John 4:27-38 PODCAST
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” ~ John 4:27-38
Upon their arrival back from town to get food, the disciples of the Lord Jesus were utterly shocked that the Lord Jesus was talking with a Samaritan woman. In that day, men, especially Rabbis, did not publicly talk to women. Women were not treated, by and large, with respect in their culture.
But, the Lord Jesus treated women differently. He created men and women in His image, with equal value and dignity and differing, complementary, honorable roles. The Fall of Adam and Eve distorted God’s design in both. As has been always the case, wherever Christianity has become dominant in a culture, the treatment of women improves.
In v.28, despite just moments before thirsting for water from the well, the Samaritan woman runs into the city to tell the residents that she had met the Messiah. She was so caught up in this that she left her water jar. She was oblivious to all but Him.
This once ashamed Samaritan woman told the townsfolk to come meet this man who told her everything she had ever done. Her words arrive with unusual power so that the crowd responds by coming to the Lord Jesus.
While this is happening, according to v.31, the disciples return and urge the Lord Jesus to eat some of the food they had brought back from the city. After the Lord responds with, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about,” the disciples response to Him was similar to that of Nicodemus and this woman at the well, they do not get it. They do not understand the culture of the Lord Jesus. By the way, this is His goal in our lives today, to teach us His culture which is counter cultural to us.
According to v.32,34, the Lord Jesus speaks metaphorically about the will of the Father in heaven. He said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." This brings up a very important issue for you and me. On a daily basis, we have the choice to feed the Spirit of God who dwells in our once dead and ashamed spirit, or we can feed the flesh (the evil desires that are still in us, even though we are born again). This is not to suggest the Lord Jesus could sin for He was without sin.
Since we have this tug of war going on in our souls, to feed the flesh or to feed the Spirit, what does it mean to feed the Spirit who has awakened our spirit to God? The food of the Spirit, as the Lord Jesus says here, is to do the will of God. When we are feeding the Spirit, we will embrace and realize God's will in our lives. The Spirit feeds on the word of God, prayer and spending time with God's people, which all aids us in doing the will of the Father.
The first thing Jesus taught the towns folk who came out to Him was that there is a deep satisfaction in coming into a personal relationship with Him, it is just like eating food: it fills you up, you feel satisfied, you feel fed. You will remember that in John 17, the Lord Jesus said this is the will of the Father: that we might know the Father.
In v.35-38, the Lord Jesus directs His disciples' attention to the people influenced by the once ashamed woman at the well. He draws a parallel. In their agrarian society, it took four months for the sowing to lead to the harvesting, but in the spiritual realm it happens immediately. Time is removed when you are dealing in the realm of the spirit. Though the order follows the same, the pattern is there, the time element is totally irrelevant.This explains how "the sower and the reaper can be happy together." Happy, Blessed, content because we have met our seventh man.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
John 4:15-26
John 4:15-26 PODCAST
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you, I am he.” ~ John 4:15-26
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you, I am he.” ~ John 4:15-26
The Lord Jesus needed to go through Samaria (John 4:4) because this empty lady was in need of the fullness that He longs to impart to those who are willing to receive from Him. And, He knew that there was something hindering this Samaritan woman. So, He passed through Samaria to deal with her emptiness. Her need defined the trajectory of the Lord Jesus. What a thought!
The Lord Jesus knew this lady had been married five times. He also knew that she was now living with a man without the benefit of the commitment of marriage. The Lord Jesus reveals to her that He knew all of this, and yet, He did not condemn her. He was there to help her with this gnawing incompleteness in her soul.
Numbers are significant in the Scriptures. The number seven is the number for completeness in the Scriptures. The number six is the number of incompleteness. Since, he was created on the sixth day, it is also the number of man. You will remember that this true story happened at the sixth hour. This woman was on her sixth man and she was unfulfilled.
The Lord Jesus knew this lady had been married five times. He also knew that she was now living with a man without the benefit of the commitment of marriage. The Lord Jesus reveals to her that He knew all of this, and yet, He did not condemn her. He was there to help her with this gnawing incompleteness in her soul.
Numbers are significant in the Scriptures. The number seven is the number for completeness in the Scriptures. The number six is the number of incompleteness. Since, he was created on the sixth day, it is also the number of man. You will remember that this true story happened at the sixth hour. This woman was on her sixth man and she was unfulfilled.
In v.16, the Lord Jesus says to this woman, "Go, call your husband." She admits that she has no husband, and he tells her she has had five, and is now living with another man. The Lord Jesus knew more about this woman than she did. He knew there was a thirst in her heart, a hunger for something more.
When I was younger, I was duped into believing that romance was the answer to life. The problem with this is: romance can not be maintained. What I thought was love is a mere image of true love. Romance introduces us to the deeper forms of love in life. This explains why so many get out of marriage, because it doesn't deliver as it did in the beginning of the relationship. Perhaps, this is why this woman was on her sixth man.
We hate pain, trouble, problems, and disappointment. In fact, we would almost do anything to avoid these "unwanteds." However, I have learned there is great value to these "unwanteds". Over and over in my life, I have arrived upon the fact that wounds render wisdom. Pain garners for us perspective. Lack leads us to the Lord.
We hate pain, trouble, problems, and disappointment. In fact, we would almost do anything to avoid these "unwanteds." However, I have learned there is great value to these "unwanteds". Over and over in my life, I have arrived upon the fact that wounds render wisdom. Pain garners for us perspective. Lack leads us to the Lord.
The Samaritan woman's response in v.17-19, is honest and authentic. She admits that she is on her sixth guy. Then, without really knowing it, she asks an honest question: "Where do I go to get satisfaction for my soul?" We do not know how old this lady was but we get the idea that she had been searching for a long to find satisfaction, and it is obvious she is not content with her life.
The woman's question about where to worship in v.20 is honest and relevant. Our theology touches everything in our lives. And, what we worship is the key. The first time the word worship appears in the Bible (Genesis 22) is the first place the word love appears. That which we love, we worship, and the which we worship we love. And, as the Lord Jesus points out in v.21, geography is not the issue, what we give our hearts to is the issue. This is eternal life that we might know the Father (John 17), this is the life that all of mankind is searching for in this world.
On a side note, the first time love is used in the Scriptures is of the Father loving the Son. Then, the second time the word love is used in the Bible is in Genesis 24 where the son is loving his bride (Isaac and Rebekah). The Gospel is tucked in throughout the Old Testament, and ultimately all that is substantive comes from the Father through the Son.
On a side note, the first time love is used in the Scriptures is of the Father loving the Son. Then, the second time the word love is used in the Bible is in Genesis 24 where the son is loving his bride (Isaac and Rebekah). The Gospel is tucked in throughout the Old Testament, and ultimately all that is substantive comes from the Father through the Son.
As I, in October of 1981, this lady at the well in John 4, was the victim of a stunted understanding of the truth. In fact, she had some truth but she lacked a relationship with the One who was/is the truth standing in front of her. And, as a result, her understanding of love was stunted, as well.
In v.22-24, the Lord Jesus informs us that true worship is done by our spirit, out of our heart. Truth must inform our worship of God. It must be honest, as well.
In v.25, the woman responds with "Yes, I know you are right, but we must wait until the Messiah comes. We cannot expect these kinds of things in our time." Her words drew an incredible response from the Lord Jesus in v.26. He essentially says, "You have searched the whole world over for true love. You have had six incomplete relationships with men whom you had hoped would deliver real satisfaction, to no avail." The Lord Jesus is saying, "I am your seventh man. I am the One who will deliver to your soul that which you have so longed for." The Lord Jesus is the seventh man who completes, who fulfills all who cry out to Him.
In v.25, the woman responds with "Yes, I know you are right, but we must wait until the Messiah comes. We cannot expect these kinds of things in our time." Her words drew an incredible response from the Lord Jesus in v.26. He essentially says, "You have searched the whole world over for true love. You have had six incomplete relationships with men whom you had hoped would deliver real satisfaction, to no avail." The Lord Jesus is saying, "I am your seventh man. I am the One who will deliver to your soul that which you have so longed for." The Lord Jesus is the seventh man who completes, who fulfills all who cry out to Him.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
John 4:7-14
JOHN 4:7-14 PODCAST
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:7-14
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:7-14
The Lord Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi who was not to ever talk to a woman in public. In that culture women were regarded as totally unable to understand complicated subjects like theology and religion. Yet, this did not prevent the Lord Jesus from talking with this lady. In like manner, my sinfulness has never prevented Him from interacting with me. The Lord Jesus knows us better than we do ourselves, and He still likes us.
Now, 450 years before the events of our text took place, the Samaritans, who were a mix of Jewish and Assyrian, came back to Israel to populate the land now known as Samaria. The Samaritans believed in only the first five books of Moses as the word of God. And, they had mixed with the Law of Moses, practices that were not of the God of the Bible. In fact, they built a temple on Mt. Gerizim. This temple was not ordered by the God of the Bible.
As He interacts with this Samaritan woman, the Lord Jesus reads her heart. Here was a woman coming to draw water, and he said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The "gift of God" here is the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus speaks figuratively, using water to illustrate the Holy Spirit, but the Samaritan woman, like Nicodemus in the previous chapter, takes him literally and does not understand.
In v.11, she responds, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?" The well was at least 60 feet down to the water. Since the Lord Jesus did not have a long rope and a bucket, He could not access the water. It appears the Lord Jesus is the one lacking, yet as we will see throughout this Gospel, mankind are the ones lacking. His fullness is always poised to address our emptiness.
Notice her second question in v.12, "Are you greater than our father Jacob?" Here, recognizing the Lord Jesus as more than just any man, the Samaritan woman gets religious. When we do not truly know what life is really about, we make it about the things that are not that important. The Samaritans, who had the five books of Moses, looked to Jacob as their religious father. Her question indicates that she doesn't understand what the Lord Jesus means when she said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?"
In v.13-14, the Lord Jesus answers, "I am not talking about the water in the well. Drink of that water and you will thirst again. But I will give you living water, and the one who drinks of the water I give will never thirst." The Lord Jesus is talking about something far more significant than literal water, He is addressing the yearnings of the soul. Many never seem to learn this truth. They never realize that there is an experience with God that addresses the deepest longings in our souls that the Lord Jesus is the only one who can address meaningfully.
In v.13-14, the Lord Jesus answers, "I am not talking about the water in the well. Drink of that water and you will thirst again. But I will give you living water, and the one who drinks of the water I give will never thirst." The Lord Jesus is talking about something far more significant than literal water, He is addressing the yearnings of the soul. Many never seem to learn this truth. They never realize that there is an experience with God that addresses the deepest longings in our souls that the Lord Jesus is the only one who can address meaningfully.
The Lord Jesus is describing the transformation the Apostle Paul mentions in Romans 12:1-2. In that text, the Apostle Paul issues three commands. The first two are present middle imperatives meaning we are responsible for the outcomes (present our bodies and do not be conformed to this world's way of thinking). But the third command is written in the passive voice which means the Lord is responsible for the outcome or the transformation. The reason we struggle to understand the Lord Jesus often is He speaks of experiences with Him that only He can produce. And, given we have never experienced it, we are ignorant of it. Such is the life of faith that He has called us to experience.
In v.14, we read, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." He means the Spirit, which He gives, is a life-giving Spirit, that as one drinks of the Spirit, one experiences the quality of life which is called, eternal life. This eternal life is an experience with God Himself. You see, God's answer to all of mankind's needs has always been to give Himself to those who would receive. His presence has always been the remedy, be it breathing into man's nostrils His Spirit, or be it giving His Spirit to awaken our spirit to Him. His presence in our lives is the answer.
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In v.14, we read, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." He means the Spirit, which He gives, is a life-giving Spirit, that as one drinks of the Spirit, one experiences the quality of life which is called, eternal life. This eternal life is an experience with God Himself. You see, God's answer to all of mankind's needs has always been to give Himself to those who would receive. His presence has always been the remedy, be it breathing into man's nostrils His Spirit, or be it giving His Spirit to awaken our spirit to Him. His presence in our lives is the answer.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2019
John 4:1-6
1 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. ~ John 4:1-6
Among many other themes in this gospel according to John is the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lacks nothing. Contrasted in today's text is the emptiness of mankind. I point you back to John 1:14, which reads, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
As we transition into John 4, we see this contrast demonstrated in the life of the woman at the well. But, before we consider this true story, we consider the first six verses of the chapter. According to v.1-3, the Lord Jesus leaves Judea because the Pharisees had heard of the growing popularity of the Lord Jesus. This story illustrates why we suffer from emptiness.
To date, the Pharisees had been given some evidence that the Lord Jesus was the promised Messiah, even one of their own went to the Lord Jesus with questions, yet they are not choosing to believe in Him. There is an important principle here that I must highlight. When God gives us revelation and we reject it, our hearts and our understanding of what is real will become more dull.
Rejecting God's truth is a dangerous thing. As is eventually demonstrated among these religious leaders, the rejection of truth seals their bondage to the lie of the evil one. This lie says, "you can determine what is truth for yourself." This lie is embraced when we deny God's brilliance in our lives. When we deny God's definition of things, we will be defined by something else. Most often, we are that something else, and due to our fallen nature, we do not choose wisely.
We gain insight from a story in the Old Testament. After the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant in battle. They took the ark into the temple of their god Dagon. Initially, Dagon was found on his face in front of the ark – and what did the Philistines do? They ignored the evidence and put Dagon back on his pedestal in front of the ark. The next day Dagon is found on his face in front of the ark, but this time his hands and head were broken off. What did the people do? They again ignored the evidence and made the spot where the broken hands and head of Dagon were found a holy place. Then the people developed tumors, which they could not ignore, so they called a counsel to try and decide what to do, notice the discussion:
The Philistines asked, “What guilt offering should we send to him?” They replied, “Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. Make models of the tumors and of the rats that are destroying the country, and pay honor to Israel’s god. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you and your gods and your land. Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When he treated them harshly, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way? (1 Samuel 6:4-6).
Back to John 4. In v.4 John informs us that the Lord Jesus needed to go though Samaria which lies between Judea and Galilee. This direct route from Judea to Galilee was about 70 miles, or two and a half days' walk. But many of the Jews chose not to go through Samaria. They traveled the hot desert road from Jerusalem to Jericho, and up the Jordan valley. Thus, because of the terrible prejudice that prevailed against the Samaritan people, they journeyed almost twice the distance on a much hotter and more uncomfortable road. The Lord Jesus cuts right through that ignorant, narrow-minded prejudice and went through Samaria.
In v.5, John tells us of the place where Jesus stopped. Jacob's well, at the foot of Mount Gerizim. The Israelites were commanded to read the Law of Moses every year from the tops of the twin mountains that span the valley that leads up to the city of Samaria, Mt. Gerizim on the east and Mt. Ebal on the west. Mt. Gerizim was the place where the blessings of the Law were read; while Mt. Ebal was where the curses of the Law were read to those who disobeyed it. There, about a half mile west of the village of Sychar, where Joseph's tomb is located, at the well which Jacob, in his day, had dug for his flocks and herds, Jesus sat down to rest.
It was "noon" when Jesus stopped at the well. As we will highlight tomorrow, the lady the Lord Jesus meets here was empty. She had not come to get water early in the morning, like the other ladies in the city. No, she came in the middle of the day, probably to avoid the women who probably spoke in condemning words and tones due to the fact that she was considered by them as a "less than". She was a "less than" because she allowed someone much lesser than the One known as "the truth" to define her.
If we live out of an identity based on how God sees us, we will no longer feel the need to find our worth in the lesser things of life. We will be free to live in a confident and secure manner, because the Perfect One will be our definer. And, as we experience life from His acceptance through His unconditional love, we will live confidently and boldly because we are being defined by Him rather than the lesser.
Monday, September 16, 2019
John 3:31-36
JOHN 3:31-36 PODCAST
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:31-36
John the Baptist continues with his appraisal of the Lord Jesus. He concludes the Lord Jesus operates out of an authentic relationship with God the Father and He must have the preeminence in all things. According to John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus has seen and heard God, thus He knows Him like none other. The Lord Jesus is, Himself, the Word of God, speaking into existence everything that exists.
The Apostle John wrote, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
This truth, the fullness of Christ, is unfolding in every text throughout John's Gospel. John presents the Lord Jesus as being full of grace and truth. This is key, in light of the fact that mankind is empty apart from a personal relationship with God. The Lord Jesus came from God, full of all things good, seeking to fill the inner longings of all who would call on His name.
In v.31 a contrast is being penned, the contrast is between the Lord Jesus and mankind. The point here is the same as in John 3:6 where Jesus said to Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The point? Fallen man is in need of new birth through the Holy Spirit of God.
In v.32, it is insinuated that the religious community, that Nicodemus comes from, does not represent the God of the Bible. The fact that they didn't recognize the Lord Jesus for who He was proves that they didn't have the relationship with God the Father. If they had a personal and authentic relationship with God, they would not have resisted the One and Only Son of God.
The point of v.32-35 is the Lord Jesus is from heaven, and He has come into the world, without sin, on a mission to rescue sinners. It is His goal not just to deliver us from sin, but to deliver us to a personal relationship with God the Father. The Lord Jesus came to enable us to have the same kind of relationship as the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, with the Father.
Note John's words in v.34 ... "for God gives the Spirit without limit." The giving of the Holy Spirit is synonymous with the giving of the kind of life that is influenced by the eternal. And, the sky is the limit when it comes to the capacity the believer has for an intimate relationship with the Father. The Holy Spirit aids us in our personal and potentially intimate relationship with the Father. The key is: will we act on the truth and promises of the word of God? Will our faith in the God of the Bible raise us to levels offered by Him in His word.
The bottom line is what do I do with the Lord Jesus? Do I receive Him and believe in His daily active involvement in my life? Or, do I reject Him? Of course, the only thing that enables any of us to have a relationship with Him is His performance on our behalf. But, now that we have a personal relationship with Him, how intimate, how deep in that relationship will we go? By the way, expect people to criticize this kind of faith. Due to the fact that they do not go deep with God, they will be unnerved by your willingness to go deep with Him.
The model of this kind of intimacy is the Trinity. The Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are all three found here in John 3. Our intimacy with God (and with each other) is ultimately a reflection of Gods intimacy within the members of the Trinity. This means that intimacy is an essential part of the very nature of God and because we are made in His image, it is natural to us as well. This is why we are capable of intimacy with others and with God. It is in now our nature, now that we have come into a personal relationship with Him.
Augustine said it well so many years ago when he said, "To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement."
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31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:31-36
John the Baptist continues with his appraisal of the Lord Jesus. He concludes the Lord Jesus operates out of an authentic relationship with God the Father and He must have the preeminence in all things. According to John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus has seen and heard God, thus He knows Him like none other. The Lord Jesus is, Himself, the Word of God, speaking into existence everything that exists.
The Apostle John wrote, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
This truth, the fullness of Christ, is unfolding in every text throughout John's Gospel. John presents the Lord Jesus as being full of grace and truth. This is key, in light of the fact that mankind is empty apart from a personal relationship with God. The Lord Jesus came from God, full of all things good, seeking to fill the inner longings of all who would call on His name.
In v.31 a contrast is being penned, the contrast is between the Lord Jesus and mankind. The point here is the same as in John 3:6 where Jesus said to Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The point? Fallen man is in need of new birth through the Holy Spirit of God.
In v.32, it is insinuated that the religious community, that Nicodemus comes from, does not represent the God of the Bible. The fact that they didn't recognize the Lord Jesus for who He was proves that they didn't have the relationship with God the Father. If they had a personal and authentic relationship with God, they would not have resisted the One and Only Son of God.
The point of v.32-35 is the Lord Jesus is from heaven, and He has come into the world, without sin, on a mission to rescue sinners. It is His goal not just to deliver us from sin, but to deliver us to a personal relationship with God the Father. The Lord Jesus came to enable us to have the same kind of relationship as the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, with the Father.
Note John's words in v.34 ... "for God gives the Spirit without limit." The giving of the Holy Spirit is synonymous with the giving of the kind of life that is influenced by the eternal. And, the sky is the limit when it comes to the capacity the believer has for an intimate relationship with the Father. The Holy Spirit aids us in our personal and potentially intimate relationship with the Father. The key is: will we act on the truth and promises of the word of God? Will our faith in the God of the Bible raise us to levels offered by Him in His word.
The bottom line is what do I do with the Lord Jesus? Do I receive Him and believe in His daily active involvement in my life? Or, do I reject Him? Of course, the only thing that enables any of us to have a relationship with Him is His performance on our behalf. But, now that we have a personal relationship with Him, how intimate, how deep in that relationship will we go? By the way, expect people to criticize this kind of faith. Due to the fact that they do not go deep with God, they will be unnerved by your willingness to go deep with Him.
The model of this kind of intimacy is the Trinity. The Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are all three found here in John 3. Our intimacy with God (and with each other) is ultimately a reflection of Gods intimacy within the members of the Trinity. This means that intimacy is an essential part of the very nature of God and because we are made in His image, it is natural to us as well. This is why we are capable of intimacy with others and with God. It is in now our nature, now that we have come into a personal relationship with Him.
Augustine said it well so many years ago when he said, "To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement."
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Friday, September 13, 2019
John 3:22-30
JOHN 3:22-30 PODCAST
JOHN 3:22-30 PODCAST 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:22-30
In John 3:22 we learn that the Lord Jesus went alone into the countryside with His disciples. Previously, Nicodemus came to be with the Lord Jesus alone, in order to have meaningful conversation with the Lord Jesus. Alone time with the Lord is most essential. In like manner, the Lord Jesus often would go away from the masses of people to be alone with His disciples, to teach them. He invested, most intimately, in twelve men. This is instructive. We are most effective when we carve out personal alone time with the Lord. It is only at this point that we are in a position to invest in the few.
The scene has shifted to the Judean countryside where Jesus and his disciples are baptizing (though John 4:2 says that “Jesus Himself did not baptize, but only his disciples”). In v.22, we discover John the Baptist's disciples were upset that Jesus was now pressing in on John's ministry.
The crowds are now anxiously following the Lord Jesus, instead of clamoring to hear John. John's disciples fell into the trap of the numbers game. God illustrates throughout the scriptures, numbers is not where it is at. In fact, He has been know to cull the numbers down to 300 from 32,000; just ask Gideon. This is God's way ... choosing the weak to shame the strong, choosing the foolish to shame the wise, choosing the things that are not to overturn the things that are. Siding with the poor and the oppressed and the weeping and the hungry and the outcasts.
Then John's disciples get into an argument about the meaning of baptism. Someone questioned the meaning of Jesus' baptism, especially since Jesus was now baptizing. So, John's disciples ask John what this all meant.
John answers in v.27-30, "27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less."
John emphasizes that Jesus is not his rival, saying that all power comes only from God. Many think they have earned their way to power by their own efforts, by their intelligence, by their hard work. John highlights this was not the case when he essentially says in v.27-30, "Not my will be done but yours.”
John is saying, "When I see crowds of people leaving me and going to Jesus I am glad because Jesus can do for them what I could never do. For their sakes I am glad. Jesus is the bridegroom come to claim his bride. He is receiving those who believe in him; that is his bride. I am the friend of the bridegroom; I am the best man at the wedding. I have a certain role to fulfill, and I rejoice when the bridegroom claims his bride."
Then John says his most famous words, "He must increase; I must decrease." That is so different from how we ordinarily think. The obvious lesson here is that we treasure the Lord Jesus over everyone and everything else. When the Lord Jesus becomes greater and I become less, my joy increases.
John the Baptist was a humble man. True humility is not thinking lowly of oneself but thinking accurately of oneself. Most often, humility comes into our lives through humiliating experiences. The humble man has made peace with the truth, he has allowed the truth to be true in his life.
Unlike the man who loves darkness and hates light, the man who does the truth “comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” One of the main birthmarks of the born-again is that he loves for it to be clearly seen that his heart is with God.
JOHN 3:22-30 PODCAST 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:22-30
In John 3:22 we learn that the Lord Jesus went alone into the countryside with His disciples. Previously, Nicodemus came to be with the Lord Jesus alone, in order to have meaningful conversation with the Lord Jesus. Alone time with the Lord is most essential. In like manner, the Lord Jesus often would go away from the masses of people to be alone with His disciples, to teach them. He invested, most intimately, in twelve men. This is instructive. We are most effective when we carve out personal alone time with the Lord. It is only at this point that we are in a position to invest in the few.
The scene has shifted to the Judean countryside where Jesus and his disciples are baptizing (though John 4:2 says that “Jesus Himself did not baptize, but only his disciples”). In v.22, we discover John the Baptist's disciples were upset that Jesus was now pressing in on John's ministry.
The crowds are now anxiously following the Lord Jesus, instead of clamoring to hear John. John's disciples fell into the trap of the numbers game. God illustrates throughout the scriptures, numbers is not where it is at. In fact, He has been know to cull the numbers down to 300 from 32,000; just ask Gideon. This is God's way ... choosing the weak to shame the strong, choosing the foolish to shame the wise, choosing the things that are not to overturn the things that are. Siding with the poor and the oppressed and the weeping and the hungry and the outcasts.
Then John's disciples get into an argument about the meaning of baptism. Someone questioned the meaning of Jesus' baptism, especially since Jesus was now baptizing. So, John's disciples ask John what this all meant.
John answers in v.27-30, "27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less."
John emphasizes that Jesus is not his rival, saying that all power comes only from God. Many think they have earned their way to power by their own efforts, by their intelligence, by their hard work. John highlights this was not the case when he essentially says in v.27-30, "Not my will be done but yours.”
John is saying, "When I see crowds of people leaving me and going to Jesus I am glad because Jesus can do for them what I could never do. For their sakes I am glad. Jesus is the bridegroom come to claim his bride. He is receiving those who believe in him; that is his bride. I am the friend of the bridegroom; I am the best man at the wedding. I have a certain role to fulfill, and I rejoice when the bridegroom claims his bride."
Then John says his most famous words, "He must increase; I must decrease." That is so different from how we ordinarily think. The obvious lesson here is that we treasure the Lord Jesus over everyone and everything else. When the Lord Jesus becomes greater and I become less, my joy increases.
John the Baptist was a humble man. True humility is not thinking lowly of oneself but thinking accurately of oneself. Most often, humility comes into our lives through humiliating experiences. The humble man has made peace with the truth, he has allowed the truth to be true in his life.
Unlike the man who loves darkness and hates light, the man who does the truth “comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” One of the main birthmarks of the born-again is that he loves for it to be clearly seen that his heart is with God.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
John 3:19-21
JOHN 3:19-21 PODCAST
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:19-21
Imagine, we have been brought into the courtroom, and all of mankind has been found to be guilty of sin. This is not imaginary, it is reality. In Isaiah 3:13, we are told, "The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people." This is also the theme of Romans 3. It is not that God hasn't waded in on our condition, no, no, no. The Apostle informs us in v.19: "Light has come into the world." The wherewithal to recognize the difference between the truth and the lie has been granted through the Lord Jesus. The question is are we willing to see through our admission of guilt.
On the other hand, we trust what we know. This explains why someone would return to an abusive spouse. It explains why someone would choose homelessness over a permanent roof over their heads. It explains why the way of the evil one is embraced over the love of the Creator. We choose what we trust.
Due to our ignorance, most have chosen the darkness over the light. In v.19 we read: "people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.." Nobody wants to admit he is wrong. This is why it is so hard for us to turn to the LORD. You remember those days when we held tightly to our sin, thinking it was good for us. It took brokenness for me to be convince.
Notice in v.21 a contrast is given: "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." If we are willing to admit we are wrong, we will find ourselves being drawn to Jesus, for He is the Light.
The light exposes. The light exposes that which is darkness. I was fortunate to have people around me in my early years who shared the light of the Gospel with me. Yet, I automatically knew of this light. I believe we are all born with this capacity to know that what we have known isn't consistent enough to be reality. Therefore, at some point, we begin to seek, we begin to seek the light.
The choice to ultimately trust in Christ starts with a conviction deep within ourselves that we do not like the way we are. We do not like the way we are living; we want to be different. We may not be all that aware of how deep and destructive this conviction is, but it gnaws at us with each passing day. If we will begin to do something else, to pursue truth at whatever level we find it, we will find ourselves being drawn to the Lord Jesus. This was Nicodemus' story and is my story, too.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." This verse does not say a word about believing in Jesus or being born again. This verse takes us right where we are in life and says that if, deep in our hearts, there is a hunger for something more, if we would like to be freed from the anguish and shame of what we know to be wrong, and we begin to pursue that, we will be drawn to the Lord Jesus. When we learn of the Lord Jesus, we will be open to receive Him. The sensation of God drawing us is this desire within us to want to be set free from what we innately know is wrong.
In our text, the Lord Jesus is talking with this Pharisee, Nicodemus', who prided himself on his sincere and serious efforts to please God, to obey him with precise execution. He believed that he had to earn his salvation through good works and diligence in keeping the law. Nicodemus knew in his heart that his theology just didn't cut it.
To this man, the Lord Jesus says, "You love darkness." With the hardness of these words, the Lord Jesus is drawing Nicodemus to place his faith in Him. Then the Lord Jesus says, "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." This audience of one is really the bottom line at the end of the day. Who I am, in relationship to God, is the real question. And, Nicodemus knew this. All mankind knows this. This explains why we have made the effort to seek beyond us.
But the road that connects us to God runs from God to us, not from us to God. We do not journey through the cross to find God; instead, God has made the trek through the cross to find us. Our role is to receive this free gift that He offers. We have a choice between achieving a life or receiving it. If we make it achieving, our constant companion will be complaint, because we will never achieve enough. If we make our goal receiving, our constant companion will be gratitude for all that God is achieving in our lives. And, gratitude is the prescription to growing more deeply in our relationship with God.
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19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:19-21
Imagine, we have been brought into the courtroom, and all of mankind has been found to be guilty of sin. This is not imaginary, it is reality. In Isaiah 3:13, we are told, "The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people." This is also the theme of Romans 3. It is not that God hasn't waded in on our condition, no, no, no. The Apostle informs us in v.19: "Light has come into the world." The wherewithal to recognize the difference between the truth and the lie has been granted through the Lord Jesus. The question is are we willing to see through our admission of guilt.
On the other hand, we trust what we know. This explains why someone would return to an abusive spouse. It explains why someone would choose homelessness over a permanent roof over their heads. It explains why the way of the evil one is embraced over the love of the Creator. We choose what we trust.
Due to our ignorance, most have chosen the darkness over the light. In v.19 we read: "people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.." Nobody wants to admit he is wrong. This is why it is so hard for us to turn to the LORD. You remember those days when we held tightly to our sin, thinking it was good for us. It took brokenness for me to be convince.
Notice in v.21 a contrast is given: "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." If we are willing to admit we are wrong, we will find ourselves being drawn to Jesus, for He is the Light.
The light exposes. The light exposes that which is darkness. I was fortunate to have people around me in my early years who shared the light of the Gospel with me. Yet, I automatically knew of this light. I believe we are all born with this capacity to know that what we have known isn't consistent enough to be reality. Therefore, at some point, we begin to seek, we begin to seek the light.
The choice to ultimately trust in Christ starts with a conviction deep within ourselves that we do not like the way we are. We do not like the way we are living; we want to be different. We may not be all that aware of how deep and destructive this conviction is, but it gnaws at us with each passing day. If we will begin to do something else, to pursue truth at whatever level we find it, we will find ourselves being drawn to the Lord Jesus. This was Nicodemus' story and is my story, too.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." This verse does not say a word about believing in Jesus or being born again. This verse takes us right where we are in life and says that if, deep in our hearts, there is a hunger for something more, if we would like to be freed from the anguish and shame of what we know to be wrong, and we begin to pursue that, we will be drawn to the Lord Jesus. When we learn of the Lord Jesus, we will be open to receive Him. The sensation of God drawing us is this desire within us to want to be set free from what we innately know is wrong.
In our text, the Lord Jesus is talking with this Pharisee, Nicodemus', who prided himself on his sincere and serious efforts to please God, to obey him with precise execution. He believed that he had to earn his salvation through good works and diligence in keeping the law. Nicodemus knew in his heart that his theology just didn't cut it.
To this man, the Lord Jesus says, "You love darkness." With the hardness of these words, the Lord Jesus is drawing Nicodemus to place his faith in Him. Then the Lord Jesus says, "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." This audience of one is really the bottom line at the end of the day. Who I am, in relationship to God, is the real question. And, Nicodemus knew this. All mankind knows this. This explains why we have made the effort to seek beyond us.
But the road that connects us to God runs from God to us, not from us to God. We do not journey through the cross to find God; instead, God has made the trek through the cross to find us. Our role is to receive this free gift that He offers. We have a choice between achieving a life or receiving it. If we make it achieving, our constant companion will be complaint, because we will never achieve enough. If we make our goal receiving, our constant companion will be gratitude for all that God is achieving in our lives. And, gratitude is the prescription to growing more deeply in our relationship with God.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2019
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
There is a faith that results in a personal relationship with God, and there is a faith that results in living under the wrath of God. It is never our faith that makes the difference, it is always the object of that faith. Choosing not to place one's faith in the God of the Bible is the wrong choice. It is the belief that we can decide for ourselves that causes us to spend eternity in hell.
John 3:16 reveals a God who "so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." God sees the world differently than we do. When God looks at our world He sees the hopelessness and hurt, He sees the shame that fills each heart, and the subsequent misery that follows.
God's response to mankind's condition is that of love and not of anger. He is moved with love for the whole world who is trapped in damnation and hopelessness. That little word "so" is an important word: "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." The cross of the Lord Jesus defines this two letter word best. The greatest price tag ever placed on us was at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how much God loves His creation. The giving of v.16 is God sending His Son into the world on a mission from heaven to die for us, the guilty ones.
Recognize, too, the word "gave" which includes not only the coming of Jesus in the incarnation, but also His choice to be judged on the behalf of anyone who would receive His free gift. God could not just overlook our sin, He had to punish it. If He had overlooked sin, truth would no longer be truth for its foundation would have lost it undergirding. But, there was no one who could measure up, there was no one perfect enough to endure the penalty, except God Himself. The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is where God forgave us without lowering His standards.
In v.17 we learn that God did not send the Lord Jesus into this world to condemn us but to rescue us through His Son. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, we read, "God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace." There is no evidence in the scriptures that God sends man to hell. No, man chooses hell by rejecting the only ransom that will get him into heaven.
According to v.18, condemnation is the unforgiven persons state right now. The wrath of God is the absence of His love, and the wrath of God abides on those who have not believed and received the Lord Jesus' free gift. If we do not choose to leave condemnation, we remain in it.
Believing is the answer. It means that what the Lord Jesus did on that cross satisfied the righteous demands of God. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Believing means embracing something as true, it means to trust in Him. Believing is receiving. Our receiving isn’t based on another person’s faith; it’s based on our faith, and our believing is evidenced by our receiving.
In reference to believing, receiving is the application of intimacy with God. And, when we receive the very presence of God we are equipped to see Him, to recognize Him, with our hearts. This intimacy is made possible through the abiding Holy Spirit.
To contribute to BYM, click here
John 3:16 reveals a God who "so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." God sees the world differently than we do. When God looks at our world He sees the hopelessness and hurt, He sees the shame that fills each heart, and the subsequent misery that follows.
God's response to mankind's condition is that of love and not of anger. He is moved with love for the whole world who is trapped in damnation and hopelessness. That little word "so" is an important word: "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." The cross of the Lord Jesus defines this two letter word best. The greatest price tag ever placed on us was at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how much God loves His creation. The giving of v.16 is God sending His Son into the world on a mission from heaven to die for us, the guilty ones.
Recognize, too, the word "gave" which includes not only the coming of Jesus in the incarnation, but also His choice to be judged on the behalf of anyone who would receive His free gift. God could not just overlook our sin, He had to punish it. If He had overlooked sin, truth would no longer be truth for its foundation would have lost it undergirding. But, there was no one who could measure up, there was no one perfect enough to endure the penalty, except God Himself. The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is where God forgave us without lowering His standards.
In v.17 we learn that God did not send the Lord Jesus into this world to condemn us but to rescue us through His Son. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, we read, "God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace." There is no evidence in the scriptures that God sends man to hell. No, man chooses hell by rejecting the only ransom that will get him into heaven.
According to v.18, condemnation is the unforgiven persons state right now. The wrath of God is the absence of His love, and the wrath of God abides on those who have not believed and received the Lord Jesus' free gift. If we do not choose to leave condemnation, we remain in it.
Believing is the answer. It means that what the Lord Jesus did on that cross satisfied the righteous demands of God. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Believing means embracing something as true, it means to trust in Him. Believing is receiving. Our receiving isn’t based on another person’s faith; it’s based on our faith, and our believing is evidenced by our receiving.
In reference to believing, receiving is the application of intimacy with God. And, when we receive the very presence of God we are equipped to see Him, to recognize Him, with our hearts. This intimacy is made possible through the abiding Holy Spirit.
To contribute to BYM, click here
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
John 3:8-15
John 3:8-15 PODCAST
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” ~ John 3:8-15
The wind is an illustration of the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Greek word used for "wind" is pneuma which means “wind” or “spirit.” God’s pneuma is the source of life.
As the Lord Jesus is emphasizing to Nicodemus, when we realize that we do not measure up, when we get that we can not solve our problems, when we admit we need God's help, the Holy Spirit guides us to believing in and receiving the Lord Jesus. It is at this moment that the Spirit, the Pneuma, imparts His life to us. His newfound presence in our lives means we will never be the same. As John suggests, without the Holy Spirit awakening our spirit, we remain dead to God in our sin. It is the performance of the Holy Spirit in our lives that is unknown to us.
Today, we know where the jet stream is, but we cannot say where it is going to be tomorrow. It goes where it wants; nobody has been able to control it. We cannot even figure out what makes it move. No one is able to predict the purposes of God in an individual life. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
The Christian life is an adventure. Following the Lord Jesus isn’t about escaping the sin of this world, it is about learning to experience a personal relationship with God whose ways are so different than ours. So different that we have little idea what He may do next in our lives. This paradox occurs because the Christian life is supernatural and not natural for fallen man.
Once again, in v.9, Nicodemus is puzzled. "How can this be?" he asks. To this man who has given his life to studying the Old Testament, the Lord Jesus, in v.10, says to him, “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?"
The Lord Jesus gives Nicodemus a gentle rebuke in v.11-12, saying, "Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"
The word "know" in v.11 is the Greek word "oida" which means recognition or seeing. The idea is that of being able to see God through the lens of scripture. Having studied the scripture, Nicodemus should have recognized the Lord Jesus more readily because he had long studied the scripture which has as its central subject the Lord Jesus, Himself.
In v.13, the Lord Jesus describes His incarnation. In the Lord Jesus, God Himself came to earth as a man. The one who came down from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, testified to and explained the truth of God to man.
Then in v.14, the Lord Jesus uses a story from the book of Numbers to make reference to Him going to the cross. In Numbers 21, when the people of Israel were being bitten by poisonous snakes which suddenly appeared in the camp in the wilderness, and were dying by the scores. God told Moses to take a pole and put on it a brass serpent. That serpent would itself do nothing whatsoever for the people, it was merely a symbol, but they were told if they would look at it (and thus make a personal application of its meaning to their own lives), they would find themselves healed from the serpent's bite.
The Lord Jesus is saying, "That is a picture of me. I will be made sin (the serpent always represents sin), lifted up to die. When that happens, if you will look at me and believe that I am dying for you, in your place, God will forgive your sins and you will receive the life of God."
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8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” ~ John 3:8-15
The wind is an illustration of the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Greek word used for "wind" is pneuma which means “wind” or “spirit.” God’s pneuma is the source of life.
As the Lord Jesus is emphasizing to Nicodemus, when we realize that we do not measure up, when we get that we can not solve our problems, when we admit we need God's help, the Holy Spirit guides us to believing in and receiving the Lord Jesus. It is at this moment that the Spirit, the Pneuma, imparts His life to us. His newfound presence in our lives means we will never be the same. As John suggests, without the Holy Spirit awakening our spirit, we remain dead to God in our sin. It is the performance of the Holy Spirit in our lives that is unknown to us.
Today, we know where the jet stream is, but we cannot say where it is going to be tomorrow. It goes where it wants; nobody has been able to control it. We cannot even figure out what makes it move. No one is able to predict the purposes of God in an individual life. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
The Christian life is an adventure. Following the Lord Jesus isn’t about escaping the sin of this world, it is about learning to experience a personal relationship with God whose ways are so different than ours. So different that we have little idea what He may do next in our lives. This paradox occurs because the Christian life is supernatural and not natural for fallen man.
Once again, in v.9, Nicodemus is puzzled. "How can this be?" he asks. To this man who has given his life to studying the Old Testament, the Lord Jesus, in v.10, says to him, “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?"
The Lord Jesus gives Nicodemus a gentle rebuke in v.11-12, saying, "Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"
The word "know" in v.11 is the Greek word "oida" which means recognition or seeing. The idea is that of being able to see God through the lens of scripture. Having studied the scripture, Nicodemus should have recognized the Lord Jesus more readily because he had long studied the scripture which has as its central subject the Lord Jesus, Himself.
In v.13, the Lord Jesus describes His incarnation. In the Lord Jesus, God Himself came to earth as a man. The one who came down from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, testified to and explained the truth of God to man.
Then in v.14, the Lord Jesus uses a story from the book of Numbers to make reference to Him going to the cross. In Numbers 21, when the people of Israel were being bitten by poisonous snakes which suddenly appeared in the camp in the wilderness, and were dying by the scores. God told Moses to take a pole and put on it a brass serpent. That serpent would itself do nothing whatsoever for the people, it was merely a symbol, but they were told if they would look at it (and thus make a personal application of its meaning to their own lives), they would find themselves healed from the serpent's bite.
The Lord Jesus is saying, "That is a picture of me. I will be made sin (the serpent always represents sin), lifted up to die. When that happens, if you will look at me and believe that I am dying for you, in your place, God will forgive your sins and you will receive the life of God."
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Monday, September 09, 2019
John 3:4-7
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ~ John 3:4-7
Nicodemus seeks by asking the Lord Jesus a question. In Ecclesiastes we read, “God has placed eternity in our hearts.” This explains why we either turn to God or blame Him when the tragic pays a visit to our souls. Some apologize for questioning God. There is no need to apologize because God knows that questions are far more important than the answers.
Questioning is the art of learning and relating. Learning to ask the right questions is the best activity for advancing understanding and relationship. Questioning far surpassing the temporary endorphins of a correct answer.
Questioning is the art of learning and relating. Learning to ask the right questions is the best activity for advancing understanding and relationship. Questioning far surpassing the temporary endorphins of a correct answer.
In v.4, Nicodemus asks, "How can someone be born when they are old?" The response of the Lord Jesus in v.5 shows clearly, there is a difference between natural and spiritual birth. And spiritual birth is essential for a relationship with God.
After Adam and Eve rejected God's definition of things in the Garden of Eden, sin made mankind dead to God. Our ability to be connected to God and thus receive His definition of things was tarnished. This is part of the reason why the Lord Jesus highlights the difference between physical birth, "born of water," and spiritual birth, "born of the Spirit." The reference of being "born of water" is a reference to the breaking of the mother's water when a baby is born.
According to v.6, when we are "born of the Spirit," we are made alive to God and His culture. In Ephesian 2:1, we read, "God made us alive who were dead in trespasses and sins." Only God can make us alive to Him by imparting His Spirit to awaken our dead spirits. That is what Jesus is telling Nicodemus in our text. Apart from God, we are spiritually dead in our selfishness and rebellion. And, as a result, we are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
That night, Nicodemus was motivated by the intrigue the Lord Jesus presented to him. There was no spiritual life in Nicodemus. Spiritually, he was not alive to God. He needed life, not more religious activities or more religious determination. The Lord Jesus is saying, real life happens at new birth. This is not religious activity or discipline or decision, this is being reunited with the One who created us through His Spirit.
The new birth is supernatural, not natural. It cannot be explained by things that are already found in this world. The Spirit of God is the One who brings about the new birth. In John 6:63, we read, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.”
The life that the Spirit gives is done in connection with the Lord Jesus. Union with the Lord Jesus is where we experience this supernatural life. In John 14:6, we read, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The role we play in being "born again" is we place our faith in the Lord Jesus and we, by faith, follow Him on a daily basis. Following Him includes practicing His presence (talking and listening to Him), following His leading that He gives us through His word and His indwelling Spirit, and being defined by Him. Our spiritual life and faith in Him come into being together, simultaneously.
The Christian life is not that we have been born again and then put in the position to get life right a second time. The Christian life is not about getting better. The Christian life is learning to give in to this new life that has apprehended us. It is not that we have learned to be more disciplined or determined. No, it is a new relationship, it is being made alive to God. This relationship that is now a reality to us, enables us to listen for and to Him. This new life is about learning to communicate honestly and authentically to and with Him. As a result, we are learning His way of thinking and living. And, we are experiencing the life of God in, to and through us.
Finally, we even fail in our attempts to walk with Him. And, God uses all of these bumps and bruises that we experience that doubt brings and faith answers to develop us in relating to and with Him. We do this for the purity of our faith, our heart's ability to see and know God. And, another great benefit of our struggling and clarifying faith is we are able to clearly and meaningfully tell others about what it means to be born again, to have a personal relationship with God.
To invest in BYM, click here
The Christian life is not that we have been born again and then put in the position to get life right a second time. The Christian life is not about getting better. The Christian life is learning to give in to this new life that has apprehended us. It is not that we have learned to be more disciplined or determined. No, it is a new relationship, it is being made alive to God. This relationship that is now a reality to us, enables us to listen for and to Him. This new life is about learning to communicate honestly and authentically to and with Him. As a result, we are learning His way of thinking and living. And, we are experiencing the life of God in, to and through us.
Finally, we even fail in our attempts to walk with Him. And, God uses all of these bumps and bruises that we experience that doubt brings and faith answers to develop us in relating to and with Him. We do this for the purity of our faith, our heart's ability to see and know God. And, another great benefit of our struggling and clarifying faith is we are able to clearly and meaningfully tell others about what it means to be born again, to have a personal relationship with God.
To invest in BYM, click here
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