1 Corinthians 2 -- WOW! God's Multi-Dimensional Thinking Revealed!

My commentary says, "What had happened at Corinth is happening in churches today:  men are mixing philosophy (man's wisdom) with God's revealed message, and this is causing confusion and division."

These verses show that Paul knew the fundamentals of the gospel message and wanted us to know:

1)  It centers on the death of Christ

2)  It's part of the Father's eternal plan

3)  It's revealed by the Spirit through the Word

There were several nuggets of spiritual truths that caught my attention.

Human wisdom seeks for an explanation of the gospel, but through the Word of God, we put our faith in a demonstration -- God at work in our own lives.

Satan and his demonic forces "did not understand God's great eternal plan!  They could understand ... that the Son of God would be born and die, but they could not grasp the full significance of the cross because these truths were hidden by God ... Satan thought that Calvary was God's great defeat; but it turned out to be God's greatest victory and Satan's defeat.  From the time of our Lord's birth into this world, Satan had tried to kill Him, because Satan did not fully understand the vast results of Christ's death and resurrection.  Had the demonic rulers known, they would not have engineered the death of Christ.  Of course, all of this was part of God's eternal plan.  It was God who was in control, not Satan."

Finally, I like how my commentary explained the various outside-of-time events in my salvation and everyone's salvation:

"As far as the Father is concerned, I was saved when He chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world ... As far as God the Son is concerned, I was saved when He died for me on the cross.  He died for the sins of the whole world yet the whole world is not saved.  This is where the Spirit comes in:  as far as the Spirit is concerned, I was saved" when I heard the gospel message and it touched my heart.  "It was then that the Holy Spirit applied the Word to my heart.  I believed and God saved me."

Father I can't think multi-dimensionally like You, but I'm thrilled that You worked all this together for my good!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Corinthians 1 -- The Church Was Having Issues

Oftentimes, new believers especially will be thrilled with their decision to follow Christ, but won't delve deeply to discover their calling.  My commentary said that the church at Corinth, made up primarily of new believers, became a defiled church, a divided church, and a disgraced church.  "Instead of glorifying God, it was hindering the progress of the gospel."

Paul spoke to them and to us about our calling as Christians.  First, he said we were called to be holy -- set apart by God, enriched by His grace, expecting Jesus' return, and depending on God's faithfulness.  Yet the believers in Corinth were getting involved in the sins of the world and the flesh.

He said we are called to fellowship, not division.  We aren't supposed to be following human leaders, but Christ.  Also, they were looking at the gospel from a philosophical point of view, seeking earthly wisdom.  The point was that no one but Christ was crucified for us.

We are also called to glorify God, not ourselves, which is the sin of pride.  Paul reminded them of what they were before being saved, of why God called them, and of all they had in Jesus Christ.  "Since every believer is in Christ, and he has all that h needs, why compete with each other or compare ourselves with each other?"  Paul will have more to tell them.

Father, help the believers in our church to be one in Christ, looking only to Him, and remind us of whose we are.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 21 -- John Has Three More Things To Say

"John did not want to end his gospel without telling his readers that Peter was restored to his apostleship," my commentary began.  "Apart from the information in this chapter, we would wonder why Peter was so prominent in the first twelve chapters of the book of Acts."

It also mentioned another purpose:  "He wanted to teach us how to relate to the risen Christ."  The disciples never knew when He would appear, so they had to stay alert!"

My commentary also said there are three pictures of the believer and a responsibility attached to each ... Jesus had told His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, and it's here in this chapter that they've been waiting and fishing and are told to cast their nets on the other side of the boat and they are given a marvelous catch!  Jesus turned Peter's failure into success," it said.  "We are never far from success when we permit Jesus to give the orders, and we are usually closer to success than we realize."

Jesus then fed them breakfast on the beach, reminding us that we are shepherds, too.  And we are to love Jesus and all those He draws to Himself.  "Caring for the physical can prepare the way for spiritual ministry.  Our Lord does not so emphasize the soul that He neglects the body."

Jesus also mentioned Peter's death someday, but it would not be a tragedy -- it would glorify God.  When Jesus then publicly said, "Keep on following Me," Peter was publicly restored after he'd denied knowing Jesus three times.  Jesus doesn't hold our past sins that we've confessed against us, but instead forgives and puts us to work.  "We can succeed only as we permit Him to transform us."

Father, thank You for forgiving and transforming me.  Thank You for giving me hope and leading me to my two sons.  I pray that they, too, will discover the treasure of Your forgiveness and allow themselves to be used by You in a huge way.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 20:19-31 Thomas' Doubts

We can certainly wonder about Thomas.  When Jesus first appeared to His disciples in the Upper Room after His resurrection, Thomas wasn't there.  The Bible doesn't elaborate, so there's no reason for us to speculate.  He seemed to have a pessimistic outlook, according to my commentary.  He's often called "Doubting Thomas", but Jesus did not rebuke him for his doubts.  He rebuked him for unbelief.  "Be not faithless, but believing."  Doubt is often an intellectual problem:  we want to believe, but the faith is overwhelmed by problems and questions.  Unbelief is a moral problem; we simply will not believe.  What was it that Thomas would not believe?  The reports of the other Christians that Jesus Christ was alive!

"Thomas's words help us to understand the difference between doubt and unbelief.  Doubt says, 'I cannot believe!  There are too many problems!'  Unbelief says, 'I will not believe unless you give me the evidence I ask for!'  How gracious our Lord is to stoop to our level of experience in order to lift us where we ought to be ... Our Lord's words translate literally, 'Stop becoming faithless, but become a believer.'  Jesus saw a dangerous process at work in Thomas' heart, and He wanted to put a stop to it ... Unbelief robs us of blessings and opportunities... It may sound sophisticated and intellectual to question what Jesus did, but such questions are usually evidence of hard hearts, not of searching minds."

Father, thank You for also seeing a dangerous process at work in my own heart after I finished college, and for putting a stop to it.  I don't want to imagine where I'd be if I hadn't listened.  I love You!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 20: 1-18 He Called My Name!

As the women walked to Jesus' tomb to properly anoint His body, Mary somehow reached it first.  She noticed that the large stone had been rolled away.  Her first thought was that the body had been stolen, so she ran to find Peter and John.  Returning, Peter and John entered the tomb and saw the grave-clothes, still interlaced with burial spices, lying like a collapsed cocoon.  

They saw and believed, "but they did not yet understand that Jesus must rise from the dead."  Peter and John left but Mary stayed behind.  She then saw two angels inside the tomb.  Turning around, she came face to face with Jesus!  He called her name!  Then He told her not to hold on to Him, but to go tell the disciples what she'd seen.  That changed everything for her! 

Jesus, I thank You for showing Yourself to me as well, in spirit.  Thank You for making it abundantly clear that You are definitely in charge of my life.  Help me to show others!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 19:31-42 The New Creation Is Done

The Jews just couldn't have the nastiness of three dead bodies outside their capital city during the major religious holy day of the year, so they went back to Pilate and asked that their deaths be hastened by breaking the legs of those being crucified.  Pilate agreed and the Roman soldiers followed their orders on the other two men, then noticed that Jesus had already died.  He had dismissed His Spirit, because the bones of the Passover Lamb were not to be broken.

"The Roman soldiers did not do what they were commanded to do -- break the victim's legs -- but they did do what they were not supposed to do -- pierce the Savior's side!  In both matters, they fulfilled the very Word of God! ... Our Lord's bones were protected by the Lord.  His side was to be pierced ..."

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea got permission to care for Jesus' body.  They also had somehow gathered 75 pounds of spices to be used when the body was wrapped in linen cloth.  A newly-hewn tomb had also been secured.  These two men had been secret disciples, yet they now stepped up and did what others may have been too afraid to do, with no fear of their fellow Jewish authorities.

"The Sabbath was about to dawn.  Jesus had finished the work of the "new creation", and now He would rest," my commentary said.

Father, I can't imagine the bleakest day in human history!  Thank You for going through it all for us!  Such love!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 19: 17-31 His Crucifixion and Death

My commentary made note of some important facts surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and death.  "The bearing of the cross was a mark of guilt, and Jesus was not guilty ... Pilate wrote:  'This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.'  The chief priests protested the title, but Pilate refused to change it.  It was his final thrust against the Jewish religious establishment.  He knew that the priests and elders envied Jesus and wanted to destroy Him.  A shrewd politician like Pilate well understood the workings of the Jewish religious establishment.  He knew that his placard would insult and embarrass them, and that is exactly what he wanted."

"Mary was experiencing the sword that had been predicted years before (Luke 2:35)" as she watched her son die on the cross.  "Her silence is significant, for if anyone could have rescued Jesus, it was His mother.  All she had to do was announce that His claims were false -- but she said nothing!  What a testimony to the deity of Christ!"

"Jesus' death was not an accident; it was a divine appointment.  He was not murdered in the strictest sense:  He willingly gave His life for us.  His death was an atonement, not just an example.  He actually accomplished the work of redemption on the cross."

Father, despite everything these people did to trip up Your Son, You were totally in control.  I cherish Your sovereignty and power and I am so glad You are in control of my life.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 19: 8-16 Blinded Leaders

The Jewish leaders had told Pilate that their law said Jesus must die because He said He was the Son of God.  Being familiar with the Roman pantheon of gods, it's very likely that Pilate became quite afraid, my commentary said.  And when we're afraid, we often try to appear strong.  Pilate tried to pull that with Jesus to get Him to talk, saying, "Don't you know I have the power to set you free and power to have you crucified?"  And Jesus answered confidently, "The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God."

Pilate apparently tried multiple times and multiple ways of freeing Jesus, but at every turn the Jewish leaders hemmed him in, finally saying he was no friend of Caesar's if he did free Jesus!  It is stunning to see these religious leaders of that time trying everything in their power to use their oppressors to get rid of Jesus!

Father, please keep me from ever being blinded again in this way.  Thank You for not giving up on me and for bringing me back into Your fold.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 19:1-7 It's Not About Moral Influence

My commentary has much to say about these seven verses.  There was a "moral influence theory" Pilate seemed to be employing, thinking that if he caused Jesus to be beaten, the Jewish and Gentile crowds would be moved to turn from sin and not want Him killed ... It takes more than human sentiment to bring the lost sinner to salvation.. If sinners who actually saw Christ in His suffering did not repent, what hope is there for people twenty centuries later who only read about His agonies?"  We're not that humane.

"The cross involves much more than an exhibition of innocent suffering.  On that cross, the Son of God paid the price for the sins of the world and thereby declared the love of God and defended the holiness and justice of God.  We are not saved by feeling pity for Jesus.  We are saved by repenting of our sins and trusting Jesus, the sinless substitute.  If Christ was not actually doing something by His death, then we are confronted with a piece of showmanship, nothing more."

"We must not confuse sentimentality with true spiritual emotion.  It is one thing to shed tears during a church service and quite something else to sacrifice, suffer, and serve after the meeting has ended.  We do not simply contemplate the cross; we carry it."

Father, I know that I felt true spiritual emotion when You led me on the long journey to adopt and raise my sons.  Help me now to separate sentimentality from true spiritual emotion in the future.  Lead me not to just contemplate the cross, but to carry it. 

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 18:28-40 Echoes In America Today

I can't help but compare the Jewish leaders at that time to what's going on right now in American politics.  But as you read this, understand that I am not comparing our president to Christ.  I am only comparing those attacking him to these Jewish leaders.

Those leaders saw Jesus as a political rival who would most likely unseat them from power, so they began surveillance to gather any shreds of evidence.  They looked for ways to somehow play all the good He was doing as somehow sinful, such as His healing on the Sabbath.  

The official charges they'd brought to the Romans were that "He had led the nation astray, He opposed paying tribute to Caesar, and He claimed to be the Jewish Messiah and king," my commentary said.  "He had not subverted the nation, either politically or religiously ... Jesus had blessed the nation and brought them new hope.  As for opposing paying tribute to Caesar, He taught just the opposite!  'Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's.'  He did claim to be King but not in a political sense."

"The Jewish religious leaders were groping for any piece of evidence they could find on which they could build a case, and they were even willing to secure false witnesses."

Sounds like Washington, DC today.  My commentary was published 12 years ago, but the individual commentaries for each book go back prior to the 1990's!  How prescient that we read, "But when a mob is manipulated by crafty leaders, in an atmosphere of patriotic fervor, it loses itself and starts to think with its feelings instead of its brains.  Their condemning vote said nothing about the Son of God, but it said a great deal about them."

Father, only You know the whole truth about our country's problems today.  Please lead us to remove from power, through only the ballot box, anyone who cares more about their own jobs and power than they do about our nation.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 18:15-27 The Fire

My commentary said that in these verses fire is a symbol of denial.  "Peter followed the crowd when he should have been fleeing.  Had he gone his way, he would never have denied the Lord ... he walked right into temptation.  This is what Jesus had warned him about in the garden."

As Psalm 1:1 mentioned, my commentary concluded, "First, Peter walked in the counsel of the ungodly when he ... went into the high priest's courtyard.  Then he stood with the enemy by the fire, and before long he sat with the enemy."  Three times he was asked if he was one of Jesus' disciples and three times he said no.

Amazingly, "the crowing of the cock was assurance to Peter that Jesus was totally in control of the situation, even though He was bound and being harassed by the authorities.  By controlling one bird, Jesus affirmed His sovereignty," my commentary explained.

Father, though I'd read this before, it didn't hit me like it does now.  I'm blown away by the fact that Jesus was enduring everything the authorities did to Him and still was well aware of what Peter was doing outside and that He caused the cock to crow at just the right moment!  Help me to be assured that You are in control of my own life to that degree!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 18:10-14 Peter's Attack

Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest, as the soldiers made ready to arrest Jesus in the garden.  My commentary brought out some interesting observations:

"Peter's sword symbolizes rebellion against the will of God.  Peter should have known that Jesus would be arrested and that He would willingly surrender to His enemies.  Peter made every mistake possible!  He fought the wrong enemy, used the wrong weapon, had the wrong motive, and accomplished the wrong result.  He was openly resisting the will of God and hindering the work that Jesus came to accomplish."

Father, please take me out of Your way if You find me doing something against Your will.  Show me how You want me to serve and enable me to do so correctly.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 18:1-9 Two of the Five Symbols in this Chapter

My commentary urged me to pay attention to the symbolism in this chapter.  The first two symbols are the garden and the kiss.  It said the garden dealt with obedience.  Adam had failed to obey in the first garden - Eden - but Jesus fully obeyed in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Adam's disobedience brought us sin and death, while Christ's obedience is righteousness and life to all who will trust Him.

The kiss Judas used to identify Jesus to the Roman guards is the next symbol -- a symbol not of love but of treachery.  "Jesus was in full control; He knew what would happen.  Judas expected some kind of deception, so he arranged to identify Jesus by kissing Him.  But Jesus shocked both Judas and the arresting officers by boldly presenting Himself to them.  He had nothing to fear and nothing to hide."

If we could only live like that!

Finally, I read, "When people today pretend to know and love the Lord, they are committing the sin of Juas.  It is bad enough to betray Christ, but to do it with a kiss, a sign of affection, is the basest treachery of all.  It was born in the pit of hell."

Father, any time You know I'm heading toward a sin that would betray Christ, please wake me up and tell me to stop!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 17 -- The "Holy of Holies" of the Gospel

My commentary said that this chapter is the "Holy of Holies" of the gospel record.  "To think that we are privileged to listen in as God the Son converses with His Father just as He is about to give His life as a ransom for sinners!"

It also answered the question about defining eternal life:  "It is knowing God personally.  Not just knowing about Him, but having a personal relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ ... The Father answered His Son's request and gave Him the glory."

"He has also given the revelation of the Father's name ... In the Bible, 'name' refers to 'nature' ... By His words and deeds, He revealed to them the nature of God, as they were able to bear it ... Our safety depends on the nature of God, not our own character or conduct ... How precious we are in His sight!  How He watches over us and even now prays for us!"

The third section tells us how the Word of God enables us to overcome the world.  "It gives us joy, it assures us of His love, and it imparts God's power for holy living."

In the last section, I read:  "The lost world cannot see God, but they can see Christians, and what they see in us is what they will believe about God.  If they see love and unity, they will believe that God is love.  If they see hatred and division, they will reject the message of the gospel ... We must make sure that our witness is true and loving.  Some Christians are prosecuting attorneys and judges, instead of faithful witnesses, and this only turns lost sinners away from the Savior."

Father, thank You for sharing Jesus' prayers for His disciples with us.  Please continue to direct me to a much closer relationship with You.

--

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 16:16-33 Our High Priest And Our Advocate

The disciples were sorrowful and confused and afraid while listening to Jesus talk about what was coming.  They were real men with real problems, just like us.

What Jesus wanted them to understand, my commentary says, is that "God brings joy to our lives, not by substitution, but by transformation."  God does not substitute something else to relieve our pain.  Instead He uses what is there already and transforms it, it explained.  A parent buying a new toy every time their child breaks an old toy is practicing substitution.  

"God takes seemingly impossible situations, adds the miracle of His grace, and transforms trial into triumph and sorrow into joy."

As an example, it mentioned Joseph, sold as a slave by his brothers, and how God transformed his situation to save them all.  "While we are waiting, we must deal with out trials and hurts on the basis of transformation (what are You bringing out of this, Father?), and not substitution (get me out of this, Father) if we expect to mature in the Christian life."

Here is also where we read, "Ask, and you shall receive."  Jesus was creating "a new situation in their praying."  He would be returning to be with His Father, and He would minister as our High Priest, making intercession for us.  He would also minister as our Advocate.  "As our High Priest, Jesus gives us grace to keep us from sinning.  As our Advocate, He restores us when we confess our sins."

Father, help me to watch for Your transformations in my life.  Remind me that You are also my Advocate and that You will restore me when I confess my sins.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 16:1-15 The Holy Spirit's Job

esus continued to tell His disciples about the Holy Spirit, who would personally empower them once He returned to Heaven.

My commentary summarized what Jesus was telling them here:

-- We are identified with Christ

-- We do not belong to the world

-- The world is spiritually ignorant and blind

-- The world will not be honest about its own sin

-- The Holy Spirit empowers us for life and witness, while the ascended Savior intercedes for us at the heavenly throne of grace

-- The Holy Spirit is the prosecuting attorney, bringing to light the evidence against the world as to their belief in Christ; however, the purpose of this indictment is not to condemn but to bring salvation

-- The world's one particular sin is unbelief, which condemns the lost sinner

-- The Spirit, as Teacher, guides the church

We would be wrong to think that we have been left here alone until Christ returns.  Through the Spirit, we each receive what Jesus has for us as we never could while He was on earth, because now people all over the earth can experience Him at the same time.

Please continue to empower and teach me through the Holy Spirit, Father.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 15:12-27 What It Means To Be His Friend

Jesus told His disciples and us what to expect from an unbelieving world when we follow Him.  He chose us out of the world.  The world stands guilty because they don't know God who sent Jesus and they have the Word but won't heed it.  "They have no excuse for their sin," verse 22 says.

Here, too, is where Jesus promised to send the Helper -- the Holy Spirit.  The disciples were about to experience what we can only read about, and they would surely need the Helper!

Jesus here calls us His friends.  My commentary explained that the Greek word refers to "a friend at court" -- a friend of the king who is close to him and knows his secrets, but is also subject to him and must obey his commands.  "There is no conflict between being a friend and being a servant," it said.

Thank You for making me Your friend, God!  I am still amazed that You chose me in my sin and brought be back to You!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 15:1-11 Abiding In the Vine

My grandmother had a vine-covered wire fence on the east side of her driveway, next to the alley.  We would go into the alley, where we had formed a "tunnel" through the vines, thinking we were unseen by the world, protected by the vines.

I always remember that when I read passages in the Bible about the vine and the branches.  No matter how we hurried in for cover, those branches held to that strong vine and rarely ever snapped off.

Of course, the Vine here is Jesus Christ, and we are the branches.  We draw life from the Vine spiritually.  Understanding that we are but branches helps us to "know our own weaknesses and confess our need for His strength," my commentary said.

"Abide" is used eleven times here, it says.  "It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit.  This certainly involves the Word of God and the confession of sin so that nothing hinders our communion with Him," it continued.  I think of how our running to hide under those vines did damage the way sin does.

The vines at my grandmother's were for show only.  They didn't produce fruit like the vines in Jesus' example.  We as Christians aren't to be "just for show" though, but fruit-bearing.

As we abide, we also experience the Father's pruning, which is done to allow us to produce more fruit, which leads to us experiencing "a deepening love for Christ and for other believers ... Abiding demands worship, meditation on God's Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service."

Father, keep me close.  Help me to abide in You!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 14:12-31 Peace of God in our Hearts

Jesus told His disciples they had the privilege of prayer, and so do we, and He said for us to have peace in our hearts, we must make sure our prayers meet certain conditions.  According to my commentary, they are that we must pray in faith, pray in Christ's name, and pray in loving obedience.  Psalms 66:18 says, "If I see and approve iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."

"To keep His commandments means to value them, treasure them, guard them, and do them... To ask anything of the Father, in the name of Jesus, means that we ask what Jesus would ask, what would please Him, and what would bring Him glory by furthering His work."

We also have the Holy Spirit and we enjoy the Father's love and claim His gift of peace.  "When the sinner trusts Christ, he is born again and the Spirit immediately enters his body and bears witness that he is a child of God.  The Spirit is resident and will not depart.  But as the believer yields to the Father, loves the Word, prays and obeys, there is a deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.  Salvation means we are going to heaven, but submission means that heaven comes to us!"

Thee was also an important warning I saw:  "Since we are in Christ, Satan can get no foothold in the believer's life unless we permit it.  Neither Satan nor the world can trouble our hearts if we are yielded to the peace of God through the Holy Spirit."

Father, keep me yielded to you.  Strengthen me so that I will not allow Satan a foothold in my life.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 14:1-11 We Know The Father Right Now

Jesus calmed His disciples after telling them He was going away.  First He told them they were going to heaven.  (Remember that Judas had already left the room.)  "I am going to prepare a place for you ... I will come back and take you to be with Me so you can be where I am." 

When Thomas said, "Lord, we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered with the verse that has become the most important one to me as I was drawn back to Him by His love for me:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by Me."

The world will try to convince You that there are other ways -- many ways -- to God, and your intellect will snap tantalizingly at that bait, but it is only used by Satan to hook you and pull you away from your Home in heaven.

When Philip begged Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus answered, "Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father."  We know the Father right now because we know Jesus.

My commentary finished with this:  "The very Lord of Heaven and earth is our Father.  There is no need for us to have troubled hearts, for He is in control."

Thank You for caring for me and loving me so much, Father.  Thank You, Jesus, for dying so that I might live.  Continue to teach me to trust in You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 13 -- Had To Stick With This Chapter For Awhile

It seems I've been stuck on this chapter for a week!  So I've just written down the verses that kept shouting out to me:

"Jesus answered, 'You don't understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.'"  That was about His washing of their feet and being a servant to all.  And I think it was probably his "Good later!" to them.

"One of you will turn against me."  It says He was very troubled talking about this.  I guess we all did, huh?

"The thing you will do -- do it quickly."  Telling Judas to get on with his betrayal.

"My children, I will be with you only a little longer ... Where I am going you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."  That's when Peter said, "I'm ready to die for You," and then Jesus replied, "Are you ... ???"

Only Jesus knew what was coming, from all sides.  They had to trust Him, just as we do.

Sometimes to going gets really tough for us, but He's got this.  He knows and He cares and He loves us more than we love ourselves!  And what He went through for us was tougher than anything we'll ever face.

Thank You, Jesus!

John 12:37-49 When Belief Never Begins

A lot is said about believing in this section.  "The people would not believe ... they could not believe ... they should not believe."

My commentary said, "They had heard the message and seen the miracles, and yet would not believe."

Explaining further, it said, "When a person starts to resist the light, something begins to change within him, and he comes to the place where he cannot believe.  There is judicial blindness that God permits to come over the eyes of people who do not take the truth seriously.  It is a serious thing to treat God's truth lightly, for a person could well miss his opportunity to be saved."

Father, I pray for my friends and those I love who have shrugged off the Savior.  Please open their eyes again.  Let them have another chance to see and believe.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 12:20-36 The Life Of A Seed

When we plant gardens, we first prepare the soil, then carefully put the seeds into those beds, covering them like a child at night, and finally we wait expectantly for the sprouts to appear.  I don't think I have ever considered the fact that the outer shell has to actually decay to the point that moisture can enter and begin to break down the shell and begin the growth process.  The seed as we know it must effectively be destroyed to get the plants we so look forward to seeing.

"Jesus used the image of a seed to illustrate the great spiritual truth that there can be no glory without suffering, no fruitful life without death, no victory without surrender.  Of itself, a seed is weak and useless, but when it is planted, it 'dies' and becomes fruitful.  There is both beauty and bounty when a seed 'dies' and fulfills its purpose.  If a seed could talk, it would no doubt complain about being put into the cold, dark earth.  But the only way it can achieve its goal is by being planted," my commentary said.

"God's children are like seeds.  They are small and insignificant, but they have life in them, God's life.  However, that life can never e fulfilled unless we yield ourselves to God and permit Him to 'plant us'.  We must die to self so that we may live unto God ... surrendering to Christ."

Father, thank You for planting me.  Glorify Yourself through my life.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 12:1-19 Starting The Last Week

Jesus' enemies were now actively seeking to find Him and kill Him, yet He returned to Bethany to His friends prior to the events that would lead to His death on the cross. 

The story of Mary anointing Jesus' head and feet is often confused with the story in Luke 7:36-50 where "a former harlot anointed Jesus in the house of Simon the Pharisee.  Mary was a virtuous woman, and she anointed Jesus in the house of Simon the (former) leper.  The story in Luke 7 took place in Galilee, while this account ... occurred in Judah."

Mary's anointing was done out of pure love.  She knew He was about to endure suffering and death, because she'd listened at His feet as He told His disciples what would happen.  She was not one of the women who went to the tomb to anoint His body.  She was showing her devotion before it was too late.

"She was misunderstood and criticized, but that is what usually happens when somebody gives his or her best to the Lord," my commentary said.  It started with Judas, who served as the group's treasurer and often stole money from the group.

Mary's family serves as examples for us in how people worship Christ in different ways, my commentary added.  Martha served through work, Mary served through worship, and Lazarus served through witness.

Following this story came "the only public demonstration that our Lord allowed while He was ministering on earth" -- the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  "His purpose was to fulfill Old Testament prophecy (Zech. 9:9) ... It was part of His obedience to the Father's will."

While the crowds were cheering Him on, probably thinking they were about to overthrow Roman oppression, Jesus was weeping!  "He saw what lay ahead for the nation -- wars, suffering, destruction, and a scattered people ... Jesus was forcing their hand so that the Sanhedrin would act during the feast.  The Lamb of God had to give His life when the Passover lambs were being slain."

Father, I don't know how Your Son, as a man, walked forward into His death.  But I'm so thankful that as Your Son, He was "obedient unto death" for my own salvation and for the salvation of everyone in the world who would accept His sacrifice on their behalf.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 11 -- A Lot To Take In For Lazarus AND Us

This chapter covers Jesus' raising Lazarus from the dead.  Thee were so many wonderful points in my commentary that I can only list part of them!

"Death is man's last enemy, but Jesus Christ has defeated this horrible enemy totally and permanently ... [citing the timing in this chapter] Lazarus had died the very day the messenger left to contact Jesus!  ... Jesus was urging them [through the message He'd sent back] to believe His word no matter how discouraging the circumstances might appear ... God's love for His own is not a pampering love; it is a perfecting love ... we must never think that love and suffering are incompatible.  Certainly they unite in Jesus Christ ... Nobody ever died in the presence of Jesus ... Jesus brought the Jewish doctrine of resurrection out of the shadows and into the light ... Jesus clearly taught the resurrection of the human body.  He has declared once and for all that death is real, that there is life after death, and that the body will one day be raised by the power of God.  He transformed this doctrine ... He took it out of a book and put it into a person, Himself.  'I am the resurrection and the life' ... We are saved by the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and not by a doctrine written in a book ... When you face your last enemy, death, you want the Savior and not a doctrine written in a book ... He moved the doctrine of resurrection out of the future and into the present ... wherever He is, God's resurrection power is available now ..."

"Jesus wept ... revealing the humanity of the Savior.  He has entered into all of our experiences and knows how we feel.  In fact, being the perfect God-Man, Jesus experienced these things in a deeper way than we do.  His tears also assure us of His sympathy ... All believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places enjoying spiritual food and fellowship (Eph 2:6) ... Perhaps Jesus was weeping for Lazarus, as well as with the sisters, because He knew He was calling His friend from heaven and back into a wicked world where he would one day have to die again.  Jesus had come down from heaven; He knew what Lazarus was leaving behind."

Wow, Father!  So much to absorb.  Help my heart and my mind to take it all in.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 10: 22-42 Jesus Says He And God Are One

Jesus was in the Temple for the Feast of Dedication, and the Jewish leaders surrounded Him and challenged Him, saying, "How long will You make us wonder about You?  If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

I remember reading years ago in some New Age book that nowhere in the Bible did Jesus ever say that He was God.  If I had known my Bible better back then, I could have refuted that statement and saved myself a lot of heartache.  

Jesus says here (and in other verses as well) that He is one with God:  "I told you already, but you did not believe.  The miracles I do in My Father's name show who I am.  But you don't believe, because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of My hand.  My Father gave My sheep to Me.  He is greater than all, and no person can steal My sheep out of My Father's hand.  The Father and I are one ... So why do you say that I speak against God because I said, 'I am God's Son'?  I am the One God chose and sent into the world ... the Father is in Me and I am in the Father."

It just doesn't get any plainer.  Father, thank You for opening my eyes years ago to the deceptions Satan uses to try to get us not to believe in Your Son.  Thank You for not giving up on me!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

John 10:1-21 New Meanings Of Sheepfold, Flock, and Door

"This sermon grew out of our Lord's confrontation with Jewish leaders, following the excommunication of the beggar," my commentary said.  This parable about the shepherd and the sheep somewhat confused those hearing it.  My commentary said it's not like the parables recorded elsewhere.

"The false shepherds did not care for this man; instead, they mistreated him and threw him out.  But Jesus, the Shepherd, came to him and took him in ... The 'fold' is the nation of Israel.  The Gentiles are the 'other sheep' not of the fold of Israel ... Jesus followed the illustration with an application ... 'I am the door."  He is the Door of the sheepfold and makes it possible for the sheep to leave the fold (the religion of Judaism) and to enter His flock.  The Pharisees threw the beggar out of the synagogue, but Jesus led him out of Judaism and into the flock of God.  But the Shepherd does not stop with leading the sheep out; He also leads them in.  They become part of the 'one flock', which is His church.  He is the door of salvation."

Father, it's difficult to imagine those Jewish leaders throwing out a man obviously healed and only healed by Your power!  Thank You for the new flock!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 9 -- So Who's Really Blind?

"Only God knows why babies are born with handicaps, and only God can turn those handicaps into something that will bring good to the people and glory to His name," my commentary said about the man born blind to whom Jesus gave sight.  Jesus' disciples saw the man and asked Jesus, "Whose sin caused this man to be born blind -- his own sin, or his parents' sin?"  That's where the Pharisees' theology had gotten them as a nation!  Bad things happen solely because of sin, they believed, and they were in charge of discovering that sin!

After Jesus healed him, one would think they'd say, "No handicap? No sin!" but such was not the case.  This caused them even more concern because he was healed on the Sabbath!! After Creation, even God rested on the Sabbath, so they read that to mean God did no work ever on the Sabbath!  What idiots!  They conveniently allowed God to get painted into a corner by their wisdom, when God can do anything!

Now, they were ready to ban the man God had healed from their congregation for identifying his Healer per their own request!  His parents couldn't even enjoy their son's wholeness because they didn't want to be excommunicated.  They had to say, "He's a man.  Let him answer for himself!"  Such love.  And that was the messed up nation God had so richly blessed by sending His Son as our Savior!

Father, please show us when You see us getting as blind as those Pharisees.  Let us be more like the man born blind, thankful to You for loving us so!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 8:48-59 Now, About Abraham....

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes began personal attacks on Jesus.  They actually called Him a Samaritan, which was the grossest of insults, my commentary said.  Samaritans were thought of as half-breeds, and the "racist" cries from today were totally missing back then!

After again telling them unbelief in Him would result in spiritual death, He invited them to trust Him and again they missed the whole idea.  "Abraham was dead, yet he was a godly man, and the faithful prophets were also dead.  This kind of talk only convinced them the more that He had a demon," my commentary said.

Jesus claimed to be Lord over death, which was the same as claiming to be God.  God had bestowed that honor on Him.  "Abraham (whom they claimed as their father) saw Jesus' day coming and rejoiced!  Instead of rejoicing, they were revolting and trying to kill Him!"  

Jesus' statement in John 8:58 is, "Before Abraham came into being, I AM."  The Jewish leaders heard the "I Am" and knew He was again claiming to be God.  They cried "Blasphemy!" and wanted to kill Him.  Because it was not yet His time, Jesus was able to walk away, divinely protected."

"The most difficult people to win to the Savior are those who do not realize that they have a need.  They are under the condemnation of God yet they trust they religion to save them."

Father, it's so incredible that men who had studied Your Word letter-by-letter missed this!  Help me to hear all that You say and believe every word.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 8:31-47 If You Really Were....

"If you continue to obey My teaching, you are truly My followers," Jesus said.  He also spoke about spiritual freedom and bondage, "Whosoever keeps on practicing sin is the servant of sin."

When Jesus mentioned the Father, they said Abraham was their father, and He replied, "If you were really Abraham's children, you would do the things Abraham did ... but you are trying to kill Me.  Abraham did nothing like that."

That literal translation about "practicing sin" was mentioned in my commentary and stopping practicing sin is how we grow.  "When we obey His Word, we grow in spiritual knowledge, and as we grow in spiritual knowledge, we grow in freedom from sin.  Life leads to learning, and learning leads to liberty."  It happens over time as we obey.

I liked this:  "Nature is determined by birth, and birth is determined by paternity.  If God is your Father, then you share God's nature, but if Satan is your father, then you share his evil nature ... The worst bondage is the kind that the prisoner himself does not recognize.  He thinks he is free, yet he is really a slave."

Father, thank You for setting me free and for continuing to help me grow in freedom from sin.  As we heard yesterday from Frances Chan, it's who we are in the end that counts.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 8:12-30 What Was It Like For The Rest Of Us?

I can't imagine what it would have been like to be a normal, average Jew living in Jerusalem back when Jesus was ministering on earth.  You would have no way to assure yourself of salvation, you (like all of us today) would have a very conscious awareness of your own sinfulness despite trying to live a good life, and then you'd look and see the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes who appeared to lead such righteous lives and appeared so informed about Scripture.  If they called someone a sinner, that person surely had no hope, because they would be shunned by everyone else for fear that they too would be called out for associating with such a sinner.

Yet here was this nice teacher, Jess, who tugged at their hearts with the words He spoke, who said God wasn't out to punish but to love, and whom those same leaders abhorred.  What could you do???

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.  The person who follows Me will never live in darkness, but will have the light that gives life ... I am not alone.  The Father who sent Me is with Me ... I am one of the witnesses who speak about Myself, and the Father who sent me is the other witness ... You people are from here below, but I am from above ... I don't belong to this world ... You will die in your sins if you don't believe I am He."

They'd watch as the leaders fumed at His alleged heresy.  They saw the hate welling up in their leaders, not the joy they'd expected when Messiah arrived.  

The questions are still the same today.  What do you do?

Help me to show others Your answers, Father.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 7:53-8:11 A Look From Another Perspective

A chapter or two back, the woman at the well had been amazed when Jesus told her that she was living with a man who wasn't her husband, and she'd told the people of that town that He'd told her everything she'd ever done!

Now, in a plot hatched by the Jewish leaders, they brought to Jesus a woman they'd caught in adultery, but according to Scripture, both the man and the woman were to be stoned.  How convenient that they didn't bring the man, too!

Their plan was, as my commentary described it, "to pin Jesus on the horns of a dilemma.  If He said, 'Yes, the woman must be stoned!' then what would happen to His reputation as 'the friend of publicans and sinners'?  The common people would no doubt have abandoned Him and would never have accepted His gracious message of forgiveness.  But if He said, 'No, the woman should not be stoned!' then He was openly breaking the law and subject to arrest ... Instead of passing judgment on the woman, Jesus passed judgment on the judges ... It was required by Jewish law that the accusers cast the first stones."  His answer to their question was, "Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her."

God showed me a different perspective this morning on the next things that occurred -- from the viewpoint of the men accusing her, specifically in their minds.  Might a few of them have heard that story about what happened with the woman at the well? ... "He told me everything I'd ever done!"??? ... And might those words have been ringing in their ears? ... "Remember when you were 17 and ...."??  Instead of being unashamed at how they were treating this woman, perhaps they greatly feared, as He looked them in the eyes, that He did know everything they'd ever done and wouldn't hesitate to stop them in mid-throw to remind them publicly of their own sin, which would destroy their self-righteous public image.  I can just hear them thinking, "This is not worth it.  I can never risk anyone finding out about that!"  And those eyes would have surely gotten the message across.

Of course, by not casting the stones, they were being publicly humiliated, "outed" for their sin, because all of those normal people watching would understand there was something inside they were hiding.  They'd been ruined as much as the woman had by this plot.  And most likely, they received a double dose of guilt thinking about the guy they'd "let go" who was the other party in this.  They'd done what they hoped to try Jesus for!!

Father, one other thing in my commentary really got to me:  "For Jesus to forgive this woman meant that He had to one day die for her sins."  And my sins, too.  I stood condemned, and Your Son said, "I'll take on his sins!"  He paid the price for my sins.  I can never forget that!  Thank You for Your grace, Father!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 7:37-52 One Other Man Stands Out

The people identified Jesus with Galilee, not Bethlehem where He'd been born, and the leaders said the Messianic prophesies pointed to Messiah coming from Bethlehem.  They also said that no disciple in Scripture came from Galilee, conveniently missing Jonah, who Jesus said was a picture of Himself, my commentary said.

Nicodemus chastised the leaders for not giving Jesus a fair trial before pronouncing Him guilty.  "They refused to admit that Nicodemus was right in asking for a fair trial, but the only way they could answer him was by means of ridicule.  This is an ancient debate trick:  when you cannot answer the argument, attack the speaker."  Sounds like they'd fit right in today!

Father, I thank You for including Nicodemus in Your Word.  When I feel surrounded by dissension, remind me of what he did.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 7:11-36 Several Groups Debate Who Jesus Really Is

There were several debates going on about Jesus during this feast.  The first was between the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the scribes.  These groups functioned almost like political parties, and my commentary said, "These men differed theologically, but they agreed on one thing:  their opposition to Jesus Christ and their determination to get rid of Him."  They wanted their power and He threatened it greatly.

Another debate was happening among the people who'd traveled to Jerusalem for the feast.  They had no loyalty to or fear of the religious leaders, because they didn't live there, and they couldn't see why anyone would want to kill Jesus.

The Jews who lived in Jerusalem made up a third group of debaters.  They, out of fear, would usually side with the leaders, and they didn't want controversy and violence in their city.  

These groups debated Jesus' character -- whether He was a good man or a deceiver.  But after they heard Him teach openly in the temple, "the debate shifted to His doctrine," my commentary said.  They were amazed that this man taught as He did with no formal training at any of the approved rabbinical schools.  "Since He lacked this proper accreditation, His enemies said that His teachings were nothing but private opinions and not worth much."

I loved this in my commentary:  "The Jews depended on education and authorities and received their doctrine secondhand, but Jesus insisted that we experience the authority of truth personally.  The Jewish leaders were attempting to kill Jesus, yet at the same time they claimed to understand God's truth and obey it.  This proves that an enlightened and educated mind is no guarantee of a pure heart or a sanctified will.  Some of the world's worst criminals have been highly intelligent and well-educated people."

I, too, fell into that trap years ago, Father.  You watched as I let pride in intellect move me away from You, thinking I'd discovered real truth.  How thankful I am that You stayed beside me and lovingly drew me back to You!  Don't allow me to ever stray again.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 7:1-10 Jesus And His Brothers .....

It's not often that we hear much about Jesus' half-siblings, and it would seem that He was likely a bit older than all of them, probably due to the trip and stay in Egypt while avoiding Herod.  But they certainly don't treat him like they know His mission!

He'd just watched the bulk of His followers walk away, and now He hears that the Jewish leaders want to kill Him if He returns to Judea.  So what do his brothers tell Him?  "You should leave here and go to Judea! ... Show Yourself to the world."

They almost seem like they can't stand their older brother, who's had followers travelling with Him everywhere.  They seem to think He's not what His mother likely told them about Him.  That would surely be disheartening!  I remember in my own life how relatives thought I was crazy going on mission trips to Russia and Kazakhstan and spending my vacation times on youth group trips, and even going to Ukraine to adopt!  But I didn't let it concern me because I knew I was doing what God had directed me to do.

Father, keep my mind on You.  Direct my life and my travels.  I want to be part of what You're doing on this earth.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 6:25-71 Jesus Watches As The Unbelievers Walk

The Jews had been so cowed by the scribes and other leaders that they had a healthy fear of the "religious police" who would see to it that they didn't get to heaven if they believed anything other than what the scribes and Pharisees told them to believe!  Suddenly, Jesus is stepping over that line with the truth, to see who will follow.  That day He lost most of His disciples.

One of His big messages that day was that He had "come down from heaven".  He says it in verses 27, 29, 33, 38, 46, 50, 51, & 58!  He just pounds it into them.  That phrase amounted to calling Himself God, and the religious police would be all over that!  "HERESY!", they'd scream! (even though it was God Himself saying it.)  They were really stuck on their supposed understanding.  Instead of cowering, waiting for lightning or one of the leaders to strike Him, I'd hope I'd be instead asking, "What's it LIKE up there in Heaven?????"

He also called Himself the Bread of Life multiple times here.  They were stuck on Moses and seemed to want the free groceries more that eternal life.  They thought Moses produced the manna every night for 40 years, and these folks had no desire to work -- "Let's just sit and watch this show and get the free food!!"  Sounds familiar.

Jesus told them the manna only sustained life.  It didn't give it.  That manna wasn't produced by Moses, but by God.  And somewhat like that bread came down from heaven as a gift, God sent Jesus as the true bread of life from heaven, but at a tremendous cost to Himself.  Manna was only for the Jews, but Jesus was for the world.

Jesus also pushed them beyond their belief when He told them they'd need to consume Him, the Bread of Life.  They knew the prohibitions on eating human flesh and drinking blood, and this really turned them off as well as making them more afraid that the religious police were about to come knocking.  But He was talking about spiritual, not physical life.  The truths in the Word had sustained Him during that wilderness temptation, and He wanted us to know that taking in those truths was essential -- more so than eating!

The biggest part of His crowd just couldn't stomach this.  The show just turned sour for them and the free food was gone, and so was their allegiance.  They walked.

Jesus turned to His 12 disciples and asked, "Do you want to leave, too?"  They stayed.

Father, I'm glad I chose to stay, too.  I look at our world today and at the insanity that so many people are calling truth, and I can't understand why they can't just as easily believe in You and Your Son.  They are blinded -- by their unbelief, their love of self, and their unwillingness to turn their lives over to Someone greater than themselves who loves them more that they will ever understand!  Instead, they turn their lives over to other humans just as sad, sick, and unbelieving as themselves.  Instead, they find happiness in .... hate??  There's the proof of who's side they're on.  Open the eyes of their hearts, Lord!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 6:1-21 The Making Of A Solution

Four solutions were proposed for the problem of how to get food for perhaps 12,000 people who were in the middle of nowhere with no stores nearby.

1)  Send the people away.  (Get rid of the problem).  But Jesus knew there'd be physical distress for many of them, and He cared.

2)  Raise enough money to buy food.  But the analysis showed it might take the equivalent of 200 days' wages to do that, and they had no time to wait and nowhere to work.

3)  Divide the little boy's small lunch, then maybe others would reveal their hidden stashes and perhaps many of the people could have a very small snack.

4)  Perform a miracle -- the true solution.

My commentary said, "The miracle took place in the hands of the Savior, not in the hands of the disciples.  He multiplied the food."

So what's the practical lesson?

"Whenever there is a need, give all that you have to Jesus and let Him do the rest.  Begin with what you have, but be sure that give it all to Him."

"This is a good lesson for us:  instead of complaining about what we do not have, we should give thanks to God for what we do have, and He will make it go further."

Amen, Father!  Help me to both remember this and do this.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 5 -- The Beginning of the Persecution of Jesus

Wow!  This chapter is loaded!  The whole story about the healing of the crippled man at the pool at Bethzatha is to set up the leaders when Jesus heals on the Sabbath.  But, Jesus didn't touch him!  He only spoke and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk."  The first and last actions were really nothing, but picking up that mat amounted to carrying a burden on the Sabbath --  a sin that had its beginnings in Jewish traditions rather than Mosaic law.

They really had no basis to claim Jesus healed him, either.  In fact, the man couldn't identify Jesus until he was approached by Him later in the temple.  My commentary said, "They'd taken the Sabbath -- God's gift to man -- and had transformed it into a prison house of regulations and restrictions."

Almost like politics today, the leaders showed they had "an evil desire to kill Him.  They hated him without a cause.  They ignored the good deeds that He performed for the helpless and hopeless, and centered their attention on destroying Him," according to my commentary (which was published in 2007, not recently).

Jesus claimed to have power to raise the dead.  The leaders gave that power to God alone, so they considered that remark blasphemy.  He also claimed to be equal to God in His works, doing only what God would do, as well as being equal with God in executing judgment, and equal with Him in honor, since God had appointed Him Judge, my commentary added.

Jewish custom required two or three witnesses to prove something, so Jesus pointed to John the Baptist, His own miracles, and the Word of the Father that stated what Messiah would do, yet they tossed it all aside.

My commentary said, "The Jewish scribes sought to know the Word of God, but they did not know the God of the Word.  They counted the very letters of the text, but they missed the spiritual truths that the text contained."

Speaking of people who'd contacted him disagreeing with his interpretations of Scripture, Warren Wiersbe said, "It is unfortunate where our study of the Bible makes us arrogant and militant instead of humble and anxious to serve others, even those who disagree with us.  The mark of true Bible study is not knowledge that puffs up, but love that builds up."

"The leaders did not permit that Word to generate faith in their hearts ... There was also something wrong with their wills:  they could not trust in the Savior ... They had lack of love in their hearts ... They were religious and self-righteous, but they were not saved," my commentary concluded. 

Father, I cannot claim to know and understand even half of Your Word, but I trust You to show me what I don't understand and to lead me to know what Your will is. 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 4 -- Jesus Says OUTRIGHT That He IS The Son Of God

My commentary says that in this chapter, John was showing us how "various kinds and classes of people came to believe in Jesus as the Son of God.  The first was the Samaritan woman.  We have no clue today about true racism.  This would blow away today's critics.  The Jews despised Samaritans as half-breeds.  And my commentary also mentioned that rabbis were quoted as saying, "It is better that the words of the law be burned than be delivered to a woman."  Wow!

Yet Jesus had a divine appointment with this woman, telling her everything she'd ever done and using that encounter to show us how shallow faith can be dealt with.  "The only way to prepare the soil of the heart for the seed is to plow it up with conviction ... He forced her to admit her sin.  There can be no conversion without conviction.  There must first be conviction and repentance, and then there can be saving faith ... He had to touch her conscience, and that meant dealing with her sin."

Jesus also made it clear here to her and to all of us that "all religions are not equally acceptable before God, that some worshipers act in ignorance and unbelief.  The only faith that God will accept is that which came through the Jews ... Jesus said, 'Salvation is of the Jews."

When I had pulled away from God after college, I remember reading in a New Age book that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God, and I am still shocked at how readily I'd accepted that statement!  I had never read the Bible completely through at that point, but somewhere along the line afterwards God did reveal to me verse 26 of this chapter, where the Samaritan woman said, "I know that the Messiah is coming.  When the Messiah comes, he will explain everything to us."  Then Jesus replies, "I AM He -- I, the One talking to you."

I'd so easily bought into a lie from Satan back then, and I know millions of nonbelievers and believers still do today!  And the "I AM" He uttered is earth-shaking.  As my commentary described, "He dared to utter the holy name of God!" doubling down to make sure she didn't miss it!  But I did at some point, and I'm so glad God showed me that years ago!  There are so many great events in this chapter, including the healing of the nobleman's son from a distance.  Thank You for continuing to fuel my faith, Father!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 3:22-36 John the Baptist Wasn't Competing

John the Baptist had disciples who sounded worried about his ministry because people were leaving his crowds to follow Jesus.  My commentary said there must be no competition between preachers.  Only God should get the glory.  John knew that and used the illustration of a bridegroom to show them Jesus' true place and how happy John was to be the best man!

We don't know if it was John the apostle or John the Baptist who pointed out the key points in the last six verses, but all we should care about are the truths given there:  God authorized His Son's ministry.  "He sent Him, gave Him the Word, gave Him the Spirit, and gave Him all things.  What a commissioning!" my commentary said.

My commentary also said God's love for us, even as sinners, is "a love that can hold nothing back."

One thing to remember is, "Everlasting life does not simply mean eternity in heaven.  The believer possesses that life right now!  It is the life of God in the believer."Father, thank You for not giving up on me and for gently coaxing me back when I'd strayed.  You've taught me so much about real love.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

John 3:1-21 The Teacher As The Pupil

My commentary says, "Nicodemus himself was 'the teacher of the Jews' (John 3:10 literal translation), and he had great respect for the Teacher from Galilee."  

The man who apparently taught all others had come to try to understand what Jesus was teaching.  "Our Lord stated clearly Nicodemus' knowledge of the Old Testament should have given him the light he needed.  Alas, 'the teacher of the Jews' knew the facts recorded in the Scriptures, but he could not understand the truths."

Jesus told him about spiritual birth being the second birth.  He'd said unless one is born again (physical birth followed by spiritual birth), he cannot be in God's kingdom.  I suppose that would also mean that since angels were created and not born, they've had a spiritual but not a human birth, so accordingly, they will be servants, not rulers, in God's kingdom.

One comment I liked said, "The child inherits the nature of the parents, and so does the child of God ...Nature determines appetite, which explains why the Christian has an appetite for the things of God.  He has no desire to go back to the foul things of the world that once appealed to him."

It reminded me of how, as a child, I refused to eat any food any longer that I'd ever gotten sick on.  The taste of it brought back the bad memories of throwing up.  That should be our reaction to thoughts of our lives before Christ and the sin we fed on.

Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit living inside of me.  Help me not to make Him sick by thinking of or doing things from my life before Christ.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford