John 8:30-59

Dear RTB’ers,

We had some good discussions at our RTB gathering yesterday, one of which focused on John’s gospel, where the point was made that his gospel is more about Jesus’ words than about His actions. Yes, we see dramatic miracles in John’s gospel (Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana; His healing of a man born blind (tomorrow’s reading); His bringing Lazarus back from the dead), but there are probably more of Jesus’ words compared to text or narrative in John’s gospel than in any of the Synoptics. Today’s reading is a perfect example of that, of Jesus in conversation with the Jews.

Beginning with verse 12, the entire chapter is one conversation, with Jesus’ words angering the Jews enough in the end that they are ready to stone Him. He has strong words for them, You are of your father, the devil… (v. 44) and a divine claim for Himself, …before Abraham was, I am. The dynamic of the conversation is interesting. At one point we see some Jews in the crowd believing His words (v. 30), but then He offends those same people as He continues the conversation. No doubt He is speaking words that are completely foreign to their hearing, but it also seems to be the case that their pride keeps them from truly listening to Him. How would I have felt if I were in that crowd? I think I would have felt more confusion than anger. I would have been especially confused of this “Father” of whom He speaks. I would have known of Joseph, his earthly father, but He seems to speak of God being His Father. He would leave me confused!

Thankfully, this side of the Cross (as I have said before) His words are more clear to me, but I remain sympathetic to His first-century listeners!

Blessings.

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See also:

• June 24 (2019) / John 8:31-36
• March 29 (2021) / John 8:37-59
• June 25 (2019) / John 8:37-47
• June 26 (2019) / John 8:48-59

John 7:53-8:29

Dear RTB’ers,

Another late post… Blame it on our RTB gathering, a wonderful time together talking and laughing – quite a bit of laughing, actually! If you are reading along with us, you owe it to yourself to join our next RTB gathering, on Sunday, November. We have some great discussions – a wonderful time of fellowship together!

Today, the woman caught in adultery… And we all wonder, it takes two, what about the man? As was said in our RTB discussion, we’ll never have all the answers! We just have to go with what is written. In this incident the scribes and the Pharisees thought that they had Jesus trapped. If He said to forget the charge and let her go, He would be going against the Law, but if He said to stone her, He would be going against the Roman authorities – the only body that could authorize capital punishment. As always, Jesus wins the day!

Jesus speaking: And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him. (v. 29) It struck me that I could edit this verse a bit and claim a wonderful promise: “He who called me is with me. He has not left me alone, and I seek to do things that are in His will.” Jesus told us later in John’s gospel that He would not leave us alone (John 14:18), but that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever… (John 14:16b). We have that Holy Spirit. Jesus was not alone; neither are we.

Blessings.

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See also:

• March 27 (2023) / John 7:53-8:11
• June 21 (2019) / John 7:53-8:11
• March 28 (2021) / John 8:12-36
• June 22 (2019) / John 8:12-20
• June 23 (2019) / John 8:21-30

John 7:25-52

Dear RTB’ers,

Interesting dynamics in today’s reading… The chief priests and the Pharisees send temple officers to arrest Jesus (John 7:32). These officers fail in their task, presumably on the basis of their belief in Jesus’ words (John 7:45-46). But the crowd around Jesus was also split – many believed in Him (John 7:31), but others wanted Him arrested (John 7:44). It’s a repeat of my post from yesterday – people split over Jesus.

Two other items stand out for me. First, …as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (v. 39b) This verse has always intrigued me. Many scholars and commentators hold that this verse saw “completion” at Pentecost, following Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. It has made me wonder whether Jesus and the Holy Spirit could not co-exist on earth together? A good item for discussion tomorrow…!

Second, Nicodemus (John 7:50-52). We had earlier met Nicodemus in John 3:1-21, coming to visit Jesus at night. We’ll see him again in John 19:39, bringing spices for Jesus’ burial. Today he brings up a point of defense against the Pharisees judging Jesus, but is quickly chastised by them. He is a prominent figure in the TV series, The Chosen, especially earlier episodes, and is venerated as a saint in many Christian denominations.

Blessings.

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See also:

• March 26 (2021) / John 7:25-52
• June 19 (2019) / John 7:25-36
• June 20 (2019) / John 7:37-52

John 7:1-24

Dear RTB’ers,

John gives us a clearer picture of the crowd’s emotions toward Jesus than do the Synoptics: And there was much muttering about Him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, He is leading the people astray.” (v. 12) Two thousand years later the crowds are still split, not only politically, but also spiritually. I can imagine the difficulty that people in Methodist churches had when they voted for or against leaving the Methodist denomination (especially those across the highway from our church). To follow break-away leaders or to stay behind…? Some twenty years earlier, churches in our own denomination had split from the Episcopal Church following decisions that came out of the 2003 General Convention. Back in Jesus’ time, no doubt many faithful Jews were choosing to follow their Sanhedrin leaders, while other faithful Jews were intrigued by this new voice, Jesus. But saying that Jesus had a demon (John 7:20), I think that was too much!

Blessings.

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See also:

• October 30 (2023) / John 7-8
• March 25 (2021) / John 7:1-24
• June 17 (2019) / John 7:1-9
• June 18 (2019) / John 7:10-24

John 6:41-71

Dear RTB’ers,

Jesus is speaking to the Jews (and to His disciples) in the synagogue in Capernaum: I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. (v. 51) And His listeners (including His disciples) are confused: The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” When many of His disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (vv. 52, 60) When I put myself back into this first-century setting, I am in substantial agreement with the Jews and His disciples – Jesus’ words would be completely confusing to me! Eating someone’s body? What is He talking about?? His flesh?? Strange!!

Although His words are strange to this first-century crowd, Peter gets beyond his confusion and speaks words that have been quoted probably billions of times over the years: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (v. 68b) When I quote this verse, I tend to insert the word “alone”, as in You [alone] have words of eternal life. It doesn’t change the meaning at all, but it does make it stronger for me and anyone with whom I am speaking. Yes, Jesus, alone, speaks words of eternal life. Today, tomorrow, forever!!

Blessings.

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See also:

• March 14 (2021) / John 6:41-71
• May 25 (2019) / John 6:41-59
• May 26 (2019) / John 6:60-71
• October 26 (2023) / Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56; John 6:22-71

John 6:22-40

Dear RTB’ers,

Today’s reading overwhelms me every time I read it’s. There are few passages in Scripture more personal to me. In 2019 I told a very personal story for this passage. I’ll let that serve as today’s post.

Blessings.

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See also:

• March 13 (2021) / Matt. 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56; John 6:22-40
• May 24 (2019) / John 6:22-40

John 6:1-21

Dear RTB’ers,

I have already mentioned that John’s gospel leaves me confused with respect to Jesus’ words, especially His replies to questions. But yet another way in which John has me confused is in following Jesus’ physical travels, His chronology. I already mentioned that John has a Passover on four occasions in his gospel. The Synoptics only mention one, Jesus’ last week on earth. But for today, we suddenly find Jesus back in Galilee with no transition, after having Him in Jerusalem the previous two days, all of chapter 6. The Synoptics are clearer on Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand; He is already in or near Capernaum, which is His “homebase”, and Bethsaida is not far away. [See Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17.] Small point…

When the people saw the sign that He had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” (v. 14) I posted yesterday on Moses’ quote from Deuteronomy: The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to Him you shall listen. (Dt. 18:15) Here we see the crowd recognizing Jesus as that Prophet. Even as Moses (through the Lord) fed the people with manna and quail in the wilderness, so Jesus is also feeding the people in a remote location.

…they saw Jesus walking on the sea … and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” (vv. 19b-20) It’s a simple statement, but full of truth: It is [Jesus]; do not be afraid. Maybe we are not privy to Jesus physically in our midst, walking on water or whatever other miracle He chooses to do, but He is here with us. He speaks words that we need to embrace, It is I; do not be afraid.

Blessings.

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See also:

• October 25 (2023) / Matthew 14:13-33; Mark 6:30-52; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-21
• March 11 (2021) / Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15
• May 18 (2019) / John 6:1-15
• March 12 (2021) / Matt. 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21
• May 21 (2019) / John 6:16-21

John 5:30-47

Dear RTB’ers,

Some wonderful words today, five witnesses for Jesus:

1. Himself, If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. (v. 31) “…not true…” means not acceptable, as in a courtroom, for example.
2. John the Baptist, There is another who bears witness about Me, and [his] testimony … is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.. (vv. 32-33) John’s testimony is true/acceptable.
3. His works, … the very works that I am doing, bear witness about Me that the Father has sent Me. (v. 36b) The Jews have seen these “works” (miraculous healings). How could they not believe? Could they imagine that these healings were staged? Not possible, not when they have seen a man right there in Jerusalem who had been lame for 38 years! (v. 5:5)
4. The Father, And the Father who sent Me has Himself borne witness about Me. (v. 37a) Unfortunately, the Jews have three strikes against them: His voice you have never heard, His form you have never seen, and you do not have His word abiding in you… (vv. 37b-38a)
5. The Scriptures, especially Moses, You search the Scriptures … and it is they that bear witness about Me. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. (vv. 39, 46) My Study Bible listed five verses from Moses, one from each of the five books of the Pentateuch. Here’s one from Deuteronomy: The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to Him you shall listen. (Dt. 18:15)

Finally, Jesus chastises the Jews for their glory-seeking, which He, Himself was unwilling to pursue: I do not receive glory from people. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (vv. 41, 44) Jesus, a good example to follow…

Blessings.

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See also:

• October 23 (2023) / Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; John 5
• March 5 (2021) / John 5:24-47
• May 6 (2019) / John 5:31-47

John 5:1-29

Dear RTB’ers,

Jesus is back in Jerusalem at one of the three annual feasts, where again He is healing on the Sabbath. This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him… (v. 18a) Today we have the first account in John’s gospel of the Jews seeking to kill Jesus. We’ll see it again in a few days (John 7:1), then much later toward the end of Jesus’ life (John 11:47-53).

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will. (v. 21) I wonder how much Jesus knew of future events in His earthly life. We have record of Him raising three people from the dead – the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17); Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21-43); and Lazarus (John 11:14, 39-44). Did He foresee these incidents months or years ahead of time? Not a major point, but intriguing nonetheless…

Just three days ago I posted on the truth of present day “eternal life”. We see it again today: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He … has passed from death to life. (v. 24) As people of God we need to know, believe, and claim our current heavenly status. I am confident that our active belief in our present-day eternal life will change our thoughts and our actions. We need to claim this and act on it.

Blessings.

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See also:

• October 23 (2023) / Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; John 5
• March 4 (2021) / John 5:1-23
• May 3 (2019) / John 5:1-15
• May 4 (2019) / John 5:16-23
• May 5 (2019) / John 5:24-30