Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 11 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 94)

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TEXT: John 7:47-53

47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

53 And every man went unto his own house.

———-

Today, I am continuing the daily Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign sermon series, which is aimed at sharing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with unbelievers and reminding Christians, in this important election year, to keep the main thing the main thing — and that is reaching unbelievers with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and praying for their salvation, for the problem in America is not only disobedient presidents, politicians, and people, but disobedient pastors, preachers, and parishioners who have refused to obey the Lord’s Great Commission which is to, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” and who have refused to obey God’s repeated commands to “pray without ceasing” for unbelievers, believers, and political leaders. Yes, you should pray for the right candidate to win; yes, you should vote for the candidate that the Lord gives you peace about voting for. But, don’t get caught up in it like the world does. Nothing much is going to change until people get saved and get their hearts right with the Lord.

This campaign is inspired by the following three verses: 1 Corinthians 2:2 which says, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Acts 5:42 which says, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” And 2 Timothy 2:4 which says, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

This series is not for Christians necessarily. However, I do hope you are one of those saints who still loves to hear the “Old, old story of Jesus and His love” — As another hymn says, “For those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” This series is primarily for unbelievers, so they can hear and understand the Gospel and be saved from sin and the punishment of sin which is hell. This is message number 94.

Antony Farindon said, “God makes greater haste to the sinner than the sinner does to God.”

We left off yesterday with the Pharisees wondering if any of the other religious leaders had believed on Jesus Christ as many of the common people had done. Now, we have been talking about the religious leaders in general throughout this series, but the Jews had a very structured religious government. It was made up of the Sanhedrin — a body of 70 representatives of Israel to whom all questions of the law were finally put. The members of this body were mostly from two “parties” — the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Sanhedrin had a President who presided over the body but did not take part in votes.

When the Pharisees ask, “Have any of the rulers believed on Jesus?,” they are primarily talking about the members of the Sanhedrin. In answer to this question, we come in contact with an old friend, Nicodemus. He was a doctor of the law and a member of the Sanhedrin. In John chapter 3, he came to Jesus by night seeking to know the truth about Jesus and about this idea of being born again that Jesus preached about. We read, “Nicodemus saith unto them, Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?”

Nicodemus finds himself in a sticky situation. If he says he believes in Jesus, he would lose all influence on the council. Yet, apparently, he is moving toward faith in Jesus Christ, and he feels it would be wrong for him not to speak up. So, he reminds his fellow Sanhedrin-members that their job is to judge fairly in matters of the law. Jesus appears to be challenging the law as they see it. Nicodemus challenges them to invite Jesus to come before the court so they can examine Him and hear a full explanation for His teachings. It is only fair that they do so.

The other leaders, however, are so adamantly opposed to Jesus that they turn on Nicodemus saying, “Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” They accuse Nicodemus of being a member of that lower class of people from whom Jesus and His disciples come. They know that what Nicodemus has suggested they do is right and proper — to hear a man out in court before they pass judgment on him. But their judgment has been so clouded by hate that they cannot bring themselves to do so.

They attack Nicodemus and Jesus on a superficial level — ridiculing Jesus for where they think He comes from and trying to put Nicodemus in the same boat. These elite, well-educated members of Jewish society, who should have been above such petty and ignorant beliefs, were of the opinion, like many of the common people, that no prophet could come out of Galilee. (This was not entirely true either because the prophet Jonah had come from a city in Galilee.)

Sadly, many people will end up just like the Jewish religious leaders. They will go to their graves on the wrong side of the Gospel because they are hung up on petty objections, personal pride, and unwarranted hatred. These leaders who claimed to value truth and righteousness only wanted truth and righteousness when it agreed with their agenda. They rejected the truth and righteousness of Jesus Christ because it made them out to be what they really were — sinners — just as depraved and in need of a Savior as the common people were.

That is what the Gospel says about each of us today. We are all sinners. No one stands higher than any other before God. And no one has to do more than any other or less than any other to receive God’s grace and salvation. All anyone has to do — all everyone should do — is believe on Him.

If you have decided to believe in Jesus Christ, here is how you can accept Him into your heart and life today:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please e-mail me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 10 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 93)

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TEXT: John 7:43-49

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

———-

John Calvin said, “Since no man is excluded from calling upon God the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing else to hinder us from entering, but our own unbelief.”

In our last message, we saw that many of the Jewish common people came to the conclusion that Jesus was either a prophet or the promised Messiah. The Jewish religious leaders had the opposite reaction. Jesus’ crying out in the Temple that He was Living Water and His invitation for people to come to Him made them even more angry and more determined to see Jesus silenced.

Back in verse 32 of this chapter, we read, “and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take” Jesus. These officers were the Jewish Temple guard, and they do not appear again until verse 45. Verse 44 informs us that the authorities were hesitant to arrest Jesus in public partly because they could sense that the common people had come to approve of Him and would be upset if Jesus was taken. So, John informs us that “no man laid hands on him.” (Of course, this was all working out according to God’s plan as it was not Jesus’ time to be taken and put on trial.)

The Temple guards return to the chief priests and Pharisees empty-handed. The authorities “said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.” The guards who had been sent to arrest Jesus found themselves captivated by His teaching. Jesus spoke like no one they had ever heard. They came to the same conclusion that the common people had come to — that Jesus was no mere man.

Expectedly, this response distressed the Jewish leadership. The Pharisees mocked the guards, asking them, “Are ye also deceived?” They had settled upon the idea that Jesus was some sort of liar or fraud, someone out to lead the people astray. The real reason for this was because they felt threatened. With Jesus on the scene, they could feel their influence slipping. Jesus was showing the people a better way.

With the guards apparently taking Jesus’ side, the religious leaders wonder who else may have turned traitor in their ranks. They ask, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.” The idea here is that it doesn’t matter what the common people believe. The priests and Pharisees had an elitist point-of-view when it came to religious matters. They did not think the common folk were even capable of fully understanding the law. They could be easily deceived, but the religious leaders could not.

The religious leaders were blinded by their own pride and belief that they were better than others. They regarded the commoners as “cursed” because they did not have the education or understanding that the leaders had. But, Jesus taught that the opposite was true. Jesus repeatedly praised those who were simple in heart and faith, those who did not need a religious degree or expert understanding in order to believe. Jesus lifted up little children as the example of a person who has true faith in Him.

Along with their pride, the Jewish religious leaders let their education and knowledge of the Scripture get in the way of true faith. They thought they could gain eternal life by diligent study of the Bible. But Jesus taught and showed that all one needed was a heart and mind that sought the truth and was willing to accept it when confronted with it. You, my friend, have been confronted with the truth. What will you do with it? Will you reject it and ridicule it? Or will you accept it and believe it?

If you have decided to believe in Jesus Christ, here is how you can accept Him into your heart and life today:

1. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Romans 3:23 reads: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In fact, I am the chief of sinners, so don’t think that you’re alone.

2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

3. Accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Bible says in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

4. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2: 8, 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

5. Accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

6. With these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 9 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 92)

TEXT: John 7:40-43

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

———-

After Jesus’ rousing call for people to come to Him and drink from the Living Water, many of the Jewish common people became confident that Jesus was not like their other religious leaders. They had never seen anyone teach or act as boldly as He had. They did not know exactly who He was, but they knew He was not just an ordinary man.

John tells us that “many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.” The prophet they are referring to is the one Moses predicted would come shortly before his own death. In Deuteronomy 18, Moses said, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken… and [God said I] will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Jesus was indeed this prophet. He had been raised up from among His brethren, and He spoke and did only those things that were pleasing to God.

Verse 41 tells us that other Jews said, “This is the Christ.” They believed Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Anointed One who would deliver the Jews. But they were opposed by those who took issue with Jesus’ origin — or, at least, what they thought was His origin. They said, “Shall Christ come out of Galilee?” The Jews of the Galilee region were looked down upon as lower class than the Jews of Judea. Since Jesus was raised in Nazareth and often operated out of Capernaum — two cities of Galilee — people thought it would be impossible for Jesus to be the Messiah.

Those who were of this opinion had Scripture to back up their conclusion. They said, “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” Ironically, the very verse that they are using to support their beliefs regarding Jesus’ origin is the same verse that accurately describes Jesus’ birth. He was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph both of whom are from the same tribe as David and whose lineage is traced back to David.

The Jews had all of the information they needed to make up their minds about Jesus. They had prophecy, they had history, they had genealogical records. But, they never made up their minds. John says, “So there was a division among the people because of him.”

Now, it is inevitable that a message such as Jesus’ would be controversial. The Bible clearly states that the Gospel is an offense to some. Jesus himself said at one point, “I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Imagine all those families returning to their homes after the Feast of Tabernacles — husbands against wives, parents against children, brothers against sisters — all coming down on different sides of the argument about Jesus.

Whatever you think of Jesus now, no one who dies without eternal life and salvation from sin and hell will be able to blame it on a lack of information. God has ensured that people know everything that they need to know in order to make a decision — Is Jesus just another great teacher? Or is He the Son of God and Savior of the world — one in whom we should place our faith and trust?

If you have decided to follow Jesus, here is how you can accept Him into your heart and life today:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

If you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 8 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 91)

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TEXT: John 7:37-39

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

———-

Wayne Mack said, “Becoming mature Christians will require the sovereign work of God. Only God can save and sanctify. Still, God uses men and means. Salvation is not the end of the journey. It is only the beginning. The destination toward which we are headed is nothing less than maturity in Christ.”

Many people first come to Jesus for what they can get from Him. They want healing, they want deliverance, they want eternal life — and they do get all of those things. However, Jesus is not just interested in giving you everything without you turning around and helping others. As the Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” That is part of the reason why Jesus chose disciples — so He could train them to help others receive the Living Water.

After urging the Jews at the Feast of Tabernacles to come to Him and believe on Him for their own sakes, He says, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” In other words, the way this thing is supposed to work is once you get the Living Water, you ought to turn around and start giving that Living Water to others. Of course, you will not be the source of the Living Water, but you will be a channel through which the Living Water flows.

The Gospel writer, John, adds an explanation about this Living Water flowing from those who have believed in Jesus Christ. He says, “This [Jesus] spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”

John, writing in retrospect, tells us that this living water flowing out of those who believe in Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ glorification took place when He was crucified, buried, resurrected, and later ascended into Heaven. After His Ascension, the Holy Spirit (the third Person of the Trinity) came down and took up residence in the hearts of all those who believed in Jesus. The day this happened was called Pentecost. From that day forward, Jesus’ followers preached the Gospel boldly and influenced thousands of others to believe in Him as well. That was the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ.

E.A. Blum said, “The Spirit within a believer satisfies his need of God, and provides him with regeneration, guidance, and empowerment.” Believers today are filled with the same Holy Spirit that filled Peter, Paul, John, and others. You should not worry about being a “great Christian” or even a “good Christian.” Don’t let that hold you back from drinking of the Living Water. Once you believe in Jesus, you will immediately be filled with His Holy Spirit. You will not be alone as you strive to live the Christian life. God’s Spirit will be working in you and through you so that you can be a conduit of blessing — a channel of Living Water — for those around you.

But, first, you must come and drink of the Living Water yourself. If you are ready to believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, here is how:

2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 7 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 90)

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TEXT: John 7:37-39

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

———-

C.S. Lewis said, “A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world — and might be even more difficult to save.”

One of the commemorative rituals that was carried out during the Feast of Tabernacles was the pouring out of water on the altar. For seven days, a priest would carry water from a spring in a golden pitcher and pour it out over the altar in the Temple. This was intended to remind the Jews of how God provided water for their forefathers in the wilderness for forty years, often through miraculous means. On the eighth and final day of the celebration, it appeared that there was no water poured out. Instead, the people prayed for God’s continued blessing in the form of rain and a continuous water supply.

It is on this last day of the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus does something that seems a little out of character. The Bible says, “Jesus stood and cried…” Rabbis normally sat down when they were teaching, but here, Jesus stood up. He took center-stage. He wanted the people to see Him. But He wanted the people to hear Him too, for the Bible says He “cried.” The Greek word translated “cried” in the King James Version is “krazo.” It means to cry aloud, to cry out, or to vociferate. The only other time this word is used of Jesus is when the Bible describes Him crying out in agony on the cross. The typically meek and mild Jesus stands up, raises His voice, and gets everyone to pay attention.

What does Jesus have to say that is so important? He says, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” On this last day of the Feast of Tabernacles — a time when more people were present in Jerusalem than almost anytime of the year except for Passover — Jesus seizes the opportunity to call people to Himself once again. This time, He uses water and thirst as metaphors, something everyone can understand.

His invitation is to all people — He says, “If any man…” Yet, at the same time, the invitation is limited to those who “thirst.” Jesus offers living water — spiritual life — but only those who know they don’t have it can receive it. “Thirst” is a powerful term that describes the spiritual emptiness that many of the Jews faced and that many people face today. The Jewish lifestyle was filled with religion, laws, and rituals, but many Jews felt the emptiness and inadequacy of it in their souls even though it was all they knew. You might not be able to identify what it is that is missing in your life; all you know is that something is missing. You are thirsty, you are hungry, you are looking for something to fill the vacuum in your soul. It is okay to admit to Jesus that you are miserable and that you don’t have it all together. He specializes in healing the broken-hearted.

Listen to Jesus’ words: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” This matter is of utmost importance so Jesus stands and shouts it aloud to the crowd. “Come unto me, and drink! Come, quench your thirst!” Of course, by coming and drinking, He simply means to come and believe in Him. To stop trying to figure out things on your own. To stop trying to look elsewhere for happiness. To stop trying to quench your thirst with drugs, alcohol, money, food, legalism, or sex. He is crying aloud to you today, “If you’re thirsty, come to Me; I am the Living Water. If you’re hungry, come to Me; I am the Bread from Heaven. If you’re empty, come to me; I will fill you up.”

Will you come to Jesus today? Will you come and drink from the Living Water?

If you are ready to believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, here is how:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 5 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 88)

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TEXT: John 7:25-30

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

———-

Ray Stedman said, “We are not even remotely aware of how much of our lives are spent in believing lies, fantasies and false philosophies that are without foundation in fact. But our Lord understands. When he speaks the truth, he upsets people because they would rather believe a pleasant and enjoyable lie.”

As Jesus continues speaking at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, you can sense the confusion among the audience. Some people, particularly those who are not from Jerusalem, like Jesus and are open to His message. Others dislike Jesus and think He should be silenced or at least brought in line. The Jewish religious leaders hate Jesus and want Him dead.

Many people, however, don’t know what to think. Their reaction is expressed in verse 25: “Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?” They were perplexed because although the religious leaders had expressed their desire to get rid of Jesus, here He was teaching in their presence and they neither said nor did anything to stop Him. The people said, “Lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?” Some scholars suggest the people thought that the only reason why the leaders would not act against Jesus was because they had secretly come to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah and so they dared not touch Him.

This prompted even more uncertainty among the crowd: They said, “Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.” Most Jews of that time believed that the Messiah would come on the scene suddenly, without announcement. They based this belief on the preaching of Malachi who wrote that the Anointed One would come suddenly to the Temple. The Jewish people believed that they knew where Jesus came from — He was Jesus of Nazareth, Mary and Joseph’s son; of course He can’t be the Messiah.

Jesus, knowing that the people were having this debate amongst themselves, highlighted the irony of their beliefs. He says, “Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am.” The point here is that they don’t really know where Jesus has come from — or at least they refuse to believe it. Jesus continues, “I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.”

Jesus renews His claim of a direct connection to God the Father. In the Jews’ eyes, His words were a two-pronged offense.

First, Jesus was again claiming to be divine — in the very Temple of God. By stating that He came from God, He was not merely asserting Himself as a human representative of God. Rather, He was asserting that He was of a divine nature Himself. The Greek word translated “from” — as in “I come from the Father” — is a “preposition indicating close proximity.” It literally means, “from beside.” We know this to be true because after His mission on earth was complete, Jesus returned to His throne on the right hand of God.

The second offense that the Jews found in Jesus’ words was His claim that they did not know the Father. Jesus says that those who considered themselves the keepers and defenders of the Law did not even know the God who gave them the Law. If they did, they would have undoubtedly received Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

These words spurred the religious leaders into action. The Bible says, “Then they sought [or made plans] to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.” One might think that if Jesus did not intend to allow Himself to be arrested at the moment, He would have ceased to repeatedly antagonize the Jewish leaders. However, we must understand that antagonism was not Jesus’ purpose. He did not seek to make people angry or make people hate Him. He simply spoke the truth, and the truth made them angry. As President Harry Truman said, “I don’t give ’em hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.’

Today, there are a multitude of people who believe lies about God, about the world, and about themselves. Some have deluded themselves into thinking that God is nonexistent, that this world is all there is, and that they can be righteous in and of themselves. If you tell some of these people the truth, they will become angry with you.

Jesus spoke the truth knowing that some people would hate Him and reject His message. And that is the same frankness that the Gospel gives people today: It tells us that we are sinners, that we are on our way to Hell, but that God sent His Son to save us. The choice you must make is whether you will believe that message and trust Jesus Christ as saviour.

If you are ready to believe on Jesus Christ — the Way, the Truth, and the Life — as your Lord and Savior, here is how:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 4 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 87)

JJMessage

TEXT: John 7:18-24

18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

———-

Francis Chan said, “The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time.”

Among the Jews who were present at the Temple, there were many who rejected Jesus because of who He said He was. They were able to deal with Him as long as they could see Him as just another rabbi. But they could not or did not want to entertain the idea that He was God.

Jesus, however, makes it plain that He is not like one of their religious teachers; He is quite different. He tells them, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” The point Jesus is making here is that He is not in it for Himself. All of His miracles, all of His teachings are not for His own glory, but for the glory of God. The truth of what He is saying is backed up by the fact that He has no stake in it. If people listen and obey, it will benefit them, not Jesus. Unlike many human teachers, Jesus’ righteousness is supported by His continual seeking of God’s glory and the benefit of others.

Now, Jesus begins to address one of the most serious charges the Jews brought against Him — that He was a Law-breaker. In verse 19 He says, “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?” The very people who were supposed to defend and teach the Law were disobeying it by plotting to kill Jesus. They intended on premeditated murder, something that Law clearly condemned.

The people — that is, the common people — are surprised to hear this accusation. They accuse Jesus of being crazy, saying, “Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?” Obviously, the Jewish leaders would have kept their desire to see Jesus dead a secret to prevent an uproar among the people. Nonetheless, the accusation that Jesus is demon-possessed is a serious one. It is, as one commentator said, the calling of light darkness. Unfortunately, that is what people will do when they are confronted with something they do not understand or grasp. Even if it is something good, they will call it evil.

Jesus ignores this accusation and focuses on how the Jewish leaders have misused the Law to support their agenda. He says, “I have done one work, and ye all marvel.” This “work” that He is referring to is the healing of the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda which the leaders opposed because it occurred on the Sabbath. Jesus continues, “Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?” Circumcision was an act of mutilation of the flesh. Because the Law stipulated that a male child must be circumcised eight days after birth, the leaders did not mind carrying this act out on the Sabbath. They deemed circumcision to be of more importance than the keeping of the Sabbath day. Yet, they condemned Jesus because He healed a man on the Sabbath.

Jesus concludes His comments on this absurdity by saying, ***”Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” The Jewish leaders had a habit of only seeing things on a surface level. They did not look at the heart or spirit of the matter. They only wanted to see Jesus as a law-breaker, not as a miracle-working healer — an enemy, not an ally.

There is a reason why Lady Justice wears a blindfold. Because often in human affairs, things are not always as they seem. The Jewish religious leaders were unwilling to look past the outer appearance of Jesus’ actions partly because they knew, if they did so, they would have to examine their own hearts as well. And what they would find there — what they knew was already there — was not righteousness, but unrighteousness, not light, but darkness. They hated Jesus’ good works because their own works were evil.

Today, Jesus calls you to look past what others say about Him and what others would have you to believe. He invites you to seek Him for yourself, to find out who He really is. If you have a sincere heart, one that is willing to look past the surface, He will reveal Himself to You in ways that you have never imagined. You can take your first step on your journey with Him by placing your faith and trust in Him for your soul’s salvation. Here is how:

2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Prayer and Warfare, Part 7 (Onward Christian Soldiers #123)

Onward Christian Soldiers

Our key Bible verse is John 14:14: If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Our lesson today is titled “Prayer and Warfare, Part 7” Continue reading “Prayer and Warfare, Part 7 (Onward Christian Soldiers #123)” →

The Law and the Christian Life, Part 2 (Onward Christian Soldier #92)

Our key Bible passage today is Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Continue reading “The Law and the Christian Life, Part 2 (Onward Christian Soldier #92)” →

The Law and the Christian Life, Part 1 (Onward Christian Soldier #91)

Our lesson today is titled “The Law and the Christian Life, Part 1”

In this lesson we are going to study the law of God. We want to see what part the law had in our becoming Christians, and how Christ made it possible for us to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. We will learn how to live the Christian life. Let us begin by thinking about the law of God. Continue reading “The Law and the Christian Life, Part 1 (Onward Christian Soldier #91)” →

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