent family, they would likely have had even more professional mourners, in addition to the others who came to pay their respects.

Making the right response to Christ (John 11:30-32) "Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, she goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."

Jesus had not yet gone into the town and Lazarus' home. He remained just outside the town in the same place where He had met Martha. When the mourners saw Mary quickly arise and leave the house they followed her assuming she was going to the grave site to weep. How often have we seen those who mourned for their loved ones kneeing by the grave in deep sorrow?

When Mary came to Jesus, in an act of humility and love, fell down at His feet. One can picture the scene as she on her knees looks up into Jesus' face, with tears streaming down her cheeks, expresses the hopelessness she felt in her brother's death. As did Martha she certainly with compassion expressed her disappointment in telling Jesus if He has been there He could have healed Lazarus.

Observing the chaotic scene, Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled. Jesus appears to have been angry not only over the painful reality of sin and death, of which Lazarus was a beloved example, but perhaps also with the mourners, who were acting like the pagans who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Tarassō (troubled) further emphasizes the intensity of the Lord's reaction. The term is similarly used elsewhere to describe strong emotions, such as Herod's reaction to the magi's arrival (Matthew 2:3), the disciples' terror when they saw Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:26); Zacharias's fear when he saw the angel in the temple (Luke 1:12); the disciples' amazement at seeing Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:38); Jesus' reaction to His impending death (John 12:27); and His response to Judas's imminent betrayal (John 13:21).

Jesus Compassion (John 11:33-35) "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept."

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The humanity of Jesus' is plainly seen in His response to the scene around Him as He too felt the deep hurt and despair of the mourners in losing their friend and loved one. Grief is the emotion that is hardest to bear. It absorbs the mind and heart and only the passing of time brings relief. The tragedy of death is overpowering when the one who is passed away was a friend who was deeply loved. The reality of death itself can grip the ones left behind with a deep loneliness that is accompanied sometimes by losing hope. Only in salvation received by faith in Jesus Christ can the soul be truly calmed and hope restored. What a wonderful thing is the death of one of God's saints when we understand they now reside in the very presence of our Lord in heaven.

The word "groaned" is the Greek word that refers to "to snort in anger like a horse." The scene of the tragedy of death which is the result of sin brought into the world caused Jesus to react with disdain. Some have suggested that Jesus groaned in His spirit because of His disappointment in His friends seemingly thinking He did not show His love for them in letting Lazarus die. Yes, certainly He was moved by the lack of hope He saw in the mourners. He saw and felt the deep helplessness that those around Him were experiencing. He was feeling their infirmities." God hates sin and death and it seems it grieved and stirred His heart to witness this despair in the mourners.

He simply asked "Where have you laid him?" In His compassion and love He moved swiftly to end the pain and turn the mournful scene into one of joy. The word wept means that Jesus burst into tears. A.T.Robertson says there is no short verse in scripture that carries more meaning with it than Jesus wept. What a compassionate Savior we have when we understand the depth of His love for man. He suffered the shame and torment that we cannot fathom to pay, the sin debt so that man could be redeemed and delivered from sin and death. His love has no bounds or limits and should bring great comfort to those who believe and are His children.

Jesus then asked, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Whom the term they refers to is not defined, but it evidently refers to some in the crowd who were favorably disposed to Jesus, since they addressed Him respectfully as Lord.

Man’s Misunderstanding of Jesus Love (John 11:36-39) "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."

The compassion of Jesus was plain to all who were there. As they observed His weeping they said "Behold how he loved him!" Some of them probably responding to the comments of the others made the negative statement that seems to imply Jesus did not love Lazarus enough to save him from death. They if He opened the eyes of the blind couldn't He have healed Lazarus? Always there are those who only see the negative and are quick to point out any failure they see in others. Their comments again cause the Lord to groan in Himself as He came to the grave. The more wealthy Jews buried their dead in caves hewn from the sides of hills made of sandstone.

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Jesus Himself was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea who was a wealthy man and His tomb was closed with a large stone.

Jesus then commanded the stone be taken away which was alarming to Martha. She quickly said to the Lord that Lazarus had been dead now for four days and was surely stinking. This again reveals the character of Martha as she seemingly without thinking informed the Lord of what was surely obvious to everyone. She apparently was rebuking the Lord for commanding the stone to be removed. Clearly, she had not understood what Jesus had told her when He said that Lazarus would rise again. Further, though she professed that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, she did not fully comprehend the true reality of the One who stood before her.

Martha’s faith is Challenged (John 11:40-42) "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."

Jesus then reminded her of His earlier statement that He was the resurrection and the life. Martha had not responded directly to His statement, but declared she believed in who He was. Yet, like so many, she did not comprehend the magnitude of who Christ was and of what His statement meant. Jesus said He was the resurrection and life. He was rebuking Martha for not appreciating what this meant in their present circumstances. Yes, Lazarus was dead and his body was in the process of decomposition, but was this too great a matter for the Lord to remedy?

Further Jesus states the greater purpose of the pending miracle, that in Lazarus' death they would see the glory of God. He had earlier by the Jordan explained to His disciples that His friend's death was for the purpose of glorifying the Son of God. In John 11:4 Jesus says the miracle would glorify the Son of God and in verse 40 that it would glorify God. This again is a plain statement of Jesus' deity and that He was God, come in the flesh.

Jesus' presence was commanding and those there obeyed His instructions and removed the stone from the cave. He then, standing before this open sepulcher, He lifted His eyes toward heaven and prayed to the Father. He thanked the Father that He has heard Him as He always did. It is revealing that Jesus' prayer proclaims an important truth. God always hears our prayers. Jesus said He was praying out loud so the people gathered at the tomb could hear Him and know that He was about to show, that God the Father had sent Him. Jesus wanted them to fully understand that He did miracles in the power of God the Father, the God they professed to believe and follow. Deliverance From Death (John 11:43-44) "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."

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Jesus then in a loud voice so everyone there could hear Him, He cried out "Lazarus, come forth." John does not state the details, but simply states that Lazarus came forth bound hand and foot. Lazarus was completely wrapped like a mummy. The word "grave clothes" is the word for a winding sheet. Israel had learned this method of burying the dead from the four hundred years they were in Egypt. John mentions that his face was bound with a napkin. It means the napkin was a separate cloth that was wrapped around the head. John 20:7 records that Jesus was also bound in graves clothes the same as was Lazarus. Certainly, he could not walk being wrapped completely in sheets. Whether he floated out or how he was transported is not mentioned, but he came forth alive and well. Some of the Jews Believed (John 11:45-46) "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done."

As Jesus had predicted, many then came to Mary and said they believed Jesus was the true Messiah. Paul record of the Jews, (1 Corinthians 1:22) "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom"

Yet, few people witnessed the miracles of the Lord, but down through the Centuries they believed and were saved. Peter proclaimed,

(1 Peter 1:7-9) "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Though not present to see the miracle those who have believed God's word have accept the truth and believed on Christ to the saving of their soul. How could a person witness this great demonstration of the power of God and then turn and "go their way?" The heart of a man can be most wicked indeed in that no matter what proof they see of the power of God, or understand the great love of our Savior for them, they turn away and do not accept God's grace. Certainly they believed what they saw, but they refused to acknowledge God in doing it. Although some believed, and some rejected the truth they saw and with sin hardened hearts loved their sin more than the "light" they had seen (John 3:19-21). To accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as their true Messiah, would be to have their sins rebuked. Their pride would not allow that so they went to the false teachers and men like themselves to plot how to destroy this Jesus who exposed their hypocrisy and sin

Why only Mary is mentioned is not clear. Perhaps she being the more emotional of the two sisters required more consoling than Martha did. Or Mary may have had a wider circle of acquaintances than her sister, or been considered the more "spiritual." Whatever the reason they came to her, it was the raising of Lazarus that many of the Jews who had witnessed the miracle

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believed in Him. They not only saw it with their eyes, but also contemplated it with their minds, noted its significance, and drew the only right conclusion from it.

The statement that they believed in Him is simple but critical, since saving faith is always placed in the Lord Jesus Christ and no other, as John emphasized throughout his gospel. Christ alone is "the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through [Him]" (John 14:6), because "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

It is, however, also true that not everyone who believed in Jesus manifested true saving faith.

John 6:66 (KJV) 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Nonetheless, the faith of these individuals in John 11:45 appears to have been genuine for several reasons. First, verses 49-52 refer to Christ's death resulting in salvation for His people— a salvation that, in context, seems to include this group of Jews who believed in Him. Second, Jesus' primary reason for raising Lazarus was to glorify Himself and the Father (John11:4), and the Lord is glorified when people truly believe and are saved (2 Corinthians 4:15). Third, the Jewish authorities evidently viewed these people as genuine followers of Jesus Christ (verse 48); they saw them as a legitimate threat to their hypocritical religious authority. Fourth, those who are said to believe are contrasted with the unbelievers who reported the incident to the Pharisees (John 11:46); the apostle John makes a clear distinction between the two groups. Finally, though faith based solely on Jesus' miracles was not always genuine (John 2:23), this miracle was so powerful and convincing that it was unlikely to have produced shallow, superficial believers.

Jesus and the religious leaders (John 11:47-52) Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."

When told of this another undeniable proof of the deity of Jesus Christ and that He was the Messiah the chief priests and the Pharisees called the Sanhedrin together in council to determine what they would do. They openly admitted if they did not stop the Lord the people would believe and accept Him as the Messiah. Note their justification offered as to why they must prevent Jesus from continuing. They said that if the Jews received Him as the Messiah the Romans would come and take their "place" away and also their nation. They were obviously not concerned for their nation, because if Jesus was the Messiah He would throw off their Roman oppressors to free Israel. He had healed the lame, the blind and now raised Lazarus from the dead. He had power over the very elements and of the weather and sea. Nothing was too powerful for Him, so

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would it not be logical that it would be a small thing for Him to destroy the Romans? But they were not interested in being liberated, but rather in maintaining the status quo ("our place") with its privileges which included power and financial gain. It is a sad but a true fact that most political arenas today are just like these wicked men. They "serve" for the power and wealth it brings them.

Caiaphas, the high priest's statement in verse 49 has been puzzling to many. To understand his statement we must take into consideration the context. The chief priests and the Pharisee of the Sanhedrin under pressure from the people and were worried about the consequences of Jesus' miracles and message as it is related to them. They were afraid of the problem Jesus might cause them as they held their positions at the discretion of their Roman conquerors. Israel was looking for a civil Messiah and not a spiritual One.

(John 6:15) "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

The Jews and even His disciples did not see Him as God come to suffer and die for the sins of the world. They saw Him as a national hero with great power and many hoped He would be their liberator and free Israel from its enemies. (John 7:1-5) 1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.4 For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

Therefore seeing Jesus as a civil Messiah and not really believing He could overcome Roman rule of Israel, they concluded Jesus should be destroyed before He could bring down the wrath of Rome on them. Other "messiahs" had arisen, but the Romans quickly crushed their rebellion. Thus John in verse 51 states Caiaphas predicted that they (the Jewish rulers) would sacrifice Jesus to appease the Romans and thus spare the Jews from Roman reprisals.

It was John, not Caiaphas who made the statement of verse 52. John inserted this comment which explain that this would be the result of the high priest's prediction. In other word, John said that Caiaphas' and the Sanhedrin's decision was to put Jesus to death and that His death would be for the Jews in Jerusalem, and those who would believe around the world. In verse 53, the Jewish rulers from that day made the decision to put Jesus to death and in their minds were doing so to save Israel from the Romans."

Unbelief (John 11:53-57) "Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. And the Jews'

181 passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."

It was the decision of the Sanhedrin to destroy Jesus and obviously that mean falsely accusing Him and turning Him over to the Romans. Jesus knew of their plot to kill Him and stopped walking openly among the Jews. All things must be done as the Father willed and it was not yet the time. John 7:1 recorded that because of the danger in Galilee He no longer openly walked there and now the same thing had happened in Jerusalem so Jesus left with His disciples to a city named Ephraim. There has been much speculation as to where the city was and some think it was located near Bethel which is to the north of Jerusalem. This area was given to Joseph's son Ephraim as an inheritance and the city was likely located there. However, it is not known for sure where the city was, but obviously it was a small out of the way place in the desert, where Jesus would not be exposed to threat of capture by the Jewish leaders.

Jesus remained there with His disciples until it was the time of the Passover. This was the fourth Passover after Jesus began His public ministry. At the time of the Passover, Jews from all Israel would go up to Jerusalem to celebrate this important feast. John mention that they were "up of Jerusalem" noting the detail that Jerusalem was higher in altitude than the rest of the land. One reason for going early was to purify their selves before the actual Passover. These people who lived some distance from Jerusalem did not have the ability to go through the cleansing ceremonies which could not take place at the temple in Jerusalem. There were numerous things that could have deemed them unclean during the time before the Passover such as touching the dead and other things as presented in the Law of Moses. They were required to purify their selves before they participated in the Passover.

As they had in the past when it was time for the feasts the rulers sought to find Jesus because they knew as a faithful Jew He would come to the Temple for the feast. It seems they waited in the Temple watching and speculating if He would come and ignore the threat against His life. The chief rulers had issued orders, like a warrant that if anyone saw Him they must report where He was.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 12

Believers (John 12:1-2) Then Jesus six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead; There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

The Lord's raising of Lazarus had stirred up murderous opposition from the hostile Jewish leaders. Jesus had several times, when threatened to be captured by the Jewish rulers, had evaded them stating that His time was not yet come.

(John 7:30) Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

In chapter 11 of John verses 46-53 we read that some of the Jews who had seen Jesus miracles began to believe in Him, because of this the chief priest and the Pharisees took council to put Jesus to death. They decided that they had to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. Since His hour to die had not yet come Jesus left the vicinity of Jerusalem and stayed in the village of Ephraim.

(John 11:54) 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

From there He made a brief visit to Samaria and Galilee and then, six days before the Passover, came once more to Bethany. His arrival would have been on the Saturday before the Passover. (Because of the distance people were permitted limited travel on the Sabbath).

(Acts 1:12) Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.

The Lord may have arrived after sundown on Friday. That, according to Jewish reckoning, would have been after the Sabbath had begun. John described Bethany as the village where Lazarus lived, and Lazarus as its now most famous resident, since Jesus had raised him from the dead. From the account of the supper given there in His honor, five varied reactions to Jesus emerge: Martha responded with heartfelt service, personally served the meal which would normally be the task of the household servants. Mary with humble sacrifice anoint His feet, Judas with hypocritical self-interest, the people with hollow superficiality, and the religious leaders with hostile scheming.

The Sanhedrin had decreed that anyone who knew where Jesus was should report that information to them. Rather than turning Him in like some criminal, the Lord's friends in Bethany gave a supper in His honor. The purpose of the event was to express their love for Him, and especially their gratitude for His raising of Lazarus. Since deipnon (supper) refers to the main meal of the day, it would have been a lengthy one, designed with much time for leisurely

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conversation. The guests were surely reclining, leaning on one elbow with their heads toward a low, U-shaped table. How many people were there is not known, but at least Jesus, the Twelve, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and probably Simon the leper were present.

Luke records a visit by Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha several months earlier, which provides insight into Martha's attachment to serving, even when it was not the priority:

(Luke 10:38-42) 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Even after such a rebuke, here again being true to her interest, Martha was involved in serving the meal. (John describes Lazarus as one of the guests reclining at the table with Jesus suggests that the feast was not in his and his sisters' home.) Mark’s gospel makes more than a suggestion, stating specifically that the meal was held in the house of Simon the leper.

(Mark 14:3) 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

Though the descriptive name stuck with Simon, he obviously had been healed from his disease, for people would never have gathered in the home of someone with an active case of leprosy. Not only would they have feared contagion, but also to socialize would have ceremonially defiled them, since lepers were unclean

(Leviticus 13:45) Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, 'Unclean! Unclean!'

Nor is it likely that Simon would have owned a house and hosted a meal in it if he had still been sick, since lepers were social outcasts. (Numbers 5:2) "Command the sons of Israel that they send away from the camp every leper and everyone having a discharge and everyone who is unclean because of a dead person.

Because cures for leprosy were beyond the limited medical knowledge of that time, it is reasonable to believe that Jesus had earlier healed him.

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Mary Gives Her All to Christ (John 12:3-4) Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

In keeping with her portrayal elsewhere in the Gospels, Mary once again appears as the more pensive, reflective, and emotional of the two sisters. In a startling, spontaneous outpouring of her love for Him, Mary took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard that was equivalent to a year wages, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and then wiping His feet with her hair. Martha was busy preparing and fussing over the meal, but Mary was found at the Lord’s feet listening to His teachings. The perfume was a “spikenard” called nard, an oil extracted from and spike of a flowering plant from the mountains of the Himalayas. Perfume made from nard was very costly because of the great distance from which it had to be imported. Mary's nard was pure in quality, making it even more valuable. What Mary did was a symbol of consecration for the divine work which Jesus was about to do. Mary Kept Nothing Back (John 12:5-6) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Judas also agreed with that valuation. The conjunction (but) introduces the stark contrast between Mary's selflessness and Judas's selfishness. The expensive alabaster vial in which it was stored also added to its value. She broke the vial, thus giving up the whole thing, both contents and container. The perfume likely made up a sizeable portion of Mary's net worth, but like David, she refused to offer the Lord something that cost her nothing. She acted in unrestrained love. (2 Samuel 24:24) And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

(Mark 14:5) 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

(Matthew 26:7) There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. (Mark 14:3) And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

These two verses are parallel accounts that Mary poured the perfume on Jesus' head, while John says that she anointed His feet. All three accounts are in perfect harmony. Since the Lord was reclining at a low table, with His feet extended away from it, Mary could have easily poured the

185 perfume first on His head, then His body, and finally on His feet. In an act that shocked the onlookers even more than the pouring out of the expensive perfume, she wiped His feet with her hair. The Jews considered washing the feet of another person to be degrading, a necessary task to be done only by the most menial slaves. None of the Twelve at the coming Passover meal in the upper room were willing to serve the others by washing their feet, so in a supreme act and example of lowliness, Jesus did it, (John 13:1-5) 1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

What was more shocking than her costly and lowly washing of Jesus' feet was the fact that Mary let down her hair. For a respectable Jewish woman to do that in public would have been considered indecent, perhaps even immoral. But Mary was not concerned with the shame she might face as a result. Instead, she was solely focused on pouring out her love and in honoring Christ, with no thought of any perceived shame that it might bring to her. John's mentioning that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume is the kind of vivid detail an eyewitness would recall. The fragrance of this generous gift, so gratefully poured out, fills the house with far more than its sweet smell. It brought the warm, pervasive glow of love. It also testifies to the extravagance of Mary's act of humble devotion. She was unmindful of its cost, both financially and to her reputation. The measure of her love was her total abandonment to Jesus Christ. Consequently, Mary's noble act would, as the Lord declared, be spoken of as a memorial of her love wherever the gospel is preached.

Unbelieving Disciple (John 12:7-8) Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this; For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

The stunned silence that must have followed Mary's startling and unexpected act was suddenly broken by a voice raised in protest. As is always the case in the Gospels, John's description of Judas Iscariot emphasizes two facts. First, he was one of the Lord's disciples (Matthew 10:4); second, he was intending to betray Jesus, so shocking and singularly defining was Judas's betrayal that the gospel writers could not think of him or refer to him apart from it. That he was not merely a follower of Christ, but one of the Lord's inner circles, makes his betrayal all the more heinous. It was the most despicable act in all of human history, and the one that merited the most severe punishment. In the chilling words of the Lord Jesus Christ!

(Matthew 26:24) The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

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Judas wanted to appear bighearted but he acted with outrage over such a profligate waste of money, exclaiming, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?" Chronologically, these are Judas's first recorded words in the New Testament. They expose the greed, ambition, and selfishness that ruled his heart. He had cast his lot with Jesus, expecting Him to usher in the political, earthly messianic kingdom most Jewish people were looking for. As one of the inner circle, Judas had eagerly anticipated an exalted position in that kingdom. But now, for him, that dream had turned to ashes. Jesus had so antagonized the Jewish leaders that they intended to kill Him. Not only that, the Lord Himself warned the disciples that His death was inevitable.

(John 7:1) 1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. (Mark 8:31) And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

When the Galilean crowds sought to crown Jesus as the earthly king Judas thought He would be, the Lord refused to cooperate with them. Disillusioned, Judas facing the end of his ambitions decided to at least get some financial compensation for the three years he had wasted on Jesus.

Jesus Purpose (John 6:14-15) Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world; When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

John, not seeing it at that moment, but writing in retrospect many years later, makes the appropriate inspired comment on Judas's real motive: he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it (John 12:6). As noted above, Mary's perfume was worth a lot of money; since a denarius was a day's wages for a common laborer (Matthew 20:2), three hundred denarius equaled a year's wages (allowing for Sabbaths and other holy days on which no work was done). Seeing that much money eluded his grasp infuriated Judas, and he lashed out at Mary. "Judas' disapproval of Mary's action related not to loss of opportunity to do more for the poor but to his own loss of opportunity to steal from the common purse" So persuasive was his seemingly righteous indignation that others joined in his protest.

(Matthew 26:8) But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

Jesus immediately defended Mary sternly rebuking Judas (the verb translated let alone is in the second person singular, meaning "you") by commanding him, "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial." Jesus obviously did not mean that Mary would keep the perfume (or at least part of it) until His burial, since she had just poured it all out. Mary's act was

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a spontaneous outpouring of her love and devotion to Christ. It had a deeper significance. Jesus said, (Matthew 26:12) "When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial." The burial of which Jesus prophetically spoke was not the actual placing of His dead body in the tomb, but the anointing she had just done, which He saw as a symbol of His soon coming death and burial. Part of the lavish expenditures associated with many first-century funerals was the cost of perfumes to mask the odor of decay.

( John 11:39) 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

If Judas had really wanted to help the poor, he would not have lacked opportunity since Jesus reminded them all "You always have the poor with you." (Mark 14:7) The Lord was not disparaging the giving of charity to the poor, but rather was challenging the disciples to keep their priorities straight. The opportunity to do good to Him, as Mary had done, would not last long, because they would not always have Him physically present with them. Here again the Lord's words were a prediction of His coming death, now less than a week away.

Judas now stood at the crossroads. Unmasked as a hypocrite, pretending to care for the poor while in reality embezzling from the common purse, he faced the ultimate decision. He could fall at Jesus' feet in humble repentance, confess his sin, and seek forgiveness. Or he could with pride fully harden his heart, refuse to repent, surrender to Satan's influence, and betray the Lord. Tragically and sinfully, he chose the latter course, with full and sole responsibility for its consequences, though it fulfilled the purpose of God for the sacrifice of His Son.

(John13:18-19) 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

Immediately after this incident, "Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time"

(Mark 14:10-11) 10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Lazarus Was A Good Witness (John 12:9-11) The great multitude therefore of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead; But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus.

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When the word went out that Jesus was at Bethany a throng of common people began to arrive. They did not come necessarily to see Jesus, but mainly to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. This shows a common trait of men that they are drawn to the unusual out of curiosity. This should be apparent to the modern churches and preachers who seek to draw crowds to their assemblies with entertainment. Most who respond to their performances come for the wrong reasons. Like these Jews who came to see Lazarus, they do not come hungering in their hearts to find forgiveness of sin and truth, but rather come to experience some pleasant uplifting feeling. They come out of curiosity to see some oddity. It is a shame what many preachers and churches do in the name of Jesus Christ. These who came to Bethany saw a man who was once dead and the Lord who had performed miracles and presented to them the way of salvation, but they left spiritually empty. Most left unconverted and in unbelief. What they sought they received which was nothing but to satisfy a passing curiosity.

Yet, some in the crowd perceived that the One who they saw was the Messiah and they believed. The proof of His being the Messiah was the miracle that Lazarus who was dead four days they saw now alive. The crowds being attracted to Jesus greatly upset the chief priests and Pharisees. Not only were great numbers of people seeking after Jesus, but because of Lazarus they believed in Him. Many of the Jews began to question the actions of their Jewish rulers and now were turning from following them and were accepting that Jesus was the Messiah. Thus the threat to their leadership was now greater than before and they sought more in earnest to not only kill Jesus, but also Lazarus. The Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-15) On the next day the great multitude who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and began to cry out, " Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel." 14 And Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 " FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT

When the Lord left Bethany He was accompanied by part of the "large crowd of the Jews" who had come there to see Him and Lazarus. They would soon be joined by others of the large crowd of pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for the feast (Passover). When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they came pouring out of the city to meet Him. The two great tides of people, fueled by the resurrection of Lazarus, flowed together to form a massive throng (some histories estimate that there may have been as many as one million people there for the Passover feast) that escorted Jesus into Jerusalem. (The accounts of the triumphal entry in the Synoptic Gospels also suggest that there were two crowds that converged around Jesus.

(Matthew 21:9) 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

(Mark 11:9) And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

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(Leviticus 23:40) And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

The excited people cut branches from the date palm trees that were plentiful in the vicinity of Jerusalem (and still grow there today). The Old Testament does not associate palm branches with Passover, but rather with the Feast of Tabernacles.

In the intertestamental period, however, palm branches became a general symbol of victory and celebration. When the Jews, led by Simon the Maccabee, recaptured Jerusalem from the Syrians, they "entered it with praise and palm branches." Perhaps many in the crowd had that incident in mind as they waved their palm branches. Maybe, they hoped, Jesus would prove to be the great messianic King and military conqueror they had been waiting for and would liberate them from the yoke of Rome and establish the promises of Abraham and David. (Genesis 12:1-3); 2 Samuel 7:1-16). Swept up in the emotional fervor of the moment, the crowd shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel." Hosanna, a term of acclamation or praise, transliterates a Hebrew word that literally means, "Help, I pray," or "Save now, I pray" (Psalm 118:25) Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

It was a term with which every Jew was familiar, since it came from the group of Psalms known as the Hallel. The Hallel was sung each morning by the temple choir during the major Jewish festivals. The crowd also cried, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, quoting

(Psalm 118:26) Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

In the past, the Lord had refused to be hailed as the king and military conqueror the people were sure the Messiah would be. In fact, He had dispersed the crowd that sought to make Him king (John 6:14-15). But this time He accepted their acclamation, sending them into a frenzy of excitement. Finally, they thought, He was accepting the role they wanted Him to take, that of a political and military deliverer. But Jesus accepted their praise on His terms. As the one who came to save. (Matthew 1:21) 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. The one who came in the name of the Lord,

(John 5:43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive, and the rightful King of Israel,

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(Matthew 27:11) And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

He was entitled to the crowd's praise. Matthew records that when Jesus reached Jerusalem and entered the temple, "the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, 'Hosanna to the Son of David,' and they became indignant and said to Him, Matthew 21:15). “Do You hear what these children are saying?” The Lord replied by affirming His right to that praise: (Matthew 21:16) "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself?"

The Lord's choice of a mount was a purposeful, conscious fulfillment of: Zechariah 9:9 "Fear not, daughter of Zion behold, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

If Jesus had been the conquering warrior the people were hoping for, a war horse would have been a more appropriate mount. By choosing to ride a donkey, however, Jesus entered Jerusalem as the humble Prince of Peace. Only when He returns the second time in judgment will Jesus ride the white horse of the conqueror. (Revelations 19:11) 11 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.

(John 12:16-18) These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The people in the crowd were not the only ones who failed to grasp the significance of what was happening. John's parenthetical note (John 2:22) indicates that even the disciples did not understand the meaning of the triumphal entry at the time; they could not comprehend that at His first advent Jesus came not as conqueror but as Savior. Even after the resurrection, the disciples still asked hopefully, (Acts 1:6) "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

It was not until the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus was glorified that the disciples remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

(John 7:39)

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39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) As Jesus had promised the Twelve, (John 14:26). "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you" "

(John16:13) When He, the Spirit of truth, comes," the Lord added, "He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come".

Jesus was a King like no other. Instead of the pomp and circumstance associated with earthly kings, He was meek and lowly; instead of defeating His enemies by force, He conquered them by dying (Hebrews 2:14) 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

But though He was despised and rejected at His first advent

(Isaiah 53:3) 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus Christ will one day return as the all-conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelations19:11-16), who will shatter His enemies and destroy them with a fierce and final judgment. (Revelations 19:15) 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Just as He perfectly fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies regarding His first coming, so He will also come again in exactly the manner foretold by the Scriptures.

Rejected By the Pharisees (John 12:17-19) So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him."

Some people accompanied Jesus from Bethany, while others came out from Jerusalem to meet Him. The two groups coalesce into a huge crowd that escorted Jesus into the city. On the way,

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those from Bethany who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. This enthusiastic group of witnesses to the people who went out from Jerusalem and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign, amplified the powerful effect of the miracle to the masses coming for Passover.

(John11:45) 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

(John 10:37-38) 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

John's note that the people flocked to Jesus because they heard that He had raised Lazarus from the dead reveals the superficial nature of their faith. Their desire was that Jesus would accept the role of political ruler and military deliverer that they expected of the Messiah

(John 6:14-15) 14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world; 15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

They probably reasoned that since He had the power to raise one to life who had been dead for four days, He could surely use that power to free them from the yoke of Roman oppression. As was the case with so many other crowds that followed Jesus, this one consisted chiefly of thrill seekers. By the end of the week, when it became obvious that Jesus was not going to be the political Messiah they expected, the people followed the lead of the Pharisees and other leaders in rejecting Him. Many of the same voices that shouted "Hosanna" at the triumphal entry must have screamed "Crucify Him" on Good Friday. In contrast to the crowd's superficial, fleeting attachment to Jesus, which ended in rejection, His true disciples persevere in believing in Him. The Lord said to "those Jews who had believed Him,

(John 8:31) “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine'

The writer of Hebrews warned that true believers "are not those who shrink back to destruction, but those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."

(Hebrews 10:39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

A professed faith that does not "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" is dead, non saving faith

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(James 2:14-26). "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ," the apostle John noted, (2 John 1:9) 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

(Matthews 3:8) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

It is impossible for a true believer in Jesus Christ to fall away from Him permanently and completely. Those who do so prove that their faith was never genuine. In 1 John 2:19 John wrote of such people, "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." The Pharisees, meanwhile, looked on the tumultuous scene with increasing frustration and alarm. It seemed to them that events were spiraling dangerously out of control; if Jesus led this rabid crowd in an armed revolt against the Romans, all would be lost. (Unlike the Sadducees, the Pharisees refused to compromise with the Romans. But unlike the Zealots, they did not physically assault them). Further, they had ordered that anyone knowing Jesus' whereabouts was to tell them so they could arrest Him. (John 11:57) 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

Ironically, there, in plain sight, was the very one they wanted desperately to seize, surrounded by thousands of people. But instead of turning Jesus over to the authorities, the crowds were loudly hailing Him as the Messiah. Afraid of the crowd's reaction if they arrested Jesus openly, the Pharisees could only look on in frustration and dismay. Not surprisingly, they lashed out at one another, saying, "You see that you are not doing any good" (John 12:19). Confronted with Jesus' incredible popularity, in spite of their best efforts to silence Him, they began to blame each other. They would have been wiser, as the eminent rabbi Gamaliel would later advise the Sanhedrin, to not have been "found fighting against God" (Acts 5:39), who overrules the plans of men to accomplish His purposes. (Genesis 50:20) 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

(Jeremiah 10:23) 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

The Pharisees' exclamation, "Look, the world has gone after Him," expresses the depth of their consternation. The statement is hyperbole; the term world refers to people in general, not everyone in particular. As with Caiaphas's prophecy (John 11:49-52), John probably intended the Pharisees' statement to be understood as an unwitting prediction of the gospel's spread throughout the world.

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(Matthew 24:14) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Eventually they succeeded in turning the people against Jesus with such hostility as to demand His execution in an act of final rejection by the nation.

Jesus Predicts His Death (John 12:20-23) 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

It does not seem strange that these Greeks showed up asking to see Jesus. Clearly, these were not ordinary Greeks, but proselytes to Judaism as was the Roman centurion, Cornelius whom the Lord sent Peter (Acts 10). It seems they were aware of Jesus' miracles and had witnessed the excitement of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was natural that they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee and told him they wanted to see Jesus.

Philip's name was Greek and he was from Galilee the area of Israel where Greek culture prevailed and their language spoken. These were Gentiles who believed God and surely had studied the Old Testament. They too knew of the promises concerning the Messiah and the promised kingdom. They came wanting to inquire of Jesus personally about His being the Messiah. Philip told Andrew of the Greeks inquiry and they both went to Jesus. Most commentators conclude that Jesus did not respond to their request. However, John 12:33 says "And Jesus answered them." Most assume the word "them" refers to Philip and Andrew, but there is nothing in the passage that would restrict Jesus words only to these two disciples. His response when looked at closer shows He did answer their question. Jesus stated “ the hour was come that the Son of man should be glorified.” (John 12:23) Would it not seem reasonable to accept that this is what the Greek who inquired about Jesus wanted to know about Him?

The reason seems clear. Jesus was the Messiah come to Israel and as Paul later said the Gospel goes first to the Jew and then to the Greek. In a short time the Greeks would be fully aware of who Jesus was, and that salvation was also come to the Gentile. As Jesus paid the sin debt of the whole world the "middle wall of partition" was broken down as the veil in the Temple was rent from top to bottom. (Ephesians 2:14) 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; From that moment on the Gentiles would not have to come through the Jews to receive salvation, but could boldly enter the throne of grace and obtain mercy for themselves. Jesus response addressed their inquiry and concerns.

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(Hebrews 4:16) Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

(John 12:24-26) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

Jesus' response is found five other times in the Scriptures which show the importance of His teaching. John does not record whether the Greeks heard Jesus or not. But Jesus' response revealed what was about to happen. He responded with the illustration of a grain of wheat, stating if the seed did not fall into the ground and die it would not produce fruit. Clearly, He was speaking of Himself. The Greeks may have, like the Jews, thought that Jesus was presenting Himself as the civil Redeemer of Israel who would conquer the Romans. However, Jesus did not speak of His forming an army or beginning a great civil conquest, but rather He would soon die. Those that would follow and serve Him, He said if they loved their life they would lose it, and if they lost their life for His sake they would find it. The Greeks as proselytes were following God and Jesus was saying that as the Messiah those who would receive eternal life would have to love Him more than their lives.

In other words Jesus was not offering a worldly kingdom, but a spiritual one. He was of course presenting Himself to Israel as their Messiah and offering them the Kingdom, but those who inherited the kingdom would be those who believed in Him. The Kingdom He offered was not a worldly, but a heavenly kingdom whose citizens had eternal life. If a man wanted to serve the Lord then let him follow Him, because where He was, His servant would be also and the Father would honor him. Note this was stated in the context of Jesus telling them of His death. To truly serve the Lord with one's heart means to be "with Him" not just physically but spiritual giving Him the pre-eminent in one's life. (Colossians 1:18) 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The scope of following Jesus Christ is all encompassing and not a trivial matter. Jesus was reminding His disciples and those who heard Him, following Him would not be a bed of roses, but required true sacrifice. Often those caught up in the excitement of the moment fail to see the whole picture.

(Romans 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service; And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

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Father, Glorify Thy Name (John 12:27-28) "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

Jesus showed He was fully aware of the coming trials, beatings and agonizing crucifixion that faced Him. He was setting the example before them. He said His soul "psuche" was troubled, meaning His mind and heart was deeply stirred thinking of what lie ahead. He seems to address this question to those around Him who seemed so eager to follow Him. He explains to them, warning them of the sacrifice they might have to make. Maybe He knew some of them upon hearing of His coming death were having second thoughts. He refers to His coming sufferings and asks the question, should He ask the Father to save Him or spare Him from the hour because of the magnitude of His coming suffering? He immediately answers with a resounding No! It was for this hour He came into the world. Jesus response was always the same. This was the example He was giving them.

(Matthew 26:42) "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done."

Later, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane made the same statement that His soul was sorrowful.

(Luke 22:44) "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

We often hear men trying to describe the suffering of the Lord on the cross by giving the details of the agony of crucifixion. But always such attempts are futile because Christ's suffering was not just the physical pain of being nailed to a cross. Many thousands of men died on Roman crosses, but Christ experience more than physical pain. As He hung there between heaven and hell He was enduring the penalty for all the sins of the world. No man can describe or even comprehend what Jesus was experiencing. Mark records that as He hung there on the cross taking upon Himself sins of the whole world even nature responded to the scene of His suffering and darkness fell over the land. In response to Jesus' proclamation and prayer, God the Father answered immediately from heaven saying “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The Father by speaking from heaven at this shows the intensiveness of the moment and the magnitude of Jesus' commitment to the will of the Father. We cannot fathom the love of the Lord for us that would endure the penalty for our sins in order that we might be able by faith to receive His grace, mercy, forgiveness and eternal life. God the Father says I glorify you now and will glorify you in your coming crucifixion and sufferings for the sins of the world.

The Father Speaks (John 12:29-33) "The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

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Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die."

Those that were close by heard the Father' speaking and thought it was thunder. Others supposed they had heard an angel speak to Him. This was also the response of those who were with Paul on the Damascus road when the Lord spoke to him. It appears only the Lord heard the words, but Jesus tells them this was a voice they heard, but it was not for His sake but for theirs. The Father spoke to confirm His approval of Jesus' statement, and to confirm to those who heard it that He, the Father assured them of His approval. The Father was affirming the events that were unfolding were His plans.

We can be sure that the people were listening for Jesus to declare His coming to present Himself as the king of Israel, but instead Jesus spoke of His coming death. He did not offer a stirring speech meant to encourage and rally the Jews, they understood He was saying He would be killed and this puzzled and dismayed the people.

(John 12:34) "The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?"

The Jews were looking for the Messiah to appear at any time. Daniel had prophesied there would be four hundred and ninety years until Israel's sins and transgression and to bring righteousness and anoint the most Holy the Messiah.

(Daniel 9:24-27) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Israel, when Daniel foretold this, was in captivity in Babylon and Jerusalem lay in waste. Daniel said the promised kingdom would come four hundred and eight three years after the commandment was given to build the streets and restore the walls of Jerusalem. Artaxerxes issued a decree to Nehemiah in 445 BC which allowed him to rebuild the city and the walls. Therefore prophetically it was time for the Messiah to come and bring in the kingdom. Prior to these events for centuries the Jews had expected the coming of their Messiah.

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The Jews understood the Messianic prophecies spoke of the coming Messiah as reigning forever. The question on the Jews minds was that if Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), why is He speaking of His death? He had shown He had power over nature, disease, and even death. The question was why then would the true Messiah be killed which seemed to be inconsistent with their understanding of the role of the promised Messiah. They had been taught the positive side of the Messiah's coming, but had missed Daniel's prophecy. Daniel foretold Jesus' death.

(Daniel 9:26) "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." David also in the Messianic Psalm 22 gives graphic details of the Messiah's suffering and death. This certainly did not fit their picture of the conquering Messiah come to liberate Israel.

Jesus is the Light (John 12:35-36) "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them."

Jesus did not answer their question about the Messiah enduring forever. It was true that He and His kingdom were eternal. However, they did not know enough about how He would bring about the kingdom, for Him to explain it then. He simply tells them to believe or accept the light they have which was the knowledge that He was the Messiah as demonstrated by His miracles and message. The implication is plain that He was telling them to trust what He was telling and in time their question would be answered. They had the light and should believe it, but if they rejected what they knew then in the darkness of unbelief they would never understand nor be enlightened children of light. The principle is that believers do not know all the mind of God, but if they truly are trusting in the Lord, they will accept and be thankful for what God does allow us to know because we know it is sufficient. Unbelief, however, will always find some excuse to question and support a lack of faith.

Jesus after this statement left them and hid Himself. This was Jesus' last appeal to them to believe and accept Him and thus received forgiveness of sins and eternal life. From the preceding events it seems apparent the people were greatly disappointed by what He said. They were not looking for a humble Messiah, but bold and conquering one. A short time before they were praising Him, hailing Him as the conquering hero, but His statements about His death they could not accept. In just a short time these fickle Jews who had honored Him by crying "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel" would be crying "Crucify Him, Crucify Him." Jesus had explained to them that His death would bring forth much fruit, but they only heard what they wanted to hear and that was not of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The Jews continued in their Unbelief (John 12:37-41) But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him, that the

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saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

This paragraph seems to burst forth from the heart of the Apostle John in the frustration he surely felt in seeing Israel blindness and rejection of Jesus. The proof of who Jesus was is plain before them in the multitude of miracles He has preformed. What haunting words "yet they believed not on him."

John clearly marveled at the unbelief of people. Isaiah had predicted their unbelief and rejection of the Lord, just his prophecy was fulfilled. John quotes (Isaiah 53:1) "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?"

Those who have believed down through the centuries can appreciate John and Isaiah's feelings of futility at presenting God's wonderful message of grace and seeing it fall on cold death ears. How many of us can recall witnessing so many times to someone, reading them God's very words of warning of the coming judgment message of redemption by simple faith, and yet see most turn away in unbelief. What a tragedy for a man to hear God's truth and judge it not applicable to himself. (2 Peter 2:21) "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

The statement " Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them" must be interpreted in the analogy of the faith. John quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 which is quoted six times in the New Testament. (Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:26-27; Rom.11:8) At first reading it seems that the passage is saying God is the cause of their unbelief because He blinded their eyes so they could not see and be saved and healed. However this interpretation is inconsistence with other statements of God's desire to see all men believe and be saved. God cannot contradict Himself so this is not the correct interpretation. God states His desire is that none perish and all come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

It would be a contradiction of God's word for Him to desire that no one perish, and then to blind their eyes to the truth thus preventing them from believing and being saved. Therefore we must look closer for God's meaning. Jesus explained why men are condemned saying,

(John 3:19-20) "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

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Why did Jesus say men reject the light? He says it is because their deeds are evil and they reject the truth because it exposes and reproves them of their sin. Note Jesus states plainly this is the reason that men are condemned. He does not say, nor does the Bible anywhere say that God condemns men inadvertently by decreeing their condemnation to the Lake of Fire by withholding His grace. God is love and it is a false teaching contradicts the very nature of God who desires all men to be saved to interpret this passage as saying God was the cause of their eyes being blinded.

Luke in Acts 28:27 explains why men's eyes are blinded. "For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

This is quoting Isaiah 6:9-10 "their eyes have they closed." Here the Bible interprets itself and says it was their willing unbelief that prevented them from seeing the truth and accepting it. These who refused to believe were not converted because they did not want God in their lives or be saved. These were blinded by their sins, but could have been saved if they had accepted the truth that clearly was shown to them.

God did blind their eyes and hardened their hearts, but it was because of they refused to believe. What He blinded their eyes to was to spiritual truth. The unsaved do not understand God's word or spiritual things. Paul explains (1 Corinthians 2:14) "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

God will not let the lost man see more than the truth of the Gospel because not having a spiritual nature he has no ability to understand. Only the saved born again believer who has the new nature and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can see the spiritual things of God.

(1 Corinthians 2:14) "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

Paul also explained the reason for the blindness of most men.

(2 Corinthians 4:4). "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them"

Paul says that Satan blinds "the minds of them that believe not." How then can Satan blind the minds of men? When they refuse to believe truth. Satan does not force unbelief on the unsaved, but finds futile ground to influence them when they harden their hearts to God's truth. This passage does not support the false idea that God in His sovereignty withholds His grace from anyone because He has decreed their condemnation and will not allow them to believe.

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Many Believed in Jesus (John 12:42-43) "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

The question is where these chief rulers who are said to have believed saved? In Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 9:22-26 Jesus answers the question. The context of the Lord's statements in Luke was of His predicting His coming death and resurrection.

(Luke 9:22-23) "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." His statement of verse 23 is significant. Jesus ended this discourse saying,

(Luke 9:26) "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."

Certainly these chief rulers did not take up their cross and follow Jesus and they were ashamed of Him because they thought more of their position as rulers in the synagogue than of loyalty to Jesus. Their belief was in a worldly Messiah and not in Jesus as the Son of God. John says they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God which is without question is not the act of saving faith. Paul also speaks of those who profess Christ yet are ashamed of Him publicly.

(Romans 9:33) "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Note three times in Romans 10:9-11) Paul stresses publicly acknowledging one's belief in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-11) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Belief in the Father (John 12:44-46) "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

John continues His summation of Jesus' message in verses 44-50 which parallels what Jesus said in John Chapter 3. Jesus proclaimed that if they believe in Him they in fact believed in God the

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Father who had sent Him. He was affirming His deity and His ministry. If they rejected Him they were rejecting God whom they claimed they believed in and served. He declares His deity saying when they saw Him they were seeing the Almighty Father who sent Him. He explains to them that He is the Light, meaning the truth and those who truly believed on Him would not abide in darkness. This statement was pertinent to the moment because some of the Jewish rulers said they believed, but refused by their silence remain in darkness.

Consequences of Belief and Unbelief (John 12:47-50) "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

Earlier when Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus He had concluded His discourse saying,

(John 3:36) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"

The Lord warned repeatedly of their not believing Him. In John 3:16 He expressed His love for the world saying if anyone believed they would not perish but have everlasting life. He said in verse 17 that, (John 3:17) "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

Jesus warned them that if they rejected Him, He would in the end be their Judge. Their rejection was not the end of the matter, because ahead for them all was the coming judgment. Jesus made it sharply clear that it was God the Father they were rejecting by rejecting Him. His message was not His own as He said in John 8:50 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. All that Jesus hand done and said was at the direction of the Father. If the Jews were to receive eternal life they absolutely must accept Jesus' message as coming from God. What is amazing is that He said this to people who claimed to be the zealous believers in God whose whole culture and beliefs were represented as being from the Father, but most of them rejected Him offhand. (

(John 14:7) 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John 16:3) And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

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What a tragedy and shock to these unbelieving and willing blind Jews, that when they died, being so confident in their heritage and works saving them, to awake in the torrents of Hades forever separated from God.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 13

Jesus Great Love For His People (John 13:1) "Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."

The statement "Now before the feast of the Passover" refers to the next five chapters of John's Gospel that covers time between His Triumphal Entry (John 12:50) and betrayal (John 18:1). During the period between His entry into Jerusalem and betrayal, Jesus spent His last few days instructing His disciples privately at the Mount of Olives. Luke records that Jesus was also teaching in the day at the temple and spending His nights at the Mount of Olives.

(Luke 21:37) And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives.

John states that Jesus, knowing He would shortly be crucified, loved His disciples unto the end. In Christ's prayer to the Father in Chapter 17 He said,

(John 17:6) "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." (Hebrews 12:2) Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. John Chapter 13 is called the "Upper room" discourse because Luke revealed that this supper took place in the second floor of a house where the Lord and His disciples took the Passover meal (Luke 22:7-14). This discourse given by the Lord begins with John 13:1 and ends with Jesus and His disciples leaving the upper room and going out to the brook Cedron at the Mount of Olives. Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet (John 13:2-4) "And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself."

The supper being "ended" means the preparation for the supper was complete. John 13:26 records that after Jesus washed the disciple’s feet He continued with the meal. Luke says the devil entered or took possession of Judas at this moment and Judas made the decision to betray the Lord. Judas never believed on the Lord. Although this was the moment Satan took over Judas' action he had been from the beginning susceptible to the devil's temptation because of his unbelief. Jesus earlier had openly proclaimed the state of Judas' heart,

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(John 6:64) "But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him."

It was the Father's will that His Son Jesus, was given the task of being the sacrificial Lamb who taketh away the sin of the world as John the Baptist had declared at Christ's baptism (John 1:29). His deity is authenticated in that Jesus came from God and would return to God.

The Lord arises from the meal. It was normal for the master of the house to rise and wash his hands prior to serving of the Pesach meal. However, Jesus laid His coat aside, took a towel, and folded his robe under his belt. This was not the dress of the master of the house but of a servant who waited on those at the meal, thus Jesus took the position of a humble servant.

Jesus Service (John 13:5-6) "After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?"

It was the custom of the Jews to have their servants wash the feet of strangers and travelers that entertained into their homes. The Lord and the disciples were not seated at a table, but were lying on couches located on the floor that were side by side. This made the washing of feet important for hygiene. Foot washing was a humbling duty of the lowest ranking servant in the house. They were not the guests of a household, and apparently there were no servants to wait on them. The statement that the preparation was finished may indicate that those who had prepared the meal had left as this was a private meal. The disciples were certainly not thinking about their washing the other's feet, or the feet of the Lord. Their pride and vanity is revealed in

(Luke 22:24) 24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

There was strife among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom. Plainly there was no humility among His disciples. This is further proof that Jesus' disciples did not understand the significance of what Jesus was about to do. They, through worldly eyes, saw the kingdom as being an earthly one with Jesus casting off the Romans and setting Himself up as the earthly King of Israel. They were competing among themselves for the better positions they would have in ruling with Him. Because there were no servants present, it appears the duty to wash the feet of those at the meal was ignored, and no one was willing to do this duty. The Lord used the occasion to teach them an important truth.

Jesus then poured water into a basin and began to wash each of the disciples' feet. It is easy to speculate as to the reaction of the disciples. Clearly, each in turn offered Him their dirty feet to wash and only Peter seems to grasp the degrading humility of Jesus' act. It should have embarrassed each of them to see the Lord kneeling before them performing this degrading task. Only John records this event and he does not give us any details beyond Peter's response.

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In spite of Peter's many failures and lack of perception of spiritual things we can see something of his character in that he asked the Lord with obvious objection if the Lord was intending to wash his feet. He saw the Lord humbling Himself before His disciples as did the other men, but only he had the courage to speak out and bring to attention what was happening. He saw the Lord, the one who had shown them so much love, who had demonstrated His unlimited power through His miracles, the perfect Savior, bowing before Peter's unworthy and sinful comrades. Of all the disciples only Peter seems to have been shamed by the callousness of the disciples. Jesus was the Lord, they were the disciples, and they were to serve Him!

All God’s Children Need to be Cleansed (John 13:7-9) "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."

The Master then instructs His pupil telling Peter that He did not understand what the Lord was doing, but would in the future. We must admire Peter in that he tells the Lord that he emphatically declares that he would never allow the Lord to abase Himself so by washing his dirty feet.

Jesus responds saying that if Peter refused to allow the Lord to wash his feet he could have no part with the Lord. Jesus was teaching by example His greater act in cleansing Peter from sin. In other word if the Lord did not cleanse him Peter could not be clean. Clearly, this went far beyond the mere washing of Peter's feet. We must remember Jesus had just told Peter he did not presently understand what the Lord was teaching them, but he would later. Peter does seem to understand the greater significance of Jesus' act. To paraphrase Peter's response we could conclude he meant, "Lord, wash not only my feet, but my hands and head. Wash all of me."

There is a ring of desperation in Peter's reply. Clearly Peter, though not fully understanding all that he knew of the Lord, did love the Lord and could not bear the thought of being separated from Him. Although in a few hours he would deny that he knew the Lord, at this moment in his untried commitment to his Master, his intent and devotion seems totally sincere.

God’s Children are already clean (John 13:10-11) "Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean."

The word "washed" is the word that refers to bathing the entire body. The second word "wash" is a different word meaning to wash a part of the body such as the hands, feet, face. Jesus' statement referred not only to cleaning one's feet or a part of the body, but referred to the application of Christ's blood that cleanses the believer completely from all his sins. John stated in

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(Revelation 1:5) "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Paul writing to Titus refers to the washing of regeneration saying,

(Titus 3:5-7) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Therefore the believer is completely cleansed of all sins, but because we still are in our mortal bodies with our old nature we will still sin or "get our feet dirty." The Lord said in time the disciples would understand what He meant. In 1 John chapter one you can plainly see that John did later understand this important truth. He wrote to saved, born again believers,

(1 John 1:6-10) "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

Every believer will and does sin. God's provision to help the Christian overcome remaining sin in his life is through the confession of His Son and the help of the Holy Spirit to strengthen the believer and help him fight sin. The disciples did not at this time fully understand the magnitude of what they were a part of, nor of Christ's coming suffering, death, and resurrection. They did not perceive the spiritual implication of what was unfolding, but Jesus' statement makes it clear that they were all saved with the exception of Judas whose heart was already set against the Lord and who was plotting how to betray Him.

We Must Serve Others (John 13:12) "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?" Jesus throughout His ministry used illustrations, parables, and examples to teach His disciples and those who followed Him. He had set the example for the past three years of showing Himself to be a Servant. He came to serve, to give Himself for man's redemption. His action in humbling Himself and washing their feet was the pentacle of this vital truth. If we wish to serve the Lord, we must serve others. In fact we cannot serve God without serving others. After Jesus washed their feet, clearly all eyes were on Him to see what He would say or do next. Jesus then asked them, "Are you aware or understand what I have done to you?" Jesus Our Example (John 13:13-15) "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master,

208 have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

Jesus said to the disciples that they addressed Him as rabbi (teacher) and master (Lord) and He affirms without question what He is. He then made the point that if He, being their Superior, their Master and Lord who had humbled Himself and washed their feet, they too, as disciples, should wash the other's feet. Jesus was not giving them a ritual of foot washing as some have mistakenly concluded. He was presenting the principle and motivation of His action. He as their teacher was showing them the importance of humility and service by setting the example. A universal principle is that of the trait of a good leader is that he does not ask his subordinates to do something he would not do Himself. The effective instructor and teacher leads by example.

However, pride is the enemy of humble service to the Lord and to others. Pride according to God is the worst of sins. Pride can be defined as "Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others; insolence; rude treatment of others; loftiness; ostentation (Webster). Pride comes from the fallen heart of man (Mark.7:22). It was pride that caused Satan the once archangel of God to sin and fall from his high position. John tells us:

(1 John 2:16) "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" The pride of life" is not of God, but of the evil world we live in and it should have no place in a believer's life. (Matthew 18:4). Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" God warns of the sin of pride:

(Matthew 23:12) "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (1 Peter 5:6). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time"

(James 4:6,10) "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. . . .Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." (Galatians 6:3) "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

Pride is the attitude that makes a person thinks he is sufficient within himself and does not need God. Pride turns its face to God and mocks Him saying, "I do not need you, I will live my life my way in my own power." But God has created us to live within His protection, blessing, and to accomplish His grand purpose for our lives. He can only bless that which is done in His

209 name in His power at His direction. Why? No man has any righteousness of his own, and therefore all he does in the flesh, by his own power is corrupt and does not honor or glorify God. One of the most foolish songs ever written is the song Frank Sinatra made popular, "I did it my way." A man apart from God is a pitiful thing. God describes man saying,

(Romans 3:11-12) “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" Pride serves itself and has no regard for others. It feeds itself by supposing itself to be greater than someone else. Pride is the most revealing mark of the hypocrite who deceives himself into thinking to be something he is not. Paul repeatedly referred to himself as a bond servant, meaning a slave of Jesus Christ, totally committed and in subjection to the Savior. The proud step forward and put their self in front of the Lord and vainly take credit for what they have not done. Yet, the true servant's heart desires the best for the other person. That is what the "agape" love of God is. Jesus gave Himself fully to serve and save the sinner, as Paul stated,

(Romans 5:8-10) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

In a short time Jesus' disciples were to witness the greatest demonstration of love there ever was when they watched as Jesus was unjustly tried, condemned, and crucified taking upon Himself all the sins of man. He was God, man's Creator, who humbled Himself that we might be lifted up. Servant Not Greater Than His Master (John 13:16-17) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Jesus emphasizes the principle of service reminding them that the servant is not greater than his lord. Jesus had just humbled Himself and did the menial task of washing their feet. He is making the point that if He as their master had humbled Himself to serve them, certainly they should follow His example because they were not greater than He. Jesus was sending His disciples into the world to bring the Gospel to a lost and dying world. Further He would soon show the magnitude of His service by suffering and dying for all men's sins. If He, as their Master, was doing this for the world, they being sent by Him into the world as His witnesses should also give themselves without reservation to their calling.

All who faithfully serve the Lord may find their service is appreciated and lose their happiness in doing the job. The word "happy" means also "to be blessed, well off or be fortunate." Those who clean and maintain the church property may rarely hear anyone comment about the good job they do. This can be very discouraging and affect the servant's happiness. At times like these the servant of the Lord must understand that he must take his satisfaction from knowing he is faithfully serving the Lord and not necessarily from the response of those to whom

210 he ministers. Most who serve the Lord will find they are rarely recognized for their service. However, that is not a problem if one understands that this is the nature of his calling, to be a servant. To young Timothy, who probably was struggling with this problem, Paul said,

(2 Timothy 2:10) "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

The servant must realize he is serving the Master first and it is the Master to whom he must please. True encouragement will come from pleasing the Lord and hearing the Master say.

(Matthew 25:23a) “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The first book of the New Testament written was the Book of James. James, the half brother of the Lord and the pastor of the Jerusalem church, encouraged these new believers to take the example of the prophets who had endured and suffered affliction and who patiently served the Lord. God instructs the servant, (Colossians 3:23) "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

When we understand these truths we can fully appreciate the Lord's statement,

(John 13:17) "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Feeling blessed will rest in the believer knowing his calling and that he is serving the Lord. Receiving The Father (John 13:18-20) "I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent" me. Jesus emphasizes His statement saying "Truly, Truly." The word "receiveth" means to take or receive. Thus, He is saying whoever He sends is the one who takes Him, and the one that takes Him, likewise is taking Him that sent God the Father who sent Him. This statement being preceded by verse 21 makes the point that Judas had not believed or "received" Him or the Father. God did not force Judas to betray the Lord and he was acting on his own. This is clear proof that Judas used his will to betray the Lord. Two important truths are revealed. One, God did not "decree" in the past or force Judas to betray the Lord. Second, Judas made the decision and used his will to make the decision to betray Christ. God does not violate a man's will or force anyone to do good or evil. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.

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Jesus again brings attention to Judas who would betray Him. In verse 17, He said happy were those who obeyed their Lord, but qualifies His statement saying that He was not speaking of all of the disciples. (John 6:70) Jesus answered them, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Some conclude this means Jesus had chosen the disciples for salvation. However, Jesus is simply stating He knew that Judas would betray Him when He chose Him. He knew Judas' heart that he was not a believer, but God's plan was that Jesus would be betrayed by Judas although He knew what Judas would do. He chose Him as a disciple. The Lord also quotes (Psalm 41:9) "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."

Lifted his heel against me means he has given me a great fall or has taken cruel advantage of me. To the eastern idea of hospitality, for one who eats bread with Me to lift up his heel against Me was great betrayal and treachery. David as a type of the Messiah was also betrayed by his close friend and counselor Ahithophel. When Absalom rebelled against his father, Ahithophel also turned against David. Ahithophel was chosen by David as his aid and paid him for his service (ate his bread), yet he had no loyalty to his master the king and through treachery was instrumental in overthrowing him. David's trusted friend turned on him and (lifted his heel) meaning, as a savage horse, he kicked his master.

He is referring to Psalm 41:9 that is a Messianic psalm explaining to the disciples that He is telling them of His betrayal in advance so they would know when it happens that He is the Messiah. The disciples did not fully understand what was transpiring. Jesus was telling them He knew every detail of the coming events and wanted to assure them all was well. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached to many of the very people who had consented to Jesus' crucifixion and referred to Psalm 41:9. (Acts 1:16) "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus."

Satan Enters Into the Inward Man of Judas (John 13:21-25) When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me; Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake; Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved; Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake; He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

Jesus was moved emotionally by Judas' callousness and rejection. We see the love of Christ in that he was sorrowed by the wickedness and rejection in Judas' heart and the coming judgment he would face. Peter in his Epistle shows us the heart of God.

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(2 Peter 3:9) "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Jesus loved Judas even though he was going to betray Him. The Lord then states with every ear listening "one of you shall betray me.” The disciples were perplexed (meaning of doubting) at Jesus' statement. It is difficult to accept that a close friend or colleague would betray the Lord. For three years they had known each other, and although probably aware of Judas covetousness, they did not see any of themselves as a traitor. John candidly mentions he was next to the Lord (leaning on His bosom) and Peter was the first to speak up and asked who is the traitor? Then John also asks the natural question "Lord, who is it?"

Last Chance Given to the Betrayer (John 13:26-27) "Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."

Christ gives them a definitive answer saying it is who I will "dip the sop" which means to dip a morsel of bread or meat into a soup. He then dipped the morsel in the sauce and handed it to Judas. Clearly Judas heard the Lord's words. He did not have to take the sop from the Lord, but he did showing that his mind was made up. Even knowing that Jesus knew what he was planning did not deter him from his evil and treacherous deed.

John says that at this point Satan entered into him. Judas had willingly and with full comprehension of his actions, abandoned all sensibility, and opened himself to being possessed by Satan. Satan cannot possess someone who is unwilling and Judas became the willing victim of Satan's evil intentions. Satan, as an angel, can only be at one place at any one time. Clearly he was at the supper watching Judas' every move and when he saw Judas take that morsel of food we can be sure he gleefully moved in and directed Judas' subsequent actions. Satan's name means "an adversary that lies in wait." Satan had waited since the Garden of Eden for this opportunity to destroy the Messiah whom God promised would "bruise his head" (Genesis 3:15). However, Satan's power is limited by God who created him, and even as God's enemy the Lord uses him to accomplished His purposes. Paul emphasizes this truth when proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah to the Jews in their synagogues.

(Acts 17:2-3) "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ."

Although, Jesus was troubled by Judas' treachery, He was fully aware as to what had to happen and simply tells Judas to quickly go and do his wicked deed.

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Misunderstanding (John 13:28-30) "Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night."

The disciples heard Jesus tell Judas to go quickly and do what he was planning, but the disciples still did not understand what was happening. They disciples had missed the whole point of Jesus words. After all, Judas is the treasurer and he may have some urgent business among the poor at Jesus request. Some thought that Jesus was telling Judas to go out pay for the meal or to disperse some funds to the poor. It appears they still did not suspect that Judas was going to betray the Lord. After Jesus spoke to him, Judas immediately left and went out into the night. Are there any more tragic words in all human experience? The door is closed. Judas under cover of darkness, both physical and spiritual, will make his deal and set into motion the evil forces that will destroy Jesus. His hour has come! Jesus Glorified in His Betrayal (John 13:31-32) "Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him."

After Judas left, the Lord took the occasion to further prepare His disciples for the quickly unfolding events ahead. His betrayal was now fully in progress Jesus then reflects on the glory they would soon experience in seeing Jesus glorified in His betrayal, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. The word "glory or glorified" "doxazo" means "to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged. The glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, through His submission into the hands of sinful men, would be declared to a lost and dying world. Although He was God, our loving Savior incarnate in man He had been slandered, falsely accused, debased in every way, humiliated and would be crucified on the cross. However, in His humiliation the world would see truly who He was. Although most of the world rejects Jesus Christ, and refusing to honor Him, His true person and love of His creation cannot be denied. John stated it this way, (1 John 4:9-10) "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Paul declared in Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Yes, Jesus was glorified as God's son, He glorified His Father. In Jesus Christ one can see the wonderful blessing our Creator and Savior are to us. To the Ephesians Paul proclaimed his desire for them, (Ephesians 3:16-19) "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by

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his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

To fully comprehend the greatest and majesty of our Creator is beyond our ability, but what a wonderful thing it is to know Him even in our limited facility. Speaking now to the eleven faith disciples Jesus speaks to them from His endearing hear

Preparation for Jesus Departure (John 13:33-35) "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

The sense of a family gathering at Passover is now evident as Jesus calls these men “little children.” He is tenderly preparing them for His departure which will so shortly take place. Just like Jesus had told the Jews earlier, they too would seek Him, but that they could not go where He was going. (John 7:34) 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

(John 8:21) 21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

He was explaining that they would be left in the world and the implication is that His departure would not disperse them, but bring them together. He had been in fellowship with them expressing His love for them, but now their fellowship would be rooted not only in their love for Him, but in their love for each other. They would now be the ones to take the love the Lord had shown them, and be the instruments He would use to show His love for others. They would be blessed by the love of each other and further would now be the channel of the blessing of His love to others.

God's love is a love that unselfishly seeks the well being and blessings for another without regard for the worthiness or merit of the other. This is true charity in that one wills to aid another with no intent of personal gain. They were not to live on in a scattered vacuum clinging to some memories after He is gone. He gives them a new commandment, “that you love one another; as I have loved you.” The newness lies rather in its being the law of the new covenant which Jesus is to establish through His death, and which He has so recently proclaimed during the supper they have shared. This was not an optional extra thrown in, but a command to be obeyed. And only in keeping it would the Spirit of Jesus flood these men and draw them together in a living community stronger than life or death.

The outward trait and defining mark of a child of God would be their visible love for each other.

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John later wrote,

(1 John 5:1-2) "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."

The phrase "one another" meaning those in the same family. The Bible knows nothing of believers being at odds with each other. The sins of the world are covetousness, bitterness, lying, having an unforgiving spirit toward a fellow believer, and these are against the very nature of a child of God. Peter certainly taught this truth saying,

(1 Peter 4:8) "And above all things have fervent charity (agape) among yourselves: for charity (agape) shall cover the multitude of sins." Paul solemnly warned in (Romans 16:17) "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

It is a lack of love for another that causes divisions and offends other believers. God says to avoid them or separate from those who do this. The intent is that separating from them is a rebuke of their sin and a public testimony that their behavior is not condoned of that of a Christian. Jesus Came to Lay Down His Life (John 13:36-38) "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."

Jesus was speaking of His coming arrest, trial and crucifixion. What lay ahead was for Him alone. Only, the Perfect, and Righteous Savior, our God come to Earth incarnate in man, could suffer and bear the sins of the world. His arrest, trial and crucifixion did not involve any of his disciples. He alone was arrested, was shamed, beaten mercilessly, and nailed to the cross. For this He had come into the world. At His trail Jesus said to Pilate,

(John 18:37) " Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." Peter was always a rash and impulsive disciple. Peter was getting the sense that Jesus was speaking of His death, but did not truly understand. He bluntly asks the Lord why he couldn't go with Him. He is making the point He wanted to be with the Lord no matter what and would even die for Him if necessary. Matthew records more details of Peter's statement,

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(Matthew 26:33) "Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended."

Luke reveals Peter said he would both go to prison and die for the Lord. (Luke 22:33) Plainly he was sincere and dedicated to the Lord, but his dedication was not tested. It is easy to make rash and brave statements when there is no threat, but as Peter would shortly discover, it was quite another thing to do so in the face of imminent danger. It is only when under fire that the soldier knows if he is a coward or not. It was probably somewhat disturbing for Peter to hear the Lord to respond to his bold assertion of commitment saying he would deny Him three times before morning or before the cock would crow. It is worth noting what Peter later wrote.

(1 Peter 1:7) "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."

We might imagine that when Peter was martyred years later he remembered his commitment. We do not know the details of his death, but tradition says that he was martyred about the same time as was Paul during Nero's persecution around 67-68 AD. It was said he was crucified upside down because he felt not worthy to be crucifies as was his Master and Lord.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 14 The Lord begins in John 14:1 a long discourse that continues through Chapter 17 and ends with His prayer for them. Jesus had repeatedly talked about His coming death and departure and He brings into a sharp focus the comments He had made. At this time the disciples did not seem to accept or understand, but obviously now this truth was beginning to sink in that the Lord was leaving them. In John 16:6 Jesus in the middle of this discourse mentions they were sorrowful because He had told them He would leave. His leaving was puzzling to them because they believed He was the Messiah. Their understanding was that He would be soon setting up His kingdom and ruling from Jerusalem as Israel's Deliverer. (John 16:17-18) The obvious question was if He is about to become the King of Israel, why was he saying He was going to be betrayed, that He would die, and leave them? How could this happen to the promised Messiah? Jesus sets aside His own anguish in order to prepare His team for His departure.

God’s Children Have Citizenship Papers in Heaven (John 14:1-3) "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, ye may be also."

In spite of how dismal His leaving appeared, He comforts them telling them not to let their hearts be troubled. He emphasizes that they believed and trusted God the Father, and therefore they should also believe in Him. The disciples did not know about the severe trials and persecutions that lay ahead for them. All of them would suffer persecutions because of their faith in the Lord and all but John would be martyred. His coming betrayal, trial, and crucifixion would be the beginning of great troubles for them. Certainly, this was on Jesus' mind when He spoke to them and assured them of the promise of heaven. It was no consequence that the first thing that God said to believers, after four hundred years of silence after the Book of Malachi was,

(James 1:2-4) "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

We can be sure that in the years that followed the disciples often remembered the Lord's consoling words and they were a source of strength to them. The sure hope of heaven is the source of great strength and comfort to the child of God. It was clear that Jesus was explaining that He would soon return to heaven which is the house or abode of God the Father. He was assuring them that in returning to heaven He would be preparing a place for them there where they could be with Him again. The word "mansion" means abiding place. It means places, residences, rooms, dwellings, areas, spaces for living. What a glorious hope! How much clearer could Jesus be: a place for every one of us—a place for every believer to dwell and live. Just as we have dwellings and homes here on earth, so Jesus promises us dwellings and homes (mansions) in heaven.

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He explained several things to them. One, their belief in Him assured them of a place in heaven. He was the means whereby they would enter heaven. He had explained in John 11 that He was the resurrection and the life and those that believed in him would live.

John 11:25-26 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? As He continued this discourse He stated in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Second, Jesus told them there were ample dwelling places (mansions) in heaven for them all. Third, He told them His leaving was to go ahead and prepare a place in heaven for them. He promised that their separation would not be permanent and that He would return for them. And lastly, Jesus said they knew the way.

Belief In Jesus, Way to Salvation (John 14:4-5) "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?"

John 13:36 Jesus addresses Peter's question when he asked where the Lord was going.

(John13:36) 6 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Jesus responds saying "You know where I am going and the way to get there." Christ had throughout His ministry had spoken many times explaining the way of eternal life and also that He would die and return to heaven. John records that Jesus spoke of belief in Him as the way of salvation at least twenty-six times prior to this discourse. Jesus was God, the greatest and most effective preacher that ever existed, yet it seems they had heard His words, but had missed His message. He had just spoken of going to heaven, preparing a place there for them and returning to take them with Him to heaven. Yet, Thomas, labeled as the doubter, responds countering the Lord's statement, saying we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way.

(John 20:25) 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Here it shows the difficulty of believing when the mind is full of prejudice and of contrary opinions. Thomas could not lay aside his previous opinions and receive the truth as Jesus plainly spoke it. Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Life (John 14:6-7) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,

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but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

Once again, the Lord repeats what He has been telling them throughout His ministry. He made it explicit, that only He was the way, the only truth, the only life, and no one could come to the Father, and have eternal life except through Him. Thomas and the disciples may not have understood earlier, but by saying salvation was only by Him, they could not misunderstand who He was or why He came into the world.

Jesus' next statement is profound. The general word for "known" (ginosko) means "to become acquainted with." However, Jesus used the word "ginwkeite" (known), the more precise word, three times in this verse. It means to personally and intimately know Him which is a deeper relationship. The implication is that if they knew Him on this level of knowledge, they should know God the Father. To know Jesus spiritually is to know the Father.

Jesus further says that "henceforth you know Him" or from this moment the disciples would begin to know Him more profoundly. They did love Jesus as a man, teacher and companion, but now they would know Him as their Savior and God. He then, to preclude any misunderstanding says "you have seen Him." When they saw Jesus, they were seeing Almighty God incarnate in man. Jesus proclaimed He was God.

(John 1:1) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Shew Us the Father? (John 14:8-11) "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."

It is amazing that some men cannot seem to understand what they hear and see. Prior beliefs, prejudices and biases cloud their understanding. Jesus had just stated in absolute clarity that salvation was only through Him. He told them that when they saw Him they were looking at God in corporal form. Yet, Philip's response showed the degree of his understanding. He wanted Jesus to confirm His statement with a sign or some visible form of God. He plainly had not been impressed with the great number of incredible miracles Jesus has done, nor in Jesus repeated statements as to His deity. The Jews understood God revealed Himself through His prophets, signs, and through the Shekinah glory of God. Philip seemed not able to comprehend Jesus' deity, though He had repeatedly revealed Himself as God to them.

Jesus' response was one of disappointment, but it must be understood that after Jesus' resurrection Philip and the disciples would understand. Philip had been a disciple longer than most of the other disciples and had seen innumerable signs. However, he had not believed. This

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seems to be the key to understanding his response. After the resurrection, even when the other disciples said they had seen the resurrected Lord, Thomas did not believe them. He wanted to touch the Lord's hands and side in order to believe. His nature was to doubt. What a lesson is here for the doubters. Jesus is to be accepted and believed because of Who He is and upon His credibility as our God and Creator.

(John 1:1-4) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

How hard it seems to be for some, to simply believe God. The pastor and teacher who proclaim God's word can also feel the same disappointment and sadness as did the Lord. It is painful for the man of God to Sunday after Sunday proclaimed God's word, to love, care and sacrifice for his congregation, and yet stand at the back door as they leave the services, knowing that most go away unchanged, ignoring the principles that would bring such blessings to their lives. Jesus appeals to them to believe Him because of the marvelous works He had done. They had seen Him heal every disease, even lepers, the dumb, blind, lame, and even raised the dead. That should have been proof enough of who He was, but it was not.

Ask In Jesus Name and Thou Shall Receive (John 14:12-15) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments."

He now reveals to them that those who believe in Him and His works would do greater works when He returned to the Father. The greater works they would do would not be in magnitude, but in number. His ministry on earth would last only three years, but there would be many of them and they would have many more years to serve Him. Jesus explained that what they asked in His name, He would do, in that He the Son would glorify the Father. Those who loved and obeyed Him, as His servants, in His will, and at His direction He would answer. Jesus in Matthew 6:5-15 explained to His disciples how they were to pray. He said they were to address their prayers to God the Father who would answer them. Always through His ministry Jesus proclaimed that what He did was the will of the Father. He qualifies His proclamation of answered prayer further by subjective words, "If you love me, keep my commandments." As He did the Father's will, so those who were His true disciples would keep His commandments.

In John's First Epistle he repeats the Lord's words, reminding that those who say they love Him to keep His commandments. (1 John 2:3) "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” The personal test of the validity of our love for Christ is in that we keep His commandments. If a person truly believes in Jesus Christ, He knows who Jesus is and knows of His great love for us. In this foundational belief he accepts Jesus' as his Lord. This is the motivation that makes him

222 live as his Savior directs. Obedience is the proof of true saving faith and allows the Lord to bless us. (1 John 3:22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

The Apostle repeats Jesus words. Without question, a true faith will produce a true and visible result in the lives of the born again child of God. We will at times fail, as John states in

(1 John 1:8-10) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnes. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The life of a Christian will never be happy in disobedience.

Jesus Comforting Words (John 14:16-17) "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Jesus comforts and gives encouragement to his disciples assuring them He was not leaving them alone. He said He would ask the Father and He would send them "another Comforter." The word "another" is "allos" which means "another of the same kind." The Comforter (parakletos) means an advocate or "one who is called along side." The Parakletos is the third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit. In verses 16-17 Jesus revealed a number of affirmations as to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

He is an answer to Jesus' prayer to the Father. (16) He is another "Comforter." (16) He dwells permanently with the believer. (16) He is called the Spirit of Truth.(17) He is unknown to the "world."(17) He will dwell in the believer. (17)

In John's First Epistle he wrote: (1 John 2:1-2) "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [Parakletos] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

The Holy Spirit is the "advocate" who makes intercession for the believer before the Lord. Paul describes the work of the Holy Spirit proclaiming,

(Romans 8:26-27) "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

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And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Jesus told the disciples that the Spirit was with them then, but "shall," meaning in the future would permanently "indwell" them. The permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit came upon the one hundred and twenty disciples on the Day of Pentecost as Acts 2 records. Part of Jesus' last statements to His disciple just before He returned to heaven told them,

(Acts 1:4-5) "that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

On the Day of Pentecost, the Lord instituted a new dispensation we call the Church Age and all believers since have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when they believed and were born again. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word uniformly employed for the Spirit as referring to God's Spirit is ruach meaning "breath," "wind" or "breeze." In the New Testament the word is "pneuma" "denoting the wind, also to breathe; then especially the spirit which like the wind is invisible, immaterial and powerful." Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit has but one ministry to the unsaved, and that is to bring conviction to their hearts when they hear the Gospel. Beyond that the world cannot know the Spirit because the Spirit is truth, and the world rejects God's truth. Paul explained to the Corinthians, (1 Corinthians 2:14) "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

A person must be born again by belief in Jesus Christ and accepting His payment for their sins. Only a true child of God is born again and has the indwelling eternally abiding Spirit in their lives. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives the believer a new nature, the very nature of God, and this enables him to understand spiritual things and to serve the Lord. Thus without the Holy Spirit, which gives the believer the new nature, a man cannot comprehend the things of God. In the Old Testament the saints of God were not permanently indwelled by the Spirit. What a wonderful blessing is the gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord has given to believers in this dispensation. Paul warned in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 that the child of God should not quench the Holy Spirit. Although, the Spirit abides with the Christian, sin can interfere His guiding and not allow Him to bless the child of God. Therefore, the believer must allow the Holy Spirit to control and direct his life as Paul stated, (Ephesians 5:18) "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" The Holy Spirit is certainly the believer's Counselor and Helper, but according to the context of Jesus' statement Jesus' intent was to reassure and comfort them in sending the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be their Comforter or consoler in His absence. This is confirmed by Jesus' statement in,

You Will Not be Left As Orphans (John 14:18-21) "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me

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no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

Jesus continued His reassurance to them by using the word "orphanos" to explain that He would not leave them as "orphans" and without the Father. He was not leaving them desolate or by themselves and promised He would come to them. He was only hours away from His crucifixion and therefore comforts the disciples saying that after His death the world would not see Him, but they would because He would be resurrected. Not only would Jesus be alive having been resurrected, they too would live because of His resurrection.

The disciples did not fully comprehend what Jesus was revealing to them. He tells them in the day of His resurrection they would absolutely know that He is in the Father, and that He would further be indwelling them. Only those who believe and through faith have their sins forgiven and become the children of God can understand this truth. The world rejects Jesus today as the Jews did then. The Jews cried "Crucify him, crucify him!" but that is little worse than those who reject and deny Him today and wish to remove from society any mention of the Savior.

Again the Lord qualifies what is saving faith. Those that believe unto salvation are those who keep His commandments. The one's whose faith produces action in their lives and who truly love the Lord Jesus, are those who are saved and loved by the Father. What more comforting statement could He make than tell them He loved them and would show Himself to them. God says to those who believe,

(Hebrews 13:5-6) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

The Love of Jesus and the Father (John 14:22-24) "Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

John records that Judas, (Jude), the disciple Thaddaeus, or Lebbaeus, was the son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary. Thaddaeus asked the Lord to explain how that He would manifest Himself to them, but not to the world. He lived in Galilee and was a brother of James the Younger and least known of the Apostles. John identifies him as not being Judas Iscariot.

Jesus' answer was that if a man loved the Lord and obeyed Him, God the Father would love him and "we" mean God the Father and Jesus Christ would indwell the believer and abide

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with him. Jesus statement clearly reveals the truth of the Trinity. Jesus said that they would be indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and further by God the Father and Jesus Christ. Therefore the believer has the guidance, enlightenment, power, and very presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Once again Jesus stresses that the true believer would obey the Lord and follow His word and that the word was not only His, but the Father's who sent Him. In obeying the Son, the child of God obeys the Father and has the loving presence of Almighty God.

The Comforter Will Come (John 14:25-27) "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

The Lord adds that what He had told them, the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit (Ghost), would teach them after He left. The Father whose plan Jesus was following would send them the Holy Spirit in His name. Note the ministry of the Spirit would be that He would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance what Jesus had taught them. Further through the Holy Spirit, the Lord would give believers peace, meaning a harmonious relationship with Him. This is not promised to the unsaved or to the disobedient child of God. Peace comes from being in harmony with the Lord by living according to His will. His emphasis on obedience makes it clear that true peace only comes from God and only comes to those who live allowing the Spirit to direct them. Jesus tells them they have no need to be afraid or troubled at His leaving, because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit would actually be better for them. Although Jesus would not be bodily with them, when the Spirit came and indwell them He would be present with them continually and eternally. This is partially what Jesus meant by His statement that they would do greater works than those He had done.

(John 14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

(John 15:26) 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Their works would not be greater in greatness, but in number, because He through the Spirit would be directing each of them and all future believers. Thus through His disciples, meaning those who believe on Him, He would have a worldwide ministry.

Rejoice, Jesus Will Come Again (John 14:28-29) "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."

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The Lord furthers this principle by proclaiming that they should rejoice because He was returning to the Father. His leaving would accomplish three things. One they would receive the Holy Spirit and all the spiritual benefit of His presence in them. Second, after He would leave, the Gospel would be spread by greater numbers of witnesses. Third, it seems, as in other places, Jesus is equating loving Him with true belief in Him. If you love someone, you want the very best for them. Jesus is implying that they should be happy He was going to the Father. Consider His circumstances. He had been persecuted and ridiculed during His entire ministry. In a few hours one of His disciples would betray Him and He would be false accused, sentenced to death out of the hatred of the rulers of the Sanhedrin. The Roman soldiers would beat Him until He could not even be recognized and He would suffer what we cannot even fathom on the cross for the sins of the world. Would it not be better then, that He return to the sanctity and peace of heaven? This gives us the precedence also, to long for heaven and the joys that await the child of God who finally reaches home.

The statement "for my Father is greater than I" "The Lord Jesus Christ while very God, is God manifested in the flesh, and God in His absolute Being is greater than any manifestation of Him. God absolute is more than God revealed." This statement does not take away from Jesus' deity or equality with God the Father, but instead refers to His being incarnate in man which is less than God the Father in His spiritual essence and power.

Satan The Prince of The World is Coming (John 14:30-31) "And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."

Jesus reminds the disciples that He had before told them of the coming events so that they would know it was God's plan. Afterward, He explained when they saw these events happen it would cause them to understand and believe. He tells them He has other things to teach them, but His time was drawing short because the devil (the prince of this world) was coming. He was referring to Judas, who was now possessed by Satan. Satan through history and even now does all he can to alter God's plan. Satan was so bold as to even tempt the Lord Jesus, but all his past and future effects will fall. However, John proclaims (John 16:11) "the prince of this world is judged." Satan's end though pending is sure. (Revelation 20:10) "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." From that day even the memory of Satan and those that served Him will exist no longer. In contrast what a wonderful thing it will be, as those who by faith believed in Christ, reside in the New Heaven and Earth with the Savior. Satan has no hope, having nothing in Christ Jesus.

Jesus fully ready now to complete the Father's plan, proclaims He loves the Father and will faithfully carry out the Lord's will. The world at this point did not comprehend what was about to happen. The Jews had rejected Jesus and in doing so had rejected God the Father. But nothing is delayed or hindered by the world's unbelief. God's word is true, His power and plan absolute, and in the end it will be known to all. They had blasphemed Jesus' name, and work

227 accusing Him of serving Beelzebub, but the truth would soon be revealed as He suffered, died, was resurrected, winning the victory over sin and death. It seem clear that even those who reject Him, deep down know who He truly is. Paul says in Romans that they are without excuse, because God has revealed Himself to all men.

(Romans 1:18-23) They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Jesus tells the disciples to "Arise and go hence." Many assume that at this time they left the upper chamber and proceeded out of Jerusalem to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus agonized over His coming suffering. However, John 18:1 says, "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples." The verse says that when or after Jesus has spoken these words they went out. The words spoken by Jesus is the discourse between John 14:31 and 18:1. After He finished this conversation with them, the Lord with His disciples went across the brook of Cedron and entered into the Garden of Gethsemane.

The word "egeireqen" (arise) is plural perfect tense which denotes a kind of continuous action. It means to awake as to rise out of sleep. Thus it seems Jesus was not telling them to arise and leave the upper chamber, which they clearly did not do, but was saying "Let us awake and get on with letting the Father's will be done which He was explaining to them." He then continued in the upper chamber to teach them until they left as John 18:1 records.

(John 18:1) 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

The moment is drawing nearer when the betrayer and the soldiers, who are servants of the evil one, will come to get Jesus. He will go with them only because He is obeying His Father, not because the ruler of this world has any power over Jesus. When Jesus says “Arise, let us go hence,” He is ending this part of the discourse, but He is also moving with these men to the place where the betrayer will come.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 15

Jesus is the True Vine ( John15:1-5) 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jesus was facing the most terrible scene in all human history. The Son of God was about to be murdered at the hands of men. All that He had to face was weighing ever so heavily upon His mind, in particular the reaction of everyone to Him and their fate. He had come to save them all, and few were responding in a genuine way. He was even facing the collapse of His own inner circle. Most tragically they were falling away. • One disciple was in the very process of betraying Him (Judas). • The leader of the disciples was to deny Him three times, even by cursing (Peter). • The other disciples were to flee and desert Him.

And then, there was the world of men who were rejecting Him: the religionists who strongly professed to know and live for God, and the non-religionists who had no attachment to God and professed none. He had come to save them all and not one was standing with Him in His most needful hour. The thought of it all raced through His mind, and as He thought, He recalled the vine of God so often described in the Old Testament

As Jesus and His disciples leave the supper room and move towards the Garden of Gethsemane they pass the temple. Here one of the chief ornaments is a “golden vine with a cluster as large as a man.

I am the true vine. The use of the word "true" shows that Jesus refers to a typical vine. The Jewish people had been such a vine. (Psalms 80:8-16) Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it; Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land; The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars; She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river; Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it; Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself; It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Yet it was but "a figure of the true" (Hebrews 9:24) 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

And my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1). God had now in Christ planted the true vine, and would dissever and cast off all that did not derive life from him, and would prune all that did. This vital connection with Christ is set forth by Paul under the figure of a body and its head.

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(Ephesians 5:23) 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.

(Colossians 2:19) 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

The fact that Jesus had just given them the fruit of the vine to drink as the symbol of his blood made the transition to this figure easy and natural, for the branches derive their juices from the vine. There are the unfruitful branches. They are taken away. Note that these are attached branches. They differ from the unattached branches in verses 4-6. Jesus said that they are "in me," but they have a problem: they bear no fruit.

The unfruitful branches did become attached to Christ. They did have some organic relationship to Him. There was a time, a point when they began to bud and sprout. They even grew into branches. They listened to Jesus and the gospel; opened their ears; made a profession; were baptized; seemed capable of bearing fruit and appeared to be fruitful branches. The branches are unfruitful. They are "in" the Vine, a part of it, but they simply bear no fruit. The Lord purges every branch that is attached to the vine. He does this so every branch will bring forth more fruit, such as to bring more people into the Justification experience. The Word of God washes us in order that all can become sanctified people regimented into the army of God.

Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. It is God in Christ who cleanses the soul, but this cleansing is effected through hearing, believing, and obeying the Word. The Word tells us what to do that we may be cleansed and saved.

(Ephesians 5:26) 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Abide in me, and I in you1. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. The fruit that the disciples bear is not what they do, but the life of Jesus in them. It is His character reproduced within them and shared with others in love. This cannot come to pass without the disciples abiding in Jesus, making his home in Him as Jesus makes His home in the disciples. His life is shared with the disciples as their life is given to Him. A continual dependence upon a living Savior, communing with him through the Holy Spirit, and submission to him in all things; these are the characteristics of a life in which God is glorified through the bearing of fruit to His praise. So Jesus can categorically say “without Me you can do nothing” (v5). No amount of ingenious planning or restless activities or sponsoring of spiritual events on our own can produce this fruit. This is like trying to tie imitation fruit on living branches. It is like Peter’s earlier self-centered boast, “I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

(John 13:37) 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

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Man Must Abide In Jesus, The Christ (John 15:6-8) 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Some have tried to use verse six to teach a Christian can lose their salvation which is a false teaching not supported by this verse or any other in God's word. Note what Jesus literally said. He said that if a man did not abide in Him, as a withered and dead branch it would be cast into the fire and burned. Jesus did not say this was a believer who had trusted in Christ as His Savior and thus was abiding in the Lord. To the contrary, Jesus said this branch was not attached to Him and did not abide in Him which is the state of the unsaved. The Lord simply made it clear that those who did not believe and abide in Him were lost and would be condemned to the Lake of Fire. God's answering of prayer is qualified by the one who prays being in Jesus Christ, and being saved and obedient to God's word. God will answer prayers that in accordance with His word. If a person truly believes and the word abides in him then he will be living in God's will and seeking to accomplish His purposes for their life. Jesus' statement certainly means that the believer will only ask and receive those things he knows are pleasing to and in harmony with the Lord. Further the context is of bearing fruit and the request of their prayer would be that God would enable them to produce fruit. God will surely answer the prayer and His blessing will abide on the one who is seeking to produce spiritual fruit. The Father desires to bless His faithful children who produce much fruit. (Matthew 9:8) 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. (Matthew 5:16) 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

And [so] shall ye be my disciples. Moreover, the spirit of Christ leads to abundant fruitfulness, and he who has it, not only performs charitable deeds, but converts the sinner and begets a spirit of goodness in those about him, and this fruitfulness becomes an evidence or demonstration of true discipleship.

Jesus’ Obedience Is Our Example Of Obedience (John 15:9-11) 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Jesus commends the disciple that as the Father had loved Him, and He loved His disciples they should continue in His love. This verse addresses the assurance of salvation. As God the Father and Son faithfully love the believer, they too should faithfully live in that love. The Lord

231 presents Himself as their example in that He fully obeyed the Father keeping His commandments. The fruit of living in obedience and love of Christ would be that his disciple would know the full joy of their salvation. Joy means having gladness and delight. The child of God who loves the Lord and seeks to please and serve Him lives to accomplish God's will. There is no greater satisfaction or joy a child of God can have than to honor the Lord. Knowing their Savior is pleased with them brings gladness to their hearts. God when He made man, commissioned him to be fruitful, and work in administering what God had given him.

(Genesis 1:28) 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

This means a man is only truly content when he is fulfilling God purpose for life. True joy, peace, and contentment can only be found in a faithful relationship with our Lord and Creator.

Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love. From the "outward" evidence of union with Christ, shown by the fruit, Jesus now turns to that "inward" bond of union which is the cause of fruitfulness. That bond is love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Love is, the sap which passes back and forth between the Vine and branch, and that love is kept active and vital by the most practical of means--obedience to the commandments, a means which the Lord himself doesn’t hesitate to describe as efficient between himself and the Father. Claiming only for Himself the love of the Father because of a like obedience to that which he prescribed. "And our obedience must be impartial; we must do "whatsoever" he commands us."

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full. He had spoken the words of this discourse that the disciples might have a joy corresponding to his own. By perfect obedience he enjoyed a consciousness of the Father's presence and approval. By a like obedience the disciples might have alike sense of his presence and approval, and hence a like joy. When we fail to abide in Jesus' love, and thereby fail to keep His commandments, then we do not have the fullness of joy He promises to those who do abide in His love and obedience.

Love One Another (John 15:12-13) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. Jesus gives as his supreme commandment, this law of love. The disciples are to love "one another" as intensely as Jesus loved them. This does not mean tolerating or being nice to one another, but is a call to enter into the mystery of Jesus death. They are commanded to love in a particular way, according to the way Jesus loved (as I have loved you). What was the love of Jesus like?

Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends. The measure of the intensity of Jesus' love is prophetically set forth by an allusion to his death on their behalf. But he died for his enemies as well as for his friends. As these men have heard Jesus say the

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Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep and watched Him lay down His garments to wash their feet, so they are to lay down their lives for one another.

Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice of obedience when He died on the cross. Moreover, this He did for the entire human race. He saved the whole world and shamefully, however, there are some who don’t realize that He did it for them.

Greatest Name to Be Call-Friend (John 15:14-16) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. The commandments of Jesus were not to be obeyed in the spirit of bond men, but in that of friends. The greatest name for Jesus to call you is friend. Jesus calls us friend because His desire is tell us all things and to open our understanding so we can be fruit bearers. Jesus died for all people and wants friends who will work for Him by gathering lost people back to the Father. The best you can be to the Father is a gatherer of lost souls. (Proverbs 17:17) A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you.

Jesus had shown his friendship by receiving his apostles into confidence as to the things which he had heard from his Father. The greatest name for Jesus to call you is friend. He opened the way or this new relationship among these men, calling them friends not servants. His love has broken down the wall which separates the master from the slave, the rich from the poor, the one who comes first from the one who comes last. Because these disciples are friends, Jesus has opened His heart to them, showing the purpose of His coming, holding nothing back. And in the end, the greater love of His death will completely liberate them so they can give themselves as friends.

Jesus explained to them that if they continued to obey Him they would show themselves to be His close and dear friends (Philos). Being a Christian means more than having a causal or partly obedient relationship with the Lord.

(Colossians 1:18b) “That in all things he might have the preeminence."

A true friend's relationship will be given first place and the proof will be seen in one's submissiveness to Him. A true faith will produce true obedience because our beliefs determine our actions. If a person who professes Christ as their Savior does not obey Him, it means they have only the knowledge of the Lord. Instead of living by God's word, other things are more important to them than doing His will. That means they in reality do not believe Jesus. Jesus said, a true servant of the Lord will obey his master. Often in our lives, Christ is marginalized. He often isn’t first: schoolwork, hobbies, or family commonly take first place. In these verses,

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Paul gives us reasons why Christ should be first in our lives and in the entire world. He talks about how special Christ is and why he must be preeminent—first.

(Luke 6:46) "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

Chosen Out of The World (John 15:17-20) "This I command you, that you love one another; " If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you; "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you; "Remember the word that I said to you, ' A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Jesus had earlier told the disciples they were to love one another and He restates this principle in the context of their coming persecution as followers of Christ. Loving a bother involves sharing his burdens and caring for the other's welfare. The Lord was giving them one of the great strengths in bearing the trials they would soon face. Their love for each other would be a comfort and source of encouragement for them. All of His disciples except for John would be martyred. There are those around the world today whose very lives are in constant danger simply because Jesus Christ is their Savior. At best the world shuns true Christians who live godly lives, seeking to win the lost and have an outgoing testimony for Christ.

(2 Timothy 3:12) "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

Note the verse says those who "live godly" are the ones who are persecuted. It is often easy to spot one who loves the Lord Jesus because he will stand out in the evil, perverse, and sinful world we live in. It is difficult for a Christian who has experienced the love of Christ, to understand the vehement hatred the world has for their Savior. The biblical account of Christ's, life, of being constantly threatening by the Jewish rulers, His illegal trial, and crucifixion shows how pitifully and cruelly Jesus was treated. Yet, one cannot fully understand why the Lord was so hated without looking at what motivated the Jewish leaders. The behavior of the chief Priest, scribes and Pharisees who were the prestigious religious elite of Israel revealed their wicked hearts. They went about teaching the people about God, yet they rejected God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. In spite of His miracles and completely benevolent behavior they were obsessed by their hatred. He never hurt any man, but rather went about healing and helping many people. What set them on edge was that He exposed their secret, which was they did not know or even serve God. They used religion to feed their pride and line their pockets. They were the epitomes of raw hypocrisy and men driven and consumed by their pride and greed they hid under a mask of a religious facade. Such men then and now are dangerous, who will go to all ends to destroy those who oppose or expose them. Jesus taught that the Jewish leaders were not following the Torah (Old Testament Scriptures), but rather the Talmud that was the written tradition of their rabbi. Judaism was

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actually a cult, a false legalistic religion in which a man would by self-righteous rituals and works and thereby earn his standing with God. The religious leaders presented themselves as the example of righteousness, however, in

(Matthew 5:17-20) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil; For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled; Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven; For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus told the people that if they followed them (scribes and Pharisee) they would not enter the kingdom of Heaven. Every attempt they used to trick them to publicly denounce Jesus had failed. Just before His betrayal, as Matthew 23 records, the Lord pointedly condemned the scribes and Pharisee publicly telling the people what they were truly. After Jesus was brutally beaten and Pilate stood Him before the Jews they had no sympathy or compassion and cried "Crucify Him, Crucify Him." Jesus knew what these eleven disciples in the coming years suffered and He commanded them to love one another and in their common bond to stand against the "wiles of the devil." (Eph. 6:10-24). Satan since deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden has at every occasion tried to destroy God's work and plan. Part of his strategy is to try and defeat believers. Satan hates God and he hates God's children also.

John 15:18 If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before [it hated] you. While teaching the fullness and richness of love which is to exist within the circle of discipleship, Jesus warns them that in opposition to it the outer circle of unconverted and sensual—that circle known as the world--would manifest a spirit of hatred. The blessings of fruitful living, union with Jesus, joy, and answered prayer are contrasted with the threat of persecution.

These men are not of the world, for Jesus “chose them out of the world” not to leave the world, but to continue His mission in the world as a new community of love. The separation of the disciples from the world makes them objects of its hatred. The world loves only its own, those who conform to its spirit, accept its values, and worship its false gods. Jesus underlines the sharp line of suspicion the world draws between itself and the disciples by speaking of the world five times in two sentences. Since this world-spirit hated Jesus, the disciples need not be surprised to find that it hated them when manifesting His spirit (19). Jesus' word that He had earlier said to the disciples, A slave is not greater than his master, refers to His statement in,

(John 13:16) 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

There, however, the Lord was speaking of humblest service of a slave. He, "the Lord and the Teacher" (John 13:14) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

Jesus had humbly washed their feet, and the disciples were to follow His example.

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(John 13:15) 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Here Christ's point was that the disciples should expect to follow His example of suffering,

(1 Peter 2:21) 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

They had no right to expect better treatment from the world than He had received. If they persecuted Me, Jesus reiterated, they will also persecute you. Earlier in His ministry Jesus had told them, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of His household!

(Matthew 10:24-25) The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord; It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Believers identify with Jesus Christ in the "fellowship of His sufferings."

(Philippians 3:10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

But the picture was not entirely bleak; the Lord went on to add, If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. As was the case with Jesus, the majority would reject the disciples' teaching and persecute them. But there would always be a minority;

(Matthew 7:14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 22:14) 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

The joy of seeing those few come to faith in Christ far outweighs the sorrow caused by the hatred and hostility of the many who rejected the gospel. When, therefore, they found the world rejecting their message, they could cheer themselves with the expectation that a few at least would receive it, since a few had always received the words of the Master.

Let Us Suffer For Him (John 15:21-25) But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me; If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also; If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and

236 hated both me and my Father; But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Following the footsteps of false Judaism, the Roman Catholic and the Protestant religions have throughout time persecuted and murdered true Bible believing Christians who would not join their false doctrines and churches. Jesus promised that those who believed and obeyed Him would be greatly rewarded. The Jews who hated the Lord had no excuse.

(Luke 6:22) "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake."

(Romans 1:18-23) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, He had done great miracles only God could do, and His message was one of truth. Yet they still rejected every evidences of Him being the true Messiah. Thus Jesus said they had seen the truth and rejected it, so their sin condemned them. Jesus warned them of the consequences of their rejection,

(Matthew 11:21-24) "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

To deny Jesus and His deity is to deny God the Father. To hate Jesus Christ is to hate the Father. Early Jesus had said to the Jewish leaders,

(John 14:7) "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

The hatred is here traced to its true cause, which is ignorance of God. The Apostles were those sent by Christ. He Himself was the Apostle of the Father. They would hate His messenger, and hate Him, the messenger of God, because they knew not God. When people know God as he really is, they often attack and persecute those who represent God in some way.

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin. Because Jesus did not come to and speak to the world, they knew something of God that they did not know before. This made them without excuse for hating and rejecting Jesus and His Father in heaven. Jesus did among them the works which no one else did, and they hated and rejected Him. Jesus does not mean to say

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that the world would have committed no sin at all if He had kept away from it. The meaning is that it would not have been guilty of the sin of rejecting Jesus. They would have been excusable. (Romans 1:20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

But [this cometh to pass], that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause1. (Psalms 35:19) Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause;

(Psalms 69:4) They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

Witnesses For Christ (John 15:26-27) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

But when the Comforter is come . . . he shall bear witness of me. One of the principal offices of the Spirit is to testify of Christ. The Spirit testified through the apostles and other messengers so that in a sense the apostles were double witnesses. They themselves could testify as to what they had seen and heard. The Spirit could aid them to testify accurately, and with a full intelligence as to the real meaning of things. The Spirit also gave attention to apostolic testimony by enabling the apostles to work miracles.

(Acts 2:4) 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

(John 16:13-15) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Because ye have been with me from the beginning, Christians must not think Jesus has left them in this world for no other purpose than to endure hatred. Joining with the Holy Spirit, they are witnesses. Without the witness of the Spirit, the disciples' witness would be powerless; without the disciples' witness, the Spirit would be restricted in His means of expression. God

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intends to work with man in partnership. Everything the Holy Spirit does is consistent with the testimony of the nature of Jesus. His job is to tell us, and to show us, who Jesus is. If spiritual phenomenon occur that are not consistent with the nature of Jesus, it isn't the Holy Spirit doing it. He is the One who will testify of Jesus in all that He does.

Acts 1:21-22 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 16 Jesus Christ, Mediator: believers live in a world of religion and religionists. The world even looks upon believers as religionists, but they are not. Believers are ambassadors of the living Lord, ambassadors who have been left on earth to deliver the message of eternal hope and life to a hopeless and dying world. In this fact alone the believer faces a tremendous problem. There is only One God and He has only One Son, whom He loves beyond anything man could ever dream. To demonstrate that love, God has set His Son up as the only way to approach Him. All men must approach God in the name of His Son. The world feels this is narrow—much, much too narrow. Therefore, the world rejects God's Son and sets up its own ways to approach God. The end result is a world full of religions and religious approaches to God.

Those who serve Jesus will be persecuted (John 16:1-3) These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended; They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service; And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Those who serve Jesus will be persecuted. Jesus warned the believer that religionists would persecute His followers. Jesus warned the believer because He wants to prevent the believer from slipping away. The word "offended" (skandalisthēte) means to stumble and to trip. Persecution by religionists can be a stumbling block to the believer. The believer can find himself being... • questioned • mocked • ridiculed • attacked • passed over • criticized • isolated and cut off • tortured • rejected

The believer can stumble and fall over persecution. Persecution can cause a believer to question his beliefs, cause a believer to weaken and return to the way of false religion, silence a believer and his witness, and cause a believer to deny Jesus.

(John 10:7-10) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

(Romans 14:13) "Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

Persecution, the persecution is to be severe, and it is to be religious in nature. Believers will be forbidden to worship. As an example, Jesus mentioned the ultimate persecution: the believer will

241 be put out of the church and killed. Note three points.

a. The persecution is religious; it is carried out by those who think they really know God and are doing exactly what God wants. They think they are purifying the church and cleansing it of false teaching, a teaching that is narrow, a teaching that is prejudiced against other religions and beliefs and other ways to God.

False religionists do not see how there can be only one way to God. They conclude that Christ is wrong, that He is not the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life. They conclude that the way to God is by being good and doing the best one can, that the particular religion does not really matter. What is important is that religion inspires one to be good and caring and a better person.

b. False religionists have always rejected and abused true believers and prophets. And they have often been dogged in their opposition and abuse. Nothing can be any more harsh and tragic than religious persecution. Religious persecution involves such things as... • having one's faith, position, and ministry questioned. • being accused, abused, talked about, and plotted against. • being denied rights. • being silenced, not allowed to worship or serve. • being removed from service. • being tried and imprisoned, tortured and killed.

(Acts 8:1-3) And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

(James 5:10) "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience"

c. Persecution within the church often happens on this earth, God's house is full of people who have not really committed their lives to God. They do not know Him personally—not in a real intimate way. Therefore, the believer who truly takes a stand for God and His righteousness is sometimes opposed and persecuted by those within the church. The persecutors do not understand God or His righteousness; therefore, they can become two-faced: slandering, reviling, and insulting the believer behind his back. They can also scold, mock, and attack the believer face to face. They can go so far as to try to destroy a believer's reputation and life, depending on the society in which they live. It is a terrible tragedy when persecution takes place in the walls of God's house.

(Matthew 5:11-12). "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"

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(Matthew 10:17). "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues" (2 Timothy 3:12-13) "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived"

Reasons: the reason for persecution by religionists. Jesus gives one reason that underlies all other reasons for persecution. False religionists do not know God nor His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a staggering statement made by Jesus, for religionists think they know God. But Jesus says they do not, not really. They have their own idea of God, but it is only their idea, their imagination, their reasoning, their image, their idol and their devices.

Religionists are deceived in their concept of God and in their understanding of Christ. They reject Christ, rejecting His claim to be the Son of God and the One who has existed by the side of God throughout all eternity. They look upon Christ only as a man: a good man, yes, but only a man. Therefore, they reject Him as the revelation and picture of God. The problem is that they want no God; they want no Lord that demands total self-denial and allegiance—no God other than themselves and their own imaginations. They want the right and freedom to seek their own desires instead of the demands of some supreme Lord.

John 5:15-16 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. (John 15:21) "But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me" (John 16:3) "And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me"

The Comforter Will Come (John 16:4-6) But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

The preparation for persecution is fourfold. 1. The believer must expect persecution. He must remember that Jesus foretold that he would be persecuted. Remembering keeps the believer from being caught off guard and stumbling. The believer is to prepare for persecution by thinking through what he will do when he is... • ridiculed • questioned • tortured • criticized • abused • opposed • attacked • slandered • imprisoned

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The point is this: being forewarned, the true believer knows persecution is coming. Therefore, he is to prepare himself. (John 15:20) "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 16:4). "But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you."

2. The believer must know that God is (exists) and that Jesus reigns. Jesus had told the disciples that they would face trouble and persecution in the world. Now, as He prepared to leave this world, He was revealing more to them and giving them a fuller revelation.

(John 15:26-27) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Believers must know that God is (exists): that their Lord has definitely gone to the Father who sent Him. (Hebrews 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him"

(John 14:28) "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I"

(John 16:5) "But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?"

(John 17:11). "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are"

Believers must know that their Lord truly reigns.

(Revelation 5:12) "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing"

(Ephesians 1:20) "[God's power] which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places"

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(Philippians 2:9) "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name"

Knowing these two great facts will help believers of all generations in preparing for persecution. 3. The believer must think and keep his mind on his destiny. Jesus has gone to the Father who sent Him. He has returned to heaven; therefore, the Father and heaven are the believer's destiny. If persecutors kill the believer, he gains; he does not lose. He gains something far better than this life, the presence of God Himself. (John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Philippians 1:23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Note: the believer is not to wallow around in self-pity and sorrow, moaning over being persecuted. His mind and thoughts are to be on God and heaven.

(John 12:26). "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour" (John 4:3) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 17:24) "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world"

4. Believers must call upon the Helper, the Holy Spirit. This point is covered in the next few verses and outline. The Holy Spirit is given by God to be the constant companion of the believer, to help and comfort the believer through the persecution.

(John 14:16-17) "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you"

(John 14:26) "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you"

(John 16:7) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you"

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The Work of the Holy Spirit, (John 16:7-11) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The clearest revelation of the Holy Spirit is given by our Lord Himself. He had already revealed who the Person of the Holy Spirit is (John 14:15-26). Now, He reveals the work of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit: the Holy Spirit comforts and helps believers. Jesus said a surprising thing: "It is expedient for you that I go away." It was for the believer's good (profit, advantage) that Jesus would leave the world. Note the additional weight and emphasis Jesus gave to the fact: "I tell you the truth." It may be difficult for a person to see and understand, for it seems that we would be much better off if Jesus were here physically and bodily. Some people even cry out for His presence, for some sight, some vision, some dream of Him. But Jesus said that it was best that He leave and not be physically present. Why? There is one supreme reason: if He had not left, the Holy Spirit would not have come. The believer is better off with the presence of the Holy Spirit than he is with the presence of Jesus.

Now note. How can such a statement be made? How can the believer be better off with the Holy Spirit than with the physical, bodily presence of Jesus?

Since Jesus departed, we now have a glorified and exalted Lord. We have a Lord who rules and reigns and controls all: who is able to fulfill all His promises and meet our desperate need for life—life that is both abundant and eternal.

(Ephesians 1:19-20) "[That you may know] what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places"

Since Jesus departed, we now have an Intercessor before the very throne of God. We have a Person who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, because He was tempted in all points just as we are. (Hebrews 4:14-16) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"

Since Jesus departed, we now have the presence of the Holy Spirit with us at all times. Jesus in His human body could be only in one place at a time; but the Holy Spirit, who is Spirit, is able to be with all believers at the same time no matter where they are.

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(John 14:16) "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever"

Since Jesus departed, we now have a real gospel to proclaim, the gospel of the risen and exalted Lord who is able to give eternal life to every person who calls upon Him.

(Romans 10:8-10, 13) "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation....For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"

5. Since Jesus departed, we now have the world-wide work of the Holy Spirit, His work of... • convicting and convincing (John 16:8-11). • helping and guiding believers (John 16:12-13). • glorifying Christ (John 16:14-15).

Holy Spirit Con’t: the Holy Spirit convicts and convinces the world. The word "reprove" (elegxei) means both to convict and to convince a person.

• Convict means to prick a person's heart until he senses and knows he is guilty. He has done wrong or failed to do right. • Convince means to hammer and drive at a person's heart until he knows the fact is true. The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces the world of three things: sin, righteousness, and judgment.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its sin, that man is sinful. The Holy Spirit convicts a man that he misses the mark, that is, comes short of the glory of God. • Trespasses, that is wanders off the right path. • Transgresses, that is breaks the law of God. (Romans 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"

(Ephesians 2:1) "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins"

(Hebrews 2:2-3) "For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him"

The Holy Spirit convinces the world that a man's unbelief is wrong. The Holy Spirit convinces the world that Jesus really did die for sin. The Holy Spirit takes a man who does not believe on

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Jesus and convinces him that Jesus is the Savior—that his sins are really forgiven when he believes on Jesus. (John 8:24) "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (1 John 2:1-2) "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"

This is the conviction of righteousness. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its lack of righteousness, that a man has no righteousness whatsoever that is acceptable to God. The Holy Spirit convicts a man that his righteousness, • is self-righteousness only. • is human righteousness only. • is the righteousness of works that are only human and therefore have an end. • is the righteousness of human goodness and therefore passes away when he dies. • is inadequate, insufficient, and unacceptable to God.

(Galatians 3:11) "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 2:16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

(Isaiah 64:6-7) "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. The Holy Spirit convinces the world that Jesus' righteousness is acceptable to God. The Holy Spirit convinces a man that Jesus really was received up into heaven by the Father because He was righteous; that Jesus has secured righteousness for every man; that man can approach God through the righteousness of Jesus and that Jesus is the Ideal and Perfect Man, the very Son of God Himself. (2 Corinthians 5:21) "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (Romans 4:24-25) "To whom it [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"

The Holy Spirit convicts the world that judgment is coming, that a man is to face the personal judgment of God. The Holy Spirit convicts a man... • that he is both responsible and accountable to God and man.

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• that there is to be a real day of judgment sometime out in the future. • that he is to stand face to face with God and be judged. • that he is to be judged for sin and lack of righteousness, for what he has done and not done. (Romans 14:12). "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God"

(Hebrews 9:2) "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

The Holy Spirit convinces the world that Jesus has borne the judgment of sin and death for man. The Holy Spirit convinces a man that Jesus died bearing the penalty and judgment of sin for him.

(1 Peter 2:24) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed"

(1 Peter 3:18) "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit"

That Jesus, by His death, destroyed the power of Satan over sin and death.

(John 12:31) "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out"

(Hebrews 2:14-15) "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage"

That man can be freed from sin and death, that he can be forgiven for his sin and given eternal life through the death of Jesus. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

(Ephesians 1:7) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" Holy Spirit guides believers through three things. (John 16:12-13) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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The Holy Spirit guides by speaking the truth. Christ said that He had many things to say to the apostles, but they were not able to "bear" (handle, grasp) them, not yet. He would share them later through the Holy Spirit. Christ tells the Spirit what to say and how to guide believers. Christ, of course, is the One who knows the infirmities and the needs of men. He knows by personal experience (Hebrews 4:15-16). Therefore, He is the One who is appointed by God to instruct the Spirit in His guiding ministry. This should cause our hearts to leap with great joy and confidence, for the Lord knows exactly what we face—knows by experience.

(Romans 8:14) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God"

(Psalm 48:14) "For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death"

(Psalm 73:24) "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory"

(Isaiah 30:21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left"

(Isaiah 42:16). "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them"

The Holy Spirit guides by leading into all the truth. The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of Truth." He speaks only the truth and guides into "all the truth." The truth, of course, is Jesus Christ Himself. The Spirit leads the believer to Christ, the Truth, and teaches him "all the truth" about Christ.

(John 15:26). "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me"

(1 John 4:6) "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error"

The Holy Spirit guides by showing (announcing, declaring) things to come. After Jesus arose, the Holy Spirit was the One who led the apostles to write the New Testament and to foresee the things revealed in its pages. Since that day, the Holy Spirit is the One who takes the things revealed in the Word and shows (declares, announces) them to the heart of the believer.

(1 Corinthians 2:9-10) "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,

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the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God"

(1 Corinthians 2:12) "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God"

Note two critical facts. 1) The believer must be dependent upon the Holy Spirit's leadership in learning the truth. 2) The believer's growth is progressive, coming only from the Holy Spirit's opening up the Word to him. (1 Corinthians 2:13) "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual”

(1 John 2:27) "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him"

The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ and only Christ (John 16:14-15) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you; All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Note that the Spirit "receives" of Christ and shows (declares) it to believers. This means that He receives and declares. • only what Christ is. • only what Christ did. • only what Christ said. The Holy Spirit was sent in Jesus' name to proclaim Jesus alone. He, the Spirit of Truth, leads believers to Christ, who alone is the Truth. He did not come to proclaim a movement and message of His own, but to proclaim the movement and message of Christ.

Note the phenomenal claim of Jesus. All that the Father has is His. He is the Son of God, the Son of the Father. Note another fact: Christ is declaring that there is perfect unity in the Godhead. All things of the Father are the things of the Son, of Jesus Christ Himself. They are the things shown and declared by the Holy Spirit.

(John 10:30) "I and my Father are one"

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(John 10:37-38) "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him"

(John 14:10) "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works"

(John 17:22) "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one" The Resurrection and Its Effects Foretold (John 16:16-33) This is one of the great passages on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it is one of the most glorious passages in all of Scripture. It is one of those passages that lays out more than man could ever imagine. Jesus revealed and proclaimed the resurrection and its effects upon the world. Jesus Knows The thoughts Of All Men (John 16:16-19) A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ perplexes people. Jesus predicted His death and resurrection. • His death: "A little while, and ye shall not see me." • His resurrection: "And again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." The prediction puzzled the disciples, and they began to ask among themselves what Jesus meant (John 16:18) Jesus knew that they were puzzled and asked them about their perplexity, wishing to help them (John 16:19)

6 Note Jesus' claim: "I go to the Father" (John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The resurrection does puzzle and perplex people; it always has and always will. People are puzzled by both the resurrection of Jesus and the coming resurrection of all men at the end of the world.

1) Some out rightly deny the resurrection, saying such is beyond human experience and could not possibly happen (an atheistic position). 2) Some say the resurrection may be, but it also may not be. Man has never known anything like it other than what Christians and a few others say about Jesus. But that

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happened so long ago that it cannot be scientifically proven; therefore, there is no way to know if it is true. (an agnostic position) 3) Some say the resurrection can be and that Jesus probably did arise, but that it is a meaningless puzzle for today: "I will worry about its meaning tomorrow. I have no time to get involved and wrapped up in what it means, not now. Perhaps I will need to sit down and find out its meaning later, but right now other things are pressing and more important." (Romans 10:3) "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God"

(Ephesians 4:18) "[Men] having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart"

(1 Peter 1:13-15) "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation"

The resurrection brings irrepressible joy (John 16:20-22) Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Resurrection: Jesus said there was to be sorrow at first. He would be going away and leaving the disciples by sacrificing Himself for the world. They would "weep" and "lament" and experience deep grief. Their hopes would seem to be dashed upon the rocks of man's ultimate enemy: death. (Psalm 42:6) "O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar"

(Psalm 69:2) "I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me" (Psalm 73:2) "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped"

Note: Jesus said the world would rejoice at His death. Why? Because death would prove that He was not the Son of God; it would prove that He was only a self-proclaimed savior who was now dead. Death would prove Him false. And being dead, His demands would not be binding; they

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would be meaningless. Men would not have to do what He said: deny themselves and give all they were and had to Him. They would not have to go and give all they had to meet the desperate needs of a lost world. (Luke 19:14) "But his citizens [of the world] hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us" (John 12:25) "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal"

a. After sorrow there is to be irrepressible joy. Jesus said that He would arise, and His resurrection would cause His followers to burst forth with joy. His resurrection meant that death was conquered. Men no longer had to die, no longer had to be condemned for sin. They could be delivered from sin and death by following Jesus.

This joy is the answer to the weeping and lamenting over death. The great source of joy is the glorious news of the resurrection, the absolute knowledge and certainty that Jesus Christ has risen. b. Jesus gave a good illustration of the violent contrast between the sorrow over death and the joy of the resurrection. The illustration describes a woman's travail in giving birth. She suffers so much that she literally groans and grasps in desperation for the new life to begin. Once the child is born, the sorrow and pain are all forgotten, for a new life has emerged.

The resurrection brings irrepressible joy just as a newborn baby brings joy to a woman in travail. Two things cause the joy.

The resurrection and presence of Jesus Himself brings great joy. Just think: Jesus is not dead. His body has not decayed in a grave: He has arisen. He emerged from the grave and ascended to the Father. There is victory over the grave, triumph over death. Man can now live forever. No truth could fill a man with any more joy and rejoicing than really knowing that death has been conquered in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 3:18) "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [resurrected] by the Spirit" The believer's joy of really knowing the resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be taken away by any man. The fact is there: Jesus did die for man's sins and arise again to give man a new life—a life that is both abundant and eternal. The believer knows it. His joy is permanent, deep-seated, and unmovable. When the trials and sorrows of earth come upon him, he still knows the joy of the Lord's presence and care and knows that Christ will escort Him into the Father's presence eternally. (John 14:16-18) "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you"

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(John 16:7). "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you"

(John 14:3) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (2 Corinthians 5:8) "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (Philippians 1:23) "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" (2 Timothy 4:18) "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me [escort, take me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever"

knows that he shall be a child of the new heavens and earth to be created for the Father's family.

(Romans 8:16-17) "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together"

(2 Peter 3:13) "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (Revelation 21:1) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away" Resurrection gives open access to God (John 16:23-24) And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

The resurrection gives open access into God's presence. Note two facts. 1. The glorious promise: an open door into God's presence. Jesus said "in that day," after His resurrection, there will be no need to ask Him anything. (This does not mean, of course, that we cannot ask Him, only that we do not have to ask Him.) The believer can walk right into the Father's presence. There is an open door into His presence. Whatever the believer asks the Father in Jesus' name, He will give it to the believer. This is the most glorious of promises, that we can approach God as our Father just as a child approaches his earthly father. 2. The institution of prayer—of our approach to God, of our communion with Him—in Jesus' name. This is the crucial point. Our approach to the Father, our prayer, must be in Jesus' name.

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(John 14:13-14) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Before Jesus, men had always asked God for things directly, but no more. The resurrection instituted a new and living way into God's presence. Men must now approach God through Jesus Christ... • believing that the righteousness of Jesus covers them. • asking God to accept their faith in Jesus as righteousness. • thanking God for Jesus, His great love and sacrifice for them.

(2 Corinthians 5:21) "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (John 14:13) "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 15:16) "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you"

(Hebrews 10:19-22) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water"

Note two tremendous promises to the man who asks in Jesus' name. He will receive what he asks. His joy is full and complete

(John 15:7) "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:11) "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (Romans 14:17) "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (1 Peter 1:8) "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory"

The Resurrection reveals all about the Father (John 16:25-27) These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more

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speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Jesus said that the resurrection would show (declare) the Father plainly. It shows and declares God's nature of compassion: of caring for the welfare of those gripped by sin and death, of salvation: of delivering men from the fear and bondage of sin and death, and of power: of omnipotence, of being able to plan and carry out the plan of salvation by overruling all and by raising the dead. • of life: possessing life itself and being able to infuse life into the dead. • of justice: not allowing One who was sinless and perfect to be held by death. • of Omniscience: knowing all, knowing the terrible injustice done to the innocent Son of God and knowing how to solve and work the whole scene out for the good of salvation. (1 Peter 1:3-4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you"

2. It shows that the approach to God—prayer—is in the name of Jesus.

3. It shows that the Father Himself loves the believer. Jesus said that He would not have to beg the Father to receive and hear the believer. He does not have to intercede or take the believer to God. The believer does not need an Intercessor to be received by the Father. The Father Himself loves the believer. However, there is a crucial point to note. The Father loves the believer for a reason: the believer loves Jesus and believes that Jesus "came out from God.

(John 3:31) 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

It is because of Jesus that the Father receives and hears the believer. Note how this picture of God as Father differs radically from the normal picture... • that God is angry and has to be begged by Jesus to receive and hear us. • that God is far off someplace out in space—almost too far to be reached. • that maybe God is and maybe He isn't, but one needs to go ahead and pray just in case. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

(Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

(Ephesians 2:4-5) "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were

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dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)"

(1 John 3:1) "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not"

The Resurrection proves Jesus as the Messiah (John 16:28) 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

The resurrection validates and proves Jesus' claim to be the Messiah. In one brief statement Jesus gave the whole plan of salvation. "I came forth from the Father and am come into the world." "I leave the world, and go to the Father" (John 16:28) I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

(John 8:42) "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me"

(John 17:21) "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me".

(John 10:36) "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" (John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Resurrection exposes weak faith (John 16:29-32) His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb; Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God; Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

The resurrection exposes weak faith. Something Jesus said struck the disciples' hearts. Just what it was is not really known. It may have been His promise to show them the Father (explain all that He was saying) or the fact that the Father loves them. Whatever it was, it caused the disciples to make a great declaration of faith:

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"Thou knowest all things." "Thou comest forth from God." ⇒ Note that⇒ this confession is the Incarnation, God Himself in the person of His Son coming to earth. It is a critical confession that must be made by every man.

(1 John 4:2-3) "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world"

Jesus questioned their belief, and predicted their desertion. Note several clear facts about Jesus, facts that are a great encouragement to the believer. Jesus was never alone, even when men did not stand with Him. The Father was with Him through every situation no matter how terrible. Even when He did not have the support of men, He had God and His support. (John 10:30) "I and my Father are one"

(John 10:38) "The Father is in me, and I in him" (John 14:10) "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works"

Jesus was forgiving. He forgave every one of the men, even for deserting Him. He did not hold their sin and failure against them. (How His arms reach out for every deserter, to forgive and to receive back!) (Romans 4:25) "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification [forgiveness and acceptance]" (Romans 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" Jesus knew all. Even when He chose these men, He knew they would fail and desert Him, yet He went ahead and chose them. He knew they were trustworthy and would eventually prove faithful.

(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (1 Timothy 1:12) "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry"

The Resurrection makes available true triumphant peace

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(John 16:33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The resurrection makes available true peace, triumphant peace. The world can give only trials and tribulation. No matter who the person is, the trials and tribulations come. Such is the way of the world, and no man can avoid it. Therefore, whatever peace comes to this world is transient, passing ever so quickly.

The peace of Jesus Christ—the peace that is in Him—is lasting. It is an overcoming peace, a peace that overcomes the trials and tribulations of the world, no matter what they are, even the terrible trials of sin and death. But note, the overcoming peace is only in Jesus, and only in His Word, in the things which He spoke.

Note: the peace of God comes only through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, only through His conquest and victory over sin and death.

(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(Acts 2:24) "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it"

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him"

(1 Peter 1:3-4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you"

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 17

Introduction: this passage begins the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus (John 17:1-26). In this great chapter Jesus is revealed to be the great Intercessor. He reached the summit of prayer: He prayed for Himself (John 17:1-8), for His immediate disciples (John 17:9-19), and for future believers (John 17:20-26). A godly man cannot live without prayer," wrote the seventeenth-century English Puritan Thomas Watson. "A man cannot live unless he takes his breath, nor can the soul, unless it breathes forth its desires to God" (The Godly Man's Picture) Prayer expresses the soul's longing for God. (Psalms 42:1-2) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Prayer is the cry of God's people to their gracious and compassionate Heavenly Father.

Jesus Prayed for Himself, (John 17:1-4) 1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him; And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent; I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Jesus' hour had come, that is, His death. Jesus began His prayer by lifting up His eyes to heaven, a familiar posture acknowledging God's throne in heaven. It also reflected the confidence of His pure heart. He was claiming to know God intimately, to be the very Son of God. Note also that Jesus made only two requests for Himself (John 17:1, 5). 1. Request 1: glorify thy Son—that He may glorify the Father (v.1-4). 2 Request 2: restore thy Son to His former glory—to His preexistent exaltation (v.5-8).

The first thing Jesus asked was, "Father glorify thy Son." But quickly note why: "That thy Son also may glorify thee." The whole purpose for God sending Jesus to earth was to give eternal life to men; so in asking the two questions, "How is God glorified?" and "How is Jesus glorified?" the answer is simply: "by men receiving eternal life." Both God's glory and Jesus' glory are found in the completion of the great work of salvation. There is: • the glory of righteousness which Jesus secured by a perfect life. • the glory of the cross itself. • the glory of Jesus' resurrection which vindicates beyond question His Messiahship. • the glory of Christ's ascension and exaltation. All is summed up in the glory of man's salvation, in man receiving eternal life.

There are three things about Jesus' request to be glorified. 1. How is Jesus glorified? By God giving Him the power and authority over all flesh.

(John 5:24-27) 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,

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hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

2. The reason Jesus was exalted to be the Sovereign Majesty of the universe is one fold, and it is the most wonderful news in the entire universe. Jesus was glorified so that He could give eternal life to men.

(John 10:28) 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

• He gives eternal life. • God gives Jesus the persons who are to receive eternal life. A man must be moved upon by the drawing power of God (Holy Spirit) in order to receive eternal life

(John 6:44) 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

3. The reason Jesus was now ready to be glorified is simply stated: He had finished the work God had given Him to do. In doing the work God had given Him to do, He had glorified God on earth. The only way a person can glorify God on earth is to do what God says. If a man is interested in glorifying God, he will obey God.

(1 John 3:23) 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

(Matthew 7:21) 21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

(John 15:8) 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Jesus Glory of Exaltation (John 17:5-8) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

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The second thing Jesus asked for from the Father was to be restored to His former glory, to His preexistent exaltation. Jesus dwelt in a preexistent, eternal state and glory with God.

(John 8:58) 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

(John 16:28) 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. (Hebrews 1:8) 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.

• Jesus set His glory aside when he came to earth as Man.

(Philippians 2:7) 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

• Jesus knew that He would return to the Father and be restored to His former glory.

(John 7:33) 33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. (Philippians 2:8-11). "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"

There are two reasons why Jesus asked to be restored to His former glory.

1.Jesus had revealed God's name. By "name" is meant the whole character and nature of God, all that God is. This is a phenomenal claim, for Jesus was claiming to be the very revelation of God, the One who reveals God to men.

(John 14:6) 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

a. Jesus revealed God (the full revelation of God) to the people whom God had given Him. He shared the message of God, but He did not scatter the seed among the unthankful and unreceptive. He had even told His followers not to waste time on the unreceptive.

(Mark 6:11) "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust

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under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

b. It was God who gave Jesus the believers who were to be shown and taught all about Himself. God is Sovereign, so He led both Jesus and the disciples together. God stirred and led these men, the first believers out of the world to follow Jesus and to receive and to be shown the revelation of God. They learned of God—of His Person and nature, of His love and salvation—because God drew them to His dear Son.

(John 6:44-45) "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me"

(John 10:29 "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

c. The first believers belonged to God. They were His because He drew them to His Son by His Sovereignty and power and by His foreknowledge. He knew that they would believe on Jesus.

(Romans 8:29) "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren".

d. These men kept God's Word. They obeyed and did exactly what Jesus commanded.

(John 14:23) "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

(John 15:9-10) As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love".

2. The men now knew that Jesus was the Son of God, the very revelation of God Himself. They knew "that all things" which He had were given by God (John 17:7). They knew that He was the very embodiment and revelation of God. (Jesus was looking ahead beyond the resurrection in saying this. It would be the resurrection that would confirm all He had been revealing to them.

a. They had now received His words as the very words of God.

(John 7:16-17) "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself".

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(John 14:24) "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." (John 8:51). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death"

b. They now knew His origin: He had come out from God;

(John 3:13) "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven". (John 6:33, 38). "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world....For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" c. They now believed that God had sent Him, that He had come to earth as the Ambassador of God to proclaim and reveal the salvation of God.

(John 6:38) "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me"

(John 17:21). "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me"

Jesus Prayed for His Disciples (John 17:9-11) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Jesus prayed for His disciples. He was not praying for the world, not now. He specifically said so. Why? It was not because He and the Father do not love the world. They do; they love the world deeply (John 3:16). The world was the very reason Jesus had come to earth: to save the world and keep it from perishing. It was not because the world did not need prayer. It did, and He prayed for the forgiveness and conversion of men in the world.

(Luke 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

There are four reasons why Jesus was praying only for His disciples.

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1. Jesus' disciples had been given to Him by His Father (John 17:9). They belonged to His Father, but they had been entrusted into His hands. He was responsible for them and their welfare. Therefore, He had to pray for them, that His Father would give them special strength in the coming days.

2. Jesus' disciples belonged to both Him and the Father (John 17:10). Note exactly how Jesus worded this: "All mine are thine, and thine are mine." All the disciples were God's; they belonged to God. But all the disciples of God also belonged to Jesus. This is the mutual possession of all believers by both Jesus and God. They are both deeply concerned over the welfare of believers. God is as concerned over believers as Jesus is; therefore, Jesus can count on God hearing and answering His prayer.

3. Jesus' disciples glorified Jesus; their lives brought glory to Him (John 17:10). They lived for Him by obeying His Word and working for Him and showing loyalty and allegiance. They lifted Him up to the world and proclaimed Him to be the Savior of the world and the Lord of the universe. He was thereby glorified, honored, and praised; therefore, He prayed for them—that they might become strong in their lives and witness for Him.

4. Jesus was leaving the world and returning to heaven and the Father (John 17:11). The whole mission of preaching the gospel to the world rested upon the shoulders of His disciples. They were the ones who were to go out into the world as His ambassadors to proclaim His Word. As they went, they needed to be strengthened and equipped by God to stand against some terrible forces. His followers were the ones who needed special prayer. His whole mission of reaching the world for God depended upon their endurance and faithfulness. In these last hours before He returned to heaven, He had to pray for them with power and intensity, asking great things of God. (Ephesians 1:4) "According as he [God] hath chosen us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"

(1 Peter 1:2) "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." (2 Thessalonians 1:12) "That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:9) "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (John 20:21) "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (Matthew 28:19-20) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the

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Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world"

Jesus Kept those the Father Has Given Him (John 17:11-12) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

First, Jesus prayed that God would keep His disciples—keep them together as one. Jesus was praying for the disciples to be kept from the divisiveness of the world, not that they would be kept from evil. He dealt with the evil of the world later (John 17:14-15). Note two points.

1. The disciples were in an extremely divisive world. 2. Jesus kept the disciples while He was in the world. He lost none except Judas, and Judas' betrayal was to fulfill Scripture (John 13:18-30). Jesus was faithful to God's name, faithful in revealing God and lifting up His name to the disciples. Now He was leaving the world, so God had to take over. It was now up to God to keep them, and He would. God would keep the disciples as well as Christ did, for God was both faithful and able.

Jesus began the requests for His disciples by addressing God as Holy Father (a title for God found only here). The emphasis on God's holiness sets the stage for the rest of this section (in vv. 11-19), which targets the holiness of the disciples in the midst of the hostile and wicked world. Their relationship to God was a sanctifying one. They were unholy men, but through the Son they had been brought into a purifying relationship with a Holy God.

Jesus' first petition, keep them (which is reiterated in (v 15), is a request for the disciples' spiritual security God's name represents all that He is, though in this case there is a marked emphasis on His holiness (since Jesus just referred to Him as "Holy Father"). Jesus asked the Father to guard the disciples according to His holy character and attributes. That request is all- encompassing, and extends to all believer.

Joy (John 17:13) And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Second, Jesus prayed that the disciples would have His joy in all its fullness. Confident of the Father's protective care for the disciples, the Lord looked to His return to the Father. But now I come to You, Jesus acknowledged, and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. For the third time that evening, Jesus spoke of the joy that was His legacy to His followers.

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(John 15:11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 16:20-24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Understanding the Father's protection (Romans 8:33-39) and Christ's intercession inevitably produced joy in the hearts of the listening disciples. This had to have been a stunningly wonderful experience for the disciples to hear their Lord praying as He did for them to the Father to guarantee their eternal glory and remove all fear that they might fail and perish. Elsewhere, Jesus had earlier prayed that the disciples would share in the fullness of His life.

(John 10:10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The Lord's use of the personal possessive pronoun, My, indicates that this was not just any kind of arbitrary happiness. It was His joy—both that which was based in Him, and which He Himself experienced. It was the joy that was "set before Him."

(Hebrews 12:2) 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The joy Jesus was talking about was not founded on immediate circumstances but on the eternal purposes of God. It was joy that came not from momentary happiness, but from the knowing that the Father was pleased with His perfect obedience.

(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. The disciples would share in that joy by experiencing the eternal life that Jesus made possible through His death. All believers, in the generations that have followed the eleven, have shared in that same joy.

(John 15:11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might

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be full. Persecution— World, Against Believers (John 17:14-16) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world; I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil; They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Third, Jesus prayed that God would keep the disciples from the world and from the evil one or Satan. Both the world and Satan are evil and stand opposed to all that Jesus and His disciples proclaimed

The world and Satan stand against the love of God. Why? Because God's love is not the grandfatherly love of indulgence, God's love is the true love of obedience; an obedience that gives all one is and has to meet the needs of a desperate world lost in sin and death. True love loves so much that it gives everything and does all it can to help any who are in desperate need. Most men in the world are unwilling to give anything other than a mere token, and even then recognition is desired for what little is given.

The world and Satan stand against the holiness and justice of God. Why? Because it means that both must stand before God some day and give an account of their lives and deeds, sins and dirt, pollution and evil.

The world and Satan stand against Jesus. Why? Because Jesus was the One who claimed to be the Son of God, and if He is truly the Son of God, then total allegiance is due Him. And neither the world nor Satan is willing to serve anyone other than self.

There were three primary reasons why God needed to protect the disciples from the world and the devil.

1. The world and the devil hated the disciples of Jesus. Why!

a. The disciples of Christ have the Word of God. It is God's Word that reveals. God's love, a sacrificial love that gives all it has, is different from the love the world wants. It reveals God's holiness and justice and man's depravity, a fact that man rejects and refuses to face.

Christ, the Son of God Himself, who demands total allegiance and commitment to become ministers and servants of God. b. The disciples were not of the world, even as Jesus was not of the world. Jesus came from God, "out of heaven" The disciples and other believers were born again by the Spirit of God and ⇒ given the very nature of God. The world and the devil want absolutely nothing ⇒ to do with a selfless and sacrificial nature, a righteous and godly nature that gives all one is and has to meet the needs of the diseased and starving and lost masses of the world.

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(John 13:34-35) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

(1 John 3:16) "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren [giving all we are and have]"

2. The disciples were needed in the world. The need was not for them to be taken out of the world; the need was for them to be kept from the evil one or from Satan (Ephesians 6:10-18). The disciples were called to be ambassadors and messengers of God in the world. God's mission to save the world depended upon their loyalty and faithfulness. They had to be kept and protected and covered with the armor of God.

(Ephesians 6:10-11) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [strategies] of the devil"

(1 Peter 5:8) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"

3. The disciples were now of the same nature as Jesus. This is the same truth stated in John 17:14. The truth is so glorious, it has to be reemphasized. Note that it is also the main reason the world and the devil attack the believer

(Romans 12:1-2). "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God"

Sanctification (John 17:17-19) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Fourth, Jesus prayed that God would sanctify the disciples. Note the two things said about the disciple or believer.

He is to be sanctified

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He is to be sanctified through God's truth, and God's truth is said to be God's Word. God's Word would refer to both the living Word, the full revelation of God in Jesus ⇒ Christ Himself (John 14:16), and to the spoken or written Word (John 7:16-19).

The disciples needed to be set apart to God through His truth for two reasons.

1. They were being sent into the world just as Jesus had been sent into the world. Jesus had come into the world to bring men back to God through reconciliation. The disciples had to be set apart to this same task.

(John 20:21). "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (Matthew 20:28). "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 16:15). "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"

(2 Corinthians 5:19-20). "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" 1 Peter 3:15). "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear"

2. Sanctification is the way of salvation chosen to reach the world. Jesus had set Himself apart to please God, and He pleased God to the ultimate degree. No matter the cost, the glory of God was to be done. Perfect obedience to God was the chosen way of salvation. Being set apart to serve and worship God is what salvation is all about. This is the reason Jesus prayed for His disciples to be sanctified.

Believers are sanctified through the truth, that is, through God's Word. It is through the study and practice of God's Word that believers are set apart unto God. As a believer studies God's Word, he sees more and more how he is to live. As he sees, he sets himself apart to live the way God tells him to live. The Word of God holds new instructions for the believer every day. The Word of God shows the believer how to be more and more conformed to the image of Christ every day. But note the crucial point: the believer must come to the truth, to the Word of God every day if he wishes to be set apart unto God for that day.

Jesus Prayer Life (John 17:20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

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Jesus prayed for future believers, for all those who would believe the message of the early disciples. This is most precious. Jesus prayed for us—for you and for me—for all of us who believe today. Just think for a moment. Who is the weakest believer on earth today? Who is the strongest? Of course only God knows, but think of the preciousness of the fact: Jesus prayed for every one of us...

• for the weakest as well as for the strongest. • for the diseased as well as for the healthy. • for the orphan as well as for the children of the family. • for the widow and widower as well as for the couple. • for the prisoner as well as for the free. • for the believer in the darkest jungle as well as for the believer in the limelight. There is no thought any more precious than the thought that Jesus prayed for us all—every one of us who believe today. Note: this verse gives the three essentials for men to become believers. 1. The messengers of God, the disciple of Christ, the person who proclaims the Word so that men can believe on the name of Jesus. There has to be a messenger to carry and proclaim the message.

2. There is God's Word. The messenger is God's messenger, His ambassador. Therefore, the Word he takes to the world is God's Word. Note the references to God's Word in this chapter alone.

"They have kept thy Word" (John 17:6).

"I have given them thy Word" (John 17:14).

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).

3. There is belief. We must believe the Word. We are the Lord's disciples today because we believe the Word.

(John 5:24) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 6:63) "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

(John 8:51). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death"

Unity (John 17:21-22) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me; And the glory which thou gavest me I

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have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.

Unity: first, Jesus requested that we may be one. This is critical, the imperative that absolutely must exist between believers. It is the central theme of Jesus' prayer (John 17:11, 21, 22, 23). Believers must be one. What Jesus exactly said: The standard for unity is the oneness between Jesus and His Father. Believers are to be one just as the Father and Jesus are one. The very same kind of unity they have is to be the unity existing between us.

The purpose for unity is that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus. • God sent Jesus (John 3:34) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (John 7:29) "But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me."

(John 8:42) "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me"

• Jesus came that men might have life and have it more abundantly.

(John 10:10) "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"

• A divided witness confuses the issue and cannot stand, just as a divided house and kingdom cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). There are not many messages nor many ways to God. • There is only one message and one way Jesus Christ.

(John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

Another approach to what Jesus is saying is this. Believers must be one: be unified, of one spirit and mind in proclaiming the central message of the gospel.

There is only one central message: that God sent Jesus "out of" heaven into the world.

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There is only one request of men: to believe that God did send Jesus into the world. There is only one mission: that men be one (unified) in proclaiming the message of the ⇒ glorious gospel. ⇒ 3. The source of unity is God's glory, the very glory which Jesus Himself possessed. It is the glory of God given to believers that unites believers and makes them one with Jesus and His Father and one with each other. When believers experience the glory of God they become one in being, character, and purpose. Their lives are given to each other to help one another. • to be the new creature God has made them. • to live as a new creature should, holy and righteous and pure. • to proclaim the glorious message that God has sent His Son into the world.

Perfected in Unity (John 17:23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Unity, Love, Evangelism: Jesus requested that believers be perfected in unity, perfected as one body. This stresses beyond question the absolute necessity that believers live in unity. The world has not been reached for Christ—millions have been lost—because believers have not been unified enough to penetrate the world with the gospel. This is the terrible indictment against believers. The problem is certainly not God. He is willing and He is loving and powerful enough to use believers to reach the whole world. The problem is unquestionably believers, and as Jesus made pointedly clear in this verse, the problem is our love for one another.

The concern of Jesus is that we be perfected in one. The church is also united in a common commitment to the glory of God. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do," Paul wrote, "do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Father and the Son are united in mission. They share the common goal of redeeming lost sinners and granting them eternal life, as Christ made clear earlier in this prayer:

(John 17:23) "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me" (John 14:20) "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you"

(John 14:23) "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him"

(Galatians 2:20) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me"

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2. The purpose for a perfected unity is that the world may know that God sent Jesus into the world to save it. Now note a significant point: there is a difference each time Jesus prays for unity in this chapter. And each difference or point proclaims a strong message to the believer. There is... • the unity of God's name, of calling upon God's name to keep believers from a divided world and its divisive influence (John 17:11). • the unity of God's protective power, of calling upon God's power to deliver believers from the evil of the world and the devil (John 17:15). • the unity of witness, that the world may believe that God sent Christ • the unity of love, that the world may know that God sent Christ. They will know through a unified love (John 17:23).

There is a world of difference between a unity of witness and a unity of love. The world may come to believe the gospel by a unified witness for Christ, but the only way the world can ever know the gospel is by a unified love among believers. Note two things. a. What the world needs more than anything else is love, a great demonstration of love from a massive multitude of people. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 for the behavior and acts of love, and think about the enormous impact we could make upon the world if we really were unified in love.) b. The love needed among believers is a different love from the so-called love of the world. The love needed is a sacrificial love that will give all it is and has to minister to a world that is reeling under the weight of starving, diseased, and dying masses of people. (1 John 3:16). "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (John 13:34-35) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

Behold My Glory (John 17:24) 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.

Glory: Jesus requested that believers may be with Him in glory.

(John 14:2-3) "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive

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you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also"

(2 Corinthians 5:1-2) "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven"

(Colossians 1:5) "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel" (Revelation 7:9). "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" (Revelation 22:14). "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city"

Jesus Testimony (John 17:25-26) O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me; And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

The conclusion of Jesus' prayer is a striking testimony.

1. There is the testimony of the world. The world has not known God. Jesus was the revelation of God; therefore, all who saw Jesus saw God. Yet the world rejected Him, refusing to know Him. (Romans 10:3). "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God"

(Ephesians 4:18) "[Men] having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart"

(Jeremiah 5:4). Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God."

2. The testimony of Jesus. He knew God. He was eternal and had always existed with God. He was the Son of God Himself.

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"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him" (Matthew 11:27).

"But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me" (John 7:29).

"Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying" (John 8:55).

"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:15).

"O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me" (John 17:25).

3. There is the testimony of believers down through the centuries. Believers know that God sent Christ.

"But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me" (John 7:29).

"Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me" (John 8:42).

"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" (John 10:36).

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21).

4. There is the faithfulness of Jesus.

He declared and revealed God (see notes—•John 14:6). His purpose was that men might know the love of God and have the love of God ⇒ dwelling "in" them. "For God⇒ so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment" (1 John 3:23).

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 18

Absolute Surrender (John 18:1-3) When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

The picture here is of devotion to God with the idea being conveyed is purpose. Jesus was going forth deliberately, for a specific purpose, knowing exactly what He was doing.

Jesus "went forth" to prepare Himself spiritually. He was facing the hour to which God had called Him, the hour of His death. He knew that God's will was for Him to die for the sins of the world. He knew the awful separation from God that sin causes; therefore, He knew that He was to be cut off from God's presence, that God would have to forsake and turn His back upon Him because of sin. He was feeling the awful pressure of God's coming judgment upon sin which was to be exercised upon Him. In the flesh, He wanted to flee; He wanted another way to be chosen to save man (Matthew 26:39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt., (Matthew 26:42) He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done; (Matthew 26:44) And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Yet He was committed to God, was totally devoted to His Father and must do God's will.

To do God's will, He had to have God's help. He had to pray and seek God's face. He desperately needed God to meet His need in some special way. It was for this reason that He headed for the garden. He was seeking to be alone with His Father, to have His Father strengthen Him for the terrible ordeal and judgment of the cross. The point tears at the heart of the believer, for Jesus knew He was to bear the sins of the world upon the cross, and the pressure was almost unbearable. Jesus could have fled; He could have turned away and insisted that the cup pass from Him. But He did not. He was totally devoted to God, so He "went forth" deliberately for the purpose of praying and seeking strength from God, for the strength to fulfill God's will. John does not cover the actual agony Jesus experienced while in prayer. His purpose is simply to show the total devotion of Jesus to God's will. The other gospels cover the Lord's unbelievable agony. Jesus went forth to prepare the scene so that God's will would be done. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane probably to the very spot where He had often prayed and spent the night when in Jerusalem.

(Luke 22:39) 39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

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He did not have to go there. He could have chosen some other direction to go, some other place to seek God. But He went to the place Judas knew. He was totally devoted to God, so He "went forth" to set the scene for God's will to be fulfilled. Note the large force that came forth to arrest Jesus Jesus is the believer's dynamic example. The believer must be devoted and totally committed to doing God's will. The believer should be going forth all the time. (a) to prepare himself spiritually. (b) to prepare the scene for God's will. (c) to do God's will.

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone" (Matthew 14:23).

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and ye shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17).

Christ’s Supreme Power (John 18:4-6) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Jesus, the intended victim, took charge of the situation and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They (most likely the leaders), probably stating their official orders, answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene."

The Lord said to them, "I am He." The word "He" is not in the original Greek, so that as He had done before on a number of occasions.

Jesus "went forth" voluntarily. Note the words "knowing all things that should come upon Him." He knew all the suffering and the pain of the judgment of God that was to fall upon Him. But He still went forth to meet the world that was rejecting Him and that was coming to arrest and kill Him. The point is this: He was willing and determined to die for the sins of men. He was voluntarily choosing to die for men.

Jesus made a courageous confession and claim. He did not flee from the world and its persecution. He made a courageous confession: I AM. He did not flee into the bushes or caves of the garden, fearing the persecutors. He knew God's will, and He was determined to carry out God's will.

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He made a courageous claim: I AM. This is the claim of deity. Imagine the scene. The soldiers had come out to arrest a peasant. They expected Him to flee and hide for His life. But there He was, a solitary man standing face to face with them, courageously proclaiming "I Am." Jesus was claiming for Himself the name of God from Exodus 3:14—"I AM."

What a dynamic example for believers! When the will of God is known, it is to be done courageously, no matter the opposition or threat.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58)

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13)

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10)

Jesus' claim "I AM" is definitely the word of deity. It must have struck Judas. We never know what effect a courageous confession has upon a soul. Our task is to confess and proclaim Christ before a lost and hostile world.

"I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Timothy 6:13-14)

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13)

"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John 4:2-3).

"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" (1 John 4:15)

There was a miraculous blast of revelation in the words "I AM." As far as we know, there was no burst of majestic light that broke forth from Jesus. There was only the phenomenal statement, "I AM." This is the great claim of God. When Jesus made the claim, something happened. Apparently, God miraculously struck the arresting party with the claim, although they did not understand. They were struck with the claim's authority, power presence, embodied in Jesus as He stood there.

Remember that Jesus is the "I AM," the Son of God Himself. The very nature of God was

281 embodied in Him. When He made the claim, especially in the face of such an eventful situation, there was bound to be a blast of revelation.

This is critical. Men must heed the claim of Jesus Christ: the blast of revelation that He is the great "I AM." They must heed the claim while there is time. The arresting party, standing there facing Christ, still had time to confess Him. As long as a man is alive he still has time

(2 Corinthians 6:2) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

(John 8:24) "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (Hebrews 3:12-14) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.

Jesus Supreme Death (John 18:7-9) Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

After His stunning display of His divine power, Jesus again asked His dazed would-be captors, "Whom do you seek?" Picking themselves up off the ground, they parroted their orders and replied, "Jesus the Nazarene." "I told you that I am He," Jesus reminded them, and then commanded them, "if you seek Me, let these go their way." By making His captors twice state that their orders were only to arrest Him, the Lord forced them to acknowledge that they had been given by their superiors no authority to arrest the disciples. His demand that they leave the eleven alone was backed up by the awesome power He had just displayed.

Why did Jesus shield the disciples from arrest? The Lord is the good shepherd, who protects His sheep. He is not like the hired hand who fled when he saw the wolf approaching (John 10:12- 13). Jesus kept the disciples from being arrested to fulfill the word which He spoke, "Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one"

This is a picture of protective or vicarious commitment. The disciples were in danger, but Jesus took the lead in saving them by offering Himself in their place. His protective love and vicarious suffering for man is clearly pictured. He stepped forward in their place, to save them from suffering and death He offered to bear death alone. There was no need for them to die. ⇒ ⇒ (Romans 5:8)

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But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Jesus' act fulfilled Scripture. He was not to lose anyone whom God had given Him. This is a startling statement, meaning that He kept them from being arrested so they would not be lost. Each was a gift from the Father to the Son. And He had already said,

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:37- 40)

Note three significant points.

1) The glorious security of the believer is that Jesus will lose no one whom the Father has given Him. Every person should ask God to take his life and to give it to Christ.

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:28-29).

2) The protection Christ has provided for man. He has died vicariously for man, but every man must accept His death as his own in order to be saved.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

3) The protective, vicarious commitment believers are to have for the world is to give themselves, all they are and have to meet the needs of a desperate world which reels in pain, sin, and death.

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

Obedience (John 18:10-11) Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his

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right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Peter thought the Messiah's hour had come, that Jesus Christ was now ready to free Israel and establish the throne of David as the dominant nation in the world. Peter drew his sword and struck, slashing off the ear of Malchus (note that Peter had a sword).

The picture painted by Peter's behavior is carnal commitment, the kind of commitment that acts and struggles in the flesh. Peter took his stand for Jesus in the flesh; therefore, he failed. Eventually, he deserted Jesus. Acting in the flesh will always result in failing and deserting Jesus.

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:5-6).

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Romans 8:13). Peter misunderstood the Lord's Word. First, Peter thought Jesus was to establish an earthly kingdom. He thought in terms of the physical and material world. Therefore, he failed to grasp the spiritual and eternal kingdom (dimension of being) proclaimed by Jesus. Second, Peter never accepted the Lord's Word. Jesus had predicted His death and forewarned the apostles, giving them extensive training for month However, Peter refused to give up his preconceived ideas and accept what Jesus was saying. Therefore, he did not see the eternal world of the Spirit nor the eternal salvation which Jesus was securing. Note Jesus' iron determination to obey God's will (John 18:11) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39)

"Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand" (Mark 14:42)

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father" (John 10:17-18)

"But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence" (John 14:31)

Jesus Arrested (John 18:12-14) Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

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And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

This passage is a descriptive picture of cowardly denial—the cowardly denial of both the world and a close disciple of the Lord's. It graphically shows what the Lord faces day by day in too many lives.

The arresting party consisted of both Jews and Gentiles. The detachment from the Roman cohort that was stationed in Jerusalem during Passover season was accompanied by the cohort's commander, the Roman tribune (Gk. chiliarchos; commander of a thousand). The officers of the Jews (members of the temple police force) were also accompanied by some of their superiors.

(Luke 22:52) 52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

The presence of high-ranking officials reveals the explosiveness of the situation. Both the Romans and the Jews feared that arresting Jesus might spark a riot by the militantly nationalistic crowds that had hailed Him as the Messiah only a few days earlier.

Two points concerning the arrest: 1. Jesus was led away to Annas. Annas had been the High Priest, but he was not now serving. His son-in-law Caiaphas was the present High Priest however, as noted by John, Annas still wielded great influence. The trial before Annas was an informal trial, and the sinister plot was being carried out under the shadow and secrecy of darkness.

2. The significant point is this: Jesus' hour to die was now beginning. It had even been predicted by the world itself, the corrupt leader of the religionists.

Peter’s Unnecessary Denial (John 18:15-18) And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

Denial: Peter's unnecessary denial, the denial of association or pretension. Peter and some other disciple followed Jesus up to the gate of the High Priest. The other disciple was probably John, for the account reads like an eyewitness account. It was this disciple who knew the High Priest personally. John's father, a very successful businessman, apparently provided fish for the palace. John was therefore well-known to the palace employees. Note that he was allowed entrance into the palace and arranged for Peter to enter the palace.

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Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

Note three points about Peter's unnecessary denial. 1. Peter was innocently questioned by the door-keeper. She knew John, that John was one of Jesus' disciples. Since Peter was associated with John, she assumed he was also a disciple of Jesus. She was either just carrying on conversation or else asking Peter for some identification. There seems to be no threat or danger to Peter whatsoever. 2. Peter denied any association with Jesus and gave an unequivocal denial: "I am not." The point is this: Peter was a close friend of John, for John had made a very special request for Peter to be admitted into the palace. The gate-keeper was bound to think such a close associate of John's was also associated with John's Master (Teacher). Peter very simply failed his Lord by denying any association with Him and pretending not to know Him. 3. Peter made every attempt to be known as one of the crowd. He joined the crowd, standing around with them and joining in their conversation and activities.

Too many deny being associated with Christ. People see us in church or associating with other believers—innocently see us—thinking nothing about it. But when and if asked, we deny any association with Christ.

Too many pretend not to know Christ when out in the world. At their jobs, around their neighbors, at social events, around friends and strangers. Too many try to fade into the crowd, trying to hide their faith by joining in with the crowd. Standing with and trying to blend in with the crowd will always cause a believer to deny his/her Lord.

“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33)

"A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh lies shall not escape" (Proverbs 19:5)

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15) Jesus Rejected (John 18:19-24) The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

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Jesus, maintained a majestic calm; "while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). The Lord answered the one who struck Him, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?" Christ's logic was impeccable. If He was wrong about the proper legal procedure, they should have corrected Him instead of hitting Him. But if (as He did) the Lord spoke accurately, what justifiable reason was there for striking Him? Once again Jesus demanded a fair trial—which His opponents had no intention of giving Him.

There are five graphic scenes here. 1. Jesus was asked to incriminate Himself. He was asked about His disciples and asked to prove His doctrine and His claims. How much like the world, the world will ask about Jesus' doctrine, but their purpose is... • not to learn His doctrine. • not to allow Him to prove His claims. • not to justify His claims. • not to secure direction and wisdom from Him. The world asks about His doctrine to disprove it and to incriminate Him and His followers. The world wants nothing to do with Him as the Son of God, for then the world would have to repent and subject itself to Him and His demands. Men must surrender all they are and have to Him if they acknowledge Him to be Lord.

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63).

"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).

"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me" (John 14:24).

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).

"The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth" (Acts 8:32).

2. Jesus' reply was forceful: His doctrine and claim had been declared publicly. He had done nothing in secret. His doctrine was not a message of duplicity. He did not have one message for the public and another message which He followed in secret. He had openly and clearly proclaimed the truth, and the world knew exactly what He had taught and claimed.

The problem with the world is the world refuses to believe Jesus' claim to be the Son of God. The world seeks for some secret, symbolic meaning and doctrine in the Word of Christ.

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(John 6:38) "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me"

(John 7:29). "But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me"

(John 10:36) "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?". (Proverbs 30:5-6) "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar"

Jesus was reacted against and mistreated: He was slapped in the face. This is a picture of how the world mistreats Jesus. Throughout His whole ministry, Jesus had insisted time and again that He was the Revelation of God, the Son of God Himself. Yet, the world shut its ears and did not react. It wanted nothing to disturb it, not even its religion. It wanted no rebuttal and no other answer given to the High Priest of its religion.

The world's religion allows man to continue in his own way and do pretty much as he wishes and still feel acceptable to God. Just think for a moment! How few religions—how few churches—how few priests and ministers—proclaim the true doctrine of the Lord Jesus. So few, are willing to sacrifice their lives for the world and all they are and have in order to reach a lost, starving, and diseased world.

Jesus incriminated the world. The world could not charge Jesus with evil. He was sinless, completely without fault. He had not lied; He had always told the truth. He was the perfect Son of God who came to earth to proclaim the doctrine of God perfectly.

(Luke 9:23) "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [die] daily, and follow me" " (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. However, the world stands incriminated, for the world has always rejected and mistreated the Perfect Man, the Son of God Himself. In its rejection, the world exposes itself as evil, and its most terrible evil is the rejection of the Perfect Man. (Rejection of Jesus is unpardonable. The

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man who rejects Jesus will not be saved. A person must believe and accept the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.)

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:20- 21).

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Jesus was shifted about by the world. This is a picture of men seeking help from others to disprove Jesus. Jesus (His life, doctrine, claims) was cast back and forth by the hands of men who were seeking evidence to prove that He was not the Son of God.

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesian. 4:14).

"They [men] mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end" (Psalm 107:26-27).

Peter’s Third Denial (John 18:25) 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

While Jesus was being questioned by Annas, Peter, still standing and warming himself next to the fire in the courtyard, was interrogated by Anna’s subordinates. Becoming suspicious of this stranger, they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" Here was a chance for Peter to redeem himself and be courageously honest. Once again, however, he denied it, and said, "I am not." But the repeated questioning of Peter by the others had aroused the suspicions of one of the slaves of the high priest. Making a bad situation for Peter far worse, this individual was a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off (Malchus) earlier that evening in Gethsemane. He challenged Peter with the most specific (and dangerous) accusation of all: "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Being a disciple of Jesus was not a crime, but assaulting a man with a sword was. Panic-stricken, Peter emphatically denied for the third time any knowledge of Jesus.

At that very moment, two things happened that drew the two dramas concerning Jesus and Peter together. Immediately after Peter's third denial, a rooster crowed. At that very moment "the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, 'Before a rooster crows today you will deny Me three times'" (Luke 22:61). Overwhelmed with shame, guilt, and grief at his sins of denial, Peter "went out and wept bitterly" (v. 62).

Peter had joined the crowd, attempting to become one of them. When asked about Jesus, he

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denied his separation from the world saying, "I am not" a disciple of His. I am one of you, just another man standing around and taking part in the significant events of the world.

(2 Corinthians 6:17-18) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty..

Too many believers fear, and because they fear they lose their testimony for Christ and the opportunity to witness and win others to Christ. Too many fear ridicule, abuse, worldly friends, loss of position or job and embarrassment.

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38)

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God" (2 Timothy 1:8)

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The Cock Crowed (John18:26-27) One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Peter Denial: Peter's shattering denial of discipleship was the most serious denial of all: "Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?" Peter denied Jesus for two very basic reasons.

1. Peter feared man. When a quick response was called for, he was not strong and mature enough to stand for Jesus. He feared what the crowd might do to him: ridicule, abuse, arrest, and kill him. He feared that the crowd would do to him just what they were doing to Jesus. 2. Peter faltered, stumbled, and failed to die to self. He lacked love enough to deny himself for the sake of others. Jesus died on the cross for the sake of the men who stood at the foot of the cross railing and cursing Him. He willingly died for men that they might live. That is how much He loved. At that point in his life, Peter did not know such self-denying love. He did not know the love that denied and surrendered itself for the sake of others.

This is a strong warning to every believer. Peter was a strong disciple. Peter knew and had trusted Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. ⇒ ⇒ 290

Peter had a strong profession of loyalty to Jesus. Peter had just partaken of the Lord's Supper; in fact, he had just been privileged ⇒ to partake of the very first Supper. ⇒ Peter had left all to follow Jesus. Peter had been taught about God and he had been taught by Jesus Himself. ⇒ Peter had even been forewarned that the flesh was weak and that he would fail. ⇒ Every denial (in⇒ fact, every neglect) of Jesus downgrades the Lord. Denial and neglect ignore just who Jesus is, the Son of God in all His power and majesty and dominion. Denial shows that we fear men more than we fear and reverence God. Neglect of Jesus shows how little we fear and reverence Him. The Biblical exhortation always needs to be kept in mind: "The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:30- 31).

A crowd of unbelievers can put pressure upon any of us. Peter was where he did not belong. He was hanging around with a worldly crowd. He belonged in one of three places: by the side of Christ; alone with God, seeking answers and understanding; or with the other apostles, rallying them in prayer for understanding and direction.

"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men" (Proverbs 4:14).

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness" (2 Peter 3:17).

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16).

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us" (2 Timothy 2:12).

"And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God" (Philippians 1:28).

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40).

The conclusion is that Jesus' word was fulfilled, and forgiveness was extended to Peter. This is implied in the rooster crowing a third time, just as Jesus had predicted

(Mark 14:72) And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

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THE SUFFERING SAVIOR (John 18:28) Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover. The Roman trial of Jesus is a dramatic picture of indecisive compromise. The scene flows along with Pilate moving back and forth to Jesus and to His accusers or the people. Jesus was led into the hall of judgment. It was early morning. John noted that it was early. Prōi, early, refers technically to the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.), though it can also be used in a more general sense. Roman officials often began their duties at dawn and finished by late morning, so there is no reason why the Jewish leaders could not have brought Jesus to Pilate before 6:00 a.m. Their goal was to have him rubber-stamp their decision to kill Jesus, and carry out the execution before the crowds were aware of what was happening.

Note the Jews did not enter, for the hall was a Gentile judgment hall and it was the Sabbath of the Passover season. To enter the judgment hall would have polluted and contaminated them ceremonially. They would have been disallowed from participating in the Passover. It was a trifling, superficial concern in light of the trial for a man's life, especially the life of God's own Son.

Too often men (religionists) attack others, arguing over their religion and church and its plans, over ceremonies, rituals, rules, regulations, and practices. They forget the meat of the truth: love, joy, peace, care, understanding, and ministry.

(John 13:33-34) Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

The Accusation (John18:29-32) Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Pilate's question, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" formally opened the legal proceedings. The Jewish leaders had undoubtedly already communicated with him about this case, since Roman troops took part in Jesus' arrest. They evidently expected him to rubber- stamp their judgment and sentence Jesus to death. Instead, exercising his prerogative as governor, he ordered a fresh hearing over which he would preside. But the last thing the Jewish leaders wanted was a trial. They wanted a death sentence; they wanted Pilate to be an executioner, not a judge. They knew that their charge against Jesus, that He was guilty of blasphemy because He claimed to be God incarnate, would not stand up in a Roman court.

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The Jews' peremptory reply, "If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you," was not only insulting, but also skirted the issue. Their false blasphemous assertion that He was an evildoer was an assault on His character, but not an accusation of a specific legal violation. Quite unintentionally, their utter inability to bring one legitimate charge against Him affirmed Jesus' innocence. Still, they made it clear that they expected Pilate simply to confirm their decision and sentence Jesus to death.

The first movement of Pilate was to Jesus' accusers—to hear their charges. The insolent charge. The religionists were full of hatred and pride. They rejected and hated Jesus and they set themselves up as His judges. They took and assumed the right to judge, feeling their verdict and judgment should not be questioned.

Men may reject and hate Christ; they may judge Christ not worthy to be the Lord of their lives. They may try to get rid of Christ by pushing Him away and having nothing to do with Him. But they cannot change the fact: Christ still came to love and save men, and in the final analysis, men will be judged by Christ.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24)

"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48)

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12)

Pilate tried to evade his responsibility. We are often called upon to take a stand for Christ. It is our duty. Yet how many of us fear ridicule, abuse, and rejection; and end up evading our responsibility?

The hearts of the religionists were closed; this was their problem. They were mentioning death even before the trial.

Religionists reject Jesus because they do not want to hear Him; they do not want anything to do with the demands He puts upon their lives. The only Lord they want is the lord of self.

"For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Acts 28:27)

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"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4) Jesus Challenge Pilate (John 18:33-38) Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

The second movement of Pilate was to Jesus in order to hear His defense. Leaving the Jewish leaders standing outside, Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus. provides the background to his question, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

Realizing that they had to come up with a charge that would impress a Roman judge, the Jewish leaders "began to accuse [Jesus], saying, 'We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.'" (Luke 23:2)

The charges, of course, were completely false; Jesus had actually said the opposite: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). Their goal was to portray Him as an insurrectionist, bent on overthrowing Roman rule and establishing His own.

Jesus' challenge to Pilate (John 18:34). Jesus challenged Pilate to think through the issue himself. In judging Jesus, a person is responsible for his own verdict.

A person is personally responsible for his verdict about Jesus. Everyone now has to make a choice, for Jesus claims to be the Son of God, the only Savior of the world. We have to give our verdict: He either is or is not the King of the Jews.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:11-12).

People usually choose to follow the man of power and fame and wealth over the man of love and morality and peace. Just take a moment and think how true this is. The immoral emphasis of films and the violent emphasis of the news alone are prime examples. Is there any wonder man has never known a world of love and peace and true justice? The problem is the human heart, the problem which Jesus alone can solve.

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"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:43-44).

"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matthew 15:18-19).

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45).

"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15).

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, not of the physical dimension of being. It is of heaven, of the spiritual dimension of being.

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17)

"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8)

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Peter 3:13-14)

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15)

Jesus Death (John18:38-40) Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of

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the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Pilate's third movement was back to the people. He wished to clear Jesus' name and to declare His innocence. Pilate hoped to satisfy the Jews' cry for blood by substituting a real criminal and revolutionary for Jesus, but the Jewish leaders were determined to murder Jesus. Therefore, they chose a man of worldly power and fame over the Man of peace, the Son of God Himself.

Pilate had already tried unsuccessfully to rid himself of this explosive case. In 18:31 he had half mockingly said to the Jewish leaders, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews refused since, as they were forced to admit, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." Pilate then tried to transfer the case to Herod Antipas, who ruled Jesus' home region of Galilee (Luke 23:7). But Herod merely mocked Jesus and then sent Him back to Pilate, leaving the latter still caught on the horns of a dilemma. On the one hand, he had formally pronounced Jesus to be innocent (18:38;19:4,6). According to the proud tradition of Roman justice, Pilate should have released Him. But to do so would have infuriated the Jewish leaders, and possibly touched off a riot that could have cost him his position as governor

Desperate to extricate himself from the tense, dangerous situation, Pilate came up with another plan. There was a custom at Passover that the Governor release a prisoner held by the Romans as a goodwill gesture at the Passover.

Pilate accordingly said to the crowd, "Do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?" By referring to Jesus by that title, Pilate again mocked the Jewish leaders, who vehemently rejected Jesus as their king. The governor's offer appeared to be a logical solution to his problem. By now people had gotten wind of what was happening and a large crowd had assembled outside the Praetorian (Matthew 27:17). Pilate knew that many in that crowd had hailed Jesus as their messianic King earlier in the week. He hoped to play them off against their leaders and force the latter to agree to Jesus' release.

Unfortunately Pilate underestimated both the chief priests' resolve and the crowd's fickleness. The sight of Jesus, a bound, helpless prisoner of the Romans, made it clear that He was not going to meet their messianic expectations and drive out their oppressors. That allowed the persistent chief priests to manipulate the crowd (while Pilate was temporarily preoccupied with a message from his wife; Matthew 27:19) into crying out, "Not this Man, but Barabbas" (Matthew 27:20; Mark 15:11). Barabbas, as John's footnote indicates, was a robber. He was no common, petty thief, however. Matthew calls him a "notorious prisoner" (Matthew 27:16), while Mark (15:7) and Luke (23:19) note that he was a murderer (Acts 3:14) and an insurrectionist (rebel). The specific insurrection he was involved in is unknown, but such uprisings, precursors of the wholesale revolt of A.D. 66-70, were common at that time. Ironically the same Jewish leaders who had demanded that Pilate condemn Jesus as an insurrectionist now demanded the release of the notorious insurrectionist Barabbas.

Man chooses the path of power and fame, wealth and possessions. He rejects the path of peace if it means the sacrifice of self and possessions. Therefore, man never knows peace—not personal peace or world peace. The only way to peace is to surrender to the Prince of Peace.

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"There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22)

"The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace" (Isaiah 59:8)

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:13-14).

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Ephesians 2:14)

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:20).

Note how the people (the world) rejected Pilate's offer of a substitute for Jesus. God twisted the world's choice and made His Son the substitute for every man, even for those who were rejecting Him in this horrible scene.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18)

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 19

Jesus Persecution (John 19:1-3) Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate's fourth movement was back to Jesus. In a last desperate attempt to appease the crowd, Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. By brutally punishing a man whom he had already declared innocent, Pilate plunged further down into the abyss of injustice. Scourging was a hideously cruel form of punishment. The victim was stripped, bound to a post, and beaten by several torturers in turn. Jewish law set the maximum number of blows at forty (Deuteronomy 25:3), and in practice the Jews gave a maximum of thirty-nine (to avoid accidently exceeding forty blows;

(2 Corinthians 11:24) Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

The Romans, however, were not bound by any such restrictions. The punishment would continue until the torturers were exhausted, the commanding officer decided to stop it, or, as was often the case, the victim died. The whip consisted of a short wooden handle to which several leather thongs, each with jagged pieces of bone or metal attached to the end, were fastened. As a result, the body could be so torn and lacerated that the muscles, bones, veins, or even internal organs were exposed. So horrible was this punishment that Roman citizens were exempt from it.

(Acts 22:25) And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

The scourging He endured left Jesus too weak to carry the crosspiece of His cross all the way to the execution site (Matthew 27:32). Pilate hoped that this brutalizing of Jesus short of death would satisfy the bloodthirsty mob. Not content with savagely beating Jesus, Pilate's soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. This further indignity, a mock crown in imitation of the wreaths worn on occasion by Caesar, added to the Lord's suffering. The sharp spikes would have cut deeply into His head, increasing His pain and bleeding. They also put a purple robe on Him (probably one of the soldiers' cloaks), in mocking imitation of the royal robes worn by kings. Matthew records that the soldiers also put a reed in His right hand, mimicking the scepter carried by sovereigns. Having thus outfitted Jesus in the caricature of a king, they continued their sadistic game by "[kneeling] down before Him and [mocking] Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (Matthew 27:29). In an ugly mockery of and disdain for Him, they also began to come up to Him and to give Him slaps in the face. Matthew records that they also spat on Him, seized the reed from His hand, and beat Him over the head with it (Matthew 27:30).

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Note how the world treated Jesus. The very same treatment is heaped upon Jesus by men of every generation. Men persecute and attack, crudely mock and horse-play with His name, His person, and His Word. They curse, abuse, ridicule, imprison, kill, and heap mistreatment upon His followers. (Matthew 5:11) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" " (Matthew 10:17) "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues

Men live hypocritical lives, professing to know and follow Him; but when out in the world, they live as the world. (Mark 7:6) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me"

(Titus 1:16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate"

Pilate’s Compromise (John 19:4-7) Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

Pilate's fifth movement was back again to the people. He offered a compromise. Pilate was hoping the crowd would pity Jesus when they saw Him so beaten, battered, and bloodied. He hoped the scourging would serve as a compromise and satisfy them.

Meanwhile, Pilate came out of the Praetorium again, implying that he had looked on approvingly as his soldiers abused Jesus, and said to the crowd, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him." Once again, Pilate affirmed Jesus' innocence, the pronouncement of which heightens the injustice that he had just allowed to be inflicted on the Lord. At that point Jesus came out, still wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe the soldiers had dressed Him in.

(John 18:38) Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Compromise is not the way with Jesus. Pilate needed to declare Him innocent, for He was innocent. He was not guilty of any wrongdoing. Every man needs to declare Jesus innocent, for

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He was completely free of sin. He was the Son of Man Himself who stands before the world as its Savior. (John 1:51) 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

The truthful charge of the Jews: "He made Himself the Son of God" (John 19:7). Jesus did claim to be the Son of God. (Luke 11:23) "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth"

(John 5:23) "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him" (Deuteronomy 30:19). "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live"

Pilate’s Fear Increased (John 19:8-11)

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Pilate's sixth movement was back again to Jesus. He investigated the possibility of a supernatural being. Pilate feared. History tells us that Pilate was an extremely superstitious man. When he heard that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, he thought Jesus was claiming to be the son of a god. The picture in his mind was that of a half-god and half-man, a god-like being that filled the popular literature and beliefs of that day. The possibility of his condemning a god struck fear in Pilate.

Men must not fear (reverence) the astrological charts and fortune signs and evil powers of this world. What men must fear is Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. There is only one Truth and that is Jesus Christ Himself. (Matthew 10:28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer [one who calls up the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee"

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(Acts 8:9-11). "But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries"

Power is not in the hands of earthly authorities. It is in the hands of God (John 19:10-11). Taking Jesus with him, Pilate entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" His question had nothing to do with Jesus' earthly residence; Pilate already knew that He was a Galilean (Luke 23:6-7). The governor's question concerned Jesus' nature: was He from earth, or the realm of the gods? But Jesus gave him no answer. There are several possible reasons for the Lord's silence. It fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy concerning Him: "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Further, Jesus had already told Pilate that He was a king from another realm (John 18:36-37). Certainly Jesus' silence was judgmental, in the sense that Pilate had heard the truth and rejected it, and now would receive no further answer from Him. The Bible teaches that when men persist in rejecting God, He will reject them. (Psalm 81:11-12) 11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

Irritated by Jesus' silence Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me?" He was insulted at the Lord's apparent lack of respect for his dignity and power. "Do You not know," he boasted, "that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" He may have had the right, but he did not have the courage to do either one.

Pilate's arrogant boast was not true. Breaking His silence, Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above" (from God). Although he was a responsible moral agent and accountable for his actions, Pilate did not have ultimate control over events related to the Son of God. Nothing that happens—even the death of Jesus Christ—is outside of the sovereignty of God. Faced with opposition and evil, Jesus took comfort in the Father's sovereign control of events

(John 6:43-44,65) Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day; And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

(Romans 13:1) "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God"

Pilate’s Decision (John 19:12) 12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou

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let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Pilate's seventh movement was back again to the people. He wished to release Jesus. Note that Pilate had to make a decision choosing either Jesus or Caesar (the world). When the Jews cried out "Thou are not Caesar's friend," Pilate faced a serious problem. They were threatening to send a report to Caesar. He was now forced to choose, and he did. Tragically, he chose the world and its way. Everyone is now forced to choose. Jesus Christ is unquestionably the Son of God; therefore, we choose either Him or this world.

(John 3:18). "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 8:24). "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" Pilate's Final Pronouncement (John 19:13-15) When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Decision: Pilate's eighth movement was to the judgment seat before all. He gave the verdict of crucifixion. After hearing the words that the Jews had shouted at him, Pilate brought Jesus out from inside the Praetorian. In preparation for formally passing sentence on Him, he sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Ironically, Pilate rendered judgment on the One to whom the Father had granted all judgment (John 5:22), and who will one day pass eternal sentence on him.

The supreme moment to which all of redemptive history pointed had arrived, so John carefully, dramatically set the scene. It was the day of preparation for the Passover. The time was about the sixth hour; or late morning, approaching noon. This statement presents an apparent difficulty, because according to Mark's account, Jesus was crucified at the third hour (9:00 a.m.). But as Andreas Köstenberger writes, "Since people related the estimated time to the closest three-hour mark, any time between 9:00 a.m. and noon may have led one person to say an event occurred at the third (9:00 a.m.) or the sixth hour (12:00 noon)" (John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) Pilate's fatal choice, he feared Caesar more than he feared God. Note that he proclaimed the truth, but in ignorance and mockery: "Behold your King." Pilate feared losing the people's favor, causing problems for himself and losing his position and security.

(John 18:28) Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the

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Passover. (Deuteronomy 1:17) "Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it" (Proverbs 29:25) "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe".

(Luke 12:4-5) "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him".

The Jews' fatal choice. They, too, chose the world, the way of Caesar. This was a shocking choice, for God had supposedly been the God of the Jews for centuries. He was said to be the sovereign Lord of their nation (Judges 8:23; 1 Samuel 8:7; 1 Samuel 12:12). But now, at this very moment, they were rejecting and repudiating God as their sovereign Lord. They were choosing Caesar and the way of the world—the world's... • security • acceptance • position • livelihood • power • honor • selfishness • religion • friendship

The Crucifixion: Bearing The Cross (John 19:16-17) Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

The most significant event in history is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We are saved by His death; because He died, we live. However, there is a condition. We must believe, and it is the necessity for belief that John stressed. He was an eyewitness of the crucifixion, and he closed his account of the crucifixion by saying: "He that saw it bare record, and his record is true that ye might believe" (John 19:37).

The execution site was the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, or in Latin, Calvary Some believe the site was so named because it was a place where skulls could be found lying around. There is no evidence that such was the case, however, and to leave parts of corpses unburied would violate Jewish law. (Deuteronomy 21:23) 23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God; that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

A strange theory embraced by several of the church fathers, holds that the site received its name because Adam's skull was found there. Needless to say, there is no evidence for that view either. Most likely, the name indicates that the site resembled a skull. The exact location is uncertain;

304 the two most commonly suggested locations are the traditional site, west of Jerusalem at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and Gordon's Calvary, north of the city.

Crucifixion was regarded as the most horrible, shameful form of execution, one reserved for slaves, bandits, prisoners of war, and insurrectionists. It was such a terrible punishment that no Roman citizen could be crucified except by authorization of the emperor himself (Andreas J. Köstenberger, John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Crucifixion originated in Persia, and had come down to the Romans through the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. The Romans had perfected the art of prolonging the victim's agony as he was slowly tortured to death. Most hung on their crosses for days, before succumbing to exhaustion, dehydration, shock, or suffocation, when the victim could no longer raise himself into a position where he could breathe.

John, however, like the writers of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33), does not dwell on the Lord's physical suffering. Instead of describing the process of crucifixion in gruesome detail, John simply states, There they crucified Him. The infinitely greater suffering for Jesus lay in His bearing sin and being separated from the Father (Matthew 27:46) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Jesus Christ was the majestic victor, not the victim. He was bearing the cross and going forth for a specific purpose—to save man. (John 10:17-18) Therefore, doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

(John 3:14-15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life"

(John 10:11) "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep".

(John 10:15) "I lay down my life for the sheep"

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus Christ was no victim. Neither the Romans nor the Jews had the power to take His life. For that matter, neither did all the sinners for whom He died. "No one has taken [My life] away from Me," He said, "but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have

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authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father" (John 10:18). He told Pilate, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above." His Jewish adversaries sought to kill Him, but were unsuccessful "because His hour had not yet come" (John 7:30; (John 8:20).

Ultimately, Christ died not because of any human intentions, schemes, or actions, but because of the will of His Father. In the same sermon in which he indicted Israel for killing Jesus, Peter nonetheless affirmed that He had been "delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23). In another sermon Peter reminded the people that "the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled" (Acts 3:18). The early church prayed, "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur" (Acts 4:27-28).

The second event of the cross was Jesus being crucified between two sinners, two unjust thieves. This is a picture of two things.

It is a picture of the preeminence of His sacrifice. He was surrounded by a world of unjust men, yet He was dying for them.

(1 Peter 2:24) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

(1 Peter 3:18) "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."

2. It is a picture of preeminent guilt. Jesus Christ was being counted as the King of Sinners.

(Isaiah 53:6) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all". (2 Corinthians 5:21) "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him"

The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is the climax of redemptive history, the focal point of the plan of salvation. It was because God "loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10; John 15:13) that Jesus Christ went to the cross (John 12:27). It was there as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Revelation 5:12; 13:8) that He poured out His life as a sacrifice for sin (Romans 3:25-26; Hebrews 1:3).

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Title on Cross (John 19:19-22) And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS; This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin; Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews; Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

The third event of the cross was the title on the cross. Pilate has a plague made that states, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews" and has it put on the cross. The chief Priests ask Pilate not to write "The King of the Jews", but to state that Jesus claimed to be king of the Jews." Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Note three simple facts. 1. The people read the title but were indifferent to it. It had no effect upon them. There was no mass movement of sorrow and repentance, no final acceptance of Him. 2. The religionists objected to the title. However, they did not ask that it be removed. They asked that the wording be changed to read "He said, 'I am the King of the Jews.' " Their unbelief was foul and obstinate. 3. Jesus claimed to be "the King of the Jews," the promised Messiah.

The title "King of the Jews" was written in the three great languages of the world. This providentially symbolized His rightful rule as King of the universe. (Philippians 2:8-11) "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(1 Timothy 6:14-16) "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." Gambling for His Clothes (John 19:23-24) Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout; They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Psalm 22 says those heaping abuse on Jesus were liken to "strong bulls" (v. 12), ravening and roaring lions (v. 13), scavenging dogs (v. 16), and wild oxen (v. 21).

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David also depicted the physical torment the Lord would endure. He suffered exhaustion (v. 14): the unnatural position of His body caused His bones to be out of joint (v. 14) and put stress on His heart (v. 14). Verse 15 speaks of His failing strength and raging thirst; verse 16 of the nails through His hands and feet.

(Zechariah 12:10; 17) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn;

The fourth event of the cross was the soldiers gambling for His clothes. The actions of the soldiers after they had crucified Jesus also fulfilled the words of Psalm 22. The execution squad normally consisted of four soldiers under the command of a centurion (Matthew 27:54). By custom the clothes of the condemned man were divided among the four soldiers. Therefore, this group took His outer garments (head covering, belt, sandals, outer robe) and made four parts, a part to every soldier. Mark notes that they divided the items up by "casting lots for them to decide what each man should take" (Mark 15:24). But Jesus' tunic (worn next to the skin) was seamless, woven in one piece. They were unwilling to ruin this garment, so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be."(John 19:24)

Though the soldiers acted from purely selfish motives, their actions furthered the sovereign plan of God and validated biblical accuracy by fulfilling prophecy As John notes, what they did was to fulfill the Scripture (Psalm 22:18): "They divided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore, the soldiers did these things. "Once again, we see John's master-thought that God was over all that was done, so directing things that His will was accomplished, and not that of puny man. It was because of this that the soldiers acted as they did" (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John,)

Several points to note 1. The insensitive, worldly-minded men were void of compassion. Jesus' mother Mary was standing by the cross, yet the soldiers showed no compassion whatsoever in sharing His belongings with her (Psalm 22:28) (Mark 8:36) "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

2. The seamless coat was one piece of cloth, woven from the top to the bottom. The coat or robe was identical to the robe of the High Priest. It symbolized Christ, the Mediator, the Pontifex, which in Latin means the bridge-builder between God and man.

(John 12:44) Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. (Psalm 22:18)

3. The event fulfilled Scripture (Psalm 22:18). God was in charge of the cross, for it was the fulfillment of His purpose, of His great plan of salvation for man.

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(1 Timothy 2:5-6). "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time"

(Hebrews 9:15). "For this cause, He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death...they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance"

Jesus Love For His Mother (John 19:25-27) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene; When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

The fifth event of the cross was Jesus' great love for His mother. There are two touching scenes here.

1.The women at the cross. They were there at great risk. Jesus was, • a revolutionary in the eyes of Rome. • a heretic in the eyes of the religionists. Any supporter of Jesus who stood at the cross ran the risk of ridicule and arrest. Nevertheless, the women stood there. Why? They loved Him. There is no other explanation: they simply loved Him. He had done so much for them that they were willing to stand by Him no matter the cost.

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15) "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again".

(Luke 9:23). "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me"

2. Jesus' care of His mother. His thoughts were on others, not on Himself. Every fiber of His being existed for others, not for Himself. Even in death, His mind and being were set on taking care of others.

He was touched with the feelings of Mary's hurt and pain. In the last moments of His life upon earth, He made arrangements for her care. ⇒ He is touched with the feeling of our hurt and pain, so he takes care of us.

The adversative⇒ conjunction but introduces a sharp contrast between the callous indifference of the soldiers (v. 25a), who were gambling for Christ's clothes (and, by implication, the sneering hatred of the rulers [Luke 23:35] and the mocking contempt of those passing by (Matthew 27:39- 40), and the compassionate love of a small group of loyal followers. They were standing by

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(para; "beside," or, "alongside") the cross of Jesus, close enough for Him to speak to them. (Later, either driven away by the soldiers, or unable to bear any longer the sight of Christ's suffering at such close range, they retreated some distance away to where a larger group of Christ's followers was standing (Luke 23:49). Their love for Jesus overcame their fear, and they came to Him. (1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

(Hebrews 4:15-16). "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"

The only man among the group gathered at the foot of the cross was John himself, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7,20). His presence led to an important relationship established by the Lord. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" Even as He was dying, bearing man's sin and God's wrath, Jesus selflessly cared for those whom He loved (John 13:1,34; 15:9,13). Evidently His earthly father, Joseph, was already dead. The Lord could not commit Mary into the care of His half brothers, the children of Mary and Joseph, since they were not yet believers (John 7:5). They did not become believers in Jesus until after His resurrection (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:7 though the James referenced in that verse may be the apostle James). Therefore He entrusted her to John; he became as a son to her in Jesus' place, and from that hour he took her into his own household. This may seem a very mundane thing to be concerned about in the hour of His greatest sacrifice, but the beauty of the Savior's love and compassion for His widowed mother, in the midst of His own excruciating pain, reflects His love for His own (John 13:1).

Jesus Thirst (John 19:28-29) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst; Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

The sixth event of the cross was Jesus' agonizing thirst and deliberate effort to fulfill Scripture.

In saying "I thirst" Jesus was bound to be thirsty. It had been hours since He had had a drink of water. But note: the stress of Jesus' words was not that He was physically thirsty. He was not complaining of thirst, not even asking for a drink. The stress was upon His fulfilling Scripture (Psalm 69:21) “ They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink”.... • to show that Jesus was truly the Promised Messiah, the One who fulfilled Scripture. • to show that Jesus' mind was set on fulfilling the Scriptures of the promised Messiah. • to show that Jesus had come as the Promised Messiah to do the will of God, dying as the sacrifice for man. He refused to do God's will unthoughtfully, with deadened senses

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and a semi-conscious mind. He had work to do in sacrificing His life for man: He was to taste death for all men, and He would taste it in full consciousness, being as mentally alert as possible.

After tenderly establishing His mother's care, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty." In His omniscience, Jesus knew there was only one remaining prophecy to be fulfilled. In Psalm 69:21 David wrote, "They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar (the Septuagint uses the same Greek word translated sour wine in v. 29) to drink." Jesus knew that by saying "I am thirsty" He would prompt the soldiers to give Him a drink. They, of course, did not consciously do so to fulfill prophecy, still less to show compassion. Their goal was to increase the Lord's torment by prolonging His life.

From a jar full of sour wine that was standing nearby, one of the bystanders (probably one of the soldiers; or at least someone acting with their approval) put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop (Exodus 12:22) and brought it up to His mouth. This was the cheap, sour wine that the soldiers commonly consumed. It was not the same beverage that the Lord had earlier refused (Matthew 27:34). That beverage, which contained gall, was intended to help deaden His pain so He would not struggle as much while being nailed to His cross. Jesus had refused it, because He wanted to drink the cup of the Father's wrath against sin in the fullest way His senses could experience it. (Hebrews 2:9). "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man

(Hebrews 10:6-7, 10). "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God....By the which will we are sacrificed through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all"

It’s Finished John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The seventh event of the cross was Jesus' great shout of victory. Salvation and reconciliation were now possible for man. Note two points.

1. Jesus cried, "It is finished." The Greek word (tetelestai ) is the shout of victorious purpose. Jesus had completed His work, His mission, and His task. He was not crying the cry of a defeated martyr. He was crying the cry of a victorious conqueror. 2. "Gave up the ghost" means that He gave up His spirit. It must always be remembered that Jesus willingly died. He willingly came to this moment of yielding and giving up His spirit unto death. Both Paul and Peter cover the Lord's work during the three days immediately following His death until the resurrection.

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Paul says that on the cross this happened: (Colossians 2:15 "[He] spoiled principalities and power, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it [the cross]"; (Ephesians 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Peter says that on the cross and after death this happened:

(1 Peter 3:18-20). "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah"

Having received the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is finished!" (Gk. tetelestai). Actually, the Lord shouted those words with a loud cry (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37). It was a shout of triumph; the proclamation of a victor. The work of redemption that the Father had given Him was accomplished: sin was atoned for (Hebrews 9:12; 10:12), and Satan was defeated and rendered powerless (Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 1 John 3:8). Every requirement of God's righteous law had been satisfied; God's holy wrath against sin had been appeased (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). Every prophecy had been fulfilled. Christ's completion of the work of redemption means that nothing needs to be nor can be added to it. Salvation is not a joint effort of God and man, but is entirely a work of God's grace, appropriated solely by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

His mission accomplished, the time had come for Christ to surrender His life. Therefore, after "crying out with a loud voice... 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46), He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Jesus voluntarily chose to surrender His life by a conscious act of His own sovereign will. "No one has taken it away from Me," He declared, "but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father" (10:18). That He still had the strength to shout loudly shows that He was not physically at the point of death. That He died sooner than was normal for someone who had been crucified (Mark 15:43-45) also shows that He gave up His life of His own will. No human words, no matter how eloquent, can adequately express the meaning of Christ's death. But the words of the familiar hymn "At Calvary" express the gratitude every believer feels: They Spear in Jesus Side (John 19:31-37) The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs; But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

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For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

The eighth event of the cross was that of the spear being thrust into Jesus' side. 1. The religionists' concern for trifles was somewhat shocking. Note how religious ceremony and ritual consumed the mind of the religionists and actually became more important than the suffering of a man. But not so with Christ: He was hanging there because He was concerned for man. He felt for the suffering of man, so He had given His life for man. (Hebrews 2:16-18). "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham [the flesh of man]. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted"

2. Christ died prematurely, much sooner than a man was supposed to die from crucifixion. One of the reasons Rome chose crucifixion as the State's method of execution was its slow, lingering death. By law the criminal was to hang upon the cross until he died from thirst, hunger, and exposure. Sometimes a man lingered for days under the heat of the broiling sun or the cold of the winter nights. Such suffering struck fear into the hearts of the captured populace and restrained severe crime. Because Jesus died so quickly, He probably died from the pressure of a broken heart and of being separated from God in behalf of mankind (1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18). Apparently His heart burst, and the blood mingled with the water-fluid of the pericardium surrounding the heart. The spear pierced the pericardium causing the blood and water to flow. Perhaps John stressed this incident because he saw the symbol of the two ordinances pictured: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

a. The water symbolized baptism, the washing of regeneration which Jesus was to bring.

(Titus 3:4-5). "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"

b. The blood symbolized the Lord's Supper, the partaking of the blood of Christ which cleanses men of their sins.

1 John 1:7 "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin"

3. John insisted upon the accuracy of his account. He said, "I saw it and bare record; my record is true." Note: He also said that God knew he was telling the truth. Why was this stressed? John told us: he stressed his truthfulness that "ye might believe"

Note another point. John said we are without excuse if we fail to believe. Why? Because the crucifixion and its events were a fulfillment of Scripture. (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12). Psalm

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34:20) predicts that not a bone of His body would be broken. (Zechariah 12:10) which predicts the spear. Also Isaiah 53 which predicts so much of the crucifixion.

(John 20:31) "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name"

Joseph of Arimathaea (John 19:38-42) And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus; And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight; Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury; Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid; There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Jesus' death conquered fear in a secret disciple, Joseph of Arimathaea. A revealing picture of Joseph is given in Scripture.

1. He was a counsellor, a senator, a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of Israel. He was apparently... • highly educated • very responsible • highly esteemed • capable of • well liked leadership 2. He was a "good and just" man. He was a man... • of good quality • of justice • of high morals • of decision • of feelings • of truth • of compassion • of law

3. He was a man looking for the Messiah and the Kingdom of God (Luke 2:25-27).

4. He was, however, a man who feared to stand up for Jesus. John said he was "a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews" (John 19:38). Joseph probably had met Jesus and arranged meetings with Him when the Lord had visited Jerusalem, but he feared making a public profession. His position and prestige were at stake. His peers, the other rulers, opposed Jesus. He believed in Jesus, but out of fear he kept his discipleship a secret. Note: when the vote was taken to put Jesus to death, Joseph did abstain from voting, but he did not stand up for Christ. He did not participate; he simply remained silent.

How many are as Joseph of Arimathaea was? They are good people and just people, they are believers, but they fear what their friends and fellow workers will say. They fear the loss of position, prestige, promotion, acceptance, popularity, friends, job, income and livelihood. (Luke 9:26) "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be

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ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels"

(2 Timothy 1:7) "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"

(Isaiah 51:12) "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass"

5. He was a man changed by the death of Jesus. This is seen in two facts.

a. Joseph actually "went unto Pilate, and begged for the body of Jesus." This was a tremendous act of courage. The Romans either dumped the bodies of crucified criminals in the trash heaps or left the bodies hanging upon the cross for the vultures and animals to consume. The latter served as an example of criminal punishment to the public. Joseph also braved the threat of Pilate's reaction. Pilate was fed up with the Jesus matter. Jesus had proven to be very bothersome to him. He could have reacted severely against Joseph. b. Joseph risked the disfavor and discipline of the Sanhedrin. They were the ruling body who had instigated and condemned Jesus, and Joseph was a member of the council. There was no question, he would face some harsh reaction from some of his fellow Sanhedrin members and from some of his closest friends. The thing that turned Joseph from being a secret disciple to a bold disciple seems to be the phenomenal events surrounding the cross (the behavior and words of Jesus, the darkness, the earthquake, the torn veil). When Joseph witnessed all this, his mind connected the claims of Jesus with the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Apparently Joseph saw the prophecies fulfilled in Jesus; therefore, he stepped forward braving all risks and taking his stand for Jesus. A remarkable courage stirred by the death of Jesus!

Every secret believer needs to study the cross of Christ. Really seeing the cross will turn any secret believer into a bold witness for Christ.

Joseph courageously asked to take care of the physical body of Christ. Today, the body of Christ is the church. We are to boldly step forward and take care of the church. There are times within the church when special needs demand that men be courageous and step forward to show care. In those times a fresh look at the cross will be helpful and can be used of God to stir us.

6. He was a man who cared deeply for Jesus. The words and acts of these two verses express care and tenderness and love and affection as well as courage and boldness. Joseph took the body down from the cross. He wrapped the body in linen, laid the body in a tomb wherein no man had ever been laid. He acted quickly, before the Sabbath began. Jesus died at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon (Mark 15:33-34, 37). Friday was the day of preparation for the Sabbath. Work was forbidden on the Sabbath, so if anything was to be done with Jesus' body, it had to be done immediately. Only three hours remained for work.

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This act alone would leave no doubt about the effect of the cross upon Joseph. The cross changed his life. He was no longer a secret believer; he now demonstrated a public stand for Jesus.

Position, power, wealth, fame—none of these make us bold for Christ. Only true affection for Christ will make us bold, and only as we see the cross of Christ will affection for Christ be aroused. Christ identified with men perfectly.

He lived as a man, but perfectly. He died as a man, but perfectly (as the Ideal Man). ⇒ He was buried as a man, but perfectly. ⇒ ⇒ (Isaiah 53:9) "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth" (Hebrews 2:17) "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people"

God's own Son possessed nothing when He was on earth.

• Christ is the Savior of the poorest. He was born in a stable, and throughout His life He had no place of His own to lay His head (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58). Even His tomb was a borrowed tomb. • The rich, nonetheless, can serve Him just as Joseph of Arimathaea did.

(Luke 9:58). "And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" " (Luke 12:33). "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

( John 19:39) And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Jesus' death conquered fear in a cowardly disciple, Nicodemus (John 3:1-2) for Nicodemus was the leader who came to Jesus by night. He was probably the Master Teacher, the leading teacher of all Israel. Holding such a high position in the nation, he feared the leaders of Israel who opposed Jesus. The same fear that was in Joseph was in him: his position, authority, livelihood, and security were at stake; so he kept quiet, refusing to openly confess and take a stand for Jesus.

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However, the cross apparently changed Nicodemus just as it had changed Joseph. Being the Master Teacher of Israel, Nicodemus, above everyone else, knew the prophetic Scriptures. Apparently, the events of the cross stirred him to begin making connections between the prophecies and Jesus' death. He had already been making connections between the prophecies and the words and works of Jesus. He did not fully understand, but the thoughts that were connecting Jesus and the prophecies would not leave his mind. At some point Nicodemus, although not understanding, knew that Jesus was the Messiah. He, Nicodemus, had failed the Lord when He was alive. He would not fail Him in His death. Perhaps not understanding the movement of his own heart toward Jesus, he boldly and courageously stepped forward to proclaim that He now believed and wanted all to know it. He walked into the stores that sold spices and bought huge amounts, the poundage fit for a king. The spices weighed about seventy pounds, an amount that only royalty could afford and use. Nicodemus wished to give the honor to his Lord which he should have given when his Lord was alive. He had been a proud man, but now he was a broken man. He had been a worldly man, a man who had chosen the world over the Lord, but no more. Broken in heart over his Lord's death, he would now step forth in faith and love and do what he could.

When Nicodemus walked in the stores and purchased the spices for the Lord's body and helped in the burial of Jesus, he took his stand for Christ. From that point on, everyone knew he cared for and loved Jesus. What a living example of courage for us as we move about the business establishments of the world.

(Mark 9:34-37) "But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me"

Verses 40-42 Jesus' death stirred open and unashamed commitment. Both Joseph and Nicodemus had hesitated in trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Out of fear they had acted cowardly, keeping their thoughts about Jesus to themselves. But now they showed a courage and a boldness unmatched by all others. They alone demonstrated an open, unashamed commitment to Jesus, and they did it when the apostles themselves deserted Jesus.

1. They openly took the body of Jesus from the cross. In doing so, they risked the disfavor of the Sanhedrin who had instigated and condemned Jesus. Both Joseph and Nicodemus were opposing their fellow members of the council. There was no question that they would face some harsh reaction from some of their fellow Sanhedrin members and from some of their closest friends. 2. They openly cared for Jesus' body. They wound it in linen clothes with the spices.

3. They openly gave Jesus the best. They gave Him a tomb never before used. Apparently it was in a cemetery on Mount Calvary, the mountain where Jesus was crucified. The tomb had

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been bought by Joseph for his own use (Matthew 27:60). This act alone would leave no question about the two men taking their stand for Jesus.

4. They openly buried Jesus just before the Sabbath. This eliminated them from taking part in the great Passover Feast, and this was never done, even for the most serious reasons. Joseph and Nicodemus, by handling Jesus' body, were considered defiled for seven days for having come in contact with a corpse. Once defiled, Jewish law forbade a person from taking part in any Jewish ceremonies. Joseph and Nicodemus, who had been secret disciples, now stepped forward making an unashamed commitment to Jesus. Everyone would know that they stepped forward and took care of Jesus' body. Joseph even gave his own tomb to Jesus. They were risking their positions, esteem, wealth, and even their lives by making such a pronounced commitment to the affairs of Jesus. Note the strength of their commitment: no one from Jesus' family or from among His own disciples had stepped forward to claim the Lord's body—but these two men did.

The courage demonstrated by Joseph and Nicodemus is desperately needed by all.

1) The courage to make an unashamed commitment to Christ. 2) The courage to risk all for Christ, even if it does cost us our position, esteem, wealth, and life. 3) The courage to unashamedly care for the body of Christ, His church and its affairs. 4) The courage to be an unashamed witness for Christ, no matter the cost.

(Matthew 10:32-33) "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Luke 12:8) "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God." (Romans 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 20

Introduction: In studying John's account, it must be remembered that John was writing an historical account. He was not interested in giving insurmountable evidence for the resurrection. His interest was twofold: (1) to give the evidence that led him to immediately understand and believe, and (2) to give enough evidence to lead anyone to immediate belief—if a person is willing to believe. He was interested in giving enough evidence to make anyone's faith viable and respectable. Now having said this, John's record of Jesus' resurrection is a strong historical account of the event. To an honest, objective, and good heart, the evidence is convincing (Luke 8:15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. The changed lives of the Lord's disciples are indisputable evidence. It is psychological evidence. From seemingly irreversible despondency and from being hunted down like insurrectionist dogs, they became new creatures of enthusiasm and motivation. They were propelled by a dynamic power and bold courage. Within thirty days they were seen proclaiming a risen Christ from the very spot where their lives were being threatened. They were preaching to the very people who were seeking to arrest and execute them. Only one thing could cause them to adopt this strategy: the Lord had indeed risen, and He had implanted within them a dynamic new power never before experienced by man. In discussing evidences, we must remember that God through inspiration has not formulated the Scripture to prove anything. God proclaims in Scripture that He is (exists), that He is love, and that He has shown His love supremely by sending His own Son to save a lost and dying world. What God wants from us is love and belief, love for the Lord Jesus and belief in the supreme power of a loving God. This is just the point of the resurrection account. We are to believe because we love even as Mary and John loved.

Mary's unquestioning discovery, the unsealed tomb John 20:1-2 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.

Mary visited the tomb early, when it was still dark. Matthew actually says it was "the end of the Sabbath," meaning between 3-6 a.m. (Matthew 28:1). This reveals three significant facts.

1. Jesus arose before dawn, before the sun arose on Sunday morning. This was significant to the early Christian believers, so significant that they broke away from the common division of the week which began with the Sabbath or Saturday. They began to count their days beginning with Sunday, the day of the resurrection of their Lord.

(Acts 20:7) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

(1 Corinthians 16:2)

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Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2. Jesus arose on the first day of the week, on Sunday morning. This means that He had been in the grave for three days just as He had said (Matthew 12:40) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth; His arising from the dead was a triumph, a conquest over death. Death reigns no more. Its rule has been broken (Luke 24:7) The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Jesus promised the disciples, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:19). Paul reminded Timothy that "our Savior Christ Jesus... abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10). The writer of Hebrews insisted that it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that people can be freed from the fear of death: "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Hebrews 2:14-15).

(1 Corinthians 15:55-56) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

3. Again, Jesus arose on the first day of the week, Sunday morning. He was in the grave on the Sabbath, unable to observe the laws governing the great season of the Passover and the Sabbath. He was dead to the law and its observances. This is symbolic of the identification believers have gained in Christ. In Christ's death believers become dead to the law.

(Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Mary saw the stone rolled back from the tomb This is a strong evidence for the resurrection. The stone was not rolled back for the benefit of Christ, but for the witnesses to the resurrection. When Christ arose, He was in His resurrection body, the spiritual body of the spiritual dimension which has no physical bounds. He did not need the stone rolled back to leave the tomb, for material substance has no bearing on spiritual substance. However, the witnesses needed to enter the tomb to see the truth (John 20:1-10).

Mary ran to Peter. This is important, for it shows that Peter was still the accepted leader. What a man of courageous stature and moral strength! Surely his cowardice had been broadcast and well-rumored, yet he repented and picked himself up and resumed his task.

Mary revealed an unquestioning love: "They have taken away the Lord." Mary is a supreme example of one who loves and believes, although she did not understand. She was one of the last to leave Jesus at the cross (Mark 15:40, 47); one of the first to attend the tomb; and one who still

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called Him "Lord." Her belief was a belief of love—not a belief based upon intellect or understanding. She knew what Jesus had done for her, and she loved Him for it. Jesus was her Lord, dead or alive (John 20:13). (John 15:9) "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love".

(Ephesians 6:24) "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity".

(1 Peter 1:8). "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory"

(Jude 21) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life". Resurrection of Jesus Christ, (John 20:3-6) Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Peter and John's shocking discovery, they discovered the empty tomb and the linen clothes. They "went forth" to the tomb. John outran Peter. When John arrived at the tomb, he just glanced in and noticed the linen clothes. Peter actually entered the tomb. He, too, noticed the linen clothes. They both knew the significance. If the body had been removed by the authorities or stolen by someone, the linen clothes would have been taken with the body or left in a disheveled mess, thrown someplace on the floor. From the description and the impact of the event upon the two disciples, neither one discussed his thoughts with the other, not while standing there at that time.

What he saw was startling. Jesus' body was nowhere to be seen, but the linen wrappings in which He had been buried were lying there. Unlike Lazarus, who needed help getting out of his grave clothes after his resurrection (John 11:44), Jesus' glorified resurrection body simply passed through the linen wrappings, as it would soon pass through a wall to enter a locked room (John 20:19, 26). The facecloth which had been on His head was not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. This seemingly minor detail shows that the tomb was left in a neat, orderly condition. In contrast, grave robbers would hardly have taken time to roll up the facecloth, and in their haste they would have scattered the grave clothes all over the tomb. More likely still, they would not have removed them at all, since it would have been easier to transport the body if it were still wrapped. Nor would thieves likely have left the wrappings, containing expensive spices, behind. The presence of the grave clothes also shows that the story the Jewish leaders concocted, that the disciples stole Christ's body (Matthew 28:11-15), is false. If they had stolen the body, why would the disciples dishonor it by tearing off the grave clothes and the spices.

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Note a critical point. If a man wishes to discover the empty tomb, he must get up and "go forth" to look at it. He must investigate, and then he will see. Getting up and "going forth" is the only way a man can ever discover the risen Lord. Resting in the comforts and lethargy of this world will never help a man find Jesus. (John 5:39) "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (Acts 17:11) "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so"

(Acts 18:28) "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ". John’s Discovery (John 20:7-10) And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

John's thoughtful discovery was he discovered the undisturbed linen clothes. Standing outside while Peter was inside the tomb, John's mind was apparently whirling, pondering, wondering, and thinking. Then suddenly it dawned upon him: the linen clothes were lying undisturbed. The Greek word "wrapped together" (entetuligmenon) is the verb which is used for actually winding the linens around a body for burial. The Greek word is saying that the linens were "still in their fold," wrapped just like they would be wrapped around a body—as if the body had just evaporated. They were not disheveled or disarranged. This says at least four things. a. It would be impossible to extract a body from its wrappings and leave them in such good order. b. The wrappings would have been taken with the body if the body had been removed. c. The wrappings would have been disheveled and disarranged and scattered if thieves had ransacked the tomb. d. The wrappings (under any circumstances that might be conceived in removing the body) could never be placed in the exact spot on the rock slab where the body lay. Yet, this is just how they were lying according to the Greek text. It was this that led John to an immediate belief. John did not believe because of insurmountable evidence, but because he loved Jesus. Seeing the linen clothes penetrated John's mind, and he remembered Jesus' prophecy that He would arise. John realized what had happened and he believed. This is the point of this account of the linen clothes and of the way the account is recorded. This is also the point of the resurrection account. A loving God wants love—a heart full of love. He wants a person to simply believe that God is (exists) and that God is a rewarder of them that love Him (Hebrews 11:6). (Hebrews 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

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(John 3:16-17) ""For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

(1 John 3:16) Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 4:19) "We love him, because he first loved us".

Mary Magdalene (John 20:11) But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

This is one of the most precious events in history. It was our Lord's first appearance after His resurrection; it was an appearance to a woman who had been saved from the depths of human depravity. It was the appearance to Mary Magdalene, one who loved Jesus with the deepest of loves because of what He had done for her.

Mary returned to the tomb. Just when is not known, but she probably followed immediately behind Peter and John as they ran to the tomb. When they left, she remained behind. She was weeping convulsively. Seeing Peter and John enter the tomb gave her courage to finally stoop down and look in. What Mary began to experience would revolutionize her life. She could not ask for more.

Two things can revolutionize a man's life. Lingering at the empty tomb of Jesus, so many rush by His tomb, never thinking, never giving any thought to its meaning. Seeking the truth of the empty tomb, what it means to life and to the world in all its corruption and need.

Mary sees two Angel (John 20:12-13) And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

Mary has returned and stands weeping at the tomb. Nothing has changed for her. Although when she stoops and looks in she may be hoping that the body has been returned. There is no body, but she sees an angel at both ends of the place where Jesus had been laid. As there had been two thieves with Jesus at the cross, so now there are two angels at the place of resurrection, a glorious testimony to God’s liberating action. Since they are messengers of life, little wonder they should ask Mary about her tears. In her hopelessness she answers, “they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid Him.”

The two angels were sitting right where Jesus' body had been lying. Angels are messengers of God; they are the ministering spirits of God, servants sent from heaven to carry out His will. On

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this particular occasion, they were sent to add to the spectacular significance of the resurrection and to comfort Mary in her grief. They had been sent to her in particular, for they had not been in the tomb when Peter and John looked in. They were clothed in white. Matthew 28:3 says His countenance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow:

The fact that they were dressed in white apparently symbolizes the holiness and purity of God from whose presence they had come. (Psalm 99:9) "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy."

(Isaiah 6:3) "And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Habakkuk 1:13). "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity"

The Resurrected Christ (John 20:14-16) And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Mary saw Jesus Himself. While Mary was still speaking to the angels, she sensed another presence behind her. She immediately turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. There was a startling question: "Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?" not what, but “whom?” And, assuming that this stranger may have been involved in moving Jesus body to a permanent grave, Mary asks if she may have the body to care for it.

Now note: a graveyard is where one weeps and seeks for a grave. The point is this: Mary was seeking a dead Savior, a Savior who was as all other men are, frail and powerless to do anything about life and death, eternity and heaven. Her whole being was focused upon a grave where her dead Savior was lying. Mary was living as the world lives, as a "stranger from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12).

(1 Thessalonians 4:13) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."

(Psalm 42:6) "O my God, my soul is cast down within me."

(Psalm 69:2) "I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me."

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Mary thinking Jesus was the gardener and that perhaps he had removed the body for some reason. She didn’t recognize Jesus because her eyes full of tears, her head probably bowed low in the normal shyness that arises in such scenes. Her posture was facing in the wrong direction, into the grave. She had turned back around to face where the body had been lying and she didn’t recognize her Savior speaking to her.

There is a message here for everyone. We need to fix our eyes upon Jesus in confronting death. Too often, we see the dead and become so wrapped up in grief that we forget the risen Lord and the great hope He gives us. There is no question about Jesus' emphasis here. This is the message He was wishing to convey to Mary. There was no need for such convulsive weeping. Weep and grieve, yes, but there is a limit. Mary could have and should have seen Him sooner.

It is then the risen Christ speaks her name tenderly, but with all the authority of one who has conquered death, “Mary!”It is the Shepherd calling one of His sheep, and Mary knows the voice. Then she turned to Him; she changes her direction. It is the movement from grief to joy, from death to life. In adoration and wonder, she falls at his feet and utters, “Rabboni!”

Mary called Jesus "Rabboni," My Master, not "Rabbi" (Master or Teacher). Rabboni (Rabbounei), My Master was a title of more respect and honor than just Rabbi. She was acknowledging Him to be her supreme Teacher, the One who was due all her honor and respect, loyalty and allegiance. She was acknowledging that He was her Master and she was His humble follower (disciple).

Mary recognized Jesus not by sight, but by His voice and the word spoken by Him. So it is with us today: we know the Lord by His Word and His Spirit.

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life .

(John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

(John 14:2-3) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

(Isaiah 25:8). "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it" Witnessing (John 20:17-18) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my

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brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God; Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

The third startling sight was Mary's new commission. Apparently Mary was so full of joy and excitement that she just reached out and embraced Jesus. Immediately Jesus fired the command:

"Touch me not" (mē mou haptou ) The words are present action, stop clinging to me. Mary's great love seemingly had one flaw. She wanted to revel in her love for the Lord and in the fellowship that that love brought her. She was reaching out to clutch and to cling to His body (physically), but in doing so, she was missing the point: His cross and resurrection had created a totally new relationship. He was no longer just her Rabboni, her Master. He was her Lord and God (John 20:28). He was soon to ascend back to the Father, so she must not waste time clutching and clinging. She must run and tell her great discovery. The Master was now her Lord and God, for He had created a new spiritual relationship with men.

In His resurrection Jesus has not only broken the bonds of sin and death, but also the limitation of space and time and the weaknesses of earthly existence.

(2 Corinthians 5:16-17) "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yea now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"

(2 Corinthians 5:19-21) "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

The Disciples Hiding behind locked doors (John 20:19-21) Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples as a group, they were hiding for fear of the Jews. They were behind locked doors, probably in the upper room of the same house where Jesus had met with them just a few days earlier. They were scared and fearful of the authorities who had vented so much wrath and vengeance upon their Lord. There was the imminent danger they could be arrested and imprisoned or executed as revolutionaries just as Jesus had been.

Note that it was Sunday, the very day that Jesus had arisen, and it was nighttime. Luke tells us there were numerous reports that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Remember: the doors

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were locked. Suddenly, unexpectedly, Jesus stood before them—right in their midst.

The first subject was the risen Lord Himself. His presence was very real. His sudden appearance shook and frightened the disciples. They thought they were seeing a vision or a spirit.

(Luke 24:36-37) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

The first thing Jesus did was prove that it was really Him. He did this by doing two things.

1. He used the simple day to day greeting among Jews, "Peace be unto you.” Using such a familiar greeting to the disciples helped to put them at ease. The fact that He spoke just as He had always spoken would give them some indication that it was really Him and not just a vision or a spirit. (John 14:27). "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid"

2. He showed them His wounds. This must have been a dramatic and touching moment, a moment that just exploded the minds of the disciples. Jesus probably moved around to each of them, allowing each one to see the wounds. This convinced the disciples. They knew for sure that they were not seeing a vision or a spirit, and that this was His body, the body of their wonderful Lord, the very same Jesus whom they had known before His crucifixion.

(1 John 1:1-2) "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us)"

3. The effect upon the disciples was unbelievable joy and gladness (Luke 24:41). Their spirits and attitudes were charged with joy and were transformed from the lowest point of dejection to the highest point of triumphant conviction. They now knew what Jesus meant, that He was truly the Way to God, the Truth of God and the Life of God.

In Him was life—His words were literally true. He had meant exactly what He had said. They had just spiritualized His words, twisted them to mean what they had wanted. But now they knew. When Jesus had said that He was going to die, He meant He was going to die. When He had said that He was going to arise, He meant He was going to arise. And here He was standing before them, revealing the most glorious truth in all the universe. Man could now conquer sin and death and live forever. He had actually come "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

There is one great qualification for being commissioned: receiving, possessing, and knowing the peace of Christ (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world

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giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Unless a person has been reconciled to God by Christ, unless he has really made peace with God, he cannot represent God before the world.

There is a great link between the mission of Christ and the disciple. The disciple is sent on the very same mission as Christ. God sent Christ on a specific mission and Christ sends His disciple on the very same mission. What is the mission? The disciple are sent forth to proclaim and bear witness to the salvation of God. The disciple is the prophet and witness of the living Lord. • Christ is the Way; the disciple points the Way. • Christ is the Truth; the disciple proclaims the Truth. • Christ is the Life; the disciple shares the Life.

The great words "sent" (apestalken) and "send" (pempō ) are different in the Greek. The Father sending Christ is apostello, which means first of all, a setting apart and sending forth with delegated authority. There are only four chapters in John where Christ does not claim to have been sent. Christ sending the believer is pempō , which never means delegated authority. It always means to dispatch under authority. God sent Christ and delegated all authority to Him. Christ delegates no authority to the believer. He dispatches messengers.

(John 3:17). "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 12:47) "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world"

(2 Corinthians 5:20-21). "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him"

The Holy Spirit (John 20: 22-23) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The third subject was the Holy Spirit. Christ had just commissioned His disciples. He now gave them the power to carry out His orders. Through the endowment or giving of the Spirit and there was the authority. Now Jesus commissions these men. As He has earlier sent Mary forth with the message of life, so He now sends these disciples. They are given the mission which the Son was given by the Father.

As part of their witness to Him, the disciples would have His authority delegated to them. "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them," Jesus told them, but "if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." This verse has been misinterpreted by Roman

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Catholics to mean that the Roman Catholic Church has had the apostles' authority to forgive sins passed down to it. But Scripture teaches that God alone can forgive sins.

Nor does the New Testament record any instances of the apostles (or anyone else) absolving people of their sins. Further, this promise was not made to the apostles alone, since others were also present (Luke 24:33) And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, What Christ was actually saying is that any Christian can declare that those who genuinely repent and believe the gospel will have their sins forgiven by God. On the other hand, they can warn that those who reject Jesus Christ will die in their sins. (Mark 2:7) Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

(Hebrews 10:.26) 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Conviction and Confession John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Thomas had not been with the disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. Like so many today, he staunchly refused to believe that Jesus had actually risen from the dead. The disciples testified and bore witness to the glorious truth. The Greek means they "kept on telling him," but Thomas became stiff-necked and obstinate in his unbelief. He even argued against their testimony, and he argued with deep intensity. He was deeply aggravated and frustrated, feeling great disappointment and guilt. The depth of his aggravation and guilt is seen in his repulsive shout, "Except I shall see...put my finger [and] thrust my hand into his wounds, I will not believe" (John 20:25).

What was it that frustrated Thomas so much and caused him to sense such intense guilt and react the way he did? Evidently Thomas had forsaken the Lord, and that was enough to frustrate any man's spirit and he had also withdrawn from the disciples; consequently he was not present when the Lord first appeared (John 20:24). He missed another opportunity to be identified with Christ. Of course, this caused Thomas to become aggravated with guilt all over again. He became critical of the body of believers. It was his own fault, but as human nature so often reacts, he blamed others through his aggravated spirit. He argued against their experience with the resurrected Lord. Having taken all he could bear, in utter frustration he shouted out, "Except I shall see..put my finger...[and] thrust my hand into his wounds, I will not believe" (John 20:25). It was eight days more before the Lord ever appeared to Thomas (John 20:26). What a loss he experienced! Persistent doubt always delays the blessings.

Guilt, frustration, disappointment, and being left out often result in a haughty spirit, denial of

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facts and fierce outburst.

Thomas' false picture of Jesus was in terms of an earthly Messiah or Savior who would make things better upon this earth and in this life. He had become a follower of Jesus thinking that an earthly kingdom was to be set up and that he was to be a leader in that kingdom. He saw Jesus as the promised Messiah who was to be the Son of David, that is, to come from David's roots. He refused to see beyond the human and physical things of this world. Therefore, he could see Jesus only as the man who was nailed to the cross and had a spear thrust into His side and was now dead.

False pictures of Jesus lead to unbelief. Jesus is more than a great teacher, a great prophet, a great man or founder of a religion. He is even more than the greatest man who ever lived. All such beliefs—no matter how highly they esteem Jesus—are false beliefs, for they see Jesus only as a man. They see Him as one of the greatest men who ever lived, but they still see Him only as a man.

Men prefer to see Jesus only as a man because it brings Him down to their level. It makes Him less than Lord. They believe it means that man is not totally depraved, not wicked through and through; that man is not so bad that Jesus had to sacrifice His life for them. That man can do what Jesus did, the best he can, and God will accept him. That man does not have to follow Jesus in every little detail and teaching. Why? Because as man, they believe that Jesus was not absolutely perfect. He was wrong in some things. Where? Each person has to decide the best he can where Jesus was right and wrong. Then that person must do the best he can to follow Jesus where Jesus was right. Men believe it is doing the best they can that God accepts. (Note how this allows each man to form God in his own mind and after his own likeness. Man can make God as he wishes God to be. Man can do what he wishes and then say that it was allowed by God.)

(1 John 3:20) "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things"

(Proverbs 14:14) "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways" (Mark 4:40) "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful: how is it that ye have no faith?"

Confession Of Thomas (John 20:26-29) And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God; Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Thomas' critical confrontation and conviction, Jesus appeared and challenged and convicted Thomas. The doors were again shut and locked. Suddenly, unexpectedly, without notice, Jesus

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stood in the midst of the disciples. Again He eased their shock by giving the normal greeting: "Peace be unto you." But then note what He did: He turned immediately to confront Thomas.

Jesus revealed that He knew all about Thomas' unbelief and demands. He used the very same words that Thomas had demanded: "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing" (John 20:27). Jesus knows every man's heart: his despair, doubts, fears, hope, love. He knows where and when to strike at a man's heart. However, note a crucial factor: Thomas was where Jesus could reach him. He was in the presence of believers listening to their testimony. He had not shut them out despite his questions.

That was enough for the doubter; his melancholy skepticism dissolved forever in light of the irrefutable evidence in the person confronting him. Overwhelmed, he made perhaps the greatest confession of any of the apostles, rivaled only by Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), exclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" Significantly, Jesus did not correct him, but accepted Thomas's affirmation of His deity. Indeed, He praised Thomas for his faith, saying to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed?" But looking ahead to the time when the tangible, physical evidence Thomas had witnessed would no longer be available, the Lord pronounced those "blessed... who did not see, and yet believed". They who will never see physical evidence of Christ's rising, will have a greater measure of the Holy Spirit to empower faith in the resurrection. This is the second beatitude in this gospel (John 13:17). Blessed does not just convey a condition of happiness, but also declares the recipient to be accepted by God. (2 Corinthians 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight)

(1 Peter 1:8-9) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (John 2:25) "And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man"

Jesus warned and called for belief. Thomas had been walking down a dangerous road. The disciples had witnessed to him time and again, but he had refused time and again to accept their testimony.

We can all thank God that the others somehow got Thomas to come to their next meeting eight days later. In every generation there are those who have patiently and lovingly built relationships of trust so that they have been able to bring some honest seekers to the meeting.

"Be not faithless" (mē ginou apistos): stop becoming an unbeliever. You are running the risk of becoming faithless and unbelieving, beyond the point of believing. You have carried your unbelief too far. It is now time to stop the foolishness. The others have been witnessing and witnessing the truth to you. Stop the stiffnecked, obstinate unbelief. You are in danger.

(John 3:18)

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"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

(John 3:36) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 8:24) "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins". (Hebrews 2:3) "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him."

Jesus Did Many Signs Not Recorded (John 20:30-31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

To Mary and Thomas and the others, sight of the resurrected Lord has been granted. But faith does not finally rest on sight or smell or touch, but on the word and call of the risen Lord! As John believed before he saw the risen Lord, so we believe and trust the witness of those who have seen and believed we have seen His life revealed in the community of those on whom He has breathed, and as we have heard Him speak our name and responded in trusting faith, we have been born into his family. The Spirit then confirms that we are the children of god, as blessed as those who have seen and believed.

The point is that Jesus' life—His character and behavior, His preaching and teaching, His miracles and power, proves that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. No man could do the things He did unless He was the Son of God. Who He was and what He did prove it. Jesus did not do the signs in secret, that is, out in a desert or off in a corner of the world. He did them out in the open, publicly. John said He did the signs in the presence of His disciples. They witnessed the signs, for Jesus saw to it that there was adequate witness and testimony. Note what John says in his epistle: (1 John 1:1-4) "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full"

The gospel writers did not include all that Jesus did in their gospels. In fact, they recorded very few of the signs. Contrary to what is usually thought, Jesus was apparently ministering and meeting the needs of multitudes every day—from sunrise until sundown.

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In talking about Jesus' life, the word "signs" is chosen by John. All that Jesus was and did were signs—signs demonstrating that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. In these two verses, John gives the great purpose of the signs. The great purpose of John was to select a few signs that would lead men to believe.

Note one other fact: John says that he has been highly selective in the signs he has chosen to record in his gospel. There were "many" signs which Jesus gave; so many in fact, "I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25). John selected only a few signs to record. He had a specific purpose in mind, so he chose a few signs that would help meet that purpose. (John 20:31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

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GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 21

THE REVELATION OF JESUS, THE RISEN LORD Introduction: Jesus proved the great reality of His resurrection body. He showed that He really did arise from the dead. Death had been conquered and men could now live forever.

Jesus Christ, Resurrection (John 21:1-3) 1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

The phrase after these things refers to an unspecified time after the events recorded in chapter 20. The disciples had left Jerusalem and made their way north to Galilee, as Jesus had commanded them. (Matthew 28:10,16) Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.; 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. This Gospel does not end with the faith of Thomas in the risen Lord, “but with a confident statement that Jesus` mission to the world undertaken at His command and under His authority will be the means by which many are saved.” It is as if John had second thoughts after seeming to conclude the Gospel by stating the purpose of his testimony by making it clear that the has been given an urgent, worldwide mission by the resurrected Lord. This mission is set forth in the familiar imagery and setting of fishing and caring for sheep.

Apparently all eleven did not travel together in one group, since this incident involved only seven of them. The twice-repeated statement that Jesus manifested Himself... to the disciples emphasizes the truth that after His resurrection He was not recognizable unless He revealed Himself (John 20:14) And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. What was true of physically recognizing Jesus is also true spiritually No one, apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit, can call Jesus Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:3) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, because "a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Corinthians 2:14). Since "there is none who seeks for God" (Romans 3:11), it was necessary for "the Son of Man [to] come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Apart from such seeking, the gospel remains foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18; 30-31).

The Sea of Tiberias is better known as the Sea of Galilee. The Bible also refers to it as the Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27), the Sea of Chinneroth (Joshua 12:3), and the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1). By the time John wrote his gospel, it had become commonly known as

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the Sea of Tiberias. That name came from the city of Tiberias on its western shore, which had been founded by Herod Antipas and named in honor of Emperor Tiberius (Luke 3:1).

Seven of the disciples have gone back to the well known haunts of the Tiberias to fish. Once again the lake is given its Greek name, for the mission is to the world. These men need time to work things through. The events of the last days have been overwhelming. Their whole world has been shaken, and they are baffled and confused. What can they do next? So when Peter says, “I am going fishing” six of the disciples join him (v.3). Here is something they know and understand and feel comfortable doing. After fishing all night, this is the best time for a good catch, they come up empty handed. They caught nothing, and it was in this that they were to learn the much needed lesson: self-sufficiency is inadequate. They could no longer do anything on their own. They must know the risen Lord, and they must depend upon the risen Lord. They could not provide for themselves in their own strength; they must know that the Lord is really risen, and they must learn to depend upon Him. Jesus took this experience of catching nothing and taught the disciples that He had truly risen. It was He in the resurrected body. He was truly the Risen Lord, and it was He upon whom they must depend from now on. In the sovereignty of God, the small band of men needed to learn a glorious lesson, so God was setting the stage for them to receive the lesson.

Jesus Stood on the Shore (John 21:4-8) But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus; Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No; And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes; Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea; And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

His presence was immediate, sudden, unexpected. His presence was bodily, that is, His body stood there. It was morning, so the disciples saw a person just as they would see any other person standing on the seashore. There was no thought of a vision, hallucination, or spirit. They saw a person on the seashore and thought nothing strange about it. Note: they did not know it was Jesus, not at first sight. The figure on the shore they do not recognize who cries out, “Children” (or can be translated “fellows”), have you any meat? How suggestive the physical and spiritual implications of that question are. And when they answer, No, the Stranger commands them to “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (v6). How often, like these disciples, we have been fishing on the wrong side, making our own decisions, trying to get things done in our own strength and wisdom, really saying on our own, I am going fishing.

Now they take such a multitude of fish in their net that they are not able to draw it in. What a tremendous, unexpected things happen when they obey the Lord. It is when we surrender the things in our lives that we struggle with to the Lord that the Holy Spirit moves and “fish are caught.” The more tightly we seek to control things, insisting the fishing has to be done our way, the more often the net is pulled up empty.

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Jesus possessed supernatural knowledge. Jesus knew where the fish were. Remember the disciples had been commercial fishermen before their call to serve the Lord. Jesus was teaching that He, the risen Lord, was the same Lord who took care of them before the crucifixion; therefore, He would take care of them now. But there was one significant difference that they must learn. The resurrection increased His care and added much more to their salvation. He, the risen Lord, was the Sovereign Majesty of the universe, Who could use His Sovereign knowledge to provide all things for His dear children. (Matthew 6:25-34).

The disciple whom Jesus loved immediately recognized who the stranger was and said to Peter, "It is the Lord." Only He had such supernatural knowledge and power. Impulsive as ever, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work, probably wearing only a loincloth in the warm spring season), and threw himself into the sea. So intense was his desire to be with Jesus that Peter could not wait for the boat to reach the shore. Characteristically, John was quicker to perceive; Peter was quicker to act.

Meanwhile the other disciples, lacking Peter's impulsiveness, came struggling toward the shore in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away. Since they were unable to haul it in, they were dragging the net full of fish behind them.

When men hear that Jesus is really alive—that He is the Sovereign Majesty of the universe— they should do just what these men did: rush to Him as quickly as possible.

(1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Every genuine believer experiences the supernatural care of the risen Lord. The believer knows the sovereign knowledge and care of the Lord in his own life (Matthew 6:25-34).

(John 21:9) As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus showed the reality of the surroundings. Note the land and fire, the fish and bread. He was showing that He was the same Jesus who had always been with them. He was not a figment of their imagination, not a vision, not even a spirit. He was in a body just like the body they had always known. (Matthew 14:27) "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid".

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The Big Catch (John 21:10-11) Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught; Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

Jesus showed that He could see, speak, hear, and feel. He instructed the disciples to gather in the fish, instructing them just as He always had. They obeyed, even to the point of counting the fish. Jesus was heaping proof upon proof, giving the disciples indisputable evidence of His resurrection.

When they all arrived at the shore and got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Showing His compassionate care for the tired, hungry disciples, Jesus had prepared breakfast for them, perhaps miraculously creating the fish as He had done before (John 6:11-13). He had said to them earlier, "I am among you as the one who serves" (Luke 22:27), and He had washed their feet as an example of humble service (John 13:1-15). Now the risen Lord showed that He would still serve the disciples who were faithful to Him by meeting their needs. They had been unable in disobedience to meet their needs for themselves. Here was a practical illustration of the words of Jesus in the upper room:

(John 14:13-14) Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

(1 John 1:1-3) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Dine with His Disciples (John 21:12-13) Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord; Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

Jesus showed that His body was real. He invited them to eat and He ate with them, just as He always had. Again, the point is that they must know it was Jesus. The risen Lord was the same Jesus who had walked and lived with them, the only difference being that He had risen from the dead in a perfected and glorified body.

They were first called by Jesus to be fishers of men. Now that mandate is being renewed and clarified. These disciples are to fish for the souls of men throughout the whole world, to go to all men. This venture will be under the Lord’s authority. They are to cast the net on the right side by His command and bring Him the fish. And in spite of the great catch of one hundred fifty-three,

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the net was not torn. So the disciples are to remain one. The unity for which Jesus has prayed will be manifested din their apostolic mission. Now Jesus has breakfast with these men. “Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.”(v13)

The disciples knew beyond question that it was the Lord. Humanly, it was not supposed to be; a dead man arising from the grave was impossible. The physical and material world knew nothing but corruption and decay, sin and death. But seated there eating with them was Jesus. He had risen from the dead and come back to life again. They knew that death was now conquered and that man could now live forever (John 20:31). They knew just what Jesus wanted them to know. They knew the great reality of His resurrection body and the great reality of His Sovereign Majesty and care for them in conquering death. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

(John 5:24). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life"

(Hebrews 2:14-15). "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage"

Jesus' resurrection was affirmed by John (John 21:14) This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

When the disciples had all made it ashore, Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." The fish and bread He had already prepared would serve to get the meal underway while they cooked some of the fish caught in the disciples' net. In response, Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land. That he was able to haul the net full of large fish onto the shore by himself shows that he was a man of considerable physical strength. Many fanciful explanations have been offered for the alleged hidden significance of the number of fish in the net, a hundred and fifty-three. The simple, obvious explanation, however, is that this was the actual number of fish they had caught. Here is another indication that John was an eyewitness of the events he recorded (1 John 1:1-3)

Love (John 21:15-17) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs; He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou

339 me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep; He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The true gospel call to follow Jesus Christ is a call to self-denial. It is not a man-centered call to self-fulfillment; there is no "Christianity lite." The gospel calls sinners to submit fully to Jesus Christ, to find their lives by losing them, to gain their lives by abandoning them, to live life to the fullest by emptying themselves. Our Lord's message, frankly, was not user friendly; it was not so much comforting as threatening. He did not make salvation easy, but hard; Christ's preaching, while motivated by love and compassion, filled with grace and mercy, and offering forgiveness, peace, and joy now and forever, was still demanding in the extreme. Jesus was never guilty of making things easy for sinners, and thereby contributing to a false confidence, a false assurance of salvation. "No one," He declared, "after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). He warned that those who would follow Him must be willing to die to themselves, and He stressed the importance of counting the cost of commitment to Him:

This is a critical passage for the church and its ministers. It has one great lesson: love is the one basic essential for ministry. Without love, ministry counts for nothing in God's eyes. This passage concerns three questions asked by our Lord. 1. After the meal, Jesus focused on Peter (v.15). 2. Do you love me more than these (v.15)? 3. Do you love me with God's love (v.16)? 4. Do you love me as a loyal brother (v.17)?

(V15) The meal was finished. Jesus and the disciples were sitting around talking and sharing together after the meal. Remember four things.

Jesus had already met Peter all alone in a private session to discuss Peter's denial and to make sure he was fully restored (1 Corinthians 15:4-5). ⇒ Peter's leadership needed to be reinforced publicly among all the disciples. They all knew about Peter's denial. ⇒ Jesus had to make sure Peter would never deny Him nor fall back from his mission again. ⇒ Jesus needed to teach the disciples the one basic essential for ministry. None of them, not even a charismatic leader such as Peter, could ever minister and bear godly fruit ⇒ unless he loved the flock of God. A man may be the most gifted person in the world, but he is nothing and can do nothing of value in God's eyes unless he first loves (1 Corinthians. 13:1-3). Abilities, talents, gifts, commitments, good deeds, and work just do not qualify a man before God nor make a man acceptable to God. The one great thing—in fact the only thing—that makes a man acceptable and that qualifies him to serve God is love.

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These are the reasons for what Jesus now did. He turned and focused upon Peter. Note: He called Peter by his full name, Simon Peter, and reminded him that he was the son of Jonas (John 1:42). This did two things. It attracted everyone's attention, stressing that what was to follow was important— more important than usual. ⇒ It reminded Peter where he had come from. He was of humble beginnings, from a lowly father. All that Peter had become and would become was of God. Peter was ⇒ nothing apart from Christ, and nothing apart from the mission he was about to receive. A man must know that he is nothing apart from Christ. How many persons would have more in life—more purpose, more meaning, more significance—if they would only surrender to Christ? How many have actually been called by Christ and rejected His call; therefore, they have missed out on their purpose in life and on making their contribution to society and to the world?

There is a difference between the three questions Jesus asked of Peter. Question one asked Peter who he loved (agapas ) the most, the Lord Himself or "these." Just what is meant by "these" is not clear. Jesus could have been pointing to the disciples sitting around. If so, He meant, do you love me more than you love these men or your family? Or, Jesus could have been pointing to the fish, the nets, and the boat. If so, He was asking, do you love me more than your profession and career (John 21:3)? Perhaps Scripture is unclear at this point in order to make "these" apply to anything and everything in our lives.

Question two asked Peter if he loved with God's love. This is seen in the Greek word for love. Jesus used one word, but Peter used another. Jesus used the word agapē, the highest form of love, the love of God Himself. But Peter did not reply, "Yea, Lord, I agapē you." He said , "Yea, Lord, I phileō you." That is, I love you just like a brother; I love you with a brotherly love." Phileō means brotherly love, the love between two brothers.

Question three probed the genuineness and loyalty of Peter's love. Here Jesus descended to the human level of love. He used phileō. He simply asked Peter, "Peter, do you really love, phileō me—even as a brother?" And questioning the loyalty of his love grieved Peter. But Jesus assured Peter that his love would one day reach the ultimate height (John 21:18). Peter would be called upon to demonstrate agapē love, the sacrificial love of God. Peter would be called upon to die for Christ, to give his life for preaching the love of God to those who do not care for it and who react violently against it. What Jesus was doing was preparing His disciples for a new kind of love that was yet to come. Up to the time of Christ's death and ascension, the greatest love known to man was phileō love, the willingness of a man to die for a friend. But in Christ, God was showing the world a new kind of love—agapē love. Agapē love is a love so new that a new meaning had to be given to the Greek word "agapē." Agapē became the love that was willing to give and die even for an enemy. The early Christian leaders recognized this new dimension of love, so they lifted the meaning of agapē love up to God's love for the world. Agapē love is the highest level of love possible; it is the love of God: "God [who] so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Agapē love is Christ dying...

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• for people who have no strength, and the ungodly (Romans 5:6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. • for sinners (Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. • for the enemies of God (Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Peter and the disciples did not yet understand this. They could not because the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, and agapē love is shed abroad in the heart only by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

(V16) Three times Peter was commissioned to feed and tend the flock of God. If Peter really loved the Lord, then he was commissioned to be a shepherd of the flock of God. Note three things.

1. Scripture identifies the lambs and sheep as the flock of God, that is, as the church of God. Jesus was talking about feeding His church, His disciples within the church.

(Acts 20:28) "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood".

In this verse (Acts 20:28) the charge is to guard oneself as well as the flock of God. This is similar to what Jesus was saying to Peter: if you love me, guard yourself and be faithful; feed my lambs and sheep, my church.

2. The flock of God is made up of both lambs (arnia ), John 21:15 and sheep (probate) , John 21:16-17). Lambs: children, young converts, the handicapped or special cases, believers who need special attention. Sheep: mature believers, believers who have walked and grown in the Lord for a long time. (Matthew 25:31-33) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 3. The ministry to the flock or church is twofold. The first ministry is to feed (boske) (John 21:15, 17). To give food, teaching both the milk and meat of the Word.

(1 Peter 2:2-3) "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (Hebrews 5:12-14). "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles [Word] of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he

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is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of us have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil"

(John 20:31). "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name"

(Acts 5:32). "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him"

(V17) The New Testament also teaches that love is the mark of a true believer. When asked to name the greatest commandment of the law, Jesus replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37). In 1 Corinthians 8:3 Paul wrote, "If anyone loves God, he is known by Him." On the other hand the apostle warned, "If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed" (1 Cor. 16:22). Only those who love God receive eternal life (James 1:12) and inherit the kingdom (James 2:5). Peter wrote in his first epistle, "Though you have not seen Him [Christ], you love Him" (1 Peter 1:8). Love is also the driving, compelling force that motivates Christian service (2 Cor. 5:14).

Peter replied to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." There is an interesting wordplay in the Greek text. The word Jesus used for love is agapaō, the highest love of the will, love that implies total commitment (1 Corinthians. 13:4-8). Peter, painfully aware of his disobedience and failure, felt too guilty to claim that type of love. The brash pronouncements were a thing of the past; broken and humbled and fully aware that his action precluded him from a believable claim to the highest love, Peter answered by using the word phileō, a less lofty term that signifies affection. He also appealed to Jesus' omniscience, reminding Him, "You know that I love You."

Accepting Peter's humble acknowledgement that his love was less than he had claimed and Christ deserved, Jesus still recommissioned him, graciously saying to him, "Tend My lambs." Tend translates a form of the verb boskō, a term used of herdsmen pasturing and feeding their livestock. The present tense of the verb denotes continuous action. In keeping with the metaphor He introduced in John 10:7-16 (Psalm 95:7; Psalm100:3; Ezekiel 34:31), Jesus described believers as His lambs, emphasizing not only their immaturity, vulnerability, and need, but also that they are His ( Matthew 18:5-10). It is the same responsibility given to every pastor, as Paul pointed out in Acts 20:28 and as Peter himself exhorted in 1 Peter 5:2. Paul instructed the young pastor Timothy that the means to doing this was to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Continuing to reinforce His point on the supremacy of love as the motive to faithfulness, Jesus said to Peter again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Once again He used the verb agapaō, and once again Peter was unwilling to use that word; in his reply, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You," Peter again used the verb phileō. The Lord then charged him,"Shepherd My sheep." Jesus chose a different term than the one translated "tend" in verse 15. This word, a form of the verb poimainō, is likely a synonym for the previous verb, both of

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which are suitable to express the full scope of responsibility that pastoral oversight entails ( Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2).

But Jesus still was not through with Peter, so He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" The reason for Peter's grief was a change in the Lord's vocabulary Unlike His two previous questions, this third time Jesus used Peter's word for love, phileō. He called into question even the less than total devotion Peter thought he was safe in claiming. The implication that his life did not support even that level of love broke Peter's heart. All he could do was appeal even more strongly to Jesus' omniscience, saying to Him, "Lord, You know all things (John 2:24-25; John 16:30); You know that I love You." For the third time Jesus accepted the apostle's recognized failure and imperfection ( Isaiah 6:1-8) and graciously charged Peter to care for His flock, saying to him, "Tend My sheep." Peter's restoration was thus complete.

As Andreas Köstenberger notes, Perhaps at long last Peter has learned that he cannot follow Jesus in his own strength and has realized the hollowness of affirming his own loyalty in a way that relies more on his own power of will than on Jesus' enablement.... Likewise, we should soundly distrust self-serving pledges of loyalty today that betray self-reliance rather than a humble awareness of one's own limitations in acting on one's best intentions (2 Corinthians 12:9- 10]. (John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.

Peter remained obedient to the Lord's commission for the rest of his life. His ministry from that point forward involved not only proclaiming the gospel (Acts 2:14-40; 3:12-26), but also feeding the flock the Lord had entrusted to him (Acts 2:42). Nearing the end of his ministry many years later, Peter wrote, Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3)

Note that the word used for feeding (boske ) is the word used for both the lambs (John 21:15) and the sheep (John 21:17). Both the lambs and sheep are to be fed on the same Word and fed in the same way.

(1 Peter 5:2-3) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

(Job 23:12). "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food"

(Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts".

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(21:18-25) Introduction: 1. Total commitment demands following the leadership of another (the Holy Spirit) (v.18). 2. Total commitment demands the cross—death to self: "Follow me" (v.19). 3. Total commitment demands undivided attention to one's own task (v.20-23). 4. Total commitment demands bearing witness to Jesus Christ (v.24-25).

Peter’s Martydom (John 21:18-19) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not; This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me;

This is the final passage of John's gospel. It is the great call to total commitment. Jesus' prophecy of Peter's martyrdom underscores the truth that commitment to Him may require paying the ultimate price. "He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me," (Matthew 10:38-39). Jesus had told the disciples when He commissioned them. Then He warned, "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-26)

As it does throughout John's gospel, the solemn phrase truly, truly introduces a significant truth When he was younger, Peter used to gird himself and walk wherever he wished; in other words, he was in control of his actions. "But," Jesus told him, "when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." There would come a time, Jesus warned, when others would seize Peter, bind him, and lead him away to be executed. Peter's death, as the phrase stretch out your hands implies, would be by crucifixion.

John's footnote, Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God, makes that clear.

Peter spent the last three decades of his life serving the Lord and anticipating his martyrdom. Yet he faced that prospect with confidence, comforted by the knowledge that he would not deny the Lord again, but instead would glorify Him in his death (1 Peter 4:14-16). According to tradition, Peter was crucified, but requested to be crucified upside down, because he felt unworthy to be crucified like his Lord (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III.1).

Total commitment requires following the leadership of another (the Holy Spirit). Who is meant by "another"? In this context it can mean either those who were to carry Peter to death, the Romans; or the Holy Spirit, who was to carry Peter through a life of suffering and martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Jesus seemed to be referring to the whole of Peter's life, ranging from his earlier years when he did what he wished over to his older years when he would be doing what God wished. Because of this, it seems best to interpret "another" as the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was challenging Peter to serve Him, to "feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). He was calling

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Peter to total commitment, and total commitment requires following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When Peter was young he girded himself, dressed and walked where he willed. Before he knew Christ, he... • ran his life as he • talked as he willed willed • chose the pleasures he • did what he wanted desired • went where he wished • chose the profession he wanted When he was younger, before he ever came to know Christ, Peter was able to live and do what he wanted when he wanted. But no more! Peter could no longer live as he wished. Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord, was now to control his life.

When Peter was old and mature, the Holy Spirit would dress him and carry him places he would not choose or will to go. This, of course, refers to the suffering and martyrdom Peter was to undergo for the sake of Christ. Since Peter was accepting the call of Christ to feed His sheep, Peter would have to... • live his life as the Spirit willed. • do what the Spirit wanted. • choose the profession the Spirit willed. • go where the Spirit wished. Note: Jesus was saying that Peter was to be carried "where he would not." He was to live a life of suffering (his imprisonments, Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18; Acts 12:4). He was to die the death of a martyr. His death was to be for the cause of Christ and the glory of God. Remember that Peter had a wife (Matthew 8:14) And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. At the time of this event, Peter was to live some forty years or more, so he was probably a newlywed. Tradition says that Peter's wife served with him in the ministry for many years. A touching picture is given by Clement of Alexandria who says that she was martyred with Peter:

"On seeing his wife led to death, Peter rejoiced on account of her call and her conveyance home, and called very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, 'Remember thou the Lord'" (Quoted by William Barclay. The Gospel of Matthew, Vol.1, p.313.)

There is strong evidence that Peter was crucified in Rome. Tradition says he felt so unworthy to die in the same manner as His Lord that he begged to be crucified upside down.

The call of Christ is to total commitment, not just to commitment. Total commitment demands that we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We can no longer dress and walk as we will. We are to dress and walk as the Holy Spirit wills. (John 14:15-26); (John 16:7-15)

The call of Christ involves persecution. The true believer lives a sacrificial and godly life, bearing a strong testimony and a strong witness. Such a life is rejected and opposed by most in the world.

The world persecutes the person who lives godly; it persecutes him at work, at play, at home—wherever and whenever it pleases. The world...

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• reproaches • attacks • ridicules • curses • mocks • abuses • by-passes • martyrs • shuns • murders • ignores Christ was calling Peter to such a life, telling him that the Holy Spirit would carry him to places he would not choose. Christ tells us the same thing. Total commitment requires following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and all who follow the Holy Spirit shall suffer persecution.

(2 Timothy 3:12) "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"

(1 Peter 4:12-14 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

We shall die, everyone of us. How we die should concern us, whether we die in self: having lived in comfort, ease, plenty, pleasure, wealth, extravagance, pride, unbelief or whether we die for Christ: having lived a godly life, bearing testimony, witnessing, helping, giving, ministering and meeting the desperate needs of a world reeling in sin and death.

(Hebrews 9:27) "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment".

(2 Corinthians 5:10). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad"

Total commitment requires the cross, death to self. One must follow Christ

(Luke 9:23) "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" Total Commitment (John 21:20-23) 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me; Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

Total commitment requires undivided attention to one's own task. Peter asked Jesus what John

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would be doing in his ministry. Peter and John were very close. John was younger than Peter, probably still a teenager. Apparently, Peter had taken a very close liking to John and had taken him into his care even before Christ had come along. Peter's interest in John's task and future was therefore natural. Note three things.

1. Jesus rebuked Peter. He told Peter that John's task was not his concern. His own task was to be his concern. Peter was not to look at another man's call and ministry and... • be distracted. • wish he had that ministry. • desire another ministry. • compare their calls and ministries. • copy or conform to that ministry. • meddle.

2. Jesus challenged and called Peter again: "Follow me" (John 21:22). • Concentrate on your own call and task. • Focus your attention, will, energy, and efforts upon your own call and task. • Realize that God knows where you can best serve and that He calls you to that task.

3. John corrected a rumor, an error spreading throughout the church. Some had taken the words of Jesus and misconstrued them, saying that Jesus meant that John would never die. Some were saying that John would survive until Jesus' return to earth. John very simply said this was not what Jesus was saying.

Evidently Christ's prediction of Peter's martyrdom prompted concern about what would happen to his intimate friend, John. Therefore he asked Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?" Jesus' abrupt and censuring reply "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?" was not an answer, but it was a rebuke that made it clear to Peter that what was to happen to John was none of his business. If John lived until the second coming, it had no bearing on his responsibility. Reiterating His command from verse 19, Jesus said emphatically, "You follow Me!" Peter's attention was not to be on anyone else, but on his own devotion and duty to Jesus Christ. All believers will do well to embrace this truth that the Lord has a unique plan for each of His followers.

John finished the inspired gospel by answering a few final questions that bring closure to his account. The Lord's hypothetical response to Peter caused a rumor to go out among the brethren that that disciple would not die. John was quick to debunk that rumor, lest his death cause some to believe the Lord made a false prediction: Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?"

(Matthew 23:34-36) Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous bloodshed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

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This was symbolized in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70:

(Luke 19:41-44) When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."

Jesus had challenged Peter to love Him above all else. Faced with the prospect of sacrificing everything for Christ, from here on Peter did not back down. He learned the lesson that following Jesus was to be the singularly supreme objective of his love. Peter and his fellow apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, turned the world upside down through their fearless witness to Jesus Christ and in almost every case died as martyrs for the love of Christ and the truth of the gospel.

(Acts 17:6) 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

(Acts 20:28) "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood".

(Jeremiah 3:15) "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding"

(Ezekiel 3:17). "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me" Total Commitment Continued John 21:24-25 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

John reminded his readers that he is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we (either the apostles, or more likely an editorial device referring only to John) know that his testimony is true. John was an eyewitness to the events recorded in his gospel, and his testimony concerning them is true (John 1-11, 5-6). But while what he wrote was true, it was by no means exhaustive. There are, the apostle noted, also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John had selectively chosen his material in keeping with his stated purpose of presenting Jesus Christ as the Messiah

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and Son of God (John 20:30-31). His statement that Jesus did more works than the world's books could hold is evidence that even in the four Gospels there is given only a very limited and selective record of events. This makes the point stronger regarding how great Israel's unbelief and subsequent culpability truly was, since she denied her Messiah in the face of such a massive display of divine power. In light of the vast evidence of His deity Israel's rejection of the Lord Jesus renders her subject to the severest judgment. This was especially true of the leaders, to whom the Lord said,

Total commitment demands bearing witness to Jesus Christ and fulfilling one's task on earth, just as John bore witness and fulfilled his task. John bore witness: the Gospel of John is his witness to the world. And note: John emphasized that his witness was true; he had not lied.

(John 20:31) "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name"

The primary task of every believer is to bear witness to the truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who has come to give life to man—both abundant and eternal life.

(John 10:10) "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"

(Acts 1:8) "But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth"

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Reference Notes

Dr. Esther Mallett Founder EMIBU University Gospel of John Cooper Abrams lll Commentary on the Gospel of John Allen Ross (Bible. Org) Gospel of John A.T. Robertson Word Pictures of the New Testament John William Barclay Commentary Daily Bible Study John Bruce Milne The Bible Speaks Today Message of John Adam Clarke Commentary on the Bible John Dr. Andreas Kostenberger John Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament John McArthur New Testament Commentary John Beth Moore The Beloved Disciple Lloyd Ogilvie Mastering the New Testament John Preachers Outline and Sermons Commentary John Leon Morris The Gospel According to John Flavin Josephus The Complete Works

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