John 4:1-9
A friend and I were talking about avoiding people the other day. You know who I mean - the ones that stop you as you are trying to dash in and out of the grocery store, and start a long conversation. So you see them and quickly head on to the next aisle. Or you don't pick up the phone when you see thier number. Sometimes you even drop stuff at thier doorstep, then call to say it's there - the "drop and run", I think she called it, and we had a good laugh - because I had recently found something from her on my front porch!
In today's Scripture Jesus leaves Judea and is on His way back to Galilee, which would take Him through Samaria on the direct route. I've read that the Jews had a way to travel all the way around Samaria, even though it took longer, just to avoid the desipised Samaritans. But look at John 4:4, "Now He had to go through Samaria." He had to. Even though He knew the way around.
At around noon He is tired and sits down by Jacob's well in the town of Sychar. A Samaritan woman appears - she needs to draw water out of the well. Imagine her surprise at finding a Jewish man sitting there. Then He asks her for a drink. "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can You ask me for a drink?", she replies. A Jewish man in Samaria willing to speak to a Samaritan woman. Unheard of!
Jesus had to go to through Samaria on His way to Galilee because there was this Samaritan woman He needed to spend some time with. He already knew that she would have questions about religion, the men in her life, and water. It was going to take time to answer those questions, and if He would've taken the path around Samaria He could've avoided the long conversation. The kind my friend and I were talking about avoiding.
The result of His conversation - the conversion of many Samaritans who now believed in Him because of the woman's testimony. (See John 4:39)
What if I, instead of looking at those long conversations as an interruption, saw them as an opportunity to share the love of Christ? That trip to the grocery store takes on a whole new meaning!
Jesus was never too busy too busy to spend time with people, no task I have could ever pass as an excuse for not doing the same. " A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." Matthew 10:24
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
An Example of Obedience
John 3:22-36
God called John the Baptist to "...make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17). It is encouraging to see in this Scripture that John kept on in obedience to God's calling. After the privilege of baptizing Jesus, he didn't rest on that accomplishment, or consider his work finished.
John's disciples are quick to tell him (John 3:26) that there is competition. "...that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan- the one you testified about - well, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him." ( Please look ahead here to John 4:2 where it tells us that it wasn't Jesus baptizing, but His disciples). John's disciples are concerned - everyone is going to Jesus, instead of John.
Did they still think there was a possibility that John was the Messiah? John is quick to remind them, "You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him'."
He tells them, "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice." John the Baptist knew his role - friend of the bridegroom - not the bridegroom. His joy is complete - he's heard the Bridegroom!
John the Baptist was diligent in obeying God's call. He continued to be "...the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord'." Jesus was there, John continued to point the people in His direction. He wasn't defeated by "everyone going" to Jesus because that was the eternal plan and John knew his part in it.
John's life is an example that teaches us to obey God's call, to keep serving diligently, and to always remember our part in the plan - pointing others to Jesus!
God called John the Baptist to "...make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17). It is encouraging to see in this Scripture that John kept on in obedience to God's calling. After the privilege of baptizing Jesus, he didn't rest on that accomplishment, or consider his work finished.
John's disciples are quick to tell him (John 3:26) that there is competition. "...that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan- the one you testified about - well, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him." ( Please look ahead here to John 4:2 where it tells us that it wasn't Jesus baptizing, but His disciples). John's disciples are concerned - everyone is going to Jesus, instead of John.
Did they still think there was a possibility that John was the Messiah? John is quick to remind them, "You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him'."
He tells them, "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice." John the Baptist knew his role - friend of the bridegroom - not the bridegroom. His joy is complete - he's heard the Bridegroom!
John the Baptist was diligent in obeying God's call. He continued to be "...the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord'." Jesus was there, John continued to point the people in His direction. He wasn't defeated by "everyone going" to Jesus because that was the eternal plan and John knew his part in it.
John's life is an example that teaches us to obey God's call, to keep serving diligently, and to always remember our part in the plan - pointing others to Jesus!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
A Light Shining in Darkness
John 3:16-21
When our children were young it wasn't unusual to hear them cry out, terrified, in the night. My husband or I would race to their room and turn on a light, ask what was wrong, and comfort them till they could fall back to sleep. Their reason for waking was most often a bad dream, and waking up in a dark room compounded the fear.
We associate darkness with evil. The cloak of darkness is used by those who would cause harm, it's when they find the victim most vulnerable.
In John 3:19 Jesus shares with Nicodemus that He is the "Light that has come into the world". This Light would shine into the darkness and uncover the evil deeds of mankind. Those doing evil hated and feared the light. Look at who hated Christ while He was on earth - Matthew 26:3 tells us it was the "...chief priests and the elders of the people who assembled in the palace of the high priest" and plotted to arrest and kill Jesus. The religious leaders hated Jesus because He uncovered the wrong they were doing; thier greed, wickedness, refusal to do justice and love God, they were proud and burdened the people by hindering thier understanding of the kingdom of God (see Luke 11:37-53).
The people of the day were victims of this darkness, how terrified they must have been of their leaders. Enter Jesus - the Light that dispelled darkness, and comforted the people with this truth:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
John 3:16-18
When our children were young it wasn't unusual to hear them cry out, terrified, in the night. My husband or I would race to their room and turn on a light, ask what was wrong, and comfort them till they could fall back to sleep. Their reason for waking was most often a bad dream, and waking up in a dark room compounded the fear.
We associate darkness with evil. The cloak of darkness is used by those who would cause harm, it's when they find the victim most vulnerable.
In John 3:19 Jesus shares with Nicodemus that He is the "Light that has come into the world". This Light would shine into the darkness and uncover the evil deeds of mankind. Those doing evil hated and feared the light. Look at who hated Christ while He was on earth - Matthew 26:3 tells us it was the "...chief priests and the elders of the people who assembled in the palace of the high priest" and plotted to arrest and kill Jesus. The religious leaders hated Jesus because He uncovered the wrong they were doing; thier greed, wickedness, refusal to do justice and love God, they were proud and burdened the people by hindering thier understanding of the kingdom of God (see Luke 11:37-53).
The people of the day were victims of this darkness, how terrified they must have been of their leaders. Enter Jesus - the Light that dispelled darkness, and comforted the people with this truth:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
John 3:16-18
Monday, November 7, 2011
First-hand News or Just An Opinion?
John 3:11-15
You're attending a dinner party at a friend's home. The conversation is general, until you hear the name of your hometown spoken at the other end of the table. You listen carefully to see what the speaker is saying - after all, your family is still there and that is where you grew up. Within minutes you realize this person is misinformed. You ask if he's ever been to your birthplace, and he admits he hasn't. You challenge with a "Well where did your information come from then?" " It's the opinion of someone who has studied the area,", he replies. Who knows the truth - you, or the person with no actual experience of the place, just an opinion?
Jesus came from Heaven to live on earth with mankind. He was the One to go to if you wanted to know about Heaven. In John 3:11 he states, " I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony." This is the equivelent of the dinner party guests believing the guy with no actual experience of your hometown over you - a native!
The mentality wasn't unique to the crowd of Jesus' day. Think of those who would deny the existence of Hell. It's a real place according to the Word of God. Yet, some would believe those that only have an opinion, over the words of our all-knowing God.
In John 3:14 Jesus refers to an incident with the Israelites and Moses (found in Numbers 21:4-9). The Israelites were complaining against God and Moses as they went through the desert. God sent venomous snakes that bit the people and many died. The people were sorry for what they had said and asked Moses to pray for the snakes to be removed. Moses prayed, God led him to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who looked up at the snake on the pole, lived. Those who believed that there must be another way besides the one God gave them, died.
This story from the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land was familiar to Jesus' audience. The story was about to take on a new significance in John 3:15. In His death Jesus would be lifted up on the cross, and anyone that believes in Him will have eternal life. The venomous bite of sin would no longer hold death, but would be overcome by Christ!
So, who do we believe? Someone with only thier own opinion, and no first hand knowledge? Or do we believe Jesus Christ - the One who knows the facts intimately?
You're attending a dinner party at a friend's home. The conversation is general, until you hear the name of your hometown spoken at the other end of the table. You listen carefully to see what the speaker is saying - after all, your family is still there and that is where you grew up. Within minutes you realize this person is misinformed. You ask if he's ever been to your birthplace, and he admits he hasn't. You challenge with a "Well where did your information come from then?" " It's the opinion of someone who has studied the area,", he replies. Who knows the truth - you, or the person with no actual experience of the place, just an opinion?
Jesus came from Heaven to live on earth with mankind. He was the One to go to if you wanted to know about Heaven. In John 3:11 he states, " I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony." This is the equivelent of the dinner party guests believing the guy with no actual experience of your hometown over you - a native!
The mentality wasn't unique to the crowd of Jesus' day. Think of those who would deny the existence of Hell. It's a real place according to the Word of God. Yet, some would believe those that only have an opinion, over the words of our all-knowing God.
In John 3:14 Jesus refers to an incident with the Israelites and Moses (found in Numbers 21:4-9). The Israelites were complaining against God and Moses as they went through the desert. God sent venomous snakes that bit the people and many died. The people were sorry for what they had said and asked Moses to pray for the snakes to be removed. Moses prayed, God led him to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who looked up at the snake on the pole, lived. Those who believed that there must be another way besides the one God gave them, died.
This story from the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land was familiar to Jesus' audience. The story was about to take on a new significance in John 3:15. In His death Jesus would be lifted up on the cross, and anyone that believes in Him will have eternal life. The venomous bite of sin would no longer hold death, but would be overcome by Christ!
So, who do we believe? Someone with only thier own opinion, and no first hand knowledge? Or do we believe Jesus Christ - the One who knows the facts intimately?
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A Second Time - How?
John 3:1-10
Nicodemus - a man who had everything! Knowledge, power, and according to history - wealth.
A simple conversation with Jesus would quickly show him there was something he lacked; something his knowledge, power and wealth were unable to attain.
John 3:2 tells us that Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night. Perhaps it was the only time he could speak with Jesus privately. He's already discussed Jesus with his colleagues, "...we know you are a teacher who has come from God." He then refers to the miracles that Jesus had performed.
The miracles were powerful signs to those who witnessed them. Back in John 2:11 the miracle just performed revealed Jesus' glory - and the disciples put their faith in him.
Nicodemus wants to talk to Jesus about the miracles.
Have you ever thought you had a situation completely figured out, and so you go to God in prayer and explain to Him exactly what needs to be done so the situation can work out the way you want it to? When God's answer comes, it's completely different than what you've asked for. Why? Because He knows what you really need.
Jesus knew what Nicodemus really needed - something we all need - to be born again. A confounding answer to an inquiry on miracles.
Can you imagine Nicodemus mentally changing gears - "How can a man be born again when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus goes on to explain that, " ...no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." All who are alive have been born in the first respect, those who believe in Christ as their Messiah would be born again in the spirit. Look at John 1:12-13, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
In John 3:9 Nicodemus asks "How can this be?" Jesus answers "You are Israel's teacher and you do not understand these things?"
Nicodemus - a man lacking something - and what he was missing was standing right in front of him!
Nicodemus - a man who had everything! Knowledge, power, and according to history - wealth.
A simple conversation with Jesus would quickly show him there was something he lacked; something his knowledge, power and wealth were unable to attain.
John 3:2 tells us that Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night. Perhaps it was the only time he could speak with Jesus privately. He's already discussed Jesus with his colleagues, "...we know you are a teacher who has come from God." He then refers to the miracles that Jesus had performed.
The miracles were powerful signs to those who witnessed them. Back in John 2:11 the miracle just performed revealed Jesus' glory - and the disciples put their faith in him.
Nicodemus wants to talk to Jesus about the miracles.
Have you ever thought you had a situation completely figured out, and so you go to God in prayer and explain to Him exactly what needs to be done so the situation can work out the way you want it to? When God's answer comes, it's completely different than what you've asked for. Why? Because He knows what you really need.
Jesus knew what Nicodemus really needed - something we all need - to be born again. A confounding answer to an inquiry on miracles.
Can you imagine Nicodemus mentally changing gears - "How can a man be born again when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus goes on to explain that, " ...no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." All who are alive have been born in the first respect, those who believe in Christ as their Messiah would be born again in the spirit. Look at John 1:12-13, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
In John 3:9 Nicodemus asks "How can this be?" Jesus answers "You are Israel's teacher and you do not understand these things?"
Nicodemus - a man lacking something - and what he was missing was standing right in front of him!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Right Picture
Perhaps you grew up with the same picture in your mind of Jesus that I did. The long flowing hair, perfect robes, uplifted eyes and a partial smile on His lips. The art museums I visited in Italy confirmed that this indeed was the way Jesus looked while on earth.
So the scripture today is surprising. The picture we have doesn't reconcile with Christ driving out the money changers and others who had turned the temple into a marketplace. This Christ had zeal for His Father's house, and in that zeal he was turning over tables and using a whip.
While the disciples watched we are told in John 2:17 that they were reminded of the words found in Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me." They saw in Jesus fulfillment of Scripture.
The Jews demanded what authority Jesus had for his actions - though if they'd been listening, Jesus clearly stated it was His Father's house (see John 2:16). He was the Son going about the Father's business.
They asked Him for a miraculous sign, and He told them to destroy the Temple - meaning LHimself - and He would raise it in three days. This group took Him literally, though, and thought He was referring to the temple building that had taken 46 years to build. How confounding Jesus' words seemed at that time, but later, after His resurrection, they were recalled by the disciples. Those confusing words became words of hope that gave them reason to believe in the Scriptures.
In the pictures of Jesus I referred to at the beginning, He always looks kind of weak and puny. The picture from today's Scripture, however, shows us authority, and power. One who was not afraid to stand up for what was right. This is the picture I prefer!
"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshiped." Revelation 5:13- 14
So the scripture today is surprising. The picture we have doesn't reconcile with Christ driving out the money changers and others who had turned the temple into a marketplace. This Christ had zeal for His Father's house, and in that zeal he was turning over tables and using a whip.
While the disciples watched we are told in John 2:17 that they were reminded of the words found in Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me." They saw in Jesus fulfillment of Scripture.
The Jews demanded what authority Jesus had for his actions - though if they'd been listening, Jesus clearly stated it was His Father's house (see John 2:16). He was the Son going about the Father's business.
They asked Him for a miraculous sign, and He told them to destroy the Temple - meaning LHimself - and He would raise it in three days. This group took Him literally, though, and thought He was referring to the temple building that had taken 46 years to build. How confounding Jesus' words seemed at that time, but later, after His resurrection, they were recalled by the disciples. Those confusing words became words of hope that gave them reason to believe in the Scriptures.
In the pictures of Jesus I referred to at the beginning, He always looks kind of weak and puny. The picture from today's Scripture, however, shows us authority, and power. One who was not afraid to stand up for what was right. This is the picture I prefer!
"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshiped." Revelation 5:13- 14
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Able To Do More Than We Can Imagine!
John 2:1-11
The hardest part of planning for a wedding can be the reception. The bride and groom have control over what they will wear, who will officiate, where the ceremony will take place, but there's one thing they can't completely control - the guests!
If you've ever worked on an event that required a response for attendance, you know this is true. The guests may fail to respond, respond with a "Yes", then change their mind, or reply "No" only to ask a few days before the event if they can come after all. This can make the arrangements with the caterer for food and drink quite challenging! I'm not sure of the invitation protocol for a Jewish wedding, but I can relate to the poor couple that finds themselves without the staple of their celebration here in John 2:1-11.
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding, his mother, Mary was also there. Sometime during the festivities the wine runs out.
Wine is an important element in the Jewish wedding ceremony. As the bride and groom stand under the wedding canopy a glass of wine is blessed and both drink from it. The wine is symbolic of life - it "...begins as grape juice, goes through fermentation (during which is is sour), but in the end turns into a superior product that brings joy...", and "also symbolizes the overflowing of Divine blessing" as in Psalm 23:5 "...my cup overflows." (www.ohr.edu "The Jewish Wedding Ceremony" by Rabbi Mordechai Becher)
Mary makes Jesus aware of the lack of wine in John 2:3, and in John 2:5 tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. I wonder what was going through her mind - did she know He could perform a miracle that day?
Six stone jars were standing nearby. These were capable of holding 20-30 gallons of water that was normally used in the kitchen and for ceremonial cleansing. They were heavy - cut from a large piece of stone and the water had to be hauled in to fill them. (A picture of this type of jar can be found at www.facingthechallenge.org/stonejars.php).
The water in the stone jars was turned into wine - better than the best wine the host had previously offered. This was the first of Jesus' miraculous signs, revealing His glory and providing his disciples an opportunity to put their faith in Him.
We can't control events in our future. We can plan, and work, but the results belong to God. The bride, groom and thier families may have thought they'd provided all that was necessary for the celebration of the wedding, then ran out of wine. Jesus knows our needs and provides for us even better than we are capable of ourselves!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
The hardest part of planning for a wedding can be the reception. The bride and groom have control over what they will wear, who will officiate, where the ceremony will take place, but there's one thing they can't completely control - the guests!
If you've ever worked on an event that required a response for attendance, you know this is true. The guests may fail to respond, respond with a "Yes", then change their mind, or reply "No" only to ask a few days before the event if they can come after all. This can make the arrangements with the caterer for food and drink quite challenging! I'm not sure of the invitation protocol for a Jewish wedding, but I can relate to the poor couple that finds themselves without the staple of their celebration here in John 2:1-11.
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding, his mother, Mary was also there. Sometime during the festivities the wine runs out.
Wine is an important element in the Jewish wedding ceremony. As the bride and groom stand under the wedding canopy a glass of wine is blessed and both drink from it. The wine is symbolic of life - it "...begins as grape juice, goes through fermentation (during which is is sour), but in the end turns into a superior product that brings joy...", and "also symbolizes the overflowing of Divine blessing" as in Psalm 23:5 "...my cup overflows." (www.ohr.edu "The Jewish Wedding Ceremony" by Rabbi Mordechai Becher)
Mary makes Jesus aware of the lack of wine in John 2:3, and in John 2:5 tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. I wonder what was going through her mind - did she know He could perform a miracle that day?
Six stone jars were standing nearby. These were capable of holding 20-30 gallons of water that was normally used in the kitchen and for ceremonial cleansing. They were heavy - cut from a large piece of stone and the water had to be hauled in to fill them. (A picture of this type of jar can be found at www.facingthechallenge.org/stonejars.php).
The water in the stone jars was turned into wine - better than the best wine the host had previously offered. This was the first of Jesus' miraculous signs, revealing His glory and providing his disciples an opportunity to put their faith in Him.
We can't control events in our future. We can plan, and work, but the results belong to God. The bride, groom and thier families may have thought they'd provided all that was necessary for the celebration of the wedding, then ran out of wine. Jesus knows our needs and provides for us even better than we are capable of ourselves!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
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