John 8:31-47

 John 8:31-47

John 8 is perhaps one of the deepest and most profound passages of scripture. This is especially true of this passage.  One general theme is that of truth and falsehood. Jesus says those who believe Him "If you abide in My word then you are truly Disciples of Mine and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."   That phrase “the truth shall make you free” has become co-opted by political and social organizations, taken out of context and badly miss used. To understand that phrase we must take it in context and progression. 

First we abide or live in the word or teaching of Jesus. This is more than His teaching about moral conduct. Following His teaching about moral conduct does set us free from the great many evils of sin’s consequences. But to live in His teachings or word is to believe who He is. When we believe in who He is then we become Disciples of Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus is more than an intellectual exercise.  Being a disciple is impossible without the truth of who He is. A person who denies the truth of Jesus's teachings about Himself is not a Christian or disciple no matter what they claim. 

The conjunction “and” is critical. Truth cannot be known, in the experiential sense of the word, by the non disciple. Being a disciple and “knowing the truth” are inseparable. It is that truth that Jesus is who He says He is and our believing that makes us a disciple, and that sets us free. It is not freedom in a political or social way but freedom in a liberty from sin. Knowing and believing Jesus is freedom, a freedom that transforms the person no matter their personal or political status.

“Lord, grant that I will both know what Jesus teaches but also know Jesus.  AMEN”

John 8:21-30

 John 8:21-30

Jesus says in verse 21 “you…shall die in your sin” then in verse 23 He says “you…shall die in your sins”. That shift from singular to plural is subtle but important. What is the difference between sin and sins? The multitude or plurality of sins is a mere reflection or an expression of the great sin. That singular great sin is rejecting Jesus “the Water of Life”, Jesus “the light of life”. While individual acts of sin are horrible they are but symptoms of a deeper root and core problem. Individual sins are acts of rebellion; they move us toward deeper darkness and add momentum to our downward spiral. But rejecting Jesus is even more serious. This sin, note the singular, is beyond rebellion.  It has settled the question of Jesus with a negative answer. It is not moving toward darkness, it is the darkness. It is not part of the downward spiral, it is the end and bottom of that spiral. It all comes down to One singular point: belief in Jesus as the “I AM”, or live in disbelief.

The death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus is the evidence or the proof of His claims. As we look at that proof, what we do with Jesus is the simple most important issue we have to face. We end up at CS Lewis's tri-lemma. To make the claims Jesus made He would have to either be a liar of extreme proportions. Or a lunatic on the order of a man who thinks that he is a poached egg. Or He was who He said He was: I AM. 

All the other sins, lust, cruelty, pride, etc. are important; but they are not the main issue. These can be dealt with by Grace but only if we do not reject the One who can grant Grace. The Eternal sin is rejecting the One who can forgive every sin.

“Lord, forgive me of my sins.  Help me never to reject the One who can save me.  AMEN”

John 8:12-20

 John 8.12 - 20

How do I find meaning and purpose in life? That's the first question. Even before “What is the meaning and purpose of life?” we have to ask “how?”. We find everything by means of light.  Looking for something in a dark room is generally an exercise in futility. But when we bring in the light, looking for something becomes a possibility. For someone who is searching, what is the first priority?  How do I find a meaningful life?  I must begin by finding the light that will reveal it.

For Jewish people light was the law, it showed God's character, holiness and will. Also in Jewish thought light was wisdom, which was, personify and by which creation occurred. The pillar of fire during the desert wanderings was identified as the imperishable light of the law. During the Feast of Tabernacles four lamp-stands in the Temple Court were lit.  They illuminated the procession for the water ceremony and it is said that all of Jerusalem reflected their lights.

In this context Jesus says, “I am the light of the world”. He shows God's character, holiness and will. He is the source creation of life. He guides people out of the darkness of spiritual slavery and leads them to the Promised Land. The entire holy city, His people, is reflected in and by the light of Jesus. Jesus's comment of being the “light of the world” was no passing metaphor. He was saying the entire life and history of God’s revelation to mankind is summed up in Him.

So how do we find meaning and purpose in life? By looking for it in the light that is Jesus.

“Lord, help me to see the light of God the Son today, AMEN”

Election Day

 God Bless America

When I hear the phrase “God Bless America,” two questions come to mind.  The first is, “Why should God bless America?” The second is, “What would a blessing from God entail?” I wonder if those who say or sing these words so casually truly reflect on their meaning. If they do not genuinely mean it, we should consider whether they are invoking God’s name in a hollow or vain manner.

Regarding the question, should God bless America? We need to leave the misguided notion that it is because we are a Christian nation. Once upon a time our country was founded up on and operated within a Christian worldview, even though not everyone was a disciple of Jesus.  However, that is no longer the case.  Should God bless us simply because we allocate a significant portion of our wealth to our own selfish pleasures?  When considering our nation as a whole, it is important to note that only about 1% of church resources are directed toward foreign missions, and of that, merely 1% is dedicated to evangelizing unreached people groups. 

Should God bless us because more than half of the world's hardcore pornography is produced here?  We have prioritized freedom of speech to such an extent that we would rather witness the exploitation of individuals than impose any limitations on their personal desires.

Should God bless America because our churches have so faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ?  No, wait—some parts of the church have sold themselves to pragmatism and the desire for growth, leading them to endorse gross perversion.

Did you know that the runaway drug problem in America is part of Christian persecution? Much of the cocaine that is consumed in America is produced in the ‘Red Zone’ of Columbia. The cartels that grow, process, and produce a profit from the drug’s sales in America actively persecute Christians in that region. US drug use leads to the shedding of Christian blood. Maybe that is the reason God should bless America. 

Perhaps God should bless America because, as a nation, we are humble, holy, pure, innocent, just, and loving. Yes, but as a whole, we are none of those things. 

But this brings me to my second question, “What would a blessing from God entail?” We almost always think of God’s blessings in terms of selfish gain. We think of wealth, health, personal peace, and prosperity. We think of blessing as a divine goodie basket poured over us from on high. There is nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy God’s blessings. But for a wicked people, and that is what our nation is, not to mention much of the church, there is from God a different kind of blessing. 

As you consider Biblical history, an important pattern develops. God’s rich blessing falls on wicked people only after they have endured rather harsh judgment. Israel enjoyed the blessings of the Promised Land, but only after 40 years of wilderness wandering in which an entire generation died off. The Jewish people were essentially cured of idolatry, but only after they were in exile for 70 years. The Messiah comes, but only after Jewish nationalism was put down by Roman power. The church enjoyed high esteem and rapid growth along with powerful ministry, but only after Ananias and his wife Sapphira were killed by God in the church gathering. When there is a root of evil, God’s blessing is judgment.

Think about it. The foolishness of woke culture is made possible by an excess of wealth. In a nation that has failed infrastructure, widespread starvation, and military oppression, there are not the excess resources for Drag Queen readings at a library or radicals protesting at university. If there was an EMP attack that wiped out our electrical grid, porn would be less accessible. If fuel was suddenly $12 a gallon, we might decide that on the weekend we would be in worship rather than on recreational trips. If 1000% inflation, worthless money, and all of our wealth were lost, we might pray for our daily bread more than count our retirement fund. We have enjoyed unprecedented wealth, comfort, security, and prosperity so long that we think these are God’s greatest blessing. We have forgotten that the greatest blessing is to know God, love Him, enjoy being loved by Him, and spend all our being in His service. 

I am not wanting or asking for doom. I don’t think Ezekiel or Jeremiah were rooting for Babylonian captivity, but they saw that if Israel didn’t repent, that was the inevitable result. When we say, “God bless America,” do we really want to be a nation that He will bless? Are we willing to be changed by hardship to become that kind of person? 

John 8:1-11

 John 8:1-11

Where was the husband? What about the lover? It is hard to escape the conclusion in this passage that there was a conspiracy afoot. The sinful woman was caught in the very act of adultery. That presupposes that there was a man with her at that moment. Where was he? Participation in an illicit love affair is something that people try to keep secret. So how did they catch her unless they were tipped off?  How did they know when and where unless they were told.  We can be pretty sure the woman didn’t tell them.  Some Bible teachers have suggested that she was a prostitute and her client was part of the conspiracy? Maybe he was there in the crowd, rock in hand.  The language suggests that she was a wife. Perhaps her husband knew of the affair and this was his way of getting out of the marriage while also extracting maximum harm to his wife. Roman law did not allow the Jews to carry out executions.  But with the help of the mob he could maximize her shame and get rid of her.  Whatever the case, this woman is simply a pawn to be used. She was expendable. There's apparently not one scintilla of concern about her spiritual condition by anyone in the crowd except Jesus!

The sharp, cynical, grasping, craving, nature of man is to get what we want without care for the people whom we hurt in the process. The moment we begin to see people as a means to an end we have, no matter how good our intentions, entered into similar circumstances. If you had asked the mob they would have told you that they were pursuing a holy goal, most of them would have even believed it. One woman's ruin is of no consequence; she was mere collateral damage. Jesus on the other hand would hold up the highest standards of righteousness and still value the individual. He would value the individual, even a woman caught in the very act of adultery, enough to die for them.

“Lord, help me to pursue holiness without hypocrisy. AMEN”

John 7:45-53

 John 7.45-53

It always comes down to one simple question: “Who is this Jesus?”  Sooner or later that is the question that MUST be answered.  In the crowd were those who thought He was “the prophet” who would precede the Messiah.  Some thought He was the Messiah Himself.  Some rejected Him as evil, mad or dangerous.  Some believe He would be a political Messiah who would be used by God to throw off Roman oppression.  Some though He was an agitator who would only stir up trouble.  Some rejected Him and closed their eyes and ears to any and all evidence, they refused to listen to any of His teachings.   Some, the Sanhedrin, wanted Him arrested.  At least one member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemous, wanted to hear out His claims.  It always comes down to the same ultimate question: “Who is Jesus?” 

John points out one interesting reaction for one specific group, “The officers” or temple police.  They were apparently sent to arrest Jesus, but before they took Him into custody they listened to Him.  And having listened to Him they were challenged and changed and could not arrest Him.  When confronted with their failure to arrest Him all they could say was “Never did a man speak the way this man speaks”.   In an honest hearing of this man, Jesus, there is an awareness that He is unique.  All we ask is that people hear what Jesus said.  And after you listen to what He said, make a decision about Him. 

“Lord, help me to hear every day what Jesus says, and shape my life accordingly. AMEN”   

John 7:37-44

 John 7 37 - 44

“Come to Jesus and drink” is a short summation of verses 37 and 38. Like so many of Jesus's statements it is grander and bigger than it first appears. John gives us the context, it is the last and greatest day of the feast. The week-long celebration of Tabernacles was the most joyous of all Jewish feasts. It was sort of a combination of Thanksgiving with a week of feasting, summer vacation, a week-long camping trip and great celebrative and commemorative ceremonies. 

This ceremony was in celebrating God's provision during the Exodus by giving water to Israel. At the feast there was also prayer for rain for the coming crops.  In an agricultural society this was about future provision, life itself.  On the last day there was the culmination of the week with a grand parade. Throngs in procession marched from the spring to the altar.  On the way they were chanting scriptures and waving branches.  Once they arrived at the altar the High Priest would pour out the sacrificial water.  It was the highest high point of worship in the most joyful feast of the year.  Imagine that great moment when the last drop of water pours out.  In the silence before the cheers erupt from the people Jesus says: “If any man is thirsty let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of Living Water.”

There is no metaphor, no comparison that can adequately explain that statement. In a festival in which the worshipers are thanking God for His miraculous care by providing water in the desert Jesus says, “I’ll do you one better come to Me personally. I am the one who gives the water that will fill you to overflowing.”

Such a man was their stark raving mad, the most aggressive deceiver in history or He was the water of life.  

“Lord, fill me with Your Spirt till I am completely full and overflowing with You. AMEN”