For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

 John 18:33-40

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. John 18:37b-c

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 18:33-40, where we Pilates' final questioning of Jesus.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is questioned by Pilate and the dialogue can be summarized as follows: (1) Pilate asks Jesus whether He is King of the Jews and Jesus responds with a question in return whether Pilate truly wants to know this or whether Pilate asks this because the Jewish elders think this of Jesus and of course want to trap into guilt for blasphemy. (2) In v35, Pilate seeks to assess Jesus' guilt - what is the crime of which Israel (His own nation) accuses Him.  Jesus then seeks to clarify that He and His Kingdom are unlike Israel which are of the world - He is not from the world. (3) Pilate than asks if Jesus is a king and Jesus does not respond directly but instead clarifies that His purpose is to "bear witness to the truth." 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Pilate asks an interesting question in v38 that in the next two verses - vv39-40 demonstrates that the Jewish leadership is not interested in the truth because if they were they would seek it and believe in Jesus.  But instead they see Jesus as a threat to their status and power and seek to kill 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 listening and falling for Satan's lies. Claim the promise that Jesus is King of an everlasting Kingdom and He is saving a place in Heaven for us.  Follow the example of Jesus to bear witness to the Truth.  Know Jesus's voice and His truth (v37c) - the Bible (study it!) - then share it!.

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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 give me Truth and reveal Truth/Yourself to me...and save me.  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.  

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

 John 14:1-14

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 14:1-14, where Jesus once again emphasizes that Jesus and God the Father are One.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God does not want believers to be troubled - where He is going He is saving a place for us (in Heaven) and when He returns for second time He will take us there.  We should rest in this promise - see vv1-4.  In response to Thomas and Philip, Jesus shares in v6 that "I am the way, and the truth, and the life," and "no one comes to the Father except me," and that He and Father are One (vv7, 10-11) so if we know Jesus, we know the Father.  Jesus encourages us to believe (questions are OK but don't stop believing) - see vv11-12.  Jesus also shares that He wants believers to do the works that Jesus does - v12 - and "greater works than these [a believer] will do, because [Jesus] going to the Father."  Here Jesus reveals that the Holy Spirit will be with them and He will share more on this in vv15-31. Finally, in vv13-14, Jesus shares oft misinterpreted text on prayer - we should not view Jesus as a vending machine with our prayer.  Focus on understanding God's will for our lives as He transforms our heart and mind to think more like Him.  Then our prayers will be for His purpose - not our own.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples are troubled because Jesus is sharing that He is leaving them (soon to be crucified) and they cannot join Him where He is going (at least not yet). Again, this is God revealing Himself to the disciples but there is still mystery to what and how this will occur.  Mystery is not reason to doubt God but to question Him and remain in Him, leaning on what you know is true and that He is faithful.  Thomas and Philip seek to understand but Jesus appears a bit frustrated with them because He feels by know they should know the answers to their questions (Thomas - how can we know the way - v5, Philip - show us the Father - v8).  
• 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 doubting God or disbelief because we do not fully understand what He is saying in scripture.  Claim the promise that Jesus is saving a place for us in Heaven.  Follow the example of Jesus who is faithful.  Believe.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - and You are saving a place for me in Heaven.  Thank You!  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.   

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:7-18

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:9-11

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 10:7-18, where Jesus patiently teaches those listening to Him as He refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd and those who follow Him - His sheep.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus once again reinforces His authority by sharing "[t]ruly, truly" in v7.  Those listening did not understand what Jesus was saying in vv1-6, so Jesus has to reinforce that despite how some may not understand, He is sharing Truth because He is Lord of All and all scripture is God-breathed and perfect (2 Timothy 3:16).  Building on what I posted a couple of days ago, no one is saved (and find pasture or provision, including rest) except through Jesus as He is the door to salvation (vv7, 9).   In contrast to Jewish leadership and Satan, Jesus comes to give life and to give it abundantly both now (freedom from sin) and for eternity in Heaven through salvation (v10). Jesus is Good at being our leader v11 because He sacrifices Himself for His people.  Those who follow the Good Shepherd know Him and He knows them just as the Father and the Son know each other (v15).  Vv17-18 shares how the Father loves the Son because He not only sacrifices His life for God's people but also is able to rise again (Easter).  Jesus does those of His own accord (ability) and authority because He has been granted authority by the Father.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: God's people in Israel are the sheep but the Jewish leadership who led have not led well and are referred to as thieves and robbers (v8), serving only themselves and not following God's instructions for how to lead.  In particular, the thief (Satan) is a false god and following him leads to eternal condemnation (v10).  There are many who claim to lead or claim be a or are seen as a deity, but there is only One True God and Good Shepherd (vv12-13). V16 shares how there are others in His fold but not in "this fold" (v16).  This refers to how the believing Jews are of this fold but soon Jesus will be sending out the disciples to the Gentiles and to all parts of the world as part of the Great Commission and these that are not of this fold will listen to Him.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd over all who believe and follow Him - one flock and one shepherd. 
• 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 following false gods and evil influences.  Claim the promise of abundant (and eternal life) through Jesus.  Follow the example of the sheep who know the Good Shepherd and His voice.  Follow and please Jesus as Your #1 priority.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You ARE the Good Shepherd!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of a God that cares and provides in such a way.  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.

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”

Mark 11:27-33

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Mark 11:27-28

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 11:27-33.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of three) division (vv27-28):

• The title of this chapter for the commentary is "Three Reasons People Are Not Willing 
   to Follow Jesus" and the main idea is: "People refuse to trust Jesus not because He is not worthy but because of the hardness of their own hearts."
• "Jesus has just cleansed and cursed the temple for its corruptions and abuse (Mark 11:12-25). In response, the religious leaders were “looking for a way to destroy Him” (11:18). You would think Jesus would avoid the public eye, but He does nothing of the sort! He returns to Jerusalem and the temple with courage, looking for a fight—not a physical confrontation, but a spiritual one that will place His claims and identity front and center."  
• Mark 11:27–12:44 records five temple controversies in Jerusalem that parallel five earlier controversies in Galilee (cf. 2:1–3:6). In both cases His opponents are the religious leaders. Now that He is in Jerusalem, the stakes are much higher and the intensity of the conflict much stronger. Things are moving to an inevitable climax: the cross."  
• "In this first of five temple controversies, we will see some common reasons people are not willing to come and follow Jesus."  
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "They Do Not Want to Submit to His Authority."
• "Jesus “came again to Jerusalem.” At some point the religious authorities show up—the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, who exercised both political and religious authority in Israel. It consisted of 71 men led by the acting high priest. Their power was enormous. They were super sensitive to anything that could threaten their authority, and Jesus was clearly a threat." 
• The Sanhedrin questioned Jesus' authority and sought to undermine Him with His followers. "The question of authority is important. We all have a source of authority in our lives, someone or something that guides us and drives us, something that rules. For most of us, like the Sanhedrin, it is ourselves. We are not really interested in surrendering that rule to anyone else."

All of humanity seeks value, worth and significance.  Yet the world offers significance that is not lasting.  Jesus offers significance and worth that is eternal.  Philippians 3:8.  He must increase but I must decrease - John 3:30.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of grace and mercy - thank You Jesus for loving me while I was still an enemy and hostile to You.  I am not deserving of how You save and pour out mercies daily that never cease.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins 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. 

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”

Mark 11:27-33

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” Mark 11:27-30

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 11:27-33, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: V27 states the Jesus came again to Jerusalem and to the temple.  Jesus knew full well what was going to happen to Him ultimately in Jerusalem - He was going to His death.  Yet He never backed down - Jesus was fearless.  He heard and followed God's call and never wavered.  V28 describes how Jesus challenged people - on this occasion Jesus sought for the chief priests and scribes to truly recognize who He was - the promised Messiah.  Jesus constantly challenged the disciples to grow in their understanding of God and His will for their lives.  We are also to grow in our understanding of Him and His will.  Proverbs 27:17 and Hebrews 5:11-14.       
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The Jewish leaders did not accept Jesus and what He was saying.  When confronted by Truth, people either embrace it or reject it (sometimes passively by doing nothing).  Here and throughout the Gospels, the Jewish leaders rejected Truth because it threatened them.  There is a warning here for believers as well because God's Word does not change.  Yet believers sometimes warp and twist the Word into something it is not to suit their own will not God's will.  See also 2 Timothy 3:16 - God's Word is perfect and useful in all circumstances, even when it is difficult to hear, such as when God wants to train or rebuke us.  God knows what He wants us to hear and He reveals it us whether we want to hear and accept it is another matter - see Hebrews 4:12-13.      
• 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 running from Truth.  Claim and embrace Truth in all circumstances - 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Sharpen and help others grow.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is Truth.  You give me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage and sharpen me.  Thank You Jesus for how You save and bless!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me 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. 

Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ...And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

 Mark 1:17-18 and 20

Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ...And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. Mark 1:17-18, 20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:17-18 and 20, which is the text for the third of three divisions per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• "There is only one right Master to follow in life and into eternity. His name is Jesus. Jesus called and they left everything to follow Him. The authority of the call and the immediacy of their responses raise the question as to who this Man is that demands such obedience. Actually, Mark has given us a pretty clear picture of who this Teacher is, even in the opening verses of the book."
• For this clear picture, we are referred to v1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 15 where Jesus is described as "the Christ, Son of God, the Lord, the mighty One, the worthy One, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit-anointed One, the beloved Son, the One who pleases God, and the One who brings the kingdom of God."
• Mark 1 provides additional details on Jesus as He is described as "the astonishing Teacher (1:22), the One with authority (1:22), the Holy One of God (1:24), who is able to cast out demons (1:26,32-34,39), heal the sick (1:31-34), and even cleanse lepers (1:42)" - all of this just in chapter one of Mark.  
• "Jesus calls us to believe the gospel. One way we do this is to preach the gospel continually, not only to others, but also to ourselves. The result will be that you will see yourself as a much bigger sinner than you thought, but you will also then see Jesus as a much greater Savior than you ever imagined. How do you preach the gospel to yourself?"  
• We do so by (a) "seeing and owning our sin: Examine yourself in the mirror of God’s Word. Pray that God would bring to light your negative emotions and attitudes as well as blatant rebellion against God’s holiness. As you do this, guard yourself against sin’s deceitfulness. You will likely feel the tendency to water down God’s standard, compare yourself to others, shift blame, or commit to trying harder. These are reflective of man-centered moralism; (b) seeing the sin beneath the sin; (c) expose the idols of your heart. Idols always disappoint. They are weak. They can’t deliver when you succeed; they can only raise the bar. They can’t forgive you when you fail; they can only lower the boom. They are harmful. They hurt you spiritually, emotionally, and physically. They hurt others by undermining your ability to love; (d) view repentance as a gift; (e) see Jesus as the only true Savior; and (f) embrace the gospel as your motivation for living: embrace it and know that the gospel changes you, the gospel empowers you to serve, and through the gospel you meet God."
• "The King has come, and He calls all of us to repent and believe the gospel, to walk away from the idols of our life, our former allegiances, and to come follow Him. Leave your nets, leave your occupation, leave your friends, leave even your family, and come follow Him. The demands are great, but then Jesus is a great King, and the blessings of knowing Him are far greater!"  

The world is full of idols: money, sex, fame, social acceptance, etc. Yet nothing fulfills and gives joy like Jesus Christ.  Please come and know Jesus and if You seek Him with all of your heart you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  Once you find Him, You will fall in love with Him and desire Him more and more and You will see that all of God's promises find their yes in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20).  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are the King of Kings and worthy of my worship, my love, and complete devotion to You above all else.  I also know I exist to bring You glory. Thank You for saving me, and for blessing me WELL beyond what I deserve - I am not deserving of any the blessings You pour out for me.  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.  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. 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

John 14:1-2

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 17: The Candor of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "[Candor] is a rare virtue, one of the most winsome of all the virtues. Many a man does not possess it. He is taciturn, reserved, secretive. He keeps the door of his heart shut. When he says a thing you cannot tell how much he means, for you do not know the extent of his reservations.  When he does a thing you cannot tell what he is going to do next, because you do not know how fully his act has embodied all which exists in his heart. He gives himself fully to no one. He is the man with the barred lips and the bolted heart. Such a man may be respected and even admired, but he cannot be loved."
• "One reason [why Jesus was loved] was that he was a man with his heart open."
• "One obtains a hint of a man's disposition by noting the men whom he admires and praises. The trait which one sincerely likes to see in others is likely to be a feature of his own character. John in his Gospel tells us of a eulogy which Jesus passed one day upon a man named Nathaniel. Nathaniel was a citizen of a small Galilean village, Cana, situated not far from Nazareth. As soon as Philip had gotten a little acquainted with Jesus he was desirous of bringing Jesus and his friend Nathaniel together. Seeking Nathaniel he said enthusiastically, "We have found him!" to which came back the frigid answer, 'Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?'....As soon as Jesus sees Nathaniel coming toward him Nathaniel exclaims in a tone musical with praise, "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile." This was the sort of man which won at once the heart of Jesus. There was no craft nor cunning in him, no duplicity nor deceit; he was a man of frank sincerity, and Jesus' heart immediately goes out to him, assuring him that over his open soul there is going to be an open heaven. Outspoken and frank himself, Jesus was en rapport with souls which were free from guile."
• "And here we find one of the reasons why Jesus always extolled the disposition of a child. Without the child heart no man can enter heaven. And why? Because the child heart is always the open heart. Where can you find such candor, such beautiful frankness, such surprising and sometimes discomfiting outspokenness as in a little child? He will tell you just what he thinks, all he thinks, nothing will he hold back....One of the reasons why Jesus set a child in the midst of the disciples, saying, 'This is what you ought to be,' is because a little child is the embodiment and personification of candor."
• "A man reveals himself in his dislikes as truly as in his prepossessions and praises. Whom did Jesus most dislike? The Pharisees. They were hypocrites. A hypocrite was an actor, a man who wore a mask, the mask representing a personality other than the one inside of it. 'Do not be like the actors,' this was his constant exhortation, and he never lost an opportunity of holding up the hypocrites to contempt and scorn. On one occasion he faced them in Jerusalem, calling them to their face 'vipers.' It was a harsh word, and yet it expressed the inmost spirit of the men to whom it was applied."
• "[Jesus] never held back the truth when it was time that the truth should be spoken. His loving heart told him when the hour had come."
• Jesus often corrected those who thought they knew the law and scripture. "[Such correction] was a needed...for people who know little and think they know much are sometimes helped by having their attention called to the limitations of their knowledge; but to give such reprimand is not an easy thing to do. It was by his outspokenness that Jesus attempted to cure some of the infirmities of men."
• "His love of fairness comes out clearly in his warnings both to the twelve and to all who wanted to be numbered among his followers. He will hold back nothing. The whole terrible truth must be told. No man shall ever follow him without first knowing what risks and dangers discipleship involves....When men came rushing to him saying, 'Master, I will follow you,' he flashed on them the gloom of a dark sentence, unwilling to accept the allegiance of any one, even in times when he most needed support, without having first revealed to the volunteer the full significance of a place in his ranks. Men's heads were filled with dreams of supremacy and sovereignty and glory, and more than one heart was chilled by the searching question, 'Are you able to drink the cup?' His candor reduced the number of his followers, but it was just like him to hold back nothing which men had a right to know."
• "But it is in his confessions that his candor reaches its climax....He admits without hesitation that there was a limitation of his authority....When two of his disciples asked for the chief places in the new kingdom, he frankly told them that he did not have the power to select his own prime ministers, because all such matters were hidden in the deep counsels of God." 
• "More surprising was his confession of ignorance....Jesus frankly admitted that there were things which he did not know. For instance, one day he was talking in graphic phrase about the end of the world. He spoke of it so definitely and positively that it was a natural inference that he knew just when it would take place. To the amazement of his hearers he said, 'Of that day and that ho in: knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.'"
• "If a man is frank and open in nine points, we may safely trust him in the tenth. Jesus makes his candor a reason why his disciples ought to trust him in those realms of thought and life which lie beyond their sight. "In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you." Of course he would. It was his nature to tell men everything."
• "The best reason we have for believing in the sinlessness of Jesus is the fact that he allowed his dearest friends to think that he was. There is in all his talk no trace of regret or hint of compunction, or suggestion of sorrow for shortcoming or slightest vestige of remorse. He taught other men to think of themselves as sinners, he asserted plainly that the human heart is evil, he told his disciples that every time they prayed they were to pray to be forgiven, but he never speaks or acts as though he himself has the faintest consciousness of having ever done anything other than what was pleasing to God. This is remarkable, unparalleled."
• "Jesus never by word or by act indicates that he is conscious of falling short of the wishes of God. If he had been, would he not have said so? His was the open heart. Would he deceive men on a matter of such cardinal moment?"
• "On his candor, then, we have a right to build both for time and eternity. When he says that if we do not repent we shall perish, and that only those who are born from above enter the kingdom of light, we have every reason for believing that these statements are true. And when he says that his disciples are going to do greater things than were ever done in Palestine, and that he will be with us always even unto the end of the world, why should we not believe him?"
• "And since he is so frank and open with us why should not we be open-hearted and frank with him ? If he tells us truly the things in his heart, why should we not tell him truly the things which are in our hearts? He has given himself to us: why do we not give ourselves to him?"     

Believers know that Jesus is the "Way, Truth, and Life" (John 14:6).  Non-believers may see in Jesus the attribute of truth and candor but they still lack faith.  An important distinction between believers and non-believers here is that only the faithful believe that (1) all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), and (2) because the wage of sin is death (Romans 6:23), therefore we all need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior.  This is perhaps the greatest truth of all time and one that binds all of humanity throughout all of redemptive history - past, present, and future.  If you believe that you are a good person, that you lack sin, and that you don't need saving, that is a dangerous place.  Yet scripture tells us to "have mercy on those who doubt, save others by snatching them from the fire" (Jude 22:23).  Hence, it is not for me to judge, but God alone.  It is however, my job as a believer to stand on Truth and to proclaim it to all those who listen.        

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who is "The Way, Truth and the Life."  There is no other Truth except You and what comes from You.  Thank You Jesus for Your candor and for saving me.  I am not deserving of Your mercy and 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. 

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:5-7

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:5-7

Now that I have wrapped my my study of the last four books of the Old Testament (Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi), I start anew using a book that I never completed but I am now going back to - an homage to my brother in Christ and mentor Warren Snyder, who introduced me to this book - The Character of Jesus.  The Kindle version of the book I have includes the below inscription which for me serves as an inspiration to dig in to the contents. 

For this morning, I focus on the book's introduction where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• While there is much to study about Jesus, including his ideas, sermons, etc. the book's focus as the title implies is his character or as the book shares "sum of the qualities by which Jesus is distinguished from other men. His character is the sum total of his characteristics, his moral traits, the features of his mind and heart and soul. We are to think about his quality, his temper, his disposition, the stamp of his genius, the notes of his spirit, and the form of his conduct."
• "A man is better able to appreciate the ideas of Jesus if he first of all becomes acquainted with Jesus' character."
• The book emphasizes its study of Jesus' character using the scientific method of study - looking at "a few definite and clean cut facts.  This man Jesus was an historic character. He lived his life upon this earth....in dealing with his character we are handling something concrete and comprehensible....Not only is this the scientific method, it is also the New Testament method. It was just in this manner that the disciples came to know Jesus. They did not begin with the mystery of his person, nor did they begin with sayings which were hard for them to understand. They began simply by coming near him, looking at him with their eyes, listening to him with their ears."
• The book shares how there are three ways by which we can enter faith (1) the ecclesiastical door, (2) the dogma door, and (3) through knowing and loving (the character of) Jesus.  This latter door is the focus as "to be a Christian is to admire Jesus so sincerely and so fervently that the whole life goes out to him in an aspiration to be like him."
• "There are six channels through which light will come. We may come to know him through the words he spoke, through the deeds he did, and also through his silences.  We may know him also by the impression which he made first upon his friends and secondly upon his foes, and thirdly upon the general body of his contemporaries."
  

A review John 14:5-7 is key to serve as a reminder that Jesus IS the Way, Truth, and the Life."  There are no other ways to Truth as God is the source of all (see Colossians 1:15-16).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me - giving me truth and providing for all things. Thank You!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn 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 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.