Sharing Bread John 9:8-9

SHARING BREAD

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some claimed that he was.


Others said, "No, he only looks like him."


But he himself insisted, "I am the man."


John 9:8-9 (NIV)


Let’s think about this for a minute Christian, what is our personal story of faith and are we faithful to tell it to others for Christ’s glory? We who once dwelled in the dominion of darkness and now delight in His marvelous light have something to share. Our testimonies being evidence or proof of what Jesus has done and continues to do in our lives – not only the starting point (our conversion) but the arrow that goes forth forward from that (our walk of faith). One never simply stands still in the faith walk or in life for that matter – we either are going forward or backward. God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah:

22 For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Jer 7:22-24 (NIV)

God is ever at work within the lives of His children. We should, therefore, always be able to relate to anyone both the starting point as well as what is happening in the present regarding our faith.

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)



The words to a hymn regarding the importance of telling our story to those God places in our spheres come to mind:

“We’ve a story to tell to the nations, That shall turn their hearts to the right, A story of truth and mercy, A story of peace and light, A story of peace and light. We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, That shall lift their hearts to the Lord, A song that shall conquer evil And shatter the spear and sword, And shatter the spear and sword. We’ve a message to give to the nations, That the Lord who reigns up above Has sent us His Son to save us, And show us that God is love, And show us that God is love. We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, Who the path of sorrow has trod, That all of the world’s great peoples Might come to the truth of God, Might come to the truth of God. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, And the dawning to noonday bright; And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, The kingdom of love and light.” H. Ernest Nichol


In light of all Jesus has done, Paul prays the following prayer for the brothers in Christ at Colosse – we should likewise be praying this for both our families and ourselves:

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:9-14 (NIV)


It is difficult to refute one’s own personal story no matter how bad a critic we may encounter. We are also the best ones to proclaim it – we who have lived it can describe what has happened to us with both passion and fervor. In our verses for today the crowds were so amazed by the miracle of restored sight that they were slow to believe. The blind was among the poorest and humblest class of people in the Jewish society. Not able to work for their support, those without sight were likely to come to poverty and be dependent upon charity as their only means of support. These neighbors had seen our blind beggar begging often. He would have been a very familiar sight to them - a permanent fixture so to speak - yet now they appear unsure of his true identity. Certainly this once blind beggar’s countenance had been changed and even his expressions with his now working eyes had kept the people who were most familiar with him from recognizing him.

“How much the expression of the face depends on the eyes.” Wolfgang Musculus

Yet all the while our protagonist continues to claim “I am the man”. Something miraculous had taken place in his life and he tells His story for God’s glory. What had happened to him was far beyond the ability of mere man – a glorious and wondrous work which far exceeded any human pittance in his cup and he was faithful to proclaim it.

“There is a signature of wisdom and power impressed on the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendor of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glowworm proclaims His glory. John Newton


What I glean from this:

• I must ask myself if I am faithful to share what Christ has done for me.


• If I am not going forward, I am going backward.


• The works of God are distinguished from the feeble imitations of men – diamonds compared to paste gems.

Sharing Bread John 9:6-7

SHARING BREAD

6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.


John 9:6-7 (NIV)

Here we see the Great Physician refusing to respond to this man born blind with a rote remedy. Jesus used His achieving powers to heal in various ways in Scripture. Certainly, He could have spoken the Word and the man would have been healed. He could have touched His eyes, snapped His fingers, and clapped His hands - or anything else for that matter - and produced the exact results. Yet here our Lord does something a bit out of the ordinary. Taking what was of man (dirt) and combining it with what came from Him (saliva), He mixes together a salve (on the Sabbath no less) anointing the eyes that could not see.

Meager means mixed with the power of Jesus will minister the miraculous. Jugs filled with water turned to wine, a small boys lunch to feed the thousands, dirt mixed with spittle healing the blind. How like the Lord to use the ordinary. That begs the question for us as well. Do we take our meager ordinary means and mix them with the achieving power of the Mater to minister mercy miraculously? A smile or an encouraging word for the downtrodden, a meal for the hungry, a visit for the lonely, a denial of self for the benefit of others – you get my drift. Needs are rampant and most - if not all - are able to minister in their sphere in some form or fashion. We need not preach Truth particularly if we are unwilling to practice it – we are to make the Truth visible.

“Be the first, wherever there is a sacrifice to be made, a self-denial to be practiced, or an impetus to be given.” Amy Carmichael

Of this, regarding Amy, Elizabeth Elliot writes: “It was no empty pedantry. Her own life made the truth visible to her children. The word became flesh and lived with them.”

As believers, Paul confirms our abilities in Philippians through the achieving power and strength of Christ dwelling within us:

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



19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (NIV)

How like our Jesus to always be about His Father’s business – He was simply fulfilling His purpose in coming - opening the spiritual eyes of the blind and unstopping their deaf ears. The prophet Isaiah tells us:

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. Isaiah 35:5-8 (NIV)

Interestingly, we find Jesus using His saliva for medicinal purposes two other times in Scripture – one for the healing a deaf and dumb man and another for the healing a blind man – these also fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Mark tells us in his gospel:

32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). 35 At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:32-35 (NIV)

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8:22-25 (NIV)

Lastly, our Lord gives the following directive to the infirmed – “Go” – “Wash in the Pool of Siloam” (Sent). In obedience to the command of our Lord, the man goes and washes and is healed. Our obedience demonstrates our faith. Simply put, if we believe Him we will obey Him.

28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus mixed the ordinary with His achieving power to demonstrate the miraculous. He chooses to use me as well by placing His power in my jar of clay, enabling me to do things too hard for me to do so that He alone receives the glory.


• I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.


• My obedience demonstrates my faith.

Sharing Bread John 9:4-5

SHARING BREAD

4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."


John 9:4-5 (NIV)


In our verses for today our Lord Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson on the importance and urgency of redeeming the time - for our own soul’s sake, for the souls of men and for the glory of God. Our fleeting “day” merely being the dash placed between the year we were born and the year we shall die. Jesus therefore tells us it is in our best interest to be wise in the use of our time – investing in lieu of spending.

“Be such a person, and live such a life, that if every one were such as you, and every life a life such as yours, this earth would be God’s paradise.” Phillips Brooks

“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the full in every situation that you believe to be the will of God.” Jim Elliot

We would do well to remember that all opportunities God allows are both golden and unrepeatable. He may give us additional shots but once an opportunity to “display His splendor” is lost, it is lost. We cannot go back in time – we do not have the luxury of a do-over. It is not God’s intent for His disciples to remain idle and do-less. Like Jesus, we are to be about our Father’s business - approaching it with both vigor and industry. Paul gives us the following commands in both Ephesians and in Colossians emphasizing the importance of “making hay while the sun shines”:

15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)





5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Col 4:5-6 (NIV)



Jesus was always about His Father’s business and His disciples are to be likewise. Knowing full well that His ministry would last only three short years, our Lord worked with diligence, a firm resolve and a fixed purpose. With Him, there was no dilly-dallying around – He was on a mission and everything He did was motivated by that. His goal was simply to please His Father - attending ever to His Father’s business. He therefore never allowed opportunities for the demonstration of mercy to pass Him by. Likewise, He calls our attention to the rampant need for our obedience as well earlier in John:



34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. John 4:34-35 (NIV)



He also gives us the following insight in Matthew demonstrating His deep compassion and sympathy for mankind as well as spurring and urging His disciples - both then and now - into action:



35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt 9:35-38 (NIV)



“To love God, to serve Him because we love Him, is…our highest happiness…Love makes all labor light. We serve with enthusiasm where we love with sincerity.” Hannah More

Paul gives us the following instructions in Colossians helping us to remember Who it is we are actually serving when we set out to help others:

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col 3:23-24 (NIV)



In fact Jesus clearly likens our service to others as our serving Him. He states in Matthew:



34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matt 25:34-40 (NIV)



“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, in all the places you can, as long as you can.” John Wesley


What I glean from this:



• My time on earth is fleeting. I am to be about the Father’s business investing rather than spending this precious resource.


• I am to make the most of every opportunity to show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and mercy to those in my sphere.


• Jesus tells me that in treating others kindly or cruelly it is as if I am doing it unto Him.

Sharing Bread John 9:1-3

SHARING BREAD

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"



3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.


John 9:1-3 (NIV)


Here our Lord Jesus takes special notice of the pitiful condition of this poor blind man. Being blind from birth, he was painfully helpless and dependent upon others to meet his most basic needs – there is hardly an affliction that evokes more sympathy from others. He who is blind has no enjoyment of the light – this is certainly true both physically as well as spiritually. Jesus sees, stops, and filled with tender compassion, shows mercy - halting his steps from His present danger to do good as He went along. Like our Master, we too should be as willing to serve others as we go along – taking every occasion for doing good – whether we deem it convenient or not.

Interestingly, all sorrow in life is the result of the original sin – all bodily infirmities – pains, diseases and defects are directly attributed to the curse which came upon the earth when our first father Adam fell, succumbing to temptation. Adam traded life and abundance for death and destruction. We do the same when we give way to it as well. We must learn to loathe all sin – not the sinner but the sin - with a Godly hatred, mortifying it and crucifying it in ourselves as temptation rears its ugly head. It never delivers what it promises. Paul tells us the following sobering Truth in Romans:

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- Romans 5:12 (NIV)




No doubt, the countless pains and physical defects, indeed the whole “wonderful” aging process of which we are all liable, began with the first juicy mouthful of the forbidden fruit by our original parents. The disciples in our verses for today seemed to have forgotten that Truth. They, like many in each generation, apparently held to the false notion that all infirmities must be the direct consequence of that person’s sin or their parents. This short sighted view was held by Job’s friends as well as the men on the island of Malta towards Paul when he was bitten by the viper – God proving both Job’s comrades and the islanders wrong. The Pharisees held to this belief as well when later in a confrontation with this healed blind man they state:



34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.  John 9:34 (NIV)



While there is certainly consequence to sin, Jesus shows us here that often an infirmity is allowed so that the work of God might be made manifest in a life. God permitted the man to be born blind, not because of his wickedness but for a far greater purpose - to furnish a platform for Divine mercy and power – mysterious as this may seem to us. Scripture tells us:



11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Ex 4:11 (NIV)




This begs an interesting question – do we embrace what God allows so that His work might be displayed in our lives? Do we give Him the freedom to use our vessels for His glory? Scripture tells us that we can have the full assurance and confidence of knowing that all things God permits in the life of those who love Him, He uses for their good and His glory. The “thing” is not what is good – the result is and that is that God might be displayed in the life. Paul tells us in Romans:



28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)




Paul demonstrates for us the proper embracing of what God allows – he pleads in prayer for the removal of his thorn - the answer given him being much greater than the removal - the grace sufficient to meet the need so that Christ’s power rested upon him:



7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV)





Like Paul whose thorn in the flesh was not removed though entreating thrice for its removal, eventually leading to his boasting in his weaknesses, blind hymnist Fanny Crosby relates the following regarding her infirmity demonstrating a certain like mindedness:

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me…..If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour." Fanny Crosby

What I glean from this:



• Jesus was never too busy to serve others as He went along – even if it was not convenient. I should do likewise.


• Sorrow and death entered the scene on earth with the fall of Adam. I should beware of temptation and loathe sin in my life. It yields nothing but death and destruction.


• God promises to work all things for my good as I love and depend upon Him – especially the difficult and despised things – His power at work within me making me strong.

Sharing Bread John 8:59

SHARING BREAD

59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.


John 8:59 (NIV)


It is certainly clear in our verse for today that Jesus’ hearers understood full well His claim of Deity in the preceding verse by the anger they demonstrated in their attempt to stone Him. Habitual prejudice against our Lord had left His hearers with deaf ears and hardened hearts to any conviction of spirit by the Truth. While indeed the punishment for blasphemy was stoning, it was only after one had been legally tried and convicted. In their anger, these Jews pretended to carry out the law all the while leaning into their own bias and pleasure – farewell justice and order albeit cloaked in the flowing robes of righteousness! This is certainly a lesson for us as well. How often have we hardened our hearts to Truth in lieu of embracing our own biases and pleasures? Casting stones, if you will, on anyone that would point to our folly. The command given in Scripture is quite the contrary. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, Heb 3:7-8 (NIV)

12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Heb 3:12-13 (NIV)





We are to guard our hearts with all diligence from sin and unbelief which turn us away from the living God. It should be noted as well that we are to remain in community – not isolated without accountability – encouraging and strengthening – as well as listening to - one another- to prevent the hardening of the deceitfulness of sin. We are to weigh everything against the Truth of God’s Word, disciplining our emotions, so as not to be found wanting. If we are treading perilously close to the ledge does it not remain in our best interest to know Truth even if it wounds? We can so easily dupe ourselves and convince ourselves of our own righteousness. We become proficient in getting confirmation from those in whom we are fully assured will tell us what our itching ears want to hear. Scripture tells us:



9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:9-10 (NIV)

Yet all the while God states:



23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Jer 7:23-24 (NIV)




“Don’t slack off seeking, striving, and praying for the very same things that we exhort unconverted people to strive for, and a degree of which you have had in conversion. Thus pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive sight, that you may know your self and be brought to God’s feet, and that you may see the glory of God and Christ, may be raised from the dead, and have the love of Christ shed abroad in your heart. Those that have most of these things still need to pray for them; for there so much blindness and hardness and pride and death remaining that they still need to have that work of God upon them, further to enlighten and enliven them. This will be a further bringing out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and a kind of new conversion…” Jonathan Edwards, Advice to Young Converts.




Lastly, we again see through the hand of Satan, false professors and the ungodly world all unanimous in their opposition to our Lord. In their rage and fury they hurriedly pick up stones in an apparent tumultuous and disorderly fashion – both sudden and unauthorized – to cast at Jesus. Yet His “time had not yet come” and He merely walks away slipping into the crowds. Certainly not a cowardly move as He maintained perfect power over his enemies rather displaying His meekness - absolute power under control. Knowing full well it was not His time He slipped away undiscovered. They could do no more against Him than He gave them permission to do. Brings to light the cross does it not? There Jesus willingly gave all for me and for you. He was not forced, rather He was willing.



“Amazing love! How can it be that thou my God, shouldst die for me?” Charles Wesley



What I glean from this:



• Habitual prejudice against the Lord’s Word will leave my ears deaf and my heart hardened.


• I am to guard my heart with all diligence from sin and unbelief which ultimately shows in my actions.


• Christ willingly died for me a sinner.

Sharing Bread John 8:57-58

SHARING BREAD

57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"



58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"


John 8:57-58 (NIV)

In our verses for today the “fullness of the Godhead in bodily form” rightly declares: “I myself am He who is” – in calling Himself “I AM”. It is a distinct assertion of His existence before all creation. Of Jesus Paul writes in Colossians:

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. Col 1:16 (NIV)


“I AM” was not an unfamiliar term to His Jewish hearers hence the cavil and reproach by the rabble in the verses following. It was by this Name which God had revealed Himself to the Jews when He sent His servant Moses to them:

13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Ex 3:13-14 (NIV)

The timelessness of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is clearly put forth in the Scriptures – continuous Beings irrespective of time. Their ever present existence is a vital Biblical truth for us to treasure. 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)




We also find the following Truth in Genesis:



1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Gen 1:1-2 (NIV)



The prophet Isaiah clearly states the ever existence of God as well:



10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed--I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" Isaiah 43:10-13 (NIV)



8 "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)




Is it not interesting that these hearers of Jesus’ Words were so dearly devout in their religiosity yet all the while remaining deaf to the Truth? Impenetrable harden hearts formulated, perhaps, by the delusions of our own minds are frightening indeed. We must beware that we ever believe the false notion we know everything there is to know about God. Our thinking and our understanding of God will never be complete until we are face to face with our Creator. He does not fit into our pretty little boxes all tied up in ribbons and placed on shelves for Sunday gatherings. God will not dwell there. He is so far above our thoughts and ways both in holiness and Supremacy. He reveals Himself to us steadily in portions we can assimilate as we seek Him with all our hearts and are subsequently obedient to what He shows. We are to search the Scriptures. We are to know the Truth. We are to seek to know Him. We are to seek Him with all our hearts and our souls and our minds never leaving ourselves unaccountable to others who help us keep to the right path lest we begin to stray.



“Every revelation of God is a demand, and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience.”
William Temple


“Behold, the Heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, and thou sayest, ‘Come ye all unto me.’” Thomas a Kempis


What I glean from this:



• Jesus is “I myself am He who is”.


• God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – continuous Beings irrespective of time.


• I delude myself if I think I can know everything about God.

Sharing Bread John 8:55-56

SHARING BREAD

55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."


John 8:55-56 (NIV)

Interestingly, in our first sentence for today Jesus uses two different words for “know” and therefore the sentence could be rendered as the following: “Though you have never had the initial experience of knowing Him, I intuitively know and am acquainted with and familiar with Him” – an indication of Jesus’ intimate knowledge of the Father as His One and Only Son. These Jews had no knowledge of God through experience which was evidenced by their lack of keeping His Word and therefore remained in the dark regarding His ways. While Jesus, on the other hand, has knowledge of God in the absolute sense and sets forth for us an example of obedience to His Father’s Word. They are One – having the closest possible unity of purpose – Jesus’ will being identical to that of His Fathers. Indeed, they are both One in will and nature as they are both God. In our verses today, Jesus clearly professes His knowledge of His Father with the greatest certainty and rightly so. Our Lord states later in John:

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



Once again Jesus gives us an indicator of who belongs to God – those who keep His Word. He rightly inferred these Jews did not know God as they were ignorant of His character, His will, and His purposes – professing to know Him yet by their works denying Him. How often is that the case? Faith is claimed yet the tree is barren. Many pretend to have an interest in God and say that He is theirs who have no just cause to say so – knowing Him in Name only. Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that we will know who are His by their fruit:

15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matt 7:15-20 (NIV)




Neither Jesus nor the Father will manifest themselves to those who are disobedient to Christ’s teaching – proving by their actions their lack of love for the Lord. Obedience in a life is the outflow from one who loves Jesus and His Word. He gives us the following Truth:



23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24 (NIV)




"God doesn't reveal Himself to the curious or the careless, but to those who are ready and willing to obey." Warren Wiersbe


“Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love for Him.” Nathanael Emmons

“Christian Love, either towards God or towards man, is an affair of the will.” C. S. Lewis



Lastly, Jesus tells His hearers the great joy which comes from faith citing Abraham as an example. The Patriarch had been given the promise of the Messiah to come – he was expectantly awaiting something marvelously great which he longed to know more of. Indeed, the wording Jesus used here regarding Abraham’s actions indicates a leaping joy – a joy which gets physical. Certainly a confirmation of the definition of faith listed in Hebrews:

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. Heb 11:1-2 (NIV)


In its essence, faith is both sure and certain regarding unseen hopes and realities. It believes God to be True and when we truly believe something, it will change the way we behave. Our behavior is an indicator of what we believe - just as our checkbooks and our calendars indicate how we spend our money and our time. Faith is also a lens through which we view all of life’s experiences giving purpose and meaning to a life. No longer tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, the believer in Jesus is firmly planted on the Rock of his salvation. It believes what Jesus says to be True no matter what our circumstances. It keeps our eyes fixed on the goal which, of course, is Christ:

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 great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort…” C.S. Lewis


What I glean from this:

• Jesus and the Father are One in will and nature.


• If I love Jesus I will obey His teachings.


• My faith in Christ is to be both sure and certain - growing deeper as I delve into and apply His Word to my life.

Sharing Bread John 8:54

SHARING BREAD

54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.


John 8:54 (NIV)

Who is it that we desire to honor us? Who do we set our sights on to lift us up, to recognize us as important or excellent or valuable? Who is it that we yearn to hear praise from? Whose words of affirmation and love bring joy to our soul? Do we desire it from God? Are we seeking it from man? Do we enjoy it from our own lips? Oftentimes the earthly obscures the heavenly in matters of exaltation – clinging to what man thinks of us and rarely giving thought to what God does. Human voices drown out the voice of God in our ears. In our verse for today Jesus rightly and carefully states man’s glory or praise means nothing. Perhaps we should read that again: man’s glory or praise means nothing – it is neither sufficient nor conclusive. The creating of our own honor is a grotesque product of our imagination – a bogey – there is nothing in it. Self-admirers are self-deceivers. True glory comes from God and is preceded by humility:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)



17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17 (NIV)



Indeed, the pagan king turned animal turned king again, Nebuchadnezzar, rightly stated in Daniel after his grazing in the grass experience:



34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Dan 4:34-37 (NIV)

King David’s words in Psalm Eight come to mind:

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalms 8:3-5 (NIV)

Man was created by God as His representation over all of creation - exalted by God yet, of course, not at all His equal. In the above Psalm, David writes of his amazement that God would elevate man to such honor. Yet, unfortunately, man failed with his exalted destiny. As Satan was cast from heaven due to the pride of exaltation of self – wanting to be as God – so too, man was cast from the garden – from walking and communing with God due to pride – wanting to be as God. We find the following in both Isaiah and Ezekiel regarding Satan:

12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." 15 But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Isaiah 14:12-15 (NIV)



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 28:17 (NIV)

And regarding the fall of man we find the following in Genesis:

4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Gen 3:4-6 (NIV)



Pride is an insidious monster. We must constantly beware of anything that causes us to think of ourselves as a superior person – walking around with our noses in the air as if others were beneath us. Paul rightly tells us:



7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Cor 4:7 (NIV)



Indeed, of the seven things detestable in the Lord’s sight listed in Proverbs, pride is number one:



16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Jesus did not exalt Himself nor did He give credence to what man thought.


• God delights to honor His children but it is preceded by humility.


• Pride is an insidious monster that I should constantly beware of.

Sharing Bread John 8:52-53

SHARING BREAD

52 At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

John 8:52-53 (NIV)

In our verses for today we read harsh, cruel, unbelieving and blasphemous words – dripping with untruth and arrogance - shot like arrows from the crowd intending to discredit and dishonor our Lord. Wounding words pierce the skin like sharp shards of glass aiming to hurt the heart in lieu of the flesh. Jesus’ path had allowed Him to be “privy” to plenty of these “lovely” outbursts – even from His closest relations which certainly must have stung all the greater. We find His family stating the following:

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." Mark 3:20-21 (NIV)

Ironically and interestingly, Scripture tells us it was demons who spoke the truth regarding the identity of our Lord rather than the religious elite of His day albeit He always silenced them:

31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" 35 "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. Luke 4:31-35 (NIV)

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.

33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Mark 1:32-34 (NIV)

The enemy knows full well who our Lord is and spends much of his time seeking to blind us of the Truth of His identity lest we follow Him and live for Him. Contrary to the name calling from the Jewish crowd in the verses today, Paul paints for us in Colossians an accurate and vivid description of Jesus which rightly exalts our Savior. Here he lists our Lord’s unique characteristics certainly qualifying Him as the supreme Sovereign of the universe:

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. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Col 1:15-23 (NIV)



These Jews thought they knew who Jesus was, in fact, they were pretty certain He was simply a man gone mad. Indeed, they took offense at Him. Sadly, since they would not understand they could not understand – “ever hearing but never understanding; ever seeing but never perceiving”. This is an important question for us to ponder as well – Who do we say Jesus is? Asking His disciples this exact query, Peter hits the bull’s eye with his appropriate and correct response:



13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. Matt 16:13-17 (NIV)



“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” C. H. Spurgeon



What I glean from this:



• Harsh and cruel words pierce my heart like sharp shards of glass.


• Sadly, it was the demons who spoke the truth regarding the identity of Jesus rather than the religious leaders of His day.


• Who do I say Jesus is?

Sharing Bread John 8:51

SHARING BREAD

51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."


John 8:51 (NIV)

Here our Lord speaks a great and mighty statement seemingly towering above His hearers: “if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." The “I tell you the truth” spoken prior red flagging our attention to the gravity and solemnity of His Words. He holds out the Truth of the immortality of believers who themselves hear and heed His Words.



“‘Whether you will hear or not, whether you choose to know Me or not, I solemnly tell you that if any man receives, believes, and keeps my doctrine, he shall never see death. Despised and rejected as I am by you, life or death, heaven or hell, blessing or cursing, depend and hinge on accepting the message I proclaim to you. I am the way, the truth and the life.’ Our Lord seems to be saying, ‘I tell you once more, for the last time, that to keep my saying is the way to escape death.” J.C. Ryle

John records a similar statement of the Lord Jesus in the fifth chapter of his gospel:

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 5:24 (NIV)



In like manner, the prophet Isaiah prophesized the following regarding the works of the coming Savior:



8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8 (NIV)



What exactly did Jesus mean when He stated “keeps my word” and “never see death”? In the first statement our Lord defines for us the character of a true believer – it is one that adheres to His Word – not just gives intellectual assent or a mere nod of the head but makes it his way of life. It is one who not only receives but keeps and who not only haves but holds. It is one who keeps His Word in their memory (mind), in their love (heart), in their way (walk), and as their rule (Lordship). Jesus is referring here to the whole doctrine of his Gospel. The process begins in the mind and fleshes out in the walk and is forever guided by His rule. I am reminded of the beloved passage in Deuteronomy that Moses gave the Jews:



4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deut 6:4-9 (NIV)




Indeed, when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, His reply sounded very similar to the Shema (the Hebrew word for “Hear”) – the passage we just read in Deuteronomy. His top two commandments speak first to loving God and second to fleshing out that love:



36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt 22:36-40 (NIV)



In stating the believer “will never see death”, Jesus does not mean they will not literally physically die and be buried like all the other children of Adam. Unless Jesus returns first, we must each cross the River Jordan as all who have gone before us. Ever since the fall of Adam death has been man’s enemy. Flesh and blood will feel on our deathbed – death being a serious thing even though the sting has been taken away. We have certainly discovered the Truth found in Genesis 2:17:



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)



What it does mean is that death has lost its sting for us as we are completely delivered from the spiritual death of condemnation under which all mankind are born – our souls are made alive and can die no more. There will also be a bodily resurrection and heavenly ascension of those who die in Christ Jesus – just as Lazarus came forth from the grave at the voice of our Lord, so too the saints will rise at the sound of His loud command. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians:



16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thess 4:16-18 (NIV)



“The death from which our Lord came to deliver us was the second death, eternal death, the death of hell, the death of damnation with the devil and his angels. This is indeed death; for this death of ours is only a migration. What is it but a putting off a heavy load, provided there be not another load carried, by which the man shall be cast headlong into hell. This is the death of which the lord says, ‘He shall not see death.’” Augustine



“You do well to remember that the Shepherd who so tenderly leads you is the King of eternity. Though your earth-body will someday die, you yourself will never perish. When you become absent from the body, you will be present with Me in a deep, rich, glorious way beyond anything you can imagine! No one will be able to snatch you out of My hand. This assurance of your eternal destiny sets you free from fear of death. It also strengthens you to live bountifully today – joyously following your Shepherd.” Sarah Young



What I glean from this:

• When Jesus’ Words are of solemn importance He begins with “I tell you the truth”.


• I am to love the Lord with all my heart and soul and mind and I am to flesh out that love to my sphere.


• Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

Sharing Bread John 8:50

SHARING BREAD

50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.


John 8:50 (NIV)

It is God, the Judge of all men, who sought and seeks still for His Son to be glorified. Jesus did not seek to justify Himself among men nor did He seek to glorify Himself rather He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly. What a contrast to the religious leaders of His day who walked around in flowing robes - with chins held high - seeking the praise and honor of men. We must remember God’s way up is first down:

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV)

Man’s stamp of approval meant nothing to our Lord - His concern being for God’s “high five” and “atta Boy” alone as well as for His life bringing the Father much glory. When God exalts we are exalted indeed. Interestingly, fear of man or love of man’s approval and hypocrisy are very nearly allied. Jesus always considered the source of both the criticism and praise He received – never swayed by mankind’s opinion. He gives us His thoughts on this in the following verses:

41 "I do not accept praise from men, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? John 5:41-44 (NIV)

Peter expands this thought in the following verses regarding the actions of our Lord Jesus:

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)

There is an interesting “take away” here that we should be readily conscientious of applying to our own lives. It is commendable for a believer to patiently bear up under unjust suffering with the full knowledge that they are living “coram Deo” – before the eyes of God – the hand of God being at work directing all the affairs of one’s life for a divine purpose. It stands therefore to reason that respectable submission to unjust or undeserved suffering finds favor with God. Such behavior brings glory to Jesus as it demonstrates His power in a life. It goes against our human nature not to try to defend ourselves particularly when we have done no wrong. I am afraid we have become quite soft in this area bringing dishonor to our Lord rather than glory. We whine and complain over a line at the bank or a wait in the doctor’s office or over a glass of the proverbial spilled milk – seriously, when is it that we plan to grow up? Our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world often suffer some sort of persecution or dissent daily – it is the norm for them rather than the unusual occurrence. Believe me when I say I do not like to suffer any more than anyone else, yet it is foolish not to expect it. We live in a fallen world with broken and fallen people – we will have tribulations – it is a given, Jesus has promised it:

33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)



It is therefore in our response to these “rubs” that our Lord is either glorified and made real to others or dishonored by our lives. Scripture tells us we are to do everything for the glory of God, showing ourselves to be His disciples this, of course, is fleshed out in our walk of life:



“…. whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31 (NIV)

“The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life ‘hidden with Christ in God’ in our everyday human conditions (Colossians 3:3). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.” Oswald Chambers




17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Jesus did not seek glory for Himself.


• I am not to seek glory for myself.


• I glorify God through my relationships with others when Christ’s life is exhibited in my behavior and not my own!

Sharing Bread John 8:48-49

SHARING BREAD

48 The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"






49 "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.


John 8:48-49 (NIV)

I get it. These Pharisees don’t like what Jesus has been saying to them so now they are all about casting stones – He must be a half-breed and demonically possessed to consider them – the very religious elite - not children of God. The only conclusion they can come up with is that Jesus had to be out of His right mind to even think such a thing as that! Isn’t that the direction we tend to go when confronted with the Truth of our behavior? We immediately jump on the defensive bandwagon and strive to strike a low blow to the one (and in this case, the One) drawing our attention to our flaw. Nobody likes to be in the bad attention limelight. It makes us squirm and feel yucky about ourselves. Yet that was precisely what Jesus was out to accomplish in confronting these self righteous religious leaders albeit all the while motivated by the love He possessed for them. Humans do not seem to look up until they are down low. When we are so full of ourselves we seldom realize our emptiness. He sought to get them to turn from their false righteousness to His True Righteousness and subsequently be saved. He was not trying to be cruel or hateful in presenting them with the Truth of their standing rather kind and loving. The most hateful thing one can do is to leave a person in their ruin – saturated, soaking and sinking in their sin - when they are fully aware of the antidote. In our day and time we tend to “love” people into hell through our false belief that tolerance is markedly better than Truth – shame on us. Jesus certainly did not go down that path. The verse in Proverbs comes to mind:

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



In our verses today we find two simple “take aways” that we can readily apply to our own lives: how not to respond when confronted with our poor behavior as these Pharisees did and how to respond when confronted with false and even perhaps slanderous accusations as Jesus did.



Let’s first observe the Pharisees reply to our Lord’s confrontation of Truth to the m. Jesus had previously stated their actions clearly demonstrated that their father was not God rather Satan. These guys viciously went for the jugular. It seems as though they were trying to hurt our Lord with their words as they perhaps were wounded by His - wrong reaction on their part. It is certainly easy to lash out when we are bruised by others. We are often most defensive when there is truth to the words spoken to us – even if presented in exaggerated form. While we are not held accountable for the words someone speaks to us we are held accountable for the words that come out of our mouths. We would do well to remember that our words come as the overflow of what is stored in our hearts. Jesus tells us in Matthew:



34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Matt 12:34-37 (NIV)



Amy Carmichael stresses the importance of putting our words through the fine sieve of Philippians 4:8 before speaking – are they true, are they noble, are they right, are they pure, are they lovely, are they admirable, are they excellent or praiseworthy, and she adds – are they necessary? If most of us would do this, the world would certainly be a quieter place! Misuse of words is one of the easiest ways to sin. Like King David our prayer should be the following:



3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalms 141:3 (NIV)



Next, Jesus shows us how to respond correctly – even to the lies of the enemy – and that is by simply and calmly stating the Truth. You will never go wrong in doing the right thing in God’s eyes neither will you go wrong in stating the Truth in love. Proverbs tells us:



27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Prov 17:27 (NIV)



One final thought, I find it very interesting that of the seven things God deems detestable listed in Proverbs, the top two are demonstrated by these self-righteous Pharisees in our verses for today – pride (haughty eyes) and deceit (a lying tongue). Just a heads up from God’s Word for us to beware:



16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• It is easy to lash out and be defensive when my toes have been stepped on.


• I am held accountable for the words that I speak.


• I should put my words through the following sieve before I speak them – are they true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, necessary?

Sharing Bread John 8:47

SHARING BREAD

47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."


John 8:47 (NIV)


Those who are God’s children both hear and heed what He says – they put His Words into action by cloaking them in the skin of flesh - fueled by the precious Holy Spirit. In confronting these unbelieving Pharisees, Jesus here speaks of His teachings as being the very Word of God and rightly so. Later in John, in a similar manner, we find Jesus responding to His Jewish hearers question inquiring if He were indeed the Christ:

25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 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 10:25-30 (NIV)



True sheep of the Shepherd both hear and heed His Words proving themselves to be children of God. God the Father commissioned Jesus to proclaim His Words and Truths to mankind – they were not only God’s Words but Jesus’ as well. Being deaf and dead to the Word of God is evidence of not belonging to God. Scripture tells us the Word of the Kingdom of God must bring forth fruit – if not, the blame certainly does not point to the Seed, rather to the poor soil upon which it falls.



“There is no surer mark of an unsanctified nature than dislike to God’s Word.” Rollock



I am reminded of Jesus’ closing Words in the Sermon on the Mount confirming this Truth:



24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 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 7:24-29 (NIV)



Jesus taught the indispensable necessity of obedience to His commands – both for our good and for His glory. No outward profession - however remarkable – will bring us to heaven without the corresponding conduct. Those who do not go any further than a mere profession, Jesus does not accept nor will He acknowledge on that great day.



21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matt 7:21-23 (NIV)



“Be not only attentive in hearing, but retentive after hearing.” Thomas Watson

“At God’s bar, a profession of religion will not bear out any man in the practice and indulgence of sin; therefore let every one who names the name of Christ, depart from all iniquity.” Matthew Henry



It would behoove us to remember that the demons were the first to announce Jesus’ identity when He walked upon this earth. They knew exactly who Jesus was yet certainly did not place their faith in him. In fact, James tells us that they believed and trembled – showed emotion - yet remain unchanged. Indeed, in James’s discourse of deeds he states the following Truth:



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. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. James 2:18-23 (NIV)



If our walk isn’t matching our talk - or at the very least a desire for it to - perhaps there is something askew in our way of thinking. At best we are either confused or at worst, hypocrites like these Pharisees, convincing ourselves of our righteousness yet all the while remaining in a wrong standing before a Holy God. We must consider, therefore, how we walk. We must not be misled; a true faith will produce fruit in keeping with repentance. If our lives are without fruit we must question if our lives are without faith. It is to our Father’s glory that we bear much fruit showing ourselves to be His disciples. Scripture tells us:



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



39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Heb 10:39 (NIV)



35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Heb 10:35-36 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Those who belong to God hear and heed what God says.


• The sheep listen and follow the Shepherd’s voice.


• A true faith produces fruit in keeping with repentance.