The Gospel of John Lesson 27(3-24-2013)

The Gospel of John Lesson 27(3-24-2013)

Lesson 27 – John 8:21-30

In v. 21 we pick up with the continued dialog and discussion between Jesus and the religious leaders. A good bit of the dialog so far in the Gospel of John centers around the religious leaders of Israel antagonizing Jesus in dialog and discussion attempting to discredit Him publically usually attempting to provoke Jesus into doing something that they might use against Him in order that they might take steps to prosecute  or injure Him. As we have seen earlier and will see again in this chapter that the religious leaders had in mind to put Him to death. In reading the record of these continued encounters one might find it hard to make sense of it all because encounters such as we find here in chapter 8 were apparently many and quite often may be read as just another encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees by us as readers.

But, it may help us to understand better what went on in dialogs such as this by putting ourselves in the place of being present at the time that these discussions went on placing ourselves in the crowd as if we were there when the confrontation actually occurred. Doing so, at least for me, helps to make the passage become more relevant and often times may give us, being a participant, a better sense of what actually went on.

In v. 21 if these religious leaders were not hot before they are now because Jesus tells them that of all people they will die in their sins. What a statement! In their mind, if anyone had a chance of making it to heaven they would have. How self-righteous! However, Jesus just had a showdown with them several verses before this, maybe just a few hours ago, where He might have pointed out some of their shortcomings, possibly writing their offenses in the sand, and they one by one left the scene not even being able to continue to point a finger at a woman caught in the very act of adultery. Their action of leaving, being convicted, not being able to stand their ground when faced with their offense as compared to the woman’s offense indicates that their offenses were no little matter.

In v. 21 He now makes it very clear where they stand being found no better than anyone else, them being in just as desperate need of a Savior as anyone else. But, they did not recognize their need and they did not recognize Him as their solution. He tells them that He was leaving, but also tells them that in their current condition they would not be allowed to follow Him even if they were curious and desired to learn more of Him. He implies that only those without sin could follow. In the verses that follow He will make it plain that those who serve sin have sin as their master and eventually lays it all out on the table that those who serve sin do not know God at all and are actually the servant of God’s enemy the devil even though they themselves may be blind to this fact.

In v. 23 Jesus explains some things to them plainly, usually not an approach to win friends and influence people, by telling them again that they are from below implying of earth (earthly) or not heavenly at all and states clearly that He indeed is heavenly or from God not being any part of the system that they operate from.

In v. 24 He again makes it clear the change in perspective that needs to take place if they are to have any hope telling them that the only answer for their present state is to give up and believe that He is the Savior the Son of God. In v. 25 they object to what He said in v. 24 and either have not been hearing a word that He has been saying, or refuse to believe His testimony which really has been the problem all along. We will see throughout this Gospel that most of these religious leaders had selective hearing, only hearing what they wanted to hear, in reality not seeking the truth at all, but only seeking justification for their ways.

However, that being said, I am confused at their response here in vs. 25 and 27. All along the confrontation between Jesus and these guys has been primarily over His clear claim to be One with the Father, or in other words claiming to be God. Here their dialog seems to be along the lines of explain your claim or position clearly to us. John tells us in v. 27 that they did not really understand that He was actually referring to the Father God when Jesus made His response in v. 26. It is not really clear if they were actually being antagonistic here or if they were in actuality truly wanting to understand what He was claiming.

However, in the beginning of v. 26 He in essence asks them to receive and build on this foundational truth as to who He is because He had much more to offer them and to make progress in this conversation and relationship with them that He needed to address some issues that were not right that needed to be cleared up.

He uses the word judge or condemn here being somewhat pointed with them. Remember in v. 24 He had just made reference to them that they would die in their sins if they did on receive Him as their Savior. In essence, here in v. 26, He tells them that He would like to get on with it and make some progress concerning the issues at hand here. In the end of v. 26 He restates that the basis for making such statements to them does not come from a personal agenda, but comes from the Source of Truth and that He was sent to speak the Truths that He had heard to this world which included them.

So, in vs. 28 and 29 Jesus goes on to explain these things more clearly to them. In the beginning of v. 28 He begins by sharing a concept with them that He has not shared too frequently to this point in John’s Gospel. We saw Him make reference to this earlier in Jn. 3:14 and we will see Him make reference to it again in Jn. 12:32.

He tells them an interesting thing. He refers to Himself as the Son of Man. He tells them that when they have lifted up the Son of Man then they will understand fully Who He was and what they have done to Him. He tells them that when this happens that they will understand and realize the words that He was speaking and what He was teaching them was not a contrived philosophy or a plan such as we have seen over the course of history by other men, religious founders, but they would realize at that time that He truly was sent for God the Father directly, and that what Jesus shared came directly for God the Father. Jesus kept directing them to evaluate what He was proclaiming to them asking them to make their judgments concerning Him on His actions, His works and what He said as compared to God’s Law, but they could not get past someone being familiar to them being the representative of God.

But, something happened when Jesus spoke these words. I am not sure if it was just the words that Jesus had spoken in the previous few verses or if it was the way that He spoke here, or if it was the way things happened during this encounter, or a combination of all of the above, but it says that for whatever reason when He spoke these words that many were convinced and believed what He was saying and believed on Him.

What He said in v. 28 was indeed something that they could identify with Him making reference to the time in their history when Moses was instructed to fashion a serpent on a pole and hold it up so that all who look on it may be healed from the venomous bite from a plague of snakes that was sent among Israel as a consequence of their sin. All who acted in faith at that time and looked on the serpent were healed. This reference got their attention. He presented Himself as the one to heal their infirmity. But, although what He said got their attention, it says they actually began to change their opinion of Him v. 30, we will see that in just a few verses that in reality even thought they began to change their opinion of Him that they did not as yet in reality see their true need for such an offer. In the verses to come we will see them reject the notion that they were and are indeed in bondage and in reality in need of a rescuer to be freed. 

The Gospel of John Lesson 26 (3-17-2013)

The Gospel of John Lesson 26(3-17-2013)

Lesson 26 – John 8:12-20

In v. 12 Jesus resumes His attempt to disciple those who will follow Him. This is the third attempt to do so recorded since the end of the Feast of the Tabernacles. He was calling those who would to come and follow Him following His lead adopting His example and lifestyle and implementing His teachings in their life benefiting practically by His teachings, shedding light on a better and more beneficial way to live. As a matter of fact He refers to this in v. 12 by saying that He was ‘the Light of the world’ and as such He would shed light on the right way to live and those who follow Him would not walk in dark ways and darkness any more.

But, each time here that He attempted to teach the people something got in the way preventing Him to do so freely.  Oddly enough it was the religious leaders that got in the way of Him when He was helping the people find God and learn His ways. The very ones that should have been helping Jesus in His work and actually bringing people to Him were the ones that got in the way attempting to confuse the people. It is a wonder that Jesus ever got anything done. It seemed that He spent most of His time debating those who were antagonistic to Him.

However, it also seems that God had His purpose in it, the people did benefit by these public debates exposing these religious leaders and learning some of the behind the scenes motives and actions in the process in essence freeing the people to chose the light if they were looking for the truth. Bucking the current system and hierarchy was hard to come to if one did not understand some of the inner workings of the high council. In having these debates Jesus got to proclaim His side of the account and when the opposing side opened their mouth they only exposed and made known their error and subtle craftiness. They, however, were no match for Jesus in a debate. He frequently used these debates to proclaim publically important principles and doctrines presenting a clear choice. But, still these discussions were not without confusion. These religious leaders did have clout and influence.

In making His statement in v. 12 we find in v. 13 that they find fault in Him because they claim that He is touting His own horn. It was clear that they were fishing for just about anything to point a finger at Him for. They were frustrated because there was not much that they could find on Him that they could use to discredit Him or what He was saying. As a matter of fact, so far they could not find a thing… So, in v. 12 they did not debate Him on His premise, but chose the only thing that they could find and chose to criticize His method when He witnessed of Himself.

This was a weak approach to use to discredit Him. It is true that Jesus had brought this up in an earlier debate, Jn. 5:31, where He tells them that if you are the only one witnessing of yourself that one should question that person’s motive. But, in that same encounter, Jn. 5:30-47, Jesus goes on to finish His reasoning why His testimony is the true one.

Jesus’ statement in v. 12 was about like someone that was famous or had some notoriety just mentioning their name as to who they were, or like a plumber announcing that they were so and so the plumber or a king announcing his name as king so and so. He just happened to be the Light of the world, but they were not willing to receive this truth.

 Jesus’ statement in v. 12 was not made for self glorification. Jesus did not need any praise from men. He tells us this in Jn. 5:34 telling those present that He did not need praise from man to validate Himself. But, they had nothing else to use against Him so they took what they could and made an attempt to discredit Him. We see Jesus again, however, reply in an appropriate manor and use this encounter to proclaim more of the truth.

In v. 14 Jesus begins His reply based on Jn 5:34 in essence saying that He is the Authority and that all He needs to do is to make His reply based on the facts that He knows to be true that they are ignorant of. Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing these encounters from a human perspective as they were asking Jesus to prove Himself when in reality the only reason that He takes any time to prove anything to us is because He loves us. Essentially He tells them in this verse that His Presence and Testimony is the only proof needed for He is sure of where He came from and who He is and any questioning concerning what is true and what the facts actually are should be directed toward them their being ignorant of God’s truth, truths that He has already stated.

He tells them in v. 15 that the basis of their judgment of what is right or wrong is based on fleshly principles such as being a smoother talker than the next guy looking only to win the argument not truly looking for the truth. They were judging Him because He was a threat to them, not because in essence He truly represented false doctrine.

However, Jesus only sought the truth in the matter and would have easily and unreservedly embraced them if they had spoken the truth. But, there was no truth in what they said. This was a turf war. To them it did not matter concerning right or wrong only that they came out on top.

In vs. 16-18 He gives them reasons to back up what He was saying and that these reasons are founded on principles that even they were aware of and should have respected being found in the Law. He brings up the validating of someone’s witness by a second witness testifying of the same thing. However, His second witness that He brings forth is one that they could not refute. It was true that they will end up not receiving the witness that He brings forward, but Jesus gave them the option to judge Him according to what was supposed to be in essence their rules. But, again they were not looking for the truth.

In v. 18 He makes it clear the two witnesses that He was setting before them, Himself, which was perfectly legal to do so and according to the rules of the Law counted as one valid witness, and His second witness, the Father God Himself.

At first one might bring up an objection as they did to this and say that Jesus’ second witness is only based on Jesus’ here say and not on the actual verbal testimony of the witness Himself. This is what they do in v. 19. But, if we remember, God did speak, and He spoke audibly and publically recorded in the various Gospel accounts some of them there quite possibly being present when that happened, Mt. 3:13-17.

But, in v. 19 they forget these facts and ask for Him to tell them the whereabouts of His Father asking Jesus again to prove Himself, (remember in Jn. 5:34 what Jesus said?). They had claimed to know God the Father, but Jesus’ replies back to them that all of their supposed religious foundation was indeed shaky saying to them that their stated foundation on God the Father could not be true because if it was founded truly on Him then they would know Him and they would not be having this conversation.

V. 20 By now Jesus’ opposition was getting a little hot and as we have seen in the past that their habit was that when they got angry they started seeing blood, but Jesus’ time had not yet come and no man could lay a hand on Him. 

The Gospel of John Lesson 25 (3-10-2013)

The Gospel of John Lesson 25 (3-10-2013)

Lesson 25 – John 8:2-11

In v. 2 of chapter 8 we see Jesus leave where He resided for the night and come back to the Temple. We saw earlier that everyone else who had come for the feast had gone home, 7:53, but Jesus had not come only for the celebration, but for the people, so He returns to the Temple the next morning.

It is interesting to note that in v. 2 we see the people seek Him out. In this instance He did not gather or call the people to Him, but that they, the people, when they knew that He was there came to Him and sought Him out. Why? For what purpose? What were they looking for? Were they looking for the next part of the show, or, were they actually hungry for what Jesus had and had offered them the day before?

I bring this up to make the point and ask the question ‘who is following us’, or seeking us out for help, for the answers in life’? I don’t mean to say this to give the impression that our goal should be to create a following for our self. But, we should be asking ourselves the question ‘Is anyone following me or us because of Christ’ in our life? ‘Are they asking me or us questions concerning the problems and difficulties of this life? What Christ offered was very practical. It was meant to be applied to life making it better. If no one is following us for Christ’s sake or asking us questions we should be questioning the effectiveness that the Gospel is having and has had on our life.

Here we see in v. 2 that they sought Jesus out wanting to be with Him because He had something for them. He was offering to them ‘Rivers of Living Water’, offering them practical answers and applications for life…something that they could use to help them to make life better. The Bible does command us to go and preach to the nations and their people, but I personally wonder if we are preaching at those around us more than we should instead of teaching them by our lifestyle and being with them like Jesus, loving them while we show them the Way. Mt. 28:19-20

In v. 2 they sought Him out asking in essence for more of what He was about. In doing so they were ready to listen to what He had to share instead of tuning Him out from just preaching at them. We should be asking ourselves frequently who is seeking us out for answers concerning this life and God’s future Kingdom.  If those around us are not seeking us out asking us personal and at times intimate questions concerning life’s problems and perspectives we need to stop and evaluate the effectiveness of our Christian walk.

This is not a numbers game. More does not necessarily mean that we are being effective in our walk with Christ. More may be more of a popularity thing than a witness of an effective Christian walk. After evaluating this question if you only find a few who are looking to you for some input and guidance for life don’t be discouraged, you will find yourself in good company remembering that even with Jesus’ perfect example he had relatively few followers much of the time.

What we are offering them is not the easy way. Only those truly interested in following Christ will seek out the Truth. They may be few. But, after evaluating our effectiveness on those around us, if we find that we are doing all of the talking, those around us asking little to nothing of us except maybe the current weather forecast or the time of day then it might be a good idea to get alone with God and ask why.

In v. 2 of chapter 8 they came to Jesus asking for help concerning the meaning of life and how to live it, and He took them seriously and took time to be with them to guide them through the answers making sure that they got it right.

V. 3 But, as so often is the case, when you are doing something good it seems like the opposing side sends a distraction to try to side track and throw off course those who are truly seeking the truth and make ineffective the efforts of someone that is trying to do something really good.

Such is the case here in the beginning of chapter 8, 8:2-11. Make no mistake about this incident. This was an assault from Satan himself on Christ’s work. If one was to think that this was just a bunch of troublemaking religious leaders think again. We will see Jesus make it clear just who these religious leaders are working for later in this chapter, v. 44, as He will flat out accuse them of doing the devil’s work being his servants and as such intentionally plotting and carrying out acts meant to thwart or injure or harm God’s work here on earth.

These men were not only trying to protect their turf, but they were also in actually gainfully employed by the opposing side. In doing what they did they were not only attempting to get an incriminating statement that they could use falsely against Jesus later, but in reality they were just as concerned with, and if not more so, discrediting Him thwarting His work for His Father.

Right when Jesus was getting down to business teaching and sharing some good stuff these guys show up and boldly and brazenly march right to center stage and attempt to derail everything. Their actions were intentional. They wanted to ruin the party.

V. 3 says that they take the woman, probably forcibly dragging her, and put her right in the middle of Jesus’ classroom. If you were not aware of it this is one of Satan’s most common, and I might add, most effective maneuvers as a counter offense to God’s Truth when it is proclaimed…creating a diversion.

Those who are employed by him, Satan, boldly, appearing confidently, step right up to the center of where things are happening employing the use of smoke and mirrors by making mostly false statements as if they were commonly accepted as fact. They understand the principle that it does not matter if what you say is true or false, it only matters if it could appear to be true and you state it confidently as if it were really true.

In v. 3 they show up in the right cloths representing supposedly the right office, one that we see from what Jesus had to say to them and about them, they were misrepresenting, in actuality living a lie, interrupting His teaching session attempting to initiate a showdown. Imagine that, how proud can these guys be attempting a showdown with the Living God. What were they thinking?

Of course, they did not realize or recognize Who they were up against, but that is just the point. Their pride had blinded them to the reality of the Truth. It is interesting to watch Jesus’ response to enemy intrusions such as this when attempting to share His truth and minister to those that He came to save.

The first thing that we see them do is to come right up in His space, or in other words in His face attempting to force a confrontation and throw Him off balance so to speak. What was Jesus’ initial response? Ignore them and go right on with what you are doing as if nothing was happening. In James 4:7 we are instructed to do just that where James tells us to immediately submit ourselves to God when confrontation begins and to resist getting thrown off course going right on with what you are doing for the Lord as if nothing is happening.

In v. 4 we see them begin the confrontation and march right on ahead with their public presentation and plan as if it were a prearranged debate. But, what do we see Jesus do? He initially ignores His enemy’s maneuvers all together as if nothing actually happened possibly hoping that they might get embarrassed and leave. But, no such luck…so to speak. They pretty much demand Him to come into the trap that they had set. Jesus, however, did not take the bait. Instead we see Him respond to them on His own terms answering them by not answering them and making His move instead.

The image that I get here is like being confronted by a tough move in a game of chest. In responding to your opponents move you either have to respond offensively or you respond defensively. There are times that you do not have a choice and your only option is to respond defensively, but in this situation Jesus chose to sidestep their confrontation and initiated His own move acting offensively.

Here we see Him do a strange thing. He stoops down and begins to write on the ground. Rule # 1, confuse the enemy. When confronted by a false statement or accusation be careful not to let yourself get backed into a corner. If possible sidestep the situation and state the truth boldly and plainly. Truth has a power of its own.

At times, however, it may be better to act on truth by saying nothing. In the right time and the right situation silence also has its own power. Jesus by not saying anything and bending over and doing something totally unexpected confused them and they did not know what to do next. In my mind’s eye I can imagine what their response to His move looked like. I can see them standing there looking at each other in bewilderment as to what to do in response to this. This was a public confrontation. They knew that Jesus had heard them, but v. 6 tells us the He acted is if He did not.

But, these guys are really nasty! They were mean and were not going to let this go and were not going to back down so easily, so in v. 7 John tells us that they persist in forcing the confrontation. When Jesus was ready He eventually does give them a reply, however, it is a reply that they had not expected and did not know how to respond to. He encounters them with the truth of humanity making a statement that was sure to make them stop and think before their next reply or move. They were dumbfounded as to what to say.

The problem was after more time passed following Jesus’ response to them the more difficult it became to make a reply back to Him. How do you respond to Jesus’ statement except to either give up and admit you are guilty or to turn and leave fleeing the scene. They of course chose the latter. I have to believe that it was more than just Jesus’ reply to them that got to them. I have to believe that God the Holy Spirit had to be at work here convicting their hearts.

But, here is the age old question. What did Jesus write on the ground recorded here in this passage? Was He just doodling? I think not. Or, did He write something specific on the ground that made them think twice about continuing this showdown putting them in a position that they would have to either give up and surrender to Him or leave.

What He wrote we may never know and can only guess. The Apostle John does not tell us. Many have offered their opinion on the possibilities. But, one of the postulated possibilities stands out to me a little more than the others. One preacher said that he thought that what Jesus wrote on the ground was their specific offenses letting them know that Jesus knew the truth about them being sinners themselves and that they were not admitting and facing up to the truth in their life.

The truth about them was now not hidden. It was between them and Jesus, God. They could have forgiven the girl and also asked forgiveness for themselves, God was right before them. He would have received them and their request. But, they chose to turn and leave continuing to live the lie of self righteousness. How sad. They left to only dust themselves off and regroup only to return in a few verses with a fresh assault.

The woman, however, is left to face God. Christ now left her with nowhere to hide from her lifestyle and her sin. Would she flee also, or would she face the truth and come to the answer for her life. Jesus knowing her heart, apparent from His response to her indicating her faith already in Him, admonishes her. Not for her previous lifestyle but for her new life and new lifestyle to go now and live for Him. His statement in v. 10 tells her and all who come to Him as Savior that we do not stand in condemnation any longer, but are now free to follow Him. It is interesting that He does not tell the religious leaders the same, but instead makes it clear in v. 24 that if they do not change their position and believe in Him and His message that they stand condemned and will die in their sins unforgiven.

The Gospel of John Lesson 24 (3-03-2013) John 7: 53-8:1

The Gospel of John (3-03-2013)

Lesson 24 – John 7: 53-8:1

It is important to bring out a couple of comments or observations as we begin chapter 8 before we look at the details and important lessons found in this chapter. Often there is important information and details between the lines so to speak found in a word or two that is easy to pass by if we are not careful.

These seemingly insignificant words or phrases that are easy to pass by when reading Scripture passages often add rich meaning and important details when we slow down and with the Holy Spirit’s aid savor them. These details add color, meaning and/or perspective that will help us get a richer meaning and, understanding of the truths contained.

It is important when looking at Scripture passages that we get the full content of what is written by the Gospel writers. There is a lot that you might not see in mere words on paper vs. words that might be spoken by someone in person. When conversing in person words can take on a whole different perspective or have a richer meaning by the use of gestures, inflection and or body language. Also, by referencing and referring to the other Gospel writer’s accounts additional details may be gleaned from their perspective of the event that are often quite significant adding meaning to the passage at hand. We need to be careful not to miss details that may not be obvious at first, but can shed at times seemingly volumes of valuable information concerning a Scripture passage or spiritual principles.

Unfortunately it seems that we have no way to receive the messages and meaning of the Scriptures first hand. But it is important to remember that we do have a tutor and instructor that helps to reveal the full meaning intended in Scriptures if we are willing to seek out His guidance and listen to His prompting.

The words of the Scriptures are not just understood with our intellect only. These are Living Words and although we must be careful not to read more into what we find in the Scriptures, we also must have our heart open to the Spirit’s teachings and interpretations as He reveals the Truth of the Scriptures to us. I Cor. 2:9-14 In other words, we must study and read the Scriptures listening and relying on the Holy Spirit’s Present prompting and instruction using His inflection, gestures to us and images backed up and supported by the rest of Scripture to get His full meaning in any Scripture passage.

Such is the case found here at the end of chapter 7 and the beginning of chapter 8. Some Bible expositors believe that v. 53 in chapter 7 and verse 1 of chapter 8 should have been kept together and should not have been separated by the beginning of a new chapter. There is a lot contained in these two verses that is easy to miss if we pass by these verses too quickly on our way to the important account of the woman taken in adultery.

At the end of chapter 7, the very last verse, the Apostle John makes an important statement and observation which may appear to be as an observation in passing, but in reality it was a detail that he felt was significant to include. Why did he include this? He tells us that at the end of the discussion between themselves, the Pharisees including Nicodemus’, that he thought it was important to include that those present went home unto their own houses.

This is significant for a couple of reasons. First in making such a statement John tells us that festival had indeed ended. This was a festival in Jerusalem and some of the brothers of the religious leaders had likely traveled from some distances to be at this feast as it was a national observance. Now being over and the follow up meetings ended John tells us that those present went home not just residing locally as they would during the festival. Even though they did not answer the questions concerning what to do with Jesus, this Jewish observation/religious holiday broke up and those that were there disbanded and went to their own homes. In other words, normal life as well as day to day Temple life was about to resume.

But, it is the next verse that intrigues me. The Apostle John follows John 7:53 with these interesting words ‘but, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives’. At first you might say ‘so what’, what’s so important about that. Think about his comment here for a minute. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but I think not,…John thought it important to include this as a contrast and follow up to the action that the religious leaders took following the festival. They went to their homes, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Why is this so significant?

In making this statement John could have implied several things and it is statements like this that are not often easy to figure out what their true meaning really is. This is what Paul Harvey referred to as the rest of the story!

In 8:1 it says that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives at night or that night. Why was this significant? First we must assume that because He was going there at night that one of the obvious reasons for going there was to sleep or reside for the night. It is pretty much safe to assume that on this night He in all probability was looking for or going to a place to rest. He had had a long day and sometimes we forget that although Jesus was fully God that He was also fully human and as such did get weary.

We also know from Scripture that this place, the Mount of Olives, was a place that He went to often to pray, the garden of Gethsemane being located at the foot of the Mount of Olives on its western side. But, let’s go one step further by asking the question where did He actually end up?

At first you might state the obvious…’the Mount of Olives’ and you would be right. But, let’s be more specific. Exactly where did He end up? Was it at someone’s house, or…was it outside somewhere? You might say ‘What does it matter?’, but I say this is a good question for in its answer are the details of Jesus’ life.

In looking at some of the details and history concerning the Mount of Olives we find that the Mount of Olives was just that,…a mount or hill within walking distance about a mile East of the temple that contained many olive trees. It is said that the composition of the ground in this area then, as it is now, was unsuitable for building. In actuality in all probability it was a grove of olive trees on a mount or hill, hence its name, possibly resembling a park or wooded area adjacent to other areas that would have been more developed or inhabited. It is said that Mary and Martha lived near this location not far from the Mount of Olives, but John would have mentioned Jesus going there if Jesus would have ended up or gone there.  So, it is unlikely that He went to this place to reside in someone’s home for the night.

Luke sheds some light on this place in his Gospel and our Lord’s use of it when He tells us in Lk 21:37 that John’s reference to Jesus’ retreat to this place was not a onetime event telling us that it was His practice to spend the night here when in Jerusalem. In all likelihood He would have passed the night out of doors or under a temporary shelter as one would if they were homeless. In thinking through this scenario Jesus at this time in His life might actually be classified as ‘homeless’. Jesus Himself gave insight to His lifestyle in Matthew 8:20 when He gave this response to someone that wanted to become a follower of Him: Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Why? How? Why did He adopt this lifestyle?I find it interesting that One so capable and totally able to succeed at any lifestyle that He chose to chose or had to live this way at this time. It is worth mentioning that John the Baptist seemingly also chose this lifestyle during his ministry years.

Jesus was not a rebel without a cause, but we do see in His lifestyle that He was a rebel with a cause and in fulfilling His mission given to Him by the Father we find that He did not fit the mold dictated by this world. He was on a mission. And, in pleasing His Father, fully fulfilling the Father’s will and mission for Him it was necessary to adopt this lifestyle for reasons we may not fully understand. In other words in living His life in service and on mission to His Father He found Himself adopting a lifestyle that on the outside looked a little strange to those around Him especially those who did not know Him personally.

In reading through these passages the Holy Spirit impressed on me to ponder and consider the plight of Jesus and those in this situation remembering that He Himself much of the time did not fit into this world or what we consider normal lifestyle. In considering this there were a few questions that came up in my mind:

•  How do we view those who do not fit into what we term the norm of this world?
• How did/does Jesus fit into our image or view of norm?? What about John the Baptist?
•  If Jesus lived His life perfectly obeying and serving His Father, and He did, then what might that say about our life of perceived normal? Christian normal?
• How does our perception of so called normal actually fit into God’s actual desire and plan for our life?
• Note: Studying these passages made me think of Chris Rise's song 'Face of Christ'.

In v. 2 of chapter 8 we see Jesus leave where He resided for the night and come back to the Temple. We saw earlier that everyone else who had come for the feast had gone home, 7:53, but Jesus had not come as much for the celebration, but for the people, so He returns to the Temple.

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He shares a room outside with a dozen other guys
And the only roof he knows is that sometimes starry sky
A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is his bed
And it’s too cold to talk tonight
So I just sit with him instead and think

How did I find myself in a better place
I can’t look down on the frown on the other guy’s face
‘Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ

After sixteen years in a cold, gray prison yard
Somehow his heart is soft, but keeping simple faith is hard
He lays his Bible open on the table next to me
And as I hear his humble prayer
I feel his longing to be free someday

How did I find myself in a better place
I can’t look down on the frown on the other guy’s face
‘Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ

See you had no choice which day you would be born
Or the color of your skin, or what planet you’d be on
Would your mind be strong, would your eyes be blue or brown
Whether daddy would be rich, or if momma stuck around at all

So if you find yourself in a better place
You can’t look down on the frown on the other guy’s face
You gotta stoop down low, look him square in the eyeS
And get a funny feeling, ‘cause you might be dealing ...

How did I find myself in a better place
I can’t look down on the frown on the other guy’s face
‘Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ

With the face of Christ, yeah

With the face of Christ