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12 Oct:
Nicodemus’s Conversion: John 3:1-15; 7:43-53; 19:38-42
In three scenes, John shows Nicodemus’s movement from skepticism to indecision to belief in Jesus as God’s Messiah. In doing this, he invites his readers to consider their road to belief and to put aside all their skepticism and indecision and to 100% identify with Jesus through belief.
Scene One: Skepticism: John 3:1-15 – Nicodemus first approaches Jesus at night. John emphasizes the timing of this rendezvous to highlight its secrecy. Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus is from God (v. 2), but he’s operating both in the night here on earth but also in the ‘night’/darkness of the spiritual kingdom.
As the conversation unfolds, Nicodemus is incredulous at Jesus’s claims and teaching. Nicodemus's question “How can these things be?” characterizes his approach to Jesus (3:9). Their conversation ends with the narrator’s commentary on the symbolism of light and darkness: “The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light. . . . But whoever does what is true comes to the light” (vv. 19, 21).
The thing that stands out in my mind is that while Nicodemus is skeptical – what does his questions tell us? That he is searching for and willing to listen. This is something his fellow Jewish leaders are unwilling to even contemplate. At one point they state quite clearly: ‘We know this man is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ And what was He doing against the Sabbath – healing a man born blind.’ They had no idea as to who Jesus really was, yet here is Nicodemus drawing close and investigating the Lord. While he may not yet be convinced that Jesus is the looked-for Messiah, he is willing to consider it and investigate before reaching a conclusion.
Nicodemus is still in the dark but he is getting closer to the Light!
Scene Two: Indecision: John 7:50-52 – A council of the chief priests and Pharisees convenes to arrest Jesus. However, the temple officers, amazed by Jesus and His teaching, refuse to bring Him in. Nicodemus is caught up in the ensuing debate. Nicodemus, who was one of the Sanhedrin, and not yet a disciple of Christ speaks up regarding giving Jesus a fair trial. The response of the Pharisees is to ask, ‘Are you from Galilee too?’ (v.52)
Nicodemus is clearly approaching a turning point as to who his identity is going to be – a Jewish leader or a Christ follower. While Nicodemus may not have been willing to put his reputation on the line just yet – at least he is willing to try to give Jesus a fair hearing – he tries to get his cohorts to at least open their eyes in accordance to the Law. He tries to get a fair consideration for the story of Jesus.
Scene Three: New Identity: John 19:38-42 – After the crucifixion, almost out of nowhere, Nicodemus reemerges and takes center stage. The Jews want nothing to do with Jesus’s dead body, so they ask Pilate to take Him away (v. 31). They don’t want the blemish of a dead body to defile their Passover Sabbath. Ironically, though, Jesus is the true Passover Lamb. He’s the one the Passover points to. They reject the spiritual substance of the feast, Jesus himself, to uphold the mere shadow of the feast.
Nicodemus does the opposite. The text implies Nicodemus is personally involved in the burial process. He’s apparently not concerned with being ceremonially unclean, even on the cusp of the Passover Sabbath, if there is a way he can serve his new found ‘Lord’.
He no longer sneaks about in the shadows of night. Before the Sabbath evening begins, during the day of Preparation, he openly shows that he has become a disciple of the Lord. The question of Nicodemus’s identity appears resolved. He truly comes to serve the ‘Light.’
And what I find interesting and illustrates the extent to which Nicodemus has bought into following the Lord – he steps up and out and acts on behalf of his ‘dead’ Lord.
He is NOT standing next to and supporting a man who has just fed 5,000 people; he is not advocating for a person who raised a dead man or cured a man blind from birth – but he is casting his support for a ‘dead’ man. Do you understand what I am stating? Nicodemus is casting his reputation on someone who has just been killed by his fellow leaders. Could ANY thing be more bold in declaring his faith in Christ even in the face of his leaders death.
Here is a second thought. There is quite a contrast between Nicodemus and the Jewish leaders. They all saw the same thing. The difference between Nicodemus and his fellow leaders is his open heart and his open mind. Why was Nicodemus open to God’s Son? I submit that it was because of his love for God. His sincere searching for truth must come from a deep love for God!!!
- Mtt 23:36,37 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Jer 31:33 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” You will see in the Great Commandment that we are to love who??? OUR God. We need to acknowledge and/or declare who it is that we are serving in our lives. Once we decide to make God our God then we need to seek Him.
- Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Proverbs 8:17 “ I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” In seeking God we are to also seek to put away the things of this world and seek God’s kingdom.
- 1 Peter 1:22 “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart”. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” The final step, so to speak, is this:
- Mtt 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The Gospel of John presents humanity in two broad categories. Either you’re in the darkness and hate the light, or you’re born again and come to the light. Nicodemus’s actions are recorded to persuade us to believe in Jesus (20:31). The question John poses through Nicodemus is this: Are you in the dark or the shadows or have you truly come to the light? Actions speak louder than words; what you do has a stronger impact on people than what you say. There is life & freedom in believing and publicly identifying with Jesus, no matter the cost. 2 Cor 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Jesus says if we love Him we will keep His commandments immediately followed by the command to love God and love one another.
How far into the Light have we traveled????
5 Oct:
Jesus’ Seven “I AM” Statements:
1) I am the bread of life; 2) I am the light of the world;
3) I am the door; 4) I am the Good Shepherd
5) I am the Resurrection/Life 6) I am the Way, Truth & Life
7) I am the True Vine
1) I am the bread of life; 2) I am the light of the world;
3) I am the door; 4) I am the Good Shepherd
As you can see – in each of these first 4 statements Christ has declared that He has come to bring us a path that will enrich our lives and bless us. As the Good Shepherd analogy illustrates, each of the roles that Christ provides requires something from us. We must partake of His teachings, we must be willing to follow Him and trust Him all the days of our lives.
In the next “I AM” statement Jesus reaches beyond our earthly lives to bring blessings to us in eternity:
5) “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus made this “I am” statement immediately before raising Lazarus from the dead. Again, we see that Jesus’ teaching was not just empty talk; when He made a claim, He substantiated it with action. He holds “the keys of death and the grave” Rev 1:17,18 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” In raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus proves that He has power over death and He can bring life to who He wills. Jesus says that HE is the resurrection which indicates that “life” can only come through Him. Those who are His will receive His blessings as their Good Shepherd to extend even to receiving life after death. Jesus isn’t just saying He knows the way to eternal life. He’s saying HE IS the way. He’s the source. He’s the solution. He is our resurrection and brings us our life after death.
6) “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus is not merely one way among many ways to God; He is the only way. Jesus alone is the source of life; He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life and the Giver of eternal life.
Jesus is the Way. He is the Way to God, the Way to salvation, the Way when we are lost, the Way when we are afraid. When you are not sure which way to turn, turn to Jesus.
Jesus is the Truth. Scripture says that “The very essence of [God’s] words is truth” (Psalm 119:160, NLT), and here is Jesus proclaiming that He is the truth—confirming His identity as the Word of God (see John 1:1, 14). In John 8:32 Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”. Knowing Jesus is knowing the Truth which brings salvation.
Jesus is the Life. Faith and salvation in Jesus promises eternal life, life everlasting. In John 10:10 Jesus promises life, not just any life, but an abundant life. This will be a life which is spiritually full with meaning and purpose and growth – a rewarding life here on earth to be followed by eternal life with God.
Following Jesus is the way to find truth and life. Other things might promise truth and the good life. But they will always fall short in delivering. Jesus is the only way to find what each of us truly longs for.
7) “I am the true vine” (John 15:1, 5). The final metaphorical “I am” statement in the Gospel of John emphasizes the sustaining power of Christ. We are the branches, and He is the vine. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is joined in vital union with the vine, only those who are joined to Christ and receive their power from Him produce fruit in the Christian life.
Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, so we need to remain connected to Him in order to grow and flourish spiritually. Allowing His life to flow through us enabling us to grow and bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). He is the source of life, now and forever. If you are a gardener and you want to produce a crop, then you need to care for it. You need to cut off the bad parts and prune the good parts. This is how you can produce an abundant crop. No branch can grow unless it’s connected to the vine, the source of life. John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” James 1:2-3 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
What Jesus is saying is that He is the vine and we are the branches. If we want to grow, then we must remain connected to him. But not just that, He’s also saying God is the gardener and He will do what every good gardener does, prune and cut off the bad stuff. Why? So that we can produce much fruit: so that we can find and enjoy that abundant life that the Lord promised us. God Loves us and wants the best possible life for us.
1) I am the bread of life; 2) I am the light of the world;
3) I am the door; 4) I am the Good Shepherd
5) I am the Resurrection/Life 6) I am the Way, Truth & Life
7) I am the True Vine
In Jesus’ declaration of “I AM” He is clarifying exactly who He is and why we can believe and trust Him – He is God! As God He provides everything we need in this life and the next. The question is: do we believe and will we commit to being His disciple throughout all the days of our life? To do so is to live – live fully here and know we will live in eternity.
When I read these “I AM” declarations I am reminded when God first declared who He was – to the Israelites through Moses. I wonder how we are doing with “THIS” God in our lives? Are we like the Israelites who constantly struggled in their allegiance to God or are we faithful like Christ who came to this earth and obediently followed God’s will through His relationship with the Father?
Through the I AM statements Jesus promises to be our spiritual nourishment and strength, our illumination and guide, our way to have a relationship with God, our life and victory, our safety and protection, our salvation, freedom and purpose, and our way to spiritual growth.
If we build our relationship with the Lord and are faithful to our calling then we need to read these words with hope and assurance that we will be brought home with Him:
John 14:1-3 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I God to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
28 Sept: Jesus’ Seven “I AM” Statements:
1) I am the bread of life; 2) I am the light of the world;
3) I am the door; 4) I am the Good Shepherd
5) I am the Resurrection/Life 6) I am the Way, Truth & Life
7) I am the True Vine
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world and they show a link to Old Testament revelation.
In Ex 3:14 God answers the question Moses asked regarding who Moses is representing: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God. Whenever Jesus makes a “I AM” declaration He then does something to back it up.
1) “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51). Jesus makes this declaration just after feeding the 5,000. He also clarifies the nature of what He has done in comparison to the acknowledged great leader Moses: “Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die” (verses 49,50). If Jesus can provide for our physical nourishment, how much more, as the Son of God, can He provide for our spiritual nourishment. When they ate the manna provided to them, they still ended up dying. He is trying to let them know that He has come to provide something better. Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Rom. 5:8,9 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” This is what leads us to Jesus saying, “I am the bread of life.”
2) John 8:12; 9:5 “I am the light of the world”. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” 1 John 1:6,7 “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” This next “I am” statement comes right before He heals a man born blind - Jesus not only says He is the light; He proves it. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Jesus, as the Light of the World, can bring illumination to our day to day life as we allow God to guide and lead us, as He shines His Light on our path. In Matthew 5:14-15 He also asks us to be lights in the world, helping others to find the way out of their darkness and into relationship with Him. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. As Christ’s disciples we are to reflect His light into the lives of those around us. In the same way the moon reflects the light of the sun, so we are to reflect Christ.
3) “I am the door” (John 10:7 and 9, ESV). Mtt 11:27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; not does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
These statements reveal that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven by any other means than through Christ Himself. Jesus’ words in this passage are couched in the imagery of a sheepfold. He is the one and only way to enter the fold. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters in by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. John 10:7.9
We all know what a door is, and we know it’s purpose. It’s an entrance, it’s the way in. Jesus declares that He is the Door to salvation, He is the way to a relationship with God. If we want to enter into a relationship with God, we go through Jesus.
4) To follow up with this analogy Jesus also declares: “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). With this “I am” statement, Jesus portrays His great love and care. This compassion and concern are epitomized by what is written in John 3:16 & 1 John 3:16 “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” When Jesus called Himself the good shepherd, He unmistakably took for Himself one of God’s titles in the Old Testament: David illustrates this in Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd”. When the Lord took on the role of Good Shepherd He accepted the responsibilities of that position. As our Good Shepherd He willingly has gone in search of the lost sheep – even to the point giving His life to protect us and to save us. He wants us to accept His gift of salvation. He wants to guard and protect us as we travel through this life so that He can fulfill His promise of bringing to us an abundant life.
1) I am the bread of life; 2) I am the light of the world;
3) I am the door; 4) I am the Good Shepherd
As you can see – in each of these statements Christ has declared that He has come to bring us a path that will enrich our lives and bless us. As the Good Shepherd analogy illustrates, each of the roles that Christ provides requires something from us. We must partake of His teachings, we must be willing to follow Him and trust Him in all the days of our lives.
I want to close today on these three verses:
1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore, those who also suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” Rom 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for god to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” James 1:12 “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
These verses apply to all those who know the Lord, is known by Him, and like the branches from a vine, are being fed and nurtured by Him.
21 Sept:
Jesus Heals the Leper Out of Compassion:
His Compassion Becomes Our Compassion
How Does Our Compassion Affect Our Fellowship?
One of the points noted in last week’s lesson of Jesus healing the leper is that Christ was filled with compassion for His creation. As His disciples, that same compassion should be one of OUR characteristics as well.
There are various ways that our compassion can and should be evident in our lives. One such way it shows is the way we fulfill the commandment to love our neighbor. More specifically, our compassion shows up in the way we fulfill Christ’s teaching that people will know we are His disciples by the way we love each other. John 13:34,35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
An example in how this looks is found by the earliest Christians in Jerusalem: Acts 2:42, 44-46 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” I don’t know how long this practice continues but if you remember in First Cor. 11 Paul chastises them for the way they were wrongly combining their observance of the Lord’s Supper with the lunch they were eating at the worship service. The point is – they were still in the habit of coming together to worship and to fellowship with each other.
Commitment to a church is not optional for a believer; it is commanded. The commands to ‘love one another”, “exhort one another every day” and “not neglecting to meet together” assumes we are intentionally gathering (Heb. 3:13; 10:24–25; 13:17). These words assume we’re actively involved in regular conversations about our spiritual condition.
Let me put it this way: from the perspective of Scripture, it should be abnormal for a Christian to go a single week without some time of serious connection with another brother and sister in Christ. We are created to know and be known by each other. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I say it takes a church to raise a Christian.
Consider another event in Christ’s life which the apostle John recorded for us: John 13:512-15 “Then He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. …. So when He had washed their feet He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” You know, it is going to be rather difficult for us to meet one another’s needs if we are not meeting together and fellowshipping with each other and are not sharing with each other about what is going on in our lives. Jesus is clearly setting an example AND commanding that we show love to each other.
Jesus left heaven to seek and save the lost, to pursue wayward sheep, and to show us the Father who runs to embrace His prodigals (Luke 15:1–32; 19:10). The same sinner-seeking love that marked Jesus ought to mark His people. Consider also what James tells us in his letter: James 5:19,20 ““My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” How does a Christian help his brother when he is struggling with sin if he doesn’t know his brother? Sin thrives in the dark and in secret but withers in the light and when it becomes known. We cannot be a part of everybody’s life, but we can be part of a few brothers and sister’s lives.
Satan craftily schemes to keep us from caring for each other. When he ensnares one of us, he then deceitfully assures others to leave them alone, lest the ‘brother” appears to be nosy and judgmental. Why are we embarrassed to come to a brother or sister and share with them our concern??? Our concern is the result of loving them and wanting the best for them. And by best, I mean enjoying that bountiful life that the Lord promised us.
God’s people mustn’t stand by and watch one another be devoured by sin. Rather, we must “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). If someone does become ensnared, we imitate Jesus by going after him or her. The apostle Paul exhorts: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1). Our attempts at reproof and reconciliation should be marked by urgency and prayerfulness and love, not anger or exasperation.
If you were ensnared in sin, who would come to rescue you? Are you developing intentional, transparent, accountable relationships with other believers? God gives real warnings to his people as a means of helping them persevere in faith. The church is God’s appointed means to ensure that the warnings in His Word are regularly proclaimed.
Christians are people who “speak the truth in love” with one another (Eph. 4:15). This means we love each other enough to be honest about our struggles, and we care enough to help others with theirs. We pursue each other and discuss areas of sin that has invaded our lives and where Satan has gotten a foothold into our lives. We know isolation is the enemy of purity and darkness --- the breeding ground for sin. Do we regularly talk about Jesus with our fellow believers? We must develop healthy relationships that graciously push each other toward honesty and repentance.
May we allow our brothers and sisters to help us when feelings of discontentment and other fleshly desires tempt us toward sin. Let us lift one another up by pointing to Jesus who promises to never leave or forsake us: Heb 13:5,6 “…. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’ Can we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want? Can we echo Paul’s words: Rom 8:31 “What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Do we know and place our hope in Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). Do we participate in encouraging and up lifting our Christian family? Do we fully participate in being a part of Christ’s body? Romans 12:4-5 “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Let us make an effort to be a fully integrated member of our Safter family.
As we await that fast-approaching day of the Lord’s return, may we help each other in our Christian Walk. May we come together often, not just on worship Sunday. May we help one another to stay faithful and trust in the Lord’s good grace and love. May we do this day by day, until it is no longer called today.