BEALIVEPublishedbyDavidC.Cook

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LCCN2008937090ISBN978-1-4347-6736-3

©1986WarrenW.WiersbeFirsteditionofBeAlivebyWarrenW.WiersbepublishedbyVictorBooks®in1986©WarrenW.Wiersbe,ISBN978-0-89693-359-0

TheTeam:KarenLee-Thorp,AmyKiechlin,JackCampbell,andSusanVannamanCoverDesign:JohnHamiltonDesignCoverPhoto:CorbisCorporationSecondEdition2009

Tosomeyoungerfriendsintheministrywhohavebeenajoyandanencouragementtomywife,Betty,andme:

MarkandCindyBrunottDanaandChristaOlsonMikeandAnneWagner

ContentsTheBigIdea:AnIntroductiontoBeAlivebyKenBaughAWordfromtheAuthor

1.GodIsHere!(John1)

2.LearningaboutJesus(John2)

3.AMatterofLifeandDeath(John3)4.TheBadSamaritan(John4)

5.TheManWhoWasEqualwithGod(John5)6.JesusLosesHisCrowd(John6)

7.FeastFight(John7)

8.ContrastsandConflicts(John8)9.TheBlindManCallsTheirBluff(John9)10.TheGoodShepherdandHisSheep(John10)11.TheLastMiracle,theLastEnemy(John11)12.ChristandtheCrisis(John12)

TheBigIdeaAnIntroductiontoBeAlive

byKenBaugh

Here’saquestionforyoutoponder:“Whatisthemostimportantthingyouwillnotbeable todo inheaven?”C’mon, thinkabout it—don’t justskipahead tofindtheanswer,reallythinkaboutitforaminute.“Whatisthemostimportantthingyoucannotdoinheaven?”

Give up? I think the answer is simply this: “I will not be able to be anevangelist in heaven.” You may not have ever thought about this before, butsharing the faithwith unbelievers is the number one thingwe can do here onearththatwewillnotbeabletodoinheaven.

Sohowareyoudoinginyourevangelisticefforts?WhenwasthelasttimeyoutoldsomeoneaboutJesus?WhenwasthelasttimeyouopenedyourdoortoaJehovah’sWitnessorMormontosharewiththemtherealJesusoftheBible?WhenwasthelasttimeyoupulledoutyourBibleonanairplanehopingthatthepersonnexttoyouwouldbecomecuriousenoughtoaskyouaquestionaboutit?Feelingguiltyyet?Yeah,metoo—andI’mapastor.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butwhen Igetonanairplane Ioftenhidebehindmy iPodandput adisinterestedlookonmyface.

In2004,TheBarnaGroup asked a numberofChristians howmany timesthey had shared their faith in the past year, and they discovered that of thosesurveyed,only49percentsaidthattheyhaddoneso.Wow,lessthanhalf!IsitanywonderwhymorepeoplearenotbecomingChristians?ThetruthisthatGodhas chosen you andme to share the gospel with others, and if we neglect tomake themost of every opportunity to share our faith, peoplewon’t hear thegospel.Andiftheydon’thearthegospel,theycan’tmakeadecisionforChrist,and if theynevermakeadecision forChrist, theywilldie in their sins,and if

theydieintheirsins,theywillbeseparatedfromGodforeternityinaveryrealplaceoftormentcalledhell.

IknowI’mlayingitonkindofthickrightnow,butdon’tyouthinkthisisimportant? John definitely thought so, somuch so that theBig Idea that runsthroughthefirsttwelvechaptersofhisgospelisdedicatedtopresentingJesusasthedivineSonofGod.John’sgospelisdifferentfromtheSynopticsinthatthereisnogenealogy,noaccountofChrist’sbirth,nothingaboutHistemptationinthewilderness, nomention of the transfiguration, nomention of how Jesus wentaboutappointingHisdisciples,noparables,noaccountofHisascension,andnoreference to theGreatCommission. Instead, John emphasizes that Jesus is theCreator, theonlybegottenof theFather, theLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinsof theworld,andeven the“IAM”ofExodus3:14.But,Johnemphasizesmore thananyof theothergospelwriters that Jesus is thedivineSonofGod.AndJohnmakesitveryclearthatanypersonwhodoesnotbelieveinJesusasthe divine Son of God is condemned: “Whoever does not believe standscondemnedalreadybecausehehasnotbelieved in thenameofGod’soneandonlySon”(John3:18NIV).

Now,youmaybethinkingtoyourselfrightnow:Ken,Idon’thavethegiftofevangelism.Isn’titokayformetojustdeferthiswholeevangelismtasktootherswho do? Well, the short answer to that question is NO. It’s true that someChristiansdohavethegiftofevangelism,butthatdoesn’tlettherestofuswhodon’toffthehook.(Yeah,I’mapastorwhodoesn’thavethegiftofevangelism.Gofigure.)Thefactis,whetherwe’recomfortablewithitornot,themandateoftheGreatCommissionisforeverybelievertogoand“makedisciples,”andofcourse the very first step to a person becoming a disciple is that theymake adecisiontobelievethatJesusisthedivineSonofGod.

Sowhyisitsodifficulttobeanevangelist?Whataretheobstaclesthatgetintheway?Ithinktherearetwo.

ThefirstobstacleiswhatIcallthelack-of-knowledgebarrier.Thisiswhenthe person (maybe you) doesn’t think they know enough about the Bible ortheology to effectively answer people’s questions. The second obstacle is thefearbarrier(Ithoughtthatonemightringabell).Manyofusareterrifiedoftheopposition that often ensues with evangelistic efforts. But I’m convinced thateverybelievercanovercomethesetwobarriersandeffectivelysharetheirfaith.Letmeshowyouhow.

Ibelievethemosteffectivewaytoovercomethelack-of-knowledgebarrieris to focus your witnessing opportunity on Jesus’ personal testimony of Hisdivinenature.This is theBig Ideaof John1—12.Howmany timeshaveyouheard someone say “Oh, I believe Jesus lived, and I believe He was a goodmoralteacher,butIcertainlydonotbelieveHewasGod,andIdon’tbelieveHeeversaidHewas”?Well, thetruthis,JesusdidclaimtobeGod,andtherearemanyexamplesrecordedinJohn’sgospel.Letmeshowyouoneinchapter10.

JesusaskedtheJewswhytheywereabouttostoneHim.Hesaid,“‘IhaveshownyoumanygreatmiraclesfromtheFather.Forwhichofthesedoyoustoneme?’ ‘We are not stoning you for any of these,’ replied the Jews, ‘but forblasphemy, because you, amereman, claim to beGod’” (John 10:31–33 NIV).

HereweseehowJohnusedJesus’personaltestimonyofHisdivinenatureasatoolforevangelism.Why?Because,whenapersonisfacedwiththeevidenceofJesus’divinestatusandhearsitfromHisownlips,theyhavetomakeadecision:Is Jesus divine or not? I think C. S. Lewis captures the essence of this issuesuccinctlywhenhesays,

AmanwhowasmerelyamanandsaidthesortofthingsJesussaidwouldnotbeagreatmoral teacher.Hewouldeitherbealunatic—onalevelwiththemanwhosaysheisapoachedegg—orelsehewouldbe theDevilofHell.Youmustmakeyourchoice.Either thismanwas, and is, theSonofGod:or else a

madmanor somethingworse.YoucanshutHimup fora fool,youcanspitatHimandkillHimasademon;oryoucanfallatHisfeetandcallHimLordandGod.But letusnotcomewithany patronizing nonsense about His being a great humanteacher.Hehasnotleftthatopentous.Hedidnotintendto.

—C.S.Lewis,MereChristianity

Therefore, one of the most effective ways to overcome the lack-of-knowledge barrier is to dowhat John did: Focus your conversation on Jesus’testimony of Himself as God in human flesh. This is the quickest means ofgettingtotheheartofthegospelmessage.

Second,Ibelievethatthemosteffectivewaytoovercomethefearbarrieristo remember that your job is not to convert anyone. That’s God’s job. Yourresponsibilityasanevangelist issimplytoscatterseedsoftruththatreveal thepersonandworkofChrist.ScatterthevariousseedsoftruthinregardtoJesus’deity(seeJohn1:1–3;Col.1:15–17;2:9;andHeb.1:3),andscatterthevariousseedsoftruththatrevealwhatJesuscametodo(seeJohn3:16–18).

TheBigIdea inchapters1—12ofJohn’sgospel is thatJesus is thedivineSon of God, and themost effective way to share this truth is to share Jesus’testimonyaboutHimself.DoitboldlyasyourecognizethatyourjobissimplytoscattertheseedsoftruthaboutChrist’spersonandworkandnothingelse.God’sWorddoesnotreturnvoid:

As therainand thesnowcomedownfromheaven,anddonotreturn to it without watering the earth andmaking it bud andflourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for theeater, so ismyword thatgoesout frommymouth: Itwill notreturn to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and

achievethepurposeforwhichIsentit.(Isa.55:10–11NIV)

***

Dr.Wiersbe’scommentarieshavebeenasourceofguidanceandstrengthtomeover themany years that I have been a pastor.His unique style is not overlyacademic,buttheologicallysound.HeexplainsthedeeptruthsofScriptureinawaythateveryonecanunderstandandapply.Whetheryou’reaBiblescholarora brand-new believer in Christ, you will benefit, as I have, from Warren’sinsights. With your Bible in one hand and Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary in theother,youwillbeabletoaccuratelyunpackthedeeptruthsofGod’sWordandlearnhowtoapplythemtoyourlife.

Drinkdeeply,myfriend,of thetruthsofGod’sWord,for inthemyouwillfindJesusChrist,andthereisfreedom,peace,assurance,andjoy.

—KenBaughPastorofCoastHillsCommunityChurchAlisoViejo,California

AWordfromtheAuthorDuringthemonthsthatIhavebeenstudyingthegospelofJohnandwritingthisbook, Ihave felt likeaman standingonholyground.Themore I studiedandwrote,themoreinadequateIfelt.NowonderthegreatGreekscholarDr.A.T.RobertsoncalledthegospelofJohn“theprofoundestbookintheworld.”

There isnotspace in thesestudies toplumbthedepths,but Ihave tried topresentthebasicteachingsofthismarvelousbook.ThegospelofJohnissimpleenough for a child towade in, but deep enough for the scholar and themostseasonedsainttoswimin.

This book is the first of two volumes devoted to the gospel of John. Thesecondone,BeTransformed,focusesonchapters13—21.

Pleasecometothisbookwiththeheartandmindofaworshipper.Johndidnotsimplywriteabook;hepaintedexcitingpictures.Thesepagesarefilledwithimagessuchas theLamb, theDoor, theShepherd, thenewbirth, the lightanddarkness,theWaterofLife,bread,blindness,seeds,anddozensmore.Useyour“sanctifiedimagination”asyoustudy,andthegospelofJohnwillbecomeanewbooktoyou.

And, remember, you are not studying a book—you are seeing a person.“Andwebeheldhisglory…fullofgraceandtruth”(John1:14).

—WarrenW.Wiersbe

ASUGGESTEDOUTLINEOFTHEBOOKOFJOHN

Theme:JesusistheChrist;believeandlive!Keyverse:John20:31

I.Opportunity(John1:15—6:71)HepresentsHimselfto…A.Hisdisciples(John1:19—2:12)B.TheJews(John2:13—3:36)C.TheSamaritans(John4:1–54)D.TheJewishleaders(John5:1–47)E.Themultitudes(John6:1–71)

II.Opposition(John7—12)ThereisconflictwiththeJewishleadersover…A.Moses(John7:1—8:11)B.Abraham(John8:12–59)C.WhoMessiahis(John9:1—10:42)D.Hismiraculouspower(John11:1—12:36)E.TheywouldnotbelieveinHim(John12:37–50)

III.Outcome(John13—21)A.Thefaithofthedisciples(John13—17)B.TheunbeliefoftheJews(John18—19)C.ThevictoryofChrist(John20—21)

ChapterOne

GodIsHere!(John1)

ButwillGod indeed dwell on the earth?” asked Solomon as he dedicated thetemple(1Kings8:27).Agoodquestion,indeed!God’sgloryhaddwelledinthetabernacle (Ex.40:34)and in the temple(1Kings8:10–11),but thatgloryhaddepartedfromdisobedientIsrael(Ezek.9:3;10:4,18;11:22–23).

Then amarvelous thing happened: The glory ofGod came toHis peopleagain, in the person ofHis Son, JesusChrist. Thewriters of the four gospelshavegivenus“snapshots”ofourLord’slifeonearth,fornocompletebiographycouldeverbewritten(John21:25).MatthewwrotewithhisfellowJewsinmindand emphasized that Jesus of Nazareth had fulfilled the Old Testamentprophecies.MarkwroteforthebusyRomans.WhereasMatthewemphasizedtheKing,MarkpresentedtheServant,ministeringtoneedypeople.LukewrotehisgospelfortheGreeksandintroducedthemtothesympatheticSonofMan.

ButitwasgiventoJohn,thebeloveddisciple,towriteabookforbothJewsand Gentiles, presenting Jesus as the Son of God. We know that John hadGentilesinmindaswellasJews,becauseheoften“interpreted”Jewishwordsorcustoms for his readers (John 1:38, 41–42; 5:2; 9:7; 19:13, 17; 20:16). Hisemphasis to the Jews was that Jesus not only fulfilled the Old Testamentpropheciesbutalsofulfilledthetypes.JesusistheLambofGod(John1:29)andtheLadder fromheaven toearth (John1:51; and seeGen.28).He is theNewTemple(John2:19–21),andHegivesanewbirth(John3:4ff.).Heistheserpentliftedup(John3:14)andtheBreadofGodthatcamedownfromheaven(John6:35ff.).

Whereas the first three gospels major on describing events in the life ofChrist, John emphasized themeaning of these events. For example, all fourgospels record the feeding of the five thousand, but only John records Jesus’sermon on “The Bread of Life,” which followed that miracle when Heinterpreteditforthepeople.

But there is one major theme that runs throughout John’s gospel: JesusChrististheSonofGod,andifyoucommityourselftoHim,Hewillgiveyoueternal life (John 20:31). In this first chapter, John recorded seven names andtitlesofJesusthatidentifyHimaseternalGod.

1.THEWORD(1:1–3,14)Much as our words reveal to others our hearts and minds, so Jesus Christ isGod’s“Word” to revealHisheart andmind tous. “He thathath seenmehathseentheFather”(John14:9).Awordiscomposedofletters,andJesusChristis“AlphaandOmega”(Rev.1:11),thefirstandlastlettersoftheGreekalphabet.AccordingtoHebrews1:1–3,JesusChristisGod’slastWordtomankind,forHeistheclimaxofdivinerevelation.

JesusChrististheeternalWord(vv.1–2).Heexistedinthebeginning,notbecauseHehadabeginningasacreature,butbecauseHeiseternal.HeisGodandHewaswithGod.“BeforeAbrahamwas,Iam”(John8:58).

Jesus Christ is the creative Word (v. 3). There is certainly a parallelbetween John1:1 andGenesis 1:1, the “newcreation” and the “old creation.”Godcreated theworlds throughHisword:“AndGodsaid, ‘Let therebe…’”/“For he spake, and itwas done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Ps. 33:9).GodcreatedallthingsthroughJesusChrist(Col.1:16),whichmeansthatJesusisnotacreatedbeing.HeiseternalGod.

TheverbwasmadeisperfecttenseintheGreek,whichmeansa“completedact.”Creationisfinished.Itisnotaprocessstillgoingon,eventhoughGodis

certainlyatwork inHiscreation (John5:17).Creation isnot aprocess; it is afinishedproduct.

JesusChrist is the incarnateWord (v. 14).Hewas not a phantom or aspiritwhenHeministeredonearth,norwasHisbodyamereillusion.Johnandthe other disciples each had a personal experience that convinced themof therealityofthebodyofJesus(1John1:1–2).EventhoughJohn’semphasisisthedeityofChrist,hemakesitclearthattheSonofGodcameinthefleshandwassubjecttothesinlessinfirmitiesofhumannature.

In his gospel, Johnpoints out that Jesuswasweary (John4:6) and thirsty(John4:7),thatHegroanedwithin(John11:33)andopenlywept(John11:35).Onthecross,Hethirsted(John19:28),died(John19:30),andbled(John19:34).AfterHisresurrection,HeprovedtoThomasandtheotherdisciplesthatHestillhadarealbody(John20:24–29),howbeit,aglorifiedbody.

Howwas the “Wordmade flesh”?By themiracle of the virgin birth (Isa.7:14;Matt.1:18–25;Luke1:26–38).HetookonHimselfsinlesshumannatureand identifiedwithus in every aspect of life frombirth todeath. “TheWord”wasnotanabstractconceptofphilosophy,butarealPersonwhocouldbeseen,touched,andheard.ChristianityisChrist,andChristisGod.

The revelation of God’s glory is an important theme in the gospel. JesusrevealedGod’s glory inHis person,Hisworks, andHiswords. John recordedsevenwonderful signs (miracles) that openly declared the glory ofGod (John2:11).Thegloryoftheoldcovenantoflawwasafadingglory,butthegloryofthenewcovenantinChristisanincreasingglory(see2Cor.3).Thelawcouldreveal sin, but it could never remove sin. Jesus Christ came with fullness ofgrace and truth, and this fullness is available to all whowill trust Him (John1:16).

2.THELIGHT(1:4–13)

Life is a key theme in John’s gospel; it is used thirty-six times.What are theessentials for human life? There are at least four: light (if the sun went out,everythingwoulddie),air,water,andfood.Jesusisallofthese!HeistheLightofLifeandtheLightoftheWorld(John8:12).Heisthe“Sunofrighteousness”(Mal.4:2).ByHisHolySpirit,Hegivesusthe“breathoflife”(John3:8;20:22),aswell as theWaterofLife (John4:10,13–14;7:37–39).Finally, Jesus is theLivingBreadofLife thatcamedownfromheaven(John6:35ff.).Henotonlyhaslifeandgiveslife,butHeislife(John14:6).

Light and darkness are recurring themes in John’s gospel. God is light(1John1:5),whileSatanis“thepowerofdarkness”(Luke22:53).Peopleloveeitherthelightorthedarkness,andthislovecontrolstheiractions(John3:16–19).ThosewhobelieveinChristarethe“sonsoflight”(John12:35–36).Justasthefirstcreationbeganwith“Lettherebelight!”sothenewcreationbeginswiththeentranceoflightintotheheartofthebeliever(2Cor.4:3–6).ThecomingofJesusChrist into theworldwas thedawningofanewday for sinfulhumanity(Luke1:78–79).

Youwouldthinkthatblindsinnerswouldwelcomethelight,butsuchisnotalwaysthecase.ThecomingofthetrueLightbroughtconflictasthepowersofdarknessopposedit.AliteraltranslationofJohn1:5reads,“Andthelightkeepsonshininginthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeitorunderstoodit.” The Greek verb can mean “to overcome” or “to grasp, to understand.”ThroughoutthegospelofJohn,youwillseebothattitudesrevealed:Peoplewillnot understandwhat the Lord is saying and doing; and, as a result, theywillopposeHim.John7—12recordsthegrowthofthatopposition,whichultimatelyledtothecrucifixionofChrist.

Whenever Jesus taught a spiritual truth, His listeners interpreted it in amaterialorphysicalway.Thelightwasunabletopenetratethedarknessintheirminds.ThiswastruewhenHespokeaboutthetempleofHisbody(John2:19–21),thenewbirth(John3:4),thelivingwater(John4:11),eatingHisflesh(John

6:51ff.), spiritual freedom(John8:30–36),deathassleep (John11:11–13),andmanyotherspiritualtruths.Satanstrivestokeeppeopleinthedarkness,becausedarknessmeansdeathandhell,whilelightmeanslifeandheaven.

This facthelpsexplain theministryofJohn theBaptist (John1:6–8).JohnwassentasawitnesstoJesusChrist,totellpeoplethattheLighthadcomeintotheworld.ThenationofIsrael,inspiteofallitsspiritualadvantages,wasblindtoitsownMessiah!Thewordwitnessisakeywordinthisbook;Johnusesthenounfourteentimesandtheverbthirty-threetimes.JohntheBaptistwasoneofmanypeoplewhoborewitnesstoJesus:“ThisistheSonofGod!”Alas,JohntheBaptistwasmartyred,andtheJewishleadersdidnothingtopreventit.

WhydidthenationrejectJesusChrist?Becausethey“knewhimnot.”Theywerespirituallyignorant.Jesusisthe“trueLight”—theoriginalofwhicheveryother light is a copy—but the Jews were content with the copies. They hadMosesandthelaw, the templeandthesacrifices,but theydidnotcomprehendthat these “lights” pointed to the true Light who was the fulfillment, thecompletion,oftheOldTestamentreligion.

AsyoustudyJohn’sgospel,youwillfindJesusteachingthepeoplethatHeisthefulfillmentofallthatwastypifiedinthelaw.Itwasnotenoughtobeborna Jew; they had to be born again, born from above (John 3). He deliberatelyperformedtwomiraclesontheSabbathtoteachthemthatHehadanewresttogivethem(John5;9).Hewasthesatisfyingmanna(John6)andthelife-givingWater(John7:37–39).HeistheShepherdofanewflock(John10:16),andHeisanewVine(John15).Butthepeopleweresoshackledbyreligioustraditionthattheycouldnotunderstandspiritualtruth.JesuscametoHisownworldthatHehadcreated,butHisownpeople,Israel,couldnotunderstandHimandwouldnotreceiveHim.

TheysawHisworksandheardHiswords.TheyobservedHisperfect life.Hegavethemeveryopportunitytograspthetruth,believe,andbesaved.Jesusis theway,but theywouldnotwalkwithHim(John6:66–71).He is the truth,

buttheywouldnotbelieveHim(John12:37ff.).Heisthelife,andtheycrucifiedHim!

Butsinnerstodayneednotcommitthosesameblunders.John1:12–13givesusthemarvelouspromiseofGodthatanyonewhoreceivesChristwillbebornagainandenterthefamilyofGod!JohnsaysmoreaboutthisnewbirthinJohn3,buthepointsoutherethatitisaspiritualbirthfromGod,notaphysicalbirththatdependsonhumannature.

The Light is still shining! Have you personally received the Light andbecomeachildofGod?

3.THESONOFGOD(1:15–28,49)JohntheBaptistisoneofthemostimportantpersonsintheNewTestament.Heis mentioned at least eighty-nine times. John had the special privilege ofintroducing Jesus to the nation of Israel. He also had the difficult task ofpreparingthenationtoreceiveitsMessiah.Hecalledthemtorepentoftheirsinsandtoprovethatrepentancebybeingbaptizedandthenlivingchangedlives.

JohnsummarizedwhatJohntheBaptisthadtosayaboutJesusChrist(John1:15–18).First,Heiseternal(John1:15).JohntheBaptistwasactuallybornsixmonths before Jesus (Luke 1:36), so in this statement he is referring to ourLord’spreexistence,notHisbirthdate.JesusexistedbeforeJohntheBaptistwaseverconceived.

JesusChristhasfullnessofgraceandtruth(John1:16–17).GraceisGod’sfavorandkindnessbestowedonthosewhodonotdeserveitandcannotearnit.IfGoddealtwithusonlyaccordingtotruth,noneofuswouldsurvive,butHedealswithusonthebasisofgraceandtruth.JesusChrist,inHislife,death,andresurrection,metallthedemandsofthelaw;nowGodisfreetosharefullnessofgracewith thosewho trustChrist.Gracewithout truthwouldbedeceitful,andtruthwithoutgracewouldbecondemning.

InJohn1:17,JohndidnotsuggestthattherewasnograceunderthelawofMoses,becausetherewas.EachsacrificewasanexpressionofthegraceofGod.The law also revealedGod’s truth. But in Jesus Christ, grace and truth reachtheir fullness,and this fullness isavailable tous.Wearesavedbygrace (Eph.2:8–9),butwealsolivebygrace(1Cor.15:10)anddependonGod’sgraceinallthatwedo.Wecanreceiveonegraceafteranother,forHe“givethmoregrace”(James 4:6). In John 1:17, John hinted that a whole new order had come in,replacingtheMosaicsystem.

Finally,JesusChristrevealsGodtous(John1:18).AstoHisessence,Godisinvisible(1Tim.1:17;Heb.11:27).PeoplecanseeGodrevealedinnature(Ps.19:1–6;Rom.1:20)andinHismightyworksinhistory,buttheycannotseeGodHimself. JesusChrist revealsGod to us, forHe is “the image of the invisibleGod” (Col. 1:15) and“the express imageofhisperson” (Heb.1:3).Thewordtranslated “declared” gives us our English word exegesis, which means “toexplain, to unfold, to lead the way.” Jesus Christ explains God to us andinterpretsHimforus.WesimplycannotunderstandGodapartfromknowingHisSon,JesusChrist.

ThewordSon isusedfor thefirst timeinJohn’sgospelasa titleforJesusChrist(John1:18).Thephrase“onlybegotten”means“unique,theonlyoneofitskind.”ItdoesnotsuggestthattherewasatimewhentheSonwasnotandthatthen the Father brought Him into being. Jesus Christ is eternal God; He hasalwaysexisted.

AtleastninetimesinJohn’sgospel,Jesusiscalled“theSonofGod”(John1:34,49;3:18;5:25;10:36;11:4,27;19:7;20:31).YouwillrecallthatJohnhadas his purpose in writing to convince us that Jesus is the Son of God (John20:31).Atleastnineteentimes,Jesusisreferredtoas“theSon.”Heisnotonlythe Son of God, but He is alsoGod the Son. Even the demons admitted this(Mark3:11;Luke4:41).

JohntheBaptistisoneofsixpersonsnamedinthegospelofJohnwhogave

witness that Jesus is God. The others are Nathanael (John 1:49), Peter (John6:69),theblindmanwhowashealed(John9:35–38),Martha(John11:27),andThomas(John20:28).IfyouaddourLordHimself(John5:25;10:36),thenyouhavesevenclearwitnesses.

JohngavetherecordoffourdaysinthelifeofJohntheBaptist,Jesus,andthefirstdisciples.HecontinuesthissequenceinJohn2andpresents,asitwere,a“week”inthe“newcreation”thatparallelsthecreationweekinGenesis1.

On the first day (John 1:19–24), a committee from the Jewish religiousleaders interrogatedJohn theBaptist.Thesemenhadeveryright to investigateJohnandhisministry,sincetheywerethecustodiansandguardiansofthefaith.Theyaskedhimseveralquestions,andheclearlyansweredthem.

“Whoareyou?”wasalogicalquestion.WashethepromisedMessiah?Washe theprophetElijahwhowassupposed tocomebefore theMessiahappeared(Mal.4:5)?GreatcrowdshadgatheredtohearJohn,andmanypeoplehadbeenbaptized.ThoughJohndidnomiracles(John10:41),itwaspossiblethepeoplethoughtthathewasthepromisedMessiah.

John denied being eitherElijah or theMessiah. (In one sense, hewas thepromised Elijah. SeeMatt. 17:10–13.) John had nothing to say about himselfbecause he was sent to talk about Jesus! Jesus is theWord; John was but “avoice”—and you cannot see a voice! John pointed back to Isaiah’s prophecy(Isa.40:1–3)andaffirmedthathewasthefulfillment.

Having ascertainedwho Johnwas, the committee then askedwhat hewasdoing. “Why are you baptizing?” John got his authority to baptize, not frommen,butfromheaven,becausehewascommissionedbyGod(Matt.21:23–32).TheJewishreligiousleadersinthatdaybaptizedGentileswhowantedtoadopttheJewishfaith,butJohnbaptizedJews!

John explained that his baptismwas inwater, but that theMessiahwouldcomeandbaptizewithaspiritualbaptism.Again,Johnmadeitclearthathewasnot establishing a new religion or seeking to exalt himself. He was pointing

peopletotheSavior,theSonofGod(John1:34).WeshalllearnlaterthatitwasthroughbaptismthatJesusChristwouldbepresentedtothepeopleofIsrael.

4.LAMBOFGOD(1:29–34)ThisistheseconddayoftheweekthattheapostleJohnrecorded,andnodoubtsomeof the samecommitteememberswerepresent tohear John theBaptist’smessage.Thistime,hecalledJesus“theLambofGod,”atitlehewouldrepeatthe next day (John 1:35–36). In one sense, the message of the Bible can besummed up in this title. The question in theOld Testament is, “Where is thelamb?” (Gen.22:7). In the fourgospels, theemphasis is “Behold theLambofGod!”HereHeis!AfteryouhavetrustedHim,yousingwiththeheavenlychoir,“WorthyistheLamb”(Rev.5:12).

ThepeopleofIsraelwerefamiliarwithlambsforthesacrifices.AtPassover,each family had to have a lamb, and during the year, two lambs a day weresacrificed at the temple altar, plus all the other lambs brought for personalsacrifices. Those lambs were brought by people to people, but here is God’sLamb,givenbyGod tohumankind!Those lambscouldnot takeawaysin,buttheLambofGodcantakeawaysin.ThoselambswereforIsraelalone,butthisLambwouldshedHisbloodforthewholeworld!

WhatdoesJohn’sbaptismhavetodowithJesusastheLambofGod?Itisgenerally agreedby scholars of all denominations that, in theNewTestament,baptism was by immersion. It pictured death, burial, and resurrection. WhenJohn the Baptist baptized Jesus, Jesus and Johnwere picturing the “baptism”JesuswouldendureonthecrosswhenHewoulddieasthesacrificialLambofGod(Isa.53:7;Luke12:50).Itwouldbethroughdeath,burial,andresurrectionthattheLambofGodwould“fulfillallrighteousness”(Matt.3:15).

Perhaps John was mistaken. Perhaps John was not sure that Jesus ofNazarethwastheLambofGodortheSonofGod.ButtheFathermadeitclear

toJohnjustwhoJesusisbysendingtheSpiritlikeadovetolightonHim.WhatabeautifulpictureoftheTrinity!

5.THEMESSIAH(1:35–42)Thisisnowthethirddayinthesequence.Theseventhdayincludedtheweddingat Cana (John 2:1), and since Jewish weddings traditionally were onWednesdays,itwouldmakethisthirddaytheSabbathday.ButitwasnotadayofrestforeitherJohntheBaptistorJesus,forJohnwaspreachingandJesuswasgatheringdisciples.

ThetwodisciplesofJohnwhofollowedJesuswereJohn, thewriterof thegospel,andhisfriendAndrew.JohntheBaptistwashappywhenpeoplelefthimtofollowJesus,becausehisministryfocusedonJesus.“Hemustincrease,butImustdecrease”(John3:30).

WhenJesusasked them,“Whatareyouseeking?”Hewasforcing themtodefinetheirpurposesandgoals.WeretheylookingforarevolutionaryleadertooverthrowRome?ThentheyhadbetterjointheZealots!LittledidAndrewandJohnrealizethatdayhowtheirliveswouldbetransformedbytheSonofGod.

“WhereareYoudwelling?”mayhavesuggested,“IfYouaretoobusynow,we can visit later.”But Jesus invited them to spend the daywithHim (itwas10:00a.m.);andnodoubtHetoldthemsomethingofHismission,revealedtheirownheartstothem,andansweredtheirquestions.TheywerebothsoimpressedthattheyfoundtheirbrothersandbroughtthemtoJesus.AndrewfoundSimonand Johnbrought James. Indeed, theywere their brothers’ keepers (Gen. 4:9)!WheneveryoufindAndrewinJohn’sgospel,heisbringingsomebodytoJesus:hisbrother, the ladwith the loavesand fish (John6:8–9),and theGreekswhowanted to see Jesus (John12:20–21).No sermons fromAndreware recorded,buthecertainlypreachedgreatsermonsbyhisactionsasapersonalsoulwinner!

“We have found the Messiah!” was the witness Andrew gave to Simon.

Messiah isaHebrewword thatmeans“anointed,”and theGreekequivalent is“Christ.”To the Jews, itwas the same as “Son ofGod” (seeMatt. 26:63–64;Mark 14:61–62; Luke 22:67–70). In theOld Testament, prophets, priests, andkings were anointed and thereby set apart for special service. Kings wereespeciallycalled“God’sanointed”(1Sam.26:11;Ps.89:20);so,whentheJewsspokeabout theirMessiah, theywere thinkingof thekingwhowouldcometodeliverthemandestablishthekingdom.

There was some confusion among the Jewish teachers as to what theMessiahwoulddo.SomesawHimasasufferingsacrifice(asinIsa.53),whileotherssawasplendidking(asinIsa.9and11).JesushadtoexplaineventoHisownfollowersthatthecrosshadtocomebeforethecrown,thatHemustsufferbeforeHecouldenterintoHisglory(Luke24:13–35).WhetherornotJesuswasindeed theMessiahwasacrucialproblemthatchallengedtheJewsin thatday(John7:26,40–44;9:22;10:24).

Simon’sinterviewwithJesuschangedhislife.Italsogavehimanewname—Peter in theGreek,Cephas in theAramaic that Jesus spoke, both ofwhichmean“arock.”IttookagreatdealofworkforJesustotransformweakSimonintoarock,butHedidit!“Thouart…thoushaltbe”isagreatencouragementtoallwhotrustChrist.Truly,Hegivesusthe“powertobecome”(John1:12).

It isworthnoting thatAndrewandJohntrustedChrist throughthefaithfulpreaching of John theBaptist. Peter and James came toChrist because of thecompassionatepersonalworkoftheirbrothers.Lateron,JesuswouldwinPhilippersonally,andthenPhilipwouldwitnesstoNathanaelandbringhimtoJesus.Eachperson’sexperienceisdifferent,becauseGodusesvariousmeanstobringsinnerstotheSavior.TheimportantthingisthatwetrustChristandthenseektobringotherstoHim.

6.THEKINGOFISRAEL(1:43–49)

JesuscalledPhilippersonally,andPhiliptrustedHimandfollowedHim.Wedonot know what kind of heart preparation Philip experienced, for usually GodpreparesapersonbeforeHecallshim.WedoknowthatPhilipprovedhisfaithbyseekingtoshareitwithhisfriendNathanael.

John21:2suggeststhatatleastsevenofourLord’sdiscipleswerefishermen,includingNathanael.Fishermenarecourageousand stick to the job,nomatterhowdifficultitmaybe.ButNathanaelstartedoutadoubter;hedidnotbelievethat anythingworthwhile could come out of Nazareth. Our Lordwas born inBethlehem,butHegrewupinNazarethandborethatstigma(Matt.2:19–23).Tobecalled“aNazarene”(Acts24:5)meanttobelookeddownonandrejected.

WhenNathanaelhesitatedandargued,PhilipadoptedourLord’sownwords:“Comeandsee”(John1:39).Lateron,Jesuswouldinvite,“Come…anddrink”(John7:37),and,“Comeanddine”(John21:12).“Come”isthegreatinvitationofGod’sgrace.

WhenNathanaelcametoJesus,hediscoveredthattheLordalreadyknewallabout him!What a shock!By calling him “an Israelite inwhom is no guile,”JesuswascertainlyreferringtoJacob,theancestoroftheJews,amanwhousedguile to trick his brother, his father, and his father-in-law. Jacob’s name waschangedto“Israel,aprincewithGod.”Thereferenceto“Jacob’sladder”inJohn1:51confirmsthis.

WhenJesusrevealedHisknowledgeofNathanael,wherehehadbeenandwhathehadbeendoing,thiswasenoughtoconvincethemanthatJesusindeedwas “theSonofGod, theKingof Israel.”His experiencewas like that of theSamaritanwomanat thewell. “Whenhe [Messiah] iscome,hewill tellusallthings.…Come,seeaman,whichtoldmeallthingsthateverIdid”(John4:25,29).Therevealingofthehumanheartshouldalsotakeplaceintheministryoflocalchurches(1Cor.14:23–35).

WhenPhilipwitnessed toNathanael, theevidencehegavewasMosesandtheprophets(John1:45).PerhapsJesusgavePhilipa“quickcourse”intheOld

Testament messianic prophecies, as He did with the Emmaus disciples (Luke24:13ff.).ItisalwaysgoodtotieourpersonalwitnesstotheWordofGod.

“KingofIsrael”wouldbeatitlesimilarto“Messiah,AnointedOne,”forthekingswerealwaysGod’sanointed(seePs.2,especiallyvv.2,6–7).AtonepointinHisministry, the crowdswanted tomake JesusKing, butHe refused them(John6:15ff.).HedidpresentHimselfasKing(John12:10ff.),andHeaffirmedtoPilatethatHewasbornaKing(John18:33–37).

SomestudentsbelievethatNathanaelandBartholomewarethesameperson.John never mentions Bartholomew in his gospel, but the other three writersnameBartholomewandnotNathanael.PhilipislinkedwithBartholomewinthelistsofnames(Matt.10:3;Mark3:18;Luke6:14),soitispossiblethatthetwomenwere“pairedoff”andservedtogether.Itwasnotunusualinthatdayforonemantohavetwodifferentnames.

7.THESONOFMAN(1:50–51)“Sonofman”wasoneofourLord’sfavoritetitlesforHimself;itisusedeighty-threetimesintheGospelsandatleastthirteentimesinJohn.ThetitlespeaksofboththedeityandthehumanityofJesus.ThevisioninDaniel7:13presentsthe“Sonofman”inadefinitemessianicsetting,andJesususedthetitleinthesameway(Matt.26:64).

AsSonofMan, Jesus is the “living link”betweenheaven and earth.Thisexplains His reference to “Jacob’s ladder” in Genesis 28. Jacob the fugitivethought he was alone, but God had sent the angels to guard and guide him.Christ isGod’s “ladder”betweenheavenandearth. “Nomancomethunto theFather, but by me” (John 14:6). Often in this gospel, you will find JesusremindingpeoplethatHecamedownfromheaven.TheJewishpeopleknewthat“Sonofman”wasanamefortheirMessiah(John12:34).

At thecloseof that fourthday,JesushadsixbelievingmenwhowereHis

disciples.They did not immediately “forsake all and followhim”; thatwas tocome later.But theyhad trustedHimand experiencedHispower. In the threeyearsthatlayahead,theywouldgrowintheirfaith,learnmoreaboutJesus,andone day take His place on the earth so that theWordmight be carried to allhumankind.

JesusofNazarethisGodcomeintheflesh.WhenPhilipcalledHim“thesonof Joseph,” hewas not denying Jesus’ virgin birth or divine nature. ThatwasmerelyHislegalidentification,foraJewishpersonwasidentifiedaccordingtowhohisfatherwas(John6:42).Thewitnessofthisentirechapterisclear:JesusofNazarethisGodcomeintheflesh!

Godishere!

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.HowdoestheworldportrayJesustoday?

2.WhatdoeseachofthesenamesandtitlesthatJohnusedtodescribeJesustellus aboutHim:Word,Light, SonofGod,LambofGod,Messiah,KingofIsrael,SonofMan?

3.Chooseoneofthesenamesortitlesanddescribehowitisimportantforyoupersonally.

4.WhywastheWordmadeflesh?

5.WhatdoyoulearnaboutJohntheBaptistandhisrelationshiptoJesusinthisfirstchapter?

6.BytheendofHisfourthdayofministryJesushadsixdisciples.HowdidtheycometobelieveinHim?

7.Whatdoyoulearnaboutevangelismfromthewaytheyweremadedisciples?

8.WhatisthemostsignificantthingyoulearnedaboutJesusfromthischapter?

9.Howcanthatsignificantthinginfluencethewayyoulivethisweek?

ChapterTwo

LearningaboutJesus

(John2)

ThesixdiscipleswhonowtrustedJesusstartedontheirlifelongwalkwithHimandfromthebeginningbegantolearnmoreaboutHim.Wewhoreadthegospelrecord in its entirety are prone to take these events for granted, but to thedisciples, each day and each new event broughtmarvels thatwere difficult tounderstand. In thischapteralone,Johnrecorded threewonderful revelationsofJesusChrist.

1.HISGLORY(2:1–12)“The third day”means three days after the call ofNathanael (John 1:45–51).SincethatwasthefourthdayoftheweekrecordedinJohn(John1:19,29,35,43),theweddingtookplaceon“theseventhday”ofthis“newcreationweek.”Throughouthisgospel,JohnmakesitclearthatJesuswasonadivineschedule,obeyingthewilloftheFather.

Jewish tradition required that virgins be married on a Wednesday, whilewidowsweremarriedonaThursday.Beingthe“seventhday”ofJohn’sspecialweek, Jesuswould be expected to rest, just asGod rested on the seventh day(Gen.2:1–3).Butsinhad interruptedGod’sSabbathrest,and itwasnecessaryforboththeFatherandtheSontowork(John5:17;9:4).Infact,JohnrecordedtwospecificmiraclesthatJesusdeliberatelyperformedonSabbathdays(John5;9).

At thiswedding,we see Jesus in three different roles: theGuest, theSon,andtheHost.

(1)JesustheGuest(vv.1–2).OurLordwasnotarecluse,aswasJohntheBaptist(Matt.11:16–19).Heacceptedinvitationstosocialevents,eventhoughHisenemiesusedthispracticetoaccuseHim(Luke15:1–2).OurLordenteredintothenormalexperiencesoflifeandsanctifiedthembyHispresence.WisearethecouplewhoinviteJesustotheirwedding!

HewasaccompaniedbyHismotherandHissixdisciples.Perhapsitwastheadditionofsevenmorepeoplethathelpedcreatethecrisis,butitmusthavebeenasmallweddingfeast if thiswerethecase.WehavereasontobelievethatourLord’searthlyfamilywasnotprosperous,anditislikelythattheirfriendswerenotwealthypeople.Perhaps the shortageofwinewas related to a low-budgetfeast.

Were Jesus and His disciples invited because of Mary or because ofNathanael(John21:2)?OurLordwasnotyetwellknown;Hehadperformednomiraclesasyet. Itwasnot likely thatHewas invitedbecause thepeopleknewwhoHewas.ItwasprobablyHisrelationshipwithMarythatbroughtabouttheinvitation.

(2)JesustheSon(vv.3–5).SinceJewishweddingfeasts lastedaweek, itwas necessary for the groom to have adequate provisions. For one thing, itwouldbeembarrassingtorunoutofeitherfoodorwine,andafamilyguiltyofsuchgaucheriecouldactuallybe fined!So, to runoutofwinecouldbecostlybothfinanciallyandsocially.

WhydidMaryapproachJesusabout theproblem?DidsheactuallyexpectHimtodosomethingspecialtomeettheneed?CertainlysheknewwhoHewas,even though shedidnotdeclare thiswonderful truth toothers.Shemusthavebeen very close to either the bride or the bridegroom to have such a personalconcernforthesuccessofthefestivitiesoreventoknowthatthesupplyofwinewasdepleted.PerhapsMarywasassistinginthepreparationandservingofthe

meal.Mary did not tell Jesus what to do; she simply reported the problem.

(Compare themessageofMaryandMartha toJesuswhenLazaruswassick—John11:3.) Jesus’ replyseemsabitabruptandevenharsh,butsuch isnot thecase. “Woman”was a politeway to address her (John 19:26; 20:13), andHisstatementmerelymeans,“WhyareyougettingMeinvolvedinthismatter?”HewasmakingitcleartoHismotherthatHewasnolongerunderhersupervision(it is likely that Josephwas dead), but that fromnowon,Hewould be doingwhat the FatherwantedHim to do. There had been a hint of this some yearsbefore(Luke2:40–52).

Atthispoint,Johnintroducedoneofthekeyelementsofhisrecord,theideaof“thehour.”Jesuslivedona“heavenlytimetable,”markedoutforHimbytheFather.(SeeJohn7:30;8:20;12:23;13:1;17:1;andnotealsothewordsofJesusasrecordedinJohn11:9–10.)AsyoustudyJohn’sgospel,youwillobservehowthisconceptof“thehour”isdeveloped.

Mary’swords to theservants reveal that shewaswilling to letherSondowhateverHepleasedandthatshetrustedHimtodowhatwasright.Itwouldbewiseforallofustoobeywhatshesaid!ItisworthnotingthatitwasJesus,notMary,whotookcommandandsolvedtheproblem;andthatMarypointed,nottoherself,buttoJesus.

(3)JesustheHost(vv.6–12).OurLord’sfirstmiraclewasnotaspectaculareventthateverybodywitnessed.Mary,thedisciples,andtheservantsknewwhathadhappened;butnobodyelseatthefeasthadanyideathatamiraclehadtakenplace.His firstmiraclewas a quiet event at awedding in contrast toHis lastmiraclerecordedbyJohn(John11),apubliceventafterafuneral.

Each of the six stone waterpots could contain about twenty gallons each.However,wearenot told that allof theavailablewater in the jars turned intowine.Only thatwhich the servants drewout and servedwas transformed intowine.Thequalityofthisnewwinewassosuperiorthatthemaninchargeofthe

banquethighlypraisedit,and,ofcourse,thegroom’sfamilybaskedinthegloryofthecompliments.

Thefactthatthiswasthe“beginningofmiracles”automaticallydeclaresasfalsethestoriesaboutthemiraclesperformedbyJesuswhenHewasaninfantorayoungchild.TheyarenothingbutsuperstitiousfablesandoughttoberejectedbyanyonewhoacceptstheauthorityoftheBible.

The miracle did something for His disciples. It revealed His glory (John1:14)andgavethemastrongerfoundationfortheirfaith.ThoughmiraclesaloneareinsufficientevidencefordeclaringJesustobetheSonofGod(2Thess.2:9–10), the cumulative effect of miracle after miracle should certainly convincethemofHisdeity.Thediscipleshadtobeginsomewhere,andoverthemonths,theirfaithdeepenedastheygottoknowJesusbetter.

Butthereiscertainlymoretothismiraclethansimplymeetingahumanneedandsavingafamilyfromsocialembarrassment.ThegospelofJohn,unliketheotherthreegospels,seekstosharetheinnermeaning—thespiritualsignificance—ofourLord’sworks,sothateachmiracleisa“sermoninaction.”Wemustbecareful not to “spiritualize” these events so that they lose their historicalmoorings,but,atthesametime,wemustnotbesoshackledtohistorythatweareblindto(asA.T.Piersonusedtosay)“Hisstory.”

To begin with, the word John used in his book is not dunamis, whichemphasizes power, but sïmeion, which means “a sign.” What is a sign?Somethingthatpointsbeyonditselftosomethinggreater.ItwasnotenoughforpeopletobelieveinJesus’works;theyhadtobelieveinHimandintheFatherwhosentHim(John5:14–24).ThisexplainswhyJesusoftenaddedasermontothemiracleandinthatsermoninterpretedthesign.InJohn5,thehealingoftheparalyticontheSabbathopenedthewayforamessageonHisdeity,“theLordofthe Sabbath.” The feeding of the five thousand (John 6) led naturally into asermonontheBreadofLife.

IfourLordhadpreachedasermonafterHeturnedthewaterintowine,what

mightHehavesaid?Foronething,Helikelywouldhavetoldthepeoplethattheworld’sjoyalwaysrunsoutandcannotberegained,butthejoyHegivesisevernewandeversatisfying. (In theScriptures,wine isasymbolof joy.SeeJudg.9:13;Ps.104:15.)Theworldoffersthebestatthefirst;andthen,onceyouare“hooked,” things start to getworse.But Jesus continues to offer thatwhich isbest untilwe one day enjoy the finest blessings in the eternal kingdom (Luke22:18).

ButourLordwould certainlyhave a specialmessagehere forHispeople,Israel. In the Old Testament, the nation is pictured as “married” to God andunfaithfultohermarriagecovenant(Isa.54:5;Jer.31:32;Hos.2:2ff.).Thewineranout, and all Israel had leftwere six emptywaterpots!Theyheldwater forexternalwashings,buttheycouldprovidenothingforinternalcleaningandjoy.Inthismiracle,ourLordbroughtfullnesswheretherewasemptiness,joywherethere was disappointment, and something internal for that which was onlyexternal(waterforceremonialwashings).

WhenJohnmentioned“thethirdday”(John2:1),hemayhavebeengivingusahintofourLord’sresurrection.AlloftheseblessingsarepossiblebecauseofHissacrificeonthecrossandHisresurrectionfromthedead(John2:19).

InterestinglyMoses’ first miracle was a plague—turningwater into blood(Ex.7:19ff.),whichspeaksofjudgment.OurLord’sfirstmiraclespokeofgrace.

Thismiraclealsopresentsapractical lesson inservice forGod.Thewaterturned into wine because the servants cooperated with Jesus and obeyed Hiscommands. Several of the signs in John’s gospel involve the cooperation ofpeople andGod: the feeding of the five thousand (John 6), the healing of themanbornblind(John9),andtheraisingofLazarus(John11).Whetherwepassout bread, wash away mud, or roll away the stone, we are assisting Him inperformingamiracle.

Itissignificantthattheservantsknewthesourceofthisspecialwine(John2:9).WhenJesushealedthenobleman’sson(John4:46–54),itwastheservants

whowereinonthesecret.WearenotjustHisservants;wearealsoHisfriends,andweknowwhatHeisdoing(John15:15).

Winewas thenormaldrinkof thepeople in thatday,andwemustnotusethis miracle as an argument for the use of alcoholic beverages today. Amangiventodrinkoncesaidtome,“Afterall,Jesusturnedwaterintowine!”

My replywas, “If youuse Jesus as your example for drinking,whydon’tyou followHis example in everything else?” Then I readLuke 22:18 to him.Thisverseclearlystatesthat,inheavennow,Jesusisateetotaler!

Sincere Christians of our day consider such verses as 1 Corinthians 8:9;10:23,31beforeconcludingthat theuseofalcoholicbeveragesisawisethingtoday.Iamremindedofthestoryofthedrunkencoalminerwhowasconvertedandbecameavocalwitness forChrist.Oneofhis friends tried to traphimbyasking,“DoyoubelievethatJesusturnedwaterintowine?”

“Icertainlydo!”thebelieverreplied.“Inmyhome,Hehasturnedwineintofurniture,decentclothes,andfoodformychildren!”

Finally,itisworthnotingthattheJewsalwaysdilutedthewinewithwater,usuallytotheproportionofthreepartswatertoonepartwine.WhiletheBibledoesnotcommandtotalabstinence,itcertainlymagnifiesitanddefinitelywarnsagainstdrunkenness.

2.HISZEAL(2:12–22)Jesus,Hisfamily,andHisdisciplesremainedinCapernaumafewdays,andthenHewenttoJerusalemforthePassoverFeast.EachJewishmanwasrequiredtoattendthreeannualfeastsattheHolyCity:Passover,Pentecost,andTabernacles(Deut. 16:16). The feastsmentioned in the gospel of John are Passover (John2:13; 6:4; 12:1), Tabernacles (John 7:2), and Dedication (John 10:22). TheunnamedfeastinJohn5:1mayhavebeenPurim(Est.9:26,31).

Though He deliberately violated the man-made religious traditions of the

Pharisees,ourLordobeyedthestatutesofthelawandwasfaithfultoupholdthelaw. InHis lifeanddeath,Hefulfilled the lawso that, today,believersarenotburdenedbythat“yokeofbondage”(Acts15:10).

Jesus revealedHis zeal forGod first of all by cleansing the temple (John2:13–17).ThepriestshadestablishedalucrativebusinessofexchangingforeignmoneyforJewishcurrencyandalsosellingtheanimalsneededforthesacrifices.Nodoubt,this“religiousmarket”beganasaconveniencefortheJewswhocamelong distances to worship in the temple, but in due time the “convenience”becameabusiness,notaministry.Thetragedyisthatthisbusinesswascarriedon in thecourtof theGentiles in the temple, theplacewhere the Jews shouldhavebeenmeeting theGentiles and telling themabout theone trueGod.AnyGentile searching for truth would not likely find it among the religiousmerchantsinthetemple.

Our Lord suddenly appeared in the temple and cleaned house! He wascareful not to destroy anyone’s property (He did not release the doves, forexample),butHemade itclear thatHewas incommand.The templewasHisFather’shouse,andHewouldnothavethereligiousleaderspolluteitwiththeirmoney-makingenterprises.

Theconditionofthetemplewasavividindicationofthespiritualconditionofthenation.Theirreligionwasadullroutine,presidedoverbyworldlymindedmenwhosemaindesirewastoexerciseauthorityandgetrich.Notonlyhadthewinerunoutattheweddingfeastbutthegloryhaddepartedfromthetemple.

WhentheysawHiscourageouszeal, thedisciplesrememberedPsalm69:9“The zeal of [for] thine house hath eaten me up.” Psalm 69 is definitely amessianicpsalmthatisquotedseveraltimesintheNewTestament:Psalm69:4(John 15:25); Psalm 69:8 (John 7:3–5); Psalm 69:9 (John 2:17; Rom. 15:3);Psalm69:21(Matt.27:34,48);andPsalm69:22(Rom.11:9–10).

Therewas still a godly remnant in Israelwho lovedGod and reveredHistemple(Luke1:5–22;2:25–38),butmostreligiousleaderswerefalseshepherds

whoexploited thepeople.WhenJesuscleansed the temple,He“declaredwar”on the hypocritical religious leaders (Matt. 23), and this ultimately led toHisdeath.Indeed,HiszealforGod’shousedideatHimup!

HealsorevealedHiszealbygivingHis life (John2:18–22). Itwas logicalforthereligiousleaderstoaskHimtoshowthesourceofHisauthority.Afterall,theyweretheguardiansoftheJewishfaith,andtheyhadarighttotestanynewprophetwho appeared. “The Jews require a sign” (1Cor. 1:22).Often, duringHisministry,theleadersaskedJesustogivethemasign,andHerefusedtodoso,except for thesignof Jonah (Matt.12:39ff.).The“signof Jonah” isdeath,burial,andresurrection.

Jesususedtheimageofthetempletoconveythistruth.“Destroythistemple[Mybody], and in three days Iwill raise it up” (John 2:19).Being spirituallyblind, those who heard misunderstood what He was saying. Throughout thegospel of John, you will find people misunderstanding spiritual truth andinterpretinginmaterialorphysicalterms(John3:4;4:11;6:52).Herod’stemplewasstartedin20BCandnotcompleteduntilAD64.Howcouldoneman“raiseitup”inthreedays?

This statement was, of course, a prediction of His own death andresurrection,andHisdisciplesremembereditafterHewasraisedfromthedead.ButHis enemies also remembered it andused it atHis trial (Matt. 26:59–61),and someof thepeoplemockedHimwith itwhenHewasdyingon thecross(Matt.27:40).

Inwritingthisgospel,JohnincludedanumberofvividpicturesofthedeathoftheSavior.Thefirst is theslayingof theLambinJohn1:29, indicatingthatHisdeathwouldbethatofasubstituteforsinners.Thedestroyingofthetempleis thesecondpicture (John2:19),suggestingaviolentdeath thatwouldend invictoriousresurrection.

The thirdpicture is thatof theserpent liftedup(John3:14),areference toNumbers21:5–9.TheSaviorwouldbemadesinforus(1Peter2:24).Hisdeath

wouldbevoluntary(John10:11–18):TheShepherdwouldlaydownHislifeforthe sheep. Finally, the planting of the seed (John 12:20–25) teaches that HisdeathwouldproducefruittothegloryofGod.Hisdeathandburialwouldlooklikefailure,butintheend,Godwouldbringvictory.

ThetemplewasanimportantelementoftheJewishfaith,forinitGodwassupposed to dwell.All of the ceremonies and sacrifices of the Jewish religioncenteredinthetemple.WhenJesussuggestedthattheirpreciousbuildingwouldbedestroyed, theirangryreactionwaspredictable.Afterall, ifHis body is thetemple, then the Jewish temple would be needed no more. In this crypticstatement,ourLordactuallypredictedtheendoftheJewishreligioussystem.

But that was one of the purposes John had in mind when he wrote hisgospel:The legal systemhasended,and“graceand truth”havecome throughJesusChrist.Heisthenewsacrifice(John1:29)andthenewtemple(John2:19).Johnwilltelluslaterthatthenewworshipwilldependoninwardintegrity,notoutwardgeography(John4:19–24).

3.HISKNOWLEDGE(2:23–25)WhileinJerusalemforthePassover,Jesusperformedmiraclesthatarenotgivenin detail in any of the Gospels. It must have been these signs that especiallyattractedNicodemus(John3:2).Becauseofthemiracles,manypeopleprofessedtobelieveinHim,butJesusdidnotaccepttheirprofession.Nomatterwhatthepeople themselves said or others said about them. He did not accept humantestimony.Why?Because,beingGod,Heknewwhatwasineachperson’sheartandmind.

The words believed in John 2:23 and commit in John 2:24 are the sameGreekword. These people believed in Jesus, butHe did not believe in them!Theywere “unsaved believers”! It was one thing to respond to amiracle butquitesomethingelsetocommitoneselftoJesusChristandcontinueinHisWord

(John8:30–31).Johnwas not discrediting the importance of our Lord’s signs, because he

wrotehisbooktorecordthesesignsandtoencouragehisreaderstotrustJesusChristandreceiveeternallife(John20:30–31).However, throughoutthebook,Johnmakesitclearthatittakesmorethanbelievinginmiraclesforapersontobesaved.Seeingthesignsandbelievinginthemwouldbeagreatbeginning;infact,eventhedisciplesstartedthatwayandhadtogrowintheirfaith(compareJohn2:11and22).

ThroughoutthegospelofJohn,youseetheJewishpeopledividedoverthemeaning of these miracles (John 9:16; 11:45–46). The same miracles thatattractedNicodemustoJesuscausedsomeoftheotherreligiousleaderstowantto kill Him! They even asserted thatHismiracleswere done in the power ofSatan!OurLord’smiraclesweretestimonies(John5:36),givingevidenceofHisdivinesonship;buttheywerealsotests,exposingtheheartsofthepeople(John12:37ff.). The same events that opened some eyes onlymade other eyes thatmuchmoreblind(John9:39–41).

ItisimportanttoseethatJesustiedHismiraclestothetruthofHismessage.Heknewthatthehumanheartisattractedtothesensational.Thefivethousandwho He fed wanted to make Him King—until He preached a sermon on theBreadofLife,andthentheyleftHimindroves!“GraceandtruthcamebyJesusChrist”(John1:17).Ingrace,Jesusfedthehungry;intruth,HetaughttheWord.The people wanted the physical food but not the spiritual truth, so theyabandonedHim.

“Heknewwhatwas inman” isastatement that isprovedseveral times inJohn’s gospel. Jesus knew the character of Simon (John 1:42).He knewwhatNathanaelwaslike(John1:46ff.),andHetoldtheSamaritanwoman“allthings”thatshehadeverdone(John4:29).HeknewthattheJewishleadersdidnothaveGod’sloveintheirhearts(John5:42)andthatoneofHisdiscipleswasnottrulyabeliever(John6:64).Hesawtherepentanceintheheartoftheadulteress(John

8:10–11) and themurder in the hearts of His enemies (John 8:40ff.). Severaltimesintheupperroommessage,JesusrevealedtoHisdisciplestheirowninnerfeelingsandquestions.

As you followourLord’sministry in John’s gospel, you seeHimmovinggradually out of the bright light of popularity and into the dark shadows ofrejection.Atthebeginning,itwaseasyforpeopletofollowthecrowdandwatchHis miracles. But then, His words began to penetrate hearts, with convictionfollowing, and conviction leads either to conversion or opposition. It isimpossibletobeneutral.Peoplehadtodecide,andmostofthemdecidedagainstHim.

Yes, Jesus knows the human heart. “Except ye see signs andwonders, yewillnotbelieve”(John4:48).PeoplewhowantHisworksbutnotHisWordcannever shareHis life. “Seeing is believing” is not theChristian approach (John11:40; 20:29). Firstwebelieve; thenwe see.Miracles can only lead us to theWord(John5:36–38),andtheWordgeneratessavingfaith(Rom.10:17).

OurLord’s accurateknowledgeof thehumanheart is another evidenceofHisdeity,foronlyGodcanseetheinnerperson.Thisbriefparagraphpreparesus for the important interview with Nicodemus recorded in the next chapter.NotetherepetitionofthewordmanfromJohn2:25to3:1.NicodemuswantedtolearnmoreaboutJesus,butheendeduplearningmoreabouthimself!

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.When you first came to know Jesus, which of His characteristics had thedeepestinfluenceonyou?

2.Skimthroughthischapter.IfyouwereoneofJesusdisciples,whatwouldyouthinkofHim?Why?

3.ReadJohn2:1–12.WhatdoesitsayaboutJesusthatHeperformedHisfirstmiracleatawedding?

4.WhatimpressionofMarydoesthisstorygiveyou?

5.JesuswasonaschedulewhenHewashereonearth.Whydoesthatmattertous?Whatisthesignificanceofthewordhourinverse4?

6.TurningthewaterintowinewasthefirstofsevensignsJohnrecordedinthisbook.Whatdidthissignpointto?

7.Readverses13–22.WhywasJesussoupsetwiththosesellingmerchandiseinthetemplecourts?

8.Whatis“zeal”?Howisitdifferentfromfanaticism?

9.WhatstatementwasJesusmakingwithHisactionsinthetemplecourts?

10.Readverses23–25.WhydidJohnmentionJesus’knowledge?

11. How can Jesus’ glory, zeal, and knowledge affect the way you live thisweek?

ChapterThree

AMatterofLifeandDeath(John3)

NotonlywasBenjaminFranklinagreatstatesmanandinventor,buthewasalsoagreatcorrespondentandreceivedlettersfromfamouspeoplefromallovertheworld.Onedayhereceivedwhatcouldwellhavebeenthemostimportantletterever tocome tohisdesk. Itwas fromthewell-knownBritishpreacherGeorgeWhitefield.

“I find that you grow more and more famous in the learned world,”Whitefield wrote. “As you have made such progress in investigating themysteries of electricity, I now humbly urge you to give diligent heed to themysteryofthenewbirth.Itisamostimportantandinterestingstudyand,whenmastered,willrichlyrepayyouforyourpains.”

ThenewbirthisoneofthekeytopicsinJohn3.Inaddition,inthischapterwe see Jesus Christ in three different roles: the Teacher (John 3:1–21), theBridegroom(John3:22–30),andtheWitness(John3:31–36).

1.JESUSCHRISTTHETEACHER(3:1–21)We have already noted the connection between John 2:23–25 and 3:1.Nicodemuswas initially attracted to Jesusbecauseof themiraclesHedid.HewantedtoknowmoreaboutJesusandthedoctrinesthatHetaught.Nicodemushimselfwas“theteacheroftheJews”(John3:10,literaltranslation),andhehadgreatrespectfortheTeacherfromGalilee.

Nicodemuswas a Pharisee,whichmeant he lived by the strictest possiblereligiousrules.NotallofthePhariseeswerehypocrites(asonemayinferfrom

Jesus’commentsrecordedinMatt.23),andevidenceindicatesthatNicodemuswasdeeplysincereinhisquestfortruth.HecametoJesusbynight,notbecausehewasafraidofbeingseen,butmostlikelybecausehewantedtohaveaquiet,uninterrupted conversation with the new Teacher “come fromGod.” The factthatNicodemususedthepluralpronoun“we”andthatJesusrespondedwiththeplural “ye” (John 3:7) may indicate that Nicodemus was representing thereligiousleaders.Hewasamanofhighmoralcharacter,deepreligioushunger,andyetprofoundspiritualblindness.

InordertoinstructNicodemusinthebasicsofsalvation,ourLordusedfourquitedifferentillustrations.

(1) Birth (vv. 1–7).Our Lord began with that which was familiar, birthbeing a universal experience. The word translated “again” also means “fromabove.”Thoughallhumanbeingshaveexperiencednaturalbirthonearth,iftheyexpecttogotoheaven,theymustexperienceasupernaturalspiritualbirthfromabove.

Once again, we meet with the blindness of sinners: This well-educatedreligious leader, Nicodemus, did not understand what the Savior was talkingabout!Jesuswasspeakingaboutaspiritualbirth,butNicodemusthoughtonlyofaphysicalbirth.Thesituationisnodifferenttoday.Whenyoutalkwithpeopleabout being born again, they often begin to discuss their family’s religiousheritage,theirchurchmembership,theirreligiousceremonies,andsoon.

Being a patient teacher, our Lord picked up on Nicodemus’s words andfurtherexplainedthenewbirth.Tobe“bornofwater”is tobebornphysically(“enterasecondtimeintohismother’swomb”),buttobebornagainmeanstobebornoftheSpirit.Justastherearetwoparentsforphysicalbirth,sotherearetwo“parents” for spiritualbirth: theSpiritofGod (John3:5)and theWordofGod (James1:18;1Peter1:23–25).TheSpirit ofGod takes theWordofGodand,whenthesinnerbelieves,impartsthelifeofGod.

Jesuswasnot teachingthat thenewbirthcomesthroughwaterbaptism.In

theNewTestament,baptismisconnectedwithdeath,notbirth,andnoamountofphysicalwatercaneffectaspiritualchangeinaperson.TheemphasisinJohn3:14–21isonbelieving,becausesalvationcomesthroughfaith(Eph.2:8–9).TheevidenceofsalvationisthewitnessoftheSpiritwithin(Rom.8:9),andtheSpiritentersyourlifewhenyoubelieve(Acts10:43–48;Eph.1:13–14).

WaterbaptismiscertainlyapartofourobediencetoChristandourwitnessforChrist(Matt.28:18–20;Acts2:41).Butitmustnotbemadeanessentialforsalvation;otherwise,noneoftheOldTestamentsaintswaseversaved,norwasthethiefonthecross(Luke23:39–43).Ineveryage,therehasbeenbutonewayofsalvation—faithinGod’spromise—thoughtheoutwardevidenceofthatfaithhaschangedfromagetoage.

Humanbirthinvolvestravail(John16:21),andsodoesthebirthfromabove.OurSaviorhadtotravailonthecrosssothatwemightbecomemembersofthefamily ofGod (Isa. 53:11). Concerned believers have to travail in prayer andwitnessastheyseektoleadsinnerstoChrist(1Cor.4:15;Gal.4:19).

Thechildinheritsthenatureoftheparents,andsodoesthechildofGod.Webecome “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Nature determinesappetite,whichexplainswhytheChristianhasanappetiteforthethingsofGod(1Peter2:2–3).Hehasnodesiretogobacktothefoulthingsoftheworldthatonceappealedtohim(2Peter2:20–22).HefeedsontheWordofGodandgrowsintospiritualmaturity(Heb.5:11–14).

Ofcourse,birthinvolveslife,andspiritualbirthfromaboveinvolvesGod’slife.Johnusesthewordlifethirty-sixtimesinhisgospel.Theoppositeoflifeisdeath,andthepersonwhohasnotbelievedonJesusChristdoesnothaveGod’slife,eternallife,abundantlife.YoudonotmanufactureChristiansanymorethanyoumanufacturebabies!TheonlywaytoenterGod’sfamilyisthroughthenewbirth(John1:11–13).

Birthinvolvesafuture,andweare“bornagaintoalivinghope”(1Peter1:3

NASB).Anewbornbabycannotbearrestedbecauseheorshehasnopast!When

youarebornagainintoGod’sfamily,yoursinsareforgivenandforgotten,andyourfutureisbrightwithalivinghope.

Nicodemusmusthavehadasurprisedandyetbewilderedlookonhisface,fortheLordhadtosay,“YoumustnotbesurprisedthatItoldyouthatallofyoumustbebornagain” (John3:7 PH).ButNicodemuswasborn a Jew!Hewas a

partofGod’scovenantpeople(Rom.9:4–5)!Certainlyhisbirthwasbetterthanthat of a Gentile or a Samaritan! And his life was exemplary, for he was afaithfulPharisee!HecouldwellunderstandJesus telling theRomans that theyhadtobebornagain,butcertainlynottheJews!

(2)Thewind(vv.8–13).ItislikelythattheeveningwindwasblowingjustthenasNicodemusandJesussatonthehousetop,conversing.ThewordwindinbothHebrewandGreekcanalsobetranslated“spirit.”OneofthesymbolsoftheSpiritofGodintheBibleisthewindorbreath(Job33:4;John20:22;Acts2:2).Like thewind, the Spirit is invisible but powerful, and you cannot explain orpredictthemovementsofthewind.

WhenJesususedthissymbol,NicodemusshouldhavereadilyrememberedEzekiel 37:1–14. The prophet saw a valley full of dead bones, but when heprophesiedtothewind,theSpiritcameandgavetheboneslife.Again,itwasthecombinationoftheSpiritofGodandtheWordofGodthatgavelife.ThenationofIsrael(includingNicodemusandhisfellowcouncilmembers)wasdeadandhopeless,butinspiteofthemoralityandreligionofthepeople,theyneededthelifeoftheSpirit.

Thenewbirthfromaboveisanecessity(“Yemustbebornagain”),butitisalsoamystery.EveryonewhoisbornoftheSpiritislikethewind:Youcannotfully explain or predict either the wind or the child of God! For that matter,humanbirth is still amystery, inspiteofall thatweknowaboutanatomyandphysiology.Eachnewlifeisexcitinganddifferent.

Nicodemus came “by night,” and he was still in the dark! He could notunderstand the new birth even after Jesus had explained it to him. Our Lordstated clearly that Nicodemus’s knowledge of the Old Testament should havegivenhimthelightheneeded(John3:10).Alas,“theteacheroftheJews”knewthefactsrecordedintheScriptures,buthecouldnotunderstandthetruths.

What was the problem? For one thing, the religious leaders would notsubmit to the authority of Christ’s witness (John 3:11). We will see this“authorityconflict”increaseaswecontinueinourstudies.ThereligiousleadersclaimedtobelieveMoses,yettheycouldnotbelieveJesus(John5:37–47).ThePhariseesweremoreconcernedaboutthepraiseofmenthanthepraiseofGod(John12:37–50).

“Ihaveusedearthlyillustrations,”saidJesus,“andyoucannotunderstand.IfIbegantosharethedeepspiritualtruths,youstillwouldnotbelieve”(seeJohn3:12).

(3)Theserpentonthepole(vv.14–18).ThestoryinNumbers21:4–9wascertainly familiar to Nicodemus. It is a story of sin, for the nation rebelledagainstGodandhadtobepunished.Godsentfieryserpentsthatbitthepeoplesothatmanydied.Itisalsoastoryofgrace,forMosesintercededforthepeople,andGodprovidedaremedy.HetoldMosestomakeabrassserpentandliftituponapole for all to see.Any strickenpersonwho lookedat the serpentwouldimmediatelybehealed.So,itisalsoastoryoffaith:Whenthepeoplelookedbyfaith,theyweresaved.

Theverblifteduphasadualmeaning:tobecrucified(John8:28;12:32–34)and to be glorified and exalted. In his gospel, John points out that ourLord’scrucifixionwasactuallythemeansofHisglorification(John12:23ff.).ThecrosswasnottheendofHisglory;itwasthemeansofHisglory(Acts2:33).

Muchastheserpentwaslifteduponthatpole,sotheSonofGodwouldbelifteduponacross.Why?Tosaveusfromsinanddeath.InthecampofIsrael,the solution to the “serpent problem”was not in killing the serpents, making

medicine,pretendingtheywerenotthere,passingantiserpentlaws,orclimbingthepole.Theanswerwasinlookingbyfaithattheupliftedserpent.

Thewholeworld has been bitten by sin, and “thewages of sin is death”(Rom.6:23).GodsentHisSontodie,notonlyforIsrael,butforawholeworld.How is a person born from above? How is he or she saved from eternalperishing?BybelievingonJesusChrist;bylookingtoHiminfaith.

On January 6, 1850, a snowstorm almost crippled the city of Colchester,England,andateenageboywasunabletogettothechurchheusuallyattended.So he made his way to a nearby Primitive Methodist chapel, where an ill-prepared laymanwas substituting for the absent preacher.His textwas Isaiah45:22—“Lookuntome, andbeye saved, all the endsof the earth.”Formanymonthsthisyoungteenagerhadbeenmiserableandunderdeepconviction,butthough he had been reared in church (both his father and grandfather werepreachers),hedidnothavetheassuranceofsalvation.

The unprepared substitute minister did not have much to say, so he keptrepeatingthetext.“Amanneednotgotocollegetolearntolook,”heshouted.“Anyonecanlook—achildcanlook!”Aboutthattime,hesawthevisitorsittingto one side, and he pointed at him and said, “Young man, you look verymiserable.Youngman,looktoJesusChrist!”

The young man did look by faith, and that was how the great preacherCharlesHaddonSpurgeonwasconverted.

Thedifferencebetweenperishingandliving,andbetweencondemnationandsalvation,isfaithinJesusChrist.Jesuscouldwellhavecometothisworldasajudgeanddestroyedeveryrebellioussinner;butinlove,HecametothisworldasourSavior,andHediedforusonthecross!Hebecamethe“upliftedserpent.”TheserpentinMoses’daybroughtphysicallifetodyingJews,butJesusChristgiveseternallifetoanyonewhotrustsHim.Hehassalvationforawholeworld!

(4)Lightanddarkness(vv.19–21).Thisisoneofthemajorimagesusedinthis gospel (John 1:4–13).Whywill sinners not come into the “light of life”?

Becausetheylovethedarkness!Theywanttopersistintheirevildeeds,andthiskeepsthemfromcomingtothelight,forthecloserthesinnergetstothelight,themorehissinsareexposed.Itisnot“intellectualproblems”thatkeeppeoplefrom trusting Christ; it is the moral and spiritual blindness that keeps themlovingthedarknessandhatingthelight.

Pleasenote thatNicodemus finallydid“come to the light.”Hewas in the“midnight of confusion” (John 3:1–21), but eventually he came out into the“sunlightofconfession”whenheidentifiedwithChristatCalvary(John19:38–42).HerealizedthattheupliftedSaviorwasindeedtheSonofGod.

2.JESUSTHEBRIDEGROOM(3:22–30)Until John theBaptistwasarrestedbyHerodandput intoprison,hisministryoverlappedthatoftheLordJesus.Johndidnotwantanyonetofollowhim;hisministrywas to point to the Lamb ofGod and urge people to trustHim.Butwhen two popular preachers are involved in similar work, it is easy for bothfriendsandenemiestogetcaughtupincompetitionandcomparison.

It appears that some of John’s disciples started the argument. It began ondoctrinal grounds—the matter of purifying—but soon moved to personalgrounds. In John 3:25, somemanuscripts read “a Jew” instead of “the Jews.”CouldthisunnamedJewhavepossiblybeenNicodemus?Wecannotsay,butitisapossibility.

ThematterofpurifyingwasimportanttotheJews(Mark7:1–23).UndertheOldTestament law, itwasnecessaryfor themtokeepthemselvesceremoniallyclean if theywere to serveGod and pleaseHim.Unfortunately, the Phariseesadded so many extra traditions to the law that the observing of it became aburden.

Without realizing it, John’s disciples were putting him into a situation ofcompetingagainst theLordJesus!“Allmencometohim.”(John3:26)sounds

likeawailofdespair.ItisinterestingtonotethatfourofthegreatestmenintheBiblefacedthisproblemofcomparisonandcompetition:Moses(Num.11:26–30), John the Baptist (John 3:26–30), Jesus (Luke 9:46–50), and Paul (Phil.1:15–18).A leaderoftensuffersmore fromhiszealousdisciples than fromhiscritics!

HowdidJohntheBaptisthandlethiscontroversy?Tobeginwith,hestatedaconviction: All ministry and blessing come from God, so there can be nocompetition(John3:27).Paulwouldhaveagreedwiththis(1Cor.3:1–9;4:1–7).OurgiftsandopportunitiescomefromGod,andHealonemustgettheglory.

Then John used a beautiful illustration. He compared Jesus to thebridegroomandhimselfonlytothebestman(John3:29).Oncethebridegroomandbridehadbeenbroughttogether, theworkof thebestmanwascompleted.What a foolish thing it would be for the best man to try to “upstage” thebridegroom and take his place. John’s joy was to hear the voice of theBridegroomandknowthatHehadclaimedHisbride.

Even before his birth, John the Baptist rejoiced in the Lord (Luke 1:44).JohnwascontenttobethevoiceannouncingJesustobetheWord(John1:23).JesuswastheLight,andJohntheBaptistwasthewitnesspointingtotheLight(John1:6–8).

Oftenpressreleasesandbookreviewscrossmydesk,alongwithconferencefolders, and at times I am perturbed by what I read. Very few speakers andwritersareordinarypeople.Theyare“worldtravelers”or“notedlecturers”whohaveaddressed“hugeaudiences.”Theyarealwaysin“greatdemand,”andtheirministriesaredescribedinsuchwaysthat theymaketheapostlePaulamidgetbycomparison.

APresbyterianpastorinMelbourne,Australia,introducedJ.HudsonTaylorby using many superlatives, especially the word great.Taylor stepped to thepulpit and quietly said, “Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustriousMaster.” If John the Baptist in heaven heard that statement, he must have

shouted,“Hallelujah!”The image of the Bridegroom would have been significant to the Jewish

people, for Jehovah had a “marriage covenant” with the nation (Isa. 54:5;62:4ff.;Jer.2:2;3:20;Ezek.16:8;Hos.2:19ff.).Alas,Israelhadbeenunfaithfultohervows,andGodhadtoputherawaytemporarily.Today,GodiscallingoutapeopleforHisname,thechurch,thebrideofChrist(2Cor.11:1–3;Eph.5:22–33).OnedaytheBridegroomwillcometoclaimHisbrideandtakeher toherhomeinheaven(Rev.19:6–9;21:9ff.).

Thewordmust isusedinthreesignificantwaysinthischapter:the“must”ofthesinner(John3:7),the“must”oftheSavior(John3:14),andthe“must”oftheservant(John3:30).

3.JESUSTHEWITNESS(3:31–36)Bible scholars do not agree as to who is speaking in John 3:31–36, John theapostle or John the Baptist. For that matter, some students believe that John3:16–21 came from the apostle John and not the Lord Jesus. There were noquotationmarksinearlymanuscripts,butsinceallScriptureisinspired,itreallymakeslittledifferencewhosaidthewords.

Theemphasisinthisparagraphisonwitness(“testimony”),oneofthekeysubjectsinJohn’sgospel.TheGreekwordtranslated“witness”or“testimony”isused forty-seven times. John borewitness to Jesus (John 1:7; 5:33), but Jesuswasalsoawitness to the truth.WhyshouldweheedHiswitness?For severalreasons.

He came fromheaven (v. 31).Hewas not simply called fromheavenorempoweredbyheaven;Hecame fromheaven. Itwas this claim that the Jewsdisputed,becausetheyknewitwasHisclaimthatHewasGod(John6:38–42).John the Baptist certainly was not “from above,” nor did he claim to be. NoearthlymessengerofGodcame“fromabove.”OnlyJesusChristcanmakethat

claimandproveittobetrue.SinceJesuscamefromheaven,He represents theFather;and to rejectHis

witness is to reject the Father (John 5:23).We know that His witness is truebecauseHeisthetrueGod.Wecantrustitandrelyonit.

ItcomesfromHimfirsthand(vv.32–33).HeshareswhatHehasseenandheardfromtheFather(John8:38).ThosewhoreceiveHiswitnessandactonitknow by personal experience thatHiswitness is true (John 7:17).Our Lord’steachingsarenottobestudiedintellectually,separatedfromeverydaylife.Itiswhen we obey His Word and put it into practice that we see its truth andexperienceitspower.

TheFatherhasauthorizedHisSon (vv. 34–35).God sentHim (anotherkeythemeinJohn’sgospel);GodgaveHimtheWord;GodgaveHimtheSpirit;andGodgaveHimallthings(John13:3).Whatacommissioning!TorejecttheSon’switnessistorebelagainstthehighestauthorityintheuniverse.

We usually think of God’s love for a lost world (John 3:16), but JohnremindsusoftheFather’sloveforHisSon.JesusistheFather’s“belovedSon”(Matt.3:17;Mark1:11;Luke3:22).Because theFather loves theSon,HehasgivenHimallthings,andHeshowsHimallthings(John5:20).Itisalovethatcanholdnothingback.

Therefore, when we receive His witness, we share in His love and Hiswealth.TorejectChrist’switnessistosinagainstloveandlight.NowonderourLordweptover thecityof Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37–39).Theyhad rejectedHiswitness—both His messages and His miracles—and their rejection led tojudgment.

WemightescapethewrathofGod(v.36).ThisistheonlyplaceinanyofJohn’sepistlesorhisgospelthatheusesthewordwrath.(HeusesitsixtimesinthebookofRevelation.)ThisverseparallelsJohn3:18andmakes itclear thattherecanbenoneutralitywhenitcomestothewitnessofJesusChrist:EitherwetrustHimorwerejectHim.

“Everlasting life” does not simply mean eternity in heaven. The believerpossessesthatliferightnow!ItisthelifeofGodinthebeliever.Theoppositeofeternallifeiseternaldeath,thewrathofGod.Apersondoesnothavetodieandgo tohell to beunder thewrathofGod. “He that believethnot is condemnedalready” (John3:18).Theverdicthasalreadybeengiven,but thesentencehasnot yet been executed.Why? Because God is patient and long suffering andcontinuestocallsinnerstorepentance(2Peter3:9).

Asyou reviewJohn3,youcan see that theapostle John is emphasizingapersonalrelationshipwithJesusChrist.

It is a living relationship that begins with the new birth, the birth fromabove.WhenwereceiveJesusChristintoourlives,weshareHisverylifeandbecomechildreninthefamilyofGod.

Itisalsoalovingrelationship,forHeistheBridegroom,andweareapartofthe bride. Like John the Baptist, we desire that Jesus Christ increase as wedecrease.Hemustreceiveallthehonorandglory.

Itisalearningrelationship,forHeisthefaithfulWitnesswhosharesGod’struthwithus.WhatadelightitistoreceiveHisWord,meditateonit,andmakeitpartofourverylives.

Butwemustneverforgetthecostoftheseblessings.ForustobebornintoGod’sfamily,JesusChristhadtodie.Forustoenterintothelovingrelationshipofsalvation,Hehadtoendurethehatredandcondemnationofhumankind.Hehad to be lifted up on the cross so that wemight experience forgiveness andeternallife.

Maywenevertakethisforgranted!“Hemustincrease,butImustdecrease”(John3:30).

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.Inwhatdoestheworldtrytofindsalvationtoday?

2.Readverses1–21.WhatisyourimpressionofNicodemus?

3.WhydidJesustreatNicodemuslikeareligiousilliterate?

4.WhatdoesJesus’self-confidencewithanothergreatrabbisuggestaboutHisunderstandingofwhoHewas?

5. Jesusused four illustrations to explain salvation toNicodemus:birth,wind,the serpent on a pole, light, and darkness. What does each illustrationcontributetoyourunderstandingofsalvation?

6.Whichoftheseillustrationsismosthelpfultoyou?Why?

7.Whichillustration,ifanyofthem,ishardforyoutograsp?Why?

8. Read Numbers 21:4–9. Why did Jesus choose this illustration to teachNicodemusmoreaboutsalvation?

9. Read verses 22–30. Does it surprise you that John the Baptist wasn’t

concernedabouthisstatusasareligiousleader?Whyorwhynot?

10.HowcanweletJesusincreasewhilewedecreaseasJohntheBaptistdid?

11.Readverses31–36.WhyshouldweheedJesus’witnesstothetruth?

12.Inthischapter,JohnemphasizedthatapersonalrelationshipwithJesusisaliving, loving, and learning one. How fully are you experiencing thisrelationship?Whatcouldhelpyou?

ChapterFour

TheBadSamaritan

(John4)

InJohn4,ourLordministerstoavarietyofpeople:thesinfulSamaritanwoman,His own disciples, the many Samaritans who trusted in Him, and, finally, anoblemanandhishousehold.Whatdid thesehave incommon?Faith in JesusChrist.JohnwasfulfillingthepurposeofhisgospelinshowinghisreadershowvariouskindsandclassesofpeoplecametobelieveinJesusastheSonofGod.

Let’smeetthesevariouspersonsanddiscoverhowtheirfaithbegan,howitgrew,andwhatitdidforthemandforothers.

THESAMARITANWOMAN(4:1–30)BecausethePhariseesweretryingtoincitecompetitionbetweenJesusandJohnthe Baptist (John 3:25–30), Jesus left Judea and started north for Galilee. Hecouldhavetakenoneofthreepossibleroutes:alongthecoast,acrosstheJordanand up through Perea, or straight through Samaria. Orthodox Jews avoidedSamaria because there was a long-standing, deep-seated hatred between themandtheSamaritans.

TheSamaritanswereamixedrace,partJewandpartGentile,thatgrewoutof theAssyriancaptivityof the tennorthern tribes in727BC.Rejectedby theJewsbecause theycouldnotprove theirgenealogy, theSamaritansestablishedtheirowntempleandreligiousservicesonMountGerizim.Thisonlyfannedthefiresofprejudice.SointensewastheirdislikeoftheSamaritansthatsomeofthePhariseesprayed that noSamaritanwouldbe raised in the resurrection!WhenHisenemieswantedtocallJesusaninsultingname,theycalledHimaSamaritan

(John8:48).Because He was on a divinely appointed schedule, it was necessary that

Jesus go throughSamaria.Why?BecauseHewouldmeet awoman there andlead her into saving faith, the kind of true faith that would affect an entirevillage. Our Lordwas no respecter of persons. Earlier, He counseled amoralJewish man (John 3), and now He would witness to an immoral Samaritanwoman!

HearrivedatJacob’swellatsixo’clock in theevening, theusual timeforwomentocomeforwater.ThediscipleswenttothenearbytownforfoodwhileJesus deliberatelywaited at thewell.Hewasweary, hungry, and thirsty. JohnpresentsJesusnotonlyastheSonofGodbutalsoastrueman.OurLordenteredintoallthenormalexperiencesofourlivesandisabletoidentifywithusineachofthem.

As you read our Lord’s interview with this woman, notice how herknowledgeofJesusincreasesuntilsheacknowledgesthatHeistheChrist.Therewerefourstagesinthisexperience.

(1)Heis“aJew”(vv.7–10).Inthatday, itwasnotconsideredproperforanyman,especiallyarabbi,tospeakinpublictoastrangewoman(John4:27).ButourLordsetsocialcustomsasidebecauseasoul’seternalsalvationwasatstake. It certainly surprised her when He asked for a drink of water. ShesurmisedthatHewasaJewishrabbi,andperhapsshetriedto“readbetweenthelines”tofindanothermeaningtoHisrequest.WhatwasHereallyseeking?

The information in John’s parenthesis at the end of John 4:9 was for thebenefit of his Gentile readers. Since the disciples had gone into the city topurchase food, it is obvious that the Jews did have some “dealings” with theSamaritans,soJohnwasnottryingtoexaggerate.Thephrasecanbetranslated“ask no favors from the Samaritans” or “use no vessels in common with theSamaritans.”WhywouldJesus,aJew,wanttouseher“polluted”vesseltogetadrinkofwater?

Of course, ourLord’s requestwas simply away to open the conversationand share with her the truth about “livingwater.”Whenever Hewitnessed topeople,Jesusdidnotusea“salestalk”thatHeadaptedtomeeteverysituation.ToNicodemus,Hespokeaboutnewbirth,but to thiswoman,Hespokeaboutlivingwater.

Jesuspointedouttoherthatshewasignorantofthreeimportantfacts:whoHewas,whatHehad tooffer, andhowshecould receive it.HerewaseternalGodspeakingtoher,offeringhereternal life!TheSamaritanswereasblindasthe Jews (John 1:26). But our Lord’s words had aroused her interest, so shepursuedtheconversation.

(2)“Greater thanJacob” (vv.11–15).Jesuswas speakingabout spiritualwater,but she interpretedHiswords tomean literalwater.Again,we seehoweasily people confuse thematerial and the spiritual. Furthermore, this womanwasconcernedabouthowHewouldobtainthiswater,insteadofsimplyaskingHimtogiveheradrinkofit.

OfcourseJesus is greater than Jacob—andgreater than thewell itself!ToparaphraseHisreply:“Whosoevercontinues todrinkof thismaterialwater (oranythingtheworldhastooffer)willthirstagain.ButwhosoevertakesonedrinkofthewaterIgivewillneverthirstagain”(seeJohn4:13–14).Howtrueitisthatthethingsofthisworldnevercompletelysatisfy.Inhelltoday,peoplearecrying,“Ithirst!”

Wehavenotedbefore that life is one of John’s key concepts.He uses theword at least thirty-six times. G. Campbell Morgan has pointed out thathumankindneedsair,water,andfoodinordertohavelife.(Wemightalsoaddthathumansneedslight.)AlloftheseareprovidedinJesusChrist.Heprovidesthe “breath” (Spirit) ofGod (John 3:8; 20:22). He is the Bread of Life (John6:48)andtheLightofLife(John1:4–5),andHegivesusthewateroflife.

Thewoman’s immediate responsewas to ask for this gift, but shedidnotknowwhatshewassaying.Theseedof theWordfellonshallowsoil,and the

shootsthatspranguphadnoroot(Matt.13:20–21).Shehadmadeprogress,butshestillhadalongwaytogo,soJesuspatientlydealtwithher.

(3)“Aprophet”(vv.16–24).Theonlywaytopreparethesoiloftheheartfortheseedistoplowitupwithconviction.ThatwaswhyJesustoldhertogoandgetherhusband:Heforcedhertoadmithersin.Therecanbenoconversionwithout conviction. There must first be conviction and repentance, and thentherecanbesavingfaith.Jesushadarousedhermindandstirredheremotions,butHealsohadtotouchherconscience,andthatmeantdealingwithhersin.

“Ihavenohusband”wastheshorteststatementshemadeduringtheentireconversation!Why?Becausenowshewasunderconvictionandhermouthwasstopped (Rom. 3:19).But thiswas the best thing that could have happened toher!

However,insteadoflisteningtoJesus,shetriedtogetHimona“detour”bydiscussingthedifferencesbetweentheJewishandtheSamaritanreligions.Itismuchmore comfortable to discuss religion than to face one’s sins! However,Jesus once again revealed her spiritual ignorance: She did not know who toworship,wheretoworship,orhowtoworship!HemadeitclearthatallreligionsarenotequallyacceptablebeforeGod, that someworshippersact in ignoranceandunbelief.

TheonlyfaiththatGodwillacceptisthatwhichcamethroughtheJews.TheBible isof Jewishorigin, andourSaviorwasa Jew.The firstChristianswereJews.A religiousworker in anairport toldme that theworld’sdeliverer camefromKorea,butJesussaid,“SalvationisoftheJews.”OnlythosewhohavetheindwellingHolySpiritandobeythetruthcanworshipGodacceptably.

It was a devastating statement to say that worship would no longer belimitedtotheJewishtemple.ThistiesinwithJohn2:19–21andalsoStephen’sstatement in Acts 7:48–50. John’s gospel clearly reveals that there is a newsacrifice(John1:29),anewtemple(John2:19–21;4:20–24),anewbirth(John3:1–7),andanewwater(John4:11).Jewsreadingthisgospelshouldrealizethat

GodhasestablishedinJesusChristawholeneweconomy.Theoldcovenantlawhasbeenfulfilledandsetaside.

(4)“TheChrist”(vv.25–30).Inspiteofherignorance,therewasonetruththiswomandidknow:TheMessiahwascomingandwouldrevealthesecretsofhearts.Wheredidshe learn this truth?Wedonotknow,but thatseedhad laidburiedinherheartuntilthatveryhour,andnowitwasgoingtobearfruit.OurLord’sresponsetoherstatementwas,literally,“Ithatspeaktothee,Iam!”HedaredtouttertheholynameofGod!

At this point, thewoman put her faith in JesusChrist andwas converted.Immediately she wanted to share her faith with others, so she went into thevillageandtold themenshehadmet theChrist.Whenyouconsiderhowlittlespiritualtruththiswomanknew,herzealandwitnessputustoshame.ButGodusedhersimpletestimony,andmanyofthepeoplecameouttothewelltomeetJesus.Therabbissaid,“Itisbetterthatthewordsofthelawbeburnedthanbedeliveredtoawoman!”ButJesusdidnotagreewiththatnarrowprejudice.

Why did she leave her waterpot when she hurried into the city? For onething,shehadthelivingwaterwithinandwasnowsatisfied.Also,sheintendedtocomeback,andperhapsintheinterim,thedisciplesandJesuscouldusethevessel to satisfy their thirst.Gonewere the racial barriers andbattles that hadexistedbefore!Theywerealloneinfaithandlove!

ThiswomandidnotcometofaithinChristimmediately.Jesuswaspatientwithher,andinthis,Hesetsagoodexampleforusinourownpersonalwork.Certainlyshewastheleastlikelyprospectforsalvation,yetGodusedhertowinalmostanentirevillage!

THEDISCIPLES(4:31–38)Whenthedisciplesreturnedfromobtainingfood,theywereshockedthatJesuswas conversing with a woman, and especially a Samaritan, but they did not

interrupt.TheywerelearningthattheirMasterknewwhatHewasdoinganddidnotneedtheircounsel.But,afterthewomanleft, theyurgedJesustosharethemealwiththem,becausetheyknewthatHewashungry.

“Ihavemeattoeatthatyeknownotof”wasHisreply,and,asusual,theydid not understand it.They thoughtHewas speaking of literal food, and theywonderedwhereHegot it.ThenHeexplained thatdoing theFather’swill—inthiscase, leading thewoman to salvation—was truenourishment forHis soul.Thedisciplesweresatisfiedwithbread,butHewassatisfiedwithaccomplishingtheFather’swork.

“Seekyourlife’snourishmentinyourlife’swork,”saidPhillipsBrooks.ThewillofGodought tobeasourceofstrengthandsatisfactionto thechildrenofGod,justasiftheysatdowntoasumptuousfeast.Ifwhatwearedoingtearsusdowninsteadofbuildsusup,thenwemaywellquestionwhetheritisthewillofGodforus.

OurLorddidnotlookontheFather’swillasaheavyburdenoradistastefultask. He viewed His work as the very nourishment of His soul. Doing theFather’swillfedHimandsatisfiedHiminwardly.“Idelighttodothywill,OmyGod: yea, thy law iswithinmy heart” (Ps. 40:8). The SamaritanwomanwasnowdoingtheFather’swillandfindingexcitementandenrichmentinit.

Jesusthenchangedtheimagefromthatoffoodtothatoftheharvest,whichis thesourceof thefood.Hequoted thefamiliarJewishproverbaboutwaitingfortheharvestandthenpointedtothevillagerseventhencomingouttothewelltomeetHim, thanks to thewitnessof thewoman.Thediscipleswent into thevillage to get food for themselves, but they did no evangelizing. The womantooktheirplace!

TheimageoftheharvestisafamiliaroneintheBibleandisoftenappliedtotheministryofwinninglostsouls.Boththeparableofthesowerandtheparableof the tares (Matt.13:1–30) relate to this theme,andPaulused it inhis letters(Rom. 1:13; 1Cor. 3:6–9;Gal. 6:9).We plant the seed ofGod’sWord in the

heartsofpeoplewhohearit,andweseektocultivatethatseedbyourloveandprayers.Induetime,thatseedmaybearfruittothegloryofGod.

No doubt the disciples had said, as they approached the city of Sychar,“Therecanbenoharvesthere!ThesepeopledespiseusJewsandwouldhavenouseforourmessage.”Butjusttheoppositewastrue:Theharvestwasreadyandonly needed faithful workers to claim it. For some reason, when it comes towitnessingforChrist,itisalwaysthewrongtimeandthewrongplace!Ittakesfaith to sow the seed, and we must do it even when the circumstances lookdiscouraging.ReadEcclesiastes11:4andtakeittoheart!

There is no competition in theLord’sharvest.Eachof ushas an assignedtask,andweareallapartofeachother’slabors(1Cor.3:6–9).Onesows,onereaps,buteachworkergetshishonestrewardfortheworkhehasdone.

John4:38indicatesthatothershadlaboredinSamariaandhadpreparedthewayfor thisharvest.Wedonotknowwhothesefaithfulworkerswere,nordoweneedtoknow,forGodwillrewardthem.PerhapssomeofthesepeoplehadheardJohntheBaptistpreach,orperhapssomeofJohn’sfollowershadreachedinto this difficult field. Some archaeologists have located “AenonnearSalim”where John baptized (John 3:23) near the biblical Shechem,which is close toSycharandJacob’swell. If this is thecase, thenJohn theBaptistprepared thesoil and planted the seed, and Jesus and the disciples reaped the harvest. Ofcourse, thewomanherselfplantedsomeof theseedthroughherwitness to themen.

Thediscipleswerelearningavaluablelessonthatwouldencouragethemintheyearstocome.TheywerenotaloneintheworkoftheLord,andtheymustnever lookon anyopportunity forwitness aswasted time and energy. It takesfaith toplow the soil andplant the seed, butGodhaspromised aharvest (Ps.126:5–6;Gal.6:9).Inafewyears,PeterandJohnwouldparticipateinanotherharvest among theSamaritans (Acts8:5–25).Thosewho sowmaynot see theharvest,butthosewhoreapwillseeitandgivethanksforthefaithfullaborsof

thesowers.TheGreekword translated “labor” in John4:38 is translated “wearied” in

John4:6.Sowing,cultivating,andharvestingaredifficulttasks,notonlyinthephysicalrealm,butalsointhespiritualrealm.Thereisnoplaceintheharvestforlazypeople.Theworkistoodifficult,andthelaborersaretoofew.

THESAMARITANS(4:39–42)Manyof theSamaritansbelievedbecauseof the testimonyof thewoman, andthen manymore believed when they heard Jesus personally. So excited weretheyaboutHimthattheybeggedHimtostaywiththem,andHestayedfortwodays.Duringthatshorttime,Hiswordproducedfruitintheirlives.

ItisimportantthatnewconvertsbegroundedintheWord—theBible.TheseSamaritans began their spiritualwalkby trusting inwhat thewoman said, butthey soon learned to trust the word taught by the Savior. Theirs was no“secondhand” salvation. They knew that they were saved because they hadbelievedHismessage.“Nowweknow!”wastheirhappytestimony.

Youwouldhave thought that theseSamaritanswouldhavebeennarrow intheirfaith,seeingJesusastheSavioroftheJewsandtheSamaritans.Buttheydeclared that He was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). They had beenconverted only a few days, but they already had amissionary vision! In fact,theirvisionwaswiderthanthatoftheapostles!

ItisinterestingtotraceourLord’smovementsthatbroughtHimtoSamaria.Hewas in Jerusalem (John2:23) and thencame into Judea (John3:22).FromJudeaHewentintoSamaria(John4:4),andtheSamaritansdeclaredHimtobe“theSavioroftheworld.”ThisisaperfectparalleltoActs1:8—“Andyeshallbewitnessesuntomeboth inJerusalem,and inall Judea,and inSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.”OurLordhassettheexample.Ifwefollow,Hewillgiveustheharvest.

This unnamed Samaritan woman was a fruitful believer: She bore fruit(“manybelieved”),more fruit (“manymorebelieved”),and todaycontinues tobear “much fruit” to thegloryofGod (see John15:1–5).NobodyknowshowmanylostsinnershavecometotheSaviorbecauseofthewitnessofthiswomanrecordedinJohn4.

THENOBLEMAN(4:43–54)OurLordcontinuedHisjourneytoGalilee(John4:3)andcameagaintoCana.Galileewas known as“Galil ha goyim—Galilee of the Gentiles.” ApparentlyJesus had detected in Judea (His own country) the increasing hostility of thereligious leaders, though the real opposition would not yet appear for somemonths.OurLordwas really never identifiedwith Judea even thoughHe hadbeen born in Bethlehem. He was known as the prophet from Galilee (Matt.21:11; John 7:52). Jesus knew that the public response to His ministry inJerusalem had been insincere and shallow (John 2:23–25) and that it was nothonoringtoHimatall.

WhydidJesusreturntoCana?PerhapsHewantedtocultivatethe“seed”Hehad planted therewhenHe attended thewedding feast. Nathanael came fromCana, so perhaps therewas a personal reason for this visit. Jesuswasmet atCanabyanoblemanfromCapernaum,some twentymilesaway.ThemanhadheardaboutHismiraclesandcameallthatdistancetointercedeforhisson,whowasdying.The firstmiracle atCana came at the request ofHismother (John2:1–5),andthissecondmiracleatCanaattherequestofafather(John4:47).

Was thisman a Jew or aGentile?We do not know.Nor dowe knowhisexactpositioninthegovernment.HemayhavebeenamemberofHerod’scourt,butwhateverhisnationalorsocialstanding,hewasclearlyathiswit’sendanddesperatelyneededthehelpoftheSavior.He“keptbeseechinghim”totraveltoCapernaumtohealhisson.

John 4:48 was not a rebuke of this nobleman. Rather, it was our Lord’slamentat thespiritualconditionof thepeople ingeneral,both inJudeaand inGalilee.“Seeingisbelieving”hasalwaysbeenthe“pragmatic”philosophyofthelost world, even the religious world. The nobleman believed that Jesus couldhealhisson,buthemadetwomistakesinhis thinking: thatJesushadtogotoCapernaumtosavetheladandthatiftheboydiedmeanwhile,itwastoolate.

Wemustadmire thisman’s faith. Jesussimplysaid,“Go thyway; thysonliveth”(John4:50).AndthemanbelievedJesusandstartedtoreturnhome!Boththe Samaritan woman and this anonymous nobleman must have rejoiced theheartofJesusastheybelievedtheWordandactedonit.

The boy was healed the instant Jesus spoke those words, so the man’sservantsstartedouttofindhimsotheycouldsharethegoodnews.(Again,itistheservantswhoknowwhatisgoingon.SeeJohn2:9;15:15.)Theboyhadbeenhealedattheseventhhour,which,inRomantime,wouldbeseveno’clockintheevening.The father certainlywould not have traveled at night, for thatwouldhavebeendangerous;norwouldtheservantshavetakenthatrisk.Thefather’sfaithwas so strong that hewaswilling to delay going home, even though hisheartyearnedtoseehisbelovedson.

Whenthefatherandtheservantsmetthenextday,theirreportconfirmedhisfaith. Note that the father thought the healing would be gradual (“began toimprove”),buttheservantsreportedacomplete,instantrecovery.

Thismanbeganwithcrisisfaith.Hewasabouttolosehisson,andhehadno other recourse but theLord JesusChrist.Many people came to Jesuswiththeircrises,andHedidnotturnthemaway.Thenobleman’scrisisfaithbecameconfident faith:Hebelieved thewordandhadpeace inhisheart.Hewasevenabletodelayhistriphome,knowingthattheboywasoutofdanger.

His confident faith became confirmed faith. Indeed, the boy had beencompletely healed! And the healing took place at the very time when Jesusspoketheword.Itwasthisfactthatmadeabelieveroutofthenoblemanandhis

household.HebelievedthatJesuswastheChrist,theSonofGod,andhesharedthisfaithwithhisfamily.Hehadcontagiousfaithandsharedhisexperiencewithothers.

This is one of several miracles that Jesus performed “at a distance.” Hehealedthecenturion’sservantfromadistance(Matt.8:5–13,andnotethathetoolivedinCapernaum),andHehealedthedaughteroftheCanaanitewomaninthesame manner (Matt. 15:21–28). These two were Gentiles and, spirituallyspeaking,were“atadistance”(Eph.2:12–13).PerhapsthisnoblemanwasalsoaGentile.Wedonotknow.

John4:54doesnotstatethatthishealingwasthesecondmiraclethatJesusever performed, for that would contradict John 2:23 and 3:2. This was thesecondmiracleHeperformedinCanaofGalilee(seeJohn2:1,11).Hecertainlygavethosepeoplespecialprivileges.

Butwemustnotethatbothmiracleswere“private”ratherthanpublic.Mary,thedisciples, and the servantsknewwhere theexcellentwinehadcome from,buttheguestsdidnot.(Ofcourse,itispossiblethattheservantstoldthestorytoothers.) The nobleman’s son was healed at Capernaum, not Cana, but newstraveledrapidlyinthosedays,andcertainlythewordgotout.

Jesus’firstmiracleattheweddingrevealedHispowerovertime.TheFatheris alwaysmakingwater intowine, butHe takes a season or two to finish thework.Jesusmadethewineinstantly.Inthissense,ourLord’smiracleswereonlyinstantaneous copies ofwhat theFather is always doing. “MyFatherworkethhitherto, and Iwork” (John 5:17). TheFather is constantlymultiplying bread,seasonafterseason,buttheSonmultiplieditinstantly.

Inthesecondrecordedmiracle,JesusshowedHispoweroverspace.HewasnotlimitedsimplybecauseHewasinCanaandthesickboywasinCapernaum.Thefactthatthefatherbelievedthewordanddidnotknowtheresultsuntilthenextdayisevidencethathehadconfidentfaith.HetrustedthewordthatJesusspoke,andsoshouldwe.

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.Whathaveyoubelievedbecauseofsomeoneelse’stestimony?

2. Read verses 1–42. Jesus went through Samaria even though most Jewishpeopleavoidedit.WhatdoesthischoicerevealaboutHim?

3.WhydidJesusasktheSamaritanwomanforadrink?

4.HowdidsheprogressinherknowledgeofwhoJesuswas?

5.WhydoyousupposeJesusdidn’ttellhersoonerthatHewastheChrist?

6.What do you learn about Jesus from thewayHe interactedwith this sinfulwoman?

7.Forher, faith led immediately to spreading thegoodnews.Does faithhavethateffectonyou?Whyorwhynot?

8.DoyouthinkitwouldbeeasierforyoutotellunbelieversaboutJesusifHe

wereavailableinthefleshasHewasinthisstory?Explain.

9.Readverses43–54.HowdidthenoblemandemonstratehisfaithinJesus?

10.WhatdoesthismiracleteachusaboutJesus?

11.Howcanyouactonyour faithas theSamaritanwomanand thenoblemandid?

ChapterFive

TheManWhoWasEqualwithGod(John5)

OurLord’sfirsttwomiraclesrecordedbyJohnweresomewhatprivateinnature.The servants and the disciples knew thatHe transformed thewater intowine,and the servants and the nobleman’s family knew thatHe had healed the sickson.ThemiraclerecordedinJohn5wasnotonlypublic,butitwasperformedon theSabbathdayand incited theoppositionof the religious leaders.Weseeherethebeginningof“officialpersecution”againsttheSavior.

Therearethreeexciting“acts”inthisdrama.

1.THECURE(5:1–15)When you visit St.Anne’sChurch in Jerusalem, theywill showyou the deepexcavation that has revealed the ancient Pool ofBethesda. TheHebrew nameBethesdahasbeenspelledvariouswaysandgivendifferingmeanings.Somesayitmeans“houseofmercy”or“houseofgrace,”butotherssayitmeans“placeofthe twooutpourings.”There is historical and archaeological evidence that twoadjacentpoolsofwaterservedthisareainancienttimes.

Thepool is situatednear thenortheastcornerof theOldCity, close to theSheepGate (Neh.3:1;12:39).PerhapsJohnsawsomespiritual significance tothislocation,forhehadalreadytoldhisreadersthatJesusChristis“theLambofGod”(John1:29).

We do not know which feast Jesus was observing when He went toJerusalem,anditisnotimportantthatweknow.Hismainpurposeforgoingwasnottomaintainareligioustraditionbuttohealamanandusethemiracleasthe

basisforamessagetothepeople.ThemiracleillustratedwhatHesaidinJohn5:24—thepowerofHiswordandthegiftoflife.

While it is true that somemanuscriptsomit theendof John5:3andallofverse4, it isalso true that theevent (and theman’swords in John5:7)wouldmakelittlesenseifthesewordsareeliminated.Whywouldanybody,especiallyaman sick for so many years, remain in one place if nothing special wereoccurring?Youwouldthinkthatafterthirty-eightyearsofnothinghappeningtoanybody,themanwouldgoelsewhereandstophoping!Itseemswisestforustoaccept the fact that something extraordinary kept all these people withdisabilitiesatthispool,hopingforacure.

John described these people as “impotent, blind, lame, paralyzed.” Whathavocsinhaswroughtinthisworld!Butthehealingoftheseinfirmitieswasoneof the prophesied ministries of the Messiah (Isa. 35:3–6). Had the religiousleadersknowntheirownScriptures,theywouldhaverecognizedtheirRedeemer,buttheywerespirituallyblind.

Nomatterhowyoulookat thismiracle, it isanillustrationof thegraceofGod. Itwas grace that brought Jesus to the Pool ofBethesda, forwhowouldwanttominglewithacrowdofhelplesspeople?!Jesusdidnothealallofthem;Hesingledoutonemanandhealedhim.The fact that Jesuscame to theman,spoketohim,healedhim,andthenmethimlaterinthetempleisproofofHiswonderfulgraceandmercy.

Johnnotedthatthemanhadbeenillforthirty-eightyears.PerhapshesawinthisapictureofhisownJewishnationthathadwanderedinthewildernessforthirty-eight years (Deut. 2:14). Spiritually speaking, Israel was a nation ofimpotentpeople,waitinghopelesslyforsomethingtohappen.

Jesusknewabouttheman(seeJohn2:23–24)andaskedhimifhewantedtobe healed. You would think that the man would have responded with anenthusiastic,“Yes!Iwanttobehealed!”But,instead,hebegantogiveexcuses!Hehadbeeninthatsadconditionforsolongthathiswillwasasparalyzedashis

body.ButifyoucompareJohn5:6withverse40,youwillseethatJesushadaspirituallessoninmindaswell.Indeed,thismandidillustratethetragicspiritualstateofthenation.

The Lord healed him through the power of His spoken word. Hecommanded the man to do the very thing he was unable to do, but in Hiscommandwasthepoweroffulfillment(seeMark3:5;Heb.4:12).Thecurewasimmediate, and certainly some of the many people at the pool must havewitnessed it. Jesus did not pause to heal anyone else; instead, He “conveyedhimself away” (John 5:13) so as not to create a problem. (The Greek wordmeans“tododge.”)

Themiraclewouldhave causednoproblemexcept that it occurredon theSabbathday.OurLordcertainlycouldhavecomeadayearlier,orevenwaitedaday,butHewantedtogettheattentionofthereligiousleaders.Later,Hewoulddeliberately heal a blind man on the Sabbath (John 9:1–14). The scribes hadlisted thirty-nine tasks that were prohibited on the Sabbath, and carrying aburdenwasoneofthem.Insteadofrejoicingatthewonderfuldeliveranceoftheman, the religious leaders condemned him for carrying his bed and therebybreakingthelaw.

It is not easy to understand the relationship between this man and Jesus.There is no evidence that he believed on Christ and was converted, yet wecannotsaythathewasopposedtotheSavior.Infact,hedidnotevenknowwhoitwasthathealedhimuntilJesusmethiminthetemple.Nodoubtthemanwentthere to give thanks to God and to offer the appropriate sacrifices. It seemsstrangethatthemandidnotactivelyseekacloserrelationshipwiththeOnewhohealed him, but more than one person has gratefully accepted the gift andignoredtheGiver.

Did the man “inform” on Jesus because of fear? We do not know. TheJewish leaders at least turned from him and aimed their accusations at JesusChrist, and, unlike the healed blind man in John 9, this man was not

excommunicated.TheLord’swords(John5:14)suggestthattheman’sphysicalplighthadbeen the resultof sin,but Jesusdidnot say that theman’s sinshadbeenforgivenasHedidindealingwiththesickmanloweredthroughtheroof(seeMark2:1–12).Itispossibletoexperienceanexcitingmiracleandstillnotbesavedandgotoheaven!

2.THECONTROVERSY(5:16–18)TheJewishleadersdidnotprosecutethemanwhowashealed,eventhoughhehad broken the law, but they did begin to persecute the Lord Jesus. As theguardiansofthefaith,themembersoftheJewishSanhedrin(thereligiousrulingcouncil)hadtheresponsibilityofinvestigatingnewpreachersandteacherswhoappeared in the land, lest some false prophet come along and lead the peopleastray.TheyhadlookedintotheministryofJohntheBaptist(John1:19ff.)andmorerecentlyhadbeenscrutinizingtheministryofJesus.

Jesus had healed a demoniac on the Sabbath (Luke 4:31–37), so theSanhedrinwasalreadysuspicious.InthedaysfollowingthemiraclerecordedinJohn5,JesuswoulddefendHisdisciplesforpickinggrainontheSabbath(Matt.12:1–8),andHewouldhealaman’switheredhandontheSabbath(Matt.12:9–14). He deliberately challenged the legalistic traditions of the scribes andPharisees. They had taken the Sabbath—God’s gift to humanity—and hadtransformeditintoaprisonhouseofregulationsandrestrictions.

When theyconfrontedJesuswithHisunlawfulconduct,HesimplyrepliedthatHewasdoingonlywhatHisFatherwasdoing!God’sSabbathresthadbeenbrokenbyhumanity’ssin(seeGen.3),andeversincethefallofhumanity,Godhasbeenseekinglostsinnersandsavingthem.ButwhenJesussaid“myFather”insteadoftheusual“ourFather,”usedbytheJews,HeclaimedtobeequalwithGod.

The Jewish leaders instantlyunderstoodHisclaim,and theychanged their

accusationfromthatofSabbathbreakingtoblasphemy,becauseJesusclaimedtobeGod.LiberaltheologianswhosaythatJesusneverclaimedtobeGodhaveadifficulttimewiththispassage.

Of course, the penalty for such blasphemy was death. It is here that the“officialpersecution”ofJesusbegan,culminatinginHiscrucifixion.Inthedaysthatfollowed,ourLordoftenconfrontedHisenemieswiththeirevildesiretokillHim(John7:19,25;8:37,59).TheyhatedHimwithoutacause(John15:18–25).They ignored the gooddeeds thatHe performed for the helpless and hopelessandcenteredtheirattentionondestroyingHim.

JesusmadeHimselfequalwithGodbecauseHeisGod.ThisisthethemeofJohn’sgospel.TheJewishleaderscouldnotdisproveHisclaims,sotheytriedtodestroy Him and get Him out of the way. Both in His crucifixion and Hisresurrection,JesusopenlyaffirmedHisdeityandturnedHisenemies’weaponsagainstthem.

British writer George MacDonald pointed out that John 5:17 gives us aprofoundinsightintoourLord’smiracles.JesusdidinstantlywhattheFatherisalwaysdoingslowly.Forexample,innature,asmentionedearlier,theFatherisslowlyturningwaterintowine,butJesusdiditinstantly.Throughthepowersinnature,theFatherishealingbrokenbodies,butJesushealedthemimmediately.Nature is repeatedly multiplying bread, from sowing to harvest, but JesusmultiplieditinstantlyinHisownhands.

3.THECLAIMS(5:19–47)Inresponsetotheiraccusations,JesusmadethreesignificantclaimsthatprovedHissonship.

(1)HeclaimedtobeequalwithGod(vv.19–23).Insteadofdenyingtheiraccusation,Heendorsedit!Iftodayamanmadethiskindofaclaim,wewouldconclude that he was joking or mentally disturbed. Jesus was certainly not

insane,andthereiseveryevidencethatHewasdeadlyseriouswhenHespokethesewords.EitherHeiswhatHeclaimstobe,orHeisaliar;andifHeisaliar,how do you explain all the good He has done in the lives of needy people?Nobodywantstotrustaliar;Jesus’discipleswerewillingtodieforHim.

JesusclaimedtobeonewithHisFatherinHisworks. Ifhealingamanonthe Sabbath was a sin, then the Father was to blame! Jesus did nothing “ofhimself” but only that which the Father was doing. The Father and the Sonworked together,doing thesamedeeds in thesameway.“IandmyFatherareone”(John10:30).

WhenourLordcametoearthasman,HesubmittedHimselftotheFatherineverything.“Lo,Icometodothywill,OGod”(Heb.10:9).HeveiledHisgloryand laid aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes. In thewilderness, Satan temptedHim to useHis divine powers forHimself, butHerefused to act independently. Hewas totally dependent on the Father and thepoweroftheHolySpiritofGod.

NotonlydidtheFathershowtheSonHisworksandenableHimtodothem,buttheFatheralsosharedHislove(John5:20).ThefirstthreegospelsopenwiththeFather calling Jesus “mybelovedSon,” and John echoed this statement inJohn3:35.Weusually thinkof theFather’s love for the lostworld,as in John3:16,butwemustalsoremembertheFather’sloveforHisdearSon.

Because the Father loves the Son, the Father showsHimHis works. TheblindreligiousleaderscouldnotseewhatJesuswasdoing,becausetheydidnotknowtheFatherortheSon.Infact,evengreaterworkswereintheFather’splan,worksthatwouldcausethemtomarvel.PerhapsHehadinmindthehealingofLazarus,forinJohn5:21,Hementionedtheraisingofthedead.

ForJesustoclaimtohavepowertoraisethedeadwasablasphemousthingintheeyesoftheJewishleaders;theygavethatpowertoGodalone.TheysaidthatJehovahheldthethreegreatkeys:thekeytoopentheheavensandgiverain(Deut.28:12);thekeytoopenthewombandgiveconception(Gen.30:22);and

thekeytoopenthegraveandraisethedead(Ezek.37:13).Asfarasthegospelrecordsareconcerned,Jesushadnotyetraisedanyonefromthedead,sotomakethisclaimwastoinviteevenmoreopposition.

John5:21certainlycanmeanmuchmorethanthephysicalraisingofpeoplefromthedead,forcertainlyJesuswasreferringtoHisgiftofspirituallifetothespirituallydead.HeamplifiedthistruthfurtherasrecordedinJohn5:24–29.

So, Jesus claimed to be equal with the Father in His works, but He alsoclaimed tobeequalwith theFather inexecuting judgment (John5:22).To theorthodoxJew,JehovahGodwas“theJudgeofalltheearth”(Gen.18:25),andnoonedaredtoapplythataugusttitletohimself.ButJesusdid!ByclaimingtobetheJudge,HeclaimedtobeGod.“Becausehe[God]hathappointedaday,inthewhich he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hathordained”(Acts17:31).

Our Lord claimed equality in another area, namely, equal honor with theFather(John5:23).ThefactthatHeistheappointedJudgeshouldcausepeopletohonorHim.Whatatremendousclaim:IfyoudonothonortheSon,youarenothonoringtheFather!The“religious”peoplewhosaythattheyworshipGodbut deny the deity of Christ have neither the Father nor the Son!Apart fromJesusChrist,wecannotknowtheFather,worshiptheFather,orservetheFather.

(2) He claimed to have authority to raise the dead (vv. 24–29). For asecond time, Jesus introducedHiswordswith the solemn “verily, verily” (seeJohn5:19,24–25).MorethantwentytimesinJohn’sgospelyouwillfindJesususingthissolemnformofaddress.ItisasthoughHewassaying,“Payattentiontothis!WhatIamabouttosayisimportant!”

Inthisfascinatingparagraph,Jesusspokeaboutfourdifferentresurrections.Hedescribedtheresurrectionoflostsinnersintoeternallife(seeJohn5:24–25;Eph.2:1–10).The lostsinner isas lifelessandhelplessasacorpse.Nomatterhow an undertaker may prepare a corpse, it is still dead, and no corpse is“deader”thananyothercorpse.Ifyouaredead,youaredead!Lostsinnersare

helplesstosavethemselves,andtheycertainlycannotgivethemselveslife.How are dead sinners raised from the dead? By hearingGod’sWord and

believingonGod’sSon.JesushealedtheparalyzedmanatthepoolbyHisWord(John5:8).Each timeHe raised somebody from thedead,He spoke theWord(Luke 7:11–17; 8:49–56; John 11:41–44). HisWord is “living and powerful”(Heb. 4:12 NKJV) and can raise sinners from spiritual death. “Everlasting life”

means that they can never die spiritually again, nor can they ever come intojudgment (Rom.8:1).TohearHisWordandbelievemeanssalvation; to rejectHisWordmeanscondemnation(John12:48).

Thesecondresurrectionmentioned is theresurrectionofourLordHimself(John5:26).Ourlifeisderived,butHislifeisoriginal,“inhimself.”“Inhimwaslife”(John1:4).ThegravecouldnotholdHimbecauseHeis“thePrinceoflife”(Acts 2:24; 3:15). Jesus laid down His life and then took it up again (John10:17–18).BecauseHehaslifeinHimself,HecansharethatlifewithallwhowilltrustHim.

The third resurrection named is the future resurrection of life, whenbelievers are raised from the dead (John 5:28–29a). This wonderful truth isexplainedin1Thessalonians4:13–18and1Corinthians15.Keepinmindthatresurrection is not reconstruction. It does not imply thatGod “puts the piecesback together again.” The resurrection body is a new body, a glorified body,suited to thenewheavenlyenvironment.Death isnot theend for thebeliever,norwillheorshe live inheavenasadisembodiedspirit.Godsaves thewholeperson,andthisincludesthebody(Rom.8:23;Phil.3:20–21).ThisresurrectionoflifewilltakeplacewhenJesusChristreturnsintheairandcallsHispeopletoHimself.

The fourth resurrectionHementioned is the resurrection of condemnation(John5:29b).Thisresurrectioninvolvesonlythelost,anditwilltakeplacejustbeforeJesusChristushersinthenewheavenandthenewearth(Rev.20:11–15).

What an awesome event that will be, when the dead “small and great” standbefore JesusChrist! The Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John5:22)andhasgivenHimtheauthority toexecute judgment(John5:27).TodayJesusChrististheSavior,butonedayHeshallsitastheJudge.

Thetitle“Sonofman”usedinJohn5:27referstoDaniel7:13–14andisadefinitemessianictitle.ItisusedtwelvetimesinJohn’sgospelandovereightytimesinall fourgospels.TheJewswouldknowthis titlefromtheirreadingofthebookofDaniel,andtheywouldknowthatbyusingit,JesuswasclaimingtobetheMessiahandtheJudge.

Believers will be given resurrection bodies so that they might reign withChristinglory.Unbelieverswillbegivenresurrectionbodies—butnotglorifiedbodies—that theymightbejudgedandthensufferpunishment in thosebodies.Bodiesthatwereusedforsinwillsuffertheconsequencesofthatsin.

The fact that Jesus has the authority to raise the dead is proof thatHe isequalwiththeFather,andthereforeHeisGod.

(3)HeclaimedthattherearevalidwitnesseswhosupportHisclaimtodeity(vv.30–47).Thewordwitness isakeyword inJohn’sgospel; it isusedforty-seven times. Jesusdidbearwitness toHimself,butHeknew theywouldnotacceptit,soHecalledinthreeotherwitnesses.

The firstwas John theBaptist (John5:30–35),whom the religious leadershadinterrogatedcarefully(John1:15ff.).Infact,attheveryendofHisministry,ourLordpointedtherulersbacktothewitnessofJohntheBaptist(Matt.21:23–27). John knew who Jesus was and faithfully declared what he knew to thepeopleof Israel. John told thepeople that Jesuswas theLord (John1:23), theLambofGod(John1:29,36),andtheSonofGod(John1:34).

Johnwasa“burningandashininglamp”(JesusistheLight,John8:12),andthe Jewish peoplewere excited about hisministry.However, their enthusiasmcooled,andnobodyliftedafingertotrytodeliverJohnwhenhewasarrestedbyHerod.TheleaderslookedonJohnasa“localcelebrity”(Matt.11:7–8),butthey

did notwant to receive hismessage of repentance. The publicans and sinnersacceptedJohn’smessageandwereconverted,butthereligiousleadersrefusedtosubmit(Matt.21:28–32).

WheneverGodraisesupaspiritualleaderwhocommandsattention,thereisalwaysthedangerofattractingpeoplewhowanttobaskinhispopularitybutnotsubmit tohisauthority.A“mixedmultitude”followedMosesandIsraeloutofEgypt,peoplewhowereimpressedwiththemiraclesbutnotyieldedtotheLord.Theprophetsandapostles,aswellasthegreatleadersinchurchhistory,allhadtoputupwithshallowpeoplewhofollowedthecrowdbutrefusedtoobeythetruth.Wehavetheminchurchestoday.

OurLord’ssecondwitnesswasthewitnessofHismiracles(John5:36).YouwillrememberthatJohnselectedsevenofthese“signs”toincludeinhisgospelasproofthatJesusistheSonofGod(John20:30–31).JesusmadeitclearthatHisworksweretheworksoftheFather(John5:17–20;14:10).EvenNicodemushad to admit that our Lord’smiracles identifiedHim as sent fromGod (John3:2).

But the Bible also records miracles performed by ordinary men, such asMoses,Elijah,andPaul.DothesemiraclesprovethattheyarealsosentofGod?Yes,theydo(seeHeb.2:3–4),butnoneofthesemeneverclaimedtobetheverySonofGod.NoservantofGodabletoperformGod’smightyworkswouldeverclaimtobeGodHimself.ThefactthatJesusmadethisclaim,backedupbyHismightyworksandperfectlife,isevidencethatHisclaimistrue.

JesusindicatedthattheFathergaveHimaspecificministrytofinishwhileHewashereonearth.“Ihave finished theworkwhich thougavestme todo”(John17:4).Hewasnot onlyon a divine timetable, butHe followed a divineagenda.HehadspecificworkstoaccomplishintheFather’swill.

Since the Old Testament law required the testimony of two or threewitnesses (Num. 35:30;Deut. 17:6), the Lordmet that requirement by givingthreetrustworthywitnesses.

ThethirdandfinalwitnessourLordsummonedwastheWordoftheFather(John 5:37–47). The Jewish people highly revered the writtenWord of God,particularlythelawthatwasgiventhroughMoses.MosesheardGod’svoiceandsawGod’sglory,butwehavethatsamevoiceandgloryintheinspiredWordofGod(see2Peter1:12–21).TheOldTestamentScripturesbearwitnesstoJesusChrist,yetthepeoplewhoreceivedandpreservedthatWordwereblindtotheirownMessiah.Why?

Foronething,theydidnotpermitthatWordtogeneratefaithintheirhearts(John5:38).John5:39 isprobablyastatementoffactandnotacommandandcouldberendered:“Yesearchthescriptures,forinthemyethinkyehaveeternallife.”TheJewishscribessoughttoknowtheWordofGod,buttheydidnotknowtheGodoftheWord!Theycountedtheverylettersofthetext,buttheymissedthespiritualtruthsthatthetextcontained.

Because of my radio ministry, I often receive letters from people whodisagree with my interpretations or applications of Scripture, and sometimesthese lettersarequiteangry. (Iwillnotquotehere the languageIhaveseen inletters from professed Christians!) It is unfortunate when our “study” of theBiblemakes us arrogant andmilitant instead of humble and anxious to serveothers, even thosewho disagreewith us. Themark of trueBible study is notknowledgethatpuffsup,butlovethatbuildsup(1Cor.8:1).

So,therewassomethingwrongwiththemindsoftheseJewishleaders:TheydidnotseeChristintheirownScriptures(see2Cor.3:14–18;4:3–6).Buttherewasalsosomethingwrongwiththeirwills:Theywouldnottrust intheSavior.BecausetheydidnothavetheWordintheirhearts,theydidnotwantChristintheirhearts.Theywerereligiousandself-righteous,buttheywerenotsaved.

These leaders had a third problem, and this was the lack of love in theirhearts. “Ye have not the love of God in you” (John 5:42). This means theexperienceofGod’s lovefor themaswellas theirexpressionof loveforGod.TheyclaimedtoloveGod,buttheirattitudetowardJesusChristprovedthattheir

lovewascounterfeit.TheirattitudetowardGod’sWordhinderedtheirfaith,butsoalsodidtheir

attitude toward themselves and one another. The Pharisees enjoyed beinghonoredbymen (seeMatt. 23:1–12), and theydidnot seek for thehonor thatcomesfromGodalone.TheydidnothonortheSon(John5:23)becauseHedidnot honor them!Because they rejected the true Son ofGodwho came in theFather’sname, theywouldonedayacceptafalsemessiah, theAntichrist,whowouldcome inhisownname (John5:43; and see2Thess. 2;Rev.13). Ifwerejectthatwhichistrue,wewillultimatelyreceivethatwhichisfalse.

OurLordclosedthispenetratingsermonbywarningtheJewishleadersthatMoses, whom they honored, would be their judge, not their savior. The veryScriptures that they used to defend their religionwould one day bearwitnessagainstthem.TheJewsknewwhatMoseswrote,buttheydidnotreallybelievewhathewrote.It isonethingtohavetheWordinourhandsorourheads,butquiteanotherthingtohaveitinourhearts.JesusistheWordmadeflesh(John1:14),andthewrittenWordbearswitnesstotheincarnateWord.“AndbeginningatMosesandalltheprophets,heexpoundeduntotheminallthescripturesthethingsconcerninghimself”(Luke24:27).

ThewitnessofJohntheBaptist,thewitnessofthedivinemiracles,andthewitnessof theWordofGodallunite todeclare thatJesusChrist is indeedonewiththeFatherandtheverySonofGod.

OurLordwasnotintimidatedbytheaccusationsofthereligiousleaders.IfyoucheckaharmonyoftheGospels,youwillseethataftertheeventsrecordedin John 5, Jesus deliberately violated the Sabbath again! He permitted Hisdisciples to pick grain on the Sabbath, andHe healed amanwith awitheredhand(Matt.12:1–14).TheseeventsprobablytookplaceinGalilee,butthenewswouldcertainlyreachtheleadersinJerusalemandJudea.

Thehealingof themanon theSabbathwould comeupagain (John7:21–23).The leaderswould persist in protecting tradition instead of understanding

truth (see Mark 7:1–13). But before we judge them, perhaps we ought toexamine our own lives and churches.Arewe permitting religious tradition toblindustothetruthofGod’sWord?Arewesoinvolvedin“Biblestudy”thatwefailtoseeJesusChristintheWord?DoesourknowledgeoftheBiblegiveusa“bighead”ora“burningheart”?

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.Whatunwrittenrulesdoesyourchurchordenominationhave(e.g.,dancingiswrong)?

2.Readverses1–15.ThePhariseesinJesus’dayhadalotofrulestoo,includingwhat not to do on the Sabbath. Why do you suppose Jesus deliberatelyfloutedthoserulesandhealedontheSabbath?

3.DoesiteverbotheryouwhenJesusdoesn’tdothingsthewayyouthinkHeshould?Ifso,giveanexample.

4.How can you keep from letting your prejudices (such as about how thingsought to be done) hinder you from seeing and responding towhatGod isdoingintheworld?

5.Readverses16–47.InwhatwaysdidJesusclaimtobeequaltoGod?

6. If someone came to your church and claimed to be equal to God, whatevidencewouldyouneedtobeconvinced?

7.WhatwitnessesdidJesuspresenttobackupHisclaims?

8. Would those witnesses convince you if someone produced them at yourchurchinsupportofsuchloftyclaims?Whyorwhynot?

9.HowstrongistheloveofGodinyourheart?Whatmakesyousaythat?

10.Howcanyoustrengthenthatlove?

ChapterSix

JesusLosesHisCrowd

(John6)

Since John’sgospel is selective (John20:30–31),hedoesnot recordevents inthelifeofJesusthatdonothelphimfulfillhispurpose.Betweenthehealingofthe paralytic (John 5) and the feeding of the five thousand, you have manyeventstakingplace,someofwhicharementionedinLuke6:1—9:10andMark3:1—6:30. During this period our Lord preached the Sermon on the Mount(Matt.5—7)andgavetheparablesofthekingdom(Matt.13).

Thefeedingofthefivethousandwasamiracleofsuchmagnitudethatitisrecorded in all four gospels. A great multitude had been following Jesus forseveral days, listening to His teaching and beholding Hismiracles. Jesus hadtried to “get away” to rest, but theneedsof the crowdpressedonHim (Mark6:31–34).BecauseofHis compassion,Heministered to themultitude in threedifferentways.

1.JESUSFEEDSTHEMULTITUDE(6:1–14)Theproblem,ofcourse,washowtomeettheneedsofsuchavastcrowdofpeople.Foursolutionswereproposed.

First, thedisciplessuggested thatJesussend thepeopleaway(Mark6:35–36).Get ridof theproblem(seeMatt.15:23).But Jesusknew that thehungrypeoplewould fainton theway if somebodydidnot feed them. Itwasevening(Matt.14:15),andthatwasnotimefortravel.

The second solution came from Philip in response to our Lord’s “testquestion” (John 6:5): Raise enoughmoney to buy food for the people. Philip“countedthecost”anddecidedtheywouldneedtheequivalentoftwohundreddays’ wages! And even that would not provide bread enough to satisfy thehungerofall themen,women,andchildren(Matt.14:21).Toooften,wethinkthatmoneyistheanswertoeveryneed.Ofcourse,JesuswassimplytestingthestrengthofPhilip’sfaith.

The third solution came fromAndrew, but hewas not quite sure how theproblemwouldbesolved.Hefoundalittleboywhohadasmalllunch:twolittlefish and fivebarley cakes.Once again,Andrew isbusybringing somebody toJesus(seeJohn1:40–42;12:20–22).WedonotknowhowAndrewmetthislad,butwearegladhedid!ThoughAndrewdoesnothaveaprominentplaceintheGospels,hewasapparentlya“peopleperson”whohelpedsolveproblems.

The fourth solution came from ourLord, and itwas the true solution.Hetookthelittleboy’slunch,blessedit,brokeit,handeditouttoHisdisciples,andtheyfedthewholecrowd!ThemiracletookplaceinthehandsoftheSavior,notin thehandsof thedisciples.Hemultiplied the food; theyonlyhad the joyfulprivilegeofpassing itout.Notonlywere thepeople fedand satisfied,but thedisciplessalvagedtwelvebasketsoffragmentsforfutureuse.TheLordwastednothing.

Thepracticallessonisclear:Wheneverthereisaneed,giveallthatyouhavetoJesus,andletHimdotherest.Beginwithwhatyouhave,butbesureyougiveitalltoHim.ThatlittleladistobecommendedforsharinghislunchwithChrist,andhismotheristobecommendedforgivinghimsomethingtogivetoJesus.The gift of that little snackmeant asmuch to Jesus as the pouring out of theexpensiveointment(John12:1ff.).

But did Jesus really performamiracle?Perhaps thegenerosity of theboyonlyembarrassedtheotherpeoplesothattheybroughtouttheirhiddenlunchesandsharedthemallaround.Nonsense!Jesusknowspeople’shearts(John2:24;

6:61, 64, 70), andHe declared that the peoplewere hungry. SurelyHewouldhaveknownoftheexistenceofhiddenfood!Furthermore,thepeoplethemselvesdeclared that this was a miracle and even wanted to crown Him King (John6:14–16)!Had this event been only the result ofmass psychology, the crowdwouldnothaverespondedthatway.Johnwouldneverhaveselectedthisasoneofthe“signs”ifitwerenotanauthenticmiracle.

It is significant that twice Johnmentioned the fact that Jesus gave thanks(John 6:11, 23). Matthew, Mark, and Luke all state that Jesus looked up toheavenwhenHegavethanks.Bythatact,HeremindedthehungrypeoplethatGod is the source of all good and needful gifts. This is a good lesson for us:Instead of complaining aboutwhatwe do not have,we should give thanks toGodforwhatwedohave,andHewillmakeitgofurther.

2.JESUSLEAVESTHEMULTITUDE(6:15–21)Jesuscompelledthedisciplestogetintotheboat(Matt.14:22;Mark6:45)becauseHeknewtheywereindanger.Thecrowdwasnowaroused,andtherewasamovementtomakeHimKing.Ofcourse,someofthediscipleswouldhaverejoicedattheopportunitytobecomefamousandpowerful!Judaswouldhavebecometreasurerofthekingdom,andperhapsPeterwouldhavebeennamedprimeminister!ButthiswasnotintheplanofGod,andJesusbrokeupthemeetingimmediately.CertainlytheRomangovernmentwouldhavesteppedinhadamovementbegun.

Did Jesus know that a storm was coming? Of course. Then why did Hedeliberately send His friends into danger? Quite the opposite is true: He wasrescuing them from greater danger, the danger of being swept along by afanatical crowd.But therewas another reason for that storm:TheLordhas tobalanceourlives;otherwise,wewillbecomeproudandthenfall.Thedisciples

hadexperiencedgreat joyinbeingpartofa thrillingmiracle.NowtheyhadtofaceastormandlearntotrusttheLordmore.Thefeedingofthefivethousandwasthelesson,butthestormwastheexaminationafterthelesson.

Sometimeswearecaught inastormbecausewehavedisobeyedtheLord.Jonah is a good example. But sometimes the storm comes because we haveobeyed theLord.When thathappens,wecanbesure thatourSaviorwillprayforus,cometous,anddeliverus.Inwritingtheaccountofthiseventyearslater,perhaps John saw in it a pictureofChrist andHis church.Christ is in heavenintercedingforus,butweareinthemidstofthestormsoflife, tryingtoreachtheshore.Oneday,Hewillcomeforusandweshallreachtheportsafely,thestormsallpast.

Actually,therewereseveralmiraclesinvolvedinthisevent.Jesuswalkedonthe water, and so did Peter (Matt. 14:28–32). Jesus stilled the storm, andinstantlytheboatwasontheothershore.Ofcourse,allofthishappenedatnightsothatonlyJesusandHisdisciplesknewwhathadoccurred.JesushadledHispeople into thegreenpastures (John6:10), andnowHebrought them into thestillwaters(Ps.23:2).WhatawonderfulShepherdHeis!

Asyoureadthegospelrecords,notethatourLordwasneverimpressedbythe great crowds.He knew that theirmotiveswere not pure and thatmost ofthem followed Him in order to watch His miracles of healing. “Bread andcircuses”wasRome’s formulaforkeeping thepeoplehappy,andpeople todayaresatisfiedwiththatkindofdiet.Givethemfoodandentertainment,andtheyare happy. Rome set aside ninety-three days each year for public games atgovernmentexpense.Itwascheapertoentertainthecrowdsthantofightthemorjailthem.

We must never be deceived by the “popularity” of Jesus Christ amongcertain kinds of people today.Very fewwantHim as Savior and Lord.Manywant Him only as Healer or Provider or the One who rescues them fromproblemstheyhavemadeforthemselves.“Andyewillnotcometome,thatye

mighthavelife”(John5:40).

3.JESUSTEACHESTHEMULTITUDE(6:22–71)ThepurposeofthesignwasthatHemightpreachthesermon.Again,itwasaministryof“graceandtruth”(John1:17).Ingrace,ourLordfedthehungrypeople,butintruth,HegavethemtheWordofGod.Theywantedthefood,buttheydidnotwantthetruth;and,intheend,mostofthemabandonedJesusandrefusedtowalkwithHim.HelostHiscrowdwithonesermon!

Thenextdaybeganwithamystery:HowdidJesusgettoCapernaum?ThecrowdsawthedisciplesembarktogoacrosstheSeaofGalileetoCapernaum,and then themenwere lost in the storm.The crowd also saw Jesus leave theplaceandgobyHimselftoamountain.Butthenextmorning,herewereJesusandHisdisciples together inCapernaum!CertainlyHehadnotwalkedaroundthelake,andtherewasnoevidencethatHehadtakenanotherboat.Otherboatshadarrived,nodoubtdriven inby thestorm,butJesushadnotbeen inanyofthem.

Nodoubtsomeof thepeoplewhohadbeenfedsimplywentawayto theirhomes,whileothersstayedtoseewhatJesuswoulddonext.OurLord’ssermonprobably began outdoors, and then the discussion moved into the synagogue(John 6:59). It would be impossible for a huge crowd to participate in thesynagogueservice,thoughtheoverflowcouldremainoutsideandhearwhatwasbeingsaid.

Thissermonon“thebreadoflife”isactuallyadialoguebetweenChristandthepeople,especiallythereligiousleaders(“theJews”).WeseefourresponsesofthecrowdtotheLordJesusinJohn6:seeking(vv.22–40),murmuring(vv.41–51),striving(vv.52–59),anddeparting(vv.60–71).

(1) Seeking (vv. 22–40).The disciples may have been impressed that so

manypeoplestayedthroughastorminordertoseektheirMaster,butJesuswasnot impressed.Heknows thehumanheart.Heknew that thepeopleoriginallyfollowedHimbecauseofHismiracles(John6:2),butnowtheirmotivewastogetfed!Eveniftheywereattractedonlybythemiracles,atleasttherewasstillapossibilitytheymightbesaved.Afterall,thatiswhereNicodemusstarted(John3:1–2).Butnowtheirinteresthaddegeneratedtotheleveloffood.

Jesuspointedoutthattherearetwokindsoffood:foodforthebody,whichisnecessarybutnot themost important,andfoodfor the innerman, thespirit,which is essential.What thepeopleneededwasnot foodbut life, and life is agift. Food only sustains life, but Jesusgives eternal life. Thewords of Isaiahcometomind:“Whydoyouspendmoneyforwhatisnotbread,andyourwagesforwhatdoesnotsatisfy?”(Isa.55:2NASB).

Thepeoplepickedupthewordlaborandmisinterpretedittomeantheyhadto work for salvation. They completely missed the word give. Steeped inlegalisticreligion,theythoughttheyhadto“dosomething”tomeriteternallife.Jesus made it clear that only one “work” was necessary—to believe in theSavior.WhenpeoplebelieveinChrist,theyarenotperformingagoodworkthatearnsthemsalvation.Thereiscertainlynocreditinbelieving,foritiswhatGoddoesinresponsetoourfaiththatisimportant(seeEph.2:8–10).

The crowd began by seeking Christ, but then started to seek a sign fromHim.“FortheJewsrequireasign”(1Cor.1:22).Therabbistaught that,whenMessiah came, Hewould duplicate themiracle of themanna (see Ex. 16). IfJesuswas truly sentbyGod (see John6:29,38,57), then letHimprove it bycausingmannatofallfromheaven.Theywantedto“seeandbelieve.”Butfaiththatisbasedonsignsalone,andnotonthetruthoftheWord,canleadapersonastray,forevenSatanisabletoperform“lyingwonders”(2Thess.2:8–10).NotealsoJohn2:18–25;4:48.

The quotation in John 6:31 is fromPsalm78:24, a psalm that records the

unbeliefandrebellionofthenationofIsrael.InHis reply, ourLord sought to deepen the people’s understandingof the

truth.ItwasGod,notMoses,whogavethemanna,sotheymusttaketheireyesoffMosesandfocusthemonGod.Also,Godgavethemannainthepast,buttheFatherisnowgivingthetruebreadinthepersonofJesusChrist.Thepasteventisfinished,butthepresentspiritualexperiencegoeson!

ThenJesusclearlyidentifiedwhatthebreadis:HeisthetrueLivingBreadthatcamedownfromheaven.ButHecame,notonlyforIsraelbutalsoforthewholeworld.AndHecame,notjusttosustainlife,buttogivelife!Seventimesinthissermon,ourLordreferredtoHis“comingdownfromheaven”(John6:33,38, 41–42, 50–51, 58), a statement that declared Him to be God. The OldTestamentmannawasbutatypeofthe“truebread,”theLordJesusChrist.

ThisdialoguebeganwiththecrowdseekingChristandthenseekingasign,but listeners soon began to seek the “true bread” that Jesus talked about.However, like the woman of Samaria, they were not ready for salvation (seeJohn4:15).Shewantedthelivingwatersoshewouldnothavetokeepgoingtothewell.Thecrowdwantedthebreadsotheywouldnothavetotoiltomaintainlife.PeopletodaystillwantJesusChristonlyforthebenefitsHeisabletogive.

InHisreplytotheirimpetuousrequest,Jesususedtwokeywordsthatoftenappearinthissermon:comeandbelieve.TocometoJesusmeans tobelieve inHim,andtobelieveinHimmeanstocometoHim.Believingisnotmerelyanintellectual thing, givingmental assent to some doctrine. Itmeans to come toChrist andyieldyourself toHim.At thecloseofHis sermon, Jesus illustratedcomingandbelievingbyspeakingabouteatinganddrinking.TocometoChristandbelieve inHimmeans toreceiveHimwithin, justasyoureceivefoodanddrink.

John 6:35 contains the first of seven great “I am” statements recorded byJohn,statementsthatarefoundnowhereelseintheGospels.(Fortheothersix,seeJohn8:12;10:7–9,11–14;11:25–26;14:6;15:1,5.)GodrevealedHimselfto

MosesbythenameIAM(Jehovah)(Ex.3:14).Godistheself-existentOnewho“is, and…was, and… is to come” (Rev.1:8).When Jesusused thename“Iam,”HewasdefinitelyclaimingtobeGod.

John 6:37–40 contains Jesus’ explanation of the process of personalsalvation. These are among themost profoundwords He ever spoke, and wecannot hope to plumb their depths completely. He explained that salvationinvolves both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The Father givesmenandwomentotheSon(John6:37,39;17:2,6,9,11–12,24),butthesemenandwomenmust come toHim, that is,believe inHim.He assured them thatnobodywhocametoHimwouldeverbelostbutwouldberaisedatthelastday.Evendeathcannotrobusofsalvation!(Inregardtothe“lastday,”seeJohn6:40,44,54.JesuswasreferringtoHisreturnandthefinaleventsthatclimaxGod’sprogramforhumanity.)Fromourhumanandlimitedperspective,wecannotseehowdivine sovereignty and human responsibility canwork together, but fromGod’s perspective, there is no conflict.When a churchmember askedCharlesSpurgeon how he reconciled these two, he replied, “I never try to reconcilefriends.”ItistheFather’swillthatsinnersbesaved(1Tim.2:4;2Peter3:9)andthatthosewhotrustChristbesecureintheirsalvation.Believersreceiveeternallife,andJesuscanneverlosethem.

(2)Murmuring(vv.41–51).OurLord’sstatement“ForIcamedownfromheaven”(John6:38)disturbedthereligiousleaders,fortheyknewitwasaclaimofdeity.TheythoughttheyknewJesus,whoHewasandwhereHecamefrom(see Matt. 13:53–58; John 7:40–43). Jesus, of course, was the legal son ofJosephbutnothisnaturalson,forHewasbornofavirgin(Luke1:34–38).Theleaders identified JesuswithNazareth inGalilee,notBethlehem in Judea, andtheythoughtthatJosephwasHisnaturalfather.Hadtheyinvestigatedthematter,theywouldhavelearnedwhoJesusreallyis.

EveninthedaysofMoses,theJewswereknownfortheirmurmuring(Ex.15:24;17:3;Num.14:2).Perhaps the leaders and someof thecrowdhadnow

moved into the synagogue to continue the discussion. The main issue was,“WheredidHecomefrom?”FivetimesJesususedthephrase“camedownfromheaven,”buttheywouldnotacceptit.

Jesus further explainedhow the sinner cancome toGod: It is through thetruth of theWord (John 6:44–45). The Father draws the sinner byHisWord.Jesusquoted Isaiah54:13 (orperhapsJer.31:33–34) toproveHispoint:“And[they] shallbe taughtof theLORD.” It is through the teachingof theWord that

GoddrawspeopletotheSavior.(NoteJohn5:24anditsemphasisonhearingtheWord.)The sinnerhears, learns, andcomesas theFatherdrawshimorher.Amystery?Yes!Ablessedreality?Yes!

This was basically the same message He gave after He had healed theparalytic(seeJohn5:37–40).Thecrowdwantedtoseesomething,buttheirrealneedwasto learnsomething. It isby theWord thatwe“see”GodandreceivethefaithtocometoChristandtrustHim(Rom.10:17).

When Jesus called Himself the Living Bread, He was not claiming to beexactly like themanna.Hewas claiming to be even greater!ThemannaonlysustainedlifefortheJews,butJesusgiveslifetothewholeworld.TheJewsatethedailymannaandeventuallydied,butwhenyoureceiveJesusChristwithin,youliveforever.WhenGodgavethemanna,Hegaveonlyagift,butwhenJesuscame,HegaveHimself.Therewasnocost toGod insending themannaeachday,butHegaveHisSonatgreatcost.TheJewshadtoeatthemannaeveryday,butthesinnerwhotrustsChristonceisgiveneternallife.

ItisnotdifficulttoseeinthemannaapictureofourLordJesusChrist.Themanna was a mysterious thing to the Jews; in fact, the word manna means“Whatisit?”(seeEx.16:15).JesuswasamysterytothosewhosawHim.Themanna came at night fromheaven, and Jesus came to this earthwhen sinnerswereinmoralandspiritualdarkness.Themannawassmall(Hishumility),round(Hiseternality),andwhite(Hispurity).Itwassweettothetaste(Ps.34:8),andit

mettheneedsofthepeopleadequately.Themannawasgiventoarebelliouspeople;itwasthegraciousgiftofGod.

All they had to dowas stoop and pick it up. If they failed to pick it up, theywalkedon it. TheLord is not far from any sinner.All the sinner has to do ishumblehimselforherselfandtakethegiftthatGodoffers.

JesusclosedthispartofHismessagebyreferringtoHis flesh,awordthatwill be used sixmore times before the dialogue is concluded. John 6:51 is adeclarationthattheSonofGodwillgiveHimselfasasacrifice“forthelifeoftheworld.”ThesubstitutionarydeathofJesusChristisakeydoctrineinJohn’sgospel. Jesus would die for the world (John 3:16; 6:51), for His sheep (John10:11,15),forthenation(John11:50–52),andforHisfriends(John15:12–13).Paulmadeitpersonal,andsoshouldwe:“wholovedme,andgavehimselfforme” (Gal. 2:20).Wemustnot limit theworkofChrist on the cross.He is thesacrificenotonlyforoursins,butalsoforthesinsofthewholeworld(1John2:2).

(3) Striving (vv. 52–59).Theword strivingmeans “to fight and quarrel.”Being orthodox Jews, the listeners knew the divine prohibition against eatinghumanfleshoranykindofblood(Gen.9:3–4;Lev.17:10–16;19:26).Herewehave another example in John’s gospel of the people misunderstanding aspiritualtruthbytreatingitliterally(seeJohn2:19–21;3:4;4:11).AllJesussaidwas,“Justasyoutakefoodanddrinkwithinyourbodyanditbecomesapartofyou,soyoumustreceiveMewithinyourinnermostbeingsothatIcangiveyoulife.”

Some interpreters tell us that Jesuswas speaking about theLord’s SupperandthatweeatHisfleshanddrinkHisbloodwhenwepartakeoftheelementsatthetable,thebreadandthecup.IdonotbelievethatJesushadCommunion(orEucharist)inmindwhenHespokethesewords.

For one thing, whywould He discuss the Lord’s Supper with a group ofdisagreeable unbelievers? He had not even shared that truth with His own

disciples!WhywouldHecastthispreciouspearlbeforetheswine?Second,Hemade it clear thatHewas not speaking in literal terms (John

6:63).Hewasusingahumananalogytoconveyaspiritualtruth,justasHedidwithNicodemusandtheSamaritanwoman.

Third, Jesus made it plain that this eating and drinking were absolutelyessentialforeternallife.Hemadenoexceptions.If,then,Hewasspeakingaboutachurchordinance(orsacrament),theneverybodywhohasneversharedinthatexperienceisspirituallydeadandisgoingtohell.ThiswouldincludealltheOldTestamentsaints, the thiefon thecross,andahostofpeoplewhohave trustedChristinemergencysituations(hospitals,accidents,foxholes,etc.).IpersonallycannotbelievethatourgraciousGodhasexcludedfromsalvationallwhocannotparticipateinachurchceremony.

AnotherfactoristhetenseoftheGreekverbsinJohn6:50–51and53.Itistheaoristtense,whichsignifiesaonce-for-allaction.TheCommunionserviceisa repeated thing; in fact, it is likely that the early church observed theLord’sSupperdaily(Acts2:46).

ItissignificantthatthewordfleshisneverusedinanyofthereportsoftheLord’s Supper, either in the Gospels or in 1 Corinthians 11:23–34. The wordusedisbody.

IfapersonholdsthatourLordwasspeakingabouttheCommunionservice,thenheorshemustbelieve thatsomehowthe twoelements, thebreadand thefruitofthevine,turnintotheverybodyandbloodofChrist,forHesaid,“Sohethateatethme,evenheshalllivebyme”(John6:57).Howdoesthis“miracle”takeplace?Whatisthesecretofaccomplishingit?Whyisitnotapparent?

Our Lord’s messages recorded in the gospel of John are filled withsymbolismandimagery.Totakethemliterallyistomakethesamemistakethepeoplemadewhofirstheardthem.

(4)Departing(vv.60–71).OurLord’steachingwasnothardtounderstandbut hard to accept once you understood it. The Jewish religious leaders both

misunderstoodHiswordsandrejectedthem.Theywere“offended”bywhatHetaught. (TheGreekword is “scandaled.”)They stumbledover the fact thatHeclaimedtocomedownfromheaven.Theyalsostumbledovertheideathattheyhad to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to be saved. But if theystumbledover these twomatters,whatwould theydo if they sawHimascendbackintoheaven(John6:62)?

Jesus explained that His languagewas figurative and spiritual, not literal.Thereisnosalvationin“flesh.”Infact,theNewTestamenthasnothinggoodtosayabout“theflesh.”Thereisnothinggoodinit(Rom.7:18),andwemustnothaveconfidenceinit(Phil.3:3).

How, then,dowe“eatHis fleshanddrinkHisblood”?Through theWord.“ThewordsthatIspeakuntoyou,theyarespirit,andtheyarelife”(John6:63).“AndtheWordwasmadeflesh”(John1:14).OurLordsaidthesamething:“Hethathearethmyword,andbelievethonhimthatsentme,hatheverlastinglife”(John5:24).ThescribeswhoknewJeremiah31:31–34wouldhaveunderstoodtheconceptofreceivingGod’sWordintoone’sinnerbeing.

TheresultofthismessagewasthelossofmostofourLord’sdisciples.Theywentbacktotheoldlife, theoldreligion,andtheoldhopelesssituation.JesusChristis“theway”(John14:6),buttheywouldnotwalkwithHim.ThiswasnosurprisetotheLord,becauseHeknowstheheartsofallpeople.

WhenJesusaskedHistwelveapostlesiftheyplannedtodesertHimtoo,itwas Peter who spoke up and declared their faith.Where else could they go?“Thouhastthewordsofeternallife.”Petergotthemessage!HeknewthatJesuswasspeakingabouttheWordandnotaboutliteralfleshandblood.

Peterwasoneof severalpeoplewhodeclared theirbelief that Jesus is theSonofGod(seeJohn1:34,49;3:18;5:25;9:35;10:36;11:4,27;19:7;20:31).Theonlymistakehemadewas tobearwitness for theentiregroup.Peterwassurethatalloftheapostleswerebelievers,whichshowshowconvincingJudaswas.EvenPeterdidnotknowthatJudaswasanunbeliever!

ThepreachingoftheWordofGodalwaysleadstoasiftingoftheheartsofthe listeners.Goddraws sinners to theSavior through the power of truth,HisWord.ThosewhorejecttheWordwillrejecttheSavior.ThosewhoreceivetheWordwillreceivetheSaviorandexperiencethenewbirth,eternallife.

Doyoufeelyourneedbecause there isaspiritualhungerwithin?AreyouwillingtoadmitthatneedandcometotheSavior?Ifyouwill,Hewillsaveyouandsatisfyyouforever!

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion1.What’syourfirstreactionwhenyoufacean

impossiblesituation?

2.Readverses1–14.HoweasyisitforyoutogiveallyouhavetoJesuswhenthere’saproblemtosolve?Whyisthat?

3.Doesthestoryofthemiraculousfeedingmotivateyoutodothis?Explain.

4. Read verses 15–21.Why did Jesus deliberately send His disciples into thedangerofthestorm?

5.When, if ever, has pride at success been a problem for you?HowdidGodaddressthatwithyou?

6.Readverses22–71.WaswantingphysicalfoodagoodreasontoseekJesus?

Explain.

7.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenHesaid,“Iamthebreadoflife”?

8.Whywas“eatmy fleshanddrinkmyblood” (v.54 NIV) ahard teaching for

thesepotentialdisciplestoaccept?

9.Howeasyisitforyoutolivebythisteaching?Why?

10.HowdoesJesuswantyoutorespondthenext timeyoufaceanimpossiblesituationoratruththatishardtoaccept?

ChapterSeven

FeastFight

(John7)

TheFeastofTabernacleslookedbacktoIsrael’sjourneythroughthewildernessand looked forward to the promised kingdom of Messiah. The Jews lived inboothsmadeofbranchestoremindthemofGod’sprovidentialcareofthenationfornearlyfortyyears(Lev.23:33–44).

Following the Feast of Trumpets and the solemn Day of Atonement,Tabernacleswasafestivetimeforthepeople.Thetempleareawasilluminedbylargecandlesticksthatremindedthepeopleoftheguidingpillaroffire,andeachdaythepriestswouldcarrywaterfromthePoolofSiloamandpouritoutfromagoldenvessel,remindingtheJewsofthemiraculousprovisionofwaterfromtherock.

Thefeastmayhavebeenajubilanttimeforthepeople,butitwasadifficulttime for Jesus, for itmarked the beginningof open andmilitant opposition toHim andHisministry. Ever sinceHe had healed the paralytic on the Sabbathday,JesushadbeentargetedbytheJewishleaderswhowantedtokillHim(John7:1,19–20,25,30,32,44;andnote8:37,40).HeremainedinGalilee,whereHewouldbesafer,butHecouldnotremaininGalileeandalsoobservethefeast.

John7hasthreetimedivisions:beforethefeast(vv.1–10),inthemidstofthefeast(vv.11–36),andonthelastdayofthefeast(vv.37–52).Theresponsesduring each of those periods can be characterized by three words: disbelief,debate,anddivision.

1.BEFORETHEFEAST:DISBELIEF(7:1–10)

Marybore other children,with Joseph as their natural father (Matt. 13:55–56;Mark 6:1–6), so Jesuswould have been their half brother. It seems incrediblethatHisbrotherscouldhavelivedwithHimallthoseyearsandnotrealizedtheuniquenessofHisperson.CertainlytheyknewaboutHismiracles(seeJohn7:3–4)sinceeverybodyelsedid.HavingbeenintheclosestcontactwithHim,theyhad the best opportunity to watch Him and test Him, yet they were stillunbelievers.

HereweremengoinguptoareligiousfeastyetrejectingtheirownMessiah!How easy it is to follow tradition and miss eternal truth. The publicans andsinnerswere rejoicingatHismessage,butHisownhalfbrothersweremakingfunofHim.

These men certainly had the world’s point of view: If you want to get afollowing,useyouropportunitiestodosomethingspectacular.Jerusalemwouldbe crowded with pilgrims, and this would give Jesus the ideal “platform” topresent Himself and win disciples. No doubt the brothers knew that themultitudeofdiscipleshaddesertedJesus(John6:66).ThiswasHisopportunityto recoupHis losses.Satanhadofferedasimilar suggestion threeyearsbefore(Matt.4:1ff.).

Jesushadalready turneddown thecrowd’soffer tomakeHimKing (John6:15),andHewasnotabouttoyieldtotheminanyway.Celebritiesmightrideto success on the applause of the crowd, but God’s servants know better. Bydoing miracles during the feast, at the “official city,” Jesus could muster acrowd,revealHimselfasMessiah,andovercometheenemy.Thesuggestion,ofcourse,camefromheartsandmindsblindedbyunbelief.Thisunbeliefhadbeenprophesied inPsalm69:8—“Iambecomeastrangeruntomybrethren,andanalienuntomymother’schildren.”(SinceJesuswasnotJoseph’snaturalson,Hecouldnotsay,“Myfather’schildren.”)

It was not the right time for Jesus to show Himself to the world (John14:22ff.).OnedayHeshallreturn,and“everyeyeshallseehim”(Rev.1:7).We

havenoticedthatourLordlivedona“divinetimetable”thatwasmarkedoutbytheFather(John2:4;7:6,8,30;8:20;12:23;13:1;17:1).

Jesus was exercising caution because He knew that the Jewish leaderswanted tokillHim.Though theywere“religious” leaders, theywereapartof“the world” that hated Jesus because He exposed their evil works. By HischaracterandHisministry,Herevealedtheshallownessandemptinessof theirfutile religious system;Hecalled thepeopleback to the realityof life inGod.Historyrevealsthatthe“religioussystem”oftenpersecutestheveryprophetsofGodwhoaresenttosaveit!

SomemanuscriptsdonothavethewordyetinJohn7:8,butitsabsencedoesnot alter the thrust of the statement. Jesus was certainly not lying or beingevasive; rather, He was exercising sensible caution. Suppose He told HisbrothersHisplansandtheytoldsomebodyelse?Couldtheinformationpossiblygettotheleaders?“Iamgoingtothefeastwhentherighttimecomes,”iswhatHesaid.AfterHisfamilyhadgone,JesuswenttoJerusalem“undercover,”soasnottocallattentiontoHimself.

In ourLord’s actions,we see a beautiful illustration of divine sovereigntyandhumanresponsibility.TheFatherhadaplanforHisSon,andnothingcouldspoilthatplan.JesusdidnottempttheFatherbyrushingtothefeast,nordidHelagbehindwhenthepropertimehadcomeforHimtoattendthefeast.ItrequiresspiritualdiscernmenttoknowGod’stiming.

2.INTHEMIDSTOFTHEFEAST:DEBATE(7:11–36)NotethatthispublicdebateabouttheLordJesusinvolvedthreedifferentgroupsof people. First, of course,were the Jewish leaders (“the Jews”)who lived inJerusalem and were attached to the temple ministry. This would include thePhariseesand thechiefpriests (mostofwhomwereSadducees)aswell as thescribes. Thesemen differed theologically, but they agreed on one thing: their

opposition to Jesus Christ and their determination to get rid of Him. TheexceptionswouldbeNicodemusandJosephofArimathea(John19:38–42).

Thesecondgroupwouldbe“thepeople”(John7:12,20,31–32).Thiswouldbe the festival crowd that had come to Jerusalem to worship. Many of themwouldnotbeinfluencedbytheattitudeofthereligiousleadersatJerusalem.YouwillnoteinJohn7:20that“thepeople”wereamazedthatanybodywouldwanttokillJesus!Theywerenotup todateonall thegossip in thecityandhad tolearnthehardwaythatJesuswasconsideredalawbreakerbytheofficials.

ThethirdgroupwascomposedoftheJewswhoresidedinJerusalem(John7:25).They,ofcourse,wouldhavelikelysidedwiththereligiousleaders.

ThedebatebeganbeforeJesusevenarrivedatthecity,anditcenteredonHischaracter(John7:11–13).Thereligiousleaders“keptseeking”Jesus,whilethecrowdkeptarguingwhetherHewasagoodmanoradeceiver.Hewouldhavetobeoneortheother,becauseatrulygoodmanwouldnotdeceiveanybody.Yes,JesusiseitherwhatHeclaimstobe,orHeisaliar.

Butwhen Jesusbegan to teachopenly in the temple, thedebate shifted toHisdoctrine (John 7:14–19). Character and doctrine go together, of course. Itwouldbefoolishtotrusttheteachingsofaliar!TheJewswereamazedatwhatHe taught because He did not have any credentials from their approvedrabbinicalschools.ButsinceHelackedthis“properaccreditation,”HisenemiessaidthatHisteachingswerenothingbutprivateopinionsandnotworthmuch.Ithas often been said that Jesus taught with authority, while the scribes andPhariseestaughtfromauthorities,quotingallthefamousrabbis.

Jesus explained that His doctrine came from the Father. He had alreadymade itclear thatHeand theFatherwereone in theworks thatHeperformed(John5:17)andinthejudgmentthatHeexecuted(John5:30).NowHeclaimedthat His teachings also came from the Father, and He would make thatastoundingclaimagain (John8:26,38).When I teach theWordofGod, I canclaimauthority for theBiblebutnot forallofmy interpretationsof theBible.

JesusrightlycouldclaimabsoluteauthorityforeverythingthatHetaught!Butdoesnotevery religious teachermakeasimilarclaim?How, then,can

weknowthatJesusisteachingusthetruth?ByobeyingwhatHetellsustodo.God’s Word proves itself true to those who will sincerely do it. The Britishpreacher F. W. Robertson said that “obedience is the organ of spiritualknowledge.”John7:17literallyreads,“IfanymaniswillingtodoHis[God’s]will, he shall know.”This explainswhy the Jewish leadersdidnotunderstandJesus’ teachings; they had stubbornwills andwould not submit toHim (John5:40).

IsourLordsuggestingherea“pragmatictest”fordivinetruth?IsHesaying,“Tryit!Ifitworks,itmustbetrue!”andthussuggestingthatifitdoesnotworkitmust be false? This kind of a test would lead to confusion, for almost anycultistcouldsay,“Itriedwhatthecultteaches,anditworks!”

No, our Lord’s statement goes much deeper. He was not suggesting ashallow “taste test” but rather the deep personal commitment of the person totruth. The Jews depended on education and authorities and received theirdoctrinesecondhand,butJesusinsistedthatweexperiencetheauthorityoftruthpersonally.TheJewishleaderswereattemptingtokillJesus,yetatthesametimethey claimed to understand God’s truth and obey it. This proves that anenlightened and educatedmind is no guarantee of a pure heart or a sanctifiedwill.Someoftheworld’sworstcriminalshavebeenhighlyintelligentandwell-educatedpeople.

Satan offered Adam and Eve knowledge, but it was knowledge based ondisobedience(Gen.3:5).Jesusofferedknowledgeastheresultofobedience:firsttheyokeofresponsibility,thenthejoyofknowingGod’struth.Dr.G.CampbellMorgansaiditperfectly:“Whenmenarewholly,completelyconsecratedtothewillofGodandwant todo thataboveeverythingelse, then they findout thatChrist’steachingisdivine,thatitistheteachingofGod.”

IfwereallyseekGod’swill,thenwewillnotworryoverwhogetstheglory.

AlltruthisGod’struth,andGodalonedeservesthegloryforwhatHehastaughtus.NoteacherorpreachercantakethecreditforwhatonlycancomefromGod.Ifhedoesgoafter theglory, then it isproof thathis teaching isself-generatedandnot receivedfromGod.This is theoriginofmanycultsandchurchsplits:Somebody“invents”adoctrine, takescredit for it, anduses it todivideGod’speople.

Thefirst“debate”waswiththeJews,butthevisitorstothecityenteredintothediscussion(John7:20).JesushadboldlyannouncedthattheleaderswantedtokillHimbecauseHehadviolatedtheSabbathandthenclaimedtobeGod(seeJohn5:10–18).TheorthodoxJewsbroketheSabbathlawswhentheyhadtheirsons circumcised on the Sabbath, so why could He not heal a man on theSabbath?“Whygoyeabouttokillme?”

Thevisitors,ofcourse,didnotknowthattheirleaderswereouttokillJesus,sotheychallengedHisstatement.Buttheirreplycontainedaseriousaccusation—that Jesushadademon.Thiswasnot anewaccusation, for the leadershadsaiditbefore(Matt.9:32ff.;10:25;11:18–19;12:24ff.).“YoumustbecrazytothinkthatanybodywantstokillYou!”

OurLordusedtheverylawofMosestorefutetheenemy’sargument,butHeknewthattheywouldnotgivein.Why?Becausetheirstandardofjudgmentwasnothonest.Theyevaluatedthingsonthebasisofsuperficialexaminationofthefacts.Theyjudgedonthebasisof“seems”andnot“is.”Unfortunately,toomanypeople make that samemistake today. John 7:24 is the opposite of verse 17,whereJesuscalledforsinceredevotiontotruth.

TheresidentsofJerusalementeredtheconversation(John7:25).TheyknewthattherulerswantedtokillJesus,andtheywereamazedthatHewasteachingopenly and getting away with it! Perhaps the rulers had been convinced thatindeedHeistheMessiah,sentfromGod!ThenwhyweretheynotworshippingHimandleadingotherstoworshipHim?

Theirquestion(John7:25)suggestedanegativeanswer:“No,therulersdo

not believe that He is the Christ, do they?” They were able to defend theirconclusionwithlogic:

1.NobodyknowswheretheChristcomesfrom.2.WeknowwhereJesusofNazarethcamefrom.3.Conclusion:JesuscannotbetheMessiah.Onceagain,thepeoplecouldnotseethetruthbecausetheywereblindedby

what they thought were dependable facts. Jesus had met this same kind ofresistance in the synagogue in Capernaum (John 6:42ff.). Even the learnedteachers—the “expert builders”—would not be able to identify the ChiefCornerstone, even though they had studied the God-given “blueprints” forcenturies(Acts4:11)!

Atthispoint,ourLordraisedHisvoicesothateverybodycouldhear(notealsoJohn7:37).Hewasprobablyspeakinginatonerevealingirony:“Yes,youthinkyouknowMeandwhereIcamefrom!Butreally,youdonot!”ThenHeexplainedwhytheydidnotknowHim:TheydidnotknowtheFather!Thiswasa serious accusation to make against an orthodox Jew, for the Jews pridedthemselvesinknowingthetrueGod,theGodofIsrael.

ButJesuswentevenfurther:HeboldlyassertedthatHenotonlyknewtheFather,butalsowassentbyHim!Hewasonceagainclaiming tobeGod!Hewasnotsimplybornintothisworldlikeanyotherhuman;HewassenttoearthbytheFather.ThismeansthatHeexistedbeforeHewasbornontheearth.

ThiswascertainlyacrisishourinHisministry,andsomeoftheleaderstriedtohaveHimarrested,but“hishourwasnotyetcome.”ManyofthepilgrimsputtheirfaithinHim.Itwasafaithbasedonmiracles,butatleastitwasabeginning(seeJohn2:23;6:2,26).NicodemusfirstbecameinterestedinJesusbecauseofHismiracles(John3:1–2),andeventuallyheopenlyprofessedfaithinChrist.

The Pharisees and chief priests, who presided over the Jewish religiousestablishment, resented the fact that the people were trusting in Jesus.Apparently these “believers”were not afraid to tellwhat they had done (John

7:13,32).Thistime,therulerssentmembersofthetempleguardtoarrestJesus,butitwasJesuswho“arrested”them!Hewarnedthemthattheyhadbut“alittlewhile” to hear the truth, believe, and be saved (see John 12:35ff.). Itwas notJesuswhowasindanger,butthosewhowantedtoarrestHim!

Asinpreviousmessages,thepeoplemisunderstoodwhatJesuswassaying.Withinsixmonths,JesuswouldgobacktotheFatherinheaven,andtheunsavedJewswouldnotbeable to followHim.Whatacontrastbetween“where Iam,thitheryecannotcome”(John7:34)and“thatwhereIam,thereyemaybealso”(John14:3)!

Had thesemenbeenwilling todoGod’swill, theywouldhaveknown thetruth.Soonitwouldbetoolate.

3.THEENDOFTHEFEAST:DIVISION(7:37–52)Thelastdayofthefeastwouldbetheseventhday,averyspecialdayonwhichthepriestswouldmarchseventimesaroundthealtar,chantingPsalm118:25.Itwouldbethelasttimetheywoulddrawthewaterandpouritout.Nodoubtjustastheywerepouringoutthewater,symbolicofthewaterMosesdrewfromtherock,JesusstoodandshoutedHisgreatinvitationtothirstysinners.

Ithasbeenpointedoutthatthis“greatday,”thetwenty-firstoftheseventhmonth,isthesamedateonwhichtheprophetHaggaimadeaspecialpredictionabout the temple (Hag. 2:1–9).While the ultimate fulfillment must await thereturnofChristtothisearth,certainlytherewasapartialfulfillmentwhenJesuscametothetemple.Haggai2:6–7isquotedinHebrews12:26–29asapplyingtothereturnoftheLord.

Jesuswas referring to theexperienceof Israel recorded inExodus17:1–7.ThatwaterwasbutapictureoftheSpiritofGod.Believerswouldnotonlydrinkthe living water, but they would become channels of living water to bless athirsty world! The “artesian well” that He promised in John 4:14 has now

become a flowing river!While there are no specific prophetic Scriptures thatindicate“riversofwater”flowingfromthebeliever,thereareanumberofversesthatparallelthisthought:Isaiah12:3;15;32:2;44:3;and58:11;andZechariah14:8.NotethatZechariah14:16ff.speaksaboutthefutureFeastofTabernacles,whentheLordisKing.

Water for drinking is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.(WaterforwashingisasymboloftheWordofGod;seeJohn15:3;Eph.5:26.)Just as water satisfies thirst and produces fruitfulness, so the Spirit of Godsatisfiestheinnerpersonandenablesustobearfruit.Atthefeast,theJewswerereenactingatraditionthatcouldneversatisfytheheart.Jesusofferedthemlivingwaterandeternalsatisfaction!

What was the result of this declaration and invitation? The people weredivided: Some defendedHim, and somewanted to arrestHim. IsHe a “goodman” or “a deceiver” (John 7:12)? IsHe “the Christ” (John 7:31)? IsHe thepromised “Prophet” (John 7:40; Deut. 18:15)? If only they had honestlyexamined the evidence, theywould have discovered that, indeed, Hewas theChrist,theSonofGod.TheyidentifiedJesuswithGalilee(John1:45–46;7:52)wheninrealityHewasborninBethlehem(seeJohn6:42forsimilarreasoning).

ThetempleofficersreturnedtotheJewishcouncilmeetingempty-handed.ItcertainlyshouldhavebeenrelativelyeasyforthemtoarrestJesus,yettheyfailedto do so. What stopped them? “Never man spake like this man!” was theirdefense.Inotherwords,“ThisJesusismorethanaman!NomeremanspeaksasHedoes!”Theywere“arrested”bythewordofGod,spokenbytheSonofGod.

Again,theleadersrefusedtofacefactshonestlybutpassedjudgmentonthebasisoftheirprejudicesandtheirsuperficialexaminationofthefacts.Itismucheasiertolabelpeople(andlibelpeople!)thantolistentothefactstheypresent.“SosomeofthepeoplehavebelievedonJesus!Sowhat?Thesecommonpeopleknow nothing about the law anyway! Have any important people—likeourselves—believed on Him? Of course not!” They would use a similar

argument to try to discredit the witness of the blindmanwhom Jesus healed(John9:34).

We shouldnotbe surprisedwhen“the intelligentsia” refuses to trust JesusChristorwhenreligiousleadersrejectHim.GodhashiddenHistruthfrom“thewiseandprudent”and revealed it to“spiritualbabes,” thehumblepeoplewhowillyieldtoHim(Matt.11:25–27).PaulwasaveryintelligentrabbiwhenGodsavedhim,yethehadtobe“knockeddown”beforehewouldacknowledgethatJesus Christ was the resurrected Son of God. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 tolearnPaul’sexplanationforthedifficultyofwinning“smartreligiouspeople”totheSavior.

No doubt the rulerswould have sent the guard out again, butNicodemusspokeup.Thisman is found three times in John’sgospel, andeach timehe isidentifiedastheone“whocametoJesusbynight”(seeJohn3:1–2;19:39).NodoubtNicodemushadbeendoingagreatdealofthinkingandstudyingsincethatfirstinterviewwithJesus,andhewasnotafraidtotakehisstandfortruth.

NicodemuswassurethatthecouncilwasnotgivingJesusanhonesthearing.TherulershadalreadypassedjudgmentandweretryingtoarrestHimbeforeHehad even been given a fair and lawful trial! PerhapsNicodemus had inmindsuch Old Testament Scriptures as Exodus 23:1 and Deuteronomy 1:16–17;19:15–21.

WhatdidNicodemuswantthemtoconsideraboutJesus?HiswordsandHisworks. It was Jesus the Teacher and the miracle worker who had attractedNicodemus’s interest in the firstplace (John3:2). In fact, Jesushadpointed toHisworksasproofofHisdeity(John5:32),andHerepeatedlyurgedthepeopletopayattentiontoHiswords.Thetwogotogether,forthemiraclespointtothemessages,andthemessagesinterpretthespiritualmeaningofthemiracles.

Youcanhearthesarcasmanddisdaininthereplyoftherulers:“Areyoualowly anddespisedGalilean too?”They refused to admit thatNicodemuswasright inaskingforafair trial,but theonlywaytheycouldanswerhimwasby

meansofridicule.Thisisanancientdebatetrick:Whenyoucannotanswertheargument,attackthespeaker.

TheychallengedNicodemustosearchthepropheciestoseeifhecouldfindanystatement thataprophetwouldcomeoutofGalilee.Ofcourse,JonahwasfromGalilee,andJesussaidthatJonahwasapictureofHimselfindeath,burial,and resurrection (Matt. 12:38–41). Perhaps Nicodemus read Isaiah 9:1–2 (seeMatt. 4:12–16) and began to trace the great messianic prophecies in the OldTestament.Ifhedid,thenhebecameconvincedthatJesusofNazarethwastheverySonofGod.

You cannot help but feel sorry for the people described in this chapter,peoplewhorespondedtoJesusinthewrongways.Hishalfbrothersrespondedwithdisbelief,variouspeoplerespondedwithdebate,andtheresultwasdivision.Hadtheywillinglyreceivedthetruth,andhadtheyactedwithsincereobedience,theywouldhaveendedupat thefeetofJesus,confessingHimasMessiahandSonofGod.

Butpeopletodaycommit thesameblunderandpermit theirprejudicesandsuperficialevaluationstoblindthemtothetruth.

Don’tletithappentoyou!

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.Whenhaveyousharedthegospelwithsomeonewhowasoffended?Whydoyouthinkthatpersonreactedasheorshedid?

2. Read verses 1–10. How did Jesus’ half brothers respond to Him and Histeaching?

3.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenHesaid,“Mytimeisnotyetfullycome”?

4.Readverses11–52.WhatwereJesus’mainteachingpointsaboutHimself?

5.Whatevidenceorexperienceconvincesyou that Jesus reallywas sent fromGod?

6.Whatarewetomakeofthefactthatmanypeoplelookatthatsameevidenceandfinditunconvincing?

7.WhatwassignificantaboutJesus’invitationinverses37–39?

8.Howdoesaperson“drink”whatJesusisoffering?

9.Readverse17.HasobediencetoChristdemonstratedtoyouthatHeiswhoHeis?Ifso,inwhatway?

10.Howcanyoumotivateyourselftowitnesstopeopleeventhoughtheymaybecomeoffended?

ChapterEight

ContrastsandConflicts

(John8)

Is the storyof thewoman taken inadulteryapartofScripture? If it is,wheredoesitbelonginthegospelrecord?John7:53—8:11isnotfoundinsomeoftheancientmanuscripts;whereitisfound,itisnotalwaysinthislocationinJohn’sgospel. Most scholars seem to agree that the passage is a part of inspiredScripture (“a fragment of authentic gospel material,” says Dr. F. F. Bruce)regardlessofwhereitisplaced.

Tomanyofus,thestoryfitsrighthere!Infact,thedevelopmentoftheentirechaptercaneasilybeseentogrowoutofthisstrikingeventinthetemple.OurLord’sdeclarationonHisbeingtheLightoftheWorld(John8:12)certainlyfits,and so do His words about true and false judgment (John 8:15–16, 26). Therepeated phrase “die in your sins” (John 8:21, 24)would clearly relate to thejudgment of thewoman, and the fact that the chapter endswith an attempt tostone Jesus shows a perfect parallel to the opening story. The transition fromJohn7:52to8:12wouldbetooabruptwithoutatransitionalsection.

OurLordfoundHimselfagaininconflictwiththeJewishreligiousleaders,butthistime,theysetatrap,hopingtogetenoughevidencetoarrestJesusandgetHimoutoftheway.However,theirplotfailed,butacontroversyfollowed.InthischapterweseeaseriesofcontraststhatrevealthegraciousnessofChristandthewickednessofpeople.

GRACEANDLAW(8:1–11)TheFeastofTabernacleshadended,butJesustookadvantageoftheopportunity

to minister to the pilgrims in the temple. During the feast, word had quicklyspreadthatJesuswasnotonlyattendingbutalsoopenlyteachinginthetemple(seeLuke21:37).He taught in the courtof thewomenat theplacewhere thetreasury was situated (John 8:20). The scribes and Pharisees knew where Hewouldbe,sotheyhatchedtheirplottogether.

Theywouldnotbelikelytocatchacoupleinthe“veryact”ofadultery,sowewonder if theman (whoneverwas indicted!)waspartof the scheme.Thelawrequiredthatbothguiltypartiesbestoned(Lev.20:10;Deut.22:22)andnotjustthewoman.Itdoesseemsuspiciousthatthemanwentfree.ThescribesandPhariseeshandledthematterinabrutalfashion,eveninthewaytheyinterruptedtheLord’steachingandpushedthewomanintothemidstofthecrowd.

The Jewish leaders, of course,were trying to pin Jesus on the horns of adilemma.IfHesaid,“Yes,thewomanmustbestoned!”thenwhatwouldhappentoHisreputationasthe“friendofpublicansandsinners”?Thecommonpeoplewould no doubt have abandoned Him and would never have accepted Hisgraciousmessageofforgiveness.

But,ifHesaid,“No,thewomanshouldnotbestoned!”thenHewasopenlybreakingthelawandsubjecttoarrest.Onmorethanoneoccasion,thereligiousleadershad tried topit JesusagainstMoses,andnowtheyseemed tohave theperfectchallenge(seeJohn5:39–47;6:32ff.;7:40ff.).

Insteadof passing judgment on thewoman, Jesus passed judgment on thejudges!NodoubtHewasindignantatthewaytheytreatedthewoman.Hewasalso concerned that such hypocrites should condemn another person and notjudgethemselves.WedonotknowwhatHewroteonthedirtfloorofthetemple.WasHesimplyremindingthemthattheTenCommandmentshadbeenoriginallywritten “with the finger ofGod” (Ex. 31:18) and thatHe isGod?OrwasHeperhapsremindingthemofthewarninginJeremiah17:13?

Itwas requiredbyJewish law that theaccuserscast the first stones (Deut.17:7). Jesuswasnotasking that sinlessmen judge thewoman, forHewas the

only sinless Person present. If our judges today had to be perfect, judicialbencheswouldbeempty.Hewasreferringtotheparticularsinofthewoman,asinthatcanbecommittedintheheartaswellaswiththebody(Matt.5:27–30).Convicted by their own consciences, the accusers quietly left the scene, andJesuswasleftalonewiththewoman.Heforgaveherandwarnedhertosinnomore(John5:14).

WemustnotmisinterpretthiseventtomeanthatJesuswas“easyonsin”orthatHecontradictedthelaw.ForJesustoforgivethiswomanmeantthatHehadtoonedaydieforhersins.Forgivenessisfree,butitisnotcheap.Furthermore,Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law so that no one could justly accuse Him ofopposing its teachings or weakening its power. By applying the law to thewomanandnottothemselves, theJewish leaderswereviolatingboth the letterandthespiritofthelaw—andtheythoughttheyweredefendingMoses!

Thelawwasgiventorevealsin(Rom.3:20),andwemustbecondemnedbythe law before we can be cleansed by God’s grace. Law and grace do notcompetewitheachother;theycomplementeachother.Nobodywaseversavedby keeping the law, but nobody was ever saved by grace who was not firstindictedbythelaw.Theremustbeconvictionbeforetherecanbeconversion.

NorisChrist’sgraciousforgivenessanexcusetosin.“Go,andsinnomore!”wasourLord’scounsel.“Butthereisforgivenesswiththee,thatthoumayestbefeared” (Ps. 130:4). Certainly the experience of gracious forgiveness wouldmotivatethepenitentsinnertoliveaholyandobedientlifetothegloryofGod.

LIGHTANDDARKNESS(8:12–20)This second great “I am” statement certainly fits into the context of the firstelevenversesofJohn8.Perhapsthesunwasthenappearing(John8:2)sothatJesuswas comparingHimself to the rising sun. But thiswouldmeanHewasonceagainclaimingtobeGod,fortotheJew,thesunwasasymbolofJehovah

God(Ps.84:11;Mal.4:2).There is, forourgalaxy,onlyonesun,and it is thecenterandthesourceoflife.SothereisbutoneGodwhoisthecenterofallandthesourceofall life (John1:4).“God is light” (1John1:5),andwherever thelightshines,itrevealshumanity’swickedness(Eph.5:8–14).

OurLord’s “I am” statementwas also related to theFeast ofTabernacles,duringwhich thehugecandelabrawere lit in the templeatnight toremind thepeopleofthepillaroffirethathadguidedIsraelinitswildernessjourney.Infact,John has combined three “wilderness images”: themanna (John 6), thewaterfromtherock(John7),andthepillaroffire(John8).

To“follow”theLordJesusmeanstobelieveinHim,totrustHim,andtheresultsare lifeand light for thebeliever.Theunsaved arewalking indarknessbecause they love darkness (John 3:17ff.). One of themajormessages in thisgospelisthatthespirituallightisnowshining,butpeoplecannotcomprehendit—andtheytrytoputitout(John1:4–5).

Not all of the Jewish leaders had left the group, and others had no doubtcomealongafterthewomanleft.Asusual,theydebatedwithJesus.Thistime,theyaccusedHimofbearingwitnesstoHimselfbyclaimingtobetheLightofthe World, and Jewish courts would not permit a person to bear witness tohimself.

Butlighthastobearwitness to itself!Theonlypeoplewhocannotseethelightareblindpeople!

I recall the first time I flew at night. I was fascinated by the changingtexturesofcolored lights in thecitiesbelowme.Whenourplane left theNewYorkareaandheadedoutintothenight,IwasamazedthatIcouldseepinpointsoflightmilesaway.ThenIunderstoodwhyitwasnecessarytohaveblackoutsduringthewar,fortheenemypilotscouldseethesmallestevidenceoflightandthusfindthetarget.Lightbearswitnesstoitself;ittellsyouitisthere.

PerhapsthePhariseeswerequotingourLord’sownwords(seeJohn5:31ff.),butHequicklyrefuted their argument.Oneof thekeywords in this section is

witness; it is used seven times. Jesusmade it clear that theirwitnesswas notdependable because their judgment was faulty. They judged on the basis ofexternals, mere human judgment, but He judged on the basis of spiritualknowledge.Thewaytheyjudgedthewomantakeninadulteryprovedthattheyunderstoodneitherthelawnortheirownsinfulhearts.

SincetheywantedtousethelawtocondemnthewomanandtraptheSavior,Jesus also used the law to answer them. He quoted a principle found inDeuteronomy17:6and19:15,aswellasNumbers35:30, that the testimonyoftwomenwasrequiredtovalidateajudgment.Jesushadthosetwotestimonies:HegavewitnessandsodidHisFather.WehaveseenfromJohn5:37–47thatthewitnessoftheFatherisfoundintheWordofGod.

How tragic that these experts in the law did not even know their ownMessiahasHe stoodbefore them!Theyclaimed toknow the lawofGod,buttheydidnotknowtheGodof the law.TheydidnothaveHisWordabidingintheirhearts(John5:38),nordidtheyexperienceHislove(John5:42).TheydidnotknowtheFatherandthereforedidnotknowtheSon.

Jesusneverreallyansweredtheirquestion,“WhereisthyFather?”Thewordfatherisusedtwenty-onetimesinthischapter,soJesusdidnotavoidtheissuebutfacedithonestly.Heknewthat their“father”wasnotGod—buttheDevil!Thesemenwerereligious,andyettheywerethechildrenoftheDevil!

TheirfurtherattemptstoarrestJesuswereagainthwartedbytheFather,foritwasnotyetourLord’shourwhenHeshouldgiveHislife.WhentheservantsofGodareinthewillofGod,theycanhavecourageandpeaceastheydoestheirduty.

LIFEANDDEATH(8:21–30)Jesus had alreadymentionedHis leaving them (John 7:34), but the Jews hadmisunderstood what He said. Once again, He warned them: He would leave

them, theywouldnotbeable to followHim,and theywoulddie in their sins!TheywerewastingtheirGod-givenopportunitiesbyarguingwithHiminsteadoftrustingHim,andonedaysoon,theiropportunitieswouldend.

Onceagain, thepeoplemisunderstoodHis teaching.They thoughtHewasplanningtokillHimself!SuicidewasanabhorrentthingtoaJew,fortheJewsweretaughttohonoralllife.IfJesuscommittedsuicide,thenHewouldgotoaplaceofjudgment,andthis,theyreasoned,waswhytheycouldnotfollowHim.

Actually,justtheoppositewastrue:Itwastheywhoweregoingtotheplaceof judgment! Jesuswas returning toHisFather inheaven, andnobodycangotherewhohas not trusted theSavior.The reason Jesus and the Jewish leaderswere going to different destinations was because they had different origins:Jesuscamefromheaven,buttheybelongedtotheearth.Jesuswasintheworld,butHedidnotbelongtotheworld(seeJohn17:14–16).

Thetruebelieverhashiscitizenshipinheaven(Luke10:20;Phil.3:20–21).Hisaffectionandattentionarefixedheavenward.Buttheunsavedbelongtothisworld;infact,Jesuscalledthem“thechildrenofthisworld”(Luke16:8).SincetheyhavenottrustedChristandhadtheirsinsforgiven,theirdestinyistodieintheirsins.TheChristiandies“intheLord”becausehelives“intheLord”(Rev.14:13),buttheunbelieverdiesinhissinsbecausehelivesinhissins.

It seems incredible that these religious “experts” should ask, “Who areYou?”HehadgiventhemeveryevidencethatHeistheSonofGod,yettheyhaddeliberately rejected the evidence. Our Lord’s replymay be expressed, “I amexactlywhat I said!” Inotherwords, “Why should I teachyounew things, orgiveyounewproof,whenyouhavenothonestlyconsideredthewitnessIhavealreadygiven?”

Jesus boldlymade several claims to deity (John 8:26).He saidHewouldjudge,andjudgment(totheJews)belongedonlytoGod.HeclaimedtobesentbyGod,andHeclaimedtohaveheardfromGodthethingsthatHetaught.Howdid the religious leaders respond to theseclearaffirmationsofdeity?Theydid

notunderstand!God revealsHis truth to the“babes”andnot to the“wiseandprudent”(Luke10:21).

NowJesusspokeaboutHisowndeath,whenHewouldbe“liftedup”onthecross (John 3:14; 12:32).Theword translated “lifted up” has a dualmeaning:“lifted up in crucifixion” and “lifted up in exaltation and glorification.” Jesusoftencombinedthetwo,forHesawHiscrucifixionintermsofgloryandnotjustsuffering(John12:23;13:30–31;17:1).Thissamecombinationof“sufferingandglory”isrepeatedinPeter’sfirstletter.

ItwouldbeinHisdeath,burial,resurrection,andascensionthatJesuswouldbe revealed to the Jewish nation. This was the message Peter preached atPentecost (Acts 2), not only the death of Jesus but also His resurrection andexaltation to glory. Even a Roman soldier, beholding the events at Golgothawouldconfess, “Truly thismanwas theSonofGod” (Mark15:39).Theearlychurch, following theexampleof itsLord (Luke24:25–27),would show fromtheOldTestamentpropheciesboththesufferingsandthegloryoftheMessiah.

Jesus made two more stupendous claims: Not only was He sent by theFather, but the FatherwaswithHimbecauseHe always didwhat pleased theFather(John8:29).Nodoubt,Hisenemiesreactedviolentlytothesewords,butsomeofthelistenersputtheirfaithinHim.Whetherthiswastruesavingfaithornot (see John 2:23–25), we cannot tell, but our Lord’s words to them wouldindicatethattheyknewwhattheyweredoing.

Salvationisamatteroflifeordeath.Peoplewholiveintheirsinsandrejectthe Savior must die in their sins. There is no alternative. We either receivesalvationbygraceorexperiencecondemnationunderGod’slaw.Weeitherwalkinthelightandhaveeternallife,orwalkinthedarknessandexperienceeternaldeath.Thereisafourthcontrast.

FREEDOMANDBONDAGE(8:31–47)

WhatlistenersarerepresentedbythepronountheyinJohn8:33?Inthepreviousverses,Jesusaddressedthe“believers”mentionedinJohn8:30,andHewarnedthemthatcontinuance in theWord—discipleship—wasproofof truesalvation.WhenweobeyHisWord,wegrowinspiritualknowledge,andaswegrowinspiritualknowledge,wegrow in freedom fromsin.Life leads to learning, andlearningleadstoliberty.

It isnotlikelythatthepronoun they refers to thesenewbelievers, for theywouldprobablynot arguewith theirSavior! If John8:37 is anyguide, “they”probablyreferstothesameunbelievingJewishleaderswhohadopposedJesusthroughout this conversation (John 8:13, 19, 22, 25). As before, they did notunderstand His message. Jesus was speaking about true spiritual freedom,freedomfromsin,buttheywerethinkingaboutpoliticalfreedom.

Their claim that Abraham’s descendants had never been in bondage wascertainly a falseone thatwas refutedby thevery record in theOldTestamentScriptures.TheJewshadbeenenslavedbysevenmightynations,asrecordedinthe bookof Judges.The ten northern tribes had been carried away captive byAssyria,andthetwosoutherntribeshadgoneintoseventyyearsofcaptivityinBabylon.And at that very hour, the Jewswere under the iron heel of Rome!How difficult it is for proud religious people to admit their failings and theirneeds!

Jesusexplainedthatthedifferencebetweenspiritualfreedomandbondageisamatterofwhetheroneisasonoraservant.Theservantmayliveinthehouse,buthe isnotapartof thefamily,andhecannotbeguaranteedafuture. (JesusmayhavehadIsaacandIshmaelinmindhere;seeGen.21.)“Whosoeverkeepson practicing sin [literal translation] is the servant of sin.” These religiousleaderswouldnotonlydieintheirsins(John8:21,24),buttheywererightthenlivinginbondagetosin!

Howcan slaves of sin be set free?Only by theSon.HowdoesHedo it?ThroughthepowerofHisWord.NotetheemphasisontheWordinJohn8:38–

47,andHehadalreadytoldthem,“Thetruthshallmakeyoufree”(John8:32).Theywouldnot“makeroom”forHisWordintheirhearts.

In the rest of this section, you see the debate centering around the wordfather.JesusidentifiedHimselfwiththeFatherinheaven,butHeidentifiedthemwiththefatherfromhell,Satan.Ofcourse,theJewsclaimedAbrahamastheirfather (Luke 3:8ff.), but Jesusmade a careful distinction between “Abraham’sseed” (physical descendants) and “Abraham’s children” (spiritual descendantsbecauseofpersonalfaith;Gal.3:6–14).

TheseJewishleaders,whoclaimedtobelongtoAbraham,wereveryunlikeAbraham.Foronething,theywantedtokillJesus;Abrahamwasthe“friendofGod”andfellowshippedwithHiminlove(Isa.41:8).AbrahamlistenedtoGod’struthandobeyedit,butthesereligiousleadersrejectedthetruth.

Natureisdeterminedbybirth,andbirthisdeterminedbypaternity.IfGodisyourFather, thenyou shareGod’s nature (2Peter 1:1–4), but if Satan is yourfather, then you share in his evil nature.Our Lord did not say that every lostsinner isa“childof thedevil,” thoughevery lost sinner iscertainlyachildofwrathanddisobedience(Eph.2:1–3).Bothhereand in theparableof the tares(Matt. 13:24–30, 36–43), Jesus said that the Pharisees and other “counterfeit”believerswerethechildrenoftheDevil.Satanisanimitator(2Cor.11:13–15),andhegiveshischildrenafalserighteousnessthatcannevergainthementranceintoheaven(Rom.10:1–4).

WhatwerethecharacteristicsofthesereligiousleaderswhobelongedtotheDevil?Forone thing, theyrejected the truth(John8:40)and tried tokillJesusbecauseHespokethetruth.TheydidnotloveGod(John8:42),norcouldtheyunderstand what Jesus taught (John 8:43, 47). Satan’s children may be wellversedintheirreligioustraditions,buttheyhavenounderstandingoftheWordofGod.

Satanisa liarandamurderer.Helied toourfirstparents(“Yea,hathGodsaid…?”) and engineered their deaths.Cainwas a child of theDevil (1 John

3:12),forhewasbothaliarandamurderer.HekilledhisbrotherAbelandthenlied about it (Gen. 4). Is it anywonder that these religious leaders lied aboutJesus,hiredfalsewitnesses,andthenhadHimkilled?

Theworstbondageisthekindthattheprisonerhimselfdoesnotrecognize.He thinkshe is free,yethe is reallyaslave.ThePhariseesandother religiousleaders thought that theywere free,but theywereactuallyenslaved in terriblespiritualbondagetosinandSatan.Theywouldnotfacethetruth,andyetitwasthetruthalonethatcouldsetthemfree.

HONORANDDISHONOR(8:48–59)TheleaderscouldnotrefuteourLord’sstatements,sotheyattackedHisperson.Somestudentsthinkthattheleaders’statementinJohn8:41—“We[are]notbornof fornication”—was a slur on our Lord’s own birth and character. After all,Mary was with child before she and Joseph were married. But the personalattacksinJohn8:48arequiteobvious.ForaJewtobecalledaSamaritanwasthe grossest of insults, and then to be called a demon-possessed person onlyaddedfurtherinsult.

Note that Jesus did not even dignify the racial slur with an answer. (Nodoubttherewasalsointhisthesuggestionthat,liketheSamaritans,Jesuswasaheretic.)TheyweredishonoringHim,butHewashonoringtheFather.Youwillrecall thatHemade it clear that itwas impossible tohonor theFatherwithouthonoring the Son (John 5:23). They were seeking their own glory (see John5:41–44), butHewas seeking the glory that belongs toGod alone. Tradition-centered religion, without Christ, is often a “mutual admiration society” forpeoplewhowantthepraiseofotherpeople.

Jesus had warned them that they would die in their sins because of theirunbelief,andnowHeinvitedthemtotrustHisWordand“neverseedeath”(John8:51).HehadsaidthisbeforeinHissynagoguesermon(John6:39–40,44,54).

Onceagain, the leaders lacked thespiritual insight tounderstandwhatHewassaying.Abrahamwasdead,yethewasagodlyman, and the faithfulprophetswerealsodead.Thiskindof talkonlyconvinced themthemore thatHehadademon(John7:20)!

ByclaimingtobetheLordofdeath,HewasclaimingtobeGod(John5:21–29).ThiswasnotanhonorHemadeforHimself;theFathergaveittoHim.Infact,Abraham (whom they claimed as their father) sawHis day and rejoiced!Insteadofrejoicing,theywererevoltingandtryingtokillHim.

How didAbraham “see” our Lord’s day, that is, His life andministry onearth?Thesamewayhesawthefuturecity:byfaith(Heb.11:10,13–16).GoddidnotgiveAbrahamsomespecialvisionofourLord’slifeandministry,butHedid give him the spiritual perception to “see” these future events. CertainlyAbrahamsaw thebirthof theMessiah in themiraculousbirthofhisownson,Isaac.HecertainlysawCalvarywhenheofferedIsaactoGod(Gen.22).Inthepriestly ministry of Melchizedek (Gen. 14:17–24), Abraham could see theheavenlypriesthoodoftheLord.InthemarriageofIsaac,AbrahamcouldseeapictureofthemarriageoftheLamb(Gen.24).

HisstatementfoundinJohn8:58canbetranslated,“BeforeAbrahamcameintobeing,IAm.”Again,thiswasanotheraffirmationofHisdivinesonship,andtheJewish leaders received it as such.HehadonceagainmadeHimselfequalwithGod(John5:18),andthiswasthesinofblasphemy,worthyofdeath(Lev.24:16).Jesuswasdivinelyprotectedandsimplywalkedaway.Hishourhadnotyetcome.WecannothelpbutadmireHiscourageasHepresentedthetruthandinvitedblindreligiousmentotrustHimandbesetfree.

ThemostdifficultpeopletowintotheSaviorarethosewhodonotrealizethat theyhaveaneed.Theyareunder thecondemnationofGod,yet they trusttheirreligiontosavethem.TheyarewalkinginthedarknessandnotfollowingtheLightofLife.Theyaresharinga“livingdeath”becauseoftheirbondagetosin;and,inspiteoftheirreligiousdeeds,theyaredishonoringtheFatherandthe

Son.ThesearethepeoplewhocrucifiedJesusChrist,andJesuscalledthemthechildrenoftheDevil.

Whosechildareyou?IsGodyourFatherbecauseyouhavereceivedJesusChrist into your life (John 1:12–13)?Or is Satan your father because you aredepending on a counterfeit righteousness, a “works righteousness,” not therighteousnessthatcomesthroughfaithinJesusChrist?

IfGod isyourFather, thenheaven isyourhome. IfHe isnotyourFather,thenhellisyourdestiny.

Itistrulyamatteroflifeordeath!

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.WhataresomecommonobjectionstoChristianity?

2.Readverses1–11.WhattrapwerethePhariseestryingtocatchJesusin?

3.WhydidJesuslettheadulterouswomango?

4. What attitudes toward sin—your own sin and others’ sin—does this storyencourageyoutolearnfromJesus?

5.Readverses12–20.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenHesaid,“Iamthelightoftheworld”?

6.WhatwasJesus’mainpointinthisargumentwiththePharisees?

7.Readverses21–30.WhatclaimstodeitydidJesusmake?

8.WhydoesitmatterthatJesusclaimedtobeGod?

9.Whydomanypeoplefindthisclaimsooffensive?

10.Readverses31–59.WhatdidJesusteachaboutfreedomandbondage?

11.Whenhaveyou(orpeopleyouknow)resistedfacingthe truth thatyou(orthey)wereinbondage?

12.Howdoyou thinkGodwantsyou to interactwithpeoplewho rejectwhatJesussaidaboutHimselfandaboutthem?

ChapterNine

TheBlindManCallsTheirBluff(John9)

OurLordperformedmiracles inorder tomeethumanneeds.ButHealsousedthose miracles as a “launching pad” for a message conveying spiritual truth.Finally, His miracles were His “credentials” to prove that He was indeed theMessiah.“Theblindreceivetheirsight”wasonesuchmessianicmiracle(Matt.11:5),andweseeitdemonstratedinthischapter.Jesususedthismiracleasthebasis for a short sermon on spiritual blindness (John 9:39–41) and a longersermonontrueandfalseshepherds(John10:1–18).

I am told that in the United States somebody goes blind every twentyminutes.Themanwemeetinthischapterwasbornblind;hehadneverseenthebeautyofGod’screationorthefacesofhislovedones.WhenJesusarrivedonthe scene, everything changed, and the man was made to see. However, thegreatestmiraclewasnottheopeningofhiseyesbuttheopeningofhishearttotheSavior.ItcosthimeverythingtoconfessJesusastheSonofGod,buthewaswillingtodoit.

Theeasiestwaytograspthemessageofthischapteristonotethestagesinthisman’sgrowingunderstandingofwhoJesusis.

“AMANCALLED”(9:1–12)Abouttheonlythingablindmancoulddointhatdaywasbeg,andthatiswhatthismanwasdoingwhenJesuspassedby(John9:8).Nodoubtthereweremanyblindpeoplewhowouldhaverejoicedtobehealed,butJesusselectedthisman(seeLuke4:25–27).Apparentlythemanandhisparentswerewellknowninthe

community. Itwason theSabbathwhen Jesushealed theman (John9:14), sothat once again He was upsetting and deliberately challenging the religiousleaders(John5:9ff.).

Thedisciplesdidnotlookatthemanasanobjectofmercybutratherasasubject for a theological discussion. It is much easier to discuss an abstractsubjectlike“sin”thanitistoministertoaconcreteneedinthelifeofaperson.Thedisciplesweresure that theman’scongenitalblindnesswascausedbysin,eitherhisownorhisparents’,butJesusdisagreedwiththem.

Inthefinalanalysis,allphysicalproblemsaretheresultofourfallinAdam,for his disobedience brought sin and death into theworld (Rom. 5:12ff.). Butafterward,toblameaspecificdisabilityonaspecificsincommittedbyspecificpersons is certainlybeyondanyperson’s abilityor authority.OnlyGodknowswhybabies arebornwithdisabilities, andonlyGodcan turn thosedisabilitiesintosomethingthatwillbringgoodtothepeopleandglorytoHisname.

Certainlyboththemanandhisparentshadatsometimecommittedsin,butJesus did not see their sin as the cause of the man’s blindness. Nor did HesuggestthatGoddeliberatelymadethemanblindsothat,yearslater,Jesuscouldperformamiracle.Sincethereisnopunctuationintheoriginalmanuscripts,weare free to read John 9:3–4 this way: “Neither has this man sinned nor hisparents.ButthattheworksofGodshouldbemademanifestinhim,ImustworktheworksofHimwhosentMe,whileitisday.”

OurLord’smethodof healingwasunique:Heput clayon theman’s eyesand told him to go and wash. Once Jesus healed two blind men by merelytouchingtheireyes(Matt.9:27–31),andHehealedanotherblindmanbyputtingspittleonhiseyes(Mark8:22–26).Thoughthehealingpowerwasthesame,ourLordvariedHismethodslestpeoplefocusonthemannerofhealingandmissthemessageinthehealing.

TherewereatleasttworeasonsforourLord’suseoftheclay.Foronething,itwasapictureoftheincarnation.Godmadethefirstmanoutofthedust,and

God sent His Son as a real Man. Note the emphasis on the meaning of“Siloam”—“sent.”AndrelatethistoJohn9:4:“Theworksofhimthatsentme”(seealsoJohn3:17,34;5:36;7:29;8:18,42).Jesusgavea little illustrationofHisowncomingtoearth,sentbytheFather.

The second reason for the clay was irritation; it encouraged the man tobelieveandobey!Ifyouhaveeverhadanirritationinyoureyes,youknowhowquicklyyouseekirrigationtocleanseitout!Youmightcomparethis“irritation”totheconvictingworkoftheHolySpiritasHeusesGod’slawtobringthelostsinnerunderjudgment.

Buttheilluminationnowledtoaproblemin identification:Was this really

theblindbeggar,andwhocausedhimtosee?ThroughouttherestofJohn9,agrowingconflict takesplace around these twoquestions.The religious leadersdidnotwanttofacethefactthatJesushadhealedthemanoreventhatthemanhadbeenhealed!

Four times in this chapter people asked, “How were you healed?” (John9:10, 15, 19, 26). First, the neighbors asked the man, and then the Phariseesasked him. Not satisfied with his reply, the Pharisees then asked the man’sparents and then gave the son one final interrogation.All of this looked veryofficialandefficient,but itwas reallyamostevasivemaneuveron thepartofboththepeopleandtheleaders.ThePhariseeswantedtogetridoftheevidence,andthepeoplewereafraidtospeakthetruth!

They were all asking the wrong question! They should not have asked,“How?”but“Who?”(Simplyrearrangetheletters!)Butwearesopronetoask,“How?”Wewant to understand themechanics of amiracle instead of simplytrusting theSavior,who alone can perform themiracle.Nicodemuswanted toknowhowhecouldreenterhismother’swomb(John3:4,9).“Howcanthismangive us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). Understanding the process, even if wecould,isnoguaranteethatwehaveexperiencedthemiracle.

When asked to describe his experience, the man simply told what hadhappened.AllheknewaboutthepersonwhohaddonethemiraclewasthatHewas“amancalledJesus.”HehadnotseenourLord,ofcourse,buthehadheardHis voice.Not onlywas the beggar ignorant of Jesus’ identity, but he did notknowwhereJesushadgone.Atthispoint,themanhasbeenhealed,buthehasnotbeensaved.Thelighthaddawned,butitwouldgrowbrighteruntilhesawthefaceoftheLordandworshippedHim(seeProv.4:18).

AtleasttwelvetimesinthegospelofJohn,Jesusiscalled“aman”(seeJohn4:29; 5:12; 8:40; 9:11, 24; 10:33; 11:47, 50; 18:14, 17, 29; 19:5). John’semphasis is that JesusChrist isGod,but theapostlebalances itbeautifullybyreminding us that Jesus is also trueman. The incarnationwas not an illusion(1John1:1–4).

“APROPHET”(9:13–23)SincethePhariseeswerethecustodiansofthefaith,itwasrightthatthehealedmanbebroughttothemforinvestigation.ThefactthattheystudiedthismiracleinsuchdetailisonlyfurtherproofthatJesusdidindeedhealtheman.Sincetheman was born blind, the miracle was even greater, for blindness caused bysicknessorinjurymightsuddenlygoaway.OurLord’smiraclescanbearcarefulscrutinybyHisenemies.

ButJesus’actofdeliberatelyhealingthemanontheSabbathdaycausedthePhariseesgreatconcern. Itwas illegal toworkon theSabbath;andbymakingthe clay, applying the clay, and healing the man, Jesus had performed threeunlawful“works.”ThePhariseesshouldhavebeenpraisingGodforamiracle;instead,theysoughtevidencetoprosecuteJesus.

When people refuse to face evidence honestly, but in fear evade the issue(seeJohn9:22),thenitisimpossibletocometoaunitedconclusion.Onceagain,Jesus was the cause of division (John 9:16; see also 7:12, 43). The religious

leaderswerejudgingonthebasisofonething:NobodywhobreakstheSabbathcould possibly be a true prophet ofGod. Theywere “one-issue” thinkers, notunlikesomereligiouspeopletoday.ThePhariseesdidnotrealizethatJesuswasoffering the people something greater than theSabbath—the true spiritual restthatcomesfromGod(Matt.11:28–30).

But the beggarwas not intimidated by the threats of the Pharisees.WhenaskedwhohethoughtJesuswas,themanboldlysaid,“Heisaprophet!”(NoteJohn4:19foraparallel.)Someof theOldTestamentprophets,suchasMoses,Elijah,andElisha,didperformmiracles.TheJewishpeoplewouldlookontheirprophetsasmenofGodwhocoulddowonderfulthingsbythepowerofGod.

But the religious leadersdidnotwant to see Jesusgiven thatkindofhighdesignation.“ThismanisnotofGod”(John9:16).Perhapstheycoulddiscreditthemiracle.Ifso,thentheycouldconvincethepeoplethatJesushadplottedthewhole thing and was really deceiving the people. He had craftily “switched”beggars so that the sightedmanwasnot themanwhohadbeenknownas theblindbeggar.

Thebestwaytogetthatkindofevidencewouldbetointerrogatetheparentsofthebeggar,sotheycalledtheminandaskedthemtwoquestions:(1)“Isthisyourson?”and(2)“Ifheis,howdoeshenowsee?”If theyrefusedtoanswereitherquestion,theywereintrouble,oriftheyansweredwithrepliescontrarytowhattheleaderswanted,theywereintrouble.Whatadilemma!

They answered the first question honestly: He was their son, and he hadbeen born blind. They answered the second question evasively: They did notknowhowhewashealedorwhohealedhim.Theythenusedtheold-fashionedtactic called “passing the buck” by suggesting that the Pharisees ask themanhimself.Afterall,hewasofage!

Whatlaybehindallofthisquestioningandthesefurtivereplies?Thefearofpeople.WemetitattheFeastofTabernacles(John7:13),andweshallmeetitagainatourLord’s lastPassover (John12:42).Thesepeoplewere seeking the

honorofpeopleandnotthehonorthatcomesfromGod(John5:44).Tobesure,itwasaseriousthingtobeexcommunicatedfromthesynagogue,butitwasfarmore serious to reject the truth andbe lost forever. “The fearofmanbrings asnare”(Prov.29:25NASB).ThePhariseesweretryingtotrapJesus,andtheparents

weretryingtoavoidatrap,butallofthemwereonlyensnaringthemselves!TheparentsshouldhaveheededthecounselofIsaiah51:7and12.

ThePhariseescouldpresenta“goodcase”fortheirposition.Afterall,theydidhave the lawofMoses aswell as centuriesof Jewish tradition.What theyfailedtounderstandwasthatJesusChristhadfulfilledallofthisceremoniallawandwasnowbringinginsomethingnew.InMoses,youhavepreparation,butinJesusChrist,youhaveconsummation(seeJohn1:17).

“AMANOFGOD”(9:24–34)Anxioustosettlethecase,thePhariseesdidcallthemanin,andthistime,theyputhimunderoath.“GiveGodthepraise”isaformofJewish“swearingin”atcourt(seeJosh.7:19).

But the “judges”prejudiced everybody from the start! “Weknow that thisman is a sinner!”Theywerewarning thewitness that he hadbetter cooperatewith the court, or hemight be excommunicated.But the beggarwasmade ofsturdierstuffthantobeintimidated.Hehadexperiencedamiracle,andhewasnotafraidtotellthemwhathadhappened.

HedidnotdebatethecharacterofJesusChrist,becausethatwasbeyondhisknowledgeandexperience.Butonethinghedidknow:Nowhecouldsee.Histestimony(John9:25)remindsmeofPsalm27.Readthatpsalminthelightofthischapter,fromtheviewpointofthehealedbeggar,andseehowmeaningfulitbecomes.

For the fourth time, thequestion isasked,“HowdidHeopenyoureyes?”(seeJohn9:10,15,19,and26).Icanimaginethemangettingquiteimpatientat

thispoint.Afterall,hehadbeenblindallhislife,andtherewassomuchnowtosee. He certainly did not want to spend much longer in a synagogue court,lookingatangryfacesandansweringthesamequestions!

Weadmire theboldnessof theman in asking those iratePharisees if theywanted to follow Jesus! The man expected a negative answer, but he wascourageous even to ask it.Unable to refute the evidence, the judges began torevilethewitness,andonceagainMosesisbroughtintothepicture(John5:46).ThePhariseeswerecautiousmenwhowouldconsiderthemselvesconservatives,wheninrealitytheywere“preservatives.”Atrueconservativetakesthebestofthepastandusesit,butheisalsoawareofthenewthingsthatGodisdoing.Thenewgrowsoutof theold (Matt. 13:52).A“preservative” simply embalms thepastandpreservesit.HeisagainstchangeandresiststhenewthingsthatGodisdoing.HadthePhariseesreallyunderstoodMoses,theywouldhaveknownwhoJesuswasandwhatHewasdoing.

TheleadersweresureaboutMoses,buttheywerenotsureaboutJesus.TheydidnotknowwhereHecamefrom.HehadalreadytoldthemthatHehadcomefromheaven,sentbytheFather(John6:33,38,41–42,50–51).TheyweresurethatHewasthenaturalsonofMaryandJosephandthatHewasfromthecityofNazareth(John6:42;7:41–42).Theywerejudging“aftertheflesh”(John8:15)andnotexercisingspiritualdiscernment.

It seemed incredible to thehealedman that thePhariseeswouldnotknowthis Man who had opened his eyes! How many people were going aroundJerusalem, opening the eyes of blind people? Instead of investigating themiracle,thesereligiousleadersshouldhavebeeninvestigatingtheOnewhodidthemiracleandlearningfromHim.The“experts”wererejectingtheStonethatwassenttothem(Acts4:11).

Thebeggarthengavethe“experts”alessoninpracticaltheology.PerhapshehadPsalm66:18inmind:“IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme.”TheleaderscalledJesusasinner(John9:24),yetJesuswasusedofGodto

opentheblindman’seyes.Headdedanothertellingargument:Jesushealedamanbornblind.Never,to

theirknowledge,hadthisoccurredbefore.So,GodnotonlyheardJesus,butHeenabledHimtogivethemansight.How,then,couldJesusbeasinner?

Religiousbigotsdonotwant to faceeitherevidenceor logic.Theirmindsaremadeup.HadthePhariseeshonestlyconsideredthefacts,theywouldhaveseen that Jesus is the Son ofGod, and they could have trustedHim and beensaved.

Again, the leaders reviled the man and told him he was born in sin.However,hewouldnotdie inhissins (seeJohn8:21,24);becausebefore thischapterends,thebeggarwillcometofaithinJesusChrist.Allofusareborninsin(Ps.51:5),butweneednotliveinsin(Col.3:6–7)ordieinoursins.FaithinJesusChristredeemsusfromsinandgivesusalifeofjoyfulliberty.

The religious leaders officially excommunicated this man from the localsynagogue. Thismeant that themanwas cut off from friends and family andlooked on by the Jews as a “publican and sinner.” But Jesus came for the“outcasts”andneverletthemdown.

“THESONOFGOD”(9:35–41)TheGoodShepherd always cares forHis sheep. Jesusknew that themanhadbeen excommunicated, so He found him and revealed Himself to him.Remember,themanknewourLord’svoice,buthehadneverseenHisface.

ThemannowreachedtheclimaxofhisknowledgeofJesusChristandhisfaithinHim.ItisnotenoughtobelievethatHeis“amancalledJesus”oreven“aprophet”or“amanofGod.”“WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChristisbornofGod”(1John5:1).JohnwrotehisgospeltoprovethatJesusistheSonofGodandtopresenttohisreadersthetestimoniesofpeoplewhometJesusandaffirmedthatHeisGod’sSon.Thisbeggarisonesuchwitness.

Jesus identifiedHimselfas theSonofGod(seeJohn9:35;also5:25),andthebeggarbelievedandwassaved(John9:38).“Mysheephearmyvoice”(John10:27).Hedidnot “see andbelieve”; heheard and believed.Not only did hetrusttheSavior,butheworshippedHim.IfJesusChristisnotGod,thenwhydidHe acceptworship? Peter, Paul, andBarnabas certainly didn’t acceptworship(seeActs10:25–26;14:11–15).

John theBaptistaffirmed thatJesus is theSonofGod(John1:34),andsodidNathanael (John1:49). Jesus stated thatHe is theSonofGod (John5:25;9:35),andPeteralsoaffirmed it (John6:69).Nowthehealedblindbeggarhasjoinedthisgroupofwitnesses.

WhereverJesuswent,someofthePhariseestriedtobepresentsotheycouldcatchHiminsomethingHesaidordid.Seeingthem,Jesusclosedthisepisodebypreachingabriefbutpenetratingsermononspiritualblindness.

John 9:39 does not contradict John 3:16–17. The reason for our Lord’scomingwassalvation,buttheresultofHiscomingwascondemnationofthosewhowouldnotbelieve.Thesamesun thatbringsbeautyoutof the seedsalsoexposestheverminhidingundertherocks.Thereligiousleaderswereblindandwould not admit it; therefore, the light of truth only made them blinder. Thebeggaradmittedhisneed,andhereceivedbothphysicalsightandspiritualsight.Nooneissoblindashewhowillnotsee,theonewhothinkshehas“alltruth”andthereisnothingmoreforhimtolearn(John9:28,34).

The listeningPhariseesheardwhat Jesus said, and itdisturbed them.“Arewe blind also?” they asked, expecting a negative answer. Jesus had alreadycalledthem“blindleadersoftheblind”(Matt.15:14),sotheyhadtheiranswer.They were blinded by their pride, their self-righteousness, their tradition, andtheirfalseinterpretationoftheWordofGod.

OurLord’sreplywasaparadox.“Ifyouwereblind,youwouldbebetteroff.Butyouclaimtosee.Therefore,youareguilty!”Blindnesswouldatleastbeanexcusefornotknowingwhatwasgoingon.Buttheydidknowwhatwasgoing

on. Jesus had performedmanymiracles, and the religious leaders ignored theevidencetomakearightdecision.

JesusistheLightoftheWorld(John8:12;9:5).Theonlypeoplewhocannotsee the light are blind people and thosewho refuse to look, thosewhomakethemselvesblind.Thebeggarwasphysicallyblindandspirituallyblind,yetbothhis eyes and his heart were opened.Why? Because he listened to theWord,believedit,obeyed,andexperiencedthegraceofGod.ThePhariseeshadgoodphysical vision, but theywere blind spiritually.Had they listened to theWordand sincerely considered the evidence, they toowould have believed on JesusChristandbeenbornagain.

Inwhat sense did the Pharisees “see”? They saw the change in the blindbeggarandcouldnotdenythathehadbeenhealed.TheysawthemightyworksthatJesusperformed.EvenNicodemus,oneoftheirnumber,wasimpressedwiththeLord’smiracles(John3:2).Iftheyhadexaminedtheevidencewithhonesty,theywouldhaveseenthetruthclearly.“IfanymanwillstodoHis[God’s]will,heshallknowofthedoctrine”(John7:17,literaltranslation).“Andyewillnotcometome,thatyemighthavelife”(John5:40).

John10 is actually a continuation of ourLord’sministry to thePharisees.Thehealingoftheblindbeggaristhebackground(John10:21).Infact,thewordtranslated “cast out” in John 9:35 is translated “puts forth” in John 10:4. ThebeggarwascastoutofthesynagoguebuttakenbytheGoodShepherdandaddedtoHis flock!The emphasis in John 10 is on JesusChrist, theGood andTrueShepherd,asopposedtothePharisees,whowerefalseshepherds.

Wenevermeetthishealedbeggaragain,butsurelythemanfollowedJesuscloselyandwasamongthosewhowitnessedforHim.Wehopethathewasabletowin his fearful parents to theLord.While being excommunicated from thesynagoguewascertainlyapainfulexperienceforhim,hecertainlyfoundinhisfellowshipwithJesusChristmuchmorespiritualhelpandencouragementthanhecouldeverhavefoundintheJewishtraditions.

Eventoday,therearepeoplewhomustchoosebetweenChristandfamilyorChristandtheirtraditionalreligion.

Thisblindbeggarmadetherightchoice,eventhoughthecostwasgreat.“Thepathofthejustisastheshininglight,thatshinethmoreandmoreunto

theperfectday”(Prov.4:18).

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.WhataresomefrequentlydebatedtopicsinChristiancircles?

2.The disciples asked a theological question about themanborn blind (v. 2).HowwouldyouexplainJesus’replyinyourownwords?

3.WhatwasJesus’mainconcernwhenHesawtheblindman?WhatdoesthistellyouaboutHispriorities?

4.Whichareyoumore like—thedisciples,whowanted todebate thecauseofthe man’s blindness, or Jesus, who wanted to take care of the man’sproblem?Why?

5.Like theSamaritanwoman at thewell, the blindmanwent through severalstagesofunderstandingwhoJesuswas.Whatwerethosestages?

6.HowwasitpossiblethatthereligiouslytrainedleadersweresoblindtowhoJesuswas?

7.RestateinyourownwordsJesus’descriptionofHismissioninverse39.WhatdidHemean?

8.Whatmightbeoneofyourspiritualblindspots?HowcanyoubereceptivetoJesus’illuminationinthisarea?

9.HowcanyouactmorelikeJesusthisweekinhisconcernforthosewhoareblind?

ChapterTen

TheGoodShepherdandHisSheep(John10)

Perhaps you remember the episode ofCandid Camera that took place at anexclusive prep schoolwhere all of the studentswerewell above average.TheCandidCamera people posed as career consultantswhowere going to advisethese brilliant youngmen concerning the careers that would be best suited tothem,onthebasisof“tests”and“interviews”thatseemed(tothestudents)quiteauthentic.

One young man eagerly awaited the “counselor’s” verdict. Surely theadviser would tell the boy to be a college president or a bank president orperhapsaresearchscientist.But,no,the“counselor”hadotherideas.Youshouldhave seen the look on the boy’s face when the “counselor” said: “Son, afterevaluatingyourtestsandinterview,I’vedecidedthatthebestjobforyouis—ashepherd.”

Thestudentdidnotknowwhethertolaughorcry.Afterall,whoinhisrightmindwouldwanttobeashepherd?Whydevoteyourlifeto“stupidsheep”thatdonotseemtohavesenseenoughtofindtheirwayhome?

John 10 focuses on the image of sheep, sheepfolds, and shepherds. It is aruralandEasternimage,tobesure,butitisanimagethatcansayagreatdealtous today, even in our urban, industrialized world. Paul used this image whenadmonishingthespiritual leaders in thechurchatEphesus(Acts20:28ff.).Thetruths that cluster around the image of the shepherd and the sheep are found

throughouttheBible,andtheyareimportanttoustoday.ThesymbolsthatJesususedhelpusunderstandwhoHeisandwhatHewantstodoforus.

Perhaps the easiest way to approach this somewhat complex chapter ofJohn’sgospelistonotethethreedeclarationsthatJesusmadeaboutHimself.

1.“IAMTHEDOOR”(10:1–10)ThissermongrewoutofourLord’sconfrontationwithJewishleaders,followingthe excommunication of the beggar (John 9). He had briefly spoken to themaboutlightanddarkness,butnowHechangedtheimagetothatoftheshepherdandthesheep.Why?BecausetotheJewishmind,a“shepherd”wasanykindofleader, spiritual or political. People looked on the king and prophets asshepherds. Israel was privileged to be the flock of the Lord (Ps. 100:3). Forbackground, read Isaiah 56:9–12; Jeremiah23:1–4; 25:32–38;Ezekiel 34; andZechariah11.

JesusopenedHissermonwithafamiliarillustration(John10:1–6),onethateverylistenerwouldunderstand.Thesheepfoldwasusuallyanenclosuremadeofrocks,withanopeningforthedoor.Theshepherd(oraporter)wouldguardtheflock,orflocks,atnightbylyingacrosstheopening.Itwasnotunusualforseveral flocks to be sheltered together in the same fold. In the morning, theshepherdswould come, call their sheep, and assemble their own flocks. Eachsheeprecognizeditsownmaster’svoice.

Thetrueshepherdcomesinthroughthedoor,andtheporterrecognizeshim.The thieves and robbers could never enter through the door, so they have toclimboverthewallandenterthefoldthroughdeception.Buteveniftheydidgetin,theywouldnevergetthesheeptofollowthem,forthesheepfollowonlythevoiceof theirownshepherd.The false shepherdscannever lead thesheep,sotheymuststealthemaway.

It is clear that the listeners didnot understandwhat Jesus saidorwhyHe

said it. (Theword translated “parable”means “a dark saying, a proverb.”OurLord’steachinginJohn10isnotliketheparablesrecordedintheothergospels.)Theoccasion for this lessonwas the excommunicationof thebeggar from thesynagogue(John9:34).The falseshepherdsdidnotcare for thisman; instead,theymistreatedhimand threwhimout.But Jesus, theShepherd, came tohimandtookhimin(John9:35–38).

It isunfortunate that John10:1 isoftenused to teach that the sheepfold isheavenandthatthosewhotrytogetinbyanywayotherthanChristaredestinedtofail.Whiletheteachingistrue(Acts4:12),itisnotbasedonthisverse.JesusmadeitclearthatthefoldisthenationofIsrael(John10:16).TheGentilesarethe“othersheep”notofthefoldofIsrael.

WhenJesuscametothenationofIsrael,Hecametheappointedway,justastheScripturespromised.EverytrueshepherdmustbecalledofGodandsentbyGod.IfhetrulyspeaksGod’sWord,thesheepwill“hearhisvoice”andnotbeafraidtofollowhim.Thetrueshepherdwilllovethesheepandcareforthem.

SincethepeopledidnotunderstandHissymboliclanguage,Jesusfollowedthe illustrationwith an application (John 10:7–10). Twice He said, “I am thedoor.”He is theDoor of the sheepfold andmakes it possible for the sheep toleave the fold (the religion of Judaism) and to enter His flock. The Phariseesthrewthebeggaroutofthesynagogue,butJesusledhimoutofJudaismandintotheflockofGod!

But the Shepherd does not stopwith leading the sheep out;He also leadsthem in. They become a part of the “one flock” (not “fold”), which is Hischurch.HeistheDoorofsalvation(John10:9).ThosewhotrustHimenterintotheLord’sflockandfold,andtheyhavethewonderfulprivilegeofgoing“inandout”andfindingpasture.Whenyoukeepinmindthattheshepherdactuallywasthe“door”ofthefold,thisimagebecomesveryreal.

As the Door, Jesus delivers sinners from bondage and leads them intofreedom. They have salvation! This word saved means “delivered safe and

sound.”Itwasusedtosaythatapersonhadrecoveredfromsevereillness,comethrough a bad storm, survived awar, orwas acquitted at court. Somemodernpreacherswanttodoawaywithan“old-fashioned”wordlike“saved,”butJesususedit!

Jesuswasreferringprimarilytothereligiousleadersofthatday(John10:8).Hewasnotcondemningeveryprophetor servantofGodwhoeverministeredbeforeHecametoearth.Thestatement“are thievesandrobbers”(not“were”)makesitclearthatHehadthepresentreligiousleadersinmind.Theywerenottrueshepherds,nordidtheyhavetheapprovalofGodontheirministry.Theydidnotlovethesheepbutinsteadexploitedthemandabusedthem.Thebeggarwasagoodexampleofwhatthe“thievesandrobbers”coulddo.

It is clear in the gospel record that the religious rulers of Israel wereinterested only in providing for themselves and protecting themselves. ThePharisees were covetous (Luke 16:14) and even took advantage of the poorwidows (Mark 12:40). They turnedGod’s temple into a den of thieves (Matt.21:13), and theyplotted to kill Jesus so thatRomewould not take away theirprivileges(John11:49–53).

The True Shepherd came to save the sheep, but the false shepherds takeadvantageof the sheepand exploit them.Behind these false shepherds is “thethief” (John10:10),probablya reference toSatan.The thiefwants tosteal thesheepfromthefold,slaughterthem,anddestroythem.WeshallseelaterthatthesheeparesafeinthehandsoftheShepherdandtheFather(John10:27–29).

Whenyou go through “theDoor,” you receive life and you are saved.Asyougo“inandout,”youenjoyabundantlifeintherichpasturesoftheLord.Hissheep enjoy fullness and freedom. Jesus not only gaveHis life forus, butHegivesHislifetousrightnow!

Theemphasisinthisfirstsectionison“thedoor.”OurLordthenshiftedtheemphasisto“theshepherd”andmadeaseconddeclaration.

2.“IAMTHEGOODSHEPHERD”(10:11–21)ThisisthefourthofourLord’s“Iam”statementsinJohn’sgospel(John6:35;8:12;10:9).Certainlyinmakingthisstatement,HeiscontrastingHimselftothefalse shepherdswhowere inchargeof the Jewish religionof thatday.Hehadalreadycalledthem“thievesandrobbers,”andnowHewoulddescribethemas“hirelings.”

The word translated “good” means “intrinsically good, beautiful, fair.” Itdescribesthatwhichis theideal, themodelthatothersmaysafelyimitate.OurLord’sgoodnesswasinherentinHisnature.TocallHim“good”isthesameascallingHim“God”(Mark10:17–18).

Some of the greatest people named in the Bible were shepherds byoccupation:Abel,thepatriarchs,Moses,andDavid,tonameafew.Eventodayin the Holy Land, you may see shepherds leading flocks and revealing howintimatelytheyknoweachsheep,itsindividualtraits,anditsspecialneeds.KeepinmindthatJewishshepherdsdidnottendthesheepinordertoslaughterthem,unlesstheywereusedforsacrifice.Shepherdstendedthemthatthesheepmightgivewool,milk,andlambs.

Jesus pointed out four special ministries that He performs as the GoodShepherd.

(1)Hediesforthesheep(vv.11–13).Undertheolddispensation,thesheepdiedfortheshepherd,butnowtheGoodShepherddiesforthesheep!Fivetimesin this sermon, Jesus clearly affirmed the sacrificial nature ofHis death (John10:11, 15, 17–18). He did not die as a martyr, killed by men; He died as asubstitute,willinglylayingdownHislifeforus.

The fact that Jesus said thatHe died “for the sheep”must not be isolatedfrom the rest of biblical teaching about the cross.He also died for the nationIsrael(John11:50–52)andfortheworld(John6:51).WhilethebloodofJesusChristissufficientforthesalvationoftheworld,itisefficientonlyforthosewho

willbelieve.Jesus contrastedHimself to the hirelingwhowatches over the sheep only

becausehe ispaid todo so.Butwhen there isdanger, thehireling runsaway,whilethetrueshepherdstaysandcaresfortheflock.Thekeyphraseis“whoseownthesheeparenot.”TheGoodShepherdpurchasesthesheep,and theyareHisbecauseHediedforthem.TheybelongtoHim,andHecaresforthem.Bynature,sheeparestupidandpronetogetintodanger,andtheyneedashepherdtocareforthem.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people are compared to sheep, and thecomparisonisagoodone.Sheeparecleananimals,unlikepigsanddogs(2Peter2:20–22).Theyaredefenselessandneedthecareoftheshepherd(Ps.23).Theyare, touseWesley’sphrase,“prone towander”andmustoftenbesearchedforandbroughtbacktothefold(Luke15:3–7).Sheeparepeacefulanimals,usefulto the shepherd. In these, andotherways, theypicture thosewhohave trustedJesusChristandareapartofGod’sflock.

ThePharisees,incontrasttogoodshepherds,hadnolovingconcernforthebeggar, so they put him out of the synagogue. Jesus found him and cared forhim.

(2)HeknowsHissheep(vv.14–15).InthegospelofJohn,thewordknowmeans much more than intellectual awareness. It speaks of an intimaterelationshipbetweenGodandHispeople(seeJohn17:3).TheEasternshepherdknowshissheeppersonallyandthereforeknowsbesthowtoministertothem.

Tobeginwith,ourLordknowsournames(seeJohn10:3).HeknewSimon(John1:42)andevengavehimanewname.HecalledZacchaeusbyname(Luke19:5), and when He spoke Mary’s name in the garden, she recognized herShepherd (John20:16). Ifyouhaveeverhadyour identity“lost” inamazeofcomputeroperations,thenyoucanappreciatethecomfortingfactthattheGoodShepherdknowseachofHissheepbyname.

Healsoknowsournatures.Whileallsheeparealikeintheiressentialnature,

each sheep has its own distinctive characteristics, and the loving shepherdrecognizesthesetraits.Onesheepmaybeafraidofhighplaces,anotherofdarkshadows.A faithful shepherdwill consider these specialneedsashe tends theflock.

Have you ever noticed how different the twelve apostles were from oneanother? Peter was impulsive and outspoken, while Thomas was hesitant anddoubting.Andrewwasa“peopleperson”whowasalwaysbringingsomebodytoJesus, while Judas wanted to “use” people in order to get their money forhimself. Jesuskneweachof themenpersonally, andHeknewexactlyhow todealwiththem.

BecauseHeknowsournatures,Healsoknowsourneeds.Often,wedonotevenknowourownneeds!Psalm23isabeautifulpoeticdescriptionofhowtheGood Shepherd cares for His sheep. In the pastures, by the waters, and eventhroughthevalleys,thesheepneednotfear,becausetheshepherdiscaringforthemandmeetingtheirneeds.IfyouconnectPsalm23:1and6,yougetthemainthemeofthepoem:“Ishallnotwant…allthedaysofmylife.”

As the shepherdcares for the sheep, the sheepget toknow their shepherdbetter.TheGoodShepherdknowsHissheep,andHissheepknowHim.TheygettoknowHimbetterby listening toHisvoice(theWord)andexperiencingHisdailycare.AsthesheepfollowtheShepherd,theylearntoloveandtotrustHim.Heloves“hisown”(John13:1),andHeshowsthatloveinthewayHecaresforthem.

(3) TheGood Shepherd brings other sheep into the flock (v. 16).The“fold” isJudaism(John10:1),but there isanotherfold—theGentiles,whoareoutside the covenantsof Israel (Eph.2:11ff.). InourLord’s earlyministry,Heconcentratedonthe“lostsheepofthehouseofIsrael”(Matt.10:5–6;15:24–27).ThepeopleconvertedatPentecostwereJewsandJewishproselytes (Acts2:5,14),butthechurchwasnottoremaina“Jewishflock.”PetertookthegospeltotheGentiles(Acts10—11),andPaulcarriedthemessagetotheGentilesinthe

farreachesoftheRomanEmpire(Acts13:1ff.).Thephrase“onefold”shouldread“oneflock.”There isbutoneflock, the

peopleofGod,whobelongtotheGoodShepherd.GodhasHispeoplealloverthisworld(seeActs18:1–11),andHewillcallthemandgatherthemtogether.

ThemissionarymessageofthegospelofJohnisobvious:“ForGodsolovedthe world” (John 3:16). Jesus Himself defied custom and witnessed to aSamaritanwoman.HerefusedtodefendtheexclusivistapproachoftheJewishreligiousleaders.Hediedforalostworld,andHisdesireisthatHispeoplereachalostworldwiththemessageofeternallife.

(4)TheGoodShepherdtakesupHislifeagain(vv.17–21).Hisvoluntarydeath was followed by His victorious resurrection. From the human point ofview,itappearedthatJesuswasexecuted;butfromthedivinepointofview,HelaiddownHislifewillingly.WhenJesuscriedonthecross,“Itisfinished,”Hethen voluntarily yielded up His spirit to the Father (John 19:30). Three dayslater,HevoluntarilytookupHislifeagainandarosefromthedead.TheFathergaveHimthisauthorityinlove.

Sometimes the Scriptures teach that itwas the Fatherwho raised the Son(Acts2:32;Rom.6:4;Heb.13:20).Here,theSonstatedthatHehadauthoritytotakeupHislifeagain.Botharetrue,fortheFatherandtheSonworkedtogetherinperfectharmony(John5:17,19).Inaprevioussermon,JesushadhintedthatHehadpowertoraiseHimselffromthedead(John5:26).Ofcourse,thiswasaclaim that the Jewswould protest, because itwas tantamount to saying “I amGod!”

How did the listeners respond to this message? “There was a divisionthereforeagainamongtheJews”(John10:19).Notethatwordagain(John7:43;9:16).Theold accusation that Jesuswas ademoniacwashurledatHimagain(John7:20;8:48,52).Peoplewilldoalmostanythingtoavoidfacingthetruth!

SinceJesusChristis“theDoor,”wewouldexpectadivision,becauseadoorshutssomepeopleinandothersout!HeistheGoodShepherd,andtheShepherd

mustseparatethesheepfromthegoats.ItisimpossibletobeneutralaboutJesusChrist,forwhatwebelieveaboutHimisamatteroflifeordeath(John8:24).

Histhirddeclarationwasthemoststartlingofall.

3.“IAMTHESONOFGOD”(10:22–42)The events in this section occurred about two and a half months after thosedescribed in John 10:1–21. John put them together because in bothmessagesJesususedtheimageryoftheshepherdandthesheep.

The encounter (vv. 22–24).The Feast of theDedication (Hanukkah, “thefeast of lights”) takes place in December, near the time of the ChristianChristmascelebration.The feast commemorates the rededicationof the templebyJudasMaccabeusin164BC,afterithadbeendesecratedbytheSeleucidsofSyria.ThishistoricalfactmaybeararelationshiptothewordsofJesusinJohn10:36, for He had been set apart (dedicated) by the Father and sent into theworld.TheJewishleaderswerecelebratingagreateventinhistoryyetpassingbyagreatopportunityrightintheirowntemple!

TheleaderssurroundedJesusinthetemplesothatHehadtostopandlistentothem.Theyhaddecidedthatitwastimefora“showdown,”andtheydidnotwantHimtoevadetheissueanylonger.“HowlongareYougoingtoholdusinsuspense?”theykeptsayingtoHim.“Tellusplainly—areYoutheMessiah?”

Theexplanation(vv.25–42).JesusremindedthemofwhatHehadalreadytaught them.He emphasized thewitness ofHiswords (“I told you”) andHisworks(seeJohn5:17ff.and7:14ff.forsimilarreplies).

ButourLordwentmuchdeeperinHisexplanationthistime,forHerevealedto the Jewish leaders why they did not understand His words or grasp thesignificanceofHisworks:TheywerenotHissheep.Fromthehumanstandpoint,webecomeHissheepbybelieving,butfromthedivinestandpoint,webelievebecausewe areHis sheep. There is amystery here that we cannot fathom or

explain,butwecanacceptitandrejoice(Rom.11:33–36).GodhasHissheep,andHeknowswhotheyare.TheywillhearHisvoiceandrespond.

ThelostsinnerwhohearsGod’sWordknowsnothingaboutdivineelection.HehearsonlythatChristdiedforthesinsoftheworldandthathemayreceivethe gift of eternal life by trusting the Savior. When he trusts the Savior, hebecomesamemberofGod’sfamilyandasheepintheflock.Thenhelearnsthathewas “chosen… in him [Christ] before the foundation of theworld” (Eph.1:4).HealsolearnsthateachsavedsinneristheFather’s“lovegift”toHisSon(seeJohn10:29;17:2,6,9,11–12,24).

IntheBible,divineelectionandhumanresponsibilityareperfectlybalanced,andwhatGodhasjoinedtogether,wemustnotputasunder.

Jesuswenton to explain thatHis sheepare secure inHishandand in theFather’shand.“Theyshallneverperish”isHispromise(John3:16;6:39;17:12;18:9).Thefalseshepherdsbringdestruction(John10:10,sameGreekword),buttheGoodShepherdseestoitthatHissheepshallneverperish.

The security of God’s sheep is assured here in several ways. First, bydefinition—we have “eternal life,” and that cannot be conditional and still beeternal.Second,thislifeisagift,notsomethingthatweearnormerit.Ifwewerenotsavedbyourowngoodworks,butbyHisgrace,thenwecannotbelostbyourbadworks(Rom.11:6).Butmostimportant,JesusgaveusHispromisethatHissheepdonotperishandthatHispromisecannotbebroken.

It is important to keep in mind that Jesus was talking about sheep—truebelievers—and not counterfeits. The dog and the pig will go back into sin(2Peter2:20–22),butthesheep,beingacleananimal,willfollowtheShepherdintothegreenpastures.Thefalseprofessorwilltalkabouthisfaithandevenhisworks,buthewillnevermakeitintoheaven(Matt.7:13–29).Mostofusknowpeoplewhoprofessedtobesavedandthenwentbackintosin,buttheirdoingsoonly proved that they never really trusted Christ to begin with. Jesus did notpromisesecuritytoanyonebutHistruesheep.

As you review our Lord’s teaching about His ministry as the GoodShepherd,younote thatHehasa threefoldrelationship toHissheep.HehasalovingrelationshipbecauseHediedforthesheep,aswellasalivingrelationshipbecauseHecaresforthesheep.Itisalsoalastingrelationship,forHekeepsHissheepandnotaoneislost.

OurLordmadeastatementthatHeknewwouldstartleHisenemiesandgivethemmorereasontoopposeHim(John10:30).Itwasthe“plainanswer”thatthereligiousleadershadaskedfor.“IandmyFatherareone”isasclearastatementofHisdeityasyouwillfindanywhereinScripture.ThiswasevenstrongerthanHisstatementthatHehadcomedownfromheaven(John6)orthatHeexistedbeforeAbrahameverlived(John8:58).

The word one does not suggest that the Father and the Son are identicalpersons.Rather,itmeansthattheyareoneinessence:TheFatherisGodandtheSon isGod,but theFather isnot theSon,and theSon isnot theFather.He isspeakingaboutunity,notidentity.(SeeJohn17:21–24forsimilarlanguage.)

TheJewish leadersunderstoodclearlywhatHewassaying!SomemodernliberaltheologianswouldwaterdownourLord’sstatement,butthepeoplewhohearditknewexactlywhatHewassaying:“IamGod!”(NoteJohn10:33.)Tospeak this way, of course, was blasphemy, and according to Jewish belief,blasphemy had to be punished by being put to death (see Lev. 24:16; Num.15:30ff.;Deut.21:22).

OurLordusedPsalm82:6 to refute theiraccusationandhalt theiractions.ThepictureinPsalm82isthatofacourt,whereGodhasassembledthejudgesof the earth, towarn them that they toowill one day be judged. TheHebrewwordelohim canbe translatedas“god”oras“judges,”as inExodus21:6and22:8–9. It is alsooneof theOldTestament names forGod.The Jewish rulerscertainlyknewtheirownlanguage,and theyknewthatJesuswasspeaking thetruth.IfGodcalledhumanjudges“gods,”thenwhyshouldtheystoneHimforapplyingthesametitletoHimself?

John10:36 is crucial because it gives a double affirmationof the deity ofChrist. First, the Father sanctified (set apart) the Son and sent Him into theworld;andsecond,Jesusstatedboldly,“IamtheSonofGod”(seeJohn5:25).Hegavethemthe“plainanswer”theyaskedfor,buttheywouldnotbelieveit!

Couldtheyhavebelieved?Jesusinvitedthem,urgedthem,tobelieve,ifonlyonthebasisofHismiracles(John10:37–38).Iftheywouldbelievethemiracles,thentheywouldknowtheFather,andthatwouldopenthewayforthemtoknowtheSonandbelieve inHim.Itwassimplyamatterofexamining theevidencehonestlyandbeingwillingtoacceptthetruth.

Onceagain, theytriedtoarrestHim(seeJohn7:44;8:59),butHeescapedandlefttheareacompletely.HedidnotreturntoJerusalemuntil“PalmSunday,”whenHepresentedHimselfasIsrael’sKing.

JohntheBaptisthadministeredatBethabara(John1:28),butwearenotsurewherethiswas.ItwasontheothersideoftheJordanRiver,perhapseighteentotwenty miles from Jerusalem. Some maps put it almost directly across fromJerusalem,justeastofJericho.

Why did Jesus go there? For one thing, it was a safe retreat; the JewishreligiousleaderswerenotlikelytofollowHimthere.Also,itwasagoodplacetoprepare forHis finalweekofpublicministrywhenHewould laydownHislifeforthesheep.AsHerememberedHisownbaptismbyJohnandallthatHehad experienced at that time (Matt. 3:13–17; John 1:20–34), it must havefortifiedHimforthesufferingthatHeknewHemustendure.

ThecommonpeoplecontinuedtoseekJesus,andHecontinuedtoministertothem.ItisworthnotingthatJohntheBaptist’switnesswasstillbearingfruitlongafterhewasdead!HiswitnesstoJesusChristledmanytotrusttheSavior.Johnwas not amiracleworker, but hewas a faithfulwitnesswho pointed toJesusChrist.“Hemustincrease,butImustdecrease”(John3:30).

Have you responded personally to our Lord’s three great declarationsrecordedinthischapter?

HeistheDoor.Haveyou“enteredin”byfaithsothatyouaresaved?HeistheGoodShepherd.HaveyouheardHisvoiceandtrustedHim?After

all,HelaiddownHislifeforyou!HeistheSonofGod.Doyoubelievethat?HaveyougivenyourselftoHim

andreceivedeternallife?RememberHissternwarning:“IfyebelievenotthatIamhe,yeshalldiein

yoursins”(John8:24).

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.Whoaresomepeopleyouhave“followed”inthepast?

2.Readverses1–10.HowisJesuslikeadoorintothesheepfold?

3.HowhaveyouexperiencedHimasadoorlikethis?

4.WhowouldJesuscallthievestoday?Why?

5. Read verses 11–21. What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the goodshepherd”?HowisHelikeashepherd?

6.HowwasJesusdifferentfromthereligiousleadersofHisday?

7.HasJesusbeenaGoodShepherdtoyou?Ifso,how?Ifyouhavecomplaints,whatarethey?

8.AlthoughJesus’audienceknewmuchaboutshepherds,peopleinourculturegenerallydon’t.TowhomdoyouthinkJesuswouldcompareHimselftoday?Why?

9.Readverses22–42.WhydoyouthinkthepeoplesoviolentlyrejectedJesus’teachingthat“IandtheFatherareone”?Whydidn’ttheybelieveHim?

10.HowcanyoufollowyourShepherdmorecloselythisweek?

ChapterEleven

TheLastMiracle,theLastEnemy

(John11)

TheraisingofLazarusfromthedeadwasnotourLord’slastmiraclebeforethecross, but it was certainly His greatest and the one that aroused the mostresponse frombothHis friendsandHisenemies. Johnselected thismiracleastheseventhintheseriesrecordedinhisbookbecauseitwasreallytheclimacticmiracleofourLord’searthlyministry.Hehadraisedothersfromthedead,butLazarus had been in the grave four days. It was a miracle that could not bedeniedoravoidedbytheJewishleaders.

If JesusChrist can do nothing about death, thenwhatever elseHe can doamounts tonothing. “If in this lifeonlywehavehope inChrist,weareof allmenmostmiserable”(1Cor.15:19).Deathisman’slastenemy(1Cor.15:26),butJesusChristhasdefeatedthishorribleenemytotallyandpermanently.

TheemphasisinJohn11isonfaith;youfindsomeformofthewordbelieveat leasteight timesin thisaccount.Another themeis“thegloryofGod”(John11:4,40).InwhatJesussaidanddid,Hesoughttostrengthenthefaithofthreegroupsofpeople.

1.THEDISCIPLES(11:1–16)Wesometimesthinkofthedisciplesas“supersaints,”butsuchwasnotthecase.They often failed their Lord, andHewas constantly seeking to increase theirfaith. After all, one day He would leave them, and they would have the

responsibility of carrying on theministry. If their faith was weak, their workcouldneverbestrong.

Jesus was at Bethabara, about twenty miles from Bethany (John 1:28;10:40). One day, amessenger arrivedwith the sad news that our Lord’s dearfriendLazaruswassick.Ifthemanhadtraveledquickly,withoutanydelay,hecouldhavemadethetripinoneday.JesussenthimbackthenextdaywiththeencouragingmessagerecordedinJohn11:4.ThenJesuswaited twomoredaysbeforeHeleftforBethany,andbythetimeHeandHisdisciplesarrived,Lazarushadbeendeadforfourdays.ThismeansthatLazarushaddiedtheverydaythemessengerlefttocontactJesus!

Thescheduleofeventswouldlooksomethinglikethis,allowingonedayfortravel:

Day1—ThemessengercomestoJesus(Lazarusdies).Day2—ThemessengerreturnstoBethany.Day3—Jesuswaitsanotherday,thendeparts.Day4—JesusarrivesinBethany.

When the messenger arrived back home, he would find Lazarus alreadydead. What would his message convey to the grieving sisters now that theirbrotherwasalreadydeadandburied?JesuswasurgingthemtobelieveHiswordnomatterhowdiscouragingthecircumstancesmightappear.

Nodoubtthediscipleswereperplexedaboutseveralmatters.Firstofall,ifJesus lovedLazarussomuch,whydidHepermithimtogetsick?Evenmore,whydidHedelaytogotothesisters?Forthatmatter,couldHenothavehealedLazarusatadistance,asHedidthenobleman’sson(John4:43–54)?Therecordmakes it clear that therewasa strong love relationshipbetweenJesusand thisfamily(John11:3,5,36),andyetourLord’sbehaviorseems tocontradict thislove.

God’sloveforHisownisnotapamperinglove;itisaperfectinglove.ThefactthatHelovesusandweloveHimisnoguaranteethatwewillbeshelteredfromtheproblemsandpainsoflife.Afterall,theFatherlovesHisSon,andyettheFatherpermittedHisbelovedSontodrinkthecupofsorrowandexperiencetheshameandpainofthecross.Wemustneverthinkthatloveandsufferingareincompatible.CertainlytheyuniteinJesusChrist.

JesuscouldhavepreventedLazarus’ssicknessorevenhealeditfromwhereHewas,butHechosenot to.Hesawinthissicknessanopportunitytoglorifythe Father. It is not important that we Christians are comfortable, but it isimportantthatweglorifyGodinallthatwedo.

Intheir“prayer”toJesus,thetwosistersdidnottellHimwhattodo.TheysimplyinformedHimthattherewasaneed,andtheyremindedHimofHislovefor Lazarus. They knew that it was dangerous for Jesus to return to JudeabecausetheJewishleaderswereouttodestroyHim.PerhapstheyhopedthatHewould“speaktheword”andthattheirbrotherwouldberestoredtohealth.

OurLord’smessage to the sisters did not say that their brotherwouldnotdie.Itpromisedonlythatdeathwouldnotbetheultimateresult,fortheultimateresultwouldbe the glory ofGod. (Note that once again, Jesus calledHimself“the Son of God.”) He wanted them to lay hold of this promise; in fact, HeremindedMarthaof thismessagewhen shebalkedathaving the tombopened(John11:40).

Whenwefindourselvesconfrontedbydisease,disappointment,delay,andevendeath,ouronlyencouragementistheWordofGod.Wemustlivebyfaithandnotbysight.Theirsituationseemedhopeless,yetthesistersknewthatJesuswastheMasterofeverysituation.ThepromiseinPsalm50:15findsaparallelhere:“Andcalluponmeinthedayoftrouble:Iwilldeliverthee,andthoushaltglorifyme.”

WhataboutourLord’sdelay?HewasnotwaitingforLazarustodie,forhewas already dead. Jesus lived on a divine timetable (John 11:9), andHewas

waitingfortheFathertotellHimwhentogotoBethany.Thefactthatthemanhad been dead four days gave greater authenticity to the miracle and greateropportunityforpeopletobelieve,includingHisowndisciples(seeJohn11:15).

When our Lord announced that He was returning to Judea, His discipleswerealarmed,becausetheyknewhowdangerousitwouldbe.(BethanyisonlyabouttwomilesfromJerusalem.)ButJesuswaswillingtolaydownHislifeforHis friends (John15:13).Heknew thatHis return to Judeaand themiracleofraisingLazaruswouldprecipitateHisownarrestanddeath.

TheLordcalmedtheirfearsbyremindingthemthatHewasontheFather’sschedule and that nothing could harm them. As we have seen, this is animportant themein thegospelofJohn(John2:4;7:6,8,30;8:20;12:23;13:1;17:1). But the disciples not only misunderstood the schedule, they alsomisunderstood the reason for the visit. They thought that, if Lazarus wassleeping,hewasgettingbetter!Itwasanotherexampleoftheirinabilitytograspspiritualtruth.“Ifheissleeping,hemustbeimproving—solet’snotbothertogotoBethany!”

ThenHetoldthemopenlythatLazaruswasdead.(Deathforthebelieveriscomparedtosleep.SeeActs7:60;1Cor.15:51;1Thess.4:13–18.)HedidnotsayHewas glad thatHis friend died, but thatHewas gladHe had not beenthere, for nowHe could reveal toHis disciplesHismighty power. The resultwouldbeglorytoGodandthestrengtheningoftheirfaith.

IfThomas’sattitudewasany indication, the faithof thedisciplescertainlyneeded strengthening! The name Thomas means “twin” in the Aramaiclanguage;theGreekequivalentisDidymus.Wedonotknowwhosetwinhewas,but there are timeswhenall of us seem to be his twinwhenwe consider ourunbeliefanddepressedfeelings!ItwasThomaswhodemandedevidencebeforehewouldacceptthetruthofourLord’sresurrection(John20:24–28).

Thomaswas a doubtingman, butwemust confess that hewas a devotedman:HewaswillingtogowithJesusintodangerandriskhisownlife.Wemay

notadmirehisfaith,butwecancertainlyapplaudhisloyaltyandcourage.

2.THESISTERS(11:17–40)JesuswasconcernednotonlyaboutthefaithofHisowndisciples,butalsoaboutthefaithofMaryandMartha(John11:26,40).Eachexperienceofsufferingandtrialoughttoincreaseourfaith,butthiskindofspiritualgrowthisnotautomatic.Wemustrespondpositively to theministryof theWordandtheSpiritofGod.Jesus had sent a promise to the two sisters (John 11:4), and now He woulddiscoverhowtheyhadreceivedit.

TheeventrecordedinLuke10:38–42makesitclearthatMaryandMarthawerequitedifferentintheirpersonalities.Marthawastheworker,theactiveone,whileMarywasthecontemplativeonewhosatatthefeetofJesusandlistenedtoHiswords.JesusdidnotcondemnMartha’sservice,butHedidrebukeherforbeing“tornapart”bysomanythings.SheneededtohaveprioritiesandcenterheractivitiesonthethingsthatGodwouldapprove.AsanoldWesleyhymnputsit,weneedtohaveabalancedlife:

FaithfultomyLord’scommands,Istillwouldchoosethebetterpart:ServewithcarefulMartha’shandsAndlovingMary’sheart.

Wewould expectMartha to rush out tomeet JesuswhileMary sat in thehouse, weeping with her friends. SinceMary later echoedMartha’s words ofgreeting(John11:32),it islikelythatthesistersoftensaidthesewordstoeachotheras theywaited for Jesus toarrive.While theremayhavebeena tingeofdisappointment in the statement, therewas also evidence of faith, for nobodyeverdiedinthepresenceofJesusChrist.“If”issuchabigword!Howfutileitistoimaginewhatmighthavebeen,if—!

MarthawasquicktoaffirmherfaithinJesusChrist(John11:22),andJesusresponded to that faithbypromisingher thatherbrotherwould rise again.Hewasthinkingoftheimmediatesituation,butsheinterpretedHiswordstomeanthe future resurrection in the last day (Dan. 12:2–3; John 5:28–29). Here isanother instance in John’s gospel of people lacking spiritual perception andbeingunabletounderstandthewordsofJesus.

OurLord’sreplyisthefifthofthe“Iam”statements.Itisimportanttonotethat Jesus did not deny what Martha said about the future resurrection. Theresurrection of the human body is a cardinal doctrine in the orthodox Jewishfaith.But inHis great “I am” statement, ourLord completely transformed thedoctrineoftheresurrectionand,insodoing,broughtgreatcomforttoMartha’sheart.

To begin with, He brought the doctrine of the resurrection out of theshadows and into the light. The Old Testament revelation about death andresurrectionisnotclearorcomplete;itis,asitwere,“intheshadows.”Infact,therearesomepassagesinPsalmsandEcclesiastesthatalmostmakeonebelievethatdeathistheendandthereisnohopebeyondthegrave.Falseteachersliketouse these passages to support their heretical teachings, but they ignore (ormisinterpret) theclear teachings found in theNewTestament.Afterall, itwasnotDavid or Solomonwho “brought life and immortality to light through thegospel”(2Tim.1:10),butJesusChrist!

By His teaching, His miracles, and His own resurrection, Jesus clearlytaught the resurrection of the human body. He has declared once for all thatdeath is real, that there is life after death, and that the bodywill one day beraisedbythepowerofGod.

Hetransformedthisdoctrineinasecondway:Hetookitoutofabookandputit intoaperson,Himself.“Iamtheresurrectionandthelife”(John11:25)!WhilewethankGodforwhattheBibleteaches(andallMarthahadwastheOldTestament),werealizethatwearesavedbytheRedeemer,JesusChrist,andnot

byadoctrinewritteninabook.WhenweknowHimbyfaith,weneednotfeartheshadowofdeath.

Whenyouaresick,youwantadoctorandnotamedicalbookoraformula.When you are being sued, youwant a lawyer and not a law book. Likewise,whenyoufaceyour lastenemy,death,youwant theSaviorandnotadoctrinewritteninabook.InJesusChrist,everydoctrineismadepersonal(1Cor.1:30).When you belong toHim, you have all that you everwill need in life, death,time,oreternity!

But perhaps the greatest transformation Jesus performedwas tomove thedoctrineof the resurrectionout of the future and into thepresent.Marthawaslookingtothefuture,knowingthatLazaruswouldriseagainandthatshewouldsee him. Her friends were looking to the past and saying, “He could haveprevented Lazarus from dying” (John 11:37)! But Jesus tried to center theirattentiononthepresent:WhereverHeis,God’sresurrectionpowerisavailablenow(Rom.6:4;Gal.2:20;Phil.3:10).

Jesusaffirmed thatbelieverswouldonedayberaisedfromthedead(John11:25).ThenHeimmediatelyrevealedtheaddedtruththatsomebelieverswouldneverdie(anditisadoublenegative,“neverneverdie!”)(John11:26).Howisthis possible? The answer is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. When JesusChrist returns in the air to take His people home, thosewho are alive at Hiscomingshallneverdie.TheyshallbechangedandcaughtuptomeetHimintheair!

Marthadidnothesitatetoaffirmherfaith.SheusedthreedifferenttitlesforJesus:Lord,Christ(Messiah),andSonofGod.Thewords“Ibelieve”areintheperfect tense, indicating a fixed and settled faith. “I have believed and I willcontinuetobelieve!”

Our Lord dealt withMartha’s faith; now He had to helpMary.Why didMartha call Mary “secretly”? Possibly because of the danger involved: TheyknewthattheJewishleaderswereouttoarrestJesus.WhenMaryarosetogoto

meetJesus,herfriendsmisunderstoodheractionsandthoughtshewasgoingtothe tomb to weep. They wanted to weep with her, so they followed along.ImaginetheirsurprisewhentheymetJesus!

Maryisfoundthreetimesinthegospelrecord,andeachtimesheisat thefeetofJesus(Luke10:39;John11:32;12:3).ShesatatHisfeetandlistenedtoHisword,shefellatHisfeetandpouredouthersorrow,andshecametoHisfeettogiveHimherpraiseandworship.Mary’sonlyrecordedwordsintheGospelsare given in John 11:32, and they echo what Martha had already said (John11:21).

Marydidnotsaymuchbecauseshewasovercomewithsorrowandbegantoweep.Herfriendsjoinedintheweeping,asJewishpeopleareaccustomedtodo.Thewordusedmeans“aloudweeping,alamentation.”OurLord’sresponsewastogroanwithinand“bemovedwithindignation.”AtwhatwasHeindignant?AttheravagesofsinintheworldthatHehadcreated.Deathisanenemy,andSatanusesthefearofdeathasaterribleweapon(Heb.2:14–18).NowonderJesuswasindignant!

ThemysteryofourLord’sincarnationisseenbyHisquestioninJohn11:34.JesusknewthatLazarushaddied(John11:11),butHehadtoaskwherehewasburied. Our Lord never used His divine powers when normal human meanswouldsuffice.

“Jesuswept”istheshortestandyetthedeepestverseinScripture.Hiswasasilentweeping(theGreekwordisusednowhereelseintheNewTestament)andnottheloudlamentationofthemourners.ButwhydidHeweepatall?Afterall,HeknewthatHewouldraiseLazarusfromthedead(John11:11).

OurLord’sweepingrevealsthehumanityoftheSavior.Hehasenteredintoallofourexperiencesandknowshowwe feel. In fact,being theperfectGod-man,Jesusexperiencedthesethingsinadeeperwaythanwedo.HistearsalsoassureusofHissympathy;Heisindeed“amanofsorrowsandacquaintedwithgrief”(Isa.53:3).Today,HeisourmercifulandfaithfulHighPriest,andwemay

come to the throneof grace and find all thegracioushelp thatweneed (Heb.4:14–16).

WeseeinHistearsthetragedyofsinbutalsothegloryofheaven.PerhapsJesuswasweepingforLazarus,aswellaswiththesisters,becauseHeknewHewas calling His friend from heaven and back into a wicked world where hewouldonedayhavetodieagain.Jesushadcomedownfromheaven;HeknewwhatLazaruswasleavingbehind.

ThespectatorssawinHistearsanevidenceofHislove.Butsomeofthemsaid, “If Jesus loved Lazarus so much, why did He not prevent his death?”Perhaps they were thinking, “Jesus is weeping because He was unable to doanything.Theyaretearsofdeepregret.”Inotherwords,nobodypresentreallyexpectedamiracle!Forthisreason,nobodycouldaccuseJesusof“plotting”thisevent and being in collusion with the two sisters and their friends. Even thedisciplesdidnotbelievethatJesuswouldraiseLazarusfromthedead!

The one personwho declared her faithwasMartha (John 11:27), and shefailed at the last minute. “Open the tomb? By now he smells!” Jesus gentlyremindedherofthemessageHehadsentatleastthreedaysbefore(John11:4),andHeurgedhertobelieveit.TruefaithreliesonGod’spromisesandtherebyreleasesGod’spower.Martharelented,andthestonewasrolledaway.

3.THEJEWS(11:41–57)Theemphasis fromthispointonwason the faithof thespectators, thepeoplewhohadcometocomfortMaryandMartha.Jesuspausedtopray(John11:41;see also 6:11) and thanked the Father that the prayer had already been heard.WhenhadHeprayed?ProbablywhenHereceivedthemessagethatHisfriendwas sick (John 11:4).TheFather then toldHimwhat the planwas, and Jesusobeyed the Father’swill.His prayer nowwas for the sake of the unbelievingspectators,thattheymightknowthatGodhadsentHim.

AquaintPuritanwriter said that if JesushadnotnamedLazaruswhenHeshouted,Hewouldhaveemptiedthewholecemetery!JesuscalledLazarusandraisedhim from thedead.SinceLazaruswasbound,he couldnotwalk to thedoor of the tomb, so God’s power must have carried him along. It was anunquestionedmiraclethateventhemosthostilespectatorcouldnotdeny.

TheexperienceofLazarusisagoodillustrationofwhathappenstoasinnerwhenhetrusts theSavior(Eph.2:1–10).Lazaruswasdead,andallsinnersaredead.Hewasdecayed,becausedeathanddecaygotogether.Alllostpeoplearespirituallydead,butsomearemore“decayed”thanothers.Noonecanbe“moredead”thananother.

Lazaruswas raised from thedeadby thepowerofGod, and allwho trustChristhavebeengivennewlifeandliftedoutofthegraveyardofsin(seeJohn5:24).Lazaruswassetfreefromthegraveclothes(seeCol.3:1ff.)andgivennewliberty.YoufindhimseatedwithChristatthetable(John12:2),andallbelieversare “seatedwithChrist” inheavenlyplaces (Eph. 2:6), enjoying spiritual foodandfellowship.

BecauseofthegreatchangeinLazarus,manypeopledesiredtoseehim,andhis“livingwitness”wasusedbyGod tobringpeople tosalvation(John12:9–11).TherearenorecordedwordsofLazarusintheGospels,buthisdailywalkisenoughtoconvincepeoplethatJesusistheSonofGod.Becauseofhiseffectivewitness,Lazaruswaspersecutedbythereligiousleaderswhowantedtokillhimandgetridoftheevidence.

Aswith the previousmiracles, the peoplewere divided in their response.Somedidbelieveandon“PalmSunday”gavewitnessofthemiracleJesushadperformed(John12:17–18).ButothersimmediatelywenttothereligiousleadersandreportedwhathadhappenedinBethany.These“informers”weresonearthekingdom,yetthereisnoevidencethattheybelieved.Iftheheartwillnotyieldtotruth, then the grace of God cannot bring salvation. These people could haveexperiencedaspiritualresurrectionintheirownlives!

ItwasnecessarythattheJewishcouncil(Sanhedrin)meetanddiscusswhattodowithJesus.Theywerenotseekingaftertruth;theywereseekingforwaysto protect their own selfish interests. If He gathered too many followers, HemightgettheattentionoftheRomanauthorities,andthiscouldhurttheJewishcause.

Thehighpriest,Caiaphas,wasaSadducee,notaPharisee(Acts23:6–10);but the two factions could always get together to fight a common enemy.Unknown to himself and to the council, Caiaphas uttered a divine prophecy:Jesus would die for the nation so that the nation would not perish. “For thetransgressionofmypeoplewashestricken”(Isa.53:8).TruetohisvisionofaworldwidefamilyofGod,Johnaddedhisinspiredexplanation:Jesuswoulddienot only for the Jews, but for all of God’s children who would be gatheredtogetherinoneheavenlyfamily.(NoteJohn4:42;10:16.)

TheofficialdecisionthatdaywasthatJesusmustdie(seeMatt.12:14;Luke19:47;John5:18;7:1,19–20,25).Theleadersthoughtthattheywereincontrolof the situation, but itwasGodwhowasworkingoutHis predeterminedplan(Acts2:23).Originally,theywantedtowaituntilafterthePassover,butGodhaddecreedotherwise.

JesuswithdrewtoEphraim,aboutfifteenmilesnorthofJerusalem,andthereHeremainedinquietretirementwithHisdisciples.ThecrowdwasgatheringinJerusalem for the Passover Feast, and the pilgrims were wondering if Jesuswould attend the feast even though He was in danger. He was now on the“wanted” list, because the council hadmade it known that anyonewho knewwhereJesuswasmustreportittotheofficials.

John11revealsthedeityofJesusChristandtheutterdepravityofthehumanheart.Therichmaninhadeshadargued,“Ifonewentuntothemfromthedead,they will repent” (Luke 16:30). Lazarus came back from the dead, and theofficialswantedtokillhim!MiraclescertainlyrevealthepowerofGod,butofthemselvestheycannotcommunicatethegraceofGod.

The stage had been set for the greatest drama in history, during whichhumanitywoulddoitsworstandGodwouldgiveHisbest.

Ocome,letusadoreHim,Christ,theLord!

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.Howhaveyoureactedwhensomeoneyouloveddied?

2.Readverses1–16.Whywas itdangerous for Jesus togo toBethanyat thattime?

3.WhydidJesuswaittogoseeLazarus?WhatdoyoulearnaboutHimfromHisdecisiontowait?

4.Readverses17–40.WhatbeliefsandemotionsdoyousenseinMartha’sandMary’sreactionstoJesus?

5.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenHesaid,“Iamtheresurrectionandthelife”?

6.Howisresurrectiondifferentfromreincarnation?

7. How does the resurrection of the human body, as opposed to just theimmortalityofsoulsfloatinginheaven,mattertous?Howshouldourhopeofresurrectionaffectourlivesnow?Ourviewofbodies?

8.WhatdoesJesus’responsetoLazarus’sdeathrevealaboutHim?

9.Readverses41–57.WhydidthereligiousleadersmeettodecidewhattodoaboutJesus?

10.InwhatwaysdidJohnemphasizefaithinthischapter?

11.HowcanyouexercisefaithinJesuswhensomethingtragichappens,likethedeathofafriendorfamilymember?

ChapterTwelve

ChristandtheCrisis(John12)

John12records thesecondmajorcrisis in theministryofourLordasseenbyJohntheapostle.ThefirstoccurredwhenmanyofHisdiscipleswouldnolongerwalkwithHim(John6:66),eventhoughHeis“theway”(John14:6).Inthischapter,Johntellsusthatmanywouldnotbelieve inHim (John12:37ff.), even thoughHe is “the truth.”The thirdcrisiswillcomeinJohn19:EventhoughHeis“thelife,”theleaderscrucifiedHim.

JohnopenedhisbookbytellingusthatJesus“cameuntohisown[world],andhisown[people]receivedhimnot”(John1:11).Inthefirsttwelvechapters,John presented one witness after another, and one proof after another, toconvinceusthatJesusisindeedtheChrist,theSonofGod.Allofthisevidencewasseenfirsthandbytheleadersofthenation,andyettheyrejectedHisclaims.Having been rejected by His own nation, Jesus then retired with His owndisciples(John13:1),whomhelovedtotheuttermost.

We see in John 12 the Lord Jesus Christ as He relates to four differentgroups of people, and there are lessons that we can learn as we study thissection.

1.JESUSANDHISFRIENDS(John12:1–11)OurLordknewthattheJewishleaderswereouttoarrestHimandkillHim(John11:53,57),butHestillreturnedtoBethany,onlytwomilesfromtheverycitadel

ofHisenemies.Why?SothatHemightspendaquiettimewithHisdearfriendsMary,Martha,andLazarus.Truetotheirpersonalities,Marthabusilyserved,andMaryworshippedatthefeetofJesus(seeLuke10:38–42).

TheaccountofMary’sanointingofherLordisfoundalsoinMatthew26:6–13andMark14:3–9.ButitmustnotbeconfusedwiththeaccountgiveninLuke7:36–50, where a former harlot anointed Jesus in the house of Simon thePharisee.Marywasavirtuouswoman,andsheanointed Jesus in thehouseofSimonthe(former)leper(Mark14:3).TheLuke7eventtookplaceinGalilee,whiletheaccountwearenowconsideringoccurredinJudea.Thefactthatthereare two “Simons” involved should not surprise us, for Simonwas a commonnameinthatday.

Whenyoucombineallthreeaccounts,youlearnthatMaryanointedbothHisheadandHisfeet.Itwasanactofpureloveonherpart,forsheknewherLordwas about to endure suffering and death. Because she sat at Jesus’ feet andlistenedtoHimspeak,sheknewwhatHewasgoingtodo.ItissignificantthatMaryofBethanywasnotoneofthewomenwhowenttothetombtoanointthebodyofJesus(Mark16:1).

Inasense,MarywasshowingherdevotiontoJesusbefore itwastoolate.Shewas“givingtheroses”whileHewasyetalive,andnotbringingthemtothefuneral!Heractofloveandworshipwaspublic,spontaneous,sacrificial,lavish,personal,andunembarrassed.Jesuscalledit“agoodwork”(Matt.26:10;Mark14:6)andbothcommendedheranddefendedher.

Itwouldhaverequiredayear’swagesfromacommonlaborer topurchasethatointment.LikeDavid,MarywouldnotgivetotheLordthatwhichcosthernothing(2Sam.24:24).Herbeautifulactofworshipbroughtafragrancetotheveryhouseinwhichtheyweredining,andtheblessingofherdeedhasspreadaroundtheworld(Matt.26:13;Mark14:9).LittledidMaryrealizethatnightthather love for Christ would be a blessing to believers around the world forcenturiestocome!

WhenshecametothefeetofJesus,Marytooktheplaceofaslave.Whensheundidherhair(somethingJewishwomendidnotdoinpublic),shehumbledherself and laid her glory at His feet (see 1 Cor. 11:15). Of course, she wasmisunderstoodandcriticized,butthatiswhatusuallyhappenswhensomebodygiveshisorherbesttotheLord.

Itwas Judaswho started the criticism, and, sad to say, the other disciplestook it up. They did not know that Judas was a devil (John 6:70), and theyadmired him for his concern for the poor.After all, hewas the treasurer, andespeciallyatPassoverseason,hewouldwanttosharewiththosewhowerelessfortunate (see John 13:21–30). Until the very end, the disciples believed thatJudaswasadevotedfolloweroftheLord.

John12:4–6recordsJudas’sfirstwordsfoundanywhereinthefourgospels.HislastwordsarefoundinMatthew27:4.Judaswasathiefandwasinthehabitof stealing money from the money box that he carried. (The Greek wordtranslated“bag”meantoriginallyasmallcaseinwhichmouthpieceswerekeptfor wind instruments. Then it came to mean any small box and especially amoney box. The Greek version of the Old Testament uses this word in2 Chronicles 24:8–10 for King Joash’s money chest.) No doubt Judas hadalready decided to abandon Jesus, and hewanted to getwhat he could out ofwhat he considered a bad situation. Perhaps he had hoped that Jesus woulddefeat Rome and set up the kingdom; in which case, Judas would have beentreasurerofthekingdom!

WhatMarydidwasablessingtoJesusandablessingtoherownlife.Shewas also a blessing to the home, filling itwith fragrance (seePhil. 4:18), andtoday,sheisablessingtothechurcharoundtheworld.HeroneactofdevotioninthelittlevillageofBethanystillsends“ripplesofblessing.”

ButnotsoJudas!Wecallourdaughters“Mary,”butnoparentwouldcallason“Judas.”Hisverynameislistedinthedictionaryasasynonymfortreachery.MaryandJudasareseenincontrastinProverbs10:7—“Thememoryofthejust

isblessed:but thenameof thewickedshall rot.”“Agoodname isbetter thanpreciousointment,”saysEcclesiastes7:1,andMaryhadboth.

Matthew 26:14 gives the impression that immediately after this rebuke,JudaswenttothepriestsandbargainedtodeliverJesusintotheirhands.ButitislikelythattheeventsrecordedinMatthew21—25tookplacefirst.NodoubttheLord’s rebuke of Judas at Bethany played an important part in his decisionactually tobetrayJesus.Also, thefact thatJesusonceagainopenlyannouncedHisdeathwouldmotivateJudastoescapewhiletheopportunitywasthere.

As we look at this event, we see some “representative people” who areexamples to us. Martha represents work as she served the dinner she hadpreparedfortheLord.Thiswasjustasmucha“fragrantoffering”aswasMary’sointment (see Heb. 13:16). Mary represents worship, and Lazarus representswitness(John11:9–11).PeoplewenttoBethanyjusttobeabletoseethismanwhohadbeenraisedfromthedead!

As mentioned we have no recorded words from Lazarus in the NewTestament,buthismiraculouslifewasaneffectivewitnessforJesusChrist.(Incontrast,JohntheBaptistdidnomiracles,yethiswordsbroughtpeopletoJesus.See John10:40–42.)We todayought to “walk in newness of life” (Rom.6:4)becausewehavebeenraisedfromthedead(Eph.2:1–10;Col.3:1ff.).Actually,theChristianlifeoughttobeabeautifulbalanceofworship,work,andwitness.

But the fact that Lazarus was a walking miracle put him into a place ofdanger:TheJewish leaderswanted tokillhim aswellas Jesus!OurLordwasrightwhenHecalledthemchildrenoftheDevil,fortheyweremurderersindeed(John8:42–44).They threw thehealedblindmanout of the synagogue ratherthanpermithim tobearwitness toChrist everySabbath, and they tried toputLazarusbackintothetombbecausehewasleadingpeopletofaithinChrist.Ifyouwillnotaccepttheevidence,youmusttrytogetridofit!

This quiet evening of fellowship—in spite of the cruel way the disciplestreated Mary—must have brought special encouragement and strength to the

Savior’sheartasHe faced thedemandsof that lastweekbefore thecross.WeshouldexamineourownheartsandhomestoaskwhetherwearebringingjoytoHisheartbyourworship,work,andwitness.

2.JESUSANDTHEPASSOVERPILGRIMS(12:12–19)JohnshiftedthescenefromaquietdinnerinBethanytoanoisypublicparadeinJerusalem. All four gospels record this event, and their accounts should becompared. This was the only “public demonstration” that our Lord allowedwhileHewasministeringonearth.HispurposewastofulfilltheOldTestamentprophecy (Zech. 9:9). The result was a growing animosity on the part of thereligiousleaders,leadingeventuallytothecrucifixionoftheSavior.

Therewere three different groups in the crowd that day: (1) the Passovervisitors from outside Judea (John 12:12, 18); (2) the local people who hadwitnessedtheraisingofLazarus(John12:17);and(3)thereligiousleaderswhoweregreatlyconcernedaboutwhatJesusmightdoatthefeast(John12:19).Ateachof thedifferent feasts, thepeoplewere inkeenexpectation,wondering ifJesus would be there and what He would do. It looked as though Jesus wasactually seeking to incite a revolution and establishHimself asKing, but thatwasnotwhatHehadinmind.

What did this event mean to Jesus? For one thing, it was a part of Hisobedience to the Father’s will. The prophet Zechariah (Zech. 9:9) prophesiedthat the Messiah would enter Jerusalem in that manner, and He fulfilled theprophecy. “Daughter of Zion” is another name for the city of Jerusalem (Jer.4:31;Lam.2:4,8,10).CertainlyJesuswasopenlyannouncingtothepeoplethatHe indeed is theKing of Israel (John 1:49), the promisedMessiah.No doubtmanyof thepilgrimshoped thatnowHewoulddefeat theRomansandset thenationofIsraelfree.

What did this demonstration mean to the Romans? Nothing is recorded

abouttheRomanviewpoint,butitiscertainthattheykeptaclosewatchthatday.DuringtheannualPassoverFeast,itwasnotuncommonforsomeoftheJewishnationaliststotrytoarousethepeople,andperhapstheythoughtthisparadewasthat kind of an event. I imagine that some of the Roman soldiers must havesmiledat the“triumphalentry,”because itwasnothing like theirown“Romantriumph”celebrationsinthecityofRome.

Whenever aRomangeneralwas victorious on foreign soil, killing at leastfive thousandof theenemyandgainingnewterritory,hewasgivena“Romantriumph” when he returned to the city. It was the Roman equivalent of theAmerican“ticker-tapeparade,”onlywithmuchmoresplendor.Thevictorwouldbepermitted todisplay the trophieshehadwonand theenemy leadershehadcaptured.Theparadeendedatthearena,wheresomeofthecaptivesentertainedthepeoplebyfightingwildbeasts.Comparedtoa“Romantriumph,”ourLord’sentryintoJerusalemwasnothing.

Whatdid the“triumphalentry”meanto thepeopleofIsrael?ThepilgrimswelcomedJesus,spreadtheirgarmentsbeforeHim,andwavedpalmbranchesassymbolsofpeaceandvictory(Rev.7:9).TheyquotedfromPsalm118:26,whichisamessianicpsalm,andtheyproclaimedHimthe“KingofIsrael.”Butwhiletheyweredoingthis,Jesuswasweeping(Luke19:37–44)!

ThenameJerusalemmeans “city of peace” or “foundationof peace,” andthepeoplewerehopingthatJesuswouldbringthemthepeacethattheyneeded.However,HeweptbecauseHesawwhatlayaheadofthenation—war,suffering,destruction,andascatteredpeople.AtHisbirth,theangelsannounced“peaceonearth” (Luke 2:13–14), but in His ministry Jesus announced “war on earth”(Luke 12:51ff.). It is significant that the crowds shouted “peace in heaven”(Luke19:38),becausethatistheonlyplacewherethereispeacetoday!

Thenationhadwasteditsopportunities;itsleadersdidnotknowthetimeofGod’s visitation. They were ignorant of their own Scriptures. The next timeIsraelseestheKing,thescenewillberadicallydifferent(Rev.19:11ff.)!Hewill

comeinglory,notinhumility,andthearmiesofheavenwillaccompanyHim.ItwillbeasceneofvictoryasHecomestodefeatHisenemiesandestablishHiskingdom.

ItisarepeatedthemeinScripturethattherecanbenogloryunlessfirstthereissuffering.JesusknewthatHemustdieonthecrossbeforeHecouldenterintoHis glory (Luke 24:26). The Jewish theologianswere not clear in theirmindsconcerning the sufferings of the Messiah and the glorious kingdom that theprophetsannounced.SometeachersheldthatthereweretwoMessiahs,onewhowouldsufferandonewhowouldreign.EvenourLord’sowndiscipleswerenotclearastowhatwasgoingon(seeJohn11:16).

HowdidtheJewishleadersrespondtothe“triumphalentry”oftheLord?AstheywatchedthegreatcrowdgatherandhonorJesus, thePhariseeswerequitesure that Jesushadwon theday.Theywere anticipating somekindofgeneralrevoltduringthePassoverseason.PerhapsJesuswouldperformagreatmiracleand in thatwaycapture themindsandheartsof the restlesspeople.Howlittlethey really understood the mind and heart of the Master! What they did notrealizewasthatJesuswas“forcingtheirhand”sothattheSanhedrinwouldactduringthefeast.TheLambofGodhadtogiveHislifewhenthePassoverlambswerebeingslain.

Thestatement,“Behold,theworldisgoneafterhim!”(John12:19)wasbothanexaggerationandaprophecy.Inthenextsection,wemeetsomevisitorsfromoutsideIsrael.

3.JESUSANDTHEGENTILEVISITORS(12:20–36)FollowingHisentryintoJerusalem,ourLordcleansedthetempleforthesecondtime.HequotedIsaiah56:7andJeremiah7:11:“Isitnotwritten,Myhouseshallbe called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den ofthieves” (Mark 11:17). Perhaps these Greeks heard that word and were

encouragedbyit.One of John’s major themes is that Jesus is the Savior of the world, not

simplytheRedeemerofIsrael.HeistheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinofthe world (John 1:29). “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). TheSamaritansrightly identifiedHimas“theSaviorof theworld”(John4:42).HegaveHislifefortheworld,andHegiveslifetotheworld(John6:33).HeistheLightoftheWorld(John8:12).TheuniversalemphasisofJohn’sgospelistooobvioustomiss.Jesuswillbringthe“othersheep”whoareoutsidetheJewishfold(John10:16;andsee11:51–52).

TheoriginaltextindicatesthattheseGreeks“wereaccustomedtocomeandworship at the feast.”Theywere not curious visitors or onetime investigators.Nodoubttheywere“God-fearers,”GentileswhoattendedtheJewishsynagogueandsought the truth,butwhohadnotyetbecomeproselytes.GentilescametoseeJesuswhenHewasayoungchild(Matt.2),andnowGentilescametoseeHimjustbeforeHisdeath.

Thesemen“keptasking”PhilipfortheprivilegeofaninterviewwithJesus.Philip finally told Andrew (who was often bringing people to Jesus), andAndrewgave the request to theLord.No doubt thereweremany peoplewhowantedprivate interviewswith theLord,but theywereafraidof thePharisees(John 9:22).Being fromout of the country, theGentile visitors either did notknowaboutthedangerordidnotfeartheconsequences.

Wecan commend theseGreeks forwanting to see Jesus.The Jewswouldsay,“Wewouldseeasign!”(Matt.12:38;1Cor.1:22),butthesemensaid,“Wewouldsee[haveaninterviewwith]Jesus.”ThereisnorecordthatJesusdidtalkwiththesemen,butthemessagethatHegaveinresponsecontainstruthsthatallofusneed.

ThecentralthemeofthismessageisthegloryofGod(John12:23,28).Wewould have expected Jesus to say, “The hour is come, that the Son of manshould be crucified.” But Jesus saw beyond the cross to the glory thatwould

follow (seeLuke 24:26;Heb. 12:2). In fact, the glory ofGod is an importanttheme in the remaining chapters of John’s gospel (see John 13:31–32; 14:13;17:1,4–5,22,24).

Jesususedtheimageofaseedtoillustratethegreatspiritualtruththattherecan be no glory without suffering, no fruitful life without death, no victorywithoutsurrender.Ofitself,aseedisweakanduseless;butwhenitisplanted,it“dies”andbecomesfruitful.Thereisbothbeautyandbountywhenaseed“dies”andfulfills itspurpose. Ifaseedcould talk, itwouldnodoubtcomplainaboutbeingputintothecold,darkearth.Buttheonlywayitcanachieveitsgoalisbybeingplanted.

God’schildrenarelikeseeds.Theyaresmallandinsignificant,buttheyhavelifeinthem,God’slife.However,thatlifecanneverbefulfilledunlessweyieldourselvestoGodandpermitHimto“plantus.”WemustdietoselfsothatwemayliveuntoGod(Rom.6;Gal.2:20).TheonlywaytohaveafruitfullifeistofollowJesusChristindeath,burial,andresurrection.

Inthesewords,JesuschallengesustodaytosurrenderourlivestoHim.Notethe contrasts: loneliness or fruitfulness; losing your life or keeping your life;servingselforservingChrist;pleasingselforreceivingGod’shonor.

IreadaboutsomeChristianswhovisitedaremotemissionstationtoseehowtheministrywasgoing.Astheywatchedthededicatedmissionaryteamatwork,they were impressed with their ministry, but admitted that they missed“civilization.”

“Youcertainlyhaveburiedyourselfouthere!”oneofthevisitorsexclaimed.“Wehaven’tburiedourselves,”themissionaryreplied.“Wewereplanted!”OurLordknew thatHewas facing sufferinganddeath, andHishumanity

respondedtothisordeal.Hissoulwastroubled,notbecauseHewasquestioningthe Father’s will, but because He was fully conscious of all that the crossinvolved.NotethatJesusdidnotsay,“WhatshallIdo?”becauseHeknewwhatHewasordainedtodo.Hesaid,“WhatshallIsay?”Inthehourofsufferingand

surrender,thereareonlytwoprayerswecanpray:either“Father,saveme!”or“Father,glorifythyname!”

Inoneofmyradiomessages,Imadethestatement,“Goddoesnotexpectustobecomfortable,butHedoesexpectustobeconformable.”Nosoonerhadtheprogramendedthanmyofficephonerangandananonymouslistenerwantedtoarguewithmeaboutthatstatement.

“Conformable to what?” the voice thundered. “Haven’t you read Romans12:2—‘Benotconformedtothisworld’?”

“SureI’vereadRomans12:2,”Ireplied.“HaveyoureadRomans8:29?Godhaspredestinedus‘tobeconformedtotheimageofhisSon.’”

Afteralongpause(Iwasgladhewaspayingthephonebill),hegruntedandsaid,“Okay.”

Comfortable or conformable—that is the question. If we are looking forcomfortablelives,thenwewillprotectourplansanddesires,saveourlives,andneverbeplanted.ButifweyieldourlivesandletGodplantus,wewillneverbealonebutwill have the joyof being fruitful to thegloryofGod. “If anyman[JeworGreek]serveme,lethimfollowme.”ThisistheequivalentofMatthew10:39andMark8:36.

Theprayer,“Father,glorifythyname!”receivedareplyfromheaven!GodtheFatherspoke toHisSonandgaveHimadoubleassurance:TheSon’spastlife and ministry had glorified the Father, and the Son’s future suffering anddeathwouldglorifytheFather.ItissignificantthattheFatherspoketotheSonatthebeginningoftheSon’sministry(Matt.3:17),astheSonbeganHisjourneytoJerusalem (Matt. 17:5), and now as the Son entered the last days before thecross.GodalwaysgivesthatwordofassurancetothosewhowillinglysufferforHissake.

The people heard a sound but did not know the message that had beenconveyed.Yetifthevoicewasfortheirsakesandtheycouldnotunderstandit,whatgoodwasit?InthatthevoiceassuredJesus,whowastodiefortheirsakes,

thevoicewasfortheirgood.TheyheardHimpray,andtheyheardasoundfromheaven in response to thatprayer.Thatshouldhaveconvinced themthat JesuswasintouchwiththeFather.WemighttranslateJohn12:30,“ThatvoicecamemoreforyoursakethanforMine.”

Jesusthenopenlyspokeaboutthecross.Itwasanhourofjudgmentfortheworldand forSatan, theprinceof theworld.Thedeathof JesusChristwouldseemlikeavictoryfor thewickedworld,but itwouldreallybea judgmentoftheworld.On the cross, Jesuswould defeatSatan andhisworld system (Gal.6:14). Even though he is permitted to go to and fro on the earth, Satan is adefeated enemy. As we serve the Lord, we overcome theWicked One (Luke10:17–19). One day Satan shall be cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:10), andeventuallyhewillbejudgedandimprisonedforever(Rev.20:10).

We have met the phrase “lifted up” before (John 3:14; 8:28). Its basicmeaning is crucifixion (note John 12:33), but it also carries the idea ofglorification. “Behold,My servantwill prosper,Hewill be high and lifted upandgreatlyexalted” (Isa.52:13 NASB).TheSonofManwasglorified by being

crucified!The phrase “all men” does not suggest universal salvation. It means “all

peoplewithoutdistinction,”thatis,JewsandGentiles.Hedoesnotforcethem;Hedrawsthem(seeJohn6:44–45).Hewas“liftedup”thatpeoplemightfindtheway(John12:32),knowthetruth(John8:28),andreceivethelife(John3:14).The cross remindsus thatGod loves thewholeworld and that the taskof thechurchistotakethegospeltothewholeworld.

ThepeopledidnotunderstandwhatHewasteaching.Theyknewthat“Sonofman”wasatitleforMessiah,buttheycouldnotunderstandwhytheMessiahwouldbecrucified!DidnottheOldTestamentteachthattheMessiahwouldliveforever?(SeePs.72:17;89:36;110:4;Isa.9:7.)

Butthatwasnotimetobediscussingthefinerpointsoftheology!Itwasan

hourofcrisis(seeJohn12:31,wheretheGreekwordkrisismeansjudgment)andanhourofopportunity.Thelightwasshining,andtheyhadbettertakeadvantageoftheiropportunitytobesaved!Wehavemetthisimageoflightanddarknessbefore (John 1:4–9; 3:17–20; 8:12; 9:39–41). By a simple step of faith, thesepeoplecouldhavepassedoutofspiritualdarknessandintothelightofsalvation.

ThismarkedtheendofourLord’spublicministryasfarasJohn’srecordisconcerned.JesusdepartedandhidHimself. Itwas judgmenton thenation thatsaw His miracles, heard His messages, and scrutinized His ministry and yetrefusedtobelieveinHim.

4.JESUSANDUNBELIEVINGJEWS(12:37–49)The key word in this section is believe; it is used eight times. First, Johnexplained the unbelief of the people.Theywouldnot believe (John 12:37–38,withaquotationfromIsa.53:1); theycouldnotbelieve(John12:39);andtheyshouldnotbelieve(John12:40–41,withaquotationfromIsa.6:9–10).

Inspiteofalltheclearevidencethatwaspresentedtothem,theJewswouldnotbelieve.The“armoftheLord”hadbeenrevealedtothemingreatpower,yettheyclosed their eyes to the truth.Theyhadheard themessage (“report”) andseenthemiraclesandyetwouldnotbelieve.

Whenapersonstarts toresist thelight,somethingbegins tochangewithinhim, and he comes to the place where he cannot believe. There is “judicialblindness”thatGodpermitstocomeovertheeyesofpeoplewhodonottakethetruthseriously.(ThequotationofIsa.6:9–10isfoundinanumberofplacesintheNewTestament.SeeMatt.13:14–15;Mark4:12;Luke8:10;Acts28:25–27;Rom.11:8.) It isaserious thing to treatGod’s truth lightly, forapersoncouldwellmisshisopportunitytobesaved.“SeekyetheLORDwhilehemaybefound,

callyeuponhimwhileheisnear”(Isa.55:6).Therewerethosewhowouldnotbelieve,andtherewerethosewhowould

not openly confess Christ even though they had believed (John 12:42–43).Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea belonged to this group initially buteventuallycameoutopenlyintheirconfessionofChrist(John19:38ff.).Intheearlychurch,therewerenumbersofPharisees(Acts15:5)andevenpriests(Acts6:7).ItwastheoldstrugglebetweenthegloryofGodandthepraiseofpeople(John12:25–26). Itwasacostly thing tobeexcommunicated (John9:22),andthese“secretbelievers”wantedthebestofbothworlds.NoteJohn5:44in thisregard.

InJohn12:44–50wehaveourLord’slastmessagebeforeHe“hidhimself”from the people. Again, the emphasis was on faith. A number of the basicthemesinJohn’sgospelrunthroughthismessage:GodsenttheSon;toseetheSonmeanstoseetheFather;JesusistheLightoftheWorld;HiswordsaretheverywordsofGod;faithinHimbringssalvation;torejectHimistofaceeternaljudgment. In fact, the very Word that He spoke will judge those who haverejecteditandHim!

ItisanawesomethoughtthattheunbelieverwillfaceatthejudgmenteverybitofScripturehehaseverreadorheard.TheveryWordthatherejectsbecomeshis judge!Why? Because the writtenWord points to the LivingWord, JesusChrist(John1:14).

Many people reject the truth simply because of the fear of people (John12:42–43).Amongthosewhowillbeinhellare“thefearful”(Rev.21:8).BettertofearGodandgotoheaventhantofearpeopleandgotohell!

Thewordjudgeisrepeatedfourtimesintheclosingwordsofthismessage,and a solemnword it is. Jesusdidnot come to judge;He came to save (John3:18;8:15).But if thesinnerwillnot trust theSavior, theSaviormustbecometheJudge.Thesinnerisactuallypassingjudgmentonhimselforherself,notontheLord!

AsyouhavestudiedthesetwelvechaptersofthegospelofJohn,youhaveseenJesusChrist inHis life,Hisministry,Hismiracles,Hismessage,andHis

desiretosavelostsinners.You have considered the evidence. Have you come to the conviction that

JesusChristisindeedtheSonofGod,theSavioroftheworld?HaveyoutrustedHimandreceivedeverlastinglife?“Whileyouhavethelight,believeinthelight,thatyoumaybecomesonsof

light”(John12:36NKJV).

QuestionsforPersonalreflectionorgroupdiscussion

1.WhenhasGodseemedtoactoutofcharacterordonesomethingyouweren’texpectingHimtodo?Howdidyoufeel?

2.Readverses1–11.Ifyouhadbeenatthisdinner,wouldyouhavebeenmorelikely to be Martha (the worker), Mary (the extravagant worshipper),Lazarus(thelivingevidenceofJesus’power),orJudas(thetraitor).Explain.

3.WhydoyouthinkMaryanointedJesus’feetwithherperfume?

4.DoyouthinkMaryknewthatJesus’burialwasgoingtobesoon(v.7)?Whyorwhynot?

5.HowdoyouthinkMary’sgiftmadeJesusfeel?

6.Doesverse8meanthatmoneyshouldbespentonworshipratherthanonthepoor?Explainhowyouunderstandthisverse.

7.Readverses12–19.WhatwasthecrowdexpectingJesustodowhenHerodeintoJerusalem?

8.Readverses20–36.WhatdidJesusmeanbywhatHesaidinverses24–25?

9.InwhatwaysdidJesusnotdowhatwasexpectedofHim?

10. Read verses 37–50. What did Jesus teach about faith in this last speechbeforehidingHimselffromthepeople?

11.HowcanyourespondwhenGodacts inwayscontrary towhatyouwouldchooseorexpect?