The Gospel of John Lesson 48 (09-29-2013) John 12:44-13:1

The Gospel of John Lesson 48 (09-29-2013)

Lesson 48 – John 12:44-13:1

In our last lesson we saw Jesus make His last public offer and plea to Israel’s religious leaders and those at large. We see John tell us that largely again His message was rejected, as was prophesied by Isaiah, those rejecting His message choosing rather to remain in darkness (Jn. 12:27-41). However, in v. 42 of John chapter 12 John tells us that Jesus’ message and plea was not totally unprofitable. John tells us that even though many rejected His offer many also even of the authorities believed. However, of those that believed they resisted to come out boldly and publically in declaring their faith because they loved the praise of men more than the encouragement and praise from God.

But, in v. 44 Jesus begins to lay down the foundation of their faith challenging them with the truth calling them to come out of the darkness of the praise of man. He gives them a much bigger picture to hold onto stating boldly that if they receive Him in reality they are receiving God the Father. This is a bold statement separating the claims of the two sides for both sides cannot legitimately claim connection to the Father. Only one can. By making this claim Jesus challenges them to make up their mind and embrace the truth calling them out of the false security of the praise of men essentially saying that you cannot serve two masters and that He offered in reality the only way to the Father.

In v. 44 His claim was that He had been send directly from the Father. The other choice, the other side, offered an opinion about God filtered through the darkness of man’s heart which Jesus Himself renounced. In v. 45 He goes right to the top. Some would say that He was claiming to be the exact replica of God, but this was not so, for in claiming to be a replica as exact as it may be it still would not be an original.

 Jesus’ claim and call to them was much higher than this. Jesus’ call to them was to believe on Him in the highest and most genuine way claiming not only to be an ambassador for God, but claiming to be God. This was the belief that He was calling these new immature believers too, for in receiving this message the praise of man would not be so important.

In v. 46 again He challenges them to step forward and make a definite and decisive move into the light telling them that He is the way of light and if they truly were His followers then they must move from the darkness of their old dead ways into the light. Same action same result, different action different result. For those who had truly believed their life must change being transformed into a life of light.

This was His call to them! And, it was a call given to them with emotion. V. 44 says that He cried this out so that all could hear. Can you imagine what this scene looked like? Those that had truly believed would hear His challenge and move to the light even though for some it took some time to get there. He would lead, but they must follow. His call was to a new life clearly leaving behind their old dark ways. (Eph. 2:1-10)

In vs. 47 and 48 He reminds them of His purpose in coming at this time. He tells them that there will definitely be a judgment day, but that that is not His purpose in coming at this time. He tells them that His purpose in coming at this time was to offer them Hope. That was why He came to them, to Jerusalem and the nation Israel. He came with an offer of peace riding on a donkey a symbol of peace. He tells them that the words of light that He has spoken to them will in the end judge all that reject it, that is rejecting His offer, and that doing nothing does nothing, allowing one to remain in the darkness that they are presently in. Again, it is interesting that the word itself that declares God’s standard will be the measure and the judge.

The Apostle John made this clear earlier in chapter 3 of this Gospel, vs. 17-21, telling us clearly that God did not send His Son into the world at this time to condemn those in the world telling us that His coming at this time was to offer a way of salvation, in other words, a way out.

In John 3:17-21, as is the theme throughout this Gospel, even though Jesus did not come at this time to pronounce and pass judgment that they all already stood condemned being already in darkness. The condition was present, for those who continued to reject His message judgment would indeed eventually come. His call or message in John 3 is the same as here in the end of chapter 12…calling those in darkness to come…come to the light of God who came with an offer of a pardon and the passage into a new life before… it is too late.

In the remaining part of chapter 12 of John He again tells them that it is these words of light that will judge those who reject His offer and not move into the light. He tells them that’s where these words and message came from…from the Light. He tells them that the Father Himself had sent Him and that the message, even though He was in complete agreement with it, originated with the Father, the one they claimed to know. Jesus was the Messenger and was a completely obedient servant speaking only the message given to Him to declare. No more, on less. They needed to listen.

In v. 50 Jesus says something that is very powerful. He tells us that the commandment and message that He was given is Life…Forever…Eternal, containing no darkness at all and that they should not take His offer lightly. Did they realize what He was really offering? Do we?? We, as they were, are much too casual concerning His offer and the difference that it can make in our life as well as others. Jesus makes it clear that doing nothing only allows one to remain in darkness awaiting, in the end, God’s judgment.

John Chapter 13

These are exciting times in the Gospel of John. Now only one day or literally hours away from the cross Jesus has His final meal with His disciples. Even with so much before Him He doesn’t lose a moment in laying down and leaving with them the key principles of living in His Kingdom. We know from Jn. 12:31 that the Kingdom now is as good as here. True, the final blow has not been dealt as yet, but in Jn. 12:31 the Apostle John tells us that to Jesus it was as good as done. It is like an election that is over in November. The final vote has been cast and the outcome has been tallied so the outcome is complete and sure even though the one elected and his administration will not officially assume office until January.

However, unlike our example, in Jesus’ case in Jn. 12:31 He was only a few days away from assuming the office given to Him by the Father. He and His Kingdom would very soon take its rightful position on earth, a position and change that the old ruler and administration would not easily give up.

Over the next few chapters we will see Jesus share with His disciples and followers some incredible principles concerning how this new Administration will function and work. It will be a Kingdom and Administration like no other. Unlike the present government and world system that is largely self serving, this new government and administration will truly be for the benefit of the people being founded on laws and principles that are good and right having practical application and benefit, i.e. love your neighbor as yourself and the Ten Commandments.

The prophet Isaiah warned us of this in Is. 9:6-7 telling us that this Kingdom to come would be an everlasting one, never ending, established by God Himself. This was the Kingdom also that our Lord taught His disciples to pray for when He taught them to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”. His disciples understood what Jesus was saying concerning this coming Kingdom for we see them ask Him plainly of this after Jesus’ resurrection in Acts 1:6. Now the Kingdom is literally at the doorstep awaiting those for who it was prepared.

He begins in v. 1 of chapter 13 by making a distinction between what is termed as His own or subjects of His Kingdom and those that are of this world. In our world, as it has been throughout time, the message of this world is that we are all one…all brothers, all members of one family. However, over the next few chapters Jesus again will make the clear distinction that this is not so, making the distinction between those that are His, children of the Kingdom, differentiating them from those that are truly of this world and its system who are following the prince referred to in Jn. 12:31. This is not the first time that Jesus has made this distinction in this Gospel.

The Gospel of John Lesson 47 (09-22-13) John 12:27- 43

The Gospel of John Lesson 47 (09-22-2013)

Lesson 47 – John 12:27- 43

In v. 27, Jesus sensing the reality of what is about to happen was overcome with the enormity of what was before Him and wrestles with Himself. In Heb. 4:15 it tells us that Jesus was tempted in all ways like us yet without sin. Jesus here prays to the Father, depending upon Him for strength and support. Even Jesus relied and depended on the Father. This will not be the only time that we see Jesus wrestle with the enormity of the Cross. We will see Him wrestle with it again in a real way in the Garden just prior to His trial, conviction and execution.  

He prays a simple prayer here, v. 28, giving the situation to the Father asking Him to use what is about to happen for His Glory. Jesus knew the outcome, the cross, that it would not be positive from a purely human perspective. But, He asked the Father to use it to bring glory to His Name.

It was a simple prayer, one of the shortest prayers ever recorded, or prayed for that matter. But, it was a real prayer prayed from the heart of Jesus to the Father and even though Jesus’ prayer was very short the Father not only heard it, but also answered it…audibly! Those that were there also heard God’s answer not knowing what to make of it. In attempting to analyze it some called it thunder; others said that an angel had spoken to Him out loud.

In v. 30 Jesus tells them that the audible voice spoken by the Father was not spoken to reassure Jesus that the Father was with Him through the difficulties before Him, but instead was a message and warning to those present that they need heed Jesus’ words and warnings for the time for them to act was short. In v. 30 He tells them that this voice came for their sakes and follows this statement to them with a warning and a sign…a sign that was to come soon that would be unmistakable. Jesus had a sense of urgency as He proclaimed this. It would be a sign that would be a call to action, if they would come.

In v. 31 He warns them that the judgment of them and this world was only moments away. A new world order was about to step forward and emerge. The King of the Kingdom had come forward just a day ago and they had gone through the motions of welcoming and receiving Him, but did they? Did they accept His offer? Did they welcome and receive Him or were they just caught up in the excitement and emotion of the moment?

His warning in v. 31 was that they had better be sure of they’re motive. Things were about to change. The prince of this world was about to be judged and cast down…the prince that they now served and gave allegiance to even though they did not recognize such. John 8:44. Eph. 2:2-3 II Cor. 4:4 Jn. 14:30 Jn. 16:8-11 Rev. 20:7-10 (Dan. 10:13)

In v. 32 He gives them the sign that they should be looking for and that they should heed. He makes it clear to them exactly what this sign is. It is so clear to them that they question Him about this in v. 34. They are confused about what He says and their perception of what they had been taught about the coming Messiah. It is clear from their response in v. 34 that they were looking for a messiah that was going to show up and stay for a while, conquering their enemies, abiding forever.  After all, was this not what had been prophesied? However, even though they got part of it right they were about to miss the most important part, His death on the cross, the part that they needed to acknowledge and receive. .

But, they were also confused about one other item…His use of the term Son of man. Jesus uses this reference to Himself in v. 23 and they are puzzled by it. It seems that the parable concerning the grain of wheat falling to the ground dying was not given just to His disciples, but was taught publically to those that were there. To use the term God and man connected as one was unthinkable to them. They knew that He had claimed to be the Messiah and as such these two items to them did not fit or go together, God and man as one and God and death. Jesus was preparing them for what was to come as foreign as it was to their belief system.

He warns them in v. 35 that they needed to take heed and give some effort to attempt to understand what He was saying. He makes reference to Himself as being the Light distinguishing Himself from the darkness that was around them. It was clear that they had seen the difference between Jesus and the status quo. But, He tells them in essence that they had gotten comfortable in the darkness of their beliefs and their doctrine, and in order to escape this darkness they would have to think and see things differently thinking in terms of light, His light.

In v. 36 He invites them to come on over to His side giving them the option to be the sons of the Light He was proclaiming to them. This indeed would be a big change from the way they were living and would be a large step for them to take. The question is would they accept His offer?

At the end of v. 36, however, we have an indication of their response. It says that after saying these things Jesus departed and hid himself from them. It does not tell us exactly the reason for His departure and why He hid Himself, but most often this response was a reaction to hostile opposition. Although it does not exactly say this, in v. 37 it does indicate their response to His offer. His offer was not a come if you what to offer to them, but was a call to action, telling them that now was the accepted time to decide, there was not much time left. This would be Jesus’ last public offer and address to come. For those who were in darkness and desired to stay there His sense of urgency would have offended them, probably making them angry and possibly hostile.

But, for many their heart was hard even though Jesus had done many miracles before them witnessing that His message was true. John had begun this Gospel with Light coming to a dark world. Vs. 38-41 tells us that God had previously prophesied through Isaiah that much of the darkness would remain unmoved by His offer. This is a mystery of God. But, the time of darkness was now past, v. 31, and God had begun to separate the darkness and the light.

In v. 42 John declares that even though those in darkness became more resistant to the message of the Light that many chose the opposite coming to the Light instead. But, it also tells us that even though they had made a decision to come to the Light that they had yet to become strong in their commitment. They had many more lessons to learn and their faith being yet immature still gave into public opinion. At this point v. 43 says that they still loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

The Gospel of John Lesson 46 (09-09-2013) John 12:20-6

The Gospel of John Lesson 46 (09-09-2013)

Lesson 46 – John 12:20-6

In John 12:20-2 we see some apparently Grecian Gentiles who were attending the Passover ask Phillip if they could have a private conference with Jesus. Jesus’ response in vs. 23 and following to their request is an interesting one. Although He does not meet with them at this time He begins to explains to His disciples how even these outsiders will be brought into His Kingdom. He tells them in vs. 23-26 in preparation that what is about to happen will even include those outside the nation Israel like these Greeks who were honestly and sincerely seeking out Jesus to understand the truths about Him.

Jesus uses the analogy of the seed. that can remain intact and dry in a jar or on a shelf and remain as is being only one, showing no increase for its existence. Staying as is, without being sown and dying to itself it will eventually lose potency over time and eventually blow away and die. But, good seed that is sown in good soil will end up dying to itself, producing so much more than just one seed.

Some seeds have an incredible ability to multiply and produce an unbelievable amount of fruit. But, if not sown it produces nothing. Even the plant itself that comes from a seed is an incredible transformation from its original state making it worth the sowing of the seed. Jesus’ Transfiguration is an example of this. But, as we saw with Jesus’ example of the fig tree, the production of fruit is important to God. The Son of Man’s body was about to be sown and it would bare much fruit, including outsiders like these Gentiles.

In vs. 23 and 24 of John 12, following the request of these Greeks, Jesus attempts to begin to inform His followers that His death will bring in many diverse followers, even those outside the nation Israel. To be sure, at this time this part of what He was sharing with them was confusing to them. They were still looking at Him as the triumphant King coming to His people and not really understanding the seed analogy much less the broad harvest that He was referring to. Before they could get it and understand what He was telling them they would have to witness His death and resurrection, and, Jesus/God would have to have vivid and direct encounters with His followers before they would understand the broad reach of His offer of Salvation.

But, Jesus was also preparing them for what was to come for them personally. Jesus had a plan for them. They were now a part of His plan as well as His Kingdom. His Kingdom operated on different principles and concepts that were foreign to them at this time. Many of the truths that Jesus shared with them were taught by example. Jesus would soon demonstrate His example of the parable of the seed.

He begins by telling them in v. 24-5 that to win, you have to lose! Wow, that is so unlike this world. Survival of the fittest. Get them before they get you. It is ok to step on the next guy as you move ahead as long as you do it with the right attitude. May the best man win. Beat the next guy…get the prize. To win you need that competitive edge. But, in winning someone else is losing, even if they are trying and doing their best.

In a few days they would see Jesus, in their eyes and according to their thinking, lose big time,…on purpose. When they see what they are about to see they will literally believe that all has been lost, eventually acting on what they believed and scatter, running for their lives. But, Jesus shares with them another principle here telling them how to get the big payoff …the windfall…how to hit the jackpot! He tells them that to do so you have to give up everything and make the ultimate sacrifice, dying…intentionally…on purpose…so that the next guy wins.

What Jesus was teaching here was not some weird form of socialism designed to spread the wealth even to those who do nothing to earn it. Jesus and the Bible have a lot to say about work and putting forth effort looking for a return for one’s labor for the benefit of themselves and the others that they choose to share it with.

But, in preparing them for what was to come in just a few days, He knowing that they would not initially understand it was telling them that they should be observant and should be watching for a visual demonstration of the most important principle found in God’s Kingdom, giving one’s life of comfort so that someone else can benefit. 

This principle was found in the parable of the ‘Pearl of Great Price’. The only difference, however, is that it was easier to give up everything to get something in return that was of greater value, a valuable pearl. In doing so in essence you are not really giving everything up, but actually taking a risk or making an investment hoping to actually gain more.

But, all of Jesus’ parables were to entice us to buy into this principle found here in vs. 24 and 25 of chapter 12 taking us one step closer in perspective and attitude to the heart of Kingdom principles saying that what I do, I do not do it for my own benefit, but I do it for you, at a cost to me, …asking nothing in return.

In doing so Jesus is telling us that to give to get may have a benefit, but it is not really giving at all. However, in giving at our expense, costing us something, not expecting payment in return or expecting a return on our investment, now that is a whole different thing. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a good example of this principle. Jesus made this principle clear also in giving us the Golden Rule.  The Kingdom of God is won with principles like this, principles that are not of this world. Giving in this fashion is in essence like touching the heart of God, founded on the principle of God which is known as Love, Jn 3:16.

Not too long from now the message of God will be in the hands of these men. Did they get it? Were they ready? Did they get what Jesus was saying and what was about to happen? Well, maybe not at first. When Jesus said this I am sure that they all at first nodded as if to say they got it only to turn their head and shrug their shoulders in the next moment asking the guy next to them if they knew what He was talking about. Soon we will see them scatter not knowing what to do next as they watch Jesus literally give them the visual and very real example of these verses, v. 25-6.

But, we must not be too hard on them. They all will eventually get it. All of the disciples except John and Judas will follow their Master’s example and die the death of a martyr, sowing the seed of their life for the Kingdom.  The only exceptions to this were Judas, who was not a follower of Jesus at all, and the Apostle John who was sentenced to isolation on the Isle of Patmos, losing his life in a different way. They too would pass on the example of their Master of the seed sown, dying to itself, again passing Jesus’ example on to His followers that would come even after them. And…this Kingdom principle and its real and practical example continue to this day.

But, in v. 26 He tells them of another important principle that will be essential if they are to succeed in their mission. He tells them that in order to succeed they will need to continue to follow Him, even when He has left them. Soon to come in John’s Gospel Jesus will expound on this reminding them that they will continue to be intimately connected to Him even though He has physically left them, John 14:1-6. In John chapter 15 He will give them further instruction concerning what He shared with them here in chapter 12 telling them that to do His will they will need to continue to abide in Him. He tells them in v. 26 that they must not only follow Him in his teachings and example, but must also be looking for Him as He works in this world and that they must come and join Him in what He is doing.

Henry Blackaby highlighted this principle in his work ‘Experiencing God’ where the main admonition of his book was that we should be actively looking for where God is at work and then to go and join Him in that work. In v. 26 Jesus says that “where I am, there shall also my servant be”. Sometimes I think that we get it backwards. We are often found asking God to join us where we are and in what we are doing. This is not what He tells His followers in v. 26. His message and admonition to them was to look for Him at work and then to be found there ourselves working with Him.

The only way to succeed in the task given to them would be to work the works of God joining God in His labor. He tells them that even with what is about to happen that God will continue to be at work and if they want to be a part of what He is doing they will have to be intentionally looking for Him doing the work of the Kingdom joining Him.  Success would not be found in fast talk, or flashy marketing, good salesmanship or stage presence or in their plans alone. It would also not be found in organization or in programs or in the so called great plans of man or in things such as politics alone, as important as these things may be. 

But, success would be found in working the works of Jesus, the works of God. This is what we find happened in the beginning of the Church, the Church being founded on the principle of vs. 25-6 performing His works as portrayed  in the events of the book of Acts. The early Church carried on the traditions of Christ following His example, doing His works. At the end of v. 26 He reminds them that the Father is mindful of their good deeds telling them that the Father does take notice and will honor those that serve Him.