Burunche’s Blog

4:43-54 Welcome at Galilee

“Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So, when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

A Nobleman’s Son Healed

So, Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”

The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”

Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So, the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”

Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So, the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”

Jesus has left Jerusalem and Judea, passing through Samaria and returning to Cana in Galilee. Now a desperate nobleman is begging Jesus to come heal his son, who is dying. At first, Jesus’ response might seem harsh. “Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” Jesus does care about the life of the boy; however, he wants to be sure that this man isn’t simply a thrill seeker. It’s also possible that Jesus is not merely speaking to this nobleman but to all those around him, who might be thrill seekers.

The nobleman isn’t concerned about signs and wonders; he just wants his son to live. “The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” This man feels Jesus is his only hope, and he’s willing to beg if necessary. Jesus knows that if he wastes time traveling between Cana and Capernaum, the boy will be dead by the time he arrives. Rather than waste that time, Jesus assures the nobleman. “Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So, the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Although John doesn’t record it, the man may have collapsed to his knees in praise to God at this news. Once the nobleman recovers enough to speak, he asks for details. “Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So, the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”

Remember that Galilee has a mixed population of Jews, Greeks, and others from various countries whose ancestors settled there centuries ago. Jesus has already witnessed to an entire Samaritan village enroute to Galilee, and now he heals the son of a nobleman, who might be either Greek or Roman. Everybody in the household knows that the master’s son is dying. Perhaps the boy has malaria or typhoid. The head of the household rushes 26.51 km, or 16.47 miles from Capernaum to Cana, possibly in a wagon or a chariot, hoping to get Jesus to return with him. But Jesus gives the man something better: the life of his child and the assurance that God cares, that God hears, and that God can heal. For the rest of their lives, everyone in the household will believe on Jesus.

These days in Ghana, it’s quite common to see posters advertising revivals and promising signs and wonders. I am always baffled by such things, not because I don’t believe God can do them but because the Holy Spirit is not a tame entity to whom one can dictate. While God does graciously move in many of these meetings, I still feel distinctly uncomfortable about such advertising. Yet another thing that bothers me is posters featuring the photos of the various ministers who are leading the meeting. Whom are we worshiping? Are we really worshiping the One True Living God, or are we worshiping His servants? God will not give His glory to anyone else. When we take glory that should be going to God and hoard it for ourselves, we are in very dangerous territory.

Corrie Ten Boom, the famous Dutch evangelist, used to say that when someone gave her a compliment, she treated it as if it were a bouquet of flowers. She would savor the compliment, but then turn around and offer it up to the Lord, since He was the One who had made everything possible.

Notice what Jesus does not do in this situation. Jesus does not make a big show of healing the boy. Speaking with heavenly authority, Jesus simply tells the man his son is healed. Nothing more is needed. Jesus doesn’t use smoke and mirrors or special lighting or a trained choir or a keyboard player supplying soft background music.

The question for us as believers is this: if we go in the Name of Jesus, operating in His Authority, do we need anything else? I truly believe we do not. We need to simplify, to allow God to move, and avoid anything that might distract those wanting to come to God. May God help us, so that we will do His work in His way!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to constantly look to You, so that we will fulfill Your perfect will for our lives. If You use us to do miracles, help us to give You all the glory, and not take any of it for ourselves. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

John 4:25-42 A PROSTITUTE BECOMES A MISSIONARY

“The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

In the meantime, His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”

Therefore, the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

The Savior of the World

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Weary from travel, Jesus has rested at the side of a well and has engaged a local prostitute in conversation. This lady is fetching water at noon to avoid verbal abuse from other women in her village; however, Jesus is introducing her to the idea of living water that will give eternal life. Jesus tells her that he is the Messiah for which believers have longed. This is the only recorded time when Jesus announces himself as Messiah, and he does it to this most unlikely person. But Jesus knows what he’s doing.

The disciples return from buying lunch in the village and are shocked to see Jesus conversing with a woman and a Samaritan at that. Meanwhile, this lady leaves her water pot and rushes into the village, telling the village elders, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”  Fascinated, the men of the village follow this lady back to the well. Having brought lunch, the disciples urge Jesus to eat, but they’re shocked when Jesus tells them, “I have food of which you do not know.” Perplexed, the disciples look at one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”

“Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” Jesus wants the disciples to realize that doing the Will of the Heavenly Father is as important as taking nourishment,  and that the time to tell people about the Kingdom is now.

Who are the “others” who have labored? Jesus is referring to the prophets and to John the Baptist. God has sent all these people to prepare the way, and now the disciples are to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to all around them. The disciples are about to get another shock.

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Talk about God standing someone’s prejudices on their heads! Not only do these Samaritans flock to hear Jesus, but they beg him to stay with them and he stays for two whole days. These people who have grown up with a mixture of religions become true believers, and this village is never the same again.

Left to themselves, the disciples would never have preached to the people of that Samaritan village; they would simply have bought lunch, returned to Jesus, and continued their journey as rapidly as possible. But God loves the people of that village and He knows that their hearts are ready for the news about Messiah, something many Jewish religious leaders will later reject.

What can we learn as we proceed through the new year?

1. God controls our starts and stops. Jesus and the disciples stopped for lunch and Jesus remained at the well by himself. If Jesus had been with the disciples, the Samaritan woman would likely have collected water and returned, never to hear about God’s love. But Jesus was tired and the disciples went into town, giving God the perfect opportunity for a divine conversation.
2. Never underestimate God’s imagination. This lady was one of the local prostitutes; yet, God turned her into one of the first missionaries. God is not interested in our prejudices.
3. The entire Samaritan village believed in Jesus, confounding the disciples. Again, God does not respect our fixed beliefs; God knows when hearts are ready to receive Him.  

A British evangelist tells the story of inviting the owner of a coffee shop to a series of meetings he was holding at Cambridge University. The coffee shop lady kept listing one excuse after another while the evangelist kept saying, “Come anyway.” Finally, the lady did come to the meetings, accepted Christ, and even married the evangelist! We never know whose hearts are hungry for God or who is prepared to receive Him. A pastor friend used to say that we are only in advertising while God is in management. Let God have full control of your circumstances, but always be ready to share the Gospel with others. You never know whom God will bring to you!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please help us to always be willing to share the good news about Your Kingdom, no matter where we are or with whom we find ourselves. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

A SAMARITAN WOMAN MEETS HER MESSIAH 4:1-11

“Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.

So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”

The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”

Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

It’s noon. Jesus and his disciples have been walking on dry rocky paths all morning, and now Jesus is resting by a well while the disciples go into town to buy lunch. As Jesus is resting in the shade, a woman comes with her water jug to fetch water. Jesus immediately takes an interest, for women and children generally fetch water twice a day, early in the morning and early in the evening. Why is this woman coming at noon? Smiling at the lady, Jesus says, “Give me a drink.” While Jesus might really be thirsty, his main purpose is to engage this lady in conversation.

The lady is shocked because Jews generally refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. This is a long-standing racial issue, going all the way back to the time when the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom and moved in mongrel people from other areas to farm it. The Samaritans learned to worship Yaweh; however, they also continued to worship their own gods in addition, causing the Jews to shun them. Now Jesus engages this woman in a lengthy discussion, during which her status as a prostitute is revealed. But along with the woman’s low social status, Jesus also realizes that she is spiritually thirsty. Amazingly, during this brief conversation, Jesus reveals timeless spiritual truths, things that he has not yet even taught to his disciples.

“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Jesus grabs the lady’s attention by talking about living water, water that will become a fountain of water, springing up into everlasting life. When the Samaritan woman tries to engage in a religious dispute regarding the best place to worship, Jesus points her in a totally different direction. True worship is not a matter of geography but a matter of the state of one’s heart.

Looking at this situation, several things appear to be wrong. First, as an observant Jew, Jesus should have nothing to do with a Samaritan, apart from necessary activities such as buying food. Second, this lady is obviously a social outcast because she is fetching water at a time when other women are not around. Perhaps the other village women have been so nasty to this woman that she doesn’t want to listen to verbal abuse, or perhaps they have even refused to allow her to fetch water at the same time they do. Then this person is female and therefore occupies a much lower social status than Jesus does. But there’s something funny about Jesus-Jesus is far more concerned about individuals than he is about outward appearances or social status. And Jesus can sense that this woman desperately needs God’s love. For Jesus, nothing else really matters.

What can we learn from this part of the story? Many times, we have preconceived notions of how we should tell people about Jesus or the class of people to whom we should witness. But Jesus isn’t any more interested in our prejudices than he was in the social strictures of his day.

Years ago, my husband was working as an EMT for an ambulance company in Memphis, TN, when he helped transport a patient from the VA hospital back to his home in Arkansas. As the man was lying on the stretcher, he told my husband, “I’ve been all over the world, and now I’m going home to die.” My husband immediately asked, “Where do you stand with the Lord?” “I’m not sure,” the man replied. “I’ve done a lot of bad stuff.” For the rest of the ambulance ride, my husband shared the love of Jesus with that man, praying with him for forgiveness of his sins before the crew delivered him to his home. That day, that man was able to worship God “in spirit and in truth.” Three days later, we read the man’s obituary in the local newspaper.

When we follow Jesus, we must be prepared to do what Jesus did, telling people about God’s love, no matter when or where we are called upon to do so. We must remember that when we worship God in spirit and in truth, we will have fountains of living water springing up in our hearts. But that living water is to be shared, not hoarded. And the more we give that living water away, the stronger the flow within our hearts and lives.

Is God telling you to speak to somebody, and you aren’t certain what’s happening? Don’t worry! Just go do it. God will give you the words and you will be amazed and blessed by the results.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please give us Your mind about the people around us, so that we will not hesitate to speak to them about You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 4:12-22 Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry”

Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

Yesterday and today we’ve departed from the Gospel of John temporarily to tell the story of Jesus’ temptations and Jesus’ calling his first disciples. The region Jesus is entering is referred to as “Galilee of the Gentiles” because for centuries, the population has been mixed. Originally, King Solomon gave ten cities in this area to King Hiram of Tyre for providing him with cedars of Lebanon to help build the temple in Jerusalem. When Hiram visited the area, he was not impressed and complained; however, there is no record of Solomon changing and giving Hiram more towns or better ones! Galilee has an unsavory reputation, and the Galileans are looked down upon by Jews from other areas who feel these country bumpkins aren’t truly observant. But God knows the spirits of those in this area, and Jesus is going to draw most of his disciples from here.

When I began surgery residency decades ago, one Fellow in Cardiothoracic Surgery taught me the phrase, “Anyone can do the easy ones.” Through the years, that phrase has stayed with me, and whenever I have been faced with daunting tasks, I have remembered my friend’s observation. Jesus begins his ministry in the least likely place among the least likely people, and yet, forever afterwards, those people and places will be revered because of Jesus. Peter and Andrew, James, and John-these men will be key throughout Jesus’ ministry and will become founders of the Christian Church. John and Peter will write some of the most meaningful books of the New Testament, and their words will resound throughout generations.

As we go into this new year, remember that God may send you to unlikely places where you will work with unlikely people. But when God is in the situation, you can fearlessly proceed.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You as You lead us. Help us to be willing to work with those You send to us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 4:1-11 Satan Tempts Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.” Notice that Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, where there would be no distractions, no pressure from his family or other people. Jesus went to the wilderness specifically so he could be tempted by the devil. Most of us would never go into the wilderness in the first place or deliberately put ourselves in the way of temptation in the second. And to make matters worse, Jesus was fasting for forty days and nights. Evidently, Jesus had drinking water but no food. Now that Jesus was weak from fasting, Satan shows up.

Ever notice that Satan doesn’t bother with temptations when we are spiritually strong but when we are at our weakest? And those temptations seem so reasonable. After all that fasting, Jesus is hungry. Satan’s first suggestion is that Jesus use his divine power to turn stones into bread. After all, Satan and Jesus both know Jesus can do it, so what’s the problem? But Jesus sees the temptation behind the temptation. Satan is really tempting Jesus to become his own amateur providence, to provide for himself, rather than depending on his Heavenly Father. But Jesus uses Scripture to answer Satan. “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”   So far, it’s Jesus 1, Satan 0.

What’s the lesson for us here? Trust God and avoid attempts at manipulation. I write fund-raising letters to support our work in the mission hospital where we have spent more than 20 years. One of the constant temptations is to exaggerate needs or misrepresent them to make them more dramatic. But if we are doing God’s work, we must use God’s methods and not Satan’s. One couple of our acquaintance used photos of themselves in front of a worthwhile project to raise funds; however, there was one problem: the project belonged to a different ministry.

“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”  Once more, Jesus doesn’t take Satan on by himself but answers Satan out of Scripture. While Satan twists Scripture, trying to use Scripture to tempt Jesus, Jesus handles Scripture appropriately and refuses to stupidly throw himself 400 feet from the top of Herod’s temple to the ground. Satan is quoting Psalm 91:11-12 “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” The first verses of Psalm 91 tell us, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91 isn’t simply a set of demands to be lodged against the One True Living God, but an expression of perfect trust in God’s provision. The last thing anyone claiming God’s protection should do is to do something ridiculous and then demand God deliver them.

As we proceed in this new year, we must watch ourselves so that we don’t knowingly put ourselves in jeopardy and then demand God deliver us. How can we do this? We should proceed prayerfully, asking God for guidance. Psalm 32:8 assures us, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye upon you.”

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

The final temptation is for Jesus to take a shortcut to power by worshiping Satan. But Jesus refuses, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13. Sometimes we might be tempted to take shortcuts rather than allowing God to work the way He wants to. But when we allow God to move, He can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Jesus was victorious in his temptations and with God’s power, we too can be victorious. But notice the one thing Jesus never did: He never relied on himself. As we enter the new year, let us go forward, trusting God to guide us and protect us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust Your guidance and Your provision so that we will fulfill Your perfect Will for our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

“After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

The disciples of John the Baptist are enraged! Here they have been assisting John as huge crowds swarm to hear his teachings and to repent and be baptized. Frankly, John’s disciples have been enjoying the popularity and notoriety. Now suddenly Jesus appears on the scene, and he is BAPTIZING and crowds are swarming to hear HIM! What does John intend to do about this upstart? John’s answer is far from satisfying. “John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” 

The problem for John’s disciples is that they have only been listening halfway. Messages of repentance? Sure! Baptism in water? Certainly! But all along, John has been announcing that he is only the forerunner and that his primary purpose is announcing the coming Messiah. That’s the point where John’s disciples have stopped listening. John’s disciples are outraged; meanwhile, John himself is relieved.  John has witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove and he is reassured that Jesus is the Messiah.

What’s the basis for the reference to the bridegroom and the bride? Traditionally, the bridegroom’s father will suddenly announce when the marriage is to take place. At that point, the friend of the bridegroom helps the bridegroom fetch the bride from her parents’ house. The friend of the bridegroom must make sure that everything will be done properly. The bridegroom has to affirm that the girl he is accepting is truly his betrothed, and this is an important part of the ceremony. When the friend of the bridegroom hears the bridegroom’s voice, he knows that things are all right and that the marriage will proceed.

“He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Here John is affirming that Jesus truly is the Son of God and that He has come from heaven and is speaking heavenly truths. John knows that God has given him the messages he has been preaching; however, John also knows that he is earthly and speaks of earthly things.

Just as a bridegroom takes first place in the marriage ceremony, so Jesus as the Son of God has come to take His place giving the messages His Heavenly Father wants Him to deliver.

What does this story have to say to us as we enter a new year? Nothing is constant but change, and no situation is ever permanent. Even as I am writing these words, I am preparing to take on new and different roles at the mission hospital where my husband and I serve. God is always doing new things, and we must be willing to follow His leading, knowing that God can lead us in wonderful new paths.

John’s story also contains a second important truth. “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  If we want everlasting life, we must believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Why? Because Jesus has shed His blood as the ultimate blood sacrifice for our sins. Nothing we can do will pay for even a single sin, for we sin in small and big ways continually. But when we believe on the Name of Jesus, God accepts Jesus’ sacrifice and our sins are removed. Corrie Ten Boom used to say that God places our sins in the farthest sea and then puts up a “No Fishing” sign. Today, let’s choose to follow Jesus so that no matter what happens, we have that promise of everlasting life.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that we cannot free ourselves from our sins. Thank You for dying for us and saving us from our sins so that we might have everlasting life. In Your mighty and precious Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

John 3:16-21 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”  

Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Epiphany have passed. Although for many people, the Advent and Christmas season is a joyous one, there are also many people for whom this time of year brings disappointment, disillusionment, and despair. One more year has passed, one more year without love, one more round of failed goals. And now the new year has started-will things really be any better?

YES! ABSOLUTELY AND POSITIVELY YES! If you are feeling lower than a ditch digger’s boots and in complete despair, I have great news. Yes, there is hope and no, you are not stuck. God can move in your situation and in your heart and transform both you and your situation.

Let’s look back at Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Remember, Nicodemus is a revered teacher and a big-time religious and civic leader for the Jewish community in Jerusalem. But Nicodemus is also hungry for God; he knows something is missing in his life, and he comes to Jesus to see if he can get answers.

Now Jesus is explaining to Nicodemus that even though men are inherently sinful, they are not stuck in that sin. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” For centuries, observant Jews have been making regular sacrifices to make up for their sins. Now God has sent His Son Jesus into the world so that anybody believing in Jesus might have everlasting life and might not go around feeling perpetually condemned.

Later, the Apostle Paul will emphasize this fact in his letter to the Christians in Rome. Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

When Nicodemus asks Jesus for more details, Jesus continues, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”  

Notice that we get free from condemnation not because we are so good or so perfect, but because we believe in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Sometimes we do wrong things without realizing they are wrong; yet, if we will confess those wrong things to God, He will forgive us. But when we insist on pursuing evil and being as evil as possible and being BAAAAD!!! , we are turning further and further away from the light of God’s holiness. We are choosing darkness rather than light.

“But,” you say, “I have made a mess of my life. Is there hope for me?” Absolutely! The first step in turning to the light is realizing you are in a mess and that you need God’s help to get out of it. The next step is looking at your situation and seeing what small positive actions you might take. Perhaps you will hold a door open for someone, or help an older person across the street, or share some of your possessions with someone who needs them. Perhaps you might simply smile at someone who looks discouraged-after all, you would love it if someone would smile at you! Each time you help, you are turning away from darkness toward light.

There’s a children’s song that says, “We are walking in the light of God.” Today can be the day you begin walking in that light. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving me and caring for me. Lord, I am discouraged and feel like a failure. But I do want to walk in Your light. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to follow You whole-heartedly. In Your mighty and precious Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

John 3:10-21 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

it is likely that John 3:16 is the most widely quoted verse in the Bible; however, we rarely think about the context in which Jesus first spoke these words. Nicodemus, a religious leader and teacher and a true seeker after God, has come to Jesus because he recognizes that Jesus may be the promised Messiah. Jesus is imparting complicated and timeless truths because he in turn recognizes Nicodemus to be someone who can understand and appreciate these truths.

First, Jesus speaks of the need for a new spiritual birth by water (baptism) and the Holy Spirit. Next, Jesus challenges Nicodemus to follow as Jesus explains heavenly things to him. The reference to Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness comes from a story recounted in Numbers 21:4-8. “Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”

There have been many speculations as to the nature of these “fiery serpents,” including the possibility of guinea worm, venomous snakes, etc. Personally, I suggest venomous snakes because people with guinea worm don’t die swiftly, and the people bitten by the fiery serpents did so. Sadly, the Israelites turned that bronze serpent into a fetish and worshiped it right up until righteous King Hezekiah destroyed it. (2 Kings 18:4) But the most interesting part of the original story of the bronze serpent is this: anyone who LOOKED on the bronze serpent would live, presumably because they believed enough to look. We don’t know the number of people who refused to look at the bronze serpent and died; however, there must have been traditions regarding those people as well.

Jesus is now telling Nicodemus that He, the Son of Man, will be lifted up (on a cross) and that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Evidently, there must have been those who refused to look at the bronze serpent and who died, because Jesus continues, ““He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

While Nicodemus might have been a little confused when Jesus was speaking about new spiritual births, now Jesus is describing good and evil, something with which Nicodemus is intimately acquainted. Notice that the words Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus mirror the words of John 1:11-13 “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

What happened to Nicodemus? We know from John 19:39-40 that when Jesus died, Nicodemus came with Joseph of Arimathea to collect the body and to anoint it with spices. From the night during which Jesus imparted glorious truths, Nicodemus became a believer. But what about you? Nicodemus was willing to set aside his prejudices and his position as a Jewish religious leader to follow Jesus. Are you willing to set aside pride in possessions, training, profession, and anything else to accept God’s magnificent gift of eternal life? God so loved YOU that He gave His only begotten Son so that YOU would have eternal life. Nothing you do by yourself can possibly earn that gift. If you have already accepted that gift, then continue throughout this year celebrating what God has done for you. But if you are wavering, why not look at Jesus and trust in what He’s done for you? Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and that nothing I can do is good enough to make up for my sins. Please forgive my sins and clean up my heart. I do believe that You died on a cross so that all who accept You might have eternal life. Help me to live for You from this day forward. Thank You for giving me eternal life in heaven with You when I die. I pray in Your mighty and precious Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

John 3:1-9 The New Birth

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 

When we are considering the stories about Jesus, we might conclude that all the Jewish religious leaders in that time were supercilious hypocrites, but that would be far from the case. Throughout human history, God has always had those who are truly seeking and worshiping Him. There were many religious leaders in Jesus’ day who wanted to worship God and who passionately desired holiness. This lovely story illustrates that fact.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Nicodemus is one of those whole-hearted worshipers who are truly seeking God and who were longing for the coming of Messiah. Nicodemus knows holiness when he sees it and hungers to know more. Although there are those who have criticized Nicodemus for coming to Jesus at night, when else would he come? During the day, both Jesus and Nicodemus are busy. Only at night when things are quiet can Nicodemus possibly have a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus.

Jesus immediately recognizes Nicodemus as an honest searcher after God. In this discussion, Jesus gives Nicodemus timeless truths. “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

“Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” While it might sound as if Jesus is mocking Nicodemus, in fact, Jesus is looking at Nicodemus with eyes full of eternal love.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus might be pardoned for being confused by Jesus’ statements about being born by water and the Spirit. John the Baptist is immersing people in the Jordan River. At this juncture, Nicodemus might wonder if Jesus wants him to go be baptized by John. Does the Jordan have some mystical properties in its dirty water? And what does Jesus mean about “being born of the Spirit?” Certainly, Jesus must be referring to God’s Holy Spirit, but mere men have no power to summon God’s Spirit, let alone be born by it.

Then things become even more confusing. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Slowly Nicodemus is coming to realize that Jesus is speaking about a divine rebirth, not merely a physical one. Jesus wants Nicodemus to know the glorious truth that nobody controls the Holy Spirit apart from the One True Living God who sends the Spirit. While the Holy Spirit moves, we cannot dictate to it; neither can we predict what the Holy Spirit will do or where God will act. For men to attempt to control the Holy Spirit is as futile as trying to control the wind. But God sends His Holy Spirit on all those who truly worship Him and who follow Him. We cannot control the Holy Spirit, but we may attract Him by our worship and prayer.

Recently, I heard a great short sermon that pointed out the fact that we become what we worship. If we worship money, our emotions will rise and fall with the stock market. If currency loses value, we too will feel that we are losing our value as human beings. Only when we allow God to bring us to the point where we desire a spiritual rebirth will we find true holiness and happiness that will last. The question for us as we enter this new year is a simple one: Have we allowed God to work in our lives so that we are new creatures in Christ Jesus, or are we dragging all our old spiritual and emotional garbage into this bright new year?

God wants us to dump our spiritual and emotional burdens at the cross of Jesus and allow Him to work in our hearts so that we become new people. But many of us are clinging to the idea that we can fix ourselves with just a bit more work, and that we really don’t need God. Such thinking actually indicates just how much we really need God, for the paradox is that the less we think we need God, the more we really do need Him. Today, why not pray and ask God to cleanse your heart and mind so that you can really have a fresh start in the New Year?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we have dragged huge bags of stinking thinking into this new year. We surrender those bags and we surrender the idea that we can fix ourselves. Please take complete control of our lives and help us to be re-born. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.