Thursday, January 18, 2024

John Lesson 16 – John 12

 


Last time we learned as a result of the miraculous raising of Lazarus, the glory of God was proclaimed.  This miracle made the religious leaders even more determined to kill Jesus.

John 12:1-11 – Jesus’ Anointing

Jesus knew His time was coming to an end so He spent time with His friends at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary.  While they were reclining at a dinner, Mary took a pint of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet.  She then wiped His feet with her hair.  Somehow she realized His end was near and she wanted to honor Him.  She wanted to show her gratitude and love in the midst of all the rejection and hatred He faced.  She poured this precious and costly ointment on Him as a token of honor and worship.

Mary’s heart is revealed in her actions.  She loved Jesus and wanted to spend time with Him.  She was in awe and had deep gratitude for Him for raising her brother to life.  She showed unselfish love and worship of Him when she poured the expensive perfume on His feet.  We can show our love and gratitude to Jesus by spending more time with Him in prayer and in His Word.  We can be less selfish and think more of others than ourselves.

When have you done something extravagant not thinking of yourself, but thinking of another?

Do you treasure Jesus more than your stuff?

One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot was there along with all the other disciples.  He was the accountant of the group and was in charge of the money.  When Mary used this expensive perfume on Jesus, Judas’ heart is revealed.  He became very angry and spoke up and said this perfume costs as much as a year’s wages and she could have used this money for the poor instead of wasting it on Jesus.  Judas really didn’t care about the poor.  He just loved money.  He thought he could have used it for his own pocket.  I think he was planning on betraying Jesus all along and this was all he could take.  His greed finally showed through.

Jesus responded by telling him to “Leave her alone.  It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:7-8.  Perfume was poured over a dead body before the body was put in the grave.  When she did this she was prophesying about Jesus’ death, even though she may have not realized it.  Jesus acknowledged Mary’s actions and her faith.  She knew Jesus was worthy of worship.

Principle:  A life spent in selfless devotion to Jesus is not wasted.

The Jews found out where Jesus was and the chief priest made plans to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus as well.  With Lazarus’ testimony that Jesus raised him from the dead, many people had put their faith in Jesus and the Jews surely didn’t want that.

John 12:12-22 – Jesus’ Triumphal Entry

Many people had seen Lazarus come out of the grave and the news quickly spread.  A large crown followed Jesus as He entered Jerusalem for the Passover.  They greeted Him as their Messiah and shouted “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!!”John 12:13.  His disciples didn’t understand this until after Jesus was glorified.  Within a week their shouts turned to “Crucify him!” John 19:15.  The fickle crowd was following Jesus for the wrong reasons.

Jesus rode into the city on a young donkey as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  Jesus came in peace.  He came on a donkey, which is a symbol of peace.  He came to give eternal peace to you and me.  The second time He comes will not be in peace, but on a white horse to judge and defeat evil.

Until now Jesus kept His identity as Messiah quiet because His time had not yet come.  Now this Triumphal Entry of Jesus was declaring Himself to be Israel’s Messiah, but not the kind of Messiah they expected.  He didn’t ride in on a powerful war horse to lead the charge against Rome, but on a lowly donkey.

Many people who greeted Him didn’t remain loyal to Him and later didn’t try to prevent His death.  They would even shout, “Crucify him!” John 19:15.

Why do you follow Jesus?

Do you follow Jesus because of what He might provide for you?
Do you follow Him because of who He is:  God’s Messiah and King?
How are you making Him Lord and King of your life?

Principle:  Fulfilled prophecies prove that Jesus is the Messiah.

John 12:23-36 – Jesus’ Hour

Some Greeks came to Philip and asked to see Jesus.  They wanted to know Him.  Philip told Andrew and they told Jesus.  Jesus responded by announcing that the hour had come.  He said, “The hour has come of the Son of Man to be glorified ”John 12:23.  He was referring to the cross.  God’s ultimate aim in history is to glorify His Son.  The cross reveals God’s glory in Christ by having all people come to Him alone for salvation.

What did He mean by “the hour”?

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (John 12:23).
His hour of personal suffering had come (John 12:27-30). 
It was the hour of the world’s judgment and the world’s prince will be driven out (John 12:31) – This is speaking of the ruler of the world, the devil who was defeated by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
At this hour He will be lifted up to draw all men to Him (John 12:32-33). 

Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies it produces many seeds.”John 12:24.  This means just as a seed will never become a plant until it dies and is buried so the death and burial of Jesus was necessary to His glorification.  There can be no resurrection until there is death.  Through the cross, the gospel was opened to all people.

Jesus said, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.” – John 12:25-26.  To hate your life in this world is to want to follow Jesus, serve Him, and be with Him forever.  To lose your life is to give up your selfish desires and put those desires in your life to death.  It’s not a physical death, but a death that allows Christ to grow in you.  This doesn’t mean you are not to enjoy life, but live to serve God and not live for your own pleasures.  We should want what Jesus wants and let Him control our lives.

Why should you hate your life?  To follow Jesus, you must not love your life in this world.  People who are without Jesus in this world live for material things.  They want power and are greedy and want more and more stuff.  They want anything they think will make them happy.  Their goals and desires are focused on self.  To hate your life is the same thing as denying yourself and taking up your cross daily to follow Jesus.  It means living for God’s glory and His purposes.  We submit our thoughts, our words, and our deeds to Jesus.  Our motivation is to serve Jesus.

Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him, but He always gave God the glory.  “Father, glorify your name!”John 12:28a.  “Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’”John 12:28b.  When the crowd heard this, some said it had thundered while others said it was an angel speaking.

This was the 2nd  time God spoke.  1st He spoke when Jesus was baptized saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”Matt. 3:17.  The 3rd  time was at His transfiguration in Matt. 17:5.

John 12:30-33 revealed that at the cross is the time for judgment on this world.  It not only judged the world, but defeated Satan.  Jesus will be lifted up on the cross and raised in honor; He will draw men to Himself.  It was a victory for all people.

Jesus told His disciple that they would have Him only a little longer.  Soon His time on earth as a man would end.  Jesus told us in John 9:5 that He was the Light.  He told them to put their trust in the Light while He was here.  He wants us to ‘walk in the light’. 

So how do we walk in the light?  By choosing God’s Word over your lusts and desires and obeying His commands.  It’s not a list of rules.  It’s about cultivating a relationship with the Lord through the Spirit.  We abide in Christ and feed on His Word.  We spend time with Him in worship and prayer.  Then as we grow in Him, we display love, joy, kindness, longsuffering, and all the fruits of the Spirit.

Principle:  To see Jesus and His glory, look to the cross.

John 12:37-50 – Continued Unbelief

Jesus had done many miracles, but still many didn’t believe in Him (John 12:37).  They couldn’t believe because, “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I would heal them.”John 12:40; Isaiah 6:10.  In was the same in Isaiah’s day.  People were hardened because knew God’s laws, but refused to live right.

John 12:38 and 40 quotes Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 6:10 warning why some people fail to acknowledge their faith in Jesus.  They refuse the truth and it becomes impossible for them to believe.  Their hearts are calloused and their minds are closed.  God allows these people to remain this way which is a result of their own choice.  To reject the truth is to reject God.  They, like the Pharisees like the praises of men more than praise from God.   They think if they talk about Jesus and tell others, people will reject them.  They are afraid of what other might think of them.  They are afraid they will be called ‘Jesus freaks’.  True Christians are not ashamed to confess Christ.  Man’s approval may last a few years; God’s approval lasts forever.

John 12:42-43 tell us some of the people failed to acknowledge their faith in Jesus, because of fear.  They were afraid they would be put out of the synagogue and because they loved praises from men more than praise from God.

2 Timothy 1:7-8 tell us to not be afraid because God has given us a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.  We should not be ashamed to testify about Jesus.

Are you shamed of your belief in the gospel?

Do you fear the opinions of other?
Are you embarrassed by your faith?

Be careful not to fall away from Jesus when He doesn’t fit your expectations.  As a believer, Jesus probably won’t fit your expectations of what you thought He would be when you trusted Him as Savior.  You may have thought He would fix all your problems and expected Him to save all your family members.

Things you can expect from God:

His unchanging, unconditional love (Heb. 13:8, Rom. 8:38). 
He will never leave you (Deu. 31:6).
He will use your suffering to grow you (Rom. 5:3-5).
He will return (John 14:3). 
He meets your needs (Phil. 4:19). 
He keeps His promises (Ps. 145:13). 
He gives hope (Jer. 29:11).
He gives you rest (Matt. 11:28).
He gives you strength to endure (Is. 40:29).
He promises peace (Prov. 1:33, John 14:27).
He gives you salvation (Rom. 10:9, 6:23).

Are you trusting the Lord when He does things that don’t fit your expectations?

Jesus repeated the most important parts of His message.  God sent Him to earth and He is the Light.  He gave them a choice to believe in Him.  He said if you reject Him, the Word of God will be your judge.  When the end comes, there will not be any excuse for rejecting Jesus.  The Word will judge and condemn all who reject Him.  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.”Acts 16:31.

Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but the one who sent me.  When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”John 12:44-45.  Jesus crying out shows He is strongly appealing to the people.  He wants them to pay attention to these truths.  He and the Father are one.  To deny Jesus is to deny the one true God.  A world without Christ is in spiritual and moral darkness.  Jesus is the Light and has come to save the world.

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him on the last day.” John 12:48.  There will be a last day and it will be a day of judgment.  Jesus wants all who reject Him to be aware of that day.  He gives a final notice of the coming judgment and is appealing to those who don’t believe.  Don’t ignore Jesus’ final notice!

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

Do you know where you will spend eternity?

Principle:  Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved for all eternity.

Next week we will study John 13.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus

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Enduringword.com

Thursday, January 11, 2024

John Lesson 15 – John 11

 


Last time we learn the characteristics of false shepherds and good shepherds.  Jesus warned about false shepherds.  Jesus is the true Good Shepherd that laid down His life for the us; we are eternally secured in Him.

John 11:1-44 – Lazarus’ Resurrection

The raising Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days and his body beginning to decompose was Jesus’ most dramatic and powerful miracle in His ministry. 

Jesus had left the territory controlled by the Jews who were trying to kill Him.  He heard that His friend Lazarus was sick.  Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”John 11:4.  Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha.  Instead of rushing to heal Lazarus, Jesus delayed going to him for two days.  He arrived in Bethany on day four after Lazarus had died.  The sisters complained that if Jesus had come sooner their brother would not have died.  

Jesus knew Lazarus would live again.  He knew that the miracle He was about to perform would end in bringing glory to God.  He also knew that these events would bring Him closer to being arrested with the end result making the Son of God glorified in His death and resurrection.

Jesus’ always glorified God in all He did.  He didn’t let the pressure of His friends or loved ones dictate His decisions.  He didn’t make decisions based on emotions.  He made decisions based on what would glorify God, on accomplishing His work, and on helping others come to faith or to grow in faith.  By waiting two days before leaving for Bethany; there would be no doubt that Lazarus was dead.  Then when he was raised, it would bring more glory to God.

John 11:9-10 – The disciples were worried about returning to Jerusalem for their own safety and that Jesus may be killed.  He told them they have nothing to fear.  Like the sun protected them from stumbling in the dark so Jesus would protect them.  The twelve hours of daylight is a picture of Jesus’ physical presence in the world.  He has a limited time to be with them before He leaves the earth.  He is also telling us that when we walk in God’s will, we are walking in the light or walking in the daytime.  If we are out of His will, we don’t have light and we are walking in darkness; therefore we will certainly stumble.

In John 11:16 Thomas was willing to go and die with Jesus.  He made this commitment when he really didn’t understand the promise of resurrection.  He was showing love, devotion, and dedication to Jesus and the rest of the disciples.

Lazarus was in the tomb for four days so there was no doubt that Lazarus was dead and no hope of resuscitation.  Jesus deliberately waited until death was beyond all doubt making it clear He would be operating with divine power.  

Martha stated her disappointment in Jesus’ late arrival.  She knew if He had been there earlier, Lazarus would not have died.  Jesus told her that her brother would rise again.  She thought He was talking about rising in the resurrection at the last day.  Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”John 11:25-26.  He is saying that HE IS THE ONLY WAY.  Salvation is found in no other.

Mary went out to meet Jesus and when He saw her crying, He was moved and He wept.  He wept out of love, compassion, and sympathy for the family.  This shows Jesus was truly human, He wasn’t ashamed of His emotions, and He identified with their sorrow.  He experienced grief and deep feelings just like us.  

He may have also wept because of the sin in the world that brings death to us all.  His tears give us a glimpse of how the Father feels over the grief of His children.  He also knew by raising Lazarus it would actually cause the religious leaders to finally take action to put him to death.  We don’t really know the inner distress Jesus was experiencing.  He was dreading His Father’s wrath that was about to come.  He was going to die a horrific death in order for you and me to have eternal life. 

Jesus went to Lazarus’ tomb and told them to take away the stone that covered the entrance.  In John 11:41 Jesus looked up and prayed with thanksgiving to God.  His purpose was for the benefit of the crowd.  By praying before the miracle, He was pointing to God giving Him the glory for the miracle that was about to happen.  A lesson for us is to be thankful even before God answers our prayers.  Prayer is central to Christian character.  It gives glory to Him and is the key defense against Satan’s temptations.  It protects us from sin and self.

After Jesus prayed, He cried out with authority, “Lazarus, come out!”John 11:43.  “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:44b.  Lazarus was brought back to life.

Not only did Jesus give the miraculous gift of physical life to Lazarus, He gives the miraculous gift of spiritual life to believers.  When we believe and trust in Him, our old self is crucified with Him and we are freed from the being slaves to sin.  He gives us eternal life; we will be united with Him in His resurrection. 

Principle:  When God seems to be doing nothing, He may be doing more than you could ever imagine.

John 11:45-57 – The Plot

There were different reactions and responses to Jesus’ miracle.  Many of the Jews saw what Jesus had done and believed in Him.  Some went and told the Pharisees.  The chief priests, Pharisees, and Sanhedrin were worried and called a meeting and plotted against Jesus.  They feared Rome and were concerned only with protecting their own interests.  They knew Jesus had performed miracles, but they still opposed Him as the Messiah.

In John 11:49-50 the high priest, Caiaphas gave an unconscious and involuntary prophecy that it was better for this one man die than for the people than for the whole nation to perish.  These were significant words because it prophesied that Jesus would die for all the world, even sinners.  From that day they plotted to put Jesus to death.  This was all in God’s plan. 

Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews because it was not the appointed time for Him to die.  He went with His disciples to a region near the dessert. 

When it was almost time of the Passover, many went to Jerusalem for the ceremony.  The chief priests gave orders if anyone saw Jesus they were to report it so He could be arrested.

The reasons they wanted to kill Jesus was motivated by fear, resentment, and self-interest.  They wanted to stop what He was doing and prevent all men from believing in Him.  They thought it would save the nation of Israel from being destroyed. 

The true reason that Jesus had to die was to fulfill God’s eternal plan and to save people from eternal death.  We see this in John 3:16“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.”

Principle:  Jesus is the source of resurrection and eternal life.

Key verses:

“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”John 11:25
“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.” – John 3:16

Next week we will study John 12.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus

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If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV
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Enduringword.com
Desiringgod.org

Thursday, January 4, 2024

John Lesson 14 – John 10

 


Last time we learned that God uses suffering to demonstrate His power and grace. We saw this when Jesus healed the blind man both physically and spiritually. 

John 10:1-6 – Ture and False Shepherds

Why does the Bible often refer to people as sheep?  I think it’s because people are like sheep and are so easy to be led astray.  We are lazy and it seems we believe anything that sounds good without testing and proving it factual.  We don’t take the time to go to God's Word or to prayer for guidance.

Jesus told a parable about shepherds and sheep.  The Pharisees pretended to be shepherds of God’s people, but they were not true shepherds.  The Pharisees were considered thieves and robbers, because they were out for themselves, they led the people astray, and they refused to accept Jesus. 

Characteristics of false shepherds:  False shepherds tend to be cunning and use deception.  They are like robbers who break into your house and steal without your knowledge.  They don’t wear signs so they can be recognized.  They appear harmless and are able to deceive.  They don’t strengthen the weak or heal the sick.  They speak empty worthless words; in other words, they lie.  You need to be grounded in sound doctrine so you can know if their words are true.  You have to know and be able to defend from the Scriptures.  The Pharisees are great examples of false shepherds.  They claimed to speak for God, but lie.  They were only out for themselves.

Characteristics of good shepherds:  At night good shepherds would put their sheep up in a pen to keep them from danger of wild animals and thieves.  The shepherd would stay with his sheep during the day and sleep with them at night.  Shepherds could identify each sheep and would even give them a name.  The sheep know their shepherd and they know his voice.  They would follow him wherever he went.  They would never follow a stranger.  A good shepherd is loving, caring and has sacrificial service to his sheep.  He understands their needs.  He works tirelessly to provide protection and security.  He searches out his sheep when they stray and defends them against all enemies.  Jesus is our good Shepherd.

There are false shepherds or leaders today who pretend to know other ways to God.  These are like thieves.  The devil is like a thief.  He deceives people and tries to convince them that Jesus is not the only way to God.  Only Jesus can offer salvation.  Only Jesus gives us life.  Once you believe in Jesus you are safe.  The devil can never take away the eternal life that Jesus gives.

There are ways we can avoid false shepherds and stand firm when they try to deceive us:

Know the Word of God
Believe in the power of God
Rely on the Holy Spirit
Practice tough faith
Never give in to what you know is wrong
Order your priorities
Stand for righteousness
Be persistent in prayer
Surrender in worship
Always cling to hope

God will hold these false shepherds accountable, will remove them from tending the sheep, and will rescue the flock.  He will search for the sheep and look after them and give them good grazing with rich pasture.  He will tend His sheep.  He will search for the lost, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak.  He will be the shepherd of justice. (Ezekiel 34:1-16).

Principle:  Jesus is the true Shepherd that warns the flock about false shepherds.

What is keeping you from recognizing the voice of Jesus, the True Shepherd?

How has He had your best interest in mind?
If you are a leader or shepherd, are you teaching biblical truths?
Do you have your sheep’s best interest in mind?
Do you strengthen the weak and point them to Jesus?

John 10:7-21 – Jesus is the Good Shepherd

Jesus called Himself the Gate or the Door for His sheep.  “…. I am the gate for the sheep.”John 10:7.  This means He is the gate to heaven.  In John 14:6 He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one come to the Father except through me.”

 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”John 10:10

  “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11.  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:14

John 10:11-15 describe the actions and attitudes of a good shepherd.  He knows his sheep and is known by his sheep.  He even will sacrifice his own life for his sheep.

In John 10:16 Jesus talked about other sheep.  These other sheep are the Gentiles.  Jesus came to save the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  He will save everyone who believes in Him no matter who they are or where they are or what nationality they are.  All Christians belong to God’s family and Jesus is the Shepherd.

In John:17-18 Jesus talked about laying down His life.  The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him and He knew He had to die to save the people.  This was God’s plan.  Jesus obeyed and loved God.  No one forced Him to do this.  He went willing to the cross.  He knew He would be resurrected on the 3rd day, which was also God’s plan.

Jesus’ Words should encourage us and can be applied today.  Believers are His sheep.  We follow the Good Shepherd, because we know His voice.  The Gate is Jesus who gives us access to God.  Those who do not believe and teach untruths are thieves and robbers. 

Principle:  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:22-33 – Eternally Secure

Jesus went to the Feast of Dedication festival.  The Jewish leaders wanting to kill Jesus asked Him if He was the Christ (John 10:24).  Jesus never answered them with a yes or a no.  Instead He spoke about the miracles as the evidence of who He was.  He spoke again about the shepherd and the sheep.  His sheep were all the people who believed in Him.  The leaders didn’t believe and were so stubborn that they even refused to believe in the miracles they had seen.

Then Jesus made a promise to all who believed in Him.  He promised He would always look after them and that not even death could separate them from Him.  “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”John 10:28.  This is such a comfort because He didn’t say you had to be good enough or have perfect faith.  All you have do to is believe.  Jesus gives security to all who believe in Him.

Do you believe in Jesus?

Do you hear Jesus’ voice?
Do you know Jesus and does He know you?
How secure are you in your salvation?

Jesus claimed to be in complete unity with God.  They share the same thoughts, desires, and qualities.  “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.  The Pharisees wanted Him to say it clearly who He was and He did.  Here the Bible states clearly that Jesus is certainly God.  This truth about Jesus is of ultimate importance for us today, because there can be no mistake that Jesus if God! 

After reading this do you still doubt that Jesus is God?

They picked up stones to stone Him because He made Himself equal with God.  They tried to seize Him, but God prevented it.  He escaped because it was not yet Him time. 

He knew He would have to die soon, but the time was not now.  He left Jerusalem not because of fear, but to prepare Himself for His return to Jerusalem for His cross.  Many people followed realizing that John the Baptist’s prophecies were right.  They decided to believe because of all the evidence.

Jesus willing gave His life for us.  No one made Him do it.  He had the authority to die and the authority to rise again.  It was all up to Him.  He is God!

Jesus described a true believer:

My sheep hear my voice.
I know them.
They follow me.
I give them eternal life.
They will never perish.
No one can snatch them from my hand.

Are you a true believer?

Principle:  Jesus’ sheep are eternally secured.

John 10:34-42 – Division in the Crowd

Jesus offered validating proof that He spoke for God.  In the Old Testament judges were called gods.  Jesus said since that was the case, why would they consider it blasphemy that He call Himself the Son of God.  They again tried to seize Him, but He escaped.

God’s power and plan offers us hope.  He is always in control and has a plan for each of our lives; nothing can stop Him.  Jesus is God and is always with us as our Good Shepherd.

Jesus went back across the Jordan and there many people came to believe in Him.  It’s like that in our world today.  There are many who reject Him and many who believe.  Which group are you in?

Principle:  God’s power and plan offers hope.

Key verses: 

“I am the gate” – John 10:7, 9
“I am the good shepherd”John 10:11, 14
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”John 10:28.
“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

WOW!  Love the book of John.  Next week we will study John 11.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV
Bsfinternational.org
Bibleref.org
Enduringword.com

Friday, December 8, 2023

John Lesson 13 – John 9

Last time we learned Jesus offers grace to broken sinners who repent and that true freedom comes from knowing Christ through genuine faith and abiding in His Word.  We also learned that Jesus is the Messiah, the Light of the world.

John 9:1-34 – Physically Blind

Jesus passed a man who was blind from birth.  His disciples wanted to know if he was blind because of something he or his parents did.  Perhaps they were thinking of the Old Testament Ex. 34:5-7 where it says God does not leave the guilty unpunished, but punishes their children and their children’s children to the 3rd and 4th generations.

Jesus redirected their wrong thinking and answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.  But this happened so God’s work might be displayed in his life.”John 9:3.  Jesus used the man’s blindness as an opportunity to tell them that He must continue to do the work of God, because the time will come He will not be here on earth.  Jesus said, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”John 9:5.  Then He spit on the ground, made mud, and put it on the man’s eyes.  The man was healed; now he could see. 

God’s work is showing His glory, His goodness, His love, His wisdom, His beauty, and His power in awesome ways - in the middle of sickness, in the middle of special needs, in the middle of disabilities.  He won’t stop until His work is done.  Jesus always brings glory to God by completing the work God gave Him to do and is still at work today.  

The blind man is a picture of the condition of everyone since man’s fall.  Unbelievers lack the ability to see Jesus spiritually, just like the man lacked the ability to see physically.  Everyone is born spiritually blind.  The punishment for sin is death not suffering.  God made a way to take that punishment.  He sent Jesus.  He took on our punishment on the cross so we wouldn’t have to. 

Some suffering is a natural part of life.  Sometimes we think people are responsible for their own suffering, which is sometimes true.  The choices we make can cause us or those we love to suffer.  But God doesn’t punish them.  Is a child’s suffering because of a parent’s sin?  Sometimes they do, because of the choices the parents make.  If parents are alcoholics or are doing drugs, their children suffer.  

Jesus’ healing of the blind man was an astounding miracle.  He was blind from birth.  He didn’t ask Jesus to heal him, but Jesus had compassion and was focused on doing God’s work.  He was always teaching and showing His power.  Jesus said suffering happens so the gospel can display the glory of God. 

There is nothing impossible with God.  There is always hope.  We just need to keep trusting and praying even when it seems hopeless.

The man’s neighbors questioned his healing.  They didn’t think he was the one who was blind since birth.  The man insisted he was that man.  His parents were even questioned, but were afraid of being put out of the synagogue.  They told the Pharisees to go and ask him themselves.  The Pharisees question the man and asked who healed him, but didn’t like his answers.  The Pharisees were so angry with the man that they threw him out of the temple because he defended Jesus.

John 9:35-41 – Spiritually Blind

Jesus heard what they had done and went to find the man.  We see the progression of the man’s faith.  First he said the One who healed him was a man, then a prophet and finally he said that it was Jesus.  He said if Jesus wasn’t from God, He could do nothing.  Jesus asked the man if he believed in the Son of Man and told the man who He was.  The man believed and worshiped Him.

Jesus first gave him physical sight and then spiritual sight.  Jesus said “For judgment I have come into this world so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”John 9:39  This means that those who are blind admit their need, and trust in God, are those who will be granted sight.  Those who do not believe are arrogant and presume they already know everything like the Pharisees, will be hardened by the Jesus and incapable of understanding what they don’t want to understand anyway.

The Pharisees were spiritually blind.  They knew better.  They knew the Scriptures and the prophecies, but refused to believe.  We were blind to sin before we believed, but once we believed our sins were revealed. 

Believers were persecuted then and are persecuted now.  Christians are being killed and persecuted all over the world.  We don’t see as much in America, but we see rejection from family, friends and society because of our faith.  It hurts our hearts, but we can lean on God’s strength.  Then our faith will grow.  Do not give up, but cling to Him.

Principles:

Suffering happens so the gospel can display the glory of God.
Jesus is the almighty Savior who can open blind eyes for God’s glory.
God uses suffering to demonstrate His power and grace.
Jesus can heal physically and spiritually.

How have you stood up for Jesus?

Do you refuse to believe who Jesus is?
What is keeping you from opening your eyes to sin in your life?
What do you need Jesus to heal you from?
Has Jesus healed your spiritual blindness?

Key verse:  “I am the light of the world.”John 9:5

Next week we will study John 10.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus

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Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV
Bsfinternational.org
Bibleref.org
Enduringword.com