Sharing Bread John 8:45-46

SHARING BREAD

45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?


John 8:45-46 (NIV)

Interestingly, in our verses for today, we find Jesus graciously posing two questions to His hearers in an effort to show them the unreasonableness of their infidelity. These questions could easily be asked of modern day mankind as well: Can anyone prove Jesus guilty of sin? Furthermore, if Jesus is telling the Truth, why then is it He is not believed? The accusations they held against Him were malicious and groundless and utterly false. Even the pagan Pontius Pilate while condemning our Lord credits Him as faultless yet all the while Pilate misses the mark that he himself was in the very presence of Truth – standing right before his obviously blinded eyes:

38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. John 18:38 (NIV)



King James Version states this in the following way: “I find in Him no fault at all.”



“Jesus was as pure as Adam before the fall and as holy as Almighty God in eternity. Though He had mixed and mingled with humanity for thirty-three years in dusty towns and jostling cities, and though Satan himself had tested Him, there was nothing in the Son of Man to mar the brilliance of His intrinsic and white-hot holiness.” Robert J. Morgan



“When Pilate declared, ‘I find no fault in this man,’ he did thereby in effect pronounce the sacrifice without blemish.” Matthew Henry



None but Jesus could ever say I have no sin. Spotless and pure, innocent and undefiled, His character being utterly without flaw - Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world as the Baptist rightly proclaimed:



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! John 1:29 (NIV)



The writer of Hebrews describes our great High Priest using similar terms:



15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Heb 4:15 (NIV)



24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. Heb 7:24-27 (NIV)

Paul puts it in yet another way found in 2 Corinthians:



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 5:21 (NIV)




Sadly, many do not receive God’s abundant Provision of grace and His Gift of righteousness choosing rather to believe the lies of Satan, self or the world rather than the Truth – scorning our Lord’s invitation to come to Him as seemingly foolishness. We choose to remain shackled in bondage to the slavery of our sin which weighs heavily upon us and leads us spiraling onward down the broad path of death and destruction. Conversely, Jesus desires to lead us in triumphal procession down the narrow path of life and peace - spreading through us the sweet aroma of Christ to all around. Amazingly, we readily choose this deceit over His Truth. Perhaps it is our unwillingness to change. Perhaps it is our lack of faith to believe Him. Perhaps it is our desire to go our own way, to be our own “god”. Jesus came to set the captive free. He came to remove the shackles so that we could not only dance in the freedom He brings, but also so that we could lift our hands to praise Him.



“He who affirms that Christianity makes men miserable, is himself an utter stranger to it. Suppose you that God will give all the happiness to His enemies, and reserve all the mourning for His own family? Shall His foes have mirth and joy, and shall His home-born children inherit sorrow and wretchedness? Shall the sinner, who has no part in Christ, call himself rich in happiness, and shall we go mourning as if we were penniless beggars? No, we will rejoice in the Lord always, and glory in our inheritance, for we ‘have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but we have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father’…We have the earnest of our inheritance in the comforts of the Spirit, which are neither few nor small. Heritors of joy forever, we have foretastes of our portion.” C. H. Spurgeon



Jesus is telling us the truth – He is the Truth. Why is it so hard for so many to believe?



What I glean from this:



• Who can prove Jesus guilty of sin?


• Jesus - the one who meets our needs – is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners and exalted above the heavens. Sitting at the right hand of God, “He always lives to intercede” for us.


• Jesus tells me the Truth.

Sharing Bread John 8:43-44

SHARING BREAD

43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.


John 8:43-44 (NIV)

Sadly, these Pharisees could not understand the Words of our Lord because they would not understand the Words of our Lord. Unable to comprehend His speech because they were unwilling to accept His message – the Word of salvation which Jesus came to proclaim. Lacking the volition to hear with their hearts and subsequently be changed – Jesus’ Words fell on their “deaf” ears. The word translated “unable” in verse 43 meaning unwilling and the word translated “hear” in the same verse meaning not only to hear but also to heed. They simply lacked the will, the desire, to hear with their hearts and to be transformed from children of darkness to children of Light. In their unwillingness, they stop up their ears to the Truth of God’s Word turning rather to the deceitful one who roams the earth as a lion in pursuit to devour:

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)



“None are so blind as those who will not see, and none so stupid as those who do not want to understand.” J. C. Ryle

Next a stinging and stern rebuke issues from the Savior stating these Pharisees show forth evidence that they belong to Satan who was himself unwilling to abide in Truth and righteousness. Jesus infers that the purpose of these Pharisees was to practice the passion and desire of the heart of Satan, their father. We must remember that Satan’s desires are only of evil, resolutely set on bringing death and destruction to both the body and soul of man. The prophet Ezekiel gives us the following regarding our adversary:

15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. Ezek 28:15-17 (NIV)

While the devil has no power to “create” the wicked, he works on mankind’s natural fleshly bents and by an intentional exertion of influence - through deception - he takes them captive to do his bidding. His methods and schemes of pursuit of a subject are both orderly and technical. Augustine states we become sons of Satan by imitation and not by birth. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy:

22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Tim 2:22-26 (NIV)



Satan is a master at setting traps – he has been doing it since he presented the fruit to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He tempts us at our weakest and most vulnerable points of which he is acutely aware of by his constant observations. While he is neither omniscient nor omnipotent, he commands power that we as mere flesh and blood certainly should respect – just a cursory look at Scripture would prove this point out. Indeed, Scripture tells us that even the archangel Michael did not dare bring a slanderous accusation against Satan rather stated “the Lord rebuke you!”



8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:8-9 (NIV)



Jesus is pristinely clear in His description of the devil in our verses for today – he is a murderer and has been since the beginning, he is a liar not holding to the Truth and neither is any Truth found in him, his native language is lying and furthermore, he is the father of lies – not a pretty picture. He wears the mask of piety cloaked in the pretence of peace yet in reality he is set on our death and destruction. Thankfully, as believers in Jesus, greater is He who is in us that He who is in the world. Jesus has given us the power to resist the devil and He sits at the right hand of God always interceding for the saints. As children of the King, we do not have to give the devil an inch – the territory he takes is what we allow him to have. We are to stand firm then in the power of the Holy Spirit cloaked in the full armor of God when the day of evil comes – and we will be able to stand because Jesus is faithful to cause us to stand. Praise Him!



What I glean from this:



• The Pharisees could not understand Jesus’ Words because they would not understand Jesus’ Words.


• Satan’s desires are only of evil – he is on the pursuit of death and destruction to both the body and soul of man.


• Satan is a liar – there is no Truth in him.

Sharing Bread John 8:42

SHARING BREAD

42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.


John 8:42 (NIV)

Having prior staked the claim that God was their Abba Father; Jesus now sets the record straight for these Pharisees: no man is really a child of God who does not love Jesus Christ. The basic Truth stands firm: the reality of sonship to God - entailing all of its blessings and privileges and high standings – belongs solely to the one who loves the Lord Jesus with sincerity. This brings up a good question for us to ponder as well – do we love the Lord Jesus with sincerity of heart? He is the embodiment of God providing a way for all people who desire to come to the Father – He is our only access. Jesus tells us:

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14:6-7 (NIV



44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:44-46 (NIV)



The writer of Hebrews states the following broadening our knowledge regarding the One bringing us life:



3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Heb 1:3 (NIV)

While these Pharisees were perhaps children by nationality and covenant they certainly missed the mark regarding grace and spiritual birth. There is nothing more common in any era than the vague talk regarding the universal Fatherhood of God – meaning God is everyone’s Father no matter what is believed or practiced. While this certainly sounds palatable and carries wide appeal, Jesus makes it clear that this is simply not true. In clarion terms Jesus tells us if God is really our Father then we will love His Son – love to Christ being the infallible mark of all true children of God. Where there is no love of Jesus, there is no sonship to the Father – Jesus being the One and Only sent straight from the Father full of grace and truth:

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)

There are many passages in Scripture attesting to this Truth. John tells us:

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 1 John 5:1 (NIV)

22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22-23 (NIV)



2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 1 John 4:2 (NIV)



23 He who hates me hates my Father as well. John 15:23 (NIV)



Next Jesus tells His hearers that He was sent from God on a mission – He did not come on His own whims rather His pursuit was backed with poise and purpose. God had sent Him and He was ever about His Father’s business.

17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." John 5:17 (NIV)



Another good question for us to consider: are we, like our Savior, living our lives with purpose and passion? As believers, we are not left here to simply be entertained. God has rich, purposeful and meaningful plans for our lives that we are the ultimate losers if we miss – and believe me, we can miss them through our own poor choices. Distractions, tyranny’s of the urgent over the important, feeding and fueling our fleshly appetites, entertaining ourselves to exhaustion all signs in our day of wasting our lives. As believers, we do well to keep the proper perspective that earth is not our ultimate home, heaven is. This was how the great men and women of faith kept proper perspective stated in chapter 11 of Hebrews:



9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Heb 11:9-10 (NIV)



13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Heb 11:13-16 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• I am not a child of God if I do not love Jesus.


• Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.


• Like Jesus, God has a mission for my life as well which I certainly do not want to miss due to my poor choices.

Sharing Bread John 8:41

SHARING BREAD

41 You are doing the things your own father does."






"We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."

John 8:41 (NIV)

In our verses for today Jesus points to the model of the Pharisees behavior certainly leaving them un-enamored and setting fire to their emotions by wedging a knife under their skin with the Truth of His Words. We who are donned with flesh do not often embrace the circumstance whereby the attention is drawn to our flaws. Indeed, we often become vessels of defensiveness when confronted with our shortcomings. Rather than heed the advice or at least contemplate our need of change, we lash out with all kinds of reasons to support our behavior and cause. There will always be someone to side with our poor choices and we diligently and purposely seek them out. They, quite frankly, make us feel better about ourselves. We are all about justifying what we do - being very similar to these Pharisees who only cloaked their words in righteousness yet their actions remained far from it. Oftentimes it takes someone who cares for us and loves us enough to do the hard thing by pointing us to the Truth, no matter how much it may bruise. Scripture tells us:

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Prov 27:6 (NIV)

Here Jesus brings to light a point we are all in need of pondering (if we are willing to put our toes out there to be stepped on!) – Whose or whose character is our behavior reflecting? As a child of the King we are to be imitating our Father – walking in a manner worthy of our high calling. I am afraid that we as believers have become so desensitized to God’s Word by the world and its standards that we often have no idea how very far we have strayed from it. Indeed, like chameleons, we tend to blend with our surroundings. It is no wonder statistics show very little difference between churched people and those un-churched in lifestyles and choices. This should not be. God calls His people to a transformed life of holiness and righteousness through His power as we die to self. We are in desperate need of a wakeup call to the Truth of God’s Word. Paul tells us in Ephesians:

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 (NIV)



Our love requires of us self-discipline, self-denial and courage – just like our Savior. As we follow the Crucified we should not expect to escape the cross. Our self-righteous, self-centered, self-enthroned life must die as we yield our life to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul states in Galatians:



20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 (NIV)



“The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself.” Oswald Chambers



Indeed, Paul goes on to list specifics regarding improper behavior for believers to flesh out - certainly placed in Holy Writ to red flag us and draw our attention to the importance of our actions. We would do well to search our own hearts with the light of God’s Word:



3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. Eph 5:3-14 (NIV)



All the while God longs to show His children compassion – He rejoices over us with singing – not over our sinful behavior or our poor choices – but over us, loving the sinner yet hating the enslaving sin. He woos us and loves us into the higher path of righteousness and peace for His Name’s sake. He forgives us not so that we will go back to our filth – like a pig wallowing in the mud or a dog in its vomit – but that we may remain unfettered and free from these sins that so readily enslave. Isaiah tells us:



18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• It is important Who I imitate.


• Sometimes the Truth hurts particularly when I am convicted of sin and need to change.


• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Sharing Bread John 8:39-40

SHARING BREAD

39 "Abraham is our father," they answered.




"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.


John 8:39-40 (NIV)

In our verses for today Jesus draws the attention of His hearers - and certainly all of us as well – to a very important criteria of true spiritual heritage: our works will spring forth from our faith as our Father Abraham’s did - proving ourselves to belong to God. John the Baptist had already chastised the Pharisees with a like remark:

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:7-8 (NIV)

Not to take away from the Pharisees pedigree nor state a slanderous slur regarding any of us, but it appears to me that the Baptist believed even a rock could be turned into one that would spiritually qualify as a child of Abraham if left in the mighty Hand of God! While works themselves cannot justify us as they are at best full of imperfections, they are useful to show Whose we are and what our faith is worth to us. It is faith alone that saves but our faith is never alone – it is always to be accompanied by works.

“It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is not alone.” John Calvin

Jesus’ half-brother James gives us further insight regarding faith stating the uselessness of it apart from our deeds:

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. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:14-22 (NIV)

Remember that Abraham believed God – acting on that belief - and it was credited to him as righteousness – his faith in God being the force behind his deeds – the motivation, the impetus - faith finding fulfillment in the action. This is certainly something for us to consider us well – what is the motivating force behind our actions? Pride, selfish ambitions, vain conceits – motivators that glorify the doer and do not bring honor to our Father will always be found wanting. Rather, when our actions flow from our abiding faith in the God of all creation it is a demonstration that we truly believe Him - His promises, His ways, His commands, and His Word. It indicates we trust Him with our lives for our ultimate good. This brings Him much glory. We must also never forget that we are most satisfied when God is most glorified rather than thinking our enduring satisfaction will come from glory that we may receive.

6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. Gal 3:6-7 (NIV)

"Seek, O believer, that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing. May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no 'baseless fabric of a vision,' but may it be built of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desire earnest. May your whole life be so firm and strong, that all the blasts of hell and the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you." Charles Spurgeon

“Faith is the root of works. A root that produces nothing is dead.” Thomas Wilson

What I glean from this:



• My works are to spring forth from my faith.


• My faith in Christ alone justifies me but my faith is never alone.


• It is God alone who truly satisfies me: 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalms 103:1-5 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 8:37-38

SHARING BREAD

37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father. "

John 8:37-38 (NIV)

In response to the arrogant and boastful claim of the Jews, Jesus states He was fully aware of their physical lineage to Abraham. On the other hand, their desire to kill Him demonstrated their willful ignorance and lack of understanding in regards to His coming. Jesus was the very fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham – all the way back in Genesis - by the God of promise:

3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Gen 12:3 (NIV)

Paul writes in Galatians regarding this:

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Gal 3:12-14 (NIV)



Jesus’ Words in our verses for today following the Pharisees gross inconsistency are very interesting indeed - “you have no room for my word.” This begs the question for us as well – do we have room in our hearts for His flawless Word? Does His Word deeply penetrate us like rain on a dry and parched land – soaking it up and producing the fruit in our lives which God desires for it to bring forth? The Psalmist proclaims:



9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9-11 (NIV)



Paul’s description of God’s Word in 2 Timothy gives us even greater insight into this Treasure:



15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:15-17 (NIV)



Hmmm, let’s see: making us wise for salvation, equipping us for every good work, useful for teaching and rebuking and correcting and training us in righteousness – again, do we have room in our hearts for His Word? Or are we like these Jews who profess a right standing with God thinking we are favored because of some blind conceit i.e. lineage, legalistically maintaining the sacraments, basing our religion on a few notions yet missing the essentials of faith and grace, repentance and holiness which the Scriptures plainly teach us. It is Jesus Who is “mighty to save” and promises to cast out none that come to Him – the Word of God always pointing us to our Savior - judging the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. Indeed, Christ tells His hearers earlier in John:



37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.   John 5:37-40 (NIV)

Jesus clearly tells us in Scripture that He speaks His Father’s Words and that He has come from God’s presence to speak what He has seen and heard. Indeed, He states that He and the Father are One:

16 Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. John 7:16-17 (NIV)



He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:23-24 (NIV)




27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30 (NIV)

Sheep follow the Shepherd.

What I glean from this:

• God’s Word is flawless and eternal, standing firm - 30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalms 18:30 (NIV) 89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalms 119:89 (NIV)


• God’s Word teaches me: 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130 (NIV)


• The sheep are to follow the Shepherd.

Sharing Bread John 8:34-36

SHARING BREAD

34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.


John 8:34-36 (NIV)

We have yet another red flag here from the mouth of our Savior calling our attention to the importance of His Words – “I tell you the truth” – literally “Amen! Amen!”- which, by the way, occurs 25 times in the gospel of John - meaning to affirm and confirm a statement, emphasizing what is to be said – the repetition carries a strong force behind it equating to “most assuredly” – we can take it to the bank, so to speak. Jesus wants us to know that everyone (I think that includes all!) who sins is a slave to sin. The wording here actually describes something which is done habitually and repeatedly – perhaps even without remorse – placing the doer in bondage, ultimately making their sin their master. Paul dittos this same sentiment to us in Romans:

16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 (NIV)



Living in habitual sin, these Pharisees in their wicked, worldly and wallowing in unbelief way had a master that was not from above and were thereby (evidently unbeknownst even to them) in a state of bondage. When sin rules it follows that we are its servant. This was something that could not be disputed. In the verse above, Paul states that fact as a self evident truth – there is in effect no middle ground between being a slave to sin and a slave to obedience to God. Jesus Himself told us we cannot serve two masters – we are either with Him or against Him:



24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Matt 6:24 (NIV)



This certainly does not mean the Christian will never sin – the root of sin remains in a believer, it will never be utterly destroyed or entirely dead. What it does mean is that sin has no power to condemn or reign only what we acquiesce to give it, leading us into bondage to it – the fruit of sin always being death. We must never lull ourselves into the false security of thinking we are done with sin forever – that just makes us ripe for a Humpty Dumpty experience - awaiting a great fall. Our sinful nature remains after conversion – the trick is for it to be shrinking – crucifying its passions and desires - while the Holy Spirit is to be thriving – fanned into flame through our obedience. Paul tells us in Galatians:



16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:16-25 (NIV)

The path of deliverance from habitual sin is through the bondage of obedience to our Savior. He alone breaks the power of corruption in the soul of man. He is the way of freedom. Taking Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves and relying on the Holy Spirit’s strength and power - moment by moment – our actions bathed with effectual fervent prayers and our bodies donned in the full armor of God – it is then that we are able to stand firm, even amidst the winds of temptation.



13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)



13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. 1 Cor 16:13-14 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• I am a slave to what has mastered me be it sin or obedience to Christ.


• I cannot serve two masters.


• It is Jesus who sets me free from sin and death, equipping and empowering me to live a life worthy of His high calling. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Sharing Bread John 8:33

SHARING BREAD

33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"


John 8:33 (NIV)

Isn’t it interesting how we can dupe ourselves into believing anything we want to believe? The power of self-deception has no limit – the heart being deceitful above all things and beyond cure states Scripture. These prideful Jews had a false hope in their standing before God because they were physical descendants of Abraham. How deluded of them to proclaim they had never been slaves to anyone! Had they conveniently forgotten Egypt not to mention their present standing in bondage to the Romans? Unfortunately for them, the title to heaven is not made by human lineage no matter how hard they hoped for it. What they missed, according to Jesus and the Word of God was their lack of being His spiritual descendants. Abraham was justified by faith in the God of Promise. Scripture tells us:

6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Gen 15:6 (NIV)



From the beginning of Scripture until It’s end and throughout all the ages, the teaching is crystal: salvation (imputed righteousness) is through faith alone. We, like Abraham, are justified through faith not through some blood lineage or anything else for that matter. It is not our parents standing which saves us nor our fleshly works which ultimately bring glory to us rather than God nor our money nor our status nor anything else our minds can conceive. We can convince ourselves of our own righteousness yet our lives plainly demonstrate no proof of our heavenly lineage – our walk not being worthy of our high calling. We must make sure our faith is rightly placed – which is in Christ alone – enabling us to “stand in the judgment” as Psalm One proclaims:



5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:5-6 (NIV)



The righteous are those who are rightly related to God through faith in His Son’s atoning sacrifice for all on the cross. Scripture tells us the following Truth: Life is in the blood and it is the sacrificial blood of Jesus that makes atonement for one’s life. We find in Leviticus regarding the sacrificial system set in place by God which symbolically points to Christ’s future and final atonement for mankind – notice the words “I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves” – we have never been able to make atonement for ourselves:



11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Lev 17:11 (NIV)



You see, when we were still powerless to do anything about our sinful nature, Christ died for us. Paul tells us in Romans:



6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)



We are foolish indeed if we, like these Jews represented in our verses for today, place our eternal hope in anything but Jesus. The righteous, therefore, are those who are “crucified with Christ” – no longer living for themselves – His powerful life within them – the gift of the precious Holy Spirit – enabling and equipping them to live by His Word - producing things of eternal value rather than the stubble of earthly dross. Indeed, John the Baptist plainly states to the religious leaders of his day:



7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matt 3:7-12 (NIV)




“It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is not alone.” John Calvin



"The only way to end up at the right destination is to choose the right road." Warren Wiersbe

What I glean from this:

• My standing before God is not dependant on my fleshly lineage nor my fame nor status nor my money (or lack of it) nor my earthly works rather on Christ alone is my hope found.


• Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness – I am to believe God as well.


• Jesus died for me while I was yet a sinner.

Sharing Bread John 8:31-32

SHARING BREAD

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."


John 8:31-32 (NIV)

Jesus, the One who frees the captive. He, being the great Liberator, sets the believer free from bondage – bondage to sin, bondage to self, bondage to death and destruction. He breaks the strong chains of the sin that blinds and binds us. If we are not yoked to Jesus we will find ourselves yoked to any and everything that is not of Him equating to our slavery. We are either yoked to Him or we are yoked to sin. That is why Jesus issues the following call to all to “Come” and “Learn”.

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)

The prophet Isaiah had prophesized regarding this particular job description of our Savior. Indeed, our Lord Himself read from Isaiah’s scroll at the advent of His ministry claiming to be the Freer of the prisoner and the Preacher of the very good news. Isaiah states:

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV)



Jesus’ half brother James gives us an even broader dimension to our verses for today. He echoes and emphasizes Jesus’ Words regarding our knowing and demonstrating and continuing on in the Truth – those pursuing this, Jesus states, are truly His disciples. It is one thing to begin to follow our Savior and quite another to persevere – holding firmly to the end to the Master’s leading – finishing well, so to speak. Not considering the cost beforehand, sadly, many of His so called disciples fell away from our Lord when His teaching got tough. We must remember heaven is our home – not earth and our path to heaven is not always on a bed of down. James words follow:



22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

We are foolish indeed we if seek to divide Jesus from the Word of Truth – the Bible – God’s revealed will – compartmentalizing One away from the Other – seeking to elevate One apart from the Other. Jesus is the Word fleshed out – made manifest. He came demonstrating to us the glorious revelation of God full of grace and Truth. He held God’s Word, the Law, in highest esteem. Indeed, He was the incarnation of God and His Word – He being the eternal expression of the divine intelligence and the disclosure of the divine essence. John tells us:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (NIV)

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)



Christ came to give us freedom, liberty, privilege – the state in which one can act and move without restriction or hindrance. Believers in Christ are freed if we hold to and follow His leading and teaching. Sin has lost dominion as Christ has disarmed the power and authority of Satan and self. We do not have to give Satan or self an inch – unfortunately, we sometimes do rather than fleeing through the door that God always provides. Paul writes regarding this in Galatians:

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1 (NIV)

We are wise to consistently pray for ourselves and those we love to look for and flee through the door of escape that God always provides His children when temptation rears its ugly head. We are told the promise by the pen of Paul:

13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Jesus came to set the captive free.


• I do not have to be bound to sin. As a believer, Christ has disarmed Satan’s power over me through the cross. I do not have to give Satan and inch.


• There is always a door of escape I can flee through when temptation arises.

Sharing Bread John 8:29-30

SHARING BREAD

29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.


John 8:29-30 (NIV)

The Son had full assurance of the constant presence of His Father. In endearing terms, Jesus pleased His Daddy - always. Ever about His Father’s business, Jesus was on His Father’s mission – holding fast to His Father’s agenda – always in constant union as well as in glorious harmony of thought and deed with His Dad. The One who came to fulfill all righteousness did so perfectly and with His Father’s highest approval. I am reminded of Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration and God’s Words of commendation to the listening hearers:

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)



5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Matt 17:5-8 (NIV)



As believers in Jesus, we should take heed of and follow our Savior’s actions knowing fully that Christ is our Supreme example as well as our constant encouragement. While Jesus performed all things perfectly, always pleasing His Father, we as His cracked clay pots should nonetheless be about pleasing our Father as well. Jesus has promised not to leave us as orphans – He will never leave us nor forsakes us - indeed, the One who sends us is with us – He being a “with us” Savior. His promise is to bestow upon every believer in Him the precious Holy Spirit Who not only convinces and convicts us of our sins but equips us to overcome them. The Spirit mightily and powerfully enables us to do God’s will consistently. There is nothing in the sinful natural man that allows us to continually live supernaturally apart from the indwelling of the Divine Holy Spirit. Human flesh alone will eventually fail each one of us as it is ever found wanting – we are simply not born into this world supernaturally prepackaged! This is why we are all desperately in need of a Savior. Jesus tells us:



15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18 (NIV)




Christ set the supreme pattern for us of love manifested and fleshed out in obedience and He expects us to follow His lead. Jesus states what the world must learn from His actions in the following Truth:



29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14:29-31 (NIV)

Isaiah had prophesized regarding the suffering Servant clearly describing His willing obedience to His Father as well as His reliance on His Father’s vindication:

6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. Isaiah 50:6-9 (NIV)

Lastly and also vastly important, there lies an unearthly joy in pleasing and delighting the Father that none but His children can know. His loving heart continues to woo all men to Him as He is fully aware of what is best for those He created as well as what they ultimately miss out on by not having Him as their Father. Unfortunately, foolishly we often turn our backs on what would be our best.

“O my child, rest in Me. Yes, quietly settle down in My care, as a bird settles in a nest. For I am watching over you, and in love I will care for you. There is no danger with which I am unable to cope. There is no enemy too formidable for Me to handle. I am able to carry out all My purposes, and to keep you at the same time. Be not afraid; neither allow terror to strike at your heart. My power is at your disposal. My presence stands around you…..” Frances J. Roberts

“I AM always before you, beckoning you on – one step at a time. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from my loving Presence. I want you to live your life focused on my Presence in the present. Since you know I am always with you – leading and encouraging you – you can live in that reality moment by moment. Your mind tends to leap over the present moment to the next task, ignoring the one that is before you and the One who is before you. During rare times when you are able to stay focused on Me, your work is infused with My Presence. It is no longer laborious but delightful: more like play than work. Living in collaboration with Me can be a foretaste of heaven. It is wonderful, though not easy: It requires a level of spiritual and mental concentration that is extremely challenging….This endeavor requires more persistent effort than anything else you have attempted. Yet, rather than detracting from your other activities, it fills them with vibrant Life. Whatever you do, do it for Me – with Me, through Me, in Me. Even menial tasks glow with the Joy of My Presence when you do them for Me.” Sarah Young

8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalms 16:8 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus had the full assurance of the constant presence and approval of His Father.


• As a believer, I am to be about my Father’s business through the power of the Holy Spirit.


• There is unearthly joy in pleasing and delighting my Father.

Sharing Bread John 8:27-28

SHARING BREAD

27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

John 8:27-28 (NIV)

We should certainly beware and take heed through the blatant example held out to us by the Pharisees’: our continual unwillingness to believe Truth has the potential to lead to the hardening of our heart through our spiritual blindness and lack of understanding – eventually even permanently. Initially, these Pharisees did not understand because they would not understand. Continual unbelief, therefore, unfortunately for the unbeliever stands as an ominous precursor to ever understanding. Jesus quoting the prophet Isaiah tells us in Matthew:

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' Matt 13:14-15 (NIV)

“The saddest condition a man can be in is to sit under the most living ordinances with a dead, stupid, untouched heart.” Matthew Henry


To be sure, we unwittingly bring upon ourselves our own doom by our refusal to believe Truth. Time and time again Christ had spoken so plainly to the Pharisees of God as His Father. Indeed, the word translated “understand” in verse 27 is from the Greek word “Ginosko” meaning “to come to know by experience and by trial; to inquire into, to examine the reason or cause; to be completely aware of, cognizant of or familiar or acquainted with; to know what one is or professes to be” – all denoting they had handled haphazardly the precious Truth given them by our Savior. Unlike Nicodemus who came to Jesus in search of Truth – albeit in the cloak of darkness – these Pharisees were decidedly stubborn in their unwillingness to change their staunch opinions. Jesus responds to them with a prophecy – when you have lifted me up through my crucifixion then you will know that “I Myself Am He Who Is”- the very Name God used to call Himself to Moses – “I AM” - a title the Jewish leaders were well aware claimed Deity. Jesus tells us later in John:

31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?" 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 12:31-36 (NIV)



Jesus was constantly prefacing His Words with “I tell you the truth” certainly placing an emphasis on the validity of what He spoke and demonstrating a loving effort to grab the attention and heart of His hearers. He even forewarned His disciples so that they would remember His Words after the fact and believe. We find His Words in John:



19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. 20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." John 13:19-20 (NIV)

Lastly, in our verses for today Jesus tells His hearers that He was sent by His Father’s commission to speak just what His Father has said – Jesus did nothing by His own independent authority. The Son is neither independent nor rebellious against the Father – their relationship being one of continuous love. Everything the Son does is the express will of the Father. This Truth Jesus also attests to in the following verses:

19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19 (NIV)



30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:30 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• My continual unwillingness to believe Truth has the potential to harden my heart.


• Jesus tells me the Truth.


• Jesus always did the will of the Father.

Sharing Bread John 8:25-26

SHARING BREAD

25 "Who are you?" they asked.




"Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26 "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."


John 8:25-26 (NIV)


Day and night are indeed both the same to the blind are they not? Refusing to believe Jesus’ Words, the Pharisees - perhaps even sarcastically - pose the question to our Savior: “Who are you?” Jesus had already made it abundantly clear who He was– always teaching the same message – never veering from the Truth. You do not find Him changing His teaching to pander the crowds or simply to blend with them and give them what their itching ears longed to hear. This is a good lesson for us all. Truth is Truth and does not change with the audience, it remains ever the Truth – it is neither relative nor subjective. John the Baptist speaks of Jesus in the following way earlier in the gospel of 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)

Paul attests to the supremacy of Christ in Colossians by giving us the following detailed description of our Lord:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:15-20 (NIV)



Unfortunately most men prefer remaining in the darkness, refusing to change – desirous of their temporal evil deeds over the Savior. Jesus confirms this Truth with the following Words:



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)



Darkness hides – our no ultimate meaning of life, our no worthy motivations, and our no adequate goals. No matter what glamorous deluded slant we want to place on this choice, if we remain in the darkness, Scripture says we lie and do not live by the Truth:



5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)



Refusing to turn from worthless ways, one will continue to wallow and wander in the walk of darkness fearful of the Light exposing their deeds for what they truly are. Simply put, choosing to love darkness rather than choosing to love God. Interestingly, Jesus tells us here that God is reliable the word meaning without anything to hide, true, real and authentic. In Him there is no darkness at all – Truth never need hide behind the cloak of darkness.



I am led to close with these verses from Ecclesiastes penned by Solomon which provide a contrast to those who remain alienated from God by choosing to live in the darkness of their ways – demonstrating and emphasizing as well, that the enjoyment of life is a gift from God the Father:



18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Eccl 5:18-20 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• God is Truthful. I can trust Him.


• Men who walk in darkness love the darkness and do not want their deeds exposed by the Light.


• It is God who keeps me occupied with gladness of heart.

Sharing Bread John 8:24

SHARING BREAD

24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."


John 8:24 (NIV)

Bold and clear Words from our Savior’s lips to the religious Pharisees – and for that matter, all other human beings as well - rejection of the Sin-Bearer will continue to leave one in the realm of their sinful nature. Powerfully and forcibly wielding the sword and cutting straight to the heart of the matter, Jesus states we will die in our sins if we do not believe - the root of all of one’s misery grounded deeply in unbelief. All sin eventually ends in misery and death. Indeed, when God gave the command to Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He follows it with this sentence:

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Gen 2:17 (NIV)



While there was no instantaneous physical death, there was certain death in relationship. No longer were they free to walk in the garden with God in the cool of the day – banished forever from God’s oasis of Eden, the wonderfully pleasing and soul satisfying representation of heaven on earth – sadly, instead opening up for themselves and for us as well the proverbial can of the way to empty living.



“Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides.” C. H. Spurgeon

The Pharisees were not too unlike our first father Adam - by clinging to worthless idols and forfeiting the grace that could be theirs, they turn from Jesus, their only hope for salvation. The Baptist had already testified regarding Jesus’ identity earlier in John:

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! John 1:29 (NIV)

Peter puts it in the following way:

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21 (NIV)



The writer of Hebrews expands on this thought:



13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Heb 9:13-14 (NIV)

Jesus’ words were endowed with peculiar solemnity - He being the One who lays down His life for His sheep. The loving, compassionate, merciful and gracious Savior and Friend of sinners in our verse for today, speaks to us Words that can be trusted – even though seemingly harsh and unkind. They appear to me to be as a lighthouse in the midst of a dense fog warning travelers of impending doom. It is rather most unkind not to warn or speak of hell or future punishment when one knows full well the Remedy. We can be assured that just as there is an eternal heaven for the believer in Christ there is also an eternal hell for those who turn their backs on Him.



“Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men plainly of danger, and to beseech them to ‘flee from the wrath to come.’ It was Satan, the deceiver, murderer, and liar, who said to Eve in the beginning, ‘Ye shall not surely die.’ (Genesis 3:4). To shrink from telling men, that except they believe they will ‘die in their sins,’ may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God.” J. C. Ryle



What I glean from this:



• Jesus presents the following Truth clearly – I will die in my sins if I do not believe He is the great “I AM” sent to save me.


• It is God who satisfies my soul – everything else is simply empty living.


• I am redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.