The End (for now)

Thank you all for participating in this blog.  I have really enjoyed it and hope you have too. 

I have loved thinking about Jesus’ feelings surrounding Lazarus’ death.  In the past I thought that Jesus was sad because Lazarus died and this showed us His great love of Lazarus….but that doesn’t make sense – Jesus obviously knew that Lazarus would be alive again.  I think that Jesus was responding to death itself.  Jesus is mad that death has ruined what God created and intended.  Jesus is mad that death is man’s enemy and an enemy that can never be beat.  Jesus is truly and utterly sad because of how painful death is to the living.  Jesus hates to see those he loves be so torn apart by death.  I find this an amazing thought.  I have never thought of Jesus’ view of death.  We as Christians know the good ending but that doesn’t make the process easy and it gives my comfort that Jesus truly understands this and agrees.  We then see Jesus take death head on – and WIN!  I love it. 

So, thus far in John we have seen Jesus claim to be several things….the light, the life, the way.  And the overall theme is that Jesus is the Son of God – the divine in human form.  I hope that God has taught you many things and has revealed Himself to you in a very real and practical way.  I will plan to do the second half of John starting in January if there is enough interest to continue.  Please email me your intent (cehenrichs@hotmail.com) – to either continue or pull out.  I am happy to leave you on the list even if you just like to read along but I can remove your name if you would prefer not to receive the emails etc.  The study works best if we have at least a few people respond each week so maybe let me know if you plan to just read or plan to respond when you are able.  Also, if you have any comments on ways this study could be improved please pass those along too.  Lastly if you know someone who would like to join just pass their email on to me.  Merry Christmas – love to you all!! Christine

I enjoy reading everyone’s posts and thoughts!! I haven’t posted every single week but I have definitely been reading and learning from everyone!!

This week took me back to the question Christine asked us in Week 10: Think of all the characteristics of God which can only be experienced because we live in a sinful world. It made me think:

What if Jesus went to Lazarus’ rescue when Mary and Martha had first asked? Lazarus would of still been alive and Jesus may have simply said, “Get up, you are healed.” Okay. Great! He’s healed and back to normal. We’ve seen Jesus do that time and time again. Jesus heals people, we know that, right? But for Lazarus to have been dead?! Now, what can Jesus really do about that? What impact it HAD to have had on all the people surrounding him when Lazarus got up and was alive. Curiosity gets the best of me and I cannot help but wonder the conversations that followed the next few daysJ. Wouldn’t that be something? I’d sure be asking a lot of questions!! We of little faith- In verse 21, Martha says, “If you had been here...my brother would not have die.” I catch myself thinking similar thoughts (not the brother dying part of course).Okay Lord, if you would have just done A, B, or C when I wanted you to, then this wouldn’t have happened or turned out this way. BUT God has a much greater plan. Even when we think it’s all gone wrong and that the current situation we’re in cannot get any worse, Jesus doesn’t just show up, He’s been there ALL along, leading us up to that place. How encouraging!! He doesn’t just get you through; He gets you through to accomplish a much bigger purpose!

Week 12

Thanks Tammy, Allyson and Julie! 

I love thinking of the sheep and shepherd relationship.  The sheep is completely dependent on the shepherd – the only animal that is completely dependent on man.  The shepherd purchases, feeds, protects, leads and loves.  Just as Christ does for us. 

I love how the sheep know the shepherds voice and I have been thinking a lot this week about what it means for me to know my Lord’s voice.  Do I know His voice?  Can I distinguish His voice from the other voices calling my name?  When I hear His voice, do I respond? 

This morning I was listening to JJ Heller and heard the song All I Need – below are some lyrics that I thought appropriate. 

I don't need a thing
My good shepherd brings me all
You are all I need
You let me catch my breath
Even in the valley of death
You are all I need

All I need to be complete is your love
Your blood that covers me

There's no need to fear
Even with my enemies here
You are all I need

You make a home for me
With pastures of green as far as I see
You are all I need

This week we will do John chapter 11 which I think is very timely since it is Thanksgiving week.  Here we see Christ conquer death.  Death is the blemish to the story.  God created man in His own image and He created him for life.  Death was not in the plan.  Death is the enemy.  However, death is the enemy that always wins – there is no escaping it.  Death is the one thing that cannot be overcome without Christ and in this passage and through the death of Lazarus, we see Christ overcome it once and therefore Christ’s ability to overcome it for all. 

Look at Jesus’ feelings when he confronts man’s biggest enemy, death – vs 33, 35, 38. 

Think about the big “I AM” statement in vs 25 and 26.  What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection AND the life?

Think about why God lets Lazarus die.

Think about Mary and Martha.

Thank God for all that he has done for you. 

He restoreth my soul.

It's pretty cool to think about what a shepherd does for his sheep and how he protects and keeps them. In thinking about the question, "what things compete for salvation?" in light of these verses, I think that one of the things Jesus is referring to is self-righteousness. The Pharisees (thieves and robbers) believed and tried to convince others that their own righteousness and good works could earn them salvation and Jesus teaches that our own attempts actually block our ability to accept the true saving work of Christ. I also took the verses the next step and asked myself, "as the Shepherd is calling me out, what things in life can steal me away or prevent me from listening to his voice". Oh my gosh, there are so many, and I really tend to wander away: worry, anxiety and fear, the need for acceptance and approval, lack of grace with others, etc, etc. Sometimes I feel far from the Lord and down right worn out! It is very comforting when I am reminded that I "shall never perish", and that nothing can take me from my Shepherd's's hand. (v.28) The Lord, in his mercy and comfort, restores my soul!

Shepherd and the sheep

Years ago I went on a mission trip to West Virginia. We stayed at a place called the Psalm 23 camp. It was a beautiful experience. This chapter prompted me to go to the camp website and read some of the postings of the camp director. His name is Dennis and he has a sheep ministry. He talks about lead sheep. Here is a portion of what he writes:
"A sheep that is mature and has a close relationship with the shepherd can serve as the one who steps out from the flock to follow the shepherd. The catch is, others will follow even when a lead sheep steps out in the wrong direction.......We are like sheep. The Bible says, "we are like sheep have gone astray." (Isaiah 53:6). I suggest this: sometimes we go astray on our own, and other times we go astray because we follow the wrong lead sheep.........The lambs in my field could have taken one of three actions. First they could have gone their own way. Second, they could have followed the older sheep. And third, they could have followed me, the shepherd. You and I are no different. We can go our own way, we can follow some other person, or we can follow Christ. People like to identify with a visible leader. Jesus Christ is no longer here on earth as a visible shepherd. If we choose to follow a visible, in the flesh leader, then we are following another sheep. Sure, some are to be shepherds to other people, but there is only one Chief Shepherd. You may be a shepherd to some others, but you are still a sheep to Jesus."

He cautions the reader to be careful about focusing too much on the lead sheep (a person, a product, a lifestyle) and not enough on the shepherd. He then asks "Who do you follow?"

I'm guilty of following the wrong lead sheep at times. I have to be reminded of who my shepherd is and learn to recognize his voice.

week 11

Thanks Julie - I love what you had to say!

We will do two more weeks and then take a break until after Christmas.  Try to push through two more weeks as these are great chapters. 

A few things I love about the blind man passage

·         See that salvation is a work of God.  But the blind man responded to His call and obeyed.

·         Once the man was “saved” it was obvious to his friends and family that something was different. 

·         His new life changed the way the man could live….a significantly “better” life.  Sight gave him a right and new perspective, gave him freedom etc.

·         When people asked the man what happened – he gave a testimony but the testimony was simple – he just repeated the facts of what happened.  He didn’t know all the details of the how and why.  He was a witness not an expert.  Sometimes we feel like we can’t talk to people about God because we don’t know all the details – because we are not an expert….but we are a witness to what God has done in our life and that is all we are called to speak about. 

·         No matter who asks, or how they ask or what the consequence, the man doesn’t change his testimony.  At the end he says….”you may not believe but you cannot argue that my life has been changed and who else could make a blind man see?”  People may argue with me about the existence of God or the accuracy of scripture but they cannot argue with me about how my life has been changed or affected.  Hopefully my life will be different enough that I can say, “who else could do something like this?” 

This week we will think about Jesus as the shepherd and us as the sheep which is a beautiful picture.  Spend some time thinking about sheep and the role of the shepherd and relate that to God/Jesus and His relationship with us.  Some of the deeper meaning of especially the first 5 verses is difficult to understand.  I did a lot of reading this week about these verses and this is what I learned…..Shepherds would walk from place to place with their sheep finding pastures for them to graze in.  At night they would put the sheep in a common pen with other sheep from the area.  A guard would watch this pen at night to keep the sheep safe from wolves or robbers/thieves.  In the morning the shepherd would come to get his sheep.  The shepherd would call his sheep by name and the sheep really would know the voice of the shepherd and come out.  The thieves and robbers in verse 1 are the Pharisees and other leaders of Israel.  This section is talking about how God is calling Jews out for salvation through Jesus but the Pharisees are trying to steal them away.  Think about what this story says about the Pharisees and about other things that compete for our salvation.  Verse 16 talks about the fact that God is also calling Gentiles for salvation.  Really think about what it means for God to be your shepherd and relate this to your life.  Read Psalm 23:1-3 as well. 

I love Christine's thought provoking questions this week... The story of the blind man coming to sight is such a beautiful picture of the process of our salvation. I think of my own life and the "blindness" I experienced before coming to the Lord. I remember not understanding the significance of the cross when my parents would talk to me as a college student about Christianity. Then, in contemplating how it changed the blind man's/MY life is astounding. When I try to imagine where I'd be without the Lord....... I have purpose, joy, peace, etc. that I would not have. The next thought is what those around me see. I work with at risk teens and have been asked multiple times how I can be so calm, so at peace, how I can love that person, etc. It is absolutely the Holy Spirit in me. There is no stronger testimony to the unbelieving world than a changed life and a loving spirit. Finally, as children of God, we are sought out by our Father. How awesome is that??!! He wants to spend time with us!

I was very excited about Christine's suggestion to think of the characteristics of God related to sin. I'm guessing we've all done a bible study or devotional that has us focus on God's atributes. There are so many. But I don't think I've spent much time thinking of how that list would be shortened if sin had not entered the world. When I've been asked what characteristics I'm most thankful for, grace, mercy and forgiveness are always at the top of the list. (Those that wouldn't be necessary with no sin.) To me, those are not only the most beautiful attributes, but they are the ones that draw me into the deepest worship of God, and cause me to be the most thankful for what he has done for me and inspire me more into obedience.

Week 10

Thanks Tammy, Julie, Kara and April!

Jesus was not fooled – by the woman or the Pharisees.  He wasn’t influenced by the Pharisees and at the same time he didn’t ignore the sin.  He had compassion and extended love that wasn’t deserved.  He forgave but he challenged her to change.  What a wonderful picture of the character of Christ.  We see in this story the purpose of the law in the Old Testament and the purpose of Jesus in the New Testament……

1.  To articulate the holiness of God

2.  To leave man in silence

3.  To bring us the Messiah

4.  To forgive us

5. To elevate us to a life of purity

I am so excited for chapter 9.  Here we will see a picture of a “faithful believer” starting with his conversion.   Reflect on the following as you read the chapter.  What do you learn?  What does God impress upon you?

1.        State of the man – congenital blindness(1)

2.       Jesus comes to him and puts clay on his eyes and then commands him to wash in the pool of the “Sent” (6-7) …think of how God created Adam

3.       The man obeys(7)

4.       Sight is restored  - think of how this would have changed his life(7)

5.       People notice the change in the man (8-9)

6.       The man testifies to what happened to him (11,15)…think of what was included in this testimony

7.       The man takes a stand in light of antagonism (25, 30-33)

8.       The man has a consequence for his belief (34)

9.       Jesus seeks out the man

Also think about the following…what is the difference between salvation being personal but not private? Do you believe that? 

A way to think about verse 3….at that time sickness or handicaps where thought to be directly related to a specific sin.  Jesus says that is not the case – bad things don’t happen because of a sin (although sin can have consequences).  Sin entered the world through Adam and since then we live in an imperfect world which has imperfection including sickness and malformations.  Although this can bring pain it also can allow us to see God.  Think of all the characteristics of God which can only be experienced because we live in a sinful world. 

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. "

Knowing the truth is the key to liberty!! Christ has freed us from all our sin and shame and in Him, we have freedom.

Amazing!

The passage about the adulterous woman had me thinking a lot about justice and mercy, and the huge responsibility it is to exercise either of these in our own dealings with people. The question I keep coming back to is, what is justice? The Pharisees believed justice was to stone the adulterous woman because of God's law. You can imagine their confusion and anger when Jesus turned that upside down. He told them that they were "judging by human standards", but aren't we all? How much can we understand what God's justice is in this world as we are trying to determine it by human standards? Obviously we have to exercise justice at times, so have to be always praying for wisdom and guidance by the Spirit, and use God's word for guidance to the best of our ability. I think our safest bet is to show mercy and grace to those around us at every opportunity. It doesn't mean sin is being condoned. (Jesus told the woman to sin no more.) But we are called not to judge.

The real purpose of the law is to reveal our sins and show us our inability to keep the law. It shows us our need for a savior. Some biblical scholars speculate that as Jesus was writing in the sand, he was actually listing specific sins of the men standing around him. As the people started seeing their sins exposed, they began to leave in shame, the older ones leaving first. The thought is that older people generally recognize their sin more readily. Who knows, but I thought that was kind of interesting to think about.

Chapter 8

I saw this reading from a few different perspectives. First I never would diminish the amazing saving grace of Jesus and that the person who got it was the woman who understood she needed it and had an attitude of humility vs. the other accusers who felt they were above her and could not understand what Jesus was saying because they were too vain. On the other hand I had real compassion for these men who were standing face to face with the savior and could not grasp either their need or what Jesus was telling them. I see Tammy's point here. I wonder if I was face to face with Jesus at that time and was so entrenched in the Law because that is all I had been taught and that was the way to find God for me would I stop and really listen to him. I feel truly blessed today to live in a time when I have it all spelled out infront of me to understand. This passage has also reminded me the importance of humility and checking myself often in that area.

Chapter 8

I like the story of the woman who committed adultery. To me it's obvious what each of us can learn from it. Unfortunately many Christians seem to be very judgmental and hyprocritical in the eyes of the rest of the world. Frankly, I'm not sure it's not warranted. However, if we would truly adhere to these verses I think we find the world would see Christianity in a different light. Verse 12 again makes sense to me-Jesus truly is the light of the world, following him will lead to eternal life and an escape from the darkness of sin.
Verses 31-38- I think I understand but after these verses, I'm confused. He talks to the people and in verse 30 it reads that many of the people put their faith in him but as the chapter goes on it seems like they get into an argument. I have to say.... if these people weren't very educated (and even if they were) Jesus can be a bit confusing and perhaps confrontational -hope I'm not being a bad Christian here : ) but on the surface if Jesus was saying things like "your father is the devil, a murderer and liar that's not probably the way to win over the masses. We have the luxury of reading, studying, and discussing these quotes, those people did not. On the other hand, they had the luxury of physically being with Jesus, witnessing the miracles and asking him questions face-to-face. How awesome would that be????

Weeek 9

Thanks Tammy, Julie, Allyson and Callie for your posts!  I love how each post pushes me to continue to think about the scripture and reveals more and more layers of meaning. 

“He who speaks on his own….”  Obviously here this is said to show that Jesus is true because He speaks not to honor Himself but to honor God.  This verse also, however, speaks to me in several other ways.  It helps me to evaluate the “trueness” of other people (especially those in ministry)– I think it is a good measuring stick to look and see what motive someone has – is their motive to honor themselves or to bring honor to God.   If someone has proven to me that their goal is to honor God then I am likely to trust their advice, I am likely to join their team etc.   It also challenges me to take a hard look at my own motives.  A good thing isn’t really good if the motive is selfish. 

There are possible consequences for following Jesus. I agree with Allyson that these consequences are much less severe in the US and this should cause us to be grateful and to pray for Christians in other countries.   However, I still think there are costs to us when we take a stand for Christ – this is evident in the news, in our schools, in our personal lives.  The question is what we do with that threat.  Do we deny Jesus?  Do we compromise?  I know personally there have been many times when I have made a decision based on fear of what others might think or do.  The temple guards give a great example of what should happen.  We should be so in awe of Jesus – so amazed at who He is that we have no choice but to acknowledge Him and stand for Him regardless of what might happen.  We should be more worried about what God thinks than what man thinks.  This can be harder that it seems.  For me, the more I know of Jesus the easier it becomes.  The more I learn and the more I experience, the bolder I become.  That doesn’t mean that the response from the world will be any different but I guess it doesn’t seem to matter as much. 

This week we will do John chapter 8.  First we see a beautiful story of the woman caught in adultery.  Basically the Pharisees have set Jesus up – they know that the law of Rome says that a person can’t be put to death without their permission but the Old Testament law says that adultery is punishable by death.  They think they have found a situation where either way Jesus will be in trouble – either by the government leaders or by the religious leaders.  The problem is that the Pharisees don’t realize that Jesus knows all – that he knows their sin in this situation too.  Try to think about the real purpose of the law – the real purpose of Jesus as demonstrated by this event.  Think about justice versus mercy.  Think about sin and forgiveness.  Think of the Pharisees and the woman and Jesus’ attitude / treatment of both.  Just let God teach you through this story as there is so much to learn from it. 

In the rest of chapter 8 focus on the 2 following statements.  12- “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  31 – “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

This chapter shows many different reactions to Jesus: "wonderful man", "fraud", "demon-possessed", "The Messiah", and "The Prophet". I see this as part of the answer to Christine's question about what the verses say about Christianity and how we apply this to modern life. We all make a decision about Jesus and who is is. The bottom line is that our decision has eternal consequences. In our modern life, we have access to all the information-the full spectrum of Jesus' life and miracles and word. We have all the facts. Yet, some still don't believe. This makes me more curious of those who chose to believe back then. Is it easier or harder now? Was it easier then, seeing things first hand? is it easier now since we have all of the information?

There is more on "self" in this chapter. Not only were people having different reactions to Jesus, but it goes deeper and demonstrates what those reactions were causing people to do. Jesus' brothers were kind of taunting him. The temple guards weren't sure who to believe and then acted with indecision. Nicodemus stood up for Him. The pharisees were so concerned with saving face and their pride that it interfered with their ability to reason and what was no longer right mattered. We really need to be aware at all times don't we? Aware of our reactions, behavior, decisions, how we treat others, Jesus speaking to us.

The hatred and discomfort leading to rejection of Jesus is really such an interesting phenomenon to think about. He wasn't cruel to people; he wasn't killing or torturing, but was scarier to some than those who are that brutal. You see that now too, and I think part of the fear is that we all hate to be exposed. People clothe themselves in false righteousness and hide their sin. Sometimes they aren't even aware of or acknowledging their sin. Well, when some kind of "light" comes and exposes that sin, it's a very uncomfortable thing. It's also uncomfortable knowing others see it as it has been exposed. As a mom, one of my most frequent prayers for my kids has been to ask the Lord to bring their sin to light in their hearts and to make them very uncomfortable with it.
I think it's very cool to read about Jesus going from place to place and not being arrested as he had been ordered to be. First of all, in God's sovereign plan which won't be thwarted, it was not his time yet. Also, the people were in awe because noone had spoken the way he was speaking. The fact that the pharisees and those so familiar with the law didn't believe Jesus was who he said he was, but those who weren't so versed in the law did, is certainly something we can also see in this day and age. The self righteousness and judgemental attitude of "christians" can definitely cause blinders to the truth. You have to be freed of self for the truth to be received.

Week 8

Thanks Erin, Julie, Kara and Lindsey.  What an amazing concept – bread that never spoils and always satisfies!  Thanks for encouragement to believe IN that and to live FOR that. 

The crowd was seeking Jesus because they wanted more physical miracles – they wanted more bread – they wanted to get something from Jesus.  They were selfishly seeking Jesus and missing the real offer.  They were looking for the fix to their immediate needs and missing the fix to their ultimate needs.  This sounds so silly but then how often do I come to God not really seeking Jesus but seeking to get my needs met?  How often do I get stuck on the physical and miss the spiritual?  How often do I look for the immediate and overlook the ultimate?  I truly believe that God does care about the immediate, the trivial, the physical….but He cares even more about the eventual, the crucial, the spiritual.  He wants to be the bread that doesn’t just fill me for a day but fills me for an eternity. 

The crowd wasn’t satisfied with the one miracle – they wanted more.  Again, seems silly but how often do I question God despite clear evidence of who He is?  I have experienced God’s love, I have experienced God’s grace, I have experienced God’s power….so why would I question these things when faced with a crisis? 

The difference is that I may seek God improperly at times and I may question the power of God but these are not my intention nor my desire.  My goal is to seek Him properly and to trust Him completely but that is a process that will take a life time and more.  Thank goodness this is a relationship and that God is full love of love, grace and mercy.  He meets me where I am at and shows me evidence of Himself again and again. 

This week we will do John chapter 7.  The tension is mounting – the hate of Jesus is growing.  Really interesting when you think of it given what Jesus has been doing – what is there to hate.  That is the big question.  The Jews are rejecting Jesus, his brother are rejecting Him, the people are rejecting Him.  Why are the people rejecting/hating Jesus?  Why do people now reject or hate Jesus? 

When Jesus talks in this chapter He is trying to defend or explain Himself and therefore God and this “religion.”  Look at verses 18 and 24 – what do these teach us about Jesus and Christianity as a religion compared to other world religions.  How can we apply verse 18 to our life?

Look at the very interesting events at the end of the chapter.  The Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest Jesus but in verse 45 we see that they didn’t do it and in verse 46 we see the reason.  I am sure the temple guards knew they would face significant consequences for not arresting Jesus but because of who they found Jesus to be they decided to take those consequences.  Apply this to modern life.  Then we see the Pharisees response in verses 47 and 48 – apply this as well. 

John 6

Jesus claims in chapter 26 that the people were seeking him for the food not for his miracles. He asks his people to seek him because of Gods work, not for something that parishes but for something that is everlasting. He says to them that they are longing for simple things, but that they should long for the bread of God.

What Jesus means by being the "bread of life" is eternal life and salvation. He is asking that we come to him for things larger than our immediate needs. I think about how I seek Jesus for fellowship, trust, love, forgiveness, and encouragement. So many times people reach for God for an immediate fix, but what he asks of us is to believe and trust in him and seek eternal life.

As I reflect on the reasons/ways I seek Jesus I find that I have a on going conversation in my head with him. Am I seeking him enough or for the right reasons? He is always there showing me His way and why do I not always see it? Just as he uses the bread and wine to feed thousands, amazing. And we still can't see or believe, I wonder sometimes if God is asking himself how much more do they need? He is here always! To steal from Joyce Meyer, "God knew exactly what he was getting when He made you"
Kara

Christine's suggestion to reflect on the ways and reasons we seek Jesus was really convicting to me. I'm asking myself when it is that I am most prayerful and I'm not real happy with the answer. I don't like that I go to Jesus most in times of my perceived need. Verse 27 says not to"work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life." So often my "work", (the times I am seeking the Lord), is definitely for that which spoils. Even things that truly are important like health and relationships. Obviously there's nothing wrong with asking God for those things, but those aren't eternal things. I hope that I continue to grow in a way that my pursuit of Jesus is more involved with praise, adoration, fellowship and thanksgiving than in my wish list. I know that he rejoices in fellowhip with us and wants that type of relationship with us. I have to once again refer to one of my favorite verses as I did when we studied Phillipians. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that "He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Amazing!!

I am the bread of life.

Jesus makes it so simple and straightforward with this statement yet we and all the world are constantly searching for satisfaction and 'the way'.  As direct as this statement is, it is very easy to get side-tracked and put importance in every thing else; work, family friends, success, etc.  Yet as believers we should always have this simple sentence in the back of our heads throughout our busy days.  I easily get off track, worry about my job or success or my future....all the time! 
"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry." People throughout life are looking for peace, the way, satisfaction, etc.  This is all in v. 35.  Let us be reminders to the world of this very statement and consider it our job to let everyone 'in' on this secret of life.  There is no 'self-help' book better than the bible yet they are at the top of the 'best sellers' list.
Believing that Jesus is the 'bread of life' is a show of trust in Him and reassures as that we need nothing else, we will never go hungry again.  Like Christine said, God's timing is impeccable.  For me, it's easy to get impatient and try to make my own way, but if I remember this portion of John, I will be showing trust in God.  Have a great rest of the week.

Week 7

Thamk you Julie, Tammy, April and April for your posts.  What amazing things God showed you through your reading - thanks for sharing and for teaching us. 

I love your comments about Philip's instinct to try to solve the problem without including Jesus - I can relate!  I also love the comments about the signifcance of the leftovers - but leftovers that were not "waste."  I love how Jesus takes something insignificant (a few loaves and fishes) from an insignificant boy and turns it into more than sufficient. 

It seems the disciples are really starting to trust Jesus.  First of all they obey Him without question when He tells them to go out on the boat.  Then when the storm comes it doesn’t mention their fear.   They don’t give up working or expect Jesus just to fix it yet they seem to have some faith that Jesus is aware and is in control somehow.  I think this is a great example.  True faith trusts in the person of Jesus despite the circumstances.  I was reading about how since God is omnipotent with infinite wisdom and love, His timing is always right – He doesn’t have to hurry and He can’t be late. In this story, Jesus lets the disciples work and struggle for awhile.  Then He shows up and the struggle is over immediately.  Sure, Jesus could have come at the beginning of the storm or yelled words of instruction to them throughout the storm.  Jesus knew the outcome would be the same either way because He was in control but the journey would produce character while developing and displaying faith.  It is hard to trust the outcome and endure the journey at the same time but easier when we remember the nature of Jesus – loving and sovereign. 

This week we will do the end of chapter 6.  This first half of chapter 6 describes two miracles but what are miracles by themselves?  Miracles show us the power of Christ but they don’t explain the purpose or plan of Christ.  Miracles are physical but their purpose is spiritual.  So, John doesn’t just tell us about the miracle – He follows with the direct words of Christ.  We start by seeing the crowds searching and finding Jesus. 

What was the real reason the crowds were seeking Jesus?  Did they really find Him?  What was Jesus’ response?  Reflect on the ways and reasons we seek Jesus. 

Think about verse 27 and apply it to your life. 

What do you think about the fact that the crowd demanded another miracle so that they might “believe.”

Think about Jesus’ claim to be “the bread of life.”

This lesson reinforces my amazement of how so much of the scripture is still relevant in our world today. I was not surprised by Phillip’s response to Jesus and think many of us would have had a similar response. We often think of all of the reasons something is not going to work rather than focus on ways it can. These versus were powerful to me because not only did Jesus provide enough bread for the people, he had leftovers! How blessed we are that God gives us more than we need.

I felt a sense of peace after reading versus 16-21 for the third time this week. I tried to picture myself in the boat out in the middle of a storm seeing Jesus walking on water toward me. The first time I read this I thought it would be terrifying, as mentioned in the scripture. However, after reading this several times I started to think how relieved I would be to realize that Jesus was there to help me through the storm. Once they let Jesus onto the boat, they were quickly at shore and no longer in the storm.

thoughts

When Phillip is tested by Jesus with the question "where will we get enough food...?" Phillip does what most us do, he looks at how impossible something must be. He says "Don't you know it would take almost a year's wages just to buy only a little bread...?". In other words, "there's NO way". Many of us (definitely me) react to situations that seem overwhelming exactly like Phillip. We think "there is no way this can work out". We look at how impossible it seems. Many times I automatically think about the negatives and how am I going to deal with this. When instead my first reaction should be to TRUST that God is in control and he will lead me to the right actions if I will stop worrying long enough to listen and obey. I wish I could avoid the overwhelming panic and realize that God is in control. He can handle it.

Not only does Jesus meets the needs of the 5000. He exceeds it! He does the same for us. He not only meets our needs, his love and grace exceeds anything we can imagine. Of course, sometimes what we think we need may not be the same thing God thinks we need. I'm disappointed that although I know this, my faith isn't always strong enough to believe it. But....I'm working on it and I am definitely making progress : )

Don't waste.

God's provision is so awesome! Bill and I are in the toughest financial situation we've ever faced. It's so easy to worry and fret and wonder how we'll ever make it. I feel like Philip so much of the time when he challenged Jesus- "It would take more than half a years wages........". Mine is- "There's no way I'm coming up with enough money to pay these property taxes." Why haven't I learned yet that we have always been provided for above and beyond what we need.
Later Jesus says, "let nothing be wasted." It seems a little odd that he would perform a miracle of that magnitude that he could do over and over again if he wanted, but still makes a point to say that. What that says to me is that my salvation is a miracle. The fact the God decided to choose me and give me the gift of eternity is truly miraculous. The grace that he continues to pour on me in spite of my selfishness, ugliness and lack of faith is a miracle. The waste would be if the overflow of all that grace would not be extended to those around me. How dare I not extend grace to my husband in his sin, to my kids in theirs, etc., when God's grace is so richly poured out in abundance with overflowing onto me.

One verse that stood out to me was verse 5. “When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Okay, granted Jesus could perform miracles as much as he wanted, but didn’t this man ever get tired? Did he ever NOT think of other’s first? I guess this is why Jesus is so perfect and powerful J I don’t think the first thing I would think of is how to feed all the people. I think I may be curious to know how I would get something to eat. Or how silly I’m going to look if we run out of food, etc- so self focused. And then the following verse, verse 6, “He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” I can’t help but wonder what Jesus is thinking when I doubt, when I’m filled with fear, when I’m unsure of how a situation is going to turn out, or when I don’t even trust that God is gonna pull through. I’m sure (in the not so serious situations) he’s kinda laughing and shaking his head at me- because Jesus truly does always, always “have in mind what he is going to do.” It’s a matter of faithful prayer and trust in Him! Those are a couple of the light hearted standout verses to me this week!!

Week 6

Welcome to my sister, Erin, who just joined the blog and thanks to the group for some great posts with profound life applications! 

This miracle shows how Jesus came to the weak and helpless – physically yes but also spiritually.  So this miracle applies to us all – without God we are blind, lame and paralyzed spiritually.  This man didn’t recognize Jesus, He didn’t believe in Jesus.  Jesus, by His grace, had compassion and mercy toward this man – went to him and spoke words of life to him.  This is how salvation is.  This man’s healing had nothing to do with his faith – it had everything to do with God’s grace.  Then the healing led to faith.  Through this chapter we see Jesus’ love, then His power then His person.  Amazing that the Jews can’t see this beauty, this grace – all they see is someone threatening their legalistic ways.  What I really love about this chapter is how Jesus responds when the Jews accuse Him of heresy because He claims to be the Son of God.  He doesn’t shy away from this – he goes on to show all the reasons why He is God incarnate.  He forces the Jews to make a choice – either they believe Him or they will have to call Him a lunatic or a liar.  Same thing is true for all men – we have to choose how we will respond to the claims of Jesus in His Word. 

I was trying to do one chapter each week but I just can’t do it this time.  There is too much in chapter 6 for one week so we will do verses 1-24 this week – great verses that I know you will love to study!

Philip is presented with a problem.  How does he respond?  Does this surprise you? 

Look at what Jesus starts with in the feeding of the five thousand, what happens and what he ends with.  What significance does this have? 

As Jesus withdraws to the mountain it is told in Matthew and Mark that he told his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of Him.  The disciples go and while out there encounter a storm.  Not immediately but later Jesus walks out to them and then as soon as He gets there the struggle is over and they reach shore.  What do you think of the disciples?  What can we learn from this?

John 5

What comes to my mind as I read John 5 is the misery sin has brought into the world. We read about a man who had been sick for no less than thirty- eight years! God didn't create man to be full of aches and pains. There would have been no sickness, if there had been no sin. Jesus is truly amazing in his love towards man. When Jesus returns there will be no more suffering, sorrow, or sin. What a truely wonderful thing that is.

Like Kara, the Pharisees reaction to the miracle resonated with me. This man hadn't walked for 38 years, but they were more concerned with their rules than the well being of a person. What silly stuff do I focus on instead of the big picture? I'm sure this is a weakness as a mom for me-worrying about the laundry that a certain activity will create (for example) instead of the memory or moment my kids could be having.

There is a lot of "meat" in John, but never the less, i feel like God is telling ME to get over myself and open my eyes.

John 5

Hello,

I am continually amazed at what Jesus can do. These last couple of weeks readings have emphasized to me how he sometime has to hit us/me over the head to get me to see him. We are not convinced of His power and strength until we see a miracle happen or ask for him to show us a sign. We can't just take his word for it! I find myself getting caught up in the rules, just as the Jews did when they got mad at Jesus for working on the Sabbath. I have to remind myself to slow down and think through whatever situation is before me.

As I was thinking about the man at the pool, it struck me that his focus was on just the supposed healing properties of the water. (His response to Jesus question in v.6- "do you want to get well?" was to say that noone was there to help him into the water.) He didn't see Jesus as a healer, and I feel like that I sometimes forget that he is my healer, both short term and infinitely. I can focus on so many other things to make me "well", things that are temporary and material, like my marriage going the way I think it should be, my kids making all the right choices, my health being great, etc. I forget that true health is based on my realtionship with the Lord and my complete dependence on him for everything.

Also, when Jesus met him the 2nd time and told him to stop sinning or something worse would happen (worse than his previous illness), I think he was referring to eternal damnation. It's a reminder not to forget about why we have eternal security in the first place. It's so easy to focus on the less important things and lose my eternal perspective.

Sorry I've been late to post on Chapters 3 and 4, but I had a few thoughts/questions there first before I go on to Chapter 5...

I noticed something interesting about my own understanding of the story of Nicodemus when I read it this time - I just realized that the story ends without letting us know whether or not Nicodemus responded to Jesus with belief or unbelief. I've heard the story many times, and I guess I always thought that Jesus' comments about being born again were confusing to Nicodemus, but then he believed after Jesus' explanation - but the text doesn't say that. It makes me wonder what the end of the story is - did Nicodemus believe? Or did he continue with the other Pharisees in trying to trip up Jesus at every turn...

Moving on to Chapter 5... You bring up an interesting question Christine, about which came first in this miracle - faith or healing. If I'm reading it correctly, I think that Jesus' healing came first, and the man's faith was in response to his healing. I think that many of Jesus early miracles were healing/miracle first, then people having faith as a response - which makes sense if we remember that Jesus was using these miracles to show people that he is God. And it also makes those miracles where healing comes first (like the official's son in Chapter 4) even more amazing - that these people were able to believe and have faith because of what they saw Jesus doing for others, before seeing Jesus act in their own lives. It reminds me that we are currently living in a time like that - where we need to show Jesus to others through the lives that we lead - and then perhaps they will choose to let Jesus into their own lives too.

Week 5

Thanks Julie, Callie and Tammy for your posts.  Callie – your post really challenged me to ask the question, “What barriers or prejudices do I have that prevent me from being able to love those around me?”  Julie, I loved your comment about the Samaritan woman needing to see her sin.  I recently heard a pastor describe salvation like a person unknowingly standing on the edge of a cliff surrounded by fog.  God is the wind who blows away the fog leaving the person aware of where they are.  The next action is a natural reaction but is still a choice.  Tammy, I love your attention to the differences between Nicodemus and the Samaritan.   Man, woman.  Jew, Samaritan.  Educated, ignorant.  High class, outcast.  Wealth, poor.  Moral, prostitute.  But Jesus doesn’t care.  He comes to them both.  He has come for all.  How beautiful.  This teaches us so much about God’s love – God’s love isn’t  determined by object, it is determined by character – God’s character.  This challenges me to examine my love for others – can I love because of my character or more accurately because of God’s character through me or do I only loved based on the attributes of the other person?  The other interesting thing is the difference between knowledge and revelation.  It is actually the woman who has a better understanding of who Jesus is – even though Nicodemus had much more knowledge, the woman had a revelation and that mattered more than all the knowledge.  Although Nicodemus and the Samaritan women are so different they both have the same spiritual need.  They are equal in the spiritual sense – they are both lost and both in need of Jesus.  One doesn’t need Jesus more than the other, one doesn’t deserve Jesus more than the other.  Jesus offers Himself equally to them both. 

In all this talk about water and thirst, Jesus is claiming to be the only person or thing that can satisfy human longing.  I love the image of the water becoming a spring welling up within us.  God fills us, satisfies us, changes us and spills out of us.  Many things entice me and distract me.  They may satisfy me temporarily but only Jesus can satisfy me forever and fill me to bursting.  Why then do I continue to look to other things to fill me?

This week we will do John chapter 5.  First we see the third of John’s recorded miracles (the second was the healing of the sick boy in chapter 4).   Then we see the Jews get mad because Jesus did this miracle on the Sabbath and even madder because He is claims to be God.  This starts the momentum of hate toward Jesus that culminates with His death on the cross.  Lastly we see Jesus’ response to the Jews accusations.  Remember that the Jews only knew the Old Testament – they only knew God and they are trying to figure out who Jesus is.  This chapter again illustrates John’s main purpose in showing Jesus as God’s son and his secondary purposes of detailing Christ’s message and the different ways men can respond to it. 

What can we learn about Jesus through this miracle?

Think about the chronology of the events in this story.  Which came first – faith or healing?  What do you think of that?

Think of what Jesus is claiming in verses19-47.  What strikes you?  How do you respond?

Have a great week everyone!!!

As I was reading, I really found myself dwelling on how Jesus crosses all barriers. He spoke to the Samaritan woman, although he was a Jew, and this was a big deal. And because of this (Him breaking some kind of social rule) she went back and told other's of her experience. Many from her village then came to hear him speak and then believed because the heard in first hand. What if Jesus had followed some silly social or religious rule? Believers are not meant to isolate themselves, but we are to get out there and "be" with people.

Never Thirsty Again!!

I love the reminder in this passage that the Lord satisfies our needs fully and eternally. Jesus tells the woman at the well in v.13,14 that everyone who drinks the water in that well will be thirsty again. The things of this world will never satisfy us. We all know that there is always something more that we want, whether it's money, things, comfort, friends, approval, etc, etc, etc. If we get it, then we want more or something else. My human nature seems to find contentment a foreign concept! Jesus lets us know that the eternal water of a relationship with him will quench the most important need.

Jesus is the best example of a perfect counselor. When the woman asks Jesus to give her that water so she'll never be thirsty, he tells her to call her husband. How weird is that? But he knew that she had to first see her real need, and that wouldn't happen unless she first saw her sin. Each time I can look my sin square in the face and realize that Jesus took the pain of that on the cross for me, I am filled with thankfulness that he has saved me from the eternal thirst of a really nasty place!

Week 4

Thanks to Tammy, April, April, Julie and Kara for great posts and discussion!  Its so neat to see people really wrestling with issues and looking to God and His word for the answers.  Hope the rest of you are doing well.  If you have any feedback on the study let me know - would be happy to make changes or do something differently if would be helpful.  Sorry for long post today.

Tammy brought up one of the most difficult concepts of the gospel.  I don’t claim to understand this fully but I have thought about it a lot (and a lot more since Tammy’s post)…so, I will pass on some brief thoughts and then make some other general comments about chapter 3. 

·         It is ok for us to not “like” the idea of some going to heaven and some not.  In fact, it should make us sad and cause us to be unsettled.  It saddens God as well.

·         God’s standard for righteousness is perfection and we all fall short of that.  It has to be perfection.  It can’t be based on us at all – only God.  What else could the standard be that would be fair and achievable?  For example, if it were works – how much would be enough?  What about good works with selfish motives?  Which acts would be too “bad?”  Salvation is a gift not a reward. Being born again is accepting this gift. 

·         Works cannot be included in the discussion at all.  No one can rise high enough for salvation and no one can sink too low to be out of reach of salvation.  It is all about God’s grace. 

·         Think of it not that some are excluded….but that ALL are included…not all will be saved but all may be saved.  It is up to us to respond to the degree to which God has been revealed to us.  If we are presented with Christ and then reject Him, we are responsible to that.  Only God knows who has been presented with the gospel and who has rejected it. 

Nicodemus represents those of this day who seek the meaning of life in religion or rules but don’t find it; people who go to church but don’t have a relationship with God which transforms their life.  In spite of Nicodemus’s achievements, his education, his religion, he still had a great need.  He knew a lot about God but he didn’t know God.  The really interesting thing is that Nicodemus “knew” about all there was to know but yet he was really confused when Jesus was talking about being born again.  He was trying to understand this spiritual concept with his human mind.  The fact is that we can’t understand all of God’s ways – in fact, we can’t understand any of God’s ways unless He reveals them to us.  There is a lot of the gospel that is confusing or at times difficult to believe, but you can’t argue with the evidence of the power of the gospel to transform lives.  You have to come to Jesus first – be given His spirit (being born again) and then the understanding will come in a progressive and changing way.  Faith first and true understanding second.  Sometimes I don’t understand a passage of scripture, or sometimes I don’t understand why God hasn’t answered my prayer or sometimes I don’t understand why God has allowed something to happen…..however, I can never deny the presence of God in my life (past and present) and I can never deny the miracles that He does every day.  I for sure can never deny His working in my life and therefore, I trust even when I don’t understand (sometimes quicker than others) and often further understanding is given to me later.  I love to think about the fact that when we become a Christian, we begin our life eternal.  This isn’t something that happens when we die.  I like to think of the emphasis on life…with Christ, we have true life and we get to have that life forever. 

This week we will do John chapter 4.  We see an interaction between Jesus and a Samaritan women. 

Compare and contrast Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman.  What can we learn?

Why is so amazing that Jesus interacted this way with the woman?  What can we learn?

Look at verse 14.  What does it mean to “drink the water?”  What does it mean to “never thirst?”  What does it mean that the water “becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life?”

Kara T. Week 3

I really enjoyed the 3rd chapter and amazingly enough our sermon at church this week was on Nicodemus. I truly appreciate nicodemous and his curiousity. He was such a wealthy, intellegent, "had it all kind of guy", but knew there was something he was missing. He went in the night so no one could see him to ask his questions of Jesus. I find that at the end of the story I really want to know the life story of nicodemus and how he changed after this encounter. Our pastor pointed out to us that we see him two other times in scripture. Once he stands up for Jesus while he is being questioned by the pharisees in John 7:50 and later after the crucifixion in John 19:40 to bring spices and wrap Jesus' body. I just think maybe the Holy spirit lead him to his questions and later to a faith....but I guess we will not currently know the anwer to that question. I also really like John3:14 which says "and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the son of man be lifted up." Recently I read this passage in the old testement and wonder at how God is putting it all together for me so that I understood the reference in this section to Numbers 21:4-9. This one verse also sums up the point.....that Jesus is the only way.

As I was reading this, vs 17 reminded me in a very powerful way of the grace of God that is sometimes so hard to believe! It says that "God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." God is perfect, holy and righteous, and he created a beautiful and perfect world that has become dark and ugly in so many ways. I can't imagine how it grieves him to see the heinous sin all around that is so bad it's unmentionable at times. Even working in an alternative school as a counselor, I hear about the lives and activities of the kids I work with that make me sick. It would make perfect sense if Jesus did come to condmen and destroy the world. But no, he loves us so much that he sends his only, precious son to fulfill his plan of salvation. Mind boggling!! And when I make it more personal and realize that he loves me that much in spite of the ugly selfishness of my own heart- wow!

Nicodemus certainly didn't grasp this concept. But it is a hard one to grasp, even to a regenerated heart. He is only able to understand the physical concepts of things like birth, wind and water. He doesn't understand that wind and water are referrring to the life giving and regenerating works of the Holy Spirit, completely spritual concepts. I keep coming back to the fact these last few weeks that without that work, a person can't begin to understand.

Week 3

Thanks to those of you who posted!  I know I was stretched to think about things even further because of your thoughts and am sure others were too.  Have a great week.

This miracle shows Jesus having power over the natural world.  He has power over creation – he can create something out of nothing.  I love this “simple” miracle because it reminds me of God’s ability to fix, to create, to supply.  It challenges me to turn to God for my daily needs as simple as they may be and trust that God in His power can create a solution.  The other thing I love is that this wine wasn’t essential.  It was a blessing – without the wine the party would have ended, the bride and groom embarrassed but nothing bad would have happened.  However, Jesus out of His love used His power to bless.  What is the purpose of the miracles God performs?  To reveal Himself to us.  To reveal His power, to reveal His love, to reveal His existence.  But at the same time no miracle is done just for the sake of the miracle – it is always in response to a need.  This miracle is Jesus supplying the simplest need of man. 

The whole of the bible teaches of Jesus great love but that doesn’t mean that he is tolerant of all things. There is one thing in particular that Jesus is not tolerant of – irreverence toward God. Jesus has a passion for the reverence of God. Jesus hates religious hypocrisy. Here we see religion (the temple) becoming a business – becoming dull, hypocritical and meaningless. The people were making money off the name of God – they were using religion for selfish gain. Jesus wants people to sincerely come to him – to revere God and to worship Him

This week we will do John chapter 3 – this is a very full and somewhat complex chapter.  First  read through the chapter several times and try to get an overall understanding  and then see which part God draws you to and see what new or deep truth God can teach you there.  I am going to concentrate on the first half of the chapter where we meet an interesting character, Nicodemus.  Don’t think of Nicodemus as the focus – think of him as representative of “man” on the larger sense.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee.  Pharisees had many laws – some laws of the Old Testament and some that they made up.  Pharisees were very into following those laws!!  They were very religious, ethical people who knew the Old Testament word for word.  Nicodemus was a great Pharisee and he was intelligent and successful.  So, get a picture of Nicodemus and the type of man he was and then look at his interaction with Jesus.  Think a lot about the words, knowledge, understanding and belief. 

What did and didn’t Nicodemus understand?  Why?

What does it mean to be “born again?” How are we born again?

Let me give you some thoughts on the “water and the Spirit” of verse 5 to help.  The Spirit is the Holy Spirit but there are several different interpretations of what the water is.  After reading the arguments for each including the Greek meaning of the word and the way it is used in other scriptures, I think the water means cleansing or purification though the Word of God. 

What would it have required for Nicodemus to believe?  What does God require of us to believe?

How can we apply this to our world and our life?

When you read John 3:16 change the order of words to “life eternal” and reflect. 

Week 2

I am always so amazed each time I read Jesus' miracles. I was especially struck with the "water-to-wine" miracle included in this week's reading. I love that his first miracle was performed at a wedding. I am intrigued that when Mary brought the "problem" up to Jesus, he was hesitant, but did it anyway. I also love that when he turned the water into wine, it wasn't just wine, but the "finest" wine that is normally served first. If He can do this to water, imagine what he can do in our lives!