St. John - session 3
Level 1
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There is so much "meat" in the Gospel of John, it's hard to pick the hi-lights! If you have time, I encourage you to read the full chapter, No. 4 (at least through the story of the woman at the well). Perhaps you have heard a good sermon on this story. We can understand so much more about Jesus just
reading this. The fact that He talked at LENGTH with a woman was unusual in those days. On top of that she was a Samaritan. They were of Hebrew descent but had married outside of their culture and had different customs, so were considered inferior by the Israelites.
Jesus showed this woman His lack of prejudice, His concern for all types and conditions of men and women.
He spoke to her about the gift of God Ᾱ THE LIVING WATER, from which no one would thirst again. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God Himself.
reading this. The fact that He talked at LENGTH with a woman was unusual in those days. On top of that she was a Samaritan. They were of Hebrew descent but had married outside of their culture and had different customs, so were considered inferior by the Israelites.
Jesus showed this woman His lack of prejudice, His concern for all types and conditions of men and women.
He spoke to her about the gift of God Ᾱ THE LIVING WATER, from which no one would thirst again. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God Himself.
A spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:10)
From this passage comes a famous quote, and if heeded, becomes a stumbling block for some people. He answered the woman's question about places of worship by saying,
the time has come when true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth!
The woman went on to bring many Samaritans to meet Jesus. They listened to Him for two days and became believers. She was a true EVANGELIST!
There follows two examples of His power to heal the sick and the invalid. Jesus told them,
There follows two examples of His power to heal the sick and the invalid. Jesus told them,
Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.
He realized that these SIGNS were necessary to gain attention, but He spoke at length about BELIEVING in Him, not OF Him, or what one heard of Him.
Far more important than health, wealth, and happiness, is our trust and faith in Him, growing each day through the Holy Spirit!
Far more important than health, wealth, and happiness, is our trust and faith in Him, growing each day through the Holy Spirit!
Level 2
In chapter six, John told us about the feeding of the five thousand. This is the one miracle that all of the Gospel writers give a good account. It must have been one of the most outstanding events, and one that was witnessed by so many people. Yet in 6:26-59 Jesus said, "do not seek for food that spoils, but food that endures for eternal life." Then went on to say,
I am the bread of life. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.
Now, in spite of the greatest miracle that five thousand had witnessed, men began to fall away saying, "How can a man give us his flesh to eat? This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
Jesus, of course, was speaking in what I call "Spiritual language". Unless those men were "of the Spirit of God" they were unable to understand the message. Jesus later said,
Jesus, of course, was speaking in what I call "Spiritual language". Unless those men were "of the Spirit of God" they were unable to understand the message. Jesus later said,
Let those who have eyes, see and those who have ears, hear.
Those who are of the Spirit of God have "ears to hear"!
Please read in chapter seven, verses 25-44. My Bible entitles this Is Jesus the Christ? The momentum is building! One can feel the tension and the fear of the Jewish leaders which will lead to the crucifixion. These questions thrown at Jesus will cause Him to say in chapter 8, verse 58:
Please read in chapter seven, verses 25-44. My Bible entitles this Is Jesus the Christ? The momentum is building! One can feel the tension and the fear of the Jewish leaders which will lead to the crucifixion. These questions thrown at Jesus will cause Him to say in chapter 8, verse 58:
I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM!
He existed before the world began! He was the WORD of God that John spoke about in chapter one. This will be far too blasphemous for the Pharisees!
As we approach the season of Lent leading up to our celebration of Easter, these chapters take on quite a deep meaning for us. It may seem like "old hat" to some, but reliving it in our "mind's eye" can renew and deepen our Spiritual understanding, always bringing us closer to Christ!
As we approach the season of Lent leading up to our celebration of Easter, these chapters take on quite a deep meaning for us. It may seem like "old hat" to some, but reliving it in our "mind's eye" can renew and deepen our Spiritual understanding, always bringing us closer to Christ!