Perish

Lesson #46

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word perish. We are looking at the section made up of John 3:16 – 18, which contain the famous verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). What does it mean to perish? Before we consider that please listen to the audio bite 37:56 – 40:55.

In John 3:16 we understand that those who believe have eternal life and those who don’t believe, perish. The lack of eternal life in a person leaves that person in a state of perishing. John 3:18 provides a link between perish and condemned: “The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God” (ESV). We begin physical life already condemned and unless God intervenes in our life we will perish.

John 3:36 links another word with perish: “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him” (NET). To not believe is to reject the Son and the one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him. In addition to being already condemned at physical birth, we are born with God’s wrath on us. Therefore, to perish means one is condemned guilty of sin and is under the wrath of God. Without belief in the Son, who was given to provide for our need, that person will perish under the righteous eternal wrath of God.

Prayer

Father, thank you for sending your Son to provide me with salvation. Lord, thank you for coming and drinking from the cup of wrath and then dying in my place for my sin. Lord, thank you for taking upon you my sin and clothing me with your righteousness. Thank you for the gift of eternal life.

Believes

Lesson #45

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word believes. We are looking at the section made up of John 3:16 – 18, which contain the famous verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). What do we need to understand about believes? Before we consider that please listen to the audio bite 28:26 to 37:55.

Whoever believes implies a separation of people into two groups; those who believe and those who do not. Those who believe in Jesus will not be condemned and will have eternal life. Those who don’t believe are already condemned and will perish.

To believe is to embrace something as true, but how do you determine if it is true? You consider its source. In our case it is Jesus who later claims to be the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). In our last lesson we determined that Jesus was the eternal word. To trust the truth in this case is to trust him to be whom he says he is and to do what he says.

In lesson #43 we noticed that “God gave” was equivalent to “God sent.” From John 1:11 – 12, we find that receive is equivalent to believe: “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (ESV). To believe in Jesus means we receive him and embrace him and what he says.

If believe means we receive then what are we receiving? There are many verses we could look at to answer this, but let us look at just one. In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty” (NET). Food and drink are necessary for physical life and from this verse we see that Jesus is necessary for spiritual life. To receive him is to come to the source of life to receive what is needed for life.

Prayer

Father, what treasure there is in the Word. It is indeed the source of life. As I come and feast upon him my soul is satisfied and I find such joy and peace. Lord, draw me more deeply into yourself that I would be prepared to enjoy eternity to its fullest.

Son

Lesson #44

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word Son. We are looking at the section made up of John 3:16 – 18, which contain the famous verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). What does it mean for God to have a Son? John Piper points out a problem Muslims and others have with this. As you listen to audio bite 23:14 to 28:25 you will learn about this.

A basic understanding of the Son of God can be obtained from John 1:1, which reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (ESV). This verse tells us three important things about the Word. First, “The Word was God.” Second, “The Word was with God” and therefore distinct from God. And third, “In the beginning was the Word” so he was always in existence and never had a beginning.

To obtain the connection between the Word and the Son and Jesus we need to look ahead to verse 14; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (ESV). So, the Word that was in the beginning that was with God and that was God became flesh and dwelt among the disciples and was known as Jesus. In verse 14, the Word that became flesh is described as the only Son from the Father. Jesus is therefore the Son of God that has always existed, without beginning. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3 ESV). How awesome is this Jesus who is the exact imprint of the nature of God and by the word of his power upholds the universe. This Jesus, the Son of God was sent to die on the cross to make purification for sins and then rose again to sit down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. We need to come before him and humble ourselves and show him the respect he deserves for the price he paid for our salvation. Everything we have or will ever have of worth is from him. When will we begin to live like we believe that?

Prayer

Father, my heart has been so captured by this lesson to see that Jesus, the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, and you are one God, one divine nature. You are one essence and three persons in an eternal, perfect, joyful relationship and you have chosen from the mass of humanity those you are giving as a gift to Jesus, your Son, to give the gift of eternal life to. This body of believers are many members but one body in which the Spirit of God dwells. Through the work of Jesus on the cross you have brought us into a oneness with the eternal God. Father, I can’t begin to comprehend this and all I can say is Thank you.

Gave

Lesson #43

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word gave. We are looking at the section made up of John 3:16 – 18, which contain the famous verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). God gave his only Son because he loved the world so much. Before we go any further you should listen to the instruction John Piper gives at sound bite 19:25 to 23:13.

What does our text reveal to us about this word give? First, we know what God gave was from heaven. Second, looking ahead to verse 17 we see that the word gave is replaced with the word send: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Using the word send makes this much more personal because it involves a command and obedience. God the Father is commanding his Son to go to the world and take on flesh and do something for them that they desperately need. The Son needs to consider the command and what it means and decide whether to go.

Looking ahead to John 10:17 – 18 we read, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (ESV). Jesus, the eternal Son of God is being asked to take on a body of flesh and lay it down after taking on our sin and drinking the cup of God’s wrath for our sin in our place. This is what God gave means in John 3:16.

To help get your mind around this think of you as a father who has a son and you say to him, “There is something I want you to do for me: I have some enemies that deserve to perish, and I want you to go and die in their place, so that they can have eternal life.” How radical is that? That is what God asked Jesus to do and we are those enemies he came to die for. This is what our God is like.

Prayer

Father, how much you must love me to send your beloved, most holy Son to become sin in my place and drink from your cup of wrath that was meant for me. Lord, how could you do that for me? How can you possibly love me that much? I confess that my life does not reflect the surrender needed to respect what you accomplished for me. I ask for your forgiveness and your continued work in my heart.

World

Lesson #42

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word world. We are looking at the section made up of John 3:16 – 18, which contain the famous verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). World is that which God loved, but what does the world represent? Before we go any further you should listen to the instruction John Piper gives at sound bite 16:36 to 19:24.

The word “world” is used 272 times in the Bible and can have several different meanings. Looking at John 7:7: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I am testifying about it that its deeds (or works) are evil.” we learn of its hate for Jesus Christ. From John 14:17a: “even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.” we learn further that the world cannot receive the spirit of truth because it neither sees him nor knows him.

In our context world represents the mass of fallen humanity that hates Jesus Christ and doesn’t understand the truth because it is unable to receive it. This mass of humanity are spiritually dead and are in need of salvation. This countless number of perishing people are the ones God loves and is giving his Son for.

Prayer

Father, when I think of the evil people devise against one another and the suffering that results and when I think of the intense hate people have toward you, I can’t understand the depth of your love for the world. When I think of my own life I wonder why you would love me so much, but the more I experience your love and the more I know about you the closer I want to be to you and the more I want to be like your Son.

God

Lesson #41

In our last lesson on John 3:16 – 18, eight key words were introduced. They are God, loved, world, gave, Son, whoever, believes, and life. In this lesson we will focus on God who so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. Before we go any further please take three minutes and listen from 13:35 to 16:35.

In our context, this God who loves and gives is the God of the Old Testament. John Piper describes him as “the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is personal and not a mere force, meaning he thinks and wills and feels. He loves, and he hates. And as personal, he is moral—that is, he deals with us in terms of right and wrong and good and bad. And as moral, he is unwaveringly righteous. He only does what is right. And the infinite worth of what he is defines what is right. To do right is to think and feel and act in a way that accords with (is in harmony with) God’s infinite worth.”

As we approach John 3:16 and the God who loves and gives, how should we respond. I think Paul makes this very clear in Romans 1:21 by saying, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” As we come to John 3:16 out of desperate need, we are to honor God as the God of infinite worth that he is and we are to thank him for the sacrifice he is making for us, for if we don’t then we will remain futile in our thinking and our foolish hearts will remain darkened.

Prayer

Oh, my Father, you are all powerful and of infinite worth. Your capacity to love and to provide for is beyond comprehension and to think that you want to restore me as your child to enjoy forever. How can I, as one who was dead in my sin and headed for eternal destruction, ever thank you enough? There is one debt I can never hope to repay and that is the debt of love. 

Introduction to John 3:16 - 18

Lesson #40

Today we will begin to cover the text from John 3:16 – 18. Here we encounter one of the most famous verses in the Bible; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). This is a verse I have thought about for years. I have considered what it says and how it is being used. On the surface it appears so simple; God loves, God gave, we believe, we receive. It is commonly used as an invitation by saying, “God loves you so much that he gave you his Son and if you believe that then you will receive eternal life. If you believe that then raise your hand or stand up or come forward (or any combination of that) and you will be saved.” There are many that do that and are counted for salvation but they are not born again. They are simply a salvation statistic used to measure the success of a program.

Along with Alistain Begg, another favorite Bible teachers is John Piper who in his 70 sermon series on the Gospel of John devotes two sermons on these three verses. I have listened to these two sermons so many times I would find it difficult to write about these verses and not be somewhat guilty of plagiarizing. As a result I am going to try something I have been thinking of doing for over a year. I would like to develop a study, directly using the resources of these two sermons. I plan to divide the two sermons into time segments appropriate for each lesson. For this example, for this introduction you will need this link to go to the sermon and then listen from the beginning to time 13:35.

A careful inspection of John 3:16 reveals eight key words. They are God, loved, world, gave, Son, whoever, believes, and life. A lesson will be devoted to each word, except to the word love, which will take more than one lesson and will be covered after the other seven.

Prayer

Father, to so many, John 3:16 seems so simple, but careful study reveals just the opposite. Father, I find a tension between John 3:8 and 3:16. John 3:8 implies that only the ones the Spirit touches are born again, but John 3:16 seems to imply that whoever believes can be born again. Father, I pray that the Spirit will teach and reveal the truth about these two verses and how they relate and thus release this tension. Lord, because of the importance of this series of studies I pray that readers will take a few minutes to consider what is said. 

A Compelling Picture

Lesson #39

Today we will continue with the text from John 3:13 – 15. We will finish our discussion of the verse, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (verse 14). We were considering the five observations listed by John Piper (See Lesson # 37) and covered the first three in the last lesson. Today we will cover the last two and also verse 15.

Jesus did no wrong. He was able to live fully by the law and out of envy sinful men lifted him up on the cross. These men devised evil and nailed him to the cross as a curse to die a shameful, horrible death. God used this as a time for good, a time for Jesus to finish the work he was sent to do. Through his death provision was made “so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:15 NET).

The uniqueness of Christianity is the cross and the death of God’s Son on it to provide the way of salvation. This is indeed a compelling picture of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners. This is the picture we need to keep before those like Nicodemus who say, “How can these things be?” Belief in the cross and Jesus crucified is the only way of salvation. When we come with believing faith we will then understand being born from above.

In the beginning was the word “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 ESV). As Jesus is lifted up on the cross we behold his glory and in that look we receive grace that only he can give.

Prayer

Father, thank you for this amazing illustration of the snake on the pole in Numbers and how it points to Jesus on the cross. Thank you for the requirements that were met so that you could offer me the free gift of eternal life.

From Curse to Rescue

Lesson #38

Today we will continue with the text from John 3:13 – 15. We will focus on the verse, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (verse 14) and see how this relates to Jesus. John Piper pointed out five observations about this verse that are worthwhile looking at. (See previous lesson.) In John 9 we find the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. Since this event occurred on the Sabbath, the people brought the man to the Pharisees. Questions were asked and conversation continued finally ending in the man being cast out of the synagogue. Hearing this, Jesus finds the man and said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man” (John 9:35)? The man replied, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him” (John 9:36)? Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you” (John 9:37). The Son of Man that is to be lifted up on the cross as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness is Jesus. Jesus is speaking of his coming crucifixion.

As the people looked at the bronze snake on the pole they were healed or rescued from the poison of their sin and the impending wrath of God. God is the one who saves by means of the snake. Like the snake, Jesus is lifted up and nailed to the cross. As people look to Jesus, God is the one who saves by means of Jesus. Jesus is the source of healing or rescue. But there remains one question. Moses lifted up the snake, but who lifted up Jesus? The answer is found in John 8:28 where Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.” But who is you? According to John 8:13 it is the Pharisees.

How difficult it must have been for Nicodemus to even begin to comprehend the claim of Jesus being the Messiah and then associating him with the snake on the pole. By taking the place of the snake, Jesus is portraying himself as evil and a curse. Jesus on the cross is a picture of God’s curse on us as sinful people. In 2 Corinthians 5:2, Paul says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus takes upon himself our sin and our curse and in so doing in transfers his righteousness to us.

We will cover the last two points and John 3:15 in the next lesson.

Prayer

Father, the plan of salvation is so unique and is so detailed in the Scriptures. It is so simple that a child can understand and find salvation, but yet is so easily rejected as foolishness by those who do not believe. Thank you for the sacrifice that was made to provide a way for a person guilty of sin to find freedom.

Jesus and the Snake

Lesson #37

Today we will continue with the text from John 3:13 – 15. We saw in our last lesson that Jesus came from the Father, he descended from heaven, to explain how he was going to provide a way for us to be born from above. We will continue with what Jesus next said to Nicodemus; “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14 NET). In this statement Jesus is referring back to Numbers 21:4 – 9 and is comparing himself to the serpent. Because of the people’s sin, God sent fiery serpents or poisonous snakes among the people and they bit them so many of them died. To overcome this “Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, so that if a snake had bitten someone, when he looked at the bronze snake he lived” (Numbers 21:9 NET).

From this passage there are several things to notice that will apply to Jesus and his provision. From verse 8 we learn that the bronze snake on the pole is for those who are bitten. It does not prevent anyone from being bitten. The poison is in the person bitten and without God’s intervention the person will die. From verse 6 we learn that the poisonous snakes are from God because of their sin. This poison is God’s wrath because of their sin. The poisonous snake contains the curse from God. Those who are bitten must look at the bronze snake and when they do they will be healed and will live.

Why is this illustration important? In his sermon on these verses John Piper makes five observations we need to spend some time on in future lessons. These observations are

1. Jesus Is the Son of Man
2. Jesus Is the Source of Rescue
3. Jesus Is Portrayed as a Curse
4. Jesus Gives Eternal Life
5. Jesus Crucified Is the One We See

Prayer

Father, I find it so amazing to look at a simple illustration in the Old Testament and see its connection to Jesus in the New Testament; to see the connection between the bronze snake on the pole and Jesus on the cross; to see how your wrath because of sin is overcome in both cases. Father, to see these connections I see the importance of careful Bible study. For sure we are to heed the command: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

The Son of Man from Heaven

Lesson #36

Our lesson today will begin several lessons covering the text from John 3:13 – 15. Nicodemus stands before Jesus and says, “How can these things be?” He simply does not understand the concept of being born from above and Jesus knows that further conversation will not help. I find this to be a common stumbling point when sharing my faith. I try to carefully lead a person along the pathway of life, introducing the basics of the Christian faith. As the conversation continues we come to a fork in the road where it is time to introduce the concept of being born from above. This is a very critical point and is a time, like with Nicodemus and Jesus that I will know if I can continue to develop the conversation or if it is time to wait. Jesus knew it was time to wait because the Spirit had not yet prepared the heart of Nicodemus to accept further understanding. Before we can believe the heart must be prepared.

In verse 12, Jesus had just said to Nicodemus, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” Jesus then continues by saying, “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man” (John 3:13 ESV). Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he has the authority to tell him heavenly things because he has descended from heaven where he has existed from the beginning with his Father. Jesus came down from the Father and he is going to tell us what he came to do. Jesus is going to tell us how we can be born from above.

Because of sin everyone is born spiritually dead, headed toward eternal destruction to experience the wrath of God forever. Before you can be born again the wrath of God must be removed so that the power of the Spirit can be released to cause you to be born again. In John 3:36 we read, “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him” (NET). The Son of Man, Jesus Christ, came to remove the wrath of God from those who believe.

Prayer

Father, there is not a one of us that deserves eternal life and without your intervention there is no one who will understand and there is no one who will seek God for we have all turned away (Romans 3:11 – 12). Lord, thank you for coming to remove the wrath of God from those who will believe. Thank you for the spiritual gestation period that leads up to the moment of spiritual birth. Thank you for all that you have done in my life since that time. Lord, without you I would still be dead in my sin, headed toward eternal destruction to experience the wrath of God forever. Thank you for lifting me up with you.

How Can These Things Be

Lesson #35

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 3:9 – 12. Jesus made it very clear to Nicodemus the importance of being born from above when he said, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NET). Jesus also made it clear that we are to experience two births when he said, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5 – 6 NET). But Nicodemus still does not understand what Jesus is saying and replies by saying, “How can these things be” (John 3:9 NET)?

Jesus has made his point about the importance of being born from above and now because of the lack of understanding on the part of Nicodemus, Jesus now shows his displeasure with the prevailing Jewish misunderstanding of his teaching about the necessity of a new, spiritual birth from above by saying, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things” (John 3:10 ESV)? Is that true of us? Do we say things or even teach spiritual truths but don’t really understand their meaning? How much of the Bible have you read and know the stories but don’t really understand their significance to where it affects how you live?

Jesus continues by saying, “I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony” (John 3:11 NET). Jesus is making it very clear that he is in a position of knowing because of what he has seen and heard and he is sharing that with Nicodemus and others but they do not understand. After the disciples have lived with Jesus and have seen and heard we find John, in 1 John 1:2, saying, “We have seen and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.” There were many that didn’t understand or accept what they were saying either. I find the same thing. As I experience the reality of Jesus Christ in my life and the power of the Word of God and share that with others, I find many that don’t understand or accept what I am saying either.

Jesus continues by saying, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things” (John 3:12 ESV). Here Jesus is suggesting two levels of understanding. Jesus is doing and saying things in their midst that they were not able to understand or accept. If that is the case then how is it possible talk about heavenly things that are not seen? (To be continued in the next lesson.)

Prayer

Father, as I consider this lack of understanding and acceptance on the part of the people who were witnessing what Jesus was doing and saying and think about people who read the Bible and don’t understand or accept what it is saying, I see the importance of having Jesus in our lives to turn on the light of understanding. Father, thank you for giving to us the Holy Spirit who gives to us who believe the ability to understand.

Born of Water and Spirit

Lesson #34

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 3:5 – 8. We ended the last lesson with Nicodemus saying to Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he” (John 3:4 NET)? Of course he and we know that is not possible, but it was his way of telling Jesus that he didn’t understand. Jesus then answers, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 NET). Being born of water is our physical birth that we all experience, but now we are being told that the second birth is a spiritual birth which is required if we are to enter the kingdom of God. It is this spiritual birth that produces the “new creature in Christ” that Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It is a time when the old things that our lives have been made up of begin to pass away and are replaced by new things.

Jesus continues by saying, “What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above’” (John 3:6 – 7 NET). We are not sure what Nicodemus was expecting to learn from Jesus, but in just a few words a totally new concept was opened up to him and it is one of eternal consequences. It is one that applies to each one of us. The concept of a spiritual birth is so different from a faithful obedience to the Law that by now Nicodemus probably feels overwhelmed and may have expressed some doubt about this new concept because Jesus continues by saying, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 ESV).

It seems that the wind blows where it wishes and we see its effects on the things it moves around. Jesus is implying here that one who is born of the Spirit will demonstrate that by a kind of behavior. Under the law one painfully tries to be obedient to every point, which is impossible. Jesus is now introducing the idea that when one is born from above there is a new source within us that greatly helps us live the way we should. We are to learn to replace the work we do with allowing Jesus to work through us. This is just the beginning of new concepts Jesus will introduce to us in our future studies.

Prayer

Father, the concept of being born from above is not very widely accepted today because it requires one to humbly confess that we are broken, sinful people in need of a savior that can transform us. Lord, this concept of being born spiritually has opened up such an amazing life adventure for me. I find that the more I study the more treasures I find and the more meaningful and exciting life becomes. Without your presence in my life there would be death instead of life within and darkness instead of light. Thank you for the kindness of your grace.

Born from Above

Lesson #33

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 3:1 – 4. Chapter 3 opens with “a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council” coming “to Jesus at night” (John 3:1 – 2a ESV). At the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were a member of one of the most important and influential religious and political parties of Judaism and had a growing dislike for him. It appears that Nicodemus wanted to find out more about Jesus and arranged to visit him. There is speculation as to why he came at night. Maybe he was afraid of public association with Jesus, or maybe he wanted a lengthy discussion without interruptions. John does not see the reason for coming when he did to be important enough to give us an explanation for the timing of the interview.

Nicodemus “came to Jesus at night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.’“ (John 3:2 NET). For Nicodemus to say to Jesus that he was a teacher from God, because of the miraculous signs he was performing, suggest that he thought Jesus may indeed be the Messiah and desired further information. I can see the same thing happening in countries today where there is persecution. A person who wants to learn more about Jesus might seek out a Christian alone at night where they can talk without someone hearing or seeing them. By approaching Jesus this way, Nicodemus was demonstrating prudence by being so private.

In his reply, Jesus makes no reference to being called a teacher from God, but what he does say takes Nicodemus by surprise. Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NET). Jesus wants to draw the focus away from the things he was teaching and to the idea of a second birth. Here translations differ and cause some confusion. Some say “born again” and others say “born from above. When born again is used, some, like Nicodemus, wonder how it is possible to be born again physically. Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he” (John 3:4 NET)? Nicodemus is right, you can’t, but it also indicates that he had no concept of such a thing as a spiritual birth, which is what Jesus says is required.

We have come to a most important concept in their conversation. Our understanding of this and then experiencing it through faith determines our eternal destiny. We will continue this in our next lesson.

Prayer

Father, thank you for choosing me and causing me to be born again. Thank you that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Thank you that by grace I have been saved through faith and that it is not of my own doing. Thank you that it is your gift to me and not a result of works that I could boast of. Thank you that I have been created in Christ Jesus for doing good works, which were prepared before I was ever born. Lord, guide and strengthen me to do them to your honor and glory.

Free but Costly

Lesson #32

Before we begin chapter three I believe it is important for us to focus on something that could be very painful and even discouraging. Chapter 3 looks carefully at the importance of being born again and the depths of God’s love in providing us with salvation. It is true that a person can find an abundant and meaningful life as a believer. That you hear often when one shares their faith here in the west where we still have religious freedom, but go to many eastern countries and you will find intense persecution. I know about it from serving underground in Asia. There if you accept Jesus Christ it could cost you your life. Making a choice for Jesus there is so much different than it is here in the west, but should it be?

Before starting chapter 3 and considering the topic of being born again I am requesting that you take time and listen to the interview found at the link below. It is a must listen for anyone reading these lessons living in the west. Those being persecuted are our brothers and sisters. We need to understand what life is like for them. This interview will make that very clear.

Link to Interview

Prayer

Father, I pray that this interview made it clear that our salvation came through much suffering and that in many parts of the world being your witness also involves much suffering. Father, you gave your Son for us and maybe some of us will have to give our lives as we walk with you. Prepare us for that possibility.

Wrong Understanding

Lesson #31

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:23 – 25. “Now when [Jesus] was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.” People were drawn to Jesus, not because of who he was, but because of what he was doing. It is the same today. People are drawn to a good performance or something spectacular. Through the signs he was doing, people began to see him as a possible deliverer and began to associate him with the Messiah, but their concept of Messiah was not the same as that of Jesus. Today the concept of who Jesus is in the minds of people is very different from who he really is. Only Jesus who is accepted as God in flesh is the true savior and Messiah.

There is growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and there is a growing desire by the people to have Jesus take charge and set them free from the Roman oppression. Jesus has to act cautiously and prudently to be sure neither group gets out of hand or join forces against him. Jesus has much work to do before it is time for his death. As a result “Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people” (John 2:24 NET). Jesus needed to maintain a balanced relationship with those around him to allow him time to do the work given to him by his Father.

“[Jesus] did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man” (John 2:25 NET). No one had to explain to Jesus what man was like. “He knew what was in man” because “All things were created by him” (John 1:3 NET) and because he was God (John 1:1). Their belief in him was not true belief. What they believed he could accomplish would satisfy their desires, but it was definitely not according to God’s plans. The tension between what they wanted Jesus to do and what God’s plan was for him would eventually cause them to join the Jewish leaders and turn against Jesus for claiming to be someone they believed he was not.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, what an awesome thing it is to think that you could create the universe and then enter into it through a woman to demonstrate to a sinful people what God is like and then show through your death and resurrection how much God loves us. Lord, as I watch you carefully spend time with people I see the importance and caution that should guide me as a witness. Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters in locations where they don’t know if they will live another day because of their faith in Jesus.

Which Temple

Lesson #30

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:18 – 22. The Jewish leaders watched and listened to Jesus as he cleared the temple courts and then they responded with, “What sign can you show us, since you are doing these things” (John 2:18 NET)? These Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to defend his actions with some mark of divine authentication. It is not clear if they were requesting a miracle, but when challenged like this Jesus does not respond with a sign. Instead, Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19 ESV). The Jewish leaders had no idea what he was referring to and said to him, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and are you going to raise it up in three days” (John 2:20 NET)? The only temple they understood was the building before them, “But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:21 NET). If we look ahead to Revelation 21:22 we read, “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (ESV). As believers, our bodies are considered a temple of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“So after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22 NET). Put yourself in the place of one of the disciples, especially one of his brothers. How would you feel and what would you think when Jesus referred to the temple as his Father’s house and then when he said that he would rebuild the temple in three days. Would you begin to think there was something wrong with him? How is it possible that God who created the universe is standing before you as your brother? Try to get your mind around that and you will then better identify with the people of Jesus time.

Prayer

Father, another simple passage but with profound implications. I think of the temple and the sacrifices offered there for sin. I then think of Jesus becoming the temple in its place and he being the perfect sacrifice for sin. I think of each of us believers being a temple of the Holy Spirit. Father, the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, to live and then to die and to be raised from the dead was unique and a pivot point in history. Thank you for making me a part of this.

Cleansing the Temple

Lesson #29

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:14 – 17. Jesus went from Capernaum (the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry) to Jerusalem (probably with his mother and brothers and disciples). “He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables” (2:14 NET). Inside the temple court, a place meant for prayer and other acts of worship, there were pens of oxen and sheep, and cages of doves and merchants sitting around them waiting to make a transaction, and others who were prepared to exchange a pilgrim’s money into the right currency so that they could make a purchase. By selling these animals the merchants were rendering a service to those who had traveled from long distances as it was much easier to bring money and purchase the needed animals for sacrifice upon their arrival. But by doing this business in the temple courts it disrupted the worship of non-Jewish God fearing people and thus obstructed the very purpose for which the temple courts existed.

When Jesus saw what was taking place it upset him, “So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables” (2:15 NET). The whips would be seen as an emblem of his authority and used to encourage the merchants and their animals to leave. There is no evidence that Jesus used any violence against the merchants engaged in this unhallowed traffic. Scattering the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables was a way of enforcing his position. As Jesus did this he gave clear instructions to the merchants by saying, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace” (2:16 NET)! In this statement Jesus is identifying himself as the Son of God by referring to the temple as his Father’s house. The disciples watched Jesus and remembered that it was written years ago, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (2:17 ESV). This is a reference back to Psalm 69:9 and suggest a growing opposition against Jesus.

Before leaving this section, a problem should be noted. Why is this temple cleansing episode placed here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, while the other gospel writers have it near the end of his ministry? Is there one or two temple cleansings? The debate goes on and as it does I am willing to accept this to be the first cleansing with a second one occurring later.

Prayer

Father, as I study about this temple abuse I see similar problems today in our churches. We have programs and projects and social events with a focus on entrainment or fun times and we forget to worship and praise as we should the One who gives meaning and purpose to life. We have our Bibles but we don’t spend the time we should with them to learn about you and how we should live with one another and we wonder why we have such a limited effect on our culture. Lord, do what it takes to draw us back to you.

Time to Travel Again

Lesson #28

In the narrative of John 2, we find ourselves between two major events; the wedding at Cana where Jesus performs his first miracle and the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. Verses 12 and 13 describe a minor detail of travel between the two. It would be easy to simply read these two verses and move on to the cleansing of the temple, but I think it would be good for us to join Jesus and his party for a time of travel. If we are going to travel we will need a map of Israel at the time of Jesus. NET Bible had just the map.

Israel During the Time of Jesus

At the top of the map is a link to view a full scale map, which I selected and then copied just the section I wanted for this lesson and inserted it below.

When I began I thought this would be an easy and fun lesson, but quickly I found trouble. On the map above the distance from Bethany to Cana is about 80 miles. John 2:1 allows just two days for travel by foot, which is not possible. After some digging around I discovered that the location of the ancient city of Bethany is not known. Bethany as shown on the map above cannot be correct because it is too far from Cana to walk to in two days. To solve the distance problem some think ancient Bethany is located near the Sea of Galilee, but there is no agreement as to where. Some say it is north of the Sea of Galilee and others say to the south. Wherever ancient Bethany was located it had to be within a two day walk of Cana where Jesus went for the wedding. Since Jesus was going from Bethany to the area of Galilee it seems logical that Bethany would be south of the Sea of Galilee.

 “After [the wedding, Jesus] went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days” (John 2:12 NET). Try to imagine being one of the brothers of Jesus and you just witnessed him making wine out of water. How would you feel and what kind of conversation would you have? After the wedding we learn that “his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11), but what did they believe? What are Mary’s thoughts now that she realizes that this is the start of his journey toward the cross?

Capernaum is an interesting tourist location today. The following link shows what it is like there now.

Link to Capernaum 

“Now the Jewish feast of Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (John 2:13 NET). The distance from Capernaum to Jerusalem is about 106 miles and would have taken six days, covering about 18 miles per day. Going up or down is in terms of elevation.

This lesson sure was different. I pray you gained something from it.

Prayer

Father, this was a different kind of lesson. I realized that when I simply read the Bible it appears to be no more than a collections of stories, but when I stop and study it is like sitting down to a wonderful meal. I find flavor and nourishment when I do. Father, over time that nourishment produces a life more like Jesus. Without this regular nourishment how can a person not be spiritually anemic and face all kinds of spiritual problems during their life? Lord, thank you for keeping me close to your word.