Squanto - A Special Instrument of the Lord

 As we celebrate Thanksgiving day I'd like to share the true story of Squanto...the Native American who helped the Pilgrims survive that first year. 

Historical accounts of Squanto's life vary, but historians believe that around 1608, more than a decade before the Pilgrims arrived, a group of English traders sailed to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came out to trade, the traders took them prisoner, transported them to Spain, and sold them into slavery. It was an unimaginable horror.

But God had an amazing plan for one of the captured Indians, a boy named Squanto.

Squanto was bought by a well-meaning Spanish monk, who treated him well and taught him the Christian faith. Squanto eventually made his way to England and worked in the stables of a man named John Slaney. Slaney sympathized with Squanto's desire to return home, and he promised to put the Indian on the first vessel bound for America.

It wasn't until 1619, ten years after Squanto was first kidnapped, that a ship was found. Finally, after a decade of exile and heartbreak, Squanto was on his way home.

But when he arrived in Massachusetts, more heartbreak awaited him. An epidemic had wiped out Squanto's entire village.

We can only imagine what must have gone through Squanto's mind. Why had God allowed him to return home, against all odds, only to find his loved ones dead?

A year later, the answer came. A shipload of English families arrived and settled on the very land once occupied by Squanto's people. Squanto went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in English.

According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto "became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . He showed [us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take fish and to procure other commodities . . . and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died."

When Squanto lay dying of fever, Bradford wrote that their Indian friend "desir[ed] the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen's God in heaven." Squanto bequeathed his possessions to the Pilgrims "as remembrances of his love."

Who but God could so miraculously convert a lonely Indian and then use him to save a struggling band of Englishmen? It is reminiscent of the biblical story of Joseph, who was also sold into slavery, and whom God likewise used as a special instrument for good. 

El Shaddai - God Almighty

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am EL SHADDAI;  walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 

Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.  I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.  And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.  And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:1-8

El Shaddai, who called Abram to leave his land and his people and follow, is now promising Abram, a man who is 99 years old and whose wife, Sarai, has never had a child, that he is going to be the "father of many nations." Abraham believed God and God did as He had promised. Isaac was born to them in their old age. From Isaac came the nation of Israel, Jesus Christ the Messiah, and His Church family. Nothing is too difficult for El Shaddai - God Almighty! 

‘Ah, El Shadda! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

“Worthy are you, our El Shaddai, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

“We give thanks to you, El Shaddai, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign." Revelation 11:17

All of the root words speak of a God who mightily and abundantly nourishes, satisfies, protects, and supplies His people. He is our all-­sufficient sustainer.

God is unlimited in Power. Everything El Shaddai decrees will happen. God can do anything He wants, but He always uses His power to benefit others. His power is sufficient to meet our every need and His character is trustworthy and faithful so we can trust that He will.

Prayer:

El Shaddai, You are great and mighty in power and Your understanding and wisdom know no limits. "Your divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ who called us to His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3). Look upon me with a caring heart and witness the many struggles I face. Have compassion when You see me seeking to follow You and often failing to do well. Forgive me when I am unfaithful to You. Enable me to "have the eyes of my heart enlightened, that I may know what is the hope to which You have called me, what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward us who believe, according to the working of Your great might" (Eph. 1:18-19)

El Shaddai, show me how to honour you with my faith. Strengthen the muscles of my heart and soul so that I am willing to risk it all for you. Help me demonstrate my dedication and commitment to you, my King and to your kingdom agenda on earth. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21) 

El Bethel - The God of the "House of God"

El Bethel - The God of the House of God

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel," Genesis 28:16-19

"He (Jacob) built an altar there, and called the place El-Bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother." Genesis 35:7 

"'I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’” Genesis 31:13

Years after the rape of Dinah and his sons' brutal, murderous rampage, Jacob returned to Bethel, where he built an altar to Yahweh and named it "El-Bethel," because there God had revealed Himself to Jacob when he had fled from his brother.

Bethel was the place where Jacob saw heaven open and the Lord God standing at the top of the stairway to Heaven, the place God called him to return to after 20 years of servitude to Laban and the place he returned to after deep disappointment. But the actual place was not as significant as El Bethel - the God of Bethel. The God who promised to bless him wasn't limited to a specific location but was capable of keeping His promises wherever he was. 

Through this name we can see that, "the God who wonderfully revealed Himself to us in the Gospel, is the same God who remains covenantally faithful to us throughout our pilgrimage on earth and He is powerful to help us in our direst circumstances." 

Prayer

El Bethel, I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You have revealed your power and your strength in countless ways. The heavens tell of your glory. The skies display your marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak, and at night, they make you known. They speak without a word, and their voice is silent in the skies, yet their message goes out to all of us on the earth. For since the creation of the world, your invisible attributes—your eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made. You have revealed yourself to all of us, El Bethel, and I give you praise for who you are.

El Bethel, I confess I don’t always see you when you reveal yourself to me. I don’t always stand in amazement at the intricacy of your creation. I fail to marvel at the depth of your wisdom. Forgive me for those times when you have revealed yourself to me and yet I chose to view you with earthly eyes rather than with spiritual

El Bethel, thank you for making yourself known to me. Thank you for taking up residence in me through the death, burial, and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, which enabled your Holy Spirit to make my spirit your house. My body is now the temple of the living God. My life is bethel, where you dwell, and yet I still strive to make my own decisions in spite of your desires. Thank you for your patience and longsuffering as you dwell in and with me.

El Bethel, abide in me. Set up your home in the depths of my soul. Let your words dwell in me that I may know and live by them and for you. Reveal to me the sin I must confess and turn from so that I may be pure and blameless in your sight. Show me how to best honor you through this temple you have set up within me. Guide me in my eating habits, in my entertainment choices, and even in what I wear so that as your house—bethel—I may glorify you in all I do. Grant me the discernment to know how to reflect you well.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

(Prayer taken from Praying Through the Names of God by Tony Evans)

Adonai - Lord Over All

Adonai - Lord over all

The Jews would often use this name as they thought YHWH / Yahweh was too sacred to be uttered by sinful man. 

Adonai, the word for "Lord" - someone having power, authority, and influence; a master, ruler. In God's Word, Adonai is used as a title of respect for Him. 

"My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says (Adonai) Almighty. Malachi 1:11

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any Adonai besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." Isaiah 64:4

O Lord [Adonai] God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? Deuteronomy 3:24

Prayer

O Lord God, my Adonai, you are a great and mighty God. You have opened my eyes to see your greatness and your strong hand. What god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the amazing and powerful things you can do? Who can create a mountain? Who can make the deep where the waters rest, far beyond anything we can see? Who can calm a storm with just one word? None other than you, Adonai. You are the Master over all. You are the Lord above all. And you are deserving of the highest honor and praise.

Adonai, I humbly bow and ask for your forgiveness for failing to honor you as I should. I ask you to show me great mercy for the many times I’ve gone about my day without considering that you are the Lord and Master over all. How dare I fail to acknowledge your hand? How dare I attribute to man what I ought to attribute to you? Forgive me for my shortsightedness and lack of faith.

Adonai, thank you for being my Lord and my Master and yet allowing me to know you intimately. Thank you for remembering me constantly and reminding me of your presence. Your love captivates me. Your power mesmerizes me. All I need is your love in my life, and I thank you, Adonai, for giving me access to you throughout my day. Any moment I need you, you are there. I love you, Adonai, and I thank you for granting me the privilege of loving you and receiving your love.

Adonai, help me align my thoughts, actions, heart, decisions, and desires underneath you and your rule so I can fully experience the blessing of your hand in my life and so I can fulfill the destiny you have prepared for me. May I live out all of the days you have ordained for me, and may I discover the calling you have given me. Help me to see where I can share the knowledge of you with others and how I can spread the love you have put in my heart to those who need it the most. May your caring eyes watch over all I do. I ask you to empower me to impact the lives of those around me with your kingdom agenda. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Jehovah / Yahweh - The Relational God

 Jehovah / YHWY / Yahweh - the true, personal name of God

The Lord revealed Himself as having a singular original name. How blessed we are to have this name that we can use in prayer to Him. Jehovah / Yahweh means "I am" or "I am the One who is." It gives us a sense of His eternal nature. 

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Revelation 22:13

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58

We first see Jehovah / Yahweh used with Moses. 

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14

This is not the first name we have of the Lord in the Bible, but it is the most commonly used name. It appears more than 6,800 times. When Jehovah was preparing for a great deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery, He further revealed Himself to them. 

God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty / Adonai, but by my name Jehovah / Yahweh I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners." Exodus 6:2-4

Later, when Jehovah / Yahweh was ready to save us completely, He took on human flesh to show us Himself in the most intimate way possible. 

I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Yah/weh sounds like breathing out (Yah) and breathing in (weh)...like the breath of life. So even in breathing we are declaring the name of Jehovah. 

Jehovah wants to foster a close relationship with all people He has made. Giving us His true name was an act of intimacy that invited mankind to know Him. Jehovah / Yahweh - You are truly present with Your people. 

Prayer

Jehovah, you are worthy of all praise and adoration. You are the God who made the heavens and the earth. You set the stars in their places and hung the moon where it was to remain. You rule over all, and yet you also seek a relationship with your creation. For that and much more, you are worthy of all praise and worship. I lift up your name—Jehovah / Yahweh—as I seek your face. And I honor you as you are seated on your throne above all. You are the great and mighty God, who raises up kingdoms and subdues nations at your choosing. In your mercy, you sustain all life and passionately delight in our souls.

Jehovah, I come before you with a heart of contrition, knowing I often haven’t honored you as Lord and master of my life. You wait for me to come talk to you, to wake up and greet you, or to spend my evenings with you, but I have instead wasted time on futile distractions. You are the relational God, who desires to walk with me in the cool of the day, just as you walked with Adam and Eve in those early days of your creation. Forgive me for often seeking to walk alone and ignoring the blessing and joy of your presence.

Jehovah, thank you for desiring to be close to me. Thank you for not only being high and lifted up but also dwelling with the lowly and with those who are not of a high stature. Thank you for the goodness and depth of your heart, which pours out love time and again in my life. Thank you for your grace and patience, which you lovingly manifest even in the face of my many dismissals of you. I often walk in the midst of the beauty of your creation without giving you the praise and credit you deserve. Please accept my heart of gratitude right now for all you have made and for your desire to know me fully and to empower me to know you as well.

Jehovah, to know you and to be known by you—to experience the depth of this intimacy is my heart’s greatest cry. Give me the capacity to love you deeply and to receive the love you have for me. Where my heart has become hardened or jaded, remind me of the purity of your love and gently massage it open again. Where my mind has become too analytical, give me the gift of wonder at who you are and the works of your hands. Delight my soul with your Word and with the fresh wind of your Holy Spirit. Slow my steps so that abiding with you becomes a way of life. Help me to honor you as King and to advance your kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

(Prayer taken from Praying Through the Names of God by Tony Evans)

Abba, Father - Daddy

Abba, Father - Daddy

This is one of my favorite names for the Lord our God and one that I use often in prayer. 

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16

The parable of the prodigal son shows us the heart of God for each of His children...those who have called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. It's the heart of a Father; an Abba (it's Hebrew translation is closest to our "Daddy.") "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him...I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:20, 7

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

Prayer

Abba, Father, magnificent in splendor...Elohim, the Great Creator of the Universe; yet with a father's tender heart of love toward His children. The hands that fashioned the universe, also tenderly creates each child in its mother's womb. Then, when that child is born, You call for us to know You through Your Son Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to be able to call You Abba, Daddy. 

I confess that I sin greatly against You. Like the prodigal son, I turn from You and do my own thing. I take all the incredible blessings You have given me and squander them on myself. I don't appreciate the blessings of living near to You each and every moment of the day and often I wander. Please forgive me. I also confess that I can be like the older brother...spiritually prideful, thinking I'm better than others and judging people around me. I look with envy at what they have instead of looking with gratefulness at all that You have given me. Please forgive me Abba. 

Thank You for being my Abba, Father. Thank You for calling me to Yourself. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to make a way for me, through His death, that I might come to You. I am the sinner who repented. Thank You that You rejoice over me and lavish Your great love on me. 

Please help me to share the good news of who You are with the lost. I want Your family to be as big as possible. Please continue to look for the lost sheep and may I rejoice, like the angels in heaven, when each one is found by You. I love you Abba, Father with all that I am. In Your Son's name I pray, Amen. 

Elohim - The Strong Creator God

Throughout Scripture we find God’s people calling on his name. Or more accurately, calling on his names. In the Bible, God reveals himself by various names, mostly related to his ability to meet the needs of his people. Thus, the people of God in the Bible were able to call on the name of the Lord for peace, deliverance, productivity, victory, encouragement, safety, protection, provision, power, and myriads of other things. That’s true of God’s people today too. Whatever our present need, God is the one who can meet that need—and he reveals himself as such by one of his many names.

The Bible includes more than 85 names of God. Each one gives us a description of who God is and how he relates to his creation. We can see God’s relevance to our particular situation by appealing to him based on the revelation of his names.

ELOHIM | THE STRONG CREATOR GOD

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  Hebrews 11:3

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11

Prayer:  

Elohim, you are the strong Creator God. In you I find all of the components of everything you have ever created. Your great imag- ination gave the elephant its long trunk and the leopard its spots. By your strong arm the ocean depths were first measured and the mountains rose. You chose what color the sky would be and how the earth would feed itself, even bringing life through death as a seed dies before towering into a tree. I praise you for the greatness of your creative prowess and ingenuity. I adore you for the fullness of your power. And I honor you for how you have made all things, even the minutiae, work together to populate your great creation that we call earth.

Elohim, forgive me when I fail to recognize your creative power. Forgive me for not stopping and being awed by your hand and the masterpiece of your creation. Forgive me for doubting where I should trust you, even when it comes to my own life—my health and my purpose for living. I have not always seen you in the light of your greatness, and sometimes I make you seem much smaller than you truly are. For that, I am sorry.

Elohim, thank you for the security I experience when I recog- nize you as the great Creator God. No one was there telling you how to make the earth rotate in its orbit so it would continually receive light and heat. And yet you did it perfectly. I thank you that you know all things and don’t need me to try to figure out how to solve my issues or make my plans come about. You put the uni- verse together with your words—thank you for knowing how to put my life together as well.

Elohim, create great things for me to walk in. Create intersec- tions where you merge my passion, experiences, skills, and inter- ests together so I can fulfill the calling you have for me. Create in my heart a purity that is peaceful and appealing to those around me. Create my destiny, I pray, and then guide me into it for your name’s sake and for your pleasure. I trust you to create my life’s story and to give me all I need to fully live out the path you have planned for me. Thank you, Elohim, for being the strong Creator God.

God's Sovereign Plan

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”  (Matthew 26:27-29)

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”...“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”...He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:36-46)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:50-54)

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. (Matthew 27:12-14)

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Jesus set an amazing example as He stood before His enemies. He willingly surrendered His right to defend Himself, even against outright lies. Jesus’ quiet dignity was not weakness but surrendered strength. He did not veer off God’s course for Him to find an easier path. 

What do you do when obeying the Lord becomes difficult? Do you question God’s goodness? Do you compromise or complain? How can you trust God for the strength you need to obey Him in a difficult place? 

God’s sovereign plan took Jesus to the cross. God’s sovereign plan for your life can be trusted.

Self-Righteousness Destroys

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled...The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward...The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him. (Matthew 26:57-67)

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:19-26)

The Jewish leaders declared their own version of Messiah and Jesus did not measure up. They steadfastly believed they were right as they pursued Jesus’ arrest, hearings, and death. They elevated their opinions and view of themselves and refused to examine and yield to the truth. They failed to recognize Jesus’ wisdom and all He had done that revealed He had come from God.

In a similar way, pride and self-focus lead us down a dangerous path. Weaponizing the opinions we judge right is acceptable in today’s world. People who think they are right draw bold lines on social media, in news broadcasts, and even within churches. Even Christians who desire to hold up God’s truth can do so in an unloving and unkind way. 

The only way to truly be right is to pursue the One who is fully righteous: Jesus. Is there an area of your life in which you insist upon being right? How might God judge your heart as you relate to others? How will you give up human “rightness” to pursue righteousness in Jesus? 

(From Bible Study Fellowship International)

His Sorrow Didn't Lead to Repentance

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him (Jesus) over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matthew 26:14-16)

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. (Matthew 26:47-50)

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” 

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:1-5)

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He greeted Jesus with a kiss in the garden and called Him “Rabbi” instead of Lord. 

Judas did not find peace because he refused to seek Jesus. His life ended in tragic suicide. If he had confessed his sins to Jesus Christ...if he had waited just a few days...I believe Jesus would have forgiven him the way He forgave Peter. 

In what situation are you struggling to find peace? Will you seek the Lord and trust Him with what you cannot understand? His peace passes all understanding and gives us hope in the midst of uncertainty. 

What decision will you make today regarding Jesus? He stands close and calls you “friend.” Will you look to Him or turn away?

(From Bible Study Fellowship International)

Peter's Failure Wasn't Final

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me...But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35)

(Just a few hours later) Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.   (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter followed Jesus at a distance. He was confused, fearful, grieved, and utterly in anguish over the loss of his beloved Master. Peter’s denial, failure, and bitter tears reveal human vulnerability in a real and raw way. Peter recklessly ignored Jesus’ warnings, fell asleep rather than to his knees in prayer, and denied Jesus three times. He wept bitter tears.

Striving in his own strength, Peter failed miserably. The same is true for us today. We can never be strong enough to overcome life’s challenges by trying harder.

Only when we come to the end of ourselves and turn to Jesus can we persevere. What difficulties do you face? In what ways are you trying to power through in your own strength? How has God exposed your weakness and allowed failure to draw you to Himself? Will you fall on your knees in fervent prayer to the One who hears your cries for help?  

Peter did and it made all the difference. 

(Lesson from Bible Study Fellowship International) 

A Miracle Before Dunkirk

This is an incredible story of God's deliverance at Dunkirk that the movies/history books seem to leave out:

Studying some remarkable events in the history of World War 2, we find the deliverance of the allied armies at Dunkirk; a true story of Divine providence in modern history. It was on May 10, 1940, that Hitler unleashed his armies against France and Belgium. Within days, the British army found itself outmaneuvered and unprepared for the German blitzkrieg assault led by General Rommel and his 7th Panzer division.

The German high command began boasting of the demise of the allied armies, particularly the 300,000 soldiers of the British army sent by then Prime Minister Winston Churchill to protect France and the low countries of Europe. As the prospect of victory waned Churchill was prepared to announce an unprecedented military defeat of a third of a million soldiers.

But then a miraculous turn took place initiated by King George VI, who ordered the observance of a National Day of Prayer. The British Monarch, along with members of the cabinet, attended Westminster Abbey to pray, while millions of Britons all across the Kingdom in unprecedented unity, attended churches to join the King in prayer. Newspapers throughout the UK reported, "Nothing like it has ever happened before."

Then the miracles began: First, Hitler ordered his troops to halt their advance for no apparent reason, which angered his generals and continues to baffle historians to this day. Secondly, a massive storm broke out in Flanders which grounded the German Luftwaffe squadrons, allowing the allied armies to travel to the beaches at Dunkirk unhindered by the German air force. A third miracle involving the weather was that simultaneous with the storm which grounded the Luftwaffe, the English Channel was as still as a millpond...an unprecedented calm which allowed ships of every size to evacuate over 338,000 troops including 140,000 French, Belgian, Dutch and Polish soldiers from the beaches at Dunkirk.

Winston Churchill addressed the British nation and described the evacuation of Dunkirk as a “miracle of deliverance.”

The following Sunday, the nation in celebration of God’s answer to prayer, sang Psalm 124 throughout churches in the United Kingdom.

Psalms 124:1-8 A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Today, be encouraged knowing that our God responds to prayer and is ready to act upon it at a moment's notice. The armies of darkness may surround us, in fact, they are sure to sooner or later; but we also know the Lord is standing ready to defend His own. "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth" [Psalm 124:8]

Bible Points to Jesus! - John 5:30-47

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.

32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.

33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.

34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,

38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,

40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people.

42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.

43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

John 5:30-47

In a court of law, a statement is proven by the testimony of witnesses. If Jesus alone testifies about Himself, His testimony will not be accepted because at least two witnesses must testify in order for a thing to be established (Deuteronomy 17:6). Jesus presents four witnesses to testify. These are John the Baptist, Jesus’ works, the Father and the Scriptures. Jesus states John testifies of Him and Jesus knows this testimony is true. Jesus then said His works should have been all the proof any would need to know that the Father was with Him and sent Him (John 3:3, 7:31). He then added His Father and the Scriptures as additional witnesses.

Jesus was not upset because they didn’t endorse Him, but because they had no love for God. Jesus said they did not like His claim to be from the Father. Moses, whom they claimed as their defender, will be their accuser even though they have set their hope in him. If they really believed Moses, they would believe in Jesus because Moses wrote about Jesus. But if they do not believe Moses’ writings, they won’t believe Jesus either.

*Do you believe Jesus is God? Why or why not?

John 5:19-29 - Jesus' Authority

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,

23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice

29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:19-29

In verses 19-21 we see Jesus, God the Son, claiming the same power as the Father. Jesus begins by saying the Son only does things He sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does in the same way. The Father does not judge anyone, because He has given the Son that task – so all who honor the Father will honor the Son. Any who fail to honor the Son do not honor the Father who sent Him.

Notice that we will not be getting eternal life someday. We already have eternal life now by faith. Jesus then says an hour is coming and is now that the dead who hear the voice of the Son of God, and those alive who hear, will live. The Father has life in Himself and has given the Son Who has life in Himself as well. The Father has also given the Son to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13). 

Don’t be surprised at this. An hour is coming when all who are in their tombs will hear His voice and come forth. Those who have done good to a resurrection of life and those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment. Jesus’ life-giving power can call a person out of the grave (John 11:43), everyone from their tombs, or anyone in spiritual death to eternal life. 

Please note the words those who have done good and those who have done evil do not mean a salvation by good deeds or damnation because of evil deeds. We are saved by the Lamb of God who, as our substitutionary Sacrifice, takes away the penalty of our sin. Salvation is by faith in Christ. Damnation is the consequence of rejection of God’s Son (John 3:36).

*According to Ephesians 2:8-10, what is the true source of our good works?

John 5:1-18 - Not Religious Laws but Jesus

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. 

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 5:1-18

In chapter 4 Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah, and proclaimed the true way of worship to the woman of Samaria. Now in chapter 5 He will make those same claims before the Jews at one of the great feasts in Jerusalem. The first of these statements was made by upsetting the religious leaders’ rules of what could and couldn’t be done on the Sabbath. Jesus healed this man who had been ill for such a long time.

The Jewish leaders found this man carrying his mat and they told him their laws for the Sabbath did not allow him to carry his mat. When they finally found Jesus, the leaders demanded to know why He disobeyed their rules. He answered He was working just as His Father had been working all along. The Jews persecuted Jesus because He did these things on the Sabbath. But when He called God His Father, making Himself equal to God, they wanted to kill Him for blasphemy. It is important to realize that Jesus is claiming divinity here. (More about Jesus’ claims in the next lesson.)

*Ask God to reveal any religious rules you may be following that are not based on His Word.

John 4:43-54 Faith to Believe

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

John 4:43-54

Following Jesus’ two-day ministry in Samaria, He went on to Galilee. He wasn’t honored in Nazareth, but the Galileans welcomed Him because they had seen everything He had done in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration.

As He traveled through Galilee, He came to Cana where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. This implies that the official worked for Herod and was either in the bloodline or held an office in Herod’s government. Herod was not a Jew, so we believe the official was not either. When He heard Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.

Jesus asked the crowd around Him if they would believe only if they could see Him perform miracles. A faith built on signs and wonders is not a complete faith. Faith in Jesus alone is absolutely necessary.

The official pleaded with Jesus to heal his son, and Jesus told him it would be done. The man believed what Jesus said and started home. Did the father really believe? Notice in verse 52 he did not even go home until the following day. Now that is faith! If we compare this to the Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), it is interesting how Jesus answered these two Gentile officials’ requests from a distance. They apparently believed Jesus much easier than the Jews did because they had no preconceived notions of Jesus.

Twice in this chapter we read about the testimony of a believer – the Samaritan woman and the Gentile official – bringing others to Jesus. Both of these signs demonstrated that Jesus was the promised Messiah and Son of God.

*When you have testified of what Jesus has done for you, what happened?

John 4:21-42. Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 4:21-42

Jesus used His God-appointment with this woman of Samaria to reveal an incredible secret to the world – the truth about real worship of God. In all of history to this point, worship of God had been limited to a place: an altar, a tabernacle, a special temple, a specific city, or a holy mountain. 

Jesus revealed to her how God would now be worshiped anywhere and any time. The only requirement for true worship would be the person’s heart – they must worship in spirit and in truth. Worshiping in spirit meant all their heart and soul and mind must be committed to this worship. Worshiping in truth meant the person must worship the God who is Truth – Jesus (John 14:6).

*When you worship God, how are you worshiping Him in spirit and in truth?

John 4:1-20. - A God-Appointment

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria.

5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar (Shechem), near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

John 4:1-20

*As you look back over your life so far, can you see a God-appointment? What did you learn from this encounter with Him?

Jesus, being God, had a very special appointment with a woman most people of the Jewish nation would never have talked to. Not only did self-respecting Jews not speak with her, even her own neighbors probably ridiculed and hated her – the only reason a woman would come to draw water in the middle of the day when it was so hot. Jesus knew where and when He needed to be there to meet her and give her the good news of sin forgiven and new life of hope begun.

*When God meets you with one of His divine appointments, you will find He knows you, just as He knew this woman. Will you be willing to hear what He has to say to you?

John 3:22-36 He Must Increase and I Must Decrease

 

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:22-26

After Nicodemus’ visit Jesus returned to the countryside and preached and held services of baptism. John was also baptizing, although in a different area from where Jesus was baptizing. John’s disciples then got into a discussion with a Jew about which baptism – John’s or Jesus’ – was the one he should receive. John’s disciples then came to him and complained that all were going to Jesus. John then tells them calmly yet firmly that he is just a servant of God and is only performing the ministry God has given him: “My job was to prepare the way for the Christ and I have done that. I have told you that I am not the Christ.”

In Jesus’ growing influence, John found his own joy fulfilled. He illustrated this for his disciples by referring to a custom at Near Eastern weddings. The friend of the bridegroom was only an assistant, not the main participant in the marriage. The assistant acted on behalf of the bridegroom and made the preliminary arrangements for the ceremony. His joy came when he heard the bridegroom coming for his bride. John the Baptist’s work was to prepare for the arrival of Christ, the “Groom.” John baptized only with water, not with the Spirit. Therefore Jesus must become greater and John must become less. This was not merely advisable, it was the divine order. John willingly and with joy accepted Jesus’ growing popularity as God’s plan. From verse 31 through the remainder of the chapter we return to the testimony of John the Apostle who builds on the preeminence of Christ as his theme. Those from heaven can speak of heaven. Those from earth speak of earth.

*How do you know if something you have heard is from God or not from Him? 

John 3:14-21 - Jesus Came to Save Us!

 

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 3:14-21

As we read in the previous lesson, Jesus came to give us new life by His Spirit. But the only way such new life was possible was for there first to be a death. Sin, the thing that had separated mankind from God, had to die. Jesus would use the picture of a grain of wheat dying before it could produce more life later (John 12:24). Here He used the picture of the serpent on a pole from Israel’s time in the wilderness (read the story in Numbers 21) – a prophecy of the crucifixion and death of Christ which, for those who believed and obeyed, became life for those without hope.

As a result of His crucifixion and shed blood, the perfect sacrifice for sin would become available to all who believed. All those who believe in Him are not judged, but those who do not believe are already judged. Those who will not believe have condemned themselves simply by failing to believe God.

The truth is, unbelievers hate the thought of being held accountable for their actions. So they hate the light because it exposes their evil deeds. But those who do believe the truth are not afraid of the light because the light will show their deeds to have their source from God.

Jesus demonstrated His divinity (He is God) to Nicodemus by drawing all the Old Testament together for this master-teacher of Israel – together into one.

*Make these verses a permanent part of your life - memorize the 8 verses at the beginning of this lesson.

John 3:1-14 Born of Water and Spirit

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 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.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus 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?” 

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

John 3:1-14

Nicodemus came to see Jesus. Nicodemus was a member of the ruling body and one of the richest men in Jerusalem. Nicodemus told Jesus he and others believed Jesus was a teacher sent from God. Jesus answered with perhaps the most famous declaration of all time. Unless a person is born from above they will not be able to see the Kingdom of God. This puzzled Nicodemus. He rightly thought it was not as literal as reemerging from the womb. Jesus said rebirth must be by both water and the Spirit. It is difficult to claim baptism is necessary for salvation because many passages of Scripture discuss salvation by faith alone (for example Ephesians 2:8-9). The context was John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. Jesus said if you repent, you can be reborn by the Holy Spirit. Jesus then states what is born by the flesh is flesh but what is born by the Spirit is spirit. So it is no wonder you must be reborn by the Spirit since you are a fleshly person now.

Jesus used wind as an example of the Holy Spirit. We sense the wind’s presence but cannot know where it comes from or where it goes; so is everyone born of the Spirit – the birth can’t be seen. We detect the change in our lives but the Holy Spirit is sovereign and man cannot control Him. Nicodemus was stunned by these revelations and asked how they could be. Jesus called Nicodemus the master teacher of Israel. Jesus expected him to understand these things because HE KNEW the Scriptures described the new birth (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26).

God had been preparing the world for thousands of years to understand what Jesus was coming to do.

(Continued in the next lesson.)

*Dig deeper: What do you find in the following Scriptures to explain Jesus’ words?

Numbers 21

Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26

John 2:13-25 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”

17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

John 2:13-25

All able-bodied adult male Jews were required to go to Jerusalem each year for Passover (Deuteronomy 16:6). This was Jesus’ first Passover after beginning His ministry. When Jesus got to the temple He found the common area filled with merchants and money changers. While this was a convenience for travelers from out of town, the selling of animals for sacrifice and changing of Roman coins for Jewish temple coins disrupted proper temple worship. It was also done in the Court of the Gentiles - the only place non-Jewish people could come and worship and pray to God. This caused righteous anger to rise up in Jesus...they were cheating people out of their money and preventing others from encountering His Father in His Father's house. 

So Jesus made a whip and chased out the animals and animal sellers and overthrew the tables of the money changers. He then approached the dove sellers and ordered them to take away their doves so that His Father’s house would not be a place of business and chaos.

Many think of Jesus as meek and mild – and He can be. But here He gives us a vision of the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16). His disciples were puzzled until they recalled Psalm 69:9 which says, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.” 

The Jews challenged His authority to do these things, but He replied only with a prophecy of His death and resurrection. Jesus’ words about the destruction of the temple were about His body. Later, after He was raised from the dead, Jesus’ disciples remembered this prophecy and they believed the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken here. 

During the Passover, Jesus performed many signs. John chose not to detail them in his gospel but they were probably healings. Many believed on His name when they saw the signs. Jesus, however, did not trust Himself to them for He knew what was in their hearts. He needed nobody to testify what was in man for He knew all men.

*Dig deeper: How do the following verses explain what happened in this chapter:

Isaiah 64:6

John 6:66

Romans 3:23

Hebrews 4:12

John 2:1-12 - Water to Wine

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman (dear Madam), what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.

9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

John 2:1-12

In chapter 2, Jesus demonstrates His God-authority over our basic human needs.

Wedding feasts typically lasted 7 days, and the entire town would be invited in a place as small as Cana. Mary, Jesus and His disciples were all at the wedding. Since Nathanael was from Cana, this may be why they were invited. Apparently Mary had some position of authority at the feast. Mary told Jesus there was a problem because the wine had run out. Culturally, this would have been an error which would haunt the wedding couple their entire lives. Jesus addresses His mother as “Woman” here. This is a term of respect in the culture (John 19:26). Jesus’ reference to the “hour” here refers to the first hour when He told the real reason for which He came (John 12:23). Mary’s response to the servants (“Do whatever He tells you”) revealed her submission to her Son. Even though she did not fully understand, she trusted Him. The water pots would each hold enough for about 2,000 glasses of wine.

Jesus told the servants to fill the pots with water and they did. At some point after the pots were filled, Jesus made the water into wine. No hand-waving or magic chants were used. The water simply became wine. Jesus then told the servants to draw some and take it to their headwaiter. The headwaiter did not know where the wine came from but the servants did. The headwaiter was surprised because it was the custom to serve the best wine first and then the poorer wine. But the best wine had been reserved for the end of the feast. Jesus always gives us His best. This was His first miracle. One of the purposes for this sign was so His new disciples would believe in Him. He showed them some of His glory and they responded with belief.

*Over what circumstance in your life has Jesus shown you He is in control?

John 1:35-51 - Calling His Disciples

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). 

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

John 1:34-51

Jesus now chose the men whom He would teach for the next 3 years, teach about Himself and the kingdom of God. Two of them were John’s disciples. As soon as they heard Jesus speak, they followed Jesus instead of John. One of the two was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew told his brother they had found the Messiah. When Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, Jesus immediately changed his name to Cephas, or Peter in the Greek. Peter means a rock. Jesus immediately knew Peter’s character and gave him a new name which represented his potential. Jesus knew Peter would be a rock-like man in the early church. On the following day, Jesus called Philip to Himself while in Galilee.

Philip invites Nathanael to come and meet Jesus. Philip described Jesus as the Messiah from the prophecies and as the son of Joseph from Nazareth. Jesus, having God’s knowledge, called Nathanael a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false (deceitful). This surprised Nathanael because Jesus had never met him and so He should not know such things. But Jesus said this is just the beginning. They would see the heavens opened and the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Now Jesus would be the divine link between heaven and earth.

*Whom have you brought to Jesus?