Blog

Posted on

John: Jesus Teaches at the Festival of Tabernacles

Read John 7:14-24

It looks like Jesus couldn’t stay away from the Festival of Tabernacles any longer. Halfway through the week-long celebration, He made an appearance. When He did, He didn’t find some side tent or hidden area, He went straight to the temple courts.

The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” John 7:15

Jesus appears to be speaking to several people at the same time. Sure, they want to know where His rabbinic teaching came from, but I really don’t think they’re listening. They seem to be lost in the credentialling world. Until they understand that Rabbi ____ (fill in the blank) approved of Jesus, they are not about to listen to His teaching. Well, not all of them. I have no doubt that some are in fact listening.

Jesus explains that His teaching came from God. He says this in a way to help them understand fully:

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. John 7:16-17

It’s good to remember that John is providing the important points from the discussion. This is not a mere transcript. As we unpack the verses above we hear clearly that Jesus was taught by God, His Father. For many, that statement alone was enough to incite incredible anger. In my imagination, I see the faces of men who are about to lose it.

Jesus picks up on their threatening posture and beats them to the very thought that is in the minds of some who are listening (not all):

Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” “You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?”John 7:19-20

Those who are vocal conclude that Jesus is crazy, out of His mind. We shouldn’t expect those who are convinced that Jesus should be killed will raise their hands. No way. The plot thickens. In John’s gospel, we’re not that far away from Gethsemane.

I can’t help but get lost in thought about John, the Apostle, the man. He’s getting old as he sits down to write this narrative for the benefit of others who are trying to understand who Jesus is and whether they should join the cause of Christ followers, The Way.  Imagine yourself in his shoes. Your closest friends, the ones you did ministry with when Jesus was walking around in flesh, these faithful few have been martyred for proclaiming the Good News. They’ve either been killed or will be tracked down and executed as they stand up for the cause of Christ.

Crowds like the one Jesus is debating with are too familiar to John, he saw them all the time. Everywhere he went. Probably every day. As he looks back at the time when Jesus was teaching, he takes comfort in knowing that the Master Himself had to deal with vicious attacks.

Read the last section in this passage from that perspective. Jesus refers to an event where He miraculously healed a lame man on the Sabbath. This is why He’s referring to Moses, the one Patriarch upon which they all agree upon.

Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:23-24

Jewish law required male circumcision on the eighth day after birth. There is a one in seven chance that your baby boy was going to have to be circumcised on the Sabbath. No problem. Since this happens so frequently, we won’t call this breaking the Sabbath. However, if you miraculously heal someone who’s been lame for decades, well, that’s another issue altogether! (I hope the sarcasm sign is flashing in your head.)

Jesus doesn’t tell them to accept everything; He tells them to judge correctly! Stop acting like idiots!

How many times do we get caught checking our rules so carefully that we miss the intent God has for us in the moment. Lord, help us not to judge by mere appearances. Change our hearts to see clearly the direction we should move. And help us to move!

 

Posted on

John: Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles

Read John 7:1-13

If we were Jewish or celebrated with our Jewish brothers, this would be the time of year when the Feast of Tabernacles would kick into high gear. John uses the backdrop of this festival to highlight some significant lessons for us to consider. The first vignette is a look at the interaction between Jesus and His brothers. We read words about the growing separation between those who follow Jesus and those who are convinced He is dangerous. In effect, He certainly is dangerous, but not for the reasons anyone is proposing.

It’s been about six months since the last chapter. John picks up the story by giving us just a little background, things people in the first-century church would have known well.

Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near… John 7:1-2

John continues to remind us to look for those who are conspiring to kill Jesus throughout his narrative. Think of it this way, imagine you are watching a movie with someone who knows how the mystery is solved. Throughout the show, they keep saying things like, “did you see that person?” or “watch this part carefully.” Beyond just spoiling the movie, they’re trying to help you see how the plot unfolds. This is how John writes.

The setting is during the last festival of the year. The Feast of Tabernacles was designed to be a joyous time of celebration for the whole Jewish community.

Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. Deuteronomy 16:14-15

Sons and daughters, male and female servants, even foreigners, widows and orphans are welcomed and expected to join in the seven-day festival. Wow! Can we not keep some of these old customs? Can you imagine a celebration that went on for an entire week?

Jesus’ earthly father was Joseph. Though we don’t know how long Joseph was around after His birth, I’m convinced he took Jesus to all the festivals, that he participated with the rest of the village. I like to think that this was something their whole family looked forward to each year, every season. It’s helps me to think this way because it puts me in their sandals for a bit. This was a big deal.

With that context, listen in on the conversation that John records between Jesus and His brothers.

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. John 7:3-5

His own brothers did not believe in Him. It would be a while before James would become a follower of his brother. I’m pretty sure I’d be with His brothers, chiding Him along, suggesting that He do His miracle “show” for all to see (sarcasm sign flashing brightly).

You can’t see the cursor flashing on my screen. I’m sitting here replaying the scene in my imagination. His brothers have no idea what’s going on, they’re too close to the fire, they can’t see the flame. Jesus is patient with them. He doesn’t call down fire on them and vanquish them from the earth. He simply tries to explain that this is not His time.

Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival… John 7:6-8a

He gives them a lesson about the world that they’ll have to think about for a while. In a relatively short time, Jesus will be crucified in front of them. These are some heavy words He wants them to ponder.

Jesus sends them on to the feast without Him. I imagine this was the first time in their life that this happened. I can’t prove that, but it makes sense given their heritage. I also imagine James making a note. At least I hope so.

Secretly, Jesus shows up after the festival gets going. The leaders and the crowds are wondering why He hasn’t shown up. It’s odd. He’s usually around during these events.

Rumors begin to spread: “Where is he?”, “He is a good man”, “No, he deceives people.”

But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. John 7:13

Lots of gossip, whispers in the crowds are heard, but not loud enough to get the attention of the religious leaders.

This is the tension I feel these days when I’m surrounded by nominal Christians, those checking their boxes, completing their duties, yet lacking the heart of one who truly follows Christ. Not that I have my act together, but I am seeking to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit, attempting to become an authentic Christ follower. I’m closer today than a year ago, but still have a way to go.

We don’t have to wait too long this time. Jesus makes His appearance in the next section. Until then, think about what it feels like to go to something like this festival without your brother for the first time. Imagine what it’s like to turn and walk away, convinced that he is the one who is lost. Dwell in that place for a short time, but don’t stay there. You know the rest of the story. My prompt is meant to slow you down a bit. Let the dissonance hang.

 

 

Every biblical holiday given to the Jewish people has three aspects. Israel was to observe the holiday in the present in order to remember something God had done in the past while looking forward to some future prophetic purpose hidden within each festival. This is true for their weekly observance of Shabbat, as well as for the annual pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

During the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, the Jewish people were to gather together in Jerusalem not only to remember God’s provision in the Wilderness but also to look forward to that promised Messianic age when all nations will flow to this city to worship the Lord.

Posted on

John: Who Can Accept This Hard Teaching?

Read John 6:60-71

The last section in this chapter challenges us all to accept that which is hard to understand. Those of us that have worn the Christian badge for many years might have a hard time understanding the challenge here, but I want to strongly encourage you (exhort) to read this chapter from the eyes of one who does not yet believe. If His closest disciples found this concept difficult, we need to check our own hearts as well.

There are two groups of disciples in this narrative: The Twelve and The Many. I’m not exactly sure how this all worked in those days, but the concept of discipleship was common in that culture. Actually, it’s common in our culture, but we don’t use the term outside of church very often. Apprentice might be a more universally accepted title. The structure is the same, however. One learns from someone who is a bit farther down the road in their learning. Nothing new here, just setting the stage for understanding the hierarchy that existed amongst those who are listening to Jesus.

As with the previous post, it’s important to look one verse back to appreciate the current text. In this case, we see that Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. The group that’s gathered there chose to be in the audience; they came to learn. In other words, this is not a random group of people on a street corner, the people in this story are those who were immersed in Jewish culture.

Since this is the last post for chapter six, I also want to zoom out a bit and look at the lesson John is teaching us in this writing. If we examine the chapter as a single lesson with multiple parts, we gain some rich insight into how John is trying to help us understand Jesus’ methods.

Let’s expand the structure with what we’ve learned in each post:

  • John: Feeding Thousands – John 6:1-15.
    • Jesus cares about our physical needs.
    • The crowd wants to control Jesus.
    • They eventually ask for food that does not spoil.
  • John: Jesus Walks on Water – Don’t Be Afraid – John 6:16-24.
    • Jesus cares about His disciples.
    • They are afraid, but Jesus comforts them.
    • Between the two episodes, reverence for Jesus is increased.
  • John: Jesus is the Bread of Life – John 6:25-59.
    • Jesus is the answer to eternal life.
    • He is the Son of God.
    • He must die in order to be raised up.
    • Blood must be shed.
    • Eternal life is ONLY possible through His death and resurrection (this becomes clear as we read more of John’s teaching).
  • Many Disciples Desert Jesus – John 6:60-71.
    • Many, if not most, won’t be able to accept this teaching.
    • The Twelve are confused; this is a new lesson for everyone.
    • Those who were on the fence about Jesus simply can’t accept this teaching.

It’s amazing that the disciples have the guts to say this is hard to understand.

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” John 6:60

I don’t know about you, but I find great comfort in the fact that they not only thought this, but they said it out loud. They had to know that Jesus wasn’t going to let this slip by; He was going to confront them. That’s what I love about these guys and that’s the kind of community I hope to be a part of. Don’t just accept the answers, ask more questions. At the same time, don’t be cynical! This is not a prompt to be confrontational! Not at all!

Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! John 6:61-62

Jesus explains that the Spirit gives life, the flesh is meaningless. He knows that not all will believe in these words.

For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” John 6:64-65

Jesus is not one to hold back, especially with His chosen disciples.

“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67-69

Peter’s answer is the response that we know we should have deep in our hearts. When we reflect on this mortal life, I hope we too would come to the same conclusion: to whom shall we go? It’s a bit sobering to think in terms of eternity when we look at our daily activity.

Was this the event that pushed Judas over the edge?

Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) John 6:70-71

Perhaps he had too much pride to walk away with those who couldn’t accept this teaching. In his mind, he “had” to stay. John adds the parenthetical note to be sure we don’t miss the point that early on in Jesus’ earthly ministry He is fully aware of Judas’ intentions. I think it’s safe to say that John didn’t get it at the time; his discernment alarm was not that finely tuned at the time.

We’re all pretty good about hiding feelings, even when they betray us. In our culture, admitting we don’t understand something is looked down upon. That’s what I love about one-on-one discipleship. In these personal settings, our discussions have the capacity to ask questions without the facade. At least that’s my prayer!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I hope you’ll read this chapter from the eyes of one who does not yet believe and remember that His closest disciples found this concept difficult. Lord help us to check our own hearts as well. Help us to see the difficulty in accepting that which we have become comfortable in believing so that we can lead others to Christ.

Posted on

John: Jesus is the Bread of Life

Read John 6:25-59

John dedicates the third section in chapter six to answer some questions and raise even more. Some of the crowd finally track Jesus down after His water-walking escape. They’re confused. Their motivation is for signs and wonders more than understanding the message. John records the highlights of the conversation which ends with a section that radically alters the view of religion. Take a deep breath. This is a heavy section.

Today’s story picks up in John 6:24 where the crowds realized that Jesus and the disciples somehow slipped away without any fanfare. They ask a logistical question, “when did you get here?”, but Jesus answers the deeper question that is on their hearts.

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. John 6:27

They pick up on the word “work.” This is a concept they can relate to, i.e., give them something to do and receive the reward. Right? Nope.

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29

We might scoff at their response, but oddly enough, it all sounds incredibly familiar in this day and age: show us a sign, do something special. They recall the story of Moses and manna and try to convince Jesus by using scripture. Jesus knows the story better than they do, so He begins to broaden their minds by providing a lesson that promises life to the world. This is exciting news!

At this point it seems like they are tracking with Jesus: “Sir, always give us this bread” (John 6:34). They want the bread of life until they find out what Jesus is talking about.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

Hang on, it gets deeper:

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38

Now they’re totally confused. Isn’t this Joseph’s boy? You know, the carpenter’s son? What is this talk about coming down from heaven? And back up a few verses, what do you mean by “it is my Father?”

Jesus explains to them using a metaphor to build on their understanding of physical events:

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51

Their response reminds me of Nicodemus back in chapter 3,

Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” John 6:52

Seriously? Are they missing the point? Ok, let’s go along with this line of argument and feed you with words to build upon their ignorance:

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. John 6:56

Like the private conversation with Nicodemus, they know Jesus is not talking about cannibalism. The words here hold deep meaning and require that they completely agree that Jesus is who He says He is. That, my friends, is too much for them to handle.

It turns out, it’s a hard pill for the disciples to swallow, but that’s covered in the next lesson.

The good news is presented here, Jesus is the way. We have the advantage of having the whole story presented to us in the form of the Bible, especially here in John’s gospel. John captures seven incredible truths for us to ponder:

  1. I am the bread of life: John 6:35
  2. I am the light of the world: John 8:12
  3. I am the gate for the sheep: John 10:7,9
  4. I am the good shepherd: John 10:11,14
  5. I am the resurrection and the life: John 11:25
  6. I am the way and the truth and the life: John 14:6
  7. I am the true vine: John 15:1,5

In the next post, I’ll attempt to wrap up chapter six and learn from all the lessons John is trying to teach us here.

Lord, help us to grasp the essence of what is said in this passage and give us the faith to fully believe. Fill the gaps between the large spans between these two extremes.

Posted on

John: Jesus Walks on Water — Don’t Be Afraid

Read John 6:16-24

John’s version of Jesus walking on water is concise. We have to look around for some more details, but we shouldn’t miss the point that Jesus is Lord of all and wants us to know that we should not be afraid as we fight the battles in this life.

John sets up the story by emphasizing the disciples were acting as a group separated from Jesus.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. John 6:16-17

Looking back at verse 15 we remember that Jesus “withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” This is somewhat remarkable to me, not only did He find time by Himself–He did it again! This isn’t the first or last time that Jesus will separate Himself from others.

Why didn’t they wait for Jesus?

Matthew and Mark add some insight into this story (see: Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-51

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. Matthew 14:22
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. Mark 6:45

Now it makes sense why they were in the boat without Jesus. Perhaps John leaves this detail out to focus on the miracle itself. In other words, it’s more important to focus on the idea that they were miles out in rough waves when Jesus appeared to them.

But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” John 6:20

Try and imagine the scene. The day began with crowds gathering and Jesus teaching the masses. They witnessed the miracle of feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes, then Jesus slipped away. He sent these select few away, told them to take a boat and go. They obeyed their Master. Shortly before dawn, in the darkest of times, the disciples are in the middle of the lake, a storm is tossing them about, and they see someone walking toward them. I’m delirious just thinking about the scene.

How is it possible that Jesus is walking on the water towards them?

It is not possible, except for this: Jesus is God incarnate. He is Lord of all. He demonstrated His power by feeding thousands, now He shows His authority over nature. Who saw this? A handful of faithful followers. What was His main message?

Do not be afraid.

All three accounts of the story agree on this point. Jesus is teaching lots of things at one time, but the most important lesson is to not be afraid. To say this in a positive way, be courageous.

We’re going to have to be courageous to follow His command to seek and save the lost, to go and make disciples. We will likely have trouble in earthly terms like wind and waves, but the battle in the spiritual realm is far greater, much riskier, and far more deadly. We rage war against the Prince of Darkness. We need to hear the words: don’t be afraid!

One of the most frightening thoughts I’ve had in the last few days is that of the evil that is present in every city, every town, and shows up relentlessly on a daily basis. I don’t watch the news, but I do look at news sources online. I’m saddened by accidents on highways that claim lives, but I’m moved much deeper by accounts of men and women perpetrating crimes.

The ones we read about are the ones that get caught. Others happen that we know nothing about. What we do know is that they are inspired by a force that we are told to fight against.

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19

Don’t be afraid. There is a lot to be afraid of in this world, but we who are called to be followers of the One who walks on water, who feeds thousands with a word, who heals the infirmed, must not be afraid. The short time we walk on earth is an opportunity to be a people that stand against the gates of hell and we will not lose!

Each of us is called into the battle, into the fight. If you hear nothing else, hear this: Don’t be afraid. Jesus promises to be with us in this battle.

Posted on

John: Feeding Thousands

Read John 6:1-15

The commentators recommend reading the entire chapter to get the complete understanding of John’s perspective. The essence of the chapter is being fed by God, both physically and spiritually. We start with physical nourishment, but Jesus uses this miracle as a huge teaching point that most, including those closest to Him, cannot understand. Just thinking about it in these terms causes me to pause and wonder. When we look at this quick outline of the chapter, I think I can understand why:

Notice that Jesus recognized and participated in Jewish traditions. He was all about change, but He respected the feasts and other events that were part of Jewish culture during His time on earth. Most of these feasts were established during the time of Moses.

The references to Moses are not random or arbitrary. These people revere Moses as one of the most important men in history. He led them through the Red Sea; Jesus walked on water. The people complained and through Moses, they received manna (from God, of course); Jesus fed thousands from little. The people remember that Moses was the leader who stood up to Pharoah, but Jesus will not be seen as the leader these people expect.

One of my motivations for blogging through the Old Testament a few years ago was the need to understand the history that was in the minds of the disciples. They knew the old stories well; I did not. When Jesus makes tangential references to Moses, Elisha, etc., we can understand the concept much more when we have a grasp of the whole story. My goal here is to motivate you to read the Old Testament through this perspective if nothing else! Here are a few links:

Read the whole chapter with these thoughts in mind, then come back and consider the first part.

Feeding Thousands

One of the rare parallels through all four gospel records includes this miracle. Some suggest that John used Mark’s notes to write this section. That may be the case, but what is significant to me is the fact that all four include this narrative: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:35-44, and Luke 9:10-17.

In John’s account of this miracle, Jesus does more than just feed people, He tests Philip (and likely the other disciples who weren’t about to jump to Philip’s aid).

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. John 6:5-6

Philip has no idea how to answer Jesus; the task is far too daunting. Andrew chimes in with an idea, but he’s cautious:

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:8-9

Did they actively search the vast crowd? In my imagination, I can see the disciples trying to help Philip out, looking for an answer that might come close enough that their Master would fill in the gaps. Andrew takes the bold step with a caveat to save himself from certain embarrassment.

Side note: John points out that the bread Andrew found was from that of a boy and that it was made from barley. Commentators report that barley loaves were considered poor man’s bread, something like our present day pita bread. The reference to a boy is not unique, but it brings to mind the contribution of children to the kingdom. The vast majority of secret churches in China are run by teenage girls. Who would have thought boys and girls would play such important roles in advancing the kingdom? End of side note.

Jesus blesses the bread and fish and thousands of people are fed. Five thousand men were not alone. The total crowd size would have likely exceeded 10,000 people. This isn’t the point. Even if it was only 5,000 the miracle is far beyond any expectations. The crowd is moved by the miracle. Something special is going on here!

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 6:14

It’s interesting that there’s no reference to the teaching that Jesus no doubt provided. Such a large crowd must have included a worship band, prayers of the people, and of course, a sermon! Sorry, I’m a bit cynical. Forget that last part.

The food provided a sign that His message must have indicated. They heard His words, I’m sure of it, but more than that, they saw His hands perform a miracle. This is what they’ve been waiting for.

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. John 6:15

Jesus and the disciples were way outnumbered. He escapes and sends the disciples out by boat. We’ll cover that story next!

Jesus is Not an Idol

We cannot put Jesus on display as our personal Lord and Savior — He’s not an idol to put on a mantle. He will not be placed in a box, not with a fox, not in a house, not with a mouse. No Sam I am, He will not. Ah, the wisdom of Dr. Seuss and Green Eggs and Ham.

Jesus withdraws from the crowd that wants to be led from the tyranny of the Roman empire. While this is a noble cause, it misses the point that we’ll discover as we continue reading.

Lord, help us understand the whole story as we wrestle to appreciate each piece!

Posted on

John: Testimonies About Jesus — The Canal

Read John 5:31-47

John records some incredibly striking words in the continuation of Jesus’s response to the religious leaders who were so upset that they literally couldn’t think straight. The passage begins with a discussion about who is testifying for whom. Then we read some very convicting words like, “nor does his word dwell in you” and “I know you do not have the love of God in your hearts.” (John 5:38, 5:42) Ouch! These words had to sting or at the very least provoke some kind of response. Jesus concludes with a very compelling and convicting argument that they don’t even believe the words that Moses wrote.

For those who think Jesus was all about holding hands, smiles, and thought-provoking storytelling, this passage will help to refocus your thoughts.

Let’s take a quick look at the scripture, then I want to share a story, The Canal, from the NIV Application Commentary. Perhaps you’ll see the connection.

Testimony – John 5:31-37a

Jesus tries to explain that He is the One sent from the Father, but not because He says so, rather, it’s because others, notably John the Baptist, proclaimed this good news. He’s clear to state that He didn’t need John’s testimony, but if it’s easier for you to accept the word of another human, then great! What really matters is that you hear the testimony: Jesus is here to finish what started long ago!

Empty Vessels – John 5:37b-44

Jesus then directed His words at the hearts of those listening. I highlight this section (ok, I highlight a lot!):

You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:37b-40

The reason they couldn’t understand the testimony is His presence is not within them. When I read verses like this, I shudder to think about how many Bible studies I’ve been a part of, the hours invested in study and memorization for the sake of education rather than life change.

I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. John 5:41-42

They were good students, So I imagine they were busy taking notes, looking for ways to pick apart His message. How did they receive this message? Did Jesus pause here for a while and wait for them to look up from taking notes?

Your Accuser is Moses – John 5:45-47

To make His message perfectly clear, Jesus points to the one they all agreed on: Moses. The Sadducees and Pharisees made up the Sanhedrin, the religious ruling authority of their time. They disagreed on a lot of things, but the writing of Moses was something they could mutually accept. Jesus points out Moses even testified about the day when someone greater than he would come:

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. Deuteronomy 18:15

“You must listen to him.” Jesus’s concluding remarks is followed by gently setting the microphone down and walking away:

But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” John 5:47

Later on, the half-brother of Jesus would exhort us to become doers of the Word, not just hearers. I hope we gather together and build great friendships in ministry. May we learn to love and cherish each other as wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. Absolutely. Please get together and study scripture, sing songs, pass the communion cup, but don’t stop there. Go and do something. Share the love of Christ and the message of salvation. Lord stir in our hearts so powerfully that we can’t help but reach out to others!

The Canal

I read this section in the NIV Application Commentary as I was preparing my thoughts on the passage above. I love the imagery it presents and the truth that it provides. Take a minute and read this excerpt and pray that God will stir something fresh in your heart.

Jesus’ inquisitors represent the “religious establishment” for whom the vigorous preservation of religious tradition counts more highly than the spontaneity and openness of faith. These people know their Scriptures and use them to defend all of the wrong things.

Karl Barth provides a harrowing description of this sickness in his famous 1919 commentary on Romans (see his remarks on Romans 2). Barth thinks about people who live in a wilderness alongside a canal. The canal was there to bring them water and life, and it was with great effort and cost that the project was built for their place in time. Great sacrifices were made, and many died as the canal was cut through mountain and desert. But the great irony is that the canal has become dry, and while its walls still convey evidence of the coursing of water, there is nothing there that can give life to anyone. Nevertheless, the people continue to service it, to defend it, to name their children after its architects and engineers; but it is only an historic thing.

A canal meant to convey something— water and life— now has become static, an end instead of a means. Something for the museum. People tell stories about it instead of drinking from it. The older ones treasure the stories most; the younger ones have to be initiated deliberately, but each generation seems to lose a fraction of the true vision of the canal as time goes on. And no one has a memory of what water in the canal really looks like. Barth’s warning to the Swiss and German church following World War I is a word we should heed today. The possibility always exists that my life, my church, my tradition, my denomination, even my Bible will become relics of religious curiosity instead of living instruments of God. Men and women will be ordained, earn Ph.D.s, and launch magazines, publishing houses, colleges, and seminaries with solid evangelical commitments, and it will all be for nothing. Empty canals. There are specialists who can cite Scripture and verse, who can measure orthodoxy with exacting precision, who can identify the religious speck in someone’s eye from a great distance, but in whom love for God does not exist (John 5:42).

 

 

Source: Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland, David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 63083-63098). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Posted on

John: Jesus Responds – The Authority of the Son

Read John 5:19-30

The bookends of this passage reveal the role of Jesus as Son and His part in the complexity of the Holy Trinity. The Son can do nothing alone, but He is never alone. There is no “if” in this passage, so don’t get confused. Jesus explained His relationship to the Father for our benefit, not to raise questions!

My brief coverage of this topic doesn’t do it justice, but my goal is not to write a commentary here, simply to point out some thoughts that speak to me as I listen for His voice in the morning. I hope you hear this clearly and more! I pray you will be unsatisfied with my few words and add your own. Not for my benefit, but for your and those you know. May these few words inspire you to write your own!

Remember the context for this discussion: Jesus just healed a man who was lame for 38 years; a man who didn’t ask to be healed, yet was given this amazing gift. The religious leaders are appalled because Jesus did this on the Sabbath, but they are ready to kill Him because He asserts that He is the Son of God!

Jesus’s response begins and ends with these statements:

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:19,30

The Son can do nothing alone. Let that sink in. As I said in the beginning, Jesus doesn’t give us any hint that He can ever be separated from the Father (and the Spirit). This is not an option. The triune aspect of the Father-Son-Spirit is a challenge to grasp, but just like gravity, it is very real and life on earth would not be the same without it!

Be Amazed — Don’t Be Amazed

Which is it? Should I be amazed or not?

Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John 5:20

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice John 5:28

Jesus seems to indicate that healing the lame is no big deal. What greater works could be done you ask?

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. John 5:21

Raising the dead to life. Ok, that’s definitely a greater work than healing the lame, but how is either thing even possible?

The way John prepares this passage, I get the idea that the religious leaders are actually listening to Jesus’s response to their concerns. It seems that Jesus has them scratching their heads as He explains to them in no uncertain terms that they need to listen to His instructions.

Twice John records that Jesus says, “Very, truly I tell you…” A phrase that provides a strong indication that we need to listen to the rest of the statement.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. John 5:24-25

Do you hear and believe? Lord, I hope and pray we are able to hear Your voice and Your words.

Posted on

John: Jewish Leaders Begin to Persecute Jesus

Read: John 5:16-18

Following the outline from yesterday’s post, we’ll take a brief look at just three verses today. While this post is brief, I hope it allows you to focus on the few words and put yourself in the place of those present at the time.

John makes it clear that the Jewish leadership is beyond angry about His miracle work on the Sabbath. They are already formulating plans to eliminate Jesus. Why are they so angry? I think the answer comes from deep in the history of Israel all the way back to 1 Kings 12 when Jeroboam began the insurrection that led to the division of Israel into Northern and Southern Kingdoms and ultimately down a path of destruction. For a taste of Jeroboam’s leadership, read 1 Kings 12:25-33.

We can look back even further in history during the time Israel demanded a King. Perhaps this is a better starting point, but the Jewish leaders are unhappy about the Messiah coming as a king. They’re unhappy about the idea that the Messiah might look something like this Jesus character. I would suggest that they’re not looking for the Messiah at all, but that’s a bit bold and probably an overstatement.

Suffice it to say, because of rebellion in the past which led to the destruction of Israel, i.e., the divided kingdom that led to exile, Jewish leadership set up laws upon laws, rules about rules. Since the Sabbath was tied back directly to the Ten Commandments, everyone in the Sanhedrin could get angry about this transgression. I know that’s brief, but I hope that adds some perspective to their seemingly unfounded anger.

So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. John 5:16

If you agree that Jeroboam’s rebellion led to the destruction of Israel and that strict adherence to God’s law is paramount, then it’s easy to get behind this plot. We can’t let someone change the rules, because this will lead us back down the path of self-destruction.

Jesus tries to clarify His actions for them.

In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17

Jesus is stirring the pot! If Jesus would have said, “You know that God never takes a day off,” there would have been little to discuss. God created the Sabbath for us, not Himself. That’s not the issue. The problem is that Jesus says, “My Father.”

Jesus suddenly states that He is the Son of God. He has a special relationship with God the Father that no one else can claim. John doesn’t give us any further dialog here, though I’d like to believe someone said, “excuse me, did You say, ‘My Father?’ Don’t You mean ‘Our’ Father?”

For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.  John 5:18

From their myopic perspective, Jesus must be stopped now! The Jewish leaders can’t allow this to continue.

I can sympathize with them except for one thing: they were NOT listening.

What does this mean for us today?

At the very least, this short passage should challenge us to evaluate the way we have established traditions and rules, whether written or understood. It should force us to carefully assess why we do what we do.

We have the privilege of reading the Bible in a hundred different ways. This gives us an incredible perspective and a great advantage over John. Of course, he had the opportunity of being an eye-witness and the ability to interview those who saw these signs and wonders performed. That’s a pretty big advantage that allowed him to craft the message through the prompting of the Spirit that relates to us today. My point is this: if John was able to see through mindless traditions when he was steeped in the culture, so should we. We must not get so comfortable with the traditions we have created that we miss Jesus standing right in front of us today.

Posted on

John: Healing at the Pool — Do You Want to Get Well?

As we head into chapter 5, I found it interesting that the NIV Application Commentary suggests the purpose of chapter 5 is to begin building the case against Jesus (cite below this post). This outline is helpful to give us some context for discussion:

The Crime (John 5:1–15)

  • A man at Bethesda is healed on the Sabbath
  • The man is interrogated
  • The criminal [Jesus] is identified

The Decision to Prosecute (John 5:16–18)

  • First basis: Jesus violates the Sabbath
  • Second basis: Jesus is making divine claims

Jesus Goes to Trial (John 5:19–47)

  • Jesus describes his “criminal” work
  • Jesus brings witnesses in his defense
  • Jesus prosecutes his opponents
  • Jesus identifies their crimes
  • Jesus challenges their ability to appeal

Read: John 5:1-15

In contrast to the request in the previous post where the principal character begs Jesus to heal his son, we now read a story where Jesus initiates the conversation. Instead of appealing to Jesus for help, Jesus sees the man and reaches out to him. While the man is not named in John’s gospel account, he would have been well known by the people from that area. After decades of inability to walk, people would certainly know him and his family.

In our modern culture, we can hide away in our houses and avoid our neighbors by slipping in and out of the garage by remote control. Not so back in the times represented here. Even though there were lots of people showing up for the special waters at Bethesda, this man was not nameless.

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6

The man’s response is one of logistics, he knows the process, but perhaps after so many years of sitting and waiting he has few friends or family that will do more than drop him off at the pool. Do the math. There are nearly 14,000 days in 38 years. That’s a lot of days to put up with a friend or relative that can’t walk! I don’t know if they transported him daily, but they certainly had to tend to his needs in some way or another.

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” John 5:7

When the healing waters of Bethesda are stirred, there’s a chance you can be healed if you’re placed in the water at the right time in the right location. Jesus doesn’t even address this superstition, nor does He denounce any potential medicinal benefits of minerals contained in the water. He simply says,

“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:8-9

After years of sitting and waiting, the man is healed in an instant! No wading in the pool. No special anointing oil or board of elders with hands on his legs. Jesus doesn’t tell the disciples to gather around and see how this is done. None of this implies any spectacle or special gathering. No spotlight, no microphones, and no additional words of instruction. The guy didn’t even know who Jesus was and most importantly, there was no public confession of faith before he was healed. None of that. Just a command.

The Pharisees check their rulebook and throw a flag:

The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” John 5:9-10

Seriously? For the first time in nearly 40 years, this man is able to walk, he is actually able to carry his mat, and you want to play the Sabbath card?

It takes them a while, but eventually, the Pharisees find out it is Jesus who committed the crime, He healed a man on the Sabbath.

Stop Sinning

The story is of a real person at a real place at a time when people saw a direct correlation between sin and suffering. If you are a sinner, you suffer. Do good and you will be rewarded. Right? Not exactly, but Jesus’ response directed at this man opens up a floodgate of questions:

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” John 5:14

Stop sinning certainly implies the man has been sinning and the rest of the statement leaves us to believe his infirmity was the result of said sin. This is problematic.

What do we do with this story?

John must have had a particular reason to share this story. Was he trying to establish that the Pharisees had lost their way as the NIVAC outline suggests? Is this story about superstitions versus miraculous healing? Should we focus on the relationship of sin to suffering? Pass the mic around. I’d love to hear what you think!

For this man and in this case it appears that he needs to repent and have a change of heart. I think he showed up in the temple because he understood that God is to be honored for such a miracle. When Jesus tells him to stop sinning with a warning, it’s pretty clear that there is some relationship between sin and suffering for this man at this time. I would hope that I would be open to hearing such words in my own life! If there was any inclination that my infirmity would return because of sinful actions, I believe I would heed the words of Jesus.

 

Source: Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland, David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 62791-62798). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Proudly powered by WordPress