The Chapter-A-Day thread. (3)

[FredVB]

John 8 is a chapter full of significant things that could be discussed at length. It starts with the story of the woman caught in committing adultery, and who was taken to Jesus to test him, while the partner she was with was neglected with this, when the law, that Jews could not enforce here, had prosecution for it.

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the midst, they told him, "Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.
Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such. What then do you say about her?"
They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her."
Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.
They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle.
Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, "Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?"
She said, "No one, Lord." Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more."

This was a perfect example for showing that Jesus, with having such compassion, that was generally there for the marginal and those rejected, came to deliver from judgment, for all would respond to the grace of God through him, with the repentant faith there would be.

What was written in the sand? Many want to discuss that with their surmises, but as John said in the end, many more things were said from Jesus that are not recorded for us, that might be considered, there are many things yet to know, and some things for us to learn in these days.

Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
The Pharisees therefore said to him, "You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid."
Jesus answered them, "Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don't know where I came from, or where I am going.
You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.
Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.
It's also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.
I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me."
They said therefore to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Jesus said therefore again to them, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can't come."
The Jews therefore said, "Will he kill himself, that he says, 'Where I am going, you can't come?'"
He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."
They said therefore to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world."
They didn't understand that he spoke to them about the Father.
Jesus therefore said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.
He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn't left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."
As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
They answered him, "We are Abraham's seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, 'You will be made free?'"
Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
A bondservant doesn't live in the house forever. A son remains forever.
If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
I know that you are Abraham's seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.
I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father."
They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn't do this.
You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."
Therefore Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven't come of myself, but he sent me.
Why don't you understand my speech? Because you can't hear my word.
You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.
But because I tell the truth, you don't believe me.
Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don't hear, because you are not of God."
Then the Jews answered him, "Don't we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?"
Jesus answered, "I don't have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
But I don't seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.
Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death."
Then the Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, 'If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.'
Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"
Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.
You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, 'I don't know him,' I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad."
The Jews therefore said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"
Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."
Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Such Jews were rejecting Jesus, with understanding his claim, he was eternal and with equal standing with the heavenly Father, who they understood already was God, the disciples of Jesus had yet to really understand that. Yet when they did understand that, they had seen enough that what was in the claim was indisputable.

 

[brinny]

Amen!

 

[brinny]

John 9:

What stood out for me, is what Jesus' disciples asked Jesus:

"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?" ~John 9:1-2

The disciples' pre-conceived notions of "sin", etc. "blinded" them to the how utterly illogical their questions were.

The man was "blind from birth". How would he have "sinned"?

LOL!

Jesus response was right on target:

"Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." ~John 9:3

 

[brinny]

John 10:

Jesus is clear here WHO He is and that HE is the DOOR, and there is NO OTHER.

"Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 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. 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 10:7-15

 

[brinny]

John 11:

Jesus hears that His dear friend Lazarus, is dead. Mary and Martha, Lazarus' sisters are distraught because Jesus delayed coming when He heard Lazarus was deathly ill.

Jesus weeps.

Yet, He has a greater purpose in not coming until after Lazarus had died. Mary and Martha were unaware of it, and so was every one else.

Interesting verse here that is an entire study in itself.

What did Jesus mean by it?

"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 11:4

Jesus demonstrates here, in this verse something profound and glorious and is GOOD news and transcends the temporary, seemingly hopeless state of Lazarus:

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" ~John 11:25-26

And Jesus demonstrates the power of God, which testifies that He IS the Resurrection and the Life.

And what a testimony it was!

"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." ~John 11:43-44

Can you imagine being there and being a witness to this point-blank demonstration to Jesus being the Resurrection and the Life, just as He had testified that He was?

How GLORIOUS is THAT??!!

 

[brinny]

John 12:

So here we have Jesus at Mary and Martha's house and Jesus' disciples are there with Him, and Lazarus also, who Jesus had just risen from the dead.

And Mary takes very costly Spikenard and anoints Jesus feet with it, and wiped His feet with her hair.

And a disciple speaks up against Mary.

Guess which disciple speaks up?

"Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." ~John 12:4-6

This, after Lazarus was just raised from the dead, and there was cause for celebration, and Mary was thanking, and worshiping Jesus with, in essence all that she had. Lazarus was alive!! Sitting right there at the table!!! How GLORIOUS is THAT??!!

Judas' reaction and condition of his heart is very telling right here.

This gives us just a glimpse of why Jesus said what He said about Judas.

 

[brinny]

John 13:

As i think on this, Judas was possibly still angry about Jesus allowing Mary to use the very expensive oil on His feet, because as it was stated earlier, he was a thief.

As i'm meditating on this, it seems likely, that a thief (Judas), would want to get their hands on the money this expensive oil would bring. And since he held the money bag, it would be in his possession, and since it is written that he was a thief, he is also greedy and selfish, and this is possibly not the first time he's been mad at Jesus.

it (his anger and condition of heart) apparently came to a "head", so to speak, and he was just the right vessel that Satan could use to betray Jesus.

It is very possible that Judas wanted to "get back" at Jesus.

Interesting study.

"Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;" ~John 13:1-2

Jesus says here that all of His disciples are not clean, for He knew who it was that would betray Him:

"Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean." ~John 13:10-11

And Judas left to betray Jesus:

"He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night." ~John 13:30

 

[brinny]

John 14:

Here Jesus comforts, encourages, and promises His disciples that there is HOPE, even as He will not be with them much longer. But He WILL come again, and they WILL be with Him.

What a GOOD Shepherd He is.

Precious.

 

[brinny]

John 15:

In thinking about John 15, this verse stood out for me.

It's PROFOUND.

Here we have Jesus Himself saying, in essence, that if we are not abiding in Him, there will be NO fruit.

For we can ONLY bear fruit, if we are "in Him".

We CANNOT bear fruit on our own.

This is eye-opening.

 

[brinny]

John 16:

This verse stood out for me.

How glorious to eventually have what NO ONE can take away, even if in the here and now there is hardship and tears and sorrow.

PRECIOUS promise.

 

[brinny]

John 17:

This verse stood out like a lamp for me. It literally "lit up".

Jesus is praying specifically for only those who God the Father has "given" Him, and NOT for the world.

This is a study in and of itself.

PROFOUND.

 

[brinny]

John 18:

Here we have Peter doing what he vowed he would never do:

deny Jesus.

not once, but three times.

This is an entire study unto itself.

"Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not." ~John 18:17

"And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not." ~John 18:25

"One of the servants of the high priest, beinghis kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter then denied again: and immediately the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] crew." ~John 18:26-27

 

[brinny]

John 19:

What is most interesting here is that Pilate was declaring Jesus innocent, more than once. Yet Jesus' accusers were relentless in their accusations and chants to kill Him. The accusers went so far as to accuse Pilate of not being a friend of Caesar's if he did not put Jesus to death. They were in essence, threatening Pilate.

Pilate eventually relented, even to making a sign.

"And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar." ~John 19:12

 

[brinny]

John 20:

Jesus' patience and grace here with Thomas is endearing. Yet, He reminds us that those who see not, yet believe, are blessed indeed.

He was speaking of "us" (you and me).

How precious is THAT??!!

 

[brinny]

John 21:

Jesus shows Himself to His disciples on the Sea of Tiberius (Sea of Galilee)

"After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself." ~John 21:1

Then Jesus fixes breakfast for the disciples. (What a GOOD Shepherd He is! He always feeds His sheep).

How precious is THAT??!!

John, here, is testifying to what Jesus did, and says that there would not be enough room to contain ALL that Jesus did, for it would be more books than the world could contain.

Phenomenal!!

"Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." ~John 21:22-25

 

[FredVB]

Acts of the Apostles starts off with Jesus' last instructions and encouragement to his eleven apostles before he ascended to Heaven, so they were not to expect an earthly kingdom for them but to wait for the power they would be provided in their lives, with this first at Jerusalem, through God's Spirit, that there would be growth of his people in the world with more to be according to God's will with that, with the faith needed for it, being possible through Christ.

When he ascended, angels came to ask them why would they keep looking to the sky, they were given assurance that Jesus would return that way just as he had left with the ascension. Revelation 19, especially the second half, show his return is with judgment on the wicked with defending the last of people turning to righteousness with faith in Christ, their Messiah, who they call on, it is the scene prophesied in Zechariah 14, and as is shown in Acts of the Apostles 1:12, the apostles left from where Christ ascended, at the Mount of Olives, and the prophecy being about him shows he is Yahweh God.

When the apostles returned, they were with the other followers, now including Jesus' mother, Mary, and his brothers, including James, who would come to lead those staying in Jerusalem, altogether about 120 of those followers. They knew that there were to be 12 of the apostles, and Judas Iscariot was now disqualified and gone for good, they prayed for one to be shown to them, among those early followers with Jesus through his ministry among them that was qualified, for being one among them as 12 apostles. Matthias was the one designated to them out of the two they ultimately found qualified, with Proverbs 16:33 giving basis in that.

 

[FredVB]

Acts of the Apostles 2 is the great chapter well known among many believers for showing the Pentecost events that started the Christian church with Yahweh God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, available to Christian believers, at that time called disciples, and the faith called the Way.

When the Creator Spirit came upon the first disciples, who were remaining secluded in that large upper room they were using with avoiding being found by religious leaders that had taken Jesus, with the unusual visual and auditory effect there was the miraculous occurrence of all those disciples speaking in other known languages that they were not able to speak themselves, something that had never happened before, and really different from ecstatic speech known as glossolalia, a practice already occurring among some pagan beliefs. They were praising God with this for many of God's great works, and then many of the Jews just outside who had come for Shavuot, Pentecost, to Jerusalem from the distant lands where they had been living heard them and in those separate languages they understood. Some accused the disciples they heard of drinking excessively, but this did not really explain the miraculous occurrence. The apostle Peter then got up before them, and in the original great sermon gave the first presentation we can know about of the gospel of Christ for salvation that is needed, that has things said recorded from it, and it had support from the prophecies that had been given, for the basis, with the eyewitness account.

Many, even coming to three thousand that day, came to that repentant faith, believing in Christ, and joined with the disciples.

The chapter concludes with how they then lived with each other, with being led, under the teaching of the twelve apostles who had been with Jesus, without any example from any people before this anywhere, but what was learned to be right, from Jesus, in how he lived and what he taught the followers with him.

All who believed were together, and had all things in common. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart.

 

[brinny]

Acts 3:

Peter and John heal a lame man......what is precious here, is that the man was where he was, to just beg for whatever anyone would give him. He didn't even ask for healing.

Then Peter and John HEAL him!!!

How GLORIOUS is THAT??!!

This is the lame man, being healed, overjoyed, leaping, and praising God ---->

Praise God!!!!

"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." ~Acts 3:6-8

 

[brinny]

Acts 4:

Peter and John fearlessly preached the name of Jesus Christ, and proclaimed that it was only Through this name, Jesus Christ, that one can be saved.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." ~Acts 4:12-13

 

[FredVB]

Chapter 4 also repeated the way believers under the apostles who had been with Jesus were living, as emphasis as the way for the Christians: The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.


Acts of the Apostles 5 shows how Yahweh God's righteousness will not settle with lies, especially directed to God with that omniscience. Ananias and Sapphira pretended to share all the profit from property they sold, as they saw was being done by others among the believers, as Barnabas, with this arrangement of all among them sharing with each other in that church, for any needs among them to be met, but kept much of that profit to themselves, seeking to deceive the Holy Spirit along with the apostles with him, and here, as it was done in the old testament of the Bible, it is shown that the Spirit of God is God, and certainly personal, with communicating and with understanding what is communicated, such as lying that was done here. Even if they were saved in Christ, it had to be shown for all to know, that with fearing God, there should never be such practice of deception, it is an offence against God as other offences are. So it was that the couple, both of them, lost their lives in this world.

The Apostles gained recognition for their appointed authority in the church, and they boldly preached at the temple in Jerusalem. More were convinced and the church was growing. The religious leaders there is though, with showing how far from God they were, took all the apostles together, the first and last time that would ever be done, putting them in a jail. God released them, and they continued preaching boldly in the temple. They were still yet taken to the council of those leaders, they were questioned, and ordered to never speak of Jesus again. But as Peter said, it is better to obey God rather than men.