John 12 Six Days to Live

 

John 12 – Six Days to Live

 

What would your plans be if you knew you only six days to live?  Jesus took time to visit dear friends and fellowship with them. Mary’s adoration not only revealed her love, but it brought joy to His heart, exposed Judas’s sin, and gave the church an example to follow. (2 Cor. 2:15-16)

 

Jesus took advantage of the large Passover crowd to present Himself as King (Zech 9:9). He was forcing the Jews to act, for it was the Father’s will that Jesus die on Passover. The crowd did not stay with Him. It is easier to shout in a parade than stand at a cross.

 

Jesus looked upon His death as an opportunity to glorify God. We must take that attitude when we face a time of trial. He saw Himself as a seed that would die and produce fruit as a conqueror who would defeat Satan (Col. 2:14-15). The Cross would open the way of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.

 

In His words and works, Jesus showed Israel the light, but they chose to walk in darkness. The praise of men meant more to them than the praise of God. Be careful what you do with His words because you will hear them again when you see the Savior.

 

People can only experience life and joy when they decide to die to their self-centered existence and give control over their lives to Jesus (Matt. 10:39; 16:24).

 

Jesus’ final hours were reserved for His disciples. Jesus spoke like an ambassador on a short but urgent assignment. His mission was to undo the irresistible, enslaving force of evil within humanity and save the world. This ends the account of Jesus’ ministry.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.  J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

John 11 - God's Love Comforts

 

John 11 – God’s Love Comforts

 

This experience was difficult for the Bethany family but look at it in the light of God’s Love.

 

The sisters sent their message to the Lord because they knew He was concerned about them. God’s love keeps His ears open to our cries (Ps. 34:12-16).

 

We think that love must act immediately, but sometimes delay brings a greater blessing. “God’s delays are not God’s denials.” Jesus gave them a promise to encourage them while they waited. The promise seemed to have failed, but Jesus knew what He was doing.

 

It was dangerous for Jesus to return to Judea, but He went just the same. The raising of Lazarus helped to precipitate the plans that led to His death.

 

Jesus came to the sisters, listened to them, and assured them with His word. He cannot really help us until we move from “Lord if… to “Yes, Lord, I believe.”

 

Jesus identifies with our sorrows (Heb 4:15-16).  He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, but He still wept with the sisters and their friend.

 

We today are not able to raise the dead, but we can serve others as they go through the valley (Rom. 12:15). A loving heart will always find a way to bear others’ burdens (Gal. 6:2).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

John 10 - God's People

 

John 10 – God’s People

 

God’s people are His flock (Ps. 100:3; Acts 20:28), and they must beware strangers, thieves, and hirelings. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and speaks to them, so He is not like the strangers. He protects the sheep, so He is not like the thieves; and He gives His life for the sheep, so He is not like the hirelings who run away from danger.

 

A thief by nature persists in a lifestyle of stealing for personal gain. False shepherds steal the joy and security of God’s people, and through their false teaching, drive others away from God.

 

When you trust the Good Shepherd, He leads you out of the wrong fold and into the right flock. He goes before you and leads you by His Word, and He leads you in and out to find spiritual nourishment.

 

There are many churches but only “one flock and one shepherd”. Those sheep will be saved (Acts 4:12); they will go in and out in the secure provision of the shepherd; they will find pasture. Jesus said that His purpose as the Good Shepherd was that His sheep would have life more abundantly. Jesus’ sheep can be recognized because they hear and follow His voice.

 

Eternal life is not something believers receive when they die; they obtain it the moment they believe in Christ as Savior. No one will be able to snatch them out of His or the Father’s hand (Rom 8:38,39).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

John 9 - Irritation, Interrogation, and Identification

 

John 9 – Irritation, Interrogation, and Identification

By putting clay on the man’s eyes, Jesus encouraged him to obey and wash on the Sabbath. Sometimes the Lord irritates us before He illuminates us. His power is so great that He can use common things like dirt and water to produce a miracle. The man could hear but not see, and the Word produced faith (Rom. 10:17).

 

The man was questioned by the neighbors and by the Pharisees. Instead of seeking the truth and the freedom it brings, the Pharisees denied the truth and ended up in worse bondage. If we ask sincerely, with a willingness to obey, the Lord will lead us to the truth. If we are not honest with God, He will never show us His light.

 

The Pharisees were false shepherds who threw the man out, but Jesus the Good Shepherd took him in! The worst thing the Pharisees could have done was to assert that they were not sinners. (I John 1:8). The best thing they did was to cast the man out of the synagogue, where he saw Jesus with his own eyes and worshipped Him. The man knew that he was “a man called Jesus”, “a prophet”, and “a Man of God; but he needed to learn that He is “The Son of God”. He believed and was saved. Beware a spiritual experience that comes short of true salvation. As is often the case with those who reject Christ, the Pharisees were blinded by their pride, not by ignorance. They chose to not understand preferring the darkness of their own self-interests to the Light of Christ.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

 

John 8 Condemnation

 

John 8 – Condemnation

 

The woman was guilty, but where was the man? Both deserved to die (Lev. 20:10). It was a trap and Jesus knew it, but He ended up trapping the trappers. Did He write on the ground to remind them that He had written the Law (Exod. 31:18) or to refer them to Jeremiah 17:13? Often the greatest sinners are also the greatest accusers. Here is our wonderful assurance: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” Rom. 8:1.

 

The religious leaders did not know where they were going or where He was going because they were in the dark spiritually. They had the light of the Law (Prov. 6:23) and of conscience, but they did not have the light of life. Consequently, they did not know the Father or understand what Jesus taught them.

 

The people were in bondage to Rome and to the Law of Moses, yet they said they were free! Jesus may have been referring to Isaac and Ishmael (Gen. 21:8-21) since the Jews had mentioned Abraham. The Son makes you free, so trust Him and follow Him. His truth makes you free, so study it, believe it, and obey it. Satan imposes slavery that seems like freedom (2 Pet. 2:19); Jesus gives you a yoke that sets you free (Matt. 11:28-30). “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

 

One mark of a true believer is that Jesus’ words live within them. God’s Word either changes a person’s heart or causes internal conflict.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.                      

 

 

John 7 How the World thinks and Decides.

 

John 7 – How the World thinks and Decides.

 

Because He was doing the Father’s will, Jesus lived on a divine timetable, and so should we (Ps. 31:14-15). The world does not understand this and will give you advice contrary to God’s will. Live on God’s schedule and you will always have God’s help.

 

There was confusion and unbelief among the people. Some were for Him because of His miracles, while others opposed Him because He broke the Sabbath laws. Some waited to see what their leaders would do, and their leaders wanted to kill Him. They were judging by appearances and going astray. God’s people must look deeper - to the heart.

 

One ritual during the Feast of Tabernacle was the pouring out of water in the temple. It was a reminder that God gave Israel water in the wilderness. Water for drinking pictures the Holy Spirit who is given to those who trust Christ. The world is thirsty and can find its thirst quenched only by coming to Christ. Jesus quenches every thirst- He is knowledge to the thirsty mind, love to the thirsty heart, peace to the thirsty conscience, and holiness to the thirsty spirit. (Isa. 55:1)

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

John 6 three Tests

 

John 6 – Three Tests

 

The disciples faced three tests because of the great crowds that followed Jesus.

 

When they went about to feed the multitude Phillip thought the answer was money, but Andrew saw the answer in a lad with a lunch. When you face a seemingly unsolvable problem, claim the promise. Give what you have to Jesus and let Him tell you what to do. God can do anything, including multiply a person’s resources for His glory.

 

Leaving the multitude.  This incident occurred at the high point of our Lord’s popularity. The disciples (especially Judas) would have welcomed a kingdom, so Jesus sent them away into a storm. They went from popularity to peril, but they were safer in the storm than with the multitude; and Jesus came to them and met their needs (Isa. 43:2).  Can you obey His will even when you disagree with Him? The real proof of discipleship is how closely a person follows Christ when his or her needs are not immediately satisfied, and the winds start to blow. He comes to all His followers in their storms.

 

People want the Lord to meet their needs but not their spiritual needs. The manna (Exodus 16) came only to the Jews and sustained physical life, but Jesus came for the whole world and gives eternal life. Just as you take food into your body, so you take Christ into your life; and He becomes one with you.  The disciples had opportunity to follow the crowd, but they remained with Jesus. Jesus is the bread of eternal life in heaven, not just the source of abundant life here on earth.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible