John 4:1-9 – A reaching heart

John 4:1 indicates to us that Jesus didn’t want to confront the Pharisees, who were opposing His ministry. It was not because He was afraid of them but because He was fully conscious of divine timings. He knew it wasn’t the time for Him to confront the Pharisees yet. They were already opposing John’s ministry and when they heard that Jesus’ ministry was attracting more followings, they were even more intense in their opposition against Him. Wanting to avoid confrontation at this point, the Lord chose to go to Galilee for a quiet retreat. Verse 2 tells us Jesus Himself did not baptize any, but it was His disciples that were doing the baptizing. This implies that the person doing the baptism on the Lord’s behalf is inconsequential, but who a person is baptized into is important. Believers must be baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ.

The route from Judea to Galilee would require that He passed through Samaria. Although to go through Samaria was necessary, His encounter with the woman at Jacob’s well at Sachar was not co-incidental. Verse 4 implied that this moment was brought about by a divine providence. The intention of this verse is to indicate to us a deeper reason for why He had to pass through Samaria. It implies that divine will and plan was involved. It was a planned moment by Him to gather one other sheep for the Kingdom. He came to Samaria and rest at the well for the sake of reaching a women in deep emotional embroils. Jesus deliberately chose this moment to challenge her faith and change her life. This is an indication of how large the heart of God is.

John tells us that Jesus was tired and wearied from the journey and had paused at the well to have a rest. And it was already the sixth hour, meaning it was noon time and the sun was probably shinning at its hottest. It was an hour no one would come to the well to fetch water. It was at this moment that the woman came to the well to draw water. Here the Lord could have easily excused Himself from talking to the lady about the Kingdom because He was truly physically tired at this point. But at the brim of physical exhaustion, Jesus still took the initiative to engage her in a conversation. He could have given Himself the excuse that He was truly tired and allow the opportunity to pass, so that He could catch a little rest. Instead, He engaged the woman and wisely drew her into a conversation. Jesus’ action here leaves us with the call: not to find the slightest excuse so as to get out of being involved in ministry.

This incident also tells us that Jesus would overcome any barrier to reach someone. This Samaritan woman was totally caught by surprise that Jesus, a Jew, would engage a woman and a Samaritan at that, in conversation.  History tells us that the Jews and the Samaritans were bitter enemies. Yet Jesus would breach the racial barrier to talk to her. In so doing, He had also crossed the social barrier. No rabbi would ever talk to a woman, but Jesus did. He laid aside the social norm to get to a woman in need. In this, Jesus shows us that a reaching heart can cross barriers – social, gender and racial barriers.  

We all need to cultivate a ministering heart. When we have such a heart we will find the capacity to overcome barriers to reach out to others. We are also not hampered by physical exhaustion or racial, gender and ethnic barriers. When we develop such a heart, we may be opened to hurt and rejection but it’s worth all the risks. For the sake of Christ, let us develop such a reaching heart.   

John 3:31-36 – The supremacy of Jesus

In John 3:31-36, the author made an emphasis on the person, works, status, accomplishment, and the relationship Jesus has to God.  Just a comparison between Jesus and John would easily reveal that one is from heaven above and the other from earth. Take note that John the Baptist said in John 3:30 that He, Jesus, must become greater while he, John, must become lesser.  So now in verses 31-32, the reason is provided. Jesus came from above and He could give witness to what He personally saw, heard and experience in heaven whereas John spoke with earthly limitation. For John could only speak about the new birth by calling people to repentance, only Christ Jesus through His Spirit could bring about regeneration.

Here we see an emphasis of Christ’s pre-existence. And He came to tell His creation of what He had seen and heard. Unfortunately the people did not accept His testimony. We must not take the two words “no one” in verse 32 to mean that not a person accepted Him. It is intended to be a hyperbole, an exaggeration to prove a point. It is by way of saying that very few accepted Him. We all know that many did not accept what He said at first until His resurrection. However, notice John’s emphasis here: Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. This is by way of saying that to acknowledge Jesus and accept Him, is to acknowledge and accept God, and to deny Him is to deny God.

Unlike the others who spoke for God, Jesus operated with the Spirit without measure. He functioned with the fullness of the Spirit without any limitation. Verse 35 tells us why. He was given the Spirit without limit. The Father loves Jesus the Son and had placed all authority and power in His hand. So in a sober way this chapter closes with these words, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” Those who believe and acknowledge Christ is given life. Those who do not will experience the wrath of God. This does not mean that God is against the person, but that He is intolerable of the evil that remain in unbelievers. It is obvious that the lives of those who refuse to believe are always bent toward sinful activities and rebellion toward God. This is intolerable to God. But to make a reverse from this way of existence, one must turn to trust in Jesus, the Son of God.  

For us believers, aren’t we glad we’ve come into a personal experience of Jesus Christ in our life, and had made Him our Lord and Saviour? Aren’t we glad to be walking obediently in the light of His revelation? As we continue to do so, we will definitely shine brighter for Him! 

John 3:22-30 – Right perspective, attitude and conduct

Here we see the ministry of John being eclipsed by the Lord’s. Both of them had great amount of followers. They were nearby each other at the Judean countryside, in an area where there were plenty of water, and both ministries were conducting baptism. John 4:2, however, tells us that Jesus Himself was not baptizing. It was His disciples that were doing the baptism. Here we are told of a dispute between the two camps. It was not between John and Jesus, but between their followers.

The disciples of John felt sorry for him because his popularity rating was going down ever since he had pointed Jesus out. This fact made what happened all the more unjustifiable. From this incident we learn that disputes between ministries are not uncommon today too. Instead of cultivating an understanding that different ministries are called to complement each other, many see it as a need to compete with each other. If we are successful, the tendency is to swell up in pride. If others are successful, we become jealous and become critical of them. Instead of rejoicing at the success of our brethren, we become angry and often turn to accuse them unnecessarily. In the text we see the disciples of John coming to him saying, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” This implied that the ministry of Jesus was gaining popularity. Obviously the disciples of John exaggerated the whole matter because they felt for John. But we must see how wisely John dealt with the whole situation. Being a very perceptive person, he gave them the first principle on how to evaluate a ministry.

Every ministry can only be as effective as God has endorsed it. What a person has is given by God. If this is how we evaluate ministry, we don’t get upended. If we are successful, it’s because God has given us the success. We don’t get there by our own ingenuity. It is God-given. As we learn to put in our fair share of effort, God will continue to give us the grace. We need to bloom where we are planted. However successful we are, we need to know that at some point, our ministry will be eclipsed by others. We will then be called to take a lesser role. When that moment comes, we need to accept the plan of God graciously.  

John’s response also tells us that as a person directs the focus of others to Christ, he knows who he is. John had a proper attitude toward himself. He had a proper self-image and self-acceptance. So in verse 28, he asserted that, “You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’” He didn’t pretend to be who he was not. He knew he is not the Christ. He came to direct others to Him. There was not the slightest tinge of jealousy. He knew who he was in Christ. He didn’t feel outdone. He knew his place and position so he freely expressed that. This came about because he had the right attitude, the kind that we must also adopt. He saw Christ as having the pre-eminence. He knew his role was to enhance the role of Christ. He was only the best man to Christ, the bridegroom. He was there to make sure the bridegroom gets into the wedding chamber. As the best man, his role was to be on the lookout for the arrival of the bridegroom. When he hears the voice of the bridegroom from outside the bridal chamber, he responds with joy for he knows then that his task is done. He conducted his life by magnifying Christ. For he knew that the Lord must become greater and he must become lesser. What about us? Do we adopt this mentality?   

Beloved, we are where we are because God has placed us here. Like John, we need to know that God has assigned us to where we are now at. We must give our best to the task needed to do in this season. As we do, we will make Christ known. This must be our key aim. Then we must learn to recede and let Christ take the honor in every area of our life. He must increase and we must decrease!      

John 3:16-21 – God’s generosity demonstrated in the giving of His Son

Jesus had established without a doubt that God is the source of the new birth. The clearest evidence is found in John 3:16. This verse is the greatest explanation of the cross. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse is the heart of the Gospel, and it tells us of the great and limitless love of God. His deep love for us made possible the new birth. John here asserts that Jesus did not come into the world to judge it but to save it. Believing in Jesus frees us from condemnation, whereas those who refuse to believe will be condemned.

In John 3:19-21, the Lord then went on to describe the dynamic process. While God made the provision, the decision remains man’s responsibility. He said “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” In reality, the nature of fallen man made them choose condemnation. Fallen men would choose darkness rather than light, so that their evil deeds could be concealed. Everyone who does evil loves darkness, and those who prefer truth will come into the light. Just as light will expose everything, Christ’s nature will expose every evil deed.

Knowing that our new nature comes on the basis of the atonement of Christ, we must learn to look to him. Let’s turn to him, believe in Him and enjoy the everlasting and quality life found in Him. 

John 3:9-21 – How to be born again?

There is something radical about the born again experience. First there is a radical repentance, then there is the radical work of the Holy Spirit. And finally there is the radical transformation of one’s life till the whole being be brought into a discernable life change. Jesus maintained that our best effort devoid of the Spirit is grossly insufficient. This is essentially the work of the Holy Spirit and not the exertion of human will.

In verse 9 we see Nicodemus’ final question, “How can this be?” Nicodemus saw Jesus’ analogies but he still grappled with the concept of new birth. What brought about the born again experience? Jesus gently rebuked him, telling him that he had all the learning yet he did not understand. In all that Jesus said to Nicodemus in verses 12-13, He was revealing to him that He came from heaven and that’s the source of His authority.  

Then using the Old Testament, the Lord went on to illustrate the underlying forces of spiritual life, going back to the accounts recorded in Numbers 21:4-9. There Moses was instructed by God to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. It was this very snake on the pole that saved many, bitten by the fiery snake, from death. All they had to do was to look at the snake on the pole. What Jesus was pointing to was the fact that the new birth is not a result of man’s effort. It came about by simple faith. Just like the people affected by the snake bite had to have faith by gazing on the snake on the pole, so also must one come to Christ in simple faith to have the new life.

This illustration of what happened during Moses’ time showed us what is necessary for God to work in our life. It is appropriating by faith, the provision God has made to bring about our deliverance. So we come back to the questions that Nicodemus asked, “How can this be? How can one be born again?” The answer is pure and simple – don’t try to depend on your effort to gain the new birth. No human cleverness or self-help method can help us achieve that. All of us must depend on Christ and appropriate what He has provided for us at Calvary, for that’s the only man through whom you and I can be saved. So we look to Him, Jesus our redeemer. It is by simple trust and faith in the atonement of Christ that bring about our new birth.  

John 3:1-8 – You must be born again!

John 3:1-8 tell of a definitive dialogue that Jesus had with Nicodemus on the subject of being born again. Through this conversation we will discover what ‘born again’ truly means. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish council, known as the Sanhedrin. This was a council made up of 70 men, some were laymen and others were clergies. This council had jurisdiction over every Jew on earth. In John 3:10, Jesus called Nicodemus Israel’s teacher, in other words, he was the greatest teacher known in Jerusalem. Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus was known for his seriousness. He was also an educated aristocrat. All these things concerning him, his personality, his position, his education, his sincerity and his ultimate response to Christ, made him a very good case study on the subject of salvation. In the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, we find lots of emblematic representations that would be difficult for an ordinary man in the street to understand. We can be sure that if Jesus was talking to anyone less qualified than Nicodemus, He would have put it in another way.

In these verses, we see Nicodemus coming to Jesus in Jerusalem. Here he was seeking to know the source of Jesus’ authority in bringing about the miracles. He respectfully addressed Jesus as “Rabbi”, and acknowledged that He must have been sent from God. Through observing the signs Jesus did, he came to the conclusion that if God was not behind those signs, they would never have come about. Jesus by-passed his query and went straight into the heart of the matter. Aware of the reason Nicodemus came seeking Him, Jesus told him in no uncertain term that he must be born again, or it would be impossible to see the Kingdom of God. Logically speaking, it is impossible for a man to be born again. Nicodemus’ question indicates his struggle to know how to be radically and fundamentally changed. He acknowledged Jesus’ proposition that one must be born again, his struggle is how could it be done? This is the cry of all human being. In us all, there is an innate desire to change. There is a need to be different. We want to be renewed. How can this take place?  

Jesus response is this, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Nicodemus knew real well what Jesus meant. In John’s baptism one showed repentance, accepting Jesus’ baptism with the Spirit would bring about regeneration. What Jesus said here tells us clearly that the born again experience has two components – repentance and regeneration.  When one repents from his sin and allows the Spirit of God to work in his life, he experiences what is born again. There can never be a new birth without repentance and regeneration. One needs to have a radical change of mind and heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring a new nature into one’s life.

Jesus explained further that the radical change cannot be brought about by human energy. It cannot be changed by mere will power. Our best effort without the Spirit is never sufficient. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to provide the necessary strength for change. What is flesh can only produce fleshly result. Only with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit can we be changed. It could well be that as Nicodemus was trying to make sense of what Jesus said, he heard the rustling of the leaves as the wind blew pass. Picking up that teaching moment, Jesus said to him, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Being born of the Spirit is like your experience with the wind. One cannot see the wind but can see its effect in the bending of the branches and the rustling of the leaves.  Similarly, the work of the Spirit in one’s life can be seen in the changes that take place, although one may not see the Spirit with one’s naked eye.

We thank God that through His Spirit, we now can experience not only repentance but also regeneration. We are set on a path of divine transformation. Let us allow the renewing work of the Holy Spirit to bring them about, so that we will be changed from one degree of glory to another. Praise the Lord!

John 2:18-25 – Be a vessel fit for God’s dwelling

John 2:12-22 record for us Jesus’ first cleansing of the temple. The other Gospels record another cleansing of the temple towards the end of His earthly ministry before He went to the cross. In both times, what Christ saw in the temple truly infuriated Him! What the money changers, and the Jewish authorities did, were totally incongruous to true worship. They were practicing the opposite of what is truly right. The purpose of the temple was to glorify God. And the objective why people would come to the temple was to worship the true and holy God. Hence what was an affront to Christ was that the money changers and the religious authorities would give the impression that they acknowledge the holiness of God, but in practice show something contrary. The whip of Jesus tells us how He detests the way they had made a mockery of the glory of God and true worship. This shows us that we must seek to be sensitive to the reason why we come to church, we must be sensitive to His presence. We must never let our heart resemble the outer courter of that temple that Jesus cleansed that day. Let’s seek to be attentive to God and give Him the reverence due Him.

In John 2:18-21, we see the detractors questioning the Lord, seeking to know by what  authority He did what he had just done. Their question was, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” His response to them was, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” What He said seems to them be out of sync. They thought Jesus was talking about the physical temple. So they reasoned with their minds, saying that the temple took forty-six years to build, then how could He rebuild a destroyed temple in three days. They didn’t know that Christ was referring to His death and resurrection that would gloriously vindicate and authenticate His authority. So we see in verse 22 that His disciples realized what He said was indeed true after His death and resurrection. And they believed the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.

Verses 23-25, highlight for us the knowledge Jesus has about men. Many were coming to Him because they saw the signs He was demonstrating. Jesus knew the hearts of men were not for Him. They were only chasing after His miracles. Jesus always deals with realities and not façade. Many who saw the miracles would confess to love Him, but the cleansing of the temple shows us not all who professed to love God show true commitment. It is one thing to respond to miracles but quite another to commit one’s life to Him to follow Him in His word. Jesus knows the real situation of our life. He can truly discern our action. If we love Him we must be congruent. 

Paul in writing to the Corinthians tells us that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit today. The awesome truth is that Jesus cares about us, His temples. Like the two cleansings of the temple, He will come again and again to help us to clean our lives. He wants us to be His true and holy temples that will rightly reflect His glory. Our love for Christ will be reflected in our worship. When as individuals we all truly worship Him, than corporately we can be the church that will reflect His glory. We the church must aim to be a house of prayer for the nations. Then and then will we be a channel of the wonderful grace of God.  

John 2:13-17 – God deserves honest worship

In John 2:1-12, Jesus had just had a great miracle in Cana of Galilee where He turned water into wine, to save the wedding couple from social embarrassment. After that event, we are told that He went down to Capernaum with His mother, brothers and disciples. And there they stayed a few days. Capernaum was separated from Cana by approximately 20 miles. The scenic Capernaum situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with the backdrop of the hills of Mount Hermon, must have provided an ideal place for some rest and relaxation for Jesus, and those who went with Him at Cana.  

In verse 13, John tells us that the Passover was almost due. There was probably an air of expectancy. The Jews would usually take up to an entire month to prepare for that celebration. Jerusalem would be brimming with activities in preparation to commemorate their exodus from Egypt, the land of bondage. Roads would be repaired, bridges would be mended and tombs would be properly whitewashed. And during this season, this place would be crowded with people from all other cities coming for the celebration. In size, Jerusalem was not exactly a very big city, and to have almost a quarter million of visitors and citizens during this time, would certainly cause it to be overly congested.

Jesus went up to Jerusalem at this time. It was quite obvious that the first place He would want to go to was the temple. What He saw taking place in the temple was a great disappointment to Him. Money changers that were that to assist the worshippers were exploiting them. They were thereto provide money changing facility because the temple only used Jewish currency. Those Jews from other cities would have to change their foreign currency into what the temple could accept. The only problem was that they had to change it at exorbitant rates. The poor and sincere peasants who came seeking God were greatly exploited. Then there were those who were selling cattle, sheep and doves for sacrifice. Animals to be offered to God had to be without blemish and had to be qualified by the temple authority. So they had to get it from approved vendors. It is a known fact that the high priest, Annas, would actually sold franchises for money changing booths and animal sales. Here they not only desecrated the worship but also exploited the poor.

Enraged by what He saw, Jesus then overturned the table of the money changers and poured their coins on to the floor. And to those selling doves, He told them to take their trades elsewhere and stop making the Father’s house a place of merchandize. The passion He went about what He did caused the disciples to recall Psalm 69:9 - “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” We can almost imagine Jesus making a whip out of some cords, which He twisted together, and cleansed the temple. He told them to get those animals out. That day, Jesus, the Lamb became the Lion of God. It’s understandable why the Lord acted that way, as we consider how the authority had made a mockery of the significance of the Passover, and the true meaning of worship. 

Essentially, what we see here was the appalling practice of people who purported to love God. What was happening was the downright degradation of the worship of God. His house was to be a place of worship, but had been made a place for business, by people He had appointed to look after it. What happened only shows us how people could come to a point where they would totally disregard the honour that is due to our great, holy and awesome God. This few verses indicate to us the importance of worship. We must never distort and mishandle worship and dishonour God. The manner we approach God, and what we do as we come to worship Him, are clear indicators of our view of Him. We must never water down the importance of true worship. Don’t ever make light of it!

John 2:1-12 – Jesus is the answer to our need

John 2:1-12 – Jesus is the answer to our need

We have established that in John’s Gospel, the signs chosen and recorded are for the purpose of proving Jesus is the Son of God, so that all who believe would have eternal life. The first sign that Jesus did and recorded here was a miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Ultimately all miracles of the Lord are aimed at changing life. And this one certainly did. In John 2:11 we are told that, “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”

Wedding is a joyous occasion. Everyone is happy for the couple and no one ever wishes for any un-pleasantry to happen during the ceremony. To the couple anticipating a future together, it’s a day that they certainly do not wish for anything to go wrong. To a Jew in Jesus’ day, wedding was considered a very grand event in his or her life. And having a feast with wine overflowing was a normal part of the program. Wine was essential because it was a symbol of joy and celebration. Hence it is not difficult to see why Mary’s distressing call in John 2:3 to Jesus was significant. “They have no wine,” she said. It would be a sign of inhospitality if there was not enough wine to meet the needs of the celebrants. So the wedding at Cana of Galilee threatened to have a breakdown in the supply of wine. The beautiful occasion was about to be shattered by that problem. But like all our problems in life, this one was also going to be an opportunity for our Lord to bring about a transforming miracle. This of course would mean that Jesus is invited into all the situations of our life. For the wedding at Cana, His mother and disciples were all invited. Good for the couple that the Lord was invited.

Having no wine might have been the problem at that wedding, but the statement, “They have no wine”, has a far reaching implication. A life without Christ is a life without wine. In many scriptures wine has always been used as a symbol of joy. For example, Psalm 104:15 says, “Wine gladdens the heart of man.” Wine to a Jew is a symbol of joy. Mary’s words is as good as saying, they have no joy. What a way to start out in life! Just imagine a life where joy runs out at the very beginning. In all of life experiences, without Christ there will come a time when all our joy will run out.

But we also need to know that in life there are divine moments. All our lacks in life signal a need to turn to the Lord. However, in turning to the Lord, we need to have patience. The Lord knows the exact time for our miracle. The way Jesus responded to Mary, His earthly mother, was not an indication of disrespect. It was His way of saying, “There is a divine moment and it is not now but it will surely come.” This is an indication to trust and wait for that moment that will surely come. And that moment did come. But for every situation, while waiting for God’s breakthrough moment, we cannot afford to be passive. Like the servants that were instructed, we must also gather our water-pots and fill them with water. We need to do whatever is necessary while anticipating the miracle. God will do His part and we must also do ours in the meantime. At the right moment the miracle happened, Christ turned the water into wine. And it was the best wine ever. In practice, everyone would serve best wine first so that when the guests became drunk, they wouldn’t be able to tell the different in the quality of the wine that would be served later. But in Christ, the later wine is always the best wine. In God’s reckoning the latter days will be better than the former.

Get this right, John is telling us from this first miracle that Jesus is the answer to all our needs. There can be no true joy without Christ. The more we walk with Him the greater will our joy be. The quality of the joy, regardless of our experiences, always gets better. John is also telling us that if we are waiting for our divine moment, the breakthrough will come. But meanwhile we must do all we possibly can. We must do what we can and God will do what we cannot. Take heart, our miracle is coming! Amen!

John 1:43-51 – Spiritual realities

In John 1:43-52 we are introduced to two more persons whom Christ encountered. The first was Philip, who like Andrew and Peter, came from the city of Bethsaida. And the second was Nathanael whom Philip brought to Him. Verse 43 indicates to us that Jesus was purposeful in His journey. We are told that He purposed to go into Galilee. Being in Galilee was in His schedule for that day. He was not there by happenstance. Like Him we must also be purposeful in life. Let our life’s journey be objectively lived. And while in Galilee, Jesus sought Philip out. It was a deliberate effort on the part of the Lord, He found Philip. As always, He deployed His usual way of enlisting people into His movement, so He invited Philip to follow Him. The two words “follow me” literally mean “keep on following me." And that was exactly what Philip did zealously. Having followed Jesus, he was convinced that Jesus was none other than the Messiah. So he sought out Nathanael, and excitedly exclaimed, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 

  

Nathanael had not heard about Jesus, but he certainly knew his Old Testament. He was aware that the birthplace of our Savior was Bethlehem and not Nazareth. Nathanael’s hometown was Cana, a town just four miles from Nazareth. There was a little rivalry between the two places, so he challenged Philip. His immediate response was “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip gave him the wisest response. He knew that the best test of the pudding is in the eating, so he said to Nathanael “Come and see.” In our task of reaching people, don’t feel compelled to argue. Just invite people to come and taste, and see that the Lord is good.

Jesus’ remarks concerning Nathanael tell us that spiritual realities was at work. On seeing Nathanael approaching, Jesus spontaneously said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Taken by surprize that Jesus should know this about him, Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus knew that he was a man of honesty and was very transparent. Though not there when he was approached, Jesus knew how Nathanael had responded to the invitation of Philip. Being straight forward, he expressed his doubt that Messiah could come from Nazareth. How he responded to Jesus’ remark reveals that he was indeed a guileless man.

Jesus’ indication of Nathanael was deliberate. He told him all that he was, an Israelite in whom there was no guile. In much the same way as the readers of John’s Gospel, what Jesus said of Nathanael would also bring our mind to Jacob, the Old Testament patriarch who was full of guile. God loved Jacob so much that He even gave him an important place in the history of Israel. But unlike Jacob, Nathanael was without guile. The way Jesus said of Nathanael implied that he, like Simeon and Anna recorded in Luke, was a believer looking for God. So Nathanael was surprised that the Lord knew his character even before he met Him.

And what Jesus said to him in verse 48 was even more intriguing. He said, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” In saying that to Nathanael, Jesus was telling him that He was aware of his search for reality. Though no one saw his searching, Jesus saw Nathanael’s contemplation underneath the fig tree. It might well be that he was praying under a fig tree for God to reveal Himself to him, and Jesus knew all about it. Being an intelligent person, Nathanael immediately put two and two together. He became aware that as God, Jesus was all-knowing. He knew at once that Jesus has to be God. So spontaneously he exclaimed, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” What an incredible response indeed! He made a total commitment to Jesus that day. So Jesus promised that he would experience greater things. Jesus promised him that like Jacob of old, he would experience spiritual realities.

This passage leaves us with the truth that God is often closest when He seems to be the farthest. He is closer than our struggles in life. He is not far away from us, contrary to what we would often think when we are struggling. What hope we have in Him! In Christ this promise is also ours today. Like Nathanael we will be able to see the unseen spiritual realities when we trust Christ completely. 

John 1:35-42 – The first followers of Jesus

In reading these verses, we know for sure that John the Baptist was a very self-assured person. He clearly understood what he was called to do. He came to point out Jesus, the Lamb of God to the community. So that day as he was standing with two of his own disciples, and Jesus was walking by, he immediately pointed Him out to them, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” One of his two disciples whom He pointed the Lamb to was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. The other was not named. He was likely to be John (the son of Zebedee), the author of this Gospel. In not mentioning his own name was John’s modest way of indicating that he was with Andrew then.  

As we contemplate and dwell on the whole event, we would conclude that they were looking for Jesus. But in reality it was the other way round. Jesus was the One Who was looking for them. For in the other Gospels, we are told that it was Jesus who saw John and Peter busy at their fishing business and called them to follow Him. Here we are told that it was Andrew who sought Peter, his brother out and brought him to Jesus. So we are often baffled by what appears to be contradictory to the other Gospel records. Do bear in mind that the records of how they came to Jesus are not recorded in sequence. Each of the authors was looking at the calling of the disciples from different angles.

In this account we are also told that it was the two disciples of John the Baptist that came up to Jesus inquiring after Him. A careful observation and analysis would tell us that it was Jesus who initiated the conversation. He asked them, “Who do you seek?” This is a very important question for all seekers. People seek Jesus with different kinds of motives. Some seek Him following herd instinct. Some seek Him for the loaves and fishes. Still others seek Him for healing, and the list can go on. Personally we must make sure our primary motive in seeking Him is to know and love Him. The blessings He will shower upon us are the by-products and bonuses of knowing Him.

See how they responded to Jesus’s question. They asked Him, “Rabbi” meaning Teacher, “Where are you staying?” We need to remember what Jesus Himself had said in Luke 9:58, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Here’s a side thought, if we are looking at following Him for comfort, we may be barking up the wrong tree. Here in this account, Jesus invited them to come and explore for themselves. He will never impose on anyone. His ways are fair. There’s no deception or duplicity with Him. Honest seekers of Christ will discover that He is perfect, just and righteous.

Notice how the Lord answered their question, “Come and you will see.” His response indicates an invitation to enter into a personal experience with Him. We can never experience Jesus from afar. We will always need to draw near to experience Him. So at His invitation, Andrew and John went with Jesus and stayed with Him for that day for it was already about the tenth hour or 4 pm. We are not told the place they stayed, for the emphasis is about being with Jesus. It is being with Him that is important. The crux in life is to be with Jesus regardless of the place.    

Obviously, Andrew was fully convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. It is clearly stated in John 1:41. So he went and brought his brother Simon Peter to Christ. His words to his brother was, “We have found the Messiah.” When Jesus saw the brother, He immediately identified him as Simon and told him he shall be known as Cephas or Peter. From his name Simon, meaning shifting sand, Jesus wanted to transform him and make him a more stable person. Hence He called him Cephas or Peter, meaning a stone. Remember when we come to Jesus, it is Him we must seek. And we must seek Him regardless of where we are. Know that what He had done to Peter, He will also do for us. He will change our uncertainty and give us the certainty of eternity, and a stable and focused life here on earth now. So let’s pursue Him! 

John 1:29-34 – Behold, the Lamb of God!

As we have already discovered, John the Baptist came to point the people to the Messiah. It must have been a glorious moment when Jesus the Messiah appeared, and John’s eyes behold the very person he had come to proclaim. Without hesitation John announced, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Pause a while and let’s allow that statement to sink in! Already at the very start of this Gospel we are given a glimpse into the heart of the Gospel. We are explicitly told that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is going to take away our sin. Notice that this act of deliverance is not just confined to the people of Israel. It has a far wider impact. He will take away the sin of the world. What a glorious plan! You and I were in His redemption plan. Thank you Lord! What a privilege!

The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, is not only John’s message, it must be ours too! In fact, this message began as early as in Genesis. The patriarch, Abraham, prophesied His sacrifice in Genesis 22:8 saying, God Himself shall provide the lamb for the sacrifice….” In the Passover in Exodus, we see the principle of His sacrifice applied. Then in Isaiah 53, the prophet personified for us that sacrifice. Here in John’s Gospel, the Lamb for the sacrifice is identified. And in the final book of the Bible, in Revelation 5:9–14, the sacrificial death of Christ is magnified. No wonder this Lamb deserves all the glory and the praise. And He is our message and our song. Yes indeed He is worthy to receive glory, honor, power and praise!

There is no question of Christ’s pre-eminence. So John emphasized that again, saying, “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” He should be our priority. John came preaching repentance and baptizing people who had the desire to change. That was only as far as it went, for the power to change can only come about through the message of Christ.  John’s baptism was only in water, but baptism Christ conducts would be a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Our ability to leave our old life of sin and lead a transformed life, comes only from being immersed in the Holy Spirit!

It is through this same Spirit that John recognized Jesus, the Lamb. John who conducted the Lord’s baptism not only saw the Spirit like a dove alighting on Him but also remained with Him. Furthermore, John was told by God with clear indication that Jesus is the One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Having seen the whole wonder, John the Baptist with great assurance and certainty, asserted that Jesus Christ is indeed God’s Chosen One. Like John we can be just as thrilled in the presence of the very One who has called us to Himself and filled us with His Spirit. So let us live to honor Him!

John 1:19-28 – The witness of John the Baptist

At the backdrop of these verses we know that John the Baptist had a large following in his ministry. He was sent here to baptize and call people into repentance. Here he was at Bethany beyond the Jordan doing exactly what he was sent to do, and had been proclaiming the Messiah and paving the way for His coming. In reading these verses, we also get the feel that the community of Jews were looking for the coming of the Messiah. The only problem, however, was that they had no inkling who the Messiah was. So they sent the priests and Levites from Jerusalem to John the Baptist to inquire if he was the Messiah. Coming to him, the delegate asked him point blank, “Who are you?” John did not deny, meaning he did not refuse to answer their question. In fact He emphatically told them that He was not the Messiah whom they were looking for. The word “confessed” was mentioned twice for emphasis. He confessed that He was not the Christ.

Being well versed with the Old Testament, the delegate pressed further. Could he be Elijah in whom the prophet in Malachi 4:5-6 said would come before the great and terrible day of the Lord? John’s response was in the negative. So they asked if he was the Prophet whom Moses had prophesized in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, saying that “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me.” To this question, John’s answer was also no. Pressed with the need to return to the Jews with an answer, they then asked him to identify himself. John’s response to them in John 1:23-27, shows us what we ought to do in witnessing.

John clearly told them that he was just a voice and not the Word. John felt that he was just the channel that conveys the substance and merely the communicator of the news of the King. He pointed to Christ, saying that standing among them was the Messiah who had come. And the Messiah of course is greater than John. And he felt unworthy even to untie the straps of the Messiah’s sandals. What John was doing was to shift the focus away from himself to Christ. The task of untying the straps of a person’s sandals was done only by a servant.  In saying that he was unworthy even to untie the straps of the Messiah’s sandals, he had placed himself in a lower-than-a-slave positon in his relation to the Lord. What humility! What an attitude to emulate!

With what sort of attitude do we come to the Lord to relate with Him? How best can we be His witness? Let us live a life of humility in relating with Him. We are nothing, but Christ is everything. John’s attitude models for us what a genuine and authentic messenger of Christ should be. We must choose to be like him. We either walk in humility or ultimately walk in humiliation.   

John 1:14-18 – The overflowing grace of Christ

In John 1: 15, we are let into a little more of the ministry of John the Baptist. This brief peep into his life and ministry tells us how humble he was. He had such a clear understanding of his purpose as the forerunner of Christ. He knew that he was not here to compete with Him but to point others to Him. John the Baptist had no illusion about his own position. Though he had his own followings, yet he recognized who he really was in relation to the Master. He recognized that he was raised to play a different role in God’s divine plan. His priority was to exalt Christ and to make Him known. This he did so without regrets. Christ must be given the priority. So he said, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” John the Baptist came to make known the abundant grace found in Christ. Let us be like him and live to make Christ our priority in life.  

When Jesus appeared on earth, clothed in flesh and dwelt in the midst of humanity, He became exactly like us human beings, whom He had created. However, He did not stop being God’s Eternal Word. More importantly, He did not stop being God. He simply took on a new form of life. He did not become an entirely new being. He is still God but now in human flesh. John, the beloved, together with the other disciples, saw His glory – His divine essence, the essence that belongs to the only begotten Son of the Father. What’s brilliant is that Jesus Christ the Son, though in human flesh, was full of grace and truth. Meaning he was gracious in words and actions. Besides, He was also full of truth or divine realities. Christ became like us to live among us. Even today we still can feel His presence. The issue is: do we love and treasure His presence?

The emphasis of these verses concern the source of GRACE.  We must know that grace is found in Jesus. And from His fullness we have received grace upon grace. What we need to know is that God’s grace through Christ will keep coming out on all who believe Him. It is poured out on us, one after another. Every time we have appropriated a moment of His grace in our life and allowed it to take its effect, more grace will come. And when it is again fully appropriated, a new set of grace will come. This trend repeats itself continuously. They keep coming unendingly. His grace is inexhaustible. It’s like water that flows from a fountain. It never stops. Drop upon drop just keeps on springing up and rains on us. God’s grace has no limit. His love has no measure. His power has no boundary known unto man. And out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He gives and gives, over and over, again and again.

What’s wonderful is that we can experience God and His grace through Christ. John the beloved tells us that no one has ever seen the Father. But Jesus, who has and is on the Father’s side, has come to make Him known. He has come to explain Him to us. So when we see Christ we see the Father. When we experience Christ’s greatness, we experience the Father’s greatness. His love gives us a taste of the Father’s love. When we encounter the grace of Christ, we know we have encountered the grace of God. May our knowledge of God enlarge as we know Christ more!

John 1:6-13 – The Light revealed, rejected and received

In verses 6-8, we catch a glimpse of the mission of John the Baptist. In this Gospel, he was never referred to as the Baptist. Most of the facts we gathered concerning his life actually came from the other three Gospels. But in John’s Gospel we are told that “the Baptist” was sent from God and his mission was to bear witness to the light. His life and mission left for us an example. Like him, our mission in life is also to bear witness to the reality of the Light of Christ in our life. And like John, we are called so that we don’t live to or for our self. We are called to live for Christ Who lives in us.  

Verses 9-11 elaborate on Christ, the Light. John now shift to show us the historical earthly Christ and His mission here. His coming brought enlightenment to a world engulfed by darkness. He came to this world that He had made, yet the very world He had created did not know Him. The impression we get here is that Christ was not welcomed by His own creature. In place of a hearty welcome, He went unnoticed. Engrossed in their own selfish pursuits, His creation didn’t even give any thought to Him. In verse 11, we get the tragic and painful fact that would play itself out in the many conflicts encountered in His earthly life. He, the Light of the world, came to His own people, the Jews, who ironically were longing for the Messiah. Yet, they totally missed Him and did not recognize or acknowledge Him when He made His appearance. To add insult to injury, they not only rejected and opposed Him, they even sent Him to a cruel death. However, there were those who accepted Him. In acknowledging Him, they were given the privilege and right to become God’s children. These were transformed and had a change of status from being children of the devil, they became children of God. Their transformation did not come about because of human will or design, it comes about by God’s will and design.

Jesus came to His very own but they did not receive Him. Consider the hurt and rejection He must have felt. There were those who had accepted Him then, as there are also those that would accept Him today. Having accepted Him, have we totally surrendered all that we are and all that we can potentially become to Him, wholeheartedly? 

John 1:1-5 - The dawn of a new beginning

John, the son of Zebedee, who became one of Christ Jesus’ twelve Apostles, wrote this Gospel as an eye-witness to His life and work. He set out to prove the deity of Christ. So he said in the conclusion of the book that there were many signs that Jesus the Messiah had done, and not everyone is recorded in this Gospel. But he had selected seven and recorded them here so that we will know that Christ Jesus is indeed the Son of God.  Clearly stated in John 20:31b, he said that these signs were chosen and written so that… you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

In these verses, John brought us into the period before Jesus Christ came to earth. He set out in these first five verses to show Christ’s eternal status. He is the second person of the Triune God. In essence He is one with God, but in subsistence, He is different. Here John present Him as the Eternal Word that was with God at the beginning before time began. In the creation account in Genesis, we discover that God brought everything into existence through the spoken Word. In these verses, we catch a glimpse of Christ Jesus as the Eternal Living Word, who was with God at creation.  And Jesus was and still is God’s Eternal Word. So in identifying Jesus as the Word, John is in effect saying that Jesus is not just an abstract principle, but that He is a person. And He is in fact God. We can safely surmise the following from these verses:-

(1)   Jesus is the Word,

(2)  He was with God at the beginning before Creation

(3)  He is God

(4)  He is in fact the Creator, for all things have been brought into being by Him.

None of us can read this verses and not be reminded of the Creation account in Genesis. There we are told that God’s words brought about the creation. Here John is leading us to see a new order or a new beginning. That is: Jesus is the life and light of man. He is the source of life and light for all man. In John’s Gospel we see how frequently he would contrast light and darkness. It is a way of saying that both the forces of good and evil are at work. But he also shows us that the powers of darkness that set themselves against the Light, revealed in Jesus, can never overcome it.

Had it not been for Jesus the Light, we would be forever floundering in darkness! That’s why as Christians, we are the most privileged people. We have the Light that connects us to God. It is true that the more deeply we know Christ, the more dearly we will love Him. So let’s press on to know Him more!

Luke 24:50-53 - Christ's Ascension

Luke fittingly concluded his Gospel account with joy and worship, for that is the appropriate response to the work God had done through Christ. Instead of fear, confusion, sorrow and disillusionment, the mood was replaced by love, joy, peace and understanding. What Luke briefly describes about Christ's Ascension to heaven here in verses 50-53, he provides a little more detail in Acts 1:9-12. We see here the Lord leading the early disciples to Bethany, to the slope of the Mount of Olives, there He lifted up His hands and blessed them as He ascended to heaven. What an awesome sight!

While the Lord was slowly rising toward heaven, He was pouring out His blessings down on earth.  The word "heaven" is not about space. It's about a realm. Wherever this awesome place is, we know that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It's an indication that He has ascended to a place of ultimate power. Hence the Apostle Paul rightly said, "God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11).

Luke tells us in verses 52 and 53, that the disciples returned to Jerusalem with jubilation and they continued to praise God in the temple. They now had the promise of the Holy Spirit. They also had the promise of His return. Hence their jubilation was understandable. Who won't be jubilant?

Here are the words of a chorus we should joyfully sing:
He is exalted,
He is exalted,
He is exalted on high.
Creation shall praise Him,
His saints shall adore Him,
For He is exalted on high.

We read that they praised the Lord continually. This is where what Christ had done should leave us - worshipping the Lord! So let's never stop praising and worshipping Him. Then they went out to witness and proclaim the wonders of this glorious Lord. This is what knowing Christ should lead us to - proclaiming His Gospel. So let's never stop proclaiming Him. What should be our proclamation? Here’s what the Apostle Creed says:

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried:
He descended into hell:
The third day He rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Spirit:
I believe in the holy catholic (universal) church:
The communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting.
Amen.

Luke 24:44-49 - The Commission

To the women at the empty tomb, the angels reminded them saying, "that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7). Then to the two Emmaus Road companions, Christ first rebuked them, then reminded them through a question, followed with explanation of the Scriptures. “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:26-27).

Now in the third incidence concerning His resurrection, He Himself reminded the eleven remaining apostles and some disciples with these words: “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).

Luke 24:45 tells us that Christ was the one who opened their minds to the understanding. Remember, these were devoted followers, yet somehow there was a spiritual veil that occluded their spiritual sight. Although The Lord had told them specifically on two occasions about His death and resurrection (Luke 9:44-45; 18:31-34), yet they could not see. But on that Easter evening, their eyes were unveiled and their minds enlightened. Christ illuminated the Holy Scriptures to them. What they learned that night and the subsequent 40 days prior to His Ascension formed the content of both their apostolic teachings and mission. We are told by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians that spiritual truths are spiritually discerned. Like the early disciples, we too need this illumination to be able to discern spiritual truth. Therefore, each time you approach the Holy Scriptures, remember to seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

That very evening, those present with Him were given a grounding on the mission of Christ from the Old Testament. Suffice to say that the whole Old Testament - the Law, the Prophets and Psalms - all alluded to Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, including the call to spread the Gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins through Christ. No wonder Psalms 22:27 says, “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before Thee." In Verses 48-49 Christ then formally commissioned them as His witnesses.

Christ didn't leave them alone, He promised to send the Holy Spirit. They were told to wait at Jerusalem till they were empowered by the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father. On the day of Pentecost, as promised, the Holy Spirit came visibly upon them to empower them for the mission. Today, Christ has called us to Himself. The privilege of knowing Christ comes with the responsibility to share Christ. We need to know Christ personally, we need to know the essence of the Gospel and we need the power of the Holy Spirit. May The Lord through the Holy Spirit gives us understanding concerning Christ, so that we may be fully equipped for the mission!

Luke 24:36-43 - Unbelief removed

Luke had selected three incidences to prove the resurrection of the Lord. First, the women at the empty tomb; then the two Emmaus companions with Christ traveling with them incognito. In verses 36-43, he shares the third incidence to eradicate any doubt about the resurrection of the Lord. As Cleopas and his companion were still excitedly narrating their encounter to the remaining eleven disciples and those gathered in the room, the Resurrected Christ appeared and stood in the midst of them. And He announced His presence by assuring them, saying "Peace be with you."

Thinking that they had seen an apparition, they were startled and gripped with fear. What He said to them shows that they were troubled, confused and still doubting. He asked them two questions, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Obviously, these questions were a gentle rebuke of their unbelief. The questions implied that they had either forgotten what He had told them about His resurrection, or that they simply refused to believe what He had said. Unbelief always results in despair and confusion.

Aren't they so human? Aren't we so like them? Despite having mountain-top experiences with the Lord, yet in the midst of valley-low experiences we still often wonder if the Lord cares. We would still doubt His promises. This should help us know that regardless of what we may go through, the Lord cares. Yes, even in the tough seasons of our lives. The Lord then showed them His nail-scared hands and feet. Since they were sense bound human, He invited them not only to see those scars on His hands and feet but also to touch them. He wanted them to feel and know for certain that He was truly flesh and bones, and not just a spirit.

Luke specifically tells us that in their joy and amazement, they could not believe it. So He did something to conclusively prove that He had come back to life. He asked for something to eat. When they gave Him a piece of broiled fish. He took it and ate it before them. He is alive! Know that every time we come to our devotion or prayer time, the Lord will always draw near. Even in the everyday moment of life, even when we are not conscious of His presence, He is always there. For He said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” What an incredible promise!