John 7 study notes
This week James Cameron announced that he's found the bones of Jesus. Ok, not the actual bones, but the crypt that once held the bones. And he didn't find them, he just shot a movie about them; the crypt was found in 1980 and the original story circulated back then.
Anyway, it made quite the headline. Could it be true? Could Jesus have really married Mary Magdalene and had a child? And then instead of dying on a cross, die . . . some other way? And if we have his bones, then could it be that his resurrection wasn't true?
Historically it's not something that we'll ever prove. Jesus wasn't an uncommon name 2000 years ago (it's actually the Greek form of Joshua). So a tomb marked "Jesus" isn't that conclusive. (Google "Joshua" and see how many responses you get.) If his bones were buried 2000 years ago, we're not likely to find them now; and if they ascended into heaven with the rest of the body, we're not going to prove that today either.
The controversy is amazingly not new, and it's not even the most enflamed. Jesus was actually surrounded by the same controversy. And it wasn't good people vs bad people, or religious vs non-religious; it was much more personal than that.
Jesus' own family didn't believe in him. Imagine that! He walked and taught, and his brothers thought he was a fraud. They went to a festival in Jerusalem and taunted him: "Go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!" It wasn't merely powerful filmmakers who said he wasn't true, it was the brothers he grew up playing soccer with and fishing with and working with who wouldn't believe in him.
There was a three-way debate on his credentials: Some called him a good man, some nothing but a fraud. And there were whispers in the crowd: "Could this one be the Messiah?" This one who's name means "The Lord is salvation?"
Jesus didn't set out to prove his credentials either. If he was Hollywood, he would have said, "Watch this! It will prove that I'm the messiah!" and then raised some dead people and fed a crowd from a boys lunch and heal the sick. But he didn't. He was more intriguing than that.
He said, "Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own." No flashy miracles, no demonstrations of power, no scientific proof. Only pointing to the spirit of God as confirmation.
If you sincerely want to know God and follow his will, God will confirm it in your heart. It's something beyond science, beyond archeology, beyond even history. It's something eternal that descends on all that you are. Somehow God communicates with us directly to settle the question. To those who sincerely want to know.
And to those who chase wonders and hypothesis and find it easier or more convenient to sit on a fence and speculate about both sides, James Cameron isn't the first to raise the question. Some believed at first sight, some believed after much consideration and thought and seeking, and some never did. And to be honest, Jesus wasn't threatened by any of them.
(Curiously, Jesus' family did eventually become believers in who he was. But it took a resurrection to prove it.)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
John chapter 8
(Print version)
A Woman Caught in Adultery
1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"
11 "No, Lord," she said.
And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
—————
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
13 The Pharisees replied, "You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid."
14 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me.17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."
19 "Where is your father?" they asked.
Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father."20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.
The Unbelieving People Warned
21 Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going."
22 The people asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, `You cannot come where I am going'?"
23 Jesus continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins."
25 "Who are you?" they demanded.
Jesus replied, "The one I have always claimed to be.26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful."27 But they still didn't understand that he was talking about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him."30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
Jesus and Abraham
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33 "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, `You will be set free'?"
34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there's no room in your hearts for my message.38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father."
39 "Our father is Abraham!" they declared.
"No," Jesus replied, "for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.41 No, you are imitating your real father."
They replied, "We aren't illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father."
42 Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.43 Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me!44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God."
48 The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?"
49 "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me.50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge.51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!"
52 The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, `Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!'53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
54 Jesus answered, "If I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, `He is our God,'55 but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him.56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad."
57 The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?"
58 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!"59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
A Woman Caught in Adultery
1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"
11 "No, Lord," she said.
And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
—————
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
13 The Pharisees replied, "You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid."
14 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me.17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."
19 "Where is your father?" they asked.
Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father."20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.
The Unbelieving People Warned
21 Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going."
22 The people asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, `You cannot come where I am going'?"
23 Jesus continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins."
25 "Who are you?" they demanded.
Jesus replied, "The one I have always claimed to be.26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful."27 But they still didn't understand that he was talking about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him."30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
Jesus and Abraham
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33 "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, `You will be set free'?"
34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there's no room in your hearts for my message.38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father."
39 "Our father is Abraham!" they declared.
"No," Jesus replied, "for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.41 No, you are imitating your real father."
They replied, "We aren't illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father."
42 Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.43 Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me!44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God."
48 The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?"
49 "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me.50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge.51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!"
52 The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, `Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!'53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
54 Jesus answered, "If I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, `He is our God,'55 but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him.56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad."
57 The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?"
58 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!"59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
John chapter 7
(Print version)
Jesus and His Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,3 and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!4 You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!"5 For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.7 The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.8 You go on. I'm not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come."9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him.12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people."13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.15 The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.
16 So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me."
20 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?"
21 Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed.22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.)23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath?24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."
Is Jesus the Messiah?
25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?26 But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah?27 But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from."
28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I'm not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don't know him.29 But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you."30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
31 Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. "After all," they said, "would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?"
32 When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus.33 But Jesus told them, "I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going."
35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. "Where is he planning to go?" they asked. "Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks!36 What does he mean when he says, `You will search for me but not find me,' and `You cannot go where I am going'?"
Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, `Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" 39 (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
Division and Unbelief
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting."41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born." 43 So the crowd was divided about him.44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46 "We have never heard anyone speak like this!" the guards responded.
47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them!"
50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"
Jesus and His Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,3 and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!4 You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!"5 For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.7 The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.8 You go on. I'm not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come."9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him.12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people."13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.15 The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.
16 So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me."
20 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?"
21 Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed.22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.)23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath?24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."
Is Jesus the Messiah?
25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?26 But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah?27 But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from."
28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I'm not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don't know him.29 But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you."30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
31 Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. "After all," they said, "would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?"
32 When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus.33 But Jesus told them, "I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going."
35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. "Where is he planning to go?" they asked. "Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks!36 What does he mean when he says, `You will search for me but not find me,' and `You cannot go where I am going'?"
Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, `Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" 39 (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
Division and Unbelief
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting."41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born." 43 So the crowd was divided about him.44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46 "We have never heard anyone speak like this!" the guards responded.
47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them!"
50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Why I believe
John 6.68 Study notes
Often I wish I could do without. Without God. Without religion, without belief, without having to look for an answer. I wish it didn't matter what I believed or what you believed, that one belief was as good as another. I wish it didn't matter how I lived my life. But every time I lean that way, I get stuck on Jesus.
Simon Peter said, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God." John 6.68-69
But every time, I come back to where Peter was, when Jesus asked the disciples, "Are you sure t you want to believe in me?"
Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.
It goes like this:
Either Jesus is the real deal, or he ranks up there with the McDonald's Fry Guys as a spiritual leader.
Historically, Jesus existed. No historian would ever dispute that. A great religious leader named Jesus walked Palestine around 30 AD. That's true.
So, was he a religious leader, or something more? His teachings are incredible. "Love your neighbour as yourself. When you pray, pray in private so only God hears, not for show. Neither do I forgive you; go and sin no more. Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing." If God were to say something, these are the words I would want God to say. Not syrupy religious talk, but soul God-talk.
But Jesus also said other things. Like, "No one has ever seen God but me, who was sent from him." And "The dead will hear my voice and rise again." Jesus doesn't allow you to accept him as just a good teacher, because he also claimed to be the Son of God. If that's not true, then we're following a good teacher with incredible delusions (if he actually believed he was from heaven), or a good teacher who is conning followers into believing he was from heaven (if he made it all up). So, is this good teacher actually the Son of God, or delusional, or a liar? He's one of the three.
I get stuck on another point: His resurrection. His death is one matter, but his resurrection is something else. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? The scriptures are clear that he did, but they can be disbelieved if you choose. After Jesus' death though, his followers went forward with a single message: "Jesus is alive from the dead!" They clearly believed in the resurrection, having seen Jesus alive after his crucifixion. They took this message throughout the known world in the face of incredible opposition. If it was only a cleverly invented story, why did they never crack? If you made up a story to start a religion, and were told you would spend your life in a third world prison if you didn't recant, would you continue? Moreover, if 12 people said this, would they all continue? Or a group of 500 - could you reasonably expect all 500 people to hold to their story? Remember, Christianity was illegal soon after Jesus' death. His followers were chased, harassed, beaten, and eventually outlawed and killed. It wasn't a popular club to be in. But regardless, they held fast to a single belief: That Jesus was alive.
And if Jesus was alive, he was no mere "moral teacher." It made every claim he ever made truth.
So I believe. In part because I can never shake the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and that makes the whole story astounding - astounding enough to put my life on.
And I believe because I don't think I'll ever find words of such incredible truth anywhere else. Others may have lots of good to say, but only on Jesus rests the words of eternal life.
Often I wish I could do without. Without God. Without religion, without belief, without having to look for an answer. I wish it didn't matter what I believed or what you believed, that one belief was as good as another. I wish it didn't matter how I lived my life. But every time I lean that way, I get stuck on Jesus.
Simon Peter said, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God." John 6.68-69
But every time, I come back to where Peter was, when Jesus asked the disciples, "Are you sure t you want to believe in me?"
Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.
It goes like this:
Either Jesus is the real deal, or he ranks up there with the McDonald's Fry Guys as a spiritual leader.
Historically, Jesus existed. No historian would ever dispute that. A great religious leader named Jesus walked Palestine around 30 AD. That's true.
So, was he a religious leader, or something more? His teachings are incredible. "Love your neighbour as yourself. When you pray, pray in private so only God hears, not for show. Neither do I forgive you; go and sin no more. Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing." If God were to say something, these are the words I would want God to say. Not syrupy religious talk, but soul God-talk.
But Jesus also said other things. Like, "No one has ever seen God but me, who was sent from him." And "The dead will hear my voice and rise again." Jesus doesn't allow you to accept him as just a good teacher, because he also claimed to be the Son of God. If that's not true, then we're following a good teacher with incredible delusions (if he actually believed he was from heaven), or a good teacher who is conning followers into believing he was from heaven (if he made it all up). So, is this good teacher actually the Son of God, or delusional, or a liar? He's one of the three.
I get stuck on another point: His resurrection. His death is one matter, but his resurrection is something else. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? The scriptures are clear that he did, but they can be disbelieved if you choose. After Jesus' death though, his followers went forward with a single message: "Jesus is alive from the dead!" They clearly believed in the resurrection, having seen Jesus alive after his crucifixion. They took this message throughout the known world in the face of incredible opposition. If it was only a cleverly invented story, why did they never crack? If you made up a story to start a religion, and were told you would spend your life in a third world prison if you didn't recant, would you continue? Moreover, if 12 people said this, would they all continue? Or a group of 500 - could you reasonably expect all 500 people to hold to their story? Remember, Christianity was illegal soon after Jesus' death. His followers were chased, harassed, beaten, and eventually outlawed and killed. It wasn't a popular club to be in. But regardless, they held fast to a single belief: That Jesus was alive.
And if Jesus was alive, he was no mere "moral teacher." It made every claim he ever made truth.
So I believe. In part because I can never shake the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and that makes the whole story astounding - astounding enough to put my life on.
And I believe because I don't think I'll ever find words of such incredible truth anywhere else. Others may have lots of good to say, but only on Jesus rests the words of eternal life.
John chapter 6
(Print version)
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up.9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted."13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Jesus Walks on Water
16 That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,20 but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here!"21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
Jesus, the Bread of Life
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them.23 Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten.24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him.25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
26 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.27 But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."
28 They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?"
29 Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent."
30 They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, `Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
32 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, Moses didn't give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven.33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 "Sir," they said, "give us that bread every day."
35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.36 But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me.37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."
41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."42 They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, `I came down from heaven'?"
43 But Jesus replied, "Stop complaining about what I said.44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.45 As it is written in the Scriptures, `They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
47 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.48 Yes, I am the bread of life!49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died.50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die.51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked.
53 So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever."
59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you?62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64 But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.)65 Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?"
68 Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."
70 Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up.9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted."13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Jesus Walks on Water
16 That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,20 but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here!"21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
Jesus, the Bread of Life
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them.23 Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten.24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him.25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
26 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.27 But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."
28 They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?"
29 Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent."
30 They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, `Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
32 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, Moses didn't give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven.33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 "Sir," they said, "give us that bread every day."
35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.36 But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me.37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."
41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."42 They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, `I came down from heaven'?"
43 But Jesus replied, "Stop complaining about what I said.44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.45 As it is written in the Scriptures, `They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
47 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.48 Yes, I am the bread of life!49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died.50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die.51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked.
53 So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever."
59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you?62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64 But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.)65 Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?"
68 Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."
70 Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
John chapter 5
(Print version)
Jesus Heals a Lame Man
1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days.2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches.3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?"
7 "I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me."
8 Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!"
11 But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, `Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12 "Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded.
13 The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd.14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you."15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.17 But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.
19 So Jesus explained, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge,23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
24 "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
25 "And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it's here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.28 Don't be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God's Son,29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
Witnesses to Jesus
31 "If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true.33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true.34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.36 But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face,38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.
39 "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
41 "Your approval means nothing to me,42 because I know you don't have God's love within you.43 For I have come to you in my Father's name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them.44 No wonder you can't believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don't care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.
45 "Yet it isn't I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes.46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.47 But since you don't believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?"
Jesus Heals a Lame Man
1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days.2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches.3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?"
7 "I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me."
8 Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!"
11 But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, `Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12 "Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded.
13 The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd.14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you."15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.17 But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.
19 So Jesus explained, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge,23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
24 "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
25 "And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it's here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.28 Don't be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God's Son,29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
Witnesses to Jesus
31 "If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true.33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true.34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.36 But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face,38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.
39 "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
41 "Your approval means nothing to me,42 because I know you don't have God's love within you.43 For I have come to you in my Father's name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them.44 No wonder you can't believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don't care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.
45 "Yet it isn't I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes.46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.47 But since you don't believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?"
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
God's Valentine's Day
John 3.16 Notes
As I rode the bus to work this morning the sky was sunrise pink. A coincidence for Valentine's Day? I've taught Terra that when the sky turns fantastic colours, God's painting a picture to say that he loves us.
That's God: He loves us. Simple. That's his relationship with humanity, and with you as a person. God loves us.
When it came time to make that statement, God made it bigger than we could have ever hoped: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son." Could God have done any more to express how he felt? We think in terms of pink hearts and flowers and chocolate; God sent his son from the glory of heaven to become one of us, and to be that stairway to heaven. "Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." That's the why of Jesus. That we might be re-born: re-born with the wind of God's spirit living inside us; re-born with a faith and a purpose; re-born with heaven written inside of us; re-born with a life that will go on for ever and ever with God.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Someone loves you more that you will ever understand. God pursues us, woes us, courts us, longs for us, delights in us, just as any lover would. We're not forced to respond to it, but God is always there. He's given the ultimate expression, and his spirit still draws us.
Question for Comments: How does God/has God drawn you to his love?
As I rode the bus to work this morning the sky was sunrise pink. A coincidence for Valentine's Day? I've taught Terra that when the sky turns fantastic colours, God's painting a picture to say that he loves us.
That's God: He loves us. Simple. That's his relationship with humanity, and with you as a person. God loves us.
When it came time to make that statement, God made it bigger than we could have ever hoped: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son." Could God have done any more to express how he felt? We think in terms of pink hearts and flowers and chocolate; God sent his son from the glory of heaven to become one of us, and to be that stairway to heaven. "Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." That's the why of Jesus. That we might be re-born: re-born with the wind of God's spirit living inside us; re-born with a faith and a purpose; re-born with heaven written inside of us; re-born with a life that will go on for ever and ever with God.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Someone loves you more that you will ever understand. God pursues us, woes us, courts us, longs for us, delights in us, just as any lover would. We're not forced to respond to it, but God is always there. He's given the ultimate expression, and his spirit still draws us.
Question for Comments: How does God/has God drawn you to his love?
Monday, February 12, 2007
A follower of Jesus in the most unlikely person. . .
John 4 Study Notes
Jesus encountered someone who was considered the last person eligible for becoming a follower: a Samaritan woman with moral and relational issues. Jesus shattered all kinds of taboos at once. First, women were second class and men didn't directly associate with them in public. Second, there was long racial discord between Jews and Samaritans; Samaritan worship was considered impure and illegitimate. Third, after five divorces she had given up on love and respect and morals and virtue.
She was the last person you would expect to be interested in Jesus.
And yet, here he was talking about living water and being the messiah.
And here she was thirsting and hearing and learning to believe.
So what does it take to be a follower of Jesus?
Believe that Jesus is the son of God. That he wants to know you. That
he can give you new life. That from the height of heaven he can speaks
to you. That there is such a thing a living water that can touch your soul.
Question for Comments: How did you become a follower of Jesus?
Jesus encountered someone who was considered the last person eligible for becoming a follower: a Samaritan woman with moral and relational issues. Jesus shattered all kinds of taboos at once. First, women were second class and men didn't directly associate with them in public. Second, there was long racial discord between Jews and Samaritans; Samaritan worship was considered impure and illegitimate. Third, after five divorces she had given up on love and respect and morals and virtue.
She was the last person you would expect to be interested in Jesus.
And yet, here he was talking about living water and being the messiah.
And here she was thirsting and hearing and learning to believe.
So what does it take to be a follower of Jesus?
Believe that Jesus is the son of God. That he wants to know you. That
he can give you new life. That from the height of heaven he can speaks
to you. That there is such a thing a living water that can touch your soul.
Question for Comments: How did you become a follower of Jesus?
John chapter 4
(Print version)
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
1 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John2 (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them—his disciples did).3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
4 He had to go through Samaria on the way.5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.6 Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink."8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
10 Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
11 "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?12 And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
13 Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
15 "Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
16 "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.
17 "I don't have a husband," the woman replied.
Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband—18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"
19 "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet.20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
21 Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.23 But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
25 The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26 Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!"
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?"28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone,29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about."
33 "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other.
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.35 You know the saying, `Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!37 You know the saying, `One plants and another harvests.' And it's true.38 I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest."
Many Samaritans Believe
39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days,41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."
Jesus Heals an Official's Son
43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee.44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick.47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
48 Jesus asked, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?"
49 The official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies."
50 Then Jesus told him, "Go back home. Your son will live!" And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.
51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, "Yesterday afternoon at one o'clock his fever suddenly disappeared!"53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, "Your son will live." And he and his entire household believed in Jesus.54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
1 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John2 (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them—his disciples did).3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
4 He had to go through Samaria on the way.5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.6 Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink."8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
10 Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
11 "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?12 And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
13 Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
15 "Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
16 "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.
17 "I don't have a husband," the woman replied.
Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband—18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"
19 "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet.20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
21 Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.23 But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
25 The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26 Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!"
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?"28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone,29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about."
33 "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other.
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.35 You know the saying, `Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!37 You know the saying, `One plants and another harvests.' And it's true.38 I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest."
Many Samaritans Believe
39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days,41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."
Jesus Heals an Official's Son
43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee.44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick.47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
48 Jesus asked, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?"
49 The official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies."
50 Then Jesus told him, "Go back home. Your son will live!" And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.
51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, "Yesterday afternoon at one o'clock his fever suddenly disappeared!"53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, "Your son will live." And he and his entire household believed in Jesus.54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.
John chapter 3
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you."
3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4 "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"
5 Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.7 So don't be surprised when I say, `You must be born again.'8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
9 "How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things?11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony.12 But if you don't believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."
John the Baptist Exalts Jesus
22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.)25 A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.26 So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."
27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, `I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.'29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
31 "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.36 And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment."
3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4 "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"
5 Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.7 So don't be surprised when I say, `You must be born again.'8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
9 "How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things?11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony.12 But if you don't believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."
John the Baptist Exalts Jesus
22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.)25 A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.26 So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."
27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, `I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.'29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
31 "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.36 And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment."
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
John 1 & 2 Study Notes
Could God be one of us?
John began his story of Jesus with a big statement: Jesus is eternal God who took on human flesh. More than a teacher, more than a religious leader, more than a martyr. Jesus is part of the eternal Triune God. Jesus is the One who spoke at creation. Jesus is the One who gave life. Jesus is the One who brings light. Could this same God leave the wonders of heaven to become a human?
What if God were one of us?
1.1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
1.2 He existed in the beginning with God.
1.3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
1.14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
Why would God become one of us?
People are different than cats and rocks and trees and bugs. We bear the image of God, we hold the breathe of God, and we are the delight of God.
God is different than wind and water and fire. God has will and purpose and desire and emotion and voice. God loves. God made people for relationship.
But for all of humanity's spiritual dreamings, there is a gulf as wide as the heavens between us. Jesus is the stairway to heaven. As God he knew eternity; in becoming a person he could show us, and be the way for us to go there.
1.18 No one has ever seen God. But the Jesus, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us. 1.12 To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 1.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Questions
1. What does it mean that Jesus gave life and light to everyone?
2. Do you feel like a child of God? Do you live like it?
3. Put a Post-it note on the inside of your Bible. Write down these words:
- Jesus is God
- Jesus is God-become-man
- Light
- Belief in Jesus
- New life
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
John chapter 2
John 2
(Print version)
1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine."
4 "Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."
5 But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled,8 he said, "Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.10 "A host always serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!"
11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.
Jesus Clears the Temple
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem.14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money.15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers' coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, "Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!"
17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: "Passion for God's house will consume me."
18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, "What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it."
19 "All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
20 "What!" they exclaimed. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?"21 But when Jesus said "this temple," he meant his own body.22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
Jesus and Nicodemus
23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him.24 But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew human nature.25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.
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