Sharing Bread John 8:22-23

SHARING BREAD

22 This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"



23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.


John 8:22-23 (NIV)

What’s your name? Who is your Daddy? Where are you now from? All are good questions for each of us to consider. Do we bear the name of Christian? Is God our Father through the redemptive blood of Jesus? Are we born from above - hailing now from heaven - so to speak? In our verses for today Jesus confronts the Pharisees regarding where they were from. The world had consumed their desires, their visions and their longings – their hearts and minds entirely absorbed in the earth and all of its lower objects of nature and practices. Its cares and profits had absorbed their attention and affections. They were living as unredeemed captives of the fallen world – unable to escape its grip. A believer’s life should be quite the contrast. Though we are in the world we are not to be of it – our citizenship is in heaven and our best things are yet to come. Paul tells us in Philippians:

18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:18-21 (NIV)

Dominated by thoughts of heaven - bringing heavenly direction to our earthly duties – Christians are to be setting their hearts and minds on things above not on earthly things. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Colossians:

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-4 (NIV)



Jesus stood out when He walked on this earth albeit sans fanfare, pomp and splendor even though immensely deserving of them. He neither blended nor subscribed to worldly practices and longings – His Spirit and disposition being directly contrary to that of the worlds. He was and is from a higher place – indeed, He is above all. We find earlier in John:



31 "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:31-36 (NIV)



As believers in Jesus we are to follow our Master’s example and live as one who is from above as well. We are to run our life’s race with focus and perseverance. Throwing off sins that hinder and entangle us, things weighing us down with worry and want –we are to fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith – He always being our Supreme example. The writer of Hebrews tells us



1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)



The faith walk certainly does not come without ample opposition. We should expect it rather than be surprised by it. In His great Priestly Prayer Jesus both confirms fact this and prays for us as well:



13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:13-16 (NIV)



“Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins….He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah….Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but is has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense.” Charles H. Spurgeon



What I glean from this:



• I am a Christian. God is my Father and heaven is my home. I am to live in that mindset.


• I am to set my heart and mind on things above not on earthly things.


• I am in the world but not of the world.

Sharing Bread John 8:21

SHARING BREAD

21 Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."


John 8:21 (NIV)

Solemn Words from our Savior’s lips indeed. Pointing to the fact that spiritual judgments are the severest of all judgments, our Lord’s Words cut to the chase. Just as Jesus’ time on earth was short, He discloses here that sadly our time of opportunity is limited as well. The lesson is a very painful one as men continue to reject God until at last He rejects them. Jesus is desirous of warning the casual unbeliever of the consequences of their infidelity. Our verse for today is a culmination of the fact that Jesus in His mercy had played the flute for them, so to speak, in offering them His grace yet they had refused to dance. Jesus gives us the following example in Scripture regarding the people’s rejection of both John the Baptist and Himself:

16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' Matt 11:16-17 (NIV)

There is certainly nothing new under the sun – from the beginning of Scripture until now, men continue on in their blindness and unregenerate state. I am reminded early on in Scripture when Pharaoh continued to harden his heart over and over again until at last God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so as not to listen to nor heed His messenger Moses’ words. We find in Exodus:

12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses. Ex 9:11-12 (NIV)



We can stifle conviction, quench the Light of our conscience, go against our better knowledge until finally, unfortunately and sadly, God gives us over to our evil heart’s desire – life apart from Him. Woe to those from whom Christ departs. Those who live in unbelief are forever undone if this be the condition they should die in.



“We judge things by their present appearance; but the Lord sees them in their consequences. If we could do the same we would be perfectly of His mind; but since we can’t, it is an unspeakable mercy that He will manage for us, whether we are pleased with His management or not; and it is regarded as one of His heaviest judgments when He gives any person up to the way of their own hearts, and to walk according to their own wisdom.” John Newton



Scripture tells us the following in Proverbs:

22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? 23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. Prov 1:22-23 (NIV)



28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. 29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, 30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Prov 1:28-33 (NIV)



“There is no safety but in seeking Christ while He may be found, and calling on Him while He is near, seeking Him with a true heart, and calling on Him with an honest spirit. Such seeking, we may be very sure, is never in vain. It will never be recorded of such seekers, that they ‘died in their sins.’ He that really comes to Christ shall never be ‘cast out’.” J. C. Ryle



31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! Ezek 18:31-32 (NIV)



The breaking of Jesus’ heart over the lost is so evidently shown in the following verses:



37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. Matt 23:37-38 (NIV)



It is no wonder that Paul urges us on towards reconciliation with God by stating emphatically that now is the time for God’s favor - now is the day of salvation:



20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:20-21 (NIV)



1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Spiritual judgments are the severest of all judgments.


• It would be a heavy judgment indeed if God were to give me up to the way of my own heart and to walk in my own wisdom.


• It is God’s desires for all to turn to Him in repentance – sadly, some stop up their ears refusing to turn.

Sharing Bread John 8:19-20

SHARING BREAD

19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father?"



"You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.


John 8:19-20 (NIV)

Puzzled over His familiarity with God, His Father, in our verses for today, the Pharisees caustically cross examine Jesus regarding the whereabouts of His earthly Daddy. They wrongly assume Jesus to be referring to His flesh and blood relations in lieu of His heavenly Father on whose mission our Savior was now sent. Jesus’ response to them is searing and penetrating and one in which we should take heed of as well – if we know Jesus we will know the Father – Christ being the Door and the Way we are ushered into the fullness of the knowledge of God. Paul tells us in Colossians:

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3 (NIV)



The writer of Hebrews states the following Truth regarding our Savior:



1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Heb 1:1-3 (NIV)



The reason men remain ignorant of God is that they remain unacquainted with His Son. Jesus gives us the following Truth in Matthew:



27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matt 11:27 (NIV)



Indeed, in His great Priestly Prayer of John 17 we find the following Words of our Savior attesting to the definition of eternal life – to know the One and Only true God and Jesus Christ whom God has sent:



2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:2-5 (NIV)

Interestingly, the word translated “know” in verse 3 is from the Greek word “Ginosko” meaning “to come to know by experience, to gain or receive knowledge of; to know by trial and by examination and by observing; to understand secret doctrine, parables; to be aware of, familiarly acquainted with; to be assured of.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids. It is God’s desire for us to know Him experientially. Through experiencing Him in our lives and circumstances – tasting Him, so to speak, we will find Him both faithful and good. As we become familiarly acquainted with Him we become thoroughly convinced – faith never being blind.



Our Savior’s enemies were both ignorant of Himself and of His Father in heaven. Even with all their prideful knowledge, privilege and pedigree these Pharisees were still found wanting – their thinking was amiss regarding both the Father and the Son. We find here that great familiarity with the letter of the Scriptures can certainly be compatible with gross spiritual darkness. The Pharisees were well familiar with Old Testament prophecies yet they neither knew Christ nor God.

“Their eyes were darkened that they could not see the light of his glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ.” Matthew Henry



One cannot have the Father without the Son – to reject One is to reject the Other. One who desires to have a relationship with God the Father and serve Him must begin with Jesus. He is our Access. Scripture teaches us the following:



23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23 (NIV)


What I glean from this:

• If I know Jesus I will know the Father as well.


• I am ignorant of God if I am unacquainted with His Son.


• God desires for me to know Him through experience.

Sharing Bread John 8:15-18

SHARING BREAD

15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."


John 8:15-18 (NIV)

Speaking to the Pharisees Jesus aptly describes their flawed external manner of judgment. Not embraced because He was not esteemed, Jesus now hits them squarely between the eyes with the Truth – His testimony is valid because He and the Father are always in agreement. Jesus tells us in Scripture:

30 I and the Father are one. John 10:30 (NIV)

The prophet Isaiah had foretold the following regarding the coming Savior’s lack of acceptance:

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:2-3 (NIV)



His lackluster appearance lacking regality- having no place even to lay His head – the religious leaders of the day wrongly assume Jesus must be a fraudulent character. Man certainly has a different standard for judging than God. God is neither impressed by nor carried away with our outward pomp and splendor. Indeed, when Samuel was searching for Israel’s King to replace King Saul, God discloses to him this following Truth:



7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7 (NIV)



“Our reputation (what others think of us) is not as important as our identity (who we really are). Spiritual formation begins when we untangle reputation and identity, and when what God thinks of us is more important than what we think of ourselves or what others think of us.” Scot McKnight



God is always into the condition of our hearts as well as the motivation behind our actions. It is God’s desire for His children to serve Him and love Him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind. He is to be our hearts desire – He does not contend with sharing His throne with any of our many “Delilah’s”. This, by the way, is certainly for our good and His glory – not for our harm or displeasure. Until we are able to grasp this Truth - that it is He alone that our hearts truly yearn for and desire - we will never be content. Our hearts were made for Him - period. Everything else is simply a cherry on top of the sundae. His process is to search every heart – not one goes without His scrutiny – carefully observing and searching the minutest details. We find the following Truth in God’s Word penned by King David:



9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chron 28:9 (NIV)

Interestingly, “the man after God’s own heart” - King David - had a normal pattern of seeking the Lord. It is here he found refuge, strength and confidence. I am reminded of his words which he spoke to the taunting Goliath before he slew him, by the way, with a mere pebble:

45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Sam 17:45 (NIV)

Hezekiah offers us yet another faithful example of following God wholeheartedly in 2 Chronicles:

20 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. 21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. 2 Chron 31:20-21 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Man looks at the outward appearance yet God judges the heart – what is essential being invisible to the eye.


• The religious leaders did not accept Jesus’ testimony because He did not “fit” their preconceived part of Savior.


• God desires to be our all.

Sharing Bread John 8:13-14

SHARING BREAD

13 The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."



14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.


John 8:13-14 (NIV)

Ever ready to find fault and raise objections to Jesus’ Words, these Pharisees challenged our Lord according to the Mosaic Law as to the validity of His own testimony. Here their spiritual ignorance shines forth as they invalidate as worthless the witness of the “fullness of the Godhead in bodily form” as well as conveniently forgetting the past testimonies of all the other prior witnesses. Certainly they were aware that the Father Himself bore testimony to His Son as well as John the Baptist - just to name a few - were they needful of more proof than this? Scripture tells us:

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matt 3:16-17 (NIV)

Yet John the Baptist tells us that these rulers knew Him not:

26 "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' John 1:26-30 (NIV)

They were decidedly zealous over their negative summation of our Lord and sadly, His Words neither changed their opinion nor altered their course. My Mom used to say: “He who is convinced against his will is of the same opinion still” – Jesus simply did not fit their description of a Savior. It seems we can fall into this same pattern in our day and age. Our Biblical illiteracy can cause us to have a certain mindset regarding Jesus and if the Truth is different we find ourselves stopping up our ears and stomping our feet. Some have contrived ideas making Him into a giant Santa Claus in the sky, always wanting our life to be carefree and happy, and indulging our every whim. Others, with a legal bent, see Him perhaps as a taskmaster - ruler in hand - desirous of our walking the straight and narrow – ready to whack us coo-coo when we but step out of line. It is never good to have the false assumption that we know everything there is to know about God (to say the least). He will not stay in our boxes. His ways are vastly higher than our ways and His paths beyond finding out. This serves as an acute reminder that the ideas of the best of men are ideas of men at best. God tells us through the prophet Isaiah:

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

Yet, all the while, God is a Revealer of Himself through His Word. As we diligently study and apply the Scriptures we are able to discern more and more of His ways – disengaging us from the thoughts and ways that have unwittingly taken us captive. He tells us through the pen of Jeremiah:

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. Jer 29:13-14 (NIV)



Jesus responds perfectly (no surprise) to these impertinent Pharisees stating the validity of His Words. Jesus knew with certainty who He was. He was fully aware He was the Divine Messiah coming from the Father on a mission with a message to a lost world. He had to prove His Deity to no one. Indeed, He stripped off the glory and stooped to serve. I am reminded of the incident where He washes His disciple’s feet:



3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5 (NIV)

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has nothing to prove and as our Leader sets the supreme example of servant hood for His servants to follow. Paul’s beautiful description regarding Jesus’ act of mercy towards mankind found in Philippians serves as both inspiration and impetus regarding our own behavior as well:



5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• I should never try to put God in my preconceived box – He is and always has been totally Other.


• God reveals Himself to me through His Word.


• Jesus sets forth for me the perfect example of servant hood.

Sharing Bread John 8:12

SHARING BREAD

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


John 8:12 (NIV)

For the moral and spiritual darkness which covers the earth, for the gross darkness plaguing humankind, Jesus here declares He is the only remedy – He is the True Light which breaks the darkest and strongest chains of sin and depravity. Just as one sun is the sufficient visible light for the whole world so too there is One Christ - the sufficient Savior - and there need be no more. Isaiah prophesizes the following regarding our Messiah:

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

“If a man could continually ‘follow’ the sun, he would always be in broad daylight in every part of the globe. So it is with Christ and believers. Always following Him, they will always have light.” Brentius

In our verse for today, Jesus states that He came not for a few only but for the benefit of all. Yet sadly, some choose not to use or value His Light preferring rather to wallow in the darkness. Jesus attests to this in the following verses found in John:

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 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." John 3:19-21 (NIV)

In the ultimate sense, man’s love of darkness stems from the love of what is idolized over a love for God – worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator. The darkness, therefore, hides this lust albeit in man’s sight alone as nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Paul tells us in Romans:

25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25 (NIV)

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)



However, it is not enough to marvel only at the Light of Jesus from a distance, the promise is for those who are willing to follow. Just as we are not swimming by simply gazing at a pool, or eating chocolate by simply looking at it, we are swimming when we jump in, the wonderful taste of chocolate comes when placed in our mouths. Jesus requires of us our commitment and submission to His leading; following being the same as believing. As we follow Christ, His promise is that we will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. We will neither be left in ignorance nor grope around in uncertainty – our conscience and our understanding will be shed with Light which can never be totally quenched. The word translated “follow” is from the Greek word “Akoloutheo” meaning: “attendant on a way, road, path. The individual calling to follow Jesus involved abiding fellowship…cleaving to Him in believing trust and obedience….following His leading and acting according to His example…hence the constant stress of the Lord Jesus on self-denial and fellowship with Himself in the cross….following Jesus therefore denotes a fellowship of faith as well as a fellowship of life, sharing in His sufferings not only inwardly, but outwardly if necessary.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible - New Testament Lexical Aids

With every revelation there is obligation. With every blessing there is responsibility. It is not enough for us to receive the gift of salvation or to be blessed of God. We must commit our way to the Lord and heed His Word. Dr. Michael Youssef

David rightly proclaims his confidence in the Lord as being his Light and his Salvation and his Stronghold – thereby taking away all his fear. We find his words in Psalm 27 attesting to this:

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:1 (NIV)

Jesus’ provisions for His followers are abundant joy and understanding and life and strength.

“Into the soul at the new birth divine light is poured as the precursor of salvation; where there is not enough light to reveal our own darkness and to make us long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation. After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense our light: He is our light within, light around, light reflected from us, and light to be revealed to us…..he, then, who by faith has laid hold upon God, has all covenant blessings in his possession.” C.H. Spurgeon

What I glean from this:

• Jesus can break the strongest and darkest chains of sin and depravity.


• Jesus came as a Light for all yet sadly many choose to wallow and remain in the darkness.


• Jesus is my stronghold and my strength.

Sharing Bread John 8:9-11

SHARING BREAD

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"



11 "No one, sir," she said.



"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."


John 8:9-11 (NIV)

Interestingly, as depraved and corrupt as the human heart can be apart from Jesus, God has placed within it this thing called conscience, pricking even the hardest hearts of stone with a certain sense of right and wrong. While our conscience cannot save us or even lead us to Christ, it bears witness to the Truth and can prick and accuse us. The conscience brings to light – to the forefront of our minds and hearts so to speak - one’s own moral conduct prompting us to choose good over evil, right over wrong. We are wise to heed this prickling – it is a gift and blessing from God that if adhered to could save us from much sorrow, pain and destruction. Unfortunately, Scripture teaches our conscience can become seared and hardened by the continual disregard of it. Paul tells us in First Timothy:

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1 Tim 4:1-2 (NIV)

Spiritual error is seldom due to innocent mistakes but rather by continually searing the conscience they sadly find themselves vessels which are prey for Satan’s bidding. Just as Pharaoh continued to harden his heart against Moses, God in finality allowed Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened. Certainly not a position anyone would want to find themselves in.

In our verses for today we see the hearers thunderstruck over the authority of Jesus’ Word. Conscience smitten, beginning with the older ones - those being the religious officials harboring an extreme desire for the crowds to follow them – began to go away. Here, rightly so, these leaders finally get their wish as one by one the others followed leaving no one left but Jesus with this woman. Our Savior asks of her where her condemners are. Interestingly, the wording in her reply indicating she considered Jesus to be her Master – the word translated “sir” is from the Greek word “Kyrios” meaning might, power, Lord, master and owner.

In perfect kindness and wisdom, Jesus refuses to condemn her as well. He did not state that she was without stain or blemish but rather that in the absence of witnesses, she was pardoned of her punishment. He tells her to go yet sin no more. Jesus’ Words being the definition of true repentance: turning from sin – leaving it behind.

“That repentance which consists in nothing more than feeling, talking, professing, wishing, meaning, hoping, and resolving, is worthless in God’s sight. Action is the very life of ‘repentance unto salvation not to be repented of.’ Till a man ceases to do evil and turns from his sins, he does not really repent.” J. C. Ryle

It is folly for us when we find ourselves under the conviction of sin to simply strive to avoid shame. We should be more concerned over the condition of our souls than of our fleshly pride – fleeing to the feet of Jesus for mercy and pardon once pricked. We are to turn from the sin and not continue to wallow in it while all the while praying constantly for forgiveness. Seriously, what kind of repentance is that? It is similar to paying penance for absolution of sin with no change of action amounting to no more than trampling upon the grace of God. This does not mean that we are perfect and never sin rather it is perhaps that we fall into it rather than delve. One produces Godly sorrow over actions which leads to repentance the other produces nothing more than grace abusers. Scripture tells us that it is Godly sorrow which brings repentance leading to salvation:

9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Cor 7:9-10 (NIV)

King David, the man after God’s own heart, showed us through his example after his blunder with Bathsheba that God looks for the broken heart over the sin committed rather than some sacrificial offering that only makes us feel better about ourselves. All sin breaks communion with God – for our own good we should strive never to go down that path.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• My conscience is a gift from God prompting me to choose good over evil, right over wrong.


• Unfortunately I can sear my conscience by disregarding its leading.


• God desires for my heart to be broken over my sin.

Sharing Bread John 8:1-8

SHARING BREAD

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.




But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

John 8:1-8 (NIV)

Spending the night on the Mount of Olives while the Pharisees slept soundly in their soft beds both attests to and confirms the fact of the following Truth which our Lord spoke regarding His lifestyle:

20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Matt 8:20 (NIV)

How very appropriate for the “Light of the world” to return to the temple courts at dawn to usher in the day. In our verses for today, we once again see the “Son” rising to shine. We are told that not too few people gathered to hear the Word of our Master which certainly had to have been a thorn in the Pharisees flesh. They despised His growing popularity. Wanting to trap Him by His Words and striving to find a basis for accusing Him, these teachers and Pharisees devised a plan in which they wrongly assumed would place Jesus over the proverbial barrel. This was not an unusual tactic as this appears to be their constant mode of operandi – futile as it was. We find in Matthew the following:

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. Matt 22:15 (NIV)

They bring before Him a woman caught in the act of adultery – making her stand before the group – mockingly desirous of Jesus’ judgment over her sin – seemingly unaware of the hypocrisy due to the blatant malice in their own hearts and actions. Never mind that Jesus already stated He came not as a judge – it is rather the rejection of Jesus’ Words which brings judgment upon mankind:

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 (NIV)



47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. John 12:47-48 (NIV)



If Jesus had confirmed the sentence of the Law they would have accused Him of inconsistency having Himself received and forgiven tax collectors and prostitutes and yet if He had acquitted her they would have said He had not kept the Law of righteousness. Seeing through their duplicity, Jesus seems to turn a deaf ear, bends down and begins to write on the ground with His finger, teaching us by His actions to be slow to speak, particularly in difficult cases. It would behoove us all to think twice before we speak once. Jesus’ silence did not settle well with His enemies as they vehemently kept the questions coming. Standing, Jesus spoke weighty Words of wisdom referring His hearers to the verse in Deuteronomy albeit personalizing it with a slant that pricked their conscience:

7 The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you. Deut 17:7 (NIV)

In this Jesus neither justified nor condemned the adulteress while continuing to demonstrate reverence for the Law of Moses. His aim was to not only bring the prisoner to repentance by showing her mercy but the prosecutors as well by showing them their sin. While they were hoping to ensnare Him by His Words, His goal was to convert and convince them of the Truth.

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 1 John 3:4-5 (NIV)




“The blood of Jesus hath greater power to save, than sin, together with the law, hath to condemn; for the blood of Christ takes away and abolishes it utterly; where this blood is applied and brought home, sin itself cannot ruin that soul.” K. H. Von Bogatzky



16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:16 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Jesus’ lifestyle confirms He was not encumbered with the “trappings” of this world.


• Jesus’ first advent into this world was to save it, not to judge it.


• Jesus appeared so that He might take away our sins – His blood must be “brought home” so that sin cannot ruin the soul.

Sharing Bread John 7:50-53

SHARING BREAD

50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"






52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."






53 Then each went to his own home.


John 7:50-53 (NIV)

Once cowardly coming to Jesus in curiosity, cloaked in the darkness of night, we discover in our verses for today Nicodemus now drawing attention to his allegiance to the Savior. Previously fearful of the council – even though he being one of their numbers – timorous Nicodemus, through divine grace, now boldly pleads our Lord’s case openly before their faces. This was no small action taken on by the protagonist of our verses in Scripture today. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians that could have been Nicodemus’ mantra as well:

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13 (NIV)



As His children, we are given the grace sufficient to meet each need He allows. Here, Nicodemus blatenly hits these Pharisees between the eyes with their own logic, silencing and thwarting Jesus’ enemies. These leaders had most recently asserted that the poor followers of our Lord were ignorant to the Law thereby making their opinions worth nothing. Now, Nicodemus brings to light their folly concerning it. Willing to give their judgment of condemnation regarding Jesus without prior knowledge of the particulars of His case, these leaders were going against their own Law. No man was to be condemned without having heard from him his own defense. It was a great principle of the Law of Moses which they professed to honor yet obviously were conveniently failing to adhere.

It is interesting to note that God has His people sprinkled throughout even the most non-believing groups – Lot in Sodom, Daniel in Babylon, Obadiah in Ahab’s domain and Nicodemus among the Pharisees just to name a few. People called to do His bidding even in the midst of what would appear to be “enemy camp”. While Nicodemus was counted as one of their number, he was certainly not one with them in spirit. Perhaps we may find ourselves in that same lone position. Take heart believer, God knows exactly the place where we are. He is not scratching His glorious Head wondering why we are there. God maintains a remnant amidst all sorts - oftentimes in the worst places and societies.

“Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom – not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface – but clear and transparent, so that your heart’s love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, ‘I am true’: be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness.” C.H. Spurgeon

Never forget believer - one plus God will always be the majority. Scripture tells us:

14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? Gen 18:14 (NIV)






17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jer 32:17 (NIV)






1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:1-2 (NIV)



The reaction to Nicodemus’ words by these teachers of the Law was anything but pleasant. They blustered and railed with rage and scorn and bitter contempt. They were vexed at our Lord’s increasing popularity and their inability to stop it and now one of their own was rallying to His cause. Their prideful hearts overtook their knowledge and reason and they began venting like a smokestack yet did nothing – much lightning but no rain – afterwards becoming silent and each going to his own home. The fool vents without reason, the wise man gives thought to his words.



21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. Prov 10:21 (NIV)



7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. Prov 14:7 (NIV)



8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Prov 14:8 (NIV)

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Prov 14:9 (NIV)

“All the wisdom of the conspiracy was broken to pieces with one plain honest word. They were not willing to hear Nicodemus, because they could not answer him.” Matthew Henry



What I glean from this:



• I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.


• God’s grace is sufficient to meet my every need.


• One plus God is the majority.

Sharing Bread John 7:45-49

SHARING BREAD

45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"






46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.






47 "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. 48 "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law--there is a curse on them."


John 7:45-49 (NIV)

No truer words did the officers of the Pharisees ever declare when they boldly stated: "No one ever spoke the way this man does." When Jesus speaks, His Words can cut like butter with a hot knife even the stoniest hearts of the unbelieving. Heavenly words from the Heavenly God-Man can silence the roughest rabble as well as save the sinner, strengthen the weak, comfort the mourning, gladden the heart, encourage the downtrodden and on and on. You got a need? Jesus has a Word for it. Indeed, all of Scripture is a “Paraklesis” – an exhortation, an encouragement and a comfort. I am reminded of the words spoken by the two disciples of Jesus after their encounter with Him on the road to Emmaus following our Lord’s resurrection:

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:30-32 (NIV)

We also find the following in Scripture regarding the certain given authority in the Words our Lord spoke. It is no wonder then that the prideful hearts of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law rebelled with jealousy over the crowds flocking to and following our Lord rather than them as His Words were powerful and penetrating in contrast to their own.

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matt 7:28-29 (NIV)

Jesus’ Words are always laden with great value. Scripture tells us:

11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Prov 25:11 (NIV)



The Pharisees reaction to the declaration of their guard’s words incited them to childlike anger and behavior. The guards themselves had been privy to the power of our Lord’s Words, tying their hands, so to speak, making them incapable of following through with their orders. In an effort to elevate self and to gain back control and grab respect – all of which, by the way, cannot be done by the one who so longs for it – these leaders of the people first resort to degrading the guards by sarcastically ridiculing them for being deceived by and perhaps even deluded into believing Jesus’ Words. They then arrogantly state that none of the religious elite believed in Him therefore it would stand to their reasoning that He was false, a charlatan – only the pitiful poor and the uneducated could believe such nonsense. He cannot be True if He has the audacity to differ from us!



“They content themselves with the cheap and easy assertion that those who do not agree with themselves are ignorant and know nothing, and that therefore it matters nothing what they think….Can a person be deserving of the least credit, as a teacher of a new religion, if those who are the most learned and highest in position do not believe him?” J. C. Ryle



Not much has changed has it? It is a common argument - charges like these have been made in every era against those who speak for Jesus – their opinion is worthless, they are uneducated and ignorant, their religion is but an opiate for the masses – something to dull their pathetic state. How far from the Truth this is. When the enemies of our Lord cannot stop those from following Him, or quench their enthusiasm, or answer to their teachings they resort to name calling and defamation of their character – always belittling those who differ from them in an effort to elevate themselves. Yet all the while Jesus calls out through the pen of the prophet Isaiah:



22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• No one ever spoke like Jesus spoke – His Words bringing life to the hearers.


• Jesus’ Words are more valuable than gold.


• Pride is an insidious monster leading us to elevate self and miss the mark.

Sharing Bread John 7:40-44

SHARING BREAD

40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."



41 Others said, "He is the Christ."



Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

John 7:40-44 (NIV)

Publically and boldly announcing Himself to be the Reliever of all spiritual thirst as well as inviting all to come, Jesus created quite the commotion. Not at all surprising, we find in our verses for today, division among the hearers over the Fountain of Life’s Words. Is that not the way it still remains and will continue to remain until the world no longer stands? The Words of Jesus will always cause divisions and differences among unregenerate human nature. It is here that we see the fulfillment to Christ’s words when He announced that He did not bring peace to the earth, rather division:

51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. Luke 12:51 (NIV)



Unfortunately, Christian and non-Christians alike remain divisive, divisive, divisive over the Word’s of our Lord. It is certainly a sad commentary to see this division among believers fleshed out. It is hard to even count the different denominations amongst those who claim faith in Christ. We get annoyed, we leave, and we begin our own heresies. Whether pride or ignorance or demanding of our own ways and bents or whatever is the culprit or the motive behind our actions, Scripture is clear that as brothers and sisters in Jesus, we are to get along – bearing with one another and forgiving grievances - demonstrating the love of Jesus, through His power, filled with mercy, grace and truth. Paul tells us in Colossians:



12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)

We also find In Philippians a like command:

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil 2:1-4 (NIV)



“How useless is knowledge in religion, if it is not accompanied by grace in the heart.” J. C. Ryle

“Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and then they bring His love, mercy, forgiveness, strength and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life. God delights to breathe His grace through peacemakers and use them to dissipate anger, improve understanding, promote justice and encourage repentance and restoration.” Ken Sande

During this period, pious Jews were eagerly expecting the Messiah, the anointed Savior. Clearly, these hearers knew where the Christ was to be born. They knew He was to come from David’s line and from Bethlehem – the house of Bread – yet sadly, they did not know Jesus – they did not recognize Him as the Messiah blindly remaining unaware of His birthplace as well as His lineage. The eyes of their understanding masked His identity; they neither received Him nor believed Him nor obeyed Him. We must remember that knowledge is for naught if it remains in the head only and does not move to the heart and hand. James gives us the following admonition:

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. James 2:14-19 (NIV)



God commands the believer to treat his sisters and brother in Christ with compassion, with courtesy and with consistency – commonly known to us as the “Do unto others” and the “Love your neighbor as yourself”” rule for life. As we flesh out this mandate we show the love of Christ to others fulfilling John words:



6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• There will always be division over the Words of our Lord.


• Believers should grow up and get along – bearing with one another and forgiving grievances – two year old behavior should not be the goal among followers of Jesus!


• Knowledge is for naught if it is not fleshed out – it only puffs one up.

Sharing Bread John 7:37-39

SHARING BREAD

37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.


John 7:37-39 (NIV)

Grabbing the attention of His hearers on the most important day of the Feast, Jesus loudly proclaims this golden nugget - a wide, and full and free invitation offered to all mankind - establishing with certainty the gospel as being eminently wonderful news. I am reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words:

1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)



6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)

Apart from Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, mankind remains spiritually thirsty, anxious of soul, convicted of sin, in need of pardon before a Holy God and longing for a lasting peace which remains evasive. God’s perfect Law convicts and makes us aware of our sin and our hopeless state. No one possesses the ability to be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the Law – apart from Jesus we all remain hopeless and helpless – we will always be found wanting. Paul tells us in Romans:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (NIV)


20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20 (NIV)

The Jews were all too familiar with their lack of ability, the sacrificial system serving as a constant reminder. God had warned His people through the prophet Jeremiah that they had forsaken Him, the Spring of Living Water and had dug their own pathetic broken cisterns – replacing the One True God with false idols which could never satisfy nor meet their needs:

13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Jer 2:13 (NIV)



When a person comes to the realization of his sinful state, it is then that he desires the help and relief that results from forgiveness. This is the idea behind Jesus’ choice of the word “thirsty”. Thirsty being a very descriptive term and one of which we can all relate. Who has not been parched and desirous of relief by having their thirst quenched? What we perhaps know all too well in the physical realm, Jesus puts in the spiritual. Unfortunately, we often seek to quench our spiritual “thirst” with almost everything but the Living Water – from money to pleasure to honor to prestige to self indulgence – there is no limit to man’s chase for satisfaction and carelessness in the handling of their own souls. Man seems to go to great lengths not to pursue what ultimately satisfies. Jesus tells us the following in the Sermon on the Mount:



6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matt 5:6 (NIV)



The prophet Isaiah prophesized the following Truth for us to relish:



11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

Peace is only to be had in Christ Jesus who serves as our mediator and substitute. To come to Christ is to believe in Him and to believe in His is to come.

“Really to feel the sinfulness of sin and to thirst, and really to come to Christ and believe, are the two steps which lead to heaven. But they are mighty steps. Thousands are too proud and careless to take them. Few, alas, think; and still fewer believe!” J. C. Ryle

What I glean from this:

• The gospel is wonderfully good news.


• No one can be declared righteous by the Law.


• It is God who bestows lasting satisfaction, sufficiency and strength through His Son.

Sharing Bread John 7:33-36

SHARING BREAD

33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."



35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"


John 7:33-36 (NIV)

The time for spiritual opportunity is upon us – a time will come when it will be too late. As palatable and merciful as the thought of universal salvation may sound, it is simply not true according to the Word of God. This is why Paul prompts his readers to action in 2 Corinthians – there is a time approaching for all when it will simply be too late to turn to the Savior:

1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says,

"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)



We find this Truth from the lips of our Savior as well just a few chapters later in John:



35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. John 12:35-36 (NIV)



John sheds more light on Jesus’ Words above in the opening chapter of his gospel:



4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5 (NIV)



While Jesus is referring in our verses for today to His earthly ministry coming to a close, we are also to relate to His Words on this side of the cross - in our time of His-story. We each are given a limited time for our feet to walk upon this dusty earth and no one is certain when their time is up. Our Savior’s Words should be just as powerful and penetrating to our spirits as well. I am reminded of the parable Jesus spoke of the wise and foolish virgins which speaks to our being prepared – Jesus calling the ready wise and the unprepared foolish:



1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' Matt 25:1-12 (NIV)

It is easy to become drowsy and distracted from life’s most important. The world, the flesh and Satan are loud and vie for both our attention and time. If one is not careful, one will miss the still small voice and one will waste a life. We can be certain that there is an hour appointed for each of us in which we will come face to face with our Maker - either Jesus will return before we die or we die – either way our time is limited. Make no mistake about it, we can be certain according to Scripture, every decision and every action and every word we do on this side of eternity affects our life now and will affect our eternal life later. No one should desire to waste their life yet that is the very thing we do by allowing ourselves to simply be entertained into hell. There is a certain tyranny in our distractions and our urgencies which masks the most important.

27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Heb 9:27-28 (NIV)

“‘You cannot come’ – This is one of those expressions which show the impossibility of unconverted and unbelieving men going to heaven. It is a place where they ‘cannot come.’ Their own nature unfits them for it. They would not be happy if they were there. Without new hearts, without the Holy Ghost, without the blood of Christ, they could not enjoy heaven. The favourite notion of some modern theologians, that all mankind are finally to go to heaven, cannot possibly be reconciled with this expression. Men may please themselves with thinking it is kind and loving and liberal and large-hearted to teach and believe that all men and women of all sorts will finally be found in heaven. One word of our Lord Jesus Christ’s overturns the whole theory.” J. C. Ryle

What I glean from this:

• The time for God’s favor is now.


• God calls me to be prepared and waiting for Christ’s return.


• It is easy for me to be distracted from life’s most important.