Tag Archives: John

John 11- Raising Lazarus Part 1

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Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.John 11:1-4

We are about to learn about what of the historic moments of Jesus ministry, the resurrection of Lazarus. The first thing to note is that Jesus was very close with this family, Mary , Lazarus’ sister, was the one who anointed Jesus with the expensive perfume and washed his feet with her hair. This family had a deep relationship with Jesus, so the death of Lazarus was personal for Jesus

Jesus was going to use this moment to bring Glory to God and demonstrate who He is, the Messiah. Jesus even hesitated at visiting the family, probably to make sure every knew that Lazarus was physically dead and there was no medical miracle that was going to bring him back

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? John 11:5-8

There was still another obstacle, the religious leaders were looking to kill Jesus anytime they had the chance. These blind guides still didn’t realize that the Son of God had the power and authority to lay down or raise his own life. They personally couldn’t kill Jesus, unless it was the appointed time by God, yes God was still in control as always

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11: 9-11

Jesus using a metaphor with the darkness and daylight. As he revealed Jesus is “The light of the world” anyone walking outside of Christ is walking in darkness. Jesus prophecies that he is going to “awake Lazarus” , the disciples at this point though Lazarus was just asleep. However Jesus knew he was dead and was going to bring him back to life, to affirm who He is

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. John 11:12-15

Jesus revealed to his disciples that Lazarus was dead. He makes an interesting comment “I’m glad I was not there” why? Remember Jesus had great love and compassion for Lazarus and his family. Jesus probably would have just healed him on the spot

However God was using this moment to reveal who he is “I AM the Resurrection” We all need to be spiritually reborn by Christ, anyone wanting eternal life must come to Jesus Amen!

John 10 – The Deity of Christ

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Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. John 10:24-26

The Jews surrounded Jesus and wanted him to tell them if he was the Messiah. Jesus’ response was “You would know me by my works” Point is if these people really knew God , they would recognize his Son. But the fact that they can’t recognize Jesus is the Messiah, shows their spiritual blindness and hardness of their hearts

Jesus references his Sheep again, as we just went over Jesus is The Good Shepherd and we are his Sheep. True followers know the Messiah’s voice and He knows us by name. There is no confusion on who Jesus is to those who are his Sheep

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:27-29

Jesus declares He gives us eternal life and nobody can pluck us out of His hands. Its important to remember this, as many heretics claim you can “lose your salvation”, The Good Shepherd won’t allow his Sheep to be removed from his presence, and He gives us eternal life!

I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. John 10:30-33

Jesus drops another bomb, He and Yahweh are One, meaning Jesus is God in the flesh. Many who say “Jesus never claimed to be God” don’t know the Bible. The Jews knew what Jesus was saying, as they attempted to kill him right on the spot!

How could a man also be God? This is a concept the Jews couldn’t comprehend and many people today still can’t comprehend. But know this , Jesus is fully God and fully Man, a concept that is difficult to be grasped (Philippians 2) 

Jesus has not only revealed He is the Christ, but He revealed He is the Son of God! How will you respond to this today? Do you hear the Shepherd calling? Only His Sheep inherit eternal life Amen!

John 10- The Good Shepherd Part 2

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The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. John 10:10-12

Jesus identifies Satan as the Thief, who comes to kill and destroy. While Jesus identifies himself as The Good Shepherd. Its important to understand you are in a war for your soul. Satan wants to destroy you, while Jesus wants to bring you salvation

Notice Jesus is revealing one of his I AM statements here “I AM The Good Shepherd” as we know God identified himself to Moses as The Great I AM. Jesus is revealing his deity with his 7 I AM statements in the gospel of John.

There are many wolves working for Satan, they bring false doctrine and false religion. There goal is to “scatter the Sheep” to bring confusion to the Church. I think we live in an age where there is more confusion that ever in Christianity. Beware of the wolves dressed in sheeps clothing

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:13-15

Jesus is prophesying about his own death, he says “I lay down my life for the sheep” Jesus willingly laid down his life for you, to give you eternal salvation. Jesus loves you that much, he knows your name, and was willing to die for you!

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:16-18

Often we hear people say “The Jews killed Jesus” or “The Romans killed Jesus” but actually neither is correct, Jesus reveals He layed down his life for us. Nobody has the authority to kill Christ, He allowed it to happen to be the Lamb of God for the atonement of our sins

There is One Shepherd, Jesus Christ, into One Fold (The Church). There isnt multiple paths to God, its One Way through Christ , our Good Shepherd Amen!

John 9- Spiritual Blindness

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They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? John 9:34-36

It’s interesting, the religious leaders demanded a sign to know whether Jesus is the Messiah, but yet when they seen a sign, they rejected it! Even though they witnessed the blind man being healed, they refused to believe that Jesus was the Son of God

When Jesus found the healed blind man, he asked him “Do you believe in the Son of God”? This is a question the world should be pondering, do you believe? Obviously signs and miracles are not enough, because the religious leaders still rejected Christ. Stop hardening your heart and listen to the Holy Spirit speak!

And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. John 9:37-38

Jesus revealed to the blind man that he is the Son of God, He is the Messiah. The blind man never hesitated, he got down on his knees and worshipped Jesus. For those who say Jesus isn’t God, how do you explain Jesus allowing this man to worship him? If Jesus wasn’t God, he would have rebuked this man, but he allowed him to worship him

And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? John 9:39-40

Why is the world so depraved? Because they are spiritually blind to their sinful ways. Jesus is the Light of the World, meaning he is the Truth, He is the Living Torah. The reason so many people reject Christ is because they are convicted by His prescense.

The Pharisees were becoming convicted of their sin, even though they claimed to be experts of the Torah. “Are we blind also” they asked Jesus sarcastically, Yes, you are sinners too! You all need Jesus, even the religious leaders!

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. John 9:41

Jesus told the religious leaders, once their eyes have been opened and are aware of their sin, then they are guilty of their sin. As Jesus taught us previously , we are either slaves to sin or slaves to Christ! We can’t be reborn from our sin and remain in our sin

These are tough lessons to learn, and it was obviously too much for the religious leaders, as many rejected Christ and are condemned in their sin. Jesus will open our spiritual eyes and set us free Amen!

John 9- Glory of God

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And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. John 9:1-3

As Jesus and his disciples came across a blind man, his disciples asked an interesting question “Who made this man blind, his sin or his parents sin”” The disciples’ understanding was this man was born blind as a curse for his sin or his parents sin. This was a total misunderstanding of God

Jesus made clear, this man’s disability was not caused by anyone’s sin, but so God can be glorified through him. God allowed this man to be disabled, so his power can be revealed. 

We must remember we live in a fallen world because of sin, we can’t expect everything to be rainbows and butterflies, but God can use any circumstance to bring glory and reveal who He is!

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:4-5

You might say “Well this world is so dark and evil, how could God exist” , Jesus is the Light of the World, to reveal God’s presence and Glory in this dark world. Remember the world is fallen because of the consequences of our sin. The world is fallen because of our own wickedness. 

The fact that we can discern Good vs Evil, proves God does exist. There would be no standard of morality if God didn’t exist. Jesus is The Light in this dark world of evilness. This is why the world rejects Christ, because the world is evil

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. John 9:6-7

Jesus healed the blind man, why? To reveal the glory of God in this dark world. To reveal that Jesus is The Light of the world. There is no other light except Christ

People are always trying to find the “good” in the world, the only “good” is Jesus Christ! Come to him all you that are weary and burden laden, Jesus will give you rest! Rejection of Christ will leave you in eternal darkness Amen!

John 8- The Great I AM

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Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 8:48-51

Imagine meeting the Son of God face to face and insulting him with false accusations such as “He is a demon” or “Your not even Jewish your a Samaritan” Sometimes our theological pride can get in the way of our hearts. We see this alot in Christianity today also. We believe we know everything there is to know, sometimes we need to just shut up and listen

The religious leaders didnt understand that by condemning Christ, they are also condemning Yahweh. If you reject the Son , you also reject the Father. If the religious leaders were as smart as they believed, they would have recognized that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus made it clear, through Him you will never see death!

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? John 8:52-53

Again the religious leaders are showing their theological ignorance. They didnt understand Jesus statement “You shall never see death” therefor they rejected it as heresy. The problem was them, they didnt understand Jesus was referencing the soul and not the physical body

Are you greater than Abraham, they asked Jesus? The religious leaders are placing Abraham on a pedestal , however they dont understand the Lord of Lords is standing right in front of them!

Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. John 8:54-56

Again Jesus is trying to teach these men a theological lesson. Abraham would have rejoiced at the day to see the Messiah, but these religious leaders condemn the Messiah. They claim to be disciples of Abraham, but are far from his ways

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:57-59

Jesus here makes one of his 7 I AM statements, before Abraham was I AM. The Jews knew exactly what Jesus was saying here, as they picked up stones to kill him. Jesus was declaring He is The Great I AM!

Anyone who says “Jesus never declared to be God” doesn’t know the scriptures. Here again is another classic example of Jesus deity, don’t be like the religious leaders and harden your heart, receive the Lord and never see death Amen!

John 8- Truth Shall Set You Free

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As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:30-32

Everyone wants to be free! Free from pain, free from suffering, and most importantly free from death. Jesus is the only one who can set us free, that is why he is called The Way. People try to find all kinds of escapes to make them free, they might try drugs, alcohol, sex,  ect however all these things just make you more imprisoned to yourself

Jesus was teaching we are slaves to our sins. Many people who believe they are free are actually trapped by their addiction or obsession. Only Christ can set you free, why? Because He is the only one who can pay the debt for your sins

They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. John 8:33-35

The religious leaders didnt understand this concept, they stated “ We are descendants of Abraham, we are slaves to nobody” Now obviously they were referencing their ethnicity of being Jewish, but Jesus was talking about something much deeper than this

Jesus said “Whoever sins is a slave to sin” Well since we all have sinned, we are all slaves to sin. However Christ can set you free! Jesus paid the debt for your sin on the cross, so you can be set free from your bondage.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

 I wanted to end with this scripture because its so powerful and beautiful, you might not understand why Jesus went to the cross. But once you understand the seriousness of your sin, you understand the love He demonstrated to you on that cross

Jesus can set you free, nobody or nothing else can! Only the Son of God can deliver you from your sin, my chains are gone , I’ve been set free Amen!

John 8- Drop The Stones

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And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? John 8:3-5

Here again we see the religious leaders trying to trap Jesus , they brought a woman who was caught committing adultery and wanted to see how Jesus would respond based on the Torah. Now the interesting thing is the man that committed adultery was nowhere to be found, so this was not a fair trial right from the beginning

The religious leaders wanted to see if Jesus would stone the woman to death, they were testing Jesus to see if they can get him to contradict the Torah

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. John 8:6-8

Jesus began writing something in the sand, were not exactly sure what he wrote but it convicted the religious leaders of their own sin. Perhaps Jesus was exposing their own sin to the group, perhaps he was writing the laws of God. However he challenged them “Whoever has never sinned to cast the first stone”

Now the interesting thing is Jesus did never sin, so he was justified to cast the stone at the woman, but he choose mercy instead

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? John 8:9-10

The religious leaders were all convicted of their own sins and dropped the stones and walked away. Nobody was worthy to convict this woman of sin because they were all sinners themselves! Then Jesus addressed the woman, “Where have all your accusers gone”?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more John 8:11

Jesus is the only one who could righteously condemn the woman of her sin, and he decided to give her mercy instead. Now before you get angry about Jesus leaving the woman go, remember you are this woman also! We have all fallen short and are all sinners, Christ has shown us the same mercy

But notice Jesus gave her a commandment, stop sinning! Sin No More, Jesus gives us mercy, however we need to repent and become Born Again also. By the mercy of Christ, this woman would be changed forever, the same as us when we encounter Jesus , Amen!

John 7- The Living Water

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In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39

We remember a few chapters ago, Jesus revealed to the Samaritan woman that if she drank from the water he was offering, she would never thirst again. Of course Jesus was referencing the Living Water, and the Samaritan Woman was receptive to receiving this. Here Jesus goes into further teaching about the Living Water

The scripture reveals here that the Living Water that Jesus is referring to is the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we can’t be saved, we can’t be reborn from a dead sinful state. But notice at this point the Holy Spirit was not yet give because Christ was not yet glorified

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? John 7:40-42

A great debate then started among the people, is this guy Jesus the Messiah? If he is the Messiah , isn’t this guy from Nazareth? These people didn’t realize Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, maybe Christmas knowledge is important after all? These people didnt have the further revelation that we have today, however they were starting to realize, something was special about Jesus

So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John 7:43-46

The presence of Jesus was causing great division among the people, some were starting to believe him while others just wanted to kill him. The Romans wanted the religious leaders to get rid of him, while the religious leaders wanted the Romans to get rid of him. Everyones heart was stirred because God in the flesh was standing among them. The officers answered “Noone has ever spoken like this man” because Jesus spoke the words of God, the way, the truth , and the life

Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. John 7:50-52

Then we see Nicodemus from Chapter 3 show up on the scene again “ Does the Torah condemn someone before hearing them” , Nicodemus knows that you need 2 or 3 witnesses according to the Torah to convict someone. Now the question arises, did Nicodemus become Born Again and convert to Christianity? Or was Nicodemus still searching?

The religious leaders came back with a response , but was also inaccurate. They said “No prophet has come from Galilee”, well this is actually an incorrect statement. Jonah, Nahum, Hosea, Elijah, and Elisha were all well known prophets from Galilee. So this statement by the Pharisees was wrong, they clearly didnt know the scriptures as well as they thought

Just as God provided the water in the wilderness to the Israleites, Jesus is providing the Holy Spirit, to all who thirst for God Amen!

John 7- True Worship

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And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. John 7:15-18

The Jews were amazed by the knowledge of Jesus, “How can this man have such knowledge of God and not be a Pharisee? The people didn’t understand who Jesus is, the Christ, the Son of God, standing right before them. Yet they challenged everything he said, why? Because every word pierced their heart as the word of God does, the conscience was shaken

Jesus said “If any of you are actually doing the will of God, you would know that he was speaking truth” These people were hypocrites, they didn’t know God, they didnt know his word or his will. They were religious zealots, white washed tombs , trying to play the part.

Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? John 7:19-20

These people claim they are keeping the Torah of God, yet they want to kill the Messiah. Are these people this deceived into believing their religious works will save them? Their hearts are hard as stone, to kill not only an innocent man, but the Son of God, shows you their depravity!

Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgmentJohn 7:21-24

Jesus again brings up the Sabbath, the Jews wanted to kill Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath! Jesus is revealing the hypocrisy of the Jews, they believe they are righteous for “keeping the Sabbath” yet they want to kill the Messiah for healing a man on the Sabbath

What has happened to these people? Their hearts are far from God, the Sabbath has become an Idol for Israel. Jesus revealed He is “Lord of the Sabbath” , listen to Him, follow him, He is the only Way to God Amen!