John Chapter 21 (Due to my surgery, this lesson is being taught in church by my class member, Steve Bruzik)
Many scholars believe John added this “chapter” some time after the events of chapter 20.
There are 3 incidents recorded in this chapter: 1) the fishing experience on the lake (showing us that Jesus is to be the Lord of our wills); 2) the breakfast on the sea shore (showing us that Jesus is Lord of our hearts); and 3) the announcement of the death of Simon Peter and call him to service (showing us that He must be Lord of our minds).
Verses 1-3 – This is sort of the convention of the problem children: Simon Peter (impulsive and impetuous); Thomas (the skeptic, who had a question mark for a brain); Nathaniel (“Can any good thing come out of Nazareth); the sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two other disciples (maybe they represent you and me).
Peter, perhaps in an attempt to soothe his nerves, announces, “I’m going fishing.” It’s what he knew how to do. Remember, Jesus had said He would make him a fisher of men. The others volunteer to go with him. Although they were expert fishermen, they caught nothing.
Verses 4-14 – The disciples did not recognize Jesus standing on the shore. (Why not? Maybe He was too far away to be recognized.)
As they came in, Jesus asked, “Catch anything?” They answered, “Nope.” Jesus said, “Cast your net on the other side of the boat and you will find some.”
So, here’s this guy on the shore, telling the expert fishermen, now that they are in shallower water, to fish on the other side of the boat. That must have gone over well. But they did it.
When they did, they could hardly haul the net, there were so many fish! When you follow Jesus and allow Him to direct you, you can expect results!
Then John recognizes Jesus…whether by sight or by the miraculous experience, and shouts, “It is the Lord!” And they fellowship together around a camp fire…sharing their hearts. What stories there must have been around that camp fire!
Verses 15-17 Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him. It went like this:
Jesus Peter Jesus
Do you agapao1 me? You know I phileo2 you. Feed3 my little lambs (newborn Christians).
Do you agapao1 me? You know I phileo2 you. Disciple4 my sheep (growing Christians).
Do you phileo2 me? You know I phileo2 you. Feed5 my sheep (maturing Christians).
We hear a lot about the words for “love” in the Greek. But there are some other important words used in this passage as well, as knowing them helps us understand the meaning better. They are:
1agapao – the highest, Godly love;
2phileo – strong “brotherly” affection;
3Feed – provide infant nourishment;
4poimaino – disciple or shepherd;
5Feed – provide adult nourishment.
Verse 19 – Jesus tells Peter that there will come a time when he (Peter) will follow in Christ’s footsteps in death, and then exhorts him to follow Him.
Verses 20-23 – Peter asks about John, whose special bond with Jesus Peter did not miss. Jesus tells him not to worry about others’ relationship to Him, but his own. Then He repeats, “Follow me.”
Followship is superior to “fanship.” To be a fan requires little commitment. To be a follower requires 100% commitment.
Verses 24-25 John identifies himself, and tells us there were many other things Jesus did.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
A Study in John Week 4
( Due to my surgery, this lesson is being taught in church by my class member, Steve Bruzik)
Between the crucifixion and the resurrection
The Jews never refused to bury any executed criminal, but instead of allowing the bodies of such sinners to be placed in family tombs, where they might desecrate those already buried, they provided a burial site for criminals just outside the city
Most of the disciples were keeping their distance from Jesus at this point in time. It does not even appear to be possible for any of Jesus’ disciples or family to secure His body and give it a proper burial. And to make the situation even more difficult, time to give Jesus a proper burial had virtually run out.
After His death He was given a rich man’s burial. We might even say that Jesus was given a burial “fit for a king.”
Even though the disciples had forgotten our Lord’s words about His resurrection, the Jewish religious leaders had not: they went with the soldiers of the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Once the stone was “sealed,” no one would dare to try to steal the body of Jesus, to make it look as if He had been raised from the dead in fulfillment of His own prophecies. And to be doubly sure, guards were posted at the tomb so that no one could gain access to the body of Jesus.
John Chapter 20
Verse 1-9 – It was on Sunday, early in the morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. Joseph and Nicodemus had prepared the body for burial (John 19:40). They sealed in the body with 100 pounds of ointment, wrapped it with strips of linen cloth, and prepared it like a mummy. Each finger was wrapped separately, then the hand, then the arms were strapped to the body and the body was wound.
John and Peter knew that He could not have gotten out of that encasement. It would have been physically impossible to get that body out of graveclothes without unwinding them. John got to the tomb first, but would not go in. Peter (the impetuous one) had no trouble and went right in.
Verses 10-18 – Everybody but Mary Magdalene went home, presumably to mourn.
Jesus appeared to Mary, but would not allow her to touch Him. He told her to go tell the others, which she did.
Verses 19-23 – Jesus appeared to the disciples, who were overcome with elation. “…He breathed on them them…” is a reference to the other Scriptures that speak of the Holy Spirit being invisible like the air, but powerful like the wind.
Verses 24-31 – Thomas, being a “realist,” did not believe the disciples’ report. A week later Jesus appeared to the disciples and offered physical proof of His resurrection.
Many say, "If I just had physical proof of the resurrection, I would believe."
No, you wouldn't. Thousands saw proof of His power and diety face-to-face and still didn't believe.
Belief yields faith, and faith does not require proof.
Between the crucifixion and the resurrection
The Jews never refused to bury any executed criminal, but instead of allowing the bodies of such sinners to be placed in family tombs, where they might desecrate those already buried, they provided a burial site for criminals just outside the city
Most of the disciples were keeping their distance from Jesus at this point in time. It does not even appear to be possible for any of Jesus’ disciples or family to secure His body and give it a proper burial. And to make the situation even more difficult, time to give Jesus a proper burial had virtually run out.
After His death He was given a rich man’s burial. We might even say that Jesus was given a burial “fit for a king.”
Even though the disciples had forgotten our Lord’s words about His resurrection, the Jewish religious leaders had not: they went with the soldiers of the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Once the stone was “sealed,” no one would dare to try to steal the body of Jesus, to make it look as if He had been raised from the dead in fulfillment of His own prophecies. And to be doubly sure, guards were posted at the tomb so that no one could gain access to the body of Jesus.
John Chapter 20
Verse 1-9 – It was on Sunday, early in the morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. Joseph and Nicodemus had prepared the body for burial (John 19:40). They sealed in the body with 100 pounds of ointment, wrapped it with strips of linen cloth, and prepared it like a mummy. Each finger was wrapped separately, then the hand, then the arms were strapped to the body and the body was wound.
John and Peter knew that He could not have gotten out of that encasement. It would have been physically impossible to get that body out of graveclothes without unwinding them. John got to the tomb first, but would not go in. Peter (the impetuous one) had no trouble and went right in.
Verses 10-18 – Everybody but Mary Magdalene went home, presumably to mourn.
Jesus appeared to Mary, but would not allow her to touch Him. He told her to go tell the others, which she did.
Verses 19-23 – Jesus appeared to the disciples, who were overcome with elation. “…He breathed on them them…” is a reference to the other Scriptures that speak of the Holy Spirit being invisible like the air, but powerful like the wind.
Verses 24-31 – Thomas, being a “realist,” did not believe the disciples’ report. A week later Jesus appeared to the disciples and offered physical proof of His resurrection.
Many say, "If I just had physical proof of the resurrection, I would believe."
No, you wouldn't. Thousands saw proof of His power and diety face-to-face and still didn't believe.
Belief yields faith, and faith does not require proof.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
YOUR PRAYERS ARE SOLICITED
I'll be going in for hip replacement surgery in the morning, and will not be blogging until at least Friday, and maybe longer.
If you would like to see what it is like, watch the following.
If you don't like watching this kind of thing, don't.
I find it interesting, neat, and I am looking forward to it.
I built a cabinet one time with tools very much like those used in the video.
See you soon!
If you would like to see what it is like, watch the following.
If you don't like watching this kind of thing, don't.
I find it interesting, neat, and I am looking forward to it.
I built a cabinet one time with tools very much like those used in the video.
See you soon!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
A Study in John Week 3
John Chapter 19
Pilate faces Jesus
Verses 1-3 – Pilate should have released Jesus. He had found Him innocent of wrondoing. Instead he had Jesus beaten to unrecognizability. Jesus did not even look human after the scourging (See Isaiah 52:14). Even after the beating, Jesus was mocked and struck.
Verses 4-7 – Pilate once again said that he could find no fault with Jesus. It was the religious leaders who called out for His crucifixion. Pilate bascically said, “You want Him crucified, you do it. I find no basis for any charge agains Him.”
The Jews had a law with which to charge Jesus, but they did not have the authority to carry out an execution. Their charge was blasphemy, a capital offense. This is direct evidence that Jesus had claimed to be God.
Verses 8-11 – Pilate then tried to intimidate Jesus with his political power. Jesus would have none of it, and told him where his power came from. But notice that Jesus accused the religious leaders of being guilty of greater sin than the pagan, Pilate.
Verses 12-16a – Pilate continues to “get Jesus off,” but ultimately turned Him over to the Jews, who proclaimed their allegience to Ceasar.
The Crucifixion
Verses 16b-25 – Hebrew (Aramaic) was the language of religion; Greek was the language of culture, philosophy and learning while Latin was the language of law and power.
The inscription over the cross, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, was written in all three languages.
The Jews didn’t like it, but Pilate had had enough of them. “It is what it is, “ he said.
While Jesus was on the cross, dying a torturous death, the Roman guards shot dice for His garment to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 22:8. While He was on that cross, 28 prophecies were accomplished and He proclaimed His work done.
For three hours, God pulled a veil of darkness over the land while He and Jesus completed the transaction that would set you and me free from the sin that besets us.
So, a carpenter who built His life on integrity, developed a significant local following but was otherwise unknown in the world, died a criminal on the cross, a criminal who had done nothing illegal.
More than 2,000 years later, in a world of turmoil, He is still the Hope of the world, the only hope for humanity.
The Jews, by crucifying their own Savior, trying to observe the Passover that speaks of Him, they are fulfilling prophecy. Compare John 19:36 with Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20; and John 19:37 with Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7.
Verses 38-42 – Because He was only going to need it for three days, Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb. The Jews only allowed Jesus to be burried there because they did not have time to carve a new tomb, it being the day of Preparation for Passover.
Jesus was dead, and it looked like Satan had won the battle. Great sadness filled the hearts of Jesus’ followers, while great joy filled the crevaces of Satan and his minions.
It was Friday.
But Sunday was on the way.
Pilate faces Jesus
Verses 1-3 – Pilate should have released Jesus. He had found Him innocent of wrondoing. Instead he had Jesus beaten to unrecognizability. Jesus did not even look human after the scourging (See Isaiah 52:14). Even after the beating, Jesus was mocked and struck.
Verses 4-7 – Pilate once again said that he could find no fault with Jesus. It was the religious leaders who called out for His crucifixion. Pilate bascically said, “You want Him crucified, you do it. I find no basis for any charge agains Him.”
The Jews had a law with which to charge Jesus, but they did not have the authority to carry out an execution. Their charge was blasphemy, a capital offense. This is direct evidence that Jesus had claimed to be God.
Verses 8-11 – Pilate then tried to intimidate Jesus with his political power. Jesus would have none of it, and told him where his power came from. But notice that Jesus accused the religious leaders of being guilty of greater sin than the pagan, Pilate.
Verses 12-16a – Pilate continues to “get Jesus off,” but ultimately turned Him over to the Jews, who proclaimed their allegience to Ceasar.
The Crucifixion
Verses 16b-25 – Hebrew (Aramaic) was the language of religion; Greek was the language of culture, philosophy and learning while Latin was the language of law and power.
The inscription over the cross, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, was written in all three languages.
The Jews didn’t like it, but Pilate had had enough of them. “It is what it is, “ he said.
While Jesus was on the cross, dying a torturous death, the Roman guards shot dice for His garment to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 22:8. While He was on that cross, 28 prophecies were accomplished and He proclaimed His work done.
For three hours, God pulled a veil of darkness over the land while He and Jesus completed the transaction that would set you and me free from the sin that besets us.
So, a carpenter who built His life on integrity, developed a significant local following but was otherwise unknown in the world, died a criminal on the cross, a criminal who had done nothing illegal.
More than 2,000 years later, in a world of turmoil, He is still the Hope of the world, the only hope for humanity.
The Jews, by crucifying their own Savior, trying to observe the Passover that speaks of Him, they are fulfilling prophecy. Compare John 19:36 with Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20; and John 19:37 with Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7.
Verses 38-42 – Because He was only going to need it for three days, Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb. The Jews only allowed Jesus to be burried there because they did not have time to carve a new tomb, it being the day of Preparation for Passover.
Jesus was dead, and it looked like Satan had won the battle. Great sadness filled the hearts of Jesus’ followers, while great joy filled the crevaces of Satan and his minions.
It was Friday.
But Sunday was on the way.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
A Study in John Week 2
John Chapter 18 - The Passion
The Verses
Verses 1-3 – Judas led the soldiers and priests to the olive grove. He knew the place, since he had been there before. Why torches and lanterns? Why weapons? Because they feared the power of Jesus.
Verses 4-9 – “Who is it you Want?” Didn’t Jesus know? Why did they fall back and to the ground? Jesus demonstrated that if He was arrested it was because He allowed it to happen. He even told them who they could and could not arrest.
Verses 10-11 – Peter drew his sword…why? Jesus told them not to fight the enemy. Jesus had to “drink the cup.” The cup is the cross: Jesus came to die.
Verses 12-14 – The same Annas who had operated the Bazaar of Annas at the temple when Jesus overthrew the tables of the thieves. We don’t have a temple today. But if we did, it would be thievery if we sold things there at usury prices. Annas is the one who plotted the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. The trial was a mockery; they had already decided that He was going to die.
Verses 15-18 – Peter chose to align himself with the servants and officials. He not only denied that he knew Jesus, he identified with Jesus’ enemies. He denied Jesus three times. Some have said it was one denial for each of the three persons of the Trinity.
Verses 19-24 – When questioned, Jesus pointed out that his preaching was open and to the public. Being struck by one of the officials demonstrates the length to which the religious leaders were willing to go to protect their religious system…even to violence. Jesus challenged them to actually verbalize what He has said that was wrong or untrue. They could not.
Verses 25-27 – Peter’s second and third denials of Jesus. It’s easy to love and admire Jesus. It is not so easy to follow Him. Recommendation: the book, “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. What do you suppose went through Peter’s mind when the rooster crowed? What goes through your mind when you don’t follow Jesus?
Verses 28-32 – The Jews “did not want to be forbidden to eat the Passover. In the name of religion they were plotting the death of the very One who is the fulfillment of Passover! They “made” Pilate come out to them. Good Jews, those guys. They pointed out that they, of course, were right or else they wouldn’t have done what they did. Their response to Pilate showed that they had already made up their minds about Jesus’ fate. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy of His mode of death thousands of years before He was born.
Jesus before Pilate.
Verses 33-40 – Jesus knew how to handle Pilate. His question in verse 34 both embarrassed and enraged Pilate. He professed to know nothing of Jewish Law. Jesus makes a pretty bold statement: If you want the Truth, listen to Him (“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…”).
Like all liberal politicians, Pilate twists the issue into a philosophical question. In the end, though, he could find no fault with Him.
Pilate offered the crowd a choice: release a known killer, extortionest, leader of a rebellion and thief or release an innocent man. The crowd chose to have the killer released. They wanted Jesus to be crucified.
Every person has a choice: the murderous; extortionistic, rebellious and thieving way of the world or Jesus. Most, sadly, reject Jesus. The way to eternal life is narrow, and it is a one way street.
Be sure you make your choice for Jesus.
The Verses
Verses 1-3 – Judas led the soldiers and priests to the olive grove. He knew the place, since he had been there before. Why torches and lanterns? Why weapons? Because they feared the power of Jesus.
Verses 4-9 – “Who is it you Want?” Didn’t Jesus know? Why did they fall back and to the ground? Jesus demonstrated that if He was arrested it was because He allowed it to happen. He even told them who they could and could not arrest.
Verses 10-11 – Peter drew his sword…why? Jesus told them not to fight the enemy. Jesus had to “drink the cup.” The cup is the cross: Jesus came to die.
Verses 12-14 – The same Annas who had operated the Bazaar of Annas at the temple when Jesus overthrew the tables of the thieves. We don’t have a temple today. But if we did, it would be thievery if we sold things there at usury prices. Annas is the one who plotted the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. The trial was a mockery; they had already decided that He was going to die.
Verses 15-18 – Peter chose to align himself with the servants and officials. He not only denied that he knew Jesus, he identified with Jesus’ enemies. He denied Jesus three times. Some have said it was one denial for each of the three persons of the Trinity.
Verses 19-24 – When questioned, Jesus pointed out that his preaching was open and to the public. Being struck by one of the officials demonstrates the length to which the religious leaders were willing to go to protect their religious system…even to violence. Jesus challenged them to actually verbalize what He has said that was wrong or untrue. They could not.
Verses 25-27 – Peter’s second and third denials of Jesus. It’s easy to love and admire Jesus. It is not so easy to follow Him. Recommendation: the book, “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. What do you suppose went through Peter’s mind when the rooster crowed? What goes through your mind when you don’t follow Jesus?
Verses 28-32 – The Jews “did not want to be forbidden to eat the Passover. In the name of religion they were plotting the death of the very One who is the fulfillment of Passover! They “made” Pilate come out to them. Good Jews, those guys. They pointed out that they, of course, were right or else they wouldn’t have done what they did. Their response to Pilate showed that they had already made up their minds about Jesus’ fate. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy of His mode of death thousands of years before He was born.
Jesus before Pilate.
Verses 33-40 – Jesus knew how to handle Pilate. His question in verse 34 both embarrassed and enraged Pilate. He professed to know nothing of Jewish Law. Jesus makes a pretty bold statement: If you want the Truth, listen to Him (“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…”).
Like all liberal politicians, Pilate twists the issue into a philosophical question. In the end, though, he could find no fault with Him.
Pilate offered the crowd a choice: release a known killer, extortionest, leader of a rebellion and thief or release an innocent man. The crowd chose to have the killer released. They wanted Jesus to be crucified.
Every person has a choice: the murderous; extortionistic, rebellious and thieving way of the world or Jesus. Most, sadly, reject Jesus. The way to eternal life is narrow, and it is a one way street.
Be sure you make your choice for Jesus.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Saturday, March 03, 2012
A Study in John Week 1-The Passion
John Chapter 17
Jesus is facing the cross and He knows it.
It is not the pain of the cross He fears. It is not the nails, the humiliation or the injustisce of the cross He fears.
Jesus is about to suffer something unimaginable. While on the cross, God will turn His back on Christ. Jesus will bear the very penalty for all sin…sin He never committed.
Before all of this happens to Him, He prays a prayer unique in all of creation’s history.
His prayer has three parts: 1) He prayes for Himself; 2) He prays for His disciples and 3) He prays for His church.
The Verses
Jesus’ prayer for Himself
Verses 1-5 – Notice that Jesus looked up. He didn’t bow or kneel, He lifted up His eyes, which were apparently open. The position of prayer is secondary to the purpose of prayer. Prayer can happen with eyes wide open while standing, walking, driving or whatever. (Psalm 25:1, 123:1 & Psalm 121)
.
“Father the time has come.” Before the foundation of the world, Christ was the Lamb of God slain. This was the plan from before time began. But in the midst of time, it was time for Christ to pay a debt He did not owe.
“Glorify Thy Son.” All of the glory of the heavens and the universe belongs to Jesus. And Jesus simultaneously glorifies the Father.
John explains that those who come to Christ constitute the church, that is: Those that you have given Him.
The church can be seen as God’s gift to Christ; His elect; His bride.
“…with the glory I had with you before the world began.” If you cannot see that this is a reference to the Trinity and the creative activity of Christ before time began, then I guess you’ll just have to go back to school to learn to read.
Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples
Verses 6-12 – Jesus gave His disciples the words God the Father gave Him to give to them.
Here Jesus once again identifies himself as one with the Father and the one able to protect them. He did it in the interest of their unity (“unity” is one of the major themes of Scripture).
Verses 13-19 – We are not of this world. The world hates the Word of God. The disciples were to spread the gospel. That gospel would be rejected by the world.
Jesus prays for his coming followers…us.
Verses 29-26 – We are one in Him. We are to be in Him and united in Him.
God’s love is shown to us in Jesus. He is both the source of love and the essence of love, for God IS love.
Jesus is facing the cross and He knows it.
It is not the pain of the cross He fears. It is not the nails, the humiliation or the injustisce of the cross He fears.
Jesus is about to suffer something unimaginable. While on the cross, God will turn His back on Christ. Jesus will bear the very penalty for all sin…sin He never committed.
Before all of this happens to Him, He prays a prayer unique in all of creation’s history.
His prayer has three parts: 1) He prayes for Himself; 2) He prays for His disciples and 3) He prays for His church.
The Verses
Jesus’ prayer for Himself
Verses 1-5 – Notice that Jesus looked up. He didn’t bow or kneel, He lifted up His eyes, which were apparently open. The position of prayer is secondary to the purpose of prayer. Prayer can happen with eyes wide open while standing, walking, driving or whatever. (Psalm 25:1, 123:1 & Psalm 121)
.
“Father the time has come.” Before the foundation of the world, Christ was the Lamb of God slain. This was the plan from before time began. But in the midst of time, it was time for Christ to pay a debt He did not owe.
“Glorify Thy Son.” All of the glory of the heavens and the universe belongs to Jesus. And Jesus simultaneously glorifies the Father.
John explains that those who come to Christ constitute the church, that is: Those that you have given Him.
The church can be seen as God’s gift to Christ; His elect; His bride.
“…with the glory I had with you before the world began.” If you cannot see that this is a reference to the Trinity and the creative activity of Christ before time began, then I guess you’ll just have to go back to school to learn to read.
Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples
Verses 6-12 – Jesus gave His disciples the words God the Father gave Him to give to them.
Here Jesus once again identifies himself as one with the Father and the one able to protect them. He did it in the interest of their unity (“unity” is one of the major themes of Scripture).
Verses 13-19 – We are not of this world. The world hates the Word of God. The disciples were to spread the gospel. That gospel would be rejected by the world.
Jesus prays for his coming followers…us.
Verses 29-26 – We are one in Him. We are to be in Him and united in Him.
God’s love is shown to us in Jesus. He is both the source of love and the essence of love, for God IS love.
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