Matthew 4:12-22

“Notice what you notice.” Yeah, I’m fascinated by the chronology and the geography – and even more so when we see the four Gospels harmonizing together in our Chronological Bibles. But I just got whapped by something. A few days ago when Jesus was with the woman at the well and His disciples came, Jesus had said that there were still four months until the harvest. My Bible notes had suggested, therefore, that He must have spent 2-3 months in Judea after the Passover celebration before returning to Galilee. So now we leave John’s Gospel and move to the Synoptics, specifically Matthew’s 4^th chapter, which begins with Jesus’ forty days’ temptation in the wilderness. Forty days in the wilderness completely agrees with John’s 2-3 months in Judea after the Passover. Plus, all three Synoptics cover Jesus’ temptation, then move Him to Galilee. So there is a real consistency between John’s time frame and the Synoptics.

Furthermore, the Synoptics’ calling of the first four disciples (today’s reading) is now chronologically reasonable. Andrew was one of the two disciples of John the Baptist; possibly John the writer was the other (let’s imagine that for a time). So Andrew and his partner leave John the Baptist and follow Jesus, after first bringing along Simon Peter (John 1:35-42). Very possibly they are all headed to Jerusalem for the Passover. They witness the cleansing of the Temple and see other signs that Jesus performed. Then Jesus heads off to the wilderness while the three or four followers (Andrew, Peter, John, ?James?) head back to Galilee, back to fishing. Then after Jesus’ 2-3 months in Judea, he goes through Samaria, then on to Nazareth, then Capernaum (Mt. 4:12-13) which is by the sea. Now, knowing that He is beginning His Galilean ministry, He calls the first four disciples – who had already been called a couple of months earlier, but had returned to fishing when He went on His retreat.

Two other items worth noting. In verse 13 Matthew has Jesus living (settling) in Capernaum. Jesus having residence there will be picked up a number of times as we read further (e.g., Mark 1:21, 2:1; Luke 4:23, 31). Finally, in verses 20 and 22, Matthew uses the word “immediately”. I’ve always associated “immediately” with Mark!

Blessings!!

John 4:39-45

“Notice what you notice.” Again, John’s chronology… John has Jesus staying two days in Samaria – and he mentions it twice! (vv. 40, 43) Very specific! And then, geographically correct, Jesus continued north to Galilee.

Beyond that, I’m struck at the Samaritans’ belief. A stranger comes to town, has a revealing interchange with one resident which causes others to come and listen – and they believe. And no miracles/signs!! Their belief was the result to Jesus’ words. Contrast that with the Galileans who welcomed Jesus having seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the feast (v. 45). John had earlier noted that when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing (Jn. 2:23). So Galileans believed because of what He did while Samaritans believed because of what He said.

Intriguing as all that is, what happened to the Samaritans after this interchange? There is no mention of any of them following after Jesus. At Pentecost the crowds asked, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (Acts 2:7). No mention of Samaritans. Maybe this two-day encounter is a lesson for us about evangelism and discipleship? Samaritans believed, maybe were even “born again”, but that’s the end of it? Our evangelistic friends count how many are saved and often do what they can about follow-up, but my guess is that intentional, persistent, personal contact is the only way to go.

That’s how it happened with me. Jim was a second-semester college freshman who began sharing with me after we met in a chemistry class in Spring 1972. We met on-and-off for the next 3+ years, often erratically but sometimes planned. Our last meeting was fully planned. We ran into each other on campus during finals week, Spring 1975 and made arrangements to get together that Saturday night, after his graduation and dinner with his family. Late that evening the Holy Spirit worked His will with me and I had my “born again” experience. Jim left campus the next day and I was on my own – except that God was fully with me! Jim’s front-end work, especially his persistence, had had such a powerful impact on me that following through on my late-night “conversion” was not an issue. Jim had no follow-up with me (except through the U.S. mail), but his front-end work had made the difference! I’d be interested to hear of others’ experiences on individuals responsible for your personal growth.

Slava Bohu!!

John 4:27-38

“Notice what you notice.” I had one item from yesterday that I had noticed, but forgot to mention (I’m out of my routine when I’m traveling). Jesus told the woman about her past and the woman replied, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet (verse 19). She didn’t reply to Jesus’ comment, she changed the topic! I had always glossed over that before!

So, today… (We just returned from our travels.) Commentaries have helped me to understand this long discourse between Jesus and the woman at the well. One such commentary mentioned Jesus’ reference to yet four months, then comes the harvest (verse 35). Getting back to John’s chronology… Chapter 2 had Jesus in Jerusalem for the Passover, a springtime feast – March/April. If it is now four months until the harvest (September/October), then this must be late spring or early summer, May or June. Jesus must have spent a couple of months in Judea after His baptism and His cleansing of the Temple, with Himself preaching and His disciples baptizing. That’s not a big item – I’m just enjoying watching the time frame through John’s writing.

What I really noticed today was that the woman left her water pot behind when she went back to town (verse 28). She had come out in the heat of the day, alone, to draw water. Now she leaves in such a rush that she leaves her water behind, presumably intent on returning. She must have been excited!! Have we ever been so excited about something that we had seen or heard that we left everything else behind so as to get the word out to others – especially to unbelievers (Samaritans)? We could take a lesson here!

Slava Bohu!!

John 4:15-26

“Notice what you notice.” This chapter is probably the longest personal discourse that Jesus had with anyone that is recorded in the Gospels. So naturally there is so much that has already been said and so much more that could still be said. But what I noticed is verses 23 and 24, But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. What does it mean to worship “in spirit and truth”?

Back in chapter 3 we had Jesus talking with Nicodemus that we must be “born of water and the Spirit”. I had then connected those two concepts with Baptism and Confirmation – repentance and renewal. Actually our Men’s Group has me thinking more along the lines of salvation and sanctification. So if being born of the Spirit is tied to Confirmation or sanctification, is there a connection to worshipping in spirit and truth? Is worshipping in spirit that aspect of who we are that is being renewed and sanctified, being set apart, being Holy Spirit guided?

So what is “worshipping in truth”? Worshiping the One True God…? Compared to the false god of the Samaritans? Or compared to the Roman or Greek gods? Or in opposition to those who “worship” nature? Two years from now Jesus will say I am the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). Then later that evening he says, Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice (Jn 18:37). And Pilate will famously reply, What is truth? Jesus is truth.

So, going out on a limb here – we read in verse 24, God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Is Jesus speaking of the Trinity? That is, if Jesus refers to Himself as the truth and we already know of the Holy Spirit, is our complete worship to be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Glory! My head spins when I read John’s gospel!

Slava Bohu!!

John 4:1-14

“Notice what you notice.” I remain intrigued by the care John takes in his geographical and chronological narrative. He begins chapter 4 pretty much right where he left off in chapter 3. He notes that Jesus left Judea and headed to Galilee by way of Samaria only after He heard that the Pharisees had heard about Him and His disciples baptizing more disciples than John. That is, John the writer has Jesus still in Judea and now headed back to Galilee within a relatively short time frame from when He first made Himself known through the cleansing of the Temple and Nicodemus’ visit.

I’ve imbedded below a map that shows almost all the major locations we know of Jesus’ travels. He and His disciples were probably baptizing opposite Jericho (lower right on the map). You can see a road going north from Jericho through Samaria toward Sychar, a journey of some 25-30 miles from the Jordan River opposite Jericho. If Jesus got an early start and walked at a good clip, he could have arrived at Sychar at noon, tired (v. 6)! No major Gospel insight here, just my fascination with John’s geography and chronology. Moving on…

I’m sure we have heard many times about Jesus and the Samaritan woman – that proper Jewish men had nothing to do with Samaritans and were not to engage with a woman unless her husband was present. Jesus broke both of these standards that Jewish leaders would follow.  But I wonder if “common” Galilean Jews were different from Jerusalem Jews.  I’m mostly at a loss for anything more to add. Others?

Slava Bohu!!

John 3:22-36

“Notice what you notice.” My apologies for this very late post, but Carol and I have been in travel and “wedding” fellowship all day. But I did not want to fail to post!

So today I only brought The Chronological Study Bible and not my other Study Bible, so I can only comment lightly, but there are still a number of items that I noticed.

First, John the writer is staying geographical and chronological. He begins with After this <they> went into the Judean countryside… (v. 22). That is, Jesus and his friends have left Jerusalem (which was in Judea), but have left the city environment and have moved to the countryside, presumably near the Jordan River where Jesus could baptize. A small item, but it lends credence to John’s chronology!

Second, …He gives the Spirit without measure (v. 34). What an awesome thought! There is absolutely NO LIMIT to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives! I know I’ve read this verse hundreds of times, but never picked up on that truth.

Third, putting together some phrases from vv. 31-32: He Who comes from above…, He Who comes from heaven…, and What He has seen and heard… All of these phrases refer to John the Baptist speaking about Jesus. Jesus Christ, God the Son, has come down from heaven to take up residence on earth – but He is still “from heaven”. What He has seen and heard… probably does not reflect his pre-human existence, but has probably come from His prayer time with His Father. But What He has seen and heard… is probably so unbelievable that “no one” (translate, the Jewish leaders) can believe his testimony.

Fourth, just read and re-read the words (vv. 31b-36a): He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life… GOD IS TRUE!

Slava Bohu!!

John 3:10-21

“Notice what you notice.” Quite a few thoughts for today, some lingering over from yesterday. The first, in fact, is from yesterday, that Nicodemus came to Jesus “by night” (John 3:2). I’ve always heard that it was because of Nicodemus’ fear of condemnation from the Jewish rulers. But one of the Internet sites suggested that by nighttime the crowds would have gone home and Nicodemus would have a better chance of some one-on-one time with Jesus. So my further thought was that instead of being scorned by the Jewish leaders, they may have seen Nicodemus as an emissary (“Who is this new ‘teacher’ who has come on the scene? Can we learn from Him?”) or a spy (“Find out what you can about this guy!”).

A second item is John 3:16 – a verse citation that regularly pops up on our television screen during football games and other sporting and entertainment events, possibly the most memorized verse in the Bible. I’m sure I’ve seen this item before, but now looking more intently at small Gospel passages, there comes the reality that this verse, these words come from Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. Jesus is trying to explain heaven and the Holy Spirit world to Nicodemus – who clearly is much more earthly focused: How can these things be? (v. 9).

It’s virtually impossible to understand Jesus in today’s reading without connecting back to yesterday’s verses, especially verse 5 (born of water) and verse 6 (born of the flesh), contrasted with born of the Spirit (John 3:5-9). Today’s reading continues with Jesus speaking of heavenly things and eternal life (John 3:12-13, 15-16), essentially teaching Nicodemus about a spiritual world that Nicodemus has not well understood. The entire passage in verses 10-16 makes so much more sense when we see the contrast with Nicodemus’ earthly understanding.

There is more that I could chat about – condemnation and salvation, light and darkness, belief and unbelief – I leave these contrasting pairs for your own ruminations!

Slava Bohu!!

John 3:1-9

“Notice what you notice.” BORN! Born again. Born from above. Born of water and the Spirit. Born of the flesh. Again Jesus gives (to me) a confusing answer to Nicodemus’ comment. Nicodemus says to Jesus that …no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him (v. 2). Here Jesus responds with His first “born again” comment. Bible translations and Internet notes both say that the word “again” is ambiguous and could also be translated “from above”. If you translate Jesus (v.3) reply as “born from above”, then it’s a perfect answer to the qualifier on Nicodemus’ previous comment, “unless God is with him”. However, “born again” is the better lead-in to Nicodemus’ (v.4) reply, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? The word “again” in verse 3 is perfectly consistent with Nicodemus’ verse 4 comment. All four translations that I looked at have “born again” as the translation with “born from above” in a footnote. So Jesus could have been answering “from above” while Nicodemus heard “again”.

Suppose Sweetie needs to be home from her Saturday evening date by midnight. Studley drops her off at 11:59 pm and at exactly 12:00 am and says “See you tomorrow.” Studley expects to see her on Sunday. Sweetie, however, being more literal in what she heard makes Sunday plans and expects to next see Sweetie again on Monday. Yes, they fight and break up over their miscommunication!

As to “born of water and the Spirit”, I think it’s easy for us today to read that phrase as Baptism and Confirmation. But these are church concepts developed over hundreds of years. What did Nicodemus hear? I’m guessing that he could have related “born of water” to John the Baptist baptizing in the Jordan River, while “born of…the Spirit” would have left him completely confused. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how Jesus clarified that item!

So from now on in John’s Gospel I will be looking for how a hearer could have misunderstood Jesus’ response to their comment/question or how Jesus’ “confusing” answer truly answers the comment/question posed. Holy Spirit, help me!!!

Slava Bohu!!

John 2:13-25

“Notice what you notice.” When we are reading through these Gospels it is often hard to see something new. That’s the case with me today – the words are old and familiar, but I do have two items, one a reflection and the other a question/confusion.

As to the reflection, I’ve always wondered at Jesus’ brashness in cleansing the Temple. As we surmise from others’ works, these merchants and money-changers would have been in the outer court, the Court of the Gentiles, with no restrictions on admittance. Jews coming from afar (1) could not bring their sacrificial animals over such a long distance, and (2) would have had foreign currency (Greek, Roman, etc.) that would not have been acceptable to the Temple authorities. These travelers needed both the merchants and the money-changers. I’ve often wondered where these merchants would have conducted business if not in the outer court. Again, I’ve imagined the Temple to have been built on one of the highest hills in Jerusalem, so conducting business on slopes leading up to the Temple would have been difficult. But it’s Jesus Who is doing the cleansing, so I do not linger long with His motives or actions!

As to the confusion, the last two verses… I went online to commentaries for some help. The first, But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people… (v. 24) is less difficult. Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that these potential converts may have been attracted to Jesus because of His cleansing or other signs He had performed. That is, theirs was not a deep faith borne out of a serious commitment to Jesus (unlike his Galilean followers). In addition, these local Jews would have respected (or feared) the Temple authorities who already had problems with Jesus, again leading to a weak “faith” in their hearts toward Jesus. So He did not commit (or entrust Himself) to them.

Verse 25 was more challenging at the outset. …and {He} needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man (ESV). Here other translations helped: …because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man (NASB) and He did not need any testimony about mankind for he knew what was in each person. (NIV) That is, Jesus, the Galilean did not need to go to the local Jerusalem psychologists or psychiatrists to understand the Jerusalem Jews – He already had His own insights! It is often very helpful to compare translations!

Slava Bohu!!