Triumph Over Adversity

 
Dr. Glen A. Thorp                 February 17, 2013
(All Rights Reserved)           John 6:16-24, Exodus 14:10-22

            "TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY"
           (Fifth is a series: "Seven Signs in John")

If you have ever awaken at 3:00 A.M. finding it difficult to go
back to sleep, this passage is for you. There are several causes
for waking in the middle of night. One of them is Anxiety over
events that seem to be overtaking us: Unpaid bills with no
money in sight to pay them; Illness in our or loved one’s life that
has not yet been determined; Tension at work; Friction in our
marriage or an Exciting celebration we are planning.

The BACKGROUND for the John passage is the Feeding of
5,000 people and those people wanting to forcibly make
Jesus king. (See last week’s blog)
Jesus knowing they intended to come to make him king by force,
withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:15)

The Disciples got into a boat, when it started getting dark and
Jesus hadn’t appeared. In the Gospel of Mark we read that Jesus
told his disciples to get into a boat and head for Bethesda. (Mk 6:45)
They began rowing across the north side of the Lake to Capernaum.

Last week we learned that it was near the time of Passover.
Thus there was a Focus on the Exodus (when the Isralites
were freed from slavery in Egypt and the time in they spent in
the wilderness. Thus there was connection between Jesus’
multiplication of the loaves and fish and God’s provision of Manna*
and Water while wandering in the wilderness..

This was the reason the people wanted to compel Jesus to declare
himself King. "He is THE PROPHET Moses said would come."
(Exodus 14:10-22) Soon after the Pharaoh gave permission for the
Israelites to leave Egypt. He reversed his decision and sent his army
in 600 chariots to stop them from leaving Egypt.
The people camped on the shore of the Red Sea saw the
Egyptian Army approaching. Trapped between the Sea and the
Egyptians, they grumbled and complained to Moses ...
Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us
to the desert to die? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt,
"Leave us alone to serve the Egyptians? It would have been better
for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (Ex. 14: 11-12)  
Triumph Over Adversity is the message of Exodus, of John and is the Promise for us. There are several Critical Lessons for us.

We are most vulnerable to adversity right after a victory
a. The Miracle of feeding 5,000 - Jesus knew the pressure of popularity,
power and provision. He had spent 40 days alone experiencing hunger,
thirst and exhaustion. This occurred right after he was baptized
and John the Baptist said: Behold the Lamb of God, everyone heard
a voice from above: You are my Son, whom I love: I AM well pleased.
                                                                                          (Mark 1:13)

Christians began a period of reflection, repentance and sacrifice called
Lent, this past Wednesday called Ash Wednesday.
This Sunday is the 1^st Sunday of Lent.
Lent is 40 days, not counting Sundays, prior to Holy Week the week
Jesus was betrayed by a disciple, arrested, tired and crucified
on cross as a common criminal. Those 40 days of Lent are based on
the 40 days spent alone in the wilderness preparing for his ministry.
During that time, with no food and little water, he was Tested
by Satan to "Turn rocks into bread, to Do something spectacular
to attract people." (Matt. 4:1-11)

Jesus had done both in multiplying the five loves and two fish
and feeding 5,000 people with twelve baskets of food left over.
He knew he needed time, alone, with God the Father.

b. The Disciples were alone in a boat and no doubt discussing
what they had just witnessed when a sudden strong wind
(Similar to a Santa Ana winds in California or Chinooks in
Washington) stopped them and pushed them away from the shore.
Straining at the oars against the adverse wind. (Mark 6:2)
They forgot the miracle they just experienced:

c. The people of Israel focused the adversity rather than God’s
intervention and their release from slavery.
The Prophet Elijah experienced God’s Power and Provision
on Mt. Carmel when he challenged the priests of Baal to see
which God would send fire from heaven.(I Kings 18:16-40)
Elijah won and the people said: The LORD – He is God!
The LORD is God! (I Kings 18:39)

The next day Elijah fled for his life when Queen Jezebel sent
her guards to kill him. He felt all alone!
Have you ever felt alone and vulnerable, possible after
a victory? If so, you know what Elijah and the disciples felt.

We are not alone. God sees our struggle with adversity.

a. Jesus saw the disciples staining against the oars.
Passover is always on a day the moon is full. A TV program
showed how far one can see across the Sea of Galilee with a
full moon in April. Jesus could see the boat. It was 3:00am.

b. Jesus interrupted his prayer and took action.
He saw that disciples were stopped by the Wind and the Sea.

c. Jesus approached the disciples. They were terrified. 
They Thought were seeing a ghost on the water. (Mark 6:3)
God saw and heard the terrified Israelites and took action.
Speaking to Moses: "Why are you crying out me?
Tell the Israelites to move on." Prayer is vital. So is action.
(When we know what to do we need to act.)

e. God lead the people through the Sea.
There seemed no way of escape. God opened the way.

 f. When feel trapped, don’t panic.
God sees and can open a way out.

g. Elijah felt alone. He just wanted to end his life. (I Ki. 19:3-8)
God saw him, ministered to him, showing he was not alone.

Jesus’ presence triumphs over adversity
a. "It is I, don’t be afraid!" (Ego Emei) I AM:
said Jesus (Jn. 6:20) Jesus’ presence brought calmness
and they reached the destination.

b. "I Am Who I Am" (YaHWeH) is what God said when
Moses asked whom shall I say sent me? (Exodus 3:14)

c. The Egyptians will know that I Am the Lord when. (Ex. 14:18)

d. Elijah learned that Yahweh (I AM) was with him

e. The Adversity of the water, waves or wind did not stop Jesus.
He walked on water to reach his disciples saying:
(Ego Emei - It I) I AM with you.

John tells the story of this "Fifth Sign of Jesus’ Glory"
to teach that Jesus was Lord of the Universe.
Even as God made a way through the sea for the Israelites,
Jesus made a way for the disciples to cross the sea.

f. Paul Minear in his commentary on Saint Mark writes:
"The encountering of storms by the Apostles (and later by
the Church) is seen as part of God’s plan when he commands
the Church to take to the boats in order to prove his presence
to them in the crisis of their journey. The ‘lesson,’ then,
is the same as that taught by story of the wilderness supper. 
The loaves prove the power of the Lord (Ps. 23) to sustain
and nourish his people in all situations. But the disciples
did not understand this, nor did they understand that the
Messiah was seeking to use the wilderness and the
tempest to teach them how to feed his sheep and to
triumph over adversities.  ‘It is I, have no fear."
(Paul Minear, Saint Mark, SCM, London, p. 84)

As God had power over the waters of the Red Sea,
so God’s Son had power over the waters of the Sea of Galilee
and has power over any adversities we may face.
Faith is the mind set that expects God to act.
When we act on this expectation we may
overcome our fears and triumph over our adversities

A Church Father, Augustine writing about this incident said:
"He came treading the waves; and so He puts all the
swelling tumults of life under His feet. Christians–why afraid?"

When Christ is present the storm becomes calm,
the tumult becomes peace, the undoable becomes doable,
the unbearable becomes bearable, and people pass the
breaking point and do not break.

To walk with Christ is for us also the conquest of the storm.

The president of the Seminary from which I graduated
challenged us to "Walk on Water."
Focus on Jesus not the tempest. He then said:
"To walk on water you must get out of the boat."

That is what Jesus did on behalf of the disciples and did
for us on by dying on the cross and rising from the grave 
triumphed over the Father of Lies (Satan) who says:
God doesn’t care about you. You are all alone.
You have to use your resources to survive.

Jesus told his disciples just before he went to the
Garden of Gethsemane to pray, knowing he would be
arrested and taken to the High Priest and eventually
convicted to death: The time is coming, and has come,
when you will be scattered ... You will leave me all alone.
Yet I AM not alone, for my Father is with me.
I have told these things, so that you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.  (John 16:32-33). 

There is a Christian Hymn: "Jesus Calls Us" that says:

"Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild restless sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, "Christian follow me."

Because Jesus has Triumphed over Adversity ,
and promises not to leave us alone,
We can boldly take on any adversity.
Jesus didn’t row the boat. His presence
gave the disciples extra strength to continue
the journey on which Jesus had sent them.
So it is with us. We may need "get out of the
(our comfort zone) boat with our eyes focused
on Jesus rather than the adversity.

We can live with confidence in the promise:
The One who is in you is greater that the one
who is in the world. (I John 4:4)

Take heart I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

This is what the fifth sign in John illustrates.
Next week we will look a sixth sign:
"Miracle Happened Here" based on John 9.

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* Manna: was a miraculous food supply given to
Israel in the wilderness by God. It lasted only one
day so it could not be hoarded. Read Exodus 16:31
For a great understanding read Exodus 16:14-36.

Multiplying the Loaves

Dr.  Glen A. Thorp                  February 10, 2013

(All Rights Reserved)             John 6:1-5, Nehemiah 9:13-28
                                                                                            
                “MULTIPLYING THE LOAVES”
            (Fourth in a series: “Seven Signs in John”)

Did you read the above scriptures from a physical Bible, ie. book, on a Cell Phone, Tablet or Computer?  Some say it is a “miracle” being able to read, 66 books (the number included in most Holy Bibles) depending on  the size of the physical Bible may be around 1,000 pages, on a Cell Phone.

We have been looking at a series of  “Signs” (Miracles) in the Gospel of John.  This week’s based on John 6:1-5 is the only one narrated in all Four Gospels.  The accounts are remarkably alike, yet each has its special focus.  John uses the account as one of the Seven Signs in his Gospel,  drawing attention to Passover (one of the three major Jewish feast celebration.  See footnotes from last week’s blog, 2-3-13) being near (Spring).  There brings a direct connection between what Jesus does and the Jews recalling the Exodus from Egypt and their time in transit to the “Promised Land.”  There is a connection with vs. 22-58, of this chapter, which we will look at on February 24 blog.  Later, Jesus applied the Passover meal to himself:  The Lord’s Supper, Communion, Eucharist. 

Studying this story, we may also apply it to our lives.

          The Multiplication of the Loaves demonstrates that although human need always outstrips human resources God will multiply our meager resources and abundantly meet the real need.  

Five Observations:

The Crowd hungers for More.

Great Crowd followed Jesus because they had seen miraculous signs. 

(So far three: “Turning Water into Wine.”, “Healing of Official’s son,” “Healing of an Invalid in Jerusalem.” Only one healing in Galilee region.  Other Gospels tell of other healings.)  As we have seen John is selective because he is presenting an overall theme:  “Jesus did many other miraculous signs, ... which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (Jn 20:30-31)           

Jesus takes the initiative in meeting the crowd’s hunger.

 

a.   Jesus asks one his disciples, Philip from Bethsaida, nine miles away.

      If anyone knew a human solution, where to buy food, it was Philip,
      (Jesus knew there was none). (Possibly turning Water into Wine?)

         b.   Jesus highlights what he is about to do.

         c.   Jesus wanted to teach that financial resources are not the most

      important ones.  (“Eight months wages not enough to feed everyone.”)

         One boy gives the little he has, five barely loaves of bread and two dried  fish.

          a.  Jesus gives thanks: eucharistein: (Grace) (Note above:  Eucharist)

      “Blessed are you O Lord, King of the universe,
        who brings forth bread from the earth.”

          b.  Jesus gives the bread to the disciples who distributes it through and to the people.

          c.  Jesus worked through people.  He took what the young child offered,

      multiplied it to accomplish one of the most spectacular miracles
      recorded in the Gospels.  Age was no barrier to Christ. 

     You are never too young or too old to be of service to Christ. 

     Jesus said: “When you do it unto the least of these my breathern,
                          you’ve done it unto me.”  (Matthew 25:40)

The leftovers, 12 baskets full, demonstrate God’s superabundance.

God takes whatever we offer:  time, ability, or resources and multiplies

its effectiveness beyond our wildest expectations.

a.  “Souper Bowl” started by an Associate Presbyterian Pastor, Brad Smith of Columbia, S.C. in 1990.  Simple thought: “while I gauche myself with food and beverage during the Super Bowl Football Game, there are people who have nothing to eat.  If I can encourage my youth group to    receive one dollar from people as they leave church, we give the money to help feed the hungry and we will enjoy the game more, knowing we have taken our little amount of time and money collected and given it to God for feeding the hungry.” So far this year $5,064,139 in cash and food has been collected. A Total of:  $ 95+ million, since it started.)

b.  “One Great Hour of Sharing” is an offering taken by many of major protestant congregations to help people who experience nature or human disasters and helping people learn skills that will help them fight hunger.

“Give a person a fish and they will be hungry again, teach them to fish and they will have a way of feeding their families.”  This program started in 1949 to assist churches rebuild after World War II.  It was then expanded to the categories listed above.  Joining offerings from members in several denominations are “multiplied” and offer assistance to people in need.

          c. A member of my previous church, joined a team of volunteers who under the Presbyterian (USA) Disaster Division of “One Great Hour of Sharing” spent a week in New Orleans, Louisiana, cleaning and starting to rebuild house damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  She used her own money, energy and time along with others like her that lead to the “miracle” of encouraging those who lost “all” eventually bring life back to the city that suffered so much.  I is my PERSONAL opinion that if it were not for “Christian Volunteers and Generous Givers” New Orleans would still be in ruins.  Government assistance never could have accomplished the “miracle” that came from loving and generous Christians.  

          d.  If you take the first step in making yourself available to God,

      God will show you how greatly you may be used in advancing the Work of God’s Kingdom.

People seeing the miraculous sign said:

Surely this is the Prophet who has come into the world.

Who provided Manna given by Moses (Exodus 16:1-5)  

Thinking of what Moses said: Deuteronomy 18:15

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers.  You must listen to him.

It was taught that the Prophets Elijah, Elisha etc. and the Messiah would come at Passover:

Jesus, knowing that they (The Crowd) intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew to a mountain by himself.  (Jn. 6:15)

The next day Jesus spoke to the crowd.  I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. Jn 6:26-27

Have you believed that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God and have life in his name?

What do you have that God may use in meeting the needs of God’s people? 
Are you willing to offer God those talents, time or resources?

This was the fourth miraculous sign that Jesus performed.

Demonstrating Jesus’ Multiplying the Loaves.

In preparation for next weeks blog:  fifth miraculous sign

Demonstrating Jesus’ power over nature, Read 6:16-2.

Transforming Power

Dr. Glen A. Thorp               February 3, 2013

(All Rights Reserved)         Nehemiah 2:11-18, 3:1-2, 
                                            John 5:1-15
                                                                                          
                 “TRANSFORMING POWER”
           (Third in a series: “Seven Signs in John”)

 Do you want to get well? The sick man was so discouraged
and depressed he heard fewer and fewer things.
Do you want to get well?  Jesus asked.     

The man had been an invalid for 38 years.  His disease had

become a way of life. He said:   “No one has ever helped me.”  

He had given up hope on ever being healed or helping himself. 

The man’s situation seemed hopeless.

(If you haven’t read John 5:1-5, do so now.  Verse 3 says:

A great number of disabled people used to lie -

(by the Bethesda Pool near the Sheep Gate)*

the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.

They waited for the moving of the waters.  From time to time

an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. 

It was believed that the first one in the pool after each such

disturbance would be cured of whatever disease she or he had. 

 

Now you understand why the man, in response to Jesus’ question:

Do you want to get well?  Was: No one has ever helped me
 get into the waters after they have been disturbed.  (John 5:7)

Hopelessness is what many people feel. 
According to a Sociologist at University of California Berkeley:
            1/3 of homeless are mentally ill,
            1/3 of homeless are Drug Afflicted,
            1/3 of homeless are Knocked off their feet.
            All have excuses: “No One Helps Me.”

No matter how trapped you may feel,

God’s Transforming Power can minister to your deepest need. 

Don’t let your problem or hardship cause you to loose hope. 

Two Reflections on Jesus’ Transforming Power in John 5:1-15.

Jesus’ Glory is Revealed as the Great Physician.

The Power of His Word Healed an Official’s Son,

as we learned last Sunday (John 4:46-54)
Here we see Jesus’ Authority on behalf of another,
When he said:  Get Up and Pick Up your mallet.
(A poor person’s mattress was a straw mat.)

Jesus cannot be confined to working a certain way.

Christ’s will was that the man would be WHOLE.

Notice this time Jesus finds the lonely person, unlike the

story last week where the Official went to Jesus.  The good
news is Jesus didn’t wait to for those in need to find him. 

Jesus found the friendless, those who had no earthly help.

Jesus gave the paralytic full attention. 
Jesus touched him with Transforming Power.

Healing was SHEER GRACE and Jesus’ Creative Power.

The healed man was confronted as why he was carrying a

pallet on the Sabbath.  Read Nehemiah 13:15-22
to understand the seriousness of Violating of the Sabbath.
Law of Moses: The Ten Commandments says: (Exodus 20:8)
Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.

Jesus returned to Jerusalem to celebrate one of Three Feasts*

mandated in the Old Testament Law: Feast of Weeks/First Fruits

(Pentecost) because it came 50 days after Feast of Passover. 

Feast of Tabernacles (Of Lights, today called: Chanukah)

The religious leaders focused more the “breaking of the Sabbath”

than the miraculous healing of the former paralytic.

They saw carrying a mallet as work.  When confronted he replied:
The man who made me well, told me to pick up your mat and walk. 
In response to who told you to do this, the man said: 
I have no idea. (John 5:9-13)

Jesus demonstrated the true meaning of Sabbath and Pentecost

when his Transforming Power lead to healing the paralytic.

Later Jesus found the healed man and brought the Physical and

Spiritual dimensions together.  The man then went and told the

leaders, who had questioned him, that it was Jesus who healed him.

Jesus was confronted by those leaders, stilled focused on the law,

not the healing.  Jesus responds:

“My Father is working until now and I myself AM working.” 

God works on the Sabbath (John 5:21)

            God gives life when children are born.
            God saves people on Sabbath.
Jesus identified himself with God, his Father.  There was
no doubt that he was making himself equal to God.  (John 5:18) 

The religious leaders realized that Jesus claimed:

a unique relationship with the Father, and began
finding ways of arresting him.

Previously, after Jesus healed a man with withered hand, he asked:

                      Which is lawful on the Sabbath:
            to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? (Mark 3:1-6)

Implicit was the claim:  He was Lord of Sabbath, Son of God,

Workman of God and had Authority to Forgive Sins.

Earlier a paralyzed man was carried to Jesus by some friends,

lowered through a roof, because they could not get through

the door for the number of people seeking Jesus’ healing power.

That was when Jesus said:  Your sins are forgiven.  (Mark 2:1-12)

Unlike those who carried their friend to Jesus,

No one helped the invalid at the Bethesda Pool.

         Notice the STEPS:     

            Jesus asks if he wants to be cured.
            Jesus tells the man to get up “Action”
            He was to attempt the impossible to walk.
            That was the road to achievement and healing.

Jesus’ Glory is Revealed as the Great Physician.

The second reflection Jesus’ Transformational Power is:

The man’s Response to Jesus’ question Do You Want Healing?

After 38 years of no one ever helping him.  Lying by the pool

was a way of life.  He had no hope of ever being healed and
he had no desire of helping himself.  No doubt there was
self-pity.  After all his situation was hopeless.       

Do you face a situation you see as hopeless?

Do you have self-pity, maybe rightly so, “no one cares...?”
Sometimes it is harder being well than remaining sick.

Transformation leads to Responsibility.
            It is easier to remain hurting: “Pathology”
            Believing everyone is against me. “Co-Dependency”
            Those are called “Practical Pathology”  (Earl Palmer)

You may think “I don’t feel hopeless or have self-pity,

I don’t need anyone or God’s Transformative Power.” 
That may be true.  Have fun and enjoy your life but
sooner or later you will have to do something when
you are terribly offended by... or feel powerless…

Was the man disappointed in the manner in which he

was healed?  He had wanted to get into the bubbling water. 
That had been his life desire and hope for his cure.

 We may say:  “I sort of hoped it would have been different.”

Sometimes we demand from God ... and call it Faith.
It is Impertinence.  John records this Sign for the church.
“When we pray we may not get what we ask for.
  We will get what God asks for.”  (Palmer) 

What is Your response to Jesus’ question:

             Do You want to be healed:
            Physically, Spiritually or Emotionally?

IF YOU want to be healed,

Are YOU willing to do what Jesus tells you to do?

Do you want to Experience God’s Transforming Power.

Then say:  “I am willing to trust and follow you.
                   Tell me what you want me to do.”

This was the third miraculous sign that Jesus performed.

Demonstrating Jesus’ Transforming Power.

In preparation for next weeks blog:  fouth miraculous sign

Demonstrating Jesus’ miraculous provision, Read John 6:1-5
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         *BACKGROUND:     Was the Jewish Feast Jesus attended:

Pentecost, Passover or Tabernacles?  It is not clear. 
I opt for Pentecost.

If you have Bible with a the Plan of Jerusalem in Jesus’ day, 

note that the Pool near the Sheep Gate is in the upper right
corner.  This Sheep Gate was discovered in 1871 and is used
today for selling of sheep.  We saw the shepherds selling and
buying sheep on a couple of our visits to Israel.

Note the historical connection with Nehemiah and the Rebuilding

of the wall around Jerusalem. 

The High Priest and his priests build the Sheep Gate
“Trapezoidal in form, 165-220 feet wide by 315 feet long
divided by a central partition–thus John’s ‘five porticoes’ (v.2)
Stairways in the corners permitted descent into the pools. 
In this hilly area the water may have come from underground drainage;
some of it, perhaps, from intermittent springs.”  (Raymond Brown)

 

                       

 

 

 

                            

Power of The Word

Dr. Glen A. Thorp                                       January 27, 201
(All Rights Reserved)                                  Psalm 19, John 4:39-54

                             "POWER OF THE WORD"
                     (Second in a series: "Seven Signs in John")

A Mother, driving in rain, used the power of words to teach and her
son a lesson.  She said: "The rain is like sin and the windshield wipers,
are like God’s wiping away our sin."

Last week reflected on the first Sign in John revealing Jesus' dazling glory.
This week's scripture refers to that first sign. 
     Once more Jesus visited Cana in Galilee
      where he turned water into wine. (John 4:39)
                                                       
Jesus was returning from his visit to Jerusalem in Judea. Choosing to take
the direct route leading him through Samaria, a region most Jews avoided
because they despised Samaritans, he met a woman at the well.
The result of their conversation was that many believed in Jesus because of
the woman’s testimony and urged Jesus to stay with them.
He stayed for two days. Then resumed his trip to Galilee.

(Read John 4:7-26 for the full story.) Verses 41-42 say:

"And because of his words many more believed.
We no longer believe because of what the woman said
but because we have heard for ourselves and know
that this man is Savior of the World."   What an affirmation!
 
"Now he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus had pointed out that a prophet
has no honor in his own country.) John 4:43-44) Mark 6:4 and Luke 4:6:24
explain why Jesus used that statement and why he was despised in Nazareth.

The second sign of Jesus’ dazzling glory was the Power of His Word,
resulting in a growing belief in Jesus. Notice the Progression in John 4:39-54.

Believed enough to ask Jesus to help a man’s son.

A government official, in Herod’s government, heard that Jesus had healed
many people. Learning that Jesus was back in Capernaum, Galilee he traveled
20 miles to ask Jesus to come to his home and heal his dying son.
He believed enough make the effort of begging Jesus for help.

The official treated Jesus with respect, reverence and not contempt, as most
Jews were treated by those in the royal court. He calls Jesus "Sir"
putting himself under Jesus even though he legally he had authority
over Jesus and could have commanded him.
Instead he begs Jesus to come quickly.

Believed Jesus’ assurance that his son would live.

Jesus responded: "You may go. Your son will live.
The man took Jesus at his word and departed."  (John 4:50)

The man:
Believed Jesus and took him at his "bare" word.
Acted by returning the 20 miles to his home.

He believed and so did his whole house.

While he was still on his way, his servants met him with the news that
his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time his son got better,
they said to him, "the fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.
                                                                                  (John 4:5-52)   

Faith is a gift that grows as it is used. The father realized
The Timing and Completeness of Jesus healing (1:00 p.m)
Instantaneous healing resulted in faith in Jesus for himself and
his whole household. (John 4:53)

The Effect of Faith and Efficacy/Power of the Word
restored life to a child and gave life to a family.

The woman in Samaria told others of what Jesus had done in her life.
Her faith in Jesus spread and many believed in Jesus because of the
testimony of the women. (John 4:39)

The miracle of healing was more than just a favor to one official
in Herod’s service, it was a sign to all people. John’s Gospel was
written to all humankind to urge faith in Christ.
The official had faith that Jesus could do what he claimed.
The official believed, then saw the miraculous sign. Jesus said:
Unless you people see miraculous signs and
wonders you will never believe. (John 4:48)

In contrast to,signs, the Samaritans believed because of what Jesus said:
the transforming Power of his word.

Do you believe Jesus can take care of your problems?
If so act by asking him.
Act as if Jesus can make a difference.

After asking Jesus, in prayer, live as though you
believe Jesus will do what he says.

　
Jesus’ miracles were not mere illusions, the product of wishful thinking.
Although the official’s son was 20 miles away, he was healed the moment
Jesus spoke the word. Distance was no problem because Jesus Christ has
mastery over space. We can never put so much space between ourselves
and Christ that he can no longer help us.

Jesus took the official from believing simply because of "signs"
to believing Jesus’ word. True faith came when the sign demonstrated
that Jesus was a man of his word.

That word had and has the power to heal and change lives,
his and his families. He was taken from faith because of a sign
to faith in Jesus the life-giver.

Two Themes:

Faith and Power are life giving.
Lack of faith in Jerusalem, despite signs Jesus performed,
contrasted to faith of Samaritans based solely on his word.

Nicodemus, a religious leader secretly came to Jesus saying
Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who came from God.
For no one could perform the miraculous signs
you are doing if it were not for God with him.
Jesus responds: No one can see the Kingdom of God
                          unless he is born again.
Jesus lead Nicodemus from believing because of signs to
"Believing in Jesus which leads to eternal life." (Jn. 3:1-16)

Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman:
The water I give will become a spring...welling up to eternal life.
"Water that gives life." (John 4:14)

Jesus spoke and the boy - Lived.

"God spoke" and there was creation. (Genesis 1:2-31)

John 4:54, after the healing of the official’s boy, says:

This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed.Demonstrating the Power of the Word.

Life Giving will be developed in the next section of John.
The Third Sign: John 5:1-15.

(Read the passage in Preparation for next week’s blog.)

Super Abundance

Dr. Glen A. Thorp                                                     January 20, 2013

(All Rights Reserved)                                                Psalm 36:5-11, John 2:1-11

                                    "SUPER ABUNDANCE@

                            (First in a series: ASeven Signs in John@)

There is nothing more embarrassing than running out of food or drink at a party

you are hosting. That is why so often there is a great deal of food left over after
all the guests leave.  If you found there was not enough food or drink for all your
guests, you likely would send someone to the nearest 24hour store to buy some.

Hospitality is a significant element and sacred duty in the Middle East Culture.
Once one enters a house or tent, the host will do everything to make that
person’s time there very enjoyable.  There is always coffee or some other
form of drink and usually an abundance of food depending on the occasion
and time of day. In this story, it is easy seeing how running out of wine would
be a major embarrassment for the newly wedded couple.

There has been much speculation as to why the shortage.
     1. Were they not properly prepared?
     2. Was there a lack of concern for guests?
     3. Possibly they were poor and having additional guests, although we read:
        “Jesus and his disciples were invited,”may have caught them off guard.
     4. Guests brought food or drink to a Adestination wedding@ which lasted
         a week.Maybe the disciples didn’t bring food or drink for the festivities.

Banquets were prepared for many guests. The week was spent celebrating with
the married couple. Often the whole town was invited. It was considered an insult
to refuse an invitation to a wedding. Thus careful planning was needed to ensure
everyone had a good time and there was enough to eat. Whatever the reason,
running out of wine could lead to embarrassment. Mary, likely a relative of the
bride’s parents, interceded and asked her eldest son to find a solution.

John=s primary theme of this story was not:

      1. That the wine ran out.

      2. Mary=s intervention-compelling Jesus into take action.
      3. It was not even that the water was turned into wine.
      4. Or the reaction of the steward.

John=s primary theme is this was the first time Jesus revealed some of his
dazzling glory which resulted in his disciples believing in him. (John 2:11)

Throughout this Gospel, John records Seven Signs(miracles)
Jesus did revealing who he was.
(This Blog is the first of seven on ASigns in John.@ I will publish one each week.)

What does this passage reveal to us about Jesus?

There are Three Qualities:

Jesus enjoyed life and being with people.

Jesus had just launched his ministry, the greatest in the history of the world.

Yet he took time to attend a wedding and take part in the festivities.
Let me give a little background to this wedding:
AThere was a wedding in Cana and Jesus was there.@ (John 2:1)

Cana was about 17 miles from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up.
Galilee, where Jesus began his ministry was about 25 miles from Cana.
It is believed that the wedding was for Mary’s niece.
Thus, Jesus’ presence. There is something special about this story
that brings joy today.

For Andrew and Phillip, (Read John 1:35-43), former disciples of
John the Baptist and the first to follow Jesus, the contrast to John the Baptist,
an Essen who lived an austere life, it must have been remarkable seeing
Jesus enjoying festive occasions because they involved people.

Jesus used t festive occasions as opportunities of demonstrating God=s kingdom.

We too can use celebrative times to demonstrate the joy of God=s presence.
Balancing our lives between times of pleasure and work is best accomplished
by bringing Jesus into both.

Jesus empathized and cared for people.

Jesus acts to avoid embarrassment for his relative by responding to a
heartfelt need.  His mother, Mary, was not likely asking Jesus to perform
a miracle, for up to now he had not performed any, she was simply
asking her eldest son to find a solution to the problem and find some
more wine. Jesus=answer is sometimes difficult to understand:
     ADear woman, why do you involve me? ...                     
      My time has not yet come.@ (John 2:4)
Maybe that is the point.  Although Mary did not know what Jesus
was going to do, the trusted him to do what was right.

Those of us who believe in Jesus sometimes run into situations we do not
understand and may do the same: trusting that Jesus will do what is right. 

Jesus was more than human, he is the Son of God, thus: 
AWe can cast all our cares upon him because he empathizes and cares for us.@
                                                                                                    (I Peter 5:7)

Jesus= solution may be entirely different than what we expect.
Like Mary, we may submit and allow him to deal with the issue as he sees best.

Jesus= first miracle was not in the presence of a large crowd nor
was it spectacular.  It was responding to need in a simple family setting.

Jesus responded with superabundance.

Abundancereplaces Scarcity. Jesus transforms the ordinary
into something extraordinary.  From ritual comes rich blessing.
The six stone jars were normally used for ceremonial washing. When full,
the jars would hold 20 to 30 gallons. According to Jewish ceremonial law,
people became ceremonially unclean by touching objects of everyday life.
Before eating, the Jews would pour water over their hands to cleanse
themselves of any bad influences associated with what they had touched.

Not only was there superabundance of wine (120 gallons),
but it was Avintage@wine. AEveryone brings out the best wine first and then
the cheaper wine (or watering down the wine as depicted in the Inn scene
in the movie “Les Miserables”) after the guests have had too much to drink;
but you have saved the best until now.@  (John 2:10)

People look everywhere but to God for meaning and excitement.
For some reason, they expect God to be dull and lifeless. Just as the wine
Jesus made was the best, so life in him is better than life on our own.
Why wait until everything runs out before trying God?  
Why save the best until the last?
 
When the disciples saw Jesus=miracle, they believed.
This was a growing belief.  Fulfillment of John 1:50
AYou believe, Nathaniel, because I told you I saw you
 under the fig tree.  You shall see greater things than that'@
Jesus revealed his power over nature and how he would go about
his ministry Bhelping others, speaking and acting with authority and
being in personal touch with people.

Miracles are not just superhuman events but ones demonstrating
God=s power.   As we will see almost all Jesus did was renewal of a
fallen creation, a result of disobedience to God. Believe in Jesus not
because he is superhuman but because he is God who comes
bringing new life to all the poor, the affluent, the weak,
the strong, the crippled, the orphaned, the blind,
the deaf or any in need of re-creation.

Taste God=s grace - Enough for All - not knowing where it comes from.

The Messianic Banquet described in Amos 9:13-14:
“Such abundance of crops that people won=t be able to harvest them all.”
And in II Barach 24:5 AEarth shall yield its fruit ten thousand yield.
     Each vine shall have 1000 branches.
     Each branch shall have 1000 clusters.

     Each cluster shall have 1000 grapes.
     Each grape shall make 120 gallons of wine.@

If Jesus brings joy to a possible disastrous situation, “They have no wine.”
 Imagine what Jesus can do for the issues we face in life.

If Jesus was concerned about a small wedding feast -
how much more is he concerned for our needs.

Where do you need to see water turned into wine in your life right now?
 

Jesus revealed who he was and who God was:

     A God who wants to be with us;
     A God who meets our needs;
     A God whose grace never will run out;
     A God who responds with superabundance

Where is the Awine level@ (zest for life) in your life right now?
Full?Half Full? Empty?
What is draining you?  What areas seem like stale water in an old jug?

Do want Jesus to give you ALiving Water?@   If so where?

Is it self esteem, family, work appearance, spiritual life, physical life
or mental life?  If so, ask Jesus to come into your life and turn that
stale water in joyous wine.

Jesus said: AI have come that you might have life and

that you might have it more abundantly.@ (John 10:10)

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Postscript: Some of you have asked why I chose “One The Vine”
as the name of my blog.  It comes from Jesus’ words recorded in John 15:5:

"I AM the Vine, You are the Branches. If (you) remain in me and I in (you),    
(you) will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

My goal is to remain daily in Jesus, The Vine, and any “fruit” in my life

comes from him. That fruit is described in Galatians 5:22-23

    “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

      goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”