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Monthly Archives: December 2020
John 6- Feeding The Multitude
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. John 6:5-7
When we look at the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, at first glance it just appears to be another miracle performed by Christ. However when we look deeper into this miracle we see the foreshadows of the New Covenant that Jesus is bringing to the world
First Jesus was testing the faith of his disciples, he asked them to get enough bread to feed 5,000 people, knowing that the disciples could never provide this quantity. The disciples were perplexed by Christ’s request, “this would cost a year’s salary to feed all these people” they responded. But with God all things are possible
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. John 6:8-10
Jesus asks the disciples, what do you got? Andrew responds “There is a little boy with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish” , most of us would have laughed at such a solution but Jesus commanded them “Have everyone sit down”
Jesus was going to display his power and authority, also demonstrate that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains or feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish!
Also consider the setting all this is happening at, the crowd was in the wilderness just like the Israelites. It’s a replaying of God providing the Manna from Heaven, but Jesus is our Manna from Heaven!
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. John 6:11-12
Now notice what Jesus does here, he thanks our Heavenly Father and breaks the bread to distribute it. What does this remind you of? Communion, this is a foreshadow of Christ going to the cross. His broken body became a ransom for our sin!
Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. John 6:13-14
Could the gathering of the bread fragments be symbolic of the gathering of the lost sheep, the gathering of the elect. Regardless when the great multitude witnessed this miracle, they understood that Jesus was the Christ! Amen!
Gift of Christmas
John 5- Father and Son Are One
And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. John 5:16-18
As we read earlier in this chapter, Jesus healed a disabled man on the Sabbath, because of this the religious leaders looked to kill Christ. Now looking at this there are a few things to take away. 1. The religious leaders cared more about their religion than their love for God. 2. Jesus is revealing his deity by being “Lord of The Sabbath” and healing a man
In verse 18 we see they accused Jesus of making himself equal to God. Many anti-Trinitarians will say “Jesus never claimed to be God” , well the religious leaders thought he was making that claim!
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. John 5:19-20
Jesus reveals the Father and Son are One yet separate. This is a concept that is difficult for most to grasp, so many will deny the deity of Christ. However as we seen previously Jesus revealed his deity. He is God in the Flesh, He is not the Father but He and the Father are one (John 10:30)
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. John 5:21-23
Jesus revealed he has the same power and authority as the Father, he raised the dead, he forgives sin, he created all things. And another interesting note, all judgement has been handed to Christ. We are declared righteous because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, and he justified us by faith
Something the religious leaders dont understand, is anyone who rejects the Son rejects the Father. And anyone who loves the Son loves the Father. The religious leaders rejection of Christ led to their condemnation
This is why Jesus said “Nobody comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6) The only way to salvation is Christ alone Amen!
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John 5- Healing On The Sabbath
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. John 5:2-5
Here we see an encounter between Jesus and a disabled man. This man has been physically disabled for many years and he came to a “pool” of water that people believed they would be healed by an Angel. Now this story of an angel healing them in the pool of water was a myth, but many were so desperate for healing, they came every year anyway for the false hope
Today this disabled man is going to meet true hope, Jesus Christ. The only one who can deliver us from sin and death.
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. John 5:6-8
Jesus approached the man and asked him “Do you want to get well”? This may seem like an obvious question, however you have to ask yourself “ Do you really want to be saved”? Many people want the benefits of Heaven our eternal life, but they don’t really want to be delivered from their sin
The disabled man thought Jesus was talking about the mythical pool of water and said he didn’t have anyone to carry him into the water. How sad , this man was not only disabled, he didn’t have anyone. Jesus commanded him to “Get up and Walk”!
Now when we think about healing, whether it be physical or supernatural, we think there should be a process. However Jesus just immediately healed the man, by faith Get Up and Walk!
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. John 5:9-10
Now things got even more complex, as Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath. Instead of the religious leaders being joyful or grateful that this disabled man had been healed by God, they were angry that this man was healed on the Sabbath
Instead of understanding the deity of Christ as he healed a man, they wanted to condemn Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. What they didnt understand is that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. John 5:14-15
Jesus ran into the man later at the temple, he said something very interesting to him “Sin No More” , see this wasnt just a physical healing, this was a spiritual rebirth. The man has become Born Again, sin no more
The man told the religious leaders, Jesus has made him whole, Jesus can make you whole also! The Lord of The Sabbath, is also the Lord of All Amen!
John 4- Officials Son
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. John 4:46-48
We remember back in a few Chapters, Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine, well Jesus is back in that location of Cana again. The people of Cana remembered the miracle at the Wedding feast and they were intrigued to see Jesus.
Jesus was not impressed though, he said “Unless you see signs and wonders, you won’t believe” Jesus knows these people just came to see a miracle, they didn’t come because they loved God or believed that Jesus was the Messiah. However a “nobleman” begged Jesus to heal his son
Now this nobleman or royal official was a very respected and high ranking official. Perhaps he was military or royalty, but I would imagine he had to humble himself to come to Jesus and ask for his son to be healed.
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. John 4:49-51
The royal official begged Jesus to heal his son, I believe this is demonstrating the faith this official had that Jesus was the only cure for his son. Notice also when Jesus said “Your son will live” it says the royal official “Believed” , he didn’t just hope Jesus would heal his son, he believed with true faith
Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee. John 4:52-54
As soon as Jesus spoke “Your Son is Healed” his Son was healed instantly. Just as Jesus spoke the universe into existence , Jesus spoke the healing over the royal officials son. This is the second famous miracle Jesus performed in Cana, the first was turning Water into Wine, the second was healing the royal official’s Son
What is the common denominator with these miracles and healings, of course Jesus is displaying his deity as God in the flesh, but also the faith of the people receiving these miracles has made them well Amen!
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John 4- Woman at the Well Part 2
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. John 4:16-19
Jesus tests the Samaritan woman and asks her about her husband. Jesus already knows she’s been married multiple times, but he wants to see how honest she is going to be with him. The woman is very honest with Jesus, and instead of that condemning her it helps further along the conversation
This brings up a good point, why was the Samaritan woman alone at the well at the hottest part of the day? Because she was an outcast in her society, instead of her going to the well when everyone else does, she goes alone at the worst part of the day to avoid the judgment and condemnation of others
But Jesus seeks her out, he’s going after his lost sheep! The ones that society rejected Christ will restore ,if you are willing to come to the well and drink the Living Water!
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:20-22
There’s a small debate, whether you should worship God in the Temple at Jerusalem or worship God on the mountain, Jesus said “A time is coming where you can worship God anywhere”!
The Temple is where the Spirit of God lived on Earth, however with the Living Water, the Holy Spirit now lives inside of us! No longer is the Temple necessary to be in the presence of God, the Holy Spirit now lives inside of you by Christ!
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24
Jesus said “ A time is coming when we will worship God in spirit and truth” That time has already come for us, when Jesus said “It Is Finished” on the cross, all things were fulfilled and accomplished by Christ! The Holy Spirit has been poured out on all believers!
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. John 4:25-26
Now a big moment was about to happen, the Samaritan woman mentions that the Messiah is coming and will reveal all these things, Jesus says to her “ I AM He” meaning I AM The Messiah! The Samaritan woman is the first person Jesus reveals he is the Christ to, was this a coincidence that she wasn’t Jewish, absolutely not!
Jesus is revealing the New Covenant, a covenant not with just Israel, but everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus, everyone who worships God in Spirit and Truth, Amen!
John 4- Woman at The Well Part 1
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. John 4:7-9
Today the Samaritan woman was about to have an encounter that would change her life, and many more in Samaria. Jesus being on a long journey stopped to have a drink of water, but Jesus knew he specifically stopped at the well to talk to the Samaritan woman, more notably he sent his disciples away so he could have a conversation that wouldn’t be distracted
The Samaritan woman was surprised at first that Jesus would even acknowledge her, She was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew, the culture at that time was for Jews not to associate with Samaritans, as they were half bred Jews.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? John 4:10-12
Just like when Jesus talked with Nicodemus and revealed spiritual things to him, he perceived them as natural things, the woman at the well made the same mistake. Jesus revealed to her that he had “Living Water” to offer, and anyone who drinks from this water will never thirst again
The woman perceived this as natural water, however things were starting to click in her mind , as she asked Jesus if he was greater than Jacob? As we know Jacob is one of the patriarchs of Israel, therefore she must be thinking Jesus is a prophet from God
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. John 4:13-15
Jesus reveals this Living Water leads to eternal life. The Samaritan woman is now understanding Jesus is not talking about natural water but the Holy Spirit. The woman asks Jesus to give her some of this water!
Have you asked Jesus for the Living Water? Have you come to the well to meet Christ? Jesus says anyone who drinks for this water, will never thirst again! Are you thirsty for God?
Unashamed of Jesus 