John 9 “Who Sinned?”

“And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.” (v.2)

When something unexplainable happens some people want to immediately blame God for the illness, misfortune, or tragic event that has occurred. When an illness like cancer strikes someone, some tend to think of it as a punishment from God for some secret sin. While it is true that all death can be traced back to man’s original sin, we should not reason that some sin must be the cause of sickness, misfortune, or tragedy in any individuals life. This is why our LORD replied, “Neither has this man nor his parents sinned (v.3), undercutting all pat answers to affliction.

Perhaps emotional illness, more than any other kind of suffering, is subject to shortsighted, judgmental responses. Most physical diseases are socially acceptable, but a stigma still hangs over most psychological disorders. 

In her book God's Remedy for Depression, Vivian Clark tells of a discussion on the topic, "Is Depression Sin for the Christian?" One person said, "Because it can't coexist with the fruit of the Spirit, which is joy, it must be a sin." Another added, "There is no reason for Christians to be depressed." Just then, a sad-faced woman slipped away from the group. For days she had been despondent and unable to gain victory. Those remarks added to her depression.

Some emotional problems may indeed be caused by wrong attitudes or secret sins. But all of us transgress, and yet not everyone breaks down. The causes of depression and mental illness are so varied and complex that we must not engage in simplistic solutions. To help someone, we shouldn't immediately ask, "Who sinned?" Rather, we should pray for those who suffer with this illness that they may receive His peace and that the glory of God may be revealed. 

True compassion invests everything necessary to heal the hurts of others.

The Truth
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1-5)

John 8 “The Slavery of Sin”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say unto you, everyone who commits sin, is the slave of it.” (v.34)

When we repeatedly give in to a particular sin, we become a slave to it. Slowly it begins to take over lives until most people feel powerless to break free from their habit. Guilt and shame begin to mount while ones self identify and confidence begins to fade. 

Once we start down the wrong path, turning back is difficult. Some of the most dangerous practices bring only temporary pleasure but a lifetime of pain and misery. Those who are willing to endure the pain for the temporary pleasure are addicted, hooked, enslaved. 

Freedom however, is found in becoming a slave of Jesus Christ. When we are in the grip of any evil practice that is ruining our life, we can simply acknowledge our sin and helplessness to the LORD, submit fully to Him, and be assured that He will forgive and deliver us.

The pleasures of sin are for a season, but its wages are for eternity.

The Truth: “Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” (Romans 6:16)

John 7 "Living Water"

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (vv.37-39)

The Feast of Tabernacles lasted eight days. All through the first seven days water from the Pool of Siloam was carried in a golden pitcher and poured out at the altar to remind everyone of the water God miraculously provided for a thirsty Israel in the wilderness. It seems that on the eighth day there was no pouring of water – only prayers for water – to remind them that they came into the Promised Land.

What Jesus was about to say, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" was of great significance. For He boldly called the people to Himself to drink and satisfy their deepest thirst, their spiritual thirst. And sense there was no water being poured out on this eight day, Jesus was saying, "I have the water you’re looking for." This invitation was both broad and narrow. Broad because it said, if anyone. Meaning intelligence, race, class, nationality, or political party, did not limit it. Yet narrow because it said, if anyone thirsts. One must see their need. Thirst is not anything in itself; it is a lack of something. It is an emptiness, a crying need.

Jesus went on to explained what He meant by the metaphor of drinking. To come to Jesus and to drink (He who believes in Me) was essentially to put one’s faith into Him; to trust in, rely on, and cling to Jesus for both time and eternity. For the one who does believe in Him, Jesus offered a perpetual river of living water out of His innermost being. Essentially Jesus said, “Put your loving trust in Me, enthrone Me in your heart, and life and abundance will flow out.” Though no specific passage of Scripture is quoted, this would in fact be a fulfillment of such prophecies as that of Zechariah that one day a fountain would be open to the house of David, and living waters would go out from Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1, 14:8); and of Isaiah that God would pour water upon the thirsty (Isaiah 44:3, 55:1).

This outflowing life and abundance comes in and through the presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer. This speaks of an experience that belongs to those believing in Him. The nature of that experience may differ among believers, but there is some aspect of it that is promised to all who will receive it by faith. 

This outflowing life and abundance mentioned in our text could not come yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified – that is, glorified on the cross and through resurrection. This giving of the Holy Spirit for the people of God could not happen until Jesus completed His work at the cross and the empty tomb.

So there was a division among the people because of Him (v.43). During the days of His earthly work, Jesus divided people. People could not truly be of two opinions about Jesus, so some would be for Him while others would be against Him. The division didn’t come because Jesus spoke foolishly, or because He spoke on a theologically controversial topic. He spoke about Himself, the Messiah – and He spoke clearly, not in dark mysterious sayings, but truth. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

The Truth: “If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world can not accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:15-18)

John 6 "I Am The Bread Of Life"

And Jesus said unto them (the Jews), “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (v.35)

After Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, they were willing to follow Him wherever He went, and even proclaim Him as their king, their Messiah. Why? because of His miracles, because He could fill their stomachs, because He met their physical needs. In fact, the next day the people sought Him out (after He had left them) and found Him on the other side of the sea- not simply to be with Him, but to get something from Him, another meal. 

Jesus then called them on it by saying, "You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled" (v.26). And, instead of telling them when and why He came, Jesus told them why they came – because they wanted more food miraculously provided by Jesus. They wanted the bread, but more than just the bread; they also wanted the display of the miraculous and a miracle king to lead them against their Roman oppressors.

 Following Jesus should never be about what He can do for us, never about what we might receive in return. As a true disciple we come to Him, believing in Him for who He is, “The bread of life.” His Word then sustains us; we never hunger, never thirst, never die, and will never be separated from Him consciously - unlike those who seek their own desires.

Finally He tells the crowd, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures for everlasting life" (v.27). Jesus made this contrast between material things and spiritual things because He wanted to them labor for the food which endures for everlasting life. Yet their work was for the food which perishes – things that fill a stomach and rule and earthly kingdoms, not seeing the spiritual application. They were rightly impressed at the miracle of bread worked through Jesus; but He wanted them to be more impressed for the spiritual food He brings by a miracle.

He goes on to say later in the chapter, "I am the bread of life" (v.48). Jesus repeated and continued the use of this metaphor. As bread is necessary for physical life, so Jesus is necessary for spiritual and eternal life. The spiritual bread Jesus offers is even greater than the manna Israel ate in the wilderness. What they ate only gave them temporal life; what Jesus offers brings eternal life. C.S. Spurgeon put it this way, “Every man feeds on something or other. You see, one man getting his Sunday newspaper; how he will feed on that! Another goes to frivolous amusements, and he feeds on them. Another man feeds upon his business, and upon the thought of his many cares! But all is poor food; it is only ashes and husks. If you only knew Him who possess true spiritual life, you would know the deep necessity there is of feeding upon Christ.” 

The Truth: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

"They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them." (Isaiah 49:10) 

John 5 “Honor The Son”

My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews sought all 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.” (vv.17-18) 

Here the Jews were ready to kill Jesus, not just for healing a man who had an infirmity thirty-eight years on the sabbath (v.5), but more for His claim that God was His Father (v.17). If untrue, His claim would be considered blasphemy and punishable by death (Lev.24:11, 16). However, if His claim is true, then there is no crime and He is who He claims to be. 

Here in chapter 5 John gives us a fourfold witness to Jesus’s claim of Sonship through the recording of Christ’s own words.

First, he records that John the Baptist bore witness of Jesus (vv.33-35). Upon seeing Jesus coming to be baptized of him John states, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John1:29) And later saying of Him, “I saw a Spirit descending from heaven, like a dove, and He remained upon Him” (v.32). And finally, “I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God (v.34). 

Second (and even greater witness than John), He sites Christ’s very works (v.36). Jesus had said to His detractors many times, “If you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know that the Father is in Me and I in Him.” (John 10:38). A Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus testified of Christ’s works saying, “We know you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs (works) that You do unless, God is with him” (John 3:2). 

Next we see in chapter 5 a reference to the Father Himself testifying of Jesus after His baptism by John the Baptist (v.37) where God said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) And again when Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain in front of Peter, James and John a voice came out of a “bright  cloud” saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.” (Matthew 17:5) 

Finally John’s records the words of Jesus that speak of, “the scriptures themselves as testifying of Him” (v.39) and even Moses, their great Prophet, believed and wrote of Jesus (v.46).

So why didn’t these educated Jewish priests believe that Jesus was the Son of God? Why wouldn’t they accept Him and His claim to Sonship and receive everlasting life? The answer, I believe, is found in verse 42 where Jesus states; “I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.” 

So sad that those who called themselves "Holy men of God", who should have known the scriptures and validated His position through them, were blind to it. But their blindness (that would eventually lead to His death through their false accusations), lead to salvation for all that would honor Him and believe on His name. For Jesus is more than a "teacher" who came from God. He is the beloved Son of God.

The Truth

For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17)

John 4 "The Samaritan Woman"

Then Jesus declared (to the Samaritan Woman), "I, the one speaking to you - I Am He." (v.25)

In Jerusalem, and in the surrounding territory of Judea, Jesus began to feel a growing hostility from the Jews. The Jewish leaders were becoming threatened by Jesus popularity, and thus they were already beginning to think and make murderous plans against Jesus. So He left Judea and went back once more to Galilee (vv.1-3). The route He would take would be through Samaria. This was not the normal route the Jews took because of the animosity that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans. Therefore, His choice to go that way had a specific purpose.  

In verse 7 we are introduced to the Samaritan Woman who comes to draw water from the well where Jesus is resting in the middle of the day. In the story, Jesus knew that this woman was of the lower class of people since it was uncommon for a woman of higher class to come to draw water from a well at midday. Jesus, knowing all things, also knew that this woman was involved in a life deeply steeped in sin, for she was a harlot. The story that is about to unfold is a tremendous illustration of the mercy and grace of God.

When Jesus asks the woman for a drink, there is a much greater reference that He is making than just physical refreshment. He begins helping her to see her need for the refreshing that salvation brings by saying to her, "Drink of this water and you will thirst again." The refreshing Jesus is offering here can't be quenched by the physical. There is nothing in the material realm that can satisfy the Spiritual thirst. Implying here that only He can provide that.

This Samaritan woman was astonished that Jesus would even speak to her because the Jews would avoid any conversation with Samaritans. However through His conversation with her, Jesus reveals His knowledge of  her life, everything she ever did. To which woman replied, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet, and I know that Messiah called Christ is coming. And when He comes, He will explain everything to us." To which Jesus replied, "I the one speaking to you - I Am He." It is an amazing thing that to this Samaritan woman, Jesus reveals Himself to be the Messiah, yet to the people of Judea where Jesus had just come, He hid His identity. 

Scripture tells us that the Lord will reveal His will and nature to those who are looking and willing to do His will and to heed the words. This woman, and the Samaritans themselves, were much more willing to listen and heed His word - and thus to them He reveals more of Himself than He revealed to His own Jewish kinsmen.

The Truth: "Truly, truly, I say unto yo you, whoever hears My Word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)

  

 

John 3 "The New Birth"

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (vv.1-3)

Here in chapter 3 a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus at night in order to speak with Him (vv.1-2). Perhaps Nicodemus came by night because he was timid, or perhaps he wanted an uninterrupted interview with Jesus. Nevertheless, his conversation began with, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” In using the pronoun "we" it is difficult to know if Nicodemus spoke of himself, of the Sanhedrin, or of popular opinion. But one thing is sure, Nicodemus believe Jesus was "a teacher come from God" (v.2).

Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus shattered the Jewish assumption that their racial identity – their old birth – assured them a place in God’s Kingdom. Jesus made it plain that a man’s first birth does not assure him of the kingdom (v.3); only being born again gives this assurance. The ancient Greek word translated again (anothen) can be also translated “from above.” This is the sense in which John used this word in John 3:31 and in John 19:11 and 19:23. Either way, the meaning is essentially the same. To be born from above is to be born again.

Jesus clearly said that without this – that unless one is born again – he cannot enter or be part of the kingdom of God. Moral or religious reform isn’t enough. One must be born again. This isn’t something that we can do to ourselves. If Jesus had said, “Unless you are washed, you cannot see the kingdom of God” then we might think, “I can wash myself.” A man might wash himself; but he could never birth himself. 

Nicodemus then said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" (v.4) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (vv.5-8).

 Jesus was emphatic in saying that man does not need reformation, but a radical conversion by the Spirit of God. We must be born of water and the Spirit. Born of water I believe refers to our physical birth, since we come forth from a sack of water. This idea does make a good parallel with the idea of that which is born of the flesh (is flesh) in John 3:6. Born of the Spirit refers to a radical conversion by the Spirit of God. We must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. 

Scripture tells us that, "Man is dead in his trespasses and sin" and that the only way to Life is through the Son.

The Truth: "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God."(John 1:13)

John 2 (Part 2) "A New Temple"

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (vv.18-22)

This question posed by the Jews in our text wasn’t necessarily a bad question. Anyone who drove the merchants out from the temple courts (vv.13-17) and claimed the authority to do it was bound to be questioned. What the Jews wanted to know was did Jesus really have this authority. The problem is that they demanded a sign from Jesus to prove it, making the request misguided: what sign could have been more telling than that which they had just witnessed?

Yet Jesus answered them saying, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus spoke here of the New Temple of His body. He probably even gestured to Himself as He said this. Jesus knew that these religious leaders would attempt to destroy His body, but He also knew that they would not succeed. The irony here is that the religious leaders themselves would be the means by which the prophecy was fulfilled. 

At the trial of Jesus, one of the charges brought against Him was that He said He would destroy the temple (Matthew 26:60-61, Mark 14:57-59). When He died on the cross, the mockers reminded Jesus of what seemed to be an impossible promise (Matthew 27:40, Mark 15:29). Jesus wasn’t against the temple, but He certainly looked beyond it. He told the Samaritan woman that there was a day coming when people would no longer worship at a temple in Samaria or Jerusalem, but they would worship God in Spirit and in truth. 

Jesus then confidently claimed in our text the power to raise Himself from the dead, and He repeated the claim in John 10:18. It is interesting to note that the New Testament also claims that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 6:4 and Galatians 1:1), and that that Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead (Romans 1:4 and 8:11). The resurrection of Jesus then was a work of each Person of the Trinity, each working together.  It was only after the death and resurrection of Jesus that His disciples understood and believed both the Scriptures and the specific promises of Jesus.

Today we have those same scriptures to speak to us of the eternal promises of God. As Paul wrote in Hebrews 1, "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe." (vv.1-2) The question is, Do you believe this? 

The Truth: "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also is secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay." (Psalm 16:9-10)