John 6:1-15 (adapted from KJV)

This chapter opens with Jesus crossing to the other shore on the Sea of Galilee. Probably a distance of about four miles. The region around the northern end of the Sea of Galilee is hilly but even so, we find in verse 2 that a great crowd was following Jesus.

This passage is silent as to whether Jesus walked around the top of the lake, or if one of his disciples supplied a boat for the trip. If he were on the water making the crossing, he would still have been in view of a crowd that may have been walking around the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus then went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. Then here comes the crowds. They had heard all about Jesus' miraculous healings.

(In case you were wondering just which of the three feasts were about to take place that would prompt Jesus to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, we get our answer in verse 4: ...the Jewish Passover Feast was near.)

Jesus saw the crowds. He figured they'd probably be hungry so he asked Phillip, "Where are we going to buy bread and fish for these people to eat?" (verse 5)

Truth is, Jesus already knew what he was about to do, according to verse 6. He just wanted to see what Phillip's response would be. Like a test.

Then Andrew offered this solution: He said a little boy offered to give them five barley loaves and two small fish. Andrew thought they ought to see how far that would go. Now this was in response to what Phillip had just said about needing eight months wages to buy enough fish and bread for the crowd to get just one bite each.

There's an interesting point to be made here that we don't want to overlook. Jesus wasn't just trying to be a good host by making sure his guests got to eat. Rather, I think Jesus was ever-conscious of the physical needs of the crowds.

Satisfying these physical needs paved the way for an analogy that might be used later on about Jesus' supplying everything needful, including earth-food and, more importantly, heavenly food. Jesus wanted the crowds to view him as the supplier of both.

So we've got these two little fishes. They could have been musht, a fish that's native to the Sea of Galilee. It grows to be about two pounds -- about the same size as a trout or a bass. The musht is also known by the name of Tilapia, a delicious fresh water fish that's enjoyed by millions around the world today. (It's also known as St. Peter's fish nowadays.)

So let's call the two fishes Tilapia and figure they weighed about two pounds. They'd need more than a 10,000 pounds of Tilapia to feed 5,000 people, assuming that people were limited to just one fish per person. Where in the world would they get five tons of Tilapia on such short notice?

And if they ended up close to the port village of Ramot, can you imagine getting that order for loaves of bread phoned in? Let's say one fish and two little round loaves of bread per person. That would be 10,000 loaves of bread. Even a commercial bakery couldn't deliver that kind of an order.

But then, there was Jesus. If the crowds were impressed by Jesus healing a couple of sick people, can you just imagine the surprise that was waiting for them?
 
So Jesus had his disciples find a comfortable spot to sit down. There was grass in this area. Maybe even some shade.

Then Jesus blessed the bread and fishes and had his disciples start to distribute them to the people. And get this, in verse 11, we learn that everybody could have as much as they wanted. So they weren't limited to just a little 2-pound fish.

But that's not the end of this story. After everybody got their tummies filled, Jesus told his disciples to go around and collect all the food that was left over, being sure not to waste any of the food.

Do you think there could possibly be any leftovers? And what started out as a measly little couple of fishes and five loaves of bread, they now had twelve big baskets filled with leftovers.

Now the crowd was buzzing. They started talking among themselves that this man was surely the prophet that had been promised down through the ages.

But Jesus, knowing what was in their hearts and minds, figured they were going to force him to be their king even if they had to do it by force. Kind of like what we would call a ""Draft Jesus" in our day and age.

But this wasn't what Jesus was sent to earth for. So he left them sitting there on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and went off by himself. He wouldn't have had to go far to get into wilderness area so that he could meditate and commune with his Father either.

John 5:31-47 (adapted from KJV)

The second half of this sermon seems -- at least to me -- that Jesus is talking to the multitudes about their crisis of faith.

They ought to be listening to him. They ought to realize that God had endorsed Jesus as his only Son.

Jesus wondered out loud in verse 37 whether or not the crowds believed God when he spoke out about Jesus being his Son. Remember Jesus at his baptism when the voice of the Father said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased? Matthew 3:17.

Even so, the crowds were not easily convinced -- even by Jesus. Jesus must have thought they were too wrapped up in Old Testament stories to believe that he had, indeed, come from his Heavenly Father. So Jesus goes back to the Old Testament times to help build a bridge in between his sermon and the thinking of the crowds when he reminds them that Moses had even written about Jesus. But if they weren't going to believe Moses and if they weren't going to believe God, then Jesus said they didn't have the love of God in their hearts.

Given that, Jesus chides them for studying the Scriptures and not coming to him for eternal life. After all, the Scriptures testify about Jesus and there he was standing in front of them and they still didn't believe he was who he said he was.

Okay then, Jesus says to them in verse 40, you are refusing to come to me for eternal life. 

Remember that only a few verses ago, Jesus told the crowd that he had been given the authority under heaven to make judgments about the people on earth. But Jesus said he wasn't going to be their accuser (in verse 45) Instead, Moses would be their accuser if they were setting all their hopes on Moses.

Moses wrote this about Jesus (from The Jerusalem Bible): 

Genesis 49:10 -- The scepter shall not pass from Judah, nor the mace from between his feet, until he come to whom it belongs, to whom the peoples shall render obedience.

Exodus 12:21 -- (about the Passover) -- Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and choose animals from the flock on behalf of your families, and kill the Passover victim.

Leviticus 16:5 -- He is to receive two goats for a sacrifice for sin and a ram for a holocaust from the community of the sons of Israel.

Numbers 24:17 -- I see him -- but not in the present, I behold him -- but not close at hand: a star from Jacob takes the leadership, a scepter arises from Israel. It crushes the brows of Moab -- the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.

Deuteronomy 17:15 -- I will appoint a king over me like all the surrounding nations. It must be a king of Yahweh's choosing whom you appoint over you; it must be one from among your brothers that is appointed king over you; you are not to give yourself a foreign king who is no brother of yours.

It's not a coincidence that Jesus preached this sermon about the importance of the Passover and the sacrifices that Moses admonished. After all, in 1 Corinthians 5:7, ...Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed ...

Jesus ends his sermon to the crowds with the note that if they weren't going to believe what Moses said, they wouldn't believe him either.

But you can be sure that he gave them a lot to think about for they returned to their homes. No doubt there were many discussions about this man who preached on the hillsides.

Maybe he really was the Son of God.

Maybe we ought to search him out and hear more from this man from Galilee.

Maybe maybe maybe. And then maybe became too late.

The crowds and multitudes that followed Jesus from place to place toyed with the idea that perhaps he might be the Son of God.

But we know different and yet there are those who still toy with their faith lives and faith practices. They live out their lives as if there would always be time to accept Jesus as Lord. They live out their lives under the assumption that there will always be a time to make a course correction, as if they will be conscious during their last moments of breath.

Better to reckon with all that now while we still have our wits about us and we can make the choice to bring Jesus into our hearts and dedicate our lives to this simple Godly truth.

It is through Jesus and only through Jesus that we will ever know life eternal.

Even -- and especially -- if Oprah makes the claim that there are "many ways" to get to heaven. Oh no there isn't. There is only one way and that way is through Jesus Christ.

John 5:19-30 (adapted from KJV)

The rest of this chapter is a sermon from Jesus. And it has a wealth of thought for all of us as believers in Christ.

For instance, Jesus defines an interdependent relationship between him and his heavenly father. In verse 19, Jesus says he doesn't do anything by himself. That's an important distinction. Jesus wasn't walking up and down the length of the countryside doing whatever pleased him.

Oh no. He was well aware of his allegiance to his father. And he was also more than aware of his limitations. He knew, in his own words in verse 19, that whatever his father did, he would do.

Clear enough so far.

Now comes a deeper moment in Jesus' thinking. In verse 20, Jesus says that his father shows Jesus all that he does. And wonder of wonders, the father would even show the people in the crowds that had gathered that Jesus would be doing even greater things.

And what is the one thing that God, and only God, can do that no other miracle worker or prophet of old could do? And believe me, these prophets back in the Old Testament could do some mighty things, with God's help.

But there was one thing that God has reserved for himself alone and that is bestowing the gift of life, and specifically raising a dead person back to life.

No matter how many times we watch the movie Frankenstein, it remains a mystery as to how life miraculously flows from God's hands to ignite life within a human being. And Jesus does what the father does.

But now listen to what Jesus says in verse 22. Jesus tells the crowds that the father doesn't judge them. Judgment is something that Jesus does. Did you think that it was God the Father waiting at the Pearly Gates who would judge you and decide whether you get into heaven or not?

Not so. Not according to John 5:22.

So if you've been worried about whether God the Father was going to keep you out of heaven and that his son, Jesus, was some minor character in the heavenly drama of who gets eternal life or not, think again. It's Jesus who decides what judgment befalls you.

The Bible says so. And Jesus shares this vital truth with the multitudes who had gathered to hear him. In verse 23, John says that if you want to honor the Father, you'd better honor the Son, because it's this Son -- Jesus Christ -- who requires that each of us believe what he has to say. If you don't believe Jesus, then you don't honor him. And if you don't honor Jesus, you dishonor the Father who sent him.

End of discussion.

Then Jesus tells the crowd that the time has come when the dead will raise up from their graves when he calls them forth. The dead will hear Jesus' voice. And the people who are dead and hear Jesus' voice will live because they recognized him as the Savior.

Life is a gift. Life is in the Father. We need to understand this against the history of the Old Testament because God the Father has given this gift-giving life to the Son also. You see, in the Old Testament, the gift of life came from God the Father. That did not change when Jesus was born because the Father gave his Son this gift-giving life also.

Now, there is a key passage in this sermon that may seem contradictory to you. That is, in verse 28, Jesus says that the people who come from their graves will be given life if they have done good. Some of you, perhaps contrarians, will think, "Aha, I thought you said we are given life through God's grace."

And that's a true statement too, because if we are believers in Christ, we take in all his goodness. He erases the sins from our hearts through his death on the cross and we do good because we become redeemed by Christ's blood.

Those who do evil things, who bear rotten fruit as James would say, will rise up from their graves as condemned persons who suffer the judgment of Jesus Christ. But in verse 30 Jesus again points to the interdependence with his Father when he says that by himself he can do nothing, but he makes his judgments to please his Father. And he closes this part of the sermon by saying that his judgments are just because his Father makes them so.

It is through Divine origin, then, that all good things come to life within us. And we need to pray for the protection of that good life within us daily. It's that divine grace that brings to us the only way we can live a life of faith in the Son of God.

Our temperament and personality and services here on earth follow out of that divine faith and belief in Jesus. It is his voice that we always want to listen for. It whispers to us in the still, quiet soul that lives within us.

It is Jesus who wants to hear from us each night before we go to bed. It is Jesus who washes our sins away every day as we sleep.

John 5:1-17(adapted from KJV)

With these early verses in Chapter 5, we read about some timing. To scholars, this is important because we want to place a time span on the length of Jesus' ministry.

Verse 1 says that Jesus went to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews.

These festivals were Passover, Pentecost or the Feast of Tabernacles. John mentions the Passover in 2:13, 23; 6:4; and the third time is mentioned more than once: in 11:55 and 12:1. The point is, if there were three Passovers, then we could say that Jesus' ministry lasted three years. But if this feast in 5:1 is a Passover feast, then that would extend Jesus' ministry to four years.

These three feasts were known as pilgrimage feasts and Jewish males were expected to make these pilgrimages.

So this is why Jesus was hurrying through Samaria on his pilgramage to Jerusalem.

When he arrived at Jerusalem, he went over to the Sheep Gate, which is also known as Bethzatha in Hebrew, or Bethesda in Aramaic. This was an important gate. And if it had five porticoes, it must have been big.

What was exciting about Bethesda is that the angel of the Lord come to the pool and stir the water. Then, the first person who got into the water would be healed. It didn't matter whether the person had been blind from birth, was crippled, or paralyzed. The important thing was to get into the water as soon as the angel had stirred the waters.

So now here is Jesus. And here is a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

Jesus knew this. It was a kind of little secret that they shared for that moment in time.

Jesus walked over to the man and asked him why he didn't get into the pool and be healed. "Don't you want to get well," Jesus asked him.

Well, of course the man wanted desperately to be healed. So he told Jesus that. And then he added, "But I don't have anybody to help me into the pool."

Jesus had a better cure for this man than anything the angel of the Lord could have done for him. All Jesus had to do was say, "Get up and walk, then."

Well, okay then. The guy got up, rolled up his mat and walked away! Just like that.

All's well that ends well, right?

Not so. There was troublemakers hanging around. It almost seems like they were just waiting to catch Jesus doing something. Anything.

Jesus hurried into the crowd. But this man didn't particularly know who had healed him. Later, Jesus ran into the man again. He must have still been carrying his mat because Jesus told him to stop sinning.

That was the rule -- no working on the Sabbath. Carrying his mat was a sin because it was considered toil. Not so much because the man was carrying his mat, but the rule was not to carry a load of any kind.

This wasn't one of Moses' laws. It was a Jewish interpretation of the law.

Now we don't know whether Jesus introduced himself or if the man learned who Jesus was from someone else, or if he figured that if Jesus told him to stop sinning, then Jesus must have been a Rabbi of some sort. And there was word around town that Jesus was a Rabbi.

The man went and told the Jews who had healed him. Then, in verse 16, we read that the Jews began persecuting Jesus. We don't know what they did to persecute Jesus at that point but they could have done a lot of things to make a complete nuisance out of themselves.

Jesus even reminded them that his Father continued to work all the time even on the Sabbath, and Jesus said, "I work too."

And we'll see in our continuing lessons how the murderous plots against Jesus began.

John 4:27-54 (adapted from King James Version)

Jesus was still talking with the Samarian woman when his disciples returned with food for them to eat. The woman left and headed back to the town she had come from. In essence, she told the men, "You're just not going to believe who I ran into at the well."

They were curious, to say the least. "First of all, I met a man who was somehow able to tell me everything I've ever done. And I think he's the Christ that we've been waiting for."

They all hurried back to the well. These men really wanted to meet Jesus and see for themselves whether or not he was the promised Christ. When they all got back to the well, sure enough Jesus was still sitting there with his disciples.

The disciples, being the over-protective sorts, tried to get Jesus to eat. After all, they had travelled some distance to get to this point. And walking through the desert over the hill country wasn't the easiest thing to do. They weren't barefoot but sandals are the next step up from barefoot.

They certainly didn't have nice Nike walking shoes in those days. Or boots to keep the dust out. Jesus was tired. And he must have been hungry if he had sent his disciplines out to get some food.

So now they came back with food and they wanted him to eat something to keep his strength up.

But Jesus turned them down.

Well, that was a curious thing for Jesus to do. The disciples wondered if someone had brought Jesus something to eat while he was sitting there at the well.

"Oh no," Jesus said. "I have food you don't know about."

Well, that was a strange thing to say, they must have thought. And what food might that be?

Jesus told his disciples that his nourishment came from doing the will of his Father, and completing the job that God had sent him to do. That gave him all the sustenance he needed. Jesus said.

But then the Samaritans wanted to know if Jesus had a place to stay and since he didn't, it was settled. He'd stay with them as long as he wanted. Two days was the length of time Jesus that settled down for a rest. And while Jesus was among them, he talked and talked and told them things they needed to hear.

Many new believers joined with Jesus while he was in their little village. Then Jesus and his disciples were on their way. Headed off toward Galilee again.

They came to Cana. This is where Jesus went to the wedding feast and turned the water into wine, but the Apostle John doesn't spend as much time on the details as the other gospel writers do.

But John does tell us about the nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When this gentleman heard that Jesus was in the area, he hurried to see him, hoping that Jesus could heal his son who was at the point of death.

"Of course, I'll heal your son. It's because of these signs and miracles that I am able to bless you with that makes you believe my message. If you believe that I am able to heal your son, then your son will live."

So Jesus didn't actually need to go to the nobleman's son and see him lying in bed. All he had to do was look into the man's heart and see that wonderful miracle of faith and he knew then that the nobleman believed in him.

Then everybody in the nobleman's house also came to believe in Jesus.

And this was the second miracle that Jesus performed in his ministry here on earth.

John 4:1-26 (adapted from King James Version, public domain)

In the early verses of this chapter, we see that the Pharisees continue to take a near-microscopic interest in what Jesus is doing. We aren't sure what it is exactly that they were looking for. But you can be sure that if something turned up, they'd know that was it.

So the rumors started flying. One of those rumors that got back to the Pharisees was that Jesus was baptizing more than John was. In truth, it was Jesus' disciples who were doing all this baptizing, not Jesus.

In response to this rumor mongering, Jesus thought he'd better head north back to Galilee. Galilee was about a 75 mile hike north to Galilee from Judea. (see these notes: http://sermons.messiahks.com/2008/02/07/crossroads-1-from-galilee-to-judea/) -- see verses 1-3

But before Jesus got back to Galilee, he first had to go through Samaria. The Jews didn't like going through the region of Samaria. In fact, according to a footnote I have in my Concordia Study Bible, page 1609, the Jews would often cross over the Jordan River for the journey north on the east side of the river. They would avoid going through Samaria by taking the east side.

But Jesus did not cross over the Jordan; instead his travels took him through a small hamlet called Sychar (verse 5), about ten miles west of the Jordan River. see map of the area at: http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/jordan-river.html
 
Jesus was tired from his travels by the time he got to Sychar. He was in a hurry because he wanted to get to Sychar by the sixth hour which is noon in Jewish time.

And Sychar is important to Jesus because this is the site where Jacob's well was. This well was on the ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. (see verses 5-6)

Jesus was sitting there beside the well, kind of resting and minding his own business. His disciples had gone into town to buy some food, according to verse 7. So here comes this woman on a mission to draw water from Jacob's well.

Jesus asked her if she'd give him a drink.

This request took the woman by surprise because she recognized that Jesus was a Jew. She was a Samaritan and the two didn't associate with each other. (verse 9)

And then Jesus said something even more puzzling to her. He told her that if she had any idea who she was talking to, she'd be the one asking for water because Jesus could give her living water. (verse 10)

Well, being the observant woman that she was, she reminded Jesus that it was a very deep well and he didn't have a thing to draw water with. After all, she wanted Jesus to know that this was Jacob's well and Jacob had given the well to her countrymen. In fact, Jacob himself had drunk from that very well. And his sons and daughters had also. (verses 11-12)

Then Jesus out-answered her when he said that everybody who drinks from Jacob's well gets thirst again, but Jesus could supply a living water and whoever drank that water would never get thirsty again. In fact, that special water would well up inside anyone who had a drink of it and bring eternal life. (verses 13-14)

So now she wants some of this water so that she wouldn't ever get thirsty again. Instead of giving her the living water, Jesus tells her to go get her husband. The woman tells Jesus that she doesn't have a husband.

Actually, he already knew that without her having told him. He told her that she'd already had five husbands and was living with someone right then who wasn't married to her. (verses 15-18)

Well, okay then. She figured out right away that this man had to be a prophet if he knew these secrets about her. Then they got into a conversation about where the Samaritans were supposed to worship. The woman said that the Jews were always telling them that they were supposed to worship in Jerusalem even though the Samaritans were worshiping on the mountain where they were standing. (verses 19-20)

Jesus reminded her that the time was coming when she'd be worshiping his Father, but it wouldn't be from some little mountain in Samaria and it wouldn't even be from Jerusalem. Jesus told her that salvation was coming from the Jews and the time was coming when everyone would worship his Father in spirit and truth, not  from a physical location. (verses 21-24)

Then the woman said she knew the Messiah was coming. And Jesus told her, in verse 26, that he was the person the woman was talking about.

John 3:22-36, from King James Version (public domain)

We have a change of scenes after Jesus and Nicodemus had their discussion about being born again.

Now we see Jesus out in the Judean countryside with his disciples. Jesus was baptizing people who came to him.

John was also baptizing in a river near Aenon near Salim. There was plenty of water available to him there. (verses 22-24)

We don't know who the man was who posed a question to John about purification but a discussion followed between him and John about this and baptizing and ceremonial cleansing.

This Jew told John, Hey, remember that man that you were with over there on the other side of the Jordan? He's the one that you told us about.Well, he's over there baptizing people too. And lots of people are going up to him asking to be baptized.

This did not pose any difficulty for John. In fact, he told the Jew that a person can't receive anything unless it's given to him.

He assured the Jew that he, John, was not the Christ. But Jesus was and because Jesus was sent by God, John's joy was now complete. (see verses 25-30)

John wanted it clearly understand that he was a mortal man and he talked in an earthly way. But this other man, the one who came from heaven brings a message from God, even though there were some people who didn't believe Jesus' message. No matter, John says, whoever does receive Jesus' message receives the seal of God and that seal is the profound belief that God is true. (verses 26-33)

Keep in mind that as you read this chapter, when you believe the message that God sends through his Word, God will then give you his Spirit without measure.

John then tells the Jew that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life and whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. In the final analysis, then, everlasting life could only be had by faith in Jesus Christ because Jesus' words were the word of God. (From Matthew Henry's commentary)

Discussion: Do you have difficulty taking in the Word of God, as if you were blocked from receiving such a joyful experience?

If you do, pray right now at this very moment that God our Heavenly Father will send his Holy Spirit to minister to you in your spiritual needs. Remember that our Heavenly Father has promised to give us the Holy Spirit without any limits.

I thank you all for your kind thoughts as you have touched me with your gentle spirits as I have mourned the loss of my dear sister in these past few months. I am comforted just in knowing that she joins our mother and so many other loved ones in heaven where they worship and praise God.


 

John 3:1-21 (adapted from KJV-- in public domain)

In the early verses of this chapter, we hear the old, familiar story from Sunday School about Nicodemus and the conversation that he had with Jesus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and in verse 1, John says that he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. We can take that to mean that he was also a member of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus was more than aware of the miracles that Jesus was performing and he figured that these miracles must mean that Jesus had come from God.

We'll meet Nicodemus again in John 7:45-51 when Jesus is brought before the Pharisees, and again in John 19:39-42 when Nicodemus went with Joseph of Arimathea to claim the body of Jesus for burial.
 
But on a dark night, Nicodemus came to meet Jesus. It was a meeting in secret. It was a meeting with Jesus away from the crowds that followed him.

Nicodemus wanted to know more.

It was in that conversation that Jesus' metaphor met the literal language of a man searching for truth within his soul.

Jesus said, in verse 3: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus was perplexed. Did Jesus mean, you know, born again? How could a person do that? You mean, somehow get back in the womb and be born again?

Then Jesus clarified in verses 5-6: ...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, "You must be born again."

Nicodemus persisted and asked how this could be.

Then Jesus said that for a smart man, he didn't know much. Well, Jesus didn't say those exact words, but he did say that since Nicodemus was a master of Israel, he ought to know these things.

And then in verse 12, Jesus said, I have told you earthly things, and you believe not. How shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?

Matthew Henry says this about these "heavenly things" -- ...Christ was God's Holy One, sanctified and set apart to his service in the work of redemption. His death and sufferings should be, not to him only, but to all his, the entrance to a blessed life for evermore. This event had taken place as foretold, and the apostles were witnesses. Nor did the resurrection rest upon this alone; Christ had poured upon his disciples the miraculous gifts and Divine influences, of which they witnessed the effects. Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made know; and we are encouraged to expect God's presence, and his favour for evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed Saviour.

Then Jesus brings the great promise from his Father to Nicodemus in verses 16-17: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

In verses 19-21, Jesus tells Nicodemus that evil men condemn themselves. Their evil deeds run through the darkness of night. They won't come into the light because their misbehavior would become more and more obvious.

And in verse 21, Jesus says: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Discussion:

What have you done today that would make God proud of you? Hopefully, that would be a long discussion.

Who have you met today that you think God sent to cross your path? What did you do with this person?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your Son to die for my sins. I am not worthy. I can't repay the gift of salvation. All I can do is accept the gift of life everlasting and say thank you for your love.

And I bring my prayerful concerns before you and ask that you would bless me with these concerns in Jesus' name. Amen.

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John 2:1-25 (adapted from KJV, in public domain, except as noted)

This is the chapter where John tells us about Jesus' first miracle. He changed water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. This was an important miracle for a couple of reasons. Not so much because of the appearance of alchemy -- that is, making one thing out of something else, but rather because of the importance of showing good hospitality. It would have been quite an affront for the host of a wedding feast to run out of wine. And back in those days, wedding feasts could go on for days. It was a big deal!

So it was Jesus' mother who came to him with the alert that the wine was gone.

Jesus then asked his mother why he ought to have anything to do with that; after all, he said, "My hour has not yet come."

My Concordia Study Bible says (on page 1607) that Jesus makes other similar references in this gospel:

In John 7:6-8 -- (When he has gone to the temple for the Feast of Tabernacles) Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." NIV

John 7:30 -- Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me." At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. NIV

and John 8:20 -- He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come. NIV

Even though we have no recorded miracles up to this point in Jesus' life, perhaps his mother's concern about the host's hospitality was enough to change his mind about drawing attention to himself.

At any rate, there were 6 large clay pots nearby -- they held 20-30 gallons of water each. They were actually used to hold water for foot-washing. So he had servants fill the clay pots and then had the pots taken to the host.

Well, you know the wine was a recipe of perfection! Even one of the guests commented about the superb quality of the wine. They were surprised that the host was serving the good wine after everyone had had wine.

So when the disciples saw what Jesus did, they believed on him. (verse 11)

After they left the wedding feast, Jesus and his entourage went down to Capernaum. They stayed there for quite a few days until the Passover time came.

It was time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem. But what does he see when he gets into the temple area? There are sheep and oxen and someone selling doves as well for sacrifices on the altars.

Jesus did not want retail trade going on in the temple. He made a whip out of some cords and threw the retailers out. Then he turned over tables where they had set up shop and said, "Get this out of here and don't make my Father's house a house of merchandise."

The Jews then asked Jesus just exactly what authority he had to throw the merchandisers out and Jesus told them in verse 19-21: Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

Then said the Jews, "Forty and six years as this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"

But he spake of the temple of his body. KJV

The disciples heard all this but it would not be until after Jesus was resurrected from the dead that they would recall what Jesus said this day in the temple.

From this point, Jesus began to perform miracles and draw believers unto him.

Discussion: This particular area where the merchandisers, or money changers, were selling animals for altar sacrifices just happened to be the one place in the temple where gentiles could go to pray.

Since there are no coincidences where God is concerned, what do you make of Jesus' anger at the merchandisers who had set up shop in this part of the temple? Or do you think it mattered where in the temple they put their tables out for business?

Keep in mind that this had been the way things were for many years. People often traveled a great distance to come to Jerusalem for feast days and it was a convenience for them to be able to buy their sacrificial animals in Jerusalem rather than bringing the animals with them.

What strikes you about Jesus' first miracle of making about 180 gallons of wine for the wedding feast?

He told his mother, "My time has not yet come." Do you think he is contemplating his fate, for he knew the task he had been sent to earth to accomplish.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of your son who died for my sins and for the salvation of all mankind. As we read and study the gospel message of salvation again, I pray that you would send your Holy Spirit into my heart to rekindle my love and desire to serve you with everything I do in life. Amen.

##

John 1:35-51

Interesting verses, 35 and 36 -- ...the next day John stood and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

What I find interesting here is the mention of John the Baptist's two disciples. One is Andrew (see verse 40) and from the earliest of times, the second disciple of the Baptist has been considered to be John, the writer of this gospel.

I say interesting because I don't usually think of John the Baptist as having disciples, do you? And yet, in this chapter, we see that Jesus starts to draw his group of disciples together.

Do you recall that when John opened his gospel, he said that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

Well, because so many of you have written that you enjoyed the musical pieces from the Bible Study in the last week or so regarding doxologies, I have found a most interesting piece entitled Praise to the Lord, the Almighty played on a carillon. But not just any carillon. This one is played with ropes. You have to see is to believe it. Naturally, it predates keyboards for those years long ago when there was no electricity.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TNy8UOvdyNM

Here'e a beautiful version of this timeless hymn with some restful, peaceful photography: http://youtube.com/watch?v=c9zHn4QSH-8&feature=related

Matthew Henry brings us a deep understanding of what John the Baptist meant when he said that he baptized with water, but one who comes after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit (verse 33): ...Our corrupt hearts cannot be made to produce good fruit, unless the regenerating Spirit of Christ graft the good word of God upon them.

And every tree, however high in gifts and honors, however green in outward professions and performances, if it bring not forth good fruit, the fruits meet for repentance, is hewn down and cast into the fire of God's wrath, the fittest place for barren trees: what else are they good for? If not fit for fruit, they are fit for fuel.

John shows the design and intention of Christ's appearing, which they were now speedily to expect.

No outward forms can make us clean. No ordinances, by whomsoever administered, or after whatever mode, can supply the want of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire. The purifying and cleansing power of the Holy Spirit alone can product that purity of heart, and those holy affections, which accompany salvation. It is Christ who baptizes with the Holy Ghost.
read more: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=48&source=2&seq=i.47.3.2

Jesus then begins to call his disciples to follow him:

1 and 2. So Peter was the first disciple called by Jesus. We also learn that his brother Andrew was called at the same time from our reading of Matthew 4:18-19 -- As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

3. In John 1:45, as Jesus was going into Galilee, he found Philip and said, "Follow me."

4. Then Philip saw Nathaniel and very excitedly said that he had found the Messiah that Moses had talked about, Jesus of Nazareth. Nathaniel apparently was not impressed because he asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (see verse 46) Philip was not about to be put off all that easily so he said, "Come and see."

Then, when Jesus met Nathaniel, he said to him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Nathaniel wanted to know how Jesus knew him. Jesus told him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." (see verse 48)   

Nathaniel was convinced. He acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and said, "Thou art the King of Israel." (see verse 49)

It was as if Jesus said, "You just wait," when he answered Nathaniel in verses 50-51: Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, 'I saw thee under the fig tree?' believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these." And he said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, 'Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

5 and 6. Again, from Matthew 4:21, we learn that Jesus calls James the son of Zebedee and his brother John (who is the writer of this gospel).

The full list of the disciples can be found in Matthew 10:2-4: These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Discussion:

As we close this first chapter, what have you learned about John the Baptist and his ministry on earth? How did it differ from Jesus' ministry?

Question for you to think about and talk about if you are using these Bible Studies for your groups: Can you imagine Jesus walking up to these disciples and telling them he wanted them to walk away from their jobs and come along with him as he walked through the villages and countryside?

Would you go with him? In retrospect, all of us certainly would. But what if you were alive back then -- before Jesus' preaching, before you saw any of the miracles (especially his raising people from death), and his crucifixion and then the resurrection. Sure, we'd all do it now. But what about in the beginning of Jesus' ministry? Would you?

A beautiful hymn to close our study for today is performed by the Celtic Women, "You Raise Me Up." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-17NWRddUk&feature=related

Keep this hymn in mind as you go through the next day or so and remember that God does not call the equipped -- rather, he equips the called. He will put people in your path that he wants to be there for some purpose. He will raise you up with strength for the tasks he brings to you.

Listen to the incredible Josh Groban deliver this song wih his powerful voice alongside The African Children's Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OOhd6R2EiY&feature=related

Keep in mind that whenever you are doing the Lord's work, he will let you stand on his shoulders. He will keep you strong. He will guide you. He loves you. He prays for you before his father in heaven.

We pray: Oh Lord, our heavenly father, as we close this chapter of our study, I pray that you will send your Holy Spirit to be with me in those moments of peaceful quiet with you. I pray that you would restore me, make my faith stronger, and dictate the order of all my days so that I will serve you better with my whole heart. 

I pray that you would protect me from Satan and all that is evil. Amen.

##
 

John 1:19-34

John the Baptist was baptizing new converts in the River Jordan. Word got back to the synagogue that there was a new teacher baptizing people so some priests and Levites were sent from the temple to check out this baptizer.

The Levites would have been more than just a little curious since spiritual instruction was within their purview. In 2 Chronicles 35:3, we read -- He said to the Levites, who instructed all Israel and who had been consecrated to the Lord ...

This entourage approached John and asked him who he was. Right away, John said he wasn't the Christ.

Well, okay then. But was he Elijah? The Levites knew about Elijah and the fact that he hadn't died. So if this man who was giving instructions of faith and baptizing people was really Elijah, then they could surmise that Elijah had come back to issue in the end of the age. Right? Well, John said he wasn't Elijah. So that was that.

Well, then, was he a prophet? Nope. Not one of those either.

Well, just exactly who are you, they wanted to know. And why was he baptizing people if he wasn't the Christ, or Elijah, or even a prophet?

And here comes the big difference. We heard Paul's sermons and letters peppered with this difference that John makes. He says, in verse 26: I baptize with water; but there standeth one among you, whom you know not. He it is, who cometh after me...whose shoe laces I am not worthy to untie."

That was a humbling expression of servanthood on John's part. Since men walked everywhere they went, their feet got tired and dusty. So when they arrived at whatever place they were visiting, it was not unusual at all for a foot washer to refresh them with a foot bath. This would, most likely, have been a job delegated to servants.

The next day John saw Jesus walking toward him and said, in verse 29b, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This is the man John had been talking about when he said someone would come after him who would be the preferred person. Then in verse 31, John says that he didn't know Jesus.

But they were cousins. John's mother was Elizabeth, remember? Elizabeth was Jesus' mother's aunt, so that would make John and Jesus second cousins. However, John had been out in the desert all this time with his own ministry of getting people to convert and be ready for the coming of the Messiah. He lived out there until he appeared publicly to Israel (Luke 1:80). So it's possible that he didn't recognize Jesus if they hadn't been in proximity to each other.

More likely, says my Concordia Study Bible on page 1604, ...the words probably mean only that he did not know that Jesus was the Messiah until he saw the sign mentioned in verses 32-33.

This sign, John says: I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.

John continued, And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Then John says, in verse 34: ...this is the Son of God.

John is with two men who are his disciples. Tomorrow, we'll pick up at this point.

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John 1:1-18 (adapted from KJV--in public domain)

If we want to learn why John penned this gospel message, we have only to look at his own words in 20:13 -- But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. NIV

So John says, in verses 1-2: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. KJV

Similar words at a later date come to us like this -- Revelation 19:13 -- He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. ESV

And in Hebrews 4:12, we read: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ESV

Pheme Perkins puts it this way: Jesus is the Word of God sent into the world to summon people to faith and salvation. Jesus' death expresses God's love for the world in sending the Son. But even though Jesus represents God the mystery of human freedom remains....John 20:30-31 says that the point of the gospel is to bring its reader to faith in Jesus as messiah, Son of God. (Reading the New Testament, p. 253)

Matthew Henry has this to say: ...Christ executed one part of his priesthood on earth, in dying for us; the other he executes in heaven, pleading the cause, and presenting the offerings of his people. In the sight of Infinite Wisdom, it was needful that the Saviour of men should be one who has the fellow-feeling which no being but a fellow-creature could possible have; and therefore it was necessary he should actually experience of all the effects of sin that could be separated from its actual guilt.

God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, Romans 8:3, but the more holy and pure he was, the more he must have been unwilling in his nature to sin, and must have had deeper impression of its evil; consequently the more must he be concerned to deliver his people from its guilt and power.

We should encourage ourselves by the excellence of our High Priest, to come boldly to the throne of grace. Mercy and grace are the things we want; mercy to pardon all our sins, and grace to purify our souls. Besides our daily dependence upon God for present supplies, there are seasons for which we should provide in our prayers; times of temptation, either by adversity or prosperity, and especially our dying time. We are to come with reverence and godly fear, yet not as if dragged to the seat of justice, but as kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns.

We have boldness to enter into the holiest only by the blood of Jesus; he is our Advocate, and has purchased all our souls want or can desire.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=66&source=2&seq=i.65.4.2

In verse 6, John introduces us to the forerunner of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist.

This man, John says in verses 6-7, came to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. KJV

John cautions the reader, in verses 7-8 that this forerunner was not the messiah: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. KJV

John the Baptist's ministry fulfilled the Scripture according to the prophet Isaiah's message of 40:3 -- A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God..."

Henry says this: ...When way is made for the gospel into the heart, by taking down high thoughts, and bringing them into obedience to Christ, by leveling the soul, and removing all that hinders us in the way of Christ and his grace, then preparation is made to welcome the salvation of God.

Here are general warnings and exhortations which John gave. The guilty, corrupted race of mankind is become a generation of vipers; hateful to God, and hating one another.

There is no way of fleeing from the wrath to come, but by repentance; and by the change of our way the change of our mind must be shown.

...John the Baptist gave instructions to several sorts of persons. Those that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation, according to their places and conditions.

The gospel requires mercy, not sacrifice; and its design is to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. And the same principle which leads men to forego unjust gain, leads to restore that which is gained by wrong.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=50&source=2&seq=i.49.3.1

John the Baptist makes an interesting note in verse 15 about Jesus: This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for he was before me. Ordinarily older people are ranked ahead of younger people and John the Baptist was older than Jesus. However, he says in this verse that Jesus is preferred -- that Jesus outranks John the Baptist because Jesus is older since he existed since the beginning.

Then in verse 18, John the Baptist reminds the reader that no one has ever seen God and lived. They may have seen God in a burning bush, as Moses did. But here is God, incarnate in Jesus Christ, walking among human beings in the flesh:No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Well, it didn't take very long before the people over at the synagogue wanted to talk to this John the Baptist and find out what he was all about. 

So we'll pick up here tomorrow. 

##

Who is John, the disciple whom Jesus loved?

John wrote several books of the New Testament: his Gospel, three epistles -- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd; and Revelation.

His is the only one of the twelve disciples of Jesus who was not martyred. In fact, he lived to be in his late eighties, according to most Biblical biographers.

I'd like for us to get acquainted with him before we read his works.

He was the son of Zebedee, and the brother of James the Great. They were fishermen, and with their father, fished in the Lake of Genesareth. Tradition says that John's mother's name was Salome, the daughter of a priest.

At first he was a disciple of John the Baptist and later became a disciple of Jesus.

John was one of the three disciples who were members of Jesus' inner circle. For some reason, Jesus had these three with him at Mt. Tabor for the Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:1 -- After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. NIV

Peter, James and John were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairus' daughter: Mark 5:37-41 -- He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him...."Little girl, I say to you, get up!" Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). NIV

And again, in the Garden of Gethsemane, it was Peter, James and John. Matthew 26:37 -- Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. NIV

And at the Last Supper, it was John who was leaning against Jesus: John 13:23-25 -- One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" NIV

And it was John who was at the foot of the cross when Jesus made sure that his mother was to be cared for: John 19:25-27 -- Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. NIV

The reference as to John being the disciple whom Jesus loved is found in the Gospel of John. It appears to be a reference that John takes for himself.

John and Peter were together in the temple when Peter healed the man who had been lame from birth: Acts 3:1-8 -- One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer -- at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ... Then Peter said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. NIV

He and Peter were missionary companions too. They traveled to Samaria (Acts 8:14) and were also arrested together (Acts 3:1)

And from what we read in John's letters and his Gospel, as well as the Revelation, we can see that John was an eyewitness to the many things that Jesus did in his ministry.

One source has this interesting note about John (from Wikipedia source): John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it. It is said that the entire colosseum were converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle.

Some say this fulfills the words of Christ in Matthew 16:28-- "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

And there is a similar reference in John 21:20-23 -- Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" NIV

So you see, when John was imprisoned on Patmos, he was entrusted with a vision which he reported in the Revelation. In Revelation 1:1-2 -- The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw -- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In one of the references, I believe Wikipedia, John is said to have trained Polycarp, who was later the Bishop of Smyrna. "This was important because Polycarp was able to carry John's message to another age." Polycarp was martyred. He was run through with a sword after burning at the stake didn't work.

As far as Mary, the mother of Jesus is concerned, we don't have Biblical references to her death or any details of her life after the crucifixion. However, Roman Catholic tradition says that she and John moved to Ephesus and that she died about ten years after the death of Jesus. However, there is some dispute among Christians who hold that she died in Jerusalem. Some say she died in Gethsemane.

Others say she died in Jerusalem and is buried at Gethsemane.

The truth is, we don't have any Biblical references to Mary the mother of Jesus after the meeting in Jerusalem when Matthias was elected to fill the vacancy of Judas Iscariot: Acts 1:12-14 -- Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. NIV

So her last days reflect what is traditionally believed. Some traditions hold that she was taken to heaven. Some say the reference to a heavenly woman in Revelation 12:1 is a reference to Mary.

We don't know. Traditional beliefs of various religions and suppositions are the stuff of which doctoral theses are made. Surely someone will search for clues that will settle some of these mysteries.

For tomorrow, we begin our study of the writings of John with his Gospel. His Gospel text is different from Matthew, Mark and Luke -- also known as the Synoptic Gospels. We'll conclude our New Testament studies with the Synoptic Gospels.

##
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08279b.htm

http://members.tripod.com/~shtyetz_john/life-of-st-john-evangelist.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_(mother_of_Jesus)

New Testament Doxologies (KJV - public domain)

A doxology is a short hymn of praise. Before you begin reading the doxologies that are in the New Testament, I'd like you to capture the praise mood by watching these videos. Perhaps the most easily recognized doxology that you may be familiar with is "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..." This first video is beautifully illustrated and sung in Hawaiian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uec-x1OSAc0


These next videos are also exquisitely illustrated; the first is beautifully sung. It will help deepen your mood as we get ready to go through the doxologies in the Word of God. I pray that as you listen and watch the videos, you will feel the quiet going into places deep in your soul. "Be still and know that I am Lord..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gbrqW0eJmE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KsaaZsFtkE&feature=related

So the doxologies, then:

1. Matthew 6:13 -- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

2. Luke 2:14 -- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

3. Romans 11:36 -- For of him, and through him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

4. Romans 16:27 -- To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

5. Galatians 1:5 -- To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6. Ephesians 3:21 -- Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

7. Philippians 4:20 -- Now unto God and our Father by glory for ever and ever. Amen.

8. 1 Timothy 1:17 -- Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

9. 2 Timothy 4:18 -- And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

10. Hebrews 13:21 -- Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

11. 1 Peter 4:11 -- If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12. 1 Peter 5:11 -- To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

13. 2 Peter 3:18 -- But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

14. Jude 24, 25 -- Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.

15. Revelation 1:6 -- And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

16. Revelation 4:8 -- And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

17. Revelation 5:13 -- And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

18. Revelation 7:12 -- Saying Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.


These next two hymns are apt in light of the praise offered in the doxologies listed above. I pray that each will bring you to a quiet, reverent place within you. And I pray that you will have a safe and happy holiday. We, here in the United States, celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26. Please remember to pray for all our soldiers and sailors in the armed services and also gratefully remember the service in years past of all our esteemed veterans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F0SKbRZvWc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q8ESzK5pCw&feature=related

I will return on Tuesday, May 27 after a weekend of refreshment and digging in the dirt.

##

Jude (is one chapter long) adapted from KJV -- public domain

Jude is a shortened version of the Hebrew name "Judah," or the Greek name "Judas." There are not too many men thus named in the New Testament, so when it comes to identifying which Jude is this reference, Judas Iscariot is quickly ruled out by Biblical scholars.

There are five men named Jude or Judas in the New Testament: Mark 6:3; Luke 6:16; John 14:22, Acts 9:11; 15:22, 27 and 32). (Serendipity New Testament for Groups -- NIV, note on p. 489)

We don't know much about Jude. He is one of four brothers (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). And it was only after the Resurrection that Jude became a believer (Acts 1:14).

Jude identifies himself as the brother of James in verse 1. Most footnotes to this reference find this curious since, in the ordinary course, it is more common to identify yourself as the "son of..." Jude may have pointed to his being the brother of James because of James' high position in the high position at the synagogue.

So here is the book of Jude, one chapter long, and historically dated to have been written about 65 A.D. And recall, please, that I noted earlier that 2 Peter 2 is quite similar to Jude except for a couple of major differences.

One of those differences, if Jude is an earlier writing that 2nd Peter, is that Peter removed references to apocryphal writings and references to Enoch. Of the twenty-five verses in Jude, fifteen verses appear in 2 Peter.

Without getting too far afield here, the apocryphal writings are not canonical. In fact, owing to negative connotations in the 16th century, apocryphal writings have had authenticity questioned. You can read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocryphal#New_Testament_apocryphal_literature

Jude came to be accepted in the canon. And whether it was written prior to 2nd Peter and served as reference points for Peter, or the other way around, does not matter. Both Jude and 2nd Peter are divinely inspired and that's the end of what I know about that. That doesn't mean there isn't more material on the matter; rather, I just haven't read other materials or studied them.

The point of this letter is similar to that of Peter. False teachers were infiltrating the early churches. These false teachers were heretical and were stirring up troubles.

But notice that Jude doesn't counter their arguments. He does not engage them in any form of debate and then threatens them with punishments if they don't change their ways.

And Jude especially warns his readers to be wary of them, lest these false teachers lead the new Christians down a path that will lead to their destruction. So let's see what Jude says about these false teachers. It certainly is not a new problem among early churches, though.

Jude reminds the readers in verse 5 that God had rescued the children of Israel from Egypt. But then, the Israelites started their grumbling campaign out there in the desert. They didn't really believe God was going to give them the vast lands of Canaan. Because of their unbelief, all the unbelieving adults died out there in the desert. They were not allowed to go into the promised land.

So Jude is saying to his readers, "Do you remember that? If not, then let me remind you."

Then Jude reminds his readers about the angels who had abandoned their posts (from Daniel 10:20-21). They weren't destroyed but instead, are being kept in chains in the dark until Judgment Day! (verse 6)

A third example of the need to stay true to the word of God is Jude's reference to what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. Pure and total destruction. God does have a permanent way of dealing with unbelievers. (see verse 7)

Jude brings in a reference to a dispute between the archangel Michael and the devil about what happened to Moses' body when he died. Michael would not engage the devil in an argument. Instead, he told the devil that the Lord would set him straight.

So even if there are false teachers spreading their lies among the new churches, Jude says "Woe be to them!" (see verse 11) That's a very serious warning for all of us to stay on the path that leads to God. Jude didn't just nonchalantly pick these Old Testament stories to scare people. He was, instead, trying to keep the Christians in a safe spiritual place. Besides, it was God who was inspiring these written words that came from Jude's pen.

It was God who was issuing the warning.

Interesting, too, that Jude quotes Enoch, a man referenced in Genesis 5. This quote says that the Lord would come with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment because of their ungodly deeds.

Jude then says to the believers that they should keep themselves in the love of God and look to Jesus Christ for eternal life.

And Jude closes with his beautiful doxology in verses 24-25: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Discussion:

Jude packs a one-chapter book that has only 25 verses in it full of profound statements and warnings.

What do you make of his reference to Enoch?

And to the reference to Daniel's reference to Michael?

Certainly these Old Testament writings were available to Jude, as they were to the other disciples and apostles so there was a familiarity to those books that were in the synagogue.

And Jude closes with a beautiful doxology. We will take a look at the other 18 doxologies from the New Testament in tomorrow's lesson.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for making your Word so accessible in this day and age. I pray that because of missionaries who are spreading the truth of the gospel message that more and more unchurched people will find your message of salvation. I pray that you would keep all believers safe from Satan and all that is evil. Amen.

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