John 1:10 - 13
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came to his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John seems to have believed that there was something about Jesus’ personality and his style and that should have made it obvious to everyone that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This presumption says a lot about John’s spiritual optimism, but it was not to be. John recognized Jesus as did Andrew, James and Peter, probably with John’s help, but most people did not.
In verses 11 & 12, John tries to make it clear that the Full Gospel of Jesus, the new birth, the abundant life is available to all people. He first addresses those who did not recognize Jesus and then the Jews who ignored him and finally by implication the gentiles and all people everywhere. Obviously, there are some people who couldn’t care less and others who are just mean, but most people are just ordinary folks who need a savior, and anyone who has the slightest interest in the things that are holy; anyone who believes in God even in a casual or legalistic manner has the opportunity to experience the “new birth” and become one of Jesus’ special people; one of the “chosen” whom John called “sons of God.” They are not there yet, and most, because of the nature of things, will never get there and never know the experience of an intimate relationship with God, which of course is a tragedy, but John makes it plan, they have the opportunity. Regardless of race, creed or economic status or any other possible deterrent, all interested people have the opportunity to become son’s of God, although it must be noted that people caught up in restrictive creeds and dogma, either because of birth, geographical location or personal commitment have a more difficult road. Communication with God is not easy under any circumstance.
John also makes the point in v.13 that human beings can not make it happen. The “new birth” is an act of God. Human beings can prepare themselves in various ways as they think best, but the decision as to who gets in and when and under what circumstances is Gods and Gods alone. John specifically spells it out. Not of blood (The Kingdom can not be entered through intimidation, violence or the threat of violence.) Nor of the will of the flesh (The new birth will not happen because of lust, sex or natural reproductive methods) Nor of the will of man (People cannot buy their way in or utilize some religious hoop or ritual). Jesus chose his twelve disciples and Jesus chooses, for reasons known only to himself, those who will be on his team and part of his family.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Comentary, John 1:6-9
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
Jesus did not come into his position because of his power. In the natural sense, Jesus had in no way earned the right to recruit followers or expect people to listen when he spoke. Jesus came on the scene all of a sudden. John looked, and there he was. Had Jesus’ arrival been as other religious and political leaders, through years of work and performance, he would have needed no witness. Those he served, entertained and motivated would have would have helped him tell his story. But such was not the case. Jesus began his ministry as he did everything else, when he chose and for his own reasons. Therefore, Jesus needed a witness, someone who knew him and understood at least to some extent the theology of his presence and one who was willing to direct the attention away from himself and toward the true light. John, a recognized preacher with a following of his own, was the one.
The point that John the evangelist and writer of the Gospel wanted to make clear was that this person, Jesus, who was on the scene to provide supernatural leadership, instruction, and protection for selected believers was also the one who created all people and provided the principle of life for everyone. All people are special. Every human being, the atheist, the criminal, the leader of a competitive religion, has value. And that value exists because of Jesus and the role he played in the creation of the world.
Jesus did not come into his position because of his power. In the natural sense, Jesus had in no way earned the right to recruit followers or expect people to listen when he spoke. Jesus came on the scene all of a sudden. John looked, and there he was. Had Jesus’ arrival been as other religious and political leaders, through years of work and performance, he would have needed no witness. Those he served, entertained and motivated would have would have helped him tell his story. But such was not the case. Jesus began his ministry as he did everything else, when he chose and for his own reasons. Therefore, Jesus needed a witness, someone who knew him and understood at least to some extent the theology of his presence and one who was willing to direct the attention away from himself and toward the true light. John, a recognized preacher with a following of his own, was the one.
The point that John the evangelist and writer of the Gospel wanted to make clear was that this person, Jesus, who was on the scene to provide supernatural leadership, instruction, and protection for selected believers was also the one who created all people and provided the principle of life for everyone. All people are special. Every human being, the atheist, the criminal, the leader of a competitive religion, has value. And that value exists because of Jesus and the role he played in the creation of the world.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
John 1:4-5
Jo 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The life of which John speaks is a life of freedom, safety, comfort and fulfilment. It is a life completely outside the experience of most individuals and far beyond what most people can understand or relate to. It was the sole purpose for which Jesus came (John 10:10). For those who walk therein, this abundant life is filled with opportunity and love and fellowship with God and other people of “like - precious - faith.” For those who participate, this life is literally light. They can know the values with which to govern their existence, They can know with whom to partner. They can know what projects they can best preform to further the cause of the Kingdom of God. They can know these and all the other essential things that make life worth living.
The word shine comes from the Greek word phaino which suggest that the shine is bigger than the darkness through which it shines. The darkness can ignore it or avoid it but it cannot stop it. The light is there and it will not go away. It will make no adjustment. The light is real regardless of the darkness or the fog or the pain or the confusion. The light is always there and it is always available for those willing to walk therein.
The word for comprehend is katalambano, which means to take hold of, to seize, to apprehend. To comprehend is not a good translation. This is not about understanding. This is about control, and the light that shines cannot be controlled or intimidated by any outside force. One gets the sense that John is talking about the struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness, between faith and fear, between what will work and what won’t work, between what will contribute to the Kingdom and what will work in the other direction. And John wants to be clear that it is the enemy that must adjust. The light will shine no matter what even if there is no one there to see it.
The life of which John speaks is a life of freedom, safety, comfort and fulfilment. It is a life completely outside the experience of most individuals and far beyond what most people can understand or relate to. It was the sole purpose for which Jesus came (John 10:10). For those who walk therein, this abundant life is filled with opportunity and love and fellowship with God and other people of “like - precious - faith.” For those who participate, this life is literally light. They can know the values with which to govern their existence, They can know with whom to partner. They can know what projects they can best preform to further the cause of the Kingdom of God. They can know these and all the other essential things that make life worth living.
The word shine comes from the Greek word phaino which suggest that the shine is bigger than the darkness through which it shines. The darkness can ignore it or avoid it but it cannot stop it. The light is there and it will not go away. It will make no adjustment. The light is real regardless of the darkness or the fog or the pain or the confusion. The light is always there and it is always available for those willing to walk therein.
The word for comprehend is katalambano, which means to take hold of, to seize, to apprehend. To comprehend is not a good translation. This is not about understanding. This is about control, and the light that shines cannot be controlled or intimidated by any outside force. One gets the sense that John is talking about the struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness, between faith and fear, between what will work and what won’t work, between what will contribute to the Kingdom and what will work in the other direction. And John wants to be clear that it is the enemy that must adjust. The light will shine no matter what even if there is no one there to see it.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A Commentary - John 1:1-3
I am going to begin a commentary on The Gospel of John. This was in my judgment the most spiritual book ever written, and I want to provide the world with my take on John's story of Jesus. It may be that this commentary will never get finished, but at least we have a start.
Thanks for reading.
John 1:1-3
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John had arguably the most intimate relationship with Jesus that any human being ever had. On five different occasions John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” And probably, John was not only one whom Jesus loved but one he trusted and could talk to and one with whom he felt free to share the mysteries of the Kingdom. No doubt, Jesus had talked to John extensively about his role in the world including the part he played in the creation process . John obviously believed that he had a unique perspective; a story that he had to tell. The world just had to know that Jesus did not happen on the scene as the baby of Mary and Joseph. He had been here from the beginning. Jesus thirty plus year sojourn on this earth was only a very small part of his existence.
It is interesting to consider the title John gave Jesus. He chose not to use any of the Old Testament titles such as The King of Kings, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor or the Prince of Peace or any of the New Testament titles like master, teacher, advocate or Lord, Son of God or Son of Man. John’s title for Jesus, The Logos, encompassed all of the above and a lot more. John was saying that in the beginning all the good things that make up the world such as music, medicine, science, mathematics and even more modern things like aerodynamics, electronics and computer graphics as well as the energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and love it would take to make them work came through Jesus.
There are scientist who believe that the world was created as a result of a “Big Bang,” an explosion of matter and energy that propelled the stars and planets into space. John may have had a similar thought, the only difference being that in John’s mind Jesus was there. Jesus was the one who pulled the string or pushed the button or did what had to be done to set the process in motion. It was Jesus, The Logos, who not only caused the “big bang” but controlled it.
Thanks for reading.
John 1:1-3
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John had arguably the most intimate relationship with Jesus that any human being ever had. On five different occasions John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” And probably, John was not only one whom Jesus loved but one he trusted and could talk to and one with whom he felt free to share the mysteries of the Kingdom. No doubt, Jesus had talked to John extensively about his role in the world including the part he played in the creation process . John obviously believed that he had a unique perspective; a story that he had to tell. The world just had to know that Jesus did not happen on the scene as the baby of Mary and Joseph. He had been here from the beginning. Jesus thirty plus year sojourn on this earth was only a very small part of his existence.
It is interesting to consider the title John gave Jesus. He chose not to use any of the Old Testament titles such as The King of Kings, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor or the Prince of Peace or any of the New Testament titles like master, teacher, advocate or Lord, Son of God or Son of Man. John’s title for Jesus, The Logos, encompassed all of the above and a lot more. John was saying that in the beginning all the good things that make up the world such as music, medicine, science, mathematics and even more modern things like aerodynamics, electronics and computer graphics as well as the energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and love it would take to make them work came through Jesus.
There are scientist who believe that the world was created as a result of a “Big Bang,” an explosion of matter and energy that propelled the stars and planets into space. John may have had a similar thought, the only difference being that in John’s mind Jesus was there. Jesus was the one who pulled the string or pushed the button or did what had to be done to set the process in motion. It was Jesus, The Logos, who not only caused the “big bang” but controlled it.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Was Jesus Premature?
One of the more interesting and even confusing New Testament scriptures is John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be to you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you: 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive you the Holy Ghost:
The most obvious question is why? Pentecost was only a few days away. Why would Jesus feel the need to personally baptize these close friends with the Holy Ghost at that particular time and in that setting? I am going to list below a few reasons that come to mind.
1. Jesus was fulfilling a prophecy of John the Baptist (John 1:33). Even though the Holy Spirit would make a spectacular entrance at the appointed time, Jesus wanted to deliver the Spirit personally to these his inner circle who would carry the burden to deliver the Spirit to believers all over the world.
2. It might be that some of these disciples would not be at the particular Pentecost Celebration where The Spirit would come and would miss the show. There was a lot going on. I wonder if perhaps John himself was not there. After all Jesus had instructed him to take care of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and John may have been with her. If this were the case, it would certainly make it even more important for John to tell this story in his Gospel.
3. It was really not an issue. The Spirit had always been available to these people as The Spirit was available to the “heroes of Old Testament” and would certainly soon become a permanent part of their life. They would soon be “born of the spirit” in any case. As John points out in Chapter One, Verses 12 & 13 of His Gospel, “they would be born not of the will of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God,” and I might add, in God’s own time and place, as it did in fact happen.
The important thing is that The Spirit of God, the promise of the Book of Hebrews (11:39) and the promise of Jeremiah (31:33) became a part of the their very existence and that that same Spirit will become a part of the lives of believers today if and when God so chooses.
The most obvious question is why? Pentecost was only a few days away. Why would Jesus feel the need to personally baptize these close friends with the Holy Ghost at that particular time and in that setting? I am going to list below a few reasons that come to mind.
1. Jesus was fulfilling a prophecy of John the Baptist (John 1:33). Even though the Holy Spirit would make a spectacular entrance at the appointed time, Jesus wanted to deliver the Spirit personally to these his inner circle who would carry the burden to deliver the Spirit to believers all over the world.
2. It might be that some of these disciples would not be at the particular Pentecost Celebration where The Spirit would come and would miss the show. There was a lot going on. I wonder if perhaps John himself was not there. After all Jesus had instructed him to take care of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and John may have been with her. If this were the case, it would certainly make it even more important for John to tell this story in his Gospel.
3. It was really not an issue. The Spirit had always been available to these people as The Spirit was available to the “heroes of Old Testament” and would certainly soon become a permanent part of their life. They would soon be “born of the spirit” in any case. As John points out in Chapter One, Verses 12 & 13 of His Gospel, “they would be born not of the will of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God,” and I might add, in God’s own time and place, as it did in fact happen.
The important thing is that The Spirit of God, the promise of the Book of Hebrews (11:39) and the promise of Jeremiah (31:33) became a part of the their very existence and that that same Spirit will become a part of the lives of believers today if and when God so chooses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)