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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 3/4/2008 12:38:34 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
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Hey, take this test
(John 6:1-11) KJV
1After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
The incident in the previous chapter took place in Jerusalem near the sheep gate. Which was interesting in itself, because that is the entrance where the sheep were bought in for sacrifice. Here we see that Jesus left that place and traveled over the sea of Galilee. Because of the miracle at the sheep gate and the many other diseased people that Christ had healed, crowds of people followed him across the sea. Some came to witness the miracles and to decide who this guy was that had such power... others came because they were sick or had a sick loved one that needed healing.
3And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
They cross the sea and get to the land on the other side (not sure where at the moment) but the point is that Jesus withdraws up into a mountain. The crowds seem to be left to camp at the base while the disciples accompany Jesus for a training session. They all sit down on the mountain and begin to talk with each other.
4And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
We are told that passover was approaching, and we know that there must be a passover meal that takes place. On the side of the mountain, they could see the huge crowds that had followed them and camped at the base below. Jesus looked at the people and then turned to Philip and asked how they could get some bread to feed the people for the passover. The Bible clearly tells us that Jesus already knew that he was going to perform a miracle and multiply the bread, but he was testing Philip.
Would Philip respond with hopelessness, with impossibilities, with the obvious response, by stating the facts of the matter... or would he see the need, be moved with compassion because of it, realize who was asking him such a question, and be paying close enough attention to realize that Jesus could make it happen despite the appearance of things? Would he get the point of the lesson that in the midst of hopelessness, Jesus is our hope?... Jesus will not fail us, he will do something... whether the answer is something simple that we overlooked or even if the miraculous is necessary.
7Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
So here is Philip's response... we don't have the money, and even if we spent all the money we have it still wouldn't be enough to feed all of them... so he was still caught up in the appearance of things. He was still not in the mindset to remember who Christ is and to hope for the impossible. Rather than resolving that it was an impossible task... Philip should have looked to Jesus, even if Jesus had not performed a miracle, Philip should have taken more time to discern the point that Christ was trying to make. Don't be ruled by this world in any way... but be led by the Spirit of God.
Andrew overheard the conversation as they spoke openly, and the wheels in his little brain begin to turn. He is the first of the disciples that begins to glimpse that having Jesus in the mix changes everything... he understands the process of looking at what is at hand and then looking to Jesus for direction. Andrew's discernment is awakened and has begun to take baby steps toward the Truth.
He thinks, hmmm... "we need bread... alot of it." And he realizes that the loaves of this little boys lunch are all they have. He toddles a couple steps in the right direction, then BAM! he plops down on his pampers and succumbs to the natural laws of this world. The result is that he takes his eyes off of Christ and wonders at the impossibility of the situation rather than the hope that Christ is wanting them to glimpse.
And we thought that Peter walking on the water was the first time that one of the disciples had struggled to learn to walk by faith ^_^
By the time Peter got out on the water, he had reached a place where he was willing to risk his life to trust Christ... but he still didn't quite get the process of taking his eyes off of the workings and regulations of this world and keeping them focused on Christ above all else. Gravity is not in control unless Christ says it is in that moment. If Christ over rules gravity, gravity must let go. All authority in heaven and in earth belongs to Christ. He sets it to run it's course in order, but he commands it as he wills -- and it must yield and obey whatever God commands.
That was the test of Philip and Andrew and Peter and this group of disciples as they were separated from the crowds for Bible study... would they look to Christ first above all else realizing that everything in heaven and in earth runs according to a natural order ordained by God, but that it remains submissive to the will of God to change at any moment.
Basically, that Jesus Christ is God and God is in control.
10And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
And so Bible Study continues.... Jesus begins by posing a question all the while knowing the answer. The disciples/students weigh what they understand according to the rules and regulations of the world around them... all the while knowing and sensing that there is something more. Answering to the best of their ability with answers that they had been taught in their childhood and adulthood up unto this moment. But thinking out loud as they try to get their brain in tune with the stirring that is taking place in their spirits.
Jesus proceeds by preparing to reveal the answer to the question. But he doesn't stand up and run the show to prove his power and absolute authority (we could learn much from this example)... he tells them to strap on their goggles and he directs them as they walk thru the experiment. Jesus touches the supplies at hand, he gives thanks to the Father in his humility and in complete submission to the will of the God-head (Father, Son and Spirit). Then he hands it off to the disciples/students not so they can do the dirty work of digging the ditch or cleaning the bathroom... he hands it off so they can get dirty, so when it's all said and done they will have played a part, they will feel the thrill of the kingdom of God because they helped in the labor of it.
But they didn't get that at first.
When Christ posed the question, their brows were furrowed and their eyes asked questions of their own. They stood when he handed them the bread and they took it in obedience still forcing their bodies to move as though groping thru a dark room. They had still not seen the Light. They were still searching for understanding and trying to see beyond the shadows of this world. But Christ was about to enlighten them, he was walking them thru this whole process, this test, to help them flip the switch of their own understanding. That is something no one can do for you, not even God, you have to weigh it all and decide if you want to receive the Light in the darkness of your thoughts and your heart.
I'm sure the disciples felt slightly foolish as they took those scraps of bread and fish and turned to hand it off to the first couple of people they approached. What an example of faith! Our minds seldom understand the mind of God... but when we force our bodies to obey him, miracles happen. If you are a believer, if you walk by faith as you follow Christ, you've been there. You know exactly what I'm talking about don't you. How often Christ leads us into things or requires things of us that we simply don't understand (sometimes painful things), and we go because we trust that he has ordained our steps and that he is in control. We force ourselves sometimes to obey, our bodies and our minds fight violently against what he is calling us to perform, and yet we go, we walk the walk no matter the risk, no matter the pain, no matter the questions. That's the stuff. That's the place where miracles meet us face to face.
We will never know what the miracle of the loaves and fishes looked like, or how the process actually happened, until we are face to face with those who were actually there. But somewhere in the mix, it became undeniable that a miracle was happening as the bread and the fish never ran out. Perhaps it was handed out so quickly as the crowds reached out and pressed in upon each disciple that they themselves were somewhat unsure of how it happened exactly. It doesn't really matter as to the how.. the fact remains that it happened.
Faith that Jesus Christ is God and has all authority in heaven and in earth...
Obedience to all that he speaks even when we do not understand it all, even when it goes against all that we understand in this life and in this world...
Trust that whatever the outcome, God is in control and good things will always result...
Choose to follow Christ, take the risk, bust those pampers, learn to toddle, fall, get up, get in the boat, get out of the boat, walk on the water, sink, hear the leading of the Lord, reach up, get your eyes back on him, open your big mouth and mess up, learn grace, be restored, tell of his goodness, learn to be led by his Spirit, and then be and do the miracles.
Believe and keep moving toward Christ no matter what,
that's the test.
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 3/14/2008 1:25:19 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
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"MARRY ME," God.
(John 6:12-15)
12When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
The first little styrofoam take home containers, how funny ^_^
And here we see a very key statement made by Christ in gathering up the fragments so that none are lost or wasted. Even in times of miracles or in times of abundance, we are to be wise and good stewards of the blessing. They could have left the fragments and thought, "wow, we're really worn out from all the excitement, surely someone will gather up what's left and it won't go to waste."
But Christ wanted them to understand the importance of insuring things were handled correctly down to the smallest task. They were to ensure oversight for every detail, much like an accountant must account for every penny when keeping the books. The blessings of God are to be treasured and never taken for granted in any way, never wasted, never handled sloppily or slothfully or gluttonously.
Waste not, Want not... I believe is what they used to say.
Those old-timers, the elderly, that gray and decrepid generation may actually be wiser than this generation gives them credit for. Maybe they're not so old-fashioned and out-dated and non-relevant as the cutting edge emergent church seems to think. Maybe the wisdom of God can actually be learned from their cheesey quotes and their demands for diligence and excellence.
Maybe they should be seen more as reflections of Christ, than stuffy old men and bitter old women.
Maybe they know a little more than trendy church movements give them credit for.
Maybe the younger generation would have spouted off some complaint of how unnecessary it was to gather up the fragments.
Maybe it was the faith and diligence and willingness to be called stuffy that caused former generations to propel this generation forward to this time of harvest in the church.
Maybe it was their blood and sweat that watered the ground for the contemporary church.
Maybe it was their fasting and prayer and sacrifice that nourished the soil and kept it a healthy place, despite the pollution of this world that fought so violently against them.
Maybe it was their courage to fall on their face and then get back up again that tilled the land and provided an inheritance at all, an inheritance for the emergent church to enter into as their own.
Maybe it was their bodies strewn and stacked high that lifted this generation up before the Lord so that his favor would be poured out upon them.
Maybe...
13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
Anything God touches doesn't just meet the need -- it OVERFLOWS with blessing, every time, without fail. God touches something with his fingertip and good things ripple from it for miles and miles beyond the present need. He breathes on one speck of dust and an entire world and universe is warmed by his affection and his nurturing love. One drop of God's favor can move mountains of opposition against you. One sparkle of his gaze in your direction can light up the deepest darkness of the deepest valley. We will never fully grasp the extent of his greatness or the privilege of being loved and favored by him. And yet, despite our small mindedness and our lack of awe and appreciation for his majesty... he remains with us, working all things for our good, showering his mercy on us in our ugliness and selfishness, hoping for us, changing us, guiding us, training us to be beautiful, to be heirs of royalty, to be married to Christ Jesus, sons and daughters of the Almighty God.
We are privileged beyond anything we could possibly deserve.
How dare we fail to love and appreciate and honor and respect and rejoice in his presence?
When he enters the room we should melt with affection, our thoughts should constantly hover around his goodness and his beauty and his power, we should always be craving his touch and excited by his forcefulness, our love should be forever submitted and obedient and giving and passionate and fully intimate... he is our lover, our heart, our soul, our joy, our very breath. That is how he loves us -- with excitement and zeal and completeness.
To take such love for granted is beyond understanding.
And yet, we do so often.
Forgive us Lord.
Help us.
14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
I love that Jesus recognized the motives of men, and that he included this passage to teach us a glaring contrast concerning the affections of men. These men were caught up in the greatness and the glory and wanted someone or something to worship for it's power alone. They were not concerned about the will or plan of God. They thought it would be a privilege for Christ if they chose to worship him.
How backward.
It is our great privilege to worship God, not the other way around.
How just like the enemy to reverse or twist what is good and beautiful into something evil and grotesque. It was not the power and the praise for the sake of praise that Christ desired. He had that in heaven. He loves it when we praise him, but he wants so much more than just our praise. He wants our affection, our heart, our love. Our expression of praise is born out of our understanding of who he is, out of our relationship with him, out of our intimate interaction and fellowship and communing together about the things that are most important to him and to us.
He wasn't looking for us to make him King and set him up like the other stone idols mankind has worshiped in the past. He wanted us to see him. Just like it is so important to us that he see us.
God wants us to see him as one.
All the things about him that are so beautiful and good, all rolled up into the persons that he is.
You can't wrap your mind around that fully, so don't try, but you can glimpse it.
When our spouse looks at us, we don't want him to worship some part of our body that he likes so that all he sees in us or all that he does for us is centered around that one attribute. We want him to look above our neck line. We want him to see into our eyes, to hear our soul, to touch and caress out heart. We want him to love the smell of our hair, the curve of our body, the crookedness of our toes, the scars on our belly from carrying his child, the quirky way we dress, our cheesey high pitch laugh or squeal, the way we pout and then finally seek to understand his heart, our love for him that consumes us and causes us to sacrifice every selfish desire, our hunger for him, our need of him...
We want him to see us,
to love all of us,
as a whole package,
as the one unique individual that we are.
God is no different.
He wants us to love him for every amazing facet of who he is.
And yet, he wants us to see his One-ness,
the whole package,
God.
Not some idol dancing on a pole or some intricately carved stone that looks really cool.
He wants something real with us, something gritty, that will grip and hold on,
Something that will last.
Something that will affect us and him.
More than just a wedding,
He wants a Marriage,
a Bride,
a help-meet,
a companion,
a family...
children.
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 3/20/2008 11:55:20 AM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
Status: offline
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Behold the Brain Cramp
(John 6:16-21)
16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
So Jesus has retreated alone up in the mountain. He is gone so long that the day is ending and it's starting to get dark. The disciples go down to the shore and pile in a boat and set sail. But suddenly a big wind started to blow, which usually happens as a storm blows in. I've heard that this region was known for sudden and violent storms that would blow up on the water ways, which was pretty treacherous in those days. Though many of the disciples were experienced fishermen and very familiar with the storms on the seas of that region, it remained a challenge and threat to maneuver thu such storms.
I wonder why they would set sail without the Lord. Why did they not hang around and wait for him to come down from the mountain? For some reason, they were very comfortable with leaving him behind. Somehow they knew where they were going and that the Lord would catch up with them at some point. Maybe they discussed their destination earlier, idk. But they could have never guessed exactly how the Lord would catch up to them. It was pretty crazy as we're about to see in the next few verses.
19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
It's dark, the sea is violent as a storm is blowing up. There is so much unknown about the sea and spooky stories always develop about the unknown... stories of ghosts and sea monsters and such. They are maneuvering for their lives, and suddenly they see a human form walking across the water toward them. Were they wrong to be afraid? I don't think so. It's a natural human reaction to fear the unknown. It is only as we develop maturity in Christ, that we are more able to control such fear.
20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
I love that Jesus tells them not to be afraid. Every time I hear him say that in Scripture, it's a huge flag that something is happening so that it is perfectly logical to be afraid according to the natural, physical world around us. So yeah, first reaction is understandably fear.
Some people teach that it is a rebuke when Jesus tells his disciples not to fear in the Bible. But I don't think that's always the case. I think sometimes it is a rebuke, when they are being wimps or babies like we can be at times. But quite often, I think he says it more to comfort and encourage them (encourage: to instill courage, or to cause someone to have courage). This I think is one of those times. I think it was a lesson in courage in several ways. One was to not be afraid of the storm that was upon them, but more in this moment I think it was to not be afraid as the extent of who Christ is was revealed to them.
You see, the more you're around someone, the more they let their guard down and they are able to be themselves. I think that that happened with the disciples and Christ as well. He couldn't just drop the veil suddenly and completely or they would be blinded and unable to see him at all. But Christ in his wisdom allowed them to see the extent of who he was little by little. If you're gonna hang around someone, their character is gonna start shining through more and more. With every miracle, with every action that wielded authority over the physical world, the disciples were understanding more and more that this was not just a man. They were recognizing things in Jesus that set him apart and above, that revealed his person as God himself. Not just from one declaration, but by being exposed to the whole package glimpse by glimpse.
Relationship is something that grows... as they developed more personal and solid relationship with Christ by hanging out with him, their understanding of who he is grew along with their affection for him. What a beautiful thing. We often struggle with the simplicity of our relationship with Christ at times. I think we try to complicate it, when all we really need to do is to hang out with him, eat with him, talk with him, listen to him, develop relationship with him by constant interaction in every day stuff. In those moments is when we truly witness his character, his goodness, his person.
Some big revelation is not always the best way to build that intimate bond with someone... more often it comes through the mundane experiences of life that we trudge through together, over time. It is often the small and quiet moments that lead to circumstances that require character to shine though what is seen in the physical. As that character shines through from those inward places, from the deep places that were seemingly insignificant a moment ago, that's the true taste-test. That is the cement, the glue, the definition of who each of us is as individuals and as one in relationship.
There is no way to have an authentic relationship with Christ without eventually realizing that he is beyond just a man... he is divine, he is set apart, he is something other than, he is God... at the very same time that he is Friend.
That's something that everyone wants to put into words, but such a thing simply can't be boxed up nice and neat like that. It's kinda mind-boggling how that the most simple Truth in the universe is so beyond description or a formula. How brilliant of our God to design such a safe-guard for the core of all that is precious. So simple a concept that even a child can accept and embrace it, yet kept beyond the reach of the intelligent and arrogant who would try to reason it into something that it is not. It is something that must be experienced to be understood. You can hear about someone elses experience, but until you've encountered Christ for yourself and spent some significant, intimate time with him... you will never truly know him or the simplicity of how real he is.
21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
I can just see their faces at first glance, white with fear, drenched with sea-water, squinting and struggling to make sure that they were really seeing what they thought they were seeing. The gasp that must have escaped from their lips as they saw the figure approaching their boat, the realization that there was no escape and that they were about to encounter something from the spooky unknown, from the spirit netherlands, from something beyond their limited understanding. They braced themselves with baited breath, or stilled breath perhaps, not knowing if this being would be friend or foe.
And then came the voice of Jesus...
And the fear of the unknown must have given way to a tremendous brain cramp as confusion set in. Could it be? If it is, then we have no reason to fear. But if it is, and he is doing things so very impossible, perhaps there is reason to fear? Their minds must have raced, as their breath returned slow and deep as wonder overcame confusion, and questions out-ruled disbelief. And then suddenly he was upon them, at the boat, face to face, and it was him, they recognized him.
It was Jesus, their friend, their companion, their teacher, the man, one of them. And they immediately reached out to help him into the boat. Can't you just see them staring at him, frozen in awe, the water dripping from their hair and soaking their faces as they looked at him face to face, blinking, unable to even attempt to find the words to ask the many questions that filled their thoughts. In that moment of wonder, they were suddenly at the shore on the other side and all fear was gone.
Makes you wonder if "be not afraid" was an encouragement, a training session, or the Lord taking authority over the enemy's attempt to fill them with fear and doubt. Perhaps all three and much more.
Sometimes I think we get glimpses of who God is not because he wants to pull the veil back a little more to impress us or to cause us to worship him a little more. Sometimes I think he's just being himself and he just can't help it when miraculous things happen. I think goodness and the miraculous are like an aroma that just permeates from God, and the more we're around him, the more we notice and witness about who he truly is. When we hang out with him or around him, miracles are gonna happen. It's just his nature, who he is. He breathes in and with every breath he breathes out... the blessings and gifts of God bloom and multiply. I believe that that's the honey that Scripture describes... that golden sweetness that drips from the lips of a lover, from their words, from the nature of who they are, that cause us to passionately desire them... it is that Goodness that causes us to crave His words and His affection.
The goodness of God fills the air, the universe, in heaven and in the earth. No matter our situation, no matter the hardship we may be facing, no matter the darkness of the day or the night... his goodness is available and present and performing the miraculous... because he is here... with us... he has promised that nothing will separate us from his presence... that is the blessing and the power that Christ died to share with us... that is what he purchased... that is salvation from all that harms... justice, the righting of wrongs, healing, restoration, cleansing of sin, freedom in Christ... His presence, his beauty, his goodness... he is the center, the source, the heart, the life... of all that is good and strong and full of glory.
We stare blankly when we witness it, almost in shock, confusion gives way to wonder, which causes us to gasp in awe, to fall in love with him, to accept his proposal, to passionately return his affection, to praise him, to worship the One True God, the author, Creator, Beautiful One.
God is with us... there is no greater Truth,
there is no greater love <3
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 3/26/2008 4:36:34 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
Status: offline
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Good Morning Church
(John 6:22-27)
22The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
Jesus was like celebrity. He couldn't make a move hardly without the paparazzi taking note. The crowds realized that there was only one boat. They knew that the disciples left without Jesus, but they were confused as to how Jesus disappeared completely.
Finally it occurred to them that where ever the disciples were, that that is likely where the Lord would show up. So as more ships came to that place where the miracle of the loaves had occurred, the crowds boarded ships and sailed over to Capernaum to look for Jesus among the disciples. And sure enough, there he was. So they asked him how in the world he got there.
26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Jesus responds by bypassing their question and going directly to the heart of the matter. He discerns that they didn't really want to know how he got there, nor did they follow because they wanted to fellowship with him or to build relationship with him. Jesus knew that they were only following him for a free ride, to sponge off of the food that he somehow provides every time there is a need. They had witnessed and experienced for themselves that the people that linger in the presence of Jesus, want for nothing. They cared nothing for him, they just wanted a free meal.
We see this everywhere in America today, so many people wanting to follow a free meal.
There are help wanted signs and job opportunities every where in this country. Do something, work somewhere, and seek the free to supplement. But to do nothing to better yourself or to help with the provision of your needs is lame.
6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Thess 3)
Somewhere along the way, the church has adopted the philosophy that Christians should be freely manipulated by those that choose to be idle, that we are obligated to give to anyone that asks and require nothing from them. But when we adopt such philosophy, we actually abuse them and all who labor overtime to multiply the supplies. We feed their sin and allow them to grow fat with it, rather than challenging them to better themselves. We should offer a measure of help, lavishly generous at first, but always leading to building up their character and integrity. Personal accountability as they become healthy and whole in Christ. That is Godly kindness, that is true discipleship, that is genuine love.
Somewhere along the line we have seen it as cruel to allow someone to be ashamed of their sin and sloth and laziness. But the actual cruelty is nurturing them in it until they become so obese with excuse (justification of their sin) that they die in it.
How is that helping them, how is that being like Christ to them? Since when is letting them feed like a tick until they pop from their greed and selfishness the definition of kindness and love?
The church has allowed the world and the enemy and our own sin to redefine the fundamentals of our faith and the teachings of the word of God. Just like our constitution and marriage and every principle of our nation is slowly being rewritten. And the result?... we as a people grow fatter and distracted and stressed and enslaved as we run on that hamster wheel that we have been manipulated to believe is simply life. The only hope for our nation is to turn it's heart back to God and Godly principles.
Cleansing begins in the house of the Lord, among the people of God, you and me.
It's time for the church to take back the principles of God and to define them according to his word.
Good Morning Church... the alarm is ringing, the blanket has been jerked back, your feet are on the floor and it's cold. But there is a new day ahead of you and the sun is bright and encouraging. So rub your eyes, stand and stretch, or whatever it is you do as you wake up after a long dark night...
go to the bathroom, shower, wash your face, brush your teeth, get dressed, primp in your mirror, have your coffee/breakfast, whatever you do to get it in gear to get out the door...
and get to work.
27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 4/2/2008 12:43:03 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
Status: offline
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My Father's Will
(John 6:28-40)
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
God doesn't mind when we ask him sincere questions. Often times people distort the Truth that we should not question God, and they use it to manipulate people to obey something other than God. Often times when we ask such questions from teachers or pastors or leaders they direct the answer toward something they want us to do that they feel we should do rather than toward Christ. It is a fine line. I am convinced that some people don't even realize the error of such teaching, but others see only their own will and nothing else. Such people are the blind guides mentioned in Scripture by the Lord.
Instead, we should be bold in our freedom to ask anything about God, to talk to him as though he were that perfect parent or Father. As a mother, I have always stressed communication to my children and encouraged them to ask me anything as long as it is in sincerity and with a Godly measure of respect. Our heavenly Father is a far better parent than we are as earthly parents and a flawed humanity. We should not fear to ask him anything if we ask with a pure heart. He encourages us to ask such things in his word. Remember "Ask.. Seek... Knock...?" And he promises to answer every time. Our Dad truly is the greatest.
So... what must we do to be saved... believe Jesus, all that he did, all that he said, and all that he is. Remembering that that belief, that faith, goes far beyond just a confession. The words must be said and welcomed and embraced and cherished and owned.
30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
"Seeing is believing." But not in matters of Faith. Faith is believing without having to see, believing simply based on the integrity and the character of the person who has testified to you... as they delivered the news... good or bad. Do we trust him? Would we stake our life and the lives of those we love on what he claims is Truth? Are we willing to give up our right to everything we have a right to if he says it is necessary? That's Faith. That's believing... Not merely saying, "I believe." People make that statement every day, that confession of faith, but they have not truly calculated the cost of the house. They have not invested themselves fully to the mission -- to the call -- to the God that sent the news/message.
The people were used to signs and wonders as proof. They did not realize that God was doing something new, that a new covenant was being fashioned. They did not realize that there would be no more ritual sacrifice, that the fulfillment of all had come, and the burden of postponing judgment for our sins was about to end. The final price was about to be paid, and everything would change... they were still looking to the past, to the old, instead of where their feet stood in that moment and forward into the future. All that God had promised was coming. It was at hand. God had returned to them in the flesh, he was with them again, Jesus had come to the earth.
32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Jesus tried to explain to them that the old covenant, all things past, were given by God to point them to this moment. He tried to help them understand that the manna that Moses gave was simply sustenance until they could comprehend that it is Jesus Christ who gave them life and sustains them even to this day. The manna is not the giver of life. Moses is not the giver of life. God is the giver of life, and the work of Jesus becoming flesh is the manifestation of LIFE. The manna coming from heaven to the earth was simply a reminder of the promise of God since the fall of man... one day God would come from heaven and restore life to each of us... the death we partook of as we ate of rebellion would be washed from our bodies and our being by the only thing that could cleanse such a stain. The blood of God.
Death could only be stayed if a price was paid to bind it and cast it into the lake of fire for eternity... to remove it from existence... to make it no more. Something had to die. That was the price. Not a man or a woman or a child because death already owned all of us. It had to be something that he didn't have a right to, something he didn't own, something precious... innocence made flesh.
There was none innocent. There was none who could become flesh. There was no one who could represent. No one among our ranks who was worthy and without guilt, without sin. And so Jesus came to earth and became one of us. The beauty of God confined and contained in a body of dust and clay. The miracle that is the incarnation. Clean and without spot, yet a man, possessing the right to have dominion over all that is in the earth.
Oh how he must love us!
And so he laid himself on the altar as the only thing that could do away with death once and for all... the only one who owned the one thing that could clean the stain of sin and break the chains that bound us to it... he offered himself like a gentle lamb, willingly, without a fight, in his perfection as God and his innocence as the second Adam... and the blood of God was poured upon our heads washing down into the lowest places of our being and the darkest places of our hearts --
and sin and death were no more...
for all who would believe.
34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
How great is our God...
Oh how I love him <3
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 4/8/2008 10:35:59 AM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
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What distinguishes Wise Counsel?...
(John 6:41-44)
41At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
At first glance, it makes it sound like God has predestined who will be drawn to him and who will be saved... and who will not. But I don't believe that. I don't have a theological degree and I have ZERO desire to debate doctrines. But just for me... reading the Bible, seeking to understand what he is saying in this passage to whoever reads it... I think it is saying something very different.
Jesus said that if he is lifted up on the cross, all men would be drawn to him (John 12)...
27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
so it's not that only certain ones have the chance for salvation or that God predestined only certain ones, it simply means that if anyone is following Christ they were led there by God the Father. Whether they remain faithful or not, whether they later fall away, isn't the issue... the bigger issue is that the Father has led them to this place so that they may have a chance at salvation thru Christ.
The Jews are offended at Christ claiming to be so closely linked to the Father. They are reminding everyone that he is just as human as they are, that he grew up with them from a child. They were trying to reason away the possibility that Jesus was the Christ. Jesus in the opening of this passage was simply saying that none of these people, this vast crowd, would follow him, unless God the Father had led them to do it.
Basically, he was saying for them to stop grumbling about the people that believed in him as Messiah, and to leave it for God to judge or determine. As is said by a man of God later in the Gospels, if Jesus was not of God, the crowds would eventually fall away. But if God is moving thru him, than there is nothing they could do about it. The Jews that were grumbling should have sought God and let him reveal the true heart of what Jesus was claiming. If they had, God would have revealed the Truth to them. But instead, they were consumed with arrogance and traditions and putting God in a box as to who he would choose to work thru and how he would manifest himself as Christ upon the earth.
We can learn much from this passage.
How often we look at something new and we measure it to traditions rather than asking God about it. How often we hear no immediate answer from the Lord and so we rush to judgments that were never ours to make. When that person rises to a place of prominence that isn't really violating the word of God but we feel is undeserving or awkward or not respectable enough to represent the current climate of the church... we grumble against them in our heart or to our neighbor in the pew. God have mercy on us all.
We cannot judge the Jews or the disciples or the people in Scripture whose sin is so blatantly laid out for all to see. We should be more concerned about learning from the sins of one another rather than casting blame and judgment or looking down our nose at people as though we are above them in some way. We are just as guilty of sin as they were and are. But... we can be just as forgiven if we would only seek God in all things rather than rushing to judgment and leading other blind sheep into the ditch with us. We, blind guides that we are, had better open our eyes before our own arrogance lands us face down in the dirt again.
If something new or strange or different is happening around us, whether in the church or at work or in the neighborhood or even at home... we need to talk to God about it as it manifests itself. We need to be asking God to judge it and to reveal the true spirit behind it. We should watch and pray, until God gives us discernment that it is clearly his will or not. Sometimes that happens in an instant, sometimes it happens over a substantial measure of time. Watch and Pray.. until God gives direction to act.
And even then... Watch and Pray and Act.
We must not judge the younger generation, nor should they judge the older one. We should not judge the new guy in town, nor should he judge us in our quirkiness. That is what it means to not judge... seek God first for the Truth of every situation and motive, whether your own or a stranger or a friend or a pastor. Let God judge it. Seek him to give you discernment in the matter. Discuss it with wise counsel, be patient and full of love toward all involved, even those who may need discipline in the matter, and then act on what God reveals to be his judgment of the issue.
In seeking wise counsel... how can you distinguish it from gossip?
Wise counsel always uses the word of God as it's foundation and ties it with common sense and truth. Wise counsel loves as I Corinthians 13 describes what it is to love. Wise Counsel is dominated by a spirit that is willing to sacrifice all to protect the well-being of everyone involved -- including anyone who has sinned or is an offense to the will of God. Wise counsel is unafraid to bring discipline in order to maintain the prominence of the will of God, but it refuses to set aside love or justice or mercy (because such is the heart of the will of God). It does not use one of those to justify neglecting the other two. There are no favorites, there is only the will of God. Because it is that will that ensures all three of the above for everyone involved.
Gossip is almost always masked with one of two things... righteous indignation or false humility. But the end result and hidden agenda is to tear someone down and murder something about them... either their reputation, their ministry, their relationship with someone. Gossip is the choice weapon of those that murder in the church. Gossip always wears a mask and hides it's true intent so well. It loves to appear as wisdom and mercy... but operates in direct opposition to both.
13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,
but a righteous man escapes trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but joy for those who promote peace.
21 No harm befalls the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips,
but he delights in men who are truthful.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly. (Proverbs 12)
Wise Counsel is to Love
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (I Corinthians)
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 4/11/2008 1:33:08 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
Status: offline
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That Bad Taste in Your Mouth
(John 6:45-71)
45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
This is what Christ made reference to earlier and he alludes to it again later in this chapter. It is the Father who draws people, not to predestine them, but to expose them to the Truth, to lay the Truth before them as on a table. And everyone must choose what they will believe and what they will pick up and own, what they will consume and become intimate with so that they may live in that Truth, as part of it, reflecting it, joined to it, invested in it, married to it, one with it.
The Father gives everyone the opportunity to know the Truth and to possess salvation so that they may know eternal life. But not all will choose to believe and to follow his will and plan. Not all will choose to let Christ lead them, they are not willing to give up being their own god. And so they reject the one true God, refusing to follow him with their whole heart.
Those that choose to follow, have been taught by God like all men, but they are the ones that have submitted to his authority and teaching and leading.
46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
Jesus makes it clear that our walk is a walk of Faith, since none of us have actually seen the Father, the Godhead (Trinity) in it's fullness. Yet, those who believe in him without even seeing him, will receive salvation from death -- they will receive eternal life. And how will they believe?... because of the testimony of Jesus, Believing all that Jesus said is true is all that is asked of us. Keeping in mind that when you sincerely and wholeheartedly believe something to be true -- you live like it. The revelation of it changes you, everything about you. To believe so much more than just saying some words. Jesus drives this point home in the remaining verses of this chapter.
48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Jesus is drawing a distinction between the physical and the spiritual, at the same time that he is revealing the divine connection between the two. Eating bread (manna) in the desert can sustain a person so that their body can live in this physical world. But Christ is the Living bread (spiritual sustenance) in the spiritual desert of this world. He is the one thing that can make things live in the spiritual realm. The living bread came down from heaven of it's own free will because it is truly alive, and offered himself as sustenance so that every spirit-man in this world can live in that spiritual realm that is forever.
Death in the physical is to return to dust and disappear, no more consciousness.
Death in the spiritual is to be separated from God and all that is Good, to disappear into shadow and flame where there is no light, no life-giving flow, and nothing that is Good. Aware of your loss forever.
What is that loss?..... God. Love. Hope. Life. Second Chances.
Second Chances, the door of Grace, the timeline of Salvation... has a limit, a time of closing, a definite and final end.
You will live and serve someone for all eternity, and you get to choose.
You can serve the God of Truth and Love and partake freely of his goodness as a citizen of his kingdom submitting to his authority as child, heir, bride, brother, and friend.
Or you can serve Satan (the father of lies) or some other dark spirit that has masked itself as something more powerful than it is, and you can partake of his inheritance in that place of torment and second death -- so completely cut off from God and all that is good that no exit door even exists.
Or you can serve yourself in your attempt to be your own god and you can enjoy all that you rightfully own -- which is absolutely nothing -- except for the same judgment and inheritance awarded to all who are in rebellion against the Creator of all that is good -- that same place of torment and second death which is so completely cut off from God that no exit door exists.
Yes, you will definitely serve someone. It's inevitable.
God in his mercy let's you choose. There is only one eternity. It contains God's domain and kingdom, and a small dark territory reserved for those who choose to reject the love and mercy and goodness of God. That's it. It's not like the grocery store in America with an endless assortment of customized choices to suit your mood or your whim. There is only one choice, two possibilities, and by the Grace of God two chances to make the right one. This life is that second chance, that final choice. Better make it a good one.
Reality is not a democracy, it's a monarchy, a kingdom, ruled by a perfect Father -- who is God and King.
You can be arrogant and determined to serve yourself.
Or you can join in blatant rebellion and follow some lying demon from who knows where.
Or you can recognize a sincere and loving Father, who paid with his own blood to bring you home.
52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Jesus was trying to get them to see that the spiritual, the unseen that he spoke of, is just as real as the physical world that they could see and touch and handle. That the order and operation of the spiritual was just as definite and sure. They saw the spiritual bread, touched it and handled it, but they chose not to believe it or to partake of it. Physical food enters the mouth and goes into the stomach where it brings health and life. Spiritual food enters the mind and goes into the heart where it brings health and eternal life. They heard the word of the Father spoken by the Son, but their hearts refused to receive it.
60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
The word of God was given, but they would not receive it, so they could not be taught the Truth of God. Even though the Father had drawn them to the Truth by his Spirit. They still could not accept in their hearts who Christ truly was, or the things he had been sent to teach them.
66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
70Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
That's what you call a bad taste in your mouth. Many of his disciples refused to own what Christ was teaching, therefore they were unable to see that he was speaking of spiritual things... even though he clearly told them in verse 63. They took his words into their thoughts but refused to accept them into their hearts. They threw up the truth of God in a sense and rejected the authority of Christ. That was the bad taste that caused them to lose interest and walk away.
I think perhaps Jesus was asking them to truly commit to him, to God. I think they became indignant that such demands were being put upon them, to believe God's Truth instead of their own or what they wanted to call truth. They closed their hearts, which automatically closed their minds and prevented them from understanding the analogies that Christ was using. They were superficial Christians, following outwardly, listening and appearing to hear and to receive the word of God, but they had hardened their hearts and rejected Christ in the depths of their being.
The twelve were the exception. Actually the eleven.
Judas remained. He represented the extent of Christ's love and mercy. The known and determined betrayer given every possible chance to repent and change his mind, even to the death of Christ, even to his own cowardice act of suicide. Right up to the end, to his final breath, God offered him mercy and grace and a second chance... but he refused all.
It is God's heart to bless and to save every soul.
The loss of even one is no small matter to him.
He will lavish his love and every opportunity for salvation upon even the most wretched among us.
He gave all, he paid with his own blood, he emptied himself... even for Judas.
He loved even him
even me
even you.
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 4/25/2008 10:23:12 AM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
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BOOM BABY!
(John 7:1-15)
1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.
I love that God includes every detail and circumstance of wisdom in his word. The churchy thing would be to waltz right into the midst of Judea and defy any opposition because God's will needed to be preformed... but see, this was God who purposely avoided going there because the measure of the climate was too hostile at the moment. So he waited with patience until things cooled a bit, and it was the right time to push forward.
Even in childbirth and labor, there is a time to refrain from pushing, yet a time to continue to push forward in the birthing process. That is wisdom. Measuring the temperature and climate of any situation is wisdom and a necessary part of ministry in every setting. Refraining for a time or walking away until God leads you to return to the task is not always sin or cowardice... sometimes it is wisdom, sometimes it is the perfect will of God.
We must be careful to not be following the will of religion, or a congregation, or a pastor, or a man, or our family, or friends, or a culture -- if it contradicts the wisdom and will of God. That is a very weak point in the church today. We have reached a place of worshiping and following the voices around us, rather than the voice of God. But I see something emerging in this generation that is beautiful and right and good... a return to the Word of God and a zeal to commune with him in personal prayer time. Revival is definitely at the door of this generation, it is crossing the threshold this very moment.
2But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
BOOM! THERE IT IS... temptation.
Stepping out of the perfect will of the Father, doing it man's way instead of God's way, pressure, family, comparing your actions to the standards and norms of the world, fame, fortune and glory, accusations of being awkward and unauthentic and irrelevant... show yourself to the world.
Christ could have entered into pride at any moment and thought, "I'll show them." But he remained steadfast, just as zealous and full of passion about the mission, but determined and unwaivering to perform it with the wisdom of God. Would we be like Christ in such a situation? Do we act like he did when those same temptations are taunting us and sneering in our face, filling our ears and our thoughts with everything considered wise by the world's standard?... by the grace of God, I pray our answer is always no. I pray we always hear the firm but gentle voice in the core of our being as he whispers the wisdom of God instead.
Be careful who you listen to... the hissing in the grass or in that tree can be very appealing and very convincing.
6Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. 7The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. 8You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." 9Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.
wow, Christ is our example. At this time, his family did not understand the perfect will of God because Christ had not yet died and become that example. The time of this incident was a time of transition, during the process of transforming the old covenant into the new. But Jesus knew the Truth, the plan, the Spirit that lived in Him and that is part of Him. He saw the plan/fulfillment in it 's entirety, because he helped to fashion it.
Later, he tells us that the world will hate us too. After all is fulfilled, the Truth is revealed, and we are identified with Him in performing the perfect will of God. We will go against the grain and norms of this world just as he did, not conforming to religion and the world. We will not always do what everyone else is doing, we will not always be loud and bold when they expect it, and we will not always be mild and meek in matters that require Godly courage.
There will be times where we must go our separate ways for a season. There will be times when it is good and right for others to go the feast or that ministry event... but for us it would be sin. For us some times we will be required to go a lonely road, or to wait a lonely hour. Sometimes, everyone will leave you, the parade will march by you, the party will not include you... and you will be required to stay in that small and insignificant place for a season, maybe several seasons.
But that is not where you will stay, and that is what you must remember in the waiting, in your loneliness. Christ waits there with you. So refuse to let your heart and thoughts be troubled or discouraged. Instead, be cheerful that great things are coming, be thankful that God has lead you to walk in his perfect will, cherish that lonely time, that Gethsemane... without that garden, that place and time of prayer/soulful meditation, you will not have the strength and discipline to endure the cross.
Gethsemane, the beating, the cross, the scoffing... there is much to endure.
But Christ was our example and he promises that though he walked it alone, we will never be alone.
10However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"
Did he lie about going to the feast?.. no
It was not his time to leave when his brothers were leaving. His time was to leave after his brothers had left. God in his wisdom, knows how our enemies think and what pitfalls lay ahead. Christ knew that those in Judea that sought to kill him would be looking for him among his family. That was the standard, to go up with your family to the feast. Jesus not only outwitted his enemies, he was protecting his family. His presence was sure to endanger his brothers, or at the least cause them to be the object of ridicule and harassment.
Strategic?... yes
Wisdom requires a great measure of strategy. However, Godly wisdom confines itself to Godly strategies. The strategies of men are consumed with winning at all cost and the acceptance of expendable casualties. But Godly strategy, works every detail for the good of all. It does not sacrifice the small and unimportant soul to benefit and empower those that are more popular and vocal. Godly strategy accomplishes the plan and the victory so that goodness and righteousness can prevail equally for the small and the great. Sacrifice becomes an offering from both camps, such strategy binds the hearts and souls of men together in one love, one purpose, causing them to serve as one.
12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man."
Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." 13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
14Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.
15The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
This part has not changed among people. Everything that happens will find supporters as well as opposition. Some thought Christ was good, others thought he was deceptive. They whispered among themselves but were afraid to voice an opinion that they were willing to stand by publicly. Their reputation was at stake, the well being of their families, the threat of being put out of the synagogue was real and intimidating.
How similar we are today.
Everyone watched and waited to see what Jesus would do. They wanted to hear him teach. Some because they were hungry to hear more of the Truth of God. Others wanted to hear more debate between him and the church leaders. And some were in desperation, hoping for a chance to receive a miracle for themselves or someone they loved. Yet, others longed to see miracles for the miracles sake, the thrill of it all. Christ speaks about all the various motives of why people follow him. He knows that there are tares among the wheat, but he also understands that grace requires both to be given place... for a time. He sees the difficulty caused by the presence of the tares. He sees the hardships put upon his people. He understands the pressures and the intimidation and the risk involved in following him. He knows what it is to sacrifice your very blood, to be separated from your family, to be beaten and robbed and laughed at and scarred.
There is no God like our God.
With all the wisdom and the love and the compassion and the mercy that fills his heart and his very being, he continues to put the will of God, the will of his Father above all else. No matter the motives or needs of people, no matter the temptations, no matter the attacks of the enemy, no matter the risk to those he loves. He risks all, he endures all... because he trusts the Father so completely. To the point of laying down his divinity, becoming a man, and emptying himself of his very life. He put himself completely into the hands of the Father, laid down all his rights and his power, trusting him to restore all and to accomplish the greater good.
Jesus is our example, and no one else.
We are to love all as he loved, but we are to love God above all else.
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 8/7/2008 11:20:04 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
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Hand it over...
(John 7:16-18)
16Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.
Jesus was performing the Father's will. He had set down his authority and right and power to rule and reign and he submitted himself fully to the Father as a man. That's pretty incredible. How many of us can set down our right to something and resist the temptation to pick it back up at will... to go back on our word when things get tough, to snatch it back up in our weakness and our fear?
Christ is our model. Our perfection and our strength. He was tempted like us in all ways, but he resisted. Oh to be like him... he makes us able. As God, he understands the power of temptation, and he walks us thru resisting it every step of the way. We can perform the Father's will above our own, Christ teaches us and leads us in it as we call upon him, as we humble ourselves, as we acknowledge that he is God, as we reject our own will and follow his, as we follow him like sheep because we know that he loves us as the Good Shepherd. We make it too hard. Stubborn goats and mules that we are at times...
17If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
That is so often the problem. We want to know for sure before we make a final decision, but that's just not how faith works. "Seeing is believing..." that is our comfort zone, but to believe Christ without seeing the evidence/proof of all he says requires us to trust, to risk, to hand over control, to give up our rights and position and power.
The instant we choose the will of God, the moment that we step out of our comfort zone and we risk and we trust him... then we know. Without words, without explanation... we just know Truth, with a capital T. It is when we hand over control to God, that everything begins to make sense and we gain a confidence that is beyond understanding. We just know that Jesus Christ is everything he says he is. We no longer have to see the evidence or the proof. We become people of Faith.
18He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
It's not just a matter of faith, of trusting, of handing over control to God... it's a matter of handing over the spotlight as well. It's no longer about me and manipulating all things to serve my interests and wants. It becomes a matter of what can I do to fulfill the will of God... because it is in the fulfillment of his will that ALL of us are blessed and whole and full of every good thing. It really is all or nothing. We either work for the good of all, or we waste our efforts trying to work it some other way. The will of God will be fulfilled... and his will says ALL PEOPLE who call upon HIS NAME shall be saved. Who are we to seek our own honor, to think we deserve the spotlight or that everyone owes us the spotlight...
Reminds me of the verse I just posted on my myspace tonite:
(Psalm 8:1,4)
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens...
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
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RE: Thinking Out Loud about John - 8/19/2008 12:39:55 PM
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selahgirl
Posts: 1235
Joined: 5/20/2005
From: God is with you, never forget that <3
Status: offline
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better and stronger and wiser
(John 7:19-32)
19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"
20"You are demon-possessed," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"
21Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all astonished. 22Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. 23Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? 24Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
25At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? 26Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ? 27But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."
This scene reminds me so much of the movie HOOK, when Peter is trying to convince the Lost Boys that he is in fact their former friend, Peter Pan. The boys are torn, they run back and forth as each argument is presented. Everything sounds so convincing... but Truth prevails and they finally recognize him. Just as Christ said... people will reject the one who comes in the Father's name, but they will embrace the one that comes in his own name.
Jesus tells them that Moses gave them the law, they have the law, they should know the truth, and yet they deny the truth and the one that God has sent to speak that truth. The people approach him with a chip on their shoulder, denying that they doubt him and are rejecting him, as well as the fact that people were trying to kill him.... and yet a few verses later, they acknowledge that they knew that Jesus was the man that the authorities were out to kill. They were suspicious of him, and looking for something to accuse him of, knowing full well that death was a likelihood if they took a mind to kill him, or have him killed.
Suddenly it occurs to them that the authorities have presented him as such a villain, yet they have not arrested him, the chance remains that perhaps he is speaking the truth... perhaps he is who he says he is. But immediately they go back to interpreting the law as their church leaders had taught them... immediately looking at the appearance of things and using that to judge the heart and intent. The argument of knowing where he is from as proof that he was not Messiah, was an argument presented by the church leaders in other passages during their closed door meetings. You can feel the struggle within the people to sort out how their leaders interpreted the Scripture from the conviction of the Holy Spirit that was bearing witness with all that Christ was saying and doing. Jesus was wanting them to think it through for themselves. To consider how ridiculous it was to perform a religious rite on the Sabbath, and yet deny someone from helping someone else in need on the same day. It was a pretty intense moment.
28Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29but I know him because I am from him and he sent me."
So many today teach against being emotional in our witness or our stance for Truth. And yet, here is Christ crying out in the midst of the congregation, in a public forum, during intense teaching and a pivotal moment. He is fed up with their refusal to think it through, and declares that they know him but they have no clue why he has come or who has sent him... namely God. He is emotional yet completely in control of himself as he tries to help the people see the foolishness of what they have believed and how they have judged him wrongly.
30At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"
And so arrogance rises up in some of the people. Some stand for their religious rites rather than asking God about what they have just heard Christ say. They become angry and afraid of change and violent and rush in to shut him up. But God restrained them and caused them to not lay a hand on him. Others in the crowd understood what he was saying, they recognized the truth of it, they understood that there was something different about Christ. And they began to believe that he was who he said he was. He was proving it in everything he was teaching and everything he was doing.
32The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
The motivation of the church leaders was not to know the Truth, it was to control what the people heard and believed. How frightening when I compare that to many leaders in the church today. To discipline motivated by love for the person, to take a bold stand on something in order to defend the Truth of our message as it lines up with the Word of God. Such integrity is anointed as watchmen and stewards and shepherd-leaders. But to do such things motivated by pride and arrogance and jealousy... merely protecting personal opinion and agendas... that steps so far out of the will of God. It sets up a chosen few as though they are gods. I truly believe that is the sin of the church that God is dealing with in this hour. It has wounded too many people and God is saying enough. His presence has come to expose the Truth and the Lies for what they are. He said that he came to bring division...
The cries of the dead and dying have reached the throne of heaven, and God himself has come to set things right in his church and among the leaders that he privileged with the power that they hold. I pray repentance and mercy for us all, in the name of Jesus. We, the people, have empowered the sins of such men. We have abandoned our first love... but he has not given up on us... he has not forsaken us... he calls to us and disciplines us and allows us to reap the bitterness of the harvest we have planted. All in an attempt to woo us back to him, to make us better and stronger and wiser so that we will not find ourselves in this same place ever again. He is restoring the church to wholeness, as painful as it is at the moment.
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