SUPER. NATURAL IV

 

SUPER. NATURAL IV

                                                              John 10:25-30

People were asking for proof that Jesus was the Messiah.  How long will you keep us in suspense?     If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly (vs. 24).  This was a similar question to John the Baptist’s question to Jesus. (See Last Week's Devotional.)  Jesus gave the people an answer that sounded like that given to John.  The proof is the work that I do in my Father’s name. (vs. 25)

This week, Jewish people just celebrated Hanukkah, the “Feast of Dedication” (vs. 22), recalling the miracle of one day of oil for the Menorah lasting for eight days.  This occurred after the Maccabean revolt against the Greeks and the rededication of the “defiled” Temple.  Jews today, as in Jesus’ day, are waiting for the Messiah to come.  Thus, feelings about Roman domination might have surfaced,
prompting the question.   

Most people asking for “proof/sign” that Jesus is who he said he was, do so for the wrong reasons.  In Jesus’ day, the questioners did not want to follow Jesus, especially if it meant submitting to his leadership.  The same is true today.  People were hoping Jesus would declare himself Messiah for their own reasons.  They were looking for someone to drive out the Romans.  Today, people may be looking for Jesus to do … (add whatever topic).  Others were hoping Jesus would identify himself so they could accuse him of telling lies. Today, some are looking for Christians to say Jesus can do … (add action) and when it doesn’t happen, it is “proof” to them that Jesus was only a historical person who did not do miracles.

Jesus’ response to the question was:  You don’t believe me because you are not my sheep.  My sheep hear my voice and follow me (vs. 25-26). Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects those who follow him.  This does not mean that we, who follow Jesus, will not experience suffering on earth.  We live in a “broken world,” and are not exempt.  We can know, we are never alone, God is with us and will bring us through pain.  Jesus said:  I give eternal life, and they will never parish.

No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me… No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one (vs. 28-30).  This is clearest statement of who Jesus is.  He is divine.  Jesus and the Father are One, not the same person but same in essence and nature.  Jesus was not merely a good teacher—he is God!  His claim is unmistakable.  The people wanted a Messiah to overthrow Rome.  The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because of Jesus’ claim of being God.  Verse 31 records how the Jews reacted.  Jesus questions:  I have shown you many great miracles/signs from the Father.  For which of these do you stone me?  Note the response:  for your blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.  That is the question.  Who is Jesus?

Question:  Read John 10:34-42.  What is Jesus’ response to those who wanted to stone him?  What accounted for the difference of reception across the Jordan as compared to Jerusalem?  (vs. 41) Who is Jesus to you?  Are you following him?  If so, how?  Advent (Coming) is preparing and anticipating.  Maybe we can appreciate our Jewish friends, who are reading Isaiah 35 and still waiting for the Advent of the Messiah, as they celebrate Hanukka, recalling God’s miraculous provision.    

Prayer:  Loving God, what joy it is recalling your promise to come.  What peace I have knowing you came in the form of a human baby, so that we would know who you were, and lived on this earth experiencing everything I do.  Your coming brought new life, hope and direction.  Come, O Come live with me and reign within me now and forever.  Amen

Super Natural III

                                                             Luke 7:18-23

                                  Are you the Messiah we have been expecting,
                                  or should we keep looking for someone else? (vs. 19) 

That was the question John the Baptist wanted to ask Jesus.  He sent two of his disciples to inquire of the Lord.  Last week we read that John was in prison for speaking against Herod, (See Last Week's Blog.)  John was confused about the reports he received about Jesus.  John’s questions were natural.  Jesus wasn’t condemning, speaking against Roman abuse or “bringing God’s wrath.”         (Luke 3:7).

There is Danger of following a dream that is only a dream.  Had John misunderstood what he was called to do?  He gave his life in preparing the Way, had it been in vain?  Was he only following a dream?

John had expected a military take over!  Judgment had not come!

Jesus answered: Go back and report to John what you hear and see.              The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured,        the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor.                         (Note the first blog and read again Isaiah 35:3-5.)

John, “you are not following just a dream.  You are following me.”  Jesus was the only person who could ever demand, without qualification and condition, to be judged not by what he said, but what he did. 

Jesus said, after John’s disciple left, I tell you, of all who ever lived, none is greater than John.  Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! (vs. 28) That includes you and me.  How is that possible?  They, (we) have heard and have a clearer knowledge of the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  John was the last to function as an Old Testament Prophet in preparing people for the coming of the Messiah.  Jesus was contrasting life before his coming with the fullness of life in Christ’s Kingdom lead by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, which he promised to send after he left this earth and returned to God the Father.  

Today, Jesus says:  Look at what I can do for you.                                             See what I have done for others.   

What Jesus did in Galilee he still does today.  Dr. Springs in Denver, Colorado said: “I can heal no one. I have studied and learned the skills of being a surgeon.  All I can do is identify and remove a tumor or repair a torn organ.     God does the healing.  God gave us humans, curiosity and desire of finding plants and minerals that may lead to healing.  We crush and blend them, but God is the One who gives wisdom

I can help a patient find a specialist who can remove cloudy eye lenses and replace them other lenses, resulting in people being able to see.”  Wherever     Dr. Springs does surgery, he does in the name of and gives to glory to Jesus for the privilege of “Demonstrating God’s Healing Love to all, especially the poor.”

Question:  How did John receive information about Jesus?  Why could he not get it firsthand?   What six things characterize Jesus’ ministry?                        How would that answer John’s question?  (Isaiah 35:3-5)

Prayer:  Thank you, God, for the Good News awaiting me today and always.  Thank you for your grace and mercy which you promised, in my life, when I experience disappointments or fear that hinder my journey toward your kingdom.  Thank you for using me as a living oracle of Good News for all living in darkness and crying in despair. 

Supernatural II

 

SUPER. NATURAL II.

                                                                             Luke 1:57-80

This scripture picks up the Story of John, son of Elizabeth and Zachariah, which starts in Luke 1:5.   An angel promises Jewish Priest, Zachariah that his wife Elizabeth would have a son and He is to be called JOHN.  (vs.13-17) Zachariah asked: How can I be sure (sign) this will happen?  I am an old man now, and my wife is well along in years.  The angel said: “I am Gabriel!  I stand in the very presence of God.  It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!  But since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born.”                                           (The sign for which you asked.) (18-20)

Now you understand why the people spoke to Zachariah in sign language, (they may have thought he could not hear them since he couldn’t speak) to confirm that the baby’s name was John (vs. 67-80). Zachariah praised God with his first words after months of silence.  This song has been called Benedictus, Latin for Praise the Lord.      He then prophesied that the coming of the Savior/Messiah, who would save (redeem) them from their enemies. He predicted that his son, John’s mission was to Prepare the Way for that Messiah.  All the Old Testament prophesies were coming true.                     It is no wonder that Zachariah praised God! 

Zachariah recalled hundreds of years of God’s sovereign work in history.  He began with God’s Convent with Abraham, maintained through his decedents, affirmed with his baby being circumcised, as a sign of that continuing Covenant.  The baby was named John, as the angel had instructed.

Zachariah then, tenderly, personalized the story.  His son would bear a key role in the drama of ages.  Although God had ultimate power, God chose to work through frail human beings who were as helpless as babies.  (John and Jesus were born months apart.  Thirty years later, John and Jesus met again.)  We don’t know what Jesus did before coming to his cousin John, known as the Baptizer, asking for baptism. 

We Know John lived a life of strict discipline. He rebuked evil wherever he saw it.        His message was:  Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.   He had nothing to lose, especially after baptizing Jesus.  His career ended in disaster.  He fearlessly and defiantly spoke against Herod Antipas of Galilee, who during a trip to Rome had seduced his sister-in-law.  Returning home he dismissed his wife and married his     sister-in-law whom he lured away from his brother.  John publicly and sternly rebuked Herod.  Herod took revenge and had John thrown into the dungeon of the fortress Makhairas near the Dead Sea.  For anyone that would be a terrible fate, but for John, a child of desert; where all his life he had lived in open space, with wind blowing on his face and the spacious sky for his roof; being confined by four walls in an underground dungeon must have been almost un-bearable. 

Thus, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question.  "Are you the one is to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Luke 7:20) Read the following verses, 7:21-23)   to see how Jesus responded.  In your own words write down what Jesus told John's disciples to say to John.             

Question:  How did John’s birth fulfill what the angel said to Zachariah?  List all the things for which Zachariah praises God. (Luke 1:68-79) Compare his song with that of Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). 

Prayer:  Gracious God as you sent John to prepare the way for your son, Jesus, you sent your Own Son to prepare the way for our salvation.  Give me grace to heed His word and accept His forgiveness of my sins as I prepare for his Advent (Coming.)