< Previous21 THINKING IT THROUGH John 1:35-3:17 1. What do we learn from 1:35-48 about Jesus’ knowledge of us as individuals? 2. What do we learn about Jesus from the incident in the temple (2:14-17)? How can we reconcile this event with the gracious and gentle Jesus we read of elsewhere? 3. How does 2:20-21 support the belief that Jesus was raised bodily from the dead? 4. What do we learn about new-birth in 1 John 3:9 and 1 Peter 1:3-4? According to John 1:12-13, what do we have to do in order to be born again? 5. Why do you think verse 16 has become one of the most popular verses in the Bible? What part of the verse speaks most to you? QUESTIONS AND DIFFICULTIES:22 GOD’S VERDICT Read: John 3:17-21 The morning sun piercing through the forest is welcomed by crea- tures of the day. Birds and animals come out from their nocturnal hideaways, as if drawn towards the light of the new day. At the very same time, the creatures of the night slink back into their burrows and dens as if repelled by the brightness of the sun. The same light which attracts one group, repels the other. So it was with the coming of the Lord Jesus into the world. He caused a division between those who believed and those who did not; between those who were attracted to Him and those who were indifferent or even hostile. Sent by His Father, Jesus came to die for our sins and to give us eternal life. Christ was not sent to sit in judgement on the world; that would come later. He came to save, not condemn. However not everyone is willing to receive God’s offer of salvation. Although the purpose of Christ’s coming was not to judge, a judge- ment still occurs (verse 18). Those who do not believe in the Name of the one and only Son of God are already condemned! They have passed sentence upon themselves by their response to the Lord Jesus. Their choice becomes their verdict. Their decision seals their destiny. The future judgement day will only serve to ratify the sen- tence of eternal death. The reason for this startling truth is explained in verses 19 to 21. The coming of Jesus Christ into the world is like the rising of the sun for the creatures of the day and night. Christ is like the sun in that He shines with all that is good, all that is right and all that is truth (“the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14). Our response to this light is the greatest test of our true inner attitude towards God. Those who truly love God will be attracted to Jesus who is God in the flesh. To be religious does not prove love for God. Elswhere Jesus quoted Scripture with the words "These people honour me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me" (Matthew 15:8). Our response to Jesus Christ is the method God uses to judge our heart’s true attitude towards Him. Most people love darkness rather than light. They prefer the inde- pendence and pleasure of their sinful lifestyle rather than turning to follow Christ. As you read about the Lord Jesus, your response is by far the most important decision you will ever make. To believe in Him and receive Him as your own Lord and Saviour results in a verdict: you are not condemned. Your sins are forgiven and you receive eternal life. But to fail to believe in Him also results in a verdict: you are ”condemned already”, with no hope of escape from future judgement. It’s your choice - but it’s God’s verdict! 1523 ECLIPSED Read: John 3:22-36 As the brightest star fades from sight when eclipsed by the growing light of dawn, John the Baptist, the greatest of all the prophets (Luke 7:28), was left standing in the shadow of the Lord Jesus. His loyal disciples were dismayed. Baptism was the distinctive feature of John’s ministry, and now Jesus was also baptising, and everyone was going to Him! John was quick to correct his zealous but misguided disciples. He saw himself as the prelude to a symphony. Important as a prelude is in preparing listeners for the main theme, it is not itself the symphony. John was raised up by God with the sole purpose of awakening the people’s hearts to the coming Messiah. At first he had been given a principal role, but once Messiah appeared, his prominence ceased. John asserted that Jesus must become greater and greater, while he must become less. John explains that he received his mission from God (verse 27), and he could not assign to himself a greater lot than that which God had given him. He is not the Christ (verse 28), but merely the fore-runner to the Christ. In verse 29 he uses an apt illustration. His own disciples are pictured as the bride of Jesus Christ. John, is like a friend of the bridegroom, and so rejoices when his disciples begin following the Lord. It is to Him they really belong. He humbly accepts his lower office, and stands back to allow Christ His rightful place. John then explains why Christ is to be given the place of honour above himself. 1. Because of who Christ is (verse 31). Earth-bound people, even prophets like John, are no rival to the One who comes from heaven! 2. Because of the authority and truth of Jesus’ teaching (verses 32 - 34). When Christ speaks of divine things, He is not passing on something He has learned through heavenly visions. He is The Revealer, and speaks with perfect knowledge of the truth. Though some do not receive His teaching, the ones who do, certify by their faith that His teaching is nothing less than God’s Word. He is the True Light, not a mere reflection! 3. Because of the dignity of His office (verse 35). Christ has the Holy Spirit in unreserved fullness, and has all things at His sovereign command. Universal dominion and absolute power are His by right. 4. Because of the character of His mission (verse 36). He came in love to save sinful people from judgement. He died to suffer that judgement for us when He died on the cross. But the brighter the light, the darker the shadow. God’s mercy being so great and His free offer of life being so costly to Him, those who refuse to accept it remain under God’s wrath and judgement forever. 1624 THIRSTY? Read: John 4:1-15 John now brings us to a new scene in our guided tour through the life of Christ. Jesus was weary and thirsty. What an amazing contrast to the elevated view we have of Christ in the previous chapter! Such is the paradox of this unique person. He is God indeed, but He became a real man. Before He left the splendour of heaven, He had never experienced weariness or thirst. Now as a man, He is able to enter into the emotions and common experiences of those He created. What is more, physical thirst is similar to a much deeper, spiritual thirst. Jesus, in asking for a drink from the woman, was able to identify with her inner screaming emptiness. She needed a different kind of water; something to satisfy her spirit. She needed the fresh new spring of life which He came to give. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Thirst is a natural desire built into us by God for survival. Without water we would very soon die. In the same way, God knows that without eternal life we will perish. Our sins have become a barrier between us and God, leaving us cut off from the source of life. We are empty and unsatisfied because we were made to live in vital union with God. Our spiritual thirst betrays our separation from God. Sin brings darkness and death, but Christ came to bring God and us back together. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that He alone is the one who can give her the water of life. He is able to quench her inner thirst. If she drinks of the living water, she will never thirst again. He says that physical water only satisfies for a brief time - but the water He gives will not only satisfy permanently, but will be a spring with an abun- dant, overflowing and fresh supply. Chasing money and possessions, entertainment and pleasure; and even religious experience, are some ways that people try to quench their parched spirits. But Christ alone can give eternal life. He alone can pour into an empty heart the refreshing streams of His abundant life. The woman's body cried our for water, and moved her to go to the well, draw out water, and drink. Satisfying our spiritual thirst is much the same. In order to experience God’s gift of new life, we must go to Jesus Christ, and then personally receive Him into our lives. We need to drink from His spring of living water that He provides for our deepest spiritual need. He said to the woman: “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” (verse 14). 1725 NO COMPROMISE Read: John 4:16-45 A custom of some tribes in Africa is to receive a gift with both hands. To do otherwise would be culturally unacceptable. God’s gift of eternal life is bountiful and free. All we need to do is to receive it in simple faith. But we must receive it with both hands. We cannot reach out with one hand to receive His gift, and with the other clutch on to a sinful lifestyle or a wrong belief. Like the people in Africa, we must receive the gift with empty hands. We must be willing to let go of everything that is inconsistent with following Jesus Christ. The Lord will not compromise His holy character - He cannot ignore our sinful ways. He calls us to be willing to change. The woman at the well desired God’s gift but she needed to receive it with both hands. Before granting her request, the Lord Jesus sought a complete change (repentance) in two essential areas. Repentance involves:- 1. A new attitude towards sin Nothing in the woman’s life was hidden from Him. She had been trying to quench her spiritual thirst with the waters of immorality. Her sins, though as indelible as scarlet dye, would be cleansed as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus was to pay her penalty in full when, about 2 years later, He would die on the cross. There was nothing she could do to earn or merit forgiveness. It was a gift of God's grace, as it is now. But the gift must be received with both hands. She had to give up her sinful ways. Today there are many who want God’s gift of salvation without being willing to forsake their sins. Christ is not fooled! He only responds to faith that is sincere and repentant. 2. A new attitude towards truth The Samaritan woman had a different religion to Jesus, but the Lord would not compromise with the truth. She had to be willing to change her beliefs where they did not agree with what the Bible taught. She asked the Lord where she should worship. Christ points out that since worship is a spiritual exercise, it does not matter so much where she worships. What is important, is whom she worships. All religions do not lead to God. There is only one which contains the whole truth. Later in the gospel Jesus says: “I am the truth ... No one comes to the Father except through Me” (14:6). Eternal life is free, but God requires a new attitude - a willingness to believe and obey the truth. He loves you, but will never compro- mise! 1826 FAITH MADE STRONG Read: John 4:46-54 News of Jesus’ miracles in Jerusalem had preceded Him when He arrived back in Galilee. The people were excited and curious, expectant of a similar display of divine power before their own eyes. But Jesus is not a magician! He will never respond to people’s desires for the spectacular. The people of his home province found it hard to believe that Jesus was anything more than the son of a local carpenter. Because of their lack of faith Jesus did not perform many miracles there. But some had faith. One was an official who travelled almost twenty miles to find Jesus. His son was dying. The Lord responded to the man’s request for help with the words: “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will not believe.” In saying this, Jesus addressed the man, but also spoke to all the people about Him. He rebuked their lack of faith. They saw nothing of value in Jesus beyond His ability to do wonders. Until their curiosity about what He did led them to a conviction of who He was, He would be unable to do much for them. But the Lord saw in this official a spark of real faith. Evidence of this is seen in the man refusing to be disuaded, speaking of his son as a “little child” in renewing his plea. Jesus uses this opportunity to strengthen the man’s faith. Real faith grows strong when it is put to the test. Jesus said, “You may go. Your son will live.” As the man turned and went on his journey home, he had no evidence that his son would be healed. He believed without seeing. All he had as a basis for his faith was the promise of Jesus. His faith rested on the trustworthiness of Christ. Later, finding out that his son had been healed at precisely the time Jesus had spoken, he and all his household believed. Faith grew to an even higher level. His faith embraced the truth that Jesus had come from God. That He was the Son of God. The Lord Jesus had displayed two of God’s attributes: power to give life (healing a person many miles away) and all-knowledge (know- ing exactly who and where the boy was). The miracle was a sign that pointed to Jesus, revealing the glory of His divine nature. Jesus calls us to believe His word whether we can see or not. In your journey of faith, you may not yet be at the place where you believe Jesus to be the Son of God.If you trust Him despite your lack of understanding, He will cause your faith to grow until you can even- tually confess, with sincerity and certainty: "Jesus Christ is Lord". 1927 HELPLESS NOT HOPELESS Read: John 5:1-14 The paralysed man lying beside the pool of Bethesda is a picture of helplessness. For most of his life he had waited and hoped. He was now an old man, unable to help himself, and having no-one to assist him. All he could do was lie there and wait to die. The Lord has a heart of compassion for those who are helpless. When he went to Jerusalem, He was not to be found among the rich, the learned, or men of high rank. He was attracted to the unsavoury end of the city. It was a place where the stench of animals passing through the “Sheep Gate” was as offensive to many as the unsightly mass of broken and sick humanity crowded around the pool. For thirty eight long years the cripple had waited expectantly. His eyes were constantly on the water which he hoped would be the means of his cure. Jesus turned his gaze away from the water to the One who alone was able to help him. “Do you want to get well?” Jesus asked. Had the cripple finally given up hope? Did he still want to be cured? He was helpless, but not hopeless! His hope was renewed and his faith was inspired by Jesus’ words. He turned his hope away from the waters of the pool and started trusting in the man standing in front of him. Instantly he was healed. The only way we can come to God today is by admitting our helpless- ness. The Lord will not save any who do not realise that there is nothing that they can ever do to save themselves. God declares: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). Sometimes people go for many years without reaching the point of total helplessness. Only when they reach that point is God ready to freely give them what has eluded their grasp for so long. The more affluent, popular and secure a person is, the further that person is from the place where God can meet them. Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort” (Luke 6:20,24). Jesus ministered mainly among the poor, the broken and the unacceptable of society, not because He showed partiality, but because of their willingness to admit their helplessness. The Lord is able to save you from judgement and give you eternal life, but you must admit your own inability to save yourself, and put your trust in Jesus Christ to be your Saviour. 2028 DIVINE IMPULSE Read: John 5:15-30 The human brain is continually sending electrical impulses to the heart, keeping its beat to the correct rhythm and appropriate speed. Without these impulses the heart would cease to function, causing death. Jesus Christ depended on continual impulses from His Father in order to live and work on earth. When He became a human being, He was as much a man as any other (except He was sinless). He did not masquerade as a human, He actually became one of us! Since there is only one God, and therefore only one will of God, it was impossible for the Son to act independently of His Father while on earth. His whole life as a man had to be one of constant communion with His Father. He worked, spoke, acted, reacted and thought at the impulse of the Father. Like a distant terminal of a mainframe computer, Jesus received all knowledge, direction and power through His perfect and unbroken link with His Father in heaven. The enemies of Jesus were angry that He had healed the paralytic man on the sabbath. God had commanded Israel to keep the seventh day as a holy day - a day where the Jews had to cease from work. Jesus justified His action by explaining that He always worked in harmony with His Father, and that He did nothing of His own initiative. In healing the cripple He had acted upon the impulse of His Father, therefore His action was not breaking God’s law. Elsewhere He also said the He is Lord of the Sabbath, and that the Sabbath was made for man (for his good). Healing did not go against the spirit of the law. Jesus also explained that, as the Son of God, He had been given two great works to perform; works which are far greater than the mere healing of a person’s body (verse 20). One was to give eternal life to whoever He will. This gift of life includes resurrection and pardon from sin’s punishment (verse 21). The other great work is judgement (verse 22). He will one day bring every person who has ever lived before His throne, and He will be the one who sends many to an eternity of darkness and separation from God (verse 29). These two great works, the power to save and power to condemn, are exclusively God’s prerogative. That is why the Lord Jesus said that He is to be honoured on an equal basis with the Father (verse 23). His work as Judge must wait for a future day of reckoning, but as Saviour He is active now. “I tell you the truth”, He says, “whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me, has (here and now) eternal life, and will not be condemned; he has (already) crossed over from death to life” (verse 24). Have you? 2129 THINKING IT THROUGH John 3:18 - 5:30 1. If Jesus Christ is perfectly good, and yet some people refuse to come to Him, what does that show about their true inner character (3:19-21)? 2. What is the cause of spiritual thirst (4:14 compare Ephesians 4:18)? What are some ways that people try to satisfy their spiritual thirst today? 3. In your own words, define God’s holiness. How did Jesus make the Samaritan woman face up to her sinful life? 4. What progression can you see in the official’s faith (4:48,50 & 53)? What does this passage teach us about the kind of faith God requires? 5. Why does God wait until we see our own helplessness (like the cripple by the pool) before He saves us? (Look up Titus 3:5 and Philippians 3:4-9) 6. What three great promises does the Lord give us in 5:24? QUESTIONS AND DIFFICULTIES:30 CREDENTIALS Read: John 5:31-47 When new ambassadors arrive from foreign land, they show their credentials. There is no doubt in their own minds that they are the ones sent to represent their countries, but they produce documents to prove that they speak with authority on behalf of their governments. Jesus was God’s “ambassador”, the One sent by His Father (verses 23-24, 36-38). He claimed to have divine authority to give eternal life, raise the dead, and sit in judgement; works which God alone performs. In claiming to do them Himself, Jesus provoked an objection in the minds of His opponents. What proof could He give to back up His words? What were His credentials? The Lord admits that His own claims about Himself, though they may be perfectly true, still needed endorsement by God (verse 31). Jesus said that His Father had given valid testimony concerning Him. Though John the Baptist’s witness was true and important, he was still a fallible man and as such could be viewed as suspect (verses 33-36). Jesus explains that His Father had given two great and indisputable evidences that He was the “Sent One”. The miraculous works He did, and the Old Testament Scriptures, were the Lord’s credentials. 1. Miraculous works (verse 36) If Jesus claimed to give eternal life and raise the dead, but was unable to heal a paralysed man (such as the one by the pool in verses 1-15), then His opponents would have just cause to suspect Him of falsehood. The miracles of Jesus Christ were obvious works of God. In Acts 2:22 the apostle Peter declares: “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him.” If the Lord Jesus was a deceiver, or was Himself deceived, God’s power would not have been with Him. 2. Old Testament Scriptures (verses 37-47) The people of Jesus’ time were powerless to hear a direct word from God, let alone see Him personally (verse 37). Therefore the only way they could validate Jesus’ claims was by carefully reading what God had already said about the coming Messiah in their scriptures. But most were blind to the hundreds of pictures and predictions in the Old Testament which were perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. They diligently studied for long hours with a view to seeking honour from men. Their motivation was not love for God, but love of self (verses 42 and 44). Jesus' selfless, humble attitude was such a contrast to their way of thinking, their eyes were blind to Who it was before them. They were unable to recognized Him (verses 41,43). The very scriptures that had all the evidence they needed, would one day be used to condemn them for their wilful unbelief (verses 45-47). 22Next >