No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

 John 6:41-51

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. John 6:44

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 6:41-51 - where we see the Jews (Jewish elders/leadership) grumble about Jesus after He shares that He is the Bread of Life. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?:  God does not want us to grumble about Him - v43.  We also see this in the OT in Exodus 16:2-26 where the Israelites in the wilderness grumble about their circumstances and Moses responds to them that he knows that the grumbling is not about Aaron and himself but about God.  Jesus repeats that He is sent by God and that He alone saves - v44. Another promise is that everyone who believes will have eternal life and that they (and their children will all be taught by God) - as Jesus quotes Isaiah 54:13. Jesus then prophecies His own death by offering of Himself as the Sacrificial Lamb of God (v51b). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The Jews grumble about Jesus and share how they know Jesus as the son of Mary and Joseph - they can't believe that Jesus is sent by God and from Heaven.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not grumble or complain about Your circumstances as this is a complaint directed towards God.  Claim the promise of eternal life through Jesus and how He teaches. Trust in God and believe. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You alone save.  My sin is great (including grumbling!) and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me for my sin....including lack of patience also...Help me turn from such sin towards You and overcome my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life[.]

 John 6:22-40

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life[.] John 6:27a

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 6:22-40 - where shares that He is the Bread of Life. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The crowds fed during the Feeding of the Five Thousand (vv1-15), seek Jesus and when they find Him (v25), Jesus does not directly answer the question they ask.  Instead, once again acting with intention, Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter by sharing in v26 - starting with "truly, truly" to emphasize His authority - that He knows why they seek Him; they seek Him because He provides for their physical needs (food). He wants the people to see that He provides spiritual nourishment (v27).  He wants them to believe in Him for this spiritual nourishment, and they want to know how to believe (vv29-30). They seek a sign to believe Him (v30), and Jesus admonishes them for believing that Moses provided manna to the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness (v32) - He wants them to see how it was the Father who provided the manna. Jesus then wants them to see how the Father is now sending the Son to be the Bread of Life (vv33,35). In v35, Jesus builds on what He shared with the Samaritan woman at the well where He encourages the woman to drink from the Living Water and never thirst again. V36 furthers Jesus' admonishment of the crowd that they have "seen [Him] yet do not believe." Jesus then promises that if we believe in Him, we will never be cast out (v37).  In vv38-40 we Jesus describing how He came to do the Father's will, that He will not lose anything given from the Father to Him, that those who believe in Him will have eternal life, and the Father will raise the Son up on the last day. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People often seek help with physical needs from Jesus, when instead we should KNOW that He provides for our physical needs and that it is more important that we have our spiritual needs met. We also see people that seek signs and evidence before they believe in Him.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeking signs or testing of God.  See Romans 1:20 where creation alone provides enough evidence to at least seek Him. Claim the promise of eternal life and that Jesus is the Living Water and Bread of Life who meets our most important needs - spiritual needs.  Follow the example of Jesus who does the will of God. Believe and trust in Him. 

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God that meets my most important needs - You save and deliver mercies every morning that never cease...and so much more!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her caner cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

 John 6:16-21

Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.  When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. John 6:15b-17

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 6:16-21 - where Jesus walks on water. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. This same account of Jesus walking on water is found in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V17 shares that Jesus "had not yet come to the [disciples]" who had left the site of the feeding of the five thousand, gotten in a boat and were headed across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (see this map location 5 and its proximity to Capernaum).  Going back to v15 from yesterday's text, we see Jesus remaining on the mountain by Himself where He had fed the five thousand.  Jesus of course is not spending time with Himself for "self-care."  Jesus spends much time alone - to be in prayer and in fellowship with the Father - see the accounts of this story in Matthew and Mark, and also this post.  When Jesus does connect again with the disciples, He is walking on water and calming both the water and the disciples - who were frightened by the sight of Jesus performing this miracle - the disciples (per Matthew and Mark) thought it was a ghost until Jesus gets closer to them. Jesus tells the disciples to not be afraid and the disciples then gladly take Jesus into the boat.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples reaction to Jesus' walking on water stems from an incomplete understanding of who Jesus is.  At this point in the Gospel story, Jesus continues to teach the disciples and reveal Himself to them.  While no believer will have a complete understanding of who Jesus is until he/she meets Jesus face to face upon glorification (going to Heaven), we are nonetheless encouraged to get to know Jesus intimately through daily study of His Word and prayer.  We are then more able to recognize Jesus when He is at work. See also Romans 12:2 we are told to renew our minds so that we can recognize Him and do His will.        
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid fear and anxiety.  Claim the promise that God will take care of you either in this life or in Heaven - either way He has you sealed and covered. Follow the example of Jesus to spend time alone in the Word and in prayer.  Trust Jesus.       

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - I know I am covered and sealed for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

 John 6:1-15

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:14-15

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 6:1-15. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. This same account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand is in all of the other gospels -Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, and Luke 9:10-17.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus acts with intention as He has lesson plans in mind for those following Him, particularly the disciples. In John's account of this miracle, we see Jesus testing Philip in vv5-7 as any good teacher does to get a student to think and come to answer on His own.  Yet Jesus, omniscient as He is, knew not only what Philip would say but also what Simon Peter (see vv8-9) would say and do.  A key lesson here of course is that in our feelings of scarcity, we should lean on Him to provide as He is source of all provision.  Another key lesson here is found in vv12-13 where Jesus instructs the disciples to "[g]ather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."  Jesus provides while at the same time, we are to be good stewards of what He provides and not waste or squander what He provides.  All of what He provides is to be used for His glory.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People very often have feelings of scarcity or doubt that Jesus provides.  This is probably one of the more prevalent or visible doubts that people have.  We also see how people can be more interested in their physical needs then their spiritual needs - see v2 where the crowd is following Jesus not because of what He is teaching but because of what Jesus is able to do for the sick.  V14 describes how the people rightly saw Jesus as the Prophet promised from the OT.  Yet this same crowd sought (by force) to crown Jesus as an earthly king - see v15 - and Jesus withdrew at this point.  Nothing can stop God's plan and we should seek His will not our own.       
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not worry about how God provides for all of our needs. Be a good steward of what God provides. Trust in Jesus.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves, saves and provides.  Thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

"I can do nothing on my own."

 John 5:30-47

"I can do nothing on my own." John 5:30

I continue my study of John looking at John 5 and Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18 and continues through v47).  Yesterday I focused on vv25-29, and today my focus is vv30-47; here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus shares in v30 that He can do nothing on His own - which clearly is not intended to lead us to believe that He is dependent on anyone or anything as He is God (Triune God).  Yet as the Incarnate Son of God who was sent by the Father and about whom John bore witness, Jesus wants the Jews - those seeking to persecute and kill Him - to understand that He is the Promised Messiah spoken about in the OT - the same OT that the Jews supposedly knew intimately.  To reinforce His message, Jesus (see vv46-47) refers us to Deuteronomy 18:15-18 where Moses prophecies about Jesus.  Going back to v30, the point I see Jesus making is that all three identities and persons of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) work together not as one without the other.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: John the Baptist is seen as "a burning and shining lamp" (v35).  Many of the Jews, most prominently the Jewish leaders seeking to persecute and kill Jesus, do not believe in Jesus nor do they have the love of God in them.  They also seek glory for themselves and from one another vs seeking glory from and for God.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not seek glory for yourself - seek glory for God alone.  Claim the promise that Jesus is the one all of scripture points to as Lord and Savior for all.  Follow the example of John who humbly "decreased" so that Jesus could "increase."  Also follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father who sent Him.  We are to do the will of Jesus.  Do everything for the glory of God.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and who saves....You are the Promised Messiah that all of scripture points to. Thank You Jesus for loving me first and saving me.  I am not deserving of such love and salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

 John 5:25-29

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:28-29

I continue my study of John looking at John 5 and Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18 and continues through v47).  Yesterday I focused on vv19-24, and today my focus is vv25-29; here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus' reference to the dead here seems to refer to all who are spiritually dead in their sins (all of us pre-salvation).  Once we hear the gospel, accept it, and confess and believe in Him (v25), we are saved and pass from death to life (vv24-25).  God the Father gave the Son Jesus not just life but also authority and providence to execute judgement (vv26-27) over those who do not believe in Him.  Jesus shares a glimpse of not just life based on belief in His Word, but also judgement and eternal condemnation for those who do not believe His Word (vv28-29).    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Some will believe and experience life and some will not believe and experience only death and eternal condemnation.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should not "marvel" at the power of God's voice/His Word but instead believe and have faith.  Claim the promise of life now to the full (John 10:10) and for eternity - surrender Your life to Jesus!  

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for life now in abundance, and for eternity.  I am not deserving of my rebirth nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

 John 5:19-24

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:23b-24

I continue my study of John, and today, I move to start unpacking Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18).  This response continues through the end of the chapter (last verse is v47), so I am going to tackle this in chunks starting with vv19-24 - here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus speaks with authority as the Son of God, sent by the Father - v19 uses language from scripture elsewhere "truly, truly" as He emphasizes His authority on the matter.  He not only speaks with authority, He acts with authority doing what the Father tells Him to do, as the Father does the same and because the Father "loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing" (v20). Both Father and Son raise the dead and give life, and the Son gives life "to whom He will" (v21).  This is key because we know that some believe in Jesus and some do not - faith is a gift from God, not of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8), and He alone saves. Vv22-23 share how the authority to judge has been delegated from the Father to the Son and that we are then called to honor the Son based on this authority.  V24 gives us an important promise repeated most famously in John 3:16 that whoever hears the gospel, believes that Jesus was sent by God and believes God (affirms authority of both God the Father and the Son) has eternal life and will not be condemned (implied also that such a person - believer - will have rebirth or regeneration).  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: While not explicitly stated, we can infer in the text that those who do not believe in Jesus and His authority as Lord of All (and Savior) will suffer eternal condemnation.         
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid not honoring God or not believing in Him, follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father (dying on the cross, etc.), claim the promise of ("greater works") life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven based on belief in Him.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and gives life now to the full and for eternity.  Thank You thank You!  Of course I am not deserving of such love and blessing....my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.