John 11:47-54

What are you concerned about?

v.v. 47-53
Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” Here we have the reaction of the religious rulers after a mighty display of divine power over the grave. They were in therefore asking, 'What are we doing?" However, they let their introspection lead them deeper into the dark. For what follows resulting in a dark decision follows from many manifestations of their opposition towards Jesus. Sure, great question, but they were full speed ahead down a slippery slope. They found themselves revealing their fear of the Romans being greater than their fear of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the Messiah, Immanuel, Christ. This fear was a result of them laying ownership to that which was not theirs. Did they earn their position as a priest? NO! It was given to them by God as being from the loins of Aaron, a Levite. Their position and their nation was a gift, unearned, by God. They would be right to say that the Romans might come and take away God's priesthood and God's nation of Israel. The will of God will prevail. The concerns of man which may be driven by powerful decisions of powerful men, is all subservient to the will and plan of God. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” Caiaphas speaks for the group of questioning Pharisees and council members. He appears to have the good of the people and the nation in his thoughts. However, he is dominated by the concern of the group as a whole to preserve '(their) place and (their) nation.' He is falsely driven to protect that which he falsely think is his and appears to be wise. Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. The apparent wisdom of Caiaphas was short-sighted and limited at best. For he was unknowingly prophesying concerning the full extent of the death of Jesus. The death of Jesus will affect the nation of Israel and the children of God from around the world. They will be gathered together. The word translated 'gather' in the NASB is συναγάγῃ (3rd Person Singular Aorist Active Subjunctive) meaning: bring together for a deliberation or festivity; in a hostile sense as in gathering for war; bring together, join in one, unite as in marriage; and join together, make friends of, reconcile. The concerns of the Pharisees, the council and of Caiaphas are valid but they, if they seek that which of God instead of themselves and their limited perceptions, they will be an example for a massive gathering to God. So from that day on they..... What they meant for 'bad,' God, having a much larger plan, meant it for their 'good.' So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. This a climax in the hostility towards Jesus. John, our author, was careful in plotting its growth: 5:16; 7:1, 32, 45; 8:59; 9:22; 10:39. "It is ironic that these men believed they could put to death permanently One who could raise the dead (Lazarus) - The Nelson Study Bible, NKJV, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1997, p. 1787.

v. 54

Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.The wilderness is usually thought of the area of the Judean Desert extending to Jericho.

SUMMARY

This is a passage provides great insight into man. On the one hand we have the religious rulers. They are concerned with self preservation. As long as their positions and lifestyle are preserved they are content. Therefore, they are willing to do most anything, whether good or bad, short lived or not. Therefore, their goals are defined to the accomplishment of that self preservation. On the other hand, we have a veiled view into the matured perspective of John our author. At the time of the writing of his gospel account, John is well advanced in years and in exile for his faith in Jesus. I am sure at the time of Caiaphas, the Pharisees and the council issuing a death warrant for Jesus, that John did not see Caiaphas' thoughts as being prophecy. For how can view such a holy interpretation as coming from such a man bent on doing evil. I believe that John's attributing Caiaphas to the role of a prophet came from maturity in the Lord. He came to embrace the whole redeeming and reconciling plan of God.

APPLICATION

What is your purpose in life? Is it to maintain a status quo? To make it through life with the greatest success in preserving the life and health of yourself and those dear to you? Or, is it to glorify God and accept His will? See life as He sees it? For you are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God!

John 10:22-42

At the Feast of Dedication (aka Hanukkah)

Three Paragraphs
Verses 22-30
Verses 31-39
Verses 40-42

v. 22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. As our text here begins a new section, it is topically associated with the concluding content of our previous 5 scene act covering John 7:1 - 10:21. There is at least a two month interlude due to the time occurring between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Dedication. The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, Feast of Lights, Dedication of the Altar) was a festival marking the occurrence of regaining of the temple by the Maccabees in 165 B.C. in which one day supply of menorah oil lasted for eight days. This passage is the only passage in the New Testament where the Feast of Dedication is mentioned. Jesus is the Light of the World. Winter in Jerusalem is a rainy season. The winter rains are never thought of a dreary event as most Americans think of 'rainy days and Mondays always get me down.' Rainy days were viewed as a blessing with the children often playing in the streets in the rain. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Ever been in suspense? How is that compared to expecting or anticipating? The Greek word translated 'suspense' by the New American Standard is ψυχὴν (Accusative Singular Feminine of ψυχή) meaning 'soul, life, breath, blow.' Liddell Scott Jones gives further insight revealing the common Greek usage by ψυχή being translated in three ways: 1. 'breathe or blow, make cool or cold, dry or make dry.' 2. 'cold or coolness' 3. 'life, spirit, ghost, the conscious self or personality as seat of emotions, desires, and affections; life and consciousness.' Whichever you choose, with the third being the most probable choice, the NAS leads us astray. They were not on the edge of their seats like we are in a fright filled scary movie. They were 'void in their spirit,' 'void of life,' 'a wreck in their emotions' looking for peace, 'clueless' being void of consciousness. 'Suspense' might express 'emotions' but their need for Him to speak to them was much deeper than emotions. The literal meaning is "hold up your soul" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, ed.Walvoord and Zuck, Victor Books, 1983, p. 311). It was a matter of there 'soul' and 'life.' This was a genuine heartfelt gut wrenching request. Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." Jesus is eager to proclaim His authority and the origin of His authority. His Father's name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ πατρός) is the basis for His being, His works and His words. The manner in which Jesus speaks to these gathered Jews with shepherd and sheep terminology is the reason the Apostle John place this event immediately following the text of the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. There Jesus proclaims Himself to be the Good Shepherd. Note the repeated terms from the Feast of Booths text: hear His voice, know, and follow. Now we embrace a concept that is central to the sheep's relationship. We already know that the shepherd provides and protects His sheep. Now we know that the Shepherd sustains His sheep. The 'never perish,' 'no will snatch, and 'no one is able to snatch them' speaks well of the security of the sheep which depends on the character of the Shepherd. Sheep cannot provide, protect and sustain themselves. Without a Shepherd, they will flee and be scattered. The Father holds His Sheep in His Hand.

v. 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Being full of their religion which is full of human agendas, human perceptions, and human hierarchies, the Jews find themselves rejecting the exclusive of rights of the Shepherd, the eternal provision of the Sheep, and the distinction between those sheep belonging to the Shepherd and those NOT belonging to the Shepherd. Religion frequently, if not always, struggles with 'good works' and their role in ascertaining a relationship with God. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” Good works are not a basis for judgment. Good works validate the relationship. Good works do not cancel the relationship. Again, good works flow from the relationship thereby validating the relationship. The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” The Jews finish the religious thought. A relationship with God is not prioritized over good works. In fact, the Jews are attempting to stone Him because of His relationship. Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’? “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” Psalm 82 is the basis for Jesus' comment. Like Psalms, Jesus is not referring to a divine nature in man. He is referring to men being human judges as Psalm 82 does with the human judges being irresponsible. Note in Psalm 82:7 (quoted below) that men will die and fall away. Here again they are being irresponsible. Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp. Again, by identifying Himself with His Father (their Father being God, YHWH), they pursue to seize Him and attempt to 'put an end to Him.' But, He slips away. The Greek word translated 'eluded' (NAS) is ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ which is the Aorist Active Indicative Verb form of ἐξέρχομαι with the preposition ἐκ meaning: (LSJ) 'go or come out.' He simply left their presence. There were no evidences of 'eluding' as with deception or disguise. He simply left. There were no 'smoke and mirrors' or ducking down to avoid them sighting Him that might hint of a cohort assistance or a plan of escape. They were after Him and He, being under the protection of His Father and 'it is not His time' simply left their presence. He and His Father were in control. Remember this!

v. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. After He left the inquiring crowd in the Temple, Jesus left Jerusalem and traveled eastward to cross the Jordan. This was the place that John (the Baptist) was known to have begun his ministry of way preparation. Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” Many believed in Him there. Jesus was known in this area which ties His earthly past to His earthly future. He was among friends and many of them embraced all that they knew of Him.

The next event, as our writer leads us, is couched in this general location, where Jesus will expose more profound aspects of His identity, His purpose and His priority. Therein, we will be able to extract our identity, our purpose and our priority.

APPLICATION

1. Does your pursuit of God resemble a 'soul search' for truth? Or, is a passing fancy drummed up by some emotional amusement ride of events?
   
2. Are your 'good works' an attempt to have a relationship with God? Or, are your 'good works' a result of your relationship with God?
3. Psalm 82 (A Psalm of Asaph)
   
   1. God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.

   2. How long will you judge unjustly
   And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

   3. Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
   Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

   4. Rescue the weak and needy;
   Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

   5. They do not know nor do they understand;
   They walk about in darkness;
   All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

   6. I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.

   7. “Nevertheless you will die like men
   And fall like any one of the princes.”

   8. Arise, O God, judge the earth!
   For it is You who possesses all the nations.

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John 5:19-47 Religion vs. Relationship

John 5:19-47
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
“If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. “There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. “You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. “But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. “He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
“But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. “And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.
“I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?
“Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

COMMENTARY
John 5:19-47
The beginning of this section, in According to John, introduces Jesus responding to the Jews that were now seeking all the more to kill... HIM. They, as a result of Him claiming God to be His Father, stepped up the level of intensity from persecution to out right premeditated murder. Jesus, with the ink now fresh on wanted posters, was no longer a pest but a problem and threat to their......... position, power, money, prestige, heritage, national security, etc. Hence, 'Let's kill him.' Be no mistaking, God was at the center of their religious lives but they neglected the most important issue.
19. Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them This whole section is Jesus speaking. He 'answered' them even though they did NOT ask a question. Let it be noted before we go any further that Jesus, the Son of God, not only answers your questions, He knows what you are questioning even though you are confident of your statement that is not yet a question. That is why the text of this section is overwhelmingly red, which is the pattern of major translations demarcating Jesus speaking. As we look at Chapter 5 as a whole, we note that it has 47 verses. The first 18 verses tell of the multifaceted cast in the situation that brings Jesus to speak of His very personal relationship with His Father. The last 28 verses speak of the divine relationship. “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. Don't you wish all earthly father/son relations worked out in this manner? Fathers, keep that in mind as we move through this section. Sons, pattern your life-long relation with your earthly father as Jesus did with His heavenly Father.
20. “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. Interesting to note that one of the primary benefits of the Father loving and involving the Son is that WE may marvel. Yes, this is a relationship to behold. This relationship is a pattern for all Father / Son relationships. The Greek word θαυμάζητε translated 'marvel' in the New American Standard also depicts respect, honor, marvel, worship, wonder, admire and astonishment. The relationship between the Father and the Son provides an illustration that defines the object of our worship. 21. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. Note that the Father raises from the dead. This is key regarding Jesus' resurrection. His Father called Him forth. The resurrection of Jesus Christ will soon be regarded as the ultimate approval of His Father for the redemption of sin. Jesus is about the business of life and He has the authority or permission to bestow life on whoever He wishes. 22. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23. so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. When you step into a contemporary courtroom, this issue is brought out. The one who is 'honored' is the one who 'judges.' When we address 'your honor' in our courtrooms, we are addressing the judge. Therefore, the Son is the one who judges and is to be honored. His position of honor, however, was given to him by his Father. The Greek word τιμάω translated 'honor' in its various forms in this sentence means "to fix the value or to price." It also means "estimate, value, or esteem." This word is rarely used in the context of an 'award' as something 'to give as an honor.' The issue here is honor. What or who do you honor, or place a high price? 24. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. This is an echo of John 3:16-17. The Son has the authority to proclaim in word, grant eternal life, provide escape from judgment, pull out of death and bring into life. Do you hear? And, to what are you listening? Do you believe? Who do you believe? You have this life (maybe) but do you have the next? Are facing judgment? Or, do you have a personal escort into the courtroom who is also the Judge Himself? Does your life depict death or life? Has there been a "passing" in your life? The Greek word means: to pass from one state of being to another. This is much like passing from North Carolina into South Carolina on the way to Atlanta, Georgia. It is like passing from one subject to another when writing or speaking. The Greeks also frequently attached a nuance of pursuing eagerly to the as you go passing. When you pass from death, there is a leaving of death. When you are now in LIFE, you are forever in LIFE. The Apostle Paul said it this way in his letter to the Colossians (1:13-14) "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." What have you left? Or, have you just added religion to your present state? Jesus calls you to relocate. 25. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26. “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27. and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Did you catch that authority transfer? The authority to judge is once again articulated to be with the Son. You think that the Old Testament is rough as God judges the enemies of Israel, Israel itself and then Judah? The Son has the authority to execute judgment. The Greek word translated 'execute' means to separate, decide, distinguish, choose, elect, trial or interpret judgment. In the Son we now know the intent and perpetuation of judgment. Apart from the Son there is no understanding or experience of judgment. Why? For in the Son is the antithesis of judgment: LIFE. 28. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29. and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. Do NOT marvel. Why? We must look to the previous sentence for our immediate answer. For we were previously told in verse 20, that we are to marvel in that the Father shows the Son great works that He is doing and greater works that He, the Son, will do. Here, in verse 28 we are abruptly halted in our growing approval of Jesus to make sure that our homage is clearly defined. In all that follows verse 20 with its call to marvel, somehow, the hearing of the Father's voice and the resurrection of all either to life or to judgment is to supersede that.
30. “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Isn't this great. The only begotten Son, who has been given the authority to judge, is humbly noting that He, Himself owes all that He is to His Father. All that He seeks is in total agreement with His Father. This is the model of all father/son relationships. This was the design, but sin twists and kills its intent and our hope. 31. “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. Even though Jesus will one day soon return to His position at the right hand of His Father, he knows and makes sure that we know that this is not about Himself. This is from and about His Father. This is about the Father's kingdom and the Father's reputation. This is the Father's testimony and Jesus tells of His transfer of authority. It is not that Jesus says this about Himself, it is that His Father says this about Him. Therefore all Christians should follow Jesus' example for the basis of their being. It is not what we say about ourselves, it is what our Father says about us that is true regardless of how confident or abased we find ourselves. 32. “There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. 33. “You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34. “But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35. “He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. Jesus, having a very dear and high regard for John (the Baptist), is making sure that He validates John's ministry while qualifying its purpose. John (the Baptist) was sent to be a light shining in the wilderness, and to make a way for the coming of Jesus, the Light (According to John 1:6-8).
36. “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37. “And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38. “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. In this section we have a repeated term: testimony or testified. The Greek adds to the repetitiveness by using the same root, μαρτυρέω, for our English translation of 'witness.' As a result of proclaiming His Father, Jesus makes a striking statement to those known for their religiosity. They: 1. have never heard God's voice, 2. have never seen God, 3. do not have God's word in them, and 4. do not believe God. No wonder they were looking to kill Jesus. He completely tore down all of their professional and credentialed motives, religious traditions, national and ethnic pride. 39. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40. and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. Jesus further reveals their processes based on their motives in that their professional endeavors, even though well intended, provide barriers and distractions from the truth. Religion is a powerful tool in the hands of Satan, the Devil. Here is his main battleground. Satan will let you be ultra-religious, quoting the Bible from Genesis to Revelation including the Apocrypha, in order to keep you from knowing the Father and the Son. For this is eternal life: knowing God. Not just knowing about Him. 41. “I do not receive glory from men; 42. but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43. “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44. “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? What is His Father's name? YHWH, the I AM. It is an amazing historical study to understand the role of YHWH in Israel's history. They hold it most dear but they forbid themselves to say it. Here, Jesus uncovers their complete disdain for anyone to speak it or to relate to it. That is Jesus' point. He comes in YHWH but they do not receive Him. Therefore, when we distance ourselves from the Father YHWH, we will set up religious standards of our own which are sub-standards and prideful. Our then idolatrous ways, for they are apart from or beneath God, are self gratifying and always changing. Seek God's glory for it will never change. 45. “Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46. “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47. “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” Knowing about God is always subservient to knowing God. You must first know God to fully understand all that you know about God. If you do not know God, then all that you know about God will condemn you. If you know God, thereby know His Son, their is therefore now no condemnation.

SUMMARY

Isn't this a delightful story? Jesus is now a wanted man for claiming His lineage and family heritage and he calmly answers a question that was not asked. My concern for us is that we will quickly condemn those who Jesus addresses. But, we must be careful of our own prideful idolatrous ways. How much of your so-called religious life rests on doing things for God? If I had only done the right thing....? Or, If I had only known what to do...? Or, If I had only...? Or, If I had...? Or, If I...? Or, If....? Or,...? Forget all that. Do you know Him? Jesus is the One that you will give an account. Are you ready? If not, today is the day to cease all religious activity and rest on His redemption, His forgiveness, His righteousness, His restoration. Know Him and His Father.