John 11:49-53
49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
Jesus did many things which revealed who He is, and so the religious leaders were afraid of losing their standing and political security. So they began looking for ways to kill Jesus. One even said it was best for Him to die in place if all the rest. So true, for that is what happened on the cross. So in the 16th century others stood up and pointed to Christ Alone as the one who died for all, and the political church of those dark times sought to stop those like Luther bringing out God's word and the gospel to bring light and life.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Take Away the Stone!
John 11:39-43
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
Even after being dead for four days, nothing was too hard for God among us. He showed God's glory by doing the impossible, bringing a quite obviously dead man back to a normal life. All so we could see and believe Him, trusting what Jesus told us is true and sent as the Messiah to die and come back to life for us. So we can trust He will do the same for us!
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
Even after being dead for four days, nothing was too hard for God among us. He showed God's glory by doing the impossible, bringing a quite obviously dead man back to a normal life. All so we could see and believe Him, trusting what Jesus told us is true and sent as the Messiah to die and come back to life for us. So we can trust He will do the same for us!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Resurrection and the Life
John 11:23-27
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
When faced with death, Martha trusted in the sure hope of life after death - a resurrection to life. Jesus made it clear that He was that hope. Faith in Christ means death will be followed by life again, and we will never die again. But this only is through Jesus the Christ who came into the world to die and be the forerunner of resurrection from the grave - so we have a certain, demonstrated hope of forever!
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
When faced with death, Martha trusted in the sure hope of life after death - a resurrection to life. Jesus made it clear that He was that hope. Faith in Christ means death will be followed by life again, and we will never die again. But this only is through Jesus the Christ who came into the world to die and be the forerunner of resurrection from the grave - so we have a certain, demonstrated hope of forever!
Thursday, October 27, 2016
No Stumbling in the Light
John 11:7-10
7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
Jesus faced being stoned to death for saying He was God, yet as divine went into danger in the daylight to dispel the darkness. He told the disciples, and us, that we must keep our eyes on the light of the world and not the darkness around us. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can see where we are going to avoid stumbling. Without Him we stumble about aimlessly in the dark. We now have God's word available for the last 500 years after being suppressed to be able to see the light. Post tenebras lux.
7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
Jesus faced being stoned to death for saying He was God, yet as divine went into danger in the daylight to dispel the darkness. He told the disciples, and us, that we must keep our eyes on the light of the world and not the darkness around us. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can see where we are going to avoid stumbling. Without Him we stumble about aimlessly in the dark. We now have God's word available for the last 500 years after being suppressed to be able to see the light. Post tenebras lux.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Many Believed in Him
John 10:39-42
39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
Jesus was able to not let others take hold of Him for the wrong reasons, yet still openly allow those who believed Him by His works to draw near. Because Jesus was divine, He could do things such as make wine from water and give life to a man dead for four days - and call some to open the eyes of their hearts to believe as others refused to do so. It started with John at that place calling for repentance...
39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
Jesus was able to not let others take hold of Him for the wrong reasons, yet still openly allow those who believed Him by His works to draw near. Because Jesus was divine, He could do things such as make wine from water and give life to a man dead for four days - and call some to open the eyes of their hearts to believe as others refused to do so. It started with John at that place calling for repentance...
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Believe the Works
John 10:34-38
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
Corrupt judges were called God's representatives - so how much more the real God, Jesus the Son, be called more than God's judge? He is God Himself, demonstrated by miraculous deeds no mere mortal could do. So Jesus pointed to believe those if they would not believe His word. When we see the Son, there is the Father who spoke and things just were because He made the universe and us in it.
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
Corrupt judges were called God's representatives - so how much more the real God, Jesus the Son, be called more than God's judge? He is God Himself, demonstrated by miraculous deeds no mere mortal could do. So Jesus pointed to believe those if they would not believe His word. When we see the Son, there is the Father who spoke and things just were because He made the universe and us in it.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Jesus Declared Himself God
John 10:30-33
30 I and My Father are one.” 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
Jesus was almost stoned to death because He made himself God by saying He and the Father are one. He equaled Himself with God, and that was blasphemy to the Jews who said there is only one God; they could not accept that God was Father, Son, and Spirit in one God. His nature is not as ours, so we deny this truth. The things Jesus did even proved who Jesus is, yet denial and violence riled against truth, even as it does today.
30 I and My Father are one.” 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
Jesus was almost stoned to death because He made himself God by saying He and the Father are one. He equaled Himself with God, and that was blasphemy to the Jews who said there is only one God; they could not accept that God was Father, Son, and Spirit in one God. His nature is not as ours, so we deny this truth. The things Jesus did even proved who Jesus is, yet denial and violence riled against truth, even as it does today.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Sheep Hear and Follow Forever
John 10:26-29
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
Why do some refuse to believe Jesus? To put it simply, they are not His sheep, so they cannot hear His call over others. This Shepherd gives life unending with assurance of its certainty and absolute security - nobody can take His away from Him (including ourselves). God gives to His Son, and we are held secure by the promise and faithful character of God Himself. This is the true God and eternal life.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
Why do some refuse to believe Jesus? To put it simply, they are not His sheep, so they cannot hear His call over others. This Shepherd gives life unending with assurance of its certainty and absolute security - nobody can take His away from Him (including ourselves). God gives to His Son, and we are held secure by the promise and faithful character of God Himself. This is the true God and eternal life.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Jesus' Power Over Death
John 10:17-21
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Jesus was not raised from death by God the Father, but raised Himself as God the Son - not only did Jesus make blind men see, as God He has power over life and death. So who do you say Jesus is? Just a man, or God among us? Only He can give you life as you take Him at His word and submit to Him in admitting you sin against God and trust His Son alone for deliverance from justice. No religion or philosophy offers this free redemption.
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Jesus was not raised from death by God the Father, but raised Himself as God the Son - not only did Jesus make blind men see, as God He has power over life and death. So who do you say Jesus is? Just a man, or God among us? Only He can give you life as you take Him at His word and submit to Him in admitting you sin against God and trust His Son alone for deliverance from justice. No religion or philosophy offers this free redemption.
Friday, October 21, 2016
His Sheep Hear His Call
John 10:13-16
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus knows us and so we know Him; we don't know those who claim to know another way to God, because we do not belong to them in the first place. He also laid down His life for us, whereas false leaders expect us to die for them instead. So He brought Jew and Gentile together by His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. We can trust Him because we know Him and what He has done. This is not true for any other way.
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus knows us and so we know Him; we don't know those who claim to know another way to God, because we do not belong to them in the first place. He also laid down His life for us, whereas false leaders expect us to die for them instead. So He brought Jew and Gentile together by His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. We can trust Him because we know Him and what He has done. This is not true for any other way.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Christ is the Only Door to Life
John 10:7-10
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
We who are Christ's hear His call and enter through Him to life, not listening to those leading nowhere. Those who offer doors to nowhere only cause ruin in the lives of the ones listening to them - but we are saved from that which leads to God's anger and judgment, finding freedom in life to come and go with Him. Grace gives us ears to hear and eyes to see, so we listen and follow through the door of Christ to see His glory.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
We who are Christ's hear His call and enter through Him to life, not listening to those leading nowhere. Those who offer doors to nowhere only cause ruin in the lives of the ones listening to them - but we are saved from that which leads to God's anger and judgment, finding freedom in life to come and go with Him. Grace gives us ears to hear and eyes to see, so we listen and follow through the door of Christ to see His glory.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Sheep Hear the Master's Voice
John 10:1-4
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
False teachers and religions do not go God's way through Jesus Christ. They offer another door, one which steals truth and gives no care for the sheep. Jesus entered the door prepared from the creation of the world as the only way to the Father. So we who are His sheep hear and follow Him as the only door to life as we know the voice and trust the one we belong to.
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
False teachers and religions do not go God's way through Jesus Christ. They offer another door, one which steals truth and gives no care for the sheep. Jesus entered the door prepared from the creation of the world as the only way to the Father. So we who are His sheep hear and follow Him as the only door to life as we know the voice and trust the one we belong to.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Judgment on Self-Righteous
John 9:39-41
39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” 40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
Jesus came not only to save but also to judge the world - He gives sight, but also leaves those blind who in their own power and wisdom claim to see. Such pride of claiming to see apart from God enabling the sight is spiritual blindness that keeps sin in. The humility of faith acknowledges inability to see unless sight is first given, and allows grace to heal our souls.
39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” 40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
Jesus came not only to save but also to judge the world - He gives sight, but also leaves those blind who in their own power and wisdom claim to see. Such pride of claiming to see apart from God enabling the sight is spiritual blindness that keeps sin in. The humility of faith acknowledges inability to see unless sight is first given, and allows grace to heal our souls.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Lord, I Believe!
John 9:35-38
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” 38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.
Do you believe in the Son of God? That is the real question we all need to answer for eternity. This man believed Jesus because He could now see - and worshipped Him. If we answer who Jesus is and do we believe (have faith in) Him, we see God in the question and answer.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” 38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.
Do you believe in the Son of God? That is the real question we all need to answer for eternity. This man believed Jesus because He could now see - and worshipped Him. If we answer who Jesus is and do we believe (have faith in) Him, we see God in the question and answer.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
God Opens Eyes
John 9:30-33
30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
Jesus is attacked by those who refuse to admit they miss the mark of God's standards of right, and so claim even to not know where He is from - yet the scriptures already say where. So instead these try to discredit those who have admitted their lost state under His wrath and found forgiveness and a new life. Only the holy God can open blind eyes as Jesus did. He still does open eyes blinded and dead to Him.
30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
Jesus is attacked by those who refuse to admit they miss the mark of God's standards of right, and so claim even to not know where He is from - yet the scriptures already say where. So instead these try to discredit those who have admitted their lost state under His wrath and found forgiveness and a new life. Only the holy God can open blind eyes as Jesus did. He still does open eyes blinded and dead to Him.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Life From the Dust
John 9:15-17
15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
When God heals a man on the outside, many questions cast doubt; when He does the real healing of the soul on the inside, many doubt when we are not instantly perfected and so doubt he changed us. But he opened our eyes, and the signs of a changed life which continues to change us can be seen - even if denied by those who do works in the dark and do not want to admit they are sinners in the hand of a holy God...
15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
When God heals a man on the outside, many questions cast doubt; when He does the real healing of the soul on the inside, many doubt when we are not instantly perfected and so doubt he changed us. But he opened our eyes, and the signs of a changed life which continues to change us can be seen - even if denied by those who do works in the dark and do not want to admit they are sinners in the hand of a holy God...
Friday, October 14, 2016
Light and Sight of the World
John 9:6-8
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”
Light gives sight; so Jesus made a man's eyes well to see Him and understand who healed him. The one who made Adam from the ground and breathed life into him now used that same ground to make him anew. So Jesus makes us new in the whole, new creatures via a second birth as it were, out of more than just dust and breath. We are reborn in Him to be able to see the height and depth and breadth and unending length of God's love to us in His Son's sacrifice for our hope and His glory.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”
Light gives sight; so Jesus made a man's eyes well to see Him and understand who healed him. The one who made Adam from the ground and breathed life into him now used that same ground to make him anew. So Jesus makes us new in the whole, new creatures via a second birth as it were, out of more than just dust and breath. We are reborn in Him to be able to see the height and depth and breadth and unending length of God's love to us in His Son's sacrifice for our hope and His glory.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
God's Works Revealed in Us
John 9:1-5
1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
The light came into the world by God's word in creation, and again when that living word brought the light of sight to a grown man born blind. The man's parents did not sin to bring punishment on their son, nor he himself - God brought light to his eyes to see God's glory. So Jesus is the light of the world to make some of us see so He gets all the glory and allows us to see it.
1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
The light came into the world by God's word in creation, and again when that living word brought the light of sight to a grown man born blind. The man's parents did not sin to bring punishment on their son, nor he himself - God brought light to his eyes to see God's glory. So Jesus is the light of the world to make some of us see so He gets all the glory and allows us to see it.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Jesus is God, I AM
John 8:56-59
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
As God told His name to Moses as "I AM," so Jesus said He was I AM - the one who just exists without beginning or end. God is who He is. So is Jesus. This is how Moses saw Jesus then and to come as a man on earth, God among us, Emmanuel. Do we see Jesus as God?
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
As God told His name to Moses as "I AM," so Jesus said He was I AM - the one who just exists without beginning or end. God is who He is. So is Jesus. This is how Moses saw Jesus then and to come as a man on earth, God among us, Emmanuel. Do we see Jesus as God?
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Believe to Eternal Life
John 8:50-55
50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” ... 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.
Keeping God's word in Christ (turn and believe) brings life unending. We honor the Son who honors the Father because we know Him and do what He says. It is not following a set of rules to keep His word, but believing in the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent for us to honor and obey. Do you know, trust, and obey Him?
50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” ... 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.
Keeping God's word in Christ (turn and believe) brings life unending. We honor the Son who honors the Father because we know Him and do what He says. It is not following a set of rules to keep His word, but believing in the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent for us to honor and obey. Do you know, trust, and obey Him?
Monday, October 10, 2016
Only the Elect Hear
John 8:43-47
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
The one who is God's hears Jesus Christ. The one who does not hear is not God's. Truth can only be heard by those who are God's - the ones He knows and calls out. Others remain in a lie unless called. This is why so many heard Jesus speak, but so many were not His sheep and called Him a liar. They did not have ears to hear.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
The one who is God's hears Jesus Christ. The one who does not hear is not God's. Truth can only be heard by those who are God's - the ones He knows and calls out. Others remain in a lie unless called. This is why so many heard Jesus speak, but so many were not His sheep and called Him a liar. They did not have ears to hear.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Truth of the Word Frees Us
John 8:31-36
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” .. 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Living in God's word means to hear and trust God is absolutely true. This reveals His truth and is the only way to be set free from our sin and it's just punishment. We are either slaves of sin or we are His as sons and daughters. We are truly free only in Christ - through the faith that come only from hearing His word. The truth sets us free indeed.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” .. 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Living in God's word means to hear and trust God is absolutely true. This reveals His truth and is the only way to be set free from our sin and it's just punishment. We are either slaves of sin or we are His as sons and daughters. We are truly free only in Christ - through the faith that come only from hearing His word. The truth sets us free indeed.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Who is Jesus Christ?
John 8:25-30
25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.” 27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
People still ask who Jesus is as the Son of Man and God. He told us He and the Father (God) are one - if you see one, you see the other. He showed us by turning water to wine and bringing Lazarus from death to life after 4 days. But we refuse to believe what we see and hear when the finger of God stands before us as He did. He told us to turn from sin, but then to turn to believe in Him who would die for our sentence, freely pardoning and setting us free. As He speaks, many may yet believe in Him...
25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.” 27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
People still ask who Jesus is as the Son of Man and God. He told us He and the Father (God) are one - if you see one, you see the other. He showed us by turning water to wine and bringing Lazarus from death to life after 4 days. But we refuse to believe what we see and hear when the finger of God stands before us as He did. He told us to turn from sin, but then to turn to believe in Him who would die for our sentence, freely pardoning and setting us free. As He speaks, many may yet believe in Him...
Friday, October 7, 2016
Not of This World
John 8:21-24
21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?” 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
We cannot follow Jesus through the grave and back as those in His time; they sought Jesus in their own wisdom and strength, and still were dying in their sin. He was going to heaven where God our Father is, and made it clear that the only way not to die in our sin is to believe He is the I Am, the Messiah God-man. Only believing in the divine Jesus as both the I Am and Son of Man keeps us from dying in sin by being saved from wrath in Him.
21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?” 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
We cannot follow Jesus through the grave and back as those in His time; they sought Jesus in their own wisdom and strength, and still were dying in their sin. He was going to heaven where God our Father is, and made it clear that the only way not to die in our sin is to believe He is the I Am, the Messiah God-man. Only believing in the divine Jesus as both the I Am and Son of Man keeps us from dying in sin by being saved from wrath in Him.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Know Jesus to Know God
John 8:15-19
15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
Jesus is the only Judge with the Father. So all He says is testified to by God as Himself who is true. So if we know Jesus, we know God. This is why we listen to the Son of God to hear God, and what He said is in the Bible for us to hear and know God through Him.
15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
Jesus is the only Judge with the Father. So all He says is testified to by God as Himself who is true. So if we know Jesus, we know God. This is why we listen to the Son of God to hear God, and what He said is in the Bible for us to hear and know God through Him.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The Light of Life
John 8:12-14
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.
Light from Jesus allows us to walk and see where we are going. Without Him we stumble around in the darkness as we try to find the door; but Jesus said He alone is the door, so the light from it draws us to and through Him into that marvelous light. He told us so, and we know it is true because He came from heaven and returned there from the grave. So he knows and has told us He is that true light that comes int the world.
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.
Light from Jesus allows us to walk and see where we are going. Without Him we stumble around in the darkness as we try to find the door; but Jesus said He alone is the door, so the light from it draws us to and through Him into that marvelous light. He told us so, and we know it is true because He came from heaven and returned there from the grave. So he knows and has told us He is that true light that comes int the world.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Go and Sin No More
John 8:7-11
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Are we eager to throw rocks at others to say how bad they are and how they must be punished? But do we look at ourselves and see the guilt and the just punishment we deserve instead? God is the judge, and He accuses unless we by faith trust in His work on the cross to forgive us. So let us not condemn others, turn, and then stop sinning against our merciful God.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Are we eager to throw rocks at others to say how bad they are and how they must be punished? But do we look at ourselves and see the guilt and the just punishment we deserve instead? God is the judge, and He accuses unless we by faith trust in His work on the cross to forgive us. So let us not condemn others, turn, and then stop sinning against our merciful God.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Nobody Spoke Like Him!
John 7:46-51
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” 47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
Judging Jesus before listening to what He says goes against the Jewish law - but also against ours today. Prejudice in a court is out of place, and so with us if we do not hear Jesus first by reading the Bible for ourselves. Many who dismiss or attack Jesus never listen, only hearing others against Him and not looking for themselves, and don't know what is going on or what is even true. What do you do?
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” 47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
Judging Jesus before listening to what He says goes against the Jewish law - but also against ours today. Prejudice in a court is out of place, and so with us if we do not hear Jesus first by reading the Bible for ourselves. Many who dismiss or attack Jesus never listen, only hearing others against Him and not looking for themselves, and don't know what is going on or what is even true. What do you do?
Sunday, October 2, 2016
The Prophet's Coming Foretold
John 7:40-42
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
Many read that the Christ was coming, but they told of Bethlehem, not Nazareth of Galilee. But they did not know of the census and Jesus' family moving, so they refused to fully believe what He said and did based on incomplete knowledge of scripture and events. So we too must look deep and patiently wait at times for understanding of God's word and work.
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
Many read that the Christ was coming, but they told of Bethlehem, not Nazareth of Galilee. But they did not know of the census and Jesus' family moving, so they refused to fully believe what He said and did based on incomplete knowledge of scripture and events. So we too must look deep and patiently wait at times for understanding of God's word and work.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Thirsty? Come and Drink
John 7:37-39
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
At the festival of booths when prayer for rain was made and remembrance of water flowing from the rock in the wilderness in Israel's journey, Jesus spoke. He said He was the source of living water in us through faith in Him - who He is and what He offers. He now gives us His Spirit when we truly repent and believe, taking away the heart of stone, and that new water flows like a river from us. You have all His Spirit if you are reborn, and without it you are not His. We in Him honor and please Him as we let Him flow.
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
At the festival of booths when prayer for rain was made and remembrance of water flowing from the rock in the wilderness in Israel's journey, Jesus spoke. He said He was the source of living water in us through faith in Him - who He is and what He offers. He now gives us His Spirit when we truly repent and believe, taking away the heart of stone, and that new water flows like a river from us. You have all His Spirit if you are reborn, and without it you are not His. We in Him honor and please Him as we let Him flow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)