Insights into John 11-14 We learned from the introduction to John that this book is markedly different than the prior three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and starts at the very beginning before even time begins. There are seven miracles recorded in the Book of John (five of which were not recorded in the other gospels). In Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God (or how to get into the kingdom of God) and in John, Jesus teaches about himself (or now that you’ve gotten into the kingdom of God, how to live your life). John documents 25 different interactions with individuals instead of groups which encourages us that God is interested in “us” individually. John tells us the seven “I AM’s” that Jesus says, showing that He is everything to us and all we need. John clearly shows us that Jesus is a personal savior. As we continue through the book of John, please reference those Chapters in your Bible as this email will not repeat the text but add the context and historical setting and other significant meanings of the passages. It is highly recommended that you follow along with the most accurate Greek to English extraction today, The Pure Word, but please feel free to use your preferred version of the Scriptures as well. John Chapter 11 v. 1-16: Throughout his writing John emphasis the deity of Christ and Jesus raising a person from the dead is perhaps the greatest testimony that Jesus is actually God. Mary, who anointed Jesus’ feet, and her sister Martha (of Bethany) sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick. Jesus said that this sickness is not undo death but for the glory of God. Jesus stayed two more days and then told his disciples that “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” And then plainly tells them that “Lazarus is dead”. The disciples were afraid to go to Judea because they wanted to stone Jesus so Thomas said to the other disciples “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” v. 17-37: He was about 20 miles from Bethany and traveling about 10 miles per day would take two days for the trip. Since it takes time for the message to reach Jesus in the first place, and based on the deliberate delay on the part of Jesus, Jesus probably arrived at the house of Lazarus about six days after Mary & Martha sent the messenger out. When they arrived, they found that Lazarus had been dead and buried four days ago. When Jesus was about 2 miles away Martha left Mary and the mourners and met Jesus and in faith said, “Even now I know that whatever you ask of god, God will give you.” Jesus tells her “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall life. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” Martha then left Jesus and ran back and told Mary who then came, followed by the mourners, and fell at Jesus’ feet. Jesus’ groaned in his spirit and was troubled (Matt 26:38) because He loved her and saw the pain she was in and wept for their grief. Jesus is touched by our weaknesses. v. 38-44: Jesus came to the tomb and had the stone covering the tomb moved, saying, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (This applies to all of us today. Unless we believe we will not see the glory of God.) Jesus prayed and thanks the Father so that those may believe that God sent him. Jesus told Lazarus to come forth (as Christ calls us from sin). He then tells them to loose him (an analogy to being loosed from the bonds of sin) and let him go (we can be free from sin if we follow Christ). v. 45-57: The Pharisees hear of this and fear their position in the religious system and Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said that Jesus should die instead of the entire nation. From that day forward they plotted to put Jesus to death and gave a commandment that if anyone knew where Jesus was, that they should report it so he could be arrested. Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews but went to Ephraim and remained there with his disciples. The Passover was approaching, and many went from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves. In order to participate in the Passover, you had to take part in the purification rites. Those that sought to hear from Jesus went into the temple and wondered if Jesus would come. John Chapter 12 v. 1-8: Six days before the Passover, Jesus and the disciples came to Lazarus’ house in Bethany where they made them a supper. Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. (Martha busy serving; Mary busy worshiping). Judas was upset to see the wasted perfume since he kept the purse and wanted to pilfer some of it for himself after he converted it to money (the spikenard was about a year’s wage). Jesus rebukes Judas. v. 9-19: Many Jews heard that Jesus was there, so they came to see him and Lazarus who was raised from the dead. The chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also because many believed on Jesus because of Lazarus. When the multitudes heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went before him praising him saying “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!” (Ps 118:26). Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey (Zech 9:9). The Pharisees saw this and feared that the world was going to follow Jesus. v. 20-26: Some Greeks wanted to see Jesus and asked Philip who told Andrew; so Andrew & Philip told Jesus. Jesus says “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified and unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this works, will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me.” v. 27-36: Jesus tells us that his soul is troubled because the hour has come but he knows that for this purpose he came to this hour and asks “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven saying “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” (Matt 3:17). He signified how he would die by saying he would be lifted up (crucifixion) just as Moses lifted up the cross in the wilderness to heal all those that looked upon it that were bitten by the serpents. The crucifixion needed to be performed during the Passover representing the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God, where we are covered by the blood of the Lamb. v. 37-41: Despite all the miracles, wonders and signs, “they could not believe” him (Is 53:1) because “he has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, least they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” (Is 6:10). These people patterned their rejection of Christ so many times that it was not impossible to turn to Christ. No matter how many miracles they saw they could not believe. (Today, 9/10th of all decisions to follow Christ are made when a person is a teen-ager.) v. 42-50: Many of the rulers believed but did not confess it because of the Pharisees, lest they be thrown out of the synagogue, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Those that don’t confess Jesus before man, Jesus will not confess them before the Father. Jesus loudly explains to the multitude that He does nothing of his own accord but that of the Father. He has not come to judge the world but to save it. And those that reject Christ will be judged by the words that God has spoken (the law). His command is everlasting life. Obey the Father to have everlasting life. John Chapter 13 v. 1-20: Chapters 13 through 17 covers around 24 hrs. John skips to the end of the Passover dinner with Christ after Judas Iscariot already determined to betray Jesus. Jesus loved us unto the completion (telos) of the redemption. Jesus humbled himself to that of the lowest servant (bond slaves are symbolized by being girded with a towel) and then washed the disciples’ feet. He tells Peter that he who is bathed needs only to have their feet washed to be completely clean and that if Jesus does not wash their feet, then they can have no part with him. Washing your feet after leaving a Roman bath when returning to the dressing room was a common practice. As we walk through this world we may pick up some dirt (sin) from this world that we need to have washed off. Jesus provided them an example that they should live to be the servant of one another and servant of all. Happy are you if you do them. (minister = servant) v. 21-30: Jesus comes to the time where he tells the disciples that one of them would betray him. Jesus is troubled in his spirit (perhaps because even though he knew that Judas would betray him from the very beginning when he chose Judas, it would still be hard knowing that Judas has been with him the entire 3.5 yrs and saw all the miracles and would still betray him) and tells them that it is he whom he gives a piece of bread after he dips it, which he then does and gives it to Judas Iscariot. In those days it was a gesture of friendship, as in ‘toasting’ a person. After receiving the piece of bread, Satan entered Judas and Jesus said to him “What you do, do quickly.” v. 31-35: Jesus then refers to the remaining 11 disciples as “little children” (teknon) in talking to them. This is the only time Jesus uses this term. He could not use this term before Judas left since Judas was not a child of God, instead before Judas left, he used the term disciples when talking to them. A ‘disciple’ is merely one who studies under a master, and not necessarily one that believes and lives the life the master teaches. Jesus tells his little children (adopted sons of God) that he will be with them a little longer and he gives them a new commandment: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” v. 36-38: Simon Peter tells Jesus that he doesn’t want to be separated from Jesus and wants to know why he can’t follow Jesus now and that he would even lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus tells Peter (and I’m sure it was in a very loving way) that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowd. Jesus at this point has approximately 9 hrs remaining before he is hung on the cross. John Chapter 14 v. 1-14: Jesus tells us that in his Father’s house are many mansions (abiding places) and that where he goes he will come back to get us so that we can be with him. Jesus might be referring to a new body that he will be preparing for each of us (not a physical building). Jesus tells Philip that if he has seen Jesus then he has seen the Father because Jesus and the Father are one. If you believe in me, the works that I do you will do also (through the Holy Spirit that lives in you). Jesus tells the disciples who follow him: “And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the father may be glorified in the Son.” v. 15-24: “If you love me, keep my commandments”. Jesus tells them that he will send the Helper (Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth) to dwell in us and he will be in us forever . Jesus will not leave us orphans as he will come back for us. Before we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives with us convicting us and when we accept Jesus, he sends the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts to lead us in the path of righteousness. The Holy Spirit can also come upon us. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” v. 25-31: Jesus tells them that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach them all things and he leaves them with His Peace and that they should not let their heart be troubled nor be afraid. Jesus tells them that he will be going to his Father soon but he will return for them so that when these things happen (he will be crucified the next morning) that they will remember he said it would happen in advance. Do you Want to Know God More? We Must Read His Word. I would strongly suggest that every Christian obtain a copy of The Pure Word and use it alongside your favorite Bible version to see the original meanings and open your eyes like never before. It is not a translation but a Pure extraction or substitution from Greek into English using the original meaning of each root word as closely as possible as it existed at the time of Jesus Christ and the Apostles Watch the official intro video now and see exactly how The Pure Word is an invaluable resource that should be used by every Christian, pastor, and Bible study group. Experience the gospel as they did in the first century, during the time of Christ, the Apostles, and the birth of the Church!
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